Cafe of India, nestled in Washington, DC, offers a delightful escape into authentic Indian cuisine. Known for its hospitable atmosphere, diners are greeted with warm smiles and attentive service, reminiscent of traditional Indian hospitality. The restaurant has garnered rave reviews for its extensive vegan options, including the flavorful Aloo Gobi and Baigan Bharta, which showcase the spices that define Indian cooking. Patrons have praised the Chicken Makhani and Chicken Tikka Masala for their rich, creamy textures and vibrant flavors, expertly balancing spice levels upon request. The Chicken Vindaloo stands out for those who enjoy a spicier kick, showcased in many reviews as a must-try. The ambiance enhances the dining experience, with comfortable seating and elegant decor that invites guests to linger over their meals. Furthermore, the rapid service during lunch specials has also impressed diners, ensuring that even a quick bite is of top-notch quality. Many loving patrons, like Elaine Guevara, express their yearning for Cafe of India after leaving DC, emphasizing its outstanding food and fair prices. Crystal Salgado encapsulates the overall sentiment perfectly, labeling Cafe of India as “amazing” and worth every visit. For anyone seeking a genuine taste of India in a cozy setting, this restaurant certainly delivers.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Service options
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves healthy options
Serves spirits
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Good for groups
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Paid street parking
Plenty of parking
Photos
Reviews For Cafe of India
Crystal Salgado
Jun 3,2025
This place is amazing! The staff was extremely friendly, kind and you get a really good portion for the price. Definitely worth a visit!
Elaine Guevara
May 31,2025
Update 2022: we left DC three years ago and never stopped missing Cafe of India. On a trip back, it was our first meal. I’m surprised this place doesn’t have even closer to five stars. Delicious! Since discovering this place two months ago, I've been back almost every week. Really good veggie and vegan options, as well as outstanding na'an. Nice setting, good service, fair prices. Still haven't tried the buffet, but looking forward to it!
Danielle Watson
May 10,2025
The food was amazing. I had the butter chicken but I asked for it to be made spicy and it was so good. Spicy but flavorful. The bartender also made my drink just how I wanted it. I definitely will be back soon. It’s very hard to find authentic food, so when I do I hold on to it.
Anna Dusault
Apr 24,2025
If you love Indian food, you HAVE TO come here!!!Cafe of India is beautiful and delicious. When you walk in, you’re immediately greeted with a smile. The atmosphere is so relaxing and I immediately felt so comfortable. Bonus points because the seats in the booth are super comfortable. It is absolutely stunning in here. Everything from the curtains to the gorgeous wall mural is just so elegant. The service is amazing. I’m not kidding when I say my water glass never got even close to empty. We were frequently checked in on and the wait for the food wasn’t long at all. The food is perfection. I will never go anywhere else for my Indian food cravings. To start, we had the Paneer Tikka and the Tava Eggplant which were both so good. I was so excited to eat it that I totally forgot to take pictures. For the entrees, I had the Palak Gosht and my partner had the Lamb Curry. The Palak Gosht was amazing and my partner said he loved the Lamb Curry. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone and everyone who loves Indian food or is looking to try!!
Richard Taylor
Apr 6,2025
Ordered the lunch special on Saturday and the food came out in 10 minutes. Raj, our server, was a wonderful and thoughtful host. The food was delicious and my favorite dish (out of the three we chose) was the Paneer curry. The sauce was delicious and the paneer was clearly well made. Overall a great experience!
Deborah Maestre
Mar 29,2025
Today we tried this Indian restaurant. The food was delicious, and the service was very good. I recommend the lamb korma and daal ghost. There are several vegetarian options too, and parking is easy to find nearby.
DJ MukT
Mar 19,2025
First time visiting cafe of India, little small cozy restaurant in DC, Telneytown. Food was amazing punjabi style had Kadai Paneer ,Lamb Biryani,Butter Naan.Kadai paneer tasty and soft paneer melts in your mouth. Lamb Biryani was tasty no smell in lamb and tender, usually some restaurants the lamb is smelly. Interiors say its own by Punjabi Guy. Must try this place. Service I wish could give 6 stars as our server suggested our meals. I am professional in Hotel Industry only reveiw those places which actually deserve on my view.
Melissa Cavrell
Mar 4,2025
This is one of my favorite restaurants in DC. I’ve been coming here regularly for almost 2 years now and have never had a bad meal. Their lunch special is honestly one of the best deals in all of DC and after trying many Indian restaurants around the DMV this one is definitely my favorite. The customer service is wonderful, they are so friendly and I always have a great experience. I’m surprised they aren’t packed everyday for lunch. Overall, this is just a great find and I highly recommend it!
Reviews For Cafe of India