Joy's Biryani N Kababs

Heard great things about the food at Joy’s from Reddit and decided to make the trip to pineville for Saturday dinner. Grabbed a beer at Middle James brewery next door beforehand. There was 1 other table dining in aside from us. I’ll start by saying the food was sooo delicious. Every item we ordered was extremely flavorful and came hot right out of the kitchen. Portions were enormous and we had leftovers for a couple days. I could eat that naan and palak paneer everyday of my life. Unfortunately, the service was not great. Server was not great at answering questions with the menu. Once the food came she did not come back and check on us a single time. When I finally walked up to the counter to grab boxes, her and the other employee were actually head down on the desk asleep. Saw a lot of takeout orders and delivery drivers in and out during our time there. Would highly recommend doing takeout and enjoying the food at home. So much potential here and even a marginal improvement to the service would easily garner a 5 star review.

Fantastic Indian food! The Andhra Curry and Vindaloo was very flavorful. I do wish there was a little more chicken included for the price. Everything was hot and fresh. Service was good. It was basic with limited conversation other than "do you know what you'd like" and "do you want a drink besides water". Nice people though. If you're looking for very flavorful Indian food this would be a solid place to go!

We stopped in today after noticing we were nearby on the map 🗺️ and decided to give it a try — and I’m glad we did! We were warmly greeted and seated right away by Joy herself 😊. She’s such a lovely, sunny young woman — incredibly pleasant to talk to and very responsive to all our questions. We started with mango lassis 🥭🥤, one for each of us. I also ordered garlic naan 🫓, which is one of my favorites. Since the restaurant specializes in kabobs, I decided to try the garlic chicken kabobs 🍢, while my husband went with the veal kabobs 🥩. The mango lassi was tasty 😋, though I’d suggest serving it in a glass when dining in — just a small touch that would elevate the experience. We were also provided with water 💧, which was appreciated, especially with dishes that include rice 🍚 and bread 🫓. My husband’s veal kabobs and naan arrived first, followed shortly by my garlic chicken kabobs. The naan did not disappoint — soft, warm, and full of garlicky goodness 🧄. My chicken kabobs were flavorful and came out piping hot 🔥, a great sign of freshness. One thing to note for future guests: the kabobs are served without sauce, so don’t expect a curry-style dish like tikka masala 🍛. We had just two small critiques: 1. The rice served was jasmine, which felt a bit dry and underwhelming. Typically, we’re used to basmati rice with Indian cuisine, so this was a noticeable difference. 2. The veal kabobs, though well-seasoned, were overcooked and had a chewy texture 🐄. To finish off the meal, I ordered the ras malai 🍮 — and wow! It was delicious. I even went back for seconds! 😄 The establishment itself was clearly recently renovated 🛠️. You can tell thought was put into the space — the color palette was fresh 🎨 and tasteful, and the overall atmosphere was very clean 🧼 and inviting 🪷. It made for a lovely dining experience from start to finish.

I was in Charlotte for a week and this place popped up during my search for Indian meats. Since it was a hike from the city, I ordered via uber eats. The packaging was perfect and food was still warm. I ordered tandoori chicken and chicken laal Maas. I was absolutely blown away with the authentic taste. The tandoori was a lil wet on the outside but chicken was perfectly cooked. This was something new and I think I like this kind instead of the dried out tandoori chicken that I find at so many Indian spots. The meal was so good that I decided to order it for dinner on second day as well(😂 don’t judge me). I again ordered tandoori chicken and added Andhra chicken curry. Both were exquisite again. Before I ordered the second time, I called the restaurant and told abt the spice level that it wasn’t spicy at all. They def turned up the notch to nitro as I was sweating myself in hotel room on tandoori chicken. But It was def worth it. I ll be back ordering from Joy’s everytime I m in Charlotte. If u r craving Indian food, this is mad authentic and really really good. If u r ordering thru food delivery apps , call the restaurant and tell them on what exactly u want and they ll handle it. I had complained abt no onions after the first meal and they loaded up onions for the next order, so yes they listen. Trust me and order from Joy’s for your next Indian fix. You ll NOT be disappointed. ❤️

