4. Restaurants

Chaat Cafe

1902 University Ave, Berkeley, CA, 94704
  • (510) 845-1431
  • Store is closed

Chaat Cafe Menu

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  • Kentaro F.

    I've been coming here for years for their Saag Chicken. Their Tikka Masala Rolls are also delicious. The place has a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy good healthy food at a reasonable price and free Internet access. With so many Indian restaurants in Berkeley, Chaat cafe distinguishes themselves with unique spices and twists to many of the staple Indian favorites.

    (5)

  • Yen D.

    I'd never seen an Indian chicken wrap before, but after coming here I wondered how that was possible. It's such a good idea! Chicken tikka masala, tomatoes, cucumbers, delicious sauce, all wrapped in their yummy warm naan! With the tasty spicy potato salad on the side and unusual but still good chai. You might not expect this, but I thought the chicken wrap was perfect hangover food =) And the whole thing was like $6. Yay It's one of those places where you order at the counter and they give you a little plastic number to put on your table and bring you your food.

    (4)

  • Nathan G.

    I used to eat lunch here every few weeks. Very informal cafe/restaurant with quick food service and delicious meals. I recommend the Tikka Masala Wrap, Chicken Tikka Masala entree, and a secret item I love to get: BUTTER CHICKEN CURRY (butter chicken is a delicious red curry that is sometimes offered as a special but if it isn't on the menu you can still ask for it and they will make it, try it!) also I like to order garlic naan with every curry

    (5)

  • Judy Y.

    I was never a fan of Indian food until Chaat Cafe. Where was this restaurant when I was in college and vehemently refusing to eat Indian food? Excellent things on the menu include: 1. Chicken Tikka Masala - the meal includes a deliciously spicy chicken masala, yummy curried veggies, basmati rice, and perfectly cooked naan, as well as lentil soup. A la carte only includes the masala, and rice/naan. (Get the meal!) 2. Samosas - perfectly crispy on the outside and yummy veggies and potatoes on the inside, comes with 2 dipping sauces. You can either order individual samosas, or order from the menu that comes with 2 samosas and chickpeas, or order the Samosa Chaat which is chopped up samosas in a very rich yogurty chutney sauce. Good: 1. Malai Kofta - this is slightly spicy vegetarian dish. Surprisingly tasty and don't forget about the naan! 2. Lassi - delicious and thick Indian smoothie. Very good for cleansing your palate and washing down the spiciness. Ok: 1. Tandoori Salmon - nice flavor, but much too dry. Since Tandoori is such a huge part of Indian cuisine, this should be good, but it did not impress or inspire me to order any other tandoori dish. Also, not a fan of their cucumber salad. Bad: 1. Paneer Vindaloo - disgusting. The spicy and sweet of this dish do not work at all. The 1st bite was disgusting and shocking, the 2nd bite was still gross, and the 3rd bite confirmed the horror of this dish on the palate. The rest went in the trash. Maybe this is an acquired taste, but I would never ever suggest this dish. The servers are all pretty nice. Water and utensils are self serve, which I didn't mind. They have some cool art/pictures on the walls and it doesn't smell heavily of incense, like some other places. The only thing to watch out for is eating too much Naan and not being able to walk out of the restaurant! I will definitely be back for more.

    (4)

  • Jay C.

    I was disappointed this place didn't have the Chicken Massala pizza so we had the Buttermilk Chicken instead. YUMMY! The naan was hot and melted in my mouth... Overall, two thumbs up!

    (4)

  • Vijay K.

    Between Udupi Palace and Chaat Cafe which are directly opposite each other, all my Indian food needs are satisfied. I prefer Chaat cafe for their North Indian non vegetarian fare over most of the other places in Berkeley (except possibly Kabana). I would recommend that for once, get over your butter chicken/tikka masala hang-up and try their Punjabi house curry Chicken/Lamb. That is the closest you can get in this area to the authentic home cooked north Indian style Chicken curry. It is absolutely delicious.

    (5)

  • Ralph C.

    My taste buds were singing by the time I finished my dinner at Chaat Cafe. This is a no frills Indian restaurant. You order at the counter and the food then gets delivered at your table but the quality and taste of the food is comparable to any fine dining Indian establishment. We started our meal with a samosa chaat. It's basically a samosa cut up in quarters with a delicious chaat sauce and garbanzo beans. For our entree we had chicken tandoori and catfish curry. Both dishes were servers with basmati rice, naan bread, lentil daal and succulent al dente peas. You can easily have a fantastic savory Indian dinner for under $15. A true value for delicious food!

    (5)

  • Kathleen M.

    Me and my boyfriend go here almost every other week its craaazy! But only because its the BEST indian food we've tried everrr. Our go-to appetizers are the samosa and paneer pakora, which are both to-die-for. The salmon is alright, wasn't too happy with it. But I love the veggie wrap, ooh and their garlic naan is super delicious..ah great now i'm craving their food now lol. If you're looking for hella good Indian food, please go here! :)

    (5)

  • Vanessa T.

    I love this place. I loved it so much I ate here twice in one week, and the second time, spilled curry on my favorite t-shirt. You must try their Boti (Lamb Chunks) Wrap. It is heavenly. The guy behind the counter recommended it to me and I ate all of it. The price is right too.

    (5)

  • Vika H.

    My favorite is the chicken wrap. Though at this location it's different and even smaller. The tikka masala is ok. I told them mild, it came out spicy as hell. For some reason the location in Fremont taste WAAAY better. One thing they do have in common is the patotoe salad even tho they give you one tiny scoop, it's so delicious. I'm going to have to do a separate rating for the one in Fremont cuz everything there for me is perfect. This location is more like a 2 & a half stars.

    (3)

  • Toni M.

    Alan and I have been together almost 30 years. This means we have many habits and patterns. Most of them are good. One that is not so good is that we tend to believe we know where we are going and so we sometimes don't prepare ourselves w/ maps, directions, phone numbers or even refreshed memories. We have Daphne, our GPS too, but more often than not she stays home. This lack of preparation has led to shouting and recriminations in the car. Last night we had a map to Jason's. Today we went in search of Vik's Chaat Corner. No map, no directions, no clue, just a distant and not very accurate memory. Needless to say, we drove around West Berkeley and didn't find it. We had several fallback plans, however, and no harsh words were exchanged or voices raised. It was an adventure. We checked out Brennan's but it was in the process of moving from their old building into the even older train station that has housed multiple restaurants. They reopen Tuesday. So we headed up to Chaat Cafe, which was part of the fallback plan. We found an odd, unmetered parking space up the block. If it was illegal the parking gods were smiling on us and we didn't get caught. The space that houses Chaat Cafe used to house Restaurante Venezia 25 years ago, before it and Caffe Venezia combined into the current location. This is the second time I've been here. We ordered the boti wrap, which is lamb wrapped in naan, today's special, the prawn curry and a small order of raita, all to split. The prawn curry was served w/ rice, slightly salty cucumbers and heavy, pillowy pieces of naan, plus a small bowl of daal. It was all succulent. The raita was nicely balanced and seasoned. The boti wrap was generously proportioned and tasty and the prawn curry rich and well seasoned. I had chai tea and Alan had water. Next time we go in search of Vik's we will go better prepared, but we were well fed here.

    (4)

  • Michael S.

    Even though I only give it 4 stars, the one dish that I always get there is by far the best Indian food I've ever had. It's all about the Chicken Curry Dinner! This meal, for only around $10 comes with either a lentil or split pea soup (depending on what they made that day), a fantastic, thick, fluffy, hot naan (without the standard burnt bottom), the chicken curry, rice and a vegetable side that I always switch for more rice so that the 'rice-to-curry' ratio is properly balanced. The naan dipped into the chicken curry sauce is amazing. The chicken is nice and natural too. It's not the juiced-up, hulk chicken you get at KFC. I really wish other Indian restaurants would take their good example of how to make naan. I'm always so disappointed when I get naan at other places after having theirs. One word of warning though, do not get their Chicken Vindaloo! It was so spicy that it was actually not possible for me to eat. I've choked down a lot of bad food for the sake of nourishment and not wanting to waste money, but this stuff actually induced pain! Unless you're someone who has sanded down your tongue with a rasp, you will not be prepared for the 'edible' sadism of their Vindaloo. Overall.... chicken curry dinner, naan....good...very good chicken vindaloo....bad...very bad.

    (4)

  • Lauren S.

    Yum!!! On our first trip the husband and I got wraps with their side of potato salad (ohhh spicy! not for the faint of heart!). The chicken was amazing and so, I hear, was the lamb. The only thing I didn't care for were the huge slices of onion in the chicken tandoori wrap. A lot of Indian restaurants seem to like to do that and I'm not sure why, it's so overwhelming!

    (4)

  • Brian H.

    Well I can praise them for a couple of things. You get a lot of food for your money here. And it's a fairly nice joint - it's not uncommon to dine at a total dive in Berkeley if ya feel me. The garlic naan was good and I thought it was a nice touch that my meal came with 4 pieces and a lentil soup on the side. But the food didn't really have any off the chart flavor to it. The rice was very subpar - there were some combos that didn't come with rice and now I see why. The tandoori chicken was okay - it was cut into cubes ('kabob' style) - but the flavor and tenderness were scarce. And the meat portions were a little skimpy. My fiancee had a sandwich wrap - which was just a fried piece of naan with stuff wrapped in it. And the naan was extremely greasy. Maybe there's something really good here but too many better options for Indian.

    (3)

  • Jessica L.

    I'm so torn on this review....I really liked the butter chicken I had. It was flavorful with a little sweetness, which was a nice twist on what I've typically found in butter chicken. The place appeared clean and bright and I left happy. Then, the next day, my butter chicken and I were reacquainted over and over and over again. I had stomach problems for the next two days. Nothing super serious, but enough to make me think twice about coming back....although the menu does look tempting... it takes a lot to teach me a lesson...

    (3)

  • Seema S.

    Good location -- central enough to allow for various going-ons after lunch or dinner, but also removed enough to get away from all of the UC Berkeley students. Offers a variety of traditional and non-traditional dishes. The food, it's good but not awesome. Yeah, I'm Indian, so perhaps I'm a tad picky. I'd still recommend trying it out because it might be your kind of place and it does offer a refreshing change.

    (3)

  • Andrew M.

    $5 lunch deals every week day?!The food is absolutely delicious, and at only $5 you would have to be crazy not to get lunch here at least once if you even remotely like Indian food.

    (5)

  • kimberly v.

    Paneer wraps, mmmn. Butter Chicken. Fish Pakora. Good portions. Maybe not as great as Vik's, but less out of the way, and comfy booths to boot. Definitely cheaper, and probably better, than the more "plate food" oriented places like Pasand and Khana Peena. Only complaint - there's a window onto the kitchen, and one of the tandoori guys is a total hound. If you're a woman between 12 and 72, he'll give you the major sex-eye, and in his case particularly, it's most unwelcome. Must have something to do with working with all that meat.

    (4)

  • T C.

    I love their naan and chicken tikka masala. Mostly love their naan.

    (4)

  • Andrew K.

    My CTM "dinner" was a HUGE portion and actually had some spice to it. The daal tasted a little strange, though it was the right consistency.

    (3)

  • Hella Stella Y.

    Mmmmmmmm. In heaven with the chaat samosa. A meal in itself.

    (4)

  • Heather J.

    I lived by Chaat Cafe for 1.5 years, and I suspect about 1/3 of my weight gain at that apartment was from the delicious curries and wraps here. I mean, who can resist a naan-curry burrito?? Everyone that I've taken here loves it. They just have the most flavorful curries. My favorites include the Boti wrap, the Saag curry with paneer, and the Aachari curry with lamb. I really cannot say enough about the Aachari. This curry is AWESOME. If you've never tried it, you definitely should give it a try. And I've never found it anywhere else where it has been so flavorful and delicious. Another word to the wise...if they ask cucumber salad or potato salad, definitely ask for the potato salad!

    (5)

  • Natassia S.

    I just tried to get the $5 lunch special here, but they claimed it was only for students even though it doesn't say that in their special deal list on here. LIES!

    (2)

  • Stephanie N.

    The chicken tikka masala was SO GOOD arguably the best that I've had in Berkeley- or anywhere for that matter. I came here on a search for butter chicken and didn't see it on the menu, but I think its a daily special on Thursday. I was really disappointed, but then I got the chicken tikka masala and I forgot about my disappointment! We ordered an appetizer too that came with some bombass chutney! The naan is also pretty good and the interior is pleasant. But realistically, the 5 stars goes to that chicken tikka masala. MMMmMmm..

    (5)

  • Pedrum M.

    The Chicken Tikka was especially good. The Samosas were pretty good, though I wish they were a bit crispier on the outside. The sauces (mint and tamarind) were great for dipping. It was a little pricey as a single diner (compared to the Indian places I used to frequent in Jersey) but I would go again. Also, I kept confusing this with Udupi Cafe across the street. Don't make that mistake!

    (4)

  • Kate H.

    Food is okay. Atmosphere is sometimes lacking. It very busy sometimes and could be kept a little neater. They do have some interesting fusion of Indian and western food like wraps, pizzas and Caesar Salad.

    (3)

  • Angel S.

    CC is a pretty good place with tasty, fresh tasting curries, crispy samosas, and warm naan. All selections are above average, but I don't remember being blown out of the water, especially considering the number of Indian food places in Berkeley. Three stars might be too harsh, this place is a strong candidate for an upgrade after my next visit.

    (3)

  • Joe J.

    I like this place. I go often for the tandoori chicken wraps.

    (4)

  • K H.

    5 stars just based on the deliciousness of their Desi Chicken Wrap, which I'm having for the first time now. I expected the chicken to be kind of dry, but it's very juicy and tender. It's got the perfect amount of spiciness. There are a few bits of veggies mixed in, too, bell peppers, I think. And soft, delicious naan to wrap it up. I've also had their fish wrap and curries, which were good, but not super duper awesome. The lentil soup that comes with their curries (if you get the dinner option)is pretty good; I think it's called sambar. I like it better than the sambar at Vik's. More flavorful and thick, less tangy.

    (5)

  • Carlotta V.

    THE CHAAT SALAD IS SO DOPE! Tandoori chicken AND tamarind dressing AND papadum bits AND chickpea noodles (kind of like crispy sesame noodles)? SPICY, PROTEINY, AND WORTH $8.

    (5)

  • Fatty A.

    I just want to call this place SHIAAAAAAT cafe. I don't know why. Portions here are fairly small and fairly expensive for what you get. I was not a fan of the cold yogurt appetizer with beans and some fried skin. The cold yogurt with the soggy texture of the fried skin pieces made me feel dirty. The thought of them tossing it with their hands made me nauseous. YummAY! The chicken tikka masala was good but nothing I can't get at Naan and Curry. The skinny cow is not allowed to choose place to eat anymore.

    (3)

  • Adaku T.

    The other night after work when I was really hungry I went to Chaat Cafe and ordered a Cholle Bhature And though my bhature were not as large as those I've previously seen It arrived quickly and went well with the garbanzo beans Admittedly one thing I didn't like was that my bhature were oily and the flour was white (Aren't bhature supposed to be made with wheat flour?) I also had a dhal and my waiter was quite aggreable and when the check came the price was very reasonable The restaurant was clean and decorative without being overly ambitious And I'll definitely come back because the food was delicious = )

    (4)

  • Dave J.

    Seekh Kababs at this place are unreal. I have not had such flavorful Kebab since I was in India. The Naan is perfect, and curries delicious as well.

    (5)

  • Kersten A.

    Yum. It's a good place that I wouldn't usually review because it has a million reviews already. But I can't sleep. So here we go. I did a takeout order today and ordered the Paneer Tikka Masala dinner, which comes with palak paneer, daal, naan, and rice. All for $9.99. Their Paneer Tikka Masala was pretty good. It could have been creamier, but decent nonetheless. The Palak Paneer, however, was bitter. I didn't like it at all. It's sitting in the take-out box, uneaten, in my fridge as I write this. It will probably remain there until it starts to smell. Then I'll throw it out. The rest of the dinner - naan, rice, and daal weren't spectacular but all good. It's a nice place to stop for a quick bite. Large portions, too. I could have easily shared the dinner with another person.

    (3)

  • Jack C.

    Cafe style eatery in a convenient location on University St., "Chaat Cafe" provides the rudimentary taste of Indian cuisine. Compared to other Indian restaurants in the area, I believe this place is overpriced. For the same amount of money, Vick's Chaat offers me great selection of authentic taste. Although I do recommend getting the tamarind samosa pizza dish. That was soo delicious; explosion of flavors in my mouth.

    (3)

  • Brian W.

    An inexpensive, chain restaurant has no right serving food this delicious! It's my new go-to place for Indian.

    (4)

  • Jessica W.

    If you check my reviews, you'll see that I've been MIA for almost a year - nothing really inspired me to Yelp until Chaat Cafe came along. The food is excellent! I am not a connaisseur of Indian food, but I have been to places ranging from Naan 'n' Curry ("no utensils available, sorry!") to Vik's (tour bus outside on Saturdays) to Amber India (your fancy Palo Alto take-your-parents place). Chaat Cafe seriously has the best food of any Indian place I have been. And the prices are cheap, though not dirt cheap to make you question the quality. What we ordered: Papri Chaat - a sweet and savory mix of crunchy, yogurty goodness Aloo Naan- the best naan I have ever had, stuffed to the brim with soft potato Paneer Tikka Masala- the paneer at Chaat Cafe made me think the paneer at other places was made of rubber...it was so soft and fresh! Sweet Lassi - YUM! The ambiance: Great for a place with "cafe" in the name. There are comfy bench seats, and everything is clean and simple. No frills; it's just basic and pleasant. I can't wait to go back again. My only complaint is that Chaat Cafe isn't right on my block!

