Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Caf Raj in Albany

4.3 (199) 1158 Solano Ave, Albany, CA 94706, United States

Categories

Indian restaurant
Pakistani restaurant
Restaurant
South Asian restaurant

Location on the map

Albany, Alameda County, California, US

Phone: +1 510-524-5667
Site: https://caferajonline.com/

Opening hours

Monday:12–11 PM
Tuesday:12–11 PM
Wednesday:12–11 PM
Thursday:12–11 PM
Friday:12–11 PM
Saturday:12–11 PM
Sunday:4–11 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.3

199 Reviews for Caf Raj 2024:

Review №1

2023-07-16 07:08:09

It’s always nice to find a place that’s open late. I’m happy that I finally found an Indian restaurant that’s open past 9pm. The food was really good. We ordered chicken, 2 curries, biryani, and samosas. We over ordered but we didn’t regret it. We were stuffed. Definitely adding this place to my late night eats list.

Review №2

2023-10-14 23:44:07

Cafe Raj didn’t meet the expectations we had. Their curry’s are on the bland side and not typical of similar Indian restaurants in the Bay Area. Their prices are pretty good and the service is prompt.The garlic naan had way too much raw garlic inside the bread, which I would have loved but the garlic was raw and didn’t feel cooked. The Prawns Zafarani is on the sweeter side with nuts and such. We also got a chicken curry, we liked this the most.

Review №3

2023-12-09 01:40:17

The First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley ordered food from this restaurant for our study hall event. The food is very delicious and made with love. I especially enjoy the chicken tikka masala and chicken korma. I highly recommend this place for catering and even recommend visiting for dine in.

Review №4

2023-12-04 04:32:33

We brought our 2yr old to Cafe Raj, and found the service and value to be A+. The staff was incredibly welcoming, and brought our son a fruity yogurt drink on the house. They kept stopping by and saying hi to him, it was so sweet. The also offered chai tea and dessert on the house. In total we had butter chicken, saag paneer, naan, rice, a beer, yogurt drink, rice pudding all for $38 after tax... incredible. Our family can barely get Chipotle for less than $40 these days, and Cafe Raj beats that by far. Highly recommend!

Review №5

2023-11-21 21:07:51

I love Cafe Raj. I’ve been coming here since 2006. I wish I knew what kind of cheese they use in their naan and in the Josh Rogan dish. I have family that I wanted to refer to their restaurant so they can try their dishes. One loves cheese but is particular about the type they eat due to intolerance issues so if anyone has that secret it would be helpful. ;-)

Review №6

2023-08-15 17:14:59

I ordered the Lamb Madras, a veggie biriani, and naan. I asked for it to be hot, the waitress told me hot was ridiculously hot and encouraged me to order a Medium Plus, I told her I like spicy food so would prefer hot, she shook her head, so OK I took her recommendation. My food wasnt really that spicy, dont assume just because someone is not of Indian heritage that they dont appreciate and enjoy fragrance and spice! Meal was OK tasting, good portion sizes for the price.

Review №7

2023-08-04 04:48:56

The service was great. She brought us free mango lassies for the kids. But the food was very bland. Not spicy at all. Not much taste to it. Rice pudding was unspiced. It needed cardamon! Cinnamon! Something!

Review №8

2023-11-04 01:59:48

We love this place, super friendly staff, great food and service. Its a birthday dinner, they offered to take photos for us and dessert w/candles for free.

Review №9

2023-07-22 23:08:07

7 star service, and amazing hospitality! Walking in felt like Im walking into my familys home in India. The food was delic and had the authentic flavors of what youd expect an Indian restaurant should have.I walked in for a cup of chai and walked out with a stomach full of happiness! ♥️

Review №10

2018-08-19 17:01:49

We love going to Cafe Raj, not only for its delicious food and great vegan options, but also for the warm atmosphere and the excellent service!! We are very conscious of what we eat and do not tolerate heavy food. We can come here frequently since their meals are always fresh and prepared with little oil, which unfortunately doesn’t happen with most restaurants. We strongly recommend Cafe Raj, it will likely become one of your favorite restaurants as well!! Food may take ~10min to be served, but it’s totally worth it since it’s just made :)

Review №11

2023-11-12 00:09:49

The food is great and service too but my chicken in the Tikka Malasa was hard. :/ nice flavors but the chicken was tough as He double hockey sticks.

Review №12

2023-05-31 23:16:42

I came here with decent expectations. The table next to us were loving their food and said so.We ordered two vegetarian curries and some tandoori rotis. Asked for medium spicy.The food wasn’t quite what I had hoped to get. The flavor wasn’t layered but really just one thing. Also, the curries seemed to be blended into a sauces rather than having texture.I think for someone with a fairly South Asian biased palate - they can pass on this place. However, if you’re looking for quick, inexpensive and good service - this is your spot.

Review №13

2023-08-11 17:09:50

One of the best Indian restaurants in the Bay Area. The quality of the food has been excellent for years. Highly recommended.

Review №14

2020-01-29 05:11:01

Excellent Northern Indian and Pakistani Cuisine served in a friendly family setting. Tasty sauces and desserts. Try some authentic Naan or try some special traditional beverages. Price is reasonable. Located in Kensington area.

Review №15

2023-07-27 03:14:39

Food is great, meal cost total $15 and was more than enough. Would definitely come again. Huge portions and fantastic quality.

