Udipi Café
2001 E Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus, OH, 43229
Udipi Café Menu
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Address :
2001 E Dublin Granville Rd
Columbus, OH, 43229 - Phone (614) 885-7446
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
India is the birth place of Chicken Tikka Masala and Curries. Indian foods are prepared with a blend of finely mixed spices quite popular across the region. The spices develop the rich taste in Indian food enough to boggle your mind. The ever-increasing fan base of Indian food around the New York city is steadily increasing because of the large number of Indians who traveled to the land of dreams. The Indians also brought their very own vibrant, colorful, and aromatic authentic dishes for the people in the West. While most of the Indian population is Vegetarian, Indian food is great for people who are looking for vegan or vegetarian food option. If you are a Meat lover, don't get disappointed yet. Indian food also boasts of some popular non-vegetarian dishes too. Few examples are the famous Butter Chicken, Mutton Biryani and Tandoori Chicken are enough to satisfy your taste buds.
Indian food has gained reputation all over the world especially in the United States. You can find many places serving the appetizing Indian food across all major cities in the US. India is a diverse country with different food culture originated from different parts of the country. While the Northern region boasts tandoori dishes and korma offering royal taste, the Western Ghats offers sea foods that is made in naturally sweet tender coconut milk. The South Indian food servers a quality of different dishes made from rice accompanied with spicy chutneys, curries and famous sambhar. Also, the Indian sweets are a delight to relish. If you ever want to have a burst of sugar syrup in mouth, don't forget to try few Bengali Sweets. Be it spicy, tangy, or sweet flavor, you can find everything in the Indian cuisine. Be assured that the melody of spices will surely bring delight to you.
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Fred S.
Recently enjoyed the lunch buffet on a Thursday. Wow. That was pretty good. There was a good crowd in the restaurant, and the food was fresh and hot. I especially enjoyed the chili paneer. Good bargain. I would very happily go back.
(4)Murali N.
Food is awesome!! Probably the best I had in Columbus area. But customer service sucks. They make you wait for a long time to take any order.
(3)Sandip B.
I like this restaurant because its a only vegetarian restaurant in town. good for buffet lunch only. Dont go for dinner.
(2)Mira B.
The place is dirty, service is slow and food is not impressive.... In need of a serious makeover. The dosa came out of the kitchen hard and cold. The potato curry was mediocre at best. The only vegetable in Kurma was potato. I don't think we will be returning to this place anytime soon. This place was a big disappointment.
(2)Jamie T.
We visit this place about once a month. I love the samosa, dosa, and batura...mmmm. Definitely will be back.
(4)Chris G.
Amazing food, but it's an authentic experience, so the service is a little hit or miss. I love it though and have been at least a few dozen times. Best Indian I've ever had. Some of my family has lived in India for a long time and they swear by this place.
(5)Jessica H.
There is no way for me to describe the pure joy of going to an inexpensive, wholly vegetarian restaurant, and not being forced to graze on the same old blend of yellow squash, zucchini and carrots that so many other establishments pass off as veggi food worth a $30 bill. Throughout the years, the price remains the same. The food, amazing, the atmosphere, unassuming yet pleasant. Yes, it's in a strip mall. A slightly shady looking one at that, at least now (4 years later from the first reviews) that many other tenants have folded or moved. But some wonderfully delicious things remain the same. And this is one of them. On the luncheon buffet, there's so much to choose from. Start with the idly and sambar, which ends you up with a floating rice "patty" in a hot and slightly sour soup. Try the pakoras, dipping them in with the mint chutney and tamarind sauce. I love the naan too. If you go in the evening for plated goodness, try the Malai Kofta - a creamy, savory butter based tomato sauce (might have cashews as well?) and a mix of the traditional Indian vegetables. I've been gong here since 2002. I'm never gonna stop!
(5)Julie P.
Holy Gigantic Dosa Batman! I have never in my life seen such a wonderful variety of delicious fried breads. I had the paper dosa, a huge horn of crispy crepe with a cumin/onion/potato filling. Seriously, it is impressively massive. You could summon the riders of Rohan with this dosa. Others had a dosa with spicy peppers and onions mixed into the dough, which was a little thicker and softer than mine. Then the crowing glory, which none of us were smart enough to order, was this giant puffball dosa, about the size of small dog or one very fat cat. It was truly a beautiful sight, despite my weird comparison. The dipping sauces are delicious too, especially the coconut chutney. So, yeah - DOSA! It's rocking.
(5)Manjunath B.
Awesome!!! The butter masala dosa is excellent. And so is the vada with chutney. The sambar with vada and dosa was not that good though...
(5)Greg B.
Best Indian food in Cbus! Staff is extremely friendly. Never had a bad experience here!
(5)Ha H.
Why don't they have a website? And why are they not open for breakfeast? Otherwise the food is good authentic south Indian food. Very consistent. Ps..non Indians do your home work before visiting a south Indian restaurant ..or ask your server what authentic udipi food is.. I'm amused when the locals end up ordering sag paneer , korma etc, which are North Indian dishes that are on the menu for ignorant people.
(4)Deepa P.
We used to love this place. But we recently ate here and found it funny that there was no one there on a Friday during lunch time. Needless to say, we found out that the owner has changed and the so did the recipes. The food tasted very unauthentic to Southern India. The dosas tasted the same but the other dishes were awful!
(1)Mani I.
Nice place to have tasty vegetarian foods, i like specially south india dishes.
(4)Kevin C.
I just returned to Udipi after nearly a year's absence. My prior experience - nearly a year ago - was not a great experience. I've heard that Udipi's lunch buffet is really fantastic so I had to take another venture to the restaurant. How happy am I that I went back? Very! The buffet had at least ten to fourteen different dishes/soups/breads. The food was fantastic and I couldn't find a single thing that I disliked. Additionally, the buffet was only $8 or $9, which is a great value for what you're getting. In my prior review, my main concerns were with the wait staff, environment, and ambiance. How different were things this time? Well, the restaurant seemed brighter, less dingier, and more welcoming. Was this because this had been tidied up a bit or was it just because I was there at 1 PM versus 8:30 PM at night? I don't know. I do know that it didn't seem nearly as unkempt or dirty as was my impression a year ago. The wait staff wasn't creepy this time, although they were very keen with watching me the whole time. I'm making the assumption that they were being attentive and just making sure that we had water and were tended to. I did not venture to the restrooms this time. I'm curious now to see if they have cleaned them up or if they are still the way that I recall them being a year ago. I will certainly go back again but just for the daytime lunch buffet. The price is great. The choice of food is great and they're all vegetarian.
(4)Moriah P.
You know, I didn't think I liked Indian food, in fact, I thought I hated it until I first visited Udipi Cafe a month ago. I also didn't think that I could eat a dinner sans meat and feel just as satisfied, if not more, as I might after a grass-fed medium rare t-bone steak. This is one of those situations where I'm not the least bit hesitant in admitting how wrong I was. I reserve five star ratings for food that wowed me from start to finish, for service that was helpful and nice but never intrusive, and atmosphere that made me feel welcome. Basically, if I don't have one legitimate complaint to make then the place gets a five star rating. Our server was incredibly helpful and nice, he kindly picked out our meal for us, all the time explaining what they were, because we had no real clue when it came to all the different choices . He asked our heat level (spicy, all the way) and came back during the meal to see how we liked everything and at the end of our meal asked if we would be coming again. I was very pleased with his kindness. I remember we ate the samosas, a spicy chickpea curry, poori bread, and a wonderful dish that had vegetarian "meat"balls. The flavors were layered and complex but always working together with the many textures of each dish. It was one of the best tasting meals I've had and the mango lassis we drank on the side was the perfect counter of flavor to balance all of the wonderful spice in our food. I have found that on East Dublin Granville Road lie some of my favorite places to eat and Udipi Cafe was no exception. Don't be afraid to wander off the beaten path my friends. Get out of the trendy areas of the city and visit the areas that people call 'run-down', 'seedy-ville', and 'god-forsaken' because we only have this one life that we know of and in these areas contain sparkling hidden gems. Not just good restaurants but, good people as well.
(5)Joseph A.
India is a big country. Turns out they eat something other than tandoori chicken there!?! Bad jokes aside- Udipi is South Indian style- no meat. Dosas, Idli, Paratha, and did I mention Dosas? If you don't know what any of those things are- than go to the reasonably priced buffet and have at it. One of my best buddies is from a South Indian family- and this is the place. Sometimes we would go and our bill would be less than $20, and we were both full. I'm not talking about the buffet either. Sometimes there are little Indian children running around screaming. Other times it's quiet. The dosas and Sambar are always good! I would recommend to anyone who likes Indian flavors- and can be satisfied with a meatless meal (If you can't- then I'm sorry for you.) Super highly reccomended to veggies. Highly reccomended to anyone that likes Indian. Superduper highly reccomended to any veggies that like Indian but have never gone Southern!
(4)Jen B.
Yum! Who knew there would be delicious south Indian food in Columbus? :) I'm in town visiting for a week and my local foodie took me here for dosas. We had the dahi vada (fried doughnuts of lentils and spices immersed inside a yogurt sauce that is laced with tamarind and a little spice. I could have licked the sauce all up it was so good! The vada could have been submerged a little longer to make them lighter and more melt in your mouth, but they were still tasty. Then we followed with a non-traditional kind of dosa that is filled with cream of wheat instead of potatoes. What an interesting change! So delicious- and packed with onions and sliced green chilis! Then we had the chana batura, which is a giant puffed up fried bread served with a delicious chick pea curry. SO good. I'm still here another five days and I hope to go back to get another dosa. :)
(4)Anisa G.
Every once in a while a dosa craving comes over the princess and she must venture out on her swift, grey steed....surmounting every cement monster obstacle and red and green flashing mobs....to the kingdom of un-tamed appetites, until she encounters the buttery countenance of her prince charming....the one and only....butter dosa. And the company of sambar and chutney bring only tears of pure, mirthful JOY. Truly spectacular food
(4)Samantha D.
I went back to Udipi with a large group of friends recently, many of whom had never had Indian food before. It was exactly as delicious as I remembered. My favorites are still the poori, dal makhani, and badam halwa, although anything that you order will be delicious. The service was a bit lackluster, but the delicious food more than made up for it in my book.
(5)Miriam W.
I have long been a fan of Udipi Cafe, and frequent the location in my town of Pittsburgh, as well as the one in Charlotte, NC. This is the only Udipi that I've been to that offers a lunch buffet, so this location has a special place in my heart...all of the wonderful food that Udipi offers in a fabulous buffet, plus they bring masala dosas to the table. What's not to love? For those of you not familiar with the Udipi experience, the food is Southern Indian and vegetarian. And spicy. This is not Continental style Indian food, so, while you may not see some of your favorite stand by's here, you'll have an opportunity to sample dishes that you won't experience anywhere else. And, in so doing, you'll no doubt find some new favorites. Doug and I were driving through Columbus yesterday on our way to points west, and took a little detour to come here for lunch. While the buffet is not a complete representation of what's available on the menu, it's pretty darn impressive, and we ate to our heart's (and stomach's) content. Start with rasam, the spicy tomato and chile based soup, and grab some pakoras, a delicious mix of veggies dipped in batter and fried. Other appetizers that rock my world are the lentil donuts (awesome dipped in the coconut chutney and sambar), and upma, that most comforting of Indian comfort food. Upma is a traditional breakfast cereal, but I like it just fine for lunch...a mix of semolina and spices cooked with various vegetables and sometimes almonds, it's both sweet and savory. Make sure to grab a little dish of chutney...they have both tamarind and cilantro/green chile, plus a tomato chutney that I had never had before. Indian folks love pickles, and the lemon pickle here is one of my favorites. They don't serve naan here, but there was uttapam on the buffet, which is a dal and rice batter pancake, and you can order Southern Indian breads off the menu. The aforementioned masala dosa arrived as we were enjoying our appetizers. This is the best part...a crispy lentil crepe filled with spiced mashed potatoes...yum. So, round one complete, we headed back for more. The entrees on yesterday's buffet included spinach with potatoes, yellow dal, a bean and veggie dish that I was not familiar with...there was more, but my memory fails me now. I do remember this...the food here is delicious. I have never had anything that I didn't like at Udipi, and I can't say that about any other restaurant. The brilliance of Indian vegetarian cuisine is that it's not vegetarian food masquerading as meat. You won't see tofu here, and you won't miss it. The people of this region of India bring all of the wonderful spices and flavors of their native home to the food, and it's not to be missed. Don't be fooled by the humble surroundings; this is world class vegetarian food.
(5)Laurie S.
In.Love.With.This.Place. *it was that good* Unfortunately, we hit on a Sunday, so no buffet, but all four of us ordered blindly off of the menu and nobody complained, not even the 10-year-old who hates "spicey". The food was fantastic!!!!! I have no idea what the name of my dish was, but it was a rice-based bread stuffed with fragrant potatoes. Yum.
(5)Pony B.
South Indian veg. Price is right, food is great, been coming for 10 years and I've never been disappointed.
(5)Paulina T.
My bf, his mom, and I went for lunch on a Tuesday. We did the buffet which came with a small plain Dosa for each person. The buffet was small but it had a cold food section comprising of various chutneys, yogurt, and fruit. There was also a hot food section which had two soups, 4 curries, a dessert, and some breads (vada, illdi, bhatura , and uttapam). The food was so-so. The vegetarian curries were bland and uninteresting. The dal was very watery and the channa masala did not taste very flavorful. Our table used copious amounts of the chutneys to add flavor. Having tried ordering the Dosas for dinner, the lunch buffet did not live up to my previous experiences. It seems that some other Yelpers have noticed the dodgy service, sadly I would agree. The restaurant workers seem non-chalant, or even worst uncaring. We were seated with no greeting, and received our check with no thanks. The entire meal seemed very taxing for the wait staff and us. In addition, they keep their water pitchers in a corner, our first pitcher had a fruit fly in it. However, a chef came out at one point and was very welcoming, urging us to try the fresh bhatura. He was so friendly and was the only smile directed at us. Pros: Dinner Dosas, tasty chutneys, uncommon South Indian cuisine available Cons: service, lunch buffet, questionable cleanliness Overall, I would probably not come back for the lunch buffet. Stick to ordering Dosas for dinner. If the service was better, I probably would have given them 3 stars.
(2)Doug B.
Went here on the recommendation of an acquaintance and wasn't disappointed. Our visit was for a Sunday lunch, so we had the buffet. Not a big fan of buffets, but decided to give it a go anyway. I sampled pretty much everything available. I cannot begin to tell you what I ate, but everything was very tasty, except the coconut chutney. It just didn't suit my palate. The greeter/waiter/cashier wasn't the most pleasant guy; not that he was unpleasant, just indifferent. Kinda like, 'If you don't eat it, someone else will' attitude. When the meal ended, the check wasn't brought to the table either. We waited for a little bit, then observed others going to the register without theirs, so, like lemmings, we did the same. I do question the overall cleanliness of the restaurant. We'll go back, but likely not for the buffet.
(4)Christopher G.
A friend living in Columbus recommended Udipi for its $7.99 vegetarian buffet. Everything was pretty good and there were plenty of South Asian customers--a good sign. By the time I left around 2, some of the buffet trays were drying out a bit. I'll probably be back this summer.
(4)Mary B.
I usual find myself here with my Indian coworker traveling back from meetings. He is a vegetarian and enjoys this place. The dosas are to die for. I have found that the weekends must be the best time for more options. The service is buffet style which allows you to try a variety of preparations to find the dish you like. I have not had a consistent experience here which is why I rated it 3 stars.
(3)Bhargav M.
Ordered starter platter which was good but Pongal was just fantastic... Had a good Pongal after a long time
(4)Anna S.
Holy lunch buffet!! A great way to try the various South Indian wares available at this little gem of a restaurant. There are dosas (freshly made and brought to the table), idlis, savory rice pancakes, vegetable curries, rasam, sambar, and various other deliciousness. Also, the last time I went there, there was this stir fried beet dish with chickpeas that was addictively good. Overall, at $8.99, it's a great value for well-made South Indian.
(4)Tyler S.
This was only the second time that i have ever had Indian food and it was much better than the first time, which was a place in Polaris that starts with a C. My Indian friends are big fans of udipi, so we went for lunch on a Friday. I tried all of the items and really liked most of them especially the upma? I'll return sometime, the only reason it's a 4 and Not 5 is that the service was just Ok.
(4)John M.
Honestly, I never know what I'm eating, ironically being Indian and all, but it's good for $7.99 all you can eat buffet.
(4)Greg S.
I do not understand what all the fuss is about with this place. I have to admit up front that I am not a vegetarian and so that may color my opinion. That said the food was bland and did not really have much flavor to my palette at least that is. It was reasonably priced lunch buffet I guess if that is your kind of thing but I am afraid there was nothing on the buffet by way of taste or sight that could sway me to become a vegetarian. No offence to those who are but not my thing although I did give it a try. One more point the rice pudding was sour and I had to discreetly spit it out to stop from barfing. i should of said something to the staff but they were busy attending to other customers and after that I just wanted to get out of there. One think I found strange was nobody asked me how my meal was, hmm strange as usually good wait staff or at checkout ask how everything was. Overall verdict: I am a full blown carnivore despite my best effort to like the veg dishes I am a meat eater through ad through.
(2)Matt G.
Ok, this place is fantastic. I honestly thought it would suck since it's in a weird plaza surrounded by taquerias and panaderias but it was great. The lunch buffet is cheap and the food is bountiful and tasty. Be aware that it's vegetarian, but that didn't bother me. I can't see any reason (other than chicken vindaloo) to go to any other Indian joint in the area at this point.
(5)Shash D.
This restaurant used to be the best indian restaurant in town about 5 years ago but now it has completely run down. Good Things about the restaurant 1. Dosa's Are the best i have ever had in United states or in Columbus. Their Rava Dosa is Awesome. Chutneys are great! Down Side/ Disappointed 1. Please do not go for lunch buffet. Buffet is horrible, Poor Quality, deep oil fried and Unhygienic Food Quality. 2. Customer Service is Horrible. 3. Cashier/ Lady in the counter acts so annoying and unprofessional. They play loud music as if their partying with all kinds of stupid music. 4. Udipi is all about Pleasant, Peaceful and naturing loving but this is totally opposite. 5. Very Unhygienic and restaurant is very dirty. 6. Booth and carpets are dirty and Disgusting. Advice to Management 1. Please fire your waiting staff or educate them to be professional And stop playing loud music 2. Please stop Throwing disgusting food in lunch Buffet. 3. Stop serving Deep Oil fried food in lunch buffet 4. Please keep your restaurant clean and maintain Hygiene 5. Please Change the carpets its very disgusting. Don't be cheap!
(2)Aklilu A.
My friend and I were looking for a quick place to eat and thought Indian. We came across this place, no idea it was a strict vegetarian menu, boy were we surprised. But since we had already been seated, we decided to give this place a try. Open parking lot out front so parking wasn't a problem. The service is nice, the employees are kind and happy folks. Happy to hear we were first timer's and had plenty of suggestions for us. The atmosphere was very clean and cozy, plenty of families around us. Guess eating vegetarian is popular thing because a majority of the place was filled with a diverse group of people. We ordered the Special Rava Masala Dosai and the Udipi's Special Spring Dosai. They came with thin rice crepes, which were crunchy and delicious. The vegetables were grilled and seasoned well. We were still pretty hungry afterwards though, probably because there wasn't no real meat in the meal. But if you're a strict vegetarian, then this is the place for you!
(3)Paulina T.
My bf, his mom, and I went for lunch on a Tuesday. We did the buffet which came with a small plain Dosa for each person. The buffet was small but it had a cold food section comprising of various chutneys, yogurt, and fruit. There was also a hot food section which had two soups, 4 curries, a dessert, and some breads (vada, illdi, bhatura , and uttapam). The food was so-so. The vegetarian curries were bland and uninteresting. The dal was very watery and the channa masala did not taste very flavorful. Our table used copious amounts of the chutneys to add flavor. Having tried ordering the Dosas for dinner, the lunch buffet did not live up to my previous experiences. It seems that some other Yelpers have noticed the dodgy service, sadly I would agree. The restaurant workers seem non-chalant, or even worst uncaring. We were seated with no greeting, and received our check with no thanks. The entire meal seemed very taxing for the wait staff and us. In addition, they keep their water pitchers in a corner, our first pitcher had a fruit fly in it. However, a chef came out at one point and was very welcoming, urging us to try the fresh bhatura. He was so friendly and was the only smile directed at us. Pros: Dinner Dosas, tasty chutneys, uncommon South Indian cuisine available Cons: service, lunch buffet, questionable cleanliness Overall, I would probably not come back for the lunch buffet. Stick to ordering Dosas for dinner. If the service was better, I probably would have given them 3 stars.
(2)Doug B.
Went here on the recommendation of an acquaintance and wasn't disappointed. Our visit was for a Sunday lunch, so we had the buffet. Not a big fan of buffets, but decided to give it a go anyway. I sampled pretty much everything available. I cannot begin to tell you what I ate, but everything was very tasty, except the coconut chutney. It just didn't suit my palate. The greeter/waiter/cashier wasn't the most pleasant guy; not that he was unpleasant, just indifferent. Kinda like, 'If you don't eat it, someone else will' attitude. When the meal ended, the check wasn't brought to the table either. We waited for a little bit, then observed others going to the register without theirs, so, like lemmings, we did the same. I do question the overall cleanliness of the restaurant. We'll go back, but likely not for the buffet.
