Ocean Tava
1212 S Pacific Coast Hwy,Ste 206, Redondo Beach, CA, 90277
Ocean Tava Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Redondo Beach for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Redondo Beach for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Redondo Beach for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1212 S Pacific Coast Hwy,Ste 206
Redondo Beach, CA, 90277 - Phone (310) 540-2240
- Website https://oceantavabistro.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : Yes
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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Michelle F.
One of my favorite places! I really think this is a great place. It's a bit hidden away and almost overlooked driving by so I would never have went here myself the first time. Ocean Tava was recommended by a friend and now I've passed along the recommendation too! I order the garlic naan (of course!), the vegi samosas (yum!), the Dal and the Gobi Aloo. I want to try other dishes but I love these so much I don't stray. Maybe someday. I order it with a spice level of 2. They do ask what you prefer and it's spicy so I play it safe at 2 (out of 5). There is a parking lot behind the restaurant. Parking is free. Service is great. Always on it! Enjoy!
(5)Dayna C.
Yum yum yum... I came here first for the lunch buffet, but will be back weekly for dinner. What a hidden gem!! It is kinda of weird location, however, there is a private parking lots and ocean views. The food was amazing. The garlic naan had real chunks of garlic and the chickens was primarily white meat and juicy. Spicy Chicken Korma is by far my favorite Indian dish on earth and this place did it justice. This review would be longer.... But I'm chewing Highly recommended!
(5)L H.
Service is great but the food isn't. I was disappointed here. I love Indian food, and for me this was subpar. I did not care for the Malai Kofta (my favorite Indian dish), naan, or vegetable samosas. The flavor and preparation were not great. I came for dinner with a group and there were only a couple of other groups there for dinner--we were seated immediately. Our waiter was very attentive and friendly. I would not return.
(3)C M.
My family and I came in on a Friday night around 7 a couple weeks ago and it was DEAD I mean like only 2 other tables in the entire restaurant. So that was kinda odd. But we decided to stay anyway. Our server was nice but When ordering the food the server kept talking over us when we had a question and acted like our questions were just completely stupid. The beers tasted flat and old, like they had been sitting for quite some time. We asked for another one and the server charged us for it.....Anyway 30 minutes go by and we finally get our food. It was really good! But the portions are SO small. We got a couple entrees and there were no left overs. I've never had that happen at an Indian restaurant before. We had asked for condiments prior to our meal but never received them. The meal was RIDICULOUSLY expensive. It was a rip off for the little amount of food we got, the gross beers and the lack of service. The food is really good so it's a shame I will never be back.
(2)Michelle J.
Adequate parking space. Good location. Inside the restaurant, it's inviting. Food selection is great but a bit of a let down with the tandoori, it lacks more flavor. Lamb curry is quite good. But the greatest hit would be the Garlic Naan...so good I ordered it twice. Gulab Jamun is so-so. Pricing a bit expensive considering we feel disappointed with the main dish.
(3)Joyce V.
This is a review for the business. Ocean Tava had catered my Mehndi and as part of our agreement they gave us vouchers to use at the restaurant. So we take the vouchers every few months and enjoy a great meal and leave a great tip. We return with our family bc my Indian family would appreciate the food and all of the sudden they refuse to take the vouchers, regardless of what our contract stated. The reason? New owners - I reached out to my catering contact and after a week never heard anything again. And we were not offered anything for this unlawful situation so we just lost money.... My advice: enjoy the food bc it was good (hopefully remains so - on principal we have not returned), but DO NOT accept food vouchers as part of their catering package. They will not uphold their end of the signed contract.
(1)Amanda P.
I'm sad to say that under the new management, this place has gone seriously downhill. First--I was sad to learn that the new management got rid of the buffet lunch, which used to be quite good. The service--which also used to be great--has become really terrible. The minute our waiter found out we wanted to order off the Sunset Hour menu, he was condescending and dismissive--and it wasn't that he was busy. There was literally only one other couple in the place, and they didn't seem to be having a pleasant meal either. Most notably, though, they raised the prices, and lowered the food quality substantially. My vindaloo tasted like they had simply opened a can of tomato paste and put no seasoning in it. When I pointed that out to our waiter, his response was that "that's what Vindaloo tastes like." I assured him that I know what good vindaloo tastes like and that, while I realize it's made with tomatoes, it's not typically ONLY tomato paste. I also told him that I've been to over 100 Indian restaurants around the world and this was the worst vindaloo I've ever tasted. It was also the most tasteless and bland, even though I asked for medium spicy. The other issue? I ordered chicken vindaloo and my plate had a TOTAL of THREE small bites of chicken in it! His response? "Every restaurant makes theirs differently." I understand that portion sizes are smaller on sunset hour specials but three pieces of chicken? That would have been laughable had I not been so hungry. Our waiter didn't offer to bring me something else or discount our check, or even apologize-- things that a good waiter would have done. The salad also tasted terrible...and the garlic naan was overcooked and had almost no garlic on it. The entire meal was a huge disappointment. It was a very unpleasant dining experience...and I had so little food I had to go buy something else to eat on the way home. I no longer recommend this restaurant. After the changes instituted by the new management, my husband, friends and I decided we will not be coming here any more.
(1)Silka H.
Wow, I would like to take even the 2 stars I gave before back. I have received a message from the new owner via yelp, threatening me as to what happens to people that give bad yelp reviews, claiming that it is done to blackmail people like him to treat them better. SO NOT THE CASE. I write a review to give other yelpers an idea where it is worth going IMHO and use yelp to locate places to try myself. Other people have other experiences and are just entitled to post their opinion, thus a rating average is achieved. Now, after threatening me rather than trying to improve on customer experience really does not make me want to go back!
(1)Susan R.
This restaurant never disappoints us! Tonight we had lamb vindaloo, saag paneer, garlic nan, and tandoori saag. We opted for level 5 spice (1-5 hotness). No problem! We enjoyed the heat level and the taste still shown through. Great service, nice atmosphere, and this is one of our favorite restaurants in Redondo!!!
(5)Phillip H.
Oh Ocean Tava. How much I love your food. Ocean Tava has exquisite and delectable Indian food While maintaining tradition, ocean Tava has created some new and great curries. With fresh naan and great chai tea, ocean Tava is one of the best Indian food spots in the South Bay. Definitely give this place a shot and check it out. Due to poor location it is hard to attract customers for them, but I really feel for this place. I really want them to get business and strive, as this is the best Indian food around and I would never want it to go. All in all you will find great Indian food and food service! Try the ocean Tava chicken special!!!
(5)Perla M.
Attentive service and great food. What more can you ask for? I highly recommend their lamb tiika masala and garlic naan but truly, all of their food is delicious~!
(5)Sylvia L.
The employee tells us we can t use a coupon what is for this restaurant. In a big coupon book The book entertainment.com their had printed the coupon without permission. The employee don't want give the phone number from the owner till we would first pay. If we got the phone number... Happend the employee starts insult me to be a man and want calling the police. Talked about we have no money what is not right. All little things like that is an officially call on bbb to close down this place. please protection for customers. The summary 1Food is to much overpowered Little heath issue of kitchen Mexican mix with Indian 2Employee is unprofessional and not able to keep his manner. 3Water and napkins are only on request 4Restaurant empty and looks at all like a wear house 5 Manager on the phone and pretend the phone cutting off.
(1)Srinivasa P.
It's s complete rip off ! Had the worst experience ever . This restaurant charges 5 bucks for a lemonade which is below sub standard quality . There is no restaurant staff .. It's a one man show and offers poor service . It's a thumbs down from my side . Will never visit it again.
(1)Colleen p.
Amazing food, We happened upon this restaurant, a bit hidden away. Incredible curry, we tried coconut curry and lamb. Both were better than anywhere else in the south bay.
(5)Karthik M.
Bought lamb Biriyani from this restaurant.... I seriously wonder if the chef knows what a Biriyani is... It tasted like a crappy tomato rice with lamb pieces... Who on this earth would put tamarind in Biriyani... I wasted $30..... I am never gng back to this place again....
(1)Valerie F.
I decided to give this restaurant a second chance after having had a so-so experience last year. I heard it was under new management, and one of our ladies had received a brochure in the mail that they had a lunch buffet. I made a reservation several weeks in advance and called the restaurant at 9:30 am on the morning of our reservation to give exact numbers. I left a message on their machine. I did not call the day before because changes in numbers occur at the last minute. To make a long story short -- the food was good. The nan was great, hot and freshly made. Now for the bad part. It does not matter how good food is, respect, kindness, service and charm are essential when running a restaurant. The owner was downright rude to me. He scolded me in front of eleven ladies that I had not called to confirm the night before and he thought we weren't coming. The answer to this is: he could have called ME to confirm if he was so anxious; or he could have checked his answering machine when he arrived at work. The owner told us they had no lunch buffet and it was starting tomorrow. What?? He was rude to almost every single lady sitting at the table. He refused to take down 12 orders, insisting he could memorize them. He couldn't and made errors in the order. He argued when someone asked what type of beer he had. He replied Indian. When the lady queried further, he retorted, "It's just beer.": A latercomer had not had time to study the menu. He stood over her, waiting impatiently. When she asked for some time, he said, "You are the only one who has not ordered, I will wait here." The nan bread, although delicious, arrived after the food was halfway eaten. We had requested the bread first, and were rudely told that it was not an appetizer, and meant to be eaten with the meal. OK -- then where is it? The owner gave attitude upon learning everyone wanted lunch sized portions. It was lunch, for heavens sake. To top it all off, after absolutely horrendous rudeness from the owner/server (the new waiter was just fine) - they had the gall to put a 20% gratuity on our bill for 12 people, which I believe is illegal in California. Again, the food was good. However, we were all embarrassed, shocked and surprised by the pompous, arrogant and unprofessional rudeness of the owner who made sure to tell every single lady as we left the restaurant that I had failed to confirm the reservation. I didn't know you were expected to actually confirm a reservation you make in advance....but oh well!b There are many excellent Indian restaurants in the South Bay, anxious to please and deliver delicious food. We will be visiting them in the future, not Ocean Tava.
(2)Gigi M.
If there was an option for a ZERO star, this place will get it. Never fails that there is a problem every time. I give this establishment chance after chance because I live very close and I happen to like Indian food. But this time, enough is enough!!! They have lost a regular customer & I will make sure to spread the word about how horrible they are!!!! Ordered online. 10 minutes later, I get a call. They can not deliver because it "is a slow night"... REALLY? The gentleman (not so gentle), proceeded to speak very condescending to me by telling telling me that if I want my food "you need to come and pick it up"! Are you SERIOUS???? I wonder how much longer they will be in business with their over priced food & horrible customer service. Not even an apology. I WILL NEVER GO BACK/ RECOMMEND OCEAN TAVA TO ANYONE EVER AGAIN!
(1)Robert D.
I just left Ocean Tava and here is my take.... After enjoying Indian cuisine for over 35 years, I would have to say Ocean Tava is a real gem for Redondo Beach!! I ordered a Kingfisher beer it came with a complimentary papadum. Mint chutney & tamarind sauce as well. I followed it with vegetarian samosas. They were fresh and cooked perfectly! * Many times I have endured overcooked stale samosas at other restaurants. Next to come was the Lamb Tikka Masala. A bit of a risk at a new place....HOWEVER the lamb was succulent and cooked to perfection. ( It was New Zealand lamb)!!! Spice level ranged from 1-5...I asked for a 6. Not too spicy for me. The accompanying rice with peas was cooked perfectly as was the naan. Overall.....I rate this gem a 5 star! Locals are VERY lucky to have this just off the PCH near Avenue E. I certainly will be back ;)
(5)Shailja K.
Great food. I am Indian and have eaten a lot of authentic Indian food...can surely say that this place hits it close to home. Better than most Indian restaurants in LA
(5)Heather R.
OMG - best Indian food I've found since moving back to the USA from England.
(5)meeta p.
Their new management is terrible! I called to see what time their happy hour was from and they told me that they've never had i. I said that I had been there many times before and had always gone for their " Sunset Hour" .. he rudely said," we never have it, so now what do you want?" I would much rather go to Addi's Tandoor than give Ocean Tava my business. Addi's has excellent customer service and delicious food!
(1)Jackson B.
My girlfriend and I used to love this restaurant. It was a short distance from our house and we were frequent customers. As a birthday present, my girlfriends mother purchased $75 worth of gift certificates for us. One afternoon we decided to order food to go, and when we arrived and tried to use the gift certificates, we were told that they would not be honored. With no apologies, and no remorse, I was charged full price for our meal. I can understand that the restaurant may have changed ownership, but the response that I received from the new owner regarding this matter was highly unacceptable. He was rude and may no effort to accommodate the situation. The servers are friendly, but unfortunately we have decided not to return due to the bad attitude of the new owner.
(1)Mathew M.
Best curry I've had in the South Bay. Their chicken tiki masala is awesome and not too sweet. The olive naan is also amazing, with the olives baked into the naan.
(5)Kyra J.
This is my second time coming to Ocean Tava. I brought a friend with me whose never been there and isn't very familiar with Indian food. We had a great experience and the food was great! We highly do recommend this restaurant if you're looking for some great service, local Indian food, and a cute atmosphere!
(4)C H.
I have been here twice now. The food is really good. The service is where they are lacking. The food takes forever to come out and the servers that I had didn't seem very knowledgeable. The last time I went in there it was lunch time. The server told us they didn't have lunch specials but rather lunch portions. This led us to believe that they just had a smaller portion of the item and that nothing came with it. So, we ordered the Tikki Masala and a Briani (sp?) as our rice. We asked if we could do Shrimp instead of Lamb and he said sure. When our food came out the Tikki Masala was small and came with rice so we didn't need to order additional and then when the bill came they charged us $18.95 for the Shrimp Briani which I think is insane! There were maybe 6 shrimp with rice. Overall the Tikki Masala and the Naan were great. The Briana was not my favorite. And I feel they should have explained better and not over charged us. I most likely won't be going back. Also, I had a Gift Certificate that I had bought about 4 months before. When I came in this second time I tried to use the GC and they informed me there was a new owner and they were not accepting the GC anymore. That was a bummer because I was out $50 and they didn't offer any type of compensation.
(3)Beth B.
when i was living in hermosa, i received a $10 voucher in the mail for ocean tava. although i drove by it weekly, i never redeemed it, and the super cool thing about it is it never expired, even over a year after I received it! so, it took me moving to south redondo to finally go a few months ago, and let's just say i'm sorry i waited so long! it has a great variety of meat as well as seafood and vegetarian options...oh, and the naan...! oh how i love naan, and their garlic naan is delish! we were craving something hot and hearty wednesday night, and my husband and i were too tired to cook. ironically we were both thinking ocean tava, so we returned this week. it was just as delicious as we remembered. my husband devoured his tandoori chicken. i forgot the name of my vegetarian dish, but it had cauliflower and potato with ginger. great flavors. and yes; we had to get the garlic naan (with raita)! the quality of food is top notch. the only reason i gave 4 instead of 5 stars is because it is just a little pricey (average $50 for 2). we'd probably frequent here more often it was just a little more affordable, but instead we look at going to ocean tava as a special treat.
(4)Damoun S.
Great Indian food. Classic tika masala, can't go wrong. They put up deal on GroupOn too, for dine in only though.
(5)Rachel C.
I played it safe and got the chicken tikka masala and garlic naan. I do not regret this decision! The taste of the tikka masala is memorable, and I know I'm gonna be craving it when I want Indian food. I'm salivating already! This is definitely the tastiest Indian food I've had in Torrance.
(4)Andrew N.
Such friendly service. Been there 2x's in 1 month!
(5)V S.
Tastless food and poor service, would not recomend this place - much better options in the southbay !!!!
(1)Brent H.
First of all, I highly suspect that any positive reviews of this restaurant are planted by the new owner from friends of his or customers that he has coerced into exaggerating or lying on his behalf. We live right down the street and have always liked (sometimes loved) the food, we've brought several of our friends here to introduce them to a new local restaurant. We even hosted my birthday meal here and brought them 12 new customers. But now it's under new management and everything has changed! It was Sunday and we were looking for a late lunch. we saw on Yelp that they opened at 4:30 and it was exactly 4:30 so we walked to the front door. The door was locked and the sign said closed, so we waited a few minutes and my wife caught the eye of someone working inside and he came to open it. When he did, I politely asked, "are you ready to open or should we come back in a bit?" His answer was, "it's 4:30, we open at 4:30" A simple yes would have sufficed (plus it was 4:35 by this time) When we looked at the menu, we saw that they had raised the price of the entree additions form $2.95 to $7! ( a previous yelper, Paras D, mentions that this is new, it's not, they've always offered the Naan, Raita, Rice and Lentils with the entrées, but now they ALLOW you to pay more than double) They didn't even bother to print up new menus, they just put a little sticker over the old price (which they had scratched out with a pen) The whole thing gave me the creeps. I told my wife, that this along with the weird passive aggressive answer at the door (and the very real possibility of a LONG wait for our food as they have never been what I'd consider fast) was making me feel like it was time to rethink our choice. No water or papad had been served so we didn't feel like we had put them out and we got up to leave. On the way out, I told Mr. Personality that we were going to head home after all and then I thought I'd ask him about the new price for the entree additions. I asked, "has the price gone way up for the Naan and Lentils?" again, instead of a straight answer, his reply was, "do you know how much rent is in Redondo Beach?" I imagine rent is high, but it's going to be hard to pay it with no customers as I will never be back and I'll make sure to mention to all of my friends what horrible customer service we encountered and how they should just travel a bit further down the road to Bombay Tandoori for some great food and REAL service. I'm sure the doors will be boarded up soon and we'll have a new restaurant in the neighborhood!
(1)shannkat f.
I'd give it zero. New management? Whoever just talked to my husband on the phone just called him an a**hole. Way to go!
(1)Bunny F.
