Appu's Woodruff Building (Temporarily Closed)

I just can't say enough. We love the food and the owner and other guy there too. The food is amazing and the 2 people there are SO dang nice. The food is fresh and made from the heart with care and love put into the food. My husband does not like trying different foods but we went back 2 days in a row and he ordered the Docs burrito. He LOVED it twice in a row now. I just can't say enough, just try it.

Good food but going at lunch time might not be a good idea if there is only one worker as there is a very long wait.

Amazing and delicious food and drinks that’s also healthy for you! The atmosphere and service matched the food as well in that it too was outstanding. If you’re a vegan you need to try this Indian fusion spot out.

I am never disappointed when I order food from Appu's Cafe. I have tried almost everything on the menu and found it to be delicious, a good value for the price, and always ready on-time when I order online. The staff is kind and pleasant and very accomodating (sometimes I need to ask for the spice level to go down a few levels!). Excellent value all the way around!

Friendly owners, great menu and fresh ingredients! Hope to come back to try more of their food. This time I ordered the vegan Maharani burrito which was good, but the main ingredient was turmeric rice -- I prefer when there's a balance between rice and the other ingredients so I'll try the Healthy Mex burrito next time which supposedly is prepared with less rice.

This is one of the best Indian restaurants I've ever been to. I've eaten at Indian homes and businesses all over the west coast and this is incredible. So many vegan options that taste better than most dishes with dairy elsewhere. Their prices can't be beaten, especially for the quality. To top it off, their service is spotless and they are so friendly. This is a new staple in my life.

Very delicious and affordable! I really recommend Appu's. Yes it is in a medical office building, but it is worth seeking out this gem. The burger was a delicious twist on the formula, not like your standard veggie burger, full of great flavor and smooth consistency. The side Salas was fresh and equally full of flavor. The mango Lassi also was a delight. Service was friendly and attentive, outdoor seating is spare but nice. Eat here, you won't regret it!

This is place is so good! Healthy vegan and vegetarian options. I'm so excited I found it! You must try it. The location is hidden behind a medical building and there's no dining in options but there's a small patio. I would recommend ordering online. The staff was super friendly and welcoming. Will be returning for sure.

It's Vegan or Vegetarian but you will love the dishes here even if you are a carnivore . My favorites are the Crunchy Vegan Samosa and the Maharaja Burrito . Try the Lemongrass Chai ... sublime . Gulan Jamun for perfect sweetness. I prefer eating in because the staff Is so cheerful and helpful but you can order through their app too Oops don't forget to try the Flatbread

Food is delicious!! Mango lassi the best, too! Must try vegan food! Service is slow due his by himself. However he will let you know how long it will take before completing your order.

This place is the most literal "hole in the wall" restaurant that I've been to in a long time since it's actually located in the backside of a hospital. I discovers this place through Yelp's random restaurant chooser and I didn't read the reviews before hand, so I had to make a lap around the entire building to find it. I only knew that I wasn't in the wrong location because I saw people eating outside on the tables. The menu is posted outside and it reminds me a bit of a drive through window. The staff members were very pleasant. At the time I visited, we could not physically enter the cafe. I really wanted to try their eggplant panani, but unfortunately it was not available. Instead, I went with the Maharaja burrito because it seemed popular. I did not add avocado, which I will eventually regret. I got my order after 10 minutes and ate it outside at on of the little tables. The order came with napkins, a spoon, and salsa. This burrito had a lot of rice. There was some melted cheese that made things a bit interesting and a few pieces of very delicious mushroom, but it was mostly rice. The salsa that came on the side was very average. The rice itself had a mild hint of Indian flavors and spices, but ultimately felt underwhelming. The burrito also started to fall apart halfway through (could be my fault though, not the restaurant's). In the end, what I got was a nice rice burrito. You can either view it as glorified rice (rice, but in a tortilla) or a lame burrito (burrito, but mostly rice). Overall I do like the concept and do not regret trying this place out. It has a ton of interesting vegan and vegetarian options. I still think it's worth checking out especially if you have an appointment or work at the building, but this isn't a place where I would take a detour for or bring a friend who just flew into town to.

