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Malabar Cafe

514 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060-4506
831-458-3023
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Ranked #46 of 215 restaurants in Santa Cruz
Cuisines: Asian
Dining options: Reservations
Most recent review
- 16 May 2013
Restaurant details
Dining options: Reservations
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40 reviews from our community

82% Recommend
    23
    10
    5
    1
    1
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
Kansas City, Missouri
Senior Contributor
41 reviews 41 reviews
21 restaurant reviews
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 May 2013 NEW

We heard about this place from a local. He said we could get a delicious vegetarian lunch for a very reasonable price. We'd never had Sri Lankan food, so we gave it a try. It was fantastic! We loved all four entrees and the appetizer. We arrived right at noon when they open and had the place to ourselves. Needless... More

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Lake Tahoe, NV
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
11 restaurant reviews
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 May 2013

I am well versed in Thai food, Indian food, Ethiopian food, and most ethnic foods. I am not well versed in Sri Lankan food but after my visit here I am a passionate believer and supporter in it. This place is a step above most any vegetarian restaurant I have been to. The cauliflower dish is one of the most... More

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santa cruz
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 April 2013

I take all my relatives here when they visit, vegetarian or not, and every single one has loved it. The food is fresh from the farm and uniquely prepared. The service is s..l...o...w. Come here when you are not in a hurry, with good company. If you are trying to catch a movie/plane or are feeling at all impatient, this... More

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los gatos, ca
Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
11 restaurant reviews
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 March 2013

Went here as part of the Santa Cruz Food Tour. It was the last place on the stop and the only vegetarian restaurant we went to. I am not a vegetarian and wasn't particularly excited to be going here. Was expecting not to like this place. Oh boy was I wrong. we had some kind of roti with filling inside.... More

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San Jose, California
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
4 restaurant reviews
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 February 2013

DON'T GO TO THIS PLACE HUNGRY! We were soooo looking forward. We studied the menu for a week before the dinner with friends. Then we were embarrassed by the lousy service....sorry,the interesting dishes did not make up for the terrible service. Was it the kitchen? The waiter? Can't say. They definitely need beer or wine if you are going to... More

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Sarasota, Florida
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
5 restaurant reviews
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 February 2013

Went to Malabar this evening for the first time with another couple. The flavors were excellent. The service is a bit impersonal and the atmosphere is Lacking. I thought the prices were high for the portion size. The owners and or staff need to personalize the service!

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Los Angeles, California
Senior Contributor
29 reviews 29 reviews
17 restaurant reviews
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 January 2013

The food and flavors are amazing. Their specialty drinks were great too. (non-alcoholic) The service was slow, but who is rushing. I was on vacation and was enjoying a wonderful meal. The portions are large enough to share. This way you can try many dishes and taste the different flavors.

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1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 December 2012 via mobile

From appies to mains, fascinating, creative flavors and presentation. We knew to expect slow, shall we say nonchalant, service and that is what we got. As so many others have said. But by no means should you let that stop you. The food is just too interesting and delicious.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Santa Cruz, California
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
3 restaurant reviews
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 October 2012

Food is good, at least I've heard, but I had a very bad experience with the staff and refused to go back. I went in to order takeout and was completely ignored by everyone who worked there. I have no idea why. It was weird. I was left standing in the middle of the restaurant for several minutes while the... More

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Boston, Massachusetts
Top Contributor
81 reviews 81 reviews
48 restaurant reviews
22 helpful votes 22 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 September 2012

We gave this place a try. No alcohol. Sri Lankan. The woman who initially set us up at the table was grouchy and offended when we showed her a dirty glass. When we ordered we got the owner? sometimes cook? He said he was changing the menu and then proceeded to change most of our selections - fine with us.... More

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