Tamba was great!! Love the thali plate and the chicken tikka masala and garlic naan!!!!

Amazing food, service, and mango lassi! Had the best time here and have been back every week!! Can't wait to make more memories at Zareen's

a classic spot, always good. tamba was a great server and I would come back just for him.

FOOD WAS SO GOOD. Bursting with flavor!!! My fav was the chicken boti, butter chicken, and garlic naan. Service was great the food came out in a reasonable time and the waiters were all very helpful and attentive Ambiance was great as well. We sat outside in the beginning of June there are a bunch of tables read more

Zareen's - Indian Near Me - Palo Alto, California

What is the hype all about? First off it's a depressing establishment and Indian and Pakistani food is the same thing. Punjabi food is nothing special. Ambience 3/10, cleanliness 3/10, quality food 5/10, and service 9/10. The food is too spicy and can't enjoy it. read more

The restaurant was extremely busy when we visited, but the line moved quickly and the operation seemed very efficient with plenty of dining space. The food was delicious and well-priced. The chicken boti was definitely the highlight for me. The chicken was tender, perfectly seasoned, and had a great smoky flavor from the sizzling plate. The onions and peppers at the bottom were excellent as well. Both the naan and the sheermal paired perfectly with the chicken boti. The chicken boti portion was the perfect size to share among three people alongside a few smaller dishes. The mango lassi was also great. Highly recommend. read more

Zareen's - Indian Near Me - Palo Alto, California

After having eaten takeout from this place and liking it a lot, went in for a weekend lunch. It gets quite busy and loud on the weekend. Service is fast and the food is good. Highlight for us was the weekend special Halwa Puri dish. Their Mango Lassi is one of the best in the Bay Area. The Dahi Puri chaat and the burger were also good. Madras curry was average, won't recommend it compared to the other items. Chicken biryani was tasty, not the best in the area though. For dessert we ordered the falooda with rose soft serve. It is a large serving and can be shared. The rose ice cream was delicious. Overall I recommend this place for the lively atmosphere and authentic Indian food. read more

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Hands down one of the best restaurant in Palo Alto. I come here at least 1-2x a month. I would come more often if it wasn't so far away! The food here is so fresh and delicious. I like to get their chicken tikka masala with cheesey jalapeño naan. Their mango lasi is also a must every time as well! I like to ask for a cup of ice on the side since it tastes better super cold. Service is usually very fast and there are a lot of workers so they're all very attentive. It can get loud on the weekends during lunch time so I try to come around 3-4 pm before the crowd gets hectic. read more

Zareen's - Indian Near Me - Palo Alto, California

I stopped by 30 minutes after they opened on a Saturday. There were many open tables on the patio and inside. The restaurant interior is clean, bright, and quite large. We were seated immediately, which was great. We ordered the garlic naan, chicken samosas, chicken madras curry thali, chicken tikka masala thali, and the beef sizzling platter. First and foremost, the garlic naan is a must have, it was the perfect vessel for my curry. The chicken samosas were pretty delicious, seasoned, and bursting with flavor. They're quite small, not as big as I anticipated. Their chicken madras curry was delicious and had chunks of vegetables which was nice. The beef chapli sizzling plate is a must have. The caramelized onions and beef were a perfect combo. It's definitely enough to share amongst 2-3 people. As a disclaimer on the menu, the food is prepped as medium spicy. I did not find that to be the case at all. I have an alright spice tolerance but I don't think the food was beyond mild. I wish there were spicier options. In terms of service, with so many staff bustling around, it was hard to get our waitresses' attention. Our food was served relatively quick, but once we finished our meal it took some time for our server to come and offer to go containers. read more