Ordered the chicken tikka masala, the lamb vindaloo, garlic naan, and the prawn appetizer for pick up. Everything was delicious except the "prawns" turned out to be 5 shriveled up regular sized shrimp. The flavor was good but it was NOT worth $10. If they ran out of prawns they should have removed the item from the menu, given more shrimp, or charged less.
(4)Patrick M.
Outstanding. Everything is home made. The best Indian food I have ever had. Nice quite tucked away place. We will start coming once a week !!!
(5)Vaishnovi K.
Ocean Tava is our go to restaurant when we're craving Indian food. The service is pretty good - whenever I order something for take out, by the time I get there, the food is ready to go so I never have to wait around...I love that! The quality of the food is great as well - no complaints!
(4)Joseph W.
Most of the Indian Restaurants in Torrance or Redondo Beach are excellent. Ocean Tava is no exception. The food, service, and ambience are wonderful. Had a recent night out here with my wife for an anniversary celebration. We were given drinks and dessert on the house. What a pleasant surprise! Come here for their "Early Bird Special" and get the food at a much reduced price. We'll be back soon. Suggest you give them a try.
(5)Kim R.
Cheated on Addi's Tandoor and was pleasantly surprised. Hubby brought home take out so can't comment on decor, etc. I ordered the Wah Janab chicken kababs and was caught off guard by the green color but they were fantastic. Ordered as a dinner platter so they came with garlic naan, brown rice, and riata. The naan and riata were good but not as good as Addi's. Forget what hubby ordered but he enjoyed his as well. Definitely will go back
(4)Lizz K.
Great food, friendly people but I've been sitting here for an hour and all we got were our appetizers and it's been done for about 15 minutes .. Don't come if you're in a 2 hour time budget.
(4)Leslie P.
I am used to much, much better Indian food in the Bay. Here, we started with roasted papadum, served with tamarind & coriander-mint sauces. Then we split the salmon tikka and malia kofta. The malia kafta was a bowl of vegetable dumplings with a creamy tomato-based sauce. On the side were dal (stew of lentils, peas & kidney beans), raita, and garlic naan. Everything was just okay. It was decent, some good flavours, but I don't think I will come back here. Also, the service will really slow. We came early, just before 6pm, when the restaurant was just two tables full. It took forever for water, to order, and for us to get our sides. We had to ask a couple of times.
(3)Siaosi L.
View of the beach and sunset for dinner is beautiful from this restaurant if you're lucky enough to get the window seat or sit out on the balcony. Great atmosphere and decor. They have a good happy hour menu that's on their website and servers are nice. I love coming here cause the food has great flavor, is fresh and delicious. I have been frequently visiting here lately & highly recommend.
(5)Mila O.
GREAT LUNCH BUFFET ! The lunch buffet is pretty tasty and there is a good amount of variety. They are also extremely nice and polite to their customers. Free parking in the back makes it easy to show up even if you just have 30 minutes to eat like we did. I would definitely go back for dinner. Garlic Naan is Amazing !
(5)Dymp1 Y.
Excellent service great location delicious authentic food will definitely come back with family and friends
(5)Jane K.
I almost missed this spot because the sign isn't in your face when driving like a lot of others. There's a lot opened in the back of the building. The waiters are very nice and helpful. Check-in and get your free appetizer. When I ordered my food we thought the waiter mixed my friend and my dish because we got the same dish but with different level of spiciness, and the waiter was very kind and actually brought out extra spice I was able to add on my own.
(5)A. Y. L.
Enjoyed the shrimp curry and tandoori appetizer with 3 chicken preparations. Our waiter, Manish, was very helpful in explaining the various dishes. The selection of good restaurants in this area is very limited, and I would add Ocean Tava to my list of places to return to. Good quality, variety and interesting things to try. I personally found the owner very friendly and accommodating.
(4)Mo S.
The only reason we came here was because we had a coupon and decided to try it out. At 6pm on a Wednesday we were literally the only ones there. Now I can see why..After sitting down we told the server about the coupon and he said since there was a new manager he was not accepting any coupons (even though the coupon was not expired and the name of the restaurant had not changed). I think this is awful business and would have walked out but we felt bad so decided to stay and try it. The food itself was four stars. Only my third time trying Indian food but my boyfriend and I enjoyed it. The samosa appetizer was my favorite dish but don't expect it to be big. 1/27/15 Interesting I just noticed that ocean tava has a ANOTHER coupon in the new 2015 entertainment guide which I can only assume the owner will refuse to honor since he refused mine only a few months ago. Weird that he would put another coupon out that he is refusing to honor. BAD BUSINESS.
(1)Darshit D.
Went for our anniversary lunch...loved the food, location and service...surely my new fav in South Bay!!
(5)Lionel P.
Awesome Indian food, delicious and decent pricing, indoor and outdoor seating, intimate but also good for groups. Vegetarian frendly, duh, and very posotive ambient, frendly staff.
(5)Yvonne L.
I used to come here regularly until about 9 months ago as the food from the previous owner was not that great. We revisited this restaurant with my friend a month ago and I have been coming back weekly since! The quality of the food is excellent, the service superb and the owner is friendly and knowledgeable. Everything is yummy. If you are considering Indian food I highly recommend this wonderful place!!!!!
(5)Robert H.
We've been there a number of times, and the regular prices always seemed very high, but the "sunset hour" specials (half-price entrees) before 7pm used to make that bearable. The food was very good, so we just made sure we got there early. We went recently, however, only to find out that there was a new owner and he wasn't having the sunset specials any longer. We stayed and ate anyway, but we were the only people in the place the entire time. I generally tend to order chicken tikka masala, and this place has one of the better versions in my opinion, and it seemed pretty much the same last time we went. My wife had the chicken tikka, which is usually fairly dry, but this last time it had a thick red sauce on it which she didn't care for. Chicken tikka masala was about $16, whereas a few other places we go to have it for $13, and a few even less than $10. Also, despite being otherwise empty, the service was very slow. Our server (who I think may have been the owner) rarely came back to the table to check on us during the meal or to see if we were ready for the check. Without the sunset specials, I don't think we'll be going back. There are other places I like just as well food-wise and can more affordably feed my family of 4, and get much better service.
(2)Rebecca D.
I drove by Ocean Tava several times before the idea of eating there ever crossed my mind. That's mainly due to the fact that the name "Ocean Tava" doesn't give away what kind of cuisine is cooked (mostly to semi-uncultured Americans like myself). If the restaurant doesn't have "tandoori" in the name, chances are I won't know it's Indian food, which is a total shame, because Indian is my favorite! So after a little research, I found out that "Tava" is actually a flat disc-shaped metal pan, most often used in west Asia. Bingo. Indian food! Pair it with ocean (which is where they're located: Redondo Beach), and it all starts to make sense. Our first visit there was very pleasant. The decor is very modern as far as Indian restaurant go, and the service is impeccable. Nathan is an excellent server with a very warm demeanor. He even remembered us on our second visit, which was a couple of months after our first. We were / are very impressed. It seems as though he takes pride in the service he provides, and that's rare to come by, so we definitely appreciate it. The food is comparable to the service. I always get the lamb tikki masala. Their samosas are very good, although just a tad salty. Maybe that's why they're so good? Their olive & garlic naan are the best too. And last but not least, their mango lassi is sooooooo good. In fact, I'm craving one now after writing that! Highly, highly recommend! Namaste!
(5)Peter I.
Very good. We went on a Tuesday and there were only a few people. Clean and pretty. Good art. The naan bread was terrific as was the baked cheese. We had the chicken curry and the tiki masala. Both great. Fantastic service. Lastly I had kingfisher beer, who doesn't love that. We will be back!!!
(5)Ashley S.
I had used the free samososa app from yelp to start off our dinner. They were tasty, but I am starting to notice a trend of all the indian places out here..the samosas ALL taste the same! I think they all use the same pastry dough. I think im so spoiled from our OG indian place called Malhis becuase they home make their pastry dough. However this is the ONLY complaint I have. Our server KK was super friendly. He was extremely professional yet made us feel like we were eating a mom and pop place. He was very friendly and even though we got there at 6:25, he informed us that we were still able to get the dinner specials, which ended at 6:30. If he hadnt informed us of these specials we would have never even known and wouldnt have saved a BUNCH of money. We ordered te chicken tikka masala, saag paneer, and this spicy naan which was THE BEST SPICY NAAN i have ever had! I think they put serranos on it i dont know but it was superb. But all of the entrees were an par, we were very satisifed! I didnt think it was possible, but we ordered the pistachio Kulfi. AMAZING- again the best we have ever had! It was so rich and creamy and oh so delicious!
(4)HH F.
This place is easy to miss if you've never been here, it's above an Arby's on PCH. The food has always been very good from my experience, and I have recommended all my friends to give it a try. First of all, the service is top notch. The staff is very welcoming, and very helpful! My favorite dish is the malai kofta, the flavors from all the spices in this dish are there, but not overwhelming (as with all the other items I've had here!). All the friends I've brought thus far have enjoyed the food and atmosphere. I highly recommend making your dinner course a combo with the lentils, naan, and rice. The lunch buffet has always been excellent. There are plenty of vegetarian dishes, 3-4 meat choices, and 2 desserts. Probably my favorite Indian buffet lunch in the South Bay.
(5)Christine A.
I went on Friday night to use my Groupon at Ocean Tava & was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the restaurant. It was fully packed on somewhat late dinner time on a Friday night so we had to seat outside for a bit until they found a table for us to move (as I was freezing outside!). At first, it seemed a bit unorganized with no one caring for us, same people asking same questions, one of the heat lamp outside not working...etc. However, the who seemed like the owner cared for us the whole time and many of the servers were super friendly! Chicken tikka malasa was slightly smaller than what we were used to, but it was excellent! VERY GOOD! Tandori "Wah Janab" pudina chicken kabab, which was recommended by the waiter was at most okay, as the chicken was very moist. However, it was covered in cilantro (I am 'allergic', well more like I hate cilantro) and the taste was kind of boring to me. We ordered both dishes in a 'meal' which came with rice, dal,raita and either regular or garlic naan for additional $4. The garlic naan was very warm (love!) and delicious, but garlic taste didn't come through as much. Mango lassi was okay but not de-licious. My bf & I are loyal to our other Indian restaurant, but Ocean Tava was great as well! I will definitely give it another go!
(3)N L.
I came here last night to celebrate my sister's birthday with my family. I was expecting this place to be expensive for dinner, however, I was pleasantly surprised by the relatively inexpensive prices for dinner. Each entree is about $9 to $15. They come with rice. They also have a lunch buffet on Saturday and Sunday. The buffet costs $13.95. The food was awesome! The interior of this place is decorated beautifully. Some of the tables have views of the ocean (depending on which side of the restaurant you sit in). There is a private lot for parking as well. Sign up for their mailing list! You get coupons for this place and a discount that you can use during the month of your birthday.
(5)Richard A.
(+) Beautiful view of ocean (+)
(4)Robert C.
For quite tasty Indian fare, this restaurant rates as a hidden gem. Even with new management, the quality is unsurpassed in the area. The Tava specialties are to be tried (lamb, chicken versions) and the spice level can be dialed in on ordering. What really makes this place special is the wait staff. Absolutely the best, non obtrusive, informative friendly folks. Not very crowded (now) but sure to be as more people discover it.
(5)Greg N.
Went here for the first time last night and we were very glad we did. Their location can't be conducive for good business. As Redondo residents, we've driven by this place a zillion times and never seen it. Thankfully, I saw a Groupon yesterday and decided to give it a try. The service was great and the food was wonderful. We started with the vegetable samosa, which was solid. For the main course, we ordered Chicken Curry and Lamb Tikki Masala, with the regular naan and garlic naan. They let you order spiciness from 1-5. I'm pretty wimpy when it comes to spicy foods, so we went with 2, which was perfect. It was pretty hot but definitely not overbearing. And if that was 2, I'd hate to think what 5 is. You must have to sign a waiver to get it???! All in all, we were definitely won over and will come back.
(5)Angelie D.
1-2-3 Punch in the face! That is how it felt like when we decided to be brave and order Chicken Marsala on level 4 out-of 5! I love spicy food, but I have to admit.. when it comes to Indian spices I am an panzy! Went here for dinner last week with Jeff B. and we loved every moment of it. The place is simply decorated and dim in lighting. I've been to a lot of Indian restaurants where the decor was on overload! Too much color.. furniture.. frames... etc! We ordered a bottle of red wine to go with our meal. Vegetable samosa was our beginning course. Picture Portos potato ball but with a lot more spice and twice as big. The starch of the ball soothed the kick of the spices. Chicken Marsala- Level 4- definitely needed to order a side a yogurt sauce. I was shame McShame that night! I don't care.. I wanted to get through my meal without crying! Lamb Curry- Level 3- Not gamey at all! Loved it.. and it actually cooled down my tongue from the scorching chicken! Paneer - still one of my faves! I can definitely go vegetarian if I had this all day!! Garlic Naan - one of the better ones I've had!!!
(4)Grace P.
Pleasant waitstaff, nice decor & place settings, free parking in their lot: Everything we ordered was delicious: _ Papadum (served complimentary) _ Tava Special Vegetables _ Channa Saagwala (made to order) _ Kabuli Naan A LivingSocial deal brought me here, the experience will bring me back!
(4)Robin C.
Absolutely delicious Indian food. I have been to India many times and the food here is the best in LA county. Great service to boot. Highly recommended!
(5)Tina M.
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(1)Karen F.
My favorite indian restaurant
(5)K K.
Since the time I wrote the previous review, things have gone downhill here. A burnt dish (paneer dosa), cold food in the buffet, indifferent service and one stomach upset later, I decided it was time to come back and take away a few stars. I would not recommend this place anymore.
(2)Daniel V.
Really good stuff all around. Had the lamb tikka masala and the chicken biriyani. Also garlic naan. Everything was great and the server was extremely nice and helpful.
(4)Darius S.
The food is good and the setting is nice. My only issue is that I have found very good food with better portions at other Indian restaurants in the South Bay. Dont get me wrong, try the place out but for the price and portions, I wouldn't make it my go to Indian spot.
(3)Evan S.
This is solid Indian food. Feels a bit modern inside, but the food is good and they are reasonably priced. I recommend the all you can eat lunch -- ~$10 gets you a sampling of a ton of different dishes. They have great naan and delicious chai tea (after the meal). The place is clean and the staff is good.
(4)george h.
Great food. Great service and an awesome view. Happy hour is a great time to go to et some of their classics for cheap.
(4)Jennifer W.
Can't remember specifics but what I do remember is that I want to go back. Might not beat my all-time favorite Indian spot at my Maharani in Fort Lee NJ, but next time I'm in Redondo, will definitely have to stop in again.
(4)Ty D.
Came here for a work lunch. A couple of my co-workers who are Indian selected several dishes. Including spinach paneer, chicken tikka massala, a lamb curry dish, and a few others that I don't recall. Portions are on the smaller side compared to other Indian places I've been to and are on the pricier side. The garlic naan was great. That was the highlight of my lunch. My Indian co-workers thought the lunch was average at best. I have to agree with them. You definitely can find other Indian restaurants with better food and at a more reasonable price than Ocean Tava. I guess you're paying a premium for dining at a "bistro."
(3)Bob R.
This place is amazing! My wife and I love to come for the weekday lunch buffet. There's a dizzying array of delicious dishes, including my favorite: chicken tikka masala. They serve you all the naan you want, hot off the grill. And all this for only $9.99! The ambiance is very nice and there's even a little bit of an ocean view the front. Service is excellent and the price is right. They also have a number of creative dishes and quite a well stocked bar. Don't miss this gem in South Redondo Beach!
(5)Shannon R.
Okay, I'm basing this review on only one visit, but I was really impressed! I don't find decent Indian food very often in L.A. and I certainly didn't expect to find it in RB, but this was really good. We had one of their recommended chicken dishes, and a vegetable dish (I think it had zucchini and squash in it?). Very flavorful, and just the right amount of spiciness (they made it at a level 2-3). I didn't feel like they were dumbing down the food for us like I feel in many other Indian restaurants here (i.e. making it too sweet, not spicy at all, using out-of-place Western ingredients, etc.). I'm looking forward to giving it another shot - hopefully they're consistent!
(5)Brian P.
This is from a delivery order. First off, the delivery was very expedient with the food arriving warm (though not as hot as I'd like) which is probably as good as it could have been considering it was being delivered to Hermosa Beach. I ordered keema samosas and the lamb tikka masala dinner with medium spice preference which is my customary order when trying out an Indian restaurant that I haven't ordered from before. The dinner combination included rice, dal, raita, and garlic naan. Keema Samosas: The two samosas were crisp and generously portioned but greasy. The outside was covered in a blend of spices and salt which made the samosas too salty. The filling itself could have been a little spicier but it was otherwise perfectly serviceable. The mint chutney used to dip the samosas was not potent enough to stand up to everything being thrown at it. Overall, a bit disappointing. Lamb Tikka Masala: The sauce for the tikka masala was very fragrant but did not have that much of a kick, more of a mild spice than a medium. The pieces of lamb were perfectly cooked and melted in my mouth like butter, but sadly there was too little of it to really be worth the price. The biggest problem for me was that the whole spices were still inside the sauce so every once in a while you'll find yourself crunching down on a star anise pod or part of a cinnamon stick. While I do appreciate the use of whole spices and believe they were the key to the excellent tikka masala sauce, it would have been nice if the sauce had been strained before serving. Despite all of this though, this was easily the best part of the meal. Garlic Naan: The naan was floppy and almost translucent, appearing to be underdone on one side. Biting into it yielded a very chewy texture but it was missing the crusty cracker-like exterior that I have grown to expect from good naan. Flavor-wise, it was very nice though. The herbs and garlic were fresh and there wasn't so much garlic on the naan that it was overpowering. Unfortunately, the lack of a cracker like exterior did not win it any favors with me. Rice: There was just the right amount of rice for the curry included. The rice itself a perfect al dente and the peas on top were a nice touch. Raita: The raita was perfectly normal raita. It's hard to go wrong with yogurt and cucumber. Dal: Easily the worst part of the meal. It tasted like canned beans and had no pungency or spice to it at all. Very disappointing for an Indian restaurant in this area. Final Impressions: Overall, I felt the meal could stand for some improvement in some areas but it wasn't terrible (except for perhaps the dal). It is possible that the restaurant is simply too far from Hermosa for the food to be at its best when it arrives at my door. In particular, the naan was probably the most hindered by its long trip over here. If you live closer to Palos Verdes than LAX, you might want to consider ordering from here. Otherwise, you'd be better off ordering delivery from a restaurant like India's Tandoor in Hawthorne.
