Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine
Indian restaurant · Hyde Park ·

Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine

Indian restaurant · Hyde Park ·

Classic Indian & Pakistani dishes, aromatic biryani, flaky baklava

butter chicken
garlic naan
chicken tikka masala
biryani
mango lassi
chicken karahi
naan
malai boti
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine by null

Information

1086 N First St, San Jose, CA 95112 Get directions

$10–20

Reserve a table
Order delivery
See Menu
Restroom
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Cozy
Good for groups

Information

Static Map

1086 N First St, San Jose, CA 95112 Get directions

+1 408 477 2914
karimirestaurant.com
@karimirestaurant

$10–20 · Menu

Reserve a table

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Cozy
•Good for groups
•Good for solo dining
•Touristy

Last updated

Jan 16, 2026

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2026 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@eater
391,688 Postcards · 10,992 Cities

Former Waiter Accuses Restaurant Owner of Threats, Forcing Him to House His Co-Workers | Eater SF

"I read that a server at Karimi Restaurant in San Jose is suing his employer, alleging the owner Rifakat Saiyed threatened deportation and warned he would "destroy him and his family." The lawsuit claims the employee was underpaid by about $80,000 over nearly four years, was forced to house two other employees at his apartment (where three Karimi employees and a fourth person remain and face potential eviction), and was coerced to "affirmatively misrepresent" that Saiyed’s wife worked at the restaurant to obtain COVID-related unemployment benefits. The server, Afwan Mohammed, who arrived from India on a student visa and was the main leaseholder of the apartment, filed a temporary restraining order against Saiyed in September that was approved; Saiyed has denied the harassment claims and could not be reached for comment." - Dianne de Guzman

https://sf.eater.com/2023/3/17/23644973/san-jose-karimi-restaurant-lawsuit
Karimi Indian and Pakistani Cuisine

rachana K.

Google
I had the chicken karahi, the flavor was good, but the meat pieces were a bit big and saltier than I prefer. Still, pretty solid for the price. The tandoori naan went really well with it, and the chicken seekh kebab was also good for what it cost. The only thing I didn’t love was the carrot halwa , it didn’t taste fresh. Overall, decent food and good value.

Damon

Google
Best Indian food that I've ever had. Staff is welcoming and made excellent recommendations. The food came out incredibly hot within 5ish minutes of ordering. Everything that I ordered was made with fresh ingredients with bold, but balanced flavors. Not overly oily and the meat was cooked perfectly. The desert is equally good. My only recommendation would be to have table servers and a beer selection but this is a meal that I won't forget for many years.

Natali A

Google
I recently visited the wonderful Karimi restaurant and was impressed. The kebabs, made with beef, lamb and chicken, were incredibly delicious — perfectly spiced and perfectly cooked. Every bite was full of flavor and tenderness. The naan bread was soft and fresh. For dessert, I enjoyed the baklava, which was sweet, flaky and perfectly balanced. I highly recommend this place for those who love traditional Pakistani cuisine!

Elie S.

Google
This place was recommended by a coworker, and I thoroughly enjoyed everything we ordered. While my previous experience with South Indian biryani was different, this style was still quite tasty. The gosht was amazing—the beef was juicy and tender, and the roti/naan made everything perfect. The service was great, and considering they had just wrapped up an event, our food arrived quickly. I’m definitely going back to try their nihari.

Toluwanimi Olatunde- Salawu (.

Google
Great choice for desi food! There weren't too many people and we (three of us) got a table pretty quickly. Our food was out within about 10 minutes of ordering. I got the Chicken Tikka Masala and Butter Naan (My absolute Fav!!) AND I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED! The Chicken Masala was so delicious, creamy, buttery and savory! I had to get another order of Naan to wrap up my Masala but it was worth it! Oh and of course, I got a Mango Lassi which was fantastic! Loved the service and the overall experience! Definitely would recommend!

Pioneer

Google
Great mix of Indian and Pak food at reasonable price. There place is clean and offers quick service with lots of room... The kabobs and meat are of great taste... This is more of a pay first, food next type which makes you reorder every time you need more... But the staff is very friendly and helpful... Definitely worth a stop

Shahab S.

