Idly Express - Milpitas in California

"A go to lunch spot. Would highly recommend their mini tiffin which is simple, filling, fresh, and delicious. Love the Vada - crispy on the outside, flavourful and light on the inside. The sambar has had a lot of variations in taste each time. It tastes great but some days the salt and spice levels are higher. The curd rice was however disappointing with no flavor (barely any curry leaves or white urad dal), extra extra salt and served with an even saltier pickle. The rice was clumped and there were large chunks of plain rice. Overall great place and love the options of some ready to go curries, idly and dosa batter which have also been great so far."

"Stopped by for a quick bite for breakfast and got the Idli 2 Vada combo with sambar, coconut chutney, and tomato chutney. The idli was one of the best I’ve had at an Indian restaurant! Sambar and coconut chutney were also amazing, but the tomato chutney was too sweet. They were super generous with the portions for chutneys and sambar. I also tried the vegan masala chai, it had good flavor but was pricey for the portion. Service was quick and staff were really friendly. It’s takeout only. Parking is easy. Definitely plan to come back and try more of the menu."

"If you’re looking for a good dosa and onion uttapam, Idly Express is the place. I went for Sunday brunch and that combo just hit the spot. Food is genuinely tasty. My favorite drinks here are rose milk and coffee. Staff is helpful and there’s plenty of parking. Only downside: no real seating. They have a couple tables outside, but it’s inconvenient, and during rush hour you probably won’t get a spot. Also, I feel like they might be connected to Mylapore because the containers/branding look the same. If you want the same vibe but with seating, I’d recommend going there. Overall, great food, seating is the only issue."

"We visited idly express about 3 times in our short one week trip to the Bay Area. The food was that good!! Pongal, idli, vada combo was delicious. Chutney was super fresh and even with Togo type meals, sambar was hot and yummy. For lunch, I tried their bisibele bath and curd rice combo, and was surprised by how tasty the bisibele bath was! Authentic like how you get in a restaurant in Bangalore.. gulab jamun was the perfect finish to this meal, it was served hot and very tasty. The highlight however was their filter coffee truly one of the best I’ve had here in the US. They offer it in light, medium, or strong. Highly recommend the coffee if you’re here! Parking was very easy to find especially at 8.30 am on weekdays."

"No-nonsense honest to goodness take-out Indian Indian restaurant serving breakfast items and all the items that get your tummy and heart full. Located conveniently in a strip mall off the busy commute highway, you could pick up lunch on your way to work, and their curry boxes hone for dinner. A few tables are available if you want to swallow that goodness and can’t wait to get home. Taste is as trusty and consistent as ever. The Tatte idli is awesome and fluffy. The dosas crispy and the curries bring back the flavors of madras to your mouth and memories to your mind. Staff is prom and proper and courteous without being performative."

"Idly Express in Milpitas, CA, is hands down one of the best South Indian food joints in the area! The order process was fast, quick, and efficient, making it perfect for a lunch or brunch stop. There’s ample parking right outside, which adds to the convenience. We ordered a variety of dishes, starting with the Mini Idly (served with Sambar on the side), which was soft and perfectly steamed. The Sambar had just the right balance of flavors and paired beautifully with the idlies. The Medhu Vada was crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, an absolute delight. Both the Onion Tomato Uttapam and the Onion Tomato Chilli Uttapam were excellent—soft, flavorful, and generously topped with fresh ingredients. The addition of chillies in the latter added a nice spicy kick for those who enjoy a bit of heat in their meal. To finish, we indulged in a couple of orders of Rava Kesari, and it was the perfect sweet ending to our meal. The Kesari was rich, aromatic, and had just the right amount of sweetness. While the seating is a bit tight due to the express setup, the food quality is top-notch and authentic. Idly Express delivers a fantastic dining experience with efficient service and outstanding South Indian cuisine. We’ll definitely be coming back for more!"

"Yummy South Indian food cravings got satisfied at this place. The food was fresh, steaming hot and delicious. The tomato and coconut chutney were top notch. Pongal, pudi idli, sambar, and masala dosa were scrumptious. Would definitely recommend this place to all. Good quantities and clean place and plenty of parking in the area. The only drawback is that there is no space to dine in :( hoping they set up some tables indoors to accommodate small groups."

"I liked the benne dosa; however since eating is not allowed, it had turned soggy by the time got home and could eat. Wish they had dining area."