Chef VR is an amazing person and an amazing cook. I am a student at Marshall Academy of the Arts and I walked 40 minutes just to get to Appu's. Upon stepping foot beyond the door, Chef VR greeted me with a smile and said "I see you're carrying a violin!" In response, I said yes and he offered that I play him and his customers a song for a free flatbread--in which I took the offer. I performed Shenandoah arranged by Eric Morales, and everybody applauded me. With his promise in mind, he gave me flatbread, free of charge, along with a 10% discount for being a student. My food, it was all made fresh and the flatbread was made from scratch. I love the flavors of Indian cuisine and the damn good Gulab Jamun. Chef VR is a really nice and kind person you'll meet, he is very greeting and he will give people fist bumps for free. Definitely give this place a try! read more

Appu's Turmeric Cafe - Paneer Tikka Masala along with Turmeric Rice and Indian Flat Bread (Vegan). - Vegetarian Near Me - Long Beach, California

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I was stoked to try this place because of its stellar reviews. There were 4 of us in my group. The place itself was beautiful and was well maintained. It was spotlessly clean. The owner seemed really friendly and enthusiastic about the menu. We could see that he had poured his heart and soul into this place. We got two maharaja burrito and 1 maharani vegan burrito and samosas. The vegan mango lassi was tempting but it was made from coconut milk and I prefer not to eat that much saturated fat. Food looked great and smelled good. The ingredients tasted fresh. I think it lacked a little bit flavor (possible littles less salt). Spices were fine for me since we got the spicy cali with avocados. For my husband he didn't enjoy it much because he prefers a bit more spicy and also thought it lacked flavor. On the other hand, samosas had the perfect flavor. It was delicious. Parking was easy to find. read more

Appu's Turmeric Cafe - The Maharaja - Vegetarian Near Me - Long Beach, California

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I was so excited when an Appu's Cafe was built near my place! That excitement soon came to an end when, at this location, I was not treated with the same care or enthusiasm as other guest. Both workers, one who seemed to be a supervisor, were quick, abrupt, and annoyed with my order. Not surprisingly, the food I normally order from the other Appu's (located in Lakewood) was not good at this location. I do not recommend this location if you have been to the other one. Parking can be a little difficult based on the time of day, but overall there is compact parking in the lot. read more

Appu's Turmeric Cafe - Vegetarian Near Me - Long Beach, California

This restaurant known for using "FRESH" grated Turmeric root in their recipes! Definitely coming back again read more

Nicest owner ever! It's just a joy to walk in to the fabulous smells! The owner is so nice and makes everyone feel really welcome. Today I had the yellow lentil soup with a scoop of tumeric rice. Delicious. read more

All the reviews are on point. The maharaja burrito is so good! I took it home and added fresh grilled chicken I just cooked on my bbq and it hit the spot! read more

What an absolute gem in Long Beach! I stopped by Appu's Turmeric Cafe and can't stop thinking about the incredible fusion flavors. I ordered the Healthy Mex Burrito and the Iced Vegan Lemongrass Chai, and honestly... wow. The burrito was flavorful, the mix of turmeric rice, slow-cooked black beans, grilled veggies, and their "chef's secret sauce" created a delicious harmony of Indian and Mexican influences. It was hearty, vibrant, and completely satisfying. I'd 1000% come back for this alone, and I'm already planning my return trip to try everything else on the menu. But what really stole my heart was the Iced Vegan Lemongrass Chai. It's a unique and refreshing blend, citrusy, minty, and subtly spiced with classic chai notes. Truly unlike anything I've had before. It's one of those drinks that just lingers in your mind, in the best way. My only gripe is the price, $6.95 for a 16 oz feels steep. I'd happily drink it daily if it weren't so pricey, but for a treat, it's excellent. Bonus points for the cute little indoor seating area, which makes it a cozy and inviting space whether you're dining in or picking up. Highly recommend! read more

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The food was good this time around (last time the mushrooms in my soup were boiled to a crisp and you can tell in the photo) but the energy of the owner is so off putting. & this time ordered the avocado ($2.50) in my burrito but it was forgotten and the cook/cashier said it was there and framed bringing some on the side as a courtesy that had me questioning my whole reality like wait did I forgot what avocado is ? is this shred of lettuce actually avocado? Lols so sad this place has been a dud for me because the first time I tried the original location at the medical center it was amazeballs and the service was magical but this location has disappointed me twice. read more

