Simply amazing. Terrific food and service. Always great. Ambiance is cozy and pleasant.

We went there for dinner, thinking it's a Michelin star restaurant, to our disappointment the restaurant neither had ambience nor delicious food. Service also was bad. Tables were sticky ambience was dark. Not worth even to spend a dime here. read more

This wonderful blend of South Indian Continental cuisine is great! Most Indian restaurants feature standard north Indian foods: tandoori, saag (spinach), aloo gobi (chickpeas), naan, etc. Tumbi serves a delicious masala dosa. This is a rice flour pancake which is stuffed traywith potato. We had the beef one. My son says it tasted like a delicious birria taco. Mexican dosa! And if you need to stay up all night try their masala chai. read more

TUMBI Craft Indian Kitchen - Beef and cheese masala dosa with chutney. - Indian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

See all

I didn't know I liked Indian food until I tried this place. This place has been my go to for five years now. The service is amazing and the food is exquisite. Everything comes out fast and fresh. I've never seen these type of food items on a restaurant menu around me. This is a place to go if you want to expand your pallet and try some amazing food. read more

TUMBI Craft Indian Kitchen - Sloppy Joe - Indian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

See all

We decided to try TUMBI because we were craving some Indian food, and my friend that lives nearby recommended it. We went on a Wednesday night at around 8:00pm for dinner and we were seated immediately. It's near the promenade so there's plenty of parking nearby, although some of the lots can get pricey. TUMBI isn't too big, but they really utilize the space that they have really well, and they have both indoor and outdoor seating. The lighting is perfect, and I really like the ambiance and vibe that they have going at TUMBI...The food on the other hand, was disappointing. The butter chicken was way too sour. We also ordered the Bihari Smoked Kabab because the server had assured me that it was delicious, but that was also definitely a mistake...it was way too sour as well. The garlic naan and rice were pretty good, but then again it's kind of impossible to mess those up lol. We were absolutely famished so we ended up devouring most of the food, but I probably won't be back... I don't know if I just ordered the wrong items, but everything was just too sour. 3 stars for the food, 4 stars for the decent service, 5 stars for the ambiance and great prices. read more

See all

Best Indian food in Los Angeles! I've tried plenty of other places but none compare. I always find myself coming back here to feast on the tastiest Butter Chicken I've ever had. Our go-to dishes are the sloppy joe, the chili crisp prawns, any of the tandoor dishes with the chutneys and at least 2 orders of garlic naan. The service is always attentive and the food comes out lightning fast, fresh and hot. I used to dislike Indian food, but Tumbi changed my world and this is one of my favorite restaurants to eat at. read more

Great food. The butter chicken is amazing, and I will definitely go back. Everything we had was very good too!

The best butter chicken in Santa Monica, possibly Los Angeles. I'm not sure why this place doesn't have a higher rating

Food was amazing, service was great. Short walk from Santa Monica pier. Would highly recommend.

Monday Night/Diwali: My friend and I were craving Indian food & it also happened to be Diwali! Tumbi Craft Indian Kitchen in Santa Monica was a wildly delicious restaurant that was new to the both of us! Bhindi Masala: Yes, yes & yes! The wildly flavorful Okra dish is making my mouth water as I write! Paired with Coconut Rice that we ordered, really set this dish in motion to being one of my favorites! Absolutely delicious! Classic Masala Dosa: Delicious! A perfect balance of soft & crispy, filled with spices & mashed potatoes was a mouthwatering treat! Especially once paired with the colorful dipping sauces, the Tomato Chutney being my absolute favorite! The Coconut Chutney had a refreshing bite to it as well! Also served with Sambar.(South Indian soup) Ambience: Loved the low lighting, candles lit on several tables, lively atmosphere, colorful decor & gorgeous sparkly attire worn by several of the occupants for the holiday, as well as several large groups celebrating! Loved it! Busy Bee: To our surprise, the restaurant had a line outside & was packed inside! They do not take reservations. We decided to wait & I am so happy we did! The dishes were well worth it! Yum! We enjoyed dining outside underneath the heat lamps. Customer Service: Attentive & friendly! We even ended up chatting with the girl who was standing behind us in line & was now sitting at the table next to us, who was dining solo like a boss! She also shared her favorite dishes with us, as she's familiar with the restaurant. We even said goodbye to each other when she left before us, so nice! Overall: I'm already thinking about my next visit, as the food was absolutely delicious! Loved the lively location as well; nice walk to Santa Monica Pier/Beach and in the opposite direction, a few steps away from Third Street Promenade! read more

