Found myself in Sunnyvale for some volleyball with friends and decided to finally stop by Surmai, the sister restaurant of Puranpoli in Santa Clara. Seating was a breeze at 3:30 on a Sunday and the three of us selected a preset table near the pay station. Our water jug was pretty much empty on arrival (which would become a reoccurring theme throughout the meal) - however, every other aspect of our service was pretty solid. Vishal was our server and, seeing as this was all of our first times having traditional Maharashtrian cuisine, was more than willing to answer my questions regarding the menu. I decided to branch out from my trusty mango lassi and try the Solkadhi beverage, a thick, peppery, and tart-savory traditional drink made with coconut milk and kokam that felt like I was drinking a pasta sauce. I must say I did not particularly enjoy this beverage, but its popularity as described by VIshal makes me think this might just be a cultural difference in palate. The food was a different story - we ordered 2 special thalis ($28.99) and 1 paplet thali ($32.99), which were little sampler plates of different dishes on a large platter. The special came with chicken and mutton masala, cornmeal fried kolambi prawns, onion and cabbage salad, rice and bhakri (rice flour flatbread), and a small bowl each of solkadhi, mutton broth, and tomato broth. I absolutely loved the mutton masala - I think it's the best way I've tried that protein ever - and the shrimp was crispy, flavorful, and not overcooked. I will note that as someone who isn't the best with spice, the default spice level was just right for me to enjoy with ample amounts of water. Vishal explained the broths were for drinking throughout the meal rather than dipping (as we initially inferred) and kindly brought us a cilantro chutney that went well with everything on my plate. My friend who had the paplet thali had a fried pomfret fish and fish curry instead of the prawns and masala, the former of which was quite sizable and very flaky. We washed up in their very clean bathroom and left absolutely stuffed. Would come again!

So thrilled with finding this restaurant. we had the surmai rava fried fish and the airmail special thali! All items were cooked to perfection. The ambience and service were beyond excellen. Our server Trely was pleasant, informative and made us feel at home. Could not recommend this place more highly.

This is food from Mumbai. The chicken Kebab is very tasty. The Chicken Thali is also very good. I like the pink coconut thing. That is good for digestive system. The level of spice may be too strong for those with a mild palate.

This was our first time trying Surmai and we were really in the mood for some seafood so came here for that. The service was really good and we were seated immediately followed by quick orders. We ordered Surmai fish, pomplet thali and Kolambi Shrimp. The shrimp was literally one of the best shrimp dishes we have ever had. The flavors were great, crispy, nice and juicy. The Surmai fish (king fish) was ok and was little bitter. We liked the thali but probably will opt for a different one next time to try something else. I wish the various fried fish dishes had different flavors and were marinated differently. They literally all had the exact same marinade and so you don't really feel like eating a different dish. Would def come back for the prawns.

Soul food, it reminds me of home! Delicious tastes, especially the Kolambi is worth mentioning. Service is quick with thali orders. You're going smell the aroma of the food (which I love), so be careful if that bothers you.

Awesome Maharastrian seafood thali place. There was no wait at all on a Monday afternoon, and the menu selection was vast. I tried the Paplet Thali and my favorite items were the fish curry and the pomfret fry. It was a huge amount of food so you could share one thali per two people and it's very affordable that way. 100% recommend coming back!

It was packed. Families, large groups but ambient noise was low. Folks were focused on the food. Service is fast, so don't dwaddle. Food: Come here for coastal cuisine and you won't be disappointed. The fish was perfectly seasoned. We left the other seafood dishes for the next visit. Veg thali is okay. Though the roti was sooo soft. Went down easy. The triple fried rice is spicy. It comes with veg manchurian to take the edge off. Paneer Kabab is spicy as well. So make sure you tell them to go easy with the spice.

