Cafe Maharani Photos
Business Info
Cafe Maharani Popular Dishes
CAFE MAHARANI ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
More like Cafe Maharani
Recommended Reviews - Cafe Maharani
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
I am pleased to share that this restaurant has made it to my Yelp folder of restaurants I can't shut up about. It is rare when you go to a place and immediately get that wow factor that you're dreaming of your next bite or your next visit or you can't wait to go again. Better yet you just want to tell a friend about it! I have been wanting to come here for about a year now, and I'm so happy we finally made it happen. Since they're only open after 5 PM, I was lucky enough to visit on my day off. I drove about 40 minutes just to try this place, and it was absolutely worth it. In fact, I'm already planning to come back next week! The samosa was DELICIOUS! I could honestly eat it every day. It was served with three sauces that paired perfectly together: a spicy sauce, a creamy avocado chutney, and a sweet mango chutney. Every bite was amazing. I almost ordered a second one but convinced myself that I didn't need it. Good thing I didn't because I was so full! Also, the rice was HUGE portion. This was definitely shareable for more than 2 people. When we arrived, we walked straight to the back to put our name on the waitlist. There wasn't really a place to sit and wait, but luckily there's a Down to Earth and a Subway nearby. We spent our time browsing aisle by aisle through Down to Earth while waiting. After about an hour, we came back and were told we were next. They probably forgot to call us after seating a couple of people waiting at the door, but honestly, it wasn't a big deal. The restaurant itself is small, but the ambiance makes up for it. The first thing that caught my attention was the beautiful ceiling. It immediately transported me somewhere else and added to the overall experience. We were seated about 30 minutes before closing, and our server was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. She gave me her personal recommendation, and although I originally wanted the butter chicken, I decided to order her favorite instead. I'm glad I did! One of the biggest reasons I wanted to visit was because of their famous giant naan. When they brought it out, I was amazed. Everyone in the restaurant was commenting on how incredible it looked. It definitely lived up to the hype. My friend and I shared the dinner for two along with the giant naan, and it was so much food that I couldn't finish it all. I brought half of my meal home for my partner, and he loved it too. Because the space is small, everyone feels close together, and it created a surprisingly welcoming atmosphere. The tables around us were chatting about the food, complimenting the service, and talking about coming back. It felt like everyone was sharing in the experience together. The service was fantastic from start to finish. The server answered all of our questions, made great recommendations, and helped make the meal memorable. I also asked if they take reservations, and they told me it's first come, first served. Parking was easy. I parked at Longs Drugs right in front, and there is a convenient pedestrian walkway that connects the surrounding businesses, making the wait much more bearable. From the amazing samosas and giant naan to the warm service and unique atmosphere, this place absolutely lived up to the hype. After waiting a year to try it, I can confidently say it was worth every minute of the drive and every minute of the wait.
I had my parents pick up an online order for me from here, and they said the workers were slow and unprofessional. They could see my order on the counter but did not grab it for them or acknowledge them. I order the palak paneer and samosa. Palak paneer has become one of my favorite Indian dishes, but this one was extremely salty. I am usually able to eat it plain, but this definitely needed rice or naan. The samosa was crispy, but the seasonings were different than what I am used to. A lot of people have said this is their favorite place for Indian food in Hawaii, but that was not the case for me. I would definitely like to give it a second try another day.
I always enjoy taking out-of-town visitors who like Indian food to this restaurant. Everything on the menu is good. I haven't tried a single thing that I haven't liked. Honestly, though, I most often get butter chicken because it's my favorite. I think the sauce is on the sweeter side and has lots of butter and cream. It's definitely restaurant-style butter chicken and really not spicy at all. It has so much sauce and you can put your naan bread in the sauce and get it all. It's so good. Palak paneer is also delicious, as is the chicken coconut korma and the chicken vindaloo. The fresh hot naan is excellent for sopping up sauce and you can get buttered naan as well as garlic or stuffed for an upcharge. If you are dining with multiple people, I highly recommend the set dinners where you get an appetizer platter, a choice of entrees, rice, and naan for a set price. For three people, our meal was a base price of $109.99 and you get a huge appetizer platter along with plenty of rice, giant naan, and the entrees, which are a great size portion. Plenty left over for lunch the next day! Service can be a little slow, as this place gets busy and there's not that many servers, but honestly, I've hardly ever been in a good Indian restaurant that wasn't a bit slow. If you're in a hurry, try to go as early as possible as there can be lines later on in the night. Excellent if you are looking for good restaurant-style, not too spicy Indian food with a variety of choices at a reasonable price.
