Cafe Roti

This restaurant is extremely good.
Café Roti is a gem we are lucky to have here in Lakeland.
The quality of the food is outstanding. .the service is great and the atmosphere is awesome.
Last but not least. …quality/​price is what everyone is looking for, I can only say go… have lunch or dinner at Café Roti and experience it yourself.

Ordered medium spice butter chicken, chicken tikka masala and garlic naan for carryout and it was really disappointing. Better to eat the naan in house. For being garlic naan, it could use some more fresh garlic. I have lived in Lakeland for five years and always raved about Café Roti. So much so, that even when I moved to Tampa, I still made the drive back and even took a friend up to Lakeland just to eat there. I know that some people may like buttered chicken more creamy than «tomatoey» but this buttered chicken was beyond over creamed, had a very thick consistency that doesn’t swallow easy and smooth and missing those Indian flavors that u easily taste in Indian cuisine. It looked like they put only a small tsp of tomato sauce in this buttered chicken. After trying a cup of rice an just two spoons of the the sauce over rice, I couldn’t eat anymore. The chicken was bland and I felt the chunks should have been cut smaller to be able to soak up whatever little flavor the sauce had to offer. I can say without a doubt very low on flavor because I’m Jamaican born and I’m use to cooking and eating Indian curry and spices. The tikka masala had a lil more flavor, a little less thick cream consistency and was better tasting. However, the dishes to be honest seemed almost identical. I told my boyfriend he was stuck with the 2 orders of buttered chicken. This the first time I’ve done carryout and usually dine in and the food was always amazing. But I haven’t gone since fall of last year, so maybe the chef changed or they altered the recipe from the Café Roti I have loved, and always taken my leftovers home just dreaming about eating them the next day.

As a friend asked, this can’t be good Indian food out in the middle of the swamp… Yes it was fantastic!
Don’t be fooled into thinking it may be a little Trini Roti Shop and also don’t be fooled when you enter, the seating area is in the back through a winding hallway. Great atmosphere definitely not one of these Restaurants rescue places that produce an environment that is aseptic and stiff. Simple but enough variety on the menu. Not south Indian otherwise I would never have left. We had the veg pakora, Channa chat for starters. Chicken with spinach sauce, medium heat (friend can’t take heat) and Chicken with curry (red) as well as garlic and cheese Naan. Oh and of course a mango lasse.
Definitely a winner!

Café Roti is literally the best Indian food I’ve ever had in my life. It’s also extremely consistent, as I’ve never once had a bad meal. It might also be the best restaurant in Lakeland. I’ve asked the chef and was told that they do a more northern style Indian cuisine compared to other establishments who do a southern style. I’ve had both and by far like the northern style better as it’s spicier and has much more flavor. If you haven’t eaten here, please do yourself the favor.
The atmosphere is dimly lit, semi-​intimate, but by no means is it overly formal. Great place for a quiet dinner date for two just as much as a large group gathering. They can pretty much make any party size work.

5 stars for authenticity, deliciousness, and fresh-​ness!!! Will definitely be back for their butter chicken!!!

We have been eating here for years. The food is always excellent and the service is always friendly

We arrived late on a Saturday night and was a little worried about getting decent service.
The reviews are very mixed for this place.
Being English I grew up loving Indian food, they style of Vindaloo I got was very different to what I have had elsewhere but it was very good.
The lamb was great.
The appetizers were great and overall I was impressed and the pricing this place is a steal.

Get in my belly! How have I not reviewed this place yet!!! So good! Consistently delicious! BUTTER CHICKEN! Shut up, take my money and bring me BUTTER CHICKEN! But anything from the menu is very good. This place is always empty, which absolutely blows my mind. I want it now! I heard they are moving closer to downtown. I hope their food stays the same! Yum Yum Yum Yum Yum Yum!

I have an hour for lunch and wanted a birthday lunch with my friends. What a disappointment.
We waited over half an hour before I had to ask to order drinks. After ordering it took another twenty minutes to get drinks after we asked another waitress. After an hour and twenty minutes we finally asked for our food to go. We asked for extra bread which we did not get. We were also supposed to get desserts with out meal which we did not get. We went to find the owner to explain what has happened and all he did was give us 10% discount cards which you can get as you leave anyhow. I feel like this was unacceptable service on the part of the waitress and the owner. We were the only table with no drinks but everyone was waiting a while for food. I had been here previously and they were somewhat slow but this was excessive. We work in a doctor’s office and cannot make patients wait for us to eat.
Will not be going back!

My friend and I have been wanting to go to Café Roti for months. We finally got the opportunity to go after finals week was complete. Though the décor looked beautiful and expensive, the atmosphere maintained a relaxing, family-​oriented feel.
Our table ordered naan bread, the sample platter (samosa, chicken tikki, and pakora), and three chicken lunch specials. So, I can’t not speak for the taste of the other meats. However, if they are even half as good as the chicken, you will not be disappointed. The chicken absorbed the sauce and the seasoning which was well done.
Overall, my friends and I greatly enjoyed our experience at Café Roti. It was a great to relax after a week of finals.