See all

Trendy spot 2 restaurant's away from Boas Steakhouse.! Been here a few times for Pani Pouri's they're delicious! Perfectly balanced not too spicy for me but you can ask them to be extra hot if that's your thing! I haven't had a chance to try much else because I usually make a quick pit stop on my way elsewhere but I do intend to come back! Especially since Tumbi is packed with brown people which is a solid indicator that it has the stamp of approval by people who've tried tons and tons of authentic food! In addition to the regular Indian crowd it draws in a nice group of people from different cultures who all seem to enjoy their meals! The waiters are always sweet. Again this is a super cute, trendy and clean resturant. If your thinking about it... TRY IT! read more

TUMBI Craft Indian Kitchen - Pani Puri - Indian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Came back after awhile and we were GLAD -- as the food was excellent. Not traditional Indian -- but some different and unique dishes. We loved: Seasonal Poiyal: Brussels Sprouts with crunchies (cashews, etc). 8/10 Avocado Bhel Puri: So much going on here. Street Food 10/10 Aloo Gobi - Roast Cauliflower, red sauce, yum! 9/10 Butter Chicken - Generous portion -- get it with with either rice or: Garlic Naan: - tasty -- not enough garlic for our taste though. 8/10 Dog friendly patio too. Wasn't too crowded on a somewhat cool Saturday night. Run -- don't walk to this place! read more

We literally just happened by on our way back to our car, and for a quick inconvenient stop that was already on our way, Tumbi was honestly a pretty impressive one. I was a huge fan of the bhel puri and the mushroom dosa. I definitely wanna come back next time I'm in LA to try more of their Dosas. Our server was very friendly, and the dining room was clean with good table to chair height ratios. Overall very solid, and worth a stop! read more

See all

Fabulous!!! I go to the bar. Get a beer. I order a butter chicken and some rice and naan. It all arrives and it is truly fantastic. Why is nobody else here? This is a freaking revelation! Truly fantastic. read more

Love this place! Dosas are out of this world and the best I've ever had. Highly recommend.

Parking: Park in any if the public structures (free for the first hour), there are a couple along 2nd nearby! Experience: We came on a Sunday evening around 6:30 and were seated immediately. The food came out as it was ready. We got pani puri (pour the spiced water into the crunchy puff pastry shell), avocado bhel puri (so flavorful!!), cheese dosa and cheese naan which I'm pretty sure we ordered garlic naan but it was still good and was like a quesadilla haha. We also got lentils which I forgot to get a pic of but were also good. Then for dessert we had kulfi which was really rich ice cream. I had the pistachio one but I wish I got the mango one. read more

See all

I mean for authentic Indian food it's good. It's not the best but pretty great overall! I love how this place in general brings an overall fun and lively vibe which no other Indian restaurant really does. Not to mention they still have a lot of authentic Indian dishes like dosas, pani puri, and even thumbs up cola! Normally I'm not a fan of Indian food being served in small dishes like tapas but given the location and ambiance, I'll allow it, and would definitely come back and bring a date here. read more

See all

Food was pretty average (We had the masala fries, pizza, tandoori chicken, and dosa). Service was terrible. Long waits for food, and got multiple items wrong. Price was very high relative to the low standards. Wouldn't recommend. read more

Get the paper dosa. It comes with dipping sides. Only $17. Well worth it. The tandoori chicken goes with it perfect. I wish this place would use pictures to advertise outside because the food is so beautiful. Healthy home made crafted food. Wonderful atmosphere and great service. It's always a fun experience. read more

TUMBI Craft Indian Kitchen - Beef Kabob and the famous paper dosa with 4 dipping sides. Green, red, orange and potato chutney sauces are served with it. - Indian Near Me - Santa Monica, California

