Namaste Cafe

Indian restaurant · East Isles

Namaste Cafe

Indian restaurant · East Isles

3

2512 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405

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Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by Namaste Cafe
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null
Namaste Cafe by null

Highlights

Homey venue with outdoor seating featuring Nepalese fare  

Featured in Eater
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2512 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405 Get directions

namastecafemn.com
@namastempls

$20–30 · Menu

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2512 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405 Get directions

+1 612 827 2496
namastecafemn.com
@namastempls

$20–30 · Menu

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Aug 20, 2025

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@eater

The Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Minneapolis and St. Paul | Eater Twin Cities

"This former Victorian home-turned-cozy-restaurant in Uptown is an excellent stop for Indian and Nepali cuisine. The whole menu here is organic: start with light and crispy bhel puri or little flavor parcels of golgappa. The aloo bodi or Punjabi spinach paneer make for hearty vegetarian entrees, and the tangy mango curry with tofu perfectly balances sweet, sour, and spicy notes. If you aren’t in any hurry, take a seat on Namaste’s patio and settle in with a chai." - Stacy Brooks

https://twincities.eater.com/maps/best-vegan-vegetarian-restaurants-minneapolis-saint-paul-twin-cities
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@eater

The Best Indian Restaurants Around Minneapolis and St. Paul | Eater Twin Cities

"Namaste Café leans more to the Nepali border than the Indian one — this former Victorian home-turned cozy restaurant in Uptown is an excellent stop for curries, chaats, and cocktails. The whole menu here is organic: Start with light and crispy bhel puri or little flavor parcels of golgappa (a.k.a. pani puri, a.k.a puchka). The aloo bodi or Punjabi spinach paneer make for hearty vegetarian entrees. Take a seat on Namaste’s patio and sip a homemade chai." - James Norton

https://twincities.eater.com/maps/best-indian-south-asian-restaurants-minneapolis-st-paul-twin-cities-mn
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@eater

Where to Find Fresh Chai in the Twin Cities - Eater Twin Cities

"Namaste Cafe serves masala chai made with black tea from eastern Nepal, blended with spices like cardamom, cinnamon, clove, ginger, and more. They offer various milk options and also sell Chiya Chai for home brewing." - Ali Elabbady

https://twincities.eater.com/2022/11/30/23486407/where-to-find-fresh-chai-latte-tea-coffee-masala-twin-cities-minneapolis-st-paul
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Rachel Loeslie

Google
I visited Namaste Café for lunch with a new friend and business connection for some networking and great conversation. The food was fabulous. The service was also amazing and as soon as you park your car, you will smell all of their wonderful dishes as you enter into their beautiful restaurant. We were lucky enough to enjoy our meal on the patio. What a great way to spend lunch highly recommend eating here for unique and delicious food.

lucy iburg

Google
Best food in Minneapolis, first time here and I truly loved everything I ate here . We were a large group so we tried so many dishes and loved everything, the mimosas and coconut chai tea were also delicious.

Kamal Rochlani

Google
Best and yummiest food! Loved the Chicken in mango curry 🍛 with Garlic paratha — absolutely delicious. The Spicy Masala tea was just perfect ☕️😋. Five stars to the chef, the ambience, and the amazing team. Please keep up the great work and continue running this beautiful cafe — places like this make the city feel warmer and happier!

Elizabeth Nguyen

Google
I have been dining at Namaste for almost two decades! My husband and I having been dining there for date night for 13 years. We moved from Minneapolis to the south metro (25 minutes away) and we still choose this place for date night. We can’t find any place that makes curry like they do. This place is so special and unique, I will always give it 5 stars. We recommend all the dishes. The chai and curry are fantastic. I have never had a bad experience. Eleanor, our server, was fabulous. She went out of her way to make us feel welcomed. I will go out of my way to get takeout from them as well. I hope this review finds you, and you get to experience fabulous dining.

Nick

Google
Really good Indian food. Some of the best I’ve had in the Twin Cities. Date night deal comes with a bunch of different options. Each has a unique flavor and the meal was very tasty. Drinks were okay, nothing amazing but solid. Atmosphere in the restaurant is not bad. Service is quite slow and not very attentive at times but not too bad. The price however was not good. $40 per person for dinner and drinks is way too high. Probably won’t be coming back here anytime soon because of the price, but the food is very good.

