Tara's Himalayan Cuisine

I had an incredible dining experience at this Nepali restaurant! The flavors were absolutely authentic, and the balance of spices was spot on. Their momo (dumplings) are a must-try – perfectly steamed, with juicy fillings and a delicious dipping sauce that brings everything together. The yak chili was another standout dish, bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection, with just the right amount of heat to awaken your taste buds. The ambiance was cozy and welcoming, with subtle Nepali decor that gave it a warm, homely feel. The staff were friendly and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed. If you’re looking for a culinary adventure that combines bold flavors and comforting dishes, this is the place to be. Highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys authentic Nepali cuisine or wants to try something new. I’m already looking forward to my next visit!

Outstanding. The best butter chicken I've ever had. Service was friendly and helpful. Overall, an amazing dining experience. 12/20/24 Update: Had another amazing meal with some friends. One of my favorite spots.

Excellent Nepalese food. We had the chicken momos, vegetarian (loved the aloo chili) and chicken thalis, and the thukpa stew. Everything was really flavorful and took me right back to my time in Nepal. Highly recommend.

Tara’s is amazing! Great service and authentic food. Tara herself is an absolute gem who truly cares about her customers and the quality. Could not recommend any more!

Best Jhol momo I ever had after a very very long time.

Being from Nepal, I can say food was amazing and top notch. Veg thupka was so flavourful, the filling of the momos were yummy. The momo layer was thin and perfect. Service was pretty good too.

The food is freshly made. It’s Himalayan cuisine with some Indian and Chinese twist on their menu. We especially love the veggie korma as it’s creamy and not overly flavorful. The ambience of the place is cozy and relaxing. They also serve in-house alcohol drinks. Parking in the rear. It’s a little pricey for the portion, but the quality is good. Worth the try!

I can’t tell you guys how much I love this place. Our server was super nice and friendly. We visited last night coz we were craving some momos. We ordered chicken and veg thukpa, chicken and veg momos, chicken thaali and coz my friend she eats no spices and no barely any salt, so they made for her a special veggie item, which she did like. It looks like a family owned restaurant and the people were super nice. We ended up ordering 2 more plates of chicken momos and I ordered 2 more to go, their momos were so good.. I’m certainly going there again soon.

My friend and I come here repeatedly because we love the food! We ordered the lamb biryani, chicken tikka masala, the mango lassi, and the chicken momo- all super tasty and delicious. The staff is super friendly and quick and super attentive too! Huge spot with a cute front patio area and cozy indoors too. A great spot for a long sit in dinner with friends and family

We don't have a ton of good South Asian food in this part of LA county so having Tara's nearby is such a treat - one of my favorite places for takeout! I love that paneer curry and they have fantastic momos and everything. My only gripe is that for a friend's birthday party they reserved the back room which was fantastic - we got to order ahead and have a nice apace - however, they failed to mention that the tip was included so we ended up double tipping a significant amount and they simply paid off the machine so there wasn't a chance at reading an itemized list that would include that information!

I wished I lived a little closer so I could go to Tara's more often because they have some of the best Himalayan food I've had in Los Angeles. I used to go with my friends and roommates in college because it was easy enough to get here by public transit but now I live in the valley and it's much much harder to get to. Definitely recommend their momos, and you can't go wrong with any filling choice, whether it be meat or vegetable. The rice dishes, the naan dishes, and their meat dishes are tasty and well portioned. I always have to get a mango lassi when I get here, but I do also recommend the strawberry lassi as well. The restaurant is nice for a small night out, but they also have a larger area to a company bigger parties in the back. Although we didn't sit in the patio seating, they also have heated lamps for warmth if you want to sit outside. The staff are really nice and friendly! They always checked up on us to make sure we had enough water and answered any questions we might've had. Overall, very good service. They also are able to split your bill with a portable card reader.

I've been coming to Tara's for 12 years. It never disappoints. When I came tonight w my family, I was surprised to find it empty. A couple of to go orders came through. We ordered Chana masala, veggie momos, garlic tofu, chicken biryani, garlic naan, plain naan, and mango lassis. Absolutely flavorful with heavenly Himalayan spices. Service is always fantastic, too. Feels like I'm visiting friends. When we were done 2 more parties sat, but it was still kinda sad to see such an authentic LA establishment not as full as it should be. If you're in the area, make sure to go to Tara's and nourish your body and soul. If you're really lucky, Tara will be there to greet you with her sweet smile.

