Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Udipi Cafe

    3.6 (216 reviews)
    InexpensiveIndian, Vegetarian
    Closed • 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago
    Loading...

    Order Udipi Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    Udipi Cafe Photos

    UDIPI CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Udipi Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    My plate #1
    Lou C.

    Came to Upidi Cafe for the all-you-can-eat buffet because I crave for vegetarian food, especially Indian food. I have been here early this year but I didn't have a chance to thoroughly investigate what I was eating. I think it serves in the style of Thali as round plate divided with sides in smaller bowls. Since it's a buffet, I can take little bit at a time until I'm familiar with the taste. I also got more knowledge from eating Indian food frequently since I started foodie exploration early 2023. The buffet line is organized by hot and cold, not separated by entrees, starches, sweets and salads. So I started to indulge with standard thali entrees and breads. Starches are Poori (puffy bread), Vada (donut looking thing), Idly (rice cake) and Set Dosa (pancake looking bread). My favorite is to break poori open and use it to scoop curry or chutney. I actually like every bread they serve for different tastes. My favorite desserts are Semiya Payasam (vermicelli kheer in sweet milk) and coconut rice. My favorite rice is biriyani, of course, more flavors than plain rice. My favorite entree is Mutter Paneer (cheese is creamier than other restaurants) and Jackfruit Curry. When it says spicy and red, it is very spicy. I usually bring some yogurt based sauce (not sure exact name) to cool my palate if I accidentally consumed spicy food. Overall, $14.99 makes my wallet happy and tummy happy. Buffet lunch is only served on weekdays from 11 am to 2:30 pm. Remember, it's closed on Mondays.

    The food was substandard. The sweets are frozen, however the service was really good. The guy in the front desk was very nice and accomodating

    Mysore masala dosa (with sambar and chutneys), combo with masala dosa, idli, vada, upma, kesari bath
    Sunreeta B.

    Service was great, although the wait time was on the higher side for a not-so-full sunday dinner hour. Had the alu bonda, and the mysore masala dosa. The combo thali also came with a small dosa and one idli, vada, and a portion of kesari bath and upma each. Flavors were on the subtler side which I personally liked, but maybe worth considering for some people. Found out from the owner, Mr Satheesh that he also started the Udupi Cafe in Monroeville, Pittsburgh (it was the first one) along with a few others who are still there. I loved the appetizing tomato rasam that was served before the meal! First experience of Indian food in Houston was decent, but I will perhaps always be more conservative with my praise for Indian food!

    1. Bhel Puri
    Yasser H.

    Had stopped by here recently to grab some vegetarian snacks. After being seated, I noticed some photos of Anthony Bourdain with the owner, so I had to ask about the details. He told me that Anthony Bourdain would his restaurant every time he was in Houston. The owner was very friendly and he did stop by every table to say hi and engage in a casual conversation. I ordered Bhel puri, a dahi puri, samosas and masala dosa. The items were good and filling. I was satisfied with the taste. Samosas were in point and served with two different types of chutneys. They have an extensive list of items on the menu, especially dosas. A nice variety of them. The service was up to standards. This is actually a sit down restaurant with table service. I plan to be back b

    Podi Dosa with Masala
    Clarisse D.

    We visited the restaurant for lunch buffet over the weekend. The Vegetarian restaurant is located close to a busy intersection and easy to find. Pros: - we were seated promptly by the waitress who was courteous - The owner invited us and was gracious **, much appreciated - Having visited India and being a frequent foodie of Asian restaurants- we noticed a fantastic South Indian spread of more than 20 dishes in the buffet; - we tried just about every dish from Idlis, Vadas, curd rice, 6 types of curries, sambar, rasam, 3 types of sweet dishes, 3 chutneys, 2 types of rice. - They also offer 3 different types of Dosas as part of the buffet - which was delicious and well made. - the waitress was consistently prompt and courteous Now the cons: - parking is tough to find and the few spaces in front are filled up, with little to spare elsewhere - the idlis and Vadas were missing the authentic taste - it was either the lack of fenugreek or consistency in the batter. - it just didn't taste right; - Having tasted authentic South Indian food this place just lacked the taste, texture and flavor with multiple dishes. - There are wayyy too many pictures of the owner with some Indian folks all over the walls; I googled some of the folks and learned they were Indian actors and musicians; it was an overdose of personal glory; The food was not up-to the authentic South Indian taste;. Could be that we may have visited on the wrong day or the cook was on holiday. Wish the owner and staff the very best. -

