This is our go to Indian spot in Lafayette! We love everything here! All the curries, biriyanis, everything is great! This is what our family of 4 ordered in Aug 2024: 2 veggie Samosas $17 Lamb vindaloo $20.50 Chicken tikka masala $19 Swad's Dal Makhani $16.50 2 garlic and basil naan $9.90 2 rice $7 $100 before tip. Good eat here! They have a buffet lunch as well. Heads up on the parking lot. They put parking meters out there. There are some limited free parking on the side street so I usually park there. read more

(Mostly) North Indian food that is either quite bland or unauthentic that primarily caters to the Lafayette demography, as expected. The first visit, I got the Amritsari fish pakora appetizer and chicken biriyani. Lots of food color on the fish pakora, which tasted fine otherwise. Interestingly, they use mustard seeds in the batter - never, ever have I seen anyone do this on the pakora, but oh well. The coriander/mint chutney that came with the pakora had no salt. The bigger disaster was the chicken biriyani. It was just edible, and I'll leave it at that. On my second visit months later, I got the Goan fish curry and the keema kulcha. Verdict - they definitely are not authentic. Just because you use coconut milk in the fish curry, it doesn't become Goan. They just made up the recipe and call it Goan. The keema kulcha was fine - lots of minced lamb filling, and pretty filling on its own. Ambience looked proper, and the place looked clean at first blush (but I haven't done a sit-down meal here). I taught myself a long time ago to completely avoid Indian food places in the Walnut Creek - Lafayette neighborhoods. For whatever reason, I finally decided to try this place (in some 17 years of living in Walnut Creek). This place also confirms my previous experiences. Will skip this place for good. And leave it to the locals who seem to enjoy the food better. read more

The food here is amazing. The flavors are deep and the meat is cooked amazing. There are a good range of options and even good dessert choices. The restaurant has a good amount of seating, but be aware that there is very little parking (and the parking that there is very compact). The servers are very kind and were able to walk through the menu with my family who had very little previous experience with Indian cuisine. read more

Last night we treated our daughter after a demanding day with her favorite take away from Swad. We ordered 5 entrees and 3 sides. Total $165. Large portions and so tasty. Call them directly, you will get a message when your food is ready to be collected. Everything is so delicious. I could remove a star as parking is a pain in the but I won't as there restaurant cannot do anything about it. Staff are courteous, efficient and always pleasant. But you'll go back for the flavors and freshness of everything served. We went for chicken biryani, coconut curry, tikka masala and korma, basmati rice, naan and papadums. read more

I love this place so much. The food is consistently delicious! The Butter Chicken is one of my favorites but also the Eggplant dish and naan stuffed with lamb are gems on the menu. Perfectly executed and you can't stop eating them together. Highly recommend this place! read more

The host is quick to greet & seat you upon entering the door. The wait staff works interchangeably, someone is bring out water & may ask if you'd like something to drink, if you pass someone else will come back around & re-offer. In short, the wait staff is constantly working, making sure you're being taken care of. We started with the vegetable samosas, very tasty. For the mains there was an order of the tandoori half chicken, the chicken tikka masala & an order of Chana palak, along with an order of rice & naan - all were scrumptious. We normally go during the week, this time we went on a Friday night & it was hopping, really nice to see. This is very casual place, easy going. Been coming here for a while, really nice to see that business is picking up for them! read more

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We hadn't had Indian food in a while, so visiting Swad Indian Cuisine was a real treat! We ordered the Tofu Saag, Butter Chicken, and Chicken Mandras. It was our first time trying the Chicken Mandras--honestly, it tasted quite similar to Chicken Masala, just a bit less citrusy. The Butter Chicken had great flavor but could've used a bit more cream to really bring it all together. The Tofu Saag was solid. For naan, we tried the Rosemary & Olive (absolutely delicious!) and the Goat Cheese Naan, which wasn't really our thing. Overall, great experience and excellent service. Definitely hit the spot! read more

Swad Indian Cuisine - Indian Near Me - Lafayette, California

Swad is our go-to for Indian food delivery, so when it came time to plan a school fundraiser for over 100 people at our home, they were the first place I thought of--and they did not disappoint! The food was exceptional (as always)--flavorful, plentiful, and a huge hit with guests. The presentation was beautiful, from the elegant chafing dishes to the thoughtful setup that brought polish to the evening. The Swad team was also a pleasure to work with: professional, responsive, and kind. They made the entire catering experience smooth and stress-free. Highly recommend for both everyday meals and special events! read more

