Little India Cafe

This Indian restaurant is OK. The blinds and the curtains need a good dusting. Depending when you go, you might have to search around for parking since the lot is very small and busy.
Beware: The naan bread and rice are NOT included in your dish unless specified otherwise. We were disappointed to find out after our meal that they charge 5 $ for rice per person!
We ordered butter chicken and shahi korma. Both were tasty, the butter chicken could be creamier and had more of a tomato-​y flavour than other butter chicken we’ve had but was still good. Shahi korma was good as well, the beef was very tender.
Even though the food was good and service decent, we won’t be coming back to this restaurant.
Why would we pay 17 $ for butter chicken and an extra 5 $ for rice and 2.50 $ for naan when we can go to another Indian restaurant and pay 15 $ for all that included, AND it’s just as tasty? Sorry, not sorry.

We have been going here for ages. Yes the place is small, so if it’s a busy holiday or weekend you definitely want to call ahead!
But the food is simply fantastic. I have not found a better garlic naan in Ottawa yet. Relatively small but very fulfilling dessert menu as well. You can tell the cook and owner takes great pride in his food.

Went here for a post-​movie date on Saturday night as it’s right across from the Cineplex and I’d been hyped on good reviews. First of all, I really wouldn’t recommend going at a busy time, especially if you have somewhere you need to be afterwards. The restaurant was full and they got further slammed by countless takeout orders. The takeout orders got priority over those that sat in-​house, as I noticed that my table and others that were sat shortly after us were waiting forever for service. Although waters were refilled regularly, our plates weren’t cleared with nearly the same attentiveness. Because I wasn’t down for sitting for 2+ hours waiting for the bill to be brought to the table, I paid at the front.
The 4 star rating is really a reflection of the food. Most Indian places serve watery, oily curry, and naan that isn’t anything special. Little India Café is an exception. The curry is thick and delicious, but I’ll probably be back for the lunch buffet where I can pretty much serve myself.

I found the food bland & boring. Perhaps having just dined at Indian restaurants in London UK has permanently jaded us. Nothing special to say about any part of our supper at this place. In all fairness to this establishment the many Indian restaurants I’ve tried in Ott & Tor leave me wanting to book another flight to London UK.

Great food, but horrible location, always busy, takeout is also not an option since wait time is often an hour, and is going to be another 20 min late. It’s always a frustrating experience for me eating there. I enjoy good food, but I’m also looking for a pleasant experience.

I read a few reviews and decided I wanted to try this — according to the reviews — incredibly busy and delicious Indian restaurant.
I decided to try it for the lunch hour buffet special having read it was only 12 $ on a precious review. I had a bad omen when the place was empty but I decided to try it.
I really liked their vegetarian dishes however the meat dishes werent as great. My girlfriend found this hilarious because I’m a meat guy. The butter chicken just didn’t do it for me or the roasted chicken legs. It was missing something to make it special and different from just the basic stuff made at home. I would have liked a lot more spice in my food as even though the dishes were good they didn’t really have any heat to them.
For a buffet I’d say the service was top notch. Water glasses promtly filled and food checks everytime we tried a new plate.
The décor wasn’t very much to look at but my biggest let down was that the the buffet was now 13.5 $. I didn’t notice a sign stating the price but that was really my fault. I guess they are use to having regulars that just know the prices. Personally 13.5 $ for a lunch buffet is starting to get a bit expensive for what I’d expect.
All-​in-​all I liked it. I’ll most likely go back when I’m in the area and want a low key fast tasty lunch.

I love this place. Buffet is great, a la carte is great as well. Its always busy so you need to appreciate that when you go because that liitle kitchen is doing huge volume of take out and eat in.

Agree with two of the reviews, please don’t go there, the place is very small, if you go there, I might have to stand at the door and wait for my table. At least don’t go on Fridays, I’m there every Friday.

Went there for lunch on Monday, the place was packed, we got the last table. Not a big selection but everything was absolutely delicious. I’ve been to many Indian restaurants in the city, this is the best one. If you have any doubt, please don’t go there on Mondays, I’ll have your table.

Perfect Meals. Chicken tikka masala is to die for. The naan is also amazing. Can be busy so call in advance for take out. Get the lase as well! Definitely money well spent. Will recommend anytime.

Hands down the best Indian buffet for its food quality.
The selection is small but it covers the bases. Usually a couple chicken options, a red meat and a few vegetarian selections.
The make the best nan in town and they deliver it fresh to your table. You’ll be back for the bread alone :-)
If you go for lunch try and get there before 12 noon. It’s a small place and fills up fast, especially on Thursday and Friday.

Have been sitting and still waiting for almost 45 mins but still no sign of food.
Just got to know it will still take some time… how long God knows.

Great good and fast service. If you are going to a movie at the theatre (the old Colosseum) across the street, it is a good combination. The nan bread may well be the best in the city. The only minus point is that if you are on a special diet, the food is on the salty side.

Best Indian in Ottawa hands down. Everything is of great quality.
The lunch buffet is not big but it has a little bit of the main dishes (butter chicken, chicken tandoori, beef, aloo gobi, chana, mushrooms, eggplants, onion bhajis, samosas, salad and desserts) and is more than satisfying. They serves fresh naan at each table! All for $ 12. Arrive early to get a table as it fills up fast.
Dinner is also a great experience. Again, makes reservations or arrive early. Having been a couple of times at dinner time, everything is made with care and when it is indicated that a dish is spicy, it truly is. The paneer pakoras, vegetable korma and chicken murg musalam are among my favourites.
Take out is also a good option but the kitchen must be small because if you walk in, it will take some time. Call ahead and pick it up.
A small gem!

mmmmmmmm, the best .
come early for the buffet or you won’t get a seat !

Small and family run. Everything on the menu is incredibly tasty, best naan in town.
Worth the trip if it’s not your hood.

Don’t eat here because if you do it’s one less table that I can eat at in the best Indian restaurant in Ottawa. Food is fantastic. Service is not always great as I think they hire family more then experienced servers. The place is small and I’m sure they could double in size since every time we’re there I see people turned away due to no tables. There’s always takeout.

read some great reviews on the food… and bad reviews on service and decided to pull out the critic hat and try it out.
it’s a tiny little restaurant down across from the movie theater on carling — we came friday night for dinner with no reservation, the place was half full and we were seated immediately and given menu’s, 15 seconds later, drink orders and water was given — we ordered and maybe 10 minutes later food started arriving, all the food was fantastic (which everyone has commented on so i won’t bother), water was refilled 3 times during the meal. Overall service was great — they did forget to bring me my beer… and charged us… lol…but then took off at time of bill.
we will definately repeat, probably an awesome take out spot, piles of orders for take out lined the buffet table.

Five starts when it comes to Indian in Ottawa. Pretty tough to beat. Don’t expect much ambiance if you are dining in, there is a constant flow of people in and out picking up take out and judging by the 1.5l bottles of house wine on the shelf any wine you order by the glass will likely be off (beer is better with Indian anyway)
Strongly recommend, worth the drive to pick up!

The first time I came here I realized they have some of the worst sit in service in town. However I have to say the meal was fantastic. They are tied for the best Indian food in Ottawa with Coconut Lagoon. Yes I know they are different types of Indian cuisine but I’m always torn on which one to go to.
Here’s the thing about those 2 places, their lunch buffet quality is almost if not just as good as their a la carte menu at night.
I will only go to Little India café for their lunch buffet because their service can be extremely spotty at night and the food is still high quality at lunch. Naan bread is brought to the table fresh!
If you order take out I’m going to warn you, I think they start cooking your meal when you get there not when you call… the food is worth it though.