We celebrated Father's Day here with family visiting from Coimbatore, plus two families who all live for good South Indian food and this place delivered! We had a bigger group with specific asks, and the staff were so accommodating about seating us together and working with our timing. The food itself was the real star. Everyone at the table, from the Coimbatore side to the Bay Area regulars, agreed the flavors were authentic and comforting nothing felt "Americanized" or watered down. Two dishes stood out and got wiped clean: - The Mini Ghee Podi Idly - so good that after the initial 3, we added one more order (it comes with 9+) - Dosa - any of them! I like Rava dosa so I asked them to make it crispy. And a fun surprise for the cold coffee lovers in our group: they do an ice cream version of Indian cold coffee. It was the perfect way to end a big family meal. We have already come back 10+ times and I'm sure, will visit in the future. Great spot for South Indian food! read more

We ordered the special thali and it was sub par. The sambhar rice, and Biryani were good but the tamarind rice and tomato rice lacked flavour! The benne dosa was good Service was quick and the staff was accommodating read more

We used to love this place, but now that it's become more popular, it's gone to the dogs. Ordered DoorDash - 2 items - Idly Vada, Rava Khicidi combo - Dahi Vada Made dasher wait for 45 min - Rava khichdi missing - No side sambar - idly vada cold and stale and soggy Ridiculous.... read more

Embarrassing experience, service protocol needs a major upgrade. When asked for a to go box, the server mentioned they cannot help us. We need to go all the way to the crowded entrance counter and get it ourselves. Seems the intention was to make it a walk of shame :) Worst part is that the Togo boxes are hidden below the iPad screen where people have queued up to join the waitlist. At the very least, place them in multiple sections as the restaurant is spacious. It was an awkward experience indeed. I would be reluctant to visit this location again. Upon entering, we joined the waitlist and were seated within 5 min. Initially placed us on a small table. We were thankful our request for a larger table was accommodated quickly. This location is more spacious than the Cupertino one. Enjoyed the food in general. Unique items not found in other places: Millet Dosa, Ragi Pakoda, Mushroom Kalan, Sulaimani Tea, etc. read more

Visited this new Kovai Cafe location on a weekday morning around 10:00 AM. Walking in, the ambience felt modern and nice. Service was friendly and welcoming. Coming to the food: - Special Masala Dosa(5/5): This was delicious and all of the chutneys that came with it were great. - Happy Hour Combo(4/5): While the combo was good, would prefer the dosa over this next time. - Sambar(5/5): this was unique and tasted great. It was almost like Dal. read more

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Great food and great service! Saturdays may not be the best time to go -- it was very crowded, and we waited about 45 minutes. It also felt a little disorganized, and we didn't get the roti that was supposed to come with the special meal until the end. However, they were very kind and gave us roti to go along with extra korma for the wait, which we appreciated. The uttapam was so soft and delicious -- even my dad said it's the best uttapam he's ever had! The tea was great, and the dosa was also delicious. The tomato chutney was the best I've had. I would definitely come back -- just maybe on a weeknight. read more

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We visited Kovai Cafe for breakfast today and tried a bunch of dishes between the three of us and overall it turned out to be a really solid vegetarian spot. Service was quick and friendly! We ordered the ghee podi masala dosai, tiffin combo (idli + pongal + vadai + kesari with filter coffee), idiyappam with vada curry, chow chow bath, and poori masala. The clear standout was the masala dosai. Honestly one of the best dosais I have had in the Bay Area, and I don't say that lightly. It came with four different chutneys and sambar which were all excellent. The tiffin combo was great value and very satisfying, soft idli, comforting pongal, a nice vadai, and kesari to finish. The filter coffee paired perfectly with it. We tried idiyappam with vada curry combo for the first time. It was interesting to try, but probably not something I would reorder personally. The chow chow bath (upma + kesari) was very good and reminded us of a proper Bangalore breakfast. Poori masala was also good. Overall the menu is quite extensive and there's a lot more we would come back to try. If you are looking for a dependable vegetarian breakfast spot, this is a great option. read more

