Rachael H.

Naan is wonderful! Just the right amount of garlic every time. I am a huge fan of lamb, and have never had a bad dish. I have even requested a dish that was not normally served with lamb, and they made it for me - cooked perfectly, of course! We have had the buffet and ordered off the menu, and never been disappointed. The only sad thing is they don't do Indian pizza anymore - the buttered chicken pizza was AMAZING!! The service is always wonderful! The regular server is awesome, and knows the drinks my family prefers. It's nice to have such amazing service.
(5)
manoela w.

I was expecting a lot out of this place given the 4.5 stars on Yelp, but unfortunately I was disappointed. I ordered shrimp coconut curry (mild) with garlic naan and the dessert with grated carrots. Pros: - Garlic Naan was very good - Very good and fast service Cons: - Shrimp coconut curry was spicier than I wanted it to and too heavy (tasted like there was a lot of heavy cream in it) - Too much cream, not enough shrimp!! - this is the #1 mistake most Indian restaurants make - Shrimp was not great quality - Grated carrot dessert was not very good (like I was led to believe by the waiter) So even though the service was very good, the food in general was mediocre and a lot less than what I expected for a 4.5 star restaurant on Yelp.
(3)
Yonnie Z.

We were a bit disappointed yesterday when we came to eat at this restaurant. First off, they do not serve dosas on Monday. It's only served Wednesday through (either Sat or Sun?). We were sad. Our main entrees were: (1) Shrimp Coconut Curry - I ordered this entree and thought the flavors were good; there were at least 6-7 plump shrimps in the curry. My husband made a comment that it was probably full of butter since the curry was thick and had a strong aroma of coconut. (2) Goat Curry - My husband ordered this dish (he had previously ordered a similar dish at Zaika's in town too) and thought it was just OK. When I tried the goat, it felt as though it was primarily bones and not enough meat. The curry flavor was rich and packed with spices. My husband thought it paled in comparison to that of Zaika's. (3) Samosas as appetizer - we ordered this during our first visit as well and it was just mediocre, but yesterday's samosas were a hit. Tasted much better and the breading wasn't so heavy. We can't help but compare this restaurant to the other leading Indian restaurant in town. Plenty of space inside; there were only 2-3 tables of customers (1 of which was ours). This restaurant doesn't give you any crackers/dip prior to your meal's arrival - unlike that of Zaika. Our food took a long time to arrive as well. For all the reasons above, we are downgrading our rating from a 4 star to a 3 star.
(3)
Biju A.

Average food. Took over 50 minutes to get the food. Total chaos and no returns. Worried about hygiene too. Paratha was not well cooked. Chicken tikka was bland.
(1)
Peri A.

Authentic North Indian food, which was not unduly spicy, and has great flavor. Upon request, our chicken tikka was made with chicken thighs instead of chicken breast, which always leads to juicier tikka. The yellow lentil Daal was simply amazing as was the softer-than-a-cloud Naan bread (the garlic one is best!) What really stands out in this place is the service - they're friendly and efficient, two aspects of service that are rare to find together...
(5)
Lindsey S.

They are not open until 10pm on Sunday, as was advertised. We tried to go at 9pm and it was very very dark.
(1)
Anurag M.

Hi, Visited today 07/03/2014 for lunch buffet while coming back to Bay Area from Los Angles. I visited based on yelp reviews as in past I had been to Zayaka which is best. Today food was all old and stale for lunch buffet, except veg pakora. We did ordered salt lassi which was tasteless and no salt in it. We could't eat n left the place. Please see attached pics too.
(1)
Brittney D.

EVERY SINGLE TIME I COME THEY DO NOT HAVE CHICKEN SAAG. It is listed on the menu and yet the chef doesn't make it? The mango Lassi is just regular mango juice. I've been to enough Indian restaurants to know the difference. You want good Indian food go to Zaika!
(1)
Jodi A.

Excellent customer service. Dinner buffet was very good for the price, and we loved that the fresh naan and rice were included! We would be happy to come back again
(5)
Seven B.

I've been back at least a dozen times now, and I'm happy with the consistently good food and quiet atmosphere. Also, they make really fantastic Chai tea, just ask for it. Such a great little perk.
(4)
Enrique A.

Buffet gave me the runs. What? Do you need to know more? Fine. I went in wanting to try a new Indian place. And to be honest they were almost as good as Zaika (my favorite in town). They weren't the best but I thought I'd probably stop in if I found myself on that side of town again. But, when I got home my wife and I both suffered such horrendous intestinal distress as to believe that we were going to turn inside out. It was a horrible several hours we spent on our toilets vowing to each other that if we survived we'd never return. Though we are closer for our shared torment.
(1)
Rolando H.

Service is phenomenal no complaints. Drinks were never empty and the food is spectacular. 2 thumbs up. Highly recommend trying this place out especially there Garlic naan. And it's very affordable with generous portion sizes.
(5)
Amanda G.

