Best Indian (Punjabi) food I have ever had. We were a vegetarian family of 4, and ordered Paneer Butter Masala, Malai Kofta, Garlic Naan, and Veg Dum Biryani. Everything was top class, and taste was extraordinary. Ambience is also good. read more

Strap in, this place is a full experience. I had posted about it and so many people hit me up saying they've always wanted to try it and live nearby. After going, I get the hype. We started with those super delicate pani puri style poppers. I've seen them on MasterClass and always wanted to try them, so finally getting them here was a moment. Filled with tandoori flavors, chutneys, mint, and a yogurt center that pops in your mouth. So good. Cocktails paired perfectly too. The pickle one and the Purple Rain were both solid gin drinks. Service was great. The bartender and server were both super knowledgeable and helped guide us through everything, which made a big difference with a menu like this. The ambience is beautiful. Big bar in the back, great lighting, a mix of natural and more moody tones that make it feel elevated but still comfortable. For mains, the pot pies are a must. We tried the biryani and the butter chicken versions, completely different but both worth it. Portions are huge, you will have leftovers. The quesadilla with fajita peppers and tandoori chicken was such a cool fusion idea and worked really well. The boneless truffle chicken had this creamy, almost alfredo style sauce with Indian spices that made it super unique. Ended with the saffron noodle pistachio ice cream dessert and that was unlike anything I've had before. Definitely something you try at least once. This is one of those spots where everything feels creative and intentional. I'll definitely be back. read more

I had a great time at Cali chilli. My boyfriend used to live in the area and I always wanted to stop by but never had a chance to until yelp elite did an event here. I got the pani puri poppers, the cali chilli butter chicken pot pie, and a chai latte. The pot pie was so delicious I think they used naan on top of the butter chicken. It was such a delightful combination. The pani puri was a fun experience. You got pair different sauces with the puff puri bites. Overall the meal was comforting, hearty, and left me full. The server was attentive and the restaurant is beautiful. Parking can be a hassle but they do validate. I hope more people check out this restaurant because it def should not be missed! read more

Cali Chilli - Cali Chilli Pot Pie - Indian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Nice ambiance and a big place on the border of Little Tokyo. Yummy Indian food! Go hungry because the dishes are pretty heavy. Butter chicken pot pie - the chicken was cooked amazingly tender. Wish there was more pot pie dough though. Cauliflower fritters were so good. Quality breading with a great crunch! The stuffed bread tasted like pizza! I forgot what the appetizer was called but it was made out of the saag paneer cheese. The slices were a little too thick but the flavor was top notch ! Skip dessert. It was OK. read more

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Street parking was easy on a weeknight evening. No other guests. Customer service throughout was professional & hospitable. I ordered a Tiki sounding drink & it was nasty, I didn't even finish it. We shared some crispy puff pastry appetizer thingys (I guess to substitute for samosas). & a lamb main dish & chicken wings w/ tandoori flavors. Everything was delicious but not traditional Indian food. So based off that I'll never return. I'll recommend to whoever likes non traditional Indian food though. Prices average, interior decor beautiful! read more

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Friendly staff. Ordered food to go as I was staying at the Doubletree across the street. Food was flavorful and delicious. Nice ambiance inside. Located next to a sketchy 7-Eleven, so stay aware of your surroundings. read more

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Very expensive. I don't think I could justify coming back, maybe if they have a good happy hour menu. 2 drinks and a kulcha (bread item) came out to $55 BEFORE tip. The kulcha was ok, but not worth the price tag. The drinks were strong but the ice cube was definitely low quality. read more

Cali Chilli - Bartender's choice - Indian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I've been to the Long Beach location but decided to try the DTLA location. For parking, we lucked up and found street parking right away which was nice. I got the Smoked Almond Whiskey cocktail which seemed like their take on an old fashion. I enjoyed it. We got the Cauliflower Fritters as an appetizer and honestly, I could have had that alone and been fine. The sauce they paired it with is so good. For entrees we got the Butter Chicken Potpie and Burrata Saag Paneer with Garlic naan. The potpie is a must try. I was even pleased with the leftovers the next day. Friendly service, warm and inviting decor and ambiance. Great experience. read more

