Shahi Cafè

Stopped here for a bite. I didn't want to drive anywhere due to construction close to the hotel. I checked yelp map and walked.At first, I thought the cafe was closed. It is co-located with a grocery store. Also, the steam heating bins typically used for buffets were covered. However, I was greeted and my order taken. My food was made to order and freshly grilled. Expected to wait for it but it was worth the wait. I ordered one of the specialty items and had enough food for two meals. Definitely worth a try. Check out the grocery storeWhile you wait.

Found this authentic South Asian cuisine in a tiny strip on Austin's north side. If you blink, you will miss it. The Chicen Tikka was juicy,spicy and delicious and accompanied with cucumber salad and yogurt sauce. It appeared to have been grilled fresh and the platter was sufficient for two meals. I have never gotten so much naan with a meal and it was almost too much. It is attached to a grocery store so one can shop while waiting for a meal. There is a decent sized dining area.

My previous review still remains true, however Shahi is the ONLY place in Austin to have Bangladeshi style Beef Tehari (call first and check, it's usually over the weekends) so I have to add a star just on that alone!Their catering prices are also reasonable and highly customizable. Chicken Roast, Korma Chicken and Shami Kababs are all really good.

Still on my adventurous kick I decided to try some Middle Eastern cuisine for lunch today after watching several Food Ranger episodes on YouTube lol. I did a little Yelp search and ended up at Shahi Cafe on North Lamar. I have to point out that upon entering the establishment there is a bit of an interesting smell, however, that's only because the Cafe is within the International Grocery/Meat Market. So don't let that deter you from trying the food out.I decided to try out a Mixed Plate which included a Beef and Chicken Kafta Kabab, Rice, Grilled Veggies (Onion, Tomato & Bell Pepper), Salad and Cucumber Sauce. The plate came with the choice of rice or naan but I knew I still wanted to try their Naan so I also picked one up. There was quite a bit of food stuffed into the plate. The kababs were tasty, tender and not too spicy. I can't say if I'd choose one over another because they were both good. The rice was fluffy and went so well with the grilled veggies. The salad consisted of cucumbers, onions and tomatoes and was such a nice, refreshing side with the kababs. I do wish I had asked for a little extra cucumber sauce because it was a great accompaniment to everything. The naan was huge and tasted like it was freshly baked. The prices were reasonable too... it was about $12 for everything. Definitely worth the try!

Friendly service, but the biryani is awful. It's just lamb mixed with rice (both lacking any flavor or aroma). They charge $15 for it. I wouldn't even pay $5 for it to be honest. The best part of my meal was the Thums-Up soda from India. The market seems good though.

I used to eat here all the time and for no particular reason I haven't been back in awhile. I stopped in today and I am glad to see they are still open, still clean, and the food is still great. The prices have gone up, yes, but that's understandable during this pandemic. They are a husband and wife that run the restaurant, and the husband is always very nice when taking orders and answering questions. I love how they still have the chai tea dispenser and it's always full and hot. Usually when I'm driving down Parmer I stop in just to get a tea as it's help yourself. As a plus, the kebob plate is enough for 2 meals.

Absolutely delicious and authentic Punjabi food. Would highly recommend. Their chicken tikka is some of the best I've had.

Best biryani in Austin. The crew there will make many off menu items for you as well..

Dirty napkins, unseasoned kebab, owners and cooks walking around talking loudly on the phone... was so disappointing. This is not a middle eastern restaurant, it's Bengali and I have Bengali family members that can cook their butts off, in the IndoPak Desi world Begalis are the kings of cooking, and this was not it. Finding home style middle eastern is difficult in Austin but in comparison to a halal brothers this place which states it has Middle Eastern was horrific. The kebabs were unseasoned, the microwave ding kept going off and the shawarma was pitiful and dry. Besides my gross table, the place didn't give you clean vibes, especially with the uncleared table for the whole time we were there. It's cheap, the rice was nice and fluffy and the store prices for Indopak foods were great, all the rest meh..... oh and the Raita was like salad dressing.

Great food. The food is very fresh and tastes really good. The service is impeccable and the staff is very polite. Always took it to go, so can't say much for the ambience.