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    The Taj Cafe

    4.6 (2k reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

    Order The Taj Cafe Takeout or Delivery

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    Business Info

    THE TAJ CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - The Taj Cafe

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    Small rice portion
    Reta B.

    So I had been here before and I enjoyed the food. My husband and I decided to come New Year's Day and gather with friends. So I called at least 1.5 hours before getting there and made a reservation! When we got there which was on time, they Didn't have a table for us! The hostess was RUDE! When it's their fault for not honoring our reservation! So he's like you have to wait, at least 20-30 mins! Excuse me! Whats the point of having a reservation then! Anyways they moved a couple to seat us! We had 7 adults and 1 kid! Food took over 45 mins! I had the samosa chat which I recommend and the chicken korma medium spice and also good! They took forever to bring the food, and someone else had the Korma and so they mixed it up though one was chicken And the other Lamb! Other people in the table had the combo, they were 2 sitting next to each other. So they get Garlic Naan part of the combo. Only of them got the garlic naan, so toward the end. We asked, hey we're missing the garlic naan for this meal. Their response was, it was mixed with the other person who has the combo. Anyways it wasn't much garlic naan so they brought one and made it sound like they brought one to replace that. Instead after I got home I realized they charged for their garlic bread they brought. Also the food portions are small for what they charge! They charge $3.99 for soda and $1.99 for refill for soda! What? Who does that? It's just SODA! Secret for that many reviews! They bribe people! After dinner, they bring you " free rice putting" and right after before brining the bill, they bring you QR code to rate them!! So check comes and they have 6% charge! RSC! So we ask what is this? Restaurant service charge! That's usually done in big cities such as LA which I have not seen! " to cover their employees" and! Hows that my problem! They had already charged 20% for service! Which was HORRIBLE! I should have made them take that out! Since I was not happy w their service for seating us late and for taking forever to get food ready and on top of it charging for unnecessary items! Before you dine here. Check everything and the 6% add on plus 20% Service charge! Plus over priced food! Won't return here

    Tanner C.

    Grabbed a quick lunch here and thought the vegan options were great! Nice decor and friendly service, will be back next time I'm in the area.

    Complimentary dessert- rice milk dessert
    Charlotte C.

    This food was delicious. It was very empty when we got there but it was a weeknight so I wasn't too surprised. While we were there there were a few orders that came in for pick ups or DoorDash, and another couple that came in to eat. So we weren't the only ones that ate there on a random Thursday night which is a good sign. We ordered samosas appetizer, garlic chicken plate and mirchi (spicy) chicken plate. All food was good with a nice spice level! And not just spicy to be hot- it had actual flavor! And the portion sizes were great! The total for the above plus a soda and a masala chai drink was about $114. That includes an 18% tip (not automatic), and the 6% restaurant surcharge. I hate the surcharge but would go back.

    Aloo Tikki
    Jenna H.

    We got a lot of complimentary items and at the end they requested we write a review.. I would have regardless. All items were delicious. Partner and I split the chicken tikka masala. Perfect for two. A little on the sweeter side that I'm used to but would order again. The garlic naan had a lot of garlic and we loved it. Complimentary chutney sampler. That was alright. Complimentary aloo tiki chaat. That was pretty good. Complimentary Kheer. It's my favorite desert and it was great! We left with a little coupon. The service was good. They checked on us a good amount. I sat on the patio since it was a beautiful day. We did not go inside. We will back!

    free rice pudding
    Sarah C.

    great family-owned restaurant! loved the service and how they pampered us with free appetizers and dessert. the chicken tikka masala and saag paneer included a good amount of protein which was nice. the saag paneer was a bit bland but it feels healthier which is a bonus? :) the chicken naan was a bit dry but it was a huge portion. overall would recommend for indian food in the area!

    Jade H.