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Honestly, I've never been the biggest Indian food person and have only had it a handful of times, but this is probably the best Indian restaurant I've tried so far. Service was straightforward but attentive, and I appreciated the small touches like the large jug of water they leave at the table. The restaurant itself is spacious and clean, with plenty of outdoor seating as well. They do get busy and so I'd recommend joining the Yelp waitlist before arriving. We ordered: - Chicken Tikka Masala Thaali - Probably my favorite item of the meal. It came with a really good variety of dishes and felt like a great value for the portion size. Everything on the plate complemented each other well, and I genuinely finished every bite. - Garlic Naan - I wish it came out a bit hotter/fresher from the tandoor, but it was still soft, flavorful, and a good addition to the meal overall. - Beef Chapli Kebab - Very flavorful and surprisingly one of the standout dishes for me. It reminded me of an elevated hamburger patty with more depth from the spices. The charred onions on the side soaked up the beef drippings and added even more flavor. * The green chutney paired perfectly with it. - Mango Lassi - Super creamy with the right amount of sweetness. The mango flavor wasn't overpowering, which made it really refreshing alongside the heavier dishes. Overall, this felt like a very approachable spot even for someone who doesn't eat Indian food often. Good portions, balanced flavors, and a comfortable atmosphere. I'll definitely be back. read more

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Wow, this place lives up the hype and all the awards it has received! My partner and I don't regularly eat this type of cuisine often, but Zareen's might have changed that... this place definitely hit the spot! Clean environment and super lively atmosphere while still having enough space to be comfortable at your table. That's my favorite, when the restaurant feels alive, but not to the point where you can't hear anyone at your table. We ordered 4 items, here is my rating; - 5/5: Chicken Tikka Thali Plate - 4/5: Beef Chapli Sizzler (wish it was more spicy) Had a chili symbol next to it, but it wasn't spicy at all - at least for our taste - 5/5 Garlic Naan - 5/5 Mango Lassi Overall, every single dish we ordered was super flavorful and was an explosion of goodness for our taste buds. We will definitely be coming back here soon and trying more menu items. I will be recommending to my friends that haven't heard of Zareen's! read more

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Wonderful atmosphere and surprisingly quick service given how busy they always are. The atmosphere is lively and the service very friendly and attentive. There is a lot more outside seating than inside seating. Finding parking is a bit difficult in this area, but there is a nearby parking garage. The menu is on the smaller side, but I think there's enough variety to satisfy a wide variety of customers. I do think their vegetarian options are just a little blander than I would have liked, and their vegan options are limited (many vegetarian options have paneer). That said, I did really enjoy the food. I do think that the slight downside to their very quick service is that they tend to be in a bit of a rush, also. When I was served my dish, some of it spilled over the lip because it seemed that the server was also considering speed in their work. It wasn't a major detriment, but I did notice. Overall, I really like the spot and would definitely come back. I don't think I'd bring a big group without first making a reservation, as it does get very packed, but I'd absolutely recommend it to anyone who likes good Indian/Pakistani food. read more

Zareen's - Madras Chicken Curry, Garlic Naan, Madras Paneer Curry - Indian Near Me - Palo Alto, California

We loved their chai. Only suggestion: please start making it without sugar. The sesame naan and the butter naan were to die for. The parantha was good too. The highlight was the daal tadka. The chicken and paneer were decent. Will go again for the fast service and good quality. read more

Zareen's is a Pakistani-Indian restaurant chain and this location in Palo Alto is near a free parking garage. There's plenty of indoor seating as well as outdoor covered/heated patio seating as well. The ambiance can be described as authentic, aesthetic, and well-maintained. It's a casual-classy place good for big groups or to take someone out on a first date. Our waitress did get a little sassy with us when we asked her to repeat the order and was a bit rude when we corrected an error of the sides in the thaali. Also, we were brought plain chicken tenders and fries when we ordered the masala chicken tenders and fries. When she brought it out wrong, she took it to the kitchen and just sprinkled some seasoning on the original dish. I guess it was fine since the rest of the food was delicious. The food was flavorful overall though. We ordered the chicken tikka masala and mango lassi, which are musts when you are here. The lassi was the perfect amount of sweet and had a good ratio of yogurt to milk. The tikka was tasty as well and paired well with the unique jalapeno-cheese naan. The tikis were also crispy and seasoned well. The prices were definitely worth the quality of the dishes overall. I'd recommend coming here if you're craving a nice meal. read more

