If Mountain View were a sari, its Indian restaurants would be the shimmering golden border—vibrant, intricate, and essential to the whole. You’ll find everything from white-tablecloth spots for when you want to linger over a thali, to quick-service joints where you can grab a masala dosa between debugging sessions. This guide has both, so take a look, and try to make your Silicon Valley dining a little more like the spice-filled heart of the fabric.
Passage To India Bakery
$ | (650) 964-5532 | WEBSITE
Passage To India Bakery is a local Indian spot with a solid buffet featuring things like chaat, pani puri, and butter chicken. It’s a good option if you’re grabbing something casual and want to try a bit of everything – or if you want to focus on their cakes for a special occasion (where the elderly staff member provides helpful suggestions for eggless options).
Desi Pizza house
$ | (650) 961-3301 | WEBSITE
If the pizza you happen to crave is a little closer to Indian than Italian, then the Desi Pizza House in Mountain View should be your pizza spot. It’s nearly identical to a traditional pizzeria, but with a little more authentic Indian flavor.
Hyderabad Dum Biryani
$ | (650) 386-1725 | WEBSITE
Ask anyone who works in Mountain View how often they hit up Hyderabad Dum Biryani, and they’ll probably blush at their answer. This is a very reliable Indian lunch spot in the area, and it’s the kind of place that can salvage an otherwise rough day. There’s a small sit-down area if you have a quick lunch break, and a take-out counter that usually has a steady stream of people (and moves efficiently).
The vegetable biryani is the first thing you should try here, but they also have platters with tandoori chicken and Hyderabadi-style lamb curry that come with generous portions. Plus, you get a warm, cozy vibe with every visit—even if you’re just grabbing and going.
RRR Biryanis
$ | (650) 282-5222 | WEBSITE
You can only reheat your leftover chicken tikka and naan so many times before needing to go to RRR Biryanis and pick up a biryani. Like a lot of other fast-casual spots, there are a few different biryanis that come with your choice of protein and spice level. But the biryanis here are better than what you’ll find at most dining establishments with their own delivery apps.
They come in generous portions with fresh ingredients, appropriate spice, and your choice of meat (the Chicken Dumplings Biryani and Shahi Mutton Biryani are both really good). While there isn’t any fancy seating in RRR Biryanis, the fast service and kind staff make it a top-notch dining experience for anyone craving authentic Indian cuisine.
Annachikadai – Indian Restaurant & Catering Services
$ | (650) 282-5737 | WEBSITE
One of the best things to happen to Mountain View’s Indian food scene this year? Annachikadai. This spot offers everything from their signature Mutton Thokku Biriyani to crispy ghee dosas, with the Seeraga Samba Biriyani and Madurai Kari Chicken Dosa also standing out. It does get busy here during peak dinner and weekend times, but it’s your best catering option around if you can plan ahead for quieter days.
Namastee Nepal Food Truck
$ | (408) 220-5739 | WEBSITE
Namastee Nepal Food Truck is a Nepalese food truck that’s especially good to know about if you want to work crispy chicken lollipops and flavorful momos into your lunch routine. It lives in Mountain View, and you can get a ton of food for under $10 – including the chicken momos with that delicious orange dipping sauce and a refreshing mango lassi.
Himalayan Kitchen
$ | (650) 967-4240 | WEBSITE
Himalayan Kitchen is a counter-service Indian and Nepalese spot, and we like to pretend it’s pronounced “himal-yan.” Try it. It’s fun. We also like to watch the big spinning columns of Tandoori Chicken behind the counter. There are a few different kinds of curries, including butter chicken, saag paneer, and vegetarian options, and you can get these dishes with a couple of sides like garlic naan and samosa chaat.
It can get a little busy here, especially during the lunch buffet from Friday to Sunday, but the line moves quickly.
Mantra India Restaurant & Bar
$$ | (650) 960-1000 | WEBSITE
Mantra India Restaurant & Bar is an upscale Indian spot nestled in Mountain View, offering a warm atmosphere with its polished interior and excellent service. It’s right in the heart of the area, so if you’re looking for a break from the usual lunch routine, you can settle into a cozy booth next to other diners, who are all enjoying the ambiance, chatting over meals, and eyeing the sizzling fish platters.
Mantra serves a $15 lunch buffet which gets you a generous spread filled with things like kabob mix, flavorful salads, and fresh appetizers. If they ask you if you want extra naan, you need to say yes—it’s for your own good. There are also à la carte dinner options that cost around $25-35, and come with a few different dishes for sides like healthy vegetables, tasty curries, and rich sauces.
Passage to India
$$ | (650) 793-0564 | WEBSITE
Passage to India is easy to overlook on the strip, and since the dining area is modest, you might face a short wait. But tables clear out fairly promptly, and if you’re solo or with a companion, you can usually grab a spot at the counter. At dinnertime, there are $18 combo plates.
Zareen’s
$ | (650) 600-7846 | WEBSITE
Perhaps you’ve heard of Zareen’s. It’s a takeout spot where you can get pretty good Indian food (which, if you’re unfamiliar, includes dishes like garlic naan and chicken tikka masala). For some reason the seating is limited, so it gets incredibly busy for office lunches, and you should order in advance online.
Idly Express – Mountain View
$ | (650) 383-5269 | WEBSITE
Idly Express is an Indian spot that’s nice enough for a pleasant sit-down meal, and casual enough for a quick bite when you’re on the go. Go with the $18 Valentine’s Day Thali, which includes a combination of dishes, like the paneer tikka and dal makhani, as well as a dessert, like the gulab jamun that’s one of the best in the area.
Everest Cuisine-Mountain View
$$ | (650) 282-5958 | WEBSITE
Everest Cuisine opens every day for lunch, and it’s great if you need a welcoming spot to enjoy really good Indian food with family or friends to celebrate a special occasion. We really like the tandoori salmon and the lamb saag, as well as the veg momo platter – which they’ll keep bringing until you can’t eat anymore.