    Amazing amazing amazing!!!! The service here is exceptional the food is so flavorful. Only reason I came here was because my usual Indian restaurant was closed and I was really craving it. I'm definitely glad I came here. They provided me with complementary items to get a little taste of what they offer and let's just say this. I will most definitely be coming back here. Give this place a chance I promise you you will not be disappointed.

    JohnAndrew R.

    A Comforting Go-To at Taj Cafe - A Ventura Favorite My family and I made another visit to Taj Cafe in Ventura, a place we go to so often the servers know us by now. With our third son on the way, we were looking for something comforting, familiar, and stress-free--and as always, Taj Cafe delivered. Food: I ordered the tikka masala lamb combo meal, and my wife went with our usual favorite, the butter chicken--our go-to dishes every time. Both were excellent. The lamb was tender and flavorful, coated in a rich tikka masala sauce that's perfectly spiced without being overwhelming. The butter chicken was creamy, comforting, and consistently delicious, which is why we keep coming back. The combo meal was filling and a great value. Experience: What makes Taj Cafe special for us is the consistency. The food is always fresh, hot, and satisfying, and the relaxed pace makes it an easy, enjoyable stop--especially on busy days. It feels familiar and comfortable every time we visit. Service: The staff is always friendly, welcoming, and attentive. Being regulars, it's nice walking into a place where you're recognized and treated like family. They make sure everything is just right and genuinely care about their customers. Overall: Taj Cafe in Ventura isn't just a restaurant for us--it's a trusted favorite. If you're looking for reliable, comforting Indian food with great service and a welcoming atmosphere, this place is hard to beat. Highly recommended.

    Sara W.

    Loveeee taj! A great option for a sit down in downtown Ventura. The food is great.. naan is top tier and love their green chutney sauce so much. Never had a bad dish. They always throw in freebies and complimentary items while dining in which is so sweet. Family owned and very local. The veggie combo is my go to. *note this isn't a fast dining experience so just an fyi

    Ryan M.

    Phenomenal Indian food. My friend from India recommended this to me as this is his favorite authentic Indian restaurant in the area. We ordered a whole bunch of different dishes, and everything we got was exceptional. I would highly recommend the butter chicken, chicken vindaloo, saffron rice, and samosas. If you're in Ventura and looking for some good Indian food, The Taj Cafe is the way to go. We ordered takeout, but the location on Main Street and ambiance is ideal.

    Complimentary rice pudding at the end of our meal.
    Ad A.

    This was my first time coming here and I had a great experience! The ambiance is nice and cozy. They have light music playing in the background. The servers are great. They are friendly, attentive, and accommodating of my disability and dietary food restrictions. They give you few yummy complimentary treats. I ordered the Lamb Tikka Masala combo. You can chose your spice level. The Lamb Tikka Masala was delicious and flavorful. It was a wonderful experience.

    Dean K.

    It's been quite a few years since I've been in the area during lunchtime. The lunch buffet is no longer offered. Instead, they have lunch specials that are amazing. Freshly grilled chicken and classic vegetable side dishes. Fresh baked garlic nann and all the sauces. Chai tea and ice water with lemon in a glass. I highly recommend the Taj Cafe for lunch.

    Tania P.

    Hands down the best Indian food I have ever tried. I come here all the time but had never tried the Mirchi Chicken special combo. Wow, just wow. You can taste each spice in there. The garlic nan is so deliciously garlicky and it's cooked just right. From the chai to the cardomom saffron rice pudding. You won't ever be disappointed at this place. The servers are so kind and they always make you feel special.

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    The food here is fantastic. A treat for the senses! Complimentary rice pudding also!

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    We tried and thoroughly enjoyed a couple of new dishes: mixed veggie pakoras and saffron chicken . The service was excellent as usual.

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    27 days ago

    Amazing food and service! Will definitely be back!! The food was the best I had all the way from Santa Barbara!

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    3 months ago

    Didnt expect to stop here. Loved everything from the food to the ambience. The service was excellent too!

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    4 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Always love it here! Great food and great service! It is a bit pricey but they give you a coupon after your meal to use for your next visit!

