Safar by Karimi is the kind of restaurant that makes you rethink what Indian food can be. From the moment we started with the Chowpati Corn Ribs, the meal felt creative without losing the bold flavors that make Indian cuisine so enjoyable. The Chicken Ghee Roast was outstanding--rich, tangy, slightly spicy, and packed with flavor. The Dahi Ke Kebab was another surprise, with a wonderfully crisp exterior and creamy, delicate center. For the main course, the Mutton Biryani was the star of the table. The tender, bone-in mutton, fragrant basmati rice, herbs, and spices created exactly the kind of deep, layered flavor you hope for in a biryani. The Chicken Berry Pulao offered something completely different, with the sweet-tart berries providing a fantastic contrast to the savory chicken and aromatic rice. I also loved the Dhungaar Dal Makhani, which had that wonderful smoky depth that makes you want to keep eating long after you're full. And then came dessert: the Pistachio Lava Cake with Kulfi. Warm, gooey, rich chocolate and pistachio paired with cool, creamy kulfi is basically an unfair advantage. Add the elegant atmosphere and polished presentation, and Safar feels like a genuine special-occasion restaurant. Seven dishes in, the only complaint was that we couldn't possibly eat another bite--but we seriously considered trying anyway. A fantastic dining experience. read more

Aurgh, we just ate here again and it was not the same. :( The same chat dish that I loved so much, the fried leaves were stale and hard. The dip was runny, not thick and felt melted. Truffle mushroom was good. Great texture and flavors. Mango burratta- hard pass. This dish barely had any burrata in it. Butter chicken - recommended by our server. Meat was dry and sparse. Assorted bread bowl- only the garlic naan was good. The rest were not edible. Mutton biriyani- so wet and mushy inside. No alcohol license still. $200 for lunch for 4. I'm embarrassed of taking my friends here. read more

Not only is this a fantastically beautiful restaurant, but the food is gloriously delicious. I loved the appetizer with the fried betel leaves. It has so many flavors and textures. The staff were incredible -- friendly and accommodating. It helps that my friend and the owner come from the same region in India. The curry was flavorful. It was nuanced and layered. The amuse buche (pati puri) is one of the best bites ever. Honestly, I would order a dozen. They're that good. The iced tea is yummy, but the cost is a bit high. But the ambiance is so nice... In short, I loved this place. And I want to try their other location Karimi in San Jose. If you've ever thought Indian can't be upscale, this is where you need to dive. The bad: strangely, the menu is both stained and sticky. read more

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We came by to celebrate our anniversary and the place looks so nice and clean. The service was so friendly and welcoming. We ordered drinks and lotus root starter which was not up to my taste buds but the main dishes lamb was well cooked and marinated. We also loved the stuffed curry chicken it was unique! If u visit don't skip the mocktails they were delicious! read more

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I've recommended the broccoli kebab here to everyone I know. I even got my family to celebrate a special event at this restaurant, promising them a broccoli dish they'd remember for life. This time, the broccoli kebab was the weakest dish on the table. It was extremely undercooked and overloaded with cream cheese. We left more than half of it untouched. I'm extremely disappointed by the lack of consistency. A dish I once raved about was inedible this time. We also got the chicken shorba. It came with a layer of fat on top. Though it was flavorful, it left us all with an upset tummy for several hours after. We infact shared the small bowl among 3 of us and yet the small quantity we had was sufficient to cause an upset tummy. read more

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The appetizers here are so good the next time we come that's all we will eat. Started with the paan chaat. Wow. Wow. The textures and flavors. Mango butrata chat was a contrast in tastes. Sweet ripe mango with the basic yet smooth burata. Wow. Chicken lollipop was tender with great taste. The chicken Rogan Ghouse was nice. But stood next to the appetizer it pales. Our friend must have Nihari if it's on the menu so he ordered it. It was very fatty and salty. Had to change it. Now the pistachio lava cake is so unique and wonderful it's worth a try on its own. Service is attentive and fast but heck we were there at 5:30. Place is aiming at an upscale vibe. And overall the service and food makes it upscale. We will be back for just appetizers and dessert. Can't wait. read more

It was a 77th birthday celebration and we have ordered so much food, around 14 dishes This food is true fusion Indian food - Indian notes but with cheese butter and cream Family liked the food, but for me everything was 8/10 except the paan pata chaat it was 10/10 Ambience was great and service was very good! read more

