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    Desi Dhaba

    4.2 (901 reviews)
    ModerateIndian
    Closed 10:00 am - 2:30 pm, 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Desi Dhaba Photos

    DESI DHABA ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Desi Dhaba

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    Rice, Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masasla, Saag Paneer, Naan, Naan Without Butter, Raita
    Julie W.

    We got the butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, saag paneer, raita, rice, naan & butter naan to go. The curries had a great flavor. Tasted like it should. It was not over spiced like too much ginger. It was hard to tell the butter vs non butter naan. A bowl of rice and curry dotted with raita and naan bread on the side is the best. Website said ready in 10 minutes but it was more like a 20+ minute wait. They had 3 or more to go orders ready for pickup. We've eaten here but the room, table, chairs are pretty plain so we prefer to do take out. We would do take out again. Since it's new owners, we may try some of the other menu items.

    Butter Chicken
    Ron P.

    We came here looking for Indian food on a Saturday night and seeing how highly rated this place was. Surprisingly, we found the place completely empty when we walked on for a Saturday dinner (7pm)!! The employee did not seem to really care that we walked in(?) and I was not able to grab their attention until I walked up to them even though we were the only customers in there. It seems like a very casual Indian diner, and although I had wished I had tried something newer, we ordered Butter Chicken, Tikka Masala, and some Naan. Food was good though! And the portions generous! Without the awkwardness of being the sole customer here I enjoyed it!

    Butter chicken 5/5 medium spicy
    Chandrika B.

    Loved the reviews on yelp so tried this for a quick weeknight dinner. The place was fairly empty and lots of vacant parking spots right outside this corner restaurant, I preferred their outdoor seating more than the indoor one. Best would be to takeout/ get it delivered to you as the indoor ambience is the only reason i am deducting a star. Friendly service and free chai was good. In $68 (before tip), we got: - aloo parantha 5/5- huge portion size tandoori potato filled bread which tasted great . Definitely recommending it - tandoori chicken tikka - 5/5- saucy grilled chicken with long sliced onions and bell peppers adding to the crunch. Again huge portion size. - butter chicken (medium soicy)- loved this as it was perfectly spiced and flavorful. Paired well with naan and complimentary rice - palak paneer 3/5- decent but i wish it had more paneer pieces - chilli naan- 5/5 hits a spot. Loved it - garlic naan 4/5 - decent

    Buffet
    Kenneth Z.

    Still one of the best (and sadly now one of the only) lunch buffets around. $1 up charge for garlic/cilantro naan so... obviously get it Personally I like to go before 1130am so the food is fresh. They don't always refill everything so it might be picked through by 12/1230 They had free mango lassi ONCE and never again, not sure why You don't come for the ambiance and imo I liked it better before the refurbishment too

    Goat Biryani, Chicken Korma, Butter Chicken
    Ethan A.

    This is very beginner friendly Indian food. The flavors are all there, but the spiciness of the curries is very mild, like a mild seafood boil rather than a medium. The Chicken Korma and Butter Chicken were both fantastic with the garlic naan. Although, I did order Lamb Korma, but was given chicken. The samosas were big that paired well with the tamarind and mint chutney. The goat biryani was good with the yogurt sauce and I would say it packed the most heat out of all the dishes we got. The goat is super tender, however, watch out for some bones that got separated from the meat. Staff was friendly during pick up and inside was spacious. It's very simple inside and there is a lunch buffet I believe. I will be back to actually try the Lamb Korma, but overall, this place is great!

    Buffet Pic 2 of 3
    Clement K.

    Came here for a lunch buffet so I could eat as much butter chicken as I wanted. It's a varied but simple selection of buffet items featuring many typical Indian staples. The only thing not pictured is the Naan, which they will bring to your table when you are seated. I'm not an expert on Indian cuisine, but I tasted most of the items and they all were along the lines of my expectations. I liked the Butter Chicken and Lamb Curry a lot. The Chicken Biryani was pretty satisfying too. Apparently, there's been a recent change in management, and the food tastes a little different than it used to be (supposedly saltier according to the person who brought me here) but this was my first time visiting and I thought the food was fine for a simple lunch buffet. I'm not local to the area, but if I was, I'd come back for another go.

    Butter Chicken

    possibly the worst butter chicken in the entire bay area. on the plus side, it's actually spicy when spicy was ordered on the down side, it's not butter chicken at all too much salt and completely lacking the creamy goodness associated with a great butter chicken

    Dining area and lunch buffet
    Hormaz C.