    (5)

  • Vijay D.

    This place is awesome. Abundant food that's moderately priced. The samosas are perfect and the naans are excellent. The tandoori wraps are also excellent. Great place for dinner as well as lunch.

    (4)

  • Sharon R.

    I wish I had this restaurant in my hood, because I would go at least once a week. Since I don't live in the area, Chaat Cafe is reserved for when I am visiting my friends who live a few blocks away or when I am passing through the area on an errand. Chaat Cafe isn't what I think of as a destination restaurant that I would travel great distances to get to for the sole purpose of eating there, though it may have happened once or twice when the craving was strong. The boti wrap is amazing with succulent lamb cubes/strips in a bright and savory sauce hugged together by naan. All wraps include either cucumber salad or spicy potato salad, both are fine. The entrees are served ala carte or as a complete meal with rice, naan, veggie of the day and daal. The veggie korma, when it's on the menu, is really excellent and hearty. And the chicken tika masala is done properly. Samosas here are great and served with chickpea chutney in addition to the standard green and red sauces. And I've enjoyed the less sauce-intensive options like the tandoori kebabs. The beer selection is also very decent for such a small place. There is something about the Chaat Cafe that makes it different and slightly better than many of the other area chaat restaurants.

    (4)

  • andrea c.

    When i'm not in the mood to spend hours making paneer from scratch, this is an awesome alternative to grab a quick wrap on the go. The food is great and phoned in orders are ready (usually) within 15 minutes making it perfect to stop by on the way home after a long day and pick up something to go (especially if you call it in earlier). Parking is nearly impossible at any time. I usually look on University WEST of MLK.

    (4)

  • Sunny J.

    Been eating at Chaat Cafe regularly for the past decade and it never fails to hit the spot. My favorites are the butter chicken (the absolute best version I've tried outside of India), the spicy seekh kabob wrap and the samosa chaat. They have a variety of naan, always served hot and fresh. It's an older building, but the owners do a great job of keeping it clean. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is very casual. Great neighborhood restaurant.

    (5)

  • Linda P.

    Good food, relaxed place. Always like their samosa chaat and papri chaat. Centrally-located and close to Shattuck theaters. Nice place to grab a bite before a movie. Fairly quick service (order and pay at the counter, they bring it to table).

    (4)

  • Elon B.

    I've eaten here a lot and always thought is was good, but have decided to stop going. I just tried a Pakistani wrap place that so kicked Chaat's ass that I can't keep going. (See my review for Sam's Cafe Kabob.) On the plus side, Chaat is fairly cheap and fairly healthy. And it's almost quick. But the flavor is kinda boring (I now realize) and the weird mango "ice cream" dessert leaves a lot to be desired. I think I'd only go back here if Sam's Cafe Kabob was closed.

    (3)

  • Jasmine W.

    i've past this spot for the past 8 years and hadn't gone in until today. it's a lot more spacious and nicely decorated than it appears from the outside. open window to watch the chef make the naans, you order at the counter, find yourself a seat, and the food comes out in a few minutes. we tried the chicken naan wrap... the naan was warm and fresh, the chicken was marinated well, and it came with a helping of indian style potato salad. forrest y. and i shared the wrap as a perfect snack, but i don't know if the dish would be enough for me for lunch. cute spot, ok service, decent food... i'd come back. :)

    (3)

  • Jessica G.

    Really disappointed. Not sure if they've gone downhill or it was an off night. Years ago before they raised all their prices due to popularity, I would have given it 5 stars. But now...special veggie curry was moosh. Rice was watery. Brown rice tasted like the bag it came in. Chicken curry tasted reheated and a day too late. Special mixed tandoori not appetizing, tasted bland and not fresh. Naan too thick. But the garlic naan was good, that was the one good thing besides tuttie frutti kulfi ice cream and mango lassi. Oh, and $3.50 for galub jamun? I don't think so.

    (1)

  • La C.

    Awesome food! I am not an Indian food expert but this food is delicious, fresh and filling. Our company has an annual picnic and we had catered BBQ (other place) and Indian food today from this place. Hands down the best chicken curry, chutney and garlic naan I've ever tasted. Food was delivered pipping hot and was so hard to stop eating. I also tasted the cucumber salad and potato salad, very tasty. We had many more items but once I tried the curry chicken I was hooked. So glad to find out they are located in Berkeley because I will be back! YUM!!

    (5)

  • Lauren A.

    I've been eating here since back in the day, before their prices were higher, but nonetheless, their prices still remain reasonable. Their ala cart Chicken Curry is amazing, it comes with naan, lentils, sag paneer, and rice for about 10 bucks or so. They have a whole assortment of weird beverages and desserts that rock also. I recommend either the Chicken Wrap or the Chicken Sandwich (both come with your choice of cucumber salad or spicy potato salad- get the potato salad!). I've brought a ton of veggies over here, and they all love the food. I don't think you can go wrong here. I brought my hipster friend here and he loved it; i brought my mother here and she loved it. Its a damn good place for some damn good (and fast) food. A+.

    (4)

  • Adam V.

    Absolutely delicious food and good service, along with a very pleasant, clean, and enjoyable dining atmosphere. This is a great place to grab a quick bite, to take a friend for lunch, or even have a casual date! I love it. Convenient location and affordable prices make this a five star establishment as far as I am concerned. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Melissa L.

    The chicken tikka masala was amazing. If licking the plate was socially acceptable, I would have done so. And liked it. I also loved the atmosphere of this place- it has a total Berkeley vibe!

    (5)

  • Vivian T.

    I had the chicken tikka masala dinner plate here for lunch, and it was so good and quick and easy that sometimes I find myself salivating when I am passing the University exit on the 80. Maybe it was because I ate there after going on a very very long bike ride, but I found my meal filling, well spiced and not too rich or greasy. Of course you will not get any "service" here because all you do is order at the counter and park your ass with a number. The portions are much larger than Naan and Curry and the food is much much better and the prices are comparable.

    (4)

  • Arthur W.

    And here I thought after finding Vik's my search for a place I could regularly go to for Indian food was over. I was wrong. I've always avoided this place because of the chain-like look and feel, however after getting highly recommended by a coworker I decided to try it. This place did not disappoint. The bhatura and aloo tikki plates were really good, not as much grease as I had anticipated which is a plus. The wraps are a delight, and most of the menu here is served daily except for the daily specials, which is a huge plus. The only thing that drags this place down a little is the staff - very straight and to the point, which is fine, but there are places like Tandoori kitchen on Telegraph and Vik's on Allston where the cashiers and people giving you your food are really nice and accomodating. This isn't a must for a high score but for me positive vibes in any area of life gives a person/place/thing extra points in my book

    (4)

  • Ben A.

    A solid "eh". My lamb saag was good enough, but it struck out on the dishes that were the reason we chose to come -- the naan wraps. The paneer wrap had too much of this vinegar thing on it, which is too bad because the potatoes and paneer themselves were very good. The tikka masala wrap should be made with naan but is not, and it's much smaller than it should be (am I wrong to imagine that the wraps should be something like a small burrito?). And for $6.99, these guys are no bargain. Bottom line: I'd rather go to Naan & Curry (which I don't exactly love) and make my own wrap.

    (2)

  • Brandon M.

    The owner of the restaurant contacted me and actually said they noted all the reviews and will change things. Besides, my friend really like this place and probably this review will be taken down by me. Also, I think they have more 4-5 stars than my two that I gave them. I must have caught them on a bad night, however, the way they responded to my negative rating was all positive.

    (5)

  • Allen Y.

    This place has quality food at moderate prices. I love this place when I get a craving for indian food. I usually get the chicken tiki masala with a big Taj Mahal. The garlic naan is bomb too. That hits the spot!

    (4)

  • Maurice M.

    Good atmosphere, decent prices, and tasty food. Enjoyed my time there, though they were a bit slow to bus tables. It was still a lot cleaner than most places I've been to. Pretty good beers as well.

    (4)

  • Gerald C.

    Kind of weird sit-down Indian restaurant that tries to be a little more modern. You order your meal at the cashier first, pay, and then they give you a number, and bring your meal to you. So we ordered and then went and sat down. As it happened they mixed up our orders, but we eventually sorted it out. I had ordered the Chicken Plate (Tandoori chicken leg and thigh, naan and cucumber salad) and a sweet lassi for about $8 and change. The chicken was excellent - tangy and juicy. Only wish there was more! Naan was good too, warm and ever so slightly sweet. The cucumber salad was chopped up into small squares of cucumber. Sweet lassi is actually not very sweet - about as sweet as plain yogurt. I'm not sure if one is supposed to add sugar or what. There were sugar packets at the table fortunately, so, maybe I am supposed to. I think I'll just go for the mango lassi next time though.

    (3)

  • Melissa Y.

    Really some of the best chicken tikka masala I've had in a long time. Tried a bunch of veggie stuff too - only the dal wasn't my favorite. It was way too spicy for me. The veggie korma was awesome. We also had something that resembled a veggie meatball but I can't remember what it was called. The pesto/garlic naan was something I'd never eaten before but it was really tasty. This place sits somewhere between 3 and 4 stars but I pushed it over to 4 stars cause it was quick, cheap, and tasty. Also local musician Kai Eckhardt walked in while we were eating dinner. :)

    (4)

  • Valerie D.

    I order a chicken wrap.... it was tasty, not excellent, but good. I'll be back for lunch specials.

    (3)

  • Tempe M.

    This place is great. The atmosphere is very minimal, and the restaurant tends to be a bit chilly, but the service is quick and I have yet to eat anything there that doesn't taste great. The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is because they're a bit inconsistent. Every time I go there (and I do mean EVERY time) I order the Malai Kofta Curry. The dish has 3 "meatballs" floating in a mouth watering sauce. In the beginning, maybe a year or so ago, the curry was yellowish. Lately when I go, the curry has a different flavor and you can taste the strong tomato base that they are using. They will even tell you that they changed the sauce to the tomato base, but for the life of me, I can't get them to make it with the original sauce. It's not that they don't try. The interaction goes something like this: Me - I'll have the Malai Kofta Curry. Them - Malai Kofta Curry? Me - Yes, but when I used to come here we got it with a yellow sauce. I think it's onion based. Can I get it with that? Them - Malai Kofta Curry? Me - Yes, but not with the tomato based sauce. Them - No tomato base? Me- Yes, the yellow one please. Them - No tomato? Me - Right, can you do it? Them - Let me check. At this point the girl will disappear into the kitchen and return 30 seconds later. Them - Okay, we can do it. Me - Great. The yellow one? Them - Okay, anything else? Anyway... At this point I walk away thinking that I finally am going to have the delicious yellow curry I've been craving all day, but when the dish arrives, yep, you guessed it. Tomato base. I did go there one time with a larger group and we ordered the Paneer Tikka Masala and I think that might have the yellow curry I'm looking for. So next time I'll try a different route: Me - Can I get the Paneer Tikka Masala, but can I get the meatballs from the Malai Kofta Curry instead of the cheese? I'll let you know how it turns out... **UPDATE** Sooo... Last week we went into Chaat and we figured it out. I tried my new theory and asked for the Tikka Masala with the meatballs. No dice. Apparently the cheese is already in the Tikka Masala. So we tried to explain the situation again and this is what the guy told us: Him - "Oh, yes, long time ago we made it with different sauce" Me - "Right, the yellow sauce" Him - "Yes, but (unintelligible word that sounds like Bak) tell us that white people don't like spicy so we change the sauce" Me - (Trying not to die of laughter) "Oh, well tell him that he was wrong, we loved that sauce!!" So there you go. Once again white people are the source of the problem... The moral of the story is everything here is delicious, whether it's yellor or red, in the future I'm not going to discriminate.

    (4)

  • Stephanie S.

    Love this place. Whoever had the idea of wrapping Indian food in naan and selling it as fast food was brilliant. The Paneer wrap is awesome. And they have a liquor license, what more could you ask?

    (4)

  • Myrrhia R.

    Chicken Tikka Masala and the Malai Kofta are the best I've had in the East Bay. My favorite Indian restaurant.

    (5)

  • Pamela T.

    I, and almost everyone else I knew, used to love Chaat Cafe. Best butter chicken I'd ever had (I don't think it's on the menu, but you can ask for it). My friend went away to college, and this was the first place he'd go when he was visiting. The woman at the counter was always lovely and friendly, the food was terrific, the mango lassi was fresh. But something must have changed within the last year or so. The last few times I've been there, the food (and service) has gotten progressively worse. There's someone new at the register who is very rarely polite, and the food has gotten nearly abysmal. It's depressing -- this is the best Indian restaurant I'd found. The most recent time I went, it actually made me sick. I don't know if I'll be returning. But for the sake of their business, I hope things go back to the way they were.

    (2)

  • sara p.

    Good food. Carefully prepared. You know what you're getting and it is always great. Lunch specials are fab, dinner specials are fab. A la carte dishes are awesome. Pricing is decent. Service? *whinge* For some reason, me an' the BF can never elicit good service from the folks here, when we go for dinner. We're polite, we know what we're ordering, the person at the register inputs our order and money changes hands, everything's copacetic. It took the BF a half hour to get his dinner the last time we went there, and from what I could determine, we were one of three dining parties in the whole place initially. Folks starting coming in about ten minutes after we ordered. My dish showed up a full twenty minutes before his did. Part of the experience of dining out with your friends or SO or whomever is the pleasure of dining at the same time. I try a bite of yours, you try a bit of mine, tra la la everyone's happy. We showed up at the same time, and were obviously together. He gave me his input on what he wanted and I ordered for both of us, up at the register where the nice person takes your order. Maybe it was a freak thing. Maybe the fellow in the kitchen assembling dinner for us didn't realize the plates oughta be served at the same time, or something. Customers who ordered and sat down some time after we did got their food before BF did, and it was the same food as he ordered. I dunno. Three separate dinner dates now, and it is usually some variation on the above. Maybe they just don't like us?

    (2)

  • Kelly M.

    I've never actually been *in* Chaat Cafe, as my fiance always gets take out for us. (I LOVE BERKELEY AND TAKEOUT!) I've attempted a few things off their menu, and have learned through trial and error that the only thing to get here is the Chicken Tikka Masala Wraps (um according to the menu, they're actually called "Tikka Masala Rolls"). Anyway, I like to experiment, so I've started ordering appetizers, they seem pretty safe. Last time I got the Samosas and they were pretty darn good. The boy always gets a Mango Lassi too, and it's always lukewarm and kinda ucky (compared to how I have always gotten mango lassi's elsewhere). He digs them, so I can't say. Their actual entrees are sad and when I got one I ended up trying to get the boy to give me his rolls instead... totally didn't work. Oh, and unless you like cucumbers + vinegar (their "cucumber salad") get the spicy potato salad for the side - this stuff is AWESOME. It's like a small dollop of wacky picnic salad. Like your aunt got a little sauced when making the salad for the reunion and forgot what she was doing. :)

    (3)

  • Jon E.

    You can go two directions with this place: Get a typical Indian dish, or get it wrapped in a naan. The Indian dishes themselves are totally fine, I've had the chicken tikka masala multiple times and it always hits the spot. But the wraps are just kinda bland. Too much Naan? I don't know, but the flavor truck definitely missed its stop somewhere along the way. I used to live three blocks from this place, and I ate here at least once a week. No problems whatsoever. But if I wasn't so lazy, I'd definitely go to some of the Indian restaurants in West Berkeley. Or if I'm more adventurous: Naan n' Curry, Pakwan and Shalimar in San Francisco kick this place's butt.

    (4)

  • Jessica O.

    If you ask me, this is the best Indian food in SF or the East Bay. However, this one isn't as good as the one in SF. The service is kind of weird- you have to order and then they bring it to you. I don't have a problem with that, but it's not as nice as the other one where they take your order. Also, they have a $5 minimum for credit cards, which is fine- however, I ordered my food and then came back to add a diet coke, and wouldn't take my card for the coke because it was under $5. HELLO? I just spent $40 five minutes ago! Think outside the box, people. To give them credit, about 10 minutes later they brought me the Diet Coke and said I could pay on my way out, but it was kind of embarrassing earlier at the counter. Then, when I went to pay for the Coke, she tried to give me a hard time again. Uh.. what the ding dang devil? Anyway, the food is really good so I'd come back again. Maybe I'd bring cash next time, though.

    (4)

  • Alesha C.

    Chaat Cafe is so yummy I can't say enough good things about it. The best Indian food I've ever had. Two thumbs up. I recommend the Chicken Tikka Masala, Keema naan, and any of their yummy wraps. I've also never had better naan anywhere else. Their naan bread is always fresh, fluffy and soft, not desiccated and crackly like some other Indian restaurants. Serious comfort food here, yum!

    (5)

  • Jennifer P.

    Fabulous. Why haven't I been there in all these years I've lived in Berkeley? I got the vegetable wrap with the cucumber salad. I tried my husband's potato salad and it was too spicy for me. I give it 4 stars instead of 5 because they were slow to clear tables; even though there were booths available, we couldn't sit there because they were dirty.

    (4)

  • Laura T.