Kovai Cafe - Ghee podi masala dosai - Vegetarian Near Me - Milpitas, California

We recently visited Kodak Cafe for dinner on Sunday. Hubby was craving sambar idly and we've always wanted to try the famous chef Madampatti's vegetarian restaurant Konami cafe. Glad it opened in Milpitas that's closer to our home than their previous location in south bay. Sambar idly was delicious. I am not a big fan usually but enjoyed this dish a lot here. Piping hot sambar and soft idly's dipped in it. We had KC special dosa: it's a combination of all masala dosa variations. It had podi, masala, onion, cilantro , potato masala served on top of a benne style crispy on the outside side on the inside type of dosa. It was a bunch of flavors and we enjoyed it. Elaneer payasam was ok. Not the best. Hubby also had filter kaapi. We loved the 4 chutneys this serve with tiffins. The peanut one was super tasty. Good for quick tiffins on a weekend. Service was great and very cordial. Ambiance is clean and good. read more

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Kovai cafe is amazing. In the days of many South Indian restaurant chains in Bay Area, this is a welcome change. I went here twice, once during a normal weeknight and once during weekend. Weekends have waiting but they have chairs outside to wait. Also servers keep coming to check when to provide the table. Food is great. I tried the podi butter aloo masala dosa which was a fun try and had the regular masala dosa. Also their chutneys provide variety of taste compared to coconut chutney. Tried their chow chow bath and kesari was yum. Also their filter coffee icecream is great. Small place, but great food and service. read more

Kovai Cafe - Masala Dosa, Open Butter Podi Masala Dosa - Vegetarian Near Me - Milpitas, California

Extremely disappointing experience. The service was poor from the moment we arrived. Our order took over 30 minutes, and the staff barely paid attention to our table while other groups seemed to receive prompt service, attention, and much more respectful treatment, which felt inconsistent and unfair. To make matters worse, our starter didn't arrive until after the main course was served. By the time it finally came, we had already finished most of our main course. When we politely asked about the missing item, the waiter responded with a disrespectful attitude. When the dish finally arrived, it was practically dropped on our table as if we were asking for free food instead of something we had already paid for. That level of hospitality is completely unacceptable. As for the food, it was average at best and definitely not worth the high prices. The restaurant seems to rely more on hype than on quality or customer service. Overall, this was a frustrating and disappointing experience. Good food can never make up for poor service and disrespectful treatment. I hope the management takes customer service seriously and ensures that every guest is treated with the same level of respect and attention. read more

Kovai Cafe has expanded from its San Jose location into Milpitas, and this casual, lively vegetarian restaurant offers the same delicious South Indian flavors as the original, accompanied by quick and friendly service. One of their most unique tiffins was the Millet Masala Dosa, a crispy crepe made with a nutty millet flour, filled with creamy spiced masala potatoes, and served with sambar, tomato chutney, coconut chutney, and peanut chutney on the side. But the item to come for is the Kovai Special Meals, a round metal platter with a large assortment of colorful dishes, all centered on a bowl of rice. The selection varies daily, and on my visit, they were serving Ugadi Ruchulu, a special thali for Ugadi, the Hindu new year. The festive thali came with 16 different items: Bellada Panaka (sweet jaggery drink), Ugadi Pachadi (chutney), Gongura Pulao (rice with sorrel), Jonna Roti (sorghum flatbread), Beerakaya Palli Curry (ridge gourd peanut curry), Munaga Mamidi Sambar (drumstick mango sambar), Sorakaya Majjiga Pulusu (bottle gourd yogurt curry), Nimmakaya Rasam (lemon broth), Talimpu Perugu (curd), Goru Chikkudukaya Vepudu (stir-fried cluster beans), Dosakaya Kootu (yellow cucumber stew), Pesaru Garelu (moong dal fritter), Mamidi Pandu Payasam (sweet mango kheer), Mirapakaya Oorugaya (chili pickle), and Ullipaya Vadiyalu (onion fryums). Each component was distinct in flavor and delicious in its own way, but my favorite items included the chewy, nutty Jonna Roti, the peanut curry, and the stir-fried cluster beans! I couldn't believe that this entire sensory experience came at just $16.99-an unbelievable value for a festive meal! read more

