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    Chennai Express

    4.5 (81 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    CHENNAI EXPRESS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Intimate

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    Chicken Tikka Masala
    Kent S.

    Rating 4.0 I've seen this place pop up on my feeds quite a bit but never got a chance to try it. We tried it for lunch yesterday. The place is very small and has limited seating so it's probably best you plan for takeout. We weren't able to be seated so we just ordered for takeout. We tried Mango Lassi, Chicken tikka masala, Cut mirchi, special chicken biryani and chicken palak. Mango lassi was on the smaller size comparatively to other places but was good. Chicken tikka masala was very good and flavorful. Chicken Palak was also good but was not exactly my favorite. Special chicken biriyani was interesting. Very flavorful and there are a lot of spices used in the dish. Personally some of the spices were too much for me. Tried cut mirchi for the first time and it was good. The different type of sauces makes it interesting and enjoyable. Overall the place was good and certainly offers more authentic Indian cuisine than some of other place i've been to. The foods are very flavorful and they use a-lot of spice/some kick of heat so you may smell like spices for a while after eating. Service was also good and relatively quick. Price is a bit high for lunch but still standard for Indian foods around RI. I would come back to try different type of dishes next time.

    Store front
    Rachel O.

    This place is small, family-owned, no-frills, & an absolute gem. Highly recommend! The first time I tried Chennai Express, I went back for the next 2 days afterwards because I was so hooked. This is remarkably good Indian food & I can't wait to explore more of the menu. So far, I've tried only some of the classics (butter chicken, tikka masala, rogan josh, biryani, dosa) but I'm really excited to adventure beyond what I know. I trust them. I've only ever taken my food to-go (the restaurant is very small) but the service has always been prompt & kind. For my GF folks: Dosa is technically gluten-free, as it's made with lentil/rice flour. Definitely try the dosa from Chennai Express. It doesn't usually make it all the way home with me since I just end up snarfing it in the car. It's that good. Pro tip: You can order online or directly on the Yelp app.

    Garlic Naan
    Karla M.

    I came here for my birthday for a low key lunch. The parking lot on the side of the building is pretty big and there's also street parking but the dining area is very small. They are still able to squeeze in 4 tables of 4 people. It was a bit chilly but they did have a heater that helped. They only have digital menus and you place your order digitally as well which I was not a fan of; I prefer the human to human interaction and flipping through my options. We ordered chicken biryani, butter chicken, and garlic naan. My friend had been here before and recommended ordering the food at the lowest spiciness level. About 15 minutes after ordering, we got our food and everything was at a good temperature. The biryani came with two sauces--one I was not too familiar with and did not use and the other was a yogurt sauce. The rice itself was good. I was not a big fan of the chicken though. It felt like it was breaded on the outside but was soggy and there was too much of it. The butter chicken was delicious. I especially liked that the curry was very viscous and textured due to the visible spices, herbs, and maybe onion. I also liked that for the most part the chicken was cut in to manageable strips (I am used to chunks of meat so strips was a bit different). The garlic naan was good, it was packed with garlic especially in the center. While we were eating, a couple people called in their orders and picked them up so it is pretty busy, and I guess better known for take out.

    Chennai Special Chicken Biryani
    Jamie A.

    Satisfied and delicious! We tried a good variety of dishes here, and my favorite was the cut mirchi! I would order this again because it was savory and filling. The palark chicken was perfect with some spices and a spicy kick that doesn't overwhelm! The special chicken biryani had many different spices I'm not use too, and wasn't my favorite. This DID overwhelm me because the cardamom was very strong. The mango lassi was perfect and always a staple at any Indian restaurant. This place had authentic flavors and I would want to try more because it left a good impression. The staff were friendly, letting us order via app, and giving us an estimate time for our order. He was so kind and even offered to hand us our order in our car outside, but I can understand if he forgot to grab us since it was a busy time for them! This place has limited seating inside, and is more of a take out place. It's worth the wait for the food!

    Veg Hakka Noodles
    Kamal B.