(3)Juliette V.
Ocean Tava was only open a week when I went for dinner with a friend. The place is absolutely beautiful and service is fantastic! We were so excited to have another Indian restaurant open in Redondo since the only nice one was Addi's Tandoor. We had the following: Chicken Tikka Marsala - Great taste and consistency! Very good! Can't miss! Fish Curry - BOMB diggity. I wanted to to diversify my Indian curries and this was excellent! Fish was buttery and flaky and curry was a brown curry! So good!!! I asked for it to be Medium Spicy but it was definitely mild...I'm sure they wanted to err on the safe side but would have loved a little kick in it! Tandoori Chicken - only ok. The chicken wings were served as full wings (so no cut at the joint which makes it weird to look at as appetizing and even weirder to eat--my friend and I were cracking up playing with the food because it was the full wing! Immature, I know but we couldn't resist). The flavor was good but the chicken should have been cooked just a tad bit longer because it was kind of pink still in the middle and it was kind of chewy around the bone... I'm fearless and still ate it though... No stomach problems to report but I'm sure others would be freaked out if they saw pink in their chicken... Glass of Reisling - nothing to report except they have heavy pours ;) The waiter Nathan was really attentive and nice! He gave us complimentary garlic naan, and in the end, gave us this icecream that was made of pistachios and Indian milk. SOOOO GOOOD!!! I'm now hooked on that ice cream so will have to order it every time! It's rich and dense, almost like a frozen mousse, I'd say. Needless to say, must try! I'm sure they will improve as time goes by!
(4)Carlos T.
Great food, excellent service, and great atmosphere!!!. My wife and I decided on this restaurant after visiting another restaurant (no reservations) in the local area only to have it be closed on a Saturday afternoon from 3:30 thru 5pm. Nevertheless we were both looking for an authentic Indian cuisine restaurant and we found this one via Yelp based on reviews and distance from where we already were in Redondo Beach, CA. This place is a quiet yet quaint little restaurant located on the second floor of a corner structure which does not yield to a high volume of foot traffic, car noise, and the like. This is perfect as it allowed us to enjoy an awesome dinner, good conversation and even enjoy the themed music playing. The hints of Indian incense (which if I'm not mistaken I recognized as Naga Champa) contributed to an overall excellent experience and was a nice touch to relax. The staff was polite, courteous and greeted us with a warm "Namaste". Portions are larger than they seem (don't be fooled by the small serving dishes as they are deep bowls). We started off with the Vegetable Pakoras as an appetizer, then on to the Chicken Tikka Masala, the Tandoori Chicken, and the Karahi Lamb. Sides were Saffron and Brown Rice, Tandoori and Garlic Naan (Indian flatbread). The spicy level of the meat from 1-5 was ordered at about 3, so as not to detract from the flavors. We did not even have dessert as we were both full at meals end (next time for sure). Pricing was not expensive, about $58 total, which is good considering this is a restaurant and not a fast food place. Next time I may even dare to try the Lamb Vindaloo, (which is very spicy to say the least). Again our overall experience was great as first timers and now makes us repeat customers without a doubt. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Douglas H.
While I still consider myself a novice when it comes to Indian cuisine, I do know enough to know when I am experiencing a meal that truly stands on its own cultural, culinary merits. Ocean Tava is a newer Indian "Bistro" located on a busier part of the Pacific Coast Highway in a newly built group of business "suites. While the location did not strike any points with me, the food was really quite delightful. A coworker and I took a chance on this unknown and couldn't have been more satisfied with our choice. The menu was traditional Indian Fare with all of the favorites such as Tikka Masala, Curry, and biryani. We started with some samosas and chicken pakora for apps. The samosas were very tasty and perfectly seasoned, while the chicken pakora was a perfect combination of crispy and tender with a mild spice to it. For my entree I had the house specialty called Tava chicken and some vegetable biryhani. Maybe the best Indian chicken dish I have ever had. The chicken tava had the perfect balance of raisins and nuts in a tomato-yogurt sauce. I had a spice rating of 4 out of 5 and I found it to compliment the dish perfectly. The chicken of course was cooked perfectly and melted in my mouth. The veggie biryhani was slightly spicy with fresh veggies and a nice portion. Went very well with the chicken tava. My coworker had the chicken curry dinner with lentils and rice that he enjoyed very much. The Garlic Naan we ordered was good but did not make me go "Wow". To finish we each had a serving of Ocean Tava's homemade pistachio kulfi, traditional indian ice cream, that absolutely knocked knocked my socks off. Very nutty and perfectly balanced with the ice cream. The service was very good as our server tended to our every need, only complaint was he forgot to bring back the leftovers he said he would wrap for us. Kept the drinks full and was very attentive even serving my coworker his rice personally. As far as pricing this restaurant was on the pricier side but the quality of the food and the good service justified it for me. I am already looking forward to the next time I can have the Tava chicken and would recommend this restaurant to Indian food lovers for something fresh and new in the South Bay!
(4)S K.
Excellent. SK
(4)Elfira S.
delish, but stay away if you are on diet.. lol, pretty heavy... but hey that's what you get for ordering delish chicken tikka masala (sprinkle the yogurt on top of your tikka masala, brings out the flavor. tikka masala taste best when it's spicy) if you have a smart phone and groupon apps, they're on groupon now...
(3)Geeti H.
Veg Pakoras are horrible.... Waiting for main course.... Let's see how it goes
(1)Rainey A.
Fantastic food and great service! We had the chicken tikka masala, chicken curry, rice pulao, dal, raita and garlic naan all was delicious. Complimentary tea was an added bonus as was starter (unfortunately I don't remember what it was called but it was crispy and served with two different sauces). They have a great early dinner special and Groupon now $12 for $20 (not sure how much longer) so if you haven't tried this this place I highly recommend you do so - you won't be disappointed!
(5)Margeaux R.
I have been looking for a good Indian restaurant for a long time. I thought this place would be it the first time I came here. The food was excellent and the staff was friendly. However, this past time was not the same and I will never come back here again. I cam with my Mom and we agreed we'd share the chicken tikka with the additional sides. We were wondering what the Wednesday deal was and if we would save more money and have more choices too. The server didn't give us much information about it. So that was the first mistake. Secondly, it took forever to get our food. And when we finally got our chicken tikka in a regular plate, which by the way it should be served sizzling hot, it was COLD!!! We were so disappointed and annoyed that it took so long to get our food and it wasn't even fresh off the grill. Finally, the server never asked how we were doing. It was just weird that we had a good experience the first but not this time.
(2)Mukthiar G.
Ocean Tava lunch treat was a flop show. They have very less variety of dishes with the price of a Full-fledged Buffet. Ambience was ok, Overall an average place. These comments are only for the Lunch Buffet...
(2)christine y.
Yummy food but a bit expensive. We got the chicken tikka marsala and the palak paneer. Both were super good- the chicken was really tender, and the palak really tasty. The dinner specials are pretty good with the $7.95 deals- My other friend got the dinner special. The entrees are on the smaller side, but enough to satisfy.
(4)Christopher W.
My girlfriend and I were looking for a good Indian restaurant nearby and we came to yelp. Ocean Tava had pretty good reviews and we were shocked when we saw the address, it was literally 2 blocks from our apartment. We had simply not noticed it (this was awhile ago and it had only been around a few months at the time). On top of all that we also found a coupon in the South Bay Monthly. We went in and everyone was so nice and friendly, the service was fantastic and very prompt. One of the first things we noticed is how clean and new everything seemed. Also it was nice because it was not very crowded and had a very nice atmosphere. The food was great with plenty of left-overs (which heated up very well). We have returned many times since, including for Sunday brunch. I recommend this place to anyone who is a fan of Indian food, great service and tea.
(4)Lolo W.
It was one of my first times ever having Indian food, and it was such a GREAT experience. I walked in afraid that I may not like anything, but the Xavier was such a great help and eased all my worries! He walked me through the menu and helped me choose the Delicious Tikka Masala. Along with the Garlic Naan and the Mango Lassi, I am officially an Indian food lover. The service was amazing and made the whole experience that much better. He made us feel so comfortable and really was so accommodating. I will definitely be back!
(5)Amanda B.
Yummy indian food. Nice servers. Giant Indian beers and ocean view.
(5)Janet D.
A bit expensive, but great indian food. The best food service I ever had.
(4)Rachel R.
This will be the first negative review that I have ever written on yelp, but, unfortunately, it must be done. Let me start by saying, my husband & I almost never get to go out to enjoy lunch without our 2 & 5 year old, but today my 16 year old said that she would babysit so that we could enjoy some time out together during the day in celebration of my upcoming birthday. What a mistake to have chosen "Ocean Tava". When we arrived, I decided to do the buffet & my husband chose to order a couple of his favorite dishes, Chicken Tikka Masala & Tandoori Chicken. The buffet was a disappointment; they had none of the dishes that I normally expect like Saag Paneer & Chicken Tikka but, the worst part is that the food was cold. A family next to us had the buffet & made quite a scene complaining about the buffet & the owner/manager gave them many apologies & what looked like a discount. Like I said, disappointing, but not enough to merit my first bad review. So, after eating my plate we waited...& waited...& waited. The beer that we ordered upon arrival finally came after around 20 minutes. The we waited some more. After an HOUR we got up & told them that we would pay for the beer & the buffet, but to forget about my husbands food. Frantic, the waited ran back to the kitchen saying, "It's ready...it's ready!!". A few minutes later, he comes out holding our food which has now become take-out. Then we get the bill. Sixty bucks for the worst lunch experience I may have ever had. No discount. I was not a happy camper, but didn't want to ruin other peoples lunch by making a scene. Needless to say, we will not be back.
(1)Mitch I.
Chicken masala and garlic naan is great. It was great food and great service. We got there at 5 and were the only ones there for a while. They asked what spice level I wanted, 1-5. I said 0 and they made everything i ordered with absolutely no spice as I wanted.
(5)John Y.
I went recently with the wife and friend. We had a great time but was skeptical because it was so quiet on a Saturday night. The food was really high quality and even though the prices were on the high side for Indian food, it was worth every penny. The garlic naan is great, chicken tikka masala was great, and even their vegetarian dishes that we shared was great! I was pleasantly surprised and would definitely come here for Indian. Customer service is excellent! I recommend making it a full meal so you can get the rice and garlic naan for $4. The dishes were about 10-15 per plate and the portion is very generous. Almost double the size of other Indian restaurants I've been to.
(5)Rosie H.
My first time eating Indian food- what a pleasant surprise. The staff was wonderful and the food was so delicious. I'm definately coming back.
(5)Mark k.
Usually I have to go 20 miles for good Indian food, until I found this place. I like mine fiery hot and tasty, and the waiter asks you on a scale of one to five how hot. I said five, for my Lamb Vindaloo and it was perfect. Most Indian places will 'wimp-out" and not make it hot, because some losers will return it. Mine was served the way I would get it in India. absolutely flavorful and very hot. Will go back often, as 20 mile drive is now 2.
(4)Soko c.
We lived right off Ruby and PCH, so we were always driving by this place... My husband loves loves loves indian food. Prior to trying Ocean Tava, I really can't say I was that into it. We did find a place that is Indian/Pakistan food called Al-Watan over on Inglewood in Hawthorne that was pretty good when we lived in Manhattan Beach. I have to say, I love love love this place. The decor is okay, but I'm not expecting much when I'm paying prices like this. Also, our usual frequent jaunts are Osteria Piave, Terranea Resort, Strand House, etc. so Ocean Tava prices are great for great food and the portions are great too. When we order take out, we usually order a lot of different dishes and we end up with left overs for 3 meals each. You can taste the quality of their ingredients. We always order the Chicken Tiki masala and Lamb Tiki masala. I love that they never over cook the meat. The saag paneer, dosa masala (not on the menu, but if you know about it, they make it and also great for those of us who are gluten intolerant if we want some type of bread sort of thing, it satisfies for sure), their lentil (I forget what it's called). We first ordered take out and it was so good, but the experience of the food is so much better when it's right out of the kitchen, so we try to go there and eat rather than take out, but take out is still great and better than any indian food I've ever had. If there are other great indian restaurants in the south bay, I do not know of them and the yelp ratings don't reflect that. We have never tried the buffet, though it seems like a great deal for $10.00, we just haven't made it over for lunch. I will definitely try it sometime soon though. The service I feel is excellent. Every time we have gone, whether dining or take out, they have been extremely friendly and knowledgable regarding the menu. I can't remember the name of our usual server, but he is so friendly and really takes the time to understand my gluten sensitivity and offers things on the menu that I can eat. I love that there is never a wait for a table either. It's a place we go when we want cozy food and a quiet place after a long day with screaming kids and work.
(5)Bob F.
Have been to this place twice. Really like it. The staff is great, very happy to see you and help. The food is Amazing and great portions. Great lunch specials. You will not be disappointed if you are looking for India food this is the best!
(5)Janice N.
I went here for my birthday and was so happy with the food! Just delicious. We had the chicken tikka masala which was unbelievably creamy and the lamb vindaloo that had the perfect amount of spice. The staff was pretty attentive except when we were waiting for the check. However, the prices were a little high, but the quality of the food well made up for it. This is now my go-to place for great Indian food in the South Bay.
(4)Greg B.
An interesting, friendly little place that makes for a decent date night dinner. The staff were friendly and on top of things. The decor was modern and well-kept. My wife and I went for dinner on a Saturday night and the place was pretty packed. We shared the chicken masala and gobi aloo (with very good dal and naan). For us, it was enough to order 2 entrees, with one of the entrees coming with the naan, dal, etc. Everything was very good and we left full and happy. Their "sunset hours" deals are pretty good, suggest you check on those times when you make your reservation. They are on the 2nd story of a PCH building, so they do have a view, with enough window space to make sunset worthwhile.
(4)Amber J.
The food is really good and for an Indian food restaurant it is really reasonably priced. I will definitely be back and i am excited to try their Weekend buffet brunch.
(4)R V.
FYI: I am of Indian background, and I have a lot of experience with Indian food. I ordered the Shahi Paneer. I concur w/ Tara's comment about the sauces being too watery. In addition, I found them to be too salty. I asked for the dish "extra spicy", but it was as if the kitchen didn't get the message- what I got was (no kidding here) about what I'd expect to find at the buffet in terms of spice level. On the positive side, the onion kulcha was very good.
(2)Matthew P.
Great food and fantastic wait staff. The owner ever came up to ask us about our food, it was a great touch. The dish was very well seasoned and the spice was perfect. We all enjoyed our dinner.
(4)James S.
We were in a party of five at Ocean Tava. The food and service were both tops. They got the level of spice exactly to our liking and all dishes were tasty, especially the Tandoori Paneer appetizer. The waiter checked on us frequently without being obtrusive and the owner stopped by too. It's easy to ignore a place that's hidden in the back of a strip mall but in this case it would be a mistake.
(5)Manisha R.
I absolutely, positively love this place and highly recommend it. Having grown up on home-cooked Indian food, I'm very picky about restaurant fare. Ocean Tava more than exceeded my high expectations: food is amazing (I'm a vegetarian so I can only speak to that part of the menu), and the service is exceptional! Every time I've been here, everyone from the host to the waiters to the owner has gone out of their way to ensure I had a great experience at Ocean Tava. I can unequivocally say it's the best service I've had in the South Bay. Run, don't walk here. You'll thank me! ;)
(5)Raj G.
Food was pretty good but definitely not the best. Service was good except he would try to upsale way too much. Atmosphere was excellent. But the deal breaker for me was portion size. Can't believe they charge that much for tiny portions. About half of normal sizes.
(2)Magnetto M.
awesome tandoori chicken, chicken biryani & gulab jamun ( pretty soft ) ... Note : tried it in a buffet and loved it
(5)Mark W.
I've been to this place several times and the food has always been very good. The variable is always the service from the staff. We waited well over an hour one time with very little explanation. Was there about a week ago and the service was great. The Sunday brunch is also a great deal. Again, its the food that keeps me coming back...very good.
(4)Jon W.
The Sunday champagne buffet is the best... bar-naan. Get ready though, sometimes the choices can be spice-saay!! Not a bad deal, $15 to eat and drink all your tummy can endure for 3 hours... especially if you crave Indian. In case you were wondering, yes it's self-serve, but with a table cloth down and attentive drink refills, be kind with the tips, too.
(4)Peter R.
Delicious food and great service. I highly recommend the weekend lunch buffet which is a bargain. So far the best Indian food in this area. If anyone knows of anything better, let me know!
(5)Chris R.
Went back for their (happy) sunset hour this past weekend! Awesome! I was seated & helped by the owner himself, and was sitting on the oceanview patio enjoying the sun. The Fish Khorma from the Sunset Hour Menu was excellent (the fish was tender as can be & the Chef's special curry sauce was YUMMY!), as where the garlic naan & rice of course!!! This is such a nice place, and the owner is really a nice guy! Always a great experience!
(5)Aileen M.
Chicken tikka masala is probably one of the best that I've ever had. Also got the sag paneer which I've had better. Had these with the garlic naan and basmati rice. Service was great but the food took a while to come out prob cuz it was a sat night. Despite the lag, I will definitely go back!