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Decided to try the Little Tokyo location and was thoroughly pleased. I love the interior design, the grand bar and of course the food! - [ ] Cauliflower Fritters: well breaded and seasoned, the accompanying aioli paired well drizzled over the dish. Would love if it were a bit spicier (I'm biased) - [ ] Mississippi Masala: Paired with a tajin rim, this spiced drink is quite strong though very enjoyable. A good blend of sweet, sour and lightly smoky - [ ] Saag Paneer: well-spiced and lives up to expectation. Includes paneer and a dollop of buratta, a great addition for vegetarians for a heartier bite. - [ ] Butter Naan: truly the perfect companion. The first naan I've had in Southern CA that feels like what I'm used to from The Bay read more

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First time at Cali Chilli and it was delicious and the servers were super welcoming and friendly. They have interesting twists on your traditional indian joint. The pot pie had a super flakey puff pastry and delicious butter chicken on the inside. Both our drinks were delicious and presented very well! Would definitely go back. read more

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From the moment we entered we were greeted by the scent of fragrant Indian spices. The host was attentive and immediately seated us at a lively spacious booth. Our server was very attentive and provided recommendations. The menu is so interesting and unique it was hard to choose! They also have a full bar with some really cool sounding fusion drinks. The butter chicken pot pie was absolutely the stand out and was a 10/10. Everything else was also good. The mango lassi drink I had was excellent with a rose drizzle on top that was floral but not overwhelming. I love the vibe of this restaurant and the fact they had full parking (validated). I did not love the dessert but I would try another one next time. Great experience! read more

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one of my friends is vegetarian so we went here before a play. we ordered basically almost every vegetarian thing and me and another friend split the butter chicken pot pie. the ambiance was nice and the waiter was helpful and friendly, but idk if i would come back. i think the food sat in a weird space of unforgettableness for me. not as vibrant and delicious as a hole-in-the-wall indian place but not elevated or creative enough to stand up to other fusion or chef tasting options. sort of just middle-of-the-road. i think it was overall enjoyable but not something id ever crave. for example, the pot pie was just butter chicken (no depth or no added textures or foods) within a crust. it coulda just been served as a regular dish. not the most creative. the dessert was probably the most creative but my friend said it "tasted like the dentist." overall good quality, not greasy, but just okay for what you expect. read more

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The Cali Chilli Rendang and Chef's Choice Lunch Special had great spices. The naan was soft and warm. The Masala Mint was refreshing. read more

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That chicken tikka masala is to die for! My first time trying and the service was excellent. I can't wait to go back!

This place prides itself on having unauthentic Indian food. So let's see if they're pretty good eh or ew. It was super pretty here and people are really nice. I got their mango passion fruit lassi, cauliflower fritters, garlic cheese kulcha, and chef's signature cut to try. This was my first time ever having anything like a mango lassi and wow. Thick, rich, creamy, perfectly sweet, mangoy, with a slight hint of passionfruit. The cauliflower fritters were amazingly crisipty crunchy and savory and came with a sambal sauce that added an extra layer of creamy roasted curry flave. The garlic kulcha had a lightly crisp outside, with yummy buttery, garlicky flaves and was chewy, fluffy, and soft. The chef's cut came with perfectly grilled veggies, a tender, perfectly cooked, meaty filet Mingon that paired with an aromatic, creamy vindaloo curry, and really good garlicky, thick, savory mashed potatoes. Pure deliciously. Overall this place is pretty good. Mango lassi $12 Cauliflower fritters $16 Garlic cheese kulcha $14 Chef's cut $59 read more

Cali Chilli - Instagram/YouTube/TikTok/Yelp/Google Maps: @AC9MOO - Indian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Service: Came here for group lunch right when the restaurant opened at noon. Perhaps because they just opened, there was only one server and it was slow to get our orders placed in and for food to come out. Food: Most of the items are a la carte. They have a weekday lunch special $30 for appetizer, entree, salad with rice and garlic naan. I think it'd too much food for one person. The butter chicken pot pie was recommended by the server. I ordered the pepper shrimp with grits. It was really creamy and tasty. read more

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Bomb food! Unique twist on Indian food and ambiance and service were great too. For the Pani puri shots and pot pie and dum biryanis there was a kebab special too but maybe next time. read more

Cali Chilli - Indian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I came as a recommendation from a fellow Yelp elite member and as part of Dine In LA. I highly recommend this "unauthentic Indian fusion" restaurant. The menu is curated by a Michelin Star chef and it is definitely apparent in the quality of the food and the presentation. For Dine In LA Lunch $35 you had a choice of an mini appetizer, 2 mini main entrees, rice, garlic naan, and a wonderful dessert. Honestly, everything was sooo good but the stand outs that everyone enjoyed was the Cali Sticky rib - tender, flavorful, fall off the bone and the Vanilla Flan with Red Wine poached pear. Service was a tad slow as I think they were not prepared for the Dine In LA rush but that said, the server(s) were very nice and the quality of the food was superb. read more

