Fremont has one of the most varied South Asian food scenes in the Bay Area. Within a few miles you can eat Lahori street food, South Indian tiffin, Hyderabadi dum biryani from a food truck, Indo-Chinese chaat and Nepali momos. The city is also known for its long-established Afghan community in Centerville, sometimes called "Little Kabul". This list picks ten of the best-rated places, with a note on what each one does best.
How we chose: We started with every South Asian restaurant in our Fremont listings, ranked them by public rating, and kept restaurants and food trucks in Fremont itself, choosing a range of styles. Ratings change over time, so check the listing before you go.
1. Lahori Food Street
41049 Fremont Boulevard · Rated 5.0
Named after the famous food streets of Lahore, this is the place for Pakistani street food and comfort dishes: karahi cooked to order, seekh kebabs, and fresh naan. Go hungry.
2. Dakshin Cafe
488 Mowry Avenue · Rated 4.9
Dakshin means "south", and this cafe does South Indian food: dosa, idli, vada and small plates, with good coffee. It's one of the highest-rated restaurants in the city. See our guide to dosa if you're not sure what to order.
3. Naga's Kitchen
36472 Fremont Boulevard · Rated 4.8
A well-rated Indian kitchen in the Centerville area of Fremont Boulevard, noted for its local specialities. It offers dine-in, takeout and curbside pickup.
4. Zafraan
Food truck, 3961 Washington Boulevard · Rated 4.7
A food truck parked in Irvington that specialises in Hyderabadi dum biryani, the layered, slow-cooked biryani of Hyderabad. It has outdoor seating, and on some evenings a fire and live music. Trucks keep changing hours, so check before you go. Our biryani styles guide explains what makes Hyderabadi biryani different.
5. CarKhaana
3961 Washington Boulevard · Rated 4.7
In the same Irvington lot as Zafraan, CarKhaana is a comfort-food spot with coffee and chai, good for a relaxed meal or takeout.
6. Charminar Indian Restaurant
3720 Mowry Avenue · Rated 4.6
Named after Hyderabad's famous landmark, Charminar is a go-to for Hyderabadi dishes and biryani, and it also caters.
7. Himalayan Bite
4378 Thornton Avenue · Rated 4.6
A restaurant that combines Indo-Chinese food and chaat. Try chilli chicken or gobi manchurian alongside pani puri and bhel. It sounds like an odd pairing, but it's a very popular one across India and the Bay Area.
8. Indian Street Food
41081 Fremont Boulevard · Rated 4.6
A few doors from Lahori Food Street, this is a dedicated chaat and street-food spot. It even has a drive-through. Our chaat guide explains the menu.
9. Zyka Indian Fusion
47890 Warm Springs Boulevard · Rated 4.6
A halal Indian restaurant in Warm Springs, in south Fremont. It's the best-rated option in that part of the city.
10. Momo & Kebab
37100 Fremont Boulevard, Suite K · Rated 4.4
A relaxed Nepali restaurant for steamed dumplings (momos) and grilled meats. Read our momos guide for the different styles.
Also worth knowing
- Pizza with a twist: My Indian Pizza on Mowry Avenue serves butter chicken and other Indian toppings on pizza. It's a Bay Area speciality.
- South Indian takeaway: Idly Express on Paseo Padre Parkway is a takeaway counter for idli, dosa and vada, and it opens for breakfast.
- Chai: Karak Chai on Fremont Boulevard specialises in strong, milky tea.
- Catering: Carry the Curry on Blacow Road is one of the best-rated caterers in our Fremont listings.
- Just outside Fremont: Shahi Darbar in Hayward and Kadhai Kitchen in north San Jose are both highly rated.
Tips for eating in Fremont
- Halal food is easy to find, especially at Pakistani and Afghan restaurants.
- During Ramadan, Pakistani and Hyderabadi restaurants often open late for iftar. It's one of the best times of year to eat in Fremont.
- Food trucks change their hours and locations. Always check a truck's listing on the day.
- Parking is rarely a problem. Most restaurants are in strip malls with their own lots.
For more on the neighbourhoods, and the full list of restaurants with hours and phone numbers, see our Fremont, CA city guide.