My fiance and I took the opportunity to try this place out when we saw the Groupon deal offering $30 of food for $15. Upon getting to the restaurant, it's unassuming located in an old strip mall that has certainly seen better days. The inside of the restaurant is minimal in decor, but that's something I expect out of a family run joint. The inside, while not fancy, appeared clean and tidy. When we walked in, we were the only ones in the restaurant. The waiter on staff seated us immediately and promptly brought us some drinks. While we were there, another couple walked in. We overheard their conversation, and it was apparent at least one of them is a regular. While we didn't try it, the other diner recommended the garlic butter chicken to her dining companion. For our order, we started with the samosas, and then shared the lamb tikka masala, palek paneer, and garlic nann. Samosas- Well-seasoned. I would have preferred a bit lighter frying, but it was still good and very fresh. Their chimmichurri sauce was excellent. Lamb tikka masala - Well-seasoned as well. No complaints about grease like I saw in another review. The lamb was very well cooked - perfectly tender. The sauce was rich and creamy, and my only regret is that Bakersfield doesn't get more rainy weather, as this would be a great dish to enjoy on a rainy day. We ordered it spicy, and can say that if you're looking for true spicy, go a bit higher on their heat scale than this. We like spicy foods, and while it had a slight simmer, I was expecting a bit more. To be honest, in this town that's a general complaint we have anywhere we visit. Fortunately, it can be remedied next time by requesting it "desi spicy" as their menu says. Palek Paneer - Again, well seasoned. My only complaint here is that the chunks of cheese were a bit on the small side. We ordered this "medium" and would safely recommend this to our spice averse friends. Still, good flavor. Garlic naan - Our naan was fantastic. Crispy on the bottom with a bit of chew still, just as I would expect. Fresh garlic flavor was apparent. Quite good. Overall, we'd recommend this to friends, and in fact already have. It's a good restaurant once you get past initial impressions of the location and, in our case, empty dining booths (though we wondered if this was one of the restaurants in town that does a bustling buffet service rather than dinner). We'll be back to try the buffet or just order dinner for either dine-in or take-out again.
(4)
Dom A.

I am in Bakersfield at least once a month and I make it a point to have lunch here during my stay. I have recently been an Indian buffet fan because of the healthy choices and more so because of the unique and exotic flavors these buffets bring to the table. I like that they ask you what kind of Naan bread you'd prefer - garlic or plain? I always go for garlic as it just adds more flavor to the entrees they offer. The chicken Marsala is my fave! It is creamy, flavorful - just delicious! The other stuff I enjoy are the vegetable fritters, the paneer (spinach I think) and of course the Tandori chicken. Real great place to have a big, exotic lunch. The food is just tasty, refreshing and unique. They don't skimp on ingredients and the quality of they food is no ordinary buffet. If you are the adventurous gourmand this place is something to check out. I am sure you'll find it pleasantly surprising! Oh yes the owner is extremely friendly and waits the tables himself.
(4)
Shelby H.

This place is very authentic. The service was great and they serve the food in traditional dishes. I really enjoyed the flavors of the food and everything was cooked to order. The atmosphere was very casual but the flavors in each dish are what really stood out most to me. I definitely recommend this place!
(5)
Kayla B.

Cafe India is a good place for a relaxed lunch at a very reasonable price. It's usually not too busy or noisy, and the food is always fresh and delicious.
(4)
Pricila H.

We gave this place another try and it did not disappoint. Tried the aloo gobi naan this time and it was wonderful! Did not have any issues with the portion size this time. It is officially our go-to Indian place now. SO yummy!
(5)
Lindsey W.

Food was scrumptious! I had the chicken tikka masala and was on cloud 9. The garlic naan was to die for. Service was very good, waiter always made sure we were taken care of. There are so many things on the menu that I cannot wait to try! Great food, atmosphere, and service. I will definitely be returning.
(5)
Mariah M.

I got the coconut chicken, medium spiced with a side of super fragrant rice, garlic naan and the Indian tea. This meal was literally flawless and out of this world. I'm so impressed the service was great and the food was expertly crafted. The one thing though was there were a few hairs in mine and my friends good but that is easily fixed with a hair net. This places is spectacular and I will definitely be here again and again.
(5)
Isaac H.

Best Indian food in Bakersfield. I've tried a few others, but noting like here. I'm definitely coming back here as my go to place to eat. Great and friendly staff too.
(5)
Kenneth W.

My wife, daughter and I went to dinner here on Saturday night. We couldn't have been more impressed by their attentiveness. We dine with food allergies to milk, soy and eggs and were pleasantly surprised to see how much effort they put into not poisoning my family. We were able to use a Groupon and were very impressed with our service. The portions are fairly large, so we liked that, too. They did seem a little shocked when we asked for our to-go boxes when we had "barely dug into" our meal. We ordered the goat biryani, lamb curry, samosas, and a plain dosa; all were very good. I would most recommend the lamb curry, though. We plan to return in the future.
(5)
Duke F.

This place is located close to my office about 1 mile away. I invited my colleague who is indian to that place. According to him; this place is so authentic. I agree:) My favorite there is the mango lassi. it tastes yummy:) The naan bread is very soft and cooks to perfection. I usually eat it with the curry chicken and the ckicken tikka.. yum yum.. what a great mixed:) The tandoori is flavorful with some onion on the side. I was so full that I barely could work after lunch. The desert look yummy but did not have any space left. So I will try the recommended dessert by my friend nect time The restaurant decor is nice. Plenty of parkings available.
(5)
PatrickJ T.

We came here for a dinner party. We did not order from the menu. The food prepared for us was self-serve buffet style. Most of the food tasted okay. The chicken tika, fish pakora, chicken makhini, chicken curry, and shika paneer were 3.5 stars worthy. Nice mixture of spices, although the dishes did not taste too fresh. The three foods that disappointed were the okra (bhindi masala), gulab jamun, and the naan. The okra was overcooked or maybe it was left over from their lunch buffet. The naan was stale. They were all 1 star worthy. Perhaps all of the food that we had were leftovers from the lunch buffet. The service from the staff was almost non-existent. Hopefully, this one visit of ours here was just an anomaly. This place has plenty of positive reviews. Based on those positive reviews, we will be back to give them another chance. Most likely, we will return to try their $7.95 lunch buffet. Til then, I can only give them 2 stars based on our experience here.
(2)
Yaofu Z.