I really love the food here and the staff/owners are so sweet. Portion sizes feel a bit small for the price, but we got full on roti and paratha. I tried the food here once at a catered event (momos, samosas) and once to dine in (roti, paratha, paneer butter masala). Everything was great. Lots of bold flavors and the breads are fresh, made to order. There's outdoor seating with heaters and lots of indoor seating. Inside is very relaxing, kind of dark, soft music playing. It's a vibe. They serve traditional drinks and also have lots of wine options. The mango lassi is great but the chai was lackluster.

Since the Santa Monica location closed, this has been our go to spot for GREAT Indian/Asian/Himalayan food. So many good dishes but our favs are: Yak Chili - moist, tender yak with veggies in a lovely sauce (get a rice on the side and mix it in). Not really a traditional chili but still unique. Chow Chow Chicken - love this with the skinny noodles, onion, etc. Eggplant Main - soft and tender eggplant with another great sauce. Garlic Tofu - I'm a big meat eater but something about this dish make me order it every time. Again, the sauce is the boss here with onions, green peppers, etc. Fish Masala - Not always on menu but they'll make it for you. Swai fish in a coconut/curry broth that is rich and creamy. Goes over basmati rice. Garlic Naan (ordered without the cilantro) rocks as well. Goes with every dish. Tara always on hand to greet us with her welcoming smile. Oh, dog friendly patio is covered and has heat lamps. Thank you Tara -- we'll be back soon!

Devendia was our front end server and we are so excited to come try Himalayan food in LA! This is a definite hole in the wall vibe restaurant, but the interior and exterior is actually really nice and decorated for a family restaurant. Just to set expectation, Service style is at first seeming to be classic hole in the wall as in you will walk in and they will greet you friendly and then eventually after fifteen minutes in a complete empty restaurant the server will eventually come up and ask you what you'd like but once they do, they are fabulous and provide great service which I will detail below! Tldr very very slow at start so be prepared for that and if you're hoping to come in a rush, call ahead! But I didn't mind at all since we had a really long lunch period today (~50 minutes) and I am very glad we came in person to support this wonderful Nepalese restaurant. Two things made me want to definitely come back to this restaurant hands-down and give it a 5 star review. Number one they accommodated my dietary request to make the mango lassi completely sugar-free. This meant they had to go into the back of the restaurant and blend just for my order, but they didn't make a fuss, and they were super kind about it, which I really appreciated. They even brought me a small cup of their regular mango lassi to see if I could tolerate the sugar and when I could not, they simply went ahead with making it sugar free and said no problem. This made me immediately think service here is fantastic! I tipped more as a thank you at the end of the meal as well to say thank you. Number two, they were also very upfront on the first page of their menu about being willing to make accommodations to fit peoples dietary needs, which I thought was a fabulous aspect of their restaurant. I took a picture of the first page to show you all basically there is a paragraph that says their kitchen is able to accommodate all needs gluten-free, low salt no added salt, sugar-free etc. I really applaud Tara's for supporting all their customers in this way and this alone, in words and through the actions of the restaurant staff here, went a long way towards their ultimate 5 star rating. We also ordered chili yak, house mixed platter, chicken momo, garlic naan, mango lassi, strawberry lassi all with no added salt/low salt- and no sugar except the strawberry lassi. Chicken momo- yum, too salty but delicious. Also my favorite, wish there is a way to ask for no salt but it's premade. Chili yak- first time trying yak, gamey but tender, sweet seasoning. House mixed platter- shrimp and tandoori chicken were standouts Saag paneer- definitely could tell they made it to order, delicious with low/no salt! Mango lassi no sugar- tart and delicious Strawberry lassi normal- "extremely tasty" Garlic naan- incredibly yummy Thank you Devendia for your attentive service and to Tara's for being a restaurant just a few streets down from us that is now one of our go-tos! We couldn't find street parking and walked a whole long block over but next time I'll park outside Blossom during daytime hours.

Every bite was incredible! Served was very sweet and attentive and even opened the outdoor area for us and lit the outdoor heater so we could be comfortable. Every time we come we have an amazing experience! Definitely a must spot for amazing cuisine!

