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    Idly Express - Milpitas

    4.2 (321 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 9:30 pm

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    IDLY EXPRESS - MILPITAS ATMOSPHERE

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    dosa
    Sarah L.

    It's okay. It's more of a to go, hence "express" in its name. They have tables outside if you cant wait to eat your food. Very relaxed and casual. We ordered idly, they are minis! If you are not Indian and wondering what it tastes like, if you have had puto, yes i said it, a Filipino snack make of rice flour, that's how it tastes like except idly will have the Indian twist, it's coated with chili and lentil. They were spicy, but then again, as I have grown older, my tolerance to spicy food had gone down tremendously. And if you have not had the Filipino puto, then think of mochi but more fluffy and airy. we also ordered dosa which came with a soup, and chutney, coconut and tomato. The soup was ok, very liquid compared to a soup where you blended some of the ingredients, the soup becomes creamy. The dosa itself is good. it was odd though as Im used to seeing a burrito like dosa, this was more like flattened and cut into pies. We also ordered something that looks like a Korean pancake, I forgot the name. That was good too. For something fast, this will do. Lots of parking!

    Idly (1) Vadai (2) Combo
    Sriharsha A.

    Stopped by for a quick bite for breakfast and got the Idli 2 Vada combo with sambar, coconut chutney, and tomato chutney. The idli was one of the best I've had at an Indian restaurant! Sambar and coconut chutney were also amazing, but the tomato chutney was too sweet. They were super generous with the portions for chutneys and sambar. I also tried the vegan masala chai, it had good flavor but was pricey for the portion. Service was quick and staff were really friendly. It's takeout only. Parking is easy. Definitely plan to come back and try more of the menu.

    Gamini G.

    I was craving for some traditional authentic filter coffee and after a quick Yelp search, I found this place. Surprisingly it was open at 8am! I got a medium filter coffee, a vada and benne masala dosa. I just couldn't wait to dig in. The person at the counter was very kind. The seating here was limited but they did have good indoor and outdoor seating. The coffee came out pretty quickly! It tasted just like the traditional Indian filter coffee - absolutely delicious! The dosa and vada came out pretty quickly too. The dosa was dripping with ghee - just the way I like it. It came with tomato and coconut chutney. There was authentic sambar too. Everything tasted delicious! My cravings were satisfied! If you are looking for authentic South Indian food , look no further!

    Menu- June 2025
    Rachel R.

    Take out only! I suggest ordering pickup because it takes a while for the food to come out. Especially since there is no seating area inside. Vegan chai is made with oat milk

    Tomato chutney - with carrots and made in coconut oil
    Me Iz S.

    This location of Idly express is more of a takeout than a sit down, hence the ambience is very functional!! Nothing too much to talk about ...there are a couple of tables outside, no seating inside! The service appears to be fast. There is an electronic stand - to place your order and check out. There is a cashier - where you pay, and then there is a booth (more like a pick up table), the host signals that your order is ready for pick up! I have only eaten here once - last week I picked up a takeout. I ordered the Tathe Idly. You get two big idlis in a box. The order has small inner containers of sambar, a podi with oil, tomato chutney and coconut chutney. I requested them to skip the coconut chutney due to food, allergies (coconut is a no-no for me!!) They gave me four teeny/small containers of tomato chutney! This is where my experienced went South rapidly!! I don't think the tomato chutney is made of only tomato; when you keep it in the fridge and take it out, it solidifies and there is some sticky-creamy texture and it feels a bit chewy. I'm not sure what the other ingredient in the tomato is, I have to get to the bottom of it. This triggered immediate wheezing and a weird distaste for me!!! Stay tuned cause I'm going to call them and fill this space with ingredients within the tomato chutney. If you were to order food and eat, please - please - please be sure to ask about every ingredient, especially if you have asthma coupled with wheezing and a sensitive system! Follow up: I just got off the phone. The young lady who answered was very polite and checked with the chef about the ingredients!! Bang on, I was correct : the reason it's solid solidifies and the chutney looks creamy is because they use coconut oil !! Top that they add carrot in it! Be very mindful if you're eating that chutney!

    Mini tiffin ( vip + rava kesari)
    Sho R.

    I got an Uber delivery of Mini tiffin ( vip + rava kesari). They had a lot of delicious items like dosa and poori. But only idly was available through Uber. Food was ready quickly. Medhu vada was crispy and flavorful. Sambar, coconut chutney and tomato chutney all came in good quantity. Pongal was good. Kesari had a lot of ghee.

    A picture from october last year- Thatte idlis.
    Harmanjeet K.

    I'm a fan of their thatte idlis, but my recent DoorDash order was disappointing. The extra coconut chutney I ordered was missing, and they also never packed two tomato chutneys with two different orders of thatte idlis. I've noticed they've reduced the combo by one thatte idli and lowered the price on their website, but DoorDash still charges more ($7.95 vs $9.54). I understand restaurants pay a fee to DoorDash, but customers shouldn't bear the cost. On the bright side, their coconut chutney is delicious, and their sambhar is exceptional - soothing, homely, and perfectly spiced with added bottle gourd. I hope they address the inconsistencies and pricing issues. I look forward to dining in the restaurant and tasting their other offerings.

