Charminar
Poway
(109)
Poway
(109)
109 customer reviews
Paul M.
I have not tasted authentic Indian food like this since back in Manhattan during the late 70's - early 80's. Outstanding flavor and texture in the Butter Chicken entree and Garlic Naan as well as the starter Cauliflower. That plus service with a smile is why I will return. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Jas G.
Located in the food court of Camino Santa Fe in Mira Mesa, this place offers a variety of biryanis, Kebabs and an extensive menu of Indian curries and breads. We got the Goat Dum Biryani, Chicken Biryani, Seekh kabob, Chicken Boti Kebob, Chicken curry and baby corn 65. Everything came in good portions and tasted delicious. My favorites were the baby corn 65 which had the right crunch and kick. The goat Biryani was my FAVORITE, sooo good!! We also tried the gajar ka halwa and gulab Jamuns and really enjoyed them! Can't wait to be back More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Vandana G.
For all the people complaining about the prices and the quantity.. seriously .. this is the only closest to the perfect authentic Hyderabadi food you could get in whole san diego. Every dish is perfectly balanced with flavor, spice and taste.. being a Hyderabadi i know what authentic hyderabadi food tastes, smells and looks like..and hands down this restaurant made it to my favorite list. I tried goat and chicken biryani..my favorite is the goat biryani no doubt. The meat just melts in your mouth. They recently introduced new dishes and they all are equallyamazing. spicy lovers!! don't miss out on kodi vepudu. You'll not be disappointed. Butter chicken and naan is just perfection. The quantity of the food is actually more than what you pay for. Mango lassi was yummy as expected and to top it off, shahi tukda was the icing on the cake. I don't think i will be going any place else if i have to have Hyderabadi food. The food here literally brings my hometown memories back to life. If you are even slightly skeptical, i tell you don't be. This is the right bet!! Hands down these people have set a milestone for any other south Indian restaurants in whole SD Period the staff is friendly and hospitable. It's a shame that this restaurant is so beautiful with all renewed interiors but due to the covid rules there is no indoor seating for now. This place is just a vibe in itself. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Axel R.
Love this place. I came here late and they were still open! Amazing staff and customer service and boy don't get me started on the food  it' s no wonder all their reviews are 5 starts. Will visit more often. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Vi T.
Charmainar serves the best Indian food in the area! Â We've tried the chicken biryani many times and are never disappointed. The curries always taste fresh and vibrant. They are very friendly and fast! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Lakshmi Lavanya Velle
I don't usually write reviews but tonight's Goat biryani made me write this one. We tried Chicken and Goat biryani here. Also Haleem. They were all delicious. I think this is the only restaurant in San Diego which has authentic Hyderabadi flavors especially in biryani. Thanks @Charminar! More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Zach K.
We love having Charminar just down the road from our home. They are consistent, tasty, and know how to make food that is not too spicy (which allows me to enjoy them with my girlfriend who doesn' t like super spicy foods). The chicken tikka masala is my favorite. Super creamy, buttery, and the chicken is nice and tender. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Shubhangi D.
Had Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani there and it was nothing less than amazing. Had ordered spicy on spice level and loved it. Will visit again because this is the first time I felt like it is exactly like the taste you get in Hyderabad. Enjoyed it a lot.
Reviewed on Yelp
Muskaan A.
Update as of 09/28 We went there again to try their Butter Chicken and Cheese Naan - both were awesome, customer service is outstanding. Keep up the good work - heard they are updating menu this week. Can't wait to try their new dishes, we will be back this week. Thank you so much for serving San Diego community during this time and big thank you for taking care of all the cleaning procedure. Must visit!! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Immy K.