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Earlier this month four of us went to Cali Chilli on a Saturday 5pm. The food was great and the atmosphere is lovely and charming. Weldon was extremely helpful in guiding us through the menu as we shared our food preferences. He was helpful, polite and funny. He isn't even the waiter, lol. We had the lamb leg pot pie, biriyani, vindaloo, cauliflower, short ribs, sea bass and I don't even remember what else. It was a lot and we enjoyed it tremendously. I highly recommend that you check out this restaurant! read more

Amazing experience! This restaurant is very upscale and accommodating. The only issue I had was with the parking so confusing! I had to call into the parking company because their website didn't work. Other than that, very good. Professional and attentive service! read more

Cool new indian spot in dtla. Very nice interior. Menu is kinda fusion-y but lots to try. We had the pan purri (which was good, but a little cold? Maybe that's on purpose), the fried cauliflower (so good) and the paneer pot pie with rice on the side (it needs it). Overall flavors are on point. Staff is very friendly. Prices are a bit on the higher side but it's dtla so it is what it is. Overall would recommend! Stay Cheerful read more

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I was invited to a girl's dinner recently and enjoyed the quality of the food and flavors so much I ordered it again within a week. Their kulcha and pot pie were amazing! The staff was attentive with solid table service. Will enjoy again! read more

Cali Chilli - Pot pie - Indian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Came to this lovely restaurant from a friend recommendation. I ordered the Dum biriani with lamb shank. To be honest I was not expecting this big of a meal. The Dum Cooking is interesting and they wrapped the rice on a bread bowl almost like a pot pie. The lamb shank swimming on the layered rice plus the yogurt sauce combined with the dough was very intense and filling combination. My co worker ordered the short rib curry which I tasted and that was excellent as well. Highly recommended place if you're looking for a great Indian fusion meal read more

Cali Chilli - Indian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

A chic spot for Indian fusion food that also features American and Korean flavors. Decor is festive and service is hands on/helpful. Overall, most of my dishes were pretty good although I thought they were a bit expensive for chicken and or vegetarian dishes. Favorite dish was the truffle chicken tikka which was creamy and tender. read more

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Unique take on Indian cuisine with great quality! We were well served and advised on how much to order for two people. Ambiance was classy and chill :) read more

Cali Chilli - Cali Chilli Pot Pie - Indian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Cali Chilli in DTLA is a gem -- creative Indian‑inspired dishes with California flair, warm service, and a cozy modern vibe. The Paneer Achari and Biryani's are unforgettable, the amritsuri kulcha is dangerously good, and the cocktails tie everything together. It's a little pricier than your average spot, but the quality and creativity make it absolutely worth it for date night, a relaxed dinner, or anyone craving bold, memorable flavors. read more

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The one star is for the great meal. Everything went downhill, before and after that. While the Long Beach version of this restaurant is what influencers have high marks, this DTLA/ Japantown branch is everything you should not do, when trying to run a successful restaurant. We got to the restaurant, which is aesthetically pleasing inside. Nice bar area and the seating was clean and also nice. It was lunch time and it was empty, except for two other tables. We were greeted with "two?" Not a hello, welcome...blah blah blah, just "two?" and we were then seated. The same "two?" guy took our order. Two chai teas. We waited....forever for them and when they finally arrived, there was no, apology for the long wait, nor an explanation why it would be a long wait for tea, which at the end, he told me, the delay was because they make it fresh. Sir, fresh from where? Did you make it in the Long Beach restaurant and then drove it to DTLA? No tea takes THAT long. I already said the food was great, so let's jump to the end, when my friend went to the restroom. Keep in mind, we were there at around 2p. Why did none of the bathroom stalls have toilet paper? Or seat liners? Is no one in charge here? We saw someone who looked like a manager, standing and typing away on his computer near the kitchen , but never looked up or came over to our table to ask how everything was. My friend "two?" guy know we would not be returning, but I'm quite sure no one there cared. I guess if you absolutely need to try this restaurant, you should order delivery or takeout because the in house experience is a firm HELL NO from me. Again, the Long Beach branch is what the influencers raved about, so maybe go there instead. read more