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Went for a Friday night dinner at Safar by Karimi located in Cupertino. The location is convenient and they have dedicated parking available. The staff is cordial and the food came out pretty swiftly. However, something that bothers me immensely is the care towards hygiene and it wasn't a pleasant experience to look and order from menus that had food on them. We ordered the mango burrata chat, paneer pasanda, and chapli kabab to start with. The mango burrata chaat was disappointing and just didn't seem like an innovative take on chaat. Very basic idea of putting together the ingredients and drowning them in masala. None of the ingredients shone through. The paneer was very soft, came with cheese stuffed between two slices, and this was the only dish I'd remember from the dinner. I started with the Guava tini which was okay but the kokum shockwave was a lot better. The main course was pretty underwhelming. The bagara rice was not what it is supposed to be. It was just a pulao. The gravies were very plain and did not stand out. I was again disappointed with the dessert. We ordered the daulat ki chat because there are just 2 restaurants in the bay-area that offer this dish on their menu and it is a very unique and rarely available dish outside India. The entire point of this desert is that it's light and fluffy but they made the dessert heavy by adding pistachios which gave it a nice color but made it very heavy. I felt like I was eating slightly warm ice cream. Found it to be worth a one time visit, might not come back anytime soon. read more

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We were a party of 4 that came for lunch on a weekday. The ambiance is great, the first thing you would notice is how big this place is. It can fit multiple big groups easily. It wasn't that crowded for lunch. Great picture spots. We got a few recommendations from friends who have tried this place earlier and we started with those For appetizers we had Khansama Murgh Kabab (9/10), Broccoli Kababs (10/10) and Cocktail Mushroom Kulcha (8/10). Despite all of us being hardcore non-vegetarians, the winner was Broccoli! So tasty, perfectly cheesy and nicely grilled. Looked appetizing too. I enjoyed the Chicken too, tender and juicy. For the main course, we got a Laccha paratha (10/10), Murgh Badami(10/10) and Mutton Biryani (4/10). We were apprehensive about Murgh Badami, but pleasantly surprised. Both the breast and the filling were good. The chicken breast did seem a bit less flavored, but the best part was the gravy it was cooked in. Thoroughly enjoyed it, this is easily the best thing in the entire meal. Brought us back nostalgia about the red chicken served in marriages back home in Hyderabad. Mutton Biryani was very disappointing. It was bland, saffron flavor was dominating, the mutton seemed dry. Laccha Paratha looked like a piece of art , it tasted great with Murgh Badami. Dessert: We ordered the Pistachio Lava Cake (7/10), it came with Khulfi. It was good. At the beginning of the meal, they greeted us with a panipuri shot, it was a great start with a kick of exploding flavors, a tinge of avocado, green chutney, imli chutney and spicy pani! The mocktails have a fun twist to them, Indian flavors and tropical fruits, Spciy Guava was amazing Overall a fun meal, coming back to try more. read more

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Amazing ambience, color palette and art work all around the restaurant. They have dedicated parking, easy to get in. We made a reservation and got seated. The drinks are fancy, all mocktails though. They are served with small trinklets and some come smoky which is a fancy experience! The food itself was very delicious ! Loved the chicken starter and the mango avocado salad. For main course, the kofta sabji was delicious and so was the ghee chicken. For dessert, I really enjoyed the pistachio one, it was out of the world delicious, would specially go back for that ! The chocolate mocha one was also pretty good ! They have a lot of menu options that I'd love to come try next time. We met the owners and they have been around India a lot and hence have lot of knowledge about different spices and flavors. They even gave us special achaar and jam which I still enjoy with my meals. Overall amazing experience and great food ! read more

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My wife and I were in the area and hungry, so we decided to stop by. Really glad we did! The mocktails were great. We got the mushroom and cheese kulcha, which was really good. The corn ribs were seasoned well, and the green sauce it came with was amazing. We actually asked for more sauce! The pistachio lava cake was probably my favorite part. Honestly, one of the better desserts I can recall having recently. Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and not overly sweet. Service was great too, staff was always around and checking in on everyone. Overall, a great experience. Would be a great spot for date night, birthdays, or just a nice dinner out. Definitely coming back! read more