    The Tika Masala Dinner is to die for. For $10 you get chicken and sauce, rice, naan, and the veggie of the day! I have never once been disappointed. This place is FABULOUS. Make sure to grab a frozen dessert on the way out, they are YUMMY.

    (5)

  • brian c.

    Nothing but praise for Chaat. Absolutely yummy. One Chaat cafe is just as great as any other I've discovered. My favorite dish is Tikka Masala Chicken.

    (4)

  • S K.

    Just as good as the location in SF. We got the chicken wrap and spicy kebob wrap as well as the samosa. Samosa came with a chickpea thing which i so want to learn how to make because it's delicious. The samosas were good, not too oily and the chutneys were spicy and sweet, just like i wanted. And the wraps...oh the naan was warm and soft. How do they do it? it's warm and soft no matter when you order, it's crazy. Anyway, the prices you pay for the food you get and the quality of the food is soooo good. Get the sweet lassi to balance the spicy-ness. if i was in Berkeley again i'd eat here.

    (4)

  • Lilia W.

    I lived on top of Chaat Cafe for a year, and have often clambered downstairs in hunger-induced excursions. I stopped going after 3 or 4 times because the food just wasn't good. Even for a lethargic and starving student who has been studying for hours. I usually just got the daily special, which included the chicken and lamb. Maybe since they make it early in the day, it just doesn't taste super fresh and appetizing by the time I eat dinner. Eventually the lamb was taken off the menu. This and the price increase gave me no reason at all to go again. I'd rather go across the street to Plearn Thai or walk a few more blocks downtown. Two stars because of the free WiFi, which I could receive in my apartment :D.

    (2)

  • Scott S.

    **Please note, new ownership has taken over this restuarant since I wrote the review below. I have not been back since but want to throw in this footnote. With new ownership, it is very possible that this place may have drastically improved. However, below is what I experienced at Chaat Cafe back in 2007** Located at the major intersection of Martin Luther King Blvd & University diagonally across from Kragens, I would recommend choosing one of the many other restaurants in the neighborhood over this one. Technically, I would give this place a 1.5 if I could but can't quite bring myself to round it up to a 2. First off, for the good - The atmosphere is very clean and comfortable for a fast food style restaurant. There are booths available to sit in once you place your order by the register. The help was also nice. Now for the bad - I highly recommend getting a veggie dish when you come here. My chicken dish was just filled with cartilage. The quality of their meat is highly questionable to the point that I would seriously speculate that high quality dog foods offer a higher grade of meat. To add insult to injuring, my fast food meal and soda came to just over $10. That is a awful lot to pay for at a fast food restaurant for low quality food.

    (1)

  • Stephen H.

    Above average. I usually go for their wraps, the Chicken wrap or the veggie wrap. Their naan is warm, fresh and thick! Their spicy potato salad is not to be missed! Don't let them swindle you by substituting the cucumber salad, it is no substitute for the potato salad.

    (4)

  • Sarah L.

    I'm going to go ahead and give Chaat Cafe five stars. This place has consistently kept me fed and happy on so many nights that I was too lazy to cook for myself or when I just needed something smothered in amazing tamarind or mint chutney. While there may be better Indian food in the bay, Chaat delivers a cheap and filling meal. A vegi wrap that sets you back 5 bucks is a really big dinner or two lunches. The chicken desi wrap (5.49) is also tasty. The gobi naan is super yummy. I love the pani puri and also anything involving paneer (fried, in a wrap, or saag style). On a whim I tried the spinach and grilled paneer salad--very good although the dressing's a bit too sweet for me. The mixed tandoori grill (a newer item) at 12.99 is priciest item on the menu, but will easily feed two hungry carnivores if you add a few chaat to the order. A great way to fill up on 5 bucks is to get an order of samosa chaat, two samosa smothered in yogurt, chutney and garbanzos. The mango lassi ($2) is also a great treat, especially if you've ordered something that is spicy-hot! I love Chaat Cafe for their consistent food and excellent value! Sure, a dinner plate will run 8-10 bucks, but the amount of food you get will last to tomorrow's lunchtime.

    (5)

  • s m.

    I'm a vegetarian so "flavor" isn't an everyday part of my life. BUT I had the veggie wrap from Chaat and WOWWW! So much flavor, so filling and so reasonable. I crave it all the time and honestly my meat-lover friends have tried the veggie and agree. FULL of flavor! Yummyyyyy!

    (5)

  • Kristy O.

    I've always been curious about this place but since Udupi Palace (which is across the street) is one of my favorites I was reluctant to come here when in the neighborhood. Recently a friend brought me to Chaat Cafe and I'm glad he did! Wow, the food is absolutely perfect in taste and you get a lot of it. I ordered the tikka plate and it came with lots of rice, naan, a delicious pea/paneer curry, dal and refreshing diced cucumber. The amount of sizzling chicken was generous. My friend got the butter chicken, extra spicy (which came with all of the above except the cucumbers). It was velvety with a tang of citrus. Get this if you like saucy things. I think each meal was something like $10-$11. I can't believe it was practically deserted inside! This is the best deal on Indian food short of a buffet. It's possible it's under new management. The guys at the counter all seemed young and a bit confused by the register, like they were just learning the ropes. However, they definitely know what they are doing in the kitchen!

    (5)

  • Anil N.

    I went to chat cafe today an ordered chicken tikka plate and desi chicken biriyani food was too good and staff are very Coustmer friendly I like the atmosphere I love the music that they play Simply in one word best Indian restaurant in Berkeley down town

    (5)

  • David N.

    The Family Dinner, $29.99! A once a week stop to carry out! 4 Samosas or Aloo Tikkis (4 Samosas, please). Your choice of 2 Curries (Lamb Curry +$1 & Chicken Tikka Marsala), 2 Plain Naan, Basmati Rice, Vegetable of the Day & Cholay. I place the order, cross the street to Trader Joe's on a liquor run and upon my return, the order is ready to go! My son and I get at least two meals from one order. A single father's dream. Cash or Visa. No Amex.

    (4)

  • S R.

    I love Chaat Cafe and have lost track of how many visits we've made to this neighborhood joint! See, I grew up in the East Bay, and my touchstones were Vik's, Milan, and back in the day, Maharani. My parents would buy shingara (samosas) and other Indian grocery staples, but we never went out for Indian fast/casual food. So- despite the overwhelming popularity of Vik's- I've never really thought of it as a go-to spot for a meal. Anwyay, despite all the Berkeley schooling, Chaat Cafe never registered on my radar until I started dating the guy who I'd eventually marry. He is friendly with one of the chefs, who is Bangladeshi, and was always a fan. I instantly became one too; Chaat Cafe is both our "special date night but on the cheap" spot as well as "we're in the neighborhood and kinda hungry and don't want to drive 1 mile home to see what's in the fridge" place. We always order some selection of the wraps, and they're always yummy: Boti wrap (well, until I stopped eating red meat) Tandoori chicken wrap Desi chicken wrap Salmon wrap Before we discovered willpower (what's the point of all that YMCA-ing if we eat more calories than we burned), we would also occasionally order samosa chaat, dahi vada, and/or mango lassi. The flavors are right on and the prices are friendly. I'm too chicken (mmm, chicken) to eat street food in India, so I don't have a ready comparison. All I know is that I always enjoy Chaat Cafe's wraps. Most of the time, I try to remember portion control, and eat only half of the wrap ... but that just means I get to finish the rest later and prolong the tasty meal. Service is fast, and we usually get to see the chef and share a smile. I always like looking at the photographs on the walls (of Indian street scenery), and though I don't read the "India West" newspaper, it gives me a feeling of solidarity with, you know, the diaspora, to see the stacks of papers and the freezers of kulfi. Indian comfort food. Solid. Take a break from Vik's and give this place a shot. I think you'll like it.

    (5)

  • Wan Wan L.

    I don't understand why this place is not popular. The quality of the food here is surprisingly good and delicious! I walked in around 5pm and was hoping to get some early dinner. The system is that you order first at the cashier and then you choose where you want to sit. The server was very friendly and gave a lot of suggestions. There are a lot of seatings inside so I sat one table beside the window. I ordered a Chicken Tikka plate with rice and cucumbers (~$10). The wait time was about 20 minutes so I felt a bit impatient about my food. But when they served it to me, the the chicken bites were still sizzling on the plate and steaming off heat! You can tell that it's made just now, and the naan smells warm and soft like it just came out of the oven. Now judging the taste. One word: Appetizing! The chicken was so juicy and flavorful. The moment I took a bite I felt so energized and excited about the rest of the evening! The naan also tasted amazing! Very soft and chewy and garlic-y. It also has some fresh herbs on it so it was just very balanced and flavorful. Loved this place! Definitely will come back here if I have indian cravings (quite often actually)!

    (5)

  • Alessandro B.

    Even if last time it was a disappointing experience, we gave this restaurant another chance, and this time they got it right. Food was back to what it used to be and we enjoyed our dinner. Pick up was on-time. I am updating back to 4 stars as it was in my original review.

    (4)

  • Betty S.

    I am not a chaat expert, but I walk by here often and there are several locations in the Bay Area, so I decided to give it a try...Eehhh, if I'm looking for heavy comfort food, I might come here again, but I probably shouldn't.... My friend and I shared the papri chaat (yuck) and Chicken Tikka Masala Rolls (way too yummy for my own good!). It's not often that I have such polarizing reactions to a meal- let me try to explain. Papri chaat just isn't my thing. Chip things with goopy yogurt and tamarind sauce, with garbonzo beans. It was cold. We both weren't expecting that. Didn't finish it. And we both love yogurt and tamarind sauces...and chips with sauce in general...not sure why we didn't like this. Now the Chicken Tikka Masala rolls....these were heavy, indulgent, comforting, and very very yummy. Think of a fried flatbread ('bhatura', all fried and greasy) with creamy chicken tikka masala in it...you get two wrapped in tin foil (perfect for sharing), for $7.99, which was kinda pricey for just a few bites. But honestly, I couldn't/shouldn't eat more than one of these things... On the plus: plenty of seating, with a clean fast food-type feel....the food was cooked to order and their website says they like to source organically grown veggies when it's in season (how often that works out, I dunno).

    (3)

  • Lucy F.

    This place used to be one of my favorite places to grab quick and delicious indian food but it's not the same place anymore. Unfortunately the prices have increased and it doesn't match the quality of food. Pros: Quick Butter chicken (dinner) is delicious ($9) Cons: The wraps used to be about $5 and the size was ok for this price but now they are charging $7-8 and there's less meat, no grilled onions, and it's a small wrap. The food overall doesn't taste as fresh and tasty as it was before.

    (2)

  • Varun S.

    Thoroughly dissapointed with the place. The ambience is average. I ordered the desi chicken roll, paneer roll and papdi chat. Chicken Roll - Was slightly chewy. Paneer Roll - Had potatoes. And was sweet Papdi chat - Had no green chutney. I can say the flavors did not resemble authentic indian food.

    (2)

  • Ryan Y.

    I ordered the Tika Masala and received 6 pieces of chicken meat from a skewer, much less than the picture on this site. Same story as John M. I'm also feeling food poisoned. I tried this again because the chicken wrap I had a few weeks ago was great. Too bad.

    (1)

  • John M.

    Sooooooo disappointed with what was once my Berkeley Indian food staple. Check out your curries and bowls. Third time in as many visits the past 2 month where they had sparingly included meat on a meat, curry dish. It has been basically a bowl of sauce for the Lamb, Chicken masala and curries. Spotted maybe six 1/4-inch shreds or partial cubes of meat. So sad that this is how they would resort to increasing their margins. Never. Going. Back.

    (1)

  • S J.

    Dal makhni was ordered and I received something else. When I asked them I was informed that it was indeed dal makhni but since I know better I aksed for the manager and I was then informed that it was a printing mistake and that they dont serve dal makhni! Chicken tikka was 2/10 and spicy seekh kabab wrap was 1/10. Not exaggerating btw!

    (1)

  • Vikrant S.

    Yesterday I ordered Dal Makhani; Basmati Rice and one Naan, there were two guys once serving and another one taking order, he deducted the $10.39 immediately and told me to sit, then after few minutes another guy come with the order and I was shocked to see that instead of Dal Makhani he gave me Yellow chana dal and told me this is the only Daal we are serving, if you go to some other restaurants will will find good deals but this is.. I am surprised being an Punjabi and North Indian they make fool of me and he was also saying Sir this is the Dal Makhani..I mean whole life I am eating that Dal Makhani and he makes me fool on my face telling to believe him that Yellow Daal is Dal Makhani. Shame on you..I think they have recruited this south Indian guys who don't know the difference between Dal Makhani and Yellow Dal and one more thing that Yellow Dal quantity was so less. you can't ate your Basmati Rice and one Naan with that cold Dal... I had a pathetic experience there, I will never go there again. and also recommend people that don't go there if they can fool on face an Indian think about for the Americans.

    (1)

  • Arthur Y.

    I'm no chaat guru, and there are plenty of negative reviews from Indian folks saying this place sucks. But I enjoyed the food quite a bit. Got the sev puri chaat, some chicken masala wraps, and a few other things I don't recall the names of. Although masala french fries didn't strike me as authentic - but good none the less. Otherwise - the server was super friendly and helpful. the food was solid and it's nice they have a clear window into the kitchen and you can see them making the naan. I took one star away since it was as hot as India inside.

    (4)

  • Nikhil V.

    Take it from an Indian - this place is not as good as advertised. We order Samosa Chaat, Tandoori Chicken Wrap, & Chicken Tikka Masala with naan. All were a bit underwhelming and we didn't have an option as to the level of spice (Mild, Medium, Spice) which of course made the food too spicy for me.

    (1)

  • Jamie F.

    One of my favorites. Cheap and delicious. I love the chicken wrap. Service is fast. It can tend to get very busy at certain times of the day but the service is still fairly fast. Great place for good inexpensive food on the run.

    (5)

  • Kelsey M.

    Good, cheap Indian food and a lot of it. My absolute favorite is their butter chicken combo with garlic naan. Sometimes their lentils are a little watery, but not always. The most disappointing item on their menu is their mango lassi -- it's never very mango-y and always oddly a little warm. But otherwise their food is great and I always get a couple meals out of it! The service is generally pretty good and your meal comes out pretty quick. For students, the 51b runs right by it so it's pretty accessible even if you don't live nearby. If you're looking for the best Indian food that Berkeley has to offer, then I wouldn't recommend this place (for that, try Flavors of India or Mount Everest), but for some good food at a great price, this is it!

    (4)

  • Marisa D.

    Great place to eat the street food of India. They make an excellent chaat and the wraps are really good. We've had their regular dinner items also and they are good. The serving size definitely fills and we usually have leftovers to take home.

    (5)

  • Bryan W.

    Chaat cafe has definitely been one of my favorite Indian experiences at cal. From their Naan, to their seekh kababs, to their curry, you cannot go wrong. If you love Indian food, spices, or just good food, chaat cafe is THE place to go. I have not had one bad experience here. Though there are many other Indian places, such as Vicks CHAAT (South Indian) if you want something close to campus, nothing is better than this. I would suggest getting the seekh plate everytime.

    (5)

  • Angela -.

    This place used to be awesome before. Don't know what happened to this place. I gave it a few shots after I didn't like but it always let me down. Never coming back again.

    (1)

  • Rick B.

    Chaat Cafe has four locations in NorCal ... and we had a nice time visiting the Chaat Café in Berkeley for lunch. This location only seats 50 or so peeps. When we went one of us had the Chicken Tikka Masala and the other in our party had the Chicken Tikka Plate from the Tandoor. Both were very nice dishes. The Tikka Masala had a nice spice to it - you felt it in the back of your throat and you had to wait for it but it had just a nice subtle heat. Loads of nice sized chicken pieces in the sauce with a mound of rice. The perfect lunch - filling and tasty. Our other meal was the Chicken Tikka Plate from the Tandoor with garlic Naan. This was also very tasty ... nice big chunks of chicken with subtle seasoned naan and basmati rice. Washed down with a couple of Indian beers this was a nice outing. You order and pay up at the front counter and sit at a table. Your food is brought out to you pretty quickly ... fresh made and steaming. Service was just right. Come a bit before lunch or later to avoid the usual crush of people at lunchtime. If there is a wait, it will be worth it.

    (4)

  • Mel P.

    Love this place. Chicken wrap, samosa chaat and chicken curry hits the spot every single time

    (5)

  • Christina R.

    I loved it!!!!! Me and my friend are very pregnant and we ordered enough for 6 ppl and ate everything. I did like the butter chicken more than the curry but like i said i ate everything!!! Samosas were delicious naan could have been fresher but hey great prices simple menu chill location easy parking and my baby in my belly loves Indian food!! Thank you chaat for being awesome

    (5)

  • Sahil B.

    This place is overrated. We had samosa chaat, sev puri and chicken wrap. Everything was ok nothing special. I might not come back. It's kind of a place where you eat and forget.

    (3)

  • James H.

    I used to work a few doors down and frequented this place when I had a hankering for Indian food for lunch. I've tried the butter chicken and tandoori chicken both of which are awesome! The naan is always piping hot and cooked perfectly. Definitely will be back to eat some of the other dishes!

    (4)

  • Anthony K.

