Clients reviews about CAFE 23

Do you like Mexican food? Do you like Indian food? This place will soon be your best friend. This was my first time here and I had the chicken tikka masala burrito which was by far one of the greatest creations I think I've ever tasted. Seriously, this is probably the best collaboration since Danger Mouse decided to mashup Jay-Z and The Beatles and make the Grey Album. They've got straight up Mexican food and straight up Indian food (definitely try some samosas) but the gem of this place is definitely all of the fusion food. There's also free Wi-Fi and plenty of seating around the café, so you can even get some work done here if you want! It's right up the street from USC (on 23rd and Portland) so if you live anywhere near it, you should definitely check this place out! ~ Carolyn D

I recently visited Cafe 23, and I have to say—it was an amazing experience from start to finish! The restaurant is now under new management, and you can really feel the difference. The food was authentic, flavorful, and freshly made—easily some of the best Indian cuisine I’ve had in a long time. From the moment I walked in, the staff was warm, welcoming, and attentive. The new team is clearly passionate about what they do, and it shows in both the food and the service. I highly recommend trying their Tawa roti, chicken curry and paneer tikka. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Indian food or trying it for the first time, Cafe 23 is a must-visit. The new management is doing an incredible job—let’s support them and help this gem get the recognition it truly deserves! ~ Mandeep S

This is easily my favorite Indian restaurant in LA and I come here almost weekly at this point. I used to get the chicken vindaloo curry with garlic naan and rice before switching to the tikka masala burrito, and my god the burrito is impeccable. No shade to the curry as the vindaloo was always fantastic and the chicken cooked beautifully, but the tikka masala burrito is truly unmatched. A combination of rice, beans, and tikka masala chicken, all wrapped in a flour tortilla and grilled to perfection is a staple for any occasion. This burrito has cured my hangovers, my depression, and even my relationships with my roommates. No burrito has had such an influential impact on my life as this one has. If you were given an hour to live, that's just enough time to order and eat at 23rd street cafe. ~ Charles R

I’ve traveled a lot and tried Indian food in many places, but 23rd Cafe truly stands out. With the new owners, the food feels homely and full of flavor—just like a proper home-cooked meal. As an Indian myself, I can honestly say this is the only place where I’ve found dosas, sambar, and chole bhature that taste this authentic outside of home. The dosas are crisp and delicious, the sambar has rich flavor, and every dish feels made with care. I’ve brought my kids and family here, and we’ve all really enjoyed it. If you’re looking for real, flavorful Indian food that tastes like home, this is the spot. Highly recommend! ~ BeU D

What a hidden gem!! We visited our son at USC. We just accidentally barged in and were blown away by the quality and quantity of food. Started with mango lassi - fresh made was five star Samosa chhole chat - awesome tamarind chutney and home made yogurt, paneer tikka wrap - get 5 stars. Then came the knocker - Saag paneer combo, malai kofta combo. Awesome. I ordered Alu parantha and Gobhi parantha - would totally recommend. The chai to top it off in the patio (surrounded fragrance of Lavendar, lemon and Mint - cool breeze blowing) was great. Absolutely come here ~ Puneet S

This is the Indian restaurant I recommend to anyone who asks. They are family owned and have excellent service. Very friendly, have a small bar as well. They have out-of-this world breakfast sandwiches. Their all-you-can-eat lunch buffet is so good, the food is never old or cold, they take care of everything. The bathroom is clean, the restaurant and kitchen are always spotless as well. They have a nice patio with ample seating and flowering vines and umbrellas. Affordable, incredibly good food and personal service. Always 5 stars, would always recommend. ~ Colin R

We came for lunch with a party of 7 on our way to USC . Don’t let the outside location fool you on the quality of this place . Inside you will find a delicious home cooked food served with amazing hospitality. We ordered Vada pav , dosa ( note it’s a thin slice of dosa ) , chicken and goat curry with plain naans and puris . Everything was cooked fresh. Filter coffee was the only item that didn’t come the way I thought it will. Megha & team run a great restaurant. Will definitely visit next time I am in the area ~ Reynold N

Fui muito bem atendido pela Manju, fiz o pedido de um prato de $20 e ela começou a cozinhar tudo na hora só pra mim, A comida estava fresca muito saborosa. Nota máxima para comida e o serviço pois a Maju foi muito gentil em explicar o cardápio e permitiu que eu escolhesse as opções que ela colocaria no prato. O ambiente infelizmente não estava nos melhores, as paredes estavam sujas assim como o chão em alguns lugares que notei. Pelo menos o prato estava limpo e a comida estava boa mas o ambiente não é dos melhores. ~ Arthur C

