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    Karak Cafe

    4.8 (24 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

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    Sally L.

    This is our first time at Karak Cafe. It was clean inside, with a few tables available for dine-in. The owners were very nice and friendly. We ordered samosa chaat, bun with pistachio & nutella, beef kofte roll, mango lassi, bun kabab, and rabdi falooda. I like the samosa chaat. It was tasty when you mixed everything. It was crunchy on the bottom with some tangy and a little kick of spiciness. The dessert was very different. The rabdi falooda had noodles, jelly, basil seeds, ice cream, and rose petals. I would return for sure to try their Karak Chai.

    Karak cheese steak special with fries and drink
    Daniel Y.

    Yes to more spots like this in the area! Karak is an unassuming cafe in a small suburban plaza with some familiar but different food options. I came for some chai, but was surprised to see some American, Indian, and slightly fusion food menu items. Rolls, sandwiches, and some sweets all keep me coming back. Everything from cheesesteak sandwiches (philly), tandoori chicken sandwich, and roti rolls make this place stand out. The fries are sooooo good. You don't want to skip those! Interior is small, but there are some tables and the staff is very friendly. I've come a number of times, and they're very kind and genuinely seem to care that the food and drink are pleasing.

    Sami U.

    First time at the Karak Cafe with my wife! Been driving past this cafe for a few days and today we decided to try it. Upon entry you can see the cafe has been recently renovated - simple tables and very soothing atmosphere along with calming music which makes it easy to speak. The customer service was very lovely the gentleman described all of the top sellers and made it easy for us to order. We ordered a Karak Chai, Maskaa Bun with honey, Samosa Chaat, and Baklava. The overall quality of the food and price is very reasonable - I definitely recommend this spot to all.

    Thanda Starfruit Burst
    Amanda W.

    Walking in we were instantly greeted by a beautiful and sweet lady. Who gave us a free sample to try a smoothie, and a detailed menu overview! The place is clean and looks beautifully modern. Our family got a mango smoothie, Monsoon Dragon Rush, and a Thanda Starfruit Burst. Which was delicious and as bold as the color of the drinks!, Also a great price! I will be coming back to try the coffee it smelled soo good!!

    Souff cone

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    6 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    10 days ago

    Did a to-go order of their chola chat and samosa chat and both were good. Next time plan to do a dine-in and try more of their dishes.

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    10 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    11 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    3 months ago

    Cute little cafe with a relaxed ambiance. Perfect place to try desi snacks with a hot cup of chai. Service is great with friendly staff.

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    11 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    2 months ago

    W food I can't say more. great food. W service. I love this so much. tysm to Karak cafe. It had a great environment in the restaurant.

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    7 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Nice, unassuming spot with great food and service. I was surprised by how good the food was.

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    8 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    Curry A La Flambe - Lamb Galouti Sliders

    Curry A La Flambe

    (41 reviews)

    My husband and I came here over the weekend for an impromptu date night and were so impressed…read more Food: 10/10 Ambiance: 9/10 Service: 10/10 We ordered the goat belly samosa, chicken inferno, lamb shank rogan josh, kachumbar salad, garlic naan, and lasuni palak. Every dish--except the salad--was spot on: authentic, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The chicken inferno was especially memorable, and the portions were generous. My only suggestion would be for the kachumbar salad to have more vibrant colors and fresher flavors--perhaps beets and carrots instead of the very chewy purple cabbage. I didn't try any of the cocktails, but I did have a glass of cava brut, which was served in a white wine glass and was a very generous pour. This place is truly a gem, and I hope they continue to keep the same recipes and portions because they've got something special here. We will definitely be back!

    This is a nice, upscale restaurant. There is a small bar area with a TV above it which can easily…read morebe avoided. They have lunch specials, a happy hour, and tea (!) from 2-5, veg or non-veg options, which I'm definitely checking out. If you're vegetarian, items that can be made vegan are clearly marked, and there are more vegan items on the website than I saw on the menu, so I would ask. Most of the French touches appear to be on dishes with meat, though there are flatbreads and a spinach dip, and of course dessert; there is a lot more paneer on the menu than I'm used to, which might be a gesture towards the French love of cheese. Vegans would do best ordering the soya chaap or from the Accompaniments section, which includes classic Indian items (aloo gobi, dal). Overall there are about 8 vegetarian entrees / accompaniments, plus appetizer options. Restaurant serves wine, beer and cocktails in addition to the usual mango lassi, chai and soft drinks. We got a ginger mojito; mango lassi; the corn fritters; the fig/pistachio/paneer flatbread; garlic naan; rice; the soya chaap and a cardamom creme brulee. In general, food had a blend of spices but was mild, which makes sense given the French influence. The corn fritters were nicely spiced with good texture and a tasty sauce. The garlic naan is quite impressive with lots of herbs and garlic. Unless you love soy cutlets, I don't recommend the soya chaap (soy/wheat cutlets in coconut curry sauce); it's fine for what it is - the gravy was delicious and rich - but it's not for me. The flatbread was interesting; the pistachios didn't overwhelm at all but I would have liked more fig to stand up to the paneer. The spouse was impressed with the mojito; the lassi was OK but wasn't as fruity as I like. The cardamom creme brulee is served in a wide ramekin, maximizing the surface area of the sugar crust and making it easily sharable. Instead of permeating the cream, the cardamom seeds provided little bursts of flavor, which was nice but not what I expected. Service was a bit slow but solicitous - we were there on a quiet Sunday night. Copious parking; easy hours; I'll definitely check out the lunch specials and tea when I'm in the mood for local Indian food, heavy on the paneer.

