Ajanta Restaurant
Ajanta was Voted Best Indian in the Bay Area by ZAGAT & SF Magazine.
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Message from Ajanta Restaurant
Ajanta offers sophisticated Indian dishes in casual yet elegant surroundings. Critically acclaimed by all major Bay Area newspapers and magazines, Ajanta has been voted best Indian restaurant in the Bay Area several times. Regional dishes from all over India are offered along with a small selection of popular standards and tandoori dishes. The chef, Lachu Moorjani was the first chef in the Bay Area to offer a changing menu in an Indian restaurant. The regional dishes menu changes monthly, providing the diners an opportunity to taste the diverse flavors from different states of India. In addition, a large selection of appetizers includes monthly specials consisting of dishes not seen elsewhere, for example, tandoori asparagus, tandoori portobello mushrooms and crab cakes. The restaurant is green certified and offers only sustainable seafood dishes on its menu.
Editorial by
In ShortEvery month, this Berkeley gem unveils a fresh roster of Indian dishes, like prawn bhuna masala, shrimp sauteed in a rich, spicy sauce, or khargosh khatta, rabbit stewed in onions, garlic, yogurt, cream, cardamom and mango powder. Vegetarians won't be disappointed with picks like tandoori asparagus and pan-fried eggplant brushed with tomato sauce. The elegant dining room is decorated with artwork inspired by the Ajanta caves, which contain beautiful carvings depicting the life of Buddha.
Key Points
- Changing Menu monthly
- Naturally raised fresh meats
- Fresh Fish
The Inside Scoop
- The Extras - The restaurant is green certified and serves only naturally raised meats and sustainable seafood dishes.
Reviews for Ajanta Restaurant
Delicious, Interesting, Varied Indian Restaurant in Berkeley
Janis B.
| 
Insider Expert
| Rank: 7,067
We, too, have eaten excellent, and otherwise, Indian food in the U.S. and London, and we love Ajanta. The restaurant varies their menu, offering seasonal specialties from all regions of India. From the moment you step through the door (reservations suggested, as it is always packed!) the aromas confirm you are in for a special treat. No greasy, gloppy faux-Indian here, but a special treat for the senses. Beer and wine only.
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Ok, I haven't been to India, so maybe I don't really know. But, I have eaten pretty good (and pretty bad) Indian food in London. And in New York. And here in the Bay Area. And nothing compares to Ajanta.
The food is great. Much lighter and more flavorful than other Indian restaurants. Much less oil. Many more spices -- not just heat.
Next time you go, try Tandoori Asparagus and Badal Jaam. [That's slices of eggplant pan fried, brushed with home made tomato sauce, spiced with mango powder, black rock salt and served topped with thickened yogurt sauce (Lucknow)]
And there are good wines matched well with the food, including some from India.
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Latest reviews from Citysearch.
The food was good but not great. The noise level in the restaurant was medium noisy and my 5 month year old was a little fussy but not screaming by any means and one of the restaurant staff said people where complaining about the noise. We had reservations for 5:45 so it wasn't that late. To be on the safe side don't bring babies.
Pros: Food is served quickly
The best indian food i and my husband ever had. Their speical dishes are wonderful. I cannot wait to go back. A+++++
I like my food hot ... really hot! This is one of my favorite restaurants and my all time favorite Indian restaurant.
Authentic, delicious Indian food. Flavor unmatched by any other restaurant in the area. Menu changes monthly.
Pros: food
Cons: wait
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