Ella Buzas

Google
Went for a date. Construction on the street made it difficult to park, but was very worth the hassle! Chai was delicious and food was incredible and filling. I would go again in a heartbeat!

Alane Klein

Google
Another stop on the twin cities vegan chef tour, we tried to order one of everything. Their dish for the challenge: Crispy Cauli Wings Spicy cauliflower, housemade buffalo glaze, fresh celery, creamy cashew ranch Thoughts: I wasn’t excited about cauliflower wings and thought it an odd choice. But holy buckets these were good!! Like maybe my favorite cauliflower wings of all time. We also shared: Pani Puri (I hear this can be difficult to find in the twin cities) Crunchy cabbage salad with roasted peanuts Coconut spinach Aloo Bodi Clearly a vegan will have no trouble finding something wonderful to eat here. Also the maple pecan chai was a special drink this month and very good (also very sweet) it reminded me of pumpkin pie. Several milk alternatives were available including oat. Bonus points for a very clearly labeled menu!!

Kaila Yim

Google
I love their food. I’ve never been disappointed. The customer service is warm, inviting, and very kind! Amazing restaurant!
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Jon A.

Yelp
We went there for our 33d wedding anniversary. They were fully staffed, very attentive to our table and the food was excellent! Paapri Chat, Almond and Shrimp Coconut curry, and aloo paratha. Wine, beer and cocktail selection were excellent.
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Danny A.

Yelp
Wow wow wow. There aren't enough good words for Namaste Cafe in Uptown! This cute little Victorian style home turned restaurant is an urban oasis escape from the otherwise bustling Hennepin Avenue. There is a gorgeous outdoor seating area in the front of the restaurant that wraps around the left side with plently of trees and bushes to provide privacy and damped the noice of the street. There is also a relaxing water feature to enjoy. Inside you will find a small dining area with half a dozen tables and the kitchen in the back. The food is excellent. Everything sourced locally from sustainable farms and made with passion. I love their selection of the Indian street food - Chaat, as well as their curry option AND the famous Chai. For real the Chai is the best in the cities. You have to try it.
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Kritika S.

Yelp
Wonderful dog-friendly outdoor patio with natural grape vines. This place has a huge collection of vegan/vegetarian dishes. Loved the maple pecan chai . Service was nice and our server even bought a water bowl for our fur baby !
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Peter N.

Yelp
Food: stopped by for the lunch specials. I got the creamy masala chicken and I liked it a lot. I got a level 3 spice level and it wasn't too spicy. We also got the chicken roti wrap and got a level 5 spice level on that one, if you can handle your spice, a level isn't too bad. Service: it wasn't busy when we stopped by and the server spent extra time with us to explain some of the dishes and drinks to us and were overall very helpful and friendly. Ambiance: this restaurant is a house converted to restaurant and it feels very homey. That and the fact that the food is served family style makes it feel like you're dining at home. Overall, I really liked the food and ambiance, will be going back to try the other dishes!
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Joel N.

Yelp
Splendid. The quality of the food really impressed me as someone who grew up eating Indian food in India. It's been 14 years since I've been to India, but Namaste Café made me feel right at home in Minnesota. The service was incredible and I really appreciated how we could take our time to look at the menu without pressure. They have a beautiful patio with outdoor seating and friendly smiles that just make it all better. Definitely will be back!
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Brianna Y.

Yelp
food tastes really good! such good flavor! however service is incredibly slow. im with a party of 6 and have been here for an hour and only two dishes have reached the table, the sad part is that the rest of the cafe is empty. there's only us and probably one more table. so sad but the food is great, just wished the wait wasn't an hour :((
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Summer F.

Yelp
Great chai menu and the food was decent overall. The space is adorable and is a wonderful location. I took stars off because the service is horrendous. Be prepared to sit for a long time before anyone even bothers to take your order. Your drink glass will sit empty and you will be forgotten, even if you are in the middle of the room. They continually forgot to bring the entree for one person at my table even after being asked about it three times and it was finally received when the other people in the group were finishing dessert. Glad I tried it, but I won't be back.

