Appu's Turmeric Cafe

I rarely give five stars. This is a 4.5 round up. The flavors are excellent. The options are wide. The care and consideration that goes into the food prep is apparent. Chef has passion and that is evident both in the menu, in his staff’s execution of his vision and in his conversation. He helped me choose high protein paneer and I am very satisfied and didn’t finish my portion!! Excellent results. Friend had the Maharaja burritos that made this place famous and she enjoyed it and also found the portion plentiful. It was so good - I took one home. Chef explained the Mexican fusion part is a way to easily make “to go” items from Indian food. Inspired idea! Check out captions for more details.

Excellent food. Great service. Enjoyed the tacos and curries with rice along with excellent lemon grass tea.

Truly a culinary gem of the community. I've been a couple of times to Appu's cafe at the medical building and have always been impressed with the food. I tried the new location at Palo Verde and it's still amazing! All the food I ordered was outstanding and the customer service is top notch. Please come to Appu's for lunch if you haven't already!

Appu’s is everything that a California restaurant should be. This place has healthy, fresh and authentic Indian food. I can in for a late lunch and the owner and staff were so nice. Appu’s is the opposite of a chain restaurant. When you come in here, you are treated like family. If you want to try some incredible Indian food with a nice Californian twist then come visit Appu’s Tuneric Cafe in Long Beach.

Best restaurant in the city. The flavor of the food is delicious 😋. The staff is amazing. They have really good drinks. They offer 10% off to CSULB students, staff and faculty.

Excellent all around. Love the food, service is always top notch and the place is relaxing and spotless. It is our place to go for healthy and delicious options. Try Taco Tuesday. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

The food tastes amazing and is super healthy! I love that nothing is deep fried. Definitely helps to keep the weight off when eating out! Great vegan options too!

I’ve been ordering from here for a while and I love it! They have great food (and amazing vegan options). I always get the Maharani Burrito and the Mushroom Soup. The food is both hearty and fresh, which leaves me full but not feeling sluggish and tired afterwards. The staff is also very nice and accommodated. It’s best to call in an order instead of ordering online though, because online will quote you 30 mins but over the phone is only 10-15 max. Highly recommend!

Appu's is serving up delicious food that you can feel good about eating. Chef VR was formerly in the medical field if I'm not mistaken, and focuses on holistic cooking that's heart healthy. I had previously been to the original location in the medical building and was finally able to try the standalone location. I love how he fuses Indian food with Mexican favorites like quesadillas. Some of my favorite items are the Paneer Tikka Masala, Maharaja Burrito, Paneer Tikka Tacos and you can't miss the Indian Flat Bread, their twist on traditional naan bread.

Let's start with the staff. They are extremely welcoming and will happily go through the menu with you while ordering. Some of the friendliest people you will meet. Now the food! Everything I've had has been delicious. From the flat bread to the burritos to the masala to the samosas, all have met or exceeded my expectations. I eat primarily vegan, but my friends who have eaten the paneers have also raved about their flavor. Don't miss the baked samosas, either in the soup or on the side. I occasionally ask for one of the items off their menu from their other location. When time permits and ingredients are available, they'll fix me a flavor of madras. Yummmmmm!

This was my first time dining at the new restaurant. The previous location on the first floor of the medical center is currently being remodeled into a culinary school. You can learn how to cook delicious and healthy meals in a flash from the chef himself. This restaurant is a significant improvement from the cramped previous location. Instead of counters, there are comfortable tables and chairs. The food remains as good as ever, and the menu has expanded to more options. The chef often serves the food himself, so there might be a slight wait, but it's well worth it. He treats everyone like family members and friends, and you can taste his love for cooking in every bite. I learned that he's recovering from cancer, but his passion and vivacity overcame any physical constraint. Please come here and have a taste of life itself.

The food and service is a 10/10!! It was my first time trying and the owner was so kind to show the many options this cafe has to offer. I got the spicy Chana masala with naan and it was soooo good! I highly recommend!!

It's been a while but we came back to try. The food was very delicious and fresh as usual! We ordered tacos and we got taco Tuesday deal. It was a half off! The owner was very nice and service was great! We definitely come back soon again!

