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Mandi Xpress

4.8 (208 reviews)
Closed 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

Order Mandi Xpress Takeout or Delivery

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MANDI XPRESS ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed
Outdoor seating

Recommended Reviews - Mandi Xpress

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Beautiful restaurant  Khadija was an exceptional waitress  The chai is to die for
Hammad R.

Khadija was great Chai is to die for she served us really well Great food and clean

Kim H.

WOW! First time trying YEMENI food and it was WORTH IT!! We weren't sure what to order and the cashier was very helpful in guiding us through the menu! We had the chicken kabob, and beef koobideh, as well as hummus and fresh bread. Everything was so tasty and made to order. Portions are HUGE. Located right in front of the main library in Riverside. This place is quiet with ample seating. I will say please review the menu ahead of time and see what looks good. I can't wait to go back and try out some new items on the menu. Each dish ranges from $18-$30 depending on the plate. Family meals are $50-$70 Rating 10/10

lamb
Edbert S.

Pretty good place for yemen food. This place was basically in downtown Riverside. There's a parking lot so you don't have to worry about parking in a structure or street parking. We came in on a hot day but it didn't seem like there was AC inside, just a huge fan, just fyi. I decided to order the single order of lamb mandi, which was pretty good. The lamb was really tender and I loved the sauces accompanying the dish. The flavor was great. One thing to note was that the portions were huge... so definitely share with others when coming here. Service was pretty good. You would just order at the counter and they'll bring the food to you. We were basically the only ones here when we came, so nothing to complain about that.

Family special lamb mandi and ground beef with rice plus separately ordered salad.
Jeff L.

Took the kids here for a weekend lunch. It's a casual spot in downtown Riverside near the Main Library. Very chill vibes and never seems to be crowded. I picked this spot due to the stellar, near perfect aggregate Yelp rating and reviews. We ordered a family special with the lamb mandi and four ground beef kabobs (beef koubideh?). The flavor did not disappoint. We were looking for extra authenticity and my teenager just loved it. The lamb was as tender off the bone as could be. We had to order a side salad. The food tasted pretty authentic and fresh. There was an added layer of yumminess that we were looking for.

Hummus and bread
Chad K.

Amazing rice (fresh almonds, golden raisins and spices). My wife got the Mova Fish plate. It was 2 large fish halves, rubbed with a citrus and spice marinade and then looked grilled on an open flame based on the lovely charred edges. We thought we would take leftovers home but we devoured the whole thing. I had the beef kabobs with 1/2 salad and 1/2 rice. Depending on how much rice you like, the 1/2 salad is the way to go. Gives some vegetables and brightness to a rich plate. Kabobs can easily get dry but these were nice and juicy. Served with a large green chilli for kick, and hummus. We also ordered a side of hummus which came with a huge, fresh baked flat bread. That was a meal in itself and we definitely took most of that home. The creaminess of the hummus and the wonderful olive oil on top was so nice. I highly recommend this restaurant especially if you have a large group. There were only two of us, but we saw many people coming in in groups of four or six that ordered these huge shareable platters that looked really, really good.

Fish Mova, Chicken Shish Kabob, Xpress Rice, Fresh Yemeni Bread, Smoked Yogurt Sauce

We had a great experience at MandiExpress in Downtown Riverside. The service was friendly, welcoming, and attentive from start to finish. Everything we ordered was excellent. The Mova fish dish was full of flavor, chicken kebab was freshly cooked, tender and perfectly cooked, and the traditional bread was fresh out of the oven and delicious. You can tell the food is made with care and authenticity. Additionally, we enjoyed the decor, music, and historical information about Yemen at the tables. We ended the meal with Adeni tea and a latte, which were both amazing and the perfect way to finish dinner. Overall, everything was top notch and we'll definitely be coming back again soon. شكراً كتير

Fresh Yemeni Bread
Gillian S.

We walked across the street after studying at the Main Library. It was our first time trying Yemeni food so we ordered two of the plates-beef koobideh and chicken kabobs. We also tried the fresh Yemeni bread which came out made to order. Everything we had was delicious. The service was very helpful and offered great recommendations. There was a lot of seating space both inside and outside. They also currently have Ramadan buffets for those who are Muslim which was being set up as we entered. Overall a great first experience!