Mackenzie L.

Yelp
Went today, unfortunately was unable to try the food. Server took 45 minutes to get our order, which only then bc we had to go up and ask what we needed to do to put in an order. He took the order, another 30 minutes passed and we hadn't even gotten our chai. Because apparently he had completely forgotten us again. I was really looking forward to trying some of the stuff but im not sure if ill go back after the service unfortunately. Food and chai sounded really good but not worth it for the service we received. Especially since from what we noticed there was maybe 2-3 other tables some of which had already gotten their food.
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Chris P.

Yelp
The food was delicious - chicken curry, shrimp fried rice, and vegetable noodle lunch specials, with excellent mango lassi and cardamom chai. I loved sitting outside under the grape vines and watching the birds drink water from the fountain surrounding a Buddha statue. Service was friendly and fast. I am a neighbor and really want to support all the Hennepin Avenue businesses during this rough construction period. Nice to see people enjoying summer on the patios.
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Aaron K.

Yelp
Great food and people. Those spicy potatoes and to die for. Love palak paneer as well. Tried the vegan sandwich at the time and that was great too. Fun cocktails too!

Maryan W.

Yelp
Service was incredibly slow for one, I get having a new server, but half our order was missing. The amount of food you get for the price is criminal, the chai was watered down as well.
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Cole D.

Yelp
Made the trip to Uptown for some of the best curries around. Namaste is situated in a quaint house on Hennepin Ave and is the perfect setting for some homey comfort food. The chiya chili potatoes are a good warm up to any of the curries. Our favorites are the namaste special curry and the coconut, mushroom and tofu curry. Overall a great spot if you're looking to spice things up!
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Haley A.

Yelp
Took my parents to Namaste Cafe this weekend! We don't know a ton about Indian food but wanted to try. Our server was so helpful and informative! We tried so many different things and had such a fun time! My parents said it was their favorite part of the weekend
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Rishi S.

Yelp
Honestly, we were pretty disappointed with this place. We had come here after a lot of rave reviews about it, but the food was very underwhelming. The ambiance was cool, and they had some nice sculptures of buddha. The service was also great. The bheendi we got as well as the mango chicken curry we got were all pretty lacking in flavor, unfortunately. The garlic naan didn't have any garlic on it. I would recommend trying other restaurants as there are a lot of great options in the twin cities. Their chai was good. The aloo tikki was good as well, but it's hard to mess up chaat!
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Bob A.

Yelp
This is one of the best restaurants I've been to in Minnesota! For sure the best Indian restaurant. This is a place that I will always keep locked-and-loaded for when someone asks for a restaurant recommendation and I want to impress them. That's how good Namaste Cafe is. The main thing is the food, of course. I've come here several times and the food is always high quality and often really inventive. The inventiveness is particularly noticable among appetizers like Golgappa, Bombay Bhel Puri, and Chana Chatpat, which have flavors that reveal themselves in pleasant waves. The menu is extensive enough that there are many options for both vegetarians and carnivores. Portion sizes are perfect; I'd say the spiciness is on the "careful, we're Minnesotan" side because I have sometimes wished I'd asked for it to be spicier. The service has always been bursting with kindness and a genuine affection for their cuisine. The building itself appears to have been converted from a house, and in particular if you sit outside you feel like you're at someone's cute old house. They have indoor seating as well but I love it out front. Prices are just a touch on the high side, but the quality merits it. I dig this place and I'm excited to keep coming back.
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Erin A.

Yelp
It's a tiny little restaurant, so it's extra nice when the weather allows for patio use. The food is excellent and the dishes vary from much of what's offered by similar places. It's a great spot for both the vegetarian and the omnivore!
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Germaine B.

Yelp
One of my go-to spots in the twin cities.Delicious Indian-type cuisine, that "feels healthy." My favorite is their brunch menu; plus, you can't go wrong with a mango mimosa. If you don't like spicy, be careful of the fiery shrimp ... yummy but very hot! Cozy space, with indoor and outdoor options. If you can't dine in, it's also very easy to place an order for pick-up. I'm very lucky to live a few blocks away from Namaste Cafe, and they never disappoint!

joey s.

