Ambrosia India Bistro
565 Abrego St, Monterey, CA, 93940
Ambrosia India Bistro Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Diabetics at Jamba Juice:
Eating good food at the right time can control your blood sugar, also stop you from craving wrong sort of food. Jamba Juice offers drinks in three separate sizes: 16, 24, and 32-ounce. You can choose the lowest serving size and cut down on sugars and calorie intake. If you're diabetic and concerned about the sugar intake, then you can opt for the smaller 9.5-ounce smoothies available for kids at Jamba Juice.
Foods to Avoid at Jamba Juice for Diabetics:
Jamba Juice is primarily known for its highly satisfying and nutritive smoothies and juices. Almost every smoothie and juice item on the Jamba Juice menu contains sugar. Diabetics are recommended to opt for smaller serving size while ordering at Jamba Juice. Also, avoid opting for creamy treats as all the smoothies offered in this category contain a load of sugars.
Keep the sugar content below 50g per meal at Jamba Juice and ensure that you don't follow it with a heavy meal. A small size regular smoothie is equivalent to a meal for everyone. Classic smoothies at Jamba Juice are also heavily loaded with sugars. Stay away from that section if you are a diabetic.
Food Suggestions for Diabetics at Jamba Juice:
Great Greens (16 fl oz)
Nutritional Facts: 160 calories, 1.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 5mg sodium, 37g carbs, 24g sugar, 5g fiber, 4g Protein
Pomegranate Antioxidant Smoothie (Small)
Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 0g Fat (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 80mg sodium, 43g carbs, 34g sugar, 4g fiber, 1g Protein
Cucumber Orange Cooler (16 fl oz)
Nutritional Facts: 190 calories, 1g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 10mg sodium, 46g carbs, 46g sugar, 1g fiber, 3g Protein
Steel-Cut Oatmeal
Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 2.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0.5g), 15mg sodium, 35g carbs, 5g sugar, 4g fiber, 8g Protein
Orange Carrot Twist (16 fl oz)
Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 1g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 120mg sodium, 41g carbs, 34g sugar, 0g fiber, 4g Protein
Veggie Vitality (16 fl oz)
Nutritional Facts: 200 calories, 1.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 240mg sodium, 44g carbs, 33g sugar, 5g fiber, 4g Protein
Lotta Horchata
Nutritional Facts: 210 calories, 2.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 125mg sodium, 44g carbs, 26g sugar, 2g fiber, 4g Protein
Positively Pomegranate Bowl
Nutritional Facts: 380 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2.5g), 85mg sodium, 69g carbs, 46g sugar, 10g fiber, 10g Protein
Wheatgrass Juice Shot
Nutritional Facts: 8 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 5mg sodium, 1g carbs, 0.5g sugar, 0g fiber, 0.5g Protein
Orange Ginger Cayenne Juice Shot
Nutritional Facts: 35 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 8g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 1g Protein
Turmeric – Tame the Flame™
Nutritional Facts: 20 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 6g carbs, 4g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Wheatgrass – Amino on the Go™
Nutritional Facts: 20 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 4g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Ginger – Daily Zing™
Nutritional Facts: 25 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 6g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Visit below restaurant in Monterey for healthy meals suggestion.
High Blood Pressure at Jamba Juice
Vegetables and fruits combo is considered the best food to lower blood pressure. More importantly, if you opt for ingredients containing carotenoids such as lutein, beta-carotene, and cryptoxanthin as well as Vitamin C will also help lower blood pressure. Potassium-rich foods also help lower blood pressure. So, if you are concerned about your high blood pressure, then always opt for Jamba Juice smoothies and juices containing vegetables and fruits, especially foods rich in potassium.
Foods to Avoid at Jamba Juice for High Blood Pressure:
Almost every juices and smoothie offered at Jamba Juice contain an adequate amount of sodium. To control or maintain blood pressure levels, you must avoid flatbreads served at Jamba Juice. They are high in sodium and saturated fat. Most of the items on the Jamba Juice menu are safe for high blood pressure candidates. However, it is recommended to opt for healthier options than to munch on anything and everything.
Food Suggestions for High Blood Pressure at Jamba Juice:
Acai Super-Antioxidant Smoothie (Small)
Nutritional Facts: 310 calories, 4.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1.5g), 65mg sodium, 63g carbs, 52g sugar, 4g fiber, 6g Protein
Tropical Greens (16 fl oz)
Nutritional Facts: 230 calories, 1.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 170mg sodium, 56g carbs, 39g sugar, 8g fiber, 4g Protein
Pomegranate Paradise (Small)
Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 25mg sodium, 61g carbs, 50g sugar, 4g fiber, 1g Protein
Strawberry Whirl (Small)
Nutritional Facts: 210 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 20mg sodium, 53g carbs, 45g sugar, 4g fiber, 1g Protein
Wheatgrass Juice Shot
Nutritional Facts: 8 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 5mg sodium, 1g carbs, 0.5g sugar, 0g fiber, 0.5g Protein
Orange Ginger Cayenne Juice Shot
Nutritional Facts: 35 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 8g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 1g Protein
Turmeric – Tame the Flame™
Nutritional Facts: 20 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 6g carbs, 4g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Wheatgrass – Amino on the Go™
Nutritional Facts: 20 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 4g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Ginger – Daily Zing™
Nutritional Facts: 25 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 6g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Visit below restaurant in Monterey for healthy meals suggestion.
High Cholesterol at Jamba Juice
The best thing about Jamba Juice is that almost every item on their menu contains zero cholesterol and no trans-fat. Jamba Juice offers a wide range of vegetable, fruits, nuts, and chocolate smoothies, juices and bowls. The unique blend of these healthy ingredients ensures that each item on Jamba Juice is 100% healthy and cholesterol free.
Foods to Avoid at Jamba Juice for High Cholesterol:
Besides packing good amount nutrients in their drinks, several items on Jamba Juice often come with a high calorie count. If you have high cholesterol, then better stay away from their range of classic smoothies. Some high-calorie smoothies available at Jamba Juice are Peanut Butter Moo'd, Chocolate Moo'd, Strawberry Surf Rider, etc.
Although low in calories, the Tasty Bites are often cooked in palm oil (a trans-fat) and contains butter and sugar. It is recommended to choose a 200-calorie smoothie containing fresh fruits and veggies instead.
Food Suggestions for High Cholesterol at Jamba Juice:
Apple 'n Greens Smoothie (Small)
Nutritional Facts: 250 calories, 1g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 55mg sodium, 60g carbs, 45g sugar, 4g fiber, 4g Protein
Orange Supreme (16 fl oz)
Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 2g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 65mg sodium, 54g carbs, 40g sugar, 4g fiber, 4g Protein
Kale-ribbean Breeze Smoothie (Small)
Nutritional Facts: 320 calories, 3g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 75mg sodium, 66g carbs, 48g sugar, 6g fiber, 10g Protein
Nutritional Facts: 490 calories, 10g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3g), 40mg sodium, 99g carbs, 67g sugar, 11g fiber, 8g Protein
Wheatgrass Juice Shot
Nutritional Facts: 8 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 5mg sodium, 1g carbs, 0.5g sugar, 0g fiber, 0.5g Protein
Orange Ginger Cayenne Juice Shot
Nutritional Facts: 35 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 8g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 1g Protein
Turmeric – Tame the Flame™
Nutritional Facts: 20 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 6g carbs, 4g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Wheatgrass – Amino on the Go™
Nutritional Facts: 20 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 4g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Ginger – Daily Zing™
Nutritional Facts: 25 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 6g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Low-Cholesterol Foods:
The best way to get rid of bad cholesterol from the body is by detoxifying the whole system with fresh shots. Jamba Juice offers Turmeric Shot, Ginger Shot, Wheatgrass Shot, and Orange Ginger Cayenne Shot that will keep you healthy even when you consume junk food.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Q & A for Jamba Juice
How to order Jamba Juice?
You can order Jamba Juice either online or visiting the store directly. Use the Jamba Juice to order Jamba Juice online or use Restaurant Listings directory to locate the Jamba Juice store nearby.
Are Jamba Juice smoothies gluten free?
Jamba Juice offers 36 gluten-free drink options including 15 non-dairy drinks.
Are Jamba Juice smoothies vegan?
Yes, you can order vegan smoothies at Jamba Juice. Almost all Jamba Juice smoothies are available as vegan or can be made vegan by substituting milk with Almond milk or Soy milk.
When does Jamba Juice open and close?
Generally, Jamba Juice outlets are operational every day of the week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. However, the timings may vary based on the restaurant locations and owner preferences. You can check the timings of the Jamba Juice nearby on our Restaurant Listings directory.
When is Jamba Juice happy hour?
Currently, there are no Jamba Juice happy hours.
Is Jamba Juice healthy?
Jamba Juice offers a wide range of smoothies and fresh fruit juices. Most of them are healthy, while a lot of others are loaded with sugar and excessive calories. Check the nutrition content before you make the order at Jamba Juice to choose a healthy option.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Jamba Juice
Jamba Juice Company was founded by Kirk Perron who is fitness enthusiast and avid cyclist. The company was first headquartered in Emeryville, California but later transferred to in Frisco, Texas. The company has 875 locations in the United States and 65 International Stores including Mexico, Taiwan, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. Jamba Juice gains its popularity by introducing healthy drinks and smoothies in the US. Later they also introduced healthy bowls and snacks specially designed for kids. The main aim behind Jamba Juice was to introduce nutritional food options for all age group.
Healthy Food Options at Jamba Juice
If you are too tired of sipping sugar-loaded drinks then
visit nearest Jamba Juice outlet where you can enjoy fresh fruit smoothies,
juices, fresh shots and ready to drink shots for those who wish to have
something healthy while going to work. All the drinks made in Jamba Juice are
made using fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables.
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Address :
565 Abrego St
Monterey, CA, 93940 - Phone (831) 641-0610
- Website https://www.ambrosiaib.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
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.
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Cheryl J.
Ambrosia is the real deal if you are looking for some great Indian food in Monterey, there are a few locations too. We had quite a feast when we went to Ambrosia. we started with the Mulligatwany Soup and the Smoked tomato Shorba...both awesome and great flavor and the spiciness was perfect. For entrees we got the chicken curry, which was a home run. Also got the Goa Fish Curry, which was nice, but a little different since its made Goan style, has the flavor of coconut milk in it. We also got the non-veg sampler which was kind of cool for people trying Indian cuisine for the first time. It gives you a nice sampler of dishes and includes a appetizer, main entrees with lamb and chicken, and 2 different curries and some rice as well, and you get to finish off with dessert. While the sampler was decent, I recommend ordering something else because we all enjoyed the other entrees far more than the sampler. The last entree we got was Kabuli Chana, which is a chickpea and spice vegetarian entree. It was my favorite. Spicy and a nice comforting dish. We got some naan, which was great. We finished our meal off with a little rice pudding, which was a great ending to calm the spice from the meal. Overall Ambrosia was awesome! Loved the food, service was friendly and kind, and the ambiance of the restaurant is romantic and relaxing. They had great fresh Lillie's on the table and as soon as you sat down you smelled the flower, it was lovely. I recommend that everyone orders a dish and shares. It's a fun way to taste new dishes, especially if you have never tried something or were too scared to order something. Some people may not be comfortable with this, but enjoy it for what its worth! Have fun and enjoy!
(5)Lauren O.
I was here alone on a Tuesday night, so the restaurant was slow and I had excellent and attentive service. The chicken tikka masala was delish, as was the rice. The naan was lacking. The restaurant has a nice ambiance- casual but classy. It'd be great for a date or for a small special occasion. It has a nice garden patio also. Definitely some of the better non-seafood fare in Monterey.
(4)Courtney K.
We ordered an appetizer, waters and 3 meals and left there paying nearly $80 ... For $80, I expect to really enjoy my meal and I didn't. The food was good but seemed to be lacking flavor. Was definitely a one time visit only.
(3)kathy o.
Wow! Ambrosia did not disappoint! I had the Chicken Chettinad and it was incredible. My husband had the Tikka Marsala, and that was also good, but my big love is the Chettinad! Also had my first Mango Lassi, and I really enjoyed that as well. My love of cheese and the other favorable reviews led me to the cheese naan...they did not skimp on the cheese...1 piece was plenty for me (although it tasted wonderful) and I love cheese! Service was VERY good. We went there with a restaurant.com coupon, and they received it with a smile (not everyone loves coupons). No complaints here. Wish we could have tried the buffet as well... We will definitely be back!
(4)Kenneth Casey B.
Awesome Food. Great Buffett & good service :) too :)
(5)Denise A.
I've driven by this restaurant a thousand times and always wondered what it was like. I had the opportunity twice in a single week with one of my best friends, needless to say we're hooked! You have the option of sitting outside or inside and at dinner they light candles. The atmosphere is great, you can go in your jeans and sweater or get all gussied up, it makes for an intimate atmosphere. My friend and I shared the Non-Vegetarian Ambrosia Feast which is pricey but PERFECT for two people, the split cost makes it more affordable. We also had Lamb Vindaloo, which is traditionally very spicy but here it had a nice amount of heat while still edible (I'm not one for much spice), garlic bread naan which isn't for those who want fresh breath for the rest of the day, and chicken tikka masala which was also cooked very nicely. The staff is very attentive and pleasant. Our water glasses were filled very often and without asking. The parking might be a little difficult being in downtown Monterey but the two times we went it was on a weekday and earlier than the traditional dinner time. I'm in love with this place and can't wait to go back for more!
(5)Chelsea S.
We love Indian food, but haven't had any in the Monterey area. Ambrosia was great, but it was also our only option. Service was so quick and above our expectations! We tried the vegetarian platter as an appetizer. The samosa was fantastic, but everything else was a little dry or overcooked. Main course, the aloo gobi - very gingery and tasty, and the chicken tikka masala - not as spicy as we hoped, but well cooked and seasoned. Garlic naan - absolutely delicious! I also ordered the mangojito cocktail, which I realize is not very Indian, but the flavors went well together. It was a little too mango-y and not enough cocktail-y for me. Overall, we will be back! Probably to try the lunch buffet. If I was ordering dinner, I would also ask them to make the food a little spicier next time.
(4)Amanda W.
$10 Lunch Buffet. Just do it. Your life will change. And get their Lamb Kofta or something like that. It's a rich red sauce. It's out of this world delicious. You can get it vegetarian as well. wonderful atmosphere, generous portions. fun with groups
(4)Carter C.
I love Ambrosia. Best Indian food in town and frankly, but quiet literally the only Indian food in Monterey. I love this establishment and frequent the place 3-4 times per week. I love giving them my business and I am currently the major of Amrbosia foursquare.com/chapmanca… Love them!
(4)Tony C.
Ambrosia India Bistro was a legit restaurant. Only open after 5:00 pm for dinner, my wife and I waited outside until it opened. We were not disappointed. We got to seat ourselves and the service was great. They gave us free Indian papadum while we picked our entrees. My wife ordered the butter chicken and I ordered a half-order of the Tandoori chicken tikka. We also had to order individual sides of rice (saffron) and naan. This would be the only con of this place. It made the dish more expensive. Overall, the food was incredible. There was not a lot of meat on the chicken tikka order, but it was delicious nonetheless. Additionally, the service was great and the environment was fun. If you're looking for a nice night out in Monterey and have a hankering for delicious Indian food, visit this place!
(4)Mikaila R.
Where to begin... ?? First, the ambiance, cleanliness.. the overall "feel" of Ambrosia is SO warm, inviting and inspiring. I have happily enjoyed many a looong [romantic] dinners here... Second, the Methi Murgh Kasoori [[boneless chicken cooked in a mild saffron-flavored almond and cashew sauce]] is probably my favorite dish at Am. and I'm normally curry's #1 fan. It is so rich, creamy and flavorful without being too rich, greasy or heavy. Simply delicious! This is NOT to say however, that the curries lack because, THEY DON'T. All are fantastic - YUM! Third (and fourth), the Papadum is beyond tasty! I could eat plate after plate of these..especially with the sauces that accompany them..AND its a complementary starter!! Definitely take advantage of those! The Barrah Kebab [[eg of lamb cubes and chops, marinated in yogurt and a melange of spices, then broiled in the tandoor]] is "cleaner" and just as divinely simple and delicious as the sauced dishes. Fifth (and sixth), the Coconut Rice and Saffron Rice are perfect starch accompaniments to ANY dish! I love the Coconut but that tends ot be a "special" so be sure to ask. The Dahl is so savory and hearty. Perfect for a cold (and common) Monterey night. Finally, the happy hour is a nice prelude to dinner, so get there early (5-6:30pm) and enjoy. They pour good, strong drinks.. very worth it! A "must try" in Monterey. You won't be sorry... just full ;)
(5)Julee S.
Came here seeing that it had such great reviews. Yes, the food is good. Average Indian. The service is absolutely horrible. We were all pretty much forced to have the lunch buffet. We asked for menus and the sever seemed really resistant to that. Anytime a plate was closed to finished he would come over and try to take it and kept telling us if we wanted buffet to get a clean plate. Then they closed up the buffet without telling us. This place sucks big time. Don't come here.
(1)Arun J.
Ambiance is great, Food is also good and is customized for "real indian" to "looks indian" for "non-indian foodies".
(5)Peta B.
Yes, it is as good as it gets for Indian food. The quality of the food is amazing; it's rich and you'll want to really feel the food on your tongue and take in the full breath of flavors. My husband finds himself doing exactly that, eating extra slowly to take let the flavors sink in and get the most from every bite. As you would expect with an Indian restaurants, vegetarian offerings are ample. I would recommend making the lunch buffet so you can sample from all the different offerings available, trust me you will want to. The ambiance is quite nice, intimate and complimented by tasteful, understated decor with outside seating in a lovely little garden. Definitely a must go in Monterey; this is Indian cuisine done perfectly!
(5)Brittany H.
I have a love affair with dal, naan, chutney...well pretty much everything. If it's South Asian, sign me up. Is that curry? Let's go there! Been here at least 10 times I'd say...ok maybe more. It isn't as good or as cheap as Mt. Everest in Berkeley, but it is strides better than Indian Summer. Buffet during the lunch hours makes this place a winner. I walk out of here in pain because of all the food i've stuffed in my face. I do know that if you don't go during these buffet hours it is over priced, but lunch is a must. Bring an appetite people!
(4)Kristen B.
The lunch buffet, while a little expensive, is always delicious. They vary which dishes they have available. I tend to enjoy the vegetarian dishes more than the meat ones and I'm a meat eater! A good place for small groups -- bigger groups can be tricky since there is a fairly small dining area. However, the best place to sit is definitely their outdoor patio on a nice day.
(4)Shelley A.
Amazing food! Quick service and helpful with any questions you might have about a selection. My favorite appetizer are the onion fritters (not sure of the name), favorite dish is definitely the Butter Chicken. Lunch buffet is very good though limited to certain dishes. If you've never had Indian food before, take a trip out of your comfort zone and try it. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Gopi V.
Awesome Indian food in Monterey. Everything on the menu, right from the paappad to naan and paneer curry and thali were delicious. The service needs an uplift, but with food so good, it doesn't really matter.
(5)Tami W.
Technically 3.5 stars... the food gets a 3 but the atmosphere and service gets a 4. Don't get me wrong, the food is good, it's just not amazing. I've definitely had better chicken tikka misala and the naan was pretty dry. The chicken samosas were good, but small... just about two bites. Overall good for Monterey, but I'm spoiled with Bay Area Indian food. I'd come back if I was in the mood for Indian in Monterey.
(3)H D.
Great lunch buffet! I do not recommend using a credit card. I wrote 20% tip on my credit card slip. When I saw my credit card bill, my price was different than my receipt. I called the credit card company then the tip was added by the restaurant. The restaurant added more tip on my receipt that was ended up tip was 50%. I called the restaurant manager and he got very mad at me sounded like I was the one who did something wrong. I simply asked him to refund money since I have the receipt but he said he can't do that. So, my only suggestion is to not use credit card.
(2)Efrain G.
I love the Chicken Tikka Masala and the Butter Chicken. Granted, the sauces are very similar, if not identical, but the CTM has recently won the battle between my favorites. The place is very clean, the ambience is cool, the service has always been grand, and the food is consistently good. Even the brunch buffet is clean and well-tended. I'm not a fan of the "authentic vs. inauthentic" argument. I don't mind if a burrito has czechyan or chinese influence; I don't mind if California Cuisine has influenced an Indian dish; I just want real food that tastes real good. I think there are 3 other Indian spots in Monterey County. One of them is Ambrosia's limited-menu, 'speedy' sister on the touristy Cannery Row; one is near the Wharf, and I've never tried it; and the other is a newer spot on Alvarado, which I've not yet tried. To me, Ambrosia is definitely the best Indian restaurant in Monterey County, and one of my favorites to revisit in our area.
(4)Jen P.
This place probably has the best indian food ive had in california till date. the problem with eating indian food, a lot of times, the stomach gets screwed the next day because its not fresh. This place WAS THE BEST. we came in at about 9:20pm. They had some really nice decor. they had a vegan menu which was surprising. The lighting was prefect, with some candle light, and great lounge music, making it super romantic. Now come to the food. We got some mango lassi and the assorted platter to begin with. The fritters were great, but what i loved about it was the hara bhara kabab. So soft and fresh! they also had some nice fried papad. For main course, we got some shahi paneer, and also some tandoori roti which was great! we also ordered some kheer. All of the items were so fresh and delicious. I came out feeling really happy! and so did my stomach :) :)
(5)Daniel A.
This is a nice place to eat, if you want a lunch buffet. I found the food to be slightly lower than average, but at $10, you still can't beat it. While the food was ok, I was slightly disappointed in the fact that all of the dishes didn't taste like they were supposed to. It seems the Indian chef in the kitchen is trying to add ingredients to classic dishes, changing them completely. One example is my favorite dish, Chicken Tikka Masala, which the chef actually renamed Chicken with Buttery Sauce. While the dish looked similar to Chicken Tikka Masala, the taste was "off." All of the other dishes were slightly off as well. Still, if you want a decent buffet for $10, this place will work. Atmosphere: 4 Food: 3 Service: 2
(3)Colleen M.
Yuck! We ordered takeout from here, though a delivery service, one night while in Carmel. We got the Chicken Tikka Masala, some lamb dish, and rice. Everything was dry and bland. The lamb was fatty. The meal left us feeling ill. We ended up eating barely any of it and throwing the rest out. Maybe it would be better dining in, but takeout was not good.
(1)Mack D.
It's the best Indian in Monterey. Unfortunately that's not saying much, but if you're hankering for Indian this is the place
(4)Yamona M.
I give it four stars because: They have a lunch buffet It is very clean and pleasant I am Indian so the food is so/so but satisfying when I craving comfort food Service is good Overall a nice experience and a smart business idea. It is the only place in town.
(4)Kevin T.
