The Bay area is a culinary delight. Here you can find food from anywhere in the world. Many Indian immigrants live here and as a consequence many Indian restaurants have sprouted up all over the Bay Area. However, many of these restaurants are mediocre and not worth a visit. Finding quality Indian dining options can be a daunting task to someone new in the area, or new to Indian food. I went through the same trial when I first moved here and so I’ve decided to compile a list of the best Indian restaurants in the Bay Area. Here they are:
Ajanta, Berkeley
Ajanta located in Solano Avenue, Berkeley, has been voted best Indian restaurant by Zagat Survey, East Bay Express, and several other magazines. But perhaps its biggest badge of honor is being named one of California cuisine pioneer, Alice Waters’, favorite places on Google! It offers lunch (11.30 am -2.30 pm) and dinner (5.30 pm-9.30pm) with a variety of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes for decent prices. The menu is seasonal and fresh. One thing I especially like is that new dishes are introduced every month and hence there are often new choices to choose from. Ajanta has food from several regions of India so that one can experience the full complexity of Indian cuisine under one roof. It’s also very reasonably priced with lunch around $10 and dinner typically around $20. Finally, Ajanta only uses free range, hormone free, and sustainably raised meat and seafood.
So if you want to spend an evening with friends or family, tasting uniquely prepared Indian food and some great red or white wines in an elegant dining area, there is no better place than Ajanta. It’s best to make reservations, especially on the weekends. More details can be found at http://www.ajantarestaurant.com/
Thirupathi Bhimas, Milpitas
This is one of the best authentic vegetarian Indian restaurants located in the Bay Area. They are open from 11.30 am -2.30 pm for lunch and for dinner from 6.00pm – 10.00pm on every day except Monday, and located in Milpitas. The menu is large and there are several varieties of South Indian cuisines to choose from. There are even some Indo-Chinese and North Indian dishes on offer. And all prices are very reasonable. They also sell some delicious Indian pickles and chutney powder at the counter. More details can be found here http://www.tirupathi-bhimas.com/milpitas.htm
Ultimately the real draw to Thirupathi Bhimas is the authenticity of the food. While there, you could just as well have been eating at a restaurant in Hyderabad or Chennai (but better service).
Dosa, San Francisco
Dosa, located at Valencia and 21st Street, San Francisco, is famous for its delicious South Indian recipes. It is no wonder that awards and best reviews are flying into their kitchen. They offer brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11.30 am-3.30 pm and dinner from Saturday to Thursday from 5.30 pm -10.30 pm. There is a $39 four-course dinner which includes a starter, mini dosa, main course that comes with rice, and a dessert. All four courses can be ordered separately from an à la carte menu as well. They also offer quality wines. More details can be found at http://www.dosasf.com/dv_index.html
Chaat Paradise
The search for best Indian snacks will surely end here. Located on El Camino Real, Mountain View, Chaat Paradise has a large variety of snacks and all are perfectly prepared. The snacks are also very authentic, the vada pav and bhel puri could have been served out of a street vendor in Mumbai. More details can be found at http://www.chaatparadise.com/
VIK’s Chaat Corner
Vik’s is a famous institution among the Bay Area Indian community. It’s a no-frills outfit that is run out of a warehouse in West Berkeley. But the food is anything but no-frills. If you would like mouth watering chaats, perfectly puffed baturas, or crispy dosas, I would suggest you run to visit Vik’s. It is located on Allston way, Berkeley (they will soon be moving to 4th Street Berkeley). Other than chaat, they also serve vegetarian and non vegetarian weekend specials. More details can be found at http://www.vikschaatcorner.com/
