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India Village - CLOSED
Category: Restaurants Indian Indian [Edit]
555 Francisco Blvd ESte 22
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 456-2411
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
52 reviews for India Village
Review Highlights
"Another good Indian lunch buffet or dinner spot."
(in 19 reviews)
"...to try Friday's buffet when they have Chicken Tikka Masala."
(in 9 reviews)
"One of my favorite Indian spots in Marin."
(in 15 reviews)
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52 reviews in English
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Review from Courtney H.
Berkeley, CA
Updated - 7/28/2011
WHY IS IT CLOSED???? :-(
Time to go cry in a corner now...Listed in: My Neighborhood, Top Restaurants
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/10/2008
I have yet to find Indian food that matches this place. Well, I'm sure there are places in the East… Read more »
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Review from Michael H.
San Anselmo, CA
Man, I am a huge fan of Naan & Curry in the city, but Indian Village is giving them a run for their money. This place is tucked away off of Fancisco Blvd in an incospicuous strip mall, but its worth seeking out.
The buffet changes daily and today (Tuesday) was great. My favorite was the Saag Aloo, very tasty. The buffet had about a dozen choices and I tried them all and I have to say everything was very good to great!
Some of the highlights:
Saag aloo (Spinach with potatoes) - excellent! Very creamy with a gentle hint of coriander
Chicken masala - excellent! Aromatic with hints of Cinnamon and cloves
Naan - Awesome! Slightly crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside
Vegitable Pakoras - Very crispy with no trace of oil!
I can't wait to try Friday's buffet when they have Chicken Tikka Masala
Bonus: the interior is beautifully decorated and clean. -
Review from Brandi G.
Alameda, CA
11/17/2010
They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, only India Village can raise a delicious chicken vindaloo from fridge to pan to my anxious belly with sweet success. I'm sweating just thinking of the spicy goodness this spot conjures up. From chicken doo pyaza to their Rogan Josh, this place has your curry cravings covered. They also happen to have the best tamarind sauce in the North Bay. So good I could drink it from the bowl, but don't worry I don't. Well, not when people are watching that is!
As you enter this beautifully decorated Indian palace, you can't help but notice the elaborately ornate walls and booths. You think a belly dancer is going to come sashaying out from behind the shadows.
The servers are smiling and attentive. I've never had to ask for a refill or for more pappadum, those thin-like wafers. They must be mind-readers, or quite simply, just excellent at their job.
For the overall atmosphere, quality of food, service, and price, I believe India Village is the number one choice for Indian cuisine in Marin.Listed in: Curry Me Home
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Review from Derrick V.
San Francisco, CA
5/21/2010
$8.95 lunch buffet.
A smaller room with slightly less selection than Bombay Garden, but what they do have is good, well seasoned, and tasty.
I liked the saag paneer, tandoori chicken, and spicy cauliflower the most.
Free Chai! -
Review from Jen K.
Greenbrae, CA
12/26/2010
I just spent over $80 at India Village on dinner for 2 adults and 2 children and I was SORELY disappointed. I definitely would not return.
The food was mediocre at best, the portions small and the service was pretty dismal.
We had lamb briyani, chicken tikka masala, saag paneer, naan, basmati rice, lamb kebabs and tandoori chicken. The offered some complimentary poppadom with a sweet sauce and a mint sauce to start, which was very nice.
All of the food was served lukewarm to cool and I generally prefer my food to be served piping hot. The briyani was super mushy and flavorless and the only ingredients besides lamb and rice that I could make out were cashews and green bell peppers. However, the lamb was very tender. The chicken tikka masala was disappointing because they use chunks of chicken breast that they seem to just throw into the sauce vs. using a tandoori chicken, like I am used to. The sauce was also not spicy at all and lacked the chicken tikka masala flavor that I am accustomed to. The chicken was a bit overcooked and chewy. The tandoori chicken was the spiciest thing on the table. The saag paneer had very few pieces of paneer, it wasn't spicy AT ALL and I prefer my saag chunkier in texture and this was very smooth and pureed.
We ordered 1 order of naan to start and halfway through, we realized we needed another order so we placed the order. Unfortunately, the 2nd order did not arrive until we were finished eating.... the restaurant only had 1 other table occupied at the time so it's not like the chef was ridiculously busy. It took forever to get our check and forever again for our credit card to be returned for signing.... again, the restaurant was NOT BUSY at all.
Anyhow, I'm a huge fan of many Indian restaurants in San Francisco and still in search of one in Marin! -
Review from Leon R.