    I LOVE THIS PLACE. This is THE place for authentic South Indian food! Omg was this food absolutely delish?? I 1000000% recommend getting the chili paneer if you like a kick to your food and is absolutely addicting. Don't get me started on the onion rava dosa because WHAT A DOSA! From the sambar (the soup) to the dosa filling itself (potatoes) just can't wait to eat it again. The Hakka noodles are an amazing combo with the chili paneer!! The restaurant itself is quite small, so it is no wonder most people get the food To-go. But! While I had the dosa later in the day at home, I was at a loss of words because man was it good even though I didn't have it fresh (yet!!). Chennai express is a gem.

    Entrance - Waiting Area
    Otniel L.

    This spot is the REAL DEAL!! I was feeling adventurous today and decided to try a brand new restaurant in Cranston (brand new for me, it's been opened for 2 years). This restaurant is a tad small, but don't let that deter you from stepping inside this wonderful place. It has great Chennai decorations that make you feel like you've been transported outside of Cranston. The food was absolutely amazing!! I'd highly recommend the Gobi Manchurian appetizer. It is made out of Cauliflower and is crispy, sweet, sour and absolutely delish! They were able to somehow make it have a similar texture to chicken, so I think the carnivores among us would enjoy it. The other dishes were so flavorful, tender and craveworthy. The the lady that was working out front and waiting the tables gave great customer service. The food arrived quickly, she was pleasant and simultaneously taking care of a few tables. I highly recommend this spot and I know you'll love it!!! -ODL Connect with me! IG & YouTube: @AOEAT

    Annie R.

    It might look small from the outside and maybe something you pass by here and there, but let me tell you...you gotta go inside and try this place out! We were just looking to try something new while in the Cranston area. Everything we got was delicious! Here's what we ordered: 1) cheese naan- wow! This is my absolute favorite naan ever. Never even knew there was a cheese option. Other places didn't have it. 2) paneer butter Masala- this was soooooo good! Every bite was worth it. The flavors are all there. 3) chicken palak- it's like the same as a saag dish where it's spinach base. This was delicious! 4) fried cauliflower app- (forgot the name to it) but it was tasty! It can fool you to think it's meat. The staff was also super kind and fast! There's about 4-5 tables to sit down and eat in. Their menu is also pretty big. It's very cozy and cute. I'll be coming back!!! It's a must try!

    Victoria K.

    Had a really great experience ordering takeout from Chennai Express recently! Tried Chili Garlic Naan, Vegetable Samosas, Chicken Lollipops, Chennai Special Chicken Biryani, Chicken Tikka Masala, and Hyderabadi Chicken Curry. The Naan came in a foil packet which kept it warm and soft. It was quite spicy but really good! The veggie samosas came 3 to an order which is more than what some other local Indian restaurants provide in an order. The chicken lollipops were very yummy! The special chicken biryani was excellent and a MASSIVE portion! The tikka masala was a bit creamier and richer than what we are used to, and had onions and peppers in it, but it was still very tasty and a bit sweet. The Hyderabadi curry was a totally new dish for us, and was very flavorful and pretty spicy too. Overall nearly everything was on the spicy side but we really enjoyed it! They also gave us some rice pudding made with vermicelli noodles when I mentioned it was my sister's birthday. This was super thoughtful and generous and we appreciated the special treat. It's quite different from the rice pudding we are used to but it had good flavor! We are very happy to welcome Chennai Express to Cranston and it's great to have such a delicious takeout spot with excellent food, great service and reasonable prices so close by!

    Cheese naan
    Alma C.

    I've been here a handful of times now, and this little hole-in-the-wall, mainly carry-out spot is my new go-to for Indian in the area. The food is consistently good, and the cooks don't patronize your palette by watering down the spice level and heat (unless you ask, of course!). It's been a long time since I've eaten Indian food this satisfying in the area. Top 3 things I've had and recommend: chicken tikka masala (I can drink the sauce), veggie kofta, and roti.

    Chennai Express's tiny dining area - 4 tables, 4 chairs apiece

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    Great service. Small dine in area with okay ambiance is available to enjoy fresh cooked food items like dosas.

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    2 years ago

    Food was amazing, such flavor. Service was great, highly recommend! We will be back soon. Hakka noodles a must!

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    Ask the Community - Chennai Express

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    Chaska - D- LAMB ROGANJOSH

    Chaska

    (290 reviews)

    $$

    Love the food here! This is our third or fourth time eating here and it always impresses. The food…read moreis rich and flavorful. There's so much to choose from and you can tell each dish is bringing a unique experience to your taste buds. The service is also very good. Everyone is attentive and makes sure you're have a great experience. The only knock I have is that it is loud and makes it difficult to hear/converse with people. Otherwise, I love the food and will continue to eat here!

