Third time eating here! AMAZING naan and chicken tikka masala I also love the mango Lassi. I don't really recommend the fish pakora especially for first time triers, its not the best which is kind of shocking! Boyfriend never tried indian food until now & hes now craving it 247! The young girl who is always there to seat us is super sweet and is always quick getting our food and drinks! The setting is calm & elegant :)
(5)
Nutcrackin C.
There's something fundamentally wrong with this place. First off the lights are too dim. Okay, live with that. As you walk in the floors are sticky. You sit down at the least dirty empty table. There's crumbs under the glass table top and the top is carelessly wiped so your arms will get all greasy if you rest them there. A guy comes with the menus and we request him to clean it up for us. He takes a paper napkin and does a half ass job. I ask him to please do a wet wipe. And he says you can change your table. I politely tell him he can do his job. He grudgingly proceeds with attitude written all over his face. We order Garlic naan Bhindi masala ( medium spice, less oil) Kofta curry Alloo tiki chat The Nan's were chewy and they aren't supposed to be. The bhindi masala was floating in about 3 cm high oil. It was half cooked and reeling of hot pepper and sour ingredients. Inedible. We tried very very hard but had to give up and requested to cancel. The kofta curry was nothing worth mentioning- didn't have any life- both the koftas and gravy were unremarkable, tasted stale not even properly warmed up. The koftas also spilled out dry flour which was completely out of place. The aloo Tikki chaat- stale tikis - proportion of tamarind overtook everything else. When we requested to cancel the bhindi masala- and pointed out the spice and oil levels, three different people turned up one after the other and offered to argue about how Indian food is cooked. Being a nice brown Indian who's been cooking since I I was knee high to a grasshopper, this shit didn't fly with me. What's worse is the two men and a lady they sent in the end wasted our time, behaved uncorteously and even had the nerve to argue back and forth. No apologies were offered for not regarding the order placed. It's sad that these restaurants stay and offer a sorry representation of Indian food. Surely for someone who hasn't had the chance to eat at better places serving fresh Indian fare will not realize how far below par the food and service at this place is. Learn to respect the needs and dignity of your customers first. And for gods sake stop serving stale food.
(1)
Ashley A.
Pretty good Indian food for someone that doesn't really eat out at Indian restaurants! Order: *Vegetable Samosa *Garlic Naan *Lamb Tikka Masala *Rice I was craving samosas and naan that day and both orders definitely hit the spot! The vegetable samosa was filled with potatoes and delicious. It wasn't too heavy or too spicy. The garlic naan was exactly what I wanted, very flavorful and nicely filling. The lamb tikka masala was just ok, a little bland and the chunks of lamb were too big and too few. However, I'm probably not a good person to judge tikka masala because I realized after that I probably just like curry dishes more and expect everything to taste like curry; every time I eat tikka masala, it's not that great to me, no matter the place. The place is small and nice with good and quick service. Very decorative and not crowded. The price is exceptional as well! Our entire order was only $21 and fed two people, and even had leftover tikka masala to bring home. Most happy with the garlic naan order because 1 order of the garlic naan came with 4 pieces, so two each person! Only bad thing was that rice wasn't included in the lamb tikka masala and had to pay for it separately. They also do to-go orders so I'll probably be eating here often since it's so close to my work!
(3)
Stephani M.
Delicious! We ordered take out earlier this evening as we were too tired from the day's tasks to cook at home, or to even get spruced up and go out for dinner. My companion suggested Flavors of India. I recalled that we had ordered take out two weeks ago when my GF Diandra spent the night for "movie night." I said, "heck yeah!" I called to place the order, then my friend would pick it up on the way to my house. A super friendly lady answered the phone to assist me with my order. She repeated each item back to me for accuracy and then asked if there was anything else I might want...nope, got it all. We got garlic naan, jasmine rice and two orders of chicken tandoori--TO DIE FOR!!! The food was perfect when it was retrieved, exactly what we ordered and perfectly prepared. They included any accoutrement we could have imagined as well. Thank you Flavors of India for a wonderful dinner. Stephani Smiles for Flavors of India ;)
(4)
Josephz N.
The food was not fresh in any way the rice was very wet and slimy.... I've been here before twice and it was ok but I went today and the service was slow!!!! I was a server So I know slow I had to ask for water 3x and water was no where to be found there where only three customers in the whole restaurants it was horrible I am never coming here again they need to model of of some other Indian restaurants in the city like Clay oven they are freaking awesome they make sure you are taking care of and that you get everything that you were needed even if it's busy I always tip at least 20% I have less then a 10% today that's how upset I was I would not recommend this place ever
(1)
Carlon Y.
This place is great. Good food, nice atmosphere, friendly service. Uncomplicated.
(5)
Jannet H.
So dissapointed. Their chicken tikka masala had no masala! It was cream color( when it is always orange at every other place , Indian orPakistani ) and was just all coconut milk. Their Chana masala had no flavor at all, and no curry either. Their naan was good, but you eat Indian food for the main dishes and not the sides. The prices were also high considering the quality of the food and the style. I spent 56$ on three entrees and and rice( which they charge per person and not per plate), and two pieces of naan. Needless to say it was such a rip off and the food was not authentic at all. Don't waste your time... Or money!
(2)
Fedi A.
This is a good neighborhood indian restaurant. The tandoori chicken is a must try if you like BBQ chicken. It has the right amount of flavor and spice but nothing that a sensitive stomach, like myself, can't handle. The tandoori chicken comes sizzling hot to your table. The chicken briyanni was decent but it was almost like they mixed a curry with the rice. Not sure if I could order it again . The tikki masala was good but ordering it spicier may have been better.
(3)
Casey S.
Dependable eats with quick and attentive service. Not finicky with Indian, but they don't disappoint. Large dining room, which is nice. Never seen the place packed though. FYI, a fitness studio is upstairs so expect loud stomping from workout classes. Props to the staff for dealing with that everyday.
(3)
Lara S.
LOVE this place. We've been eating here for years. The staff is so sweet and incredibly hard working. The food is delicious. Ask for spicy, it adds additional traditional flavor to the dishes! Only downfall, they don't deliver. HIGHLY recommend :)!!
(4)
Reve W.
Food is pretty good but I've had better service across the street at Chipotle :/ I enjoyed the paneer naan and chicken tikka masala. I know we're in a drought but a refill of water would've been nice.
(3)
Disco B.
Mehhhhh. I will admit that I am a bit snooty when it comes to Indian. That being said, not a lot of flavor compared to most places. Had the Malai Kofta, Veg samosas and garlic naan. In each dish I wanted there to be better flavor and texture. More fennel, cardamom, maybe a dash of cumin?! Put some peas in the samosa so it isnt just a fried sack of mashed potatoes? Garlic naan was not really all that garlic-y. I also got the gulab jaman but that is for later, so I can't comment. It was reasonable priced and had a nice dining room. I had take out so I can't comment on the service but my order was ready to go and check out was prompt. I would probably go elsewhere but would give them another try if I got wind that they changed recipes.
(3)
Isadora P.
I live down the block from this restaurant but have only had their food twice. Last night my boyfriend and I got some takeout from here and dinner at home was satisfying, but the garlic naan and chicken tikka masala weren't as great as I hoped. I probably won't order their naan anymore, probably should have gotten rice instead. The naan was kind of small and too chewy for my taste. The tikka masala was alright, I've had better elsewhere. It was okay in flavor and very creamy but could have had more chicken in it. The vegetable samosas were yummy, It was my first time trying them and I would order them again.
(3)
S E.
I've been getting worse and worse food here for the past few years. I've always ordered mild spice for myself, and the last 3 times, there has just been no flavor. We've only eaten here twice, over 3 years ago, because I hate the sour smell inside (general mildew smell, kind of like a dishrag that hasn't been thoroughly dried) My partner always gets Chicken Tikka Masala, which almost never disappoints. Last time we ordered, we received Chicken Korma by mistake, but didn't notice til we got home. The sauce had flavor, but the chicken was dry.
(2)
Cee cee R.
I love this particular location because its great walking distance to everything. I love the decor of this place. It's very soothing and brings a traditional India feel to your dinning experience. Their food is wonderful. The tandoori chicken is a must try!! Their mango lassi is packed with flavor. This a place to visit when you want good comfort Indian food!!
(4)
Amber D.
I really enjoy the chicken tikka masala and garlic naan. The flavors are great. It's a little on the high priced side and I haven't actually eaten in the restaurant, those are the reasons why I would give a 4 instead of a 5.
(4)
Lotus E.
Omg their shahi paneer , saag paneer, rice, aloo n paneer nan oh and mango lassi is DELICIOUS!!!!!!! Price is decent n service is awesome
(5)
George L.
Another great service! My favorite waitress, Nezima is so kind and amazing. I love the food here and great for a nice meal among friends.
(5)
Carl M.
I mean really, show me better Indian food (11-4-14 edit: found better Indian food, by a lot, my secret). This place is so solid, I mean just I get a lot of take-out here and this place is really reliable for me. Delivering the deliciousness to the hungry mouths, that's what this place does. I've sat down for a meal here once, years ago. I get take-out here fairly often, and overall this place will treat you well and take care of your Indian food requirements, which if you're wise, will be numerous.
(3)
trisha p.
I went to get some indian rice, mango chutney, vegetable samosas( no good, mushy and no flavor, I make them better) and two breads. I was told 25 minutes, which surprised me, most of the items were already made. Only the two breads had to be done to order, ok and the samosa fried. I said ok waited 25 minutes went by and nothing, at 35 I got up and asked about my sides (I had cooked curry at home and wanted some sides I didn't have) I was told the kitchen was VERY busy, because there was ONE large table (8 people). But they told me they were going to check, I wasn't given an answer if they checked. finally after 45 minutes I got up and asked for my money back, I was told they were packing my food already and that I would have it in 3 minutes, 10 minutes went by! and nothing, I told the woman serving me that it was ridiculous, how long it was taking, most of the items should have been cooked already, samosas prepped and only needed to be fried, breads don't take that long to cook or bake. They didn't seem to know how to handle a rush. If a large table of 8 and a few deuces with no one else waiting can be called a rush! While waiting, the noise was too much, it seemed they had horses running upstairs or was it their music? I don't know but it was annoying. I also noticed they put the glass racks on the floor and they take them from there. No proper place for glasses. Drying the silverware with napkins (no no). Another customer got up and asked for his food, another came to get some to go boxes; it seemed as if they were slow all over the restaurant. All this and reading they have roaches, I don't think I'll go back. Next time I make curry I'll make the time to cook everything else as well.!!
(1)
Patricia M.
Heavenly Prawn Biryani with Raita.
(5)
Laura F.
This place is tried and true for me. I love how it is never too crowded, and the food comes to our table quickly. I'm not an expert on Indian cuisine, but I end up eating here about once a month, because I love their dishes and it's convenient. The food is anything but bland. I especially like their lamb biryani and chicken saag.
(5)
Suzanne E.
My husband is British and we get take away here regularly. Curry to a Brit is equal to Mexican for a Californian so we wouldn't go back if it was bad. Because we are regulars and friendly, the staff know us and have not had problems with service. Had couple of times where they forgot a rice or papadum, but if you let them know they make sure not to forget again. Also love the VIP parking spot in front. He waits in car while I pick up. Won't tell you, figure it out. Started using the online ordering and it is convenient. Definitely reccommend for take out.
(4)
Sandra C.
The food was mediocre. I'm not very picky but this food had no flavor substance. Great service though. Very sweet waitress. Don't recommend.
(2)
Mary S.
The chicken tikka masala was delicious. My picky 16 years old daughter can't wait to go back.
(4)
Noelle H.
My friend was craving Indian food and we were in the neighborhood, so we decided to check this place out. I should have known as soon as I checked in that the service would be bad as other reviewers have mentioned, but I like to give restaurants the benefit of the doubt and come in unbiased. We were quickly seated and were asked our orders not too long after we got your menus. I ordered the chicken tikka masala with garlic naan and my friend ordered the chicken madras with regular naan. When our food came out, I got rice instead of naan. But it's fine, I was deciding between the 2 anyways. About a few bites into our entree, a server (the same one who dropped off our food) tells my friend she got the wrong dish and that it was for another table, and quickly took back the dish and replaced it with hers. Um, ok. But I hope they didn't give that to the table considering my friend was eating from it.... Food wasn't hot. I felt it was just ok. The naan was delicious and fresh though! We asked for the check and box about halfway through our meal since we had to leave. It took about 20 min and asking 3 different people for them to finally bring a box. When they brought the check, it was for a different table. When they finally brought us OUR check, we told them to split it between both cards. Easy enough right? Well, I received my card with half of the total, but my friends card was charged the full amount! Seriously? It's a good thing she double checked it! It took a while, but they finally got it resolved. But jeez, it's been awhile since I've had such mediocre service with careless mistakes. And it wasn't even busy..... Pass.
(2)
Ari W.
Great authentic Indian food. Delicious you cannot argue this. Noisy upstairs? Eh barely. Great Indian food.
(4)
Jamie L.
My SO and I tried the to-go of the Flavors of India in Berkeley and on my suggestion decided to come here for a sit-down dinner. Nice and modern restaurant that unfortunately resides directly under the hip-line dancing studio upstairs. Needless to say, my SO was glancing at the structural beams to make sure they're hold. Standard order as usual when we go out for Indian cuisine: vegetable samosa (for appetizer); chicken tikka masala, basmati rice and naan to share. Our favorite so far is the sauces, their tamarind and chutney dipping sauces for samosas have been the best find so far! But that is where it stops. The sauce for the tikka was not at all creamy and not as flavorful as the small and big competitors we've been to. The naan was soggy and not memorable. And majority of the a-ok rating is the service. We were left alone for far too long. It took two requests/reminders that we didn't receive our samosas, which were to be our appetizers. They gave that AFTER we ate our entree. Our chai tea request, as well, took awhile to be served. And when it came to our check, we waited forever that we were so close to the door and they were so inattentive, the temptation was present but not said. Personally, this is not really the place for us. For the price we paid, we found an equally better place to go. Lack of good service and okay food, I don't see a lot of check-ins in the near future.
(3)
John E.
Visiting the Bay Area and jonesin' for Indian food, we chanced upon Flavors of India. Seated promptly, server took our order shortly thereafter. Very nice vegetable somosas and nan. Pretty good chicken curry. Atmosphere was nice, but lights were a bit low. My fifty-something eyes needed a flashlight to read the menu! Then our server brought a candle to the table, which helped. Modest selection of beers, but some bottled micro-brews in addition to Kingfisher, Taj Mahal, etc. Good value, good service. I'll be back!
(4)
Funk Banger W.
Food here was authentic, been here once 4 years ago. The curry is spicy enough, and the rice is non-sticky. Would like to come back when i got the chance.
(4)
Marcello L.
We stopped here for our Valentines dinner as we walked by and the place looked very busy, which seemed to mean that it was a good restaurant. We walked in 50 minutes ago and still don't have our food. We have already asked two people to check on our order but I am not hopeful at this point. How disappointing for our Valentines dinner. I would recommend that you NOT come here. I should have read the yelp reviews but assumed since it was busy it was good. It was busy because everyone is waiting for their food. So far, two tables have already walked out while we are still here. We may end up at the Cheesesteak fast food place in 10 minutes. Again, DO NOT waste your time.
(1)
Rahsaan H.
I enjoy coming here when in the mood for good Indian cuisine and a intimate environment. The Chicken Masala, Potatoes Samosas, lamb with yogurt sauces are all tasty. My only qualm is the SMALL PORTIONS, outside of that I think the food itself is good.
(4)
Patrick M.
The food here in my opinion was pretty damn expensive. I ordered the Garlic Naan and the Chicken Tikki marsala. For the price of the Chicken Tikki Marsala I figured that I would be getting more. Service was okay, the place was empty the whole time my friend and I were there, didn't seem like business was going well I guess? The actual food was pretty decent--The sauce was savory and I enjoyed it.
(3)
Kimberley M.
Did they ever clear up their cockroach problem. Last time I was there, we left due to the huge cockroach crawling up the wall. Had to get out of my seat to get a closer look.....saw it crawling from my table which was in the middle of the restaurant. Needless to say I didnt eat lunch that day. Yuk.
(1)
Danielle B.
The chicken tikka masala is the best you will find in the Oakland/Berkeley area. The naan is always cooked perfectly and is never burned like it often is at other places. The staff is very friendly and the food is always hot even when you get take out. They also serve very generous portions which is nice. This is the place to go in the east bay for Indian food!
(5)
Tarah D.
We've been here a few times and gotten take-out here, too, and the food is fine. It's not great, but not bad. So your run-of-the-mill Indian food. But the service here is a problem. We've been here when we are the only people in the restaurant, and still it seems like the waiter isn't quite sure how to handle us as customers. Tonight we came in to a relatively busy restaurant (more people than I've seen before) and waited too long at the entrance/hostess. Finally a waiter comes over and takes us to a filthy table where he asks us to sit and someone will come clean it. The same happens to the couple that came in behind us (they are sat at the table next to us). We sit there and wait... and wait... and wait... for about 10 minutes. Eventually the table next to us (with the couple that came in later that we did) is cleaned (or at least sort-of wiped off with a wet cloth) and they get silverware and a menu. But they had waited a long time, too... as we sat there at a really disgustingly filthy table, waiting to be even acknowledged by any of the waitstaff that walked by us multiple times, we finally left, and, to be honest, I don't think they even noticed. We walked down the street to Yayu Ehtiopian and had a great meal. I won't be returning to Flavors of India here. Okay (not good) food, which is priced a bit high, and really disappointing service.
(2)
Raha G.
I like to give restaurants the benefit of the doubt sometimes before I write them off by their ratings on Yelp. But, after giving this place a try twice, I've determined that the restaurant's three stars and complaints of bad service are totally valid. It has been a while since I've experienced such an unorganized and flippant serving staff. They got our entree order wrong the first time and our wine order the second time. I would avoid this place at all cost.
(2)
Julie B.
Odd to me that the reviews are so all over the place. I rarely dine in here so can't speak to the service, but we do get takeout from here a fair amount and we always find it fresh, hot and tasty. It isn't blow your socks off amazing, but for good consistent Indian, it absolutely works. The dal is flavorful. Chicken tikka kebab is a big portion and well cooked- not dried out or overcooked like in some places. The naan is a bit on the chewy side, but to be fair that might be because we are getting take out and it steams by the time we get home. Husband likes the curries, and when he asks for them super spicy, they actually oblige (not like some places). Overall, tasty and handy when you want something flavorful and just don't feel like cooking.
(4)
Kate H.
How's the food? Pretty darn good. How's the service? Sooooooo slooooooow. Everything on the menu is tasty, like 3 stars tasty, nothing amazing but takes care of those Indian food cravings. The service, however, moves at a glacial pace. We went on a Sunday night and there were maybe 4 other occupied tables. Getting our order taken took forever, drinks took forever, food took forever, and the check? You guessed it, took forever. Maybe you just have to be a bit more zen to eat here? Live in the moment? Smell the roses? Nice people, good food, but maybe get some roller skates or other speedy device?
(2)
Peter V.
Best Indian food you can find in town. I spent 6 months hunting for some really good Indian food and this place does it. Get take-out if you're in a hurry, otherwise it takes 20 to 30 minutes to get your meal when you dine in. However, if you have the time to sit and relax, it is worth the wait for the quality of the food.
(4)
Gabrielle L.
I always considered this place to be somewhat expensive for Indian, but convenient and good. However, we got take out here the other night and I think they sent the flavors back to India. To be fair, plain naan and samosas were good. But a saag panner was just a flavorless mush with a few chunks of cheese, and a chicken tikka masala was like a can of Campbell's tomato soup mixed with heavy cream and a few chunks of chicken. I'm giving them 3 stars instead of two because it seems that this was just an off night, but I don't plan to go back.
(3)
Johnny C.
The good: The food was dee-licious. Just enough portion. Naan was great! Great setting. The not so good: Drinks are not their specialty. Very Little alcohol, mixed drinks are not as good. Overall value for price on all items is not there.
(3)
Matthew J.
I don't review often, but this place is getting a bad rap here on Yelp. I've been twice and the food is delicious! It's not world-class, but it's totally solid, tasty Indian for a reasonable price. The veg korma is super flavorful, and the lamb vindaloo tonight was scrumptious as well. With a garlic naan or three? Yep.
(4)
Shannon L.
We went to Flavors of India this past weekend. We ordered the Mixed Vegetable Masala, Chicken Tikka Masala, naan, and rice. The vegetable masala was the best Indian vegetable dish we've ever had! The chicken tikka masala was really tasty too! The food was really flavorful and the service was excellent too! We will return! Overall grade: A
(5)
Tiffany P.
My husband is Scottish and we have eaten curry all over the world...this place tastes just like what you can get in the UK-fabulous, mouthwatering. Added bonus: it's decorated cute, has a bit of ambiance and impeccable service. Oh yeah and unusual for an Indian-good wine list! Will be back anytime we go to the Fox Theatre.
(4)
Ruth A.
Good Indian food. Nothing remarkable, just solidly good. It's particularly good as a place to go and have a conversation: it's not loud, no loud tacky music and screaming people at the next table, just a nice quiet dinner. And yes, the service is fairly leisurely, but they didn't rush US, either. It's become a favorite place to have dinner with my adult son, because we can hang out and chat and eat without getting glared at or pushed out the door. All in all very pleasant. We're regulars now.
(3)
Calamity L.
I love this place. Easy walking distance from me; mellow atmosphere--quiet enough to have dinner conversation, which is a rarity in the Bay Area; friendly service; tasty food! My favourite is the okra. Just like my gujarati boss used to make.
(5)
Stephanie S.
I come here a lot with a friend of mine who's even more of a regular than I am. I ordered some Kashmiri Naan the other day to go, even though I was on my way home for dinner, because I like it so much. I usually order the Chicken Tikka Masala like a small child, but it works for me! My friend is vegetarian and has a ton of awesome options. The downsides: I hate finding/paying for parking on Lakeshore. These guys are kinda expensive. The last time I had that Naan, it was 90% bread and only 10% stuffing (cashews, raisins, coconut, cherries), which made me super sad. A lot of reviews talk about the bad service. I've been immune to this problem, but that's probably because my friend comes so regularly that she knows one of the waitresses. She brings us everything in record time and always makes sure we're taken care of. Guess it really is good to have friends in high places...and Indian restaurants.
Don't waste your money here! It's just a nicely decorated place with poorly flavored over priced Indian food.... Go down the street to house of curries on Grand Ave. interior could use some help but the food is authentic and the price is right. Not to mention the chai is bottomless unlike flavors of India's 1 cup BS...!
(1)
Christopher W.
I kinda feel like I'm kicking someone while they are already down. I came to Yelp expecting to write this review, hoping that it would bring balance to the positive reviews I assumed would be doting this space. Then, I get here and see that my experience wasn't an isolated incident. Sad. I've been looking for solid Indian food in the Bay Area for over two years. My three experiences at Flavors of India have ensured I continue my quest. The food isn't bad. The staff isn't bad. The location isn't bad. But, "isn't bad" isn't a good reason to keep going somewhere. What is bad is the service. Not like rude, pretentious server with better stuff to do with their time. More like unattentive, inexperienced server without a clue. Honestly, I don't think I'll be back anytime soon. But, I wish them the best of luck.
(2)
A G.
Good food but somebody PLEASE call the health inspector. Theirs rats, cockroaches, and flies in the kitchen. I have a friend who worked at top-dog and could see into the kitchen. It's gross. Just a heads up. The one of college ave is much cleaner.
(1)
Art O.
I'm going with the consensus here with 3 stars. I love the Flavors of India in Rockridge. Just a better ambiance and the service is 10 times better than this branch. Although the food is about the same, the Rockridge restaurant seems to have a slight edge. This spot seems to be a bit cavernous - never too crowded - which, in this case is not a good thing. The main difference, again, is the service. I'm a bit biased because they used to have the cutest girl that served us in Rockridge. Not only that, they were just much warmer and just provided better service. For instance, just pouring your beer for you in the glass or packing up your extra food for you goes a long way. Of course, I don't have a problem doing these things myself, but when a restaurant does these little things it just shows they care more.
(3)
Eric H.
Wow! I just logged into Yelp to write a review and discovered I had not finished my last review of this place. Interestingly, my review is the same---great food, ridiculous service. Management needs to conduct a service audit and rate their own establishment. The service is terrible. I won't bore you with the details of how bad the service was. I see there are plenty of other reviewers who have described the ineptitude of the wait staff. I was disappointed that even after pointing out their failings along the way all we got was "I'm sorry."---no corrective action or compensation.
(1)
Suki B.
Okay, I would probably only give this place 1 star, but their Mango Shake was BEYOND AMAZING!! So much so, that they get an extra star! It totally hit the spot. Other than that, their samosas were good. Everything else was...meh! I usually get Chicken Tikka Masala (my fav) when I go out for Indian food... But they put peanuts in theirs, I'm allergic and they said the sauce is already made with the peanuts, so they couldn't make it without them... bummer. Anyway, I go the Kurahi Chicken with Garlic Naan...the chicken lacked spices...Indian food is supposed to be bursting with flavor and it surely wasn't. If anything, I'll definitely be back for the Mango Shake!
(2)
Kimberly B.
I had dinner at FOI last night and it was better than I remembered... the last time I ate here, I had a wrap for lunch which I would not recommend - it was just so-so. After eating at that disaster "House of Curries" on Grand, FOI was, in comparison, a delight. I ordered the Saag Chloe and the Chicken Korma - spicy. Both had nice flavor and spice and good size portions - I have at least two more meals with the leftovers. The atmosphere is at least restaurant like (unlike HOC) - but one complaint I must mention is that my food took about 15-20 minutes when 7 of the 19 tables were occupied. I did notice several people coming in to pick up their orders but still. Is it my favorite? No. Ajanta is here in the East Bay, but not bad for a quick fix when craving Indian.
(3)
Nico H.
Went back here for lunch, and it'll be the last time I eat here. Which is unfortunate because the food is pretty good. We were one of TWO parties in the whole place, and everything still took forever. Menus, water, food, water refills, the check -- everything moved at a glacial place, which is just unforgivable with no one in the place! Our server was also inexplicably resistant to sharing the lunch specials with us (which was on a separate menu), not just with us but also with other parties who sat down nearby after us. I know this is a neighborhood place so not expecting 5-star service, but even a hint of interest in making your customers happy would be nice.
(1)
Robert A.
The food was on par with most Indian places I've been to and the atmosphere was nicer than most places in their category. The one thing that was quite odd was they couldn't wait to get us out the door. They had a fair amount of customers, but not enough to justify trying to clear out a 2 top. The waitress came by every 5 minutes to see if the bill was paid. I got annoyed and decided to check out the desert menu just to fuck with them. Then, the slap in the face. She said she would only give me the to go menu to check out the deserts. Their desert selection sucked. After the fair amount of time digesting I'm accustomed to, we left at our leisure, no thanks to them. Some other odd rude behavior: When I called for holiday hours, they hung up without a goodbye, I was told they didn't have WiFi, even though I could see the network and they charged for the most expensive wine because I didn't specify which one I wanted. If your in the area and looking for Indian, I would skip this place and check out House of Curries. It's not as swank, but it's BYO, free chai tea and the owner is a fucking riot.
(2)
Stu S.
I need to amend my "food is delicious" comment. Had lunch there yesterday and tried the Tandoori Fish. It tasted pretty bad. I am quite tolerant with food, but if there is an off taste, I won't eat it. Fish can easily spoil. The server asked how things were, and I told her, that I rarely complain, but the fish tasted bad. She said they had a new chef. I said "maybe I deserve a refund." She thought I was joking, and I stated I was not. She said it probably was different spices that I was not used to. Had they made an effort to assure me that the fish is fresh and that it was indeed different spices they used or offered a certificate for a meal the next time, I would not be writing here. I hesitate to drop to two stars, maybe 2.5 stars now. Just want to make sure readers know not to order the fish. (Sounds like a line from the movie Airplane.)
(3)
Chris C.
This is the best Indian food I've ever had, hands down. (I've never been to India, so I don't know how authentic it is, but if you live in California, this is the place for you.) They have a large variety of foods, both for meat-eaters and vegetarians. When my family eats here we get four or five dishes and share them. The food is cooked to perfection, and you can specify the level of spiciness that's right for your tongue. The staff is friendly and competent -- they usually recognize us, even when we just get take-out. The atmosphere is intimate. I've eaten here a number of times and have never been disappointed.
(5)
D W.
I've been going to this restaurant a long time and have experienced some ups and downs. Very unfortunately a very loud hip hop dance studio is now located above the restaurant, and made the dining experience there intolerable. So, I won't be going to eat there any more )-: Add to that the fact that the Tandori Chicken dish has substantially shrunk in size. 3 tiny little drumsticks and thighs, more the size of a canary than a chicken. Perhaps these were mini chickens. They still do make great saag Chole, nan, and the vege birayini is the best around town. the raita is getting thinner too (an absolute sign of tightening the purse strings). Bottom line, at best, will come back and take out our faves, Really bummed.
(2)
Marcella J.
My BF and I ordered take out on our very first date from this place, and two years later we ordered to reminisce. God I forgot how amazing their food is..! Chicken tikka is our staple, sometimes we order the saag panneer. Tonight we ordered the coconut lamb, it was sooooo tender..!!! Garlic naan is a must..!!! Sincerely, Two very happy campers ;-)
(5)
Corey G.
Flavors of India was a classic example of a tease. Her fragrances and foods taunted and teased me (& my group all night). And by all night, I mean ALL NIGHT! We waited: "FOR-EVER" (and I mean this in a very "Sandlot-y" way: youtube.com/watch?v=H-Q7… ) It got to a point of comedy. This is mainly because we could see everyone else in the dining area was going through the same pain. Our table all let out self-chuckles, because we could just see how people just looked grumpy and pissed off around us. I mean seriously, our famish-nessiosity gave way to delirium at the expense of our fellow patrons in the same predicament. Now we could have just been her on a bad night, but yeah, the service comically slow. As for the food, yeah, the fragrances didn't disappoint (4-level), but the service, and the fact that my stomach ate my kidney while we were waiting make it a tough sell for me.
(2)
Hank M.
I have been 3 times, mostly due to one dish (Mixed Veg. Masala), formerly beloved by my girlfriend, that she discovered the 1st time. The very salty, oily food we got on the 2nd and 3rd visits have led me to believe that the 1st time was a fluke. Or possibly a change of chef? Regardless, we're moving on. On the plus side, the service was good and staff were friendly and responsive.
(2)
Joshua J.
come on - $3 for mixed pickles? it's like a burger joint charging for ketchup. My food was delicious but not enough to offset the ripped off felling for getting gouged $3 for a tiny cup of mixed pickles when i'm sure the 2 gallon jug of them cost less. if you're going to charge for this, then at least make your own in house.
(1)
Jennifer W.
My boyfriend works nearby, so we always see it but never got a chance to try it out. So when we finally decided to give this place a try. I guess it we picked the wrong day, Fridays are super packed, but we were seated promptly. We looked at the menu and discovered there's many different types of meat with their curry style or specials sauces. So much choices to choose from. I settled down to try the Chicken Tikka Masala and my boyfriend had the Lamb Vindaloo. We ordered a side order of naan and rice to share. My boyfriend knew one of the waiters there and he treated us to two Mango Lassi. My first sip...Oh my goodness! It was the most delicious drink I ever tasted (Fresh yogurt blended with mango puree and some spices) I nearly drank all of my drink before my food was even here. The food took kinda long for it to come. But when it did finally arrived. It didn't disappoint us. My Chicken Tikka Masala was so tasty. Boneless pieces of chicken soaked in their spiced cream sauce. Yumm! My boyfriend's Lamb Vindaloo was a little spicy for me. Boneless lamb in their chili spiced sauce. Both dishes compliments well with the naan (bread) and rice with ordered. We had a great first experience here and will be back to try other delicious entrees!
(4)
Brendan S.
I wish I could just flat out give them 5 stars, but I'd be ignoring a major problem here. More on that later. To give you an idea of how good the food is, I'll just say that my husband will not eat Indian food from any other place in the entire Bay Area. And I have to say I totally agree that Flavors of India has the best Indian fare I've ever had. I have tried lots of vindaloos and tikka masalas, and this restaurant takes first prize. I can attest for their vegetable samosas too, which are perfect every time. Actually, all the food is top-notch. Not one bad dish on the menu. Sadly, there's also not one fantastic server in the restaurant. They all vary from decent to really bad. I've never been here without needing to inquire about something we ordered (last time it was our iced chai teas, which only arrived with our main dish because I said something). They don't smile, and general customer neglect is commonplace. As I write this review, I realize even more that the level of inattention to service is maddening, as is the fact that the food takes so awfully long to arrive. So while I appreciate the excellent cuisine, the charming ambiance, and the very affordable prices, spending money here always feels like a Catch 22. Ambiance: 4 stars Food: 5 stars Price: 5 stars-- I'd pay double what they charge if anyone working there bothered to smile or check up on me. But since they never do.... Service: 1 star. If you live near them, just do take out to get the awesome food without the awful service (and do make sure you order an hour ahead of time).
(4)
Christopher A.
Great food! Reliably good and service is nice. I wish they delivered to outer West Oakland or had a location closer to us.
(4)
Kim D.
I'm guessing that a family own/operate several of these local spots, if not all. Conspiracy, collaboration, cooperation, call it what you will. I've observed large groups come in, embrace, eat, go back into the kitchen, and leave without a tab. All fine and well - if you're wearing attire that satisfies the food industry standard, but such was not the case. The Alameda location is much more elegant, accommodating and the staff remember my capsaicin allergy sans prompting and my request for saag paneer with half the amount of cheese. At THIS location, after a few unnerving visits, I took an 18 month sabbatical, until yesterday. During aforementioned recon/comparison visits: * I have watched a particular server drop linen napkins on the floor, retrieve them and place them on the table, like nothing happened. * Yes, I immediately ditched my paper napkin and busted out the Handi-wipes. * Lunch papadum were recycled from previous night's service... Or at least they sure tasted like it...! Stale and... FLACCID. Childrens, you know I do not like to use the eff-word, but I call it as I taste it. * I've been served the specifically requested "no heat" saag paneer that has nearly burned a hole through my gullet at first bite. If your mother sauces or product is already made, then say so - I'll find something else to eat, no hard feelings. But don't you DARE lie to me and put me in acid-reflux hell and hives for the next 48 hours. Yes, I have prescriptions for both, but I'd rather the truth. * On most recent foray, our entrees hit the table before our lukewarm chai did. The same napkin-dropping server (from 18 months ago) took the order and when asked if our beverages were coming, looked confused, and then I think it registered. * We really wanted Ethiopian, but they don't open until 5:30pm on Mondays, so we settled for this place. When I saw the Napkin Dropper, I should have gone with my gut, and gone to Top Dog. Cadet was super-starving though and was craving a giant protein buzz and had already decided upon the fish, which he really liked. I abstained from sampling his dish. * The loo logistics are distressing as well: you have to walk by the kitchen, down a corridor, past dry goods and then use a key to unlock the shared facilities. I only made that trip once, and half-expected to see a capuchin monkey with a hacking cough hunkered down, looking miserable and making me miserable. * The cross-contamination possibilities would boggle the mind of Stephen Hawking. Pun intended. I totally own the fact that it's difficult for me to eat at some ethnic restaurants because of my medical quirks, but in the interest of full disclosure, the staff must be honest with their patrons, or former patrons as the case may be. Alameda store yes; Lakeshore no.
(2)
Hoda S.
I love Indian food and I've been trying to find good Indian food around my area. I've basically tried all the other Indian restaurants around and this was the best. The menu online doesn't tell you that rice is not included so i was kind of surprised to find out that I ordered a lot of food with no rice to go with it. For the price it was, rice should've been included. But the garlic naan was really good the lamb samosas were excellent the veggie ones were okay. I ordered the chicken tikka masala and the lamb curry and it was so delicious. The lamb was tender and not fatty or too chewy. I just wish I had some rice.
(3)
Cindy S.
We decided on Indian food tonight and we had a good experience the last time we came here, so we thought why not eat here again. Tonight was a different experience. We had to seat ourselves because we were standing around unnoticed. We sat down, then 5 minutes later, they brought us our utensils, water and menus. She never came back until 15 minutes later to take our order. She passed by us a few times, but never stopped at our table to take our order. I was getting a bit frustrated and impatient. We placed our order. Tonight we ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala (our favorite there), Aloo Saag (vegetable dish that was really good also) and the Garlic Naan (which was extremely good as well). The last time we had dinner here, we ordered the Vegetable Samosas which we thought were good but didn't get it tonight. All in all, we enjoy their food. It's very tasty and flavorful. However, tonight's service was a bit disappointing for me. But, we will still return because we like the food and hopefully the next time we come back, we will get a better service :) Btw - their mango lassi is so good!
(4)
Robert S.
Solid indian food, terrible service.
(3)
Dave N.
I guess the one thing this place has going for them is that they really emphasize the "flavor" part of their restaurant moniker. Fish Vindaloo was super flavor y.. and by flavorly- i mean extremely salty. I mean you can feel your mouth and throat dry up almost instantaneously after each bite. I tried dipping it with plain naan to balance the taste out but that didn't really work either. It only made me full from eating naan. This is my 2nd time coming here with the same anemic experience. I know Indian foods primarily are rich with exotic herbs and spices but i'm sure their food wasn't designed to be this salty. Either that or most Indian people have really high blood pressure from all this high-sodium food. It's good to point out that the ambiance here was a little too subdued as well. Lights were too dark, the waitresses had that dreary look on their faces. The atmosphere was a little.. depressing. *clears throat*
(2)
Jeannette W.
Don't come here if you are in a hurry. I ordered takeout last Thursday evening. Thought I was being smart by calling in my order around 7:50. Since I was quoted that it would be 30 to 35 minutes before the food would be ready I installed my digital cable box. Then I walked down to Lakeshore and bought beer. Showed up to pick up my order 50 minutes later and the food was still not ready. The woman helping me told me that they were busy and backed up so my food may take at least another ten minutes. By then, I was ready to explode and take the whole place with me. I asked to speak to the manager and was told he was not there that night. Then I told her I couldn't wait 10 minutes so she said she would aim for five. It ended up taking another 15 minutes. To add insult to injury, the place was only HALF full. There was no offer of a drink while I waited or a discount for being so late with my order. I don't think the restaurant cares one way or the other about their customers. I probably won't be back for awhile, especially since I have been here several other times when the service and wait for food was equally bad. This incident is par for the course and could be due to the absentee management. It's too bad because I actually like the food here, but it's not worth an hour of waiting!
(2)
Jackie A.
We were around Oakland yesterday afternoon after a long walk around Oakland Zoo. Got so hungry after and went to look around for a place, a new place where we can eat and explore different foods. We want to surprise our palette and came across this restaurant called, Flavors of India. I'm always curious of how the food will taste, whether I will like it or just plainly will hate it. It'll be my first time eating Indian cuisine and so does my boyfriend so, we check out the place and saw couple of people having their meal. Got seated right in front and the place was very nice and quaint. I like how exotic it looks on the inside so; we were very hungry and ordered our meal. I ordered the Prawn Vindaloo and to quench my thirsty old self, I wanted to try their Mango Lassi. My boyfriend on the other hand wanted to try their Lamb Curry and for his drink, Lassi (salted). We ordered three more sides: Ginger Naan, Mango Chutney, and rice. While waiting for our food; our mouth is watering from the aroma that was coming from the kitchen, we couldn't wait to eat. We received our food within couple of minutes; the herbs and spices on it is what made it unique and very tasty. We were both happy that we chose to eat here and went home with a satisfying full stomach. I'll recommend this joint to my family and friends that love to eat exotic, spicy food. Definitely one of my favorite restaurant and would love to eat here again. Rating: Prawn Vindaloo: 4.5/ 5 stars Mango Lassi: 4/ 5 stars Ginger Naan: 4.5/ 5 stars Mango Chutney: 3.5 / 5 stars Rice (plain): 4.5/ 5 stars Overall experience: 4.5/ 5 stars
(5)
N. I.
The food was ok. I've had better indian food. The ambiance was nice. The service was ok. Meh.
(2)
Stella S.
Food A- Service F Don't bother unless you like waiting ten minutes for a table when the place has plenty of vacant tables, if you like sitting down to a dirty table, if you enjoy waiting a full ten minutes for a waiter, and then waiting ONE HOUR for your food. And then afterward when you speak to the manager about the service, he literally says to you, "So?" If that's the kind of service you like, you'll enjoy this place. I've tried ordering takeout twice to see if that improved the service, and the first time my order was 20 minutes late, and the second I had to sit there for 30 minutes after they said it would be ready. I liked the food, but I don't want to put myself through their hell one more time.
(2)
Jen P.
Family is looking for some place that's open this Christmas night with a good shot of getting something tasty. I just read the reviews for FoA, and am so disappointed that it still continues to score so low on the service. I reviewed this place "unofficially" the day it opened. I saw trouble then, but just wrote it off as opening day Murphy's Law. Service was 'glacial' then as someone else has mentioned, and I just don't think they get it, care, or are just praying that people will still come anyway because there are no other Indian restaurants on Lakeshore. (another Indian place opened last year on Grand, but their service ain't much better!) Go-to Dishes- Despite the service dings, I will give them props for the following dishes that have consistently been good to us: Chicken Hara Bara, Coconut Chicken, Samosas, Garlic Naan, Shrimp Vindaloo, and when they are cold, the Mango Lassi. Get it together FoA! You have no competition in this area, so if you wanted to, you could lock it down. Shaan's on Fruitvale is no contender, and I don't always want to travel to College Ave. to grab a bite to eat. Give a darn why don't you!
(3)
Mick A.
Love the shopping and dining area around Lakeshore Blvd and was very happy to find Flavors of India along the strip. The smell drew us in and once inside had a table full of different meat dishes and naan breads, all done perfectly spicy . . . . . just how we like it. Friendly staff too, helpful in making sure we had a full range of different tastes.
(4)
Rhea E.
delicious atmosphere: very well designed, nice lighting makes it romantic and intimate. Dishes are served on antique steel plates. Music is great and unobstrusive. I think they were playing some sort of deep indian techno. food: made fresh in house. Chai comes out piping hot and I could tell on the slow weekday I went there it was made to order. Paneer is the freshest tastiest paneer I've ever had. Raita was great and fresh. I usually don't like Mango chutney but theirs is delicious and more jam like, definitely house made. They don't get all confused if I try to order something not specific on the menu. They have SHAHI curry, my favorite, that not a lot of Indian restaurants have because it's a sauce out of coconut and cashews and i think cashew milk is very expensive and hard to make/get. First time I went here we had a group of 6 that got 6 different things and everything was amazing. "Spicy" was perfect. Some people say it's over priced but I don't see that. Portions are great, not too big and not too small. Could have had more rice maybe. People have said it's over priced but its about $8 vegetarian and $9 meat then an extra 1.50 for rice. It evens out to be about the same $10 I think. The only thing is that the chai does not have refills, but it's only 1.50 so it's ok. I like it here. They need more deserts though, they only have gulab jaman and rice pudding, no rasmalai! service: Very nice and friendly. I thought timing was great, I was able to enjoy my chai then have the dishes served. I was there towards closing one night and they were vocal about closing right at 10. But whatever, they want to go home. Oh, and if they are reading this - there is one female server that is absolutely gorgeous and i hope she sees that in herself, she seems shy!
(5)
dan h.
We often do large (2 families) take out orders from here, so I can't comment on the service issues that others complain about here. They usually get our order right (there have been mistakes on occassion), we've been quite happy with the food, it is usually ready about when they said it would be, and is reasonably priced.
(4)
Luke A.
The food here is pretty good, don't get me wrong. You can get everything at your choice of spiciness. The prices are okayish. They charge you for rice though, even if you are getting curry. I mean what damn Indian restaurant doesn't include rice with curry?? But the real reason why this place only gets one star from me is because the service is horrible! The servers ignore you. Once I had to wait 20 mins just for my iced tea. I live in between Lake Merritt and the Dimond area so I now go to Shaan. They are always friendly, the food is good, and the rice actually comes with your damn curry.
(1)
Michelle B.
Dear Fellow Yelpers - I am experiencing a case of writer's block therefore will write in free-flow manner. You may also find that I am having a tourrette's kind-of-a-day: Convenience 7-11 slurpee Garbanzo Gonzo? MotherF...may I !!!! Dumb-waiter only in mansions Smart waiter what's your IQ? Really pissed off that I am off of my right food due to ankle surgery and have all the time to yelp but is experiencing a bad case of writer's block - Samosa - Mimosa? What's the relation? one's a cocktail one is an aperitif? Son of A...... I guess to sum it up - Go here for the convenience the food is better than Curry in a Hurry and the place is on a hip vibe - This is sort-of-a-chain, several in the east bay area. Thanks for understanding - I know this probably doesn't help but like the rating goes: FOI is A-OK!
(3)
Jojo H.
If I had a Vitamin A deficiency, then I wouldn't be able to read the menu in this restaurant... good thing I ordered over the phone. Lamb tikka masala and naan was pretty standard, although a little overpriced for tasting average. Same thing costs half as much at Berkeley's Naan and Curry. Can't complain, I guess, Lakeshore rent must be sky high. I feel like calling ahead and ordering takeout is best. Ambience is a bit dull.
(3)
Tiffany N.
If this were the last Indian restaurant in the Bay Area I would not eat here. Don't have bad service AND bad food! Had to flag down the waitress to seat us. Then flagged her down to take our order.....Of course flagged her down to get the bill, again to pay the bill. Ridiculous! We went for lunch and I ordered off the lunch specials. I had some chicken breast dish, but alas I cannot remember what it was called. No matter, I will never eat here again. The chicken tasted ok, but was delivered cold. It then took 8 minutes to get the rest of the sides (lentils, rice, salad, naan). The lentils were bland, bland, bland....It seems very strange to describe Indian food as bland. There is something not right about that. I can't believe this place is located on Lakshore, paying Lakshore rent and is actually still in business. I've eaten at a lot of different Indian restaurants in the Bay Area and this was the worst by far. I'm sticking to what I know!
(1)
Jennie P.
It was around dinnertime and he was in the mood for Mexican or something. I blurted out, "I wanted Indian!" and he goes, "that sounds good, I want Indian too." COOL. "Let's try a new place." "OK, just tell me where to go." So, I get on my convenient Yelp app and search. Hmm, Flavors of India.. I wanna taste the flavors of India. We concur, I navigate and he drives. We're starved and the aroma of the "flavors of India" is surrounding us. We look through the menu and of course, at this time, our eyes are a lot hungrier than our stomachs. He gets his regular Lamb Samosa and we ordered the Mixed Tandoori Grill appetizer. THIS IS NOT AN APPETIZER, it's a shitload of meat on a plate. There's chicken, lamb, fish and shrimp. The chicken was a little dry, the shrimp was pretty good, and I don't know about the lamb because I'm not a fan, but he says the sausage lamb looking thing was delicious. I ordered the Chicken Vindaloo (because I just LOVE dipping naan in the sauce) and he gets the Lamb Saag. We also got one order of the plain naan and the garlic cilantro naan. Because of the SUPER MEGA "appetizer", I was pretty stuffed by the time our entrees arrived. But MAN, if I could, I would have enjoyed more of the vindaloo. The chicken was AWESOME. There was so much flavor and SPICY too! It was the right amount of spiciness (I ordered medium). THE GARLIC NAAN is BOMB! It's one of those things you just gotta try for yourself. When we were done, we had so much food left over.. the tandoori appetizer, chicken vindaloo and lamb saag. There was 2 plain naans left and 1 garlic naan and knowing that we would probably fight over the garlic naan, he ordered another one to-go with our leftovers. What a smart man. We enjoyed a bottle of wine with our meal and we left very satisfied. =D
(5)
Lempi M.
I wish I could take my daughter here, because the staff is VERY VERY nice to children, but she's just too darn naughty. The decor of this place is awesome. I wish the designer would come do my house. So I have begun to settle for take-out instead. I have been around the block looking for good Indian Food, and this is simply the best I can find. I ordered the Biryani Rice just as a simple alternative to steamed rice, and it BLEW ME AWAY. I ate it cold out of the fridge a few days later, and even that was awesome. Also good- garlic naan Chicken Korma Saag Paneer
(4)
Michelle V.
Like other Yelp reviewers, I've found that the service here is suddenly awful. I've been here multiple times, and I feel like maybe they're under new ownership. Service didn't used to be an issue. Our experience last night entailed the following: a 20 minute wait to order - at which point my friend got up and reminded them we were there, an extensive wait for our food, an extensive wait to get the check - even after we'd gotten up and asked for boxes. All in all, we were there for 1.5 hours and it wasn't even busy. Also, they didn't bring us forks until we'd asked 3 different servers we were able to track down towards the end of our meal. I couldn't even tell who our waitress was, as it seemed to be someone different every time. I'd wanted to order a drink, but no one came to ask if we wanted any. the food is still good, but the service was just so incredibly bad. I mean really...no forks? Think I'll venture out of my comfort zone in search of other tasty Indian food next time I have a craving.
(2)
Dennis C.
Agree with many others that this place is a 3.5, but since everyone else is rounding down then I will round up. Definitely the best Indian place I have sampled in the Grand Lake / Piedmont Ave area. The naan and chicken korma were great while the other dishes ordered were decent. And while others have complained about the service I didn't have any problems.
(4)
Jeff C.
We stopped in to try this place tonight despite a modest three star yelp rating and were pleasantly surprised. We ordered the chicken korma, malai kofta curry and lamb rogan with a couple of sides of naan and it was all quite tasty. Not the best Indian food I've had but it was above average compared to other places we've tried in the area and quite reasonably priced in my opinion. Also, we experienced no problems with the service. I would certainly come back to this place again.
(4)
Swetha G.
Ok, I'll start by saying the decor is beautiful. Everything from the paint on the wall to the typography on the menu was chosen with a lot of attention and care. It's not over the top, but it is elegent and classy. The staff is also incredibly attractive (dang!), very professional and attentive. We were treated well, I can't say anything bad about the service. The food. My favorite part! Wow, it was sooo goooood. The samosas rocked. Excellent job with the seasoning and perfect amount of frying. Not oily or greesy at all. For our entrees, we ordered the vegetable korma, malai kofta curry and dal tadki. I think of all the Indian restaurants that I've had malai kofta at, this was probably the best. The creamy sauce in the vegetable korma was also AMAZING. The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars would be because of the wait. The food took a little long getting to our table, otherwise everything else was really good. And even though we had to hang out a while before we could eat, the food was totally worth the wait. Flavors of India has definately made my list of top Indian restaurants.
(4)
Leona C.
Yikes. Alot has changed in 3 years. I'm on a 30 day vegan diet and Indian cuisine has many options. We came here for lunch, right at 11 so we were the first ones. The server was so bummed out. I'm not sure what was going on in her life, but her energy affect myself as well as my friend. We were in a pleasant mood not 10 min before we sat down and all of a sudden we were terribly bummed out as well. That didn't stop us from eating. He had the lamb curry, which he said was alright. I ordered the veggie wrap which on both the lunch and dinner menu says it's vegan. I also reminded her that I would like it vegan. Oh. My. Goodness. For $7 it's a HUGE infant sized burrito. But tIthe first thing I saw when I birthed it from it's wrapping, a huge glob.... I asked the server if this was raita. "No, it's mayonnaise." PARDON? Mayonnaise. When did Indians start using mayonnaise? When I brought this up with her (the nan was also plain nan, which I know is made with egg. Whole wheat nan is the vegan alternative.) the poor thing looked like I killed her puppy but could not answer why there is mayo on a vegan wrap. She tried to take it away but the only thing worse than eating dairy after not eating it for an entire month, is to let so much food go to waste. The wrap does not taste good. Neither does the baighan bharta. It was one of those times where you just ate as quickly as possible and rush to your happy place. We left very dissatisfied and incredibly bummed out. Even the lighting was sad! I understand dark and private during dinner, but this was lunch. It was a beautiful day outside! Open the drapes a little more and bring up the lights a bit. Everything about this experience makes me sad.
(1)
J B.
Consistently amazing.
(5)
Julia C.
Went here for dinner last night and it was pretty tasty. My boyfriend and I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala and the Paneer Chili with an order of naan and rice. Paired with a beer, the bill came out to $30. I'd come here again. The service was decent - didn't experience what others noted here. We had a nice night out here.
What in the world just happened? Food was fine (read below this paragraph for food review), service was ridiculous! I go to rude Chinese restaurants a lot and couldn't even understand this establishment. We were seated relatively quickly, not completely packed, but had an ample amount of people dining. After sitting down, we received waters and menus. The waitress comes over and puts our utensils directly onto the table. I suppose I will entrust you on the cleanliness of said table, however I would still like a napkin. My dining partners and I waited because we assumed she would be back with napkins, however, our food came before the napkins did. Np, I will request napkins. We also ordered two Chai teas, but they never came... That's fine also, I know that orders get lost sometimes. The final straw came when I did not get a refill on water the entire duration of the meal but the table next to me must have gotten three refills by the time I received one, which was at the end of my meal. By the time the waitress came to check on us, I was ready to flip my cup upside down to signify how empty the cup was. Sighs, let me just pay for the bill. There was only one Chai tea on the bill, meaning even if they had remembered to bring us said Chai tea, they would have only brought us one... Or maybe they wanted to try and sneak one by me, I don't know, just get it off my bill. When I told our waitress we never received the Chai, she was like Really?! Yes, REALLY! I left them $0.02 for tip, because it was exactly how I felt. The crack, how do you refill water on the table next to me 3 times and never asked me once if I was parched? Had the Lamb Vindaloo, asked for it to be spicy, but it wasn't very spicy. Creamy and the lamb was tender. Flavors were nicely done. Chicken Karahi was invigorating. The melding of the bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes came though strong and sweet. Paneer Naan was passable, tasted bland and absolutely not worth the buy. The cheese was sprinkled in between the naans and was not melted. Garlic Naan, yummy! Anyone that likes garlic should try some of this!!! All in all, I wouldn't come back here, I would make the extra 5-ish miles to the Berkeley Flavors of India and get my Chai tea!