(4)Christopher G.
A friend living in Columbus recommended Udipi for its $7.99 vegetarian buffet. Everything was pretty good and there were plenty of South Asian customers--a good sign. By the time I left around 2, some of the buffet trays were drying out a bit. I'll probably be back this summer.
(4)Mary B.
I usual find myself here with my Indian coworker traveling back from meetings. He is a vegetarian and enjoys this place. The dosas are to die for. I have found that the weekends must be the best time for more options. The service is buffet style which allows you to try a variety of preparations to find the dish you like. I have not had a consistent experience here which is why I rated it 3 stars.
(3)Bhargav M.
Ordered starter platter which was good but Pongal was just fantastic... Had a good Pongal after a long time
(4)Anna S.
Holy lunch buffet!! A great way to try the various South Indian wares available at this little gem of a restaurant. There are dosas (freshly made and brought to the table), idlis, savory rice pancakes, vegetable curries, rasam, sambar, and various other deliciousness. Also, the last time I went there, there was this stir fried beet dish with chickpeas that was addictively good. Overall, at $8.99, it's a great value for well-made South Indian.
(4)Tyler S.
This was only the second time that i have ever had Indian food and it was much better than the first time, which was a place in Polaris that starts with a C. My Indian friends are big fans of udipi, so we went for lunch on a Friday. I tried all of the items and really liked most of them especially the upma? I'll return sometime, the only reason it's a 4 and Not 5 is that the service was just Ok.
(4)John M.
Honestly, I never know what I'm eating, ironically being Indian and all, but it's good for $7.99 all you can eat buffet.
(4)Giovanna A.
I get carryout from here at least every couple of weeks. Anyone who is a vegetarian, which I am not, absolutely must try this place and anyone who is not will not miss meat al all. My very favorite menu item is the navrattan korma, hope I am spelling that correctly. It is just a vegetable stew and many Indian places make that but not like this one, not too rich, just perfectly creamy. I also love their spinach (palak paneer) and this is the only spinach dish my four year kid will eat. Have not tried the buffet but really look forward to it so I can try all the appetizers.
(5)Bharat B.
I went there today with my wife. The quality has gone down. The lady who took the order does not understand what we wanted. We were two , ordered two Dosas and she wire down three. Luckily we asked her to confirm the order . Sambhar was watered down sambhar. I met my friend their. They stated sambhar went bad and they had to wait for more than 15 minutes before the food was served. Their quality of chutney has gone down too. We will think twice before going back again for food. We had ordered hot tea and Mysore coffee . Both hot drinks were excellent.
(1)Big W.
The food is not great anymore. Everything is oily or deep fried. The taste has been toned down for Buffett and service has been ok. I had Buffett and was not impressed. When we went for dinner, the chole bhatura was not up to the taste. Apparently they have started to substitute spices with salt. The chutney with idli and dosa had too much salt in it.
(1)Deepan B.
During my trip to Columbus with friends, we stopped over her for dinner on thanksgiving Day. A vegetarians delight and plenty of options for snacks. Appetizer platter was wonderful. Even the service was not that bad considering they were short staffed. Our only concern was the ROACH movement on the tables on and off the food that grossed us out. If the dining area can have roaches we could only imagine about the status of the kitchen. That was the last bite of food we took. If only they could be clean this would be a place I would like to visit again.
(2)Marni K.
I have found true love...in the form of Udipi's buttery, flaky bhatoora and chana masala. My dining companion and I also ordered the onion dosa and onion/pea uttapam. I didn't try much of the dosa but the uttapam was almost creamy, with lots of yummy onion flavor, perfect crispy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious especially with that amazing, addictive green chutney. Yes, I am in love. Off to compose my love songs and sonnets in Udipi's honor now.
(5)A W.
Went in for a lunch buffet. I'm pretty sure that I wasn't welcome as a single female. I probably won't go back to eat in. The food was passable, but nowhere near on part with the offerings just a short jaunt away in Dublin. The soups and dishes were watery, the naan was slightly raw still. The chutneys were great. The sole saving grace of the meal.
(3)Deepan B.
During my trip to Columbus with friends, we stopped over her for dinner on thanksgiving Day. A vegetarians delight and plenty of options for snacks. Appetizer platter was wonderful. Even the service was not that bad considering they were short staffed. Our only concern was the ROACH movement on the tables on and off the food that grossed us out. If the dining area can have roaches we could only imagine about the status of the kitchen. That was the last bite of food we took. If only they could be clean this would be a place I would like to visit again.
(2)Zola B.
This is my favorite Indian restaurant in Columbus. The mostly vegan (all vegetarian) lunch buffet is the best and super cheap! I love that you get a dosa as well. It is very difficult not to completely stuff yourself. I'm not sure why some other reviewers said their food is bland. Perhaps they don't have tastebuds? It's very flavorful and a lot of it quite spicy. I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 because I don't care for the waiters. They stare at you while you're eating and take plates away the second you're done. It's pretty creepy and I don't appreciate the hovering. I also don't care for this place much at dinner. The atmosphere is much more appropriate for lunch.
(4)Chetan M.
Excellent udipi cuisine! Went with a group of friends. We generally love to eat meat but this restaurant proved to be a gem. Excellent food, freshness you can feel. Loved it!!
(5)Richard P.
Four stars, in spite of my prejudices as a mostly unrepentant carnivore. I came away full, but oddly full; in the absence of any animal protein, I think my stomach refused to believe it was sated. I realize this is bad for my karma, and I will undoubtedly be reincarnated as hamburger, but given that the Dalai Lama isn't a vegetarian either, at least I'm in good company. The decor is a little formal, but Udipi Cafe indeed is a cafe - the dishes here are meant as full entrees, rather than the family-style ordering I'm used to at other Indian restaurants. So when my wife and I ordered four dishes, we really should have had two more diners with us. Our dosa was light and delicate, and stuffed with minced vegetables. We also had the coconut uthappa (an Indian-style pancake, as the menu says), which had large shavings of coconut in the batter, befitting Udipi's tropical South Indian origins. Both came with a dish of coconut chutney and and a dish of sambar, a vegetable stew in a tomato base. We also had two curries: avial, a mild coconut-milk based curry full of vegetables, and malai kofta, balls of potato & cheese in a creamy sauce. The malai kofta was the best I've had since Curry and Hurry first opened (which is a story for a different review); the potato-cheese-dry fruit balls (their description, not mine) were hearty but tender, and the sauce was subtle and complex - you could taste the cashews and raisins that were its constituent ingredients. Both curries came with a generous serving of rice, achar (Indian pickles), and raita (yogurt with cucumber). The service is friendly, the atmosphere pleasant, but it's really the quality of the food that makes Udipi Cafe worth eating at. There is clearly a level of care and skill in the preparation of their dishes. Plus, it will be good for your karma, too.
(4)David P.
The food is good but the service and setting are bad. The rug is literally sticky all over the entire restaurant. You can see at the edges it was not always a dank maroon. The service is slow and cold- not inviting at all. The food is good, but I'd recommend Mughal Darbar on High St. The food there is great as are the service and setting.
(2)Lea P.
I swung by the first time for takeout a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed the food just fine. Enough, in fact, that it made me want to get a bit more variety. What better way to do that than at this buffet that everyone seems to gush over? They apparently raised the price at some point. Many people in the older reviews say it was $6.99, but these days it's $7.99. Not a big deal at all--I just thought that info needed an update. ;) I accidentally overfilled my plate with the appetizer-type stuff. Not that these were bad things, but it's a typical buffet hazard: you reach for the first stuff you see, and before you know it your dish--and your belly--are too full to really enjoy the main courses down the line. There's plenty of all of it to choose from, though, and the staff are able to identify what has dairy and what does not, if you need them to. While I probably would have given my single-dish takeout four stars, the buffet gets five from me because not only is it tasty, but it's an excellent value as well. It was the only meal I had all day, and I still went to bed not having regained my hunger yet.
(5)Branham P.
DIRTY! tables were dirty and plates. I really wanted to like it. but sorry if you are that dirty and you serve food I cant go back.. My advice is not to go. Try Indian Oven on main st. you will love it. I should have called the food service officials on them..
(1)Rick K.
Has the best Indian food in Columbus. Not too much oil like some places. Not too hot. I'd give it a 5 star except for the service. Waitstaff stand around with their backs to the tables. One lunch, a woman was too busy filing her nails to help us. I have had to get up and ask for service The prices are low - great value for the money, both at the buffet and dinner.
(4)Taylor O.
We've had this place on our list of things to try for awhile. We have been fans of Tadka in Dublin, but we never get out there often since it is on the other side of town from us. So we gave Udipi a try. The food here is just as delicious, and I think they have many more options than other typical Indian eateries. The place was clean, the staff was friendly and attentive. Our main meal and appetizers were excellent. We look forward to coming back and trying many other dishes.
(4)Emily L.
I've been to Udipi twice now and both times have been excellent. The selection of food is fantastic. Sure, there's no meat, but you won't miss it one little bit. I am not a vegetarian/vegan, but I'm not a huge meat eater and the selection and flavors here will satisfy anyone. The vegetable samosas are so, so good. The filling was flavorful and rich and the dough was flaky and delicious. Both times I've been, I've also had the Malai Kofta. It's a dish that has little dumplings made of potato and cheese in a saffron sauce with dried fruit and nuts. It's a little sweet and very YUMMY. It comes with a large portion of rice and raita. If you don't like spicy, this is the dish for you. I happen to love spicy, so next time I need to try a spicy dosa. The people here are also really friendly and if you need help deciding, they make good recommendations. I will be back here for sure.
(5)Nathan K.
The food is absolutely amazing, but the service is seriously lacking. Great attitudes, just not very prompt in their table service.
(4)Lola A.
As a vegan and a lover of all things Asian, Udipi is a place to get your veggie belly happy. I will visit again and again and again!!!!
(5)Nicole M.
Sadly I broke up with Udipi Cafe and their awesome lunch buffet. On Friday, October 3, 2014 after I ate my meal, I attempted to pay and I discovered the awful truth. The man told me I didn't have to pay. I was very puzzled but he insisted. I sat back down with the two people I was dining with. I informed them we just got lucky. However, my male coworker told me the meal was free because he found a dead, adult cockroach in his food. It was cooked into the food apparently. He told me that while he was standing at the buffet dishing out his food, he discovered the roach. He alerted the other patrons in line and the staff. The staff nonchalantly removed the tray, no apologies. Almost like business as usual. My male coworker didn't tell me because he didn't want to ruin my lunch. I still have mixed feelings about it. In conclusion, my final experience at Udipi was gross and appalling. I'm just glad I didn't see a roach in my food, I would have been horrified and scarred. Udipi, for the good of your patrons, please get an exterminator and more mindful staff!!! The end.
(1)Bruce C.
I have been here twice for dinner with my family. If I were to give a rating just on the food, it would be 4 to 5 stars. It is tasty, filling, and inexpensive. Unfortunately, the waiters are some of the worst I've ever had. They are uncommunicative ,inattentive, and bordering on rude. For example, on our first visit, we got there soon after they opened for dinner and were the only customers there. They sat us at a table that had a extreme wobble. I asked for a different table and the waiter tried to tell me there was nothing wrong with table. I had to demonstrate that it was broken and insist on a new table. If you need a refill on your beverage--good luck. The appearance/cleanliness of the restaurant was not much better. Many of the ceiling tiles had water damage, which always makes me cringe. If you have broken tables (see above) and damaged ceilings, it makes me wonder about the state of the food preparation area.
(2)Sandy e.
Delicious Indian Food!!!! I am not a vegetarian but it doesn't matter here because I don't miss the meat. the food is delicious and when I eat here for lunch at the buffet, I don't even eat dinner I am so full. Love the dessert! The only reason I don't give it a 5 is that the carpet is a little old and it looks dark in there but otherwise wonderful. I looked at the Health Department inspections and they pass with an 80-100%.
(4)Spencer M.
Had heard and read many good things, but experienced none. Lunch on Friday was buffet only (which was fine) but the selection was small and the food not good; wait staff was rude although I did get a full pitcher of warm water. It was $8 but I won't be returning.
(1)Sriram T.
I can't believe that I actually recommended this place while reviewing another Indian restaurant. I have not had any issues with this place in the past and food used to be pretty decent. What happened? Well I walked in for the "value" buffet and found a roach running by the appetizers.....I informed the staff at the desk and walked out. I would give this place zero stars but Yelp forces me to show some mercy.
(1)Sunny R.
The food does not match up to a south Indian like me. Other people may like it better. If you go after 1 pm for lunch buffet, the food is cold. Many of the sanck items served for lunch do not taste good when cold.
(3)Rodger B.
Food was decent, but there was nothing stating that it was a vegetarian buffet. I came in jonesing for some curry chicken (red or yellow would sufficed), and instead settled for some curry bread balls and yellow dal. To top it off, I paid with a $20 and they told me I paid with a $10. After having another worker confirm my note, I was good to go. Wasn't sure about it as an $8 buffet, but I would have caused a scene if it was an $18 buffet, like they tried to get me on. The place was also flooded and they were openly soaking up the water coming from the kitchen with towels, a mere few feet away from where people were eating.
(1)Nish A.
Amazing South Indian food with all its authenticity! The service can be weird sometimes, but thankfully the food is great!
(5)Cj W.
First of all, UDIPI IS SOUTH INDIAN. THAT MEANS VEGETARIAN IS PRETTY STANDARD. I've seen reviews at least on other sites where people faulted the restaurant for not serving meat. A vegetarian restaurant doesn't deserve to lose stars based on not serving your narrow idea of what Indian food is. No tandoori chicken here. No naan here. India is huge and very diverse. Now that I've hopefully kept a few folks from embarrassing themselves... Buffet buffet buffet!! This place is all about the buffet, which is an incredible value at $7.99. You get a couple saucy curries, a couple of more dry veggie dishes, sambar and rasam, usually plain basmati and a pilav, sometimes noodles. You get to choose from a variety of pickles, there's raita, there are 4 chutneys (I recommend the tomato and the mint). You get these little fried donuts, you get complimentary potato dosas served to your table, uttapam, and a rotating cast of other fried goodies like idli fries, veggie pakora, and if you're lucky sometimes there are SAMOSAS on the buffet. SAMOSAS. BUFFET. At the end you'll find some kind of bread--poori, plain paratha, or aloo paratha. The more often you go, the more dishes you'll see, as it varies (except the yellow dahl, it's always there, every time), and the more you'll start to recognize what you really like. It's half the fun in going there if you ask me, but for that reason, you will sometimes be a little disappointed when none of your tried and true favorites are there that day. Don't worry, there's so much to choose from, you will always find something you like well enough, and the price is still right. Other days it's a gold mine. It's like a game where you win every time. If you can't find something you like, maybe your palate is just not open enough. Picky folks don't thrive here, as I've witnessed firsthand. The buffet even has a dessert every time. Sometimes pasayam--thin vermicelli afloat in heavenly milk and honey with cashews and raisins, sometimes a sweet thick cottage cheese dish (hard to explain, just eat it), sometimes gulab jamun, cottage cheese balls in a thick rosewater syrup (rare but it happens). All delicacies, all for one great price. You need some animal protein in every meal? Then throw some raita or yogurt rice on your entrees and keep it moving... I have only eaten there once at dinner time. It was still very yummy. I'm not basing my review on this at all, but off the record, order an entree each and and order of samosas with a friend, you'll spend around $12 and get two meals out of it. I gave it four stars because I'm trying to be tougher on reviews, but it honestly wavers between four and five.
(4)Greg S.
I do not understand what all the fuss is about with this place. I have to admit up front that I am not a vegetarian and so that may color my opinion. That said the food was bland and did not really have much flavor to my palette at least that is. It was reasonably priced lunch buffet I guess if that is your kind of thing but I am afraid there was nothing on the buffet by way of taste or sight that could sway me to become a vegetarian. No offence to those who are but not my thing although I did give it a try. One more point the rice pudding was sour and I had to discreetly spit it out to stop from barfing. i should of said something to the staff but they were busy attending to other customers and after that I just wanted to get out of there. One think I found strange was nobody asked me how my meal was, hmm strange as usually good wait staff or at checkout ask how everything was. Overall verdict: I am a full blown carnivore despite my best effort to like the veg dishes I am a meat eater through ad through.
(2)Lindsay G.
Palate bored? Eat here! Just what I needed on a cold Midwestern February day to wake my taste buds, warm me up, and transport me somewhere new. The eyes of this vegetarian danced across a 6-pg menu of options. Service was quick and the kitchen even quicker. We only got to try a few things, but next time we're bringing friends so we can order more and share taste more of what the menu has to offer.
(5)Matt G.
Ok, this place is fantastic. I honestly thought it would suck since it's in a weird plaza surrounded by taquerias and panaderias but it was great. The lunch buffet is cheap and the food is bountiful and tasty. Be aware that it's vegetarian, but that didn't bother me. I can't see any reason (other than chicken vindaloo) to go to any other Indian joint in the area at this point.
(5)Luke T.
I have been to Udipi exactly twice. Once with some coworkers, and once with an ex. Neither visit blew me away, but both were trips worth making. People rave about this restaurant, and while I think it's good, it would not be my first or even second choice for Indian food. For the lunch with coworkers, we had the buffet. It was average, quality-wise, but it offered a good variety, better than some others (such as Radhuni). The greatest part about this visit was how demanding one of my (Indian) coworkers was, and how irate our server clearly was at her, but he maintained the utmost professionalism. She made him make like 5 different trips to bring out our dessert and get it just right. Small things like not bringing enough bowls for everyone, or spoons, etc. None of her requests were out of line, but he was visibly annoyed; you could almost see the steam coming from his ears. One of my coworkers was loooosing it at the situation. If I were to bring it up tomorrow, she would still cry from laughing so hard. I got bold with the second visit and ordered what essentially amounts to an Indian pizza, I think called an uthappa? I had never had it before, and wanted to try something new. It was delicious, and gigantic to boot.
(3)Puchu J.
Pav Bhaji Dosa is an interesting twist but I feel not executed properly. I wish it was like a regular dosa with bhaji in the middle instead you get four pieces of bhaji wrapped up in dosa. All the crunch factor of a dosa is gone. Also had the medu vada which was freshly fried and very delicious.
(4)Murali N.
Food is awesome!! Probably the best I had in Columbus area. But customer service sucks. They make you wait for a long time to take any order.
(3)Sandip B.
I like this restaurant because its a only vegetarian restaurant in town. good for buffet lunch only. Dont go for dinner.
(2)Mira B.
The place is dirty, service is slow and food is not impressive.... In need of a serious makeover. The dosa came out of the kitchen hard and cold. The potato curry was mediocre at best. The only vegetable in Kurma was potato. I don't think we will be returning to this place anytime soon. This place was a big disappointment.
(2)Jamie T.
We visit this place about once a month. I love the samosa, dosa, and batura...mmmm. Definitely will be back.
(4)Chris G.
Amazing food, but it's an authentic experience, so the service is a little hit or miss. I love it though and have been at least a few dozen times. Best Indian I've ever had. Some of my family has lived in India for a long time and they swear by this place.
(5)Chetan M.
Excellent udipi cuisine! Went with a group of friends. We generally love to eat meat but this restaurant proved to be a gem. Excellent food, freshness you can feel. Loved it!!
(5)Fred S.
Recently enjoyed the lunch buffet on a Thursday. Wow. That was pretty good. There was a good crowd in the restaurant, and the food was fresh and hot. I especially enjoyed the chili paneer. Good bargain. I would very happily go back.
(4)Jessica H.
There is no way for me to describe the pure joy of going to an inexpensive, wholly vegetarian restaurant, and not being forced to graze on the same old blend of yellow squash, zucchini and carrots that so many other establishments pass off as veggi food worth a $30 bill. Throughout the years, the price remains the same. The food, amazing, the atmosphere, unassuming yet pleasant. Yes, it's in a strip mall. A slightly shady looking one at that, at least now (4 years later from the first reviews) that many other tenants have folded or moved. But some wonderfully delicious things remain the same. And this is one of them. On the luncheon buffet, there's so much to choose from. Start with the idly and sambar, which ends you up with a floating rice "patty" in a hot and slightly sour soup. Try the pakoras, dipping them in with the mint chutney and tamarind sauce. I love the naan too. If you go in the evening for plated goodness, try the Malai Kofta - a creamy, savory butter based tomato sauce (might have cashews as well?) and a mix of the traditional Indian vegetables. I've been gong here since 2002. I'm never gonna stop!
(5)Julie P.
Holy Gigantic Dosa Batman! I have never in my life seen such a wonderful variety of delicious fried breads. I had the paper dosa, a huge horn of crispy crepe with a cumin/onion/potato filling. Seriously, it is impressively massive. You could summon the riders of Rohan with this dosa. Others had a dosa with spicy peppers and onions mixed into the dough, which was a little thicker and softer than mine. Then the crowing glory, which none of us were smart enough to order, was this giant puffball dosa, about the size of small dog or one very fat cat. It was truly a beautiful sight, despite my weird comparison. The dipping sauces are delicious too, especially the coconut chutney. So, yeah - DOSA! It's rocking.
(5)Manjunath B.
