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Experience the Essence of Indian cuisine in the heart of Vacaville. Essence Indian Cuisine is a new restaurant that is quickly gaining a reputation for its delectable and authentic food. Using fresh, high-quality ingredients and traditional cooking methods, the chefs at Essence Indian Cuisine create dishes that are both flavorful and visually appealing. From classic dishes like Butter Chicken and Chicken Tikka Masala to more regional specialties like Dosa, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you are a seasoned lover of Indian food or just trying it for the first time, Essence Indian Cuisine is the perfect place to experience the rich and diverse flavors of Indian cuisine.
Hours
| Thursday | 11 AM–9:30 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–9:30 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–9:30 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–9:30 PM |
| Monday | 11 AM–9:30 PM |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–9:30 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 780 Merchant St, Vacaville, CA 95688
Phone: (707) 449-8888
Website: https://www.essenceindiancuisine.com/
Menu Photos
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Related Web Results
Essence Indian Cuisine: Vacaville’s Finest Indian Cuisine
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Essence Indian Cuisine – Visit Vacaville
Welcome to Essence Indian Cuisine, where the vibrant and rich flavors of India come alive in every dish. Nestled at 780 Merchant St, Vacaville, CA, Essence …
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Plain dosa…. No photo description available. Pushpanjali Saini and 15 others · . 16 · . Essence Indian Cuisine. Sep 21, 2022 . . Essence Indian Cuisine.
Reviews
Danny Husk
My server was Bala and he’s the BEST! Excellent service, ambience, music and food!
The food was OUTSTANDING!!! I think that was the best samosa chat I have ever had. I would absolutely recommend to eat here and I will definitely be coming back.
… moreThe food was OUTSTANDING!!! I think that was the best samosa chat I have ever had. I would absolutely recommend to eat here and I will definitely be coming back.
Tree Moon
I had a new dish from the veggie section which was veggies in a coconut curry sauce called Navrantan. It comes with Basmati rice and it was sooo delicious.
Portion was more than enough for one.
The Mango Lassi the best.
Nice music playing, pleasant.
… morePortion was more than enough for one.
The Mango Lassi the best.
Nice music playing, pleasant.
izabella villasenor
This spot has my heart! Best Indian food in Vacaville hands down. I’ve come twice this week! The food is so delicious I can’t get enough. I personally love the masala dosa and tikka masala. Excellent service from a friendly staff that will keep you smiling. If you’re a fan of Indian food, you have to give them a try.
… moreDanny A
10/6/25 Monday food & service both r excellent but it’s above time owner should upgrade the interior n bathroom new tile floor, new table chairs, ambient lights.
Today we ordered mango lassi, chole bhature, lamb curry with rice, lamb seekh kebab n butter chicken togo.
8/25/25 Monday we ordered choley bature, aaloo tikki chaat, essense signature shrimp ( 8 jumbo shrimps) taste good.
7/14/25 Monday falooda icecream was good wish they add rabdi n kulfi will be more delicious.
6/30/25 Monday we ordered fish pakoda, lamb curry with white rice, shahi paneer, tadka daal, saag, garlic naan, mango lassi, jamun rabdi everything was perfect except jamun rabdi was too sweet.
6/28/28 Saturday we ordered garlic naan, goat aachari with white rice, bhindi aaloo, jamun rabdi. All taste very good except jamun rabdi was too sweet.
6/16/25 Monday we ordered goat curry comes with white rice, goat cheese naan, mango lassi, samosas chaat all taste very good. Server Bala is the best n very friendly.
5/26/25 Monday memorial day holiday. Ordered butter chicken with rice, chicken tikka kebab, chhole bature, goat cheese and garlic naan.
4/14/25 Monday masala dosa was average but rest all was very good.
3/31/25 Monday goat aachari with rice, goat cheese naan, aaloo naan, lachha paratha, chai, mango lassi all taste very good.
2/16/25 Sunday goat cheese naan, methi malai paneer & lamb curry with white rice, butter chicken masala,
2/3/25 Monday we ordered goat curry, goat cheese naan, methi malai chicken, veg manchurian with white rice, pav bhaji, chai. All taste very good.
12/23/24 Monday this restaurant has very small parking lot n indoor seating area but food was excellent.
Owner should upgrade interior like tables, chairs, flooring, decorative lightings.
