CERTIFIED GREEN BUSINESS

Paneer Pakora — Authentic Indian Cheese Appetizer

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.

Paneer Pakora — Crispy & Authentic Indian Cheese Appetizer

Paneer Pakora is a beloved Indian appetizer made with in-house paneer (Indian cheese) stuffed with tangy mint and cilantro sauce, then lightly fried until golden and crispy. Crunchy on the outside and soft inside, this flavorful vegetarian dish is a favorite among Indian food lovers.

At Lotus Cuisine of India, our Paneer Pakora is prepared fresh using traditional techniques and high-quality ingredients, making it one of the most popular vegetarian appetizers in San Rafael and the Bay Area.

Why Paneer Pakora Is So Popular

  • Made with fresh, in-house paneer
  • Stuffed with tangy mint and cilantro sauce
  • Lightly fried for a crispy exterior
  • Perfect vegetarian Indian appetizer

Many guests consider this the best Paneer Pakora in San Rafael, praised for its freshness and authentic taste.

Ingredients & Preparation

Our Paneer Pakora is prepared using:

  • In-house made paneer (Indian cheese)
  • Fresh mint and cilantro sauce
  • Mild Indian spices
  • Light frying for crispness without heaviness

Each piece is carefully prepared to maintain a soft, creamy interior while achieving a perfectly crisp outer layer.

Flavor Profile

  • Crispy & Golden: Lightly fried outer coating
  • Soft & Creamy: Fresh paneer inside
  • Tangy & Fresh: Mint and cilantro stuffing adds brightness
  • Balanced & Comforting: Authentic Indian vegetarian flavor

Serving Suggestions

Paneer Pakora pairs wonderfully with:

  • Mint chutney or tamarind chutney
  • Masala chai
  • As a starter before curries, naan, or rice dishes

A perfect choice for guests who enjoy vegetarian Indian appetizers.

Why Choose Lotus Cuisine

  • Authentic Indian recipes
  • In-house paneer preparation
  • Fresh, high-quality ingredients
  • Ideal for dine-in or takeout

We proudly serve guests searching for the best Paneer Pakora in San Rafael, best in Marin, and best in the Bay Area.

Experience It Fresh

If you’re looking for the best Paneer Pakora in San Rafael, Marin, or anywhere in the Bay Area, this crispy Indian classic is a must-try.

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.