Falaknuma Indian Arabian Restaurant & Catering — Restaurant in Fremont

Disappointing Visit — Food Quality and Hygiene Concerns

We visited this restaurant for a late lunch around 2:30 PM on a Sunday, primarily to try the Roomali Roti, which we were really looking forward to. We even drove quite a distance to get here. Unfortunately, the overall experience was very disappointing.

The menu was quite limited, which usually suggests the kitchen specializes in a few standout items—but that wasn’t the case for us. We ordered the Nawabi Chicken, Chicken 65, and Roomali Roti.

Nawabi Chicken:

This did not feel like an authentic chicken curry. The chicken and curry seemed to have been cooked separately and simply mixed together just before serving.

The dish was served cold, with neither the chicken nor the curry properly heated.

It was also overly salty, making it hard to enjoy.

Roomali Roti:

The rotis were served cold and had become rubbery—likely because they weren’t fresh or weren’t kept warm.

Given we only ordered three, we had hoped they’d be served at least warm, if not hot. Sadly, they were not.

Chicken 65:

This was the most acceptable dish of the three, but even this was lukewarm, as if it had been sitting out before being brought to our table.

Additionally, some rice from another dish (meant for a different table) had spilled onto our Chicken 65 plate during service, which raised hygiene concerns.

We quietly finished what we could and left, not wanting to make a scene. However, on the way home, both of us started feeling unwell—experiencing stomach discomfort and loose motions shortly after.

Bottom Line: Our experience here was very poor—both in terms of food quality and hygiene. We had high expectations, but were left disappointed. I would strongly recommend exercising caution...

I had a chance to dine at Faluknama in Fremont on Valentine’s Day, and overall, it was a mixed experience.

To start with, the appetizers were fantastic. The Chicken 65 with Rumali Roti was easily the best you can find in the Bay Area—perfectly spiced, crispy, and flavorful. The Reshmi Kebab and Tandoori Chicken were also excellent, well-marinated, and grilled to perfection.

Moving on to the main course, I ordered the Chicken Mandi and Zafrani Chicken Dum Biryani. The Chicken Mandi had a nice Arabian spice profile and was decently prepared, though not extraordinary. However, the Zafrani Chicken Biryani was a letdown. While it had a rich aroma and good flavor, the chicken itself was undercooked, which really took away from the dish (probably because it was crowded).

Another major concern was cleanliness and hygiene. The serving spoons were not cleaned properly—I found leftover cilantro pieces and food remnants when picking them up from the tray. This is something that definitely needs improvement.

On the positive side, the ambiance was excellent. It’s rare to find an Indian restaurant with such a well-thought-out and inviting atmosphere, making it a great place for special occasions.

Overall, Faluknama has great potential, especially with its appetizers and ambiance, but there are clear areas that need improvement, particularly in food preparation and hygiene. With some refinements, this could easily become one of the best Indian dining spots in the Bay Area.

Would I return? For the appetizers, yes. But for the biryani, not unless they improve the quality.

PS: I had to wait for around 30mins to get a table, the restaurant is very recently opened and has gained good popularity but definitely needs some...

Just amazing food! Wish I could give more than 5 stars for the review rating. The flavors and aroma were very much like the one we get in India. I couldn't believe that I eventually found a place in USA where I can get food that tastes as in Bengaluru. Pathar Gosht and Chicken 65, both with Rumali roti were mesmerizing. Just when I thought that I couldn't eat anymore (after it was over ;) ), came the Goat Mandi. I was so full, I thought of just tasting it, but just after the first bite of meat, I knew I can't stop without having as much goat mandi as possible. The flavor of meat in both Pathar Gosht and Goat mandi was so profound and the meat was so well done and tender, just loved having them. I was so impressed with the food that, before leaving I went to the counter and spoke to the person (Naseer) at the counter and thanked him for providing this wonderful option of food that tastes so much like in India. The ambience is really good. There are hardly any restaurants that have such neat and well maintained ambience around here. The only thing I would advise you is to plan for waiting to get a table, as this place is crowded (obviously for the delicious food), or seemed to be so during my visit. Will be going back there as often as possible. Wishing them much success in this business so that they can expand to...