5th Element
9485 Baymeadows Rd, Jacksonville, FL, 32256
5th Element Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Jacksonville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Jacksonville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Jacksonville for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
9485 Baymeadows Rd
Jacksonville, FL, 32256 - Phone (904) 448-8265
- Website https://my5thelement.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
India is the birth place of Chicken Tikka Masala and Curries. Indian foods are prepared with a blend of finely mixed spices quite popular across the region. The spices develop the rich taste in Indian food enough to boggle your mind. The ever-increasing fan base of Indian food around the New York city is steadily increasing because of the large number of Indians who traveled to the land of dreams. The Indians also brought their very own vibrant, colorful, and aromatic authentic dishes for the people in the West. While most of the Indian population is Vegetarian, Indian food is great for people who are looking for vegan or vegetarian food option. If you are a Meat lover, don't get disappointed yet. Indian food also boasts of some popular non-vegetarian dishes too. Few examples are the famous Butter Chicken, Mutton Biryani and Tandoori Chicken are enough to satisfy your taste buds.
Indian food has gained reputation all over the world especially in the United States. You can find many places serving the appetizing Indian food across all major cities in the US. India is a diverse country with different food culture originated from different parts of the country. While the Northern region boasts tandoori dishes and korma offering royal taste, the Western Ghats offers sea foods that is made in naturally sweet tender coconut milk. The South Indian food servers a quality of different dishes made from rice accompanied with spicy chutneys, curries and famous sambhar. Also, the Indian sweets are a delight to relish. If you ever want to have a burst of sugar syrup in mouth, don't forget to try few Bengali Sweets. Be it spicy, tangy, or sweet flavor, you can find everything in the Indian cuisine. Be assured that the melody of spices will surely bring delight to you.
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Su I.
Found this place on Yelp and read all the positive reviews here and thought I gave it a shot. With high expectations from what I've read, I was not impressed at all and most likely will not return. It is not fine dining as I expected with white table cloth. The food were mediocre, I had the chicken vindaloo, let just say I had better at many other places. Mango lassi, isn't it supposed to be cold (like a smoothie???), well my was warm! I felt because I was dinning alone I didn't get the service I deserved. I waited for someone to take my order, then waited 20 minutes for my food, had to ask several times for my check. Then finally I had to walk up to the cashier to pay. I felt I was being ignored because they have other big tables to serve.
(1)Rohit M.
First things first. With most Indian restaurants it's either a hit or a miss. Had the butter chicken with naan last night and the chicken 65 biryani. Food tasted amazing. Will definitely come back to Jacksonville for this place.
(5)George I.
This was my second time dining here. This time around, I made it for the lunch buffet. It was fairly cheap, however I didn't enjoy the limited selection of foods in the buffet. They did offer the full menu, but I decided to try the buffet. They had the most popular dishes out, both vegetarian and meats. However, they did stop refilling the trays about 45 minutes before the end of the lunch buffet, which didn't please me. I like eating the chicken tikka masala with the naan, but they were all out of naan and never refilled. Other than that, the food was tasteful, but nothing extraordinary.
(3)Danielle M.
The Hublet isn't a big fan of buffets but knows that I occasionally need a fix of Indian food whenever I start to pine about being 4k miles away from my family, so he took me to 5th Element to try their buffet - as he wasn't sure what food would put a smile on my face, he figured this way I could try a little bit of everything. When we arrived the place was busy, almost packed, which I felt boded well and we were seated after a very short, completely acceptable wait. Oddly we weren't given the opportunity to order drinks and simply found cold glasses of water on our table, which were kept regularly topped up. I honestly wasn't in the mood for soda, sweet tea or lassi, but it would have been nice to have a choice. At the buffet station you have both a central double-sided steam table holding hot dishes, as well as a single sided steam table against the far wall, containing a mix of hot and cold dishes. The interior was very clean, the food stations were nicely maintained and the food tasted fresh and hot and was regularly topped up. I honestly can't remember the names of all the dishes on offer, sorry, but there was a really healthy balance of both meat and vegetarian options. To soak up all the glorious sauce there was a nice tomato flavoured rice dish and a chicken Biryani rice dish, quarters of butter Naan bread and some slightly odd looking bubbly crackers (which visually appeared to have the texture of a prawn cracker). The standout dishes for me were: The Tandoori Chicken - not overly dry, meat still moist, nicely flavoured. Chicken Tikka Masala - also nicely flavoured, although the sauce wasn't as strong in taste as I like. Goat Curry - the curry contained a mother-ton of bones as all good goat curries should do, however the meat fell right off and was freaking delicious. Maybe one to skip if you're not a huge fan of gristle. There were also some excellent Paneer (homemade cheese cubes), Dal (lentil) and Sag (spinach) dishes to keep the veggies happy. When it came to the desserts, they were just out of Rasgulla/Rasmalai (I honestly wasn't sure which curd sweet it was) and there was a sad 'Mango Custard' dessert (bits of fruit in a dubious orange liquid that tasted strongly of evaporated milk), pieces of watermelon and a nice soft serve orange icecream (it didn't taste like mango but I genuinely couldn't work out what flavour it was) with cones, however they had an absolutely freaking amazing bread pudding that was a nice exotic take on a comfort food staple. After tax we paid less than $25 for 2 people to dine out, and there were enough nicely executed dishes to make it feel like money well spent. The Hublet's only minor complaint was that the heat/spice level of the food was very acceptable and safe: he's a hot sauce fiend and we both know just how fiery Indian curries can get, so it would have been nice to have a couple of sauces available to up the heat levels of a dish for those with fiberglass taste-buds. However, everything was very tasty and well flavoured and the food quality was very good. This is a great place to try if you're relatively new to Indian food and would like an easy way to sample a variety of dishes. Here you'll be able to try a range of dishes from different parts of India and build up a better idea of what you like.
(4)David A.
The other restaurants food quality are far better than here. Just ate here today and found a piece of rope or thread in my mouth after a couple bites. And management didn't care/apologize. India house/India restaurant/zesty Indian is better! Save your money
(1)Chris K.
