Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Ambrosia India Bistro

    3.9 (1k reviews)
    ModerateIndian, Desserts, Seafood
    Open 11:30 am - 2:45 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

    Order Ambrosia India Bistro Takeout or Delivery

    Ambrosia India Bistro Photos

    AMBROSIA INDIA BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Ambrosia India Bistro

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Vegan Kadhai Chicken with garlic Naan, and definitely not vegan chai tea.
    Daniel S.

    3.5 stars $36.05 + $6 tip. Vegan options! $5 Home made chai was: nice with a slight bitter edge. I didn't add any sugar though. $23 vegan kadhai chicken + $5 garlic Naan was: oily but delicious. Big cuts of bell peppers, onions, Surprised I didn't feel heavier than I did after the meal. Pricing is appropriate for Monterey Peninsula but I'm too cheap to look past it. Regardless, I'd say the vegan options make this a rare bird in the area.

    Neville S.

    The art inside is cool, it provides a good cultural and authentic atmosphere. And there's a lot of it, which I don't often see at other Indian restaurants (meaning, not as much art as this one). There's a cool fountain outside that we sat right next to which added to the ambiance. They play Indian music. The food. We asked for extra spicy. We think it could have been spicier than what we got. But aside from that the flavor of the chicken and the accompanying sauces were delicious. The chicken was sooooo tender that a fork was able to easily cut/split the chunks into smaller pieces. Really top Indian place this! Service: no issues. Took our orders in a timely manner, kept ensuring we had water, and our food came out at a good space from the appetizers (allowing the apps to settle for a few minutes). One of the servers noticed a small issue and immediately remedied it, which shows initiative and a desire to provide excellent service to the customers. Not from here so may be a long time before coming back, but when I do this will be a stop.

    Fish Pakora
    Falepau S.

    One of our favorite Indian restaurants! The spice levels are just right -- flavorful with a good kick but perfectly balanced. The mood and vibe are very romantic, and the decor adds to the whole experience. The servers are attentive and friendly, and the service is always top notch. Definitely a go-to spot for a great Indian meal.

    Bianca R.

    Ambrosia: A Must-Try for Indian Food Lovers! After a less-than-stellar experience at another Indian restaurant in the area, I decided to give Ambrosia a try, especially since it's known as one of the best in Monterey. Located just a short walk from Alvarado Street, it's super convenient. I went around 1 PM on a Tuesday, and they had both a buffet and a menu to order from. The moment I walked in, I was struck by the peaceful and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant was spotless and beautifully decorated, and the staff were friendly and relaxed. We started with the samosas, which were absolutely delicious - a perfect way to kick off the meal. For our mains, we ordered the chicken tikka masala and vegetable biryani, both with a spicy kick. The spice level was perfect, adding a wonderful depth of flavor without being overwhelming. I also noticed they have a wide selection of drinks, including some interesting vodka infusions and imported Indian beer, which would be great for dinner. Overall, Ambrosia is a fantastic spot for authentic Indian cuisine. Highly recommend!

    Dee S.

    After all it's all about relaxing ambiance, great food and courtesy service while dining any restaurant. With best Indian restaurant tag for 2025 also by Monterey Weekly, Ambrosia definitely delivers that promptly to each customer like me. Thank you again Ambrosia we are your life time customers. Here is the picture of their 2025 best Indian restaurant by Monterey Coast weekly

    Lunch buffet
    Monty H.

    Well, Monterey has two lunchtime Indian buffets and they're both amazing, buttttt this one is #1. I think their food is a little more unique and flavorful here, all the options were really great. None of the meat was dry, the paneer was fresh, and the overall ambience especially in the outdoor seating is really relaxing. Great experience, will definitely be coming here again in the future.

    Entry way to the restaurant
    Anuradha G.