Review №16

2023-06-17 19:00:33

The meals are delicious. Staff is very friendly

Review №17

2023-06-11 22:43:34

Very good! ordered late, just before closing. it was fresh. veggie samosas are smaller than i used to but the sweet sauce was amazing!

Review №18

2020-03-09 06:27:03

Nice halal restaurant with Pakistani dishes. Taste is probably perfect for most people, a little bland for me as Im used to more spicy food. Nice ambience and clean washroom.

Review №19

2021-04-12 05:46:53

Very satisfying and the atmosphere was sweet as well as our servers!Vegetable Samosas made well and Pakoras with delicious chutney, Lassi was made perfectly not too salty or sweet, Lamb Korma was so fufilling but light, chapati was very well made, and rice pudding was like chunky silk! 💖

Review №20

2023-04-08 20:35:17

Got their chicken tandoori wrap, there was more lettuce and tomato in the whole thing than chicken. I ordered a chicken wrap not a salad wrap. Chicken tasted way too sweet almost like a desert somehow? Nothing against the workers there, just not the best Indian food

Review №21

2022-11-23 14:25:16

The food here is excellent! The first bite I took was an explosion of perfectly balanced flavors. I can honestly say this is the best Indian food I’ve had (and I’ve been to many Indian restaurants). As a vegan, it can be hard to find restaurants that cook tasty vegan food and vegetables packed with flavor. The food here is clean, fresh food. Not greasy, bland, or tasting like it was frozen. Everything here is made fresh and you can tell from the first bite. I would highly recommend this place to any one wanting clean, flavorful Indian food!

Review №22

2023-07-06 07:09:29

I love this place. The food is some of the best in the Bay Area. Ive been going there for 20+ years.

Review №23

2017-06-12 03:20:28

I ordered the saag paneer with plain rice. The saag dish was very watery, without much paneer. The saag had a good texture (chopped rather than mushed spinach) and was slightly spicy, as I ordered it, but the paneer was a little too soft for my liking. I was most disappointed with the rice, it wasnt basmati. To me thats essential in any good Indian restaurant.

Review №24

2023-07-17 15:58:35

Always consistently good food. Service is good. Our favorite Indian restaurant.

Review №25

2022-10-19 23:02:31

This place is great! Food is good. Portion size is good. Prices are reasonable. Pleasant and efficient service. On Solano- parking OK. Recommended. And opened after 3pm, which seems to be a rarity in Berkeley these days.

Review №26

2022-07-01 03:44:53

Their food is healthier than the average Indian/Pakistani restaurant. Medium spicy can be too spicy so ask for medium mild…It’s a reasonably priced (I believe also fairly authentic) food. Customer service is warm and welcoming.

Review №27

2022-11-23 02:29:35

The good :Great location, and family owned.Foods from their oven is always consistently good. Such as tandoori chicken, keema naan.- family owned and one of the oldest on Solano- chai is always ready and if you are come on good timing it’s freshly made.- great place to pick up orderThe bad :If you are not regular customer or you look Indian or Himalayan you don’t get good and faster service. ( at least to my perspective)-chai and water just dropped it on table and some chai had to be wiped off the table with napkin by myself- we almost thought it was self service with no plates and utensils.- waited long to order and they were not busy at all.- when complained one waitress replied we are busy and I consider people from Nepal like my own.They had only 2 other tables as other guest ( 2 on each table )-you should treat all customers irrespective of their race and ethnicity same.So treating like my own means giving no plates and utensils, dropping tea and water with complete disregard.Not coming to order while other guest who came later than us was taken food order.- why I have to ask for water and plates and utensils when other customers who came later than us was served plates and utensils and spoken with so much respect.- maybe that waitress had negative experience with customers from Indian and Nepal.- second I am not from Nepal or even from South east Asia. How she just assume I am from that region.- No matter the location, and the quality of product ( in this case food). If the customer service is not good. It’s really bad.- you don’t have to super nice to people but just don’t be rude. We are paying customers and just came there to eat simple dinner with family.- I have been coming there for some many years for pick up and this was the first time to dine in.The customer service was so bad that now I would not even come back for pick up.In terms of food. I love their foods from oven such as keema naan and tandoori chicken but their curries are not consistent.Summary : best to go for pick up but not for dine in unless you are regular dine in customerInstead of giving people free chai and kheer . Just treat all customers equal.I am sure the owner is real good person and seem to be always in kitchen. But please train your servers to treat people from your own country or neighbor country of yours with same respect as other people. We don’t want to be treated special. Just treat all customers same.

Review №28

2023-06-03 06:16:12

Best Indian this side of the Atlantic. The sauce is incredibly flavorful and well-balanced (the sauce itself is best with the goat meat I find), and the meat is perfectly braised, and it is incredibly tender. If that wasnt enough, the rice is so good that I would be satisfied having it on its own, and their naan is incredibly stretchy, chewy, and delicious. I dont think I would recommend the garlic naan, though, I find it a bit too garlicy, even though I adore the flavor of garlic. There is also very good rice pudding (often given complimentary with the meal), chai, and mango lassi.