(2)
Candi M.
When this Flavors of India first opened on Lakeshore, I was elated. The interior of this particular restaurant surpasses their other location, and it's nice to sit in their large windows that face Lakeshore and people watch while enjoying some food. My visits there are very infrequent, but when I go now it is for the lunch specials. Monday - Friday until 3pm, they have a great lunch offer that includes naan, rice, salad & daal along with an entree choice (options range from chicken tika masala, korma, aloo, paneer & wraps) for under $10. Definitely enough to bring home for a snack later - if you'll even be hungry! I am still on the search for my favorite Indian restaurant in the Bay Area that will even come close to what I can get at home --- but Flavors of India is decent and I enjoy the ambiance far better than Naan & Curry. Don't skip trying a Lassi, they are delicious here!
(3)
Mark G.
Why do I go here? That's what I always ask myself after eating at Flavors of India. I know, of course, what I'm thinking when I walk in: they offer some dishes that aren't on the menu at other Indian places. So about every three months or so I get the idea to have some variety and to go somewhere other than House of Curries where I eat nearly weekly. And the food is fine at Flavors of India. For sure it's not "wow" but there's nothing wrong with it at all. It's the service that can reach infuriating at times. The biggest problem is they're easily confused. On different occasions I've had them bring somebody else's order to my table and forget what I ordered, returning 20 minutes later to ask again. The value is also lacking here. A meal that would cost me $14 including tip at House of Curries costs $20 here, and that's minus the free chai tea too. If you do decide to try this place, I strongly recommend that you don't go anytime when the dining room is more than half full. Otherwise be prepared for chaos.
(2)
Ann L. F.
ROACHES! Climbing the wall. Server saw one and squished it with a napkin. No word was said. No word needed to be. What can you say? "Toppings are extra"? We left. Need I say more?
(2)
Gabrielle N.
I'll keep it short and sweet. The food is amazeballs!! Everything I've had is so good. Samosas, chicken dishes, beef dishes, veggie dishes. Masala, tandoori, vindaloo...yes please. This place can do no wrong food-wise. I am pretty sure I dream about their samosas. The only reason it gets 4 stars instead of 5 is the service. AWFUL. They barely acknowledge you when you walk in, they are not at all friendly and they flat out ignore you after you get your food. The food is spicy so be sure to carefully ration out your beverage since you won't ever get a refill here. I am thinking take out is the way to go here. Other notes... The atmosphere is nice. It is dark and the tables are pretty. Also, the parking situation in this area sucks. Luckily, I live down the street.
(4)
Laxmi E.
Came in and was seated right away. Our waitress was very nice, yet she was new so she couldn't help us with recommendation. It's a pretty dark setting. Ordered vegetable samosa, and they were delicious only thing was it took awhile. Moreover, the entrees was chicken tandoori and it was a bit bland nothing to special. We also ordered the lamb curry and it was very flavorful. The lamb was also very tender. Garlic nann was the best thing there.
(3)
Judith L.
The service was abysmal. The tandoori fish was inedible and smelled like it was clearly past its prime. We will not go back.
(1)
Shuriu L.
A frustrated experience. I was starving. We found this restaurant and thought we'd give it a try, even though the ratings were a bit low. We were seated right away and given water within seconds of sitting, then after 15 minutes of servers walking by and ignoring us, we decided to go next door to Trader Joe's and buy groceries to cook at home. After reading other's reviews, it turns out to be the better decision anyway. Absolutely deplorable service. I'm shocked the owners haven't worked harder to fix that after so many bad reviews specifically because of the service.
(1)
Casey D.
Wow... I just took a glance at some of the 1 & 2 star reviews... uh, yeah. I have been coming to this location for about 3 years and I've had wonderful service each time. The same goes for the College Ave location, but I'm going to review the Lakeshore spot, since it's my favorite. First of all, the servers are so friendly and helpful. I feel like after a few visits they remembered me when I would walk in, and now that its been a few years, they know my name, and I know many of theirs. It is fantastic to have servers who know your taste preferences, and who seem genuinely interested in making sure you are enjoying your meal. I'm vegan, and the menu clearly states which dishes I can have, but they always seem to double check to make sure I've only ordered meat/dairy free items. So freaking cool!!! As for the food... I LOVE the following: Aloo Gobi, it's classic and well flavored and they will make it SPICY for me. It's also less dry than at some other places I won't mention! Veggie Korma: chickpea balls in an almost creamy tomato sauce. Not a huge vegetable dish, but is soooo comfort food-esque. Mixed Veggie Masala, it has actual vegetables and they are fresh! I've had the rotten experience of getting what seems to be "veg-all" in this dish elsewhere. but not here! Aloo Tikki Chat, ok, so it's an app by definition, but it's huge!!! potato pancake-y awesomeness topped with chickpeas and served with tamarind and mint chutney. OH MY BEJESUS. love it. I'm actually on my way to pick up some take out from there now, so I must end the review here. Basically, it's awesome, the staff is friendly and FAST, and I highly recommend it!!!!
(5)
Kimberly E.
Yum, yum, yum! Boy, was this place good! Okay - so it was my 2nd time having Indian food. I don't have much to compare it too. However, that doesn't take anything away from the absolute party that went on in my mouth while eating this food. So flavorful, spicy, and delicious. The restaurant is very dimly lit, which is nice and romantic! The service was a bit slow, but I was so intoxicated by the aroma and the anticipation of the entree that I didn't mind. We ordered the lamb simosa, and chicken tikka masala. The waitress suggested rice, which we were so thrilled that she did. I have nothing to say, but DELICIOUS. The chai, the lamb, and the chicken tikka masala, all of it was so good. Can't wait to come back to this place, and so thrilled it's so close.
(4)
Heather P.
I hate to do this to them, but i am started to be displeased with all they have to offer. I started eating at the one in Berkeley about 3 years ago with my best friend. And we loved it, had it every night for girls night almost once a week. But as the years have gone bad i have only noticed the ever so slightly raise in price (3$ since the beginning ) and the decrease in quality. This angers me. I went to the Oakland one recently and i have to say It is not my fav, and its getting to the point where i don't even want to give them any more shoots to impress me again. I love Indian and have tried most places in the city and the EB and all of them are better. the only redeeming quality they have left, is the ALOO TIKKI CHAAT dish, mostly cause it is very difficult to find and not a standard on most menus. But again I had to apologize for the lack of flavor last time it was ordered. All-N-all: there are too many good choices for Indian food and i refuse to settle for meritocracy, in fact (CRAP)!!
(2)
Meuy S.
Trader Joe's makes a better Chicken Tikka Masala but they still get two stars for the entertainment. The place is clean with easy walk ways to and from tables but dim lighting with IKEA tea candles at every table. We ordered samosas, chicken tikka masala, rice and naan. The samosas were tasty, the rice was rice (nothing special), the tikka masala was little too creamy, and our naan went up in a ball of flames! Literally~! The server put our basket of naan next to our table candle. The paper underneath the naan in the basket somehow caught the flame of the candle, next thing you know the room gets brighter because the paper/naan is on fire. I quickly drown it with my water. A few minutes later the server comes back, I ask her to bring us a new order of naan. She walks away with a confused look and a basket of half burnt naan, completely oblivious that it was all her fault.
(2)
TJ K.
This is one of our favorite places to eat and take out. The taste of the dishes never disappoint, except once when the regular chef was off. So, you may want to check to make sure that isn't the case. But, that aside, the food is authentic and delicious! Also, the staff is very nice...even if the kitchen can sometimes be a little slow. But, to us, it's worth the wait when that happens. Relax and enjoy a good conversation. I eat here once every couple of weeks.
(4)
Samantha D.
Garlic naan. Should be renamed garlic naan-nom. Honestly, the garlic naan is worth the trip. A friend and i each ordered a lunch entree. She got a chicken paneer dish and I had a mali kofta dish. The service was fast and our food was good. It didn't change my life but it definitely was above average. It was quiet in here at about 1pm on a Tuesday. There's free parking at the garage right behind the restaurant as well.
(4)
Vittorio L.
Yes, the service may be hit or miss, bt the food is pretty good. I mean, I definitely recommend ordering an appetizer if you're supremely hungry and it's crowded. Recommendations: Tandoori fish, Lamb Saag, Mattar Paneer. Very nice. Just ask for them spicy! Usually medium spicy is a little tamer than other places, and if it's TOO spicy get the cucumber Raita and smooth it out. BTW the Garlic Naan is delicious; chewy and hot and tasty!
(3)
Kyle G.
Well, I finally went again and believe me when I say I was hoping the food would come out in a timely manner.... But, again it did NOT! It tood 45 minutes from ordering the food to food on table. Their food is fantastic and I love every bite. Just be prepared to wait a while for your food.
(3)
Danny L.
I always wanted to take a trip to India.... I guess this will be the closest to India I will get for now. And it's located conveniently in my hood. Yeah, Lakeshore Ave., the real hood in Oakland, right?! Okay okay.... Maybe not. But the food is no joke! The simple dishes like lamb curry and chicken vindaloo are packed full of flavor and spices that pleases your taste buds to your heart's content. Get a few orders of garlic naan (one order will NOT be enough) to dip, soak, wrap, whatever you want with these amazing dishes and you will definitely enjoy your meal. Trust me!
(4)
Reina A.
I ordered here for catering. I called 5 days in advance and placed my order with specific instructions on when I was going to pick up, along with my cell #. On the day of pick up, I was running late 20 minutes to pick up, and not once did I receive a call stating that my order was ready. I thought nothing of it. I get there and my order was never made. They didn't have any food for me. Somehow someone had not placed in the order or lost the order a few days ago. Thats why I was never called. At first they insinuated I had called another Flavors of India. I had not. I specifically looked up the # for the one on Lake View. The worse part was that during the whole time, they were asking what time I called in and who I spoke to. Hello! That wont make my food appear out of nowhere. And it isn't my problem that one of your employees dropped the ball. There are better service and food elsewhere.
(1)
james m.
When it comes to foreign cuisines, I don't really get too adventurous with it. I find something that I like and order that... every single time. When it comes to Indian food, I stick with Chicken Tika Masala and Onion Naan. Oh sometimes I'll be feeling a little dangerous and order a Garlic Naan, but that's as far as I'll go. This place has really great food. Only thing is that they take about 20-30 minutes when you order on the phone. Hence the 4 stars.
(4)
H W.
Ok, the food is pretty flavorful, but here is what made me steaming mad when I picked up my dinner order: $5.50 for their onion naan and another $5 for plain basmati rice. If you eat Indian food on a regular basis (like we do, almost every other week), you know that naan and rice, enough for just two people, doesn't cost this much! But when you put in the order and tell them that there will be two people eating, they charge you per person! Not having known this, I was totally shocked to see naan and rice amounting to over $10 on my bill! And what ended up happening when we got home was that there was more rice and naan than there was food (we ordered two dishes). Seriously, what a RIP OFF!
(1)
Kenny J.
A solid place to grab Indian food near Lake Merrit. We were visiting a friend nearby and went here for a late dinner. We ordered CTM, Lamb Chole, and veggie dumplings with curry. It was a lot of food for three people and everything was delicious. We asked for more price and it was brought my promptly. Service was good, but it did seem to take awhile for the food to come out. Prices were about average. I think our dinner came out to $16/person with one friend ordering a mango lassi, which she said was really good.
(4)
Sally T.
We decided to give this place one more chance. For starters, they got our take out order wrong so we had to go back to exchange one of the entrees. Luckily, we live around the corner. When we got our food home, we realized that the food was unbelievably tasteless and salty. We threw the food away, it was that inedible and disappointing. We will never be going back and will make the trek over to House of Curries in the peidmont neighborhood instead.
(1)
vanatron k.
I usually don't write negative reviews, but I just have to let this place have it! Wednesday evening, of course your not going to be super busy. We arrive and the place has only about three tables. We are seated promptly, brought water and menus, then we sit for the next ten minutes without seeing anyone. We let them know we are ready to order, a rather substantial amount of food and mango lassi as well. Another ten-13 minutes after that I see the gentleman with whom we ordered walking by us to go wipe a table. I said can we please have our mango lassies?, he says..."oh yeah..i forgot" !!!!! I would hate to see this place on a busy day with these servers. We were the fourth table and he forgot? The food was okay. I didn't like the lamb tikka masala at all though, it had an excessive amount of cream, little flavor, and the meat was gross! Small portions, low quality, bad service. The chai tea was delicious.
(2)
Angelica P.
Sh!t! I just ordered the fish and read a warning not to order the fish! Wish me luck people... Also, I was told I'd have to wait 30 minutes even though I was the only person in the restaurant.
(2)
Adam T.
I don't see what so many people are complaining about re: service. I think, based on some of the other things they say in their reviews, they may be talking about another location. I'm reviewing the one on Lakeshore, near the Trader Joe's. The place is cute, if a bit dark, with nice curtains dividing the space and attractive lights on the walls. We were seated immediately, had our drink order taken, and were given a few (but not too many) minutes to figure out what we wanted. We got the chicken tikka masala (yes, I know, it's white people's Indian food. Whatever.) and the bhindi masala. I thought the okra was really good - well textured, right amount of spice, not too wet or dry, etc. I found the chicken tikka a little disappointing - too buttery and creamy. That being said, the meat itself was well seasoned and well cooked, so it was very much a mixed bag. The boy and I also got an order of naan and rice. The rice was rice. No more to say there. The naan was good, with pretty big pieces and a good flavor. Our waitresses were friendly, keeping our water glasses full and very friendly in general. Even better, the meal was really cheap, with it all costing about $35 for two entrees, an order of naan, an order of rice, a beer, and a chai. No complaints.
(4)
wade m.
We came here with a friend. The food is fine - nothing to spend a lot of time on. But the service needs some service. Someone came by and asked, "Are you ready to order?" "Yes," we said, and opened our mouths to order. "Good," she said, and walked away. Um. Someone else came by a while later to take the order. Too long later, the food did finally arrive. Not long after the dishes were cleared, we got the bill, paid, and left. The next morning when I went to do my budget, I said, "Wait, we didn't order mango lassis!" They gave us the wrong bill. Only one thing was what we ordered. Yes, we should have reviewed it in the restaurant before paying. Yes, I don't need to throw a hissy fit, because mama taught me it's a good deed to pay for someone else's meal. But it's a series of mistakes that really shouldn't have happened.
(2)
Naomi Z.
FOOD POISONING ALERT: my best friend and I both ordered the same chicken tikka marsala that I reviewed last because it was so good before, and literally 30minutes later, hated life. i dont know that we will ever eat indian food again, it was that traumatizing.
(1)
E B.
I love many of their dishes: saag paneer, chicken tikka masala, naans, samosas, rice pilaf, and some other dishes whose names I can't recall, so I'll refer to them as that glorious garbanzo bean dish and that bomb curry (I think) dish with potatoes, peas, and other goodness. Sorry if those don't narrow it down, but hey--most of their dishes are scrum-diddly. Unfortunately, their fish vindaloo is not-so-scrum, as the fish hasn't tasted fresh the last several times I got it. The shrimp vindaloo is excellent, but good luck finding your shrimp. Lately, I've been very happy with their food, but I know which dishes to avoid.
(4)
Pamela B.
We love riding bikes or strolling over to Lakeshore to hit this "Flavors of India for dinner. Their Tandoori is top notch, and we love their garlic naan, their basmati rice and their Lamb Korma. Delish! What sets this Flavors of India off from the others is their decor. Hanging silks create a a gently swaying wall which casts intriguing shadows from the candle light. Ambient light is supplied by very interesting maroon glass sconces on the walls. At the front of the restaurant are these amazing glass cube cases that hold what look like ancient Indian treasures. The wall are painted in a kind of yellow/gold/tea wash that makes the walls look old. Simple Indian carvings are gently lit. You can take a romantic table in the window, enjoy the candle light, the excellent service, the nice table linens & some good wine and an excellent dinner.
(4)
Shante E.
DISCLAIMER: I WAS NOT A INDIAN FOOD LOVER. BUT GOING HERE WAS AMAZING AND TURNED ME INTO ONE. Great atmosphere...great for a date and large group of friends. prices are fairly reasonable, GOTTA GET THE garlic naan. If you are like me and a bit skeptical go for what you know..CHICKEN. The chicken masla is a Indian cuisine staple. You cant go wrong. :D
(4)
Olivia S.
The garbanzo bean and potato appetizer was incredible, and the chicken tikka masala was some of the best I've had in the Bay Area. Their spice balancing is perfect. The okra dish was very tasty, but too oily for my taste. I'm a big fan and will return often!
(4)
Nina S.
This place should be called "Flavors of Disgrace" I don't know where some folks got the 3, 4 or 5 stars from... maybe they never had REAL AUTHENTIC Indian food... But this place IS NOT IT!!!!! Chicken Masala was disgusting... no flavor... Missing KEY ingredients. Naan bread should be called Nah man Shrimp TOOOO salty!!!!! Will NEVER go back...
(1)
Holla F.
Came here after I was pleased with my experience at the Alameda location on Park St. My BFF and I came here for a casual Valentine's dinner. Not only were the prices better than the Alameda restaurant, but had much more of a selection. Some dishes were $2 less in Oakland for the exact same entree. Not sure if it was b/c I had lunch in Alameda but I will definitely frequent the Oakland chain instead. I loved the tandoori chicken wrap, chicken tiki masaala and garlic naan. The veggie samosa was ok. I also liked the degree of spice..I tend to prefer mild and it was perfect. The only thing is that the service is super slow..so don't go there starving.
(4)
Sid F.
Came here for lunch and it was pretty dead. When we were seated, there was only one other table that already ordered. One of the servers told us we can pick from the empty tables but it wasn't for another 10 minutes before someone came to take our order. Did I mention there was only one other party and three servers? I couldn't decide if the service or the 20 flies in the room were worse. The lamb chole was a bit bland and only had two pieces but I guess that's enough when you get a cup of rice, an order of naan and lentil soup.
(2)
Molly A.
I've never had this bad of service before. We came to eat here at 9:30, they close at 10. We pretty much got shoved out of the place by the staff as soon as we got our meal. The check was placed in front of us before we even started to eat. Ugh!I have never been treated like this before! I used to like this place, def won't go back! Sad to see it go, but it was that bad.
(1)
Jim M.
OK, so maybe the service can be a bit slow at times, but we have always been happy with the food here, and the decor is very nicely done. As a result, this is one of our favorite dining spots in the neighborhood, and we often bring visting friends and family here to join us here as well. Oh, and the beer is always nice and cold, always a plus when ordering spicy.
(4)
Anna P.
Order the lamb samosas while you wait for your meal. Been here twice with my boyfriend (once was our first date) and we love the place. Recently we ordered lamb tikka masala & chicken karahi that were both so flavorful. They ask you with each dish how spicy you would like them to make it so there's a bit of flexibility so you don't burn off your tastebuds with spiciness. Nice atmosphere and attentive servie. Street parking as well as lakeshore parking lot near the Trader Joes & Walgreens.
(3)
Danni W.
Firstly the last time I was there was about 1 year ago . I had forgotten how bland and tasteless the food was (many sauces the exact same one with different names!) and I had a craving for Indian food. Its close to trader joes so i thought I would go for convenience. I ordered Chicken Tika Marsala which is pretty good everywhere. when it arrived it looked ok but I was surprised to find the chicken was 'extremely dry.' Bizarrely so! I called the waitress over to let her know that it was overcooked and dry (or old who knows) rather than apologize or offer something else . odly she was very argumentative. The food was awful and the service rude . I will never go there again. poor quality .
(1)
Callie K.
meh ambiance, meh service, meh food. our waitress took over an hour to check in on us, and then it took about another 30 minutes trying to flag someone down for another round of drinks. the garlic naan (raved about in multiple reviews) was some of the worst I've had. room temperature, chewy, and I could barely taste any garlic. I hate to be so harsh, but there are much, MUCH better Indian restaurants in the area. I might consider takeout in the future but would definitely skip dining in.
(2)
Ellen O.
The food at this restaurant is now becoming less accessible. We decided on a Sunday 6:30pm meal last night. Although it took a half hour to get our food on the first visit, last night we fortunately found someone to bring us an appetizer, for the meal took one hour. Others were waiting way longer too. Yes I like the food but would rather go to some location where the people working don't behave like drugged zombies and require that you tag them three times for the same glass of chai, or water, and where the customer service recognizes that you are choosing them, so wait staff need to be attentive. In the time we were there, we could have driven to one of my faves, Curry House on College, eaten as good a meal, driven back and still been waiting. I can walk to Lakeshore Flavors but you won't be catching my little feet traipsing there ever again. It is really too bad. Potential is there, but not the urge to please the paying customer. Owners should be ashamed, wait staff should be embarrassed.
(1)
Julian W.
Yummy food, good ambiance and reasonable prices: a great combo! In particular, the Chicken Vindaloo and the Naan are extra yummy. Service and food have been quite good every time I've gone there -- at least half a dozen times over the last couple of years.
(5)
Allie M.
It REALLY pains me to write this but it has to be done: I am in love with Flavors of India but only the one on College. The staff is so friendly! They tell me they miss me and ask me how I'm doing and basically make me feel like the most interesting person ever. The food is to die for, wonderful balance of spiciness and flavor, yummy/cool iced chais (you would think that'd be a given, that an iced chai would be cold but alas, Lakeshore proves us wrong). But enough of the College FOI. The restaurant on Lakeshore pales in comparison to its trusty counter part on College. I've given this location 3 chances to dazzle me and have been severely disappointed every time. The naan is limp and lifeless, the tikka masala is really lacking in flavors, AND they never have gulab jamun (dumplings in cardamom rose water). The most recent time I was there I unsuccessfully tried to order this dessert they asked me why I didn't want rice pudding instead. I told them I had my heart set and that was that. Iced Chai was luke warm. YUCK! The service is nice enough but I just can't ever go here again when there is a place with the same menu done 100x better just a ten minute drive away.
(1)
RB S.
Service was absurdly slow, and when the curries finally did come out, the had a thin film on top indicating that they had been sitting in the kitchen like that for at least 15mins. Flavor was mediocre at best. Will NOT got here again, especially with other fine options in the neighborhood.
(1)
Jacqueline C.
It really pains me to do this. I started coming here less than a year ago and have probably come about 6 times. The first couple times were AWESOME -- great food, great prices, great ambiance. We always order the same dish as one of our dishes and lately it has been pretty hit or miss. It does not consistently taste the same. I would still come here for the food, though. BUT the last three to four times I've been here the service has been BEYOND slow. One of these times was for lunch where there were very few people around. The other times it was for dinner and has been either packed or half-full. Last night we decided to go despite the expectation that it would be slow. I did not actually time it, but it felt like it took 15 mins for them to even take our order even though we put our menus down 2 minutes after getting them. It also took a really long time to get our food -- I am not sure if curry/vindaloo, etc., is made from scratch, but I never thought it was (I figured it was slow cooked and therefore made in advance -- but I really have no idea). For the time it took us to get our food, I figured the animals were on the chopping block or something! This has been my experience consistently the last 3-4 times I've gone. They have also been slow in bringing the beverage and food. But the waiting 15-20 minutes to even order (and seeing 4 more parties come in after you, some of which order before you!) is unlike most other places. It's pretty bad when it has been so long that you forget that you haven't ordered and can't even remember what you've decided on! It occurred to us (perhaps) why so many people get "to go" while we are sitting there. I always thought it was because the food was so yummy, but now I think it is because it is so frustrating to sit there for so long without having your order taken! I should point out that, last night, at any given point throughout the night, there were three waitress/waiter/hostess standing by the cashier with their hands in their pockets.
(2)
Lillian L.
I usually like this place, but today they were way off. The chicken tikka masala was watery, and the naan was flat and doughy instead of fluffy and chewy the way it should be. The other 2 dishes (bhindi masala and saag paneer) were okay, but overall the experience was disappointing. Hopefully it's an off day and not a change of management or cooks.
(2)
Kristen D.
Naan and Curry watch your back because Flavors of India gots the goods. I first stepped foot into this Indian haven with my mom after we couldn't find parking for Mijori sushi, another one of my yelp faves. The minute we walked through the door we were taken aback by the beautiful decor and the delicious smells permeating from the kitchen. We were seated right away and couldn't wait to peruse the menu. We decided on the chicken madras (coconut curry based chicken) and channa masala (garbanzo bean curry). To lap out the sauces we also ordered garlic naan and onion kulcha. Before our stomachs could even think about growling, our food was served. The presentation blew us away. Both curries were served in these super cute metal bowls and the naan was still steaming in the basket! We filled our plates and immediately our palates were titillated by the exotic spicy amazing-ness. I have eaten a lot of Indian food, but Flavors of India is authentic and the real deal. Also, the size of the serving bowls are deceiving - you get a lot more than you think you do! We ate until our stomachs refused and I had still had lunch for the next day! Bottom Line: If you're craving some real deal Indian food, Flavors of India is whispering sweet nothings into your ear. Don't resist, give in.
(5)
Mr. C.
I love this place. The food has always been good and the waiters are friendly and timely. It's a bit on the expensive side, but the decor is a bit nicer than most Indian restaurants, more on the "date" side of things, I suppose.
(4)
Kelly M.
We just moved to the neighborhood and were concerned that we wouldn't find a good Indian place nearby so we were really relieved to find this place. In particular, the vegetable korma and chicken tikka masala were delicious. We got take-out so can't speak to the service but we'll definitely be ordering from here again.
(4)
Brian D.
This is an authentic, delicious, and healthy Indian place. It is the best. The veggie naan wrap came with a delicious blend of potato and veggies on some delicious naan bread. The sauce and spice blends are v. flavorful. Service is friendly, environment is suitable for any occasion, the menu selection is huge, and prices are extremely reasonable ($7 wrap, $1.50 iced tea, $2 basket of naan bread, etc.) Highly recommended for even the not-so-into Indian person.
(5)
Jamaica Y.
My skin is burning. It's not intense pain but just an uncomfortable burning sensation all over my body. I guess that is what I get for riding my bike home after eating spicy chicken curry. I think I must be sweating out the curry and ooh man is my skin hot. Anyhow, that has nothing to do with my review of this place, just thought you might be interested. First of all, CURSE me for not checking this place out on yelp before going here. I thought the SLOW SLOW SLOW service was a fluke--I had no idea that it was a prevalent problem! And it was so strange because the people at the table next to us came in, ordered, ate a salad, ate their meal, drank wine, paid the bill, and chatted while my party of three waited for our meal. Maybe the waiting had my hopes up, but I felt the food was mediocre. We ordered some pretty classic dishes including tandoori chicken (tender, but just okay) and chicken curry (also just okay). The one thing I did enjoy thuroughly was the chai. The decor here is quite nice, so it would be a cute place for a date if it didn't disappoint in every other regard. If I had to do it over I would have gone elsewhere. ***Ten Minutes Later*** Oh my gosh, I think I'm going to be sick. I won't blame them since sometimes my stomach doesn't do curry all that well...but I thought I would mention it.
(2)
Jason S.
Yuck, that is all I have to say. I think my lassie was good, but the food was vile swill. Very disappointed
(1)
Laura B.
Looking for a place to eat with a friend, neither of us are familiar with Oakland.. found Flavors of India just walking up Lake Shore. The interior decoration was really beautiful, but the ambiance was a little lacking because the place seemed a little large and didn't have enough patrons in it for its size. The service was impeccable, although I did note that another table with a different waiter did not receive as responsive of service. The food was probably one of the better out of the many Indian restaurants that I have been to. Had chicken vindaloo (extra spicy.. and it was), the bhindi masala, jasmine rice, and garlic naan. No complaints at all! The prices were reasonable.. got all of the above plus a large beer for about 35 dollars. I would definitely go again if I am ever in that area!
(4)
Jaimie K.
I love the fact that whenever I go visit my family in Oakland and is craving Indian food, Flavors of India always manages to satisfy my needs. So far i've only been here for lunchtime and I am pretty impressed with their authentic menu. I always order the chicken tikka masala, aloo saag (potatoes with mashed up spinach), and garlic naan. I'm usually not a big fan of carbs, but the garlic naan is the backbone of the meal. I love the tikka masala sauce but I don't eat the chicken. I feel like it is a little bit on the dry side which is normal in many of the Indian restaurants I've dined at. The aloo saag is perfect, but then again you can't really mess up spinach and potatoes, right? My mom's favorite dish is the tandori lamb; she says it is very flavorful with the right amount of spice yet succulent. (She always manages to talk about it every time we pass by the restaurant :) Service is great; all the waitresses are very friendly. Yes they do take a little bit longer on serving the food, but hey i'm never in a rush especially if I'm sitting down to eat. I love the atmosphere and ambience. It truly has a Taj Mahal fantasy feel to it.
(4)
H C.
Flavors indeed... The CTM (chicken tikka masala) is off the hook! It's smooth and creamy - my naan kept going straight into the sauce. Mmm. The mango lassi was also delish. The garlic naan was definitely disappointing - the naan didn't taste fresh - like right out the oven and the garlic flavor was lacking. Best naan I've ever had is probably at Roti... Service was a little hit or miss but for the prices and taste of the food, we'll definitely be back.
(4)
Andrea R.
The lunch menu is limited, only a handful of entrees and a selection of wraps (I hate wraps, and I really don't think Indian food on a wrap will change that). I had the chicken (vindaloo maybe?) which was OK. The naan was the best part. Lunch is also served with a side of lentils, which were delicious, but way too soupy- too much liquid, not enough of the good stuff! The service was slow considering there was only one other person eating, for a grand total of 3. It turned out this other woman was totally crazy complaining about the spiciness of her food (well, the lack thereof) and it made for some good lunchtime entertainment. The food was edible, the service left much to be desired... 2 stars.
(2)
Erik B.
Food is awesome at dinner, not sure about the lunch buffet. It's a bit on the pricey side, but isn't most Indian places nowadays? The service was also a bit slow, but once we got our food I was a happy camper. They have some interesting items on their menu you won't see at more mainstream Indian places, including a large selection of veggie and vegan dishes, and some stuff I've never even heard of before (so I had to eat it). Overall I was happy with the food, but the price is a bit high and the service a bit slow. If you're not in a rush, give it a try!
(4)
Crystal C.
New item to add to the list of delicious: PRAWN VINDALOO. Omg. So. Good. And this time around the Naan was better than last time! Love it.
(4)
Jon B.
Great food! My gf and I have been here twice now, and both times have got way to much food because the leftovers are great too! Service is a hit lacking, but the food more than makes up for it!
(5)
Fresh E.
Yummy! + Very good service and pretty restaurant. Can't wait to go back. All the food we had was good. Would like a bit more chicken in the dishes, but the flavor is excellent.
(4)
Valerie D.
So I was craving Japanese food on a Friday night... I walked all the way down to Lakeshore with the sweet sun shining brightly on my shoulders and semi-happy spring in my step--I had issues that day, so only "semi-happy"-- Anyway, as I gathered and collected the usual items on Lakeshore for a night in , I smelled something good...Flavor of India and I took the word "flavor" literally! So I walked in ordered the Fish Curry, Mixed Vegetable Masala and Indian Basmati Rice with Naan to go... Yeah, my craving for Japanese passed. Once again, I walk home the sun dimly shining on my shoulders, now with a happy, hungry spring in my step...I was going to eat good after all I had the flavors of india right in the palms of my hand, right. Wrong! After pulling the plastic containers out of the box, I was like "damn that is greasy!" my hands even kind of did that slip and slide thing you do on ice...I took the first bits of the BR and the fish curry... with the veggies... I was not happy, the spring in my step became repulsion teetering on slightly inedible. The food was way to greasy and too salty... as for the "flavor" if salt and greasy are suppose to be a flavor, than all the culinary schools of the world should rethink what their teaching students, because I was so thirsty I must have drank 27 plus ounces of water just to quench my thirst. I was disappointed that I did not get the flavor I was seeking. The bad run ins with the restaurants on Lakeshore is very sad, since it is just down the street from my house and for such a busy street... well, you'd think the restaurants would be on top of their game. Azimed is at least tasty and good. Next time, I'll just keep walking...
(1)
brewgirl b.
Very solid food, spotty service. Nice decor, but scary bathroom. That being said, you should eat, but not pee, here. My tandoori tikka kabob chicken was excellent, but I made the mistake of ordering garlic naan instead of a savory rice (like the pilaf) to go with--neither dish has any sauce (my mistake). My friend got the pilaf, which is creamy and wonderful. I could eat the rice pilaf by itself. Service was not very attentive, dishes were not brought out at the same time (long delay between my dish and my friend's), and the wrong dishes were brought to our table. Atmosphere is very low key and comfortable. The bathroom situation is horrifying. It's a single room bathroom located behind the kitchen in a disheveled area where deliveries are made to multiple establishments. I didnt want to touch anything once inside the room because it was very gross. The restaurant should really make an effort to bring the bathroom up to par with the rest of the interior.
(3)
Allison B.
Reviewing this a second time and giving them 5 stars. I get takeout from Flavors of India once a week on average. I'm getting it tonight in fact. And they never disappoint. Every time I eat here with anyone, the meal is ended by "that was sooooo good and I am soooo full." We bring all our out of town guests and they love it. I haven't found a chicken tikka masala better anywhere in the Bay Area. This is the best - hands down. I don't get it super spicy I order medium and it's the perfect amount of kick. They are fast, the atmosphere is great, it's clean and not over priced. Order on the phone and it's ready in 20. Parking at night is easy to find and the area is safe. What you HAVE to try: bhindi masala chicken tikka masala vegetable samosas vegetable kofta curry aloo gobi
(5)
Jed W.
My lady used to work at the Trader Joe's right next door to this place when we lived in Oakland and it was our favorite place for indian food. The food is excellent, prices are reasonable, the staff has always been friendly, the decor is nice, it's clean, and did I mention the food is good? yeah. Cuz that's important. In particular I recommend the kishmiri naan and everything on the menu with the word "khofta" in the name. I frickin love that stuff, it's like eating sex if sex was a creamy slightly spicy sauce that makes you want to forget that you're in a nice restaurant and lick your plate clean. So. Damn. Good. My only complaint is that nowadays, since there are no good indian restaurants (at least none that I've yet found) in Vallejo I have to drive all the way to Oakland to eat here. But I can't really hold that against them now can I?
(5)
Daniel M.
Ordered the lamb biryani and chicken curry for take out. The food was average, but the portions were aboslutely terrible. The clear box the rice was in wasn't even filled enough to cover the bottom of the box and the curry chicken container was only about 2/3's filled. For a bit over $20, I would think you would get enough food to feed two people........ guess not. Don't waste your time, might as well drive over to any indian food place in berkeley for a better deal.
(1)
Steven B.
This place is pretty good but they give small portions at the price of a full meal. Lunch specials are the way to go (still small portion, but comes with rice, salad, naan). The chicken tikka masala is awesome, and you can dip your naan in the sauce after you finish.
(4)
Thomas A.
I love Indian food so I am lucky to live in the bay area because there is so much to choose from. I had walked by Flavors of India many times and it always smelled delicious so I figured I should try it. When I walked in I was impressed by the decor and atmosphere, it seemed like a great place to have dinner. But on this night I took my food to go which is always risky with Indian food, you have to make it home before the Naan gets soggy. My favorite Indian dish is Tikka Masala (of course) so thats what I tried and I was really looking forward to it. When I finally got home and started to eat I was disappointed, the Tikka Masala was more like soup and had very little flavor. The Naan was very good and I wished I'd had more of it to soak up the main course. Maybe the food would have been better if I had not taken it to go but I dont think I will ever know. Do yourself a favor and skip this one...
(2)
Nadya L.
Came to this place two more times (haven't found any other Indian restaurants in the area yet). One of those times we actually even ate here. That time it was delicious and I loved everything we ordered! Glad I gave it another chance. The other time we were once again appalled at the service: they said they were open until 3 for lunch, we came at 2:40 and got yelled at by the server from across the room, saying "NOO, we're closed". She was rude and could have handled it much better. I am going to stick to takeout from this restaurant - their food is yummy but I hate being treated like I am not a wanted customer in their establishment.
(3)
Dmitry A.
I go here, every Friday. I took my parents there and they try every restaurant in NYC, they said it was really really good. Vegetarian Curries are off the hook. Decor is my favorite and really great waiters. Try it you won't deny it.
(5)
Jessica L.
Solidly good Indian food. Nothing spectacular, nothing terrible. I ordered the Chicken Makhani (as usual). It was tasty and creamy, but I ordered it medium spiced and it was waaaayyy too bland. Also, my chicken was pretty fatty, but there was a lot of it. The rice was light and fluffy and the garlic naan was awesome. Some of the best I've had. The service was a little slow, but they were very friendly and accommodating, as we had a kind of big group.
(3)
Jasmine W.
Just had a lovely dinner here, and I am quite surprised at the number of bad reviews for this place. The space is attractive and inviting, and if you don't mind curry-flavored kisses, I'd say it's cute enough for a casual date. The food was good. We had vegetable samosas, a tandoori mixed grill (with prawns, shrimp, chicken, and lamb), chicken tikka masala, saag chole (spinach, garbanzo beans, tomatoes and ginger), garlic naan, and rice pilaf. My favorites were the samosas and the chicken tikka masala. We ordered our food medium-hot, and it was pretty flavorful. I love my food spicy and Flavors of India did not disappoint. As for everything else, it was all pretty good. I didn't LOVE the pilaf - it was loaded with a very obviously frozen veggie mix - but it was aight. Service was just fine. Everything came out when it was supposed to, and our water glasses were regularly refilled. The only blemish on their record is that the wine I ordered was absolutely foul. I asked for a glass of viognier, and what I received tasted like it might have been open for awhile. Rancid and sour. Aside from that, I was happy with my dinner. It's convenient to my house, the space is lovely, and the food is pretty solid. I'll go back again.
(4)
Pamela D.
Where the flavor at? Hey, actually, for that matter, where mah food at?! The decor is cute. It's clean inside. The waiter was a nice young guy. Food = blah. Cooks = possible human-snail hybrids.
(2)
Carlos P.
Don't go there if you're hungry. First of all you'll wait forever for a server to come take your order. When they finally take it, they'll take up to half an hour to prepare the food. After waiting 30 mins., i asked the waitress when my food was going to arrive, she said it was coming, I thought to myself, so is Christmas. I was so annoyed I couldn't stand to eat there, so I left couple of bucks on the table for a soft drink i ordered and left (starving mind you), but out of principle i couldn't swallow a bite of their food after the horrible service. I cant eat pissed off. I've eaten there before and in all fairness the food is good. However,the service at flavors of India is the worst or maybe one of the worst, well anyway they set the bar pretty high for bad service.
(1)
Doug L.
I love this place. Really good food, and always excellent service. If they only delivered I'd order from them a few times a week (so maybe it's good that they don't. :) )
(4)
Michele M.
Food is amazing, service is slow. Eaten here twice now and I always leave full and satisfied, but the service is really slow. It took almost 10 minutes before a waitress came to our table and said, "oh you don't have menus yet?" Then another 5 to come back and take our drink order. I wouldn't come back, but the food is so freaking amazing! Best Channa Masala on the planet. I can't find better. The portions are a little small on the vegetarian dishes, they are more like side orders, or small plates so order extra if you are hungry. The wine list sucks balls, so stick to beer if you want to drink. I want to give this place more stars, so hopefully the service will improve or I will just stick to take out.
(3)
Crista Y.
The decor of this place definitely brings a little more to Oakland. The restaurant is beautifully lighted and the decorations are gorgeous. Each table has candle light and the food there is good. Unfortunately, since I changed around my diet I can only eat a few things in Flavors of India because my stomach can't take an excess of oily foods. As we know Indian Cuisine in the states utilizes a fair amount of oil. Nevertheless, this girl LOVES her Indian food. My favorite aspect of this place is that it offers so many variations of naan. The naan with the almond and cherry filling is amazing and should be eaten as a dessert or even with some savory items. The aloo gobi is good, but only something i can eat sparingly as is the chicken masala. The sauce is creamy and smooth and the flavors are delicious. I do also recommend the tandoori plate, which offers fish, chicken, and lamb. The sauces are also to die for, I love the cilantro chutney. If you eat it, you should try their Chai tea after dinner and the mango lassi during the meal. To help avoid you being completely engulfed in the heavy scent of traditional spices there are air purifiers! I loved that and I couldn't stop laughing when I saw them. Either way, this place is good and you can eat VERY well with plenty of left overs between three people with drinks for no more than $50. Yes i understand that this is a but expensive for Indian food but the food is good quality as is the service.
(3)
Sue K.
Food is good, but do not come here if it is even half full! It took 20 minutes to place an order for drinks, which didn't arrive for at least another 15-20 minutes after that. At about the one hour mark, one of our appetizers arrived. The table behind us complained that they'd waited an hour for their food, which I noted didn't arrive for another 30 minutes after the complaint. Unless you have a lot of time or the place is empty, don't bother. I have eaten here when it was empty and the food is pretty good, so maybe next time we'll call 2 hours ahead for take away.
(3)
Ryan S.
Down one star only because the lunch menu is rather small, and the restaurant was rather warm inside, making it pretty uncomfortable. They could argue that I'm experiencing pre-menopausal hot flashes, but probably not. Ambiance and layout is great, a very efficient use of space. Looks like it could be a start to an inexpensive evening of gettin' some. If you can't afford Oliveto, or Chez Pannise that is. Excellent value here. Flavors are rich and bold, and none of the dishes we had were greasy...like when you go to an Indian buffet, and see that half of the daal is oil. Not here. For $7-9, you gut larger portions of rice, salad, garbanzo soup, and a main dish. Really good deal. Nothing is overcooked, and the lamb was as tender as Elvis. You can choose your level of heat in your food: Mild is...mild. Medium is...hot. And hot is...damn! They should consider pulling a cafe gratitude..."I am mild today." Okay maybe not.
(4)
Kathy M.
Went here on a saturday afternoon with my mom. The lunch menu is fairly small, just 5 or 6 entree selections, one appetizer, and a selection of wraps. Mom ordered the shahi paneer, which was sooooo good. The sauce was creamy and perfect for cooling down the Lamb Vindaloo that I ordered. Medium spiciness was actually medium spicy, so be prepared to sweat if you go for the spicy variety. The meal came with rice, salad, which was sort of disappointingly dressed with a flavorless, creamyish sauce, and some stewed garbanzo beans that were pretty meh. Neither my mom nor I really ate more than a bite or two and they seemed a little superfluous. I didn't really notice any of the other diners scarfing them down either. The roti that came with lunch was awesome, very pillowy yet crisp and bubbly with a touch of butter glazing the tops. Also suprisingly enough, the WATER was really good, lemonly and maybe cucumbery or something. You don't usually find yourself remarking on the quality of a restaurant's water but, darn it all, it was really good! Ladies at the table next to us all ordered wraps and they were seriously HUGE! Service was decent but our waiter seemed kind of uninterested and curt. Lunch was fairly cheap, An iced chai and two entres came to 22$ before tip.
(3)
Madelein M.
Meh, it's ok. Definitely not the best Indian food restaurant out there, definitely not the worst. I never crave going there, so the one time I was there was enough...
(3)
J. M.
Very tasty, inexpensive. A full variety of delicious dishes... easily a Lakeshore Drive favorite.
(4)
J C.
The food was very good; they obviously spent time preparing each dish. Their weekend lunch menu is a bit restricted in terms of options, but very reasonably priced. I have to admit I'm a little biased because I prefer Indian buffets where I can taste a little of everything; the difference, to reiterate, here is that they obviously put effort into each dish.
(3)
Elisa M.
I really liked the food here. The lunch deals are awesome and filling. But the service is not the best. I used to not mind it so much, but my boyfriend was more hesitant about going back from the lack of inattention. However, he knew I loved the food there and suffered through it. Then one day we tried to eat there for lunch about half hour before they closed and we walked in and they said "hi" and asked "how many?" and told us to sit against the wall. Shortly after sitting the waiter comes up and says, "the kitchen is closing and we can take our food to go". My issue with that is if the kitchen is closing why do we have to take it to go? What's the difference of eating it for here or to go, if they still have to make the food? We realized it was their way of kicking us out. So my next issue was why did they even let us sit down if they didn't want to serve us? So we decided to leave, not order anything and to never go back.
(2)
Nefarious J.
I know nothing about great Indian food. My introduction was Naan 'n Curry in the City, which I absolutely love cause it's so cheap, fast and includes free tea. With that said, don't read too much into this review if if you're in it for the food. Did I like my experience? Yes. I really enjoy communal dining. The plates were sizable, piping hot and served on a spicy spectrum. (I requested very spicy and they did not disappoint.) The interior was gorgeous, conveyed intimacy and discouraged loud speech. (The restrooms? Uh, not so nice.) I initially gave this place 3 stars, but noticed there's a takeout counter and the servers were kind enough to not shoo us out as we lingered over tea and conversation after closing. P.S. I would provide a description on exactly what I ate, but I can't spell 'em! lol
(4)
Gerry A.
VERY good. Not fast, since when is good food fast? Well lit, nice decor YUMMY, attentive without being annoying smiling service. Reasonably priced, small and fair wine service. I haven't found anything I didn't like. Be sure and get some garlic naan so you don't risk getting caught licking the dishes.
(3)
Erich V.
This isn't the best Indian food in the bay area, but it is so much closer to me than Sausalito.
(3)
Anais M.
The place is beautiful, the food is good ans at good price ! You can choose how spicy you want it.. The service is a little slow, if order another naan or something in the middle of your diner, you gonna get it with the bill..
(4)
lindsey d.
I love this place. I was a bit hesitant because it's quite fancy looking, but OMG, I can't get enough! I've tried the Chicken Tikka Masala and the Chicken Madras. I'm tempted to try a few others but the darn Tikka Masala is so good I can't help myself! One order is enough for me to be stuffed and have a small plate of leftovers the next day, which I covet and hoard like no one's business. The naan is excellent and the location ideal! Takeout can take awhile, but call in and give yourself and extra 10 minutes. I usually use that time to walk around or grab something at TJ's.
(5)
m s.
Although some of the dishes are good, the service is poor. But I am giving this restaurant one star versus three or four because the staff and upper management (owners?) gave us dirty looks and we could hear them insulting us in the kitchen. Why were they insulting us? Because my wife was breastfeeding. And yes, she was respectfully covered. We were sitting next to the cashier and nobody was in the restaurant, so it was easy to hear them.
(1)
Debbie T.
My hubby and I just had another delicious dinner here, and it is maybe our 7th or 8th time. We have never had any issues, we usually wind up sitting in front and get the same waiter, who is really friendly and polite, but tonight we were seated towards the center by the wall, so we got a girl serving us, but she was nice and efficient. We never order the bread, since we split the appy. We love the aloo chaat with riata appetizer. Maybe we should try the garlic Naan next time, since several people said it's good on here. My favorite entree (I'm a vegetarian) is the Malai Kofta Curry (I think) which is big balls of something veggie/cheese, in a super creamy yummy sauce. I ordered mild tonight, and was happy. I think I've done the medium before, which was perhaps a bit too spicy for me. The rice is decent, nothing special though...and I had the mango lassi tonight - which was very good. My hubby had the lamb curry which he ordered SPICY, and it was really spicy, he says "it wasn't top of the line, but very good". He just drinks the water, which it seemed they refilled every two minutes, so that keeps him happy. I think I married a camel. I hate to say this, but just before we left there tonight, I noticed about 5 of those little tiny flys on the wall, and I was glad we were leaving. However, we will be back, we love their food and it's a pretty good deal. I hope we get our waiter next time - he's sweet. Oh - one more thing...I really like the low key decor, especially the red glass sconces and fabric hangings. We also have never, ever, had to wait for a table, and it's usually quite busy, except for tonight. Maybe due to the oscars.
(4)
Blah B.
They've been getting the orders right lately, so another star.
(4)
Linda B.
Was this restaurant always here on Lakeshore?? I don't remember seeing it....until last night when three friends dragged me there. This isn't my first Indian food, but my first in 20 years. But I liked almost everything I had here. That includes the onion Naan (not on the menu, but you should order it...a little too peppery but still very good), lamb madras, papadum, and chicken tikka malasa (the sauce is yummy). I did not care for the vegetable samosa or the aloo gobi (the latter mostly because I don't like cauliflower). I wouldn't call the service lethargic. I would call it downright pathetic. We got there at 6 when most of the tables were still empty, they took our order about 15 minutes later, and when we had finished it took half an hour to get her back again. No refills on drinks after the first 15 minutes, no checking in. I would've given it another star except for that.
(3)
Janet T.
I ate there last night with a friend and we were not impressed. The service was slow and inefficient. It took an hour and 15 minutes to take our order, serve and get our check. Given that they weren't busy, this was irritating.The Fish Vindaloo was salty, acidic and had bones. And, the music was too loud. The eggplant dish and onion naan were okay. Even though it's near my place, I won't be dining there again.
(1)
Brian W.
Perfectly adequate Indian food, this location unfortunately pales in comparison to its sister up in Rockridge. Its one advantage is space, although the labyrinth to the bathroom was a touch more adventurous than it should have been.
(3)
Ashante S.
Nice ambiance. Nice neighborhood vibe - and many good looking folks in the area. Allure and style... But let's cut to the important part... The food rocks. There are many different types of naan, curry and some really interesting appetizers, beers and wines. It's like a nice trip to India, but a little dressed-up and given that stylish, laid-back, sweetly urban Oakland touch. The flavors pop. Everything tastes good. The presentation is exotic, though maybe not 100% authentic. It's definitely and "Americanized" version of presentation. But the food is 100% real, and 200% tasty! It's a great place to eat dinner or lunch with your best friend, or someone cool you'd like to really get to know. Good place to take a date... It's nice to be able to escape to another culinary culture, right down the street from everything that's good about Oakland. The Flavors of India are wonderful!
(4)
Veronica V.
The ambiance of this restaurant is really nice. I was on a time crunch though, so I ordered dinner to go here and was pleasantly surprised to find it AWESOME once I got back home. The aloo gobi was the best I've had in years. Couldn't get enough of it. The rice was also great. The vegetable samosas were delicious but a little too spicy for me. I ate it all anyway because it was so good. Will definitely go back soon. Very soon.
(4)
Skye L.
I haven't eaten Indian food as good and spicy since returning from living in India! The saag chole and veg somosa chaat was unbelievably tasty and if you ask for "Indian spicy" instead of just "American spicy" your socks will be blown off! I would absolutely recommend Flavor of India to my Indian friends and family.
(5)
D e v a n.
I was ecstatic when I learned that Indian food was coming to my neighborhood. One more way to feed my hungry lard ass! Yay! I was there during the first week of operation, and was pleased that the food didn't suck. However, service was a complete mess, with dinner taking over two hours. The owner came over to say hi and apologize for the chaos, which I thought was classy. I left happy. When I visited months later, I expected them to have gotten their shit together. Nope. The teen servers were still darting around nervously like scared little fawns. While there was plenty of bustling activity on the floor, nothing was getting done. The food was fine, but it was completely soured by the almost three hours it took my boyfriend and me to complete our one-course meal. Being broke students, it's a treat for us to go out, and this outing was a big disappointment. This place is offering up fast food-level service at finer dining prices. As a former server, I am extremely patient when a restaurant is having a busy night and things are a little backed up. But, the shoddy service model here would annoy almost anyone.
(2)
Justin S.
Great authentic Indian cuisine. fairly priced. wait service is kind of hit or miss but your meal will definitely make up for it! if you love Indian than this is the place for you!
(4)
Heather M.
Love this place! Tonight I set the basket of garlic naan on fire and no one freaked out (watch out for those votive candles)! I've been here ~ 6 - 8 times and loved it each time. I've read some of the Yelp reviews about poor service but I think that must have been just during their opening month or so because the service has always been friendly, professional and timely. The atmosphere is inviting with low lighting, seating that doesn't force your neighbor's conversation in your ears, and candles (again, watch out for these). Love the lighting! What's with all these places with spotlights in your eyes? Okay, the food ... I'm pretty finicky but I think the food here is good quality and tasty. They'll adjust the spicy level to your taste (spicy is usually a good bet because mild is soooooo mild here and I didn't detect any difference with the medium the next time). Chicken Tikka Masala is wonderful comfort food as is the warm garlic naan and rice pilaf. Their mango lassi is the best I've had anywhere. Samosas are pretty tasty too. I can't recall everything I've eaten there but I haven't run into anything I wouldn't have again. All this and at really reasonable prices. I don't think I've ever left without a container of tasty leftovers because the portions are generous too.
(5)
Tsada K.
I think good service is very important, but it's unfortunate that people aren't a little forgiving of a new restaurant when they are ironing out the kinks with service in the beginning. That said, we ate here last night and had a very good experience. The place was packed, and we had to wait about 15 minutes for a table. The owner, Ashesh, kept appologizing for our wait and was so sweet. When we finally were seated, the service was good, surprisingly good given the reviews here. They were so nice to us. The food--which came out of the kitchen in about seven minutes after we ordered--was quite good. Everything was fresh and hot and tasty. Prawn curry was yummy although the portion could have been a tiny bigger. Someone else in my group ordered the lamb tandoori which was very plentiful and they said it was delicious. At first glance the prices seem pretty low, but when you take into account that everything is a la carte, with naan and rice things start to add up... The place is beautiful and clean inside. Much better than cockroachy Sabina downton. I've worked in the restaurant business before and I know how hard it can be to run a new business--especially when it's busy right off the bat as this place has been. I think they just needed to get the swing of things. I'll be back for sure.
(4)
Leah V.