    So good I just had it for the second time in 3 days! I gotten the chicken wrap with the spicy potato salad both times. I used to live across the street from this place (above Trader Joes) and my roommates and I would go here every once in a while. Oh man I've missed it. We used to refer to the chicken wrap lovingly as "the meat stick". It's freshly made naan (you can see them working with the tandoor from the counter) absolutely packed with juicy, flavorful chicken. There's also some cucumbers and sauce, but calling it a meat stick is absolutely accurate. My favorite part of the order is the side of spicy potato salad that comes with it (you can choose that or cucumber salad). It's cool, flavorful, and has the perfect kick. I like eating it on it's own or spooning some onto the wrap. Definitely a must have. Some other things I've had here are the potato stuffed naan, cauliflower stuffed naan, and the papri chaat. The stuffed naans were very unspectacular - just some naan with potato/cauliflower baked in served with raita, a cool creamy yogurt. The papri chaat was awesome. It has home made chips, potatoes, garbanzo beans and some other stuff smothered in yogurt, tamarind chutney and some spices. It was really sweet, refreshing, and full of flavor. The best part was that even though it was smothered in sauce, I took it to go and even a half hour later the chips were still very crispy and delicious. It was about $4.50 for a little bowl of them, but it was very worth it. Also, between 11:30 - 4pm they have a student lunch special (not on any menus). It's basically either a chicken or veggie wrap (with the usual potato/cucumber salad side) and a drink for $6. Normally the wrap w/o the drink is almost $7, so it's definitely a good deal. Get over there and try that meat stick.

    (4)

  • Loliana J.

    I love the chai tea here! It's so yummy. I'm not really a fan of Indian food, but I love the beverages. (I know, I'm an American sh*t) but anyway, the Indian drinks and ice cream are so yummy!!! Appropriately priced too.

    (5)

  • Yudess A.

    Popped in for a late lunch before heading back to work. I ordered the butter chicken a la carte w/garlic naan. All under $10. All delicious! The butter chicken portion looked small at first but ow was more than enough! Enough chicken, and very flavorful! Will definitely be back. Would have taken a photo but that was the last thing on my mind

    (4)

  • Morley J.

    Friendly and clean restaurant with okay to iffy food. I ordered the paneer wrap and the pani puri. The paneer itself was tasty, and the nan wrapping was fresh and nicely flavored. But the veggies in the wrap were a bit wilty and sad. The accompanying cucumber salad was chilled and mildly flavored, but too many of the little chunks of cucumber tasted gone by for me to eat more than a few bites. The pani puri was disappointing and I only ate half of it - I'm a HUGE fan of pani puri and I was bummed to have to toss it out! But the pani shells were so stale I could smell the old oil from across the table. The filling was nicely spiced, the dipping water was mediocre, but those shells? Yuuuuck. My eats-anything husband who can normally be relied upon to finish leftovers even passed them up. I'm sad to have to give a negative review since the staff was so nice and they were so welcoming. But they need to either trim down the menu to remove infrequently ordered items, or rotate their pantry stock more often. That level of staleness is gross. Sadly I don't think I'll be back.

    (2)

  • Candice J.

    The fiance actually picked out this place to meet up for dinner with friends and we were all first timers. First, you order at the counter and they give you a number in which they'll serve to your table once your meal is ready. I had the Butter Chicken dinner and a Mango Lassi drink. I really enjoyed it but the only thing for me is that it wasn't enough. Maybe because I was starving but I wish there were more on my plate but nonetheless I truly liked it. The lassi was also yummy and I didn't know what it was at first but it sounded good so I ordered it. Their naan was delicious and fresh. Nice, casual place to meet with friends and have good food.

    (4)

  • Babar Y.

    Went in and ordered a Biryani. The middle aged guy on the counter had a really filthy Tshirt on. I sort of started to doubt the cleanliness of the operations. Then I saw him go inside and start touching the food items etc. too. I saw him take some ingredients and mix it and then put it in the microwave! then forget about it for ten minutes so it sat in the Microwave getting cold. He finally brought the Biryani to me less than Lukewarm, (man with filthy Tshirt, touching food, who mixes rice and curry together, puts some coriander on it and puts it in the Microwave! thats what they call a "Bombay Biryani" there). Then the man with the filthy Tshirt took the Luke warm Biryani complain casually like no big deal at all and then put the Biryani back into the Microwave and again forgot about it (not many customers too busy sitting in his little right hand corner niche behind the counter). At that point I asked him for a refund and walked out. Was the taste of the Biryani anything good, the couple of spoonfuls I had. NO. It was Greasy, AWFUL biryani. If you want really good Biryani try Indus Village or Breads of India.

    (1)

  • Archana P.

    Terrible Indian food. Being in the Bay Area, which has awesome Indian food from different regions, this place is sub-par. The bhel puri was dry without any chutney. That's like pizza without cheese! The good ratings for this restaurant seem to be from people who have probably not tried authentic Indian food much at all or at other areas within the Bay Area. Do yourself an favor and avoid this place. There are other Indian restaurants in the Bay Area that actually give the customer a taste of India with equally or better value for your money.

    (1)

  • Han Teng W.

    Cheap decent Indian food with large portions. Street food and tandoori. The bryani was well seasoned. The meats in the tandoori was well cooked and not overdone. Their wraps are good valued to go meals. Food can be a little oily at times but I feel that that is the nature of Indian cuisine.

    (4)

  • Sanjay Y.

    July 4 and my favourite Indian Restaurant was closed. Tried the Biryani and Chole Bhatura. The food is awful. Many other great Indian options close by. Bhatura looks like it was frozen and heated up. Palmed off pre prepared Sev puri. Was soggy.

    (1)

  • Hunter S.

    I've read it on here already but the wraps are where it's at, tandoori chicken is phenomenal, chai to die for. Super casual, inexpensive and always friendly. Oh the Lassi's!

    (5)

  • Janis V.

    So bad. I ordered a chicken wrap - I asked what they put inside and they told me onions, chicken, and vegetables. I got some nasty end-of-the-day, dry chicken with some weird sauce. Oh and he asked if I wanted their spicy potato salad or cucumber salad. I opted for their cucumber salad, but what I got were a handful of dry cut up cucumbers that tasted like they had been cut on a dirty cutting board where they chopped onions. I hope they have better options on their menu, but I won't gamble by going back and giving a second chance.

    (1)

  • MT Y.

    Good place for decent Indian food if you are on a budget. My favourite is Papri Chaat. I wish I could get it with just the "chips". Chicken wrap is also good. Boti wrap was a bit disappointing as the cut of lamb seemed grizzly, but taste was good. I would say the spices are toned down just a tad, but not overly Americanized.

    (3)

  • Song Z.

    Owner and whomever worked here is super friendly. My friends and I were searching for Indian food and serendipitously came upon this place. Fong went to buy food while Bill and I waited outside because we had a dog. It was a very cold day. It was odd hour for lunch so there was no one else in the restaurant. The owner kindly invited us (and our dog) in the restaurant seating area while we waited for Fong to order food for all of us. We had biryani rice, lamb curry, and samosas. All were delicious and I'd definitely come back!

    (5)

  • Aaron D.

    Hungry on a Friday night; wifey wants to try some Indian food and this place isn't far from downtown Berkeley. We decided to give it a try. The atmosphere is warm and cozy, service is nice. The menu is super simple so we have no problem picking what we want to order: lamb curry and chicken tikka masala. Food came super quick and taste exactly like what we expected, good 20 bucks spent!

    (5)

  • Misha T.

    Had the fish wrap today and it was great, if not a little bit messy so napkins will be your friend. Very tender fish with plenty of flavor and reasonably filling to boot. I'd like to try some of their eponymous chaat but I'll need a crew willing to eat them with me. And possibly order some curries as well.

    (4)

  • Kara G.

    This place never fails to satisfy! I always get the chicken tiki masala dinner and my boyfriend always gets the desi chicken wrap and it tastes amazing every time! The naan, lentil soup, and potato salad are really good side dishes that come with the meals. I recommend this to anyone what wants Indian cuisine or to try something new.

    (5)

  • Mindy D.

    Cheap and fast Indian food - check. I really didn't know what to expect upon arrival. Good yelp reviews but the place was nearly empty. There were three tables with people and other than that, not crowded at all. The menu has a variety but is not overwhelming. Our food came out quickly but not very hot... Honestly, the frozen Indian food at Trader Joe's is better than this. The butter chicken was not thick and creamy as butter chicken should be. Instead, it was watery and a bit bland. My Indian food craving was not fulfilled here, so I headed to TJ for the real deal ;) I guess this place is more suited for the college palate and budget, which isn't bad-- just not for me.

    (3)

  • Deeba A.

    By far the best goat curry i have eaten in the bay area. Very moist, properly cooked in spices, and fresh. Awesome taste. Great job chef. We loved the malai kofta and the biryanis too.

    (5)

  • Jess K.

    I am a fan of Indian food, and Berkeley has no shortage of Indian cuisine of various geographic locations! So when I first discovered Chaat Cafe I figured it would be a nice new place to try out with my aunt. In terms of food, wow everything is so flavorful and filling! I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala and was given a portion with lots mod chunks of chicken along with buttery naan and rice. When I asked for a Chai Tea, they gave me a pipping hot cup and would ask me if I wanted a refill whenever they passed my table. I had such a great first time, so of course I had I go back for more! Surprisingly, one of my favorite dishes/sides here is their Chaat fries, which are medium thickness fries sprinkled with a load of spices and served with two kinda of sipping sauces. When I ordered it, I expected just a half box of fries, but I got a whole takeout box full of fries! Even better was that even after sitting in its own steam, the fries were still crispy! The ambience is very inviting and a nice place for quiet dinners and people. The servers and waiters are very friendly and at least will smile at you. I will definitely be coming back!

    (4)

  • Jim W.

    Pretty solid Indian cuisine in a fast casual atmosphere. The staff was very friendly. I tried several appetizers and tasted the entrees of several other diners (family I was visiting, not random strangers...I only do that on occasion).

    (3)

  • Animesh G.

    The main course food we tried on more than one occasions turned out to be stale and tasteless. There are much better dinner places for Indian food in Berkeley within walking distance of this place. However the snacks/appetizers (or chaat as known in India) is pretty nice. Try out the aloo tikki, pretty good and not available at most indian places in Berkeley.

    (2)

  • Ricardo S.

    I stopped by for dinner last night with my dad and I was pleased with the food and service, but the only thing that got me was the portion size. I ordered the butter chicken and he got the curry chicken. We both received our orders, but were surprised at how small the portions were. My order only had a few small pieces of chicken drowned in the sauce, which was fine, but there could have been more chicken to make up the amount of sauce. I'll definitely go back, but I'll have to get something else.

    (3)

  • Sue Ann G.

    Had a tikka masala craving so I decided to try this place out given it's good reviews. Got the chicken tikka masala with rice and a mango lassi. Food was disappointing - curry seems pretty watery and tasteless, chicken too salty and also tasteless, and the tikka masala essentially didn't add much flavors to the rice. I've tried other places like Mount Everest, House of Curries, Taste of the Himalayas - and much prefer the flavors there. Lassi was the only thing that was relatively good. Probably wouldn't trek the distance for this again.

    (2)

  • Lily S.

    I was waiting to get my taxes done by H&R Block they were running behind so I went next door to eat at this great little restaurant I had the salmon tandoori special and it was really really good I will definitely make this a spot to go back to at least twice a month really really good very fresh the Tandoori was susan leaning the garlic pesto non was really fresh and good I loved it

    (5)

  • Christina L.

    I was so excited to come here, because I love the one in Fremont! But this one is not as good. I got the tandoori chicken wrap, and it was tiny!! way smaller than the one in fremont. and the potato salad tasted a little off. The service was pretty fast and of course, it's really cheap. I might come back though, because the masala fries sound pretty amazing. They ran out last time I went though :(

    (3)

  • Cassie X.

    The food here is DELICIOUS. Definitely worth the long walk down University Ave. I love the ambiance, the friendliness of the staff and the fact that they offer Indian street food (which you don't see on the menu in most Indian restaurants). The wait time was pretty long for our food (close to 20 minutes?) but what made it bearable was the fact that every 5 minutes one of the servers would stop by our table, apologize and assure us that our food was on the way. I tried their chicken wrap which are similar to the wraps you get at Urbann Turbann but smaller (and a bit greasier). It tasted pretty good and despite the small size it was extremely filling. The wrap also came with a side and I chose their spicy potato salad. Fantastic stuff. My friend ordered the Chicken Briyani and it was extremely flavorful (I know this because I tried some of it). Only complaint from her was that it was too spicy. So that leads me to my tip for this restaurant: they tend to make their food really spicy and depending on your level of tolerance for spices, let them know if you want it milder or not spicy at all. Wrapped up dinner with Kulfi (Indian ice cream) and this is the point where I throw my hands up in the air and wave em like I just don't care. It was so rich and decadent and refreshing...you HAVE to have some at the end of your meal. Especially when your tongue is still burning from the spicy potato salad.

    (4)

  • Kristina L.

    Decent price for what your get! Order at the register and find your own place to sit. Lamb curry: Flavors are good. The spice is decent, but could be a little more. Its good if you can't handle spicy food, but since I like spicy, it could be spicier. the portions are not bad, but could have a little more meat. Its still good tasting and you get a lot, but could be a little more flavorful. Garlic Nan: No bad....pretty tasty, but could have more garlic. They do give you a big portion of this, which helps with the large amount of curry they give you. Overall: It is a cute little cafe place to eat and catch up with friends. Parking wasn't too bad during lunch time, but I came on a Sat. It might be different if it were a weekday.

    (3)

  • Sara F.

    Good spot to stop in for a bite to eat.. Down to Earth, Berkeley vibe and fuss free. You order at the counter, pay, take a number and have a seat and someone brings out your food for you... Been coming here a long time, they have streamlined the menu a little over the years, and made it slightly less personal, and more professional but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do to stay in business.. And no wonder they have survived this long, the staff are always cheerful, helpful and fast. My faves here are the naans, wraps, tandoori, vindaloo and mango lassi and don't forget to order a chai, it is terrific!

    (3)

  • Simmi A.

    I wanted to like this place. Unfortunately, the food has been consistently mediocre. Papdi chaat is a simple dish -- fried crackers plus potatoes, chickpeas and chutneys -- but somehow even that isn't good here. If you're already in downtown Berkeley and are very hungry, it's an option. Otherwise skip.

    (2)

  • Andrew C.

    Bigger than it looks from the street, Chaat Cafe has booths on the left and a high counter along the right for solo diners with tables in between. The kitchen has a window so you can scrutinize the chefs tandoor skills. I got a Munch On Me deal for a Tandoori Chicken Wrap combo which included a samosa & soda. The samosa came out cooked to order and piping hot with tamarind & mint chutneys ( yelp.com/biz_photos/ZPP6… ). Crisply fried and not greasy. Lightly spicy potato filling. The wrap was about 7 inches long and 2 inches wide ( yelp.com/biz_photos/ZPP6… ). Smaller than the wrap at Urbann Turbann ( yelp.com/biz/urbann-turb… ) for $1 less ($6 vs. $7) and simpler with just the chicken and some cucumber salad inside. The tandoori chicken was pretty bland and there were a few dry pieces and a couple gristly bits. I added some of the chutneys to boost the flavor. Samosa: 4+ stars Chicken Wrap: 2 stars

    (3)

  • Rachel I.

    At least compared to Udupi Palace right across the street, this place is a little more casual, but not quite fast-foody. I've been there at least four or five times in the past few months and have always enjoyed my experience. First of all, the staff members are always incredibly helpful and friendly. I wanted to write a review saying that after my visit two or so visits, but thought I had just gotten lucky with who was working at that time, but I have been consistently impressed at how welcome I feel by the employees every time I eat there. The food is vegetarian friendly (if that wasn't obvious) and has a great variety of appetizers, curries, wraps, etc. to choose from. My favorite dishes so far are the Malai Kofta and the Paneer Tikka Masala Rolls. Most meals (at least the ones I've tried so far) come with a side of either cucumber salad or potatoes. I enjoy their naan, and now they offer whole wheat roti as a naan substitute (and have brown rice too!) They have a nice variety of drinks as well. There's almost always plenty of seating. It never feels super crowded at all. There are regular tables (both deep inside the restaurant as well as in the windows), booths, and bar-style tables against the wall. We've never waited too long for our food. The longest we waited was when we came in and place an order to go and noticed there were several people sitting and still waiting for their food. But even then it wasn't too bad, and we got a nice apology when it was finally ready. Overall, I really enjoy coming here and love the food.

    (5)

  • Sofia G.

    This place is delicious!! I enjoyed the chicken tikka wrap, wow, yum!! The tamarind chutney goes really well!

    (5)

  • Wesley C.

    Came for the student lunch special, was told they don't have it anymore. After I ordered something else and paid, I was told they actually do have a lunch special, but what I ordered didn't qualify. Friend ordered coffee, which was on the menu, was told they don't have coffee.

    (2)

  • J. T.

    This is a very friendly cafe. The waiter is attentive and patient. It took my friends and I awhile to look through their menu items but the waiter stayed by the register the entire time and answered our questions on various dishes. Additionally, this place has a variety of vegetarian choices which is great! The wait for the food was a little long but it comes out fresh and hot! A few of the dishes are spicy, but most people expect that anyways. I tried one of the wraps and the samosas, both delicious! The wraps come with a side of potato salad and the samosas are served with 2 different dips. Definitely enough food to fill me up!

    (5)

  • Yogi B.