Many people might know that Hyderabadi Dum Biryani is top of the class and the way Hyderabadis make it none can match it, i. e. using various spices in a beautiful several stages of cooking process with layers of meat, masala, rice and toppings arranged in order in the cooking pot while cooking it. You can youtube for Authentic Hyderabadi Biryani cooking, and you will see how much effort goes into it.I ordered the Family pack goat dum biryani a couple of times and each time the meal hasn't lost its meat quantity and overall quality. I also tried their Chicken Dum Biryani Family pack and Chicken 65 Biryani family pack. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â I must say, I've travelled to many places in east coast, mid-west and west coast and tried many places for Indian food. Charminar by far has served that biryani which reminds me of home, yes I am from Hyderabad, and only a Hyderabadi can say if the regional Biryani has authentic flavors or not :). To top it off, the quantity of meat and rice ratio they serve is also good. It would not be wrong for me to say you won't find such authentic Biryani with such good quantity/quality anywhere in West Coast.Apart from Biryanis, I also loved their - Majestic Chicken- Chicken 65- Tala Huwa Gosth- Navratan Korma- Chili Chicken- Dahi Kebab- Shahi TukdaSo for anyone who wants to try all kinds of authentic Hyderabad food, this is a one stop shop, period! Coming from a Hyderabadi :)The owners are so friendly, they are always nice to customers and I also noticed them giving away free food to some customer who said he doesn't carry enough cash. Got to know this place served over 5000 meals to senior citizens of San Diego during Pandemic. I only hope they continue to serve their community in the same way and keep serving delicious food in San Diego. Keep rocking Charminar, I am definitely returning! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Fatima B.
We liked this place so much, we ordered two days in a row. The gosh dum biryani was delicious, we also got gulab jamun which was yummy. The chicken tikka masala was a tad on the sweet side so I'd ask for them to make it a little spicy if I order again. Chicken seekh kabob was decent, and the chili chicken was very spicy! I like that the food is all Zabiha halal. Service was really good, and there's a nice courtyard out front if you want to eat there. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Daniel F.
The best! Super friendly. Reliable. Open late on the weekends. v good. Stop what you're doing. Go there now.
Reviewed on Yelp
Abhilasha Y.
It's like Hyderabad in my mouth Everything is really delicious and tasty. We ordered kababs, biryani and chicken 65. Everything was very flavourful and just great.
Reviewed on Yelp
William J.
Amazing food. The only thing better than that is the experience. Some of the most friendliest and kindest people I've ever met who love to offer the best service around. One of my favorite places, I would give them more stars if I could. Bless this place and the people who work here! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Ruth S.
I had read reviews and so decided to try this restaurant. It was wonderful. We ordered the family feast (even though there' s just two of us) and I wanted to skip the dessert. (I'm no fan of Indian desserts although I am Indian!) My husband went to pick up the food and they had given him samosas in lieu of the dessert, which was kind of them. I tried the Hydrabadi goat briyani and the chicken tikka and both were very tasty. The chicken in the tikka was moist and really nicely done. The briyani was also delicious. The portions are generous and I have enough for another delicious meal tomorrow. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Iqbal K.
Great food esp Chicken Dum Briyani N HaleemGood service. Due to covid only tried to goOverall great value for money
Reviewed on Yelp
Ashif S.
I have tried Charminar couple times over the last few months (take out each time). The orders were ready on-time and the staff' s were friendly and professional. Restaurant was clean and hygienic. Foods were delicious as well. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Sahar Y.
The Dum ka chicken is one of the most fragrant and delicious biryani that I have had! Will be back soon to try more items!
Reviewed on Yelp
Serena C.
First of all, I am of Pakistani descent, so I am not easy to please when it comes to Indian food. We ordered in tonight from Uber Eats, and the food from Charminar was DELICIOUS - we had chicken biryani, butter chicken, karahi goat, chole, and vegetable samosas, and every single item was so, so good. We also had a snafu with our order; we thought we had ordered naan but that part of the order hadn't gone through on the app. The gentleman we spoke to at the restaurant went above and beyond by bringing us fresh naan HIMSELF at no charge even though I offered to pay over the phone. With food and service like this, this place is simply outstanding. Highly recommend. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Chaudhry A.
