The Most Scrumptious Pakistani in San Jose

Gulzaar Halal Restaurant & Catering

★★★★★ 4.5 • $$

"A true gem -- amazing flavors, good hospitality/service, and great prices. We got the aloo gobi, fried eggplant, chapli kebab, and chicken samosa. Aloo gobi: 8.5/10 delicious, flavorful, loved the chunks of cauliflower. Fried Eggplant: 10/10 super "meaty", unique, easily my new favorite dish. Chapli kebab: 8.25/10 I don't usually like meat dishes but this one tasted great. Would get again. Chicken samosa: 9/10 different from the samosas that I'm used to, but in a good way. Filled with super crumbly, flavorful chicken. Accompanied by a sweet, tart sauce.The staff was also super friendly, made us feel very welcome and checked in regularly to see how we were enjoying the food. Would 1000% come back to try the other dishes."

Karimi Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (598) • $$

"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."

New Tandoori Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (40)

"Got the weekday sampler and tried 3 items I've never had before. All three items tasted great. Bit spicy, but I like spicy. Couple of issues, apparently the place is supposed to be Pakistani and not Indian. Which brings me to the second issue... the chicken dishes were served bone-in. Most curry places I've ever been to do boneless, maybe that's a clueless America thing?? I ended up getting small shards of bone in my first couple bites.Good new is that the owner was EXTREMELY friendly and accommodating. Apparently most dishes are available boneless if you request it. She remade the chicken offering and even gave me some free Naan as an apology when I took the rest to go.If they tighten up the plating and clarify the bone-in/less issue a little clearer in the future, this place should be around for a while.I'll be back for sure, hopefully to update my review to 5 stars."

Zareen's

★★★★★ 4.5 (899) • $$

"Zareen's has two locations: one in Redwood City, and the other in Palo Alto. I've been to both and they're always packed! Typically, you'd stand in line to order at the cashier's, and then you get a number and you go find your own table. They'll bring you the food at your table once its ready and take the number away. I always get the chicken tikka masala, basmati rice, and butter naan. Sometimes I feel extra and also order the mango lassi. The chicken tikka masala main dish size is easily enough for two meals - sometimes a third! It's super creamy and flavorfull with a hint of spice, and the naan is buttery and fluffy. The mango lassi reminds me of somewhere between a smoothie and a milkshake. I highly recommend Zareen if you're looking for some bomb Indian food, especially on a cold, rainy day, it's the perfect comfort food!"

Shan Restaurant - Santa Clara

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (346) • $$

"Lunch time with coworker Claudia was a new experience with SHAN Indian & Pakistani Cuisine. We like it a lot and it was spicy my favorite way to eat my food (spicy). We tried out Chicken Biryani, Chicken Curry Korma and Garlic Naan and everything was super delicious. Nice Customer Service and place with nice seat colors. I recommend this place and I will definitely come back."

Lahori Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.1 (186) • $$

"Great location. Great quality food. Kulfi.Thicccc RaithaHot fresh naanChicken Tikka MasalaKabobSaucesChaiOrder at the kiosk.Spacious dining area.Perfect for lunchtime."

Lahori Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.1 (15)

"Had their lahori chanay, bbq chicken leg, naan, and goat curry. Everything tasted amazing and authentic and I will definitely be coming back here again!"

Shan Restaurant

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (250) • $$

"Decent place.We ordered veg biryani, chicken, beef and lamb kebabs and garlic naan.Food is reasonably priced. The kebabs were a bit on the dry side but I liked it enough that I ate them all.Biryani is great and so is the naan.Complimentary tea which is also great.Will be back again."

Shalimar Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.5 • $$

"I've been coming to Shalimar for years and years. I love this spot - it was my first foray into Indian food when I was young. Anyway, the food is solid. I order Doordash/Uber Eats from here often. My favorite is just the butter chicken or mutton."

Shah Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 (842) • $$

"This restaurant has Ian's vote!!!We have been slowly introducing Ian to Desi food. His preference is Pakistani style food that has flavor from spices, but does not carry heat from chilis. Ian loved the Goat curry. The Naans were fluffy and easy to tear into, and bite into. The gentleman who prepared the curry brought over another bowl full of gravy (Picture attached). That was a nice touch. Goat Biriyani was plentiful and packed flavor. Tandoori chicken leg was A-OK. It was a little bit on the drier side.Overall, we ate a lot of food and had a lot of food leftover too. Great value on the price. Seating is plentiful inside. Check this restaurant out guys!"

