Diners' Choice: Indian restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

OpenTable

Updated 05 February 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Indian cuisine in San Francisco Bay Area? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Roti Indian Bistro - San Francisco

4.9

4.9 (1462)

$30 and under

Indian

Forest Hill / West Portal

About the restaurant

ROTI Indian Bistro marries casual, contemporary styling to classic Indian cuisine. The chefs take diners on a culinary tour of India, offering a taste of the North in the Tandoori meat dishes and hints of the South in the vegetarian curries. Fresh breads are available from the tandoor, a mesquite- fired clay oven unique to Indian cooking. Traditional freshly house roasted Indian spices to create a diverse fresh, menu. ROTI prides itself on the dining experience - at this popular new addition to the vibrant West Portal neighborhood, refined customer service from the attentive staff and fabulous food have established a higher standard of dining for the area.

Top review

Pauline

Dined 4 days ago

Wonderful restaurant great food great service.highly recommend.

Namaste Indian Cuisine - Palo Alto

4.9

4.9 (52)

$31 to $50

Indian

Palo Alto

About the restaurant

Namaste ! Since our inception in Monterrey in 2011, our passion for authentic Indian flavors has expanded to Santa Cruz and Los Gatos. Now, with a remarkable 12-year journey, we proudly find ourselves in Palo Alto.
Let our enchanting aromas transport you to a unique culinary adventure. Explore our diverse menu crafted with over two decades of expertise. Choose from succulent tandoori, fluffy naan, fragrant biryani, or vibrant curried entrees. Complement your selection with carefully curated wines and beers harmonizing with Indian spices.
Experience upscale casual dining with 50 and 24 al fresco seating options, providing a perfect setting to savor every layer of flavor in a vibrant ambiance. Namaste Indian Cuisine prioritizes inclusivity, offering a diverse menu with Halal dishes and tempting vegan options. We warmly welcome food enthusiasts of all kinds to immerse in this captivating culinary journey. Allow your curiosity to guide you and uncover delightful surprises that await.

Top review

Tonatiuh

Dined on 16 Jan 2025

Great food and service at affordable prices. My Indian friends approved it.

Rasoi

4.9

4.9 (330)

$30 and under

Indian

Burlingame

About the restaurant

Rasoi is the next generation in the Aslam family’s vision to delight the Bay Area with their unique, award-winning Northern Indian and Pakistani cuisine. Sprung from master chef Mohammed Aslam’s widely celebrated flagship restaurant Aslam’s Rasoi in San Francisco’s Mission District, this creative collaboration by Mr. Aslam’s sons integrates the much beloved family-friendly Rasoi (Kitchen) concept into a contemporary restaurant and chill lounge setting on the peninsula. Executive Chef Asif Aslam performs magic in the kitchen by putting his own signature on a well-curated staple of mouth-watering family recipes. Drawing from his diverse experiences at his dad’s restaurant and as personal chef for a host of distinguished Bay Area personalities, one of the region’s most talented young restaurateurs enjoys nothing more than to enhance his culinary genes with the kinds of subtle accents known to elicit spontaneous “oohs.”

Top review

John

Dined on 7 Jan 2025

The food was great! A fun option for Indian food in Burlingame.

Ajanta Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1116)

$30 and under

Indian

Berkeley

About the restaurant

Ajanta features regional dishes from all over India, offered through a menu that changes every month. We feature organic chicken and vegetables. When possible, we use local and sustainable products. All seafood is sustainable, obtained from Monterey Fish Market. All meats are hormone- and antibiotic-free.

Ajanta has been voted best Indian restaurant in the entire San Francisco Bay Area by Zagat Guide from 2009-2014. We were also voted best Indian restaurant in the Bay Area A-List contest from 2009-2011 and 2013. In addition, we have received top reviews in several publications, including the East Bay Express, Diablo Magazine, and the Contra Costa Times. We are also included in Michelin Guide.

Our elegant dining hall features art inspired from the famous Ajanta caves in India.

Top review

Carol

Dined on 24 Jan 2025

This was a special occasion. My sister loves Ajanta, is from out of town and hadn’t visited in a while. We were welcomed graciously, given a table by the window and then served a wonderful meal. Truly memorable. Well done Ajanta.