First off, I can't believe it took me so long to try Flavors of India. I'd noticed the decor when it opened and kept thinking I would try it. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. We went for dinner on a Monday, and it was almost full when we arrived but we were shown to a table right away. We ordered the vegetable samosas which came with two condiments that we kept for the rest of the meal, rice pilaf, raita, nan, the mixed tandoori platter (everything but the kitchen sink), and the okra (bhindi ?). Including a couple of beers it was only $43 and we had leftovers for lunch. To me that is a bargain! It was a delightful meal and our service was attentive. I would normally have preferred plain basmati to rice pilaf but the plates are white and I didn't want to see so much white. You've probably just realized one of the reasons I like Flavors of India so much...it's very pretty for a bargain restaurant. Compared to some other "n-Curry" etc places, places, this is the Taj Mahal. The specialty dishware and votives really add a lot to the atmosphere, as does good music after the place calms down a little (not while it's already buzzing), and the lighting makes your plate and your date look lovely. Our food was very good too (LOVED the okra dish and the fish and chicken in tandoori platter. I found the lamb very flavorful but a little chewy in places. I didn't try the ground lamb because I'd simply run out of room in my tummy. I would probably give it 4 stars for food if it weren't such a bargain...but it IS a bargain and pretty to boot.
(5)
Irene S.
UPDATE: I was a bit dismayed to discover that the servers do not get the tips you leave -- the management takes them. I had heard about this from a good friend and then just confirmed it the other night there. Removed one star for this. Just visited for dinner the first time over the weekend and found the general experience to be a good one. The place is decorated nicely -- simple and modern. It felt spacious and was not cramped. I liked how it was decorated and it is nice enough for a first date. The service started slow -- we were seated but not given menus. We waited a bit for the menus, but in between the menu and the orders were pretty OK. I checked out the bathroom (they had 2) -- nice and clean. My husband and I ordered the following: Mixed Tandoori Grill, Vegetable Korma, Raita, Kashimiri Naan, chai, lassi, and rice. The food came out a bit slow but they were indeed fresh and hot. The naan we ordered was delicious. The Mixed Tandoori Grill was pretty good. Some of it was a bit dry, but the chicken was juicy. Vegetable Korma was good and spicey, though I definitely have had better as far as that dish is concerned. All in all, a first good visit. The staff is not the most speedy but were very accomodating and friendly. I am glad to have this in my neighborhood and will definitely make a return to taste more on the menu.
(3)
Marisa F.
Update: I said I wouldn't go back, but I did. I was craving Indian food, and figured I'd give them one more chance. We ordered takeout again - I wouldn't try eating in based on the service reviews. The chicken tikka kabob was pretty good - chunks of chicken were tender and well-cooked. We also got the chicken w/cashews in cream sauce and the rice pilaf, which was also okay. However, none of the items were spicy in the slightest, and I asked for medium. So, I'm giving them one more star because it's nearby and the food isn't all horrible. But I won't be a frequent customer. Original review: I decided to give this place a chance, despite the negative reviews, because it's close to where I live and often has heavenly aromas wafting out onto the street. Having read about the long wait times and spotty service, I opted for take-out. I ordered the tandoori chicken wrap and the rice pilaf, medium-spicy. The rice pilaf was pretty good - not super fantastic, but definitely tasty and spiced according to my request. Also, a pretty large serving for the price. However, the tandoori chicken wrap was a disaster. While the naan was pretty good, and the pieces of chicken I could eat were mildly intriguing, I had to spit out a majority of the chicken because it was either almost entirely fat or contained pieces of bone. More chicken ended up on my plate than in my mouth. Mango chutney was delicious, but that didn't really help since I had no chicken to eat it with.
(2)
Nena G.
Fantastic food, very friendly and professional service and great prices. The only downside can only be considered an upside: the long waiting time for a take-out if you don't call in advance (a good sign that the food is freshly prepared!). Great stuff.
(5)
Oana T.
My best friend and I have dinner at Flavors of India once a month and we order the same things each time. Tandoori Chicken kabobs, aloo tikki with raita or the mixed veggie palora as appetizers, plain rice and the plain naan.
(4)
Suzie R.
So, I've been back a couple of times since. It is growing on me. I had NO idea all of the Indian, Asian restaurants charged for rice here. I moved from a place where they gave you naan and rice for free. So, I am a little jaded. I think it's too pricey to go to this place. We went last week, got some pakoras, samosas, naan, two sandwiches and a to go chai. It was too much! The food was good, but the bill was over what I like to pay for two people and neighborhood indian food. I will treat it as a splurge when I am in the neighborhood and want indian food.
(3)
Salsaboy S.
College Avenue is a better, though much smaller, location. The problem I have with Flavors of India is, in a nutshell, is that it is/should be a better restaurant than it is in all major respects. The ingredients are quality; the execution is poor. I've had more flavorful but lesser quality Indian food. The food leans toward the blander, boring side of the spectrum for Indian (this is true of College Avenue as well, but perhaps less so). Also, no spice here. When I've pleaded, begged, groveled for maximum spice, I needed a detective to locate any heat. What really adds insult to injury at this location is the ineptitude of the service. The servers don't apparently communicate with the kitchen, they seldom check on the table, and even after asking two or three times for the check -- with an essentially empty restaurant -- I've had to wait 30 minutes for the check to be brought. I'm not saying I won't go back -- I live in the neighborhood -- but I've traveled to San Francisco, Alameda, Hayward, and even Concord in search of Indian food instead of returning to this location. That's a damn shame. Ambiance: 3.5 stars Food: 2 stars Service: 1 star
(2)
Breeya M.
First the food and the staff is still awsome here! BUT........ MY WALLET WAS STOLLEN FROM MY PURSE WHILE I WAS DINNING HERE!!! BE WARE! I WAS INFORMED, BY THE STAFF, THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THESE PEOPLE HAD COME IN AND DONE THIS! THEY REACHED RIGHT INTO MY BAG HANGING OVER MY CHAIR! BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR BELONGINS HERE!
(3)
anjou k.
I'm so glad I ordered the lassi. It was truly made from fresh yogurt and instead of the usual Mountain High mixed with sugar and water. We ordered the Aloo Tikki Chaat to start. The chickpeas in the chaat were cooked perfectly. The chutneys were good, but more spice wouldn't hurt. For dinner, we had the Sarson ka Saag and Daal. Yummmmm. Overall, I thought this place was awesome, and I will be back. Update: I went back, and things weren't as good...I ordered completely different items, so maybe I'll stick with the above. Our server also seemed like she was trying to get rid of us, even though the place wasn't that crowded.
(3)
Kristel S.
This is the "Indian Burrito place" as dubbed by a sheltered coworker that rarely ventures into other cultures, let alone try their foods. He, like I, swear by the Tandoori Chicken wrap (the "Indian burrito"), but it's never been quite as good as the first time. Service can be slow, but the food is usually tasty. I've come back for dinner since it's so close, and other friends have liked it too. The naan is great, but the Garlic Naan we ordered was absolutely smothered in garlic - great flavor but not great for later if you're looking for some, ahem, closeness...
(4)
Sarah L.
Edit: The business got a clue! Great food, fast service. Thanks for reading the reviews, Flavors of India. :) I went back after my friends assured me that there was improvement. A few visits later, I am ready to add two stars to my original review. Original: With so many great Indian food options in the East Bay, you have to really stand out as a restaurant to survive. I will not be going back to Flavors of India, and I feel bad for Lakeshore inhabitants that have this as their only Indian option. I am giving the two stars for the saag paneer, which was delightful. Everything else tasted okay, but the experience was hampered by the awful service and waiting forty five minutes for our order of papadum (which takes about 45 seconds to prepare). The entrees finally came after my boyfriend raised his voice a little. Look people, if the food is going to take a long time, that is fine. But please, please, please tell us! A simple explanation or some papadum on the house would have sufficed, but we got no love from the wait staff. They basically ignored us from start to finish. We had to ask to place our order, ask again for the papadum, and finally beg for our meals. The food tasted good, but I think anything would have tasted great after waiting that long!
(4)
Patrick L.
The food here is fantastic! The chicken tikka masala and the vindaloo is great. The garlic naan is a favorite as well. We have only done take out so I don't have much to say about the atmosphere. They're pretty reliable for take out orders but often don't have the food ready when they say they will. Otherwise great!
(4)
Heather B.
We LOVED this place. First of all, my guy and I were standing outside peeking at the menu when another couple walked out and verbally ushered us in the door with their raves about the food. Nice start. Then the place is gorgeous inside- beautiful and simple and just very inviting. And everyone was smiley and I'm a stickler for greetings after years of working in customer service, hehe. I had the aloo matar and the fella had chicken something something that he can't remember. We just loved it. It was so rich that, at one point, I let out this big sigh of love over Indian spices. I ordered mine medium on the runny nose scale and he ordered his extra spicy. Both came out PERFECT. $23 for all that jazz... with leftovers. The only hitch for me was in regards to my theory that the heart of a place can be found in its bathroom. If it's well cared for, you've probably got yourself a pretty nice joint. If not, something's up- like the owners are horrendous assholes (as is the case with Lakeshore Cafe, by the way). So Flavors bathroom wasn't so lovely, but it does appear to be shared with another business, so I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt. Plus they're newish, I'll give 'em a minute to get some paint on those walls in there. And it's now an hour or so later and I've got that awesome well-fed and energized feeling. We are definitely going back. And maybe I'll just use our home bathroom first.
(5)
Tracy A.
Yeah for Indian food finally arriving in my neighborhood. Yeah for replacing the second and more inferior donut shop on Lakeshore! We promise to patronize you often! It may not always be a sit-down place for me but I look forward to frequent take-outs and a few sit-downs. It just opened on Monday night and they don't quite have their crap together. If you choose to dine here soon, make sure you are in a patient mood or don't bother. They don't have their liquor license yet but that means they let you brown bag it instead. I am sure that Buckingham right across the street is getting a bump in business until they secure the liquor license. I did see a few people in various stages of waiting for a table, already seated at a table, and already ordered not have the stamina necessary to last up until the end of the experience and walk out. We on the other hand had no where else to be and were happy people watching and catching up with each other.
(5)
nj e.
LOVE this place! We always treat our guests from out of town to Flavors.
(5)
S R S.
Reliable, good indian take-out, and quite a nice space for eating in too. Some stand-outs for me: Daal Tadka, Channa Masala, Onion Kulcha. The Flavors of India in Montclair delivers.
(4)
Shyam P.
Eaten here once and gotten takeout twice. The first time, takeout took like an hour. The service is slow but the food is good. I liked it all three times I ate it. The chicken tikka masala had tender chicken and a pretty good mix of spices. It was nice and thick too (mmm, cream!). The karahi chicken was well done too. Their naan is probably the weakest thing I've had there. It's not horrible, just not done right. I've given up expecting good service from indian restaurants and so should you! You'll be much happier that way.
(4)
Damian L.
Ohh... I'd say. Home run or strike out. I have to think that they have two different people running this place... or two different chef's that work two different nights. But, this is crazy. First two times I went. HOME RUN!! Back to back HOME RUNS!! Finally, a great Indian place in the neighborhood. I don't have to drive up to college anymore. Child friendly. Great food. Great QUICK service. The guy that seems to be running the place is very kind and personable. Made me feel welcome and made my kid feel welcome even though he spilled a little rice on the ground. No biggie. And the food was packed with yummy goodness. I go back a third time. I don't see that very nice man that made us feel so welcome. Where is he? Maybe he's working in the back. I don't know. The food had NO flavor. How do you make Indian food with no flavor. I didn't have a cold. My taste buds seemed to be working ok. But, the flavor did not exist. The service was incredibly slow. This was a complete STRIKE OUT!! I'd have flamed them and never went back if it were not for my two previous experiences. I've gone back. Made sure the nice friendly man was there, and had a good experience. I wish I knew what the difference was, but there seems like there are two different restaurants running in this location. If anyone can crack the mystery ... let me know.
(3)
zora b.
I was crazy excited to see the coming soon signs for this place. I think I was dreaming of a vik's or some super refined amazing indian food place. instead it is kind of like tasty-bites. decent but not worth a special trip when I can do chao thai or neecha or mimosa in the neighborhood instead. service was slow and bumbling, but the people were nice. they meant well. I think the place is just gawky and new and not yet up to speed. I just wish the food was better. for a $50 meal, I want to have a favorite dish to go back to, and I didn't find anything really that special.
(2)
Tres F.
Fresh and tasty food, good variety. Service is below amateur, slow, inconsistent, forgetful. Nice decor, good place for a date.
(4)
alexa c.
Flavors of India is good. I've been here a couple of times and both times I was very pleased with the food. The service was lacking a bit my first visit and had very obvious improvements by my second visit. The decor is simple but very pleasant. I think they did good with the space, all things considered. The high ceilings contribute to a fairly loud environment unfortunately. but the tables are spaced appropriately and they managed to section it off well. Pricing is very reasonable for the quality. I made the mistake of ordering my Chana Masala "spicy" which was nearly inedible. That was my own damn fault for thinking I was such a bad ass, I won't make that mistake again. Medium it is.
(4)
dj pie b.
some pals and i checked this place out on a Saturday evening, and overall it was a pleasant meal. as is our usual attack plan, the four of us ordered a great deal too much food because we wanted to taste everything (and everyone knows that good Indian food tastes even better the next day...i just discovered that the corner of leftover nan i toasted to go under the poached egg i'm currently stuffing into my face has green chiles in it--WIN--but i digress). we all agreed that the restaurant decor is nice and spare, but also needs some sound baffling--it's far too loud to have a conversation if you're sitting in the middle of the room, even if the place is only 1/3 full--the server had to come around to my side of the table and lean over to hear my order, and i'm not a shy violet by any means. the ceiling is too high and there are too many sound-reflective surfaces. i liked the nice simple stencils on the walls, and the staff all had nice smiles and pleasant demeanors, and did not roll their eyes at how much food we ordered :). the food came out fairly quickly. the iced chai i sipped on while we waited for the onslaught was delicious and not too sweet. almost all the food was pretty tasty, although only the sauce for the malai kofta was exceptional--super tasty and so rich i had to share out the 5 dumplings in it to my dining partners and save one to take home with the last of the sauce and some rice. i am looking forward to my lunch tomorrow! Mister Hoohaw had been excited to try the fish vindaloo, and ordered it 'hot', but tells me it was not very good, and not hot at all. bummer. maybe i can doctor his leftovers for him and improve things. the breads were mixed. we had poori--which was already flat , cold, and a bit more greasy than i like by the time it got to the table--three kinds of nan, and paratha. i couldn't tell the paratha from the nan--it didn't look whole-wheat-y enough, and it didn't look as though it had been cooked in a pan instead of in the tandoor. the nan was good, especially the paneer nan. the sarson ka saag was good and had a nice cumulative spicy effect. the tandoori mixed grill and the lamb kebab were both decent, and the portion sizes were generous--hooray for leftovers! but WHAT THE HELL IS IT with otherwise perfectly good Indian restaurants thinking it's a good idea to use frozen mixed vegetables in their 'pilaf' or veggie korma or whatever? i mean SERIOUSLY. that stuff is nasty. either bust out the Brunoise on some fresh vegetables, or don't offer that dish. ugh. we may come back here if we want a nearby sit-down Indian dinner, but in general i think we'll stick to Raj on Piedmont for delivery. there are some hit/miss dishes there as well, but their tikka masala sauce is always awesome :). overall, this would be a reasonable place for a date if it were not so loud. don't order the veggie korma or the pilaf, or the vindaloo.
(3)
True R.
Having grown up with an Indian grandmother, I have had my share of Indian food and this place is hands down.i have never been disappointed here. To all you bitter lots out there, just because you can throw words like gulab, masala, chai (not chais, btw it means tea) it doesn't qualify you as a critic. Indian food is not about measurements nor standardize taste, it's about instincts, cultural & an expression of uniqueness that challenges your palets & taste buds. A biriani in Punjabi will not taste the same as in Gujirat, neither will it taste the same in a region. So if you're expecting replication I would suggest you stick with your mcdonalds and stop discrediting something that is beyond your franchise-centric views.
(5)
Michael B.
We had a positive experience here. Naan, chicken korma, vegetable masala, veggie samosa, all very good. Pleasant, clean, relaxing environment and efficient service. We were here on a Saturday for lunch and there were not a lot of other diners present; I'm not sure why not. I would definitely come here again.
(4)
Enrique N.
Nice decor and close to home make this place a winner. There is a crispy potato patty appetizer that is covered in garbanzo beans and a spicy sauce that is delicious. The tikka masala is great and my favorite, lamb vindaloo, is also really good. Try a glass of their riesling with dinner to balance out the spice.
(4)
Joanna W.
My excitement about an Indian restaurant opening in my neighborhood wore off after reading the initial poor reviews. A friend recently recommended it to me so I decided to give it a try. Overall, it was a solid 3 stars-good. The service was quick and attentive. The decor set a nice ambience. My friend was happy that her chicken tikka masala had the flavors that she had been craving. I somehow ended up with two entrees. This was not my intention. The server offered to take one back, but we decided to keep the vegetable korma. That was a good decision because the creamy korma sauce was richer in flavor than the paneer. I also realized that I wasn't really in the mood for big chunks of cheese. The garlic naan was good. The rice however looked and tasted like it had been cooked with a bit too much water. The convenient location is what will probably bring me back again.
(3)
C J.
As a pescetarian ... it's hard to find good restaurants on Lakeshore. Me & my vegetarian pal had the best dinner. We were seated promptly. Water was always topped off. Food didn't take too long. And everything tasted delicious. Chana Masala - YUM ? (Okra & veggies) - Great LOL - we were too full for dessert ... But I will definitely be visiting them again soon! :)
(4)
Brian G.
I have been here twice and was treated very well, loved the variety of food, flavor....the ambiance is terrific too. three of us ate each and every drop of food. the portions for the $ is right on. A welcome treat to da hood... one thing that was unique, big plus, is that I brought a bottle of sarah to dinner and they didn't charge me any corkage...COOL BEANS. THIRD REVIEW: I went back for lunch last week. No botchulism buffet here. Each menu item is prepared per order for lunch and it's great. I had the Lamb Karahi. EXCELLENT. Boneless pieces of tender lamb, bell peppers, garlic, ginger, fresh tomatoes & onions highlighted with our own spices in a thick sauce. (menu says gravy, but don't let that word throw you off, weak use of the word gravy.) Oh, and in regards to my comment about no corkage...they caught on and now have a $7 dollar corkage.
(4)
Doctor G.
Restaurant kinda dark inside for my tastes. The food was pretty good and the service was fine. Street parking only.
(3)
Sarah D.
Look, even if the Indian in my neighborhood was medicore, I'd probably still go, because I love Indian and it is about DAMN TIME we got some in the Grand Lake area. The good news is it's actually solid Indian food. Yes, yes - they haven't gotten the waitstaff trained yet and are constantly packed so there's some issues with the service. The easy way to get around this is to do take out and grab a drink at Easy down the street while you wait for your oder to be ready. Although it would be nice if they would answer the phone so you could call in an order. I've been here twice now and the second time the food was better than the first and I hope that kind of improvement continues. The menu is huge, mostly standard northern Indian cuisine but with a few surprises. They are focused on entrees best shared family-style as opposed to chaat. All the paneer dishes I've had so far have been excellent. The owner took my order personally last time and he seemed so relieved when I told him a 30-45 minute wait wasn't a problem. Poor guy looks exhausted. And when I asked for my dishes spicy, they were perfectly, awesomely spicey. This place deserves to do well, it just needs a little bit of time to smooth out the rough spots.
(4)
Lydia B.
Service was very perfunctory. Lunch took an hour, which seems too long with the place only half-full. I ordered hot tea, but there was no teaspoon. Not enough napkins provided. Food just had very little flavor. It was depressing to realize how much effort had gone into the decor and none into the food.
(1)
Jessica Y.
So prior to this experience, I have only tried Indian food once in my life...That one experience led me to never try Indian food ever again. Then it so happen that a family I was staying with so happen to have leftovers from Flavors of India and persuaded me to give Indian food another try. I FEEL IN LOVE!!! I officially love Indian food. I love it's sauciness and spice! For the price you are paying there are BIG portions! I definitely wanna go back to the restaurant itself and see how good the food is pre-refrigeration!
(4)
Thomas K.
This isn't the best Indian food but I really love their Palak Paneer medium spicy. I eat here usually at least once a week.
(3)
Renee R.
I've been here a few times each for lunch and dinner and haven't had anything disappointing. The pakoras are great - not at all greasy - great naan, the tandoor dishes are good, haven't had any dried meat or kebabs. All of the curries and veg dishes I've tried have been great. Even had a decent glass of wine one night. Service is generally good, although they do a disappearing act sometimes. I've never been in a rush here, and the food was always prompt. Great strong chai, too!
(4)
Krissy A.
My favorite Indian spot in Oakland. I've had almost half of the menu and have always enjoyed my food. The only thing I wish could be better is the tenderness of the chicken, sometimes it's a tad bit tough. I love the naan, garlic or plain. This is a great spot to take out of town guests and children. The service is great! One time I forgot my Visa and they so graciously accepted my check. Great folks and great food!
(4)
flo t.
Flavors of India is indeed what this restaurant should be called. Their menu is endless!!!! 4 stars for coming to Lakeshore! Yes please! 2 stars for service: so it just opened.... the wait staff looks a bit green. We waited a considerable amount of time for our dish to come out and when it did they just gave us our Fish Tandoori and that was it, no rice -no naan - nothing, we sat for another 10 minutes to see if we had anything else to accompany our meal. We had to reach out to one of our waiters every time we needed something. They never checked on us. But again they just opened up and I know I can be rather impatient :( The strange thing is there were at least 6 ... count em 6 waiters.. we couldn't figure out who's was ours since none of them came to help us. 4 stars for food... we had the rice pilaf which was with peas, lima beans, green beans and carrots! Very nicely done.... we also ordered the potatos and cauliflower... delish! 4 stars for simplicity... why overdo it.. The place is warm and can be for the most casual of dinners to a hot sultry date like the one my fiance and I were spying on in the corner. Flavors of India.. we welcome you to Lakeshore and look forward to tasting all the yummy dishes you have for your neighbors!
(4)
Kaytee M.
Pretty darn good Indian food. And good location! The Shahi Paneer is wonderful and something I wouldn't normally just order (gravy and cheese), but it's something I now constantly crave. Prices are pretty good, nice space, and yummy HUGE samosas. The wine list is pretty bleak so I would go for a Taj beer if you want to drink here.
(4)
Andie J.
The food is generally good here. I've enjoyed almost everything. BUT DO NOT ORDER THE SALAD. Though I appreciated the canned beets and the olives, the dressing they have is disgusting (bottled Italian and a Ranch dressing that tastes and looks like mayonnaise. Seriously). Also, their Onion Kulcha bread is good but we tried their Garlic Naan and it was more like eating heavy pizza dough, though flavorful. Not sure what happened there but it was way too heavy. As others have mentioned, their wait staff is not very good. I guess that's really the nice way to state it. I've been there twice for dine-in and the last time my server looked like she was 15 years old and had terrible communication skills. But the owner/manager comped us a couple of things as a result of her poor skills, their running out of their Cabernet, and the whole salad salad dressing fiasco, so I admire that. It's like they know they're having growing pains and that their wait staff has issues. That's good. It means they are probably working on improving it. I got take out recently and it was fabulous. For now, I'd advise take out only or to be prepared to have issues with the service. A good attitude by the servers, don't get me wrong, just sheer ineptitude.
(3)
Sarah W.
Very good indian food at reasonable prices. The chicken is always perfectly cooked. The curry sauces are terrific! The service is very good, and it's a nice atmosphere for a restaurant. The naan is good.
(4)
mia s.
Update: 3 stars (The place actually deserves 3.5 stars but I'll round down for now - it's still early) Our dining-in experience was an improvement over the take out. The food was much better. The paneer naan was very good. We ordered the paneer chile and asked for extra spicy - it was delicious with big generous chunks of paneer and lots of spicy chiles. The lamb curry was okay - I probably wouldn't order it again. The service was good - our order was taken right away and we never ran out of water. The food did take a while - about 25 minutes. The interior is very nice (a little too dark?). The place was packed on a Monday night. Glad they're getting their act together and glad they're in the neighborhood. We'll definitely be back. Original Review: 2 stars I was so excited to see an Indian restaurant opening in the neighborhood... until I tried their food. Because we were wary of the reviews on the service and because we have two young children who may not do well during a long drawn out dinner, we opted to take out. I wanted to try all of my favorite Indian dishes so we ordered a lot of food. Except for the tandoori chicken, I was not impressed with anything I ordered. - I ordered lamb samosas but got the potato ones which were rock hard. - The naan was limp and chewy. - The chicken tikka masala looked and tasted more like butter chicken - way too rich and so signs of tomato anywhere. - The okra masala was way UNDERcooked as was the aloo gobi - the potato was actually crunchy and not in a good way. - The palak paneer literally had 2 tiny pieces of cheese and the spinach reminded me of gerber's strained spinach. - The lamb vindaloo was similar to the butter chicken that was supposed to be chicken tikka masala except it contained chewy pieces lamb and undercooked potatos. Again, it was too rich and not at all spicy. I was told that everything is "cooked to order" so I specifically ordered everything extra spicy but things for the most part were just bland and had a very medicine like flavor to it (I think too much cardamom). The portions were also quite small for the price. Also, it took amost an hour which in my opinion is way too long for Indian take out. I have had tastier, faster and cheaper meals at places like Shalimar and Naan and Curry. Because I do believe in supporting the local restaurant and hope that this place will continually improve on their service as well as their food quality, I will give it another try and dine in. If that experience does not convert me, I'm getting in my car and heading over to Berkeley for Indian food.
(3)
Christine K.
This was the WORST experience at a restaurant I have ever had. To start I ordered a glass of cabernet they were out of that and 3 other reds on the menu, strange but I can deal. Then I used the restroom... 1. a sign on the door read "PLZ KNOCK BEFORE DOOR" 2. I get in there and there is no lock on the door just a hole where it used to be. 3. there is diarrhea all over the seat and what looks like vomit on the wall 4. OMG! 5. I walk back in through the fluorescent hallway and through the kitchen back to my table to alert my dining companions that this restaurant is not safe to eat at GROSS Oh by the way, they never brought me my wine even though I sat there a good 20 minutes beforehand...
(1)
Wendi W.
Delicious food... especially their coconut lamb. Good atmosphere and good for larger groups.
(5)
Zuchinno B.
My boyfriend and I went to this place and ordered chicken tikka masala, garlic naan, lamb samosas, and sweet lassi. We tried to order gulab and even though it was on the menu, they said they were all out even though it was 5pm on a Friday, not exactly the end of dinner service. The sweet lassi was more of a sour lassi, and served room temperature as opposed to iced. The samosa filling was dry and tasteless and the shell was chewy and not at all crisp. I was hoping for crispy, chewy, bubbly naan, sprinkled with garlic butter and cilantro. What I got was flat, chewy, somehow burned while not having even a hint of crispness, drenched in some gross yellow sauce and absolutely covered with large chunks of raw garlic. The kheer was like someone dumped stale basmati into coffee creamer. Finally, and here's the worst part... I have pretty good table manners, but I literally started gagging on, and had to spit out my first bite of the chicken tikka masala. I had gotten a flap of flabby skin attached to a big piece of gristle. I love how the menu charged $10 for this "entree," boasting white meat, and then clearly dumped whatever overcooked mess they found in the bottom of the tandoori oven into a bright pink masala sauce made from a packet! I ordered medium and got bland, bland, BLAND! Oh, and I had to order rice separately! Ridiculous! Never go here, even my undiscerning boyfriend, who eats ramen with hot sauce didn't touch his dinner... that's bad. Oh, and it's a chain, so watch out 'cause there are other ones in Berkeley, Oakland, and Alameda, one of which has the highest rating here... Also, I'm thinking they're getting people to write nice things about them, cause some of these reviews are sounding a little staged.
(1)
Dorothy M.
Whenever my bf & I crave Indian food... We crave flavor of India's chicken tikka masala first! The garlic naan is so tasty with perfect amount of garlic pieces baked into Naan goodness. The prices are so reasonable. The wait staff Is hit or miss when it comes to attentiveness, but the food makes up for It! We have found our go to Indian place!
(4)
Jenn K.
Love the food. Inside is dimly lite and kind of provides a romantic kind of setting. Service is pretty good as they usually fill up your water glasses and ask if you need anything else. However, sometimes this doesn't happen. The food takes a while to come out. However, Indian cooking usually is an art form requiring gravy to be created from onions, tomatoes and spices. It will take a while, but so worth the wait. Only thing you need to be careful about is when you order take out as I have order Shahi Paneer and ended up with Saag Paneer twice. Two very different dishes, but both delicious. However, very disappointing when you get the wrong item.
(4)
jessica e.
o.m.g. this is was the first restaurant i tried after moving to oakland last june. it soon became an obsession. the veggie samosas. the garlic naan. saag. aloo tikki chaat. everything i have tried here has tasted like sweet sweet heaven. the customer service is also great. very friendly staff. efficient. clean. sweet. its a cozy place. a very chill ambiance. we've taken many friends here. plus, its right by blockbuster and has parking-- so its perfect for take-out.
(4)
Katie L.
Flavors of India gives me wet dreams. The flavors are distinct and rich, the prices are reasonable, the atmosphere is attractive, and the portions are great. You should definitely catch their lunch special. It changes daily, but generally you get an entree, rice, naan, and a salad or side dish for about $8. Here are my recommendations as a veggie: -mixed vegetable masala (was this dish made with angel spit? It's soooo delicious! Their other veggie dishes are good, but they pale in comparison.) -veggie wrap (it's like an Indian burrito...that makes you swoon) poori (whole wheat deep fried naan. Admit you're a fatty and order it) Yep. I love this restaurant.
(5)
Chris A.
Always placed a take-out order so this rating is for food quality only. I have to say it's super yummy! No complaints whatsoever.
(4)
Evelyn L.
My sister and her friends love this place and take people from out of town here whenever they want to try something "new." I've had this type of food before. It was good but not something I'd go back for... everything was oily, heavy, and over cooked. This place was TOTALLY different. First, I'll tell you about the drinks. We got a mango lassi and a lychee milk shake. They're both made of a puree of the respective fruit and the lassi has spices and yogurt. They're interesting... to say the least. I liked the lychee one better because there was a different taste to the mango lassi that I was unfamiliar with. My sister on the other hand loves it. We orders a plain rice and plain naan. The rice was perfectly fluffy and had little brown herbs in it. I don't know what they are but they make the rice fragrant. The naan was soft and fluffy. I saw other flavored naan and I hope to try them one day but sadly I'm only in the bay area for a few more days. The LAMB TIKKA MASALA was dee-licious! O em gee. I love the lamb. It was roasted/marinated so there was a red ring around it when you cut it in half. It was soft but not over cooked. The sauce (we got mild) was creamy and had a wonderful fragrant smell/taste. (I'm drooling.) With the naan and fragrant plain rice it was great. CHICKEN CHOLÉ had garbanzo beans and tomatoes in a gravy. Its hard to explain. The chicken was cooked perfectly but... I didn't care for the sauce. I wish I had gotten something spicy. We both were full quickly and still have 1/2 the meal for the next day. For 30.40 + 5 tip it was a worthwhile dinner with a sweet drink and nom-worthy entrees. I'm not a SF-native so maybe I'm biased and not sophisticated enough but this was way better then Indian food in LA and I liked it!
(4)
Crystal B.
Not very good food. Everything was dry,and the garlic naan was cold and tasteless. Very dissatisfying. I have had better food at the foodcourt at EmeryBay.
(1)
E G.
I like all that can be made into a vegetarian dish off the menu (main reason I come here) .The ambiance is good too. I love the music they play here . And all the Waiters and waitresses are super friendly .
(5)
Alison C.
what a shit hole, no one even acknowledged our presence for the first 5 minutes we stood there, but then we were seated. no one took our order for 10 minutes or so, then it was like 20 or 30 minutes before our samosas arrived and they weren't hot, just warm. it was an hour until our entrees arrived and they were mediocre at best. i think we were there for a total of 2 hours? the man at the table next to us got up and left. the people behind me were also complaining about the wait. other people that ordered after us got their food first. also it smelled like pee in there? i thought maybe it was asafoetida at first but it was definitely pee. fuck this place forever.
(1)
Josephine S.
I have eaten a lot of Indian food in my time, and Flavors of India is one of the worst Indian food experiences I've had in the Bay Area. PROS: - delicious samosa (though admittedly a bit soggy) CONS: - the service was painfully slow, especially between appetizer and entree - the chicken tikka kabob was amazingly bland. the accompanying vegetables tasted like burnt oil. - the staff was unfriendly, unhelpful, and completely uninterested in interacting with us despite us being positive and friendly. - the bathroom did not lock! what?! Boo!!!
(1)
Rex J.
Having been in the Grand Lake area for 13 years, we finally got to try this neighborhood Indian restaurant on a rainy weekday night. We decided to do take-outs as the smell inside is a bit too pungent and suffocating, as it is with some of the indian places. In general, I appreciate better air circulation in a restaurant so I can somewhat breath while enjoying the food. Another factor was that the take out phone line of our usual Raj Indian restaurant on Piedmont Ave had been busy last night. Plus, having read many raving reviews on yelp about lamb dishes of Flavors Of India, we thought it may be interesting to try. Well, it is not always the case as you might know, like anything else in life. Make your own experience and take others just as opinions with a grain of salt. We took out 2 orders of Lamb Curry, rice x2 and a garlic nan. Total up to $28. The basmati rice for 2, in a small container, cost $3 dollars. $1.75 per person. I thought it was too excessive of a charge. There were 4 levels of spiceness of curries: mild, medium, spicy and extra spicy. We got mild and medium as our stomachs are not as bullet proof as they used to be. The curry came in plastic containers which I had issues with, like with most of the take out places such as Raj, as that's how most of the restaurants handle hot liquid. Some Chinese restaurants use paper boxes which are better. The chemicals in the plastic containers may leak out and they may undermine your health, perhaps even causing cancers in the long run. Something to think about when you take out. The lamb Curry was cooked with heavy tomatoes and dark brown gravy, along with cilantro leaves and other seasonings. I had to say the taste was only OK. It didn't taste like curry per se. Certainly not with that much tomato. The lamb meat was not browned (seared first to seal the juice). It tastes like the lamb cubes were prepared separately, then later assembled in the gravy, as most of the lower end restaurants would have done. (The Bangkok Palace on Grand Ave is another example of such practice, not to mention it is just simply bad these days, along with what we witness the change of ownership of so many times. It had gone down hill even before the 2004 robbery and shooting murder case. That's another subject on another rainy day) Back to our lamb, the consistency of the meat was not too chewy but certainly was not tender at all. The amount was OK but not for a hearty appetite. The garlic nan was very garlicky. The bread was somewhat hard. With the same amount of money, one can get 2 pizzas from Milano or Boot and Shoe service, which we contemplated earlier. On well, live and learn. Moving on to the next culinary experiment. More to come.
(2)
Diana M.
Geez! Could the reviews for this place be any more mixed. I was in the neighborhood and hungry. I walked in and there were tons of tables available and I like the ambiance. I sat down and was quickly served. I enjoyed my meal - the saag chicken lunch special with garlic naan ($8), but there are a couple of caveats: - I do agree that the service is slow - I asked for spicy, but i was given mild (at least to my spice lovin taste buds) - I ran across a small bone in my chicken On a positive note: - The portions were huge - The garlic naan was phenomenal - The chickpea side dish was um um good (I can't remember the name and I should mention that I'm not a fan of chickpeas) Would I go back: yes Is it the best Indian food ever: no ** I do have concerns about what the other reviewers are saying about the business **
(3)
Gail N.
My friend and I were still hungry and ready to eat after our 1-slice appetizer from Arizmendi, so we eventually crossed the street deciding to fulfill our hankering for Indian food at this awesome place! I must say -- this is one of the best value Indian lunches (non-buffet; full service!) I've ever had! Basically, with each lunch order selection, you get: dal lentil soup, salad, basmati rice, AND naan! WOW! For somewhere between $7-9 per plate! DANG! That's cheap eats! So, we ordered the Korma Curry + Tandori Mahi Mahi. Both were quite delectable and very filling! (We had leftovers for sure!). I really enjoyed the flavor of both dishes, though...I suspect they use frozen veggies for the Korma Curry...(it was a simple medley of carrots, peas, and corns..that resembled the frozen veggies I used back in college..). We also ordered the mango lassi ($2.50) -- which was supppperrrr good and on point! Anywho, the service was also great! Very attentive and they replenished our bowl of naan, water, etc. They are very efficient. OH! And -- best part: The decor is GORGEOUS in here. They really go all out with the beautiful hangings, and each table has a beautiful place mat. That makes me really happy. So why minus 1 star? Because of my frozen-veggies suspicion and the lack of variety/basics on the menu..(didn't see any of my favorites on the lunch menu: aloo saag, chicken tikka massala, or chicken okra). But, that's just my preference.. Would I come back? For sure if I'm in the area craving some good, cheap Indian food!
(4)
Penguin S.
I had the fish wrap, minus the onions and cucumbers. It was extremely tasty. Great naan, flavorful fish, fresh ingredients. Also had the side of okra, which was a bit under cooked. My party all enjoyed the food. The atmosphere is sophisticated, simple and stylish. My friend says it's not his favorite place, but it was great if you ask me. Some of the best naan I've had.
(4)
Andrew L.
4.5 stars, if there is such a thing. I took my Dad here today after going to the farmer's market for a nice lunch. We both got Tandoori wraps, me the lamb, and him the chicken. He's not much of an Indian food person and his chief complaint was that the Naan was too thick. wtf? Okay, fine, but mine was GREAT, even better than I expected. For the $7 Saturday lunch deal, you get a heck of a lot of food. The juices are probably overpriced, and my Dad was disappointed with his (custom request) iced tea and lemonade combo. I'm gonna keep coming back here....
(4)
Joy C.
I've been to other locations of this Indian restaurant, but this one was the worst! We sat down and it took forever to get someone's attention. We ordered our food and it took literally 45 minutes to even get anything! They weren't even full! We kept pestering staff about the status of our order, and they were very unhelpful and unfriendly. The food finally arrived, and it was pretty good... until my boy found a HAIR in his curry. UGH! Luckily they were nice enough to give that dish to us free, but man... that really ruined the whole dinner. Never going back.
(1)
Mars D.
The Ambiance: It is nice. The stencils on the walls were pretty. Romantic setting. The food: Very mediocre at best. The chef is a complete underachiever, Indian food is supposed to be spicy, rich, and sometimes tangy. We got no tang, and it was overall just very salty food. The flavors were not balanced at all. The lamb dish we had had dry pieces of meat. I've had very good Indian, where the meat is cooked so tender that it generally falls off the bone (if there were bones attached to it.) but it seems like the kitchen just dropped shriveled pieces of meat in some over salted sauce and served it. I sent my vegetarian dish back because I could taste nothing but salt. I reordered another vegetarian dish, and it was the same thing. You could not taste the okra, or all the wonderful flavors a vegetable had to offer. It wasn't fresh okra, it was probably frozen, thawed, and frozen again considering the bleakness of the flavor overall. I didn't end up eating my dish, and my partner's lamb dish was just mediocre. It taste like a college kid's first trial hand at making an Indian internet recipe. The Papadum which in most Indian restaurants are free but here, they cost an extra couple dollars, which is ridiculous. On top of that, it was hardened. It wasn't crispy and had a good consistency. if i was someones grandma, i'd loose a tooth over it. The texture was hard, and not how it's usually served. If you run a restaurant, make sure your chefs care enough about food. If they don't even like food, I don't understand why they would end up as chefs. Service: It was generally good. The waitresses were nice, and nice enough to put up with me sending back the salty dish. I just wish they didn't come right back with another dish that tasted the same except just chunkier. I don't think I will be returning there.
(1)
Donna K.
For a few weeks, I had been craving Indian curry like nobody's business, but no one wanted go with me. Who can deny a fluffy, carby piece of naan dipped in chicken tikka masala?! Certainly not I. So when my friend suggested Indian food for lunch, making it my second Indian meal in a row (I didn't have breakfast that day, and had curry for dinner the night before), I said, "YES PLEASE!" I ordered chicken vindaloo (mild) from the lunch menu and it was good. The chicken was cooked perfectly and there was a good chicken to potato ratio. I think I'm going to woman up and go for medium at Indian restaurants now, because this mild business is not challenging my taste buds enough. The lunch specials come with a small salad, a cup of a lentil "soup" (daal makhani), rice, naan, and curry. Although it was good, the bowl of curry was no bigger than my fist or the bowl of the lentil soup thing. There were way too many carbs to only eat it with the amount of curry they served. Kind of disappointing because I love me some carbs!
(3)
Jessa C.
I've been here at least 5 times and service is always super slow with bad attitude, like they can't believe they have to serve all these people. With the decor, menu, and prices it seems like they are trying to be a mid-high range restaurant, but it doesn't come through in the flavor of the food which lacks attention to detail. Things are often too salty or too oily, or just badly spiced like they don't care, any really they don't have to, because they've got the ambience and the attitude. Give me udupi palace or indus village any day. I'll make the extra drive to avoid this place.
(2)
Claudia S.
the best place to break up with someone. 1. It's lonely and quiet. (on a saturday evening? not a good sign but my buddy wanted indian and it was the only one in the area that we knew of.) 2. They light up a tealight for some ambiance. (however it's still dark enough that if they start crying no one will notice). 3. They take forever to bring the food. (so it gives you some time to get a lot off of your chest before you have to get your words out in between bites). 4. The food tastes bad. (so you dont get distracted by the food and after you dump them, they feel worse after eating a crappy meal). Food: prawn curry - tastes like shrimp drowned in tomato sauce. spices anyone? guess not. i cant remember the name of the rest of the stuff, but what i do remember is that it didnt taste good and it was expensive-ish plus the portions were small. *random: while waiting for our food there was a loud scream that came from the kitchen followed by lots of laughter. sort of weird, thats all. i doubt it will happen if you go...which i DONT think you should anyway. Go to House of Curries instead.
(1)
Jonathan P.
This place keeps getting worse. Wait time increases (not to be seated but waited 1 hour for food) while quality of food decreases. Not coming back.
(2)
Nisha A.
As an Indian, I am constantly in search of good Indian food in the East Bay. Nothing has ever and will ever top mom's food. I have high standards. That being said, I really liked this place. I brought my parents - both raised in India - and they enjoyed it too. It is standard North Indian fare but not too greasy, and seasoned well. I should say I am vegetarian and only ate veg items - but they were ALL good. We will definitely go back. I definitely pay more attention to the food than the service but I did not notice the bad service others mentioned (perhaps a product of special treatment for Indians?). Seriously, all around good.
(4)
Sara J.
I had high hopes for the Chicken Tandoori Wrap. I was hoping it was as good as Tandoori Chicken USA's Tandoori Chicken Sandwich (RIP!). Sadly, I was left very disappointed. The chicken pieces were not breast meat. They were also chewy and not tender or flavorful at all. Some chicken pieces were downright uneatable. The Chicken Pakora was also very disappointing. It was just your average breaded/fried chicken breast. Nothing special about it. Completely devoid of spices. The only good thing about Flavors of India is that it's a short walk from my apartment. However, next time I think I'll walk the extra .7 mile to Breads of India for a more satisfying meal.
(2)
staggerin r.
I'm giving them 3 stars only because they make a couple of dishes there that i really do like. Besides that, tho, the service is terrible, they don't clear tab;es or check in to see if you need anything (even if soda refills aren't free) they allow people to walk in off the street and panhandle their customers, and what I've tasted of their tandoori and other friend's dishes are blah. I will keep getting take out from here until i find a better Chicken Korma and Paneer-stuffed Naan. (suggestions anyone?)
(3)
Kelli F.
This place has become the go-to spot for Indian food in my neighborhood. The atmosphere is nice (much nicer than you'd expect for the price) and the service is excellent. I've tried a few things on the menu but it is hard to resist just getting the chicken tikka masala every time because it is SO good. I mean "getting every last bit out of the bowl even though you cant eat anymore" good. That being said, everything I've had here was good, but I dream of the tikka masala. The price is excellent, two people can easily eat here for $20, maybe $30 for beers and some naan thrown in as well. Great place to grab a bite before a movie at the Grand Lake or a drink at any of the neighborhood bars. Perfect for date nights too!
I'm bumping this place up to "heavy rotation" frequency of visit. Very tasty food* at a great price with portions large enough to share (especially at lunch!). Waitstaff was very polite and efficient, but needed not be so placating**. Decor very pleasing, if somewhat nondescript. I appreciate the favorable lighting. *Spicy enough to give me heartburn, which ruined any post dinner beer-drinking I had been so keen on accomplishing. **like he had the kind of mom who took the swatch to him him if he didn't properly clean his room. He hovered in the back waiting for us to finish sentences before he dared to interject, which would have seemd polite without that fearful look. And there was the problem of us never really finishing our sentences.
(4)
Joanna S.
okay, i'm really sad that Taste of India only has 3 1/2 stars; that's ludicrous! roomie and i dine here frequently (at least once or twice a month). our top reasons for choosing to dine here include: - easy to walk to from where we live (Lake Merritt/Grand) - delicious food [i am particular to their: aloo tikki with raita, vegetable korma, and dal tadka] - fresh naan and yummy mango lassis - cheap prices - never having to wait to be seated! sometimes, their service is slow, but i appreciate not being pushed to eat my food too quickly. the decor is modern, yet with beautiful indian touches and the atmosphere is quiet. if you haven't tried flavors of india yet, you need to!
(4)
Ms. T L.
Their chicken vindaloo gave me a foodgasm and their garlic naan was so delicious.. so why only 4 stars? Because yelp doesn't have a .5 star system, otherwise they'd get 4.5. I noticed that a lot of their tandoori dishes, although impressive when they come out on the sizzling platters, are normally very dry.. so if I could rate the seperate dishes, I'd give the chicken vindaloo a 5, garlic naan a 5, and probably the tandoori a 3.5-4. So overall, 4.5. Word of advice - don't get it too spicy unless you can handle it! Medium spicy was plenty spicy enough for me.... =)
(4)
Jimi W.
Wow..... I've just moved back from Hawaii... and was praying I'd find a great Indian place with Quality food and portions... This Met all expectations.... and then some! The minute the 4 of us walked through the door...the ambience kicked in...(I know, right? You're thinking ambience at a quality Indian place might be hard to come by.) TWO of us were "Veggies" as well as Picky and we wanted to share.. Masala..Naan....Lamb Vindaloo for me... and these strange burritos...EVERYTHING was fresh and Full of Rich, Spice Indian Flavor. Maybe some others had a different experience here? I don't know, .. but OUR first time will keep us coming back for more! Oh..... Did I mention the prices are Very Reasonable? Even for someone on a small budget. "WHAT A TREAT!"
(5)
Pete S.
Flavors of India is a great name for this restaurant because the flavor of the food was right on target. Unfortunately, other aspects were lacking. Stopped in for lunch, and ordered Vegetable Samosas which were perfect in every way, served with very good cilantro chutney and good mango chutney. Also ordered the lunch special, Chicken Tikka Kabob with rice and naan. The Chicken was way over cooked and very dry and the naan was fresh two days ago. Too bad, this could have been a 5-star lunch. Service was fast, but not very friendly, portions and prices were good.
(3)
Alex C.
I visited Flavors of India for the first time last night. They accommodated our large party on the fly, and even took the trouble to separate our checks - we didn't even ask for this, since it's usually a pain in the ass, right? Nice! The food was incredible, and served in really nice antique-looking dishes. I'm fairly new to Indian food, but I was really impressed by their naan. It was lighter and fluffier than any other place I've been to. It seemed like a unique take on something simple and common. Maybe I just need to get out more, though. My go to Indian dish is chicken vindaloo, and their version took the cake. The curry/sauce was very thick, and seemed more lentil-y than other places I visit. I liked it a lot. Oh, and a word to the wise; when they ask how spicy you'd like it, don't get all macho and say "really spicy". I thought I was playing it safe by ordering it "medium", thinking that I would eventually return for a really scorching meal in the near future - no way! Medium spicy was just fine by me. Good thing they keep your water glasses brimming at all times. I'll be back.
(4)
Leo C.
Had lunch with a co-worker & was pleased with the food I had the Chicken kabob something which was pretty good & nice portions of chicken. My co-worker had the Chicken masala which had a good curry sauce. Both meals were served with jasmine or basmati rice and some kind of lentil soup/stew that resembled corn and a small salad & naan. The rice & lentil item were good so was the naan. Apparently the lunch menu changes here daily, so i guess they're working on variety or simplicity. I had a late lunch that day so not so crowded, service was good. Finished everything on my plate except some of the salad. Will come back one of these days. For two person lunch with some teas, tab was just under $24 w/o tip.
(3)
Return T.
They have excellent food, at least what I've tried. They're on par with Spettros in quality. On Saturday they open for lunch and then close at 3pm ... which is kind of pisser if you're hungry.
(3)
Richard R.
I haven't been a big fan of food from India for awhile.........this place has brought me back around....nice place to come and have some freshly prepared food...there might be better places out there and i will get to them eventually...but until then this place works just fine....... On a busy night the wait takes awhile, but worth the wait......
(4)
Mark H.
It's too dark. Trapped coal miners have more lighting. The food really is very good. The service is very slow, and the place is far too dark. So go, but don't go starving and ready to eat. And bring a flashlight for the menu. And the bathroom situation is unmentionable.
(2)
Brent E.
What, is truly great food coming to Lakeshore? If this is the renaissance in store for Oakland, I'm all in. I popped in last night just before they closed and ordered some old Indian food standbys. First bite ... wait, this is really *good*! Somehow I've gotten used to just plain mediocre Indian food. This is not that. It's careful and delicious! And affordable! And the place has great ambiance! So as much as I loved Flavors of India, what I'm *really* looking forward to is the many new businesses that will take over the abandoned storefronts and rebirth this neighborhood now that people will be flocking here for the fantastic food.
(5)
Catherine C.
Food is top notch. My fiance and I get take-out from here regularly. It's handy being able to park in the parking garage behind the store! We will be back.
(4)
Christy N.
It is just okay.. and it's very salty sometimes. This won't be my regular place for Indian food for sure. Service is slow and those young waitresses are very forgetful.. I asked for water a few times and she kept forgotten to bring it to me..
(3)
Ana C.
Oh why are there no great Indian restaurants in Oakland?? I love Indian food, but feel like I have to go to Berkeley or SF to get anything really outstanding. This place is in our neighborhood, so we will sometimes go here when we're too lazy to make the trip. Most things on their menu are alright but not fabulous. I think that their dumpling dishes are pretty tasty, but a bit on the rich side. Stay away from the kashmiri naan with raisins and other fruits-it sounded good on the menu but was actually kind of gross. Their other naans are good.
(3)
Nic B.
My husband loves this place and would easily give it 5 stars. I am going to be honest and admit this is only a take out review and I think I have only eaten at the location only once. I think the food is good, but some of the chicken dishes are a little dry. And my onther complaint is the take out takes forever - 30 to 40 minutes every time.
(4)
Cherie B.
Very decent Indian restaurant. Much better than what usually passes for Indian food in this part of town. I knocked off a star for the distracted service, but all in all the food is cooked fairly carefully and with a bit of love
(3)
Kate W.
i'd been to the flavors of india in berkeley, and decided to give the oakland one a try, once i discovered it. this place is lovely inside-mood lighting, simple, elegant decor-the whole she-bang. the mataar paneer and samosas were quite good, but my favorite was the naan. i hate tough, thin naan, and theirs was anything but. it was thick, soft and fluffy, just the way i like it. the waiters were nice and attentive with water and everything else. i'll definitely be coming back.
(4)
Lindsay N.
This is my go-to takeout Indian place in Oakland. Love the baingan bharta, chicken tikka, and chicken tandoori... sooooooo yummy!!! I've also eaten at the restaurant, and love the atmosphere.
(4)
joe m.
We went early on a Saturday night - 6pm reservations. It was a good thing we did because the line was way out the door around 7. Parking was pretty easy because of the garage in the back but there was a lot of street parking as well. The hostess/servers were very nice. We had 6 people and half were late, but that didn't matter to the staff. We ordered for everyone and the food was there when everyone showed up. It wasn't the best Indian food I've had, but it was good. The flavors seemed to all be about the same - chicken tikka masala, prawns vindaloo and a couple of other sauces all seemed similar. I have to say that the spicier dishes were the best. Naan was good as I expected. We had one veggie dish - can't remember it, but it was pretty mushy and bland. There were plenty of leftovers too ... and the price was right!
(3)
Juan R.
Very good Indian food. Pretty cool ambiance too. Solid service. Prices are a tiny bit high considering the cuisine is the reason for losing a star.
(4)
Jakki C.
service was inadequate but food was good.
(2)
Natalie C.
Saag paneer is usually my barometer for good Indian, but I must say that while it was tasty, the other vegetarian dishes I had were not quite as good. The service is great and they were more than willing to work around my cilantro allergy.
(4)
Leanne V.
i'm not an expert when it comes to indian food. my experience with the cuisine has almost strictly been of the trader joe's packaged variety. so without much to base my review off of, i give a hearty 4 stars. the space is incredibly clean and open with nice, dim lighting. my party arrived right before closing (asshole move), but the staff was as kind as could be. our food came out quick (probably due to the emptiness of the restaurant) and it was extremely tasty. loved the saag paneer and the choley. there was a good amount of spice to the dishes, and i liked that our party could specify the degree of heat we wanted. note: i wouldn't recommend getting colonial donuts (next door) for dessert. sounded like a brilliant idea at the time, but i was hurting the next day.
(4)
Quinn E.