When I first entered, it was like a whole new world! This place was beautifully decorated and the vibe was comforting. The food was amazing too, the garlic naan was my favorite. Standing up at 17, me and my friend devoured this. We got the garlic naan and it was amazing, highly recommend. The butter chicken was also flavorful and he sauce was rich. I personally don't like chicken as much but this was very nice.
This was such a great! experience. This location is a first come, first serve, "once all ingredients are used we close" location. Seating is limited but they do accept reservations. The portions are very large and each entree is enough to share. In my personal opinion, two entree choices are enough for a family of 4! The service was fantastic and extremely pleasant to be around. They were very helpful when trying to decide on dishes and drinks. They were kind and it seemed that everyone who was available was helping out! The dining space is very fun, with a colorful interior and lively atmosphere. Everyone is close together due to the small space, but that just makes it feel like a community' or family event.
Oh man! I can't believe it's taken my husband and I so long to come here! In only a couple short months, we've come twice! We've heard sooo many amazing things about Cafe Maharani, and I'm so glad we finally got here. We came once for our anniversary, ordered the dinner for 2, and left with so much leftovers. The next time, we cane for dinner with our 2 kids and my mother in law after a UH Baseball game. That time, we ordered the dinner for 3, and still left with lots of leftovers. The prices are great for the amount of food, and thebservice is friendly and quick. My favorite dish we've tried is the coconut fish karma! Yuuuummm! It's a dated, but still beautiful restaurant. The beautiful lights hanging from ceiling are definitely a highlight! It's a small spot, so come early if you want to be sat quickly.
The restaurant space is very limited, which isn't an issue. But however big or small, just keep it clean. The glass on the table was sticky. They had windows open and AC turned off. Which might be ok on a good weather day, But it was hot and humid, with none to less breezy. We ordered veg jalfrezi, which we very well know how it's made, but this one was no where near to being authentic. Lots of assorted vegetables and no gravy. Very dry. Chicken Masala curry was alright, not the best. Be careful with ordering garlic naan. They are a good size. We had a lot of naan left. It's a good size naan. They don't cut it for you. So be ready to carve out quarters or halves as you prefer. Mango lassi had a ton of ice, which is atypical of lassi recipes. It got diluted and watery real quick I will not recommend this place. Spice Up and Tadka are by far the best Indian restaurants in Waikiki
First time coming here & we'll definitely be back! Food was 10/10. Everything is made fresh! I got the chicken tikka masala and ohhh man was it delicious. I believe Hubby got the Lamb curry. Pictures don't do justice, trust me! Servings look small but we were able to take home for leftovers.. and let me tell youuu!! Leftovers tasted even better (iykyk). My kids enjoyed the garlic & butter naan. Ambience was also great. Service was quick!! We were constantly checked on which I appreciate especially in a high volume restaurant. We came at perfect timing 6pm & there were lots of tables open, but once we ordered I swear it was a full house! Thanks Cafe Maharani for bomb Indian food!
Naan nomnom . Street parking or I highly rec the Down to Earth parking garage next door. Follow the signs (: My first time dining in -- there's a reason you always see a line of ppl waiting outside! Delicious, richly seasoned Indian cuisine, surrounded by a cozy but vibrant interior, and massive fresh naan made for a wonderful evening. What we shared btwn 3 ppl: - Garlic cheese naan - Tandoori party platter - Chicken masala curry - Saag (i forget what meat) Doesn't look or sound like much but we ate till full n had plenty of left overs to split amongst us and take home. Also, you probably need to request for food to be spicy if you're looking for that extra kick. Removed a star bc we became very skeptical of the seating process ....ppl who arrived AFTER us were called and seated BEFORE us despite our party name clearly next on the waitlist... we waited over an hour for a table...also, use the bathroom next door if you can. Despite all That and the rainy weather - it gave my visiting friend and I the chance to talk story and catch up outside. Plus, enjoying the good food - Finally - rlly lifted our spirits. I'll forever be a huge fan of their colorful light fixtures but will stick to take out from now on. cheers
I visited for the first time in six years. The interior and decor haven't changed and are still very lovely. We arrived around 7:00 p.m. and were seated within about 10 minutes. The customer service was excellent. The lassi, which I hadn't had in a long time, was not overly sweet and was absolutely delicious. The food was just as good as I remembered, and the prices were reasonable for the quality. This time, I'm giving it 5 stars.