A small restaurant with limited number of parking spaces. We went there on Saturday before dinner time, so there were not many customers. Ordered an appetizer, dosa, and one from the traditional dish section. All tasted good. Chicken 65 was flavored nicely; not much spicy but pretty impressive. Good option for family dinner or casual meal. Servers were helpful and took care of our orders.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Joy Kebab, and I have to say, the experience was wonderful. The food here is not only delicious but has that comforting, home-cooked feel that’s hard to find at most restaurants. Every bite is flavorful and made with care, reminding me of a meal cooked by a loved one. If you’re looking for a place that serves great food with a touch of home, Joy Kebab is the place to go. Highly recommended!

Updated Review(2025): The quality has declined exponentially. We visited for lunch on a weekday in 2025. Paneer Manchurian was abysmal with Paneer tasting weird. The Biryanis were bland. I won’t be visiting here again. Earlier review: I visited Joy’s Biryani N Kababs on a Thursday afternoon a couple of hours before my flight out of Charlotte. It was a wonderful experience replete with warm hosts, delicious food, and cleanliness inside the restaurant. I got the 555 chicken—it tasted pretty good, I loved the sauce that they finished it with. The Kadhai chicken tasted just the right amount of spicy and hit the spot. The garlic naans were good too. The restaurant is unassuming, and there’s parking outside. I plan to visit this often once I move to Charlotte soon. Thank you for everything.

Got delivery from Joy's, everything was yummy. My favorite was the butter chicken! The naan was super tasty! 5/23/24 update; Tried the Korma with lamb today, superb recommendation! Everything is better fresh, the Indian bread and butter chicken is incredible. 8/28 update: Color me a fan of the expansion of the dining room! That, and dessert menu upgrade! Everything I've tried here has been a hit!

We stopped in today after noticing we were nearby on the map and decided to give it a try -- and I'm glad we did! We were warmly greeted and seated right away by Joy herself . She's such a lovely, sunny young woman -- incredibly pleasant to talk to and very responsive to all our questions. We started with mango lassis , one for each of us. I also ordered garlic naan , which is one of my favorites. Since the restaurant specializes in kabobs, I decided to try the garlic chicken kabobs , while my husband went with the veal kabobs . The mango lassi was tasty , though I'd suggest serving it in a glass when dining in -- just a small touch that would elevate the experience. We were also provided with water , which was appreciated, especially with dishes that include rice and bread . My husband's veal kabobs and naan arrived first, followed shortly by my garlic chicken kabobs. The naan did not disappoint -- soft, warm, and full of garlicky goodness . My chicken kabobs were flavorful and came out piping hot , a great sign of freshness. One thing to note for future guests: the kabobs are served without sauce, so don't expect a curry-style dish like tikka masala . We had just two small critiques: 1. The rice served was jasmine, which felt a bit dry and underwhelming. Typically, we're used to basmati rice with Indian cuisine, so this was a noticeable difference. 2. The veal kabobs, though well-seasoned, were overcooked and had a chewy texture . To finish off the meal, I ordered the ras malai -- and wow! It was delicious. I even went back for seconds! The establishment itself was clearly recently renovated . You can tell thought was put into the space -- the color palette was fresh and tasteful, and the overall atmosphere was very clean and inviting . It made for a lovely dining experience from start to finish.

Food is superb. The biryanis use to be so much better however lately it seems the chef has changed. Earlier Biryani was excellent but now it's good. That's the difference. We have been here many times and I continue ordering for take out. Their Kababs are amazing.

We ordered two kinds of chicken curry and some garlic naan. It was really good and the meal was prepared so fast. The restaurant was spotless, very pretty and spacious inside. This is a hidden gem right next to downtown pineville. It's easy to miss from the road, look for the NC Auto Inspection sign for the auto shop next door to know when to turn. Such great comfort food on a cold day to warm us up.

Excellent food and service! Tasted home cooked! Their kerala Parota was my favorite item I tried!