I've ordered a wide variety of things from the menu, and I'm always impressed. Nice setting - lighting is just right - sufficient beer menu that compliments the food. Lake Merritt, what! what!?
(4)
Adriana G.
I have loved every dish I have tried, especially the vegetarian side of the menu...oh and with the exception of that random spicy dish my friend ordered once. They have a decent mango lassi and my belly is always happy after a meal from Flavor of India!! I can't speak on the actual dinning experience in the restaurant because I have only had take out but it's nicely decorated and has a quiet/homey feel to it. The other thing is that this place is pricey and when 3-4 of my friends get together for take out we spend at least $60 of the dinner. Parking is a pain but if you live nearby you can just walk :)
(3)
N'Jeri E.
I would have normally given this place three stars but I'm just so happy to have a decent Indian restaurant in the neighborhood. I ate here with some friends on Friday. The service was fast and efficient. The prices are very reasonable. The only problem is that the portions are a little small but I guess you get what you pay for. It would be nice if they offered complimentary papadam like so many other places in the Bay Area.
(4)
Ms. G.
Wow. We moved to Oakland from SF just a few months ago and am starting to feel that posters should have in parenthesis whether they have ever lived/ eaten in SF before. We are desparately trying to find decent low to mid priced restaurants in O town and the yelp reviews are not helping (they seem a bit off the mark for us). So I picked up some takeout from this friendly place and was really not impressed. We ordered the safe chicken tikka masala and tandoori fish. My husband couldnt stomach the fish-- it was sooo fishy. The chicken was just ok. I was really hungry so I ate it, but it was really missing oomph. Even the naan was blah. Maybe it was an off night, but I dont think I will be giving it another try. It makes us too sad. I know there is good food out there!
(2)
Matt W.
Good, solid Indian food. Not quite as good as my favorite, Indian Oven in SF, but the Chicken Tikka Masala is great. Good naan and raita too. Not the best dal I've had, but I'll take it for sure!
(4)
Jacob D.
Food: fine - worthy of 3-4 stars. Not a 5-star spectacular but worthy of a return trip. But the service, on a Saturday night, nearly caused us to die of starvation right there at the table. OK, I exaggerate. But listen, it should not take nearly an hour from the time we sat down to get some food. We should not have to chase down waiters to get a chai refill or some more water while we're waiting. The place wasn't incredibly busy, we didn't order anything complicated - why so slow? Also, the door to the street was left open all night. It's not summer any more.... brrr. I hate to complain. The food was good and the decor is nice. The staff were pleasant. But you gotta hurry it up a bit! Oh yeah, and having to order everything a la carte is pretty annoying. Especially when you ask for two orders of rice and only get one anyway. At least offer a dinner price for each entree that includes rice...
(2)
Emmy F.
It's in my neighborhood, so I've tried it 3 times, thinking that maybe I'd previously just come on a bad day. But no, it has been just as bad every time. VERY slow service and food that just isn't very well-prepared. It rarely has many people in there, so others must have had the same experiences. Wish it were better.
(1)
L A.
We live nearby and the restaurant looked lovely and often busy, so we decided to try it. We often eat Indian food and were unpleasantly surprised by the quality of the food at this place: the lamb in the Lamb Tikka Masala was literally inedible. Every piece of meat (and there were 10 pieces, at least) was gristly, fatty and tough. None of us ate any of the meat but we lapped up the sauce. The shrimp curry was likewise inedible: the shrimp was slimy and rubbery and smelled as if it was old (and in a curry sauce, that would not necessarily be easy to discern!) We couldn't eat that, either. The only bright note of the evening was the eggplant dish: fresh eggplant in a tomato-onion concoction that was on the spicy side but very yummy. Everything else we left on the table uneaten. We will not return.
(2)
Annalies H.
Super spicy chicken tikka masala is not my thing. I ordered a simple classic Indian dish. My rationale being if you can do a simple dish well then I might want to come back for a more complicated fare. Not going to happen at Flavors of India. I did not order my chicken tikka masala to be extra spicy. If I wanted it that way I would have asked for it that way AND at $15 a la carte I'm going to be picky about the Flavor of my Indian food. It is getting 3 stars because the ambiance is pleasant and they did give me free gulab junam when I mentioned my dissatisfaction.
(3)
leena k.
This is a decent place for North Indian food, and has a nice semi-formal vibe to it while being quite fairly priced. There is a good range of veggie, fish, chicken, and red meat dishes, and the biryani is pretty tasty. Service is pretty on top of it too.
(4)
Beebs R.
This is a 2 1/2. The food is good but the service is lacking. It takes 10 minutes to get a glass of water and no one ever follows up on service. We went in 2 minutes before they opened and were asked to leave because they weren't open, yet the sign said open and the doors were open. I'm torn. Like I said the food is good but due to service I just don't feel like going back. :(
(2)
Edward B.
Food was good for being in Oakland. A bit small in portions for the price. Good looking place though. Only thing i'd have to say is they take VEEERRRYYY long to take your order and sending it to your table. I dont expect "fast food" but 20min. til you take my order. 45min. wait including all the excitement of other tables falling asleep/ leaving the restaurant upset/ complaining/ etc.... without even acknowledging whats going on was entertaining at least.....but when it came to finishing the meal....I CANT LIE THEY WERE FASTER THAN A SPEEDING BULLET WHEN GIVING MY BILL / CHANGE AND CLEARING THE TABLE!!!! I absolutely had to be ghetto for once and not tip..... Here's a tip. Only go if you have absolutely nothing to do and very very very very patient!
(3)
erin g.
Sooooo Good! They're busy but the wait is not long. Just what Oakland needs....Lakeshore especially. Can they make it to the Diamond District next???? YUM!
(4)
Dave S.
chicken pakora fish pakora lamb samosa chicken tikka masala lamb curry mixed vegetable masala tandoori roti rice and a side of raita it was all very good. i read another review asking where the flavor was. if i were them i'd be tempted to ask for a new tongue instead. this place was great; the lamb curry was very spicy (which i love), the sauces that came with the two pakoras were good, our service was excellent, and the decor was really nice. also, it was very dimly lit with tea candles in decorative trays on each table. if you're looking for a date spot, this wouldn't be a bad pick. to top it off the prices were reasonable .. definitely added to the "i'd go back" list. oh yeah, i'm an uncle! did i mention that i met my niece today for the first time? crazy! she's two weeks old and so dang tiny. prepare for the spoilin'.
(4)
C B.
Mediocre food at best. Ambience is better than some Indian restaurants but there are so many better choices. I don't know how Saag Paneer could be more spicy than Lamb Vindaloo but it was. I will not be going back again.
(2)
Bobbie C.
Today was easily the worst dining experience I've ever had in my life. My friends and I went into the restaurant at 7 p.m. We ordered within five minutes. We didn't get our food until 7:54 p.m. Yes, I kept an eye on my watch the entire time. It wasn't like the place was so busy that no one was getting their food, it was just us. Five dine in parties, not just five people, after us got their food, ate, and left. Three take out orders came and left before we even saw one of our dishes come out. Is 4 orders of lamb vindaloo and 2 naan that hard to make? I pestered the waiter every twenty minutes to see if our food was still coming. He told me he'd look into it. If my party hadn't wanted to stay, I would have just walked out. When we did get our food, it was very hastily made and unseasoned. 4 extra spicy vindaloos became extra mild. When we went to pay our bill, the owner gave us a half-hearted apology and made the excuse that the big party in the middle slowed them down. That excuse might have worked had I not been counting every single person who got served and came in after we did. He took 15% off our tab only after someone from my party asked if we had to pay the full tab. I'd actually heard good things about the restaurant beforehand from co-workers. It's the reason why I wanted to eat there with my friends. Suffice it to say, I'm never going there ever again. If there were a way I could give zero stars, I would.
(1)
Shiyuan D.
i love that this place is in the grand lake neighborhood. i hate having to go out to berkeley to get decent indian food. the prices are alright. it's slightly more expensive than naan 'n curry, but the food was also better. we ordered a mango lassi, one order of naan, one order of rice, and two entrees for $34 including tip. the mango lassi & the garlic naan were alright. nothing spectacular, but not bad either. they were just as i had expected. of our two entrees, the malai kofta curry was delicious while the lamb saag was way over salted. to their credit, when we told our waitress that the dish was too salty, the kitchen took it back and tried to make it less salty. although one of the entrees wasn't great, i would still go back. it's not expensive & the food is better than your typical greasy-spoon indian joint.
(4)
Kenyatta D.
I love this place! You must try the chicken tiki masala, it is delicious. Service is Great, Restaurant is Clean, and at a good price,
(5)
Robin A.
The food is good, but inconsistent. Almost like they have new chefs all the time, it's really odd. But when it's good, it's, ya know, pretty good. The service is horrific. Everytime I go, I remember quickly how deplorable it is and ask myself "why do I even come here?" Last night, we were sat at a table (with only 5 other tables taken), and within 2 minutes a different server came over to us and said "are you ready to order." Not nicely, either. No hello, how are you, etc. Just, walked up, what do you want. "No, we actually just sat down." "You want drinks or appetizers?" As she is saying this, she is literally walking away. My girlfriend replies: "Yes, I'd like a mango lassi and the samosas." She walks even further away, so I turn my whole body around to catch her to try to order my appetizer. WTF? 2 more minutes. "are you ready now." "Not quite, thank you. Another minute please." Someone else comes to fill up our water cups. I thank her graciously - I was sooo thirsty - and she doesn't smile, doesn't even look up, she just walks away and flips her cell phone out of her pocket. Before we were done another server entirely brings us the bill (I guess we aren't ordering desert, honey), and walks away. "Um, can we have some boxes to bring this food home?" "Oh." And walks away. I felt like I punched their puppy in the face or something. Why else would they hate on us so bad? And it's pretty much like this every time. Or is it because they're homophobic? Hmmmm..... Oh also, as some others have mentioned, be sure to check your bill before you pay. They get the bills mixed up all the time and as much as I like my fellow diners, I don't wanna pay for their lamb masala. I really wish the owners would care enough to fix these problems. I love giving huge tips for decent service. I know how hard it is to work in a restaurant. 3 stars for the food only. 0 for service.
(3)
Jam Rockah E.
Food very good here. Beware that spicy = VERY spicy. And I totally agree with commentary about the service - very nice folks. The garlic naan was off the hook. I'm not sure what I ate - my date ordered for us both - but I got to keep the leftovers and I was mighty happy about that. I will totally go back here multiple times. I just wish I knew what we had because I want to order that again . . .
(4)
JoAnn G.
Amazing Everytime!!!!! Went there Friday night for my 3 year anniversay with my boyfriend. The place was jumping until 10pm. I have been here 8 times and it never has let me down.
(5)
Bubba C.
lovely interior design kinda expensive. rice pudding WAS NOT as sweet as they told me it was!!!!!!! chicken vindaloooooo was mostly chicken with enough potatoes. overall it was flavorful its crowded in there though
(4)
Juan P.
My roommate introduced me to this place. I was worried about the price. I am used to Naan 'n Curry in the Sunset. Yet, I forgot about how much my chicken Tikka Masala, Garlic Naan, and the side of rice. I love spicey food, and they were able to surprise how delicious it was. On my second visit, i had to take out, and again i was surprised to how much they give you. (usually take outs are less food for the same price) So, the only negative response i can give is that they did not put a fork in my take out bag. =)
(4)
Farah S.
Nothing stellar, but it is nice to have an Indian restaurant in this part of town. I pretty much like chicken tikka masala anywhere, but I still had visions of Shalimar's version after eating it here. The mixed tandoori appetizer was very tasty. Chicken, shrimp, lamb and sausage with sizzling onion and pepper garnishes. Decor is stylish, but is missing something. Dark lighting makes for a slightly uncomfortable ambiance. Service was very urgent and friendly in the beginnning, but almost non-existent while we waited and then got our food. Would I go here again? Sure, when I'm in the mood for Indian and don't want to travel far from the Lake.
(3)
Justin W.
Food is very good. But on third visit I noticed a waitress pouring a glass of wine back into the bottle. Since she did this out in the open I wonder if this is something that is condoned there. Do they put leftover sauce back in the pot???
(1)
C N.
Stale papadum. I'm assertive for apps, so we got those quickly, along with beverages right off the bat. Entree order taken only after a bit of a wait, and some longing stares in the direction of the servers. Food was INCREDIBLY slow, nearly 40 minutes. The worst part was when it came out. My chicken korma was all butter sauce, no spice, no flavor, NOTHING. It tasted like wallpaper paste, and about the same consistency. But it was better than my boyfriend's lamb tikka masala: his lamb cubes had been cut and left to get badly freezer burned, and tasted like cat food. We sent the dish back, which apparently created an uproar with the chef, and our server meekly took the dish off our tab after some argument with the chef. What an awful, overpriced experience. I've gone to the one on College Ave, and the food there is ten times better along with the service. What gives? I'm never coming back to the location again.
(1)
Chia C.
Mmmmm!! Delicious! And everyone is so nice there!! I mentioned that the food wasn't spicy enough one evening, so they knocked 15% off my bill. How nice is that?!? The owner is in and out of there all the time, so you can catch him on any given night. It's is hard to go wrong with anything off the menu. Mmmm...I may have to go there tonight....
(4)
Charlene L.
I had always liked the Flavors of India in Rockridge and I had mistakingly assumed that the Lakeshore location would be the same. But, unfortunately, I've been wrong both times I came here. First of all, the prices are higher at the Lakeshore location. Secondly, the food isn't as good. For instance, the lamb wrap had way too much gooey white sauce on it--it totally overpowered the flavor of the lamb. Also, the vegetable masala mix was very salty and the tandoori roti didn't taste fresh at all. From now on, I'll only frequent the Rockridge location.
(2)
Jennifer C.
My first experience was less than stellar and I decided to hold judgement because it was their first week open. The service was in absolute chaos. It took 90 minutes to get our food. I resorted to take-out only waiting for them to get things together. Things have certainly settled down and the food is in my opinion the best Indian food in Oakland and the service is much smoother. Check the Chicken Tikka Masala and the Onion Kulcha. The atmosphere is nice and the owner, Ashesh is really working hard to make things work. I will certainly be back.
(4)
Ellen B.
we love this place...we order food pretty regularly, and it is always delicious, hot and delivered very promptly! don't know about thoe bad reviews...we have ALWAYS had prompt and very friendly services and great food...we go to the Monclair place, but would love to try the Lakeshore spot as well..
(5)
Molly G.
Yummy. I loved the food here. I have been looking for good indian ever since I moved to O-town and I think I finally found it. I give 5 stars because I went with my 2 YO and when it was clear that there was going to be a long wait because of a lot of take out orders ahead of us, they brought her complimentary rice and raita. Yay for them. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Irene S.
it really weirds me out that one of the owners of this restaurant has posted a review of it. sigh. in any case, i tried flavors of india for the first time last night. surprising, since i'm pretty obsessed with indian food and this is right in my neighborhood. it was good enough. good enough that i'd go back if i was feeling lazy, definitely, but not so good that it would be my first choice. the service was decent (possibly because there were only four servers and four full tables...), fast enough and nice enough. the food was good, especially the vegetarian stuff. but... the tandoori fish was overcooked and the tandoori shrimp were among the worst i've ever eaten in my life. the sauces were all flavorful & yummy, as were the chai and mango lassi. hit or miss, but there's probably still lots of potential here.
(3)
Bebe J.
Food is really tasty. Except the wraps. None for me please. Food takes awhile but its worth the wait.
(4)
Mike B.
We went for lunch for the first time yesterday, so I have an update.... The restaurant is definitely different during the day. Big window in the front lets in a LOT of light. Didn't ruin anything, it just made it different. The restaurant, at night, glows with candles. Our experience this time, was again, met with complication...but the server never dropped the ball, and kept us happy. Here's what happened: When we were seated, we were given the lunch menu, which, i have to say, compared to the dinner menu, is a REAL disappointment....for me. Not that the food is different. But they have shrunk the menu down to about 8-10 items. And when I finally decided on our 2 items and ordered, the server seemed puzzled. It was then realized that I had been given a menu for the wrong day. The server returned with another menu, and both of the items I chose were gone. As a matter of fact, there was nothing on it but chicken or vegetarian items, unless you wanted a wrap. Which I didn't. We were ready to get up and leave, when the server offered us the dinner menu. THANK YOU! I really did appreciate that! Most servers would have watched me walk out the door. WE found exactly what we wanted, and had another GREAT meal! My only recommendation, is that you hand out both the dinner menu, AND your abridged lunch menu. I understand the idea....many people are in a hurry, and confused by a lot of choices. But, I'm not one of those people. I have leisurely lunches, and plenty of time to read and decide. I am happy to know in the future, that the dinner menu is an option for me at lunch. I love your food, and think EVERYONE should know that it is available at all times. But, bottom line...we had another great experience at this restaurant. And we're happy to have it in our neighborhood! __________________________________________________Â____ This place gets points from me, for turning what could have been a bad experience, into a good one. I know that things happen, so in my book, you can still win points for turning a bad thing into a good thing. When my girlfriend and son visited, for our first time, on a not-so-busy Monday night; we were greeted and seated quickly. They even brought water quickly! But then......there we sat..... For what (when you are hungry) seemed like an eternity. 3 waiters in the restaurant, but none of them came by our table. When I was just about to make the suggestion that we leave, I noticed the manager. He was scanning the restaurant, and as soon as he saw our table, BOLTED over. From that point on, EVERYTHING was perfect! He personally saw to every need and basically had the waiters backing HIM up as he waited on our table. The service was OF COURSE perfect, and the food was great as well. We had a couple of curry dishes, some basmati rice, and both regular and garlic Naan. Everything was great. The portions were perfect. Of course, we eat a LOT of starch, so I really didn't need a BUCKET of curry, as some yelpers seem to be looking for. I am also very impressed with how unrecognizable this old ice cream shop is! My son still hasn't gotten over that the ice cream shop doesn't exist anymore. When I was trying to explain that this WAS the ice cream shop, he had NO idea what I was talking about. Because CLEARLY this is no ice cream shop. Well decorated. Nice ambiance. Clean and quaint. We really enjoyed our first visit, and because we are in the neighborhood...we look forward to many more.
(5)
Sebastian H.
The food is pretty good, but the service is not great. On our 7th time eating here, we got very bland food (we had ordered it "spicy"). We nicely told our waiter, and instead of asking to replace it, he had someone else send over hot sauce. The big problem with the hot sauce is that the flavor had nothing to do with the dishes, so it pretty much ruined the meals. The worst part, is that the waiter never came back to check on us, knowing full well that there had been a problem.
(2)
Tara C.
I liked the ambiance of the restaurant. Food was good! Very flavorful! The nan was excellent. I was pleasantly surprised with how much food came with the lunch special. It was a good dining experience. I'll definitely be making return trips here when I feel like having some Indian food. Yum.
(4)
Sung K.
Ok, I usually don't write reviews but this is an exception because I disagree so strongly with some of the other reviews. Overall, the food is excellent and they have some dishes you wouldn't find at other Pakistani/Indian restaurants. If you're anglo, they don't make it as spicy unless you really ask for it. The decor is beautiful and the restaurant pricing is below an expensive Indian restaurant but more than a hole in the wall. For the few extra bucks, you get atmosphere and yes the service is a bit slow on a busy night. But overall the food is great, chai isn't watered down and you're try some dishes you've never seen at other restaurants.
(5)
David D.
I have eaten here a few times and the lunch food is just okay. They give you way to much rice and some kind of salad that doesn't even look Indian. And I have found that the meat they use in some of there dishes seem kind of like cheap quality meat. I just don't really care for this place. The food isn't that great. I still picture this place as the donut shop it was before it was Flavors of India. (Not saying the donut shop effects the my opinions about this place.) Although I will say that the best thing you can get from this place is the naan.
(2)
Karen H.
I've been to Flavors of India several times for dinner since it opened. I've had severally really poor meat dishes which I couldn't finish. I feel like they have a problem "flavoring" meat and I could taste the rawness, which is very unusual for Indian food. That said, if you stick with the more common dishes, like tikka masala or saag paneer, and veggie dishes, you'll be just fine.
(3)
Kiki G.
The food is great, but the service is spotty. To be safe, order take out.
(3)
Rita N.
Don't come here unless you feel the need to wait an hour for food. I hate waiting for my food, espeically when I'm hungry. When I'm hungry, I get cranky, and my yelp reviews become exponentially harsher. (heehee) My friends and I were seated very quickly, but the waiter took 15 minutes to give us the menu. Our food was also given to us after 45 minutes of anxious nail-biting waiting. When we saw the scarce amount of food that was given to us (1 order of naan = 4 small pieces?!?!) we quickly ordered more rice and naan. However, we got the second round of rice and naan waayyy wayyy later, and we had already finished most of our food. We ordered the tandori chicken wrap(which totally fell apart when I picked it up, I also told them to make it SUPER SPICY. apparently tandori chicken doesn't come in spicy even though the host said that they could do it.), this dish that had indian cheese in it(my favorite), and two other chicken dishes. Our sevice was very random. I think 5 different people came to serve us, and the waiter that had originially given us our menu had magically disappeared. I asked the waitress who handed us the check, "who the heckness is our waiter so I can tip him exactly $0.79 just so my bill can come to exactly $51.00", she said that the waiters don't receive tip and that the manager collects all the tip. This explains. A . LOT. Also, when my friends and I were about to leave, the original waiter who had given us the menu rushed over and asked us how our food was. WHERE WERE YOU THIS WHOLE TIME?!?!? anyways, +1 star for the waitress's honesty
(1)
Ashesh P.
As one of the owners of Flavors of India, I personally apologize to our recent customers on their experience at the restaurant. Please note that your feedback & comments do help us in addressing any issues with our restaurants & are always welcome. I share all comments, good & bad, with my staff so that they know as well. Since we opened about 6 weeks ago, we have made tremendous improvements on all aspects of our service in the restaurant BUT we obviously are not done. The interest we have received from the neighborhood has been very welcoming & as we plan to be at this location for a very long time, we will keep addressing issues at the restaurant & hope to get better in all aspects of our service. Thanks to all again for your feedback. Thank you ALL for your continuous feedback. As mentioned by the previous 'yelper', we do & have listened to customer feedback to improve all aspects of our service (BUT we are not done & may never be as we continously need to improvements). As I am one of the owners of Flavors of India, I wanted to provide clarification on the issue of tips. We are legally bound to provide tips to our server staff. As our staff time (ie when they start their shifts & when they end it) varies on a daily basis, we provide tips as part of their salary so there is no confusion or calculations needed on a daily basis amongst the staff as to when he/she stared & when they ended their shift. When asked by the previous reviewer, there must have been a misunderstanding by my staff on how & when the tips get distibuted. Additionally, unlike other establishments, we donot charge our staff for the food & drinks they eat/consume (lunch & dinner & anything they like) while working for us. That is a considerable expense to us BUT I think that is a great benefit to our staff.
(4)
Joshua C.
Being new to the area.. I decided to try Flavors of India for the first time. My only question is.. where were the damn flavors? The food was bland and made with cheap ingredients. They used your average frozen vegetable blend (peas, corn, carrots, lima beans, etc.) in every vegetable dish. I mean.. c'mon.. how authentic is that? On top of the Flavor-less food.. the service wasn't too flavorful either. The wait staff were too busy gossiping with eachother to notice that we were waiting for our check. At least I learned early on to avoid this restaurant. Honestly.. I've had better Indian food from a package at Trader Joe's. I should have just went next door and picked up a package of Jaipur Vegetables, Tandoori Naan and Vegetable Biryani rice. If you've never had Indian food and don't know what it should taste like.. Flavors of India is the place for you.
(2)
Inari T.
really. the only good thing i can say about this place is that the servings for the tandoori chicken are huge. we ordered 5 dishes. 1 didn't come, and we were still charged for it. water didn't come till after we ordered. waiter service was TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : I
(2)
Ryan H.
I have found the lunch to be superb. It's a great place for sitting back, enjoying a nice long leisurely lunch with a book and a huge amount of great food. Dinner is OK, but the service is enough to almost drag it off the regular rounds or at the very least switch to take-out. The food is undeniably great.
(4)
Kim R.
We just wanted a new place to go for lunch. It's clean, lighting is poor, and the acoustics are terrible. We couldn't understand each other and we are all sitting at the same table! I ordered my lunch medium spicy and a friend ordered hers hot. Mine came out unbelievably hot and hers came out without any heat at all. The naan showed up one at a time after our meals but only because we asked. One meal didn't show up at all..so we had to ask again. I think in retrospect there was an issue with the wait staff although our waitress blamed the chef. We asked to speak to the manager but there wasn't anyone in charge (which could have been part of the problem). They did redeem themselves somewhat when they took two of the meals off the bill. I might give them a second chance just because of that.
(3)
Chris C.
The only reason I'm giving 4 stars is b/c I have yet to sit & eat there, but I've done take-out several times. The food is great, so flavorful. I love the decor, I need to have a sit down dinner there soon. Fast service for take-out.
(4)
Meg C.
I am so pleased that I live so close to an Indian place as fantastic as the Flavors of India. The service was great, everything came so quickly, and everything we ordered was outstanding. I was with a group of five people and we were seated quickly...maybe it was a fluke, but I'll take it! Either way, the food was great, the atmosphere was beautiful, but a little loud (that's ok though, a lively crowd is better than eating in silence) and it's nestled right in the heart of Lakeshore. I will be going back for sure.
(4)
Bob D.
slow and confused service, good food, decent prices. ok, we went on a friday night opening week right before it got crowded and we had two little kids with us, so the hour wait for our entrees felt like 2 hours. They did good job with the remodel, like Soi 4 on College Ave, it feels a little upscale and hip with an industrial vibe. Compared to the other sad offerings on this side of Lakeshore Ave, this is fine dining. No less than 5 people waited on us in some fashion, but very few of them seemed to know what the hell was going on, and only one of them brought us food. sigh. The vegetable pakora were ok. nothing to write home about. I had the chicken vindaloo... it was hot and delicious. the kids hadtandoori chicken... mild and delicious. My lady had Chana Masala and a chili and cheese dish... "better the second day" is what she said. Our Naan arrived fresh and hot, and it was great. the prices here are surprisingly decent for non-hole in the wall Indian food. There were a lot of kids in the restaurant... but nothing for them to do... I'd invest in some crayons and paper. We live in the neighborhood so we will be here often, I hope to bump them up a star as service improves.
(4)
Megan C.
I love Indian food, but I like it mild. They did a perfect job of toning down the the spice for me. Chicken Korma was great, and the Naan was delicious. Great ambiance. Looks like they do a great take out business as well. There were people lined up wiating for their food our entire meal. My only complaint is that service was terribly slow. Also, make sure you ask them to bring the Naan out first so you can munch while you are waiting, otherwise they will bring everything together...
(4)
Tamiko J.
Meh. It'll do in a pinch.
(2)
Miss P.
Great prices, good food! This place is reasonable and the food is more than decent. Wouldn't call it great, but a solid Indian restaurant you can count on for a good meal.
(3)
Katrina C.
I have only eaten at this restaurant twice and both times the service was horrible and the table was wobbly. But, I have ordered take out from here at least 10 times and the food is beyond delicious. My order is always right and ready when I get there. So, I'm giving flavors four starts for take out service and for the deliciousness that is their food.
(4)
Tala D.
oh my god, does this place SUCK!!! i ordered the mattar paneer. it said it came in "a delicate sauce" but i had no idea that "delicate" equates to "watery". it also completely lacked flavor. isnt that what indian food is all about? FLAVOR? also, i came in and ordered my meal to take home with me, and they told me that it was going to be at least 30 minutes. i came back 30 minutes later, and it took another 20 to get my food. the naan was aight. i know i only ordered one dish, but i have a feeling everything else sucks, too. highly un-recommended. if you want cheap decent indian food, go to raj on piedmont ave. it's not great but at least it's cheap and it doesnt totally suck.
(2)
Boots H.
12/17/07 - another nice lunch, very good, in fact. People working there were indifferent and incredibly unfriendly. 8/20/07 - nice lunch, reasonable service, pretty pricey 8/12/07 - Kitchen still a little slow, but the food is really, really good. Edited 7/10/07...how cool is it that the owners actually read and respond to these reviews! Very nice...upping my rating to 4 stars It is great to have a decent restaurant on the sunny side of Lakeshore. My son & I went there today and ordered two takeout items - the tandoori chicken and some curry chicken. The food was delicious-pricey-but delicious. To say the service was bad is being nice. It wasn't only that we had to wait almost 40 minutes for our food, it was that the people there didn't seem to have a clue that waiting 40 minutes was 25 minutes too long. No one apologized, or even said the typical: "it'll be out in JUST a few minutes!" They took our order for brown rice, then said: "oops, we don't have brown rice." We ordered ice tea, and the person taking our order had to check with two other people to find out if they had it (they don't). About 10 minutes after we placed our order, one of the waitresses came out and asked: "which order did you place?" Wow...pretty sad. BUT, the food was so good, I'd go back and give them a second chance, but maybe not for a couple more weeks.
(4)
Jenny W.
My friends and I were quite satisfied with this restaurant. The ambiance was calming and it wasn't crowded on the Friday evening we went-in fact, there were a several waiters just waiting around, no guests to attend to. The decor was simple, almost sparse-the white walls could probably use some attending to. Our particular waiter was very friendly and attentive. Prices were decent, portions were modest, food was tasty and pretty good.
(4)
Yuri I.
The food isn't bad at all, but the service is terrible. The waitresses ignore you when you try to order. It's also expensive! There were 7-8 groups seated in the restaurant, but I saw only 1 waitress on the floor the first half hour. I saw the other two waitresses when we walked in, I have no idea what they were doing back there. Oh yeah, don't wait to be seated at the entrance--nobody would notice you. I would rather go to a nice restaurant where you are treated like a customer and pay that kind of money.
(2)
Kara W.
oh man, i cannot tell you how much i wanted indian food on lakeshore ave....it seemed more than anything at one point. when i found out flavors of india was opening i rejoiced and counted the days. it is beautiful inside, such a marvelous improvement. good flavors and the servers are so attentive and sweet. especially Nazima and Roshna. i am so happy they are here.
(5)
Veronica R.
GREAT Indian food and a nicely decorated space. The chicken and prawn marsala was full of flavor and very tasty! I'd recommend this restaurant to anyone who would like a rudamentary introduction to Indian food.
(4)
Mary C.
The food was EXCELLENT, but the bathrooms were pretty gross.
(4)
Emily H.
All in all, just eh. We walked in for takeout, ordered the saag paneer, channa masala, garlic naan, rice and a mango lassi. Saag paneer: plentiful cheese, almost had some grittiness to it. We ordered it medium but it was MILD, like no heat whatsoever. Channa masala: Spiced, but not spicy. Again, ordered medium, got MILD. Again, almost some grittiness. Garlic naan: Where was the garlic? Seriously. I am used to small chunks of it on my garlic naan and this not only lacked that, but lacked any hint of garlic as well. Rice: Bland. Usually indian rice has some tiny veggies and some cardamom pods, and whatnot. This was plain white rice. Mango lassi: Probably the best part of the meal; thick and flavorful. All in all, we were really disappointed. The quest for good Indian food in Oakland continues. (In other words, we will not be going back here.)
(2)
Tatiana W.
Listen up all you Indian food loving peeps! I can honestly state two facts: 1. I'm by far the pickiest person when I'm not the chef. 2. This place ROCKS in every freaking way! The service is the best. The food is undescribable and it's cheap! What more can you ask for! LOVE IT .....LOVE IT........LOVE IT!
(5)
Tricia D.
Food is delicious and the service is superb. I love their Raita and nann bread. Their Tandori chicken is so damn good. Not a big fan of their tandori fish or prawn dishes...not as flavorful, but healthy.
(4)
Jay O.
The food is good but the service is off-and-on, both dine-in and take out. One thing that would really help would be having the prices online so you can take that into consideration when placing a take out order.
(3)
Royce L.
Tried the rest. for lunch one day. The food was okay. I expected it to taste better. The lamb meat wasn't very fresh and my side salad was browned. Neither my BF or I dare to touch the salad. The dishes were oily. I don't know if Indian food is always extremely oily, but I thought the bean soup and veggie dish I ordered was over glazed in bright orange oil.
(2)
Steven S.
Food was very bland. "Gringo" Indian food at its most mediocre. Food looked great , but for those that have had authentic (and spicy) Indian food this was not it. This was the opinion of our whole party. Though based on only one visit.
(1)
kerry f.
YUUUUM Try the okra. This is a really good place to eat, good value, nice and spicy, great service! I will be back for sure.
(5)
Katrina L.
Yum! We went there tonight and the food was delicious. The service was slow but friendly. I had read yelp reviews before I went so i was expecting a wait for food. The four of us spent almost two hours at dinner but really enjoyed it all. The advice I would have is to have more specified jobs for each wait person. It seemed that a lot of the confusion stemmed from several people doing part of one task so nobody was really responsible for finishing it. But, really, nothing big at all--the food was great and worth it. Chicken Tikka Masala and Fish Vindaloo were standout.
(4)
Rebecca W.
Delicious! But I have to admit, I've only ever ordered take-out so I can't comment on the service. But the food is great. Spicy. I usually just have them make whatever and I've always enjoyed it.
(4)
annabanana m.
well, based on the meal I ate from here, the flavors of india are Boring and Bland. it was such a waste of our time, appetites and money. if you are going to open a restaurant, is it so much extra work to make sure that your food tastes good? we had a tough-as-leather lamb vindaloo and a sadly lackluster saag paneer. shouldn't the lamb have been simmered to the point of melting tenderness? why didn't the vindaloo have a flavorful and tasty sauce? Be warned! indian food can be delicious and it is a pity that they choose not to showcase this at the lakeshore location. also, I ordered on the phone, was told to come by in 30 minutes to get the food (we did to go) and when I arrived 25 minutes after my call, the food was sitting there, ice cold. I was told if I wanted it hot I would have to come back in 40 minutes. I guess that when dining in this neighborhood, think arzmendi pizza or thai...not, alas, indian.
(1)
Nandi H.
They have the BEST chicken tikka masala I've had anywhere in the Bay Area, and I've had indian food at many places. The price is great to boot, as well as many of their vegetarian dishes and appetizers. The atmosphere is fresh, relaxed and on the edge of hip as far as Indian restaurants are concerned. It's nice for dinner out with friends or a causal date. And, in my humble opinion, much better than Khana Peena, which used to be my favorite. The one on Solano is right around the corner from my house, and I'd much rather make the trek to Flavors of India.
(5)
Matt L.
My wife and I have been dining here regularly since they opened. Their food is amazing. We fell in love with the bhargan barta (not sure about the spelling), and we've been loving lots of other dishes as well. The staff are friendly. Once they get to know you, they come over to say hello, as does the manager. The food is not all that expensive. If you order takeout, they give you huge portions that are easily good for two meals.
(5)
sabastian m.
This place has stepped up their service and the food is pretty yummy.
(4)
T ..
FOOD- The food was really good. very rich with great textures, flaors and aromas. I am a vegitarain so I really enjoy places that can make food this tasty without the use of meat/stocks. Many places I have to order something as it is with no meat, and it lacks all its character, but not here. So looking at the other reviews, I don't agrees out entress were out of this world. Our appitizer was impressive and served with many differnt sauces and combinations of flavor. Also, they don't skimp with the heat. If you ask for hot/spicy this place actually gives it to you!! PRICE- two of us with drinks, appitizers, salads and entrees was still extremely affordable, even with a hefty tip. (I like to tip a lot as an ex-server of many many years) SERVICE- I disagree with the other reviews. My service was attentive, fast, polite, and generally great. Water service is big for me, and my glass was always filled! The only thing I could complain about is that the service was really fast, I actually enjoying taking a leisurely route though dining experiences. I don't want to scarf and fly, I like to taste, enjoy, conversate, etc. Our waitress actually apologized for how fast everything came out, which was a very nice gesture but we weren't trippin over it. I'm going back!!!!!
(4)
jane d.
the foods good but the service sucks and 9 times out of 10 they screw up my order when i call it in. great menu for kids vegetarians, meat eaters, but when your a pisco-vegan and your trying to get a fish wrap without mayo or naan with no butter, they either act like they don't understand or put it on anyway.
(3)
Julie T.
Four stars for carry out. We've never dined in. Doesn't blow me out of the water for authentic cuisine but the ingredients are always very fresh which makes for nice vegetarian dishes and tandoori meats. I'm concerned about the rumors that the owner keeps tips but since we don't eat in we haven't inquired. My first carryout order was missing rice but 4 or 5 subsequent orders have been fine. If you live in the neighborhood it's good for convenience and fresh dishes. One last nice touch -- the servers offer me tea or water while waiting for my carry out order.
(4)
Dan Y.
This restaurant opened about four months ago. Although it's close to my office, I knew they had some problems so I've been waiting for things to settle down a bit before I tried it. I must say the food is exceptional, but it appears there are still some issues with the service. I noticed some customers were getting their orders quickly, while others seemed to be waiting forever for their food. The kitchen is apparently not filling the orders in the order received. Part of the problem may be the extensive menu, one of the most ambitious I've ever seen in an Indian restaurant. But although the service was a bit spotty, the servers were all very friendly and obviously trying hard to please. The owner may want to consider eliminating some items from the menu to help speed up the cooking process. Service aside, the quality of the food is top notch, and the portions are larger than at any other Indian restaurant I've been to. If you are a hearty eater you will easily be satisfied with one entree. I judge Indian restaurants based on the quality of the naan. Flavors of India makes absolutely perfect naan, just thick enough to be a bit chewy, and very flavorful. The dining area has been decorated in a very simple modern style. If the MGM in Vegas had an Indian place, this is what it would look like. For anyone in Oakland or the surrounding area looking for great Indian food, this is a good choice. The only caveat is, as many other reviewers have noted, you may experience a long wait. Bring a book, or an attractive companion. Or, as my wife usually does, both. PS: The owner contacted me regarding my review the very next day. He is apparently well aware of the service issue and is making an effort to fix the problem. So don't let that deter you from trying "Flavors of India". The food is excellent! Check it out.
(4)
Mark S.
All the food I've ever had here has been superb. I haven't had the unattentive staff problem that others have noticed--service has always been fast and friendly. Make *sure* to try the Kashmiri Naan!
(5)
David K.
Average all around. Some of the dishes are so over spiced it's hard to tell what the cook intended. Sort of like in 2nd grade when you mixed all the colors together and ended up with brown.
(2)
Ramesh R.
Loved the food, the spices were just right, the portions generous and the choices many. It was a wonderful eating experience, from the friendly wait staff to the great food. The lunch portions were so large, that we could not finish every thing on our plates. The restaurant is large and clean and the service prompt. We are looking forward to going back and trying some of the dishes that we missed the first time around.
(4)
Bren D.
for some reason there is a dearth of indian food near me. this makes no sense, given the plethora of shitty sushi, the multitude of mediocre thai, and the fact that indian food is fucking delicious. flavors of india is passable, but they consistently over-cook their shrimp, the naan is nothing to write home about, and the service blows. the samosas are fantasgreat, but its hard to fuck up deep-fried dough filled with spiced veggies. what's up with the beer selection? i know you're obliged to carry some shitty indian beers but how hard would it be to put anything else, even just sierra nevada on the list? too expensive, will go elsewhere once i find where that elsewhere is.
(2)
Elizabeth C.
We live in the neighborhood so were very excited for Flavors of India to open, and have not been disappointed. We've now ordered takeout twice, the first was good and the second time better. We ordered Chicken Tikka Masala both times, and asked for it medium - the first time it wasn't spicy at all, this second time it was perfectly "medium" - a little spicy but not at all overwhelming. Rice and naan and riata have been good both times, as have the other dishes we've gotten. Also want to note that both times we've ordered takeout (once by walking in, once placing a phone order) the food's been ready very quickly - in about 15 minutes both times. 1 point off because it's a tiny bit pricey for the portion sizes (when compared to most other indian take out places.) But the food is good, and when we've walked in to pick up the decor is lovely. Definitely planning on being a repeat customer.
(4)
Stephanie L.
Unlike the rest of the reviews of this restaurant on this page, I had no reason to complain about the food, service or wait here. In fact, I loved it and vowed to return. Full aware of the fact that it's new, I want to be sure it makes it, so I went to write a review and was shocked by the other comments I have read. So here's my review: We went for lunch yesterday and had the aloo gobi, with vegetable pakora and an extra side of puri. Everything was delicious, and the daal tasted exactly like how I used to eat it when I was in Rajasthan, India. The food is delicious and the wait staff attentive. I would happily go back.
(5)
George P.
My wife and I get the chicken tikka masala about once a week from here, and it is really really really good. I've only eaten inside once, and the service was just fine. I took off one star because sometimes the Naan doesn't seem all that fresh.
(4)
Laurel D.
I love the vegetable korma here, in fact I would marry it if that weren't both frowned upon and impossible. I have tried many other dishes, and they're good (particularly dal or chicken makhani, vegetable kofta curry), but I pretty much always get veggie korma. Yes, that good! Their garlic naan is also deliciously garlic-y, and their chai is wonderfulness in a glass. I am eating their leftovers for lunch and sad now, it's almost gone. I've also always had great service, a huge plus.
(5)
Skal Z.
My least favorite Indian spot - unfortunately they seem to be expanding to every trendy neighborhood where we could have a better Indian restaurant. The Palak Paneer has a harsh spinach taste rather than the usual delicious, creamy sauce. The chicken tikka masala also was not great. Breads and appetizers were also MEH.
(2)
Joe M.
I was starving and looking forward to my Lamb Vindaloo. I didn't even finish my meal. The gravy was bland and the lamb was very dry & chewy. Very disappointing. I'll give them another shot but I don't have the highest of hopes.
(2)
N A.
meh... how is it possible to make bland indian food?
(2)
HR L.
Great food. Always had good service and decent prices. LOVE the Kashmiri naan.
(4)
Deborah H.
it's GREAT to have an Indian place with nice ambiance in the hood, very convenient. tonight i tried a few different things like chicken madras which was excellent. the okra had too many woody pieces in it and it was just dry and boring. the spinach garbanzo was ok but not especially amazing ... didn't seem fresh somehow. the papadams were great even to go, but the mint chutney sucks ass! it's like sour and they give you these tiny portions. man, fresh mint in yogurt goes so far! the worst was the biriani ... wayyyy too wet. it should be served FLUFFY! This was way overcooked and soggy, almost with sauce. tasty but way too heavy. the raita is way too runny. the decor is nice .... and the food is solid, but i think khana peena on college is better (they also have a full bar). I lived in India for a while and dated a Pakistani and cook that type of food myself so I'm pretty picky. Namaste doods!
(3)
Gary L.
After another grueling decision of deciding what to eat last night, I finally came to the decision of trying this place out. I hadn't had Indian food in quite some time, and just the thought of it made my mouth start to water. After reading some mixed reviews about dining in, I decided I would try take out first. I ordered the lamb samosa, chicken tikka masala, garlic naan and paneer naan. After calling in my order I waited about 20 minutes before beginning my 5 minute walk down the street. I arrived just right about when my food was finished, so my timing could not have been any better. Looking around, I saw that the inside of the restaurant looked clean and nicely decored. When I finally dug into my treasures, the first thing I noticed was the ridiculous size of the samosas. They were freakin huge! Literally, the were the size of my fists! I'm so used to seeing tiny little triangles that people call samosas, but this thing was monstrous. And there were 2! Stuffed to the brim of ground lamb and veggies, the samosas paired well with the accompanying chutneys. I next tore off a piece of the paneer naan which was both soft and chewy and crispy. Charred just enough on the outside to provide a little texture and smokiness, it provided the perfect counterpoint to the creaminess of the chicken tikka masala. Large chunks of chicken breast in a nicely seasoned sauce. I asked for medium spicy, which was still pretty tame in my opinion, but the flavor was still quite good. The garlic naan was equally tasty. There was enough food that I was thoroughly stuffed and even had enough to take to work the next day. And everything still tasted great the next day. In fact I had a coworker ask when the next time I was going there so I could order some for him. The price was fair considering there was enough food to feed me for two meals, which is a pretty impressive feat.
(4)
chris j.
service gets an E for effort. ambiance is cool, not necessarily because it's so chic, just that the lighting is excellent and the place is always packed with other crocker highlanders who (like me) don't want to schlep all the way to cafe raj in albany for better north indian. spiciness is there, but only after i started ordering to-go using the alias "bikram". food quality is all over the map. i wish i knew who worked in the kitchen on which nights. it's a decent stand-by, nonetheless.
(3)
Eustacia V.
Okay, okay, I know, "who's the beyotch who lowered the restaurant's ratings?" Well, it's me. And I'll tell you why I only gave it one star, though I will say this: the food is good. Great? no. I've had better. I'm really glad it's in my neighborhood, and I'll order takeout, trust me. And the atmosphere is very nice. However... I HAVE NEVER EVER EVER had such HORRIBLE service at a restaurant before in my LIFE. Never. Now, the servers are not rude--far from it. However, I think I would prefer that to their absolute ignorance as to how a server at a restaurant should behave. If I were an alien coming to a restaurant, it probably wouldn't bother me. The girls serving were nice, the manager was fine, and I wouldn't be hung up about, say, the fact that we had to seat ourselves and get our own menus (we had to grab the takeout ones even though they have normal menus for those dining in). I wouldn't realize that the blank recognition coming from the servers when we walked in the door is completely against the standard. I mean, no one came right up and said, "Table for two?" No one made sure we had menus. No one asked us if we wanted drinks or let us know the specials, which, according to their menu, they provide nightly. Okay, so we are seated and the server sets up our table very apprehensively, but we have silverware and glasses of water. One point! Great. At least they didn't miss that one. About another 15 minutes goes by before someone takes our order (these waitresses are immune to the "evil eye" technique which so many of us have used to track down a server on the floor--they don't notice your gaze at ALL, or they're very, very skilled at nonchalantly ignoring it). We order naan and two dishes. it's about 9:30, we're STARVING, and we're assuming the naan will come out sooner than the meal. I mean, it would help them because we'd probably end up ordering more, right? Then comes the long haul of the evening--the 30-40 minute wait for food we have to endure. We decide we want to both smoke a cigarette but are worried that if we leave at the same time the servers' minute ability to recognize their clients will go defunct, and they won't be able to compute that maybe we're right outside. So during this wait, we notice everyone else in the restaurant, and boy, they're having a great time, too. It might as well be counter service, because everyone has to go up to ask for menus, a check, or a request. The table next to us had the manager come over at least three times to deal with something. And I caught eyes several times with other patrons, each of us giving a "what the %^$&" look. The waitresses come out from the back only one at a time (must be a kind of rule), and in our 30-40 minute wait for food or any attention we saw appetizers come out twice, but beyond that, no food. None, zero, nada, zip. The servers come out looking bored, ignore the roomful of anxious "look at me" eyes, move a thing of sauces from one table to another, then walk in back to scratch their backs. The table in the front, where the window is, took about 20 minutes to clean up. Every once and a while a server would remove a cup, then 5 minutes later a plate, etc., until I see a busboy come out and clean up. Then both servers come out and help HIM clean up tables while everyone sits with empty tables and stomachs. Finally, someone attentive comes out--yay! The owner (I believe) who is compliant and attentive and knows what restaurants and servers do, but of course, is way too busy. However, he offers us drinks (finally), and tells us he doesn't have a liquor license, but we are welcome to buy wine across the street. So we do, to dull the pain of this horrible night in restaurant hell and add a laugh to our gaunt faces (and some calories, albeit empty calories, to our stomachs). So we have wine, no one notices (of course) and offers us to open it for us, so we ask the owner and he complies, though he seems way too busy to remember. He doesn't. So we ask one of the server girls. Here is our conversation: Me: Do you have a corkscrew to open this? (I left the glasses out to keep it as simple as possible for her) Server: Yes. (she stares at me blankly.) PAUSE. Server goes in back. She comes back with the corkscrew and two glasses (who knew?) but tells me I have to open the bottle because she doesn't know how. I'm sorry...what?? Granted, she was anywhere from 15 to 19, so maybe that's a good thing, but still... To wrap it up, we had our wine, EVENTUALLY got our food, though the naan came out lukewarm and only 30 seconds before the food. I ordered Vegetable masala, which was delicious. My boyfriend's Chicken Korma was very good as well. What did their menu say about them? Ah yes, "...our distinct service ..." "Distinct?" Well, can't argue with that. Though I would use "negligent," "sub-par" or something...
(1)
Flavio R.
My first venture to the East Bay for Indian, one of my favorite cuisines. Nice decor though rather loud interior despite it being a Monday night with many empty tables. Service was fine but the food...how shall I put it?...was distinctly lacking in freshness. Maybe because things are slow on Monday nights? The garlic naan was quite stale and tough, definitely not a good first sign. We ordered lamb saag which was tasty, spicy and with moist tender meat. That was the one high point. The rest, well, the stuff was obviously not freshly made. The chicken in the tikka masala was really dry and not all that warm, and we would have choked on it were it not for the moisture provided by the sauce, which tasted okay. The vegetable kofta seemed to have been made with those canned mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn and potatoes) that moms used to serve back in 1965 as sides to the Spam-and-Campbell's mushroom soup casserole. The sauce was overly gloppy and indistinctly flavored; we left most of it uneaten. Worst of all was the rice, which was largely dry and hardened, obviously it had been cooked sometime over the weekend. Yuk. We had indigestion much of the night after and you don't want to know the details on how we expelled this stuff in the morning. I understand the business end of selling food that isn't the freshest, but this stuff should not have been served, it was old and they surely knew it. Stay away, at least mid-week.
(1)
kate s.
we get take out from here all the time-- it's fast and tasty, and the service is nice. i've thought about eating in the dining room, which has a lovely aura and nice, dim lighting, but haven't gotten around to it yet.
(4)
clara c.
So glad to have some tasty Indian food in the neighborhood! It has been packed since it opened, unfortunately that means a bit of a wait and a little longer service than i was hoping for given the reviews i had read for their other location. The food made up for it and I am back for more tonight ( although i am sending the husband to get takeout) so it didn't deter me entirely! The tikka Masala was excellent, the poori nice without being too greasy, the lassi very nice, go for an appetizer if you are hungry though, the food takes a while!
(4)
Manny g.
Decent, has fallen off in the past few years though.
(3)
Anne H.
I have been waiting for years for an Indian restaurant to open on Lakeshore...and here it is - and very clean and nicely decorated...I had take-out from here the first night it opened. The food was delicious and the owner was very nice and grateful for the service (though for a first night he was doing amazing business). Then, my husband and I went back on Saturday night to eat-in. And it appeared as if they just didn't have their service routine down quite yet. People were seated without menus and then forgotten. I saw two tables get up and leave because of this. We sat with our menus for about 15 minutes before someone took our order. Another table who arrived about the same time as us ordered, but by the time we'd eaten and paid the bill, they were just receiving their food. Part of this was probably caused by the fact that there was a huge party of about 15 people there that kept taking chairs from various tables and ordering food at different points. Still, it was all a little frustrating - it kind of made me want to get up and start taking orders and giving people menus. I think the problem is that they while there are a lot of people working at the restaurant, there isn't a single person assigned to a given table - so everyone assumes that you've already seen a menu, or your order has already been taken, and no one feels compelled to check on your food or let you know how long it'll be before it comes out - once they get this system under control, I think they'll be fine. All that being said, the food was again delicious. I think I may opt to call in my take-out order for a few more weeks to allow them a chance to settle in. I'm very happy to have an Indian restaurant in the neighborhood, the cooking is great, and the owner is a really nice guy trying hard to get everything under control. Definitely go there (or call in your order). Updated: After a few months of excellent take-out, my husband and I returned here on a crowded Friday night to see if the in-house service had improved. Absolutely perfect - normal wait time, food was great and came out all at once, responsive with water refills and the check. We were so happy. If only I exercised enough to justify eating here everyday instead of just once a week...
(4)
Jennifer L.
When they first opened, I was a big fan. I order their chicken tikka masala and vegetable korma, both mild for my kids, and they love it. Their lamb samosas are dry, but I keep trying them anyway. So I'm no Indian expert, but I'm pretty happy with the flavors. Problem is, they are pretty expensive and their portions are getting smaller and smaller each time I go. They've always been pretty light on the chicken, but tonight the vegetable korma was about 1/4 cup of vegetables and 3/4 cup sauce. It's corn, carrots and string beans, same mix you get in the frozen food aisle, so it's not as if they're putting some expensive veggies in there. So I called to complain, but there was no manager and the gal that answered offered me nothing but an apology and an excuse that they have a new cook. New cook or old, it's easy to tell how many veggies you're putting in the sauce! Bummer, as it's nice inside and close to home.
(3)
Z M.
Update 2/8/08: I am updating my review. Since I wrote this review the owner has exchanged a couple of emails with me explaining that they share tips and that they don't take tips away from their employees. He has also taken action by taking the 'tip calculator' off the receipts. Since he is showing this much concern regarding this issue and has taken some action, I am inclined to believe him and have changed my score. I have promised to return to Flavors of India and will re rate them based on that experience. But for now I am rating them based on my previous experience, not factoring in the tip issue. __________________________________________________Â____ Previous review: They get one star for the naan and the ok food. On the receipt there was a tip calculator and we left the tip in cash. When I tried to ask for cange from the waitress in order to leave a tip she told us we did not need to leave a tip for her because they don't get it anyways. The owners get the tips and give NONE of it to the wait staff. How unfair and messed up is that. I felt terrible because the wait staff was very kind and helpful and it felt this was so horrible and unfair to them. Do not go here and do not support them.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
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.
Shaina C.
Third time eating here! AMAZING naan and chicken tikka masala I also love the mango Lassi. I don't really recommend the fish pakora especially for first time triers, its not the best which is kind of shocking! Boyfriend never tried indian food until now & hes now craving it 247! The young girl who is always there to seat us is super sweet and is always quick getting our food and drinks! The setting is calm & elegant :)
(5)Nutcrackin C.