We ordered mango lassi, goat cheese naan, garlic naan, white basmati rice, goat aachari, chicken tikka masala, malai kofta, jamun rabdi, chai, chhole bature paid $104. Food taste very good n we enjoyed it. Come again n try more menu items.
… moreToday we ordered mango lassi, chole bhature, lamb curry with rice, lamb seekh kebab n butter chicken togo.
8/25/25 Monday we ordered choley bature, aaloo tikki chaat, essense signature shrimp ( 8 jumbo shrimps) taste good.
7/14/25 Monday falooda icecream was good wish they add rabdi n kulfi will be more delicious.
6/30/25 Monday we ordered fish pakoda, lamb curry with white rice, shahi paneer, tadka daal, saag, garlic naan, mango lassi, jamun rabdi everything was perfect except jamun rabdi was too sweet.
6/28/28 Saturday we ordered garlic naan, goat aachari with white rice, bhindi aaloo, jamun rabdi. All taste very good except jamun rabdi was too sweet.
6/16/25 Monday we ordered goat curry comes with white rice, goat cheese naan, mango lassi, samosas chaat all taste very good. Server Bala is the best n very friendly.
5/26/25 Monday memorial day holiday. Ordered butter chicken with rice, chicken tikka kebab, chhole bature, goat cheese and garlic naan.
4/14/25 Monday masala dosa was average but rest all was very good.
3/31/25 Monday goat aachari with rice, goat cheese naan, aaloo naan, lachha paratha, chai, mango lassi all taste very good.
2/16/25 Sunday goat cheese naan, methi malai paneer & lamb curry with white rice, butter chicken masala,
2/3/25 Monday we ordered goat curry, goat cheese naan, methi malai chicken, veg manchurian with white rice, pav bhaji, chai. All taste very good.
12/23/24 Monday this restaurant has very small parking lot n indoor seating area but food was excellent.
Owner should upgrade interior like tables, chairs, flooring, decorative lightings.
We ordered mango lassi, goat cheese naan, garlic naan, white basmati rice, goat aachari, chicken tikka masala, malai kofta, jamun rabdi, chai, chhole bature paid $104. Food taste very good n we enjoyed it. Come again n try more menu items.
Arthur Pristupa
Driving down the freeway from Bay Area to Sacramento sister found this place it’s a real gem. Don’t shy away because of the location or how it looks from outside.
It felt very homie inside everything for the appetizers to the nun bed and everyone’s on tree especially liked mine the Essence signature chicken lots of strong bold flavors. Elton helped us out very friendly. I would recommend one of the top Indian places I’ve been and my dad said it was his second time at an Indian restaurant and he loved it.
… moreIt felt very homie inside everything for the appetizers to the nun bed and everyone’s on tree especially liked mine the Essence signature chicken lots of strong bold flavors. Elton helped us out very friendly. I would recommend one of the top Indian places I’ve been and my dad said it was his second time at an Indian restaurant and he loved it.
Ingmar Sciortino
Absolutely delicious and very vegan friendly!
Excellent Marsala Dosa! A dosa is surprisingly hard to find, and a good dosa is even harder to find!
The Samosa Chatt was also delicious. My pictures might not represent how it normally is served because I ordered it vegan (no yogurt and mint sauce) and I knew I wouldn’t be able to finish it after the dosa, so the Samosas are on the side. The Dosa was also ordered vegan, but I’m not sure what it may have excluded.
Service & atmosphere were just ok. But I’m going back for the food!
… moreExcellent Marsala Dosa! A dosa is surprisingly hard to find, and a good dosa is even harder to find!
The Samosa Chatt was also delicious. My pictures might not represent how it normally is served because I ordered it vegan (no yogurt and mint sauce) and I knew I wouldn’t be able to finish it after the dosa, so the Samosas are on the side. The Dosa was also ordered vegan, but I’m not sure what it may have excluded.
Service & atmosphere were just ok. But I’m going back for the food!
The Shiny Dog
Excellent food, and I don’t say this much, but this just might be the best Indian food we’ve had in the Bay area!!
Fair warning- Patience recommended. Be prepared to wait for a long time for your food – They prepare it fresh. The tandoori breads i.e. naan, parathas are just fabulous!! And they have a lot of non vegetarian options as well. Ask for their recommendations, if unsure, and you won’t be disappointed. The prices were so reasonable as well that we were pleasantly surprised.
