Indian Hotspot — Restaurant in San Ramon

I recently traveled to the Bay Area from the East Coast, and driving through San Ramon, I was hit with the irresistible aroma of authentic Indian spices lingering in the air. It didn’t take long before my curiosity and hunger got the best of me, and after a couple of turns, I found the source – an elegant Indian restaurant called “Indian HotSpot.”

The moment I stepped inside, I was completely wowed. I’m not exaggerating when I say this is one of the most upscale Indian fine-dining spots I’ve ever been to in the U.S. The interior is sleek and cool, perfect for summer dining, while the outdoor seating on the porch is cozy and warm – ideal for winter afternoons soaking in the sun. Every detail of the décor, from the lighting to the paintings and fixtures on the walls, is so thoughtfully designed that it makes you feel welcomed no matter where you sit. And I must mention the silverware – the bronze-polished cutlery and beautifully arranged table settings, down to the labeled pots, add such a luxurious touch.

One of the unique features here is that you can watch the chefs in action – both inside and outside, where fresh items are grilled and served right to your table.

But enough about the ambiance – let’s talk about the food! With so many tempting options on the menu, from appetizers to entrees, desserts, and drinks, I found myself in a bit of a dilemma about where to start. Eventually, I decided to go for the appetizers, and I ate so much that I almost forgot about the main course! But once the fragrant, beautifully plated dishes arrived, I found myself hungry all over again just from the smell.

After savoring the main course, I couldn’t resist trying the desserts and drinks. One standout was the cheeku shake – a refreshing and delightful treat that I had never tried before. The desserts were equally impressive, especially the exotic kala jamun with raspberry and the rich gaajar halwa packed with dried fruits. The drinks were served in a unique style – large glass jars with gol-gappas and sweet and tangy chutneys on the side. I lost track of how many I had but kept going back for more!

A special mention to the outdoor food stall, where freshly made aloo-tikki chaat and piping hot jalebis were being prepared – the perfect street food experience to complement the fine dining. You’ll be so engrossed in the food that you might forget to socialize, even if you're with friends!

While I was there, I also witnessed a group of friends celebrating a birthday party. It’s no surprise this place is popular for special occasions – the atmosphere, food, and service make it a top choice in the area.

On top of everything, Indian HotSpot has a charming gift shop filled with artistic Indian collectibles – from traditional Rajasthani and Gujarati gift hampers to colorful turbans, terracotta pots, and festive pooja thalis. It’s a one-stop shop for all things Indian festivals, and I saw plenty of families and kids enjoying themselves, picking out souvenirs and snapping selfies.

The owner and staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, going out of their way to make sure every guest has a memorable experience. Their menu is also impressively flexible, offering something for vegetarians, non-vegetarians, and vegans, and they’re happy to customize dishes to suit any preference.

Overall, my dining experience was nothing short of extraordinary. I’d give Indian HotSpot a solid 5 out of 5, and I can’t wait to go back. Whether you’re looking for a fine dining experience or a special place to celebrate, this restaurant is...

We were the first ones to come in for the evening buffet. The staff was not really ready for us yet. That said, they did put us up in the booth as they got ready with the final arrangements.

Let’s start with the positives:

Food was decent. Very good vegetarian selection. They had beetroot cutlets, pakoras, samosa chat, momos, chowmein, veg manchurian, tandoori malai paneer, paneer masala, methi matar malai, dal makhani, jeera rice, pani puri, bhel, masala peanuts, dahi bhalle, raita, chutneys, lime soda, and chai (I am sure I am forgetting a few things)! Very very good selection. It was $25 per person for the veg weekend buffet, and the selection was worth the money! The naans were coming fresh from the kitchen; they had butter and garlic naans.

Some of the dishes were somewhat spicy, not too kid friendly, however, our 2 year old loved the methi matar malai and naans!

For dessert, they had gulab jamun and rasmalai. Gulab jamun was decent but ras malai was below par. It was watery and not quite sweet. This place didn’t look like the type to economize on the food looking at the chunks of paneer that were being served, so maybe just an off day for the ras malai?

Now for the not so good parts (the reason it’s 3 out of 5 stars):

When we were seated, there were no napkins, silverware, or glasses at our table, Everything was self service. We had to pick up each of these at the buffet station. It was getting to be a little cumbersome. The waiters and waitresses were there just to bring naans and take away used plates. I wish they handled these basics outside of the buffet. The glasses for water were regular disposable cups; didn’t scream “classy”.

The silverware and some of the cups were recently washed (hopefully) and were wet. This made us a little iffy on the cleanliness of the spoons and cups! The silverware were also an assorted bunch; not every spoon was from the same set!

The men’s room toilet was overflowing. There were empty plastic takeaway containers on the floor to scoop the water out and of course, there was water all over the floor. The faucet in the men’s room was also extremely painful to operate. If you didn’t come in at the right angle and stayed still for the right duration of time, you were not getting any water to wash your hands. There was soap all over the sink… just not cleaned. Unfortunately, this was at the beginning of dinner service, so not too hopeful that things got any better after that.

The food was mostly decent but I had severe stomach pains that night… I really wanted the experience to be good here… but it wasn’t to be.

I would like to go back and give this place a second shot, but my SO was so ticked off from the silverware/napkins/water etc. that we will not make...

Honest Review: Indian Hotspot, San Ramon – Not Worth the Hype or the Price

Went to Indian Hotspot in San Ramon hoping for a good Indian buffet experience – came back thoroughly disappointed and frustrated.

Let’s start with the basics: The buffet is hugely overpriced for what’s offered. We paid over $100 for a few adults and kids, but honestly, it didn’t feel like we got even half the value. They even charged half price for kids under 4, which is absurd – toddlers barely eat anything.

The buffet was a mess. Most of the pots were either completely empty or had scraps left, and no one was refilling them on time. We and other guests had to keep asking the manager repeatedly to get items restocked. At one point, we were literally waiting around for food to show up – not something you expect at a buffet.

The staff was extremely limited – it was clear they couldn’t handle the crowd. No proper coordination, and service was slow and frustrating.

Quality of food? Just okay-ish. Definitely not something I’d return for. For the price they charge, you'd expect at least one standout dish – we found none.

There were side orders like chaats and other small items, but what's the point if your main buffet dishes are mostly missing or cold? Priorities seem misplaced.

To make things worse, there were barely any spoons available – just forks everywhere. Had to go on a mini scavenger hunt just to get the right cutlery. Basic things were missing.

Ambience is the only decent thing about the place, but let's be honest – people come to eat, not admire lighting and furniture.

Photos: I really don't need to mention that, photos shared by others tell the story.

Overall, a total letdown. Left the place irritated and feeling ripped off. Not coming back, and wouldn’t recommend unless they seriously overhaul their management, staff,...