Shalimar Indian Restaurant
1850 S Hurstbourne Pkwy,Ste 125, Louisville, KY, 40220
Shalimar Indian Restaurant Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Louisville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Louisville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Louisville for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
1850 S Hurstbourne Pkwy,Ste 125
Louisville, KY, 40220 - Phone (502) 493-8899
- Website https://www.shalimarlouisville.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
India is the birth place of Chicken Tikka Masala and Curries. Indian foods are prepared with a blend of finely mixed spices quite popular across the region. The spices develop the rich taste in Indian food enough to boggle your mind. The ever-increasing fan base of Indian food around the New York city is steadily increasing because of the large number of Indians who traveled to the land of dreams. The Indians also brought their very own vibrant, colorful, and aromatic authentic dishes for the people in the West. While most of the Indian population is Vegetarian, Indian food is great for people who are looking for vegan or vegetarian food option. If you are a Meat lover, don't get disappointed yet. Indian food also boasts of some popular non-vegetarian dishes too. Few examples are the famous Butter Chicken, Mutton Biryani and Tandoori Chicken are enough to satisfy your taste buds.
Indian food has gained reputation all over the world especially in the United States. You can find many places serving the appetizing Indian food across all major cities in the US. India is a diverse country with different food culture originated from different parts of the country. While the Northern region boasts tandoori dishes and korma offering royal taste, the Western Ghats offers sea foods that is made in naturally sweet tender coconut milk. The South Indian food servers a quality of different dishes made from rice accompanied with spicy chutneys, curries and famous sambhar. Also, the Indian sweets are a delight to relish. If you ever want to have a burst of sugar syrup in mouth, don't forget to try few Bengali Sweets. Be it spicy, tangy, or sweet flavor, you can find everything in the Indian cuisine. Be assured that the melody of spices will surely bring delight to you.
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Kat L.
I honestly have to say that Shalimar is one of the most bland Indian restaurants I have ever been to. I love flavors of India-- Cardamom, Asafoetida, peppercorn, cumin, cinnamon and cloves to name a few. However, the food at Shalimar has definitely been "Americanized". My father works at a hospital with a lot of Indian doctors, and the Indian food I am accustomed to from those friends is nowhere near as bland and boring as the food you will find at Shalimar. The food I am used to is REAL Indian. For those who are less cultural than others, I would recommend eating here. However, if you like your cuisine unbesmirched by American culture then I highly recommend Dakshin. If you thought you liked Indian food, you will LOVE it at Dakshin. As far as the service goes at Shalimar--I would say it's over the top. I enjoy sharing a meal with friends and family. And when I say "enjoy" I do not envision my meal to be constantly interrupted by someone with a pitcher; continuously filling up my glass to the point when I have 9/10 of a glass of water, and the server is still stretching over in front of me, (While I am eating and attempting to enjoy a conversation) to fill up the glass. I like to think of my glass as half full. It irks me having someone so concerned with my glass being over the top that they spill it on my table. (This has happened to me several times at Shalimar) I found myself telling the woman "Please, no more water" The food is not worth the money. All the items on the buffet taste the same and the only thing I have to say that is almost worth it is the ground lamb. If you want to spend less money and get the same quality of food, go next door to Patel Brothers. I have found that even the FROZEN foods there have more of a flavor profile than any of the dishes you will find at Shalimar.
(1)Michelle C.
I don't think I've ever had more attentive service anywhere in my life! The servers were all very nice and helped make recommendations since I'd never had Indian before. We got the fried onions with mango chutney which were so tasty! I ordered the Lamb Saag which was very hardy. It had good flavor and large pieces of lamb which was amazing. It comes with rice, and we also ordered the plain naan. I thought it was very helpful that they allowed you to choose your spice level. I'm not able to handle a lot of heat, so I got the mild (which still had a little bit of a kick to it), but I like that you're able to test your limits if you'd like to. I will say that I was very full when I left. I almost had to be rolled out!
(5)Steven C.
Very easy to see how this place gets such high praise and great reviews. Watched an indy film called Today's Special which centered on a family owned Indian Restaurant. That did it for me. This place is a flavor overload. I visited on Thursday for the Lunch Buffet. WOW. The lamb curry and chicken masala were phenomenal.
(5)Ryan L.
We have been here multiple times. The food is always consistently good, and the staff are courteous and attentive. This is a great place to eat!
(5)Emily W.
I've been craving Indian food for at least a month now and sadly enough, I had NEVER had Indian cuisine in Louisville before. Of course, I used Yelp to point me in the right direction when it came to this as there are so many options in town. Though Shalimar isn't the closest one to my house, I decided it had some of the best reviews (and the Groupon didn't hurt my decision), so off my husband and I went to Shalimar last night. We were seated right away and the staff was very attentive in keeping our glasses full. We ordered the cheese kulcha, chicken tikka masala, and paneer shahi korma. The naan was DELICIOUS and tasted even more so dipped in our sauces. I always forget that the dishes come with cilantro (and cilantro is my arch-nemesis), so it's my fault that I had to pick it off of my food. I need to remember to ask for my dish sans-cilantro. I also ordered my dish medium and it was still kind of spicy (but I'm also usually pretty sensitive to that). It was still really good though. All in all, not the best Indian food I've ever had, but it was good and it satisfied my craving. Maybe after I visit all the Indian restaurants in town, I can decide which one I like best and possibly update this review. Two thumbs up for the free soda with the Yelp check-in!
(4)Anand G.
Just came from having dinner and had probably one of the worst experience. My chicken tikka was undercooked and after I told the staff, they merely took the same chicken plate I sent back and grilled it and brought it back. When I confronted the waiter and manager about it they just argued with me. They refused to acknowledge that I am not able to eat their undercooked and rubbery chicken. Further the manger did not even bother apologizing or offering anything else as a substitute (we had to argue to get it off the bill). Worse, they began abusing and made no effort to hide it from us !! I do believe that the staff at this restaurant has no interest in serving any Indians (or anyone from the subcontinent). Their attitude to me and to my friends was rude and condescending. I don't think we deserved to be treated like shit ... To the Manager: start treating your fellow brown people with some little respect and decency ... Our money is equally as good as any other person who walks in to your restaurant .. And we tip well too !!! Even when you don't deserve a penny !!
(1)Brigitte L.
Lunch buffet!
(5)Linds B.
I have been going here for 6 years. Before moving out of town I went once a week if not more. I recently went around the holidays for the first time in 6 months and remembered how much I missed this place! Their lunch buffet always has a great selection! Dinner is very nice as well. I love their Chicken Tikka Masala and have never found another Indian place that can compare.
(5)Tim H.
Come here to eat three times a month. The lunch buffet is great. On Friday they have goat curry and chicken curry. Fast friendly service , Great Ambiance. They also have a frequent user card for a free lunch. Look for coupons in the Leo and Valpack.
(5)Brittney T.
Shalimar, meaning "The Great Place," is aptly named. This Louisville Hotspot is consistently the best Indian food in town. The service is always impeccable, the dining area immaculate, and ambiance romantic. Definitely a more upscale choice for Punjabi (North Western Indian) cuisine. Being an establishment owned by true Punjabis, there is no beef or pork on the menu. You will not miss them, however, due to the ample offerings of lamb and goat. Signature dishes come from Shalimar's Tandoori oven, which also produces some of the finest flatbreads you could wish for. Ghee, onion, ginger and garlic are used extensively, but are not at all overpowering as you might find in so many other Indian establishments. In fact, the seasonings are so well balanced that the vegetarian offerings comprise some of Shalimar's most mouth-watering dishes. The Saag with Paneer and Aloo Mattar come highly recommended. The spice content of each dish can be altered to your preference, from minimal, to pleasant, to high. When dining with a group, consider sharing your meals "family style" in the traditional Indian way. The appetizers are a great start, with Vegetable Samosas and Lentil Soup being hailed as king. Be sure to order Paratha and Naan, or an entire bread basket to accompany your meal. For the main course, the Lamb Korma, Chicken Vindaloo, and Shrimp Jalpharezi are no-fail crowd pleasers. The Lamb Kebabs are very authentic and flavorful, though you may grow thirsty after eating them. Be advised that Louisville is not a sea port and the diner should not expect truly fresh seafood. The Chai Tea is of the highest quality; properly "aired" and frothy. The Mango Lassi is very soothing, and good enough to reserve for desert. If you are still feeling adventurous at the end of your meal, do try an Indian favorite: Gulab Jamun. Other positives: Takeout and catering are available and the business is hopping- quite a testament to the quality of the food. There is a very popular lunch buffet, but you must order from the menu to enjoy the best lamb dishes. Shalimar also offers frequent diner's cards to use and get free meals. If you feel inspired by your meal and want to create your own Indian fare at home, you are in luck. There is a superb Indian market (Patel Brothers) next door. You cannot find a better selection of reasonably priced frozen food, produce, spices, canned goods, and housewares to fill your Indian pantry. Visit Louisville's South East end and hit two birds with one stone! Brittney Tun Food Writer and Culinary Enthusiast ideasthatsnap.com foodboyz.com
(5)Carrie B.