When the food is brought up, I think it is the worst ever Indian food. I ordered chili shrimp per the waiter's suggestion and it taste greasy, sweet and sour. Not any spice. It is not something I will call Indian food. It can be anything, cheap american Chinese food, cheap Thai food, anything. I barely ate it and I am about to pay and leave. The waiter came over and noticed that I did not eat my food, so he asked and offered to give me something else. Since I no longer trust the food here, I said "do not worry about it". But the waiter insisted. So I suppose I will give it a shot. I had curry shrimp the second time and it is really good. The dish has bold and balanced flavor. The shrimp is cooked perfectly. I probably ordered the wrong item the first time. The service was great and the second dish was excellent.
(5)
Kenny L.

Mmmm chicken tikka Masala. They can be a little slow in bring the food out for there tables but the food is worth the wait. Further they have alot of different options and flavor of Indian that you often can not get any where else. Great Naan It is well cooked. The Eggplant potato dish wasn't the best as it was a little on the salty side but was not horrible. Wonderful service I never ran out of water or drink which for myself can be tough as i drink like a fish!
(5)
Madhusoothanan G.

I would have given less than one star if possible. Worst food and very very bad service. The server who I think is a owner was terrible in his manners. He threw a bunch of spoons on the table when we asked. He constantly banging the plates on the table. There was no courtesy and we all felt that we were not welcome to this place. Such a disgusting restaurant. Please stay away or enter at ur own risk
(1)
Brian H.

My family and I went here on Labor Day weekend, we choose it based on yelp reviews. We were not disappointed, the wait staff even took the time to describe the ingredients in each dish. My youngest son could not take the heat/spice and they didn't even charge for his meal. Highly recommend!
(5)
Mimi J.

I've always loved hot and spicy foods. From Mexican food laden with jalapenos and doused with Tapatio to Thai food brimming with hot red peppers, to Vietnamese pho smothered in Sriracha sauce, to fiery Indian curries, up till now I've never met a dish too hot for my asbestos mouth. The "Desi hot" food at India Cafe may finally have pushed the envelope to its outermost reaches. This place looks like an old fashioned coffee shop from the outside. Through the window we could see a group of off-duty cops eating and chatting. Inside there was only one other occupied booth, a hispanic family. And there we were, two lily white girls, looking for a little spicy food on a Friday night in Bakersfield, CA. We were greeted and seated by a young Indian waiter who was both respectful and solicitous. We ordered glasses of water and set to work on the menu. I finally settled on the lamb vindaloo and my dinner companion settled on the chicken vindaloo. The waiter inquired as to how we would like our food prepared: mild, medium or hot. We must have had a particular emphasis in our voices as we bellowed forth a hearty "SPICY", because he paused for a moment and asked us if we wanted it spicy, or "Desi spicy", you know - the way they eat it "over there". OF COURSE we were going to order it "Desi spicy" as sure as we were going to order the garlic naan instead of the the plain. The waiter left us with something that looked like fried wheat wontons or tortilla strips with two kinds of "sauce" to dip or top it with. The red sauce was kind of sweet and cool, the green sauce had a little warmth to it. It wasn't hot, but there was a little tingle on the tongue for an aftertaste. Warning: the portions are HUGE. I'd eaten a large lunch, but that was at 11:00 am and here it was after 7:00 pm at night so I thought I was pretty hungry. I spooned up some of the rice (basmati?) and large spoonfuls of lamb and vindaloo sauce. I didn't taste the heat in the first bite; by the second I was remarking that somebody finally made something hot enough for me. Yay! Two bites later, I was starting to wonder what I'd gotten myself into. By about bite five the heat level had stopped increasing exponentially and settled down to an even burn. It wasn't too much for me to handle, I could still taste all of the yummy sauce and the tender chunks of lamb, but I definitely don't think I'd want it to get much hotter. Ever. I had plenty of leftovers to take home, and I had lamb vindaloo for breakfast the next morning (though I cheated and made jasmine rice to go with it since I didn't have basmati at home) and again at lunch. It didn't seem nearly as hot the next day, but I can honestly say I won't be so cocky next time I ask for my food hot and spicy. Who knows, I may have actually learned my lesson. No I haven't, I'll be ordering my entrees "Desi hot" every time I come back. And I will come back as this is my new favorite Indian restaurant in Bakersfield. Side note: Several older Sikh Indian gentlemen entered the restaurant and our young waiter gave them some kind of respectful greeting, one by one, putting his hands together and bowing his head. It was a wonderful thing seeing someone give respect to his elders; gives me hope for our society.
(4)
Bev F.

Love this place best Indian food in town and the Manager Mandeep K really does care about his customers .... Great overall service and food was amazing I recommend you all try this place ....
(5)
Nicole K.

great authentic indian food, and super friendly staff. the goat curry is excellent!
(5)
Zachary H.

Cafe India is the absolute best Indian restaurants in Bakersfield (my family and I come at least once every couple weeks) and, as someone who tries Indian restaurants wherever he lives/travels/visits, they are actually one of the best places my family and I have ever been to. The flavors are amazing, but the best part is the quality, preparation, and proportions for their meat dishes. Whether it's the chicken or the lamb, it is always very tender and never dry or over cooked. Plus, the proportions are much better than their primary competition, Zaika, although I could always use more meat in any dish ;-) Even the lunch buffet (which can tend to be stale at other places) still provides quality eats. Finally, on top of the great food, the service is great too. Ajay (my apologies for spelling!) Is our usual server and always treats us well and even has learned our favorite dishes and drinks (daughter always gets a mango lassi and we don't even have to ask at this point!). And, although the place is never as busy as I think it deserves to be, you can expect my family and I back soon!
(5)
Stacey P.

