We had been going to Masala Kitchen in the same location for several years and just discovered that this is now Himalayan Kitchen. I don't know if this is a renaming of the same restaurant, or under totally new ownership (I think the latter). Anway, our first time here last Friday night. We arrived at around 7:30 pm and found it about half full, with plenty of tables that are spaced far enough apart to make us feel comfortable. Service was prompt and friendly, and we definitely felt welcomed from the moment we arrived. We ordered tea to drink and were given small metal teapots of hot water and a choice of tea packets. I did miss having authentic Nepalese tea as one of the options, but the Jasmine tea I chose was good. We ordered the 8-piece chicken momo as an appetizer, but since it takes 20 minutes to prepare, we ended up having it later in our dinner. It looks like a potsticker or dumpling, and came with a very nice dipping sauce. We were also served a complimentary small bowl of lentil soup. Excellent! I went totally off my normal pattern and ordered the lamb and pumpkin pharsi. The flavors were delicious, the pumpkin chunks perfectly cooked, but I was disappointed at the toughness of the lamb. It was too tough to cut with a fork, and took some effort to cut with a knife. Tasted great, but I was expecting the lamb to be tender after cooking in a stew (maybe I'm wrong about how it should be). A small bowl of raita accompanied it, and I had a choice of a side of rice or naan. I chose the naan, and it was very good. My wife ordered the vegetable biryani. It came in a beautifully modled mound, steaming hot. Flavors were excellent, and all the vegetables were perfectly cooked. There was a minor issue with the level of hotness. We asked for mild biryani and medium spicy pharsi. The server warned me that it would be very hot... so I was preparing myself for a lot of spice. But in reality, both dishes had about the same level of spiciness, somewhere between mild and medium on my own spicy scale. So a bit too spicy for my wife, and not quite spicy enough for me. Inspite of these minor issues, we will definitely return. Maybe next time I'll pass on the lamb, and try some of the other dishes I'd usually order. read more

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I work at Marin Medical Health Psych unit, we had a potluck for one of our doctors to celebrate her milestone and I must say EVERYTHING was SO good! We had some veg dishes and meat dishes, everyone enjoyed the food and was asking where I ordered from. I will definitely be ordering again and I'm sure they will too. Highly recommend What are you waiting on? Order that food lol read more

What a blessing it is to be able to get such exotic food in our little Mountain town. I loved everything I ate. The restaurant smells divine. The music was quite loud, but when we asked them to turn it down, they cheerfully did so immediately. The service was prompt and we were well taken care of. I will definitely be going back here to eat and I will be taking my out-of-town guests here. read more

It's a warm feeling to find a good authentic restaurant that reminds you of home! Friendly staff, great menu, and delicious food! We had the veggie momos and chicken tika masala with naan! It was filling, delicious l, and left me wanting more! read more

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We got the tandoori chicken (whole), lamb tikka masala, Kashmiri naan, and rice. The food was delicious and came out sizzling hot. The Kashmiri naan was crispy and a little sweet on the inside, perfect with the tikka masala! The service was friendly and team was welcoming. Soothing dining experience. We will be back! read more

Himalayan Kitchen - Tandoori chicken (whole), Lamb Tikka Masala, Kashmiri Naan - Indian Near Me - San Rafael $$, California

I was at Himalayan Kitchen on the 3rd of February 2026. Was not my first time. I always have a good time when I'm there. The food is simply amazing and the person that waited my table is Abini. She is wonderful and courteous. I am there twice a month. I had the chow mein. Out of this world. read more

Excellent high quality food with great vegan options. The space was clean and quiet while being a large space inside so it was a great place to have a meeting with someone. read more