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    The Taj Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Taj Cafe

    Has the buffet come back?

    We have started Lunch Specials now. Please ask for them when you come for lunch,

    Will you resume/restart your lunch buffet now the COVID restrictions have been lifted since June 15th and many people have been immunized/vaccinated?

    No more buffet

    Does rice come with the food items or do u have to order separately?

    The dinner specials come with rice, naan, vegetable curry and cucumber salad

    Is there food halal?

    I'm sorry, I looked up the term and I can't say yes or no. But I can say it was fresh not processed foods. Everything was made to order like a good Indian restaurant does. I did notice they only offered beef, lamb or chicken for their meats. I hope… Read more

    Taj have beautiful patio?

    It's a big open space and yes it's nice. They don't have the buffet right now because of COVID but the food is still amazing!

    Is Taj Café open?

    We will be opening very soon, most probably within a week. Thanks a lot for your love and support.

    Are you open for take out and/or dine in? If so, what are your hours?

    We are doing some repairs in kitchen. We will be opening in a couple of weeks or so. Thanks a lot for your business and support.

    Have you opened back, yet?

    I don't think so. And with all the restaurant closures now it may be a while. Call and check but last I looked they were still closed.

    Went there twice, but the place was closed. There's a sign on the door says, temporary closed because of plumbing problems. Are they opening back soon?

    Hello Dear Patrons, Unfortunately we had a fire in restaurant and about a month ago both the owners met an accident requiring hospitalization. We are working our level best to… Read more

    Is the buffet also available on the weekends and how much is it per person?

    Yes, the buffet is available I believe the buffet is around $14, but I'm not certain.

    Is there a discounted price for children for buffet?

    Hi, May be you can call and check out before going in.… Read more

    Hi, can you please label your vegan options? Only one is labeled, but you're listed as having vegan options so I hope that's not the only one. Thanks!

    VEGAN options on the lunch buffet were clearly indicated on cards below each selection as of 3/10/19. Identifying descriptions offered in ( ).… Read more

    Do they have lamb bhuna?

    Yes

    View All 15 Questions

    La Jenelle Natural Cafe - Decent burrito healthy, but on the small side

    La Jenelle Natural Cafe

    4.9(126 reviews)
    9.4 mi

    Excited to do another review in Oxnard on my birthday! I ventured to Oxnard to see how clean the…read morebeach house needed to be, and among other things whether it was in good shape. Outside of this I looked up places to eat and the pictures of the food service etc. I found this place nearby. From the outside, parking was tough to find, difficult to find the place since it is small in a clustered area with homes and a few other shops. The place itself is quite nice inside and right to the side of it. They had outside decorative seats which were nice to look at. Service was great! The woman told us the bold truth about what is good in a pleasant way. She told us the ingredients and how each was a highlight. One of the dishes I wanted to order was the gyro sandwich but it didn't have a key ingredient available at the time. It was the tzatziki sauce. It was a vegan kind that really increases the flavor of the gyro sandwich. Outside of this, she didn't recommend it without that sauce. I ordered the shoreline burrito which the person at front claimed was popular and it looked good from the pictures. The only flaw was the price to value. The ingredients were good quality but did not have that large amount I expected. It was $21 for the burrito with some tortilla chips on the side. I was still hungry after and although it tasted fine, so so or slightly above average, it wasn't really a great value. But everything else was decent. Just that one flaw was disappointing. I found it to be okay to try it out if you want to eat healthy at least, the ingredients are decent quality.

    Everyone who works here is nice and the food is great!! Blessed to have found a great vegan spot…read morenear the beach!

    Photos
    La Jenelle Natural Cafe - Counter

    Counter

    La Jenelle Natural Cafe - The Jesse's Gyro Pita Pockets

    The Jesse's Gyro Pita Pockets

    La Jenelle Natural Cafe - Hours of operation

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    Hours of operation

    Back Bench Pizza - Pepperoni with hot honey

    Back Bench Pizza

    4.5(117 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    The pizza was perfect. Well balanced between sauce and cheese. Crust has a wonderful crunch…read more The owner was very pleasant! Do fortunate to have a great local pizza play.

