The best dosa I've genuinely ever had. The podi dosa is my favorite and maska bun with irani chai read more

Tiffin Hut - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

It was all right. Yeah, the whole restaurant was full of Indians but have Herndon itself has a lot of Indians. The menu is bare bones, the vibe is boring and clinical, and they don't serve water with ice, which I find bizarre. I ordered a benne dosa. Forgot what kind. It was okay. It tasted more like a croissant than a dosa. The idli was tasty with sambhar but nothing to write home about. If Im craving idli and dosa again, I probably would go elsewhere and suggest you do too. read more

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Update: We've been coming here for a while but our most recent visit was a disappointment. The recipes have changed and the dosa and chutney just don't taste the same anymore. The sambar and mango lassi are still good and they added poori to the menu which was a nice surprise. It's always crowded and if you go there for lunch with a friend, plan to not be able to hear them. Until the recipes go back to what they were, I'm not sure we'll be returning. --- On a hunt for the best dosa in the area, and so far this place wins. The inside is warm and inviting, with nice tables and decor that give it a modern feel. It can get crowded and loud, but we were there for the dosas, not the vibe. The idli was okay, but the dosa is where it shines. Crispy and flavorful, though a little thicker than I prefer. The sambar and chutney were excellent, so flavorful and well balanced. It also came with a peanut chutney, which was not for me, but the core trio of dosa, sambar, and chutney totally delivered. They also have ice cream, but skip it. The mango lassi, however, was pretty good. I've been back here at least 5 times and counting. It's worth the drive! read more

Among a bevy of Indian options in this suburban region, this place offers something different. It is a dosa shop, but they explain that their specialty, called a benne dosa, is slightly thicker than the typical South Indian crepe (but still thinner than an uttapam). The menu is small, vegetarian, and in addition to the dosa selection includes idli, vada, and if you want something that's not rice and lentil based, poori and some buns. They also have beverages and house ice cream. The vast majority of people here appeared to be Dravidian, which is typically a sign that the restaurant knows what it's doing. My dosa was indeed a bit thicker than usual, but no less crispy and tasty. As is often the case, the accompaniments were more than the dosa could sustain, but I enjoyed the peanut chutney in particular. Ordering a chai with saffron was a nice accompaniment. When you consider the slightly sour fermented batter, the savory onion and potato mix, some salty sambar, the spicy podi mixture I got to coat my dosa, and the hint of sweetness and spice with the chai, it was just a fantastically diverse flavor combination, as befits South Indian cuisine. Despite the dosa being their signature item, I was able to view the idli and poori from afar and they looked mouthwatering. The food comes on disposable paper plates and it is not a fancy ambiance, but the place was packed, and it probably remains so a lot of the time. read more

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This is unequivocally the best South Indian meal I've had in the U.S. This small Northern Virginia, Karnataka-style dosa shop focuses on benne dosai, the slightly thicker, beautifully laminated variety that's recently gone viral across Delhi and Bombay thanks to a chain that started in Bandra. It is both visually beautiful as well as perfectly textured, true to its name decadently buttered. The other star of the show here is the thatte idli, also known as plate idli. They are in my opinion better than the original more common, convex idlis available at most South Indian restaurants in the U.S. Tiffin Hut nailed the texture perfectly - I'd say it was better than the one I had at Ram Ashraya in Matunga. It was also generously covered in ghee and milagaipodi. Absolute must-try in the DMV area. read more

Tiffin Hut - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

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One of my friends recently told me about this place. I invited a couple of my friends who love dosas so we can try it and rate this place. First of all, they have a great ambiance and service was great. Menu is small, but glad everything on their menu was highly rated. We ordered some dosas, vada and vegetable pulav. Hands down the best dosa in the DMV area. It was perfectly crispy, golden brown (that's how an authentic dosa should be), and the butter flavor was so good. Chutney and sambar were very delicious as well. Sambar is on the slightly sweeter side as they represent Bangalore benne dosa which is on the sweeter side. Vada was absolutely delicious. Perfectly crispy and went so well with the sambar. I can't wait to come here again. I wish they could open one of their branches in DC so I don't have to drive an hour to eat their delicious dosa. read more