We’ve recommended this place to our friends – yes, its that good! The place is small, and is popular, so be prepared to wait for your turn, and then some more as they prepare the food.
Great job Essence – you get the highest marks on our scale (and we’ve eaten a lot of Indian food in the bay). Keep doing what you’re doing. Thank you and see you next time!!
… moreFair warning- Patience recommended. Be prepared to wait for a long time for your food – They prepare it fresh. The tandoori breads i.e. naan, parathas are just fabulous!! And they have a lot of non vegetarian options as well. Ask for their recommendations, if unsure, and you won’t be disappointed. The prices were so reasonable as well that we were pleasantly surprised.
We’ve recommended this place to our friends – yes, its that good! The place is small, and is popular, so be prepared to wait for your turn, and then some more as they prepare the food.
Great job Essence – you get the highest marks on our scale (and we’ve eaten a lot of Indian food in the bay). Keep doing what you’re doing. Thank you and see you next time!!
Barbara Sanbad
Amazing Food and Great Experience!
I had a fantastic meal here—the biryani was flavorful and packed with perfectly cooked spices, and the garlic naan was fresh and soft with a nice char. Everything tasted authentic and delicious. The raita and drink were a perfect complement. Definitely one of the best Indian meals I’ve had in a while. Highly recommend!
… moreI had a fantastic meal here—the biryani was flavorful and packed with perfectly cooked spices, and the garlic naan was fresh and soft with a nice char. Everything tasted authentic and delicious. The raita and drink were a perfect complement. Definitely one of the best Indian meals I’ve had in a while. Highly recommend!
Jose Moreno
I rarely leave reviews, but my experience at Essence Indian Restaurant in Vacaville demands one. Simply put, this was the best Indian meal I have ever had, surpassing even some highly-regarded homemade dishes I’ve tried. This restaurant is a game-changer.
My main dish was the Butter Chicken, extra hot, and it was perfect. I asked for extra spice and they absolutely delivered; it was deliciously, intensely spicy—exactly the way I love it. Crucially, the heat never overshadowed the incredible, complex flavor. It truly had the best flavor of any butter chicken I’ve encountered. The rice served alongside it was perfectly cooked and made for an excellent complement.
My wife ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, also requesting hot, and she loved every bite of it. The richness and spice level were exactly what she was hoping for.
The star side dish, however, was the Cheese Naan. We both agreed it was, without a doubt, the best cheese naan we have ever tasted. It was soft, perfectly blistered, and generously stuffed with cheese.
If you are a fan of authentic, intensely flavorful Indian cuisine—especially if you appreciate true spice—Essence Indian Restaurant is an absolute must-visit. Highly, highly recommended!
… moreMy main dish was the Butter Chicken, extra hot, and it was perfect. I asked for extra spice and they absolutely delivered; it was deliciously, intensely spicy—exactly the way I love it. Crucially, the heat never overshadowed the incredible, complex flavor. It truly had the best flavor of any butter chicken I’ve encountered. The rice served alongside it was perfectly cooked and made for an excellent complement.
My wife ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, also requesting hot, and she loved every bite of it. The richness and spice level were exactly what she was hoping for.
The star side dish, however, was the Cheese Naan. We both agreed it was, without a doubt, the best cheese naan we have ever tasted. It was soft, perfectly blistered, and generously stuffed with cheese.
If you are a fan of authentic, intensely flavorful Indian cuisine—especially if you appreciate true spice—Essence Indian Restaurant is an absolute must-visit. Highly, highly recommended!
Ashley
This was some of the best Indian I’ve had in a long time.
My husband and I stopped for lunch on the way back from San Francisco, and it was completely unassuming from the outside. But the menu was extensive, with a wide range of clearly labeled vegetarian dishes. We got our dishes quickly, and it was all extremely delicious. The samosa and malai kofta were particularly flavorful.
For what we got, we thought the price was extremely reasonable. If we lived locally, we would definitely be regulars!
… moreMy husband and I stopped for lunch on the way back from San Francisco, and it was completely unassuming from the outside. But the menu was extensive, with a wide range of clearly labeled vegetarian dishes. We got our dishes quickly, and it was all extremely delicious. The samosa and malai kofta were particularly flavorful.
For what we got, we thought the price was extremely reasonable. If we lived locally, we would definitely be regulars!