Best decision I made all week was to decide to go for dinner at Himilaya Cafe. From the outside it has always looked underwhelming. No social media presence, website and its cash only. The reason is because they put all their focus into making amazing homemade Indian cuisine. I felt cozy sitting in there and they are truly hospitable, as if you were in their home. I cannot wait to go back read more

Himalaya Cafe - Feb 2026 - Indian Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

Service was attentive and friendly, decor beautiful, new zealand white wine lovely. Food fantastic. We also tried garlic naan--exactly as described in other reviews. Chana masala nicely done with some kick. I consider myself a samosa expert and we loved them! I would now feel comfortable trying any thing on the menu. Happy to find not just because of the food but also the comfortable and creative vibe. We are visiting and staying next door at the blue pier inn. Very content to go next door for an excellent dinner out after a challenging couple of work days. read more

Himalaya Cafe - Dinner with my sis - Indian Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

This is a hidden gem in Old Saybrook.....I've been there maybe a half dozen times for both take-out and to eat there and each time the service is friendly and the food is cooked fresh to order....my most recent visit was last night, when the place was cozy and inviting as the temperature outside was cold and dark....the one criticism I have is that when I went to order wine with dinner they only had one selection since they were out of the 9 or 10 other wines they had listed on the menu. read more

Love this place ~ the simple decor and music and seating . The food is amazing ~ all the naans are excellent . The chef is so talented with the seasonings and spices . The waiter is funny and delightful. We live going there and bringing new friends to share our joy read more

Stopped here on our way to a romantic getaway and it really set the tone for our weekend away. The staff / owners were warm and welcoming. the vibe was cozy and artsy, we sat at the bar and watched the chef prepare our delicious authentic meal. Will definitely stop by the next time we head that way. read more

H.C. Is back after a year and a half hiatus! Though at has some quirks, your patience will be rewarded. Signs outside seem to suggest that either it's reservations only or take out only, but we got tables twice recently with no problem. The food is simply delicious--be it the kerala cod special (perfectly cooked and fresh, with lovely spices), the lamb, or the saag paneer--really fresh. Naan is great but a little crisper. Rice pudding at the end was delightful with rose petals. Bear with them as they staff up and you'll be rewarded. Haven't had better Indian even in NYC. read more

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We ordered takeout. When I arrived, the restaurant smelled amazing. They are cash only, which is fine. The food was ready when they said it would be. We got the Chicken Tikka Masala, medium. It was amazing. I passed on the "Indian Hot ", but next time I will certainly try it. We also got the plain Naan. This was great and next time I will try the other versions. The interior is cozy and we will definitely dine in soon. read more

I kindly received a call regarding my experience & an offer for a second try. I appreciate the thoughtfulness & willingness to reach out. I look forward to the opportunity to try their cuisine one again. Thank you. ************************************************ Curling up for a "mommy alone" night... why not treat myself to delicious Indian food?!?! But... I'm disappointed.... So excited for the tikka masala... couldn't decide between paneer & chicken. Couldn't combine so I chose chicken tikka & plain naan. Tikka sauce tasty but chicken is not tender and.... NO naan in my bag! . 1. Wish I'd gotten the paneer 2. Wish I'd checked my bag BUT! They did throw in a "free" mint chutney. We can do better. P.S. wish I had naan to dip in my sauce PPS... The rice is PERFECT! read more

Small ornately decorated spot with a small menu of Indian food. Have tables, couches, and an L-shaped bar with 6 seats that overlook the small open kitchen. The menu had all of the Indian food classics. I got a dish I had never tried before and it was solid. The service was impeccable Asked for the spice level that I wanted my food at 9 read more

Himalaya Cafe - Indian Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

Love that this place has finally reopened! Had a great dinner-- everything (chicken tikka masala, chicken korma, garlic naan, and a couple apps) was super fresh and perfectly spiced. And, the service and ambiance were great, too. Cash only and beer/wine by the glass available (at least for now). A gem in Old Saybrook. read more

Drove an hour to come here and we were not disappointed. The food, service, and atmosphere were all incredible. We were sitting there until closing time. The entrees were spectacular and the flourless chocolate cake was perfect. We will be recommending this place to everyone. read more