There's something fundamentally wrong with this place. First off the lights are too dim. Okay, live with that. As you walk in the floors are sticky. You sit down at the least dirty empty table. There's crumbs under the glass table top and the top is carelessly wiped so your arms will get all greasy if you rest them there. A guy comes with the menus and we request him to clean it up for us. He takes a paper napkin and does a half ass job. I ask him to please do a wet wipe. And he says you can change your table. I politely tell him he can do his job. He grudgingly proceeds with attitude written all over his face. We order Garlic naan Bhindi masala ( medium spice, less oil) Kofta curry Alloo tiki chat The Nan's were chewy and they aren't supposed to be. The bhindi masala was floating in about 3 cm high oil. It was half cooked and reeling of hot pepper and sour ingredients. Inedible. We tried very very hard but had to give up and requested to cancel. The kofta curry was nothing worth mentioning- didn't have any life- both the koftas and gravy were unremarkable, tasted stale not even properly warmed up. The koftas also spilled out dry flour which was completely out of place. The aloo Tikki chaat- stale tikis - proportion of tamarind overtook everything else. When we requested to cancel the bhindi masala- and pointed out the spice and oil levels, three different people turned up one after the other and offered to argue about how Indian food is cooked. Being a nice brown Indian who's been cooking since I I was knee high to a grasshopper, this shit didn't fly with me. What's worse is the two men and a lady they sent in the end wasted our time, behaved uncorteously and even had the nerve to argue back and forth. No apologies were offered for not regarding the order placed. It's sad that these restaurants stay and offer a sorry representation of Indian food. Surely for someone who hasn't had the chance to eat at better places serving fresh Indian fare will not realize how far below par the food and service at this place is. Learn to respect the needs and dignity of your customers first. And for gods sake stop serving stale food.
(1)Ashley A.
Pretty good Indian food for someone that doesn't really eat out at Indian restaurants! Order: *Vegetable Samosa *Garlic Naan *Lamb Tikka Masala *Rice I was craving samosas and naan that day and both orders definitely hit the spot! The vegetable samosa was filled with potatoes and delicious. It wasn't too heavy or too spicy. The garlic naan was exactly what I wanted, very flavorful and nicely filling. The lamb tikka masala was just ok, a little bland and the chunks of lamb were too big and too few. However, I'm probably not a good person to judge tikka masala because I realized after that I probably just like curry dishes more and expect everything to taste like curry; every time I eat tikka masala, it's not that great to me, no matter the place. The place is small and nice with good and quick service. Very decorative and not crowded. The price is exceptional as well! Our entire order was only $21 and fed two people, and even had leftover tikka masala to bring home. Most happy with the garlic naan order because 1 order of the garlic naan came with 4 pieces, so two each person! Only bad thing was that rice wasn't included in the lamb tikka masala and had to pay for it separately. They also do to-go orders so I'll probably be eating here often since it's so close to my work!
(3)Stephani M.
Delicious! We ordered take out earlier this evening as we were too tired from the day's tasks to cook at home, or to even get spruced up and go out for dinner. My companion suggested Flavors of India. I recalled that we had ordered take out two weeks ago when my GF Diandra spent the night for "movie night." I said, "heck yeah!" I called to place the order, then my friend would pick it up on the way to my house. A super friendly lady answered the phone to assist me with my order. She repeated each item back to me for accuracy and then asked if there was anything else I might want...nope, got it all. We got garlic naan, jasmine rice and two orders of chicken tandoori--TO DIE FOR!!! The food was perfect when it was retrieved, exactly what we ordered and perfectly prepared. They included any accoutrement we could have imagined as well. Thank you Flavors of India for a wonderful dinner. Stephani Smiles for Flavors of India ;)
(4)Josephz N.
The food was not fresh in any way the rice was very wet and slimy.... I've been here before twice and it was ok but I went today and the service was slow!!!! I was a server So I know slow I had to ask for water 3x and water was no where to be found there where only three customers in the whole restaurants it was horrible I am never coming here again they need to model of of some other Indian restaurants in the city like Clay oven they are freaking awesome they make sure you are taking care of and that you get everything that you were needed even if it's busy I always tip at least 20% I have less then a 10% today that's how upset I was I would not recommend this place ever
(1)Carlon Y.
This place is great. Good food, nice atmosphere, friendly service. Uncomplicated.
(5)Jannet H.
So dissapointed. Their chicken tikka masala had no masala! It was cream color( when it is always orange at every other place , Indian orPakistani ) and was just all coconut milk. Their Chana masala had no flavor at all, and no curry either. Their naan was good, but you eat Indian food for the main dishes and not the sides. The prices were also high considering the quality of the food and the style. I spent 56$ on three entrees and and rice( which they charge per person and not per plate), and two pieces of naan. Needless to say it was such a rip off and the food was not authentic at all. Don't waste your time... Or money!
(2)Fedi A.
This is a good neighborhood indian restaurant. The tandoori chicken is a must try if you like BBQ chicken. It has the right amount of flavor and spice but nothing that a sensitive stomach, like myself, can't handle. The tandoori chicken comes sizzling hot to your table. The chicken briyanni was decent but it was almost like they mixed a curry with the rice. Not sure if I could order it again . The tikki masala was good but ordering it spicier may have been better.
(3)Casey S.
Dependable eats with quick and attentive service. Not finicky with Indian, but they don't disappoint. Large dining room, which is nice. Never seen the place packed though. FYI, a fitness studio is upstairs so expect loud stomping from workout classes. Props to the staff for dealing with that everyday.
(3)Lara S.
LOVE this place. We've been eating here for years. The staff is so sweet and incredibly hard working. The food is delicious. Ask for spicy, it adds additional traditional flavor to the dishes! Only downfall, they don't deliver. HIGHLY recommend :)!!
(4)Reve W.
Food is pretty good but I've had better service across the street at Chipotle :/ I enjoyed the paneer naan and chicken tikka masala. I know we're in a drought but a refill of water would've been nice.
(3)Disco B.
Mehhhhh. I will admit that I am a bit snooty when it comes to Indian. That being said, not a lot of flavor compared to most places. Had the Malai Kofta, Veg samosas and garlic naan. In each dish I wanted there to be better flavor and texture. More fennel, cardamom, maybe a dash of cumin?! Put some peas in the samosa so it isnt just a fried sack of mashed potatoes? Garlic naan was not really all that garlic-y. I also got the gulab jaman but that is for later, so I can't comment. It was reasonable priced and had a nice dining room. I had take out so I can't comment on the service but my order was ready to go and check out was prompt. I would probably go elsewhere but would give them another try if I got wind that they changed recipes.
(3)Isadora P.
I live down the block from this restaurant but have only had their food twice. Last night my boyfriend and I got some takeout from here and dinner at home was satisfying, but the garlic naan and chicken tikka masala weren't as great as I hoped. I probably won't order their naan anymore, probably should have gotten rice instead. The naan was kind of small and too chewy for my taste. The tikka masala was alright, I've had better elsewhere. It was okay in flavor and very creamy but could have had more chicken in it. The vegetable samosas were yummy, It was my first time trying them and I would order them again.
(3)S E.
I've been getting worse and worse food here for the past few years. I've always ordered mild spice for myself, and the last 3 times, there has just been no flavor. We've only eaten here twice, over 3 years ago, because I hate the sour smell inside (general mildew smell, kind of like a dishrag that hasn't been thoroughly dried) My partner always gets Chicken Tikka Masala, which almost never disappoints. Last time we ordered, we received Chicken Korma by mistake, but didn't notice til we got home. The sauce had flavor, but the chicken was dry.
(2)Cee cee R.
I love this particular location because its great walking distance to everything. I love the decor of this place. It's very soothing and brings a traditional India feel to your dinning experience. Their food is wonderful. The tandoori chicken is a must try!! Their mango lassi is packed with flavor. This a place to visit when you want good comfort Indian food!!
(4)Amber D.
I really enjoy the chicken tikka masala and garlic naan. The flavors are great. It's a little on the high priced side and I haven't actually eaten in the restaurant, those are the reasons why I would give a 4 instead of a 5.
(4)Lotus E.
Omg their shahi paneer , saag paneer, rice, aloo n paneer nan oh and mango lassi is DELICIOUS!!!!!!! Price is decent n service is awesome
(5)George L.
Another great service! My favorite waitress, Nezima is so kind and amazing. I love the food here and great for a nice meal among friends.
(5)Carl M.
I mean really, show me better Indian food (11-4-14 edit: found better Indian food, by a lot, my secret). This place is so solid, I mean just I get a lot of take-out here and this place is really reliable for me. Delivering the deliciousness to the hungry mouths, that's what this place does. I've sat down for a meal here once, years ago. I get take-out here fairly often, and overall this place will treat you well and take care of your Indian food requirements, which if you're wise, will be numerous.
(3)trisha p.
I went to get some indian rice, mango chutney, vegetable samosas( no good, mushy and no flavor, I make them better) and two breads. I was told 25 minutes, which surprised me, most of the items were already made. Only the two breads had to be done to order, ok and the samosa fried. I said ok waited 25 minutes went by and nothing, at 35 I got up and asked about my sides (I had cooked curry at home and wanted some sides I didn't have) I was told the kitchen was VERY busy, because there was ONE large table (8 people). But they told me they were going to check, I wasn't given an answer if they checked. finally after 45 minutes I got up and asked for my money back, I was told they were packing my food already and that I would have it in 3 minutes, 10 minutes went by! and nothing, I told the woman serving me that it was ridiculous, how long it was taking, most of the items should have been cooked already, samosas prepped and only needed to be fried, breads don't take that long to cook or bake. They didn't seem to know how to handle a rush. If a large table of 8 and a few deuces with no one else waiting can be called a rush! While waiting, the noise was too much, it seemed they had horses running upstairs or was it their music? I don't know but it was annoying. I also noticed they put the glass racks on the floor and they take them from there. No proper place for glasses. Drying the silverware with napkins (no no). Another customer got up and asked for his food, another came to get some to go boxes; it seemed as if they were slow all over the restaurant. All this and reading they have roaches, I don't think I'll go back. Next time I make curry I'll make the time to cook everything else as well.!!
(1)Patricia M.
Heavenly Prawn Biryani with Raita.
(5)Laura F.
This place is tried and true for me. I love how it is never too crowded, and the food comes to our table quickly. I'm not an expert on Indian cuisine, but I end up eating here about once a month, because I love their dishes and it's convenient. The food is anything but bland. I especially like their lamb biryani and chicken saag.
(5)Suzanne E.
My husband is British and we get take away here regularly. Curry to a Brit is equal to Mexican for a Californian so we wouldn't go back if it was bad. Because we are regulars and friendly, the staff know us and have not had problems with service. Had couple of times where they forgot a rice or papadum, but if you let them know they make sure not to forget again. Also love the VIP parking spot in front. He waits in car while I pick up. Won't tell you, figure it out. Started using the online ordering and it is convenient. Definitely reccommend for take out.
(4)Sandra C.
The food was mediocre. I'm not very picky but this food had no flavor substance. Great service though. Very sweet waitress. Don't recommend.
(2)Mary S.
The chicken tikka masala was delicious. My picky 16 years old daughter can't wait to go back.
(4)Noelle H.
My friend was craving Indian food and we were in the neighborhood, so we decided to check this place out. I should have known as soon as I checked in that the service would be bad as other reviewers have mentioned, but I like to give restaurants the benefit of the doubt and come in unbiased. We were quickly seated and were asked our orders not too long after we got your menus. I ordered the chicken tikka masala with garlic naan and my friend ordered the chicken madras with regular naan. When our food came out, I got rice instead of naan. But it's fine, I was deciding between the 2 anyways. About a few bites into our entree, a server (the same one who dropped off our food) tells my friend she got the wrong dish and that it was for another table, and quickly took back the dish and replaced it with hers. Um, ok. But I hope they didn't give that to the table considering my friend was eating from it.... Food wasn't hot. I felt it was just ok. The naan was delicious and fresh though! We asked for the check and box about halfway through our meal since we had to leave. It took about 20 min and asking 3 different people for them to finally bring a box. When they brought the check, it was for a different table. When they finally brought us OUR check, we told them to split it between both cards. Easy enough right? Well, I received my card with half of the total, but my friends card was charged the full amount! Seriously? It's a good thing she double checked it! It took a while, but they finally got it resolved. But jeez, it's been awhile since I've had such mediocre service with careless mistakes. And it wasn't even busy..... Pass.
(2)Ari W.
Great authentic Indian food. Delicious you cannot argue this. Noisy upstairs? Eh barely. Great Indian food.
(4)Jamie L.
My SO and I tried the to-go of the Flavors of India in Berkeley and on my suggestion decided to come here for a sit-down dinner. Nice and modern restaurant that unfortunately resides directly under the hip-line dancing studio upstairs. Needless to say, my SO was glancing at the structural beams to make sure they're hold. Standard order as usual when we go out for Indian cuisine: vegetable samosa (for appetizer); chicken tikka masala, basmati rice and naan to share. Our favorite so far is the sauces, their tamarind and chutney dipping sauces for samosas have been the best find so far! But that is where it stops. The sauce for the tikka was not at all creamy and not as flavorful as the small and big competitors we've been to. The naan was soggy and not memorable. And majority of the a-ok rating is the service. We were left alone for far too long. It took two requests/reminders that we didn't receive our samosas, which were to be our appetizers. They gave that AFTER we ate our entree. Our chai tea request, as well, took awhile to be served. And when it came to our check, we waited forever that we were so close to the door and they were so inattentive, the temptation was present but not said. Personally, this is not really the place for us. For the price we paid, we found an equally better place to go. Lack of good service and okay food, I don't see a lot of check-ins in the near future.
(3)John E.
Visiting the Bay Area and jonesin' for Indian food, we chanced upon Flavors of India. Seated promptly, server took our order shortly thereafter. Very nice vegetable somosas and nan. Pretty good chicken curry. Atmosphere was nice, but lights were a bit low. My fifty-something eyes needed a flashlight to read the menu! Then our server brought a candle to the table, which helped. Modest selection of beers, but some bottled micro-brews in addition to Kingfisher, Taj Mahal, etc. Good value, good service. I'll be back!
(4)Funk Banger W.
Food here was authentic, been here once 4 years ago. The curry is spicy enough, and the rice is non-sticky. Would like to come back when i got the chance.
(4)Marcello L.
We stopped here for our Valentines dinner as we walked by and the place looked very busy, which seemed to mean that it was a good restaurant. We walked in 50 minutes ago and still don't have our food. We have already asked two people to check on our order but I am not hopeful at this point. How disappointing for our Valentines dinner. I would recommend that you NOT come here. I should have read the yelp reviews but assumed since it was busy it was good. It was busy because everyone is waiting for their food. So far, two tables have already walked out while we are still here. We may end up at the Cheesesteak fast food place in 10 minutes. Again, DO NOT waste your time.
(1)Rahsaan H.
I enjoy coming here when in the mood for good Indian cuisine and a intimate environment. The Chicken Masala, Potatoes Samosas, lamb with yogurt sauces are all tasty. My only qualm is the SMALL PORTIONS, outside of that I think the food itself is good.
(4)Patrick M.
The food here in my opinion was pretty damn expensive. I ordered the Garlic Naan and the Chicken Tikki marsala. For the price of the Chicken Tikki Marsala I figured that I would be getting more. Service was okay, the place was empty the whole time my friend and I were there, didn't seem like business was going well I guess? The actual food was pretty decent--The sauce was savory and I enjoyed it.
(3)Kimberley M.
Did they ever clear up their cockroach problem. Last time I was there, we left due to the huge cockroach crawling up the wall. Had to get out of my seat to get a closer look.....saw it crawling from my table which was in the middle of the restaurant. Needless to say I didnt eat lunch that day. Yuk.
(1)Danielle B.
The chicken tikka masala is the best you will find in the Oakland/Berkeley area. The naan is always cooked perfectly and is never burned like it often is at other places. The staff is very friendly and the food is always hot even when you get take out. They also serve very generous portions which is nice. This is the place to go in the east bay for Indian food!
(5)Tarah D.
We've been here a few times and gotten take-out here, too, and the food is fine. It's not great, but not bad. So your run-of-the-mill Indian food. But the service here is a problem. We've been here when we are the only people in the restaurant, and still it seems like the waiter isn't quite sure how to handle us as customers. Tonight we came in to a relatively busy restaurant (more people than I've seen before) and waited too long at the entrance/hostess. Finally a waiter comes over and takes us to a filthy table where he asks us to sit and someone will come clean it. The same happens to the couple that came in behind us (they are sat at the table next to us). We sit there and wait... and wait... and wait... for about 10 minutes. Eventually the table next to us (with the couple that came in later that we did) is cleaned (or at least sort-of wiped off with a wet cloth) and they get silverware and a menu. But they had waited a long time, too... as we sat there at a really disgustingly filthy table, waiting to be even acknowledged by any of the waitstaff that walked by us multiple times, we finally left, and, to be honest, I don't think they even noticed. We walked down the street to Yayu Ehtiopian and had a great meal. I won't be returning to Flavors of India here. Okay (not good) food, which is priced a bit high, and really disappointing service.
(2)Raha G.
I like to give restaurants the benefit of the doubt sometimes before I write them off by their ratings on Yelp. But, after giving this place a try twice, I've determined that the restaurant's three stars and complaints of bad service are totally valid. It has been a while since I've experienced such an unorganized and flippant serving staff. They got our entree order wrong the first time and our wine order the second time. I would avoid this place at all cost.
(2)Julie B.
Odd to me that the reviews are so all over the place. I rarely dine in here so can't speak to the service, but we do get takeout from here a fair amount and we always find it fresh, hot and tasty. It isn't blow your socks off amazing, but for good consistent Indian, it absolutely works. The dal is flavorful. Chicken tikka kebab is a big portion and well cooked- not dried out or overcooked like in some places. The naan is a bit on the chewy side, but to be fair that might be because we are getting take out and it steams by the time we get home. Husband likes the curries, and when he asks for them super spicy, they actually oblige (not like some places). Overall, tasty and handy when you want something flavorful and just don't feel like cooking.
(4)Kate H.
How's the food? Pretty darn good. How's the service? Sooooooo slooooooow. Everything on the menu is tasty, like 3 stars tasty, nothing amazing but takes care of those Indian food cravings. The service, however, moves at a glacial pace. We went on a Sunday night and there were maybe 4 other occupied tables. Getting our order taken took forever, drinks took forever, food took forever, and the check? You guessed it, took forever. Maybe you just have to be a bit more zen to eat here? Live in the moment? Smell the roses? Nice people, good food, but maybe get some roller skates or other speedy device?
(2)Peter V.
Best Indian food you can find in town. I spent 6 months hunting for some really good Indian food and this place does it. Get take-out if you're in a hurry, otherwise it takes 20 to 30 minutes to get your meal when you dine in. However, if you have the time to sit and relax, it is worth the wait for the quality of the food.
(4)Gabrielle L.
I always considered this place to be somewhat expensive for Indian, but convenient and good. However, we got take out here the other night and I think they sent the flavors back to India. To be fair, plain naan and samosas were good. But a saag panner was just a flavorless mush with a few chunks of cheese, and a chicken tikka masala was like a can of Campbell's tomato soup mixed with heavy cream and a few chunks of chicken. I'm giving them 3 stars instead of two because it seems that this was just an off night, but I don't plan to go back.
(3)Johnny C.
The good: The food was dee-licious. Just enough portion. Naan was great! Great setting. The not so good: Drinks are not their specialty. Very Little alcohol, mixed drinks are not as good. Overall value for price on all items is not there.
(3)Matthew J.
I don't review often, but this place is getting a bad rap here on Yelp. I've been twice and the food is delicious! It's not world-class, but it's totally solid, tasty Indian for a reasonable price. The veg korma is super flavorful, and the lamb vindaloo tonight was scrumptious as well. With a garlic naan or three? Yep.
(4)Shannon L.
We went to Flavors of India this past weekend. We ordered the Mixed Vegetable Masala, Chicken Tikka Masala, naan, and rice. The vegetable masala was the best Indian vegetable dish we've ever had! The chicken tikka masala was really tasty too! The food was really flavorful and the service was excellent too! We will return! Overall grade: A
(5)Tiffany P.
My husband is Scottish and we have eaten curry all over the world...this place tastes just like what you can get in the UK-fabulous, mouthwatering. Added bonus: it's decorated cute, has a bit of ambiance and impeccable service. Oh yeah and unusual for an Indian-good wine list! Will be back anytime we go to the Fox Theatre.
(4)Ruth A.
Good Indian food. Nothing remarkable, just solidly good. It's particularly good as a place to go and have a conversation: it's not loud, no loud tacky music and screaming people at the next table, just a nice quiet dinner. And yes, the service is fairly leisurely, but they didn't rush US, either. It's become a favorite place to have dinner with my adult son, because we can hang out and chat and eat without getting glared at or pushed out the door. All in all very pleasant. We're regulars now.
(3)Calamity L.
I love this place. Easy walking distance from me; mellow atmosphere--quiet enough to have dinner conversation, which is a rarity in the Bay Area; friendly service; tasty food! My favourite is the okra. Just like my gujarati boss used to make.
(5)Stephanie S.
I come here a lot with a friend of mine who's even more of a regular than I am. I ordered some Kashmiri Naan the other day to go, even though I was on my way home for dinner, because I like it so much. I usually order the Chicken Tikka Masala like a small child, but it works for me! My friend is vegetarian and has a ton of awesome options. The downsides: I hate finding/paying for parking on Lakeshore. These guys are kinda expensive. The last time I had that Naan, it was 90% bread and only 10% stuffing (cashews, raisins, coconut, cherries), which made me super sad. A lot of reviews talk about the bad service. I've been immune to this problem, but that's probably because my friend comes so regularly that she knows one of the waitresses. She brings us everything in record time and always makes sure we're taken care of. Guess it really is good to have friends in high places...and Indian restaurants.
(3)Chana J.
On our travel from Texas, as we were returning we decided stop in this place for our final lunch in Oakland, the place was completely empty (uh-oh) before entering I searched yelp and the reviews were mixed. We ordered the Mixed Tandoori Grill with mahi-mahi, shrimp, chicken and lamb which arrived on a bed of sautéed onions and bell peppers; (best dish selection) we loved it! We also ordered the Saag Paneer and Tandoori Boti Kabab is chunks of boneless lamb marinated in a mildly spiced homemade yogurt sauce. Served with our mint-cilantro and tamarind chutneys. loved the chutneys with the lamb the balance of savory, spice and sweet was a good blend. Finally, we ordered the Naan breads one garlic and other onion. Both were served warm and was great for dipping . The price was amazingly reasonable and we had plenty of food to go. The water was served from the pitcher that was already flavored with lemon, so if you don't like lemon water that maybe an issue. But I do, so it all worked out perfectly. Bon' appetite!
(4)Amy C.
Don't waste your money here! It's just a nicely decorated place with poorly flavored over priced Indian food.... Go down the street to house of curries on Grand Ave. interior could use some help but the food is authentic and the price is right. Not to mention the chai is bottomless unlike flavors of India's 1 cup BS...!
(1)Christopher W.
I kinda feel like I'm kicking someone while they are already down. I came to Yelp expecting to write this review, hoping that it would bring balance to the positive reviews I assumed would be doting this space. Then, I get here and see that my experience wasn't an isolated incident. Sad. I've been looking for solid Indian food in the Bay Area for over two years. My three experiences at Flavors of India have ensured I continue my quest. The food isn't bad. The staff isn't bad. The location isn't bad. But, "isn't bad" isn't a good reason to keep going somewhere. What is bad is the service. Not like rude, pretentious server with better stuff to do with their time. More like unattentive, inexperienced server without a clue. Honestly, I don't think I'll be back anytime soon. But, I wish them the best of luck.
(2)A G.
Good food but somebody PLEASE call the health inspector. Theirs rats, cockroaches, and flies in the kitchen. I have a friend who worked at top-dog and could see into the kitchen. It's gross. Just a heads up. The one of college ave is much cleaner.
(1)Art O.
I'm going with the consensus here with 3 stars. I love the Flavors of India in Rockridge. Just a better ambiance and the service is 10 times better than this branch. Although the food is about the same, the Rockridge restaurant seems to have a slight edge. This spot seems to be a bit cavernous - never too crowded - which, in this case is not a good thing. The main difference, again, is the service. I'm a bit biased because they used to have the cutest girl that served us in Rockridge. Not only that, they were just much warmer and just provided better service. For instance, just pouring your beer for you in the glass or packing up your extra food for you goes a long way. Of course, I don't have a problem doing these things myself, but when a restaurant does these little things it just shows they care more.
(3)Eric H.
Wow! I just logged into Yelp to write a review and discovered I had not finished my last review of this place. Interestingly, my review is the same---great food, ridiculous service. Management needs to conduct a service audit and rate their own establishment. The service is terrible. I won't bore you with the details of how bad the service was. I see there are plenty of other reviewers who have described the ineptitude of the wait staff. I was disappointed that even after pointing out their failings along the way all we got was "I'm sorry."---no corrective action or compensation.
(1)Suki B.
Okay, I would probably only give this place 1 star, but their Mango Shake was BEYOND AMAZING!! So much so, that they get an extra star! It totally hit the spot. Other than that, their samosas were good. Everything else was...meh! I usually get Chicken Tikka Masala (my fav) when I go out for Indian food... But they put peanuts in theirs, I'm allergic and they said the sauce is already made with the peanuts, so they couldn't make it without them... bummer. Anyway, I go the Kurahi Chicken with Garlic Naan...the chicken lacked spices...Indian food is supposed to be bursting with flavor and it surely wasn't. If anything, I'll definitely be back for the Mango Shake!
(2)Kimberly B.
I had dinner at FOI last night and it was better than I remembered... the last time I ate here, I had a wrap for lunch which I would not recommend - it was just so-so. After eating at that disaster "House of Curries" on Grand, FOI was, in comparison, a delight. I ordered the Saag Chloe and the Chicken Korma - spicy. Both had nice flavor and spice and good size portions - I have at least two more meals with the leftovers. The atmosphere is at least restaurant like (unlike HOC) - but one complaint I must mention is that my food took about 15-20 minutes when 7 of the 19 tables were occupied. I did notice several people coming in to pick up their orders but still. Is it my favorite? No. Ajanta is here in the East Bay, but not bad for a quick fix when craving Indian.
(3)Nico H.
Went back here for lunch, and it'll be the last time I eat here. Which is unfortunate because the food is pretty good. We were one of TWO parties in the whole place, and everything still took forever. Menus, water, food, water refills, the check -- everything moved at a glacial place, which is just unforgivable with no one in the place! Our server was also inexplicably resistant to sharing the lunch specials with us (which was on a separate menu), not just with us but also with other parties who sat down nearby after us. I know this is a neighborhood place so not expecting 5-star service, but even a hint of interest in making your customers happy would be nice.
(1)Robert A.
The food was on par with most Indian places I've been to and the atmosphere was nicer than most places in their category. The one thing that was quite odd was they couldn't wait to get us out the door. They had a fair amount of customers, but not enough to justify trying to clear out a 2 top. The waitress came by every 5 minutes to see if the bill was paid. I got annoyed and decided to check out the desert menu just to fuck with them. Then, the slap in the face. She said she would only give me the to go menu to check out the deserts. Their desert selection sucked. After the fair amount of time digesting I'm accustomed to, we left at our leisure, no thanks to them. Some other odd rude behavior: When I called for holiday hours, they hung up without a goodbye, I was told they didn't have WiFi, even though I could see the network and they charged for the most expensive wine because I didn't specify which one I wanted. If your in the area and looking for Indian, I would skip this place and check out House of Curries. It's not as swank, but it's BYO, free chai tea and the owner is a fucking riot.
(2)Stu S.
I need to amend my "food is delicious" comment. Had lunch there yesterday and tried the Tandoori Fish. It tasted pretty bad. I am quite tolerant with food, but if there is an off taste, I won't eat it. Fish can easily spoil. The server asked how things were, and I told her, that I rarely complain, but the fish tasted bad. She said they had a new chef. I said "maybe I deserve a refund." She thought I was joking, and I stated I was not. She said it probably was different spices that I was not used to. Had they made an effort to assure me that the fish is fresh and that it was indeed different spices they used or offered a certificate for a meal the next time, I would not be writing here. I hesitate to drop to two stars, maybe 2.5 stars now. Just want to make sure readers know not to order the fish. (Sounds like a line from the movie Airplane.)
(3)Chris C.
This is the best Indian food I've ever had, hands down. (I've never been to India, so I don't know how authentic it is, but if you live in California, this is the place for you.) They have a large variety of foods, both for meat-eaters and vegetarians. When my family eats here we get four or five dishes and share them. The food is cooked to perfection, and you can specify the level of spiciness that's right for your tongue. The staff is friendly and competent -- they usually recognize us, even when we just get take-out. The atmosphere is intimate. I've eaten here a number of times and have never been disappointed.
(5)D W.
I've been going to this restaurant a long time and have experienced some ups and downs. Very unfortunately a very loud hip hop dance studio is now located above the restaurant, and made the dining experience there intolerable. So, I won't be going to eat there any more )-: Add to that the fact that the Tandori Chicken dish has substantially shrunk in size. 3 tiny little drumsticks and thighs, more the size of a canary than a chicken. Perhaps these were mini chickens. They still do make great saag Chole, nan, and the vege birayini is the best around town. the raita is getting thinner too (an absolute sign of tightening the purse strings). Bottom line, at best, will come back and take out our faves, Really bummed.
(2)Marcella J.
My BF and I ordered take out on our very first date from this place, and two years later we ordered to reminisce. God I forgot how amazing their food is..! Chicken tikka is our staple, sometimes we order the saag panneer. Tonight we ordered the coconut lamb, it was sooooo tender..!!! Garlic naan is a must..!!! Sincerely, Two very happy campers ;-)
(5)Corey G.
Flavors of India was a classic example of a tease. Her fragrances and foods taunted and teased me (& my group all night). And by all night, I mean ALL NIGHT! We waited: "FOR-EVER" (and I mean this in a very "Sandlot-y" way: youtube.com/watch?v=H-Q7… ) It got to a point of comedy. This is mainly because we could see everyone else in the dining area was going through the same pain. Our table all let out self-chuckles, because we could just see how people just looked grumpy and pissed off around us. I mean seriously, our famish-nessiosity gave way to delirium at the expense of our fellow patrons in the same predicament. Now we could have just been her on a bad night, but yeah, the service comically slow. As for the food, yeah, the fragrances didn't disappoint (4-level), but the service, and the fact that my stomach ate my kidney while we were waiting make it a tough sell for me.
(2)Hank M.
I have been 3 times, mostly due to one dish (Mixed Veg. Masala), formerly beloved by my girlfriend, that she discovered the 1st time. The very salty, oily food we got on the 2nd and 3rd visits have led me to believe that the 1st time was a fluke. Or possibly a change of chef? Regardless, we're moving on. On the plus side, the service was good and staff were friendly and responsive.
(2)Joshua J.
come on - $3 for mixed pickles? it's like a burger joint charging for ketchup. My food was delicious but not enough to offset the ripped off felling for getting gouged $3 for a tiny cup of mixed pickles when i'm sure the 2 gallon jug of them cost less. if you're going to charge for this, then at least make your own in house.
(1)Jennifer W.
My boyfriend works nearby, so we always see it but never got a chance to try it out. So when we finally decided to give this place a try. I guess it we picked the wrong day, Fridays are super packed, but we were seated promptly. We looked at the menu and discovered there's many different types of meat with their curry style or specials sauces. So much choices to choose from. I settled down to try the Chicken Tikka Masala and my boyfriend had the Lamb Vindaloo. We ordered a side order of naan and rice to share. My boyfriend knew one of the waiters there and he treated us to two Mango Lassi. My first sip...Oh my goodness! It was the most delicious drink I ever tasted (Fresh yogurt blended with mango puree and some spices) I nearly drank all of my drink before my food was even here. The food took kinda long for it to come. But when it did finally arrived. It didn't disappoint us. My Chicken Tikka Masala was so tasty. Boneless pieces of chicken soaked in their spiced cream sauce. Yumm! My boyfriend's Lamb Vindaloo was a little spicy for me. Boneless lamb in their chili spiced sauce. Both dishes compliments well with the naan (bread) and rice with ordered. We had a great first experience here and will be back to try other delicious entrees!
(4)Brendan S.
I wish I could just flat out give them 5 stars, but I'd be ignoring a major problem here. More on that later. To give you an idea of how good the food is, I'll just say that my husband will not eat Indian food from any other place in the entire Bay Area. And I have to say I totally agree that Flavors of India has the best Indian fare I've ever had. I have tried lots of vindaloos and tikka masalas, and this restaurant takes first prize. I can attest for their vegetable samosas too, which are perfect every time. Actually, all the food is top-notch. Not one bad dish on the menu. Sadly, there's also not one fantastic server in the restaurant. They all vary from decent to really bad. I've never been here without needing to inquire about something we ordered (last time it was our iced chai teas, which only arrived with our main dish because I said something). They don't smile, and general customer neglect is commonplace. As I write this review, I realize even more that the level of inattention to service is maddening, as is the fact that the food takes so awfully long to arrive. So while I appreciate the excellent cuisine, the charming ambiance, and the very affordable prices, spending money here always feels like a Catch 22. Ambiance: 4 stars Food: 5 stars Price: 5 stars-- I'd pay double what they charge if anyone working there bothered to smile or check up on me. But since they never do.... Service: 1 star. If you live near them, just do take out to get the awesome food without the awful service (and do make sure you order an hour ahead of time).
(4)Christopher A.
Great food! Reliably good and service is nice. I wish they delivered to outer West Oakland or had a location closer to us.
(4)Kim D.
I'm guessing that a family own/operate several of these local spots, if not all. Conspiracy, collaboration, cooperation, call it what you will. I've observed large groups come in, embrace, eat, go back into the kitchen, and leave without a tab. All fine and well - if you're wearing attire that satisfies the food industry standard, but such was not the case. The Alameda location is much more elegant, accommodating and the staff remember my capsaicin allergy sans prompting and my request for saag paneer with half the amount of cheese. At THIS location, after a few unnerving visits, I took an 18 month sabbatical, until yesterday. During aforementioned recon/comparison visits: * I have watched a particular server drop linen napkins on the floor, retrieve them and place them on the table, like nothing happened. * Yes, I immediately ditched my paper napkin and busted out the Handi-wipes. * Lunch papadum were recycled from previous night's service... Or at least they sure tasted like it...! Stale and... FLACCID. Childrens, you know I do not like to use the eff-word, but I call it as I taste it. * I've been served the specifically requested "no heat" saag paneer that has nearly burned a hole through my gullet at first bite. If your mother sauces or product is already made, then say so - I'll find something else to eat, no hard feelings. But don't you DARE lie to me and put me in acid-reflux hell and hives for the next 48 hours. Yes, I have prescriptions for both, but I'd rather the truth. * On most recent foray, our entrees hit the table before our lukewarm chai did. The same napkin-dropping server (from 18 months ago) took the order and when asked if our beverages were coming, looked confused, and then I think it registered. * We really wanted Ethiopian, but they don't open until 5:30pm on Mondays, so we settled for this place. When I saw the Napkin Dropper, I should have gone with my gut, and gone to Top Dog. Cadet was super-starving though and was craving a giant protein buzz and had already decided upon the fish, which he really liked. I abstained from sampling his dish. * The loo logistics are distressing as well: you have to walk by the kitchen, down a corridor, past dry goods and then use a key to unlock the shared facilities. I only made that trip once, and half-expected to see a capuchin monkey with a hacking cough hunkered down, looking miserable and making me miserable. * The cross-contamination possibilities would boggle the mind of Stephen Hawking. Pun intended. I totally own the fact that it's difficult for me to eat at some ethnic restaurants because of my medical quirks, but in the interest of full disclosure, the staff must be honest with their patrons, or former patrons as the case may be. Alameda store yes; Lakeshore no.
(2)Hoda S.
I love Indian food and I've been trying to find good Indian food around my area. I've basically tried all the other Indian restaurants around and this was the best. The menu online doesn't tell you that rice is not included so i was kind of surprised to find out that I ordered a lot of food with no rice to go with it. For the price it was, rice should've been included. But the garlic naan was really good the lamb samosas were excellent the veggie ones were okay. I ordered the chicken tikka masala and the lamb curry and it was so delicious. The lamb was tender and not fatty or too chewy. I just wish I had some rice.
(3)Cindy S.
We decided on Indian food tonight and we had a good experience the last time we came here, so we thought why not eat here again. Tonight was a different experience. We had to seat ourselves because we were standing around unnoticed. We sat down, then 5 minutes later, they brought us our utensils, water and menus. She never came back until 15 minutes later to take our order. She passed by us a few times, but never stopped at our table to take our order. I was getting a bit frustrated and impatient. We placed our order. Tonight we ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala (our favorite there), Aloo Saag (vegetable dish that was really good also) and the Garlic Naan (which was extremely good as well). The last time we had dinner here, we ordered the Vegetable Samosas which we thought were good but didn't get it tonight. All in all, we enjoy their food. It's very tasty and flavorful. However, tonight's service was a bit disappointing for me. But, we will still return because we like the food and hopefully the next time we come back, we will get a better service :) Btw - their mango lassi is so good!
(4)Robert S.
Solid indian food, terrible service.
(3)Dave N.
I guess the one thing this place has going for them is that they really emphasize the "flavor" part of their restaurant moniker. Fish Vindaloo was super flavor y.. and by flavorly- i mean extremely salty. I mean you can feel your mouth and throat dry up almost instantaneously after each bite. I tried dipping it with plain naan to balance the taste out but that didn't really work either. It only made me full from eating naan. This is my 2nd time coming here with the same anemic experience. I know Indian foods primarily are rich with exotic herbs and spices but i'm sure their food wasn't designed to be this salty. Either that or most Indian people have really high blood pressure from all this high-sodium food. It's good to point out that the ambiance here was a little too subdued as well. Lights were too dark, the waitresses had that dreary look on their faces. The atmosphere was a little.. depressing. *clears throat*
(2)Jeannette W.
Don't come here if you are in a hurry. I ordered takeout last Thursday evening. Thought I was being smart by calling in my order around 7:50. Since I was quoted that it would be 30 to 35 minutes before the food would be ready I installed my digital cable box. Then I walked down to Lakeshore and bought beer. Showed up to pick up my order 50 minutes later and the food was still not ready. The woman helping me told me that they were busy and backed up so my food may take at least another ten minutes. By then, I was ready to explode and take the whole place with me. I asked to speak to the manager and was told he was not there that night. Then I told her I couldn't wait 10 minutes so she said she would aim for five. It ended up taking another 15 minutes. To add insult to injury, the place was only HALF full. There was no offer of a drink while I waited or a discount for being so late with my order. I don't think the restaurant cares one way or the other about their customers. I probably won't be back for awhile, especially since I have been here several other times when the service and wait for food was equally bad. This incident is par for the course and could be due to the absentee management. It's too bad because I actually like the food here, but it's not worth an hour of waiting!
(2)Jackie A.
We were around Oakland yesterday afternoon after a long walk around Oakland Zoo. Got so hungry after and went to look around for a place, a new place where we can eat and explore different foods. We want to surprise our palette and came across this restaurant called, Flavors of India. I'm always curious of how the food will taste, whether I will like it or just plainly will hate it. It'll be my first time eating Indian cuisine and so does my boyfriend so, we check out the place and saw couple of people having their meal. Got seated right in front and the place was very nice and quaint. I like how exotic it looks on the inside so; we were very hungry and ordered our meal. I ordered the Prawn Vindaloo and to quench my thirsty old self, I wanted to try their Mango Lassi. My boyfriend on the other hand wanted to try their Lamb Curry and for his drink, Lassi (salted). We ordered three more sides: Ginger Naan, Mango Chutney, and rice. While waiting for our food; our mouth is watering from the aroma that was coming from the kitchen, we couldn't wait to eat. We received our food within couple of minutes; the herbs and spices on it is what made it unique and very tasty. We were both happy that we chose to eat here and went home with a satisfying full stomach. I'll recommend this joint to my family and friends that love to eat exotic, spicy food. Definitely one of my favorite restaurant and would love to eat here again. Rating: Prawn Vindaloo: 4.5/ 5 stars Mango Lassi: 4/ 5 stars Ginger Naan: 4.5/ 5 stars Mango Chutney: 3.5 / 5 stars Rice (plain): 4.5/ 5 stars Overall experience: 4.5/ 5 stars
(5)N. I.
The food was ok. I've had better indian food. The ambiance was nice. The service was ok. Meh.
(2)Stella S.
Food A- Service F Don't bother unless you like waiting ten minutes for a table when the place has plenty of vacant tables, if you like sitting down to a dirty table, if you enjoy waiting a full ten minutes for a waiter, and then waiting ONE HOUR for your food. And then afterward when you speak to the manager about the service, he literally says to you, "So?" If that's the kind of service you like, you'll enjoy this place. I've tried ordering takeout twice to see if that improved the service, and the first time my order was 20 minutes late, and the second I had to sit there for 30 minutes after they said it would be ready. I liked the food, but I don't want to put myself through their hell one more time.
(2)Jen P.
Family is looking for some place that's open this Christmas night with a good shot of getting something tasty. I just read the reviews for FoA, and am so disappointed that it still continues to score so low on the service. I reviewed this place "unofficially" the day it opened. I saw trouble then, but just wrote it off as opening day Murphy's Law. Service was 'glacial' then as someone else has mentioned, and I just don't think they get it, care, or are just praying that people will still come anyway because there are no other Indian restaurants on Lakeshore. (another Indian place opened last year on Grand, but their service ain't much better!) Go-to Dishes- Despite the service dings, I will give them props for the following dishes that have consistently been good to us: Chicken Hara Bara, Coconut Chicken, Samosas, Garlic Naan, Shrimp Vindaloo, and when they are cold, the Mango Lassi. Get it together FoA! You have no competition in this area, so if you wanted to, you could lock it down. Shaan's on Fruitvale is no contender, and I don't always want to travel to College Ave. to grab a bite to eat. Give a darn why don't you!
(3)Mick A.
Love the shopping and dining area around Lakeshore Blvd and was very happy to find Flavors of India along the strip. The smell drew us in and once inside had a table full of different meat dishes and naan breads, all done perfectly spicy . . . . . just how we like it. Friendly staff too, helpful in making sure we had a full range of different tastes.
(4)Rhea E.
delicious atmosphere: very well designed, nice lighting makes it romantic and intimate. Dishes are served on antique steel plates. Music is great and unobstrusive. I think they were playing some sort of deep indian techno. food: made fresh in house. Chai comes out piping hot and I could tell on the slow weekday I went there it was made to order. Paneer is the freshest tastiest paneer I've ever had. Raita was great and fresh. I usually don't like Mango chutney but theirs is delicious and more jam like, definitely house made. They don't get all confused if I try to order something not specific on the menu. They have SHAHI curry, my favorite, that not a lot of Indian restaurants have because it's a sauce out of coconut and cashews and i think cashew milk is very expensive and hard to make/get. First time I went here we had a group of 6 that got 6 different things and everything was amazing. "Spicy" was perfect. Some people say it's over priced but I don't see that. Portions are great, not too big and not too small. Could have had more rice maybe. People have said it's over priced but its about $8 vegetarian and $9 meat then an extra 1.50 for rice. It evens out to be about the same $10 I think. The only thing is that the chai does not have refills, but it's only 1.50 so it's ok. I like it here. They need more deserts though, they only have gulab jaman and rice pudding, no rasmalai! service: Very nice and friendly. I thought timing was great, I was able to enjoy my chai then have the dishes served. I was there towards closing one night and they were vocal about closing right at 10. But whatever, they want to go home. Oh, and if they are reading this - there is one female server that is absolutely gorgeous and i hope she sees that in herself, she seems shy!
(5)dan h.
We often do large (2 families) take out orders from here, so I can't comment on the service issues that others complain about here. They usually get our order right (there have been mistakes on occassion), we've been quite happy with the food, it is usually ready about when they said it would be, and is reasonably priced.
(4)Luke A.
The food here is pretty good, don't get me wrong. You can get everything at your choice of spiciness. The prices are okayish. They charge you for rice though, even if you are getting curry. I mean what damn Indian restaurant doesn't include rice with curry?? But the real reason why this place only gets one star from me is because the service is horrible! The servers ignore you. Once I had to wait 20 mins just for my iced tea. I live in between Lake Merritt and the Dimond area so I now go to Shaan. They are always friendly, the food is good, and the rice actually comes with your damn curry.
(1)Michelle B.
Dear Fellow Yelpers - I am experiencing a case of writer's block therefore will write in free-flow manner. You may also find that I am having a tourrette's kind-of-a-day: Convenience 7-11 slurpee Garbanzo Gonzo? MotherF...may I !!!! Dumb-waiter only in mansions Smart waiter what's your IQ? Really pissed off that I am off of my right food due to ankle surgery and have all the time to yelp but is experiencing a bad case of writer's block - Samosa - Mimosa? What's the relation? one's a cocktail one is an aperitif? Son of A...... I guess to sum it up - Go here for the convenience the food is better than Curry in a Hurry and the place is on a hip vibe - This is sort-of-a-chain, several in the east bay area. Thanks for understanding - I know this probably doesn't help but like the rating goes: FOI is A-OK!
(3)Jojo H.
If I had a Vitamin A deficiency, then I wouldn't be able to read the menu in this restaurant... good thing I ordered over the phone. Lamb tikka masala and naan was pretty standard, although a little overpriced for tasting average. Same thing costs half as much at Berkeley's Naan and Curry. Can't complain, I guess, Lakeshore rent must be sky high. I feel like calling ahead and ordering takeout is best. Ambience is a bit dull.
(3)Tiffany N.
If this were the last Indian restaurant in the Bay Area I would not eat here. Don't have bad service AND bad food! Had to flag down the waitress to seat us. Then flagged her down to take our order.....Of course flagged her down to get the bill, again to pay the bill. Ridiculous! We went for lunch and I ordered off the lunch specials. I had some chicken breast dish, but alas I cannot remember what it was called. No matter, I will never eat here again. The chicken tasted ok, but was delivered cold. It then took 8 minutes to get the rest of the sides (lentils, rice, salad, naan). The lentils were bland, bland, bland....It seems very strange to describe Indian food as bland. There is something not right about that. I can't believe this place is located on Lakshore, paying Lakshore rent and is actually still in business. I've eaten at a lot of different Indian restaurants in the Bay Area and this was the worst by far. I'm sticking to what I know!
(1)Jennie P.
It was around dinnertime and he was in the mood for Mexican or something. I blurted out, "I wanted Indian!" and he goes, "that sounds good, I want Indian too." COOL. "Let's try a new place." "OK, just tell me where to go." So, I get on my convenient Yelp app and search. Hmm, Flavors of India.. I wanna taste the flavors of India. We concur, I navigate and he drives. We're starved and the aroma of the "flavors of India" is surrounding us. We look through the menu and of course, at this time, our eyes are a lot hungrier than our stomachs. He gets his regular Lamb Samosa and we ordered the Mixed Tandoori Grill appetizer. THIS IS NOT AN APPETIZER, it's a shitload of meat on a plate. There's chicken, lamb, fish and shrimp. The chicken was a little dry, the shrimp was pretty good, and I don't know about the lamb because I'm not a fan, but he says the sausage lamb looking thing was delicious. I ordered the Chicken Vindaloo (because I just LOVE dipping naan in the sauce) and he gets the Lamb Saag. We also got one order of the plain naan and the garlic cilantro naan. Because of the SUPER MEGA "appetizer", I was pretty stuffed by the time our entrees arrived. But MAN, if I could, I would have enjoyed more of the vindaloo. The chicken was AWESOME. There was so much flavor and SPICY too! It was the right amount of spiciness (I ordered medium). THE GARLIC NAAN is BOMB! It's one of those things you just gotta try for yourself. When we were done, we had so much food left over.. the tandoori appetizer, chicken vindaloo and lamb saag. There was 2 plain naans left and 1 garlic naan and knowing that we would probably fight over the garlic naan, he ordered another one to-go with our leftovers. What a smart man. We enjoyed a bottle of wine with our meal and we left very satisfied. =D
(5)Lempi M.
I wish I could take my daughter here, because the staff is VERY VERY nice to children, but she's just too darn naughty. The decor of this place is awesome. I wish the designer would come do my house. So I have begun to settle for take-out instead. I have been around the block looking for good Indian Food, and this is simply the best I can find. I ordered the Biryani Rice just as a simple alternative to steamed rice, and it BLEW ME AWAY. I ate it cold out of the fridge a few days later, and even that was awesome. Also good- garlic naan Chicken Korma Saag Paneer
(4)Michelle V.
Like other Yelp reviewers, I've found that the service here is suddenly awful. I've been here multiple times, and I feel like maybe they're under new ownership. Service didn't used to be an issue. Our experience last night entailed the following: a 20 minute wait to order - at which point my friend got up and reminded them we were there, an extensive wait for our food, an extensive wait to get the check - even after we'd gotten up and asked for boxes. All in all, we were there for 1.5 hours and it wasn't even busy. Also, they didn't bring us forks until we'd asked 3 different servers we were able to track down towards the end of our meal. I couldn't even tell who our waitress was, as it seemed to be someone different every time. I'd wanted to order a drink, but no one came to ask if we wanted any. the food is still good, but the service was just so incredibly bad. I mean really...no forks? Think I'll venture out of my comfort zone in search of other tasty Indian food next time I have a craving.
(2)Dennis C.
Agree with many others that this place is a 3.5, but since everyone else is rounding down then I will round up. Definitely the best Indian place I have sampled in the Grand Lake / Piedmont Ave area. The naan and chicken korma were great while the other dishes ordered were decent. And while others have complained about the service I didn't have any problems.
(4)Jeff C.
We stopped in to try this place tonight despite a modest three star yelp rating and were pleasantly surprised. We ordered the chicken korma, malai kofta curry and lamb rogan with a couple of sides of naan and it was all quite tasty. Not the best Indian food I've had but it was above average compared to other places we've tried in the area and quite reasonably priced in my opinion. Also, we experienced no problems with the service. I would certainly come back to this place again.
(4)Swetha G.
Ok, I'll start by saying the decor is beautiful. Everything from the paint on the wall to the typography on the menu was chosen with a lot of attention and care. It's not over the top, but it is elegent and classy. The staff is also incredibly attractive (dang!), very professional and attentive. We were treated well, I can't say anything bad about the service. The food. My favorite part! Wow, it was sooo goooood. The samosas rocked. Excellent job with the seasoning and perfect amount of frying. Not oily or greesy at all. For our entrees, we ordered the vegetable korma, malai kofta curry and dal tadki. I think of all the Indian restaurants that I've had malai kofta at, this was probably the best. The creamy sauce in the vegetable korma was also AMAZING. The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars would be because of the wait. The food took a little long getting to our table, otherwise everything else was really good. And even though we had to hang out a while before we could eat, the food was totally worth the wait. Flavors of India has definately made my list of top Indian restaurants.
(4)Leona C.
Yikes. Alot has changed in 3 years. I'm on a 30 day vegan diet and Indian cuisine has many options. We came here for lunch, right at 11 so we were the first ones. The server was so bummed out. I'm not sure what was going on in her life, but her energy affect myself as well as my friend. We were in a pleasant mood not 10 min before we sat down and all of a sudden we were terribly bummed out as well. That didn't stop us from eating. He had the lamb curry, which he said was alright. I ordered the veggie wrap which on both the lunch and dinner menu says it's vegan. I also reminded her that I would like it vegan. Oh. My. Goodness. For $7 it's a HUGE infant sized burrito. But tIthe first thing I saw when I birthed it from it's wrapping, a huge glob.... I asked the server if this was raita. "No, it's mayonnaise." PARDON? Mayonnaise. When did Indians start using mayonnaise? When I brought this up with her (the nan was also plain nan, which I know is made with egg. Whole wheat nan is the vegan alternative.) the poor thing looked like I killed her puppy but could not answer why there is mayo on a vegan wrap. She tried to take it away but the only thing worse than eating dairy after not eating it for an entire month, is to let so much food go to waste. The wrap does not taste good. Neither does the baighan bharta. It was one of those times where you just ate as quickly as possible and rush to your happy place. We left very dissatisfied and incredibly bummed out. Even the lighting was sad! I understand dark and private during dinner, but this was lunch. It was a beautiful day outside! Open the drapes a little more and bring up the lights a bit. Everything about this experience makes me sad.
(1)J B.
Consistently amazing.
(5)Julia C.
Went here for dinner last night and it was pretty tasty. My boyfriend and I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala and the Paneer Chili with an order of naan and rice. Paired with a beer, the bill came out to $30. I'd come here again. The service was decent - didn't experience what others noted here. We had a nice night out here.
(3)Winé C.
What in the world just happened? Food was fine (read below this paragraph for food review), service was ridiculous! I go to rude Chinese restaurants a lot and couldn't even understand this establishment. We were seated relatively quickly, not completely packed, but had an ample amount of people dining. After sitting down, we received waters and menus. The waitress comes over and puts our utensils directly onto the table. I suppose I will entrust you on the cleanliness of said table, however I would still like a napkin. My dining partners and I waited because we assumed she would be back with napkins, however, our food came before the napkins did. Np, I will request napkins. We also ordered two Chai teas, but they never came... That's fine also, I know that orders get lost sometimes. The final straw came when I did not get a refill on water the entire duration of the meal but the table next to me must have gotten three refills by the time I received one, which was at the end of my meal. By the time the waitress came to check on us, I was ready to flip my cup upside down to signify how empty the cup was. Sighs, let me just pay for the bill. There was only one Chai tea on the bill, meaning even if they had remembered to bring us said Chai tea, they would have only brought us one... Or maybe they wanted to try and sneak one by me, I don't know, just get it off my bill. When I told our waitress we never received the Chai, she was like Really?! Yes, REALLY! I left them $0.02 for tip, because it was exactly how I felt. The crack, how do you refill water on the table next to me 3 times and never asked me once if I was parched? Had the Lamb Vindaloo, asked for it to be spicy, but it wasn't very spicy. Creamy and the lamb was tender. Flavors were nicely done. Chicken Karahi was invigorating. The melding of the bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes came though strong and sweet. Paneer Naan was passable, tasted bland and absolutely not worth the buy. The cheese was sprinkled in between the naans and was not melted. Garlic Naan, yummy! Anyone that likes garlic should try some of this!!! All in all, I wouldn't come back here, I would make the extra 5-ish miles to the Berkeley Flavors of India and get my Chai tea!