Swad Indian Cuisine - Catering - Indian Near Me - Lafayette, California

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First time here, and it impressed me. The restaurant is clean, quiet and well setup up. We got the aloo papdi chaat, cucumber salad, gobi Manchurian and butter chicken. Everything was really flavorful and the texture was great. The papdi chaat is a must, so crisp and regressing as was the cucumber salad: the depth of the flavors in the gobi Manchurian was outstanding. It was absolutely delicious. The butter chicken was very good as well. Definitely one of my good 3 Indian restaurants read more

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It was fine, but I like other Indian places better. The naans were thick and fluffy which was nice (and they were well-spiced -- we got the butter, goat cheese, and garlic), but the chicken tikka and the lamb vindaloo were very bland. The pakora and saag paneer were pretty good though. read more

A Hidden Gem for Indian Food in Lafayette! If you're craving authentic Indian cuisine, this place is an absolute hidden gem in Lafayette! The lunch specials are amazing with huge variety of delicious dishes. From flavorful curries to perfectly spiced rice and fresh made naan, there's something for everyone. The service is also top-notch--friendly, fast, and welcoming. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a satisfying and affordable Indian meal! read more

I've been dining here for 15+ years and it's my favorite Indian place. I love introducing my friends to Swad. I had a dinner party at my home yesterday and I had Swad cater. We sat down and planned the menu together last week and it was delivered on time and set up nicely. My friends LOVED the food! Let's support this wonderful small business! read more

Love their vegan options. Friendly folks, delicious food, and relaxed atmosphere. The Chana Masala was fantastic, loved the tofu & potato paneer, great samosas, etc. read more

3.5 stars - The lunch buffet food is looks and tastes very fresh which is the biggest reason I like this place. Service is also decent. However when I ordered takeout the aloo gobi and bhindi were so oily and I don't know exactly what it was...but it wasn't good. Wish they offered free chai with the buffet. read more

It is one of the cleanest and testiest Indian food that is not extremely spicy and it agrees with people who can't tolerate too much spices read more

Swad Indian Cuisine - Lunch buffet - Indian Near Me - Lafayette, California

This place has amazing food! I brought my cousins here for a visit and we had such a good time. We came during the lunch buffet and each of us picked out our favorites. They had quite a few choices and all were extremely delicious. The waiters are always ready to help customers and are pleasant. I like the feel of the place with their open dining areas and the cleanliness. You should come by soon and try them, they won't disappoint. read more

Swad Indian Cuisine - Just some of the items I chose on this visit. - Indian Near Me - Lafayette, California

The food is amazing and the service provided is superb. Brother Azhar is very nice and kind to customers. The ambiance is also wonderful read more

Swad Indian Cuisine - Mix Vegetable Pakora - Indian Near Me - Lafayette, California

Good food in a relaxed atmosphere. We arrived around 4:45 PM, not realizing they did not actually open until 5 PM, but they invited us to have a seat to wait until the kitchen opened. The young man brought cool water and menus for us to Peru while we waited. My son ordered for us, as he had been there before. He asked for the chicken tikka masala, the tandoori vegetables, an order of garlic naan, and some rice. Plates and silverware arrive followed shortly by the steaming dish of Tandori vegetables. The bowl of chicken tikka masala was brought soon after along with rice, and the garlic, naan bread. We dug in! The Tandori vegetables included broccoli, cauliflower, onions, bell peppers, and zucchini. The veggies had been marinated in a vinegar sauce, then grilled to perfection. My husband loved this decision insisted I try it. It was good, but the strong vinegar taste was more to his liking than mine. The garlic naan was fresh and crispy, and the chicken tikka masala was rich and very tasty over the rice. This is one of my son's favorite Indian restaurants and I hear they have a lovely lunch buffet which I would like to try. read more

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Always reliable and tasty. Lamb saag, chicken masala, biryani and garlic naan all delicious

I found the meat in my lunch dish uncoocked and I left but, still received full charge for the dish.