I like this place. Great service and good food. The lunch buffet is a great value!
(4)Erika R.
Consistently the best Indian cuisine in Louisville. Fresh preparation, quality ingredients, courteous staff. One of the best chai's I've had anywhere. :)
(5)Dinesh K.
Just came back after eating their lunch buffet. As a Desi guy, I understand that I'm probably harsher on Indian restaurant than other cuisines. But I try to manage my expectations, especially for buffets: a) Don't expect the dishes to be refilled frequently b) Expect a bit lower quality cooking throughout However, even with these, I was a bit disappointed with fried stuff - friend okra seemed to be swimming in oil and samosas looked like they'd had one foot in the oil filled grave for a few days now. I couldn't even muster enough courage to try samosas, though I tried okra and it was OK. Didn't try dessert items though as its hard to gage their age (see what I did there?) from appearance. The coleslaw salad didn't seem fresh and other dishes were OK. Though I must say - this is the first time I've seen fried okra in a buffet lunch. I ordered salty lassi (much bettter on hot days IMO) and the glass was barely 8 oz. For $2.75, I expected more like 12-14 oz. Service was meh, but then what can you expect at lunch from a waitstaff that doesn't get their tips (gasp! ...not really). Would've been 2 stars if it wasn't for location and cleanliness.
(3)Katie N.
One of my absolute favorite lunch spots! I haven't had one thing I didn't like. A good spot if you are familiar with Indian food or are an adventurous eater who isn't afraid to try something new once in a while!
(5)Bonnie L.
Ate here on a Saturday night and we were seated right away. Ordered the vegetarian appetizer combo. All good. Chicken tikka masala, chicken vindaloo, and the goat curry. Tikka was good, vindaloo even better, goat curry had good flavor. If you haven't had goat before be aware that there are lots of little bones and it is surprisingly fatty but not gamey tasting. Naan was yummy too. All the dipping spices had a good depth of flsvor and the right amount of heat. We will definitely be back.
(4)Jason M.
Shalimar was my first experience with Indian food many moons ago when I was a spry young lad in college. They had the lunch buffet even back then, which worked out quite well, as I was able to try several things on that day. I went back for dinner with a friend later that night. :-) Now I'm usually not a fan of buffets, and have to be dragged unconsciously to any Chinese buffet, but I do enjoy the Indian buffets...probably a bit too much, to be honest. And Shalimar's is no exception. Of course, there is a lot more to this place than their lunch buffet...like their excellent dinner menu, including takeout. Sad to say though, I have only gotten takeout dinner from here once in the past 5 years, and enjoyed a sit-down dinner there in nearly 7 years. But, I know the food is still excellent, and should I happen to be near when my stomach rumbles for dinner, I think I will stop in for a non-vegetarian thali.
(4)Dixon M.
I visited Shalimar for their lunch buffet. I like trying a variety of dishes when I eat Indian, and unless I go with a large party, a buffet is the best way to accomplish that. Shalimar's buffet was decent for the price, but far from the best Indian buffet I have visited. The service was very good, and the food was fine (but not wonderful). I liked the spice level. The band gobhi (braised cabbage) was delicious. There was a nice selection of chutneys, and more desserts than I have usually seen offered at an Indian buffet. I enjoyed the kheer (rice pudding), and there was a good shredded carrot dessert. Gulab jamun can be wonderful, but I didn't like Shalimar's. The only flavor to these gulab jamun was cloying sweetness, and the texture was heavy. The other negative for me was how the buffet was maintained. An example is the saag (spinach). When saag sits on a steam table, the top layer oxidizes to an ugly gray-green color. The saag can be stirred to keep this from happening, and if it is not, the saag looks unappetizing. Similarly, the pakoras were placed into a pan with lots of grease and remnants of past pakoras. If it were my buffet, I would switch to a fresh pan before it got quite so messy. These are fine points, and I admit I am picky, but how food looks affects how it tastes to me. In summary, Shalimar is okay, and a decent value, but I haven't yet found my favorite Indian restaurant in Louisville.
(3)Trisha K.
This place is definitely one of my favorite spots to eat, in fact, I venture there so often that most of the waiters know who I am haha. Normally I go for the buffet, which I love because of all the different choices they have daily. The chicken tikka masala and saag are my favorites, they are always on point. My other favorite is the mango pudding for dessert. My only complaint is that I always want a bigger bowl (just kidding). I've always had good experiences with dinner as well. I love the the service here, the waiters are very friendly and attentive. There is nothing I hate more at a restaurant than having a empty glass and I have never had that problem at Shalimar. Keep up the awesome work Shalimar!!
(5)Claudette M.
The best Indian food we have ever had, outside of India... Highly recommend the Thali, both the vegetarian and the non vegetarian. It has a sample of their best dishes. We ordered both for a group of four and we couldn't finish them. The attention was superb. Definitely a high mark for the breads basket combo, a combination of different breads from India. Needless to say everything they served was made on the premises, including the bread.
(5)John P.
Service is definitely lacking but it is always made up in the food. Great food and great spice levels!!
(4)Stephanie A.
Great Indian food. Has always been fairly busy when I've been there.
(4)Mostafa Shameem R.
All the items are very bland. Would not recommend if you are thinking of having an authentic Indian cuisine. There is no Indian flavor or taste in any food. Worst Indian cuisine I have ever had.
(1)Kyle S.
Some of the best Indian food I've ever had. EVAR! Tucked away in a little strip mall off of Hurstborne is a very classy restaurant with white table cloths, attentive wait staff and the delicious aroma of spiced delicacies that never fails to deliver. Whether you choose to go for the lunch buffet (seriously amazing) or for an intimate dinner, Shalimar always fills you with fantastic food. I have had a number of dishes here, but my favorites are the chicken curry (medium spiciness), the chicken saag and the lamb vindaloo. Each is served with impeccible jasmine rice. I recommend getting an order of Naan as well and cleaning out the metal serving bowls with it. The wait staff is top notch. I love places that dedicate one person to filling up drinks. Since I tend to be very thirsty, this attention to detail is not lost on me. The service is quick and polite, typically dressed all in black and look very professional. The environment is upscale, but not uncomfortable. Indian music plays behind your conversation while tea lights dance between you and your dining parter(s). I've heard good things about other Indian restaurants in the area, but Shalimar delivers so capably that I've never had a need to branch out.
(5)Katelyn W.
I've never had dinner here, but this is my favorite lunchtime Indian buffet in Louisville, hands down. The buffet is well-maintained and always piping hot. It's a great place to introduce someone to Indian food as they have a lot of different chicken and vegetarian choices. I could stand for the spice level to be upped a bit, but I understand at a buffet you want to err on the side of caution when it comes to heat. The service is also good, though I think some of the waiters are overly-ambitious at times when it comes to filling water glasses at the like, which can be distracting when you're trying to have a conversation with someone. Still, great tasty Indian dishes. I will continue to come here for my buffet fill, and I hope to try the dinner service sometime!
(5)Lisa N.
I love this place. My favorite time to go is for the lunch buffet on Sunday 1130-200. My favorite food is the chicken tikki masala along with the naan. Then they have so many good foods I can't list them all. Oh save room for a homemade dessert too. Mmm ok now I'm hungry. :)
(5)Susie L.
I ran up to S. Hurstbourne for an emergency run to a fabric store. When I came out with my purchases I was met with a drift in the air of some fantastic smelling food. I tried to folllow my nose while checking out the local restaurant options. SHALIMAR, oh Shalimar you're the obvious location this wonderful smell is drifting from. I decided I had to try out Shalimar for the first time for lunch. The lunch buffet was a wonderful reminder of all the good Indian food I was introduced to while living in the San Francisco Bay Area. The buffet had much to choose from but for me the stand out dishes were lamb meatballs, tandoori chicken, curry goat, the wonderful vegetables, and of course naan to sop it all up with. The waitstaff was accomodating and friendly. Shalimar you live up to all the five star reviews. I can't wait to be back in the area at noon time. Next time I'll try harder not to overeat.
(5)Kelly Y.
Of all of the Indian buffets I have eaten, Shalimar is definitely the best one in terms of food and service. Sure, they also have al a carte menu, but who cares? Their food consists of mainly northern Indian items with creams and butters. This is the place where I first had curry goat. Do not mind the bones, just pick up the pieces with your hand and eat around the bones. The meat is tender yet still has a good bite to it; a bit like lamb but more juicy. Their tandoori chicken is also the juiciest and tenderest I have had. I also love, love their selection of Indian sweet desserts. I have never seen such a selection at other buffets. Not only do they have the usual gulab jamum (sweet balls in syrup), they also have those sweet fried pretzel shaped things soaked in syrup...and my favorite: the "cream of wheat". It is ground wheat cooked with butter and butter and butter and sugar, topped with nuts. Oh, it is all so wrong: butter, carbs, and sugar....but it is so very good. And did I mention buttery and smooth? mmmmmmm.......