Jacksonville and the Baymeadows area in particular is known for it's Indian food - there are over a dozen Indian restaurants within a few miles of one another. I have had my survey of the best ones, and after careful deliberation consider 5th Element to be the best. The thing that distinguishes 5th Element is not the food per say - it is comparable to the other Indian culinary masters in the area - but the service. I find that many times my Indian experience involves an aloof host or hostess, poor attendance by servers and general awkwardness. The Hostess at 5th Element is extremely courteous and outgoing, and the servers are always fast to attend and very gregarious. The building itself is also the most spacious and beautiful of all the Indian restaurants in the area - the accents on the walls are covered in traditional paintings from Indian history and mythology and it's always immaculately clean and well ordered. A few highlights which position 5th Element over the competition are as follows. First, the lunch buffet is of excellent value! We drive all the way from St Augustine to eat the buffet a couple times or more a month. You have a wide array of Indian dishes clearly made all from scratch, including various obscure dishes which often don't make it into a "standard" Indian buffet. The freshness and variety of 5th Element's buffet distinguishes it above the others. Another really cool thing about 5th element is the soft serve mango ice cream dispenser! They offer complimentary ice cream cones throughout the day - which is the ultimate end to an Indian feast, so refreshing it's hard to put to words. We have also had dinner service a handful of times at the restaurant. Arguably I prefer Indian House on some dishes, but 5th Element is comparable, and the service of the latter always now wins out for me when I make my selection. 5th Element is my "go to" Indian place in North East Florida - and I don't really see a reason to go anywhere else.
(5)Karen And Herb B.
The Fifth Element is our favorite Indian lunch buffet. The food is perfectly spiced, interesting, but not dangerously hot! Good variety on the buffet. And we love the Bollywood music videos. They were also very cooperative in making a carry-out special order (no onion, no garlic, no egg) for some foreign guest of ours.
(4)Kaneil Smith S.
There are several Indian restaurants in the Baymeadows area and 5th Element is my favorite one so far. I don't eat Indian food often but, 4 times a year tops. They have a good selection of dishes to choose from and they are pretty tasty. I like spicy food so I was in my comfort zone. If you are not familiar with what tastes good you can borrow my strategy for unfamiliar buffets : get a little but of everything until you find what taste good to you then you go back and load up on that item. Chicken masala, naan and the curry chicken were all ok. Overall I did enjoy my meal so I'll go back.
(4)Hayley B.
Coming from DC, I'm picky about my ethnic foods. This place is yummy and the naan is amazing, especially the bullet naan (for a kick). The establishment's decorations leave much to the imagination, but service has always been good and the food is delicious! Have yet to try the buffet....
(5)Amanda G.
Delivery is NOT via 5th Element, but rather Door Step Delivery (Jax). You will have to call them directly to place a delivery order. It took roughly about 30-45 min to get delivered. The food was great!! They are very vegan friendly and really capture true Indian flavors. I had the Bhindi Masala, Yellow Dal and Bajgan Bhartha (very spicy). Beware: they will send you what feels like 10 lbs of rice Also ordered the garlic naan and it was simply perfect!
(4)Danielle R.
This is an excellent place if you want to try Indian food but are not sure and just want to taste everything. They have a full buffet for lunch, reasonably priced and separate the vegetarian items from the meat items. Most of the dishes are clearly labeled and include the main ingredients. For an after lunch dessert they offer a fresh "real" chai tea. Oh my! Sooo tasty!
(4)Veronica G.
'm not sure if I will be back. It was my first time eating Indian food and I found it quite good, but my experience was ruined by their lack of hospitality. Indian food is quite hot, no one offered to refill my water at all. Customers around me got theirs, none came to me. I fought the thought that they may be a bit racist. Indian customers and white customers got checked on quite a bit, and with a smile. I didn't. I want to think that maybe there was something else about me. I know I didn't smell, who knows. I could go back and see if I get a better experience but I think I'll take my money elsewhere. I can't remember if I tipped or not. I hope I didn't.
(1)Rakesh N.
We just love this place, good for family. Whenever we feel like having authentic Indian food we drive almost for an hour to reach 5th element.
(5)T M I.
It brings me great pleasure to write a review for this fine restaurant. I have been twice, two nights in a row. The food and service was exceptional in both instances. I cannot adequately communicate how thoughtful and attentive both of my servers were. My water never fell below half full, and my to-go order of Lamb Samosas included the coriander-based sauce that I love! I had the Rogan Josh (Lamb) and it was the best version of the dish I've ever had. I asked for medium-hot, and it was spiced perfectly. When does that ever happen!? I thought I was in heaven. The lamb was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the sauce was complex and full of flavor. It was obviously fresh. In addition to the awesome food and wonderful service, the ambiance is great too! I wholly endorse this establishment. As an aside, the restaurant wasn't very busy on either of the nights I visited, so I don't know how the service is when it's full. But who cares!! The people are wonderful and the food is great and reasonably priced.
(5)Michael A.
Looking for a great restaurant to fill that urge for some Chicken Tikka Marsala? Or some delicious Naan? This place is a MUST then! At lunch they offer a buffet that is OK. SKIP!!!! Dinner (After 5:30pm) If you want the best, come during dinner time! Then, you can order fresh food off the menu and get the food that you really want. The Chicken Tikka Marsala is my FAVORITE here!! Sit down and eat it or order it off of doorstop delivery. It is good no matter how you get it in front of you. The Garlic Naan is ADDICTIVE! I could just eat it all day. The portion sizes are excellent and the prices are just right. The inside isn't over the top or anything, but it does its job well. The booth are comfy as well. Customer service depends on your waiter. The times that I have been there, I had to ask for a refill for water. Overall, the people are really nice there. I would HIGHLY recommend this place!! Nom nom!
(4)Matzy R.
Best Indian food I've ever had! They have it all. I'm very impressed. I came for the lunch buffet. The ambiance is wonderful and the staff were delightful. Will recommend this place to all who visit Jax!
(5)Austin F.
I've tried all the buffets in town- so this gets the nod as I consider it the best of the lot. Rolled in here at opening (11) and was impressed with the line-up. Substantial offerings for carnivores and wimps, er, vegetarians alike. Solid tandoori chicken, great curries, dhal, saag, everything was super tasty. Service was friendly and the milk chai was banging. I've had better naan- but overall this place is solid, tasty and an absolute bargain at $8! I'm sold.
(4)Marie F.
3.5 stars... I'm not a Bruce Willis fan so I had no idea where the name 5th Elements came from. I was caught completely wide mouth when someone said it would be cool if there was a Ruby Rhod character that took our orders. Funny ish (youtube it). I wanted to get the same thing that I always try no matter where I go. So I easily sipped on my mango juice and ordered the dosa and goat masala. The dosa was well made but I found the seasonings dull and the crepe a little bitter. Now when the goat came it was just beautiful. Smelled delicious but after my first bite I had tears in my eyes the spice was just too much for me. There was no way I was sending my food back so I'm letting my food cool as I googled "how to fix food that is too spicy." When I order I asked about the heat level and I based on guide the waitress gave me I should have been able to take it. (shrug). I hope I didn't shame my food because the waitress looked at me kind of funny when I declined tea but told her I needed sugar. I put that ish on everything! Great taste was still there and the heat was lowered so that I could properly eat the food. There was so much food that I couldn't finish and I wasn't able to grab any desert. Waitress got me a to go cup of juice and some extra rice at no charge. Winning! I would love to do the lunch buffet one day but the amount of food offered is just overwhelming. I can't see myself being productive after that feast. I might need to schedule a (cough) sick day. Great service and good food, but I have had better.
