CERTIFIED GREEN BUSINESS

Freshly Cooked Basmati Rice in San Rafael

HOURS

Mon - Sat
Buffet:
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Dinner:
4:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Sunday
11:30 AM – 8:30 PM
A table filled with various Indian dishes at Lotus Indian Cuisine in San Rafael, showcasing vibrant colors and flavors.

Basmati Rice — The Foundation of Every Authentic Plate in San Rafael

Basmati rice is not just served — it is crafted.

At Lotus Cuisine of India, every grain is treated with respect, tradition, and patience. Freshly cooked each day, our Basmati rice forms the quiet foundation of every authentic plate we serve.

Many guests describe it as the best Basmati rice in San Rafael, and one of the most authentic Indian rice experiences in Marin County and the Bay Area.

Why Basmati Rice Matters

  • Long, slender grains that remain beautifully separate
  • A natural aroma that greets you before the first bite
  • Light, fluffy texture — never sticky, never heavy
  • A perfect balance that absorbs spices without losing character

This is the rice that carries the soul of Indian cuisine. It’s why many diners say we serve the best Basmati rice in the Bay Area.

Prepared Fresh, Every Single Day

At our San Rafael kitchen, Basmati rice is cooked fresh daily — never stored, never reheated.

The result is consistency you can taste:

  • Perfect grain structure
  • A clean, fragrant finish
  • Lightness that complements, never competes
  • Flavor harmony across every dish

This attention to detail makes it a guest favorite across Marin and beyond.

A Natural Companion to Authentic Dishes

Basmati rice pairs effortlessly with:

  • Slow-simmered curries rich in spice
  • Deep, flavorful sauces
  • Char-grilled meats and vegetables
  • Comforting vegetarian plates

It enhances every dish without overpowering it, creating balance and authenticity on every plate.

Loved Across Marin & the Bay Area

Guests return for Basmati rice that feels as good as it tastes:

  • Easy to digest
  • Naturally gluten-free
  • Suitable for all dietary preferences
  • Perfect for everyday meals or family gatherings

Many visitors traveling through California even consider it among the best Basmati rice experiences in the USA when looking for authentic Indian cuisine.

Experience It at Lotus Cuisine

Fresh. Authentic. Thoughtfully prepared.

If you’re searching for the best Basmati rice in San Rafael, a trusted Indian restaurant in Marin, or authentic Indian flavors in the Bay Area, visit Lotus Cuisine and experience Basmati rice served the way it was meant to be — warm, aromatic, and unforgettable.

Of course, you may order a la carte at any time that Lotus Cuisine of India is open, including during our lunch hours. Visit us in downtown San Rafael, and don’t forget to contact us at (415) 456-5808.
Lotus Cuisine of India in San Rafael, CA is a part of the California Green Business Network.

CERTIFIED GREEN
BUSINESS

Our food is cooked in Homemade Organic Ghee and Cold Pressed Avocado Oil.
Our food is cooked in

Homemade Organic Ghee

Cold Pressed Avocado Oil

Our food is fried in Organic coconut Oil
Our food is fried in

Organic
coconut Oil

No Seed Oils Used

No Seed Oils Used

Restaurant interior with yellow tablecloths, patterned chairs, ornate ceiling panels, and colorful wall murals.

Authentic
Flavors

Top view of two hands reaching for steamed dumplings on copper trays with naan bread, rice with peas, yellow sauces, lemon water, and cutlery on a yellow tablecloth.
Ornate double wooden door with colorful floral and vase motifs framed by intricately patterned turquoise border, flanked by decorative tall brass vases.
Indoor stone water fountain with cascading streams in a colorful restaurant with traditional decor and tiled floor.

Gift a dining experience
at Lotus INDIAN CUISINE

Press & Praise

"

Dishes notable for their careful preparation and expertly balanced seasoning…

Dishes are in tune with Northern California palates, thanks to the careful execution of the chef… what really gets my taste buds going is the wealth of vegetarian dishes that, to my mind, are the glory of Indian cuisine… blends sweet, savory and hauntingly smoky flavors and is absolutely impossible to stop eating… I’ve certainly acquired a taste for Lotus!
"
San Francisco Examiner
"

The food at Lotus is simply wonderful.