    Came here with kids for lunch buffet. They included goat curry - which is one of my favorites. Casual Ambiance. Food wasn't spicy. Absolutely loved that they served fresh naan quite promptly at the table. Most other buffet restaurants make you wait 10-15mins before serving naan. Plan to be back again.

    Naan, Tandoor roti and Kadhai Paneer
    Sudatta J.

    Stopped by for dinner and tried out plain Naan, Tandoor roti and Kadhai Paneer. What I really liked about the food was that it was made to order, paneer was fresh, soft and the curry had decent quantity of paneer pieces. The bread(s) were also well made. The addition of carrom seeds (ajwain) in the naan is a nice touch. Overall food was appetizing, less oil which is how I like my food. Service was fast and friendly. Large space with lot of interior seating. Ample parking as well.

    rice, Palak Paneer, butter chicken, paneer tikka masala

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    5 months ago

    Good food, sometimes take out/delivery take too long to arrive to me. Staff is friendly. Parking is good.

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    1 year ago

    Meh. The buffet food is not great. The fresh naan is awesome. But that's about it. Everything else is quite average or not so much.

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    5 years ago

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    10 months ago

    Great food and service. Love the ambiance. Will come back soon. Good to have this in corona.

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    Page 1 of 23

    Ask the Community - Desi Dhaba

    Does the buffet still exist under new owners and if so what are the hours and how much does it cost?

    They do have Weekday Buffet just like the old days. Price is $16.99

    Does this place still have All you can eat lunch buffet?

    No buffet at the moment.

    Is this suitable for group of ten people? Is it a buffet?

    Yes

    Do you have buffet on Sunday afternoons?

    No they don't have buffet on Sunday as they open at evening

    View All 6 Questions

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    Mylapore - Sunnyvale - Gajar halwa

    Mylapore - Sunnyvale

    3.8(179 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    My second time here. We came around 5.30 and ordered a mega tiffin. I came with two kids ages 9 and…read more3. At first I thought that tiffin will be enough for us but then my kids quickly gobbled the idli and mini dosa and wanted more. So I ordered another plate of only idlis( has 3 big soft fluffy ones) and also took advantage of the happy hour to order a masala dosa for me. I am not the kind of mom who eats kids leftovers all the time. So I wanted my own dosa. For drinks, I did a medium strong filter coffee ( they make it to your customization and I was surprised to see they even had jaggery). My 9 year old took a mango lassi. Food was incredibly satisfying. Servers are very attentive and they came three times to our table offering more chutney and sambhar. We already had enough but if you like more sambhar and chutney with your food, this is heaven. One server even came with ghee for my little ones for idlis. I was so grateful. He was genuinely sweet to my kid. Felt a connection than just a business! Ambiance is classy and relaxed at the same time. Nobody gave me the side eye when my three year old was a little noisy. Have a corner for takeout containers for leftover food, very generous. I would highly recommend this place for its delicious food, relaxed atmosphere and friendly service. Prices are reasonable. They have happy hour daily from 3-6 pm and when we went at 5.30, the restaurant was more than 70% full on a Thursday. Eat early and save money too. We really had a very good time! PS- when you pay the bill ( you have to order and pay the bill before you eat at a room next to the dining area), do enter your phone number at the end and enroll in the loyalty program. I already redeemed an award today!

    TL;DR Average ambience and food, great service, great marketing and excellent coffee…read more Average food- idli, medu wada, uttapam, dosas, chutneys, tried several times here, Saratoga and San Antonio locations. Saratoga by far has the better ambience. Also cannot do take out for dosas. Excellent filter coffee and good paratha/kurma (though very oily so ask for no oil on paratha if health conscious). Service overall is very good, nice people. Have stopped coming here for the food. Our go to South Indian place is Ullavacharu tiffins, by far all excellent flavorful items.

    Photos
    Mylapore - Sunnyvale - Sitting area outside while you wait if you come at a busy time

    Sitting area outside while you wait if you come at a busy time

    Mylapore - Sunnyvale - Filter Kapi(Coffee)

    Filter Kapi(Coffee)

    Mylapore - Sunnyvale - Samosas and other good stuff (can't remember the name)

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    Samosas and other good stuff (can't remember the name)

    Nalapaka

    Nalapaka

    4.7(38 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    The BEST onion pakora in the bays area - hands down! It's a cloud kitchen place - just come in and…read morepick up your order. I have got it for 2 parties and it's a hit! My only request would be to have them provide a chutney / sauce with it. The pakoras are gone before I can photograph them