Yelp
Namaste Cafe offers great Indian food with a wonderful vibe. A delightful dining experience!
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Travis B.

Yelp
Terrible service. We ordered an appetizer and it took an hour for us to receive bread, and we they brought it to us it was cold. The server did not keep us updated at all. Waited over an hour and a half just to find out that our food order hadn't been put in. So after being notified about that, they offered to take our order again but at that point I just wanted to leave. They offered us free drinks instead of just taking the drinks off of the order that we already had placed, which didn't make sense because we had only received tea, a margarita, and cold bread, which we were charged full price for after they messed our order up. It sucks because I was excited about this place. The waiter that we had didn't even have the decency to come and tell us about the mix up, another one did.
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Katherine C.

Yelp
This is definitely a decent lunch spot and meet up with a friend or get a cup of chai and hang out for a bit. This past spring/summer it was really nice to sit at their outdoor seating and enjoy the weather. And now they have indoor dining (does require proof of vaccination) but their outdoor dining porch has a thick clear plastic covering around it so it's not too cold. I also think their online ordering is really convenient and COVID-conscious. Whenever I come here, I always get the chai - it is delicious and there are also a lot of flavor options that you can pick to get the spices/flavors you like in the chai. I will say I think their entrees are decent but not the best i've had, although I will have to try more of their entrees in future trips. I really like the lunch specials they have because it is affordable ($10-$12) and good portion size. Free street parking either on Hennepin or in the residential streets to the west of Hennepin.
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Helena Q.

Yelp
Lovely outdoor seating area! Overall, food was alright, but not particularly special. Pistachio cardamom chai (4.25$) was a little gritty, but otherwise tasty. Of the four dishes we tried, the chole (10.5$) and creamy masala curry (11$) were a little boring, not spiced very interestingly. The jackfruit bamboo shoot curry (17.5$) and coconut curry with tofu and mushroom (17.5$) had more interesting flavors, but weren't standout. All four came with some rice. I'd stop by again if I happened to be in the area, but wouldn't go out of my way.
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Jon H.

Yelp
Namaste Café came strongly recommended from a friend and I now understand why! The food was authentic and delicious. I got take out with some friends and the pick up process was very easy with minimal contact. I loved the Curry I got because it was extremely creamy but also had a nice spice. Got an order of garlic and cheese paratha to share- loved both kinds! Strongly recommend the Spicy Fried Potatoes- the dipping sauces all were unique and added to the flavor palette of the meal. Lunch prices were very reasonable- especially when splitting multiple entrees as a group (highly recommend as to try as many dishes)

Rebecca L.

Yelp
So so so good. I tried a LOT. Definitely try the Mamacha with lamb (momos) and the Creamy Masala Curry with chicken and a side of Bhatura. So I never knew the Golgappa was served cold - now I know! It's fresh like a ceviche but more like the chips and salsa of Indian food. The Chile Namaste with chicken is good too, as is the Aloo Paratha. Desserts: I've tried three, the Mango Custard, the Mango Sikarni, and the Rasmalai. In order of best to worst in flavor: Mango Sikarni, Rasmalai, and then the Mango Custard. Skip the Mango Custard. It's pretty, but I promise the others are better. However... the chai, and I've tried three, is nowhere near the stovetop version. It would almost be better if they narrowed down the selection and made it the traditional way instead of with the espresso machine milk frothing device. Sad face. So just drink something else. It's uptown so parking sucks especially in the winter, but park around the block and walk. The music and service are both peaceful and chill. The ambiance is great. I love the house vibe. I'll be back. I have so many more items to try.

Alison L.

Yelp
Loved the food and the great bar service. Make sure you ask what the drink of the day is! The patio was fun and the service was great.
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Yuri R.

Yelp
The food here was good, but the price for the amount of food that they gave was pricey in my opinion. I got the creamy masala curry (chicken) and it comes with white rice. I also got their roti. The roti was pretty big so it can be shared with two people. Also, when I went I had to seat myself and order through the bar code provided. And they don't have a parking lot, so it's street parking.
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Chezarael W.