    Pros: Cheap, quick. Cons: The two dishes I had were unremarkable. The tandoori chicken was bland and dry. The accompanying naan was the same. The lentil side dish was not spice or salted nearly enough. The papri chaat was ok, but I've had much better versions. Verdict: I won't be coming back.

    (2)

  • Jono S.

    Great cheap fresh awesome Indian. Always happy to eat here, which I've done 30 times over the years. Vindaloo and butter chicken and tikka masala rolls and garlic naan and samosas all fab. It's a casual spot, food's always good quality, quick, and the people are nice. Dinners are $10, and splurging for garlic naan ups it to $10.50. They have a take out meal for 4 that's $30 -- awesome. On the corner of MLK and university. Great place to go always.

    (5)

  • Lalena S.

    Having a free afternoon in Berkeley, I figured to get some Indian food. I read the reviews and decided to give it a try, I'm glad I did. To add my four cents: - excellent tikka masala. just enough spice without being overwhelmingly hot. Slightly sweet. Just like it supposed to be. - quality chicken meat, very little grizzle. - tandori was good but the onions were raw so that was a bummer. Also, the warm plate wasn't all that warm and the tandori cooled quickly. That was a negative. - naan was crisp. Plain was lacking a basic butter which is usually on it as well. But my son ate it up. Garlic naan was better. Good garlic on top, think it was fresh minced. Really good and I'm a total naan fan! Cleanliness left a bit to be desired. When we came all the booth tables were dirty and there was no wait or line so I don't know why they weren't cleaned. Stuff like that bothers me. Bathrooms however were clean, which is very nice, especially in Berkeley.. Service was basic, wasn't particularly friendly. It was so-so. Pricing were more expensive than I thought. $27 for one entree, one dinner. So I think it should be more of a two $ than a one. But maybe that's just me. LOL Overall, I liked the food a lot and it makes up for minor service and cleanliness flaws Overall, I would go again because the masala was very good.

    (4)

  • Kevin B.

    Chaat Cafe is hands down my favorite Indian eatery in Berkeley. I don't know a lot about Indian food, in all honesty, so this might just be personal preference, but I have never been disappointed by an experience here, and neither have the many folks I have brought along to share this place. I always order the paneer tikka masala, usually the dinner with the daal, naan and rice. The masala here has such a kick, I can't get enough. It's not just a regular "spicy." It's something more complex. Something I don't fully understand. But something I keep coming back for more of. Now if only they had the free chai tea. This place would be perfect.

    (5)

  • Chat H.

    Its ability to cast the Google Maps shadow upon its northerly, cross-street rival is perhaps the only advantage Chaat Cafe (CC) has over Udupi Palace. While the analogous cross-street war on Solano is waged by players of comparable stature---Ajanta and Khana Peena---this battle on the corner of MLK and University is between poorly matched competitors. While the overall décor was pleasing, accented by fine photography of Indian street life, there were some issues. In particular, the booth seats contained an uneven distribution of foam, so much so that patrons of comparable height could not see eye-to-eye. We were also struck by the wooden cross-beams hanging from the ceiling, which made it seem as if they were trying to hang a false ceiling but ran out of money halfway through... The menu was very aesthetically pleasing, though many of the attractive (and sometimes improperly focused) culinary pictures were situated alongside descriptions of unrelated menu items. Unlike most Indian food menus, this one sported only the occasional spelling error. We were particularly intrigued by their "Indian street food" section, which containing such exotic items as masala fries (!) and caesar salad (?!). Overall, the food was decent. The vegetable samosas were mildly spiced, and had well cooked chickpeas. Both the mango lassi and mint chutney were flavorful and full-bodied. We were rather pleased by the exotic offerings: the pesto naan ($3) was perfectly cooked and lightly pesto-ed, and the butter naan ($3) sported a smooth texture. The tandoori sizzler ($11), which consisted of kebab lamb and chicken, lacked sufficient onion but was well presented and accompanied by a slice of fresh lemon. However, whereas our first order of the sizzler actually sizzled, the chefs apparently forgot to sprinkle the requisite water on our second order. We were disappointed by the vegetarian thali ($8), which had utterly spice-free banghain ghobi, severely undercooked potatoes, and overcooked rice that was on the verge of disintegration. While there were key missteps among both the food and the upholstery, CC did deliver with its antiseptic, corporate appearance and decorative menu, all of which are well-suited to the unrefined lunch crowds of downtown Berkeley. We consequently award CC three samosas and two rupees, yielding a samosa to rupee ratio of 1.5. As you will note in our blog's rating legend, we define a three-samosa restaurant as a reasonable choice if no four- or five-samosa restaurant is nearby. Thus, in this case you would be well advised to cross the street for a far superior meal at Udupi Palace.

    (3)

  • Jessica K.

    First time here. Liked the chai tea here. Got the chicken tikka masala and the paneer tikka masala with garlic naan and rice. Both were good and the food came out extremely fast!

    (5)

  • Bantu Z.

    This place can be good. You need to know what to get but its never amazing. Again its decent food for starving college kids. If your really hungry this is the place for you.

    (3)

  • Charlene E.

    Delicious and tasty - hot lunch and dinner specials on a rotating basis plus a menu of chaat, curries and the ever popular chicken plate. Almost all dishes are accompanied by the best naan you've ever eaten. Tip: go before 5 p.m. And pay the lunch price. :)

    (4)

  • Sherry B.

    Best. Indian. Food. Ever. And cheap too.

    (5)

  • Shirley J.

    Great food...I mean I love the tikka misala it's the bomb.com the service is poor. Straight attitudes but I deal with it cause I like the food.

    (4)

  • Natalie T.

    Casual, order at the counter Indian restaurant. Really enjoyed the Chicken tikka masala dinner. Came with basmati rice, lentils and a really tasty spinach dish "Palak". A lot of food for 9.99. My brother ordered the spicy chicken wrap which was also very good. Really good food, good prices. I don't live in Berkeley but when I do come visit I would return to Chaat Cafe.

    (3)

  • Max X.

    Saving this place so I can write about the gloriousness of the fish sandwiches....can't on my mobile. The fish Sandwiches are awesome! Think all the best qualities of Indian food (saucy, lots of spices, huge flavor profiles) in a wrap format. It really works because their sauces are thicker, so honestly when I'm done I don't have a poodle of liquids left after my lunch.

    (5)

  • Jay K.

    Inexpensive food of so-so flavor, served quickly in an inoffensive dining room. Friendly and helpful staff that it's always a pleasure to see. Not my first choice in the neighborhood but when everyone else wants to go there I don't argue too much.

    (3)

  • Joe O.

    Tikki Masala roll. It's a must order. Young lady at the counter is always smiling and hospitable. And you can usually find people of Indian heritage patronizing this joint. That's a good thing.

    (4)

  • Julie L.

    I was in the mood for Indian and we found this restaurant. First indicator that it was a winner? An Indian family came in for dinner. I got the sizzling chicken tikka masala that came super hot. It came with rice, which I don't eat; garlic naan that was not garlicky enough; potato/peas/carrots/green bean mix that was wrongly given to me but she forgot to get me the cucumber salad, and some soup. I ate all the chicken tikka masala made with white meat - it didn't have much taste to it but was still good. I also had some naan. I love naan but one piece was too crispy and not doughy enough.

    (3)

  • Iman J.

    Came here a long time ago and it was really good. Unfortunately I came a couple of days ago and ordered chicken tikka masala and a side order of chicken tikka and naan...it was the WORST taste ever, I was extremely disappointed...I will try another Indian place if I'm in Berkeley

    (1)

  • Henry T.

    Ordered the tandoori chicken. I thought it was a liiitle dry, and could've used more flavor or spices on it. Overall, I think the portion could be a little bigger, but you'll get your typical Indian-sized portion here. The service was excellent though! I was really indecisive with what I wanted and the lady at the register was really patient with me. Then to add on to it, while we were eating, never was our cups of water empty! They were very good with refilling our drinks.

    (3)

  • Hema M.

    Crappy place. Horrible food, dirty place. When we requested them to clean the table, the best they could do was to push the left overs on the floor.. We ordered chaat- tasted so bad that we went over to Udupi palace that was across the road. Please do yourselves as favor and don't go to this place.

    (1)

  • Ron G.

    Is it hot in here? Yes, it is. I love spicy foods and their Vindaloo is awesome. It's not the typical Caucasian-ized version you might find other places. When they say it's spicy, they mean business, but in addition to the fire is a whole lot of flavor. These guys do a great job at their chaat dishes too. The Dahi Pakori has a great balance of yogurt, spices and the lumpy stuff (potatoes and chickpea crispies). I really like their veggie and paneer pakora too. There's a great seasoning that they put on most of the fried foods (like pakora) that really bring the tasty little bits to life. The only lost a star for ambiance. I really think they could do with an upgrade in decor and busing the tables more frequently, but that's a pretty minor complaint for a place that's on my regular rotation.

    (4)

  • Pauline L.

    From my Munch on Me Review: Background: Named after the street food sold in India, Chaat Cafe has expanded its repertoire from its humble chaats and specialty Indian wraps to the whole spread of North Indian cuisine. The cafe opened in 1999 under the Mahal family as a small and quaint place to eat fast yet high-quality Indian food. Today, it is still owned by them, but has seen remarkable renovation. The restaurant interior is modern and chic, with large open windows at the front; comfortable counter, table, and booth seating; and ample indoor space. The kitchen is open to viewing, so customers can watch the naan and meats cooking in the authentic tandor ovens. Current owner Karen Mahal is a lively and gracious host, who greets each customer at the counter and personally brings out the dishes to waiting customers. She prides herself in the quality, beautiful presentation, and great taste that Chaat Cafe offers at affordable prices to its discerning clientele. Karen, the owner, is such an amazing woman, I can tell. She really is dedicated to the upkeep of her restaurant, having invested much into the expansion (sq ft) and renovation. This place has an amazing interior, complete with beautiful artwork of Indian women and scenes, and photographs of India being sold by a local on the walls. The inside is amazingly spacious, which is nearly unexpected from outside. I honestly love the huge open windows out front, which makes the place seem even larger. Ordering: you walk up to the counter and order. They have a huge, professional menu board hanging above. Just order and they'll bring it to you like full service. Food: I came here for the potato-stuffed naan and the chicken tikka combo plate, followed by kulfi ice cream. 1. Potato stuffed naan served with raita: First off, OMFG THE RAITA IS AMAZING. I COULD JUST DRINK THIS LIKE A SMOOTHIE OR MILK OR WATER!!! The raita is a cucumber carrot cilantro yogurt that accompanies the bread (and often other hot and spicy dishes at Indian restaurants). The naan itself is made-to-order. It's very good, large like other naans around the area. Slightly crisp on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside. The filling is a seasoned potato, with the primary flavor of cumin. Although she said it was quite filling, I imagined slightly more filling, but if I were to eat the whole thing myself, I'm sure I would have been quite satiated. (3/5, plus 5/5 for the raita!) 2. Chicken tikka combo plate: huge cubes (about 7-8) of chicken, marinated in tikka and baked in the tandoor. Comes out sizzling on the pan, which really excited me. Tender, tasty, but I felt almost lacking in more herb flavor and spicy kick. Almost not spiciness detectable. Comes with refreshing cucumber-tomato-cliantro salad, refreshing and light cumin-basmati rice, and garlic naan. The garlic naan is super garlicky. Super tasty, but garlicky - you have been warned. Basically, really awesome fast-casual restaurant. Also comes with a small bowl of dal makhni (butter lentil soup). This was sooo delicious. Creamy, slightly sweet but still yummily savory. I ate this with the basmati rice, which made a good combo. Really awesome dal makhni. (3/5 for chicken, 4/5 for dal and naan) 3. Kulfi ice cream: oh Indian ice cream!!! First Indian restaurant I've been to in Berkeley that has a cooler of these. Pistachio, saffron-pistachio, mango, cream, and tutti-frutti flavors. Offered as bars or 5.5 oz cups for only $2+tax. Soooo delicious. Really recommend the mango first and the pista(chio) next. Both are super tasty. You have to try Indian ice cream! (5/5 for stocking these!) Overall: I am DEFINITELY returning to this place. Everything (minus the combo tikka plate) is under $10. I want to return and try some chaat, biryani, the wraps, and the vegetable combo plate. I wish I had come here earlier so I could have tried everything during my four years at Cal!!!!

    (4)

  • Marco M.

    We got the samosa chat and it was a big dish filled with chopped up samosas, garbonzos, a tamarind sauce and some yogurt. It was tasty and reasonably priced. The seating area is no frills. Good for a quick dinner or snack.

    (3)

  • S R.

    I have been here a couple of times and I have to say, that all those great yelp reviews do this place justice. I have tried the aloo tikki,papri chaat and samosa chaat and have not been disappointed.I especially recommend the Samosa chaat,I cannot praise it enough!The counter staff has always been cheery and helpful and I look forward to dropping by more often to get my chaat fix.

    (4)

  • Jeff B.

    Okay....like first, let me tell you how much I love you people who work at Chaat Cafe. You are the coolest people ever! You are so nice and helpful. You helped me pick my order of bhel puri and saag chicken curry. But your food doesn't taste good! I don't like your food. I didn't want you to come by and ask me how my food was because it would have been awkward for me to say how bad it tasted. The bhel puri was too spicy. Bhel puri should tasty sort of bold and flavorful. Instead, your bhel puri tastes really awful. The rice puffs don't work. Sorry! The saag chicken...okay, so the chicken tasted.....bad. The spinach accompaniment overwhelmed the dish, and the spinach was, just, off. Okay! So I enjoyed your naan, but that was it. Maybe I will give you another chance?

    (1)

  • Sarah C.

    "Are you from alahca?" "Excuse me?" "Are you from Alaska?" "Uhh??" "Alaska... Sarah Palin!" Oh I see, my name is Sarah the guy working there was trying make a joke. Lol. Anyways I went to Chaat Cafe for lunch today with one of my group mates. I ordered the butter chicken a la carte, garlic naan (it already comes with naan but I like my naan so decided to get extra), assorted fried vegetables, and a small mango lassi. It came out to almost $20 yikes, I didn't realize I would end up paying so much. The butter chicken was great. The creaminess along with the blend of spices paired well with my garlic naan. The fried vegetables weren't worth it, if I go back I'm not ordering it. It came out really mushy. The mango lassi wasn't spectacular. In the future I will stick with the butter chicken and naan and avoid all the other stuff that doesn't really make my meal any better (like sides and beverages).

    (3)

  • David T.

    This place was pretty good. The food was tasty and the prices were reasonable. I ordered the chicken tikka masala, and it had a pretty good amount of spiciness to it. I always like my curry to have spice in it. The only thing that this place is missing is some hot sauce. That would have given it just the extra kick that I wanted. However, at least the curry in itself was a bit spicy, so I can live with it. One suggestion I have is to just get a curry a la carte, unless you're very hungry. When you get one a la carte, you also have a choice of naan or rice to go with it. If you order the full dinner, you get the curry, rice, naan, soup, and a pea and tofu side (I don't remember what it's called) with it. More than enough food! If you're in the area and want some curry that is quick and easy, this is the place. It's nothing fancy, but it works!

    (4)

  • Vivian W.

    I initially came to Northern California to ring in the New Year but as it turned out, my trip morphed into Nor Cal eating tour! I had a craving for curry and since Chaat Cafe was within walking distance from my hotel room, I thought this would be a good opportunity to chow down some good spicy curry to warm me up in the cold winter weather. The place itself was quite "plain Jane" and it was more like fast food/dive place. There was no waitstaff. You'd order at the counter and your food will be delivered to your table when ready. Simpletons love this! I got myself the a la carte paneer tikka masala which is a spicy vegetarian dish of roasted spice, tomatoes, onions, cream sauce, and fenugreek. The curry sauce came in a separate bowl and you can ladle as much or as little over a plate of rice (I opted for the brown rice option). It was very tasty with the right amount of heat. The sauce was flavorful and very creamy. The amount of curry was much more than I can use. Overall my experience with Chaat Cafe was positive. Service was friendly and quick. Parking was easy to find on the streets too. In short, I didn't want to spend too much for dinner and yet I would like something more ethnic than a greasy hamburger and fries.

    (4)

  • Dax C.

    I will take The Chaat Cafe over Vik's everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. The food is very good here with the go-to's being the tandoori wraps, samosa chaat, tikki marsala, and the curries. Bottom line is flavorful food at a great price, a definite go-to if you want Indian food and you're cruising around Berkeley.

    (4)

  • William C.

    Came across this hidden gem, by accident, and to be upfront, the outside decorum do not do justice to the food being prepared inside. The spicy seekh kabob wrap is currently the best food experience I have had in a while. Please, Please, Please give this place a chance OR at the very least the 'spicy seekh kabob wrap'. This place has been saved in my Google Maps for future visits to Berkeley.

    (4)

  • Jean L.

    Ok food... the Chicken wrap was a little dry for me, especially since the wrap is naan and seems to make it extra dry/dense. I also ordered the Papri Chaat, which was a bit of a disappointment. Not enough potatoes. The chips were mostly broken and soggy from the tangy sauce and yogurt. I'd probably come back for a wrap or so, maybe try something else.

    (3)

  • Ahmed S.

    This place has a good variety of food to choose from the prices are cheap and the food is good for both vegetarians and non vegetarians. Service is quick and friendly. Definitely a place you want to become a regular at.

    (4)

  • Adam C.