In simple words, good solid Indian spot. I got the staples - naan, chicken masala, and lamb vindaloo and each was prepared very well. The chicken was tender, perfectly cooked and the sauce was great. The vindaloo had just a little too much ginger for my taste but nonetheless, it was delicious. You can really taste all the spicies inside the dish and it had a nice spiciness to it and the lamb was very tender. Ambience is nice - lights are dimmed for a little more intimacy but noise level is on the louder side. Overall, great place to have good authentic Indian food.
(4)St. I.
Okay, so this review is unfair, as five stars does not capture how stoked I am about this place. First (and most importantly), the service is absolutely wonderful. The staff is very nice, respondent, and worked really hard to satisfy me. Above and beyond. Secondly, the food is wonderful. While I am not familiar with much Indian food, but they do a really good job. Favorites include: - Butter Chicken - Plain Naan - Jasmine/Saffron Rice - Aloo Gobi - Tandoori Chicken Finally, their lunch-time buffet is killer. There's a variety of food to satisfy your appetite for about $10 (plus tax and whatever you tip). I love it when they have their rice pudding - it works as a pallet cleanser for me as I sample the different delicacies they have. I really hope that you are not disappointed with this place. I often order take-out (Butter chicken, saffron rice, naan) and it's just as awesome at home as it is in the restaurant.
(5)Aaron A.
Pretty delicious and affordable lunch buffet ($9.95). Otherwise you're stuck with somewhat overrated, overpriced Indian food and world-techno music. It deserves more than 3 stars for the tasty food alone... But its not quite a 4. Although the food isn't as good at Indian Summer, for a better overall evening option, check out Indian Summer which boasts a stellar patio and hookah bar to-boot.
(3)T. T.
I'm not sure about dinner but their lunch buffet is comprised of delicious and quality selection. Their naan is fresh and makes you want to melt when you bite into it. I've been to MANY Indian restaurants and I would say that this made it to my top 3.
(4)Bill Nye N.
Food was overpriced and far from what I expect from an indian eatery. I work in Sunnyvale and am somewhat spoiled. Atmosphere is really nice but the food is lacking.
(2)Mahesh P.
This place gets 1 star for ambiance and being only restaurant in Monterey area. This place food is customized for western test and doesn't taste like Indian food at all. All the curries are diluted and they are very bland. If you are looking for a Indian food than this is not the place for you. Not worth for what thye charge.
(1)Ruben N.
So after watching a ton of bollywood movies on netflix with my wife, we decided to try some Indian food during their lunch buffet. I choose this place because the other well know Indian place in Monterey has those strange smoking bongs on each table. Not cool for taking kids. I loved Ambrosia! The food was so good. We ate chicken curry, butter chicken and tandorri chicken along with some excelent Naan Bread. The ambiance is nice and the view to their outdoor walled water garden is very cool. The service was top notch. I don't see that often enough from restaurants, but they did not disappoint. The waiter had a very polite demeanor and was quick to fill drinks. I will definitely be coming back to try the rest of the menu.
(5)Aaron S.
My Boyfriend and I were looking over the (meager) some-what-nicer-than-every-day dining options in Monterey for our 6 month anniversary when we came across Ambrosia. I had heard friends rave about how good it is, and to be honest I was never interested in Indian food (childhood experiences or something) but in order to save a not well planned anniversary, we decided to try this place out. Admittedly, I am not a good food critic, but this place was fantastic. I really enjoyed the food, and the service was scary on-time. Before we even realized we had finished our water it was full again. The appetizers were served quickly and the minute we were done with them the main course was out. The servers were friendly and helpful, and the place was well staffed for a very busy Friday night (almost all the tables were full, though it was cold outside so no one was out on the porches). And the food was delicious. Maybe that's standard for Indian food, but this didn't resemble my previous experiences at all. The rice pudding was a deliciously nice finish to the meal that was perfectly portioned. We left feeling full but not FULL. Food's a bit pricey in the evenings, but it's well worth it once and a while. We can't wait to go back again.
(5)Ami T.
Nice patio, ambiance is great. Prices are in line with Indian food and the area. For my Indian brothers and sisters: its just OK, standard Punjabi / North Indian menu with a few twists. By far the best place in Monterey area, but there aren't any great places around here. If you have a craving for Indian Food and can't make it North to Santa Cruz or San Jose, then choose this place. Don't expect authentic, they have changed flavors to fit Californian and American tastes...
(3)Larry R.
We live in Oakland near Berkeley and we have an abundance of Indian restaurants. Ambrosia is better than all of them. It has a big menu with a lot of choices including vegan selections. They will also make some dishes that aren't on the menu. The food is fully flavored and complex which does not mean hot but very interesting. The spices they use are the real deal and not the cheap versions you find in so many Indian restaurants. We love the Tandoori salmon and the veggie dishes. The tomato soup is excellent. We haven't been disappointed in anything we have tried. Being Pescatarians we eat a lot of Indian food all over the country and this place is much better than most other places. Service is very professional and the space is very interesting. When we come to Monterey this is a must stop place for us.
(4)Sia K.
Not spicy at all. My tandoori chicken had no red color. My friend sent her lamb vindaloo back to add more spice - it's flavor was at least tasty, it just needed more spice. The aloo gobi was good. I would give it 2 stars except for the fact that I would never return myself nor would I suggest it as a good representation of Indian food to anyone seeking it.
(1)Corinne E.
Love Indian cuisine and am so glad to have this locally! Lunch buffet is the best deal since they constantly change the buffet options (other than the staples- tandori and butter chicken, rice, naan, etc.). I have yet to encounter a dish I didn't enjoy. On busy nights service can suffer but don't go here expecting a fast dinner. Indian cuisine is meant to be enjoyed over a long conversation so take your time!
(4)Leslie K.
If your order is correct and they don't vacuum around you while you eat lunch, and they don't misunderstand you, the food is really yummy. I've resorted to take out. It's also not cheap, but not way out for indian. Wish I were in Monterey tonight.
(4)Sean M.
I never knew I loved Indian food until I knew Ambrosia! Amazing food! Indian food is always very vegetarian friendly which is a plus for me! The tastes are unique, clean, fresh. There is quite a bit of diversity on the menu as well. If you aren't sure what something is, they're always willing to help you out! If you want to try out a few things, the lunch buffet is an amazing choice! The people are friendly. The ambiance is great! Good for casual dining with friends/family or even for a date. The music and decor tie in old and newer cultures. If you like Indian food, have never had it, or even had a bad experience somewhere else with Indian food(like myself)...give it a shot!
(4)Selena B.
Ever have a craving for a particular food and when you finally get it you're so excited and can't wait to taste it and satisfy that craving, but once the food hits your tongue, the let down and disappointment follows? That was my experienced eating at this restaurant. I eat Indian food once if not twice a week and I absolutely love it. I've had bad Indian food and I've had amazing Indian food. This was mediocre, nothing special, not that tasty and in my opinion, not worth the 4 stars it currently has. I guess I have to take into consideration the location of this restaurant and realize Monterey is probably not the best place to go for good Indian food. Lesson learned.
(2)Michele R.
I recently met a friend for her birthday at Ambrosia. The sights, sounds, smells and service were all there. I usually order from the menu vs a buffet, but decided to go for the buffet because of the freshness and cleanliness. I wasn't disappointed. Food was delicious. We sat outside amongst plants and fountains and enjoyed the serenity. Restaurant has nice feel inside, takes you down a level if you're stressed and gets you grounded with a beautiful waterfall. Service was caring and attentive. I especially want to compliment, Karki (he said his name is easy to remember, "just think of car key.") I had forgotten to get my credit card in the hustle and bustle of saying goodbye to friends and had to go back the next day to pick it up. Karki put it in safekeep for me as if it belonged to one of his family members. This gentleman has a beautiful servant's heart that is all about caring, sharing and love. Great spot to bring my tourist friends and worth the trip to travel to Monterey for.
(4)Nasser D.
One of the locals recommended this location after we had a unsuccessful walk looking for another Indian place to eat. We went there during lunch time for their buffett. I picked up some of their tandorri chicken, chicken masala, naan, and some other Indian food i'm not sure what the name was. The food was good and the service was great. The waiters are very attentive when you need your drink refilled which is great. I never had to call a waiter over to get a refill and thats a big big plus for me. This shows the quality of service this place can bring. Will repeat.
(4)Diana C.
Thank you fellow Yelpers for letting me know about the vegan menu at Ambrosia! Me and my friend came here last Friday and had an awesome meal! To start, the waiting staff provided us an appetizer that looked like Baked Lays but was thinner and tasted way better! It came with three sauces: one was BBQ-sweet, one was minty, and the other was spicy. All were excellent, but our favorite was the spicy sauce. Then we each had our own salad. My friend had the garden salad and I had the Spinach Mango Chat Pat. I like salads plain and simple and this salad fitted my style: baby spinach with walnuts drizzled with a mango sauce that wasn't too tangy. Exotic and great. We shared two dishes: Baigan Bharta, which is an eggplant dish, and Kabuli Chana, a garbanzo bean dish. Do not be fooled by the small portions! They get you stuffed! Baigan Bharta is made up of Japanese eggplant and flavored with smoky spices. Kabuli Chano was just as flavorful, but in a different way that I can't really explain. Both were topped with ginger and cilantro. They were so yummy! We had also asked for rice, and the server suggested that we try the brown basmati. I had some hesitations, since I hate short-grain brown rice. But the brown basmati tasted just like regular basmati rice! It was surprisingly good! The service was excellent. They were always there to refill our water and take away our plates and made sure we were doing okay. I haven't eaten many Indian meals in my life, but if everyone was as good as the meal I had at Ambrosia, man, I'd eat it all the time! We will definitely be back again when we're in town!
(5)Kristy S.
I don't mind paying a little extra for good food. Ambrosia has a great menu including many vegan and vegetarian options. The atmosphere and decor are pleasant, and they don't cram all their guests into one section of the restaurant. The food was delicious, and their naan and samosas excellent. My one and only complaint: the wait staff. Usually people get upset when the staff ignores them or takes too long, but this time it's the opposite. It seemed like every 3 minutes they were at your table asking if you needed a refill or if they could take your plate that you're clearly not finished with. And they kept rearranging the table decorations every time they buzzed by, moving the candle or vase from one side to the other. It seemed impossible to have a moment alone while eating. When I was about to take my last bite, I told my boyfriend to start counting to see how long it would take them to pick up my plate. My fork clanked as I set it down and 3 seconds later (I'm not kidding) a waiter comes right around and takes my plate. It was a bit ridiculous. It almost felt like they were subtly trying to get rid of us despite several empty tables around the room. If I could, I would give Ambrosia 3 1/2 stars. But considering the Indian options in Monterey, it gets 4. I will return for the food, but maybe next time it will be take out.
(4)Phoebe S.
My favorite restaurant ever. The best most delicious Indian food I've ever had. Top choice every time. I am a vegetarian and I always get either the Baigan Bharta or Mushroom Masala. They are absolutely amazing. Great for vegetarians!
(5)Phillip E.
This place was great a lot of vegetarian options and they were all delicious.
(4)Austin C.
Went here for the buffet lunch with a friend, and it was great to find there's very good Indian food here in Monterey. There were around seven entree options, a few sides and a desert. I tend to be somewhat wary of food sitting in steamers, but it was delicious. Probably half of the dishes were veggie friendly, a welcome sight. Had to go back for seconds. Being a buffet, I can't comment too much on the service, but they seemed quick refilling beverages, though I believe it took a bit longer to get the check. Lots of seating indoors and outside on the patio. I look forward to returning sometime.
(4)Sara Y.
Ecstatic to have found a wonderful Indian food place to satisfy my monthly cravings during my extended stay up in the area for work. I only wish I could take it back with me to SoCal. I'll be back when I visit! I went once for dinner (eggplant bharta, smoky and wonderful) and once for the lunch buffet on the weekend ($12.95 + tip and tax, about average in my book, and the quality of the food is well worth it). The lettuce for salad was the good kind (not iceburg!) and the house dressing is like nothing I've had before (in a positive sense). They had four different dishes (some of which I don't normally see at buffets) for vegetarian and my taste buds were singing hallelujah-a flavorful roasted eggplant, mellow yellow lentils, spicy tomato-y tofu masala, and the potato/pea with a kick(aloo...something I think). Naan so fresh and soft, an iced tea that didn't require any sugar, and the gently spiced rice pudding was the cherry on top of my Sundae. Our server was attentive about drinks and clearing plates. Woo hoo! Parking was easy on a Sunday afternoon.
(5)L. H.
Cute little place with a nice garden outside. Nice ambiance inside as well. Headed here with my sister for the lunch buffet and found it to be an excellent deal. Food was yummy, replenished often with many options to choose from. If I can recall exactly, there were at least four meat options (butter chicken, how often do you get that at buffet?). Staff was good and attentive. Replenished our naan and removed dirty plates even though the place was packed and they were obviously very busy. Next time I'm in Monterey, I will definitely be back.
(4)Allison M.
Honestly, I have only eaten here for the lunch buffet, but plan on trying out dinner soon. The lunch buffet is excellent. About $12 gets you all you can eat, and there are about 10 options of different entrees. I love the butter chicken, the eggplant and the curried vegetables. Don't forget to get some rice soup for dessert! The meal is served with yummy naan bread that is perfect for dipping!
(5)Christopher D.
By far one of the best restaurants in downtown Monterey. I absolutely love their lamb vindaloo and whenever we go with a group we make certain to order the royal kebab which may very well be their best lamb dish. Exceedingly vegetarian friendly which my wife certainly appreciates. While the food off the menu is clearly best, the one time I visited their buffet I was pleasantly surprised. Everything on it was quite excellent though I did feel the choices available were slightly limited. I'd highly recommend this restaurant to anyone that definitely wants their money's worth.
(5)Gabe R.
I'm a frequent diner at Ambrosia, certainly the best Indian restaurant in Monterey. That might not be saying much, but it is very good whether relatively or absolutely speaking. That being said, I am more of a fan of the lunch buffet than the sit-down dinner, which can add up very quickly. I've learned to be wary of Indian buffets, but Ambrosia's is different. They get big ups for providing salad and fresh melon, and it's not some lame iceberg lettuce mix - we're talking real spring mix, with different colored leaves and everything. There is usually an interesting vegetable dish or two in addition to the standard dal and samosas. They always have chicken curry, butter chicken, and tandoori chicken, each of which is worthy of seconds. If you're ordering dinner, I recommend the mixed tandoori grill to share, as well as the lamb coconut curry. I am a coconut addict and they manage to cram a lot of coconut in there, not just milk, but real coconut flesh. As noted below, service can be a little too attentive, but that's a minor issue.
(4)Ryan C.
Ambiance. The restaurant is complete with a warm, dark atmosphere and Indian music playing in the background. The dining room is very open. Service. Good service, which can be hit or miss at Indian restaurants. Food. The food was good, but nothing I'd considering outstanding. The Lamb Vindaloo was flavorful, but I wished it was spicy, even with my asking for "very spicy". The Chicken Potli Samosas were a good starter for the evening. They do offer Indian wine, of which the Pinot Noir was noteworthy.
(3)Sean H.
Excellent food, great service. Get the Butter chicken and you won't regret it
(4)homer a.
Cozy, a bit crowded, but the rents in Monterey are high. Good Indian for Monterey, but I think this is the only Indian in town. Can get your curry as hot as you want. Prices are right.
(4)Aurora G.
I liked the food, smaller portions than expected, not served in traditional display dishware and I thought it was a little expensive for the dinner. They do offer a buffet at $10-$12/per person of the same items. Go for the buffet and skip dinner. Ambiance was very pleasant, restroom not so much. There were six of us and spent more than we though...none of us ordered expensive items or dessert, but did order too many side dishes and appetizers. Stick with main menu!
(4)Anna C.
At first, we sat at an outdoor table... but quickly decided to go inside because there were spiders in spiderwebs all over. The decor is nice, but that doesn't matter if the food isn't good. It was also a bit too dark. Their naan was very thin and crisp... I usually like mine thicker and softer. We had lamb and chicken -- both were very dry. We ordered a special platter they had with a variety of items... all of them were either overly sweet, or had a weird, strong tart-metallic taste to them. Overpriced. Definitely would not come back.
(1)Bob M.
Why are people saying it's the only Indian in Monterey?? Must be Google challenged. True, there used to be 4 but guess why the other 2 failed?? Baaaad food. I have eaten at both places still in business and Ambrosia is better in my opinion. The naan is right out of the oven 9 times out of 10. Some dishes can have a bit too much oil but the taste of them all is really good because the chef uses great combinations of spices. I prefer the buffet on the weekends since you can try many dishes. The service is alright, not excellent but never poor. Everyone I have brought here has raved about this place without exception. It used to be an Italian place years ago. Now for my rant, you dopes who complain bitterly about "the sevice was slow" or "we waited an hour for the bill", you know what? GET OVER IT. Solve your problem while you are there, don't have a cow over it in the review. OBVIOUSLY sometimes there is a problem in all restaurants. If you complain about it here, that is just an advertisement of how spoiled you are, not how bad the service was.
(4)Jessica B.
The food was so good. The service was excellent. They were constantly filling our water glasses and checking that everything was ok.
(5)yelp j.
Ambrosia India is on Cannery Row as well. Like an extension of this restaurant. I think they have the best Fish Curry and fantastic naan. Kind of fitting for Monterey. The staff has been very nice and generous to me when i visit. This is a regular visiting spot for me.
(5)Clyde R.
Jessica C: This review is for you. Ambrosia Indian Bistro took over the space that use to house The Clock Restaurant on Munras just outside downtown Monterey. My favorite item on the menu is the Butter Chicken Curry. They use tandori-roasted shredded chicken is a creamy tomato-based curry sauce that just drips with explosive flavor. It has a velvety, creamy texture and is, hands down, the best curry I've ever eaten. I order it with both garlic naan and basmati rice. The basmati rice here is great: it's fluffy yet moist and I can't duplicate it at home. They offer about 10 kinds of breads, either flat bread or naan. I've enjoyed everything I've eaten here, especially the tandori chicken and the other curry dishes. The dinner and lunch menu contains a lot of different items such as tandori meats, seafood and lamb curries, and so on. I think the lunch buffet is a great deal here, under $10.00 and all you can eat - the butter chicken is always at the far end of the table. After dinner, you can go across the street to the East Village Coffee Shop for a ginger beer, coffee, tea, or a glass of wine.
(4)Kari D.
It was so-so. My husband, myself, and our 19-yr old son ate a late lunch there. We skipped the buffet and ordered off the menu. Hubby ordered Chicken Tikka Masala, which he said wasn't as good as Bombay in San Diego. I ordered Chicken Vindaloo, which wasn't on the menu, but they made it for me. It was tasty, but the chicken was a fatty dark meat, so I ended up not eating any of the chicken. My son had the Dal Bukhara, which he and I agreed was the best ever. If I return, I will definitely order this. It is probably the best Indian dish I've ever had! We started with some Naan, and that was yummy!
(3)Raul N.
I must admit when I was invited to Ambrosia for their lunchtime buffet, I was a little skeptical. I've never been a fan of buffets--the openness of the containers provides too many opportunities for dangerous liaisons with the food--and my last few meals at Ambrosia had been inconsistent to say the least. Luckily, my risk paid off--my meal was actually quite good. Even though we arrived in the midst of the apparent lunchtime rush, we didn't have to wait long to get a table and, ultimately, food. The buffet line was orderly--none of the madness I had feared when I heard "all-you-can-eat." Ironically, I indulged rather sparingly (but this was likely because I grabbed a large plateful on my first round). The lunchtime dishes were spot on. The buffet offered a nice assortment of different Indian flavors, best eaten mixed together instead of isolated in single entrees. The buffet options change day-to-day; today's butter chicken curry was good, with a nice kick to the sauce. The vegetarian options were plentiful, and my mostly-vegetarian lunchtime companions enjoyed the wide selection. Now despite the many items in the buffet line, my favorite at Ambrosia--or any Indian restaurant for that matter--is the naan bread. It's such a nice, light complement to the aromatic sauces. (And I highly recommend the garlic naan offered during Ambrosia's dinner service.) My recent lunch was a high point in my rollercoaster history with Ambrosia. My first meals here were great--the food terrific and service attentive (albeit quite slow, a common complaint from my friends). More recently, I soured to Ambrosia, but after today, well, things are looking up.
(3)Heather M.
Just visited this wonderful restaurant on Jan 12th and it is still excellent! Now that Indian Summer has turned into an American bar (I'm serious-- see for yourself or just read my review on that page!) this is the best and possibly only Indian Restaurant in town. Worth the money and any wait you may have. It doesn't get any better than this!
(5)Josephine N.
My B/F and I found this restaurant by looking at the brochure rack during our stay in Monterey. The brochure for this restaurant listed the dishes for the restaurant and a coupon for a free appretizer. How could we pass this up? We were able to try some type of bean cake for our appretizer which was really delicious. We chose a hot plat of chicken and onion with lemon and the butter chicken curry based on a yelp review. These dishes were amazing. It did not look like it was a lot of food but it was sufficient. We even had leftovers. The staff and service was very prompt and friendly. The bathroom was also very clean. The prices were a bit pricey for Indian food, especially since I'm from SF and I know I can get this type of food for much cheaper. But a great hidden find in Monterey.
(4)Mindy S.
Best Indian food I've had!!!
(5)Jordan T.
Their buffet is awesome. Food is good, includes a beverage and a basket of naan. On a weekend it's $12.95. I think it might even be cheaper on the weekdays. I'd recommend sitting inside because there is a tree outside filled with wasps... I will definatly come back!
(4)Brandie S.
Chicken tikka masala, lamb coconut curry, chicken bryani, naan OH MY!! This place was a hop, skip, and a jump away from where we stayed in Monterey (Casa Munras). I love Indian food and this place was as good as it gets! I will definitely come back here when visit again!
(5)JoAnne M.
yum yum yum tasty food, unfortunately the lunch buffet did not offer that many choices. Beautiful restaurant very nice patio. Great ambiance and music Nice wait staff and manager. Would definitely go back! Unlike most buffets they did not charge for my 4 1/2 yr old son!
(3)Godzilla C.
Not very good, and extremely expensive. I have an idea, let's not boil the hell out of every single meat before we throw it into one of our 3 generic sauces. Also, if we have to boil the hell out of everything, let us save the stock. The word on the street is that we lose a lot of flavor when we throw the baby out with the bathwater.
(1)Tor-Erik B.
Great buffet at reasonable prices. Limited selection, but fresher and higher quality than most buffets. The butter chicken with rice is outstanding. The chutney is very fresh. Nice outside seating area
(4)Yves R.
Best Indian food I have had recently! We went there two nights in a row, and all dishes were so flavorful (subtly so as well). Their cocktails are amazing as well!
(5)Ha Jung K.
