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    Cafe Maharani

    3.8 (2k reviews)
    ModerateIndian, Seafood, Desserts
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Cafe Maharani Photos

    Business Info

    CAFE MAHARANI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Classy
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Maharani

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    Naan, butter chicken, and palak paneer
    Stephanie V.

    I always enjoy taking out-of-town visitors who like Indian food to this restaurant. Everything on the menu is good. I haven't tried a single thing that I haven't liked. Honestly, though, I most often get butter chicken because it's my favorite. I think the sauce is on the sweeter side and has lots of butter and cream. It's definitely restaurant-style butter chicken and really not spicy at all. It has so much sauce and you can put your naan bread in the sauce and get it all. It's so good. Palak paneer is also delicious, as is the chicken coconut korma and the chicken vindaloo. The fresh hot naan is excellent for sopping up sauce and you can get buttered naan as well as garlic or stuffed for an upcharge. If you are dining with multiple people, I highly recommend the set dinners where you get an appetizer platter, a choice of entrees, rice, and naan for a set price. For three people, our meal was a base price of $109.99 and you get a huge appetizer platter along with plenty of rice, giant naan, and the entrees, which are a great size portion. Plenty left over for lunch the next day! Service can be a little slow, as this place gets busy and there's not that many servers, but honestly, I've hardly ever been in a good Indian restaurant that wasn't a bit slow. If you're in a hurry, try to go as early as possible as there can be lines later on in the night. Excellent if you are looking for good restaurant-style, not too spicy Indian food with a variety of choices at a reasonable price.

    Fish Korma, Butter Chicken, & Saffron Rice.
    Crystal K.

    Oh man! I can't believe it's taken my husband and I so long to come here! In only a couple short months, we've come twice! We've heard sooo many amazing things about Cafe Maharani, and I'm so glad we finally got here. We came once for our anniversary, ordered the dinner for 2, and left with so much leftovers. The next time, we cane for dinner with our 2 kids and my mother in law after a UH Baseball game. That time, we ordered the dinner for 3, and still left with lots of leftovers. The prices are great for the amount of food, and thebservice is friendly and quick. My favorite dish we've tried is the coconut fish karma! Yuuuummm! It's a dated, but still beautiful restaurant. The beautiful lights hanging from ceiling are definitely a highlight! It's a small spot, so come early if you want to be sat quickly.

    Caylen C.

    First time coming here & we'll definitely be back! Food was 10/10. Everything is made fresh! I got the chicken tikka masala and ohhh man was it delicious. I believe Hubby got the Lamb curry. Pictures don't do justice, trust me! Servings look small but we were able to take home for leftovers.. and let me tell youuu!! Leftovers tasted even better (iykyk). My kids enjoyed the garlic & butter naan. Ambience was also great. Service was quick!! We were constantly checked on which I appreciate especially in a high volume restaurant. We came at perfect timing 6pm & there were lots of tables open, but once we ordered I swear it was a full house! Thanks Cafe Maharani for bomb Indian food!

    Huge Garlic Naan
    Lauree T.

    When I first entered, it was like a whole new world! This place was beautifully decorated and the vibe was comforting. The food was amazing too, the garlic naan was my favorite. Standing up at 17, me and my friend devoured this. We got the garlic naan and it was amazing, highly recommend. The butter chicken was also flavorful and he sauce was rich. I personally don't like chicken as much but this was very nice.

    Chantal C.

    Naan nomnom . Street parking or I highly rec the Down to Earth parking garage next door. Follow the signs (: My first time dining in -- there's a reason you always see a line of ppl waiting outside! Delicious, richly seasoned Indian cuisine, surrounded by a cozy but vibrant interior, and massive fresh naan made for a wonderful evening. What we shared btwn 3 ppl: - Garlic cheese naan - Tandoori party platter - Chicken masala curry - Saag (i forget what meat) Doesn't look or sound like much but we ate till full n had plenty of left overs to split amongst us and take home. Also, you probably need to request for food to be spicy if you're looking for that extra kick. Removed a star bc we became very skeptical of the seating process ....ppl who arrived AFTER us were called and seated BEFORE us despite our party name clearly next on the waitlist... we waited over an hour for a table...also, use the bathroom next door if you can. Despite all That and the rainy weather - it gave my visiting friend and I the chance to talk story and catch up outside. Plus, enjoying the good food - Finally - rlly lifted our spirits. I'll forever be a huge fan of their colorful light fixtures but will stick to take out from now on. cheers

    Samosa and Lassi
    Junko W.