The Essence - Livermore

4.8

4.8 (24)

$30 and under

Indian

Livermore

About the restaurant

At The Essence Redefining Indian food we invite you to indulge in the finest Indian cuisine in an atmosphere of luxury and refinement. Whether you are a connoisseur of Indian food or a first-time explorer, our restaurant promises an unforgettable culinary journey that celebrates the essence of India in every bite. Exquisite Ambiance, Culinary Excellence, Artful Presentation, Impeccable Service, Exclusive Wine and Beverage Pairings, Private Dining and Events
Book your table today and let us transport you to a world of exquisite flavors and timeless elegance.

Top review

Raul

Dined on 18 Jan 2025

Amazing date night. Staff were very friendly and accommodating, food was fantastic to the point my wife woke up craving the leftovers we brought home. We look forward to our next dinner there.

Broadway Masala

4.7

4.7 (509)

$30 and under

Indian

Redwood City

About the restaurant

Broadway Masala invites you try our ever evolving Indian cuisine along with personalized service and beautiful ambiance. Our menu is carefully crafted with fresh seasonal and local produce and offering the diversity of regional Indian fare.

Top review

BethVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Been there many times. Food is authentic and delicious. We went on a Thursday so it was relatively quiet. Staff are attentive without being intrusive.

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Experience

Weekend Street Food Lunch Special

Aurum

4.5

4.5 (46)

$30 and under

Indian

Los Altos

About the restaurant

Aurum is nestled in downtown Los Altos, is a culinary ode to the timeless allure of gold. Celebrating the purity and prosperity associated with the metal, Aurum invites diners on a captivating journey through India's diverse regional flavors, expertly crafted by Chef Manish Tyagi.

Chef Manish's passion for preserving India's culinary heritage shines through in his meticulously curated menu, which showcases forgotten traditional recipes from across the country. Each dish is thoughtfully reimagined, marrying authentic flavors with locally sourced California produce to create a truly unforgettable dining experience.

Aurum sets a gold standard for modern Indian cuisine in California, inviting patrons to savor the richness of India's culinary tapestry in a setting that is both comfortable and refined. With each bite, diners are transported to the heart of India, where tradition meets innovation, and every flavor tells a story.

Top review

Sujata

Dined 5 days ago

They accommodated us even though we reached late (after watching a play). Thank you Aurum.

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Experience

Valentine's Day Dinner

Amber India - San Francisco

4.5

4.5 (2895)

$31 to $50

Indian

Downtown / Union Square

About the restaurant

At Amber India in downtown San Francisco, we blend the rich traditions of North Indian cuisine with a modern dining experience. Our menu features favorites like butter chicken, aromatic biryanis, and tandoori specialties, all crafted with authentic spices and techniques. Whether you prefer vegetarian dishes or hearty meats, there's something for everyone.

Our three-story restaurant, with vaulted ceilings and a lively LED light show behind the bar, offers a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere. We can host up to 140 guests, with a private dining room for gatherings of up to 25. Located near Union Square, Amber India is ideal for a casual meal or special celebration.

For over 20 years, we’ve been a beloved part of the Bay Area dining scene, known for our flavorful food, excellent service, and warm hospitality. Join us for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch to experience what makes Amber India a local favorite.

Top review

Jason

Dined on 28 Jan 2025

The lunch line was really long. Not enough waiters to check our table.

The Yellow Chilli by Sanjeev Kapoor - Santa Clara

4.6

4.6 (390)

$30 and under

Indian

Santa Clara

About the restaurant

Northern California's first ever Indian Celebrity Chef restaurant -The Yellow Chilli by Chef Sanjeev Kapoor.

Stylish chain restaurant with full stocked bar serving Mughlai, Punjabi and dishes from India's Northwestern frontier.

Top review

Aparna

Dined 3 days ago

Delicious food. Will be back to try other dishes. Enjoyed my evening.

Pippal

4.5

4.5 (56)

$30 and under

Indian

Emeryville

About the restaurant

Pippal is a Culinary Adventure Through India. Pippal celebrates the country’s many diverse culinary regions, in a fast and casual environment.

Top review

SusanVIP

Dined on 27 Jan 2025

Food was terrific though, though were very distracted by a very loud fan or generator of some sort coming from the kitchen. We asked about it and were told it would end soon. Which it did halfway through our meal. Detracted from the experience and our ability to communicate across the table with friends.

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