What a great place to eat. The staff is so friendly and helpful. My wife and I have eaten here twice on dates now and the manager has come out to personally say hello each time. The gentleman that took our order was so kind and reassuring as well. It was a pleasure to order. They also ask if you want certain food items to come out sooner or later than others, which is really nice. The room for seating is fairly large and there is always a place to sit. There are nice flowing curtains spread through out. They have really nice Indian music playing softly which does not interfere with general conversation. The food is very tasty. They ask you what spice level you want. Be advised that the spice level is Indian style, not American, so it is a bit spicy but not overbearing. I've also tried their mango lassi, which was very nice and refreshing. I also tried one of the Indian desserts and it definitely had Indian spices in it; quite nice. We will return to enjoy the food, service and environment again! read more

Cilantro Indian Cafe - Vegetable Samosa - Indian Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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I ordered takeout from Cilantro and requested a "very mild" spice rating for Chicken Biryani. I know people have a different tolerance for spiciness, but "very mild" surely should not mean unbearably and inedibly spicy? Unfortunately, this is what I experienced. To be fair, the rice was good! read more

Came in for lunch today and ordered to go. Love their staff! I ordered some chicken tikka masala and took it back to work. When i got to work and was about a quarter the way in i found a hair in my food i was so sad. On top of that it just wasn't a good batch today wasn't fair flavorful and i did not like the naan. Not sure I'll go back now read more

One of the best Indian meals I've ever had, and I cook Indian food all the time + eat at Indian restaurants frequently. I got the Moroccan hummus (basically chana masala), level 6 spice, made vegan, add coconut milk. So good! And the person I was dining with loved his butter shrimp. read more

Cilantro Indian Cafe - Moroccan Hummus, add coconut milk, made vegan - Indian Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

My team had lunch here and they were NOT happy. The food was way over spiced, the service was mediocre. More than 1/2 the food was thrown away, it was undercooked and we spent well over $40-50 per person. My team will not return. read more

I really enjoyed this place! I came for lunch and got chicken tikka masala. I love that it came with a chickpea salad and naan. I don't know if that's the same for the dinner portion though. The owner was so kind and the desserts in the case looked amazing, but I didn't get to try any this time. It was very modern ans clean inside as well. I'll definitely be coming back! read more

Loveeee this place forever and always! First time trying take out here and I was thoroughly impressed - just as yummy as dine in!

A first time visit and unexpected a very pleasant surprise. The parking was busy in the shopping center mid-week after 6pm. A nearby walk towards the aromatic smell, Wow, impressive inside did not expect from the outside! I was promptly greeted by a young man at the counter. I did not really look at the menu as I was craving lamb biryani...only request without egg. Fortunately, they have 2 types. The man mentioned it would be medium spice level, okay and also ordered a mango lassi sans ice. While waiting for food, I observed both a decent of patrons who dine-in and take out. Very impressive the young man stating to "Mr ...," after he paid, that he may wait in car and will bring right out when order is ready. Excellent customer service, not sure if the owner, relative or employee! The ambiance was lovely and even semi-private to enjoy and I will definitely recommend and return. I was surprised that some patrons left food uneaten, odd not to pack up. It looked good but not sure if good appearance but not taste so I was a little concerned. Finally, my order arrived and the appearance was a little unusual as I did not expect plain rice on top. The dish had some kick in the spice level plus s extra salt ... glad for the raita. I knew I would have leftovers to modify the excess salt...I went back to the counter to get the Gluten Free chocolate cake and a side of buttered potatoes both to go with container to pack up leftovers. The guy asked me how I liked the spice level and I do believe I said "call the fire department " --Good spice level cleared my sinuses and warmed my body! All good, a compliment! Please, use less salt it was too much and quite higher than any restaurant in the area. I would enjoy another visit-- this one 4 stars! The order for take out buttered potatoes went to another table. The owner apologized and they came out. There should be a better way when a mistake like this happens to rectify, especially for a first time visit. I will need to request less salt, unless that is from the clarified butter not sure but the tip of my tongue felt it before the heat from the aromatic spices. A refreshing sorbet, kulfi, or gelato to cleanse the palate would be ideal! I would like to try a tea or coffee at another visit or lunch. Overall rating breakdown: 4 stars Greeted and welcomed promptly = 5 stars Ambiance = 5 stars Quality & Portion = 4 stars Price = 3.5 stars , gluten free cake $12 expensive just okay Customer service and experience = 4 stars - improve when error occurs read more

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Cilantro has great food, speedy and friendly service. Spacious environment as well. I'll be back for sure!

