Himalayan Kitchen, nestled at 431 State St in Santa Barbara, is a delightful Indian restaurant that offers a memorable culinary experience. Diners rave about their varied menu, especially the Chicken Biryani and Chicken Tikka Masala, praised for their rich flavors and perfectly cooked Basmati rice. The restaurant also features a unique Nepali Special Thali, showcasing traditional dishes such as Dhindo porridge and flavorful curries, providing an authentic taste of the Himalayas. Many reviewers, including Mary Hardy and Lara B, highlight both the delicious food and the attentive service. While some noted occasional lapses in table service, the friendly staff are eager to share insights about Nepali culture, enhancing the dining experience. Guests find the ambiance vibrant yet relaxed, although the background music can be somewhat lively. The Chicken Momo is another hit, with its savory filling delighting diners who are exploring new flavors. Cora Sze recommends the Lamb Curry for its robust taste, catering to adventurous eaters. In summary, Himalayan Kitchen stands out for its exceptional dishes, warm service, and an inviting atmosphere, making it a must-visit for anyone in the area craving authentic Himalayan cuisine. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this gem is worth the trip.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
From the business
Identifies as Asian-owned
Service options
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Has all you can eat
Serves beer
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves healthy options
Serves small plates
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Popular with university students
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts cheques
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Parking
Free of charge street parking
On-site parking
Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed inside
Photos
Reviews For Himalayan Kitchen
Mary Hardy
Jun 1,2025
Dinner was delicious! The menu has a nice variety and everyone enjoyed their meal. I asked for medium spicy and I’d call it light spicy, but you can always add hot chili oil. The restaurant is brightly lit and they played a loud soccer game, so it wasn’t my favorite dinner ambience but the decor was interesting and the service was excellent. You can see into the kitchen and it was clean and organized.
Kent Hayward
May 22,2025
The food itself was delicious! We ate it all up but our server didn’t clear dishes or come over to check on us. Later we asked him to come to our table so we could learn about Nepal. It made the whole experience that much better. He was nice, smart, and very friendly. If you go to this restraint make sure to ask about Nepal.
Lara B
May 1,2025
My husband and I ate dinner here on Thanksgiving as we were visiting Santa Barbara on vacation. The food and service were exceptional. It was definitely some of the BEST chicken tikka masala I’ve had the pleasure of eating. The lentil soup was fantastic as well. I will definitely be back to eat here next time I’m in the area (and may even make a special trip just to do so)! It really was that memorable and delicious. 10/10 - Highly recommend!!
Cora Sze
Apr 18,2025
Great food. Really recommend their Lamb Curry!! Atmosphere is incredibly peaceful and nice.
Loop np
Apr 16,2025
The chicken momo was very yummy. The staff was friendly and courteous and also guided us for proper parking of our car. The lamb momo had a very strong taste for us but nothing to do with the restaurant and more because we are not used to lamb meat. Overall I recommend this place.
Uma Unni
Mar 5,2025
Excellent food and pretty quick (and friendly) service. The paneer masala was very rich, tasty and smooth, and the madrasi shrimp was exceptionally flavorful. The naan was also great—very soft and easy to pull apart.
Gunjan Asher
Mar 4,2025
Extremely reasonably priced Himalayan restaurant with lots of vegan vegetarian options. The food was excellent, fresh and full of flavour. The service was attentive and courteous. Loved the tofu chilli and it went very well with the delicious fried rice. Lastly we over indulgenced and ordered the Alu Paratha, which was cooked to perfection. The Alu filling / masala was evenly distributed in the dough and cooked crisp to perfection. The achar they served with was fantastic. Just loved the food and their portion sizes are large enough for 2 people. Lovely place if craving some delicious Himalayan and Indian food.
Sandeepa Dey
Feb 19,2025
We stopped here for late afternoon tea and snacks while strolling on State street. The tea was piping hot and aromatic, exactly as I would want on a rainy day. We ordered samosas and chicken momos for snacks and both were freshly made, steaming and excellent. Service was quick and friendly and the restaurant is decorated and cozy.
Reviews For Himalayan Kitchen