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This place was recommended by a friend. Small place, good service and great food! Gets crowded and be prepared to wait in line for a table at peak hours, but the line moves fast. They have a small menu and they make every item on it really well. We tried the Karam masala dosa( which is a rice pancake coated with a flavorful spice powder with veggie filling ), the poori masala ( poori are puffed fried bread) and the vaada sambar( a savory fermented & fried rice & lentil served in lentil veggie soup)! My attempts to explain these Indian dishes, don't do justice to it, coz the flavors are so complex. Each item was delicious! If you are looking for a quick eat or an intro to basic Indian food or simply craving a bit of home, this is the place. read more

Tiffin Hut - Karam Masala Dosa - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

Wow what a treat . Yummy Dosas . Podi Masala Dosa too good full of flavor and crunchy . Karam Masala dosa spicy yet full of flavor and delicious. Love their two variety of tea Zafrani Iranian chai and Iranian chai . Sweet buns were delicious perfect to dip with chai . One thing it's full they served my dosa first I was half way done then they served my husband's order . Kept reminding them . The waiter had some weird explanation.Also the waiters were not very friendly and welcoming . read more

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I was solo for a Saturday evening. Got seated quickly. Ordered a Masala Dosa and a plate of Vada, not realizing that it had three vadas! The Irani tea was good but next time I will order regular Chai or coffee since it had too much sugar for me. The Vadas were tasty , couldn't handle all three and so took 2 of them to go. The Masala dosa was crispy on one side but too much dough on the inside like an Ada. Also not spicy at all. Next time I will order podi Masala may be since it was a bit bland. Good service! read more

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Vegetarian Friendly: Yup, no meat is served in this restaurant Decor: I cant say its good because it looks like they just keep the record from the last restaurant but the decor itself is not bad its just bland Food Ordered: I got the Dosa and Bun Food Breakdown: Mannn the food was not good lol. Like the Dosa itself wasn't bad but man the chutney were terrible because they were all sweet and just ruin the experience. Even the sambar was sweet. Now idk if this is a south Indian thing or not but this was not it. The bun was also really sweet but that's not a big deal because its more expected but man I wouldn't get it again. Portion Size: for the price it think the portion is normal Service: Overall wasn't bad because there are alot of servers but nothing amazing about the service. Also I love the open view of the kitchen more places need stuff like this. Price: no real issue Would I go Back: Nope, I will not go back. I love the fact they have a small menu because if its great that's all your need but man with everything being sweet its just not it. I am not giving a one star only because the dosa was actually good. Now I am North Indian so I cant claim to know if this is authentic or not but for me this is a no go. read more

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Tiffin Hut was excellent! As someone who doesn't usually love South Indian food (def the black sheep of the family in this regard), I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. Servers were helpful and efficient. The vibe is casual and the space is practical. We were seated pretty quickly upon arrival despite it being pretty packed, and it's clearly a popular spot; there was a constant flow of people coming in and out of the space while we were there (around peak dinnertime). We got the Irani chai, filter coffee, kaaram masala dosa, podi masala dosa, and ghee podi idli. We shared family style and everything was so good! The ghee podi idli was such a tasty take on idli (prior to this I'd only ever had idli in its most basic form), though my favorite had to be the podi masala dosa. The mix of crispiness and chewiness along with the podi flavor just hit the spot. Each dish also came with sambar, peanut chutney, and coconut chutney, and they were all yummy enough that we were sneaking in spoonfuls of them on their own. The sambar was a little sweeter than what I've had in the past, but in a good way. All in all, a great dinner. I'm already looking forward to going back! P.S. The music was so fun! Couldn't help but dance a little in my seat the whole time. P.P.S. The little to-go bags are cute too! read more

Tiffin Hut - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

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A few months ago I was at an India restaurant and ended up talking to the women near me who happened to be from the DMV. One offhandedly mentioned tiffin hut to me after I stated I was from MD, so when I was in town we figured we'd make the 45 min drive to NOVA. Tiffin hut was incredibly crowded around 12:30 on a Sunday. There's a lot of tables, and in the summer there seems to be an outside seating area. But the area is bright and casual. We gave our name and were told a 20 min wait, though it probably took around 15. We could see how efficient the waiters all were. We were sat soon, given the menu, and very quickly a waiter came to take our order. There are really only two items, and we opted for an irani chai with saffron, a podi dosa, idli vada, idli, and a plain dosa. The chai came out immediately and it was so rich and flavorful. Very quickly after came our meal. The dosa was incredible. Easily the best dosa I've had in the US, and on par with some of the best hotels in India. The rasam was great too. The peanut chutney was fine, and coconut chutney better. The vada was also incredible. The idli was the only item we'd skip in the future. My South Indian parents (one of whom is from Bengaluru) loved it. We will definitely be back! read more