See all

Great food. I love to eat here whenever I visit town (note: they have Butter Paneer off menu!) Staff doesn't necessarily go out of their way to provide Michelin-like hospitality and service, but after 5-6 visits, they definitely warm up on you. Or maybe vice-versa. Pro-Tip: Order 1-2 naans (I prefer cheese, then garlic naan) for your table as you eat instead of a basket up front so they don't get cold... they'll make you fresh naan within a minute's notice! Also, I think only Rita's down the street does this to cater to non-Indian eaters, but make sure you definitely do not add sugar to any of the savory dishes! Enjoy the spices (not necessarily heat) and start with Mi read more

See all

I'm not reviewing this based on value. This is rated 4 star for ambience, service and taste. Portion wise it's on the low end, but I can see why they charge $16 for butter chicken. It's really good and location, location and location. Ingredients seem fresh as our palak paneer is one of the top 3 we've ever had. You can still see the spinach and it's spices. We also ordered a lamb curry dish, and aloo hobo. All of our dishes were mild in terms of spicy hotness. I wish they asked spicy level as we like our food as we often call it "Indian spicy" (top level spicy). We were seated promptly. They were accommodating to our party as we have 2 large dogs. We also ordered some appetizers pictured below. They were standard fare although the tamarin shot pani puri is a unique delivery for the dish. I wish they provided sweet chutney inside the balls for a more balance flavor. Overall, I enjoyed the meal. Our basmati rice order seemed low on the portion level. I think if they included free rice or one free nan with the entrees then I'd make this place 5 stars. Our 2 orders of rice, 1 naan, 2 appetizers, and 4 entrees were barely enough for 3 adults. We didn't have any leftovers for our hungry party of 3. read more

See all

Best Indian food we have had in this country! Exciting unusual dishes, plus interesting interpretations of standard dishes. Delicious! Avocado Bhel Puri ($11) is medium spice - over my limit but I ate it anyway because it was incredibly delicious! A BEAUTIFUL presentation of mixed citrus, puffed rice, vermicelli, peanuts, garlic chutney, and mint-tamarind chili, topped with sliced avocado, coconut and vermicelli. A great share dish for the table. Butter Chicken ($18) melts in your mouth. Doesn't come with rice, so order a side if that's your expectation, but also is good over Naan. Dark meat in a tomato curry sauce. Aloo Gobi ($10) - this is the tastiest interpretation of this old favorite that I have ever had, we scraped the bowl! Roast cauliflower with potatoes in a spiced tomato masala sauce. The Poriyal ($12) is an appetizer which features a seasonal vegetable (now Brussel Sprouts) topped with a mixture of coconut, onions, cashews, mustard seeds and curry leaves. Tasty, but it was the only dish we had that was not a stand-out. Good Naan bread. Dog-friendly staff. Attentive staff. read more

I came on a Saturday for outdoor dining. Some of the dishes were really delicious, but service was mediocre and prices were high for the portion sizes. We came at 630 and waited for 30 minutes to be seated at a table. The restaurant has limited outdoor heating, and we got the very corner table, so we were pretty cold. Our waiter also seemed to be new and we had to order some items multiple times. The best dishes were the avocado bhel puri ($12, really crunchy and flavorful), bhindi masala ($18, crispy okra stuffed with tomatoes and onions; delicious and hard to find at restaurants!), and the Kashmiri Rohan Josh ($20, lots of tender flavorful lamb and perfect on a bed of saffron rice). The dhal Bukhara ($12) was ok but too spicy, and the cheese dosa ($15) was good but really filling with all that cheese. The portions for the mains were surprisingly small though. We ordered 1 app, 1 dosa, 2 mains, 1 side, rice, and roti for the two of us. read more

See all

Great food, service Exceptional naan and one of the better mango lassis Ive had chicken korma was great too read more

Food is really tasty! And they have Dosa! The service was nice and the atmosphere was clean and well kept.

