Just came back from dinner at Tandoori Nights - wanted to try this place again & used a $40.00 LivingSocial offer this time. Oddly enough, we sat at the same exact table we did last year. The restaurant was empty when we got there, but lo & behold, there was a steady stream of diners that came in right after us so it was full when we left. I couldn't resist & got the Tandoori Vegetables (Chef's Special) again because is was SO good last time. This time, however, I would venture to say that it was not as good. Not that it was bad (far from it!) - I just happened to like it better last time. For instance, this time the onions were very sharp & biting (instead of sweet) & the apple was not as good. However, they brought a nice side of lentils for us to eat with our dishes & I really like those. I also tried the Olive Naan this time & it was great. The only downside was the side of Mango Chutney that I ordered - it was *extremely* salty & vinegar-y, so much so that I asked the waiter if it was supposed to taste like this. He kindly did not charge us for it but after going in the back & tasting some for himself, said that yes, this was the way it was supposed to be; however, he described it as tasting sweet & in no way did I feel it tasted sweet & it was quite inedible to me. That was the only blip in the meal though. Like I said last time, I will go again once another offer comes up, but this time, I will try another dish, perhaps the Tandoori chicken.
(3)
Sharon F.
I went to order take out tonight and saw a worker in the kitchen dolling out rice into carryout containers with his bare hands. It's flu season! Gloves please! I left and won't be back.
(1)
Mel L.
What I ordered (I uploaded some pics): - Garlic Nann - Tandoori Fish - Bombay Fish Curry What I like: - Garlic Nann is very fresh, the bits of garlic are flavorful but not overpowering, the flavor and texture come together very well! - Tandoori Fish is presented beautifully, and the masala sauce comes with it compensates the dish to bring out the sweetness and juiciness of the fish meat. - Bombay Fish Curry: all I want to say is YUMMM! One of the best fish curry I've had. The color, consistency, herbal flavors are all there! Scooping some fish and eat it with garlic nann, you will leave your dinner with satisfaction! What can be improved: - Waitresses/Waiters are attentive, but most of them lack energy in their service. I came for an early dinner, so it was just the beginning of their night. I would save my 5th stars for exceptional customer services.
(4)
Kim F.
This used to be one of our favorite restaurants. Unfortunately, service has slowed to an absolute crawl and the quality of the food is declining as well. Chicken tikka masala came last weekend with four bites of chicken in the entire dish--hardly worth the cost of the meal. We are, very sadly, looking for a new favorite for Indian food.
(2)
Raj G.
Bethesda MD. Excellent food. Good service. Ordered crispy spinach for an appetizer. Really good. Tandoori whole fish , a big red snapper. Delicious. Chicken Vindaloo really spicy. Both accompanied by basmati rice and makhani dal. Everything was delicious. Very generous portions. Reasonable prices.
(5)
Eunice K.
service was good food was good aloo chat papri: flavorful and fresh! vindaloo is spicy.. has a nice kick
(4)
Alex F.
Since I started working in Bethesda, I've been to Tandoori Nights three times. The first time was after a long, grueling bike ride along the Capitol Crescent Trail, which drops off right by Woodmont Avenue in the heart of Bethesda's restaurant row. I was hungry, no, I was STARVING and as I locked up my bike next to a tree by the Barnes and Noble, I smelled butter chicken. Or whatever the Tandoori Nights equivalent is. That was it, game over. I had to have it. My friend and I shared said chicken, along with spinach paneer and plenty of naan. Only complaint the first time was that it was a tad pricey. The second and third time I went, my coworkers and I went for the buffet lunch. For 10.99, you get an all-you-care-to-eat bonanza. This my friends, is a bargain. Just as I had hoped, I got to mix everything together into one wonderful Indian Food sludge pile. Maybe that sounds gross to you, that's on you. To me, mixing everything together is what I dream about at night. I sopped up the remnants with the warm, soft naan, and then everyone at the table sat there for about 15 minutes after, too full to move. The ambiance is pretty and tasteful: above the booths are silver bead curtains that glisten and glimmer and add an interesting barrier between parties. I can't finish this review without also touching on the faucet in the women's bathroom. It is a thing of beauty. To see what I mean, either hunt down my Vine account or go see for yourself. Sorry dudes, apparently your bathroom has a boring faucet. In conclusion: the lunch buffet rocks! I would never turn down an offer to go here for dinner/not lunch buffet, but...the buffet is incredible. You can't beat the price or the variety, at least not in Bethesda. Enjoy.
(4)
Samantha L.
Went here for dinner back on New Years Day. The good news is that we had a living social instant deal that gave us $40 for $20 The bad news is that it was still kind of expensive, and not very good. We ordered the Lamb Roganjosh and Chicken Vindaloo and an appetizer (Samosas maybe?) The lamb was ok... but the chicken was WAY too spicy. Vindaloo is traditionally one of the spicier items on the menu, and I'm ok with spicy, but this was burn your mouth, no real flavor, so hot you couldn't enjoy it spicy. Almost the opposite of what I love about Indian food. Normally I think Indian Food is spicy, but also has a ton of flavor. Probably wont go back... despite it being just down the street.