My cousin and I were in LA for a long weekend for a convention and were staying in the downtown area. When stating somewhere new, it's imperative that I curate a little list of good restaurants to try because life is to short to eat bad food. When I saw a butter chicken pot pie at this one.. I knew my cousin would love it and the reviews were pretty good. We got there a little more than an hour before closing and it wasn't terribly busy. The manager sat us down and we were promptly seated by our handsome waiter who complemented us on our beauty. Well, that alone made us giggly and silly but then we got some really nice drinks. I got their mule and she got the chai martini. She didn't find it sweet enough to her liking so the waiter quickly brought her a new one that was perfection. My mule was refreshing and delicious. The butter chicken pot pie was rich, creamy and flavorful. The chunks of chicken were tender. The presentation was so cute. Looked like a roti was on the top to make the crust and it was flakey and light. We also got a Caesar salad to accompany the meal to pretend we were healthy girls and feel good about ourselves. It was a great portion to share and fresh and crisp. We ordered another pot pie and a paneer to go for our girls back at the hotel. They loved it. Our hotel room smelled like curry but it was well worth it, lol. The manager came and chatted with us at the end of our meal and it was so nice hear of the future plans for the restaurant. Such lovely service, a beautiful setting, and a delicious meal. Perfection. read more

I decided to support local business and take my sister to lunch. We walk in and there is only 2 other people in the restaurant . We were sat and waited for 10+ minutes before the server came to take our order. No greeting no apology just no service . It took a long time to get our tea. Long. Food was exceptional. Truly enjoyed the paneer tikka and yellow daal. But the entire service was brazenly rude - like we were an inconvenience. I mentioned multiple times it was my sisters birthday but by the time it came for dessert, we were over it. The check came and it was $85 and I did not feel he deserved a 20% tip but he stood there and breathe over my neck while I was paying and MADE me tip ! Who does that? I went to use the restroom and all three stalls had no toilet paper and the toilet seat covers! I went out to talk to The manager, who was also quite nonchalant. I finally wait for the rude Server to go and refill it - 10 minutes later ... I go in the bathroom and the one stall that I choose does not have toilet paper! SMH I truly was at my wits end. I cannot believe how terrible this experience was for $100 lunch. I will never ever walk in this establishment again. read more

I'm a local and have been visiting since CaliChilli opened, including during their first Dine LA. They're at the corner of 2nd and Los Angeles Street, across from the DoubleTree Hotel in Little Tokyo. This is their second location after Long Beach, and they describe themselves as an "unauthentic Indian restaurant"--a cheeky and intentional nod to their modern, fusion-forward approach to Indian cuisine. Last Wednesday, around 8 PM, I was seated next to a woman visiting the area for work. After I ordered the lamb shank vindaloo, she unexpectedly offered to share her food. She wanted to try various dishes from the menu, but couldn't finish everything or return leftovers. It was a random, memorable moment--good food and great conversation with someone I'll probably never see again, but a story I'll always remember. I tried half of her meal: the dahi sev puri, one of the kulchas, and the truffle chicken tikka. I barely touched my dish and took the vindaloo home--it was still fantastic the next day. As someone who understands the challenges of running a business, I can see the risk they took opening here, on the western edge of Little Tokyo near the Historic Core and Civic Center, with Skid Row just south. While the area isn't exclusively Japanese, it is known for Japanese restaurants and culture, and introducing Indian fusion cuisine here is bold. They're located in the AVA apartment complex, and rent is likely steep. Foot traffic can vary--some nights are quiet, but it was packed on May 16, 2025. That night, they were clearly understaffed and managing several large parties. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them were the group mentioned in a recent one-star review about slow service during a birthday dinner. I can't speak to their experience, but I did notice the delay with our bill when it suddenly got busier. Still, my friend and I were understanding of the situation. I met the owner that night and hoped he could take in some of what was happening. I didn't see any mention in the review of the party speaking directly with him. Aside from occasional hiccups when it gets busy, the service has been consistently great. One of the bartenders recognized me from their early days and greeted me warmly on several visits, including last night, when he said hello. In the quieter early days, I'd sometimes stay until closing while studying after my meal, and he was always attentive, even when I was no longer eating. The staff has always been kind and welcoming whenever I visit. Even with a few bumps in service, the food remains memorable, the atmosphere inviting, and the spontaneous dinner companion made this visit especially unforgettable. read more