    My partner and I stopped in around lunch for a cocktail and a quick bite, settling in at the bar…read more The space is visually striking; large, expressive portraits hang on the walls, colorful throw pillows line the banquettes, and shelves of labeled spice jars sit in the corner like a little apothecary. The bar itself is dramatic, a wall of bottles backed by bold red shelves. It all adds up to a room that feels like someone put real thought into every corner. We ordered the Ginger Turmeric Martini, which is made with Citron Vodka on the menu but we swapped in ISCO Gin; a substitution the bartender handled without hesitation. He mentioned he adds a tiny pinch of salt to some cocktails to brighten them up, a small detail, but the kind that tells you they actually think about what they're making. The drinks were served in cut crystal coupe glasses with a small edible flower floating on top, and they tasted as good as they looked. For food, we went with the Chili Cauliflower and the Dal Makhani. The cauliflower came out crispy in all the right ways, each floret holding its texture under a sticky, lightly sweet heat with a bit of tamarind that shines right through; tangy, a little smoky, deeply savory. The Dal Makhani was exceptional. The lentils were cooked with real intention, not reduced to mush but offering just a slight pop, and the overall flavor was rich and complex in a way that made it hard to put the naan down. Speaking of which, the garlic naan (sans cilantro, seeing as my partner has the gene where it tastes like soap) arrives charred and pillowy in equal measure, loaded with bits of fresh garlic. The service matched everything else. We were greeted warmly, and the staff genuinely seemed interested in getting to know us rather than just moving us through. That kind of rapport is rare and, when you find it, you notice. A spot we love to visit whenever we are in the area, and for good reason.

    India Restaurant - Garden Patio

    India Restaurant

    (820 reviews)

    $$

    Summit

    ***Door dash order…read more I've come accustomed to trying Indian food everywhere I go, even when it's a work trip, and I'm too tired to dine in, so I door dash. Didn't make a mistake with India Restaurant (although they could use a better name). I went all in on spice and got the chicken curry vindaloo and hot & spicy vindaloo naan bread. WHAT?! Read that again. It was freaking amazing. I may have been dying from the heat but I'll take the pain of the amazing flavor from this bread any day. Was a ton of food for the price ($26) which is way more than my solo self could devour. Tons of rice, sauce, meat, with a garnish pepper on top. YUM.

    Yesterday two of us went to India (that is the restaurant, not the country) and as usual ordered…read moretoo much, anticipating that we would inevitably take some food home. We were seated at a booth, a little tight but comfortable. We ordered cocktails which we don't usually do. My companion had a chai-tini and I had anew Delhi Nectar. Both were delicious. We also had soda water which many restaurants don't charge, but here they do. For food we had karahi ghost with wild rice - a good and delicious choice - the chicken sheesh kabob with potatoes (avoiding kale), mutter paneer and naan. All the dishes were excellent. Thiese were accompanied by raita, and mixed pickle. We like the places' decor better than any of the other Indian restaurants in RI. Our server, Olga I believe, was cheerful, helpful and attentive - making our experience more enjoyable. The check came to $125, more than usual but we took enough of it home for another meal. We will be back, which we do every two or three months.

    Cilanter - Chicken Tikka Bowl with modifications

    Cilanter

    (60 reviews)

    Federal Hill

    Cilanter is nothing to look at from the outside (or really inside for that matter). However, the…read morestaff were friendly and made sure that I was well taken care of. You order at the kiosk and they prepare your food and call your name when it's ready. I ordered the saag with potatoes and the gentleman also gave me a complimentary pink dessert. I've had Indian food all around the world and always love ordering saag. When I tell you this was one of the BEST saags I've ever had I'm not lying. Quite honestly it was incredible. The spinach was blended very well, it was incredibly creamy, and there were even some chunks of onions and peppers throughout. The potatoes practically melted in my mouth but still had enough bite to contrast the creamy saag. The meal was spiced perfectly and offered a multitude of complex flavors. The portions were enormous. They definitely gave me enough rice and curry for atleast two meals. If this was the quality of one of their dishes I'm excited to try out more of their options! Utterly fantastic. Don't let the outside fool you- this is a must try for Indian dishes.