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Most of the food was really good ! karimi++ We tried the lamp chops, Patta chat, butter chicken - all were amazing ! Best Patta chat in the Bay Area , comes with a picturesque presentation with dry ice fumes. Garlic Naan was very delicate and almost like a Neapolitan pizza. The Dahi Kebab, chicken 65 lollipop weren't so great. I wish they added some form of alcohol to the menu. Ambiance is modern and vibrant, prompt service read more

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Food: Food is good. Spice levels are on the milder side but everything was flavorful and generous serving portions! We're tooooo full! :) Meats are good and tender and vegetarian options though few are nice too. All in all, good, elderly and kid friendly! Presentation is top notch! Kids enjoyed the theatrics with liquid nitrogen around some of our dishes. :) Service: Lipton and Vivian were awesome hosts. Very attentive to our needs, friendly and was good with queries on our menu. Ambience: Ambience is very nice, good floor plan and decor. Comfortable seating for large parties too. Restroom: Clean and well maintained. Parking: Reserved parking and no issues. All in all good time and definitely recommend. read more

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We went for a team dinner to Safar, and despite a last-minute table reservation for 8, the team accommodated us and the service was excellent! As for the food, it really went an extra mile in taste for all dishes we had ordered! Paan Patta Chaat was the star of the show! Ambiance is very well done here. read more

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Chic interiors, serious food. Safar by Karimi is doing something a little different. The space feels upscale and intentional, and the menu backs it up. The murgh badami khan was rich and nutty, exactly what you want. Malai gola kebab was creamy, tender, a standout. Lagaan ka murgh had layers to it, slow cooked and well balanced. Mutton biryani rounded things out nicely, aromatic with meat cooked just right. I want to try the Paan patta chat but that's for another time! With so many Indian restaurants around the Bay Area, few manage this combination of atmosphere and cooking. This one earns it. Highly recommended! read more

Overall: The menu is wide with unique flavor combinations that take your average Indian restaurant dish and elevate it with presentation, special ingredients, and bold taste. Every dish felt thoughtfully crafted rather than just another standard menu item. Will definitely be visiting again to try more of the menu. Service: Service is a little slow, but very attentive throughout the meal. Good food comes to those who wait, and that definitely felt true here. The staff constantly checked in, helped immediately with little things like fallen spoons or refilling water, and were great with recommendations when we couldn't decide what to order. Ambience: The restaurant has an upscale, beautifully designed modern interior with hints of antique décor woven in tastefully. It feels elegant without being overly formal, making it great for both date nights and special dinners with friends or family. The lighting, décor, and overall vibe make the experience feel premium from the moment you walk in. read more

Safar By Karimi - Halal Near Me - Cupertino, California

Food was good , drinks was excellent, service was great. Ambiance is fantastic. Especially lamb chop. read more

Safar By Karimi - Lamb chop - Halal Near Me - Cupertino, California

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Finally got a chance to enjoy a relaxing evening since I've moved here, and Safar by Karimi was the perfect place for that on a Thursday evening. 1. Amuse-bouche: one pani-puri per guest, a really nice tangy/sweet/spicy bite (a tad too sweet for me). 2. Himalayan Saga - very refreshing drink with muddled coriander, mango, ginger. But definitely a little steep at $15 for a non-alcoholic drink. 3. Dahi Ke Kebab, Hung yogurt, Zucchini flowers, cranberry chutney - a great idea to stuff it inside the flowers. This was the wow dish and I'd order this every time. 4. Truffle Mushroom Kulchette, Assorted mushrooms, Philadelphia cheese, cardamom, white truffle oil - this is an overdone item at all modern Indian places these days, but I would still recommend it. The Philly cheese adds a nice flavor against the truffle. 5. Lucknowi Galouti Kebab, Delicate minced lamb, zafrani paratha, mint, meetha attar - this was one of the best Galouti's I've had anywhere in the US. 6. Naan and Roomali Roti - again, one of the best roomali roti's I've had in the US. Not something I've seen a whole lot of here anyway, it's like a flowery thin roti stretched out, and this one had a hint of saffron. 7. Safar Murgh Makhmali, Silky makhani curry, cashew, dry fenugreek, cardamom - smooth and mellow, perfect with any kind of roti/naan. 8. Assamese Black Rice Khichadi, Crispy chili oil, boondi, peanuts, papad churi, dahi, achaar and ghee - I wanted something comforting and this was exactly that. The fixins were interesting and fun to pair with, but I'd be okay having this dish as is. 9. Daulat Ki Chaat - think airy whipped milk froth that is light and will take you to the clouds, a perfect end to a great meal. Great ambiance, great service, and the food delivered both in terms of presentation and execution. Most of the items we ordered demanded very nuanced, mild flavors, and I was impressed how they managed to pull that off without overpowering spice/oil. The FOH person was super friendly and even introduced us to one of the chefs. I'm going to go back here soon because the menu is huge and every single item we tried was outstanding. read more