Amazing food and great story behind this local family owned restaurant. You need to go and meet Tara yourself. She is open and friendly to talk about her business. All the dishes are authentic and feel like you are eating generations of passed down recipes.

SERVICE - located off of the main road in Culver City - street parking can be hard to find especially on the weekends or evenings - plenty of indoor and outdoor seating - servers are busy which makes them inattentive. We got seated at the back of the restaurant and had to wait nearly 30 minutes before anyone came back to our table to take our orders or even give us water - food also served slowly. We were seated around 8:30 but did not get food until close to 9:30 - the prices on the menu do not match the website and receipt so make sure you double check before paying MENU - extensive selection of Himalayan food - vegan options available - average price ($16 per entree) FOOD - jogi curry (5/10): mixed vegetables and tofu in a spicy curry sauce. This dish seemed to be one of the more unique ones from the vegetarian section of the menu. In reality, it is just a turmeric heavy base with a good amount of vegetables and one measly piece of tofu. The flavors were decent but I was disappointed by the lack of tofu in what was supposed to be a tofu filled dish. - raisin paratha (3/10): flatbread studded with raisins. I was expecting this to be stuffed with raisins similar to a Kashmiri naan. Instead it is paratha with raisins on the top. The flavor was okay but not worth the price. WOULD I COME BACK? Probably not. The service and food were not great at all.

I can't think of anywhere I enjoy the food as much as I do here. On top of it being a family-owned and run restaurant, it's just spectacular food. You'll eat it and come back the next day because you're craving it again. It's unreal how good it is... You'll want to try everything on the menu.

My friend and I came to Tara's because she had heard good things about the restaurant from multiple people. We came in not really sure what to expect, and left with very happy bellies. The food was good and the portions were huge for the price. I got the butter chicken and asked them to swap the dark meat for white meat which they were able to do. It was quite the savory treat! My friend got the Daal Bhat Tarkari with Garlic Tofu and was happy with her choice as well. We also got an extra side of rice and some garlic naan bread to share and had plenty of leftovers to have for lunch the next day. The restaurant has a very cozy feel to it and our waitress was a total sweetheart. Tara's is the perfect place to come for some warm food on a cold night. I can't wait to come back!

I came here with a large group last night and the food was delicious. I was mostly there for the momo because I heard such good things about it and it did not disappoint. It was juicy and tender and so flavorful. I love the dipping sauce it came with too. It had a curry flavor. Then we got - yak chili - this was ok. Nothing super crazy and a little dry tbh - chicken fried rice - this was delicious. A little spicy too with the medium spice - chicken tikka masala - this was soooo good. The perfect creaminess and so flavorful - lamb biryani - this was ok. Nothing to write home about - garlic naan - delicious as always - cheese naan - also delicious - aloo paratha - probably the most disappointing part of the meal. We thought it was going to be filled with potatoes and spices like it said on the menu and even when I asked the waitress for confirmation but when it finally came, it was this flat bread with no filling inside. I would go back for the momo and chicken tikka masala.

Best tikka masala & the BEST GARLIC NAAN I've hands down ever eaten! This is a must come to place! They are so sweet as well. Tara the owner is very kind and I recently have tried the tandoori chicken which is now one of my favorites on the menu! Everything is just very flavorful and delicious! I definitely recommend trying Tara's Himalayan cuisine.

One of our favorite go to spots on the west side! We crave this spot every other week. Chana masala, korma curry , garlic cheese naan, rice byriani, samosas and last but not least the Thukpa stew! This place is so underrated

Amazing food and super cute interior. I got the chow chow and I looooved it so much. I will be making the drive back. So worth it

Had a great time at Tara's last night. Usually we order in from this restaurant when we are craving Nepali food but we went in person this time. The ambiance was great and it was really cutely decorated. We ordered multiple Nepali dishes, although the menu has mostly indian dishes. We ordered momos, thukpa and a thali. Everything was really great! The drinks were a little bit too sweet in my opinion but can't wait to come back!