Kabab & Curry’s

★★★★☆ 4.2 (73)

"I visited this restaurant with a big group and we got seated at this secluded area so it was actually great. We ordered a variety of dishes to try and everything tasted so good! I think this is their newly opened location and there weren't that many customers on a Saturday night. My boyfriend actually first drove us to the other Kabab & Currys and only came back to this restaurant after he realized he drove to the wrong location. The service was amazing and they kept coming by to refill our water and was really attentive. Our friend knew exactly what to order and everything she ordered for us was flavorful."

Tandoori-n-Curry

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (296) • $$

"I've tried butter chickens and chicken tikka masalas in a wide variety of Bay area restaurants, and I most admit this one was a lot better that I expected. The food came out piping hot. The butter chicken I got smelled so good i couldn't wait to have a few bites. The sauce was actually spice and creamy while the chicken was really tender. The use of black cardamom is a tell tale sign of good masala and it was there. The rice was fresh and fragrant as well. Server was a cool guy behind the counter. Nothing crazy. And the atmosphere was whatever, just a regular set up. This spot is right next to the oh so popular pakwan so it definitely doesn't get as busy, but I kind of prefer the butter chicken here as it's spicier and more tender. Definitely try this place but eat the food at the restaurant as out is such a different experience when it's fresh out the kitchen."

Moon Indian Cuisine

★★★★☆ 3.9 (754) • $$

"My favorite place to order Indian food in the east bay!Customer service here is quick and seamless --They are really hospitable and quick to refill glasses of water. Very attentive and ready to add any additions and make suggestions if you want to try new things. Only positive things to say about their customer service.Butter chicken is a must, but the goat curry is perfection --Butter chicken here does not miss. Has perfect balance of spices and ghee. Pair it with garlic naan and that's already a fire meal.Also ordered goat curry and lamb vindaloo. Not a fan of the potatoes but there was not much. The meat portions are always really high.EACH dish comes with rice but keep in mind, it's a lot of rice. THE wings are a must try too. So much flavor and affordable.Overall, well worth the visit. This place also has a plethora of desserts ready to buy too!"

Zareen's

★★★★☆ 4.4 • $$

"Came here between lunch and dinner for a small group (5 people), and the entire experience was wonderful! From prices, to quality and taste, to location - I'm gonna be back at Zareen's. It's pretty laid back where you order at the register, take a number, and staff bring out your food. You self-service water, cutlery, and condiments. They have a lovely outdoor area that has abundant seating and is covered. Though my party each ordered their own entrees, we shared a couple sides. Here's everything I ate: Chicken boti thaliVegetarian samosaGarlic naan Mango lassi Not many restaurants can compete with Zareen's price and quality! The chicken boti thali was enough to feed me and my partner (brought him the leftovers). The samosa was the largest samosa I've ever seen - and the filling was delicious and stuffed.If I can't convince you to try this place, maybe just go on California Ave and you'll be drawn by the delicious enticing smells as you draw near Zareen's. If that doesn't convince you, I don't know what will hahaha."

Bismillah Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.7 (280) • $

"Bismillah is next to a theatre. Been here for years. Small Pakistan eatery with a large menu: curries, specials, vegetables, desserts, sides, drinks, rice &Biryanis, tandoori BBQ, wraps & rolls..Ordered at counter, pd, got food in 10ish minutes.Sips: chai (comped) self serve at counter.Bites: beef nihari (13.99) slow cooked beef shank, stew like. boneless tender pieces of semi-fatty beef in a sauce with ginger, jalepeno, onions, cilantro, sauce slight spicy with chili oil bubbles.Beef in stewed in nihari masada: bay leafs, fennel seeds, tumeric, cumin, red chilies, salt, coriander, black cumin & Kashmiri chili, cinnamon, clovesNaan (2.05) was the puffy round kind with air pockets within. Very easy to soak up sauces..Michigan celebrates January as Muslim American Heritage Month."

Cosmic Cuisine Halal

★★★★★ 5 (3)

"This was our first time here. Called to check and found a very nice person on the other side. He even told us where to park (25 S. 3rd Street; first 90 min free.)Order biryani, chapli kabob + chicken tandoori masala. Biryani was great. Even though it was spicy for my 5-year-old she ate it claiming that it was too tasty to leave. Chapli kabob and chicken masala were good and as expected. Overall the taste and serving size was good and the service from the person made it great. I would definitely go back again!"