TUMBI is a solid spot for Indian food in Santa Monica. Their menu is fairly diverse and hits all of the standard fare you'd expect from this style of Indian restaurant, but maintains simplicity at the same time. During COVID, they were good about closing down the indoor dining area, and offering takeout in an easy to pick up format, which was definitely appreciated. My only real complaint is that the portion size is small for what you pay for -- if you look at my photos for the entrees, those are *small* bowls, just close up. Overall still a fair option for Indian food in Santa Monica! read more

See all

Went on a Sunday around 6pm as a party of 2. We opted to sit outside since it was more action than the inside PARKING: we parked in the structure next to Orange Theory, no issues at all. Ended up paying $2 at the end DRINKS: got the mango mimosas since lychee wasn't available. Really good, tasted like juice so beware. They bring a glass bottle of water for the table FOOD: the garlic naan was so good. Mind you none of the dishes come w rice so we got basmati rice on the side. The Charboiled Paneer Tikka was also a hit if you like cheese. The sauce brought in more flavor. Butter chicken was a small size but everything was enough for 2 ppl Kind of small portions but flavorful dishes. Glad we tried out this place out of the blue! read more

3 stars is about right for this place -- nothing amazing but fine. We sat inside and the ambiance was trying to be modern and sleek but fell just shy of succeeding. We ordered the butter chicken, garlic naan, the mushroom dosa and the cheese dosa. Overall, everything was very salty and not noteworthy. There was nothing that made me go wow. The butter chicken especially was very salty and was marketed as a chicken tikka masala but was definitely not -- way more tomatoey and on par with the butter chicken. The garlic naan was fine, hard to mess up. The cheese dosa was fine also salty, and the mushroom dosa was a hit with my fiance but I thought it was meh. I generally do love dosas and they were done well, just too salty for my taste. Overall, I doubt I would be back, super overpriced for what you're getting. Would recommend elsewhere. If you have any suggestions let me know because I am searching. read more

What an amazing and tasty restaurant tucked in Santa Monica! I don't understand the negative reviews or low stars, because we did not get that vibe at all! We ordered the Butter Chicken, Basmati Rice, Masala Dosa, and Chana Bhatura. My mom and I also got Masala Chai, while my sister got Coke. For appetizer, we ordered Papadam with Chuntey. All pictures are provided. My sister said the butter chicken was the BEST one she ever had! We are also Indian, so we've had our share of butter chicken and other Indian dishes. She said the chicken was cooked so well that the chicken literally dissolves in your mouth. My sister is also picky and doesn't like too much Indian food. So if she's complimenting it, then you know it's delicious!! My mom and I enjoyed the Chana Bhatura and Dosa very much. The Dosa was huge! It could easily be shared amongst two people. We had to take leftovers, as the portions for everything were a lot. They do not take reservations, and the time it gets busy is after 8:00, so be sure to get there before that. We sat inside, near and open window. The staff were very friendly and helpful. I hope they are able to expand their place, as this place is popping. Overall, this is a MUST go, if you're looking for Indian food. read more

See all

My husband and I loved the food here. We had the dal bukhara, aaloo puri, and dahi puri as an appetizer. All delicious with subtle, balanced spicing with some heat. Portions were reasonable and 2 very large puris were more than plenty and we ended up with leftovers if poori and aaloo we happily took home. Service was friendly and good. Decorations were lacking but who cares when the food is this good? Simply superb. read more

The service was extremely disappointing. From the moment I arrived, the server was rude and uncooperative. When I showed my gift certificate, he claimed he had never seen one before in his eight years working there since the restaurant opened, making me feel like he was doing me a favor. The food was mediocre, but the terrible service was the worst part. I will not be returning. read more

OMG my new fave sit down Indian place. I love the lentil chips and paper dosa, the sag paneer, rice, and mango lassi. We also tried a ton of dishes. Great to come with a group to try a lot of dishes. They have outdoor seating and heaters, but only a few tables. The pistachio ice cream is not really sweet, just FYI. Def need to come here again. LOVE this place. My other fave India place, which is casual, is Samosa House East (and West) and India Sweet & Spices (also casual) has the best samosas. Try those places too. read more

See all

Let me make it simple for you!!! If you want your trip to be worth it; please avoid stopping at this location.. I ordered tandoori chicken, dosa and fries.. so in tandoori chicken you only get 1 leg and thai.. it didn't taste good at all.. the fries were frozen.. and they charged $130. I honestly wouldn't complain about the price if the food was good.. But I really liked the place clean and well maintained.. read more