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Theres an inside and an outside tent with tables for seating areas. Definitely a great late night meal when everything else is closed on the street. With the prices and the amazing flavors, you cannot go wrong. Service could be better as we had to flag down some waiters to get the order and even get seated. The thali plates are great deals and allow you to get a good size entree with everything else included. Thought we need extra naan but the thali gave more than enough. 3.8/5 - Pani Puri - Classic pani puri, nothing wrong with the dish, but pretty standard. Minty, sour and sweet sauce you drizzle inside the carb and put the whole thing in your mouth to burst with flavor. 4.1/5 - chicken tikka Thali - Great tasting chicken tikka masala very creamy and buttery while the chicken was fork tender. Goes great with the rice and the naan. Each scoop you can taste the spices and creaminess that comes with it. read more

Zareen's - Indian Near Me - Palo Alto, California

If you are craving Pakistani food or a solid curry, this is definitely the place to satisfy your cravings! Our go-to orders are the chicken sizzler plate, lamb gosht, and chicken madras; they are consistently flavorful, especially the sizzler, which has a smoky grilled char that adds so much depth to the dish. The curries are well-spiced and pair perfectly with either rice or naan. During this visit, we tried one of their weekend specials: the Sabri Beef Nihari. It's a delicious, hearty beef stew with a thick, rich consistency--likely from blended lentils--though it is a bit heavier and more oil-forward than the other dishes. We also tried the Sheermal, a bread made with milk and saffron. It's denser and sweeter than standard naan, and while it was tasty, the saffron notes were quite subtle. To top it all off, the service was quick and friendly! read more

Zareen's - Indian Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Came by on a Sunday evening and the place was packed and buzzing with noise from so many conversations. We got a seat indoors (there are outdoor seating). Garlic naan: 5 stars. It was huge and we all shared. Yummy garlicky flavor. Jalapeño cheese naan: 4 stars. I like it but a little too spicy for me. Beef sizzling plate: 3.5 stars beef patties was flavorful. I enjoyed it with the onions but very oily. Chicken sizzling plate: 5 stars. Favorite dish of the fam. Even the ones who don't like chicken. Just need a side of rice. Chopped salad: 4.5 stars. Wish it came in a larger size. You know I need my veggies. Refreshing. Mango lassi: very good but also very sweet. The hubby's favorite. He drank mine too. read more

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Came by for dinner the other night and it was a tasty experience. Parking is plentiful in the city owned parking garage or on nearby surface streets. Dining is available both indoors and outdoors on California ave. The restaurant seems to be a sit-down with waiter service now which is different from the previous order at the counter and the wait staff will bring out your food to your number at your table system. Staff wore either a black shirt or a Zareen's shirt. Staff also wore black disposable gloves. Ordering is done with the waitstaff. Utensils and napkins were available at each table. It was interesting to watch staff open cardboard boxes with butter knives. I was surprised that some of the decrepit forks were still kept on use for service...interesting. Started off with the puffs filled with some cream which was new and quite tasty. For the mains, opted for the beef chapli sizzler which was quite fragrant and tasty. The garlic naan was also tasty when super hot. Despite being recently remodelled, the dining room was a touch grimey, including crumbs leftover from previous diners on our table. read more

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Tried their chicken masala combo with their garlic naan. We also ordered the puri with yogurt. For some reason, I was expecting the puris to be a warm dish, but they're actually cold. It was our first time trying them. I would describe them a refreshing bites with a crispy outer layer filled with chickpeas, potato bits with a green chutney and creamy cold yogurt. Overall, very flavorful and delightful. Our server was EVAN! He's only on high school, but we were impressed with his attentiveness and helpfulness as it was our first time dining here. He also frequently checked up on us, which we appreciated! If you're ever dining in, ask for EVAN! He was great. Also, I really enjoyed their mango soft serve, it wasn't too sweet. The rose soft serve was unique and reminded me of a flavor profile closer to a cereal fruity flavor. Look forward to returning when we return. read more

Zareen's - Food spread of chicken Marsala combo; garlic naan; and yogurt puris - Indian Near Me - Palo Alto, California

This is my absolute favorite Indian/Pakistani restaurant. The food is so so good. Especially before I concert. My fiance and I made it a point to stop here before the BTS concert to avoid eating stadium food. We ordered the tikka masala and the beef chapli and grilled chicken with garlic naan. Service was so fast and there's so many people eating outside and in. Everything was absolutely delicious. The beef chapli should be required. The tikka too honestly. Everytime I'm in Palo Alto I will be coming here. Please go and understand. read more

