I've driven past Punjab Cafe in downtown San Jose several times and always wondered how good their…read moreIndian buffet was. A friend of mine who's Indian mentioned that this place was pretty good, so I figured I'd give it a try. I'm used to eating at Indian buffets closer to home, but sometimes it's worth driving a little farther to try something different. I'm glad I did! Don't judge a book by its cover because some of their dishes don't look very appetizing, but man do they taste good! We arrived close to 2pm, near the end of their lunch buffet. There weren't too many selections, maybe 6 or so entrees, but EVERY SINGLE DISH was good to very good! I thought maybe I was just hungry, but my wife agreed. That's pretty impressive for a buffet! Here is my take: Food (4.5 stars) * Chana chicken (or some variation of chana with garbanzo beans) was surprisingly one of my favorites! My wife doesn't like garbanzo beans, and I'm not particularly crazy about them either. Since most of the other dishes were chicken and goat curry, she decided to give it a try. To our surprise, it was delicious! So good that I saved it for my last few bites. That's usually when I eat my favorite dishes! (5 stars) * Goat curry was another favorite. The curry sauce was excellent with a very slight hint of gaminess from the goat meat. Not overpowering at all. In fact, that's how I like my goat curry. It was flavorful enough that I saved it alongside the chana dish for my final bites. (4.5 stars) * Tandoori chicken doesn't look particularly appealing. It actually looks a little dry from sitting in the buffet tray, but it tastes very good! Dip it into their green chutney and it becomes even better. Another example of why appearances can be deceiving. (4.5 stars) * Green chutney was excellent! It has a minty flavor with a slight hint of sweetness. I found myself adding it to just about everything, especially the tandoori chicken. (5 stars) * Palak paneer is another dish that doesn't look very appetizing. But again, it tastes good! I'm beginning to see a pattern here. (4 stars) * Naan bread was fresh, hot, and very buttery. Pretty good naan, and they bring it directly to your table. We couldn't finish ours and the gentleman working there told us we could take the leftovers home. Nice! (4.5 stars) * The buffet is around $19 and change per person, which is a pretty good value considering the quality of the food. Sometimes I'd rather have 6 good dishes than 15 mediocre ones! ~ The buffet presentation could definitely use some improvement. Several dishes looked like they'd been sitting there for a while. We did arrive near the end of lunch, so perhaps that's why. Regardless, everything tasted much better than it looked. ~ One large piece of goat meat was a little tougher than I would've liked. The flavor was excellent, but the meat could've been more tender. Service (5 stars) * One thing that really stood out wasn't even related to our meal. While we were eating, a gentleman came by who appeared to be someone in need. The man working there, who I believe might be the owner, asked him how many naan breads he wanted. One or two? The gentleman said two. He handed him two naan breads and said, "God bless you." From what I observed, it appeared he gave them to him for free. I thought that was a genuinely kind gesture. You don't see that every day, and it left a lasting impression on me. * When we were paying, the same gentleman suggested that my wife sign up for their loyalty program. All she had to do was provide her email, and we received $5 off our meal! He didn't have to mention it, especially when we were already ready to pay. That's another example of someone going out of his way to take care of customers. * He also allowed us to take home our leftover naan. Small gesture, but it's these little things that make a restaurant memorable. Ambiance (4.5 stars) * Restaurant is clean and comfortable. Nothing overly fancy, but a nice place to enjoy an Indian buffet. * We arrived around 1-1:30pm and there were only a couple of other customers. It was quiet, and we had a relaxing lunch. * Their bathroom was SPOTLESS! I mean, for a restaurant in downtown San Jose, I was genuinely impressed. I've been to plenty of downtown establishments where the bathrooms leave a lot to be desired. This one was so clean that I joked I might stop by just to use their restroom if I'm ever in the area! (5 stars) Overall, I'm giving Punjab Cafe 5 stars! It's not because they have the biggest buffet or the fanciest presentation. It's because every dish we tried was good to very good, the price was reasonable, and most importantly, the people running this place seem genuinely kind. Sometimes the best restaurants aren't the ones with the prettiest food. Punjab Cafe is a perfect example. Don't judge a book by its cover!