Our friends had arrived before we did and had ordered drinks. They saw us walking by and one came out to get us. After we sat, we had to wait quite a long time before a server came by. When he did, it was obvious that he was hoping to get our dinner order. I ordered drinks for myself and my wife and a platter of Momos for the table. When he brought our drinks, we ordered dinner. We each ordered one dish, each dish served with a choice of rice or naan. I asked the server if, for four hungry people, we had enough food. His reply was that we could always order more later. Our meals also included a free bowl of Daal Soup. Our server gave us fresh plates for our dinner after we inhaled the Momos. The portion sizes, while they looked small were more than sufficient with the included rice and naan and we didn't need to supplement our meal. While what we ordered was good, my wife and I felt that the best part of our meal were the Daal Soup and Naan. I thoroughly enjoyed my Saag Paneer (mild). My wife was disappointed that she could not taste the Butternut Squash in her Kukhura Pharsi (medium heat). Our friends ordered Chicken Korma (make me sweat level of spicy) and Tandoori Chicken (mild). They both said that they enjoyed their meals. We would definitely like to try some other flavors here. Photos to come. read more

One of the best food! Cheese naan ,butter chicken and lamb tikka masala. The taste that you will crave for over and over. Service was wonderful! The staffs are nice and friendly! The place is clean feels and smell like home. Highly recommended! read more

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Parking was super easy and location was easy to find. We were seated quickly and I love the culture in the restaurant. The layout was clean and the service was quick and friendly. They had options of curry and dumplings and I opted for the dumplings. The sauce was similar to curry and it was really good. It was my first time having Nepalese food and I will definitely return to try more items read more

Himalayan Kitchen - Indian Near Me - San Rafael $$, California

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Warm, delicious spices in the curry. Authentic dishes and fantastic and quick service.

Kind and gentle service. Food felt fresh. Will definitely return when we are in the area.

This place is AMAZING. We had the momo platter (steamed of 3 varieties - paneer, veggie, chicken) and steamed broccoli with garlic. I asked about the garlic thinking I would get the name of the first good peeled and cut garlic brand I had encountered - they cut garlic daily from scratch!! No wonder it was so flavorful. So was everything flavorful and made from scratch. The chai was good as was the gajjar (carrot) halwa - very homemade, not too sweet, could have used a bit more cardamom. read more

Great food at great prices. It's all about the food here. Try it out. Don't knock the strip mall location, just try the food. Really good vegetarian options! read more

I came with my family on a Thursday night and everything we had was excellent. The ambiance was very comfortable and inviting. Service was good and most importantly the food was delicious. I tried the vegetable momo, daal misuwa, naan, veggie biryani, and another rice dish that I can't seem to find on their menu now. All were excellent. My favorite was the biryani. It was extremely flavorful. If I had to pick a least favorite it would be the daal, just because it was a little bland, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I will definitely be back next time I'm in San Rafael. read more

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This restaurant absolutely deserves its high ratings. I got the Momo platter, lamb biryani, and butter chicken, which comes with rice/naan (huge plus to not have to spend extra $$). The portion sizes are perfect and it was an excellent takeout experience. Even though I was only in the restaurant for a few minutes, it was extremely pleasant inside and the service was very enjoyable and efficient. I will be back! read more

The food is excellent. The prices are reasonable. The service is friendly and relaxed. Highly recommended.

This is one of our favorite restaurants in Marin. The food is consistently delicious and reasonably priced. We have tried about every dish on the menu, and everything tastes freshly made. Our parents--who like many South Indian parents are tough critics of South Asian food--really enjoyed this place as well. The restaurant has a lot of vegetarian and vegan options too, which makes it a great place to take a group of people with mixed dietary preferences. We also have catered some small parties (30-40 people) from the restaurant. The food tastes just as good, and the team is flexible in terms of figuring out a menu that make sense for your party and budget. Like most good restaurants, it can get busy during peak lunch/dinner hours, but we have found going a little early can help avoid the rush. read more

