Paru’s Indian Vegetarian Restaurant

We’ve been here twice now and plan to keep coming. Best Indian food in the area. We always order the platters that provide a lot of variety at a fair price. Wait staff is always super courteous!

This is my new favorite Indian spot in LA. There aren’t many vegetarian Indian places to try without going to Artesia, so I was pleasantly surprised to find Paru’s!
The mixed plates were amazing, and I loved the dosa. we just kept saying, «wow» throughout the whole meal because everything was so good. We got two big entrees, and had way too much food. The décor is pretty extravagant, and the place looks closed on the outside all the time (no, it’s probably open, so ring the bell to get in). The staff was nice and pointed out all the vegan options (which is almost everything minus the yogurt). The entire place was full of white people, which is usually a sign that the place is not authentic, but my Sri Lankan husband said it tasted like the motherland… and my non-​authentic self liked it too, so it’s good for everyone!

What a strange little place with amazing food! This is definitely a small «hole in the wall» type of place but the food was excellent, the service was great and the prices are fair. The outside doesn’t look great and you have to be buzzed in but it’s not in the best neighborhood. Think of it as being VIP!

Considering this is so close to my job I am lucky to have an Indian spot in walking distance. Sure the décor is very ethnic and not hyped to be trendy. This place reminds me of real home style cooking. It’s not my favorite Indian spot but it sure hits the spot when I am craving Indian food. The food and the location bring me an odd sense of comfort in an area that is peppered with Mexican and Thai eateries. I am happy to know that there are still a lot of small mom and pop Indian restaurants scattered all over LA.

Interesting place to find in the heart of the city kinda but definitely good. This is very regional typical South Indian food. Don’t go here expecting the usual curries and masalas. That said, everything they served was decent. We shared a thali and some aapam. Both were good. Tea and halwa for dessert was good too. Extraordinary? No. But the space is cozy and service good. Very homely feel, intimate, liked the décor and the music they had going on. Great spot for vegetarian food with a different twist. Worth a try to see if your taste buds like it but certainly a legit spot.

You haven’t eaten Indian food in LA until you’ve dined here. Fantastic (vegetarian only) Indian food. Don’t be off put by the fact that you have to buzz in and that parking can be a little unnerving. The food is amazing, the menu is reasonably priced and the interior is very cozy and friendly. I’ve never eaten something here I haven’t enjoyed… the specials are your best bet for your money though. I enjoy getting the thing that’s basically a big Indian burrito (the name escapes me, but it’s fantastic) and their mulligatawny soup always warms me up. Their raita is included with the specials as is your bread. I don’t come often but whenever I do I am always so, so satisfied.

I think we had the Delhi and Dosa. It was a lot of food with a wide taste variety. Everything tasted really good. And the manager answered all our questions we had before ordering.
I forgot to take picture of the food, but took some of the place itself. I liked the atmosphere.
We went late at night, there wasn’t a lot of people. So that was nice too.
We did street parking.

Will never visit this pathetic place again.
Dosa was bland and expensive, dont waste your time and money here

What can I say. Both my parents are vegetarian. I was raised Buddhist. I have a guruji in India. I have hugged amma twice and this place reminds me of all of them. My dad is 86 my mom 66 and they love this place n always have me meet them here. So this is my family spot. Hare Krsna Harr Bol”

Paru’s is a treasure of L.A. Everything about this place, the street entrance, warm living room décor, even the plastic chairs for outside sitting leaves one with a charm of family cuisine. I’ve enjoyed many intimate dinners as well as group celebrations here and I’ve always walked away satisfied and in a joyful mood. Beyond it’s excellent entrees, what Paru possesses is soul. A place of comfort in this busy metropolis, a place that allows one to pause, reflect and enjoy the moment.

Delicious. Charming. Authentic. Real hospitality!!! Thank you so much! It was a real pleasure and happy birthday celebration. I really appreciate the care and kindness!!!

Do not bother!!!
My wife and I are of Indian heritage. We have lived in North America during the best part of our lives but enjoyed home cooked Indian meals thru our teen years in the sub continent. Bottom line, we can tell the difference between good and bad Indian food.
We visited Paru’s last nigh, Sat 9/​5, the verdict — «do not bother».
Firstly, what a perfectly horrible location, hard to get to, difficult to park and the most unwelcoming entrance to a restaurant that I have ever seen anywhere.
A locked door, like a prison entrance; need to push a bell to be allowed in.
I had the Masala Dosa, the sambar (gravy was watery), it is meant to contain vegetables but they are stingy about it. The chutney was insipid, a great disappointment. The dosa was OK but average. Overall, my wife and I agree, it was a disappointing dining experience. We will never be going to Paru’s again.

