I have eaten at Namaste twice. The food and service are excellent in this beautiful restaurant. Once I was with a friend from Bangladesh who stated it served authentic regional cuisine. Although Berkeley is full of great restaurants, the outstanding feature of this restaurant is that it is really, really quiet (due to extremely high ceilings?) so conversation is easy for all patrons at a table for six or eight. Although the truth is that our group was at the restaurant from 6 to 7:30 when there were relatively few patrons so the noise level was low in any event. However I believe it would be relatively quiet even when truly busy. Highly recommended

Food is delicious, quick and friendly service, and nice atmosphere with big space and high ceiling. Highly recommend!

We had not eaten Indian food in a long, long time, and the reviews of Namaste Madreas looked good. So we decided to try it. It turned out to be a lovely meal. I was worried the food would be too spicey, but it actually was not. We ordered the complete meal to go with the mixed grill and also to go with grilled prawns. The "sides" were delicious with the exception of the massive pile of white rice, which was basically tasteless. The soup was excellent, as were several of the sauces. The prawns were definitely the best of the entre items. We found the meat in the mixed grill to be overcooked and dry. Because we were attending a concert with an early start (7 p.m.), we enjoyed a relatively empty, very quiet restaurant. Our servers were friendly and helpful.

Lovely old ?bank building. High ceilings. We had a quiet table in a corner and the waiter turned down the volume when we mentioned a little hearing loss. They were sold out of the lamb (meatballs) which was a disappointment. The food was good and plentiful and the price right.

We were there for pre-theater dinner. The space is amazing, high open beamed ceiling. The service was efficient, happily dined and out the door with plenty of time to get to the theater. We ate family style. All the flavors were luscious. Particularly enjoyed the mixed grill with seafood and chicken.

Very sad as at a little after 5, someone came out to say that the food wasn't ready and the restaurant was not opening. We had been given an open table reservation for 4:30, and the restaurant didn't even open until 5.

Great food and value for money! It was quiet when we were there pre-theater, but the crowds were arriving as we were leaving. So maybe it gets noisier at prime time. We will definitely go back there.

Our friends who live in India part-time agreed great food!! And kind service. Wonderful night out!

The food was good but not memorable. The garlic nan we requested never arrived. Even though there were only a few customers, service was slow. I would not return.

Nice people, good food, pleasant atmosphere, quiet with lots of space.

When we arrived for our reservations on Mother's Day the restaurant was closed and locked. Nobody answered knocks on the door or answered the phone. However, there was food sitting out on a table as if someone had just been in there eating...? It was pretty lame. Several other people showed up and seemed upset that the restaurant wasn't open.

I was visiting Oakland for a few days, my friend and I were craving Indian Dosa, so we were recommended to this place by the hotel staff. The place is very nice and traditional. I admired the historic building (look up at the ceiling if you want to know what I'm talking about). The food was great, will definitely come again when I'm in town.

I had not eaten at Namaste before but was looking forward to a nice birthday dinner. When I arrived with my friends and family, we were surprised to find a sign on the door that said the restaurant was closed. I was not familiar with the area so ended up just walking around looking for a place to have dinner. Not sure why my reservation was confirmed if the restaurant was going to be closed.

I have dined at Namaste several times, each time making reservations through Open Table. I received the confirmation for my reservation from Open Table as well as a confirmation the day before I was to go so imagine my surprise when I showed up and there was a sign on the door that read "closed for family wedding." Somebody at Namaste needs to learn what Open Table is and how to use the computer system!

Have been dining at Namaste and it's predecessor for many years. Consistently, solidly good Indian food, now with added Southern Indian items as well. Everything is good.

Enjoyed the ambiance, service, papadam, naan, llasi, sambar, and tandoori. Yum!

They weren't actually open. Way to go to make sure your hours are right.

We had a window seat inside Namaste Madreas in Berkeley on a Saturday and our party of 4 had a wonderful time and a great meal. We enjoyed the Pakoras, the Samosas, and the Dosas. The appetizers were served with 3 different sauces. The Tamarind was my favorite.

I was fond of the Catfish Vindaloo, although my daughter thought the food was not as spicy as we like it. ( I agree--it could have been spicier, but I enjoyed it nevertheless.) The vegetarian dishes were delicous.

