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Kovai Cafe

4.1 (33 reviews)
Open • 8:00 am - 10:00 pm
Updated 2 weeks ago

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Masala Dosa, Open Butter Podi Masala Dosa
Shivani P.

Kovai cafe is amazing. In the days of many South Indian restaurant chains in Bay Area, this is a welcome change. I went here twice, once during a normal weeknight and once during weekend. Weekends have waiting but they have chairs outside to wait. Also servers keep coming to check when to provide the table. Food is great. I tried the podi butter aloo masala dosa which was a fun try and had the regular masala dosa. Also their chutneys provide variety of taste compared to coconut chutney. Tried their chow chow bath and kesari was yum. Also their filter coffee icecream is great. Small place, but great food and service.

Dosa
Anisha Y.

Great food and great service! Saturdays may not be the best time to go -- it was very crowded, and we waited about 45 minutes. It also felt a little disorganized, and we didn't get the roti that was supposed to come with the special meal until the end. However, they were very kind and gave us roti to go along with extra korma for the wait, which we appreciated. The uttapam was so soft and delicious -- even my dad said it's the best uttapam he's ever had! The tea was great, and the dosa was also delicious. The tomato chutney was the best I've had. I would definitely come back -- just maybe on a weeknight.

Ghee podi masala dosai
Steffi C.

We visited Kovai Cafe for breakfast today and tried a bunch of dishes between the three of us and overall it turned out to be a really solid vegetarian spot. Service was quick and friendly! We ordered the ghee podi masala dosai, tiffin combo (idli + pongal + vadai + kesari with filter coffee), idiyappam with vada curry, chow chow bath, and poori masala. The clear standout was the masala dosai. Honestly one of the best dosais I have had in the Bay Area, and I don't say that lightly. It came with four different chutneys and sambar which were all excellent. The tiffin combo was great value and very satisfying, soft idli, comforting pongal, a nice vadai, and kesari to finish. The filter coffee paired perfectly with it. We tried idiyappam with vada curry combo for the first time. It was interesting to try, but probably not something I would reorder personally. The chow chow bath (upma + kesari) was very good and reminded us of a proper Bangalore breakfast. Poori masala was also good. Overall the menu is quite extensive and there's a lot more we would come back to try. If you are looking for a dependable vegetarian breakfast spot, this is a great option.

KC special butter masala dosa variations
Ariana J.

We recently visited Kodak Cafe for dinner on Sunday. Hubby was craving sambar idly and we've always wanted to try the famous chef Madampatti's vegetarian restaurant Konami cafe. Glad it opened in Milpitas that's closer to our home than their previous location in south bay. Sambar idly was delicious. I am not a big fan usually but enjoyed this dish a lot here. Piping hot sambar and soft idly's dipped in it. We had KC special dosa: it's a combination of all masala dosa variations. It had podi, masala, onion, cilantro , potato masala served on top of a benne style crispy on the outside side on the inside type of dosa. It was a bunch of flavors and we enjoyed it. Elaneer payasam was ok. Not the best. Hubby also had filter kaapi. We loved the 4 chutneys this serve with tiffins. The peanut one was super tasty. Good for quick tiffins on a weekend. Service was great and very cordial. Ambiance is clean and good.

Kira N.

Kovai cafe replaced our Fav Namma restaurant. We have heard great things about their thali and decided to try them now that they are a bit closer. No thali in the evenings so we tried variety of breakfast items and everything tasted great. Rava kesari stood out for us . Benne dosa's texture looked different compared to other south Indian breakfast places but it tasted good. Will definitely come back to try their thali.

Ro W.

Kovai Cafe is an amazing place for modern vibes and some of the best South Indian food! We ordered the Gobi 65 (the fry on this was soooo good- light but very crispy; the cauliflower was very fresh, and the spices and curry leaf decor on top were *chef's kiss*!); onion and tomato uttapam (super fresh veggies, fluffy, delicious!!); the special Kovai meal/ thali (a platter with many mini bowls of varied dishes with rice and other carbs); and drinks (badam paal - tastes like sweet mildly spiced milk with almonds and a foamy top; delicious and piping hot - yes!!); mango lassi; and their filter coffee (foam top, strong, and piping hot!!). It is hard to pick a favorite because everything was so different, but all were so delicious, and the drinks were amazing! I can't wait to come back again!

Filter coffee with a bug swimming in it

Bugs in food - enough said !! Luckily i opened my coffee cup before drinking and see what i found !! Yuckkk ! this is the end of ordering from here for me !!!

Filter Coffee

New branch in Milpitas. The interiors are decent, and they also have a nice waiting area. The place can get busy so getting on the waitlist is a good idea. The service staff was attentive, and efficient, even if they looked a little overworked with all the crowd. The Kovai Kothu Idly and KC Spl Masala Dosa were both decent, along with the chutneys. There isn't anything negative to call out even if nothing really stood out. The Mushroom Pachamilagai reminded of some chicken based dishes, even if the flavor was mild, and surprisingly not spicy at all. The Filter Coffee was good. Overall a good addition to the Milpitas dining scene, however not one we're likely gonna repeat any time soon.

Pongal virundu
Shwethkamal K.

