One of India’s most established and globally recognized restaurant groups is preparing to make its California debut in San Diego’s North County. Sankalp The Taste of India is opening its first-ever Golden State location inside The Shoppes at Carlsbad, taking over the former Lucha Libre space at the regional mall.
Founded in 1980 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Sankalp has grown from a single specialty restaurant into an international hospitality brand with more than 150 operating locations worldwide, spanning India, the United States, Australia, and beyond. The Carlsbad opening marks a significant milestone for the group, introducing its South Indian-focused cuisine to the California market for the first time.
Sankalp is best known for its commitment to traditional Indian flavors, particularly South Indian dishes such as dosas, idlis, vadas, and regional curries, while operating at a scale more commonly associated with global restaurant chains. The company’s emphasis on quality control, standardized training, and consistent execution has helped it expand rapidly while maintaining a reputation for authenticity. Tourism authorities in Gujarat have previously described Sankalp as the “most authentic South Indian restaurant,” a distinction that has followed the brand as it expanded internationally.
The group has also earned international recognition for its culinary theatrics, most notably its record-setting dosas. Sankalp holds multiple Guinness World Records for creating the longest dosa ever made, including a 53.3-foot version completed in 2013. Over the years, the brand has collected numerous industry honors, including repeated Times Food Awards, TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice recognition, and the Coca-Cola Golden Spoon Award for Most Admired Restaurant Chain of the Year…