8 Best Indian Restaurants In Pasadena, California

indian restaurants in pasadena
Amruta
Amruta 
Updated
| 4 min read

Indian food is known for its savory and vibrant flavors that tantalize your tastebuds and keep you asking for more. Indian cuisine consists of different varieties of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food that are unique to certain regions of India. It includes everything from breakfast to dinners and from starters to desserts. Hence, finding an Indian restaurant that serves authentic Indian food varieties that retain the original flavors and taste can be a difficult task, especially in cities outside the country. Therefore, we have curated a listicle of some of the best Indian restaurants in Pasadena, California, so as to introduce you to the real taste of India.

1. California Chutney


California Chutney is not your ordinary Indian restaurant. It serves traditional Indian food with a modern twist. Here you pick your meat and its base (which includes options like chicken tikka masala), then your style (which includes options like naan, tacos, rice bowl, burrito, or salad), and your toppings (like chutneys, yummy yogurt sauce, or even pico de gallo). Key highlights of dining here are the friendly staff, fair prices, good portions, and tasty food. For further discounts, you can visit during happy hours in the afternoons. If you want to try something new in a bright, contemporary setting and classy ambiance, then this place is definitely for you.

California Chutney

Address: 45 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11am - 9pm; Sun: 11am - 7pm

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2. New Delhi Palace


New Delhi Palace is known for its friendly staff, excellent service, delicious food, and minimalistic Indian decor. It is one of the restaurants where you can expect fresh and hot food with less waiting time even during rush hour. When here, don’t forget to try the tandoori dishes as they are prepared in traditional brick ovens to retain the real and authentic taste of the food. To try a little bit of everything, order the dinner plate, which is available in vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian options. Be careful when ordering as these platters may or may not include side dishes. But if you consult the staff, they usually explain it to you before bringing over your meal.

New Delhi Palace

Address: 950 E Colorado Blvd #205, Pasadena, CA

Website: New Delhi Palace

Opening hours: 11am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 10pm (daily)

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3. Annapurna Grill

indian restaurants in pasadena | annapurna grill
Source: instagram

Annapurna Grill is home to authentic South Indian food that is made by South Indian chefs themselves. They have some North Indian and Nepalese cuisines too. Fair prices, great service, and fresh quality food are the trademarks of this restaurant. It also has a specially curated kids’ menu, which is a hit among the children. You can visit during happy hours—when you can get drinks and meals at discounted prices—or go for lunch buffets to try a variety of dishes at reasonable prices. Annapurna Grill is known for its yummy biryani dishes and homemade ice cream—which is to die for.

Annapurna Grill

Address: 929 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA

Website: Annapurna Grill

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 11:30am - 3pm, 5:30pm - 9:45pm (closed on Mon)

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4. All India Cafe

indian restaurants in pasadena | all india cafe
Source: instagram

All India Cafe has received many awards and has been featured in Zagat and Gourmet. These accolades make it one of the best Indian restaurants in the locality. The menu draws inspiration from North India and fuses the idea with Southern Indian flair and flavor. Furthermore, the selections include vegetarian as well as gluten-free options too. The dishes are always fresh and tasty, and the service toward diners is quick and amicable. All India Cafe also has lunch buffets and serves one of the best goat curries in town.

All India Cafe

Address: 39 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA

Website: All India Cafe

Opening hours: Sun - Tue & Thu: 11:30am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 11pm (closed on Wed)

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5. Namaste Spiceland


Namaste Spiceland is a vegetarian-only cafe that serves fresh and delicious Indian cuisine. The food here is prepared from the finest and freshest ingredients using traditional Indian cooking methods. The staff is friendly, and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. The place also has different kinds of ready-made food each day—which range from mild to spicy. You can order a double or triple meal combo for a better deal. Also, the venue has ample space for parking.

Namaste Spiceland

Address: 270 N Hill Ave, Pasadena, CA

Website: Namaste Spiceland

Opening hours: 9:30am - 9pm (daily)

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6. Mint Leaf Indian


Mint Leaf Indian is an exclusive restaurant with an array of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options on the menu. Furthermore, it also serves hot drinks and wines to customers. If you are looking forward to finger-licking, delicious food, with great service, friendly staff, lovely decor, and a warm and inviting ambiance, then Mint Leaf Indian is for you. The highlight of this restaurant is that they let you choose the spiciness level of your food—on a scale of 1 to 10. Just be sure to book a reservation before you visit as the place tends to get busy due to limited capacity. You can also order online or opt for DoorDash delivery.

Mint Leaf Indian

Address: 2535 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA

Website: Mint Leaf Indian

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 10pm

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7. Tibet Nepal House Restaurant

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Source: Photo by user Mike Linksvayer used under CC0

This is a fantastic gem of a restaurant serving delicious Tibetan, Nepalese, and Indian food. It has a lunch buffet, several beers from India, and other unique Nepalese dishes, in addition to the typical Indian favorites. The staff here is very friendly and makes an effort to get to know you after only a few visits. All the dishes are prepared fresh daily and made from scratch. The food is amazing, the service is excellent, and the atmosphere is relaxing. Don’t forget to try the lamb saag or lamb sekuwa and garlic naan for a delightful savory lunch. You can also try the buffet around lunchtime.

Tibet Nepal House Restaurant

Address: 3905, 36 E Holly St, Pasadena, CA

Website: Tibet Nepal House Restaurant

Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 11:30am - 3pm, 5pm - 9:30pm

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8. Himalayan Cafe

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Himalayan Cafe serves Indian, Tibetan, Nepalese dishes in a warm and inviting nook decorated by regional art. Furthermore, this quaint little place offers awesome scenic views of Old Pasadena. If you are a fan of momos, you should definitely visit this restaurant for its soft and luscious momos filled with delicious fillings. The food is extremely flavorful as it’s made from high-quality ingredients. The place also has a lunch buffet for the best price in the town. Further, the serving team is very mindful of the customers and responds immediately. Here, you have many choices, including both vegetarian and nonvegetarian meals.

Himalayan Cafe

Address: 36 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA

Website: Himalayan Cafe

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 10am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 11pm

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Have a real taste of India

It is always a good idea to ask for help from staff when ordering food for the first time at any restaurant. The same is true with these best Indian restaurants in Pasadena, California. Also, go for their special dishes and chef recommendations, as these are the options in which they excel. For those who are not used to hot and spicy food, remember to get buttermilk or sweet mango lassi after meals to tone down the spiciness of delicacies.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Amruta, a literature graduate with an adventurous spirit, is dedicated to sharing joy through her writing. When she's not engaged in work or exploring new destinations, she can often be found...Read more

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