Joy's biryani N Kaba is a decent option for Pineville Indian food. Nice interior. We were seated promptly so good service and here is my rating for the items we ordered: Goan with fish (3.5/5; decent flavor curry w/ Tender gravely Shrimp Hakka noodles (5/5, really tasty, a decent amount of shrimp, filling) Tandoori roti (3/5; not as flat or crepe-like as I thought, decent when dipped in the curry. Overall, I'd come again but probably would try butter or tikka masala gravy. **oh and I found a hair in the shrimp dish...

A small restaurant with limited number of parking spaces. We went there on Saturday before dinner time, so there were not many customers. Ordered an appetizer, dosa, and one from the traditional dish section. All tasted good. Chicken 65 was flavored nicely; not much spicy but pretty impressive. Good option for family dinner or casual meal. Servers were helpful and took care of our orders.

Amazing. Fresh flavorful food. Very clean eating space. Best Indian food I have had so far. And the desert??? OMG!!! DELICIOUS!!

This place is absolutely legit. The food is amazing on all Levels. The flavor, the spices, are just spot on. Small spot in a small plaza. Family business for a personal touch. We didn't do any appetizers since it was just my daughter and I and we both wanted separate dishes. My daughter got the buttered chicken and I got the chicken tikka. The chicken tikka came on a hot cast iron plate (think fajitas). The chicken was juicy and so good with the veggies underneath were amazing. The buttered chicken was great as well with the naan calling to be dipped in the sauce. Absolutely delicious. If you like or want to try Indian cuisine this is the spot.

Me and my kids loved the food there. Their chicken 65 was good and mild spice. The mango lassi was made correctly. It taste soo good. Their butter naans were soft and yummy Malai chicken was good too as my son love it.

Ordered yesterday after some time biryani and butter chicken. Biryani was good but butter chicken was disgusting. Tomato paste with refrigerator smell chicken. I would never order curry from them again

Charlotte's Indian food scene is really flourishing these days. We tried this thanks to the recommendation of our friend Tonya (where all good Indian food recommendations come from). My husband and I got takeout and shared: - Cheese Masala Dosa - Chili Paneer - Paneer Burji The dosa was probably my favorite (they usually are), but it was all delicious. You can't go wrong here. Next time you're in the mood for Indian (pretty much always for me), check this spot out.

Indian food is my favorite. I go to Joy's to explore their huge menu and order items that go beyond the typical Indian restaurant. The food is varied and good, service is fast, and we always leave with leftovers. The experience of dining-in would be much better if the videos being shown were turned way down.

Joy's Biryani N Kababs is very much a hole in the wall gem. Surrounded by a trickle of shops along a busy highway, the shop is nestled in busy pathway. My partner and I got the Chicken 69 Biryani and the Goat Biryani. Both dishes did not the disappoint. Both dishes were packed with flavor and the sauces were a great addition to the dishes. Prices are pretty affordable and the menu offers a wide range of selections. Service was great and efficient. I am not around this area a lot but I would make the drive down just so I can revisit.

Great food, quick service, casual vibe. Doesn't get much better than that. Wife and I ordered a little bit of everything to-go and it was ready on time. We tried the Chilly Paneer, Paneer Burji, Cheese Masala Dosa, and some Garlic Naan. I was pleasantly surprised to discover my favorite menu item was the Cheese Masala Dosa. Normally I prefer curries but this Dosa won my stomach. Also, it was huge when compared to many other dosas I've had.

I would eat the goat biryani everyday if I could. The food is perfect every time! Always hot and delicious. The deserts are beautiful and are a yummy way to finish up my main meal. My favorite is the Black Forest cake. The folks there are always quick to serve and pick up service is a breeze. I choose Joy's over any other nearby Indian restaurant I've been to recently.

The food here is amazing, especially the chicken korma that I have not stopped thinking about. The staff is so kind, really couldn't ask for a better experience. Can't wait to go back.