    The Desi Accent - Lunch Combo - Chicken Ghee Roast, Dal Makhani, Rice & Butter Naan

    The Desi Accent

    (246 reviews)

    $$

    Walking into Desi Accent felt like stepping into a space filled with echoes of the past. We used to…read morespend time here decades ago, when the space was The Living Room, and the moment we entered, those memories came rushing back in the most joyful way. The space is inviting and comfortable, easy to settle into. Service was exceptionally friendly. We were warmly welcomed and had a lovely conversation with Sara, the owner, which added a personal and heartfelt touch to the evening. Our party of four included a vegetarian and someone with gluten-free needs, and both were accommodated effortlessly. Always a sign of a thoughtful kitchen. We started with Aloo Paneer Tikki and Papdi Chaat, both excellent. The tikki was crisp and satisfying, and the chaat had that perfect mix of textures and tangy brightness. For mains, we shared Chicken Vindaloo, shrimp curry, Chicken Biryani, Mutter Aloo, and vegetable fried rice, all accompanied by warm, soft, slightly crisp butter naan. Everything was beautifully presented, well prepared, and balanced in spice without overwhelming the palate. And then... the cocktails. My friend and I ventured into margarita territory, one spicy and one with ginger, both crafted so well that we immediately ordered a second round. No regrets. If I had one small wish, it would be for music that leans more into the cultural experience. A sitar in the background or even Bollywood scenes on the screens would add an extra layer of immersion. That said, the American music playing was tasteful and unobtrusive. If you're in the suburbs and craving good Indian food with warm hospitality, this is your place. We'll definitely be back.

    We came here to celebrate a birthday. We came with a toddler and infant in a car seat, and staff…read morewas able to accommodate us with a high chair and little extra seating. We ordered a chicken curry, chicken biryani, and lamb Rogan Josh. Chicken curry tasted great, chicken biryani had good flavor except it tasted sweet which we did not like, and lamb rogan josh was a solid 4/5 (better than most). We ordered couple garlic naan and a cheese naan. Only issue I have is that complimentary rice should come with curries. This was not the case, but almost every Indian restaurant does this with the exception of a few. Good ambiance, nice wall decor. I'd order again.

    Viceroy - Spinach chicken

    Viceroy

    (41 reviews)

    One of the hidden gems in naperville downtown for Indian cuisine. Flavorful is one word to describe…read morefood. Tried paya soup -10/10, Shrimp - 10/10, Paneer tikka - 10/10, Sheekh kebab - 10/10, Naan (super soft)- 11/10. clean and neat ambience, service was friendly. For authentic indian flavors it is right spot to visit in naperville downtown. 100% i will be going there again

    I saw this place is pretty close to us and it had high ratings. I've been to a bunch of Indian…read morerestaurants already so I'm no novice to the cuisine. When I look at the menu, I try to look for dishes that I've never had. I know our waiter suggested butter chicken and chicken tikka masala, but those are the most popular safe dishes for non Indians. I say safe dishes because your average American that walks in, is not going to order something that he/she doesn't know what it is. We ordered chicken 65, kashmiri naan, spinach chicken, kadhai lamb, and tandoori shrimp. Just a FYI, the water bottle(s) that come to your table are $2 each. They're not free. Portion sizes are average. Prices were fair. Service was great and attentive. Usually, there would be parking in the front and back. However, for some reason they were both full and there were barely any customers inside the restaurant. You can also park at the nearby parking garage (top level). That's a 2 min walk. -chicken 65 5 - this reminds me of a Chinese dish but I can't remember. I'm talking about the texture when you're eating it. As an Indian appetizer, it was delicious and would pair well with rice. Very addicting to eat. -kashmiri naan 5 - it has a mild sweet taste that is good with savory dishes. A mixture of dried fruits, coconut, and maybe nuts. -spinach chicken 5 - chicken was very tender and the sauce was flavorful. Very safe dish to eat if you're not that adventurous. -kadhai lamb 5 - the sauce has a more bold flavor than the spinach chicken. The lamb was very good. -tandoori shrimp 5 - Just a warning but this is kind of spicy especially for those that can't handle spicy foods. I like that the shrimp are prawn size and they were very tasty.