Yelp
I would have to say I love the chicken masala so much here over the Indian palace because it's cleaner less grease and less veggie plus more curry in bowl I think you miss out on portion of you eat in... just my take on the little bowls they bring out to serve for dine in. I hate that they don't have regular Naan bread but they have their rotti and paratha that is pretty good but plain tasting bread it's just something about naan

Ryan J.

Yelp
Been here only twice, but have been so impressed with their food; it's absolutely amazing! Plus, they were dog friendly. Definitely recommend and will be back.
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Anastasiya K.

Yelp
Great date night spot. The lamb curry was amazing. The patio is very cute. Highly recommend!
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Joe I.

Yelp
I was here with a large group, so taking that into consideration but the overall experience was just okay. Was here to celebrate my sister's retirement. Group of 10 of us with reservations. We were seated but we had to pull the tables together ourselves. Server was nice but kept forgetting things. Brought out the wrong drink for folks several times, but the wait for them was so long most folks just took them. I felt bad sending one back as it was not what I ordered and I did not like the kind of alcohol that was in it. So that was a problem. The food arrived and was okay, but bland - my wife and I had different things (I had the special curry with tofu and she had the masala curry with chicken) and both were okay, but totally nothing special. Her's was better as it had some flavor to it that the special curry lacked. The space is nice, if our group was smaller sitting out front would have been fun. I was glad to find a yelp deal for 20% off when I checked in on the app - I would have been bummed paying full price for what we received. I'd probably try it again, but not for a while.
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Eliana S.

Yelp
Nepalese food is so unique, I love this cozy spot! The masala chai is delicious and warms you right up, I will be back for sure
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Kurt M.

Yelp
I recently had occasion to enjoy some delicious food from the Namaste Cafe via curbside pickup. FYI: when eating at the cafe, service can be languid. As a child of the 60s, it hasn't really been an issue with me. It might be a different story if on a particular deadline. But if you have the time, my advice is to relax and enjoy the atmosphere and fare. Anyway, I had what I considered to be a huge appetizer of Chicken Chili. It consisted primarily of ~3/4" chunks of savory, lean chicken roasted with a variety of peppers and sliced onions. A very good (and generous) starter IMHO. For an entree I ordered a serving of the Namaste Special Curry. I found that it was similar to previously tried Masala Curry. But still different enough that I was happy to sample it. In a word, satisfying. It again had chunks of tender chicken swimming in a rich thick stew of tomatoes and other ingredients that blended very well together. The included Basmati rice was a perfect foundation. One quibble is that I discovered at home that the food was not as spicy hot as requested. But I'm guessing that they automatically tone down online orders until you establish a track record. As it was, they had no way of knowing me or if I really meant to order 5 star heat. The weather that evening was ideal. As such I saw more than a few patrons sitting out on Namaste's patio. Since this was my first curbside/pickup experience from Namaste, I thought it was a fairly simple and straightforward procedure. I placed and paid for my order as well as selected a time for pickup from their Website. Almost immediately I received a confirmation email. As directed, when we pulled up in front I phoned to alert them. I quickly saw someone appear at the main entrance carrying my goods packaged inside a common to-go paper bag. I honestly can't think of how to improve upon the process. BTW, plenty of curbside/pickup space in front. Actual street parking could be a bit of a hassle especially at peak times. As a fan of East Indian (and in this case also some Nepalese influenced) cuisine, I think Namaste is one of the best in the metro. Whether pickup or dining on site, I plan to return. My mouth is already starting to water at the thought of trying other sumptuous items offered by this wonderful place.
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Joseph O.