Food was really bad, masala dosa was okay, coconu chutney did not taste good at all. Charged extra $: each for small bowl of sambar. Chai tasted very bad, asked to replace it with fresh batch. read more

I came here on a Friday evening on a beautiful chilly autumn evening. I called in ahead of time to check if they take reservations. They do not, but fortunately, there were empty tables when we arrived. No waiting was required. They also allow doggie guests in the outdoor seating facing the street at the front. Food: 4 out of 5 We ordered the cheese naan, goan prawn curry, malai chicken tikka, lacchha paratha, pani puri, fungi mushroom dosa, pineapple ale, and chai. + Cheese Naan: 4 out of 5 I love the moist tenderness of cheesy naan. It's stuffed with cheese and there is somewhat of a cheese pull. It's almost like a quesadilla. Flavor-wise, there is a mild garlic taste to it. I'd definitely prefer it to be more garlicy, but it's a great to dip it in curries, since it's mild taste wouldn't clash too much with the spices in the curries. + Goan Prawn Curry: 4 out of 5 The curry definitely has the southern Indian flavor with the taste of coconut. It was milder in terms of spices, but the coconut as a delicate and delectable. The portion was tiny, so I'm glad we got multiple dishes. + Malai Chicken Tikka: 4 of 5 This chicken tikka is definitely on the milder side in comparison to other chicken tikka elsewhere. However, it has a beautiful aroma and subtle taste from the spices. The meat itself could definitely be more moist, but it was tender enough. + Lacchha Paratha: 2 out of 5 The laccha paratha itself was bland in flavor and not flaky like it's typically supposed to. I recommend getting the cheesy naan or exploring other carbs if you want something with flavor. + Pani Puri: 3.5 out of 5 The pani puri comes in a set of four. It's served in shot glasses. Presentation-wise, the dish is very cool-looking. That being said, the taste is mediocre and the pani itself is very salty. The puri (puffs) were stale. Not the best dish, though, it seems most people get this dish because of how cool it looks. I know I did. Also, I also didn't know how to eat the pani puri. I thought, should I eat the puri first and take a shot of the pani out of these shot glasses OR do I pour the pani in the puri and eat it the traditional way? I did the latter, even though my ancestors were probably maddogging me out of disappointment. Sorry, fam, it was confusing! + Fungi Mushroom Dosa: 4 out of 5 I enjoyed this dish, it's filled with mushrooms inside crepe-like wrapping (the dosa). It came with two chutney to dip in. Though, I enjoyed dipping the dosa in the Goan prawn curry more. The mushroom complemented the dosa well. Inside/Outside: 3.5 out of 5 The location of the restaurant is ideal for a casual meal after a trip to the beach, a romantic dinner, or just for any occasion that brings you to the area. It's up and happening, just about 2 blocks from Santa Monica pier. We took a Lyft, so I'm not sure if there is a designated parking lot. However, there should be large parking structures in the vicinity. There are a few tables for outdoor dining facing the street. It would be nice to dine out with fresh breeze. Inside, the restaurant itself is tiny with tables placed everywhere. The ambience was trendy and chic, but the space itself was too crowded, overpopulated with way too many tables. I felt a little stuffy, because we were seated very close in between two tables and I heard conversations from both sides, which can be distracting. There is a bar area with bar stools, making it easier for individuals diners to dine solo. Service: 3 out of 5 The service was mediocre to OK. The staff could have been more attentive. We had to call for their attention multiple times, including once, because the bathroom was out of soap in the soap dispenser. When I had called in advance to ask about the reservation and their pet policy, the staff on the phone was decently friendly during the interaction. read more

See all

Named after the Punjabi word for stringed instrument, Tumbi a smart SaMo place with beautifully rendered fusion vibe. The variety of Indian dishes is what makes Tumbi unique among the glut of Desi restaurants. Imagine inventive bhels, fries, and paneer abound. There's nuanced home-cooking to be found here from many regions of India: Punjabi pani puri judiciously stuffed with spiced fillings paired with a tangy water; classic slow-cooked butter chicken; South Indian masala dosa with the usual accoutrements; tandoori paneer topped a medley of chutneys; and delectable wines that pair vey well with spicier options. Most Indian joints don't nail a great wine list, but Tumbi does this well. Grab a table outside and enjoy a smattering of fingers foods sized just right for two to share. While other Yelpers have griped about the service, we had no issues on a slammed Saturday night and were pleased to see food served in a spiffy even in the time of 'rona. read more