San Francisco, CA
5/17/2007
Update (10/15/2007): The lunch buffet went up $1 to $7.95, but this is still a very good deal. I tried Malai Kofta for the first time (cheese, potatoes, nuts, raisins and blended with spices) and highly recommend it. The ingredients are shaped into several round balls and come with a sauce very similar to that for a tikka masala. Today, they were the most busy I've ever seen for lunch. If you find yourself waiting for the bill, you can take care of it at the front register.
***
I'm officially on the India Village bandwagon. I usually don't get excited over buffets, but for $6.95, the quality and quantity can't be beat. Knocks the socks off places like Pakwan and Chutney in SF. The chicken tikka masala is amazing, and I was a tinge disappointed when it wasn't offered last time I visited for lunch. Still, the buffet has great choices including chicken tandoori, chicken saag, numerous vegetable dishes, rice, yogurt, sauces, and desserts. Plus hot naan brought to the table. The only thing not to my liking was the chai, and that is easily forgiven.
I tried dinner once (take-out), which was also very good, though not the phenomenal bargain lunch is. Really waffling between 4 and 5 stars.
Cheers to yelpers for uncovering this out of the way gem.
4.5 STARS -
Review from Robin G.
Sausalito, CA
1/22/2007
I just got back from having their lunch buffet. Very good and tasty. I've eaten there many times for dinner over the years, but never took advantage of their buffet for lunch.
They had a nice selection of entrees. All of which were very tasty and fresh. As well as they bring a nice basket of fresh hot Nan. For $6.95 per person I don't think you can beat the quality or quantity. I wish I could remember the names of the items I had... but alas I am old and I forget easy... All I know for certain is my tummy is happy and content. -
Review from James B.
San Francisco, CA
8/8/2010
8.95 lunch buffet. The price keeps going up but india village is still the best deal for indian food in Marin.
The place has a very family run vibe and much better service than their competition on fourth street.
What really keeps me coming back is their fantastic Naan.
Free chai is pretty nice also.
The place is a little hard to find, deep in a strip mall on the 101 frontage road but its well worth finding -
Review from Jacob W.
San Anselmo, CA
4/2/2007
Really great atmosphere, friendly service, and excellent Indian food. The restaraunt itself is beatifully set up, with very cozy booths.
I've never had the opportunity to try the lunch buffet, but have been coming here for dinner for as long as I can remember. Great tikka-masala, saag and naans.
It's one of the restaraunts I really miss, not living in Marin anymore, but I usually get to hit it up at least once a year for a family birthday or something. -
Review from Jason R.
San Francisco, CA
10/12/2007
Contrary to most Indian joints that just do a lunch buffet, India Village offers a good dinner deal that includes and appetizer, entree and a beer. I think it was about 15 bucks. That's pretty hard to beat.
And it's a really nice change of pace to go into an Indian restaurant and be served by an Indian woman. I like them so much. -
Review from Surf R.
San Francisco, CA
12/27/2006
Probably on of the least appealing locations you could imagine, but once you're inside you get swept away in the great interior and reasonably priced food. I had a good meal here and was charmed by the place, as well as the friendly wait staff.
If there's traffic on 101, then do yourself a favor - pull over and grab dinner. -
Review from Siamak S.
Santa Monica, CA
9/20/2007
This place is great! I never would have thought it would be soooo good based on the location. The family that owns the place is very sweet. The food and service are fantastic. The booths are super cool. The decor really provides a traditional Indian feel. One of my favorite Indian spots in Marin. A great place for groups.
Check this place out fo sho!! -
Review from Armen A.
Sunnyvale, CA
1/20/2008
Had dinner here on a saturday night with my fiance, parents, and grandmother. It was fine but I wouldn't go back. Maybe living in Sunnyvale spoiled me to Indian restaurants.
Vegetable Samosas: average
Regular Naan: better than average
Aloo Gobi: average
Chicken Tikka Masala: below average
Rogan Josh: good but hardly any meat
Chicken Harabara: very green, taste average
Tandoori Fish: trout, my gmom loved it
(Note these are compared to regular sit-down restaurants - average doesn't mean bad, it means average)
Overall:
Food met expectations for a sit-down indian restaruant
Smallish portions for price
Long wait time (5 people, ~45 minutes to get food) -
Review from Mike R.
Petaluma, CA
3/9/2007
My girlfriend and I recently ate here for dinner. The atmosphere is good and the booths add a nice touch. However, most importantly, we were a little underwhelmed by the food. After hearing so much about India Village on this site and elsewhere we had high expectations. Yet, in comparison to the other two Indian restaurants in San Rafael, India Village in our minds, is a distant 3rd. We ordered the Chicken Korma which is our favorite dish. It was okay because the chicken pieces were small and the sauce was extremely runny. One booth over from us mentioned the same thing. I don't know what they ordered but they mentioned that their sauces were too runny as well. The garlic naan was off that night as well and unfortunately was bland with little garlic.
