Akbar Cuisine of India - Pasadena

THE BEST INDIAN FOOD RESTAURANT in Pasadena and my absolute favorite Indian food in all of Los Angeles. Their Crab Curry is excellent and unique -- I've never seen it anywhere else. 3 Cheese Naan bread so fresh and full of cheese it's a meal in itself. Also love their Chicken with mangoes and so many other dishes that are so delicious!!! I get hungry just thinking about it! Much more convenient and accessible than my other favorite Indian food restaurant, which is in Nice, France. 😋❤️😋

Excellent Indian cuisine! Ample parking in the hotel lot next door, also underground. Friendly, attentive servers. Excellent variety of specialties, but not an "endless" menu. Mint kebab chicken, dirty fries, cheese naan, all sooo good!No beer or wine.

My favorite go-to spot in Pasadena. I always enjoy the flavors and spices. Happy they were able to return after quarantine. You get a generous portion of food for the price.

The best Indian food in Pasadena 🥰 This is our go to place in Pasadena.

Great food, wonderful service, and beautiful paintings on the walls. It’s an upscale dining spot with high quality ingredients. While it is a slightly on the pricey end, the experience and food quality is definitely worth it. The menu has a diversity of Indian food and I genuinely enjoyed my dining experience. Would definitely recommend if you’re in the area!

Not the best or authentic experience for Indian cuisine. Ambiance was good and service was polite and quick. The food was not up to good standards though. Roti was too thick, dry and chewy. Naan was decent and edible. Entrees did not come with a side of rice which was quite unusual. Too few choices for veggie dishes and taste was mediocre at best. Would not be first choice for Indian food in Pasadena unfortunately.

Hey, if you are looking for Indian food, this place is on 🔥 🔥 🔥! I mean, I ate at other great Indian restaurants in LA, but this place brings unique taste & flavor! My family love going there on Thursday and will order their dishes again! Damn there food is addicting 😋! Oh, I met the owner and great guy!

Dishes are quite flavorful and probably the best Indian restaurant in Pasadena. Giving 4 stars only because the daal in lunch special was bland.

Literally such good food definitely come here such a polite owner come help them out it's hidden but so worth it

We used to go to the old town location but stopped because it was not the easiest location to pick up from. We were pleased it opened up on Arroyo Pkwy however parking in that motel it's adjacent too is a nightmare but at least it's available and free. We ordered take out last night and the food was ready ahead of time, and when I picked the food up, the fragrant smell of the garlic naan enticed me. I was excited to try everything. We had to order mild because V had a guest over who needed it. The Saag Paneer was sweet, the flavor of the spinach came through. We would have preferred it medium or spicy but we had guests over. The butter chicken was medium which warmed our bellies. I think the favorite of the night was the Lamb Biryani with big chunks of tender meat that we were all able to enjoy. For sure we are going to order again.

I have searched for good North Indian Punjabi food in Los Angeles for a long time, but no place has stood out to me until I visited Akbar. All the dishes I have tried are incredibly flavorful and mouth watering. There is clearly time, effort, and passion behind every dish. Every dish is also made fresh. My favorite dishes are the following. Chicken Tikka Masala- An absolute must. Extremely flavorful curry, very different from a lot of other Indian restaurants, but absolutely delicious Saag Paneer- This dish is very varied based on the type of restaurant you go to. A lot of restaurants use a lot of cream which dilutes the flavor, but not here at Akbar. Dark green and flavorful, this is the saag paneer I desire when I Have my cravings. Butter Chicken- Another hit! With a buttery sauce and tender pieces of tandoori chicken, it is delicious. A lot of Indian restaurants, Chicken tikka masala and butter chicken taste similar and the curry is similar, but not here. This is a completely different dish from Chicken tikka masala, and its delicious in it's own way! Worth a try for sure! Naan: Soft, doughy, which is my preference. Delicious! Mango Lassi: Thick, not too sweet, and a bit tart. Though some may want a sweeter mango lassi, this is the style of lassi I prefer. Overall, I have to say, Akbar is THE BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT in the Los Angeles area in my opinion. No other place has left an impression in my mind the way this place has. I am now a regular, and it never disappoints! Other Notes: Service is fantastic, ambiance is calm and relaxing