    Pa Lian - Ginger Salad

    Pa Lian

    (822 reviews)

    $$

    I was visiting from the San Francisco Bay area, and a lifelong friend took me to lunch here. It…read moredefinitely reminded me of the flavors and quality of the Burmese food from home. I'd rate it on par, or even better, than San Francisco's Burmese options. Service was much friendlier here, that's for sure! Tawk was a delightful host...making jokes along with dish recommendations. Sadly, we gobbled up the food before I remembered to take photos. D'oh! I highly recommend the Tea Leaf salad--a Burmese staple and a real treat if you haven't had it before. Very flavorful and just a hint of spice (don't eat the sliced peppers if you're spice-adverse, but we devoured them). We also had Shan Noodles (B8). I also recommend that. A mild to medium spice level and very tasty. Generous portions. Two dishes was enough for two though I wish we had tried the spring rolls or samosas too--we might have had leftovers if we had! The restaurant itself is inviting and clean. They did a good job considering the location in a strip mall. The lighting looks nice, and the textured walls add to the inviting ambience.

    Wonderful hospitality greeted us as we sat down for a late dinner. The place was nearly empty but…read morewe were made extra comfortable and offered hot tea as we perused the menu. Pretty quiet for a Saturday night, however with nice music playing in the background I felt right at home. Rare to find Burmese restaurants outside of the West Coast. Naturally, the first thing I ordered was the tea leaf salad, followed by moh-hin-gar and nangyi dok with beef. All 3 dishes were delicious and I would order them again. There were a lot of vegan options too. I don't often think of the suburbs as a dining destination, but this was certainly worth the stop on the way back the city from West Chicago.

    Golconda - The perfect plate

    Golconda

    (81 reviews)

    An upscale room with Indian music playing. Fine aromas in the air. All things pointing to a fine…read morefeed. I wanted to try the Buffet, to get a feel for the place-the Yelps here said there were lines to get in for the weekend buffet, so I made reservations for one just after opening. When I arrived, the place was almost empty... What can I say? Everything on the buffet was exemplary. A full array of dishes and condiments. I sampled most every item on the board, and I must say the flavors were RAMPAGING! There were about 5 different rice preparations on the board. I tried 3 of them-all great. A good selection of condiments. A few of the dishes were quite spicy-hot, of which I was very glad; however-be advised these dishes were not marked as such. Oddly missing were any sort of Achaar (Indian Pickles). Only possible gripe: all of the proteins were chicken except for one shrimp curry; one usually finds a lamb dish in the mix--then again it was right after opening. Not complaining--the chicken items were all delicious. The only thing I didn't finish was an Idli I had anointed with a sesame sauce, It was ok, but I wished I had hit it with one of the other sauces offered. Plus, it was the last thing on the plate. I was ger-stuffed by then. On a separate board were Pani Puri, and a few desserts (including the BEST Gulab Jamun I've ever had). An almost crisp outer shell with a positively creamy inner. Outstanding. Masala Tea and Mango Lassi were also on the board. I made a foolish faux pas. At the end of the dessert table was a tapped container with a greenish liquid in it, next to the container was a supply of paper cups. Believing it to be a beverage, I took a small sample and sipped. As the spicy savory liquid hit my palate, registering "This is some type of sauce, not a beverage, you IDIOT!", one of the managers standing there (who saw me taking the sip) gently advised it was the sauce for the adjacent Pani Puri. Didn't I feel like a compleat idiot! He kind of laughed at me (deservedly). The sauce was actually delicious, and I dont regret the sip. I assured the manager as much and we had a nice chat. Excellent service throughout. Throwing a well-deserved 5 for bread and circuses. This may be the finest Indian Restaurant I've ever been to. Can't wait to return. Oh, and the place was absolutely packed with Indian folks as I left.

    Great ambiance and service. We did the dosa and tiffin buffet and it was such a nice change of…read morepace. Every single item we tried at the buffet was good. Everything really hit the spot and the dosa system was really nice, you go up to them and say your order and then someone will bring it to your table. The dosas were also light and a nice small to medium size, letting you try a variety. The cheese and nutella dosas were a fav, will definitely come back.

    Karak Cafe - coffee - Updated May 2026

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