Maybe it was an off night, or our tongues are just happier elsewhere, but India Village did disappoint slightly. -
Review from Sara H.
Bolinas, CA
2/1/2010
Very good saag panner and tandoori chicken.
I was disappointed in the appetizer platter as the fried samosas were a bit dry.
The lady who took my order was pleasant and the place is beautifully decorated.
I would suggest this place to someone looking for a good Indian restaurant with affordable prices. If I worked closer, I would be inclined to check out the lunch buffet. -
Review from Doug W.
San Rafael, CA
4/16/2011
Went there Saturday night, 4/16/2011. But the restaurant has closed, permanently, unfortunately. It was - was - great.
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Review from Melissa G.
Sunset Beach, CA
8/24/2008
I ate at the lunch buffet last week on a Friday and was happy to finally come here after hearing so much about it. And the verdict is: four solid stars for a good value.
Good service (fresh naan, water at the table immediately after sitting down -- manager checked in to see if everything was okay)
Tasty food that was warm, fresh and not super-greasy. I especially enjoyed the tandoori chicken and veggie dishes. The only thing that looked kinda sad on the buffet table was a bowl of salad that was iceberg with some sad tomatoes and cucumbers tossed on top - no one was going for it, so it just sat there.
I was too full for the fresh fruit at the end, but it looked good. I had chai instead -- flavorful, creamy -- not as strongly flavored as the India Travelodge place in Mill Valley. -
Review from Brian S.
Marin, CA
7/5/2009
India Village is tucked away in a strip mall that time forgot. The lunch buffet is good and still cheap, but the restaurant itself could use a remodel.
There are often a few booths on one side where it looks like the owner is doing the bills, and each dish in the lunch buffet has the description written on old paper napkins (years old, literally) that are hanging on the wall. Not the most impressive.
However, if you're looking for a quick and cheap Indian lunch, it's fine-ish. -
Review from Lin S.
Sausalito, CA
9/25/2009
I'm not a fan. I go here for lunch sometimes with a co-worker who really likes the place. The food is okay, but sometimes you'll be done with the meal before you get your drink or naan (I'm one of those who must have naan with their curry). Most of the time the samosas and other assorted fried items are soggy which annoys me.
It is cheap, but I'd rather go to Bombay Garden. -
Review from Scott T.
Sonoma, CA
10/8/2010
My wife, and friends love this place. We live in Sonoma and sometimes drive to San Rafael just to eat here. Good food and this family run business has a lot of charm and nice owners. I've never felt sick after eating here and I have a very sensative stomach. Highly recommended.
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Review from Richard F.
Richmond, CA
2/17/2011
FINE IF YOU DON"T MIND STYROFOAM (for their Lunch Buffet)
The restaurant is aesthetically pleasing but they offer their sauces, desserts, and soups in styrofoam cups for which destroys the otherwise decent vibe of the place and is not a healthy way to serve food. I figure if they compromise with styrofoam, what else are they compromising which isn't as obvious? To avoid using the styrofoam, when I served myself soup in a porcelain mug, the waiter brusquely told me that the mugs are to be used for tea only. That kinda blew it for me right there, despite the good ambience and food.
They don't label their sauces or their desserts, a drawback for those new to Indian cuisine and/or their restaurant. -
Review from Cristy R.
Mill Valley, CA
12/31/2008
The BEST Indian food in Marin! Very nice people work there, courteous and friendly---very family oriented and concerned about you liking your dish. Every time I've gone there the food was delicious, well-cooked and the wait staff have been attentive.
The food is amazing but the ambiance is also wonderful. Inside is beautifully decorated (which makes up for the outside look of the center). Everyone I've introduced to this restaurant have loved it--much better than Lotus, Bombay or Gaylords. Not too expensive either! Great place, I almost don't want to tell people about it cause it is like a secret yummy place. :)!! -
Review from J M.
San Francisco, CA
1/21/2011
Hands down, the best Indian restaurant in all of Marin! I drive over from San Francisco to go here for dinner.
My parents were your typical American food lovin' people. When I became a vegetarian, I turned them on to this place and they love it!
I highly recommend trying this place. My favorites...Dal Makni, Aloo Mataar, and the Naan! -
Review from Rachel L.