How many ways can you say that something tasted sublime? My companion and I had lunch here yesterday, and I honestly do not think I have ever tasted a better chicken tikka masala. Sublime describes it, but the spices were so well chosen, and the chicken itself was very tender and moist. The lunch combination plate is a great deal. A giant naan bread made for each person along with four items on the plate, and a condiment dish with three separate additional things to add. My companion's dish was spicy spicy hot and he was pleased with it. Mine was mild and I was likewise happy. Lol. Beautiful presentation, white table cloths and very nice cloth napkins even at lunch, and good service. The combination plate started at $15 and top out at around $20. Last summer I went to that most famous of Indian restaurants in London (Dish...), that has a bunch of locations, and the food there was nowhere near as delicious or memorable as today's humble lunch. I will be back very soon because I want to try everything on the menu.

Six of us went out to enjoy a birthday dinner at this restaurant. We all enjoy Indian food and wanted to try out the new relocation of this restaurant. The interior is a little dark which gives it a nice relaxing ambiance. We ordered our favorite dishes which included chicken tikka masala. We love heat in our food but the waiter told us to stay with the level 3 out of the 5 levels. The food was delicious and the level 3 chili with the side chili sauces had our mouths on fire.

Great cheese naan! Chicken tikka Masala. So good !! The owner came up and talked to us about the food and how he recently moved locations. We are long time customers of almost 15 years !

We've only ever ordered from Akbar, and while it's not always consistent, it's still a reliable option for Indian food. The biryani is consistently flavorful and one of our favorites. The butter chicken has been good but varies a bit from order to order. The samosas are a bit one-note for me, but my partner enjoys them. Overall, Akbar has its highlights and is a solid choice for those Indian cuisine cravings!

We wanted to try something different and were in the mood for Indian food. We were super happy with the service, ease of street parking and the food. The portions were a good value and we were lucky enough to have some to bring home for a 2nd dinner fo the two of us. We got the tofu madras which was stellar, along with chicken vindaloo, garlic naan and saag paneer. It is nicely decorated inside too. Your server will let you know about the spice options form 1-5. There is a cash discount if you want to bring real $$ instead of a credit card. Highly recommended!

Akbar is a Pasadena staple. They used to be located in the heart of old town Pasadena but moved to Arroyo Pkwy next to Schneider Diamond. Their food is always solid! My family and I went there for lunch and their lunch specials are very reasonably priced. Today's lunch special came with basmati rice, naan, cucumber salad, and lentils. I ordered the lamb vindaloo and it was flavorful and delicious. One of the best parts is that Akbar is BYOB and there is no corkage fee. Grab some beer or wine from Whole Foods across the street and enjoy your (individually determined level of spice) meal with the beer/wine you bring. My kids love the butter chicken and the chicken tikka masala. Their naan pieces are huge, fluffy, and what my carb dreams are made of! Come enjoy the spacious restaurant and bring your friends! There's plenty for everyone to enjoy. There are vegetarian options and you can let them know how spicy you like it!

Hands down, the absolute best Indian food in the SGV! Been coming to Akbar for years when it was in old town Pasadena. Now that is located on Arroyo Parkway, picking up and dining is so much easier. Love their chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, tandoori chicken, chicken vindaloo, rack of lamb, chicken kabobs, bindi masala, gobi aloo, vegetarian dishes, and literally everything else on their menu! Everything is made fresh, high quality and super authentic tasting. Their naan is chewy and delicious, the servings are generous, especially their lunch specials. Excellent service and hospitality. Highly recommend!