(4)Jo L.
Aw, this place was so nice! Zee boyfriend and I came here one Saturday morning for brunch and found we were the only ones there. Our waiter greeted us with a bow, a smile, and "Namaste" and lead us to our table. On the way, we stopped at the buffet so that he could go over quickly the foods available. The manager came out as well and talked with us and also went over the dishes, so we felt pretty special. We don't usually eat Indian food, so there were only a few familiar dishes. We tried everything and everything was yummy! The garlic naan was absolutely DELICIOUS!! When we were leaving, the manager gave us a notice of a change in their schedule---along with a $5 gift certificate! We will definitely try coming back here one of these days :)
(4)Brian A.
Very clean and pleasant place. Small but ample. Modern decor. I stopped in there by chance one night. Portions were average and the quality of the food was quite good. I am a big fan of Addis but this was a nice change. The service was attentive and friendly. Every Curry dish is so unique it is hard to compare one to the next but it is worth checking this place out for sure. I did enjoy it and will return.
(4)Amanda H.
My husband and I went in for the first time a few months ago for a late lunch on a Sunday afternoon. I've had Indian food several times in the past, but don't know all that much about it. Luckily our host/server was fantastic! He recommended a few dishes for us and we were definitely pleased. We also took advantage of a slow afternoon and asked his several questions about the different between northern and southern cuisine, which he graciously explained to us during the downtime of waiting for our meals. Great food, great service, reasonable price. We'll be back for sure!
(4)Xtine D.
Food was pretty good - but the service was a little slow. BUT again, the food was pretty good so we're still going to go back.
(3)T S.
We came here a couple Sunday's ago for the Lunch Buffet. Everything here is fantastic. Service - fantastic, Food - Fantastic, Ambiance (especially outside) - fantastic. You also get complimentary champagne with the Sunday Lunch Buffet...gotta love it.
(5)Monica P.
Ocean Tava was alright. I love Indian food, and the food here didn't really stand out. The portions were also small relative to most Indian restaurants. The main problem I had with Ocean Tava was how overpriced it is. I've been to many Indian restaurants, and there was absolutely nothing special about this place to justify the price.
(3)Virginia S.
Food was excellent! The owner,Kenny, and all the staff were so hospitable. I have never been a fan of Indian food before until now. I had the Tava Chicken Special on #4 spicy level on a scale of 1 to 5, & loved it. I'll be back again soon & often.
(5)Lindsay K.
Right when Red Fort closed, and Indian food within walking distance of the Riviera seemed gone for good, up popped Ocean Tava, a small restaurant located above Arby's on PCH. I've been a number of times, usually for Sunset Happy Hour (cheaper beer/wine, and 1/2 off appetizers and cheaper select dishes) and never been disappointed. Nathan, the manager, always greats us with a smile and ensures that our needs are met. The best dishes are the specials on the cards on the tables. Saag Panner is consistent, and the Masala tea is tasty. Spicy means spicy, so a 2 on a scale of 1-5 is like a 4 at other restaurants. Don't come expecting a quick eat unless you are there for the lunch buffet, as service isn't speedy, but the food is high quality for a good price.
(5)Keith F.
Newly opened within the last 6 months this Indian Restuarant offers a wide variety of Indian food on their regular menu. Open for lunch and offering a buffet for $10 and serving up the standard fare such as curry, tandori chicken. garbonzo beans and spinach along with several other items. The regualar menu is also available during lunch. Ocean Tava Indian Bistro also offers a sunset menu between 5pm -7pm and is well worth the price.
(4)Tab L.
I've been here a couple of times with my bf. The owner and staff are super polite and nice. The decor is nice as well and it'snever crowded so I was intitially worried it might not do well but luckily it seems like folks have caught on to this gem. Whenever I go to an indian restaurant I order the chicken vindaloo (spicy) with basmati rice and garlic naan. It's all very good. We've had the samosas too. My bf usually orders the chicken tikka or masala and has always enjoyed it. We've been to the brunch before too and while I normally am not fond of indian buffets this had options I liked. I love spicy foods so the buffet had good options for me. Everyone that works there is nice and friendly. The owner even offered us free port, chai tea, and dessert on different occasions. Great place if you're looking for indian in the South Bay.
(4)Dustin S.
Great food and great service for a fair price. I highly reccomend for people that like Indian cuisine or people curious about Indian food.
(5)Kristen W.
I loved Ocean Tava. I have been looking for a good Indian restaurant in the south bay and now I can finally rest. The decor and atmosphere are really comfortable. The staff is so warm and welcoming. I have only been once and I took my husband and parents. Everyone loved it. We went for the lunch buffet. The flavors were incredible and the spice level was under control (maybe could have been a tad spicier). It's nice to have Indian food that doesn't make you cry from the spice, but you still get all the flavor. I'd say that they are very "western friendly" ... so people who haven't had much Indian food before will find it easy and delicious. The lunch buffet is a great way to try the restaurant, since it's such a good deal and you can try so many different options. We are already planning to go back this weekend.
(5)Marcy R.
Really enjoyed our visit. Yes it is in a strip mall and we were a bit under dressed as we were out on our walk for exercise. However they still treated us as great patrons. Service was fantastic. Very attentive. The food was very good as well. Had the Garlic Naan. I wouldn't mind more garlic but then again I love garlic. Tandoori Chicken was very good. They do offer a spice range and this being my first visit I choose to stay on the safe side and started at a 3. Tasty but much milder than I thought. Both other patrons went with the 4 and after tasting everyones on my next visit i will go with the 5. I cannot wait to go again and try more dishes. I will post again after another visit.
(4)john c.
Excellent Indian cuisine, superb service, and prices in line with food/service quality. The salmon appetizer and Sea Bass entre were cooked absolutely to perfection; still a bit of swim in the fish but not under-cooked; best Sea Bass in my life! They are happy to have kids, so if yours can behave it's not a problem. A bit pricy until you try the food; this one will be on our every-so-often dinner with the entire family, and just we two will have to try the buffet. Absolutely superb! 4 dinners, 2 deserts and one app was approximately 100.00 ... and worth it!
(5)ann h.
i have ordered lamb, chicken, and vegetarian dishes here, and all were delicious!! for me, good indian food is all the spices and other ingredients combined to create super tasty sauces. so far, there has not been a visit in five, after choosing different entrees each time, that yummy sounds did not come from our table. more please.
(5)Jim A.
Service was attentive. Food was delicious. Price was very reasonable.
(5)Ryan D.
GO EAT AT OCEAN TAVA! The food is great, the service is great, the price is great and the atmosphere is fantastic!
(5)Christie K.
We love this place! We can always get a seat and if you come in before 7:00 they have special pricing. Like any other Indian restaurant you can order your level of hotness and it comes out just as you expect or they can bring spices to make it hotter if you want. It's now our go to place for Indian. The other place on my list is just as good but forget about getting a seat if you go between 5 and 8.
(4)C C.
Great Indian food in the Beach area.
(4)E C.
Girlfriend and I were looking for a light late dinner and found ocean tava on yelp. Amazing service and good food. Mango lassi was delicious!
(4)wendy m.
Ocean Tava is really good - as others have said consistently so - the service is also really good - you might not see it if you are driving around as it's on a second floor - but it is really good !
(5)Linda C.
We have returned to Ocean Tava many times since my first review and I thought it was time to provide an updated review on Yelp. The food, service and ambiance was excellent on our first visit and consistently as good on all visits thereafter. I could not imagine it being any better. We had dinner at Ocean Tava again last Friday and I have to say that the food, service and ambiance were outstanding. Impeccable service .. lighting and music perfect .. and our entrees absolutely delicious. The Bengan Bharta (baked eggplant sauteed with ginger, onions, tomatoes and cumen) is my private addiction. I don't know how they prepare it, but each bite offers a burst of flavors that I cannot replicate at home, no matter how hard I try. We also had the Chicken Tikka Masala (tender chicken cubes sauteed in a delicate sauce of tomatoes, onions and herbs) .. along with dal, rice and naan. We selected our entrees spiciness as a #2 (based on 1 being lowest heat to a 5 being the spiciest) .. it was perfect. Our meal was topped off with Ocean Tava's delicious homemade mango ice cream ... so deliciously decadent. It's a tough decision between the mango and the pistachio .. both memorable in their own way. We continue to recommend Ocean Tava to our friends and have received the same rave reviews from them. Namaste!
(5)Rabia K.
After reading all the reviews, my husband and I decided to try this place out for one of our special occasions. Honestly, I think its because we've eaten Indian food all our lives that it just makes me sad when they serve half decent food. Not only is the place a little expensive, they also have super small portions. They try and give the impression of fine dining but the service is also a little informal. As for the food itself, we ordered a Tandoori Mixed Platter, a Chicken Vindaloo curry and a Chicken Hyderabadi Biryani, which in itself should have been enough food if you ever went to a normal restaurant between two people, but here the Tandoori platter came with small pieces of meat almost shamelessly scattered, the Biryani was soggy and the curry being the only edible dish on the table came in a small soup bowlish utensil. Maybe they can get away with food like this with people with little Indian food experience of what it should taste like, but we were extremely disappointed to ever return. My advice, if you must try this place, I found later that there are coupons on different deal sites that make your meal half price at this place. So instead of paying the full price for a crappy meal, I suggest you be smarter than we were!
(2)Aditi C.
I went there for the first time to celebrate my daughter's birthday, with my family and my parents. I am Indian, as are my parents, and we have eaten at numerous Indian restaurants in the South Bay. Though at first glance this place seems good, we are NEVER going back there. Its great that they say "Namaste" to you continuously, but that doesn't make up for the poor service or bad food. The staff is very disorganized and just don't listen. We repeatedly told the waiter to give all all of our food cooked MILD, but everything was so spicy even the most spice tolerant people in our party could not handle it. It ruined our celebration. They did exchange one of the dishes, but again, it was not mild. With several other Indian restaurants in the South Bay, I would suggest you keep AWAY from this one. All Indian dishes don't have to be over-the-top spicy to taste good. It may look fancy inside but it's all looks, no substance. Try Addi's Tandoor on Torrance Blvd. or Kabab Curry on Crenshaw. Both have great food and good service.
(1)Andrea R.
My favorite Indian restaurant that I've found since I moved to the LA area about a year ago!! I'm a big fan of Vindaloo, so I have had the Vindaloo many times and it never disappoints. The Mattar Paneer & Tava Special are other favorites of mine. The Chicken Tava Special is not something I would normally try as it comes with raisins & cashews and I'm not a fan of sweet food. The meal is not sweet at all, as the ingredients are blended into a creamy, delicious sauce. My sister's husband grew up in England where he ate good, authentic curry regularly, and he said this is one of the best Indian dish he's ever tried. I've brought several out of town visitors who have tried many different dishes, and everyone always walks away pleased. I agree with other reviewers where they say "hot means hot". I love really spicy food (i.e. I eat jalapenos out of the jar) and I usually order mine with a 4/5 spicy and it definitely has a kick & makes you sweat, but it isn't so spicy that it hurts to eat. I haven't tried all the way spicy though, and I really like my spicy food. I've dined in several times, and the service has been very good. I've also carried out several times, and they turn it around for pick up in 20 minutes. Its a tad on the pricey side & I have received information in the mail on their happy hour specials, but I have yet to try happy hour there. I will continue to go back.
(5)Colleen B.
love, love love. i consider myself an indian food aficionado and this place is incredible. very different from other local indian places, where when i order the bharta, i know exactly what i am getting. the flavors here are powerfully blended and unique. i feel they ran to the farmer's market that morning to shop for the day. the naan is so fresh... made upon your order. i was worried the garlic naan would be too much. it was perfect. love the lunch menu. comes with naan, your main choice, an appetizer, rice, lettuce, & either dessert or chai tea. great service. great food and great to come by yourself or with company.
(5)C S.
I wish every restaurant would take lessons from Ocean Tava on how to run there operations. The service, ambiance, and food was excellent. I had the Tandoori Sea Bass and my girl had the mixed Tandoori Combo (Salmon, Beef Kabob, Chicken) and both were at or near the top that we have experienced before. The service made us feel like royalty and ambiance was very romantic and intimate. We will be back! We loved their "sunset" balcony looking out at the ocean!
(5)Shannon F.
We did take-out and it was really good. Nice to have a good Indian place in the neighborhood. It seemed a bit expensive (they charged for rice and bread and it would have been free if we would have dined in). Aside from that, they were very nice, the place was clean. Next time I will hit the buffet which seems like it is more economical.
(4)Annie P.
Great indian food and service! Also a really nice decor and setting.
(5)Bee R.
Excellent service and very good food. Get signed up for their email list and you'll get all kinds of notice about great deals. I won't forget our great experience here!
(4)Nicholas D.
Trust me, this Indian restaurant is the best restaurant I have ever ate at. My wife thinks absolutely the same. We are from the bay area and have had a lot of Indian food from different places from both there and down here in Socal. The food is the absolute best, thus far. The na'an though I would have to rate as the second best. The best na'an comes from an Indian restaurant on Main St in Ventura, CA after you make a right onto it off of Seaward Ave. Ocean Tava has good na'an too, just not as moist. The waiter was extra polite. The place was clean and the buffet was very appealing. Decor very classy.
(5)Chris R.
Amazing. Best naan I've ever had. And the sauces, wow.
(5)Harveen K.
tried groupon deal. lamb curry was good followed by garlic naan. the manager was nice enough to offer tea on the house while I was waiting for the order. Plus, they have live music every 1st and 3rd sun eve.
(4)Ramin M.
I am a huge fan of Indian food and I have been to many Indian restaurants (both in New York where I live and in Los Angeles where my family lives). Ocean Tava is one of my favorite Indian restaurants on either coast. The food and spices are extremely well balanced, the service is exquisite, and the portions quite reasonable. It offers absolutely delicious food with fresh and high quality ingredients. If you like Indian food, definitely visit this place - even if it is out of your way. The staff is extremely friendly and takes the time to share with you aspects of the culture as well as the food preparation process. I was a bit surprised with a few of the reviews here that complained about service and the time it took to have the food served. If you are looking for a quick and efficient dining experience, leave this place for a day where you have the time to relax and enjoy the food. It's a shame to come here while in a rush. P.S. The champagne brunch buffet is a terrific deal. Unlimited champagne and buffet trips for a very reasonable price.
(5)David H.
I decided to check out Ocean Tava as it is close by my house. The food and service were good, and the place is nice inside. I had the Lamb Tikka Masala and my wife had a vindaloo dish. The only food knock is that their Naan was unimpressive. While it is a nice place, it is nowhere near as good as Addi's.
(3)Marian C.
My family and I went to Ocean Tava for the first time last weekend and tried out their champaign lunch buffet. We were greeted and seated rightaway. They were quite accomodating when we had intially sat outside, found it rather cold and windy, and relocated back inside. The variety on the buffet was your standard Indian fare, but a nice way to access the flavor and spiciness of what was available. The biggest hit for everyone was the Garlic Naan. The dal (lentil), basmati rice, saag paneer (spinach with homemake cheese), and vegetable pakora were some of the less spicy items in case you have kids who aren't into spicy foods. The aloo gobi (cauliflower and potatoes) were fine for me, but spicy for my son. Most items on the buffet were vegetarian, which is fine with me. Their regular menu is full of other meaty choices, such as chicken and lamb. The Masala Chai was nicely balanced. I wished I had a bigger cup of it though, although refills on drinks are free with the weekend buffet.. Give this place a try. I believe I'll be back for seconds and thirds.
(4)A G.
This is the worst indian restaurant i have ever been to in terms of the food. Being an indian i would hate to say nasty things abt an indian eatery, but this place is definitely something to stay away from. We wanted to take our american friends to introduce them to indian cuisine and since we had been to this place before for a buffet and had like the ambience we thought the combination of food and ambience was pretty decent. But today's expirience changed it all.The waiter was not very friendly and welcoming. We ordered from the Menu. Started with Reshmi Kabab and Keema Samosa ..the samosa's were very oily and the keema tasted stale...Even the reshmi kabab was not good at all. After reading good reviews of the Vindaloo on Yelp we thought it would be a safe bet, but it turned out the be such a terrible mistake. The Hyderabad Biryani was overcooked and the basmati rice which should seem like long grain rice was mushy and lacked all the flavors its renowned for. The only saving grace was the Garlic Nan and some shaahi paneer but even the paneer was chewy and rubbery! We did not want to ruin the experience of our guests so we did not give our feedback to the ocean tava folks ...We ended up paying more than $100 for our lunch and were so frustrated cause the food was terrible, wouldn't have felt bad if the food was good , but this place is totally a let down. I am never going back to this place again even for a free lunch/dinner!
(1)Kristin H.
Yummy Yummy yum yum yum! May just be my new favorite restaurant! Five star service, huge potions and great food. My boyfriend and I went for the first time last week and ended up there again last night. We bought 3 groupons there and are going to more than happy to return once we use them all up. I filled out a comment card and today recieved a coupon for a free appetizer on my next visit. Definitely a restaurant I'll visit often.
(5)Caitlin Z.
I am a huge fan of Indian food and I am always on the lookout for a good Indian place. I bought the Living Social coupon for here and I am glad I did. From the first moment that you walk in the door the service is very warm and inviting. It sets you up for a great meal. The waiter is attentive and your water glass is filled promptly, one of my pet peeves. We ordered the chicken curry, which can be ordered with a spiciness level of 1-5. We chose 5 but beware, it was still a little spicy but just perfect for us, not overwhelming at all. The chicken was very moist and the curry cause was to die for. We also had the reshmi chicken which was marinated in yogurt and then grilled. Again very juicy and really flavorful. The naan is good, but I think that Kabaab Curry has better naan only because I like it more on the crunchy side and this was kind of more thick, but still excellent. The raita to dip the naan is phenomenal. We ordered the Tava vegetables which were the spiciest of all of the dishes we ordered, although it was good. Overall, the portion sizes were small for the price but to tell you the truth the size helped me to not get too full so I didn't mind, especially with rich curries. The service is great and in the front room there is a great view.