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Been here a few times after I learned about it at their other location called Karimi. This is a more upscale fancy version of Karimi. All the food here is unique compared to the original Karimi location. Prices are more, but you get a nicer environment and service. The quality in the food is something you can taste as well. I strongly recommend it, we as a family are working our way thru the menu of items trying new stuff at every visit! read more

Wanted to try a new place out, seemed promising on instagram so i thought why not. Upon arrival, smooth way to table. I felt like the menu was way too big and had too many things which made it confusing. The drinks menu was innovative and no they do not have alcohol, which is perfectly fine, but it was kind of weird that they didn't have regular fountain drinks. Overall, the food was OK. I felt like it was nothing that stood out or felt different, which would make me choose this place over another similar dining place. read more

Safar By Karimi - Pistachio cake with kulfi - Halal Near Me - Cupertino, California

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From the moment you pull into the parking lot, Safar by Karimi makes a statement. The beautiful outdoor lighting and the glimpse of the stunning indoor decor through the windows set the tone for what turned out to be one of the best dining experiences I've had in the Bay Area. Vibe & Service: The interior is breathtaking, bright white aesthetics, elegant chandeliers, and modern, comfortable seating. It's a versatile space that feels intimate enough for a date night but sophisticated enough for a large party. A special shoutout to Amir at the front; his hospitality was top-notch and made us feel welcome immediately. Drinks & Food: This place has truly "cracked the code." Often, "fine-dining" Indian spots sacrifice authentic flavor for presentation, but Safar delivers both. Drinks: Every mocktail we tried was amazing, and the chai is easily some of the best you'll find. Vegetarian Must-Tries: * Paan Patta Chaat: A total standout. Ajwain Paneer Tikka & Paneer Dil-rooba: Perfectly spiced and cooked. Aloo Gobi Shimla Mirch: Simple soul food elevated to a professional level. Non-Veg: While I didn't catch the names of the meat dishes my group ordered, the consensus was unanimous: everything was delicious. Room for Improvement Dahi ke Kebab: An interesting concept served inside a flower, but the execution missed the mark. The coating was extremely oily, leading to uneven textures (some parts crispy, some soft). I'd love to see a more authentic, traditional take on this dish. Pistachio Lava Cake: A beautiful end to the meal, though the "lava" center was a bit of a sugar rush. I personally would have preferred it at about half the sweetness level to let the pistachio flavor shine. Lighting: too bright and too white. The restaurant will have a glow up with some warmer lighting though white light did result in good pics. Verdict: Safar by Karimi is the first place I've visited that truly meets the expectation of authentic Indian taste in a high-end setting. If you are in the Bay Area, this is a must-visit. read more

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Had such a lovely experience at Safar by Karimi and honestly it turned into one of those dinners you remember for the warmth as much as the food. We were greeted by Aamir, who immediately stood out for how kind and thoughtful he was. We had our kid sleeping in a stroller and he went out of his way to get us a comfortable spot without us even having to ask much. That small gesture made a big difference for us as parents. We started with the paan patta chaat and it was easily a 9.5 out of 10. The quantity is huge and perfect for sharing. Then we tried the Khansama murgh kebab which was a solid 9 out of 10. For the main, we had the lagan ka murgh, around 8.5 out of 10. The chicken was incredibly soft, literally melt in the mouth. The ambience is bright, clean and just very inviting. It has a really nice vibe for a relaxed dinner. We were too full to try desserts which we genuinely regret because everything else was so good. There is parking available but it can get a bit tight, especially on weekends since the place gets busy. We had a reservation and even though we reached a little late, they were kind enough to accommodate us and seated us within five minutes. Aamir really made the experience special. He even gave us a chef's special spice mix to take home which was such a nice touch. Overall, absolutely loved the night here and will definitely be coming back. read more

