I would give this place 5 stars but the night we went they were Short staffed and everything was rushed and we had to wait forever to get our food. With that said, the food was scrumptious amazingly flavourful and not bad for the price. I thought automatically charging a high % gratuity for the service we received excessive although the quality of the food and the laid back decor almost made me forget about it.
(4)
Himanshu H.
Strict no go ... Super expensive and quantity for the price is too low They ate charging gratuity at 17 % without consent. Bad services
(1)
Joydeep G.
Do NOT go to this restaurant. The food was really bad and expensive. Did not like at all.
(1)
Daniel C.
It's not easy to find good Indian or Asian food in Miami. This place, however, is a winner. It's a small, intimate restaurant. They probably have about 10 tables, max. There is a bar with a few stools, and they serve wine at said bar. I've been here many times. It's lovely when you can be seated right away, but it's not that comfortable of a place to stand or sit and wait, especially if there are others at the small bar. Fortunately, I've only had to wait for a table once. Once seated, their entire menu is fantastic. I've eaten many of their items, and I've loved them all. A few recommendations: mango lassi, Indian chaat, pakoras, onion bhaji, matter paneer, and channa masala. The chaat is crispy and delicious with amazing sauces. The lassi is one of the best I've had. Their paneer os also flavorful and excellent. Why not 5 stars? I think their food is a little pricey for Indian food. I also think they could step up their service and ensure their staff is more knowledgable about the menu. It's a small restaurant, and while I wish it were bigger, they're working in the confines of Sobe. Definitely a place I go to often and bring out of town guests to, for a hidden gem in sobe.
(4)
Bhumika K.
My friends and I were looking for a nice India restaurant around Ocean Drive. The best part of the restaurant was location. The food was Good, we ordered Paneer Makhani and Dal Tadka Fry. Garlic naan and Butter Naan was really fresh. Spinach Pakoda was okay (except for the fact that there was no salt) If I have to rate the place based on food then I would give 3 star, but the service was pathetic. It was way under staffed! Being at the very busy location the management need to makes some serious changes and improvements. Take away: Okay food, okay ambience and poor service
We love Indian and go to the few Miami favorites often (off the beach) Have tried all the places in SoBe and none wowed us (one is gone, the other is on Washington and is ok but worth a 15 min drive elsewhere.) Finally got a chance to try Guru and glad we did. Small, simple but charming place on the beach, dim atmosphere which we like and the service was great (saw some comments that say the opposite - the place had 3 total tables occupied when we went, maybe it changes if full?) Server was great and recommended a good alternative / kept checking on us. Both entrees we had were yummy - cooked perfectly, great flavor, a tiny bit spicy when it was supposed to be "mild" but that's the nature of the food so no big deal - just be aware if you are sensitive to it. Little apps and breads were GREAT - naan perfectly cooked which is an easy thing to mess up. Price a bit high for the small portions but the sauces are rich and we both left relatively full. ($17 or so for about 6 small chunks of chicken in sauce with rice.) Beefing up the portions or offering some dinner specials (with an app, bread, whatever) would make sense and probably fill the spot with more locals more frequently. Will be back - but not quite as often as the top spots a little further away (Bengal, Bombay etc).
(4)
Prasant B.
Ambience Ok, but great presentation. Limited awry but great in taste. Slightly expensive but deserts like Ras malai were great
(3)
Rohit N.
Awesome food and equally awesome service. Decor needs some uplift and one more server would help. It was one meal that I and my parents enjoyed the most during our vacation. Keep up the good work.
(4)
Gautam K.
The staff are very kind and hence the 2 star. The food is bad and small quantity for the price you pay, took forever to get our order and no refills on soft drinks. Terrible experience.
(2)
Maria G.
Love the food. Best Indian food I've had. Always fresh. I have been going here for years and it is always up to standard. The dessert is made there as well. The owner is always so welcoming and friendly. They have great hours too so that helps specially in the south beach area.
(5)
Jay S.
Always trust the dj food is great its not cheap but i love the food
(5)
L C.
The food was great, really delicious and reasonably priced. HOWEVER! We were a party of two, and one of maybe 3 parties in the whole restaurant. When the bill came we paid it and tipped 20%. It wasn't until after I looked at the bill that I saw gratuity was already added. We were never informed about that and tipped additionally on top of the automatic gratuity. I understand the restaurant was bare and the server probably doesn't make much, but it should not fall on the patron to make up for that. Especially when they didn't advise us about the gratuity. We will never come back!
(1)
Manasi B.
GOOD FOOD.....BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE The food was delicious no doubt about that. Wondering why I gave just one star??? The service was very bad, the waitress was just awe full, the ambience was very gloomy as well as claustrophobic and is not at all kids friendly We were visiting there on 28th November 2014, and we were with a baby There were only two servers/hosts that night a waiter and a waitress They didn't have the high chairs so we had to sit the baby in the pram itself which made the baby very uncomfortable, due to the discomfort when the baby would move a little bit or make even a bit of a noise waitress would just come running and yell "sushhh" with a creepy smile, she was vry rude and arrogant This happened a couple of times and made our dining experience so uncomfortable that we had to leave without finishing our dinner But I should also mention that the waiter that night was very nice, he did everything he could to help us, but he was very busy since it looked like he was the only one holding the fort down
(1)
Zeel S.
One of two indian restaurants on the beach- the better one but still highly OK. They serve a complimentary naan appetizer which was good. The paneer was very poor quality. Good service for the price.
(3)
Phil R.
Good Indian food has been hard to find in Miami, that being said I've been here a few times. The food is consistently good, portions are average and flavor is usually good. However the service is absolutely horrible, it starts with who I assume is the Hostess/Manager/ Waitress. I'm not sure exactly what she does but make the dinning experience feel awkward, but it is SoBe... Your bill will have gratuity added for you at 17%, some obscure number. Who comes up with that number? The industry standard tip is 15%, 18% or 20%...I'm insulted they do it and the service does not warrant it so I don't add any additional tip. But the problem is it's hard to find good Indian food in Miami...
(3)
E M.
I can't tell you how happy I am that Guru exists here in South Beach. I've had Indian food in all different parts of the country (a lot when I used to live in Boston, but also Washington DC, San Francisco, NYC, etc.). Guru's food ranks among the very best. I say that first (along with my 5 star rating) because good food typically gets a bad rating in South Beach due to service. The service here is typical of South Beach... so no local would rate them poorly for service. It's the visitors from places like NYC (where service happens lightning fast) that get annoyed. The service has always been friendly, considerate and reasonable... I would say better than your average South Beach venue, but still slower than a place like NYC. As far as atmosphere goes, it's a very quiet, simple, subdued restaurant... nothing flashy and very quiet. If you're going to Guru, it's because you want Indian food and you're not expecting a laser show and a performer juggling flaming swords. Just sayin'... Best of all -- I just found out they deliver, so I will *definitely* be ordering from here regularly.
(5)
Rohit K.
very bad service.. was served food after like 40 mins. Food tastes good but inefficient service just took the taste away. Ambience excellent and menu is well priced!!
(1)
Edison F.
Excellent restaurant. Everything that we ordered was fantastic. I recommend this restaurant to friends often. They always enjoy it.
(5)
Collene S.
This is the place to go if you want food with authentic Indian flavor. The menu is vast and the staff are willing to explain the menu and offer great ideas. Great for couples too, lamb chops are not too strong nor too dull in flavor, with Indian spices they have a semi spicy flavor that melts in your mouth it is a great appetizer.
(5)
Beth G.
We used to be regulars of guru. We have a small child and primarily rely on takeout/delivery. Last two times we tried to order we were told they were too busy to do takeout or delivery. Management seems to not understand that reliability for regular customers is critical to maintain a successful business. Will look for an alternative Indian mainstay on the beach.
(2)
Ana L.
Visiting from out of town, we really craved some yummy Indian dishes. I don't even know how we found this place, but I'm glad we did. First, the food - we are vegetarian, so that limits our options down to 2 or 3... Not in this place! We got samosas to start with (those were superb!) and a couple curries with some naan. All tasted good and our tummies were happy :) Now, about the service. We walked in and, even though the place was small and there were only a couple tables there, nobody greeted us for a good few minutes. It was awkward just standing in the middle of the floor waiting for someone to acknowledge our presence. Our waitress was very pleasant, but, alas, when we needed our waters refilled and some salt, she was nowhere to be found (thankfully, there was a young man helping a table close to ours, and he was happy to assist us). Bottom line, come for good food, if you are not in a rush and don't mind that the service is lacking.
(3)
Rajan G.
Being from India I can tell you guys, this place sucks!! Unfortunately this is one of the famous Indian food places in SoBe (because there isn't enough competition). To be honest, I have been to a very few Indian restaurants in US that are this bad. To name a few of the issues: 1. The manager/server is probably one of the rudest and arrogant persons I have met at any of the Indian restaurants. When asked if they serve a specific type of Indian bread (Missi roti), his answer was "the menu is in front of you. If it's not in there then we don't serve it" 2. Decor is a joke. It's dark, gloomy and depressing to sit inside. 3. Everything is dirty, I mean everything. 4. More importantly, the food is really bad. There are no authentic flavors in it, either too spicy or completely bland. 5. Way too over priced. I wouldn't even pay half of what they are asking for this shitty food. My advise: drive a little extra, do some more research to find better Indian food places in Miami (e.g. Bombay darbar and no, I don't own or work for them). There are a few good options for descent Indian food in Miami and Guru is definitely not one of them.
(1)
Ashwin K.
Pretty much everything about this place sucks big time!! To name a few 1. The waitress was downright rude and indifferent!! She forgot to refill our drinks even after being asked for it multiple times . 2 . Highlights includes uncooked food and be wary of asking for spicy food ( you'll just get a dish with chilli powder added to it and no care taken to balance the taste with salt) 3. We had to wait for an hour and 15 mins before the appetizers were served of which , onion bhajjia was uncooked which we had to return back . They gave us a complimentary spinach bhajjia which was edible but was soaked horribly in oil . Chicken tikka masala was decent . Indian chaat was horrible ( couldn't even break the poori and was un chewable ) 4. Plates were not cleaned properly 5. Madras chicken curry was totally off . The chicken tasted too old . But the best dish was paneer makkani. The dish was grossly undercooked . Horribly stuffed with raw chili flakes with no salt . Portion size was also inadequate for any one person in our group of 5 most of whom are pretty lean eaters . 6. When addressed with the quality of food we were given the reply that they were unable to handle the crowd at that time and this is not usual while I see many yelp reviews reflecting pieces of our experience . Avoid this restaurant especially if you are hungry!!! One star only to submit the review to yelp ! Tip: take your own salt and pepper if you are used to good indian food !
(1)
Rachel S.
Guru is understated; one of those hidden gems on a sidestreet in heavily touristed South Beach.. As Laura Jill said, it's perfect for a vegan/omnivore date. We shared the appetizers: Masala Papadam, and Vegetable Samosas. Both were delicious, fresh, with just the right amount of spice and flavor. He ordered the Beef Tomato Curry which he loved. I had the Madras Vegetables. I loved it too and wish I could have finished it, but the food was so filling. The service was attentive and the atmosphere was quiet and calm.
(5)
N V.
A group of us went here for dinner on new year's. It is a shady dirty looking restaurant but the food was decent. The vegetarian appetizers were quite tasty. The main course was average. What was absolutely irritating was the service. It was unbelievable that the host and the waiters were confidently incompetent. It took us 3 hours to finish the whole meal. They don't give you plates or water or cutlery until you ask for it! They won't even take the order unless you remind them to attend to you. The highlight was when they tried to clean the table clumsily with a paper napkin even before we could get up and leave. Even though the food was decent, everything else made this a really bad experience.
(2)
Scarlett W.
I am sorry to say it was not very good. Maybe it was an off night, but my chicken korma was pretty flavorless, and the chicken was dry. the breads were good and the little amuse bouche lentil soup was good. the prices are also reasonable for south beach, which is pretty expensive area. the staff were nice, not overly so. i think you can find better restaurants in south beach and certainly better indian food in miami.
(2)
Gary B.
I was in Miami with my wife we ordered from this place. I picked up the phone to call few Indian restaurants no one answered this is the only place that picked up the phone and the guy who You took my order (Sushil ) was very helpful. He told us it will take 45 mins to my hotel as I was at Fountain bleu & the food came in 30 mins. I told them to make spicy as I like spicy food & they made jus the want it.... So I will definitely recommend this place.
(5)
Swathi A.
Excellent food... Starting with the masala papad in starters to rasmalai in deserts.. Everything will awesome.. And the service was very amicable .. Fairly priced... Must go!!!
(4)
Ashish G.
Don't go to this place not due to food but the manager of this place. Its a cramped place and it seemed the place had some waiting today, and when i provided my name and number the manager very unfriendly manner said come after 10. I was. There at 8 pm. The attitude was very bad and seemed looking at customers even it seemed they had been waiting for hourssss. Man so as per manager this small place dont deserve a 2 hr wait....... I went to THALI restaurant near by which has far better environment ... And staff is amazing ... Go to Thali few blocks away avoid this place ...
(1)
Adam C.
Fantastic food, great venue, wonderful service. The only challenge was that the restaurant has the potential to become very loud when full.
(4)
Hakim W.
Great service, good food, lovely ambience. I would definitely recommend this place and I would return.
(4)
Harika P.
Decent food with great ambience. It is on the pricy side but the ambience and the service calls for it. It can get quite busy so plan to get their earlier in the night.
(3)
Bettina A.
We're giving it five stars even though it isn't fancy, high end restaurant. Because Guru definitely deserves much more than the 3 stars that almost caused us not to come here. So much so that I am typing this as they clear our plates and I don't often review restaurants. The food was delicious, presentation was really nice and the service is casual and very well timed. Absolutely great little neighborhood find. We had the tandoori broccoli, delicious! The plates weren't over or under sauced. Not too much over sweetening of the dishes. The lamb vindaloo was hot but just enough and the naan was both crispy and fluffy. Delicious!
