I've been a fan of Bangladeshi cuisine ever since I tried it for the first time during a trip to New York a few years ago. So when my friend (a regular) decided to take me to her favorite restaurant, I was eager--and glad I wasn't disappointed. Being a foodie myself, and accompanied by another foodie, we didn't hold back and tried quite a few items . We started our meal with seasoned fries (5/5), chicken kebab (5/5), chicken lollipop (4/5), and samosas (3/5). I prefer traditional dough wrappings for samosas, but the potato filling here was really flavorful. We ordered three entrées to share, and everything was 5/5. Chicken tikka masala with garlic naan is one of my favorite meals and my staple when visiting any Indian restaurant, so I know a good one when I try it. I wouldn't say this was the best I've ever had, but I was definitely not disappointed--both of us enjoyed it. The creamy goat rezala curry was a dish I hadn't tried before. As a goat meat lover, it's rare to find diverse goat dishes in restaurants beyond the usual curry or biryani. The meat was super tender, and the creamy, flavorful sauce paired perfectly with polao rice. And last but not least--my favorite item from the menu--chicken biryani. (Mind you, Bangladeshi biryanis are totally different in flavor and texture compared to Indian or Pakistani versions.) The generous amount of well-seasoned, tender chicken with flavorful rice was like happiness in every bite. I was especially impressed with the rice--it could've been my favorite part of the meal even without the chicken. When we arrived at the restaurant, there were three other groups dining. We visited on a Tuesday afternoon around 2 p.m., so I imagine it gets busier during peak lunch or dinner hours. The service was friendly and quick--we were well cared for and attended to throughout our visit. It's a small, family-owned restaurant focused on delivering authentic meals, so don't expect flashy interiors for Instagram. Just go for the food--and you won't be disappointed. The price was reasonable considering the quality and portion of each items. I'm really thankful my friend brought me here. If I lived nearby (I live in the Peninsula), I'd probably be a regular too. But I'll definitely visit again whenever I'm in the area. read more

When this place was called Anya's, the service and speed was much better. After waiting for 40 minutes I learned that they never got my order. Apparently their ticketing system is down and they aren't answering their phone. They are understaffed and only have two people managing the whole restaurant and can't handle The GrubHub orders, walk-ins, and reservations along with the online orders. After an hour waiting for my pick up order, I learned that they don't even have the food that I ordered. And, even though I ordered it online, because I ordered directly through the restaurant there is no way for me to cancel my order and get my money back. So I had to pick something else on the menu. My confirmation said my food would be ready at 7:20 and my substitute food will be ready at 8:30. I highly recommend that you don't order anything from here unless you have at least two hours, you're not attached to getting what you actually ordered, and you're willing to come in and find out that they never got your order. read more

Atithi Restaurant - Inside - Bangladeshi Near Me - Orinda, California

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So they are closed for not paying rent to their landlord. May as well close this restaurant. Came down here for a mobile order which went through but the restaurant didn't have the courtesy to deactivate their mobile orders. read more

Atithi Restaurant - Failure to pay rent notice - Bangladeshi Near Me - Orinda, California

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I've ordered food through their restaurant's website. Got an email confirmation of the order and the time to pick up. Drove to Orinda just to find the restaurant closed, no food. A worker gave me a phone number I've called, a lady replied that it's her husband who is handling the system and she doesn't know why did it take the order, but I shouldn't worry, they'll return the money. I've left a note through their "Contact us" form on the website too. It's been 3 days, I didn't get food or money back, no one tried to call or email me, and when I try to call, no one picks up. I left a voicemail, still no attempts to contact me. The money are taken, no service provided, and customer service is non existent. This is not the way to conduct business. read more

Ordered the chicken biryani on doordash. The chicken was dry and the rice was so plain. It looks nothing like the picture they have on their website or on doordash! Look at the difference. This is one of their "house specialities" for $17.00 Save your money. Go somewhere else. read more

Atithi Restaurant - chicken biryani - Bangladeshi Near Me - Orinda, California

Just ordered food to go after realizing this new restaurant opened in Orinda. We were blown away. The food is fantastic. When they say fresh local ingredients - they mean it. We had the mixed tandoori grill - deee-licious! The salmon chicken and beef. All succulent and tender. We also had the salmon curry - yum! And chicken tika masala, rice and plain and garlic naan. Everything was fresh and delicious. I will definitely return. Looking forward to trying other dishes. read more