The buffet here is amazing! All you can eat for $8! Cafe India has a great variety curries and vegetable dishes. My favorites were the tikka masala and paneer. We also got garlic naan for no extra charge. You also get to listen to fun Indian music while you dine. Best Indian Food Around!
(4)
Renee C.

Never again. I just left Cafe India and all I can say is ROACHES!!! I was enjoying the food when a roach appeared on the table. As it scurried away another appeared crawling on the rice and into the bowl. I had to jump out of my seat because I could swear they were crawling up my leg. We love Indian food this is sad. I left my wife at the table to pay the bill while I got the health depts phone number!! Ewe! The Kern Co health dept gave this place an A. I am unsure of the grading criteria but pretty sure roaches would be a no go. I am afraid of what I saw but even more afraid of what I did not see. Are they crawling on the plates, walk ins, bowls, knives and folks. I'm glad I drank my water w a straw. I don't think there is any excuse at all that I could be given that would make this ok. My family was in the restaurant business for years and I understand the challenges but we never gave up on customer safety and health. Clean above all. Roaches are dirty and unacceptable. Close your doors fumigate and show some concern for public health. Do not offer me a return visit and let this review go to the very bottom of all the others. A response will do you no good there is NO EXCUSE. I'll make my own chicken tikka at my house without your roaches. ( on a side note the decor is worse than eating on a curb or bus stop. I got past the wooden benches bolted to the floor and table. I did that favor to your place in hopes of enjoying the food...the least you could do is make my dinning experience healthy ). Roaches will be this places down fall. Bakersfield deserves a great Indian restaurant.
(1)
William B.

My time spent abroad in the Middle East, compliments of the US Army, had introduced me to Indian styled cooking. Like with any food, I had my pros and cons, but I couldn't get enough of the bread. On my return home I discovered this place and I felt I had hit a gold mine. Everything I've tried has been delicious which tempts me to try many more new things. I was iffy with the curry at first, but these guys have mastered the recipes. On top of that they have the best naan bread I've ever had. This became an instant favorite which I try my best to share with anyone I can. They used to be located about a mile West of the 99 on Panama Lane. The atmosphere was better but the drive was tedious. I am glad they moved to the Wilson location. A much nicer drive, the food is as good as ever, and the customer service is great. The owner himself comes out to check on the guest and is quite a pleasant person. I suggest the chili chicken plate as an appetizer, chicken or lamb in the tiki masala, coconut, or mango bowls. Get it in mild or medium first, curry can be an acquired taste. DO NOT forget the naan. The garlic naan is my favorite. Let your second visit be the adventurous one for the taste buds. I hope you try it, I know you'll enjoy it! There is another Indian restaurant called "Zaikas" on Ming Ave and Stine Rd. Though the place is much more decorated, the food is more expensive, and not quite as good as India Cafe, but good none the less. The customer service isn't nearly as friendly. India cafe is number one for Indian cuisine in my book. Try both and see for yourself!
(5)
Jedidiah I.

I signed for yelp just for this restaurant! This place is really good. We got a group on to go here and when we went I ordered us several dishes that were my favorites in Bahrain, Dubai, and the U.A.E area. I have to tell you, no matter what people are saying in these reviews, the chefs (as of 6/14/2014) make the same dishes as the places did in the middle east. The flavors are the same and everything tastes very fresh. The lamb briyani tasted like it did in Bahrain (which has their live lamb imported right from AU). I say this as truth, if someone says the flavors are not good or authentic have never been to the middle east. And if they had, they ate at the fast food places over there (they have them there like they do here). I recommend this place to everyone and anyone. The place always seems empty when I go there and I think there should be some rallying support to keep this place open and here in Bakersfield. There really needs to be and can be a good cultural diverseness here. Go there. Its really good AUTHENTIC food. *Corrected some Grammar
(5)
John B.

My Wife and I have been enjoying Cafe India for some time now. I believe Cafe India was born of the ashes of Desi Cafe, which was extraordinary! We love the all the varieties of food there, and the buffet is excellent as well. We recommend Cafe India to anyone looking for good flavorful food with your choice of spice level! Go there!
(5)
Jean Q.

A favorite place to dine! Everything tastes so amazing. Have never been disappointed by the service or food!
(5)
Jodene M.

Wow. Delicious. Took my mom here after the circus for Sunday dinner. The wait staff was amazing. Friendly, helpful, attentive. The food was even better. We started with the samosa's (really good), the pakoras (good, but my least favorite part of the meal) and the garlic naan, which was amazing spread with one of the two sauces/chutneys. After finishing our appetizers, we ordered lamb curry, goat curry, mater paneer and rice. All was wonderful, but I really loved the goat curry. It was so tender. I asked for spicy, as I am a chilehead, and it had some heat to it, but next time I will ask for the Desi spicy. The lamb was great, and I loved the texture of the paneer against the 2 meats. The rice was cooked perfectly, too. We finished with a gulab jaman each. They serve them warm, but I actually prefer them cold, which is how I make\serve them at home. We had plenty of leftovers, which was the plan, and I have had it for lunch for the last 2 days. Can't wait to try the lunch buffet. All in all it was an excellent meal and a wonderful time. They made me feel like family. Thanks Cafe India!!!
(5)
Jenny O.

