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Namaste Indian Cuisine

Indian restaurant · East Palo Alto, CA · reviewed since 2023

How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%63+40Reliability 28%52+14.7Replies to reviews 8%73+6Momentum penalty75−2.5Experts Score= 58Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade C: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.58SCORE
CGradeLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#99 of 111 caterersPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 11%
4.7 ★★★★★ 367 Google reviews · 23 photos
84%five-star reviews
4.50★last 12 monthsAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
8.2%1–2★ in 2 yearsShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
70%reviews answered by the owner
Oct 2026latest review

Namaste Indian Cuisine at a glance

Google reviewers for Namaste Indian Cuisine report a 4.7 rating from 367 reviews, with the owner responding to 70% of comments. Customers frequently praise the quality of dishes like butter chicken and naan, noting generous portions and pleasant dining atmospheres with background music. However, recurring criticisms include inconsistent service levels, such as slow seating or missing order items, and specific complaints regarding food authenticity, including a reported pest sighting and incorrect ingredients in certain meals.

  • Google rating: 4.7 out of 5 from 367 reviews (84% five-star).
  • Reviews on this page: 367 Google reviews (284 with written comments, 57 with photos).
  • Owner responses: the business replied to 70% of reviews.
  • Most recent review: October 26, 2026.
  • Service: Caterer serving East Palo Alto, California.

Data from Google, last updated October 31, 2026.

Score profile vs other caterers

Score per factor (100 = best)Each factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: momentum and replies to reviews; weakest: reliability.

Satisfaction63Reliability52Craft & service–Value–Momentum75Replies to reviews73Satisfaction: 63 (median 86)Reliability: 52 (median 87)Momentum: 75 (median 100)Replies to reviews: 73 (median 31)
Namaste Indian CuisineCaterers median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactionSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Namaste Indian Cuisine: 63/100 on this factor. Category median: 86.B
63
ReliabilityReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Namaste Indian Cuisine: 52/100 on this factor. Category median: 87.C
52
Craft & serviceCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 99.–
–
ValueValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 95.–
–
MomentumMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Namaste Indian Cuisine: 75/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.B
75
Replies to reviewsReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Namaste Indian Cuisine: 73/100 on this factor. Category median: 31.B
73

Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.

Star ratings

367 Google reviews we collected

  • 5 stars30984%
  • 4 stars277%
  • 3 stars82%
  • 2 stars72%
  • 1 star164%

Praise vs complaints

Phrases our text analysis found in 284 written reviews

  • Praise23395%
  • Complaints125%

Topic share

How often each topic comes up in the written reviews

  • Staff & attitude10242%
  • Would recommend5924%
  • Quality & results4920%
  • Price & value146%
  • Speed & response135%
  • Honesty & trust62%
  • Communication21%

What customers talk about

We read 284 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.

  • “The service was impeccable - everyone was so nice and welcoming.”
    “Super bad service and rude waiter , avoid coming here.”
  • “Superb food, butter chicken, soups and samosas highly recommended.”
    “I would not recommend this location to anyone.”
  • “great service and the food was not too spicy but still yummy.”
    “Garlic bread was burnt and the Dal was the worst I've ever eaten!”
  • “Delicious food at relatively affordable prices, extensive and diverse menu.”
    “Over priced and a lack of quality food.”
  • “Food came out super fast and the restaurant as gorgeous”
  • “Honestly it is a super discovery of indian restaurant in palo alto.”
  • “They'll kindly explain each dish and make the experience even better.”

People customers mention

  • Area 12 reviews
  • Malabar 10 reviews
  • Naan 9 reviews
  • Paneer 7 reviews
  • Chicken 6 reviews
  • Thali 6 reviews

praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.

Recent reviews

Macke5 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★★★★★

Ordered takeout and was completely satisfied — great flavor, quantity and quality.

LalLocal Guide · 124 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 weeks ago★★★★★

The food was excellent. Grill meat platter was very good, and also butter chicken curry with Nan. Mango lassie is also worth tasting. It felt a little expensive; though okay for a memorable occasion.

UshaLocal Guide · 39 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★

Good food and ambience! We enjoyed our lunch in this restaurant, not too many people yet still lively with the music. We ordered Momos which came with tomato chutney which is pretty good, for main course ordered vegan vegetable coco curry which was delicious with chilli onion kulcha and some basmati rice. Everything…

Customer photo from Usha's reviewCustomer photo from Usha's reviewCustomer photo from Usha's reviewCustomer photo from Usha's review
Abdullah2 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★

We were having dinner here and everything was going well until we saw a rat. It honestly shocked us and completely ruined the meal. We lost our appetite right away and couldn't enjoy the rest of our dinner. I really hope the restaurant takes care of this issue because no one expects to see something like that while eating.