Unusual and very tasty food. Unlike any place else I've in the area Friendly and helpful owner Give it a try read more

As much as I wanted Atithi Orinda to be good, like Anya's, and even Reem's before it, the food was poor. Poor enough to elicit my first review in 2 years. Ordered the burger, chicken tikka masala, shrimp malaikari, naan, and mango lassi. The burger was horrible. The patty was dry, flat, and extra rubbery on the periphery; not sure what the patty was trying to accomplish - steak burger? - but there was just no give to the meat. It was the meat equivalent of eating ice cream that has melted and re-frozen in the freezer. Seasoned fries were actually good, even accounting for take-out. CTM sauce was weak. Not in spice, but in overall flavor that begs to be sopped up by naan (which was ok, but not great). Shrimp malaikari was worse. Shrimp was overcooked and rubbery, and sat in a loose gray sauce that was not viscous enough to stay on naan. Mango lassi was excellent. But there's a better drinks joint down the block at Nine Tailed Fox. read more

We did takeout so I can't comment on the service or ambience, but I think the food was overall quite good. My main complaint is that there is a LOT of oil in the sauces, expecially in the Chicken Tikka Masala. We ordered one spicy, one mild but they ended up being the same exact spice level. We also tried the Samosas, which were good, but on the smaller side. The Chicken Biriyani was pretty alright (my mom really liked it), but I think they could have been more generous with the yogurt sauce. The Goat Rezala was a little sweet and quite yummy, but maybe a little watered down. However, we also asked for it to be spicy and it wasn't at all. My favorite was the Chicken Coconut Korma--that was was spicy just as we asked and it was delicious. I also definitely appreciated that the Naan was uniform in thickness :) Overall, it was pretty tasty! Just a little too oily and I wish they read our spice-level requests more carefully. I have some family that prefers eating halal food so they were happy that we had a halal dining option close by in Orinda. Will definitely come back. read more

Really really bad food.. tried their fish and chicken.. both were really bad.. the chicken looked more like a turkey.. and was really badly cooked.. read more

Atithi is a rare breed of restaurant offering Bengali-inspired dishes in a casual setting. I was curious to try out this cuisine and started with the Goat Rezala, a curry made of bone-in chunks of goat in a thick sauce made of Dhaka spices, golden raisins, goat milk yogurt, and almond & pistachio paste. The boney, fatty goat meat and grainy texture of the sauce were acquired tastes, but went decently with a side of pan-fried paratha. The Free Range Chicken Roast was a bone-in chicken leg quarter in a spiced walnut & almond paste sauce, served with a side of long-grained palao rice. The sauce had an addictively creamy, earthy flavor that went nicely with the tender chicken and the rice. Finally, the Tandoori Platter came with a chicken quarter, beef boti (spiced ground beef) kebab, and salmon tikka, along with onions, bell peppers, and a drizzle of raita on top! The chicken and rare salmon were super tender, but my personal favorite was the beef boti, which had a slightly crispy exterior and a tender, spiced interior. Overall, the food here was decent, though most of the ingredients were reheated and were subpar in freshness and quality. read more

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One of the worse restaurants we have been to. Very small restaurant with bugs flying around. We went on a weekend and there was just one person handling the kitchen and serving at the same time . There was one more table occupied and we had to wait a while till our order was taken. So the total wait until food was served was 40-50 mins. But I must say the server was very courteous and nice. Food was horrible. Tea 0/0- it had a very weird flavor and very sweet. Tasted like it was sweetened with artificial sweetener. Vegetable samosa 2.5/5 - not the usual Bangladeshi crust and the filling was spicy mashed potato. But it was ok. Beef cutlet 0/0 - so salty that we couldn't take a second bite. And there were 3 of us. None of us could. Puri and lentil 2.5/5 - daal tasted like it had biriyani masala and tasted ok. Puri was like bread but the crispy Bangladesh puri. More like the Indian ones Polao/rice 0/0 - this is the last thing anyone can expect to be bad. It was either very old or left out open for hours. It was so dry that we couldn't eat it Chicken korma 2/5- it was ok. Didn't taste good and the gravy was kind of runny. Chicken pieces were boneless breast pieces and were very dry Beef with lentil ( daal Ghosh) 0/0 - tasted very sour. Served said it had tomato paste in it. If it was sour because of it, the cook must have used too many tomatoes but it tasted different sour. It also did smell bad like the daal has gone bad. Mixed vegetable 2/5 - it was ok. Very runny but edible. We were so disappointed that the server said he would make us something else to go and we said why not the suji (semolina) 0/0 - a small container of suji had three 2inches of cinnamon. It had overwhelming cinnamon smell and flavor. It was cooked with milk and tasted like a freshman student cooked it in their dorm. We were excited to try this restaurant but unfortunately would never return based on our experience. We drove there from San Jose and definitely not worth it read more

