A welcoming San Rafael Indian restaurant with highly praised buffet, thali, naan, and curry offerings, though lunch-buffet quality can vary and the current menu differs from some older reviews.
New Delhi Indian Cuisine delivers strong food quality and attentive service that keep regulars returning weekly, anchored by a well-executed buffet with fresh, flavorful preparations. The casual setting offers clean, comfortable dining with convenient transit access, though the unassuming location and modest ambiance prevent it from reaching the highest tier. Consistency remains solid across visits, though occasional buffet dips and limited culinary guidance keep it just short of exceptional.
New Delhi Indian Cuisine is a warm, relaxed downtown San Rafael dining room that feels more inviting once you step inside than its modest exterior suggests. Reviewers repeatedly describe clean surroundings, cultural artwork, calm seating, and kind hosts; one diner characterized it as a peaceful refuge after navigating rush-hour traffic. Its location beside the transit center is a genuine convenience, and the room appears comfortable for families and groups. The cooking is classic Indian comfort food with a broad buffet-and-thali focus rather than an experimental menu. Fresh naan, goat curry, butter chicken, palak paneer, samosas, momos, biryani, and chai generate the most enthusiasm, while the current menu adds vegan lunch boxes, gluten-free buffet choices, salmon, lamb chops, and paneer specialties. Most diners find the food flavorful, fresh, generous, and fairly priced, although one lunch visit found several buffet dishes bland or tired; older biryani references may reflect a previous menu. Families are well served by the current menu and review evidence: kids have enjoyed the buffet, and approachable choices include butter chicken, chicken wings, rice, naan, samosas, and mild curry options. There is no dedicated children's menu shown, but the range of familiar foods makes this a strong family choice, especially at lunch when children can sample several dishes.
Area vibe: Small-city downtown with a mix of civic buildings, local shops, and restaurants.
Safety: Generally safe with decent evening foot traffic though quieter late at night in some blocks.
What's nearby: Close to 4th Street shopping/dining strip, nearby courthouse, transit connections, and city offices.