There were two items on top of my mind to try out from this fairly new restaurant as typically the main ones on their menus. And those were biryani and haleem. The chicken biryani was ok, standard as we can find in the restaurants in town, that is, meat and rice are separately made and later served together in a plate. Mild spices and a bit oily (I was not asked for spice level, neither I mentioned).The horrible was the goat haleem. There is no way haleem could be made the way it was prepared here. It was poorly cooked, bland and lacking any color, odor, quality that haleem can have. I had this haleem in the late August, hope the chef will update their new year resolution with a haleem recipe, found on all haleem spice packages. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Lauren P.
We got takeout for dinner and everything was delicious. The portions were large and we had plenty of leftovers! The samosas were huge. The naan was still nice and hot at home. My toddler loved the chicken kebab and they made a special order for us so it wouldn't be too spicy for him. So yummy! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Kacy W.
This is our new favorite place for Indian curries, as everything tasted fresh and healthy. Charminar specializes in Hyderabadi cuisine. On our first try though, we stuck with the more familiar Northern Indian dishes. The aloo gobi and chicken tikka masala were very fresh and non-greasy. There is no option to choose spice levels, but both curries were a delicious medium spice level. The tandoori chicken was flavorful, and the portion size was big. It came with a surprise side of green salad which wasn't indicated on the menu. The naan was a little tougher than I would prefer, but I'm no expert on the ideal texture of naan. My only suggestion would be to add more detailed descriptions on the menu. Can't wait to come back and try the Hyderabadi specialties. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Max A.
This rating is more of a 2.5 than a 3, but I'd rather round up than down. After reading all of the rave reviews for Charminar, I really wanted to try it, and more importantly, I really wanted to like it. I ordered the chicken 65 biryani and a mango lassi. I've never had a bad mango lassi, and this was no different. I'd get it again. At $3.50, I've had cheaper ones, but it was solid- no complaints there. The portion size of the biryani was bigger than expected, and it filled me up with room to spare- another plus. Unfortunately, I was otherwise unimpressed. For ~$14, I had high expectations. The rice itself was pretty good, but the chicken, in my opinion, was bland (it needed some salt and some more chili). Additionally, I was disappointed to find that the chicken was quite soggy. I thought chicken 65 was supposed to be crispy, but this one was not. For almost $20, I was pretty disappointed with my dinner. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Hina K.
We had really been craving Hydrebadi Biriyani for a really long time, but most places are unable to deliver the perfect flavor and level of spice. Charminar absolutely blew us away with quality. As soon as you approach the vicinity of the restaurant, you can smell the wonderful food. We ordered take-out (so no pics, sorry), and got a large meal for the family (decided not to take the family feast as we weren't sure it would be enough). We got the sheekh kabob, Hydrebadi Goat Biriyani, Hydrebadi Chicken Biriyani, Dum Ka Chicken, and the Chili Chicken starter. All of the food was absolutely delicious, and the spice level was just right (if you're not good with spice, then the food might be too spicy though). There was a side of white Basmati rice too, as well as raita and a yellow soupy thing (not sure what it was). The only criticism would be that the overall quantity of meat seemed kind of small (a lot of the goat meat was largely bone, and the Dum Ka Chicken had two chicken pieces), but this wasn't a terribly difficult problem as we had a lot of food regardless. We'll definitely be coming back to order again sometime. It's been a while since we've found amazing Indian food in San Diego :) More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Riz K.
Good food and nice flavors .. will order again .Biryani, chicken tikka and tandoori chicken .. got quite different taste than others . . but got the Hyderabadi flavors .. nice More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Nikhil P.
Charminar has a menu that goes beyond what Indian restaurants typically serve. You can find authentic Indian dishes like Haleem and Malai Kofta (two of my favorites). They also have longer hours on weekends making it a perfect spot for getting your weekend party meals. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Justine G.