Decided to go to the lunch buffet on a Sunday afternoon, and I'm glad that we did because the service was exceptional and the food was delicious. The vibe is relaxing, welcoming, and clean. They have plenty of natural light due to the many windows facing the parking lot. We walked in and the host greeted us immediately. He was friendly and asked us if we would like buffet or to order from the menu. We chose the buffet, well and the menu... My husband ordered saag chicken and garlic naan off of the menu, we were not disappointed. The food was very fresh and well seasoned. My favorites were the Eggplant Masala and the Tandoori Vegetables. The eggplant was very flavorful and it went really well with the garlic naan. The tandoori vegetables were cooked perfectly, still a slight crunch to them, very tasty. I couldn't decide between a mango lassi and a chai, so I got both... no regrets! So satisfying. They have a full bar and much to my husbands delight, they have 805 on tap. Our waiter returned to check on us and fill our water multiple times during lunch. I could see stopping here on the way home from the office to grab dinner and have a drink while the traffic dies down. read more

Someone I met who used to work in Lafayette/Orinda/Moraga told me about Swad when we both found out that we like Indian food. They told me about their daily lunch buffet, so I waited until I had a major Indian food craving to check them out. They offer chicken three different ways: tandoori, butter, and I think Kerala. I preferred the tandoori and Kerala to the butter, but that was just me. The tandoori chicken was just crispy and well cooked and seasoned. The butter was a little too rich for me, and the Kerala was really nicely done. I loved the potato and carrot dish, along with the tandoori vegetables and the mushroom matar. I really enjoyed the kick of heat that came with every dish, and knowing that the food was so clean and healthy. The big star of the show for me was the dak malhani? I know I'm not spelling it right, but it was the stewed lentils and chickpea dish. That was a really nice and alternative to the rice they had. Also, the naan was crispy, airy, and light all at the same time. The food here is really well done, but I wish they could offer fish or some other proteins in the buffet. Also, the parking lot has meters, so be prepared to pay for parking if you come here during meter hours. All in all, I would come back. read more

My favorite Indian restaurant, ever. I love Indian food, especially curry! I've been like this for as long as I can remember. I'm basic - my favorites include butter chicken and chicken tikka masala, as well as Tandoori chicken. My Indian friends have roasted me for having "basic white people food" as my favorites of their cuisine, but I really love it. Many of my friends have said that restaurant food can't compare to home cooked Indian food, but this is the best I've had! I started coming here in 2018 after I started attending Saint Mary's in Moraga, which is 10 minutes from here. I've been here quite a few times since then, and have taken others here and recommended it to some friends. I usually get the things I mentioned above as well as the butter naan, which is the best I've ever had. It's the perfect texture and flavor and goes well with pretty much everything! It's across the Whole Foods and Safeway complex and is directly next to Reve. The parking lot is small but I've never had issues finding a spot. read more

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I have been coming to Swad since they were at their original location in Lafayette, on Mount Diablo Blvd. I had moved out of the area for a few years and came back. When I walked into the restaurant they immediately recognized me and welcomed me back. The food is consistently delicious and the staff is friendly and accommodating. Highly recommend!! read more

Excellent butter chicken, vegetable korma and paneer spinach. Great garlic nan. Wonderful food.

For years, Swad was my go-to Indian restaurant. I hadn't been there for some time but finally went back recently. I can only assume it has changed hands because it was nothing like what I used to know. The interior has changed, I didn't recognize any of the people, the buffet area was in different place in the room, the serving dishes were different (really beautiful, BTW). All of these things are indications of a change of ownership. Then came the food, which unfortunately was nothing like it used to be, and I thought nowhere near as good as it used to be. A small complaint, but indicative of how the restaurant has changed: Ordered a mango lassi (as that was the only kind they have). It didn't look like any lassi I'd ever seen and when I tasted it, I was shocked. It seemed like the lassi equivalent of the fake "ice cream" you get out of machines at places like Golden Corral. $5 dollars and simply undrinkable. The wait people were very pleasant, although since I was there for the buffet, it didn't make much difference with regard to service. Really sorry about what has happened to Swad. I really loved Swad, but doubt I'll be back. ,-( read more

First time trying Indian buffet very very good, very friendly and cozy place, staff are very respectful knowledgeable and welcoming too. The flavor of the food is amazing and the naan that it comes with the buffet OMG!!! delightful Personally I will recommend this place and we will totally come back Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for the amazing food experience read more