It shines with clean, bright flavors… a generous selection of sauces and condiments that add layers of flavor and/or heat to any of the dishes…How can something as humble and unassuming as a lentil taste so good? …Kashimi pilau was light, tender, and seductively aromatic… Vegetable curry that practically made us swoon… Service was very attentive throughout our meal.
"
PACIFIC SUN
"

A superb addition to the Marin County dining scene…

Everything is thought through fresh ingredients, carefully trimmed to present only the most tasty elements… offered in sauces that have rich and complex tastes. Service: Excellent.
"
Marin Independent Journal
"

One of the best Indian restaurants in the Bay Area

Prepare your palate for a sensuous journey through the flavors of India at Lotus Restaurant. It’s a great place for a date and for families, as well as business. Lotus is a soothing sanctuary for the sustenance of body and soul, where you can exhale deeply, leave the West behind and savor exceptional Indian cuisine.
"
Yogi Times
"

Lotus is full of warmth and welcoming hospitality…

Lotus’ lengthy menu offers more than three dozen curries…Tandoori selections – meats and seafood cooked in a clay pit oven – come to the table sizzling and steaming on hot cast-iron platters…delectable deserts…the sort of thing that is so good, I find myself thinking about it in the middle of the night.
"
San Francisco Chronicle
"

transported to India

San Rafaelites rave they’re ‘transported to India’ after tucking into the “superb curries’, ‘great flavored naans’ and other Delicious items meted out by a ‘delightful staff’; bargain hunters should head here for the ‘awesome lunch buffet.'
"
Zagat Survey
"

Dishes notable for their careful preparation and expertly balanced seasoning…

Dishes are in tune with Northern California palates, thanks to the careful execution of the chef… what really gets my taste buds going is the wealth of vegetarian dishes that, to my mind, are the glory of Indian cuisine… blends sweet, savory and hauntingly smoky flavors and is absolutely impossible to stop eating… I’ve certainly acquired a taste for Lotus!
"
San Francisco Examiner
"

The food at Lotus is simply wonderful.

It shines with clean, bright flavors… a generous selection of sauces and condiments that add layers of flavor and/or heat to any of the dishes…How can something as humble and unassuming as a lentil taste so good? …Kashimi pilau was light, tender, and seductively aromatic… Vegetable curry that practically made us swoon… Service was very attentive throughout our meal.
"
PACIFIC SUN
"

A superb addition to the Marin County dining scene…

Everything is thought through fresh ingredients, carefully trimmed to present only the most tasty elements… offered in sauces that have rich and complex tastes. Service: Excellent.
"
Marin Independent Journal
"

One of the best Indian restaurants in the Bay Area

Prepare your palate for a sensuous journey through the flavors of India at Lotus Restaurant. It’s a great place for a date and for families, as well as business. Lotus is a soothing sanctuary for the sustenance of body and soul, where you can exhale deeply, leave the West behind and savor exceptional Indian cuisine.
"
Yogi Times
"

Lotus is full of warmth and welcoming hospitality…

Lotus’ lengthy menu offers more than three dozen curries…Tandoori selections – meats and seafood cooked in a clay pit oven – come to the table sizzling and steaming on hot cast-iron platters…delectable deserts…the sort of thing that is so good, I find myself thinking about it in the middle of the night.
"
San Francisco Chronicle
"

transported to India

San Rafaelites rave they’re ‘transported to India’ after tucking into the “superb curries’, ‘great flavored naans’ and other Delicious items meted out by a ‘delightful staff’; bargain hunters should head here for the ‘awesome lunch buffet.'
"
Zagat Survey

from our Kitchen to your plate

A beautifully arranged table featuring a variety of dishes from Lotus Indian Cuisine in San Rafael.