(2)Candi M.
When this Flavors of India first opened on Lakeshore, I was elated. The interior of this particular restaurant surpasses their other location, and it's nice to sit in their large windows that face Lakeshore and people watch while enjoying some food. My visits there are very infrequent, but when I go now it is for the lunch specials. Monday - Friday until 3pm, they have a great lunch offer that includes naan, rice, salad & daal along with an entree choice (options range from chicken tika masala, korma, aloo, paneer & wraps) for under $10. Definitely enough to bring home for a snack later - if you'll even be hungry! I am still on the search for my favorite Indian restaurant in the Bay Area that will even come close to what I can get at home --- but Flavors of India is decent and I enjoy the ambiance far better than Naan & Curry. Don't skip trying a Lassi, they are delicious here!
(3)Mark G.
Why do I go here? That's what I always ask myself after eating at Flavors of India. I know, of course, what I'm thinking when I walk in: they offer some dishes that aren't on the menu at other Indian places. So about every three months or so I get the idea to have some variety and to go somewhere other than House of Curries where I eat nearly weekly. And the food is fine at Flavors of India. For sure it's not "wow" but there's nothing wrong with it at all. It's the service that can reach infuriating at times. The biggest problem is they're easily confused. On different occasions I've had them bring somebody else's order to my table and forget what I ordered, returning 20 minutes later to ask again. The value is also lacking here. A meal that would cost me $14 including tip at House of Curries costs $20 here, and that's minus the free chai tea too. If you do decide to try this place, I strongly recommend that you don't go anytime when the dining room is more than half full. Otherwise be prepared for chaos.
(2)Ann L. F.
ROACHES! Climbing the wall. Server saw one and squished it with a napkin. No word was said. No word needed to be. What can you say? "Toppings are extra"? We left. Need I say more?
(2)Gabrielle N.
I'll keep it short and sweet. The food is amazeballs!! Everything I've had is so good. Samosas, chicken dishes, beef dishes, veggie dishes. Masala, tandoori, vindaloo...yes please. This place can do no wrong food-wise. I am pretty sure I dream about their samosas. The only reason it gets 4 stars instead of 5 is the service. AWFUL. They barely acknowledge you when you walk in, they are not at all friendly and they flat out ignore you after you get your food. The food is spicy so be sure to carefully ration out your beverage since you won't ever get a refill here. I am thinking take out is the way to go here. Other notes... The atmosphere is nice. It is dark and the tables are pretty. Also, the parking situation in this area sucks. Luckily, I live down the street.
(4)Laxmi E.
Came in and was seated right away. Our waitress was very nice, yet she was new so she couldn't help us with recommendation. It's a pretty dark setting. Ordered vegetable samosa, and they were delicious only thing was it took awhile. Moreover, the entrees was chicken tandoori and it was a bit bland nothing to special. We also ordered the lamb curry and it was very flavorful. The lamb was also very tender. Garlic nann was the best thing there.
(3)Judith L.
The service was abysmal. The tandoori fish was inedible and smelled like it was clearly past its prime. We will not go back.
(1)Shuriu L.
A frustrated experience. I was starving. We found this restaurant and thought we'd give it a try, even though the ratings were a bit low. We were seated right away and given water within seconds of sitting, then after 15 minutes of servers walking by and ignoring us, we decided to go next door to Trader Joe's and buy groceries to cook at home. After reading other's reviews, it turns out to be the better decision anyway. Absolutely deplorable service. I'm shocked the owners haven't worked harder to fix that after so many bad reviews specifically because of the service.
(1)Casey D.
Wow... I just took a glance at some of the 1 & 2 star reviews... uh, yeah. I have been coming to this location for about 3 years and I've had wonderful service each time. The same goes for the College Ave location, but I'm going to review the Lakeshore spot, since it's my favorite. First of all, the servers are so friendly and helpful. I feel like after a few visits they remembered me when I would walk in, and now that its been a few years, they know my name, and I know many of theirs. It is fantastic to have servers who know your taste preferences, and who seem genuinely interested in making sure you are enjoying your meal. I'm vegan, and the menu clearly states which dishes I can have, but they always seem to double check to make sure I've only ordered meat/dairy free items. So freaking cool!!! As for the food... I LOVE the following: Aloo Gobi, it's classic and well flavored and they will make it SPICY for me. It's also less dry than at some other places I won't mention! Veggie Korma: chickpea balls in an almost creamy tomato sauce. Not a huge vegetable dish, but is soooo comfort food-esque. Mixed Veggie Masala, it has actual vegetables and they are fresh! I've had the rotten experience of getting what seems to be "veg-all" in this dish elsewhere. but not here! Aloo Tikki Chat, ok, so it's an app by definition, but it's huge!!! potato pancake-y awesomeness topped with chickpeas and served with tamarind and mint chutney. OH MY BEJESUS. love it. I'm actually on my way to pick up some take out from there now, so I must end the review here. Basically, it's awesome, the staff is friendly and FAST, and I highly recommend it!!!!
(5)Kimberly E.
Yum, yum, yum! Boy, was this place good! Okay - so it was my 2nd time having Indian food. I don't have much to compare it too. However, that doesn't take anything away from the absolute party that went on in my mouth while eating this food. So flavorful, spicy, and delicious. The restaurant is very dimly lit, which is nice and romantic! The service was a bit slow, but I was so intoxicated by the aroma and the anticipation of the entree that I didn't mind. We ordered the lamb simosa, and chicken tikka masala. The waitress suggested rice, which we were so thrilled that she did. I have nothing to say, but DELICIOUS. The chai, the lamb, and the chicken tikka masala, all of it was so good. Can't wait to come back to this place, and so thrilled it's so close.
(4)Heather P.
I hate to do this to them, but i am started to be displeased with all they have to offer. I started eating at the one in Berkeley about 3 years ago with my best friend. And we loved it, had it every night for girls night almost once a week. But as the years have gone bad i have only noticed the ever so slightly raise in price (3$ since the beginning ) and the decrease in quality. This angers me. I went to the Oakland one recently and i have to say It is not my fav, and its getting to the point where i don't even want to give them any more shoots to impress me again. I love Indian and have tried most places in the city and the EB and all of them are better. the only redeeming quality they have left, is the ALOO TIKKI CHAAT dish, mostly cause it is very difficult to find and not a standard on most menus. But again I had to apologize for the lack of flavor last time it was ordered. All-N-all: there are too many good choices for Indian food and i refuse to settle for meritocracy, in fact (CRAP)!!
(2)Meuy S.
Trader Joe's makes a better Chicken Tikka Masala but they still get two stars for the entertainment. The place is clean with easy walk ways to and from tables but dim lighting with IKEA tea candles at every table. We ordered samosas, chicken tikka masala, rice and naan. The samosas were tasty, the rice was rice (nothing special), the tikka masala was little too creamy, and our naan went up in a ball of flames! Literally~! The server put our basket of naan next to our table candle. The paper underneath the naan in the basket somehow caught the flame of the candle, next thing you know the room gets brighter because the paper/naan is on fire. I quickly drown it with my water. A few minutes later the server comes back, I ask her to bring us a new order of naan. She walks away with a confused look and a basket of half burnt naan, completely oblivious that it was all her fault.
(2)TJ K.
This is one of our favorite places to eat and take out. The taste of the dishes never disappoint, except once when the regular chef was off. So, you may want to check to make sure that isn't the case. But, that aside, the food is authentic and delicious! Also, the staff is very nice...even if the kitchen can sometimes be a little slow. But, to us, it's worth the wait when that happens. Relax and enjoy a good conversation. I eat here once every couple of weeks.
(4)Samantha D.
Garlic naan. Should be renamed garlic naan-nom. Honestly, the garlic naan is worth the trip. A friend and i each ordered a lunch entree. She got a chicken paneer dish and I had a mali kofta dish. The service was fast and our food was good. It didn't change my life but it definitely was above average. It was quiet in here at about 1pm on a Tuesday. There's free parking at the garage right behind the restaurant as well.
(4)Vittorio L.
Yes, the service may be hit or miss, bt the food is pretty good. I mean, I definitely recommend ordering an appetizer if you're supremely hungry and it's crowded. Recommendations: Tandoori fish, Lamb Saag, Mattar Paneer. Very nice. Just ask for them spicy! Usually medium spicy is a little tamer than other places, and if it's TOO spicy get the cucumber Raita and smooth it out. BTW the Garlic Naan is delicious; chewy and hot and tasty!
(3)Kyle G.
Well, I finally went again and believe me when I say I was hoping the food would come out in a timely manner.... But, again it did NOT! It tood 45 minutes from ordering the food to food on table. Their food is fantastic and I love every bite. Just be prepared to wait a while for your food.
(3)Danny L.
I always wanted to take a trip to India.... I guess this will be the closest to India I will get for now. And it's located conveniently in my hood. Yeah, Lakeshore Ave., the real hood in Oakland, right?! Okay okay.... Maybe not. But the food is no joke! The simple dishes like lamb curry and chicken vindaloo are packed full of flavor and spices that pleases your taste buds to your heart's content. Get a few orders of garlic naan (one order will NOT be enough) to dip, soak, wrap, whatever you want with these amazing dishes and you will definitely enjoy your meal. Trust me!
(4)Reina A.
I ordered here for catering. I called 5 days in advance and placed my order with specific instructions on when I was going to pick up, along with my cell #. On the day of pick up, I was running late 20 minutes to pick up, and not once did I receive a call stating that my order was ready. I thought nothing of it. I get there and my order was never made. They didn't have any food for me. Somehow someone had not placed in the order or lost the order a few days ago. Thats why I was never called. At first they insinuated I had called another Flavors of India. I had not. I specifically looked up the # for the one on Lake View. The worse part was that during the whole time, they were asking what time I called in and who I spoke to. Hello! That wont make my food appear out of nowhere. And it isn't my problem that one of your employees dropped the ball. There are better service and food elsewhere.
(1)james m.
When it comes to foreign cuisines, I don't really get too adventurous with it. I find something that I like and order that... every single time. When it comes to Indian food, I stick with Chicken Tika Masala and Onion Naan. Oh sometimes I'll be feeling a little dangerous and order a Garlic Naan, but that's as far as I'll go. This place has really great food. Only thing is that they take about 20-30 minutes when you order on the phone. Hence the 4 stars.
(4)H W.
Ok, the food is pretty flavorful, but here is what made me steaming mad when I picked up my dinner order: $5.50 for their onion naan and another $5 for plain basmati rice. If you eat Indian food on a regular basis (like we do, almost every other week), you know that naan and rice, enough for just two people, doesn't cost this much! But when you put in the order and tell them that there will be two people eating, they charge you per person! Not having known this, I was totally shocked to see naan and rice amounting to over $10 on my bill! And what ended up happening when we got home was that there was more rice and naan than there was food (we ordered two dishes). Seriously, what a RIP OFF!
(1)Kenny J.
A solid place to grab Indian food near Lake Merrit. We were visiting a friend nearby and went here for a late dinner. We ordered CTM, Lamb Chole, and veggie dumplings with curry. It was a lot of food for three people and everything was delicious. We asked for more price and it was brought my promptly. Service was good, but it did seem to take awhile for the food to come out. Prices were about average. I think our dinner came out to $16/person with one friend ordering a mango lassi, which she said was really good.
(4)Sally T.
We decided to give this place one more chance. For starters, they got our take out order wrong so we had to go back to exchange one of the entrees. Luckily, we live around the corner. When we got our food home, we realized that the food was unbelievably tasteless and salty. We threw the food away, it was that inedible and disappointing. We will never be going back and will make the trek over to House of Curries in the peidmont neighborhood instead.
(1)vanatron k.
I usually don't write negative reviews, but I just have to let this place have it! Wednesday evening, of course your not going to be super busy. We arrive and the place has only about three tables. We are seated promptly, brought water and menus, then we sit for the next ten minutes without seeing anyone. We let them know we are ready to order, a rather substantial amount of food and mango lassi as well. Another ten-13 minutes after that I see the gentleman with whom we ordered walking by us to go wipe a table. I said can we please have our mango lassies?, he says..."oh yeah..i forgot" !!!!! I would hate to see this place on a busy day with these servers. We were the fourth table and he forgot? The food was okay. I didn't like the lamb tikka masala at all though, it had an excessive amount of cream, little flavor, and the meat was gross! Small portions, low quality, bad service. The chai tea was delicious.
(2)Angelica P.
Sh!t! I just ordered the fish and read a warning not to order the fish! Wish me luck people... Also, I was told I'd have to wait 30 minutes even though I was the only person in the restaurant.
(2)Adam T.
I don't see what so many people are complaining about re: service. I think, based on some of the other things they say in their reviews, they may be talking about another location. I'm reviewing the one on Lakeshore, near the Trader Joe's. The place is cute, if a bit dark, with nice curtains dividing the space and attractive lights on the walls. We were seated immediately, had our drink order taken, and were given a few (but not too many) minutes to figure out what we wanted. We got the chicken tikka masala (yes, I know, it's white people's Indian food. Whatever.) and the bhindi masala. I thought the okra was really good - well textured, right amount of spice, not too wet or dry, etc. I found the chicken tikka a little disappointing - too buttery and creamy. That being said, the meat itself was well seasoned and well cooked, so it was very much a mixed bag. The boy and I also got an order of naan and rice. The rice was rice. No more to say there. The naan was good, with pretty big pieces and a good flavor. Our waitresses were friendly, keeping our water glasses full and very friendly in general. Even better, the meal was really cheap, with it all costing about $35 for two entrees, an order of naan, an order of rice, a beer, and a chai. No complaints.
(4)wade m.
We came here with a friend. The food is fine - nothing to spend a lot of time on. But the service needs some service. Someone came by and asked, "Are you ready to order?" "Yes," we said, and opened our mouths to order. "Good," she said, and walked away. Um. Someone else came by a while later to take the order. Too long later, the food did finally arrive. Not long after the dishes were cleared, we got the bill, paid, and left. The next morning when I went to do my budget, I said, "Wait, we didn't order mango lassis!" They gave us the wrong bill. Only one thing was what we ordered. Yes, we should have reviewed it in the restaurant before paying. Yes, I don't need to throw a hissy fit, because mama taught me it's a good deed to pay for someone else's meal. But it's a series of mistakes that really shouldn't have happened.
(2)Naomi Z.
FOOD POISONING ALERT: my best friend and I both ordered the same chicken tikka marsala that I reviewed last because it was so good before, and literally 30minutes later, hated life. i dont know that we will ever eat indian food again, it was that traumatizing.
(1)E B.
I love many of their dishes: saag paneer, chicken tikka masala, naans, samosas, rice pilaf, and some other dishes whose names I can't recall, so I'll refer to them as that glorious garbanzo bean dish and that bomb curry (I think) dish with potatoes, peas, and other goodness. Sorry if those don't narrow it down, but hey--most of their dishes are scrum-diddly. Unfortunately, their fish vindaloo is not-so-scrum, as the fish hasn't tasted fresh the last several times I got it. The shrimp vindaloo is excellent, but good luck finding your shrimp. Lately, I've been very happy with their food, but I know which dishes to avoid.
(4)Pamela B.
We love riding bikes or strolling over to Lakeshore to hit this "Flavors of India for dinner. Their Tandoori is top notch, and we love their garlic naan, their basmati rice and their Lamb Korma. Delish! What sets this Flavors of India off from the others is their decor. Hanging silks create a a gently swaying wall which casts intriguing shadows from the candle light. Ambient light is supplied by very interesting maroon glass sconces on the walls. At the front of the restaurant are these amazing glass cube cases that hold what look like ancient Indian treasures. The wall are painted in a kind of yellow/gold/tea wash that makes the walls look old. Simple Indian carvings are gently lit. You can take a romantic table in the window, enjoy the candle light, the excellent service, the nice table linens & some good wine and an excellent dinner.
(4)Shante E.
DISCLAIMER: I WAS NOT A INDIAN FOOD LOVER. BUT GOING HERE WAS AMAZING AND TURNED ME INTO ONE. Great atmosphere...great for a date and large group of friends. prices are fairly reasonable, GOTTA GET THE garlic naan. If you are like me and a bit skeptical go for what you know..CHICKEN. The chicken masla is a Indian cuisine staple. You cant go wrong. :D
(4)Olivia S.
The garbanzo bean and potato appetizer was incredible, and the chicken tikka masala was some of the best I've had in the Bay Area. Their spice balancing is perfect. The okra dish was very tasty, but too oily for my taste. I'm a big fan and will return often!
(4)Nina S.
This place should be called "Flavors of Disgrace" I don't know where some folks got the 3, 4 or 5 stars from... maybe they never had REAL AUTHENTIC Indian food... But this place IS NOT IT!!!!! Chicken Masala was disgusting... no flavor... Missing KEY ingredients. Naan bread should be called Nah man Shrimp TOOOO salty!!!!! Will NEVER go back...
(1)Holla F.
Came here after I was pleased with my experience at the Alameda location on Park St. My BFF and I came here for a casual Valentine's dinner. Not only were the prices better than the Alameda restaurant, but had much more of a selection. Some dishes were $2 less in Oakland for the exact same entree. Not sure if it was b/c I had lunch in Alameda but I will definitely frequent the Oakland chain instead. I loved the tandoori chicken wrap, chicken tiki masaala and garlic naan. The veggie samosa was ok. I also liked the degree of spice..I tend to prefer mild and it was perfect. The only thing is that the service is super slow..so don't go there starving.
(4)Sid F.
Came here for lunch and it was pretty dead. When we were seated, there was only one other table that already ordered. One of the servers told us we can pick from the empty tables but it wasn't for another 10 minutes before someone came to take our order. Did I mention there was only one other party and three servers? I couldn't decide if the service or the 20 flies in the room were worse. The lamb chole was a bit bland and only had two pieces but I guess that's enough when you get a cup of rice, an order of naan and lentil soup.
(2)Molly A.
I've never had this bad of service before. We came to eat here at 9:30, they close at 10. We pretty much got shoved out of the place by the staff as soon as we got our meal. The check was placed in front of us before we even started to eat. Ugh!I have never been treated like this before! I used to like this place, def won't go back! Sad to see it go, but it was that bad.
(1)Jim M.
OK, so maybe the service can be a bit slow at times, but we have always been happy with the food here, and the decor is very nicely done. As a result, this is one of our favorite dining spots in the neighborhood, and we often bring visting friends and family here to join us here as well. Oh, and the beer is always nice and cold, always a plus when ordering spicy.
(4)Anna P.
Order the lamb samosas while you wait for your meal. Been here twice with my boyfriend (once was our first date) and we love the place. Recently we ordered lamb tikka masala & chicken karahi that were both so flavorful. They ask you with each dish how spicy you would like them to make it so there's a bit of flexibility so you don't burn off your tastebuds with spiciness. Nice atmosphere and attentive servie. Street parking as well as lakeshore parking lot near the Trader Joes & Walgreens.
(3)Danni W.
Firstly the last time I was there was about 1 year ago . I had forgotten how bland and tasteless the food was (many sauces the exact same one with different names!) and I had a craving for Indian food. Its close to trader joes so i thought I would go for convenience. I ordered Chicken Tika Marsala which is pretty good everywhere. when it arrived it looked ok but I was surprised to find the chicken was 'extremely dry.' Bizarrely so! I called the waitress over to let her know that it was overcooked and dry (or old who knows) rather than apologize or offer something else . odly she was very argumentative. The food was awful and the service rude . I will never go there again. poor quality .
(1)Callie K.
meh ambiance, meh service, meh food. our waitress took over an hour to check in on us, and then it took about another 30 minutes trying to flag someone down for another round of drinks. the garlic naan (raved about in multiple reviews) was some of the worst I've had. room temperature, chewy, and I could barely taste any garlic. I hate to be so harsh, but there are much, MUCH better Indian restaurants in the area. I might consider takeout in the future but would definitely skip dining in.
(2)Ellen O.
The food at this restaurant is now becoming less accessible. We decided on a Sunday 6:30pm meal last night. Although it took a half hour to get our food on the first visit, last night we fortunately found someone to bring us an appetizer, for the meal took one hour. Others were waiting way longer too. Yes I like the food but would rather go to some location where the people working don't behave like drugged zombies and require that you tag them three times for the same glass of chai, or water, and where the customer service recognizes that you are choosing them, so wait staff need to be attentive. In the time we were there, we could have driven to one of my faves, Curry House on College, eaten as good a meal, driven back and still been waiting. I can walk to Lakeshore Flavors but you won't be catching my little feet traipsing there ever again. It is really too bad. Potential is there, but not the urge to please the paying customer. Owners should be ashamed, wait staff should be embarrassed.
(1)Julian W.
Yummy food, good ambiance and reasonable prices: a great combo! In particular, the Chicken Vindaloo and the Naan are extra yummy. Service and food have been quite good every time I've gone there -- at least half a dozen times over the last couple of years.
(5)Allie M.
It REALLY pains me to write this but it has to be done: I am in love with Flavors of India but only the one on College. The staff is so friendly! They tell me they miss me and ask me how I'm doing and basically make me feel like the most interesting person ever. The food is to die for, wonderful balance of spiciness and flavor, yummy/cool iced chais (you would think that'd be a given, that an iced chai would be cold but alas, Lakeshore proves us wrong). But enough of the College FOI. The restaurant on Lakeshore pales in comparison to its trusty counter part on College. I've given this location 3 chances to dazzle me and have been severely disappointed every time. The naan is limp and lifeless, the tikka masala is really lacking in flavors, AND they never have gulab jamun (dumplings in cardamom rose water). The most recent time I was there I unsuccessfully tried to order this dessert they asked me why I didn't want rice pudding instead. I told them I had my heart set and that was that. Iced Chai was luke warm. YUCK! The service is nice enough but I just can't ever go here again when there is a place with the same menu done 100x better just a ten minute drive away.
(1)RB S.
Service was absurdly slow, and when the curries finally did come out, the had a thin film on top indicating that they had been sitting in the kitchen like that for at least 15mins. Flavor was mediocre at best. Will NOT got here again, especially with other fine options in the neighborhood.
(1)Jacqueline C.
It really pains me to do this. I started coming here less than a year ago and have probably come about 6 times. The first couple times were AWESOME -- great food, great prices, great ambiance. We always order the same dish as one of our dishes and lately it has been pretty hit or miss. It does not consistently taste the same. I would still come here for the food, though. BUT the last three to four times I've been here the service has been BEYOND slow. One of these times was for lunch where there were very few people around. The other times it was for dinner and has been either packed or half-full. Last night we decided to go despite the expectation that it would be slow. I did not actually time it, but it felt like it took 15 mins for them to even take our order even though we put our menus down 2 minutes after getting them. It also took a really long time to get our food -- I am not sure if curry/vindaloo, etc., is made from scratch, but I never thought it was (I figured it was slow cooked and therefore made in advance -- but I really have no idea). For the time it took us to get our food, I figured the animals were on the chopping block or something! This has been my experience consistently the last 3-4 times I've gone. They have also been slow in bringing the beverage and food. But the waiting 15-20 minutes to even order (and seeing 4 more parties come in after you, some of which order before you!) is unlike most other places. It's pretty bad when it has been so long that you forget that you haven't ordered and can't even remember what you've decided on! It occurred to us (perhaps) why so many people get "to go" while we are sitting there. I always thought it was because the food was so yummy, but now I think it is because it is so frustrating to sit there for so long without having your order taken! I should point out that, last night, at any given point throughout the night, there were three waitress/waiter/hostess standing by the cashier with their hands in their pockets.
(2)Lillian L.
I usually like this place, but today they were way off. The chicken tikka masala was watery, and the naan was flat and doughy instead of fluffy and chewy the way it should be. The other 2 dishes (bhindi masala and saag paneer) were okay, but overall the experience was disappointing. Hopefully it's an off day and not a change of management or cooks.
(2)Kristen D.
Naan and Curry watch your back because Flavors of India gots the goods. I first stepped foot into this Indian haven with my mom after we couldn't find parking for Mijori sushi, another one of my yelp faves. The minute we walked through the door we were taken aback by the beautiful decor and the delicious smells permeating from the kitchen. We were seated right away and couldn't wait to peruse the menu. We decided on the chicken madras (coconut curry based chicken) and channa masala (garbanzo bean curry). To lap out the sauces we also ordered garlic naan and onion kulcha. Before our stomachs could even think about growling, our food was served. The presentation blew us away. Both curries were served in these super cute metal bowls and the naan was still steaming in the basket! We filled our plates and immediately our palates were titillated by the exotic spicy amazing-ness. I have eaten a lot of Indian food, but Flavors of India is authentic and the real deal. Also, the size of the serving bowls are deceiving - you get a lot more than you think you do! We ate until our stomachs refused and I had still had lunch for the next day! Bottom Line: If you're craving some real deal Indian food, Flavors of India is whispering sweet nothings into your ear. Don't resist, give in.
(5)Mr. C.
I love this place. The food has always been good and the waiters are friendly and timely. It's a bit on the expensive side, but the decor is a bit nicer than most Indian restaurants, more on the "date" side of things, I suppose.
(4)Kelly M.
We just moved to the neighborhood and were concerned that we wouldn't find a good Indian place nearby so we were really relieved to find this place. In particular, the vegetable korma and chicken tikka masala were delicious. We got take-out so can't speak to the service but we'll definitely be ordering from here again.
(4)Brian D.
This is an authentic, delicious, and healthy Indian place. It is the best. The veggie naan wrap came with a delicious blend of potato and veggies on some delicious naan bread. The sauce and spice blends are v. flavorful. Service is friendly, environment is suitable for any occasion, the menu selection is huge, and prices are extremely reasonable ($7 wrap, $1.50 iced tea, $2 basket of naan bread, etc.) Highly recommended for even the not-so-into Indian person.
(5)Jamaica Y.
My skin is burning. It's not intense pain but just an uncomfortable burning sensation all over my body. I guess that is what I get for riding my bike home after eating spicy chicken curry. I think I must be sweating out the curry and ooh man is my skin hot. Anyhow, that has nothing to do with my review of this place, just thought you might be interested. First of all, CURSE me for not checking this place out on yelp before going here. I thought the SLOW SLOW SLOW service was a fluke--I had no idea that it was a prevalent problem! And it was so strange because the people at the table next to us came in, ordered, ate a salad, ate their meal, drank wine, paid the bill, and chatted while my party of three waited for our meal. Maybe the waiting had my hopes up, but I felt the food was mediocre. We ordered some pretty classic dishes including tandoori chicken (tender, but just okay) and chicken curry (also just okay). The one thing I did enjoy thuroughly was the chai. The decor here is quite nice, so it would be a cute place for a date if it didn't disappoint in every other regard. If I had to do it over I would have gone elsewhere. ***Ten Minutes Later*** Oh my gosh, I think I'm going to be sick. I won't blame them since sometimes my stomach doesn't do curry all that well...but I thought I would mention it.
(2)Jason S.
Yuck, that is all I have to say. I think my lassie was good, but the food was vile swill. Very disappointed
(1)Laura B.
Looking for a place to eat with a friend, neither of us are familiar with Oakland.. found Flavors of India just walking up Lake Shore. The interior decoration was really beautiful, but the ambiance was a little lacking because the place seemed a little large and didn't have enough patrons in it for its size. The service was impeccable, although I did note that another table with a different waiter did not receive as responsive of service. The food was probably one of the better out of the many Indian restaurants that I have been to. Had chicken vindaloo (extra spicy.. and it was), the bhindi masala, jasmine rice, and garlic naan. No complaints at all! The prices were reasonable.. got all of the above plus a large beer for about 35 dollars. I would definitely go again if I am ever in that area!
(4)Jaimie K.
I love the fact that whenever I go visit my family in Oakland and is craving Indian food, Flavors of India always manages to satisfy my needs. So far i've only been here for lunchtime and I am pretty impressed with their authentic menu. I always order the chicken tikka masala, aloo saag (potatoes with mashed up spinach), and garlic naan. I'm usually not a big fan of carbs, but the garlic naan is the backbone of the meal. I love the tikka masala sauce but I don't eat the chicken. I feel like it is a little bit on the dry side which is normal in many of the Indian restaurants I've dined at. The aloo saag is perfect, but then again you can't really mess up spinach and potatoes, right? My mom's favorite dish is the tandori lamb; she says it is very flavorful with the right amount of spice yet succulent. (She always manages to talk about it every time we pass by the restaurant :) Service is great; all the waitresses are very friendly. Yes they do take a little bit longer on serving the food, but hey i'm never in a rush especially if I'm sitting down to eat. I love the atmosphere and ambience. It truly has a Taj Mahal fantasy feel to it.
(4)H C.
Flavors indeed... The CTM (chicken tikka masala) is off the hook! It's smooth and creamy - my naan kept going straight into the sauce. Mmm. The mango lassi was also delish. The garlic naan was definitely disappointing - the naan didn't taste fresh - like right out the oven and the garlic flavor was lacking. Best naan I've ever had is probably at Roti... Service was a little hit or miss but for the prices and taste of the food, we'll definitely be back.
(4)Andrea R.
The lunch menu is limited, only a handful of entrees and a selection of wraps (I hate wraps, and I really don't think Indian food on a wrap will change that). I had the chicken (vindaloo maybe?) which was OK. The naan was the best part. Lunch is also served with a side of lentils, which were delicious, but way too soupy- too much liquid, not enough of the good stuff! The service was slow considering there was only one other person eating, for a grand total of 3. It turned out this other woman was totally crazy complaining about the spiciness of her food (well, the lack thereof) and it made for some good lunchtime entertainment. The food was edible, the service left much to be desired... 2 stars.
(2)Erik B.
Food is awesome at dinner, not sure about the lunch buffet. It's a bit on the pricey side, but isn't most Indian places nowadays? The service was also a bit slow, but once we got our food I was a happy camper. They have some interesting items on their menu you won't see at more mainstream Indian places, including a large selection of veggie and vegan dishes, and some stuff I've never even heard of before (so I had to eat it). Overall I was happy with the food, but the price is a bit high and the service a bit slow. If you're not in a rush, give it a try!
(4)Crystal C.
New item to add to the list of delicious: PRAWN VINDALOO. Omg. So. Good. And this time around the Naan was better than last time! Love it.
(4)Jon B.
Great food! My gf and I have been here twice now, and both times have got way to much food because the leftovers are great too! Service is a hit lacking, but the food more than makes up for it!
(5)Fresh E.
Yummy! + Very good service and pretty restaurant. Can't wait to go back. All the food we had was good. Would like a bit more chicken in the dishes, but the flavor is excellent.
(4)Valerie D.
So I was craving Japanese food on a Friday night... I walked all the way down to Lakeshore with the sweet sun shining brightly on my shoulders and semi-happy spring in my step--I had issues that day, so only "semi-happy"-- Anyway, as I gathered and collected the usual items on Lakeshore for a night in , I smelled something good...Flavor of India and I took the word "flavor" literally! So I walked in ordered the Fish Curry, Mixed Vegetable Masala and Indian Basmati Rice with Naan to go... Yeah, my craving for Japanese passed. Once again, I walk home the sun dimly shining on my shoulders, now with a happy, hungry spring in my step...I was going to eat good after all I had the flavors of india right in the palms of my hand, right. Wrong! After pulling the plastic containers out of the box, I was like "damn that is greasy!" my hands even kind of did that slip and slide thing you do on ice...I took the first bits of the BR and the fish curry... with the veggies... I was not happy, the spring in my step became repulsion teetering on slightly inedible. The food was way to greasy and too salty... as for the "flavor" if salt and greasy are suppose to be a flavor, than all the culinary schools of the world should rethink what their teaching students, because I was so thirsty I must have drank 27 plus ounces of water just to quench my thirst. I was disappointed that I did not get the flavor I was seeking. The bad run ins with the restaurants on Lakeshore is very sad, since it is just down the street from my house and for such a busy street... well, you'd think the restaurants would be on top of their game. Azimed is at least tasty and good. Next time, I'll just keep walking...
(1)brewgirl b.
Very solid food, spotty service. Nice decor, but scary bathroom. That being said, you should eat, but not pee, here. My tandoori tikka kabob chicken was excellent, but I made the mistake of ordering garlic naan instead of a savory rice (like the pilaf) to go with--neither dish has any sauce (my mistake). My friend got the pilaf, which is creamy and wonderful. I could eat the rice pilaf by itself. Service was not very attentive, dishes were not brought out at the same time (long delay between my dish and my friend's), and the wrong dishes were brought to our table. Atmosphere is very low key and comfortable. The bathroom situation is horrifying. It's a single room bathroom located behind the kitchen in a disheveled area where deliveries are made to multiple establishments. I didnt want to touch anything once inside the room because it was very gross. The restaurant should really make an effort to bring the bathroom up to par with the rest of the interior.
(3)Allison B.
Reviewing this a second time and giving them 5 stars. I get takeout from Flavors of India once a week on average. I'm getting it tonight in fact. And they never disappoint. Every time I eat here with anyone, the meal is ended by "that was sooooo good and I am soooo full." We bring all our out of town guests and they love it. I haven't found a chicken tikka masala better anywhere in the Bay Area. This is the best - hands down. I don't get it super spicy I order medium and it's the perfect amount of kick. They are fast, the atmosphere is great, it's clean and not over priced. Order on the phone and it's ready in 20. Parking at night is easy to find and the area is safe. What you HAVE to try: bhindi masala chicken tikka masala vegetable samosas vegetable kofta curry aloo gobi
(5)Jed W.
My lady used to work at the Trader Joe's right next door to this place when we lived in Oakland and it was our favorite place for indian food. The food is excellent, prices are reasonable, the staff has always been friendly, the decor is nice, it's clean, and did I mention the food is good? yeah. Cuz that's important. In particular I recommend the kishmiri naan and everything on the menu with the word "khofta" in the name. I frickin love that stuff, it's like eating sex if sex was a creamy slightly spicy sauce that makes you want to forget that you're in a nice restaurant and lick your plate clean. So. Damn. Good. My only complaint is that nowadays, since there are no good indian restaurants (at least none that I've yet found) in Vallejo I have to drive all the way to Oakland to eat here. But I can't really hold that against them now can I?
(5)Daniel M.
Ordered the lamb biryani and chicken curry for take out. The food was average, but the portions were aboslutely terrible. The clear box the rice was in wasn't even filled enough to cover the bottom of the box and the curry chicken container was only about 2/3's filled. For a bit over $20, I would think you would get enough food to feed two people........ guess not. Don't waste your time, might as well drive over to any indian food place in berkeley for a better deal.
(1)Steven B.
This place is pretty good but they give small portions at the price of a full meal. Lunch specials are the way to go (still small portion, but comes with rice, salad, naan). The chicken tikka masala is awesome, and you can dip your naan in the sauce after you finish.
(4)Thomas A.
I love Indian food so I am lucky to live in the bay area because there is so much to choose from. I had walked by Flavors of India many times and it always smelled delicious so I figured I should try it. When I walked in I was impressed by the decor and atmosphere, it seemed like a great place to have dinner. But on this night I took my food to go which is always risky with Indian food, you have to make it home before the Naan gets soggy. My favorite Indian dish is Tikka Masala (of course) so thats what I tried and I was really looking forward to it. When I finally got home and started to eat I was disappointed, the Tikka Masala was more like soup and had very little flavor. The Naan was very good and I wished I'd had more of it to soak up the main course. Maybe the food would have been better if I had not taken it to go but I dont think I will ever know. Do yourself a favor and skip this one...
(2)Nadya L.
Came to this place two more times (haven't found any other Indian restaurants in the area yet). One of those times we actually even ate here. That time it was delicious and I loved everything we ordered! Glad I gave it another chance. The other time we were once again appalled at the service: they said they were open until 3 for lunch, we came at 2:40 and got yelled at by the server from across the room, saying "NOO, we're closed". She was rude and could have handled it much better. I am going to stick to takeout from this restaurant - their food is yummy but I hate being treated like I am not a wanted customer in their establishment.
(3)Dmitry A.
I go here, every Friday. I took my parents there and they try every restaurant in NYC, they said it was really really good. Vegetarian Curries are off the hook. Decor is my favorite and really great waiters. Try it you won't deny it.
(5)Jessica L.
Solidly good Indian food. Nothing spectacular, nothing terrible. I ordered the Chicken Makhani (as usual). It was tasty and creamy, but I ordered it medium spiced and it was waaaayyy too bland. Also, my chicken was pretty fatty, but there was a lot of it. The rice was light and fluffy and the garlic naan was awesome. Some of the best I've had. The service was a little slow, but they were very friendly and accommodating, as we had a kind of big group.
(3)Jasmine W.
Just had a lovely dinner here, and I am quite surprised at the number of bad reviews for this place. The space is attractive and inviting, and if you don't mind curry-flavored kisses, I'd say it's cute enough for a casual date. The food was good. We had vegetable samosas, a tandoori mixed grill (with prawns, shrimp, chicken, and lamb), chicken tikka masala, saag chole (spinach, garbanzo beans, tomatoes and ginger), garlic naan, and rice pilaf. My favorites were the samosas and the chicken tikka masala. We ordered our food medium-hot, and it was pretty flavorful. I love my food spicy and Flavors of India did not disappoint. As for everything else, it was all pretty good. I didn't LOVE the pilaf - it was loaded with a very obviously frozen veggie mix - but it was aight. Service was just fine. Everything came out when it was supposed to, and our water glasses were regularly refilled. The only blemish on their record is that the wine I ordered was absolutely foul. I asked for a glass of viognier, and what I received tasted like it might have been open for awhile. Rancid and sour. Aside from that, I was happy with my dinner. It's convenient to my house, the space is lovely, and the food is pretty solid. I'll go back again.
(4)Pamela D.
Where the flavor at? Hey, actually, for that matter, where mah food at?! The decor is cute. It's clean inside. The waiter was a nice young guy. Food = blah. Cooks = possible human-snail hybrids.
(2)Carlos P.
Don't go there if you're hungry. First of all you'll wait forever for a server to come take your order. When they finally take it, they'll take up to half an hour to prepare the food. After waiting 30 mins., i asked the waitress when my food was going to arrive, she said it was coming, I thought to myself, so is Christmas. I was so annoyed I couldn't stand to eat there, so I left couple of bucks on the table for a soft drink i ordered and left (starving mind you), but out of principle i couldn't swallow a bite of their food after the horrible service. I cant eat pissed off. I've eaten there before and in all fairness the food is good. However,the service at flavors of India is the worst or maybe one of the worst, well anyway they set the bar pretty high for bad service.
(1)Doug L.
I love this place. Really good food, and always excellent service. If they only delivered I'd order from them a few times a week (so maybe it's good that they don't. :) )
(4)Michele M.
Food is amazing, service is slow. Eaten here twice now and I always leave full and satisfied, but the service is really slow. It took almost 10 minutes before a waitress came to our table and said, "oh you don't have menus yet?" Then another 5 to come back and take our drink order. I wouldn't come back, but the food is so freaking amazing! Best Channa Masala on the planet. I can't find better. The portions are a little small on the vegetarian dishes, they are more like side orders, or small plates so order extra if you are hungry. The wine list sucks balls, so stick to beer if you want to drink. I want to give this place more stars, so hopefully the service will improve or I will just stick to take out.
(3)Crista Y.
The decor of this place definitely brings a little more to Oakland. The restaurant is beautifully lighted and the decorations are gorgeous. Each table has candle light and the food there is good. Unfortunately, since I changed around my diet I can only eat a few things in Flavors of India because my stomach can't take an excess of oily foods. As we know Indian Cuisine in the states utilizes a fair amount of oil. Nevertheless, this girl LOVES her Indian food. My favorite aspect of this place is that it offers so many variations of naan. The naan with the almond and cherry filling is amazing and should be eaten as a dessert or even with some savory items. The aloo gobi is good, but only something i can eat sparingly as is the chicken masala. The sauce is creamy and smooth and the flavors are delicious. I do also recommend the tandoori plate, which offers fish, chicken, and lamb. The sauces are also to die for, I love the cilantro chutney. If you eat it, you should try their Chai tea after dinner and the mango lassi during the meal. To help avoid you being completely engulfed in the heavy scent of traditional spices there are air purifiers! I loved that and I couldn't stop laughing when I saw them. Either way, this place is good and you can eat VERY well with plenty of left overs between three people with drinks for no more than $50. Yes i understand that this is a but expensive for Indian food but the food is good quality as is the service.
(3)Sue K.
Food is good, but do not come here if it is even half full! It took 20 minutes to place an order for drinks, which didn't arrive for at least another 15-20 minutes after that. At about the one hour mark, one of our appetizers arrived. The table behind us complained that they'd waited an hour for their food, which I noted didn't arrive for another 30 minutes after the complaint. Unless you have a lot of time or the place is empty, don't bother. I have eaten here when it was empty and the food is pretty good, so maybe next time we'll call 2 hours ahead for take away.
(3)Ryan S.
Down one star only because the lunch menu is rather small, and the restaurant was rather warm inside, making it pretty uncomfortable. They could argue that I'm experiencing pre-menopausal hot flashes, but probably not. Ambiance and layout is great, a very efficient use of space. Looks like it could be a start to an inexpensive evening of gettin' some. If you can't afford Oliveto, or Chez Pannise that is. Excellent value here. Flavors are rich and bold, and none of the dishes we had were greasy...like when you go to an Indian buffet, and see that half of the daal is oil. Not here. For $7-9, you gut larger portions of rice, salad, garbanzo soup, and a main dish. Really good deal. Nothing is overcooked, and the lamb was as tender as Elvis. You can choose your level of heat in your food: Mild is...mild. Medium is...hot. And hot is...damn! They should consider pulling a cafe gratitude..."I am mild today." Okay maybe not.
(4)Kathy M.
Went here on a saturday afternoon with my mom. The lunch menu is fairly small, just 5 or 6 entree selections, one appetizer, and a selection of wraps. Mom ordered the shahi paneer, which was sooooo good. The sauce was creamy and perfect for cooling down the Lamb Vindaloo that I ordered. Medium spiciness was actually medium spicy, so be prepared to sweat if you go for the spicy variety. The meal came with rice, salad, which was sort of disappointingly dressed with a flavorless, creamyish sauce, and some stewed garbanzo beans that were pretty meh. Neither my mom nor I really ate more than a bite or two and they seemed a little superfluous. I didn't really notice any of the other diners scarfing them down either. The roti that came with lunch was awesome, very pillowy yet crisp and bubbly with a touch of butter glazing the tops. Also suprisingly enough, the WATER was really good, lemonly and maybe cucumbery or something. You don't usually find yourself remarking on the quality of a restaurant's water but, darn it all, it was really good! Ladies at the table next to us all ordered wraps and they were seriously HUGE! Service was decent but our waiter seemed kind of uninterested and curt. Lunch was fairly cheap, An iced chai and two entres came to 22$ before tip.
(3)Madelein M.
Meh, it's ok. Definitely not the best Indian food restaurant out there, definitely not the worst. I never crave going there, so the one time I was there was enough...
(3)J. M.
Very tasty, inexpensive. A full variety of delicious dishes... easily a Lakeshore Drive favorite.
(4)J C.
The food was very good; they obviously spent time preparing each dish. Their weekend lunch menu is a bit restricted in terms of options, but very reasonably priced. I have to admit I'm a little biased because I prefer Indian buffets where I can taste a little of everything; the difference, to reiterate, here is that they obviously put effort into each dish.
(3)Elisa M.
I really liked the food here. The lunch deals are awesome and filling. But the service is not the best. I used to not mind it so much, but my boyfriend was more hesitant about going back from the lack of inattention. However, he knew I loved the food there and suffered through it. Then one day we tried to eat there for lunch about half hour before they closed and we walked in and they said "hi" and asked "how many?" and told us to sit against the wall. Shortly after sitting the waiter comes up and says, "the kitchen is closing and we can take our food to go". My issue with that is if the kitchen is closing why do we have to take it to go? What's the difference of eating it for here or to go, if they still have to make the food? We realized it was their way of kicking us out. So my next issue was why did they even let us sit down if they didn't want to serve us? So we decided to leave, not order anything and to never go back.
(2)Nefarious J.
I know nothing about great Indian food. My introduction was Naan 'n Curry in the City, which I absolutely love cause it's so cheap, fast and includes free tea. With that said, don't read too much into this review if if you're in it for the food. Did I like my experience? Yes. I really enjoy communal dining. The plates were sizable, piping hot and served on a spicy spectrum. (I requested very spicy and they did not disappoint.) The interior was gorgeous, conveyed intimacy and discouraged loud speech. (The restrooms? Uh, not so nice.) I initially gave this place 3 stars, but noticed there's a takeout counter and the servers were kind enough to not shoo us out as we lingered over tea and conversation after closing. P.S. I would provide a description on exactly what I ate, but I can't spell 'em! lol
(4)Gerry A.
VERY good. Not fast, since when is good food fast? Well lit, nice decor YUMMY, attentive without being annoying smiling service. Reasonably priced, small and fair wine service. I haven't found anything I didn't like. Be sure and get some garlic naan so you don't risk getting caught licking the dishes.
(3)Erich V.
This isn't the best Indian food in the bay area, but it is so much closer to me than Sausalito.
(3)Anais M.
The place is beautiful, the food is good ans at good price ! You can choose how spicy you want it.. The service is a little slow, if order another naan or something in the middle of your diner, you gonna get it with the bill..
(4)lindsey d.
I love this place. I was a bit hesitant because it's quite fancy looking, but OMG, I can't get enough! I've tried the Chicken Tikka Masala and the Chicken Madras. I'm tempted to try a few others but the darn Tikka Masala is so good I can't help myself! One order is enough for me to be stuffed and have a small plate of leftovers the next day, which I covet and hoard like no one's business. The naan is excellent and the location ideal! Takeout can take awhile, but call in and give yourself and extra 10 minutes. I usually use that time to walk around or grab something at TJ's.
(5)m s.
Although some of the dishes are good, the service is poor. But I am giving this restaurant one star versus three or four because the staff and upper management (owners?) gave us dirty looks and we could hear them insulting us in the kitchen. Why were they insulting us? Because my wife was breastfeeding. And yes, she was respectfully covered. We were sitting next to the cashier and nobody was in the restaurant, so it was easy to hear them.
(1)Debbie T.
My hubby and I just had another delicious dinner here, and it is maybe our 7th or 8th time. We have never had any issues, we usually wind up sitting in front and get the same waiter, who is really friendly and polite, but tonight we were seated towards the center by the wall, so we got a girl serving us, but she was nice and efficient. We never order the bread, since we split the appy. We love the aloo chaat with riata appetizer. Maybe we should try the garlic Naan next time, since several people said it's good on here. My favorite entree (I'm a vegetarian) is the Malai Kofta Curry (I think) which is big balls of something veggie/cheese, in a super creamy yummy sauce. I ordered mild tonight, and was happy. I think I've done the medium before, which was perhaps a bit too spicy for me. The rice is decent, nothing special though...and I had the mango lassi tonight - which was very good. My hubby had the lamb curry which he ordered SPICY, and it was really spicy, he says "it wasn't top of the line, but very good". He just drinks the water, which it seemed they refilled every two minutes, so that keeps him happy. I think I married a camel. I hate to say this, but just before we left there tonight, I noticed about 5 of those little tiny flys on the wall, and I was glad we were leaving. However, we will be back, we love their food and it's a pretty good deal. I hope we get our waiter next time - he's sweet. Oh - one more thing...I really like the low key decor, especially the red glass sconces and fabric hangings. We also have never, ever, had to wait for a table, and it's usually quite busy, except for tonight. Maybe due to the oscars.
(4)Blah B.
They've been getting the orders right lately, so another star.
(4)Linda B.
Was this restaurant always here on Lakeshore?? I don't remember seeing it....until last night when three friends dragged me there. This isn't my first Indian food, but my first in 20 years. But I liked almost everything I had here. That includes the onion Naan (not on the menu, but you should order it...a little too peppery but still very good), lamb madras, papadum, and chicken tikka malasa (the sauce is yummy). I did not care for the vegetable samosa or the aloo gobi (the latter mostly because I don't like cauliflower). I wouldn't call the service lethargic. I would call it downright pathetic. We got there at 6 when most of the tables were still empty, they took our order about 15 minutes later, and when we had finished it took half an hour to get her back again. No refills on drinks after the first 15 minutes, no checking in. I would've given it another star except for that.
(3)Janet T.
I ate there last night with a friend and we were not impressed. The service was slow and inefficient. It took an hour and 15 minutes to take our order, serve and get our check. Given that they weren't busy, this was irritating.The Fish Vindaloo was salty, acidic and had bones. And, the music was too loud. The eggplant dish and onion naan were okay. Even though it's near my place, I won't be dining there again.
(1)Brian W.
Perfectly adequate Indian food, this location unfortunately pales in comparison to its sister up in Rockridge. Its one advantage is space, although the labyrinth to the bathroom was a touch more adventurous than it should have been.
(3)Ashante S.
Nice ambiance. Nice neighborhood vibe - and many good looking folks in the area. Allure and style... But let's cut to the important part... The food rocks. There are many different types of naan, curry and some really interesting appetizers, beers and wines. It's like a nice trip to India, but a little dressed-up and given that stylish, laid-back, sweetly urban Oakland touch. The flavors pop. Everything tastes good. The presentation is exotic, though maybe not 100% authentic. It's definitely and "Americanized" version of presentation. But the food is 100% real, and 200% tasty! It's a great place to eat dinner or lunch with your best friend, or someone cool you'd like to really get to know. Good place to take a date... It's nice to be able to escape to another culinary culture, right down the street from everything that's good about Oakland. The Flavors of India are wonderful!
(4)Veronica V.
The ambiance of this restaurant is really nice. I was on a time crunch though, so I ordered dinner to go here and was pleasantly surprised to find it AWESOME once I got back home. The aloo gobi was the best I've had in years. Couldn't get enough of it. The rice was also great. The vegetable samosas were delicious but a little too spicy for me. I ate it all anyway because it was so good. Will definitely go back soon. Very soon.
(4)Skye L.
I haven't eaten Indian food as good and spicy since returning from living in India! The saag chole and veg somosa chaat was unbelievably tasty and if you ask for "Indian spicy" instead of just "American spicy" your socks will be blown off! I would absolutely recommend Flavor of India to my Indian friends and family.
(5)D e v a n.
I was ecstatic when I learned that Indian food was coming to my neighborhood. One more way to feed my hungry lard ass! Yay! I was there during the first week of operation, and was pleased that the food didn't suck. However, service was a complete mess, with dinner taking over two hours. The owner came over to say hi and apologize for the chaos, which I thought was classy. I left happy. When I visited months later, I expected them to have gotten their shit together. Nope. The teen servers were still darting around nervously like scared little fawns. While there was plenty of bustling activity on the floor, nothing was getting done. The food was fine, but it was completely soured by the almost three hours it took my boyfriend and me to complete our one-course meal. Being broke students, it's a treat for us to go out, and this outing was a big disappointment. This place is offering up fast food-level service at finer dining prices. As a former server, I am extremely patient when a restaurant is having a busy night and things are a little backed up. But, the shoddy service model here would annoy almost anyone.
(2)Justin S.
Great authentic Indian cuisine. fairly priced. wait service is kind of hit or miss but your meal will definitely make up for it! if you love Indian than this is the place for you!
(4)Heather M.
Love this place! Tonight I set the basket of garlic naan on fire and no one freaked out (watch out for those votive candles)! I've been here ~ 6 - 8 times and loved it each time. I've read some of the Yelp reviews about poor service but I think that must have been just during their opening month or so because the service has always been friendly, professional and timely. The atmosphere is inviting with low lighting, seating that doesn't force your neighbor's conversation in your ears, and candles (again, watch out for these). Love the lighting! What's with all these places with spotlights in your eyes? Okay, the food ... I'm pretty finicky but I think the food here is good quality and tasty. They'll adjust the spicy level to your taste (spicy is usually a good bet because mild is soooooo mild here and I didn't detect any difference with the medium the next time). Chicken Tikka Masala is wonderful comfort food as is the warm garlic naan and rice pilaf. Their mango lassi is the best I've had anywhere. Samosas are pretty tasty too. I can't recall everything I've eaten there but I haven't run into anything I wouldn't have again. All this and at really reasonable prices. I don't think I've ever left without a container of tasty leftovers because the portions are generous too.
(5)Tsada K.
I think good service is very important, but it's unfortunate that people aren't a little forgiving of a new restaurant when they are ironing out the kinks with service in the beginning. That said, we ate here last night and had a very good experience. The place was packed, and we had to wait about 15 minutes for a table. The owner, Ashesh, kept appologizing for our wait and was so sweet. When we finally were seated, the service was good, surprisingly good given the reviews here. They were so nice to us. The food--which came out of the kitchen in about seven minutes after we ordered--was quite good. Everything was fresh and hot and tasty. Prawn curry was yummy although the portion could have been a tiny bigger. Someone else in my group ordered the lamb tandoori which was very plentiful and they said it was delicious. At first glance the prices seem pretty low, but when you take into account that everything is a la carte, with naan and rice things start to add up... The place is beautiful and clean inside. Much better than cockroachy Sabina downton. I've worked in the restaurant business before and I know how hard it can be to run a new business--especially when it's busy right off the bat as this place has been. I think they just needed to get the swing of things. I'll be back for sure.