    Awesome food!!! I love the chicken tikka masala! I come here with my friends often. And every time I come here always nice and polite employees!! Definitely recommended!

    (5)

  • Minsey L.

    Although I am no longer a bay area resident, I have to review this place as a thank you for feeding me all throughout my high school years. This is the place that made me fall in love with Indian food. Yes, I know it's pretty fast-food type Indian food, but it's damn good. I always got the chicken wrap here. They have really good tandoori and naan and it's wrapped up into a delicious roll with cucumbers and some yogurt. It also comes with your choice of potato or cucumber salad. I always got the potato salad since the cucumbers are pretty much the same as the ones that come in the wrap. It is slightly spicy, which i LOVE and have never had potato salad similar to it. Samosas and pani puri here are great too. Mango lassi is delicious. I miss it so, so much.

    (5)

  • Natasha H.

    I think this is my 5th time eating Indian food in the past week. Love it! Chaat Cafe is just another reminder of why Indian food is so awesome. The restaurant itself is pretty big and has plenty of seating. It offers a plethora of tables and booths to choose from. Food was cheap and since you just order your food at the register...no tip either! There were quite a few Indian diners here as well, and I took this as a good sign. "Food here must be pretty tasty, " I thought to myself. And I thought right! I split a Chicken Tikka Masala w/naan (there also a choice of rice) and a Paneer wrap w/cucumber salad (there's also a choice of potato salad) with my friend. They were both quite delicious. The tikka masala had lots of good flavor to it; although, there was barely any chicken. The naan was only okay...I've had better. It wasn't as soft as I like my naan to be. As for the paneer wrap, it was my favorite of the 2 dishes we got. I couldn't really tell what was in it (besides paneer of course!), but it was sweet and spicy. Lots of flavor and super good. The cucumber salad was alright. Not good or bad...very forgettable. The butter chicken here is supposed to be really good too. So, I plan on trying that next time I come here...and rest assured there will be a next time. 4 stars!

    (4)

  • Naresh J.

    Visited this place on a Saturday evening and hated everything except the ambience, which was bearable. The hostess (the Indian girl) was going through PMS as nothing else can explain her behavior and rudeness.., the food was below average, piled up like leftovers being handed to homeless people. The rice was more dry than than British humor & the curries more bland and tasteless than any other Indian restaurant in the vicinity. Regret relying on yelp reviews while choosing this place, learn from our mistake, you've been warned. :-(

    (1)

  • Candice S.

    Totes hole in the wall, but if you want some good, cheap indian food, this is your spot. The butter chicken dish is one of my favorites, and with the dinner combo you get SO MUCH food!! I came here with family and we all had a great time eating here. The lassi is a bit on the watery side, so I'd skip that, but the food is awesome. Definitely worth the small dollar.

    (4)

  • Amanda N.

    i LOOOOOVE this place! My friend introduced me to butter chicken and after one spoon fill in my mouth... i was in LoOove. the chicken wrap here is delicious as well! only one thing is the last time i went here, the girl in the front was so rude. it was my boyfriend first time here so he didnt know what to order so i did the ordering and she said rudely "IS THIS ALL FOR YOU?!" like im a pig! geez! i probably can eat it all, but homegirl didn't have to say it like that!

    (4)

  • Rachel D.

    Always try to stop by here whenever visiting Berkeley. Tasty, affordable South Indian Chaat delights await you here. I recommend the Papri Chaat, Samosas & any of the wraps. Very friendly service.

    (4)

  • Kristi O.

    This would have been four stars if it wasn't for the young African- American gentleman who provided me with excellent service as soon as he came on his shift. The food was amazing, however the service was only minimal until he arrived. I was disappointed that my tea, naan, and wrap all arrived at the same time. I was instructed to get my own utensils, and no follow-up service was provided. However, as soon as the gentleman previously mentioned arrived, everything changed. Amazing how one person can change an entire establishment! He refilled my tea, hooked me up with some to-go materials (insisting that I wrap my burrito so that the chicken didn't fall out), was very friendly, and ensured that I will return. FIVE STARS!!

    (5)

  • meshell c.

    This place does its job. I went there a few weeks back and ordered the chicken Tikka Masala dinner and my friend had the chicken wrap. The portion was healthy and I was able to have it for lunch the next day. They don't give you that much rice, but you do get 2 naan bread with the dish. it also came with a vegetable side dish. Overall, if you want quick and easy Indian food, this is the place to be. The place is self-served, so just be aware, not that this is a problem. There's no fuss.

    (4)

  • Rachel C.

    This place was decent at best. The chicken tikka masala had a nice kick to it but the spice flavoring was a little off. I got a couple of pieces of chicken that were over cooked, tough and unpleasant to eat. As for the nann, it was fluffy and the only redeeming part about my meal. Service was friendly and super quick but there are much better indian places to eat in Berkeley.

    (2)

  • Katrina R.

    I always pass this place while grocery shopping across the street at Trader Joe's and was really excited to try it. I came here on a Friday night and was surprised that the place was fairly empty. The prices were decent and the food was definitely good. We were determined to order some chaat that the place is named for and ended up choosing the Bhel Puri. The puri consisted of spicy rice puffs paired with cool mint chutney. For entrees I got the paneer tikka massala which wasn't as spicy but still tasty and not overly creamy. The naan was warm and tasted fine.

    (3)

  • Rohit J.

    I have been there twice now. Both times take out. Naan was bad both times. Quantity was a lot for dinner plates. The additional items (daal and 1 vegetabe dish) in the dinner plate were not good including daal which I would assume is hard to mess up. Malai kofta was good. Kadhai paneer was good too. Overall, I wouldn't order dinner plate here. And I wouldn't count on naan, at least for the take out.

    (3)

  • Amy d.

    Good, fast and light Indian fare. This is a chain, and I'm really starting to love it!

    (4)

  • Bill H.

    The wraps at Chaat Cafe are particularly good. The turn-around time is super-quick, the prices are good, and the location is convenient for most Downtown Berkeley folk. While not out of this world good, it's definitely a frequent pick for me.

    (4)

  • Judith H.

    delicious food. today had a vegetarian dish and it was fabulous. usually get lamb dishes and they, too, are great. danny, the guy behind the counter, is a sweetheart. helpful, friendly and goes the extra mile to accommodate. looking forward to going back soon.

    (5)

  • Michelle N.

    Me and my boyfriend really enjoyed the chicken tikka masala rolls. Wish there was a little bit more tikka masala in it, but nonetheless, delicious and filling! However, the Bel Puri we ordered was not so delicious. I am a big fan of Chaat but the puffed rice was stale. :( Going to go to Vik Chaat's tomorrow to get my fix of Chaat.

    (3)

  • storm o.

    I go to Chaat cafe at least once a month and today I was in food heaven. I ordered the Tika Masala rolls and Baigan Bharta (roasted eggplant) as a side dish. I felt like I was eating my Grandmothers cooking! So good and filling and the portion sizes are big. Any of the wraps or rolls are excellent and the wait staff is always nice and courteous.

    (5)

  • Mel T.

    Mediocre Indian food. Prices aren't cheaper than any other Indian place. I ordered the chicken tikka. The rice was cold, chicken was dry, chai tasted like old milk. I commented on the chai and the waitress gave me another cup. It tasted just as bad as the first cup. Tandoor in Pinole is still one of my favorite Indian restaurants.

    (1)

  • Leo G.

    Everyday lunch place: cheap and tasty. The paneer wrap is GREAT. And don't forget the free side salad.

    (4)

  • Talia G.

    I'm all about Chaat Cafe's Chicken Wrap to go for $5.99 +tax. It's well-seasoned and the naan wrap is thick and AWESOME. Perfect dinner if you're headed to class across the street at the UC Berkeley Extension Center. I'm not a huge fan of the spicy potato or cucumber salads it comes with, but the naan makes up for it.

    (4)

  • Alex W.

    Chicken wraps are bomb! Spicy potato salad on the side, make sure to ask for the red and green sauce for the wrap, they stopped giving that by default.

    (5)

  • Akunna O.

    I don't know what this is going to add since this place already has so many rave reviews, but I love their family dinners. I usually order 2 for my large family and it lasts for days. Very tasty, the chiken tikka masala is not composed primarily of cream, and I feel healthy after eating their food. The only downside for me is the distance from the freeway and having to pay for parking...

    (5)

  • Rinky N.

    Either I've gotten taller or they've adjusted the booth tables so they are lower and no longer are at my chest level. Yay! We had a very tasty and satisfying early dinner. We had the vegetarian wraps with cucumber salad (hubby) and spicy potato salad (me). We also had side orders of their delicious dal soup. (Mildly spiced and tasty). I HAD to have an onion naan--which came to the table hot and a little toasted (ie. perfect)! Great food! Great service!

    (4)

  • Serena L.

    I like to think I've had a good amount of Indian food in my life. and I've always loved Indian food, but this place is soo good. soo good that even if the place was dirty and the service was lousy, I'd still eat here because the butter chicken curry is THAT good. I've always loved the "ghetto" Indian restaurants, where things are probably very dirty and smelly and where you cant trust that the water they serve is clean. this place is pretty different. everythings clean and neat. they have a nice decor going on, photographs on the wall. booth seating, self serve water area is organized and well stocked. I love the food here. I think about this place all day.

    (5)

  • Monica S.

    Free wifi and a wide variety of chaats makes this a good place to snack and study. Is it the best chaat in Berkeley? No, that's Vik's, but its the best chaat near campus and that counts for a lot. Some of the dishes with tamarind sauce taste sweeter than I'd like, but it's mostly satisfying, and the lamb stuffed naan is incredible.

    (4)

  • Kimberly A.

    I ordered the chicken tikka sandwich thing (wrapped in a piece of naan bread), and it was phenomenal. All my favorites tastes and textures of Indian food, in one casual, inexpensive dish! My husband got a spicy chicken wrap, and he said that was excellent, as well. He particularly liked the spicy potato salad. I liked the cucumber salad that came with my sandwich, too, but it had a much more subtle flavor. The prices are great: we got dinner for two for under $15. We definitely plan to go back.

    (4)

  • Dani P.

    We got a Munch On Me deal, so we decided to give this place a shot. Service was a little slow (about 30 minutes before the food came out), but the flavor was really good. We all loved that the tandoori chicken came on a sizzling platter, and $5.75 for chicken, rice, lentils, cucumber salad, naan and a drink was a great deal. I would love to come here again, but it would have to be on another night when we don't have somewhere we need to be afterward.

    (4)

  • Danny S.

    The Chicken Tandoori meal is the best deal in Berkeley - $10.99 or something for a plate of tandoori chicken, a piece of naan, rice, a bowl of daal, and a vegetable dish. A ton of food, and, even better, it all tastes great!

    (5)

  • Jordan P.

    I took forever to order and it angered some locals. I ended up with a paneer wrap and some of their spicy potato salad. It was all very good. The women behind the counter were very friendly, although it felt like the food took a while to come out. I could only eat about half the wrap. It was a bit more spicy than I had anticipated, but still very good. I would not hesitate to come back especially if I were in the area.

    (4)

  • Nikhil V.

    The food is awesome!! . By far the best chaat i have had in the Bay Area. I ordered samosa chaat , papdi chaat and aloo tikki . Samosa chaat was the best . As good as the food you find in India. The mango lassi tasted fresh . Its also conveniently located near the Berkeley campus .

    (4)

  • lisa W.

    This place has solid great food. I've been here several times already and its always delicious. Favorites are the samosa chaats, the lamb tikki masala, the aloo naan, the sweet lassi, and any lamb dish. What elevates this place for me into 5 star territory is really the service. Danny, the guy who works the register, is EXCELLENT. He goes out of his way to accomodate, and somehow manages to really keep on top of things to make sure orders don't get mixed up, despite all the complicated orders we throw at him. I usually go with a friend, and we always have large volume orders with lots of special requests...(can we substitute this? add this? change that?) I recognize that this makes us nightmarish, high maintenance patrons, but it's never a problem for Danny, and he always takes cares of things enthusiatically, gives us great advice and help, and is always super accommodating, friendly and efficient in the process. Love that the kitchen is so willing to accommodate special requests too. Since our first visit, Danny and the kitchen staff have recognized my friend and I and greet us as regulars. This really elevates the whole experience and makes me appreciate their customer service all the more. Great job, Danny and Chaat Cafe!

    (5)

  • joe p.

    I love their lamb curry.You don't actually get a server which is not a big deal. love their naaan.place looks darn clean.

    (4)

  • PrincessPeac H.

    This is great gringo-fied chaat! I love that they have a chilli shaker next to the S&P and the atmoshphere is way above average for chaat. I got great service and both my papri chaat and samosas were good. Will I come here again? Probably. Is it my first choice? No, I prefer my food spicier (and I'm not just talking about chilli). If I ever want to introduce the parental units to chaat they'll actually like, I'll bring them here.

    (4)

  • John S.

    There are places in Northeast Ohio that remind me of places in Berkeley. That's not terribly interesting, I know, but it serves, I think, as fair warning for the strangeness of this review. People who work at hospitals have a lot of guts. Maybe not all of them, but most of them. I used to work in a hospital building, although I wasn't technically a staff member of the hospital, although I did work with clients who could sometimes more accurately be referred to as patients, so I know what I'm talking about. I used to have a lot of guts. But when I think back on all the dangerous situations I was in at work, I have to stop thinking about it because it's ridiculous how little I got paid to be put in so much danger, sometimes on a nightly basis. Sometimes, people who work at hospitals just want to be people. They don't want to wear scrubs or do their rounds or think about their patients. In fact, if you've worked at a hospital long enough, I think it's impossible to really want to be there. You can enjoy your job, but you have to develop a strict separation between your professional and your personal life. If you don't, you'll burn out. Or worse. And when you do burn out, no one who works with you or has worked with you in the hospital will judge you for it, but you might judge yourself. But some people are so focused on themselves (and not necessarily selfishly) and the job they're doing that they seem oblivious. They are often the hardest to handle, and sometimes, it's easier to assume they're mildly autistic because that gives you an excuse not to blame them for their lack of social skills. Chaat Cafe is very good. I don't know whether it's worth walking all the way up to University from work during my lunch hour, but I would definitely recommend it to my office mates if they were in the mood for no-nonsense Indian food. Remember to pronounce Sproul correctly, and you'll do just fine. At Berkeley at least. Maybe not in hospitals. UPDATE: 3/2/2015 =============== Chaat Cafe loses a star because its restrooms are completely wheelchair inaccessible. The door opens into the restroom, and in order to close the door, once must enter the restroom and then move to the side. This would be impossible for a wheelchair user.

    (3)

  • Ben H.

    This is a 4 star for taste/cost value. Got the Tandoori chicken which came with rice, naan, a container (small) of soup, and a side of cucumber salad. Not bad for a quick indian meal.

    (4)

  • Christina C.

    I'm so behind on all my reviews. I need a part time job structure just to force myself to write the needed amount. I'm so behind that I'm writing this on my parent's computer that has a dusty keyboard place precariously in some strange corner not close to the monitor. My parents don't type much, everything they need has been bookmarked. The BF and I came here one sunday afternoon. I think. Or was it saturday? The weekends blur into one giant headache. I've discovered and come to terms with the interesting fact that if I don't eat something really SPICY at least once a week, Lindsey Lohan takes over my body. I'm talking about spine-tingling, scalp-numbing spicy. If red usually denotes something spicy, I look for food the color of a supernova. The BF went a little hog-wild. Who ever heard of a Brit that is ignorant of South Indian Cuisine? Is the rumor true that Brits know only Chicken Tikka Masala? "What's a chaat?" BF says. We got an order of mini poori to stuff with chickpeas and tamarind sauce. Assorted pakori. Samosa. Too much naan. Potato latkas? That's what they looked like. And an order of super-hot lamb vindaloo. The woman at the cash register shook her head in disbelief at my request. The vindaloo was great the second day, over a bowl of rice. My main complaint with indian food, in general, is that it's too sauce-y. I'm not a huge fan of bread, I prefer rice, thus eating a bowl of sauce with a few chunks of potato and meat using only bread is weird. I added a few cubes of roasted lamb into the reheated vindaloo and ate it with purple rice. Fusion~!

    (3)

  • Cheng S.

    I use to live right across the street from Chaat Cafe and I've gone here for a quick, delicious bite between coming home and going to classes. I've ordered the following in the past: Chicken Wrap- The naan wrap is very warm and moist. It's a great combination with the chicken which is cooked just right without it being too dry like other Indian restaurants I've been to. I love that the cucumbers are a bit spiced as well. In addition, a little cucumber or potato salad comes as a side dish and both are yummy. I prefer the potato salad since it's a bit spicier than the cucumber option. Samosa- By far my favorite samosa in all of Berkeley! In comparison to House of Curries, it's much less spicy and I can really enjoy the stuffing and I find the shell to be crunchier but quite flavorful and soft on the inside. Papri Chaat- My first time ever having it and I certainly did not regret it. It's almost like a samosa chip salad with garbanzo beans using yogurt dressing (well technically, that IS it haha) It's served cold so it's good to eat on a hot day! Aloo naan- I think they provide the most MOIST naan out of all the Indian restaurants I've been to. The raita that comes with the naan makes a really good dip and I always runs out before I finish the naan. I always love coming here and it's too bad I've moved farther away but when I'm near the area, expect me to visit again!

    (5)

  • Bonnie C.