    Hands down my favorite restaurant in Houston. Strictly vegetarian, flavorful, wonderful place with excellent service and, a thorough gentlemanly owner. Loved the rawa masala special dosa and the Brahman thali. Even the non- South Indian items were good. Mango lassi was sublime.... This is our new to-go place. I hope they update the decor soon.

    Mysore masala dosa
    Sunny B.

    With so many great Indian options in Hilcroft, I was not impressed with Udipi Cafe. I would likely go to Honest or Shiv Sagar if I am craving chaat-style food. I ordered a masala dosa and the potato filling inside was very plain. It was completely mild and lacked seasoning. The coconut chutney was also plain and watery, not the usual creamy taste you would expect from coconut chutney. I also tried the samosa chaat, which comes in a unique style compared to other Hilcroft restaurants. There is no yogurt and the samosa is cut up into the chaat mix. This dish had more flavor than the masala dosa, but I felt that it was missing the extra tangy taste of yogurt.

    Miny Thali
    Rabia S.

    I got the Miny Thali for lunch & chose the paneer tikka masala & avial (veggies made with coconut milk). It came with the options of poori or roti - I chose roti, but they gave poori. I ate the rice with the curries, but I didn't try the daal or sambar. The paneer tikka masala was good, and the avial was not bad. The beans were just boiled, but they were okay mixed the paneer masala. The payasam was good, too. Overall, it was okay.

    Shana C.

    The owner was super kind and helpful. Before the pandemic I would enjoy their buffet. Now that there is no longer a buffet I didn't know what to order. He made a great recommendation and I enjoyed every bite. I still don't know the names of the things I ate on the mini platter, but it was all tasty.

    Aditi M.

    For once I thought I'd ditch the yelp reviews and order from a restaurant with not so great reviews and I was soo soo wrong! This is the worst Indian restaurant based on my soda experience. I ordered food through doordash and the one star I give here is for timely doordash delivery. The Mysore masala dosa had every part of it done wrong. The soda was thick, the podi was just a lot of salt, the chutneys were bland and cold, the so called sambar was I don't know what. Disappointed to be disappointed:( I was craving for dosa and was really hoping for good food.

    You can see this from the parking lot, so you will know if you are in the right place

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    18 days ago

    The food and service are top notch. This is by far my favorite Indian cuisine. I highly recommend!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 55
    Thanks 1
    Love this 54
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rabia S.
    2
    119
    329

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Fred S.
    22
    26
    5

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    The thali was kinda bland ...but the Alloo parata and onion pakoras were yummy! The servers were nice and prompt!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Shana C.
    10
    40
    57

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Daniel L.
    4942
    1699
    6485

    11 years ago

    Helpful 38
    Thanks 1
    Love this 52
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of CS S.
    1
    53
    246

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    The dips that come with the dosa are amazing! Will definitely visit here again! Must go for South Indian cuisone

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Travis S.
    34
    39
    75

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 0
    Love this 14
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Udipi Cafe

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Indian 10,619 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Shri Balaji Bhavan - Filter Madras Coffee

    Shri Balaji Bhavan

    3.9(424 reviews)
    0.2 mi•Gulfton, Sharpstown
    •$$

    We had a nice vegetarian dinner at Shri Balawi Bhavan. The onion masala dosai was great. The butter…read moremasala dosai was delicious and buttery as the name implies. We topped off our meal with a very strong Madras coffee. Overall the meal was great. If you want an authentic South Indian vegetarian meal then try Shri Balaji Bhavan.