Ordered the maharaja burrito and bowl. I very much prefer food with meat in it, but it was actually pretty good for being vegetarian! The burrito was well crafted, and not too wet, which I was worried about. But overall I think what made this place hard to like was how long it takes to get your food. There was one person ahead of me and two online orders, but I waited for 45 minutes to get my food.

STEPH JUDGEMENT: Great food, excellent service. The hubby and I had been to their other location of the hospital and thought it was very good, but the location and hours weren't very convenient. When we heard about this new more orthodox location, we were excited to try it. The format is fast-casual, where you order at the counter and they bring out the food. They have a lot of fusion-type dishes to appeal to the lunch crowd, like tacos, burritos, bowls, but we opted for their signature traditional dishes: flatbread sampler, paneer tikka masala, saag paneer, yellow lentil soup, and turmeric rice pilaf. Everything was delicious, but what really sets this place apart is the personal touch by the owner, Appu, with whom we had the pleasure to chat. He's a successful musician-turned-restaurateur who really loves serving good food to people. We will definitely be back!

The taco Tuesday special is a great deal, $5.99 for a trio of delicious tacos. We got a trio of paneer tikka tacos and a trio of saag paneer tacos (you can't mix'n'match, it has to be three of a kind to get the special price) to go and they were awesome! Hubby and I had leftovers. We also dined in and ordered a variety of items. It came to $70 for three without a lot of leftovers so this wasn't an awesome deal like the special was, but we did have some leftovers to take home and it was very tasty. I especially liked the Indian Protein Bread, it was hot and soft and flexible and yet held together well enough to use to pick up other food. The maharaja burrito was good. I wish they had a better selection of beverages on the menu (no regular chai tea?)

When my husband suggested we check out a new restaurant, I eagerly said "ABSOLUTELY!!" The Atmosphere: The restaurant has a clean and beautifully decorated ambiance that exudes calmness-perfect for a relaxed dining experience. The service: At the counter, we were greeted by a friendly and polite gentleman who offered excellent recommendations that made our decision making so much easier. The drinks: I opted for a mango lassi while my husband chose the lemongrass chai. Both beverages were absolutely delicious and refreshingly perfect. The food: My husband ordered a soup with a vegan quesadilla and I went for the mushroom masala served with rice, complemented by some Indian flat bread. Each dish was truly spectacular! The verdict: All in all, the food was amazing, and we're eager to come back! The gentleman behind the counter turned out to be the owner, and he was thrilled we sampled his dishes. He shared that he was previously a surgeon and is now enjoying his retirement crafting healthy, delicious vegan meals for everyone to enjoy! Thank you so much VR!

I am a fan of Indian and Mexican cuisine hence Appu's Turmeric Cafe was a definite must try when in Long Beach! Ample parking, clean and minimalist atmosphere and decor. We ordered the Crispy Samosa, flat bread, and Lemongrass Chai Tea. Talk about a kaleidoscope of flavors. My palate bursting and curiously awaiting the next gift of exquisite taste. This restaurant also support students from neighboring culinary school. An opportunity to discover their skills in customer service, presentation, and creating dishes using a plethora of spices and aromatics. Thank you, Appu's Turmeric Cafe, for your support of our students!!!

I had seen this place open up after the hot chicken place left, and of course, every time I drove through Del taco eating junk food it made me feel guilty! I wound up here by accident getting something for my wife, and ironically, I have recently taken a liking to Indian food. I got the maharaja burrito, and I was hooked! Now it's something I crave all of the time. Very good, clean food. Owner/chef is a very nice guy, very friendly and down to earth, and puts you in a good mood. It feels good to support a place like this, it's difficult to start up a restaurant business. When I was in there yesterday, it was decently crowded at lunchtime so I hope they have great success! I have not had any problems with wait time, I usually call my order in and it's ready in 15 minutes.