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They're good reviews are deceiving because there are a lot of mistakes within during time we're dining in. Things that I have noticed is they use a microwave to warm up a burrito. When I was eating the burrito there are some cold parts and hot areas. Rice are not fully cooked. Mango lassi almost meets the criteria but It was more of a bootleg version of mango lassi. Workers are nice but dared ones that takes orders and fold your burrito and use the microwave. Price we pay for a burrito and bread sliders we're around 30. read more

Appu's Turmeric Cafe - Sign - Vegetarian Near Me - Long Beach, California

This is the first time I've been to Appu's new location on Palo Verde. The strip mall has ample parking albeit it probably varies. The strip mall is right by the 405 freeway entrances so be on the alert for how to enter! Six of us went for an early lunch; 4 had never been before. We were cordially seated and two tables were quickly combined for us to sit together. The place is spotless! Wile I originally inquired if Saag Paneer could be made as it was not on the menu, I was told yes but then opted to share dishes with one person. We checked out the Saag Aloo and Paneer Tikka Masala, the latter dish I was not so familiar with but then became my preferred dish. Both were flavorful but the Tikka Masala had the extra charge. The accompanying rice made for a filling me. We had to pay extra for the bread but it is probably the one thing you might not need with the rice. Also, the bread is a flat bread and does not absorb the sauces as well as I would have liked. We were treated to some mango lassi and it was light and refreshing. As one might know, southeast Asian drinks can be so caloric as usually they are made with condensed milk but not Appu's. A full serving size is well under 200 calories. If you've never been to Appu's and you want to eat healthy, this is the place but it's not boring vegan or vegetarian but a thoughtful fusion of spices and aromatics. Appu's original location is now holding cooking classes! Call for dates and times. Check it out! read more

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My wife and I ate at this wonderful place this past weekend. We had the Crunchy Vegan Samosa chaat and the sample platter, and a mango lasse to drink. Everything was delicious! It tasted like it came from a home kitchen - fresh and very tasty. The owner, VR, was very hospitable and was very patient explaining all the different dishes. Delicious, fresh, vegan food! read more

Appu's is serving up delicious food that you can feel good about eating. Chef VR was formerly in the medical field if I'm not mistaken, and focuses on holistic cooking that's heart healthy. I had previously been to the original location in the medical building and was finally able to try the standalone location. I love how he fuses Indian food with Mexican favorites like quesadillas. Some of my favorite items are the Paneer Tikka Masala, Maharaja Burrito, Paneer Tikka Tacos and you can't miss the Indian Flat Bread, their twist on traditional naan bread. read more

Appu's Turmeric Cafe - The Maharaja Burrito - Vegetarian Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Haven't been since this was at the Woodruff Medical building, but it's even better at the Palo Verde location. The owner is as sweetly ebullient as ever, and the menu options now allow you to try several things on the first visit so you can figure out your game plan for the next one. It's vegetarian, lots of vegan options, no processed sugar, no saturated fats. Soooo tasty! I know this is strange, given that so many of the youngers are veg/vegan, but we had to talk our young adult daughter into going. (What? Moms! NO CHICKEN?) She absolutely loved it! Def going back asap read more

The new location is a little further from me but WORTH the drive for the amazing food and customer service! The food is delish, made with love and friendship. read more

Appu's Turmeric Cafe - Sample platter - Vegetarian Near Me - Long Beach, California

This was my first time dining at the new restaurant. The previous location on the first floor of the medical center is currently being remodeled into a culinary school. You can learn how to cook delicious and healthy meals in a flash from the chef himself. This restaurant is a significant improvement from the cramped previous location. Instead of counters, there are comfortable tables and chairs. The food remains as good as ever, and the menu has expanded to more options. The chef often serves the food himself, so there might be a slight wait, but it's well worth it. He treats everyone like family members and friends, and you can taste his love for cooking in every bite. I learned that he's recovering from cancer, but his passion and vivacity overcame any physical constraint. Please come here and have a taste of life itself. read more

Appu's Turmeric Cafe - Vegetarian Near Me - Long Beach, California

Was empty when I came in to order the maharaja burrito and it came out in like 5-10 minutes which is good enough for me. Environment looked neat and clean as well. The burrito is well presented and the structure of the tortilla stuck out to me as it's fairly thin and crisp, but still strong. It was an enjoyable meal. I think there were bits of mushroom in it which adds a bit of "meatiness" to it that was satisfying. Perfect consistency for rice in a burrito with it not being dry or mushy. I didn't really know what to think of the sauce that accompanied it since the flavor was a little mild by itself. But adding it to the burrito felt like it did make it better as I ate it, so I ended up using it all. I also ordered a lemongrass chai and the lemongrass definitely comes through. I thought it was refreshing. All in all very solid and quick. I'm not vegan or anything but do like to mix it up a bit and would definitely recommend anyone to give this place a try. read more