(3)Florida D.
I hate to do it, but it has to be done to warn others. Let met start by saying, 5th Element is to go to restaurant for Indian food in Jacksonville. All of my Indian co-workers eat here, which is a the best stamp of approval one can look for. I have eaten here in the past and never had any problems. However, I recently encountered Salmonella Poisoning due to the some undercooked Chicken Briyani. will not be patronizing this restaurant anytime soon. My advice if you do go is to cut into your chicken before biting into it, to ensure it is not pink. If you are mindful, you should be able to avoid any problems, but I myself can't risk it again at this time.
(2)Ed M.
If I were a food writer, I might point out to reviewers that a Bruce Willis film has nothing to do with the name of this restaurant, or that chicken tikka masala can't be 'authentic.' If I were a food writer, I could mention that guessing a spice level and then not being satisfied isn't the fault of the chef, or that regretting not ordering garlic naan has nothing to do with a 'review.' I might offer that reviews aren't meant to be evaluations of how 'happy' you are in your own subjective little world, but are instead evaluations of how well the staff and chef have accomplished the specific set of goals they have set for their establishment, all while fulfilling a handful of universal (not personal or arbitrary) expectations for a restaurant in this country. 5th Element has a menu that attempts to draw from multiple regions within the subcontinent. It is the Indian equivalent of a restaurant that offers Italian, German, Spanish, and French cooking all under one roof, and excels at each of them. Jacksonville is fortunate to have this restaurant -- and that is all accomplished before complimentary mango soft serve arrives. If I were still a food writer, I might continue. Unfortunately, that industry has dried up. I wonder who is filling that role now?
(5)Jessica F.
5th element is my go to Indian restaurant in Jacksonville. The food is good, with plenty of options for vegetarians. They will adjust the spice level to what ever you prefer, including super spicy if you ask. I usually stick to "spicy" level and everything tastes good to me. Ymmv, obviously. There is also a nice sized menu of South Indian items, which is nice to see. The prices are pretty good too. It's not a fancy place, but they have recently done some renovations to the place that have improved the ambiance somewhat. The TV's play Bollywood videos and random Indian music videos that can be very entertaining to watch.
(4)April S.
The lunch buffet has a reasonable selection of curry, meats, vegetables and nan. Can't beat a quick lunch for under $10. Save room for Mango yogurt or a small cup of hot chai tea.
(4)Priyanka J.
Decent place.. decent interiors.. awesome samosas.. ordred a mysore masala dosa which was just okay.. their elaichi chai was good. The manager is good and takes care of every customer.
(4)Alan P.
Great food and a unique experience. It is a buffet with authentic Indian dishes. A great way to try several different dishes without having to buy individual dishes. The staff was great with recommending which sauces taste best with certain dishes. A pleasant unique experience:)
(4)Simply Indian Cooking ..
Good weekend buffet selection which included a decent amount of veg and non-veg options. Based on our experience the restaurant is quite busy during the lunch buffet hours so the service is somewhat compromised but, overall a relatively inexpensive and decent buffet choice. Have not dined a la cart so not sure how the food and service is from that perspective. Enjoy!
(4)Sharon C.
We had the chicken saag and goat curry. Hubs said the goat curry was the second best he'd ever had. While my chicken saag had great flavor, it was almost too spicy even after ordering it mild. The garlic naan was very tasty. I liked how we received an assortment of sauces with whatever that wafer is. Besides the spicy tomato stuff, we received tamarind sauce and a cilantro/mint sauce - very good.
(4)Daniel S.
If you like Indian food, you must come here for lunch. The lunch buffet is awesome, has a nice variety, and is always fresh. It's very authentic, right up to the multitude of misspelled food descriptions posted above the items on the buffet. The decor is ridiculous and awesome.. they have blue ceilings and the TVs either have cricket or Bollywood videos on.
(5)Ryan H.
Been here a few times with my coworkers and they seem to love this place. Me on the other hand it's just meh. Cheap buffet but I'm neither impressed nor disappointed. Service has always been good. I just can't really get excited about it much when they want to go. Go and check it out if you've never been and you don't mind indian food.
(3)Waheed B.
Yay, brown people food! I am obviously biased but now that I have found Jax's closest cousin to Diamond Bar/Artesia in SoCal located on Baymeadows, it's a big deal for me! This is definitely a more upscale Indian establishment with just about every food option. I enjoyed the samosas, chicken tikka masala, garlic naan, roghan gosh lamb and mango ice cream (free!). The mango lassi was good but I prefer it colder/blended with a little ice. Servers were friendly but not as attentive as I prefer. For dinner, it's a la carte and I think a buffet visit here on weekends or at lunch would be a good, cheaper option.
(4)B M.
I have been a frequent guest at all three of the major indian restaurants in Jax (India House, 5th Element and India's Restaurant) and this one is number two on my list behind India House. The restaurant has the most variety out of all three restaurants. Great vegan selection. Awesome staff. The weekend desserts are pretty inconsistent. You pay the little extra for weekend goodness and sometimes this restaurant gives you their B level sweets and eats. The crowd is pretty much always a overflowing here though. For some reason there are always babies here, so if you're looking to eat in peace it's prolly not gonna happen. I will say that I got food poisoning here once but my loyalty brought me back and never had a problem ever since. Oh and if you ever get the orange-ish carrot dessert you are in for a real treat.
(4)Aditya C.
The food is real value-for-money and delicious, but the wait times are a lot. The buffet is especially great.
(5)Akash B.
This restaurant is great for any Indian because it offers both North and South Indian food. Also: People are very friendly. Lunch is in a buffet stlye. Lunch is aweome!
(5)Leslie B.
You have to get the shrimp tandoor and lamb vindaloo. LOVE to dip the naan in the tikka masala sauce! Lunch buffet is 7 days a week - best bang for your buck.
(5)Raj T.
Excellent food. Tastes great. North and south indian were excellent. Nice ambience. Great choices to choose from.
(5)Cam F.
Well priced and nicely presented lunch buffet on a Sunday . A great selection of veggie and meat dishes. The curry goat was fantastic , grilled chicken kebabs , chicken curry, lentils, and a delicious eqq plant fry were stand outs. Some dishes, like the sagg paneer had too much cream in them for my liking , but this is the case for most Indian restaurants. Naan was OK but not the best . Very good chutneys and riatas, and popadoms. Interesting deserts. All round very good!
(4)Elizabeth M.