A true culinary gem of Long Beach. I used to come to the medical office location when I first started college and when I found out Chef VR opened up a standalone restaurant by CSULB, I just had to try it out! And to no surprise, it's amazing and healthy food packed full of flavor! My favorite is the Paneer Tikka Masala, which is really spicy and delicious, just the way I like it. It pairs very well with the mango lassi, which cools down the heat immediately. The mango lassi is by far the best mango-based drink I've ever had. The service provided by VR and the staff is always top notch, which makes me feel welcome every time I come by for lunch :) Please check out Appu's Cafe if you haven't already!

This is pretty close to my work and I was intrigued by eating at a Vegan Indian place with Mexican infusions so I had to give this a try today. Parking is in the same lot with a lot of other service places so it may be hard to find any if you come at peak times. Also, be careful backing out of a space - there's a lot of cars and all of the ones I saw like to drive fairly fast for a crowded parking area. I got their Indo-Mexican Combo with the Maharaja Burrito and their Vegan Mango Lassi with no added sugar. This is $14.99 online and a better deal than if you got each item separately. The Maharaja comes with Turmeric rice pilaf, saag paneer and mushroom soup with cheese and a secret sauce. It comes with pico on the side. This burrito is solid but doesn't feel very heavy while eating it. It's got a nice subtle flavor of the mushroom soup and the rice adds texture to it. There's also avocado inside which gives it some richness. I do want some sauce with this - Something that adds more flavor to it. I can't put my finger on it... The Mango Lassi is refreshing and not as thick as some other Indian places make it. It's also advertised that there is no added sugar to it - Something I appreciate it as it's sweetness is at a very nice level for me. There's plenty of seating inside, and one day I'd like to eat there as it smells so wonderful.

Tuesdays are taco Tuesday! 5.99 for three! Choice of paneer, mushroom, turmeric potato tacos !

This is my fifth dinner and that happens to be the Valentines Day dinner for two offer that included dessert three courses and curry rice. Everything was prepped to perfection and the employee, whom i remember from the previous year, was still chipper and plugging away at front end food prep. Appu's possesses a particular charm with its open form front prep kitchen, pleasant staff and perpetual cornucopia of olfactory delights. Feel safe in straying from your favorite dish, at Appu's, everything offered is a delight.

Wonderfully flavorful and HEALTHY Indian food -- amazing to be able to eat this cuisine and still feel good an hour later. It's a rare treat and truly a secret gem not to be missed. It's an unassuming location with a star of a chef hidden inside. You'll love it--ask VR to play some of his favorite music.

The Indian side of the cuisine is spectacular. Delicious sauces. The Mexican side is decent (corn tortillas just ok), but I'd rather have just an all-Indian order next time. Incredibly friendly service. Takeout was well packaged, too. Reasonable prices and certainly worth a return.

I had lunch at Appu's with a some friends from work. We were all happy with our meals. I had the maharaja burrito, which was flavorful. I'm not a vegetarian, so ultimately I wish it had some chicken in it, if just for more texture and firmness. The paneer was somewhat soft, and not quite enough of it. Maybe if they added some fresh greens or something. My friend's mushroom marsala looked very good. I wish I had asked for a taste, but we're not quite friends like that!

First time eating here. We will definitely be back. Absolutely delicious. We had the lentil soup, the veggie quesadilla, and some bread. Fabulous!

The food and service are excellent. Menu has great variety and everything is fresh. Well worth navigating the small parking lot for.

Today, we decided to have an early dinner and, we were craving Indian food. We've heard that 'Appu's Tumeric Cafe' was a good Indian food restaurant. When we arrived, I was a little put off by the menu, as there were some traditional Indian dishes, as well as tacos and burritos. However, the tacos and burritos were made with an indian flare. I ordered the Paneer Tikka Masala and my partner chose the Vegan Mushroom Masala and we shared a Bread Flight. (The Masala's also come with rice.) The staff were very friendly and outgoing and the food was really fresh and flavorful. There's plenty of parking and it wasn't too crowded. We were pleased with the food and our overall experience and will likely return again.

Indian fusion food. Appreciate the thought behind this fusion, it is healthy as well. Right level Indian mix with Mexican style menu. I recommend this restaurant to anyone who is open to try new tastes. It will be one of my go to place here after.