    I visited for the first time in six years. The interior and decor haven't changed and are still very lovely. We arrived around 7:00 p.m. and were seated within about 10 minutes. The customer service was excellent. The lassi, which I hadn't had in a long time, was not overly sweet and was absolutely delicious. The food was just as good as I remembered, and the prices were reasonable for the quality. This time, I'm giving it 5 stars.

    Vegetarian Samosa
    Lyle S.

    We picked up dinner from Café Maharani and our meal was great. We got the Vegetable Samosa, Saffron Rice, Lamb Saag, Butter Chicken, Garlic Naan, and Butter naan. Everything tasted great and the food held up well for takeout. We ordered through Uber Eats, but there wasn't a way to order the Naan by itself, so we just called and they were able to just add it to our order, and we paid for it there. Accessibility There is a small parking lot behind the restaurant, but that seems to get filled up quickly. There is also street parking available in the front. Food Vegetable Naan - It had great flavor and the outside stayed crispy after bringing it home. It came with two sauces that both tasted great. Saffron Rice - Fluffy and aromatic. It went well with both dishes we got. Butter Chicken - Very flavorful and a nice amount of spice. Lamb Saag - The lamb was nice and tender and went well in this sauce. Garlic Naan and Regular Naan - Both as were expected and went well with the sauces from both dishes. Overall, we love the food here and will definitely go back!

    Dinner for two: Butter chicken, Vegetable Jalfrezi Masala and Saffron Rice
    Melanie Y.

    My go to Indian place. They don't take reservation so it's only walk in. If you don't want to wait I would go there pretty early maybe right when they open or call ahead to see if there's a wait because the place fills up fast. Got the dinner for two and we had 3 people but still had so much leftovers. Got the butter chicken, and Vegetable Masala with Vegetarian Samosa and Garlic Naan with Saffron Rice. Rice was a little disappointing as you can see the coloring was very spotty. Butter chicken was so tender and the Vegetable Masala was nicely seasoned. My favorite part is the mango chutney that brings a perfect sweet tang to the dishes especially the samosas. Restaurant is small but got a homey authentic vibe to it. Parking is just street parking which is limited but you can just park across the street by Longs.

    Vegetarian samosas
    Vivian L.

    I haven't visited Maharani since my previous review. My friends wanted to try this place and I wanted to give this place another try. We arrived when they opened and were able to get a table immediately. We got the dinner for 2. Eggplant pakora: The eggplant was crispy with a light crispy batter. It came with 3 sauces to dip in. I like the one with the yogurt. It has a mild and tartness taste. Yellow rice: The rice was very salty. We couldn't finish the rice since it was pretty much salt after salt taste. Chicken Masala: The chicken masala was good. It was pretty much only chicken with curry sauce. No additional ingredients like vegetables. Fish Masala: This curry has a stronger tomato taste. It has some vegetables in it which helps balance out the meal. The fish were good. It was basa fish which was soft and flaky with no bone. Plain Naan: The naan was huge. It was fluffy, light and goes great with the curry sauce. Super good. Garlic cheese naan: The naan was stuffed with cheese. It has the ultimate cheese pull. The whole naan itself was like a cheese pizza. Still very good and goes great with the curry. Sweet lassi: Absolutely love this drink. Good thick milky yogurt with a good tart flavor. It wasn't overly sweet. The drink was huge and it was quite filling. Would definitely love to order this drink as a to-go once in a while. Overall, well better than my first experience. Service was good. Our waitress was sweet and patient. The foods were good but the flavor wasn't in depth as authentic Indian flavors and spices. The portion was very generation. There were 3 of us and the dinner for 2 was very filling for all of us. There were quite a few leftovers that the 3 of us were able to split and share.

    Chicken Korma
    Joy H.

    Went back for a birthday!! Amazed at the price for these items!! The mixed grill is less than $40 and feeds an army. Each naan is less than $15. Great price! I am not surprised that they have won the best Indian restaurant for many years. Service is always wonderful. And the decor is beautiful like stepping into a different world.

    Vibes
    Dawn K.

