MomSkoop
California’s food scene bursts with amazing Indian restaurants that bring authentic flavors from across the subcontinent. From bustling street food joints to elegant dining rooms, these spots serve up everything from crispy dosas to creamy curries. Food lovers can explore regional specialties and discover new favorite dishes at these incredible restaurants. Get ready to taste some of the best Indian food the Golden State has to offer!
1. Vik’s Chaat Corner
Berkeley’s legendary Vik’s Chaat Corner feels more like stepping into a bustling Indian market than a typical restaurant. Owner Vik Miglani created this colorful spot to share authentic street food from his homeland.
Crispy bhel puri and tangy pani puri steal the show here, alongside dozens of other chaat varieties. The cafeteria-style setup lets you watch cooks prepare fresh samosas and pakoras right before your eyes.
Weekend lines stretch around the block, but the wait rewards you with some of California’s most genuine Indian street food experience.
2. Amber India
San Francisco’s Amber India transforms fine dining with its elegant take on traditional Indian cuisine. Crystal chandeliers and rich fabrics create an upscale atmosphere perfect for special occasions.
Chef-owner Vijay Nectar brings recipes from his grandmother’s kitchen in Punjab, elevating them with premium ingredients and artistic presentation. The lamb vindaloo and tandoor salmon showcase his masterful technique.
Business lunches and romantic dinners both flourish in this sophisticated setting. Amber India proves that Indian food deserves a place among the world’s finest cuisines.
3. Curry Up Now
What started as a single food truck has grown into California’s most innovative Indian fusion chain. Curry Up Now boldly mixes Indian spices with American favorites, creating dishes nobody else dares to attempt.
Their famous tikka masala burrito wraps tender chicken in naan bread with basmati rice and tangy sauce. Deconstructed samosas and Indian-spiced tacos push boundaries while respecting traditional flavors.
Multiple locations across the state mean you’re never far from this creative comfort food that satisfies both curry cravings and American appetites.
4. Badmaash
Los Angeles hipsters flock to Badmaash for its rebellious twist on Indian classics. Brothers Nakul and Arjun Mahendro opened this Arts District gem to honor their heritage while embracing their California upbringing.
Chicken tikka poutine topped with curry gravy becomes an instant Instagram sensation. Traditional dal and perfectly charred naan balance the menu’s more adventurous offerings.
Industrial decor meets Bollywood music in this lively space where young professionals gather for creative cocktails and boundary-pushing Indian food that somehow makes perfect sense.
5. Annapoorna
Vegetarian paradise awaits at Annapoorna, where South Indian traditions shine in every dosa and uttapam. This family-run restaurant in Culver City specializes in authentic Tamil and Karnataka cuisine.
Paper-thin dosas arrive at your table nearly three feet long, filled with spiced potatoes and served with coconut chutney. The sambar here tastes exactly like what you’d find in Chennai street stalls.
Friendly staff gladly explains unfamiliar dishes to newcomers, making this the perfect place to explore South Indian vegetarian cooking beyond typical restaurant offerings.
6. Everest Cuisine
Sacramento’s hidden gem brings the flavors of Nepal and Northern India to California’s capital city. Family recipes passed down through generations create dishes you won’t find anywhere else in the state.
Momos (Nepalese dumplings) steal every table’s attention with their delicate wrappers and perfectly seasoned fillings. Traditional dal bhat provides a complete meal that locals from Nepal drive hours to enjoy.
Owner Maya Sherpa treats every guest like family, often stopping by tables to share stories about her homeland and the special ingredients that make her cooking so memorable.
7. Addi’s Tandoor
San Diego’s tandoor master Addi Singh has perfected the art of clay oven cooking over three decades. His restaurant showcases what happens when traditional techniques meet California’s fresh ingredients.
Naan bread emerges from the tandoor with perfect char marks and pillowy softness that makes store-bought versions seem like cardboard. Tandoori chicken arrives with crispy skin and juicy meat infused with aromatic spices.
Local food critics consistently rank Addi’s among San Diego’s best restaurants of any cuisine, proving that authentic Indian cooking transcends cultural boundaries when done with such skill.
8. Mantra India
Palo Alto’s tech workers have discovered their new favorite lunch spot at Mantra India, where regional Indian cuisines get equal attention. Each dish represents a different state or region of India.
Kerala fish curry transports diners to India’s southern coast with coconut milk and curry leaves. Rajasthani dal showcases the desert state’s hearty vegetarian traditions with rich, smoky flavors.
The restaurant’s educational approach helps diners understand India’s incredible culinary diversity. Menu descriptions explain each dish’s origin story, making every meal a delicious geography lesson about the subcontinent’s varied food cultures.