30 Photos
ZipPicks Awards
Best Seafood in Culver City
Best Indian in Culver City
Master Critic Review
Cali Tandoor
7.8
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Business Lunch Power Players
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Family Friendly Favorites
Indian restaurant with a dedicated seafood program featuring tandoori fish, fish tikka, and Kerala-style preparations. The lunch buffet offers value, while dinner service provides full access to their kebab and seafood menu with outdoor patio seating.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tandoori Fish, Fish Tikka Masala, Grilled Fish Kebabs
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Authentic Indian seafood preparations rare in the LA market
Who should go: Indian food enthusiasts seeking beyond standard curry house offerings
When to visit: Weekday lunch buffet for variety and value
What to order: Tandoori fish, lamb karachi, garlic naan for the table
Insider tip: Ask for spice level adjustments - they'll accommodate any heat preference
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free street parking available on Palms Blvd and side streets, typically easy to find even during dinner. Small lot behind building fits 8-10 cars.
Dress code: Casual to business casual - perfectly fine for lunch meetings in work attire or weekend dinner in jeans and a polo
Noise level: Quiet to moderate - easy conversation even when busy, patio is especially peaceful for business discussions
Weekend wait: 15-20 minutes without reservation on Friday/Saturday, but they take walk-ins readily
Weekday lunch: No wait for buffet - seat yourself service during lunch hours
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Excellent - extensive vegetarian menu with paneer, dal, vegetable curries, and dedicated buffet section at lunch
Vegan options: Good options - most vegetable curries can be made without ghee or cream, rice and naan available, confirm preparation
Gluten-free options: Moderate - rice dishes and many curries are naturally GF, but naan is not. Ask about cross-contamination in tandoor.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially the outdoor patio for dinner - quiet enough for conversation, interesting enough to be memorable, and the seafood specialties give you something unique to discuss. Not too expensive to feel pressured.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes - reservations recommended only for Friday/Saturday dinner or groups of 6+. Weekday dinner and all lunch service rarely needs booking. Patio seating is first-come during good weather.
Is it kid-friendly? Very - mild curry options available, rice and naan appeal to picky eaters, and lunch buffet lets kids sample without committing to full dishes. Relaxed atmosphere, no side-eye for normal kid noise. High chairs available.
How's the lunch buffet compared to dinner? Buffet ($15-18) offers great variety and value with 8-10 items including tandoori chicken, but limited seafood specialties. Dinner menu has full access to fish tikka and Kerala preparations that make this place special. Choose buffet for sampling, dinner for signature dishes.
Is it actually spicy or Americanized? Authentic spice levels available but they default to medium-mild for general audience. Tell them you want 'Indian spicy' or rate 1-10 for heat - kitchen will deliver. The seafood preparations show regional authenticity, not dumbed down.
Best For
Better for: Cali Tandoor beats standard curry houses for seafood variety and tandoori preparations - the fish tikka and Kerala-style cooking show regional depth you won't find at generic Indian spots. Also better for quiet business lunches and outdoor dining than most Westside Indian restaurants.
Skip if: Choose Badmaash or Flavor of India in Culver City if you want modern Indian fusion or trendier atmosphere. Skip if you're specifically craving South Indian dosas/idli (limited here) or need late-night service (closes at 10pm). For pure vegetarian focus, Samosa House offers more variety.
Hours
Monday11am - 3pm, 4:30pm - 9:45pm
Tuesday11am - 3pm, 4:30pm - 9:45pm
Wednesday11am - 3pm, 4:30pm - 9:45pm
Thursday11am - 3pm, 4:30pm - 9:45pm
Friday11am - 3pm, 4:30pm - 9:45pm
Saturday11am - 3pm, 4:30pm - 9:45pm
Sunday11am - 3pm, 4:30pm - 9:45pm