So I've hesitated to write my review for this place because I had just come to accept that service would be *meh* in most Indian restaurants I frequent however I've had my eyes opened and realized that I did not have to deal with it. Came in with the hubby and child and we were just taken to a table. No idea if we were supposed to serve our own drinks or where to find silverware. We saw some people getting served and others were ignored. We were in the ignored category. The food was decent but the naan had a lot of burnt parts, and not the good kind of burnt. The food selection was typical but nothing special. I think the fact that service was so weird that we couldn't thoroughly enjoy our food with the lack of silverware, napkins and beverage. Or if I was supposed to do everything self serve then i would have been okay with it but I should have been forwarned. The goat was good but had lots of bone. Maybe it was more 60-40 with 60% being bone and 40% meat. Overall it wasn't a horrible experience but it wasn't great either. Not sure if I'll be back anytime soon again.
(3)Matthew V.
Came here for lunch with coworkers and was unimpressed. They had a variety of your staple indian cuisine but it really didn't feel like anything set it apart from other buffets. I tried plates with chicken tikka masala, the chicken biryani, and the goat carne (along with the expected rice and naan) but nothing jumped out as outstanding or even remotely distinguishing. The servers were mildly attentive with regards to filling up water but that was the extent of the service we received, not that any more is really necessary for a buffet. Price wise it was middle of the road for a lunch at 9$ but given the mediocrity I'll keep looking for my go to indian restaurant of the area. Bottom line? Nothing remarkable here.
(2)Simon B.
Very good butter chicken! Hayward's 5000 is a nice strong beer. Had a nice big plate of leaven naan bread, rice and chicken with a delicious sauce that left me wanting more. Don't bother with the unleaven naan however as a $1.99 app they will add to your bill. The atmosphere is really nice, while not everyone would appreciate it, the bollywood televisions are fun to watch. Buffet is lunch only 11am to 2:30pm I believe.
(5)Dmachop C.
Looks like a typical North Indian restaurant - Dim lit halls, busy during weekends and improper communication with the service ( with the exception of a few who converse well in English, otherwise difficult to understand what they say) and sumptuous food. No worries regarding the food but you may be surprised for the low number of items that are missing from a normal indian joint. But the unique flavours backed up with ample quantity leaves you completely satisfied.
(4)Burj S.
Went there for the Saturday Lunch Buffet, regarding the variety, taste and service just one word says it all "Amazing" I would highly recommend this place anytime to both the Regular Indian food lovers and any Newbies to Indian foods! There are 2 separate buffet set ups Veg and Non-veg and both have over 10 dishes to chose from and included is Kulfi, all the soft drinks you want and limitless Massala Tea! This is the best place I have ever been too and very reasonable too (under $11 per person) When in the area we will definitely be back!
(5)Ashish S.
Best indian buffet in town. Nice variety for everyone. South Indian, North Indian, Snacks, Desserts they have all. They should work on their ambience and their utensils a bit as it seems quiet old. All in all good value for money. Would always prefer for buffet vs dine in.
(3)Johnelyn C.
I had the chicken tikka masala. Really good and full of flavor. I was a bit hesitant because I wasn't in the mood for tomato sauce but don't regret it at all. Will come back. Just wish the dish came with less rice and garlic naan instead.
(4)Jase H.
This is the best Indian restaurant in Jacksonville. Wonderful lunch buffet. Always fresh, always full of options, always wonderful service. Some days the cooks are a little heavy handed with the spices, which I love. Shrida and his team are great.
(5)Raiza R.
Absolutely amazing place. If you like authentic Indian food this is definitely the place to go. They have an awesome lunch buffet! If you can't make it to lunch the Chicken Makani or the Chicken tiki masala are both awesome with a smooth, creamy tomato base that is perfect with their rice or some delicious garlic naan. If your vegetarian there's this giant wrap with potatoes and 3 dipping sauces that's incredible. Don't forget to try their mango ice cream!! It's the best!!!
(5)Alok D.
One if the better Indian restaurants in the town specially when u know that many are not around.i would recommend coming here for dinner to get a better dining experience. Had the chicken tikka,paneer kadhai and chicken biryani.All the dishes were warm well cooked and liked the paneer and biryani specially. They changed there chef recently it seems as the food tastes a lot better and delicious.
(3)Anna H.
I love Indian food! Not knowing where in town was the best or even good after more than one poor choice on my part, I would ask my Indian work mates where they went to eat they gleefully told me Olive Garden, Carrabbas, Longhorn or some other chain name. No, No for Indian food! Ah, they all go home to their mothers, cook their own or come here. Well no one ever invited me for dinner with mom or took pity and invited me so I gave this a shot. Once I tried it I knew this was my spot. No much has changed in 3 years except when you show up for Sunday Lunch the mothers are already sitting down with the grandmothers and children galore are happily eating one of everything. There is always a good selection of mild warm and I guess what most americans consider hot. I love hot spicy make my eye, water food and this almost gets me there. Indian spice is very different from Thai or Jerk. I never look at the names I look at the food to make my choices. I have developed some definite faves though; Goat Madala, Lamb Jalfraize (head rush) Yellow Dal and Aloo Gobhi. After you taste buds are totally overloaded, a giant cup of Mango Ice cream or Kulfi will soothe you. I am not a fan but there is Chai and Lassi...I took some first timers to this food style they are now believers. Several of them went back so many times I thought possibly they were getting ready for a Zombie apocalypse, but they ate everything. No to go plates for this group!
(5)Jitan K.
To me, generally Indian food from restaurants is bland and tasteless, not here! I really enjoy the fact that a Indian like me can go to a Indian restaurant and modify what I order (the more spice and garlic the better). The staff is very friendly and accommodating. With many places to choose from on Baymeadows Rd. I always advise anyone from out of town to try this place out.
(4)Jyoti R.
We go to 5th element atleast once a month. The food here is delicious and tastes authentic. Their rates are reasonable and the best part is that they offer you a choice of rice or bread with their entrees. We have never seen any Indian restaurant giving this option. This easily lowers your bill as you don't need to order extra breads and take home the leftover rice. They even give you a choice of tea or mango ice cream for free (and you get to make your own cone). Their buffets are also good and have a huge variety of veg and non veg dishes. Plus its very reasonable. If you are trying Indian food for the first time, go for their buffet as you will get to try various dishes and make your choice then.
(5)April Z.
The food was good but I will NEVER come here again. Me and my dad came here for a lunch buffet. When we were finished, my dad went to use the restroom. We were the only patrons remaining in the restaurant once we were finished eating. A few minutes went by, then all of a sudden the staff turned off all the lights except for the area where I was sitting. There were three televisions on. They turned off the television that was facing me and left the other two on. I immediately got the hint they wanted us to leave. I had no idea if they were closing or not, because none of the staff said anything to me or my father the entire time we were seated except when one of them came over to us and asked if we were finished with the buffet. None of them said anything about closing. Even if they HAD told us they were closing, that was extremely rude for them to turn off all the lights and only turn off the tv that was facing me, when they knew I was waiting for my dad in the restroom.