Another great meal at Apus Cafe. This time I brought my work colleagues, and they loved the variety of healthy dishes. It was Taco Tuesday which did not disappoint. The mushroom soup is also my favorite. We learned from VR how valuable turmeric is for our brain health. And we watched him making a large batch of healthy rice while we enjoyed our Lassis. Delicious even though everything is so healthy and nurturing for our bodies!

This was rated as the top 20 in yelps best 100 in the OC so this was a friends suggestion. However, the place is located in the back of a medical office. The owners where one was a former doctor. So there's plenty of parking but limited for the back. There's an even a sign on the grass so it's hard to miss. It's not an actual cafe so you have to eat at limited table seating outside. I order the marinhara burrito and yellow lentil soup large. There's a Yelp check in for the free chai tea ($5 normally). It has a refresh tasting so it's ok. These orders are homemade so be expected to wait at least 10 minutes or so if you just walk in and order. Calling it togo might be faster. Was it worth it? It's a fusion between Indian and vegan. Well the burritos are ok. Yellow lentil soup is decent but it's just broth and lots of mushrooms. It's not spicy if you are spicy lover. Overall, the place is nice and have friendly staff but i recommend this place if you plan for a healthy meal option.

Fantastic healthy eating Love the burritos My wife and I love this place Food feels nourishing to the body

Exemplary service and DELICIOUS food! I'm so excited I finally got to try this cafe. I ordered the mushroom soup with turmeric rice and my bf ordered the potato tacos. Ahhhh so fresh, delicious, healthy, and filling !! The owner made us feel so welcome and even served us complimentary lemongrass tea while we waited. That's rockstar service! The cafe is in a medical building around back. There are about 3 tables outside if you want to eat there and 2 were available when I went. This place is awesome and I'm so excited to go back and try a burrito!

Food is excellent! We ordered on-line, so we could pick up easily. They are still not serving inside, so there is no where to eat there. Entrance is in back of building and only signage I saw was by back entrance. We had the Mushroom Masala with Indian Flat Bread - it was all soooo good. I could eat this daily. We also had the Maharaja burrito which was also delicious. Their service is great. I was greeted immediately and observed them taking an order for someone else. They were thorough and conscientious making sure we were taken care of. Love this place!

I said "YOOOOOOOOO" Appu A-I-N-T playin' with y'all!!! This place is top 100 for a reason! It's hidden inside a medical center, but don't let that or it's appearance fool you, these medical staff are eating some of the best cuisine in the city! This place has it ALL - the smells, the taste, the quality, AND the service is on 100! VR, the host and the server, is so kind and informative! There is plenty of free parking since it's located in a medical center! I recommend any of the soups!!

NUT ALLERGY WARNING: I am sad to give this review because we have been coming here for a couple of years now and have had always had a great experience. Sadly, they've changed the menu slightly and some of the items that we used to get aren't there, and others have been modified however the menu did not reflect the ingredient changes. With the vegan movement, people have to be careful with all the use of nut replacements for fillers and nut milks. Some think nuts are "healthy" for everyone but they are not. They are deadly to some. My 19 year old daughter ordered the mushroom soup after carefully reading the menu and ingredients. No mention of any nuts. As soon as she took her first bite she had an immediate reaction to the "cashew milk" used. We called and let them know right away and they were very apologetic but for people like my daughter whose nut allergy is deadly, an apology can be irreparable. My daughter luckily averted her reaction and recovered, but this could have been a very bad story. ***Be sure and ask if the ingredients includes any nut products if you have an allergy to any nuts. (don't rely on the menu pics online)

After having this place bookmarked for years, I finally had a chance to try it this afternoon. I tried the vegan mushroom masala soup, tawa paratha flatbread, and lemongrass chai tea. Everything was amazing! The lemongrass chai was caffeine free, unsweetened, and absolutely delicious. The paratha was really tasty dipped in the flavorful & creamy soup. I would definitely order all of this again! My only critique is that I wish there were more veggies in the soup. The owner was also so nice and friendly as well. Highly recommend this spot for delicious vegan meals!

Food here is delicious. The staff is super friendly. The naan is a must. Lots of healthier options.