We picked up dinner from Café Maharani and our meal was great. We got the Vegetable Samosa, Saffron Rice, Lamb Saag, Butter Chicken, Garlic Naan, and Butter naan. Everything tasted great and the food held up well for takeout. We ordered through Uber Eats, but there wasn't a way to order the Naan by itself, so we just called and they were able to just add it to our order, and we paid for it there. Accessibility There is a small parking lot behind the restaurant, but that seems to get filled up quickly. There is also street parking available in the front. Food Vegetable Naan - It had great flavor and the outside stayed crispy after bringing it home. It came with two sauces that both tasted great. Saffron Rice - Fluffy and aromatic. It went well with both dishes we got. Butter Chicken - Very flavorful and a nice amount of spice. Lamb Saag - The lamb was nice and tender and went well in this sauce. Garlic Naan and Regular Naan - Both as were expected and went well with the sauces from both dishes. Overall, we love the food here and will definitely go back!
I haven't visited Maharani since my previous review. My friends wanted to try this place and I wanted to give this place another try. We arrived when they opened and were able to get a table immediately. We got the dinner for 2. Eggplant pakora: The eggplant was crispy with a light crispy batter. It came with 3 sauces to dip in. I like the one with the yogurt. It has a mild and tartness taste. Yellow rice: The rice was very salty. We couldn't finish the rice since it was pretty much salt after salt taste. Chicken Masala: The chicken masala was good. It was pretty much only chicken with curry sauce. No additional ingredients like vegetables. Fish Masala: This curry has a stronger tomato taste. It has some vegetables in it which helps balance out the meal. The fish were good. It was basa fish which was soft and flaky with no bone. Plain Naan: The naan was huge. It was fluffy, light and goes great with the curry sauce. Super good. Garlic cheese naan: The naan was stuffed with cheese. It has the ultimate cheese pull. The whole naan itself was like a cheese pizza. Still very good and goes great with the curry. Sweet lassi: Absolutely love this drink. Good thick milky yogurt with a good tart flavor. It wasn't overly sweet. The drink was huge and it was quite filling. Would definitely love to order this drink as a to-go once in a while. Overall, well better than my first experience. Service was good. Our waitress was sweet and patient. The foods were good but the flavor wasn't in depth as authentic Indian flavors and spices. The portion was very generation. There were 3 of us and the dinner for 2 was very filling for all of us. There were quite a few leftovers that the 3 of us were able to split and share.
I think you could consider Cafe Maharani a hole-in-the-wall. But once you step inside that hole you are transported to a vibrant oasis, a place that provides a feast for all the senses. Your eyes are flooded with beautiful photos that hang like mesmerizing murals on the wall. Intricate glass chandeliers set the ceiling aglow alongside colorful umbrellas. Tables are full of warm conversations from patrons. And exotic scents waft through the air wrapping you in a blend of spice-filled warmth. And I haven't even gotten to the food yet! But honestly we avoided dining here for years even though it's in our neighborhood. The lines outside the door and the uncertainty of parking kept us away. Shame on us!! No wonder patrons brave the lines and maneuver the parking situation. Cafe Maharani is SO worth it!! We only needed one meal here to be absolutely hooked. After our first taste, we came back for more--three times in four weeks. The luxurious food and eclectic experience called to us like the sirens called seamen to the rocks! Ok, maybe I'm being dramatic but the food here IS dramatic, artful and lively in every way. Portions are generous and service is gracious. I adore Indian restaurants because they offer so many vegetarian and pescatarian options. But Cafe Maharani also does meat skewers cooked in tandoor ovens. I wouldn't know but other patrons seem to really enjoy the swords of beef and chicken and lamb. What I do know is their fish tikki masala and shrimp korma are dishes that stay with me in my dreams! Both are savory, spicy, rich but not heavy, deliciously balanced, bold yet welcoming. And the pankoor appetizers are crunchy but not oily, perfectly palate-pleasing bites that melt in your mouth. Of course, naan-thing bad to say about the naan. They are even known for a huge table-size naan. It's something fun to try if you have a party large enough to share or an appetite large enough to devour it! Everything is extraordinarily engaging to your taste buds. The menu is extensive and offers combinations that are great for sharing with Ohana. We have always visited Cafe Maharani as a table for two and an appetizer, curry/korma, saffron rice, and regular size naan ends up satisfying our appetites and providing another meal or two of leftovers. There is street parking after 6:30 pm and a couple stalls in the back. We see a lot of takeout happening, too. Don't make the mistake we did and miss out on this marvelous little spot because you can't find parking or have to wait for a table. Make a wise life choice and visit Cafe Maharani as soon as you can!