Firstly, I have to give credit where it's due. I believe the owner was making a point of walking…read morethrough the small, quaint dining room, checking in on guests and making everyone feel welcome. That personal touch didn't go unnoticed--bravo, sir. I visited on a Saturday at lunchtime. When I arrived there was only one other guest, but the restaurant gradually filled with what appeared to be regulars. Many walked in, confidently chose their usual tables, and headed straight for the buffet. Throughout my meal, I also noticed a steady stream of takeout orders leaving the kitchen, which I took as another positive sign that the restaurant has built a loyal following. The one unavoidable downside has nothing to do with the food: parking. Downtown San Jose's parking situation is every bit as challenging as people say. There were a handful of metered spaces in front of the restaurant, but they looked questionable, and several nearby vehicles seemed to be taking their chances with the free grace period. The buffet selection is on the smaller side, but what it lacks in quantity it largely makes up for in quality. There were eight hot entrées, and each delivered satisfying flavor. The butter chicken featured tender pieces of chicken breast in a rich, mildly spiced gravy, and I was pleasantly surprised that every piece remained moist. The tandoori chicken, mostly thighs, was cooked exceptionally well--juicy, flavorful, and never dry. I also enjoyed the chili chicken. While it's more Indo-Chinese than traditionally Indian, Punjab Cafe executes this fusion classic very well. My only real disappointment was the naan. It was overly thick, chewy, tough, and somewhat brittle, with a texture that reminded me more of a pizza crust than fresh naan. The lone employee working the front of the house deserves recognition. She continuously refilled water glasses, cleared plates, replenished the buffet, and kept the dining room clean and organized--all while maintaining a smooth operation. The weekend buffet was $19.99 (plus tax) and included self-serve hot chai. On my visit, dessert options were rice pudding and semolina halwa. Overall, if I find myself in the area again, I would gladly return. It's a no-frills, very casual buffet that focuses on serving flavorful, satisfying food rather than putting on a show--and sometimes that's exactly what you're looking for.

One of the best South Indian Restaurants. Tasty and a clean place. Thatte Idli, Dosa and all…read moreitems are very good. Freshly made tasty authentic Madras Coffee.

Went there with family for dinner. We were given our table token and sat down comfortably…read more The orders need to be placed at the billing desk and you need the table token for it. We ordered dosas, uttampams and a combo with dosa, idli and medu vada. Everything came to our table piping hot after about 10mins. We were offered a refill for sambhar and chutneys. The taste was amazing and we really enjoyed everything we ordered. We also had filter coffee and mango lassi, which were also good. The ambiance is perfect for a good meal and it gets quite busy but still maintains its charm and peace. Revisit score: 10/10

Butter Chicken * The…read moresauce has the perfect consistency -- rich, smooth, and well balanced. * The melted butter brings everything together, enhancing the buttery flavor while adding a lightness that keeps the dish from feeling too heavy. * The chicken is charred to perfection. The smoky char adds a deep, layered flavor that complements the creamy sauce and helps refresh the palate with each bite. * The chicken is incredibly tender, making the texture just as impressive as the flavor. Homemade Garlic Naan * The first bite starts with a satisfying crispiness, followed by a soft, fluffy interior. * It's more than just garlic butter -- the diced garlic adds a bold, fresh kick, while cilantro and parsley bring a bright, herbaceous freshness that lifts the flavor and keeps it from feeling heavy.

Went on Friday night for dinner without any reservations. Got seated immediately. They seem to have…read morechanged their name to Royal Haveli. They had a new menu as well. And Their staff is always pretty friendly. We ordered a variety of food. Chili Fish - It was meh. Not sweet thankfully but didn't taste appetizing Chicken Fried Rice - This was good Chicken Malai Kabab - This was good too Tandoori Roti - The size seems to have reduced than how it was before Chicken Do Pyaza - It was not how it's usually made. Won't order it again.

Food and service were good! Been there a couple of times and both times I was quite happy with the…read moremeals. It can get busy, depending on when you go, though I have never had to wait for a table, which is a plus. Tikka fish was delish, butter chicken, eggplant dish, nungu dessert, chili cauliflower. The restaurant is clean and prepped well for meals. Will definitely return- this maybe my new go to place!

Updated review post the name change after several take out orders and one dine in experience…read more Rusi has deals through DoorDash and we ended up trying several dishes because of that. Though they have a lot of BOGO offers, the quantities are very less making the deal far less attractive than what it seems. Coming to the food itself, it's pretty average, the dum biryani had tandoori style red color chicken topped with flavored rice. Not dum biryani from any angle. The mild chicken curry we ordered for take out was literal fire and burnt through my tummy. We then saw a post for unlimited Thursday night chaat and made our way there inspite of being a weekday. After getting seated we were told they decided not to have it due to lack of sufficient patrons. Needless to say we were disappointed but ending up ordering a few dishes. We got chowmein, parotta and some chaat. All the items were good and well made. They also gave us a Bangalore style peas chaat on the house, it tasted exactly like the version my grandma makes. So this was a very decent meal. Overall lot of inconsistency and mixed experiences.

The wait was too long when we came on a weekend so we couldnt stay for mains. They said up to 45…read moremins! But we ordered the chai masala, filter coffee, egg puff and veggie puff which took 30 mins. The egg puff was so good tho! Really like the hard boiled egg in the middle and curry flavoring inside, it was moist and not too dry with great flavor. The veggie puff wasnt AS good but still decent. More pastry and not as much filling and the puff was a bit dried. I enjoyed my chai masala and my partner enjoyed his filter coffee! Interior of cafe feels modern, not the best layout in terms of tables and seating as it gets quiet narrow on the edges with not as good ambience the further right and down u go, but the open floor in front of the counter and kitchen has alot of natural light and lounge table seating. Great attitude in service and love what seems like a women run business, just need to work on reducing wait times for food!

