Godavari Orange County - Lake Forest

Came here for dinner Good service appetizers were good Biryani was not too good Will try again

This restaurant has undergone several ownership changes, transitioning from a Chinese buffet to soul food, and now to Indian cuisine with a focus on South Indian dishes. The buffet offers a diverse selection, including some items that are hard to find at other buffets. The atmosphere is laid-back, often featuring Indian music videos on the TVs. While I'm not certain if the owners have changed again, the buffet spread appears different from the previous Indian offerings. The freshly made canapés are delicious, and the chai is robust and flavorful. I particularly enjoyed the pistachio dessert, which was a highlight for me.

This restaurant is the perfect spot for dinner. I visited just a week after it opened, and I'm impressed with the customer service. I've never encountered any issues; the staff is incredibly friendly. We ordered the fish dish twice because it's so delicious, albeit quite spicy! The biryani feels like a home-cooked meal. The staff informed us that our order would take some time, and we were happy to wait. The Kolkata fish was simply amazing!

Amazingly fresh South Indian cuisine, which was hot, spicy and absolutely delicious. Try the wide selection of chicken dishes such as Tandoori Chicken, Chickenbiryani, Butter Chicken, as well as a nice selection of vegetarian Dals, Cauliflower, Potatoes and a beautiful selection of Chutneys. Skip the deserts. But you have some chai to finish your meal.

The spice level is moderate for those familiar with Andhra cuisine but can be quite intense for the average Indian diner. The non-vegetarian dishes are exceptional, while the vegetarian options are just okay. Definitely try all the biryanis and meat dishes—they're outstanding! The buffet is $15 and offers great value, especially for any biryani from the kitchens of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. I found that some of the hotter dishes I expected were missing, especially considering it's an Indian restaurant in the USA.