I had this restaurant bookmarked for a while and I'm glad I finally got to try it! Every time I passed by this place it was always packed, but surprisingly it wasn't busy this past Saturday night. You can park on the street or at the Longs lot across the street. Our server was good, she seated us quickly and gave us enough time to look through the menu. It was honestly hard to choose what to eat because everything sounded delicious. We definitely over ordered, but it was so worth it because we had enough leftovers for the next day. We had the butter chicken, palak paneer (vegetarian), shrimp tikka masala (my favorite), saffron rice, butter naan, and garlic cheese naan. The flavor and spice level for all the curries were PERFECT. Also, if you're a protein lover then this place is for you because they serve pretty big pieces. We definitely got our moneys worth and left with happy full bellies! read more
11 months ago
Awesome Indian food. Having been to India twice, I would put Cafe Maharani at the same level as several restaurants I dined at in India. The butter chicken, so ono. The chicken tikka masala, superb, the naan, wow! Overall, great food. Chris, the lead host and waiter was very accommodating and provided outstanding service. Since we had a bigger party, we had to wait but it was worth it and Chris took our order while we were waiting. We got our food soon after a table opened up. Portions were huge so go hungry. I will be back soon. read more
3 months ago
My fiancé has been convincing me to try Indian food since we first met 9 yrs ago. In hopes that I'll like it as much as he does. So, I finally agreed he can take me for V-day since it was just weeks away. As we arrived at Cafe Maharani I was bummed that the restaurant was quite small. Nothing wrong with that! My first impression was that it was just smaller than I expected. It's what I consider a hole in the wall type of place. The paintings on the wall and bright colors were nice tho. There is free parking space in the back of the restaurant, not much stalls provided but you may also park at the WholeFoods parking garage too. We ordered their Tandoori chicken wings, Tikka masala, Nan bread, samosas, butter chicken and mango lassi drink. I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy all the dishes we ordered. Every plate came in shared portions so it was a lot, we just packed the rest home to have again later. Service is AMAZING, the 2 waitresses working that day are great! Although our waitress mentions she's newly hired, I felt that she was still knowledgeable about the menu and attended to us and other customers throughout the evening. Both waitresses were helpful and friendly. Overall I definitely enjoyed my first Indian meal experience, I recommend Cafe Maharani to everyone. Chef's kiss!! read more
My third time here and still love it. Probably the only proper Indian place on the island. They have a few parking spots behind their store. There's also usually a wait but line isn't too long. Their maharani dinner for 2 is still my fav item to order for $60. It definitely is enough to feed 4! Comes with two dishes of your choice (only one can be seafood) and from their menu - you start with vegetarian samosas, eggplant or onion pakora. Served with rice and naan, or one stuffed naan for extra charge. Or one kabli naan. Only one lamb and seafood choice please. Flavors are great and portions are great! I also ordered the mango lassi and it's huge as well. I liked their garlic naan more than cheese naan though. read more
1 year ago
We ate like a maharaja and maharanis Paranthas were awesome Chicken curry was great and big portions Best Indian food in long time maybe ever We are cooking back tonight 3days later read more
1 year ago
Me and my wife really, really wanted to love it -- after all, it's much closer to our home than the other Best Indian Food on the Island- (also I used to frequent this establishment back in the early 2000's -- and -- I'm sorry but it sort of sucks now. Look - we left Maharani's with half of our leftovers packed up - because they do have quite generous portions -- however we threw all that shit away the very next morning. It was a perfect amount of leftovers-- That should say it all -- we dumped probably $30 of food (or more) into the trash Sadly - it's going to be a No - from both of us - This is 'maybe' a Two Star Indian Food Restaurant However, there is a very solid Four Star Indian Food restaurant on Oahu I've lived abroad in places with amazing Indian food (Singapore, Malaysia) and have travelled to India several times. So, take that ad you may - but I've got extensive experience in eating really good and authentic Indian food. Anyways, here's the thing: There is an Indian restaurant on Oahu which is at least Twice as Good. So - why settle for second best? Should You eat at Maharani's? Sure - but only because it's less wait time at the other -- much better place! Also, it's not necessarily terrible -- but it's not necessarily good either.! If I had to guess; this place was Amazing back in the late 90's -- but now -- as with so many other establishments-- it's crusty - And -- I haven't even gotten to the part where I'd gotten terrible diarrhea from the food there. Won't Be Back -- Sorry read more