Noori - San Bruno

★★★★☆ 3.8 (668) • $$

"Noori was such an enjoyable experience thank you so much to Max the owner and Prachi! I loved how the spice level that is broken down on the lower right hand side of the menu. Level 2 was very spicy and as a well versed spice woman I wouldn't want to go higher. Overall, great food that is very authentic and fresh. Try the goat cheese naan. Side note: the event space is great so ask for a tour if you are looking to host a party."

Pakwan Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.7 • $$

"I've always heard this place was good and first time in 4 years living in Fremont I decided to try it.What we ordered: chicken tikka masala curry, butter chicken curry, lamb curry, garlic naan, rice and chai.Food was pretty delicious and I'd definitely be coming again.I was wondering why this place has such a low rating and after reading the reviews, I realized people complaining about food options, service and place itself. Yes, it's not a super fancy place and maybe there is a lack in something, but for its level - definitely deserves 5 stars."

Rasoi

★★★★☆ 4.2 (747) • $$

"This review is for Axol / Axel. He is the manager this sunday evening. Long story short I wasn't able to attend the dinner but still wanted to take care of the bill. He was able to provide a solution and took care of the party. Much appreciated. The party said he very accommodating and nice. Great service will always keep the guests coming back."

Lados

★★★★☆ 4.2 (571) • $$

"Such a beautiful hole in the wall place that you wouldn't know was sitting in a residential neighborhood of Sunnyvale. The outdoor area is super cute and very nice for a warm fall night dinner. We came here on a Sunday night and it was fairly busy.I've heard great things about the fried chicken here and we had to come back with our friends to spread the joy! Definitely get the chicken tikka masala, it was 9/10, with very juicy and tender pieces of chicken.Your order at the counter and seating is open. We would definitely come back with more friends!"

Naan -N- Curry

★★★★☆ 3.8 (512) • $

"I am no expert but I love the Chicken Leg tandoori and curry from here. My husband and I shared the combo and ordered an extra naan plus a Palak Paneer. Servings are generous. We didn't finish the PP and didn't even touch the extra naan. It's located inside the mall food court. It was super busy and loud- but the workers move fast to clean up after diners."

Mirchi Cafe

★★★★☆ 4 (726) • $$

"Recent discovery of this fusion Halal spot thanks to my Pakistani Sista from another Motha.. Love it! I was told this place is very popular in her community and I can taste why. I ordered the crispy chicken burger with madrasa fries and it was absolutely delicious. Not only was the coating crispy, the chicken inside was juicy and well seasoned, not oily. The fries were "meaty" & had a good kick to it with their house wing sauce. But you must enjoy it fresh, best at dine in. My friend had the Sheezan Club with regular fries. Its one of her regular favs. We sat and talked from open to close, service was attentive enough that my friends chai was refilled multiple times at ask. Easy to wave down wait staff when needed. Minimal Décor. The restaurant was steadily busy and seemed like everyone knew each other. Very friendly atmosphere. Inside seating behind small doorway feels a lot cooler than outside. Perhaps there's AC in the back? I was feeling a bit warm/stuffy at one point as I was seated in main dining area. Not a big bother though as the food was good. Parking is plenty. Restaurant is in the last space all the way down the driveway. Can easily miss the driveway to plaza if not paying full attention."

Pakwan Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.5 (489) • $$

"If you're looking for a fancy spot or top-tier service, this might not be the place for you. But if you're after amazing food packed with flavor and spice, Pakwan is a must-visit. Every time I'm in the Bay Area, I make it a point to stop here--it's hands down one of my favorite places to eat. The dishes are incredibly flavorful, the spice is perfect, and the naan is freshly made and absolutely delicious. I highly recommend it!"

Kabab and Curry's

★★★★☆ 3.6 • $$

""Funny nam'e,Top notch gam'e."One of K&C's Michelin Bib Gourmand plaques on the wall says it best -- you come here for the food. Not the service, which can be brusque even if you're a regular. Not the ambience, which is non-existant. You come here for the excellent home style food. Standouts include butter chicken with a hint of BBQ sauce flavour. Tandoori chicken with char to die for. And dum biryani that, excuse the cliché, probably really might be the best in the Bay (get the goat). Kabab and Curry's is the aloof kid / neighbour / coworker who, despite their faults, is just too damn good at what they do to be ignored. You come here for the food. True score: 9.1 / 10. Return: YES"