Cafe India

Indian restaurant · Franklin

Cafe India

Indian restaurant · Franklin

1

101 International Dr #106, Franklin, TN 37067

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Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null
Cafe India by null

Highlights

Cozy Indian cafe pairing traditional menu items with house-made sweets in a casual, vibrant setting.  

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101 International Dr #106, Franklin, TN 37067 Get directions

cafeindiafranklin.com
@cafeindiafranklin

$ · Menu

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101 International Dr #106, Franklin, TN 37067 Get directions

+1 615 465 6680
cafeindiafranklin.com
@cafeindiafranklin

$ · Menu

Features

dine in
takeout
payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations
wifi
outdoor seating

Last updated

Mar 4, 2025

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"Situated on the corner of a tiny strip mall in Cool Springs, Cafe India’s reputation has spread beyond Franklin’s borders and well into Nashville as one of the best spots to grab Indian food in Middle Tennessee. Locals have been diving into its biryanis and tandoor specials since 2014 and don’t show any signs of slowing down. Cafe India also bakes special occasion cakes using a variety of flavors (the mango is a popular choice) and intricate designs — be sure to place your order for pick up a few weeks in advance." - Eater Staff, Jackie Gutierrez-Jones

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Avinash

Google
Honestly, this is the only restaurant I gave 1 star to all departments. Their food sucks (no taste at all), hygiene sucks, their service sucks, even their restrooms sucks (No seat on toilet). Replying to Cafe India response to my review: Dear Cafe India, Your response is incredibly disappointing and dismissive. My intention was never to "target" your business but to provide feedback on a genuinely poor experience. The fact that you’re more focused on my documentation rather than addressing the issues I raised speaks volumes. The renovation sign on the restroom door does not excuse the subpar service and food quality. I expected better from a supposedly reputable establishment. Instead of trying to deflect responsibility, perhaps you should focus on improving your standards. Thank you for your condescending reply. Regarding the items that you asked and I wanted to provide some more details: 1) We were traveling and stopped by your restaurant as we got a good review about your restaurant 2) I took a video of your entire restaurant to show how unhygienic it was when we came, none of the tables were clean and no one was paying attention to the customers when we came. As I don’t see an option to post video, I posted screenshots of them. Who would wait for others to go and take photos right after that. And how come all tables got those trash at the same time? That does show that your employees didn’t clean those tables right after your customers left. Even the water glasses don’t look good. 3) I visited many restaurants including many Indian restaurants and gave many reviews which includes both positive and negative reviews. But I never got such a rude response from anyone. We are really disappointed with the way you responded as well on top of our experience with our visit. 4) As you asked for items, chicken kebab and chicken lollipop were tasteless and like not cooked properly 5) Even if I stop by in Franklin, I don’t want to come to your restaurant again. I am not going to suggest this to any one of my contacts as well. How could I even suggest this after have such a bad experience and such an arrogant response from you guys You don’t have to provide me better options now, atleast try to respect your customers when you speak to them.

Jonathan Tarr

Google
Amazing authentic Indian food. So many choices from different S regions. We had the Chicken Tikka Masala and the Scheshuan noodles with chicken. So delicious and delectable. And the dessert cakes are moist and delicious as well.

Phani Raj Cherukuvada

Google
Cafe India - A Delightful Indian Culinary Experience Cafe India offers an exceptional dining experience that showcases the rich and diverse flavors of Indian cuisine. The dine in experience is always exceptional. Front desk team especially Vinay is very responsive and friendly. Thank you ! Veg Thali and Non Veg Thalis are new additions and are really tasty. Talapakatti biryani and Raju gari kodi were loved by everyone. Thanks to Sujay ! Shiva made a cake that is truly brilliant and was exactly done as requested. Thank you everyone!

Dr. Anandroy Sepuri

Google
The praises aren't enough for this café. This place holds special spot in my heart. Too many good memories and celebrations took place here. Although this place was an hour away from my house, my friends and I would drive down to have a good time. The egg puffs, Mirchi bhaji, pani puri, pastries, Haleem, & biryani are absolutely steal for this place. Not to mention the hospitality and service the staff provides is incredible. The localé primarily orders catering from this location with no complaints. Although I'm 1000s of miles away and this review is over due, I just wanted to pay homage to this lovely café. Keep doing what you guys are doing!!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐s all the way!