Google
Here’s a Tried Karimi Indian Restaurant and the first bite genuinely wowed me — rich, bold flavors that hit the spot right away! The chicken biryani was aromatic and perfectly spiced, and the chicken tikka masala had that creamy, tangy goodness I love. The butter naan was soft, buttery, and ideal for scooping up every last bit of sauce. I also tried their baklava, which was warm, flaky, and topped with just the right amount of crushed pistachios — a sweet finish to a heavy meal. That said, while everything tasted great, I did find it very hard to digest — even 15 hours later, I was still feeling the weight of it. Flavor-wise: solid. But be ready — your stomach might need backup.

Kanwal S.

Google
First time here and loved it! The food was delicious, the place was clean, and the atmosphere was calm. We ordered many items for under $100—totally worth it. Highly recommend if you love desi food

Aiza Z.

Yelp
I drive from Fremont for Karimi because the food is just that delicious. The staff is nice, very attentive if you need anything - the food always comes out fresh & hot. The serving sizes are really good because they do not skimp out on the meat. Restaurant is kept clean. Delicious Pakistani food!!!
google avatar

Mark C.

Yelp
Out of this world flavors! absolutely EVERYTHING here is just decadently tasty. Their desserts offer a punch of flavor in the mouth, and it's a sport to experience the texture. it is simply perfection. My family and I tried the Malai phirni and the Chai tea. and OMG please come in a treat yourself.. or more like spoil yourself to some of their sweets! and also the dessert gets sold out QUICK so with some luck you can get one for yourself!
google avatar

Sashidhar R.

Yelp
We have always ordered takeout here. Their Malai Boti is probably the best I've had in town - Mild, soft, juicy and yumm! Hence the 4/5. We decided to dine in on a weekend lunch and eating experience wasnt the same. We ordered Malai Boti, Seekh Kebab, Biryani for us and Paneer Tikka Masala for the kid. Malai Boti didnt quite land like the takeout for me - overly roasted on that day. Seekh Kebab was soft, moderately tasty however a lot of whole coriander seeds in mince mix was a turnoff. Biryani was a miss for me - it lacked a bit of flavor and was quite dry. Our kid enjoyed the makhani gravy with tandoori rotis.
google avatar

Darlene A.

Yelp
My friends and I were looking for a spot without long wait, something hearty and we came across Karimi Indian Restaurant rant near Japantown in San Jose. The place has a casual, no frills, cafeteria vibe. We ordered a few dishes to share: * Chicken Tikka Breast & Butter Chicken : Both dishes were incredibly flavorful & cooked perfectly. The chicken breast stayed juicy and tender, the butter chicken sauce was rich, creamy, packed with spice and depth. It had that perfect balance of buttery smoothness with a subtle heat that makes you want to keep going back for another bite. * Garlic Naan : Soft, pillowy, and so garlicky, just how naan should be. It paired perfectly with the curries. * Beef Samosa : Crispy on the outside with a savory, well-seasoned filling inside. Great appetizer to start with. * Palak Paneer : so comforting and delicious. The spinach gravy was well-spiced, coating the paneer cubes perfectly. It's also quite interesting that they offer Indo-Chinese options like Hakka Garlic Noodles & Szechuan Fried rice. If you're ever looking for solid, flavorful Indian food around the area, this place is definitely worth checking out.
google avatar

Lily H.

Yelp
After a day hanging around in San Francisco, decided to get some Indian food for dinner that opened past 8PM and chose Karimi Restaurant in San Jose. My initial attempt to order online through Yelp was a bit of a challenge, as the system wouldn't allow me to remove items from my cart. It was a bummer, but I just called the restaurant instead. The food was ready for pickup in about 30 minutes or so. Ordered the butter chicken, chicken biryani, and garlic naan. The first thing I noticed was how heavily spiced the food was, which was great, but it's a good heads-up for others you might want some water or milk nearby if you're sensitive to spicy food. The garlic naan was perfect for dipping into the rich and flavorful butter chicken sauce. The chicken biryani was decent in good portions. I had expected boneless chicken, but it was bone-in. However, the meat was so incredibly tender that the bones were easy to remove. Overall, it was a very satisfying and flavorful meal. I'd definitely recommend Karimi Restaurant for a good Indian meal in San Jose.
google avatar

Martin P.