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Kovai cafe replaced our Fav Namma restaurant. We have heard great things about their thali and decided to try them now that they are a bit closer. No thali in the evenings so we tried variety of breakfast items and everything tasted great. Rava kesari stood out for us . Benne dosa's texture looked different compared to other south Indian breakfast places but it tasted good. Will definitely come back to try their thali. read more

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The cuisine was exceptional, with the Paneer 65 deserving a five-star rating. The dosa, filter coffee, and idlis were also delightful. We anticipate a return visit. read more

We have been to the Cupertino location several times, so wanted to check out the Milpitas location too. Same amazing food! Gobi Pachimilagai is unique and tastes amazing. The strongest filter coffee in the area. Paneer Bhurji dosa was great as well read more

Good snacks and filter coffee. Have been here multiple times, the food has consistency.

Kovai Cafe is an amazing place for modern vibes and some of the best South Indian food! We ordered the Gobi 65 (the fry on this was soooo good- light but very crispy; the cauliflower was very fresh, and the spices and curry leaf decor on top were *chef's kiss*!); onion and tomato uttapam (super fresh veggies, fluffy, delicious!!); the special Kovai meal/ thali (a platter with many mini bowls of varied dishes with rice and other carbs); and drinks (badam paal - tastes like sweet mildly spiced milk with almonds and a foamy top; delicious and piping hot - yes!!); mango lassi; and their filter coffee (foam top, strong, and piping hot!!). It is hard to pick a favorite because everything was so different, but all were so delicious, and the drinks were amazing! I can't wait to come back again! read more

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This was our first time at Kovai Cafe. The Pongal banana leaf virundu is what attracted me to visit the restaurant. The review below is only for the special menu, as we did not order anything else. Food - 5/5 There were close to 18 different items on the leaf. Each and every dish was very flavorful. The soup, veggie biryani, kurma, and sambar were my top favorites. The kurma's thickness and flavor were excellent, and the balance of whole spices was on point--something that is not often seen in other restaurants. All the other items were super delish as well. None of the dishes were oily or excessively spicy (hot). Each one had a distinct flavor. I would come back to eat these items any day, as long as the quality is maintained. One thing I did feel was missing was appalam/papad, but that's a very small thing to point out. Quantity-wise, every dish was served with true generosity, and we were stuffed by the end of the meal. Price - 4.8/5 For the number of dishes served as part of this meal, it was priced very well at ~$23 per plate, which is quite reasonable compared to other places. Ambience / Service Overall, it's a clean place with prompt service. The staff checked in several times to see if we needed anything, which is something mostly seen only in India. They also enquired about the quality and taste of the food, which was really nice. One thing that could be improved is having the staff know the names of the dishes that are part of the meal. While there were several items and the expectation wasn't for the staff to recite every single one, it would have been nice to either group the items or have a printed menu to look at. In the beginning, the waiting staff came every minute to check if we were ready to order, despite us telling them we wanted to know what was included in the meal. This is a small point, but being in America, a lot of non-South Indians will want to visit the restaurant, and simply saying there are 18 items may not suffice. Most people would want to know what they are paying for or check for potential allergens. That said, the staff and food more than made up for this tiny hiccup. Finally, it was nice to see Chef Rangaraj himself stop by each table and enquire about the food. Overall, I am super excited to come back to try other dishes! read more