A cozy Indian cafe with beautiful setting , attentive staff and awesome food. We went around 6:30 PM on a weekday and got seated immediately. We ordered couple of entrees - vegetable biryani, egg curry, paneer makhni and paneer Achari and all of them especially egg curry were awesome. Medium spice level was as expected and our 6 year could eat it. I liked how the entrees are accompanied by rice , nan , chutney and chickpea salad making it a whole meal in itself. read more

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ordered takeout, but the ambiance inside seems really nice! i also saw some nice looking desserts in the case but refrained from picking anything up this time. maybe next time though! we ordered veg samosas, moroccan hummus, and dum aloo. both the entrees came with roghani naan and rice. usually indian restaurants don't give free naan, so i thought that was really nice! the portions are also huge (which is good because each entree is on the pricier side). we were also offered free cilantro chutney with the samosas. the samosas were excellent - obviously not as flaky since i picked up my order like half an hour after it was ready but that's my own fault. the chutney was really nice and spicy. i enjoyed both entrees too, but i have to take a star off because neither of them is anything like their name. the moroccan hummus clearly engenders some confusion because when i ordered it over the phone, the guy on the other end described the dish to me in detail and asked if that was ok. it was ok because i knew what i was ordering, but why not just call it chana masala? there's no other chana masala on the menu so i don't know what the purpose is of calling it something different. the dum aloo is also not real dum aloo. dum aloo is supposed to be whole baby potatoes in a spicy gravy. the "hummus" was spicier than the aloo and the potatoes were not whole baby potatoes and also were not completely cooked to satisfaction - this dish was more like aloo matar makhani. everything was delicious, just mis-advertised, and really for seemingly no reason. i would still go back though! read more

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Delicious food and amazing service. The owner(?) came out to ask our son how he liked his dish. He was honest and said it was a little spicy and he brought him a more mild dish - which he definitely didn't need to do! However, it ensured my son had a delicious time. Will be back! read more

Cilantro Indian Cafe - Indian Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

This was genuinely one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had. Our first time going in there, and my personal first experience with Indian cuisine and I was left amazed. My fiancé got the Tikka Masala and I got the chicken Korma. I was most definitely not used to the spices but the flavor was incredible and "Pops", the owner, was one of the kindest gentlemen I've ever met. Great service, great food, beautiful atmosphere. I can't say anything negative. read more

Cilantro Indian Cafe - Chicken Korma Dinner - Indian Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

I ordered the karahi paneer, which they warned me would be spicy. I had a mango lassi to go with it, and the manager/owner came out to check on us and gave me a yogurt to help it go down, which was really kind of him. That karahi paneer is not something to be trifled with; it's got a slow burn that builds with each bite. The flavors were wonderful, although the green sauce was only okay. I liked the naan with my paneer. The chickpea salad was quite refreshing. The decor was interesting--major quotes by a number of famous people. But overall, the service made up for the slightly more expensive price! read more

Cilantro Indian Cafe - Karahi Paneer Dinner - Indian Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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A great place for fast casual dining! Parking is easy as it's a shared lot with other businesses. The menu is pretty extensive so there is something for everyone and various dietary needs. It didn't take long to order. I ended up choosing the pan seared catfish. I would estimate the food takes about 15-20 minutes. When the food arrived, I was surprised at the large portions. My entree cost $22 so this was a good deal to me. I am not a fan of spice at all. I can typically handle things that are mild like a 3 out of 10. This dish was definitely at least a 6. The rub on the fish was spicy and the rice was spicy as well. I ended up using a yogurt sauce to balance the heat. Despite the heat, the food was excellent. It was fresh, flavorful, and filling. This place is worth checking out if you're in the mood for Indian food! read more

Cilantro Indian Cafe - Pan Seared Catfish Dinner - Indian Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

We stumbled upon this restaurant while in Raleigh area on other business. We asked the people in the place we were doing business about Indian, and they recommended this place. And, ironically, it was about a mile away, so easy to get to. Great food, good service. Not too expensive. And, my wife being Indian, she was very happy. That should tell you what you need to know. read more

1/23 Update After my previous review we gave the restaurant a few months and decided to try again. We ordered Chicken Biryani, Moroccan Hummus, and Chicken Tikka masala with Mango Lassi. The chicken biryani was delightful and hands down our favorite dish that we ordered. It was tasty and had good balance with appropriate spices. The Moroccan hummus was just average and has slightly more oil than we would have liked. The chicken tikka masala was made how it usually is and had good flavor. The spice level was perfect for the dishes (we ordered mild and it still had plenty of spice! ) Good job! read more

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I was visiting the area for work, and I was looking for a highly rated location to grab good Indian food. I stumbled upon Cilantro Café in my search. Might I say, I am glad that I came here for dinner. As soon as you walk in, you're greeted by a casual café, one where you walk up to the counter to place your order. Once your order is placed, you're given a number that you then bring to your table, as your food will be brought to you. The first thing that I noticed about my entrée is how fresh everything tasted. In the past at other Indian establishments, I've experienced super oily dishes, but that was not the case here. On top of the already delicious food, the manager came to check on how I was doing. That personal touch really added to the overall experience. I could not say better things about the spot. If you're looking for fast, easy, and quality Indian food, than this is THE place to go! read more

Cilantro Indian Cafe - Chicken Tandoori Wings Dinner - Indian Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

got the buttered chicken that was both incredibly bland while being in incredibly greasy. I love indian food but this was among the worst I've ever had. read more

Absolutely love this place and it's such a treat every time I get to come here. I've tried the korma and the butter masala. Both were incredible. Do yourself a favor and also pick up a cake from their pastry window. Thank me later!! Such a cute place with friendly and helpful staff! :) read more