VarunLocal Guide · 10 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★

I went to this place to celebrate a special occasion, especially due to many reviews mentioning that the service was spectacular. However, my experience was the opposite; I was unenthusiastically seated, and I wasn't given a menu for the 15 minutes I was there, after which I left. I would not recommend this location to anyone.

AhmadLocal Guide · 719 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 months ago★★★★★

Superb food, butter chicken, soups and samosas highly recommended. They told us the meat is halal as well

Photos

Customer reviews

4.7 ★★★★★ 367 reviews on Google · rating breakdown

Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).

Team members customers mention
Filter by topic — each topic is highlighted in the reviews in the same color
Macke Raymond5 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Macke has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Ordered takeout and was completely satisfied — great flavor, quantity and quality.

  • Meal type: Dinner
  • Price per person: $30–40
Lal K.CLocal Guide · 124 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Lal has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

The food was excellent. Grill meat platter was very good, and also butter chicken curry with Nan. Mango lassie is also worth tasting. It felt a little expensive; though okay for a memorable occasion.

  • Meal type: Dinner
  • Price per person: $40–50
  • Group size: 2 people
  • Seating type: Indoor dining area
Usha AluruLocal Guide · 39 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Usha has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Good food and ambience! We enjoyed our lunch in this restaurant, not too many people yet still lively with the music. We ordered Momos which came with tomato chutney which is pretty good, for main course ordered vegan vegetable coco curry which was delicious with chilli onion kulcha and some basmati rice. Everything tasted pretty good. Good place to visit if you are in the area.

  • Order type: Dine in
  • Meal type: Lunch
  • Recommended dishes: Garlic Naan, Corn Malai Tikki, Basmati Rice
  • Reservation: Not sure
  • Recommendation for vegetarians: Highly recommend
  • Vegetarian offerings: Large vegetarian selection, Clearly labeled vegetarian dishes
  • Parking space: Plenty of parking
  • Parking options: Free parking lot, Free parking garage
Deborah Hensler5 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Deborah has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Super yummy. Picked up as takeout

  • Meal type: Dinner
  • Price per person: $60–70
  • Group size: 1 person
  • Recommendation for vegetarians: Highly recommend
  • Vegetarian offerings: Large vegetarian selection
P TLocal Guide · 91 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews P has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Awesome food, service and quality of food.

  • Meal type: Dinner
  • Price per person: $20–30
  • Recommended dishes: Corn Malai Tikki, Butter Naan
  • Seating type: Indoor dining area, Outdoor patio / terrace
  • Recommendation for vegetarians: Highly recommend
  • Vegetarian offerings: Large vegetarian selection
  • Parking space: Somewhat difficult to find parking
Kayen MehtaLocal Guide · 35 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Kayen has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

great service and the food was not too spicy but still yummy. also not oily

  • Order type: Dine in
  • Meal type: Dinner
  • Price per person: $20–30
Abdullah Ctl2 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Abdullah has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

We were having dinner here and everything was going well until we saw a rat. It honestly shocked us and completely ruined the meal. We lost our appetite right away and couldn't enjoy the rest of our dinner. I really hope the restaurant takes care of this issue because no one expects to see something like that while eating.

VarunLocal Guide · 10 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Varun has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

I went to this place to celebrate a special occasion, especially due to many reviews mentioning that the service was spectacular. However, my experience was the opposite; I was unenthusiastically seated, and I wasn't given a menu for the 15 minutes I was there, after which I left. I would not recommend this location to anyone.

T VampLocal Guide · 128 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews T has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Seabass Curry was the BEST. The butter chicken was also very tasty.

  • Meal type: Dinner
  • Noise level: Quiet, easy to talk
  • Group size: 3-4 people
  • Seating type: Indoor dining area, Outdoor patio / terrace, Booth seating
Ahmad SidawiLocal Guide · 719 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Ahmad has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Superb food, butter chicken, soups and samosas highly recommended. They told us the meat is halal as well

  • Meal type: Dinner
  • Noise level: Quiet, easy to talk
  • Group size: 2 people, 3-4 people
  • Seating type: Indoor dining area, Bar area, Outdoor patio / terrace, Booth seating

Namaste Indian Cuisine on Google Maps →

Business details