Representative Image. / Pexels

In recent years, there has been a boom in the number of Indian restaurants in California. To help you find the best ones, we have reached out to the Indian American community to learn about their favorite Indian eateries. Here are their top picks. From fine-dining restaurants to casual cafes, these are a varied bunch.

Chicken Tikka Poutine / Wonho Frank Lee

Badmaash, Los Angeles 

This eatery is a contemporary Indian restaurant with two locations in Los Angeles in Downtown LA and Fairfax. Badmaash will be unveiling their third outpost in Venice this spring. The eatery is helmed by Pawan Mahendro and his sons—Nakul and Arjun, who bring a unique ‘badass’ twist to classic Indian dishes, paying homage to their Indian heritage and Canadian upbringing. The restaurant serves Indian food with an often playful approach. Their menu features a mix of classic Indian dishes along with innovative fusion creations. Signature Dishes are the chicken tikka poutine, chili cheese naan, butter chicken samosas, spiced lamb burger and Badmaash fried chicken.

“Badmaash is my go-to eatery for Indian comfort food. I love that they serve traditional Indian dishes like butter chicken and saag paneer along with fusion plates like chicken tikka poutine and Badmaash fried chicken. I’ve also tried their aloo poori thali brunch, which always hits the spot and reminds me of my home in New Delhi,” mentioned Dhruv Kashyap, a Los Angeles-based software engineer. 

Copra Restaurant. / Copra Restaurant

Copra, San Francisco 

Copra is an upscale eatery that serves coastal cuisine of South India, especially Kerala and Tamil Nadu, with some Sri Lankan influences. Chef Srijith Sri Gopinathan, who previously held two Michelin stars, has crafted a menu that is both inventive and authentic, drawing inspiration from Indian street food, and age-old family recipes. The restaurant boasts interiors with a bohemian vibe, featuring verdant greenery and delicate macrame. Order the chutney palette, shrimp vennai roast, Thattukada fried chicken, rasam poori, or Chettinad braised lamb shank, and you will not be disappointed! 

“We secured last-minute reservations to Copra and completely loved our experience. We ordered rasam poori, Black Cod pollichathu with ghee rice, and lamb shoulder chettinad with dosas. The Black Cod pollichathu with moilee was a 10/10 and the lamb shoulder chettinad and dosas were 8/10 for us,” added Kajri Akhtar, a movie producer. 

KAHANI / Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel

Kahani, Dana Point 

Located in the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point, California, Kahani serves traditional Indian dishes along with lip-smacking fusion plates such as corn and cardamom bisque, ajwain scallops, and saag lobster risotto. The restaurant’s interiors are elegant and vibrant, making it perfect for celebratory occasions. 

“At Kahani, chef Sanjay Rawat elevates authentic and familiar Indian dishes with the freshest, locally sourced Southern California produce. Think Californian dishes with an Indian touch. Don’t miss it on your next trip to Orange County!” remarked Sanjana Shah, an Orange County-based wedding planner. 

Besharam. / Besharam, San Francisco

Besharam, San Francisco 

Besharam offers creative takes on Indian cuisine, with a focus on Gujarati and vegetarian dishes. The dishes are packed with flavor and beautifully-plated. Some must-try dishes include the pav bhaji puff, drunken pani puri, kachori dumplings, dabeli paratha, and cheese garlic naan. They also offer a well-loved tasting menu.

“Besharam’s menu includes delicious Gujarati and Mumbai street food with a fun twist! Noteworthy highlights are the perfectly flaky pav bhaji puffs with the best bhaji filling I’ve had in San Francisco, and the shrikhand cheesecake, it tastes exactly what the name says, shrikhand in a cheesecake, it’s absolutely delicious!” remarked food blogger Bay Area Vegetarian.

Arth. / Arth

Arth Bar & Kitchen, Los Angeles 

Arth Bar & Kitchen serves Indian dishes that move beyond traditional presentations. Their goal is to provide a chic dining experience with an eclectic menu and refreshing cocktails. The restaurant features a lively ambiance with a full bar, a primary dining room, a side indoor patio, and a spacious al fresco patio. The interiors are minimalist with subtle nods to Indian culture. Menu highlights are the tikka tacos, Old Monk drunken wings, lamb truffle seekh kebab, and fish moilee. 

“It’s so great to have an Indian restaurant in my neighborhood that has a fun ambiance as well. I always recommend Arth to my Indian and non-Indian friends because the food is always spot on and they’re always hosting fun events. I’ve been to their Bollywood Brunch and Comedy Night and both were a blast,” concluded Chandni Shukla, a marketing manager.