    We return to this place every time we visit Monterrey. The ambience is good. There is street pathing only. There is both indoor and outdoor seating. My husband and our guests enjoyed the food immensely. I asked for onion bajjis, they served onion pakoras instead. I asked for vegan chicken curry and it was sweet! When asked I was told the tomato and coconut make it sweet. In Indian, I cook Indian food and have had Indian food all my life, curries are not sweet . Needless to say, I couldn't eat it. I think I have had the same conversation with them before. I quite forgot since it's been a long time. But the management does not seem to consider these things seriously. But we will return and next time I will make sure to ask before we order.

    Butter Chicken, Sag Paneer, Garlic Naan and Basmati White Rice.
    Cyrus H.

    First the staff is very attentive and food very good. I liked the out door dinning space but the tables could be better organized to feel less cramped. My only recommendation for those seeking heat, you have to ask for spice to be added. They did not ask me for a spicy level and I assume they are used to patrons with more of a mild palate. Also for the price rice should be included.

    Gajar Ka Halwa
    Prashmi K.

    Paneer tikka- big chunks of paneer, good portion, tangy in flavor (4/5) Dal- good (4/5) Veggie curry- delicious and tangy (5/5) Gajar ka halwa- tasty (4/5)

    Tandoori Chicken, chicken masala, veggie dumplings
    Kiki G.

    I was absolutely surprised to see how empty it was ins. I stopped here on for lunch my way to another Indian food spot after I saw the sign for the lunch buffet. The service was incredible and the waiters were very attentive. The food was so delicious! I kept going back up for more of the vegan dumplings in the tomato sauce. Great price of $25 for the lunch buffet with a complimentary drink (I chose pineapple juice). I will be back the next time I'm in Monterey!

    Lychee martini
    Lizzie L.

    We truly enjoyed our family evening here. Vegetable Korma, Mushroom Masala, and Chicken Kadhai were all delicious. Beautiful atmosphere and kind friendly staff.

    Chicken Biryani (top left), Garlic Naan (top right), and Butter Chicken (bottom left)
    Clarizza A.

    Came on a Friday afternoon for early dinner and was seated right away. This has a unique atmosphere. Service was good! The butter chicken (4/5) was good but the chicken biryani (5/5) was way better imo. Serving size was fairly big and was more than enough for me and my bf. The garlic naan (4/5) was also good as expected. Very glad to try this place and would come back if I'm around Monterey! :)

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    22 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Cyrus H.
    293
    42
    4

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tim H.
    0
    41
    0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Prashmi K.
    85
    172
    616

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kiki G.
    1
    35
    30

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lizzie L.
    470
    9
    12

    8 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    I went here a while back with some friends and the food was pretty tasty. Out of all the Indian spots here, this was one of my favorites

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jim L.
    3
    53
    0

    3 months ago

    The tandoori chicken was days old and the mango lassi was actually fermented! Horrid food to be avoided

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Came from ventura ca for the first time had great customer service and food was great

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dave Y.
    8
    178
    77

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ambrosia India B.

    Ambrosia India B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 27

    Ambrosia India Bistro Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ambrosia India Bistro

    How much is the lunch buffet?

    Thank you for your inquiry. Our lunch Buffett is $18.95 Monday thru Friday Champagne Buffett is $24.95 Saturday and sunday

    Are reservations necessary this weekend?

    No. You can walk in also. Thanks

    Does the lunch buffet provide nann?

    Yes.

    Is the lunch buffet back yet (April 2023)?

    Hello sandy we will be open for lunch buffet from May 10.

    Does this place still have buffet service?

    Hello Sol We will be open for lunch buffet from May 10th

    Are there vegetarian options during the lunch buffet?

    When will the buffet return?

    Is the place dog friendly?

    We have outdoor patio which is dog friendly. Please let us know if you would like to make reservation

    Does this place offer kids meals?

    We don’t have kids meal but our butter chicken is famous among the kids

    View All 10 Questions

    Sea Harvest

    Sea Harvest

    4.0(2.6k reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Sea Harvest is a fish market / small restaurant. There's indoor and outdoor dining. It is…read moredog-friendly for outdoor usage only. They have a nice fresh seafood menu. I opted for their fish and chips. It was juicy and lightly breaded. I was very pleased with my lunch. My husband wasn't too hungry and he ordered their clam chowder. It had a lot of clams and potatoes. It was flavorful and rich... very good. The ambience is casual, nothing fancy. It is a great pit stop for a quick meal.