    I think you could consider Cafe Maharani a hole-in-the-wall. But once you step inside that hole you are transported to a vibrant oasis, a place that provides a feast for all the senses. Your eyes are flooded with beautiful photos that hang like mesmerizing murals on the wall. Intricate glass chandeliers set the ceiling aglow alongside colorful umbrellas. Tables are full of warm conversations from patrons. And exotic scents waft through the air wrapping you in a blend of spice-filled warmth. And I haven't even gotten to the food yet! But honestly we avoided dining here for years even though it's in our neighborhood. The lines outside the door and the uncertainty of parking kept us away. Shame on us!! No wonder patrons brave the lines and maneuver the parking situation. Cafe Maharani is SO worth it!! We only needed one meal here to be absolutely hooked. After our first taste, we came back for more--three times in four weeks. The luxurious food and eclectic experience called to us like the sirens called seamen to the rocks! Ok, maybe I'm being dramatic but the food here IS dramatic, artful and lively in every way. Portions are generous and service is gracious. I adore Indian restaurants because they offer so many vegetarian and pescatarian options. But Cafe Maharani also does meat skewers cooked in tandoor ovens. I wouldn't know but other patrons seem to really enjoy the swords of beef and chicken and lamb. What I do know is their fish tikki masala and shrimp korma are dishes that stay with me in my dreams! Both are savory, spicy, rich but not heavy, deliciously balanced, bold yet welcoming. And the pankoor appetizers are crunchy but not oily, perfectly palate-pleasing bites that melt in your mouth. Of course, naan-thing bad to say about the naan. They are even known for a huge table-size naan. It's something fun to try if you have a party large enough to share or an appetite large enough to devour it! Everything is extraordinarily engaging to your taste buds. The menu is extensive and offers combinations that are great for sharing with Ohana. We have always visited Cafe Maharani as a table for two and an appetizer, curry/korma, saffron rice, and regular size naan ends up satisfying our appetites and providing another meal or two of leftovers. There is street parking after 6:30 pm and a couple stalls in the back. We see a lot of takeout happening, too. Don't make the mistake we did and miss out on this marvelous little spot because you can't find parking or have to wait for a table. Make a wise life choice and visit Cafe Maharani as soon as you can!

    Soraya S.

    I went to Café Maharani because it's been going viral on TikTok, and honestly, it turned out to be one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had. The service staff seemed nice at first, but that changed quickly. They don't write anything down, which led to multiple mistakes and forgotten parts of our order. We even called ahead and were told the last seating was at 8:30pm; we arrived around 8:10pm and there were already two other parties waiting. Once we finally got seated, we were told they were out of rice -- which I totally understand happens late in the day. But what ruined the experience was the way we were ignored once we sat down, the attitudes from the staff, and the constant errors. They messed up our order and then told us they had no more naan. The only positive was the chef, who was incredibly kind and personally came out to say he would make garlic naan for us free of charge. Unfortunately, his kindness couldn't make up for the overall service issues. I would not recommend this place at all, especially given the hype. Save your time and money.

    Beneeta D.

    I came to dinner with my sons. We got there before they opened and got in line, I couldn't believe that even on a Thursday evening there was a line. We ordered a lot because I wanted to try a bit of everything. Appetizers were the vegetarian platter, tandoori platter, we got mango lassis, and for the meal mater paneer and lamb vindaloo, saffron rice, we also ordered the big garlic naan. They brought the mango lassi, I've never seen such big cups of mango lassi before! They were really good. Then the appetizers came on huge platters. Everything was good on the platter, my favorite was the pakora. The tandoori wasn't as good as the vegetarian platter but it was still good. The lamb vindaloo was the only disappointment of the night, it wasn't spicy at all and there was only one piece of potato in the whole bowl. The large naan was so fresh and soft, that would have been enough for at least 6 people, probably more. We wanted to get dessert but the server told us they only usually have dessert around the holidays, except it was on the menu so I didn't understand why have it on the menu if it's not a usual thing. The restaurant is beautiful and the service was nice, they have definitely earned their popularity. I will come back.

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    Cafe Maharani Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cafe Maharani

    Do they accept take out orders?

    Yes, you can call in an order

    Does this restaurant take reservations?

    No - Cafe Maharani does not take reservations- best to get there when it opens - usually many people are waiting outside

    Can the curries be made vegan (e.g., with tofu instead of paneer... and using coconut milk instead of cow milk)?

    Yes

    When will the full menu be avaliable again? Unfortunately, my favorite dishes are not on the Covid-19 menu :(

    Full menu is available

    Long shot, but are there takeout options during the stay-at-home orders?

    Yes! We've always ordered take-out or delivery (through GrubHub, Door Dash or Bite Squad) because the place is so small it can be hard to get a table! We just got some last week! Yum!

