Charcol Indian Kitchen — Restaurant in Huntington Beach

I recently visited Charcoal Indian Kitchen and had a fantastic experience overall.

Ambiance: The outdoor seating was perfect, especially since we came straight from the dog beach with our pup. They were incredibly accommodating, even turning on the outdoor heaters to keep us warm. The inside has a modern vibe, but it's worth noting that this isn't a traditional sit-down restaurant—you order at the counter before finding a seat, which might be good to know ahead of time.

Food: We tried a variety of dishes — Paneer Butter Masala, garlic naan, Paneer Dosa, Samosa, and Papdi Chaat. Everything was delicious, but the Paneer Dosa was the standout for me. The garlic naan was also exceptional, probably the best I've had. The Paneer Butter Masala, while tasty, lacked the tanginess and spice I'm used to. That said, the quality and flavors were still impressive.

Service: The staff was friendly and went above and beyond. A highlight was when the chef made my wife a dish that wasn’t even on the menu—a nice personal touch that made the experience special.

Pricing: The prices were incredibly reasonable and one of the first things that caught my attention. For the quality and portion sizes, it felt like a great value.

Overall Experience: I’d highly recommend Charcoal Indian Kitchen, but there’s one thing that could use improvement. The food came out in a somewhat random order—naan arrived before the curries, some items came out cold by the time others were served, which disrupted the flow of the meal a bit. It didn’t ruin the experience, but it’s something they...

My family and I visited Charcoal Indian Kitchen in Huntington Beach today while we were in the area, and it was a fantastic experience. This local spot blends the convenience of fast food with a more upscale Indian dining vibe. Having opened just a few months ago, it’s still new, but it’s already making a strong impression.

The gentleman who opened the restaurant previously worked at other Indian restaurants I’ve frequented and loved, so I went in with high hopes for the food—and I wasn’t disappointed. The interior is spotlessly clean, and the menu is expansive, offering dozens of delicious options for both meat-lovers and vegetarians alike.

We sampled a wide variety of dishes: dosa (which we tried in multiple styles, including chicken tikka dosa and masala dosa), chicken skewers, paneer, lamb pepper fry, lamb saag, garlic and butter naan, chili naan, a paneer bowl, and mango lassi to wash it all down.

Despite the restaurant only being in business for three months, I tempered my expectations since new places often need time to find their footing. But Charcoal Indian Kitchen exceeded all of them. The food was outstanding, with bold flavors and perfect execution across every dish. The service was equally impressive—friendly, attentive, and efficient.

Our family, which includes some tough critics, couldn’t find a single dish to fault. Everything was a hit. Charcoal Indian Kitchen has nailed it with their menu and hospitality, earning a well-deserved five stars from us. We’ll...

I love dosa and as a vegan, I was thrilled to find a dosa place nearby. I ordered the masala dosa, which was labeled as vegan. For a takeout meal, I was impressed that the dosa maintained its crispiness. However, it lacked the signature 'fermented' flavor that makes a dosa so unique. This made me wonder if the batter was actually fermented.The filling was tasty, but it was missing some key ingredients, like curry leaves and whole red chilies, which are essential for that authentic South Indian taste. The chutneys were good, but I was a bit disappointed with the sambar. It felt more like a thick dal without any vegetables. Sambar should ideally have a slight tanginess from tamarind and a more complex flavor profile. Overall, the dosa was thin and crispy, and the taste was still good. For someone who’s never had dosa before, they will enjoy it as the flavor is good. I hope the restaurant can work on these aspects to bring the dish closer to the traditional flavors. That said, I’m excited to try other items from the menu, as I see there are plenty of...