Yemen Cafe & Restaurant — Restaurant in San Pablo

Decided to try this place out for dinner during Valentines Day. We tried to get sushi and Mexican food but both restaurants parking lots were full. Ended up here at Royal Indian and the place was empty. The place was brightly lit, and had incense burning near the TV playing hip Indian music videos which was quite fun to watch and to listen to. The staff was surprised we decided to dine in. We ordered the saag paneer, chicken tikka masala, an assortment of naan and a vegetarian burrito. Total cost including tip was about $60. Everything came out to the table fairly quickly and I could not complain about the food. Everything was delicious. Naan was light, slightly crispy, and complimented each of the entrees. Saag paneer was outstanding. Paneer chunks were generous and the entree was packed with flavor. The chicken tikka masala was my sons favorite. He was forced to join us and didn’t want to be there but the food completely changed his mood. I even overheard another customer dining in speaking to one of the staff members on how he enjoyed everything he ordered.

They’ve only been open for two weeks so understandably there were not many customers. I used to have a favorite Indian restaurant which is part of a grocery store nearby but the flavors recently changed, keeping us from coming back. Royal Indian is definitely our new favorite spot. They have an Instagram account too with a few photos of some of their dishes.

The ambiance feels as if you are eating in a school cafeteria with the bright white fluorescent lighting. So it wasn’t quite the place to be for Valentines Day but the food was so good, we had no regrets. I wish them the best success and hope they are...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Royal Indian, and I must say that it was a truly exceptional experience. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warm hospitality.

One of the standout dishes for me was the aloo saag, which was absolutely amazing. The spinach and potato combination was perfectly cooked and seasoned to perfection. The flavor was robust, yet not overpowering, and I could taste the care and attention that went into making this dish.

Another dish that blew me away was the Malai chicken Tikka. The flavor was so rich and nutty, with just the right amount of spice. The raisins added an unexpected sweetness that complemented the dish perfectly. The chicken was so tender and juicy, and it was clear that only the freshest and highest quality ingredients were used.

And let's talk about the sides - the bhatura was fresh, hot, and fluffy - a perfect accompaniment to the main dishes. The garlic naan was fantastic as well, with the garlic flavor being just the right amount without being overpowering. The basmati rice was delicious, unexpectedly seasoned.

To wash it all down, I tried both the mango lassi and salt mint lassi, and both were fantastic. The mango lassi was sweet, creamy, and refreshing, and the salt mint lassi was a perfect balance of saltiness and minty freshness.

Overall, my dining experience at Royal Indian Restaurant was nothing short of fantastic. The food was incredible, the service was impeccable. I highly recommend...

I consider myself something of a connoisseur of Yemeni cuisine, having tried every Yemeni restaurant in the bay area. In terms of authenticity, especially with its spice profiles, this place is the closest you'll get, and that's a significant compliment.

The young boy working the front was exceptionally polite and did a wonderful job managing the dining room under what seemed like stressful circumstances. However, our visit had some major drawbacks.

The most significant issue was the wait. It took over 45 minutes to receive our food, which felt excessively long. When the food finally arrived, the authenticity of the spices was evident, but the execution was off. The chicken haneeth, which should be fall-off-the-bone tender, was unfortunately quite dry. Similarly, the sahawiq (the spicy tomato sauce) lacked seasoning and was noticeably unsalted, which was a real disappointment as it's such a vital condiment.

I'm giving four stars primarily for the authentic spice base and the excellent service from the young man. But due to the long wait and the issues with the key dishes, this isn't a place I see myself returning to. It has great potential, but the kitchen needs more...