Tiffin Hut - Chai - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

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Tiffin Hut serves authentic South Indian breakfast dishes that make me feel like I'm eating at a good restaurant in India. I've tried almost everything on their menu multiple times, and it has become a staple for us whenever we crave a comforting meal that never disappoints. Benne dosas - crispy and golden on the outside, with a soft and fluffy inside. Thatte idli - melt-in-your-mouth soft. Vadas - deep-fried crispy goodness without being too oily. The sambar and chutneys are very flavorful, though I wish they served a slightly larger portion of sambar. The restaurant gets extremely busy on weekends, and there can be substantial wait times, but the food is well worth the wait. Takeaway orders are usually ready on time and packed well. The restaurant has a pleasant atmosphere and is clean and well maintained. read more

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Absolutely delicious food excellent service and decent vibes. Don't expect a five star kind of place more like hole in the wall, but very family oriented and definitely going back. Their Indian style icecream is yum! We went twice already. KK guy provides superb service! read more

I've been going to tiffin hut for over a month and it is a great place to go if you want a Bangalore style dosa! It's a casual fast dining place that is very well priced and you will leave very full. These dosas are crisp on the outside and thick on the inside. They also come with two chutneys(sauces) and sambar(a soup). I got the masala dosa and the masala was good and not overly spicy, but you can order the Karaam dosa if you're looking for a nice spice. The idili is nice and fluffy and comes with the same. I've also tried the vada, the malai bun, the ice creams they have and can firmly say that everything on that menu is really good. However, if I'm eating there I get a dosa and if I get takeaway I'm doing a idili or vada. All of their dishes pair perfectly with either their mango lassi or chai. The masala chai is so good, my Desi mom even approves. The service is great, but watch out for evenings and weekends. It may take 20-30 minutes to get seated or get your order because they literally have a LINE OUT THE DOOR! That is just a testimony to how good everything is there! I will be back ready to eat some good food with some good chai soon. 10/10 would recommend read more

Tiffin Hut - Chai and Mango Lassi! - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

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Trust the snake like queues inside and outside Tiffin Hut. Family in the area highly recommended the place since they've opened, glad we finally tried. Short and sweet menu with a few dosas, idlis, vadas, buns, and ice creams. The butter-based benne dosa is worth the wait and praise--plain for kids, masala if you dont like hot and spicy, podi masala if you do. Coconut chutney is excellent, so is the sambar, peanut chutney is peanut butter-esque. Thatte idli is way better than any other idli we've tried in the area. Wait times can be long on holidays, atmosphere is south indian cafe like. Appreciate compostable dishes and utensils. Kid loved mango sorbet, you can taste the mango. Adults loved rose based kulfi falooda. It is not indian vermicelli noodle based falooda but basil seed based--chia seed like texture, equally delicious. Irani tea with saffron is rich and milky, some in our group had it as an apertif and others as a digestif. Our server, Yamini, was attentive and made good recommendations. read more

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As authentic Bengluru food (city in southern Indian) as it can get in a foreign land. I had benne dosa and thatte idly with coffee. Also got their matka icecream (clay container). A very well run operation, I took to go and everything was compostable and a reusable bag was provided. The taste was delicious and the food invigorates. After a long time I had Indian food that made me feel nostalgic and throughly satiated. Vegan options available, by default some items use butter or ghee but you might be able to customize. read more

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We tried Tiffin Hut again, we had to wait around 10mins to get seated, they had same limited menu. This time we tried idly wada and podi masala dosa, both of them turned to be good. read more

Tiffin Hut - idly wade - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

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I came here after hearing about it from a friend. This is a unique place that gives both a sit down restaurant and fast food vibe with a small menu but does it really well. I tried malai bun (5/5), zafrani irani chai (5/5), filter coffee (5/5), Mendu Vada (4/5), and podi masala dosa (5/5). I've had dosas in America and India, but eating the dosa here made me feel like I was eating dosa for the first time. Super crisp on the outer side and soft on the inner side, and it just hit different. The zafrani irani chai reminded of the kulad chai I've had in India. Mendu vada is not something I usually go for, but they were really warm, crispy on the outside and super soft on the inside. The staff were very nice and the food came out really quickly. If I could, I would give this place more than 5 starts. Will definitely be coming back to try the other dosas and drinks. read more