(4)M T.
Food was amazing. Saag Paneer wasn't leafy, had a nice smooth consistency and the paneer had pleasant texture and very flavourful. First time having Malai Kofta, tomato cream-based curry with veggie balls, definitely recommended vegetarian or not. Also tried vegetable pakoras, which were like onion bhaji but with more veggies, and the veggie samosas, you guessed it- DELICIOUS. Complimentary tea at the end of our meal while waiting for a to go order! The restaurant is nicely lit with big windows so you can see the sunset during the SUNSET HOURS which cuts all the menu prices down besides the tandoori and seafood items. Thank you so much for the great food and service, my girlfriend and I truly enjoyed ourselves.
(5)Alan B.
I'll try to be short? Went today for buffet brunch, called prior to ask how long before they stop serving would be requred for for my party of two to not be rushed? The gentleman answered for two people 2pm should be fine. We arrived at 1:40 & were greeted nicely and taken to our table. So far so good. Our waiter, same fellow who sat us asked us about our drink selection and said please help ourselfs. We'll thats where the problem is, the 22 food items promised were all but gone! I mean at least 3 of 4 were simply gravy!! Asked our Waiter/Host about the lack of food & he said there bringing out more in a few minutes. Well 8-10 minutes later came rice followed by tandorri chicken some 5 minutes after that. The Chicken was far from fully cooked, I mean "bloody" so I mentioned this too our Waiter and he came back to tell me his cook must have taken it out to soon and he was sorry. Ok so out of 22 item we waited for 12-15 min too have two brought out & one was not eatable!! what about bringing out 4-5 of your 22. So we finished what little we had then our waiter asked if we cared for the complimentory tea. As if that was to make up for us having less then 20% of the promised buffet to chose from. Btw, the complimentory tea, it's included!! Oh yes there was no desert at all!! He came back with our check and I fully expected at least one semi meal "comped" alas no, full price for both!!!! I say shame on them.
(1)Manuel A.
Let me start by saying that usually I'm the guy that takes home leftovers from everywhere, even if it's just a side of fries, even if it's Denny's, etc. But I went here and after eating about half of what I was served, I had definitely had enough. We ordered the Vegetable Pakoras which were actually ok - we finished that. Then we ordered what turned out to be a bunch of worsts- Our Garlic Naan was the lamest naan I've ever had at an Indian place- texture was good, but really didn't have much flavor. The rice was the worst I've had at an Indian place- had next to no flavor and what it had was kinda gross. Then the Channa Masala topped it off as the worst masala dish and probably the worst entree I've had at an Indian place. It tasted like a mediocre sauce plus a whole lot of salt. The Tava Special Vegetables were ok. Oya and everything people say about the slow service is true. The waiters did not come back once after giving us our food and we had to get their attention every time we needed anything. If you're in this area and need Indian I strongly suggest you go to Addi's Tandoor. Wasn't crazy about their okra dish but everything else was good.
(2)Susan D.
I had the pleasure of visiting Ocean Tava yesterday. Manish greated me and explained the buffet that they offer every day for $9.99. There is a wide assortment of dishes available. Since I am not that familiar with Indian food, it was a wonderful opportunity to experience different dishes. The food was delicious. The ambiance is lovely, as there are many windows. Parking in back as they are on the second floor. I will return and suggest this location to my friends.
(5)Allyson R.
I'm a huge fan of Indian food and wanted to find a great place to go while living in LA... well it's been found! The restaurant may be small, but the staff and food are fantastic! Especially the complimentary hot chai tea after the meal. Will definitely be going back here sometime soon and recommend it to anyone in the area :)
(5)Alison W.
I just moved to the area from Portland, Oregon and we have been trying to sample the local restaurants and see whats out there. I did an online order for pick up for my friend and I. Something in their computer got messed up so they called right away to double check about the order. :) When I got there the host was prompt and really friendly, offered me water while I waited and went to check on my order. Then the manager came out offered me a chai tea and asked me if it was my birthday soon... mine is in April... then he asked about any anniversaries I may have coming up... I let him know it was my boyfriends and my one year a couple days ago, and he said that when we come in next time that we would get house wine on the house. :) Unfortunately my boyfriend is in Oregon for school, but it was still a wonderful gesture and made me feel very welcome. The food came in a super easy to carry paper bag with handles (so much better than plastic,) and there was plenty of it. We ordered the chicken curry as a dinner and also got the veggie samosas. The samosas were really flavorful, but one was a little doughy on the inside... no big deal. The curry was really tasty, and the chicken was really moist. Yum. I wasn't a big fan of the Dal, but I roommate liked it, so to each their own... I thought it was a little under seasoned and I, personally, have never had Dal with kidney beans in it. The naan was good, we got the plain, maybe next time we'll try the garlic. :) Overall the service is impeccable, and the food is well priced for quality and quantity. This will be my go to Indian restaurant down here. :) I will say, and this goes to every restaurant down here, please stop using styrofoam for your to-go containers. There are so many other alternatives out there.
(5)Daniel K.
We usually go to Bombay tandoori but the parking lot was full so we decided to try ocean tava. Got there at about 6:15. Sat down and didn't have menus for about 10 minutes. They took our order at 6:31 (I noticed the back of the menu said sunset pricing everyday from whatever time to 6:30 so I checked my phone at that moment). We finally got our order at 7:25. Noticed several others waiting just as long as we did. We ordered regular naan and got regular naan. By that time we were just happy to have something. The waiter also asked me on a scale of 1-10 how hot I wanted my entree, 1 being not spicy so I said that. I couldnt even finish it because it was so hot. Looks nice but that is it. I hate doing negative reviews because I don't want the place being shut down and people losing their jobs. Hopefully the owner sees this review. Get someone else to help in the kitchen. Maybe then it wouldn't take 50 minutes to get something I was unhappy to get.
(1)Jennifer C.
Love this place! They have the best happy hour. $3 wines, $3-4 appetizers and entrees are $6 (vegetarian), $7 (chicken) and $8 (lamb??) Entrees come with rice and salad. The service is superb. It can't get any better than this. We get garlic naan and the set (beans and yogurt, can't remember what the indian name for them is) is $4. We come here often and have never had a bad meal. Highly recommend it!
(5)Emily Y.
It's all about the $8.95 sunset special! Came here with a friend before 7pm. They have a deal where several of their popular main entrees are available for $8.95 with your choice of rice or naan with $2.95 beers and $3.95 wines. It was definitely worth it! We ordered the Dal Makhani and the Tava Special chicken. The Tava chicken was delish, and I totally recommend. I ordered it at level 5 heat and it wasn't all that nuclear spicy at all. For any spicy food lovers, take it all the way to 5, even if the waiter tries to talk you out of it. The lentils had a weird texture but they were good as well. What's awesome is that it's still served family style so you can still split dishes and it was just enough to feed everyone. And the naan came out piping hot. Yum! The place itself is nicely decorated and fancy but casual enough to go both ways. You can come in wearing a nice dress or in shorts and flip flops and not look out of place either way. Service is attentive and friendly and they even pack up your to-go orders for you in little plastic tupperware. It's probably too overpriced for me to come outside of the sunset special but the food was really good and a nice change from the hole in the wall ( yet awesome) indian restaurants in the South Bay. I believe they are extending the sunset special all night on Mondays- Wednesdays so you know where I'll be on those nights. With two entrees, rice pulau, naan and two beers and leftovers the check was only $25!
(4)Yasmeen K.
Ocean Tava has some great food. I am from Bombay and found something on the menu that I havent eaten in ages. Patra fish. SOOOO yummy! The food here is good, service is okay. The service depends on who is your server. Most of the dishes are pretty yummy and authentic enough and are not dripping with oil! Yummy and healthy We used to drive all the way to close to the airport to get our Indian food fix.. and now we dont have to go too far to have some good food!
(4)Linny H.
I remember thinking my neighborhood was missing something. Now I know what it is. A fantastic Indian bistro! This place rocks. The food is tasty and plentiful. If you left this place feeling hungry then you must have gotten amnesia and forgot how to eat. Spices are in abundance so dare to got hot, hotter or volcanic. Naan is so good especially with garlic. Service is great. Prices are a bit high but considering the neighborhood, it's on par. This is definitely on my local eatery rotation.
(4)Dan P.
Ocean Tava is my favorite Indian restaurant in the area (along with Addi's). Ocean Tava is great because "spicy" really means spicy. The vindaloo is really spicy! The lunch buffet is also pretty good and there is an outdoor patio if you really like sitting outside.
(4)Stephanie L.
Vegan's beware. Let me start by saying my bad no reservation on Valentine's Day. Ocean Teva had room yay! But wait no vegan option on their set menu. We think ok we'll have to leave since this is probably all they prepared for the night. Ahhh no. Waiter comes back they'll make us the vegan food but only TO GO!!!! We cannot dine IN the restaurant off the special menu. Needless to say we left like the embarrassing outcasts we are. Seriously? Did I just get shunned on Valentine's Day!
(1)William Y.
This is a very good place to come enjoy some great Indian food. I like that the not so spicy was not so spicy.
(4)Grace K.
Their entree prices are a little high so I went back and forth on whether I should order. Delivery is free and I was in one of my "hermit moods" so I caved. I was happy with the quality and taste of my chicken tikka masala. Addionally, the portion size was that of two meals therefore worth the cost. I upgraded to their dinner which comes with naan, basmati rice, lentil paste, and a thin yogurt sauce. All of it was delicious with lots of spices and flavors gelling in just the right way.
(5)Heather D.
"Our guest is our god." This is the expression that is printed on the menus and business cards for this restaurant. Yes, they really know how to take care of you here, customer service is great. The interior is gorgeous. One thing you have to look out for, when you approach the building for the first time, go up the stairs to the first floor and walk to the back and then around. The restaurant has an unusual shape to it, because of the shape of the building. They have tables and chairs on the balcony if you want to take advantage of the nearby sea breeze. The servers are young, male and eager to please (he he). The food is really good, although it leans towards modern and contemporary. It is obvious they are trying to cater to the upscale chattering classes that live in the area. Everything is mild. Some may think the food is more suited to watered down American tastes rather than traditional, spicy Indian food. Give this place a shot, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Lisa N.
My co-workers and I like to try various Indian restaurants around Torrance when we all have a chance to meet up. This was recommended by one of the co-workers. Upon arrival, I was really impressed with the restaurant. Very nice place, I suppose it fits the area it's in. It's nice for a lunch date when it's nice and sunny outside. The host/server was also very pleasant. The nice thing about eating in a group, you get to do family style & try many dishes. Shahi Paneer-pretty interesting. Pretty good if you like cheese. Chicken Vandaloo-My fave of the four! Tons of flavor! Chicken Sagwala-probably my least favorite since it has more of the veggie flavor than bold flavors I was hoping for. Fish Masala-somewhat sweet & totally different from like a chicken tikki masala..
(4)Tori S.
Went for the lunch buffet and it was ok... they didn't have much to choose from and it just wasn't amazing. I'm starting to realize it's pretty hard to find amazing Indian food in LA. They were understaffed so service was extremely slow but the guy was so nice and even though we didn't order any entrées he still let us redeem our yelp vouchers for samosas. I liked the location and the setting of the restaurant. I would give this place another shot and go to actually try the entrées.
(3)Steve T.
I am a sucker for garlic naan bread and this place does it perfect. I came here with a group of friends for dinner on a Sunday evening and it wasn't too busy. They have a "happy hour" for dinner entrees from about 5pm to 7pm. You can get some entrees which are about $12 regularly at about $9-10. Its not much, but its something haha. I ordered the chicken tikki masala which comes with a side of rice (choice of white or brown) and a salad. You can order the level of spiciness for each entree, I went with 3 and I was able to still feel my tongue. The portion is not as big as some other Indian places I have been to, but it filled me up. I wished there was more chicken in my entree, there were about 5-6 small pieces but the sauce was very well done. The garlic naan was the best part of the meal though. It came out fresh and hot and I could probably eat two or three whole naans with just the masala sauce alone. I checked in with my Yelp app and it gave me a free order of samosas or pakoras. I got the pakoras, which was alright, should have gone with the samosas though. The staff was extremely helpful and friendly and offered their opinions, which really helped some of us out. Overall a good spot for Indian food and its not too far from the beach!
(4)Kevin S.
Best Indian restaurant in Los Angeles!! They just started doing a lunch buffet during the week that is fantastic!!
(5)Cuoe A.
Outside of London's Punjab (UK's Oldest North Indian Restaurant) we would highly recommend Ocean Tava's Indian Cuisine. Understanding distinctive differences between each regions specialties Ocean Tava serves up pipping hot entrees that are distinctive, but familiar to all. The menu is very easy to navigate and the waiting staff is a cut above the rest. For a restaurant that has exceptional service and a wonderful menu it is a shame that we have driven past Ocean Tava hundreds of times on PCH and never had the opportunity to have lunch or dinner until recently. A little off the beaten path, but worth the trip. Namaste
(5)Jeff B.
We have dined at Ocean Tava close to a dozen times now and have never had a bad experience. It is a warm and friendly environment. The service is very good. The food (various dishes) has always been excellent. The prices are reasonable. This is a good value for your money. Zero complaints. Ten dollar charge if you bring in your own bottle of wine. Wife and I especially like the fact that we are in a quiet environment and can hear each other with no difficulty at all.
(5)Kelson V.
This is my favorite Indian restaurant in the South Bay. The location is easy to miss (and a bit tricky to get into if you're coming from the north), but the food's great and there's even a bit of a sunset view if you're seated on the right side of the restaurant. I've only been there for dinner, so I can't say anything about the lunch buffet, but they have a wide selection on their menu and everything I've had here tastes great.
(4)Aryf H.
Great place. I think it's very new, judging from the 'new-ness' and cleanliness of the whole little mall itself. Yes, 'Our Guest Is Our God' is printed on their cards. The service was great. We went at lunchtime and of course did the buffet. The waiter/host was really good; went out of his way to be helpful and also pointed out that naan and a tea was included. There was also another man who was probably the owner and/or manager who attended to every customer. The decor is sparse (I mean that in a good way; clean and uncluttered) and not particularly Indian, not like one usually sees at Indian places. There are even two outside areas to sit. Clean restroom/s (I guess the women's is as clean as the men's.........). The buffet is served on a long table in chaffing dishes, as opposed to a 'station'/'kiosk' that many other places use. This gives it a nice touch of elegance, like a catered function. The chaffers were nice and heavy (good quality) and super clean. Working in the catering industry myself, I definitely notice these things. Food taste was great. Everything had a good flavor. I guess the only tiny, tiny thing I'd wish for is a light-type salad dressing (e.g. Italian, oil/vinegar). The naan is heated when you order it; it takes a few minutes but is of course much fresher tasting than the stuff that gets pre-heated in bulk and sits there half the day. Super-easy parking, convenient location right on PCH.
(5)Kris S.
Yikes. The fact that it was totally empty at 7:30 should have been the first clue. Xavier, the smarmy manager (owner?), copped an attitude from the first second we were there. Sorry to interrupt the *nothing* you were doing, we just wanted a table. And he managed to mispronounce everything on the menu. It's a skill to be condescending and dumb at the same time. The food is mediocre and the service is horrendous. Those of you giving five stars, try another Indian restaurant anywhere.
(2)Marilyn O.
My husband and I had a wonderful experience tonight at this intimate little Indian Bistro with nice ambience, friendly service, delicious food and an impressive Happy Hour Menu from 4:30pm to 7pm that took us by surprise. I discovered Ocean Tava online, liked the website and Yelp Reviews so decided to make a stop before continuing our drive back home to San Diego from Carmel. We were completely satisfied beginning with an appetizer of delicious Vegetable Pakoras that were crispy and spiced just right, followed by Lamb Curry and Lamb Vindaloo with Basmati Rice. Yes, both of us were in a Lamb-y mood :) On the side, we ordered homemade Mango Chutney and the tastiest Garlic Naan we've ever had!!! After feeling stuffed, our waiter offered us a cup of complimentary homemade Chai and it was so soothing that we had to accept a second cup... most chai we had before was much too sweet... this Chai was very dark rich and spicy. Ocean Tava has paid close attention to every little detail of marketing their business down to the little slip of paper that came with the bill asking us to submit a review on Yelp like I'm doing now. I also filled out a Comment Card to receive a Free Birthday Dinner every year! There was a party of 8 on the patio and another family next to us that seemed to be pleased with the atmosphere, food and service. This is a nice looking restaurant with two patios, one that faces the parking lot and another one facing westward so that during sunset you can enjoy reasonable Happy Hour prices for wine and cocktails, appetizers and dinner entrees with friends, family and coworkers. Good job to the crew at Ocean Tava!!!
(5)Erik E.
Namaste, Went here based on Yelp reviews. Ocean Tava is located in a rather ugly, suburban style complex, and upon arriving I felt liked I'd been misled. The decor is nice, but too clean to be the type of restaurant foodies would frequent. Don't let that fool you. I'll start with the one off moment of my entire meal - one of my three lamb chops was ever so slightly overcooked. It's a crazy nit-pick on my part from an absolutely fabulous meal. We had lamb, chicken, fish, samoa's, potatoes, sangria, wine, and a delicious baked desert. The specifics don't matter as they are rebuilding a menu and dishes may change. The quality of the food, the amazing tastes that develop in your mouth, the fact that a knife was never used the entire evening. So good. We actually staid two plus hours just because we were eating so slow. That's how good the flavors were. Also, the staff was marvelous. Polite, attentive, and out of the way when not needed. They also spent time with us discussing dishes and wine combos. At one point the waiter spent a good 20 minutes discussing dishes with a customer near us until he landed on the right dish. He loved the waiter's recommendation so much he ordered a second meal for take home! A really great dining experience. I'm still in shock from meal two days later, and only a mountain of other commitments has kept me from driving the full hour back to Ocean Tava. Go, enjoy the fusion, the staff, and the amazing tastes.