    Having been to this place several times, I'm sorry I didn't write a review previously. This is a…read morefamily favorite, their fish and chips are always reliable, with better than average fries complimenting the better than average fried fish. On our last visit, we decided to try something other than our go to (the aforementioned fish and chips) and tried their grilled rockfish dinner. It was a great choice! Nicely cooked through without being dry, it had a nice flavor that reflects the freshness of the fish. We also did their Baja fish tacos. We all agreed it was one of the messiest, tastiest fish tacos we'd had in awhile. Generous piece of rockfish, with a sauce that compliments, not overwhelms the fish. Unfortunately my sons aren't fans of raw fish (I should do one of those genetic tests to see if they're really my offspring, but I digress), I nonetheless will find an occasion to try their seared ahi tuna which I'll have on the rare side. They can enjoy something else, so there. Still, if it's a first time visit, it's hard to go wrong with their fish and chips. Enjoy!

    Photos
    Sea Harvest - Interior

    Interior

    Sea Harvest - Combination plate w/ shrimp, fish, and calamari

    Combination plate w/ shrimp, fish, and calamari

    Sea Harvest - Calamari and chips...my favorite!

    See all

    Calamari and chips...my favorite!

    Monterey's Fish House

    Monterey's Fish House

    4.0(3.4k reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$$

    A classic, wonderful meal, and worth the wait. And oh, the oysters are almost as big as your head!…read more We were warned to line up early, and tho we were only like the a dozen back, we didn't make the first seating, as there was a huge reservation for 15 celebrating something, congrats to them! So the hostess gave us a time later in the evening and we came back. Once you're in, you're family. This is a super casual spot. One medium size room filled in every corner with tables and chatter. There's a bar on one side, and savvy locals I presume, having a beer and dinner. Our four had a table right in the middle of it, and it was wonderful, I got some crab cakes, the rest of the table got seafood pasta in various formats. And a bottle of wine to share among three of us. Oh the oysters? Idk I think I was expecting the little precious ones you get at the fancy oyster bars. So we ordered a half dozen raw AND also a half dozen of the famous smoked ones. But WOW, these were huge, and "rustic" like a good homemade loaf of bread. So 12 of these huge oysters shared among the 4 of us was more than enough!

    If I could give 10 stars I would! I can't put this amazing experience into words!…read moreWe ordered Oak Grilled Oysters, BBQ Artichoke, Cioppino, and Squid Pasta, and every single dish was of outstanding quality. Just like in Italy. No matter what you order, you can't go wrong. It's a little bit far from the beaten path, so I thought it might be a hidden gem, but I was wrong. The place was packed, and when we left, there was a line stretching all the way out the door. I really recommend here!

    Photos
    Monterey's Fish House
    Monterey's Fish House - Complimentary Stale Bread ($0)

    Complimentary Stale Bread ($0)

    Monterey's Fish House - Complimentary Chilled Water ($0)

    See all

    Complimentary Chilled Water ($0)

    Sandbar & Grill - Crème Brûlée

    Sandbar & Grill

    4.0(1.6k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    We were visiting friends in the area. After going to the aquarium, my family of 4 decided to meet…read moreour friends--another family of 4--here for lunch on a Sunday all because I told my husband "Just take me somewhere with Sanddabs on the menu." The hostess didn't seem overly thrilled when we showed up to this tiny restaurant (we didn't know how tiny it was when we chose the place) asking for a table for 8, but after a 30-ish minute wait, they were able to accommodate us. I really appreciate how kid friendly they were. It had a great kids menu beyond the typical chicken finger/burger options that are standard at most restaurants. But going further than that--the waitress offered to bring the kids' food out first, which is next level service. The food was delicious. Our glasses stayed filled. The oysters were fresh and wonderful, and my sanddabs were perfection. A really great meal with a fabulous view of the boats passing by. But if you're going to roll up with a party of 8, I'd recommend a reservation or be prepared to wait a bit. But definitely worth it either way.