3 months ago
1 year ago
Staff is always friendly and service is efficient! Love coming back here. Take out side is always busy! And the dining side gets busy around 5:30pm. This restaurant is never slow nor empty and that shows how great the food is. read more
1 year ago
This was my second time visiting Cafe Maharani, and the food is delicious every time! The service was great--super friendly staff who gave us amazing recommendations. The portions are HUGE, so we had plenty of leftovers... which actually lasted me about a week! Definitely worth it! read more
7 months ago
7 months ago
2 years ago
After recently dining at all the new Honolulu Indian Restaurants during the last two months I just revisited Maharani. In the last few years, the following have opened: 1) Spice Up 2) Kamana Kitchen 3) Tadka Indian Cuisine 4) Namaste Indian & Nepalese Cuisine 5) New Kamana Kitchen All these other places are pretty good, but I have to say that Maharani is still the best. And best of all its not so crowded due to the increased competition. Reasons for this assessment: 1) Largest portions 2) Prices still reasonable 3) Naan is BY FAR the best 4) No other place does seafood as good. The fish here is moist and perfectly done. The shrimp is succulent. Service wasn't bad. They no longer let you put your name on the waiting list when you're on your way there. But there's no wait, so it doesn't matter. read more
9 months ago
1 year ago
One of the best Indian I have ever had. Their giant cheese naan was PHENOMENAL, the butter chicken and tikka masala chicken were out of this world, my favourite dish was the lamb rice biryani, the raita was very good. If you want Indian and you are on Oahu THIS is the place read more
1 year ago
My number one pick for Indian food on the island! We did dinner here and the service was 10/10 I wish the servers could train the world on hospitality, because WOW. Casual vibes but well decorated. Every dish hit the spot and I don't have a favorite because it was all so delish. Try this spot immediately read more
8 months ago
Cafe Mahari is my favorite Indian restaurant! This was my third visit and it's always delicious. Tried the chicken karahi for the first time and it's my new favorite order. The meat swords are fun. I'll be back soon! read more
1 year ago
The food was so delicious, we got there right when it opened but I recommend going a little earlier (at least 15mins) because it was packed when we got there so we had wait about 30-40mins. But it was well worth the wait, everything came out within a timely manner in beautiful dishes. It's Ala Carte style so if it's just two people going keep that in mind (we may have over ordered) read more
1 year ago
We heard so many amazing experiences of this wonderful restaurant Cafe Maharani! We finally got to try it and we loved it! First of all parking on the street or behind the building (which was full when we got there). Walk in welcomed. We had a great waiter ( I didn't get his name) that made some great recommendations! The menu is huge and so much to choose from. Went with the dinner for two just so we can try everything! It includes one appetizer, one rice, two naan or one stuffed naan, and two main dishes. We got the coconut rice, stuffed naan with garlic and cheese (Delish) chicken Masala, and coconut shrimp curry. The appetizer was recommended by the waiter I forget the name but was great. Very nice ambiance and every table was filled. As soon as they cleared a table, more people filled it!! Portions was very generous and we took a lot home for the next day!!! read more
1 year ago
Was so disappointed. We were looking forward to trying this restaurant as I have never been. I ordered on postmates early in the morning at about 9 am to schedule ahead a dinner for two and other items so I can celebrate at my friend's new apt in town. (I am coming from west side) At about 5 pm, I got a confirmation on my order, was excited and I drove in to town. On my way there I then get another notification, but this time, the restaurant cancelled my order, no explanation. So dang disappointing. I also tried to call twice, no answer. Guess I'll never try it now. However, we did go to Kamana Indian Cuisine and that was so ono! And they did not cancel my order! read more
Location: located at 2509 S King St across from Long's Moiliili. Parking is an issue. I normally order take out so I park at Long's and walk across the street. Hours: they are only open from 5pm-9pm. Service: Fast and friendly service. Take out normally takes about 20 mins. They will text when your order is ready for pickup. Price: like many restaurants the price has gone up and the serving size is a bit smaller but it's not overly priced. Food: this is the best Indian restaurant I've been to on the island. My family's favorite is the chicken tikka masala and my personal favorite is the eggplant tikka korma. Both are a little bit spicy but very tolerable for people like me who can't handle the heat. It's also very creamy which I think helps balance the spice. If you're in the mood for Indian food I highly recommend Cafe Maharani. It'll definitely satisfy your cravings. Tips: They fill up fast. If you're dining in be sure to get there early. If not, be prepared to wait. read more