    I'm a huge fan of thali, and we usually go to Shiv Sagar. However, I saw a social media promotion…read moreoffering a free chaat with the purchase, who can say no to free chaat? The shopping center is fairly small with limited parking, and unfortunately there isn't much shade, so it can get extremely hot. One thing to note is that they're closed on Tuesdays. Ordering was simple. You grab a menu, place your order at the register, and our food arrived in about five minutes. Before ordering, I clearly requested no cilantro on everything because I have a cilantro allergy. Unfortunately, the complimentary papdi chaat came out covered in cilantro. I had to send it back to be remade, which was frustrating since food allergies should be taken seriously. The thali itself was good. It had a nice level of spice, came with three chapatis, rice, and a good variety of curries. At $11.99, I thought it was a good value. As for the papdi chaat, I still prefer Shiv Sagar's version. It has a more generous portion of potatoes and chickpeas, and if I remember correctly, it's also about a dollar cheaper. My only other disappointment was the loyalty program. I asked to join when paying, but was told that I should pay first. Once paid, the transaction had already been completed and it won't let me join. Perhaps they think we are a one time customer, so why join the program? Overall, I'm glad I gave this place a try and found another Indian restaurant in the Gandhi District. I'd definitely come back for the thali, but I hope they improve their attention to food allergies and make the loyalty program process more welcoming.

    Photos
    Shri Balaji Bhavan
    Shri Balaji Bhavan - Dahi Puri

    Dahi Puri

    Shri Balaji Bhavan - Restaurant dine in area

    See all

    Restaurant dine in area

    Biryani Factory - There were 4 pieces of chicken in the Chicken Dum Biryani

    Biryani Factory

    4.1(219 reviews)
    0.2 mi•Gulfton, Sharpstown
    •$$

    FIVE STARS ! We have a usual spot to get byriani, but today…read morewe decided to try a new one and it was a GREAT decision! We went right at noon expecting that, for being lunch time , it was going to be packed, but fortunately it wasnt; the ambiance was mellow and the music just perfect. Service was OUTSTANDING! Our server, Vino, was wonderful, knowledgeable, great recommending according to our cravings and spicy levels. So sweet and polite. We ordered 4 different dished and ALL OF THEM were incredibly flavorful, tender, and portions were very generous. First we ordered Chicken 65 as an appetizer... very very delicious! The tenderness of the chicken and the spices of the marinade were a BOMB ! Rather spicy if you dont have a medium tolerance level. We got also the butter chicken with rice; very flavorful and the sauce had a perfect thickness. Not spicy at all and the chicken was BUTTER tenderrrrr The spicy chicken byriani was THE BEST! Indian style byriani i have ever tried! The cardamom was so fragrant, the chicken melt in your mouth and the rice so fluffy! DEFINITELY a must try. Ultimately we tried the tikka grilled chicken ... be ready for an explosion of flavors! Gingery, limey, with a hint of charcoal. Super juicy and fork tender!! Incredible! Overall this is a 5 out of 5!! Must go

    Did a DoorDash order on Monday in mid-March since we didn't feel like cooking. They had some deals…read moreso we got a couple BOGO items and we love Indian eats. Our order included potato samosas (BOGO), the chicken 65 (BOGO), goat curry, palak paneer, and garlic naan. Samosas and the chicken 65 were both delicious; dip both in that mint sauce with the samosas to kick up the flavor. Be careful as the chicken 65 (mini fried chicken bites) have spiciness to it with a good amount of chili powder and pepper kicked in. The goat curry was alright, don't know if I would order it again as the grease was overwhelming. I wasn't a fan of the palak paneer, found it too runny and it was leaking when it was delivered to us. Also the garlic naan was a bit hard in the middle; maybe it's due to the packaging? Wouldn't mind ordering here again but we'll definitely do some different items. Hopefully the samosas and chicken 65 are still on the BOGO status cause we'll definitely take those again.