This was our first time at Kovai Cafe. The Pongal banana leaf virundu is what attracted me to visit the restaurant. The review below is only for the special menu, as we did not order anything else. Food - 5/5 There were close to 18 different items on the leaf. Each and every dish was very flavorful. The soup, veggie biryani, kurma, and sambar were my top favorites. The kurma's thickness and flavor were excellent, and the balance of whole spices was on point--something that is not often seen in other restaurants. All the other items were super delish as well. None of the dishes were oily or excessively spicy (hot). Each one had a distinct flavor. I would come back to eat these items any day, as long as the quality is maintained. One thing I did feel was missing was appalam/papad, but that's a very small thing to point out. Quantity-wise, every dish was served with true generosity, and we were stuffed by the end of the meal. Price - 4.8/5 For the number of dishes served as part of this meal, it was priced very well at ~$23 per plate, which is quite reasonable compared to other places. Ambience / Service Overall, it's a clean place with prompt service. The staff checked in several times to see if we needed anything, which is something mostly seen only in India. They also enquired about the quality and taste of the food, which was really nice. One thing that could be improved is having the staff know the names of the dishes that are part of the meal. While there were several items and the expectation wasn't for the staff to recite every single one, it would have been nice to either group the items or have a printed menu to look at. In the beginning, the waiting staff came every minute to check if we were ready to order, despite us telling them we wanted to know what was included in the meal. This is a small point, but being in America, a lot of non-South Indians will want to visit the restaurant, and simply saying there are 18 items may not suffice. Most people would want to know what they are paying for or check for potential allergens. That said, the staff and food more than made up for this tiny hiccup. Finally, it was nice to see Chef Rangaraj himself stop by each table and enquire about the food. Overall, I am super excited to come back to try other dishes!

Masala Dosa, spcl Masala Dosa

Delicious food, masala dosa, special masala dosa, filter coffee & tea was the best choice. Top notch service. Exquisite Ambience .

Dosa

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1 month ago

Reaosnable pricing, Had Breakfast Specials..$9.99 gets you Enough of items that can fill like a COmbo,. Taste was also good.

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1 month ago

Great place if you're vegetarian and looking for something unique! I will definitely be back next time I am in the area

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3 months ago

Excellent food, exceptional service! Highly recommended, esp the elaneer payasam. Highly recommended.

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4 months ago

Awesome food. Everything was so fresh. Idly was super soft and all the chutneys paired so well.

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Namma Restaurant

Namma Restaurant

(141 reviews)

$$

Stopped by for Friday lunch. Tried their Fish thali. Fish was tender and yummy but Fish gravy was…read moreso sour, I felt acidity while eating it. Same story with Rasam. Never tasted so sour Rasam in my life. I am yet to try other dishes so giving the benefit of doubt to the restaurant by giving neutral 3/5 rating. Perhaps other dishes are not as sour as what I experienced. The waiter however was very nice and the ambience good. This looks like mostly a takeout place near Walmart and Big Al's. I will be back to try their biryani and give a final review.

Updating my review from a few months ago since I recently had an extremely disappointing dining…read moreexperience here. Please don't give your business to an establishment that is so disrespectful towards its customers. We arrived just before 9:15pm for dinner on a Friday evening and were promptly seated. The restaurant wasn't crowded and there were only a few families dining at the time. There was only one person running the entire restaurant floor and it took him a little while to come take our order. We decided to share a chicken kottu paratha and a chicken dosa and while the kottu paratha was pretty delicious, the chicken dosa was a disaster in more ways than one. In the bay area, where you're surrounded by tons of great dosa options, I was genuinely surprised to be served a dosa that was so tasteless and filled with completely dried out tough chicken. Anyway, while we were only 10 minutes into our subpar meal, the square payment device and 2 to-go boxes were placed on our table without a single word from the waiter. Because it was only about 8 minutes left till closing time for the restaurant, we figured that the sole waiter managing the floor must be trying to wrap things up. Anyway, we paid within a few minutes and tried to continue with our meal. The waiter however kept pacing next to our table and made it amply clear that he wanted us to pack our leftovers and leave. As we were packing our leftovers, the waiter turned off all the restaurant lights except one. As we hurriedly left the restaurant, I looked at my watch and it was only 10:04. I eat out a lot and at most restaurants all over the country and worldwide, customers are not seated after the closing time but customers who have been seated and served are allowed to finish their meal. Even if Namma has different rules of operation, they could have easily communicated the same politely and not been so passive-aggressive and disrespectful. Needless to say, this was my last time at Namma. Fellow Yelpers, you've been warned of the service you will receive at this establishment.

Raunak - Chicken Seekh Kabab

Raunak

(77 reviews)

Had a great time here celebrating a birthday dinner! They were able to accommodate our table of 13…read moreby putting two tables together. Raunak is part of a corner plaza and there's parking available but it could be limited during peak eating hours. It has a classy, beautiful interior that has great ambience for dinner with friends or a date with your partner. The staff were friendly, nice, and attentive. I ordered the mutton biryani! It had such a beautiful and colorful presentation from the veggies, meat, and rice combined. It was a bit spicy but it was paired with a great amount of raita to mellow out the flavors. Lots of pieces with bone in, it was tender and delicious. The staff were so nice in setting the mood for our birthday guests by even playing happy birthday in the background. Great experience for fine dining in Milpitas!

This was a nice ambiance to host a friend's birthday. Good vibes and music. The staff are pretty…read moreattentive and kind when you can get their attention. They were happy to make a reservation for us as well. For me personally, I ordered the Butter Naan & Chicken Tikka Masala. To be honest, I have had better tikka masala elsewhere... but it was pretty decent here! It was REALLY CREAMY and the flavors still came through. Chicken wasn't tough and the portions were fine. The Saag Aloo was flavorful and spicy! The consistency was really thick too. I also tried the Mutton Biryani and it was delicious! Flavored really well and the sheep was tender. Quite spicy!

The Indian Canteen

The Indian Canteen

(27 reviews)

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!

Calcutta Chaat & Bakery - Daily lunch special

Calcutta Chaat & Bakery

(220 reviews)

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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.

Kovai Cafe - vegetarian - Updated May 2026

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