Nice restaurant ambiance. Chicken Kati roll delicious (recommend)! Garlic and plain naan light and fluffy. Good portions of meat. Mango lassi tasty :) Lunch specials come with rice, naan, cucumber onion salad and dal- very filling. Attentive and friendly service. Worth trying out!

The food was tasty and fresh. Lacked your traditional Indian heat but that might be because they are tailoring to their local clientele. Had the saag paneer, chicken tikka masala, and garlic naan. Generous portion sizes and quick service. The staff is friendly and attentive. Prices were reasonable. The bathrooms wasn't as clean as it should be. They share the bathroom with the hotel that is located on the same property.

We've been here for a few times and usually absolutely love the taste of the food. But man today we were so horribly disappointed. Not sure if the ownership or the chef changed but the food was inedible. The spice level (which we always get medium) and the flavor as a whole was so off that we felt it was inedible.

Have heard many great things about Akbar Cuisine for a while, so I decided to stop in and pick up some food for dinner. I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Shahi, Guchhi Pillau and Saffron Rice, along with a side of Nan bread. First up, the chicken dishes. You start with the Tikka Masala (Mild), because, frankly speaking, if this isn't done right, the rest of the meal won't be. This house favorite - tandoor grilled chicken in tomato, cream sauce, nuts and raisins - was absolutely outstanding. One of the best I have ever had, as the flavor profile was incredibly balanced and deeply delicious. Much different than other Tikka Masala sauces I have experienced. Less sweet, more flavorful and absolutely incredible. The Chicken Shahi (Mild) Chicken was also quite spectacular. Delicious chunks of chicken marinated in a creamy cashew cream sauce, with nuts and raisins. Very tasty and also packed with flavor. Next up, the rice dishes. The Saffron Rice was cooked well, topped with generous amounts of saffron, flavor and delicious. The Guchhi Pillau was one of the highlights for me. This rice dish nailed the flavor - mushrooms cooked with exotic basmati rice - and was a perfect complement to the chicken dishes. The Nan was fresh, tandor-baked, soft, fluffy with a tough of crispy edge. Two large 10" pieces in foil to help maximize the meal and tend to any leftover sauces on your plate. The prices are very reasonable for the quality of the dishes. Run, don't walk (but always obey traffic signals) to Akbar Cuisine of Pasadindia. You won't be disappointed.

Amazing food made by Mexican chefs!! Staff were courteous and polite and did the best they could. We had a party of 28 with reservations. You would think the owner would have more than one waiter working that day. Having to be the only one taking orders and bringing the food for additional 10 plus tables plus our party is absolutely unacceptable and unethical. Shame on the owner for exploiting the workers for personal gain. I can't imagine working under these conditions.

I came here and tried the bharta and coco lamb with garlic naan. We started with spicy fries. They were tasty. Naan was tasty though I wish there was more than one piece in an order. The bharta was my favorite overall. It was well seasoned and tasty! The coco lamb was ok, but we did request a lower spice level. The mixed berry lassi was tasty, and we got a free mango lassi for a long wait for our food. To me, the mango lassi was a bit too heavy on the mango and light on cream, but it was not bad. Overall, I would come here again, especially to try some other dishes such as the tandoori chicken and lamb vindaloo.

Excellent Indian food! We ordered all of the classics (chicken tikka masala, lamb vindaloo, samosas) and all were very well done. We were also somewhat hesitant to order from them because they use their own website for ordering and delivery but that whole process was seamless. And the portions were very generous. We will order again!

Delicious Indian food! This restaurant is by far the nicest Indian restaurant in Pasadena. I was looking to come in on a Monday night and most places were closed. I'm glad because we came across this place for my brothers Bday. It was a bit busy but not too bad. The food was absolutely delicious! We got the vegetable samosas, mango lassi, chicken tikka masala, and the spicy lamb curry and rice. The lamb was the perfect spicy level since we love spicy food and the chicken was some of the best I've ever had also the lamb dish. It was a party of 5 and we had a great time. The waiter was great and very friendly. Seats were comfortable. Naan was delicious too they have different kinds. Absolutely recommend this place!!

