Ambrosia India Bistro - Monterey

The flavors, the atmosphere, the connection to life within each bite can be hard to explain. A simple example of delicious food that connects with your soul and what it means to be human. The fire cooked flavor that lingers throughout each dish reminds me of my connection to nature and brings forward emotions and a link to my primal instincts.

I have thoroughly enjoyed multiple meals and dishes here, some take out and some in restaurant. In both scenarios, I have the same experience with the food. I do highly recommend eating in, or finding a seat at their lush beautiful patio to feel the total impact of atmospheric warmth while you enjoy your dish. Enjoy with your family, a romantic date, or solo for a thought provoking experience. Everyone experiences things differently, but with a positive mindset, I find it can bring you back to earth in a world where many float through life starting at soul sucking their phones.

Beyond all that, the service and staff are excellent and professional.

I would rate this a 4 since my family liked the food but I thought it was mid. My family and I are all vegetarian so that's all I can talk about. But once the Shahi Paneer came, it redeemed the mid food from before. It was awesome and one of the best I have ever had. I highly recommend the Shahi Paneer so much. Best thing they have.

This place deserves a higher rating. Came in on a Monday night after driving highway one all day. I was impressed by their vegan and vegetarian menu, TONS of options. The vegan tofu Tikka was delicious. It was not what I expected but was absolutely delicious. You have to order rice separate but it was delicious. The garlic naan was covered in seasoning and was very tasty. The restaurant is very cute with tons of decorations. If I lived near here, I would come all the time. I highly recommend this place.

Been here for dinner on a weekend. Not much crowd and decent parking available in the front of the restaurant. Never seen this good ambience in US Indian based restaurant and this one is exceptional. Tandoori chicken and Paratha tasted good

The atmosphere was nice with dim (but abundant) lighting, a water feature, and soft music. They have a good variety of options - notably they have an vegan menu and a vegetarian section of their main menu which are just as wide as their non-vegetarian options. The food is great, and it’s nice that they specifically ask how spicy you want the dish. I like spice but I’m not a real champ, so I specified moderately spicy. My entree was just that - it had that little hit of heat and smokiness, but not a true burn. Loved the vegetable platter appetizer (which came with a generous portion of sauces) and vegetable korma entree. The service was so courteous and the prices fair.

I’m not saying this is the best Indian food I’ve ever had, but I cannot remember the last time I had Indian food this good… especially for the price.

I am sitting here on my couch scratching my head as to why this restaurant has a total 3.9 review?

With further thought, ignore these other reviews from straight up goons…the food is great and the price is great…I am not some scrub, I have lived all over and visited many countries. I love and frequently crave Indian food. I have eaten here twice and both times were wonderful.

Excellent vegetarian and vegan options

In short, say good night to the goons…this restaurant is phenomenal and deserves higher praise.

Fantastically tasty food in a lovely garden atmosphere with attentive service. Reviews here are mixed and extremely pleased to report that the restaurant is wonderful and recommend to fellow visitors to Monterey and the locals.

We had draft beer, a mango lassi, the chicken tikka and saag paneer. Not sure of my spelling on those dish names, but the taste was ace. Tikka was super great. Mains at around $15-$22. Celiac friendly!

Recommend!

Probably the best Indian food in Monterey.

I love coming to this location because of the outdoor seating and overall ambiance.

The lunch buffet has both vegetarian and meat options. There's salad and dessert to enjoy and the price is great!!

The waiter was attentive and checked on us several times even though we were serving ourselves from the buffet.

Not busy at all on a Saturday for lunch.

Sat Outdoors, greeted, ordered delicious Butter Chicken, brown rice and Garlic Naan. Service was good and the atmosphere was even better. Sitting outside with friends enjoying a meal and laughs is hard to beat. We were not rushed and the Taj Mah Hall beer was served ice cold and with a chilled glass. What more can you ask for?

Amazing food! Staff is friendly and courteous. Ordered butter chicken and three types of naan, were worth coming back for! The decorations are tasteful and gorgeous. Nice outside seating area. Sat inside as it was chilly and inside has a waterfall view. I will go back here! Worth the visit. Huge menu too!

Ambrosia Indian Bistro is one of my favorite places for Indian food in Monterey. They have an awesome buffet that's all you can eat and you can take home with you whatever you don't finish. The chicken curry is spicy, but not too spicy and then there's usually a few other chicken options and tofu, rices, and vegetables. If you're in the area, don't miss out on this place. Parking is in the back.

incredibly wonderful food, decor, and staff, Ambrosia Bistro is the perfect place for both good food and a good time. the menu offers a wide variety of different foods with ample vegetarian and vegan options. the atmosphere is inviting and tastefully decorated as well as offering wonderful views of an outdoor pond/waterfall area. the staff was nothing short of absolutely wonderful and answered every question my husband and i had as well as helped recommend incredibly yummy dishes that we had never tried before. i highly recommend going to Ambrosia to either dine in or take out next time you’re craving indian food!