San Francisco, CA
12/13/2005
Family owned and operated, this place just hit one of my top 10 in Marin... Everything we had was delicious, the service is nice, you have the mother/daughter working the floor, and i was there with my mom, it was cute. The tandoori chicken and prawns were the best I have had in a while, the chicken tika-masala was yummy, and the salad dressing/ritia, was hands down the best i have ever had.... I cant wait to hit this spot again.
Listed in: Good Grub Across The Golden…
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Review from christine e.
Oceanside, CA
4/19/2006
It never ceases to amazed me the great restaurants one can find in out of the way places. I am always looking for fast lunch ideas, and India Village has a great lunch buffet. It is a cozy place to eat, and i don't feel intimidated eating alone. They are friendly and service is great. There is a large selection of items to choose from ( 12 courses ) and they are all great. The tandoori chicken is tender, the naan light and delicious and the pappadums crisp. The last time I ate there they had a great navattan korma ( mixed vegetables with farmers cheese and nuts ) yellow split pea dal, chicken chilli and bengan bartha ( eggplant )They even have dessert items! YUMMMM! Lunch buffet for $6.95, can't beat it!
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Review from Dana G.
7/2/2009
Another good Indian lunch buffet or dinner spot. The staff is caring and prompt, and the decor is beautiful. One you're inside, you completely forget you're in such a weird part of town right off the freeway, and all you can think about is your yummy food, good dining companions (or bad companions? I hope not!), and pleasant atmosphere.
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Review from Jenny Y.
CA
4/21/2007
five stars strictly for being such a great deal! 7 bucks for all you can eat lunch!
taking yelp reviewers' cues, i made sure i caught this lunch buffet during my biz trip to the bay (and to marin). DEFinitly as advertised. the chicken tikka and the chicken masala were the two main proteins that were delish. not necessarily refined but plenty tasty to go with the hot, buttered naan. YUM. things were not too greasy (sometimes my tummy lurches and yells at me when i eat greasy, cheap indian food) so I was rather pleased.
service was responsive and friendly...definitely a family vibe.
i heart india village. i wished we had one at that price point next to my office in L.A. -
Review from Veda F.
Fairfax, CA
4/17/2008
The India Village was my first encounter with Indian food. I have since expanded my horizons to other indian restaurant in the area and find that this one has consistent food. The flavor are unmuddied and the not overwhelming. The lunch special is a favorite for locals and the dinner have generous portions. The combination plates are generous and include a glass of beer. For two people it's often over $50. In the winter the restaurant is freezing but the staff is warm and attentive. Sometimes the service can be slow. The intimate booths are cozy on cold nights but I like going there dispite the temperature the room.
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Review from J P.
San Rafael, CA
9/3/2008
What is with these San Rafael business locations? The outside facade of this place looks like it is better suited for a 1970's wallpaper discount mart rather than a delicious purveyor of fine Indian fair. Flanked by a Curves and yet another Taqueria, Indian Village has finally given me hope that there is reasonably priced and delicious Indian food this side of the Golden Gate.
Once inside the restaurant it is one of the coolest restaurants I've been in. It looks like someone went buck-wild with their wood shop skills and built a gazebo meant to be outdoors. . . but it's indoors. The place appears to be mostly private booths and there is never a wait.
The food is ALWAYS hot and tasty. Most recently the misses and I ordered a dinner special for 2. For $40 you get to roll out of the joint with 5 appetizers, 1 large sizzling hot plate of tandoor chicken and sausage, and 4 curry or masala entrees including rice, naan and desert in your belly. A real deal. The serving sizes are 1/2 size which is great because you get more variety.
The people running it are as friendly as they get.
'sheck it out!Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Richard C.
San Francisco, CA
8/10/2006
Went and tried the lunch buffet... excellent deal at $6.95. This place is really tough to find, in a the very back of a very old and small shopping center on a back road parallel to the freeway. The buffet is comparable in size to the one at Lotus, but not nearly as large as the one at Bombay. The food is pretty good; it is more of the spicy variety than the buttery variety. The naan is the best out of the three Indian buffets I've tried in the area. I probably still prefer Bombay over this place, but that's just my preference with their style of Indian food. I will probably come here again for a change of pace.
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Review from East Coast Transplant ..
Novato, CA
6/18/2006
One of my favorite restaurants in Marin, it has a great atmosphere, is run by a really nice family and the food is great. I could eat their Chicken Tikka Masala every night, just the thought of dipping the warm garlic nan into the extra sauce is making me hungry!
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Review from Rose H.
San Rafael, CA
5/26/2007
You people really need to get out more if this is the best Indian food you've had. I've got two words... Bombay Cafe (West Los Angeles). Eat there and you will be reformed.