The BEST-est Indian buffet in Bakersfield, hands down. I used to love Desi Cafe in the SW and I went into Indian food withdrawals after they closed. One of the former owners of Desi Cafe opened this place and brought all their yummy recipes over. Their lunch buffet is a deal at $7.95 and it two full steam tables of Indian staples, even meat dishes. Butter chicken, chicken tikka masala (I'm 90% sure I had this), saag paneer, tandoori chicken, salad, yogurt, pakoras, vegetable rice, and garlic naan. Yep, I ate ALL that and I left very, very happy.
(4)
Sheryce S.

Solid Indian food! Three of us came in for dinner one week night, and were the only people in the first dining room area. More people must come!! I really want this place to stay open. The food was delicious and plentiful! We kept making serving after serving and piled more chicken curry onto the rice until we were stuffed! My leftovers the next night were amazing as well. Although the three of us ordered three different dishes that we all shared and tried, the chicken curries came out all looking identical. We had the butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, and mango chicken. All great and all very flavorful. Rice, garlic naan, and samosas accompanied and hit the spot too. Although a yelper said prices were on the higher side, I found them to be quite normal and comparable to other places in town. The inside of the place was nice and our waiter was young and sweet and understood that I can't handle spicy food, yet I love Indian food. The cook (who I am reading is from the old Desi Cafe) also came out and asked us how our meals turned out. LOVE that! Can't wait to go back and try the lunch buffet soon! If you haven't ever tried Indian food I highly recommend that you venture out and try this place.
(4)
Diane S.

I was craving for Indian food but since I was new to the area, I had no idea where the good stuff is. Yelp to the rescue, and me and the boyfriend found ourselves in this place. It doesn't really look much from the outside. Strip mall corner location with plenty of parking. It was Sunday night, and only three tables were occupied (but then again, yelpers have said that it could either be that quiet or totally be the opposite). The decor wasn't really much either. But it doesn't really matter, I really wanted to try their food. Food came around 15-20 minutes after we ordered. We had the spiced cheese to start with. Didn't expect that it would be like a stir fry with Indian-spiced sauce. The medium has good heat, the cheese subtle (it was close to being tofu-like) and the sauce good. Then we got the goat curry, the chicken tikka masala, and a basket of garlic naan. Food came with rice. All servings were of good size. The goat was tender and had no gamey taste to it at all. We got it in medium, but I thought it could've used more heat. The sauce was rather "just meh" for me, but my boyfriend loved it. And oh, it had bones so that killed it for me too. The chicken was good, with the nice heat I wanted. However, it was a little too buttery for my taste. But whatever, that didn't stop me from finishing it all up and happily dunking in the naan in the sauce when I ran out of rice. I would've wanted to try their desert, but at this point, I was so full already. Oh well, next time, I'll leave room for it. Plenty of choices, good portions, decent prices. And the staff observant but not too chatty (big plus). Definitely going back.
(4)
Robert D.

I loveeeeee coming to this place for their buffet, great food and their service is awesome! UNLIMITED Naan!!!! are you freakin kidding me, who does that!!! It's awesome!!! They recently moved to this place, so the interior still had wayyy more improving to go, but other then that, you won't regret coming here once for the buffet, Don't be alarmed if there is only 2 people around if you get there, this place is known to be unpredictable at times with no one around to super packed
(5)
Sara S.

What a deceptively good place. From looking at the outside of the restaurant I thought I was stepping into a low rated fast food joint. When I walked inside I had to do a double take- why is it so much more welcoming from the inside?? I had a couple of hours to kill before my flight home so of course my first instinct is to stuff my face with unlimited Indian food at a highly rated Indian restaurant in the middle of nowhere. The buffet was mouth watering, and I couldn't stop eating. I just couldn't. Such good spicy food that just never goes away. I stopped once some work colleagues walked in (what are the chances that people from my corporation based in LA, come in at 2 in the afternoon at a random Indian restaurant at a random part of Bakersfield?- turned out they lived there. ) Anyway, at that point I was forced to put the fork down. I didn't want to be seen as the loner fatty at the all you can eat buffet. Obviously this place is awesome- really if you have the locals coming in, and I can't seem to put my fork down, there is a good problem. The buffet is super super cheap- I think it was around $10 with a drink included. Food quality A+, Ambiance B+.
(5)
Lili K.

Hands down some of the best indian food I have ever had. The BF and I stopped here on the road to Sacramento from LA, and had the buffet. So delicious. The inside is nicely decorated and roomy to boot. They offer you a choice of garlic or regular naan at the start of your meal. We chose garlic, and it was a perfect complement to our food. So many options in their buffet, and everything was well made and seasoned. Not too spicy, just amazing. Their desserts were awesome as well. My BF said they had the best gulab jamun he has ever had. Yum yum! My favorite dish was the chicken makhni. The chicken was extremely tender and the sauce was creamy yet fresh tasting. Best ever. They also had a different take on chicken tikka, with less sauce and more veggies. Also wonderful. I would definitely stop here again on the road from Sac to LA!
(5)
Wendy N.

This is one of the places that makes me wish I had a second stomach. Such amazingly tasty food--you can taste the spices and flavors of each dish. The price is also reasonable for the amount of food you get. The customer service is great too! If you wanna try something new I'd recommend this place...and then you'll probably go every month after, like I'm thinking of doing.
(5)
Richard G.