(5)Gaurav N.
Good ambiance, quick service. While travelling through KY, we were looking for a good Indian restaurants and this one didn't let us down. The ambiance was good, the table arrangement is typical Indian restaurant style (not much open space, but hey... its not crowded though). We were given table and our order was taken in about time when we were expecting some one to come and ask us. Manager was pretty much interested in answering doubts regarding their menu, not only to us but to few other guests as well. The food was good in terms of taste and quantity, moderate spicy. I specifically liked Saag Paneer and Rice kheer. Daal was a mixture of few different lentils, good to taste and believe it was healthy too due to different lentil contents. all in all - good food, for the money you pay. (it is not expensive). I will definitely go there if travelling from nearby.
(4)Jennifer C.
I know that it always seems like an urban legend when you read what I am about to post, but I promise I am no making this up and i will never eat here again! Me and a group of co-workers have always enjoyed going to Shalimar for the lunch buffet. We usually go about once a month with no complaints and walk out full and with our Indian fix. Today we walked in, perfect setting, not very crowded and headed up to the buffet line. While in line my co-worker yelped out and got our attention. While going through the Vegetable Pakora's a roach (seriously a roach, no lie, no exaggeration) came out of the food. We got the attendants that stand behind the register, told them quietly about their insect issue, placed our plated on said counter and walked out.... We will never eat there again!
(1)Planters V.
Consistently the BEST Indian Buffett in the Country! I've travelled far and wide, and this place is pretty darn good. They do not skimp or selection, and the weekend buffett usually is much better than weekday. It is very clean and wait staff top notch in refilling waters and clearing table. Louisville is lucky to have a place like this.
(5)Olga I.
Horrible service, waited almost an hour for our food. Ordered my dish mild and got hot?!?
(2)Rachel H.
I go to Shalimar WAY too much. Sometimes I find myself there over three times a week, so that should tell you how much I like it. The best time to go is between 11:30am and 2:30pm for the lunch buffet. This is a great way to try out Indian food if you're not sure what you might like. The selection changes daily, so it's easy to come back often. I love that there is a whole section of the buffet dedicated to vegetarian food as well. If you visit the buffet, try everything! If you're ordering off the menu, my standard order is naan, onion chutney, raitha, paneer chili (not on the menu, so ask for it!,) and kheer. Some people say they dislike the service, but I've always had great service there, especially during the buffet. You will never see your water glass go below 3/4 full.
(4)David K.
The food here is outstanding - I've never had anything here that I haven't liked. It's always hot and flavorful and the staff makes a good effort to consistently give you the level of spice you request. I've had nearly all the chicken dishes and many of the lentil dishes. My favorite is just the simple Turka Dal - lentils with no butter - I always ask for it spicy! As other reviewers have mentioned the storefront is very small but it's a large place inside that is decorated nicely, if a bit dark. The only thing that keeps me from giving this place 5 stars is the service. Many times it seems mostly indifferent - especially the waiters themselves. They are very, very soft spoken to the point where I have a hard time hearing them. Consequently I would mostly rather do take out than eat in.
(4)Javier O.
Even though the Mexican restaurant next door was full due to Cinco de Mayo, the great Indian food here still pulled lots of customers. The non- vegetarian combo app & Naan bread combo= yum! This was my first time trying Indian Food. As much as I'm intrigued by the Indian Culture (thanks Bollywood), I found that hard to believe myself. Upon entering the restaurant, I found it to look very classy. Though the look was nice, and the lights were dimmed to help maintain that atmosphere, the place also has a comfortable casual feel. I even noticed people coming in for carryout. There were also several children among several different parties. Service was really good. Waiters were friendly and super fast - maybe even too fast- there were a couple times I felt the waiters were surely going to run into one another and excepted their trays to come crashing down. I seriously thought- it's great you're trying to hustle and serve the food in a quickly manner but safety first. Food- wow! Was great. Only minor complaint I might have is that I did ask for Spicy when ordering my dish and I don't feel it was spicy enough. But maybe next time I'll refer to that and tell them to make it even spicier. Meat, sauces, rice, all had a rich flavor but wasn't over the top. I did add pictures of the food ordered and though it doesn't give you any idea of how good something tastes, it will help with how everything is served. I ended up eating whatever way I was comfortable but was wondering if there was a point into the small dishes or extra plate I was given- almost as if I was supposed to take it out of the little dishes and combine everything.....so I did! I had a Yelp Discount going here- ($10 off ) so with that, the price was reasonable. Without that, for three of us, we probably would've spent about $50 for drinks, appetizers, and entrees. Not bad, but maybe a bit higher than we would've spent on the Mexican restaurat next door. Overall- loved it and would definitely go back. Already wondering what my next dish is going to be.
(5)Halide T.
I have a history with this place. I first came here about 10 years ago with a group of international students from my college, mostly students from South Asia.. For them, it was a great chance to taste the flavors close to their home countries and relieve a bit of the homesickness, and for me it was the perfect opportunity to indulge on some delicious food. I have only had their lunch buffet because it is always very good ! I don't come here as often as I would like but it is still the first place I go whenever I'm in Louisville.
(5)Maggie E.
I am a HUGE fan of Indian food, I have discovered this place rather recently and I have to say it rather changed my mind of all the other Indian choices around town. I now count myself as a devoted and loyal customer even though today was only the second time I have been here.( since it's rather far from where I live) it's some of the spiciest food around making you sweat ad almost cry but yet you i am in love with it. Reliable and continuously tasty you can not go wrong with this place. If you have not been here I highly recommend it. My favorites being the spicy spinach,paneer, nan, and various other dishes that you MUST try. If you are on a quest for good, spicy Indian food this place is for you!
(5)Prachi A.
My husband and I travel around the country a lot and we tryout Indian restaurants wherever we go. I discovered this place as it is right next to Indian grocery store. Location couldn't be better. We went here for dinner and ordered the thali. I must say that it was the best north indian food i had in a long time. I specially liked the dal makhni. It was made to perfection. The saag and korma were great too. We replaced the kheer in the thali with ras malai. But we were pretty disappointed with it. It was way too sweet. Ras malai is one Indian desserts which is supposed to be low on sweetness. But the dish we got was just sugar. Also, one thing i always hate in Indian restaurants in US is the choice of music played. I would highly appreciate if some restaurant - may be shalimar - played more contemporary music. Music from 70s is a big turn off for me.
(4)Kelley M.
Love Love this place! My favorite Indian restaurant. Recommend to everyone! Very friendly staff.
(5)Steve C.
Food was tasty (Chicken Makhani) but oh lord the service was sloooooooooooooooooooooooowwwww. Only go if you and your friends want to hang out a good long time.
(3)Jamie C.
Overall this place was pretty damn good. I had the veggie dumplings in a cashew sauce and a veggie platter appetizer. Both were delicious. It was a little sweet and a little savory. The sauces that came with the app were good too..the mint jalepeno was my favorite. I wasn't super happy when they offered mango salsa without telling you it was an additional $2.50 but oh well. I liked how the portions served weren't the traditional American "fatty" size...don't get offended because you know EXACTLY what I am talking about! The service was prompt and the staff was nice. My hubby had some chai tea with milk and that was pretty tasty too.
(4)K P.
Great food! Favorite dish by far is the Chicken Tikka Masala! The Buffet is amazing
(5)Jeff T.
Worst Lamb Tikka Masala that I have ever had in the US or in India. Plus rice was tasteless. Skip this place !
(2)Miss C.
I rate this place mediocre. The service was very slow. I had vindaloo chicken and it was average at best. The rice was hard and over cooked. My naan bread was tempid and somewhat tough. I wouldn't recommend this place.
(2)Tj P.
"Talk and song from tongues of lilting grace, whose sounds caress my ear, but not a word I heard could I relate, the story was quite clear." Once upon a time (all good stories begin this way), the closest I would get to Indian culture was to sit and listen to Led Zeppelin's Kashmir, eat some Indi's fried chicken, and catch a showing of an old Sinbad movie (not the 80's comedian, I'm reaching further back.) Thanks to a fellow adventurer, my options have now been expanded. A quest spurred on by another Groupon, a veritable headpiece to the staff of Ra, we entered Shalimar met with fragrances of the middle East and Asia --- curries, tamarind, turmeric and other exotic spices. The setting was pristine and spacious, the servers attentive, maybe overly so but I think we caught them off-guard by asking for menus rather than going directly to the buffet. Surprised by our request, they scrambled to produce menus, and then we were asked no less than three times if we were ready to order. Never hurried, I was more than happy to patiently absorb the environment before diving in. After giving me a moment or two to appreciate my surroundings, my adventurous guide charmingly asked the server for recommendations. Completely disarmed, the server offered the non-vegetarian thali and the chicken tikka, with a few slices of naan to start. The naan was warm and chewy, able to withstand the Raitha and other spreads made available. The non-vegetarian thali, kind of an Indian pu-pu platter, was loaded with a nice taster's choice of Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Saag, Dal, Rice, Raitha, Naan and Kheer (a kind of rice pudding.) I was particularly taken by the Lamb Saag, whereas my companion leaned toward the Dal. Completely immersed in the variety of the thali, I hardly took notice of the chicken tikka we also ordered. Luckily so, as this could have been where the trip could've fallen off. Ever watchful, my companion noticed that the chicken seemed slightly underdone, although I'm not sure how that's possible in a 900-degree Tandoor oven but pink is pink. Thankfully, it didn't detract from the experience, as the thali more than satisfied. Happily sated, it was time to move on. Even the good stories must end after all, but the best spur future quests. I'll be happy to return to this one and maybe play guide myself someday. "Let me take you there. Let me take you there."