Appu's Turmeric Cafe - The Maharaja Burrito - Vegetarian Near Me - Long Beach, California

First time visiting and I loved it here! I got the $19.99 lunch combo which included a soup, salad and samosa, three entree portions and turmeric rice, a basket of bread and a dessert (I forgot to take pictures of the rest, sorry!). I also ordered their lemongrass iced chai. It was such a great deal and everything was absolutely delicious! Everyone was so kind and they even offered to refill my salad and bread. I will definitely be back! read more

Appu's Turmeric Cafe - $19.99 lunch combo, not including picture of bread and dessert. Delicious!! - Vegetarian Near Me - Long Beach, California

The food was absolutely delicious, and the owner is kind, vibrant, and amazing overall. Highly recommend. Great for vegetarians and vegans

This place is the BEST! The food is truly healing and everything is made from scratch with healthy ingredients. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu, because it's all delicious. Pro tip: try the drinks and dessert for an extra special treat! And the best part? The customer service is always outstanding. It's such a pleasure to support this local business! read more

What a great experience we had in this small but endearing restaurant found in a shopping center in Long Beach! Who would guess?! As a trying to live vegan person, it's tough eating out so I take recommendations for vegan food seriously. This place run by Chef VR, who is so nice, has an interesting blend of Indian and Mexican flavors. I had the vegan maharani burrito that came with a yummy sauce, a little spicy but not crazy. The other people with me had a vegan maharani bowl and the other had vegan tacos. Sounds kinda Mex but tastes more like Indian! We really enjoyed it. We also tried the Mango Lassi made with coconut milk, so good! The other beverage was a ginger turmeric blend also using coconut milk. This one is more like an elixir that you should have everyday for a health boost! I definitely recommend Appu's to anyone who wants a healthy choice while also having a delicious food. I need to try more of Chef VR's food!! Just wish it was closer to me! read more

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Ordered online and went in to pick up my lunch. I tried the Maharaja bowl which was really great. And i also got the paneer tacos which i liked the most. Both were delicious, filling and super flavorful. I did add the 911 sauce to both and it has a kick so make sure you can handle spicy if you get that. I love to see healthy Indian food options! I ate too quickly and didn't get a chance to take photos but will do next time! read more

We noticed this place every time we have gone to Taco Bell across the street and we decided to try it out. It has a very clean seating area and a very fresh vibe inside. I have never tried mexi-Indian fusion before and was excited to see how it tasted. Unfortunately it was a bit of a disappointment and the tacos was mediocre at best. However it was very fresh and I will came back and try some more food. Great service! read more

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So good! Ordered online and order was ready when I got there. Super friendly! The interior is pretty basic but the food is the star of the show. OMG! Everything we ordered was amazing. Not sure why we waited so long. Maharaja burrito, Nelly protein bowl, soup sampler and a samosa. No pics because it was gone as soon as it hit the plate. Everything had some spice/heat but manageable for us. Can't wait to go back. Tip, I got the garbanzo bean soup with the sampler and added my samosa like the crunchy samosa chaat. Amazing! Will go back for sure. read more

Card only- no cash payment. So the paneer tikka masala was a little too spicy and I didn't see any paneer at all in the bowl. The entree portions were smaller than appetizer size. I was kind of still hungry after my small bowl. The service was basic - no complaints- but not overly friendly either. Ambience is nice and simple. Very beautiful Indian music playing. read more

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Appu's Cafe is FANTASTIC! The food is delicious and it is healthy. I ate the taco trio and I was super impressed with the variety of flavors. My wife had the protein bowl and that was delicious as well. Our daughter had the quesadilla and she ate the entire thing. The food is delicious and fairly unique. The service is great. I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

I recommend this place for their food, but there are some things that could be improved. Staff could be a little bit friendlier and welcoming. I also wish there was more seating. They have a unique take on Indian-Mexican fusion. I ordered the Maharaja Burrito - it tasted super good and was a good serving size. However, it took way too long to come out -- more than 20 minutes. read more

Appu's Turmeric Cafe - The Maharaja Burrito - Vegetarian Near Me - Long Beach, California

STEPH JUDGEMENT: Great food, excellent service. The hubby and I had been to their other location of the hospital and thought it was very good, but the location and hours weren't very convenient. When we heard about this new more orthodox location, we were excited to try it. The format is fast-casual, where you order at the counter and they bring out the food. They have a lot of fusion-type dishes to appeal to the lunch crowd, like tacos, burritos, bowls, but we opted for their signature traditional dishes: flatbread sampler, paneer tikka masala, saag paneer, yellow lentil soup, and turmeric rice pilaf. Everything was delicious, but what really sets this place apart is the personal touch by the owner, Appu, with whom we had the pleasure to chat. He's a successful musician-turned-restaurateur who really loves serving good food to people. We will definitely be back! read more