(1)Michael H.
My wife says 4 stars, I say 3. And perhaps I'm being a bit tough here. The crisp bread (can't recall the actual name but ubiquitous at Indian restaurants and brought immediately when one is seated) was stale. The waiter, very polite, didn't write down the order and so I wasn't surprised that he failed to deliver our starter. My main dish was aloo ghobi, which is unfair for me to judge because I don't even really like it - very bland potatoes. I love cauliflower. Potatoes - meh. Someone who liked the dish might have been over the moon with this rendition, so lets not even count it. My wife reminded the waiter about our starter - Vegetarian Manchurian, and I am so happy she did - it was delicious, but not for the faint of heart - very spicy. The naan was also top notch and my wife's dish, Nav rattan korma, was also very yummy. Other than the glitch with the starter our waiter could not have been more polite and attentive. Would i go back? Absolutely. We are just passing through, and knowing how way leads on to way, I doubt if we will ever. So, I would say good to very good, but closer to good - 3 stars.
(3)Jimmy P.
Went with my coworkers for lunch. I'm not much into curry and spicy dishes so this place is OK. Some dishes are mild. I like the desserts though. It's a nice Indian restaurant with friendly staff. $7.99 for a lunch buffet. If asked, I'll eat there again.
(3)Caron S.
Went today for a group lunch and previously I'd only been to India's Restaurant, Apna and Flavors. All had been good, so I was curious where 5th Element would fit in to my ranking. It had the most options (up there with Flavors, who also had a ton of variety) - easily 2, maybe 3x the amount that India's Restaurant (better atmosphere @ India's - large windows, taller ceilings, simple decor) has. Variety was the name of the game at 5th Element. Some of the items were spicy (I found myself lightly dabbing my brow at one point) and some were mild. There was one with peas and cashews that really stood out. The naan was always fresh and chewy. I loved all the dipping sauces - the tomato one, mint one and tamarind were all great. The coconut one left something to be desired. There were quite a few chicken dishes today and no goat curry, which someone had told me was excellent. Dessert offerings on the buffet included warm chai (definitely sweeten it - super bland without some sugar), a tasty rice pudding with cardamom, mango frozen yogurt (looked like mango color but didn't taste quite like it), a mango creme type dessert AND small doughnut-like holes. The atmosphere isn't anything special but it was clean and the buffet was expansive. I'd definitely recommend for lunch - $8.55 and hours later we're still stuffed!
(4)Raghu A.
Firstly, I was surprised to see $7.99 for an Indian Buffet. Secondly a bit more surprised after tasting the Chicken Biryani with Mutton Curry (My Fav Combination) . Even some of the vegetarian items like Okra Fry, Uttappam with Sambar is great :D You even get a coke with the Buffet ;) Non-Vegetarian items : Chicken Biryani, Mutton Curry is great. Chicken curry is good. Vegetarian Items : Okra Curry, Chana Curry with puri, Uttappam with Sambar stands apart. I heard some other curries are good. Desserts : Gulab Jamun is ok, Rice Pudding is great, Custard Salad is great, Ice cream is good. Overall I give 5/5 rating for this restaurant as you wont get this quality food for this cheaper price. Thanks, RaNa
(5)Deidre B.
I ordered the lamb vindaloo. I took one bite and realized that it was chicken. The texture and color of the meat was also a dead giveaway. My husband kept trying to flag down the waiter, but he was pretty much ignored. When the waiter finally did come to our booth, he kept arguing with me and kept telling me that it was lamb until I told him that lamb is a red meat and the "lamb" that I had was white. He then said "oh, they must have made your order wrong". My husband ordered a platter that is supposed to come with a variety of different meats. He received a total of 4 pieces of chicken and one smushed meat stick (contents unknown). Two pieces of chicken was cooked in a red sauce and the other two pieces of chicken was cooked in a green sauce. They only took my untouched meal off the bill because my husband had to ask them. I left the restaurant hungry and peeved. Fortunately, I was only visiting for that weekend, so I will never come back to this restaurant. I love Indian food and based on the previous reviews that I had read on yelp, I was expecting great food. I can deal with mediocre service, but when the food that a customer orders isn't even what it is, it really makes me question the owner(s)/management(s) business ethics. Future diners, your experience may be different and hopefully better than mine, but this is one Indian restaurant I will never be going back to again.
(1)John S.
Loved the food. I had dinner with my family here three days ago and I'm still thinking about. How many times have you been to a restaurant and still think about it after 3 days - yes, it's that good. This place is will tease your senses of taste, smell, and sight with their colorful food with rich favors. Make sure you bring a big group with you you can try everything. I can't wait to come back and try out their lunch buffet.
(5)Kim H.
The food wasn't hot at the buffet and it seemed dirty at the table...I love Indian food and have definitely had better in Jacksonville....
(1)Jade N.
It all started the year I moved to Jax, when the cool evenings began & the orange-red ombre leaves oscillating in the trees gave way to the ground. We meet through a mutual friend. We took him out to Thai one night & he decided to take us out to Indian. That was when I met her, 5th Element. As Hindi music was playing in the back ground, we made an instant connection. However the time passed too quickly & we had to say our goodbyes. I thought I'd never see her again, as the years passed on I occasionally thought about her. Wondering how she was doing and if she thought about me as well. It was only this past Friday that we met again, since those three years ago. She aged gracefully but you can see the ware the years chipped away at her. We reconnected as if we never lost touch, an old flame rekindled. She still offered her veggie Marsala, jasmine rice, naan with varying sauces for dip, and others that I didn't know the name too. One important thing, she didn't forget that I love her mango ice creme. It was a great ending to our rendezvous. As we said our good byes and made our departure, I could feel the curry pulsing through my veins. I think that was the closest thing to nirvana that I've felt up to this point. It wasn't our final goodbyes but a welcome back to my life. Oooooh 5th Element, how I dream of thee.
(4)Harmony T.
My husband and I go here for their wonderful lunch buffet - $7.99 M-F. We've never been for dinner. It is busy around lunchtime, but you still will find parking and be sat at a table immediately. I like a busy buffet because fresh food is brought out often. Their lunch buffet has a huge selection of options and has two tables of food available, vegetarian entrees on one table and meat on the other. I think that they do a better job on the vegetarian entrees, as sometimes the chicken dishes are overcooked. It's a lot of fun to try the different foods available, and the lunch buffet never seems to be exactly the same way twice. I like to try a little bit of everything -- I'm pleasantly surprised often! Typically if something is really spicy they label it as such. My husband loves spicy foods and his favorite thing is the Chicken 65. My favorite is whatever sauce they are putting those little chunks of homemade cheese in. If something is a bit too spicy for me I eat a little bit of curd rice and it cools it right off. The buffet also has hot chai tea (add your own sugar, it's not sweetened) and mango ice cream. They're a great finishing touch. Additional fun: the TVs inside are always playing Bollywood music videos. The price of the buffet here is the same as to two other places I've been in Jax for Indian lunch buffets, but 5th Element has more food options and is by far my favorite.