Review №29

2023-03-15 06:49:24

The service at cafe raj is really top notch. One of the dishes we ordered was not really great. The staff was quite understanding and removed the item from the overall bill.Do try the vegetable Shahi korma

Review №30

2022-08-25 16:02:32

The food here is SO good. The portions are great, I’d say they’re 1.5-2 meals in one, and the prices are really fair. The takeaway process was smooth and the staff was really friendly. It’s all street parking, but it seems fairly plentiful.

Review №31

2022-12-14 09:35:33

Chicken tikka is a great options for kids and adults it’s very good. The butter chicken is really great as well. Lastly their cheese naan IS A MUST. Try the cheese naan bread. If you want an appetizer I recommend the beef samosas, I love the sauces it comes with.

Review №32

2022-07-19 23:50:57

This was my first time eating Indian food and I came to the right place! They were sooo kind and it was delicious! They made me feel extra special since it was my birthday too! The garlic naan was my favorite! The green sauce they have is amazing too. I can’t wait to have more!Thank you!!

Review №33

2023-08-19 00:02:35

Good Indian n Pakistani cuisine generous portions.

Review №34

2021-11-14 01:01:44

I came with my mom, mother-in-law and daughter and we were delighted! The food was tasty and filling. We especially enjoyed the chicken samosas with tamarind chutney and hot chai tea. The service was beautiful and the people were friendly and accommodating. We will definitely spread the word and come again.

Review №35

2022-07-11 05:34:30

WOW! I want to live here. I cried when I had to leave. Sooooooooo delicious 😋 The staff is super kind and welcoming. The food and experience was like being at home with family. Definitely coming back to my new favorite 5 star restaurant.

Review №36

2023-05-06 04:40:45

Best Indian food in Berkeley !Excellent service too, people here are really friendly and nice.I recommend !!

Review №37

2022-03-18 03:00:14

For $27 my wife and I ate like Kings. We had mahi mahi and a vegetarian mushroom dish with a side of rice. Everything was delicious and perfectly spiced. Excellent service- we even got a free rice pudding. Will certainly be back.

Review №38

2021-11-11 07:10:11

Quite disappointing. Not a good place for Indian food. I recommend avoiding this place. Plenty of other Indian food in the area. I wouldnt come back if they paid me.The food is lacking in flavor, portion size, and ingredients. Everything tasted like it came from the freezer section at a supermarket or out of a can.The lamb was nice and tender but that was about the only thing that was good. I ordered medium spicy and both the curries tasted like tomato sauce. No vegetables in the curry whatsoever. Very underwhelming.The samosas were similarly low on flavor/spice, floppy and not crispy at all, and at least half as small as a normal samosa. Looked and tasted like frozen samosas. Definitely not worth it. The Mint and Tamarind chutneys for dipping the samosas were bland as well.The naan was thin, tough, and dry. For some reason, it still couldnt absorb any flavor from the curry. It was like a piece of cardboard. Chewy, tasteless, and sad.I guess the basmati rice was also good but that is nothing to be proud of. Anyone can make rice.I suppose they gave me a free, tiny tub of rice pudding with my order but that is not even close to making up for the rest of the order. Also, it was pretty lackluster, like the rest of the food. Soggy rice with sugar. No spice, no texture. Just bland, overcooked rice with too much sweetener. Not even coconut milk for flavor.Overall, I cant recommend this place at all. Bland food, poor textures, and almost no redeeming qualities, certainly none that raise this place above 1 star.I feel sorry for the chef/owner having their name on a place like this.Bad food. Sad times. Cafe Raj.

Review №39

2022-08-31 05:10:56

Good food, great service, gigantic portions! The pile of biryani on my plate was so tall I suspect they have a structural engineer on staff to calculate the necessary structural support elements.

Review №40

2023-03-21 05:49:36

The food has no taste so I don’t think it’s fresh. The only thing is good, is the Naan.this place use to be good thou. I don’t know what happened. Not coming back!

Review №41

2023-11-14 19:14:36

I love their samosas and biryani

Review №42

2022-06-02 21:14:53

Their Service is Excellent ! You will have a Waitress check on you Regularly !!! The Fish Biryani I had had Ample Catch in it . I requested Mild, so it seemed a bit bland. Think they omitted the Salt as well in the process.First time I had it via Doordash iy was Pungent & Very Salty .I guess Medium salting would bring out the Flavors - as it seemed to the next day w/my leftovers @ home ....Chai and Dessert were Excellent . Worth a try....Seems like Homestyle Cooking as its a Chef Owner .....

Review №43

2022-11-03 18:40:34

Foods delicious! Got the lamb curry, samosa, and chicken Tikka. Sat outside, though it was a lil bit cold, it was nice to sit there and watch the neighborhood.

Review №44

2019-07-14 23:53:26

I had great expectations after reading all the positive reviews. Staff are friendly and the service was reasonable, granted I was the only customer in the restaurant. I ordered the chicken biryani and it was terrible. The meat was tough, tasted odd, and obviously had been heated up in a microwave prior to mixing with some mediocre rice. Four stars for friendly service and one star for the food.

Review №45

2018-11-28 04:51:14

We were driving near this area, thought we wanted to see if there is any Indian food in the area, saw good reviews for this place and stopped for dinner there. We were very happy that we did. The decor of this restaurant is very nice and looks authentic and pleasing. The food was fresh and delicious. The prices seemed quite reasonable, and we also got a free rice pudding dessert to share at the end of the meal for free, which was a nice touch. The service was quick and efficient. All in all, a wonderful place that we will try to visit again when we are in the San Francisco Bay area. Also, its located in the middle of a very cute, walkable shopping street of this town (Albany) with the many other shops and restaurants.

