Food - 5/5Atmosphere - 5/5Service - 5/5Value - 4/5A nice variety of dishes and a great cocktail list. Though I didn’t try any, I appreciate the non-alcoholic offerings. Overall, tied for the best Indian place in Charlottesville with one other in the downtown area.
Bryan Ortiz
I love Indian food. Hadn't been to this restaurant until now. What I've been missing!!!Food was definitely amazing. Flavor, texture, level of spice, complex flavors... everything. Simply great. A bit on the high end of the price range, but all worth it.Service was cordial and fast.They had Blue Label at the bar, too!! Most expensive drink I've ever ordered - ?I'll return soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Juliette Habimana
I used to love this place but the quality has gone way down.
Dave Saxton
This place was amazing the first time we went (right when they opened), and has not been as great on future visits but is still solid. Some of the better quality Indian food we’ve had in Charlottesville, and the service has been consistently great. Try the lamb rogan josh, and everything on the starters menu.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Sandhiya
We had Samosas, Chicken Butter Masala and Garlic Naan. The food was very good and tasty; I will definitely order again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andre’ Phillipe
Always delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cassandra Conley
Cozy setting, mood is set perfectly creating a casual yet intimate ambiance. Staff is top tier! Very knowledgeable of Indian cuisine, kind and helpful demeanors and quick to meet customer’s needs. Cuisine is divine!! Classic dishes to new style entrees; the flavors never fail to amaze and the amount of food is more than generous! I highly recommend giving kanak a try! You won’t be disappointed !P.S. Make sure to ask if they have any specials going as they always have fun new items to try! (drinks, desserts, etc)Dietary restrictions: Very accommodating to dietary restrictions !!Kid-friendliness: Kids meals!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tikka Masala, Cauliflower Appetizer, New Delhi Butter Chicken, Chicken Khati Roll, House Curry, Chili Paneer, Chicken Biryani
Marcy Sheldon
Kanak is a wonderful place to dine or get takeout. If you are looking for excellent quality Indian food with thoughtful preparation and attentive waitstaff, you should eat here. The garlic naan is amazing. if you are accustomed to spicy, true spicy, you can consider their spice scale of 1-5 as adjusted for American palates and go for the level 5.Parking: located in a big plaza, lots of spaces.Wheelchair accessibility: tons of parking and easy access for wheelchairs.
High-quality downhome Indian cooking, nicely spiced with fresh ingredients. I could be wrong but seemed to me everything was home-made. The servers are amazingly helpful and friendly. Ambience is neighborhood cozy. I suspect the kitchen may be a little short staffed for handling all the take out orders as well as eat-in diners, but overall this is a great Indian restaurant with lots of options and some great Indian beers plus good wine and unusual cocktails.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Roti, New Delhi Butter Chicken, Raita, House Curry, Naan, Chili Paneer, Chicken Biryani
I've been to this restaurant many times and it never disappoints. I really like their food. Even though I'm not Indian, I've been here with Indian friends and they say their food is good too! The place is also nice and the staff is always friendly and helpful. If you are around this area you should definitely consider going to Kanak.
Absolutely fabulous, food is so good and the drinks r fantastic, got a glass of chardonnay and a Dus Ka Dum, plus the house curry and the garlic Naan, and finished with the mango cake and everything was so delicious. Shout out to my server Spencer and host Aurore, who were both super sweet and polite, I loved every second of my meal. Not to mention the atmosphere is so great, I love how quiet and laid back the vibe off the place is, it's just super comforting and I loved it so much. I left so full I felt like I was going to pop, but everything was just so delicious I couldn't stop eating?? 10000 out of 10, I will definitely b coming back sooner rather than laterWheelchair accessibility: Very wheelchair accessible, all level to the front entrance and minimal blockades/walls to restrict movement.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: House Curry, Naan, Finger Chips
Bridget Aleshire
My fave Indian restaurant in town. Every dish I've had is amazing, well-prepared with layers of flavor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Korma, Naan, Vegetable Samosa
Kim H.
I'll preface this review by saying I absolutely love Indian cuisine. That being said, this place fell through in some areas.I decided to order takeout for two meals this evening and was told 30 minutes. I arrived back to pick it up over 40 minutes later and it still was not ready.I ordered chicken tikka masala and tandoori chicken tikka. Unfortunately, the vegetables were not cooked and the meat was very dry and lacked any flavor. The naan was good and I'd give that a solid 4 but it came with only one piece cut in half which I thought was too small of a portion given it's an extra cost.The ambiance was nice and I didn't have any issues with the staff. I found the host to be helpful and friendly. Overall, I wasn't happy with the lack of flavor and food quality but maybe they were having an off night.For reference I ordered my food "medium" spicy and did not think it was spicy at all.