Seems as though my fellow Yelper are correct about this little gem of a restaurant. This place actually used to be a Pizza Hut, so the lay out hasn't actually changed much. I went for the lunch buffet which is only $7.95! The layout has about 2-3 tables worth of food for you to choose from. Unfortunately I actually don't remember the name of the dishes (I posted pictures though). The service was not intrusive, instead just the right about of hovering. The garlic naan was bomb, as was the iced tea. The price is great for the amount of food you get. There are lots of variations on chicken, and some vegetarian options. I recommend the lentils which are cooked perfectly. Overall I recommend as a quick, cheap, and tasty lunch option. Don't be afraid of Indian food it is not crazy spicy!!!
(4)
Travis D.

My girlfriend and I went here for dinner last Friday night around 7 and there was literally only 2 other people in the restaurant which was a bit alarming. We decided to stick it out though and I am glad we did. The food was really good, definitely the best Indian food I have had in Bakersfield. I had the chicken curry with some samosas and naan bread and it was all excellent. The chicken was cooked spicy as requested and the naan bread was great just out of the oven. We also got plenty of food for the price and even ended up with some leftovers. The main drawback again was the environment, by the end of our meal we were the only people in the place which is a bit strange. They definitely need to work on their marketing strategy. The service was good, but its hard not to be when there are no other customers. The next time I go there, I think I will check out the lunch buffet since maybe people are actually there then, Overall, some very good Indian food, but really needs some marketing or PR work on the dinner crowd.
(4)
Tanner C.

Sitting here eating now. We come at less once a week. Amazing food, never get tired of it.
(5)
TJ B.

Great Indian restaurant. I absolutely love Indian food, and this place will not disappoint you if you love Indian food as well. My girlfriend and I went on a Sunday night to try the place for dinner. There weren't too many customers so we had the place to ourselves. The service was great, even though it was slow the servers did not act like it was slow. They paid attention to our every needs. The food rocked my world. We had Matar Paneer, Rogan Josh, and Chana Masala. Everyone of them were well made, and they were some of the best curries I have ever had. The garlic naan was also out of sight. This is my new favorite restaurant in Bakersfield. They turned me into a regular.
(5)
Raj S.

The place was empty for dinner time . Food was really fresh and very testy. They need to work on marketing .
(4)
Aaron P.

Yeah, they deserve five stars, out of the few dozen times I've gone, it just keeps getting better.
(5)
Niyati S.

Awesome paneer tikka.. Ask for spicy.. Yummy crispy dosas :)
(4)
Timothy M.

Great Food!
(5)
F U.

Best Indian Food in Bakersfield, bar none. I fell in love with Indian food when I lived in Singapore, this is what I have been waiting for since I have been back. Buffet is excellent and worth the money. Buffet is 8$
(5)
Angelina H.

YUMMY! Only had buffet, but every time its delicious! How can you beat $7.99 for good food... Only downfall is the A/C needs to be turned up. All the buffet food is on steam pans and it makes the place warm. Other than that... LOVE IT!
(4)
Michelle H.

Excellent! Went for lunch buffet and at $7.95 and I felt like I was stealing. The choices are plentiful, but each dish is prepared to perfection. The spices (which I believe are the essence of Indian cooking) were used just right and each dish had it's own distinct character, unlike other indian restaurants where everything ends up tasting like the dish before. The characters that work here are an odd mix, but absolutely charming and delightful. The decor seems incomplete, but seems to be going in the right direction. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Charlie Z.

This place looks like a hole in the wall! I have eaten naan all over Southern California and they have the best hands down! It was soft, moist completely cooked with just that slight char that let's you know it was done in a tandoori oven! Great service and very authentic Indian flavors! Lunch is "Buffett Style" and is $8. All you can eat and every bite was delicious!
(5)
Adriana R.

I went to Cafe India for the lunch buffet with my boyfriend. I walked in, and my first thought was that it fulfilled the mediocre decorative sense of most places in Bakersfield. I was glad to see that there were several other people taking lunch there as well. We were seated immediately in the last booth in that section, and our drink orders were taken immediately. It had been hot outside, so I ordered a refreshing glass of water, as I don't drink soda or juice. The drinks were brought within a couple minutes, and as soon as I had satiated my thirst, we went to serve ourselves. The smell of the buffet as we got near was mouth watering. Since we hadn't eaten yet, we were ravenous and excited to try all the dishes. I started by serving myself the following things: a helping of rice, a mild and slightly sweet korma like chicken curry, a thick, brown, and heavy goat curry, a serving of saag (spinach dish with yogurt), and some thick black lentils. I love nearly all Indian food, so it's difficult to say I had a favorite on that plate, but being a lunch buffet, I had to go back for a second plate. I next had a samosa (filled with a delicious spiced potato mash), a chili chicken dish that was moderately spicey and had a very rich flavor, and what became my absolutely favorite there - I need to preface this by saying that I love Indian meat dishes, and I've never had a vegetarian dish outplace a meat dish - but the peas and paneer (Indian style fresh cheese) curry was probably one of the most amazing Indian dishes I've had, even outside of Bakersfield. It was just perfectly rich and creamy, and I would have wiped the dish clean with my garlic naan if I wasn't incredibly full at this point. So - 4 stars overall, as I have had generally better Indian, but I would say that it is probably the best of Bakersfield and definitely has a few superstar dishes. It's also incredibly hard to beat price wise for a lunch buffet (around $8 or so.)
(4)
Ryan R.

Desi Cafe is back in a new location and under a new name! I can confirm that this is the same chef and recipes as Desi. I was heartbroken when Desi closed and almost cried when I went to Cafe India saw my good buddy back there in the kitchen. For the uninitiated, this is the BEST INDIAN BUFFET in town. On the weekend they have about a dozen dishes on the buffet, which is more than you usually see at similar places. All you can eat buffet with endless naan and a drink will run you about $10. If you need to serve me with a summons or assassinate me, you will find me here every Saturday afternoon.
(5)
Brandy A.