We recently visited Surmai Indian Seafood Restaurant in Sunnyvale and had a delightful experience exploring authentic coastal Indian flavors. Dishes We Tried: * Special Thali: This was an absolute feast! The thali included a variety of flavorful dishes like fish curry, sol kadhi, rice, chapati, and a mix of sides. Each component was bursting with authentic Konkani and Malvani flavors. The fish curry stood out with its perfect balance of spices, and the sol kadhi was refreshing and tangy. It truly showcased the depth of coastal Indian cuisine. * Pomfret Fry: The pomfret was cooked to perfection--crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a flavorful spice blend that enhanced the fish without overpowering its natural taste. * Mango Ice Cream: A fantastic way to end the meal! The mango ice cream was creamy and rich with an authentic mango flavor that wasn't overly sweet. It provided a refreshing finish to a bold and flavorful meal. Ambiance: The restaurant has a casual and inviting vibe, perfect for enjoying a hearty meal with friends or family. The decor is simple but reflects the coastal theme well. Service: The staff was friendly and attentive, ensuring that our dining experience was seamless. The food arrived promptly, and they were happy to explain the dishes to us. Overall: Surmai Restaurant is a must-visit for seafood lovers and anyone looking to explore authentic coastal Indian cuisine. The special thali and pomfret fry were both outstanding, and the mango ice cream was the perfect finishing touch. Highly recommended for anyone in Sunnyvale craving bold and authentic Indian seafood dishes!

It's funny that I'm so late to reviewing Surmai, especially since I was one of their first customers during their soft opening months ago. In fact, I was also among the first patrons of Puranpoli, another gem offering Maharashtrian cuisine from the same management (though vegetarian), which has since become a favorite in the South Bay. It seems like Surmai has already gained quite a following, but I'll share my two cents anyway. The reason for my delay? I didn't want to jinx it. So many restaurants start strong but fizzle out for various reasons. I'm thrilled to say that Surmai has consistently delivered since day one. I've tried nearly all their thalis, and they're all solid. For me, though, the Prawns Thali and the Special Thali are the standouts. The fried prawns are perfectly cooked--crispy, flavorful, and not overly spicy. They're so good that even my six-year-old loves them! The mutton masala in the special thali is also great. Another surprising winner on their menu is the Chicken Tikka. It's exceptional and could easily rival offerings from well-established North Indian restaurants in the Bay Area. The chicken is tender and juicy (unlike the chunky, dry versions served at so many Indian spots in the Bay Area), and the marinade is uniquely flavorful. On my last visit, we also tried the Burnt Garlic Fried Rice with Egg, and it did not disappoint. It was delicious and packed with flavor. The service is friendly, though the space can feel a bit tight, especially during peak hours. Pro-Tip: If you go during off-peak times, you'll enjoy a more relaxed dining experience. Yes, the food is pricier compared to similar establishments, but the hot, fresh, and tasty dishes more than make up for it, in my opinion. A special mention to Roshan, the owner, for the thought and effort he's put into this eatery. I truly hope they maintain these high standards and flavors. Definitely recommend checking out Surmai--you won't be disappointed!

This is authentic Indian restaurant with great Thali dishes, seafood and more, catering to Indian diners from the state of Maharastra. There are many things on the menu that non-Indian diners may not be familiar with and that are not described in the menu. But do your research, or come with someone who has spent time in India, or just ask the wait staff for recommendations. The food here is very spicy. Just be prepared for that. We loved it, but those curries were the spiciest dishes I've eaten in a long time. In the Indian tradition, be prepared for proteins not to be deboned before they are chopped up and put into your curry. I'm not sure what the protocol is for eating that way, but I guess you just have to take a bite, then remove the bones from your mouth. One of our breads was undercooked, but everything else was perfectly prepared. and they have a very nice Indian ice cream selection to cool down your pallet after the meal. This includes a saffron pistachio ice cream, we really wanted to try, but they were out. It doesn't say "saffron pistachio" on the menu; it gives the Indian (Hindi) name for everything so we Googled most things on the menu to see what they were. Still, the ice cream we did order was excellent. I would say that they should have an "Americanized" menu as an option, but they really don't need it. The place was full. All tables inside and outside were occupied and there was a line to get in. The patrons were 95% Indian, and many were dressed in beautiful Indian clothing. The cornmeal-crusted shrimp that came with my Special Thali dish was amazing, and my wife absolutely adored her whole fried fish. Maharastra is coastal, so this place specializes in seafood. Our waiter gave great advice on what we might want to order and helped us make the best decisions, even on our beverage options. The only beverage I recognized was the mango lassi. But we tried new this and we enjoyed ourselves.