Zareen's - Grilled Chicken Boti Sizzler, Beef Chapli Sizzler, Chicken Tikka Masala Ala Carte - Indian Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Zareen's is honestly some of the best Indian Punjabi food I've had in the area. The flavors feel really authentic. The nihari is delicious, and the mango lassi is great, but the palak gosht is probably the best dish I've had here. I've been to both locations. The Palo Alto one has really nice indoor and outdoor seating. It's almost always busy, but they move things along quickly and try to get you seated as fast as possible. Also they are open and busy until late. Service is efficient and friendly. We've also done takeout from the Mountain View location, which is more casual with picnic tables, but the food is just as good. Prices are fair for the quality. read more

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Zareen's is the premier restaurant to go for authentic Indian/Pakistani cuisine in Palo Alto. This was such a great experience from start to finish. Everyone in the restaurant is absolutely lovely, and it's reflected in the service. All of the food being served looked absolutely delicious, and everything smelled phenomenal. I end up ordering the thali. It's one of my favorite things to order because I always feel like I'm getting a little bit of this in a little bit of that and it's a lot of goodness. The paneer, the daal, the chopped salad, all of it was perfectly seasoned, extremely well-made, and each bite was a flavor bomb. I always order mango lassi when it's available, and this was no exception. It makes the meal absolutely complete. It was so incredibly tasty! The food is phenomenal, the service matches the food, and the price point for everything is absolutely exceptional. read more

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Great food, in the middle of Palo Alto. A little pricey. All the different curries were a different taste. Very impressive. The best chicken tikka masala- creamy, spicy. 7/5 $17.95 Madras Chicken Thali - came with cucumber salsa, lentil, garlic or plain naan, salad, chicken pea carrot curry. $16.95 5/5 Halwa puri weekend special- sweet carrot butter dessert, 2 puri (a little greasy, extra puri is $1.50 only), yellow lentil curry yellow potato curry ( very mild). All veg. $16.85 5/5 Mango ice cream $6.95 creamy and sweet mango - not too tart, unfortunately 5/5 Fresh squeeze OJ- sign says they make it to order- tastes like they add some sugar. $6.95 read more

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Hella good, ate so much so fast that I got indigestion. Ordered the Dahi Papdi, Pani Puri, Halwa-Puri Naashta, Chicken Tikka, and Lamb Gosht Thali I was interested in the Halwa-Puri Naashta since they deemed it the "Breakfast of (Desi) Champions" -- I would've liked something more familiar though lol oops The Dahi Papdi was really creamy it was nice. I'm happy I finally got to try Pani Puri, I always see it on tiktok. Lamb tastes like lamb... Chicken tikka was fye read more

Zareen's - Indian Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Great food. Food looks good, tastes even better and the prices are very reasonable for the amount of food that you get. Ambiance is nothing to write home about. We sat outside since it was a nice day. Thankfully not many flies. Service is a bit rushed as I think they want to have fast turn over. If you are looking for good Indian food. This is the place. Oh, they don't serve alcohol but there is a near by bar that the servers tell you to get beer if you want to have it with your food. read more

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Tikka masala burrito 5/5 - this is my favorite dish here! So much flavor and so tasty. Good portion of rice and meat and sauce. Feels pretty heavy but worth it Garlic nan 4/5 - I wish there was more garlic flavor! We came on a Friday night and it was a long wait even for outdoor seating. Workers are friendly and gave us extra drinks read more

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A post concert late dinner led us friends to Zareen's. Wait time: just a little bit considering that almost all folks that were at the concert ended up here for dinner. Table host: inefficient, had to correct him a few times about what we ordered and the notes he took digitally. Food & table service: poor even if you were to consider that we reminded them about forks and spoons and napkins several times. Food: palak paneer lacked authenticity and taste, the channa dal tadka was ok, the aloo tiki was lousy, the side of rice felt dry, the chicken kebab thali was ok, the boti kebab was tasteless and not cooked well - like kebabs should be! The sesame naan was a savior. The dahi puri was loaded with sev, that's an overkill. The joke: we asked for hot sauce and they served us a tiny plastic container of sauce for .35 cents!!!!! We were 5 of us! Ambiance: The most important factor - a pigsty for a gender neutral bathroom! DISGUSTING! Definitely pass. Not worth the money or quality and the hygiene! read more