Appu's Turmeric Cafe - Vegan Indian Flat Bread - Vegetarian Near Me - Long Beach, California

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One of the best places I've been food was so delicious and tasteful . The chef speaks for it self great service and will defiantly come again and recommend read more

Was in the mood for flavorful soup today. Drove to Appus and ordered a samosa (filled with potatoes, onions and peas), flat bread ( nice and thin it is hard not to overeat), and the Maharaja soup (mushroom and spinach). The blend of spices just melted in my mouth. I did forget to order my fruity drink! Check out Ty who is working tonight. He is sweet and will brighten your day with his smile. read more

Appu's Turmeric Cafe - Samosa, flat bread, Maharaja soup - Vegetarian Near Me - Long Beach, California

Amazing food and local shop owner. Authentic tastes and what a deal for the all you can eat lunch.

When my husband suggested we check out a new restaurant, I eagerly said "ABSOLUTELY!!" The Atmosphere: The restaurant has a clean and beautifully decorated ambiance that exudes calmness-perfect for a relaxed dining experience. The service: At the counter, we were greeted by a friendly and polite gentleman who offered excellent recommendations that made our decision making so much easier. The drinks: I opted for a mango lassi while my husband chose the lemongrass chai. Both beverages were absolutely delicious and refreshingly perfect. The food: My husband ordered a soup with a vegan quesadilla and I went for the mushroom masala served with rice, complemented by some Indian flat bread. Each dish was truly spectacular! The verdict: All in all, the food was amazing, and we're eager to come back! The gentleman behind the counter turned out to be the owner, and he was thrilled we sampled his dishes. He shared that he was previously a surgeon and is now enjoying his retirement crafting healthy, delicious vegan meals for everyone to enjoy! Thank you so much VR! read more

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I will start by saying both of my expireences here have been faboulous at this location. i ordered the garbonzo spicy soup with tumeric rice and yes it was spicy but i devoured the entire bowl. the next time i ordered the lentil soup w/ tumeric rice, flavor is on point, its so tasty. the owner greeted me with smile and was so friendly and welcoming. the place is so cute, even the other customers were friendly and im so excited to try more items here ! Thanks Appu ! read more

Just ate here last night and it was absolutely delicious! Everything we tried was extremely tasty, but the Paneer Tikka Masala was insanely good. Highly recommend it with ANY of the flat breads. The service was top notch. You really feel taken care of. read more

A true culinary gem of Long Beach. I used to come to the medical office location when I first started college and when I found out Chef VR opened up a standalone restaurant by CSULB, I just had to try it out! And to no surprise, it's amazing and healthy food packed full of flavor! My favorite is the Paneer Tikka Masala, which is really spicy and delicious, just the way I like it. It pairs very well with the mango lassi, which cools down the heat immediately. The mango lassi is by far the best mango-based drink I've ever had. The service provided by VR and the staff is always top notch, which makes me feel welcome every time I come by for lunch :) Please check out Appu's Cafe if you haven't already! read more

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My toddler was extremely hungry from long drive so ordered vegan vegetable masala, 2 flat bread and maharaja bowl from here for pickup. Maharaja bowl isn't maharaja at all. Food portions are extremely small for the price and curry was watered down - seriously? Flat bread was hard to eat too. Very unhappy with the food, I generally don't give a 1 star since there's a lot of effort that goes into preparing food, but this place is a NO NO for me read more

I went in for the all you can eat lunch. It's so good. I felt full AND reinvigorated! read more

Appu's Turmeric Cafe - Vegetarian Near Me - Long Beach, California

Ordered the maharaja burrito and bowl. I very much prefer food with meat in it, but it was actually pretty good for being vegetarian! The burrito was well crafted, and not too wet, which I was worried about. But overall I think what made this place hard to like was how long it takes to get your food. There was one person ahead of me and two online orders, but I waited for 45 minutes to get my food. read more

This place is a true gem. The owner takes care of everyone who comes in like family. The food was delicious. Can't wait to come back.

Best Indian food by far... ingredients are fresh and healthy. Chef VR is gracious and his creations are delicious. Visit Appu's if you desire a fabulous culinary experience. Highly recommend! read more

Amazing place, really good food choices, especially for being none biggest fan of Indian food. Definitely coming back.