One of the Best Fusion Eateries in LA. Indian, Mexican, American Food served Right and Delicious. Always made to order. I recommend all their fusion dishes. That Chicken Tikka Burrito is fire. And don't sleep on their Teas: The Indian Masala Tea is Heavenly. Support Local Small Businesses. Their on DoorDash, GrubHub, and Uber Eats. Affordable. Delicious. Quality food. Excellent Service. $-$$ They have a $9.99 Lunch Deal that's worth every penny. ~ Tekoah F

Nice small spot, and the food was great! It was my first time going there. To be honest I never noticed it, but my friend told me their food is so good and she is particular about what she eats. I got the chicken curry breakfast burrito (I know, Indian breakfast burrito?!) but it was soooo good!!! The burrito was so huge, I ate that big boy for two meals! I plan on going back again to try something else. 😊 ~ Joyce H

Food here is best we tried in long, reminded me of best foods in have ate in India, Everything in menu is awesome, the place can easily become go to try different things each day we visit. We are sorted for our one week’s visit to LA People here are great and like family. Love your place guys, thanks Guys for being so nice and for awesome food!!! Samosa, Allo paratha, saag paneer, paneer masala ~ praveen d

The food feels like home, it’s really fresh and the menu is so big that you never run out of new options to try! The staff treats is so warm and welcoming. It feels like you’re eating a meal with your family! The ambiance is so great as well - there’s always Bollywood songs playing. Their value-for-money is so great. You get a full thali for $9.99! ~ Devanshi P

Very cozy little hideaway/Cafe! Was itching to go here for years but never did for whatever reason! I'm really sad I've been depriving my taste buds for so long!? This place is probably in my top three places for fusion food I've ever had! 😍 I had the chicken marsala quesadilla & the minced lamb something? Both were very delicious, mid-level price.. not cheap not expensive; highly recommended! ~ Daniel

I loved this place the food amount was good and the prices were affordable. I got the chicken tikka masala and it was a great choice. The naans were good too. I had left overs because the amount served was a lot and it filled me up. I was happy about the amount served and the taste. There was also dessert available and I ordered cheese cake to go. I definitely will be coming back. ~ Maricela O

I found this place by accident. I came to Art of Living and saw this sweet little Indian restaurant in the end of the lane. We ordered for Vada Paav and Masala Dosa with Khullar Chai. The vada Paav gave me absolute Mumbai vibes with the same peanut chutney and fried green chilli with it. The dosa was crisp and what delicious Sambar n tomato chutney. I absolutely recommend this place. ~ Manpreet K

We randomly bumped into this place and what a surprise! Simple ghar ka Khana (household food) which is hard to find in a Indian restaurant where people add so much oil and masala. The food here was a delight and reminded me of my mom’s daal 😊 Can’t wait to try other items on their menu 👍🏻 sardar ji was very polite and welcoming ! ~ Nayana k

This place is amazing. It was first just a random spot around the corner. But each time I eat there, I discover something new, and it’s been amazing! First off, all their breakfast burritos as great but that chicken tikka breakfast burrito is next level. If you want to feast, order any Balti dish, so good on a cold day! ~ Eugene P

Las muchachas mexicanas son amables y los dueños e hijas,siempre está amargadas.Pero la comida es buena,sólo cambiar ese carácter de ogros ~ Maria O

💜👌यहा जरूर खाना 💯💙. Reasonably priced Food. Best for students.😄. More neat and clean now. आत्मा शान्ति खाना 😎 ~ Sajal S

The owners are very friendly and kind and the food is just amazing. My recommendation (which is not in the menu) is the mala chaap. They also catered food for our ganesh chaturthi event and it was great without onion and garlic. Will keep coming back! ~ Nishant T

The food was absolutely a delight. They even kept the restaurant open late in the night just for us. The hospitality was homelike and I really like their paneer, the dal is to die for and the bhindi is finger licking delicious. Definitely must go restaurant. ~ Jitesh V

The food was amazing and the service was incredibly friendly. The value of the meal was really great as well and for less than 20 bucks i got an entree,naan, two sides, desert, and a drink. I couldn't finish it all and ended up taking some home. Come with friends or with an appetite, maybe both. ~ Andrew G

Very interesting place in DTLA. Next to university, so you will find many young crowd here. Everytime I visit this cafe, it reminds me my college days in India. Very authentic Indian style cafe ambience and food. Must try: Chicken Quesadilla and Samosa chat ~ Stavan M

Le doy una muy buena calificación porque la comida habla por si sola amigos asi es que vengan y disfruten de un buen platillo ... ~ Juan C

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