(4)Danielle W.
Omigoodness omigoodness omigoodness. It is a heavy kept secret that I enjoy buffets. I fear them with every square centimeter of my gastrointestinal tract but I totally love them. Whenever I see a menu, I typically think everything sounds good, so if you take me to a buffet, then I am likely to try everything- and be extremely happy to do it. This was my first experience with Indian food and I knew very little about it but had an excellent guide to explain things to me. First and foremost- you must use the naan and you must eat with your HAND. Not plural. I was told that you wipe with the left and eat with the right and God help you if you want to do the opposite. Sanitary purposes and what-not. Now assuming you washed your hands prior to eating anyways, culturally speaking, I'd stick with the right-left rule, just out of respect for those who DO know the difference. There are utensils but you'll be missing out. It's a lot like sushi in that sense. You get the pure flavor that way. It will get you some attention from the wait staff too in a good way. Try everything. Just a little but of everything on your first plate. Put the naan in your right and shovel on some creamy-chickeney-curry- cumin goodness. WOW I can taste the smell I'm thinking of. It's addictive so be forewarned. Also, don't be afraid to try the multitude of dessert options. There is this long noodle rice coconut mixture that actually tastes great mixed with the savory saltiness of the main course (NOTE: Unlike some buffets that load their dishes with salt to flavor them, you actually feel GOOD after eating this food- despite being extremely full- because the flavor comes from spices!) Don't cry- the buffet ends at 2:30 technically even though they are open until 3pm so just know that if you're cutting it close they're going to shoo you out as some hungry lunch-goers experienced soon after we arrived. Special TIP: Use a lemon wedge to clean off your hand before you leave so your fingers don't get stained or wreak when you're finished. Then I recommend a hike if you can muster or a nap if you can't. Get yourself to Shalimar.
(5)Jess A.
Had a chance to check out Shalimar for the first time yesterday for lunch. It lives up to it's reputation! They had some more standard fare - tandoori chicken & chana masala (vegetables) I recognized - and some that was new to me (I discovered lamb meatballs, num!). Nice buffet selection. The waitstaff was busy but accomodating and friendly, important for a buffet/sit-down restaurant if they want to differentiate themselves from the crowd. A few minor detractors - the naan (think pita bread) was doughy and undercooked, possibly due to the lunch rush. I was also told by my lunch date that they were missing some key buffet staples that they normally have, but I certainly didn't notice. Overall I'm really happy with my first trip to Shalimar and am looking forward to going back - more lamb meatballs in my future!
(4)Alan J.
This is the best place in Louisville for Indian food. The staff is excellent and knows us by name. Can't say enough good things about the restaurant and it's staff. The food changes regularly on the lunch buffet.
(5)Dawnita S.
Ordered palak paneer. It was excellent!
(4)Claire B.
I have dined at Shalimar for many years and still have a strong love for their cuisine. I have had wonderful experiences here with their tandoori, chai, chana masaala, and their chicken tikka masaala and mahkni. Their flavorful dishes are seasoned to order and always come out splendid and flavorful. The setting is just right - it's quiet and dimly lit, very intimate and romantic in its charm. Their waitstaff is on their toes, always ready to fill up your water dish at a moment's notice. Additionally, their prices are very reasonable. You can almost always find a two-for-one coupon on entrees in the paper, groupon.com , restaurants, com or even on yelp. Their entrees range from about 8 to 12 dollars. You can even get a "sampler" plate called a thali, where you get various vegetarian or meat entrees and sides to sample. It feeds two people quite easily. Anytime you have an occasion to celebrate or have intimate conversation with another, I'd highly recommend checking out shalimar. Everything created is done with care and is to the nines!
(5)Arjun A.
Hopeless! I came all the way from Lexington to have some good Indian food, and after seeing their yelp rating, I got to have their microwaved junk. I'm not sure how this has a good rating on yelp... Maybe non-Indians have a good palate for this food, but being an Indian myself, I loathed every bite of their food :(
(1)Molly S.
Good Indian food, weird location (plus ugh the drive to Hurstbourne Lane). The buffet is great, the service is usually really good. We had our rehearsal dinner here and people raved! While I would recommend Dakshin, Shalimar is certainly good and worth the stop if you have already been forced to drive to Hurstbourne.
(4)Rebecca H.
Went for the lunch buffet on Friday. Loved it! Goat curry, chicken curry, tikka masala, naan bread. Yum! I will be back.
(4)Clayton C.
The service was very attentive, and the owner personally thanked us for coming. The environment inside the restaurant was nice, despite being located in a strip mall. We ordered veggie samosas to start, which were among the best I've ever had. For dinner, we had lamb curry, chicken tikka masala, and saag paneer. The spice scale is atypical in that I ordered all dishes "hot" and didn't feel the heat matched the description. Even though the heat was below expectation, the flavor was still great. Next time, I'll be ordering "extra hot." Make sure to take advantage of the $10 off voucher, which you can purchase through Yelp.
(5)Mia Z.
We have been eating at Shalimar for years, and cannot say enough good things about this restaurant. The atmosphere is so romantic, exotic music, dim lighting with candles on the table, and the aroma is heavenly! The staff is superb, very professional and friendly. And we've never been disappointed in our dinner, finely presented and full of flavor. Shalimar has extremely reasonable prices, and is also very generous with coupons (in local newspapers and mailings). I feel this restaurant has the best service in town, and is probably the cleanest as well. Very highly recommended!
(5)Jacob D.
I've been here twice and I've tried some of their lamb and chicken preparations and I've really liked them very much. I also enjoy the onion bhaji very much. My friend also liked everyone of the dishes. The plain Naan bread is a little overdone and crispy instead of being soft and pliable right out of the underground earthen oven. The rice was grainy and under done. May be it was supposed to be that way. The ambiance is appealing. The sound levels of the music is just right. The waiters are very friendly and courteous and a smile is a little hard to come by, but you keep smiling, they will eventually smile and loosen up. I recommend the chicken tikka, the lamb khorma, and onion bhaji for the appetizer. I recommend this restaurant and would go again when I am in the area.
(4)Morghan T.
Delicious food & pleasant service. The lunch buffet is well worth the trip. Have no complaints. One of the best places for Indian in Louisville.
(5)King F.
Very goood food. Excellent pricing in menu. Clean and very organized business. Not like those other family owned ones I had bad experiences with. Love the goat curry.
(4)Jamie S.
Amazing. The food is delicious, the servers are very friendly/professional and never let your drink get empty, the facility is clean and set up for fine dining. I LOVE the lunch Buffett. If your taste buds need pleasant stimulation this is the place to go.
(5)Erin K.
First off, let me just say that I am semi-new to Indian food as I've only had it a couple of times. That being said, I found Shalimar to be excellent. I came here with 2 friends with a Groupon. I was unsure of what to expect as sometimes the service can be a little bit less than perfect if the servers are aware that you are using a Groupon. That was not the situation here; the service was outstanding. The servers were there to refill our wine and water before we even realized we needed it! We ordered chicken samosas for the table which were excellent, crispy and fragrant and accompanied with a trio of very different, very delicious sauces. I ordered lamb curry at a medium spicyness and it was perfectly cooked with just the right amount of heat. One of my dinner companions ordered chicken curry with a "high" heat level and OH MY GOD! It was "make your eyes water" spicy. This place was a fabulous introduction to Indian food for my dining companions and, for me, it was a wonderful reminder of why I enjoy Indian food. I would recommend this place to both newbies and pro's!
(5)Apryl F.
Love this place!!!! Delicious and service is excellent!!!!!!!
(5)Tiff M.
I love this place. Love. The service is always prompt, friendly, and accurate. The food is as good as I've had this side of Southall, England (the largely Indian burb of London). The lamb tikka masala is my favorite, but I've never had anything on the menu that wasn't spectacular.
(5)Sarah W.
Much like the Goonies, Shalimar is good enough. I have been a couple of times for their lunch buffet, but haven't ordered from the menu. I suspect their plated meals may be a bit better than the steam table offerings. I can only assume that to cater to the tastes of the masses, they dial way back on the spices for the buffet. Everything is tasty, but not particularly exciting. So, if you are on Hurstbourne and looking for a lunch option, by all means stop in. Better than what you would expect from their strip mall location, but nothing to write home about.
(3)Irus M.