Delicious dinner tonight. Nicely decorated inside and very clean. The server took a bit to warm up, but by the end he was so friendly and welcoming. Food came out so quickly. Everything we ordered was just delicious. The korma needed a touch (just a touch) of salt, but once I did that it was perfection. Desired spice level was exactly what we requested, which I really appreciated. I feel like that is a big miss at a lot of Indian restaurants. Prices are very reasonable. Can't wait to come back!

Highly recommend this place!! Their biryani is on point - perfect spice level, meat is always cooked properly. Tandoori is awesome too. It's a little hard to find and parking is challenging, but the food is absolutely great!!

I pulled up only to realize that this place was in the same spot as a former favorite of mine, Zauq! Now it belongs to Joy's. The interior has been nicely renovated and it's definitely a place you want to dine in but carry out is it course an option. While I waited for my friends I had a chance to talk to the gentleman in charge and he was very kind and seemed very passionate about the food and the business. It was nice to see. Now, on to the food but before I begin, I must let you know that I only took off one star because I want to try a plethora of things before making a 5 star decision. And I'd love for them to turn up the music on the tv a little. It'll add to the atmosphere and ambience of the place! We had samosas with mint and tamarind chutney, garlic naan, butter naan, mango lassi, chicken korma, chicken tikka masala, goat biryani served with raita and a gravy on the side. So here's the breakdown: Samosas: A bit on the smaller side but with a crisper outer wrap, good flavor and chutneys compliment them nicely. 2 per order. Garlic Naan: soft, well flavored Butter Naan: Delicious and soft but I 'd ask for one more slather of butter. Chicken Korma: My friend ordered this but I tasted it and since I never order Korma I have nothing to compare it to but it was very enjoyable. Chicken Tikka Masala: WONDERFUL! Yum! Goat Biryani: 4/5 the goat was tender, plenty of it, great portion and wonderfully delicious. Only wish it was spicier because even after asking for max spice it was pretty mellow (I have a very high spice tolerance) and so I'm hoping next time it can be kicked up a notch. But still I'll order again and hubby loved it. The raita tasted a little different than what I'm used to but I can't pinpoint exactly what it was but since the biryani wasn't spicy, I didn't really use it. The gravy on the side was unique to me and I didn't get a chance to ask what it was exactly but it still tasted good. Mango Lassi: creamy, sweet and the perfect drink for our meal. We even ordered two more to take home! I ordered some chicken tikka masala to go and my husband and daughter ate that with my leftover of goat biryani and this is what he said while eating it, "This is incredible! So good! This is better than _______________ (intentionally left blank out of consideration for said restaurant." My 11 year old daughter, "That was so good mom! I'm a fan. When can you take me there?" I highly suggest you go here to enjoy a nice meal with family, friends or even a date. The menu is very extensive, has lots of options and you'd be hard pressed to not find something everyone could enjoy. And for my veggie lovers, there are plenty of vegetarian options but show me the meat! I'm looking forward to going through many more menu options and I will be updating my review accordingly. I'll gladly support this family and small business as long as they keep putting out delicious food made with passion and love!! That is all!

Drove in today to try this place! Can't recommend this enough. Their Goat biryani is excellent and so is their Garlic fried rice combined with their speciality kababs! Do try thier tandoori Pomfret. That was brilliant with their mint sauce. The owner and the chef did a marvelous job in bringing Indian home cooked comfort food here.

I am always on the hunt for some good, hearty, wholesome biriyani that I personally don't have to make. (Let's be honest here...I don't cook biriyani. I'll leave that to my mom.) We were in town for the weekend and the craving hit so I ordered the mutton biriyani (extra spicy of course) as well as coffee and masala chai. Both drinks are given to you with milk in it but no sugar added. They gave us sugar packets on the side. I don't believe they have a milk alternative option. My favorite portion of the meal ended up being the drinks! Their coffee took me back to drinking coffee in India made by my grandma. So comforting! I'll go back just for the drinks to be honest. The biriyani was ok. They gave plenty of meat but there was no extra kick at all. I would be open to trying others the next time I'm in town.

First time diner. Very impressed with the quality and freshness of the meal. Did light spice but would add a bit more next time. Definitely will come back.