Chicken Mandi
Maria M.

Absolutely delicious! Our first time trying Yemen food! Absolutely coming back!! We ordered Beef koobideh and chicken Mandi with Yemen bread! If I could give it 10 stars I would! The gentleman who took our order was patient and nice. The restaurant was very clean and the music was beautiful, very peaceful!!

Sheldon R.

Went here with friends on a Saturday around 2:40pm. Not too busy. Service was friendly, but took about 35 mins for my fries, Spicy Potato Xpress Appetizer. I was expecting something more filling with that name. Didn't know it was simply fries. They were good and spicy. Just didn't think it was worth that wait. Also it was about $10. The Mango Juice was good. Tasted like mango lassi. They were out of some of their vegetarian options unfortunately. Maybe they were short staffed, but I'd try this place again. The ambiance is relaxing, not too busy, not too noisy. * Spicy Potato Appetizer: 4/5, you'll need more food than this. Basically just French fries with seasoning, spices. * Mango Juice: 4/5, thicker like mango lassi, pretty sweet.

Paul S.

With many Yemeni cafés appearing, why not a restaurant, too? Such is the case with Mandi Xpress, located on University Avenue across the street from the downtown branch of the public library, and next to Riverside City College Arts buildings. I'm already eager to explore more on the menu, but the unique take on familiar things, such as the chicken shish kabob plate with the special rice and grilled veggies was especially delicious. I opted for half-salad and half-rice, which proved to be an excellent balance. Friendly service and employees make coming here a joy, especially since I sometimes do food deliveries. Look for them on Über Eats.

The skewers with salad and rice
Vell H.

My first time visit and also my last. I met my husband here for lunch and the best part of my meal was the mural on the wall. Having dined at places from here to Greece and many places in between I can honestly say the dish that I had here left much to be desired. The beef skewers with 1/2 salad 1/2 rice were lacking in flavor and the two sauces did nothing to improve upon that flavor. I was going to have a canned soda with my lunch, because the soda fountain was broken but, they were charging $3.99 FOR A CANNED SODA!! I politely declined, on principle alone. I'm giving them 2 stars because I liked the salad, which consisted of cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce and red onion and because the mural is beautiful. The other dishes may be good, but you'll have to try them for yourself.

Maryam Q.

This place was decent. Price was okay. Empty when I arrived. The line was busy when I called and I had to order in, then wait.

Indoor
Sung J.

Always passed by this place on the way to Mt Rubidoux, and after the long hike one day my husband and I got hungry and decided to try their food. Surprisingly, the two entrees we ordered were really good. I got the beef koobideh plate which comes with two strips of meat with a side of salad, seasoned rice, hummus, and two different sauces. Hummus was creamy yet not too strong. Beef was tender and flavorful, and not dry! Husband ordered the fahsah. It's a new dish for us; it's a mixture of lamb and beef cooked in their specialty sauce to compliment with the baked naan. Not gamey at all. Plenty of food for the two of us and the quality of the food was epic! Food is made upon order so go here when you have plenty of time or plan to order ahead for pick-up. Super clean inside, plenty for seatings, and they have a hookah lounge outdoors if interested!

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1 year ago

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5 months ago

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1 year 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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8 months ago

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8 months ago

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8 months ago

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11 months ago

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1 year ago

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9 months ago

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

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11 months ago

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1 year ago

Really enjoyed this delicious food! Love the healthy option to eating out! The beef koobideh has a great flavor!

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5 months ago

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10 months ago

Love the food and service. Little expensive but I love the quality of the food and great place to eat ...

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

Great food amazing place! what a nice little gem in Riverside, ambience is great. Come for the food and stay for the Yemeni coffee!

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7 months ago

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1 year ago

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10 months ago

Food was amazing, the service was amazing and felt like I was being served by family. I can't recommend checking this place out enough.

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1 year ago

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6 months ago

Um Amer helped us place our order and was really friendly, patient, and kind. Good quantity.