    Walking into this place feels like stepping into a tiny boutique that accidentally got taken over…read moreby a 90s rock playlist and a dentist's waiting room aesthetic. White walls, music, and the smell of genuinely great pizza in the air. Sadly, ordering that pizza feels like you're interrupting a very important staff meeting about not wanting to sell pizza. The vibe leans heavily toward uninviting. No fountain drinks, no water cups, just bottled beverages like you're at an airport kiosk. After you finally place your order, settle in. You're looking at a solid 45 minutes to an hour before your pizza makes its grand entrance. While we waited, a staff member walked up and slapped a "sold out" sign on the door. It was 5:45. They close at 9. We then watched the live theater of confused customers being turned away mid-evening. Bold strategy. Now, the pizza. Credit where it's due. The dough is legit. Sourdough crust that actually tastes like something, nicely baked, good sauce, and a thin, almost cracker-like profile. This is not your thick, floppy slice situation. It's crisp, light, and honestly pretty enjoyable. Is it perfect? No. Is it better than your average chain pizza? Absolutely. Just be prepared to feel slightly unwanted while acquiring it.

    Photos
    Back Bench Pizza - Inside is nice and clean

    Inside is nice and clean

    Back Bench Pizza
    Back Bench Pizza

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    Rascal's Vegan  - Breakfast Tacos

    Rascal's Vegan

    4.6(219 reviews)
    24.7 mi
    $$

    Wow! We went to Rascals Vegan for brunch while visiting the Santa Barbara area. My husband found it…read moreonline, and it definitely did not disappoint. It happened to be their 3-year anniversary weekend, so in addition to their regular menu, they were offering some special dishes. I ordered the special chanterelle bagel. It was topped with buttered chanterelles, bachelor buttons, wood sorrel, chives, and cream cheese. The bagel was beautiful and absolutely delicious. The cream cheese was made from cashews and had a smooth, buttery, creamy flavor. The mushrooms were perfectly cooked and not overly buttery, adding great texture to the dish. We also ordered the chips and guacamole, which came with a trio of salsas: chipotle, habanero, and tomatillo. Each salsa had its own distinct flavor and spice level. The guacamole was topped with pepitas, and the homemade chips were perfectly crisp. My husband ordered the Homerun, which included two large pancakes, bacon, and a "fried egg." The pancakes were dense yet fluffy with great flavor. The bacon tasted very similar to turkey bacon, but the real showstopper was the fried egg. The yolk was incredibly convincing and delicious. He was genuinely surprised by how closely it mimicked the taste of a real egg yolk. The restaurant had a nice Mexican home feel. After our meal, I briefly spoke with the owner, who was friendly and appreciative of our visit. Since it was his 3-year anniversary, we wished him continued success. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in Santa Barbara.

    Food Make sure you get their gauc with the three salsa…read moreoptions. They are a variety of smoky and spicy. The homemade tortilla chips are perfection, hot and perfectly salty. Big fan of fresh chips and this place delivered. Their vegan meats were so good. How they managed to get the texture and their meat crunchy was crazy. Their tacos are the must get because they make their tortillas fresh and they are better than the burrito. Service Came here with a party of seven and the servers were so great with handling a big party. They were attentive without being too overbearing. Ambiance An open space in the front and they have a whole back patio as well. We came for dinner so inside was the best option for us. Nice flowers on the table, you can see the kitchen and the bar as well.

    Photos
    Rascal's Vegan  - Inside views

    Inside views

    Rascal's Vegan  - Breakfast Tacos

    Breakfast Tacos

    Rascal's Vegan  - Spicy Elote

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    Spicy Elote

    The Taj Cafe - indpak - Updated May 2026

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