Cyrus Damabi

Google
My favorite Indian place by far. Very legit authentic food, atmosphere, and staff. Anything you order, chances are you will love. My favorites to get are: Mango Lassi - Not a dish but their own yogurt mango drink that is actually to die for, do not pass this up. Chicken 65 - Super good spiced up fried chicken, the fry is also delicious and light. Chicken Korma - My favorite Indian dish, the creaminess of the coconut milk and the spices work so well and the aroma is to die for. Masala Dosa - Really cool dish, comes as a huge crepe with potato stuffing and sauces on the side, great to build your own and eat with your hands. Pani Puri - Truly an experience, this dish is not for everyone but everyone should try it. The sheer amount of flavors you taste is unlike anything I’ve seen. Chicken tikka Masala - While this is a tried and true dish synonymous with American view of Indian food, they execute this dish very well and it is always on my table.

Swamy S

Google
Best restaurant in the town for custom cakes and authentic, delicious Pastries. When I visited last week to order a birthday cake, Vinay was very welcoming and introduced me to their chef (Shiva) who is so extremely talented in making customized cakes. After showing him the picture of a cake of interest from google, he said he can make to look the same. When I went to pickup the cake, i was really thrilled and impressed by his talent. The cake looks exactly same as the picture and it has very authentic taste like the one we get back in India. I highly recommend Cafe India for Customed cakes and Pastries. Thank you Shiva and Vinay🙂

Holly Thompson

Google
Everything about this place is wonderful. I have ordered three cakes since December and have not been disappointed in any of them. My daughters received so many compliments on their cakes. The roses were placed by myself which I asked them for me to do this part. The taste of the cake is like no other cake you have ever eaten. If you want a cake for any event please go to Cheif Siva.

Jonathan

Google
Awesome, authentic flavors. We had the Chicken Tikka Masala and Szechuan Chicken Noodles. Masala sauce was tops. The Szechuan Chicken fusion was crunchy on the surface and tender inside. Perfect flavors and textures throughout. Price was lower than similar restaurants in the area, and portions were huge. We did not think we could; yet it was so good, we ate it all! And then had some super-moist cake: a must-try.

Tom H.

Yelp
I am happy to give Cafe India a very good review. I have tried a variety of dishes from Cafe India and enjoyed every one. I have been to many Indian restaurants, Cafe India is as good as the best of the others. If I had to find something to winge about, asking for mild, spicy, hot etc is a bit of an adventure. Never too hot that I cannot eat the dish. But it can vary from one order to the next. I keep coming back. And I do not go to any other Indian restaurant What does that tell you?

Schyler D.

Yelp
Another awesome Indian spot in the Nashville area. Tasty tucked away spot with a unique feel. Nice large variety of items without being overwhelming. The dessert case is also very bright and tempting haha. The sambusas were excellent as was the goat vindaloo. The naan was extremely soft and flaky, a wonderful companion to the saucy entree.

Russell W.

Yelp
Absolutely the best Indian food I've had from a restaurant. Very chill and laid back. But great service.

Zachary B.

Yelp
Chicken Tikka Masala was wonderful, fresh, large portions. Szechuan chicken fried rice was large portion fresh and delicious. My partner really enjoyed the Pani Puri. Good food. Fresh, large portions. Kind service and ambiance was fine

Devon W.

Yelp
We love cafe India! I love the fact that it's a mix between southern Indian and northern Indian food. Most people don't realize that there's a difference between the regions food, but we travel to and from India a lot, and have come to discover that there's a difference. Thankfully, they have both. They are super friendly, and if you greet them with , Namaste or Vanakkam, they love that ! It's always pretty clean. The only reason for the four stars is that this last time we went in it seemed like the portions got smaller, but prices got a bit higher. This will not deter us from going, I just thought I'd mention it. Their chicken biryani is excellent and tastes exactly like I'm in Tamil Nadu! Definitely worth a try !

Deya M.