Yelp
We've ordered takeout from here several times and our order usually includes butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, goat biriyani, beef haleem, chicken hallow noodles and naan. The food is delicious but along with this great taste can also be very oily(especially the butter chicken with a layer of oil/butter on top) and the spice level can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. But flavors are authentic and you will not be disappointed.

Sule S.

Yelp
Excellent people, excellent food. My weekly spot for great food. The choices are really good. Their lamb chops is something you must try.
google avatar

Sammi L.

Yelp
Came to Karimi with friends who have been regulars since they stumbled across it. We ordered the chicken malai boti and butter chicken with roti (and later garlic naan). The chicken malai boti was amazingly tender, really doesn't need a knife to cut it, and the butter chicken was super flavorful. For 3 people, the portions were perfect (we got a double order of the malai boti). Service was quick and friendly. Water and dishes/utensils are self-serve. Street parking was also readily available. It was nice to come into the air conditioning on a hot evening, too. Excited to add Karimi to our regular rotation of local spots.
google avatar

Alexis Z.

Yelp
Wow the food is amazing! Just like we remember it when we used to live in Jackson heights, queens. We ordered the butter chicken, palak paneer, chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, chicken boti, and OMG... speechless!! Right amount of spice/heat. So that you can enjoy the flavors from each dish. All and all .. gotta try them all! Oh I forgot to mention their malai something dessert is BOMB! amazing too. Great flavor and wonder mouth feel.
google avatar

Roneil S.

Yelp
Stopped in the area to fill gas at Cheveron when I got this great smell in the air. I look at my friend and he turns to me and says "dude that smells really good." So we park and walk around the corner when we see this restaurant. Walk in and it's fairly busy. After reviewing Yelp opinions and pictures, I decided to go with the chicken boti wrap. This wrap is packed with flavor and reminds me of a wrap I used to get back in the day from Chaat Cafe. My friend ordered the tikka masala with garlic naan. I did try that as well, and it was really good. Chicken was fresh, sauce was smooth and creamy with a lot of fresh masala flavors. This is a hidden little gem. Must try!
google avatar

G A.

Yelp
The food was tasty! Samosas, butter chicken, naan, cauliflower dish was done well. Service was quick too. It was not busy which was nice to just eat in peace.
google avatar

Russell W.

Yelp
Was visiting a friend in the area and was craving Indian food. Found this spot and decided to try it out. I wasn't expecting much, but was pleasantly surprised. They weren't busy, so was a little worried too. The space is pretty large, but nothing special to look at. In the end, everything was so yummy! From the goat curry to the biryani, all was very flavorful. The chicken was tender and moist. The best part of it all was that 5 adult males ate for LESS then $30 a person! Always love a good meal that doesn't break the bank!

simran j.