Review №46

2020-10-11 02:03:04

The food is an amazing value!! We had an order of the veggie samosas, maarsh daal, and a chicken vindaloo. We got a complimentary chai tea latte (unsweetened) and rice pudding.We sat outside and it was perfect. The food took some time (about 10 minutes) to come out but it was fantastic. We ordered our food spicy and they did not lie (we were warned but I didnt take her seriously). Please do not make our mistake. It wasnt like eating battery acid but the heat was definitely intimidating. The rice pudding definitely helped and I think she chucked it in because she knew we were in over our heads.Definitely would recommend!! We will be back over and over again for sure...for medium heat or medium+ heat curry.

Review №47

2019-02-25 02:00:56

Really great food, so delicious! Seasoning and spices are more complex than competition restaurants in the area, so the food is more delicious. Each dish very unique and prepared per person, so fresh. Not Americanized versions as far as I can tell. Hot spicy, medium, & mild available. I love spicy but that may be too spicy for some people. Very friendly & popular with neighborhood people. Reasonable prices and large servings. So so delish.

Review №48

2023-05-06 04:40:27

Best Indian food in Berkeley, will come again for the food, the service but also the chef Mohamed !!!

Review №49

2017-08-21 05:07:22

We love this place. Amazing service, accommodating to picky eaters /vegetarians / gluten-free people. Portions are great. Lots of menu items that you might not see everywhere else. Curries were super flavorful, right amount of kick, Rice was fluffy, and the naan was perfect. Bonus points for being open late!

Review №50

2019-07-18 02:59:45

Long time favorite Indian place in Albany, my family has been going here for more than 10 years! Good veggie options (clearly marked vegan), friendly staff, and huge portions. Really good prices. Order some mixed pickle on the side!

Review №51

2018-02-13 16:08:07

Great Food, the waitress seemed overwhelmed Everytime Ive gone. I had to flag them down to get service. Get the chicken curry spicy with rice. Its actually even better the next day if you take it home. The chicken has time to marinate in the curry and its so great if you reheat it the next day

Review №52

2023-05-08 02:16:13

Great food, reasonable prices, hospitable service. This is probably my favorite restaurant on Solano.

Review №53

2018-04-12 03:03:46

I love this place so much! The people are so warm and friendly, the food is delicious, the portions are ample and the prices are so reasonable. The complementary chai and rice pudding is the proverbial icing on the cake. This is me and my husbands favourite Indian restaurant, without a doubt! I highly recommend the chicken vindaloo, which I order every time 😉

Review №54

2020-03-25 21:12:17

I just picked up two of their delicious vegetarian dishes. The smells, tastes and textures help make the ‘stay at home’ days so much nicer.Thank you for being open during this difficult time.The Sahbsi Masala was excellent.

Review №55

2022-05-16 15:18:07

The food is always delicious, the staff is attentive, portion sizes are perfect, and they treat their guest like family. Genuinely one of the nicest hole in the wall places to go to.

Review №56

2018-07-07 07:22:07

This place was much better in the past. I went there today and found what other reviewers already stated: the food is bland, everything is too salty (especially the samosas), the chicken is totally overcooked, and the mango lassi has nothing to do with yoghurt - it tasted like milk mixed with some mango juice. Overall, the place lacks inspiration: If you cook the same food every day for years, would you not want to make it better and better? Yes, it is an inexpensive restaurant, but for the buffet-level quality of it, it is also overpriced. I will not go back here, since there are many good Indian restaurants in the neighborhood. And to the owner who responds to every review: rather than writing yet another thank you note, please work hard on improving the quality of your food.

Review №57

2018-11-17 17:08:34

We’ve been coming here for over a decade. It’s always been great. The spices always soak through the meat the curry is just so delicious. The owners is very kind and welcoming. It’s always been consistently a great experience every time we go here.

Review №58

2021-03-22 01:00:53

Wow, what a wonderful find. Went to Cafe Raj 4 the first time in a decade and had a wonderful expirience. Our order taker was gracious and encouraged us to sit inside but outside tables were available (2). The restaurant and the restrooms were spotless. Our veggie curries and lamb curry were very tasty and freshly made but i could gave ordered spicy. The Aloo Saag abd barta were best. Garlic Naan was greatcand big as a personal pizza. I will definately return.

Review №59

2022-07-05 18:03:05

Excellent service, great food, reasonable prices and open late! Vegetarian dishes youll love: Kofta mahlai, channa masala and the somosas. Favorite neighborhood spot

Review №60

2020-03-29 01:58:53

Hands down the best Chicken Tika Masala in the Area, and I think I’ve tried them all. Definitely my family’s choice whenever we crave good curry or a mango lassi. The owner works his magic on the grill, good table service too. Headed there now to grab dinner!

Review №61

2021-05-10 05:15:55

Ive been here twice, first time I got paneer tikka masala medium spice with garlic naan.tikka could have been more spicy for medium but had good flavor. garlic naan was burnt on top. okay overall.Second time I decided to spice up and I got spicy and it was far too spicy, long long after burn. I also went for the potato and onion stuffed naan again, burnt and not a lot of flavor.i will not be coming here a third time. Everest on the same street is far better.