Excellent food. Rich flavor. Great ambience and service. Lunch buffet is great and the price is decent. My favorite dish in a main course is badami gosht kormi (lamb dish). Yummy!!
(5)Harish I.
Purely from Indian food perspective it is on par with 3 stars. The food is modified for the location and the tourists i guess (mellowed down in terms of the spiciness or flavors). But the ingredients, quality, presentation and the fact that its an Indian restaurant in Monterey would push it up to 4 stars. Recommend - the thali option for dinner/lunch which gives you a peek into their entire menu without having to order a lot and also spend a lot.
(4)Mitul B.
We (2 people) ordered a pretty standard Indian meal - i.e. a lentil dish (the Yellow Lentil), a vegetable curry (Aloo Capsicum, which was potatoes with green peppers) and a chicken dish (Murgh Malai Tikka) along with bread (Butter Naan) and a dessert, the Kulfi ice cream, that we split. The total came to $58 which seemed excessive. The daal/lentils was mediocre in taste and slightly congealed, and the vegetable dish had a strong spicy flavor that was quite sour. The chicken tikka, on the other hand, while grilled nicely, was largely flavorless. The breads (naan) were good. The service and ambience were also very nice. All in all, a place to go to only if you feel like you must have Indian food while in Monterey, CA.
(2)Sulakshini S.
My husband and I eat at Ambrosia each time we visit Monterey. It's not the best Indian food we've had - but it's close. Their lunch buffet is refreshingly different from the usual Pubjabi fare at other Indian restaurants. The dhal is particularly good - and so is the vegetable pickle which has an unusual flavor. The Tandoori Chicken is moist and flavorful, and the potatoe pattie appitizers are very good. I wouldn't recommend the biriyani or the Chicken Chettinad. The first time we ate here, we asked for extra spicy food - which was a big mistake. I'm Sri Lankan and my husband's Indian - but the chef is serious about spice levels and we came away humbled. So if you don't have a taste for eye watering heat, I'd go with medium spice levels.
(3)Anya W.
I would come here again if it didn't cost quite as much. Their is good service and it isn't too nosy. As soon as your seated you are brought complimentary papadam with yummy dipping sauces so i was won over fast. After my family quickly went through 4 bowls of this the food came. We ordered 3 dishes as well as naan and rice for 4 people and the portions were shockingly small! Well small compared to what were usefull. But it got us to slow down and enjoy the delicously spiced dishes and we all left full.
(4)Sudhindra A.
Nice food , good ambience . Great biryani. Glad that we found this place in Monterey .
(4)Philip I.
$13 Saturday 11:30-2:30 Buffet worth its weight in gold!
(5)Robert G.
Just a really great Indian Restaurant. Good food, nice atmosphere, reasonable pricing. Highly recommended.
(5)Nicholas C.
BEST SPINACH DISH IVE EVER HAD!!!! My mom and my friend and I went here for the lunch buffet ,which was a very reasonable price for one, since none of us have had indian food and wanted to have a variety of food to try. Everything was delicious and the Saag dish was the best thing ive ever had in my life! If i was full i would have easily eaten all of it lol! The other dishes were good but that saag was the best!
(5)Rednikki G.
First off: do not bring someone on a low-sodium diet to this restaurant. Most of the dishes we got were over-salted. I like my salt, but I can still taste it and we ate an hour ago. This is the best Indian restaurant I've eaten at so far in Monterey. This is not huge praise, as, so far as I know, there are only two Indian restaurants in Monterey. The good: - my palak paneer, his chicken curry, and our samosas all tasted like they should (I cannot say the same for a certain Indian-food booth at the farmer's market) - portions were just large enough for us to have lunch the next day - the pappadum served at the beginning of the meal were not overspiced - HAPPY HOUR! Good, cheap beer until 6:30! - the wine list was respectable - they have a vegan menu! This warmed my little vegetarian-sometimes-vegan heart. The bad: - Can you say expensive??? To my urban eyes (I've previously lived in LA, Boston, Atlanta, NYC and Washington DC) the prices were OUTRAGEOUS. He had a beer, I had a glass of wine, we each had an entree, we got samosas, and naan, and that came to $50. At happy hour! That's about 20% more than I'm used to paying for a similar meal. This was especially startling because, by and large, we've been surprised by how cheap things are in Monterey. - Salt salt OMG salt. If they would halve the salt in each dish I would be a happy camper. I like my salt, but my tongue still feels like I was sucking on a salt lick. This is not the best Indian food I've ever had, but it's far from the worst. It is expensive, but it's nice to know that if I have a serious jones for Indian I don't have to drive to San Francisco to sate it.
(3)Kevin K.
This is by far our favorite indian restaurant in Monterey county, and I'd even say it is the best I've ever experienced. I can't think of anything we've had here that didn't exceed our expectations. Everything is so fresh and flavorful and the ambiance is very cool. The lunch buffet is excellent as well. And for wimpy people like me that can't take a whole lot of heat, the spice level is just right.
(5)S B.
I was very impressed by this restaurant. We were in Monterey for the day and before we left we were hungry for dinner, so I looked up "vegan" on my phone and found this place, so off we went. We walked through this cute little courtyard to the front door, where we were greeted and seated right away. We told our server we were vegan and he brought over the Vegan Menu. That right there was enough to make me happy. Even the other servers knew we were vegan and did not bring us one of the 3 sauces with the papdum because it had dairy in it. We ordered the samosas, onion bejhi, tofu masala and tofu tikka. The appetizers were wonderful and the main courses were wonderful too! Even the brown rice was really good. I'm not a rice person; I'll take bread over rice 99% of the time, but this rice was so good I actually ate it! We were stuffed so we didn't have the vegan dessert, but I bet that would have been lovely. All the staff was very friendly, the food came out quickly and was delicious! I will definitely go back if I'm ever in the area again!
(4)Victoria B.
You Central Coasters you! If you want real Indian food you have to try Indian food in the Central Valley. I took my sweetie here for some taste of India while we were visiting the MB. I do have to say I was disappointed. Food was meh, naan was stale and rice flavorless. This was not the Chicken Tikka Masala of my dreams. Also, what's up with the mint tea filled with mint leaves? I mean I was trying to gracefully spit out all the mint leaves every time I took a sip, not good. Prices too high! Most important, this food lacked that layered flavor I love from Indian food. It seems this food is a watered down version of the real thing, toned down for certain palettes. My sweetie liked it, but then again he didn't grow up sampling Indian food at friends' houses. I did, so Ambrosia, you are no competition for a little hole in the wall in Livingston called Punjab Sweets, this is where I find the real flavor of India!
(2)Miss N.
We went for the lunch buffet and ate ourselves stupid. Scrumptious veggie options, including a tofu masala that I'm determined to duplicate at home. Great service, and a pretty atmosphere. I'd love to try it for a fancypants night out next time I'm in Monterey.
(5)Craig A.
My wife and I ate here for the first time this past weekend, and we loved Ambrosia! The decor is nice, service was good and the food was very, very, tasty! We will definitely be back on our next trip to Monterey!
(4)Nikki A.
Food was good, service not so much...ordered an appetizer and it never came!
(3)Em L.
Loved it! Spacious and friendly.
(4)Mr U.
I went to their lunch buffet. It was 9.95 plus tax. They had variety of delicious food. The food was not only prepped nicely but it was presented nicely. Usually buffets are very messy business but this one was classy buffet. To begin the buffet, there was salad and indian pickels, and some potatoe tikki as appetizers. Then in the big pots there was mixed vegetables, lentil, tofu masala curry, egg plant curry, butter chicken, tandoori chicken and chicken curry. To sweeten up the deal, they had rice pudding at the end. I really enjoyed the buffet. They brought two naans for me. I was thinking their buffet would be close to 15 bucks but it was not even close. Really good quality and value meal. Loved it.
(5)K M.
Easily one of the best options for vegetarian or vegan food on the Monterey peninsula. They serve dishes like, tofu tikka and tofu masala, need I say more?
(5)Kate P.
OK, bear in mind I am NOT an expert in Indian food. But...on the other hand, but managed to hit a few places that I consider to be rather creepy, disgusting and scuzzy Indian restaurants. Ambrosia, by far, is the best I've ever had. If, like some reviewers say, there is better...I CAN'T WAIT to find them! For the Monterey area, though, I think it's pretty safe to say that this is the most excellent place available. I love it. Have been there twice, and both times the service, food and atmosphere has been fantastic. The first time we ate inside, the second (last night for my 40th bd) we ate outside, on the patio. Both times the wait service was super accomodating. Last night they lit the fire pit for us! Very cool. Mangojitos...well...damn...I could drink those by the bucket & happy hour is REALLY cheap! I had some lamb dish w/the coconut & saffron sauce...fabulous. When they brought the lamb out, I was a little sad...thought that it was too little, but then in the end I could not finish the dish & had to take it home, so I was very pleased. Considering the outrageous cost of dining out in this area, I think the prices here are very reasonable considering the quality of food. I can't wait to go back!!! Oh by the way...I don't know what the deal was...I think the waiter was eavesdropping, but he figured out it was my bd & came out with a lovely hunk of some sort of cake, which I really liked because it wasn't super sweet & a bit dry...just the way I like it! Everyone on the patio sang a rousing round of Happy BD to Me & it was just plain fun! :) Thank you, Ambrosia! I had a wonderful 40th there, something I won't soon forget!
(5)Alan H.
When I want a real treat, this is where I go. The food is great and the prices are reasonable. There are always many good vegetarian options. The service is good. And if the weather is nice, you can sit in the courtyard and it is very enjoyable. The lunch buffet is especially afforadable with many good options.
(5)Frank M.
We were on vacation and wanted Indian food and with Yelp's help selected this place. I can't agree with the high rating. To me is was just OK. Didn't like the Samosas they seemed quite greasy. The naan was so-so. Our dinner was OK but I can get better Indian food in LA for half the price. The service was OK unless you wanted drinks. They only came to the table when it was time to deliver food or pick up dishes. It was hard to get a drink or get another. Overall not a fan and would not go back.
(2)J J.
Lunch buffet from 1130 to 230, bottomless naan, rice, chicken and vegetarian dishes, and a delicious cous cous dessert with nuts and raisins for 12 bucks. With two drinks, the bill was less than 30 bucks. Great deal for delicious Indian food!! Dinner is pricier, so I'd recommend trying several dishes, getting naan, dessert, and salad bar for a much cheaper price at lunch! Waiters were wonderful and all of them work together to make sure every table has everything they need.
(5)Natalie A.
I think everyone is saying that this is the "best Indian food" they've ever had because it's the ONLY Indian place in Monterey! My boyfriend & I came here on vacation because everyone gave good yelp reviews. The food was okay. I had some vegan tofu dish and my boyfriend had the butter chicken. Mine was too spicy! Should have requested mild :/ The service was terrible! One person took us to our table, another person took our order (didn't write it down and had to come back because he forgot what I ordered..), another person brought us our food. Nobody asked during our meal if we were doing okay. I had to ask the girl who was sitting people for more water! Then, someone new asked if we were done (not if we were okay or needed anything else) and needed a box. We said yes to the box, but he never gave it to us! He was more focused on the table with 6 people; the bigger check. Then, after waiting 10 minutes for the box that never came, someone completely new AGAIN asked if we were done and tried giving us more water. We said no and just asked for our check. 5 minutes later, we finally got our check. All in all, the food was good, its just the service was too bad to overlook. I would have totally given 4 or 5 stars :/
(2)Mel T.
I came here for the first time with my girlfriends for an early birthday dinner. This was also my first time trying Indian food, and I must say, I was pretty surprised at how good everything was. They gave us this crunchy pita thing and some mystery sauces. I liked the darkest one the best, still not sure what was in it but it was good. I ordered the buttered chicken and saffron rice...so good! My friend ordered a tofu dish which was also very tasty. Overall, I was expecting spicy food, but everything was pretty mild. Our server was named Sam and he was very informative about the menu. The entire staff was courteous and friendly. I will definently come back!
(5)Yaara B.
Dog Friendly! Ambrosia is locally known as the best Indian restaurant in the Monterey Peninsula. The best item they have is not on the menu, but is always available: Shahi Paneer...I don't even know how to begin to describe it, but it's best over rice and scooped up with naan. An added plus: dogs are allowed in the large, charming patio, complete with heat lamps and a faux-fire pit
(5)Gini E.
This is the best Indian Food I have had so far. I'm from the East Bay & every time I visit Monterey it is a must stop!
(5)Scully T.
My butter chicken, saffron rice and Naan with Raita made for a delicious Pre Vday dinner. Husband enjoyed his Tandoori Chicken, I would have too, but I'm more a boneless chicken fan. Papadum and sauces were a great starter too. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Aye J.
We always enjoy eating here. The food is generally very tasty. The reasons I am rating it as a 3 rather than higher are: 1. The veggies in the koorma seem like they may be from a bag of frozen rather than fresh. 2. Sometimes it is frustrating that your naans will not come out until well after the rest of your food has been served which kind of defeats the purpose. 3. I also was disappointed recently to spend $7 or more on a glass of wine which was only a half-filled glass and a small glass at that. Priced too high for the quality and quantity! Tandoori is always a great way to go here for variet and price. The veg thali is good too although there are one or two dishes in it that are pretty uninspired.
(3)Sarah S.
Nice ambiance. I prefer the outside patio, but inside is nice as well. I need to remember that lunch time is buffet time and I don't do buffets. Just the thought of random people picking through and breathing on my food... blech. They seem inconvenienced when you ask to order off the menu. I almost always order the samosas, papadam, naan, mango lassi. The Rogan Josh is a bit salty. Other dishes have been on the salty side too. Lychee Martinis are scrumptious. It's not the best Indian food I've had but still pretty good.
(4)Merissa H.
I love Ambrosia. You know you're a good customer when all the servers know you by name. The Palak Paneer, (spinnach and tofu pieces) is delicious! Make sure you always order Naan (bread) and rice with your meal. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the prices are worth it. The food is served family style so you can share, which I love. Just expect to pay about $20/person.
(4)Kristi R.
Great service, yummy food! Also had a great environment. Most dishes at other Indian restaurants come with rice but we were charged separately TWICE for rice, which I wasn't too happy about. But overall I was very pleased.
(4)AM M.
Great Indian food me and my husband ever beautiful Ambiance makes you feel you are in India..Candel light Dinner was amazing we had lunch and dinner here both were good must go place when you visit Montrey..Love the food specially ' dum aloo ' & Gager ka halwa with icecream in dessert was amazing.....
(4)Kim S.
I have mixed feelings about this place. The lunch buffet is yummy and a good deal - tons of meat AND vegi options. However, their actual dishes seem overpriced (plus all bread and rice has to be ordered separately), and my normally favorite eggplant dish (bengan bartha) at other Indian restaurants tastes ugh here. I've found the service to be pretty bad. It's pretty typical for them to not bring more water when you're out, they're altogether slow, and once it seemed like they were trying to rush me out of there even though they weren't supposed to be closing yet and there were other diners. So I suggest hitting up the lunch buffet, and think twice before dinner.
(3)Michelle S.
Lunch buffet $9.95 Beautiful patio seating. Parking can be tricky. Always consistently delish!
(4)E H.
Firstly, the weather was beautiful on this 4th of July 2008. The waiter must have sensed my need to dine in the beautiful courtyard. That's about where the service ended. I have to agree with most of the reviews that the service is spotty to not. Let's get to the food. Since I came late, about 1:45p most of the lunch buffet had been very picked over. (Leftover) food was warm, some luke warm, some cold. The (leftover) semolina dessert, was tasty but dry after sitting out since 11:00a this morning. Standout (leftover) entrees for me were the old standby--tandoori chicken. Good flavors, moist. Butter chicken, fish curry, and the green salad was good. They only had a few sauces, one condiment rather slim. The naan was brought to my table--freshly prepared, and yes very nice. There were about 8 varieties in pots, not a big selection, but you can try a bit of each and still get full. In all fairness, I'm going to try to make it there the next time during peak lunch time when the food is fresher. I'm hoping that will change this average review for a possibly better dining experience.
(3)Ashwani B.
I have tried many Indian restaurants after having tasted best of the best like BUKHARA in DILLI, I think the food here ranks close to BUKHARA of DILLI, well I had dinner and we were 2 adults and 2 kids, bill was close to 80$, without drinks, and it was worth it, CHAI here is the best part, most of the staff is NEPALI, and usual anytime you have lot of FIRANGEES, visiting Indian restaurants, the servers are kind of not happy to see you people, I guess they compare with amount of tips coming from them, and second I guess is due to we being having more knowledge about what to ask for, when ordering the food. Anyhow next day we had buffet $12.95, very decent food, not too much oily stuff, enough variety for vegetarians. It is located very close to fisherman's warf for whale watching. Interiors are well suited for good dining. Entrance has GANPATI BAPPA, I would rather say patriotic Indian.
(5)Ryo S.
Came here for lunch buffett. Good selection for vegetarians. Recommended!
(4)Jenna D.
This cafe is just a few blocks from the main historic downtown Monterey. It has a charming garden. The ambiance is a bit more formal than I had expected. The service was great! My boyfriend and I had the butter nann (warm and yummy), saffron rice (nothing too special), butter chicken (this didn't disappoint), and the cashew/almond chicken. I liked the butter chicken the best!
(5)Carolyn K.
Our family was in Monterey over the holiday, finding a nice restaraunt with a decent selection for our vegan daughter was a challenge, so we went with Indian, knowing that we would have at least a decent meal. What a delightful surprise we had at the Ambrosia Indian Bistro! There was something for everyone, and we all loved our dinner! The food was flavorful, well prepared and nicely served. The vegan daughter was as happy as her omnivore sisters. One of the things we all loved was that we found well loved standard dishes as well as ones we had never heard of. Dinner for 5 was affordable and tasty, the service was careful and good. We will definately go back to this restaraunt the next time we are in Monterey.
(4)Competely A.
After trying Indian good in San Diego, I craved it for weeks. Ambrosia definitely satisfied that craving. Their lunch buffet is superb! So much food for such a great price. Recommends this place to everyone! They also have another more casual restaurant on cannery row that I have yet to try.
(4)Matthew O.
I come here whenever I want tasty Indian food. The restaurant itself has a nice atmosphere. One of my favorite dishes is the seafood grill, which has lobster, salmon, shrimp seasoned perfectly. Also order the naan bread and try the lychee martini!
(4)john w.
This place is a must if you like Indian food and in Monterey. The food has several flavors mixed together along with the curry . The service was good and the decor was fun to look at while we ate. The smell and smiles on peoples faces will say it all.
(5)Dawn D.
I miss this place! I love this place. As nice and elegant as it is, they are very kid-friendly, and very polite and attentive and will remember you and your likes, your kids, etc. They are very accommodating and flexible with their menu. I am not a vegetarian but love their dishes and always order them. Their tikka masala and Baigan Bartha are divine!
(5)Larry B.
I'd agree with another reviewer who said this is probably rated the best Indian food in Monterey because it is the only Indian food in Monterey. I genuinely enjoyed my meal, but there were some issues that prevent me from rating this place higher. 1) The place was dim as hell. I couldn't see shit. 2) The waitstaff all seemed to mumble extremely quickly, I couldn't understand a word they said. 3) Everything was overpriced for the quality. 4) I had the coconut lamb curry. It tasted good...meat seemed to be a bit overboiled though. The sauce was good, but could've used more meat base. The atmosphere was nice (aside from the too dim lighting) and the service was quick. I was only in Monterey for one night and was craving Indian. Next time I'm in Monterey I'll definitely venture out and try something else.
(3)Darren R.
Went here for lunch and had the buffet. Decent selection, friendly staff. The butter chicken was the highlight of the buffet. Will have to eat off the menu next time to sample what wasn't available in the buffet. This would be a nice place to bring out-of-town guests. They have both inside and outside seating along with plenty of street parking in the area. The naan was great and I look forward to trying different varieties.
(4)M. W.
This review is for the lunch buffet only as their dinner menu is far far superior to their lunch offerings.
(3)Juan G.
The place is really nice. The butter chicken is exquisite.
(4)mio F.
Highly delectable and wonderful service! I love to bring friends new to Indian cuisine here. Mango Lahssee drink so smooth and yummy I usually order something new each time Got to try tandoori chicken tikki Marsala ochra dish roasted eggplant garbonzo dish sorry i forgot the actual names You really can't go wrong at ambrosia, they have a great vegetarian selection too cool ambiance I love the Chai they serve at Ambrosia because it is not as overwhelming The service and staff are all very pleasant and professional. Nir expertise in Ambrosia fare always brings the most delectable recommendations to the table check out their champagne brunch and lunch buffets all week to appease your belly
(5)Rajat R.
Great ambience. Ok food. Tomato soup was very different.
(3)carissa p.
Butter chicken... a must. A few dishes were high in salt taste which leaves me curious about the sodium levels in the dishes however despite a few over salted choices, overall the spices and flavors are rich and true to Indian cuisine. Saffron rice is worth the extra few dollars and Ive never been disappointed with any of their lamb dishes. Staff is friendly and the atmosphere is a bit more approachable than the "elegance" of the location in Aptos.
(4)Syed H.
A mandatory gratuity even for a party of two, store bought naans and food thats below mediocre. During our stay in Monterey we took a break from the conventional seafood and ordered Biryani, Lamb Curry ( they had a fancy name for it ) and Naans. It really was so mediocre that I actually threw the rest of it. There are two types of Indian restaurant in USA, ones that focus on Indian natives who know the food and the other ones who are geared more towards non Indians and they know that their clientele know next to nothing about Indian food. Ambrosia is the later type . Even if I forget about everything else then they can be judged poorly based on the fact that they are serving cheap store bought frozen naans and charging gratuity even for a party of two. These two factors seem unrelated but they tell a lot what the owners are after. Easy money, from people who dont know Indian food and are willing to pay whatever for a change.
(1)Dana K.
I just got back from the Ambrosia lunch buffet with several friends and I can say that I am definitely pleased with the food. There was a nice spread of food that appealed to the omnivores & vegetarians in the group. The spice was just perfect (I've been having horrible allergy/sinus problems & the tasty warmth of Indian food was just the cure I've needed!)...not too hot, not bland at all. A dish that stuck out to me was a little vegetarian garbanzo dish that had a bit of a kick to it...I wish I could remember what it was called. I call it goooood and ate a couple of large servings of it. The naan was soft & warm (seems like it's hit or miss with this), the service was prompt for refills & checking on us, and it wasn't too crowded. I was too full for the dessert rice pudding, but I definitely ate my money's worth. My only semi-complaints: The bone-in-chicken curry was not that great and I ate a piece of something that may have been in there for seasoning, but wasn't really supposed to be eaten. That was not cool (and probably the reason I didn't find the dish appetizing - everyone else liked it). Also, when one of the guys was busing the table, he spilled a significant amount of the butter chicken sauce (very orange-red in color, although very tasty) on my light blue shirt & khaki blazer. Very not cool.