Awesome!!! The butter masala dosa is excellent. And so is the vada with chutney. The sambar with vada and dosa was not that good though...
(5)Greg B.
Best Indian food in Cbus! Staff is extremely friendly. Never had a bad experience here!
(5)Kevin C.
I just returned to Udipi after nearly a year's absence. My prior experience - nearly a year ago - was not a great experience. I've heard that Udipi's lunch buffet is really fantastic so I had to take another venture to the restaurant. How happy am I that I went back? Very! The buffet had at least ten to fourteen different dishes/soups/breads. The food was fantastic and I couldn't find a single thing that I disliked. Additionally, the buffet was only $8 or $9, which is a great value for what you're getting. In my prior review, my main concerns were with the wait staff, environment, and ambiance. How different were things this time? Well, the restaurant seemed brighter, less dingier, and more welcoming. Was this because this had been tidied up a bit or was it just because I was there at 1 PM versus 8:30 PM at night? I don't know. I do know that it didn't seem nearly as unkempt or dirty as was my impression a year ago. The wait staff wasn't creepy this time, although they were very keen with watching me the whole time. I'm making the assumption that they were being attentive and just making sure that we had water and were tended to. I did not venture to the restrooms this time. I'm curious now to see if they have cleaned them up or if they are still the way that I recall them being a year ago. I will certainly go back again but just for the daytime lunch buffet. The price is great. The choice of food is great and they're all vegetarian.
(4)Ha H.
Why don't they have a website? And why are they not open for breakfeast? Otherwise the food is good authentic south Indian food. Very consistent. Ps..non Indians do your home work before visiting a south Indian restaurant ..or ask your server what authentic udipi food is.. I'm amused when the locals end up ordering sag paneer , korma etc, which are North Indian dishes that are on the menu for ignorant people.
(4)Miriam W.
I have long been a fan of Udipi Cafe, and frequent the location in my town of Pittsburgh, as well as the one in Charlotte, NC. This is the only Udipi that I've been to that offers a lunch buffet, so this location has a special place in my heart...all of the wonderful food that Udipi offers in a fabulous buffet, plus they bring masala dosas to the table. What's not to love? For those of you not familiar with the Udipi experience, the food is Southern Indian and vegetarian. And spicy. This is not Continental style Indian food, so, while you may not see some of your favorite stand by's here, you'll have an opportunity to sample dishes that you won't experience anywhere else. And, in so doing, you'll no doubt find some new favorites. Doug and I were driving through Columbus yesterday on our way to points west, and took a little detour to come here for lunch. While the buffet is not a complete representation of what's available on the menu, it's pretty darn impressive, and we ate to our heart's (and stomach's) content. Start with rasam, the spicy tomato and chile based soup, and grab some pakoras, a delicious mix of veggies dipped in batter and fried. Other appetizers that rock my world are the lentil donuts (awesome dipped in the coconut chutney and sambar), and upma, that most comforting of Indian comfort food. Upma is a traditional breakfast cereal, but I like it just fine for lunch...a mix of semolina and spices cooked with various vegetables and sometimes almonds, it's both sweet and savory. Make sure to grab a little dish of chutney...they have both tamarind and cilantro/green chile, plus a tomato chutney that I had never had before. Indian folks love pickles, and the lemon pickle here is one of my favorites. They don't serve naan here, but there was uttapam on the buffet, which is a dal and rice batter pancake, and you can order Southern Indian breads off the menu. The aforementioned masala dosa arrived as we were enjoying our appetizers. This is the best part...a crispy lentil crepe filled with spiced mashed potatoes...yum. So, round one complete, we headed back for more. The entrees on yesterday's buffet included spinach with potatoes, yellow dal, a bean and veggie dish that I was not familiar with...there was more, but my memory fails me now. I do remember this...the food here is delicious. I have never had anything that I didn't like at Udipi, and I can't say that about any other restaurant. The brilliance of Indian vegetarian cuisine is that it's not vegetarian food masquerading as meat. You won't see tofu here, and you won't miss it. The people of this region of India bring all of the wonderful spices and flavors of their native home to the food, and it's not to be missed. Don't be fooled by the humble surroundings; this is world class vegetarian food.
(5)Laurie S.
In.Love.With.This.Place. *it was that good* Unfortunately, we hit on a Sunday, so no buffet, but all four of us ordered blindly off of the menu and nobody complained, not even the 10-year-old who hates "spicey". The food was fantastic!!!!! I have no idea what the name of my dish was, but it was a rice-based bread stuffed with fragrant potatoes. Yum.
(5)Pony B.
South Indian veg. Price is right, food is great, been coming for 10 years and I've never been disappointed.
(5)Moriah P.
You know, I didn't think I liked Indian food, in fact, I thought I hated it until I first visited Udipi Cafe a month ago. I also didn't think that I could eat a dinner sans meat and feel just as satisfied, if not more, as I might after a grass-fed medium rare t-bone steak. This is one of those situations where I'm not the least bit hesitant in admitting how wrong I was. I reserve five star ratings for food that wowed me from start to finish, for service that was helpful and nice but never intrusive, and atmosphere that made me feel welcome. Basically, if I don't have one legitimate complaint to make then the place gets a five star rating. Our server was incredibly helpful and nice, he kindly picked out our meal for us, all the time explaining what they were, because we had no real clue when it came to all the different choices . He asked our heat level (spicy, all the way) and came back during the meal to see how we liked everything and at the end of our meal asked if we would be coming again. I was very pleased with his kindness. I remember we ate the samosas, a spicy chickpea curry, poori bread, and a wonderful dish that had vegetarian "meat"balls. The flavors were layered and complex but always working together with the many textures of each dish. It was one of the best tasting meals I've had and the mango lassis we drank on the side was the perfect counter of flavor to balance all of the wonderful spice in our food. I have found that on East Dublin Granville Road lie some of my favorite places to eat and Udipi Cafe was no exception. Don't be afraid to wander off the beaten path my friends. Get out of the trendy areas of the city and visit the areas that people call 'run-down', 'seedy-ville', and 'god-forsaken' because we only have this one life that we know of and in these areas contain sparkling hidden gems. Not just good restaurants but, good people as well.
(5)Deepa P.
We used to love this place. But we recently ate here and found it funny that there was no one there on a Friday during lunch time. Needless to say, we found out that the owner has changed and the so did the recipes. The food tasted very unauthentic to Southern India. The dosas tasted the same but the other dishes were awful!
(1)Mani I.
Nice place to have tasty vegetarian foods, i like specially south india dishes.
(4)Joseph A.
India is a big country. Turns out they eat something other than tandoori chicken there!?! Bad jokes aside- Udipi is South Indian style- no meat. Dosas, Idli, Paratha, and did I mention Dosas? If you don't know what any of those things are- than go to the reasonably priced buffet and have at it. One of my best buddies is from a South Indian family- and this is the place. Sometimes we would go and our bill would be less than $20, and we were both full. I'm not talking about the buffet either. Sometimes there are little Indian children running around screaming. Other times it's quiet. The dosas and Sambar are always good! I would recommend to anyone who likes Indian flavors- and can be satisfied with a meatless meal (If you can't- then I'm sorry for you.) Super highly reccomended to veggies. Highly reccomended to anyone that likes Indian. Superduper highly reccomended to any veggies that like Indian but have never gone Southern!
(4)Jen B.
Yum! Who knew there would be delicious south Indian food in Columbus? :) I'm in town visiting for a week and my local foodie took me here for dosas. We had the dahi vada (fried doughnuts of lentils and spices immersed inside a yogurt sauce that is laced with tamarind and a little spice. I could have licked the sauce all up it was so good! The vada could have been submerged a little longer to make them lighter and more melt in your mouth, but they were still tasty. Then we followed with a non-traditional kind of dosa that is filled with cream of wheat instead of potatoes. What an interesting change! So delicious- and packed with onions and sliced green chilis! Then we had the chana batura, which is a giant puffed up fried bread served with a delicious chick pea curry. SO good. I'm still here another five days and I hope to go back to get another dosa. :)
(4)Anisa G.
Every once in a while a dosa craving comes over the princess and she must venture out on her swift, grey steed....surmounting every cement monster obstacle and red and green flashing mobs....to the kingdom of un-tamed appetites, until she encounters the buttery countenance of her prince charming....the one and only....butter dosa. And the company of sambar and chutney bring only tears of pure, mirthful JOY. Truly spectacular food
(4)Samantha D.
I went back to Udipi with a large group of friends recently, many of whom had never had Indian food before. It was exactly as delicious as I remembered. My favorites are still the poori, dal makhani, and badam halwa, although anything that you order will be delicious. The service was a bit lackluster, but the delicious food more than made up for it in my book.
(5)Katye M.
I love Indian food, but I'm not as well-versed in Southern Indian food as I am with other areas. Therefore, when we (our dinner club) went to Udipi Cafe tonight it was a little more challenging to understand the menu, which was pretty extensive. Luckily a couple of our dinner club members are from India and they had been to Udipi Cafe before. Both of them highly recommended the dosa's. Most of our table (13 people) had a dosa (I forget what the "combo" meal was called), which also came with 2 "sides," soup, and tea/coffee. I also ordered the samosa's and another friend ordered an appetizer (I forget what it was called, but it was a huge pastry-like thing that was filled with air and was served with a chickpea dish). The pastry-like dish was amazing and could have ordered it as my meal and been fine! The samosa's were also very good with the perfect amount of spice. The dosa I ordered was #15, which was spicy and was a crepe filled with potatoes, vegetables, and spices. Firstly, the dosa's are HUGE and could easily feed 2 people. The one I had was really good, but I couldn't finish it all. Second, the entire dose is not filled, but only a portion of it is filled and the rest of the crepe can be dipped in the various sauces (which are good!). Although the food was really good, the service was sub-par for our party and it could have been because it was so big. I phone at least 24 hours in advance to make reservations each month and when I phoned Udipi, they said it wouldn't be a problem. When I arrived today just before 6:30pm, the host really didn't know what to do. Only 2 booths were taken and there were a bunch of tables in the middle of the restaurant. He ended up going to someone else to ask what to do and they sat us at a long table that seated 8 (I had called ahead for for 10-12). I asked if we could add a table to the end and they said that we would just add chairs to the end of the table when people came... I thought it was odd as I knew there were going to be 13 and if we added chairs to the end of the table it would only give us 10... So, I waited until the rest of the party came and a couple of our friends added to the table and they didn't say anything. We all looked at the menu and they gave us plenty of time to look it over. There were water carafes on the table, which was really nice as they didn't take the drink order until we ordered our meals. The food came out in waves (which usually happens for us with large groups), but it was actually perfect in that regard. Once our food was served, we really didn't have any interaction until they started clearing the table. They cleared 1/2 the table and then disappeared... after about 20 minutes (we were all just talking, so it wasn't a big deal) they came by to see if any of us wanted coffee/tea, which a few people wanted so they brought it out. When we were ready to pay the bill, it was difficult with a large group, but they were able to accommodate and we all went up and paid our own section of the bill. Overall the food was good. I would have preferred a buffet so we could try many more dishes - so maybe going there for lunch sometime would be good. The rating of 4 if primarily for the service; they were respectful, but they were less than responsive in most instances.
(4)Dang N.
OK, so this isn't going to be the best review. Why? Because I don't remember the names of any of the things I ordered and honestly, probably wouldn't be able to pronounce them correctly anyways. But...I felt I absolutely had to Yelp this because it was an Indian experience that I've never had at any other Indian restaurant. First off, this place is VEGETARIAN only. There is not meat options on the menu anywhere. So be warned. I actually did not realize this until I sat down. No problem, I definitely don't need meat in my meals. The cuisine is from Southern India, which is something I've never had so my frame of reference is askew. I ordered some appetizer that is only served on the weekends. It's crunchy in a crushed chick-pea like dough. It's fantastic. I was shocked. Doesn't really look like much when you get it, but it's really tasty. And the two sauces served with it compliments it well. So you'll know what this is by the fact that in the menu it states they only serve this on the weekend. My main dish was one of those big sandwich-like thing. Imagine a tortilla sized Indian style type of bread that's soft, not hard. And inside I got potatoes and something else. It's really unique and good. Being unique is not enough btw and I like to think that even though it may be my first time eating something that's pretty unique, I can still tell whether the flavors mix well to produce great tasting food. This place has got that. It's really different from anything I've ever had and filling also. I was pleasantly surprised by Southern Indian cooking and it being all vegetarian and some vegan, this whole cuisine really appealed to me. And extremely reasonably priced. You go to Los Angeles and eat at some Vegetarian/Vegan place and odds are you're paying a grip for that food. Some kind of CA cuisine or new fusion cuisine of some sort to just get flavor in your dish. This place, by nature of being true to its native cuisine, does this quite nicely.
(4)Randy S.
Udipi, tucked away on 161, probably doesn't feature the Indian cuisine you're used to. Instead of tandoori chicken, naan and samosas, you're more likely to find dosas (a thin, crispy crepe-like bread), lentils and rasam (a sort of spicy soup made with tamarind). Udipi serves traditionally southern Indian food, whereas most Indian restaurants deal in northern Indian cuisine. Everything (to the best of my knowledge) is vegetarian. They offer a kickin' lunch buffet. The place is so packed at lunchtime that the food never gets a chance to get old, though. I'm sure the menu items are crazy good too, though I've never been able to resist that buffet. The buffet gives the added bonus of being able to check out several foods that you likely aren't familiar with. It's telling that lots of Indians who call Columbus home visit Udipi. Check it out. The building isn't much to look at, but the food more than makes up for it. It's a rocking change of pace.
(4)Laura B.
I have been going to Udipi for ten years, and they didnt disappoint tonight. Everything was good as always, and they had a good crowd as well. Masala dosa is a must. Even though it is probably toned down already, the spice.levels can be a bit much for some.
(5)Erin B.
Udipi is hands down my favorite all around Indian spot in Columbus. Now, I prefer Southern Indian style food, so you can leave the chicken tikka masala at home, please. Idli, Paratha, Puri, and Dosas....oh the Dosas. Not one on the menu disappoints me. My favorite being the very spicy Pav Bhaji Dosa. Spiced potatoes and hot chutney wrapped in a thin lentil and rice crepe. With sambar and coconut chutney. What is not to love? Open through the day, no closing between 2 and 5 for them. The waiters are always nice and fairly attentive. Music is very eclectic and enjoyable. Make sure to have a look at the artwork. From the baby Krisha portrait in the hall, to the small shrine by the register and the painting of the Kurukshetra War from the Bhagavad Gita above, it is all very interesting. Seriously, go between 11-3 and try the buffet. Eat a little of everything and be amazed at how good it all is.
(4)Susan H.
I have been here many, many times; my favorite place to eat when I visit Columbus. I have never done the buffet, only dinner and always love the food. I usually go there with my son, his wife and their two young children. Each of us always enjoys the food. While I am not vegetarian I do love vegetarian food so this is perfect for me. I've never had bad service so I am not understanding some of the reviews about the service but perhaps lunch is different. I only wish I had a place like this one near me in Cincinnati.
(5)Mindy W.
This place is A-OK. Service was not in the least bit stellar, but the food was pretty decent and the prices were fine. I tried my first mango lassi here yesterday. I'm a convert. I never want another "smoothie" again, I will stick to the mango lassi. I shared a chickpea entree and a mixed veggie curry entree with a friend. The rice was very disappointing, which is probably why I take away half a star. I'm a huge fine of all rice, and I'm really sad when it's done poorly. The entrees were really flavorful. Her chickpea dish was really good. I felt my curry was a tad too spicy for my taste, but I'm a nerd about spice. Their raita was topnotch. A lot thinner than most, but delicious nonetheless. We did share an app and some puri. The app was some sort of fried potato ball, it was really good (wish I knew the names of all of these dishes!) The Puri was AMAZING- buttery, cunchy outside, moist inside layer. It was really mindbogglingly delicious, and it came to the table puffed up like a delicious balloon! If I was in the area, I would come back here. I know of several closer (better) Indian restaurants to me, but this was conveniently located.
(3)Amy G.
I've enjoyed dinner at Udipi Cafe a few times now. A $6.95 buffet, though? Color me skeptical after my other Indian buffet experiences in Columbus. Unable to find any other establishments open on Memorial Day, however, Erin M. and I drove up and dove in. Udipi, even on a holiday weekend, was bustling but the noise level was low. We started off our meal with excellent masala chai-- spicy, creamy, and perfect with just a touch of sugar. Heading to the buffet, were were STUNNED by the amazing selection of items and the apparent quality of the ingredients and preparation; no curdled cream to be found nor unidentifiable vegetables swimming in oily sauces. Highlights? A fruit salad of fresh (not flavorless, pre-sliced junk!) melon, dal makhani, spinach and mushroom curry, curried squash and chickpeas, and vegetable chapatis. The salad? Fresh and crispy. And at least two different choices of breads. The thick, doughy paratha was perfect for sopping up flavorful sauces. When we returned to our table with plates overflowing with food, we were excited to find a delicious butter masala (I think?) dosa filled with peas and potatoes dusted in curry. After plowing through all this? Still a bit of room for a dessert of warm sweetened milk, cardamom, vanilla, and vermicelli noodles. Each of us walked out happy and sated for under $10. Straight up, Udipi is probably the best Indian I've ever had, north or south, vegetarian or non.
(5)Zack F.
Well 3.5 stars but not because of them, more just that the tastes are not my favorite when it comes to Indian food. They are a little more bland and low in fat. I will say this though, of all the Indian restaurants I have eaten at, this one always has the most Indian guests which has to mean something. The buffet is almost too big to believe. So many options. There are lots of fun little appetizers and some good soup. The main curries don't make me fall out of my seat but they will do. This place is definitely worth a trip or two to make up your own mind.
(4)Derek H.
I am really baffled why nobody in my family or circle of friends likes Indian food. The rich, aromatic spices...the thick sauces....the incredible flavor of it all. I could eat the stuff for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I've yet to find a place better than the Udipi Cafe for satiating my lust for Indian cuisine. I'll go here by myself for the amazing lunch buffet on occasion and the experience is always amazing. I'm not always certain of ingredients involved in everything but can't recall eating anything bad. The crepes/bread they serve are fantastic and the service is always excellent. I wish I could give this place 6 stars.
(5)Caitlin E.
Today I visited Udipi for the second time with friends who were born and raised in southern India - the culinary region of this cafe. They approved the authenticity of the food, and as an American, I can attest that it was delicious! I was pleased to see that they now serve the buffet for lunch on weekends. It was a very great deal (only $9.99 which is the same price as the majority of the entrees and much less than other Indian buffets in the area), and I was able to try all of the options since everything is vegetarian. There was a great variety, and everything was labeled so that I could learn the names of the items I was trying. I must have tried everything, and there was not one dish I disliked. The service was great as well. The staff was polite, allowed us to choose our seating, and they were very good about cleaning up our empty plates frequently. I cannot wait to take others here!
(5)Shash D.
This restaurant used to be the best indian restaurant in town about 5 years ago but now it has completely run down. Good Things about the restaurant 1. Dosa's Are the best i have ever had in United states or in Columbus. Their Rava Dosa is Awesome. Chutneys are great! Down Side/ Disappointed 1. Please do not go for lunch buffet. Buffet is horrible, Poor Quality, deep oil fried and Unhygienic Food Quality. 2. Customer Service is Horrible. 3. Cashier/ Lady in the counter acts so annoying and unprofessional. They play loud music as if their partying with all kinds of stupid music. 4. Udipi is all about Pleasant, Peaceful and naturing loving but this is totally opposite. 5. Very Unhygienic and restaurant is very dirty. 6. Booth and carpets are dirty and Disgusting. Advice to Management 1. Please fire your waiting staff or educate them to be professional And stop playing loud music 2. Please stop Throwing disgusting food in lunch Buffet. 3. Stop serving Deep Oil fried food in lunch buffet 4. Please keep your restaurant clean and maintain Hygiene 5. Please Change the carpets its very disgusting. Don't be cheap!
(2)Aklilu A.
My friend and I were looking for a quick place to eat and thought Indian. We came across this place, no idea it was a strict vegetarian menu, boy were we surprised. But since we had already been seated, we decided to give this place a try. Open parking lot out front so parking wasn't a problem. The service is nice, the employees are kind and happy folks. Happy to hear we were first timer's and had plenty of suggestions for us. The atmosphere was very clean and cozy, plenty of families around us. Guess eating vegetarian is popular thing because a majority of the place was filled with a diverse group of people. We ordered the Special Rava Masala Dosai and the Udipi's Special Spring Dosai. They came with thin rice crepes, which were crunchy and delicious. The vegetables were grilled and seasoned well. We were still pretty hungry afterwards though, probably because there wasn't no real meat in the meal. But if you're a strict vegetarian, then this is the place for you!
(3)Today Y.