Zareen's - Zareen's order - Indian Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Zareen's has some seriously delicious food--especially the chicken tikka masala. The flavor was spot on, and most of the dishes came out pretty quickly, which we appreciated. That said, the experience had a few hiccups. We were initially seated and then asked to move, which was a little awkward. They never got us straws that were asked for (that were writhing arms reach of the server when asked) they also forgot our naan, and it ended up going to a table that was seated after us. Our server was friendly and clearly trying, but seemed a bit overwhelmed and had trouble getting us everything we needed. At one point, we were given one large to-go cup to combine rice, lentils, chicken tikka masala, and naan which felt a bit odd. None of these issues on their own would have been a big deal, but having several happen during the same visit took away from the overall experience. Still, the food itself was really good, and I'd come back hoping for a smoother visit next time. read more

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My absolute favorite restaurant in Palo Alto. I've probably visited a dozen times at this point, and every single meal here has been delicious. Regardless of the day or the time, Zareen's is constantly busy, so be prepared for a short wait. They have plenty of outdoor seating and a solid amount of indoor seating as well. This is definitely a great store to visit when the weather's nice. The environment here is always so fun, with big groups of friends catching up and lots of families enjoying a meal. The service can be quite slow, which is expected given the constant flow of customers. I feel like I've tried the entire menu at this point, and there are no bad dishes/choices here. The mango lassi is a classic - both creamy and refreshing. Their thalis are a great deal, with a huge portion of food and sides for a reasonable price. You get a small pickled salad, rice or naan, mixed greens, daal lentil, and your main dish (all for under $20!!!!). I highly recommend the lamb gosht thali and the palak methi gosht thali. Both are filled with flavor. Their burgers are also phenomenal, a fun take on a traditional diner burger. The aloo samosa burger is my personal favorite, featuring a perfectly seasoned smashed samosa. It also comes with a side of crispy, spiced fries. There are so many delicious small plates and sides, like the chicken memoni samosas, tarka daal, and masala fries. I'm always excited to visit again, the food is just that good. read more

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This location has been there forever. There is like at least 125 people eating here. They've expanded the restaurant all the way outdoors, which is created probably triple the amount of seating that they have indoors. The food is delicious and came out super fast. We had our usual boti sizzler with the chicken tikka Marsala. That is a winning combination with a side of naan. Our server was great and attentive. Bathrooms were ok, but not enough of them. We had to wait to use them. It is a bit cramped waiting with 3-4 other ppl ahead of you in a narrow space. read more

Bright and spacious seating inside, and service was pretty quick! Got the madras chicken curry thali and it was such a big portion! Also got the sheermal and it was great. read more

Zareen's - Indian Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Excellent, efficient, and speedy service! And the taste of the food and the size was great considering the price. Solid place that makes sense on how busy it usually is. I think getting the chicken boti thali is the best choice compared to the tikka masala because it comes with more chicken, more flavor (from the char), and it comes with the tikka masala sauce anyways! read more

Zareen's - Garlic Naan - Indian Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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I came here because a friend of mine recommended it. We didn't wait long for a table even though it looked really busy. The interior looks small, but they have a lot of tables available outdoors. Pani Puri(10/10): It was my first time trying pani puri and I'm glad I had a great experience! Each bite was packed with so much flavor. It was tangy, savory, and delicious. Potatoes Samosas(10/10): The samosas were flavorful and there was a lot of filling inside! I wish it came with more, but it's still good nonetheless! I also liked the sauce that came with it. Paneer Tikka Masala Thali(10/10): This dish was very filling. I chose garlic naan to go with the curry and it was the perfect choice. I wish the naan was smothered with salted butter, but it was still delicious. The curry was nice, creamy, and buttery. The paneer had a nice bouncy chew. The sides that came with it were delicious as well. I really liked the salad--as it came with a sweet dressing. Even though I'm not a big fan of lentils, it was still good. I wasn't a big fan of the last side because I felt like the flavors were clashing with each other. Lamb Gosht Thali(10/10): I tried a little bit of my boyfriend's curry and it was delicious! The lamb was nice and tender. The rice paired nicely with the dish and I felt like the flavors were overwhelming. Mango Lassi(7/10): It was creamy and slightly sweet. You can really taste the mango. I thought the cup it came in was small and not really worth the price. I feel like you can get this drink elsewhere. Service(8/10): Our server was nice and friendly. They weren't as attentive, but that's ok since it was busy that night. We didn't wait long for our food, but we did wait long for the mango lassi. Overall, a really good place to go to! I would come here again if I was in the area. read more