So far this is the 2nd best Indian place I've ever been to. (the best one I had was in SLC somewhere!)...but REALLY, compare to Indian resto in Cleveland area and considering the size of Louisville, this is AWESOME! We ordered Tandori Chicken, Lamb vindaloo, Pakora chicken and naan. The chicken was excellent, juicy and tender and not dry at all (like what we got sometimes). The lamb also really good, spicy but not too spicy as it became unedible to eat. Our 6 year old son actually can eat the Pakora chicken though they tasted bit spicy but still 'bearable' for his taste. They are very meaty inside and crunchy outside. The servers are not rude, they just have different 'attitude' that what most Americans will expect . But my water was filled all the time which is great! as a lot of time while eating in a restaurant I often had to look around for the server to refill my water.
(4)Paula T.
Food on lunch buffet was very good but had fewer choices than I expected. I will return and order off the menu. Clean and good service.
(4)Tobias B.
When I relocated to Louisville last year from NYC, I never expected to find good Indian food. Shalimar is AMAZING! Their lunch buffet is AWESOME, and I'm usually not one to eat at a buffet. They offer a really good selection of my favorite dishes during lunch, it's affordable, and the quality and taste is as good as the best places back in NYC. I highly recommend their lunch buffet!!!
(5)Lana C.
Very underwhelmed. I ordered paneer masala, a dish I've had many times and loved at other restaurants. It didn't have much flavor and it wasn't very creamy. The garlic nan managed to not taste at all like garlic and was burned and crispy. I won't be going back with so many better options available.
(2)Paige M.
I drove two hours from Cincinnati just to eat dinner here... and it was worth it! My friends and I each ordered the Vegetarian Thali, which is similar to a sampler plate of curries: Vegetable Samosa, Nav Ratan Korma, Saag Paneer, Dal, Rice, Raitha, Naan, and Kheer for dessert. Everything on this sampler was good and fresh! My favorite was Nav Ratan Korma: 9 assorted garden vegetables sauteed in fresh herbs with cashews and raisins. Let me tell you, cashews and raisins are underrated when it comes to curry; they made this dish amazing! Naturally, I was stuffed when I left. This one platter covered appetizer, entree, and dessert and only cost $11. I have yet to find this specialty in Cincinnati, so if anyone has suggestions, let me know!
(5)Sally S.
Shalimar has the best Indian Buffet in town! I like the North-Indian cuisine, and though they do offer a few South-Indian selections, their consistent flavors and quality keep us coming back weekly! My favorites are the fresh naan, tandoori chicken, chicken tikka masala, saag paneer and ALL the desserts, of which there are usually at least 6 or 8 including ice cream for the non-adventurous kids. Their dinner menu is fantastic and the food is perhaps even higher quality made fresh for you at dinner time! The staff is attentive but not intrusive and very friendly. Unlike many Indian restaraunts, this place nicely decorated with soft Indian music in the bakcground, glasstops over linene table cloths with linen napkins, and is always shiny clean with spotless restrooms. Plenty of free parking. CATERING!!! I recommend Shalimar Indian Restaurant to cater your next party! If you like naan and juicy kabobs freshly prepared on-site in a tandoor, and savory korma, tikka masala, curries, biryani and saag, talk to Teerath Pandher to arrange for a fine Indian dinner for your guests. He will order Halal meat on request, and you will find no bones in the korma! Mild, medium or hot, he will 'spice' the food to your preference. He is eager to please and will ensure your food is properly prepared and served. Don't forget the desserts--Ras malai, kheer, jelebis, gulab jaman, and halva will delight everyone at your party. We recently had Teerath cater the food for our daughter's wedding reception and not only was the food perfectly prepared, he and his staff made sure it was served at the proper temperature and on time. They even 'saved the day' by solving a last-minute facility setup problem we encountered, completely separate from anything he was supposed to take care of. They aim to please! Teerath will happily arrange for a tasting of menu items before your make your selection. Give them a try--you will not be disappointed!
(5)Tony R.
If you want something new your had better go here and try it. Most of the dishes I couldn't pronounce, but they were all good on the buffet. We will go here for lunch again plus dinner for the wife and I to get away. Nice atmosphere, good location, lots of space, clean and classy.
(5)Don K.
not too impressive about the taste, just ok for Indiana food , lot curry if you go for it, over all OK
(3)Ka-Lin H.
I used to be scared of trying Indian food. I thought Indian food smelled like BO. Lol. But thank goodness I got over the fear because now I love Indian food. And especially their naan. Oh man. I am a carb lover and naan is one of my absolute favorite. I could eat like 10 and just dip it in some tika masala sauce or some curry sauce and that'll be my dinner. Indian restaurant MUST have good naan. So I came here on a Saturday for their lunch buffet. Tons of people. Front part of the restaurant was packed. The buffet had a good amount of different curry gooey stuff to try. Pretty decent. BUT... They have the worst naan ever. What the heck?!?! You did the goat curry right. The tika masala and the samosas right... But not the naan?!?! Maybe they were too busy but that's not an excuse for the naan to be tasting like a thick tortilla. I will prob never go back, which is a shame because I actually like their stuff. But how can you have Indian food without good naan?... You just can't...
(3)Sneha V.
Shalimar has good ambiance.. Service is good.. Food is fine.. Suitable for people who would like to try Indian cuisine but can't take em hot n spicy.. It is nt Indian spicy.. U gotta tell em to make it extra spicy, yet smtn dsn add up.. Over all it is a good restaurant.. But if u want to eat good Indian spicy food, this is nt d place..
(3)Jon K.
I absolutely love this place. The lunch buffet is my favorite, but the dinner menu is wonderful as well. It's fairly quiet for a nice dinner date, but there is no issues with bringing a group to enjoy the meals. The prices are just fine, the food tasty, and there is something for everyone on the menu.
(5)Catherine S.
This place is pretty fantastic. I've only been there for lunch, but I loved the buffet! There is a wide variety of food, and it's all delicious! The first time I went, they had mattar paneer at the buffet. I fell in love with this dish because of Shalimar. They can definitely cook some mean indian food! The service is also wonderful :) Highly recommended!
(4)Peter C.
Walk-in the restaurant about 7pm for dinner. Greeted by friendly staff and served a table in a matter of seconds. Quickly reviewed the menu and both decided on chicken and veggie dishes with a basket of naan bread. During the dinner, staff provided excellent service with refills of water without having to ask. Dinner was mildly spicy and delicious. Both dishes served with white rice and option to add on cooked mushrooms.
(5)Adam C.
Best Indian food in town Always consistent food, good service. The lunch buffet draws a big crowd but I prefer to order off the menu. If you like Indian food this has to be on your list of places to go.
(4)Brittany H.
I'm so glad that I bought the groupons that led me here! This place is great! It has a very nice atmosphere and the waitstaff are the most solicitous I've ever seen! One warning, they will ask if you need extras of this or that without mentioning an upcharge, my only complaint and the only reason they did not get 5 stars from me. The food is wonderful, I've had the vegetarian appetizer platter, very appetizing, the assorted tandoori mixed grill, mouth watering and the chicken tikka masala, delightful! I will continue to frequent this spot long after I use up the last of my groupons!
(4)Kevin A.
GONNA MAKE YOU SWEAT No, not C+C Music Factory, but Shalimar, a true gem of a restaurant serving up authentic spicy Punjabi cuisine. Shalimar was just what the doctor ordered as I needed to sweat out a whole bunch of toxins from my weekend at the Derby. Highlights include the crisp samosas, the spicy chicken vindaloo, and the rich chicken saag. Give this place a try and you won't be disappointed!
(4)Espee D.
Horrible service, snickering servers. Management takes no interest in customer satisfaction. Caution! go to Bombay Grill if you want good food. If you want to pay for the decor enter shalimar.
(1)James S.
I'm a huge fan of Indian restaurants and have eaten at countless ones across the US so I was pleasantly surprised to find the best vegetable samosas that I've ever eaten at Shalimar -- exquisite flavor with a little spicy heat and no grease whatsoever. The Bhinda Masala (Okra with Onions and Spices) was also very tasty and left me wanting more despite and reasonably sized portion. So why only 4 stars? Four reasons. First, as a solo diner I was given a small, cramped table by the door instead of a more comfortable table despite the fact that the restaurant was less than one-eighth full to their capacity. Second, I've picked up a fair bit of Indian from college and eating at a lot of Indian restaurants so I can generally order without using English; my server then asked me some questions in Indian which I did not understand and I said as much in English. Instead of explaining he somewhat condescendingly replied, don't worry, I would like it. Third, the Paratha -- unlike the samosas -- was too greasy and not completely cooked through in a couple of places. And, fourth, the amount of the tasty rice served alongside the entree was skimpy. Somewhat offsetting the four, minor negatives was the pleasant surprise when I received my check -- $16 for an excellent meal comprised of an appetizer, bread and entree selection -- a true bargain!
(4)John S.