The food was good and the service fast, making it an ideal choice for a pre theater/concert dinner venue.

Namaste Madreas serves large portions of good food. There were five in our party and we were all pleased with our selections. Service was fine, no problems encountered. The setting is interesting as well, as the venue is an old bank with interesting interior architecture. I recommend this restaurant to others.

My wife and I dined here and found the food absolutely delicious. I would say it is one of the best (if not the best) Indian restaurants in the East Bay. The food is authentic, prepared well, and the service is superb. This is South Indian (Madras) food, so it's also a great find for vegetarians, vegans, and those who need gluten=free food. The ambiance leaves a little to be desired, with very high ceilings, aluminum serving plates, and a wine list that leaves a lot to be desired.

I think the prices have gone up a little and the menu is smaller since I last ate at Namaste but I do think it's one of the best Indian restaurants in Berkeley. Food is tasty; breads are wonderful! Ambiance is nil - perhaps it was a former bank - high ceilings jut don't do it for this type of eating place. Our waiter forgot to bring a drink that was ordered and made up for it with free dessert - nice touch!

Big space with interesting woodwork no the ceiling (from a prior tenant, I think). Delicious dosa and utthapam!

We really enjoyed our meal at Namaste. We sampled both a South Indian Masala Dosa and the Chicken Tikka. Both were so delicious, fresh and flavorful. The building they are housed in is gorgeous! Will definitely be back!

Lots of vegetarian options, and the highlight form me is southern I dian cuisine; idlinand dosas. Highly recommended!

the taste of well prepared Indian food was well accompanied by the sound of authentic, live Indian music. A treat

Interesting location and good service but the quality of the food was disappointing. I would not go again

Very good food, Interesting sauces, well prepared, generous portions. The menu has the standards plus some interesting variations. There is a lot to choose from, including many vegetarian dishes. There were six of us and they accommodated us without fuss, adding extra plates as needed and even keeping the water glasses filled. The setting is a huge wonderful room and when I go back, I hope to have time do find out something about its history.

We enjoyed our dinner - particularly the South Indian food (Indian restaurants tend to be North Indian). The food was good, not great. The presentation was good.

We have been here several times now. Like their food a lot. Interesting building that used to be a bank. Shrimp karahi was very good! I usually get the eggplant curry, but decided to try something different. Really liked the Karahi sauce more than I thought I would. Will likely get it again. I like their food because it isn't so spicy that you can't taste it! They also have wine. When we get the thali (dinner) we always leave stuffed!

Wonderful Indian food - my favorite in Berkeley. A little surprising that they didn't have iced tea (which is on the menu) and that the naan took so long to get my table. But the food is very nice and very reasonably priced.

I ordered onion nan, butter chicken, and a shrimp dish & all was very good

Had been to this restaurant on 3 prior occasions and had been very pleased with the food.
This meal was quite disappointing: tough lamb in the underseasoned curry, naan with little personality, and soup served at the same time as the meal in a difficult to eat from dish.

There are a lot of Indian restaurants out there, but this new spot in Berkeley has become a favorite. Large, roomy space allows for both noise and quiet conversations. The menu selection is ample and the service is excellent. A great stop on Shattuck if you're in the mood for Indian food.

We love the large dining room here which is a converted bank. When we want to go somewhere relatively quiet and low-key for great Indian food, this place is it. The service is nice, and the thali dinners come with dessert. The food here is very good and filling! They give you free papadum with dips as an appetizer. They also offer wine and beer on the menu. We always leave here satisfied and full!

Good value but the food could be more flavorful. Service was great.

Everyone who went with me agreed that most Indian restaurants serve dishes that have lots of gravy and little meat but Namaste is the opposite! Hearty servings - good value for money. Very good service - in fact, we were given a free serving of naan with our order. Because the ceilings are so high, I wouldn't call it a "cozy" setting but all-in-all, very nice.

I have eaten at Namaste 3 times and each time the food has been consistently flavorful, delicious and generous. Service is courteous and attentive. Desired level of spiciness is willingly accommodated. Masal Dosa and uttapam are some of my favorite dishes as well as the lentil soup to start the meal. I will return again.