Kovai Cafe - Pongal virundu - Vegetarian Near Me - Milpitas, California

New branch in Milpitas. The interiors are decent, and they also have a nice waiting area. The place can get busy so getting on the waitlist is a good idea. The service staff was attentive, and efficient, even if they looked a little overworked with all the crowd. The Kovai Kothu Idly and KC Spl Masala Dosa were both decent, along with the chutneys. There isn't anything negative to call out even if nothing really stood out. The Mushroom Pachamilagai reminded of some chicken based dishes, even if the flavor was mild, and surprisingly not spicy at all. The Filter Coffee was good. Overall a good addition to the Milpitas dining scene, however not one we're likely gonna repeat any time soon. read more

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I had thatte idly which was really amazing. It came with so many chutneys, ghee and podi was really great. Then I had the special open dosa. I asked if it is going to be crisp and they said, yes. However when it came it was not crisp. I pointed it out to the manager and they instantly, without any hesitation said they will replace it. I was not trying to get it replaced, just marking a simple observation and also by then I had already had half the dosa. Later, the manager noticed, I was looking at Filter Cofee soft serve and got me one on the house. It was really good, full of flavor and not too sweet. Good ambience, tasty food, and really nice management Happily left a good tip to cover for the soft serve read more

We tried roadside kalan, kothu chapathi, poori masala, benne kara masala dosa , filter coffee and filter cofffee soft serve in cone. Benne Kara masala dosa was decent but prefer the one in mylapore restaurant better. All chutneys were good. Filter coffee was good but was not hot enough. Filter coffee soft serve was the best of all. Roadside Kaalan was decent but definitely prefer the one in saapadu San Jose better. Kothu Chapathi was ok , poori masala was ok but masala was watery. Service was fast and friendly. Can return only for the soft serve. read more

Bugs in food - enough said !! Luckily i opened my coffee cup before drinking and see what i found !! Yuckkk ! this is the end of ordering from here for me !!! read more

Kovai Cafe - Filter coffee with a bug swimming in it - Vegetarian Near Me - Milpitas, California

We ordered simple dishes, but my god, their idlizs are so soft that they just melt in your mouth. They were quite busy even past 8 pm, which explains why, because the food is amazing.. read more

If refills are not allowed, then they should not be offered at all. During our previous visit, when the restaurant was less crowded, refills were provided upon request. However, during this visit, when we asked for a refill, the staff member serving us loudly stated that "no refills are allowed," in a manner that felt rude and unprofessional, as though the food was being provided for free. This was quite unfair and unpleasant. We even ordered additional rice for an extra charge, and a polite explanation of the policy would have been appreciated instead of a dismissive response. Additionally, the dessert served was a combination of coconut and apple, which was a very odd pairing and not enjoyable. Overall, it did not feel worth the cost. Compared to several nearby restaurants offering similar cuisine, the value and experience here fall short. This was our second visit, and unfortunately, today's experience was the worst. We left feeling disappointed with both the service and the overall dining experience. The curry refill was provided only after we specifically requested it, and only for two people, not for all four diners as mentioned in your reply. Since each meal is served individually, I believe it is important that the facts are represented accurately. read more

Firstly I'm big on arisi parupu saadham, mushroom pacha milagai and chinna vengaaiya uthapam from their Cupertino location. So I am excited for their branch in Milpitas is such a time saver. There is a big parking lot so parking is not a problem. I went between 3-4 and there is no crowd ngot seated. Orders were on time and I got my fav small onion uthapam and the taste is consistent. I felt the red chutney taste is different here and it was a bit raw, but everything from service, ambiance to the food, this is something I am looking forward visiting more. read more

The food is very tasty at this new location. Service was fast and the place is big enough to have a good meal with your family. Ambiance is good too. read more

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Kovai special dosa is not at all special. Only gave us masala with few onions. Waiter ask us to get up and collect own to go box. They charge us for 1 dosa extra. And no one is picking up phone. Avoid this restaurant. Many more great options in bay area. read more

Delicious food, masala dosa, special masala dosa, filter coffee & tea was the best choice. Top notch service. Exquisite Ambience . read more

Kovai Cafe - Masala Dosa, spcl Masala Dosa - Vegetarian Near Me - Milpitas, California