    I was very excited to try this when I saw it as I love Indian food. However it felt quite short of…read moremy expectations. I did go at 3pm and I was the only person in there, so I'm sure that had some effect on the quality of food. The rice was a little hard and cold, a majority of the toppings were fresh and crisp, but even the protein was a bit cold. The amount of sauce on top was drowning as well. The worker was very nice and walked me through the options which I appreciated.

    Kabob and Curry

    Kabob and Curry

    (608 reviews)

    $$

    College Hill

    It's been a while since I've been back but I remember kabob and curry being one of my favorites in…read morethe area. They don't have a parking lot, but they are located on Thayer St so lots of street parking to choose from. Since we went after 6 pm, street parking was free. The inside looks just like how I remembered it. We were seated on their first floor (they do have a second) towards the back so it felt very private. We could catch a glimpse of outside from the windows but most of it was obstructed by a wallpaper which was a shame. I was craving something sweet but hearty so I ordered us some cauliflower 65 as an appetizer. For drinks we just stuck to the water they gave us. The cauliflower 65 was good. It was sweet and a tiny bit spicy. The cauliflower was very soft. But I do wish the cauliflower would have kept more of its crunch from the batter. I couldn't decide on what I wanted as an entree so their special was perfect. I forgot the name of it but it's essentially a plate with rice, 4 different main dishes in small portions, a sauce, and naan bread. What I didn't like was that since the sides came in such small portions, the food cooled down very fast so I felt like I was racing against time. Also, I would have gladly paid an extra $1 to be able to select a topping for my naan. Without anything on it, it tastes too plain and kind of a waste of calories. The tandoori chicken was a bit dry but flavorful. Besides these, everything else was good. The flavors were good, the portion size was good, and customer service was also good.

    I came back to Kabob and Curry to redeem a voucher ($10 off a purchase of $40 or more). There is an…read moreAll Day Menu and a specials menu. On the specials menu, I saw a Chicken Tikka Masala and Aloo Gobhi combo. Since I really enjoy Chicken Tikka Masala and wanted some vegetables alongside it, this was the perfect combo. We also ordered Mango Lassi and Coconut Fruit Naan. The food didn't take long to come out and it was steaming hot. The Chicken Tikka Masala had tender, grilled boneless chicken in a creamy tomato sauce. The Aloo Gobhi had potato, cauliflower, ginger, and onion. I enjoyed my whole dish and I even had leftovers to take home. Service was friendly and I can't wait to come back to Kabob and Curry.

    Empire Biryani & Grille - Tried the roti and samosas with my chicken tikka masala this time.

    Empire Biryani & Grille

    (35 reviews)

    I always like trying new Indian restaurants and when I saw the nearly perfect reviews for Empire I…read moreknew I had to stop by. The parking situation is tight. Maybe there's another lot I didn't see in the back? But the restaurant itself is beautiful. Lots of wooden features that don't necessarily give off "Indian restaurant" but was still nice to look at all the same. There's a decent amount of seating and a large bar where they also keep games. I really liked the music they were playing as well. I constantly found myself dancing along to it. For food I had the chili baby corn for an appetizer, chicken saag, and cheese naan. Also had a Limca to drink which are always wonderful. The baby corn was amazing! The portion was generous and I loved the chili sauce. It was appropriately dressed and fried to perfection. Chicken saag was also excellent. I prefer mine a little creamier but I loved the fresh taste and generous pieces of chicken. The saag itself was properly spiced and came with a generous portion of basmati rice. Finally, the cheese naan was appropriately priced and crispy with a generous portion of cheese. Was it some of the best Indian food I've ever had? Absolutely! It was right up there and I hope to stop by their lunch buffer sometime soon. I will say that the service was a little slow and the waiters didn't check in as much as I'm used to. But that didn't hinder the exceptional quality of the restaurant.

    My family loves biryani, and since this place seems fairly new, we decided to give it a try. We…read morehadn't tried food from here before, but a few reviews mentioned that their biryani was good, so that made us choose the place especially because there are too many Indian restaurants in the area. We ordered a few different chicken dishes. My family enjoyed the food overall, though everything turned out spicier than expected even though we selected mild to medium for all the items.

    Chennai Express - indpak - Updated May 2026

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