Lakeland is lucky to have Roti. The butter chicken and the naan are on my top 5 all time faves.

Service is poor, and the automatic add tip. Food not great service horrible didn’t even get a refill on tea and water don’t waste your time and money.

I absolutely love this place. Finding good Indian food in Lakeland was one of many things that made me believe I could be happy here for many, many years to come. The atmosphere is a little odd. It seems like the building wasn’t originally designed to be a restaurant? But the colorful décor and the lovely service just warm my heart and the food is delicious! The first time I went there was my birthday. The owner came to greet my party, gave us a bottle of champagne and other treats. How many places do you go where they do that kind of thing these days?

You Will Like This Place If:
–you are looking for a very quiet, very dimly-​lit atmosphere, maybe with not too many people there (hardly anybody there when we were there on a Sat night for dinner)
–you like a very limited & non-​traditional Indian menu (think Thai style menu with picking your protein & then a sauce/​preparation — of which they have only a handful, vs. a long list of entrees; add to that a Tandoor section (dry/​oven-​baked style) & that’s pretty much the menu
–you like non-​authentic/​non-​traditional curry sauces (unique from every other Indian curry sauce I’ve ever had in that they were ultra smooth/​glossy and something about it was über-​creamy & über-​dense) which are semi-​tasty in their own right… I can see why someone would enjoy it, in its own rite, if they’ve never had/​not had too much Indian food; it’s not like it was nasty or anything :). (Except the paneer — that was just wrong. Weird texture. Small. Un-​fresh. Don’t get me started).
–You don’t care if you’re eating Indian basmati rice (it’s clumpy almost porridge-​consistency short grain like something you’d end up with if you added to much water/​left it in your rice cooker too long) and if you don’t care if you’re eating lots of curry without too much rice to sop it up
You Will Not Like This Place If:
–You are looking for a casual/​more happenin’ atmosphere
–You are looking for a fairly extensive Indian menu
–You are looking for the kind of Indian food most of America has come to know & love
Constructive Criticism for Owners:
–Felt like you were really skimping on bread — lots of naan would be nice!
–Felt like you were skimping on rice — we ordered =3= curries… (only comes with 1 smaller bowl of rice… for 5 people… (& you see that we’re weary travelers with 4 children!!, shame on you!)… you’ve got to be kidding!!)
–A little remodeling: Would be nice if people didn’t have to walk through a long & narrow tunnel-​feeling hallway all the way to the back which is the main dining area (feels far removed from everything due to the tunnel)
–Waitress (do not know her name) was a little overbearing/​insistent on how things would be & not listening (although nice enough person :-))
Tip:
–Waitress had told us spice levels were ‘mild, medium, hot, & extra hot’. We asked for medium & she said that was reeeally spicy. We told her our kids actually like spicy. (Yes, they actually do!). She recommended mild for them because it was going to be «waaay too spicy». So we got a mild curry for them. And then 2 for us that were «medium» thinking ‘well, we told her we really do like spicy & she said «medium» was going to be suuper spicy…’. Well! — Not only was the mild super mild, but the other two medium ones we were shocked we couldn’t even taste the spicy at all!!! So that was a disappointment! So, if you really do like spicy, don’t let yourself be «bullied» out of that, LOL.
Will We Return?:
No… Only if we were suuuper hungry & there was nowhere else.

Holy guacamole!!! This was a 5 star for incredible service and food. This came highly recommended by my friends and Unilocalers Chad C and Andrew D. This is located across the street from Lakeland Regional Hospital. It is hectic to get in or out of, but completely worth it. Be mindful of the hours because they do have closing periods.
**Amosphere and Restaurant**
One can be taken back when first walking into the front doors. The front counter is small with 1 register and the kitchen is behind that. A narrow hallway leads to the dimly lit restaurant section. I thought we were going to walk into a slaughter house or weird satanic ritual, but just a restaurant, phew. The chairs and booth pads are very uncomfortable on the tooshie and back, but I was there for the food and not for comfort :). The décor is awkward with random paintings on the wall. I could not pinpoint the theme after minutes of starring at the walls. The smell of the restaurant reminded me of a Japanese curry house in Okinawa. My mouth instantly started to salivate.
**Service**
Jerry was our 72 year old waiter and he was incredible. He greeted us as soon as we walked inside. He explained the entire menu with detail and even pointed out the popular items and his favorites. He made a joke when I asked the difference between the hot and the Indian hot. He said, «One is hotter than the other.» I laughed for awhile. He was personable, polite, fast, and just a good guy to talk with. He truly enjoys his job.
**Food**
I have been searching for a curry restaurant ever since leaving Okinawa in 2008. CoCoichibanya was the best curry I have ever tasted and I miss it so much. Café Roti is my favorite in Florida after tonight. I ordered the curry with chicken ($ 10.95) and plain naan bread ($ 1.99 for 4 pieces). The spice was offered with mild, med, hot, Indian hot, and psychotic hot as explained by Jerry. I got the Indian hot because I love spice. CoCo’s had a 1 – 10 scale. I used to get a 7 and it was just right. WOW the Indian hot matched it perfect. It was spicey, but not overpowering for me and the burning lasted about 10 mins after I was finished, which is what I was looking for.
The rice was massive, curry and chicken portion was perfect as well. Don’t get too carried away scooping rice on your plate because it is misleading lol. The bread was soft, yet crispy enough to scoop the curry and rice. Wow, what an insanely good meal. I will return frequently!!!
**Comment for the couple sitting next to us**
Please be considerate to others and control your children. It is not easy for others to ignore your children when they are loud. Don’t allow them to bash silverware on the table or together for 5 minutes straight and then 10 minutes after that as you carry on a normal conversation. Please also invest in headphones for your daughter’s tablet that was on the overdrive volume setting. Mom, please don’t fight with your son on who gets to play the game on the phone because the child should play over the parent and please don’t suck face at the table for all to see… thank you!!!

