Kahani: Dana Point Restaurants
The restaurant is at One Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point, California, United States, inside The Ritz‑Carlton, Laguna Niguel resort. What type of cuisine does …
Nelson Nelson
Simply amazing food paired with superb service. This authentic Indian restaurant is set within the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel. A must try if you are a hotel guest. We were greeted promptly by the host and sat in a very welcoming and well appointed dining room. Our server Rahul was delightful as he explained the menu to us and offered his suggestions. We decided on the curry sampler with chicken as our protein. Every single dish was delightful and tasty. The Naan was especially memorable and the chicken was best I’ve had anywhere. We will definitely be back the next time we are back in the area.
Rahul was amazing and the best server we’ve ever had. I have no doubt Rahul will one day run his own business in the future as his service and professionalism was unparalleled. Rahul you made our night. This is coming from an owner/operator of two restaurants in NY.
… moreDavid Townsend
KAHANI—which translates to “story” in Hindi—is more than just a name. It’s an experience told through flavor, tradition, and innovation. Nestled within The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, this Indian dining destination blends the comforting warmth of familiar curries with elevated, modern interpretations that take Indian cuisine to remarkable new heights.
While the menu features crowd-pleasers that feel like home, it’s the chef’s refined techniques and deep reverence for flavor that truly shine.
And the Lumina lamb? Simply wondrous. Each chop is seasoned with a custom spice blend and paired with a sauce born from roasted lamb bones, fat, and neck, simmered down with ginger, garlic, mint, tomato, and herbs into something both bold and beautifully balanced.
The plating is elegant, the storytelling through food is powerful, and the dining experience is truly memorable. KAHANI is where heritage meets creativity—and every bite speaks volumes.
… moreHarsh
The restaurant cooks with canola oil and they should change all their curries to olive oil or butter or ghee. This would really be much more healthier for everyone. Seed oils are inflammatory and stop insulin from working. The atmosphere is very nice. It has an Old world British feel and food was good. great presentation. It was not very spicy. The curry sauces are all very different. The curry sampler is definitely for 4 people not 2. It’s huge.
… moreSonika Jain
Went to dinner at Kahani to celebrate our 35th anniversary. We ordered the curry platter and there was more food than we could finish. The staff and service was top notch, they brought out a special mango mousse to celebrate us and overall we had a great experience.
The space is a little on the smaller side, wish there had been more room between tables. It was just too noisy. Still, highly recommend.
… moreDev Patel
The food at this restaurant is exceptional, as expected from a venue located in the Ritz-Carlton. While the restaurant is undoubtedly on the expensive side, the quality of the food justifies the cost. That said, the portion sizes could be improved.
The cocktails are a standout feature—expertly crafted and absolutely worth the price. I highly recommend trying their curry samplers, which offer a delightful blend of flavors. They also have complimentary masala chai if you ask for it.
There is Valet parking with a fee.
… moreTeresa L
Wowowow, what a treat. We decided to check out the “Chit, Chaat & Chai” Afternoon Tea at the Kahani Restaurant inside the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point. We were not disappointed. As a matter of fact, we were completely wowed by the presentation, service, and most importantly the delicious taste of all the treats served.
We each tried the different types of teas, and Chef Sanjay Rawat did a wonderful job accommodating our dietary needs (one gluten-free, one vegetarian and one regular).
We were offered a sparkling beverage as we informed the restaurant ahead of time that we were celebrating our daughter’s college admission acceptance. The sandwiches were all tasty, perfect in size with balanced flavors and seasoned perfectly.
Kahani is beautifully decorated and cozy. Besides the food, I’d like to point out their service. Our server Christian was warm and professional, highly knowledgeable about our menu and offered unobtrusive service. She was fabulous.
Savory sandwiches, scones, and sweets were all equally delicious. It was a party in our mouths! Highly recommend so bring yourself, families and friends for a real treat!
… moreCamille Takach
Great live musician playing guitar, delicious curry sampler, and the service was great, we came for our anniversary and everyone was very attentive and gave us a lovely dessert. Definitely want to come back to try some of the entrees and appetizers! Curry sampler could definitely feed 3 people.
… moreDiana
Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s also crazy delicious and a unique take on Indian. Service is standout and you can walk along the Ritz grounds afterwards to take in the view of Salt Creek Beach.
… moreJanki Merai
This beautiful pop-up offers a modern take on some Indian classics. Table favorites included the Corn and Cardomom Bisque, the Masala Paneer en Croute, and the Cardamom Cheesecake. I appreciated the concept of the Spiced Burrata, but found the cheese to be overpowered by the other strong flavors on the plate. Nice drinks, as well.
Incredible ambiance and hospitality; Chef Sanjay Rawat was kind enough to stop by our table as well. Would love for this pop-up to take residence with rotating menus!
… moreArthur DeCosta
We had a great experience at Kahani. We decided to try it for our anniversary dinner, and despite the fact that we hadn’t arranged for anything special, staff still put a few special touches into the meal to celebrate us. Chef Sanjay even stopped by our table to speak with us.
Service was extremely attentive and atmosphere was quiet and relaxing. The cuisine was a delicious, thoughtfully composed arrangement of bold fusion and attentively authentic Indian staples.
… more