    If someone in my family has nut allergies, can that be accommodated?

    Some of the sauces have nuts in them, so be sure to ask about it if you go.

    Do they take reservations?

    No.

    Do you have parking space?

    Yea, but it's not big. I wanna say 6 cars at most.

    Do they do catering? Thanks Jocya for answering. But it wont deter me from trying your food :) the…

    We are not cartering at this moment

    Is this place BYOB?

    Yes, they charge $1.50/pp.

    Are there any vegan options here?

    Yes, it's very easy to be vegan when it comes to Indian food. Just avoid all of the vegetarian options that have cream in them. The rice and naan are without animal products and then foods like the cauliflower dish, garbanzo beans, etcetera are all… Read more

    To the cook: Do you use pre-made spice packets for any dishes? Maybe the vindaloo? Or the Kashmiri chicken?

    All of our dishes are freshly made everyday and we use fresh spices. Indian spices like chili powder, tumaric powder, cumin and coriander powder are pre made and we use those spices like everybody else.

    Is there ANY MSG in their food?

    Steve, Indian cuisine doesn't use MSG in any of their cooking. The taste you get is purely due to spices.

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    Hula Grill Waikiki

    Hula Grill Waikiki

    4.1(4.5k reviews)
    1.1 miWaikiki
    $$

    They open at 7 and while lots of people were going to dukes below, hula grill was more quiet and…read moremore intimate at first! I got the strawberry mocha waffles were so good! I would definitely get them again if I find myself in Waikiki. Just the right amount of sweet and honey that no syrup is needed. My boyfriend got the two ka lei local eggs with spam and said it was really good. Also tried the tutus moonshine and I loved the presentation, it was really cute. In hawaii you for sure need to get a fun hawaiian drink. Mary was our server and she was really sweet and attentive.

    I came here specifically because I had seen in a review that someone was able to get a drink inside…read morea hollowed-out pineapple, and my friend visiting the island was looking for a drink in a pineapple. I should have called ahead of time to find out, but I didn't, and that's on me, but they don't do drinks in pineapples any more (if they ever really did). We ended up getting a piece of hula pie to share with the table instead. It was delicious as always, plenty to share among three people, and I love that it's served on its own special plate with special sporks that say hula pie on them. It was pretty sunny and hot that day and there are no umbrellas on the patio, so good thing I was wearing sunscreen or I'd fry. Service was prompt although as it got busier it got a little slower. Delicious for hula pie but if your heart is set on a drink in a pineapple, you cannot get it here.

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    Hula Grill Waikiki - Strawberry Mochi Waffle

    Strawberry Mochi Waffle

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    4.1(6.2k reviews)
    1.4 miWaikiki
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    Funny story. My husband and I come every couple of years to visit family and Tiki's was an…read moreaccidental find the first trip. Now, we make it a point to stop for drinks and apps every time we visit. This time we had the Truffled Edamame and the Kalbi Venison Gyoza. Now to the funny part. I went to leave a review because our experience was great again, but was surprised when I opened yelp to find one already typed out. At first I thought it was an AI suggestion. All this to say, Tiki's is a must if you're walking down Waikiki! There's also FREE 3-hour parking downstairs when you visit. Tom told us of the daily happy hour from 2-5 and late night, and occasionally live music! Original visit (2021): We left the beach in search of a cool place to grab a bite and enjoy some beers! Tiki was the perfect spot! Our wait was short and our food came out quick! Our bartenders Marteen (sp?) and Kama not only provided excellent service, but were a pleasure to talk to! We had the Ahi Poke, the French Dip Sandwich and the Kalua Pig BBQ Sandwich. The BBQ sandwich came out on a taro bun and smothered in guava BBQ! It was our favorite! Forgot to snap a pic before devouring our food, but if you find yourself in the area it's a must stop!

    A beautiful place to dine by the water! It is very pricey, but the food was delicious and the…read moreservice was impeccable. Between the table, we tried all of the fish options on the menu. They were all incredible, but the Macadamia Crusted Fish and Teriyaki Salmon were the standouts. I would go back here again in a heart beat, it was so delicious. This is a great place to sit on a patio and look out at the beautiful sun and ocean while enjoying amazing food!

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    Tikis Grill & Bar - Interior

    Interior

    Tikis Grill & Bar - Chicken & Taro sample

    Chicken & Taro sample

    Tikis Grill & Bar - Tropical ice tea

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    Tropical ice tea

    Cafe Maharani - indpak - Updated May 2026

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