(4)Jackson V.
Quality -great. Ambience -so so. Prices - reasonable. Staff - grumpy but cooperative. Take out pricing - sky high. Seating -great. How often do I go there- average once a week. Which other Indian restaurants do I prefer - almost none ( Flavors, India's restaurant etc nearby all suck big time). Competition - Zesty on Baymeadows Rd is one serious contender.
(4)Lakshmi R.
It's nice Indian restaurant. Place is so big and good enough for parties too. I liked this place. They have decent buffet in the afternoon. I visited this place twice. If you want nice south Indian flavour in the food. Don't forgot to visit this place
(5)Ayushi B.
V nice food :) v tried South Indian dishes :) they were simply amazing :) above all it has a nice ambeience. :) overall the food is really nice :)
(5)Prag S.
Very good food and service. Lunch is always well served with alot of options. Haven't been to dinner so can't say much about it. It is more traditional Indian then any other Indian restaurant in town. The environment is good and has TVs in there with nice indian songs on.
(4)Angela D.
I dream of this place! If I don't visit for over a month I just crave this place. They have a great selection of vegetarian dishes. I love their lamb korma when I go for dinner. However, for lunch I always get the buffet. It always has a great assortment. Everything is always full of flavor. So great for the price!
(5)Deepan M.
Probably the best indian food I have had in Jacksonville. Lots of variety on their buffet with each dish having it's own gravy and seasoning. If you go into an Indian restaurant and it is filled with Indians then they are doing something right!
(5)Khaled A.
I am a regular costumer, and my review is: -The staff is normal and very shy sometimes. 6/10 -The location is good and there are a lot of parking lots. 7/10 -The restaurant size is very good. 8/10 -The food is just amazing, I tried many Indian restaurants and this one is really the one. The best dish for me is the boneless chicken biryani. 10/10 - The prices are really reasonable. 10/10
(5)Mindy S.
This was only the 4th time I've had Indian food and it was great! Had their food at a private catered party. My favorite was the chicken on the bone MURGH MALAI KABAB, a cauliflower and potato dish called ALOO GOBHI and a chicken dish called CHICKEN VINDALOO. Must order the chi tea to go perfectly with these dishes. These were so good I must go back and order again soon. YUM!
(5)Tracey G.
Love this place. My husband introduced me to Indian cuisine here and I have yet to try another place. Decent prices for delicious food keeps me coming back. I love the chicken tikka masala with white rice or naan. The naan always comes out soft, warm and buttery. I recently came for the lunch buffet (around $9) and the chicken masala wasn't as good/flavorful as it is when I order it for dinner. Might be because of how much they need to cook for the buffet. I was able to try 2 different desserts, the rice pudding (SOO YUM!!) and what seemed to be a whipped mango yogurt dish which was equally as delicious. The icing on top of the cake is their mango soft serve (free with your dinner). Love 5th Element!
(4)Kara P.
I've been to this place more times than I might have since I moved to Jacksonville. Indian food is the kind of food I forget about until I randomly get a craving and it's all I can think about for weeks on end. Luckily, I was turned on to this place and I've gotta say, I'm a huge fan. I've been here for dinner a couple times and the lunch buffet once. I'm pretty boring and I stick with the Chicken Tikki Masala for dinner along with an order of Bullet Naan. I'm sure the other things on the menu are just as good, but I can't seem to stray from "my usual". I was impressed by the selection of the lunch buffet, had I had known how much there was to choose from, I probably would have made sure I was hungrier before I went there. The people who work there are always super nice and are in good spirits when I accidentally spill water on the table or toss my menu at my dinner companions (this is a warning for any new person who might go to dinner with me, this happens a lot). Go here for dinner first and then hit up the lunch buffet the second time.
(4)Anish T.
Granted i only go there for their lunch buffet but i believe that is really a good way to experience all the deliciousness they have to offer. I cannot comment on their vegetarian items but all their meat items are authentic tasting. The staples - goat curry, chicken curry, tandoori, butter chicken never seem to disappoint. One helping is just never enough!
(5)Ryan D.
I feel like their quality has gone downhill. It used to be great, but now food tend to be cold, and undercooked. Think about curry with undercooked meat... yuck.. Service still the same, nice and friendly. Maybe they can bring the quality back up soon, or else the place down the road (India House) can take over their business.
(3)patty h.
I could eat at this place every day for lunch and never get bored. The idea of buffets may scare some people but 5th element has a HUGE variety of textures and flavors. What makes it even more awesome is the abundance of vegetarian dishes as well as a separate meat buffet line. 5th element is very large, clean and the staff is very quick to refill drinks and clear plates. The buffet is replenished quickly and the staff is very kind. The worst is to be at an Indian buffet and trays stay empty and is never refilled. The buffet cost $7.99 for lunch. You cannot beat it. The food is fresh and so tasty. In my opinion, the veggies outshine the meat at the lunch buffet with the chickpeas and the cauliflower being the stars The mint chicken and chicken tikka masala are divine. So ridiculously good. Suprisingly, you will see Chinese influences in the rice and occassional noodle dish in addition to a scallion pancake. I use to frequent India's Rest as well as Flavors. These two places have predictable buffet. India's Rest buffet has stayed the same for years. Flavors chicken pieces turned into m&m size chicken where you would have to search for the chicken. You think it's chicken and then realized you were duped with an onion or a potato. Flavors also moved to a much smaller space and I feel very claustrophobic in there. Definitely give this place a try for lunch. Lunch buffet allows you to taste everything without having to pay dinner prices. 5th element is a wonderful addition and my favorite on Baymeadows.
(5)Denise M.
Lot of choices in lunch buffet. Food too spicy and not hot temperature. A big no. Indian friend suggested me and was surprised to find that at peak lunch hour there were only 3 tables. I asked the server and she said its south and North Indian food. Could be a lot better.
(3)Mollie K.
This place is a nice quiet and mellow restaurant. The food was good I had a certain dish that I haven't heard before and it turned out pretty good. I will definitely come again.
(4)Monica S.