I found our new favorite San Rafael restaurant thanks to all the five-star reviews on Yelp. I'm not a huge Indian cuisine fan (blasphemy I know!) so, without the lure of the 100% perfect rating, I probably would have passed this over with the assumption that I wouldn't love Nepalese food either. But Himalayan Kitchen is the best restaurant food I've had in a long time. We got the Nepalese chicken chow mein, which was very much a fusion dish, with distinct south Asian flavors. My younger daughter declared it her new favorite noodles. The momo were also different than more typical East Asian dumplings--heftier and spicier. They were delicious. The biggest surprise to me was the tandoori chicken. I generally feel lukewarm about this dish, but I couldn't get enough of Himalayan Kitchen's. I even saved the last tablespoon of sauce to add to my own cooking the next night, it was so full of flavor. The Montecito location is super convenient. Easy parking and centrally located. We got takeout, but the restaurant space is nice. I was looking through the Instagram page and not only saw some Yelp friends, but also some of our best local friends. So the word is already out--Himalayan Kitchen is San Rafael's new best restaurant! read more

Dropped in for a late lunch. The Butter Chicken lunch special was a nice size and tasty. I will say that my wife's order of Lamb Curry was even better. Prices are not unreasonable. The wide angle picture of the restaurant is representative. Service was good as we arrived after 1pm. Will come back for dinner sometime soon. read more

Himalayan Kitchen - Butter Chicken Lunch Special - Indian Near Me - San Rafael $$, California

Best Indian/Himalayan food I've had in this area. Their naan was hot and delicious. Curries spiced to taste and we had enough for plenty of leftovers. Very nice/attentive server. I'll definitely return to Himalayan Kitchen! read more

You gotta love a spot sort of hidden in a strip mall, I always know it's gonna be good. The wait staff were so nice. There is a decent lunch special combo that my friend and I got, yummy, nourishing and well-balanced. Dressing of the salad was yum and the stewed potatoes curry was flavorful. The dumplings were a little forgettable though. Definitely will be back when in the area again! read more

Himalayan Kitchen - Lunch Special - Indian Near Me - San Rafael $$, California

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We have eaten here multiple times over the past few years and each time the quality of the food and service has been excellent.

I had the chicken biryani and it was the best I've ever had! Absolutely delicious! I can't wait to go back. It smells amazing when you walk through the door. read more

The food was delicious. The staff was courteous and friendly. The food came fast. A very large menu.

I have had several 5 star experiences at this restaurant but my last lunch experience was quite disappointing. I got Chilli Paneer Rice plate and there was a ton of onions and very little Paneer in it and most disappointing was the rice which felt like it was more than a day old and barely warmed out of the refrigerator. I was happy with the other lunch options I have had here so this was a surprise. Anyway generally this restaurant is excellent so I feel bad writing this as it was not terrible but it was definitely disappointing read more

I have only 2 pluses for this place. The amount of food with the lunch special and the accompanying soup. We felt the rest of the food was bland with the samosas being particularly unenjoyable to eat. We had 2 completely different dishes and the sauces were basically the same tomatoey sauce with no hint of Tikka Masala in mine. Oh and a note for your to-go orders : Don't put the papadum in the container with the rest of the food - the condensation just makes it a wet, limp inedible waste. read more

We've eaten at Himalayan Kitchen twice and have had two events catered by them. The food is delicious, fresh, and we love Nepali food as it's lighter and has more of a 'homemade' flavor than heavier Indian food. The atmosphere at the restaurant is warm and the service top notch. The owner Wangchhe is so personable and kind. We can't wait to be back! read more

Great food nice restaurant lovely naan Had the lamb sag was delicious very fresh . Great service

Delicious Indian Food . This is located in the Montecito Plaza! It's located near kamikaze sushi spot ! We walk in greeted by a very nice gentleman. It's lunchtime but the restaurant is completely empty in a very busy shopping center! We ordered the Chicken Tandoori and Lamb Curry family style . Excellent taste and dishes ! With garlic naan and regular naan! Great customer service and perfect ambiance! read more

Himalayan Kitchen - Indian Near Me - San Rafael $$, California

This place is super clean very nice and very delicious lunch options and very good prices Very delicious very beautiful read more

Himalayan Kitchen - Chicken tikka lunch special skip rice get great - Indian Near Me - San Rafael $$, California