This spot has been on our list for a few years now, and so glad we finally tried it! We came here on a week night and got seated right away. The parking lot is tiny, so finding parking can be a pain in the butt -- but it's worth it! The restaurant is very clean and can accommodate almost any size party. Here's what we tried: * Aloo Papdi Chaat ($7.50) - Rating: 3.5/5 * Chicken Tikka Masala ($17) - Rating: 4/5 * Tandoori Mix Grill ($21.95) - Rating: 5/5 * Mango Lassi ($4) - Rating: 4.5/5 * Naan ($3) - Rating: 5/5 When trying a new Indian spot, we always order some of our basic favs to feel it out, and they did not disappoint! Their mango lassi is made in-house and is so unique compared to others I've had. In addition to the mango, they do some heavy spicing; so amazing and unexpected! Their naan was delicious and fresh -- I even found myself eating it plain! The chicken tikka masala was really solid, but a little skimpy on the chicken. The aloo papdi chaat was really good, and a bigger portion than expected, which was great! And you can never go wrong with some tandoori meats. This platter came with a great variety and was delicious! Overall, we really enjoyed our meal at Swad! The food was great, service was okay, but we will definitely be back! read more

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Best Indian in the area. Authentic, well run with great staff that get it. Tikka Masala is solid and garlic naan is tasty. Never had a bad meal here. read more

Really 3 1/2 stars. I forgot about this restaurant but had a chance to order takeout a month ago. Food is consistently good. Their tikka Marsala i(fish and chicken) are amazing. However on this order, the chicken tandoori was dry. The other issue with them is when ordering out, it usually takes 45 minutes before the order is ready. read more

Was super excited to try this place out as I have yet to have Indian cuisine since I've moved here. They had good reviews overall and seemed popular so of course I had to try! Unfortunately I'm saddened to say I've gotten more flavor from a Trader Joe's frozen Indian TV dinner. I called and placed my order for the aloo gobi (cauliflower and potatoes), basmati rice, regular naan and pappadum. Service was friendly I will say from ordering to the pick up and I was excited to get home and grub. It all looked great, portions were good for one person however I was confused that there was no sauce on the aloo gobi which every other Indian restaurant typically has. There was a small pool of oil at the bottom. Anyways I kept searching and searching for the flavor and I just could not find it. Not even salt. Which I ended up adding. It was odd, I felt like I had lost my tastebuds and was questioning if I had Covid. I did see some other reviews that mentioned no flavor but I know everyone is different. It was a shame and I hope they are able to adjust their recipes and get that Indian spice in their food. Anyways good pick up service, yet no flavor. My search continues for some yummy Indian food in the area. read more

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Used to love it, but food quality has slowly and steadily diminished over the years. And wait times for food are hit and miss. Tonight, had to sit and wait 20 extra mins for pick up. read more

This is one of the best restaurants in Lafayette, and we like going here when we visit. If you like Indian food, this place is for you. The samosas are excellent, and the the naan is really good. We really enjoy the curry dishes. read more

Amazing food! I been to swad cuisine so many times and I never get disappointed. Their customer service is great. My daughter love their appetizers and they always treat us like a family. read more

A good local eatery. I wish they were at their old location with outdoor seating but I guess the rent was too high. I will reto read more

Outstanding Indian restaurant! Award winning East Bay restaurant, located in Lafayette. Great value and exceptional quality food! I would recommend their butter chicken, creamy sauce in a vibrant red color! Great with their fluffy white rice or garlic basil Naan! Aloo Gobi (potatoes and cauliflower) excellent vegetarian dish. Their garlic basil naan is baked crispy and well seasoned. read more

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I LOVE BUTTER CHICKEN AND GARLIC NAAN!!! Swad met my expectations. The waiters were pretty nice. And aesthetics were nice. The buffet was great love the selection. The only complaint is the parking meters. read more

My husband and I couldn't decide where to go for dinner until we passed Swad. We are so glad we stopped in. I enjoyed the Royal Lamb Kebab and it was worth the price! The Lamb cubes were tender and they were marinated in pomegranate juice and some special seasonings. My husband had the Chana Masala since is is what he gets at the different restaurants we've gone to. He said Swad's was the best he has ever had. They also have a large selection of baked bread. I ordered steamed rice and garlic naan and was able to take enough food home and have it for lunch. Swad has become our go to Indian restaurant and we will be eating in and doing take out. It will be worth the drive. read more

Swad is my go-to for excellent Indian food. I especially love their buffet. Everything is fresh and delicious, and the service is great too.

Amazing balance of spices. Before Covid, we used to come here exclusively for the buffet. I came recently for dinner, and ordering off the menu I was surprised by how good the dishes were. Even better than lunch. I could eat here every week. Highly recommend the goa fish. read more

Swad Indian Cuisine - Goa Fish Curry - Indian Near Me - Lafayette, California