    Freshly made naan wrapped around your choice of spiced potatoes, paneer, chicken or other meats, lettuce and onions and yummy sauce. And don't forget the spicy potato salad or cucumber salad. The wraps are a perfect size and price for a great lunch here and I know from extensive testing during my high school years since it's just up the street from BHS (it's probably still pretty busy around their lunchtime). Other chaat staples like pakoras and samosas also very good and you can watch them make it to order through the big window looking in to the kitchen. Student (Cal and BHS only) special on the veggie and chicken wraps :)

    (4)

  • Susanna W.

    I love love LOVE Chaat Cafe. I cannot rave enough about how delicious their curries are. And their naan! OMG. Always fresh and hot out of the tandoor (or whatever it is that they make it in)... mmm crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. SOOO GOOD. SH introduced me to the joys of Indian food within a year of living together in Berkeley. I mean, she IS brown after all, and Berkeley definitely has more than its fair share of yummy Indian restaurants. We used to walk down University EVERY week to have our weekly dinner date there. Since then, I don't think I've gone more than a few weeks without trying to get some curry into my system. I don't know how I lived so long without it before. I always get the samosa chaat when I go. Its too delicious to resist. Then I have to go with either chicken tikka masala, lamb curry, or the fish curry. MMM. Just thinking about Chaat Cafe makes me want to go back. Too bad I live so far now :(

    (5)

  • Pratik T.

    I have mixed feelings about this place. Sometimes, it's the best Chicken Wrap I have eaten all week, and sometimes, they just bore me. I don't know what it is but I am glad they offer you a soda without extra cost? I have to make sure. I have been there at least 10 times now. The seating is great and the place is decorated pretty well. Great location also. Overall, a good place to grab a lunch or something before a class.

    (3)

  • David D.

    Pretty good, reasonable prices

    (4)

  • Jennifer M.

    I was looking for a place to get good take out on a rainy night in Berkeley when my brother was in town, and I'm so glad I picked Chaat cafe! We ordered food for a lot of people, with some special requests, which can always be confusing. But the woman who took our order was more than accommodating, and helped us keep track of everything when it came out, too. The price wasn't bad *at all* either - maybe at most $50 for food for 5 people, and the portions were huge - we all ate leftovers for lunch the next day. Don't be fooled if it's empty on a weekend night, definitely give this place a try! We didn't try any wraps, but got chicken tikka, dahl, chana masala (which they made special for us as a dinner rather than a side), naan, and a few other items which I forget. Also, the family dinner special is an amazing deal, if you're ordering for 2 or more people, definitely do that!

    (4)

  • Aussfchi R.

    We went there recently and ordered the Panner Tikka Masala and Paneer Vindaloo. Man, were we in for a shock.... The Tikka Masala was the worst taste we have ever had in the bay area... way too much of tomato flavor and very less of the actual cashew paste they were supposed to use... The vindaloo was like a chinese curry with some sauce and paneer cubes in it. Hated it, never going back again to this place.

    (1)

  • Amy L.

    I've been here a couple times with some of my indian friends and they love the place. I love the atmosphere, its very modern, clean and lots of space to eat, grab lunch, or bring work there to work. The food is pretty good, but I felt like it was pretty standard and didn't taste anything super out of the ordinary. They have a way better vegetarian option that other places but not much meat option. They had lamb dishes (curry, wraps, and kabab). I think they have better wraps than curry. So order that if you want to try something different.

    (4)

  • Aditya K.

    ** I am a native of India who has eaten at every single Indian restaurant in Berkeley at least 3 times each, and 70% of my meals consist of Indian cuisine. Read the bottom of the review for my complete ranking list or look in my Yelp Lists ** -- Entrees (Taste/Variety) : 4/5 Unique snack-type items not found at run-of-the-mill Indian restaurants. Make sure you focus on enjoying these ..like the chaats (DUH) and the wraps. Stay away from the traditional Indian curries they offer, there are much better restaurants if you want CTM, etc. -- Naan: 3/5 It's naan, plain and simple. -- Price/Value: 4/5 The wraps are a solid value, but if you order a La Carte traditional curries you are getting ripped off. Naan is a rip off too. Stick with the wraps and the chaats. -- Service: 3/5 Fast, but not much more they can do, there ain't no waiters here, and there shouldn't be. *CRITICSMS*: - As mentioned before, their normal Indian food sucks. Oh and it's a rip off too. *********** RANKING LIST ******************************************** -- I will keep updating this ranking list as I get time -- Updated 6/24/2010 1) Flavors of India / Kabab and Karahi (tie) 2) Himalaya 3) Urbann Turbann ($5 Cholay wrap: best value for your money, period). 4) Punjabi By Nature 5) Chaat Cafe 6) Priya 7) Viks (yeah, I know I'm going to get a lot of flak for this one, but it's true folks, severely overrated due to bandwagoning) 8) Breads of India (OK, but overpriced) 9) Biryani House 10) Khana Peena (the one on Solano, a little better than the other one) 11) Pasand (OK, but severely overpriced) 12) House of Curries (College) 13) Kabana (Great food loses massive points for racially based treatment of customers) 14) Tandoor Kitchen 15) Khana Peena (the one on Shattuck, absolute trash, avoid) 16) Indus Valley Restaurant (literally serves frozen vegetable curries) **Now if I called Khana Peena Shattuck trash, then you can imagine how the following are...yeah...these don't deserve to even be ranked** House of Curries (Durant) Naan N Curry

    (4)

  • Joyce B.

    I was a bit disappointed after coming here. Initially, I was looking forward to their lunch special ($5 for wraps/curry bowl). However, as soon as I got here, the sign outside indicated that it's only the veggie wrap. We ordered a la carte and shared the following: 1) Chicken Tikka Masala (3.5/5) - could be better; the flavor is not as strong and the chicken is a bit dry. not as good as it's hyped. 2) Buttered Chicken (4.5/5) - surprisingly delicious! it's my fav out of everything we ordered. the chicken is very tender and the sauce was creamy and slightly sweet. 3) Vindaloo (4/5) - lamb dish was pretty good too. it's a bit spicy, but i liked the sweetness 4) Saag (3/5) - not a fan of spinach dish anyway, so didn't prefer this one as muc 5) Naan (4/5) - naan is solid! Overall, curry is a bit watery as well, so there were a lot of leftovers. I wish they were creamier. Taste was decent, but not memorable. Overall, it's an "eh". Price-wise, it's decent, but I would've preferred the lunch deal. The restaurant ambience is pretty nice. It's clean and modern.

    (3)

  • Gadi C.

    Delicious cheap Indian food. Recommend the butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, the daal. Spicy kabob wrap was okay... a little too yogurt-y. Only five dollars though! Definitely a good meal.

    (4)

  • Kate Marie G.

    I have only had the Chaat Salad with Chicken Tikka here, and I'm writing this review so that I can add it to my "Favorite Salads in Berkeley" list. The salad had good quality romaine lettuce and lentil crispy noodles, great for a no-wheat person like me. The chicken tikka was tender and spicy, with a good tangy/spicy dressing. Note to self: ask for no onions next time. I'm happy to return here and eat it again. As for the rest of their food, I couldn't say. I had a few bites of my husband's saag and thought it was ok, though not amazingly good. Minus two starts for bland chai, slow service, and slightly grimy bathrooms. Plus three stars for the good salad and reasonably attractive, clean eating area.

    (3)

  • M H.

    Ordered the family platter deal for $24.99 and it was enough to feed 3-4 people! The service was fast and the food was decent. You can only order the family meal to go.

    (3)

  • Jessica K.

    The Tandori Chicken had HUGE portions! The naan was fluffy and delicious and the chicken was really really really tender. It came with naan, a salad, the chicken, and rice. Not bad at all!

    (4)

  • Tam F.

    I was anti-Indian food for many years after having a bad experience with it back in the day. Friends would tell me to try it again. The parents would tell me to try it again, but I held out claiming I couldn't due to said bad experience. Well...an ex-BF brought me here one day, ordered a couple of wraps, a couple of appetizers (samosas and some other stuff) and bam, I got the jones for spice and a cumulation of flavors that my now over 30 palette and intestinal track could handle. I have been many times since. With the daughter, other friends and even turned my Dad on to the place. Now, if only it wasn't all the way in Berkeley and if parking wasn't ass in the area... I heart lamb boti wraps....

    (4)

  • Cesar Á.

    Wow... This was my favorite Indian restaurant a year ago and just went to revisit. The food taste just as good as it has always been! The staff is super friendly. Too bad we couldn't go again before we left.

    (5)

  • Teng L.

    I love and hate Indian food. This place has the most delicious wrap I've ever eaten. It's butter chicken wrapped in a greasy, oily, crispy naan. The first time I ate it, I almost died of ecstasy. That might sound dramatic, but it was so delicious. Second time I had it was just as good, but after the fact I realized how terrible the greasiness of the food made me feel. Third time I asked for a naan that wasn't greasy and they gave me something that was dryer but was just as good. Still though, this kind of food is not suitable for everyday consumption. I will come back for the delicious wrap, but only if after I have time for a nap. The kulfi here is also quite a uniquely aromatic snack, it tastes like roses, and is addictive as crack.

    (4)

  • David D.

    Pretty amazing value for simple, tasty Indian meals. Walk in, order at the counter, grab your water and silverware, sit in the (tiny bit grubby, the "upscale" renovation is long ago now) booths or at a table. They'll bring you lots of tasty food! Great, absolutely great, for groups- they'll organize a bunch of tables for you in advance, don't mind if you bring birthday cake. Saffron and pistachio ice creams in the freezer...

    (5)

  • Amiee H.

    I've always driven past this place and not thought much of it, but I'm really glad I decided to drop in and try it today! Food: 1) Chicken Tikka Masala (comes with Naan or Rice): A bit on the runny side but this dish really hit the spot! The flavor was dead on and the chicken was really tender and juicy! The spicyness was spot on and the entire curry was very well made! Bravo (aside from the runny part)! 2) Paneer Aachari (comes with Naan or Rice): This curry really packs in a punch. I don't know if it's just because it was spicy or if it had 10x's more Indian spices in it than regular curry, but it was really kicking. This dish is good for someone that enjoys a dish that provides a flavorful palate. The Paneer (cheese) appropriately complimented the dish, considering how the fat in the cheese was able to dampen the spicy/spice-filled dish a little bit so it wasn't too intense and over power the dish. 3) Garlic/Pesto Naan: Winning combo! I love garlic Naan and I love pesto, so the combination of both of these fantastic items really made the Naan something special. It was almost like a cheese-less pizza. I haven't seen this Naan anywhere else but I'm glad I found it here because it really rocked this meal! Service: Not much service. You order at the front and then they bring you your food. You even fetch your own water, so I think I totally over tipped. Ambiance: From the outside, the place doesn't look like much. In fact, it looks very small. But when you go inside, it stretches out pretty deep into the restaurant! There are tons of tables or booths to choose from to sit at and everything looks very clean and new. I like the photos on the walls of Indian scenery and people. Price: All the curries come with Naan or Rice built into the price, so considering that, it is pretty decently priced! Everything we got came out to be around $24. But keep in mind, this is with me over tipping... Overall: I think I'll totally come back! I enjoyed the whole dining experience!

    (4)

  • Ben W.

    Best Saag Panir I've had anywhere. Good music. Atmosphere on the casual side.

    (5)

  • Nobbi L.

    Normally I'm not a fan of order at the counter places, but I was in the area and this place looked good. Reading the "menu" I was a little worried since some dishes sounded so generic, e.g. "lamb curry". I asked if it was hot, or could be made hot. The very nice gentleman taking the order told me they could make it hot. I ordered the "dinner" with rice, naan, dal, and veggies. Plus a big kingfisher. The lamb curry was delicious, as was the rice and the naan, and the beer! The dal was pretty flavorless even after adding salt. The veggies were pretty boring. But all things considered, I really enjoyed my main dish and would go back.

    (4)

  • Lisa T.

    Decent seekh kabob wrap, juicy mango lassi, the food hits the spot. But perhaps you amateur detectives and forensic analysts can help me out with this -- the booth on the left side of the restaurant, the booth closest to the front door, has a JANKY smell. Could it be that some teen prankster hid a tandoori wing beneath the cushions or something? Or perhaps Chhota Shakeel or another of the legendary Bollywood mafiosi had hidden a body there. That smell had me thinking, and thinking.

    (3)

  • Afshan K.

    Nice ambiance, friendly staff, and it's really clean! Especially the bathroom. I ordered Papdi chaat, Aloo Tikki, and the Pani Poori. The indian milk tea was good and strong too. Overall, I'd recommend this place!

    (4)

  • Lily T.

    I love naan, and theirs was really good when it was hot, but it was still good after it got cold, even though it's always better hot. I had the mixed grill plate for dinner the first time we ate here. I had a hard time telling the chicken from the salmon, because they were cut in the same size and shape blocks. Turns out I only had one piece of salmon. The platter was rather greasy, so I wasn't feeling too good at the end of the meal, but the pieces that I ate in the beginning, before they soaked up all the grease at the bottom of the plate were pretty nice and juicy. The second time I went I ordered a paneer wrap, because I didn't really want to repeat my previous experience with meat overload o_O. The wrap was really good, nice and soft. The paneer was just the right texture and softness, and the cucumbers were very fresh. I didn't really like the self-service water station; the glasses were just sitting there alongside pitchers of water with melting ice and lemon slices, and it didn't feel very hygienic to me. Other than that I had a really nice experience there.

    (4)

  • A A.

    My favorite place in Berkeley! Their food is fresh, right on, and delicious. I love this place! I've tried alot of their items but my favorite is the Chickent Tikka because hey serve it with boneless chicken, rice, salad, garlic naan and daal. All for about $9. The place is centrally located, you can usually find parking after 6. However, one thing I do dislike is that the food can sometimes take alot of time; sometimes even 10 minutes so it's smart if you order on the phone before getting there. This place is def a keeper. Yummmy..

    (5)

  • Lea G.

    After eating my weight in food during my India adventure from fine dining, regional and fusion....I discovered chaat is one of my favorite. Chaat is basically street vendor (fast) food. It's typically consists of something deep fried (usually a puri) starch and beans. I started craving Indian food again after a few weeks and decided it was time to introduce my friends to my new found food love... Unfortunately our original choice was closed so on the fly we decided to try out Chaat Cafe. Now going from memory my friends and I had the samosa chaat, butter chicken (for the meat eaters) and garlic naan. There were other entrees but these were the standouts. Pros: The food was fast, prices were inexpensive, portion was good size. Cashier was friendly and efficient. They provided a water station with pitchers and glasses for self-service. The garlic naan was excellent. Cons: Service was spotty (they forget someone's drink order, utensils and napkins). And there pani puri (which I was looking forward to the most) was mehhhh - alright. But if you are craving Indian food and you have a big appetite with limited funds - this is your place.

    (3)

  • Jesse L.

    The family dinner take-out special is ridiculous. The food is damn good and the price is amazing. It feeds our family of two at least two meals each and manages to pull us in once a month. Especially like the lamb vindaloo and butter chicken. Keep rocking Chaat Cafe!

    (5)

  • Tim K.

    Good quality Indian food at reasonable prices. Lately I've been addicted to the Tikka Masala Rolls - around $7 and sooo good! I've also tried some of their wraps and curries - nothing disappointed. Service can be a bit slow at times, but the last time I went it only took about 5-10 min to get my food. And yes, the chili shaker is a nice touch. :-)

    (4)

  • Cal H.

    Stopped in here for lunch today and it was satisfying. Great Indian for a great price, I highly recommend their Lamb Curry or yogurt appetizers. The only negative was the service was a bit slow. Would return.

    (4)

  • Sandeep C.

    A wise man once told me that if I wanted to find good Indian food in the Bay area, skip SF and go to the East Bay. Well, I've found the place in Berkeley. If you want casual dining that's easy on the wallet and makes your stomach happy, look no further. Winning.

    (4)

  • Anthony S.

    "You know when you say 'street food' to an American, maybe it sounds like they are actually eating off the street." ~ Greg Drescher What is it about people that won't try ethnic foods unless it's stuffed into a wrap, chopped up on a salad or sprinkled on a pizza? Well, fusion cuisine has finally gone too far, they've taken my favorite cuisine on the planet, Indian, and westernized and de-spicyfied it so its more comfortable and more palatable to the nervous diner. Maybe I'm a purist, but pizzas, wraps and Caesar salads are NOT Indian food to me....they're not even close. No, I was lured into Chaat Cafe with promises of chaat, of which I found their selection to be a bit disappointing. They've got the old standbys pakora, samosa and some of the awesome street foods of India including Bhel Puri, Pani Puri and Chole Batura. But that's about it. I ended up going with the $9.95 chicken curry dinner which I ordered spicy. It was a ton of food! A large serving of chicken curry, basmati rice, Dal Makhani and naan. The chicken curry and dal were good, but the naan was a bit too soft and thick (I prefer mine thin and somewhat crisp on the edges). In all it was decent, but I'm not sure I would go out of my way to eat there again. It was just MEH.

    (2)

  • Nadia B.