Yelp
The positives I can say was that the place itself was clean, neat, and appealing, and the mixed drink I ordered was pretty good. That's all I can really say as good things though. After walking in, it takes a couple of minutes for the server there to tell me that it's seat-yourself. They should have a sign up about that or something. She then explains that it's not a "full service restaurant" (her words). I have to scan a QR code to see the menu and to pay. So, the server is basically just there to bring food from the kitchen and bus tables, I guess? I don't like those QR code systems at all. The food portion size was NOT generous, and the prices were fairly steep for a mediocre amount of food, especially when there wasn't a whole lot of meat in that curry. They definitely skimp on the protein. The food was so mild it was painful. They had a 1 to 5 scale for spice, I ordered a "3", thinking it would have some heat and flavor, but not be overwhelming. . .what they called a "3" I'd call a "1", it was totally not spicy, and barely flavorful. It was insultingly mild for Indian food. Then, lastly, as I was finishing up, scraping the bowl to get the last little bite of curry there was, the moment I put my spoon down, the server swooped in and started grabbing the bowl and plate and clearing off the table right in front of me. She didn't ask if I was done, or wait for me to leave. It honestly felt like I was being rushed out the door, and given that they were still going to be open for hours and had a number of open seats, it wasn't that they needed the table or were at closing time. . .she just wanted me to get lost. So I did. I won't be back.
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Anila Y.

Yelp
Yay for chaat making it's way to the Twin Cities! We had a hard time finding good Indian food during our 2-year tenure here, but were pleased to have found Namaste Cafe on literally our last day before moving out of MPLS. The chaat is spot on, but definitely pricey. For example, their pani puri dish will set you back $8.25, but only includes 6 puris. Of course, some might gasp and compare this to getting 10+ puris for 25 cents on the side of the road in India, but a more reasonable comparison would be hole-in-the-wall Indian joints that don't charge nearly that much for chaat. I was also a little disappointed that the Papdi chaat just had a gentle drizzle of yogurt in it; the word "yogurt" is in it's name so I just wish it had that creamy-crunchy texture that I crave with papdi chat. The star of the show was definitely the creative chai-infused drinks (best enjoyed on their beautiful patio). I loved the iced dark-chocolate spearmint version and my boyfriend enjoyed the hot pistachio-cardamom chai. Everything is touchless, and you actually pay for your food before it comes to your table, which I found odd. As a heads up, there is a Yelp check-in deal for 20% off at dinner time (3-10pm); if we had come at dinner, it would have sucked to have already paid and then realize that there was a coupon!.
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Jade W.

Yelp
I still support the 5 star rating. I want to add that the Chai growlers are also very good! I'm hooked!
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Rashid T.

Yelp
As a Chicagoan, who now lives in Madison, I've had plenty of awesome Indian (Desi) food on Devon ave, in Chicago. For me food at this place was "Okay". It was definitely over priced but giving the area and location I've a feeling it's considered a "hip" Indian joint so price reflect that. I've messaged the restaurant on Facebook regarding if their chicken is halal but they NEVER responded though they saw my message almost immediately.
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Pritty L.

Yelp
the honey mango margarita is AMAZING!! the chai is so good as well! the pani puri and the aloo tikki chaat was perfection!! basically a 10/10

Sofie R.

Yelp
Favorite restaurant in Minnesota best curry in all of MN. My two favs are the creamy masala and Punjabi spinach paneer. All the menu items are great. Only negative is slow service but quality of food is worth it. Great outdoor seating and easy to get a table whenever.
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Aurah Gqunefere W.

Yelp
The mango curry is something I regularly crave. Chai is yummy, deserts are all yummy. Really the best part of this place is the adorable patio right on Hennepin - eat around the side of the building though if you can!! Their lunch menu is amazing, but the ambiance at night is unbeatable - SO cute with the string lights and the uptown sounds. Last time I went we had an.... interesting server. Service definitely missed the mark. But every other time I've been, I haven't been disappointed with the service!!
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Rachael M.

