Key Takeaways
Summary: For Indian food in Sunnyvale, start with Satkar for homestyle North Indian takeout, UlavacharU for Andhra biryani and a full sit-down meal, and Madras Café for classic South Indian vegetarian breakfast and dosas. All three sit along El Camino Real, and this list was updated in October 2026 after Sankranti closed.
Sunnyvale has one of the strongest Indian food scenes in Silicon Valley, and that’s no accident. The city has a large South Asian community, a lot of it tied to the tech companies that surround it, and El Camino Real has filled up with restaurants, grocery stores, and sweet shops that serve the people who live here. If you’re trying to figure out where to eat Indian food in Sunnyvale, you’re in the right place.
When I first wrote this list, my three picks were Satkar Indian Cuisine, UlavacharU Indian Restaurant, and Sankranti. Sankranti on S Wolfe Road has since closed, so I’ve swapped in Madras Café, a South Indian spot that’s been feeding Sunnyvale for decades. Each of these places has its own personality, from a tiny takeout counter with great naan to a packed Andhra restaurant with a serious biryani habit, so there’s something here whether you’re an adventurous eater or just want good comfort food.
#1: Satkar Indian Cuisine
1253 W El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 | (650) 390-0776 | satkarindiancuisines.com
Satkar is a small place on the west end of El Camino Real, and it’s easy to drive right past it. Don’t. It started out as a traditional vegetarian Indian kitchen and has since added chicken and lamb curries, so it works whether you’re sticking to familiar dishes or you know exactly which regional specialty you’re after. People rave about the butter chicken, which has a smoky flavor you don’t find everywhere, and the Aloo Gobi is packed with flavor for a dish that’s just potatoes and cauliflower.
The garlic naan is the other reason to come. It’s fresh and flavorful without overpowering everything else on the plate, and it pairs perfectly with the Chicken Makhani or a plate of Palak Paneer. There are a few tables inside, but this is mostly a grab-and-go spot, and parking is easy. One tip: Satkar is closed on Mondays and takes a break between lunch and dinner on weekdays, so check the hours on their website before you head over.
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685 E El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 | ulavacharuusa.com
UlavacharU is where you go when you want a full sit-down meal with a lot of energy in the room. The name comes from ulavacharu, a slow-cooked horse gram soup from Andhra Pradesh, and the menu leans into Andhra and South Indian cooking with plenty of North Indian favorites mixed in. The restaurant has a warm, dhaba-style feel, and it’s one of the most reviewed Indian restaurants in Sunnyvale.
If you’re new to this style of food, the NV (non-veg) Thali is a great way to sample a little of everything. The fried starters like Cut Mirchi and Gobi Manchurian stay crunchy even after they cool down, which is rare, and the Paneer Ulavacharu Biryani is the dish people come back for. The lunch buffet is a big draw for anyone who wants an authentic Indian fix without spending a lot. If you lean North Indian, the Butter Chicken with Garlic Naan is a safe bet.
A couple of things to know before you go. Dishes tend to come out mild unless you ask for medium or spicy, weekend waits can run 30 minutes or more, and parking gets tight at peak times. Don’t skip the sweet paan on your way out. And if you want to take dessert home, UlavacharU also runs a separate sweets and snacks shop down the road at 151 E El Camino Real.
#3: Madras Café
1177 W El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Madras Café is a Sunnyvale classic and one of the best places in the South Bay for South Indian vegetarian food. It’s a no-frills, order-at-the-counter kind of place where you pay up front, grab a number, and find a seat. On a weekend morning it’s packed with families, and a big share of the crowd is Indian, which tells you a lot about how authentic the food is.
Dosas are the main event here, from the paper dosa that hangs off the edge of the plate to the Mysore Masala Dosa with its spicy chutney spread inside. The idli and vada are excellent for breakfast, the uttappam is a heartier option, and you shouldn’t leave without a cup of South Indian filter coffee. Madras Café is also right next to a grocery store, so it’s easy to pick up spices and snacks on your way out. It’s closed on Mondays, and arriving early on weekends will save you a long wait.
Living Near Sunnyvale’s Indian Restaurants
Most of Sunnyvale’s best Indian restaurants, grocery stores, and sweet shops are clustered along El Camino Real, which makes the neighborhoods on either side of it some of the most convenient in the city for everyday errands. If you want to explore more, take a walk down Historic Murphy Avenue downtown, or read my guide to living in Sunnyvale. For the Indian food scene in nearby cities, see my picks for the best Indian restaurants in Santa Clara and the best Indian restaurants in Campbell.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling here, my Sunnyvale home prices page has the current numbers, and my article on Indian homebuyers in Silicon Valley’s real estate market covers what that community is looking for. For families moving a parent closer to them, I also wrote about Belmont Village Sunnyvale, one of the city’s senior living communities.
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Tasty Homes for Sale in Sunnyvale
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Indian restaurants in Sunnyvale?
My top three are Satkar Indian Cuisine for North Indian takeout, UlavacharU Indian Restaurant for Andhra-style biryani and a lunch buffet, and Madras Café for South Indian vegetarian dishes like dosas and idli.
Is Sankranti in Sunnyvale still open?
No. Sankranti at 727 S Wolfe Road in Sunnyvale is listed as closed, which is why it was replaced on this list by Madras Café.
Which Sunnyvale Indian restaurant is best for vegetarians?
Madras Café is entirely vegetarian and focuses on South Indian dishes. Satkar also started as a vegetarian kitchen and still has a strong vegetarian menu, including Palak Paneer, Chana Masala, and Aloo Gobi.
Does UlavacharU in Sunnyvale have a lunch buffet?
Yes. UlavacharU offers a lunch buffet that’s popular with locals looking for a good-value Indian meal. Buffet days and hours can change, so check with the restaurant before you go.
Where is the Indian food scene in Sunnyvale?
Most of it is along El Camino Real, which runs east to west through the city. All three restaurants on this list are on El Camino, along with many Indian grocery stores and sweet shops.
Are these Sunnyvale restaurants open on Mondays?
Satkar and Madras Café are both closed on Mondays based on their posted hours. Hours change, so it’s a good idea to check online or call ahead.