Don't confuse Shalimar with Shalamar the 80's RB group that had a song in Footloose and another song that was the theme for my High School Winter Dance, but I digress... We were in town for the Kentucky Derby and was hungry without a car staying across the street at the Ramada. So off we went. The lunch crowd was in hovering over the buffet. So, we decided to go with it. I had a plate of jasmine rice surrounded by different sauce and meat combinations. I am a sauce guy, so I did enjoy it. Ok, so I enjoyed two plates worth. The dessert was disappointing. I would avoid the cheesecake in a sweet milk sauce. It had the strangest consistency ever - like eating a milk soaked sponge. The donutty hole immersed in a sugary sauce was a good palette cleanser. Overall I enjoyed it, but had to top it off with a shake at DQ on the walk home.
(3)Kristen W.
The service was quick and very nice, but overall the food was pretty bland and disappointing. The plain naan was the best part - it was thick and doughy (not normal for naan, I know, but it was nice). The garlic naan didn't have much flavor, and the lamb tikka masala and chicken makhani were both just... fine. I'm hoping this isn't really the best Indian restaurant in Louisville.
(3)Natalie C.
Meh - portions are small and prices are high. something seems to be lacking in their dishes. i'll stick to the Shalimar in CA when I go back to visit.
(2)Christopher B.
Shalimar is solid, local Indian food. The selling point here is the buffet, especially on Fridays (when they bring out the more specialty dishes). The staff is very friendly, and they always keep your water full!
(4)Kyle D.
I was taken to Shalimar for the first time over the weekend and I was quite impressed. We were in Louisville doing some shopping and needed lunch so we hit up the buffet. Now I'm not very experienced with Indian food so I don't know any of the names of things. I know that I had a chicken curry that was amazing and a creamed spinach curry with potatoes that was also amazing. They were definitely my two favorites. There's a salad made from shredded lettuce, tomato, and cucumber that was nice with a splash of the Italian dressing. Ooh, and if you like spice, the restaurant has its own hot sauce which is super tasty...just be careful, as it's easy to add too much. I'm only knocking a star off for the fact that I couldn't get any fruit for dessert; the place is really popular and we were lucky to get a table without a wait. The people who came in after us had to chill out for a bit before being able to sit down. The main dishes were kept stocked but I was disappointed about the dessert section.
(4)Charles B.
Twi words.... Authentic and fresh. I have been coming here for about five years! I have tried many of the other Indian restaurants in Louisville and no others compare. The service is great and they never let me run low on water. The lunch buffet is great if you want to try different foods. They keep the food less spicy so it is good for everyone. But dinner time is even better! I love flavorful food, on top of that they have options of getting mild, medium, or hot. They accomodate large groups of people well and they even have a seperate private area if you prefere to eat there. My favorite dish is chicken tikka masala along with garlic naan. I order mango lassi to drink. It's very refreshing. They have a great selection of dessert too! It is a family run business and the staff is really friendly. If you decide u want to cook Indian food at home there is an Indian Grocery store next door called Patel brothers. Shalimar is located at a convient location although u may hit traffic sometimes it is WELL WORTH IT. It was also VOTED BEST Indian restaurant in louisville!
(5)Kim B.
Have enjoyed Shalimar for years. They've recently updated their menu and are bringing their A+ game. On a recent Saturday night, they were slammed but the service did not falter in the slightest. They're attentive and friendly without being intrusive. Food is always excellent - have never had a bad dish. What's not to love?!
(4)Kate D.
Fantastic! I've never been disappointed. I love the chai, mattar paneer and vegetable samosas. I could go fir some right now!
(4)Imran Q.
The atmosphere is nice here compared to many Indian restaurants I've been too but in the end they're trying too hard. The food is fresh which is a plus but the taste is mediocre. In the end, it's a good place to go on a night out or to meet friends but there are better options out there.
(3)Jim L.
One of my favorite Louisville stops. Great service, great food and very good prices. Love it. Worth a trip for sure.
(5)Stacy A.
I had heard a lot of good buzz about this restaurant and, trying to get my Indian fix, decided to try it out. I ordered carryout of chicken curry, chicken tikka masala, and naan. The chicken curry was amazing! I got spicy level medium and it had just the perfect amount of heat and flavor. Best chicken curry I've had, ever. However, the chicken tikka masala, which is typically my favorite dish, was awful. I don't know what it was about the dish, but after a few bites I realized I couldn't keep torturing myself and threw it away. The staff was friendly and the meal was reasonably priced. I will definitely be back for the curry and perhaps try something else. But with my disappointment about the other dish I couldn't give a higher rating.
(3)Andy S.
Typically what happens is a friend and I will go to Shalimar during our work lunch break. We show up, the gracious waiter shows us to a table, and then we proceed to rape the buffet. Men, women and children either stand back or bear the brunt of our clawing hands and elbows. The chicken cooked in a clay pot is a favorite of mine and I eat it heartily. Stacks of naan are desimated for the purporse of soaking up as much spinach and paneer as possible. Seeing that our lunch hour is almost up we full on tackle anyone in our way to fill our mouths with those little donut holes soaking in honey (whose name I can't remember). Then we pay our bill, leave the tip and head back to work. This trip is usually followed by much pain. Our stomachs asking why we thought it was Ok to stuff 14 gallons of delicious Indian food. But we must ride it out and the trip to Shalimar will be repeated once the memory of overeating has disappeared.
(5)KW L.
I have been trying different Indian Restaurants here in Louisville ever since I moved here. This was one of the first restaurants that I tried. My wife and I went during lunch time on a weekend and it was surprisingly busy. I guess I never expected an Indian restaurant to be so busy in Louisville. Having lived in Chicago, good Indian food was aplenty, so my expectations were some what tempered. The buffet was pretty standard. They had the standard Indian buffet fare that I love. I felt a couple of the dishes were under seasoned which is rarely the case in Indian cuisine and the rest of the buffet was average. On another visit, I ordered off the menu at dinner and I thought the food was definitely better. I didn't think Shalimar was anything special, but for the price it is definitely worth a try to get your Indian fix.
(3)Will L.
Just getting into Indian food and bought a living social voucher, which turned out to work fine. I went for dinner and the food was very good, it came out quick and seemed to be made fresh as opposed to scooping out of a buffet in the kitchen. The decor is definitely stuck in 1994, and the service was great but maybe a little too great, different servers were constantly coming by asking the same question the last one did, but I will certainly take that over the opposite. I will go back, would recommend, and if you like spice go for the hot! Ya!
(4)Jane H.
I've been searching for good Indian food in Louisville for awhile, and I found it here. When my friend asked the waiter which vegetarian dish was the best, he immediately responded with "Saag paneer," which is what I ended up ordering. The dish was quite good - just the right texture - but the whole wheat naan and rice I had with it were only average - nothing to write home about. I was only able to eat about half of what I ordered and I paid only $10! The service was decent. They kept switching up the waiters on us, which was a little confusing to my group, since we didn't know who to ask when we needed something. I wasn't completely disappointed, and they certainly didn't do anything to upset us, but since the atmosphere of the restaurant is pretty classy (at least for dinner) - low-lit, with nice furniture and soft music - I expected better service.
(4)Brett W.
Paid a visit here recently using a discount from a LivingSocial. I was pretty excited to go here as the reviews seemed decent enough and I am definitely a huge Indian food fan. All in all, I left the restaurant pretty underwhelmed. First, the good: The service was pretty quick and definitely friendly and attentive, traits I have come to notice and appreciate in many Indian restaurants. I liked the free cracker-like bread item that was brought to our table for free. Also, the naan we ordered (plain and garlic) was pretty tasty and held its own against other locations. Now, the not so good: Pretty much all of the rest of the food we ordered. Typically, I like to take my naan and dip it in sauces from a dish such as tikka masala or vindaloo. Well, the sauces from both my dish (lamb tikka masala) and my wife's dish (chicken makhani) were both pretty bland. I am a fan of very spicy food, which these dishes were not, but would've been fine if the flavor was brought in different ways. It simply wasn't there. Also, the lamb in my entree was not the highest of quality I have had at an Indian restaurant. As an Indian food fan currently living in Louisville, KY, I will have to try some other local offerings in search of a place I would want to frequent. For now, I have no plans to return to Shalimar anytime soon, unless the price was right (read: I'm not paying).
(3)Jenneh B.
Want an adventure!? This is HILarIoUS!! When I first quit smoking and my taste buds were pretty new to me, my daughter and I decided to grab a bite. I don't remember what we got, because neither of us could read the menu. We asked the waiter what he recommended and my daughter got something with chicken and I stuck with vegetarian. We ordered a vegetarian appetizer with two dipping sauces. It wasn't until our wait staff changed that we found out one was called chutney - hot sauce with onions. By the time we left I had tears streaming down my face and I think our stomachs were ready to crawl out of our mouths ROTL!!! The stuff was SOOO spicy. I think everyone in the very small resturant was laughing at our reactions to everything we tried. It was like eating blindfolded!!! And we shudder at the word Indian food. Oh - and a word of warning - cheesecake in India apparently doesn't mean the same thing that we think it means. This is what I can say: I will NEVER eat Indian food knowingly again. I will stick with other vegetarian recipes that don't contain mint and peppers. WOW. I will also NEVER eat somewhere that the server knows more about the menu than I can understand and the language barrier is too big that I have to smell the food before I eat it. This is the GOOD PART: It is authentic as it can get I think here in Louisville. It is a TON of FOOD for a moderate price!! It's an INTERESTING alternative to vegetarian. And everyone is so nice, even if they have NO clue as to why you're crying so hard you're laughing!!! :-p P.S. I've only heard great things about their lunch buffet - but I'm not going to risk it. I'm only so adventurous!!
