Choolaah — Restaurant in Cleveland

Absolutely fantastic! I’m a long term customer and fan of Choolaah in Orange. I was so enthralled upon finding out about the opening of this new location that’s only 25 minutes away from me! Naturally, at first, I was deeply skeptical about how the new location in Ohio City would bring the same great experience as the original location because most of the restaurants & bars in Ohio City are quite crammed and small. However, when I walked in on opening day to the new Ohio City location, I was blown away by the aesthetics and vibrant atmosphere! It’s quite open and spacious! It’s new. It’s fresh. It’s exciting! I also had a tremendous sense of familiarity of what the brand represents all throughout the physical space of the restaurant.

The outdoor patio is very nice for the summer and fall months. The storefront opens up into outdoor seating as well. The whole thing was such a fun experience. You can feel a positive energy throughout the store at all times. The staff were just as friendly, if not more friendly at this location compared to the original location. Within just two days of visiting this store, I was able to form a wonderful relationship with the staff at the front. The store is well managed. Very very clean.

The food at Choolaah is truly amazing. They bring the essence of traditional Indian cooking and put their own spin on it making it truly a delight for the senses. From their mini samosas and apple tamarind chutney to their hot chai and even their tandoori entrees, everything is on par with my expectations of authentic and delicious Indian food.

What I value the most about Choolaah is the level of consistency in their products. I’ve never once thought, “Oh they must’ve changed up the chef today because something is off”. This is a common challenge among most Indian restaurants in America. Choolaah has somehow eliminated this challenge and reproduce successful results each and every time that leaves me craving for more.

The only terrible thing about choolaah is that there aren’t...

We visited on a Tuesday afternoon for lunch in mid-April 2025.

We parked in the back parking around across 24th street. It said free parking if 90 mins or less but you have to download app and register car. There is a nice entrance from the back side and additional seating out back as well.

We ordered a number of items on the kiosk. We have never been here before and so we wanted to take our time and not have to occupy the employees time. We go the pro bowls not realizing they also didn't come with rice. So learning mistake for next time but everything we order was still amazing. The vegetables were perfectly roasted and fresh and same with the proteins. The samosas were my favorite and there are so many different sauces to choose from. Our youngest picky eater got a cheese naan pizza and devoured it no questions asked. One tip is that the spicy chicken is definitely spicy. Our family is used to spicy but I think my wife and kids were surprised by how spicy the "spicy" was. So take that into account when deciding. It was spicier than you think. It was still less than Thai spicy but up there with some Korean spicy.

The layout of the restaurant was great and very bright, vibrant and colorful. It was great atmosphere and welcoming. The glass windows into the kitchen with the tandoors were cool. The kids like playing on the magnetic word wall in the back. There is outdoor seating in the back too but it was a bit cold so everyone was inside.

The bathroom does have a digital code on it that you need to ask the employees for but they are single occupancy and very spacious.

Overall we would definitely eat here again and knowing what we know how, properly order what we...

First time at this fast casual restaurant on W 25th St. Had the salmon pro bowl and I'll never order it again.

Salmon was overcooked meaning dry and burnt at all edges. Veggies were dry and consisted of mostly what seemed like sweet potato (which I dislike and never seek out). Meal came with a small side of sauce, I chose the tamarind ginger and regretted it but it was the only thing that saved the dry veggies so I could finish the meal.

Ordered naan, it was ok but nothing special. It really needs to be made and enjoyed fresh.

I had a mango lassi which was the high point of the meal.

My wife ordered something similar. Bill came to 32 dollars. In short, it was expensive chipotle knockoff with an Indian flair done poorly. The wraps, which someone else in line ahead of me ordered, were maybe one third the size of the smallest Chipotle or Mashiso (on 117th and Clifton) wrap you can possibly get.

To be fair, I'll give this place one last try but I don't recommend the chain based on my...