    Photos
    Biryani Factory - Banner was attractive

    Banner was attractive

    Biryani Factory - Entire order of chicken curry had 1 small piece of chicken and tasted stale

    Entire order of chicken curry had 1 small piece of chicken and tasted stale

    Biryani Factory - Gulab Jamoon is a must dessert

    See all

    Gulab Jamoon is a must dessert

    Kathmandu Curry and Bar

    Kathmandu Curry and Bar

    4.2(203 reviews)
    0.2 mi•Gulfton, Sharpstown
    •$$
    Vegetarian friendly
    Happy hour specials

    I implore you to come here for the momos. They are delish. We got fried goat momo (10) doused in…read morechili sauce (medium spice). They had a nice chewy bite to them. So flavorful, and not too spicy. What was spicy was the pani puri, so be mindful of the kick. On the opposite side of the spectrum was the Kathmandu curry which comes with a side of naan or rice. It was a lot more mild compared to the other dishes, but it balanced well with the momos. Service was attentive and made sure we were taken care of. They advertise themselves as fine dining. They had pre-rolled silverware, but other than that it was pretty casual. They have a TV displaying gorgeous Himalayan scenery that I was staring at in awe the entire time, so don't be surprised if I book a fight to Nepal.

    We came here unexpectedly as the restaurant next door was out of dishes that we were looking for…read more Since the FIFA World Cup is going on, they had nicely decorated the ceiling with different flags & had multiple TVs setup so you can watch the game. Nice table service, and nice ambiance. The Vegetable Manchurian was amazing, we got it in mild, and it still had soo much flavor. The noodles and Malai kofta were good. We got them in mild; so kids can have them too. Garlic naan was excellent, so soft & fluffy. Overall, it was a great experience as we're craving Indo Chinese food. We'll be back! Oh and nice Mocktail menu too! The pineapple drink with tahin was delicious.

    Photos
    Kathmandu Curry and Bar - Signature item--Chicken Momo

    Signature item--Chicken Momo

    Kathmandu Curry and Bar - Newari platter, healthy and balanced nutrition.

    Newari platter, healthy and balanced nutrition.

    Kathmandu Curry and Bar - Mouthwatering Biryani

    See all

    Mouthwatering Biryani

    Naga's South Indian Cuisine - Mango ice cream

    Naga's South Indian Cuisine

    4.0(56 reviews)
    5.3 mi•Westchase

    We went there during Father's Day weekend. We got there just before noon, and there was a 20-minute…read morewaiting time. To get in line, you scan a QR code and join a virtual queue. The crowd kept coming, and by the time we were done, the line appears to have grown to 1+ hour. Tip: Come early, especially on weekends! There was a sign saying that dining time is limited to 1 hour - completely understandable. Most of the clientele are South Asian - a good sign. The interior is clean and pleasant. The weekend buffet doesn't come cheap. We paid around $27 per person before tax or tips. But you get what you pay for - probably around 40 items, more than any other Indian buffet we have been to. This includes vegetarian items, meat dishes (chicken/lamb/fish), dessert, and drinks - including chai tea and rose milk. The quality is very good. We left absolutely stuffed.

    I visited Naga's with a group of friends for their unlimited buffet and left with mixed feelings…read more The buffet is priced at $25 per person for both the vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, with drinks charged separately. The spread includes a good variety of South Indian dishes, mainly Tamil and Telugu cuisine, with plenty of vegetarian and non-vegetarian curries, rice, dosas, and other traditional favorites. The food was definitely on the spicier side. While there was a decent selection, I found the overall taste to be fairly average. Nothing was particularly memorable, and I didn't feel it justified the price. The restaurant itself was clean, the ambience was pleasant, and the staff was courteous. The biggest downside for me was being handed the bill while we were still eating. At an unlimited buffet where you're paying a fixed price, it made the experience feel rushed and took away from the relaxed dining atmosphere. Overall, it's an okay spot if you're specifically looking for an unlimited South Indian buffet, but for $25 per person, I expected a more memorable meal and a better dining experience.

    Photos
    Naga's South Indian Cuisine - Buffet line

    Buffet line

    Naga's South Indian Cuisine - Crab curry

    Crab curry

    Naga's South Indian Cuisine - Buffet

    See all

    Buffet

    Udipi Cafe - indpak - Updated October 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...