See all

A great Indian restaurant located in front of the Santa Monica beach. The menu is simple yet offers all of the classic dishes as well as authentic street foods. ----- Papadum & Chutney's: lentil chips, house chutneys ($7). The lentil chips were crispy with a hint of saltiness. All three of the chutneys were good; I liked the sweet and tangy dark tamarind one the most. ----- Charbroiled Paneer Tikka: Indian cottage cheese, yogurt, kalonji, curry leaf marinade, mint chutney ($13). ----- Channa Bhatura: garbanzo beans, garlic oil, roasted garam spices, puff wok fried bread ($17). ----- Fungi Mushroom Dosa: farmers' market mushroom, curry leaf ($16). The dosa is a huge portion that is enough for two people. It is filled with a ton of slices mushrooms, definitely at least a pound's worth. The texture of the dosa was soft, chewy, and slightly crispy on the edges. I liked the three sauces, which helped offset and switch up the heavy mushroom profile. ----- Lighting indoor is rather dim. We sat outdoors and got to watch the skies glow red from the sunset by the beach. read more

See all

This is going to be one of the most Interesting reviews that I have written in terms of how I can justify my liking for a restaurant such as Tumbi so I will break it out by rating for each item I want to mention in my review. Went for dinner last night with party of 5 and please read below. Food Ordered: Appetizers: Keema Pav, Avacado Bhel. Main Entrees: Dal Bukhara, Saag Paneer, Butter Chicken, Garlic Naan, Malai Naan and lacha paratha, Rice, onion and chilies. Dessert : Choco samosa Food Taste: four Stars Food quantity vs price: extreme rip off on the main Entrees. Portions are way too small. I can understand good quality and taste but the portions are very small for the price. It's an Indian restaurant not a Tapas or French place. Stars for quantity: One star Now most important thing, service- Extremely Poor and very poorly managed. Went and waited to be seen to tell then that we are party of five. Waited 30 mins just to be attended and in between told the server/bartender/reservationists yes exactly everything was taken care by only 2 people. They kept forgetting about us. Finally we were seated and they keep forgetting to bring our food we ordered. No dinner plates were given, it was assumed that we will eat the breads directly from the basket, entrees were missing serving spoons. It was a mess honestly. If the owner or manager reads my review then please do something about every challenge I mentioned above and please don't use pandemic as a reason for shortage of staff even if it's a genuine problem then adjust either your prices or quantities. Service : one star Hygiene precaution: the menus were horribly dirty. They had food, finger prints from oil from food. DISGUSTING!!! I asked our server that why are they using these dirtiest menus he said we will throw them tonight and will have to new ones in the morning. Really who is going to see in the morning?? Tables and chairs were dirty had rice and naan flakes on them. Hygiene: One Star read more

Highly overpriced for what you get This place used to be good when they opened, now the food tastes bad. The vada pav is the only good thing on the menu Pani puri is blah, channa bhatura was bad, dal Bukhara was bad, paneer tikka was bad. The mushroom dosa was meh Service is bad and the servers really don't care about you. The difference in service and food shows when the owner of the restaurant is not around read more

After TUMBI was recommended by friends, two of us decided to try TUMBI for takeout. We ordered four dishes -- Bhindi Masala, Avocado Bhel Puri, Afghani Seekh Kabob, Butter Chicken -- and a bunch of sides (saffron rice, plain old naan, garlic naan). Pickup was easy: we pulled up in front of the restaurant on Santa Monica Blvd., dashed in to identify ourselves and were handed our stapled-up bag immediately. Parking around here is of course impossible, but there are places to pull over while the driver stays with the car and a passenger dashes in. The menu at TUMBI is fairly short, but all of the dishes struck us as interesting and somewhat non-standard. We loved everything that came home in our bag. I'm a big fan of bhindi and thought that it was especially delicious. We might have under-ordered a tiny bit; next time, we should add a side or two. read more