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So service was good food arrived on time. However the quality of food did not hit its mark. My taste buds got confused after having some of the dishes we ordered. Price wise on the expensive side. read more

Good Ambience and service!! Appetizers were great and main course was ok! Had ordered butter chicken and paneer lasagna kind of dish in main course! KFC chicken and lamb shank in appetizers were great! read more

Food is cold service is bad. So many better restaurants in the area. If you put your name on the restaurante "by Karimi" it shoukd be special. This place is not special!! I doubt it will last long in the area!! We had high hopes of this place let's us all down badly!!! read more

Safar By Karimi - Cold Lamb chops - Halal Near Me - Cupertino, California

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Went here for a birthday celebration and it absolutely did not disappoint -- great ambience, warm staff, and delicious food. Must-try appetizers: Pataa Chaat, Tandoori Avocado, and Broccoli Cheese Kebab The biryanis were authentic and really well done. You can probably skip the Mango Burrata. The mocktail menu looked very promising, but a few drinks fell short for me -- the mixers tasted a bit artificial/preservative-heavy and even caused some throat irritation. read more

this place is has some standout dishes and somethings that were forgettable but overall we had a good experience for my mom's birthday dinner the lassis were a skip but their mocktail selection was vast i would say any meat dish here is a special, the meat is perfectly spiced, juicy, and charred read more

We had the buffet at Safar Restaurant and it was excellent! They offer a great variety of Indian and Pakistani dishes, and everything was fresh, flavorful, and authentic. There were so many options to choose from, and each dish was well-prepared and full of taste. The restaurant is very clean and well-maintained, which made us feel comfortable while dining. The staff was also friendly and welcoming. The desserts were especially delicious -- perfectly sweet and a great way to finish the meal. I highly recommend Safar Restaurant if you're looking for quality Indian and Pakistani buffet food in a clean and pleasant atmosphere! read more

Safar By Karimi - Halal Near Me - Cupertino, California

Ambience: very welcoming. Very bright and spacious location. Service: very courteous. Cherry on top was that we had informed at the time of reservation that we are celebrating a birthday. Staff wished us and brings us a lovely complimentary dessert. Food: we ordered only a few items since we were only 3 of us. Paan patta chaat, paneer and rumali roti. Food was well presented and good to taste. It was spicy for our palette. If they wish to have more non Indian folks visit they may have to make it milder. But we definitely don't do good with spice. Over all a pleasant experience read more

It was nothing spectacular, limited chicken and vegetarian options. Pretty okay with food quality too. Service is fast and couteous.

We went to Safar by Karimi in Cupertino for my wife's birthday, and honestly, it's the best North Indian/Mughlai food I've had in the 10+ years I've lived in the US. The food is legit incredible. We tried a bunch of stuff. The tandoori avocado, broccoli kebab, and paneer tikka appetizer were all highlights. For the mains, the Paneer Dilruba and the akhroti(walnut) kofta were standout dishes, and their dal makhani is exactly how it should be. We had a few different naans too, and they were all perfect. Service was spot on as well. The staff was uper attentive and made the whole night feel really special. If you're craving actual, high-quality Indian food in the Bay Area, just go here. We'll definitely be back. read more

Amazing food and even better atmosphere. Safar by Karimi is the perfect spot for high-end Indian fusion in Cupertino. The Saag Burrata and Amritsari Aloo Parantha were highlights. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and the service is excellent. A must-visit if you're in the area! read more

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Summary : The service was excellent with us being seated immediately on arrival at the reservation time, service was attentive and food came out in good time. The food itself was flavorful but not spicy(in a good way) . One down side - not too many gluten-free and dairy-free options especially kids meals. We were promptly seated at our reservation time in a booth by Amer and was very friendly. The seating is spacious and do not feel congested. The ambiance is relaxing. The waiting staff , especially Recillio was good and knowledgeable. We had the galouti kabab with paratha - the kebabs were soft and flavorful. 8 out of 10. The rajathani laal maas was just perfectly spiced and went well with rumali roti. 9.5 out of 10. The Bhatti chicken is an excellent alternative to ubiquitous tandoori chicken and was well cooked - well done on outside and soft meat on inside. 8 out 10 The Lagan ka Murg was a highlight with its green curry and chicken pieces cooked soft . 9.5 out of 10. Overall it is on the pricier side but would definitely recommend due to the variety and flavors. Few improvements I would recommend to make it allergy friendly : 1. Add dairy free labeling on menu 2. Add some dairy free and gluten free items for kids read more

