Diwali Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in San Francisco

Authentic Indian flavors that truly surprised me!

At first glance, the name Diwali Indian Cuisine felt a bit generic—but the food turned out to be anything but that. I was genuinely amazed by how authentic and flavorful everything tasted. It’s rare to find Indian restaurants in the Bay Area that truly get the depth of spice and richness right, especially in paneer and chicken curries—but this place absolutely nailed it.

We ordered: • Paneer Manchurian • Chicken Manchurian • Kadai Paneer and Kadai Chicken • Pepper Chicken • Gongura Chicken

The kadai paneer and the kadai chicken in particular blew me away—it instantly transported me back to the kind of curries you’d get in Bangalore: deeply spiced, rich in flavors, and comforting. Overall, I will rate it as one of the best curries in the Bay.

Both Manchurian dishes had that classic Indo-Chinese flavor that’s hard to find in the U.S.—crispy, tangy, and perfectly balanced. The pepper chicken and gongura chicken were packed with flavor and cooked to perfection.

To top it off, the owner Kamala was incredibly warm and welcoming. You can tell this is a place run with love, and it reflects in the food and hospitality.

This restaurant is a true gem, and I can’t...

Amal went above and beyond — incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to help. If you're unsure what to order, definitely ask for Amal. He’ll guide you based on your preferences and give you thoughtful recommendations.

I recently discovered this new restaurant, and it instantly became a favorite — especially for one standout dish: Chicken 65.

Chicken 65 at this place is the best of all restaurants that I’ve tried in all of San Francisco and San Jose. Tastes exactly like the original version from Chennai, South India. Bravo to the Chef for bringing back the true authentic taste. Chicken 65 is not spicy, it’s mild and can taste the Flavors better. Masala Dosa is a 10/10.

The restaurant itself is clean and welcoming — a perfect place for both quick bites and relaxed meals.

If you're on the hunt for authentic South Indian flavors in the Bay Area, look no further.

Here’s what I Ordered: Chicken 65 (vibrant red, mild spicy) Masala Dosa (has stuffed potatoes) Mango Lassi Drink (cool, refreshing, and not overly sweet)

Restroom ✨💖 Never seen such a clean Restroom, that speaks high attention to detail. Extremely clean, super impressed how spotless they've cared...

I only hesitate to give this place five stars because I don’t want it to become so popular that I can’t get in! But that’s going to happen – the food and hospitality are amazing!

Simple dishes like Samosa are fresh and light - and the Pani Poori were a dazzling blend of sweet and savory in a crisp puris. The dosa are crispy and soft at the same time- and the potatoes inside the Masala Dosa are almost indescribable- how do you make potatoes “light”?!?! Our kids loved the Butter Chicken and the Chicken Tikka Dosa, and my wife found the King Fish Tawa fresh, moist and very very flavorful.

To add to the warm feelings the food delivers, the family living their dream to open an authentic South Indian restaurant could not be kinder or more welcoming. Kamala and Dheeraj ( I hope I got that right!) work full time in IT by day and are following their dreams at night.

If you want to enjoy amazing food and hospitality, this is a great place...