(4)Erica M.
I don't know why people rate this place so high!? I've been to Indian restaurants throughout the country, and this one ranks low. The waiter did not even ask me what level of spiciness we wanted, and I didn't think to ask, so I ended up with a bland meal. Additionally, I ordered a dish is usually served on/with rice. Normally rice is served with the meal (for free). At Ambrosia, you need to pay for rice separately! What was a supposed to do, each my lentil dish like a soup? This place was a major disappointment based on other reviews. Maybe it's worth trying once to see for yourself, but I won't return. I hope to find a better Indian restaurant in the Monterey area.
(2)Jonathan S.
The best Indian food in the area. Almost as good as places in Mountain View. Don't even bother going to the others. One caution, the lunch buffet is probably their weakest thing. Order from the menu at all times.
(4)Amy B.
I would recommend this place to others. First of all, the setting is quite nice, with outdoor patio dining available. Second, the lunch buffet, though a bit overpriced ($9.95), was quite tasty and had lots of interesting dishes. I loved all the vegetarian options (such as jack fruit- that was quite good!). I would prefer they give you a bit more naan for the table (edited to add: the restuarant emailed me to mention that the naan is unlimited, if you ask for it). The vermicelli "pudding" they had for dessert was interesting to try (never had that at an Indian restaurant before) but kind of strange overall (I think I prefer rice pudding). Nonetheless, for lunch I was pleased- the curries and other dishes were all quite tasty, though perhaps not terribly memorable.
(3)carol m.
Solid Indian restaurant! The samosas were excellent starters. The food could have been spicier (we asked for medium and got truly medium) but our fault for wimping out. I thought the tandoori chicken and spinach were both especially good. Good service, good wines by the glass. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Lee D.
All around a great Indian restaurant that both me and my wife enjoy a lot for both buffet lunch and dinner. In fact I just dined here last week for a work lunch and it was fabulous as usual. Their lunchtime buffet is always rotating with tasty menu items to satisfy both the carnivores and the vegetarians alike and while I fall in the first classification I'm just as delighted to sample the latter here as it's always satisfying on the palate. Butter Chicken is their buffet staple but every once in a while they pull out the lamb meatballs which are fantastic. And a favorite vegetarian dish of mine they do superbly well is their tofu masala and I'm not a big fan of tofu either. For dinner they step it up a little more with a formal touch. Generally my wife and I split 2 main dishes and a side of basmatti rice and garlic naan bread. I'm afraid I'm stuck in the proverbial rut of always getting the same thing there because it's so good is the chicken tikka masala and my wife is the same too always getting their spicy okra dish when it's available. Additionally they have a great offering of Indian beers that complement the meals very well, and they have a great happy hour price until 6pm for a couple of good American craft beers as well (Widmer Hefeweizen for one). Also very tasty chai tea as well. All around a favorite to go when we're in the mood for something a little more exotic tasting.
(4)A D.
I had to update the rating because I greatly appreciate the owners reaching out to me concerned about what happened. I think it is admirable that they care enough to reach out to me. So taking out the incident, and just rating the food we ordered... the experience was about a 3 1/2...
(3)Kamal R.
Good for NON-INDIANS although its an indian restaurant :). Service and ambiance is good, although a bit crowded. So 1star. But the food is bland and sour. We didn't find it spicy like indian food are supposed to be. But for non-indians (prob whites etc) this would be a good place if you don't like spicy (and hot) food. And beware, the food is extremely oily. My wife was literally taking out the oil with a spoon and we are not even gym-going health freaks. And its moderately expensive. Quantity is good. 2 stars for the food.
(3)Nicole D.
This place is delicious & the best time to go is for the Mon-Fri lunch buffet!! Yum!! Excellent Falafel, chicken, salads, dressings, sauces, & much more!
(5)Ed J.
I order from the vegan menu. Delicious. Nice atmosphere. Quick service. My non-vegan wife loves the traditional Indian meat dishes.
(5)M P.
First off i have to say good work here. I tried this place about a week ago for dinner, I took a date and we just wandered in. The staff there treated us well, the server wasn't super fast but everything we needed appeared when it was looked for it often before i asked. I am honestly not a big indian food buff but i very enjoyed the meal i had there, it was a perfect blend for my taste. The indoors seating is comfortable but honestly i prefer the outside area even on a chilly night you can enjoy it, the heaters and fire pit keep it warm enough that with a light jacket you can remain comfortable. To compare with the other 2 Indian food restaurants in the area i have to peg this one as the best. I might also add it was the cleanest of the three as well. So i say go give this place a shot. Leave your self time to relax and enjoy the food.
(4)Nancy Y.
Excellent "shoulda-been" 5 star (see reason for -2 stars at bottom) review of our lunch buffet visit. Lunch buffet had yummy vegetarian and chicken dishes. The mushroom masala was perfectly put together and the woodsy mushroom flavor punched through the masala spices nicely. The saag dish was surpisingly light and the chickpeas were a great addition. Aloo Gobi had nice spice to it with good cauliflower to potato ratio. The butter chicken had more tomato flavor than expected but decent and tandoori chicken was good. Mango and sweet lassis were delish and not too heavy like other restaurants. $10 for adult lunch buffet and $5 for kids lunch buffet, great deals! Nice dining area but this would have been a 5 star rating had it not been the bathroom visit. The women's restroom was dirty with a dead bug on the ground and outdated fixtures and paint. Felt like I had mistakenly stepped into another restaurant :(
(3)Wooptydoop L.
Went there for dinner and the 8 of us ordered many different entrees, but interestingly, they all looked/tasted very similar. Not that it was bad - the lamb I had was decent, and their complementary appetizer tasted alright, but I've had better for a cheaper price. Well, I guess you can't expect too much from a small town like Monterey.
(3)Phoebe J.
I am so thankful for a good indian restaurant in Monterey...FINALLY! There are tons of yummy vegetarian options, even during thier everyday lunch buffet for under $10! Naan is perfect. Everything is perfect.
(5)Jess H.
Went here often when I was in Monterey, service was sometimes a bit hit or miss but the food was always very good. Dinner portions are relatively large--sometimes I took half home for lunch the next day. The lunch buffet is a good value for the amount of food they offer. Ambiance is nice, although it irks me when they put my two-top at a two-person table when there are loads of four-person tables open, but they always let me move if I ask.
(4)Kevin S.
Nice atmosphere. Decent food. Had better. Will fill your craving for Indian. But not blow your mind.
(3)Giana C.
We first tried Ambrosia because I purchased a Restaurant.com gift certificate to use at the location. If you've never used those and like to eat out, check out Restaurant.com for potential savings at restaurants across the country. Our first dinner was just my husband and myself. Although we had previously eaten Indian, the menu at Ambrosia was quite different. You picked the type of meat you wanted and then ordered a type of rice to accompany the dish. Vegetables, like appetizers, are ordered separately. There is also a large selection of naans, which may be ordered. If you dine in, your dinner begins with a complimentary basket of very light large crackers and two types of sauces, both very chunky and flavorful. Since our initial meal, Ambrosia's has become one of our favorite local restaurants, both for eat in and for take out. Additionally, whenever my brother, who adores Indian is in town, we head here. The food is very good, prepared in a timely fashion (I don't know about you, but when I am hungry, I HATE waiting for my food a la high end French restaurant), presented well and generous in portion. In fact, the portion size is deceptive due to the serving containers. My husband generally orders the coconut lamb curry and I adore the chicken murgh korma. These both come served in beautiful silverware containers that, on first glance, do not appear to contain much. However, we generally find that we bring half our dinners home. The sauces on both these dishes are DIVINE! If you feel like being a true glutton, order the cheese naan and use it to sop up the sauce. You just don't want to leave any behind. The cheese naan is, in itself, a complete treat! SO good!!!!! Would definitely recommend this restaurant. We eat at the location on Tyler and have not eaten at the one on Cannery Row, principally due to parking issues. However, I expect that given the same ownership, it too is a great bet for dining.
(5)Varrick N.
Dined 10/24/2012. Great lunch buffet, plenty of vegan choices, good spice. Naan included with lunch price. Chai okay. Everything piping hot, try the house salad dressing on greens, it's a mint-cilantro blend that is loaded with flavor. Condiments were delicious too.
(4)Sabrina A.
This place rocked. I typed vegan in Yelp and they helped me out on my vacation to Monterey. They have a vegan menu special just for us. I loved the vegan sampler plate for the appetizer. I will def be coming back, all the food was good.
(4)Ramesh C.
Although the food did not taste truly 'Indian', it was certainly good. They had a pickle made of garlic and vegetables which they served with other chutneys. It had a unique taste, and was awesome. Presentation of the food was well done, and made the food appear inviting. So were the ambience and decor. A la carte dishes could have been a little less pricey.
(3)Christina D.
The Indian food here is the best I've ever tasted! We stumbled on this place while on a trip to Montery. We found it on yelp and assumes it would be good but we were blown away by the quality taste service and ambiance. Will be stopping here again next time we are in town!
(5)Stephanie M.
The best Indian food i have ever had. A taste explosion of spices and quality ingredients. You will love it!
(5)Nathaniel H.
HOLY CRAP this is amazing. Come here for the most delicious tandoori naan ever. It's a little pricey, and not completely authentic Indian food, but I swear it is delicious and you will leave happy. Great ambience and good service.
(5)Rohini J.
I ordered a lamb tandoori dish and my husband had the lamb korma. Both dishes were superb!
(4)Lily P.
Amazing food!!! I cannot believe how good it was!! The restaurant is perfect for date night!
(5)Neha G.
This place is in a very cozy setting and the ambiance is great as well. We ordered Paneer Tikka ( average- I have had better!), Dal Bukhara (quite disappointing) and Shahi Paneer( there was a lot of tomato in the gravy and it was way too tangy)! However, Mongo Mojito and Mango Margarita were very good!
(3)Deb K.
We were here for a week day lunch buffet. One of the guys showed some hesitation in rearranging the table to seat party of 8. Regarding the menu, the buffet only had chicken as non- veg item. No variety in salad or desserts. Food tasted good was flavourfull. Expected better service and menu options.
(3)Sydney B.
So good! i wouldn"t go there for the longest times bc i tend to shy away from buffets but i finally went and am obsessed! the people are so nice and the food is really really good!
(5)Vegancappuccin O.
GREAT vegan options -- a whole vegan menu. The tofu masala is good, and the smoky tomato soup is excellent. The bartender was outstanding -- the mangojito and the long island iced tea were incredible. I'm only taking a star off because the vegetable pakoras were nothing special. A great addition to the peninsula.
(4)Katie O.
All I can say is: Wow! This is the best Indian food I have ever had. It wasn't too spicy, and all of the flavors were layered perfectly. The staff is very efficient, almost to the point of being curt, but they knew their menu like the back of their hand and could suggest a dish for even the most specific dietary needs. The only weird thing was that one person in my group ordered an Indian beer and they brought him a different Indian beer, saying that it was more popular. Way to make an executive decision for the customer, dude! That's not what he ordered.
(4)S S.
Had their sunday buffet ... Choice is less but food quality is good as compared to some other Indian places. Price is 15 $ for buffet. I'm not sure if I want to go back again.
(2)Elizabeth D.
My favorite Indian food place! Top notch quality food, great service, wonderful atmosphere! I will be back soon
(5)J H.
Great experience with delicious food. As a vegetarian I never have the opportunity to eat tandoori. The tandoori tofu was a fabulous treat!
(5)Kathleen M.
I love Indian food and Ambrosia seemed to be the place to go. I went with three other people this past weekend. We all loved the butter chicken and the naan bread, when it finally arrived. Our waiter seemed confused about the tables. He walked over to our table with drinks when we were almost done with our meal and we had already been served our drinks. Our order of naan bread kept passing our table being delivered to people that had just arrived. I inquired about our bread and the cook did come out and apologize and gave us free bread. Which did make me feel better, but it was at the end of our meal. I'll go back again but I hope serves is better second time around.
(3)Steve H.
Let me precede this with a simple statement: I am an Indian Food afficionado. I love it. I could eat it every day and never get tired of it. I've been to nearly every Indian restaurant worth going to in Oakland, San Francisco, and Berkeley. My favorites are typically inexpensive, decent-quality places without much in the way of ambiance. This place was very different from my usual favorite, but it is one of the best restaurants I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing. My new wife and I walked in very tired from a long day of fun on the coast. They were probably 15 minutes from closing, but they didn't seem upset at all when we strolled in out of the cold. The lighting was pleasant, the seating was more than adequate, and they had nice linen table clothes and candles on all the tables. More importantly, the food was AWESOME! I don't really remember what we had now, but it was more authenticate than most of the "cheap" places I tend to frequent, and fresher as well. Definitely worth going to. I'll certainly be going back next time I'm in the area.
(5)Manan M.
By far the best Indian food that I have eaten in the US .. everything is so flavorful... I am guessing that it is a California thing though...
(5)Guy S.
This is the best Indian food that I have ever had. The tomato soup is to die for (and I normally HATE tomato soup). Lots and lots of vegetarian items, The Mali Kofta is wonderful as well as the tandori tofu! Some of the best food in Monterey! A must stop if you like Indian food!
(5)Sarah R.
The butter chicken here is delicious! I've tried to order other things on the menu, which are always also fantastic, but nothing compares to that butter chicken. If you're looking for cocktails, the chaitini is a good way to go too, and they also have a decent selection of wine. Service can be spotty, but the food is just incredible.
(4)Grub S.
Call me a naive westerner who can't tell the difference between good Indian food and something that an un-touchable wouldn't eat, but I think Ambrosia dishes out some tasty meals. Not everything is to my liking and some items need improvement(a bit more salt) but I think Ambrosia is the place to eat Indian food on the peninsula. If you are a total carnivore, like me, and scoff at the idea of eating a vegetarian dish I challenge you to try something like dal. I came away completely satisfied and did not have the urge to murder the nearest cow and devour it's red red flesh. The atmosphere is decent and the wait staff get the job done. If you are going there for the first time I would recommend the dal bukhara and the khandari prawn curry. Of course the naan is great but I am a true carb slut. Try everything mild at first and work your way up as necessary.
(4)K S.
Made reservations and still had crappy service. Nice restaurant, with good decorations. Food selection looked pretty good, but didn't taste that great. Service was disappointing, no refill on drinks and took over 15 mins to receive fresh onion and green chili. Would not go back.
(1)Jeff D.
The best Indian food in the area. Good buffet...I wish they had more on the buffet line. Otherwise, the menu items are typical what one would see at another Indian restaurant, and Ambrosia cooks quality Indian food. Remember, rice and naan is à la carte.
(4)Zack W.
I have yelped this place 30 min prior to arrival. I'm in town to visit a friend and luckily I don't care much about this place to start with (this was my third visit). Too pretentious for what its worth. I have been joyfully dined on favorite foods I've brought along with me. Luckily this is the one and only meal I had in town this time. Going in with average expectation on an Indian restaurant, I am not disappointed. The food items were anemic but adequate. There were 4 vegetarian dishes (peas and potatoes), plus rice, rice pudding, and salad/fruit (3 items). For the meat lovers, there were 3 (2 chickens and 1 fish). Half of the items are heavy in curry as expected. The waiter brought 1 serving of Nan to the table. This is Monterey. Lunch is less than $11. I'm not surprised by the price. The ambiance is clean, and of slightly minimalist of most Indian restaurants. The restroom is descent. The wait staffs were prompt initially. And the foods were typical of most Indian restaurants, flavorful but not Gaga. I will give these kinds of restaurant a 3.5 stars elsewhere. But this is pretentious Monterey. Higher price for nothing. So diners and travelers, if you come to Monterey, expect pretentious experience. If you are lucky and willing to pay, it may not be that bad.
(3)Chas D.
I love the lunch buffet. No, it's not going to be spicy or the most delicious Indian food you've had but it is so clean. The ambiance is serene with a little fountain courtyard set up out back. The decor is beautiful, and service impeccable. This is a relaxing wholesome meal that shouldn't be missed. I've yet to go for dinner since my kids don't appreciate Indian food yet. But I can't wait to as I'm sure a sit down meal would be far superior.
(4)Denise S.
So we went in for dinner one night and were sat right away. The cracky tortilla chip/pita thing was delicious and the dipping sauces were awesome. I ordered the chicken tikka masala (sp?) which was amazing, and my boyfriend got the Aloo Gobbi (potatoes and cauliflower in a tasty sauce). We also ordered the Garlic naan and a couple Pimm's Cups to drink. No one has a Pimm's Cup on their drink list. Not since Prohibition anyway, but it was refreshing and I recommend it if you plan on getting something on the spicier side. While our entrees were filling and tasty, the brown rice I got looked like it was out of a Rice-a-Roni box (greasy). Also, while I don't know if it is customary, the sauce of my tikka masala had sliced almonds in it. It made no mention of it on the menu and called it the "chef's secret sauce." Secret sauces are fine, but my boyfriend has a severe allergy to nuts and I wish they would have been listed on the menu. While we can't pick the other customers dining with us, I have to say the tables are a little close together. I wish they'd been a bit farther apart because the woman who sat next to us would. not. shut. up. We'll be back nonetheless, but will probably order take-out... you get 10% off if you do!
(4)Kristin P.
Happened into Ambrosia during a trip to the Aquarium with some out of town visitors (one of whom is Indian). We didn't have particularly high expectations, but were just hoping for a quick bite to eat that included some vegetarian fare for our friend. Wow, were we delighted with what we found! The setting is casual, with several prepared dishes arrayed in front and others available made to order. The prepared dishes included white and saffron rice, butter chicken, a chicken curry, a fish curry, a potato dish and a tofu and pea dish. You could get a plate with rice and two or three of the entrees, or you could order off the menu. My husband and I both went with the plates. Between us, we got fish curry, butter chicken, and the tofu and peas, with saffron rice. Our group split an order of plain naan and an order of garlic naan. We also had an order of samosa aloo chaat as an appetizer, which is a favorite of our Indian friend and her husband. Two of us also got mango lassis. The owner was there, and so genuinely seemed to care that we enjoyed our food. And enjoy it we did! The butter chicken was fabulous -- the chicken was perfectly cooked (not chewy, and no unidentifiable parts) and the sauce was absolutely perfect, either scooped with naan or mixed with the saffron rice. As much as I liked it, I have to say that the tofu and pea dish was even better. It was simply delicious -- both the sauce, and the substances inside it. My husband was very happy with his fish curry as well. The samosa aloo chaat that our friends ordered was fabulous too. This is a recipe that my friend grew up with her mom cooking, and she thought it was as good as any she's had outside her own home. The ambience was friendly and warm, with neat little touches like wooden serving trays instead of plastic. Service was very friendly. I wouldn't have changed a thing.
(5)Jolly R.
High quality food and prompt service. Was not disappointed, will definitely eat here again.
(4)Kari D.
I am adding another review to this place because I just came back from their amazing lunch buffet! Needless to say, it was very very very good! And $10? Now thats what I'm talking about! They had a wide variety of dishes, gosh I can't remember what they have exactly a potato dish, a spinach dish, butter chicken, another chicken dish, rice, a lentil dish, and maybe two more. I know that doesn't help very much, but I can't think right now because I am too full. LOL. They do have a "mini salad" bar, they just have a bowl vegetables, a bowl of green salad, and a bowl of watermelon. I think they have 4 different dressings to choose from. But obviously I didn't come here for the salad. We sat outside, today is a super nice day! And it wasn't busy at all, which was nice because I hate going to buffets when there is a crowd. Service was good, I love how I ask for water and they automatically bring you a lemon in it :). Also they bring you some bread, the flat bread, or I think Naan... Anyways, LOVE this buffet! Will come again around the same time, 1:00-2:00, and have some more yummy food!
(5)Hannah E.
First time customer and already a huge fan. The food, service, and atmosphere were awesome! If I could give 4.5 stars I would. The only reason I deduct a .5 star is because in one of our dishes the chicken was chewy. I was surprised about the chewy chicken because it's easy to get that one right. The lam dish, spinach dish, and vegetable masala were delicious! We'll be back.
(4)Stefanie S.
The dinner is amazing there. I always order the same thing which they don't have on the menu but they'll make it anyway. It's a lamb and spinach dish called Saag Gosht. Their service is great and the prices are reasonable. I went one time to their lunch buffet and it wasn't great. I'm normally a fan of butter chicken but it tasted gross after sitting there on the warmer. I will recommend them for dinner 100%
(4)Katie L.
Love their buffet!
(4)Karen W.
Lunch Buffett is a great deal and reasonably priced. Dinner menu is overpriced- only go at lunch!
(4)Picky B.
A meal I will never forget -- can't wait to return! Butter chicken outstanding, lamb dishes delicious and tender, naan and rice perfect.
(4)Raina C.
This is the best Indian food.... that you will be getting in Monterey Bay. Obviously heading over to San Jose or Fremont- you'll come across tons of options that are just as good or better than Ambrosia. I have been to Ambrosia multiple times- each time its about the same- not great but satisfying. They have plenty of Vegetarian options- The Saag Paneer and Paneer Tikka is yum! The garlic naan is decent. Service is eh-okay. I don't expect to wait for over 10 mins when the place is nearly empty for some water and papadum. If your craving Indian food and happen to be in the Monterey area- yup this is the best you are going to get.
(4)Daniel M.
Love the lunch buffet. The butter chicken is so good you'll crave it.
(4)Angela P.
After spending the morning watching the seals and sea lions sunning on the pier in Moss Landing, we headed to Monterey for more of the same. Monterey is a beautiful area with its beaches, seals, and scenic drives. Before beginning the famed 17-mile drive, we headed over to Ambrosia India Bistro for lunch because we heard they offered many vegan options. Located in downtown Monterey, it was easy to find and much bigger than we had expected. Ambrosia has a large outdoor patio decorated with Indian deities and plants. We took a seat inside and immediately inquired as to what was vegan on the lunch buffet. The salad, of course, was vegan along with three entrees. I decided that was plenty for me and for $10 you really can't go wrong. The waiter was very helpful as he quickly informed me that the rice is cooked with a bit of milk to make it whiter and offered me a special saffron rice instead. They also offered me vegan roti. Very nice. Since there were only three entrees, I had to try everything. The salad bar had a few standard, but very fresh items on it like lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, and red onions. The cilantro dressing really made this salad. Of the three items, I enjoyed the Tadka Daal the best. It was made of yellow lentils cooked authentically. I found the Aloo Bhujia to be quite flavorful as the potatoes were covered in Indian spices. The Vegetable Molly was probably the least exciting. This dish had curried mixed vegetables in a coconut-based curry. It needed more spice. That said, the chutneys were delicious! One of them was very hot and added a lot of flavor to the dishes. Ambrosia India Bistro offers a ton of vegan options on their regular menu and adequate options on the lunch buffet as well. It is a great place to go for lunch or dinner. You really can't beat a lunch buffet like that for $10 per person. The service was great as well. Now, off to the seals!