There has been a lot of buzz around Appu's Cafe and I have to say it is worth the hype. This little kitchen cafe is tucked away in the back of the medical building and is a Long Beach hidden gem. The owner was so incredibly welcoming and kind and informed us that all the food is prepared without frying any oils. We ordered the Maharaja Burrito and the Paneer Tikka tacos with avocado and both dishes were so flavorful, fresh, and filling. If you're looking for a health delicious meal come check it out!

The food and service are fantastic. Sonny is great to talk to and all of the food items are flavorful and delicious. Parking is plentiful and easy. However, this location is only open on weekdays. I highly recommend the Indian flat bread with the 911 chutney, the lemongrass chai, and the paneer tikka masala. This is one of my regular stops for lunch!

Do not patronize. Ownership takes advantage of teenage staff. Admits that he requires them to go far beyond the scope of their work. Disgusting.

Great, filling & heslthy eats that doesn't leave one feeling bloated .......Great, filling & heslthy eats that doesn't leave one feeling bloated .......Great, filling & heslthy eats that doesn't leave one feeling bloated .......

Very healthy meal, I tried the Majaraja bowl. It takes time to create so be patient because it's not all pre made. Service was very attentive and friendly, even for it being a fast casual restaurant. Looking forward to trying more meals from this place!

I haven't posted a lot of reviews of restaurants as of recent, but if something stands out, I just can't help sharing my experience! Appu's is absolutely delicious! It is a hidden gem, quite literally - it's inside a medical building (more towards the back). All the food is made fresh to order, so just be a little patient, but I guarantee you that you will love it Definitely coming back

This place has some of the most delicious Vegan selections. The staff is always great and so pleasant. I don't know what took me so long to write my review. I always enjoy my meals from here. I especially LOVE the lemongrass chai tea. I think it's made especially for Appu..I've tried to duplicate it unsuccessfully. I highly recommend the soups, the mushrooms and spinach soups mixed add tumeric rice..ahhhhh.. the best. Not Vegan because of the buttermilk and cheese in the soups...but delicious. So glad I found this gem.

This is a small cafe located in the first floor of a medical facility. It is located in the rear so park in the back. Note that there's only 2 small tables and they're both located outside the building and there doesn't seem to be any good place to eat inside the building. Service was exceptional and extremely amiable. I tried out their maharaja burrito and a vegan mushroom soup and lemon grass chai. Unfortunately, this is one of those places where the food is pre-made. I didn't want any onions but unfortunately both came with onions. The maharaja was essentially just flavored rice wrapped in a tortilla. There was a single tofu in it which made me wonder if that was a mistake. The mushroom soup was nothing special. The lemon grass chai was also decent. It's good food to get to go.

Still come here after two years , they still have the same lovely chef, she's so nice ! Obsessed with samosa chat ! So good !! Really a gem ! Perfect gloomy weather food , I crave this place anytime I want something comforting .

Hidden in the back of a doctor's office building on the border of Lakewood and Long Beach is some of the tastiest Indian/Mexican fusion food you will ever find. Go around the back and follow the signs to find Appu's Cafe and all their mouthwatering vegan and non-vegan creations. Normally, the Maharaja burrito is my jam, but I ordered the Maharani (vegan version of the Maharaja) today because I wanted to share it with my wife who is vegan. We also got the Garbanzo Bean soup and the Yellow Lentil soup. All vegan, all delicious. The soups will make you verbally moan out loud when you eat it. They are like Seinfeld soup nazi level soups. I haven't tasted anything quite like them. A warm hug in soup form. The burrito is the perfect blend of Curry spices and turmeric all wrapped up in a soft tortilla and garnished with Pico de Gallo. Tasty food doesn't have to be bad for you. You can eat guilt-free at Appu's because most everything is vegan or vegetarian and uses fresh ingredients. BONUS: They just extended their hours, so now it is even easier to get in and try their amazing food.

The smell of food caught my attention as I was walking down to the parking lot. The lady working behind the counter was so welcoming and friendly. She offered samples of their soups and I was sold on the Garbanzo bean (this one had a slight spicy flavor to it), which I loved. I also ordered the mushroom soup. It was my first time trying a mango Lassi which tasted very delicious and refreshing. I received a free lemon grass chai latte for spending over $20, and checking in on Yelp.

I just discovered this place by accident and I'm SO glad I did! The food is unique and delicious, vegan and vegetarian, healthy, and the owner and staff are lovely. I was able to sample a few things, and my meal was stellar, Appu's has a very happy new customer!

