Best Indian Restaurants in the Bay Area

1. Vik’s Chaat

   • $ - Vegetarian friendly - Berkeley

   • Vik’s is my single favorite Indian restaurant, and thus one of my favorite restaurants in the world. Until anyone else can show me a cholle bhatura that comes close to Vik’s’s, it’s keeping that title.

   • Be sure to order a dosa because their coconut and tomato chutneys are unparalleled.

   • The chaats aren’t quite as sumptuous as Rooh’s Dahi Puri, but the bhel chaat is spectacular, cheap, and surprisingly portable.

2. Amber

   • $$$ - Brunch and Lunch buffet options - Downtown SF

   • A controversial #2, but the butter chicken and palak chaat at Amber are as good as you’re likely to find anywhere.

   • This is the perfect place to grab lunch if you are at a conference in San Francisco or otherwise downtown during the day.

3. Aaha

   • $$ - Mission SF

   • This newcomer is also likely to draw skepticism, but Aaha is the real deal. Everything on the menu is done how I would hope for it to be done.

   • Great place to bring someone trying North Indian for the first time.

4. Keeva

   • $$ - Richmond District SF

   • Like Amber, also excels in Butter Chicken and Palak Chaat.

5. Madras Cafe

   • $ - Sunnyvale

   • There are many famously excellent South Indian restaurants in Sunnyvale, and I recommend trying all of them. But no one will fault you for starting the list at the deservedly popular Madras Cafe.

6. Desi Cafe

   • $$ - Inner Sunset SF

   • This neighborhood North Indian spot serves excellent food that runs hot. Mild here equates to medium elsewhere.

   • Be sure to get the chicken korma.