(5)Maria B.
Best Indian cuisine I've had in Los Angeles. Don't let the mini-mall location fool you regarding its quality food. Amazing! I've only come for lunch so I can't speak to the noise level during evenings.
(5)FoodLover L.
My family, my children and their friends come to Ocean Tava regularly for dinner. We love their food, especially their garlic nand. We tried many Indian restaurants from north to south including a couple places in London. We are so happy to have found one that makes the food so perfect ... to our taste that is. Not only that, this place is clean and spacious, it has a nice view, and not smelly like other Indian restaurants. Waiters are very pleasant and they treat us/customers right. We happened to be in the neighborhood around lunch time, and we got to taste their lunch buffet. We could not believe how much food the buffet menu has to offer, and the nand. All that food for less than $10/person. This is insane, we expect to pay at least $20/person. Definitely will return for more.
(5)Richard N.
Took my wife here for a date, prior to going to a comedy show in Hermosa. Although not a fancy restaurant, we felt the place had a nice ambiance for it's price range. Our server was sweet and attentive. We both had lamb dishes.... Lamb Tikka Masala for her and Lamb Vindaloo for me. Both were very good. Not the best we've ever had, but certainly very good. We'll definitely be back.
(3)Neha M.
I know it sounds weird, but being Indian and frequently eating at Indian restaurants, 99.9% of the time it all tastes the same to me. And, not necessarily in a bad way. Most restaurants I've been to are good, but none of them seem to show any differential from one another. I was set up to feel the same when I came here last week. The only reason I had looked this place up was because I had to pick my dad up from LAX, and considering it was Thanksgiving Eve, wanted to avoid traffic back down to OC and have dinner first instead. Since it was a Wednesday it was fairly empty, but the restaurant itself is pretty spacious with both outdoor and indoor seating. To start, we ordered Tandoori Paneer for appetizer. When it arrived, I was a little alarmed as there was only 4 pieces under some sauteed onions and bell peppers. Normally, I'm accustomed to receiving a large cast iron plate of it, so as you can probably imagine, i was feeling slightly turned off by the miniscule portion. That was until I took a bite of it. See, at other restaurants, the paneer is a little on the dry side. This, was anything but. Seasoned very well and surprisingly juicy. I really did wish there was a lot more. I know it was considered happy hour, so I don't know if maybe the portions were smaller because of that or if that's their usual plate size. Our main meals arrived, we had ordered a dahl mahkani (lentils cooked in spices), vegetable curry, shahi paneer (paneer cooked in curry), garlic naan and rice. These are dishes we usually order at other Indian places, but this was by far the best we've had. Especially the dahl. I'm not a huge fan of brown lentils but there was something in this particular one that made it amazing! Literally, my brother and I at the same time said "Wow this is good." My only complaint though was, for whatever reason it was the spiciest of all that we ordered. All in all it was a very flavorful meal and to date one of the best Indian restaurants I've ever eaten at. Our waiter was literally giggling with glee when I raved about the meal. It's unfortunate that it's not close by to me because I definitely want to go again soon.
(5)Penny O.
I really liked the lamb curry! sauce was really flavoufull!, lamb was soft and juicy, hmmmm and the naan was good too! yummy... but its pricey! its 13dll just for the lamb curry if you want to make it a full dinner (rice, naan, raita, dal) its 4dll more! i dont really eat raita or dal but ordering half a side of rice is the same prices as making it the full dinner! so go figure what i ordered... awwww if it was cheaper i would have given it 4 stars! :) When we got here (party of 4) we didnt like the table in the first room cause it was in the corner so we asked if we could be seated in the other room, waitress said that room had only tables for 2 people, the owner ( i think) overheared this and said he could fix us a table rigth away! :) he was very friendly! thanks! :) Small resturant but still pleasant atmosphere, u can have a talk while you eat and enjoy it! not like other noisy restaurants, i liked the soft ligthing. Outdoor seating too. Service was friendly. Good parking. *One of my friends n I got here early for happy hour 5-7 pm, 3dll bottle beers, good way to start a dinner! :P
(3)Stephanie B.
I came to Ocean Tava with a friend when they first opened for their lunch buffet. As a fan of Indian food, I was not a fan of their limited buffet. There were only a few dishes, none of which were very interesting, and the tandoori chicken was among the driest that I had ever had. Well, Yelpers have been continually singing Ocean Tava's praises, so I decided to come in and check out the "Sunset Menu," which recently changed. For $7.95, you can pick any of their chicken, vegetarian or lamb entrees. It says that you get a slightly smaller serving and it is served with rice pulao. We ordered one of the chicken saagwala and one of the chicken vindaloo at a "2" on the 1-5 spice scale. Both dishes were delicious. The chicken in each was so tender that you could cut it with the side of your fork. The saagwala was an excellent execution of the classic Indian greens dish. The vindaloo was outstanding - not too hot and balanced flavors. I was disappointed that there were potatoes in the vindaloo, because they were not advertised in the menu and I can't eat potatoes. The rice was good - well seasoned (definitely has a cinnamon stick in the cooking process, which is removed to avoid the brown flecks - nice touch), but it was WAY short on peas. There was a pathetic little pile of peas on the top. I would say that Ocean Tava is 3.5 stars. If you are not ordering a special, the dishes are expensive for Indian food ($13.95 for each of the chicken dishes plus $3.95 to make it a "dinner" with dal, rice, naan and raita). However, the vegetarian dishes were more modestly priced. The location is nice - there are views if you sit up front - and the service is good.
(4)Shishir S.
Just love the food here...really great taste. and the 10/20 groupon makes it even better!
(5)Bob K.
This has become a regular lunch and dinner restaurant for me, service and food are always excellent.
(5)Jeff M.
Occasionally , some little dive in a strip mall totally exceeds expectation-WHenever we passed it on PCH I would argue, "This place couldn't be good." Finally we stopped. The place was crowded which I found quite weird and a few of the Staff greeted me with "Namaste"-I teased my date, "Are we at a YOGA studio? The truth is this place couldn't be much better. The Indian food here is quite elegant and so are the people who serve you. I love this place and will be proud to take all my family-It is the best Indian food I've had in LA-Particularly fond of the OKRA and a dish called the Tava Special vegetables-
(4)Nick J.
Came here twice(both for my Dad's B-Day). Good food, bit expensive. Wanted Miller and Coor's Beer both times - was on the menu and they didn't have it. You might not be able to find on your GPS. If you are in South Bay and want Indian food, go someplace local. Name might attract people, but it's not worth the drive.
(3)Lea V.
Have only been here for lunch buffet, which was freshly made and hadn't been sitting for hours. One of the better Indian restaurants in LA. Had North and South Indian options. Gave us a free dosa just to try. Great Naan - buttery and flaky. Friendly staff, very clean, always parking. Worth going out of your way, if you've been struggling to find great, sophisticated, and consistent Indian in LA.
(4)Michael L.
Wow.. Talk about good Chicken Tikka Masala curry.. This stuff was amazing. Extra spicy was just right on heat, but not overbearing. The na'an is delicious as well. The service is also great. The owner/manager even came by and offered us a complimentary tea and dessert. We will be going back again soon!
(5)SL H.
The best things I can say about this restaurant is that the naan was OK and the drink specials during their sunset menu are pretty good. Oh and if you sit in the right spot, you can see the ocean in the distance. I've been there twice because I wanted to give it a second chance because I love Indian food. and wanted to give it a chance. But both times, the service was extremely slow, and the food was just so so. One time I went, there, we ordered samosas and when we cut into them, they were still FROZEN inside! Yuck, how disappointing. What else that they serve isn't made on the premises? The entrees were OK, but nothing spectacular. Based on my two experiences, I won't go back. There are much better Indian restaurants in the Southbay.
(1)Larisa D.
Amazing food, great service (thank you Xavier), affordably priced and full of character. We enjoyed a delicious dinner and were treated like royalty. I recommend level three for how spicy the dish is for those who like some "kick" and flavor, but not a fire hose.
(5)ELAINE N.
First time, used a groupon but went back again since the food and service was so good. Staff very friendly and attentive. Lamb Tikka Marsala very tasty. Loved the Garlic Naan too. Veggie Samosas needed to be reheated, but crust is flaky and the stuffing is flavorful.
(4)Jayne G.
This was my 3rd visit... the food is ALWAYS incredible. The service, not so much. Menu outside the door said "join us for Wine Wednesdays" - yesterday was Wednesday so we thought "cool - this is a great deal". Asked the waiter about it and he said "oh, we decided not to do that during the holidays" we reminded him that someone had placed a special stand with the notice outside the front door. he laughed and said "oh, my fault" Our Waiter was MIA most of our visit; he took our order and then disappeared. only to reappear when we asked to see him. He never bothered to check on us after we got our appetizers, or our meal. We had to flag another waiter down for water and tea refills, when asked for the sauces that go with appetizers, he laughed and said "oh we're out of those" WTH??? I'm not sure what was going on - They were busy but not slammed; the other waiter (attending the other side of the aisle), was very attentive to his tables. And they appeared happy. At any rate, VERY disappointed. Service has never been stellar but the food has always been enough to bring me back.... not sure that will be the case in the future... my companion was NOT impressed. I caught a glimpse of a sign inside the kitchen door... "every customer should have an A+ experience" - I'd give it a C at best
(3)Will T.
Pro-Tip: Keep an eye out for Yelp, Groupon, LivingS, etc. deals to get half off your meal. There's one on Yelp right now! [Overall] This "bistro" is tucked on the second story of a plaza and it's parking lot is up the side street off PCH. My girlfriend loves this place. Before I dragged her here, she would have rather eaten cardboard than Indian food. Most Indian places just make food spicier (heat-wise) instead of making food tastier. It is a bit "Americanized", but translates extremely well. [Food] The food here was very well made and delicious. We always get the Tikka Masala and the Tava Special Chicken (LOVE that special sauce). The naan is crispy and chewy, made with care. I love their Garlic naan. They even start you out with this super dense cracker bread that's surprisingly good. The portions are smaller than average. [Decor] The restaurant is very small in some parts, namely the hallway where you can see and smell what your neighbors are eating (not always a bad thing if are looking for something new to try). We love to sit near the window, overlooking PCH and the coast. There aren't many restaurants you can have a sunset dinner at. [Service] Sometimes the service is slow, but the staff is always professional and considerate. They greet you with "Namaste" when you enter and leave. Their recommendations are usually spot on so don't be afraid to ask. [Parking] WARNING: The turn from PCH onto the street where this restaurant is has a HUGE dip so take it slow. They have their own parking lot in the back and it usually has parking. We still really want to try their buffet brunch!
(4)Marci K.
Amazing food. Great service. Yum. I'll go there again for sure!
(5)Mark J.
This review is for delivery only, I have never been to the actual restaurant. Last night my wife and I ordered the most disappointing delivery food EVER. We were both hungry and since we are going out of town for the weekend we decided to order enough indian food for a few meals rather than buy groceries that would sit in the fridge until we returned. Long story short: we spent $70 on food. They forgot our rice and salad. There was just enough food for two people to eat. The portions were so small I couldn't believe it!! The food was good, nothing special, but definately not worth what we paid for it.
(1)Tammie C.
Hands down - Ocean Tava has become my #1 Favorite Indian Restaurant in town, supplanting all others. NICE, POLITE service & lovely presentation have moved it to the top in my book along with its amazingly delicious food. Makes me hungry just thinking about this place! :)
(5)S K.
I wanted to like this place because I had heard good things. First, we went at 5 when they opened and they didn't seem ready for business. Our service was extremely slow and there was never an explanation. The garlic naan was very thin and crispy. I prefer thicker fluffier naan. The dishes were small and very spicy. Mild is hot for many tastes. What really disappointed me was hot watery the dishes were. Too much runny sauces, not enough thicker tastier flavored. Ultimately the slow service meant that I won't go back.
(2)Courtney M.
I went to Ocean Tava last night for a Girl's Night Out and I was so impressed! I was a little leery of Indian food at first because I'm not very well versed in the flavors or anything. But I LOVED it! I had the Chicken Sagwala and it was so flavorful, and great with the amazing Garlic Naan. We had a decent party of 8 (for a Thursday night) and the service was fabulous - our glasses were always full and our questions happily answered. I will totally be going back! ** They have great "Sunset Hour" specials Mon.-Fri. I would recommend going then so you can try a little more :)
(5)Leticia P.
Best Indian food I've ever had! Very nice environment too(:
(5)Owen L.
I'm not gonna lie. We live 100 yards from Addi's Tandoor but since we tried Ocean Tava a few months ago we grab the car keys and drive the two miles to Tava every time it's Indian food time. The food is so much better, the staff so much more pleasant and don't even ask how much less expensive it is. I see some bad service reviews on Yelp, but that must be from the olden days. The folks who run this place are a little *too* into it. TMI on the talking and asking if you want this or that. We usually just grab the takeout. Get the food, get home and grub out. Perfect.
(5)Paul K.
Very good Indian food, with extremely friendly service. We had Chikken Jumya (?) some kind of Chicken Tikka-like dish but more minty than red sauce- very tasty, and the Eggplant Bharta which was also very good. The decor is pleasant, service was quick, and prices are reasonable, would go back.
(5)Anil M.
Coconut chicken curry was quite good. They have a few more malabar curries.
(4)Roger C.
The family and I just had dinner for the first time here. Service was fantastic. Food was great. Cannot wait to try the buffet lunch. We will definitely be back.
(5)Brian R.
Everything was amazing. I had the lamb tandoori and sag paneer and along with the garlic nan was so good. Makes me eat too much!
(5)Ryan D.
I will start this out by saying I was a repeat customer and my girlfriend and I have very much enjoyed the food this place has served. However, my last experience was very negative due to the fact that we attempted to pay with gift certificates that a friend had given us some months prior. We were told that the restaurant (which still had employees working at it with whom we were familiar) had changed ownership and that our gift certificates would not be honored. Note: There was nothing on the certificates indicating that they were subject to any limitations as far as time or that a change of ownership would render them void. Furthermore, the restaurant, even under different ownership, was still operating under the name "Ocean Tava." In normal business acquisitions, my understanding is that a person or business buying another business makes that purchase subject to the outstanding obligations of the company being purchased. And even if that isn't the case, we made a very reasonable request with the manager who was present at the time that he honor the certificates. I specifically indicated to him that a refusal to honor them would mean my friend spent his money for nothing. His response was that it was US who should "contact the previous owner to get our money back." Sorry, buddy, but it is complete B.S., poor customer service, and probably not even legal, to throw the onus on me to have to work to get the value I'm entitled to. If you're operating under the same business name and benefitting from the prior business' goodwill and marketing efforts (which, on this occasion, was what made us want to go to this restaurant, to use the gift certificates) then it seems wrong to just say "we changed ownership" and dishonor facially valid gift certificates. Even if the situation were to be rectified and the certificates honored at this point, the attitude of the manager on site and his proposed "solution" that I personally be the one to figure it out with the previous owners was terrible and inexcusable and, frankly, embarrassing. This place clearly doesn't value retention of business or doing what is reasonable to please their customers.
(2)Paras D.
Ocean Tava is under new management and has improved a few things that makes them better. 1) They serve the papad (the free appetizer) WARM and that's how I grew up eating it. 2) They now allow you to pay something extra with each entrée and get a garlic naan, raita (yogurt), small serving of rice and lentils. That's the way to do it. Your entrée becomes a five item complete meal. Outside of these improvements, the vegetables continue to be great and the green chutney tastes fresh. I'd only suggest that the onion kulcha taste a bit less dry. All in all, a very satisfying meal!
(4)Nathan D.
I have been here for the buffet with co workers. I was very impressed with the quality of the food. Nice clean restaurant too. You dont leave smelling like curry, which is good!
(5)Sharon H.
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here. The location is easy to get to and there is plenty of parking behind the building. It's a little hidden so this is why i am taking a moment to write about them. I want to help with their continued success. The food was delicious, the ambiance and sunset view were lovely and the service personable. It felt like I was dining rather than just eating out. I was impressed with the fact that they served both a menu for meat eaters as well as vegetarian and vegan entrees . I do suggest splurging for the $7 sides to go along with any main dish, Raita, Dal and Nam. One $7 side was enough for 2 women to share although I did order an extra Nam to take home to eat with my left overs. I will definitely go back!
(4)Asia G.
The best hidden Indian spot in town. Their tiki masala is everything one could ever hope it to be and the service is genuine and kind. I highly recommend Ocean Tava to everyone!
(4)Mini G.
I went to Ocean Tava because it had great reviews on Yelp. I was disappointed in the food and the service. I went to the restaurant on a Friday night. There were only two other tables occupied while I was at the restaurant. I ordered a mango lassi. I took a sip and realized the yogurt had turned. I let the manager know that the drink was not good. He took the drink away and apologized. However, he returned to say he had sampled the drink along with the chef and the drink was fine. He did offer to make me another awful drink but I declined to have sonething made with yogurt gone bad. This was a portent of bad food to come. I ordered the Tava vegetables with a heat quotient of 3/5. When the dish arrived it was unpleasantly hot. I like hot food but this was way too hot. My guest ordered a chicken dish, and her dish was not hot at all. Surprisingly she also ordered the 3/5 heat quotient. How can 2 dishes with the same heat quotient have different levels of hotness? I found the food to be subpar. However it was well presented, and the restaurant was nicely decorated. I would not go back to this restaurant or recommend it to anyone based on the food. If you want good Indian food drive to Pioneer Blvd in Artesia and try out any of the Indian restaurants.
(2)Gemma M.