Sooo delicious! Fresh food! Butter chicken was the best I ever had...tender and plenty of chicken. Biryani was flavorful as well. Can't go wrong with garlic naan especially when it's this good. Very kind staff and nice clean restaurant. Can't wait to go again. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Elizabeth S.
I've ordered from Charminar multiple times, so I thought I'd finally write a review. First of all, there are so many delicious vegetarian options! Portion sizes are generous as well. The Lasuni Gobi is incredible, the flavors and spices are very rich. My go-to comfort food is paneer butter masala and Charminar does not disappoint. I would probably eat this dish every day if I could. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Richie W.
I actually really enjoyed my meal here. This place opened at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak here in California, so the timing was bad but they couldn't be nicer people running this store. My first experience with them was while waiting for my dinner order at Marketplace Grille, stopping by with my toddler to check out their to-go menu. The owner commended my son for being so good with his mask that he gave him a free mango lassi! Â I tried to pay for it, but he refused me saying that it was his treat for my son. Honestly really wonderful people. It took a whole 2 months for me to return, but boy was I glad we did. Â I guess their food is from Hyderabad (spelling?), but they have many of the classics you find at most of the North Indians restaurants you find in the area. Sorry, I didn't take pics, takeout isn't as picturesque. Ordered the family meal, which is huge. Chicken dum biryani was a little spicier than I thought, but delicious. Â Got the chicken botti kebab which was good but I am gonna try a different kebab next time. Â Due to reviews, I had to order the goat haleem. It's not an option in the family meal so I got it ala carte. It's something I haven't seen at other Indian restaurants in the area and it's definitely unique and a can't miss. It's like an Indian goat gravy. Soooo good. Will def come back :) More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Douglas V.
I'm by no means an Indian food expert -- I love it, but I don't eat as much of it as I would like -- but Charminar was fantastic. My wife and I ordered the following for pickup (note that they have outdoor seating available if you'd prefer to eat nearby -- I totally forgot and wished we would have done that!):- Chicken 65 Biryani- Dum Ka Chicken- One order each of cheese and garlic naan- Mango lassiI was initially a little worried when digging into my biryani; I could only see rice and vegetables so I thought maybe there wouldn't be much chicken. Fortunately I was wrong -- the chicken chunks were large and plentiful, and the overall dish was bursting with flavor. I was a little carbed out between the naan and rice (my fault, I love both) so was unable to completely finish the rice in my dish, but I still wanted to just so I could enjoy the overall flavor of the dish a little more.My wife was a little less enthused with the Dum Ka Chicken, but I don't believe it was a problem with the dish itself so much as she wanted to try something different from what she'd normally order (chicken tikki masala) and she didn't enjoy it as much she would've liked. It was still good, though.As I said, we don't eat Indian food too much, but our dinner last night was a good reminder that we should be. When done right, the amount of spices at play really make your taste buds sing. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Gaurav B.
Amazing Goat Biryani!! I am Indian and can assert the authentic taste! Meat was tender and juicy. Look forward to trying other items on the menu!!
Reviewed on Yelp
Chirag D.
I got a takeout mutton biryani from my friend and this is the 2nd time I received this. I just loved it and I've told my friend to get it for me again and again considering I stay outside of San Diego! Highly recommend everyone to try out this authentic biryani place More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Amanda D.
Charminar is such a great addition to the food options in San Diego. Â Best Indian food I have ever had, and the service is fantastic. Â Anytime we talk about getting take-out, it is always the first suggestion that comes up - we love it. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Manali M.
We ordered the food for take out last weekend. This place has some amazing vegetarian food options.. and even the service was excellent.
Reviewed on Yelp
Payal N.
we did a takeout last weekend and the food was excellent. The service is awesome..being a new restaurant opened during covid times they are following all the rules and regulations and accommodating request. I am taking my friends there tonight to eat their special halwa and biryani. I highly recommend the restaurant and wish them the best. We badly needed a good Indian restaurant providing authentic taste and Charmiar has done a good job. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Pavan K.