    Flavors: 10/10 Portions: 10/10…read moreCustomer experience 10/10 Drive from Hayward to Sunnyvale to pick this up: totally worth it. Tonight I was craving a home style chicken and rice dish similar to what my mom makes . Now I know it's not possible to get that from a restaurant, but the closest to that is the Donne biryani preparation that a few places offer in the Bay Area. So I looked up Yelp and found this spot. The fact that it already had 4.9 stars was reassuring but I didn't put too many expectations on it. But what I did was call the place and make sure they'd be open by the time I made that 28 mile drive. I spoke to a person named Sagar who took my order and told me to take my time getting there and drive carefully! Husband and I got there around 9:30pm and it's a cloud kitchen setup with kitchens in the back and a point of sale kiosk and counter at the front. As instructed I called Sagar and he came up to the counter with my food, and also let me know he had added a free dessert since I drove all the way from Hayward . Husband and I got home and immediately dug in and what can I say, the flavors totally took me back to my mom's kitchen. The Donne biryani was bursting with taste, and what made it superb was that the flavors were in balance, with neither the spices nor the aromatics being overpowering in any way. The other dish, the pepper chicken was epic by itself, and should have been enjoyed with a bread of some sort, because the biryani didn't need any accompaniment. As if this meal wasn't divine enough the cherry on top was the pineapple kesari dessert that Sagar kindly added to our takeout bag. Thanks Nalapaka, for a taste of home, away from home !

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    Nalapaka
    Nalapaka
    Nalapaka

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    SouthIndieS - Mini sambar vada

    SouthIndieS

    4.3(52 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    There's nothing more disappointing than consuming tasteless carbs and calories!!…read moreThat's exactly what the thali at Southindies was on this past Sunday. An overloaded plate with a bunch of unconnected foods cannot make it a south indian thali!! Bland, boring and not worth going back to. Service was decent though, no complaints. Bay Area, especially south bay has a ton of competition with a new restaurant opening every few months. It's only a matter of time before this place is gone!! With this quality of food, I'm not recommending to any of my friends

    If you are looking for that elusive combination of home-cooked taste and simple, soul-warming food,…read morethis place takes the cake. It has officially become our family's go-to dinner spot, and for good reason--they truly never miss a beat. The Standout Dishes The menu is a celebration of authentic flavors. Some of our absolute favorites include: Millet Dosa: Perfectly crisp and a great healthy alternative. Mini Idli Podi: Bite-sized bursts of flavor with the perfect spice blend. Pesarattu: Authentically prepared and incredibly satisfying. The Pro Tip: The real star of the show is the ginger chutney served with the Dosae. It is the perfect zesty accompaniment that ties the whole meal together. Service & Atmosphere Beyond the food, the service is exceptionally efficient. Even during busy dinner rushes, the staff is attentive and ensures that nothing is overlooked. It's rare to find a place that feels this consistent and welcoming. Highly recommended for anyone craving a nutritious, delicious, and soulful South Indian meal!

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    SouthIndieS
    SouthIndieS - Mini Thali

    Mini Thali

    SouthIndieS - Exterior: cycles waiting patiently by entrance

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    Exterior: cycles waiting patiently by entrance