The rice were clearly stale and smelled absolutely terrible--likely rotten. We didn't eat a single scoop of it! I mixed it with curry and immediately noticed the awful smell. When we confronted the owner, instead of apologizing or offering a refund, he kept lying, insisting the rice was made fresh that morning. It was obviously not! Any decent restaurant would have immediately refunded the item or, at the very least, acknowledged the issue. NOTICE TO THE OWNER: At least have the integrity to refund the item. When a customer points out that the food smells bad, the right thing to do is admit the mistake and make it right, not gaslight them with lies. The fact that you refused to take responsibility is shameful. UPDATE: We left the entire bowl of rice untouched, along with an almost full vegetable dish and a flatbread piece, yet you still wouldn't admit the rice was bad. Your refusal to acknowledge the issue is astonishing and shows a complete lack of regard for your customers. SECOND NOTICE TO THE OWNER: Be genuine for once. Admit that you served spoiled rice. Your manager even smelled it--ask him for the truth if you have any courage left. I would've gladly removed this review if you had shown an ounce of humility and simply apologized. But instead, you're more focused on covering up your mistakes and protecting your Yelp rating. I genuinely wanted to support your business as a fellow Indian. But your greed and utter lack of humility ruined that. Maybe you'll climb the Yelp rankings with your dismissive attitude and refusal to accept responsibility, but I guarantee karma will catch up with you soon enough. Don't worry about this one-star review--worry about the future of your restaurant when this behavior becomes your norm.

Never had a chance to visit the Medical Building location but finally made it to this location and returned back a few times. I had the pleasure of meeting the owner the first time I was here and he was very kind and patient with helping me decide what to order. I believe I ordered the maharaja tacos, they were yummy! The next few times I ordered the maharaja bowl, paneer tikka masala, and the maharani burrito. All were delicious and fresh, even the restaurant smelled great. They really emphasize a positive service experience and give back a lot to the community so they're worth checking out if you're in search for something healthy.

Ate here for the first time today. Lovely vegan Indian style food. I had Mushroom Masala and their delicious high protein bread. It was excellent, mildly spicy and very flavorful. The lemon grass spiced chai tea was also good. My friend had mix and match vegan tacos, which were also excellent. Decor is lovely. Order at counter, and they're very nice about explaining the menu. A lovely lunch experience.

Appu's Cafe specializes in Indian vegan cuisine and seriously healthy food, tailored to dietary restrictions. Chef VR was so passionate about his food and his creations. He recommended the Paneer Tikka Masala to compliment the Maharaja Burrito. He was so enthusiastic and paid special attention to how his food was tasting. Ordered the following: 1. Maharaja Burrito 5/5 - Vegan, surprised at the flavors and how well everything went together. Instantly devoured half of it 2. Paneer Tikka Masala 4/5 with Roti- had a kick to it and flavorful, paired extremely well with rice 3. Vegan Mango Lassi 5/5 - delicious, thick, and creamy. Really enjoyed my meal and the service was caring and thoughtful. Definitely recommend anyone to pay a visit :)

A lot of choices for vegan Indian food. I like a lot of flavor, spice and heat; much more than the average person. That being said, I found the food to be bland. There were some interesting fusion type dishes they have created and that was nice. The staff were really engaged with the customers and cared about their experience. A little on tbe pricey side.

Potential for true greatness!! Mostly excellent quality and fresh and healthy and tasty food. The bread is incredible. Can't recommend highly enough. As well as the sauce that comes with it - that was incredible!Rice good quality and prepared well. Unfortunately, really disappointing to have the portion sizes considerably smaller than expected. Also the veggies in the masala and rice were obviously previously frozen, which doesn't go well with the health focus being promoted. Lastly the cost was a little surprising for the small portion size. Pleasant service. Thank you!

So delicious! I ordered the Majaraja burrito and a mango lassi and it was the perfect lunch!