4 months ago
9 months ago
3 years ago
I've been coming to Cafe Maharani for years and I can't believe I haven't wrote a review yet! This has been my go to Indian spot, but I live on the westside so it's always a nice treat when I make it out to University to eat it! The staff are all really friendly, but almost always we have Uncle Chris as our waiter. He's super friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable about the menu. He ensures you get the best bang for your buck and is great about checking up on all tables. The food is always amazing! We normally order the meal sets. Which come with an appetizer, 2 entrees (or more depending on the amount of people), rice, and Naan (or stuffed naan for $3 more). One thing to keep in mind is you can only have 1 lamb and seafood choice per meal set. Our favorites include the Samosas, Lamb Saag, Lamb Vindaloo, Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, garlic naan and cheese stuffed garlic naan. The depth of flavor is amazing! I will continue to be a loyal Cafe Maharani customer! read more
1 year ago
Great food, one of the best indian on the island. But service was very slow. Multiple servers passed our table and it took about 30 minutes before we could order. Took 2 hours to complete our dinner service and then another 30 minutes before we could get the check. Table was never checked on throughout service and had to ask the servers twice before our drinks were brought to the table. Understandably it was a full house but an almost 3 hour dinner service was extensive not to mention the 2 hour wait to be seated. We visited this place back in December and we hope the speed of service has gotten better!! Besides that we look forward to trying this again. read more
1 year ago
Food is good...as always! But man the service was horrible!!! Going way out of our way, Mililani is home, to frequent this establishment is over and it goes like this: We were the first in line, got there at 4:30, they open at 5...as we were waiting outside a server came out and sternly told us we need to form a line to the left of the door. My suggestion: "hey guys, thank you so much for coming down and waiting would you mind starting a line to the left" So we get seated first...and the same unpleasant server literally delivers water to all the other tables, even the tables that are waiting for the rest of their parties to arrive, like here 1 man sitting at table, here are the six waters you are gonna need at some point. My suggestion: Pay attention to the room, I would have been fine waiting if you didn't put 5 extra cups of water with the 1 gentleman sitting alone. We placed the order, fyi...you can't order the giant kabuli naan on Friday's apparently or because our table was too small is what we were told also, funny all the tables except 1 are the same size, they all seat 4...back to it-we forgot to order the mango lassi...so I walk up to our server and ask her to add it...so she asks where I'm sitting so it's added to my bill, but do we get it?? No of course not...I do watch 5-6 of these drinks go out to the other tables that ordered well after us and my daughter observed one sitting up next the lady who took our order for a good 15 min. So we are done eating, we get our bill which has the lassi drink on it of course (so I start laughing) and our Togo containers and as we are packing up the left overs they bring that drink that was sitting there to us and say "oh should we pack this in a Togo cup for you" No you can remove it from our bill because I ordered it 20 minutes ago and we are done...but thanks for thinking of us now!!! Can someone suggest another good Indian restaurant in Oahu...I don't think our money is any good to them anymore...sad day!! Dinner for 3 with only water (and no refills on water allowed I guess??because no one came to refill) $117.00 read more
Our favorite Indian food spot on island it's such a treasure and I've been going theere to satisfy all 4 of my pregnancies cravings. The butter chicken and garlic naan forever has my heart and my husband loves their lamb vinadaloo. Parking is minimal but so worth it! read more
2 years ago
Cafe Maharani offers a truly delightful dining experience. The food was exceptional, with a wide array of flavors and textures to please the palate. The shrimp, chicken, and lamb kebabs, along with garlic naan bread, were particularly outstanding. The atmosphere was relaxing and welcoming, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the evening. It's evident that the restaurant takes pride in its culinary offerings and ambiance, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic and delicious Indian cuisine. The staff was friendly and attentive with our party, always checked up on us to see if we needed more water and asking us what we thought of our dishes we ordered. They were very personable with myself and my buddy Jeremy alongside his 4 kids whom were with us as we ate dinner. It's been a while since we last came here to eat their food. I'm glad we found time to come back and eat here. read more