(5)
Ruzbeh G.
SECOND VISIT OCT 2012 wow what an absolutely awful second experience. Not sure if the management has changed here but the food was buffet level or worse. Took almost an hour to get our order. Not returning. Leaving one star up there since the first visit was great - maybe they will fix the problem. FIRST VISIT We are in SB for business several times a year - and its usually very hit or miss with the abundance of tourist traps - and the autograt can be an unpleasant surprise the first time you experience it. We stopped in here late Friday night on a recommendation from a local - and we are a group of overly picky Indian's who almost never like the type of food served at Indian restaurants. We all ordered vegetarian family style and the food was nothing short of amazing - daal makhni, palak paneer, eggplant, samosas, naan - we thoroughly enjoyed the authentic homecooked style of the food. We did have to wait quite a while for it but it was more than worth it. One of the owners was present and we asked for him at our table to complement the food- something we rarely do. I hope it wasn't just a fluke - this restaurant is underrated on Yelp - we will be back many more times so I hope the standard remains and I can't wait to try the meat dishes next time. Would have given five stars but the paneer was slightly dry.
(2)
Laura Jill S.
I've met many a match.com first (and last) date at Guru. Indian food is a nice common ground for a vegan-omnivore first date, and Guru is dark and cozy, so it's perfect. The service is pretty good for South Beach. Actually, I really like some of the guys that work there. They got to know me when I was match.com'ing, and used to rate the guys I met behind their backs. Is that terrible? I kinda loved it. The food is excellent and very vegan friendly. For an appetizer, I always get the samosas (so much yum). And for the main course, there's a whole vegetarian section on the menu (about 1/2 of which is vegan, just ask, they know what vegans eat). I always get the channa masala. I love it with their rice and their roti. It's nice and spicy! I wish I was eating it right now. It IS a bit pricy, but in my opinion, it's worth it.
(5)
Khaled A.
If you care about the quality of service DON'T GO! Food is good but not the best
(1)
Christina S.
I use to go to another place, but after deciding to try something new, I believe this may be my new go-to Indian restaurant. The food is pretty good and the prices were less than the other spot by far (bonus). I got the cheese naan, it was good. Lots of cheese if you like that kind of thing. Hyderbadi lamb byriani, which was delicious! Nice and full of rich spices like I like it. The rice was cooked in with the lamb already so it was pretty flavorful and full of yummy spice! Also I tried the jalapeño cilantro crab cakes. They were good, I probably won't repeat but they were tasty, kind of heavy, and the sauce went well with them. All in all, very good spot and I'll be back.
(4)
Elle B.
For Earl and Janet, nothing pairs with bikinis better than Indian food, and this place is top notch. We've eaten dinner here twice and it is our go-to in South Beach, where everything else along Collins Ave. and Ocean Drive is too touristy for Janet's taste (although Earl loves to put on a Hawaiian shirt and drink fishbowl margaritas). The atmosphere is dark and romantic. The tandoori broccoli was drool-worthy and perfectly seasoned, the sag paneer was close to the top if not the best we've ever had (and you can be sure Earl and Janet have had A LOT of saag paneer), the raita was tangy and sweet - perfectly balanced, and the vegetarian eggplant dish with potatoes was tasty too. Janet wanted to bring leftovers home for the cats, but Earl ate every last bite. We only deducted a star because Earl did think it was very pricey, but considering their location right around the corner from Ocean Drive it's no surprise that they charge a few extra dollars per dish to pay the rent. Wine was actually priced very reasonably compared to other restaurants nearby. The manager on duty was a friendly Peruvian man who was definitely concerned about making our experience a good one, and we have no complaints about the service. Regarding other reviewers complaints about the 15% automatic chip charge, yeah, it's annoying, but we were surrounded by European tourists, who often do not add tip because it's usually included where they're from. Guru should be clearer about the tip being included, but we understand why they do it. The location allows for a nice post-meal people-watching walk along Ocean Drive (Janet just can't believe the height of those womens' heels!) Sincerely, Earl and Janet
(4)
saurabh S.
You would probably end up eating here with the hopes of finding some decent vegetarian food in SoBe. My advice would be to hit the Mediterranean places rather than this one. This place gives Indian food a bad name. Plus it is so overpriced. Just see how many people go here and you will know if you should go in. Also they charge a 15% tip without asking. Even for buffet. I made them refund it through my credit card. For the principle, it was a lot of effort for $4.
(2)
Bernard Francis K.
Food was good. One plate was cold but otherwise the dishes were nice. Service was a bit slow otherwise it would be a 4.
(3)
Estefania B.
This place deserves a five star review. The delicious food in accompany with my boyfriend, made this delightfully moment amazing. The service, the ambient, the decoration, the FOOD!! The menu has an extended list of vegetarian options, which I like. The place is very nice. It is a perfect size restaurant, not too big and not too small and the tables are spacious and big enough. Each table has a little Crystal pot with a nice plant which gives the restaurant a modern touch. It has boot tables and it also has wooden benches with Indian style cushions. It is stylish, modern, yet it has a moderate oriental/rustic look. Background music and the volume is perfect for chatting. You don't' have to be screaming or asking "what did you say?" Perfect for a date. Starting with the service...we were sitted and immediately were given the menus and water was brought to our table. The person knew the menu and recommended many dishes, based on our needs, which I really like. The people who work there are very very nice and friendly. Fast service, and always making sure that you have everything you need to have an enjoyable moment (water, extra sauces, napkins, etc.). The food is delicious!!! Fresh and very tasty! The mix of spices and flavors makes the food flavorful, and the textures are interesting. Some are crunchy and some are neutral which enhances the flavor of the sauces. This is the first time in a very long time that I truly enjoyed my food. Well served, well presented, very gourme. For appetizers we had: -Curried Jalapenos Crab Cakes with curry spiced cakes. -Indian Chaat. This is made of crispy Indian wafers, lentil dumplings, chick peas, cilantro and homemade dips. -Vegetable Samosa. This is made of cumined potatoes and vegetables enveloped in crumbly pastry. Entree: -Saag Paneer which comes with rice, a little lentil soup and some apples. The Saag Paneer is made of spinach, greens & home made paneer (cottage cheese). This dish is very tasty and flavorful. I found it a little greasy. However, the grease did not beat the flavor, the texture and the flavor of the dish. Desert (which was complimentary from the house): Gulab Jamun. Its golden honey and saffron milk flavored with dumplings. It is worth the price. The bill came to around 57. My sincere congratulation to the person who made this restaurant possible. Enjoy!
(5)
Prashantha U.
Very authentic indian food at most unexpected place. Simple ambience and very nice and friendly staff!!
(4)
H. Deborah S.
I usually don't give bad reviews because I spend a lot of time researching the places I go to, however this time I didn't. Boy do I wish I had...it could have saved me a lot of time and aggravation. It was a Thursday night, not too many tables occupied, great...thought we'd get in and out in a flash. Not so. The food wasn't bad, it wasn't that great either. Kind of like stylized Indian food...fancy Indian...fancy plated Indian food. Would I go back. Yes, if it was the only Indian food available. The prices were relatively high for this type of food, but I chalked it up to being on South Beach.
(2)
KJ M.
VEGAN REVIEW Food was nice, although portions were small. Service was very good -- the problem with water glasses noted by previous reviewers was definitely not an issue. Four stars easy for quality of food, ambiance, and service, but -1 for price. My favorite part? Extra-fancy plating, super-friendly service, and small potted plants at each table... Plus a clear vegan-friendly set of Indian dishes.
(3)
Zain D.
The samosas were good (very large and served with zesty chutneys) but the crab cakes were just amazing. Very light in texture and extremely bold in flavor. Never had crab cakes that were vegetarian or Indian before coming here. It's a pricey joint but the food and service are well worth it. It's also in a great pedestrian area so you can look at the amazingly well-kept beach bodies while you walk off the massive feast you just downed.
(4)
Jo L.
Guru is a tranquil oasis of great Indian food, amidst the craziness of South Beach. I returned to Guru with a vegan friend so we enjoyed all vegan entrees this time, an eggplant and potato dish and also a spinach dish. We loved the little cups of lentil soup that are customary. The presentation is nice. Unlike other Indian places, we were not asked about the desired spiciness level , but everything came out perfect to our palate. Yes, it's more expensive than other Indian restaurants, but you are on South Beach.
(4)
V J.
* Is this a place which believes in "Drink Beer, Save Water" ? My first 40 minutes in the restaurant made me wonder so... * I wanted to give this place a 4 star, but a poor service made me give it a 3. After doing some sunbathing, jet skiing, para-sailing & walking some 20 blocks in about 90 degrees, we were hungry and thirsty as hell (Damn, the blocks are much longer than those of Manhattan). Now while skimming the menu, we expected the waitress to bring us atleast 1 glass of water. We waited for about 30-40 minutes and had to ask for it thrice. * Neways, we started with tangy Indian chaat (which essentially was dahi vada), followed by Chicken tikka masala & Kadhai veggies with garlic naan. The total bill was close to some 60 bucks. We left the place happy happy. Homework for readers: Q: What numbers/digits did u notice in the above review? [ Correct answers get free xoxo ]
(3)
Shiv H.
Good food.. Definitely better than its avg rating of 3. Ordered tandoori chicken tikka, amritsari machhi masala & veg biryani. Portions were good. Price is little more than other Indian restaurants elsewhere but so are others on south beach. Definitely worth a try when on south beach.
(4)
Pratik M.
Guru has very average Indian food, probably relative to the other ones it might be good but it was by far on the lower scale of Indian restaurants I have eaten at. The service is SO SLOW and its incredibly expensive for the quality and ambiance of the place. The management seems to be more interested in its take out customers, which it has a lot of.. this makes the service terrible. The staff seems disinterested and the food was extremely oily. Would not recommend going there unless you are really desperate for Indian food.
(2)
Mit P.
Most of the things I wrote in the previous review still hold. I think the quality of the chicken they use in the tikka masala is better. It's all chicken breast and it seems good quality. However the chicken was still overcooked/dry and the sauce just tasted odd - bit too sweet and too oily. And the naan is a bit chewy as opposed to thin and crispy or light and fluffy which are the two best ways to make it. One plus though is that they now do delivery within South Beach and since there aren't any other Indian places that do delivery - this is a big plus.
(3)
Eve C.
Indian food is hard to come by in Miami, particularly on the beach. Guru's been around for a while, but I only recently had the opportunity to stop in for dinner. Yes it's pricey, but so are most Indian restaurants in Miami; but it's worth it for a delicious splurge every once in a blue moon. My friends and I popped in on a weeknight around 9pm, and the place was pretty crowded. It's a lot smaller inside than I'd imagined, so if they're busy, I'd expect a wait for a table. The menu has a good selection of various appetizers (veggie samosas, cheese pakora, papadum, etc.). The entrees are broken down by choice of meat, with lamb, chicken, seafood (fish and shellfish), and veggie selections. We started with veggie samosas and the cheese pakora. Both were very tasty. However, a spoon to serve up some of the dishing sauce would've been a nice touch, and avoided some messy spills. For entrees, we split the lamb vindaloo (spicy and delicious), the fish curry (probably the best dish of the night), and the dal mahkni (very creamy, but tasty). Each of our plates came already loaded with basmati rice, and also a little skewer of fruit and veggies - a little strange, but an interesting touch. We ordered some regular ole butter naan to accompany as well. Everything was great, and our selections were more than enough for the 3 of us. I opted for a mango lassi, which was great to cool my palate after the heat of the lamb vindaloo. They also serve Kingfisher, which is a great boozy alternative to the lassi. I was pretty impressed with Guru, and despite the price tag, I can definitely see myself returning (or ordering takeout) to satiate my Indian food craving.
(4)
Stacy S.
A few years ago, I used to occasionally eat at Guru. It was close to my former apartment and it used to be decent. I returned tonight after a five year hiatus. I just wasn't good. It was greasy (butter chicken). old basmati rice, and the naan tastes as if it had been microwaved (besides not tasting fresh). Go at your own risk. I must lie down now...
(2)
Andrew S.
Yeah, so it's hard to find good Indian in Miami... Exorbitant Prices? Are you NUTS? Relatively, people, this place is such a 'bang for your buck'. The ambiance, the quality and presentation... plus the food, makes it worth the $15 per entree. Appetizers are perHAPS 1.2-2x the price of cheaper indian in other areas (LA, New York), but we are in Miami Beach, on 12th street, two blocks from Ocean Drive... so, leaving with $30 per person, stuffed, is a good thing. So the Vindaloo was excellent... fruitier than other Indian restaurants I've eaten at in Boston, London and Beijing, but nonetheless good. The Chicken Curry was ehhh... The samosas were delicious, and well plated. The raita was pretty good, a little runny but had the right flavor profile. The wines were well matched, (riesling goes really well with Indian Food, due to the fruity nature that complements the curries). Overall, I would say I will be coming back once-twice a month, now that I live on the beach.
We dined here and the food was good. However, once the check came, BAM, they charge you a 18% gratuity for two people. TWO people. What was this greedy owner thinking? Yes, he wants your money, lots of it. I crossed it out and added my own tip. The owner came back and BAM, he added my own tip AND the 18% tip I crossed out. This shady owner is deceiving, should be shut down for his unethical ways. SHAME ON HIM!
(1)
Shibei R.
I am a big fan of Guru. A great trendy spot for a romantic dinner or to impress friends. The food was amazing. The samosa was delicious, the best I have ever had. The fish marsala was heaven. The only down side was the ambiance. Lighting was a bit too dark for my taste.
(4)
Victoria L.
Average experience, nothing to write home about. The atmosphere is somewhat romantic with dim lights and small space. They really make the most of their space in that sense. Service is slow. At the time we went, there was only one guy who greeted, took orders and also took telephone calls for take outs. There also were two food runners, but they did not help the speed. The food is ok. I have had better Indian food in Miami. The lamb we ordered was not tender and the chicken was just ok. I think the prices are inflated for the portion size you get.