Love the menu and the creativity in the recipes The taste was very palatable! Great for a date night and the portions are also decent. The only thing to keep in mind is the dishes are very rich (butter, oil etc) so plan accordingly read more

Great Indian fusion restaurant with offerings not found at other restaurants! Super nice decor as well, and great service!

We recently had dinner at Safar by Karimi and it turned out to be a really nice experience. The ambience is beautiful and upscale and the whole place feels very thoughtfully designed. It is definitely a nice spot if you are planning a relaxed dinner or a special evening out. One thing that stood out right away was the complimentary poori with imli chutney and avocado they served when we arrived. Such a simple thing but it was honestly so flavorful and a great way to start the meal. Also a quick shoutout to our server Vivian who was very sweet and attentive throughout the evening. Another plus there is plenty of parking which is honestly a big win in this area. Some of the dishes we enjoyed- 1.Paan Patta Chaat- Would definitely recommend this one. It looks beautiful and tastes great. Hands down 2. Tandoori Avocado- Loved the smoky tandoor flavor. One of my favorites from the starters. 3. Dahi Ke Kabab- Very nicely plated and full of flavor. For the mains we tried 1. the Paneer Dil Rooba which was really delicious 10/10 2. Akhroti Kofta Curry which was rich and comforting. 3. The Dhungaar Dal Makhani had a nice smoky flavor and 4. Saag Burrata was also good if you enjoy saag dishes. If you want to try different breads the bread basket is a good option since it comes with a variety of naan. For drinks the Kokum Shockwave was really refreshing and came with a cute little snack on the side and the Himalayan Saga was nice and tangy with that raw mango flavor. For dessert we tried the Pistachio Lava Cake which was probably my favorite part of the meal. The Mocha Tres Leches was dark chocolat-y, mild and and not too sweet. Just a small tip it gets pretty busy in the evening so going a bit earlier might be a good idea. We also heard that they will be starting a lunch menu soon which sounds exciting. Would definitely be interested in coming back to try that. read more

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This is one of those places which targets for a $50-$60 per-person price point, but doesn't have the food quality or service or ambiance to back it. I didn't think any of the food was unique or great. Just good enough and you might be able to get similar quality entrees in other Indian restaurants for a far cheaper price point. The furniture, interiors were nothing to write home about, it is all mostly high-end theater - for example smoking the mocktails for presentation which doesn't add any flavor, just the show. The food that we got served also had some bugs/insects in them - may be they fell in after cooking or they were cooked along with the food. I won't be coming back here. read more

Great food and ambiance. Servers were all very attentive. Did I mention the food? Really unique take on dishes and good. We did have one issue where a salmon we ordered was undercooked. They comped us and gave free dessert. Good value for the quality of the food and the thoughtfulness of each dish. Also great that it is elevated cuisine but still family friendly. read more

- Ambiance: Pretty good, 5/5 - Food: Below average, 2/5 - Service: Below average, 2/5 The chicken in the Murgh Badami Khaas was very hard and rubbery. At the end we mentioned this to the waiter, and he apologized and he took 50% off that dish. Service in general was average or below average. Our server did not check on the table. Everytime we needed something, we had to keep looking around for the waiter, who was nowhere to be found. read more

I had an amazing experience at Safar by Karimi! The food was absolutely delicious -- every bite was bursting with flavor and clearly prepared with great care. The drinks were so refreshing and perfectly complemented the meal. The ambiance was one of the best I've experienced -- warm, inviting, and beautifully set up, making it the perfect place to relax and enjoy good company. What truly made the visit even more special was the exceptional service. Lipton, who served us, was incredibly kind, attentive, and professional, ensuring everything was perfect throughout our time there. I highly recommend Safar by Karimi for its outstanding food, refreshing drinks, top-notch service, and amazing atmosphere! read more

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