Lovely garden and great food! The place is so cozy and the food is amazing! They also have cocktail drinks and a mini bar. Their chicken tiki Masala is delicious! They also have non alcoholic drinks like daiquiris. This is a great local place to eat in Monterey!

Great place! The decorations and ambiance is really pleasant.
Party of six quickly seated at about 730pm with no reservations.
Plenty of good service! Helpful, knowlegable, accurate and attentive. Missed a rice, but came to the table in 30 seconds.
Food was a hit all around! Portions were plentiful too!
If you like Indian, then stop by Ambrosia when you are in Monterey!

I went for the first time tonight and I will be back! The restaurant was beautifully decorated, staff was nice and quick, and the food had me doing a happy dance.
I ordered samosas, mango lassi, lamb sag, cheese naan, and white rice. I ended up ordering the tandoori chicken because the aroma was filling the restaurant! Safe to say I went home with tomorrow’s lunch!

Lovely Indian restaurant with cozy atmosphere. We sat on the patio and it felt quite safe. If you are vegan, ask them for the vegan options, as they have another printed tiny menu. The food was good and a good amount that allowed for some leftovers.

My recent dining experience at Ambrosia, an Indian restaurant, was an absolute delight. From the outset, the restaurant exuded a warm, inviting atmosphere that perfectly captured the essence of Indian hospitality.

The service at Ambrosia was outstanding. The staff were not only knowledgeable about the menu but also exhibited a genuine passion for their cuisine. They were attentive and efficient, ensuring that every need was met promptly and with a smile. This level of service greatly enhanced the overall dining experience, making us feel truly valued as customers.

The culinary journey at Ambrosia was equally impressive. The menu offered a rich tapestry of flavors, showcasing the diversity of Indian cuisine. For starters, the Samosas were a revelation - perfectly crispy on the outside, with a deliciously spiced potato filling. The Chicken Tikka, marinated in yogurt and spices, then grilled to perfection, was succulent and bursting with flavor.

The main courses were a testament to the chef’s expertise in balancing flavors and spices. The Butter Chicken was a standout dish, with tender chicken pieces in a creamy, tomato-based sauce, striking a perfect harmony between sweet and savory. The Lamb Vindaloo, on the other hand, was an adventure for the palate, offering a spicy, tangy, and deeply satisfying experience.

The side dishes and breads were equally commendable. The Garlic Naan was light, fluffy, and infused with the perfect amount of garlic. The Basmati Rice was fragrant and fluffy, an ideal accompaniment to the rich curries.

To conclude the meal, the dessert of Gulab Jamun, served warm and soaked in a sweet syrup, provided a comforting end to a fantastic meal.

In summary, Ambrosia is not just a restaurant; it’s a culinary experience that transcends the ordinary. The exceptional service, combined with the superbly crafted dishes, makes Ambrosia a must-visit destination for anyone seeking to immerse themselves in the rich flavors of Indian cuisine.

As you walk in, the entry is a beautiful ambiant area filled with hummingbirds, flowers , lovely scent that transports you away. Excellent after a long day or stressful day. 2 Ganesh greet you to alleviate your obstacles and you are welcomed with excellent friendly and professional staff. Refreshing compared to some American standards of restaurant service in the area. The food is delicious and tastes wonderful. I was happy to see also a hidden courtyard in the back with large palm leaves and the sound of water. Such a wonderful restaurant. I usually drive all the way to Sunnyvale from my home in Big Sur - to enjoy authentic food as it’s hard to come by around here! I am from Canada and love some good Indian food, since I’ve been enjoying the regional cuisines of the country since I was you in the restaurants of little India in Vancouver bc. I highly recommend this excellent establishment… I’ve dined in the Carmel location many times and tried almost all dishes. Very good!

So for my Indian pallet ambrosia India Bistro is my favorite not only for its fresh good food from the northern part but the ambiance. Sitting inside or outside Takes Me Away to an exotic place not only with its surrounding but it's wonderful food. In the following pictures you'll see that I ordered the non-vegan feast without rice. I chose without rice because I have enough naan bread and the dessert had rice in it. Wonderful service always ready to answer questions on any of your entree or appetizer items. It's always a treat to be here.

We dined at Ambrosia on Sat 11/25. The restaurant was already full by the time we arrived, so we were glad we had reserved a table in advance. We were very pleasantly surprised by the attentiveness of the wait staff (we saw repeated complaints about the service in past reviews, including our own bad experience a couple years ago) who even accomodated our request for a quieter table in the back of the restaurant. The food was very high quality, especially their daal and fried okra! Apparently the chef is from Amritsar and you can tell that he knows his craft! The food at Ambrosia has never been disappointing, but looks like they are now working on improving the overall guest experience. We will be back!