(3)
Kulbir S.
Surprisingly overrated...perhaps by people who didn't see what they were eating! Roaches stuffed within Samosas n that's where we left within moments of ordering appetizers. The kabobs were stale and whatever lill we had by then led to a major stomach bug for my entire family. Will NEVER return to this place again!!! And to top it, the host was rude n in denial towards our feedback. Maybe he needs to see other Indian n Mediterranean places around which are warm in hospitality n clean in what they serve!
(1)
Vis G.
The food was quite pricey. The appetizers weren't so appetizing. The main course was decent . The mumbai Masala curry was excellent. The ambience is quite noisy.
(3)
Sharon W.
I attended a party last month and the host served food from Guru. So, my review is based solely on the take away food. It was excellent. I don't remember exactly what was served as I had not seen the menu, but there was a curry shrimp, a lentil dish, basmati rice and bread. Possibly some veggies. All I remember was that I had two enormous platefuls because it was delicious! Host said that the pick up was a breeze as well.
(4)
Bao N.
I went here when my sister was in town and it was my 2nd time. It was busy but it didn't take us too long to get a table. It was a cozy place. We ordered a few different dishes and they were good. My Indian friends are not the biggest fan of Guru and we've tried many. Mint leaf is also decent but nothing has is really riveting around here but I did enjoy eating here. The only thing is that I did have the worst stomach ache later on that night... but that happens to me when I eat Inidan food. Not the best choice for going on a date and maybe I should quit eating Indian food but I love it sooo much! HA!
(3)
Aman S.
The food was really good here, but the portions were a tad bit too small. My family from India approved this place as the best indian food in miami so far. I enjoyed it as well. They only serve beer and wine though.
(4)
Christine K.
After reviewing Guru in April of 2010 I have returned three times and the food has been excellent each time. One of my new must haves is the Chicken Tikka appetizer, the tandoori roasted chicken breast chunks come out juicy and perfectly cooked each and every time. Complimentary Masala Nan that always comes with a little raita to dip into is always delicious. Both fish curries I have tried have been very good, and the Mattar Paneer is just as delicious as it was the first time I had it. The staff is friendly, but I do have one beef with the waiter, he kept interrupting the conversation we were having, over and over again, to ask if he could remove plates, often we were not quite done with them. It became highly annoying because of the frequency of the interruptions. Step back and let people enjoy their food and conversations, the plates can wait... One thing I miss a little here is ambiance, it does not feel like an Indian restaurant at all, some Indian music and some touches of color in the decor would make the place feel more cozy. I am not lowering my star rating because of the above minor issues, because the food is the star here, it does not disappoint. Another very nice touch is the fact that dessert is always graciously offered for free at the end of the meal, it changes from time to time, so we have got to try a few different things so far.
(5)
Michelle C.
I love Indian food, it is my all time favorite and living on the Beach would love to have somewere to go for some good food. This however is not it. When there one night with a friend asked to sit in one of the tables against the wall. Was told no that was for larger parties. Well whille we were there they sat 2 other parties of 2. So customer friendly they are not !!!
(1)
Christine P.
This was probably one of our best meals in Florida, which doesn't say a whole lot. I wasn't completely impressed with the food in Miami and the Keys. Everything at Guru is good, but the service. Oy vei! The service is slow! And when your friend is sick, waiting and waiting, and waiting isn't fun. And it's not so cheap. It's off the main street, and very inconspicuous. We passed right by it. It's a good alternative to the obnoxiously touristy places in South Beach. And it was the first Indian restaurant I've been to that served an amuse bouche. A light and spicy lentil soup. Very nice. So yeah, if you're sick of eating Cuban food, or don't want to eat at a restaurant that uses plus-sized stemware, this is a great alternative.
(4)
Usu I.
The food was very tasty but lacked slightly in service. I ordered several options to have a well rounded indian cuisine experience. Everything that I tried, I truly enjoyed. If it weren't for the owner taking the lead at some point during table service I would have left a little disappointed. At the end, I will go again!
(4)
Arthur A.
I really hope this is not the place I got food poisoning from because the place does have decent food but I am pretty sure. I hate to write bad reviews but am furious that this place possibly gave me food poisoning.
(1)
Paula E.
I agree with almost all of the reviews below so I'll go ahead and give it a 3.5... here is why I found myself having an impromptu lunch date here on Friday after I was done shooting a story on the beach. The place is fantastic when it comes to decor, simple but colorful. I loved that each table had an individually potted fern, they were so cute and set a really zen mood, not so much romantic as it was comfortable. Usually Indian restaurants tend to get tacky with their decor, so I appreciated the modern touch that they gave the place. Now to the food. The menu seemed pricey, but noting that we were there for lunch, it came out at about 15 bucks a head which is certainly not bad for lunch for two at the beach. The lunch special includes an individual plate with some vegetables (cucumbers and tomatoes) a yogurt sauce, a flat-bread cone and two samosas. Then you get to pick up to 3 entrees samples to share with your partner. We also had a couple of beers, garlic naan, and the jalapeno crab cakes which boosted the price up. I wouldn't really bother with the last, they lacked in flavor and weren't spicy enough for me. But all and all it was a very pleasant experience. The owner personally came to our table and greeted my date who had been there previously, then he turned around and said "I don't recognize you, is this your first time here?".... gotta love a man who knows his clientele.
(4)
Katherine G.
The lunch specials here are reliably good--flavorful and just the right amount of food to fill you up while leaving barely enough room for coffee. I do agree with other reviewers who say that the atmosphere could be better. Still, when I go, I have an hour to enjoy my lunch, and the service is fairly quick, if not the most personable or charming. I have taken out-of-town friends here as well, and they tried new foods and were quite pleased. Still, would it hurt for the owner/manager or staff to thank you when you leave? That's my only sticking point as a former midwesterner who expects service with a smile. (Even after living in Miami for a couple of years--a girl can dream, right?) :)
(4)
Ramesh J.
Never go again. This is too costly for the food they provide. You have to wait for at least for 45 minutes. I will never go again and never recommend.
(1)
Rebecca K.
It was just.... eh. We arrived and were seated quickly by a very nice host, and our orders were taken quickly. But then we waited.... and waited... We were finally given some nan with raita, but there was a very long wait for our food after that was all eaten, including the soup my husband ordered which should have been fairly easy to bring out quickly! I had the onion baja appetizer which was tasty albeit a little mushy (underdone) in the middle, and his lentil soup was just OK - a little bland. We stuck with known entrees that we eat at many other places- makhni chicken and rogan josh lamb, both which were a bit dry and the chicken's sauce was too sweet. The portions are fairly small.
(3)
Xixi D.
I am a fan of Indian cuisine and this was one of my top options to try in South Beach, with that said the experience wasn't that great. The service was bad, like most places at SoBe, and the food wasn't very good either. I would have to go back to try something different because I left disappointed with just the appetizers.
(3)
Jessica P.
I haven't left a restaurant this satisfied in a long time! The food here was fantastic! My boyfriend and I ordered the Butter Chicken (my favorite) and a shrimp dish. Every dish comes with a plate of rice, a small cup of soup and a little salad. We also ordered the Naan (an Indian flatbread) which is the best I've ever had. I can't really say I know if this restaurants' food was authentic or not, but I can say that everything had amazing flavor and spice. As for the atmosphere, that is something they can work on. The service was good but the place was a little two quite and cold for me. They also serve lunch!
(4)
Richard R.
I met a friend here for dinner this past Friday; it was the 3rd time I'd eaten here in about two years. The food was okay and beautifully presented, though I think I should've ordered something else. I had a spicy lamb dish, but I have to say I wasn't crazy about it. Maybe I'm just not a fan of lamb; should've ordered chicken! Hehe. What I really didn't like was that I came across a bit of fat/bone in the lamb, and that's not pleasant. I don't know if that's to be expected in lamb dishes, but I didn't enjoy that detail. More important for my review is that the service was abysmal. We were sitting for about 10 minutes without anyone approaching our table. It was the hostess who finally took our drink order. Our server was aloof and indifferent. I don't expect anyone to fawn over me, but a modicum of enthusiasm or engagement with patrons would be nice. I don't care if this is South Beach; if you are too "cool" to truly wait on people, then you should not be a server. I want to say that I am not very picky when it comes to service either, so for me to point out lackluster service is kind of a big deal.
(2)
Didi M.
Went last night with some friends and had great food. As usual, the best food on SoBe are in restaurants that are NOT on the ocean. Vindaloo was not that spicy so if you want it hot, make sure you ask! Overall great food and service.
(4)
Jordan N.
I had the nilgiri korma (tender beef in a rich yogurt , almond and coconut curry for $15.95). While some fellow diners thought it was good, or even better maybe than their dishes, I still was not sure if it met my match. Why? Well, I had something similar at a Thai restaurant and it blew me away there. But Guru wasn't able to do the same with this similar dish. So was the money worth it? For a gourmand that cares about food and nothing else, then no, the money was not really worth it unless if you're used to eating $15 and up dishes that don't really call to your attention. However, the experience at the restaurant was made up for by friendly staff, nice ambience, and good presentation. Additionally, the portion was good enough for one person (reasonably speaking). This isn't really the type of restaurant you should intentionally try to avoid. You can still come here and have an enjoyable and good experience. It is definitely not the best Indian in Miami, and I'm not sure if it is the best in Miami Beach. On top of that, it is really a nice place to go for a romantic gathering - you probably will get plenty of privacy as this place wasn't really packed during the normal hours for the dinner rush.
(3)
Raquel E.
I went out with my friends and husband...baby-less {yay me!!} for a nice laid back dinner to Guru! My friends had been there before and loved it so I was very excited to finally go! As you walk in you see a dark, candle-lit quaint little restaurant. One of my friends referred to it as "his little hole in the wall." It's truly a hidden gem which I am sure most people do not know about. You hear the people eating their speaking amongst themselves in a low tone and its so deco. I loved the vibe. For starters we ordered: Curried Jalapinos Crab Cakes Vegetable Samosa Cheese Nan Garlic Nan I had Shrimp in Gravy and Coconut Gravy, which was AAAAAAAAAAAAA-MAZING. ! My husband had the Tandoori Chicken Tikka which is boneless chicken breast in mild spices. He loved it! I tried it and it was delish! Very moist chicken! I tried another dish from a friend. It was the Mumbai Curry Chicken which is tender chicken breast in traditional home made curry. It was also very delish. Very mild and easy to eat. Overall the experience was great and the food was very tasteful. It was also a great time with friends! Thanks J, T, M, and Y for introducing us to this great gem!
(5)
Colleen L.
Yes! Indian food in South Beach! (That's 2 of the three stars.) I've lived here for a combined total of about 2 years now, and I had yet to order from Guru due to its exorbitant prices, and I was suspicious. When there's only one Indian place around, it doesn't really have anything to lose. People will go there if they want chicken tikka masala, and if they want it bad enough, they'll pay $16 a plate. Yesterday afternoon it dawned on me that the cupboards were bare, akin to old mother hubbard's cupboard. Dinner would be full of effort and most likely lack deliciousness. It was time for Guru. It was nearly 6pm when I placed the order, just around opening time for dinner at this establishment, and I was famished. My mouth watered at the thought of a smooth and spicy sauces and exotic spices combined with tender chicken and basmati rice. But in my $16 chicken tikka masala I found fairly dry clay-oven cooked tadoori chicken, and a pretty oily mild chili/tomato thick sauce. It was ready 15 minutes after I placed the order, and I think there may have been a little 'let's just use the leftover tandoori from lunch and throw some sauce on it' goin' on. Not sure, just saying the chicken was not tender, not freshly cooked steaming hot tasting. It satisfied my need for Indian, but next time I'll try the vindaloo. Something makes me think they would be more suited to this dish. Also on the menu was my favorite spinach pakora. As I've had it before, this is like flash-fried spinach leaves, like a wild medusa head. Served with a sweet brown chutney and a spicey green chili sauce, this is the only way to eat spinach. The spinach pakora turned out to be small hockey-puck shaped blocks of what appeared to be saag - balls of creamy spinach deep fried on the outside. They were squished and wet and cold in the middle and barely crisp on the outside. They did come with a chili sauce, but unfortunately it was more just a green cream with very little kick to it. And the paratha was pretty good. What else can I say. $30 got me my Indian fix for now, I could buy 6 Ethnic Gourmet Indian meals for that, and be almost as satisfied. Where's my spice at?! I think an indian restaurant with reasonable $7-10 entrees would be a hit around here, and maybe give Guru the kick in the butt they need to make sure every meal gets the attention the price deserves.
(3)
Lary R.
Service is excellent!! My glass was never hafl empty. The food is fantastic! They even serve meat which i've never seen at an indian food. Recommend the cheese samosas and the papadum to begin with. My favorite is the chicken curry which comes with basmati rice and a skewer of vegetables and fruit -- i like the sweet and salty combination!! So fine by me! yummi. Dessert was on the house.
(4)
Tony L.
Simply the best indian restaurant in Miami, great atmosphere, excellent food!
(4)
Katie M.
I'm a bit shocked by the poor reviews for this restaurant. I was in town for business and my hotel recommended Guru. Fortunately, I disregarded the somewhat poor reviews on Yelp and checked it out. I arrived early (for Miami Beach style) at 6 PM on a Thursday night and I was the only diner for the first 30 mins or so of my meal. The waitstaff was beyond attentive--even when other diners showed up. The food presentation was gorgeous and the candlelit tables/decor was charming. Dessert = Gulab Jamun = OMG GOOD! Two glasses of wine, a comp dessert, enough food for two meals, and tons of waitstaff attention...for $49? I'll definitely be visiting Guru again. Four stars for somewhat dingy bathrooms and lamb that was slightly tough (but still delicious).
(4)
Ana T.