Kimberly Nix
The food and atmosphere was a great Indian dining experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tikka Masala, New Delhi Butter Chicken, House Curry, Naan, Chili Paneer, Vindaloo
This place is, by far, the best Indian restaurant in the area. I recommend eating here for quality food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Tikka Masala, Tikka Masala, Naan, Biryani
Food - 5/5Atmosphere - 5/5Service - 5/5Value - 4/5A nice variety of dishes and a great cocktail list. Though I didn’t try any, I appreciate the non-alcoholic offerings. Overall, tied for the best Indian place in Charlottesville with one other in the downtown area.
I love Indian food. Hadn't been to this restaurant until now. What I've been missing!!!Food was definitely amazing. Flavor, texture, level of spice, complex flavors... everything. Simply great. A bit on the high end of the price range, but all worth it.Service was cordial and fast.They had Blue Label at the bar, too!! Most expensive drink I've ever ordered - ?I'll return soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I used to love this place but the quality has gone way down.
This place was amazing the first time we went (right when they opened), and has not been as great on future visits but is still solid. Some of the better quality Indian food we’ve had in Charlottesville, and the service has been consistently great. Try the lamb rogan josh, and everything on the starters menu.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
We had Samosas, Chicken Butter Masala and Garlic Naan. The food was very good and tasty; I will definitely order again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Always delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cozy setting, mood is set perfectly creating a casual yet intimate ambiance. Staff is top tier! Very knowledgeable of Indian cuisine, kind and helpful demeanors and quick to meet customer’s needs. Cuisine is divine!! Classic dishes to new style entrees; the flavors never fail to amaze and the amount of food is more than generous! I highly recommend giving kanak a try! You won’t be disappointed !P.S. Make sure to ask if they have any specials going as they always have fun new items to try! (drinks, desserts, etc)Dietary restrictions: Very accommodating to dietary restrictions !!Kid-friendliness: Kids meals!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tikka Masala, Cauliflower Appetizer, New Delhi Butter Chicken, Chicken Khati Roll, House Curry, Chili Paneer, Chicken Biryani
Kanak is a wonderful place to dine or get takeout. If you are looking for excellent quality Indian food with thoughtful preparation and attentive waitstaff, you should eat here. The garlic naan is amazing. if you are accustomed to spicy, true spicy, you can consider their spice scale of 1-5 as adjusted for American palates and go for the level 5.Parking: located in a big plaza, lots of spaces.Wheelchair accessibility: tons of parking and easy access for wheelchairs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Tikka Masala, Cauliflower Appetizer, Naan
High-quality downhome Indian cooking, nicely spiced with fresh ingredients. I could be wrong but seemed to me everything was home-made. The servers are amazingly helpful and friendly. Ambience is neighborhood cozy. I suspect the kitchen may be a little short staffed for handling all the take out orders as well as eat-in diners, but overall this is a great Indian restaurant with lots of options and some great Indian beers plus good wine and unusual cocktails.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Roti, New Delhi Butter Chicken, Raita, House Curry, Naan, Chili Paneer, Chicken Biryani
Restaurantji Recommends
I've been to this restaurant many times and it never disappoints. I really like their food. Even though I'm not Indian, I've been here with Indian friends and they say their food is good too! The place is also nice and the staff is always friendly and helpful. If you are around this area you should definitely consider going to Kanak.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tikka Masala, Cauliflower Appetizer, Naan
Absolutely fabulous, food is so good and the drinks r fantastic, got a glass of chardonnay and a Dus Ka Dum, plus the house curry and the garlic Naan, and finished with the mango cake and everything was so delicious. Shout out to my server Spencer and host Aurore, who were both super sweet and polite, I loved every second of my meal. Not to mention the atmosphere is so great, I love how quiet and laid back the vibe off the place is, it's just super comforting and I loved it so much. I left so full I felt like I was going to pop, but everything was just so delicious I couldn't stop eating?? 10000 out of 10, I will definitely b coming back sooner rather than laterWheelchair accessibility: Very wheelchair accessible, all level to the front entrance and minimal blockades/walls to restrict movement.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: House Curry, Naan, Finger Chips
My fave Indian restaurant in town. Every dish I've had is amazing, well-prepared with layers of flavor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Korma, Naan, Vegetable Samosa
I'll preface this review by saying I absolutely love Indian cuisine. That being said, this place fell through in some areas.I decided to order takeout for two meals this evening and was told 30 minutes. I arrived back to pick it up over 40 minutes later and it still was not ready.I ordered chicken tikka masala and tandoori chicken tikka. Unfortunately, the vegetables were not cooked and the meat was very dry and lacked any flavor. The naan was good and I'd give that a solid 4 but it came with only one piece cut in half which I thought was too small of a portion given it's an extra cost.The ambiance was nice and I didn't have any issues with the staff. I found the host to be helpful and friendly. Overall, I wasn't happy with the lack of flavor and food quality but maybe they were having an off night.For reference I ordered my food "medium" spicy and did not think it was spicy at all.
The food and atmosphere was a great Indian dining experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tikka Masala, New Delhi Butter Chicken, House Curry, Naan, Chili Paneer, Vindaloo