Yelp
This review comes from a place of deep disappointment and frustration. My entire team and I have been ordering from this restaurant for years, spending well over $100 per order on a frequent basis, simply because of its convenient proximity to our workplace. Furthermore, it offered one of the few Halal options available for a Muslim member of our staff, making it a necessary choice for team lunches. After repeated failures, food safety negligence, and frankly, insulting customer service, our long-term business is now officially finished. Here are four specific incidents that demonstrate the restaurant's failure to maintain basic quality and respect: 1. Unapologetic Food Inconsistency: I ordered two Chicken Tikka dishes. They were polar opposites: one was heavily oversalted and overly spicy, and the second had virtually no salt or taste at all. When I called to report the issue, the staff offered no apology. Instead, they made excuses, telling me, "Our chef did that, we will talk with him." A simple "We are sorry" would have gone a long way, but they lacked even that basic courtesy. 2. Disgusting Hygiene Failure and Absurd Denial: I found a long hair in my Biryani. When I called to report this serious hygiene lapse, I received an unbelievable response. The person on the phone actually stated, "We don't have girls in our kitchen, so this hair does not belong to us." This nonsensical and unprofessional reply is completely unacceptable and shows a shocking disregard for food safety and accountability. 3. Packaging Failure and Stale, Spoiled Food (A Recurring Nightmare): I ordered two Malai Boti dishes, which they packed together in a single small box. When I complained, they argued that I hadn't specified I needed two separate boxes. This is common sense! If a customer orders two items, they should be packaged individually. The consequences of this decision were worse than the poor service: the heat from the chicken generated excessive steam, which cooked and spoiled the fresh green salad packed underneath. The salad turned into a watery mess and smelled terribly stale and pungent. I had to throw the entire meal away. I even offered to buy them food containers myself, or suggested they ask customers to bring their own, that's how desperate I was for a quality meal. Crucially, this is not a new issue. Two years ago, I faced the exact same problem ordering four Malai Boti in one box. I called, they promised to "take care of it in the future," and I foolishly deleted my previous negative Yelp review. Clearly, they did not care then and they do not care now. 4. Serious Food Safety Warning for All Customers (Direct Foil Contact): To all future customers: The restaurant consistently wraps hot items like Naan, Boti rolls, and other breads directly in aluminum foil. They do not use a protective butter paper liner. According to food safety guidelines, hot, acidic, or salty foods should not have direct, prolonged contact with aluminum foil as it can cause a chemical reaction. Despite repeated requests and promises from them to correct this dangerous practice, they forget every single time. My final advice: Bring your own butter paper for your breads and rolls. Better yet, find a restaurant that treats its customers with respect, maintains basic hygiene, and cares about food safety.
google avatar

Scott H.

Yelp
The skinny: Fresh and delicious Free masala chai Decent portions Clean bathrooms The lengthy: Date with the wife after long morning of shopping. Indian/Pakistani food is too spicy for the kids, so we went to get our spice meter filled up. Place was empty around 1130a on Black Friday. Ordering was super easy: butter chicken, lamb curry, plain naan, garlic naan. Butter chicken: small and moist pieces of chicken; balanced sweet and creamy sauce Lamb curry: tender meat, spicy sauce Naan: both tasty, excellent balance of chewy and crispy; portion small but still worth it Overall, the food was flavorful. Mixing the two sauces was terrific: sweet, creamy, and spicy. Bill came to $46 total. Pricey but the quality was there and we had a little leftover from both meat dishes; just need to find some more naan... Also: You can ask for masala chai, even though it's not on the menu anywhere!... it was pre-sweetened, but i thought it was good. If i am in the area again, i would like to go back. :)
google avatar

Didi N.

Yelp
Randomly went here because I was craving Indian and I am so happy I did because it's my new favorite Indian spot in San Jose. The food was delicious and affordable. The service was pretty quick and standard. The inside of the restaurant is pretty spacious and has a lot of seating. For food we got butter chicken and requested it spicy and the shrimp fried rice (I'm basic I know). The butter chicken was perfectly spiced and so freaking delicious. I asked for it super spicy and it came out perfect. My brother ordered the shrimp fried rice and it came with hella shrimp. Super flavorful and decent portions. I will definitely be coming back and trying new things.
google avatar

Yaanki B.

Yelp
Good wraps overall, wish they had an option for paratha wraps not just naan wraps, but good tasting, we always go stakeout so service for the takeout has been quick Simple ambiance, nothing fancy - we don't dine in, just take togo
google avatar

Betty N.

Yelp
Came during lunch. Place was moderate busy, spacious and clean. Friendly customer service, but the butter chicken tasted more like chicken tikka masala, was oily, and tasted old but they did what they could to make it seem fresh. Chicken was tough and spices needed more toasting. Garlic naan was pretty good. The main dish I like is butter chicken, so I most likely won't be back.
google avatar

Brenda D.