1. The food is so yummy ! Tried multiple dishes and will keep coming back for more ! 2. Not only was the food delicious and flavorful, the service was so great ! They are so welcoming and kind and make a point to try to remember you ! You can really tell how much love and care goes into the food as well as enjoyment ! 3. I loved how I could sit and enjoy a quiet meal, very comfortable environment and they make sure everything is yummy! My dad loves this place as A returning fan and now I am a new lover of Appu !

I absolutely love this place! The staff was really kind and patient in helping me decide what to get. I have tried the maharani bowl and mushroom soup before but this time opted for the mushroom masala which comes with a large portion of turmeric vegetable rice. I also got the flatbread, which was perfect for dipping in the curry. The mushroom masala was creamy and flavorful. I would definitely get it again! I also got the lemongrass chai which is sugar-free and dairy free and absolutely delicious!

If you want delicious Indian-Mexican fusion, look no further than Appu's. They take simple ingredients and combines them into delicious combination of flavors. It's hard to deny that the dishes feel clean and healthy. We had the Maharaja Burrito and the Vegan mushroom masala with rice. Both were delicious and flavorful. The Maharaja Burrito is the star as the turmeric really pops and accentuates the dish. Lastly, we had the Vegan Mango Lassi. It was so refreshing and delicious. It's crazy that there's no dairy or yogurt because it taste so good! This place is definitely a place to come back to, especially if you some delicious and healthy food!

Great service!! As soon as I walked in, I was greeted and helped . Person at the register was very helpful with menu. Place was very clean and the food was amazing. Definitely coming back.

The last and only time I had Appu's was about 8 or more years ago at their original location. After learning that a new location was opening up, it sparked my curiosity again. Walking in, we were instantly welcomed by a friendly staff and a busy dining area. I like that the menu is not overwhelming with too many items and that the vegan options are clearly marked. The Healthy Mex Burrito is described on the menu as Indo-Mexican. It comes with turmeric rice, black beans, grilled veggies, and lettuce. I ordered it Spicy Cali style which adds avocado and 911 sauce. At first, I couldn't taste/feel the spice. But about halfway through my burrito, I was starting to feel it a bit. Good stuff! https://bit.ly/3XbE8E2 The Mushroom Masala is tasty! It makes me so happy that they make this vegan because I always see a similar dish at other Indian restaurants but it always contains dairy. Now that I've finally found a vegan version, I plan on ordering this again. Great flavor! Not sure what the average curry/mushroom ratio is typically like. I would have preferred to have more mushrooms than what was in the dish. But that's just me. I really love mushrooms. This dish does come with a generous side of turmeric rice to help soak up all that yummy curry. https://bit.ly/447i93c I really like this place! This visit has inspired me to check this place out again. I like this location much better than the OG. Looking forward to eating my way through their menu :)

Amazing smells, flavor and service! The owner greeted me and helped me with my order. INCREDIBLE!

We recently had the opportunity to try the new location of Appu's Cafe in Long Beach. I was very impressed with the food, the service, and the atmosphere. We started our meal with a vegan mango lassi. It was creamy and refreshing, and the perfect way to start a meal. We had the Maharaja burrito with the Cali 911 sauce as well as the paneer Tikka masala. The burrito was a good size and filled with flavorful ingredients, including turmeric rice, mushrooms, and paneer. The Cali 911 sauce added a bit of heat to the burrito, but it wasn't too spicy. The paneer Tikka masala was creamy and flavorful, and the paneer was a nice change from the usual chicken you would get in a non-vegetarian restaurant. This had a nice kick to it as well. The service at Appu's Cafe was excellent. Chef VR was friendly and attentive, and he made sure that we had everything we needed. The atmosphere at Appu's Cafe is casual and relaxed. It's a great place to go for a casual meal with friends or family. Overall, I had a great experience at the new location of Appu's Cafe. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a delicious and healthy meal. Here are some additional details about the dishes you mentioned: Vegan mango lassi: This is a refreshing and creamy drink made with mango, coconut cream, and spices. It's a great way to start your meal or enjoy as a snack. Maharaja burrito: This burrito is filled with rice, mushrooms, paneer, avocado, and Cali 911 sauce. The Cali 911 sauce is a spicy sauce made with cayenne pepper, garlic, and other spices. Paneer Tikka masala: This dish is made with paneer (a type of Indian cheese), tomato sauce, and spices. It's a creamy and flavorful dish that's goes perfectly with the turmeric rice.