An unassuming restaurant hidden in a dilapidated strip mall on a decaying busy business road. But walk inside for lunch and suddenly you are hit with wonderful Indian curry smells amongst a crowded room full of happy, mostly Indian eaters. (Not packed though, plenty of room, as it's a large, also unassuming and pretty bland environ, with maroon plastic seats and such plastic decor of the usual cheaply designed ethnic restaurants.) The food was great. The lunch buffet was only $6.99 or so, and awesome. Full of fresh chutneys and flavorful curries and soups and breads, tons of great dishes each distinct and delicious. Nothing over-oily , either, like some Indian food joints sometimes are. This is all vegetarian too!!! Southern Indian food. ("Udipi", i learned, is the name of the restaurants like this in India serving this Southern Indian style of food). This place is awesome, totally awesome. Just wish I had room to try the mango lassi or Indian tea, but was way too full to eat or drink more. When you order the buffet, you also get a dosa (they spelled it dosai) brought to you, which is yummy. That's the paper thin, crispy-ish Indian crepe with a dollop of tasty potato and onion mash inside. The desert soup was good and interesting, called Madras Payasam i think. Was a milk (cream i'm guessing) and honey soup with chopped pieces of vermicelli and raisins and cashews tossed in. Was almost like Chai, but a desert soup variation without tea. hmmm... i guess that's just milk and honey and spices. It was all great!
(4)GaramChai E.
A good restaurant for those craving south Indian food in Columbus. The buffet has a good choice ranging from Idli, vada, sambar to curd rice and most other dishes in between. I haven't been there for dinner so I can't comment on the a la carte menu Location is convenient and accessible even for a quick lunch.
(4)Majid I.
Not bad given it is hard to find decent South Indian food. The service is laid back and a bit too casual. Can't go wrong with the dosa items but please skip the fried appetizers (except vada) and the North Indian fare. Filter coffee: Thumbs up. Location is some god forsaken place.
(3)Kevin M.
Very satisfying vegetarian South Indian food. I'd recommend getting one of their dinner combos - appetizer with soup, a dosa of your choice, tea or coffee, and I think a dessert as well, though I could be misremembering. It's in a strip mall, so the ambiance isn't _great_, but it's not bad. It's also a really, really big place, so it's suitable for a large group.
(4)Shawnie K.
Udipi Cafe makes fabulous Indian food. I first ate here about 8 years ago when my best friend (who is a vegetarian Indian) suggested we try it out. It wasn't what I was used to (chicken roganjosh or biriani), but I developed a taste for non-meat dishes I had never previously experienced. Been hooked on this place ever since. Udipi makes good, solid Indian food-- both flavor and "heat", (meaning my upper lip is sweating) but I can still feel my tongue and taste the next bite. I love the hot pickles, coconut chutney, daal, and pakoras, but the service is the clincher for me. They are prompt, attentive and friendly. I love smiley waiters (especially those who card me when I order a beer!) Plus, they leave a pitcher of water on the table. I looked around to make sure everyone had pitchers and they did! Being a consumer of water, I appreciate that touch because I often feel bad asking the server to refill my glass over and over. I am not a fan of buffets, but will take my chances here. The turnover is swift- which is a testimony to the large number of lunch-goers (who are mostly Indian the times i've been here). This restaurant is fully vegetarian and extremely well-priced at $6.95 for lunch! While Udipi is located in a non-descript strip mall along Route 161, just west of the 71 exit, but it has a big sign overlooking the road making it easy to find. I just had the lunch buffet day before yesterday on Christmas eve and it was as good as ever. I highly recommend this place for vegetarians and lovers of Indian cuisine. I would give Udipi stars if not for the bathrooms, which weren't as clean as they could be most times I've gone. They aren't grose, just in need of updating.
(4)Emily C.
If you love Indian food, have been curious about trying Indian food, or have had bad Indian food and want to taste what the good stuff is, RUN -- don't walk! -- to Udipi Cafe. While it's tucked away in an unassuming location, it's a hidden gem. Amazing lunch buffett - lots of selections and variety, decent service, and a fair price -- $7.99. If you leave hungry, it's your own fault. :) Although it is South Indian vegetarian fare, the flavors are rich, robust, and satisfying. I just got home an hour ago and I'm already wondering if it would be wrong to go back and get vegetable curry take-out for dinner. It was that good. Will definitely be back soon.
(4)Jeffrey D.
Great food, no charge for the hair.
(4)Dirk K.
Very good Indian food. Has all the hallmarks of a good ethnic restaurant: located in a rundown strip mall, appears family owned and run with a large seemingly native staff. The food is full of flavour and they have many authentic recipes that go well beyond the typical Americanized offerings. Worth the trip.
(4)Brian B.
If you are hungry on a weekday and like indian food go here, hands down the best buffet you will get in the area. The only thing to be aware of is that you will not find meat selections (it is southern indian). The food was great and the place was packed when we went, I believe they ran out of one of their items since it was replaced with something else while we were there. Enjoy stuffing yourself silly.
(4)Ryan W.
I love Indian food! I travel a lot and eat at a lot of Indian restaurants. This was below average for Indian, but above average compared to all lunch options.
(3)Seth D.
You hear about this place all the time on the radio, or in discussions about Indian food, so I came in with pretty high hopes. I have to say, the food was good, but I was a little disappointed, I guess because of all of the hype. Maybe if we had more decent South Indian restaurants in Columbus, you wouldn't hear about this one as much. I've definitely had better Indian food, but it was still pretty good. The samosas were well flavored and a little spicy, and the shell was a little thicker and chewier than usual, as apposed to crisp and flaky. The potatoes inside were basically mashed, and the tamarind and cilantro dipping sauces were very good. The sweet lassi was a little odd. Instead of tasting like real yogurt, it tasted spiked like alcohol, and it smelled kind of yeasty too! Otherwise it tasted ok, just not what I'm used to I guess. The vegetable soup I ordered tasted good, and the broth was nice and thick, but it was kind of skimpy on the veggies, so I ordered some poori to dip in the remaining broth, which is kind of like a thin elephant ear without any cinnamon sugar. My main course was malai kafta I believe, which I found to be a little bland, and too sweet, so I think I ate more basmati rice on the side than my main course. Altogether the service was good, the food was pretty good too, but I can't see myself going out of my way to come back. I certainly would come if someone else suggested though, and maybe have a better experience with something different, and with lower expectations.
(3)Melanie B.
My experience today at Udipi was so perfect that I actually discussed re-Yelping it while I was there. I simply love this restaurant - I love how quiet it is, with the perfect level of music in the background; I love how there are Indian families who come to eat here; I'm not even at vegetarian, and I love how it's a vegetarian restaurant. The food here is phenomenal, out of this world, drunk-on-flavor, satisfying. Last time I was at Udipi, my friends and I had the lunch buffet, which was good, but I'm not huge on buffets. Ze boy and I went today for Sunday afternoon foods (linner? dunch? ha), and were dually impressed. I almost grabbed the menu on my way out, but for some reason put it down, so forgive me for not knowing the names of everything... We started with samosas, which were some of the most flavorful I've ever had, and which were also the perfect size (aka not gigantic). He had a paneer dish with reddish sauce, which was excellent. I loved how well done the paneer was, and the hint of spice. I had malai kofta, which may be my all-time favourite Indian dish, and which was excellent (just sweet and spicy enough) here at Udipi. We also had the big, puffy, crunchy bread - I forget what it's called but it's a huge ball of air and goodness? It was excellent, esp. for me because I don't eat rice, so I got to enjoy the sauce with the made-mostly-of-air bread. Oh. god. The service was excellent, though they did disappear for a while and we ended up helping ourselves to a new pitcher of water because they were all out back. But otherwise, seriously excellent. This place isn't huge on atmosphere - it's comfortable and family friendly, but honestly I wasn't looking around much because the company I keep is the loveliest in the land, and today so was the food. Seriously, it melted my heart and my tummy (in a good way). The perfect food for a chilly fall afternoon in Columbus. Tumble through this town with love, folks. Mmmm.
(5)Zola B.
This is my favorite Indian restaurant in Columbus. The mostly vegan (all vegetarian) lunch buffet is the best and super cheap! I love that you get a dosa as well. It is very difficult not to completely stuff yourself. I'm not sure why some other reviewers said their food is bland. Perhaps they don't have tastebuds? It's very flavorful and a lot of it quite spicy. I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 because I don't care for the waiters. They stare at you while you're eating and take plates away the second you're done. It's pretty creepy and I don't appreciate the hovering. I also don't care for this place much at dinner. The atmosphere is much more appropriate for lunch.
(4)Kevin M.
Very satisfying vegetarian South Indian food. I'd recommend getting one of their dinner combos - appetizer with soup, a dosa of your choice, tea or coffee, and I think a dessert as well, though I could be misremembering. It's in a strip mall, so the ambiance isn't _great_, but it's not bad. It's also a really, really big place, so it's suitable for a large group.
(4)Today Y.
An unassuming restaurant hidden in a dilapidated strip mall on a decaying busy business road. But walk inside for lunch and suddenly you are hit with wonderful Indian curry smells amongst a crowded room full of happy, mostly Indian eaters. (Not packed though, plenty of room, as it's a large, also unassuming and pretty bland environ, with maroon plastic seats and such plastic decor of the usual cheaply designed ethnic restaurants.) The food was great. The lunch buffet was only $6.99 or so, and awesome. Full of fresh chutneys and flavorful curries and soups and breads, tons of great dishes each distinct and delicious. Nothing over-oily , either, like some Indian food joints sometimes are. This is all vegetarian too!!! Southern Indian food. ("Udipi", i learned, is the name of the restaurants like this in India serving this Southern Indian style of food). This place is awesome, totally awesome. Just wish I had room to try the mango lassi or Indian tea, but was way too full to eat or drink more. When you order the buffet, you also get a dosa (they spelled it dosai) brought to you, which is yummy. That's the paper thin, crispy-ish Indian crepe with a dollop of tasty potato and onion mash inside. The desert soup was good and interesting, called Madras Payasam i think. Was a milk (cream i'm guessing) and honey soup with chopped pieces of vermicelli and raisins and cashews tossed in. Was almost like Chai, but a desert soup variation without tea. hmmm... i guess that's just milk and honey and spices. It was all great!
(4)GaramChai E.
A good restaurant for those craving south Indian food in Columbus. The buffet has a good choice ranging from Idli, vada, sambar to curd rice and most other dishes in between. I haven't been there for dinner so I can't comment on the a la carte menu Location is convenient and accessible even for a quick lunch.
(4)Majid I.
Not bad given it is hard to find decent South Indian food. The service is laid back and a bit too casual. Can't go wrong with the dosa items but please skip the fried appetizers (except vada) and the North Indian fare. Filter coffee: Thumbs up. Location is some god forsaken place.
(3)Shawnie K.
Udipi Cafe makes fabulous Indian food. I first ate here about 8 years ago when my best friend (who is a vegetarian Indian) suggested we try it out. It wasn't what I was used to (chicken roganjosh or biriani), but I developed a taste for non-meat dishes I had never previously experienced. Been hooked on this place ever since. Udipi makes good, solid Indian food-- both flavor and "heat", (meaning my upper lip is sweating) but I can still feel my tongue and taste the next bite. I love the hot pickles, coconut chutney, daal, and pakoras, but the service is the clincher for me. They are prompt, attentive and friendly. I love smiley waiters (especially those who card me when I order a beer!) Plus, they leave a pitcher of water on the table. I looked around to make sure everyone had pitchers and they did! Being a consumer of water, I appreciate that touch because I often feel bad asking the server to refill my glass over and over. I am not a fan of buffets, but will take my chances here. The turnover is swift- which is a testimony to the large number of lunch-goers (who are mostly Indian the times i've been here). This restaurant is fully vegetarian and extremely well-priced at $6.95 for lunch! While Udipi is located in a non-descript strip mall along Route 161, just west of the 71 exit, but it has a big sign overlooking the road making it easy to find. I just had the lunch buffet day before yesterday on Christmas eve and it was as good as ever. I highly recommend this place for vegetarians and lovers of Indian cuisine. I would give Udipi stars if not for the bathrooms, which weren't as clean as they could be most times I've gone. They aren't grose, just in need of updating.
(4)Emily C.
If you love Indian food, have been curious about trying Indian food, or have had bad Indian food and want to taste what the good stuff is, RUN -- don't walk! -- to Udipi Cafe. While it's tucked away in an unassuming location, it's a hidden gem. Amazing lunch buffett - lots of selections and variety, decent service, and a fair price -- $7.99. If you leave hungry, it's your own fault. :) Although it is South Indian vegetarian fare, the flavors are rich, robust, and satisfying. I just got home an hour ago and I'm already wondering if it would be wrong to go back and get vegetable curry take-out for dinner. It was that good. Will definitely be back soon.
(4)Jeffrey D.
Great food, no charge for the hair.
(4)Dirk K.
Very good Indian food. Has all the hallmarks of a good ethnic restaurant: located in a rundown strip mall, appears family owned and run with a large seemingly native staff. The food is full of flavour and they have many authentic recipes that go well beyond the typical Americanized offerings. Worth the trip.
(4)Brian B.
If you are hungry on a weekday and like indian food go here, hands down the best buffet you will get in the area. The only thing to be aware of is that you will not find meat selections (it is southern indian). The food was great and the place was packed when we went, I believe they ran out of one of their items since it was replaced with something else while we were there. Enjoy stuffing yourself silly.
(4)Ryan W.
I love Indian food! I travel a lot and eat at a lot of Indian restaurants. This was below average for Indian, but above average compared to all lunch options.
(3)Seth D.
You hear about this place all the time on the radio, or in discussions about Indian food, so I came in with pretty high hopes. I have to say, the food was good, but I was a little disappointed, I guess because of all of the hype. Maybe if we had more decent South Indian restaurants in Columbus, you wouldn't hear about this one as much. I've definitely had better Indian food, but it was still pretty good. The samosas were well flavored and a little spicy, and the shell was a little thicker and chewier than usual, as apposed to crisp and flaky. The potatoes inside were basically mashed, and the tamarind and cilantro dipping sauces were very good. The sweet lassi was a little odd. Instead of tasting like real yogurt, it tasted spiked like alcohol, and it smelled kind of yeasty too! Otherwise it tasted ok, just not what I'm used to I guess. The vegetable soup I ordered tasted good, and the broth was nice and thick, but it was kind of skimpy on the veggies, so I ordered some poori to dip in the remaining broth, which is kind of like a thin elephant ear without any cinnamon sugar. My main course was malai kafta I believe, which I found to be a little bland, and too sweet, so I think I ate more basmati rice on the side than my main course. Altogether the service was good, the food was pretty good too, but I can't see myself going out of my way to come back. I certainly would come if someone else suggested though, and maybe have a better experience with something different, and with lower expectations.
(3)Melanie B.
My experience today at Udipi was so perfect that I actually discussed re-Yelping it while I was there. I simply love this restaurant - I love how quiet it is, with the perfect level of music in the background; I love how there are Indian families who come to eat here; I'm not even at vegetarian, and I love how it's a vegetarian restaurant. The food here is phenomenal, out of this world, drunk-on-flavor, satisfying. Last time I was at Udipi, my friends and I had the lunch buffet, which was good, but I'm not huge on buffets. Ze boy and I went today for Sunday afternoon foods (linner? dunch? ha), and were dually impressed. I almost grabbed the menu on my way out, but for some reason put it down, so forgive me for not knowing the names of everything... We started with samosas, which were some of the most flavorful I've ever had, and which were also the perfect size (aka not gigantic). He had a paneer dish with reddish sauce, which was excellent. I loved how well done the paneer was, and the hint of spice. I had malai kofta, which may be my all-time favourite Indian dish, and which was excellent (just sweet and spicy enough) here at Udipi. We also had the big, puffy, crunchy bread - I forget what it's called but it's a huge ball of air and goodness? It was excellent, esp. for me because I don't eat rice, so I got to enjoy the sauce with the made-mostly-of-air bread. Oh. god. The service was excellent, though they did disappear for a while and we ended up helping ourselves to a new pitcher of water because they were all out back. But otherwise, seriously excellent. This place isn't huge on atmosphere - it's comfortable and family friendly, but honestly I wasn't looking around much because the company I keep is the loveliest in the land, and today so was the food. Seriously, it melted my heart and my tummy (in a good way). The perfect food for a chilly fall afternoon in Columbus. Tumble through this town with love, folks. Mmmm.
(5)Laura E.
I'm giving this restaurant three stars because I am a fan of their food, but I am truly torn if I should give them such a good rating.. The service is much to be desired. I will likely only go there for carryout in the future. My last visit , we were seated by a young man who barely acknowledged our existence. Then .we waited for ten-fifteen minutes for a waiter to come over. We are not Indian, and it seemed he gave us a table far away from everyone else who were all Indian. I thought maybe we were just forgotten about.. Luckily, I was in a patient mood that night, and a guy eventually came over - oblivious to our wait. No smiles, no friendliness at all from anyone. The man you pay at the counter was a real "charmer". no thank you - no nothing as he took your money. It was a very weird vibe for a non-Indian such as myself. I try to consider there may be some cultural differences. Of course I wonder if I would have been treated better if I was a man or an Indian person. Who knows, but the food was good and hopefully they will improve their service and put forth a little friendliness after reading these reviews.
(3)Paul F.
I went here for lunch today and everything I tried, I liked, but I don't have the foggiest idea of what I ate except for the cantelope.
(4)Mahesh K.
Excellent food! Im coming here after more than 3 years and the food has improved significantly. The dosa was very well cooked and the madras coffee reminded me of the coffee i used to have at home. Recommend!
(4)Spongebob S.
I love meat, but man, this place definitely exceeded my expectations. Like everyone has mentioned before, the price is definitely the best part about this place. I think my meal was around $8. I normally get saag, and theirs was good. It wasnt cooked spicy enough for my tastes, but they were willing to give me chili sauce on the side. My friend's vegetable curry was very tasty too.
(4)Labatt F.
It's the best south Indian food I've had, and the staff is lovely. Atmosphere is pretty basic, but I love the lunch buffet and I love everything I've ever had there.
(5)Cat F.
Fantastic vegetarian Indian food. Love it all!
(5)Sarah B.
The food is a little bland and the lights are way too bright, but Udipi isn't bad. Their portions are huge and great for sharing. As with most Indian restaurants, vegetarians would have no problem eating here.
(3)Melanie J.
I absolutely love The Udipi! You wouldn't really expect to find a vegetarian Indian restaurant that's as good as Udipi is, in a plaza on the north side. But, give it a chance! You won't be disappointed. Being a Veg, you can always find options at an Indian restaurant, but it's nice when you don't have to pick and choose. Udipi rocks!
(5)Matthew M.
Udipi is a fantastic value for lunch. And by "fantastic" please know that i do mean "of or like a fantasy". $6.95 for all that complex wholesome food is a steal. However, it seems that some days the lunch buffet includes more hearty items than others. I always feel supremely satisfied when there is palak (or saag) panir to be had, no matter what other dishes and soups are available. Also, baigan bartha--not usually on the buffet as it is a weekend specialty--has made a few appearances on Mondays and is tomatoey, citrus-y and sustaining. Every now and then I was a bit disappointed on leaving when I felt there was not one centerpiece dish and that the dishes were a little too light because of the vegetables used. This is primarily a matter of taste and preference on my part and shouldn't be ascribed too much weight, Dear Reader. The service is very pleasant and, as Shawnie K. noted, smiley. From the menu, I recommend the chana masala (garbanzos in tomato), palak panir, the Thali (combination) and baigan bartha, but i think it's hard to go wrong at Udipi. The Indian coffee and tea are well prepared and only enhance the eating experience. And the mango lassi is a soothing, not too heavy dessert drink. The atmosphere is austere at Udipi, although there are a few pieces of Hindu art on the walls that I pause to look at every few visits. In sum, Udipi is a perfect example of the culinary treasures to be found in Columbus at not-so-conspicuous locations.
(4)Bob G.
Udipi is my favorite restaurant for those "I don't want to cook" Friday nights. We enjoy the dosa, Bagan Bartha, sag paneer, the sambar soup with the lentil donuts, and dal malkani with a beer. We also enjoy seeing three generational south Asian families out for dinner in a relaxing atmosphere. It's consistently great high quality food and excellent service at very reasonable prices. The job candidate from Riverside, California also liked it.
(5)Raerae B.
Look, if this place was suddenly going out of business I would max out my credit card to stockpile my freezer with this shit. I dream about this food, I've skipped work to eat there just because my boyfriend said he was buying. When you go to an Indian restaurant & ONLY Indian people are dining with the occasional hipster vegan couple you know your'e in the right spot! And seriously, 161 is an awesome stretch of road with some of my favorite places in Columbus residing on it, even though I live in the humble Clintonville whitewashed safe-happyland it doesn't have Carfagna's, Otani's, Navareth, Capri Lanes & the Village thrift around the corner of Cleveland Ave. Get past the fact that you ain't in the Short North with the shiny people of the world and get Real, eat real & feel really fucking good about it. Basically, if you don't like this place you don't know squat about India... I feel confident saying that.
(5)Nuri G.
