Cheeni Indian Food Emporium

Indian restaurant · Raleigh

Cheeni Indian Food Emporium

Indian restaurant · Raleigh

1141 Falls River Ave, Raleigh, NC 27614

Highlights

Cheeni is a stylish Indian café and bakery in north Raleigh, serving flavorful fusion dishes and cozy vibes perfect for a quick meal or hangout.

1141 Falls River Ave, Raleigh, NC 27614 Get directions

cheeniraleigh.com

@cheeniraleigh

$10–20 · Menu

@eater

"Cheeni Indian Food Emporium is a beloved Indian restaurant located at 1141 Falls River Avenue in north Raleigh. It has gained popularity for its authentic regional Indian cuisine and has received accolades like the Eater Carolinas 2022 North Carolina Restaurant of the Year Award and a 2023 Best Chef: Southeast semifinalist recognition from the James Beard Awards. The restaurant attracts patrons from neighboring areas, including Durham, and is known for its inviting atmosphere and diverse menu offerings." - Eric Ginsburg

Raleigh’s Acclaimed Cheeni Restaurant Expanding to Durham This Fall - Eater Carolinas

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@eater

"With its recent selection as Eater’s 2022 North Carolina Restaurant of the Year, Cheeni and chef-owner Preeti Waas have continued to impress diners across the state. Waas’s unique blend of Indian comfort food with American cafe-style service offers bites not seen in most other Indian restaurants in the area. The Bombay sandwich features buttered white sandwich bread spread with cilantro-mint chutney and stuffed full of salted cucumbers and tomatoes, while dinner features items like a hariyali whole fish cooked in a tandoor, Bengali roast chicken, and a South Indian style vegetable korma. Don’t miss the specialty beverages either." - Matt Lardie

18 Essential Restaurants in Raleigh, North Carolina

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@eater

"One of Raleigh’s most celebrated new restaurants, Cheeni Indian Food Emporium is part restaurant, part cafe, part school. Owner and chef Preeti Waas was a semifinalist for Best Chef Southeast for the 2022 James Beard Foundation Awards. The cafe-style menu is divided between an all-day tiffin section, with street food-like items such as samosas, masala fries, and the Bombay sandwich (buttered soft white bread with cilantro-mint chutney, filled with salted, sliced tomatoes, and cucumbers) and then larger dishes for lunch and dinner service. The Bazaar sells cookbooks, teas, spices, and more, and Waas teaches a variety of public and private Indian cooking classes." - Matt Lardie

18 Standout Indian Restaurants in the Triangle

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@eater

"Cheeni Indian Food Emporium — which has turned into my writing spot where I linger all day because chai and chaat!" - Erin Perkins

2022’s Top Restaurant Standbys for North and South Carolina - Eater Carolinas

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@eater

"Owner Preeti Waas offers a complex vision for restaurants as a third space, combining an all-day cafe with a community hub. The menu features lighter, snackable items during the day and larger plates at night, such as the ginger and green chili-rubbed, tandoor oven-cooked Hariyali whole fish. Cheeni also hosts events and guest chefs in its demonstration kitchen." - Eater Staff

Eater Carolina’s Awards Winners for 2022 - Eater Carolinas

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Nook H

Google

Cheeni is a cafe-restaurant. I love the way they decorated the restaurant – modern mixed with street Indian pictures. I tried the chicken rice bowl, and it was good; the chicken was tender, and the side vegetables were fresh. You can order everything at the front, and they will bring the food to your table. I also liked the mango lassi and chocolate chip cookies; they are a must-try. The bakery here is pretty good as well. I recommend going there if you're looking for a place to hang out with friends, grab a quick lunch, or just want to sit with your laptop and work; they have free WiFi. I see they are serving liquor now. I'd like to go back and try their cocktails! They also offer a lot of vegetarian options.

Rick Hadsall

Google

Authentic yet quirky Indian cafe featuring a short list of staples and a rotating list of specials. The food is made as it would be at a family table - it’s not American storefront restaurant Indian food. There are delicious baked goods. Owner is friendly and staff is lovely. A great place in north Raleigh.

Deepak Krishnappa

Google

after hearing many good reviews and news, wanted to stop here to check it out. I was very excited about veg puff and madras coffee as it’s not easy to find them around. Overall, food was delicious. We order variety of food in each section. Most we liked was Bread toast. However, was little disappointed about veg puff not being available and madras coffee tasted like authentic filter coffee. Not sure if staff provided me with a latte.

Jessica Frederick

Google

Ok so admittedly not authentic Indian (from my Indian friend) but as an American, I loved it! Every bite had different tastes - haven't had such an exciting meal in ever! Counter service and they bring food to you. Clean up your own tables. Atmosphere was delightful. Tastefully decorated. Small shopping area. I literally can't wait to go back!

David Botts

Google

My wife and I met some friends here for dinner. She really does not eat a lot of Indian food because she has reactions to spicy food, however Cheeni made her think twice about Indian. We loved this place and tried a little bit of everything. The fish was out of this world. The lamb vindaloo equally. I also had the owners take on a rye old fashioned Indian style, and it was out of this world. They’ve been nominated for a James Beard award. Win or not, they are winners in our book. We are so glad we live close to them.

Veronique V. G

Google

Went there for lunch today. Even though there was a big group + a couple more people our order came out rather fast. I guess because I told them I was starving 😄 The atmosphere is quietly welcoming. Very clean. Cheerful and friendly staff. Especially at the order counter. However, didn’t think highly of the dessert. Had the almond flour brownie and my husband had the oatmeal cookie. Wasn’t too fresh. I’d highly recommend this place for lunch.

Greeshma

Google

I was really looking forward to trying Cheeni but found it rather underwhelming. The good: well-decorated, fast service, and nice staff. As other reviewers have pointed out, their food is more Indian fusion rather than authentic Indian. This is fine, I just wish it was more clearly stated on their website or Google Maps profile. They were out of the veg puff when I arrived which was disappointing considering it was still early in their business hours (12:30ish). The masala fries, rice bowl with chicken, and chai were okay but nothing stood out.

Smrithi S

Google

We have been here a few times now and I think this will surely be one of those restaurants we would want to stop by when we are in and around Raleigh. We have loved mostly everything we have ordered or tried. Our kids love the idly and waffle dosa. The sambar that comes with it comforting! Some other items on the menu we tried and loved are the street style toast, paneer pav, kebab roll ( vegetarian), mango lassi, and chai. The chai is probably one of the perfect ones I have had outside of Indian household. Especially on rainy days, I can drown in that chai! What we didn’t care for - the madras filter coffee, tasted more like a cappuccino. As someone who downs a cup of filter coffee every morning, this was a disappointment. Didn’t care for the baked items too except the Jeera cookies. Those was yum! The interiors are chic and colorful and transports me back in time to some of the fun cafes in Bandra ( Mumbai). I also didn’t enjoy having water in plastic cups. I know it’s a small thing but it would be wonderful if they had more reusable cutlery. But overall we enjoy coming here, and will probably go back again when we are in that part of the town.