(5)Doug R.
It has been almost 30 years since I had tried Indian food (on visit to London, not exactly the highlight of that trip) and Louisville doesn't exactly have a wide choice of restaurants that specialize in the cuisine. We decided to give Shalimar a shot since it was the close by and it always smelled good when we were in the parking lot. Their menu can be overwhelming, so perhaps the best option for the neophyte is to opt for the lunch buffet like we did. I can readily recommend the curried lamb and my wife swears the tandoori chicken is just the best chicken out there. For dessert, try the mango pudding, light and refreshing and really kills the residual heat in your mouth from the spices in the dishes you consumed earlier. Try something new and give Shalimar a shot.
(4)Olwen C.
I was looking for an Indian lunch buffet in Louisville and chose this one based on good reviews and location. It was a good choice. The place was getting very busy as we sat down around 11:45am on Saturday. I can see why, it was good, and priced reasonably at $10.99 for weekend buffet and $9.99 for week day buffet. The amount of food choices available on the buffet was amazing. They had more options than most Indian buffets I've been to. The quality was also good. I have absolutely no complaints, except that the food could have been spicier. It was flavorful, but I like more spice. They also had several dessert choices on the buffet.
(4)Heidi H.
I work for the airlines and stay nearby. Part of the reason I look forward to a long overnite in Louisville is so I can get my Indian food fix. Lunch buffet is a great deal and the food is hot and plentiful, a good way to have a little of everything. My favorite item: chicken curry I've also ordered off the menu. Lamb Vindaloo....yum! A great way to clear your sinuses! Today's visit was great for the food and the fact I could finally smell and taste after several days of being congested. The staff is attentive, never making me feel bad for dining solo and rushing me. Thank you!
(4)Joseph O.
I was in Louisville for business and felt like having something different. I found this place online and it turned out to be quite close to the hotel so I gave it a shot. When I arrived, I was warmly greeted by the hostess who found me a table right away. The waitstaff was very attentive throughout, answering my questions about the food and the house specials. I opted for the veggie samosas as an appetizer, followed by the lamb vindaloo and an order of peshwari naan. The samosas were excellent - perfectly cooked with just the right amount of spice. I really liked the accompanying tomato onion chutney too. The lamb vindaloo was tender and flavorful. It was served with basmati rice that was light and seasoned just right. The naan was possibly the best naan I have ever eaten. It struck the perfect balance of being soft yet cooked with a crispy outer layer. The waitstaff checked on me several times, but not too many, and even the owner (or manager) checked to see if I was satisfied. Overall the restaurant was great. The food was fabulous, the prices were very reasonable and the ambience (with Indian music playing in the background) were all perfect. I will definitely return when I'm back in town.
(5)Cortney Renee B.
If I handed you a raw Idaho potato and told you it is potato casserole, how would you react? Well, thats what Shalimar is to Indian food. Just because a restaurant pretends to be a certain genre, doesnt mean its authentic. Think Taco Bell to mexican food. Shalimar uses some of the same ingredients as authentic Indian food but it replaces the savory spices and the nose-watering deliciousness with creams and other "watered- down" ingredients, giving you an incredibly Americanized version of Indian food. Sort of. They want to appeal to those who wont search out the real deal because its too diffferent from what theyre used to eating. The service is fine as are the prices, but the food is here is bland, dull, forgetable and at best, is a very distant cousin to Indian food. If you want the real deal, try India Cafe and ask the owner about Shalimar. ;) Also does not offer much for vegetarians....real Indian food does.
(2)Chrissie V.
Not your average Indian joint! I was going on my 4th night in Louisville for work and I was jonesin' for some Indian. Luckily one of the recommendations at my hotel included an Indian restaurant...behold...Shalimar. I consulted my fellow Yelpers before taking the plunge and ordering my take out...and you did not lead me astray! I got chicken vindaloo...regular naan...and as an appetizer, vegetable samosas. The vegetable samosas were VERY generously sized and came with the most delicious three sauces/toppings. I put all three sauces on just about every single bite of samosa. A very exciting way to start my meal. The chicken vindaloo was tangy with just the right amount of spice...it didn't beat my hometown favorite Shaan Indian in Cincinnati...but it was still delicious. I wasn't crazy about the naan...which was insane to me because I love all things carbohydrates...but it was too thin and flaky and could not hold up to the rice and vindaloo. If the naan would have been better, I probably would have given this place 5 stars. But the most pleasantly surprising part of the whole Shalimar experience was how gorgeous the inside of the restaurant was!! I was only grabbing my carry out, but the next time I'm in town for work, I'll probably eat in there. Extremely elegant looking, but still a comfortable atmosphere...if you have an Indian-food-loving date this place would be PERFECT.
(4)Daniel B.
I've been coming here for nearly twenty years, and the waitstaff knows me well. Not only is Shalimar the best overall restaurant in Louisville for Indian food, but it is also probably the fanciest inexpensive restaurant in the city as well. White tablecloths, chandeliers, spot-on servers in snappy attire, and amply-spaced tables really lend a sense of class - but entrees are only priced around ten dollars each. For this reason, Shalimar is a phenomenal date place. Order some naan with sides of tamarind and mint, and try any one of my three favorite dishes: shrimp korma, chicken jalfrezi, or lamb saag. The portions are generous, but if you have a monstrous appetite, drop in during lunch for the buffet. Highly recommended over Kashmir, which owes most of its hype to the fact that anything in the Highlands receives inflated praise.
(5)Amanda A.
I came here recently for the lunch buffet with another teacher and some of our students to introduce them to Indian food (and tipping, apparently). The staff was really helpful and immediately put a few tables together so we had room for our party of 12. I didn't find anything at the buffet that I didn't love. As someone who primarily eats vegetarian, I sometimes worry that I won't have enough options at a buffet, but Shalimar totally came through. The server even brought naan to us at the table, so everyone could grab some. In terms of atmosphere, it leaves a bit to be desired. The restaurant is pretty dim and spare. However, the food completely makes up for it. They gave our students a small discount for the buffet, and I grabbed a loyalty card for the next time. As someone who has a dear friend from Bangladesh, I've had my share of excellent Indian food, and Shalimar held up to anything I've tried before.
(4)Matt C.
Food was ok. Service was good but honestly I probably won't be back. There is another india restaurant close by named little india cafe on richland ave that is absolutely amazing and killing shalimar in my opinion.
(3)Joseph T.
I feel like I've been giving out too many five star ratings lately, but I'm trying to consider what it is about Shalimar that doesn't deserve five stars. * Affordable. * Clean. * Nice area. * Very tasty food. * All-you-can-eat lunch buffet. * Loyalty card, whereby you can earn a free dinner or a free lunch buffet. I don't know what else you could want. I've been to Shalimar no less than 10x, and I've enjoyed it every single time. If you're new to Indian cuisine, please go to Shalimar during the lunch buffet. That way you're not limited on what you can try. Tikka Masala is the American go-to, and it is a solid go-to. Very tasty. It's what I usually get. The curry is darker and has a "deeper taste." It is a worthy option. Don't shy away from the goat. Very well prepared. The potato and cauliflower mixed dish is dope. If you go for dinner, they will ask you if you want your curry mild, medium, or spicy. Now, I am not someone who can tolerate REALLY spicy food, but the "spicy" option isn't that bad. It's what I go with. Just adds a little bit of kick. They sometimes have a groupon, so look that up. I love Shalimar. My favorite Indian restaurant in the city.
(5)Jason H.
O. M. G. Had the lunch buffet. Yummy, various levels of heat, vegetarian AND choices for carnivores. It's Naanvana.
(5)Victoria T.
The Vegetable Samosas were perfect. The Chicken Samosas were well seasoned but the chicken inside was a bit dry. The Tandoori Chicken was delicious. It was tender and flavorful. Sexy Beast loved the Chicken Vindaloo. It was chock full of chicken and packed just enough heat. The service was prompt and friendly and the atmosphere was pleasant but I felt like the tables were placed too close together so that I was privy to conversations that I shouldn't have been.
(4)Brad G.
