10 Best Indian Restaurants in Oakland

Are you in the mood for some tasty, spicy, refreshing Indian food? Check out our list of the best Indian restaurants in Oakland.

Oakland is a diverse city with plenty of Indian restaurants for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a traditional Indian meal, some boba beignets, or maybe even some sandwiches, there are plenty of places in Oakland to find the perfect meal.

Check out this list of the best Indian restaurants in Oakland and decide where your next stop is.

1. Royal Kitchen

Address: 175 98th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94603

Royal Kitchen serves some of the best Indian food in Oakland. When you dine here, you’ll be greeted by a friendly staff and manager who will take care of all your questions and concerns. The restaurant has giant windows for a fantastic view of the city and is just about one block from Grand Ave. It’s a good location for a quick bite to eat.

Now on to the food! Royal Kitchen specializes in sauces, curries, and pieces of bread. The pieces of bread are baked in-house and will likely have you returning for more. The food will take you on a trip around India. Try the curry chicken with rice or paneer-stuffed mango with basmati rice. You won’t be disappointed! If you want to try something different from the traditional Indian American restaurant, head to Royal Kitchen in Oakland and try something unique.

2. ROOH

Address: 333 Brannan St, San Francisco, CA 94107

Most of us remember our first visit to Aladdin’s Cave. Well, not anymore! ROOH has taken its place as the best Indian restaurant in Oakland, CA. The restaurant is located in SoMa and has a great atmosphere with a large window seating area. The chicken Tikka Masala and Lamb Vindaloo are some of the most popular dishes. ROOH Life has an appetizer menu with samosas, pakoras, nachos, and onion bhajis. You can’t go wrong with any of these items. ROOH also has inventive cocktails that are perfect for professionals who want a relaxed evening or afternoon.

3. Raj Indian Cuisine

Address: 4086 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland, CA 94611

Raj Indian Cuisine is another favorite for those who want to try something off the beaten path. It is located on Piedmont Avenue and offers meals starting from $2. They are pleased to serve the most incredible homemade Indian cuisine, produced with premium ingredients and a unique spice blend. The experienced and creative culinary team at Raj Indian Cuisine provides impeccable and exceptional service to make your eating experience unforgettable. The Fish Curry at Raj Indian Cuisine is created with boneless fish cooked in a tangy stew with garlic, ginger, and tomatoes. Try their Chicken Chili, prepared with bell peppers, jalapenos, sweet onions, and chicken in a blend of distinctive herbs and spices.

4. Spice of America

Address: 1655 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103

This secluded Market location was the “most intriguing Indian eatery in San Francisco” and offers an extensive menu of Indian cuisine with a few Nepalese specialties. Explore nontraditional cuisines such as prawns grilled in Indian Schezwan sauce and Pacific Northwest salmon prepared with green mango and coconut curry.

5. Viva Goa Indian Cuisine

Address: 2420 Lombard St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Viva Goa is Marina’s favorite Indian takeout restaurant, serving all the sauces, tandoori, and naan the neighborhood could want. The restaurant concentrates on Goan cuisine, heavily inspired by Portugal, which dominated the region for four hundred and fifty years. The most popular food in the area is vindaloo (hot red curry), served alongside prawn curry.

6. dosa By DOSA

Address: 2301 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612, United States

Founded in 2005 and inspired by the flavorful, fermented South Indian crepe, ‘dosa,’ dosa By DOSA is one of the best Indian restaurants in Oakland. The restaurant is relatively large to accommodate a family dinner or lunch with friends. The menu includes all the popular Indian dishes like chicken tikka masala and lamb curry. dosa By DOSA also serves vegan and vegetarian dishes that are sure to please everyone. Most of their products are well under $9.99 per person, which makes it one of the cheapest Indian restaurants in Oakland.

7. Guru Curry House

Address: 391 Grand Ave. Oakland, CA 94610.

This restaurant’s owners named it “Guru Curry House,” primarily to symbolize their deep gratitude to their gurus. They believed their sublime energy would guide them and help them serve their clients authentic, flavorful, and nourishing curry cuisine. Thus, their menu reflects a harmonious flavor pairing of curry and various fresh ingredients to serve their guests the most delicate dishes. Each component is carefully chosen to prepare the savory dish by their chef to achieve the highest satisfaction for all their guests. They welcome you to experience their warm service, delicious cuisine, and soothing ambiance offered at the “Guru- level.”

8. Tilak

Address: 3501 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Tilak Gurung was able to reverse the typical trajectory of cooks in the Bay Area. After catering for Apple and Dropbox lunchrooms, where he entertained Justin Timberlake and Singapore’s prime minister, he built his eatery at the top of Mission. In addition to providing delicious curries and tandoori in Bernal Heights, he also serves Dahi puri chaat; the crispy street treats laden with tamarind, yogurt, sprouts and mint. Tika is undoubtedly the best Indian restaurant in Oakland.

9. Keeva Indian Restaurant

Address: 908 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118

Rita and Ajeeta Mehta (husband and wife) opened this local nugget on Clement Street and delivered American favorites such as grilled cheese sandwiches and fries alongside traditional Indian dishes like Kadai paneer and chicken tikka masala. The Indian words are a little different from the ones found at most sit-down restaurants, thanks to recipes Rita brought over when she immigrated.

They serve their kebob in a cup made of naan bread while saag paneer dumplings rest on top of a bed of spinach. Add an order of pakora, chicken pakora and naan to complete the meal. The restaurant’s lunch buffet is $9.95 per person and includes non-alcoholic beverages.

10. Besharam

Address: 3407, 1275 Minnesota St, San Francisco, CA 94107

Heena Patel, a graduate of San Francisco’s food incubator La Cocina, infuses her restaurant at the Minnesota Street Project gallery with flavors from her home Gujarat. Her regional, vegetarian, and profoundly individual cuisine earned her the 2019 Eater Award for Restaurant of the Year. Since reopening in the summer of 2021, Patel has eliminated meat from its menu, which features cuisine from four western Indian cities.

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