My brother & I were raised in Durban, South Africa, legendary for their Indian curry dishes. (Google "Durban Curry" and you'll want to pay a visit!) Good news though - you can save lots of travel money and just visit Joy's Biryani N Kababs instead. Wow - Excellent samoosas & lamb cury & garlic naan. More than that, the place was spotless, and the service was excellent. Generous portions too - a couple could easily split a meal here and almost have enough to take some home. ("almost" because it's too delicious!) The only (minor) criticism is that the menu is very long and complicated compared to South Africa, where the choices are: Chicken Curry, Lamb Curry, or Bean Curry. I'm sure everything is good, but it would take a LONG time to try everything on the menu. (Hmmmmm, maybe that would be a good New Years Resolution for 2024) [Note to management: Bunny Chow (Google THAT) would make a nice addition. There are thousands of South Africans in NC who would make the pilgrimage to Joy's if you did! I'll post a pic to give you an idea.]

Awesome and amazing food, I ordered from this place on Uber eats. I was a bit skeptical of this place, because I am Indian and I was doubting this place. I said why not and let me tell you this place did not disappoint, I had the chicken 65 biriyani and I did medium. I was happy I did that because I am all about the flavor and not letting the spice overpower it. I would recommend doing medium, and do not I repeat do not go higher. The point of Indian food is the spice to a certain level, but the quality of taste is what matters. Overall amazing and legit spot, I think ordering through Uber eats was a bit expensive. At the same time I have enough food for the week for 1 person

I ordered two dosas, one cheese and the other an onion/potato. The chutneys were delicious. The sambar was also quite good. The dosas themselves, however, were quite greasy. The cheese was also shredded cheddar you'd buy at a grocery store, and not the traditional paneer or other types of Indian cheeses you might usually find in a cheese dosa. Very bizarre and was not appetizing. There's another Indian restaurant in Pineville that has southern Indian food and I'll be sticking to it for dosas in the future.

Solid clean Indian food. I'm a beginner when it comes to ordering and keep things simple. We order biryanis and tandoori chicken and it was delicious and craved for more. When we ordered takeout the second time we picked up the wrong order which was 100% vegan. We called back to complain and they did not charge us. We tried the food and although we are not vegan the food was still tasty. I would go back the naan is excellent too and the owner did the right thing by not charging us.

The food is always amazing!! My friend suggested we try the mixed grill! This is enough to feed at least 4 people! Service is always amazing everyone is always nice. Great cozy place to dine in.

What a great experience! The restaurant is clean and open. THE FOOD is OUTSTANDING !!! This is the most fresh, flavorful and authentic Indian food I have EVER experienced! Eat here!

Delicious goat biryani and Mysore masala dosa! Generous portions and the biryani was full of meat. I ordered to go via the website and everything was packed neatly.

We were looking for a good Mediterranean restaurant last night and stumbled across Joy's! WOW was the food, the service and the overall experience WONDERFUL! We had the cauliflower appetizer (Gobi 65), the Pakora, the Mutter Paneer, the Lamb Seekh Kabab (pictured) and the Chicken Malai Kabab (my absolute favorite - I could eat this everyday!). We could not stop talking about how delicious the meal was all night afterwards and how glad we are that we found this gem of a restaurant! I couldn't recommend it more!! We will DEFINITELY be back and SOON!!

We decided to stop in at Joy's tonight since we live nearby and had never taken the time to visit. I'm so happy we did! We have tried other Indian in the immediate area, but I think this is our favorite so far. They have a great mix of food. As usual, we were excited to try a new spot so we ordered a ton of food. We started with the gobi Manchurian (phenomenal and so crispy) and samosas. Then we ordered a dosa and an order of the chicken kadai with a side of butter naan. The chicken kadai was so delicious I am already excited for the leftovers tomorrow! The naan and dosa were also great, but I was feeling full by this point. My husband rounded out the meal with a mango lassi, which got high ratings from both of us. Very creamy and very mango-y. It was super clean inside and everyone was so friendly and even gave us a little cake to try while we waited for food. My only complaint is that we wanted the food to be more spicy! Can't wait to go back!