    Charminar - Hyderabadi Goat Dum Biryani - Weekend only

    Charminar

    3.6(42 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    Some of the best restaurant discoveries happen by complete accident…read more We were actually on our way to AnnachiKarahi when gps informed us it had moved and been replaced by Charminar. While my husband drove, I quickly pulled up the Yelp page. The menu immediately caught my attention, but I'll admit I was hesitant. There were only a handful of reviews, and the ratings didn't quite match the ambition of the menu. Still, Hyderabadi cuisine is one of India's great culinary traditions, and it's surprisingly underrepresented in the Bay Area. Curiosity won. I'm so glad it did. Having visited Hyderabad, I know it as a city obsessed with food, a place where recipes reflect centuries of Nizami, Mughlai, Persian, and Telugu influences. While many restaurants here advertise themselves as Hyderabadi, they often stop at biryani. Charminar embraces the breadth of the cuisine, with everything from mandi and gongura specialties to chicken sukka, Mughlai curries, and, on weekends, freshly made rumali rotis. That alone made me stop and take notice. The restaurant itself is warm and inviting, with tasteful artwork celebrating the Hyderabad cityscape and the iconic Charminar. The staff matched the atmosphere: genuinely welcoming, knowledgeable, and eager to guide us through the menu without ever rushing us. The meal began with refreshing drinks before quickly moving into what became one of the highlights of the evening: the kebabs. The Lasooni Kebab and the Malai Kebab were exceptional. Both were astonishingly tender the kind of tenderness that only comes from patient marination and careful cooking. The Malai Kebab, in particular, was outstanding. Delicate notes of ginger and garlic layered into a creamy marinade, finished with the unmistakable whisper of charcoal smoke, created a kebab that was elegant rather than heavy. It was one of the finest versions I've had in the Bay Area. For the mains, we ordered the Chicken Sukka and Lal Chicken alongside the weekend rumali rotis. Paper-thin, almost like silk, they arrived impossibly soft and stayed that way throughout the meal. Anyone who has searched for authentic rumali roti in the Bay Area knows how rare that is. Too often they become rubbery within minutes. And it's rare to find it on menus so get your hands on it (weekends only!) The Chicken Sukka was my favorite curry of the evening. Layers of roasted coconut, deeply caramelized onions, warming spices, and beautifully cooked chicken came together in a dish that was both rustic and deeply satisfying. The Lal Chicken surprised me. Given the name, I expected assertive heat, but instead found a curry that leaned sweeter and tangier than anticipated. Not a flaw, just a different interpretation than I had expected. And then came the dish that reminded me why Hyderabad occupies such a revered place in India's culinary landscape. The Gosht Dum Biryani. If you visit on a weekend, don't overthink your order. Get it. Anyone can pile onions and masala onto rice and call it biryani. True dum biryani is a lesson in restraint. Every grain of rice should carry the perfume of saffron, whole spices, stock, and meat, without relying on excess seasoning. The rice itself should be compelling enough to eat on its own. Charminar gets this exactly right. Every spoonful was fragrant and beautifully balanced. The lamb was meltingly tender, yielding effortlessly from the bone, while the mirchi ka salan added earthy warmth and the raita brought just enough freshness to complete the experience. It was, without question, the standout dish of the evening and among the better Hyderabadi biryanis I've had in the Bay Area. The most exciting part is that we barely scratched the surface of the menu. Finding a restaurant that doesn't simply borrow Hyderabad's famous name but genuinely celebrates the diversity of its cuisine is rare. Charminar feels like it was built by people who understand what makes the city's food so beloved. What a wonderful addition to Sunnyvale. I sincerely hope the community gives this restaurant the attention it deserves. We'll certainly be back Congratulations to the Charminar team.

    Unlimited pani puri is a joke here. They donot want u to breath or sit while they serve so u eat…read moreless. They use chat curry as stuffing and only one type of pani. Very rude service Adding samosa chat is another joke. Please do not waste time and just enjoy pani puri at apni Mandi

    Photos
    Charminar
    Charminar - Dhaba Chicken

    Dhaba Chicken

    Charminar - Biryani goat dum

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    Biryani goat dum

    Chaat Bhavan - Mountain View - Logo

    Chaat Bhavan - Mountain View

    4.7(631 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$
    15 years in business
    Locally sourced ingredients

    Chaat Bhavan Mountain View provided catering for my wedding dinner. They came in time and only one…read moreperson managed all the drinks and food- thank you Harry for all your help! We ordered the tandoor package for about 30 guests. These are all medium trays - there was a lot of food leftover (tip to order less than no of guests)- but we were able to give it to our guests and neighbors. And the food- we got so many compliments from our guests! The drinks were mango lassi and mint and lime mojito and the appetizers samosas and paneer tikka were great! Also the three entrees, dal and rice and gulab jamun were great. We also got complimentary milk sweet at the end. Harry also helped us with setting a small garbage to throw our disposable plates and silverware, which was really helpful. Thank you Chaat Bhavan for a memorable and delicious dinner!

    We were invited to dine at this restaurant in Mountain View. I thought it was far from home…read more The restaurant was big, our waiter was hospitable and accommodating. My favorites were the Pakoras, Cauliflower Manchurian and the Noodles. First time trying the noodles at an Indian restaurant and reminded me of a spicy chow mein. The Saag Paneer was good. I didn't try the garbanzos because I just had too many of those at recent parties. Overall, it was okay but still I wouldn't come back due to the far location. 45 minute drive is just too far from home for me.

    Photos
    Chaat Bhavan - Mountain View - Bengali Beet Chop

    Bengali Beet Chop

    Chaat Bhavan - Mountain View - Lava Cake

    Lava Cake

    Chaat Bhavan - Mountain View - Chili Tofu

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    Chili Tofu

    Desi Dhaba - indpak - Updated September 2026

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