Lotus Chaat and Spices

San Rafael, United States

4.6

Open now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wi-Fi

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 415-454-6887
Website:
www.lotuschaat.com
Address:
1559 4th St, San Rafael, CA, 94901
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
Yes
Delivery
No
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Good For
Lunch
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
Yes
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Casual
Noise Level
Average
Alcohol
Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wi-Fi
Free
Has TV
No
Dogs Allowed
Yes
Waiter Service
Yes
Caters
Yes

Today

Today 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
Open now
Local time (San Rafael) 6:46 PM Thursday, June 12, 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
Friday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday 11:30 am – 8:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Only Indian Grocery Store in Marin County

(we took over our neighbor Malabar)

Indian Street Food know as Chaat

Veggie Thali, Dosas, Indian Burrito Wraps, Indian Pizza

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free, Non-​GMO, local organic ingredients.

History

Established in 2011.

Part of the Lotus Family of Restaurants. Lotus Chaat & Spices is the only Indian chaat restaurant in the North Bay, debuted in San Rafael in April 2011.

The vibrant-​colored café, which seats 80 indoors and 20 at sidewalk café-​style outdoor tables, is at 1559 4th St. on the West end of San Rafael’s burgeoning business district.

The new eatery also contains an Indian grocery store with lots of great products from India — from frozen foods to spices and even toiletries.

Their popularity is spreading because these types of dishes are made with healthy ingredients: whole grains, grain and bean flours, fresh potatoes, chickpeas and vegetables such as onion and cauliflower. In addition, chaat are typically vegan as well as low in fat or even fat-​free.

Meet the Business Owner

Surinder S.

Business Owner

Surinder is the owner of Lotus Chain of Restaurants in San Rafael and Fairfax.

Surinder was born in India and who grew up in the grocery and spice business, says that chaat, or small plates of savory foods, have become one of the most popular meals in the world — not just in India, where they originated, but throughout Southeast Asia.

Their popularity is spreading because these types of dishes are made with healthy ingredients: whole grains, grain and bean flours, fresh potatoes, chickpeas and vegetables such as onion and cauliflower. In addition, chaat are typically vegan as well as low in fat or even fat-​free.

Lotus Chaat and Spices also recommends

Lotus Cuisine of India

355

reviews

Indian Restaurants

,

Vegetarian Restaurants

,

Gluten Free

Surinder S. says,

«Sister restaurants»

Café Lotus

79

reviews

Indian Restaurants

,

Vegan Restaurants

,

Gluten Free

Surinder S. says,

«Sister restaurants»

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20 reviews of Lotus Chaat and Spices