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6 months ago

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1 year ago

Great food and service! We enjoyed the chicken Mandi and the traditional Yemeni fahseh was delicious!

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5 months ago

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8 months ago

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6 months ago

The food was super delicious and tasty, service was excellent, good food and reasonable prices .

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6 months ago

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11 months ago

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11 months ago

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1 year ago

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7 months ago

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

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6 months ago

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1 year ago

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Mandi Xpress Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Mandi Xpress

Are we allowed to park here, eat at the restaurant, and watch a show at the theater or should we only be parked here while dining?

Hi, Please make sure you keep the receipt with you and to notify our front Team after you finish… Read more

Is it open? If not, when?

Yes it is open. They opened yesterday March 29th

Is this open?I go to the one in Westwood and Buena park. This is closer

Yes it is Open

Is Mandi Xpress Zabiha Halal Certified?

Yes, it is Halal certified.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Copper Goat Coffee - Shaken Expresso

Copper Goat Coffee

4.5(105 reviews)
0.3 mi

Great service & got some coffee knowledge by barista Rockee (forgive me if I spelled that wrong.)…read moreThey were super helpful & I walked out with some amazing coffee on top of that. Will definitely be returning. I ordered a vanilla latte with a carrot cake bar & it was delicious. As a new coffee drinker I would say this set the bar for me as I prefer a less sweeter coffee & it was just right. "I will be back!" -Terminator

Anytime I'm in Downtown Riverside, my first stop is always Copper Goat. Their coffee is just…read moreconsistently good. I usually stick with my go to, sweet shaken espresso (still fantastic, by the way), but this time I branched out and tried one of their new featured drinks. I went with the salted honey macadamia latte, and it was definitely interesting in the best way. It hits that sweet and salty balance, and the saltiness grew on me with each sip. My flavor profile usually leans sweet when it comes to espresso, so if you're someone who loves a little salty contrast, this one's worth trying. We also grabbed some mini bomboloni cream pastries, which we were told were imported from Italy, and they were delicious. They reminded me a bit of beignets, and the cream filling was fantastic. I did get a cronut too, but that one missed the mark for me. It was a little stale and harder than expected. I was hoping for that crispy, flaky bite. Overall, Copper Goat is still one of my favorite stops in the area, especially for coffee.

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Copper Goat Coffee - Ordering counter

Ordering counter

Copper Goat Coffee
Copper Goat Coffee

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Back to the Grind - They even have ice cream, sandwiches, baked goodies, and more!!

Back to the Grind

3.7(751 reviews)
0.3 mi
$

I had a pleasant experience at Back to the Grind coffee shop as I was looking to get off the road…read moreto take a work meeting (traffic put me way behind my anticipated road schedule). I didn't want to enter any cafe very small/ with petite tables or judgement if I sat down for 1.5 hr to work on my computer. I bought a sausage croissant which was just ok, but still a nice quick breakfast item. I was able to sit in a comfy chair with an outlet source & table to conference in my meeting. I was left unbothered & comfortable the whole time, which I greatly appreciated. There are several lounge chairs, tables & areas to space out to work, read, lounge, etc! I would certainly return another day to try out their coffee menu and those earl grey lavender scones (wish I saw those first!!) The barista was kind & the atmosphere very pleasant!

SERVICE here is VERY BAD!…read more The service at Back to the Grind was genuinely one of the most unprofessional customer service experiences I've had. While I was in the middle of placing my order, an older gentleman wearing glasses abruptly walked away from me mid-conversation to speak with someone he knew. No acknowledgment, no "I'll be right back," nothing. I was left standing there confused and waiting while they casually chatted amongst themselves. At the same time, my husband approached another employee -- a young woman with very long black hair and a pink bandana (see pic)-- simply to ask for the WiFi password. Without even looking at him, she told him he needed to "buy something first." When he explained that I was already ordering, she repeated herself in a dismissive tone and continued making sandwiches without making eye contact once. What stood out most wasn't just the lack of hospitality, but the overall attitude from multiple staff members. The environment felt cold, dismissive, and inconvenienced by customers being there at all. Ironically, the café advertises community classes like yoga and live meditation classes on the window, yet basic customer service and professionalism seem completely absent. The food itself was fine, which is why this review is specifically about the service experience. Even after how poorly we were treated, I still left a tip because I refuse to match that level of disrespect. Management seriously needs to address the customer service culture here. One rude interaction can happen anywhere -- but multiple employees displaying the same behavior reflects a larger issue.