This year alone I have gone to Guru about 5 times, and that's a lot for returning to the same restaurant for the same food. I'd like to call myself a regular now. My last visit was this week for a birthday dinner and once again, it amazed it. I like to try something new on every visit and it's excellent for any vegetarian who likes spicy food. It's rare to find vegetarian options and this place if full of them. The saag paneer is a must as well as the mataar paneer. To die for!
(4)
Ryan J.
Please stay away. The cock roach on the wall shold on told me to just leave. First they give you a small 10 oz soad filled with ice for 2.40 and no refills, but they don't tell you that they just ask if you "want another sprite"? and when you get the bill you see you were charged for every refill. Dinner for 3 was 85 dollars. And they add 18% tip which was 12 dollars. And the food was just OK. Not worth 85 dollars. There are a lot of restaurants in South Beach so just advoid this one.
(1)
Sheenon O.
I found guru when I first moved to the beach. By accident. Since then it has become a regular place that I get Indian. The food is fresh and light (for Indian). Always have left overs for lunch. Also their Masala Chai tea is really good.
(4)
Cathy M.
I'm such a sauce lover-hence-love indian food. Guru was better than I expected after reading the other posted reviews. Under promise, over deliver I guess, right? I had the Mumbai Curry Chicken and my girlfriend had the Chiken Korma.We both had lentil soup. And when my best friend went, her and her boyfriend were given dessert on the house. The atmosphere was mellow and very clean and nice. I recommend if you want indian food and don't have enough money for "Ishq" on Ocean or enough gas for "House of India" in the Gables.
(4)
Ritu M.
Its all about presentation!! I was so tired and hungry after a long drive to Miami that I decided to try this place. I am from Charlotte, NC and going by limited no. of choices there, believe me I have had Indian food much better than this over there. Coming back to Guru, the ambience was ok, food is presented well, is pricey and average tasting and yes they add 15% gratuity. I like spicy food and asked for more spicy but still this food was bland. I tried mango lassi, Indian chaat, paneer makhni, mumbai aloo and gulab jamun. Nothing was out of this world. Gulab jamun was a shame! The check and gratuity really burnt a hole in my pocket. Its my 30th birthday so I will just let it go and for rest of my vacation in my Miami, I think I will give Indian food a pass.
(2)
adam a.
This was my favorite place we ate at in south beach. We were a bit unsure at first, we wanted to soak up some of the south beach atmosphere but this is tucked away on a side street just off Collins. The place was small but cozy and had a nice upscale atmosphere of its own but is still casual and comfortable. The staff was very attentive and the food came quickly and was really delicious. We ordered the samosas, chicken mahkni and lamb roganjosh curry, and some tandoori rotis. It was all very good on par with my favorite upscale Indian restaurant back home, but surprisingly cheaper - which rarely happens in south beach everything is usually more expensive.
(5)
brooklyn b.
Food is pretty good. I've been spoiled by amazing Indian food and this is not amazing but if it were cheaper I'd come back. Cons- Small portions, expensive, unfriendly waitstaff.
(3)
Fahad K.
The restaurant setting is quite contemporary. The presentation of the food is very impressive. Food is not great but it isn't bad either. It can do better but it's far better than other Indian restaurants in Miami. 4 stars are mostly for the looks. 2.5 for for food. The staff is courteous and will take care of your things before you ask them but they are not very friendly. The table has a small light hanging from a ceiling and it was dimmer than the others, we couldn't even see our food when we asked the waitress she just told us it's the same for all tables which is untrue. We had an appetizer, entree and veg biryani, our check came out to $81.00. Figure that.
(3)
Spencer B.
The samosas, chicken tikka masala, chicken korma, and garlic naan are FANTASTIC! The some of the best Indian restaurants I have had in the US. The waiter was very attentive as well.
(5)
Herminio L.
I am incredibly upset with the management of this place. I made arrangements 2 weeks in advance with a group of 8 friends to have dinner on the 31th of Dec and the OWNER, not an employee, THE OWNER, refused to honor my reservation. I cannot even beleive what would be my NYEve if I didn't call in ahead of time to confirm. This is unacceptable. I will never ever again step inside to a place that doesn't have dignity to operate as a business. Please support me -
(1)
Fernando L.
Service was great..... Food excellent shrimp with coconut gravy full of aromatic Will definitely come back
(4)
B. A. N.
Ok..if I could give a lower rating, I would. The interesting part is that I didn't even eat here. If it starts off bad....it will get worse. We were wise enough to cut our loses. We walked open minded into this cave-like 'hole in the wall' place trying to mask itself as a fine dining restaurant. The overly dark lighting (trying to hide the food stains and cockroaches) and over priced ridiculous menu (they charge you for basic condiments that are suppose to come with and compliment the item). We were seated to a table that overlooked the kitchen and then basically that was it. There were two mute waitresses that only stood near the kitchen touching their hair and chewing their nails. After 15 minutes we politely, (while the host/server/manager decided to take the order from another table that arrived after us first...) with menus closed and direct uncomfortable eye contact, asked if we could give them our order. They ignored us, until I spoke a bit louder. Then they uncomfortably pointed and incoherently sputtered out that the "manager/server" is the only one who could take our order. The fact that they didn't acknowledge us once, let alone when we first arrived, didn't bring us water or offer to take a drink order before our 'server' took our order was enough for me...but, my partner had more patience and insisted we give it a chance. Then the server/manager seated another table, and took another order. He gave up. Each time he took an order, he ran to his touch screen computer to punch it in, instead of taking several orders at once and asking the other staff to assist him. Zero efficiency. We decided to leave. And when we were approaching the door, only then, for the first time in over 25 minutes after seating us, did the server/host/make shift manager acknowledge us and speak. We explained simply that we were waiting too long. He then pulls a 180 on us and becomes belligerent and hostile. Puts his hand up to our faces and tells us to leave.... Enough said NOT!
(1)
Sergio M.
Food was great! The service and attention from the owner was excellent; I would come back here again the next time I'm"m in the mood for Indian food.
(4)
Hemang D.
Great service and excellent presentation of the food. The food tasted well and was not too greasy. I recommend the okra and the vegetarian kofta. The owner is a nice fellow and threw in some nice kulfi for 4 of us.
(4)
Happy L.
I have delivery from Guru and I find the taste to be ok. At times the chicken could be bland and my opinion is solely on the chicken tikka masala or korma. However, I do like the chicken makhani, the channa masala, the pashawari nan is always fresh and nutty, the dal makani, the dal tabka and the saag paneer. I don't like the curry crab cakes or the Indian chat, neither the packing person who a couple of times has forgotten to include the rice (which is delicious!!!) forcing me to have and additional glass of wine while I wait for it.
(3)
Brian M.
Great Indian food. My friend Sam took over the restaurant a few months ago for a big birthday bash and we had a great time. I had been there a few times before and the food has always been very good, the service friendly. Must get in there again some time soon.
(4)
Katherine M.
Simply put, I didn't taste any love in the food here. When I think of Indian food, I recall wonderfully complex flavors and sometimes deliciously spicy food - didn't get either at Guru. In fact, the food was bland - nothing special. The decor is nice, if a bit dark. Service is good but the food seems over-priced and portions are smallish. Sorry Guru, I'm no devotee!
(2)
cindy w.
Guru is the South Beach go-to place if you have an extreme curry withdrawal. It's a quiet Indian spot tucked off 12th and Collins. If you really feel the itch for a mango lassi, go here, in fact, they had cardamom and tamarind lassi if I can remember, which I thought sounded delish and unusual. The samosas were also chewy and nice. For the entrees, it was "eh." I've had better (got the chicken tikka masala) but the presentation makes it look nice. If you want OUTSTANDING Indian food in Miami, make the hike to Imlee, I swear by that place.
(3)
Nastassia D.
The ambiance was great. You really felt hidden away from the south beach crowd. The food comes in decent portions, although the vegetable biryani was a bit much for me. I went with four people and it totaled 90$. That could seem expensive, but considering its on south beach and you get good portions of food, I would say its worth it.
(4)
Nicholas A.
Guru is nice enough, but the ambiance and food just don't justify the price you pay. My girlfriend and I shared an order of samosas and chicken tikka masala. The food was flavorful and well presented, but not enough to make me come back.
(3)
Julia C.
Was a little afraid to try it after reading reviews mentioning high prices, rude service, and possible food poisoning! But we were hankering for Indian so we took a chance and boy were we rewarded. It was so good I felt I had to post this review to counteract the complaints. The seater/waiter guy was courteous and very helpful with menu choices, the food was excellent, waitstaff polite and prompt. I ate everything, from the free nan and raita to the dressed lettuce shreds and skewered veggies that garnished the rice and lentil sauce plate. We ordered samosas and two veg entrees, an eggplant tomato onion dish and Mattar panir. Plus a glass of reisling and aloo nan. Tongue tingling-ly Delicious, all of it. We wanted to order dessert but were too stuffed to eat any more. Yes, it's not dirt cheap like so much of the eats in sobe, but this is worth it if you are an Indian food appreciator.
(5)
Rahul p.
food was not bad, bit $$$ but everything is $$$ in south beach. Nothing really especial about the food here, but still worth visiting if you are in the area.
(3)
Monica B.
Amazing food, especially given how few Indian restaurants (and even fewer good ones) there are in Miami. Catering to locals and repeat business rather than tourists, the prices are reasonable and the staff greet a surprising number of patrons by name. The intimate, slightly mod atmosphere makes it great for a casual, loungy night. Not a hole-in-the-wall, but not pretentious and over the top (c.f. Quattro) either. Definitely a hidden local gem.
(5)
Frank E.
Food was good, wait staff was nice... Prices were waaaayyyyyy too high and they charge you for EVERYTHING... definitely will not be returning...
(1)
Raj M.
Not a terrible place, but the food was barely Indian. Maybe it was an off night...? The food was not spicy even though we asked for it. The service, the simple ambiance is the only reason I gave it two stars. If you want to impress a date or clients in SoBe go to Ishq instead.
(2)
Jane L.
All I can say is try their BUTTER CHICKEN (sounds gross I know, but it is SUPERB), and you will rue the day when you dissed Guru.
(5)
Johnnie M.
UGH i have this friend who thinks he is genius or something and always picks these super "great" locations that he wants to take everyone else to eat and by take us he doesn't pay... the food here is alright i guess but the kitchen is kind of slow the ambiance is lame not intimate, its LAME. ummm yeah man sorry but paying the same for a vegetarian dish and a chicken dish is not awesome either. my friend is an idiot.
(1)
Joseluis A.
25$ for lentils and a beer. no naan bread with your meal. way overpriced. i dont think ill ever go back again unless they have a 75% off sale event. sorry fufu fine indian...
(1)
Sameer A.
very mediocre. slightly overpriced, i suppose b/c its in sobe. there aren't many options of indian in the miami area. if u r in the mood for indian in sobe, give it a try. anyways, the food. rice was mediocre, more stylistic than tasty. the chicken tikka masala was ok, the chicken was good but the sauce was nothing special. the portion are barely adequate, i would prefer if they were slightly larger.
(3)
ruchi l.
this restaurant spoilt my mood on this 3 day trip to miami. went to the restaurant with a few friends ..the waiter was rude, not alert, answered back loud when asked something. we placed the order and it took him 55 mins to server us rice and then he said .." sorry the tandoor is not working"..so wat was he doing all that while. most of the food ordered was 80% on tandoor and it was pointless eating food there.. on canceling the order as it wasn't ready and not told to us earlier.. he snapped at us ..yelled at his chef in the kitchen and he showed ridiculous amount of attitude and ego infront of all the customers.. will nev go there again ..it was a waste of almost 1 hr to sit thr and not be attended ..
(1)
Noah D.
Some of the other reviewers seem way of base. The food was incredible and terrific service. First off, a great samosa dish, incredibly presented like a top top restuarant. Great chutneys- mint was not spicy, but very good. Lamb vindaloo was the highlight. Incredible. Not chewy, great sauce that was spicy and the kind great with rice. Wife had okra dish, also terrific. It is picey, $50 for two and no drinks. But compared to what is around, and being high quality and great presentation, it is a great find.
(5)
Indian T.
food was good, very little space...can accommodate 15 tables. nice presentation of food, that i liked it. Place is very dark and waiters are in rush for something so they have less time to understand what people want. 1 Chat, 1 Dal Makhni, 2 Nan :- 40$ Gratuity is included in the bill.
(3)
russ h.
Decent Indian food. A little over priced - even by south beach standards. Good service.
(3)
Robert I.
Great food. Not much more to say. One of the bests. For all the people who don't think its authentic. The fricking guy is from india. What do you want? Your cheep 6 bucks buffet?
(5)
Jessie H.
The food here was really good. I think the problem is that it is expensive -but this is south beach people! The restaurant is small. The owner is very nice!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : 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.
Becky P.
I would give this place 5 stars but the night we went they were Short staffed and everything was rushed and we had to wait forever to get our food. With that said, the food was scrumptious amazingly flavourful and not bad for the price. I thought automatically charging a high % gratuity for the service we received excessive although the quality of the food and the laid back decor almost made me forget about it.
(4)Himanshu H.
Strict no go ... Super expensive and quantity for the price is too low They ate charging gratuity at 17 % without consent. Bad services
(1)Joydeep G.
Do NOT go to this restaurant. The food was really bad and expensive. Did not like at all.
(1)Daniel C.
It's not easy to find good Indian or Asian food in Miami. This place, however, is a winner. It's a small, intimate restaurant. They probably have about 10 tables, max. There is a bar with a few stools, and they serve wine at said bar. I've been here many times. It's lovely when you can be seated right away, but it's not that comfortable of a place to stand or sit and wait, especially if there are others at the small bar. Fortunately, I've only had to wait for a table once. Once seated, their entire menu is fantastic. I've eaten many of their items, and I've loved them all. A few recommendations: mango lassi, Indian chaat, pakoras, onion bhaji, matter paneer, and channa masala. The chaat is crispy and delicious with amazing sauces. The lassi is one of the best I've had. Their paneer os also flavorful and excellent. Why not 5 stars? I think their food is a little pricey for Indian food. I also think they could step up their service and ensure their staff is more knowledgable about the menu. It's a small restaurant, and while I wish it were bigger, they're working in the confines of Sobe. Definitely a place I go to often and bring out of town guests to, for a hidden gem in sobe.