There is so much more to try at 5th Element! This is AUTHENTIC Indian cuisine for sure. I couldn't pronounce 98 percent of the menu items, and hadn't experienced the majority of them either. There is a huge selection here ranging from Tandoori dishes to a dozen different kind of Indian breads! I had the mixed veg Pakora - which was essentially fried onions and what appeared to be a cornbread textured cake, encasing a hot pepper. It was a huge portion for $3.99, but there wasn't enough veg variety for me to get super jazzed about this appetizer. The Tangdi Kabeb was another story! This was beautifully flavored Tandoori drumsticks! ($11.99) Absolutely delicious! I had the eggplants cooked in a peanut sauce and cream(?), and while this was a very rich dish I wasn't exactly sure how to eat it. I scooped the sauce over rice and that did the trick. This dish was a little spicy, but there was an undertone of peanut oil perhaps that gave the dish a little 'overly roasted' taste. Not bad, but not my favorite. The eggplant was really good in this dish however! I am definitely going back here as there is sooooo many dishes I would love to sample, but I think next time I will bring an aficionado of Indian cuisine to interpret the menu items!!
(4)Venkata P.
If you want to authentic Indian food, this is the place. As tasty as home made and very delicious.
(5)Mandi M.
I loved the food here. It was delicious. Service was mediocre.
(4)Juan G.
I recently moved to Jacksonville and I visited several Indian restaurants. Many of the other ones were good, but this one is definitely on of my favorites. The restaurant is clean and well decorated. The staff is very courteous and the food is great. The lunch buffet includes free chai tea and free mango ice cream. If you are a vegetarian you will probably like the buffet selection, and how they separate the meats on another table. Can't wait to come back!
(5)Stuart S.
Wow! This is a SOLID lunch buffet. I've had Indian food on four continents and this is up there. I was blown away to encounter a dish I've never seen before, in any Indian restuarant: tindori curry. Tindoris (ivy gourds in English) are in the cucumber, gourd and melon family. They're tiny and tasty. The only negative thing I can say is that the meat options are a little lacking. There were a selection of chicken dishes (tikka masala, tandoori, kadai, etc), but none were standouts; all were average and edible. When I visited, no other meat was being served. Still, with so many delicious vegetable options to choose from, you won't be disappointed. Be sure to try the mango soft-serve. If I lived locally, I'd be a regular.
(5)Rodney B.
Baymedows road is ripe with a plethora of Indian restaurants, but the 5th Element is one of the best. They provide a greater variety of entrees, appetizers, and sides then the other restaurants and the atmosphere is laid back. While eating, you are immersed in culture as the Bollywood videos or the Crickett matches stream through one of the 2 flat screens hanging on the ceiling.
(4)Stephanie T.
This place has great options for someone who is a vegetarian. Really good flavors for the ones who love a little kick. The service was great and the mango ice cream isn't something you can leave without trying. I came for lunch and piled my plate full of everything from the buffet line. I was impressed by some of the food, but I just prefer India House more. It's never a hit or miss and you know you're getting quality every time. I would recommend coming here, but prepare to drink water. I'm overhearing someone complain about the spicy level right now.
(3)Edward J.
Really let down. Our service was lame. Our waitress could not make decent recommendations or offer any assistance to us. The food was nothing special. Our grilled tandoori dish was grilled sometime in the distant past and warmed up prior to serving. Our other dishes were just forgettable. We all were sick with the runs and upset stomachs the next day. Threw the leftovers in the garbage. The price is way beyond $10 per person unless you go there for lunch, which must be a buffet judging from the buffet tables sitting idle at dinner time. Just in case you didn't know, buffets are gross and I recommend never eating at one unless you are a cow or swine.
(2)Kathy C.
I usually don't crave Indian food, but when I do, I know there are two good places to go to near my home. One of them is 5th Element. I really enjoy their lunch buffet. There is a wide variety of good food to try and the mango soft serve ice cream is awesome. The only negative I can say about this place is a few times I went, they were out of naan on the buffet and I had to wait and wait and wait for naan. That's like going to a Chinese buffet restaurant and they are out of rice.... The food and the price (lunch buffet) more than make up the negative though.
(3)Amber A.
Great variety. This place gets one of its stars for including delightful mango ice cream in the buffet price.
(5)Ente O.
The last two times we went for dinner, we felt the food wasn't fresh, seemed like it was leftover from the buffet., or they are not cooking them well. sorry to say this, but they used to be way better before....but not anymore.
(2)Eugene P.
The restaurant use to be the Village Inn so the decore on the outside and inside remained relatively the same with a few changes. There are 2 buffet lines which cater to the vegetarians and the meat eaters. They have quite a spread of south Indian and tandoori dishes. Quite a number of their dishes have a kick to it so if you don't eat spicy you're limited to a few items. I would say that my favorite would have to be the goat curry. Finished with gulabjamoon and soft serve ice cream, it was pretty much nap time unless you drank their milk tea.
(4)Harish R.
This place was fantastic. Great service, absolutely delicious food, and a friendly atmosphere. My girlfriend and I have been here twice and will be heading here again. I've heard the lunch buffet is great, but I've only been here for dinner. The prices for dinner are still LOW. I paid $55 (with tip) for 3 full course dinners. Worth it. Dine here.
(5)Eryn S.
Being the first time I've tried real Indian food I think it went very well. To start we had the veg. manchurains at a mild spice. Very tasty and spicy! Then we had the garlic naan. It's my number one favorite garlic bread of all time now. Get it. Get 3! It's so good!! I had the chicken korma, being not well versed in Indian food I went for what looked the safest. It was great! I had it at mild spice and the way the sauce is cooked with the yogurt makes the heat very tame. My boyfriend had the lamb saag. He had it at the hottest they made and he loved it. Also, get a Taj Mahal beer. It comes in business and party sizes and very well priced. The staff was friendly enough and attentive. I will definitely go back.
(4)Jenn G.
Good but not as yummy as Flavors
(3)Johanna T.
we loved it, we eat Indian a lot and in various cities across the world. And many of our friends are Indian so we know Indian food. This resturant is amazing, staff is attentive and nice, I loved watching Bollywood videos. Also the meat is Halal, which is perfect! I'll be back.
(5)Aimee C.
We ate here for lunch on a Saturday. Great service. Nice ambiance. Fantastic food! We had the lunch buffet, and it was amazing. Numerous vegetarian dishes, several meat dishes (including goat, which was fabulous), desserts and fruit. Mmm! The food was also a hit with our two children (ages 8 and 4). We'll definitely be back next time we're in Jax!
(5)Maggie R.
I've only been to 5th Element for their lunch buffet, but that's because it's so reasonably priced ($7.95, I think) and it's open 7 days a week! When I have vegetarian friends in town, this is where I take them. There are SO many choices, and everything is clearly labeled (and delicious)! Be sure to get some soft-serve mango ice cream at the end of your meal!
(5)Avisha Nia W.