At most restaurants, I have to carefully pick my dish. Although some dishes may not overtly contain meat, there are a ton of landmines such as chicken stock in soups or sauces and lard in... well, pretty much anything. That's what I love so much about Vegetarian Restaurants, and particularly Indian Vegetarian Restaurants. Udipi Cafe is a great example of delicious Southern Indian Vegetarian. I took a non-veg coworker who was peripherally knowledgeable about the cuisine. I was pleased to be responsible for 100% of the non-Indian people in the restaurant. I told my co-worker that I was very familiar with Indian food and that, if he trusted me enough, I'd do all the ordering. I inquired to his preferred level of spice, any allergies or dislikes, and I got to work. As I selected things in the menu, I chuckled as I heard some trance classics remixed as Indian Music. I ordered the following: Mysore Masala Dosa Gobi Manchurian Chana Masala The server warned me about the Gobi Manchurian -- said it was very spicy. The Dosa was delicious. Triangular in shape, the fluffy spiced crepe gently cradled an ample portion of curried potatoes. The sambar was spicy, hearty, and full of vegetables. The chana masala was unremarkable. Not bad, not incredible... just average. I've had several types of Gobi Manchurian before (sauteed, deep fried) but they've always been unsauced, spicy, and bright red. This dish, however, was different. I understand that Manchurian food originated when neighboring Chinese wanted to make a dish with Indian ingredients that would reflect the Chinese style. This execution of Gobi Manchurian was probably the most Chinese I've ever eaten. The dish was very saucy, full of green onions and garlic, ridiculously spicy, and could have been eaten in any Chinese restaurant anywhere. In fact, it could be described as the best Chinese I've eaten in an Indian Restaurant. I absolutely loved my visit to Udipi Cafe. If you're looking for great vegetarian food, or are looking to eat something out of the ordinary, go to Udipi Cafe. The prices are reasonable, the people are friendly, and you're going to go home full and happy.
(4)Matthew K.
So this would have been a 4 star review if it wasn't for the kindness of the wait staff. Went in a large group of 12 to celebrate a few birthdays. The wait staff right off the back was very accommodating and set up a large table and grabbed extra chairs so we could all be together. We all ordered food and the appetizers and came out quickly. Then more appetizers came out that no one ordered and the wait staff simply said they were complimentary. When our main dishes came out things got a little confusing because most of us just ordered by number and didn't really remember what the dish was called. We all got food just some of us (myself included) didn't get what we ordered but it almost didn't matter. All the food was amazing! We all shared with each other ala family style. There wasn't one dish that I had that I did not love. Because of the mix up with some of the dishes the wait staff even brought out a complimentary entree. All the workers there went out of there way to make sure we were happy and at the end of the meal everyone was. Not one person complained about the mix up with dishes. I plan on going back VERY soon and hopefully many times after that. I couldn't recommend Udipi more to someone. Amazing food and amazing service, you can't ask for more and in a smaller group I know that the mix ups would not happen.
(5)Molly B.
My friend Lara popped my Udipi cherry yesterday. And it was gooooood. But I must say...if you're a chiken tikka masala kinda person, you aint gonna find it at Udipi. This is Southern Indian...so lots of veggies (in fact, it's all vegetarian) and not a lot of cream. Anywho, it's pretty darn good. I just had the buffet, which was nice. I enjoyed being able to try a lot of different things. One super duper surprise was their dessert. Some sort of pastry bread puff dipped in a yummy sauce. Looked kinda weird but tasted amazing. Don't be alarmed by its location in seedy-ville. If you look around the restaurant, you'll see a lot of Indian people. That usually means it's actually good Indian food. Yumz.
(4)Adrienne W.
Lunch buffet at an Indian restaurant? Sounds pretty standard - clearing was prompt and bathroom was clean so let us start them off at 2 stars. Lunch buffet where they give you the most delicious fresh dosa - plus one star! South Indian food of intense deliciousness - plus one star! And to cap it all off - $6.95 price tag. Five stars! And I will be back... PS The restaurant is vegetarian. Just so you know. If you aren't vegetarian, you should still eat here. Because I said so.
(5)David L.
Taste: 4 Value: 4 Service: 4 I came here for the lunch buffet, $8 since I was a couple blocks away for work, and I was out of cash. I walked in at 11:30am, right when they opened. Overall, lots of pretty good choices for the buffet, all freshly made, although unfortunately there were no meat dishes (eg: chicken tikka marsala, lamb, etc). A lot of potato dishes, curries, and fried foods, along with rice, dala, salad, and watermelon. Definitely would come again.
(4)Sabrina L.
Wow! I wasn't so sure when I pulled up in front of the location, smack dab in front of a shabby minimall, and I had flashbacks to my Starliner Diner experience where I sat in the car debating for five minutes if anything that scary could be worth braving, but I am SO GLAD I tried it! I ordered the vegetable samosas and the crepe thingy with potatoes and onions. (That sounds confusing but if you look at the menu you'll find it right away.) I ordered takeaway since I'm working tonight and my car was filled with a fantastic smell the mile back to work. When I opened up the bag I was surprised to find a crepe that was 15 inches long! This is WAY more than one of me could eat, so if you go you could get off cheaper by sharing. The crepe itself was perfect, enough taste to make a good filling holder but nothing that was going to overshadow the perfectly seasoned potatoes. The onions were still very crunchy so if you don't like them mostly raw this might not be a good option for you. The samosas were a little doughier than I'm used to, but the seasoning was spot on and the crunch on the outside brought them together nicely. So look past the exterior, and don't judge this book by the cover! Udipi Cafe is definitely five stars!
(5)Caitlin E.
Today I visited Udipi for the second time with friends who were born and raised in southern India - the culinary region of this cafe. They approved the authenticity of the food, and as an American, I can attest that it was delicious! I was pleased to see that they now serve the buffet for lunch on weekends. It was a very great deal (only $9.99 which is the same price as the majority of the entrees and much less than other Indian buffets in the area), and I was able to try all of the options since everything is vegetarian. There was a great variety, and everything was labeled so that I could learn the names of the items I was trying. I must have tried everything, and there was not one dish I disliked. The service was great as well. The staff was polite, allowed us to choose our seating, and they were very good about cleaning up our empty plates frequently. I cannot wait to take others here!
(5)Luke T.
I have been to Udipi exactly twice. Once with some coworkers, and once with an ex. Neither visit blew me away, but both were trips worth making. People rave about this restaurant, and while I think it's good, it would not be my first or even second choice for Indian food. For the lunch with coworkers, we had the buffet. It was average, quality-wise, but it offered a good variety, better than some others (such as Radhuni). The greatest part about this visit was how demanding one of my (Indian) coworkers was, and how irate our server clearly was at her, but he maintained the utmost professionalism. She made him make like 5 different trips to bring out our dessert and get it just right. Small things like not bringing enough bowls for everyone, or spoons, etc. None of her requests were out of line, but he was visibly annoyed; you could almost see the steam coming from his ears. One of my coworkers was loooosing it at the situation. If I were to bring it up tomorrow, she would still cry from laughing so hard. I got bold with the second visit and ordered what essentially amounts to an Indian pizza, I think called an uthappa? I had never had it before, and wanted to try something new. It was delicious, and gigantic to boot.
(3)Puchu J.
Pav Bhaji Dosa is an interesting twist but I feel not executed properly. I wish it was like a regular dosa with bhaji in the middle instead you get four pieces of bhaji wrapped up in dosa. All the crunch factor of a dosa is gone. Also had the medu vada which was freshly fried and very delicious.
(4)Erin B.
Udipi is hands down my favorite all around Indian spot in Columbus. Now, I prefer Southern Indian style food, so you can leave the chicken tikka masala at home, please. Idli, Paratha, Puri, and Dosas....oh the Dosas. Not one on the menu disappoints me. My favorite being the very spicy Pav Bhaji Dosa. Spiced potatoes and hot chutney wrapped in a thin lentil and rice crepe. With sambar and coconut chutney. What is not to love? Open through the day, no closing between 2 and 5 for them. The waiters are always nice and fairly attentive. Music is very eclectic and enjoyable. Make sure to have a look at the artwork. From the baby Krisha portrait in the hall, to the small shrine by the register and the painting of the Kurukshetra War from the Bhagavad Gita above, it is all very interesting. Seriously, go between 11-3 and try the buffet. Eat a little of everything and be amazed at how good it all is.
(4)Susan H.
I have been here many, many times; my favorite place to eat when I visit Columbus. I have never done the buffet, only dinner and always love the food. I usually go there with my son, his wife and their two young children. Each of us always enjoys the food. While I am not vegetarian I do love vegetarian food so this is perfect for me. I've never had bad service so I am not understanding some of the reviews about the service but perhaps lunch is different. I only wish I had a place like this one near me in Cincinnati.
(5)Mindy W.
This place is A-OK. Service was not in the least bit stellar, but the food was pretty decent and the prices were fine. I tried my first mango lassi here yesterday. I'm a convert. I never want another "smoothie" again, I will stick to the mango lassi. I shared a chickpea entree and a mixed veggie curry entree with a friend. The rice was very disappointing, which is probably why I take away half a star. I'm a huge fine of all rice, and I'm really sad when it's done poorly. The entrees were really flavorful. Her chickpea dish was really good. I felt my curry was a tad too spicy for my taste, but I'm a nerd about spice. Their raita was topnotch. A lot thinner than most, but delicious nonetheless. We did share an app and some puri. The app was some sort of fried potato ball, it was really good (wish I knew the names of all of these dishes!) The Puri was AMAZING- buttery, cunchy outside, moist inside layer. It was really mindbogglingly delicious, and it came to the table puffed up like a delicious balloon! If I was in the area, I would come back here. I know of several closer (better) Indian restaurants to me, but this was conveniently located.
(3)Zola B.
This is my favorite Indian restaurant in Columbus. The mostly vegan (all vegetarian) lunch buffet is the best and super cheap! I love that you get a dosa as well. It is very difficult not to completely stuff yourself. I'm not sure why some other reviewers said their food is bland. Perhaps they don't have tastebuds? It's very flavorful and a lot of it quite spicy. I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 because I don't care for the waiters. They stare at you while you're eating and take plates away the second you're done. It's pretty creepy and I don't appreciate the hovering. I also don't care for this place much at dinner. The atmosphere is much more appropriate for lunch.
(4)Amy G.
I've enjoyed dinner at Udipi Cafe a few times now. A $6.95 buffet, though? Color me skeptical after my other Indian buffet experiences in Columbus. Unable to find any other establishments open on Memorial Day, however, Erin M. and I drove up and dove in. Udipi, even on a holiday weekend, was bustling but the noise level was low. We started off our meal with excellent masala chai-- spicy, creamy, and perfect with just a touch of sugar. Heading to the buffet, were were STUNNED by the amazing selection of items and the apparent quality of the ingredients and preparation; no curdled cream to be found nor unidentifiable vegetables swimming in oily sauces. Highlights? A fruit salad of fresh (not flavorless, pre-sliced junk!) melon, dal makhani, spinach and mushroom curry, curried squash and chickpeas, and vegetable chapatis. The salad? Fresh and crispy. And at least two different choices of breads. The thick, doughy paratha was perfect for sopping up flavorful sauces. When we returned to our table with plates overflowing with food, we were excited to find a delicious butter masala (I think?) dosa filled with peas and potatoes dusted in curry. After plowing through all this? Still a bit of room for a dessert of warm sweetened milk, cardamom, vanilla, and vermicelli noodles. Each of us walked out happy and sated for under $10. Straight up, Udipi is probably the best Indian I've ever had, north or south, vegetarian or non.
(5)Christopher G.
A friend living in Columbus recommended Udipi for its $7.99 vegetarian buffet. Everything was pretty good and there were plenty of South Asian customers--a good sign. By the time I left around 2, some of the buffet trays were drying out a bit. I'll probably be back this summer.
(4)Mary B.
I usual find myself here with my Indian coworker traveling back from meetings. He is a vegetarian and enjoys this place. The dosas are to die for. I have found that the weekends must be the best time for more options. The service is buffet style which allows you to try a variety of preparations to find the dish you like. I have not had a consistent experience here which is why I rated it 3 stars.
(3)Caitlin E.
Today I visited Udipi for the second time with friends who were born and raised in southern India - the culinary region of this cafe. They approved the authenticity of the food, and as an American, I can attest that it was delicious! I was pleased to see that they now serve the buffet for lunch on weekends. It was a very great deal (only $9.99 which is the same price as the majority of the entrees and much less than other Indian buffets in the area), and I was able to try all of the options since everything is vegetarian. There was a great variety, and everything was labeled so that I could learn the names of the items I was trying. I must have tried everything, and there was not one dish I disliked. The service was great as well. The staff was polite, allowed us to choose our seating, and they were very good about cleaning up our empty plates frequently. I cannot wait to take others here!
(5)Shash D.
This restaurant used to be the best indian restaurant in town about 5 years ago but now it has completely run down. Good Things about the restaurant 1. Dosa's Are the best i have ever had in United states or in Columbus. Their Rava Dosa is Awesome. Chutneys are great! Down Side/ Disappointed 1. Please do not go for lunch buffet. Buffet is horrible, Poor Quality, deep oil fried and Unhygienic Food Quality. 2. Customer Service is Horrible. 3. Cashier/ Lady in the counter acts so annoying and unprofessional. They play loud music as if their partying with all kinds of stupid music. 4. Udipi is all about Pleasant, Peaceful and naturing loving but this is totally opposite. 5. Very Unhygienic and restaurant is very dirty. 6. Booth and carpets are dirty and Disgusting. Advice to Management 1. Please fire your waiting staff or educate them to be professional And stop playing loud music 2. Please stop Throwing disgusting food in lunch Buffet. 3. Stop serving Deep Oil fried food in lunch buffet 4. Please keep your restaurant clean and maintain Hygiene 5. Please Change the carpets its very disgusting. Don't be cheap!
(2)Aklilu A.
My friend and I were looking for a quick place to eat and thought Indian. We came across this place, no idea it was a strict vegetarian menu, boy were we surprised. But since we had already been seated, we decided to give this place a try. Open parking lot out front so parking wasn't a problem. The service is nice, the employees are kind and happy folks. Happy to hear we were first timer's and had plenty of suggestions for us. The atmosphere was very clean and cozy, plenty of families around us. Guess eating vegetarian is popular thing because a majority of the place was filled with a diverse group of people. We ordered the Special Rava Masala Dosai and the Udipi's Special Spring Dosai. They came with thin rice crepes, which were crunchy and delicious. The vegetables were grilled and seasoned well. We were still pretty hungry afterwards though, probably because there wasn't no real meat in the meal. But if you're a strict vegetarian, then this is the place for you!
(3)Paulina T.
My bf, his mom, and I went for lunch on a Tuesday. We did the buffet which came with a small plain Dosa for each person. The buffet was small but it had a cold food section comprising of various chutneys, yogurt, and fruit. There was also a hot food section which had two soups, 4 curries, a dessert, and some breads (vada, illdi, bhatura , and uttapam). The food was so-so. The vegetarian curries were bland and uninteresting. The dal was very watery and the channa masala did not taste very flavorful. Our table used copious amounts of the chutneys to add flavor. Having tried ordering the Dosas for dinner, the lunch buffet did not live up to my previous experiences. It seems that some other Yelpers have noticed the dodgy service, sadly I would agree. The restaurant workers seem non-chalant, or even worst uncaring. We were seated with no greeting, and received our check with no thanks. The entire meal seemed very taxing for the wait staff and us. In addition, they keep their water pitchers in a corner, our first pitcher had a fruit fly in it. However, a chef came out at one point and was very welcoming, urging us to try the fresh bhatura. He was so friendly and was the only smile directed at us. Pros: Dinner Dosas, tasty chutneys, uncommon South Indian cuisine available Cons: service, lunch buffet, questionable cleanliness Overall, I would probably not come back for the lunch buffet. Stick to ordering Dosas for dinner. If the service was better, I probably would have given them 3 stars.
(2)Doug B.
Went here on the recommendation of an acquaintance and wasn't disappointed. Our visit was for a Sunday lunch, so we had the buffet. Not a big fan of buffets, but decided to give it a go anyway. I sampled pretty much everything available. I cannot begin to tell you what I ate, but everything was very tasty, except the coconut chutney. It just didn't suit my palate. The greeter/waiter/cashier wasn't the most pleasant guy; not that he was unpleasant, just indifferent. Kinda like, 'If you don't eat it, someone else will' attitude. When the meal ended, the check wasn't brought to the table either. We waited for a little bit, then observed others going to the register without theirs, so, like lemmings, we did the same. I do question the overall cleanliness of the restaurant. We'll go back, but likely not for the buffet.
(4)Bhargav M.
Ordered starter platter which was good but Pongal was just fantastic... Had a good Pongal after a long time
(4)Anna S.
Holy lunch buffet!! A great way to try the various South Indian wares available at this little gem of a restaurant. There are dosas (freshly made and brought to the table), idlis, savory rice pancakes, vegetable curries, rasam, sambar, and various other deliciousness. Also, the last time I went there, there was this stir fried beet dish with chickpeas that was addictively good. Overall, at $8.99, it's a great value for well-made South Indian.
(4)Tyler S.
This was only the second time that i have ever had Indian food and it was much better than the first time, which was a place in Polaris that starts with a C. My Indian friends are big fans of udipi, so we went for lunch on a Friday. I tried all of the items and really liked most of them especially the upma? I'll return sometime, the only reason it's a 4 and Not 5 is that the service was just Ok.
(4)John M.
Honestly, I never know what I'm eating, ironically being Indian and all, but it's good for $7.99 all you can eat buffet.
(4)Giovanna A.
I get carryout from here at least every couple of weeks. Anyone who is a vegetarian, which I am not, absolutely must try this place and anyone who is not will not miss meat al all. My very favorite menu item is the navrattan korma, hope I am spelling that correctly. It is just a vegetable stew and many Indian places make that but not like this one, not too rich, just perfectly creamy. I also love their spinach (palak paneer) and this is the only spinach dish my four year kid will eat. Have not tried the buffet but really look forward to it so I can try all the appetizers.
(5)Bharat B.
I went there today with my wife. The quality has gone down. The lady who took the order does not understand what we wanted. We were two , ordered two Dosas and she wire down three. Luckily we asked her to confirm the order . Sambhar was watered down sambhar. I met my friend their. They stated sambhar went bad and they had to wait for more than 15 minutes before the food was served. Their quality of chutney has gone down too. We will think twice before going back again for food. We had ordered hot tea and Mysore coffee . Both hot drinks were excellent.
(1)Big W.
The food is not great anymore. Everything is oily or deep fried. The taste has been toned down for Buffett and service has been ok. I had Buffett and was not impressed. When we went for dinner, the chole bhatura was not up to the taste. Apparently they have started to substitute spices with salt. The chutney with idli and dosa had too much salt in it.
(1)Deepan B.
During my trip to Columbus with friends, we stopped over her for dinner on thanksgiving Day. A vegetarians delight and plenty of options for snacks. Appetizer platter was wonderful. Even the service was not that bad considering they were short staffed. Our only concern was the ROACH movement on the tables on and off the food that grossed us out. If the dining area can have roaches we could only imagine about the status of the kitchen. That was the last bite of food we took. If only they could be clean this would be a place I would like to visit again.
(2)Marni K.
I have found true love...in the form of Udipi's buttery, flaky bhatoora and chana masala. My dining companion and I also ordered the onion dosa and onion/pea uttapam. I didn't try much of the dosa but the uttapam was almost creamy, with lots of yummy onion flavor, perfect crispy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious especially with that amazing, addictive green chutney. Yes, I am in love. Off to compose my love songs and sonnets in Udipi's honor now.
(5)A W.
Went in for a lunch buffet. I'm pretty sure that I wasn't welcome as a single female. I probably won't go back to eat in. The food was passable, but nowhere near on part with the offerings just a short jaunt away in Dublin. The soups and dishes were watery, the naan was slightly raw still. The chutneys were great. The sole saving grace of the meal.
(3)Richard P.
Four stars, in spite of my prejudices as a mostly unrepentant carnivore. I came away full, but oddly full; in the absence of any animal protein, I think my stomach refused to believe it was sated. I realize this is bad for my karma, and I will undoubtedly be reincarnated as hamburger, but given that the Dalai Lama isn't a vegetarian either, at least I'm in good company. The decor is a little formal, but Udipi Cafe indeed is a cafe - the dishes here are meant as full entrees, rather than the family-style ordering I'm used to at other Indian restaurants. So when my wife and I ordered four dishes, we really should have had two more diners with us. Our dosa was light and delicate, and stuffed with minced vegetables. We also had the coconut uthappa (an Indian-style pancake, as the menu says), which had large shavings of coconut in the batter, befitting Udipi's tropical South Indian origins. Both came with a dish of coconut chutney and and a dish of sambar, a vegetable stew in a tomato base. We also had two curries: avial, a mild coconut-milk based curry full of vegetables, and malai kofta, balls of potato & cheese in a creamy sauce. The malai kofta was the best I've had since Curry and Hurry first opened (which is a story for a different review); the potato-cheese-dry fruit balls (their description, not mine) were hearty but tender, and the sauce was subtle and complex - you could taste the cashews and raisins that were its constituent ingredients. Both curries came with a generous serving of rice, achar (Indian pickles), and raita (yogurt with cucumber). The service is friendly, the atmosphere pleasant, but it's really the quality of the food that makes Udipi Cafe worth eating at. There is clearly a level of care and skill in the preparation of their dishes. Plus, it will be good for your karma, too.
(4)David P.
The food is good but the service and setting are bad. The rug is literally sticky all over the entire restaurant. You can see at the edges it was not always a dank maroon. The service is slow and cold- not inviting at all. The food is good, but I'd recommend Mughal Darbar on High St. The food there is great as are the service and setting.
(2)Lea P.