Yelp
This is a locally owned Indian restaurant that I've been coming to for years! It's my family's go-to spot. The biggest reason I love this restaurant as it's one of the only places in the area that's "dhaba style" (aka a fast food place). You go in and order at the counter. You grab silverware, plates, and water yourself. You can spend hours here (and people commonly do), just chit chatting, eating, and ordering more food as you go. The prices are also one of the best Indian food deals in town, so your money will go a long way here! Papri Chaat- An amazing pop of flavor with the chickpeas, yogurt, crunch, tamarind, and mint chutney. Every bite is a burst for the taste buds. Definitely recommend getting this as an appetizer. Masala Dosa- It was fried to perfection though I did wish the batter had fermented a little bit more. The sambar was delicious! The potato filling was well spiced, as was the tomato chutney it came with. The coconut chutney was missing a bit of salt but was an easy fix! Tandoori Chicken- The tandoori chicken is prepared a bit differently here than your typical Indian establishment. While it has the smokey flavor the dish requires, they also add some extra spice and gravy to it! It was so soft on the inside and delicious! Mango Cake- Probably my favorite dish of the night. I always get their cakes when I'm here. They bake them fresh every day and you can buy them by the slice. The cake is not too sweet and super light, which is why I love it so much! Like I said, I've been here so many times and I know we don't plan to stop! You're missing out if you don't check them out!

Matt G.

Yelp
Incredible and authentic Indian Food. The chicken tikka masala sauce is a little on the "runny" side compared to what I'm used to, but the taste is all there. Definitely get a side of naan!

S B.

Yelp
The food is great, similar to what I'd expect in the Bay Area. The only thing I'd change is make it a more hip atmosphere and increase the portion sizes of a couple items. We plan on going back soon!

Linda B.

Yelp
We really like this place. Been ordering Indian food here for almost two years and it's one of our favorites. Staff is very friendly and food is great.

Aura G.

Yelp
I used to come here often with my mom, so this place holds a lot of sentiment. I don't think they're the best Indian restaurant in Nashville, but for the price point, the food is delicious and comes in great portions. I ordered Saag Paneer and Butter Chicken and both were decent, though the paneer dish was a bit bland. The garlic naan we ordered on the side was crisp and flavorful. Their cakes and pastries are delightful and worth a try. Since I last visited, they have renovated their space to look more modern. They have also expanded their menu to include lesser known street foods to foreigners like me, such as dosas and pani puri. I would love to try them!

Holly H.

Yelp
We very much enjoyed the chicken dishes. The fish dish was okay. We would definitely get the chicken dishes again. very tasty! Hot, good, flavorful food!

Walker W.

Yelp
Quality food, quality service, exceptional atmosphere. If you are ordering takeout, I recommend calling ahead, but in person/dine-in is a pleasure as well. If you're afraid of spicy food, order chicken 65, it's basically delicious flavorful chicken nuggets. The vindaloo is my favorite, and all their protein options are quality. Be the one in your friend group/family to recommend this great spot!

Angel Y.

Yelp
My Indian bf ordered the dosa, chili fritter, and the cake. I ordered the goat curry. I loveee my goat curry, the portion is big and the goats were tender. Curry was super flavorful. I'm not a big fan of my bf's food, but since he loved them as an Indian, I would assume they are pretty authentic and good.

Mark S.

Yelp
We had chicken makhani, aloo Gobi, vegetable pakora, rice, vegetable korma, rita and plain nan. The chicken makhani was good... The aloo gobi contained large pieces of uncut vegetables which had to be cut at the table before they could be eaten and the vegetables were all hard. The vegetables in the vegetable korma are also hard. While our meal was For pick up, service provided from the two gentleman that took care of us was unremarkable.

Alyssa H.

Yelp
A prime location in a good area lots of parking options priced very nicely able to try many dishes Cake is my favorite

Susan W.

Yelp
Totally totally totally grossed out today. Had the sag paneer. There should be nothing crunchy in this. Look to see what I was chewing on and it was a dead cockroach. Nothing else to say

Lawrence S.

Yelp
The food is good, which is why we've ordered takeout several times. That is not the problem. I ordered takeout online as usual. However, this time the treatment received was offensive. I enter the restaurant with my son (two black guys and yes I am going there). I provide my name for my online order and the lady at the counter asks me for proof that I made the order. She did not ask the two customers before us for proof. I asked if she does this with everyone and she responded that she wanted to make sure the order matched. Again she didn't ask anyone else for that and what sense does that excuse make? No sense at all. I will or be back. And while it may have little impact on their bottom line, I am exercising my right to choose where I spend my money.

Otis R.

Yelp
Ordered take out from here. Located in cool springs in same area as the other Indian restaurants. Great food. Less expensive than house of India. Generous portions. Loved the chicken 65 appetizer.

Caleb W.

Yelp
We absolutely LOVE this place! Everything on the menu is great. If you order for pickup: be sure to ask for sauce/check your order. (They are very good but understandably busy, so just double check.)

Vinayak H.

