Preethi Indian Cuisine
Located in the heart of Davis, California, Preethi Indian Cuisine (715 2nd St, Davis, CA 95616) offers a warm, inviting atmosphere that welcomes guests to indulge in the rich flavors of Southern India. Known for its cozy, family-owned vibe, this restaurant stands out not only for its impeccable service but also for its diverse menu options that cater to both vegetarian and vegan diets.
The standout feature at Preethi is its extensive menu that includes both traditional Southern Indian specialties and a variety of flavorful dishes. One of the highlights is the dosa, a crispy, savory crepe that's a favorite among regulars. The restaurant takes pride in offering dishes that are hard to find elsewhere in the area, making it a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Southern Indian cuisine. Whether you're a fan of spicy curries, flavorful rice dishes, or refreshing chutneys, Preethi promises a dining experience like no other.
Preethi also caters to those with plant-based preferences, making it a go-to spot for vegan diners. With a generous selection of plant-based options, guests can enjoy flavorful dishes that are satisfying and diverse. While portions are on the smaller side, the flavors make up for it, with each dish crafted to perfection.
The restaurant’s service is another strong point. The staff is known for being helpful, offering great suggestions and ensuring that guests have a pleasant experience. The ambiance is calm and quiet, providing a relaxing environment for diners. You can enjoy your meal indoors, with seating available for various party sizes. Preethi also offers the convenience of takeout, although it’s advised to avoid third-party services like Doordash, as it affects both the restaurant's earnings and tips.
Whether you’re seeking a cozy place to enjoy a meal with friends or family or a quick yet flavorful takeaway, Preethi Indian Cuisine offers an exceptional culinary journey that you won’t soon forget.
Preethi Indian Cuisine Reviews
We love the food at Preethi, both the menu and the buffet have a wide range of flavors! They have great vegetarian and vegan options. They have the only Southern Indian specialties around for miles! Love the dosa! The service is excellent and very helpful. We appreciate their suggestions. There are plenty of indoor seats, and it is fairly quiet ambiance. They serve beer and wine. Dine in or pick up (please don't use Doordash, all the restaurants lose money on your order and lose their tip).
We love this restaurant. Family owned and operated, warmest folks ever. The food is the absolute best I've had ever. Obviously we eat vegan/ plant based and the options are abundant. Back a few years ago the same amazing family had a midtown location. Walking distance from my home. So needless to say we would frequently visit. As we must commute to Davis to visit, we absolutely will if we want the best Vegan Indian food.
I had ordered goat biriyani with thali for delivery. It was a lot of food! It was my food for the day and I was STUFFED. The goat biriyani was moist with tender chunks of meat, nicely flavored but nothing memorable. I got "spicy" out of mild, spicy, and very spicy, and it was about a 5/10 heat (I am East and SE Asian). The yogurt (raita) it came with complimented it well. The thali came with 2 pieces of naan, a lentil soup (sambar), curry of the day, and lentil sauce (daal), as well as a desert of milk and rice (kheer). The curry was rich and sweet with sugary pops from the peas and was my favorite. The rest was nice too. However, the naan was a little cakey/spongey instead of stretchy or fluffy. I went once in person, and the atmosphere is a little too quiet and dark to feel comfortable talking loudly.
After a business trip to Raleigh, North Carolina, my husband raved about the tandoori chicken he had there. I suggested that we try the Indian restaurants here in Davis. For his birthday I took him to Preethi. He ordered the tandoori chicken. He thought it was very good but not on the level as that remembered dinner. We started our meal by sharing an order of samosas. Served with two dipping sauces, they were crispy on the outside but a bit mushy on the inside. They did have great flavor. For our entrees, we both ordered the thali version. My entree was gongora chicken. I had never had that dish before anywhere. I really liked the flavors. We both had leftovers, especially lots of pieces of naan. We've been bringing our own containers to restaurants for many years so packed up our own leftovers. I noticed a sign on the door that to reduce waste and be more sustainable, they charge 10 cents for each bag or togo container. I commend them for that. We made use of the Yelp check-in special of 50% off the second entree. I'm not sure if that was a reason, but when I pulled out my credit card to pay the bill I was told cash only. Luckily I did have enough cash to cover the bill and leave a tip. I did need to then go to an ATM to restock the cash in my wallet.
Food is delicious but comes in smaller portions. Cozy restaurant but you must ask for service.