I swung by the first time for takeout a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed the food just fine. Enough, in fact, that it made me want to get a bit more variety. What better way to do that than at this buffet that everyone seems to gush over? They apparently raised the price at some point. Many people in the older reviews say it was $6.99, but these days it's $7.99. Not a big deal at all--I just thought that info needed an update. ;) I accidentally overfilled my plate with the appetizer-type stuff. Not that these were bad things, but it's a typical buffet hazard: you reach for the first stuff you see, and before you know it your dish--and your belly--are too full to really enjoy the main courses down the line. There's plenty of all of it to choose from, though, and the staff are able to identify what has dairy and what does not, if you need them to. While I probably would have given my single-dish takeout four stars, the buffet gets five from me because not only is it tasty, but it's an excellent value as well. It was the only meal I had all day, and I still went to bed not having regained my hunger yet.
(5)Branham P.
DIRTY! tables were dirty and plates. I really wanted to like it. but sorry if you are that dirty and you serve food I cant go back.. My advice is not to go. Try Indian Oven on main st. you will love it. I should have called the food service officials on them..
(1)Rick K.
Has the best Indian food in Columbus. Not too much oil like some places. Not too hot. I'd give it a 5 star except for the service. Waitstaff stand around with their backs to the tables. One lunch, a woman was too busy filing her nails to help us. I have had to get up and ask for service The prices are low - great value for the money, both at the buffet and dinner.
(4)Taylor O.
We've had this place on our list of things to try for awhile. We have been fans of Tadka in Dublin, but we never get out there often since it is on the other side of town from us. So we gave Udipi a try. The food here is just as delicious, and I think they have many more options than other typical Indian eateries. The place was clean, the staff was friendly and attentive. Our main meal and appetizers were excellent. We look forward to coming back and trying many other dishes.
(4)Sandy e.
Delicious Indian Food!!!! I am not a vegetarian but it doesn't matter here because I don't miss the meat. the food is delicious and when I eat here for lunch at the buffet, I don't even eat dinner I am so full. Love the dessert! The only reason I don't give it a 5 is that the carpet is a little old and it looks dark in there but otherwise wonderful. I looked at the Health Department inspections and they pass with an 80-100%.
(4)Emily L.
I've been to Udipi twice now and both times have been excellent. The selection of food is fantastic. Sure, there's no meat, but you won't miss it one little bit. I am not a vegetarian/vegan, but I'm not a huge meat eater and the selection and flavors here will satisfy anyone. The vegetable samosas are so, so good. The filling was flavorful and rich and the dough was flaky and delicious. Both times I've been, I've also had the Malai Kofta. It's a dish that has little dumplings made of potato and cheese in a saffron sauce with dried fruit and nuts. It's a little sweet and very YUMMY. It comes with a large portion of rice and raita. If you don't like spicy, this is the dish for you. I happen to love spicy, so next time I need to try a spicy dosa. The people here are also really friendly and if you need help deciding, they make good recommendations. I will be back here for sure.
(5)Nathan K.
The food is absolutely amazing, but the service is seriously lacking. Great attitudes, just not very prompt in their table service.
(4)Lola A.
As a vegan and a lover of all things Asian, Udipi is a place to get your veggie belly happy. I will visit again and again and again!!!!
(5)Nicole M.
Sadly I broke up with Udipi Cafe and their awesome lunch buffet. On Friday, October 3, 2014 after I ate my meal, I attempted to pay and I discovered the awful truth. The man told me I didn't have to pay. I was very puzzled but he insisted. I sat back down with the two people I was dining with. I informed them we just got lucky. However, my male coworker told me the meal was free because he found a dead, adult cockroach in his food. It was cooked into the food apparently. He told me that while he was standing at the buffet dishing out his food, he discovered the roach. He alerted the other patrons in line and the staff. The staff nonchalantly removed the tray, no apologies. Almost like business as usual. My male coworker didn't tell me because he didn't want to ruin my lunch. I still have mixed feelings about it. In conclusion, my final experience at Udipi was gross and appalling. I'm just glad I didn't see a roach in my food, I would have been horrified and scarred. Udipi, for the good of your patrons, please get an exterminator and more mindful staff!!! The end.
(1)Bruce C.
I have been here twice for dinner with my family. If I were to give a rating just on the food, it would be 4 to 5 stars. It is tasty, filling, and inexpensive. Unfortunately, the waiters are some of the worst I've ever had. They are uncommunicative ,inattentive, and bordering on rude. For example, on our first visit, we got there soon after they opened for dinner and were the only customers there. They sat us at a table that had a extreme wobble. I asked for a different table and the waiter tried to tell me there was nothing wrong with table. I had to demonstrate that it was broken and insist on a new table. If you need a refill on your beverage--good luck. The appearance/cleanliness of the restaurant was not much better. Many of the ceiling tiles had water damage, which always makes me cringe. If you have broken tables (see above) and damaged ceilings, it makes me wonder about the state of the food preparation area.
(2)Spencer M.
Had heard and read many good things, but experienced none. Lunch on Friday was buffet only (which was fine) but the selection was small and the food not good; wait staff was rude although I did get a full pitcher of warm water. It was $8 but I won't be returning.
(1)Sriram T.
I can't believe that I actually recommended this place while reviewing another Indian restaurant. I have not had any issues with this place in the past and food used to be pretty decent. What happened? Well I walked in for the "value" buffet and found a roach running by the appetizers.....I informed the staff at the desk and walked out. I would give this place zero stars but Yelp forces me to show some mercy.
(1)Sunny R.
The food does not match up to a south Indian like me. Other people may like it better. If you go after 1 pm for lunch buffet, the food is cold. Many of the sanck items served for lunch do not taste good when cold.
(3)Cj W.
First of all, UDIPI IS SOUTH INDIAN. THAT MEANS VEGETARIAN IS PRETTY STANDARD. I've seen reviews at least on other sites where people faulted the restaurant for not serving meat. A vegetarian restaurant doesn't deserve to lose stars based on not serving your narrow idea of what Indian food is. No tandoori chicken here. No naan here. India is huge and very diverse. Now that I've hopefully kept a few folks from embarrassing themselves... Buffet buffet buffet!! This place is all about the buffet, which is an incredible value at $7.99. You get a couple saucy curries, a couple of more dry veggie dishes, sambar and rasam, usually plain basmati and a pilav, sometimes noodles. You get to choose from a variety of pickles, there's raita, there are 4 chutneys (I recommend the tomato and the mint). You get these little fried donuts, you get complimentary potato dosas served to your table, uttapam, and a rotating cast of other fried goodies like idli fries, veggie pakora, and if you're lucky sometimes there are SAMOSAS on the buffet. SAMOSAS. BUFFET. At the end you'll find some kind of bread--poori, plain paratha, or aloo paratha. The more often you go, the more dishes you'll see, as it varies (except the yellow dahl, it's always there, every time), and the more you'll start to recognize what you really like. It's half the fun in going there if you ask me, but for that reason, you will sometimes be a little disappointed when none of your tried and true favorites are there that day. Don't worry, there's so much to choose from, you will always find something you like well enough, and the price is still right. Other days it's a gold mine. It's like a game where you win every time. If you can't find something you like, maybe your palate is just not open enough. Picky folks don't thrive here, as I've witnessed firsthand. The buffet even has a dessert every time. Sometimes pasayam--thin vermicelli afloat in heavenly milk and honey with cashews and raisins, sometimes a sweet thick cottage cheese dish (hard to explain, just eat it), sometimes gulab jamun, cottage cheese balls in a thick rosewater syrup (rare but it happens). All delicacies, all for one great price. You need some animal protein in every meal? Then throw some raita or yogurt rice on your entrees and keep it moving... I have only eaten there once at dinner time. It was still very yummy. I'm not basing my review on this at all, but off the record, order an entree each and and order of samosas with a friend, you'll spend around $12 and get two meals out of it. I gave it four stars because I'm trying to be tougher on reviews, but it honestly wavers between four and five.
(4)Greg S.
I do not understand what all the fuss is about with this place. I have to admit up front that I am not a vegetarian and so that may color my opinion. That said the food was bland and did not really have much flavor to my palette at least that is. It was reasonably priced lunch buffet I guess if that is your kind of thing but I am afraid there was nothing on the buffet by way of taste or sight that could sway me to become a vegetarian. No offence to those who are but not my thing although I did give it a try. One more point the rice pudding was sour and I had to discreetly spit it out to stop from barfing. i should of said something to the staff but they were busy attending to other customers and after that I just wanted to get out of there. One think I found strange was nobody asked me how my meal was, hmm strange as usually good wait staff or at checkout ask how everything was. Overall verdict: I am a full blown carnivore despite my best effort to like the veg dishes I am a meat eater through ad through.
(2)Rodger B.
Food was decent, but there was nothing stating that it was a vegetarian buffet. I came in jonesing for some curry chicken (red or yellow would sufficed), and instead settled for some curry bread balls and yellow dal. To top it off, I paid with a $20 and they told me I paid with a $10. After having another worker confirm my note, I was good to go. Wasn't sure about it as an $8 buffet, but I would have caused a scene if it was an $18 buffet, like they tried to get me on. The place was also flooded and they were openly soaking up the water coming from the kitchen with towels, a mere few feet away from where people were eating.
(1)Nish A.
Amazing South Indian food with all its authenticity! The service can be weird sometimes, but thankfully the food is great!
(5)Lindsay G.
Palate bored? Eat here! Just what I needed on a cold Midwestern February day to wake my taste buds, warm me up, and transport me somewhere new. The eyes of this vegetarian danced across a 6-pg menu of options. Service was quick and the kitchen even quicker. We only got to try a few things, but next time we're bringing friends so we can order more and share taste more of what the menu has to offer.
(5)Matt G.
Ok, this place is fantastic. I honestly thought it would suck since it's in a weird plaza surrounded by taquerias and panaderias but it was great. The lunch buffet is cheap and the food is bountiful and tasty. Be aware that it's vegetarian, but that didn't bother me. I can't see any reason (other than chicken vindaloo) to go to any other Indian joint in the area at this point.
(5)Luke T.
I have been to Udipi exactly twice. Once with some coworkers, and once with an ex. Neither visit blew me away, but both were trips worth making. People rave about this restaurant, and while I think it's good, it would not be my first or even second choice for Indian food. For the lunch with coworkers, we had the buffet. It was average, quality-wise, but it offered a good variety, better than some others (such as Radhuni). The greatest part about this visit was how demanding one of my (Indian) coworkers was, and how irate our server clearly was at her, but he maintained the utmost professionalism. She made him make like 5 different trips to bring out our dessert and get it just right. Small things like not bringing enough bowls for everyone, or spoons, etc. None of her requests were out of line, but he was visibly annoyed; you could almost see the steam coming from his ears. One of my coworkers was loooosing it at the situation. If I were to bring it up tomorrow, she would still cry from laughing so hard. I got bold with the second visit and ordered what essentially amounts to an Indian pizza, I think called an uthappa? I had never had it before, and wanted to try something new. It was delicious, and gigantic to boot.
(3)Puchu J.
Pav Bhaji Dosa is an interesting twist but I feel not executed properly. I wish it was like a regular dosa with bhaji in the middle instead you get four pieces of bhaji wrapped up in dosa. All the crunch factor of a dosa is gone. Also had the medu vada which was freshly fried and very delicious.
(4)Fred S.
Recently enjoyed the lunch buffet on a Thursday. Wow. That was pretty good. There was a good crowd in the restaurant, and the food was fresh and hot. I especially enjoyed the chili paneer. Good bargain. I would very happily go back.
(4)Murali N.
Food is awesome!! Probably the best I had in Columbus area. But customer service sucks. They make you wait for a long time to take any order.
(3)Sandip B.
I like this restaurant because its a only vegetarian restaurant in town. good for buffet lunch only. Dont go for dinner.
(2)Mira B.
The place is dirty, service is slow and food is not impressive.... In need of a serious makeover. The dosa came out of the kitchen hard and cold. The potato curry was mediocre at best. The only vegetable in Kurma was potato. I don't think we will be returning to this place anytime soon. This place was a big disappointment.
(2)Jamie T.
We visit this place about once a month. I love the samosa, dosa, and batura...mmmm. Definitely will be back.
(4)Chris G.
Amazing food, but it's an authentic experience, so the service is a little hit or miss. I love it though and have been at least a few dozen times. Best Indian I've ever had. Some of my family has lived in India for a long time and they swear by this place.
(5)Chetan M.
Excellent udipi cuisine! Went with a group of friends. We generally love to eat meat but this restaurant proved to be a gem. Excellent food, freshness you can feel. Loved it!!
(5)Jessica H.
There is no way for me to describe the pure joy of going to an inexpensive, wholly vegetarian restaurant, and not being forced to graze on the same old blend of yellow squash, zucchini and carrots that so many other establishments pass off as veggi food worth a $30 bill. Throughout the years, the price remains the same. The food, amazing, the atmosphere, unassuming yet pleasant. Yes, it's in a strip mall. A slightly shady looking one at that, at least now (4 years later from the first reviews) that many other tenants have folded or moved. But some wonderfully delicious things remain the same. And this is one of them. On the luncheon buffet, there's so much to choose from. Start with the idly and sambar, which ends you up with a floating rice "patty" in a hot and slightly sour soup. Try the pakoras, dipping them in with the mint chutney and tamarind sauce. I love the naan too. If you go in the evening for plated goodness, try the Malai Kofta - a creamy, savory butter based tomato sauce (might have cashews as well?) and a mix of the traditional Indian vegetables. I've been gong here since 2002. I'm never gonna stop!
(5)Julie P.
Holy Gigantic Dosa Batman! I have never in my life seen such a wonderful variety of delicious fried breads. I had the paper dosa, a huge horn of crispy crepe with a cumin/onion/potato filling. Seriously, it is impressively massive. You could summon the riders of Rohan with this dosa. Others had a dosa with spicy peppers and onions mixed into the dough, which was a little thicker and softer than mine. Then the crowing glory, which none of us were smart enough to order, was this giant puffball dosa, about the size of small dog or one very fat cat. It was truly a beautiful sight, despite my weird comparison. The dipping sauces are delicious too, especially the coconut chutney. So, yeah - DOSA! It's rocking.
(5)Manjunath B.
Awesome!!! The butter masala dosa is excellent. And so is the vada with chutney. The sambar with vada and dosa was not that good though...
(5)Greg B.
Best Indian food in Cbus! Staff is extremely friendly. Never had a bad experience here!
(5)Kevin C.
I just returned to Udipi after nearly a year's absence. My prior experience - nearly a year ago - was not a great experience. I've heard that Udipi's lunch buffet is really fantastic so I had to take another venture to the restaurant. How happy am I that I went back? Very! The buffet had at least ten to fourteen different dishes/soups/breads. The food was fantastic and I couldn't find a single thing that I disliked. Additionally, the buffet was only $8 or $9, which is a great value for what you're getting. In my prior review, my main concerns were with the wait staff, environment, and ambiance. How different were things this time? Well, the restaurant seemed brighter, less dingier, and more welcoming. Was this because this had been tidied up a bit or was it just because I was there at 1 PM versus 8:30 PM at night? I don't know. I do know that it didn't seem nearly as unkempt or dirty as was my impression a year ago. The wait staff wasn't creepy this time, although they were very keen with watching me the whole time. I'm making the assumption that they were being attentive and just making sure that we had water and were tended to. I did not venture to the restrooms this time. I'm curious now to see if they have cleaned them up or if they are still the way that I recall them being a year ago. I will certainly go back again but just for the daytime lunch buffet. The price is great. The choice of food is great and they're all vegetarian.
(4)Ha H.
Why don't they have a website? And why are they not open for breakfeast? Otherwise the food is good authentic south Indian food. Very consistent. Ps..non Indians do your home work before visiting a south Indian restaurant ..or ask your server what authentic udipi food is.. I'm amused when the locals end up ordering sag paneer , korma etc, which are North Indian dishes that are on the menu for ignorant people.
(4)Miriam W.
I have long been a fan of Udipi Cafe, and frequent the location in my town of Pittsburgh, as well as the one in Charlotte, NC. This is the only Udipi that I've been to that offers a lunch buffet, so this location has a special place in my heart...all of the wonderful food that Udipi offers in a fabulous buffet, plus they bring masala dosas to the table. What's not to love? For those of you not familiar with the Udipi experience, the food is Southern Indian and vegetarian. And spicy. This is not Continental style Indian food, so, while you may not see some of your favorite stand by's here, you'll have an opportunity to sample dishes that you won't experience anywhere else. And, in so doing, you'll no doubt find some new favorites. Doug and I were driving through Columbus yesterday on our way to points west, and took a little detour to come here for lunch. While the buffet is not a complete representation of what's available on the menu, it's pretty darn impressive, and we ate to our heart's (and stomach's) content. Start with rasam, the spicy tomato and chile based soup, and grab some pakoras, a delicious mix of veggies dipped in batter and fried. Other appetizers that rock my world are the lentil donuts (awesome dipped in the coconut chutney and sambar), and upma, that most comforting of Indian comfort food. Upma is a traditional breakfast cereal, but I like it just fine for lunch...a mix of semolina and spices cooked with various vegetables and sometimes almonds, it's both sweet and savory. Make sure to grab a little dish of chutney...they have both tamarind and cilantro/green chile, plus a tomato chutney that I had never had before. Indian folks love pickles, and the lemon pickle here is one of my favorites. They don't serve naan here, but there was uttapam on the buffet, which is a dal and rice batter pancake, and you can order Southern Indian breads off the menu. The aforementioned masala dosa arrived as we were enjoying our appetizers. This is the best part...a crispy lentil crepe filled with spiced mashed potatoes...yum. So, round one complete, we headed back for more. The entrees on yesterday's buffet included spinach with potatoes, yellow dal, a bean and veggie dish that I was not familiar with...there was more, but my memory fails me now. I do remember this...the food here is delicious. I have never had anything that I didn't like at Udipi, and I can't say that about any other restaurant. The brilliance of Indian vegetarian cuisine is that it's not vegetarian food masquerading as meat. You won't see tofu here, and you won't miss it. The people of this region of India bring all of the wonderful spices and flavors of their native home to the food, and it's not to be missed. Don't be fooled by the humble surroundings; this is world class vegetarian food.
(5)Laurie S.
In.Love.With.This.Place. *it was that good* Unfortunately, we hit on a Sunday, so no buffet, but all four of us ordered blindly off of the menu and nobody complained, not even the 10-year-old who hates "spicey". The food was fantastic!!!!! I have no idea what the name of my dish was, but it was a rice-based bread stuffed with fragrant potatoes. Yum.
(5)Pony B.
South Indian veg. Price is right, food is great, been coming for 10 years and I've never been disappointed.
(5)Moriah P.
You know, I didn't think I liked Indian food, in fact, I thought I hated it until I first visited Udipi Cafe a month ago. I also didn't think that I could eat a dinner sans meat and feel just as satisfied, if not more, as I might after a grass-fed medium rare t-bone steak. This is one of those situations where I'm not the least bit hesitant in admitting how wrong I was. I reserve five star ratings for food that wowed me from start to finish, for service that was helpful and nice but never intrusive, and atmosphere that made me feel welcome. Basically, if I don't have one legitimate complaint to make then the place gets a five star rating. Our server was incredibly helpful and nice, he kindly picked out our meal for us, all the time explaining what they were, because we had no real clue when it came to all the different choices . He asked our heat level (spicy, all the way) and came back during the meal to see how we liked everything and at the end of our meal asked if we would be coming again. I was very pleased with his kindness. I remember we ate the samosas, a spicy chickpea curry, poori bread, and a wonderful dish that had vegetarian "meat"balls. The flavors were layered and complex but always working together with the many textures of each dish. It was one of the best tasting meals I've had and the mango lassis we drank on the side was the perfect counter of flavor to balance all of the wonderful spice in our food. I have found that on East Dublin Granville Road lie some of my favorite places to eat and Udipi Cafe was no exception. Don't be afraid to wander off the beaten path my friends. Get out of the trendy areas of the city and visit the areas that people call 'run-down', 'seedy-ville', and 'god-forsaken' because we only have this one life that we know of and in these areas contain sparkling hidden gems. Not just good restaurants but, good people as well.
(5)Deepa P.
We used to love this place. But we recently ate here and found it funny that there was no one there on a Friday during lunch time. Needless to say, we found out that the owner has changed and the so did the recipes. The food tasted very unauthentic to Southern India. The dosas tasted the same but the other dishes were awful!
(1)Mani I.
Nice place to have tasty vegetarian foods, i like specially south india dishes.
(4)Joseph A.
India is a big country. Turns out they eat something other than tandoori chicken there!?! Bad jokes aside- Udipi is South Indian style- no meat. Dosas, Idli, Paratha, and did I mention Dosas? If you don't know what any of those things are- than go to the reasonably priced buffet and have at it. One of my best buddies is from a South Indian family- and this is the place. Sometimes we would go and our bill would be less than $20, and we were both full. I'm not talking about the buffet either. Sometimes there are little Indian children running around screaming. Other times it's quiet. The dosas and Sambar are always good! I would recommend to anyone who likes Indian flavors- and can be satisfied with a meatless meal (If you can't- then I'm sorry for you.) Super highly reccomended to veggies. Highly reccomended to anyone that likes Indian. Superduper highly reccomended to any veggies that like Indian but have never gone Southern!
(4)Jen B.