I went to ocean tava last night with my mother. We had a great meal, the food was so flavorful it was just what I wanted. I'm currently eating the left over now for lunch. At first the quantity of the food looked small, but I didn't realize how filling it is!!! It's amazing. The service was nice. I just wanted to catch up with my mom so it was nice that the restaurant was quiet. The owners and staff were very nice. It feels like f you're going to a family members restaurant.
(4)Mo L.
The food was good but the service was terrible. The owner was our waiter and he was downright rude and nasty. I will not go back.
(1)M H.
Our family recently visited the restaurant for dinner, the service was lacking, recipes changed, especially the veg biryani, and prices increased drastically. We were charged $13 for an appetizer!! that to me is pricey. Prices have increased by almost 50%. Prices are now in the range of higher end Indian restaurant, however the decor and service. Server did not have the right information for the curries. We had to ask twice for our beverage. We used to frequent this restaurant and are not happy about so may negative changes in terms of food, service, and price.
(3)Marvin Leo P.
Great food and great hospitality! Definitely recommend ordering the garlic Naan Would come back again.
(5)Jessica H.
Really amazing food!!! We've now been 3 times in the past couple of months. The first two times, it was an absolute 5 star experience. This last time, it was 3 1/2-4 stars, but it wasn't the food that brought down my rating. The food here gives bursts of flavor to the taste buds! There seems to have been a change in staff and the service was slower and slightly forgetful. Our waiter seemed to be new so I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. I think he'll get the swing of things soon. They should have had him shadowed by a more seasoned waiter. Also, the absence of beer and wine, due to the temporary loss of the liquor license, put a small damper on the evening meal. My husband was looking forward to the Indian beer he discovered at our second visit. In the end, everything came out great, our company was very pleased, and it was a delightful evening!!
(4)Mike M.
I had been to Ocean Tava before and very much loved the food and service. When my wife's birthday rolled around, I thought of no better place than here but was sadly disappointed. I read a prior review that Entertainment Book coupons would not be honored. Thinking this odd, I called and inquired. Yep, my worst fears realized. They claimed that the new management will not honor these coupons. I am not sure what kind of strategy they are trying to employ here, but if they wanna drive away customers they succeeded. I even hinted that with my party size of three that we might find another location. The person just replied with a "thank you". Well, I will accept his thanks and go elsewhere. Congratulations Ocean Tava, you drove away a loyal customer!
(1)Alexandra L.
I am starting to consider myself a regular of Ocean Tava's. Atl east once a month i find myself craving indian food and there is never a doubt in my mind about where i want to get it. Ocean Tava has the best indian food i've ever eaten in my life. My favorites include the chicken tikki masala, garlic naan, and their rice. I usually order take out since my family has a once a month tv dinner tradition and let me tell you they are absolutely hooked on my favorites as well. Now a couple weeks ago i went to pick up the usual take out meal for my family and since i had arrived before my meal was ready, i was sat down at a table and given a complimentary chai tea and oh my goodness is was absolutely amazing. Hands down the best chai tea have ever had. On top of the wonderful hospitality i engaged in conversation with one of the employees whom i consider to be quite a gem. He is always nice enough to deliver our food all the way up in pv when I'm too busy to make the trip down to the restaurant. i thought my experience couldn't have gotten any better until i received my bag of food. They had added in a complimentary mango tart dessert that was incredibly delicious. i honestly have nothing but positive things to say about Ocean Tava, their food is fantastic and their customer service is above and beyond what I've seen at any other restaurant. now if you'll excuse me i have some indian food to order.
(5)Bruce M.
"Change in Ownership"??? It's the excuse used to not accept valid gift certificates. Food is good, but the fact that the restaurant is now "Ocean Tava" and has always been "Ocean Tava" means their customer service is unbelievably terrible and although we have eaten there many previous times, we will certainly never eat there again.
(1)Lenny V.
Honestly, I was introduced to this place in Mid January and have eaten there 5 times since. It's the best Indian food I've ever had. I grew up with many Indian friends and this place is every bit as great as my friends family's home cooking. Ocean tava special sauce and garlic naan are to die for! If you haven't tried this place before and love Indian food, you absolutely have to try ocean tava!
(5)Kevin D.
Delicious! high quality Indian food for a great value. not the fanciest decor, but very friendly staff and a delightful meal. Best naan in recent memory. Pretty quiet on a weeknight, hope they stick around!
(5)Omar R.
Stumbled on the buffet. It was recommended by a regular at another table. A very wide variety of items. I got a little bit of almost everything. Everything was delicious. The staff was really helpful with explaining what the different items were. Everyone was very friendly. Definitely worth a trip to. The view from the patio of the ocean is just perfect.
(5)Emily C.
Amazingly delicious Indian food in a quiet, tucked-away spot. We've been going since they opened and it has been consistently great every time! Service is always gracious. Menu is a little pricey but portions are nice and big-- and what's better than Indian food leftovers? Great for a group or for date night.
(4)Jenna S.
This place is a great find! One of the best spots for Indian food in the South Bay. The decor and service are great. Despite the fact that the restaurant has a slightly odd layout, they make it work. The food that I have tried so far is absolutely delicious! The garlic naan is perfection. My only complaint would be that there wasn't enough chicken in the chicken tikka masala. It was outstanding, but mostly sauce. This was especially odd considering that the portions of the lamb vindaloo seemed to be more generous. You would assume chicken would be cheaper and more plentiful than lamb. But all in all this place is fantastic and a new favorite! I would highly recommend it to all fans of Indian food in the South Bay.
(4)Steve N.
This is my go-to spot for Indian food in the Redondo Beach area. Whether it's for lunch or dinner, you can't go wrong if you're in the mood for a great Indian cuisine. During lunch hours (11am - 2pm), you gotta take advantage of their buffet. It comes with fresh selections of curries, rice pulao, daal, tandoori chicken, tikka masala, etc. It's super affordable per person and it's always fresh. Ask for garlic naan... it's pretty much a done deal.
(5)Tim K.
Hadn't been in over a year. Don't know if ownership changed but food was much better/tastier. A bit bland the first time I had the lunch buffet and selection was small. Had the Lunch Buffet again for 10.00 dollars. Large selection of Vegetable and Meat dishes. One of the better Indian Buffets I have been to. The Garlic Naan was delicious and the service was good. I'll be going again soon.
(4)Brittany M.
We had the lamb tikka masala, chicken sagwala and garlic naan... Everything was amazing and the service was great! We will definitely be going back!
(5)Merrell T.
Great service and a fun date night. Sunset hour offers a great opportunity to try a bunch of items at almost half price!
(4)Butters K.
If you asked me to rate this restaurant years ago, I wouldn't hesitate to give it a 4.5 stars... maybe 5 stars if I'm in a good mood. Unfortunately, it seems I'm not the only one who feels the service of this restaurant has changed for the worst. If I were to rate this business strictly on the quality of food, I'd give them a solid 4 stars. The waitstaff and cook have not changed,but as other fellow Yelpers have mentioned... the new owner is a curse on this business! The only thing he succeeds in is driving business away.
(1)Casey C.
So after eating at many different Indian restaurants, I've realized that the quality and taste of the ocean tava is unparalleled. I happily drive from Santa Monica to South Redondo just for their food. So good, you will love it!
(5)Eugi H.
I would say the food is around a 3.5 but the staff are really nice and friendly, so the service warrants a round up to a 4. Good Indian food, not the best but still pretty good. I don't get to eat Indian food that often so whenever I do I'm generally easily pleased! I really like how you can choose how spicy your food is, and they give you an option of white or brown rice too. It's always a sad day when I order food somewhere and it ends up being too spicy so I can only eat a spoonful or two before giving up. I got my favorite shahi paneer here and it was wonderfully rich and buttery! The flavors were not as strong as I would have liked, but it was still a yummy dish! That was a consistent theme with many of the dishes our group ordered that night, yummy but the flavors were not as pronounced as I've had at some other Indian restaurants, or even when I make them myself at home. I don't think it's due to the lack of spiciness, because I make mine completely mild at home and I can still put a lot of flavor into the food. Overall I liked this restaurant, and would probably recommend it to those who are new to Indian food and want to try some dishes but may not be used to intense flavors. This would be a good beginner restaurant for you!
(4)Teri R.
The staff here always gives superb service, and the food is delicious. I've tried several different entrees, and they are all great. I've gone there for take-out a few times also, and they always offer me chai tea while I'm there.
(5)ReechUp S.
We are here for the first time and really enjoyed the food. We ordered about 7-8 different dishes and every single one was tasty! Specially loved the naan. The owner was also wonderful host. Will be sure to be back again with a bigger group after they get their liquor license. :)
(5)Dianne M.
I pulled into parking lot so I could try this restaurant out. Not out of my car yet, the owner came running out and started to accuse me of always parking in his parking lot. He also threatened to have my car towed. Then out comes his wife and starts berating for arguing with the husband. I just got back in the car and pulled away. I often come to Arby's and park in the lot just to pick up food. What is wrong with this man. If he treats a new customer like this, how does he treat people who come to eat there. I stop in Arby's to ask if that restaurant owns the lot and was told me no. It is a shared structure. I WOULD NEVER EAT AT OCEAN TAVA AND I WOULD ASK ALL THE PEOPLE WHO LIVES IN REDONDO BEACH NOT TO EAT THERE EITHER. there are far to many Indian restaurants to eat at.
(1)Juan P.
Fish vindaloo and salmon tandoori it melts in your mouth .So delicious
(5)Laura B.
I concur with all the negative reviews of Ocean Tava ever since the new owner took over. we had been regulars for years and loved walking to the restaurant almost weekly to order our favorites. However, the last time we went was when the place was under new ownership. We were sat by someone who was less than enthusiastic about our presence. We then sat at our table for over 15 minutes with no water and no attention from any server. No one apologized for the wait or commented that they were short staffed, etc. We also noticed the prices on the menu were raised significantly! So, we just got up and walked out ... NEVER to return unless someone new and better/nicer takes over our once beloved Ocean Tava.
(1)Jan M.
I agree with recent posts on the poor service since the new owners took over the business. My husband and I walked into an empty restaurant yesterday early evening. No one to greet guests and after waiting several minutes for ANY wait staff, we left in dismay. This WAS one of our go-to places to eat, yet has sadly become one to avoid. Oh, thanks to the kitchen help! The only person to show any interest in assisting us.
(1)Aastha G.
Great food and great service. We are from India, now living in Venice and go all the way to the southbay for Indian food fix. This place is definitely one of the best Indian food joints in LA.
(5)Timothy R.
My friend and I were looking for a place to eat and happened to drive by Ocean Tava. I recognized the name as a place our hotel recommended for Indian food. So we called to see if they had lunch buffet. And, Yippeee!!, they did. The outside of the building is nothing special but once you get inside, the atmosphere is very comfortable. We opted for a table where we could look out over the city and have an nice view of the ocean. The buffet had a nice selection. Everything was hot (temperature wise) and tasty, seasoned nicely, and not too spicy. I tried everything I could. Stand outs were the Gobi Mutter and Aloo Chana Sag--yummy. I kinda wish they had the spinachy dish (Paneer?) I like to get at other buffets, but there was plenty of other things to try. Wasn't a huge fan of the desserts but I did appreciate the free Chai, which had just the right amount of spice for me. As an added bonus, the service was exceptional.
(4)Jessica R.
This place is a must check out!!! Friendly staff and quick great service! Got my order to go and tried desserts this time!! Vermicilli pudding was great very mildly sweet with a rice pudding texture. .. Great for those who want a dessert but not overly sweet. I also tried the gulab jamun which was super sweet!!! I would compare it to a donut with a simple syrup on top... my personal favorite bc I have a huge sweet tooth. Definitely going to make this place a weekly thing bc I can't stay away from the tiki masala!!!
(5)Lailee F.
The staff tricked us all into checking in and writing reviews for a free papadum. Once we were done -- he brought one and said it's one per table! Big menu -- everything delish, but oily and $$$ for Indian. We arrived late on a Monday, so pretty dead which was fine, cuz we had 6 kids with us.
(3)Tamara V.
Great food, good price point and the service is very attentive. It has become our 'goto' place for Indian food.
(5)Brandon S.
Tonight was my first time having Indian food. As you can tell from my 5 star score I really liked it, I may even go as to say it is one of my new favorite foods. I heard this is one of the best Indian restaurants in not only redondo but in all of California with authentic flavors true to India. The malai kofta is amazing for an entree and it's vegetarian The trio tandoori was good and the onion bhaji and papdi chat appetizers were awesome. The people were very friendly and welcoming. I am looking forward to my next visit.
(5)prath m.
The food is Tasty, reasonably priced. Try their sunset menu at half price from 430pm to 7pm. They also have coupons for free appetizers. Great value and good eat for the money. I love their lamb dishes ... For $8 you get a small salad w mango dressing, rice pilaf and lamb dish ... They have great buffet too ... A must try ....
(5)Sylvia B.
Ocean Tava is our hands-down favorite Indian restaurant in the South Bay, and we've tried just about every one! My favorite dish is the Ocean Tava Special Vegetables, but there are so many spectacular dishes to choose from. We have been coming here regularly for several years now, and must say it's better than ever. Service tonight was excellent. This is my 17 year old's favorite restaurant! So nice to have this gem close to home in Riviera Village/South Redondo.
(5)Jennifer G.
This place is fantastic. Love the ambiance, service is on point, and the food is absolutely delicious. I recommend the Tandoori Chicken Tikka--so moist! They were more than happy to accommodate our request for extreme spiciness levels in one of our dishes, including extra chili sauce on the side! I also love this place during sunset hour. Great date spot, and great for family dinners. Definitely going to keep coming back
(5)Eugene L.
In short - with this current kitchen staff, its by far the best and most interesting Indian food in the South Bay/Torrance/Redondo area. If you haven't been here in a while give it another shot. Indeed some of the best Indian food in all of Los Angeles. I have been eating here on and off the entire time the restaurant has been open. It's always been good but there have been "up-and-downs" as there were changes in the kitchen staff over the years. The service and staff have always been excellent. There was even a point where I took a long break from eating here as the kitchen took a step down. But the food right now is the best that it has ever been. While all the Indian classic dishes are excellent its the new items that make the restaurant more interesting than ever. There is now a wide variety of Dosa and Uttapam dishes. You don't see these often in Indian restaurants. I highly recommend trying at least the Masala Dosa. They have also regularly begun to have fusion style specials. I've tried three now and they have all been excellent. Tandoori Salmon Tacos - tandoori salmon with tomato and tamarind sauce. Might come out luke warm due to the veggies and sauce so ask for it to be hot. The flavors are very good and the portion size is quite big (3 loaded tacos). 5 Star. Rack of Lamb - I believe this dish is $17 dollars and it is better than 95% of these types of dishes found at "fine dining" restaurants at double the price. The lamb itself is marinated and cooked to perfection. And paired with masala sauce, rice and potatoes it is an excellent meal. Some of the best lamb I've had anywhere. A must try. 5 Star. Tandoori Kabob Sampler - if its your first time visiting order this (if its still on the menu) to get a quick impression of exactly how carefully prepared the food is here. Everything is marinated and cooked very well. Full of flavor and very moist. 5 Star. Blue Crab Spoons - a real surprise at an Indian restaurant. Served warm in decorative spoons with cardamom and mango. Interesting balance of textures here with the soft warm crab and crunchy cardamom and a subtle mango sweetness. You could serve this at a Michelin star restaurant and do just fine. I've posted pictures of these items in case you want to see the thoughtful presentation. The best!
(5)Radha S.
The food was truly amazing. Try the began Bartha if you're vegetarian. The family raved over the sizzling tandoori chicken tikka. Every dish was we ordered was excellent. The staff was very courteous. The manager was a soft spoken gentleman and stopped by to ensure everything was up to mark. We ended the evening with warm gulab jamun and masala chai. Best Indian food I've had in a long time.
(5)Julie K.
Always heard great things about Ocean Tava and decided to finally try it out. Do glad we did. Great food and wonderful friendly service. We look forward to going back!
(5)J W.
All I can say is that I have been here at least seven times in the past year. I think that this is the best Indian food I've ever tasted the South Bay.
(5)Sara P.
I was always skeptical to try this place out since the sign on the outside reads "India Bistro" at the bottom of the name. Hence, the reason I just recently tried it this past Sunday. The word "bistro" made me think that they are making Indian food to appeal to a more Americanized palate with a higher price tag than other Indian resturaunts. To my surprise, I was completely wrong. I think the owners must have taken note of some of the reviews on here about the unsatisfactory service because when I went there the service was phenominal. We walked in and they welcomed us to have a seat. I notice the buffet tables and saw the menu which listed lunch being 11-2:30 pm. I looked at my watch and it was 2:30. They insisted that it was alright for us to have the buffet. We checked it out first because we didn't want to be left with chaffing dishes that were barely filled with old food, but each one was pretty full and looked delicious. I tried all of the dishes that were availavle. They offered salad which was the least appetizing, raita, another type of red sauce, pakoras, rice, egg curry, lentilts, fish curry, chicken curry, another chicken dish (on the bone), a bell pepper and potato dish, spinach with cauliflower, a sweet dish that was a carrot-like pudding with raisins and nuts, and lastly a another sweet dish that was a type of fried ball in syrup. I'm sure I'm leaving some things out, but this is what I can remember. The food was extremely flavorful. I love spicy food, and some of these dishes had some kick! Definitely not catered to just an Americanized palate. The naan was so fresh, they brought each piece out one by one. Throughout our entire meal, we were checked on to make sure we were happy and had all we needed. The owners shared with us that after Thanksgiving they are going to be changing up the buffet often to provide offerings that vary by region in India. I'll be back for this! Finally, we get the bill and we were shocked by the price. It was only $8.99 per person for the buffet, on a weekend! That's unheard of. I thought that was the weekday lunch buffet price.
(4)Jaclyn R.