Ordered a party tray of Dahi Kebab and chicken 65 and the guests just loved it. Most of them were non-indians and I was scared about the spice levels but they were just right and thanks to the front desk guy for making my order easy! Keep doing the great work guys!
Reviewed on Yelp
Sudi S.
Tried this place for the first time yesterday. Food was tasty but quantity does not justify their price, especially the haleem.
Reviewed on Yelp
Victoria R.
Went here for the first time and it was delicious. Highly recommend, great service and awesome food. Outdoor seating is available, the price is affordable and overall great authentic Indian food. Support your Local Businesses!
Reviewed on Yelp
Dhiraj C.
I looked at 5 star yelp review before ordering the food but food was really bad.I ordered goat haleem which was average but the goat kadai was disappointing, i mean who put almost non cooked n raw tomatoes in cooked curry. I would never try this place again, sorry. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Lily H.
Lovely food with amazing seasoning.  I enjoy their curry, biryani, naan (chili  is so good). Be mindful though because  chicken 65 is more spicy than I expected and I love spicy food.
Reviewed on Yelp
Junaid M.
Best Indian restaurant in town with authentic taste of all the dishes i have tried. Biryani's are best with authentic Hyderabad taste. Haleem is perfect blend of spices and it tastes so yummy i could not resist ordering it every weekend. They are serving amazing and very high quality food. They customer service is awesome and they are doing their best to adhere to covid-19 restrictions. They have beautiful outdoor seating in front of their restaurant. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Abhay V.
My fav indian restaurant for a quick bite. We always order takeout from here when we get lazy to cook dinner. Food tastes good and price is reasonable. Chicken tikka and dum ka chicken are what we normally order. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Ibrahim M.
One the best hyderabadi cuisine in san diego. Food tastes good. Biryani is one of the top dishes they serve with real hydi taste.
Reviewed on Yelp
Ayesha Bokhary
Loved the goat biryani! It was definitely one of the most scrumptious biryani I have had. The portion was quite generous. The customer service is top notch.
Reviewed on Facebook
Victoria Viki Mooney
Choice of a different food type we have only had once many years ago. We decided to eat Indian food from Charminar in Mira Mesa. It was delicious. Butter Chicken for me and Chicken Masala for the hubby with naan bread. Great food and the gentleman at the counter was very helpful. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Sankar S.
We noticed this restaurant after getting groceries at Aldi in the same complex off of Mira Mesa Blvd. We got takeout which included their family meal and a couple of vegetarian curry dishes. The tandoori chicken was perfectly cooked and spiced. The naan was fluffy and delicious and tasted very fresh. My wife loved the Amritsari Chole and my favorite was the egg biryani. We look forward to trying more of their dishes. This is the best Indian food I've had in San Diego! We will be back soon!! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Amir A.
Best and delicious hyderabadi restaurant in the county. Fresh and taste so much better. I have tried Haleem and kebabs. One of the finest and best example of authenticity. Glad to have them in mira mesa.
Reviewed on Yelp
Nancy P.
The food at Charminar was delicious.  The heat on all the selections  was just right, and the dipping sauces added that special flavor that I enjoy.  Plenty of food in each dish, making this a good value.  I will be back for more of this wonderful Indian food. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Lisa G.
We love this place! Â Have gotten takeout several times during quarantine. Â The food is delicious, reasonably priced, good portions and superior customer service. They pack the food very nicely and no leaks. Highly recommend! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
VY L.
We just finished our delicious take out dinner of butter chicken, paneer butter masala, and garlic naan. Each dish was very flavorful and had plenty of protein. (No skimping here!) As one reviewer noted, the spice level is on the lighter side. We requested medium spice (5 on a scale of 10), but it was more like a 2 for me. Next time (there will be many subsequent visits) I'll know to ask for more heat. Do your taste buds a favor and order from Charminar! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