    Mini Podi Idly
    Sashidhar R.

    Comfort soul food! When you're overwhelmed with endless Indian options, this place offers clean, guilt-free, and wallet-friendly meals without compromising on quality or quantity. The $5 specials are incredible--Adai Avial, Kanjivaram Idlis, and Poori Masal are our top picks. The attention to detail in a $5 meal is impressive, like the butter and jaggery on the side for Adai. Their batters are unmatched in town, especially the sponginess of the idlis. Opportunities: * Tiffin: The regular tomato chutney is just okay but could be better (though the one served with Kanjivaram Idlis is amazing). * Hot Lunch: Their poriyals, like vazhakkai and potato, are consistently undercooked, and the taste could use some improvement.

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    3 years ago

    Found the food to be great all the times I got food here recently. I like their Thatte idly the most.

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - Idly Express - Milpitas

    Do u put cashews in coconut chutney? My son is allergic to nuts. Just wanted to check before coming there.

    Yes we add cashew nuts in coconut chutney.

    Any update on when the San Jose : Almaden Expressway location is opening?

    09/11/2023 at 11:00 am. Tel 408-440-2401

    Do you have Molga pudi/chili powder available?

    Yeah they sell different podis

    Is it only to go or are you allowing dine in now?

    To go only

    What are the vegan options?

    All Vegan dishes are marked with a V, on our website. Just as how Nutfree dishes are marked with a NF. All such queries are answered in our FAQs too, for the convenience of our beloved & valuable Customers.

    Not been seeing idli batter for purchase at Idly express, Milpitas. Can you please add it to the menu like before?

    Idly batter will not be available till we can solve the supply chain issues.

    Any reason not to include dosas on the menu?:-)

    Please Please do include. Your food is the bestest in the bay area

    Do you have allergen information for the items on the menu? Edit: what items are dairy free and soy free? Thank you!

    If you have a specific question on any of the products I’ll be more than happy to answer.

    View All 9 Questions

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    Hashtag India

    Hashtag India

    3.3
    (56 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Fun new eatery to check out, Hyderabadi cuisine! We grabbed lunch at Hashtag India in Milpitas and…read morehad a great experience overall. We ordered the Pachimirchi paneer, chicken tikka burger, veg puffs, garlic naan, street-style noodles, chai, and falooda, and every dish was flavorful and hit the spot. They are known for their very generous Mandi dish, which is a Yemeni dish that gained popularity in Hyderabad due to Yemeni immigrants. It's a combination of flavored rice and a variety of meats. The restaurant was super busy, which speaks to how popular it is, but the service was pretty slow & they were out of many food items as a result. The restaurant has regular seating and, in addition, cute closed booths where you can sit at a low table in the traditional Indian way. They also have some funky prison booths with handcuffs, etc. If you aren't in a massive rush, the food is definitely worth the wait for some solid Indian fusion and street-style favorites. I will be definitely going back to try their famous Mandi Ambiance: 10/10 Service: 8/10 Food: 10/10 Music: 10/10 Seating: indoor & privacy booths Parking: Ample, free parking available Price: $30-$50 per person

    We feel like we're back in Hyderabad when we go to Hashtag. They specialize in Mandi and Irani…read morechai. The Zafran chai is beautiful, with pieces of dried rose and saffron. Rich without being too heavy. Mandi is a Yemeni dish that gained popularity in Hyderabad due to Yemeni immigrants to the city. It's a combination of rice and meats. The flavors are more Arabian. Served with Yemeni schug, a green chutney, and tomato onion sauce. I tried fish Mandi and absolutely loved it. The rice was seasoned with hawaij and toasted raisins and almonds, and the fish was nicely crispy and covered in a sauce similar to tikka masala, very tasty. They have a few different kinds of delicious yellow dal that make a great accompaniment to Mandi -- spinach, tomato, mango pickle. The menu is very extensive, with a wide range of Telugu dishes. They have some fun little touches -- Mandi booths and a kitschy jail cell table, which apparently replicates a popular Mandi House in India. The service is very nice and welcoming.

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    Decor
    Decor
    Mandi
    Mandi
    Kesar Pista Falooda

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    Kesar Pista Falooda
    Raunak

    Raunak

    4.4
    (87 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    We usually come for weekend lunch buffet then tried their dinner menu for the first time…read more The food is delicious and well seasoned. Our veg favorites include gobi manchurian, malai kofta, and the paneer "sizzler" type of dish. Service is great as well. Saturday afternoons get busy so expect a buzzing atmosphere. Raunak has become a go to for us.