One of my go-to places for takeout closer to home. Good food with lots of flavor. If you love the spicy, they do not shy away from doling it out! The menu is a little smaller than some of my other favorite spots, but everything is done well. They have the staples, such as tikka masala, korma, vindaloo, and saag. The Ghobi Manchurian, which is stir fried sweet chili cauliflower is one of our favorite starters! The restaurant itself is small and intimate. A cozy spot for a nice dinner. Dine in or take out, everyone is super nice. They are also super busy. I have called in and been put on hold for 10+ minutes. Be patient and wait it out or just call back. It is worth it! read more

Amazing service. Great samosas and garlic naan! We ordered the Tikka Masala and the flavor was perfect. This place is a must go to if you like Indian food. They even ended our meal with complimentary rice pudding. read more

Amazing dinner with such great hosts. The chicken tandoori is very good with the cucumber raita with Naan. For folks who have very low spice levels I would recommend the spinach paneer or tiki masala with the garlic naanThe mango lassi is very refreshing! The service was amazing and the owner came over and chatted with us as they just reopened and we were quite excited to be back. They even held an umbrella for my boyfriend's grandmother as it began to rain when we left. Thank you for a great time. read more

When I walked into the restaurant, I had no idea that this was going to be such a memorable experience. I felt like I walked into an Indian restaurant in an Indian city. The decor is lovely and unique. The idols of Indian Gods are well placed and the copper vessels in the background add to the beauty of the interior decor. Safety: They have made partitions between the tables which I think is for your safety from Covid-19. Food: We ordered Patra appetizer and Chicken Biryani. Patra was average. Someone who loves to try new things and likes mild flavors would love it. Chicken Biryani was hot and spicy!!! The addition of whole spices to the preparation instead of powdered spices makes the whole biryani spicier than you may expect. But that's what adds the authenticity to it! We were extremely pleasantly surprised to have such a delicious biryani after long long time!! The typical biryanis that you get in most South Indian restaurants are dry. This one was moist and had much more flavor. The chicken pieces were well cooked. Perfect biryani! The waitress messed up a drink once but compensated by not charging for it. The staff was always checking upon us and was very polite and warm. Great service. If you are missing the real Indian restaurant experience, you must visit Himalaya Cafe at least once. read more

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Some of the best Indian food I have had in the US. Being from the UK, curry is kind of a staple. The food here is excellent and the staff are super friendly and nice. We were heart broken when they closed. We haven't been back since the reopening but we will do very soon. The Lamb Biryani was amazing! read more

4.5 starts for excellent reason - it should have all 5! Let me start by saying that my husband is not particularly a fan of Indian food, but I'm our anniversary weekend away I was really craving it. We got the garlic naan (where's the 10 star review option?!), Dhaba, and tikka masala. The portion sizes were ample and the flavor profile was stellar. It was so good, in fact, that when I asked my husband what his top three things were of our anniversary weekend, he ranked eating here in the top 3. I would agree. We will be back. Chicken Tikka Masala read more

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Wonderful cozy environment, food was phenomenal, service excellent! Can't wait to spend another evening with friends in this magical place eating great Indian food! read more

I am so glad this place is open again! The food and service were outstanding. I had the special: Kerala cod. It's a South Indian dish prepared with a coconut sauce and spices. It was the best Indian dish I've ever had. I hope it becomes part of the regular menu. My fiance had chicken tikka masala and his first mango lassi, which he loved. We finished with a delightful rice pudding--a sweet ending to a sweet meal. We'll be back soon! read more

Excellent food in a unique and very comfortable setting. Great place. Very friendly and attentive staff.

Everything about this restaurant is so fresh. All the food is clearly made to order and tastes heavenly because of how soft, delectable, and spicy it all tastes. We ordered the samosas, curried chicken, Malawi kofta, veggie korma, and all the normal extras. I cannot emphasize how well all of this food tastes. This must be the best Indian food in the area. I cannot wait to return. Also when we stopped in they gave us a free slice of carrot cake for a belated birthday. The hosts and servers are kind here and go out of your way to make it an enjoyable experience. The environment is cool and moody. There are a variety of seating options with a few couches, tables, the bar, or booth tables along the wall. You can't go wrong with where you sit since they all look comfortable. One plus to sitting at the bar is that you can watch them prepare all the food. The smell alone is mouthwatering. I can't wait to come again! read more