A fellow co-worker raved about this place for years, but I never went. Today... we decided to take a lunch break to enjoy the lunch buffet here. Wow! I made 3 trips to the buffet. 1st plate as a new customer trying a little bit of everything. 2nd plate with things I liked from the 1st plate along with a few other things to try. 3rd plate for dessert. We were seated right away and went straight to the buffet. The waiters kept our old plates out of the way and our water glasses filled. I have to say... I'm very satisfied. The curry. The chicken. The chutney. All of the other little sides that I've never had before. Everything was outstanding and fresh. My review is solely based on the lunch buffet. Being able to try a bunch of different things at an Indian place that you normally wouldn't order from the menu is perfect. I will definitely be a repeat customer of the lunch buffet. The next time I have a craving for curry... I'm going here during dinner hours to see how it is. It's not really a huge issue, but I do wish the tables were spread out just a little more. We had the chance to over hear 2 authors at a table near us talking about poetry and traveling... while my friend and I stuffed our face with great Indian food.
(4)Mr. J And Mrs. J.
My mother introduced me to this restaurant last week. She frequently goes there for lunch. First let me say, I'm NOT a fan of buffets, nor am I a fan of Indian or Pakistan food. It definitely requires me to go outside my comfort zone to try new things. My first impression was that it was a lovely place for lunch. They have white linen table clothes and linen napkins. Everything was very clean including the floors, buffet line, and restrooms. The service was good. They prepared a special dish upon request for my mom. However they forgot to refill my tea. Not a big deal. It's truly hard for me to know whether it was good Indian food or not. I wasn't crazy about anything I tried. However, it looked like everyone around me was throughly enjoying their lunch. I enjoyed some delicious slices of oranges and cantaloupe that became my main dish. The buffet had a large selection of various entrees and side dishes so I'm giving it 4 stars for presentation. ~Mrs. J
(4)Max B.
As I understand it, Shalimar is Louisville's oldest and longest running Indian restaurant. It's certainly the restaurant that introduced me to the cuisine (through its catering of Diwali celebrations while I attended UofL). With many excellent Indian restaurants in Louisville, Shalimar is still something of required pilgrimage. The service is always excellent and the buffet never fails to provide the flavor variety I've grown to crave from Indian cuisine. As with all buffets and catering, it can vary in quality from trip to trip, but the average quality is high and menu orders have always been very high quality in my experience.
(5)Kuldeep G.
We have had lunch buffet and it was decent. Many options for desserts. 3 star because staff was not courteous.
(3)Linda S.
I, too, am a raging foodie who goes to great lengths to research restaurants when I travel. People really don't understand what an array of great restaurants we have here, especially ethnic ones. My youngest daughter and I share a love of Indian fare. She is a vegetarian, and has so many good choices with this fare. Her favorite restaurant in Louisville is Shalimar and I am a huge fan as well. Recently, I have been reluctant to venture in the snow and ice and have been saved by Shalimar's delivery service, Takeout Taxi. It's a small fee for the service! on two occasions, I have enjoyed the Malai Kofta...one of my favorite dishes that you can never find on a buffet. The Vegetarian Thali is a delightful dinner of three entrees, naan, samosa,Dal, rice, Raitha and Kheer. the portions were large enough for two and the flavors..oh so divine! The Navratan Korma was the best I have ever tasted! No canned vegetables here! Sadly, I have been to every other buffet in Louisville, and we have some good ones, but never here. I plan on shoveling the snow off and visiting at lunch.
(5)Shal V.
If you poll members of the Indian community in Louisville, Shalimar rarely features in the top 3 of the best Indian restaurants in town. I personally felt it was really good most of the time...perhaps slightly watered down to suit non-Indian palates but the food is still very delicious. Despite complaints from some members of the south Asian diaspora, the one thing Shalimar has going for it is consistency. It consistently served above average fare that appealed to a wider demographic. However, my lunch buffet experience today was underwhelming - chicken tikka masala was slightly runny and the cubes of chicken in the curry were not very palatable, the tandoori chicken was dry and insipid. I'll definitely go back because every restaurant has an off-day every now and then, and most of the other items were pretty good. Their service is always great.
(4)Matt M.
My wife and I recently moved to Louisville and have made a commitment to eating almost exclusively at the many fantastic local spots around the city. Of our many great experiences thus far Shalimar definitely stood out as one of the best. The food was amazing and some of the best Indian we have had the pleasure of eating, I ordered the Non Vegetarian Thali and my wife opted for the Chicken Tikka Masala which was really a home run hit. While the food was excellent what really set the tone for our experience at Shalimar was the staff. Everyone was incredibly friendly and willing to have a conversation with us. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and helped explain the menu, we never felt out of place. The staff seems to really have a passion for educating customers who aren't as familiar with Indian food and for making sure they enjoy their experience. We will definitely be making a return trip when we get that craving for some warm Garlic Naan bread.
(5)John S.
Best Indian buffet in America... Because I've been to plenty. Best selection, best service, and best naan bread. Always love returning here-
(5)GC N.
We are out of town and stopped here for their lunch buffet (ends at 2:30) since it was on the way and conveniently located close to I-64. The buffet was amazing for the price with a wide selection of meat and vegetable curries to choose from, in addition to an assortment of desserts. the flavors were well balanced and spicy, which we loved. Service was fast and friendly, and in the hour we stayed they were constantly refilling food from the buffet. We will definitely be back whenever we are driving through.
(5)Bethany H.
Shalimar was able to even convince my husband that Indian food is delicious! Although I typically loath buffets, I have been a fan of Shalimar's lunch buffet for years. It allowed me to learn which Indian foods I really liked and which I didn't care for (as much). But again, because my husband was convinced he didn't care for Indian food, we were never able to partake together. Recently my husband decided he wanted to give Indian food another try and we're both so glad he did. He started with a delicious chai tea and we ordered some veggie samosas. We both ordered the non-vegetarian thali, which serves as a great sampler. I challenge anyone to try to finish the non-vegetarian thali. It is delicious, but it is a lot of food. The service was incredibly fast - so fast in fact that we joked the staff have ESP and communicate with telepathy. I can't say how thrilled I was when at the end of the meal my husband said, "I will DEFINITELY get this again."
(5)Josh M.
Chicken Tikka Masala with a Garlic Naan!!!!!!! My wife and I were in the mood For something different so we gave this place a try. Oh my gosh it was amazing the food was so good. The service was great its an awesome atmosphere and really really cool place to eat. We will go back Id like to try kabobs they sounded tasty.
(5)Dianna O.
I remember my first time. I came inside from the late summer heat and the exotic scents enveloped me. Tandori. Curry. Now close your eyes and say this with me: Bangan Bartha. Let the sound roll off your tongue. Order an ice cold Taj Mahal beer (get the large one, you can share) and garlic nan. I'll be Rudyard Kipling. You be Rikki Tikki Tavi.
(5)Mr And Mrs G.
Mr says.... Mrs says... if there's fried rice in Chinese food, try BIRYANI in Indian food. I just love their Lamb biryani because of how tender the meat is and the spices had already been incorporated in the meat. It's tasty. For a quick fulfilling Indian meal, go for the buffet at lunch time. It's reasonable for all the variety you can get. I see some Yelpers complain about the traffic in getting to this place - for your convenience, you can order online at TAKEOUTTAXI.COM and they'll be more than happy to deliver.
(5)George E.
We have family in Louisville, and every visit we make a point of going to Shalimar. Without a doubt the best India cuisine in the city.
(5)Jim G.
This is an excellent weekend buffet and I say that as someone who almost religiously avoids east Louisville outside the Watterson. So, if you don't mind the traffic and poor design that is Hurstbourne Lane then check out the buffet here.
(5)Shawn E.
Wait staff very attentive....amazing lunch buffet which is a great value. Perfect for lunch as well as dinner. I definitely want to get back to Shalimar soon....there aren't many places in Louisville like it. Good location, very accessible.
(4)Alyson Y.
I spent some time in east Louisville this summer, and I was beginning to think that Louisville was a terrible, terrible place. Then I discovered two things, both of which raised my appreciation for the city: (1) east Louisville is different from the rest of Louisville and (2) Shalimar. So Kelsey and I were driving along the city planning abomination that is Hurstbourne in our sweet rental car, totally upset because our meal choices seemed to be confined to national chains. We pulled into some strip mall, dejected, utterly bummed. And then I looked up and saw God speaking from the burning bush, or whatever. Never mind. It was Shalimar. The food was amazing. I had some paneer tikka masala, Kelsey had some chana masala, and we both had veggie samosas. In San Francisco, we live within one block of no less than four Indian restaurants, and we've dined at all of them, as well as about six or seven other Indian and/or Pakistani restaurants in the city. In other words, our standards are rather high, but Shalimar could easily compete with some of the best Indian restaurants in San Francisco. The prices were good, too. Way to go, Louisville.
(5)John G.
I honestly didn't think much of the food. I think it is a good option for those who want curry, but can't take anything spicy. I thought it was really bland. I have only tried the buffet, so ordering off the menu may be better. The buffet was also a bit cheaper than some of the other options out there. There are definitely better options out there, IMO.
(2)Jay R.
Only eaten their twice. Both times were mediocre. I prefer Kashmir on Bardstown Road. THe chicken tiki masala was a little bland but the julab desert was great.
(3)