(4)Baljit S.
I wish I could give them no stars. Absolutely the worse service I have received at any Indian restaurant ever. We, my wife, our daughter and I, came in about 20 mins before closing and we were told that it's too late for dine in which I suppose is fine thus we decided to take our food to go. Then the menu items we wanted to order were only available for dine in. Well, fine. I sat at the bar for more than 20 mins without so much a waiter or bartender offering us a drink. Well done Ambrosia India Bistro. How this place became best Indian restaurant in Monterey I am not sure. I am ashamed and saddened to see Indian people treat other Indians, our family, in this way. The service is just pathetic. Owner should adviw get They should be ashamed of themselves. Will never come here again. Advise others to stay away.
(1)Larry W.
The chicken tiki masala as well as tofu masala is scrumptious and the Bindhi is the best! if you're going just for the Bindhi,call ahead,as it is seasonal.Make sure to order the garlic nan and jasmiine rice with your meal...YUM!
(5)Krystle B.
I've only ever gotten the chicken tikka masala because that's my favorite. It is very good. 4 Stars because it's overpriced and they don't have Saag (another favorite indian dish of mine.)
(3)Radhika K.
Nice indian place to hang out after touring the Bay or for a quiet evening. Please ask for spicy food if u really want one.
(4)Anirudh B.
If you want to come for lunch buffet, make sure you are here latest by 1:30, as after that food is all leftover and the service becomes very bad.
(3)Michael L.
I had no idea Monterey has such a hidden gem. I'm from LA where you can find the largest population of Indians outside of India so you bet we have excellent Indian restaurants. Nevertheless, I am very pleased with this joint. I've eaten here a number of times because Ambrosia is a must when I'm in the arena so I figured it's high time for a review. The wine list is unremarkable but the prices are cheap, average seems to be about $25 for a bottle. Their secret weapon is in the food and man, do they pack a powerful punch. I can't say that I've ordered something I didn't like. I especially like the Chicken Tikka Masala, the beef Chetnut, Butter Chicken, Eggplant, Chicken Tandoori and, well, just about everything!
(5)A N.
One of my favorite restaurants in the Monterey area. The restaurant has a great vibe with Indian spa like music playing and the staff is incredible and accommodating. I'm Indian, and I think this is one of the top Indian restaurants I've been to. It's a shame more people don't know about it. Try the murgh malai kebab!
(5)Srividhya S.
We went for dinner and found the restaurant neat. We were disappointed by the quantity of appetizers we got - a platter is supposed to be sufficient for atleast two but here the veg platter that we ordered had just four pieces! It cannot even be considered as a snack for one. The main course was good though. All the items we ordered tasted good.
(3)Christina J.
This was my first Monterey, CA Indian food outing and it was not too bad. There was a samosa appetizer ordered and the complementary "chip" things. The chips have a very funky after taste so I don't recommend eating too many. I ordered a spicy chicken tikka masala, garlic naan, and saffron rice. The garlic naan was slightly dry compared to what I'm used to but everything else was spot on. The server kept my party's glasses full and checked on us often. The atmosphere was nice; very comfortable and peaceful. I think if I come back, that I'll get one of their tandoori sizzlers (probably lamb).
(3)T. E.
An aesthetic positive is that the palak is made infront of you. The food is inexpensive. The service is great. The place is quite small. The mango lassi was too sweet. Didn't quite do it for us. We were excited to find an Indian restaurant in Monterey- this wasn't great and it wasn't bad. It was just there...
(3)Omkar P.
Ok . Not bad but nothing extra ordinary as described in other reviews... Very limited options for starters (actually only 1) .. Drinks are included so thats nice part ...Overall OK .. not bad option
(3)Ruth C.
Phenomenal service and beautiful environment. I went to dinner with a friend and was greeted by very friendly and attentive staff. They sat us right by the outside fountain which was lovely. Our cups were never empty and the food was hot and fresh!! A bit pricey but over all great experience! I'd definitely come back and recommend it!!
(4)Rajesh T.
Absolute worst food.
(1)Erika S.
Not authentic Indian food! I ended up ordering tandoori chicken kabobs, garlic naan, and mango lassi. Tandoori chicken- no Indian spices at all! Chicken was cooked well, but the flavor was not what I expected at all. It came with basmati rice but once again- no flavor! Garlic naan- was really excited for the garlic naan because I saw the cook forming the dough and thought it would be delicious bc it was handmade. It was just okay. Mango lassi- I couldn't get past the first swallow. The lassi was pre-made and not made to order! because lassis are made from yogurt I could tell the yogurt was starting to ferment causing an odd aftertaste. I would avoid if your used to authentic Indian food!
(1)P S.
I get so tired of being greeted with, "Just one?" What, my $30 isn't good enough? I felt very self-conscious eating dinner alone here. However, the food was good and the service was polite, if impersonal. Nice atmosphere, a bit fancy. White linen napkins, candles, etc. I had curry chicken and mushroom masala and the flavors were very nice. (I also asked for spicy, and they were just how I like them.) I might go back with a friend or to try the brunch.
(3)Ashish P.
Tasted a new food which is not on the menu, Sam the manager recommended this food . And now i am thanking him for his recommended food. I simply have no words to describe how it tasted. This was my first visit to Ambrosia and boy i am impressed with their hospitality, the atmosphere was just perfect, music was awesome and the food, Cook Sir, you have Hand Of God :). Now i am certainly fan of Ambrosia. Guys if you r here try "Chicked Vindaloo" its a bit spicy but can be non spicy but i guess it wont taste like that :) Ambrosia simply the best restaurant in town!!! Once again, Thanks Sam and Ambrosia!!!
(5)Diane L.
For the area, this place is legit. Let me warn you though, regular menu is pricey. So you're best bet is to go during lunch for their lunch buffet. Only problem with that is that you are limited to what they serve and might not get the curry you want. I guess another problem with a buffet is that you tend to overeat (like I do)... I ended up being SOO full that I was so uncomfortable during my entire massage 30min later at Massage Envy and ended up throwing up all my food =( But regardless, I still enjoyed eating there, since I hadn't had Indian food for a while. There were probably 8 different curry varieties to try out, rice, and a salad bar. I was able to try: -Paneer tikka (indian cheese Tikka masala) - love tikka masala! -Butter chicken - flavor very similar to the Tikka masala, also very good! - Chef's special curry - chicken bbq - very moist still - some veggie yogurt curry - which I did not like at all - bunch of other stuff I can't remember I do like that they provide each table with a basket of plain naan. I also got a Mango Lassi, which is like a mango yogurt drink. It was delicious and helped wash down some of the curry flavors. I had bought a Yelp deal for $10 for $15 worth of food. This was enough to cover my entire bill (lunch buffet ($9.99) + mango lassi). The service was great too. I'm not sure if I would go here for dinner and pay full price though, given that I've been to numerous other Indian restaurants for much cheaper in San Francisco and San Diego.
(4)Josephine L.
Ambrosia is a decent Indian restaurant with the kind of standard, par-for-the-course North Indian/Punjabi-ish dishes you find in 90% of the Indian restaurants in this country. That is, dishes that cater to Western palates (low on the spice, heavy on the salt). I scoured the menu for the most unusual item I could find and decided to order the smoked tomato shorba as an appetizer. It was thick and quite smoky, with the consistency of tomato soup and a distinctive sour tang that got old after a while (and I LOVE sour things). For entrees, my friends and I got the chicken biryani, chana (chickpea curry with maximum spiciness) and garlic naan to share family-style. We were kind of limited in what we could order because one friend was running the Monterey Half-Marathon the next morning and needed to eat a lot of carbs. Overall, the food was pretty tasty and portions were hefty. The chicken biryani could have fed a village. We attacked it with gusto and it still looked like we hadn't made a dent in it half an hour later. Service was friendly and efficient, and the decor is that dimly lit, white table-clothed romantic atmosphere you find at trendy Indian restaurants. If you're visiting Monterey and desperately craving Indian food, Ambrosia would be a decent option.
(3)Janak D.
F**K You owner of this restaurant. Being an Indian, this is the worst Indian food I ever had. Complete waste of money for 2-3 days old food and rude waiters and their services. We four friends went there to have some good dinner and we ordered Chicken Tikka masala, Tandoori Mix Platter and Lamb curry. All dished were completely disgusting and taste less and they charged like anything. Guys DO NOT GO THERE.
(1)Radha M.
This review is for Indian Food Lovers who enjoy Indian food at various restaurants throughout the SF Bayarea and not for first timers. We visited this place while driving from SF Bay area to Big Sur. Surprised that there are only couple of Indian restaurants. After seeing the Yelp reviews we thought of giving a try. There were hardly any options for Vegetarians and the Buffet is priced very high. We could have spent better in any Mexican/Thai restaurants near by. I wouldn't recommend this for Non-Vegetarinas either (My friend had bad stomach after eating Chicken). I can see the price is 30% higher than other areas listed below with much much better quality. Even for first timers if you are real foody then try out countless options available in SanJose, Sunnyvale, Fremont areas !!
(2)Celine D.
Had a wonderful time. The food is really flavory and the service is great ! It' s spicy but not too much.
(5)Jarred H.
I get so tired of being greeted with, "Just one?" Stole the above from another review because the same thing happened to me. I went in alone and at least twice they asked me inquisitively "Just one?" Until that moment it hadn't occurred to me to be embarrassed to eat alone! FOOD: The food is perfectly acceptable, probably in the 3 to 4 star range except: They asked me how spicy I wanted my two entrées and I said, "Spicy. Not crazy spicy, but spicy." For that I got FLAMING BURN-YOUR-GUTS HOT. I eat a lot of spicy food, frequently order four stars at Thai restaurants, but this might have been the spiciest food I've ever been served. I had no fewer than six glasses of ice water while I ate and my nose was running like a faucet. So be specific with them if you don't want to feel your intestines cramp up ten minutes after you leave dinner. SERVICE: The service was good enough, 3-4 stars. No major issues. Fortunately I got a lot of water refills! DRINKS: One star. I ordered a draft beer for $5.45 which comes out to something over $7 including tax and tip and it was seriously less than 10 ounces. It was like a child's size or novelty mug. I literally drank it in two swallows. Come on, people. It's draft beer and you're making 300% profit on it. Give me 12 or 16 ounces. PRICE: Entrées are between $14 and $17. I'm used to paying a few dollars less for the same quality. On top of that you get charged extra for rice and naan which are sometimes included at other places. I had two meat entrées, white rice, naan and a TINY beer. It came out to $51 including tip. That's about $10 more than I would expect to pay for this.
(2)Kitty B.
Be aware that this restaurant advertises "lamb" but serve mutton instead. Easily identifiable by the taste (horrid old sheep taste) and the texture (so tough it could not be cut with a knife). Complaints get you a nice smile but no offer of relief or exchange. Very bad business.
(1)Mandy I.
Food was fantastic, they had great recommendations for kids who had never had Indian food before. Service was fabulous.
(5)Jennifer C.
Food here deserves 4 stars, but -1 for extremely slow service. We showed up for dinner on a Sunday night, well past the dinner rush (at 9PM) and there was a slight wait for a table. After we got seated, we were given water and menus, and left alone for a good 10 minutes, after which we were served the papadums, minus the sauce. Another 5 minutes passed before the waiter finally brought them. Another 10 minutes passed before a waiter showed up to take our orders. Gave in our orders, and food took 15 minutes or so. The place seemed extremely understaffed. Anyway, onto the food. I REALLY enjoyed the sauces for the papadums. In some restaurants, the mint chutneys remind me of toothpaste, but here it tasted...natural? I also loved the one with the cauliflower. Needless to say, I ate all the papadums. For actual dinner, we ordered garlic naan, chana masala, salmon tikka, and the seekh (lamb) kabob. Garlic naan was yummy, especially when eaten with the chana. The chana was spiced very nicely, and the ginger garnish adds a nice kick to it. The salmon tikka had a mint marinade, which surprisingly complemented the fish. The seekh kabob was probably the least impressive of the dishes. For a minced lamb entree, I expected more spices. I normally don't like to put lemon on food because I think it masks flavor, but in this case, I had to use it to GIVE it flavor. Next time I come here, I probably will stick with the saucy / curry dishes. I would return when craving Indian.
(3)Max O.
This place was very good. They have excellent service and very good quality food. It was a bit pricey, but it's hard to find great indian food that is cheap. The restaurant itself is very beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and will be back next time I am heading through Monterey.
(4)Phoenix R.
Fantastic lunch buffet from 11:30-2:30. Has fantastic vegan/vegetarian options and beautiful Indian ambiance with indoor and outdoor seating.
(3)Lesley R.
Ambrosia in Monterey, CA was very good. Excellent food, good service....the chef even came and talked to Grandma to ask if her food was "not spicy" like she needed. I live in the Santa Cruz area so will mainly be going to the Aptos location of Ambrosia, but I am thrilled to have a great place to go out to eat.
(3)J R.
Rounding up from 3 1/2 stars for their Sunday champagne brunch buffet. The good: *Nice selection of tasty vegetarian items, including jackfruit curry, which I don't think I've had before (plus a few meatier options). *Warm, freshly heated naan (bread), fruit, salad greens, and a beverage included in the cost *Service good, for the most part *Pleasant atmosphere, especially if you have a view of the garden area in back. The not so good: *Entrees not always replenished often enough. The tofu curry pan sat without measurable tofu for quite a while. *The fish curry, while tasty, required that one fish in order to find anything that had once been swimming. *Being a buffet, one has to rely on other customers being sane & sanitary.
(4)K B.
Appalled this place is still open. My family has had two horrific experiences here, one where I was verbally attacked by another patron and the other resulted in food poisoning. The staff had no idea how to handle my situation and just stood there with their mouths open while a complete stranger went off on me about how awful I was and a leach on society. Luckily I work in the hospitality industry and have had to take abuse of this sort from the traveling public for things beyond my control. I was able to diffuse the situation and brushed it off. In hind sight, probably should have called the cops and quite surprised the restaurant staff didn't do so. Not even so much as a manager coming by to ask if I was okay. Wow. My sister experienced food poisoning here (right before she got on a plane... imagine that fun!). When she landed, she called the restaurant to let them know what she ate so they could remove it from the buffet, but they just blew her off. Needless to say, no one in my family has been there since.
(1)Brian B.
Stopped in for the lunch buffet and was blown away. Very rich flavors and a good selection. Great value for the money and the food was amazing. Highly recommend.
(4)Vanessa G.
The food here is absolutely phenomenal! I had the lamb vindaloo & my husband had butter chicken. We also ordered cheese naan. Amazing! We found ourselves using the naan to wipe the serving dishes clean. I know, very gauche. Next this is where the loss of a perfect five star rating is explained.. There is a huge language barrier with the staff. I ordered a gin & soda with a splash of orange juice. The host got the drink wrong & sent out our server. He looked confused by my order & sent out the bartender. The bartender came back twice for clarification but as I was repeating my drink order he would walk away. When I asked three different people for a straw, I sensed they didn't understand my request. Also I never got a straw. Nor could the server explain any of the dishes we were inquiring. Needless to say the food & atmosphere is worth the poor service. I have been back several times & remind myself to be patient.
(4)Tiffany K.
Decided to come here since it's been a while since I've had Indian food and ended up getting the Seekh Kabab - one of their tandoori options. To my taste, it was a little on the dry side. But don't miss out on their Naans! Soooo good!! Especially the cheese Naan! My friend got the butter chicken dish and that was really good, I'd recommend that.
(3)Denae D.
I went here for the first time during their lunch buffet. The food was delicious. It was great to have a buffet because I was able to try a little bit of everything. Now if i go back for dinner I will know what to order. I would recommend Ambrosia for lunch breaks because its so quick and easy with the buffet.
(4)Victor J.
I'm having some Yellow Lentil,and a king Fisher beer. A nice way to end the day. It has been a wonderful and beautiful day!!!
(4)Anu P.
I went here on a Saturday evening with my family (party of 4). Luckily we made reservations because as soon as we sat down around 7:15pm, at least 5 other parties walked in and had to wait for seats. Ambiance: I loved the restaurant's vibe! It has a cute little entrance with outdoor seating, heat lamps, and lights. If it's not too cold out, this would be a great place to sit and have your dinner. But considering it was high 50s, we sat inside. Kind of small for an Indian restaurant because there were probably about 10-15 tables total, but they weren't cluttered which was nice so each party got their own space. It was warm, each table had a little candle, and the light music in the background was nice so it wasn't like all you could hear were other peoples' conversations. Food: We decided to skip appetizers and go straight to main dishes since the menu looked so appetizing and we had done some research on Yelp! Turns out you get a free appetizers of chutneys and pappad (crispy chip like stuff). The tomato chutney/pickle is to DIE FOR. It was a good we had to order some more to eat with our main dishes, since we finished it with the appetizers. For our main dishes, we ordered a palak paneer, a mushroom vegetable dish, and a dal makhani. Every single dish was phenomenal. I'll start with my favorite: the mushroom one. It was just spicy and creamy enough so you didn't feel too guilty and it had big chunks of mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers. For a vegetarian, this is as meaty as it gets and it was amazing! I couldn't stop myself from getting seconds AND thirds of this one. The palak paneer was perfect--paneer was soft and fresh and the palak was flavored fantastically without being too watery (a common mistake when making palak paneer). The final dish, the dal, was not fantastic because it looked like it wasn't fresh (it was a little thicker than expected so it seemed to me like it was a day or half a day old) but regardless, tasted fine. Nothing extraordinary like the past two dishes, but still a good healthy dish to order if you don't want to overload and go into a major food coma with all the creamy dishes. The naans were soft and fresh, but since I am trying to be a little bit healthier as I started working out, I stuck with the tandoori roti, which btw, is a perfect cheat dish. Still doughy and gives you the taste of naan, but made out of whole wheat flour and since you only get four pieces, you can't even eat "too much" naan! Win win for me :) Service: The food alone gives this place 5 stars, but I deducted a star for the service. It was a little slow (even though it was a Saturday night) and my mom didn't get her soda until we asked 15 minutes later after ordering it again. The food came out in a timely fashion but the beginning was a bit of a upset because we wanted our drinks with the free appetizer they bring out when you get seated. No big deal, but if the service was satisfactory as well, this would be an easy 5 stars. Verdict: I HIGHLY recommend going! One of the best Indian restaurants I have ever tried, and I've eaten quite a bit of Indian food. The price is right and the food is terrific!
(4)Sriram V.
It is one of the worst dinner I have ever had in bayarea. I ordered for veggie biryani, garlic naan, vegetable khorma and mango lassi. The biryani didn't have adequate salt, not spicy or for that matter simply no taste. The raita they gave was extremely sour. The mango lassi was also very sour and easily the worst mango lassi we ever had in our life time. The khorma as well didn't have adequate salt, or any spices. It was tasteless. The first bite I had on the garlic naan resulted in a charred portion of it in my mouth. I don't remember when i had such worst dinner before.
(1)Rae R.
Lovely ambiance for dinner or lunch. I regularly enjoy their lunch special, incredible value (though the desire for a nap after can be overwhelming). The service is lovely and understated.
(4)Lacey C.
Visiting Monterey for a long weekend we decided to check out places on yelp and restaurants.com to determine where we would eat. 5 Stars for the Ambiance! Great place for a date! Rich colorful decor, and low lighting make this place very warm and romantic. I had sizzling tandoori cooked Paneer Tikka. Smelled and looked wonderful. I could have used a little more spice, and a little less sweet, but I added the chili sauce for the poppadom's that are served with the meals. It was a Thursday night, but there were plenty of people in the restaurant, including a large group. However service was still quick. Overall it was a great find, and I would go again!
(4)Kim G.
Great ambiance, great service, absolutely sumptuous food! The chicken salsas made for a great appetizer. We had chicken tiki masala and murgh chicken, and both were perfectly prepared and presented; both were delicious! Topped off with cheese naan and garlic naan, also delish! Will definitely be coming back!!!
(5)Roopa S.
Was not stunned by the taste or menu offerings here. Did the lunch buffet, and there weren't too many options to choose from (my family is primarily vegetarian and so our options are always a little more limited). However, ambiance was pretty cute! I think this is really the only "upscale" Indian restaurant in the area, so it works if you are totally craving the cuisine. If you are looking for top-notch quality Indian food, this may not be the place for you.
(3)J Loves Food L.
Ambrosia is the one Indian restaurant than I have been dreaming about for many days since my trip to Monterey. I'm from the Los Angeles area and I have yet to find an Indian place that came even close to the quality. And there are a ton of Indian restaurants in LA. I was here for the lunch buffet and it was the BEST buffet I have had with deep flavors, impeccable freshness, good ingredients (fish curry has fresh fish meaty fish!), and very attentive service. I would gladly pay $30 to come back here for the same experience. But I think I paid $11 + tax + tips for a weekday lunch. I am amazed by the butter chicken (so complex with tender meat), tendori, fish curry with the most awesome flavors with fresh fish that I can see the black veins of. My mouth is watering as I type this. I would drive up to Monterey just to have the amazing food. Thank you Ambrosia! This place was recommended by 2 different motel operators as I value the locals' opinions. they definitely gave me the best suggestion! Ambience: I sat outside in the garden and it was so cute and comfortable! I never imagined this kind of dining experience as I walked in with only expectation of good food. Being in the garden, with impeccably clean tables and even a candle was icing on the cake.
(5)Yob P.
The samosa was OK. They provide no chutney which is surprising.. :( They also didn't give us papad when rest of them got it. The service stinks and you have to tell them 100 times for what you need or maybe even go and get it yourself. We were served with no quarter plates even when we asked them several times. Samosa was dry to eat. Mattar Paneer was good to taste. Again the extra roti we ordered took too much time. Mango lassi was OK. The couple sitting next to us were so frustrated. They came in with us and no one came to take their order even after we got our starters. They didn't get food even while we were done and leaving. The service is pathetic.
(2)Margarette P.
it was our first time to Ambrosia Indian Bistro, but it won't be the last. It was wonderful. The inside dinning is elegant and and a fine dinning environment. The out side patio with all the greenery is a lovely oasis. We were only two, but we ordered at least five entrees. We wanted to taste everything. Tandoori lamb arrived sizzling, chicken tikka masala, butter chicken are alway my favorite, aloo gobi a spicy mix of cauliflower and potatoes, kabuki Chana a chickpea and spices with ginger and cilantro. Of course papadum and naan. The service was very attentive and helpful. We asked to order a bottle of wine to go with our spicy meal, when they came back to tell us, so sorry bit they were out, we choose another great bottle albeit a little more money. They honored the price of the other bottle. And they did not have to do that. After we ate until we were stuffed, they wrapped everything up including the Raita and other sauces. All in all a lovely dinner,. And leftovers! Thank you again for a lovely dinner. See you next time. Eva and Margarette
(5)Sundarajan S.
