Consistent reliable biryani every time. Good helping of chicken along with rice. Definitely on the…read morere-order list

Hidden in a shopping plaza. Arrived at around 5pm and seated quickly. Place filled up at around…read more6pm. The dosa was yum. The garlic naan arrived piping hot and crispy - great with the butter chicken. Had to try the masala fish as it was noted as one of their popular dishes - spiced well and flavorful. Also ordered the Bhindi Masala - the okra had quite a kick but good. Service was great in that they checked on us often. Food arrived pretty quickly after placing our order. Ended our meal with a cup.of the Chai.

I was seriously let down by the quality/authenticity of the food here. The sambar is watery and…read moredoesn't have great flavour- one of the things I look for in a good South Indian restaurant that serves dosa! The dosa which is the main dish as it's in the name of the place - also was a disappointment- it was too thick and wasn't crispy or aerated like a normal dosa batter. All the while I ate the dosa, I felt that it was cakey and the batter was way off from traditional batter :( next dish we tried is the mysore bonda - we expected nice hot bonda with some potato filling, but what we got was plain batter with no salt or any flavour deep fried and tossed on the plate. Lastly, the chutneys are also very mediocre. Although the people are friendly and you are served too soon, the food is really underwhelming for me to try again!

Was excited to have a South Indian option closer to SF (in San Mateo) rather than having to drive…read moreall the way to Sunnyvale. Dosa Express has an extensive tiffin menu with an Andhra influence (they have punugulu, mirchi bajji, etc) We got the paneer dosa and the mini idlis to share and a masala chai. The dosa was crispy and the paneer was a nice addition to it. However we were disappointed by the chutneys and sambar which were brightly colored but lacked authentic flavor. The chai tasted too milky and had an odd taste so we let it go after a couple of sips. Overall, they will have a lot of room to improve if they want to catch up to the expectations set by other South Indian places in the Bay like Mylapore or Madras Cafe.

RECOMMEND RECOMMEND RECOMMEND…read more Omg. First of all, amazing and friendly staff! We were seated as soon as we got into the restaurant which was nice because I was worried that we would have to make reservations. I was so overwhelmed with the menu but the server recommended the momos as an appetizer. We ordered lamb momos and wow, they were delicious! I'm picky with my lamb but this was hitting the spot and I would definitely go back for it! They're big in size and come with 6 pieces. We ordered the tandoori chicken and vindaloo chicken. Both were delicious. We devoured our plates and also had garlic naan. I truly enjoyed this location and would come back plentiful! If the empty plate doesn't say anything then idk what does..

Food is epic! Service is amazing, almost rare these days…read more We had bhuteko bhaat (fried rice),vindaloo (one of the best we had), chicken momo, lollipop and Choila (must try) Def coming back for more next time.

Nestled in cozy downtown Burlingame, Masala Desi Cafe offers delicious, authentic Indian food…read more I got the butter chicken with an order of white rice and garlic naan. The chicken was tender and the curry was absolutely delicious. It was buttery, hot, smooth and spiced perfectly. The naan was fluffy, garlicky, and paired well with everything else on the plate. Friendly service and a warm, inviting atmosphere, Masala Desi Cate is a fantastic spot for a chill bite to eat with big flavor.

For an authentic taste of the South, Masala desi cafe delivers high-quality food in a clean…read morerestaurant. The Dosa stands out on its own but the chutneys that come with are great too! If you have an appetite, then you must-order idles as well. Service was also prompt, we hardly had any wait time. We were seated promptly and order came within 15 min. All round great service.

very yummy! my favorite is the steamed chicken momo's they're super flavorful and cooked very well…read more Also the service is great!

The chili momos were the standout, so spicy & so good--both the chicken and vegetable fillings done…read morereally well. I also enjoyed the Sichuan stir-fry noodles, though the portion of chicken was a bit sparse. The masala chai fell short for me, it could have used a stronger spice profile. The butter chicken was just okay and didn't really stand out, with only a few pieces of chicken. The garlic naan and butter naan were also underwhelming, I was hoping for something thicker and more garlicky. Overall, the momos are a must-order and definitely the highlight. Service was solid throughout!!

We have been here a number of times and I do not think we have found something we do not like…read more The HH is delicious! With samosas, chicken pakora, and wings. You cannot go wrong with ANY of those. I'm not a vodka drinker and all of their HH drinks are pretty much vodka based, but they're delicious! We have had chicken madras, chicken biryani, and garlic/regular Naan and it was all delicious. You can choose your spicy level. Come in during the week for their HH which ends at 6:30pm and you cannot go wrong. My husband and I share with our toddler daughter and we all leave very satisfied. The service is also superb. We everyone is nice and welcoming and you are taken care of. The atmosphere is kid friendly and quiet enough to talk with each other but not super quiet that it is awkward. You cannot go wrong with a meal here. Ohhh and we happens to try the rice pudding one day and that was delicious! Although I was skeptical at first.

