Amber Cafe
Amber Cafe is a cozy spot nestled in the heart of Mountain View, CA. Located at 600 W El Camino Real, it’s the perfect place to unwind, enjoy good food, and soak in a casual yet lively atmosphere. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or spending time with friends and family, Amber Cafe has a vibe that makes you feel right at home.
The atmosphere here strikes the right balance—moderate noise makes it lively without being overwhelming. It’s a casual setting that’s welcoming to all kinds of diners. Families will appreciate the kid-friendly environment, and if you’re looking for a spot to gather with friends or colleagues, Amber Cafe is a great choice for groups. The spacious layout and laid-back vibe ensure that everyone can enjoy a good meal without feeling cramped.
The menu is diverse, offering a variety of dishes that cater to different tastes. From hearty meals to lighter options, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re in the mood for a savory breakfast or a flavorful dinner, Amber Cafe provides delicious options that will keep you coming back for more.
The restaurant also does a fantastic job of blending comfort with quality. It’s not fancy, but it’s definitely a place where you can enjoy good food and great company without breaking the bank. Whether you’re popping in for a quick coffee or staying for a meal, Amber Cafe offers an inviting atmosphere for all kinds of occasions.
Located in the vibrant Mountain View area, it’s an ideal spot for locals and visitors alike. With its welcoming and relaxed ambiance, Amber Cafe ensures that you have an enjoyable dining experience every time you visit. Whether you’re looking for a place to bring your kids or a spot to hang out with friends, Amber Cafe hits the mark with its perfect mix of comfort, food, and atmosphere.
Reviews
Amazing dosas! They have 2 different kinds that are gluten free. Quinoa/rice AND rice/lentil. Great lunch choice! The quinoa is malty and the lentil is super crisp. I shared the two between my husband and I. It got us both full and energized.
Excellent Lamb Frankies for lunch. My coworker enjoyed the Chicken Thali. Casual place where you order at the counter, they give you a number and serve you at your seat.
Hands down, the best chole bhature in the bay area. The right amount of spicy and not greasy. I loved it thoroughly. The aloo tawa paratha was awesome as well. It was piping hot and the raita came alongside which is a huge plus. The proper way of serving it in my opinion. We also ordered the uttapam, but that wasnt great. I am guessing this place specializes in north Indian fare. Please dont expect a fancy resto and you will be happy to have stumbled in.
My father and I had actually stopped by another one of our regular dosa places down the road, but it was crazy packed and there was no way we were going to join the crowd, so decided to come to this spot instead. Actually, we have been regulars at this spot (currently Amber Cafe) for the last 20 some years and have seen several restaurants take over this spot. So, in a way, it was nice to get to try a new place in the same place.....so to speak. It's now Amber Cafe....fast casual, South Indian food in a small old freestanding building right off the main road (El Camino). As is common these days in the fast casual dining trend, you gaze at the menu behind the counter and choose what you want to eat, place your order, pay, take a number, go find a table and wait for your food to be brought out....simple. However, the difficulty is trying to decide what to eat....some of the items need some explanation....depending on how often you've been here, or if you're a regular, you'll likely already know what you want. Having taken a quick look up and down the menu, we decided on the Pani Puri as an appetizer.....one of my favorite deep fried puffy dough breads, a Plain Dosa.....which comes with a side of Sambar (lentil and mixed vegetable soup), and a Chettinad Chicken Dosa.....basically a plain dosa that comes with a side of sambar and a chicken curry, and the Chicken Tikka Masala (a different chicken curry). Let's start with a minor negative....it's wintertime and pretty darn cold....unfortunately, we sat at the far end of the restaurant, so by the time our thin and airy dosas and puris came out, they had cooled way down till they weren't hot anymore. It wasn't such a big deal as the dosas were still huge and crispy, and the puris, still yummy with some hot curry splashed on top. As for the curries....the sambar, the chicken curry for my dosa, the curry that came with the puris, and the extra order of Chicken Tikka Masala were all very good! Hot, fresh, and so delicious! .....yummy flavors all round.....and went so good with the dosa and puri. My father commented that the puris were not crispy, as he usually likes his to be. However, the puris here were not crispy, but softer......this is really a personal preference...some like it crispy (since it's fried).....some like it soft. I like the latter as I get really annoyed when my breads are made so crispy that they break up into pieces and not as fun to eat with curries. I like folding my puri over to a thick layered sandwich before dipping it in the curries and then biting on it......I just personally think it has better flavors and textures this way...and it holds more curry sauce. Anyway, thank goodness we showed up right at around 12pm...opening time. The place had plenty of open tables, so no long waits and big crowds to deal with. But within half an hour after opening, the place did fill up. I'm quite happy that we found this place and would definitely enjoy coming here for good food, good service, and to avoid the other overcrowded South Indian restaurants in the area. Note that there is limited parking in this lot so you may need to find street parking if this place gets busy.
Regular go-to place for weekday dinners. My favs: papdi chaat, kebabs, more kebabs. Great with kids.