Yelp
My lunch buddy and I usually try a new restaurant when we go out to lunch. Karimi was on our radar since it is close to another new restaurant we tried. We walked in and looked at the overhead menu. I asked the gentleman at the register what chicken curry dishes were spicy. He offered a couple of suggestions, and I went with the Achari chicken curry. He asked if I wanted garlic naan. Yes! And he asked if I wanted rice. Yes! And I can share with my lunch buddy. We paid and sat down. You can self-serve water, which is located down the counter from the register. Another thing I noticed is you can also self-serve your plates and utensils. I realized this when one of the employees was providing them to the patrons. The food was delicious! The Anchari chicken was not too spicy and was just right. The rice was warm and fluffy, and the garlic naan was soft and warm. The entrees are ala carte since the rice and naan are additional costs. They have a large dining space. It can get noisy with everyone talking, so it's difficult to have a conversation. Overall, food and service was great, and I will definitely be back.
google avatar

Rahul K.

Yelp
Solid choice if you are in mood for Pakistani food, especially kabobs and curries. Stuck up a nice conversation with the waiter, who was from Hyderabad (india) The service was prompt and nice and the food hit the spot. Malai kabob was the best that I had in the bay. Have gone back several times since
google avatar

Pranathi B.

Yelp
Finally made it to Karimi as we wanted to try Haleem. We learnt they only have beef Haleem after we got there though. So we got chicken boti kebab, chicken seekh kebab, chicken and goat biryani. I asked for a curry recommendation and got the chicken karahi as well. Good stuff first, the chicken karahi was a delicious, thick gravy without overwhelming spices and a wonderful zip of heat from the ginger juliennes. Absolutely loved it. I highly recommend getting this. The rest of the items were disappointing though. The chicken boti kebab felt undercooked, it didn't have any pink inside but just trying to cut through it felt painful, definitely not on the overcooked range of spectrum rather the undercooked side. The chicken seekh kebab was cooked well but needed more flavor. The chicken biryani was also mildly flavored.
google avatar

Daya E.

Yelp
This is the best Indian food I've had in a while! The chicken tikka masala was flavorful with just the right amount of spice. The naan was soft and delicious, and the vegetable samosas and sauces had me in a trance. The staff was very kind and welcoming, which made the experience even better. Despite being very busy with both dine-in and DoorDash orders, the service was impressively quick and our food came out in good time. The lively ambiance makes it a perfect spot to bring family. Lots of families with kids were dining in, which added to the atmosphere. It's so good that I'm already planning to come back with my family
google avatar

David Q.

Yelp
Awesome butter chicken and garlic naan. Definitely coming back! Fair price for good quality Indian food
google avatar

Prasiddha H.

Yelp
Had a chance to pick up some food from this awesome place and it was delicious! A friend of mine recommended this spot to me and I'm glad we tried it. For the price and food you will get it's awesome. The ambiance is on the chiller side and the service is really fast for takeout (from my experience.) I ended up trying: Butter chicken - creamy and delicious - I loved how they did not skimp on the chicken! Chicken leg - this was delicious and flavorful with really good seasoning. This was grilled to perfection and came with a nice green sauce Overall the food was delicious for takeout and I was happy with the flavors. I would try this again!

mike h.

Yelp
Food was excellent! There was not much service, but maybe they were understaffed when we went. Only one guy taking orders
google avatar

Elizabeth N.

Yelp
I figured it was time to update my review and I'm happy to report that not much has changed. The food here always hits the spot. The chicken biriyani is always cooked to perfection, the chicken tikka masala has quickly turned into my favorite dish from them. My boyfriend loves eating his food with the garlic and butter naan. The service is always great and whoever is at the register, they are always friendly and helpful. They still have a lot of tables and chairs for you to sit at or you can take the food to go. Either way the food is always yummy.
google avatar

Rachel L.

Yelp
I enjoyed all the food here! I've been trying to expand my palette when it comes to Indian cuisine, as I always stick to the basics of butter chicken and chicken tikka. I ordered chicken biryani, butter chicken, aaloo palak, and plain naan. Everything was super delicious flavor wise, but I think I prefer my butter chicken more smooth. The one here is still delicious but the consistency is a little chunkier than what I prefer. The chicken in both the biryani and the butter chicken were super tender and fell apart so easily. The aaloo palak was also great! I loved the garlic and slightly citrusy flavor. The workers here were super friendly and food came out pretty fast. The interior is pretty dim but there's lots of white light.
google avatar

Annabelle R.