Himalaya Cafe - Indian Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

I was looking for some authentic Indian food and Himalaya cafe did not disappoint! From the eclectic decor to the food and service everything was A1! The restaurant is small but the seating is comfortable. We ordered lamb biryani with tandoori chicken in tikka masala sauce along with an order of naan and papadum. Everything was perfectly cooked ...word to the wise when ordering be aware that spicy means spicy...my taste buds were tingling with the lamb biryani ordered medium spicy ( I can take spice and I was surprised at how spicy medium was)...when I go back I will try mild. All in all a great spot! read more

Himalaya Cafe - Lamb biriyani with naan and raita - Indian Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

We went here for Easter dinner, everyone was closed and figured we give it a shot. I'm so glad we did, we had the best meal! It's very cozy inside - excellent food and service. I've been driving by for years and had no idea.... And I got my Lamb! read more

Himalaya Cafe - We had our Easter dinner here, nobody else Great restaurant - Indian Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

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The Himalaya Cafe has tasty, well-prepared Indian food with a host of vegan options. They also have a full bar with top shelf alcohol. The place is small but comfortable. The décor is cool and the music is pleasantly meditative. The service is very friendly (although a little slow), but a great place to go for a relaxing, satisfying meal. Recommended. read more

If Yelp had 10 stars, I would had to give his place an 11. The atmosphere, the food, and the service is a transportive experience. The decor and vibe is cozy. The music is so good my husband Shazammed it! Now on to the food. Any appetizer is delicious. The Vindaloo, Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, and Korma are the best on this continent. Yes! I said it. The other quality that compares is, Iceland, London, and Himalaya Cafe. Pros: Delicious, Location, Atmosphere, the Food Cons: Inconsistency with orders but the staff made it right. Go here for a cozy and romantic evening with great food and amazing music. read more

Last night of our vacation in Old Lyme we decided to look for our favorite cuisine. This place is absolutely amazing. Cozy and eclectic with fantastic staff and excellent food. Dana was super friendly and knowledgeable in terms of the menu. My husband is Indian and we all appreciate the flavor of North Indian dishes - these were out of this world. Even the watercress as a garnish on dishes was such a compliment to the eye and the tastebuds. Our girls loved the way the Mango Lassi was served in a perfect portion garnished with mint and a pretty straw. Can't say enough about Dana, the food and the atmosphere!!! Worth the hour ride from our house - we will be back! read more

Himalaya Cafe - Indian Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

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Perfectly lovely little place. Went for lunch. Spoke to the owner- it was going to be strictly a cocktail lounge then they added food. Has a cool hang out and lounge kind of vibe. You can eat but you don't have to eat to linger and have a drink- it's a full bar. My daughter had chicken saag and I had chicken tikka masala. We split the garlic naan- hot soft with a crispy edge and great garlic flavor. Our lunch was yummy and the basmati rice was just right. I will definitely return. Friendly service too. They had lunch specials for $7 or so and other full dishes were $12.95 or more. Try it- you'll like it. read more

Superb food, great service, wonderful value, just delightful. Two,of us went to dinner. We ordered samosas (excellent, $8) and Gobhi Manchurian (unique twist on cauliflower, $8) as appetizers. For the entrees we ordered lamb korma, that old standard, and chicken biryani. Servings were quite large. Our waitress was accomodating and attentive. The food was superb. These dishes were as good Indian cuisine as we have ever had, and we're veterans of the cuisine. Highly recommended. We're on vacation here, and I wish we could take the bistro with us. Go! read more

4 stars for the decor, rustic and modernized nothing Himalayan about it 2 stars for food, greasy and bland Service slow but prompt..Cash only! The cafes plain exterior opens doors to a beautiful rustic interior adorned with Indian artifacts ....the coolest of all being the painted barn wood boat turned into a hip upcycled seating with Indian accents pillows... the bar seating overlooks the open kitchen. We went there with a bunch of friends for lunch..got to sample some street food wraps..tandoor chicken kebab, paneer tikka, dal and garlic naan... neither of which I liked with the exception of the chicken dish... the paneer was hard, the wraps were soaked in grease the rest bland. And the lassi OMG it was the worst thing I've ever had it was neither sweet nor salty... yuck! read more