A true hole in the wall GEM. From the friendly service to the amazing food. I cannot emphasize how great this restaurant is. Food wise, It was hard to decide on what to get but we started with the veggie & chicken momo's. I liked the veggie a bit better but both were great! I honestly feel like they are made in house/fresh the filling is delicious and the dumpling dough was very silky. Also got veggie korma ((AMAZING)) I couldn't stop eating it. Garlic naan & the chow chow. Chow chow had very unique flavors and was a great addition to the meal because we originally wanted pasta (lol). The service was great !! One of the servers was so sweet with my dog and brought him water. I will say- it takes a bit longer than the norm for the food to come out.. just be patient.. take in the vibes and know that waiting for the food is worth it.

We came during a holiday, so service was a little slow. But the food was simply amazing. From vegan dishes like jackfruit curry and the seven lentil soup, to the yak curry, there's something amazing for everyone.

Had to write another review since January 2024 because this restaurant provides a constant excellence in every aspect of the business: food, service and ambiance. Lamb and chicken dishes were absolutely delicious, paired with a refreshing and tasty sangria and Himalayan beer. Can't wait to go back again.

Tried the butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, and aloo paratha. The chicken was tender and sauce flavorful with the right amount of spice! It seems like a family owned restaurant with good service.

The most decadent of creamy and delicious comfort food spots. I love this place and their paneer butter masala. Definitely distinct from traditional Indian food, but familiar in those same flavors. This is a cozy family run spot with friendly staff. I came here once when the place was filled with Buddhist monks. I wish the location in Brentwood area stuck around because it was closer to me. That being said - the original location is really the place to be. It's a go-to spot for me during the winter months.

Tara has those flavors you've been craving. Got the chicken tikka at a level 7. Pretty good stuff here! The somosas were good too. Food took a bit longer than expected. Would be keen to trying other stuff of the menu here.

A wonderful place for hidden Himalayan gems. Likely the only place for chili yak and momo dumplings. The chilli yak was certainly the star of the show. Marinated full of flavor and cooked to fall apart rather easily, yak can be known to be tough. Lamb momo dumplings while tasty were served open and fallen apart, minus one star. The naan, fresh and hot. In fact everything came out hot, huge plus. The service was fast. The atmosphere was rustic in a lovely inviting way.

Love this place!! The food is so flavorful. Staff is so nice. I was use to going to the Brentwood location. I noticed it closed; so had to come to the location on Venice.

Good Indian food. Cozy interior. Room was clean. The service was fast. Average prices.

We loved this place! We had a large group and tried several different dishes - all excellent! The hit of the group was the Yak. We didn't know what to expect and were more than happy with it. The staff was very attentive and friendly. We were lucky enough to meet Tara and tell her how much we enjoyed everything. If I live closer, I would be there every week.

Tara's Himalayan Cuisine restaurant is located on Venice Blvd, not far from Motor Dr in the Palms area of Los Angeles. It was about a 8 minutes drive from Beverly Hills. This restaurant has been here for years and yesterday was my first visit. Have driven by and passed this restaurant several times. I was lucky to get metered parking on busy Venice Bl. This restaurant is small with inside and outdoor patio seating dining. I always prefer Al fresco, especially when surrounded by real living green plants and trees, beneath the awning for shade. The menu offered a nice selection of meat and vegetables, and I opted for the veggies. It was my first Himalayan food experience, and upon reviewing the menu, the dishes had similarities to Indian food but with the use of Himalayan spices. The only Himalayan spice I'm familiar with is pink Himalayan salt, which I use for cooking and have purchased beauty products that have it for facials and body scrubs, it detoxes and exfoliates among other benefits! It was a sunny breezy chilly day in LA, and as I sat outside this patio, I was reminded of past global trips in other countries where the setting was similar: not fancy, cement patio was water hosed down clean, with potted plants trees, greeted cordially by the attentive staff. Have not traveled to Nepal and or trekked the Himalayan Alps, but it's on my list of destinations to see, experience and taste the cultural exotic cuisine. So glad I don't have to trek to Nepal to taste Himalayan food. Excitedly, I ordered dishes that were familiar to me: Saag paneer(spinach and cheese), vegetable korma, eggplant curry, garlic naan, samosas and jasmine rice. Every dish was nicely plated. And after the first taste of each dish, I was amazed and delighted to have found the perfect Saag paneer, Korma, eggplant curry and garlic naan! I knew I couldn't eat all and of course I over ordered. Wish a lunch menu with smaller portions was offered. Because I ordered Everything entree size. I had everything boxed up togo. All the dishes I ordered tasted so phenomenal, I will revisit to try other exotic dishes. The restaurant owner and chef Tara and her partner Mac came out to meet Me and Fendi. Both were pleasant and nice. Their other restaurant is in Brentwood where I would have much preferred for its more upscale location but without an outdoor patio dining during COVID, I decided on this super busy with traffic Venice Bl Palms location, which is rough and there's a homeless camp a few blocks away. And because I was not feeling 1000% comfortable because of the area, I would have rated this experience a 5 stars. The owner Tara was understanding about my concern for safety and said she would set up an outdoor patio seating at the Brentwood location, so Fendi and I can visit yay! Also, Takeout/Delivery is an option I would consider next time and they accept ApplePay. This Himalayan cuisine is divine and I most definitely recommend!