Yelp
The food was very good and tasty if you want to taste authentic Indian food you must try this restaurant it's really good. The sukha chicken biryani was so tasty my wife order 2 times. really enjoyed the food. Good jobs.

Shashidhar N.

Yelp
Walked in and ordered dosa and chaat items and unfortunately none of the items were served warm even. We had requested our food to be microwaved but our request was also turned down by the person serving us. Would not recommend any breakfast items here, they did not come off as fresh!

Austin S.

Yelp
Fabulous flavors and portions. The service was easy and painless and informative. The ambiance isn't really why one goes to a place like this but it was clean. 10/10

Anna S.

Yelp
Delicious! I ordered the butter chicken and my BF ordered the chicken tikka masala. Chicken was juicy and flavorful. We also ordered the garlic naan, so yummy. The service was quick and friendly. The seating was clean and well lit.

Leriel D.

Yelp
The server stayed on the phone the entire time we were in the restaurant. As she was trying to take our order, she still had her ear buds in, and couldn't get the order right. When I went to get something to drink, she just pointed at the cups, never stopping her conversation. Then we had to flag her down to pay the bill.

K F.

Yelp
Ate there for the first time yesterday. Was craving curry and they recommended the most amazing dish ever. Great food, great service

Raam S.

Yelp
Goat biryani is good. cut Mirchi bajji is also good. I am not sure about the other items

Sandeep V.

Yelp
Very good. Highly recommend this place. Got the goat fry biryani, lollipop chicken and 65, very authentic. Please keep up the standard

John M.

Yelp
Excellent Rogan Josh Goat, and garlic naan! Good sized portions. Friendly staff and fast kitchen!

Xtian R.

Yelp
Amazing food for starters, got a to go order and it's presentation was as if I was ordering it from the pictures it was perfect the Apollo fish was sooooo soft and the batter and spice on it complemented that as well. The chicken 555 is Spicy and has a lot of flavor but it is the definition of a flavor bomb hahaha. I would 10/10 order from here again and again and again. And don't even get me started on customer service the owner went out of his way to make sure I got my food and he is the best!

Mary Kate E.

Yelp
Everyone else loved this place, but I can't agree. The place is only okay. I feel that it largely depend on its to-go orders because the Café India was complete desolate when I got here. I was also to-go. I feel the food was a bit bland and didn't have the flavor that I was looking for in my meal. I requested one thing and got another. I can't say that it worked well with my stomach either despite my request of low spice. Additionally, when I warmed up my leftovers, I did not particularly care for the aftermath from the night before meal. I really hate to sound like I am bashing a locally owned place, but it just did not agree with me. I am hoping they work for other people, but I will stick to what I know and not veer from that henceforth when it comes to my Indian cuisine picks in Nashville near my house.

Luis F.

Yelp
Delicious food and dessert!! Good portions and supper nice employees I feel welcomed.

Prabha R.

Yelp
I love this place cos their Briyanis taste great, their chaat is awesome, their pastries are soft and their price is unbeatable! I have been to Nashville thrice and made sure to drop by this place every single time. And, what's more? Whenever any friend of ours visits Nashville, they are not allowed to return without bringing back food from Cafe India. The goat dum briyani is extremely flavorful and spicy. If you get a carry out Briyani, the quantity is easily sufficient for 2-3 people. And at this price, it can't get any better. There's plenty of meat in it too. The boneless chicken briyani is basically some flour coated fried chicken in Briyani. I've had that and the chicken dum briyani too. Both are good, they are lighter compared to the goat Briyani. They have plenty of chaat items on their menu. I love their papdi chaat and samosa chaat. They both have crispy bits and come filled with an explosion of flavor. Their Dahi puri is also good. They have a few pastries too. I tried the butterscotch cake hoping it would be like the ones I used to get in India, but did not like it much. On the other hand, the mango cake is extremely moist and delicious. The multi fruit cake is also good. Overall, they have great food at a great price. Will definitely be back. In my humble opinion as a visitor, this is the best Indian food in Nashville.

Janise J.

Yelp
My husband and I are obsessed with this little gem! We've been coming here for quite some time, and once a week. It's definitely a favorite of ours, the staff is so kind and friendly! During the time of COVID, we've been ordering via take-out, and the food is always done in the right amount of time given. We've never had to wait even when it's been busy, and it's all bagged securely so the heat is kept in and easy to travel with! If you're unsure what to order, highly recommend the butter chicken with garlic naan - it's the perfect dish for first timers (even if you're sensitive to spicy food)!

Elliott W.