    Everything was amazing. Delicious food, incredible scenery located right on the water, and our…read moreserver, Pablo, provided us with everything we needed, including great conversation! We even had a view of the sea lions! Both entree's, the burger and shrimp tacos were great! Will definitely be back.

    Photos
    Sandbar & Grill - Hot chocolate with a view.

    Hot chocolate with a view.

    Sandbar & Grill - Sobremesa

    Sobremesa

    Sandbar & Grill - Views of the harbor come free with every meal

    See all

    Views of the harbor come free with every meal

    Schooners Monterey

    Schooners Monterey

    4.0(2.1k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$

    Great service always. Views to die for on the water…read more My spouse had chicken piccata which was over cooked and dried out unfortunately. I had pasta bolognese with short rib. Delicious! Good wine as well . Nice spot to dine with ocean views!

    Cocktails and seafood at the bar...YES PLEASE!!! Schooners is inside the Portola Hotel and I'd say…read morethe location, atmosphere and service are definitely what made this a 4-star visit for me. We sat at the bar, had a couple drinks and ordered a few things to snack on. Service was great--friendly, attentive and we never had to hunt anyone down for another drink, which is always a plus! We ordered the Schooners Seafood Tower, although "tower" is being a little generous lol. It's more of a seafood platter served over ice with oysters, shrimp, crab, mussels and tuna poke. Everything was fresh and the presentation was nice. Is it some huge over-the-top seafood tower??? Nooooo lol, but this also isn't that kind of restaurant and I wasn't expecting it to be. The tuna poke was probably my least favorite. It wasn't BAD, it just didn't do much for me and I've definitely had better. Now the Big Little Lies cocktail...that was another story!!! Delicious and I would absolutely order that again. We only stopped in for appetizers and a few drinks, so I can't really judge the entire menu without coming back for an actual dinner. Location, atmosphere and service get the 4 stars from me. The food? Jury is still out...looks like I'll have to go back and eat some more. Tough job, but somebody has to do it! ;)

    Photos
    Schooners Monterey
    Schooners Monterey
    Schooners Monterey - View from the restaurant.. Get here early and watch the sunrise.

    See all

    View from the restaurant.. Get here early and watch the sunrise.

    Vivolo's Chowder House - Halibut fish and chips (house special)

    Vivolo's Chowder House

    4.0(2.4k reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    Their clam chowder is good--rich, smoky, and loaded with actual clam meat rather than being packed…read moreout with cheap potato filler like so many other places. The calamari is also good, featuring a light, crispy breading but was not greasy. Instead of a mix of body and tentacles, they serve large, tender chunks of squid cut into clean squares, making it so approachable that even picky eaters with a limited palate won't be turned off by it. Service was attentive with water getting filled at the right moments. Would be back to try their other items.

    Had a wonderful lunch here last Sat and truly enjoyed our meal. We arrived a little after they…read moreopened and their friendly staff greeted and seated us right away and brought us water. Decor is modern and bright and they had plenty of staff to help. Items ordered- Clam chowder x2 - Not your traditional creamy clam chowder but it worked and was delicious. Kids chicken tenders- Fresh battered chunks of chicken and fries Kids fish & chips- fresh and perfectly seasoned and battered. Cioppino- Generous portion of protein in a light and flavorful broth. This came with a side of squash, swiss chard, and rice. The rice was just a tad under but still edible. Linguini calamari & clams- Plenty of fresh seafood in a light lemon sauce. Well done!! Loved this dish!!! Iced tea x2- As expected Truly enjoyed this gem and their fresh food!!

    Photos
    Vivolo's Chowder House
    Vivolo's Chowder House - Steamed clams

    Steamed clams

    Vivolo's Chowder House - If it's called a chowder house, they should have much better clam chowder!

    See all

    If it's called a chowder house, they should have much better clam chowder!

    Ambrosia India Bistro - indpak - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...