I was craving some indian food and after some fare amount of research decided to give it a try. The entry is as described, you have to ring a bel and they let you in. Parking is a little difficult so brace your self to look around.
We went there for late lunch and the restaurant was fairly empty. There was only one server but he was fairly alert. We order instantly.
Dosa — I like the home cooked feel on food but not the failed home cooked feel. The dosa felt like it was missing something and was a little out of shape. The sambhar was a little watered down and would have done better with more spice.
The Indian thali — Had good options and was tasty but still was missing something.
The smaosa– not freshly made and were from the frozen and cooked category.
Salted butter Milk — was the only delicious thing, hint of ginger and cumin powder.
I was disappointed and so still looking for a good Indian restaurant in LA

Delish hidden gem of spot, great food and super vegan friendly! I enjoyed the personal touch in service and the relaxed atmosphere. The white gate makes it look closed, fear not! It’s open 5pm-​11pm for July-​August. Simply good Indian food!!! I’m going to return and bring friends, outdoor seating is perfect for relaxed parties or kids!

Cosy private place with a garden and indoor seating. Looks closed from outside (ring the bell).
Food is delicious, fairly fast serving.

Run by a Tamil person. Very good South Indian dishes were available.
To me the highlights were bonda & sambar.
We had masala dosa, idli, pongal gotsu. Everything was good. We went there at about 9pm and took idlies Togo for the next day breakfast. We were visiting universal the next morning and we don’t prefer the eat the hotel’s continental free food.
The entrance was a little different, difficult to figure out whether they’re open or closed. You press a small bell and then they unlock it just like any other New York or other city apartment style.
Overall loved the experience. Thanks for the wonderful dinner & Togo breakfast.

I’m a big fan of Paru’s. Always great to find restaurants that are completely plant-​based/​vegan or can easily accommodate dishes to make them vegan. The management has always been very accommodating, portions are HUGE (specifically with the platters/​combos/​specials), and the food is very tasty. I enjoy the ambiance (and enjoy everything even more when I can get a booth). They are open until 11 pm, which is good for a nearby delicious late meal.
From the outside, you wouldn’t know the magic that exists inside. Just buzz the gate door and then you can see the joy of the restaurant. Street parking can be a bit tricky (although I may receive all the luck with spots right outside) depending on timing, but you’re usually okay.
A fun and tasty Indian spot in Hollywood!

Honestly, this is a 3.5 but the overall energy of this place makes me happy so I will round up! Of the Indian places in LA I have tried, this is my favorite. I’m Indian so I miss home cooked Indian food — most Indian restaurants don’t serve food that’s really like indian home cooking. I love Paru’s because I really feel like I’m eating in my aunts living room when I’m there. The ambiance, clientele, décor, and mostly South Indian food menu all combine to give me the feeling of comfort and deliciousness I sometimes am craving!
The menu is pretty pricey but for $ 15 you get a LOT of food on the thali (which I usually finish and should not have and then can barely walk out of the place. Whyyy do I do this?!). Anyway, I always think the food could be spicier but maybe most people don’t want it to spicy. I have to ask next time! I always forget. My favorite is the Queen Paru because it has everything I like on it. I have also tried separate dishes like the chana, veggie curry and eggplant which were all good but not spicy enough for me. And if it’s not late, I always get the chai which is strong and very milky but it goes so well with the dosas. I have to come here for breakfast sometime.
Lastly, skip the bathrooms and go at home. They are outside and not very clean (but, staying consistent, also helped maintain its show of Indian authenticity)!
Street park on Sunset.

Are you bitches high or something? Were you served some mysterious Kool-​Aid when you dined here??? I was dragged here by a former colleague at the L.A. Times. She kept telling me how great and authentically Indian the food would be. If by authentic Indian food you mean slum dog millionaire, then yes, this place is quite authentic. I don’t trust the neighborhood. It’s on a run-​down part of Sunset Blvd. Save for the charming outdoor courtyard, the interior looked like these people’s (filthy) home. Our waitress – if you can believe this – snatched extra napkins and cutlery and condiments off a nearby table that hadn’t even been bussed yet, then handed them to us like it was a favor or something.
Oh, God…
Furthermore, the food wasn’t even all that. The Chana masala was lukewarm, they burned the naan and there were floaty things in my tap water.

This is a strange little restaurant where you have to ring a doorbell to get inside. The front patio features cheap plastic chairs and has merged into the space of the house next door, which features a psychic. The whole set-​up definitely reminds me of India.
The interior is drab, poorly-​lit and fast-​decaying, but I love it.
We started off with the samosas ($ 6). I wasn’t impressed with these. They were dry and bland and the pastry dough on the outside was too hard.
We then shared a potatoes-​cauliflower ($ 9) and a spinach-​lentils ($ 9). The potatoes were pretty pedestrian and boring. They lacked spice and the vegetables tasted industrial-​grade bland.
The spinach-​lentils had more flavor, but this dish was also too watery and needed some zing — how about adding some diced fresh tomatoes to the top of the dish?
The paratha ($ 1.50 each) were excellent, though: soft, warm and perfectly made.
Portion sizes are good and you get a lot of food for not a ton of money.
The service is friendly and fairly prompt. If Paru’s had more flavorful dishes and used better-​quality ingredients, it would be a gem. Right now, it’s a middling spot that draws much of its appeal from its unassuming shabbiness and reasonable prices.