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This review is based on a Dosa my family carried out for me that ate the next day. Not claiming to be an expert or authenticity but I have eaten tons of doasas, including parts of South India. Packaging was excellent, earth friendly, best I have seen for dosa. Dosa was very well made, nicely browned, was thicker than most I've had but still crisp. The potato fill was adequate and OK. Heat on a rack, at 325 for a few minutes and you are good to go! Sambhar was well seasoned, a bit sweet for me but they do it like that in some parts, it had overpowered the sourness of the tamarind. The balance, for me was off. Coconut chutney was very good, lovely warm spice level and flavors. Though I suspect use of dried coconut instead of fresh. There was another chutney, peanut based, which I didn't care for. On the whole, a very solid product and I plan to visit to sample other items in person. read more

Tiffin Hut - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

This was my first time trying dosa and it did not disappoint. We got 3 different types of dosa to try: masala dosa, podi masala dosa, and kamra masala dosa. All came with the same dips (coconut and some spicy dip) and lentils. The dosas also had a tasty potato filling. We also got their filter coffee and malai bun which was great to end the meal with. The menu is very simple with few options but they're great. Service was quick aka friendly as well. I loved dining here and would love to go back with friends again. read more

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Amazing food, super fast service and food served with a smile. Nice ambiance with lots of space. They provide high chair as well. read more

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Food service ambience are excellent. Must eat place. Also feels like I am in mini-India when eating or ordering out ! Thanks for making this a very holistic Indian dining cuisine experience. read more

This is clearly the best south Indian vegetarian restaurant in Washington DC Metro . Food reminds me of true South India, especially Karnataka. Price is very reasonable. Service is very courteous. Even if you have to wait, it is worth it. I hope the restaurant keeps it up. read more

My dad and I were so excited to visit this new spot! It is a couple minutes from Dulles Airport, so it's a great spot for a delicious dinner before hopping on a flight. We were seated immediately and service was fast and smooth. We ordered 1 thate idli, whew big idli AND delicious! We also ordered one karam masala dosa, it was spicy and delicious! We ended our meal with chai, yum! Overall, the eatery runs like a fast diner, it is cozy and well accommodating to small or large parties. I'm excited to visit again and try other parts of their menu! read more

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Came this time to dine in for lunch. There wasn't that long of a wait, but it was definitely busy. The service was good, but our meals didn't come out at the same time. The dosas had too much ghee, but were honestly really good benne dosas, definitely worth the price. The sambar and chutneys paired well with all the tiffins and the takeout bags are high quality and cute. Would definitely come back to order takeout! read more

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Podi idly and wads were good and we also had podi dosa Both were good. The previous time food was not that great but this time it is good . They have been maintaining the consistency read more

Tiffin Hut - Podi idly and Wada - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

Ambiance: Very clean and aesthetically pleasing. Servers are proactive and welcoming. Food: with just 8 items on the menu and every item being delicious, I'd say the food is a big hit. We ordered podi thatte idli, benne masala dosa, benne podi masala dosa, idli vada and malai bun. Dosa was crunchy and delicious. Idli just melted in the mouth. I would go back again and again. I really hope that they stay consistent and this place will become a staple. They also have readymade dosa and idly batter. Will try it on my next trip Parking: there is a big parking lot in the plaza. read more

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Authentic vegetarian Indian restaurant that specializes in dosas and idli. I wasn't super familiar with either, so I asked for recommendation. We were recommended the podi masala dosa (potato and lentils filling) and the ghee podi thatte idli. The environment was very fast casual - we ordered at the front, and then we were given a number and sat down at any available table. Dosa was nice and crispy on the outside. I really enjoyed the mint chutney for dipping, the other two (spicy lentil and chickpea I think) were delicious but preferred the mint chutney of the three options. The idli was unfortunately too soaked in ghee and it was too heavy to the point where it was overwhelming. I would probably recommend getting any of the other idli, just not the one with ghee if you prefer something lighter. General ambiance and decor of the restaurant is very clean and casual. Would recommend checking out this place if you're looking to try some authentic dosas and idli for a very reasonable price! read more