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I wish I had checked the reviews prior on ordering, drove in the heavy rain to the restaurant to find out it was closed!

Atithi serves Bangladeshi and Southeast-Meets-West Fusion cuisine in the heart of downtown Orinda. Ambiance: The decor and overall ambiance is very cozy and attractive. We love the beautiful umbrellas hanging from the ceiling, and the plating and presentation of the food is quite lovely too. Atithi is just the right size venue for an intimate dinner or lunch for two, or for a small group meal. When we came in this week, the restaurant was inexplicably WAY too warm inside. It was maybe 72 degrees fahrenheit outside, and felt about 85 in the restaurant. Luckily the chef and waiter opened the door and kept it propped open to cool the place down. Maybe they were having some issues with their furnace? Service: Waitstaff and owners are consistently attentive, helpful and friendly. Food: We loved items we've ordered off their dinner menu (but have not yet ordered off their more Fusion oriented lunch menu). Highlights: The standouts for us were definitely the Goat Rezala (goat meat in fabulous pistachio curry and yogurt sauce), saag paneer, and the garlic naan. Super duper delicious, fresh and flavorful, and just the right portion sizes for the two of us. However, I did find the goat a little tricky to eat in that there are a lot of small bones and such, and it is a little too fatty for my tastes, so be warned if that's not your thing. I would have enjoyed the dish more if the meat was leaner, and there had been fewer bone shards for me to worry about accidentally chewing. Also, one piece of the goat meat I had was cold in the middle (?) I'm guessing this was due to reheating this item. However, despite all of that, the flavor of the sauce and that lean meat straight off the bone is hard to beat. My dinning companion *loves* fatty meat, and meat straight off the bone, so these were non-issues for him. I also really enjoyed Atithi's chai, which has a much stronger and maltier black tea flavor, and with less spice, than what one might typically expect in a chai served in most South Asian restaurants in the area. I'm a big tea fan, so I notice and appreciate small differences from one restaurant, or regional cuisine, to another in how it's prepared. We'll definitely be back to try other items. read more

We were hopeful about this place based on the reviews, but NOPE. Every dish we had tasted watered down, including the rice! Also, they charge $3 for chai with no refills. I guess we're used to Indian restaurants offering chai for free with unlimited refills. We will NOT be back. overall: 0/5 We will NOT be back Beef Saag 0/5 Super watered down. Not flavorful at all. The beef was not good quality. Goat Rezala 0/5 Watered down and too sweet. Sugar is the only flavor to this dish. Goat also not good quality. Chicken Lollipop 0/5 Sooooooo dry! And, it's $5 for half a drumstick. Overpriced! Rice 0/5 So watered down and no flavor. It was like eating mushy rice. Gross! Garlic Naan 4/5 The only thing we liked here. Lots of garlic and the naan wasn't too thick. Chai tea 2/5 Wayyyyyy too sweet. I had to have two cups because the only thing we liked was the naan. $3 per cup. Again, overpriced! Mint lemonade 3/5 Interesting flavor, but not refreshing because it was not just mint and lemonade. It was like they added rassam to it. They did not describe this on their menu. ambiance: 3/5 small cleanliness: 1/5 our glasses had stains on it and our table had grease on it restrooms: did not use service: 3.5/5 fast and friendly-ish parking: 3/5 street read more

Best Bengali food that I had in a while! I lived in Bangladesh for couple of months, this restaurant reminded me the great time that I had there! Very authentic flavors! Staff also friendly and polite made a great experience. Samosas, chicken tandoor and the beef tehri rice were my favorites! Place very cozy! Thanks for the experience! I recommend a try! read more