Not many restaurants on Yelp have earned a full 5 stars, so you know that Appu's Cafe is something special. It's located in the back of a medical center behind a nondescript door. Plan to take the food home as there's only one table outside. The owner started this restaurant as a passion project after he retired from being a doctor and his wife is still a doctor in the medical building. He is serving up guilt-free Indian food that's affordable and healthy. And he's super nice on top of that! They're closed on Sundays and only open until 7pm the other days so lunch or an early dinner is your best bet. We ordered many items on the menu and split them amongst our group. All of the items are vegetarian or vegan. We had the Vegan Mushroom Masala, Paneer Tikka Masala and Crunchy Vegan Samosa Chat with a few sides of the Indian Flat Bread to eat it with. The bread was to die for, and you also need some sides of the 911 Sauce for that extra heat. My favorite were the tacos which come with 3 in a box. They only offer 3 kinds: Paneer Tikka, Bombay and Potato, so you can mix and match and try one of each if you want. The Paneer Tikka Tacos took the cake for me. Also on the menu are Indian-style burritos, soups, salads and bowls as well as some tasty drinks like Lemon Grass Chai and Tangy Avocado Splash which the owner recommended as the perfect drink to refuel after a hike or extensive exercise. With his background in health, the owner really knows what he's doing. I feel that this is a good place to come even if you're not super familiar with Indian food as the menu is very approachable and descriptive. You can feel good about eating here and the food is so deliciously tasty you won't even know that it's healthy.

Can you taste the love tonight? Before Appu became a master chef, he practiced neuropsychiatry in the same medical building that the cafe is located. Feeding his former patients and neighbors with healthy and delicious food became his passion, and you can taste the love in every item on the menu. Everything is created with fresh ingredients, and he is just as uncompromising during the food preparation process. Everything is cooked to perfection, and he's there personally to ensure that it's done right every time. The maharaja burrito is full of flavor but not heavy, so you're won't be stuck in a food coma after lunch. The lemon grass chai is also light and fragrant. I am so glad that their business survived the pandemic, and I am happy both for them and for myself. I will be frequenting my new lunch spot.

Amazing amazing amazing I love a whole in the wall but this place has such a charm and sweetness to it! It was just two people manning the shop and they did it with ease and the man that helped us was so sweet The food was so good, everything we tried today was great and I can't wait to come back and try their other options! Give this place a try, it's located in the back of the medical building, if you enter through the back entrance you end up right in front of the restaurant!

I've heard so many good things about this place, especially since they landed on Yelp's Top 100 restaurant this year. I've decided to come check out during my lunch break since I'm a local. It was located inside a medical building and there was plenty of parking! The cafe was located all the way in the back, pro tip is to park at the back of building so you can get in and out. I believe they closed their dining room and are only taking orders at the door. But it was okay cause there tables outside and you can just eat your meal there. I ordered the Maharaja burrito which was their most popular item off the menu. It was a vegetarian burrito that had Indian fried rice and bits of cheese and mushroom with pico de gallo on the side. I thought it was delicious and a unique spin on Indian and Mexican food. Keep in mind, this restaurant is strictly vegan/vegetarian. Would love to see items like chicken tikka masala and butter chicken in the near future. Overall, I would come back and try everything else off the menu! They also recently opened a second location near CSULB which is perfect if you crave for it at night and on weekends.

Great wholesome* vegan food, mostly for the non-Indian crowd, meaning fusion and not traditional. *not spicy, Whole Foods based. Their chai is top in the area, and their soups are great. Staff is excellent.

EVERYTHING here is good! I especially love the lemongrass soup. I could eat a barrel of it. The service is great. Very nice people. We did take out so I'm not sure if there were places to sit somewhere inside or not. But, it didn't matter because I could throw my feet up and eat that soup on a rainy day and I preferred it that way. Soooo good and clean tasting!

Congrats to Appu's for ranking #12 in Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat! https://top100.yelp.com#the_list

I'm SO GLAD I found this place! WOW Not only is the food good but the customer service is phenomenal. It was either between Chick-fil-A or this place and I'm so glad I picked this place! Having a healthy life's is something I definitely want to start and this place will be my go to when I don't want to cook I'm 100000% coming back for the other items on the menu.

