Utsav Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Torrance

Five stars.

For context, I’ve been eating Indian food for about 14 years, and I don’t believe in mediocre food just for the sake of it. When the chefs and ingredients are high quality, the food speaks for itself. That’s exactly what I found here.

I came on a Saturday for the buffet, which was only $15 — an incredible price for all-you-can-eat. The naan was standout: served fresh in four generous pieces, with a buttery, slightly sweet flavor that almost reminded me of pancakes. Easily one of the best naan I’ve ever had.

I tried the chicken tikka masala, and it was exceptional. I expected it to be very spicy, but it was perfectly balanced — maybe a 3 or 4 out of 10 on spice level. The chicken was clearly high quality, and the sauce was rich and flavorful. Whatever cream they use is remarkable: I’m extremely lactose intolerant, yet I had no reaction at all, which never happens for me with dairy.

The mango lassi (about $5) was also fantastic — a generous portion and easily a 10/10. My counterpart ordered the aloo gobi, gulab jamun, and another lassi, and everything was phenomenal across the board: great flavor, well-balanced spice, and made with quality ingredients.

The staff was just as wonderful as the food: friendly, kind, attentive, and always checking if we needed water or naan. They were chatty in a warm, inviting way, and it was clear they genuinely care about the dining experience.

Seating is a little tight, but the tables are comfortable, and they’re happy to seat you wherever works best.

It’s a shame the restaurant isn’t busier — they told us the summer heat can make business harder, since fewer people want heavy food in the heat. But honestly, this food isn’t “too heavy” at all; it’s vibrant, flavorful, and clearly made with care.

I’ll definitely be coming back, likely on a weekday to try their regular menu outside the buffet. But even just the weekend buffet was outstanding. Fantastic people, phenomenal food. Highly...

We stopped by to get some dinner on the evening of June 16 2024, after picking the place due to decent ratings. The outside of the restaurant has a neglected look and can use some updating, although inside is cozier than it looks from outside. There were only two other tables occupied at the time, out of approximately 10-12 tables. As soon as we entered, a gentleman, who appeared to be the owner, shouted 30 min couple of times loudly from the back of the room. It was rude and seemed like he wanted us to go away. We were puzzled and were trying to decide what to do when the waiter, who was lot more professional, explained that it would take 30 minutes for the food to arrive after ordering. We sat down and ordered paneer tikka masala, vegetable korma, vegetable biryani, and butter naan. I have to admit that the naan was probably the best of the four items. Paneer tikka masala was very tomatoey. What was more shocking was that they seemed to have put a frozen vegetable mix in the korma and biryani. The vegetables were soggy, not chopped up like they should be, and clearly microwaved before adding to the dish. This is not acceptable in a restaurant. I would not recommend this restaurant unless they improve service and...

We love dining at Utsav! The food is fresh and delicious (my favorite is the butter chicken!), but the other reason Utsav has become our go-to lunch spot is Raj’s EXCEPTIONAL HOSPITALITY. Each time we visit, Raj is attentive, welcoming, and goes above and beyond for us. For example, on multiple occasions, we have brought my toddler with us to eat. Anyone who has dined with a toddler knows the stresses that come with it — messes, noise, etc. — but Raj is always so welcoming of my son and engages with him throughout the visit. This not only delights my son, but also helps us feel relaxed and comfortable to enjoy our meal. Time and time again, Raj welcomes us and greets my son by name, which is meaningful to us!

As for the food, Utsav serves the best Indian cuisine around - you can’t go wrong ordering from the menu! I also like the lunch buffet because I can enjoy a variety of freshly made, flavorful dishes for a very affordable price.

Between the exceptional hospitality and food, it’s no wonder my family and I will continue to drive 30 minutes each way to enjoy...