So Yummmm when anytime you thinking you want to eat India food I ready to recommend you go there try on cheese nan bread and lamps curry is very delicious

I've been coming to this restaurant since the early 2000s when it was an old town Pasadena. Back then the food was always consistent and delicious. I had a few times that I went and had slow or poor service back in those days. It's been a while since I've been here and I'm really happy to have found their new location And chat with the owner. We had excellent service with a great food experience. It felt homey and intimate to be able to talk with the owner and learn more about the cuisine. I like learning the history of the restaurant. It was nice to enjoy the butter chicken, which has not been on the menu for 30 years, but he just re-introduced it. The Coco lamb was delicious and my favorite. Crab curry was a very unique find. I will be back to support this local family owned and operated business. If you're in Pasadena, Altadena, or surrounding areas make sure you check them out. Authentic cuisine with a great vibe. Next visit I'm gonna eat the chili and Seabass.

I've been a fan of Akbar since it first opened in Old Town. This location is a little bit further down the road but certainly worth the effort! And there Free Street parking! You won't find that in Old Town! So if you want a meal that will make you shudder with delight, start with the chicken kati roll appetizer! I think it's $13. Teeny little sliced burritos of warm delicious flavor drizzled with mango sauce! The condiments have a coconut spicy ball that is smooth to smear on top... I know I could eat a bowl but that would be too much! Secondly get nan bread with the chicken tiki masala, you will wipe the side of the bowl with the nan to get every little bit. Now don't be afraid of the price of my next recommendation, the Chilean Sea Bass is the filet minon of fish! It comes out from the kitchen with the most colorful seasoned outer layer. When you slice into it, the buttery white fish melts in your mouth. The lamb is excellent too! Go explore the menu and I hope you'll try some of my recommendations!

Super delicious Indian food with great portion sizes! There is a parking lot, so parking was not an issue. The level three spicy is does have a kick to it, so if I'd recommend doing level two or below if your spice tolerance is nonexistent. Service is very attentive and my water was refilled constantly :)

Everything about this place was amazing!! The food was excellent, the atmosphere was wonderful & the service was amazing. We ordered 2 different dishes and they didn't disappoint. We love trying new places & this is definitely a hidden gem. We will be coming back.

The food is delicious! We love Indian food so much and this is one of the best dine in restaurants because it is run like a restaurant not a take out joint, although you can get take out. The wait staff is friendly and the prices are reasonable. We went at Christmas so there was a large party in the dining room but the place is clean and comfortable.

It's so so, an Uber eats gamble - the ingredient quality is good. However, for the most part, everything was flavorless and dishes muddled together. That there's no heat would be an understatement - it's Indian food former VP candidate Tim Walz would love. We likely won't order again. Finally and perhaps I'm old school - I'm also frustrated with places that charge separately for naan and rice (esp when they have relatively higher price points).

Took the Indian family here for a special lunch. Nice spot in the Pasadena area with good service and nice interiors. We started off with the gobi Manchurian, which was excellent. Really good flavor to the sauce and very tasty. We also had the samosas, but those were just ok and a bit expensive. You have to order one piece at a time. The lunch is a bit different than other Indian restaurants because they don't give you dishes to share. We each had to get our own dish - that included rich, naan, one vegetable, and daal. The place was mostly filled with rice and the vegetable. The daal was a side note and super bland (no flavor). The naan was very fresh and tasty. The vegetable dishes were all just ok. We ate them but were a bit underwhelmed. Not sure this place caters to an Indian palate. But worth the try.

We ordered chicken tikka masala from here for take-out and I didn't like it at all. It was super oily and tasted like cashews. It also had raisins in it which I never see and didn't like at all. Also, the curry doesn't come with rice. We had to order naan separately and the naan was soggy and not crisp.

Truly love this restaurant. We have been following Akbar from Pasadena to Chinatown and back again to Pasadena. Our standards dish is the Chicken Tikka Masala but all the dishes we have tried have been excellent.