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Back to the Grind
Back to the Grind - Inside

Inside

Back to the Grind

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Arcade Downtown - Steak + Eggs | skirt steak, olive oil potatoes, cherry tomato, watercress, green onion butter, fried eggs

Arcade Downtown

4.4(400 reviews)
0.2 mi
$$

Arcade Coffee in Riverside has quickly become one of my favorite spots. I've tried several of their…read moreholiday drinks, and every single one has been delicious--flavorful, well-balanced, and clearly made with care. Their pastries are also really good and pair perfectly with a coffee or seasonal drink. The space itself is clean, modern, and has a really trendy, inviting vibe. It's the kind of place you actually want to sit and stay awhile, whether you're catching up with someone or just enjoying some time to yourself. Every visit has been consistently great--nothing has ever disappointed. Overall, Arcade Coffee is a solid go-to in Riverside if you want good drinks, good pastries, and a nice atmosphere.

Came in excited and left... with mixed feelings…read more Let's start with the good Food and drinks came out fairly quickly The food presentation was definitely there. It looked like it was made with love. The egg+cheese sandwich absolutely carried the experience (seriously, give that thing a raise), and the matcha held its own as it was refreshing! Now the not so great... the huevos rancheros were unfortunately very, very, salty.. but I didn't want my money to go to waste so I made myself eat it.. The coffee was bitter, pretty but bitter. I usually like bitter coffee but this one caught me off guard haha The Customer service wasn't great.. The server asked if we needed anything else but was already walking away before we could answer. Overall, the matcha and egg+cheese sandwich was the best part from this experience. I would recommend those two.

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Arcade Downtown - What a cool place !  Noisy tho

What a cool place ! Noisy tho

Arcade Downtown - Veggie Sandwich | bakehouse sourdough, roasted peppers, avocado, english cucumber, roasted garlic kewpie

Veggie Sandwich | bakehouse sourdough, roasted peppers, avocado, english cucumber, roasted garlic kewpie

Arcade Downtown - Mont Blanc

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Mont Blanc

Urban Dripp - Our NEW name!

Urban Dripp

4.4(545 reviews)
0.2 mi
$$
Family-owned & operated
Minority-owned & operated

I've been here a few times and it never fails to amaze me…read more The owner Gilbert is a great guy super friendly and willing to take time to get to know his customers. They have great doughnuts. My wife loves the cheese cake blueberry one. In fact today leah (forgive me if I spelt your name wrong) made one from scratch after I had said my wife loves them. I'm not even a big doughnut person and I can say they are really good. Better than any run of the mill yum yums or krispy kreme. There aren't many mom & pop stores like this in riverside and it's great to see places like this opening and staying in business like this for over 6 years now. I personally love their coffee! My go to is a caramel macchiato. My wife has worked in countless coffee shops & even she thinks it's great. The espresso they use is amazing. The place is really clean and has a very chic atmosphere. I wish i took pictures but it has a really nice outside patio area. And they even serve alcohol. There is to much to say so i'll stop here.

Urban Dripp Donuts in Downtown Riverside was kind of a letdown. I came in the morning expecting a…read morecute donut moment, especially based on what they promote on social media, but the selection was super limited. Honestly, it just didn't match the hype. When a place posts all these fun, pretty options online, you kind of expect at least some of that energy when you walk in and it wasn't really there. Maybe I caught them on an off morning, but for now, it's a 2-star experience for some overpriced donuts

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Urban Dripp - Our Mermaid Donut!!

Our Mermaid Donut!!

Urban Dripp - Donut Bar's Nitro Coffee with our yummy Red Velvet Donut!!

Donut Bar's Nitro Coffee with our yummy Red Velvet Donut!!

Urban Dripp - Custom LOL Doll Donuts!

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Custom LOL Doll Donuts!

Mandi Xpress - coffee - Updated May 2026

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