One day after work I received a coupon in the mail for Ocean Tava, it was a great deal for happy hour and it was right around the block. My boyfriend and I went there and LOVED it!!! Our server was Manish and he was so happy and helpful, explaining all of the items on the menu that we were not familiar with. I am a vegetarian and there were many delicious options! We ordered Papdi Chat, an apppetizer that is kind of like indian nachos and so flavorful. The two entrees we ordered were Chicken Curry and mine was Gobi Aloo, which was suggested by Manish and it was delicious! We also ordered Garlic Naan, a beer and a glass of wine. We loved it all! For an appetizer, two cocktails, two entrees and Garlic Naan, our total (happy hour prices) was $28.83, but with the $10 off coupon it was only $18.83!!!! We also were given a 20% off entire purchase coupon that was included on our receipt to bring for our next visit! I highly recommend Ocean Tava, great food, great prices, great service!!!!
(5)Lisa S.
I feel sorry for this restaurant. It's a beautiful space, nicely decorated, comfortable yet elegant feel, nice second-story balcony, and great staff. However, it's in an unfortunate location. Most people driving up PCH will never see the sign. The eye is drawn to the rather large and VERY red Arby's sign on the floor below. To make matters worse, there is no signage on the front of the building! Instead, the "Comerica" sign is all over the place. Looking directly from the front, I would never know there was an Indian restaurant in the building. Consequently, anyone stopped in traffic or approaching from the north or west would also miss it entirely. Our hostess was our waitress, and she was helpful and polite. We were promptly greeted by a "namaste" and seated directly. The crunchy cracker bread (don't know what it's called...) that's always served before a meal was brought to the table. I usually hate this, even though the boyfriend goes into ecstasies for it. I think it's ridiculously salty, ad I don't like the texture, as it sticks to your teeth. However, something about this one was better. I tried a piece, and when I didn't immediately shudder and go into convulsions, I found myself breaking off many more. We ordered the chicken tikka masala, chicken vindaloo, saag paneer, and the tandoori mixed plate along with rice and garlic naan. I tried the saag paneer first. This, unfortunately, wasn't my favorite. I still love Tandoori Night's saag paneer the best. On my first bite, I was struck by the strong flavor of ginger. At least, that's what I tasted. The tikka masala was good, but not my favorite either. I would still order it again, and I liked it better than Bombay Tandoori's. The tandoori mixed plate was fun with different kinds of chicken and one lamb kebab. For me, the vindaloo was the star of the night. I loved it. Even though the boyfriend is not the biggest fan of this dish, he really liked it here. It was a favorite for both of us. I would come back just to get the vindaloo. Yum! Just thinking about it right now makes me wish I was home eating the leftovers. Sigh. : ) At least I can do that tonight, so it's not too bad. The restaurant is a little pricey. With tip, the bill was nearing $90. Luckily we had a Living Social deal, so we got $20 off. Also, when she cleared our plates to pack them in to-go containers, the server loaded all of them on the tray with our dirty dishes. She even cleared our table of crumbs and put that on the same tray. Okay...I'm iffy on this. On one hand, this is all our stuff. Those are our dirty dishes and crumbs, so it really shouldn't make a difference. However, something about our food (that we still wanted) piled next to and on top of dirty dishes made me feel unhappy. This was probably the one moment that would make me consider taking off a star. Hopefully the restaurant reads this and changes that practice. Overall, we had a really nice dinner!
(4)Jillian R.
Tried this place monday night and it is the best Indian food in the south bay (and i believe we've now tried every Indian food place that exists in Hermosa, El Segundo & Redondo at this point). The sunset happy hour is the way to go here, we got Channa Masala (excellent), Chicken vindaloo (the best dish!), and Chicken tikka masala (their tikka masala was a little bit heavier than I prefer, but was good). We went with spice level 3 on these but should have gone 4 or 5 since it wasn't spicy enough (but since it was our first time there we didn't want to overshoot.) We also ordered garlic naan which was really good and I had a Mango Lycee to start which was sooo good, but I'll order it as dessert next time. Our server was incredibly sweet, knowledgeable and attentive. Definitely give this place a try!
(4)Maria L.
I saw this place on Living Social and decided to give it a try. it seemed like a good deal, "pay $20 and get $40 worth of delicious indian cuisine". We got to the restaurant at 7:05, our server showed up at 7:20 to take our orders, then our drinks were served shortly after. They gave me the wrong drink, but not a big deal I just asked for another glass of water. We waited and waited until our appetizer came out, two small lamb samosas at 7:40, the samosas were okay, there really wasn't anything special about their ground lamb meat wrapped in dough. The meat wasn't seasoned enough and there wasn't anything else in the samosa so it was dry and bland. We then waited and waited some more. At 7:55 someone stopped by to let us know our food would be out in five minutes ( we placed our order at 7:20), five minutes go by and still no food. At 8:05 someone brought us some plates (a sign our food would be out soon). At 8:15 our food finally arrives. We ordered the lamb Tikal masala ($17), the Gobi Aloo($10) basmati rice($6) and some garlic naan($5). We were shocked at how small all the portions were. Our $17 lamb Tika masala came out in a plate that was slightly bigger that my iPhone. To top it off the food was just "okay" there's was really nothing spectacular about any of our dishes that justified the ridiculous wait and prices. We are never going back to this place. Going to Ocean Tava was a huge waste of time and money.
(1)Julia K.
Yup, I solidly really really dig these guys! And now: DELIVERY! It's best to try these guys on a weekend (Sat/Sun) for the buffet so you can learn more about their delicate, complex delicacies, as trying to interpret from the menu can be confusing. But once you do... Wowowo! I love the egglant bharta dish, and any of the pale orange cremey curries. I order out from them at least once a week. Eat in about every other week. Ocean Tava is the finest Indian in the South Bay!
(5)Scrandy W.
50 mins to get food. Was told that I came in right after a party of 12 arrived but they were already eating when I arrived. Server made a point of stopping by my table multiple times to tell me he was sorry but words only go so far. Other guests were more irritated than me which was somewhat entertaining since we bonded over frustration. Service: D- Food was mediocre. Dal makhani was meh and naan was overcooked and dry. Food: C-
(2)Kathy W.
I had the vegetable curry lunch special here; my friend had the lamb curry. Both were good, as was the garlic naan and the crisp flatbread they bring out before the meal which had 2 dipping sauces. Mango lassi very good too. The lunch special came with dessert also; we had the kheer and the Gulab Jamun. The food isn't worthy of a special trip, though, but if you're in the area and want Indian food it's a good choice.
(3)Rikki B.
Ocean Tava was excellent. My husband and I had dinner there last night for the first time and we will definitely be back soon. I had purchased a Groupon a few weeks ago and was looking for an opportunity to go get some yummy Indian food. We figured a rainy Friday was as good a night as any and headed over. The restaurant is above Arbys with parking in the back. You have to enter through the back parking lot, I believe, which might confuse people a bit. The service was excellent. From being seated promptly to the super friendly people filling our waters we always felt cared for. We ordered the Vegetable Samosas, Garlic Naan, Lamb Biryani, Matar Paneer, and Chicken Saagwala. The server warned us that they were "Indian Spicy" and took our rating out of five. I like my food to have a bit of a bite so I ordered the dishes 4/5 and they were perfect. The Saagwala was FANTASTIC and I had to consciously restrain myself from eating too much. The servings were huge and both of us are excited to have leftovers this weekend. (Way better then cooking on our own!) Once we were done with dinner, the server and, I believe the manager, came out and offered us complimentary glasses of port wine. It was a great way to finish off the dinner and so nice to relax after eating all that food.
(5)Lorna W.
Great food - can recommend the excellent lamb tikka masala, very yummy, creamy sauce and just the right level of spice and sweetness. The chicken vindaloo was very good too. Nice fluffy rice and really yummy garlic naan. The onion bhaji and the tandoori paneer were both very good appetisers. Everything seemed fresh, hot and just the right size. Only disappointment were the popadom - they looked a lot like the ready made ones from the super market, and I would also like to see lime pickle on the menu to go with them. In the UK you can't have a popadom without lime pickle!
(4)Soumit P.
Was visiting LA with family..looked for a Indian restaurant close by ... came across Ocean Tava's review in Yelp.. And it was worth every good review ... The food was all tasty and I really appreciate the spice level meter... Ordered Garlic Nan, Dal Bukhari, Paneer Tikka, Tawa Vegetables, and every item on the table was really tasty...
(5)Elga T.
I love this place! I live down the street, and have been coming here since it opened. I think the food is excellent and the service is always top notch. The only down side is the price. It is a bit pricey for indian food, but I always get coupons in the mail, which evens it out. I am hoping that one day the prices will be more reasonable and then no more coupons will be needed :)
(5)Carol L.
once again, Ocean Tava is on my radar. Not in my belly, not going there today, but SO love them. After receiving their July 4th email offer, I went off on a diatribe to my husband about the balance between weighing product vs. service. I believe few restaurants (or any other CS type business) realize/value how important GREAT customer service is. But Ocean Tava gets it - from the way you're welcomed and served when dining to the 'real' discounts they offer (vs. some of the garbage that you receive that is only an advertising ploy, not a real offer'. Ocean Tava, though I don't come in often, you are almost ALWAYS on my radar. If I ever do open a little mom/pop diner, I'd pay your owners to mentor me on your business philosophy.
(5)Muriel A.
This place not only has amazing views but the food is really really good. I came in with my fiance on sunday night. We decided to do two entrees but one as a dinner (the chicken tikka masala) and one by itself (the spinach paneer). I was worried that we hadn't ordered enough food and when our food came out the portions seemed kinda small. I need not have worried. I don't know how they did it but it ended up being a ton of food. and it was delicious. My fiance thought the garlic naan was too hot. Too bad for him. I ate the entire piece before it could cool down. Yum. Both entrees were like really good versions of the indian food we usually eat. And our waiter was super friendly and attentive. This place was a good find. I definitely recommend.
(5)C L.
Amazing. A little overpriced. Food was really good and the service was as good as it could get. The only reason it didn't get five stars was the price. I had the Lamb Tikka Masala Dinner. It was totally awesome. Looking forward to go back to try something else. I will write another review after my next visit. Let's see if they hold up.
(4)Alex H.
The layout and setup is a bit unusual... I will call it a modern strip mall...careful when you turn on the street before the center as there is a big dip in the street that can cause you to scratch the bottom of your car... if you turn too fast..anyways Food is excellent, wide selection, very flavorful and well priced for this level of cuisine. I had the Chicken Tikka and tried the lamb curry and while I can't point to exactly what made it great.... their dishes all pass the test. Service was very good, friendly and attentive. I would recommend this place to anyone who enjoys Indian food.
(5)Kristen L.
This place was delightful! I went for lunch with my mom, and the buffet was very nice for $10. Don't be disappointed by tandoori chicken that isn't bright red like many other indian restaurants. They make it without the artificial coloring, and it is natural, authentic, and delicious! I loved their saag paneer and malai kofta. The complimentary chai tea with lunch was really nice. Lunch was slow when we went, but it is understandable seeing that there are no businesses nearby, making it inconvenient for corporate employees. It is packed at dinner time though! Very nicely renovated building--used to just be a run down arby's. Thanks to Nathan who was very nice and friendly to us! Couldn't have had a better experience! :)
(5)ray a.
Unbelievable experience! Best Authentic Indian Food in the Southbay......bar none! I went last week for a RB Chamber/community mixer, and I have to tell you from the greeting at the front entrance with a warm genuine smile to the passing of the variety of indian hors d'oeuvres by the customer friendly servers. The ambiance is nice, decor is colorful, and really clean restrooms...which is a pet peeve of mine in any restaurant that I give my business to. The manager really went out of his way to greet all guests at this networking "function", and made every patron feel very important with his charm and charisma. Definitely go visit, and you too will be impressed and not be disappointed. I will without hesitation refer many of my clients their for lunch or dinner.
(5)zheng y.
New gourmet-quality India Bistro in south Redondo. A friend recommended them and I was quite impressed. There was a Tandoori-type Salmon appetizer which was absolutely delicious grilled just right outside, sumtious, tender and juicy inside. Delicious rice with peas. Chicken Masala, deliciously bathed in a golden curry sauce, so hard not to eat this to the last bite. Instead of dessert I sipped a great Mango Lassi youghurt smoothie, so nice and refreshing. Very nice staff and two patios plus inside dining. Wine and Beer only. They mentioned a recession-priced lunch buffet which has a little of everything at terrific lunchtime pricing. I will try this soon and report, but the dinner was definitely aces.
(5)Andrea H.
I'm very surprised to see any reviews with fewer than five stars, although it's true I haven't tried everything on the menu. I've been to Ocean Tava four or five times with family and once alone. I absolutely love this place! The service is A+ and so are my three favorite dishes: Chicken Tikka Masala , Tava Special Chicken. and Lamb Curry. The Tava Special Chicken is to die for, and last night we ordered a second serving of it, most of which we took home for another great meal. I've never had Chai (Indian tea) before, but they brought us some complimentary cups of it, and it was so flavorful. The food was prepared promptly, and everything was nice and hot and stayed hot for a long time. We prefer the white rice to the brown, although the brown is good, too. We had two orders of garlic naan and one of plain naan, and all of it was awesome, as always. Even if you order your food at a spice level of 1, it is still plenty spicy, so be cautious in how you order. An added bonus was that they had Internet service with a strong connection, which I needed briefly while I was there.
(5)Bryan L.
I usually go to Akbar for lunch buffet, but unfortunately or fortunately it was closed today. Ocean Tava just opened up 3 weeks ago and has lunch buffet even on weekends till 230! They hidden away above the Arby's. They serve garlic naan and even give you desert and tea at the end as part of the buffet. The food was delicious and the wait staff was great. I found a new go-to buffet spot now : )
(4)Tara K.
Have come here a handful of times as I live very close. Their food and service is consistently good. My favorite dish is the Bengan Bharta (sauteed eggplant) and it's very good here. I also really like the Onion Kulcha and Garlic Naan and the Pistachio Kulfi for dessert. I usually order my dishes at a 1 or 2 on the spicy scale. Not into spicy stuff and found the 3 was too much for me. Service is very good. They greet everyone with a "Namaste" as you enter the front doors. The main guy remembered us by the second visit and I'm pretty sure he now considers us regulars. Parking is super easy as they have a private lot in the back and underground too. If you sign up for their email list you'll get 20% off coupons sent to you monthly!
(5)L And T S.
Service is good, but food is just OK. We prefer Addi's Tandoori over this place.
(2)El P.
Lovin it! I will definitely be back here again even if I'm not craving Indian food and it's a special occasion. (The menu is quite pricey... 3.50 for an ice tea) The server was incredibly nice - "kissing your feet" nice. The rice was good. Tamarind dipping sauce was better than other places. The Samosas were fluffy and not greasy or dry. The Tava Chicken is my new favorite Indian dish. And a number 3 spicy is pretty damn spicy which I like. I'm sad I forgot my leftovers at the table.
(4)Joanne Z.
Before I start the review, I want to state that my boyfriend and I eat a lot of Indian food everywhere, so it's not like we're amateurs not knowing what we're talking about. Ugh ok, let me start of by stating the positives. Nice ambiance, very intimate setting, nice staff. The food was good, but nothing more special than any other Indian food in the South Bay. And now for the bad.... We went there on Valentine's day. Granted it was a busy night, the restaurant didn't seem THAT busy. They seated us right away. We ordered the food which in my opinion is way overpriced for Indian food. They charged extra for rice and naan, which you would think they would at least throw in considering that the plates were $17 for about a cup of food. And now for the clincher. We waited over and hour to get our food! We were about to walk out when the food finally came. They did apologize for the food taking forever. We asked for extra rice and naan since the servings were so small. We didn't think that they would charge extra for it. Our waitress didn't even mention this to us. So we paid an extra 4 dollars each for another small plate of rice and naan. Don't think we'll ever go back there again. I think we'll stick to Indian Summer in El Segundo.
(2)Jay D.
The place is immaculate, clean and service is outstanding. Loved the food although it is incredibly rich and not that healthy. We ordered enough for 4 people and didn't walk out with leftovers. I would definitely go back. Be weary on affordability, we had a coupon for 20 percent off and the bill was still over 50 dollars for 2 guys who put down some serious food. Two entrees, one app and 2 beers. Basically you are paying for the white table cloths. Location sucks from outside, hidden up and behind and arby's. However once inside this place is charming, well laid out and has some good views in the back dining room.
(4)Hamachi B.
Not a good experience. We went there because we had a Groupon. Granted, I'm not a huge fan of Indian food, but the experience there wasn't good. Maybe if I didn't have a baby with me, it would have been better. So maybe I need to indicate that I think this is not a family-type restaurant. Service was slow; not enough selection for children/babies (unless they eat spicy food ). We asked for a bland, soft dish for the baby and the waitress said there wasn't any - huh?). We ordered nan and they didn't bring it out until they brought the whole meal out an hour later, despite the fact that the baby was fussing. Also note that we went at 5:45pm on a Tuesday night so service shouldn't have taken that long. Also, I have to mention that the prices are a little steep for what you get. Thankfully, we had a groupon. They wouldn't let us order from the happy hour menu because we had a groupon as well. Every dish was spicy, even the dish we ordered for the baby....which they said wasn't spicy.... Maybe I'll try it again later, but I doubt it.
(2)Patrick J.
Food was great. Service was fantastic. Everyone was friendly and very informative about the menu and gave awesome suggestions. We will definitely be back for more!!
(4)Saurin S.
This place is 2 blocks from my place, so we decided to check it out for a friend's birthday. We ordered samosas, malai kofta and mutter-paneer. All items were fresh and very well made. I'm pretty discriminating when it comes to India food, so I'd give the food about 4 stars out of 5. The ambiance is pleasant with soft touches from India. What won me over was the service. It was so phenomenal that I'm compelled to give it 5-stars. We were treated like family by the entire staff including the owner/manager. They care about their customers and their reputation. Definitely give this place a try if you're in Redondo.
(5)