My go to place when I crave Indian curry. I usually get the chicken saag with basmati rice, medium spice level. The saag is a green spinach curry, tasting sort of like garlic pesto. It goes well with the tender chicken. The spice level can be inconsistent: sometimes medium tastes pretty spicy, other times it's not even spicy. The curry has a little watery texture and the sauce can be thicker. Other than that, the curry has a rich spicy flavor to it! I also recommend the garlic tofu (tastes spicy and a little sweet). Staff are friendly and food was on time when ordering online :) 8/10

Not sure what the hype is about. Beware to those trying to use the yelp check-in coupon - they didn't honor the 15% takeout discount. Besides that, the food was not good at all. We got the yak chili, garlic tofu, naan, and mutton momo. Yak chili had a similar taste profile to Panda Express orange chicken. Beef was a little tough. The garlic tofu and naan were nothing to write about either. We appreciated the lamb flavor in the momo but it was very meat heavy. All in all, we will not return.

Tara's Himalayan is consistently delicious. Went to dinner last night and our table ordered a few things. Started with Samosas. They are always just the right balance of crispy and pillowy. Aloo Chili is the best mix of spice, potatoes, onion, and tomaotes. Butter Chicken is some of the best in town. Garlic naan is carb heaven. They also work with you on the spice level which is nice.

So sad it shut down!! Loved their goat curry and saag paneer such a good neighborhood gem!

Super good. Clean spacious interior, nice patio. Super friendly staff. Food was incredible. Tikka Masala was top 3 I've had in the city; super creamy and with an interesting smoothness which I can't describe. The Shepherds Yak Stew was delicious, though I would have liked a little more yak Parking was nonexistent, but there was nearby street spots available.

Yummy!! First time trying Himalayan and I am impressed! First of all, I didn't think I'd like Yak but now I'm a fan! Tried the yak chili, chicken saag, garlic naan and a bottle of wine. Everything was flavorful and so delicious - I would totally reorder all the same when I return but actually looking forward to try other dishes. Bill was $67 without tax and a 4% fee for using a credit card. The 4% fee I think is unnecessary. Should be like $1 if you spend less than $20 or something. Anywho! Staff was super friendly and attentive. Place is small and very much a hidden gem. Highly recommend everyone to give it a try! You won't be disappointed.

The paneer butter masala is literally the best thing that has ever crossed my lips. Truly a hidden gem and one of the most wonderful finds in West LA. A must visit! Friendly staff, and the eponymous Tara is wonderful. Highly recommend!

Probably the best Nepalese restaurant tht I have been to in LA. The thali was good, chicken dishes were all well done and most importantly the momo's were awesome. The service was pretty good too. Must visit if you are craving some Nepalese food.

Fabulous food, fantastic service, freaking awesome vibe! A must stop for all in Los Angeles. The knowledgeable waiter from Dang, Nepal gave us a brief history that the restaurant has been in LA for decades now! We also tried Chicken Momo and Goat Thali. Black Dal Lentil was delicious.

Just came here to eat with my brother, and the food here is delicious and the staff are very kind. I enjoyed the soft music and dim lights as I got to eat a fresh, hot meal. I'll definitely be back.