2nd time at Cafe Maharani and the Husbands first time. The cafe us quaint and very inviting!! The food was delicious but I forgot to ask for it mild I did remember to ask for Vegan options!! Very filling and the portion size I thought was a little I have left overs for lunch tomorrow, YAY me!! We arrived a little after 6Pm and they were busy but could accommodate us, free street parking, didn't realize they have a parking lot in the back, good to know!! read more
1 year ago
We got the Combination for 2 with butter chicken and coconut shrimp alongside cheese naan and onion pakora. We also got chicken beeryani. All of them were delicious. The spices were on point. Great service too we even got recommendations from the server. We love this place and we'll come back for sure. read more
Cafe Maharrani serves up some of the tastiest Indian food I've ever had. It's the standard that I compare other places to...like the award winning restaurant in downtown Seattle and the popular award winning restaurant in London, both cities with huge East Indian population. Both falling short once compared to the deliciousness of Cafe Maharrani. This tiny restaurant is so cute. Friends I've taken here have declared it their now favorite "date restaurant". It is so good that often it is really busy. If you show up at one of these times, one can end up waiting a while for a table and then again a longer while for your food. And during these times service suffers too. Which is why, I have for the most part given up eating in and only order take out @ Cafe Maharrani. And if the restaurant quotes me 45 minutes, I will show up 60 minutes later. I really hate the waits at this restaurant! Lol. Parking can be greatly challenging. Best to arrive with a passenger so they can jump out to grab the food while driver waits in the car. Will I be back? Most certainly. The food here is rich, full of flavor, and generous portioned. The best value being with the set menus. read more
5 months ago
2 years ago
Last time our family was here was in 2019 just before the pandemic!! We all decided to go back again and but was it delicious! nothing changed, Chris was our host & server, he informed us on how to the most bang for our bucks! Our appetizers was our of this world.. full of flavor and fresh our of the fryer, eggplant , chicken wings, meat dish. we ordered the dinner combination for 4 and for 2...omg it was all so amazing! The servers kept coming around..delivering 6 different dishes .. and offering refills of our water read more
Cafe maharani is on a first come first serve basis. There are no reservations taken here and from what I saw there is little to no parking. Food was an explosion of flavors however when I did dine here they were out of a lot of things for example we wanted the veggie appetizer they were out of that, we asked to have a lassi drink they didn't have that, we wanted saffron rice and they were out of that, even down to them not having ice for their lassi and waters that we had to ask many times for a refill. I felt there was a lot of miscommunication from the servers to the chefs and room for alot of improvement all around. We did have to remind and ask multiple times for certain things. All in all it was an okay experience best thing about this place was the atmosphere and the naan for me. Might possibly give this place another try but we will see. read more
11 months ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
11 months ago
More info about Cafe Maharani
2509 S King St
Honolulu, HI 96826
Mo'ili'ili
Directions
(808) 951-7447
Call Now
Visit Website
https://cafemaharani.com
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
More Info
Health Score
Cafe Maharani Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Cafe Maharani
Does this restaurant take reservations?
No - Cafe Maharani does not take reservations- best to get there when it opens - usually many people are waiting outside
Can the curries be made vegan (e.g., with tofu instead of paneer... and using coconut milk instead of cow milk)?
Yes
When will the full menu be avaliable again? Unfortunately, my favorite dishes are not on the Covid-19 menu :(
Full menu is available
Long shot, but are there takeout options during the stay-at-home orders?
Yes! We've always ordered take-out or delivery (through GrubHub, Door Dash or Bite Squad) because the place is so small it can be hard to get a table! We just got some last week! Yum!
If someone in my family has nut allergies, can that be accommodated?
Some of the sauces have nuts in them, so be sure to ask about it if you go.
Do they do catering? Thanks Jocya for answering. But it wont deter me from trying your food :) the…
We are not cartering at this moment
Are there any vegan options here?
Yes, it's very easy to be vegan when it comes to Indian food. Just avoid all of the vegetarian options that have cream in them. The rice and naan are without animal products and then foods like the cauliflower dish, garbanzo beans, etcetera are all… Read more
To the cook: Do you use pre-made spice packets for any dishes? Maybe the vindaloo? Or the Kashmiri chicken?
All of our dishes are freshly made everyday and we use fresh spices. Indian spices like chili powder, tumaric powder, cumin and coriander powder are pre made and we use those spices like everybody else.
Is there ANY MSG in their food?
Steve, Indian cuisine doesn't use MSG in any of their cooking. The taste you get is purely due to spices.