Yelp
Namaste in Uptown Minneapolis is a gem! I recently stopped in to experience their new brunch menu, and I was blown away. We tried a few different brunch drinks as well as plates. Mango Turmeric Mimosa: This was fantastic. I wish they would come out with an endless option as I could drink this all morning long! The mango and turmeric really worked well together, and the flavor was very good! House made Spicy Bloody Mary: To most this would be quite spicy but for us it was just a good amount of kick. The flavors were awesome in this bloody and it is a must try! Green Tea Matcha Chai w/ Coconut Crème: This was little on the bland side for me. Maybe because of the milk I chose. Fiery Shrimp Eggs Benedict: IM OBESSESSED! I could eat this every day. This is a poached eggs, steamed shrimp served on a potato patty which is topped with coconut milk sauce w/ garlic, lime zest, green chilies, and cilantro. I loved everything about this dish from how everything was perfectly cooked to the amazing sauce that topped the dish. This is hands down the best brunch item I have had in a long time. Fried Rice Breakfast Bowl: This was really good. It has fried rice, cooked and raw veggies, soy sauce, a ton of tasty spices, and a sunny side up egg. I really enjoyed this dish and kind of wanted a side of the sauce from the eggs benedict to add to it. We added shrimp. You can also add tofu or free range chicken. Mango Smoothie Bowl: This was so refreshing. The frozen mango was blended with mango pulp and almond butter. It was so creamy and the flavor was top notch. They topped the mango smoothie with blueberries, coconut flakes, chia seeds, and dry raspberries. Perfect for someone looking for a light and healthy brunch option.
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Kailee C.

Yelp
Great outdoor patio where you order food from your phone and they bring it out. The iced masala chai with oat milk was probably the best chai I have ever had. The fried rice with shrimp was incredible. They also have take out options. Free street parking nearby.
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C M.

Yelp
If you're looking for authentic Indian food, this place is not it. However, if you're looking to try Indian food for the first time and don't like spice, this place is for you. I've eaten Indian food all my life, and unfortunately, this place was not good. It lacked flavor and spice. I shouldn't be surprised since is this is Minneapolis (I'm not originally from here), but I was hopeful. The flavor of the food is definitely tailored to the Minnesota taste palette, if you know what I mean. In addition, the food is ridiculously overpriced. I was actually shocked at the prices when I saw the menu. But then again, it's in uptown so not surprising. There is better authentic Indian food in the Twin Cities.
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Jack G.

Yelp
If you don't have a time constraint and love curry and Indian food come eat here! They are doing covid really well, the tables are all spaced out really well outside and they have a system for ordering online which takes out all the social interaction. The food is all incredibly good, the curries are all super creamy and flavorful and the apps were incredible! The potatoes were spiced perfectly and had some great dipping sauces. The wait staff were super helpful and nice, everything was great! Come eat here Alsooo check out my Instagram! At goodeatsminneapolis
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Mikhala F.

Yelp
I like this spot! Having to go inside to get service/a table is a little bothersome, since inside can be a bit cramped for space. Service by server was great! We wanted to sit outside (probably the first of the year in mid-April) and the server happily seated just us outside. Seats and tables were a bit dusty from not being used yet this season but she cleaned off the table. Lots of cool chai options! I love that. Prices aren't cheap, but hey, where is in Uptown? I got the ginger cardamom chai tea, and it was delicious! Chunks of ginger were a bit surprising, as I was expecting all liquid, but means they used fresh ginger so I like that. $3.75 for a mug. I will try the Coconut Creme option next time, and Dark Chocolate Mint the next! Happy hour deals are decent as well if you're looking for a glass of wine on a small patio. I personally like the patios of Namaste and Nico's -- they can be a bit loud at times with cars driving on Hennepin, and the view is of a gas station lol, but it's nice to be outside and feel like you're in Uptown without going to Stella's rooftop. Didn't get anything to eat, but probably wouldn't come here for food. Just briefly looking at the menu, prices seemed steep. However, I saw three takeout orders go out during our 1 hour here, so maybe their curry is worth the price! Willing to give it a try.
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Ashley B.

Yelp
Namaste Cafe is a neighborhood gem! The interior decor, the colors of the walls, and the wooden chairs make it a comfy and relaxed place to eat. Our server, Alibe, was personable and attended to us well. I ordered herbal (Kaph) tea and my partner ordered the green tea. All the tea is grown by the owner's family in Nepal; you can taste the quality! We ordered spicy fried potatoes, the lunch special with coconut spinach curry, the lunch special with almond fish curry, garlic paratha (made vegan) and spinach paratha (made vegan). I love that Namaste can accomodate most dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free), it's a place that anyone can eat at. The food is flavorful and well-spiced. I continue to come back because of the quality of food, beverages, and service. It doesn't dissapoint!
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Peggy M.