My family and I ate here on our way through Jacksonville. I agree with other reviews that you can tell it used to be a chain restaurant but I really don't think you should judge a book by its cover. Who cares what the decor is like, what matters is the food. And 5th Element definitely was worth the bad decor & ugly booths. We went for the lunch buffet which was suprisingly delicious. There was a wide variety of food to choose from and it was all fairly flavorful, unlike most Indian buffets which usually make things too mild. Also $36 for four people was pretty awesome too.
(4)Hilary L.
I have only been to 5th Element once, but during my one visit I fell IN LOVE with the Somosa Chat appetizer. It is seriously one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth. It's a little like the inside of a somosa [potatoey and vegetabley] but is more like a curry. It is perfectly seasoned and is also SPICY, which I love. My husband and I were so hopeful by the awesomeness of the appetizer that when our food came out and was only moderately spiced [we are spicy food lovers and could barely detect any heat], we were kind of let down. Still, regardless of the lacking spiciness, the food was seasoned well and prepared authentically. The decor is kind of hilarious 80's frosted pastels meets a Piccadilly, with overstuffed mint green and mauve booths. It's part of the charm though. I definitely recommend this place for some tasty Indian food [and will be visiting again soon, myself]. If you like your Indian spicy, just tell them when you order to make it hot. Perhaps they [wrongly] assumed we were novices and went gentle on the heat for us. Either way, a tasty, reliable option for Indian dining in Jacksonville.
(4)Matt A.
Best Indian buffet in Jacksonville.
(5)Lincoln M.
Fantastic buffet. The curried goat was excellent. Worth the trip. They have beer, and are very friendly. This was my first Indian Buffet. Brilliant colors on the food. Buffet was not dry and was very fresh.
(4)Megan F.
This is the best Indian food I have had in Jacksonville. Don't be turned off by the shabby-looking building (looks like it used to be an old American chain restaurant, and they haven't done much redecorating). We almost turned around and walked out, but we are so glad we didn't. The menu was huge, so I asked the server for a recommendation. We had curry chicken, a dosa (from the South Indian vegetarian menu), and an appetizer (also vegetarian). They were all very good. The naan bread (served with the curry chicken) is especially worth mentioning. It was just out of the oven. The chutneys were all good quality, also. Lots of yummy food for $22 at dinner time :) I was so happy to find such a place in Jacksonville. Will be back for sure.
(4)Tim J.
Hands down one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at. As we walked in, I was elated to see we were the only two non-Indian descent people in the restaurant. As I live in an area that literally has no Indian food within 50 miles, and moved from an area with GREAT Indian, I was just hoping it would be above mediocre. We decided to do family style, and ordered enough for 4 people, just so we could try everything they had to offer. I am glad we did. the Dosa was divine perfectly cooked, and the filling was great. I can't actually think of one thing that I would want to change about this place. It was very clean, the service was good (not great), but we went to eat for the same reason everyone does: we were hungry. I don't go to restaurants for the service, I consider it an added bonus, so I wasn't swayed enough to knock a star off, as the service was average, just not the caliber of the food. I can't wait to come back and visit, need to try the lunch buffet next time.
(5)dan c.
5th Element is a great addition to the restaurant scene in Jacksonville. Really terrific Indian food and great, hospitable service. Their menu is extensive and has something for pretty much any taste. Our favorite is their huge lunch buffet, which gives you a chance to try a bunch of different unfamiliar dishes without the commitment of a full order. For vegetarians who want some variety, this is the place
(5)Ryan M.
Ok, where to start... from the moment you walk in, there's an overwhelming rose cleaner/potpourri smell that you just can't shake. Completely takes away the appetite that you had for an Indian buffet. If you do come here, get a table far away from the entrance to try to escape the smell. The buffet has a decent selection, but the entree sauces are watered down. There's much better indian within a block in any direction; if you want a great Indian buffet, head across the street to Flavors.
(1)Amber M.
Chicken tikka marsala on the 8.99 lunch buffet! I am not a big fan of buffets but I will make an exception for the 5th element. Awesome place!
(5)Little D.
Been traveling to Jacksonville a lot and being an indian, can't do without indian food for too long. Jacksonville doesn't have too many options when it comes to good food. So I tend to eat at few selected places and 5th element is one of them. I goto 5th element atleast once every week and do a take out dinner. Overall the food is fairly good. If you're not an indian with a taste for indian curry but scared of the spice at the same time, then these guys can mellow it down for you as much as you want. The kids waiting the tables are very courteous and will take good care of you. I have never tried the lunch but looking at their overall food preparation, it can't be horrible. It is slightly pricey but I don't really care much as long as I get the food I want.
(4)Charles C.
1st time here & the food was very good.
(3)René K.
I can not begin to tell you how horrible this restaurant is. One of the worst dinners I've had in Jax and that's saying something. The food alone is enough to make me not want to come back. My garlic Naan was burnt and tasteless. The drinks were awful. And my main dish, "Murgh Malai Tikka", was a shame. Not to mention they used the same seasoned vegetables on everyone's plate. Which, did not compliment my meal. Also, the presentation was pitiful....really, pitiful. The service? Worse. I don't care if they had the best food in Jacksonville - I wouldn't put up with that service! First off, It had just opened for dinner and they had maybe two tables already seated and a ton of wait staff/workers hanging around and no one greeted us. We stood for quite a while and almost left before someone actually came over to us. He didn't say hello or anything - just asked how many. Even though the place was spacious and empty he sat us RIGHT NEXT to the other two tables. Then, he almost broke my glass. After that, he spilled my coke. He then came back and told me they were all out of fish and prawn so I had to change my order. After that, he dropped a menu into my appetizer and splashed it all over the place, took it away and brought back the same thing on a different plate - so most of it was gone. Then, I had to ask for my drinks to be refilled and he made a face at me and sarcastically said "Oh, yeah? Of course..". I'm a chef and I'd be ashamed if anyone I worked with even acted half as bad as the people there did. I also would be out of a job if I cooked like them. I've seriously been to gas stations in the middle of the desert and paid $4 for a better meal and service. Do yourself a favor and go down a couple of blocks to India's Restaurant on the corner of Baymeadows and Southside. Much better food and service.
(1)Ayanna B.
I did not like my Rogan Josh at ALL. Even the Garlic Naan left to be desired. The waitress was really distracted, and there weren't that many patrons in the place. The decor is alright, but they burned a ton of incense and that was not appealing. I am not going back.
(2)None T.
This place gets better each time I go.
(5)Ellen S.
Wow!! I have been to the 5th Element several times, each time at lunch for the buffet. The food is plentiful and varied - lots of vegetable/vegan choices as well as meats (including chicken and goat). Everything's labeled, but with the Indian name for the food, so sometimes I'm not sure what I'm getting. The price is ridiculously low for all the food you can choose from (it's an all-you-can-eat buffet and for two of us we spent about $17 before the tip - you had to roll us out of there!).
(4)