We were very excited to try this spot based on the great review history, but unfortunately left largely disappointed. Highlights: The lamb biryani was surprisingly delicious. Areas for improvement: The samosas seriously lacked seasoning and flavor. If it wasn't for the mint chutney, it would be very difficult to eat. The house-spiced fries served with tomato sauce were really fast-food style frozen fries, with a very light dusting of garam masala and a side of ketchup. Unacceptable. The chicken tikka masala tasted very overwhelmingly of tomato. I'd recommend a better balance of spices, cream, and tomato sauce. Unfortunately, the restroom was in horrific and very unsanitary condition as well, which we reported to restaurant staff. I cannot say this dinner experience was worth the $75 bill. I really do hope that they might make some improvements to the food in the future, especially considering they have a great location and very kind staff.

After seeing reviews about the spice level and taking note of the spice in their house chutneys, I selected spice level 1. This may have been in error because I found the chicken curry and the eggplant dishes I chose to be lacking flavor. The chicken curry didn't have peas in it, but the peas did show up in the eggplant dish unexpectedly. Overall, for the price, I have better spots nearer to Colorado that I prefer for Indian/nepalese. I probably wouldn't come back, but my opinion might be different if I were into spicy stuff. Their spice levels scared me off, I couldn't even touch the house chutneys. Service was very good. They kept our beverages full and were attentive. Ambiance is just okay. It's a nice enough location and parking at Pasadena Inn is helpful in this area.

Akbar used to be in old town Pasadena and when they left we were heartbroken; like a good friend just moved away (did they actually know us? No not at all). In that time we tried a LOT of Indian restaurants but nothing ever compared. Now they are back!! This family run business is amazing. The food is always exceptional. They always welcome us with a smile and remember our orders. We take everyone that comes to visit us here and everytime they ask to come back upon their next visit. It's not the same location as busy old town, the website is lacking but don't let either of these things second guess your visit here. ABSOLUTELY GEM of a a restaurant. We are SO SO grateful you are back in Pasadena.

A sleeper hit in Pasadena. I'm probably in the minority here but my staple dish to get at a desi place is the bhindi masala. The execution at Akbar is impeccable. Fat, fresh okra sautéed with the sweetest caramelized onions topped with crunchy roasted cumin and a splash of what I'm guessing is amchurs bright acidity to cut through the meticulously charred edges. The paneer makhani and coco lamb were also enjoyed by my more mainstream butter chicken craving compatriots. The sides are also worth a mention - the raita is a perfect companion to the coco lamb, and the garlic naan is so long you could fit the Mahabharata on it compared to the standard soft taco sized offerings of other establishments. Oh did I mention free parking next door at the Green Tree motel? My only regret is waiting 2 years to come here after passing by it so many times.

We love Indian food, so we were delighted to get the recommendation to try Akbar Cuisine of India from my brother. Simply put, every dish was amazing--totally surpassing our expectations. This is not your typical Indian restaurant, the chef has taken traditional (family) recipes and infused them with unique and tasty twists. To start the Chana Samosa Chat had our taste buds "oohing" and "aahing" and set the bar high for the rest of the meal, but every single bite that followed was equally delightful. The Saag Paneer was the best I've ever had as was the Dal Makhani. We have already been back for an encore performance and we're on track to become regulars. Cheers, Akbar, and thank you for what you do!

Service was good and the food was medium. Lacked spice. The onion appetizer was good.

I couldn't be more happy that Akbar is back in Pasadena and I'm even more happy that they still serve my favorites! My favorite dish is their bengan ka salan.. it is subtly sweet, full of body, and a unique dish that is especially pleasing for coconut lovers. The portions are generous and delicious. The location is easy to miss if you're not looking for it, but it is next to Houston's and across from Whole Foods. Parking is free and easy at the Pasadena Inn, right next to it. We came here on Friday night before the dinner rush to celebrate my birthday and they even surprised me with a dessert lit up with a candle! :) The service was quick and the owner/chef was coming around to each table to say hello; we especially enjoyed chatting with him and hearing about the history of Akbar and the unique dishes that they serve. Looking forward to our next visit!