Located in Burlingame downtown, parking is plentiful and easy to find. The street parking was very…read moreconfusing as I didn't know the enforcing time. It didn't say anywhere whatsoever. The interior was very nice. Temperature was a bit cold but manageable. Chicken Korma (4/5): Food took a while but also we had a group of 10 or so. Man the sauce was absolutely amazing. Very flavorful and creamy. The chicken was tender. Overall, Rasoi is a good restaurant for some delicious Indian food. The food is good and the ambiance is quiet. They also have a good seating arrangement.

Such a pleasant experience this last weekend! My friend and I went around 6:30pm for dinner and had…read moreno issues getting seated promptly. The restaurant has such a beautiful interior and was a pleasant greeting from the moment we walked in the door! We shared a plate of delicious, savory Paneer Jal-Frazie, as well as Boti Kabob (lamb) which was served hot, sizzling on a cast iron plate (my mouth is watering thinking of it!). The Boti Kabob came with a side of rice which went well together, along with the complimentary sauces. We also shared a mango lassi which was by far the best I've ever had; highly recommend. To top it all off, they kindly served us a gift of rice pudding, which was chilled and succulent. The creaminess was infused with delicate spices, and the dessert was topped with pistachio. This is clearly a family owned restaurant, which I've come to adore only after one trip. During your meal, you can expect to be cared for as family. I'm so appreciative of the ownership for this lovely experience, and will return when I am back in the area.

My sister and I came here yesterday to celebrate our birthday lunch and had such a lovely…read moreexperience. Our server, a very kind older gentleman, was incredibly attentive and kept checking in on us. He was also so accommodating with my 12 month old baby. The food was excellent! the butter chicken was very tasty and tender, the fish pakora was delicious and baby approved!, the rogan josh lamb was full of flavor, and the garlic naan was so fresh. At the end of our meal he even surprised us with complimentary gulab jamuns for our birthday, which was such a thoughtful touch. Wonderful service and great food. We'll definitely be back!

This review has been a long time coming because Curry Up Now was one of those places that became…read morepart of my routine when I lived in San Mateo--and I still think about it. San Mateo, in my opinion, is one of the most perfect places to live when it comes to weather. Always sunny, usually hovering around that sweet spot of 74 or 75 degrees, safe, walkable, and right in between Burlingame and the rest of the Peninsula. Everything felt easy to get to, and downtown San Mateo really came alive over the years. Maybe it grew a little too fast toward the end, but there's no denying they did an incredible job building up that area. Curry Up Now started as a food truck, and I'll admit--I was one of those people chasing food trucks on Twitter back in the day. So when they opened their brick-and-mortar in downtown San Mateo, I was thrilled. They picked the perfect location. You can hop off the Caltrain, grab a bite, meet friends, catch an Uber, or head back to the garage and be on your way. It's lively, walkable, and always has something going on. My go-to was usually the thali plate. I know they have a lot of creative and innovative items on the menu, but I tend to stick with the tried and true. The thali lets you sample a little bit of everything, and it always felt like a solid, satisfying meal. The chutneys alone were worth the visit--tamarind, garlic, and that bright green one with a real kick. I love spicy food, so I never held back. Another bonus at this location was the full bar, which made it a fun place to meet friends and hang out for a bit. The outdoor seating was also a big plus--very much that California lifestyle where you can sit outside almost year-round and just enjoy the day. It's especially great with a group because you can order a bunch of dishes and share. Prices were reasonable, the staff were friendly and helpful, and the whole place had a casual, welcoming energy. Nothing pretentious--just good food, good service, and a steady flow of people coming and going. I moved away in 2023, and this is definitely one of those spots I miss. If you're passing through on Caltrain or spending time in downtown San Mateo, it's absolutely worth stopping by. Curry up, eat well, travel safe--and don't skip the chutneys.

Confusing menu and ordering . Noticed vindaloo burrito ,but…read morenot on menu. Server had no idea what mint chutney was. Pricing is hard to comprehend. Vindaloo is supposed to be hot and spicy ,there's was meh. Won't be back.

The food was excellent with the butter my chicken and naan being exceptional! But the reason I am…read moregiving a four star review because my friend didn't enjoy the chicken as I thought she would and her throat hurt unexpectedly.