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Ordered family meals several times for take out. Food is consistently fresh and tasty. Also, the main guy who runs the place is good. One time they didnt have an item, he immediately offered a replacement and even a lassi for free. Well, They seem to be always busy, so order early. read more

I love their millet breakfast option . Good place for breakfast so many options/cuisine from southern places like Bangalore , Tamil Nadu and Andra . I would recommend read more

Was with friends for breakfast. Ordered the tiffin. A Idli Vada plate and a dosa for the three of us. The staff was very friendly and ensured the water was served first and the filter coffee's at the end of our meal, just like the way we asked for. For me, the sambar is what makes or breaks a South Indian restaurant. Thankfully the sambar and the chutney were very good. Overall the Food was good and would recommend to anyone who likes South Indian food and Kovai Cafe is closer than Mylapore. read more

Decent place, variety of options. Ordered mushroom pachamilagai, idiyapam kurma, onion dosa, set dosa. Would rate 7/10 to all of these dishes. We also got kothu idiyapam and filter coffee which were below average. Would rate 4/10. Service was quick, ambiance was okay. Overall I would rate 6/10 for the entire experience. read more

Great Hygiene and food quality. Its our go to place for yummy idlis and dosas. Food combos are also great and value for money. read more

Nothing we ordered was great, just average ... they said peanut chutney but only coconut, onion and some leaves chutney ... the chutneys were not good at all. Even the appetizer was soggy. Overall not as expected, the dosas, idlis, vadas were below avg both quality and taste wise. read more

A great cafe, tucked away in Milpitas, opposite the Banana Leaf restaurant. Wonderful ambiance, friendly service, fantastic food and filter coffee! Absolutely loved the neer vadas, special masala dosa and the tender coconut payasam! Waiting to go back to try their other offerings. Try them! You won't regret going there. read more

Food was delicious lots of options with amazing ambience, service was very quick and cherry on top is coffee soft serve. Will definitely be going back again. read more

Visited Kovai Cafe recently...there was a long wait, and the experience didn't quite meet expectations. Ordered pongal, but it was overloaded with ghee, literally dripping from the bowl, which made it feel too heavy. Overall, the food was just okay, with excessive oil and ghee taking away from the taste. Hoping for some improvements. read more

I visited this restaurant with high expectations but left thoroughly disappointed. I ordered the special pongal thali, which according to the menu includes chapatis and several other items. What went wrong: Chapatis were never served despite being part of the thali, even after I reminded the staff twice Several other items listed on the menu for the thali were missing from what was served When I brought this to their attention, the staff's response was shockingly casual - a quick "sorry" and discounted $4 before they simply moved on to the next customer I understand that mistakes can happen in a busy restaurant, and I would have been understanding if they had tried to make it right. However, the complete lack of effort to rectify the situation or even acknowledge the problem properly was unacceptable. When you pay for a special thali, you expect to receive everything listed on the menu. When issues are raised, you expect at least some attempt at customer service - whether that's bringing the missing items or showing genuine concern. The casual dismissal of my concerns shows a lack of respect for customers and their experience. I cannot recommend this restaurant until they improve both their service accuracy and their approach to customer complaints. Would not recommend. read more

This was our first time ordering food from Kovai Cafe and it was a wonderful experience. We picked up the Family Meal to go, the brief service experience during pick up was so pleasant, it is evident that this restaurant is staffed by kind people who cook with heart. The food itself was delicious, the variety, the quality, and quantity of items was top notch--everything from the sambhar to the podi, the pulusu to the mor kulambu, even the payasam, was really tasty and authentic. Even the packaging of all items within a cardboard to go box was convenient and nicely done. We will definitely be back and are eager to try out the dine in experience soon! read more

Great to see kovai cafe at this location. Been here multiple times already - and enjoyed their authentic, flavorful food with friendly staff and awesome service! read more

Reaosnable pricing, Had Breakfast Specials..$9.99 gets you Enough of items that can fill like a COmbo,. Taste was also good.