Yum! Who knew there would be delicious south Indian food in Columbus? :) I'm in town visiting for a week and my local foodie took me here for dosas. We had the dahi vada (fried doughnuts of lentils and spices immersed inside a yogurt sauce that is laced with tamarind and a little spice. I could have licked the sauce all up it was so good! The vada could have been submerged a little longer to make them lighter and more melt in your mouth, but they were still tasty. Then we followed with a non-traditional kind of dosa that is filled with cream of wheat instead of potatoes. What an interesting change! So delicious- and packed with onions and sliced green chilis! Then we had the chana batura, which is a giant puffed up fried bread served with a delicious chick pea curry. SO good. I'm still here another five days and I hope to go back to get another dosa. :)
(4)Anisa G.
Every once in a while a dosa craving comes over the princess and she must venture out on her swift, grey steed....surmounting every cement monster obstacle and red and green flashing mobs....to the kingdom of un-tamed appetites, until she encounters the buttery countenance of her prince charming....the one and only....butter dosa. And the company of sambar and chutney bring only tears of pure, mirthful JOY. Truly spectacular food
(4)Samantha D.
I went back to Udipi with a large group of friends recently, many of whom had never had Indian food before. It was exactly as delicious as I remembered. My favorites are still the poori, dal makhani, and badam halwa, although anything that you order will be delicious. The service was a bit lackluster, but the delicious food more than made up for it in my book.
(5)Katye M.
I love Indian food, but I'm not as well-versed in Southern Indian food as I am with other areas. Therefore, when we (our dinner club) went to Udipi Cafe tonight it was a little more challenging to understand the menu, which was pretty extensive. Luckily a couple of our dinner club members are from India and they had been to Udipi Cafe before. Both of them highly recommended the dosa's. Most of our table (13 people) had a dosa (I forget what the "combo" meal was called), which also came with 2 "sides," soup, and tea/coffee. I also ordered the samosa's and another friend ordered an appetizer (I forget what it was called, but it was a huge pastry-like thing that was filled with air and was served with a chickpea dish). The pastry-like dish was amazing and could have ordered it as my meal and been fine! The samosa's were also very good with the perfect amount of spice. The dosa I ordered was #15, which was spicy and was a crepe filled with potatoes, vegetables, and spices. Firstly, the dosa's are HUGE and could easily feed 2 people. The one I had was really good, but I couldn't finish it all. Second, the entire dose is not filled, but only a portion of it is filled and the rest of the crepe can be dipped in the various sauces (which are good!). Although the food was really good, the service was sub-par for our party and it could have been because it was so big. I phone at least 24 hours in advance to make reservations each month and when I phoned Udipi, they said it wouldn't be a problem. When I arrived today just before 6:30pm, the host really didn't know what to do. Only 2 booths were taken and there were a bunch of tables in the middle of the restaurant. He ended up going to someone else to ask what to do and they sat us at a long table that seated 8 (I had called ahead for for 10-12). I asked if we could add a table to the end and they said that we would just add chairs to the end of the table when people came... I thought it was odd as I knew there were going to be 13 and if we added chairs to the end of the table it would only give us 10... So, I waited until the rest of the party came and a couple of our friends added to the table and they didn't say anything. We all looked at the menu and they gave us plenty of time to look it over. There were water carafes on the table, which was really nice as they didn't take the drink order until we ordered our meals. The food came out in waves (which usually happens for us with large groups), but it was actually perfect in that regard. Once our food was served, we really didn't have any interaction until they started clearing the table. They cleared 1/2 the table and then disappeared... after about 20 minutes (we were all just talking, so it wasn't a big deal) they came by to see if any of us wanted coffee/tea, which a few people wanted so they brought it out. When we were ready to pay the bill, it was difficult with a large group, but they were able to accommodate and we all went up and paid our own section of the bill. Overall the food was good. I would have preferred a buffet so we could try many more dishes - so maybe going there for lunch sometime would be good. The rating of 4 if primarily for the service; they were respectful, but they were less than responsive in most instances.
(4)Dang N.
OK, so this isn't going to be the best review. Why? Because I don't remember the names of any of the things I ordered and honestly, probably wouldn't be able to pronounce them correctly anyways. But...I felt I absolutely had to Yelp this because it was an Indian experience that I've never had at any other Indian restaurant. First off, this place is VEGETARIAN only. There is not meat options on the menu anywhere. So be warned. I actually did not realize this until I sat down. No problem, I definitely don't need meat in my meals. The cuisine is from Southern India, which is something I've never had so my frame of reference is askew. I ordered some appetizer that is only served on the weekends. It's crunchy in a crushed chick-pea like dough. It's fantastic. I was shocked. Doesn't really look like much when you get it, but it's really tasty. And the two sauces served with it compliments it well. So you'll know what this is by the fact that in the menu it states they only serve this on the weekend. My main dish was one of those big sandwich-like thing. Imagine a tortilla sized Indian style type of bread that's soft, not hard. And inside I got potatoes and something else. It's really unique and good. Being unique is not enough btw and I like to think that even though it may be my first time eating something that's pretty unique, I can still tell whether the flavors mix well to produce great tasting food. This place has got that. It's really different from anything I've ever had and filling also. I was pleasantly surprised by Southern Indian cooking and it being all vegetarian and some vegan, this whole cuisine really appealed to me. And extremely reasonably priced. You go to Los Angeles and eat at some Vegetarian/Vegan place and odds are you're paying a grip for that food. Some kind of CA cuisine or new fusion cuisine of some sort to just get flavor in your dish. This place, by nature of being true to its native cuisine, does this quite nicely.
(4)Randy S.
Udipi, tucked away on 161, probably doesn't feature the Indian cuisine you're used to. Instead of tandoori chicken, naan and samosas, you're more likely to find dosas (a thin, crispy crepe-like bread), lentils and rasam (a sort of spicy soup made with tamarind). Udipi serves traditionally southern Indian food, whereas most Indian restaurants deal in northern Indian cuisine. Everything (to the best of my knowledge) is vegetarian. They offer a kickin' lunch buffet. The place is so packed at lunchtime that the food never gets a chance to get old, though. I'm sure the menu items are crazy good too, though I've never been able to resist that buffet. The buffet gives the added bonus of being able to check out several foods that you likely aren't familiar with. It's telling that lots of Indians who call Columbus home visit Udipi. Check it out. The building isn't much to look at, but the food more than makes up for it. It's a rocking change of pace.
(4)Laura B.
I have been going to Udipi for ten years, and they didnt disappoint tonight. Everything was good as always, and they had a good crowd as well. Masala dosa is a must. Even though it is probably toned down already, the spice.levels can be a bit much for some.
(5)Zack F.
Well 3.5 stars but not because of them, more just that the tastes are not my favorite when it comes to Indian food. They are a little more bland and low in fat. I will say this though, of all the Indian restaurants I have eaten at, this one always has the most Indian guests which has to mean something. The buffet is almost too big to believe. So many options. There are lots of fun little appetizers and some good soup. The main curries don't make me fall out of my seat but they will do. This place is definitely worth a trip or two to make up your own mind.
(4)Derek H.
I am really baffled why nobody in my family or circle of friends likes Indian food. The rich, aromatic spices...the thick sauces....the incredible flavor of it all. I could eat the stuff for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I've yet to find a place better than the Udipi Cafe for satiating my lust for Indian cuisine. I'll go here by myself for the amazing lunch buffet on occasion and the experience is always amazing. I'm not always certain of ingredients involved in everything but can't recall eating anything bad. The crepes/bread they serve are fantastic and the service is always excellent. I wish I could give this place 6 stars.
(5)Raerae B.
Look, if this place was suddenly going out of business I would max out my credit card to stockpile my freezer with this shit. I dream about this food, I've skipped work to eat there just because my boyfriend said he was buying. When you go to an Indian restaurant & ONLY Indian people are dining with the occasional hipster vegan couple you know your'e in the right spot! And seriously, 161 is an awesome stretch of road with some of my favorite places in Columbus residing on it, even though I live in the humble Clintonville whitewashed safe-happyland it doesn't have Carfagna's, Otani's, Navareth, Capri Lanes & the Village thrift around the corner of Cleveland Ave. Get past the fact that you ain't in the Short North with the shiny people of the world and get Real, eat real & feel really fucking good about it. Basically, if you don't like this place you don't know squat about India... I feel confident saying that.
(5)Nuri G.
At most restaurants, I have to carefully pick my dish. Although some dishes may not overtly contain meat, there are a ton of landmines such as chicken stock in soups or sauces and lard in... well, pretty much anything. That's what I love so much about Vegetarian Restaurants, and particularly Indian Vegetarian Restaurants. Udipi Cafe is a great example of delicious Southern Indian Vegetarian. I took a non-veg coworker who was peripherally knowledgeable about the cuisine. I was pleased to be responsible for 100% of the non-Indian people in the restaurant. I told my co-worker that I was very familiar with Indian food and that, if he trusted me enough, I'd do all the ordering. I inquired to his preferred level of spice, any allergies or dislikes, and I got to work. As I selected things in the menu, I chuckled as I heard some trance classics remixed as Indian Music. I ordered the following: Mysore Masala Dosa Gobi Manchurian Chana Masala The server warned me about the Gobi Manchurian -- said it was very spicy. The Dosa was delicious. Triangular in shape, the fluffy spiced crepe gently cradled an ample portion of curried potatoes. The sambar was spicy, hearty, and full of vegetables. The chana masala was unremarkable. Not bad, not incredible... just average. I've had several types of Gobi Manchurian before (sauteed, deep fried) but they've always been unsauced, spicy, and bright red. This dish, however, was different. I understand that Manchurian food originated when neighboring Chinese wanted to make a dish with Indian ingredients that would reflect the Chinese style. This execution of Gobi Manchurian was probably the most Chinese I've ever eaten. The dish was very saucy, full of green onions and garlic, ridiculously spicy, and could have been eaten in any Chinese restaurant anywhere. In fact, it could be described as the best Chinese I've eaten in an Indian Restaurant. I absolutely loved my visit to Udipi Cafe. If you're looking for great vegetarian food, or are looking to eat something out of the ordinary, go to Udipi Cafe. The prices are reasonable, the people are friendly, and you're going to go home full and happy.
(4)Matthew K.
So this would have been a 4 star review if it wasn't for the kindness of the wait staff. Went in a large group of 12 to celebrate a few birthdays. The wait staff right off the back was very accommodating and set up a large table and grabbed extra chairs so we could all be together. We all ordered food and the appetizers and came out quickly. Then more appetizers came out that no one ordered and the wait staff simply said they were complimentary. When our main dishes came out things got a little confusing because most of us just ordered by number and didn't really remember what the dish was called. We all got food just some of us (myself included) didn't get what we ordered but it almost didn't matter. All the food was amazing! We all shared with each other ala family style. There wasn't one dish that I had that I did not love. Because of the mix up with some of the dishes the wait staff even brought out a complimentary entree. All the workers there went out of there way to make sure we were happy and at the end of the meal everyone was. Not one person complained about the mix up with dishes. I plan on going back VERY soon and hopefully many times after that. I couldn't recommend Udipi more to someone. Amazing food and amazing service, you can't ask for more and in a smaller group I know that the mix ups would not happen.
(5)Molly B.
My friend Lara popped my Udipi cherry yesterday. And it was gooooood. But I must say...if you're a chiken tikka masala kinda person, you aint gonna find it at Udipi. This is Southern Indian...so lots of veggies (in fact, it's all vegetarian) and not a lot of cream. Anywho, it's pretty darn good. I just had the buffet, which was nice. I enjoyed being able to try a lot of different things. One super duper surprise was their dessert. Some sort of pastry bread puff dipped in a yummy sauce. Looked kinda weird but tasted amazing. Don't be alarmed by its location in seedy-ville. If you look around the restaurant, you'll see a lot of Indian people. That usually means it's actually good Indian food. Yumz.
(4)Adrienne W.
Lunch buffet at an Indian restaurant? Sounds pretty standard - clearing was prompt and bathroom was clean so let us start them off at 2 stars. Lunch buffet where they give you the most delicious fresh dosa - plus one star! South Indian food of intense deliciousness - plus one star! And to cap it all off - $6.95 price tag. Five stars! And I will be back... PS The restaurant is vegetarian. Just so you know. If you aren't vegetarian, you should still eat here. Because I said so.
(5)David L.
Taste: 4 Value: 4 Service: 4 I came here for the lunch buffet, $8 since I was a couple blocks away for work, and I was out of cash. I walked in at 11:30am, right when they opened. Overall, lots of pretty good choices for the buffet, all freshly made, although unfortunately there were no meat dishes (eg: chicken tikka marsala, lamb, etc). A lot of potato dishes, curries, and fried foods, along with rice, dala, salad, and watermelon. Definitely would come again.
(4)Sabrina L.
Wow! I wasn't so sure when I pulled up in front of the location, smack dab in front of a shabby minimall, and I had flashbacks to my Starliner Diner experience where I sat in the car debating for five minutes if anything that scary could be worth braving, but I am SO GLAD I tried it! I ordered the vegetable samosas and the crepe thingy with potatoes and onions. (That sounds confusing but if you look at the menu you'll find it right away.) I ordered takeaway since I'm working tonight and my car was filled with a fantastic smell the mile back to work. When I opened up the bag I was surprised to find a crepe that was 15 inches long! This is WAY more than one of me could eat, so if you go you could get off cheaper by sharing. The crepe itself was perfect, enough taste to make a good filling holder but nothing that was going to overshadow the perfectly seasoned potatoes. The onions were still very crunchy so if you don't like them mostly raw this might not be a good option for you. The samosas were a little doughier than I'm used to, but the seasoning was spot on and the crunch on the outside brought them together nicely. So look past the exterior, and don't judge this book by the cover! Udipi Cafe is definitely five stars!
(5)Today Y.
An unassuming restaurant hidden in a dilapidated strip mall on a decaying busy business road. But walk inside for lunch and suddenly you are hit with wonderful Indian curry smells amongst a crowded room full of happy, mostly Indian eaters. (Not packed though, plenty of room, as it's a large, also unassuming and pretty bland environ, with maroon plastic seats and such plastic decor of the usual cheaply designed ethnic restaurants.) The food was great. The lunch buffet was only $6.99 or so, and awesome. Full of fresh chutneys and flavorful curries and soups and breads, tons of great dishes each distinct and delicious. Nothing over-oily , either, like some Indian food joints sometimes are. This is all vegetarian too!!! Southern Indian food. ("Udipi", i learned, is the name of the restaurants like this in India serving this Southern Indian style of food). This place is awesome, totally awesome. Just wish I had room to try the mango lassi or Indian tea, but was way too full to eat or drink more. When you order the buffet, you also get a dosa (they spelled it dosai) brought to you, which is yummy. That's the paper thin, crispy-ish Indian crepe with a dollop of tasty potato and onion mash inside. The desert soup was good and interesting, called Madras Payasam i think. Was a milk (cream i'm guessing) and honey soup with chopped pieces of vermicelli and raisins and cashews tossed in. Was almost like Chai, but a desert soup variation without tea. hmmm... i guess that's just milk and honey and spices. It was all great!
(4)GaramChai E.
A good restaurant for those craving south Indian food in Columbus. The buffet has a good choice ranging from Idli, vada, sambar to curd rice and most other dishes in between. I haven't been there for dinner so I can't comment on the a la carte menu Location is convenient and accessible even for a quick lunch.
(4)Majid I.
Not bad given it is hard to find decent South Indian food. The service is laid back and a bit too casual. Can't go wrong with the dosa items but please skip the fried appetizers (except vada) and the North Indian fare. Filter coffee: Thumbs up. Location is some god forsaken place.
(3)Dirk K.
Very good Indian food. Has all the hallmarks of a good ethnic restaurant: located in a rundown strip mall, appears family owned and run with a large seemingly native staff. The food is full of flavour and they have many authentic recipes that go well beyond the typical Americanized offerings. Worth the trip.
(4)Brian B.
If you are hungry on a weekday and like indian food go here, hands down the best buffet you will get in the area. The only thing to be aware of is that you will not find meat selections (it is southern indian). The food was great and the place was packed when we went, I believe they ran out of one of their items since it was replaced with something else while we were there. Enjoy stuffing yourself silly.
(4)Ryan W.
I love Indian food! I travel a lot and eat at a lot of Indian restaurants. This was below average for Indian, but above average compared to all lunch options.
(3)Shawnie K.
Udipi Cafe makes fabulous Indian food. I first ate here about 8 years ago when my best friend (who is a vegetarian Indian) suggested we try it out. It wasn't what I was used to (chicken roganjosh or biriani), but I developed a taste for non-meat dishes I had never previously experienced. Been hooked on this place ever since. Udipi makes good, solid Indian food-- both flavor and "heat", (meaning my upper lip is sweating) but I can still feel my tongue and taste the next bite. I love the hot pickles, coconut chutney, daal, and pakoras, but the service is the clincher for me. They are prompt, attentive and friendly. I love smiley waiters (especially those who card me when I order a beer!) Plus, they leave a pitcher of water on the table. I looked around to make sure everyone had pitchers and they did! Being a consumer of water, I appreciate that touch because I often feel bad asking the server to refill my glass over and over. I am not a fan of buffets, but will take my chances here. The turnover is swift- which is a testimony to the large number of lunch-goers (who are mostly Indian the times i've been here). This restaurant is fully vegetarian and extremely well-priced at $6.95 for lunch! While Udipi is located in a non-descript strip mall along Route 161, just west of the 71 exit, but it has a big sign overlooking the road making it easy to find. I just had the lunch buffet day before yesterday on Christmas eve and it was as good as ever. I highly recommend this place for vegetarians and lovers of Indian cuisine. I would give Udipi stars if not for the bathrooms, which weren't as clean as they could be most times I've gone. They aren't grose, just in need of updating.
(4)Emily C.
If you love Indian food, have been curious about trying Indian food, or have had bad Indian food and want to taste what the good stuff is, RUN -- don't walk! -- to Udipi Cafe. While it's tucked away in an unassuming location, it's a hidden gem. Amazing lunch buffett - lots of selections and variety, decent service, and a fair price -- $7.99. If you leave hungry, it's your own fault. :) Although it is South Indian vegetarian fare, the flavors are rich, robust, and satisfying. I just got home an hour ago and I'm already wondering if it would be wrong to go back and get vegetable curry take-out for dinner. It was that good. Will definitely be back soon.
(4)Jeffrey D.
Great food, no charge for the hair.
(4)Kevin M.
Very satisfying vegetarian South Indian food. I'd recommend getting one of their dinner combos - appetizer with soup, a dosa of your choice, tea or coffee, and I think a dessert as well, though I could be misremembering. It's in a strip mall, so the ambiance isn't _great_, but it's not bad. It's also a really, really big place, so it's suitable for a large group.
(4)Seth D.
You hear about this place all the time on the radio, or in discussions about Indian food, so I came in with pretty high hopes. I have to say, the food was good, but I was a little disappointed, I guess because of all of the hype. Maybe if we had more decent South Indian restaurants in Columbus, you wouldn't hear about this one as much. I've definitely had better Indian food, but it was still pretty good. The samosas were well flavored and a little spicy, and the shell was a little thicker and chewier than usual, as apposed to crisp and flaky. The potatoes inside were basically mashed, and the tamarind and cilantro dipping sauces were very good. The sweet lassi was a little odd. Instead of tasting like real yogurt, it tasted spiked like alcohol, and it smelled kind of yeasty too! Otherwise it tasted ok, just not what I'm used to I guess. The vegetable soup I ordered tasted good, and the broth was nice and thick, but it was kind of skimpy on the veggies, so I ordered some poori to dip in the remaining broth, which is kind of like a thin elephant ear without any cinnamon sugar. My main course was malai kafta I believe, which I found to be a little bland, and too sweet, so I think I ate more basmati rice on the side than my main course. Altogether the service was good, the food was pretty good too, but I can't see myself going out of my way to come back. I certainly would come if someone else suggested though, and maybe have a better experience with something different, and with lower expectations.
(3)Melanie B.
My experience today at Udipi was so perfect that I actually discussed re-Yelping it while I was there. I simply love this restaurant - I love how quiet it is, with the perfect level of music in the background; I love how there are Indian families who come to eat here; I'm not even at vegetarian, and I love how it's a vegetarian restaurant. The food here is phenomenal, out of this world, drunk-on-flavor, satisfying. Last time I was at Udipi, my friends and I had the lunch buffet, which was good, but I'm not huge on buffets. Ze boy and I went today for Sunday afternoon foods (linner? dunch? ha), and were dually impressed. I almost grabbed the menu on my way out, but for some reason put it down, so forgive me for not knowing the names of everything... We started with samosas, which were some of the most flavorful I've ever had, and which were also the perfect size (aka not gigantic). He had a paneer dish with reddish sauce, which was excellent. I loved how well done the paneer was, and the hint of spice. I had malai kofta, which may be my all-time favourite Indian dish, and which was excellent (just sweet and spicy enough) here at Udipi. We also had the big, puffy, crunchy bread - I forget what it's called but it's a huge ball of air and goodness? It was excellent, esp. for me because I don't eat rice, so I got to enjoy the sauce with the made-mostly-of-air bread. Oh. god. The service was excellent, though they did disappear for a while and we ended up helping ourselves to a new pitcher of water because they were all out back. But otherwise, seriously excellent. This place isn't huge on atmosphere - it's comfortable and family friendly, but honestly I wasn't looking around much because the company I keep is the loveliest in the land, and today so was the food. Seriously, it melted my heart and my tummy (in a good way). The perfect food for a chilly fall afternoon in Columbus. Tumble through this town with love, folks. Mmmm.