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
104 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
2 years ago
12 years ago
17 years ago
10 years ago
13 years ago
13 years ago
16 years ago
16 years ago
18 years ago
11 years ago
14 years ago
14 years ago
8 years ago
Cafe Maharani - indpak - Updated June 2026
Best of Honolulu
People found Cafe Maharani by searching for…
Masala Dosa in Honolulu, Hawaii
Naan Bread in Honolulu, Hawaii
Bangladeshi in Honolulu, Hawaii
Kerala Restaurant in Honolulu, Hawaii
Goat Curry in Honolulu, Hawaii
Tandoori Chicken in Honolulu, Hawaii
Masala Chai in Honolulu, Hawaii
Fish Curry in Honolulu, Hawaii
Persian Bakery in Honolulu, Hawaii
Gulab Jamun in Honolulu, Hawaii
Shish Kebab in Honolulu, Hawaii
Samosa Chaat in Honolulu, Hawaii
Gobi Manchurian in Honolulu, Hawaii
Chicken 65 in Honolulu, Hawaii
Trending Searches in Honolulu, HI
Banana Split near Cafe Maharani
Beachfront Restaurants near Cafe Maharani
Brownie Sundae near Cafe Maharani
Cajun Seafood Boil near Cafe Maharani
Chicken Marsala near Cafe Maharani
Cupcake Delivery near Cafe Maharani
Custom Birthday Cakes near Cafe Maharani
Dairy Free Ice Cream near Cafe Maharani
Dessert Cafe near Cafe Maharani
Ethnic Restaurants near Cafe Maharani
Fried Clams near Cafe Maharani
Greek Yogurt near Cafe Maharani
Grilled Fish near Cafe Maharani
Halal Breakfast near Cafe Maharani
Himalayan Restaurant near Cafe Maharani
Hot Fudge Sundae near Cafe Maharani
Indian Buffet All You Can Eat near Cafe Maharani
Indian Buffet Lunch near Cafe Maharani
Indo Chinese near Cafe Maharani
Italian Ice near Cafe Maharani
Lentil Soup near Cafe Maharani
Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor near Cafe Maharani
Punjabi Restaurant near Cafe Maharani
Salmon Dinner near Cafe Maharani
Seafood Takeout near Cafe Maharani
Snow Crab Legs near Cafe Maharani
Soft Shell Crab near Cafe Maharani
Sports Bar With Tv near Cafe Maharani
Steamed Crabs near Cafe Maharani
Strawberry Shortcake near Cafe Maharani
Sugar Free Desserts near Cafe Maharani
Browse Nearby
BEST of Honolulu, Hawaii Restaurants near Cafe Maharani
BEST of Honolulu, Hawaii Coffee near Cafe Maharani
BEST of Honolulu, Hawaii Desserts near Cafe Maharani
BEST of Honolulu, Hawaii Things to Do near Cafe Maharani
BEST of Honolulu, Hawaii Parking near Cafe Maharani
BEST of Honolulu, Hawaii Biryani near Cafe Maharani
BEST of Honolulu, Hawaii Mediterranean Food near Cafe Maharani
BEST of Honolulu, Hawaii Butter Chicken near Cafe Maharani
Browse Brands
Related Searches in Honolulu, HI
Authentic Mango Lassi Drinks in Honolulu, Hawaii
Bakeries That Deliver in Honolulu, Hawaii
Bakery Birthday Cake Choices in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Bagels Available in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Bar and Grill Experiences in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Chicken Tikka Masala Meals in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Chinese Bakery Options in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Crawfish Restaurants and Vendors in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Dim Sum Places to Try in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Donuts to Try in Honolulu, Hawaii Near You
Best Fish & Chips Restaurants Near Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Fish Restaurants to Try in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Fish Tacos Served in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Healthy Takeout Options in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Indian Curry Dishes in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Keto Bakery Treats in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Oyster Bars to Visit in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Places for Brunch in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Places for Poke in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Places for Samosa in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Places for Tikka Masala in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Places to Enjoy Curry in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Rolled Ice Cream Shops Around Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Smoothie Spots and Cafes in Honolulu, Hawaii
Best Soul Food Dishes in Honolulu, Hawaii
Browse Popular Pastry Shops Around Honolulu, Hawaii
Browse Popular Seafood Markets in Honolulu, Hawaii
Delicious Carrot Cake Bakeries Near Honolulu, Hawaii
Delicious Cheap Indian Food Near Honolulu, Hawaii
Delicious Cookies You Can Find in Honolulu, Hawaii
Delicious Egg Tart Treats in Honolulu, Hawaii
Delicious Ice Cream Treats in Honolulu, Hawaii
Delicious Indian Breakfast Choices in Honolulu, Hawaii
Delicious Soup Spots to Try in Honolulu, Hawaii
Desserts Open Now for You in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover All You Can Eat Sushi Spots in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover Authentic Italian in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover Authentic Tandoori Chicken in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover Great Seafood Boil Spots in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover Middle Eastern Food Favorites in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover Popular Chicken and Rice Meals in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover Soft Serve Ice Cream in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover Top Fast Casual Spots in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover Top Mediterranean Food in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover Top-Rated Cheesecakes Near Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover Vegan Desserts Near Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover the Best Boba Drinks in Honolulu, Hawaii
Discover the Best Breweries in Honolulu, Hawaii Today
Browse Articles
People who viewed Cafe Maharani also viewed
Cafe Tadka
30 reviews
Spice Up House of Indian Cuisine
523 reviews
$$
Tandoori Express
32 reviews
Ala Moana
Rangoon Burmese Kitchen
659 reviews
Downtown
$$
Banh Mi’licious
37 reviews
Kalihi
Chogajip
51 reviews
Ala Moana
$$
Istanbul Hawaii
1736 reviews
Ala Moana
$$$
Doner Shack
76 reviews
$$
Thai Issan Cuisine II
80 reviews
Mo'ili'ili
$$
The Pig and the Lady
123 reviews
$$