Himalaya Cafe - Indian Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

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I've driven by the restaurant several hundred times and never stopped. I didn't know what I was missing. I had the biryani chicken and it was delicious. Chicken was tender and the dish was very flavorful. read more

Ordered take out last night and was pleasantly surprised! Saag paneer had great flavor but wished it had some more paneer in it. My 8-month-old loved it too! I added some of their house hot sauce to mine and...man, that stuff has some kick. Use their hot sauce gently. Super spicy. Zero regrets. Their mango lassi was not very sweet at all. Lots of yogurt flavor. If you're expecting a super sweet beverage, this is not it. I enjoyed it a lot but other people may want some extra sweetness. read more

Had takeout for the first time tonight. We can't say enough good things about the food. Excellent amount of spice, fresh and not overdone chicken, and the naan was outstanding! The flavors were complex and complimented each other fabulously. I was very impressed with the decor, well put together and thought out. We will definitely be back to dine in next time. Well done, and thank you! read more

This was our first time here, and we can't wait to come back! The food was so delicious (Dhaba with chicken and Biryani with lamb). And the person who helped us with our order couldn't be nicer! The ingredients seemed of the highest quality, fresh and organic. Old Saybrook is lucky to have this gem! A nice bonus, San Pellegrino bottle!! read more

Back again for another fabulously delicious meal. This is tonight's special. Stuff baby potatoes. Yum. More at rivertoshore.com/Blog read more

Himalaya Cafe - Indian Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

One of the best Lamb Vindaloo we have ever had! The garlic naan was good too. But this place really has the best authentic vindaloo. The spice that we wanted which we chose Indian hot was perfect to our liking. I definitely recommend getting their dessert menu as well as it's a unique menu that's not sold anywhere else. The chef and staff were very friendly and attentive. read more

Himalaya Cafe - Indian Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

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I cannot give enough accolades to Himalaya Cafe for the quality of their food, their staff, and the vision of their owner, Sanjay, and passion of their Manager, Sima. Himalaya Cafe has become a weekly destination for me, not only for the fresh authentic cuisine, but for the comfortable Zen atmosphere inspired by the decor and music. Top it off with a staff that deliver unparalleled knowledge and service. I love this place! read more

Himalaya Cafe - Lamb Rogan Josh, garlic naan, cabernet. - Indian Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

Great food and comfortable seating. Drinks are sub par.... but that being said.. when we commented on the drinks our server comped them and apologized. That is customer service! We love the food and have gone back more than once. Our only complaint? Take reservations! So many restaurants do this seamlessly, why is it so difficult? The first time we came to Himalaya there was an hour wait. This makes it impossible to plan an important dinner. We left and ate at another Indian restaurant in Guilford which was not as good. The food is worth the inconvenience though. read more

Want to see a symphony in Old Saybrook, CT? Go to the Himalaya Cafe and sit at the bar to watch Naveen work his magic and create some of the finest Indian cuisine you will ever taste. He doesn't skip a beat adding spices and sauces into a array of pans to deliver the most authentic tikkas, sags and tandoori dishes. It's truly fun to watch. And Sanjay the owner could not have been more knowledgeable and personable to talk with. And don't forget to finish your meal with a couple gulab jumuns for dessert. A must restaurant to visit. read more

Came here yesterday, arrived at maybe at like 12:00 or so, and there were only like two other parties here. We had four people, and it was pretty easy to eat us. We had a young child with us, and the server was reasonably patient with some specific requests we made. I got the vindaloo, but I also tried the samosa, the rice, and the papadum. All were perfectly fine, pretty normal. The other people here got the tikka chicken, the saag (with chicken! I found this pretty weird), as well as mango lassi and garlic bread. No one had any complaints, and everything went pretty well. I asked for a hotter vindaloo, and I still didn't think it was spicy, so I think these guys could probably up their spice game, but that's just kind of how it goes in America. read more

Don't let the outside fool you this place is a serious eatery. When we first pulled up we were like meh, but the place has a good vibe, the wait staff is awesome, the food fantastic and all at the right price. read more

Himalaya Cafe - Indian Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut