The goat curry was tasty but full of bones. However, cracks in the walls and dust/dirt on the windows was very unappealing. Been here twice. There won't be a third time.
(2)
Will C.
I would of given this place a 5 star if they would keep it consistent. But it is still one of the best. Its usually very crowded for lunch time and during the weekends but worth it. Love their tika masala, butter chicken, and if you like spicy food ask them for some fal sauce! (I think that's how you spell it)
(4)
Arturo R.
Great food, for Dinner And lunch buffet way worth it! Coconut rice is very good. Friendly service.
(5)
Christina R.
First time going out for that type of cuisine and it exceeded all expectations!!! I just started to incorporate a little more spice with my food selection, so I've been a little hesitant with thinking Indian food is too spicy. Boy, I was wrong!!!! The flavors and meal selection was amazing! If you're like me, you should order the butter chicken(orange sweet/salty flavor) you should try "keema nan"( similar to a pita bread texture with meat inside) oooooommmggggg!!!!!! I can't wait to go back and try the buffet to experience more meal options. I think it's also a great date place with beautiful ambiance ;)
(5)
Rania G.
The food? Excellent. I don't know if I love Indian food or THIS Indian food, but it is truly delicious. The complexity of flavors and the variety of options are exciting. I like trying something new every time, and so far I've tried and enjoyed the samosas, the mulligatawny soup, the garlic naan, the chicken korma, the coconut rice, and the gulab jamun. The portions are good, the price is reasonable for what you get, and it warms up well as a leftover. The service? I've always had good service here, and they have always been polite and helpful. The ambiance? The outside of the building doesn't look like much. I do like the decorations when you first walk into the restaurant, but the dining area leaves something to be desired. It feels a like an old and dark room and the tables and benches feel a little flimsy and rickety. The thing is, I don't keep coming back for the furniture, I come back for the food. I highly recommend this restaurant for a large variety of reliably good Indian food. If you haven't tried Indian food, but you aren't afraid of spicy food (spicy meaning full of spices, not spicy meaning tongue on fire), then try a Taste of India. Of course, if you do want your mouth to burn with the fire of a thousand suns, they have those options too.
(4)
Ariel T.
Let me just start off by saying, the customer service was on point. The staff went out of their way to have the table set up and ready for our arrival before sitting down. They were also patient enough to deal with me and my indecisive friends throughout the course of our meal, and gave out good recommendations. Our group ordered plenty, and we began with the vegetable samosas, and my personal favorite drink; mango lassi. I didn't try the vegetable samosas but I asked how they were, and my party said the texture was lacking a bit. The mango lassi on the other hand was more interesting than others I've had in the past because, it contained actual cubes of ice, and I believe to be small pieces saffron? Tart, sweet, and refreshing. From there we ordered a goat rice, butter chicken, garlic naan bread, and coconut mango shrimp curry. Wow!! These dishes were all equally awesome! Plus we each had so much leftover for The next day, because our meals were so filling. Great work taste of india! I'll be back to try your chicken tikka!!
(4)
Celine L.
The first time I went to an Indian restaurant in South Florida, the food was not so great so I made the conclusion that I didn't like Indian food much. But I'm so glad I visited Taste of India because it definitely changed my mind. Their food is authentic and delicious. It's a nicely decorated restaurant with a bar. I came here with my two friends who were more familiar with the menu so they ordered the garlic naan and vegetable samosas for appetizers. For drinks, we each ordered a mango lassi. It's my friends favorite drink, but it's a little too sweet for me. I was between the chicken tikka masala and the butter chicken but since I'm a fatty, I chose the butter chicken.. mmm butter. It was creamy and dee-lish! Next time, I'll get the chicken tikka masala because another table ordered it and it came out sizzling & smelled amazing.
(4)
Brian K.
My neighbors, how are Indian, suggested this place since my wife had never had Indian food, and I have only had it at some events I have shot (photographer). So...last night I talked her into it as she isn't too adventurous with food she isn't familiar with. So, it was raining cats an dogs, and the restaurant wasn't busy. The servers were friendly, but not too friendly...didn't ask if we'd been there before...just kinda got right to it really...not too much personality. We found a good chicken tika masala for my wife and she really enjoyed it. I got the mixed grill which was REALLY good and enough to take for lunch today. they should give you more of the masala sauce off the get go than just the small bowl of it, but the server brought me more. the garlic pita bread was great too. The prices seemed very reasonable for the amount of food you get. It has a cozy atmosphere without taking itself too seriously, but nice bar too. I am looking forward to going back and trying something new.
(4)
Tiffani L.
Garlic Naan and the lamb with the dark sauce. SO delicious. Favorite Indian place Beautiful.on the inside. Great place in Brandon. Must try
(4)
Keval K.
Average Indian restaurant probably the best I've been to in Tampa... I feel Tampa needs a nicer Indian restaurant with a nice atmosphere.. This place didn't have that at all!!!
(3)
W L.
- Naan is some kind of pita-like bread that is dipped in a delicious tomato based sauce. It was awesome. They give you a lot. It's like eating the Carrabba's bread at the beginning and having a moment of dread when your meal comes out because you're kinda
(4)
Lisa M.
Love this place when I'm craving some good Indian cuisine! Highly recommend their butter chicken, garlic naan and assorted chutney's. They have a buffet on weekends that I've never need too but would really love to tey it.
(4)
Gurpreet S.
Nice south Indian collection. Osum platter.... Go for it. Not that expensive and its lot of food. I would recommend.
(4)
Tatiana A.
The chicken madras is literally my favorite dish ever, like, in the world. Service is good and they always have some Bollywood music playing to set the mood. Oh and the naan bread is also awesome.
(5)
Jason C.
Got there 2:20 for lunch and they told me lunch was over and would not serve me. My mouth was watering and I was ready to eat good. What a shame. I don't know if the food is good or not but for the lack of customer service, I will never know
As someone who travels globally for a living (60+) countries, I've been blessed to have had "real" food from all over the world. I have a few friends, who have lived in a variety of foreign countries and we try to get together for "authentic" meals every once in awhile. Two friends lived in India for many years (and wife if of Indian decent) suggested a dinner at Taste of India for a recent authentic dinner and it did not disappoint! We enjoyed a great assortment of appetizers, nan, papad and chutneys. For mains, we ordered a mixed tandoori grill. We also had the butter chicken (yumm), lamb rogan josh (nice & spicy) and aloo gobhi masala (vegetarian)...all washed down with Kingfisher beer. We shared everything. Service was great (group of 7). Food was delicious!
(4)
Reginald R.
Womp Womp.... Okay I'll tell you what they do right first: Garlic Naan. You want to know what they do wrong now? Okay, Everything! Literally you could pull a homeless heroin addict off the street and he could manage this establishment better. This place could be much better with just about anyone else managing the restaurant, but unfortunately they'll have to make due with old man Rahul yucking it up.
(2)
Cheryl A.
My friend and I went to the lunch buffet today. The a/c was not working and when we asked the waiter when it would be fixed he replied "soon." This is the 2nd time we came for the lunch buffet and it is the last time. We first came about a month ago,The AC was not working that time either. They just had the back door flung open no fans or anything blowing. The weather outside is 98° and I could not enjoy my food because I was sweating. The waiter was rude to us and very unfriendly. I will never eat there again due to the poor service. Other customers where also complaining about the temperature. I do not recommend this place.
(1)
Teresa L.
Was here with a group. They handled it well and the buffet was nice. Would like a few spicier options, but understand the need to appeal to a diverse group. Good service, good food, will be back.
(4)
Joy B.
I very much enjoyed my dinner here at Taste of India. I was greeted warmly as I entered this richly decorated place and ordered my refreshing mango lassi. It has a rich and fruity flavor that I have to stop myself from drinking it all on my first sip. Then had several appetizers and loved the tandoori chicken, with its mild flavor and tender meat. I also had the samosas and the grilled shrimp that had just enough spice and flavor in them that your mouth just savors every bite of it. I ordered the lamb chops for my dinner and had a real surprise when it was brought to the table. The lamb chops were all arranged in a circle on a bed of cabbage and surrounded by garlic nan bread- which was really tasty. The lamb chops were tender and with its distinctive taste and delectable blend of spices, it really hit the spot! Finally, I finished my dinner with the delicious gulab jamun- just enough sweetness to end my evening. I definitely would be coming back and would recommend this to anyone who love Indian cuisine!
(5)
Dido J.
Everything in the buffet at lunch or the menu at dinner is good. One star less for the dessert: not many options and I don't like any of what they have. Very nice decoration and friendly staff.
(4)
Daphnne R.
My sister and I have been going to this restaurant for years. We both love Indian food and this is the BEST place we've found by far. The food is always delicious (my personal fave is the chicken kourma) and we always get excellent service. Tonight one of our servers was also our bartender and OMG! The drinks were fantastic! I had a mango mojito & my sister the mango margarita. We were both pleasantly surprised at just how good they were. We also had dessert for the 1st time - we're always too stuffed to make it - and that too was yummy. I always highly recommend this restaurant as the best Indian in the area and can honestly say I've never been disappointed.
(5)
Chris R.
What an incredible place. Cannot say enough about the food. From the variety to the flavors that will leave you begging to return sooner than later.
(5)
Brian F.
We were greeted by a very kind server who sat us immediately. It was a slow evening around 7pm on a Monday. They brought a crispy papa crackers starter with 3 chutneys. The chutneys were delightful one mint/cilantro, one tamarind and one onion/tomato. We ordered vegetarian samosas as an appetizer. Chicken Tandoori, Chicken Masala, coconut rice and nan for our meals. The samosas arrived piping hot dusted lightly in cinnamon. They were deliciously seasoned. Two orders equals four nicely sized pieces. I asked for Raita- a yogurt sauce, to accompany the meal and they were happy to oblige. Our server was very friendly and spoke to us about the different styles of food in India, based on the different areas of the country. It was a very nice addition to our meal. The food arrived as a lovely presentation. I had asked that the masala be medium spicy and it was right on!! The sauce was a sweet and creamy tomato concoction bursting with amazing flavors. The chicken was so tender. The tandoori arrived with a plentiful amount of chicken. Deliciously seasoned as well. This reataurant should be called the Flavors of India. I am not a huge fan of cilantro, but the cumin, chili, cardamom, saffron, cinnamon and coconut flavors blend so well that there are mere hints of the cilantro flavor placed where it needs to be. Nothing was overpowering at all. Dinner was a perfect symphony of delightful tastes and flavors! This restaurant deserves the 5 stars I gave it because from the service to the food, we were beyond satisfied. A truly amazing meal! We will be back!!
(5)
Elizabeth C.
I love this place. The food is amazing. I have eaten in lots of indian food places in Florida and outside of Florida and this place is my second favorite place. The other is in New Jersey. The food is authentic no Uncle Ben's rice here. I took one star away because the service was average.
(4)
Nadine Z.
I love this place everything is fresh and really good.love Indian food buffet is great too good service friendly people
(5)
Debbie C.
Our family loves their food. It's always fresh, hot and spicy. The chicken tikka masala and naan are addicting! We always want more.
(5)
Hardik P.
We were there at 9:45pm which was 15 mins prior to close time. They still said they are open until 9:30pm on sundays even though yelp says 10pm close time. Better call them up, they are living in stone age for not caring about their info on yelp.
(1)
Nina F.
I love Indian food but really haven't had any since I moved to Florida in 2002. So I was a bit hesitant to try this place because my spot in Michigan was amazing. Well let me tell you this place is better!!! We had the calamari appetizer which was such a nice blend of spices! The naan bread was fresh and soft. I had the chicken tikka masala medium spice which was pretty spicy and my husband had the combo biriyani which he raved about. The service was good overall but the food is better. So in all we are extremely happy and now have a new favorite Indian restaurant.
(5)
Justin F.
We had a great lunch here. The buffet items were very tasty with lots of vegetarian choices. The main menu looked so good that we ordered several meals to go. The staff was very friendly. Highly recommend the Baingan Bhartha & the Navrathan Korma.
(4)
Lauren B.
Great service, attentive staff, amazing food. That about sums it up. I ordered the Tandoori Chicken which was spicy and delicious and my mom ordered the Chicken Saag, which sounds really unappetizing but was amazing. The naan was perfect as well. It was such a fun atmosphere and I'm thankful we couldn't finish our meals as I now have dinner for tonight! It's a place I'll definitely be coming back to.
(4)
Jillian ..
This place used to be 4+ stars, but something has happened recently. Ordered mutter paneer and it was in a watery coconut sauce, not a creamy tomato. Daal saag was all saag, invisible daal. Everything was far too runny - not much meat or veg. This was a take out order. I love the service, and I still like going for dinner, but it seems their quality is waning. Which is a shame.
(3)
Florence F.
Went for the lunch buffet and it did not disappoint. Fresh and delicious food. Buffet gives you the option to try several different dishes if you are not familiar with this type of food. Will go again
(4)
Maja M.
First time we tried I was impressed with the decor, service was slow but friendly. Good was good until we had a hair in an entree. I am an extremely forgiving person and did not make a fuss. We tried the place again a couple weeks later and again another hair in our food. Once is forgivable but twice is a habit or lack thereof by their staff. Staff was also incredibly rude to my mother when she asked to speak with management away from the table as to not disturb any of the other guests, they told her to just go and sit down. Horrible guest recovery skills displayed by staff. We will not gamble a third time.
(1)
Carina M.
The most amazing Indian food you could ever have in Tampa,Florida.I love their customer services , they treat you like family and their portions and price are unbeatable.If you ever want Indian food and are in a rush, their to go boxes are huge and they give you fresh naan from their kitchen.Sunno one if the servers is amazing and always gives you the best customer service.
(5)
Vino L.
I'd prefer to give this place a 2.5 stars rather than 3 stars, but the mobile app doesn't offer that option. I was homesick for the tasty Indian food I grew to love as a California resident and yelp led me here. I would not consider this place to be classified as a "fine" Indian dining experience as their exterior sign states. This restaurant server / wait staff seems chaotic, unorganized, and rushed. Overall, I couldn't put my finger on the disconnect I felt, so I'll be detailed and one can decide for themselves. I dined alone tonight and one diner at a table seemed to be a foreign issue for them. When I entered, there wasn't a host or dedicated greeter. Two people were seated at the bar and after about five minutes, a man came from what I assumed to be the kitchen to serve a bar patron and noticed me standing at what appeared to be the host stand. He came from around the bar, stared at me without a greeting and I stated, "Just one for dinner please." He repeated my statement almost in confusion, looked behind him at the dining area, and walked away. I almost felt that I was inconveniencing him. He returned and said a table was preparing to leave, it would be about five minutes, and motioned to their waiting area chairs. While waiting, a 60'ish something male approached the bar area from the dining area and proceeded to verbally rip the employee behind the bar a new one. I have no clue what caused this but I overheard snippets of "disrespectful to elders, poor customer service, and your business will go under - mark my words," with a few colorful profanities mixed in. The employee ignored him and the customer stormed out, to-go bag in hand. An Indian couple entered and an employee spoke something in their native tongue to them and they quickly exited back out the main entrance. Another Indian man entered and the same employee said something to him and he proceeded to the uninhabited dark right side of the restaurant. It was all somewhat odd and about ten minutes later I saw the first Indian man come from the back of the restaurant and go out the front doors again. Seemed like a mix of business and pleasure going on with these folks. 35 plus minutes, two parties that arrived after me yet were seated prior to me, I was seated. An employee walked up and put a black tablecloth on my table. He said nothing and made no eye contact. The tablecloth was dirty, had crusty dried stains on it, and neither of us said a thing. It was an odd interaction, if you can call it that, and I was now worried about sanitation. Another employee approached with a cloth napkin, silverware, appetizer plate, and menu. He was polite, greeted me, and walked away. A different employee brought my glass and poured my water. Before I even picked it up, I noticed small particles floating in the glass. A different employee approached and took my order. I assumed he was my waiter. I ordered samosas, butter chicken, garlic naan bread, and chicken tiki masala. Overall, the chicken tiki masala was my favorite. It was flavorful and the breast meat was tender, chunky, and filling. Garlic naan and butter chicken are usually my favorites, but the butter chicken here is so-so. The garlic naan bread was a tad burnt. The samosas were underwhelming and seemed hard and possibly pre-frozen. To be fair, a man in a collared shirt and slacks stopped by and asked if everything was okay and was pleasant. He smiled and I overheard him checking in on other patrons throughout the restaurant. I'm assuming he was the manager or owner. Once I finished eating, I waited about 10 minutes to identify someone to request boxes from. I was unable to ever ascertain who my server was. In a nutshell, I'm a born and raised Northern California girl with vast Indian food experience. This place was underwhelming and didn't leave me wanting to return but also wasn't horrible. If I craved chicken tiki, I might return... But the lack of attentive service, sanitary serving items, and pure quality dining just left me sitting on the fence. For the amount I paid, which was comparable to your average Indian restaurant proclaiming to specialize in fine Indian food, I just wasn't impressed. Maybe it was an off night, maybe they were short staffed for a Saturday, I don't know. To be fair, the place was packed by the time I left. Either I got the short end of the stick and just an off-chance experience or Brandon just doesn't offer a strong enough Indian restaurant competitor to show Brandon / Riverview patrons how this cuisine should really be served up.
(3)
Mindie G.
This place is heaven, especially if you're gluten free!! I've only had Indian food once in my life before eating here, it was a place in my hometown that everyone raved about but I left thinking "maybe I just don't like Indian food" because I was not impressed, and never felt inclined to try it again. We were in the area and scheduled to meet local family for the lunch buffet at Taste of India. Being gluten free, I called ahead to see if I'd even be able to eat and they assured me there were multiple dishes on the menu and at the buffet that were safe for me, informing me a regular patron of theirs is gluten free and they're very familiar. They made note of our scheduled lunch and knew exactly who I was when I introduced myself upon arrival. It was as if they had been waiting for me!! They had made notes on EVERYTHING in the buffet as to what was GF so I could dish myself up comfortably and safely and the chef even came out to see if I wanted help ordering off the menu vs. buffet, but I went with the buffet so that I could try a little bit of everything! And that I did, and I quickly realized the Indian place I had tried before was not a good representation of Indian food. Everything we tried was AMAZING and I'm so terribly sad I don't live locally as I crave it!!! The owner also came out to ensure my meal was good and said if we ever come back they're happy to mark the buffet again- so if you're GF I suggest calling in advance but even if you don't, I'm confident they'll take care of you! This place is a must try!
(5)
Brooks F.
We went for weekday lunch buffet in late December. Not a whole lot of variety of food if you don't count numerous chutneys. We did try everything, even the chutneys. They all tasted good. It would have been great if hot food were hot. They were warm at best. $10 price per person would be acceptable if the hot food were kept hot. Beer price was fair. We probably wouldn't go back.
(3)
Jessica E.
Very good naan - I was pleasantly surprised by how much we liked the naan that was stuffed with raisins, nuts and cheese! It was so good! The rest of the meal was good but not the best I've ever had. The service was good and the decor was nice. We will go back.
(4)
Hillary V.
Let me preface by saying that this was the first time I've ever had Indian food. I've always been turned off by the smells, but I braved it AND LOVED IT. I had the appetizer (flat tortilla chip-esque things) that comes sampled all the sauces. I liked the spicy red one the best, though I felt like I was going to die from the heat. I had two kinds of tikki masala- chicken and lamb. I also had some sort of potato concoction. All of which was wonderful. The vegetable samosas were a thing of beauty. I loved the garlic naan. To be honest, that's probably because it was highly reminiscent of garlic Italian bread. All in all, my first experience with Indiana food was awesome.
(4)
Joshua T.
My wife and I have wanted to come here for a while. We were not disappointed. It started out a bit awkward with the waiter speaking very low and hovering around while we decided to order. And having two people ask us if we were ready, doing refills and taking our order was a bit awkward as well. That being said...everything else was superb. I had the veggie samosas & Tofu Jal Ferezi. I cannot get across how good it all was. Definitely made up for the initial bad first impression. I will definitely be going back.
(5)
James J.
Great for a nice quick buffet lunch. They have a nice selection of vegetarian and meat dishes, and a nice, friendly staff. You really can't get better Indian cuisine in the Brandon area, and the price is right.
(4)
Naveen C.
No one to greet the patrons once they come in. The staff in the kitchen act also as waiters and they keep moving away from the front desk. I saw that people were walking in every 5 minutes or so and I sure having a dedicated greeter / cashier would go a long way. Also whenever someone asked for a dine in, they had to wait for at least 5 minutes while the table was setup. I saw that only half of the restaurant was in use and maybe they were waiting for a huge crowd to come in before the other part was used. I ordered for takeaway. One gentleman handed over the bill for me to sign and disappeared. Gave the signed bill to another gentleman. After 40 odd minutes received the parcel by which time my appetite and hunger had vanished. Had ordered Konkani Gotla which sounded exotics. But was disappointed to find a very bland gravy with huge chunky pieces of Cauliflower and carrots. There were couple of pieces of ladies finger too. The gravy didn't do justice to soft garlic naan or the excellent onion kulcha. Same for the Vegetable dum biriyani which looked more like basmasti rice tossed with the biriyani masala. Overall a disappointing experience.
(2)
Dennis S.
Couldn't decide between Italian or Indian for a birthday dinner. Saw "Hundred Foot Journey" the night before and decided it had to be Indian. Kadai mushrooms was my choice and it was great!
(4)
Don L.
The best Indian Food around! Try the tikka masala if you're not into "spicy", you won't be let down!
(5)
Michelle C.
Talk about the Best Indian food in Tampa! This place beats every restaurant out of the water. Our waitress was extremely sweet and attentive. We ordered chicken tikka masala, veritable samosas, garlic naan and then we added fried rice for the boys. Everything was beyond expectations. It all came out steaming hot, fresh and so so so tasty! Best place in town!
(5)
Emmanuel R.
To the lady that ordered mutter paneer it is not a creamy tomato sauce that plate is paneer butter masala I eat here every week and order mutter paneer and it's not a coconut sauce it's a cashew paste sauce
(5)
Ameesh P.
This is by far the best Indian restaurant in the Tampa Bay area and what's more is they have two locations to serve their customers. The Chicken Tikka Masala is by far a must have for anyone looking for an authentic Indian dish. The only reason I didn't rate this 5 stars was due to some issues I've experienced on my visits with the quality of service and attentiveness of the servers.
(4)
Amalija D.
I enjoyed the food, but I was not blown away. I remember the naan being tasty.. but sitting there during dinner was uncomfortable due to the ants crawling up the wall next to me. I have not been back since. I did not know there was a buffet, but after trying Silverspoon across the street my motivation to go back has wavered..
(2)
Swan S.
We had a ball at this spot. The decor is a little off, but it was fun and upbeat all the same. We ordered several vegetarian dishes, including naan, mango lassi and samosas for appetizers. The samosas brought the heat, too hot for this American's tastebuds but flavorful. The plain nan was very good, fresh and hot. Vegetable Makhni and Paneer Tikka Masala were both very good and mildly spiced just as requested (although they seemed to have used frozen vegetables) which was disappointing especially after being told that the sauces themselves were homemade and fussed over taking hours to prepare. Again still good. Something else to note is that a lot of Indian restaurants have a hard time grasping very very mild so we appreciated this one as it was done perfectly. Finally, the one entree (consisting of vegetables mixed into the saag paneer spinach gravy) was super disgusting and we had to send it away from the table. It was watery from the frozen veggies being thawed and added to it, and it just made for a very nasty and disgusting mess. That still did not stop us from enjoying a really nice and fun dinner. Service was cool. Very helpful and attentive. I'd especially go back for the Paneer Tikka Masala.
(3)
Dbigdog R.
(Saturday Night, 3 Aug 2013, appropriately 1900) Although the name of this restaurant is "Taste of India," it should be named "Wait, and Wait, and Wait Some More for a Taste of India." Our wait started at the unmanned/woman reception podium, where at the time the only two employees sauntered by. We were a party of four, and finally we were lead to a booth, which appeared to be built for 2 +/- 1. As we were sitting there, my mother-in-law noticed a Battalion of ants crawling up the wall next to her. Unfortunately for her, she forgot her travel size Raid spray and decided to engage in "finger to ant" combat. Sensing that she was getting overrun, we quickly retreated ourselves to another table, since there was no staff member in sight. By now 45 minutes had passed with no apps or waiter. Finally I flagged down one occasional staffer passing by to let them know we had not placed our order. Moments later we placed our order, we ordered a variety of dishes (2 chicken, lamb and goat). Much to our surprise the food was very good. It was seasoned just right and very flavorful. I was finally able to get a headcount on the number of employees.......my count came to 4!! I found this very hard to believe for a Saturday Night. We finally left at 2130, and as we were leaving we noticed another group coming in. By my calculation, they probably left there in time to catch the Sunrise special at IHOP Sunday morning.
(3)
Anu N.
my two cents: AVOID THIS PLACE. They compromise on quantity and quality. I wish I could complaint the owner.
(1)
Sunny K.
Best Indian food I have ever had- consistently. I ate here monthly or more for 3 years and never had a bad experience. I love the onion chutney, uttapam, lamb curry and ressum to name a few. Weekends are more expensive but 'Chaat' is included as well as fresh-to-your-table masala dosa! ............Mmmmmmmmmmmmm
(5)
larry l.
We went for the Sunday buffet...We had been once before when the restaurant first opened and the first experience was bad because they were mobbed with people and they just couldn't keep any food on the buffet but we gave them another chance and Im sorry to say it was really bad. I love Indian food,i cook Indian food and what was on the buffet the day we went was terrible...The best thing I tasted was the rice...yes...the rice! Nothing was spicy..It was all bland...I looked around and there were no Indians eating there and I guess that's why...The other BAD thing is the a/c was not working...Ever eat heavy Indian food with no A/c? One girl told us it had been broken for 2 days and but the owner acted like it was the first he had heard of it when we complained. There were more workers than diners when we were there but we had a hard time getting water refills...When we tried to pay,we waited 10 minutes for somebody to show up to take the money...I wont be back...Two strike rule. There is a new place across the street called "The Silver Spoon" Pakistani cuisine...and I wish to God we had gone there...their stuff looked SO much better...I could go on and be more critical of the food but I think you get my drift...it was really bad.
(1)
Shenia J.
The food was actually delicious. We were one of the last groups to leave as the restaurant was closing. However, as we were about to leave a small roach crawled under our table. For that reason I can't give a good rating.
(2)
Jonathan T.
First time trying Indian food and thought it was delicious. My only problem was the service. It wasn't packed or anything and I had to ask for refills twice.
(3)
Sheba S.
Delicious food! I wish I lived closer so I could go more often. I enjoy everything on the buffet and especially the rice pudding dessert. The service has been consistently friendly and the decor is cute.
(4)
Camaron A.
This visit was way out of left field for me on account of I usually spend Christmas Eve incorporating the Feast of the 7 Fishes as I have for the past 40+ years.. We arrived there around 9 and the place was busier than usual with a additional party of 12 seated in the room to right that is normally not used. Back home with the exception of diners, restaurants are usually closed on the Eve. George the owner seated us actually on account of them extremely busy, We ordered our usual fare with the exception we usually try a new appetizer to mix things up just a bit. I personally would be more apt to try some of their more Phallesque menu options. However my business partner usually split 2 entrees and prefers something less spicy which for the past several visits consisted of Chicken Kourma and the Medley Byrani. Even tho it was a holiday and they were busier than usual, the waiters and chef did not disappoint, Food as usual was outstanding. Simple summary , come here you will not be disappointed! When you come ,Say hello to Blondie and tell em I sent you.
(5)
Angela T.
I love this place!!! We have been coming here for years and always leave super full and super happy. The food is great and the service is so nice. They are not always the fastest but always smiling and kind to us. Recommend the Peshwari Naan and the Chicken Kourma...Deliciousness!!!
(5)
Jeremy T.
Went here on a recommendation from my wife's colleague at work and absolutely loved the place. Everything was delicious and filling. The service was a little slow compared to a typical American restaurant, but it cannot be helped because a majority of these things take more time to make. They are very accommodating to special requests, also they help the patron out in describing what the item is on the menu. I have eaten at better Indian places, but not in the Brandon area. I would say their lunch rush is a better fare than the dinner options, you can tell that by the crowd, but it's a nice place to have an intimate dinner out when it's not as busy.
(4)
Sarah S.
I have loved everything I've gotten here! Korma, tikka masala, kofta...it's all been delicious. An appetizer that is way too addictive is the chile baby corn. The sampler is a good way to try out some different items, too. I have always been impressed by the wait staff (correct order taking and serving order etiquette was unexpected!). Definitely making this a regular!
(4)
Akash M.
By far the best Indian restaurant in Tampa. The weekday buffet for $8.95 is great. Service is okay. May be its just me, but I like this better than the one on Fowler Avenue.
(4)
Chrissss D.
We love this sometimes a bit chaotic Indian restaurant. You need a bit of patience for the servers to get your food started and your drinks on the table, but it's all good from there. The flavors are to die for! We usually order Chikken Tiki Masala, Saag Paneer and lamd korma and some naanbread and chutney. Than we share the dishes. It's great! Order as many dishes as you have persons, plus one. Today we tried something new: Chicken Chutney Wala and the Kerala Fish Curry. Oh man! Both to die for! The fish was a bit spicy at first bite, but the heat was fast gone with a bit of Mango Chutney. The unique flavor was so delicious! Hm hm hm. I still get a dreamy look thinking about it. We keep going back, and this restaurants keeps surprising us. Each bite is a party with distinct flavors to enjoy. Take your time, have a bit of patience and eat slow. It's worth it!
(4)
Cheryl H.
I was soooo disappointed. I ordered from the vegetarian section. Vegetables in an almond and cashew cream sauce. The sauce was great over rice, but the veggies were frozen and there were barely any in the sauce. I asked the waitress if they were indeed frozen veggies and she said yes...from Restaurant Depot. Really??? If you order from a vegetarian menu and that was all that was in your meal, wouldn't you expect fresh AND enough to fill you? The Roti was ok...won't be back. I spent 11.00 for a small bowl of rice, some sauce, and a few frozen veggies.
(2)
Doug G.
The Tomato Rasam soup is absolutely amazing and the major reason I go to the restaurant. I get the chicken Tika Masala at every Indian restaurant I go to and Taste of India's is always very good. Be careful when ordering the spiciness of your food. When you ask for HOT they WILL deliver!! I also LOVE their mango lassi !! Great place to eat and I recommend it to all.
(4)
Johnny C.
3rd visit and I realise that a group of 34 people adds a different dynamic than a table of 4 but I had just 50% success with the two dishes I ordered, not with the quality of the meat (sometimes an issue in different restauranats) but with the heat level requested, yes I like it hot :) BTW the lamb improved and that was the better of the dishes ordered. Will be there again for another expats dinner but it will be a buffet so I don't know how that will work out ??
(4)
Benny B.
It's really great! You can pretty much order anything and make it just the way it should be. This fabulous batch of vegetarian dishes are to die for. However I think they need to improve their service as it takes a while to get peoples attention
(3)
Arrie P.
What can I say I love love love it. The buffet bar very yummy fresh.
(5)
Vitaly V.
Nice restaurant, good food will definitely come back
(5)
Nicole Leigh S.
Oh my word, I love this place. I go on average once a week. It's just down the way from work and the lunch buffet is not only fairly priced but DELICIOUS. Services can be a little slow, but if you give them a heads up that you're on a schedule they are pretty accommodating. Negatives? As my complaint is with most American restaurants there's not enough spice. No heat. And being buffet style you can't help that, but either way, I love the food. Also- ENDLESS NAAN?!?! That's winning on all levels! It's what Charlie Sheen would ask for if he ate here! DUH! BOOM! WINNING! Anyway, I would, and do, recommend this place to anyone looking for Indian in the Brandon area.
(4)
Ashley B.
This is by far the best Indian restaurant in the Tampa Bay area - the other reviews that say this are not exaggerating. My father-in-law is Indian and always makes it a point to visit this place when he's in town. Agree with the 8/5/2013 review that the service is very, very slow. I disregard that in my review because, to me, it has never mattered. The food is so worth it. Also, now that we have a toddler, we visit the lunch buffet on the weekends, so the service does not matter at all. Tons of vegetarian/vegan selections if that floats your boat. Wonderful restaurant!!
(5)
Lola B.
This is the first time I have had Indian food. While I am not normally a buffet person, it gave me the opportunity to try many different items to determine what I liked. I really enjoyed the flavors and the bread is awesome! The only reason I did not give it 5 stars was due to the slow service.. Took way too long to bring/refill our drinks same thing with the check.
(4)
JEWELe M.
I, too, am pretty surprised by the reviews of this establishment! My friends and I actually enjoyed the lunch buffet and the service was pretty reasonable as well (for a lunch buffet). I especially enjoyed the gulab jamun they offered for dessert. Gulab jamun is one of my favorite Indian/Paki/Sri Lankan desserts and you rarely see it at an Indian lunch buffet! Besides the awesome dessert, the naan, curries, and chutneys were delicious! As long as the Indian dishes have a lot of sauce to dip the naan and there is a lot of spice to make my tastebuds dance, I'm happy! Also, to the comments that the place may not be vegetarian-friendly....I'm not sure which part of India the cooks are from, but depending on the region will determine how well they make their vegetarian dishes. Only 2 of my close Indian friends are strict vegetarians (the others are Christian and eat meat), so they explained to me that depending on the region, the cooking varies. Anyways, I definitely plan to go back when I visit my friends in the area, especially around lunch time!
(4)
Mike G.
Some Awesome Indian food with my beautiful plus 1 for lunch. Buffet is awesome. The Goat Curry is probably my favorite. Everything on the buffet is very tasty with lots of flavor and some heat. Definitely one of my favorite places in Brandon. The mid day wait staff is a bit weak but beyond that they are very friendly and fantastic food. And they serve beer, which is a plus to alot of people.
(4)
Clay E.
Poor Indian food, non existent service. Won't be back!
(1)
Da P.
I'm surprised to see the negative reviews. We've been there at least 10 times, mostly in the weekends (lunch or dinner), and have no complaints. Their non-vegetarian entrees taste better than the vegetarian entrees, IMO. Their weekend lunch buffet has a wider variety of items than most other Indian restaurant buffets in the area. The decor is nice and the restaurant is clean. I would and have recommended it to friends and family.
(4)
Cathy J.
Mmmm....Indian food. How I love thee. I've had the pleasure of dining at all of the Indian restaurants in the Sarasota area, but since my career has moved me into Hillsborough County, my quest for new ethnic feeding locales began. I have dined at Taste of India for both work and pleasure and have greatly enjoyed my experience each time. Most recently, I used Taste of India for a work-related dinner program and was able to sample a multitude of delicious dishes they had to offer. Some of my favorites included the garlic shrimp, meen pollichathu, vegetable samosa and we enjoyed a few of the mixed appetizer platters which included pakora, chicken kabob, samosa and lamb kabob. For entrees I have had both the chicken tikka masala and the butter chicken. I loved them both and ordered each one spicy because, you know, I can hang. I definitely recommend Taste of India for your Indian food cravings. It is also a great venue to consider for a private meeting or dinner function, as there is a room off to the right where they are able to accomodate a large group. The restaurant also has a projector and screen available to you free of charge for your presentation needs. Great experience!
(5)
Shera F.
Very good food. I have visited this establishment many times and have tried many dishes and i have never been disappointed. All of the dishes taste fresh. They are also quit good at judging how much heat to put in the food for different people. I only give 3 stars because of the slow service. The wait staff is very friendly but slow. You can not be in a hurry when you go, even drinks take along time to arrive to the table.
(3)
Annette G.
I don't like giving 1 star reviews, but in this case, it's warranted. Not going to rehash the whole evening but here's why it bombed out for me. 1) The service. While everyone was very friendly, service was slllllooooooow. The mango lassi never came and it took an hour to get our appetizer. When it finally did come, it was very disappointing. The vegetable pakora here is just chunks of deep fried veggies, mostly sliced potato and onion rings. I wanted the dumplings, but this would have been OK if the veggies had been cooked all the way through. The potato was still frozen\raw in the center. 2) When dinner arrived, about 20 mins or so after the app, it was good until the second helping when a very long hair was found in the food. And by found in the food, I mean my boyfriend actually had to spit it out. At that point, we both lost our appetite and wanted to leave. After discussing what happened with several people, none of whom would say whether they were a manager, and being offered free ice cream and free buffet coupons, we were given our bill with both entrees taken off (drinks and apps were still included). This kind of thing happens sometimes, and it's unpleasant for all when it does. It may just be a one time thing... but sometimes it only takes one bad experience to ruin a place for you.
(1)
James B.
First experience there. Recommended to me by a friend. Absolutely wonderful food!!!
(5)
SarahJayn K.
This place does not look that great on the outside, but don't judge a book by its cover! The inside is really nice, the staff is friendly and helpful, and the food is amazing. They had the best vegetable korma I've ever eaten in my life! I would definitely go back.
(5)
Denise S.
Wonderfully flavorful food and an accomodating staff. Dark interior lends itself to romantic dining. You feel almost transported to another world. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Nick Z.
So far - excellent veggie samosas and very good garlic naan. Good service as well. My dinner companions report that their shrimp dish and fish curry are very good. My completely unimaginative choice of chicken tikka masala is outstanding. We were also impressed by the variety and number of vegetarian and seafood dishes. I would say the price - at least at dinner - is $$$, not $$.
(4)
Linda J.
We had chicken tikka masal in a tomato sauce that was very good. Tandoori grilled mix and an excellent vegetable dish with cauliflower and potatoes. All nicely presented and tasty. Naan bread was very good, especially the nut one. Although I have had better Indian food, the meal was good and the restaurant attractive.
(4)
Roxane L.
The chicken madras is super yummy and the garlic nan is amazing! A definite if you like Indian food. Try the drink they make in a real coconut too!
(4)
A. N.
I used to love Taste of India. Lots of vegetarian options, everything tasted fresh, not too spicy, and the service was great. We used to joke that the servers were too attentive because they don't seem to assign just one to a table so someone came by every couple of minutes asking if we were okay. On our most recent trip, it was miserable. Half of the restaurant was dark and closed off even though one couple was waiting before us for a table. We waited for what felt like a really long time before being seated. Then we waited for a really long time to get a tablecloth and plates and silverware. Then we waited for a really long time to get water. Then we waited for a really long time to have our order taken. It felt like six lifetimes between when the appetizer came and when our entrees finally arrived. This was all highly annoying and we could see that every other table was having the same experience. One table waited for close to 40 minutes for a bill and during that time a server came by with plates for them as if to feed them again when they were clearly waiting for a bill with their to-go boxes in hand. The saddest part though is that the food wasn't as good as it used to be. The samosas were really greasy and tasted like they might have been sitting around a while then refried. Pretty devastating. I mourn you, Taste of India of yore.
(2)
ryan w.
Food is great, gave lower star because price point is pretty high. Ctm is favorite dish here. Use mobile meals to get delivered to Apollo beach area to save the drive.
(3)
Lynne H.
I'm so sorry to hear about the bad experiences that several have had here. We've been several times, and have had pleasant, fun experiences each time. Very attractively decorated. LOVE Phil on Friday nights - he's talented, fun and likes to make sure the guests have a good time. We're no experts on Indian food, so perhaps we don't have a frame of reference to compare to others, but the dishes we've tried have been very tasty. The servers were attentive and patient with all of our questions. They even made recommendations for us that we enjoyed. Still a thumbs-up for us!
(4)
Aaron F.
Great food; great place to enjoy an evening. Music night is a blast; serving sizes are large.
(4)
TJ M.
I agree Annette G.'s comment about this restaurent. I personally think it's not vegetarian friendly. The food that we ordered was horrible. "Saag Paneer" was terribly cooked and it didn't even look like palak paneer. We had ordered a mixed vegetable dish: it was so sour with no flavor. And, when asked to replace it. I asked for Creamy Paneer: and it was watery with no flavor again. The service was okay, but the food is extremely horrible. I almost wanted to have a fight with a manager, but because of my husband I didn't say anything. But, guess what they will definitely never see us again. And, potential customers that I would have brought to them... The food we had was just extremely bad. And way too expensive for the service and the quality of the food. Good Luck!!!!!
(1)
Liz G.
We have eaten dinner at this restaurant once and lunch once. Both times were good experiences. Both times the place was filled with Indian families, so I assume the food is authentic, but I cannot tell you for sure because I am not Indian. At lunch, they have a buffet. Service was friendly.
(4)
ryan m.
No business has survived very long in this location, but I'm really pulling for this place, as it is now at the top of my list of places to eat. The atmosphere is good, service is great, and most importantly, the food is perfect. Try the chicken tikka masala - you won't regret it.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
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.
Craig B.
The goat curry was tasty but full of bones. However, cracks in the walls and dust/dirt on the windows was very unappealing. Been here twice. There won't be a third time.
(2)Will C.
I would of given this place a 5 star if they would keep it consistent. But it is still one of the best. Its usually very crowded for lunch time and during the weekends but worth it. Love their tika masala, butter chicken, and if you like spicy food ask them for some fal sauce! (I think that's how you spell it)
(4)Arturo R.
Great food, for Dinner And lunch buffet way worth it! Coconut rice is very good. Friendly service.
(5)Christina R.
First time going out for that type of cuisine and it exceeded all expectations!!! I just started to incorporate a little more spice with my food selection, so I've been a little hesitant with thinking Indian food is too spicy. Boy, I was wrong!!!! The flavors and meal selection was amazing! If you're like me, you should order the butter chicken(orange sweet/salty flavor) you should try "keema nan"( similar to a pita bread texture with meat inside) oooooommmggggg!!!!!! I can't wait to go back and try the buffet to experience more meal options. I think it's also a great date place with beautiful ambiance ;)
(5)Rania G.
The food? Excellent. I don't know if I love Indian food or THIS Indian food, but it is truly delicious. The complexity of flavors and the variety of options are exciting. I like trying something new every time, and so far I've tried and enjoyed the samosas, the mulligatawny soup, the garlic naan, the chicken korma, the coconut rice, and the gulab jamun. The portions are good, the price is reasonable for what you get, and it warms up well as a leftover. The service? I've always had good service here, and they have always been polite and helpful. The ambiance? The outside of the building doesn't look like much. I do like the decorations when you first walk into the restaurant, but the dining area leaves something to be desired. It feels a like an old and dark room and the tables and benches feel a little flimsy and rickety. The thing is, I don't keep coming back for the furniture, I come back for the food. I highly recommend this restaurant for a large variety of reliably good Indian food. If you haven't tried Indian food, but you aren't afraid of spicy food (spicy meaning full of spices, not spicy meaning tongue on fire), then try a Taste of India. Of course, if you do want your mouth to burn with the fire of a thousand suns, they have those options too.
(4)Ariel T.
Let me just start off by saying, the customer service was on point. The staff went out of their way to have the table set up and ready for our arrival before sitting down. They were also patient enough to deal with me and my indecisive friends throughout the course of our meal, and gave out good recommendations. Our group ordered plenty, and we began with the vegetable samosas, and my personal favorite drink; mango lassi. I didn't try the vegetable samosas but I asked how they were, and my party said the texture was lacking a bit. The mango lassi on the other hand was more interesting than others I've had in the past because, it contained actual cubes of ice, and I believe to be small pieces saffron? Tart, sweet, and refreshing. From there we ordered a goat rice, butter chicken, garlic naan bread, and coconut mango shrimp curry. Wow!! These dishes were all equally awesome! Plus we each had so much leftover for The next day, because our meals were so filling. Great work taste of india! I'll be back to try your chicken tikka!!
(4)Celine L.
The first time I went to an Indian restaurant in South Florida, the food was not so great so I made the conclusion that I didn't like Indian food much. But I'm so glad I visited Taste of India because it definitely changed my mind. Their food is authentic and delicious. It's a nicely decorated restaurant with a bar. I came here with my two friends who were more familiar with the menu so they ordered the garlic naan and vegetable samosas for appetizers. For drinks, we each ordered a mango lassi. It's my friends favorite drink, but it's a little too sweet for me. I was between the chicken tikka masala and the butter chicken but since I'm a fatty, I chose the butter chicken.. mmm butter. It was creamy and dee-lish! Next time, I'll get the chicken tikka masala because another table ordered it and it came out sizzling & smelled amazing.
(4)Brian K.
My neighbors, how are Indian, suggested this place since my wife had never had Indian food, and I have only had it at some events I have shot (photographer). So...last night I talked her into it as she isn't too adventurous with food she isn't familiar with. So, it was raining cats an dogs, and the restaurant wasn't busy. The servers were friendly, but not too friendly...didn't ask if we'd been there before...just kinda got right to it really...not too much personality. We found a good chicken tika masala for my wife and she really enjoyed it. I got the mixed grill which was REALLY good and enough to take for lunch today. they should give you more of the masala sauce off the get go than just the small bowl of it, but the server brought me more. the garlic pita bread was great too. The prices seemed very reasonable for the amount of food you get. It has a cozy atmosphere without taking itself too seriously, but nice bar too. I am looking forward to going back and trying something new.
(4)Tiffani L.
Garlic Naan and the lamb with the dark sauce. SO delicious. Favorite Indian place Beautiful.on the inside. Great place in Brandon. Must try
(4)Keval K.
Average Indian restaurant probably the best I've been to in Tampa... I feel Tampa needs a nicer Indian restaurant with a nice atmosphere.. This place didn't have that at all!!!
(3)W L.
- Naan is some kind of pita-like bread that is dipped in a delicious tomato based sauce. It was awesome. They give you a lot. It's like eating the Carrabba's bread at the beginning and having a moment of dread when your meal comes out because you're kinda
(4)Lisa M.
Love this place when I'm craving some good Indian cuisine! Highly recommend their butter chicken, garlic naan and assorted chutney's. They have a buffet on weekends that I've never need too but would really love to tey it.
(4)Gurpreet S.
Nice south Indian collection. Osum platter.... Go for it. Not that expensive and its lot of food. I would recommend.
(4)Tatiana A.
The chicken madras is literally my favorite dish ever, like, in the world. Service is good and they always have some Bollywood music playing to set the mood. Oh and the naan bread is also awesome.
(5)Jason C.
Got there 2:20 for lunch and they told me lunch was over and would not serve me. My mouth was watering and I was ready to eat good. What a shame. I don't know if the food is good or not but for the lack of customer service, I will never know
(1)Miranda V.
Delicious!! I recently moved from CA where Indian food is very easy to come by and was yearning for a good place...I've found it! We ordered the lollipop wings (spicy) as an appetizer, the chicken tikka masala and lamb saag gosht as our entree along with naan bread. I loved it, but I love indian food, my fiancé thought it was so so, but he didn't know what he was talking about. Go here, your heart will be happy :)
(5)Robin Z.
As someone who travels globally for a living (60+) countries, I've been blessed to have had "real" food from all over the world. I have a few friends, who have lived in a variety of foreign countries and we try to get together for "authentic" meals every once in awhile. Two friends lived in India for many years (and wife if of Indian decent) suggested a dinner at Taste of India for a recent authentic dinner and it did not disappoint! We enjoyed a great assortment of appetizers, nan, papad and chutneys. For mains, we ordered a mixed tandoori grill. We also had the butter chicken (yumm), lamb rogan josh (nice & spicy) and aloo gobhi masala (vegetarian)...all washed down with Kingfisher beer. We shared everything. Service was great (group of 7). Food was delicious!
(4)Reginald R.
Womp Womp.... Okay I'll tell you what they do right first: Garlic Naan. You want to know what they do wrong now? Okay, Everything! Literally you could pull a homeless heroin addict off the street and he could manage this establishment better. This place could be much better with just about anyone else managing the restaurant, but unfortunately they'll have to make due with old man Rahul yucking it up.
(2)Cheryl A.
My friend and I went to the lunch buffet today. The a/c was not working and when we asked the waiter when it would be fixed he replied "soon." This is the 2nd time we came for the lunch buffet and it is the last time. We first came about a month ago,The AC was not working that time either. They just had the back door flung open no fans or anything blowing. The weather outside is 98° and I could not enjoy my food because I was sweating. The waiter was rude to us and very unfriendly. I will never eat there again due to the poor service. Other customers where also complaining about the temperature. I do not recommend this place.
(1)Teresa L.
Was here with a group. They handled it well and the buffet was nice. Would like a few spicier options, but understand the need to appeal to a diverse group. Good service, good food, will be back.
(4)Joy B.
I very much enjoyed my dinner here at Taste of India. I was greeted warmly as I entered this richly decorated place and ordered my refreshing mango lassi. It has a rich and fruity flavor that I have to stop myself from drinking it all on my first sip. Then had several appetizers and loved the tandoori chicken, with its mild flavor and tender meat. I also had the samosas and the grilled shrimp that had just enough spice and flavor in them that your mouth just savors every bite of it. I ordered the lamb chops for my dinner and had a real surprise when it was brought to the table. The lamb chops were all arranged in a circle on a bed of cabbage and surrounded by garlic nan bread- which was really tasty. The lamb chops were tender and with its distinctive taste and delectable blend of spices, it really hit the spot! Finally, I finished my dinner with the delicious gulab jamun- just enough sweetness to end my evening. I definitely would be coming back and would recommend this to anyone who love Indian cuisine!
(5)Dido J.
Everything in the buffet at lunch or the menu at dinner is good. One star less for the dessert: not many options and I don't like any of what they have. Very nice decoration and friendly staff.
(4)Daphnne R.
My sister and I have been going to this restaurant for years. We both love Indian food and this is the BEST place we've found by far. The food is always delicious (my personal fave is the chicken kourma) and we always get excellent service. Tonight one of our servers was also our bartender and OMG! The drinks were fantastic! I had a mango mojito & my sister the mango margarita. We were both pleasantly surprised at just how good they were. We also had dessert for the 1st time - we're always too stuffed to make it - and that too was yummy. I always highly recommend this restaurant as the best Indian in the area and can honestly say I've never been disappointed.
(5)Chris R.
What an incredible place. Cannot say enough about the food. From the variety to the flavors that will leave you begging to return sooner than later.
(5)Brian F.
We were greeted by a very kind server who sat us immediately. It was a slow evening around 7pm on a Monday. They brought a crispy papa crackers starter with 3 chutneys. The chutneys were delightful one mint/cilantro, one tamarind and one onion/tomato. We ordered vegetarian samosas as an appetizer. Chicken Tandoori, Chicken Masala, coconut rice and nan for our meals. The samosas arrived piping hot dusted lightly in cinnamon. They were deliciously seasoned. Two orders equals four nicely sized pieces. I asked for Raita- a yogurt sauce, to accompany the meal and they were happy to oblige. Our server was very friendly and spoke to us about the different styles of food in India, based on the different areas of the country. It was a very nice addition to our meal. The food arrived as a lovely presentation. I had asked that the masala be medium spicy and it was right on!! The sauce was a sweet and creamy tomato concoction bursting with amazing flavors. The chicken was so tender. The tandoori arrived with a plentiful amount of chicken. Deliciously seasoned as well. This reataurant should be called the Flavors of India. I am not a huge fan of cilantro, but the cumin, chili, cardamom, saffron, cinnamon and coconut flavors blend so well that there are mere hints of the cilantro flavor placed where it needs to be. Nothing was overpowering at all. Dinner was a perfect symphony of delightful tastes and flavors! This restaurant deserves the 5 stars I gave it because from the service to the food, we were beyond satisfied. A truly amazing meal! We will be back!!
(5)Elizabeth C.
I love this place. The food is amazing. I have eaten in lots of indian food places in Florida and outside of Florida and this place is my second favorite place. The other is in New Jersey. The food is authentic no Uncle Ben's rice here. I took one star away because the service was average.
(4)Nadine Z.
I love this place everything is fresh and really good.love Indian food buffet is great too good service friendly people
(5)Debbie C.
Our family loves their food. It's always fresh, hot and spicy. The chicken tikka masala and naan are addicting! We always want more.
(5)Hardik P.
We were there at 9:45pm which was 15 mins prior to close time. They still said they are open until 9:30pm on sundays even though yelp says 10pm close time. Better call them up, they are living in stone age for not caring about their info on yelp.
(1)Nina F.
I love Indian food but really haven't had any since I moved to Florida in 2002. So I was a bit hesitant to try this place because my spot in Michigan was amazing. Well let me tell you this place is better!!! We had the calamari appetizer which was such a nice blend of spices! The naan bread was fresh and soft. I had the chicken tikka masala medium spice which was pretty spicy and my husband had the combo biriyani which he raved about. The service was good overall but the food is better. So in all we are extremely happy and now have a new favorite Indian restaurant.
(5)Justin F.
We had a great lunch here. The buffet items were very tasty with lots of vegetarian choices. The main menu looked so good that we ordered several meals to go. The staff was very friendly. Highly recommend the Baingan Bhartha & the Navrathan Korma.
(4)Lauren B.
Great service, attentive staff, amazing food. That about sums it up. I ordered the Tandoori Chicken which was spicy and delicious and my mom ordered the Chicken Saag, which sounds really unappetizing but was amazing. The naan was perfect as well. It was such a fun atmosphere and I'm thankful we couldn't finish our meals as I now have dinner for tonight! It's a place I'll definitely be coming back to.
(4)Jillian ..
This place used to be 4+ stars, but something has happened recently. Ordered mutter paneer and it was in a watery coconut sauce, not a creamy tomato. Daal saag was all saag, invisible daal. Everything was far too runny - not much meat or veg. This was a take out order. I love the service, and I still like going for dinner, but it seems their quality is waning. Which is a shame.
(3)Florence F.
Went for the lunch buffet and it did not disappoint. Fresh and delicious food. Buffet gives you the option to try several different dishes if you are not familiar with this type of food. Will go again
(4)Maja M.
First time we tried I was impressed with the decor, service was slow but friendly. Good was good until we had a hair in an entree. I am an extremely forgiving person and did not make a fuss. We tried the place again a couple weeks later and again another hair in our food. Once is forgivable but twice is a habit or lack thereof by their staff. Staff was also incredibly rude to my mother when she asked to speak with management away from the table as to not disturb any of the other guests, they told her to just go and sit down. Horrible guest recovery skills displayed by staff. We will not gamble a third time.
(1)Carina M.
The most amazing Indian food you could ever have in Tampa,Florida.I love their customer services , they treat you like family and their portions and price are unbeatable.If you ever want Indian food and are in a rush, their to go boxes are huge and they give you fresh naan from their kitchen.Sunno one if the servers is amazing and always gives you the best customer service.
(5)Vino L.
I'd prefer to give this place a 2.5 stars rather than 3 stars, but the mobile app doesn't offer that option. I was homesick for the tasty Indian food I grew to love as a California resident and yelp led me here. I would not consider this place to be classified as a "fine" Indian dining experience as their exterior sign states. This restaurant server / wait staff seems chaotic, unorganized, and rushed. Overall, I couldn't put my finger on the disconnect I felt, so I'll be detailed and one can decide for themselves. I dined alone tonight and one diner at a table seemed to be a foreign issue for them. When I entered, there wasn't a host or dedicated greeter. Two people were seated at the bar and after about five minutes, a man came from what I assumed to be the kitchen to serve a bar patron and noticed me standing at what appeared to be the host stand. He came from around the bar, stared at me without a greeting and I stated, "Just one for dinner please." He repeated my statement almost in confusion, looked behind him at the dining area, and walked away. I almost felt that I was inconveniencing him. He returned and said a table was preparing to leave, it would be about five minutes, and motioned to their waiting area chairs. While waiting, a 60'ish something male approached the bar area from the dining area and proceeded to verbally rip the employee behind the bar a new one. I have no clue what caused this but I overheard snippets of "disrespectful to elders, poor customer service, and your business will go under - mark my words," with a few colorful profanities mixed in. The employee ignored him and the customer stormed out, to-go bag in hand. An Indian couple entered and an employee spoke something in their native tongue to them and they quickly exited back out the main entrance. Another Indian man entered and the same employee said something to him and he proceeded to the uninhabited dark right side of the restaurant. It was all somewhat odd and about ten minutes later I saw the first Indian man come from the back of the restaurant and go out the front doors again. Seemed like a mix of business and pleasure going on with these folks. 35 plus minutes, two parties that arrived after me yet were seated prior to me, I was seated. An employee walked up and put a black tablecloth on my table. He said nothing and made no eye contact. The tablecloth was dirty, had crusty dried stains on it, and neither of us said a thing. It was an odd interaction, if you can call it that, and I was now worried about sanitation. Another employee approached with a cloth napkin, silverware, appetizer plate, and menu. He was polite, greeted me, and walked away. A different employee brought my glass and poured my water. Before I even picked it up, I noticed small particles floating in the glass. A different employee approached and took my order. I assumed he was my waiter. I ordered samosas, butter chicken, garlic naan bread, and chicken tiki masala. Overall, the chicken tiki masala was my favorite. It was flavorful and the breast meat was tender, chunky, and filling. Garlic naan and butter chicken are usually my favorites, but the butter chicken here is so-so. The garlic naan bread was a tad burnt. The samosas were underwhelming and seemed hard and possibly pre-frozen. To be fair, a man in a collared shirt and slacks stopped by and asked if everything was okay and was pleasant. He smiled and I overheard him checking in on other patrons throughout the restaurant. I'm assuming he was the manager or owner. Once I finished eating, I waited about 10 minutes to identify someone to request boxes from. I was unable to ever ascertain who my server was. In a nutshell, I'm a born and raised Northern California girl with vast Indian food experience. This place was underwhelming and didn't leave me wanting to return but also wasn't horrible. If I craved chicken tiki, I might return... But the lack of attentive service, sanitary serving items, and pure quality dining just left me sitting on the fence. For the amount I paid, which was comparable to your average Indian restaurant proclaiming to specialize in fine Indian food, I just wasn't impressed. Maybe it was an off night, maybe they were short staffed for a Saturday, I don't know. To be fair, the place was packed by the time I left. Either I got the short end of the stick and just an off-chance experience or Brandon just doesn't offer a strong enough Indian restaurant competitor to show Brandon / Riverview patrons how this cuisine should really be served up.
(3)Mindie G.
This place is heaven, especially if you're gluten free!! I've only had Indian food once in my life before eating here, it was a place in my hometown that everyone raved about but I left thinking "maybe I just don't like Indian food" because I was not impressed, and never felt inclined to try it again. We were in the area and scheduled to meet local family for the lunch buffet at Taste of India. Being gluten free, I called ahead to see if I'd even be able to eat and they assured me there were multiple dishes on the menu and at the buffet that were safe for me, informing me a regular patron of theirs is gluten free and they're very familiar. They made note of our scheduled lunch and knew exactly who I was when I introduced myself upon arrival. It was as if they had been waiting for me!! They had made notes on EVERYTHING in the buffet as to what was GF so I could dish myself up comfortably and safely and the chef even came out to see if I wanted help ordering off the menu vs. buffet, but I went with the buffet so that I could try a little bit of everything! And that I did, and I quickly realized the Indian place I had tried before was not a good representation of Indian food. Everything we tried was AMAZING and I'm so terribly sad I don't live locally as I crave it!!! The owner also came out to ensure my meal was good and said if we ever come back they're happy to mark the buffet again- so if you're GF I suggest calling in advance but even if you don't, I'm confident they'll take care of you! This place is a must try!
(5)Brooks F.
We went for weekday lunch buffet in late December. Not a whole lot of variety of food if you don't count numerous chutneys. We did try everything, even the chutneys. They all tasted good. It would have been great if hot food were hot. They were warm at best. $10 price per person would be acceptable if the hot food were kept hot. Beer price was fair. We probably wouldn't go back.
(3)Jessica E.
Very good naan - I was pleasantly surprised by how much we liked the naan that was stuffed with raisins, nuts and cheese! It was so good! The rest of the meal was good but not the best I've ever had. The service was good and the decor was nice. We will go back.
(4)Hillary V.
Let me preface by saying that this was the first time I've ever had Indian food. I've always been turned off by the smells, but I braved it AND LOVED IT. I had the appetizer (flat tortilla chip-esque things) that comes sampled all the sauces. I liked the spicy red one the best, though I felt like I was going to die from the heat. I had two kinds of tikki masala- chicken and lamb. I also had some sort of potato concoction. All of which was wonderful. The vegetable samosas were a thing of beauty. I loved the garlic naan. To be honest, that's probably because it was highly reminiscent of garlic Italian bread. All in all, my first experience with Indiana food was awesome.
(4)Joshua T.
My wife and I have wanted to come here for a while. We were not disappointed. It started out a bit awkward with the waiter speaking very low and hovering around while we decided to order. And having two people ask us if we were ready, doing refills and taking our order was a bit awkward as well. That being said...everything else was superb. I had the veggie samosas & Tofu Jal Ferezi. I cannot get across how good it all was. Definitely made up for the initial bad first impression. I will definitely be going back.
(5)James J.
Great for a nice quick buffet lunch. They have a nice selection of vegetarian and meat dishes, and a nice, friendly staff. You really can't get better Indian cuisine in the Brandon area, and the price is right.
(4)Naveen C.
No one to greet the patrons once they come in. The staff in the kitchen act also as waiters and they keep moving away from the front desk. I saw that people were walking in every 5 minutes or so and I sure having a dedicated greeter / cashier would go a long way. Also whenever someone asked for a dine in, they had to wait for at least 5 minutes while the table was setup. I saw that only half of the restaurant was in use and maybe they were waiting for a huge crowd to come in before the other part was used. I ordered for takeaway. One gentleman handed over the bill for me to sign and disappeared. Gave the signed bill to another gentleman. After 40 odd minutes received the parcel by which time my appetite and hunger had vanished. Had ordered Konkani Gotla which sounded exotics. But was disappointed to find a very bland gravy with huge chunky pieces of Cauliflower and carrots. There were couple of pieces of ladies finger too. The gravy didn't do justice to soft garlic naan or the excellent onion kulcha. Same for the Vegetable dum biriyani which looked more like basmasti rice tossed with the biriyani masala. Overall a disappointing experience.
(2)Dennis S.
Couldn't decide between Italian or Indian for a birthday dinner. Saw "Hundred Foot Journey" the night before and decided it had to be Indian. Kadai mushrooms was my choice and it was great!
(4)Don L.
The best Indian Food around! Try the tikka masala if you're not into "spicy", you won't be let down!
(5)Michelle C.
Talk about the Best Indian food in Tampa! This place beats every restaurant out of the water. Our waitress was extremely sweet and attentive. We ordered chicken tikka masala, veritable samosas, garlic naan and then we added fried rice for the boys. Everything was beyond expectations. It all came out steaming hot, fresh and so so so tasty! Best place in town!
(5)Emmanuel R.
To the lady that ordered mutter paneer it is not a creamy tomato sauce that plate is paneer butter masala I eat here every week and order mutter paneer and it's not a coconut sauce it's a cashew paste sauce
(5)Ameesh P.
This is by far the best Indian restaurant in the Tampa Bay area and what's more is they have two locations to serve their customers. The Chicken Tikka Masala is by far a must have for anyone looking for an authentic Indian dish. The only reason I didn't rate this 5 stars was due to some issues I've experienced on my visits with the quality of service and attentiveness of the servers.
(4)Amalija D.
I enjoyed the food, but I was not blown away. I remember the naan being tasty.. but sitting there during dinner was uncomfortable due to the ants crawling up the wall next to me. I have not been back since. I did not know there was a buffet, but after trying Silverspoon across the street my motivation to go back has wavered..
(2)Swan S.
We had a ball at this spot. The decor is a little off, but it was fun and upbeat all the same. We ordered several vegetarian dishes, including naan, mango lassi and samosas for appetizers. The samosas brought the heat, too hot for this American's tastebuds but flavorful. The plain nan was very good, fresh and hot. Vegetable Makhni and Paneer Tikka Masala were both very good and mildly spiced just as requested (although they seemed to have used frozen vegetables) which was disappointing especially after being told that the sauces themselves were homemade and fussed over taking hours to prepare. Again still good. Something else to note is that a lot of Indian restaurants have a hard time grasping very very mild so we appreciated this one as it was done perfectly. Finally, the one entree (consisting of vegetables mixed into the saag paneer spinach gravy) was super disgusting and we had to send it away from the table. It was watery from the frozen veggies being thawed and added to it, and it just made for a very nasty and disgusting mess. That still did not stop us from enjoying a really nice and fun dinner. Service was cool. Very helpful and attentive. I'd especially go back for the Paneer Tikka Masala.
(3)Dbigdog R.
(Saturday Night, 3 Aug 2013, appropriately 1900) Although the name of this restaurant is "Taste of India," it should be named "Wait, and Wait, and Wait Some More for a Taste of India." Our wait started at the unmanned/woman reception podium, where at the time the only two employees sauntered by. We were a party of four, and finally we were lead to a booth, which appeared to be built for 2 +/- 1. As we were sitting there, my mother-in-law noticed a Battalion of ants crawling up the wall next to her. Unfortunately for her, she forgot her travel size Raid spray and decided to engage in "finger to ant" combat. Sensing that she was getting overrun, we quickly retreated ourselves to another table, since there was no staff member in sight. By now 45 minutes had passed with no apps or waiter. Finally I flagged down one occasional staffer passing by to let them know we had not placed our order. Moments later we placed our order, we ordered a variety of dishes (2 chicken, lamb and goat). Much to our surprise the food was very good. It was seasoned just right and very flavorful. I was finally able to get a headcount on the number of employees.......my count came to 4!! I found this very hard to believe for a Saturday Night. We finally left at 2130, and as we were leaving we noticed another group coming in. By my calculation, they probably left there in time to catch the Sunrise special at IHOP Sunday morning.
(3)Anu N.
my two cents: AVOID THIS PLACE. They compromise on quantity and quality. I wish I could complaint the owner.
(1)Sunny K.
Best Indian food I have ever had- consistently. I ate here monthly or more for 3 years and never had a bad experience. I love the onion chutney, uttapam, lamb curry and ressum to name a few. Weekends are more expensive but 'Chaat' is included as well as fresh-to-your-table masala dosa! ............Mmmmmmmmmmmmm
(5)larry l.
We went for the Sunday buffet...We had been once before when the restaurant first opened and the first experience was bad because they were mobbed with people and they just couldn't keep any food on the buffet but we gave them another chance and Im sorry to say it was really bad. I love Indian food,i cook Indian food and what was on the buffet the day we went was terrible...The best thing I tasted was the rice...yes...the rice! Nothing was spicy..It was all bland...I looked around and there were no Indians eating there and I guess that's why...The other BAD thing is the a/c was not working...Ever eat heavy Indian food with no A/c? One girl told us it had been broken for 2 days and but the owner acted like it was the first he had heard of it when we complained. There were more workers than diners when we were there but we had a hard time getting water refills...When we tried to pay,we waited 10 minutes for somebody to show up to take the money...I wont be back...Two strike rule. There is a new place across the street called "The Silver Spoon" Pakistani cuisine...and I wish to God we had gone there...their stuff looked SO much better...I could go on and be more critical of the food but I think you get my drift...it was really bad.
(1)Shenia J.
The food was actually delicious. We were one of the last groups to leave as the restaurant was closing. However, as we were about to leave a small roach crawled under our table. For that reason I can't give a good rating.
(2)Jonathan T.
First time trying Indian food and thought it was delicious. My only problem was the service. It wasn't packed or anything and I had to ask for refills twice.
(3)Sheba S.
Delicious food! I wish I lived closer so I could go more often. I enjoy everything on the buffet and especially the rice pudding dessert. The service has been consistently friendly and the decor is cute.
(4)Camaron A.
This visit was way out of left field for me on account of I usually spend Christmas Eve incorporating the Feast of the 7 Fishes as I have for the past 40+ years.. We arrived there around 9 and the place was busier than usual with a additional party of 12 seated in the room to right that is normally not used. Back home with the exception of diners, restaurants are usually closed on the Eve. George the owner seated us actually on account of them extremely busy, We ordered our usual fare with the exception we usually try a new appetizer to mix things up just a bit. I personally would be more apt to try some of their more Phallesque menu options. However my business partner usually split 2 entrees and prefers something less spicy which for the past several visits consisted of Chicken Kourma and the Medley Byrani. Even tho it was a holiday and they were busier than usual, the waiters and chef did not disappoint, Food as usual was outstanding. Simple summary , come here you will not be disappointed! When you come ,Say hello to Blondie and tell em I sent you.
(5)Angela T.
I love this place!!! We have been coming here for years and always leave super full and super happy. The food is great and the service is so nice. They are not always the fastest but always smiling and kind to us. Recommend the Peshwari Naan and the Chicken Kourma...Deliciousness!!!
(5)Jeremy T.
Went here on a recommendation from my wife's colleague at work and absolutely loved the place. Everything was delicious and filling. The service was a little slow compared to a typical American restaurant, but it cannot be helped because a majority of these things take more time to make. They are very accommodating to special requests, also they help the patron out in describing what the item is on the menu. I have eaten at better Indian places, but not in the Brandon area. I would say their lunch rush is a better fare than the dinner options, you can tell that by the crowd, but it's a nice place to have an intimate dinner out when it's not as busy.
(4)Sarah S.
I have loved everything I've gotten here! Korma, tikka masala, kofta...it's all been delicious. An appetizer that is way too addictive is the chile baby corn. The sampler is a good way to try out some different items, too. I have always been impressed by the wait staff (correct order taking and serving order etiquette was unexpected!). Definitely making this a regular!
(4)Akash M.
By far the best Indian restaurant in Tampa. The weekday buffet for $8.95 is great. Service is okay. May be its just me, but I like this better than the one on Fowler Avenue.
(4)Chrissss D.
We love this sometimes a bit chaotic Indian restaurant. You need a bit of patience for the servers to get your food started and your drinks on the table, but it's all good from there. The flavors are to die for! We usually order Chikken Tiki Masala, Saag Paneer and lamd korma and some naanbread and chutney. Than we share the dishes. It's great! Order as many dishes as you have persons, plus one. Today we tried something new: Chicken Chutney Wala and the Kerala Fish Curry. Oh man! Both to die for! The fish was a bit spicy at first bite, but the heat was fast gone with a bit of Mango Chutney. The unique flavor was so delicious! Hm hm hm. I still get a dreamy look thinking about it. We keep going back, and this restaurants keeps surprising us. Each bite is a party with distinct flavors to enjoy. Take your time, have a bit of patience and eat slow. It's worth it!
(4)Cheryl H.
I was soooo disappointed. I ordered from the vegetarian section. Vegetables in an almond and cashew cream sauce. The sauce was great over rice, but the veggies were frozen and there were barely any in the sauce. I asked the waitress if they were indeed frozen veggies and she said yes...from Restaurant Depot. Really??? If you order from a vegetarian menu and that was all that was in your meal, wouldn't you expect fresh AND enough to fill you? The Roti was ok...won't be back. I spent 11.00 for a small bowl of rice, some sauce, and a few frozen veggies.
(2)Doug G.
The Tomato Rasam soup is absolutely amazing and the major reason I go to the restaurant. I get the chicken Tika Masala at every Indian restaurant I go to and Taste of India's is always very good. Be careful when ordering the spiciness of your food. When you ask for HOT they WILL deliver!! I also LOVE their mango lassi !! Great place to eat and I recommend it to all.
(4)Johnny C.
3rd visit and I realise that a group of 34 people adds a different dynamic than a table of 4 but I had just 50% success with the two dishes I ordered, not with the quality of the meat (sometimes an issue in different restauranats) but with the heat level requested, yes I like it hot :) BTW the lamb improved and that was the better of the dishes ordered. Will be there again for another expats dinner but it will be a buffet so I don't know how that will work out ??
(4)Benny B.
It's really great! You can pretty much order anything and make it just the way it should be. This fabulous batch of vegetarian dishes are to die for. However I think they need to improve their service as it takes a while to get peoples attention
(3)Arrie P.
What can I say I love love love it. The buffet bar very yummy fresh.
(5)Vitaly V.
Nice restaurant, good food will definitely come back
(5)Nicole Leigh S.
Oh my word, I love this place. I go on average once a week. It's just down the way from work and the lunch buffet is not only fairly priced but DELICIOUS. Services can be a little slow, but if you give them a heads up that you're on a schedule they are pretty accommodating. Negatives? As my complaint is with most American restaurants there's not enough spice. No heat. And being buffet style you can't help that, but either way, I love the food. Also- ENDLESS NAAN?!?! That's winning on all levels! It's what Charlie Sheen would ask for if he ate here! DUH! BOOM! WINNING! Anyway, I would, and do, recommend this place to anyone looking for Indian in the Brandon area.
(4)Ashley B.
This is by far the best Indian restaurant in the Tampa Bay area - the other reviews that say this are not exaggerating. My father-in-law is Indian and always makes it a point to visit this place when he's in town. Agree with the 8/5/2013 review that the service is very, very slow. I disregard that in my review because, to me, it has never mattered. The food is so worth it. Also, now that we have a toddler, we visit the lunch buffet on the weekends, so the service does not matter at all. Tons of vegetarian/vegan selections if that floats your boat. Wonderful restaurant!!
(5)Lola B.
This is the first time I have had Indian food. While I am not normally a buffet person, it gave me the opportunity to try many different items to determine what I liked. I really enjoyed the flavors and the bread is awesome! The only reason I did not give it 5 stars was due to the slow service.. Took way too long to bring/refill our drinks same thing with the check.
(4)JEWELe M.
I, too, am pretty surprised by the reviews of this establishment! My friends and I actually enjoyed the lunch buffet and the service was pretty reasonable as well (for a lunch buffet). I especially enjoyed the gulab jamun they offered for dessert. Gulab jamun is one of my favorite Indian/Paki/Sri Lankan desserts and you rarely see it at an Indian lunch buffet! Besides the awesome dessert, the naan, curries, and chutneys were delicious! As long as the Indian dishes have a lot of sauce to dip the naan and there is a lot of spice to make my tastebuds dance, I'm happy! Also, to the comments that the place may not be vegetarian-friendly....I'm not sure which part of India the cooks are from, but depending on the region will determine how well they make their vegetarian dishes. Only 2 of my close Indian friends are strict vegetarians (the others are Christian and eat meat), so they explained to me that depending on the region, the cooking varies. Anyways, I definitely plan to go back when I visit my friends in the area, especially around lunch time!
(4)Mike G.
Some Awesome Indian food with my beautiful plus 1 for lunch. Buffet is awesome. The Goat Curry is probably my favorite. Everything on the buffet is very tasty with lots of flavor and some heat. Definitely one of my favorite places in Brandon. The mid day wait staff is a bit weak but beyond that they are very friendly and fantastic food. And they serve beer, which is a plus to alot of people.
(4)Clay E.
Poor Indian food, non existent service. Won't be back!
(1)Da P.
I'm surprised to see the negative reviews. We've been there at least 10 times, mostly in the weekends (lunch or dinner), and have no complaints. Their non-vegetarian entrees taste better than the vegetarian entrees, IMO. Their weekend lunch buffet has a wider variety of items than most other Indian restaurant buffets in the area. The decor is nice and the restaurant is clean. I would and have recommended it to friends and family.
(4)Cathy J.
Mmmm....Indian food. How I love thee. I've had the pleasure of dining at all of the Indian restaurants in the Sarasota area, but since my career has moved me into Hillsborough County, my quest for new ethnic feeding locales began. I have dined at Taste of India for both work and pleasure and have greatly enjoyed my experience each time. Most recently, I used Taste of India for a work-related dinner program and was able to sample a multitude of delicious dishes they had to offer. Some of my favorites included the garlic shrimp, meen pollichathu, vegetable samosa and we enjoyed a few of the mixed appetizer platters which included pakora, chicken kabob, samosa and lamb kabob. For entrees I have had both the chicken tikka masala and the butter chicken. I loved them both and ordered each one spicy because, you know, I can hang. I definitely recommend Taste of India for your Indian food cravings. It is also a great venue to consider for a private meeting or dinner function, as there is a room off to the right where they are able to accomodate a large group. The restaurant also has a projector and screen available to you free of charge for your presentation needs. Great experience!
(5)Shera F.
Very good food. I have visited this establishment many times and have tried many dishes and i have never been disappointed. All of the dishes taste fresh. They are also quit good at judging how much heat to put in the food for different people. I only give 3 stars because of the slow service. The wait staff is very friendly but slow. You can not be in a hurry when you go, even drinks take along time to arrive to the table.
(3)Annette G.
I don't like giving 1 star reviews, but in this case, it's warranted. Not going to rehash the whole evening but here's why it bombed out for me. 1) The service. While everyone was very friendly, service was slllllooooooow. The mango lassi never came and it took an hour to get our appetizer. When it finally did come, it was very disappointing. The vegetable pakora here is just chunks of deep fried veggies, mostly sliced potato and onion rings. I wanted the dumplings, but this would have been OK if the veggies had been cooked all the way through. The potato was still frozen\raw in the center. 2) When dinner arrived, about 20 mins or so after the app, it was good until the second helping when a very long hair was found in the food. And by found in the food, I mean my boyfriend actually had to spit it out. At that point, we both lost our appetite and wanted to leave. After discussing what happened with several people, none of whom would say whether they were a manager, and being offered free ice cream and free buffet coupons, we were given our bill with both entrees taken off (drinks and apps were still included). This kind of thing happens sometimes, and it's unpleasant for all when it does. It may just be a one time thing... but sometimes it only takes one bad experience to ruin a place for you.
(1)James B.
First experience there. Recommended to me by a friend. Absolutely wonderful food!!!
(5)SarahJayn K.
This place does not look that great on the outside, but don't judge a book by its cover! The inside is really nice, the staff is friendly and helpful, and the food is amazing. They had the best vegetable korma I've ever eaten in my life! I would definitely go back.
(5)Denise S.
Wonderfully flavorful food and an accomodating staff. Dark interior lends itself to romantic dining. You feel almost transported to another world. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Nick Z.
So far - excellent veggie samosas and very good garlic naan. Good service as well. My dinner companions report that their shrimp dish and fish curry are very good. My completely unimaginative choice of chicken tikka masala is outstanding. We were also impressed by the variety and number of vegetarian and seafood dishes. I would say the price - at least at dinner - is $$$, not $$.
(4)Linda J.
We had chicken tikka masal in a tomato sauce that was very good. Tandoori grilled mix and an excellent vegetable dish with cauliflower and potatoes. All nicely presented and tasty. Naan bread was very good, especially the nut one. Although I have had better Indian food, the meal was good and the restaurant attractive.
(4)Roxane L.
The chicken madras is super yummy and the garlic nan is amazing! A definite if you like Indian food. Try the drink they make in a real coconut too!
(4)A. N.
I used to love Taste of India. Lots of vegetarian options, everything tasted fresh, not too spicy, and the service was great. We used to joke that the servers were too attentive because they don't seem to assign just one to a table so someone came by every couple of minutes asking if we were okay. On our most recent trip, it was miserable. Half of the restaurant was dark and closed off even though one couple was waiting before us for a table. We waited for what felt like a really long time before being seated. Then we waited for a really long time to get a tablecloth and plates and silverware. Then we waited for a really long time to get water. Then we waited for a really long time to have our order taken. It felt like six lifetimes between when the appetizer came and when our entrees finally arrived. This was all highly annoying and we could see that every other table was having the same experience. One table waited for close to 40 minutes for a bill and during that time a server came by with plates for them as if to feed them again when they were clearly waiting for a bill with their to-go boxes in hand. The saddest part though is that the food wasn't as good as it used to be. The samosas were really greasy and tasted like they might have been sitting around a while then refried. Pretty devastating. I mourn you, Taste of India of yore.
(2)ryan w.
Food is great, gave lower star because price point is pretty high. Ctm is favorite dish here. Use mobile meals to get delivered to Apollo beach area to save the drive.
(3)Lynne H.
I'm so sorry to hear about the bad experiences that several have had here. We've been several times, and have had pleasant, fun experiences each time. Very attractively decorated. LOVE Phil on Friday nights - he's talented, fun and likes to make sure the guests have a good time. We're no experts on Indian food, so perhaps we don't have a frame of reference to compare to others, but the dishes we've tried have been very tasty. The servers were attentive and patient with all of our questions. They even made recommendations for us that we enjoyed. Still a thumbs-up for us!
(4)Aaron F.
Great food; great place to enjoy an evening. Music night is a blast; serving sizes are large.
(4)TJ M.
I agree Annette G.'s comment about this restaurent. I personally think it's not vegetarian friendly. The food that we ordered was horrible. "Saag Paneer" was terribly cooked and it didn't even look like palak paneer. We had ordered a mixed vegetable dish: it was so sour with no flavor. And, when asked to replace it. I asked for Creamy Paneer: and it was watery with no flavor again. The service was okay, but the food is extremely horrible. I almost wanted to have a fight with a manager, but because of my husband I didn't say anything. But, guess what they will definitely never see us again. And, potential customers that I would have brought to them... The food we had was just extremely bad. And way too expensive for the service and the quality of the food. Good Luck!!!!!
(1)Liz G.
We have eaten dinner at this restaurant once and lunch once. Both times were good experiences. Both times the place was filled with Indian families, so I assume the food is authentic, but I cannot tell you for sure because I am not Indian. At lunch, they have a buffet. Service was friendly.
(4)ryan m.
No business has survived very long in this location, but I'm really pulling for this place, as it is now at the top of my list of places to eat. The atmosphere is good, service is great, and most importantly, the food is perfect. Try the chicken tikka masala - you won't regret it.
(5)