    3.5*s rounding up for now…read more **USP: Indian North Indian style buffet. Buffet available all seven days, weekend buffet is slightly more expensive but has a larger spread. **AMBIANCE: large floor to ceiling height but the place is small, it felt real cramped during the weekend buffet when it was packed with people. Their service area is also tight. They had to put two dishes in each chaffing dish to optimize. Weekday buffet was not as packed and i infact saw a huge corporate team gathered for lunch. ***FOOD: doesn't feel like a luxurious buffet due to lack of space but they did have a decent spread with 3-4 veggie appetizers, 3-4 non veg appetizers, 4-5 desserts, Pani puri, fresh table side naan (which was done very beautifully), two varieties of biryani, fried rice, indo Chinese items, 3-4 varieties of non veg curries, 3-4 varieties of veg curries, salad, drinks etc. As with any buffet there will be hits and misses, I for one enjoyed the varied options and the unlimited Pani puri though it was on the sweeter side. The weekend buffet was definitely worth the price tag of $23, the weekday buffet on the other day felt expensive at $20 as the number of items were significantly lower.

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    Buffet station
    Buffet station
    Placemats
    Placemats
    Raunak

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    The Indian Canteen

    The Indian Canteen

    3.6
    (27 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    Indian Canteen, Milpitas -- A Bollywood-Style Feast Worth the Wait…read more Ambience & Vibe Walk in and you're greeted by a wall-to-wall tribute to Bollywood--bright movie posters, upbeat Hindi tunes, and on weekend nights, live musicians who turn the dining room into a mini film-set concert. Traditional low tables invite you to kick off your shoes and settle onto floor cushions, instantly adding a cozy, almost homestyle feel. What We Ordered * Chicken Mandi - A show-stopping platter of fragrant basmati rice crowned with perfectly roasted chicken. The portion is generous (see photo!) and the spice profile leans savory-warm rather than tongue-scorching, so everyone at the table can dig in. * Mutton Curry - I rarely gamble on mutton when eating out, but this one converted me. The meat was melt-in-your-mouth tender, swimming in a rich, slow-cooked gravy that balanced heat with a gentle hint of clove and cardamom. Absolutely outstanding. Service & Pace There's a sign at the entrance: "This is not fast food. Great taste takes time." Believe it. Dishes are cooked to order, so expect a leisurely wait. The staff checks in just enough to keep you updated, and once the platters hit the table you'll agree the patience tax is totally justified. Pro Tips 1. Go with friends--the mandi platter is made for sharing. 2. Weekends mean live music; arrive a bit early if you want prime floor-seat real estate. 3. Plan for 20-30 minutes from order to first bite; use the time to soak in the music and décor. Bottom Line Indian Canteen's mix of Bollywood flair, floor seating, and from-scratch cooking turns dinner into an experience. If you're craving authentic mandi and a mutton curry , mark this spot on your Milpitas food map--and don't forget to bring your patience and your camera.

    This place was a major letdown. I came in with high expectations after seeing a few Instagram…read morereels--especially excited to try the Mandi--but left thoroughly disappointed. We ordered crispy corn, baby corn pepper fry, chicken 65, malai kofta, dum ka murg, naans, and mutton Mandi. Every single dish was extremely oily--borderline inedible. The food didn't taste fresh, and both, the veg and non-veg curries tasted exactly the same. Overall, nothing stood out--in fact, everything felt overly greasy and underwhelming. Definitely not worth the hype. Disappointing!

    Photos
    The Indian Canteen
    The Indian Canteen
    The Indian Canteen

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    Calcutta Chaat & Bakery

    Calcutta Chaat & Bakery

    4.1
    (222 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Halal

    Absolutely delicious! I ordered delivery, so I unfortunately don't have anything to share about the…read moreservice or ambience. I will, however, say that their samosa chaat and vegetable chow mein were delightful! I'm a sucker for Indo-Chinese food, so when I saw chow mein on the menu, I of course had to get some, and man was I glad that I did! The noodles were perfectly thin, the vegetables were grilled to perfection, and the dish had a great variety of textures. The samosa chaat was sensational and very unique. I loved the layering of flavors and textures and the toppings. 10/10 would recommend!

    This is a small, no-frills Kolkata cuisine restaurant in Milpitas, and the ambience is pretty…read morebasic. It's a fully self-serve setup--you order and pay at the counter, pick up paper plates, plastic cutlery (which I'm personally not a fan of), and napkins from the front, and once you're done eating, you're expected to clear your table as well. Given all of this, the expectation of tipping feels a bit confusing. That said, we came here for the food--and it truly delivered. My husband is Bengali and was craving authentic Bengali food, so we decided to try this place over the weekend, and we absolutely loved it. We started with the mutton (goat) cutlet and Mughlai paratha. The mutton cutlet was adequately stuffed, fried crispy to perfection, and tasted really good. The Mughlai paratha by itself was just okay, but when paired with the aloo tarkari (potato curry) it became an instant hit. For the main course, we ordered chicken chow mein and Katla fish curry with white rice, and both dishes truly transported us straight to Kolkata. The flavors were incredibly authentic, homely, and comforting--exactly the kind of food you crave when you miss home. I really wanted to try rasgulla, but I was so full that I had to skip it this time. Definitely going back to try more items from the menu--purely for the food. If you're looking for authentic Kolkata flavors and can overlook the basic setup, this place is absolutely worth a visit.

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