(4)Leah V.
First off, I can't believe it took me so long to try Flavors of India. I'd noticed the decor when it opened and kept thinking I would try it. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. We went for dinner on a Monday, and it was almost full when we arrived but we were shown to a table right away. We ordered the vegetable samosas which came with two condiments that we kept for the rest of the meal, rice pilaf, raita, nan, the mixed tandoori platter (everything but the kitchen sink), and the okra (bhindi ?). Including a couple of beers it was only $43 and we had leftovers for lunch. To me that is a bargain! It was a delightful meal and our service was attentive. I would normally have preferred plain basmati to rice pilaf but the plates are white and I didn't want to see so much white. You've probably just realized one of the reasons I like Flavors of India so much...it's very pretty for a bargain restaurant. Compared to some other "n-Curry" etc places, places, this is the Taj Mahal. The specialty dishware and votives really add a lot to the atmosphere, as does good music after the place calms down a little (not while it's already buzzing), and the lighting makes your plate and your date look lovely. Our food was very good too (LOVED the okra dish and the fish and chicken in tandoori platter. I found the lamb very flavorful but a little chewy in places. I didn't try the ground lamb because I'd simply run out of room in my tummy. I would probably give it 4 stars for food if it weren't such a bargain...but it IS a bargain and pretty to boot.
(5)Irene S.
UPDATE: I was a bit dismayed to discover that the servers do not get the tips you leave -- the management takes them. I had heard about this from a good friend and then just confirmed it the other night there. Removed one star for this. Just visited for dinner the first time over the weekend and found the general experience to be a good one. The place is decorated nicely -- simple and modern. It felt spacious and was not cramped. I liked how it was decorated and it is nice enough for a first date. The service started slow -- we were seated but not given menus. We waited a bit for the menus, but in between the menu and the orders were pretty OK. I checked out the bathroom (they had 2) -- nice and clean. My husband and I ordered the following: Mixed Tandoori Grill, Vegetable Korma, Raita, Kashimiri Naan, chai, lassi, and rice. The food came out a bit slow but they were indeed fresh and hot. The naan we ordered was delicious. The Mixed Tandoori Grill was pretty good. Some of it was a bit dry, but the chicken was juicy. Vegetable Korma was good and spicey, though I definitely have had better as far as that dish is concerned. All in all, a first good visit. The staff is not the most speedy but were very accomodating and friendly. I am glad to have this in my neighborhood and will definitely make a return to taste more on the menu.
(3)Marisa F.
Update: I said I wouldn't go back, but I did. I was craving Indian food, and figured I'd give them one more chance. We ordered takeout again - I wouldn't try eating in based on the service reviews. The chicken tikka kabob was pretty good - chunks of chicken were tender and well-cooked. We also got the chicken w/cashews in cream sauce and the rice pilaf, which was also okay. However, none of the items were spicy in the slightest, and I asked for medium. So, I'm giving them one more star because it's nearby and the food isn't all horrible. But I won't be a frequent customer. Original review: I decided to give this place a chance, despite the negative reviews, because it's close to where I live and often has heavenly aromas wafting out onto the street. Having read about the long wait times and spotty service, I opted for take-out. I ordered the tandoori chicken wrap and the rice pilaf, medium-spicy. The rice pilaf was pretty good - not super fantastic, but definitely tasty and spiced according to my request. Also, a pretty large serving for the price. However, the tandoori chicken wrap was a disaster. While the naan was pretty good, and the pieces of chicken I could eat were mildly intriguing, I had to spit out a majority of the chicken because it was either almost entirely fat or contained pieces of bone. More chicken ended up on my plate than in my mouth. Mango chutney was delicious, but that didn't really help since I had no chicken to eat it with.
(2)Nena G.
Fantastic food, very friendly and professional service and great prices. The only downside can only be considered an upside: the long waiting time for a take-out if you don't call in advance (a good sign that the food is freshly prepared!). Great stuff.
(5)Oana T.
My best friend and I have dinner at Flavors of India once a month and we order the same things each time. Tandoori Chicken kabobs, aloo tikki with raita or the mixed veggie palora as appetizers, plain rice and the plain naan.
(4)Suzie R.
So, I've been back a couple of times since. It is growing on me. I had NO idea all of the Indian, Asian restaurants charged for rice here. I moved from a place where they gave you naan and rice for free. So, I am a little jaded. I think it's too pricey to go to this place. We went last week, got some pakoras, samosas, naan, two sandwiches and a to go chai. It was too much! The food was good, but the bill was over what I like to pay for two people and neighborhood indian food. I will treat it as a splurge when I am in the neighborhood and want indian food.
(3)Salsaboy S.
College Avenue is a better, though much smaller, location. The problem I have with Flavors of India is, in a nutshell, is that it is/should be a better restaurant than it is in all major respects. The ingredients are quality; the execution is poor. I've had more flavorful but lesser quality Indian food. The food leans toward the blander, boring side of the spectrum for Indian (this is true of College Avenue as well, but perhaps less so). Also, no spice here. When I've pleaded, begged, groveled for maximum spice, I needed a detective to locate any heat. What really adds insult to injury at this location is the ineptitude of the service. The servers don't apparently communicate with the kitchen, they seldom check on the table, and even after asking two or three times for the check -- with an essentially empty restaurant -- I've had to wait 30 minutes for the check to be brought. I'm not saying I won't go back -- I live in the neighborhood -- but I've traveled to San Francisco, Alameda, Hayward, and even Concord in search of Indian food instead of returning to this location. That's a damn shame. Ambiance: 3.5 stars Food: 2 stars Service: 1 star
(2)Breeya M.
First the food and the staff is still awsome here! BUT........ MY WALLET WAS STOLLEN FROM MY PURSE WHILE I WAS DINNING HERE!!! BE WARE! I WAS INFORMED, BY THE STAFF, THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THESE PEOPLE HAD COME IN AND DONE THIS! THEY REACHED RIGHT INTO MY BAG HANGING OVER MY CHAIR! BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR BELONGINS HERE!
(3)anjou k.
I'm so glad I ordered the lassi. It was truly made from fresh yogurt and instead of the usual Mountain High mixed with sugar and water. We ordered the Aloo Tikki Chaat to start. The chickpeas in the chaat were cooked perfectly. The chutneys were good, but more spice wouldn't hurt. For dinner, we had the Sarson ka Saag and Daal. Yummmmm. Overall, I thought this place was awesome, and I will be back. Update: I went back, and things weren't as good...I ordered completely different items, so maybe I'll stick with the above. Our server also seemed like she was trying to get rid of us, even though the place wasn't that crowded.
(3)Kristel S.
This is the "Indian Burrito place" as dubbed by a sheltered coworker that rarely ventures into other cultures, let alone try their foods. He, like I, swear by the Tandoori Chicken wrap (the "Indian burrito"), but it's never been quite as good as the first time. Service can be slow, but the food is usually tasty. I've come back for dinner since it's so close, and other friends have liked it too. The naan is great, but the Garlic Naan we ordered was absolutely smothered in garlic - great flavor but not great for later if you're looking for some, ahem, closeness...
(4)Sarah L.
Edit: The business got a clue! Great food, fast service. Thanks for reading the reviews, Flavors of India. :) I went back after my friends assured me that there was improvement. A few visits later, I am ready to add two stars to my original review. Original: With so many great Indian food options in the East Bay, you have to really stand out as a restaurant to survive. I will not be going back to Flavors of India, and I feel bad for Lakeshore inhabitants that have this as their only Indian option. I am giving the two stars for the saag paneer, which was delightful. Everything else tasted okay, but the experience was hampered by the awful service and waiting forty five minutes for our order of papadum (which takes about 45 seconds to prepare). The entrees finally came after my boyfriend raised his voice a little. Look people, if the food is going to take a long time, that is fine. But please, please, please tell us! A simple explanation or some papadum on the house would have sufficed, but we got no love from the wait staff. They basically ignored us from start to finish. We had to ask to place our order, ask again for the papadum, and finally beg for our meals. The food tasted good, but I think anything would have tasted great after waiting that long!
(4)Patrick L.
The food here is fantastic! The chicken tikka masala and the vindaloo is great. The garlic naan is a favorite as well. We have only done take out so I don't have much to say about the atmosphere. They're pretty reliable for take out orders but often don't have the food ready when they say they will. Otherwise great!
(4)Heather B.
We LOVED this place. First of all, my guy and I were standing outside peeking at the menu when another couple walked out and verbally ushered us in the door with their raves about the food. Nice start. Then the place is gorgeous inside- beautiful and simple and just very inviting. And everyone was smiley and I'm a stickler for greetings after years of working in customer service, hehe. I had the aloo matar and the fella had chicken something something that he can't remember. We just loved it. It was so rich that, at one point, I let out this big sigh of love over Indian spices. I ordered mine medium on the runny nose scale and he ordered his extra spicy. Both came out PERFECT. $23 for all that jazz... with leftovers. The only hitch for me was in regards to my theory that the heart of a place can be found in its bathroom. If it's well cared for, you've probably got yourself a pretty nice joint. If not, something's up- like the owners are horrendous assholes (as is the case with Lakeshore Cafe, by the way). So Flavors bathroom wasn't so lovely, but it does appear to be shared with another business, so I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt. Plus they're newish, I'll give 'em a minute to get some paint on those walls in there. And it's now an hour or so later and I've got that awesome well-fed and energized feeling. We are definitely going back. And maybe I'll just use our home bathroom first.
(5)Tracy A.
Yeah for Indian food finally arriving in my neighborhood. Yeah for replacing the second and more inferior donut shop on Lakeshore! We promise to patronize you often! It may not always be a sit-down place for me but I look forward to frequent take-outs and a few sit-downs. It just opened on Monday night and they don't quite have their crap together. If you choose to dine here soon, make sure you are in a patient mood or don't bother. They don't have their liquor license yet but that means they let you brown bag it instead. I am sure that Buckingham right across the street is getting a bump in business until they secure the liquor license. I did see a few people in various stages of waiting for a table, already seated at a table, and already ordered not have the stamina necessary to last up until the end of the experience and walk out. We on the other hand had no where else to be and were happy people watching and catching up with each other.
(5)nj e.
LOVE this place! We always treat our guests from out of town to Flavors.
(5)S R S.
Reliable, good indian take-out, and quite a nice space for eating in too. Some stand-outs for me: Daal Tadka, Channa Masala, Onion Kulcha. The Flavors of India in Montclair delivers.
(4)Shyam P.
Eaten here once and gotten takeout twice. The first time, takeout took like an hour. The service is slow but the food is good. I liked it all three times I ate it. The chicken tikka masala had tender chicken and a pretty good mix of spices. It was nice and thick too (mmm, cream!). The karahi chicken was well done too. Their naan is probably the weakest thing I've had there. It's not horrible, just not done right. I've given up expecting good service from indian restaurants and so should you! You'll be much happier that way.
(4)Damian L.
Ohh... I'd say. Home run or strike out. I have to think that they have two different people running this place... or two different chef's that work two different nights. But, this is crazy. First two times I went. HOME RUN!! Back to back HOME RUNS!! Finally, a great Indian place in the neighborhood. I don't have to drive up to college anymore. Child friendly. Great food. Great QUICK service. The guy that seems to be running the place is very kind and personable. Made me feel welcome and made my kid feel welcome even though he spilled a little rice on the ground. No biggie. And the food was packed with yummy goodness. I go back a third time. I don't see that very nice man that made us feel so welcome. Where is he? Maybe he's working in the back. I don't know. The food had NO flavor. How do you make Indian food with no flavor. I didn't have a cold. My taste buds seemed to be working ok. But, the flavor did not exist. The service was incredibly slow. This was a complete STRIKE OUT!! I'd have flamed them and never went back if it were not for my two previous experiences. I've gone back. Made sure the nice friendly man was there, and had a good experience. I wish I knew what the difference was, but there seems like there are two different restaurants running in this location. If anyone can crack the mystery ... let me know.
(3)zora b.
I was crazy excited to see the coming soon signs for this place. I think I was dreaming of a vik's or some super refined amazing indian food place. instead it is kind of like tasty-bites. decent but not worth a special trip when I can do chao thai or neecha or mimosa in the neighborhood instead. service was slow and bumbling, but the people were nice. they meant well. I think the place is just gawky and new and not yet up to speed. I just wish the food was better. for a $50 meal, I want to have a favorite dish to go back to, and I didn't find anything really that special.
(2)Tres F.
Fresh and tasty food, good variety. Service is below amateur, slow, inconsistent, forgetful. Nice decor, good place for a date.
(4)alexa c.
Flavors of India is good. I've been here a couple of times and both times I was very pleased with the food. The service was lacking a bit my first visit and had very obvious improvements by my second visit. The decor is simple but very pleasant. I think they did good with the space, all things considered. The high ceilings contribute to a fairly loud environment unfortunately. but the tables are spaced appropriately and they managed to section it off well. Pricing is very reasonable for the quality. I made the mistake of ordering my Chana Masala "spicy" which was nearly inedible. That was my own damn fault for thinking I was such a bad ass, I won't make that mistake again. Medium it is.
(4)dj pie b.
some pals and i checked this place out on a Saturday evening, and overall it was a pleasant meal. as is our usual attack plan, the four of us ordered a great deal too much food because we wanted to taste everything (and everyone knows that good Indian food tastes even better the next day...i just discovered that the corner of leftover nan i toasted to go under the poached egg i'm currently stuffing into my face has green chiles in it--WIN--but i digress). we all agreed that the restaurant decor is nice and spare, but also needs some sound baffling--it's far too loud to have a conversation if you're sitting in the middle of the room, even if the place is only 1/3 full--the server had to come around to my side of the table and lean over to hear my order, and i'm not a shy violet by any means. the ceiling is too high and there are too many sound-reflective surfaces. i liked the nice simple stencils on the walls, and the staff all had nice smiles and pleasant demeanors, and did not roll their eyes at how much food we ordered :). the food came out fairly quickly. the iced chai i sipped on while we waited for the onslaught was delicious and not too sweet. almost all the food was pretty tasty, although only the sauce for the malai kofta was exceptional--super tasty and so rich i had to share out the 5 dumplings in it to my dining partners and save one to take home with the last of the sauce and some rice. i am looking forward to my lunch tomorrow! Mister Hoohaw had been excited to try the fish vindaloo, and ordered it 'hot', but tells me it was not very good, and not hot at all. bummer. maybe i can doctor his leftovers for him and improve things. the breads were mixed. we had poori--which was already flat , cold, and a bit more greasy than i like by the time it got to the table--three kinds of nan, and paratha. i couldn't tell the paratha from the nan--it didn't look whole-wheat-y enough, and it didn't look as though it had been cooked in a pan instead of in the tandoor. the nan was good, especially the paneer nan. the sarson ka saag was good and had a nice cumulative spicy effect. the tandoori mixed grill and the lamb kebab were both decent, and the portion sizes were generous--hooray for leftovers! but WHAT THE HELL IS IT with otherwise perfectly good Indian restaurants thinking it's a good idea to use frozen mixed vegetables in their 'pilaf' or veggie korma or whatever? i mean SERIOUSLY. that stuff is nasty. either bust out the Brunoise on some fresh vegetables, or don't offer that dish. ugh. we may come back here if we want a nearby sit-down Indian dinner, but in general i think we'll stick to Raj on Piedmont for delivery. there are some hit/miss dishes there as well, but their tikka masala sauce is always awesome :). overall, this would be a reasonable place for a date if it were not so loud. don't order the veggie korma or the pilaf, or the vindaloo.
(3)True R.
Having grown up with an Indian grandmother, I have had my share of Indian food and this place is hands down.i have never been disappointed here. To all you bitter lots out there, just because you can throw words like gulab, masala, chai (not chais, btw it means tea) it doesn't qualify you as a critic. Indian food is not about measurements nor standardize taste, it's about instincts, cultural & an expression of uniqueness that challenges your palets & taste buds. A biriani in Punjabi will not taste the same as in Gujirat, neither will it taste the same in a region. So if you're expecting replication I would suggest you stick with your mcdonalds and stop discrediting something that is beyond your franchise-centric views.
(5)Michael B.
We had a positive experience here. Naan, chicken korma, vegetable masala, veggie samosa, all very good. Pleasant, clean, relaxing environment and efficient service. We were here on a Saturday for lunch and there were not a lot of other diners present; I'm not sure why not. I would definitely come here again.
(4)Enrique N.
Nice decor and close to home make this place a winner. There is a crispy potato patty appetizer that is covered in garbanzo beans and a spicy sauce that is delicious. The tikka masala is great and my favorite, lamb vindaloo, is also really good. Try a glass of their riesling with dinner to balance out the spice.
(4)Joanna W.
My excitement about an Indian restaurant opening in my neighborhood wore off after reading the initial poor reviews. A friend recently recommended it to me so I decided to give it a try. Overall, it was a solid 3 stars-good. The service was quick and attentive. The decor set a nice ambience. My friend was happy that her chicken tikka masala had the flavors that she had been craving. I somehow ended up with two entrees. This was not my intention. The server offered to take one back, but we decided to keep the vegetable korma. That was a good decision because the creamy korma sauce was richer in flavor than the paneer. I also realized that I wasn't really in the mood for big chunks of cheese. The garlic naan was good. The rice however looked and tasted like it had been cooked with a bit too much water. The convenient location is what will probably bring me back again.
(3)C J.
As a pescetarian ... it's hard to find good restaurants on Lakeshore. Me & my vegetarian pal had the best dinner. We were seated promptly. Water was always topped off. Food didn't take too long. And everything tasted delicious. Chana Masala - YUM ? (Okra & veggies) - Great LOL - we were too full for dessert ... But I will definitely be visiting them again soon! :)
(4)Brian G.
I have been here twice and was treated very well, loved the variety of food, flavor....the ambiance is terrific too. three of us ate each and every drop of food. the portions for the $ is right on. A welcome treat to da hood... one thing that was unique, big plus, is that I brought a bottle of sarah to dinner and they didn't charge me any corkage...COOL BEANS. THIRD REVIEW: I went back for lunch last week. No botchulism buffet here. Each menu item is prepared per order for lunch and it's great. I had the Lamb Karahi. EXCELLENT. Boneless pieces of tender lamb, bell peppers, garlic, ginger, fresh tomatoes & onions highlighted with our own spices in a thick sauce. (menu says gravy, but don't let that word throw you off, weak use of the word gravy.) Oh, and in regards to my comment about no corkage...they caught on and now have a $7 dollar corkage.
(4)Doctor G.
Restaurant kinda dark inside for my tastes. The food was pretty good and the service was fine. Street parking only.
(3)Sarah D.
Look, even if the Indian in my neighborhood was medicore, I'd probably still go, because I love Indian and it is about DAMN TIME we got some in the Grand Lake area. The good news is it's actually solid Indian food. Yes, yes - they haven't gotten the waitstaff trained yet and are constantly packed so there's some issues with the service. The easy way to get around this is to do take out and grab a drink at Easy down the street while you wait for your oder to be ready. Although it would be nice if they would answer the phone so you could call in an order. I've been here twice now and the second time the food was better than the first and I hope that kind of improvement continues. The menu is huge, mostly standard northern Indian cuisine but with a few surprises. They are focused on entrees best shared family-style as opposed to chaat. All the paneer dishes I've had so far have been excellent. The owner took my order personally last time and he seemed so relieved when I told him a 30-45 minute wait wasn't a problem. Poor guy looks exhausted. And when I asked for my dishes spicy, they were perfectly, awesomely spicey. This place deserves to do well, it just needs a little bit of time to smooth out the rough spots.
(4)Lydia B.
Service was very perfunctory. Lunch took an hour, which seems too long with the place only half-full. I ordered hot tea, but there was no teaspoon. Not enough napkins provided. Food just had very little flavor. It was depressing to realize how much effort had gone into the decor and none into the food.
(1)Jessica Y.
So prior to this experience, I have only tried Indian food once in my life...That one experience led me to never try Indian food ever again. Then it so happen that a family I was staying with so happen to have leftovers from Flavors of India and persuaded me to give Indian food another try. I FEEL IN LOVE!!! I officially love Indian food. I love it's sauciness and spice! For the price you are paying there are BIG portions! I definitely wanna go back to the restaurant itself and see how good the food is pre-refrigeration!
(4)Thomas K.
This isn't the best Indian food but I really love their Palak Paneer medium spicy. I eat here usually at least once a week.
(3)Renee R.
I've been here a few times each for lunch and dinner and haven't had anything disappointing. The pakoras are great - not at all greasy - great naan, the tandoor dishes are good, haven't had any dried meat or kebabs. All of the curries and veg dishes I've tried have been great. Even had a decent glass of wine one night. Service is generally good, although they do a disappearing act sometimes. I've never been in a rush here, and the food was always prompt. Great strong chai, too!
(4)Krissy A.
My favorite Indian spot in Oakland. I've had almost half of the menu and have always enjoyed my food. The only thing I wish could be better is the tenderness of the chicken, sometimes it's a tad bit tough. I love the naan, garlic or plain. This is a great spot to take out of town guests and children. The service is great! One time I forgot my Visa and they so graciously accepted my check. Great folks and great food!
(4)flo t.
Flavors of India is indeed what this restaurant should be called. Their menu is endless!!!! 4 stars for coming to Lakeshore! Yes please! 2 stars for service: so it just opened.... the wait staff looks a bit green. We waited a considerable amount of time for our dish to come out and when it did they just gave us our Fish Tandoori and that was it, no rice -no naan - nothing, we sat for another 10 minutes to see if we had anything else to accompany our meal. We had to reach out to one of our waiters every time we needed something. They never checked on us. But again they just opened up and I know I can be rather impatient :( The strange thing is there were at least 6 ... count em 6 waiters.. we couldn't figure out who's was ours since none of them came to help us. 4 stars for food... we had the rice pilaf which was with peas, lima beans, green beans and carrots! Very nicely done.... we also ordered the potatos and cauliflower... delish! 4 stars for simplicity... why overdo it.. The place is warm and can be for the most casual of dinners to a hot sultry date like the one my fiance and I were spying on in the corner. Flavors of India.. we welcome you to Lakeshore and look forward to tasting all the yummy dishes you have for your neighbors!
(4)Kaytee M.
Pretty darn good Indian food. And good location! The Shahi Paneer is wonderful and something I wouldn't normally just order (gravy and cheese), but it's something I now constantly crave. Prices are pretty good, nice space, and yummy HUGE samosas. The wine list is pretty bleak so I would go for a Taj beer if you want to drink here.
(4)Andie J.
The food is generally good here. I've enjoyed almost everything. BUT DO NOT ORDER THE SALAD. Though I appreciated the canned beets and the olives, the dressing they have is disgusting (bottled Italian and a Ranch dressing that tastes and looks like mayonnaise. Seriously). Also, their Onion Kulcha bread is good but we tried their Garlic Naan and it was more like eating heavy pizza dough, though flavorful. Not sure what happened there but it was way too heavy. As others have mentioned, their wait staff is not very good. I guess that's really the nice way to state it. I've been there twice for dine-in and the last time my server looked like she was 15 years old and had terrible communication skills. But the owner/manager comped us a couple of things as a result of her poor skills, their running out of their Cabernet, and the whole salad salad dressing fiasco, so I admire that. It's like they know they're having growing pains and that their wait staff has issues. That's good. It means they are probably working on improving it. I got take out recently and it was fabulous. For now, I'd advise take out only or to be prepared to have issues with the service. A good attitude by the servers, don't get me wrong, just sheer ineptitude.
(3)Sarah W.
Very good indian food at reasonable prices. The chicken is always perfectly cooked. The curry sauces are terrific! The service is very good, and it's a nice atmosphere for a restaurant. The naan is good.
(4)mia s.
Update: 3 stars (The place actually deserves 3.5 stars but I'll round down for now - it's still early) Our dining-in experience was an improvement over the take out. The food was much better. The paneer naan was very good. We ordered the paneer chile and asked for extra spicy - it was delicious with big generous chunks of paneer and lots of spicy chiles. The lamb curry was okay - I probably wouldn't order it again. The service was good - our order was taken right away and we never ran out of water. The food did take a while - about 25 minutes. The interior is very nice (a little too dark?). The place was packed on a Monday night. Glad they're getting their act together and glad they're in the neighborhood. We'll definitely be back. Original Review: 2 stars I was so excited to see an Indian restaurant opening in the neighborhood... until I tried their food. Because we were wary of the reviews on the service and because we have two young children who may not do well during a long drawn out dinner, we opted to take out. I wanted to try all of my favorite Indian dishes so we ordered a lot of food. Except for the tandoori chicken, I was not impressed with anything I ordered. - I ordered lamb samosas but got the potato ones which were rock hard. - The naan was limp and chewy. - The chicken tikka masala looked and tasted more like butter chicken - way too rich and so signs of tomato anywhere. - The okra masala was way UNDERcooked as was the aloo gobi - the potato was actually crunchy and not in a good way. - The palak paneer literally had 2 tiny pieces of cheese and the spinach reminded me of gerber's strained spinach. - The lamb vindaloo was similar to the butter chicken that was supposed to be chicken tikka masala except it contained chewy pieces lamb and undercooked potatos. Again, it was too rich and not at all spicy. I was told that everything is "cooked to order" so I specifically ordered everything extra spicy but things for the most part were just bland and had a very medicine like flavor to it (I think too much cardamom). The portions were also quite small for the price. Also, it took amost an hour which in my opinion is way too long for Indian take out. I have had tastier, faster and cheaper meals at places like Shalimar and Naan and Curry. Because I do believe in supporting the local restaurant and hope that this place will continually improve on their service as well as their food quality, I will give it another try and dine in. If that experience does not convert me, I'm getting in my car and heading over to Berkeley for Indian food.
(3)Christine K.
This was the WORST experience at a restaurant I have ever had. To start I ordered a glass of cabernet they were out of that and 3 other reds on the menu, strange but I can deal. Then I used the restroom... 1. a sign on the door read "PLZ KNOCK BEFORE DOOR" 2. I get in there and there is no lock on the door just a hole where it used to be. 3. there is diarrhea all over the seat and what looks like vomit on the wall 4. OMG! 5. I walk back in through the fluorescent hallway and through the kitchen back to my table to alert my dining companions that this restaurant is not safe to eat at GROSS Oh by the way, they never brought me my wine even though I sat there a good 20 minutes beforehand...
(1)Wendi W.
Delicious food... especially their coconut lamb. Good atmosphere and good for larger groups.
(5)Zuchinno B.
My boyfriend and I went to this place and ordered chicken tikka masala, garlic naan, lamb samosas, and sweet lassi. We tried to order gulab and even though it was on the menu, they said they were all out even though it was 5pm on a Friday, not exactly the end of dinner service. The sweet lassi was more of a sour lassi, and served room temperature as opposed to iced. The samosa filling was dry and tasteless and the shell was chewy and not at all crisp. I was hoping for crispy, chewy, bubbly naan, sprinkled with garlic butter and cilantro. What I got was flat, chewy, somehow burned while not having even a hint of crispness, drenched in some gross yellow sauce and absolutely covered with large chunks of raw garlic. The kheer was like someone dumped stale basmati into coffee creamer. Finally, and here's the worst part... I have pretty good table manners, but I literally started gagging on, and had to spit out my first bite of the chicken tikka masala. I had gotten a flap of flabby skin attached to a big piece of gristle. I love how the menu charged $10 for this "entree," boasting white meat, and then clearly dumped whatever overcooked mess they found in the bottom of the tandoori oven into a bright pink masala sauce made from a packet! I ordered medium and got bland, bland, BLAND! Oh, and I had to order rice separately! Ridiculous! Never go here, even my undiscerning boyfriend, who eats ramen with hot sauce didn't touch his dinner... that's bad. Oh, and it's a chain, so watch out 'cause there are other ones in Berkeley, Oakland, and Alameda, one of which has the highest rating here... Also, I'm thinking they're getting people to write nice things about them, cause some of these reviews are sounding a little staged.
(1)Dorothy M.
Whenever my bf & I crave Indian food... We crave flavor of India's chicken tikka masala first! The garlic naan is so tasty with perfect amount of garlic pieces baked into Naan goodness. The prices are so reasonable. The wait staff Is hit or miss when it comes to attentiveness, but the food makes up for It! We have found our go to Indian place!
(4)Jenn K.
Love the food. Inside is dimly lite and kind of provides a romantic kind of setting. Service is pretty good as they usually fill up your water glasses and ask if you need anything else. However, sometimes this doesn't happen. The food takes a while to come out. However, Indian cooking usually is an art form requiring gravy to be created from onions, tomatoes and spices. It will take a while, but so worth the wait. Only thing you need to be careful about is when you order take out as I have order Shahi Paneer and ended up with Saag Paneer twice. Two very different dishes, but both delicious. However, very disappointing when you get the wrong item.
(4)jessica e.
o.m.g. this is was the first restaurant i tried after moving to oakland last june. it soon became an obsession. the veggie samosas. the garlic naan. saag. aloo tikki chaat. everything i have tried here has tasted like sweet sweet heaven. the customer service is also great. very friendly staff. efficient. clean. sweet. its a cozy place. a very chill ambiance. we've taken many friends here. plus, its right by blockbuster and has parking-- so its perfect for take-out.
(4)Katie L.
Flavors of India gives me wet dreams. The flavors are distinct and rich, the prices are reasonable, the atmosphere is attractive, and the portions are great. You should definitely catch their lunch special. It changes daily, but generally you get an entree, rice, naan, and a salad or side dish for about $8. Here are my recommendations as a veggie: -mixed vegetable masala (was this dish made with angel spit? It's soooo delicious! Their other veggie dishes are good, but they pale in comparison.) -veggie wrap (it's like an Indian burrito...that makes you swoon) poori (whole wheat deep fried naan. Admit you're a fatty and order it) Yep. I love this restaurant.
(5)Chris A.
Always placed a take-out order so this rating is for food quality only. I have to say it's super yummy! No complaints whatsoever.
(4)Evelyn L.
My sister and her friends love this place and take people from out of town here whenever they want to try something "new." I've had this type of food before. It was good but not something I'd go back for... everything was oily, heavy, and over cooked. This place was TOTALLY different. First, I'll tell you about the drinks. We got a mango lassi and a lychee milk shake. They're both made of a puree of the respective fruit and the lassi has spices and yogurt. They're interesting... to say the least. I liked the lychee one better because there was a different taste to the mango lassi that I was unfamiliar with. My sister on the other hand loves it. We orders a plain rice and plain naan. The rice was perfectly fluffy and had little brown herbs in it. I don't know what they are but they make the rice fragrant. The naan was soft and fluffy. I saw other flavored naan and I hope to try them one day but sadly I'm only in the bay area for a few more days. The LAMB TIKKA MASALA was dee-licious! O em gee. I love the lamb. It was roasted/marinated so there was a red ring around it when you cut it in half. It was soft but not over cooked. The sauce (we got mild) was creamy and had a wonderful fragrant smell/taste. (I'm drooling.) With the naan and fragrant plain rice it was great. CHICKEN CHOLÉ had garbanzo beans and tomatoes in a gravy. Its hard to explain. The chicken was cooked perfectly but... I didn't care for the sauce. I wish I had gotten something spicy. We both were full quickly and still have 1/2 the meal for the next day. For 30.40 + 5 tip it was a worthwhile dinner with a sweet drink and nom-worthy entrees. I'm not a SF-native so maybe I'm biased and not sophisticated enough but this was way better then Indian food in LA and I liked it!
(4)Crystal B.
Not very good food. Everything was dry,and the garlic naan was cold and tasteless. Very dissatisfying. I have had better food at the foodcourt at EmeryBay.
(1)E G.
I like all that can be made into a vegetarian dish off the menu (main reason I come here) .The ambiance is good too. I love the music they play here . And all the Waiters and waitresses are super friendly .
(5)Alison C.
what a shit hole, no one even acknowledged our presence for the first 5 minutes we stood there, but then we were seated. no one took our order for 10 minutes or so, then it was like 20 or 30 minutes before our samosas arrived and they weren't hot, just warm. it was an hour until our entrees arrived and they were mediocre at best. i think we were there for a total of 2 hours? the man at the table next to us got up and left. the people behind me were also complaining about the wait. other people that ordered after us got their food first. also it smelled like pee in there? i thought maybe it was asafoetida at first but it was definitely pee. fuck this place forever.
(1)Josephine S.
I have eaten a lot of Indian food in my time, and Flavors of India is one of the worst Indian food experiences I've had in the Bay Area. PROS: - delicious samosa (though admittedly a bit soggy) CONS: - the service was painfully slow, especially between appetizer and entree - the chicken tikka kabob was amazingly bland. the accompanying vegetables tasted like burnt oil. - the staff was unfriendly, unhelpful, and completely uninterested in interacting with us despite us being positive and friendly. - the bathroom did not lock! what?! Boo!!!
(1)Rex J.
Having been in the Grand Lake area for 13 years, we finally got to try this neighborhood Indian restaurant on a rainy weekday night. We decided to do take-outs as the smell inside is a bit too pungent and suffocating, as it is with some of the indian places. In general, I appreciate better air circulation in a restaurant so I can somewhat breath while enjoying the food. Another factor was that the take out phone line of our usual Raj Indian restaurant on Piedmont Ave had been busy last night. Plus, having read many raving reviews on yelp about lamb dishes of Flavors Of India, we thought it may be interesting to try. Well, it is not always the case as you might know, like anything else in life. Make your own experience and take others just as opinions with a grain of salt. We took out 2 orders of Lamb Curry, rice x2 and a garlic nan. Total up to $28. The basmati rice for 2, in a small container, cost $3 dollars. $1.75 per person. I thought it was too excessive of a charge. There were 4 levels of spiceness of curries: mild, medium, spicy and extra spicy. We got mild and medium as our stomachs are not as bullet proof as they used to be. The curry came in plastic containers which I had issues with, like with most of the take out places such as Raj, as that's how most of the restaurants handle hot liquid. Some Chinese restaurants use paper boxes which are better. The chemicals in the plastic containers may leak out and they may undermine your health, perhaps even causing cancers in the long run. Something to think about when you take out. The lamb Curry was cooked with heavy tomatoes and dark brown gravy, along with cilantro leaves and other seasonings. I had to say the taste was only OK. It didn't taste like curry per se. Certainly not with that much tomato. The lamb meat was not browned (seared first to seal the juice). It tastes like the lamb cubes were prepared separately, then later assembled in the gravy, as most of the lower end restaurants would have done. (The Bangkok Palace on Grand Ave is another example of such practice, not to mention it is just simply bad these days, along with what we witness the change of ownership of so many times. It had gone down hill even before the 2004 robbery and shooting murder case. That's another subject on another rainy day) Back to our lamb, the consistency of the meat was not too chewy but certainly was not tender at all. The amount was OK but not for a hearty appetite. The garlic nan was very garlicky. The bread was somewhat hard. With the same amount of money, one can get 2 pizzas from Milano or Boot and Shoe service, which we contemplated earlier. On well, live and learn. Moving on to the next culinary experiment. More to come.
(2)Diana M.
Geez! Could the reviews for this place be any more mixed. I was in the neighborhood and hungry. I walked in and there were tons of tables available and I like the ambiance. I sat down and was quickly served. I enjoyed my meal - the saag chicken lunch special with garlic naan ($8), but there are a couple of caveats: - I do agree that the service is slow - I asked for spicy, but i was given mild (at least to my spice lovin taste buds) - I ran across a small bone in my chicken On a positive note: - The portions were huge - The garlic naan was phenomenal - The chickpea side dish was um um good (I can't remember the name and I should mention that I'm not a fan of chickpeas) Would I go back: yes Is it the best Indian food ever: no ** I do have concerns about what the other reviewers are saying about the business **
(3)Gail N.
My friend and I were still hungry and ready to eat after our 1-slice appetizer from Arizmendi, so we eventually crossed the street deciding to fulfill our hankering for Indian food at this awesome place! I must say -- this is one of the best value Indian lunches (non-buffet; full service!) I've ever had! Basically, with each lunch order selection, you get: dal lentil soup, salad, basmati rice, AND naan! WOW! For somewhere between $7-9 per plate! DANG! That's cheap eats! So, we ordered the Korma Curry + Tandori Mahi Mahi. Both were quite delectable and very filling! (We had leftovers for sure!). I really enjoyed the flavor of both dishes, though...I suspect they use frozen veggies for the Korma Curry...(it was a simple medley of carrots, peas, and corns..that resembled the frozen veggies I used back in college..). We also ordered the mango lassi ($2.50) -- which was supppperrrr good and on point! Anywho, the service was also great! Very attentive and they replenished our bowl of naan, water, etc. They are very efficient. OH! And -- best part: The decor is GORGEOUS in here. They really go all out with the beautiful hangings, and each table has a beautiful place mat. That makes me really happy. So why minus 1 star? Because of my frozen-veggies suspicion and the lack of variety/basics on the menu..(didn't see any of my favorites on the lunch menu: aloo saag, chicken tikka massala, or chicken okra). But, that's just my preference.. Would I come back? For sure if I'm in the area craving some good, cheap Indian food!
(4)Penguin S.
I had the fish wrap, minus the onions and cucumbers. It was extremely tasty. Great naan, flavorful fish, fresh ingredients. Also had the side of okra, which was a bit under cooked. My party all enjoyed the food. The atmosphere is sophisticated, simple and stylish. My friend says it's not his favorite place, but it was great if you ask me. Some of the best naan I've had.
(4)Andrew L.
4.5 stars, if there is such a thing. I took my Dad here today after going to the farmer's market for a nice lunch. We both got Tandoori wraps, me the lamb, and him the chicken. He's not much of an Indian food person and his chief complaint was that the Naan was too thick. wtf? Okay, fine, but mine was GREAT, even better than I expected. For the $7 Saturday lunch deal, you get a heck of a lot of food. The juices are probably overpriced, and my Dad was disappointed with his (custom request) iced tea and lemonade combo. I'm gonna keep coming back here....
(4)Joy C.
I've been to other locations of this Indian restaurant, but this one was the worst! We sat down and it took forever to get someone's attention. We ordered our food and it took literally 45 minutes to even get anything! They weren't even full! We kept pestering staff about the status of our order, and they were very unhelpful and unfriendly. The food finally arrived, and it was pretty good... until my boy found a HAIR in his curry. UGH! Luckily they were nice enough to give that dish to us free, but man... that really ruined the whole dinner. Never going back.
(1)Mars D.
The Ambiance: It is nice. The stencils on the walls were pretty. Romantic setting. The food: Very mediocre at best. The chef is a complete underachiever, Indian food is supposed to be spicy, rich, and sometimes tangy. We got no tang, and it was overall just very salty food. The flavors were not balanced at all. The lamb dish we had had dry pieces of meat. I've had very good Indian, where the meat is cooked so tender that it generally falls off the bone (if there were bones attached to it.) but it seems like the kitchen just dropped shriveled pieces of meat in some over salted sauce and served it. I sent my vegetarian dish back because I could taste nothing but salt. I reordered another vegetarian dish, and it was the same thing. You could not taste the okra, or all the wonderful flavors a vegetable had to offer. It wasn't fresh okra, it was probably frozen, thawed, and frozen again considering the bleakness of the flavor overall. I didn't end up eating my dish, and my partner's lamb dish was just mediocre. It taste like a college kid's first trial hand at making an Indian internet recipe. The Papadum which in most Indian restaurants are free but here, they cost an extra couple dollars, which is ridiculous. On top of that, it was hardened. It wasn't crispy and had a good consistency. if i was someones grandma, i'd loose a tooth over it. The texture was hard, and not how it's usually served. If you run a restaurant, make sure your chefs care enough about food. If they don't even like food, I don't understand why they would end up as chefs. Service: It was generally good. The waitresses were nice, and nice enough to put up with me sending back the salty dish. I just wish they didn't come right back with another dish that tasted the same except just chunkier. I don't think I will be returning there.
(1)Donna K.
For a few weeks, I had been craving Indian curry like nobody's business, but no one wanted go with me. Who can deny a fluffy, carby piece of naan dipped in chicken tikka masala?! Certainly not I. So when my friend suggested Indian food for lunch, making it my second Indian meal in a row (I didn't have breakfast that day, and had curry for dinner the night before), I said, "YES PLEASE!" I ordered chicken vindaloo (mild) from the lunch menu and it was good. The chicken was cooked perfectly and there was a good chicken to potato ratio. I think I'm going to woman up and go for medium at Indian restaurants now, because this mild business is not challenging my taste buds enough. The lunch specials come with a small salad, a cup of a lentil "soup" (daal makhani), rice, naan, and curry. Although it was good, the bowl of curry was no bigger than my fist or the bowl of the lentil soup thing. There were way too many carbs to only eat it with the amount of curry they served. Kind of disappointing because I love me some carbs!
(3)Jessa C.
I've been here at least 5 times and service is always super slow with bad attitude, like they can't believe they have to serve all these people. With the decor, menu, and prices it seems like they are trying to be a mid-high range restaurant, but it doesn't come through in the flavor of the food which lacks attention to detail. Things are often too salty or too oily, or just badly spiced like they don't care, any really they don't have to, because they've got the ambience and the attitude. Give me udupi palace or indus village any day. I'll make the extra drive to avoid this place.
(2)Claudia S.
the best place to break up with someone. 1. It's lonely and quiet. (on a saturday evening? not a good sign but my buddy wanted indian and it was the only one in the area that we knew of.) 2. They light up a tealight for some ambiance. (however it's still dark enough that if they start crying no one will notice). 3. They take forever to bring the food. (so it gives you some time to get a lot off of your chest before you have to get your words out in between bites). 4. The food tastes bad. (so you dont get distracted by the food and after you dump them, they feel worse after eating a crappy meal). Food: prawn curry - tastes like shrimp drowned in tomato sauce. spices anyone? guess not. i cant remember the name of the rest of the stuff, but what i do remember is that it didnt taste good and it was expensive-ish plus the portions were small. *random: while waiting for our food there was a loud scream that came from the kitchen followed by lots of laughter. sort of weird, thats all. i doubt it will happen if you go...which i DONT think you should anyway. Go to House of Curries instead.
(1)Jonathan P.
This place keeps getting worse. Wait time increases (not to be seated but waited 1 hour for food) while quality of food decreases. Not coming back.
(2)Nisha A.
As an Indian, I am constantly in search of good Indian food in the East Bay. Nothing has ever and will ever top mom's food. I have high standards. That being said, I really liked this place. I brought my parents - both raised in India - and they enjoyed it too. It is standard North Indian fare but not too greasy, and seasoned well. I should say I am vegetarian and only ate veg items - but they were ALL good. We will definitely go back. I definitely pay more attention to the food than the service but I did not notice the bad service others mentioned (perhaps a product of special treatment for Indians?). Seriously, all around good.
(4)Sara J.
I had high hopes for the Chicken Tandoori Wrap. I was hoping it was as good as Tandoori Chicken USA's Tandoori Chicken Sandwich (RIP!). Sadly, I was left very disappointed. The chicken pieces were not breast meat. They were also chewy and not tender or flavorful at all. Some chicken pieces were downright uneatable. The Chicken Pakora was also very disappointing. It was just your average breaded/fried chicken breast. Nothing special about it. Completely devoid of spices. The only good thing about Flavors of India is that it's a short walk from my apartment. However, next time I think I'll walk the extra .7 mile to Breads of India for a more satisfying meal.
(2)staggerin r.
I'm giving them 3 stars only because they make a couple of dishes there that i really do like. Besides that, tho, the service is terrible, they don't clear tab;es or check in to see if you need anything (even if soda refills aren't free) they allow people to walk in off the street and panhandle their customers, and what I've tasted of their tandoori and other friend's dishes are blah. I will keep getting take out from here until i find a better Chicken Korma and Paneer-stuffed Naan. (suggestions anyone?)
(3)Kelli F.
This place has become the go-to spot for Indian food in my neighborhood. The atmosphere is nice (much nicer than you'd expect for the price) and the service is excellent. I've tried a few things on the menu but it is hard to resist just getting the chicken tikka masala every time because it is SO good. I mean "getting every last bit out of the bowl even though you cant eat anymore" good. That being said, everything I've had here was good, but I dream of the tikka masala. The price is excellent, two people can easily eat here for $20, maybe $30 for beers and some naan thrown in as well. Great place to grab a bite before a movie at the Grand Lake or a drink at any of the neighborhood bars. Perfect for date nights too!
(4)Brian B.
This is for take out on 4/20. We dropped by and ordered two entrées, and was told to wait 20-25 mins, np, plenty shops to visit. Unfortunately when we got our food and walked home to eat, we felt ripped off on portion and quality. We ordered the Chicken Kabob and it was very dry and overcooked but decent portion. The Lamb Masala seemed water down, however that could be because we requested mild, unfortunately the portion was disappointing. Again this was for take out so I have no idea for dine in, but I will not be going there again.
(1)Jennifer B.
I'm bumping this place up to "heavy rotation" frequency of visit. Very tasty food* at a great price with portions large enough to share (especially at lunch!). Waitstaff was very polite and efficient, but needed not be so placating**. Decor very pleasing, if somewhat nondescript. I appreciate the favorable lighting. *Spicy enough to give me heartburn, which ruined any post dinner beer-drinking I had been so keen on accomplishing. **like he had the kind of mom who took the swatch to him him if he didn't properly clean his room. He hovered in the back waiting for us to finish sentences before he dared to interject, which would have seemd polite without that fearful look. And there was the problem of us never really finishing our sentences.
(4)Joanna S.
okay, i'm really sad that Taste of India only has 3 1/2 stars; that's ludicrous! roomie and i dine here frequently (at least once or twice a month). our top reasons for choosing to dine here include: - easy to walk to from where we live (Lake Merritt/Grand) - delicious food [i am particular to their: aloo tikki with raita, vegetable korma, and dal tadka] - fresh naan and yummy mango lassis - cheap prices - never having to wait to be seated! sometimes, their service is slow, but i appreciate not being pushed to eat my food too quickly. the decor is modern, yet with beautiful indian touches and the atmosphere is quiet. if you haven't tried flavors of india yet, you need to!
(4)Ms. T L.
Their chicken vindaloo gave me a foodgasm and their garlic naan was so delicious.. so why only 4 stars? Because yelp doesn't have a .5 star system, otherwise they'd get 4.5. I noticed that a lot of their tandoori dishes, although impressive when they come out on the sizzling platters, are normally very dry.. so if I could rate the seperate dishes, I'd give the chicken vindaloo a 5, garlic naan a 5, and probably the tandoori a 3.5-4. So overall, 4.5. Word of advice - don't get it too spicy unless you can handle it! Medium spicy was plenty spicy enough for me.... =)
(4)Jimi W.
Wow..... I've just moved back from Hawaii... and was praying I'd find a great Indian place with Quality food and portions... This Met all expectations.... and then some! The minute the 4 of us walked through the door...the ambience kicked in...(I know, right? You're thinking ambience at a quality Indian place might be hard to come by.) TWO of us were "Veggies" as well as Picky and we wanted to share.. Masala..Naan....Lamb Vindaloo for me... and these strange burritos...EVERYTHING was fresh and Full of Rich, Spice Indian Flavor. Maybe some others had a different experience here? I don't know, .. but OUR first time will keep us coming back for more! Oh..... Did I mention the prices are Very Reasonable? Even for someone on a small budget. "WHAT A TREAT!"
(5)Pete S.
Flavors of India is a great name for this restaurant because the flavor of the food was right on target. Unfortunately, other aspects were lacking. Stopped in for lunch, and ordered Vegetable Samosas which were perfect in every way, served with very good cilantro chutney and good mango chutney. Also ordered the lunch special, Chicken Tikka Kabob with rice and naan. The Chicken was way over cooked and very dry and the naan was fresh two days ago. Too bad, this could have been a 5-star lunch. Service was fast, but not very friendly, portions and prices were good.
(3)Alex C.
I visited Flavors of India for the first time last night. They accommodated our large party on the fly, and even took the trouble to separate our checks - we didn't even ask for this, since it's usually a pain in the ass, right? Nice! The food was incredible, and served in really nice antique-looking dishes. I'm fairly new to Indian food, but I was really impressed by their naan. It was lighter and fluffier than any other place I've been to. It seemed like a unique take on something simple and common. Maybe I just need to get out more, though. My go to Indian dish is chicken vindaloo, and their version took the cake. The curry/sauce was very thick, and seemed more lentil-y than other places I visit. I liked it a lot. Oh, and a word to the wise; when they ask how spicy you'd like it, don't get all macho and say "really spicy". I thought I was playing it safe by ordering it "medium", thinking that I would eventually return for a really scorching meal in the near future - no way! Medium spicy was just fine by me. Good thing they keep your water glasses brimming at all times. I'll be back.
(4)Leo C.
Had lunch with a co-worker & was pleased with the food I had the Chicken kabob something which was pretty good & nice portions of chicken. My co-worker had the Chicken masala which had a good curry sauce. Both meals were served with jasmine or basmati rice and some kind of lentil soup/stew that resembled corn and a small salad & naan. The rice & lentil item were good so was the naan. Apparently the lunch menu changes here daily, so i guess they're working on variety or simplicity. I had a late lunch that day so not so crowded, service was good. Finished everything on my plate except some of the salad. Will come back one of these days. For two person lunch with some teas, tab was just under $24 w/o tip.
(3)Return T.
They have excellent food, at least what I've tried. They're on par with Spettros in quality. On Saturday they open for lunch and then close at 3pm ... which is kind of pisser if you're hungry.
(3)Richard R.
I haven't been a big fan of food from India for awhile.........this place has brought me back around....nice place to come and have some freshly prepared food...there might be better places out there and i will get to them eventually...but until then this place works just fine....... On a busy night the wait takes awhile, but worth the wait......
(4)Mark H.
It's too dark. Trapped coal miners have more lighting. The food really is very good. The service is very slow, and the place is far too dark. So go, but don't go starving and ready to eat. And bring a flashlight for the menu. And the bathroom situation is unmentionable.
(2)Brent E.
What, is truly great food coming to Lakeshore? If this is the renaissance in store for Oakland, I'm all in. I popped in last night just before they closed and ordered some old Indian food standbys. First bite ... wait, this is really *good*! Somehow I've gotten used to just plain mediocre Indian food. This is not that. It's careful and delicious! And affordable! And the place has great ambiance! So as much as I loved Flavors of India, what I'm *really* looking forward to is the many new businesses that will take over the abandoned storefronts and rebirth this neighborhood now that people will be flocking here for the fantastic food.
(5)Catherine C.
Food is top notch. My fiance and I get take-out from here regularly. It's handy being able to park in the parking garage behind the store! We will be back.
(4)Christy N.
It is just okay.. and it's very salty sometimes. This won't be my regular place for Indian food for sure. Service is slow and those young waitresses are very forgetful.. I asked for water a few times and she kept forgotten to bring it to me..
(3)Ana C.
Oh why are there no great Indian restaurants in Oakland?? I love Indian food, but feel like I have to go to Berkeley or SF to get anything really outstanding. This place is in our neighborhood, so we will sometimes go here when we're too lazy to make the trip. Most things on their menu are alright but not fabulous. I think that their dumpling dishes are pretty tasty, but a bit on the rich side. Stay away from the kashmiri naan with raisins and other fruits-it sounded good on the menu but was actually kind of gross. Their other naans are good.
(3)Nic B.
My husband loves this place and would easily give it 5 stars. I am going to be honest and admit this is only a take out review and I think I have only eaten at the location only once. I think the food is good, but some of the chicken dishes are a little dry. And my onther complaint is the take out takes forever - 30 to 40 minutes every time.
(4)Cherie B.
Very decent Indian restaurant. Much better than what usually passes for Indian food in this part of town. I knocked off a star for the distracted service, but all in all the food is cooked fairly carefully and with a bit of love
(3)Kate W.
i'd been to the flavors of india in berkeley, and decided to give the oakland one a try, once i discovered it. this place is lovely inside-mood lighting, simple, elegant decor-the whole she-bang. the mataar paneer and samosas were quite good, but my favorite was the naan. i hate tough, thin naan, and theirs was anything but. it was thick, soft and fluffy, just the way i like it. the waiters were nice and attentive with water and everything else. i'll definitely be coming back.
(4)Lindsay N.
This is my go-to takeout Indian place in Oakland. Love the baingan bharta, chicken tikka, and chicken tandoori... sooooooo yummy!!! I've also eaten at the restaurant, and love the atmosphere.
(4)joe m.
We went early on a Saturday night - 6pm reservations. It was a good thing we did because the line was way out the door around 7. Parking was pretty easy because of the garage in the back but there was a lot of street parking as well. The hostess/servers were very nice. We had 6 people and half were late, but that didn't matter to the staff. We ordered for everyone and the food was there when everyone showed up. It wasn't the best Indian food I've had, but it was good. The flavors seemed to all be about the same - chicken tikka masala, prawns vindaloo and a couple of other sauces all seemed similar. I have to say that the spicier dishes were the best. Naan was good as I expected. We had one veggie dish - can't remember it, but it was pretty mushy and bland. There were plenty of leftovers too ... and the price was right!
(3)Juan R.
Very good Indian food. Pretty cool ambiance too. Solid service. Prices are a tiny bit high considering the cuisine is the reason for losing a star.
(4)Jakki C.
service was inadequate but food was good.
(2)Natalie C.
Saag paneer is usually my barometer for good Indian, but I must say that while it was tasty, the other vegetarian dishes I had were not quite as good. The service is great and they were more than willing to work around my cilantro allergy.