I came here a year ago and the food was very good but today we came back again and the food was pathetic and horrible. We ordered malai kofta, shaahi paneer and rotis, veg biryani...the food tasted very old and not edible. People serving food have a bad attitude ..I would like to say to the management that "if you have some left overs that does not mean you have to serve people coming in late and make them pay for some bad food".
(1)Jimmy P.
Best Indian restaurant in Monterey :) The service is Excellent..server makes me so happy,He was so friendly, And i loved food of this restaurant.!!!... Food is fantastic so tasty ;) We started with the vegetable samosas which were great, naan, garlic naan, lamb vindaloo, chicken tikka masala and saag paneer. I'm crushed. the food was delicious and perfectly spiced. I will visit again and again for sure..!!
(5)David B.
I hate to be one of those "I've had better elsewhere" people, but I've had better elsewhere. Don't get me wrong: it's a great addition to what's already in the Monterey area. But I've had so much better.
(2)Saurabh S.
The quantities are ridiculously low for the premium price they quote. The service was pathetic. When we asked for bowls and spoons for the dal we'd ordered, the first waiter nodded and forgot. The second one gave a look like we were asking something from the cashier's register! Cocktails and mocktails come in the smallest bar glasses available. They auto add gratuity and its 18% for 6 ppl. Well we were counted as 6 for 4 adults and 2 kids - aged 2 & 4! 1 star just for the nice ambience.
(1)Rahul J.
I was disappointed by the service here. They do not explain what is included in buffet even when asked. We had to keep calling servers for refills on sodas as well as naan basket. Food is horrible as well. One customer complained about getting stale naan that was served to other customer.
(1)Mina H.
I already posted some pics so make sure u check them out. This place is super cute. It's on a quiet street and easy to miss. As you walk in, there's a darling patio with fresh plants and flowers all around. The restaurant is toward the back, and looks like it was a house at some point converted to a restaurant. Cute & cozy. Oh, and the music was cool too. It was a groovy sorta downtempo like station, I loved it. I had the lunch buffet which I was impressed with. Good selection of vegetables and proteins. The buffet price includes your beverage, and even offers champagne! Awesome, right? Last but not least, the service was great. The servers were sweet, and attentive. There were two on the patio, and they were at every time right on time. Overall, a great experience. If u come here on a sunny day, make sure you grab a patio table!
(5)Chris J.
My family loves Ambrosia for the butter chicken and the Tandoori Chicken. And naan... and coconut rice...and lamb...
(4)Robert P.
Was pretty good, great prices.
(3)Forum S.
The food here is unexpectedly amazing! We did a lot of searching in the Monterey/San Jose area for a place that makes any vegetarian dishes without onion and garlic. The paneer here is chewy and edible, and the naan has cilantro, making it even more delicious! The waiters are really nice and are capable of handling larger groups. The name makes you question the level of authencity of the Indian food, but it's pretty amazing!
(5)Sanam S.
If you're Indian, or are used to eating remotely authentic Indian food, steer clear of this place! Their dishes are poorly altered versions of what they should be. The paneer tikka came in a sizzler plate with a tomato sauce - paneer TIKKA. it had not tikka masala on it whatsoever. The dal makhani had none of the cream or ghee that it is supposed to have. The kulfi falooda made me want to cry. The noodles had no taste and they had about 5 drops of rose syrup. To be fair, their malai kofta, though completely different to what it's supposed to be, tasted fairly decent. The kulfi in the falooda wasn't bad. Not worth the price at all. Super disappointing.
(2)Nikhil N.
I don't know if the food is worth the wait yet. Made a reservation - been sitting here for over an hour. The first 15 mins was spent getting someone to serve us water. The next 15 mins trying to find someone to take our order. It's been 45 mins- and we're still waiting. Can't leave because it's nearly 10 and I don't know where else I'll get food. Crowded- which means makeshift tables. I'm sitting in the middle of the walkway with waiters and servers walking behind me trying to avoid bumping into me. Noisy- just annoying when you're hungry. Poorly lit: hard to read the menu. Pros: We got 2 helpings of the complementary papads. Come if you have a day to spare.
(2)Julian C.
Had a craving for Indian food. Asked around. I was recommended Ambrosia. Came for lunch. Having the buffet. It is fucking spectacular. I am still here eating and felt compelled to write this review right fucking now. Come here. Now. And eat here. Now.
(5)Rohit M.
We tried this restaurant on a Sunday evening while on our road trip to SF. We ordered a veg and non veg thali. Let me first of all say that the non veg Thali is huge and good enough for at least 2 if not 3 people. The al fresco seating was very nice and the ambience has a lot of character with the right music and everything. Most of the stars given by me are actually for the ambience. Coming to the food .. Some of it was fresh and some of it was stale. The dishes that were fresh like the Baingan Bharta, the mixed vegetable and the chicken Tikka were fantastic .. However, the potli chicken was frozen and fried and served on a salad which looked like it was cut 2-3 days back. The chutney's and pickle were tasteless. I think the restaurant has the food recipes in place and the chef knows what he/she is doing. However by serving stale food they are doing a lot of damage.
(3)Apoorv S.
Worst service I've ever received maybe. The waiters were spread so thin that they would never come to your table except to take your order and would be in a rush too. A separate server would come and give you food but wouldn't even listen if you wanted another naan or even water. The bill had extra items on it that we didn't order. Overall, a horrible experience. We spent at least 2 hours at this place.
(1)Vivek K.
Horrible experience. They gave some papad to munch and then food was no where to been seen for 40min. The kofta in malai kofta was very hard with minimal gravy. I found it a bit pricy as well.
(1)Kim C.
This is a review based off a single takeout experience. After a long day of tourist traps, countless miles of walking and being jostled about on a boat for the greater part of the afternoon, my body was demanding a second dinner at 10:30pm. After desperately searching around for something, anything, that was open, Ambrosia India Bistro lured me in like a fly, following the sweet smell of spices carried in the breeze and feeling warm and welcome by the lovely little courtyard lit by glowing firepits and strings of overhead lights. All I wanted was chana masala and the man who helped me smiled big and said "Ah, yes! This, I can do and you will like it very much!" It took only a few minutes for my order to be brought out which I was thankful for because I was starting to feel my stomach trying to digest itself from hunger. The friendly little man did not lie when saying I would like the food because my knees weakened as I began to shovel it in my mouth and I stumbled out the door. For an otherwise simple dish, the spices were so flavorful and had the perfect amount of heat as to not be overpowering. This was the best chana masala I had ever eaten and I'm not just raving about it because I was ravenous with hunger. After coming back home to Sacramento, I find myself longing for a viable excuse to go back to Monterey so I could eat it again. From the lovely look to the place to the friendly staff and good food, it's certainly deserving of its good rating.
(5)Nicole D.
I never even knew that the Monterey area lays claim to only two Indian restaurants because I never really needed to look elsewhere from Ambrosia. One day I decided to do a Yelp search for Indian food because my friend was in town craving Indian and I was surprised to find only two places in the Monterey area. If we are only going to have two, I'm glad one of them in Ambrosia. I always enjoy coming into Ambrosia, especially for the lunch buffet. The lunch buffet is a great way to sample many tasty Indian delights like curry, saag paneer, butter chicken, chicken masala, tandoori chicken, vegetable pakora, naan, kheer (rice pudding), fruit and side salads with minty dressings. And only $9.95 to boot! I really love their buffet but I can't seem to make it over too often since my worksite is a little ways away, but I do try to partake in their dinner cuisine to satisfy my Indian cravings. The saag paneer, curries, chicken masala, coconut lamb curry and the butter chicken are all infinitely delicious. Don't be monogamous to one dish...order several dishes for yourself or share among friends and savor the exotic flavors of India. There is a tranquil rose-covered brick outdoor patio that is great for relaxing and taking in some fresh air. The patio has a large firepit and several heat lamps. There's also a lovely water garden in the back with a bubbling rock fountain and lush ferns. Satisfy your Indian cravings in a beautiful relaxing setting at Ambrosia.
(4)Neha K.
My family and I came to dine in at this restaurant because it looked classy. We ordered 11 naan plates and all of them every single one was uncooked. Very poor service
(1)Hemanshu N.
I would have given 4 stars but took off one for the lack of hot beverage options with their buffet. Not everyone wants cold beverages. If you are willing to provide champagne and such as part of your buffet, surely you can afford to offer a coffee or a tea instead for someone who has a sore throat and doesn't want to drink something cold! I was categorically told that it's not part of your buffet. While the food and service was fantastic, this one aspect irritated me no end. Been a fan, been coming for years, but this I did not expect.
(3)Chris C.
I love the lunch buffet! And I really enjoy eating outside. I'd give 5/5 but $11 for a buffet is a little steep, and I'm not a huge eater. But the food is great. The only other *minor* complaint is that the buffet line can be a little cramped.
(4)Kelley S.
We stopped here after seeing their buffet sign on the side of the road. Price was a little high for lunch. Servers were not attentive at all and we needed to find them for refills on the $3 soda ... Also quite high. The outside seating was nice. The buffet was adequate. A nice selection of meat and non-meat dishes. The naan was good. I wouldn't go back here nor would I recommend it. The food was okay but just too much "off" here to make it worth a second trip.
(2)Nitesh A.
Super horrible food We came here for lunch. It happened to be a buffet. We tried only the veggie entries and none of them were cooked well Good Mint chatni: made very well and tasty. Bad Yello Chana daal. Hard and not cooked Aloo mattar: some potatoes cooked. Peas as if just came out of the fridge Paneer: let me correct that it was Tofu. Never seen an Indian restaurant serving tofu made like paneer Dish Chana: cooked decent. Tasted nothing special Rice: medium cooked Ordered roti as it wasn't on buffet. It was as chewy as naan so not sure if they used whole wheat. Ordered ice tea and had to keep asking for it till we were almost ready to leave House champagne: a complete joke Never coming back again
(1)Prashant I.
We were starving and wanted to take a quick bite. This place was close to our hotel. We stopped and had the buffet. For $11 the items on the buffet were not very many, but they tasted good. We left happy and content.
(4)Jigesha D.
This has got to be one of the best Indian restaurants we have tried in the Bay Area. They even catered to our Jain diet, with no onions and garlic on request. It's often hard for restaurants, even really good ones, to make the food taste amazing. But Ambrosia did it! We had a tomato shorba (a tangy tomato with coriander, hints of cumin soup) as a starter, given with free poppadum served with assorted chutneys. We went on to order an entree of mutter paneer, again amazing--just the right amount of spice and taste. To end it, we had the most delicious vegetable biryani that I have ever tasted... the gravy just right for the rice and vegetables, marinated to perfection. The waiters were nice and polite. The ambience was really nice, intimate, quiet and beautiful. I would definitely recommend this to any Indian food lovers, and Jains! :-)
(5)Marisha M.
We got here at 8pm, got our seat and our order taken at 8:15, and it's 9:10 and the food hasn't come out yet. Well the naan bread came pretty quickly but it was gone in 3 minutes. We're staaarving. Can't comment about the food yet. We'll see if it's worth the wait. If it weren't for the naan and the fact that it's a full house, I'd just give it 1 star.
(2)Greta H.
I'm giving this place 4/5 Bc it's good, but not five stars yet...although it has potential. I think the prices on the general menu are a bit overpriced, but the daily lunch buffet is awesome! My hubby and I come and enjoy the brunch after church on Sundays. We both are a fan of the tandoori spiced chicken...and at all you can eat...you can't go wrong! I also appreciate that the buffet has a bit of variety from week to week so it's not the same thing every time. This allows me to try new Indian dishes I'd probably never order from the menu! Come for the lunch buffet and you can't go wrong!
(4)Priya G.
One f d best Indian food eaten in US. Being a veggie I had less options... But gr8 taste. D food had every indian spice taste in... Wud love to visit again... Wish dey had d same in santa barbara....yummm...
(5)Atul S.
Excellent food, however their service was a definite let down. Waited at least 10 minutes for any servers to even recognize our presence. Once we were directed to the table in the poorly lit environment, it took them forever to come take our order and even longer for them to serve us our food. I had to request them at least 3 to 4 times for them to refill my glass with water. For them to take away our cheque, I had to get up and chase down the waiter since I couldn't get them to walk to our table. They are understaffed and unprofessional. Also, don't order their cheese naan, disgusting! Everything other than their cheese naan is excellent, and is definitely better than most indian food across the region.
(3)Karin B.
This is one of the best Indian Restaurants I've been to! We ordered 4 different dishes, two vegetarian and two chicken dishes, and they were all very good ! Service was nice too: maybe not perfect if compared to the standards of American efficiency, but excellent from a warm welcome standpoint. Too bad I don't live in Monterey !!
(5)Priyam M.
After a long drive and tiring day at Monterey Aquarium, we decided to order a biryani take out from this place. Biryani tasted just ok, neither good nor bad. Want to let you know they do not provide any spoons or plates with the take out. It was weird for me as we usually get some disposable cutlery with a take out. The second day we thought of trying the lunch buffet and most of the things tasted well. The best things were pickle, saag, tandoori chicken and gobhi aaloo. The dessert was horrible, but over all the buffet was nice. I suggest it is better to have lunch buffet at this place .
(3)Sai S.
The service here was HORRIBLE. They tried to kick us out the moment we came in. Dissuading us that in half an hour they would remove the food off the buffet. The food itself wasn't excellent and only one dish in the buffet tasted decent. The only reason they have two stars is because of the beautiful outside eating area and the one decent dish and naan. Also the group that came after us ( who were white) were invited in gratefully. I really don't understand why they were graciously invited in but I would not recommend anyone to come here for food or for service.
(2)Shibani G.
Very nice , quaint and clean restaurant. A very accessible location. Great food !! All their dishes were very authentic in taste and the serving size was great. The service was excellent , the management and servers were all very pleasant and looked after us very well. The kids enjoyed the food as much as we did. I would definitely go back there on my next visit too.
(4)Sjoerd-Jan B.
This place is great if you have never tasted indian food before or if all you want to have is chicken tikka masala. We started off with a very disappointing mixed vegetable pakora plate, which contained two very oily pakora's something that probably was meant to be a spinach vadai and a samosa. Only that samosa was passable, the rest not very nice. As a main course, we had chicken biryani, chicken tikka masala and chettinad chicken and some poori. The biryani was not a biryani at all, but rice with a biryani-like gravy mixed in. The chettinad chicken was a decent curry, but did not come close to anything that resembles a decent chettinad chicken curry. The poori was served as is, and was ok but the absence of a side dish (traditionally served with dhal or a smooshed potato curry) was annoying. Only the chicken tikka masala was passable (which is not an indian dish anyway). If this is truly the best indian restaurant the Monterey peninsula has, the hour drive to the San Jose area is worthwhile.
(2)A K.
Lack of management skills and motivation to run the business. The folks who serve here are ridiculously lazy and unprofessional. They try to close the business before the closing hours, by giving senseless reasons. I was told that they don't allow any sittings after 9:30pm because the kitchen closes by 9:30. How come kitchen close half an hour before close time? Also, one of the reasons mentioned to close early was due to time it takes to cook Indian vegetables. He didn't stop there and mentioned that when it says closing time is 10pm, the customer should think about all these things and come early at max by 9:30. Are you kidding me? The funny part was after all this BS, when he mentioned that they only take TOGO orders after 9:30pm. Doesn't TOGO orders take time to cook? How do they prepare TOGO orders after kitchen gets closed by 9:30? I am not sure if the manager/owner personally look into the business activities. This place runs because of the good chefs.
(1)Drew M.
I have become a fan of this place. We did the lunch buffet and it was excellent and a good value as well. They have a nice mix of items to pick from and it includes drinks (soda/ice tea etc). The service was above average and it was another enjoyable meal... I will continue to keep going back.
(4)Lorraine H.
Lots of tasty vegetarian choices on the all-you-can-eat lunch buffet. I especially liked the lentil dish and the spinach and chick pea dish! Good combination of spices! Great lunch deal for under $12 per person. Nice tranquil music helps to create a comfortable atmosphere on the outdoor patio. Love the plants and quiet courtyard ambiance. Casual service made me feel like I was eating at a friend's back yard.
(4)Melissa P.
I came here on a Friday night for dinner, unaware of how popular this place is. We were told they were seating walk-ins outside, which we didn't mind (they have a firepit and heaters). After being seated, we noticed they seemed go be paying more attention to the guests inside. Outside was a mess- we were barely checked on, no water refills, they gave us the wrong check... Besides the service, i'd give the food a 5/5. The chicken tikka masala and vegetable masala were especially noteworthy. I also loved the ambiance out there. It used to be a Mexican cantina, so you can get that sense a bit, but it feels exotic with all the plants and the fire pit. Sort of reminded me of the movie the Exotic Marigold Hotel. Worth a try but make a reservation.
(4)Craig P.
This place greatly exceeded my expectations. We have a good Indian place where we live that we judge all other Indian restaurants on. This place definitely held pace with any of the good Indian food we've had. Their tandoori and paneer is delicious! If you are in the mood for some great Indian you can go wrong trying this place.
(5)Heather P.
Excellent Indian food! We have an award winning place where we live that we compare all others too. This is the first place that we have found that is as good. Nice ambiance and great service here too. I had the vegetable pakora, garlic naan and palak paneer. All were incredibly flavorful. Definitely recommend this place if you are a connoisseur of Indian food!
(5)Aruhya K.
Worst food I ever had in my life We ordered chicken tikka masala roganjosh curry chicken biryani garlic naan ...... Food was too bad to eat
(1)Parsa B.
Among the worst Indian I have eaten. Tough (read cheap) lamb in the coconut lamb curry. These sections of the carcass are intended for ground meat. The chicken was slightly better. The naan was underwhelming. Rice was so so and extra$. I could not recommend this place at any price, let alone what they charge. In Monterey, people don't seem to know their Indian cuisine.
(1)Suzy P.
I came here for the lunch buffet. Heaven for indian food lovers like me. It was reasonably priced and delicious! I especially liked the unlimited naan and iced tea. All the food was really good. Had to have thirds of their eggplant. Good service as well. I would not recommend eating here for anything besides the lunch buffet, however, because it can get pricey.
(5)Naresh M.
Happened to go to this place for dinner on my birthday and i must say that this was one of the worst dinners i ever had. I am giving 1 star mainly for its ambience, however the outside eating does require cleaning, most of the tables outside were not clean and we eventually had to get it cleaned as it was too noisy inside. The only good thing was that the food was hot. We ordered samosa, malai kofta, tandoori chicken, roti and garlic naan. Out of all this, tandoori chicken was slightly tolerable since we were hungry and had to eat. We couldn't eat the malai kofta which was made of tomato sauce and the kofta was so hard that we preferred to leave it as is. Samosa seemed to be regular ready to eat and was full of oil. Garlic naan and roti were so hard then we couldn't finish the 2 naan and roti that we ordered. We went in looking at the 4 star this place had got, however the food is not the authentic indian food, its meant for locals who haven't tasted authentic indian food and if u see the high ratings, u would realize that hardly anything good has been written by Indians. Overall horrible experience which spoilt my birthday dinner. Will never ever visit this place even in my dreams.
(1)Hussein A.
Great food and great service. I love their Rogan lamb. Inconsistent though. Last time for some reason it wasn't good. But I'm a regular.
(4)Rachelle J.
I never thought I'd love indian food until I tasted some from this place. My regular orders are : Chicken Biryani, Chicken Tandoori, Garlic Naan
(5)Hanibal P.
Usually i don't like indian food here in us to mooch spice and not good like a Europe My friend Klair bring me here one day and told me just try it oh myyyyyy god its a testy indian food ever i had. Customer service is very good. Place is gorges food is awesome and for all you can eat buffet under 15$ its a good price done here in monterey. Just try it
(5)Rohit K.
Staff is not customer friendly, refused to take order even though checked in before closing time
(1)Kathy T.
I've been here for the sit down service as well as the buffet. Sit Down Service I ordered the Chicken Curry and my friend ordered the Butter Chicken. We shared an order of saffron rice and garlic naan. Everything tasted GREAT and the service was awesome, but I couldn't justify the price. I mean, it's not breaking the bank, but I can't believe we paid for everything a la carte and the butter chicken was $15!!! It was about $50 for two people after tip. Pricey for Indian food. All-You-Can-Eat Weekend Brunch Buffet This is the way to go! Sure they may not serve your favorite dish, but all the most popular dishes are present and sure satisfied my Indian craving. It comes with a mimosa too! My only gripe about the buffet would be the lack of garlic naan in the deal. That has NEVER happened to me before at any Indian buffet I've been too. The garlic naan wasn't a part of the buffet. WHAAT?! That's just crazy talk. The pakoras (mixed veggie fritters) were very tasty here! I usually don't eat them, but I happened to try it here and it was really good. Everything I had was really good. I can't wait to go back!
(4)Chetan M.
I was surprised to see such a beautiful restaurant in Monterey. The ambiance in the evening was absolutely great. We ordered for paneer, Naan, rice and roti. The roti was slightly overlooked otherwise all other dishes were great. Overall, the experience with the food, ambiance and service was good ..
(4)Shweta S.
I wish I could give this place no stars. I'm writing this review from the restaurant itself....it is such a horrible place! We had a reservation for 8:30 PM and did not get the table till 9:45 PM. We wrote our order and gave it to the server and it took another 40 minutes for the food to come. In the meantime there was no server for our table who answered any question about the food or when the food will come. The service is just horrible and the food is even more horrible. I would not recommend the place to anyone. Just because they are the only Indian place in Carmel, they have just taken the people for granted.
(1)Tiffany w.
LOVE this place Greatest service always dote on my daughter when we come in Best in the area fun atmosphere beautiful patio best lunch best deal
(5)Cynthia F.
Easy street parking; a relief from the expensive parking near Monterey Bay. Beautiful, peaceful garden setting. Was satisfied with the vegetarian options on the lunch buffet. I was only disappointed with the single dessert option on the buffet; it was a milky dessert and I'm lactose intolerant, so I skipped dessert and didn't mind since the price was so reasonable.
(4)JOSH W.
Exceptionally friendly service and a terrific lunch buffet that's reasonably priced.. Great atmosphere. Patio seating out front as well.
(4)Amber M.
Absolutely Love this place! So tasty! Everything is good, cannot go wrong. Place is small and can be a little snug on a busy night but worth it. Indoor/outdoor seating options. Priced for Monterey, of course, but will not be let down. Me and my husband have been eating here for years. If Indian food scares you, then try the buffet.
(5)sarah t.