Review №62

2023-02-19 00:44:28

Best Indian food around. Lots of competition on Solano, but nowhere else comes close to Raj. Theyre the best!

Review №63

2015-09-10 06:25:44

Delicious! Exactly what I was looking for on a late-night food escapade. I arrived at 10:25pm, 5 minutes before closing, and was pleased that they were kind enough to still serve me. I couldnt decide between the Channa Masala and the Daal, but my waitress said they would be happy to mix both together, so thats what I got and it was very good! It was a larger than expected dish, so I thought I might be getting charged for one order of each, but no, it was just one dish! So, yes... very economical, kind service and Im sure Ill be going back for another serving!

Review №64

2020-10-29 07:47:08

Great food, fresh and cooked as ordered, friendly service. Limited dining room seating due to social distancing. Prompt service, very clean. Good portions for a reasonable price

Review №65

2019-09-13 02:46:21

I had ordered paratha and lamb biryani. It was a joke. Biryani was simply poured with curry and so mushy...it was horrible..and paratha was nothing like a paratha. It was a bread with butter over it. The staff were friendly and nice people. The food is nothing that I would go again or suggest people who love indian food. This is just another restaurant with indian food for students or alike....not my cup of tea!

Review №66

2023-03-21 06:01:20

Great food and open later than other restaurants in the area. Very happy to have this spot so close.

Review №67

2015-02-06 19:11:21

Good Indian restaurant, but slightly above average prices.Cafe Raj used to be my go-to Indian place when I lived in Albany. They serve consistently decent Indian food, but I found their prices to be slightly higher than your typical Indian places elsewhere (but still fairly reasonable [$7-$12]). You will most likely find Cafe Raj to be fairly crowded any day of the week during dinner, but I dont think the wait time is too bad though, so its not one of those places you need to get to half an hour before hand to get a seat.I always used to get their beef samosas. You would get two samosas that were decently large, so it would be an adequate appetizer for two people. The dipping sauces were tasty. Im a big fan of sweet and savory sauces, so Id tend to drench mine...=) The Lamb Roghan Josh has always been a favorite as well.To get the most value from your meal, I would recommend getting the meal to go. Because they provide you with a good amount of curry, you can proportion it to last two meals (thus the slightly higher prices becomes negligible if you split it into two meals..hehe).I would recommend Cafe Raj for the Albany native looking for good Indian food.

Review №68

2018-10-28 05:23:59

Only went once and it was a long time ago. One thing I remember is that the everyone was nice and I felt very comfortable there. We stayed about 30 minutes after we had finished eating having a good time talking. The chai tea, rice pudding, rice, chicken masala, mango smoothie and the bread was to die for. Sorry if I named some of these things wrong. I look forward to coming back soon

Review №69

2017-01-27 04:18:26

If you order spicy its actually spicy. Lamb was great chicken tikka masala was good, just a little bit on the bland side. Apps are great and the prices are unbeatable. Will definitely return!

Review №70

2020-01-21 12:30:03

Something for everyone. Always fresh. Reasonable prices. Excellent flavors. Cafe Raj is one of our East Bay go-to spots for Indian/Pakistani food.

Review №71

2018-07-17 21:16:59

Their version of Hyderabadi biryani is poorly cooked chunks of chiecken breast mixed with rice and loaded with raisins, yaak. They have no clue as to how to make authentic Indian food. This place is horrible and I would rather starve to death than eat here again.

Review №72

2017-05-14 03:27:02

I tried Cafe Raj for the first time on Friday night. It was a take out meal. When I entered in, they greeted me very warmly, and offered me chai. I ordered chicken tikka masala and vegetarian samosa, and they were AMAZING. I never had indian food this good in years. I highly recommend Cafe Raj!

Review №73

2018-07-11 08:10:09

Gluten free dinner: chicken tikka Masala, aloo Mutter, brown rice, chicken pakora! Rice pudding and mango lassi...wine choices are a good selection to pick from.The chicken pakora is a real treat surprise! Its like popcorn Chix but better and gluten free! The sauce is amazing! Mint and cilantro, tamarind, spicy paste sauces are all awesome and if you like spicy and gluten free there are some amazing options!The menu has plenty of options to keep the choices and frequency increased...

Review №74

2019-08-15 03:20:56

It is the best Indian food I’ve ever had. The owner was also so kind as to give us free sides and a free rice pudding which was amazingly delicious.

Review №75

2019-07-11 02:28:04

This food is affordable and delicious!The service is great!The best part is when the cooks come out and say thank you! Smh this food is so bomb.

Review №76

2017-06-18 00:34:57

This place is downright amazing. Awesome curries. I usually go for the Lamb Shai korma. Service is always fast and very friendly. In a nice area too. Everything on the menu is good. Chai tea is awesome. Clean place too.

Review №77

2018-04-18 06:24:56

Love the lamb mansala!Staff is always welcoming. The customer service is great. The chilled rice pudding is the perfect end to the meal.

Review №78

2017-03-03 07:26:33

Was charged extra for my request for basmati rice and garlic naan, but when I received my food, I had neither basmati rice nor garlic naan. The rice I got was brown rice which was not even close to basmati (a white rice), and I only got ONE piece of the naan I didnt order. Not only that but they couldnt even be bothered to put napkins and utensils in the take out. Penny pinching service, poor quality control, and ok with taking my money for food they didnt provide. Congratulations on saving maybe two dollars by being skimpy with the naan, the rice, the utensils and napkins, but at the cost of losing hundreds of dollars in repeat business.