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We had high hopes for this place, but were severely disappointed by the experience. The main problem was, simply, the food. We ordered the lentils and puri bread appetizer which was actually very good. However the menu description mentioned three different types of lentils dips (or something similar), though all we got was one bowl of lentils. The lentils were very good -- full of deep flavor and mild spice -- and the puri bread was one of the best I ever had. But what happened to the other two types of lentils? We were getting excited for the next course because of how good the appetizer was, but that's where things went completely downhill. We ordered the chicken tikka masala. The chicken was dry and the sauce was tasteless and overly oily. We also ordered the beef boti kebab which was soft, mushy and unexpectedly sweet (I don't think kababs of any kind are supposed to be sweet). We regretted ordering both these dishes. The waiter never came around to check on us and we had to track him down to pay the bill. We told him the food was unsatisfactory and he could care less. No apologies, no asking what was wrong, how can we make it better - Nothing. $70 for a not-even-half-eaten meal... The shame about this place is that it strives to have some unique Indian (Bengali, etc.) dishes you can't find at other Indian restaurants. But the general quality of food we experienced was so low that any experiences of exoticism and uniqueness took a backseat to food that utterly failed to satisfy. Lastly, please know that this place caters to large groups, so single and two-top diners are going to be relegated to two uncomfortable tables facing the wall. It's a small space, which, of course, doesn't help things. read more

When I walked in the restaurant about 11:15 am, it was so hot , I nearly walked right out. I did take out and I was lead to believe that there were a few plates that were no so spicy. When I got home, they were very spicy. I couldn't eat it, so I took it back . He called the owner and I explained to the owner what had happened and she understood and refunded me . She was very fair. When I went back in the evening, it was much cooler in the restaurant. I would say for people who like spicy Indian food (which almost always is), this could be your place!! read more

Lamorinda is lucky to have this place! The food is unique and tasty. It's definitely not fast food. I look forward to many tasty meals there with my family and friends. read more

Finally we got a chance to visit this unique Bangladeshi restaurant and tried the food. It was amazing! Everything that we tried was absolutely fresh and delicious. You can tell that the owner really puts her heart and soul into the preparation of each dish. The chicken roast curry was so good. The spices used to make this dish is perfect and the polao rice was cooked to perfection. The beef Tehri and chicken biryani were also super delicious. Did I mention the Goat Rezala Creamy Curry? It was to die for and definitely a must-try!! Thinking about it makes me so hungry and I really don't mind the drive from SF to Orinda just to eat here. Can't wait to come back and try more fish on the menu. Service was also amazing, owner always checks on you and makes sure that you're enjoying everything. Plus the ambiance is really cute. See you soon Atithi!! read more

Stopped by after attention a nearby soccer game today and I am glad we did. We had some garlic naan, chicken biryani, paneer, samosas, and lemonade. Everything was fantastic. Would definitely recommend if you are in the area. The service was top notch as well. Great place and great food! read more

My wife and I just ate at this new Bangladeshi restaurant in Orinda and we thought it was excellent. The food is light and fresh, and the mix of spices used is very effective. We started with vegetable somosas and vegetable pakoras. For entrees my wife had the saag paneer and I had the beef Shashlik kabob. (see photos). Both of us has fresh, light naan with our entrees. My wife had the mango lemonade to drink. We eat Indian food often and Bangladeshi cuisine is similar. What I like is that there are beef versions of many dishes, since Bangladesh is a predominantly Muslim country. The menu is quite expansive and there are goat and seafood dishes as well. If you're an adventurous eater curious about Bangladeshi food, give this a try. The restaurant is a block away from theater square, right off the Orinda exit of Highway 24. read more

Atithi Restaurant - Beef Shashlik Kabob and naan. Very fresh and light and tasty! - Bangladeshi Near Me - Orinda, California

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So good! Such a great find! I wish there was more of the Chicken Lollipops and more bread for the Paratha Dip but still very good regardless. Everyone there is so kind and constantly checked on us and made sure the food was to our liking. Definitely will be coming back read more

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Great to find delicious Bangladeshi food! I tried the Okra Masala and wasn't disappointed, wonderful texture and very well spiced.