First time here. Have passed it by and finally came in. Clean and tidy. Open ambiance, friendly and welcoming. Basically Indian food, but with a Himalayan twist. Tikka Masalas can be made with coconut milk, but is an option because some people are dairy intolerant. I had the lamb tikka masala with the coconut milk and it was way too sweet for me. The waiter did mention that it is "better" when done their regular way. I will say that the chunks of lamb were very manageable and easily cut with my spoon. And it was very tender. Wife had a chicken curry, done the Himalayan way, with pumpkin. Not good for either of us. Mango Lassi was very fine. Service excellent. Personal taste, but we saw no reason for a repeat visit. read more

Food is excellent. Very well spiced and generous portions. Be careful of the heat. Their medium is a bit more hot than medium. service and ambience are very good. read more

This is a medium casual restaurant in a plaza with lots of parking. It is now my new favorite Indian restaurant. Barely do I find a place that makes the korma with the right amount of creaminess and sweetness. The lamb korma was perfect. Looking forward to trying their other dishes. read more

A place tucked in the corner of the Montecito Plaza here in Central San Rafael. More spacious inside than I would have guessed from the outside look. I'm glad I can come here whenever I have a craving for Indian/Nepalese/Himalayan food! I had their daal soup (similar to lentil soup but with added ginger and more herbs) and kukhura pharsi (described on the menu as chicken and butter squash cooked in homemade curry sauce). I'll admit I was a little skeptical by the rather small size but I was feeling really full by the time I was done, and I started out hungry haha. I had their garlic cilantro naan, which was pretty good and you can really taste the garlic and cilantro in it. The staff I saw was attentive and personable. I'll be back! read more

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OMG, this is lick the plate good. On multiple occasions, I have not been disappointed. Right now, I am eating carrots for dessert. Seriously, carrots, cooked in milk, cinnamon and honey. When I am sick, this is what I will request first. Who knew, carrots, could be so memorable. Children, will start to eat vegetables again. But, let's get down to the bass tacks. I had Lamb Shank . So, succulent, the fat melts in your mouth. I had it with brown rice and a complementary, cup of yellow lentil soup. My friend had the Nepalese style chowmein, It's flavor is addictive. Always, too much food for one sitting, and the staff! Wow, they are kind, helpful and well educated. Both Bonita and Wangchhe, are the best. They make our dining experience, rewarding. The music, flowers and decor, transports you , far out of Marin. It is so sad, to go home. This is lick the plate good read more

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Masala Kitchen opens in Tommy's Asian Bistro & Grill's space. menu is mostly Indian with a few Himalayan dishes. both inside and outside dining available. eats: Lamb curry combo (16.00) lunch -yummy organic mixed greens, hot butter naan, hot yellow lentil, hot lamb curry with a spicy kick, white basmatic rice. -food was said to be made to order. only saw 2 people in kitchen, food was very "hot" literally. not sure food was made to order. food came out in 5-10 minutes. most items very "hot"-seem to be reheated food at high temps.. -lamb was semi-tender otherwise no other taste beyond a spicy kick. -food tasted fresh. read more

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very nice impression. clean, and quiet. smells like good food is served here. good lighting, and spacious, well-decorated. simple lunch menu with specials, and good full menu. server and wait staff are attentive and listen well. read more

Great food and friendly service with a nice atmosphere. Himalayan Kitchen is our local favorite.

I just wanted to add a follow up review for Masala Kitchen. We only started dining here this year but we went from loving the place initially to being obsessed with it. I don't think I've ever frequented a restaurant as much as I have Masala Kitchen. Their food is excellent! Their food is consistently outstanding whether we order takeout or dine in the restaurant. I absolutely love that they offer so many vegan options and all of it so perfectly seasoned and full of complexity. Obsessed! We've had the pleasure of bring several friend (non-vegan) into their restaurant that have now themselves become regulars. It's that great. Beyond flavor, their prices are reasonable and everyone working here is so nice and welcoming. We've finally got local status (which I love) as they know what we're going to order. I could go on and on but the bottom line is, Marsala Kitchen is the best Indian in the bay area in my opinion. Give them a try, I absolutely recommend this wonderful, soulful restaurant. read more