(4)Bhumika K.
My friends and I were looking for a nice India restaurant around Ocean Drive. The best part of the restaurant was location. The food was Good, we ordered Paneer Makhani and Dal Tadka Fry. Garlic naan and Butter Naan was really fresh. Spinach Pakoda was okay (except for the fact that there was no salt) If I have to rate the place based on food then I would give 3 star, but the service was pathetic. It was way under staffed! Being at the very busy location the management need to makes some serious changes and improvements. Take away: Okay food, okay ambience and poor service
(3)Sally W.
Wow - is my general experience here. Going off a hotel concierge recommendation at the Ritz my fiancé and I visited on the last night of our vacation. The food was delicious - down to the starters and the dessert. The menu was accommodating to my vegetarian diet as well as to my fiancé's carnivore diet who had the lamb. All was fantastic. For SoBe this is a "local" spot with great food and service and non-exorbitant pricing. Owner was our server and he a great!! Check this place out!!
(5)Alyssa J.
We love Indian and go to the few Miami favorites often (off the beach) Have tried all the places in SoBe and none wowed us (one is gone, the other is on Washington and is ok but worth a 15 min drive elsewhere.) Finally got a chance to try Guru and glad we did. Small, simple but charming place on the beach, dim atmosphere which we like and the service was great (saw some comments that say the opposite - the place had 3 total tables occupied when we went, maybe it changes if full?) Server was great and recommended a good alternative / kept checking on us. Both entrees we had were yummy - cooked perfectly, great flavor, a tiny bit spicy when it was supposed to be "mild" but that's the nature of the food so no big deal - just be aware if you are sensitive to it. Little apps and breads were GREAT - naan perfectly cooked which is an easy thing to mess up. Price a bit high for the small portions but the sauces are rich and we both left relatively full. ($17 or so for about 6 small chunks of chicken in sauce with rice.) Beefing up the portions or offering some dinner specials (with an app, bread, whatever) would make sense and probably fill the spot with more locals more frequently. Will be back - but not quite as often as the top spots a little further away (Bengal, Bombay etc).
(4)Prasant B.
Ambience Ok, but great presentation. Limited awry but great in taste. Slightly expensive but deserts like Ras malai were great
(3)Rohit N.
Awesome food and equally awesome service. Decor needs some uplift and one more server would help. It was one meal that I and my parents enjoyed the most during our vacation. Keep up the good work.
(4)Gautam K.
The staff are very kind and hence the 2 star. The food is bad and small quantity for the price you pay, took forever to get our order and no refills on soft drinks. Terrible experience.
(2)Maria G.
Love the food. Best Indian food I've had. Always fresh. I have been going here for years and it is always up to standard. The dessert is made there as well. The owner is always so welcoming and friendly. They have great hours too so that helps specially in the south beach area.
(5)Jay S.
Always trust the dj food is great its not cheap but i love the food
(5)L C.
The food was great, really delicious and reasonably priced. HOWEVER! We were a party of two, and one of maybe 3 parties in the whole restaurant. When the bill came we paid it and tipped 20%. It wasn't until after I looked at the bill that I saw gratuity was already added. We were never informed about that and tipped additionally on top of the automatic gratuity. I understand the restaurant was bare and the server probably doesn't make much, but it should not fall on the patron to make up for that. Especially when they didn't advise us about the gratuity. We will never come back!
(1)Manasi B.
GOOD FOOD.....BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE The food was delicious no doubt about that. Wondering why I gave just one star??? The service was very bad, the waitress was just awe full, the ambience was very gloomy as well as claustrophobic and is not at all kids friendly We were visiting there on 28th November 2014, and we were with a baby There were only two servers/hosts that night a waiter and a waitress They didn't have the high chairs so we had to sit the baby in the pram itself which made the baby very uncomfortable, due to the discomfort when the baby would move a little bit or make even a bit of a noise waitress would just come running and yell "sushhh" with a creepy smile, she was vry rude and arrogant This happened a couple of times and made our dining experience so uncomfortable that we had to leave without finishing our dinner But I should also mention that the waiter that night was very nice, he did everything he could to help us, but he was very busy since it looked like he was the only one holding the fort down
(1)Zeel S.
One of two indian restaurants on the beach- the better one but still highly OK. They serve a complimentary naan appetizer which was good. The paneer was very poor quality. Good service for the price.
(3)Phil R.
Good Indian food has been hard to find in Miami, that being said I've been here a few times. The food is consistently good, portions are average and flavor is usually good. However the service is absolutely horrible, it starts with who I assume is the Hostess/Manager/ Waitress. I'm not sure exactly what she does but make the dinning experience feel awkward, but it is SoBe... Your bill will have gratuity added for you at 17%, some obscure number. Who comes up with that number? The industry standard tip is 15%, 18% or 20%...I'm insulted they do it and the service does not warrant it so I don't add any additional tip. But the problem is it's hard to find good Indian food in Miami...
(3)E M.
I can't tell you how happy I am that Guru exists here in South Beach. I've had Indian food in all different parts of the country (a lot when I used to live in Boston, but also Washington DC, San Francisco, NYC, etc.). Guru's food ranks among the very best. I say that first (along with my 5 star rating) because good food typically gets a bad rating in South Beach due to service. The service here is typical of South Beach... so no local would rate them poorly for service. It's the visitors from places like NYC (where service happens lightning fast) that get annoyed. The service has always been friendly, considerate and reasonable... I would say better than your average South Beach venue, but still slower than a place like NYC. As far as atmosphere goes, it's a very quiet, simple, subdued restaurant... nothing flashy and very quiet. If you're going to Guru, it's because you want Indian food and you're not expecting a laser show and a performer juggling flaming swords. Just sayin'... Best of all -- I just found out they deliver, so I will *definitely* be ordering from here regularly.
(5)Rohit K.
very bad service.. was served food after like 40 mins. Food tastes good but inefficient service just took the taste away. Ambience excellent and menu is well priced!!
(1)Edison F.
Excellent restaurant. Everything that we ordered was fantastic. I recommend this restaurant to friends often. They always enjoy it.
(5)Collene S.
This is the place to go if you want food with authentic Indian flavor. The menu is vast and the staff are willing to explain the menu and offer great ideas. Great for couples too, lamb chops are not too strong nor too dull in flavor, with Indian spices they have a semi spicy flavor that melts in your mouth it is a great appetizer.
(5)Beth G.
We used to be regulars of guru. We have a small child and primarily rely on takeout/delivery. Last two times we tried to order we were told they were too busy to do takeout or delivery. Management seems to not understand that reliability for regular customers is critical to maintain a successful business. Will look for an alternative Indian mainstay on the beach.
(2)Ana L.
Visiting from out of town, we really craved some yummy Indian dishes. I don't even know how we found this place, but I'm glad we did. First, the food - we are vegetarian, so that limits our options down to 2 or 3... Not in this place! We got samosas to start with (those were superb!) and a couple curries with some naan. All tasted good and our tummies were happy :) Now, about the service. We walked in and, even though the place was small and there were only a couple tables there, nobody greeted us for a good few minutes. It was awkward just standing in the middle of the floor waiting for someone to acknowledge our presence. Our waitress was very pleasant, but, alas, when we needed our waters refilled and some salt, she was nowhere to be found (thankfully, there was a young man helping a table close to ours, and he was happy to assist us). Bottom line, come for good food, if you are not in a rush and don't mind that the service is lacking.
(3)Rajan G.
Being from India I can tell you guys, this place sucks!! Unfortunately this is one of the famous Indian food places in SoBe (because there isn't enough competition). To be honest, I have been to a very few Indian restaurants in US that are this bad. To name a few of the issues: 1. The manager/server is probably one of the rudest and arrogant persons I have met at any of the Indian restaurants. When asked if they serve a specific type of Indian bread (Missi roti), his answer was "the menu is in front of you. If it's not in there then we don't serve it" 2. Decor is a joke. It's dark, gloomy and depressing to sit inside. 3. Everything is dirty, I mean everything. 4. More importantly, the food is really bad. There are no authentic flavors in it, either too spicy or completely bland. 5. Way too over priced. I wouldn't even pay half of what they are asking for this shitty food. My advise: drive a little extra, do some more research to find better Indian food places in Miami (e.g. Bombay darbar and no, I don't own or work for them). There are a few good options for descent Indian food in Miami and Guru is definitely not one of them.
(1)Ashwin K.
Pretty much everything about this place sucks big time!! To name a few 1. The waitress was downright rude and indifferent!! She forgot to refill our drinks even after being asked for it multiple times . 2 . Highlights includes uncooked food and be wary of asking for spicy food ( you'll just get a dish with chilli powder added to it and no care taken to balance the taste with salt) 3. We had to wait for an hour and 15 mins before the appetizers were served of which , onion bhajjia was uncooked which we had to return back . They gave us a complimentary spinach bhajjia which was edible but was soaked horribly in oil . Chicken tikka masala was decent . Indian chaat was horrible ( couldn't even break the poori and was un chewable ) 4. Plates were not cleaned properly 5. Madras chicken curry was totally off . The chicken tasted too old . But the best dish was paneer makkani. The dish was grossly undercooked . Horribly stuffed with raw chili flakes with no salt . Portion size was also inadequate for any one person in our group of 5 most of whom are pretty lean eaters . 6. When addressed with the quality of food we were given the reply that they were unable to handle the crowd at that time and this is not usual while I see many yelp reviews reflecting pieces of our experience . Avoid this restaurant especially if you are hungry!!! One star only to submit the review to yelp ! Tip: take your own salt and pepper if you are used to good indian food !
(1)Rachel S.
Guru is understated; one of those hidden gems on a sidestreet in heavily touristed South Beach.. As Laura Jill said, it's perfect for a vegan/omnivore date. We shared the appetizers: Masala Papadam, and Vegetable Samosas. Both were delicious, fresh, with just the right amount of spice and flavor. He ordered the Beef Tomato Curry which he loved. I had the Madras Vegetables. I loved it too and wish I could have finished it, but the food was so filling. The service was attentive and the atmosphere was quiet and calm.
(5)N V.
A group of us went here for dinner on new year's. It is a shady dirty looking restaurant but the food was decent. The vegetarian appetizers were quite tasty. The main course was average. What was absolutely irritating was the service. It was unbelievable that the host and the waiters were confidently incompetent. It took us 3 hours to finish the whole meal. They don't give you plates or water or cutlery until you ask for it! They won't even take the order unless you remind them to attend to you. The highlight was when they tried to clean the table clumsily with a paper napkin even before we could get up and leave. Even though the food was decent, everything else made this a really bad experience.
(2)Scarlett W.
I am sorry to say it was not very good. Maybe it was an off night, but my chicken korma was pretty flavorless, and the chicken was dry. the breads were good and the little amuse bouche lentil soup was good. the prices are also reasonable for south beach, which is pretty expensive area. the staff were nice, not overly so. i think you can find better restaurants in south beach and certainly better indian food in miami.
(2)Gary B.
I was in Miami with my wife we ordered from this place. I picked up the phone to call few Indian restaurants no one answered this is the only place that picked up the phone and the guy who You took my order (Sushil ) was very helpful. He told us it will take 45 mins to my hotel as I was at Fountain bleu & the food came in 30 mins. I told them to make spicy as I like spicy food & they made jus the want it.... So I will definitely recommend this place.
(5)Swathi A.
Excellent food... Starting with the masala papad in starters to rasmalai in deserts.. Everything will awesome.. And the service was very amicable .. Fairly priced... Must go!!!
(4)Ashish G.
Don't go to this place not due to food but the manager of this place. Its a cramped place and it seemed the place had some waiting today, and when i provided my name and number the manager very unfriendly manner said come after 10. I was. There at 8 pm. The attitude was very bad and seemed looking at customers even it seemed they had been waiting for hourssss. Man so as per manager this small place dont deserve a 2 hr wait....... I went to THALI restaurant near by which has far better environment ... And staff is amazing ... Go to Thali few blocks away avoid this place ...
(1)Adam C.
Fantastic food, great venue, wonderful service. The only challenge was that the restaurant has the potential to become very loud when full.
(4)Hakim W.
Great service, good food, lovely ambience. I would definitely recommend this place and I would return.
(4)Harika P.
Decent food with great ambience. It is on the pricy side but the ambience and the service calls for it. It can get quite busy so plan to get their earlier in the night.
(3)Bettina A.
We're giving it five stars even though it isn't fancy, high end restaurant. Because Guru definitely deserves much more than the 3 stars that almost caused us not to come here. So much so that I am typing this as they clear our plates and I don't often review restaurants. The food was delicious, presentation was really nice and the service is casual and very well timed. Absolutely great little neighborhood find. We had the tandoori broccoli, delicious! The plates weren't over or under sauced. Not too much over sweetening of the dishes. The lamb vindaloo was hot but just enough and the naan was both crispy and fluffy. Delicious!
(5)Ruzbeh G.
SECOND VISIT OCT 2012 wow what an absolutely awful second experience. Not sure if the management has changed here but the food was buffet level or worse. Took almost an hour to get our order. Not returning. Leaving one star up there since the first visit was great - maybe they will fix the problem. FIRST VISIT We are in SB for business several times a year - and its usually very hit or miss with the abundance of tourist traps - and the autograt can be an unpleasant surprise the first time you experience it. We stopped in here late Friday night on a recommendation from a local - and we are a group of overly picky Indian's who almost never like the type of food served at Indian restaurants. We all ordered vegetarian family style and the food was nothing short of amazing - daal makhni, palak paneer, eggplant, samosas, naan - we thoroughly enjoyed the authentic homecooked style of the food. We did have to wait quite a while for it but it was more than worth it. One of the owners was present and we asked for him at our table to complement the food- something we rarely do. I hope it wasn't just a fluke - this restaurant is underrated on Yelp - we will be back many more times so I hope the standard remains and I can't wait to try the meat dishes next time. Would have given five stars but the paneer was slightly dry.
(2)Laura Jill S.
I've met many a match.com first (and last) date at Guru. Indian food is a nice common ground for a vegan-omnivore first date, and Guru is dark and cozy, so it's perfect. The service is pretty good for South Beach. Actually, I really like some of the guys that work there. They got to know me when I was match.com'ing, and used to rate the guys I met behind their backs. Is that terrible? I kinda loved it. The food is excellent and very vegan friendly. For an appetizer, I always get the samosas (so much yum). And for the main course, there's a whole vegetarian section on the menu (about 1/2 of which is vegan, just ask, they know what vegans eat). I always get the channa masala. I love it with their rice and their roti. It's nice and spicy! I wish I was eating it right now. It IS a bit pricy, but in my opinion, it's worth it.
(5)Khaled A.
If you care about the quality of service DON'T GO! Food is good but not the best
(1)Christina S.
I use to go to another place, but after deciding to try something new, I believe this may be my new go-to Indian restaurant. The food is pretty good and the prices were less than the other spot by far (bonus). I got the cheese naan, it was good. Lots of cheese if you like that kind of thing. Hyderbadi lamb byriani, which was delicious! Nice and full of rich spices like I like it. The rice was cooked in with the lamb already so it was pretty flavorful and full of yummy spice! Also I tried the jalapeño cilantro crab cakes. They were good, I probably won't repeat but they were tasty, kind of heavy, and the sauce went well with them. All in all, very good spot and I'll be back.
(4)Elle B.
For Earl and Janet, nothing pairs with bikinis better than Indian food, and this place is top notch. We've eaten dinner here twice and it is our go-to in South Beach, where everything else along Collins Ave. and Ocean Drive is too touristy for Janet's taste (although Earl loves to put on a Hawaiian shirt and drink fishbowl margaritas). The atmosphere is dark and romantic. The tandoori broccoli was drool-worthy and perfectly seasoned, the sag paneer was close to the top if not the best we've ever had (and you can be sure Earl and Janet have had A LOT of saag paneer), the raita was tangy and sweet - perfectly balanced, and the vegetarian eggplant dish with potatoes was tasty too. Janet wanted to bring leftovers home for the cats, but Earl ate every last bite. We only deducted a star because Earl did think it was very pricey, but considering their location right around the corner from Ocean Drive it's no surprise that they charge a few extra dollars per dish to pay the rent. Wine was actually priced very reasonably compared to other restaurants nearby. The manager on duty was a friendly Peruvian man who was definitely concerned about making our experience a good one, and we have no complaints about the service. Regarding other reviewers complaints about the 15% automatic chip charge, yeah, it's annoying, but we were surrounded by European tourists, who often do not add tip because it's usually included where they're from. Guru should be clearer about the tip being included, but we understand why they do it. The location allows for a nice post-meal people-watching walk along Ocean Drive (Janet just can't believe the height of those womens' heels!) Sincerely, Earl and Janet
(4)saurabh S.
You would probably end up eating here with the hopes of finding some decent vegetarian food in SoBe. My advice would be to hit the Mediterranean places rather than this one. This place gives Indian food a bad name. Plus it is so overpriced. Just see how many people go here and you will know if you should go in. Also they charge a 15% tip without asking. Even for buffet. I made them refund it through my credit card. For the principle, it was a lot of effort for $4.
(2)Bernard Francis K.
Food was good. One plate was cold but otherwise the dishes were nice. Service was a bit slow otherwise it would be a 4.
(3)Estefania B.
This place deserves a five star review. The delicious food in accompany with my boyfriend, made this delightfully moment amazing. The service, the ambient, the decoration, the FOOD!! The menu has an extended list of vegetarian options, which I like. The place is very nice. It is a perfect size restaurant, not too big and not too small and the tables are spacious and big enough. Each table has a little Crystal pot with a nice plant which gives the restaurant a modern touch. It has boot tables and it also has wooden benches with Indian style cushions. It is stylish, modern, yet it has a moderate oriental/rustic look. Background music and the volume is perfect for chatting. You don't' have to be screaming or asking "what did you say?" Perfect for a date. Starting with the service...we were sitted and immediately were given the menus and water was brought to our table. The person knew the menu and recommended many dishes, based on our needs, which I really like. The people who work there are very very nice and friendly. Fast service, and always making sure that you have everything you need to have an enjoyable moment (water, extra sauces, napkins, etc.). The food is delicious!!! Fresh and very tasty! The mix of spices and flavors makes the food flavorful, and the textures are interesting. Some are crunchy and some are neutral which enhances the flavor of the sauces. This is the first time in a very long time that I truly enjoyed my food. Well served, well presented, very gourme. For appetizers we had: -Curried Jalapenos Crab Cakes with curry spiced cakes. -Indian Chaat. This is made of crispy Indian wafers, lentil dumplings, chick peas, cilantro and homemade dips. -Vegetable Samosa. This is made of cumined potatoes and vegetables enveloped in crumbly pastry. Entree: -Saag Paneer which comes with rice, a little lentil soup and some apples. The Saag Paneer is made of spinach, greens & home made paneer (cottage cheese). This dish is very tasty and flavorful. I found it a little greasy. However, the grease did not beat the flavor, the texture and the flavor of the dish. Desert (which was complimentary from the house): Gulab Jamun. Its golden honey and saffron milk flavored with dumplings. It is worth the price. The bill came to around 57. My sincere congratulation to the person who made this restaurant possible. Enjoy!
(5)Prashantha U.
Very authentic indian food at most unexpected place. Simple ambience and very nice and friendly staff!!
(4)H. Deborah S.
I usually don't give bad reviews because I spend a lot of time researching the places I go to, however this time I didn't. Boy do I wish I had...it could have saved me a lot of time and aggravation. It was a Thursday night, not too many tables occupied, great...thought we'd get in and out in a flash. Not so. The food wasn't bad, it wasn't that great either. Kind of like stylized Indian food...fancy Indian...fancy plated Indian food. Would I go back. Yes, if it was the only Indian food available. The prices were relatively high for this type of food, but I chalked it up to being on South Beach.
(2)KJ M.
VEGAN REVIEW Food was nice, although portions were small. Service was very good -- the problem with water glasses noted by previous reviewers was definitely not an issue. Four stars easy for quality of food, ambiance, and service, but -1 for price. My favorite part? Extra-fancy plating, super-friendly service, and small potted plants at each table... Plus a clear vegan-friendly set of Indian dishes.
(3)Zain D.
The samosas were good (very large and served with zesty chutneys) but the crab cakes were just amazing. Very light in texture and extremely bold in flavor. Never had crab cakes that were vegetarian or Indian before coming here. It's a pricey joint but the food and service are well worth it. It's also in a great pedestrian area so you can look at the amazingly well-kept beach bodies while you walk off the massive feast you just downed.
(4)Jo L.
Guru is a tranquil oasis of great Indian food, amidst the craziness of South Beach. I returned to Guru with a vegan friend so we enjoyed all vegan entrees this time, an eggplant and potato dish and also a spinach dish. We loved the little cups of lentil soup that are customary. The presentation is nice. Unlike other Indian places, we were not asked about the desired spiciness level , but everything came out perfect to our palate. Yes, it's more expensive than other Indian restaurants, but you are on South Beach.
(4)V J.
* Is this a place which believes in "Drink Beer, Save Water" ? My first 40 minutes in the restaurant made me wonder so... * I wanted to give this place a 4 star, but a poor service made me give it a 3. After doing some sunbathing, jet skiing, para-sailing & walking some 20 blocks in about 90 degrees, we were hungry and thirsty as hell (Damn, the blocks are much longer than those of Manhattan). Now while skimming the menu, we expected the waitress to bring us atleast 1 glass of water. We waited for about 30-40 minutes and had to ask for it thrice. * Neways, we started with tangy Indian chaat (which essentially was dahi vada), followed by Chicken tikka masala & Kadhai veggies with garlic naan. The total bill was close to some 60 bucks. We left the place happy happy. Homework for readers: Q: What numbers/digits did u notice in the above review? [ Correct answers get free xoxo ]
(3)Shiv H.
Good food.. Definitely better than its avg rating of 3. Ordered tandoori chicken tikka, amritsari machhi masala & veg biryani. Portions were good. Price is little more than other Indian restaurants elsewhere but so are others on south beach. Definitely worth a try when on south beach.
(4)Pratik M.
Guru has very average Indian food, probably relative to the other ones it might be good but it was by far on the lower scale of Indian restaurants I have eaten at. The service is SO SLOW and its incredibly expensive for the quality and ambiance of the place. The management seems to be more interested in its take out customers, which it has a lot of.. this makes the service terrible. The staff seems disinterested and the food was extremely oily. Would not recommend going there unless you are really desperate for Indian food.
(2)Mit P.
Most of the things I wrote in the previous review still hold. I think the quality of the chicken they use in the tikka masala is better. It's all chicken breast and it seems good quality. However the chicken was still overcooked/dry and the sauce just tasted odd - bit too sweet and too oily. And the naan is a bit chewy as opposed to thin and crispy or light and fluffy which are the two best ways to make it. One plus though is that they now do delivery within South Beach and since there aren't any other Indian places that do delivery - this is a big plus.
(3)Eve C.
Indian food is hard to come by in Miami, particularly on the beach. Guru's been around for a while, but I only recently had the opportunity to stop in for dinner. Yes it's pricey, but so are most Indian restaurants in Miami; but it's worth it for a delicious splurge every once in a blue moon. My friends and I popped in on a weeknight around 9pm, and the place was pretty crowded. It's a lot smaller inside than I'd imagined, so if they're busy, I'd expect a wait for a table. The menu has a good selection of various appetizers (veggie samosas, cheese pakora, papadum, etc.). The entrees are broken down by choice of meat, with lamb, chicken, seafood (fish and shellfish), and veggie selections. We started with veggie samosas and the cheese pakora. Both were very tasty. However, a spoon to serve up some of the dishing sauce would've been a nice touch, and avoided some messy spills. For entrees, we split the lamb vindaloo (spicy and delicious), the fish curry (probably the best dish of the night), and the dal mahkni (very creamy, but tasty). Each of our plates came already loaded with basmati rice, and also a little skewer of fruit and veggies - a little strange, but an interesting touch. We ordered some regular ole butter naan to accompany as well. Everything was great, and our selections were more than enough for the 3 of us. I opted for a mango lassi, which was great to cool my palate after the heat of the lamb vindaloo. They also serve Kingfisher, which is a great boozy alternative to the lassi. I was pretty impressed with Guru, and despite the price tag, I can definitely see myself returning (or ordering takeout) to satiate my Indian food craving.
(4)Stacy S.
A few years ago, I used to occasionally eat at Guru. It was close to my former apartment and it used to be decent. I returned tonight after a five year hiatus. I just wasn't good. It was greasy (butter chicken). old basmati rice, and the naan tastes as if it had been microwaved (besides not tasting fresh). Go at your own risk. I must lie down now...
(2)Andrew S.
Yeah, so it's hard to find good Indian in Miami... Exorbitant Prices? Are you NUTS? Relatively, people, this place is such a 'bang for your buck'. The ambiance, the quality and presentation... plus the food, makes it worth the $15 per entree. Appetizers are perHAPS 1.2-2x the price of cheaper indian in other areas (LA, New York), but we are in Miami Beach, on 12th street, two blocks from Ocean Drive... so, leaving with $30 per person, stuffed, is a good thing. So the Vindaloo was excellent... fruitier than other Indian restaurants I've eaten at in Boston, London and Beijing, but nonetheless good. The Chicken Curry was ehhh... The samosas were delicious, and well plated. The raita was pretty good, a little runny but had the right flavor profile. The wines were well matched, (riesling goes really well with Indian Food, due to the fruity nature that complements the curries). Overall, I would say I will be coming back once-twice a month, now that I live on the beach.
(4)JennyLee M.
I actually ended up here after learning Kafa Café closed (really, Sheeba and now this?!) - I was craving something yummy, spicy and out of the norm. So since Ethiopian was to no avail, Indian was my next choice. Thanks to Yelp! mobile I located this spot, totally forgot about it and chances are you've driven by a million times also. (Yes, Ishq is down the street but I'm not a fan after receiving really poor service and not such great food but that's a different review.) OK - let's starts with the actual place, small, quaint and romantic. There was just one table available when we got there, lucky us but even with the restaurant being full - it wasn't so stuffy that we had to overhear annoying conversation. As appetizers, we had the Indian Lentil Chat (cold small plate) and the Curried Crab Cakes with Jalapenño sauce. I loved the twist on the traditional crab cakes, they were exceptionally good. Lentil Chat was yummy too but I'm not a fan of cold appetizers. I had the Channa Masala, chickpea and potato in spices (huge vegetarian selection!) and my husband has the Nilgiri Korma, beef in curry, coconut milk sauce. Both come with a vegetable skewer and rice. The portions were generous and I can't wait to have my second half for lunch today! We accompanied the meal with garlic naan and cheese naan, both great. I loved the garlic nan! We didn't order desert but the wait brought us a comp dessert (really?!) called Gulab Jamun and it was perfect, vanilla ice cream with whip cream and the actual Gulab Jamun which are warm milk balls in sweet syrup, very tasty. The service was on point! I mean, if my iced tea was close to the half way point, they were already refilling. We felt like we had the wait staff to ourselves. Honestly, I have no complaints at all - the food was very tasty, nicely plated and fresh. We spent $80 for two appetizers, two generous entrees, two additional sides (the naan bread isn't included) and got a comp dessert. It's a great deal, good value, white-glove service minus the white-gloves and yummy food! I say - go for it! So 5 stars because of it's great value! As for lunch, from the looks of the prices the Mon-Fri lunch menu is a deal! $5 entrees?! That's better than a footlong. Too bad I work on Brickell Key. Gotta run... I have to go heat up last night's Guru leftovers and my mouth is watering! ;)
(5)Nance H.
We dined here and the food was good. However, once the check came, BAM, they charge you a 18% gratuity for two people. TWO people. What was this greedy owner thinking? Yes, he wants your money, lots of it. I crossed it out and added my own tip. The owner came back and BAM, he added my own tip AND the 18% tip I crossed out. This shady owner is deceiving, should be shut down for his unethical ways. SHAME ON HIM!
(1)Shibei R.
I am a big fan of Guru. A great trendy spot for a romantic dinner or to impress friends. The food was amazing. The samosa was delicious, the best I have ever had. The fish marsala was heaven. The only down side was the ambiance. Lighting was a bit too dark for my taste.
(4)Victoria L.
Average experience, nothing to write home about. The atmosphere is somewhat romantic with dim lights and small space. They really make the most of their space in that sense. Service is slow. At the time we went, there was only one guy who greeted, took orders and also took telephone calls for take outs. There also were two food runners, but they did not help the speed. The food is ok. I have had better Indian food in Miami. The lamb we ordered was not tender and the chicken was just ok. I think the prices are inflated for the portion size you get.
(3)Kulbir S.
Surprisingly overrated...perhaps by people who didn't see what they were eating! Roaches stuffed within Samosas n that's where we left within moments of ordering appetizers. The kabobs were stale and whatever lill we had by then led to a major stomach bug for my entire family. Will NEVER return to this place again!!! And to top it, the host was rude n in denial towards our feedback. Maybe he needs to see other Indian n Mediterranean places around which are warm in hospitality n clean in what they serve!
(1)Vis G.
The food was quite pricey. The appetizers weren't so appetizing. The main course was decent . The mumbai Masala curry was excellent. The ambience is quite noisy.
(3)Sharon W.
I attended a party last month and the host served food from Guru. So, my review is based solely on the take away food. It was excellent. I don't remember exactly what was served as I had not seen the menu, but there was a curry shrimp, a lentil dish, basmati rice and bread. Possibly some veggies. All I remember was that I had two enormous platefuls because it was delicious! Host said that the pick up was a breeze as well.
(4)Bao N.
I went here when my sister was in town and it was my 2nd time. It was busy but it didn't take us too long to get a table. It was a cozy place. We ordered a few different dishes and they were good. My Indian friends are not the biggest fan of Guru and we've tried many. Mint leaf is also decent but nothing has is really riveting around here but I did enjoy eating here. The only thing is that I did have the worst stomach ache later on that night... but that happens to me when I eat Inidan food. Not the best choice for going on a date and maybe I should quit eating Indian food but I love it sooo much! HA!
(3)Aman S.
The food was really good here, but the portions were a tad bit too small. My family from India approved this place as the best indian food in miami so far. I enjoyed it as well. They only serve beer and wine though.
(4)Christine K.
After reviewing Guru in April of 2010 I have returned three times and the food has been excellent each time. One of my new must haves is the Chicken Tikka appetizer, the tandoori roasted chicken breast chunks come out juicy and perfectly cooked each and every time. Complimentary Masala Nan that always comes with a little raita to dip into is always delicious. Both fish curries I have tried have been very good, and the Mattar Paneer is just as delicious as it was the first time I had it. The staff is friendly, but I do have one beef with the waiter, he kept interrupting the conversation we were having, over and over again, to ask if he could remove plates, often we were not quite done with them. It became highly annoying because of the frequency of the interruptions. Step back and let people enjoy their food and conversations, the plates can wait... One thing I miss a little here is ambiance, it does not feel like an Indian restaurant at all, some Indian music and some touches of color in the decor would make the place feel more cozy. I am not lowering my star rating because of the above minor issues, because the food is the star here, it does not disappoint. Another very nice touch is the fact that dessert is always graciously offered for free at the end of the meal, it changes from time to time, so we have got to try a few different things so far.
(5)Michelle C.
I love Indian food, it is my all time favorite and living on the Beach would love to have somewere to go for some good food. This however is not it. When there one night with a friend asked to sit in one of the tables against the wall. Was told no that was for larger parties. Well whille we were there they sat 2 other parties of 2. So customer friendly they are not !!!
(1)Christine P.
This was probably one of our best meals in Florida, which doesn't say a whole lot. I wasn't completely impressed with the food in Miami and the Keys. Everything at Guru is good, but the service. Oy vei! The service is slow! And when your friend is sick, waiting and waiting, and waiting isn't fun. And it's not so cheap. It's off the main street, and very inconspicuous. We passed right by it. It's a good alternative to the obnoxiously touristy places in South Beach. And it was the first Indian restaurant I've been to that served an amuse bouche. A light and spicy lentil soup. Very nice. So yeah, if you're sick of eating Cuban food, or don't want to eat at a restaurant that uses plus-sized stemware, this is a great alternative.
(4)Usu I.
The food was very tasty but lacked slightly in service. I ordered several options to have a well rounded indian cuisine experience. Everything that I tried, I truly enjoyed. If it weren't for the owner taking the lead at some point during table service I would have left a little disappointed. At the end, I will go again!
(4)Arthur A.
I really hope this is not the place I got food poisoning from because the place does have decent food but I am pretty sure. I hate to write bad reviews but am furious that this place possibly gave me food poisoning.
(1)Paula E.
I agree with almost all of the reviews below so I'll go ahead and give it a 3.5... here is why I found myself having an impromptu lunch date here on Friday after I was done shooting a story on the beach. The place is fantastic when it comes to decor, simple but colorful. I loved that each table had an individually potted fern, they were so cute and set a really zen mood, not so much romantic as it was comfortable. Usually Indian restaurants tend to get tacky with their decor, so I appreciated the modern touch that they gave the place. Now to the food. The menu seemed pricey, but noting that we were there for lunch, it came out at about 15 bucks a head which is certainly not bad for lunch for two at the beach. The lunch special includes an individual plate with some vegetables (cucumbers and tomatoes) a yogurt sauce, a flat-bread cone and two samosas. Then you get to pick up to 3 entrees samples to share with your partner. We also had a couple of beers, garlic naan, and the jalapeno crab cakes which boosted the price up. I wouldn't really bother with the last, they lacked in flavor and weren't spicy enough for me. But all and all it was a very pleasant experience. The owner personally came to our table and greeted my date who had been there previously, then he turned around and said "I don't recognize you, is this your first time here?".... gotta love a man who knows his clientele.
(4)Katherine G.
The lunch specials here are reliably good--flavorful and just the right amount of food to fill you up while leaving barely enough room for coffee. I do agree with other reviewers who say that the atmosphere could be better. Still, when I go, I have an hour to enjoy my lunch, and the service is fairly quick, if not the most personable or charming. I have taken out-of-town friends here as well, and they tried new foods and were quite pleased. Still, would it hurt for the owner/manager or staff to thank you when you leave? That's my only sticking point as a former midwesterner who expects service with a smile. (Even after living in Miami for a couple of years--a girl can dream, right?) :)
(4)Ramesh J.
Never go again. This is too costly for the food they provide. You have to wait for at least for 45 minutes. I will never go again and never recommend.
(1)Rebecca K.
It was just.... eh. We arrived and were seated quickly by a very nice host, and our orders were taken quickly. But then we waited.... and waited... We were finally given some nan with raita, but there was a very long wait for our food after that was all eaten, including the soup my husband ordered which should have been fairly easy to bring out quickly! I had the onion baja appetizer which was tasty albeit a little mushy (underdone) in the middle, and his lentil soup was just OK - a little bland. We stuck with known entrees that we eat at many other places- makhni chicken and rogan josh lamb, both which were a bit dry and the chicken's sauce was too sweet. The portions are fairly small.
(3)Xixi D.
I am a fan of Indian cuisine and this was one of my top options to try in South Beach, with that said the experience wasn't that great. The service was bad, like most places at SoBe, and the food wasn't very good either. I would have to go back to try something different because I left disappointed with just the appetizers.
(3)Jessica P.
I haven't left a restaurant this satisfied in a long time! The food here was fantastic! My boyfriend and I ordered the Butter Chicken (my favorite) and a shrimp dish. Every dish comes with a plate of rice, a small cup of soup and a little salad. We also ordered the Naan (an Indian flatbread) which is the best I've ever had. I can't really say I know if this restaurants' food was authentic or not, but I can say that everything had amazing flavor and spice. As for the atmosphere, that is something they can work on. The service was good but the place was a little two quite and cold for me. They also serve lunch!
(4)Richard R.
I met a friend here for dinner this past Friday; it was the 3rd time I'd eaten here in about two years. The food was okay and beautifully presented, though I think I should've ordered something else. I had a spicy lamb dish, but I have to say I wasn't crazy about it. Maybe I'm just not a fan of lamb; should've ordered chicken! Hehe. What I really didn't like was that I came across a bit of fat/bone in the lamb, and that's not pleasant. I don't know if that's to be expected in lamb dishes, but I didn't enjoy that detail. More important for my review is that the service was abysmal. We were sitting for about 10 minutes without anyone approaching our table. It was the hostess who finally took our drink order. Our server was aloof and indifferent. I don't expect anyone to fawn over me, but a modicum of enthusiasm or engagement with patrons would be nice. I don't care if this is South Beach; if you are too "cool" to truly wait on people, then you should not be a server. I want to say that I am not very picky when it comes to service either, so for me to point out lackluster service is kind of a big deal.
(2)Didi M.
Went last night with some friends and had great food. As usual, the best food on SoBe are in restaurants that are NOT on the ocean. Vindaloo was not that spicy so if you want it hot, make sure you ask! Overall great food and service.
(4)Jordan N.
I had the nilgiri korma (tender beef in a rich yogurt , almond and coconut curry for $15.95). While some fellow diners thought it was good, or even better maybe than their dishes, I still was not sure if it met my match. Why? Well, I had something similar at a Thai restaurant and it blew me away there. But Guru wasn't able to do the same with this similar dish. So was the money worth it? For a gourmand that cares about food and nothing else, then no, the money was not really worth it unless if you're used to eating $15 and up dishes that don't really call to your attention. However, the experience at the restaurant was made up for by friendly staff, nice ambience, and good presentation. Additionally, the portion was good enough for one person (reasonably speaking). This isn't really the type of restaurant you should intentionally try to avoid. You can still come here and have an enjoyable and good experience. It is definitely not the best Indian in Miami, and I'm not sure if it is the best in Miami Beach. On top of that, it is really a nice place to go for a romantic gathering - you probably will get plenty of privacy as this place wasn't really packed during the normal hours for the dinner rush.
(3)Raquel E.
I went out with my friends and husband...baby-less {yay me!!} for a nice laid back dinner to Guru! My friends had been there before and loved it so I was very excited to finally go! As you walk in you see a dark, candle-lit quaint little restaurant. One of my friends referred to it as "his little hole in the wall." It's truly a hidden gem which I am sure most people do not know about. You hear the people eating their speaking amongst themselves in a low tone and its so deco. I loved the vibe. For starters we ordered: Curried Jalapinos Crab Cakes Vegetable Samosa Cheese Nan Garlic Nan I had Shrimp in Gravy and Coconut Gravy, which was AAAAAAAAAAAAA-MAZING. ! My husband had the Tandoori Chicken Tikka which is boneless chicken breast in mild spices. He loved it! I tried it and it was delish! Very moist chicken! I tried another dish from a friend. It was the Mumbai Curry Chicken which is tender chicken breast in traditional home made curry. It was also very delish. Very mild and easy to eat. Overall the experience was great and the food was very tasteful. It was also a great time with friends! Thanks J, T, M, and Y for introducing us to this great gem!
(5)Colleen L.
Yes! Indian food in South Beach! (That's 2 of the three stars.) I've lived here for a combined total of about 2 years now, and I had yet to order from Guru due to its exorbitant prices, and I was suspicious. When there's only one Indian place around, it doesn't really have anything to lose. People will go there if they want chicken tikka masala, and if they want it bad enough, they'll pay $16 a plate. Yesterday afternoon it dawned on me that the cupboards were bare, akin to old mother hubbard's cupboard. Dinner would be full of effort and most likely lack deliciousness. It was time for Guru. It was nearly 6pm when I placed the order, just around opening time for dinner at this establishment, and I was famished. My mouth watered at the thought of a smooth and spicy sauces and exotic spices combined with tender chicken and basmati rice. But in my $16 chicken tikka masala I found fairly dry clay-oven cooked tadoori chicken, and a pretty oily mild chili/tomato thick sauce. It was ready 15 minutes after I placed the order, and I think there may have been a little 'let's just use the leftover tandoori from lunch and throw some sauce on it' goin' on. Not sure, just saying the chicken was not tender, not freshly cooked steaming hot tasting. It satisfied my need for Indian, but next time I'll try the vindaloo. Something makes me think they would be more suited to this dish. Also on the menu was my favorite spinach pakora. As I've had it before, this is like flash-fried spinach leaves, like a wild medusa head. Served with a sweet brown chutney and a spicey green chili sauce, this is the only way to eat spinach. The spinach pakora turned out to be small hockey-puck shaped blocks of what appeared to be saag - balls of creamy spinach deep fried on the outside. They were squished and wet and cold in the middle and barely crisp on the outside. They did come with a chili sauce, but unfortunately it was more just a green cream with very little kick to it. And the paratha was pretty good. What else can I say. $30 got me my Indian fix for now, I could buy 6 Ethnic Gourmet Indian meals for that, and be almost as satisfied. Where's my spice at?! I think an indian restaurant with reasonable $7-10 entrees would be a hit around here, and maybe give Guru the kick in the butt they need to make sure every meal gets the attention the price deserves.
(3)Lary R.