This quaint little cafe is now our new favourite…read more Ambience - is very cute and pleasantly decorated. Kids have little toys and puzzles to be engaged Food - love the puff. If you have eaten savoury puff in India you will love the puff here and to my non Indian friends - try this place once try their savoury puff Service and staff - very warm and friendly !!! Restrooms and clean and well maintained as well !! Me and husband go here quite often now - our regular order - masala Chaya and veg puff We have also tried and loved pazam puri, veg cutlet We will explore more and share our updates here.

I wish I could give more than 5 !!…read more Love the ambience, love how they present their food and the variety of the buffet!!!! Not to mention that the taste is great as well. We wish we live closer! But we will definitely be back soon. FYI, the name is not what your think And gratuity was already included so no need to give more but I am pretty sure they wouldn't mind it if you add extra

Ridiculously flavorful, with some of the best naan I think I've ever had -- which is not usually…read morethe highlight of an Indian meal, and is certainly not a critique of the other fantastic items I enjoyed. But there was something about that bread. Mine had cheese and garlic, and while decadent on paper, it provided a great balance to the protein, veg and sauces I was exploring. High quality, friendly staff, a slightly odd-ball atmosphere, and a silly name. All of it is ever so slightly dinged by the fact that the food is surprisingly expensive for the quantity -- but on quality alone, I don't feel comfortable lodging a formal complaint. If I lived in town, I would be a regular.

Honestly wish I would have tried this place sooner! It's located in such a location that unless you…read moreknow about it or are going to the light rail, it's not a restaurant you would easily pass. It's really tucked in the neighborhood. Its a casual spot and family run. There was a good amount of people eating on a Friday night. Do prepare to wait a little for your food to come out, good things take time. I can tell you it was worth the wait. We got the sports combo plate with beef and goat, both were delicious. SOO MUCH FLAVOR in the meat and vegetables stir fry. the chapati pairing to it was nice. The green sauce is spicy and has a kick at the end but add to the dish very well. If you like deep spice flavors, you will definitely like Jubba!

WHY I WENT HERE: - order take-out…read more THE LOOK (FROM THE OUTSIDE): - located on the corner of Terner Way adjacent to the lightrail tracks - located across the street from the VTA Ohlone/Chynoweth Station THE LOOK (FROM THE INSIDE): - at the entrance there's Somalian cultural items on display on the wall, like the flag - colorful chairs and tables spread throughout THE MENU: - lunch - dinner - sides WHAT I ORDERED: - Mandazi - Sambusa - Beef Suqaar - Roasted Goat Cutlet THE TASTE: - Mandazi was "not too sweet", the greatest compliment from Asians - Sambusa was very flavorful, would definitely get it again - both entree dishes came with the same rice and salad; didn't care for the salad but the rice had nice flavor to it - some of the flavor profile to both dishes was reminiscent yet different to Ethiopian dishes - the pickled or grilled onions was a bit overpowering for me personally CUSTOMER SERVICE: - straightforward since I ordered to go from the cashier

Indian restaurant in Silver Creek area with strong flavors and spices in each dish! Does get busy…read moreon a weekend lunch. Have been here for dine in and take out. Mango lassi was full of mango flavor with right consistency. Chai was solid and you add your own sugar adjustments. Chicken 65 has some crispy parts to it and spiced amazingly. Chicken was also juicy and tender. It was my first time trying the kothu Parotta and it was delicious and liked the crispy bits of it. The Parotta on its own was soft and fluffy. I got regular butter masala but with mild medium but didn't really taste the spice so I'd go spicy next time if you like spicy. The biryani was good with soft chicken pieces but needs the sauce with the rice. On the drier side for me. Great service here. Small dining area. All their plates and utensils are gold. Have some outdoor seating if you order takeout. Would come back if I'm craving Indian food!

Took the family for lunch at Saapaaduu. We were looking forward to trying their South Indian…read morecuisine. I was really looking forward to having Dosa, sadly it wasn't offered during this time. Not sure why, since it was advertised as an all day menu item. Their classic idly came out with some of the best chutneys I've had in a while. Masala chai was really good as well. It comes unsweetened which is just perfect. The butter chicken and masala chicken were very similar in flavor profile. A little sweet. Roti was a hit. Overall, we might try coming for dinner next time. Ambience was really nice and classy. Service was fast. Once our order was submitted via tablet, items came out fast. We placed subsequent orders and those came out fast as well.

Home made style of comforting South Indian food. Food was…read moretasty and not very greasy. Will def come back again.

Went with my husband to check out Meenakshi Bhavan for lunch- we were very pleasantly surprised,…read moreseemed very authentic . Loved the onion rava dosa- wonderful texture, chewy and crispy. Got to try a variety of dishes on the thali- my favorite was the dal and okra. Samosa chaat portion size was generous and tasty. Service was good. Definitely want to go back.

The avocado and paneer galotii was amazing! Our server, Priya, was pleasant and gave good…read morerecommendations for dishes when asked. Overall great food and great atmosphere, would highly recommend!

Very nice ambiance!!! Food was flavorful and everyone was super sweet and hospitable.read more