Tiffin Hut - Ghee podi thatte idli - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

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This place was packed when we went there, didn't know it was that popular but when we tried the food, the proof was in the pudding. Was an instant fan of the thatte idli and its texture. It was incredible! And the dosa was spicy but in an enjoyable way, it was a nice treat and am truly excited to revisit this place again. read more

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In one sentence: "Authentic, delicious and tastiest South Indian food I've ever tasted in MY LIFE at a restaurant!" read more

Comforting traditional Kannada style dosa and thatte iddli. The menu is small, but food is consistently good. I've heard people complain the dosa is too oily, well it's called benne dosa, meaning butter dosa - so that's the style! The dosa has such a nice thick texture. All their items are large, and one plate is more though enough and sometimes too much for one person. We had come a number of times and the food is always good and consistent. The sambhar is spicy, but I enjoyed it a lot. Not great for kids. I absolutely love the interior decor, it's clean and modern. Everything is eco friendly, down to the takeaway bags and containers. The ice cream variety is amazing and delicious! They are served in reusable clay pots and top with fabric - very cute! The filter coffee is strong - just like it should be! I haven't had the irani chai, but I heard it's very good. They do loose one star for service. Servers are friendly but the service can be super slow. They take a while to seat you and it can be a long wait for the food depending on how busy they are. Definitely check this place out - the taste is quite different than other South Indian restaurants in the area. read more

Tiffin Hut - Ghee Poodi Iddli - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

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While I love almost everything about this place, their deserts were far below their own standards. Good vide, love the music and place. Good service, people are very friendly. We visited this place four time in last few months, but tried their desert for first time and it was definitely not worth the calories. Overall good, pass on desert but food is definitely worth visiting. read more

First time having benne dosa and I am hooked! The dosa was thick and crispy and had soaked up so much flavor from the ghee. I was in love with everything we got. Food took a while to come out even though we went on a weekday, but it was worth it. I definitely recommend this restaurant! read more

Fantastic dosa and fantastic chai. As someone less familiar with Indian food, I really liked how simple the menu was. So glad this spot opened up! read more

Tiffin Hut - Podi masala dosa - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

Hands down the best chai I've had in the US -- and I've tried spots across New York, the Bay Area, and the DMV. Perfectly creamy and sweet with a well-balanced tea flavor. The dosa here is unlike anything else I've had elsewhere, though the menu is small -- just two main dishes. The quality leaves something to be desired. It comes with coconut chutney, peanut chutney, and lentil sides. My only tweak would be dialing back the sweetness on the lentils a bit. read more

Limited menu, which is good. Place can be very crowded with long wait times. Avoid peak hours if you can. Otherwise the food items themselves are pretty tasty. read more

Ohhhhhh my God!!!! This is the best Dosa, Idili, Vada and Chai that I have had in Northern Virginia in four years. Competes with the best South Indian food I've had in California!! Seriously world class. Lots of parking, super clean, great atmosphere and the vibe is also West Coast.The service was Really good as well: our server was smiling and sweet!!! Turns out the partners are originally from Hyderabad and Bangalore but at least one of them moved here from California!! Now it all makes sense. The menu is simple: tiffin all day long! Tiffin means a light meal or snack, but these are super popular items regardless of when you eat them! Sort of like getting breakfast favorites all day long! The Servings are huge, authentic high quality food with lots of ghee! The chai is to die for! I couldn't get pictures of the main dishes we ordered because we devoured it all!! I'm in heaven. read more

Tiffin Hut - Simple menu! - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

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The food left me with a stomach ache - and a horrible night! Had masala dosa and I think the batter was probably fermented for way too long!! Service was good Ambiance - just about ok read more

This is the best Masala Dosa I have had outside of Bangalore. Brought back memories of excellent Masala Dosas I had eaten in CTR Malleshwaram and Vidhyarthi Bhavan, Gandhi Bazar last December. Cudos to the owners (one from Andhra and another from Karnataka, both ex-IT professionals from California) bold decision to limit the menu to only 3 main items, Dosa, Thatte (Plate shaped) Idli and Vada. All items quite tasty and delicious. Dosas are crisp, brown and made using lots of ghee. Sambar was excellent. Ambience is very good, clean and spacious. Service is fast and servers are polite and courteous. read more