The food was amazing. The butter chicken was absolutely delicious and the tandoori was great, too. The cheese naan is a must and, although not a rice pudding fan, the rice pudding was BALLIN

Second time here Chicken Tikka Masala was right on, nann was over done and could have got 5 stars. Had to ask for water refills a couple of times but other than that service was up to par. I travel extensively for work eat Indian at least once a week. For FL this hits the spot in the Lakeland area so no need to roll into Tampa. One review said the cook was gloveless and finger temp tasted everything but I didn’t see this, stranger things have happened! Good valve & tasty!

Café Roti is simply the best Indian food in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, and Pasco county.
Indulge yourself in an appetizer sampler, and don’t forget that you can order specialty naan (I recommend the cheese or garlic varieties). Don’t forget to save room for the rice pudding, which is terrific.
The lunch special is an excellent value (as mentioned in other reviews), and dinner is great too. If you are looking for ethnic food in Lakeland, you are doing yourself a disservice by not trying Roti at least once.
That’s what I did seven years ago, and have been coming back monthly, since.

So I have lived in Lakeland for a few years, and when I think of getting Indian food, I don’t think of this area. I was doing myself a disservice.
Stopped in today just for carryout; wasn’t sure if I wanted to commit to staying until I scoped the place out and tried the food. Pulled up to what looks like a cute little place next to the Lakeland hospital. As we walked in, we were immediately greeted with a warm smile and saw another patron waiting for carry out. The front room is tiny and gives the impression the restaurant is too small for more than 5 people at a time; however, I poked around and saw there is a hallway to another dining area in the back.
We ordered the mild chicken tikka masala and medium butter shrimp, along with garlic naan and raita.
The wait wasn’t long at all, and the gentleman who took our order and I assumed was the manager, offered us a drink while we waited. I declined but was impressed with the large selection of wines they had lining the walls. I didn’t get a chance to review which ones they had but I will on a return trip. There WILL be return trips.
Food was quick and well packaged, with more than enough rice for our orders. We arrived home probably 15 – 20 minutes later and I was pleasantly surprised that it was still quite warm as well.
When we got home, I opened those containers and the heavens opened. I could drink both sauces right out of the dish if it were socially acceptable to do so. Hell, I was at home, I could have. On the naan, on the rice, with raita, without, all of it mixed together, each alone. Every variation was delectable. And that garlic naan was perfect. Light and chewy on the top, crisp on the bottom, with garlic and cilantro sprinkled and adding that rich flavor. Next time, I’d try hot on one of the dishes, because medium felt like mild to me and I like spice.
The price was about what I would expect, about $ 10 – 15 an entrée and extras being a few dollars. So we got out of there around $ 35 and it was well worth it.
Great flavor, polite and quick staff for carryout; I’ll try again for dine in next time!

This was my first visit to this restaurant and will most likely be my last.
I walked in at around 2 PM for lunch there was no other customer in the restaurant besides myself. I was lead down a hallway into a very dimly lit dining area and seated.
The server took my drink order and did not return with my drink until 5 minutes later after I complained to another server about the long wait.
Keep in mind I am the only customer in the restaurant.
Finally, was brought my drink and I ordered what the server recommended.
After a short wait my food was brought out to me. I thought the food tasted great until I noticed A HUMAN HAIR in my food!!!
I sat as the only customer in the dining area. I was just waiting for someone to come check up on me for over 5 minutes. No one came. I had to get up out of my seat, walk towards the front of the restaurant, and tell the server about the hair in my food. All she did was take the food off of my table and replaced it.
Oh, I forgot, the server did tell me that it was close to closing for the lunch service so she was basically saying, «We are closing so you are not important and we forgot about you.» There was no apology. There was no mention of making up for the bad experience that I had.
Finally, I saw a man in a tie and I explained to him the situation. He told me that he would offer me a discount and apologized. He walked out of the dining room and never returned. I sat for another 5 minutes and I went to the front to take care of the check. When I had asked about the man in the tie (who was apparently the owner from what the server told me), all the server said was, «Oh, he left. He got paged and left.»
The food was tasty BUT THERE WAS A HUMAN HAIR IN IT!!! I would not recommend this restaurant unless you want to be DISGUSTED with hair in your food and treated like a nobody.