Yelp
Ordered dinner for takeout, 2 beef seekh kababs (chutney sauce on the side), chicken samosas (6 small pieces for the karimi special), vegetable samosas (2 larger sized samosas per order). Portions were large enough for leftovers, and everything was super tasty, the kababs seasoned well and served with fresh veggies, the samosa shells slightly crisp with a light buttery flavor, filled with a great combination of ingredients, and the sauces on the side added the perfect spice (my mouth wasn't exactly on fire, but the meal was spicy enough to keep it interesting). Service was friendly, patient, and efficient with a 10-15 minute wait time for my order to be ready. There's plenty of indoor seating at the restaurant and free street parking out front if you're lucky (more street parking in the neighborhood, on the other side of the Chevron gas station). In terms of quality and value, definitely 5 stars.
google avatar

Rahul A.

Yelp
While I was not disappointed in my meal, it was too sweet and not spicy at all. The service is otherwise better than I expected from a dhaba style restaurant like pakwan or shalimar. The interior is also very spacious and I am glad the carry the best kulfi brand (crown kulfi)! I would not return, but the food is acceptable.
google avatar

Mitali A.

Yelp
They have the best butter chicken (serves sufficiently well for 2 people) along with onion kulcha or garlic naan. We also had their chicken biryani and the flavors were just perfect. The service was top notch with the servers were being very attentive to our needs. They made sure we had everything we ordered .
google avatar

Brij C.

Yelp
Great food, great service, chill and peaceful place, easy parking and restaurant is not too busy. I will be a regular customer.
google avatar

Debbie L.

Yelp
Was on a business trip and stopped here for lunch. Amazing flavors! I cannot get the same quality where I live. The service was friendly and food came out fast. The following is just FYI for SINGLE FEMALE DINERS: It was a little dark inside and there were all guys in this restaurant, including a construction worker who winked at me. Just a little awkward.

Ayesha K.

Yelp
If you're looking for authentic pakistani/non-vegetarian Indian food - this is the spot! I love the tandoori chicken, nihari and their Haleem. Biryani is decent too. Service is fast.
google avatar

Kevin T.

Yelp
Karimi was busy on Saturday night. I was putting in extra hours at work and ordered Butter Chicken and naan for dinner. The Butter Chicken was tender. Personally, I feel like it could've been seasoned a tad bit more. I opted for plain naan which was alright; chewy, and a bit dry. I'd say that it's a good value. I'll definitely be back to try the rest of their menu!
google avatar

Michelle V.

Yelp
Came here to pick up a big lunch on a Wednesday. ordering over the phone was super easy and the food was ready when I came to pick it up. There is parking space on the street and in a parking lot that is shared with the other restaurants around. The store had an ample amount of people that looked like workers from the companies nearby. I ordered the bhel puri, chicken biryani, butter chicken, aloo tiki chat, onion kulcha, beef samosas, and a mango lassi. Bhel puri: This was my first time trying it, and I think it is a thing I needed to enjoy at a restaurant and not do takeout for. Since it was warm, there was condensation in the box, and the rice crispies were not crunchy anymore. That was my bad though. The flavors were still good. Chicken biryani: This lasted me 4 meals because the rice was absolutely packed in the box. They are generous with their portion of me as well. I think there must have been two or three pieces of thighs/a drumstick in there. Butter chicken: This was the thickest butter chicken I've ever had. It was almost like a paste. I prefer it to be more runny, although it was very easy to pick up with the onion kulcha. Flavors were good. Onion kulcha: It was also my first time trying this. I wanted something more substantial and different from the usual garlic naan. The onions inside the bread were delicious, although it was unevenly made. Some of the bread was burnt while some parts had raw dough. Aloo tiki chaat: Lots of different flavors going on here that meshed well together. If you love, potatoes, and chickpeas, this is a solid appetizer. I could get full on it alone. Beef samosas: I deviated from the usual veggie samosas at the recommendation of other Yelpers. The beef inside the samosas were spicy and flavorful. It was too spicy for some of my cousins, although it was just fine for me. It came with a mint chutney and tamarind sauce. It was perfectly textured, crispy and hot. Mango lassi: The mango lassi was thick and sour. Took me a while to drink it but it was a nice palate cleanser for the other foods in the order. Overall, I enjoyed the extensive options that this restaurant had as well as its customer service. Highly recommend!
google avatar