Yelp
Went back again after my first visit (YEE event) to test out the place. It did not disappoint. I phoned the order in and paid when I got there. Last time I used the online ordering and it wasn't very user friendly. The red hot noodles with chicken is tasty. Tried the fried rice with chicken this time and it was yum. The beverages today were hot chai-very good, mango lemonade -good, and a tap beer-refreshing. Sat in the outside dining area and enjoyed a perfect day.
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Andrew H.

Yelp
Can't speak on the food. It took over 50 mins to get my entree. The servers told me they were short staffed. I will not be back. People were pleasant but it was very unprofessional.
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Carey D.

Yelp
This food field my soul. It is warm, flavorful, and comforting. It's on the more expensive side in comparison to other Indian/Nepalese locations but worth every penny of it's value and my go-to spot! The location is colorful, bright, and romantic. There are private and open sports to dine in (if you do) we well as street view dining on their front porch. The food! Here are my favorites: Lamb Curry, Punjabi Spinach Paneer, Goan Fish Curry, Creamy Masala Curry, Chicken Tikka Masala, Chana Masala, and all of the naan. YUM! I like it and usually go for 3/4 spicy for a good heat. There left overs are always even more spicy after they sit over night perfection!
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Vidhi R.

Yelp
Lovely place , good food , courteous staff went here with my husband and found this beautiful little cafe with up beat outdoor seating. We ordered Aloo paratha, bhelpuri, Chole rice, Masala Chai, Hazelnut chai. The food taste is good but can be improved. Aloo paratha was not up to the mark however the Chatneys and bhelpuri over compensated the loss. I would recommed this place to you if you'd like to have some lively uptown ambience with a touch of spice. totally a sweet deal !
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Jonathan H.

Yelp
I have been to this restaurant several times mostly for their dinner plates. I find this place to be an excellent place for an outstanding quality dinner. I have never visited during their lunch hours, but I ought to try that out sometime. Of all of the Indian restaurants that exist in the Twin Cities area, this easily ranks somewhere in the top five best Indian restaurants. I have been to almost all of the Indian restaurants in the Twin Cities; therefore, I can compare this one to the others that exist. Those who are not from Minneapolis may find this restaurant to be easy to miss. The exterior looks like an average house in the neighborhood. Therefore, it blends too well with it. Also, the signs are slightly hard to read from the street. When I was first introduced to this place, I did not know if it was a shopping center or a clothing store. After I realized that it is a restaurant, finding it became much easier. I would describe this place as homely ambiance that is colorful. It looks like an average home in the Minneapolis. They managed to take this home appearance and combine it with a lot of culture. The interior of this place looks more than just like an Indian place. It also looks like a home that incorporated a lot of creativity into the design. The employees appear to have a good eye on cleanliness and order. I have never encountered any major messes or disorder when I have visited this restaurant. Of what I have observed, the employees appear to always be on top of their cleaning duties. They clean up the tables in a timely manner so the next customer can walk in and be seated. Overall, I have always felt comfortable walking in here and enjoying a good meal. The waitresses have consistently been friendly and courteous to me. I have not needed to ask for assistance, but I have seen other customers ask for that. The employees appear to be happy to help out anybody as much as they can. Some of them have been open to carrying a short conversation when they are slow. This does not apply to every employee, but this does not matter. Some are strictly taking orders and serving food without side talk. Either way, I have been impressed with their customer service. When I walk in there, I usually stick with either their fish or their curries. I have never seen any other restaurant with such a large variety of curries. The prices of their plates are higher than the average restaurant. I do not mind paying extra for better quality food. I feel that their plates are worth the extra money. There have been only a couple visits when I have had to wait longer than average for a plate. Aside from them, I feel that they have been served to me in a reasonably timely manner. When they are, they are always served hot and fresh, and they taste delicious! When I am dining with my friends, they have agreed with me. When I am in the area and in the mood for some good quality Indian food, I will continue keeping this place in mind. I feel like I can count on them for outstanding dinner food.