Review №79

2020-12-06 03:12:29

Cafe Raj serves high quality and delicious food! The employees are very friendly and attentive. They have offered wonderful to-go service during COVID-19!

Review №80

2021-04-10 08:19:02

The food was very disgusting. I ordered a lamb biryani and I was expecting it to be good because of the reviews. But it was very nasty no tastes and the lamb was very hard and no taste at all. Worst Indian restaurant in Albany

Review №81

2017-03-17 05:16:03

Excellent customer service!! Very nice family!! Best Indian food in the bay area! If I could give them a Michelin Star I would! Chicken Tikka Masada and Saag Paneer is divine!

Review №82

2018-11-16 21:54:27

A comfy little spot for some great Indian food. Been here a number of times over the years and have always been happy with the atmosphere, food, and service. They sometimes even give some desert on the house

Review №83

2023-11-03 03:33:07

My favorite restaurant on Solano Ave

Review №84

2022-09-21 04:20:45

High quality food, great people and best service ! And the prices are too good and so worth it!!! Love this place !!!

Review №85

2018-11-29 11:56:52

I went to this cafe after going through the reviews given by respected previous customers with the hope and wish to enjoy good food but it was horrible and terrible food. One of the worst Indian food I ever had in my life . Service in the restaurant was perfect but taste of the food was not good, may be I was expecting highly because of other’s reviews. I am sure those who have tasted real and genuine Indian food can spot the difference. We will never visit again ...

Review №86

2019-10-12 04:14:54

Delicious, affordable Indian food at neighborhood restaurant

Review №87

2017-10-21 20:43:58

The food here is bland. There are many Indian/Pakistani places in El Cerrito and Berkeley that are so much better (try Priya in Berkeley). Ive noticed that their wet dishes have had the oil layer completely removed. Real Indian dishes usually have a layer of oil and thats where part of the flavor and mouthfeel is. I understand that some people think that consuming too much fat is unhealthy, so removing some of the oil layer is understandable to cater to those people. But all of it?? Cmon. However, I do like that they have almond milk options as a replacement for the cream/milk used in their dishes for those who cant do dairy.

Review №88

2020-02-11 15:18:51

Prices are decent, my dinner was acceptable, but life is too short & the options too plentiful to settle for mediocrity. Our server, however, was quite wonderful.

Review №89

2013-03-02 21:11:22

Its my favorite restaurant in Bay Area. My fav is Salmon tikka or salmon masala. But any thing I have tried whether its chicken or lamb or veg, its yammiiiiiiiiii. The waitresses are beautiful and caring. Interior is clean and shiny and simple The way I like, most importantly, the bathroom. In most indian restaurant I have found a dirty, wet and stinky one but at this place they have a clean and neat bathroom.

Review №90

2021-07-20 21:36:33

Cafe Raj is always a great place to eat. The food is delicious and the service is fantastic. I have been going to this restaurant for years.

Review №91

2023-01-16 02:52:54

Service was so fast and the food was delicious. And prices are pretty good too.

Review №92

2016-02-08 03:39:23

Always one of my favorites. excellent food & service. they made a mistake on my order tonight, apologized & made four attempts to compensate me. would be nice if most restaurants made a quarter of that effort.

Review №93

2017-09-03 03:01:24

Probably the best Indian restaurant in the East Bay. Excellent fare, low prices and page portions. They use less oil than most, which makes the food rich but not sedating.

Review №94

2018-04-17 23:27:05

The servers and kitchen staff were quite friendly and helped me choose dishes safe for me (wheat intolerance). The portions were generous, with leftovers to take home.

Review №95

2018-04-24 21:14:13

Amazing prices - great helpful staff - love the butter chicken! Our kids have been offered complimentary mango lassi the last few times - 2018

Review №96

2016-01-24 06:44:09

Very decent indian restaurant, at the end of Solano Ave so usually not too crowded. They are very quick, so that one can order take-out and be out less than 10 mins later. They are also very good value.

Review №97

2023-01-15 06:50:21

I was not expecting Chicken Briyani and Paneer pakora gonna be this worse. I don’t recommend at all.

Review №98

2020-05-25 04:22:16

Great food, freshly made to order at your desired spiciness. Friendly staff too. Salmon Shai Koorma is my favorite.

Review №99

2021-11-24 00:30:36

I ordered chicken biryani and aloo matar, matar was not cooked they put frozen peas they was not cooked, Biryani was Horrible they just mix chicken in curry and served it, even Rice was not fully cooked,no flavor, Thanks God there kabbab was good.

Review №100

2018-11-10 19:43:39

Good menu with plenty of vegan and vegetarian choices. The quality is good and prices are low. Try the Indian Shiraz for a nice accompaniment.

Review №101

2022-09-26 03:15:01

This place is amazing- you won’t find better food in Albany for this price point!

Review №102

2021-12-27 05:31:06

Good food for an amazing price and incredible service. Homey mom-and-pop vibe. Would go again.

Review №103

2017-11-18 02:36:41

Very nice place for dining alone or with friends. Excellent curries and biryanies. Great, friendly service. Appears to be a family-run business. Mega Cudos.

