Pippal - Dublin — Restaurant in Dublin

We were quite excited to visit Pippal, having heard some good things about it. Beyond the fact that it’s an Indian restaurant, we weren’t entirely sure what to expect—but that was part of the intrigue. It was a Friday night, yet we didn’t have much of a wait, which was a pleasant start.

The dining room is spacious and inviting, with just the right level of buzz to make it a great spot for a group night out. I particularly liked that most of the wait staff were dressed in traditional Indian attire—it added a nice touch of authenticity to the ambience.

The drinks were decent. I ordered their take on an Old Fashioned—bourbon, chocolate bitters, and ghee—which was surprisingly well balanced. The ghee and chocolate softened the bourbon’s edge beautifully, and the side of caramel popcorn, as unlikely as it sounded, actually worked. My friends ordered non-alcoholic drinks that looked over-iced and overly sweet, which didn’t seem quite as successful.

The food, however, was where the excitement started to taper off. For starters, we had the Lamb Burrah, Chicken Tikka Trio, and Paneer. The Lamb Burrah turned out to be a deep-fried lamb cutlet—certainly not a kebab in any traditional sense. While it was soft and tasted fine, it wasn’t what I expected, and the portion sizes were disappointingly small. Normally I wouldn’t mind smaller portions if the food stood out, but this felt average at best, leaving us a bit underwhelmed.

For entrées, we ordered the Malai Kofta, Laal Maas, and Butter Chicken. The Butter Chicken was reliably good—mild, but not objectionably so. The Laal Maas, much like the Burrah, was tasty but misnamed—flavorful, yet not what you’d call Laal Maas in spirit or spice. The Malai Kofta leaned too sweet for my taste, though my friends didn’t seem to mind as much.

By dessert time, we’d lost interest. The staff’s enthusiasm seemed to fade too, which didn’t help the mood. When the check arrived, we noticed a ‘mandatory’ large-party gratuity added on—even though we were a party of five, and the menu clearly stated it applied to parties of six or more. We weren’t fussy guests (at least, I don’t think so), so that came as a surprise. By then, we just wanted to wrap things up—and frankly, it felt like the staff did too.

We left Pippal hoping not to repeat the experience. Do I regret eating there? Probably not. Would I go back?...

I’ve been a regular at Pippal Emeryville for a while now, and when I heard they were opening a location in Dublin, I knew I had to check it out. I’m glad I did - this place is exactly what the East Bay has been missing.

Dublin/San Ramon/Pleasanton/Livermore needed a proper fine dining Indian restaurant, and Pippal delivers. The space is upscale, the ambiance is spot on, and they cater to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

Since they just opened a couple days ago, the service is still finding its rhythm, but the staff was polite, professional, and genuinely helpful. They knew the menu well and made solid recommendations.

The food is where Pippal really shines. The menu is mostly similar to Emeryville with a few new additions. We started with the Burra Kebab and Pathar Ke Kabab - both favorites of mine and just as good here. The Burra comes with a side of gravy that makes it perfect.

For mains, the East India Butter Chicken is one of the best I’ve had. Thick gravy, well-cooked chicken, good spice level, and the portion easily feeds 2-3 people. The Lucknowi Chicken Biryani isn’t your typical biryani - it’s made with soft basmati rice mixed with cashews, walnuts, and raisins. It’s a unique take you don’t see often, and it worked really well with the butter chicken.

We also tried the Kashmiri Mutton Gustaba, which is new on the menu. It’s a fine gravy dish with tender mutton that you’d typically find in Kashmir. Best eaten with rice, and it was cooked perfectly.

For dessert, the Daulat Ki Chaat is a must-try. The boondi tastes authentic, like what you’d actually get in India. We also had the Payasam, which is like a cold milk seviyaan - simple but done well.

This was just our first visit to this location, so we only scratched the surface of the menu. But based on what we tried, I’ll definitely be back. If you’re in the East Bay and looking for upscale Indian food, this...

Exceptional Indian Cuisine & a Perfect Birthday Celebration at Pippal, Dublin.

We recently celebrated a birthday dinner at Pippal in Dublin , and it turned out to be one of the most memorable dining experiences we’ve had in the Bay Area. From the warm welcome at the entrance to the elegant interiors and beautifully curated menu, everything about Pippal exudes class and comfort in equal measure. Our group tried a variety of dishes like the Live Chaat trolley , Mushroom Galouti , Siddhu , Littli chokha were standouts, each bursting with authentic Indian flavors presented in a modern, refined way. The Malai Kofta and Assami vegetable curry was rich and aromatic, and the butter naan was soft and perfectly charred. The desserts were to die and well thought out , not too sweet on the palette yet gives a well deserved sweet treat to end the meal .

The staff went out of their way to make our birthday celebration special — from arranging a beautifully plated dessert with a candle to ensuring every guest felt well taken care of. Their attentiveness and genuine warmth really elevated the evening. The cocktails were equally impressive, especially the ones infused with Indian spices — creative, balanced, and perfectly paired with the meal. Pippal strikes that rare balance between fine dining and heartfelt hospitality. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just in the mood for exceptional Indian food, this place is a must-visit. A true culinary gem in Pleasanton and easily one of the best modern Indian restaurants in...