No registration required
Place rating: 5
San Anselmo, CA
Absolutely delicious dosas we are so lucky to have this right in our neighbourhood. Elvis is super gracious too. This is going to be a regular dining spot and Indian ingredient shopping spot for us from now on.
Place rating: 5
San Anselmo, CA
Wonderful service and beautiful indoor décor! The flavors are amazing and the dosas are delicious!
Place rating: 5
Santa Rosa, CA
What a gem in San Rafael! Don’t confuse with Lotus Restaurant just off freeway. Lotus Chaat has it all: creative, full flavor menu with fresh, high quality dishes whether vegan, gf, or meat lover. As mild or hot as you like. Amazing Lamb Biryani, best Dosas and extra fruity Mango Lassi. Have you ever had Pani Puri? Oh my, just order it. The delicious dishes are proudly presented with the friendliest service. The manager, Elvis was so kind and knowledgeable. Don’t hesitate to ask about and try something new. Spotless and casual environment with a great little market, too. Can’t wait to return again and again.
Place rating: 5
Novato, CA
It’s baaaaack! Elvis the proprietor has done it. I swore never to go back because they took my favorite dish off the menu. With an appointment nearby, I stopped in to advise Elvis of my dissatisfaction and he informed me that Lamb Biryani is back on the menu. I immediately ordered it. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It’s all I ever get. My wife swears by the dosas. Thank you Elvis, we are dedicated customers for life.
Place rating: 5
Beverly Hills, CA
Great food and VERY nice staff!
I had lunch here. Is it the best Indian I’ve had? No
But overall the food was fresh, the tastes were authentic, and the service was solid. The food’s a 4, but you throw in good service and nice little shop for groceries and this is worth it.
Place rating: 5
Santa Rosa, CA
This is no ordinary Indian restaurant. This is the only place I know of in the North Bay that specializes in chaat — the tangy, scrumptious STREET FOOD I fell in love with decades ago when I was a Peace Corps volunteer in India. Rarer than hen’s teeth in North America, this is the real deal — flavors that explode in the mouth, not because they’re very hot (they’re not) but because many of them are created with yoghurt combined with tangy tamarind chutney. Try Dahi Vada, Bhel Puri, Dahi Puri — you’ll love them all. Plus, they also serve South India’s famous Dosas — and they’re delectable. If you’re looking for something more than a little different, Lotus Chaat is the place to go!
Place rating: 5
Fairfax, CA
5 stars for southern Indian food in San Rafael. The VERY friendly and attentive waiter suggested the dosas and we ordered the lamb and the cauliflower dosas. They come with soup and a yellow, coconut, sauce of yumminess. The food was very good, the prices were okay, the restaurant was uncrowded on a weeknight and the waiters were very patient with us as we sat and talked while they closed up. I’ll definitely be back!
Place rating: 5
San Rafael, CA
Went here again last night and I can’t believe we keep forgetting to go here more often. Absolutely delicious. Had a prawn dish, Chicken Tikka Masala, Aloo Gobi and a couple of delicious appetizers. They opened up the roof when it started to get a bit crowded and stuffy and that was a very pleasant surprise. We got there at 6 and by 6:30 it was packed. On a Thursday night. Really enjoyed the mail. Parking on the street beside is free at the meters beginning at 6pm.
Place rating: 5
Petaluma, CA
Ooooh, I hadn’t realized that I had already left a five-​star review in 2014. Well, they are keeping up the good work, because it’s still the best Indian food in San Rafael!
Outdoor seating, grocery store, humongous masala dosas (can’t usually find Southern Indian cuisine this fresh in the North Bay), cheerful and helpful waitstaff, and airy, breezy, beautiful atmosphere.
How I wish you had more locations! I love you!
Place rating: 4
Los Angeles, CA
What a nice, vibrant restaurant in San Rafael. The mango lassi held me over until the rest of my friends arrived and we could order. We went family style sharing some dosas, curries, and a salad. It’s a little on the pricey side but everything was so good and so fresh. My favorite dish was actually the curry chicken, which was not on the menu but something they said they could make for us. It was absolutely delicious!
Place rating: 1
Metuchen, NJ
Tikka masala is not authentic, spicy is not spicy, and don’t be fooled: the rice might be ‘on the house’, $ 20 for a dish and some bread (small portions) is NOT good value.
I lived in London 20 years, where a lot of Indian people lived. This is where I grew my love for Indian food.
If I had been introduced to Indian food at this place, I would not love it the way I do.
Bad food, I will find somewhere else!
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
Our group of 10 spent the day at Stinson beach then made our way back through San Rafael. We are so happy we chose Lotus!
Elvis was incredibly welcoming and explained to our group what dosa is. He also wanted us to try the most popular Indian street dish so he brought it to us on the house. It was so good! Also please get the mango lassi, it’s the perfect ratio of mango to yogurt.
All the dosas were fantastic, and the biryani as well. You can’t go wrong here! Try everything!
Place rating: 5
San Rafael, CA
I came back and recently tried their food other than pizza slice. It was really good. I ordered and took it outside to enjoy the day. Perfect. Loved every bite of it. The beer washed it down brilliantly. Will return. My mindset has completely turned around here. Plus you can buy all the spices you like to use at home. Loved the Indian burrito.
Place rating: 4
Fairfax, CA
This café is such a treat. Our family all tried various Dosas that were deliciously flavorful and fun to eat. The kind and informative service was appreciated as was the Mango Lassi drinks for the kids. Stop I. If you’re feeling adventurous or want some comforting warm southern Indian food.
Place rating: 3
Concord, NC
Nice place with a restaurant indian grocery combination. Came here for a Sunday lunch and that have both buffet and a la carte. Buffet is small with limited options.
Masala Dosa 5⁄10
Place rating: 5
San Rafael, CA
I recently discovered Lotus and Chat and I am ever so happy I did.
I first came here with my husband for dinner. We have our go-to’s — Chicken Tiki Masala and lamb Vindaloo we were discussing not seeing either item on the menu when the host said it’s possible to order it. We closed the menus and ordered both. They were spectacular! Just the right level of spiciness and the flavors were so dynamic. We loved this place and vowed to return.
Tonight we ordered the same, but take out. To our suprise it was even better than the first time. Not to mention, they have exceptional customer service.
Place rating: 5
San Rafael, CA
Yum yum!
Lamb spinach dosa was absolutely delectable.
Host/​server is gracious and helpful.
The only place for miles that I can get my Ayurvedic herbs, as a store front, and I much prefer to support storefronts than online.
WiFi ALWAYS gets my vote– I am self employed and work wherever I can!
I agree with some others that the prices are a bit high, but I also like their self esteem. It is obvious they invest well in staff, quality ingredients, and tasteful décor.
It all comes back to the lamb spinach dosa, for which I will be back.
I like this place!
Place rating: 4
Fairfax, CA
Loved the Dahi Puri and my lamb and spinach dosa for lunch was big and tasty.
Don’t consider myself really a cheap guy but I did think $ 18 for the dosa (for lunch) was pretty steep. I also wish the Puri ($ 8) came in a smaller version (I was there alone and it was a lot for one person to eat and not really good to take home).
So with tip and water it came to $ 34 for lunch.
However, service was quite good and I ordered a Mango Lassi and they eventually gave it to me for free when the bill came. So it would have been closer to $ 40 for lunch.
Anyway, thanks. As I said, it was all good.
Place rating: 5
Fairfax, CA
Amazing food and restaurant. It’s been a pleasure to watch the restaurant grow over the years. The location is in the west end of san Rafael’s 4th St. The food is from the southern oration of India featuring Dosa’s of every variety. The staff is friendly and patiently explains the food to newbys.
The grocery store expands every time I come in to dine. They will even cater for large groups.
Place rating: 5
Corte Madera, CA
Best place around for South Indian cuisine — quite different from most Indian fare.
The first time I had a dosa with paneer and onion — most delicious. The second time I shared some South Indian specialties… spicy potato curry with soft breads and a round thin bread containing cauliflower, potatoes, and cheese with a creamy dip in the center. The lamb biryani was fabulous too. Tried a salted lassie — pretty salty and I detected other spices as well which made it the most interesting salted lassie I’ve ever had. It’s a really cool restaurant and they have a great market in the other side of the establishment. We bought some Ginger Chai and love it.