Curry & Kabab is our go-to Indian takeout spot and has become a total household staple. We order…read morefrom here regularly, and it never disappoints. Our favorites are the chicken korma, prawn tikka masala, and butter chicken. All three are incredibly flavorful, rich, and perfectly spiced without being overwhelming. Each entrée comes with a side of complimentary rice, which is always appreciated and makes it an easy, complete meal. The portions are generous too. Every container is filled to the brim with sauce, and their garlic naan is perfect for soaking up every last bit. The naan is soft, warm, and has just the right amount of garlic. The food tastes authentic and comforting, with deep, well-balanced flavors that really stand out compared to other places we've tried. You can tell care goes into the preparation. Ordering is also super convenient. We usually order online, but calling in is just as easy, and the process is always smooth. Takeout is consistently ready on time, which makes this an easy choice on busy nights. I've never actually dined in person yet, but I recently heard they offer a lunch buffet, which I'm really excited to try soon. If it's anything like their takeout, I already know it'll be worth the visit. Highly recommend if you're looking for reliable, delicious Indian food with great portions and value. This place is definitely a regular in our rotation.

I have eaten a lot of Indian food in my life, and I walked into Rasa fully expecting "must be so…read moremuch better." I did not expect to leave thinking about it three days later! This restaurant quietly rewired what I assumed Indian fine dining could be, and I need everyone on the Peninsula to know. Rasa sits on Park Road in downtown Burlingame, and from the sidewalk its understated, no flash, no gimmick. Inside it is calm and grown-up: warm lighting, well-spaced tables, the hum where you can actually hear the person across from you. If you know the backstory, this is the room that held a Michelin star from 2016 to 2021, briefly became a Saffron, and came back as Rasa in 2024 under chef-owner Ajay Walia. You can feel that lineage in how deliberate everything is. Nothing is rushed, nothing is careless. Now the food. The White Elephant dosa is the clickbait, the showstopper and yes, it earns the theatrics! It arrives as a nearly two-foot butter-paper dosa, shatteringly crisp, and the whole table went quiet for a second before everyone reached for their phones. It is genuinely worth the photo, but more importantly it tastes as good as it looks, which is not a given with statement dishes. My husband cant stop eating it! The Bombay sliders (their clever riff turning the humble vada into little sliders) were my sleeper favorite of the night, comforting, spiced, and gone embarrassingly fast. The kitchen has leaned into seafood since reopening, and it shows. If you like fish, the halibut steamed in banana leaf with shallots and ginger is delicate, clean, and quietly precise. The dish that reminds you these are technically serious cooks, not just people plating big flavors. Everything leans on sustainable seafood and local produce, and you can taste the freshness rather than just read about it on a menu. Save room for dessert, which surprised me the most. The pastry program melds European execution with Indian spice, and it is the rare Indian-restaurant dessert menu I'd order from twice. Cocktails are thoughtful too, this is a place that wants you to linger. Service deserves its own paragraph. The pacing was steady and intuitive: courses arrived hot and on time, water glasses never hit empty, and the staff knew the menu cold and were happy to steer us when we asked. Is it a splurge? A little bit. This is fine dining, not weeknight takeout, and it is priced accordingly. But for a birthday, an anniversary, a "we survived this quarter" dinner, or honestly just to remind yourself how far Indian cuisine can be pushed when someone treats it with real ambition, Rasa is absolutely worth crossing the bridge for. Five stars.

Rasa has a lovely atmosphere, and parking was easy, which made it a convenient place to meet for…read morelunch. However, the menu felt much more limited than I remembered from several years ago, when it seemed more interesting and expansive. My friend and I shared the Chutney Prawns for $18 and the White Elephant Dosa for $26, along with one cocktail and one mocktail. Unfortunately, I was not especially impressed by the food. The prawns felt underwhelming for the price, and my mocktail was not particularly memorable. The dosa was visually impressive at two feet long, but it is ultimately still a very thin dosa and very crispy, and I found the seasoning somewhat overwhelming. The gunpowder and spices overpowered the dish for me, although the sauces and potato masala were flavorful. Our total came to approximately $90, and for that price, I expected a more satisfying overall experience. Service was also inconsistent. It was slow initially, and while our server was cordial and kind once he assisted us, he did not return to check on us after taking our order. We ultimately relied on the bartender for items such as an extra spoon and the check. The ambiance is beautiful, but between the limited menu, high prices, uneven food, and inattentive service, I do not feel the experience justified the cost. Unfortunately, I do not plan to return. For Michelin rated I expected more.