Okay seriously, I go to this place pretty often and I must say the food quality is amazing every time. I usually go to the lunch buffet which is only $7.95, I find that very cheap for all the food you get. Not to mention they make you fresh naan's garlic or regular! I go at dinner time as well sometimes. It's a lot slower during dinner but from what I know they haven't been in business that long yet. I suggest this place to my friends all the time. The service is also excellent and a very quiet atmosphere. I just saw a coupon they put up on their facebook page and I just had to share it with yelp so I uploaded it for you guys. :)
(5)
Paul E.

The food here is awesome and the service attentive and friendly. The samosas were fresh and flaky, the tofu masala was delectable with a generous serving, the vegetable stuffed naan? was a really satisfying dish. I had tasty left-overs for two meals after. Re the decor, don't expect the uh... Taj Mahal. The fluorescent lighting was ghastly at night, and the retread decor from some other shuttered eatery (corrugated metal walls, wooden bench seats, wood trellis dividers, amateur mural art) is in desperate need of a rethink and a redo, otherwise highly recommended.
(4)
d. jean q.

Loved this restaurant. Great food. This is a favorite place when I'm visiting Bakersfield.
(5)
Michael L.

I am a vegetarian and am always looking for places that make some good vegetarian food. This place has quite a few tasty vegetarian dishes. The owner was very friendly and helped us pick out some items on the menu. Tonight we made some selection from the Northern India menu but they also have a Southern India menu that I want to try next time.
(4)
John B.

Delicious! Friendly staff and fast service. Vegetable Korma was fantastic. Spiced perfect for me. Thank you.
(5)
Tatyana S.

10/25/12 - On another mission of Bakersfield Food Finds... & I with a feverous craving for Indian food... my BFF (Best Foodie Friend), Randy & I set out to eat & critique another Indian restaurant (1 of 3-4 in town)... I'd heard of Cafe India from the massage therapist at La Petite Protege Salon and Spa under the same roof where I (Tatyana's Spa Fusion) reside my skincare business... The owner used to be a partner of the now closed Desi Cafe but is now sole owner of Cafe India... when I arrived I was pleasantly greeted by the owner who seated me and took my drink order after I scoped out the buffet... it looked quite good with many offerings I'd like to try... unfortunately I steer clear of buffets as they don't seem to set well with me unless the food is amazingly fresh... so I generally opt not to take chances.... Randy who like me is one that inspite of our small appetites still like to order with eyes bigger than our stomachs just to enjoy the "experience" of taste testing menu variety... We started with 2 different types of Tandori Breads... the onion naam which I didn't favor but was ok... and the garlic naam which I loved and could have ruined my appetite for... then we opted for the vegetable sampler... outside of the samosas I probably wouldn't order again... it was just ok & there are too many other dishes I'd like to try in the future... for those that fear the strong spices... they offer Mild... which in fact is very mild in spice... too mild for Randy & myself... but Medium worked for me & I think Randy would've preferred the norm... we had the Shrimp Masala (mild) & Butter Chicken (medium) with an order of basmati rice... the pictures in the album give more details about each dish... overall we enjoyed the service, food & would definitely recommend the adventurous palette that perhaps craves a little culture right here in our little town... ENJOY! :) For pics & more info go to facebook.com/TatyanasTasâ€¦
(4)
Mike R.

I went for the first time yesterday and tried the buffet. It was AMAZING! The service was great and the food blew me away. The garlic nan was so delicious and it went good with everything on the buffet line. The rice is cooked to perfection and the curry chicken and the spinach over the rice made a perfect meal. I have never eaten so good for under 8 dollars per person. The buffet was $7.95 per person it's insane how u can eat so well for little. I'll definitely tell my friends and family about this place.
(5)
Christopher R.

On the recommendation of a friend, I had dinner here with the wife. She enjoyed the food, but I felt the Taj Mahal offered better quality, service, and atmosphere. She ordered a vegetarian dish and complained that there was more sauce than vegetables, but she was happy with the flavors. I ordered the shrimp masala spicy and got no heat. The dish was average compared to some of the other locations I have eaten at, but I was happy with the size of the shrimp. I will try it one more time, but with the friend that recommended it in the first place. If the second time is the same, I'll just stick with the Taj Mahal.
(3)
Bob P.

Food was OK but I called to get take out for just myself and got this large portion for two with no plate and utensils at twice the price I expected.
(3)
Jared G.

Solid Indian buffet. Their tandoori chicken and tikka masala were bomb. And I'm a huge fan of the green chile naan. Definitely worth the trip. And they'll have a liquor license soon, which will be even better!
(4)
shriya A.

Amazing food ! And such a friendly service. Totally recommend the Daal Makhani and the Naan is to die for ! Top it with their home-made kulfi and you have had the perfect dinner :)
(5)
Richard R.

Great place! Lunch buffet had a huge selection of great-tasting food for just $8. Better food than what I've had at other places for twice as much. Owners are really nice and pay attention to the customer.
(5)
Brian O.

Great food, had the buffet for dinner which was reasonably priced and a wide variety of dishes to choose from. The garlic nan was delicious and service was excellent will be returning soon!
(4)
Liz R.

Very authentic Indian food ! Price was a little high $50 for 2 dishes , rice and naan get your stomach ready Omg !, much more authentic I say because they really put on the spices!, more so then any other Indian cuisine in Bakersfield! Gave it 3 stars prices a little high and you do not get a whole lot of food for your money .
(3)
John P.