Each dish was amazing, so unique. Gorgeous interior! The only thing is that service was a bit lacking. Waitress and host were friendly but very slow, even when the restaurant was almost empty. It took quite a long time to get our drink order, and even longer for the food order. The kitchen was great, and the food came out a good pace. We finally got our drinks a few dishes into our meal. Hopefully this can get better over time, and will still return because I'm curious about the other dishes we didn't get to try! read more

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From start to finish, this was a fantastic dining experience. The service was attentive and welcoming, and the atmosphere struck the perfect balance between relaxed and refined. The menu was impressive--so many tempting options that it was genuinely hard to choose! I eventually settled on the truffle chicken with saffron rice and a citrus salad, and every bite was absolutely delicious. I'll definitely be back to explore more of the menu! read more

Cali Chilli - Truffle chicken - Indian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Nice restaurant in the downtown area. It is a block from where I work and I pass by the place often. I was skeptical at first when I saw that it was fusion food. I still wanted to try it for once, but their hours are very inconvenient to me. They close at 2:30 and I usually have late lunch. Finally got a chance to go early yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. The ambience of the place was so inviting; the food was so delicious and the service very friendly. Great place for the downtown Los Angeles. read more

Hidden Indian fusion gem in Little Tokyo! I was surprised to come across this nice restaurant serving delicious Indian food. I came on a Thursday night around 6pm and there weren't too many patrons dining in at the time. Walking in, the interior was beautiful and gave fine dining vibes mixed with South Asian flare. The food was very delicious! Firstly, my table ordered a Cali chili nachos to share. It was a great appetizer. The chips were crispy and not soggy, the chicken was juicy, and I love all the various toppings which were flavorful. I then tried one of the Dahi Sev Puris and it was delicious! Full of flavor and different textures. I loved the creamy filling with hints of sweetness. Lastly, I ordered Dum Lamb Biryani and it was great. There was even a whole presentation of the waiter cutting open the bread bowl. The biryani was flavorful and fluffy and I also loved the flavorful and succulent lamb meat that slipped right of the bone. The yogurt mixture was great, but I wish there was more of it to help cut the richness of the biryani. I also wish it was spicier. I tended to notice all the dishes we had weren't very spicy, so I'm assuming I would need to manually ask for spicier dishes next time. To drink I got the mango passion fruit rose lassi which I thought was okay, and didn't really stand out. It tasted like a standard mango lassi to me, but less creamier. It was also on the pricier side at $10 for a smaller portion. The service was also great too and our servers were nice.For parking, they validate 90 minutes at the Ava parking lot. Overall, this was a great experience here and I generally enjoyed everything I had. Would recommend and would come back here to try the other dishes. read more

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Honestly, our experience at this Downtown LA spot was a tale of two halves. The food was fantastic and the ambiance was really enjoyable -- but the service? From the moment we walked in, the lack of a host to welcome us set an unwelcoming tone. That's where things fell short. No one greeted us at the door, a kitchen employee had to step in to seat us, and then we sat for a good while before anyone came to take our order. Hopefully they sort out the front-of-house experience, because the restaurant truly has potential.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ read more

Cali Chilli - Pani Puri Poppers - Indian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I went for happy hour with a friend. Outstanding food, great drinks and prices (Mumbai Mule and Tamarind Martini were delicious). We shared a lamb dum biryani and thought it was so good! Will definitely be coming back. Service was great as well read more

The butter chicken was very creamy and packed with wonderful warm spices. I paired my dinner with some fresh garlic naan to soak up all the delicious sauce. read more

Visited Cali Chilly to celebrate my birthday with a group of five, and the experience was extremely disappointing. We ordered five entrées, but it took about an hour to receive only four. We later found out the fifth dish was never placed by our server, which led to an additional hour wait. While the food itself was decent, the service was far below expectations and disrupted the entire evening. I shared this feedback directly with the restaurant but received no response. Unfortunately, based on this experience, I cannot recommend this place. read more

Amazing food and ambience. Great place to try Indian food. CJ was a very good server. Service is also impressive read more

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This place is SO GOOD. It isn't the most authentic Indian food (and my boyfriend and I were bummed about that at first) but it's totally worth trying! The lobster is so fresh and soft, the butter chicken pot pie...the flavors are just amazing. The appetizer we got were these shooters with different types of salsa, those were delicious as well. Drinks, service and vibe inside were great! Definitely will be coming back. read more