Been here a few times and was underwhelmed for the price. Not bad food but not great either, which is rough when getting charged $15-18 per entree. The first time it was nearly flavorless, so I increased the spice level. But that didn't give it more flavor, it just hurt more. The $3 frozen butter chicken from Trader Joes is somehow better than Cilantro's, and there are far better fresh options for less in Cary. I don't understand the hype. read more

One of my favorite places. Absolutely fantastic food perfectly seasoned, great service, and reasonable prices. The manager actually comes around to the tables and makes sure that everything is going well. read more

I'm always excited to find new restaurants, especially Indian restaurants. The staff is so kind and the food is so good. We ordered the Chicken Korma, Butter chicken, Chicken Jalfrezi, and Chicken Saag. Everything was wonderful! I love that the meals come with rice, naan, and a salad with chick peas. We'll definitely return! read more

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Amazing food and service. The guy who answers the phone is so sweet and helpful! Definitely recommend.

The food is top tier. Best Indian food in the triangle! The staff is family owned and very friendly and welcoming. The samosa with chaat is delicious and refreshing. read more

Great service in a nice restaurant. The food is good and the atmosphere is good. The smell gets you as soon as you walk through the door. Really enjoyed! read more

Very good Indian in the triangle! Each dish came with a small chickpea salad, rice, and naan. Large dinning room that could accommodate almost any size group. Overall food was excellent and would recommend to anyone read more

Cilantro Indian Cafe - chicken curry and rice - Indian Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

First time trying this jewel, had an excellent lunch experience. Hubby had Chicken Tilkka, I had Mediterranean Hummus, both were delicious. Presentation was very inviting, owner asked how everything was, seemed to genuinely care that we liked our entrees. read more

Cilantro Indian Cafe - Mediterranean Hummus - Indian Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

This place is awesome. The staff members are very attentive and extremely nice. We loved how organized and clean this place is. The food was delicious and the serving size is pretty decent. Mustafa came to each table to introduce himself and to ensure there were no issues with the food. read more

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Great place! Excellent service, they are the nicest people and the food is fantastic! The dining room is very pretty and spaced for privacy!

Cilantro is always a must go to when in the Raleigh area. The food is delicious and the staff is super kind and friendly. If you don't like spicy food, I highly recommend their butter chicken. read more

Cilantro Indian Cafe - This is either the butter chicken or chicken korma - Indian Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

Flavorful with just the right amount of spice. Staff was so friendly. Will definitely come back.

Delicious food and friendly service, plus a really pretty interior. We got the Moroccan Hummus (not actually hummus, it was full chickpeas but still tasted incredible), Bihari Lamb & Coconut Curry, and Chicken Jalfrezi. Love that they had vegan options. We will definitely be back! read more

The food was amazing and the staff was so friendly and caring, I totally recommend this place to any wanting good Indian food.

I had a great lunch here years ago but was disappointed in the food quality at a recent dinner. Butter Chicken had a nice sauce but the meat was thoroughly dried out. Saag Paneer was oily. Interesting flavor profile though. Hopefully it was just a bad night. read more

Superb customer service! Decor and ambiance simply amazing. Food is so flavorful and packs a punch. Totally recommend for a date night or family outing! read more

Cilantro Indian Cafe - Chicken Tikka Masala - Indian Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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I'm so glad my friend told me to try this place!! I was a little thrown off when I first entered as I thought it was a traditional sit down restaurant but it is more of an order at the counter and then find a seat somewhere. Their menu is so large and there's so many options! The place is also super cute and clean inside. They have a dessert case too with tasty looking desserts but I didn't try it. I was initially sad because their menu didn't have vindaloo and I asked for guidance. They didn't seem annoyed either when I asked for something they didn't have but were SO kind as to helping me find something I might like. We landed on the coconut chicken curry with potatoes because I also can't have dairy. It was so delicious, I couldn't stop thinking about it for days and went back a couple days later with my sister! Her and her partner got the other two dishes and they were all so yummy. The whole staff is so friendly and welcoming and all the food I tried was tasty. I'll definitely be going back and telling everyone else to try them too! read more

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Again, surprised that I haven't reviewed this place. My husband loves Indian food. We decided to have date night. What goes with watching Dr. Who. Curry. We had lamb Korma, eggplant curry and tandoori chicken. So good. The food was ready for pickup when I arrived and it was still hot when I got home 30 minutes later. Just amazing. read more

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I got the paneer tikka masala and it was decent. The portion size is small and the price is big which is why I only gave it 3 stars. I'll be trying other Indian places in the area before returning to this one. read more

We arrived a half an hour before they were closing and asked as we entered if they would serve us . They told us only to go orders now so ok fair enough we just wanted two samosa chaats and a Dal Tadka . Cost us about $40 ( ok I understand Cary is high rent ) the portions were small . The samosa chat was honestly the worst that we have ever had -ever !! The Dal Tadka was swimming in grease and was not yellow Dahl . The decor on the restaurant looked very modern and nice but really we have been eating Indian food for fifty years and all over the east coast. This was so bad that we could not finish it . The service was friendly and the people there were great so maybe just try other menu items . read more