Welcome to Alif Cafe
Welcome to Alif Cafe, where flavors of authentic Pakistani street food come to life in Glens Falls, NY. Our story unfolds with a passion for bringing vibrant tastes to the community through our meticulously crafted dishes. From the tangy layers of our Channa Papree Chaat to the rich, creamy Butter Chicken, each plate is a testament to our dedication to quality and tradition. We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming atmosphere, reminiscent of home, where you can savor your meal while enjoying a cup of our specialty chai. At Alif Cafe, every bite is a celebration of culture, community, and comfort. Join us and discover why our food feels like family.
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193 Glen St Suite 1, Glens Falls, NY 12801 Hotline: (518) 741-0079
Welcome to Alif Cafe, a delightful gem nestled in the heart of Glens Falls, New York. Situated at 193 Glen St Suite 1, this vibrant establishment brings the rich flavors of Pakistani cuisine to life in a friendly and inviting atmosphere.
At Alif Cafe, the star of the show is undoubtedly its creative take on classic dishes. Their famed Naanwhiches offer a unique twist on traditional favorites, featuring options such as the Butter Chicken Naanwich, with creamy spiced tomato sauce enveloping tender chicken, and the indulgent Lamb Sheesh Naanwich, where boneless lamb, cooked to perfection in a tandoor, is sealed snugly in warm naan.
For those craving something different, the Street Food Bowls stand out. One must-try is the Chicken Bowl, which pairs succulent halal chicken atop a bed of fragrant basmati rice, complemented by fresh salad. Vegetarians can delight in the Palak Paneer—a classic spinach and cheese curry that promises to tantalize your taste buds while being gluten-free!
Starters such as the flavorful Veggie Pakora and the savory Bharta, a roasted eggplant dish, set the tone for a memorable meal. As customer reviews suggest, each dish is carefully crafted, with many praising the outstanding quality and preparation. One satisfied diner, V P., enthusiastically recommends the Butter Chicken and Palak Paneer, noting their exceptional taste and presentation.
However, not every review sings the same tune. Jake W., for instance, feels that while the food is adequate, the ambiance and service could use improvement. He suggests it’s a solid option for casual dining but may not impress those seeking a more elevated experience. But, as many loyal patrons emphasize, the charm of Alif Cafe lies in its comforting, homestyle cooking and the warmth of its staff—led by an engaging owner who makes you feel right at home.
Another highlight that patrons rave about is the Kashmiri Chai, a delicately spiced tea often enjoyed with the Potato Paratha, making for an ideal pairing that enhances the overall experience. With a selection of board games available, it’s easy to see how visitors often linger long after their meals, soaking in the cozy vibe.
Whether you're craving rich, aromatic dishes like the Chicken Tikka or looking to explore creative comfort food in the form of their delicious rolled ice creams, Alif Cafe offers a refreshing take on Pakistani street food that is worth exploring. Each visit can reveal new favorites, boasting generous portions and flavors that resonate well with diners of all preferences.
In summary, Alif Cafe is more than just a dining spot; it’s a culinary journey through Pakistani flavors that invites you to sit back, relax, and experience a slice of vibrant culture right here in Glens Falls. So come hungry, stay awhile, and delight in the warmth of this charming cafe!
The Butter Chicken, Palak Paneer, Chicken Masala, Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka and naan were outstanding. Very delicious and well prepared. Everything was perfect. Great service and atmosphere. I highly recommend this restaurant.
It's fine. Just fine. It's not bad. It's not amazing. The food is made to order. I guess it's OK. The place is weirdly lit. There are semi-comfortable chairs around utilitarian tables. They're fine. I suppose you could take kids here. You order at the counter, pay first, and then go find a place to sit. In about 15-20 minutes they bring your food to the table. The drinks (Gatorade, iced tea) are in a cooler next to the register. They ask for the tip before they bring your food, and no one checks on you to see if you need anything or if you liked it. It's fine though. Just fine. You can leave your plate on the table when you leave. It's like a takeout place but they let you eat it inside if you're so inclined. The rice tasted and had the consistency of clumpy Uncle Ben's 90-second bag rice. It's fine. Just fine. The chicken in the butter chicken dinner was over cooked and dry, but not bad. The sauce was delicious but the rest of the dish..... meh. It's fine. Just fine. It's not expensive: $12-16 for a dish of food. Here's the deal: go here. You will not be amazed at the quality, the service, the ambience, the decor, the staff.... But DO try it. You might say "Turns out I kinda like Glens Falls' boring interpretation of Indian food". Don't go here for a first date or with picky kids. Don't go here with a large group. Just go with one or two other people to TRY it. You'll be fine. Just fine.
The owner is the sweetest person - it felt like home after traveling and being out all day. The chai is their specialty (I had the regular and Kashmiri chai) and the potato paratha was exactly how I wanted it to be! ALSO there's so many board games, even multiples of the same, you'll end up staying here for hours!
Go and try two things - Kashmiri Chai with Pistachios and their one Combo ice creams. And get each one of them for home too! They are extremely delicious! We also had masala fries, samosas, veggie chapli bowl, and mix veg masala bowl. Everything was delicious. We will be trying the palak paneer bowl the next time we ho there. We loved the interior of this place too. Owners are also very nice. Their parents, who are also just as friendly as them, has a different Pakistani restaurant in the lake George area. We always used to go there during our visits. Seems like making good food runs in the family!
Really good! Stopped in yesterday at an odd time - around 4pm - to order early dinner take-out. We were hoping to try the masala fries - but they didn't have any fries. So, we ordered the Channa Papree as the appetizer. Dinner choices were the chicken tikka masala bowl and the chicken bowl...both are served with salads. We were told that it takes about 25 minutes to prepare the tikka masala (in case we didn't have the time to wait). We did! It was Saturday and we grabbed a strawberry lassi to enjoy while we waited. There is a nice seating area near the entrance so we hung out in the big armchairs. The lassi was good; it could have been blended more as most lassi concoctions that I've had are very creamy with just the right amount of yogurt tang....this one was "ice-chunky". But it was still tasty. As promised, the meals were ready to go in about 25 minutes. They traveled well and were still hot when we got home. I really enjoyed the channa appetizer; lots of different flavor layers throughout with just a subtle hint of spice. I tasted the chicken tikka masala; well spiced cubed chicken over basmati rice (same rice that I had with my chicken bowl). Some of the chicken pieces were really big and the portion was definitely generous. My sliced chicken was also really good - different flavor profile from the tikka. Since the salad is served in the same container, it gets pretty warm....but it saves having a separate to-go box for a small salad. They also have an entire rolled ice cream selection - plus chai-inspired hot drinks and other desserts available. I wanted to try the naan and asked if we could order a side of it. Unfortunately, they still considered it "lunch" time and couldn't sell me a piece or two of naan. I found that a little weird, but I chalk it up to being a fairly new business. Plus, the girls that were working in the front - I'm guessing - are not related to the owners. Friendly and competent enough, but always embrace an opportunity to upsell! I'll be sure to check this place out again soon.
Another lost and hard to find Glens Falls gem! A vegetarian wet dream with carnivore options, Alif Cafe is Pakistani Street food at its best! Chicken was easily the most tender I've ever had in a Restaurant, with great portion sizes. Service is quick, takeout available. Coffee is next level!!! A must try.