(5)Laura E.
I'm giving this restaurant three stars because I am a fan of their food, but I am truly torn if I should give them such a good rating.. The service is much to be desired. I will likely only go there for carryout in the future. My last visit , we were seated by a young man who barely acknowledged our existence. Then .we waited for ten-fifteen minutes for a waiter to come over. We are not Indian, and it seemed he gave us a table far away from everyone else who were all Indian. I thought maybe we were just forgotten about.. Luckily, I was in a patient mood that night, and a guy eventually came over - oblivious to our wait. No smiles, no friendliness at all from anyone. The man you pay at the counter was a real "charmer". no thank you - no nothing as he took your money. It was a very weird vibe for a non-Indian such as myself. I try to consider there may be some cultural differences. Of course I wonder if I would have been treated better if I was a man or an Indian person. Who knows, but the food was good and hopefully they will improve their service and put forth a little friendliness after reading these reviews.
(3)Paul F.
I went here for lunch today and everything I tried, I liked, but I don't have the foggiest idea of what I ate except for the cantelope.
(4)Mahesh K.
Excellent food! Im coming here after more than 3 years and the food has improved significantly. The dosa was very well cooked and the madras coffee reminded me of the coffee i used to have at home. Recommend!
(4)Spongebob S.
I love meat, but man, this place definitely exceeded my expectations. Like everyone has mentioned before, the price is definitely the best part about this place. I think my meal was around $8. I normally get saag, and theirs was good. It wasnt cooked spicy enough for my tastes, but they were willing to give me chili sauce on the side. My friend's vegetable curry was very tasty too.
(4)Labatt F.
It's the best south Indian food I've had, and the staff is lovely. Atmosphere is pretty basic, but I love the lunch buffet and I love everything I've ever had there.
(5)Cat F.
Fantastic vegetarian Indian food. Love it all!
(5)Sarah B.
The food is a little bland and the lights are way too bright, but Udipi isn't bad. Their portions are huge and great for sharing. As with most Indian restaurants, vegetarians would have no problem eating here.
(3)Melanie J.
I absolutely love The Udipi! You wouldn't really expect to find a vegetarian Indian restaurant that's as good as Udipi is, in a plaza on the north side. But, give it a chance! You won't be disappointed. Being a Veg, you can always find options at an Indian restaurant, but it's nice when you don't have to pick and choose. Udipi rocks!
(5)Matthew M.
Udipi is a fantastic value for lunch. And by "fantastic" please know that i do mean "of or like a fantasy". $6.95 for all that complex wholesome food is a steal. However, it seems that some days the lunch buffet includes more hearty items than others. I always feel supremely satisfied when there is palak (or saag) panir to be had, no matter what other dishes and soups are available. Also, baigan bartha--not usually on the buffet as it is a weekend specialty--has made a few appearances on Mondays and is tomatoey, citrus-y and sustaining. Every now and then I was a bit disappointed on leaving when I felt there was not one centerpiece dish and that the dishes were a little too light because of the vegetables used. This is primarily a matter of taste and preference on my part and shouldn't be ascribed too much weight, Dear Reader. The service is very pleasant and, as Shawnie K. noted, smiley. From the menu, I recommend the chana masala (garbanzos in tomato), palak panir, the Thali (combination) and baigan bartha, but i think it's hard to go wrong at Udipi. The Indian coffee and tea are well prepared and only enhance the eating experience. And the mango lassi is a soothing, not too heavy dessert drink. The atmosphere is austere at Udipi, although there are a few pieces of Hindu art on the walls that I pause to look at every few visits. In sum, Udipi is a perfect example of the culinary treasures to be found in Columbus at not-so-conspicuous locations.
(4)Bob G.
Udipi is my favorite restaurant for those "I don't want to cook" Friday nights. We enjoy the dosa, Bagan Bartha, sag paneer, the sambar soup with the lentil donuts, and dal malkani with a beer. We also enjoy seeing three generational south Asian families out for dinner in a relaxing atmosphere. It's consistently great high quality food and excellent service at very reasonable prices. The job candidate from Riverside, California also liked it.
(5)Giovanna A.
I get carryout from here at least every couple of weeks. Anyone who is a vegetarian, which I am not, absolutely must try this place and anyone who is not will not miss meat al all. My very favorite menu item is the navrattan korma, hope I am spelling that correctly. It is just a vegetable stew and many Indian places make that but not like this one, not too rich, just perfectly creamy. I also love their spinach (palak paneer) and this is the only spinach dish my four year kid will eat. Have not tried the buffet but really look forward to it so I can try all the appetizers.
(5)Katye M.
I love Indian food, but I'm not as well-versed in Southern Indian food as I am with other areas. Therefore, when we (our dinner club) went to Udipi Cafe tonight it was a little more challenging to understand the menu, which was pretty extensive. Luckily a couple of our dinner club members are from India and they had been to Udipi Cafe before. Both of them highly recommended the dosa's. Most of our table (13 people) had a dosa (I forget what the "combo" meal was called), which also came with 2 "sides," soup, and tea/coffee. I also ordered the samosa's and another friend ordered an appetizer (I forget what it was called, but it was a huge pastry-like thing that was filled with air and was served with a chickpea dish). The pastry-like dish was amazing and could have ordered it as my meal and been fine! The samosa's were also very good with the perfect amount of spice. The dosa I ordered was #15, which was spicy and was a crepe filled with potatoes, vegetables, and spices. Firstly, the dosa's are HUGE and could easily feed 2 people. The one I had was really good, but I couldn't finish it all. Second, the entire dose is not filled, but only a portion of it is filled and the rest of the crepe can be dipped in the various sauces (which are good!). Although the food was really good, the service was sub-par for our party and it could have been because it was so big. I phone at least 24 hours in advance to make reservations each month and when I phoned Udipi, they said it wouldn't be a problem. When I arrived today just before 6:30pm, the host really didn't know what to do. Only 2 booths were taken and there were a bunch of tables in the middle of the restaurant. He ended up going to someone else to ask what to do and they sat us at a long table that seated 8 (I had called ahead for for 10-12). I asked if we could add a table to the end and they said that we would just add chairs to the end of the table when people came... I thought it was odd as I knew there were going to be 13 and if we added chairs to the end of the table it would only give us 10... So, I waited until the rest of the party came and a couple of our friends added to the table and they didn't say anything. We all looked at the menu and they gave us plenty of time to look it over. There were water carafes on the table, which was really nice as they didn't take the drink order until we ordered our meals. The food came out in waves (which usually happens for us with large groups), but it was actually perfect in that regard. Once our food was served, we really didn't have any interaction until they started clearing the table. They cleared 1/2 the table and then disappeared... after about 20 minutes (we were all just talking, so it wasn't a big deal) they came by to see if any of us wanted coffee/tea, which a few people wanted so they brought it out. When we were ready to pay the bill, it was difficult with a large group, but they were able to accommodate and we all went up and paid our own section of the bill. Overall the food was good. I would have preferred a buffet so we could try many more dishes - so maybe going there for lunch sometime would be good. The rating of 4 if primarily for the service; they were respectful, but they were less than responsive in most instances.
(4)Dang N.
OK, so this isn't going to be the best review. Why? Because I don't remember the names of any of the things I ordered and honestly, probably wouldn't be able to pronounce them correctly anyways. But...I felt I absolutely had to Yelp this because it was an Indian experience that I've never had at any other Indian restaurant. First off, this place is VEGETARIAN only. There is not meat options on the menu anywhere. So be warned. I actually did not realize this until I sat down. No problem, I definitely don't need meat in my meals. The cuisine is from Southern India, which is something I've never had so my frame of reference is askew. I ordered some appetizer that is only served on the weekends. It's crunchy in a crushed chick-pea like dough. It's fantastic. I was shocked. Doesn't really look like much when you get it, but it's really tasty. And the two sauces served with it compliments it well. So you'll know what this is by the fact that in the menu it states they only serve this on the weekend. My main dish was one of those big sandwich-like thing. Imagine a tortilla sized Indian style type of bread that's soft, not hard. And inside I got potatoes and something else. It's really unique and good. Being unique is not enough btw and I like to think that even though it may be my first time eating something that's pretty unique, I can still tell whether the flavors mix well to produce great tasting food. This place has got that. It's really different from anything I've ever had and filling also. I was pleasantly surprised by Southern Indian cooking and it being all vegetarian and some vegan, this whole cuisine really appealed to me. And extremely reasonably priced. You go to Los Angeles and eat at some Vegetarian/Vegan place and odds are you're paying a grip for that food. Some kind of CA cuisine or new fusion cuisine of some sort to just get flavor in your dish. This place, by nature of being true to its native cuisine, does this quite nicely.
(4)Randy S.
Udipi, tucked away on 161, probably doesn't feature the Indian cuisine you're used to. Instead of tandoori chicken, naan and samosas, you're more likely to find dosas (a thin, crispy crepe-like bread), lentils and rasam (a sort of spicy soup made with tamarind). Udipi serves traditionally southern Indian food, whereas most Indian restaurants deal in northern Indian cuisine. Everything (to the best of my knowledge) is vegetarian. They offer a kickin' lunch buffet. The place is so packed at lunchtime that the food never gets a chance to get old, though. I'm sure the menu items are crazy good too, though I've never been able to resist that buffet. The buffet gives the added bonus of being able to check out several foods that you likely aren't familiar with. It's telling that lots of Indians who call Columbus home visit Udipi. Check it out. The building isn't much to look at, but the food more than makes up for it. It's a rocking change of pace.
(4)Laura B.
I have been going to Udipi for ten years, and they didnt disappoint tonight. Everything was good as always, and they had a good crowd as well. Masala dosa is a must. Even though it is probably toned down already, the spice.levels can be a bit much for some.
(5)Erin B.
Udipi is hands down my favorite all around Indian spot in Columbus. Now, I prefer Southern Indian style food, so you can leave the chicken tikka masala at home, please. Idli, Paratha, Puri, and Dosas....oh the Dosas. Not one on the menu disappoints me. My favorite being the very spicy Pav Bhaji Dosa. Spiced potatoes and hot chutney wrapped in a thin lentil and rice crepe. With sambar and coconut chutney. What is not to love? Open through the day, no closing between 2 and 5 for them. The waiters are always nice and fairly attentive. Music is very eclectic and enjoyable. Make sure to have a look at the artwork. From the baby Krisha portrait in the hall, to the small shrine by the register and the painting of the Kurukshetra War from the Bhagavad Gita above, it is all very interesting. Seriously, go between 11-3 and try the buffet. Eat a little of everything and be amazed at how good it all is.
(4)Susan H.
I have been here many, many times; my favorite place to eat when I visit Columbus. I have never done the buffet, only dinner and always love the food. I usually go there with my son, his wife and their two young children. Each of us always enjoys the food. While I am not vegetarian I do love vegetarian food so this is perfect for me. I've never had bad service so I am not understanding some of the reviews about the service but perhaps lunch is different. I only wish I had a place like this one near me in Cincinnati.
(5)Mindy W.
This place is A-OK. Service was not in the least bit stellar, but the food was pretty decent and the prices were fine. I tried my first mango lassi here yesterday. I'm a convert. I never want another "smoothie" again, I will stick to the mango lassi. I shared a chickpea entree and a mixed veggie curry entree with a friend. The rice was very disappointing, which is probably why I take away half a star. I'm a huge fine of all rice, and I'm really sad when it's done poorly. The entrees were really flavorful. Her chickpea dish was really good. I felt my curry was a tad too spicy for my taste, but I'm a nerd about spice. Their raita was topnotch. A lot thinner than most, but delicious nonetheless. We did share an app and some puri. The app was some sort of fried potato ball, it was really good (wish I knew the names of all of these dishes!) The Puri was AMAZING- buttery, cunchy outside, moist inside layer. It was really mindbogglingly delicious, and it came to the table puffed up like a delicious balloon! If I was in the area, I would come back here. I know of several closer (better) Indian restaurants to me, but this was conveniently located.
(3)Bharat B.
I went there today with my wife. The quality has gone down. The lady who took the order does not understand what we wanted. We were two , ordered two Dosas and she wire down three. Luckily we asked her to confirm the order . Sambhar was watered down sambhar. I met my friend their. They stated sambhar went bad and they had to wait for more than 15 minutes before the food was served. Their quality of chutney has gone down too. We will think twice before going back again for food. We had ordered hot tea and Mysore coffee . Both hot drinks were excellent.
(1)Big W.
The food is not great anymore. Everything is oily or deep fried. The taste has been toned down for Buffett and service has been ok. I had Buffett and was not impressed. When we went for dinner, the chole bhatura was not up to the taste. Apparently they have started to substitute spices with salt. The chutney with idli and dosa had too much salt in it.
(1)Amy G.
I've enjoyed dinner at Udipi Cafe a few times now. A $6.95 buffet, though? Color me skeptical after my other Indian buffet experiences in Columbus. Unable to find any other establishments open on Memorial Day, however, Erin M. and I drove up and dove in. Udipi, even on a holiday weekend, was bustling but the noise level was low. We started off our meal with excellent masala chai-- spicy, creamy, and perfect with just a touch of sugar. Heading to the buffet, were were STUNNED by the amazing selection of items and the apparent quality of the ingredients and preparation; no curdled cream to be found nor unidentifiable vegetables swimming in oily sauces. Highlights? A fruit salad of fresh (not flavorless, pre-sliced junk!) melon, dal makhani, spinach and mushroom curry, curried squash and chickpeas, and vegetable chapatis. The salad? Fresh and crispy. And at least two different choices of breads. The thick, doughy paratha was perfect for sopping up flavorful sauces. When we returned to our table with plates overflowing with food, we were excited to find a delicious butter masala (I think?) dosa filled with peas and potatoes dusted in curry. After plowing through all this? Still a bit of room for a dessert of warm sweetened milk, cardamom, vanilla, and vermicelli noodles. Each of us walked out happy and sated for under $10. Straight up, Udipi is probably the best Indian I've ever had, north or south, vegetarian or non.
(5)Zack F.
Well 3.5 stars but not because of them, more just that the tastes are not my favorite when it comes to Indian food. They are a little more bland and low in fat. I will say this though, of all the Indian restaurants I have eaten at, this one always has the most Indian guests which has to mean something. The buffet is almost too big to believe. So many options. There are lots of fun little appetizers and some good soup. The main curries don't make me fall out of my seat but they will do. This place is definitely worth a trip or two to make up your own mind.
(4)Derek H.
I am really baffled why nobody in my family or circle of friends likes Indian food. The rich, aromatic spices...the thick sauces....the incredible flavor of it all. I could eat the stuff for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I've yet to find a place better than the Udipi Cafe for satiating my lust for Indian cuisine. I'll go here by myself for the amazing lunch buffet on occasion and the experience is always amazing. I'm not always certain of ingredients involved in everything but can't recall eating anything bad. The crepes/bread they serve are fantastic and the service is always excellent. I wish I could give this place 6 stars.
(5)Sabrina L.
Wow! I wasn't so sure when I pulled up in front of the location, smack dab in front of a shabby minimall, and I had flashbacks to my Starliner Diner experience where I sat in the car debating for five minutes if anything that scary could be worth braving, but I am SO GLAD I tried it! I ordered the vegetable samosas and the crepe thingy with potatoes and onions. (That sounds confusing but if you look at the menu you'll find it right away.) I ordered takeaway since I'm working tonight and my car was filled with a fantastic smell the mile back to work. When I opened up the bag I was surprised to find a crepe that was 15 inches long! This is WAY more than one of me could eat, so if you go you could get off cheaper by sharing. The crepe itself was perfect, enough taste to make a good filling holder but nothing that was going to overshadow the perfectly seasoned potatoes. The onions were still very crunchy so if you don't like them mostly raw this might not be a good option for you. The samosas were a little doughier than I'm used to, but the seasoning was spot on and the crunch on the outside brought them together nicely. So look past the exterior, and don't judge this book by the cover! Udipi Cafe is definitely five stars!
(5)Raerae B.
Look, if this place was suddenly going out of business I would max out my credit card to stockpile my freezer with this shit. I dream about this food, I've skipped work to eat there just because my boyfriend said he was buying. When you go to an Indian restaurant & ONLY Indian people are dining with the occasional hipster vegan couple you know your'e in the right spot! And seriously, 161 is an awesome stretch of road with some of my favorite places in Columbus residing on it, even though I live in the humble Clintonville whitewashed safe-happyland it doesn't have Carfagna's, Otani's, Navareth, Capri Lanes & the Village thrift around the corner of Cleveland Ave. Get past the fact that you ain't in the Short North with the shiny people of the world and get Real, eat real & feel really fucking good about it. Basically, if you don't like this place you don't know squat about India... I feel confident saying that.
(5)Nuri G.
At most restaurants, I have to carefully pick my dish. Although some dishes may not overtly contain meat, there are a ton of landmines such as chicken stock in soups or sauces and lard in... well, pretty much anything. That's what I love so much about Vegetarian Restaurants, and particularly Indian Vegetarian Restaurants. Udipi Cafe is a great example of delicious Southern Indian Vegetarian. I took a non-veg coworker who was peripherally knowledgeable about the cuisine. I was pleased to be responsible for 100% of the non-Indian people in the restaurant. I told my co-worker that I was very familiar with Indian food and that, if he trusted me enough, I'd do all the ordering. I inquired to his preferred level of spice, any allergies or dislikes, and I got to work. As I selected things in the menu, I chuckled as I heard some trance classics remixed as Indian Music. I ordered the following: Mysore Masala Dosa Gobi Manchurian Chana Masala The server warned me about the Gobi Manchurian -- said it was very spicy. The Dosa was delicious. Triangular in shape, the fluffy spiced crepe gently cradled an ample portion of curried potatoes. The sambar was spicy, hearty, and full of vegetables. The chana masala was unremarkable. Not bad, not incredible... just average. I've had several types of Gobi Manchurian before (sauteed, deep fried) but they've always been unsauced, spicy, and bright red. This dish, however, was different. I understand that Manchurian food originated when neighboring Chinese wanted to make a dish with Indian ingredients that would reflect the Chinese style. This execution of Gobi Manchurian was probably the most Chinese I've ever eaten. The dish was very saucy, full of green onions and garlic, ridiculously spicy, and could have been eaten in any Chinese restaurant anywhere. In fact, it could be described as the best Chinese I've eaten in an Indian Restaurant. I absolutely loved my visit to Udipi Cafe. If you're looking for great vegetarian food, or are looking to eat something out of the ordinary, go to Udipi Cafe. The prices are reasonable, the people are friendly, and you're going to go home full and happy.
(4)Matthew K.
So this would have been a 4 star review if it wasn't for the kindness of the wait staff. Went in a large group of 12 to celebrate a few birthdays. The wait staff right off the back was very accommodating and set up a large table and grabbed extra chairs so we could all be together. We all ordered food and the appetizers and came out quickly. Then more appetizers came out that no one ordered and the wait staff simply said they were complimentary. When our main dishes came out things got a little confusing because most of us just ordered by number and didn't really remember what the dish was called. We all got food just some of us (myself included) didn't get what we ordered but it almost didn't matter. All the food was amazing! We all shared with each other ala family style. There wasn't one dish that I had that I did not love. Because of the mix up with some of the dishes the wait staff even brought out a complimentary entree. All the workers there went out of there way to make sure we were happy and at the end of the meal everyone was. Not one person complained about the mix up with dishes. I plan on going back VERY soon and hopefully many times after that. I couldn't recommend Udipi more to someone. Amazing food and amazing service, you can't ask for more and in a smaller group I know that the mix ups would not happen.
(5)Molly B.
My friend Lara popped my Udipi cherry yesterday. And it was gooooood. But I must say...if you're a chiken tikka masala kinda person, you aint gonna find it at Udipi. This is Southern Indian...so lots of veggies (in fact, it's all vegetarian) and not a lot of cream. Anywho, it's pretty darn good. I just had the buffet, which was nice. I enjoyed being able to try a lot of different things. One super duper surprise was their dessert. Some sort of pastry bread puff dipped in a yummy sauce. Looked kinda weird but tasted amazing. Don't be alarmed by its location in seedy-ville. If you look around the restaurant, you'll see a lot of Indian people. That usually means it's actually good Indian food. Yumz.
(4)Adrienne W.
Lunch buffet at an Indian restaurant? Sounds pretty standard - clearing was prompt and bathroom was clean so let us start them off at 2 stars. Lunch buffet where they give you the most delicious fresh dosa - plus one star! South Indian food of intense deliciousness - plus one star! And to cap it all off - $6.95 price tag. Five stars! And I will be back... PS The restaurant is vegetarian. Just so you know. If you aren't vegetarian, you should still eat here. Because I said so.
(5)David L.
Taste: 4 Value: 4 Service: 4 I came here for the lunch buffet, $8 since I was a couple blocks away for work, and I was out of cash. I walked in at 11:30am, right when they opened. Overall, lots of pretty good choices for the buffet, all freshly made, although unfortunately there were no meat dishes (eg: chicken tikka marsala, lamb, etc). A lot of potato dishes, curries, and fried foods, along with rice, dala, salad, and watermelon. Definitely would come again.
(4)