Delicious vegan options, the lunch special is so worth it. Akbar is a Pasadena must try! You will not be disappointed.

Driving back hungry from Mt Wilson, I am glad we decided to stop at Akbar for lunch. Initially I was a little hesitant because I haven't found a good Indian restaurant in SoCal. The place has ample seating, pleasant music, & plenty of parking. Going through the menu, I'm glad I skipped the classic & safe chicken tikka masala & decided to order the chef's favorite-chicken tamattar - a zingy, flavor-packed tomato coconut sauce preparation with jalapeños. We also got the Tofu Madras, which was mild & flavorful. Really liked the lunch special idea where all the dishes come with rice, daal, naan & Indian salad. The price is reasonable for the quality & quantity. Chef Avinash was at every table, attending to customers - great service. Would definitely recommend this place who is interested in trying flavors, fragrant aromas, and tantalizing spices of Indian cuisine. Though an hours drive, will definitely return to try coco lamb & other dishes.

Haven't been at this new location and we're very surprised that the entrees remain the same quality. They can prepare it to your heat levels too. The owner is always present and makes sure that each guest receives the best service possible.

We were driving by and as soon as we saw the name when which restaurant we're going to, as we used to go to a different location before. We couldn't wait to eat the amazing food. That's always on the menu. Flavor of the Indian food that Alber restaurant is my favorite, I can't give a specific example because everything I tried was best taste.

My wife and I have been going to Akbar for at least 20 years - from Old Town Pasadena to DTLA, and now back in Pasadena, on Arroyo. At this point we don't read the menu; we know what we will order before we leave the house: Coco lamb, bhindi masala, and mint chicken kabob. They've been back in Pasadena for a year now, and they've hit their stride - as good as ever. The ambiance is nice. Nice dining room. Casual. And the service is great.

I used to go to the old Akbar before it changed locations. I loved the coconut lamb curry. This time I was disappointed. I ordered the coco lamb and it wasn't he same. The spices were different.maybe I ordered a different coco lamb dish but to me it was not to my liking. My wife had the chicken masala which she liked but it wasn't over the top. It's sad to have to pay high prices and not enjoy the food. Next time I'll eat at home.

Indian cuisine is usually not my usual choice when going out to eat, but the dishes Akbar Cuisine of India has made me wanting to come back again! LOCATION/ PARKING: Located in Pasadena near Whole Foods! There is a parking lot next to the restaurant so finding parking wasn't a problem. FOOD: AMAZING!!! So delicious that all of the dishes we ordered were finished so fast!! Nothing was left behind-- not even the curry sauces! Each dish was well portioned and I definitely recommend going in a group to try their different curry dishes as it is shareable. There are spice levels ranging from 1 (Mild) to 5 (Hot) that are shown on the menu for each dish. The spice isn't as aggressive but you have the option to alter the levels for a majority of the dishes as well. It does take a while for your dishes to arrive as it is made freshly to order, but it is well worth the wait! - Gucchi Dhania: (8/10) The earthy flavors of the mushrooms and the nutty flavors from Shahi sauce paired pretty well together. Having this dish with saffron rice or nan bread is my recommendation! - Coco Lamb: (10/10) Super delicious! It was recommended to us as it is the Chef's signature and has become one of my favorites. The lamb was very tender and the sauce was to die for! I really love the coconut flavor and how it kind of tastes like buttered popcorn. - Chicken Tikki Masala: (9/10) A classic dish that is the house favorite! The tanginess from the tomato sauce caught my attention and I loved eating the garlic nan bread with this dish. The tandoor grilled chicken was well seasoned bringing out the flavors of the sauce. - Chicken Tamattar: (10/10) My top favorite out of the dishes I have tried. The chicken was really tender and the sauce was so savory from the mixture of spices and coconut! I would definitely get this again! -Mango Lassi: (10/10) Super good and refreshing to drink when eating the curry dishes. I really like the mango flavor as it doesn't taste artificial and the smooth consistency of the drink as it is a yogurt. I do wish it was a bit more chilled though, but I would definitely want to come back to try the other flavors! -Garlic Nan: Crispy and great to have to pick up the last remaining sauce on your dish! We order one to start off with and ended up getting another near the end to finish up the meal. - Saffron Rice: I definitely recommend getting the saffron rice to have alongside the curries! It comes as a side or large so it is shareable amongst your group. SERVICE: Everyone was amazing!! The staff was super friendly and accommodating to our needs. We had someone in our group who had a nut allergy and they were really attentive and extra careful by letting us know which dish had nuts in them so that they would not include them in (if possible). They checked up on us every so often and we also got to talk to the owner who was very lively and kind which really enhanced our dining experience. AMBIANCE: Very vibrant and intimate as the lights are dimmed during dinner hours. They have booth tables which are comfy as well! It was a nice and pleasant experience.