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ive been to other zareen's locations and always had a solid experience! it's a great spot for delicious indian food. i picked up chicken tikka masala and palak paneer, along with chicken kebab and naan. note that the 8oz of the entrees is a small amount and not quite enough for one person. definitely will be back to zareen's another time! read more

Zareen's - chicken kabab - Indian Near Me - Palo Alto, California

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It's been a while since I've been to this Bay Area classic I forgot how good it was! I indulged in the palak methi thali, which game with paneer cheese stewed in a spice green mixture, lentil dal, spring mix salad, cucumber tomato salad, and choice of plan or garlic naan. At least two meals worth for a great price, and delicious. Zareen's is famous for their mango lassi but since it was raining I opted for a chai. It was nothing special so I should have just shivered with the lassi. Logistics: - Indoor and heated and covered outdoor seating - Limited street parking nearby but walking distance from a public parking garage and the California Ave Caltrain station - Plenty of vegetarian options read more

Zareen's - Palak Methi Aloo Thali - Indian Near Me - Palo Alto, California

Second time coming here and it was just as busy as the last granted it was a Sunday, but we were sat immediately! The food is absolutely delicious. I love to order the paneer tikka masala set. You are able to choose between rice or non. I have to recommend the jalapeño cheese naan. It is just delicious. The fresh orange juice is also so good. The food does have a good level of spice which I appreciate. Of course, lots of vegetarian options and great meat options too. The Chai is also very popular. read more

Zareen's - Indian Near Me - Palo Alto, California

I came here with my friends and we had a pretty good experience! We left with our stomachs super full! We ordered the chicken tikka masala and decided to switch it up by getting garlic naan instead of rice. It was super filling and the naan paired perfectly with the sauce. I would like to try the rice option next time. Personally, I didn't enjoy the lentil soup much but that's me as I didn't find it flavorful. We also tried the grilled chicken boti sizzler, dahi puri, and a mango drink. Everything came out fresh and flavorful. The grilled chicken boti sizzler was decent on its own, but it tasted even better with the sauces that came on the side. The dahi puri was a nice appetizer, and the mango drink was refreshing. The staff were friendly and food came fast, which made the experience even better. Overall, I thought it was a nice spot and I'd definitely come back to try more items on the menu if I feel like driving far! read more

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Loved the ambiance and the food here. Ordered their Paneer tikka masala Daltadka Palak paneer and Cheese Jalepeno naan. Paneer tikka Masala was really good would definitely recommend that. Dal tadka is also good. Would not recommend Palak Paneer. Didn't like the service here that much. I gave an order for garlic butter without butter and cheese jalepeno naan with butter but they mixed it up. That kind of disappointed me. Apart from that service was fine. read more

Zareen's - Dal Tarka Daal Paneer Tikka Masala Ala Carte Garlic Naan - Indian Near Me - Palo Alto, California

YUM! I've heard plenty of good things about Zareen's, so I was already expecting the food to be good but it still exceeded my expectations! We ordered the chicken tikka masala, lamb gnosh, garlic naan, pickled salad & rice (of course). The chicken & lamb were both soft & flavorful, especially because of the curry both meats were served in. We dipped our naan in the curry & that was bomb too. On top of the good food, the service was great. Didn't get the name of our server but he was kind & helpful. Even the hosts & food runners were polite. Ambiance on Saturday night was lively & made our experience even better! Obviously... I'll be back lol read more

This is a classic Pakistani/Punjabi restaurant that has stayed true to its roots food wise. It used to be on Michelin guide regularly. The seating and interior has cleaned up from being unruly to disciplined, which has improved the dining process but the new decor has taken away somewhat from its charm. The old books are nowhere to be seen. Food wise, you can't go wrong with a sheermal and a ground beef kabab. read more

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