I'm sitting here eating their food as I wrote this. The food is so good I didn't want to wait . First of the customer service is 10/10. The food is great and delish and they have some tables to sit outside to eat. Location is a little tricky to find . It's in the hospital toward the back but it's definitely worth the small trouble. I will definitely be back !

Great service, great food! I had their vegan mushroom masala. Yum. Will be back asap.

I really really wanted to love Appu's Cafe. After reading the reviews, I expected the food to be packed with favor, but everything was very bland. We ordered the Maharaja burrito and Paneer Tikka Masala with the cumin rice and flat bread. The maharaja was filled with basically just rice, with a tiny bit of cheese, some peas, and a few pieces of paneer. If the rice was flavorful, I could have loved it. The tortilla it's wrapped in is dry and lacking flavor. It would be better if they grilled the outside of it. The paneer tikka masala was the most bland tikka masala I've ever had. It had a nice creamy texture, but there was absolutely no depth of flavor that usually comes with Indian food. The rice was fine. The Indian flat bread was the size of a small, thick flour tortilla. The bread was my favorite part, but $3.25 is unreasonable for such a small piece. I'm a pescatarian and have tried many vegan/vegetarian places, as well as many Indian cafes/restaurants. I wanted to like this so badly, but it completely missed the mark for me. I gave 2 stars instead of 1 because the bread was delicious and the service was great and efficient. If they add depth of flavor to their recipes, I would be happy to try it again.

Tried this restaurant. The food was great and the service and staff were wonderful but for a basic not fancy dining experience was pretty expensive. I wish this owner a lot of success.

Not quite sure how I've neglected to leave Appu's a review this far, but better late than never, right? Yes, obviously he location is a little awkward. But if you know the back story, it makes all the sense. I won't spoil it for you, I'll let you go have that conversation yourself, because it's a good one. As far as the food goes, it's heaven. Both V.R & Nelly have a passion for cooking that is obvious in every bite Can't recommend this place enough. 5+ stars

We've heard so many great things about Appu's and so perhaps our expectations were too high. I had a great experience with the owner while picking up the food. He was super friendly and provided great service. However, the food itself was a bit bland. I had the Maharaja and it just didn't pop with flavor like I expected based on the description and other reviews.

The only thing against this place is the setting, there just isn't a comfortable place to enjoy the delicious meal. I am not vegetarian, but I enjoy a tasty meal no matter the presence of meat. The owner took the time to get me up to speed on the place, made recommendations and was beyond attentive and informative. I'd love to know the story behind the location, I guess I could just ask, because in a traditional spot, with some seating and atmosphere, it would seem like an automatic 5 stars.

I've been going to this medical building for the past four years before I realized on Yelp that this small restaurant was located inside! Nellie was extremely friendly and helpful, and I could tell she cooks and works from the heart. I enjoyed my conversation with her. She offered small sample since it was my first time visiting; I tried the mushroom soup, which was very healthy and delicious! She recommended a few items, but I tried the croissant veggies breakfast and lemongrass chai tea, which was super delicious!!! The vegetables inside the croissant included broccoli, bell peppers, cheese, and egg; it was surprisingly very tasty too! I can't wait to visit again to talk to Nellie and try other food items!

It's located inside a big, dark, nondescript medical building. Just enter through the rear entrance and you can't miss it. I got the Maharaja Burrito and a Lemon Grass Chai. It smelled so good I was 3 bites in before I remembered to take a photo for y'all. Friendly mom-and-pop vibe, quick service, 3 outdoor tables for responsible social distancing, and a perfect balance of yummy + healthy. Worth the hype!

