India House - Santa Barbara

Delicious food, great value, and a lively atmosphere! When India House first opened, the food was exceptional (and I’ve had my fair share of Indian cuisine). Friends and acquaintances who are Indian or have traveled the world tasting Indian food also shared positive experiences. There was a time when it felt like the restaurant might have been in transition, possibly between chefs or cutting corners, which made us visit less frequently as the quality seemed to dip. However, it has been back to its prime for quite some time now. Their buffet consistently offers excellent value—affordably priced with a wonderful variety, including both meat and vegetarian options. The quality of the ingredients, the skillful preparation, and the perfect seasoning for each dish are commendable. While I can’t speak to the dinner entrees or the service since I always opt for the buffet, the staff appears friendly enough. Our out-of-town guests, despite the many dining choices available, often request to dine there when they visit. I highly recommend it!

I enjoyed everything at the lunch buffet, where I went for the vegetarian dishes. There is also a good selection of meat entrees. Friendy staff. Nice porch in front. Lots of decor including many colorful lamps. Buffet good value at $10.

The restaurant is beautifully designed, with a selection of merchandise that adds to the ambiance. You can choose to sit on cozy cushions and pillows on the floor or at a regular table. The service we received was friendly, prompt, and the staff was knowledgeable about the menu, providing great insights into the dishes for my mother and me. The food was tasty, but I found it to be quite overpriced. While I'm not an expert on authentic Indian cuisine, the overall flavors were enjoyable. I did notice that the lentils and chickpeas seemed slightly undercooked, but I'm unsure if that's typical in this style of cooking. The naan was served fresh, hot, and in generous portions. For dessert, we had Gulab Jamun, which was hot and absolutely delicious.

My friend owns India House, which had a lovely atmosphere that truly reflected Indian culture. I say "had" because the rent increased, forcing Krishan to close the restaurant. He is a genuinely nice person and served some delicious food, including dishes I had never tried before, which I really enjoyed. Occasionally, you might spot him walking along State Street. He also owns a shop called Bazaar just up the street, where you can find rugs, incense, CDs, clothing, and a variety of other items.