(4)Leanne V.
i'm not an expert when it comes to indian food. my experience with the cuisine has almost strictly been of the trader joe's packaged variety. so without much to base my review off of, i give a hearty 4 stars. the space is incredibly clean and open with nice, dim lighting. my party arrived right before closing (asshole move), but the staff was as kind as could be. our food came out quick (probably due to the emptiness of the restaurant) and it was extremely tasty. loved the saag paneer and the choley. there was a good amount of spice to the dishes, and i liked that our party could specify the degree of heat we wanted. note: i wouldn't recommend getting colonial donuts (next door) for dessert. sounded like a brilliant idea at the time, but i was hurting the next day.
(4)Quinn E.
I've ordered a wide variety of things from the menu, and I'm always impressed. Nice setting - lighting is just right - sufficient beer menu that compliments the food. Lake Merritt, what! what!?
(4)Adriana G.
I have loved every dish I have tried, especially the vegetarian side of the menu...oh and with the exception of that random spicy dish my friend ordered once. They have a decent mango lassi and my belly is always happy after a meal from Flavor of India!! I can't speak on the actual dinning experience in the restaurant because I have only had take out but it's nicely decorated and has a quiet/homey feel to it. The other thing is that this place is pricey and when 3-4 of my friends get together for take out we spend at least $60 of the dinner. Parking is a pain but if you live nearby you can just walk :)
(3)N'Jeri E.
I would have normally given this place three stars but I'm just so happy to have a decent Indian restaurant in the neighborhood. I ate here with some friends on Friday. The service was fast and efficient. The prices are very reasonable. The only problem is that the portions are a little small but I guess you get what you pay for. It would be nice if they offered complimentary papadam like so many other places in the Bay Area.
(4)Ms. G.
Wow. We moved to Oakland from SF just a few months ago and am starting to feel that posters should have in parenthesis whether they have ever lived/ eaten in SF before. We are desparately trying to find decent low to mid priced restaurants in O town and the yelp reviews are not helping (they seem a bit off the mark for us). So I picked up some takeout from this friendly place and was really not impressed. We ordered the safe chicken tikka masala and tandoori fish. My husband couldnt stomach the fish-- it was sooo fishy. The chicken was just ok. I was really hungry so I ate it, but it was really missing oomph. Even the naan was blah. Maybe it was an off night, but I dont think I will be giving it another try. It makes us too sad. I know there is good food out there!
(2)Matt W.
Good, solid Indian food. Not quite as good as my favorite, Indian Oven in SF, but the Chicken Tikka Masala is great. Good naan and raita too. Not the best dal I've had, but I'll take it for sure!
(4)Jacob D.
Food: fine - worthy of 3-4 stars. Not a 5-star spectacular but worthy of a return trip. But the service, on a Saturday night, nearly caused us to die of starvation right there at the table. OK, I exaggerate. But listen, it should not take nearly an hour from the time we sat down to get some food. We should not have to chase down waiters to get a chai refill or some more water while we're waiting. The place wasn't incredibly busy, we didn't order anything complicated - why so slow? Also, the door to the street was left open all night. It's not summer any more.... brrr. I hate to complain. The food was good and the decor is nice. The staff were pleasant. But you gotta hurry it up a bit! Oh yeah, and having to order everything a la carte is pretty annoying. Especially when you ask for two orders of rice and only get one anyway. At least offer a dinner price for each entree that includes rice...
(2)Emmy F.
It's in my neighborhood, so I've tried it 3 times, thinking that maybe I'd previously just come on a bad day. But no, it has been just as bad every time. VERY slow service and food that just isn't very well-prepared. It rarely has many people in there, so others must have had the same experiences. Wish it were better.
(1)L A.
We live nearby and the restaurant looked lovely and often busy, so we decided to try it. We often eat Indian food and were unpleasantly surprised by the quality of the food at this place: the lamb in the Lamb Tikka Masala was literally inedible. Every piece of meat (and there were 10 pieces, at least) was gristly, fatty and tough. None of us ate any of the meat but we lapped up the sauce. The shrimp curry was likewise inedible: the shrimp was slimy and rubbery and smelled as if it was old (and in a curry sauce, that would not necessarily be easy to discern!) We couldn't eat that, either. The only bright note of the evening was the eggplant dish: fresh eggplant in a tomato-onion concoction that was on the spicy side but very yummy. Everything else we left on the table uneaten. We will not return.
(2)Annalies H.
Super spicy chicken tikka masala is not my thing. I ordered a simple classic Indian dish. My rationale being if you can do a simple dish well then I might want to come back for a more complicated fare. Not going to happen at Flavors of India. I did not order my chicken tikka masala to be extra spicy. If I wanted it that way I would have asked for it that way AND at $15 a la carte I'm going to be picky about the Flavor of my Indian food. It is getting 3 stars because the ambiance is pleasant and they did give me free gulab junam when I mentioned my dissatisfaction.
(3)leena k.
This is a decent place for North Indian food, and has a nice semi-formal vibe to it while being quite fairly priced. There is a good range of veggie, fish, chicken, and red meat dishes, and the biryani is pretty tasty. Service is pretty on top of it too.
(4)Beebs R.
This is a 2 1/2. The food is good but the service is lacking. It takes 10 minutes to get a glass of water and no one ever follows up on service. We went in 2 minutes before they opened and were asked to leave because they weren't open, yet the sign said open and the doors were open. I'm torn. Like I said the food is good but due to service I just don't feel like going back. :(
(2)Edward B.
Food was good for being in Oakland. A bit small in portions for the price. Good looking place though. Only thing i'd have to say is they take VEEERRRYYY long to take your order and sending it to your table. I dont expect "fast food" but 20min. til you take my order. 45min. wait including all the excitement of other tables falling asleep/ leaving the restaurant upset/ complaining/ etc.... without even acknowledging whats going on was entertaining at least.....but when it came to finishing the meal....I CANT LIE THEY WERE FASTER THAN A SPEEDING BULLET WHEN GIVING MY BILL / CHANGE AND CLEARING THE TABLE!!!! I absolutely had to be ghetto for once and not tip..... Here's a tip. Only go if you have absolutely nothing to do and very very very very patient!
(3)erin g.
Sooooo Good! They're busy but the wait is not long. Just what Oakland needs....Lakeshore especially. Can they make it to the Diamond District next???? YUM!
(4)Dave S.
chicken pakora fish pakora lamb samosa chicken tikka masala lamb curry mixed vegetable masala tandoori roti rice and a side of raita it was all very good. i read another review asking where the flavor was. if i were them i'd be tempted to ask for a new tongue instead. this place was great; the lamb curry was very spicy (which i love), the sauces that came with the two pakoras were good, our service was excellent, and the decor was really nice. also, it was very dimly lit with tea candles in decorative trays on each table. if you're looking for a date spot, this wouldn't be a bad pick. to top it off the prices were reasonable .. definitely added to the "i'd go back" list. oh yeah, i'm an uncle! did i mention that i met my niece today for the first time? crazy! she's two weeks old and so dang tiny. prepare for the spoilin'.
(4)C B.
Mediocre food at best. Ambience is better than some Indian restaurants but there are so many better choices. I don't know how Saag Paneer could be more spicy than Lamb Vindaloo but it was. I will not be going back again.
(2)Bobbie C.
Today was easily the worst dining experience I've ever had in my life. My friends and I went into the restaurant at 7 p.m. We ordered within five minutes. We didn't get our food until 7:54 p.m. Yes, I kept an eye on my watch the entire time. It wasn't like the place was so busy that no one was getting their food, it was just us. Five dine in parties, not just five people, after us got their food, ate, and left. Three take out orders came and left before we even saw one of our dishes come out. Is 4 orders of lamb vindaloo and 2 naan that hard to make? I pestered the waiter every twenty minutes to see if our food was still coming. He told me he'd look into it. If my party hadn't wanted to stay, I would have just walked out. When we did get our food, it was very hastily made and unseasoned. 4 extra spicy vindaloos became extra mild. When we went to pay our bill, the owner gave us a half-hearted apology and made the excuse that the big party in the middle slowed them down. That excuse might have worked had I not been counting every single person who got served and came in after we did. He took 15% off our tab only after someone from my party asked if we had to pay the full tab. I'd actually heard good things about the restaurant beforehand from co-workers. It's the reason why I wanted to eat there with my friends. Suffice it to say, I'm never going there ever again. If there were a way I could give zero stars, I would.
(1)Shiyuan D.
i love that this place is in the grand lake neighborhood. i hate having to go out to berkeley to get decent indian food. the prices are alright. it's slightly more expensive than naan 'n curry, but the food was also better. we ordered a mango lassi, one order of naan, one order of rice, and two entrees for $34 including tip. the mango lassi & the garlic naan were alright. nothing spectacular, but not bad either. they were just as i had expected. of our two entrees, the malai kofta curry was delicious while the lamb saag was way over salted. to their credit, when we told our waitress that the dish was too salty, the kitchen took it back and tried to make it less salty. although one of the entrees wasn't great, i would still go back. it's not expensive & the food is better than your typical greasy-spoon indian joint.
(4)Kenyatta D.
I love this place! You must try the chicken tiki masala, it is delicious. Service is Great, Restaurant is Clean, and at a good price,
(5)Robin A.
The food is good, but inconsistent. Almost like they have new chefs all the time, it's really odd. But when it's good, it's, ya know, pretty good. The service is horrific. Everytime I go, I remember quickly how deplorable it is and ask myself "why do I even come here?" Last night, we were sat at a table (with only 5 other tables taken), and within 2 minutes a different server came over to us and said "are you ready to order." Not nicely, either. No hello, how are you, etc. Just, walked up, what do you want. "No, we actually just sat down." "You want drinks or appetizers?" As she is saying this, she is literally walking away. My girlfriend replies: "Yes, I'd like a mango lassi and the samosas." She walks even further away, so I turn my whole body around to catch her to try to order my appetizer. WTF? 2 more minutes. "are you ready now." "Not quite, thank you. Another minute please." Someone else comes to fill up our water cups. I thank her graciously - I was sooo thirsty - and she doesn't smile, doesn't even look up, she just walks away and flips her cell phone out of her pocket. Before we were done another server entirely brings us the bill (I guess we aren't ordering desert, honey), and walks away. "Um, can we have some boxes to bring this food home?" "Oh." And walks away. I felt like I punched their puppy in the face or something. Why else would they hate on us so bad? And it's pretty much like this every time. Or is it because they're homophobic? Hmmmm..... Oh also, as some others have mentioned, be sure to check your bill before you pay. They get the bills mixed up all the time and as much as I like my fellow diners, I don't wanna pay for their lamb masala. I really wish the owners would care enough to fix these problems. I love giving huge tips for decent service. I know how hard it is to work in a restaurant. 3 stars for the food only. 0 for service.
(3)Jam Rockah E.
Food very good here. Beware that spicy = VERY spicy. And I totally agree with commentary about the service - very nice folks. The garlic naan was off the hook. I'm not sure what I ate - my date ordered for us both - but I got to keep the leftovers and I was mighty happy about that. I will totally go back here multiple times. I just wish I knew what we had because I want to order that again . . .
(4)JoAnn G.
Amazing Everytime!!!!! Went there Friday night for my 3 year anniversay with my boyfriend. The place was jumping until 10pm. I have been here 8 times and it never has let me down.
(5)Bubba C.
lovely interior design kinda expensive. rice pudding WAS NOT as sweet as they told me it was!!!!!!! chicken vindaloooooo was mostly chicken with enough potatoes. overall it was flavorful its crowded in there though
(4)Juan P.
My roommate introduced me to this place. I was worried about the price. I am used to Naan 'n Curry in the Sunset. Yet, I forgot about how much my chicken Tikka Masala, Garlic Naan, and the side of rice. I love spicey food, and they were able to surprise how delicious it was. On my second visit, i had to take out, and again i was surprised to how much they give you. (usually take outs are less food for the same price) So, the only negative response i can give is that they did not put a fork in my take out bag. =)
(4)Farah S.
Nothing stellar, but it is nice to have an Indian restaurant in this part of town. I pretty much like chicken tikka masala anywhere, but I still had visions of Shalimar's version after eating it here. The mixed tandoori appetizer was very tasty. Chicken, shrimp, lamb and sausage with sizzling onion and pepper garnishes. Decor is stylish, but is missing something. Dark lighting makes for a slightly uncomfortable ambiance. Service was very urgent and friendly in the beginnning, but almost non-existent while we waited and then got our food. Would I go here again? Sure, when I'm in the mood for Indian and don't want to travel far from the Lake.
(3)Justin W.
Food is very good. But on third visit I noticed a waitress pouring a glass of wine back into the bottle. Since she did this out in the open I wonder if this is something that is condoned there. Do they put leftover sauce back in the pot???
(1)C N.
Stale papadum. I'm assertive for apps, so we got those quickly, along with beverages right off the bat. Entree order taken only after a bit of a wait, and some longing stares in the direction of the servers. Food was INCREDIBLY slow, nearly 40 minutes. The worst part was when it came out. My chicken korma was all butter sauce, no spice, no flavor, NOTHING. It tasted like wallpaper paste, and about the same consistency. But it was better than my boyfriend's lamb tikka masala: his lamb cubes had been cut and left to get badly freezer burned, and tasted like cat food. We sent the dish back, which apparently created an uproar with the chef, and our server meekly took the dish off our tab after some argument with the chef. What an awful, overpriced experience. I've gone to the one on College Ave, and the food there is ten times better along with the service. What gives? I'm never coming back to the location again.
(1)Chia C.
Mmmmm!! Delicious! And everyone is so nice there!! I mentioned that the food wasn't spicy enough one evening, so they knocked 15% off my bill. How nice is that?!? The owner is in and out of there all the time, so you can catch him on any given night. It's is hard to go wrong with anything off the menu. Mmmm...I may have to go there tonight....
(4)Charlene L.
I had always liked the Flavors of India in Rockridge and I had mistakingly assumed that the Lakeshore location would be the same. But, unfortunately, I've been wrong both times I came here. First of all, the prices are higher at the Lakeshore location. Secondly, the food isn't as good. For instance, the lamb wrap had way too much gooey white sauce on it--it totally overpowered the flavor of the lamb. Also, the vegetable masala mix was very salty and the tandoori roti didn't taste fresh at all. From now on, I'll only frequent the Rockridge location.
(2)Jennifer C.
My first experience was less than stellar and I decided to hold judgement because it was their first week open. The service was in absolute chaos. It took 90 minutes to get our food. I resorted to take-out only waiting for them to get things together. Things have certainly settled down and the food is in my opinion the best Indian food in Oakland and the service is much smoother. Check the Chicken Tikka Masala and the Onion Kulcha. The atmosphere is nice and the owner, Ashesh is really working hard to make things work. I will certainly be back.
(4)Ellen B.
we love this place...we order food pretty regularly, and it is always delicious, hot and delivered very promptly! don't know about thoe bad reviews...we have ALWAYS had prompt and very friendly services and great food...we go to the Monclair place, but would love to try the Lakeshore spot as well..
(5)Molly G.
Yummy. I loved the food here. I have been looking for good indian ever since I moved to O-town and I think I finally found it. I give 5 stars because I went with my 2 YO and when it was clear that there was going to be a long wait because of a lot of take out orders ahead of us, they brought her complimentary rice and raita. Yay for them. I will definitely be back.
(5)Irene S.
it really weirds me out that one of the owners of this restaurant has posted a review of it. sigh. in any case, i tried flavors of india for the first time last night. surprising, since i'm pretty obsessed with indian food and this is right in my neighborhood. it was good enough. good enough that i'd go back if i was feeling lazy, definitely, but not so good that it would be my first choice. the service was decent (possibly because there were only four servers and four full tables...), fast enough and nice enough. the food was good, especially the vegetarian stuff. but... the tandoori fish was overcooked and the tandoori shrimp were among the worst i've ever eaten in my life. the sauces were all flavorful & yummy, as were the chai and mango lassi. hit or miss, but there's probably still lots of potential here.
(3)Bebe J.
Food is really tasty. Except the wraps. None for me please. Food takes awhile but its worth the wait.
(4)Mike B.
We went for lunch for the first time yesterday, so I have an update.... The restaurant is definitely different during the day. Big window in the front lets in a LOT of light. Didn't ruin anything, it just made it different. The restaurant, at night, glows with candles. Our experience this time, was again, met with complication...but the server never dropped the ball, and kept us happy. Here's what happened: When we were seated, we were given the lunch menu, which, i have to say, compared to the dinner menu, is a REAL disappointment....for me. Not that the food is different. But they have shrunk the menu down to about 8-10 items. And when I finally decided on our 2 items and ordered, the server seemed puzzled. It was then realized that I had been given a menu for the wrong day. The server returned with another menu, and both of the items I chose were gone. As a matter of fact, there was nothing on it but chicken or vegetarian items, unless you wanted a wrap. Which I didn't. We were ready to get up and leave, when the server offered us the dinner menu. THANK YOU! I really did appreciate that! Most servers would have watched me walk out the door. WE found exactly what we wanted, and had another GREAT meal! My only recommendation, is that you hand out both the dinner menu, AND your abridged lunch menu. I understand the idea....many people are in a hurry, and confused by a lot of choices. But, I'm not one of those people. I have leisurely lunches, and plenty of time to read and decide. I am happy to know in the future, that the dinner menu is an option for me at lunch. I love your food, and think EVERYONE should know that it is available at all times. But, bottom line...we had another great experience at this restaurant. And we're happy to have it in our neighborhood! __________________________________________________Â____ This place gets points from me, for turning what could have been a bad experience, into a good one. I know that things happen, so in my book, you can still win points for turning a bad thing into a good thing. When my girlfriend and son visited, for our first time, on a not-so-busy Monday night; we were greeted and seated quickly. They even brought water quickly! But then......there we sat..... For what (when you are hungry) seemed like an eternity. 3 waiters in the restaurant, but none of them came by our table. When I was just about to make the suggestion that we leave, I noticed the manager. He was scanning the restaurant, and as soon as he saw our table, BOLTED over. From that point on, EVERYTHING was perfect! He personally saw to every need and basically had the waiters backing HIM up as he waited on our table. The service was OF COURSE perfect, and the food was great as well. We had a couple of curry dishes, some basmati rice, and both regular and garlic Naan. Everything was great. The portions were perfect. Of course, we eat a LOT of starch, so I really didn't need a BUCKET of curry, as some yelpers seem to be looking for. I am also very impressed with how unrecognizable this old ice cream shop is! My son still hasn't gotten over that the ice cream shop doesn't exist anymore. When I was trying to explain that this WAS the ice cream shop, he had NO idea what I was talking about. Because CLEARLY this is no ice cream shop. Well decorated. Nice ambiance. Clean and quaint. We really enjoyed our first visit, and because we are in the neighborhood...we look forward to many more.
(5)Sebastian H.
The food is pretty good, but the service is not great. On our 7th time eating here, we got very bland food (we had ordered it "spicy"). We nicely told our waiter, and instead of asking to replace it, he had someone else send over hot sauce. The big problem with the hot sauce is that the flavor had nothing to do with the dishes, so it pretty much ruined the meals. The worst part, is that the waiter never came back to check on us, knowing full well that there had been a problem.
(2)Tara C.
I liked the ambiance of the restaurant. Food was good! Very flavorful! The nan was excellent. I was pleasantly surprised with how much food came with the lunch special. It was a good dining experience. I'll definitely be making return trips here when I feel like having some Indian food. Yum.
(4)Sung K.
Ok, I usually don't write reviews but this is an exception because I disagree so strongly with some of the other reviews. Overall, the food is excellent and they have some dishes you wouldn't find at other Pakistani/Indian restaurants. If you're anglo, they don't make it as spicy unless you really ask for it. The decor is beautiful and the restaurant pricing is below an expensive Indian restaurant but more than a hole in the wall. For the few extra bucks, you get atmosphere and yes the service is a bit slow on a busy night. But overall the food is great, chai isn't watered down and you're try some dishes you've never seen at other restaurants.
(5)David D.
I have eaten here a few times and the lunch food is just okay. They give you way to much rice and some kind of salad that doesn't even look Indian. And I have found that the meat they use in some of there dishes seem kind of like cheap quality meat. I just don't really care for this place. The food isn't that great. I still picture this place as the donut shop it was before it was Flavors of India. (Not saying the donut shop effects the my opinions about this place.) Although I will say that the best thing you can get from this place is the naan.
(2)Karen H.
I've been to Flavors of India several times for dinner since it opened. I've had severally really poor meat dishes which I couldn't finish. I feel like they have a problem "flavoring" meat and I could taste the rawness, which is very unusual for Indian food. That said, if you stick with the more common dishes, like tikka masala or saag paneer, and veggie dishes, you'll be just fine.
(3)Kiki G.
The food is great, but the service is spotty. To be safe, order take out.
(3)Rita N.
Don't come here unless you feel the need to wait an hour for food. I hate waiting for my food, espeically when I'm hungry. When I'm hungry, I get cranky, and my yelp reviews become exponentially harsher. (heehee) My friends and I were seated very quickly, but the waiter took 15 minutes to give us the menu. Our food was also given to us after 45 minutes of anxious nail-biting waiting. When we saw the scarce amount of food that was given to us (1 order of naan = 4 small pieces?!?!) we quickly ordered more rice and naan. However, we got the second round of rice and naan waayyy wayyy later, and we had already finished most of our food. We ordered the tandori chicken wrap(which totally fell apart when I picked it up, I also told them to make it SUPER SPICY. apparently tandori chicken doesn't come in spicy even though the host said that they could do it.), this dish that had indian cheese in it(my favorite), and two other chicken dishes. Our sevice was very random. I think 5 different people came to serve us, and the waiter that had originially given us our menu had magically disappeared. I asked the waitress who handed us the check, "who the heckness is our waiter so I can tip him exactly $0.79 just so my bill can come to exactly $51.00", she said that the waiters don't receive tip and that the manager collects all the tip. This explains. A . LOT. Also, when my friends and I were about to leave, the original waiter who had given us the menu rushed over and asked us how our food was. WHERE WERE YOU THIS WHOLE TIME?!?!? anyways, +1 star for the waitress's honesty
(1)Ashesh P.
As one of the owners of Flavors of India, I personally apologize to our recent customers on their experience at the restaurant. Please note that your feedback & comments do help us in addressing any issues with our restaurants & are always welcome. I share all comments, good & bad, with my staff so that they know as well. Since we opened about 6 weeks ago, we have made tremendous improvements on all aspects of our service in the restaurant BUT we obviously are not done. The interest we have received from the neighborhood has been very welcoming & as we plan to be at this location for a very long time, we will keep addressing issues at the restaurant & hope to get better in all aspects of our service. Thanks to all again for your feedback. Thank you ALL for your continuous feedback. As mentioned by the previous 'yelper', we do & have listened to customer feedback to improve all aspects of our service (BUT we are not done & may never be as we continously need to improvements). As I am one of the owners of Flavors of India, I wanted to provide clarification on the issue of tips. We are legally bound to provide tips to our server staff. As our staff time (ie when they start their shifts & when they end it) varies on a daily basis, we provide tips as part of their salary so there is no confusion or calculations needed on a daily basis amongst the staff as to when he/she stared & when they ended their shift. When asked by the previous reviewer, there must have been a misunderstanding by my staff on how & when the tips get distibuted. Additionally, unlike other establishments, we donot charge our staff for the food & drinks they eat/consume (lunch & dinner & anything they like) while working for us. That is a considerable expense to us BUT I think that is a great benefit to our staff.
(4)Joshua C.
Being new to the area.. I decided to try Flavors of India for the first time. My only question is.. where were the damn flavors? The food was bland and made with cheap ingredients. They used your average frozen vegetable blend (peas, corn, carrots, lima beans, etc.) in every vegetable dish. I mean.. c'mon.. how authentic is that? On top of the Flavor-less food.. the service wasn't too flavorful either. The wait staff were too busy gossiping with eachother to notice that we were waiting for our check. At least I learned early on to avoid this restaurant. Honestly.. I've had better Indian food from a package at Trader Joe's. I should have just went next door and picked up a package of Jaipur Vegetables, Tandoori Naan and Vegetable Biryani rice. If you've never had Indian food and don't know what it should taste like.. Flavors of India is the place for you.
(2)Inari T.
really. the only good thing i can say about this place is that the servings for the tandoori chicken are huge. we ordered 5 dishes. 1 didn't come, and we were still charged for it. water didn't come till after we ordered. waiter service was TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : I
(2)Ryan H.
I have found the lunch to be superb. It's a great place for sitting back, enjoying a nice long leisurely lunch with a book and a huge amount of great food. Dinner is OK, but the service is enough to almost drag it off the regular rounds or at the very least switch to take-out. The food is undeniably great.
(4)Kim R.
We just wanted a new place to go for lunch. It's clean, lighting is poor, and the acoustics are terrible. We couldn't understand each other and we are all sitting at the same table! I ordered my lunch medium spicy and a friend ordered hers hot. Mine came out unbelievably hot and hers came out without any heat at all. The naan showed up one at a time after our meals but only because we asked. One meal didn't show up at all..so we had to ask again. I think in retrospect there was an issue with the wait staff although our waitress blamed the chef. We asked to speak to the manager but there wasn't anyone in charge (which could have been part of the problem). They did redeem themselves somewhat when they took two of the meals off the bill. I might give them a second chance just because of that.
(3)Chris C.
The only reason I'm giving 4 stars is b/c I have yet to sit & eat there, but I've done take-out several times. The food is great, so flavorful. I love the decor, I need to have a sit down dinner there soon. Fast service for take-out.
(4)Meg C.
I am so pleased that I live so close to an Indian place as fantastic as the Flavors of India. The service was great, everything came so quickly, and everything we ordered was outstanding. I was with a group of five people and we were seated quickly...maybe it was a fluke, but I'll take it! Either way, the food was great, the atmosphere was beautiful, but a little loud (that's ok though, a lively crowd is better than eating in silence) and it's nestled right in the heart of Lakeshore. I will be going back for sure.
(4)Bob D.
slow and confused service, good food, decent prices. ok, we went on a friday night opening week right before it got crowded and we had two little kids with us, so the hour wait for our entrees felt like 2 hours. They did good job with the remodel, like Soi 4 on College Ave, it feels a little upscale and hip with an industrial vibe. Compared to the other sad offerings on this side of Lakeshore Ave, this is fine dining. No less than 5 people waited on us in some fashion, but very few of them seemed to know what the hell was going on, and only one of them brought us food. sigh. The vegetable pakora were ok. nothing to write home about. I had the chicken vindaloo... it was hot and delicious. the kids hadtandoori chicken... mild and delicious. My lady had Chana Masala and a chili and cheese dish... "better the second day" is what she said. Our Naan arrived fresh and hot, and it was great. the prices here are surprisingly decent for non-hole in the wall Indian food. There were a lot of kids in the restaurant... but nothing for them to do... I'd invest in some crayons and paper. We live in the neighborhood so we will be here often, I hope to bump them up a star as service improves.
(4)Megan C.
I love Indian food, but I like it mild. They did a perfect job of toning down the the spice for me. Chicken Korma was great, and the Naan was delicious. Great ambiance. Looks like they do a great take out business as well. There were people lined up wiating for their food our entire meal. My only complaint is that service was terribly slow. Also, make sure you ask them to bring the Naan out first so you can munch while you are waiting, otherwise they will bring everything together...
(4)Tamiko J.
Meh. It'll do in a pinch.
(2)Miss P.
Great prices, good food! This place is reasonable and the food is more than decent. Wouldn't call it great, but a solid Indian restaurant you can count on for a good meal.
(3)Katrina C.
I have only eaten at this restaurant twice and both times the service was horrible and the table was wobbly. But, I have ordered take out from here at least 10 times and the food is beyond delicious. My order is always right and ready when I get there. So, I'm giving flavors four starts for take out service and for the deliciousness that is their food.
(4)Tala D.
oh my god, does this place SUCK!!! i ordered the mattar paneer. it said it came in "a delicate sauce" but i had no idea that "delicate" equates to "watery". it also completely lacked flavor. isnt that what indian food is all about? FLAVOR? also, i came in and ordered my meal to take home with me, and they told me that it was going to be at least 30 minutes. i came back 30 minutes later, and it took another 20 to get my food. the naan was aight. i know i only ordered one dish, but i have a feeling everything else sucks, too. highly un-recommended. if you want cheap decent indian food, go to raj on piedmont ave. it's not great but at least it's cheap and it doesnt totally suck.
(2)Boots H.
12/17/07 - another nice lunch, very good, in fact. People working there were indifferent and incredibly unfriendly. 8/20/07 - nice lunch, reasonable service, pretty pricey 8/12/07 - Kitchen still a little slow, but the food is really, really good. Edited 7/10/07...how cool is it that the owners actually read and respond to these reviews! Very nice...upping my rating to 4 stars It is great to have a decent restaurant on the sunny side of Lakeshore. My son & I went there today and ordered two takeout items - the tandoori chicken and some curry chicken. The food was delicious-pricey-but delicious. To say the service was bad is being nice. It wasn't only that we had to wait almost 40 minutes for our food, it was that the people there didn't seem to have a clue that waiting 40 minutes was 25 minutes too long. No one apologized, or even said the typical: "it'll be out in JUST a few minutes!" They took our order for brown rice, then said: "oops, we don't have brown rice." We ordered ice tea, and the person taking our order had to check with two other people to find out if they had it (they don't). About 10 minutes after we placed our order, one of the waitresses came out and asked: "which order did you place?" Wow...pretty sad. BUT, the food was so good, I'd go back and give them a second chance, but maybe not for a couple more weeks.
(4)Jenny W.
My friends and I were quite satisfied with this restaurant. The ambiance was calming and it wasn't crowded on the Friday evening we went-in fact, there were a several waiters just waiting around, no guests to attend to. The decor was simple, almost sparse-the white walls could probably use some attending to. Our particular waiter was very friendly and attentive. Prices were decent, portions were modest, food was tasty and pretty good.
(4)Yuri I.
The food isn't bad at all, but the service is terrible. The waitresses ignore you when you try to order. It's also expensive! There were 7-8 groups seated in the restaurant, but I saw only 1 waitress on the floor the first half hour. I saw the other two waitresses when we walked in, I have no idea what they were doing back there. Oh yeah, don't wait to be seated at the entrance--nobody would notice you. I would rather go to a nice restaurant where you are treated like a customer and pay that kind of money.
(2)Kara W.
oh man, i cannot tell you how much i wanted indian food on lakeshore ave....it seemed more than anything at one point. when i found out flavors of india was opening i rejoiced and counted the days. it is beautiful inside, such a marvelous improvement. good flavors and the servers are so attentive and sweet. especially Nazima and Roshna. i am so happy they are here.
(5)Veronica R.
GREAT Indian food and a nicely decorated space. The chicken and prawn marsala was full of flavor and very tasty! I'd recommend this restaurant to anyone who would like a rudamentary introduction to Indian food.
(4)Mary C.
The food was EXCELLENT, but the bathrooms were pretty gross.
(4)Emily H.
All in all, just eh. We walked in for takeout, ordered the saag paneer, channa masala, garlic naan, rice and a mango lassi. Saag paneer: plentiful cheese, almost had some grittiness to it. We ordered it medium but it was MILD, like no heat whatsoever. Channa masala: Spiced, but not spicy. Again, ordered medium, got MILD. Again, almost some grittiness. Garlic naan: Where was the garlic? Seriously. I am used to small chunks of it on my garlic naan and this not only lacked that, but lacked any hint of garlic as well. Rice: Bland. Usually indian rice has some tiny veggies and some cardamom pods, and whatnot. This was plain white rice. Mango lassi: Probably the best part of the meal; thick and flavorful. All in all, we were really disappointed. The quest for good Indian food in Oakland continues. (In other words, we will not be going back here.)
(2)Tatiana W.
Listen up all you Indian food loving peeps! I can honestly state two facts: 1. I'm by far the pickiest person when I'm not the chef. 2. This place ROCKS in every freaking way! The service is the best. The food is undescribable and it's cheap! What more can you ask for! LOVE IT .....LOVE IT........LOVE IT!
(5)Tricia D.
Food is delicious and the service is superb. I love their Raita and nann bread. Their Tandori chicken is so damn good. Not a big fan of their tandori fish or prawn dishes...not as flavorful, but healthy.
(4)Jay O.
The food is good but the service is off-and-on, both dine-in and take out. One thing that would really help would be having the prices online so you can take that into consideration when placing a take out order.
(3)Royce L.
Tried the rest. for lunch one day. The food was okay. I expected it to taste better. The lamb meat wasn't very fresh and my side salad was browned. Neither my BF or I dare to touch the salad. The dishes were oily. I don't know if Indian food is always extremely oily, but I thought the bean soup and veggie dish I ordered was over glazed in bright orange oil.
(2)Steven S.
Food was very bland. "Gringo" Indian food at its most mediocre. Food looked great , but for those that have had authentic (and spicy) Indian food this was not it. This was the opinion of our whole party. Though based on only one visit.
(1)kerry f.
YUUUUM Try the okra. This is a really good place to eat, good value, nice and spicy, great service! I will be back for sure.
(5)Katrina L.
Yum! We went there tonight and the food was delicious. The service was slow but friendly. I had read yelp reviews before I went so i was expecting a wait for food. The four of us spent almost two hours at dinner but really enjoyed it all. The advice I would have is to have more specified jobs for each wait person. It seemed that a lot of the confusion stemmed from several people doing part of one task so nobody was really responsible for finishing it. But, really, nothing big at all--the food was great and worth it. Chicken Tikka Masala and Fish Vindaloo were standout.
(4)Rebecca W.
Delicious! But I have to admit, I've only ever ordered take-out so I can't comment on the service. But the food is great. Spicy. I usually just have them make whatever and I've always enjoyed it.
(4)annabanana m.
well, based on the meal I ate from here, the flavors of india are Boring and Bland. it was such a waste of our time, appetites and money. if you are going to open a restaurant, is it so much extra work to make sure that your food tastes good? we had a tough-as-leather lamb vindaloo and a sadly lackluster saag paneer. shouldn't the lamb have been simmered to the point of melting tenderness? why didn't the vindaloo have a flavorful and tasty sauce? Be warned! indian food can be delicious and it is a pity that they choose not to showcase this at the lakeshore location. also, I ordered on the phone, was told to come by in 30 minutes to get the food (we did to go) and when I arrived 25 minutes after my call, the food was sitting there, ice cold. I was told if I wanted it hot I would have to come back in 40 minutes. I guess that when dining in this neighborhood, think arzmendi pizza or thai...not, alas, indian.
(1)Nandi H.
They have the BEST chicken tikka masala I've had anywhere in the Bay Area, and I've had indian food at many places. The price is great to boot, as well as many of their vegetarian dishes and appetizers. The atmosphere is fresh, relaxed and on the edge of hip as far as Indian restaurants are concerned. It's nice for dinner out with friends or a causal date. And, in my humble opinion, much better than Khana Peena, which used to be my favorite. The one on Solano is right around the corner from my house, and I'd much rather make the trek to Flavors of India.
(5)Matt L.
My wife and I have been dining here regularly since they opened. Their food is amazing. We fell in love with the bhargan barta (not sure about the spelling), and we've been loving lots of other dishes as well. The staff are friendly. Once they get to know you, they come over to say hello, as does the manager. The food is not all that expensive. If you order takeout, they give you huge portions that are easily good for two meals.
(5)sabastian m.
This place has stepped up their service and the food is pretty yummy.
(4)T ..
FOOD- The food was really good. very rich with great textures, flaors and aromas. I am a vegitarain so I really enjoy places that can make food this tasty without the use of meat/stocks. Many places I have to order something as it is with no meat, and it lacks all its character, but not here. So looking at the other reviews, I don't agrees out entress were out of this world. Our appitizer was impressive and served with many differnt sauces and combinations of flavor. Also, they don't skimp with the heat. If you ask for hot/spicy this place actually gives it to you!! PRICE- two of us with drinks, appitizers, salads and entrees was still extremely affordable, even with a hefty tip. (I like to tip a lot as an ex-server of many many years) SERVICE- I disagree with the other reviews. My service was attentive, fast, polite, and generally great. Water service is big for me, and my glass was always filled! The only thing I could complain about is that the service was really fast, I actually enjoying taking a leisurely route though dining experiences. I don't want to scarf and fly, I like to taste, enjoy, conversate, etc. Our waitress actually apologized for how fast everything came out, which was a very nice gesture but we weren't trippin over it. I'm going back!!!!!
(4)jane d.
the foods good but the service sucks and 9 times out of 10 they screw up my order when i call it in. great menu for kids vegetarians, meat eaters, but when your a pisco-vegan and your trying to get a fish wrap without mayo or naan with no butter, they either act like they don't understand or put it on anyway.
(3)Julie T.
Four stars for carry out. We've never dined in. Doesn't blow me out of the water for authentic cuisine but the ingredients are always very fresh which makes for nice vegetarian dishes and tandoori meats. I'm concerned about the rumors that the owner keeps tips but since we don't eat in we haven't inquired. My first carryout order was missing rice but 4 or 5 subsequent orders have been fine. If you live in the neighborhood it's good for convenience and fresh dishes. One last nice touch -- the servers offer me tea or water while waiting for my carry out order.
(4)Dan Y.
This restaurant opened about four months ago. Although it's close to my office, I knew they had some problems so I've been waiting for things to settle down a bit before I tried it. I must say the food is exceptional, but it appears there are still some issues with the service. I noticed some customers were getting their orders quickly, while others seemed to be waiting forever for their food. The kitchen is apparently not filling the orders in the order received. Part of the problem may be the extensive menu, one of the most ambitious I've ever seen in an Indian restaurant. But although the service was a bit spotty, the servers were all very friendly and obviously trying hard to please. The owner may want to consider eliminating some items from the menu to help speed up the cooking process. Service aside, the quality of the food is top notch, and the portions are larger than at any other Indian restaurant I've been to. If you are a hearty eater you will easily be satisfied with one entree. I judge Indian restaurants based on the quality of the naan. Flavors of India makes absolutely perfect naan, just thick enough to be a bit chewy, and very flavorful. The dining area has been decorated in a very simple modern style. If the MGM in Vegas had an Indian place, this is what it would look like. For anyone in Oakland or the surrounding area looking for great Indian food, this is a good choice. The only caveat is, as many other reviewers have noted, you may experience a long wait. Bring a book, or an attractive companion. Or, as my wife usually does, both. PS: The owner contacted me regarding my review the very next day. He is apparently well aware of the service issue and is making an effort to fix the problem. So don't let that deter you from trying "Flavors of India". The food is excellent! Check it out.
(4)Mark S.
All the food I've ever had here has been superb. I haven't had the unattentive staff problem that others have noticed--service has always been fast and friendly. Make *sure* to try the Kashmiri Naan!
(5)David K.
Average all around. Some of the dishes are so over spiced it's hard to tell what the cook intended. Sort of like in 2nd grade when you mixed all the colors together and ended up with brown.
(2)Ramesh R.
Loved the food, the spices were just right, the portions generous and the choices many. It was a wonderful eating experience, from the friendly wait staff to the great food. The lunch portions were so large, that we could not finish every thing on our plates. The restaurant is large and clean and the service prompt. We are looking forward to going back and trying some of the dishes that we missed the first time around.
(4)Bren D.
for some reason there is a dearth of indian food near me. this makes no sense, given the plethora of shitty sushi, the multitude of mediocre thai, and the fact that indian food is fucking delicious. flavors of india is passable, but they consistently over-cook their shrimp, the naan is nothing to write home about, and the service blows. the samosas are fantasgreat, but its hard to fuck up deep-fried dough filled with spiced veggies. what's up with the beer selection? i know you're obliged to carry some shitty indian beers but how hard would it be to put anything else, even just sierra nevada on the list? too expensive, will go elsewhere once i find where that elsewhere is.
(2)Elizabeth C.
We live in the neighborhood so were very excited for Flavors of India to open, and have not been disappointed. We've now ordered takeout twice, the first was good and the second time better. We ordered Chicken Tikka Masala both times, and asked for it medium - the first time it wasn't spicy at all, this second time it was perfectly "medium" - a little spicy but not at all overwhelming. Rice and naan and riata have been good both times, as have the other dishes we've gotten. Also want to note that both times we've ordered takeout (once by walking in, once placing a phone order) the food's been ready very quickly - in about 15 minutes both times. 1 point off because it's a tiny bit pricey for the portion sizes (when compared to most other indian take out places.) But the food is good, and when we've walked in to pick up the decor is lovely. Definitely planning on being a repeat customer.
(4)Stephanie L.
Unlike the rest of the reviews of this restaurant on this page, I had no reason to complain about the food, service or wait here. In fact, I loved it and vowed to return. Full aware of the fact that it's new, I want to be sure it makes it, so I went to write a review and was shocked by the other comments I have read. So here's my review: We went for lunch yesterday and had the aloo gobi, with vegetable pakora and an extra side of puri. Everything was delicious, and the daal tasted exactly like how I used to eat it when I was in Rajasthan, India. The food is delicious and the wait staff attentive. I would happily go back.
(5)George P.
My wife and I get the chicken tikka masala about once a week from here, and it is really really really good. I've only eaten inside once, and the service was just fine. I took off one star because sometimes the Naan doesn't seem all that fresh.
(4)Laurel D.
I love the vegetable korma here, in fact I would marry it if that weren't both frowned upon and impossible. I have tried many other dishes, and they're good (particularly dal or chicken makhani, vegetable kofta curry), but I pretty much always get veggie korma. Yes, that good! Their garlic naan is also deliciously garlic-y, and their chai is wonderfulness in a glass. I am eating their leftovers for lunch and sad now, it's almost gone. I've also always had great service, a huge plus.
(5)Skal Z.
My least favorite Indian spot - unfortunately they seem to be expanding to every trendy neighborhood where we could have a better Indian restaurant. The Palak Paneer has a harsh spinach taste rather than the usual delicious, creamy sauce. The chicken tikka masala also was not great. Breads and appetizers were also MEH.
(2)Joe M.
I was starving and looking forward to my Lamb Vindaloo. I didn't even finish my meal. The gravy was bland and the lamb was very dry & chewy. Very disappointing. I'll give them another shot but I don't have the highest of hopes.
(2)N A.
meh... how is it possible to make bland indian food?
(2)HR L.
Great food. Always had good service and decent prices. LOVE the Kashmiri naan.
(4)Deborah H.
it's GREAT to have an Indian place with nice ambiance in the hood, very convenient. tonight i tried a few different things like chicken madras which was excellent. the okra had too many woody pieces in it and it was just dry and boring. the spinach garbanzo was ok but not especially amazing ... didn't seem fresh somehow. the papadams were great even to go, but the mint chutney sucks ass! it's like sour and they give you these tiny portions. man, fresh mint in yogurt goes so far! the worst was the biriani ... wayyyy too wet. it should be served FLUFFY! This was way overcooked and soggy, almost with sauce. tasty but way too heavy. the raita is way too runny. the decor is nice .... and the food is solid, but i think khana peena on college is better (they also have a full bar). I lived in India for a while and dated a Pakistani and cook that type of food myself so I'm pretty picky. Namaste doods!
(3)Gary L.
After another grueling decision of deciding what to eat last night, I finally came to the decision of trying this place out. I hadn't had Indian food in quite some time, and just the thought of it made my mouth start to water. After reading some mixed reviews about dining in, I decided I would try take out first. I ordered the lamb samosa, chicken tikka masala, garlic naan and paneer naan. After calling in my order I waited about 20 minutes before beginning my 5 minute walk down the street. I arrived just right about when my food was finished, so my timing could not have been any better. Looking around, I saw that the inside of the restaurant looked clean and nicely decored. When I finally dug into my treasures, the first thing I noticed was the ridiculous size of the samosas. They were freakin huge! Literally, the were the size of my fists! I'm so used to seeing tiny little triangles that people call samosas, but this thing was monstrous. And there were 2! Stuffed to the brim of ground lamb and veggies, the samosas paired well with the accompanying chutneys. I next tore off a piece of the paneer naan which was both soft and chewy and crispy. Charred just enough on the outside to provide a little texture and smokiness, it provided the perfect counterpoint to the creaminess of the chicken tikka masala. Large chunks of chicken breast in a nicely seasoned sauce. I asked for medium spicy, which was still pretty tame in my opinion, but the flavor was still quite good. The garlic naan was equally tasty. There was enough food that I was thoroughly stuffed and even had enough to take to work the next day. And everything still tasted great the next day. In fact I had a coworker ask when the next time I was going there so I could order some for him. The price was fair considering there was enough food to feed me for two meals, which is a pretty impressive feat.
(4)chris j.
service gets an E for effort. ambiance is cool, not necessarily because it's so chic, just that the lighting is excellent and the place is always packed with other crocker highlanders who (like me) don't want to schlep all the way to cafe raj in albany for better north indian. spiciness is there, but only after i started ordering to-go using the alias "bikram". food quality is all over the map. i wish i knew who worked in the kitchen on which nights. it's a decent stand-by, nonetheless.
(3)Eustacia V.
Okay, okay, I know, "who's the beyotch who lowered the restaurant's ratings?" Well, it's me. And I'll tell you why I only gave it one star, though I will say this: the food is good. Great? no. I've had better. I'm really glad it's in my neighborhood, and I'll order takeout, trust me. And the atmosphere is very nice. However... I HAVE NEVER EVER EVER had such HORRIBLE service at a restaurant before in my LIFE. Never. Now, the servers are not rude--far from it. However, I think I would prefer that to their absolute ignorance as to how a server at a restaurant should behave. If I were an alien coming to a restaurant, it probably wouldn't bother me. The girls serving were nice, the manager was fine, and I wouldn't be hung up about, say, the fact that we had to seat ourselves and get our own menus (we had to grab the takeout ones even though they have normal menus for those dining in). I wouldn't realize that the blank recognition coming from the servers when we walked in the door is completely against the standard. I mean, no one came right up and said, "Table for two?" No one made sure we had menus. No one asked us if we wanted drinks or let us know the specials, which, according to their menu, they provide nightly. Okay, so we are seated and the server sets up our table very apprehensively, but we have silverware and glasses of water. One point! Great. At least they didn't miss that one. About another 15 minutes goes by before someone takes our order (these waitresses are immune to the "evil eye" technique which so many of us have used to track down a server on the floor--they don't notice your gaze at ALL, or they're very, very skilled at nonchalantly ignoring it). We order naan and two dishes. it's about 9:30, we're STARVING, and we're assuming the naan will come out sooner than the meal. I mean, it would help them because we'd probably end up ordering more, right? Then comes the long haul of the evening--the 30-40 minute wait for food we have to endure. We decide we want to both smoke a cigarette but are worried that if we leave at the same time the servers' minute ability to recognize their clients will go defunct, and they won't be able to compute that maybe we're right outside. So during this wait, we notice everyone else in the restaurant, and boy, they're having a great time, too. It might as well be counter service, because everyone has to go up to ask for menus, a check, or a request. The table next to us had the manager come over at least three times to deal with something. And I caught eyes several times with other patrons, each of us giving a "what the %^$&" look. The waitresses come out from the back only one at a time (must be a kind of rule), and in our 30-40 minute wait for food or any attention we saw appetizers come out twice, but beyond that, no food. None, zero, nada, zip. The servers come out looking bored, ignore the roomful of anxious "look at me" eyes, move a thing of sauces from one table to another, then walk in back to scratch their backs. The table in the front, where the window is, took about 20 minutes to clean up. Every once and a while a server would remove a cup, then 5 minutes later a plate, etc., until I see a busboy come out and clean up. Then both servers come out and help HIM clean up tables while everyone sits with empty tables and stomachs. Finally, someone attentive comes out--yay! The owner (I believe) who is compliant and attentive and knows what restaurants and servers do, but of course, is way too busy. However, he offers us drinks (finally), and tells us he doesn't have a liquor license, but we are welcome to buy wine across the street. So we do, to dull the pain of this horrible night in restaurant hell and add a laugh to our gaunt faces (and some calories, albeit empty calories, to our stomachs). So we have wine, no one notices (of course) and offers us to open it for us, so we ask the owner and he complies, though he seems way too busy to remember. He doesn't. So we ask one of the server girls. Here is our conversation: Me: Do you have a corkscrew to open this? (I left the glasses out to keep it as simple as possible for her) Server: Yes. (she stares at me blankly.) PAUSE. Server goes in back. She comes back with the corkscrew and two glasses (who knew?) but tells me I have to open the bottle because she doesn't know how. I'm sorry...what?? Granted, she was anywhere from 15 to 19, so maybe that's a good thing, but still... To wrap it up, we had our wine, EVENTUALLY got our food, though the naan came out lukewarm and only 30 seconds before the food. I ordered Vegetable masala, which was delicious. My boyfriend's Chicken Korma was very good as well. What did their menu say about them? Ah yes, "...our distinct service ..." "Distinct?" Well, can't argue with that. Though I would use "negligent," "sub-par" or something...
(1)Flavio R.
My first venture to the East Bay for Indian, one of my favorite cuisines. Nice decor though rather loud interior despite it being a Monday night with many empty tables. Service was fine but the food...how shall I put it?...was distinctly lacking in freshness. Maybe because things are slow on Monday nights? The garlic naan was quite stale and tough, definitely not a good first sign. We ordered lamb saag which was tasty, spicy and with moist tender meat. That was the one high point. The rest, well, the stuff was obviously not freshly made. The chicken in the tikka masala was really dry and not all that warm, and we would have choked on it were it not for the moisture provided by the sauce, which tasted okay. The vegetable kofta seemed to have been made with those canned mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn and potatoes) that moms used to serve back in 1965 as sides to the Spam-and-Campbell's mushroom soup casserole. The sauce was overly gloppy and indistinctly flavored; we left most of it uneaten. Worst of all was the rice, which was largely dry and hardened, obviously it had been cooked sometime over the weekend. Yuk. We had indigestion much of the night after and you don't want to know the details on how we expelled this stuff in the morning. I understand the business end of selling food that isn't the freshest, but this stuff should not have been served, it was old and they surely knew it. Stay away, at least mid-week.
(1)kate s.
we get take out from here all the time-- it's fast and tasty, and the service is nice. i've thought about eating in the dining room, which has a lovely aura and nice, dim lighting, but haven't gotten around to it yet.
(4)clara c.
So glad to have some tasty Indian food in the neighborhood! It has been packed since it opened, unfortunately that means a bit of a wait and a little longer service than i was hoping for given the reviews i had read for their other location. The food made up for it and I am back for more tonight ( although i am sending the husband to get takeout) so it didn't deter me entirely! The tikka Masala was excellent, the poori nice without being too greasy, the lassi very nice, go for an appetizer if you are hungry though, the food takes a while!
(4)Manny g.
Decent, has fallen off in the past few years though.
(3)Anne H.
I have been waiting for years for an Indian restaurant to open on Lakeshore...and here it is - and very clean and nicely decorated...I had take-out from here the first night it opened. The food was delicious and the owner was very nice and grateful for the service (though for a first night he was doing amazing business). Then, my husband and I went back on Saturday night to eat-in. And it appeared as if they just didn't have their service routine down quite yet. People were seated without menus and then forgotten. I saw two tables get up and leave because of this. We sat with our menus for about 15 minutes before someone took our order. Another table who arrived about the same time as us ordered, but by the time we'd eaten and paid the bill, they were just receiving their food. Part of this was probably caused by the fact that there was a huge party of about 15 people there that kept taking chairs from various tables and ordering food at different points. Still, it was all a little frustrating - it kind of made me want to get up and start taking orders and giving people menus. I think the problem is that they while there are a lot of people working at the restaurant, there isn't a single person assigned to a given table - so everyone assumes that you've already seen a menu, or your order has already been taken, and no one feels compelled to check on your food or let you know how long it'll be before it comes out - once they get this system under control, I think they'll be fine. All that being said, the food was again delicious. I think I may opt to call in my take-out order for a few more weeks to allow them a chance to settle in. I'm very happy to have an Indian restaurant in the neighborhood, the cooking is great, and the owner is a really nice guy trying hard to get everything under control. Definitely go there (or call in your order). Updated: After a few months of excellent take-out, my husband and I returned here on a crowded Friday night to see if the in-house service had improved. Absolutely perfect - normal wait time, food was great and came out all at once, responsive with water refills and the check. We were so happy. If only I exercised enough to justify eating here everyday instead of just once a week...
(4)Jennifer L.
When they first opened, I was a big fan. I order their chicken tikka masala and vegetable korma, both mild for my kids, and they love it. Their lamb samosas are dry, but I keep trying them anyway. So I'm no Indian expert, but I'm pretty happy with the flavors. Problem is, they are pretty expensive and their portions are getting smaller and smaller each time I go. They've always been pretty light on the chicken, but tonight the vegetable korma was about 1/4 cup of vegetables and 3/4 cup sauce. It's corn, carrots and string beans, same mix you get in the frozen food aisle, so it's not as if they're putting some expensive veggies in there. So I called to complain, but there was no manager and the gal that answered offered me nothing but an apology and an excuse that they have a new cook. New cook or old, it's easy to tell how many veggies you're putting in the sauce! Bummer, as it's nice inside and close to home.
(3)Z M.
Update 2/8/08: I am updating my review. Since I wrote this review the owner has exchanged a couple of emails with me explaining that they share tips and that they don't take tips away from their employees. He has also taken action by taking the 'tip calculator' off the receipts. Since he is showing this much concern regarding this issue and has taken some action, I am inclined to believe him and have changed my score. I have promised to return to Flavors of India and will re rate them based on that experience. But for now I am rating them based on my previous experience, not factoring in the tip issue. __________________________________________________Â____ Previous review: They get one star for the naan and the ok food. On the receipt there was a tip calculator and we left the tip in cash. When I tried to ask for cange from the waitress in order to leave a tip she told us we did not need to leave a tip for her because they don't get it anyways. The owners get the tips and give NONE of it to the wait staff. How unfair and messed up is that. I felt terrible because the wait staff was very kind and helpful and it felt this was so horrible and unfair to them. Do not go here and do not support them.
(3)