The food was excellent! I'm picky about how my chicken is prepared, and it was mouthwatering! I had the chicken tikka masala, and enjoyed the very large portion! The service was meh... I waited a while to be approached when I walked in-granted the place was packed! I opted to sit at the bar, and continued to wait. After ordering finally, I only waited a short time to receive my food. Thankfully I didn't need anything, as no one asked if I was ok! I wish they would have removed my plates and food after I had paid, and was just finishing my glass of wine. I think I would still come back because the food was great, the service just needs some work!
(3)Eli R.
Nice sound system and ambiance. However, the music is always too loud for good conversation. The buffet offers great vegetarian options and the naan bread is better than most. The service is okay but not top notch. The buffet could also be a bit cheaper for lunch.
(3)Sidney S.
Then you both realize Just how foolish you've been And you try to make amends But you're better off as friends 'cause that's how much, that's how much That's how much, that's how much -- Ambrosia, "How Much I Feel" Sidney Writes a Monterey Restaurant Review Part I The lyrics at the beginning really don't go with this review except it's really the only Ambrosia song I like :) But maybe it can go with the review? Like, how much I feel for the lovely ambiance of this place: a nice patio area with lovely indoor dining enhanced by the smoky tandoori oven. Or, how much I feel for the authentic flavors of my spicy (take that gringo who asked for it spicy!) chicken masala or the vegetable paneer that I could have scraped with my naan for a good long time. Just a nice subtle yet substantial flavor with the paneer that complemented my spicy masala perfectly. Or how much I feel for the cook perfectly garlic naan, not overly heavy with the garlic but a perfect consistency. Or how much I feel for the reasonable corkage fee of $12 that meant I could bring a lovely bottle of Melville 2010 Carrie's Pinot that accompanied all the various flavors perfectly. The only thing I didn't get an Ambrosia like feeling (and I remembered how titillated I was as a Tweener when the lead singer belted out that line: "Sometimes when we make love I still can see your face"), was the vegetable pakoras which had a nice crunchiness but not much flavor. I still lapped them up because their blandness was a good offset to the spicy chicken masala. Oh, and I was feeling hungry ;) So good authentic Indian food in the heart of DT Monterey. Who knew? ;) Highly recommended!
(4)QBar A.
Sorry... I wasn't impressed. Had lunch today and it was buffet. I asked to see regular menu but the waiter said there was only buffet and the regular menu would take too long. LOL! True story! I kinda wanted to have some paneer that is why I came. Buffet was mediocre. My dishes got cleared only after I asked for check and my tea was never refilled. Roti's were blah. I guess I'm spoiled because my experience with Indian food was from friends why cooked from scratch and its so much better. I guess I should have looked around because I didn't see anyone from India eating here and maybe that is a sign food isn't all that? Or did I come at an off day?? I hope it was just an off day. Maybe I will try again for dinner when regular menu is available. Then I will update my review!
(2)Roy T.
Food was good but very slow, took close to 30 minutes for the food to arrive. A lot of the menu items include cream but this is not listed as an ingredient on the menu (even the white rice has cream), so check with the waiter before ordering.
(3)Evan K.
Food was ok, but service was absolutely terrible. Super slow and inattentive servers. Sat there for close to a half hour trying to get the check, but the staff did not look my way once.
(1)Brittney S.
I am very happy with my experience at Ambrosia on Abrego street today. I love trying new restaurants but my boyfriend has a lot of reservations with new places. Well when we went for lunch I wasn't expecting a lunch buffet (I didn't see anything about the buffet on the website). However I am so glad we stayed and tried it. The buffet was not very large (maybe 6 different entrees, rice, and a salad bar) but they had a dish for every taste (vegetarian, fish-lovers, people who prefer chicken, etc.) Everything was labeled well, which was great for us not having tons of experience with Indian food. I tried almost everything and liked or loved everything I tasted. They served Naan for the table which was also good. The service was a bit slow on refills but a large party did come in soon after along with many other tables so it may have been a bit overwhelming for the two waiters. We sat on the patio which was very serene, they played traditional music which was soothing, and it was fun to watch the bugs buzz around the fresh flowers and the birds frolic. The lunch buffet was so super cheap! Only $11 per person. So with two people, and two ices teas, plus tax we only paid $27. It was totally worth it. Best of all my Boyfriend who is usually so critical on new places was very excited and wants to return. We will probably go back for lunch, as we can try many things and it is so cheap. I believe they are open 7 days a week 11:30 - 2 is the lunch buffet Dinner (with a regular menu) begins at 5pm
(4)Raghav P.
Tried the lunch buffet. Limited variety. The opu masala and tofu paneer were ok. Good ambience.
(2)Walter R.
We had a large group sharing vegetarian and non-vegetarian thali. Everything tastes good. The indoor air is a bit stifling.
(4)John D.
I would give another star if the service was better. My server (Sam I think is his name) never once asked if everything was okay with my food, or if I wanted another glass of wine. He didn't even bring me the bill, the guy that goes around and fills up water did. When I asked for another minute to order my server didn't come back for almost 12 minutes... And my mimosa he made was just orange juice and grand mariner. There was no champagne..... I don't know about you but that's why I order mimosas. I love the food, the portions could be bigger though for the price. All in all I would come back, I've had really great service there in the past.
(3)D B.
Came for the buffet today. Seems like a Post Naval and local business lunch spot. I rated as followed. Star for great location, love the outdoor patio! Star for clean space and friendly service. Star for variety of foods. Star for rockstar vegetarian dishes but took star away for unimpressive chicken buffet dishes. Overall good experience but for a $14.00 Indian meal I was hoping for a little more of kick to the flavoring of meats.
(3)Greg A.
I've had Indian in many cities and many restaurants, including nyc's Indian row in LES. It's possible that I've been craving, or that I've been driving for 5 hours, but the food was fantastic to say the least. I have the Rogan josh (lamb in brown sauce) everywhere I go. This one was comparable, but overall I would say terrific. Really worth it for Rogan josh connoisseurs. My gf had the chicken in a cream sauce, also delish to say the least, she's still raving about it. We also ordered the mulligatawny, very comforting and a pan fried spinach appetizer which was good. Finished up with a mango lassi. She had a local Monterrey wine and I had a huge glass of cognac for $9. Modestly priced. Service is great, but waiting for servers is common because they're busy. Overall, if you're in Monterrey or passing by, and either want to try something new or a fan of Indian, this place is great!!! 5 stars all the way! Don't forget to leave a coin with Ganesh on your way out (a statue outside) for prosperity!
(5)Satya C.
Awesome Restaurant....I'm from San JOse n we have a Indian restaurant in every street...but this place surpassed them in terms of Taste, Quality n Pricing. The staff are really friendly n Courteous. We Ordered Garlic naan, Kadai Paneer and Veg BIryani. all of these are Perfect in Taste!!! We even liked the Cauliflower Pickle served with the Complimentary Pappad. Will Definitely recommend to my friends.
(5)Cassie C.
Popped into this place for...surprise pre-dinner? on a journey between leaving Monterey Bay Aquarium, and walking back to the car. I think my friend chose this place because he got googly-eyed at the large depictions of Indian food on the windows. He ended up ordering chicken marsala + basmati rice and two samosas (damn people with high metabolisms). The portions were pretty generous, and the food came out after around 10 minutes. I took a few bites of the curry and it was pretty good/tasted fine. The samosas however, were no bueno. I'm pretty sure they'd gone bad because both of the samosas we got were aggressively you-know-you-need-to-throw-it-outta-your-fridge sour. Didn't finish those. I probably wouldn't go out of my way to come here again, if you have a hankering for indian food while you're near the aquarium for decent prices, this place is definitely close.
(3)Disha K.
Beautiful monterey's delicious restaurant! After a wonderful day of sunshine spent kayaking in the bluest waters of the pacific, there is no other place which satisfies the appetite like ambrosia. The spices of seafood masala soothe your satiety. I have tried lunch buffet too, which is complete buffet with healthy and fresh fruits, appetizers, chutneys, veggie options and desserts. The appetizer jhinga masala has no comparison, I wish I lived closer to monterey. This place is so awesome that if I drive up north,I try and stop here for dinner/ lunch.
(5)Bruce T.
The service was fast, the chicken curry came with big chunks of chicken, soft, moist and flavorful. The Dal Bukhara was savory and rich. The garlic naan was very well done. If you like hot, spicy food, however you must INSIST they put some real heat in the curry. Otherwise you get a mildly spicy dish.
(4)Angela L.
We've eaten here only for the buffet. As previously mentioned, we've been here several times per visit to Monterey in 2008, 2010, 2012, and now 2015. They continue to provide excellent taste, variety, and service at a reasonable cost. They always seem to have some entrees that are different from the normal buffet selection at other restaurants. Today's visit included Paneer Bhurji, Kassori Chana, and Aloo Tikki, none of which we were familiar with (but all of which were very good). There were a total of 9 large serving containers, with 6 entrees, rice, Dal, and rice pudding (dessert). Service continues to be efficient and fairly friendly. Sadly this time we only made it in once, so we'll have to make up for that the next time we visit Monterey.
(5)Mallika K.
The manager is very good ! The waiter was trying to be stud We ordered and waited for 30 mins for the wrong order to show up on our table . The manager tackled it nicely and refunded us too .
(5)Jake T.
F*** you, owners of ambrosia, for ripping me off. 1. The price: they charged me $4 for raita, which is a sauce that is usually complementary. They charged me $15 for a small entree that was just taken from a pot of daily vindaloo (it took them 10 minutes to have my order ready, indian is never that quick. I'm not opposed to eating pre-made indian, but charge me appropriately. Also, they have a buffet where you can spoon up as much of this stuff as you want for $10. So why am I paying more for less? 2. The taste: not as thick as it should be. The lamb came in large chunks which were a pain to have to get a knife and saw at them. Large chunks also mean that the sauce and spices cannot penetrate as deeply, so this left the lamb tasting gamey. Not the worst, but far from the best. Def not worth the price AT ALL! 3. Service: owner was sitting at the bar when I looked at the bill and exclaimed "$4 for raita, what the hell" and he didn't say anything to me. I walked about a block and decided, to call them and ask to bring the food back because the price was unacceptable and the prick-manager left a bad taste in my mouth. They did not pick up, because they saw my number and probably didn't want to deal with me. I attempted to call three times while I was walking back to work. I decided to just eat it(at that point I was thinking "hey maybe it's really good". In conclusion, the owner is a piece of crap, the food is sub-par, or terrible if you consider the expense. Do Not Eat Here.
(1)Dave S.
So I've been in this Indian food groove for a few weeks now. I've eatin here now a few times and its ok, nothing over the top delicious, but I also never gotten sick. The service is good, there always there but not intrusive, very polite. The food is fresh and well seasoned. I can't attest to the authenticity of the food, region or style but only that I like it. They have a nice patio in front so on nice afternoons and evenings the fresh airs a plus. Good choice for something different.
(3)Prabu L.
We were pleasantly surprised at the taste and quality of the food as well as the ambience. I admit, my expectations were low going in. A tourist town, middle of downtown (?) on a weekend afternoon, I did not expect much from a "bistro" that served Indian food. The buffet was small but had a good variety - mostly North Indian items. The salad was decent. The Roti was good. The curries were tasty but not overly spicy. The Raita was a good counter-balance to some of the curries. Some of the spice-lovers in our group were disappointed that there were no pickles (Achar). We sat indoors by the terrarium (greenhouse) and the foliage lent a good ambiance. There was seating outside under trees, but it was a cool day and we did not venture to sit under the inviting trees. We would return to this place the next time we are in town.
(4)Mary R.
The Rogan Josh was the best lamb dish I have ever tasted. Butter chicken was excellent. We loved the rice and the naan was great. The free appetizer with the chutney and sauces was really a treat. First rate, good service and pleasant atmosphere. Really a good value and a special place to eat.
(5)Cynthia P.
at this point in time, i've only been to the lunch buffet, so i can't speak to the dinner experience. the patio is a great place to get stuffed on a lazy friday afternoon away from work for ~$10. two words: butter chicken!
(5)Amit S.
We were really suprised to find such good Indian food in Monterey! The buffet was great- try the curry chicken, butter chicken, tandoori and rice pudding!
(4)Laura H.
I've never had a bad experience at Ambrosia (only been there for dinner). We eat there every couple months and have started taking friends there who are visiting. The staff is very helpful if you're looking for something particular. We have a few favorite dishes (curry lentils are awesome) and the meats and veggies taste very fresh and everything is made to order (I haven't ordered an all-vegetarian meal, so I can't comment on that). There is occasionally a wait on Fridays and Saturdays but it goes quickly. The service is good, but slow (as I've found in many Indian and Persian restaurants) so don't expect to eat and run. If you're looking for an excellent meal and a nice dining experience, I highly suggest Ambrosia.
(5)Joel D.
Good atmosphere and good food
(4)Chris F.
Simply the best Indian food I've ever had. The lunch buffets are a great deal, particularly on the weekend, when, perhaps, the selection seems a little larger. But all the buffets have a fantastic smorgasbord of delicious Indian food. A truly fantastic place. Watch out or you will overeat!
(5)Christina S.
Food is good but they don't give you much of it at dinner. I hear you get more at lunchtime. I love their Mango Lassi's though.
(3)Eric G.
EXCELLENT FOOD! It was my first time eating Indian food. As to whether it was "authentic" or not, I have nothing to base that off of. All I know is that the food was very tasty and the restaurant staff was friendly and professional. The butter chicken was VERY VERY GOOD! I will go there again!
(4)vk C.
We visited after our round of Golf and ordered tandoori dishes. They were under cooked. May be Ambrosia India Bistro was rushing and did not take the time to maintain the quality they have been reviewed for. We would not go back to them.
(1)Alex F.
Four stars in general, but I'll tack another on for their vegan menu. This place is more vegan-friendly than the supposedly "best vegetarian" tilly gorts.
(5)Du T.
A little pricey for Indian food. Nice atmosphere and staff. The butter chicken is awesome with Naan bread. Chicken Curry was just OK in my opinion. Would definitely eat here again.
(4)Audrie J.
After spending what add up to years in the UK, where I got hooked on Indian, I find Ambrosia to be just as good as anything found there. It's the only Indian restaurant I eat at in Monterey. Lots of vegetarian options in the all-you-can-eat $9 buffet! It includes naan. Better lunch place than dinner- more bang for your buck and you can try so many different things; but dinner is still amazing! Nice garden-like patio on a sunny day. So good!
(5)Alisan P.
Seems like this place may have had a change of chefs. Our dinner (just dropped in) was so enjoyable and tasty! We ordered the Butter Chicken (which is a misnomer, it's really Tandoor chicken), a shrimp and onion dish, brown rice and Ajwain naan. All of it was perfect and we cleaned our plates. The Tandoor chicken was succulent, with many layers of flavors. Coupled with the brown rice, it was heaven in a serving dish. The grilled shrimp was a wee tad overcooked, but the flavors of the various onions filled the shrimp with a complex flavor. The naan was the perfect vehicle for the savory sauces, one pickled, one sweet and one spinach. We cleaned those little pots out too! I had a sauvignon blanc with dinner and we enjoyed the gulab jamun for dessert. That's a lightly fried donut hole soaked in honeyed rose water. The prices didn't seem exceptional to me at all. I thought this was a great neighborhood restaurant with a very clear understanding of itself. I wish we lived here so that we could enjoy it more often!
(4)Dora P.
was driving to SoCal when we needed to eat. our GPS gave us the option of this place and so we stopped in. the food and the people here were so amazing that i wished i lived in the area so i could frequent the restaurant. The food was mouth-watering. I am always told I am a waste of money at buffets because I tend to have one plate and thats it, but I made up for years of wasting money at buffets that afternoon!!! The people were so kind too. Our trip was made extra special because we had the chance of stopping by this restaurant. I hope I am able to make the trip to this area so I can visit them again SOON!
(5)Keerthy S.
Ambrosia has a delightful exceptionally trained Chef and superb staff who go out of the way to make your visit memorable. Their food is exceptional, authentic and contemporary. In short, their Chef innovates within the bounds of tradition. We loved their Achari Baingan, Bharwah Aloo and Lentil Dal. Superb ambience, cheerful staff and great cuisine.
(5)Emily F.
We happened upon this place by accident and decided to try it out. The food was good, the portions were just right and the outdoor dining was really really nice. They have a lot of vegetarian and vegan options too. Definitely a happy accident.
(4)Brent H.
Wow... the BEST Indian food I have ever had. We are vegans and they even had a vegan menu which was absolutely amazing. The food tended to be spicy so the kids were a little disappointed. The restaurant decor was also great and the service was the best. We will definitely return whenever we are in Monterey.
(5)Mike N.
Wonderful lunch buffet! Clean, nice hot food and bread with a variety of chicken and vegetable dishes. I love it!
(4)Geoff L.
Came here for a pre-wedding groomsmen lunch with my buddies. Very casual outside at lunch and the buffet is the way to go. It's been a while since i've had indian food so i am not the end-all on this cuisine. I didn't pay for lunch so i am not sure how much it was, but the variety is what i really liked. The goat was especially tender, tasty, and the dish of choice. The naan was dry and a bit flakey.
(4)Sierra F.
Coming from someone who has had a LOT of indian food at different restaurants.. the food is just alright. The lunch buffet is pretty decent, and the rice pudding is DELICIOUS. The waiters are really attentive with refills on drinks and clearing your plates. Definitely the best indian place in Monterey.. but that's not saying much, cause there aren't many options.
(3)Fey R.
I get sick everytime i go to this restaurant, I guess I need to stop going there.
(1)K R.
Diners who give this place more than one star (I would give none if I could) probably don't know what good Indian food is supposed to taste like. The food here is bland, textureless and uninteresting. Apparently the owners think they can palm off anything on us stoopid Americans, and we will eat it and love it. Save your money! You can make better Indian food at home, and certainly you will get better service. I am tired of spending money in restaurants of people who just want to make money off of us but not give good service or excellent food. Forget this place! It was only voted best Indian food because it is the ONLY Indian restaurant in Monterey.
(1)ash s.
I was pleasantly surprised by the food. Being an Indian who loves to cook, I find most lunch buffets washed out catering to a western clientele. The food was simple but tasty and each entree had its unique flavor. That said, the service was really bad. When my husband, my baby and I walked in, the manager didn't seem happy to see us and was extremely curt in replying to a question we asked. He, however was very nice to the American family that walked in. Its sad but clearly a case of discrimination against your own Go figure!
(3)Caleb L.
The food here is average at best. I had the vegetarian thali, which was basically a sampler of about 6-7 different things. Nothing really stood out, and the bread was definitely too thin and dry. Service wasn't too bad, but the place was mostly empty.
(2)Olivia C.
WOW, I loved this place. I was in Monterey for a couple days staying at a hotel a couple blocks from this restaurant. Being vegan, I was very impressed that they have a separate vegan menu (!) including appetizers and a full list of entrees. I got the vegan appetizer plate, a dahl, and rice, and my boyfriend got Tandori tofu. I thought everything was really good -- very nice presentation, very good flavors, and good quality. Our waitress was also very friendly and helpful. But the biggest thing for me was the fact that they are so accommodating and had separate vegan samosas, pakoras, and entrees. That is pretty impressive to me in a place that is not fully vegan, and especially in a little town like Monterey. If I ever am back in Monterey, I would definitely go here again, and if I lived there, I'd be a regular. I would recommend this place to anyone, and ESPECIALLY if you're a vegan/vegetarian, this is a great option.
(5)Chris D.
Came here for dinner on a slow weekday evening. Both my date's and my meals tasted excellent. Service was courteous. I'd love to come back and try their lunch buffet next time I'm in Monterey.
(4)brooklyn b.
The best indian food I have had in a really long time. We lived in India and have very high standards. The food was simply delicious!
(5)Connie T.
After having eaten at so many Indian restaurants, I can say this isn't the best. I got the Malai Kofta and bf got the chicken Ambrosia wrap. Came out to be $16. The food came and all i could smell from the Malai Kofta was tomato sauce. As if someone just sat an open can of it right under my nose. It didn't taste as tomato-y as it smelled, but it was still slightly overwhelming. The actual malai kofta wasn't too good or bad. The ambrosia wrap was chicken, onion, and yogurt sauce wrapped in a giant naan, the bf kept dipping it into the curry for my Malai Kofta for added flavor. I'll give it that it was large though. I won't be here again.
(2)Terry Y.
Spent like $10 for lunch buffet. I guess they have a monopoly in Monterey, so my review is moot. Move the same restaurant in SJ or Cupertino will probably gain only a 2.5 stars from me. The selection is limited, and it is made for Americanised palettes due to its lack of herbs. Traditional Indian food is much richer in terms of herbs and flavor. You will see that if you dine around the bay area. Also, the selection is very limited for the price. They are cheap with the naan as well. I mean... it is just flour, how much can it be. They should give you more than just 1 sheet, especially when you opt out of the rice. Having said all that, you have no choice if you want Indian food... so yeah... pointless review.
(4)Mary N.
Very courteous. Two entree with basmati rice, chicken curry and fish curry. However, they didn't give me the naan for a $1 even though it was advertised and I even asked about it. They said I had to buy it separately. False advertisement
(3)Anonymous G.
I am a local. Have been several times. The first time was okay. The 2nd and 3rd times the wait staff were acting like robots like they did not even want to be there. No smile, no greeting how are you, notta. Tried to hurry my friend and I along so they could go home early and it wasn't even 9 pm yet. Also my dish was WAY too spicy. I told the waiter I was allergic to peppers and he still brought me the spiciest dish of eggplant possible. I only took one bite. The waiter did not offer to replace it or say sorry or anything, just completely ignored the fact that I did not eat my meal. VERY POOR SERVICE, impersonal & unfriendly wait staff and paid $20 to eat nothing. Welcome to Monterey the land of the unfriendliest lacking any personality at all wait staff in the country.
(1)William F.
We ate here on 1.5.13. My wife ordered the Ambrosia Seafood Masala. It's supposed to be an Indian version of cioppino. My wife took a bite. Then another. Then one final bite and asked me to taste because something wasn't right with the dish. I spotted it right away. The "crab" was imitation crab. We called over the waiter and I asked him what was in the masala. I asked him if there was imitation crab in the dish. He didn't speak English very well and went off to get someone who could speak with me. Everyone was smiling like little boys who'd been caught doing something wrong. It was kind of funny in a way. We counted 16 pieces of imitation crab. I pointed out that we were in Monterrey, CA and there should be no trouble finding real crab. Our waiter brought us a menu and we ordered more of what I had which was the Lamb Vindaloo. The Lamb Vindaloo was so yummy! To the owner: What are you doing? Why are you making the Ambrosia Seafood Masala with imitation crab? Are you trying to make some profit gambling that people won't know what real crab tastes like? Well, you lost. On the restaurant's side, they did not charge us for the Ambrosia Seafood Masala that we sent back. Good on you. The Lamb Vindaloo was delicious. The rice was superb. The naan was excellent. The veggie platter was VERY good. Finally, stick with what you do well. Drop the Seafood Masala. No one will notice. I give you five stars for the lamb but give you one star for trying to trick me with imitation crab. That makes three stars. You'd have a higher rating if you dropped the seafood masala.