Appu's has two cafe's. I love the original cafe (on Woodruff) ! And the new cafe ("Tumeric Cafe" on Palos Verdes near CSULB) which has a some of the dishes of the original and some new deliciousness! Everything tastes so wonderful! The owner VR and his team are so kind, friendly and amazing. They go out of their way to make you feel special and like you are apart of the family. No matter how difficult my day has been, I know they will provide Indian fusion healthy taste delights, friendly service and smiles. I always leave smiling. When you go, definitely try the tacos! My favorites are the potato tacos (Woodruff), paneer tikka tacos (Woodruff and Palos Verdes) and saag paneer tacos (Palos Verdes). I also love the mango lassi (Woodruff and Palos Verdes) and cardamom chai (Woodruff). I love gulab jamun that they offer at Palos Verdes but haven't had a chance to try it yet due to gluten sensitivities. But when I was a kid I never passed up a chance to get at this desert. If you can, try it and let me know what an incredible experience experience you had. As you can tell I am a HUGE fan, and I never miss an opportunity to go, and now it's easier then ever because the Tumeric Cafe on Palos Verdes is usually on my way from running errands. Big thank you to all my friends at Appu's! I'll see you soon.

In the back of a medical building! Vegan options! This place can be hard to find, mostly because you wouldn't think a five star restaurant restaurant be a small little hole in the wall of a medical building. But, omg, so worth it. I got the maharaja burrito because yelp says it's the thing to get. But the REAL winner was the bhaji pav. The flavors of the Bhaji Pav was astounding! With the Flatbread, omfg, you need to try it. I also got the samosa chat. I've never had a samosa in its soup before, but it was also delicious. I'd 100% recommend trying this place if you're craving Indian food, or vegan food. You'll leave 100% satisfied.

i don't understand the rave reviews. perhaps it's good for the vegetarian indian community, but i've had better. simple as that. i wish i could like it more. the veggie quesadilla: meh. more on the veggie side, not so much on the queso. mushroom soup: alright. hoping it had all the flavors but it didn't. maharaja burrito: super carb heavy. yelp check in gets you a free chai which is nice.

Upon making a lab delivery last week to an office in the same building as Appu's Cafe, I was intrigued by the delicious smells. I decided to check out the menu & give them a try. Bring it was my first time, I inquired for a recommendation from the young man working. He suggested an entree called vegan mushroom masala. It was AMAZING. To my surprise they don't use grease or hot plates to heat up or cook their food. Instead they use a cooking method called induction cooking which keeps the glycemic levels low in all of their food. I decided to go back today, the owner was there & recommended I try the Saag Aloo Paneer which is now a new favorite of mine! They craft delicious beverages as well, today I enjoyed the mango laasi- delicious.

Found this gem on Yelp looking for healthy Indian food. First there is plenty of parking because it's in a medical building first floor behind the pharmacy. Second is the service. I didn't get the name of the guy there but he immediately walked up and explained their menu as well as made recommendations for things to try. I ordered the maharaj(?) burrito and that was my favorite it was sooo good and the pico de Gallo really helps to cut the heaviness. Also ordered the tikka masala and that was good with rice make sure to get extra naan for dipping. Also got the lentil soup that was very light and refreshing but the flavors of my other food overpowered the soup so I had to save it for later. Overall I'd come back just for the service and food it's nice to have something that can feel heavy and healthy at the same time.

I tried four different entrees and a mango banana smoothie, and everything was delicious. The Health Mex Burrito was probably my favorite. They made it with biryani instead of plain rice, which gave it a great flavor with an Indian twist. The Maharaja Burrito was a close runner-up. I've never tasted a burrito that compares to this and highly recommended it. The Spinach Enchiladas were good. My two-year-old and four-year-old devoured the biryani that came with it. The Taco Salad was interesting and more citric than I expected, but adding two spoonfuls of black beans toned it down and made it just right for me. I would not order it again because I prefer the Black Bean Avocado Salad.

Who would have ever thought one of the best Indian restaurants would be tucked away inside the local Woodruff community hospital, Over 700 five star reviews, worth The Visit

Update in response to the owners reply: No where in my review did I bash on not getting free food. Although I did have the expectation, I still paid for the food AND TIPPED. CDC guidelines requires masks to be worn AT ALL TIMES, not just when walking in and passing by customers. ESPECIALLY in food service industry where customers are consuming the foods and with the recent spike in cases. I have no reason to lie about people wearing masks. After coming here, I was very stressed about whether or not I should even consume the food because if I were to contract covid from here, it would affect many others. This is the main reason for the reduced stars. I do not claim entitlement just because I have elite status or an Instagram following. I did not demand free food. If anything, I could've walked away without the food or without paying. I would NEVER take advantage of businesses or the social media I have just to get free food. I only wrote the truth of my experience here and that is what Yelp is for.