A Neighborhood Hidden Gem! We were looking for a nearby restaurant while our dog was having a procedure at our vet and decided to walk to another restaurant, and passed by this restaurant that had a small crowd and decided to take a look at the menu. This menu has it all- soups, salads, meat and vegetarian dishes, and plenty of bread, or naan. The spices were tempting and tasty, the service was superb and friendly, and the plethora of food was satisfying. While this restaurant may not be your "go to" on a first date, it should definitely be on your list for the other 364. Definitely try Tara's Himalayan when you want good service and a great meal!

I drove by so many times before finally trying this place, and I'm so glad I did. I didn't know what to expect with the food, but I was pleasantly surprised. We tried the samosas, momo, vindaloo, aloo gobi, butter chicken, and garlic naan. Let me start by saying that I've been back already and will continue to eat there going forward. The food is very good. The flavors are great. The aloo gobi is spicy, but not too spicy. The vindaloo is very good. And the butter chicken hit the spot, but I feel like it's too creamy for me. The person I was with didn't see that as a problem at all. It's just a personal preference for me. The samosas are doing it right. We had to get a second order of them last time. The mix is very, very good. The service is good and the people are attentive, but each time I've been there I've had a hard time getting the check. That's the only part that is a problem, which isn't even a big problem at all.

Tara's Himalayan is sooooo good! And something different which is always a nice treat :) I have been here a few times and am always very pleased. We started with Mango Lassi and Chicken Momo, OMG these dumplings are they best I've ever had, they make them to order and you can really taste the freshness. The accompanying tomato achaar dipping sauce complements them perfectly. For entrees we had the Lamb Korma & Bheda Ko Tarkari (lamb curry in a tomato based sauce) w/ basmati rice and green beans on the side. Both of the lamb dishes were excellent, the meat was tender and the sauces rich & creamy. Again, you could really taste the freshness of the ingredients and care of preparation. They use a 1 - 10 spice level for you to decide how much heat you want. We picked a "6" which was not hot but very flavorful. Next time I will bump it up to a "7" ;) I've been to places that claim to have the "Best Naan" but Tara's actually does and without the boast! We had the Keema Naan which filled with lamb and spices. It completed the meal and was great for sopping up the sauces. I need to comment on the service. It was excellent!! The gentleman serving us was very friendly made us fell that he was genuinely happy to have us as guests in his restaurant! He answered our questions about the menu and made some suggestions that were very appreciated. Additionally, he was very attentive throughout the meal to us and the other patrons in the dining room. We sat inside and the dining room was immaculate! They also have a patio if you want to eat outside :) There is limited street parking and a private parking lot in back.

What a delicious combination of flavors. We got the samosas, chili chicken, and chow chow. It was so good, I haven't had anything like this before. We'll be back soon!

I've been coming here for years even though I now live kind of far I always find a way to make it out here & it's all for their amazing CTM & Garlic Naan... Has the be the best Chicken Tikka Masala flavor that I have tried personally.. Going in for lunch today!

Best Indian food. Love the hospitality when here. It feels like being home! Their aloo chilli and paneer butter masala are killer

After living in neighborhood for years, I finally tried Tara's cuisine and let me tell you it was great. I always saw this place on my way to work, but never had a chance to stop by. Finally tried it the other day and I will definitely be back. You can tell it's family owned, it a good way. Staff is pleasant and friendly. We were mostly excited about their momos and it delivered!!! One of the best I ever had! Recommend trying chicken and lamb ones. For main dishes we got butter chicken and lamb biryanis. Portions on a smaller side, so recommend ordering at least two. Their naan is absolutely delicious as well. Looking forward trying more dishes next time!

I wish I could give this place 10 stars. My mouth is still watering from this experience. Hands down the best Chicken Masala and Chicken Korma I've ever tasted. Sauces are so flavorful, rich and creamy. Garlic Naan and Samosas were also outstanding. Basically, you can't go wrong here. Everything is cooked to perfection. You will leave here completely satisfied and counting down the days until your next visit.

Delicious Indian/Himalayan food with lots of vegetarian and vegan options! You can also customize and choose the spice level. Great place for a family-style meal and very reasonably priced with a cozy atmosphere

Amazing food! Flavorful and delicious. I like they had a slightly different menu. Chutney was really yum too.

some of the best Nepaly and Indian food around. very authentic and calm and quite ambiance. The Momo there is top notch and the garlic nan and rottie aslo hit the spot. a must try if you love food.