Review №104

2017-04-29 03:14:36

I had some of the best Chicken Tika Masala here for lunch! VERY GOOD...and at a reasonable price! The service was outstanding as well.

Review №105

2023-06-18 05:32:43

Nice food fair price!

Review №106

2014-04-09 04:14:52

The food tests delicious. I loved this place. My favorite dish is Lamb chop and salmon tikka masala. I also like the other dishes they have.

Review №107

2023-02-04 02:44:32

How can you employ such an unprofessional lady, the one that is packing people’s food she was yelling in gibberish at the kitchen staff and throwing people’s food very bad experience !

Review №108

2022-07-02 22:50:12

They always make our food perfectly. I would recommend this place to anyone!

Review №109

2017-05-16 06:15:45

Its good Indian food at a good price. My brothers and father & I go pretty often. Its just good food.

Review №110

2017-09-29 10:01:26

Just OK food. But I have only tried their veggie dishes. Service is good and they are very affectionate while serving food.

Review №111

2019-06-19 22:44:35

Service is lousy, sat there for 10-15 with no one coming to help had to call them to get water for the table, very slow in even getting food after 30 of waiting dont think they are used to more then 4 people at a table services did not understand what we were ordering and mind you Im Indian....will have to be desperate to go there againAlthough its my grandsons favorite place

Review №112

2012-10-09 20:32:34

T324 is happy to have Cafe Raj as a neighbor- we know we can always count on tasty Indian fare, and theyre open til 11 for those nights when the team is coding late!

Review №113

2019-09-20 05:15:12

Been coming to Cafe Raj for years. Delicious fresh meals every time, great vegan options, +favorite pakoras in the bay!

Review №114

2022-01-04 00:03:34

Superb chicken tandoori. the naan also is very yummy. I am a fan of this establishment forever

Review №115

2019-07-10 05:02:34

Friendly staff - homely service. Great North Indian food at reasonable prices.

Review №116

2018-04-12 02:05:18

Very nice ambience and food. Reasonable price, not expensive like other Indian restaurant. Never disappointed.

Review №117

2020-03-21 21:56:34

The food is good I took my husband there for his birthday Mar 10th he was very pleased with his meal.

Review №118

2020-11-11 01:36:05

I have one of the freshest and most organic Indian food. They serve brown rice as an option.

Review №119

2020-06-21 04:49:19

My favorite restaurant in the bay area. We go every week. The food is so amazing!

Review №120

2016-09-12 03:16:23

Great food at a great price, Cafe Raj is my go to for North Indian cuisine, each dish is made to order.

Review №121

2020-02-16 04:40:21

I go here often. Sometimes the food is really good, sometimes just okay. They just need to be more consistent.

Review №122

2021-04-04 04:16:13

Worst food I ever tasted in my life. Delhi Diner is so much better!!! Please don’t come here it’s horrible

Review №123

2018-04-12 03:55:26

We dont care much for Indian food but this is a great family restaurant! I do enjoy their food.

Review №124

2020-02-17 15:36:36

Very tasty affordable Northen Indian cuisine. We left very full and happy!

Review №125

2019-07-18 05:31:00

Had their tikka masala delivered, the texture was not as smooth as it’s supposed to, foul taste... Wouldn’t recommend this place

Review №126

2021-05-14 23:56:42

Our restaurant of choice for pandemic takeout.

Review №127

2019-03-28 21:45:48

One of the best restaurants of any type. The best service and food, its a personal favorite of mine.

Review №128

2022-07-18 00:47:51

Great food, nice staff, grandmas in the kitchen.

Review №129

2018-06-03 22:30:32

Went around 11pm on a saturday. Was totally satisfied at that time of day. Really good food especially dal and chai.

Review №130

2020-11-04 02:41:00

My new favorite Indian restaurant! Delicious food and friendly staff

Review №131

2018-07-14 15:04:27

Excellent Indian food; serves Aloo Gobi; employees are friendly; prices are affordable

Review №132

2021-12-24 04:13:30

This place is amazing. Hospitality on point. Food on point. All green flags

Review №133

2016-12-09 15:32:48

Excellent prices and the food is awesome. My family and I come here every chance we get.

Review №134

2020-01-16 00:45:17

One of my go to place when all of the restaurants close I go here and foods are delicious

Review №135

2017-07-01 20:22:16

These people have always done me right! I like spicy but be warned that when you order spicy here, its really spicy.

Review №136

2012-07-12 03:42:01

Wonderful vegetarian curry selection for great price. I like the homey atmosphere.

Review №137

2020-01-31 00:12:51

Open restaurant past 9pm, good food, great prices, and love their tea.

Review №138

2015-04-06 23:12:39

Friendly environement, delicious food made with healthy ingridients, great taste at an affordable price!

Review №139

2018-08-30 05:45:37

This is the place if you realy wana have Indian taste. Reasonable prices and real Indian taste. 🇮🇳

Review №140

2018-05-22 14:10:54

Good Indian food, reasonable prices and friendly owner and staff.

Review №141

2014-11-14 04:15:29

Mediocre food, indifferently served in a rather stark atmosphere. Fairly inexpensive, and for good reason.

Review №142

2018-06-17 22:11:36

Great prices and great food. Restuarant is very clean, and the staff is very kind.