(3)Sunil V.
Again after yelp reviews, we took a chance at this place yesterday since the decor was not great. Surprisingly the good tasted so good the chicken and veggie items were good. The bread was made fresh. I would suggest this low key place needs uplift from its owners.
(4)Shirleyanne A.
I wish that Monterey had better Indian restaurants. The ambiance is great at this place and I like to hang out at the outdoor patio on warm afternoons but I was not impressed by their dishes. I guess I was spoiled by having so many awesome Indian restaurants in the SF/East Bay Area. This is such a bummer because sometimes I do crave Indian cuisine when I'm visiting my parents in the Monterey Bay Area. They are pretty expensive when compared to Indian restaurants you can find in the SF Bay Area. They charge $15 for chicken tikka masala when you could get it for $7 elsewhere and even though it's cheaper, the quality would be better. Their butter chicken was good but it could use more spices because the taste was pretty bland. The rice and naan were decent and I like the little pots of sauces they serve with your meal. Bottom line: Even though my eyes are happy with the decor and scenery at this spot, my wallet and tastebuds are much happier the the hole-in-the-wall Indian restaurants in SF Bay so I just have to simmer down and wait to satisfy my cravings.
(2)Candice G.
Great buffet. We've been for dinner, and the experience was pricey. The lunch buffet on the other hand is reasonable and tasty. The only problem is we haven't figured out if there is a schedule for the dishes. The cauliflower dishes are almost always a bust because the cauliflower is still crunchy. The dishes we like the most are the chana and palak paneer, and the tika masala chicken (for my husband). Beware though, you will not be able to resist going back for seconds (or maybe even thirds!) and will need a large nap afterwards. Do not operate heavy equipment after eating here.
(4)Jeremy K.
This place was good. We had a nice experience and the staff was friendly. It was a good place to go to try unique food. My only reason for doing 4 stars is that it is a little expensive. I wouldn't go back, but I am glad I tried it once.
(4)kendall r.
Nice decor and environment, friendly and prompt staff, and good food. The lunch buffet is well worth it. As vegetarians we value having at least four choices of dishes and we get at least that here. Really fun. Find myself returning again and again.
(5)Sharmila N.
Great ambience and nice atmosphere. The outdoor courtyard is very inviting and pretty. The inside has a hint of elegance while remaining casual. Having a high standard for service as well as ethnic food, we were excited to try a variety of dishes. We ordered the mixed veg appetizer platter (pretty decent). For our entrees, we ordered the 1/2 tandoori chicken (a little dry, not marinated completely throughout), lamb vindaloo (good meat but sauce was a little too thick), chicken tikka masala (solid and saucy) and the garlic naan (missing the buttery garlic flavor but okay). The service was horrendous. Our waiter served hot water with lemon to start. Strange. Then we received watered down "house red wine". When we asked to replace it with something different due to the washed out taste, our waiter became slightly unpleasant. After that, it was like hide and seek to try to locate him. We watched him be very attentive to other tables at the other side of the restaurant but could not seem to grab his attention when we needed him. Overall, this meal met our Indian craving but was not memorable enough to make us become a repeat customer.
(3)Dawn S.
The buffet lunch is such a great deal for two people; it was under $30 including drinks and tip. They have a really good vegetarian selection. They had a dish made with jackfruit that was so delicious. My husband loves the butter chicken. Ambrosia is also really good if you have limited lunchtime because you can come in and start right in on building your plate while they bring the drinks and naan to the table. We were in and out within 30 minutes so we could make it to a movie. Fantastic.
(4)Gil S.
Indian food in a pleasant garden oasis just off what Monterrey calls a downtown, lush but not formal decor, kind attentive service, dog friendly, and an ample buffet at lunch. The only minus here is that the food is only so-so, about average for this kind of Indian food in America, not very flavorful or spicy, not a lot of texture. The best dishes were vegetarian. The only meat at the buffet were 2-3 kinds of chicken, and the shrimp tandoori off the menu was a weak dish, middle quality middle size shrimp and not too many of them for the price. Despite being lukewarm on the food I would go back, regularly even if I worked there depending on other options, because it's just a comfortable happy experience to be there. 3.49 stars, and I'm rounding up!
(4)Neha N.
This place is a gem! We randomly ended up here for dinner (told the cab driver to take us to a good spot in town for vegetarian food) on a recent trip to Monterey and he dropped us off here. As natives of India, its easy to find north indian food, but to have it comparable to what we eat in India or home cooked food, is an entirely different ballgame. We started off with the vegetarian platter, and then ordered paneer tikka and chana masala. The food was beyond delicious. In our three days spent in the area, we came here for two of them, and the third was spent eating leftovers! This place is outstanding!!!! We loved it and will definitely be returning whenever we're in the area!
(5)Marilyn T.
We came in on a Sunday, and they had a $12 champagne brunch. The buffet was somewhat limited in selection, but what they had was pretty good. Naan was fluffy. The salad area had greens, cucumbers, carrots, fruit, and your typical chutneys and sauces. Then there as rice, tofu masala, a paneer dish that looked like scrambled eggs and was actually really good, chicken tandoori, butter chicken (white and dark meat, sweet sauce), and dal (lighter and thinner, almost like sambar). For dessert, they had a vermicelli version of kheer. Water was refilled quickly, and they cleared dishes appropriately. There's also a nice patio area with heat lamps. Parking on the street was no problem on a Sunday during lunch. Their dishes are slightly sweeter and less spicy to cater to more mild tastes; however the food still tastes really good, and it's not too heavy. It's no Sunnyvale Indian buffet, but it's not bad for the Monterey area.
(4)Jennifer O.
I am a HUGE indian food fan. I probably wouldn't come here except for the Sunday buffet.. just because I like all you can eat.. AND i like to sample everything. For about $13 sunday brunch from 11-2 you get all you can eat buffet with a complimentary drink. CAN"T BEAT THAT. And definitely the best Butter Chicken I have had in a long time!
(4)Sumeet S.
Finest indian cuisine with excellent service. Carkey is our server most of the times, he has all the manners it takes to be a great server. Would highly recommend to anyone in area who likes indian food.
(5)Mark A.
This local spot has a flowing ambiance with good service. I had the garlic naan with the chicken peppercorn curry and the papadum with the 3 dipping sauces was better than expected. The restaurant was full which is a good sign for any spot. This is a first class spot and would recommend for any occasion.
(4)Raha G.
This place has perfected the art of appealing to its customers, mainly upper middle class white consumers. Ambrosia has "Indian Food" but some of their dishes just don't meet my expectations of being really great. Nevertheless, it's difficult to find any other alternative restaurant for Indian cuisine and Ambrosia's one saving grace is their freshly backed tandoori naan. Paying for individual dishes gets a little expensive so I suggest going to their Lunch Buffet special instead.
(3)Smudge T.
I really can't say enough GREAT things about Ambrosia. Folks have called it pricey...yeah, that could be true if you include the bar tab. However, a lunch buffet - all you can eat (good luck) for about $10?? Really? How awesome is that? They have naan that is free, plus salad, tandori vegetables, basmati rice and a changing variety of dishes from the kitchen. When I'm there, tandori chicken and the chef's FAMOUS butter chicken is served. For dinner, they have both vegetarian and also meat sampler platters for about $21. There is so much variety in these platters and they each serve two persons, easily. If the fried okra dish is in season, you will NOT be sorry that you ordered it. The deserts are also amazing. Have I gabbed too much about this perfect eatery? ENJOY!
(5)Tiffany V.
I had heard from a few people how great this restaurant is and that I should hit up the lunch buffet. I arrived at 1:00 and was immediately seated. They have a beautiful outdoor patio as well as indoor seating. Our waiter was very nice and checked on us quite a few times to make sure everything was good. During lunch, there is a huge table set up with numerous dishes for the buffet (buffet = food in my belly right away. Yay!) and they also bring naan to your table. They had rice pudding for dessert. I thought it was quite tasty, and for 9.95 a person, it was definitely worth the trip. Also, the mango lassi (a yogurt type drink) was de-licious. It is not included in the buffet though; it cost an extra 3.50. As a side note: To all the people commenting on here that anyone who rates this highly must not know what real Indian food tastes like or must have never been to one of the AMAZING restaurants in SF, can suck it. Yeah, that's right. Suck it. Just because in your opinion, it doesn't taste authentic, doesn't mean it doesn't still taste good. Ugghh... Everyone nowadays thinks they are a real foodie. You're not. Unless you write reviews in a newspaper or magazine and the general public respects your food opinions, then quit acting like anyone cares that you "know what REAL Indian food tastes like."
(4)Dolores B.
Last evening my family visited Ambrosia India Bistro for a birthday dinner. We were a party of nine which was confirmed by the restaurant twice. When we arrived the table was only set for eight. We had to ask for the ninth seat at least three times. The staff seemed confused and unable to understand us. Once seated we waited 30 minutes before any staff member noticed our table. We finally flagged down a busboy and asked if he could send over our Waiter, that we were ready to order. We waited another fifteen minutes before our waiter showed up and asked if we wanted cocktails. We told him we wanted cocktails but also due to the lengthy wait for service we wanted to order our food as well. Once the food arrived it was okay. Not great. I also noticed other tables waiting a really long time for any kind of service. The Ambrosia staff seemed confused and disorganized. They were running around doing who knows what. When the bill for dinner finally arrived (we had to ask for it after waiting again) we paid and when no one showed up to pick up our payment we left it and got up and left. Not one staff person or the owner thanked us for dining at their establishment and the owner was standing at the door when we left. It was a very disappointing evening and I would not return to this restaurant.
(3)Mari M.
I came here for dinner. The lighting seems a bit dark but your eyes will get used to it after a while. I came here with my dad but I could see this as a good place for date night. There are also heating lamps for the outside seating (I sat inside). Customer service was friendly and prompt. I ordered the bhindi masala with white basmati rice. The okra was different from what I was expecting but it was well flavored. The only downside is that it's a bit pricey from what I'm used to paying for Indian food. I'll be back and next time I hope to try the curries and naan!
(4)Eddie W.
Easily the best Indian Restaurant in Monterey, quite possible one of the top 5 restaurants in Monterey County. Definitely, #1 Lunch Buffet in Monterey. Overall Thoughts Come here if you know whats best for you!
(5)K B.
The two of us were seated. Then without our asking (were we that obvious?!), the maitre' d quickly offered us a different table that was not so very close to the nearest table as the first had been. Very nice of him, we thought! In fact, nice is a fitting description of the ambiance and meal as well We started with the soups, which were outstanding. Then we aplit the vegetarian platter. It, too, was very good. Service was polite, certainly, but pacing was off. The platter was brought before I'd finished my soup, and plates needed to be moved around on the table. Then the completed appetizer plate and my soup bowl were not picked up until the end of the meal.
(3)M. W.
I like 2 things about Ambrosia: their buffet and the 10% military discount. I have only ordered one thing from their menu and it was awesome: chicken samosas. From the buffet my favorite item is the butter chicken. I will definitely keep going there.
(4)Mike H.
I suppose good and decent Indian food. Service was over the top good. ... seemed a little spendy but isn't everything in MTY? thus far, the very best Indian food I have ever had anywhere in the USA is in a little almost dive in Rochester MN. INDIA GARDEN.
(3)Shiho F.
Shiho it's Tikka Masala, get it through your thick skull. I always call it Tikki Masala, has a tropical ring to it doesn't it? Went late last night before they closed and we were the only ones dining there. Food is solid as always and we ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, Cheese Naan (mozeralla and basil), Saffron Rice (2), a Chilled Cauliflower dish, a Lamb dish (sorry I can never remember the names of these dishes), Mango Lassi, Sweet Lassi, the soup with lentils, coconut milk and chicken - good but salty but the highlight was this bread stuffed with spiced ground lamb. The description did not do my favorite dish of the night any justice... more like Thin Lamb Sausage stuffed in Naan. Killer. I'd definitely stop by just to grab one of those to-go. Make a great snack or party appetizer if you sliced it up like pizza. Only ouch is that the bill was $75 before tip and after a $25 gift certificate (from restaurants.com ) and we only got one beer.
(3)Anthony P.
The Best Indian Food in Monterey! I have never been here for dinner, but usually go for their buffet in the afternoons. They have free champagne on Sundays which I found out on my last visit. I always start off with a small salad with a basil dressing. It is so tasty and refreshing. I had tandoori chicken, butter chicken, chicken curry, tofu masala, garbanzo bean masala, and some vegetarian items that I cannot recall. I finished up with their rice pudding as it helps to calm the stomach after a large meal. Their naan is done very well and comes out nice and hot! They also make a really good mango lassi, however this time it was a little bit too thick for my liking. Final Thoughts: Every item they serve is packed with flavor and spices. The Absolute Best!!!
(5)Elaine B.
I didn't know I loved indian food until I came here. My husband and I come here regularly and consistently receive great service. The atmosphere is inviting and refreshing. Whenever family comes into town we make a point to take them here. We make a point to order mango lassis. (YUM!) We also love the butter na'an. My husband enjoys the garlic na'an but I find it too dry for my liking. The chicken tikki masala is amazing and we make sure to order saffron rice. I have to go all the way to San Jose to find a better Indian restaurant.
(4)Victoria B.
As usual our meal was absolutely sublime...The rack of lamb is a wonderful treat. This restaurant is a gem. As much as I detest crowds at my local haunts, it would be a terrible injustice not to sing their praises.
(5)Christina D.
BEST Indian food in Monterey! My favorite menu items include butter chicken, lamb vindaloo, and every flavor of Naan that they have. Okay so they have a lunch buffet. You can sample a lot of different food and they give you Naan throughout the lunch. I would suggest this if you are trying out Ambrosia for the first time. After that, come in for dinner and order off the huge menu. If you like spicy, Ambrosia does not disappoint. It is literally melt your face off, nuclear hot, while maintaining the flavors of the meal. Just watch your nostrils, because they will be running. Service is great, and dining in this restaurant makes you feel like you are somewhere super fancy. I love the patio and its garden look. The ambiance is perfect for a romantic date. 5 stars for food, service, and overall atmosphere. Go here, eat, be happy.
(5)Priya P.
I'm from socal..aka pretty much deprived of any good Indian restaurants. So maybe I'm a bit biased but I really enjoyed the food!
(4)Sumeet A.
The food was good, not great. Choices were a bit limited than what I would like. Decent price for that offering though..
(4)Tiffany H.
It was good. I asked for spice and they delivered! We ordered from them through doorbell dining. It got to us quickly, hot and delicious. The chicken biryani was a bit oily but hit the spot on flavor. The servings are very generous. And for the price, I'd order again. We ordered butter chicken, chicken biryani, 2 orders of naan and an order of basmati rice for around 44.00. The 4, not 5, stars is because they don't include rice with their meals. It's a la carte. But the rice is 1.95, so not bad. Also for how kind of oily the biryani was.
(4)Jen B.
Ever since they opened, this restaurant has consistently been excellent. Their Food is addicting! The service is always impeccable, and they always greet you with a smile. The chef will occasionally come out and check in with the customers which is a real treat! Sam the manager goes out of his way even when it is busy to stop by our table and greet us with a smile. He definitely makes us feel welcome. The lunch buffet is reasonably priced and the chicken tikka masala is the best I've ever had. The naan is ALWAYS piping hot, fresh and delicious. The ambiance is very relaxing as well. From the minute you walk in the door, pleasant background music provides a pleasant back drop for conversation and food with friends. If you like great food, and a restaurant that really values the customer this place is for you. Jenni
(5)Mikesell F.
Really good food and service. The patio is great on a nice evening.
(4)M M.
We had great evening at this place. The food was typical indian with awesome taste! I would certainly encourage families or groups to visit this place for a wonderful evening. The servers were great as well.
(4)Matt L.
Love it! So many great choices and very accommodating to vegetarians and gluten free diets. Highly recommend.
(5)Tim H.
Like pretty much every non-American restaurant on the Monterey peninsula, the food here is a bit watered down to cater to the tourists (I say this as a white guy who works with Indians who have shown me the closer to the proper stuff up in the SF Bay Area). It's still good and tasty, and for Monterey, quite a step away from the normal fare. Prices are a little high for dinner (but not out of step with the rest of the town), service was great too, the only knock (besides overly catering for tourists) was that every table had a small vase of flowers on it - you could tell they weren't plastic 'cos they were totally wilted and almost dead - and all the tables we could see from our corner vantage point were that way. If I hadn't experienced the Indian food around San Jose quite frequently, this place would easily get four stars, but having been spoiled by the food up there, I can only give this place three.
(3)Ken P.
I've only come for the lunch buffet, which is delicious, varied and reasonably priced. Indoor/outdoor dining is a plus, especially on a sunny day in Monterey. Staff keeps the buffet full, quickly serves beverages and nan bread at the table, and handles the check quickly - a plus during a lunch-hour meal.
(4)Sharon E.
We arrived as a party of 5 and ended as a party of 12. The maitre d accommodated us outside with heaters, then graciously made room for us inside soon after the rest of our party arrived. The food was delicious, fresh and arrived all at the same time, on top of that - not an easy thing to accomplish with a full house and a table of 12! I was so impressed. A great experience overall.
(5)Todd B.
This is the best Indian food on the Monterey Peninsula, hands down. The Butter Chicken is to die for. The service is good to and they have nice outside patio with heaters. It is simply a great restaurant.
(5)Diego S.
Best lunch deal in Monterey. The food is always changing.
(5)Jamie M.
Very good Indian food! I see that other reviewers complained of the lack of options of Indian food in the Monterey area--I was impressed nevertheless. The cost for food is higher and the portion size smaller than at the related Ambrosia Cafe but the food is high quality and in my opinion worth the extra money. We tried the Rogan Josh (lamb dish) and Mushroom Masala. The restaurant also gave on the side a cracker-like bread that came with dipping sauces including the excellent mint and cilantro chutney. I tried the mango lassi drink for the first time and I was happy I tried it! The restaurant was very pretty inside. I would like to try sitting on the patio when we have nice weather. I would also like to try the buffet as other reviewers have commented it not only costs less but lets you try more varieties of food.
(4)Betty M.
I would agree this is some of the best Indian food I have ever had. The lunch buffet is certainly worth the price.
(5)Kim H.
Best Indian buffet in the Central Coast/ Monterey Bay Area hands down! Quality of food is great!
(5)Adam S.
Previously gone for lunch and experienced their buffet pretty typical of an average Indian restaurant that has the typical average Indian buffet. Thus, was somewhat reluctant to try dinner a few months later; but if you want Indian food on the Monterey Peninsula, there are sadly very few (as in 2) choices. With expectations somewhat mitigated, we were amazingly surprised how great every dish we ordered turned out to be; blew us away---almost as good as Maharani, and definitely as good as Ashoke in San Francisco.
(4)Janet O.
For my sister's going away we found this quaint place. The ambiance was great. I really enjoyed the water trickling in the background, so zen. The place is clean, staff is friendly , and all the traditional dishes plus naan bread selection was there on the menu. We ordered coconut curry prawns, lamb, and chicken (you can control your spice options: mild, medium, spicy). It came out in little pots. we ordered rice and naan separately. The meat was cooked well, the sauces were very good too. The only thing this place needs to work on is the naan bread. The texture was very chewy instead of being soft.
(4)Ross A.
Food is good and tandoori naan is delicious. The only problem I have is with the ventilation. If you are going after work, think again: you are gonna smell of Indian all day.
(4)Ravi E.
We were there on sat night for dinner. We sat outside near a fire place which was nice and heat lamps gave us more heating at night. Service was prompt too.. goan fish curry - it was good but a bit too mild for spice lovers chicken chettinad - it was good - really liked it!! aaloo paratha - good And, then got couple of cocktails - mangoito and chaitini - loved them!!
(4)M. M.
Their chicken tikka masala was among the worst I've had. Then the manager did not want to honor my Yelp deal, which was hilarious because he so knew that he had to but wanted to get away with it.(which is so pathetic for a place that seems to do very well). He then said, "if you insist, then I guess I can honor your coupon." Wow. Next he asked to take my iPhone to the kitchen area so that he can "approve" my coupon! Huh? I told him that I don't feel comfortable giving my smartphone with all my personal information to someone to walk off with, when he could easily just look at it and write down the yelp deal code. His response was, "so you don't trust me, huh?" Wow. Finally when he was taking our empty plates, he spilled greasy rice and sauce on my pants, and did not even apologize but simply walked away. 1 star.
(1)Janet O.
Wandered into this restaurant by accident while searching for a good place to eat based on how they look outside. Sometimes it's nice to get a good surprise this way. It was buffet style. Very delicious with really generous portions. We were impressed! This restaurant sits at the end of the block from the Aquarium. It's a nice set up where you have to go up four steps to the restaurant so you have some form of separation from the walking crowd on a crowded street.
(5)Michelle S.
Ambiance good. Food average
(3)Mason M.
I LOVE Indian food. I was highly looking forward to the lunch at this restaurant, yet was slightly disappointed. The "Butter Chicken" (Chicken Tiki Masala) was bland, and what flavor it had was slightly off putting. Although that was a hit, and miss there were several other things worth recommending. Including ALL vegetarian food, it was all delicious when I tasted it, especially a lentil dish that I can't remember the name of. Over all pretty good. P.S. Ask for garlic naan, so good!
(4)Amanda K.
This Indian food was amazing. There was a little bit of a language barrier when we were ordering that made things seem like they weren't going to get off to a good start... but then the food arrived. And oh my goodness was it good. We each got a deluxe sampler that had a little bit of everything. There was so much food we could have split the one person meal and been very full. We were eating leftovers for days. On top of that, the prices were very reasonable too. Needless to say, I will be coming back next time I'm in Monterey. I highly recommend if you're a fan of Indian food!
(5)Omar J.
This place is amazing... Yes it was a bit pricey for Indian food but it was so worth it. Nothing we ordered was bad and the service was great. The naan was the best...
(5)Ken C.
The food was pretty good, not gonna lie, but it was a bit on the expensive side for the small portions, and the server was dumb as rocks. Like the restaurant, but maybe I'll try the one on the other side of town.
(3)Teresa S.
The food is amazing, that's all I can say. The vegetable korma is fantastic, nice and creamy like a traditional korma. The chicken curry is another favorite, but if you want some rice with it, avoid the jasmine rice. It's quite plain and a bit dry, so go with Saffron. The garlic naan was amazing as well, leaves you wanting more and more. Prices are a bit steep, so if you want better prices, go for lunch.
(4)Ryan B.
Ambrosia has the BEST butter chicken I've ever had. I guess my review is kinda skewed since that's all I get there besides the rice and naan, which are also excellent. They have excellent service there. I've never been to the buffet but I heard it's good. Recommended!
(5)