I can see that a bargain might be something to get excited about but I really don't think this Indian food is anything special at all. Granted, we dined there during dinner so we didn't take advantage of the buffet. The dinner portions are small and our service was SLOOOOOW. So painfully slow... I might have been willing to forget the slow service if the food was stellar; quite the contrary... very average. I really wanted to love this place after reading the reviews and it's much closer than West Los Angeles, but no such luck. My search for decent Indian in the Bay Area continues. Until then I'll dream of the perfect Indian meal at Bombay Cafe. -
Review from Ginger W.
Larkspur, CA
3/8/2008
This is one of my favorite restaurants for take out in Marin. It is a little hidden gem that it seems most people don't know about. I am not in to buffets and have never had lunch here, but the dinner menu is awesome. Everything I have tasted is great. The nan is fresh, tandoori chicken is juicy, korma is great. The food is mild enough, my young kids even love it. The family is very, very sweet. When we have come in with the kids, they have been very accommodating. My only complaint is the location- it is not very convenient, but worth the trip.
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Review from Teresa C.
Corte Madera, CA
3/20/2006
This is hands down my favorite Indian restaurant in the Bay Area. The vibe is great, the booths are cozy, and the food is fantastic. This place is family run, so the service is excellent. Last time I took my fiance there for his birthday and we had prawns tikka, veggie samosas, flying horse (a great beer), and raita among other things. The price is reasonable, and the leftovers are still super great the next day!
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Review from Sasha R.
10/21/2009
We get takeout from here occasionally. It's decent food, as in we've never gotten sick from it, but it's not like I get all drooly when I think about the food, either. Unless really dark restaurants and plastic covered tables is your thing, I would rec takeout only. Prices and portions are better than most, but that being said, we usually only go here when Lotus up the street isn't open.
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Review from Oscar C.
San Francisco, CA
4/21/2011
I believe it's now closed. What a wonderful lunch buffet they had--one of the best I've ever found. Perhaps they'll re-open before long....
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Review from Tom S.
Placer County, CA
7/9/2006
A successful Mom & pop that has been here for many years. Despite being located in a hidden, ugly strip shopping center between the industrial fishing boat harbor and auto dealerships. Does a brisk evening business. Inside decor explains the "village". Intricately carved teak wood "buildings" make up the dining booths. The interior looks like an old Indian mountain village. Menu items are all the dishes you expect: Tandoori, curries, etc.... Food here has a distinct smoky flavor, it's agreeable. Dishes have a little different flavor than the other Indian places that I frequent. Servers are always happy & energetic. A few of my gourmet friends say that this is their favorite Indian restaurant in Marin. I prefer Bombay Garden on 4th st. downtown San Rafael. But if you drag me here to the village and pay for dinner I won't complain.
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Review from Ari C.
Corte Madera, CA
7/13/2007
This place is where I had my first date with my current guy, so it holds a special place in my heart...I know, he is a BIG spender :-). I happen to think this place has great food, and if you don't have the time to jot down to West L.A., I think its just a dandy alternative. Good food, good prices, cute ambiance with the lanterns and fake flowers. I took my sister (who lived in India for 6 months) here for dinner a few weeks ago, and she remarked that the decor was really authentic, although Indian's in India don't generally eat as much meat (i.e. chicken tikka masala)
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Review from Lynne A.
San Rafael, CA
5/30/2010
This has been our favorite India Restaurant for 15 years. The food is so very flavorful and we like to come for dinner once a week. We love the Chicken Korma/Sag Paneer and, made especially for us, the garlic chapatti. Many other favorites to numerous to mention! Also, the chai is sweet, rich and spicy!
The atmosphere is uplifting and we love the colorful Indian decor. But, the best thing about India Village is that it is a place "where everyone knows your name". We are welcomed as family every time we eat with the Mehta family and love to hear what the "kids" are up to!
1 Master Chef-1 Location-1 Family. Celebrating their 21st Anniversary so you know it must be delish! Happy Anniversary, dear friends. Love, Lynne and Sylvia -
Review from bill s.
San Rafael, CA
7/1/2008
I've been stuffing my face at India Village for the past 15 or more years (unless they've changed hands since then). I've always been very happy with the quality of the food, the freshness of ingredients and ambience. The service is well above par, very friendly and they remember you. The inexpensive lunch buffet is excellent by any standards. I've hit a lot of Indian joints across the bay area and this one is my favorite for reliably good food at decent (for Marin, anyway) prices. The Chicken Tikka Masala and Chicken Koorma are the best I've had in a long time.