Joel Jz Z.

Yelp
At an event nearby and looked for a really food meal not too far from the hotel. This place and a few others popped up on Yelp. So I stopped in for dinner tonight on my own. I had to order at the counter, with a very kind helpful gentleman, who seemed in charge. decent seating inside and clean. Numbers on the tables to let the staff know what to bring to each.. I started with assorted Samosa's. and for dinner, I had the sagg paneer, beef kabob ( really a kaftan kabob), chicken tikka masala, and a little rice. Let's start with the people. Very nice and extremely friendly. the samosas seemed a little small but were good. sagg panner chicken tikka and beef kabob were all just good. I have had so much better but maybe for this area it is the best. It seemed like a steady stream of door dash and pick-up business. as I was leaving, the place began to fill up.
google avatar

Michael K.

Yelp
The food was basic and nothing special. I spent $40 and feel i should have just went somewhere more classy.
google avatar

Mashru A M.

Yelp
They gave us old stale garlic nun that was re-baked and burnt. Nun was really hard to chew and that only happens with stale nun. HORRIBLE.
google avatar

R A.

Yelp
Great place. Delicious masala chai, good food, nice employees . I got the saag paneer and naan. They bring you a bottle of water which is a nice touch.
google avatar

Baljeet S.

Yelp
We ordered, Chicken tikka masala, butter naan and tandoori chicken. Food was alright. Chicken tikka masala ain't that good Last when we visited we had samosas which tasted good. So, shall also recommend that.
google avatar

Vidya R.

Yelp
I am a vegetarian and loved their aloo tikki chat , bhindi masala , chole bhature and garlic naan . The mango lassi was also good . The service was outstanding and one of the best I have got . The staff was very kind explaining what we can eat , got me some onion and chutney and very kindly reminded us that we hadn't paid . Though the food isn't Pakistani but I loved it .
google avatar

Judy Y.

Yelp
I got the most popular dish - butter chicken and garlic naan. I would give both dishes a solid 3.5. It was good bc I love Pakistani food but it was pretty greasy. I felt slightly nauseous afterwards. I should have gotten the Tika masala, next time! The garlic Naan was good but not crispy. It was kinda moist probably bc it was made fresh and then it was in foil for awhile because I came about 45 min after it was made. There is plenty of parking in the lot behind it located on the other side, not on the side of the gas station. I stopped by for a pick up order on a Thursday for lunch, it was pretty decently packed which means they're doing things right. The person in front was friendly and smiled at me while on the phone. Good vibes. Would like to come back to try the other items.
google avatar

Vineesha D.

Yelp
After reading reviews, I wanted to try this restaurant. It is not in san jose downtown completely. They do have parking lot, so don't worry about parking. It doesn't look too good from outside but trust it is a lot better inside. After entering we need to order food first and then pick a table and place the number on it. They deliver the food to the table. We ordered Garlic Naan, Butter Naan, chicken Jalfrezi, Bhelpuri, Mango lassi, Chole Bhatura and Chai. Everything tasted really good, sadly we need to pay 1$ for chai now. But still it is worth it. For chole bhatura we asked for onions on side and they also gave us pickle along with that. Mango lassi was thick and tasty. I preferred Garlic naan as it was thinner than butter naan. The curries are not spicy at all, am planning to ask them more spicy next time. I am planning to visit them more often now. Food: 4 Service: 3.5
google avatar

Kellie M.