Review №143

2020-04-08 22:59:44

Omg I forgot how goooooddddd the foood is man I was craving some chicken korma omg soooo gooodddd the people are soooo nice. Love it

Review №144

2019-10-04 07:59:20

Its okay.

Review №145

2018-10-12 00:04:10

The best authentic affordable Indian food on Solano Ave.

Review №146

2023-08-22 03:58:31

Best Indian in the area, and super family friendly (phenomenal prices).

Review №147

2019-01-07 04:20:31

Raj makes you feel at home. Very personable. Food is made with love

Review №148

2017-09-19 02:02:44

Good lamb curry, wasnt quite hot enough but Ill know better next time.

Review №149

2018-05-06 14:32:59

Indian Food, very good. Nice family run restaurant.

Review №150

2020-01-19 23:52:32

Good food, quick service. Nice atmosphere, was a good date night

Review №151

2010-11-23 06:05:19

One of the best Indian restaurants in the tri-city (Berkeley/Oakland/Albany) area.

Review №152

2018-04-03 08:00:51

I dont know how this place got 4 reviews. The food is horrible. I cant forgot this palce in my life time.

Review №153

2019-07-01 09:30:10

Great to visit this lovely, family curry restaurant, our 4th or 5th visit since 2012

Review №154

2014-05-27 01:45:08

Nice stopover on the way from golden gate bridge. Love the teas kettles. Took me back several years.

Review №155

2021-09-23 05:45:09

Food was great, staff was awesome, great vibe, and really great prices

Review №156

2017-07-07 13:38:37

Good Indian food in Berkeley, CA.Great friendly people.

Review №157

2017-04-03 12:30:06

Used to love this place - but the food wasnt as good this last visit.

Review №158

2020-02-24 16:12:13

Delicious, consistent, and well priced! Probably my favorite spot on Solano.

Review №159

2018-08-11 16:31:57

Your dishes are 🔥🔥🔥. The service is good depending on the time of day.

Review №160

2018-01-29 18:12:35

Good food and service, liked the Indian way of welcoming customers like guests

Review №161

2018-03-22 06:30:42

Atmosphere is beautiful and the man who works there was incredibly kind!

Review №162

2017-11-06 08:59:22

Really love the food here and the workers are very friendly.

Review №163

2017-07-17 05:29:25

A family run place, and treat customers like family, good food that wont break your bank.

Review №164

2023-05-06 05:53:08

Best resturant ever❤️😍

Review №165

2016-09-15 16:16:08

Good, reasonably priced Indian food.

Review №166

2019-03-02 02:37:50

Great place to bring the whole family- super friendly staff and great food

Review №167

2017-11-22 03:03:43

They have great chicken tikka masala here!

Review №168

2016-12-13 01:59:38

Delicious and very reasonable. Family run which is nice!

Review №169

2019-08-23 04:03:19

Excellent. Awesome customer service. Couldnt be happier to revisit again.

Review №170

2018-01-08 02:58:00

Tasty food in large portions, though service was slow to greet and somewhat inattentive on a slow night.

Review №171

2012-08-17 02:40:01

Awesome food!! Very good butter chicken

Review №172

2013-03-02 21:00:20

I dont have to say a word, Their food does. Strongly Recommended.

Review №173

2019-01-02 05:08:46

Delicious food and great value, cozy place.

Review №174

2017-03-18 06:15:41

Worst Samosas ever, I had to run to restroom as soon as i finished eating those...

Review №175

2019-08-16 19:42:57

Very delicious, will come back again.

Review №176

2021-05-10 20:55:36

P.s must have changed owners because this place is terrible absolutely terrible compared to last time wow!!!

Review №177

2022-12-01 21:19:48

Amazing food

Review №178

2019-04-18 03:07:07

Home like food.. tasty yet not heavy..

Review №179

2018-02-09 06:29:53

Open late and food is always consistently good

Review №180

2020-03-13 05:19:25

Great foods and bargain even on Chai Tea

Review №181

2017-07-11 03:28:46

Amazing food and even better service.

Review №182

2016-12-22 06:47:14

Raj is a very fantastic resturaunt to eat at!

Review №183

2019-02-26 05:35:33

Nice staff, affordable but bland

Review №184

2020-07-02 17:26:03

Love it! Best Cofta Malai!

Review №185

2018-10-29 05:39:13

Lovely Indian cuisine!

Review №186

2013-10-20 01:31:00

The best curry this side of of London.

Review №187

2021-02-13 22:13:38

Delicious food and friendly service!

Review №188

2019-07-07 15:15:05

Great food and authentic!

Review №189

2022-09-03 22:31:50

Tasty and good prices

Review №190

2020-05-01 01:50:40

Must try. Always delicious

Review №191

2019-03-09 20:20:30

Perfect balance of price and quality.

Review №192

2020-05-21 06:44:11

Best chef ever,Very Humble

Review №193

2017-08-04 16:48:30

Good restaurant with friendly staffs .

Review №194

2020-09-30 05:12:58

My go to spot. Best everything!

Review №195

2017-02-01 06:43:30

Food is good but not inspiring

Review №196

2019-01-20 10:01:28

Bonus points for outdoor seating.

Review №197

2020-02-06 03:41:59

Best place, been going here since it opened

Review №198

2021-07-11 19:57:02

Delicious!!! Frequent customer for 15yrs!!

Review №199

2021-12-12 17:38:50

Attentive staff, tasty food