Our best Indian meal for a long long time. Absolutely fresh, large portions, high quality ingredients, expert use of spices. The coco lamb had such large and juicy morsels, i could barely eat half of the portion. The Dal was an absolute delight where you could taste each lentil freshly cooked and with the right amount of texture and taste

Pretty sure the best Indian food I've ever had. There is not a bad dish. Nice chill atmosphere, friendly and attentive waiters, and so much flavor I could cry. No need for a reservation, this is an absolute gem.

This was and still is the best Indian restaurant in Pasadena! The dishes are full of flavor, authentic, great quality and the naan bread!! The chef is original with his own creations, on top of traditional Indian Cuisine. Love the welcoming and low-lit ambiance and clean table settings (white table linen elevates any experience!). It's classy yet non-pretentious, so I highly recommend a couples' quiet evening out or a casual business lunch spot (great lunch menu and pricing). I've been here a few times now since it's opening, and I appreciate the chef-owner greeting us . As it turns out, he found the original Akbar Indian Cuisine that was very popular on Fair Oaks Pasadena in the 1990s. I recall the long wait list to get in then, so it's a plus that this restaurant is back in town, yet this time it's situated in a larger space (across Whole Foods) so that we can get seated right away! There's plenty of free street parking in front of the restaurant or shared parking in the Panda Inn lot next door (but not the snyder diamond parking lot).

Another great experience having dinner at my favorite Indian restaurant last night. I always get their chicken tikka masala because it is delicious and the best I can remember ever having. I also get the saag which is wonderful. Service was perfect and everyone was friendly.

My husband and I have officially found our new favorite Indian restaurant in Pasadena. I do not have the proper words to describe just how good the food is from Akbar. We are truly upset at ourselves for it taking us this long to try it out. We ordered to-go, so I cannot speak to the dine-in experience, but the food was timely and the staff we interacted with when we picked up our order were all very friendly. We ordered the chicken vindaloo (spicy), large basmati rice, coco lamb (medium), and garlic naan. This restaurant definitely serves up spice the right way. Both of the dishes packed delicious heat. So be mindful that their dishes are actually spicy if that is an issue for you. The meat in both dishes were perfectly tender and the flavors are phenomenal to say the least. The garlic naan was the best we've had. I cannot wait to come back and look forward to dining-in as well. This is a must visit restaurant in Pasadena!

One of the best Indian restaurants in LA, and by the far the best in the area. Cheese naan is a must, chicken Kati roll and the lamb special are awesome. Service is awesome. Chatted with the owner he said they hold special dinners there regularly with wine parings.

What a neighborhood gem. Incredible food, service, and ambiance. Flavor of depth and spice is off the charts. The tikka masala, as "common" as it is, was so unique and not heavy at all. Environment felt nice without being stuffy. Beautiful linens on tables and murals on walls.