The newly launched concept comes from Archana Sirohi, an immigrant Indian chef, mother of two, and the owner of Natural Desi Cafe and Catering in Rancho Bernardo. With Cali Social Cafe, Sirohi introduces her second San Diego venture, bringing a menu designed to blend traditional Indian culinary roots with global influences and a distinctly California sensibility.
“Modern Indian flavors fusion can feel bold, fresh and California inspired while keeping authentic roots,” Sirohi told SanDiegoVille.
The restaurant takes over a space that carried significant history in the Pacific Beach dining scene. For nearly three decades, the address was home to World Curry, a beloved neighborhood restaurant founded in 1995 by Momoko and the late Bruce Jackson. Known for its rotating menu of curries from around the world, World Curry became a Garnet Avenue staple before closing in late 2024 following Bruce Jackson’s passing in 2022 and the family’s decision to wind down operations.
Now reimagined under Sirohi’s vision, Cali Social Cafe offers a menu that moves comfortably between Indian classics, Indo-Chinese street food, and modern fusion dishes designed to appeal to PB’s diverse mix of locals, students, and visitors.
The extensive menu opens with appetizers such as samosas, onion pakora, tandoori wings, spring rolls, chilli chicken, and veg manchurian, reflecting the Indo-Chinese culinary tradition that has become increasingly popular in American cities with large South Asian communities. Guests can also start with lighter options like watermelon feta salad, classic Caesar, or a cucumber-forward Kush-e-fu salad.
Among the restaurant’s more unconventional offerings are croissant sandwiches and burgers inspired by Indian flavors, including pulled chicken or pulled pork croissants, pesto paneer croissants, and both chicken tikka and paneer tikka burgers.
The heart of the menu focuses on Indian grilled specialties and curries. A kebab selection served with basmati rice and salad includes dishes such as chicken tikka kebab, Afghani chicken kebab, salami chicken tikka kebab, paneer tikka kebab, lamb seekh kebab, and lamb chops. Curry bowls feature classic preparations like tikka masala, coconut curry, saag, Thai red curry, vindaloo, and korma, with optional proteins including paneer, chicken, lamb, or shrimp.
Cali Social Cafe also leans into comfort-food fusion through dishes like tikka sauce pasta, brown butter walnut pasta, and sun-dried tomato pesto penne, along with Indo-Chinese staples including chow mein, hakka noodles, veg fried rice, and burnt garlic fried rice. Freshly baked naan breads - including garlic naan, butter naan, basil cheese naan, and keema naan stuffed with spiced minced meat - round out the savory offerings.
Dessert options include choco lava cake, gulab jamun served with ice cream, churros with chocolate sauce, and paan ice cream, the latter inspired by the traditional Indian betel leaf confection. The café also holds a Type 41 beer and wine license, allowing it to serve alcoholic beverages alongside the food menu.
For Sirohi, the goal is to create more than just another Pacific Beach restaurant. She describes Cali Social Cafe as a welcoming gathering place where bold flavors and casual comfort meet in a lively coastal setting.
With its mix of Indian classics, Indo-Chinese street flavors, and California-inspired fusion dishes, the new restaurant aims to offer Pacific Beach diners something both familiar and different from the neighborhood’s typical fare.
Cali Social Cafe is now open at 1433 Garnet Avenue in San Diego’s Pacific Beach neighborhood. For more information, visit calisocial.us or follow @calisocial.us on Instagram.
Originally published on March 8, 2026.