Service is excellent!! My glass was never hafl empty. The food is fantastic! They even serve meat which i've never seen at an indian food. Recommend the cheese samosas and the papadum to begin with. My favorite is the chicken curry which comes with basmati rice and a skewer of vegetables and fruit -- i like the sweet and salty combination!! So fine by me! yummi. Dessert was on the house.
(4)Tony L.
Simply the best indian restaurant in Miami, great atmosphere, excellent food!
(4)Katie M.
I'm a bit shocked by the poor reviews for this restaurant. I was in town for business and my hotel recommended Guru. Fortunately, I disregarded the somewhat poor reviews on Yelp and checked it out. I arrived early (for Miami Beach style) at 6 PM on a Thursday night and I was the only diner for the first 30 mins or so of my meal. The waitstaff was beyond attentive--even when other diners showed up. The food presentation was gorgeous and the candlelit tables/decor was charming. Dessert = Gulab Jamun = OMG GOOD! Two glasses of wine, a comp dessert, enough food for two meals, and tons of waitstaff attention...for $49? I'll definitely be visiting Guru again. Four stars for somewhat dingy bathrooms and lamb that was slightly tough (but still delicious).
(4)Ana T.
This year alone I have gone to Guru about 5 times, and that's a lot for returning to the same restaurant for the same food. I'd like to call myself a regular now. My last visit was this week for a birthday dinner and once again, it amazed it. I like to try something new on every visit and it's excellent for any vegetarian who likes spicy food. It's rare to find vegetarian options and this place if full of them. The saag paneer is a must as well as the mataar paneer. To die for!
(4)Ryan J.
Please stay away. The cock roach on the wall shold on told me to just leave. First they give you a small 10 oz soad filled with ice for 2.40 and no refills, but they don't tell you that they just ask if you "want another sprite"? and when you get the bill you see you were charged for every refill. Dinner for 3 was 85 dollars. And they add 18% tip which was 12 dollars. And the food was just OK. Not worth 85 dollars. There are a lot of restaurants in South Beach so just advoid this one.
(1)Sheenon O.
I found guru when I first moved to the beach. By accident. Since then it has become a regular place that I get Indian. The food is fresh and light (for Indian). Always have left overs for lunch. Also their Masala Chai tea is really good.
(4)Cathy M.
I'm such a sauce lover-hence-love indian food. Guru was better than I expected after reading the other posted reviews. Under promise, over deliver I guess, right? I had the Mumbai Curry Chicken and my girlfriend had the Chiken Korma.We both had lentil soup. And when my best friend went, her and her boyfriend were given dessert on the house. The atmosphere was mellow and very clean and nice. I recommend if you want indian food and don't have enough money for "Ishq" on Ocean or enough gas for "House of India" in the Gables.
(4)Ritu M.
Its all about presentation!! I was so tired and hungry after a long drive to Miami that I decided to try this place. I am from Charlotte, NC and going by limited no. of choices there, believe me I have had Indian food much better than this over there. Coming back to Guru, the ambience was ok, food is presented well, is pricey and average tasting and yes they add 15% gratuity. I like spicy food and asked for more spicy but still this food was bland. I tried mango lassi, Indian chaat, paneer makhni, mumbai aloo and gulab jamun. Nothing was out of this world. Gulab jamun was a shame! The check and gratuity really burnt a hole in my pocket. Its my 30th birthday so I will just let it go and for rest of my vacation in my Miami, I think I will give Indian food a pass.
(2)adam a.
This was my favorite place we ate at in south beach. We were a bit unsure at first, we wanted to soak up some of the south beach atmosphere but this is tucked away on a side street just off Collins. The place was small but cozy and had a nice upscale atmosphere of its own but is still casual and comfortable. The staff was very attentive and the food came quickly and was really delicious. We ordered the samosas, chicken mahkni and lamb roganjosh curry, and some tandoori rotis. It was all very good on par with my favorite upscale Indian restaurant back home, but surprisingly cheaper - which rarely happens in south beach everything is usually more expensive.
(5)brooklyn b.
Food is pretty good. I've been spoiled by amazing Indian food and this is not amazing but if it were cheaper I'd come back. Cons- Small portions, expensive, unfriendly waitstaff.
(3)Fahad K.
The restaurant setting is quite contemporary. The presentation of the food is very impressive. Food is not great but it isn't bad either. It can do better but it's far better than other Indian restaurants in Miami. 4 stars are mostly for the looks. 2.5 for for food. The staff is courteous and will take care of your things before you ask them but they are not very friendly. The table has a small light hanging from a ceiling and it was dimmer than the others, we couldn't even see our food when we asked the waitress she just told us it's the same for all tables which is untrue. We had an appetizer, entree and veg biryani, our check came out to $81.00. Figure that.
(3)Spencer B.
The samosas, chicken tikka masala, chicken korma, and garlic naan are FANTASTIC! The some of the best Indian restaurants I have had in the US. The waiter was very attentive as well.
(5)Herminio L.
I am incredibly upset with the management of this place. I made arrangements 2 weeks in advance with a group of 8 friends to have dinner on the 31th of Dec and the OWNER, not an employee, THE OWNER, refused to honor my reservation. I cannot even beleive what would be my NYEve if I didn't call in ahead of time to confirm. This is unacceptable. I will never ever again step inside to a place that doesn't have dignity to operate as a business. Please support me -
(1)Fernando L.
Service was great..... Food excellent shrimp with coconut gravy full of aromatic Will definitely come back
(4)B. A. N.
Ok..if I could give a lower rating, I would. The interesting part is that I didn't even eat here. If it starts off bad....it will get worse. We were wise enough to cut our loses. We walked open minded into this cave-like 'hole in the wall' place trying to mask itself as a fine dining restaurant. The overly dark lighting (trying to hide the food stains and cockroaches) and over priced ridiculous menu (they charge you for basic condiments that are suppose to come with and compliment the item). We were seated to a table that overlooked the kitchen and then basically that was it. There were two mute waitresses that only stood near the kitchen touching their hair and chewing their nails. After 15 minutes we politely, (while the host/server/manager decided to take the order from another table that arrived after us first...) with menus closed and direct uncomfortable eye contact, asked if we could give them our order. They ignored us, until I spoke a bit louder. Then they uncomfortably pointed and incoherently sputtered out that the "manager/server" is the only one who could take our order. The fact that they didn't acknowledge us once, let alone when we first arrived, didn't bring us water or offer to take a drink order before our 'server' took our order was enough for me...but, my partner had more patience and insisted we give it a chance. Then the server/manager seated another table, and took another order. He gave up. Each time he took an order, he ran to his touch screen computer to punch it in, instead of taking several orders at once and asking the other staff to assist him. Zero efficiency. We decided to leave. And when we were approaching the door, only then, for the first time in over 25 minutes after seating us, did the server/host/make shift manager acknowledge us and speak. We explained simply that we were waiting too long. He then pulls a 180 on us and becomes belligerent and hostile. Puts his hand up to our faces and tells us to leave.... Enough said NOT!
(1)Sergio M.
Food was great! The service and attention from the owner was excellent; I would come back here again the next time I'm"m in the mood for Indian food.
(4)Hemang D.
Great service and excellent presentation of the food. The food tasted well and was not too greasy. I recommend the okra and the vegetarian kofta. The owner is a nice fellow and threw in some nice kulfi for 4 of us.
(4)Happy L.
I have delivery from Guru and I find the taste to be ok. At times the chicken could be bland and my opinion is solely on the chicken tikka masala or korma. However, I do like the chicken makhani, the channa masala, the pashawari nan is always fresh and nutty, the dal makani, the dal tabka and the saag paneer. I don't like the curry crab cakes or the Indian chat, neither the packing person who a couple of times has forgotten to include the rice (which is delicious!!!) forcing me to have and additional glass of wine while I wait for it.
(3)Brian M.
Great Indian food. My friend Sam took over the restaurant a few months ago for a big birthday bash and we had a great time. I had been there a few times before and the food has always been very good, the service friendly. Must get in there again some time soon.
(4)Katherine M.
Simply put, I didn't taste any love in the food here. When I think of Indian food, I recall wonderfully complex flavors and sometimes deliciously spicy food - didn't get either at Guru. In fact, the food was bland - nothing special. The decor is nice, if a bit dark. Service is good but the food seems over-priced and portions are smallish. Sorry Guru, I'm no devotee!
(2)cindy w.
Guru is the South Beach go-to place if you have an extreme curry withdrawal. It's a quiet Indian spot tucked off 12th and Collins. If you really feel the itch for a mango lassi, go here, in fact, they had cardamom and tamarind lassi if I can remember, which I thought sounded delish and unusual. The samosas were also chewy and nice. For the entrees, it was "eh." I've had better (got the chicken tikka masala) but the presentation makes it look nice. If you want OUTSTANDING Indian food in Miami, make the hike to Imlee, I swear by that place.
(3)Nastassia D.
The ambiance was great. You really felt hidden away from the south beach crowd. The food comes in decent portions, although the vegetable biryani was a bit much for me. I went with four people and it totaled 90$. That could seem expensive, but considering its on south beach and you get good portions of food, I would say its worth it.
(4)Nicholas A.
Guru is nice enough, but the ambiance and food just don't justify the price you pay. My girlfriend and I shared an order of samosas and chicken tikka masala. The food was flavorful and well presented, but not enough to make me come back.
(3)Julia C.
Was a little afraid to try it after reading reviews mentioning high prices, rude service, and possible food poisoning! But we were hankering for Indian so we took a chance and boy were we rewarded. It was so good I felt I had to post this review to counteract the complaints. The seater/waiter guy was courteous and very helpful with menu choices, the food was excellent, waitstaff polite and prompt. I ate everything, from the free nan and raita to the dressed lettuce shreds and skewered veggies that garnished the rice and lentil sauce plate. We ordered samosas and two veg entrees, an eggplant tomato onion dish and Mattar panir. Plus a glass of reisling and aloo nan. Tongue tingling-ly Delicious, all of it. We wanted to order dessert but were too stuffed to eat any more. Yes, it's not dirt cheap like so much of the eats in sobe, but this is worth it if you are an Indian food appreciator.
(5)Rahul p.
food was not bad, bit $$$ but everything is $$$ in south beach. Nothing really especial about the food here, but still worth visiting if you are in the area.
(3)Monica B.
Amazing food, especially given how few Indian restaurants (and even fewer good ones) there are in Miami. Catering to locals and repeat business rather than tourists, the prices are reasonable and the staff greet a surprising number of patrons by name. The intimate, slightly mod atmosphere makes it great for a casual, loungy night. Not a hole-in-the-wall, but not pretentious and over the top (c.f. Quattro) either. Definitely a hidden local gem.
(5)Frank E.
Food was good, wait staff was nice... Prices were waaaayyyyyy too high and they charge you for EVERYTHING... definitely will not be returning...
(1)Raj M.
Not a terrible place, but the food was barely Indian. Maybe it was an off night...? The food was not spicy even though we asked for it. The service, the simple ambiance is the only reason I gave it two stars. If you want to impress a date or clients in SoBe go to Ishq instead.
(2)Jane L.
All I can say is try their BUTTER CHICKEN (sounds gross I know, but it is SUPERB), and you will rue the day when you dissed Guru.
(5)Johnnie M.
UGH i have this friend who thinks he is genius or something and always picks these super "great" locations that he wants to take everyone else to eat and by take us he doesn't pay... the food here is alright i guess but the kitchen is kind of slow the ambiance is lame not intimate, its LAME. ummm yeah man sorry but paying the same for a vegetarian dish and a chicken dish is not awesome either. my friend is an idiot.
(1)Joseluis A.
25$ for lentils and a beer. no naan bread with your meal. way overpriced. i dont think ill ever go back again unless they have a 75% off sale event. sorry fufu fine indian...
(1)Sameer A.
very mediocre. slightly overpriced, i suppose b/c its in sobe. there aren't many options of indian in the miami area. if u r in the mood for indian in sobe, give it a try. anyways, the food. rice was mediocre, more stylistic than tasty. the chicken tikka masala was ok, the chicken was good but the sauce was nothing special. the portion are barely adequate, i would prefer if they were slightly larger.
(3)ruchi l.
this restaurant spoilt my mood on this 3 day trip to miami. went to the restaurant with a few friends ..the waiter was rude, not alert, answered back loud when asked something. we placed the order and it took him 55 mins to server us rice and then he said .." sorry the tandoor is not working"..so wat was he doing all that while. most of the food ordered was 80% on tandoor and it was pointless eating food there.. on canceling the order as it wasn't ready and not told to us earlier.. he snapped at us ..yelled at his chef in the kitchen and he showed ridiculous amount of attitude and ego infront of all the customers.. will nev go there again ..it was a waste of almost 1 hr to sit thr and not be attended ..
(1)Noah D.
Some of the other reviewers seem way of base. The food was incredible and terrific service. First off, a great samosa dish, incredibly presented like a top top restuarant. Great chutneys- mint was not spicy, but very good. Lamb vindaloo was the highlight. Incredible. Not chewy, great sauce that was spicy and the kind great with rice. Wife had okra dish, also terrific. It is picey, $50 for two and no drinks. But compared to what is around, and being high quality and great presentation, it is a great find.
(5)Indian T.
food was good, very little space...can accommodate 15 tables. nice presentation of food, that i liked it. Place is very dark and waiters are in rush for something so they have less time to understand what people want. 1 Chat, 1 Dal Makhni, 2 Nan :- 40$ Gratuity is included in the bill.
(3)russ h.
Decent Indian food. A little over priced - even by south beach standards. Good service.
(3)Robert I.
Great food. Not much more to say. One of the bests. For all the people who don't think its authentic. The fricking guy is from india. What do you want? Your cheep 6 bucks buffet?
(5)Jessie H.
The food here was really good. I think the problem is that it is expensive -but this is south beach people! The restaurant is small. The owner is very nice!
(4)David C.
Great indian restaurant
(5)