Appu's is my FAVORITE restaurant in Long Beach. Their dishes are unbelievable; I've had everything on the menu & have a hard time choosing every time I'm here (at least once a week!). Everyone that works here that I've met, Sunny, Deep & Thai are absolutely wonderfully. Run, don't walk, to Appu's!

The food here is very good and unusual. It tastes like food truck food, which is not a bad thing. You order at the counter, which is fine. I'd say the ambiance is like school cafeteria. In other words, you don't come for the setting. Parking can be challenging.

Great taste of Mexican Indian fusion. Their burrito was awesome! The service was great and the staff is very friendly.

Food is amazing! My favorite soups, tacos and masalas. And of course, the burrito. Chef VR is just an awesome individual. Quaint little location and plenty of parking. I have to come back more often!

Excellent food Will be back had the mushroom masala and naan. Very good, atmosphere is clean and modest. at the counter tonight was friendly and polite.

Lots of parking! Clean shop with enough seating. Food and service is superior at their other shop.

Great food, amazing service. Happy to have a new place to frequent often. Also it's healthy, so that's a plus. I'd go just because it tastes good.

We've thoroughly enjoyed everything we've tried from here. Tonight we had (split) the Grilled Veggie Quesadilla and the Desi Quesaritta. Both are very tasty (the quesadilla was very substantial - lots of tasty veggies). Paired with the yummy sauce (curry?) and black beans side easily satisfied us. I highly recommend both... in fact, everything's been wonderful. I'm so glad they seem to a thriving business. Wonderful!

Food was SO delicious and so many fun and unique options, plus traditional options! Service was amazing, the people here were so kind. We got the vegan mushroom masala and the paneer tikka masala and it was some of the best I've ever had, we both LOVED it. Super cute inside as well. The vegan mango lassi and the lemon grass chai were incredible. We will DEFINITELY be back and bringing people!

My friend and I had just finished a hot yoga sesh in the area and wanted something healthy to eat. Lucky me, she found Appu's! We were greeted by Chef VR himself! He made us feel so welcomed and gave us wonderful recommendations since it was our first time. We were not disappointed as the food was sooooo bomb! The vegan mango lassi is his own recipe and I was mind blown how good it was especially being vegan and having no sugar added (besides the fruit). The burritos were ‍ and filled with so much flavor. I can't wait to come back and try all the other dishes!

This place has delicious food. I had the flat bread, mango lassi, turmeric rice and mushroom vegan mushroom masala. It was a pretty big portion so I originally intended to only have a little bit and ended up eating the whole thing! And ordered another flat bread! The food was super fresh, and the people helping you out are super kind and friendly. It's really nice and clean inside. Definitely will be back

Thoroughly enjoyed my first taste of Appu's. Highly recommend for those who live near or afar.

I was able to share the deliciousness of Appu's Cafe with my girls this past Sunday. I've tried just about everything on the menu and can honestly say it's all yummy. Vegan Mushroom Masala, a Maharaja bowl with Avocado added, a basket of Roti, the taco trio of the 3 versions (vegan mushroom, saag saneer, Paneer) and Vegan Mango Lassi & Lemongrass Chai to drink. I can't say enough about the food. Delicate soulful flavors and delicious turmeric rice. The salad on the tacos was yummy and flavorful. Try your favorite and then go back and try something new, you can't go wrong. The service is cordial and quick enough; always welcoming and willing to help with dietary restrictions and suggestions when you just can't make up your mind. Ambiance is ok, the space is utilitarian but has a nice vibe and even just after opening during our visit was quickly filled with hungry happy diners. One thing I have noticed after a couple of visits, you are asked what's good from new comers. What a pleasure it is to help direct them to the appropriate dish...something that doesn't happen in most spots. I look forward to the next visit - see ya soon .