Yelp
It's a hole in the wall on a side street that you won't pass unless you are going there. It's also delicious. And cheap. We love the gobi manchurian (fried cauliflower and spicy gravy), all the normal chickens (tikka masala, butter, vindaloo). Great naan. The baked cakes are good too. Highly recommend.

Benjamin T.

Yelp
Huge fan of these guys! Polite. Friendly. Prices are great. Most importantly, the food is fantastic. Good portions. Not stingy at all. Ty guys! Food was great!

Erika D.

Yelp
Found our new Indian lunch/dinner spot! We loved the spicy shrimp appetizer, butter chicken, and lamb ragosh. Get the mango shake juice too so delicious! Big portions we had to take food home.

Bowen L.

Yelp
The restaurant just finished renovation and it is way better than before. Food is great and the dessert is even better!

Alexis G.

Yelp
Ordered through Uber eats during the COVID-19 pandemic and had to come to yelp to write a review too. Honestly one of the best Indian restaurants I've ever had. Food was amazing. I had the chicken tikka massala and garlic bread. HOLY MOLY. Honestly made me dance a little. I had enough for lunch today and tomorrow. I will definitely order again!

Chris H.

Yelp
Great food. We order from here frequently and have never been disappointed. Service and ambiance are ok by US standards.

Austin n.

Yelp
Great inexpensive Indian food. No frills but they have a great selection. Consistently good. The Biriyani, Dosa, and curries are all delicious. They do not make their food spicy but has great flavor. Service is always pretty slow but the food is fresh. I believe they make everything in house so they may be out of something if you go later in the day. It's hard to pass this place up because they give generous portions at nearly half the cost of surrounding Indian restaurants.

Clint O.

Yelp
Cafe India creates food made with love. It's the only way to describe the flavors in their chicken chettinad. The garlic naan was flavorful and fresh. Do not forget dessert as I had their royal chocolate fudge cake and it was delicious. I was more than pleasantly surprised with their kind staff and extraordinary food. I will definitely be going back.

Patrick O.

Yelp
Tried this twice. Service is awful. Obviously lives on take out and not on dine-in. Staff pays lip service to Covid precautions. Then there's the food. Spiciest Indian food I've eaten in Nashville. They never asked what heat level we would like. My friend, from Bangladesh, found it very spicy. We did not ask for take-away boxes. Disappointing.

Christine P.

Yelp
Our favorite Indian spot in all of Williamson County. The flavors are spot on and pickup is generally pretty quick (15-20min) from the time I call to place the order. I've done DoorDash for them as well and the quality is still the same. My favorites are Chicken 65, Gobi Manchurian, Butter Chicken and their garlic naan. Their bakery offerings are super yummy too. Their Black Forest cake and tiramisu are delicious!

Zoey N.

Yelp
The food is great and at very good price. Garlic naan is delicious, and so are goat curry, lamb curry, paneer. I wish the waiter is better at keeping his mask up.

Colton V.

Yelp
Alright, here we go. Food: Incredible. Very authentic and traditional. Full of spice so make sure you know what you're up against on some of these bad boys. Portion sizes were great! Plenty of food - could possibly even split an item and that's coming from a big boy. Price: Really affordable! Most entrees under $10 and you could easily turn it into lunch the next day. Service: Food came out quick and the people are nice! Con: Aesthetics are not the priority but that lets me know the food is. Pictured: Boneless Chicken Biryani. My wife loved the Chicken Tika Masala as well. Garlic naan- impeccable. Recommend.

K. F.

Yelp
Do not order the Goat Rogan Josh. Brought it home to find out it was filled with mostly shattered bone fragments and low quality meat. Pure culinary laziness at best. Won't get fooled again by this place.

Jeff Y.

Yelp
Hands down some Of the best Indian food in Franklin/Brentwood. This place has driven me to try and experience new foods that I never thought I would like. My family eats here regularly, give them a try!!

Alsafyche D.

Yelp
Delicious. Ordered twice over the weekend we were here back in 2019. The only reason it has 4 stars is cause of the weirdly broken furniture that the soda machine sat on. Gave me serious anxiety. Kept waiting for it to fall over lol.

Noyra M.

Yelp
Delicious food !! We ordered the goat korma, goat biryani, and garlic naan. I am so happy we found them. Was not expecting these spot on flavors. Don't miss it !!

Vishnu S.

Yelp
Awesome Indian Food. I liked their chicken noodles, Chicken biryani and baingan barta.