Mallu Cafe — Restaurant in Philadelphia

Please note: I've only gotten take out from here. Reason being, this establishment caters to providing takeout (to various south Indian functions, churches, family events, etc.) rather than dine-in customers.... so you have to treat it as such. If you are looking for good sit-down Indian restaurant with pleasant setting and an appetizing atmosphere... I would suggest elsewhere. That being said, below is my pros and cons list for the food & the place:

Food Pros: The south-Indian dishes are very good (better than the other similar Philly places, as well as my home on some items), Food seems pretty fresh, Quick preparation. Beef & King-fish curry/fry are excellent and very authentic IMO!!

Food Cons: Somewhat overpriced for the portions (maybe different for dine-in). The owners somewhat rude, especially if you want to change anything and is not looking to please unless you are placing a large/bulk order.

Restaurant Pros: Easy parking (though somewhat disorganized), reasonably Clean, Will not charge tax if you pay with cash (which I guess could be a con-depending on your point of view)

Restaurant Cons: Ok Decor, hot and sticky, owner/waiter is not very curtious/friendly, smells like a south Indian kitchen.

My intention is not to bash or to glorify this place. It is an unbiased account of my experience here over the past 2 yrs. First & foremost, this place is not the typical Indian food that Americans are used to. They specialize in south Indian home cooking and my review based on my background (south-India till age 12 and America after) and my love of south-Indian home cooking. If you've never had south Indian cooking, I urge you to go with an open mind. South Indian dishes tend to me spicier/hotter and not as creamy as north Indian dishes and you cannot compare between the two...

Good bye to Mallu Caffe. Ordered goat biriyani on 9/7/18 and none of us could find even a single piece of goat in that briyani. We found that they cheated us with chicken briyani and got insulted infront of guests. I placed call to the owner next day he apologized and promised to pay me the compensation during next purchase. I made my next purchase on 9/15/18 and told cashier “Roshan, son of the owner” what happened last time, he was so rude stated he can’t do anything and has to talk to the person who was on that day( he means his father ). I asked him why can’t you call your dad and ask him, he said he can’t because he is just an employee. Even the cook accepted his mistake saying it was a busy day but the Mr. Rashan kept saying he won’t do anything because he is not the one who made this mistake. Finally I told him this will be my last purchase he said he doesn’t care. Good bye...

Mallu Cafe is an absolute gem for authentic South Indian cuisine in Philadelphia. I’ve been a loyal customer since 2019, and their food has consistently been top-notch, offering a true taste of Kerala.

Beyond the food, Mallu Cafe stands out for its warm and welcoming support for family events, making them a go-to choice for special occasions. One of the owners, Shine, deserves special mention for his humility, customer-friendly attitude, and a commitment to helping others. I recently had the pleasure of meeting him during a visit to the U.S. and tried their delicious Mallu evening snacks. It was a delightful experience that further solidified my admiration for this place.

I wholeheartedly recommend Mallu Cafe for anyone craving authentic South Indian flavors or looking for a restaurant that feels like home. Wishing them continued success and more happy...