I was concerned when I read a few of the negative reviews about no taste and watered down sauces. However those reviews don't give this place justice. Although we only ordered a few dishes, every one hit the mark. They were fresh, good quality and healthy although quantity was smaller. Yes the sauces weren't overly thick or creamy on two of the dishes but that was purposeful and healthier. The taste on the salmon dish and tandoori had a tasty light sauce. The flavor was outstanding. The chicken tikka masala was the typical saucey Indian variety. The only thing I didn't like was the herb on the naan Felt a little too overwhelming. Overall we are definately getting food from there again. read more

First impression, the decorations on the ceiling were really cute and the food was great!! Super flavorful and great presentation. The service was amazing as well, they were all very sweet!! Most definitely recommend! read more

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Authentic Bangladesh/Pakistani food. Recommend the Rui fish and goat curry. Good garlic naan. Rice could be fluffier. Portions are good Service was great read more

We came here for lunch on a Thursday. First off, the restaurant was cold - probably 55-60 degrees inside. When we ordered, the waiter seemed to think it was an extra charge for rice and salad even though the lunch special included both. My wife asked for chutney and they brought her sriracha. We ordered pakoras, and while they were tasty they were more like falafel. Food was unremarkable, and service too. read more

Food - Good Service - Good Ambiance - Mid as the place is fairly small like a cafe. They can improve on the price and add more choices in the menu. read more

Stopped in to meet a friend for lunch and was pleasantly surprised to hear about this new restaurant. The menu is pretty extensive and we asked for advice in ordering. We ended up ordering samosas and shared the tandoori platter with regular and garlic naan. The platter was huge and even after the two of us did our best, we were not able to finish! The food is fresh, home made and very tasty. Please stop in and give Atithi a try, quality, taste, portions, and service are outstanding. read more

Went with the fam to this little gem. The food and service was excellent. We will definitely be back!

Came with the family tonight--wish I had taken some photos of the food to include here, but we were hungry and the food was excellent and eaten before I thought about it! Friendly and attentive service as well. Highly recommend. read more

I had the Chicken Curry. There was very little sauce, and it was thin as several reviews have noted, chicken was dry. Not a fan, I would definitely not return. Orinda badly needs some decent restaurants, but this ain't it. read more

Food was amazing, service was even better. Very kind workers and very attentive. Food came out quick and had great flavor.

Amazingly authentic food! The inside is very humble and very warm but the food is the best. They cook right there, food is served very hot and fresh. The lady who helped us was so sweet. The food was a bit spicy for our son but it's more because he has super bland taste. The lady gave him milk to help him manage it. read more

Amazing food! Highly recommend their kababs and goat rezala! Went there for lunch and I will be back soon for sure. read more

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Giving Atithi Restaurant 5 stars for our lunch yesterday is no exaggeration -- it deserves all 5 stars and more. We were specifically looking for a Bangladeshi restaurant -- not Indian, not Pakistani -- to celebrate the wedding of our friend to the love of his life in Bangladesh. We wanted to order some of the dishes that his new mother-in-law made for the wedding meal as well as for Eid: biryani, bhuna, mango and jackfruit. Atithi's owner was also our server, and what a treat to share with her our reason for searching the Bay Area for Bangladeshi cuisine. She suggested kachchi biryani (goat and chicken), a traditional dish for weddings that wasn't on the menu. And she also recommended bhuna with beef. Both dishes were outstanding --with fall-off-the-bone, super tender, tasty chicken, goat and beef in rich, spicy, perfectly seasoned sauce and rice. The servings were heaping and her garlic naan added to the excellence of the dishes. We toasted our newly married friends with home made mango lassi --delicious! A wonderful meal, served with the warmest hospitality in a sweetly decorated little spot in Orinda. (We will find jackfruit elsewhere to complete the celebration of our friends' joy!) read more

Atithi Restaurant - Bangladeshi Near Me - Orinda, California

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Food was excellent. Had Samosas and the goat Razala, and both were fresh, flavorful, and distinctive. Clearly good quality ingredients, with some very tasty combination of flavors. I look forward to coming back again to try out other parts of the menu. The owner came out to chat and was very friendly and attentive to service. The location is a small store-front - nothing fancy, but a nice place to sit down with the family and have a nice meal. read more

nice little spot in downtown Orinda. Excellent food, their beef and goat curry's are very well seasoned and super tender. Best naans in the bay area, and the best indian/bangladeshi food in the east bay. The mishty doi was not awesome though read more

Delicious home made Bengali food. Awesome service. Felt like my aunty was giving us food- very home made feel. Super cozy! My family and I really enjoyed it! read more

Atithi Restaurant - Beef Samosa - Bangladeshi Near Me - Orinda, California

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