This place has a great lunch buffet. I go to Taj Mahal quite a bit just because it is the only Indian buffet close to my work. We tried this place out yesterday after hearing the ad on the radio, and enjoyed it so much we went back today. They have a great variety of dishes on the buffet, and everything has great flavor. Today they had two kinds of rice, mixed vegetables, saag, mushroom masala, pakoras, samosas, chicken makhani, goat curry, seekh kebob, chili chicken, and a few other things I am forgetting. It isn't in the greatest location and the decor leaves something to be desired, but I think that can improve as the business gets a following. We were told the cook is from Desi Cafe, which makes sense. The makhani tastes like Desi's. The buffet is $7.95 and both times I have left stuffed, actually a little too stuffed. I need to make sure I only go in on days when I feel like I have good self control.
(4)
Mackenzie C.

This place definitely has the best Indian food in town. It's a little pricey, but when compared to the alternative Indian places, it's worth it. If you're looking to get your monies worth, you cant go wrong with the buffet. My only other complaint is their operating hours; they're open twice daily for lunch and for dinner, so don't plan on having a late lunch or early dinner because they'll be closed.
(4)
Big J.

Pretty good buffet overall.Service was not bad but when I arrived so did two dorky broads from the health dept. so the owner was a bit distracted.Everything tasted pretty fresh.
(4)
Ryan S.

So good! Came here on a whim and I am pleased. Our server was really nice as well. One side of the restaurant has florescent office lighting (which harshes the mood a litle bit) but the other side has warmer lighting. Anyway, great food. Free wi-fi too!
(5)
Cheri W.

Ok, the location is not good, the selection of buffet choices is alright ( I'm from LA environs), but the interior design and furnishings is horrendous. A few cans of paint and a trip to a yard sale may help, it would be better than what is in there now. For the price though, not worth it. They do have the best Mahkani in town! So, place an order to go and enjoy! BTW Our lunch buffet was 11.95 w/o drink, so how can I get the $7.95 that others are talking about?
(1)
Laura W.

This was my first time having Indian food and what an introduction! My husband and I hit their lunch buffet and it was delicious! Different curries, chicken, vegan selection. My husband loved the cheese balls with honey. I love all of it. The service was fabulous! I could not rave enough about how great the waiter was. He would ask us if we needed naan or any drinks and would have refills and fresh naan right away. He was not pushy and recognized my husband from their previous location. Kind and courteous service, for sure. We shall be back. You have new loyal customers for life. :)
(5)
Navii D.

I heard about this place through a friend and decided to try it out. When I walked in I was greeted really great and did not have to wait at all. Their menu has so many options and price is reasonable. I enjoyed the food very much and could not get enough of the garlic naans! I also found out they have a lunch buffet and want to try that out next time I stop by, I would definitely recommend this place to everyone who wants the finest indian cuisine in Bakersfield! Can't be beat!
(5)
Adam T.

It's actually 4 1/2 stars. We saw the commercial for this place a couple of weeks ago and was finally able to give it a shot while the kids were in school. Right from the start we were greeted at the front door and the friendly service did not end. We were seated promptly and opted to give the buffet a try since we would be able to sample they had to offer. No regrets here! Fresh basmati rice, butter chicken, tandori chicken, and garlic nann to name a few. The server was refilling my drink before i was even done with the first glass. Very very friendly staff. Now the only reason why i did not give them the five stars was because of the dining room itself. it's an old building and the paint job was just a tad bit on the dull side. Dont get me wrong the place was not dirty at all. It just looked really dull and dingy in a way. You do eat with your eyes in a way. But the food and service out weighed my thoughts of the restaurant looked old. would definitely go back and recommend this place to friends.
(4)
Kate A.

5+ Stars! The food is always hot and flavorful, the Naan is the best of anywhere I've ever been. The brunch is a lot of fun because there is always something new to try. The servers are always friendly and attentive. Take-out is available too which comes in very handy. No complaints, go try it!
(5)
R M.

I'd like to start off and say that the dinner is much better than the buffet. Perhaps because food is hot to order and to the spice level of your liking. My husband and I went in for the buffet today, thinking it was only $7.95 as the webpage indicates that is the lunch buffet price 'daily.' However, when we paid we were taken aback that bill was over $20. Did they charge for the naan? Nope. It was $11.74 per person. When leaving we saw the decor on the front glass door that said that the 'champagne brunch' was on Saturdays and Sundays, $10.95 per person. Where was our champagne? The wait staff seemed attentive and all, but why was this not offered if included? Or is it just some sort of marketing scheme? Nonetheless, stick to the dinner in which the biriyani is pretty amazing. So is the chicken tikka masala, which was not offered at the lunch buffet. Not to be too whiney, but also they need to put a little bit more spice to their dishes even if it is for buffet. Indian food is lackluster without a slight heat. It just ends up being buttery, salty and tasteless. I think if people in Bako are willing to try Indian they can handle their spicey cuisine. Feeling a little peeved that we did not get offered the 'champagne.'
(3)
H. d.

Very Very good! I went there with friends for lunch and we loved it. the service was wonderful, The food was very good. It's very nice and clean. Only suggestion is, it needs more of an indian touch, maybe more Indian art. It needs little bit more of a restaurant feel. But I would go back again and again.
(4)
Gabi P.

yummy!!!! this is the OLD Desi Cafe!!!! go to it!! great spot for Indian food.
(5)

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Address : 3017 Wilson Rd
Bakersfield, CA, 93304
Phone (661) 833-1313
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 3:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
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 : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Café India

3017 Wilson Rd, Bakersfield, CA, 93304

Café India Menu

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