    This place is awesome. I went here twice, once with friends and once with other friends. I got the butter chicken the first time. Let me tell you about this butter chicken. The chicken was moist. The flavor was sweet and tangy. There was so much. When I was full, I couldn't stop eating. I wanted to eat forever. Then I got the lamb vindaloo the second time I went. Let me tell you about this lamb vindaloo. It set my face on fire. My eyes watered and my tongue burned. I was sweating profusely as I ate this vindaloo. I wanted to stop the pain, but it hurt so good. I'm used to spicy, and am the person that often complains that the "spicy" thing on the menu isn't actually spicy. The vindaloo called me a pussy. The place is set up similarly to a fast-food place. The most expensive thing on the menu is about 10 bucks, and you get a lot of bang for your buck. Even my hungry friends were full before they could finish their meals. You retrieve your own silverware and water as well. The atmosphere was very laid back and relaxing. I sure do like this place.

    (5)

  • Frank U.

    The best Indian food I've ever had. It was a clean place nice pictures of India on the wall. Food was presented fresh and clean, very good customer service. Good size serving on the plate. I had some of the chicken tandoori and it was perfection, also had another dish that was not on the menu but it's on the cover of one of their advertisements postcard size, spicy and delicious. I will go back again when I want some good Indian food. I hear they have one in SF but, I'll have to see if they measure up to the friendly atmosphere in Berkeley, and freshness of food.

    (5)

  • stephanie q.

    This is a good new staple in my life. The prices are great, and the food is tasty, and every meal come with a boatload of things! It's not just a meal...it's a feast with a chaat (which i found out means snack) mask on. It's a really casual restaurant, and has a good selection in addition to daily specials. It may seem not like much from the outside...but it's a diamond in the rough!

    (4)

  • Xander M.

    I go here pretty regularly for dinner since it's on my way home and a reliable experience. The food is decent. Very middle of the road as with many Indian places. The wraps are a pretty good value- almost as much food as a dinner for about half the price. The lamb is pretty tasty, as was the salmon special. The mango lassis are good. I've never had to wait in line for more than a few minutes to place my order, and the food comes pretty fast. Usually within ten minutes. Parking can be a little tough in this area. It's hit or miss.

    (3)

  • Anastasia B.

    I wasn't too impressed with this place. The food is ok, but I thought the portions were small for the expensive prices. I ordered chicken tikka masala, which was $6.99 for a tiny portion. The ate every bite of naan, which I usually don't like to fill up on, but I was still starving after my last bite. I don't think I'll be back.

    (2)

  • sharon m.

    Their chicken tikka masala wrap was gooood. So were the sides.

    (4)

  • DRASTIK P.

    well came out here to try indian foo i heard it was very good here an so i gave it a try an i ordered the chicken tikki marsala an wow was i impressed it was soo tasty an flavorful an i would recomend coming here again next time im bringing the family with me it was a great experience

    (5)

  • Lauren C.

    My co-workers and I eat at Chaat at least once a week, and it is never a disappointment. the Desi Wrap and cucumber salad are a perfect combo, if not a little on the large side. The staff have always been very nice, and if you pre-order, it's ready as soon as you get there. The perfect lunch when you're tired of sandwiches every day.

    (4)

  • C D.

    Very fresh and delicious! I had the Veggie Wrap taht came with a mango chutney. I went for lunch, it wasn't packed. Parking may not be handy, I would suggest parking south of MLK on University but bring change for the meter. They take Visa and MC, I didn't see a sign for anything else...

    (4)

  • sharon s.

    I always get the samosa chaat, which I think is just as good as Vik's, and the saag paneer, which is also good. In my opinion this place is way better than Naan & Curry. I think the prices are good, two people can eat vegetarian style for about $12. It is super quick and has a nice atmosphere. Definitely try this place if you live or work close.

    (4)

  • Tiffany D.

    I went to Chaat Cafe yesterday evening with my friend. I ordered the fish curry and it had a bit of spice and zest to it. Normally, I don't really order fish dishes from Indian restaurants but yesterday night I decided to try it out. The sauce blended pleasingly well with the fish alone. I also tried their chicken Masala, which I prefer than the fish curry. Loved the spicy kick to the chicken Masala sauce. It tasted better once I dipped a piece of garlic nan in the sauce. Prices are pretty reasonable and they give you a good amount. Place is pretty cool and spacious as well. If your craving for something flavorful, spicy and cheap this is the place to hit up.

    (3)

  • The Sock S.

    Nothing great here, though nothing has been terrible I guess. The wraps are good, though not very big for the price. I'm not a fan of their naan, it's just pretty blah. The mango lassi is subpar. The chaat are just about average. I wanted to try the pizza, but just not sure I'll be back to ever try it even though it's close by.

    (2)

  • Sharon K.

    The Chaat Cafe is a great way to sample Indian cuisine, the spices of their food is flavorful, not overpowering. The service is fairly quick, the decor is tasteful and the prices are very reasonable. I would highly recommend the Tandoori Chicken Wrap (about $5).

    (5)

  • Evan K.

    This is the place where I fell in love with Indian food. The samosa chaat is to die for, and pretty much anything that you get will be excellent. Go with a lot of friends and have everyone order a different chaat, and you will not be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Caro S.

    I must confess that I am a regular so I am biased. The staff are awesome. This is a great place to have lunch. You go in order your food at the counter. If you get to-go it is quick. If you dine in they bring the food to you. Lets start with the appetizers; the somosa's are delicious as are the naans my favorite is the stuffed naan with chicken. The mango laasi is delicious nice and sweet. The dinner portion entrees are very extravagant they come with dal, naan, rice and the main dish (my recommendation would be the malai kofta curry). For lunch I would recommend the tandoori chicken sandwich with yummy potato salad. I like that the place has both window and booth seating and that the bathrooms are always clean.

    (5)

  • Abhi S.

    This place really hits the spot on some stuff and utterly disappoints on others. The papri chaat is good to excellent, the aloo tikki disappoints (my hunt for good aloo tikki in the Bay Area continues - if other yelpers have discovered this, let me know), the chicken curry was adequate but very forgettable. All this can be had for about $16 though which is nice for your budget, eh. I'd recommend sticking to the chaats here - they have a limited but decent selection. Posters of old Bollywood actors like Dev Anand with a sheep's gaze adorn the wall which can be very disconcerting to any self respecting Punjabi.

    (3)

  • Ramon E.

    This place is ok. It's vegan-friendly, of course. I've been here 4 times, though, and the flavor leaves something to be desired. That would be fine if it were incredibly cheap...but it isn't. The portions are good-sized, though, and it's pretty clean.

    (3)

  • Michele F.

    I was feeling really lazy the other day so I was like, "Hey boyfriend get me some food . . . . . . Please!" We were both craving these veggie wraps that we get at Kennedy's, the Irish pub and Indian restraint across the bay. Chaat Cafe is the chain looking Indian restaurant on University. I did not go to the location, I just got to enjoy the food (remember . . . lazy). My boyfriend got me a veggie wrap and samosas. Both appeared to be small, but that might have been because I was so hungry. None the less it filled me up, and both were rather tasty. In the end though I can only give it four stars, because I am comparing it to Kennedy's.

    (4)

  • Chelsea P.

    I love their Chicken Wraps, but they take a little longer than you'd expect to assemble, though they come out perfect. You also get a petite serving of some cool and refreshing cucumber or potato salad, though they're a little heavy on the dill. Food is good and reliable. This was always a favorite for lunch when I went to high school just a few blocks away. Unfortunately now I only go to Chaat if I'm not driving since parking in downtown Berkeley rivals parking in downtown San Francisco.

    (4)

  • Bob D.

    the drew barrymore of restaurants.... let me start by saying that like drew barrymore, this place used to be a little skanky, AND like drew barrymore, got it together. Even though you can still tell something is "not quite right" it's still pretty good. The table height of the booths is ridiculous, you feel like you are reaching up for your food. It's cold and drafty, there is almost always a line, the water tastes like sanitizer and it's not easy to park in that neighborhood. That said, the food is actually really good. Take a vegetarian there and order the vegetarian platter. You should order and enjoy the Chicken Tikka Sandwich, which you can get on Garlic Naan. The Naan here is usually excellent and fresh. The masala and curry dishse are good... the spiciness factor (again like drew barrymore) is inconsistent. some days the potato salad will be super hot, other days, not so much. attracts a funny mix of yuppies, college kids and hippie lawyers.

    (4)

  • Latin M.

    I always order the lamb curry dinner, samosas, and gulab. Always consistently good.

    (5)

  • Amy E.

    I had never gone inside because it looked like it was table service, and usually I want a quick lunch. I was really pleased to find out it is actually an order-at-the-counter-and-seat-yourself fast food place. My veggie wrap was very good, reasonably priced. I think I'll work it into my regular lunch rotation.

    (4)

  • Magic M.

    I heard this was a great place to eat when in Berkeley. Well, I was disapointed. The food was kinda bland and I thought the prices were a little bit high for the portions. I probably won't go back.

    (2)

  • Shyam P.

    This place isn't too authentic. Their chaats are pretty bland and horribly overpriced. I like their biryani special and their chicken tikka masala is not bad. The malai kofta is maddeningly spicy. Their dinners are actually a good value because you get quite a lot of food for $10. They also use good quality ingredients. Avoid the lamb kabob special, my teeth almost fell off trying to eat that stuff. Their wraps are ok too. Sometimes they taste very flavorful but other times it's incredibly bland.

    (3)

  • Richard H.

    I used to eat lunch here a few years ago when it first opened. I would get the chicken wrap. It was cheap and pretty good. I don't eat lunch out anymore so I haven't been back in a long time. The other day my office had a Halloween party and someone brought some samosas and a chick pea dish from the Chaat Cafe. Both dishes were really good! The chicken wrap was the only thing I had ever had at the Chaat Cafe before this. The samosas were really good. The pastry was crisp and not too greasy, and the filling was very good too. They came with a very good green mint sauce. The chick pea dish was spicy and flavorful. I love good Indian food and even with the plethora of Indian restaurants in the bay area I have yet to find one I would call outstanding. I don't know about the rest of the dishes at the Chaat Cafe, but the two I had the other day were excellent.

    (3)

  • Mark P.

    A solid choice for inventive/fusion Indian cuisine. Everything I've had has been at least decent to good; my favorite dishes so far are the tandoori salmon (despite what you may think, the flavors work together and salmon can get the tandoori effect without being overcooked) and the spicy seekh kabob wrap (filled with spicy, sausage-like lamb). The chicken tikka masala rolls are worth trying at least once if you can share them with a few people. They're tasty but the naan wrapping them is so fried that it can quickly become overwhelming.

    (4)

  • n m.

    Not sure why so people are saying it's pricey, for the low price you pay you get a decent amount of good food. Really enjoy the paneer wrap and cholay bhature. Quick service too.

    (4)

  • Lauren G.

    They have a really great chicken naan wrap that comes with fresh cucumber on the side. I always leave fully satisfied but not overly full. They have a great selection of neat Popsicles for dessert like pistachio and mango.

    (4)

  • Kristie P.

    i eat chaat cafe's paneer wrap at least once every 2-3 weeks for lunch. i would eat it more but it's a bit of a walk from my work. i think the paneer wrap is best when you eat it at the restaurant because if you get it go it gets cold and loses something. my only complaint is that i wish the wrap was a little smaller and spicier. i had a roti wrap with paneer similar to chaat's in bombay and it was waaaay spicier and by using roti instead of naan i didn't feel quite as full as i do when i eat the wrap at chaat cafe. i don't usually get the any of the chaats here because i think they are bit overpriced and not as good as vik's. i look forward to trying the paneer salad as a lighter alternative but i wouldn't get the raspberry dressing, instead i would just ask for a side of the cilantro chutney. i think that would make for a better taste combination. by the way, the chaat cafe in berkeley is way better than the one in san francisco. it has faster service and the paneer wraps don't get soggy.

    (4)

  • Belle M.

    If you like lamb, you have to try Chaat Cafe's Boti wraps: it is cubed lambs with cilantro and wrapped in naan, it's so good. There dishes are good but not stellar and prices are decent. But what I also enjoy are their chais, makes you feel warm all over.

    (4)

  • Anna G.

    I liked it. The chicken tikka masala was really spicy, which isn't how I prefer it, but I know there are some people out there who do. The stuffed naan was really good, and a cool idea. This seems like a popular lunch spot, because its quick and fairly cheap and not greasy as all hell. Next time I'll try one of the wraps, which seemed to be a popular set of menu items.

    (3)

  • Mollie M.

    I used to come here pretty regularly. It has tasty food, chaat and curries, and yummy wraps. Unfortunately, this place is a guarantee heartburner. I eat a lot of Indian food, but this place really knew how to make me suffer afterwards. Even still, I would come here occasionally when others wanted to, because I still liked the food. Hey, that's why they invented Tums. Of course, getting pregnant changes things and there was no way I could tolerate the horrible heartburn, so it had been about 8-9 months since Id been. Parents in town, they really wanted to go there because they both love the simple tandori chicken wrap. I figured I would just take my chances with the samosas. Everything appeared to be the same; same decor, same menu, same prices, etc. Unfortunately, what we ordered was very different. The chicken wrap used to come with lettuce, tomato, red onion, and of course chicken (no mayo please), but this time just with cucumber! Also the chicken had a different flavor, a bit spicier as well. Still good, but not as good as what it was. The samosa chaat was very disappointing though. It used to come just like the picture that still highlights the menu: two samosas with a side of chana masala (or some sort of tasty spiced garbanzo thing) and a couple of sauces on the side. Now it's served similar to how Udupi across the street does it (and though I love Udupi, Im not a huge fan of their samosa chaat either): The samosas are served over the garbanzo beens all cute up already and smothered in the spicy sauce and yogurt. Made it all wet, and way spicier than I had hoped for. Like I said, it wasnt bad, just not what any of us had expected or wanted, and just not as yummy as before. A disappointment. I asked one of the workers if the ownership had changed, but the poor waitress was so horrified that we didnt like it (which all assured her with gusto that we did) that it was a bit hard to get an answer out of her. Not wanting to insult, we gave up on the mystery. Im sure I'll be back again, but not too quickly. This used to be a 4 star place but between the heartburn and the change in the food, I have to give it 3 stars.

    (3)

  • ITesh J.

    I've been here twice and the food has always been great. I would have gone for a third time but it was a late afternoon on the weekend and this place did not seem to have the AC going and so we went to Udupi Palace across the street which was a bit cooler

    (4)

  • Rebecca H.

    I have a number of friends who love this place. These are also the friends who generally dislike Indian food. So, I think it's safe to say that the authenticity of the food is questionable. The food is a bit bland, but not really bad. It's overpriced for what you get. At least the restaurant itself is pleasant.

    (3)

  • Pat T.

    Inexpensive tasty Indian food. A good lunch spot. They have a sister restaurant in SF on 3rd and Folsom? next door to Cha-Am

    (4)

  • Tracy Y.

    I happen to love this place, despite the prices being a little bit high. The wraps are excellent, the curry is flavorful and I admit to having regular cravings for their chicken tikka masala. The regular naan is quite good, but I wouldn't recommend the wheat naan, as it's a little on the dry and chewy side. The service is good: quick and courteous, but ultimately, I think it's the atmosphere that makes this place. It's clean, comfortable and has a surprising amount of character for a mini-chain. From the giant portraits on the walls to the cushy booths along one side, it's a pleasant place to sit, eat and chat.

    (4)

  • NAEL K.

    this place is way underrated must be the location and parking overthere, i dont know what it is , it seems like its not busy the time ago but this place is much better than overrated nun &curry or pakwan they have the best samosa and best boti wrap u should definetly give this place a chance food is not killer spicy which is why i like it a and extremly cheap

    (4)

  • Jen W.

    Fast, tasty, good value [in my opinion]. The atmosphere is comfortable and pleasant. I've had both the plain naan and the garlic - quite fluffy. Wraps were filling and yummy. Chicken Tikka Masala - good but not as addictive as Naan n Curry's version. I like being able to have fresh pakoras without spending much time waiting around.

    (4)

  • Jill k.

    they have tasty wraps, but i'm not sure how authentic it is...

    (4)

  • Caroline C.

    overpriced but fresh and ok when in a pinch and Vik's is closed or you are carless... stick with stuff you expect to be somewhat bland like veg pakoras.

    (3)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : No
    Caters : Yes

Categories

India is the birth place of Chicken Tikka Masala and Curries. Indian foods are prepared with a blend of finely mixed spices quite popular across the region. The spices develop the rich taste in Indian food enough to boggle your mind. The ever-increasing fan base of Indian food around the New York city is steadily increasing because of the large number of Indians who traveled to the land of dreams. The Indians also brought their very own vibrant, colorful, and aromatic authentic dishes for the people in the West. While most of the Indian population is Vegetarian, Indian food is great for people who are looking for vegan or vegetarian food option. If you are a Meat lover, don't get disappointed yet. Indian food also boasts of some popular non-vegetarian dishes too. Few examples are the famous Butter Chicken, Mutton Biryani and Tandoori Chicken are enough to satisfy your taste buds.

Indian food has gained reputation all over the world especially in the United States. You can find many places serving the appetizing Indian food across all major cities in the US. India is a diverse country with different food culture originated from different parts of the country. While the Northern region boasts tandoori dishes and korma offering royal taste, the Western Ghats offers sea foods that is made in naturally sweet tender coconut milk. The South Indian food servers a quality of different dishes made from rice accompanied with spicy chutneys, curries and famous sambhar. Also, the Indian sweets are a delight to relish. If you ever want to have a burst of sugar syrup in mouth, don't forget to try few Bengali Sweets. Be it spicy, tangy, or sweet flavor, you can find everything in the Indian cuisine. Be assured that the melody of spices will surely bring delight to you.

Chaat Cafe

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