Yelp
I just moved back to San Jose after 2 years in San Diego for grad school and I missed Karimi's soooo much. I'm basic and ordered garlic naan, butter chicken, jeera rice and a mango lassi. My boyfriend and I ordered our own butter chicken because it's so good we refuse to share hehe Service was great, our cashier took our order and he was super friendly. Our food also came out fairly quickly, probably around 5 minutes or so? This is by far my favorite Indian food restaurant. I'll never stop coming here!!! And it is a small business as well, support your delicious local restaurant! You won't regret it. :)
google avatar

Shailee M.

Yelp
Ambiance- Nice Food - Great Delicious food. Perfect flavors. Paneer curry had extra oil but otherwise other curries like chhole was amazing. Service- quick -points 1. Few curry had ton of oil
google avatar

Megan T.

Yelp
Came here on a weeknight so it wasn't too crowded, my group of 5 easily got a table here. There is plenty of seating in the restaurant and you order at the counter. I ordered the chicken kofta and my boyfriend got the lamb saag, both were delicious! There was a decent amount of lamb, but I wish the kofta came with a little more meat. Overall the dishes were very flavorful and creamy. The garlic naan was also so fresh and fluffy. Prices are reasonable too for the amount of food you get, we got 2 dishes, 2 orders of naan, and a plate of rice and ur was ~$40- we had leftovers to take home. Only took off a star because of the amount of meat in the kofta, and it was a little too oily for my preference. I would return to reorder the lamb saag or try other menu items.
google avatar

Irene L.

Yelp
This may be my first experience eating Indian food at a restaurant. When you enter, you can tell that it's no fancy restaurant - it is a huge space that does not have the ordinary restaurant vibes. You order and pay at the register then grab a number stand to place at the table you choose to sit at. The gentleman at the register was super nice and recommended a few items to us. For 5, we ordered: - 2x Mango Lassi: 3/5 - thick but more on the bland side - Butter Chicken: 5/5 - plentiful pieces of chicken, super flavorful, has a kick of spice - Navratan Korma: 5/5 - great dish if you want a variety of veggies, super flavorful - Beef Nihari: 5/5 - this was one of my favs, beef was super tender, however I wish there more pieces to this dish - Paneer Tikka Masala: 4/5 - not a huge fan of paneer but sauce was flavorful - Garlic Naan: 5/5 - fresh, hot, garlicky - highly recommend! So so good even by itself - Goat Biryani: 5/5 - was worried the goat was going to be gamey but not at all, meat was tender, rice was good After this meal, I have become a huge fan of Indian food and this place has set the standards high. All the food items were rich in flavor. Looking forward to visiting again and trying new items on the menu!
google avatar

Kunal K.

Yelp
After years of dining at Shalimar in SF, one craves the authentic North Indian and/or Pakistani flavors. San Jose has great South Indian food with Biryanis that can test your heat tolerance but when you want something that's familiar, authentic, comfort and conveniently located, Karimi is the spot. Biryanis are great, rightly spiced , freshest fluffiest Naans, malai boti kebab was great and so was the lamb seekh. Chicken Kofta was really good too, slightly uncommon so it was definitely worth a try. We will make this our regular spot for a clean, flavorful, friendly se, casual dining.
google avatar

Alisa B.

Yelp
An affordable restaurant tucked away in Downtown SJ. They have lots of seating inside and a big menu to choose from. For takeout, an order takes only 15 minutes to prepare. Customer service is great here. If you like your naan on the softer side, this was some of the best I have had! Pillowy tender and absorbed the Chicken Tikka Masala perfectly. I'll definitely be back to try all their curries with the naan.
google avatar

Devi B.

Yelp
There is decent parking to the other side of the restaurant so this isnt an issue as some might be worried that this is close to downtown and have decent seating available inside as well. Coming to food, we tried Chicken Malai boti was the Winner here and this is juicy n tender n was amazing Chicken tikka leg was not good as it seemed to have too much color and taste was on bland side Samosa chat was good Chicken biryani was good this is more of Dum biryani and spice level was mild and taste was good. Couldn't wait to eat so have less pics