Wee were skeptical to try this new place as it had only two reviews but we are glad to went to this restaurant and tried their food. We ordered chicken malai kabab. Goat biryani and chicken lal Maas. The goat pieces in the biryani was exceptionally soft and not chewy atall. The taste was out of the world. Everything was fresh. I was excited to try lal Maas as this is a unique dish which is not available in majority of the menu. The taste did not disappoint me. Malai chicken was spot on in taste with smoky flavor. The green chutney which accompanied the kabab was yummy too. I would definitely try this again and request the people out their to give them a try. You will not be disappointed.

Joy's Biryani was a delight. Best curry in the Charlotte area and best curry I've tasted in a long time. The lamb was tender and flavorful. Spices were amazing. Rice was cooked perfectly. Garlic naan was delicious. We will definitely return.

Been here about 5/6 times now, for lunch and dinner. They are the new kid on the block and have some great options. I find it better to sit and eat at the restaurant since the food presentation is really good. The wiater/servers.staff are really good at thier job. They make you feel welcome and just overall they do an amazing job. And last, but not least, their food is amazing !!! The spice level is great, it is what it should be for Indian food. The quality is also great, I have never felt bloated after a meal here. 100% would recommend.

Excellent place to come for an authentic Indian meal. My girlfriend and I split the saag with chicken- best chicken saag I've had in Charlotte. Friendly owners and a great value. Would recommend and will be back very soon

Delicious food in an unassuming location. The food speaks for itself in flavor, everything we got was tasty and fresh!

Indian here who tends to just cook at home, but Joy's us amazing and I've ordered from here frequently. Delicious biryani and goat saag, though heavy on the bones. Definitely go to comfort food. Pricy but biryani is good quantity. Did airways delivered hot and smells delicious. Always abide by requested spicy level.

I have never been to the actual restaurant but our company orders lunch through Foodsby from Joy's Biryani N Kabobs. The chicken tikka masala has just the right kind of spice. The chicken is perfectly tender and delicious. I am not usually a fan of green peppers, but the ones in this dish have been cooked to sweet perfection. I am definitely going to try some of their other dishes.

Great food, great service! I definitely recommend you stop and try it. They are also open on Monday.

Awesome decor, Awesome food, lovely aroma & flavors. This is my go-to best Indian cuisine in Charlotte, NC Plus great service. Chicken Tikka Masala was great. Samosa was great. Naan Bread was super fresh. Thank you. Instagram: @yalla.sam

We tried this place for the first time. We tried fish, chicken, biryani, and Kofta. Everything was good. Kofta had a little too much creamy but still good. Prices are reasonable. We will go back there again.

Excellent food, Chicken Tikka Masala & Samosa takeout lunch today was simply perfect @yalla.sam on Instagram

It was so delicious! I ordered paneer butter masala and my partner ordered chicken biryani. Garlic naan was phenomenal! We will come back again!

Food was very good, would definitely come back again and recommend others to go. costumer service was very good handle myself and other guests with proper care.

Good so far, I tried the chicken tikka Masala with garlic naan and lamb kabobs. Up there with the best Indian food I've ever had

My go to place for delicious Indian food! We just recently discovered Joy's and we're addicted! The food is fresh and so so tasty! Our favorites are the biryanis - we get it almost weekly and try out different items as well. This is a small family run restaurant. Give it a try and you will not be disappointed!

I enjoyed the large menu .. food was extremely tasty. The curry and tandoori chicken was excellent. We tried their desert, Gulab Jamun, was an amazing treat to end the meal .

My friend and I went to eat here last week; the service was fantastic and the food was authentic and really tasty. The curries had plenty of chicken and he was able to adjust the spice really well. If you can handle spice, you should definitely get "Indian spicy"! Overall, it was a great experience and even the restaurant was so beautiful inside.

I have never eaten at this restaurant but after what I saw today I would never. The delivery driver dropped domes food off outside our community gate and left it. He didn't even attempt to go into the gate.