(2)
Yummy F.
This is one of the times where I wished I checked yelp before going to that place. Let's start with the positive: the location is nice, especially in the summer and the food didn't get me sick. The rice was ok, maybe the most decent part of the meal. The negatives: the quality of meat is not good, be it for chicken or what they call lamb but tastes like beef. I ordered the chicken Makhani and it tastes like some creamy dish that everything but chicken Makhani which I know well by mow and the chicken didn't taste good. I was almost sure I was going to be sick and I am glad I didn't after all. My friend ordered 'the lamb" dish and we could both swear that it was not lamb. I usually take leftover with me but in this case I didn't want to get near the food. Seriously, don't expect much, bland, not convincing and on the top of that overpriced (well, it's Bethesda too). Finally, the service is poor, not rude but hesitant and not well trained.
(2)
Stewart W.
Food was great! A little overpriced but really not bad at all. Also, there is a groupon for $22 for $40 so we used that and were very happy with the price. The fried spinach was great and the vegetarian dishes were also quite good. The cardamom flavored ice cream was fantastic but it is 7 dollars for a small amount. Lastly, get a mango lassi... They are amazing!
(5)
Priya N.
TIP TIP TIP or GO TO HELL!!!! Food was ok! Chicken makhani and chicken 65 are bad. Never ever go to this place unless you are willing to give huge tip or else be prepared to accept their foul language. Let me keep this all apart. As we weren't happy we gave tip less than 15% of the bill. Here comes waitress Niva, she walks back to us and asks for more tip. We explained politely about our experience with food and with what we are disappointed with. She started using foul language "GO TO HELL" and "YOU INDIANS ARE ALWAYS LIKE THIS". These are the exact words she used and I can prove if they have security cameras. Fucking ridiculous what the hell she thinks. Such a racist. Even after her comments about indians, I didn't say a word, all I asked is this the attitude you show towards your customers. She wasn't even listening and kept on whining about tip. I never saw anybody like this.... Food wise its ok there are many other restaurants which serve tasty and better food. Please don't go to this place if you respect yourselves.
(1)
Heather J.
I really enjoyed this place! We started with the vegetable samosas, which were great. I love the sauces that come with them - I wish I knew what the dark-purplish one was made of (or even what it's called). It's my favorite! For our entrees we got the chicken saag and the chicken makhani. I loved the creamy tomato sauce of the chicken makhani, and the chicken was really tender. The saag was excellent, as well. And of course we got naan, and it was buttery and delicious. The service was friendly, attentive, and efficient. Our orders were taken promptly, water glasses were consistently refilled, food came out within a reasonable time, leftovers were packaged and brought out quickly, and the check was taken care of within minutes. The place is also really nicely decorated. I have recently been to both Shangri-La in Bethesda and Indique Heights in Chevy Chase, and neither place comes close to the quality of food and service at Tandoori Nights. I'll definitely be back here!
(4)
J H.
Fair food, poor atmosphere and service night we were there. We visited on a Sunday evening before a holiday, about 9:00. Most of the time, there was a rauchos group nearby, ear-splitingly loud. They were having a good time -- no problem with that -- but rather inconsiderate of rest of us. When that group finally left, the staff put on their coats, handed us the check before we were halfway done. Obviously they wanted us to leave. Very poor customer relations and service.
(2)
Christie D.
I was really excited to try this place, but I hated my meal. I hardly ate any of it. It wasn't tasty and it was all sauce. Hardly any meat. I should have gotten the tandoori chicken, that looked good when other people ordered it. The rice was good. Our appetizer was really really dry. Garlic naan would have been better. I recommend anyone eating here to get the naan and the tandoori chicken. I obviously made the mistake of not getting those items.
(2)
Anya I.
I've been here three times for the lunch buffet, and my experiences have been similar each time. I can't speak for any of the menu items, yet. Service- quick, courteous, and attentive. Our water glasses were never empty. Food- hot, good choices for a buffet, delicious, and satisfying. It's not the best Indian food you will ever eat, but it's pretty good. It's always a treat to finish with one (or four) bowls of rice pudding. Ambiance- spacious interior, easy-to-navigate buffet line, clean and comfortable dining area. Solid choice of restaurant, and I'll be back again and again.
(4)
Libby F.
Excellent food, but lousy understaffed service on a Saturday night. I'm lucky that parking is free in public parking garages in Bethesda on a Saturday night because I'd be way over my time limit. So, maybe it was an off service night, and maybe I'll be back. Get a Groupon. It's a great way to see if this place is for you. I am not an experienced Indian food eater, and what I don't get is why different restaurants call menu items by different names. I had the Khile Phool here. Sauteed cauliflower and potatoes in aromatic spices. Loved it. At another place it was called Aloo Ghobi, and basically the same thing. I loved the crispy spinach appetizer, Kurkure Hariyali. Again, a new name from what I had before. I guess I just have to say to the server, "I'll take the spinach appetizer, please." The breaded cheese entree was equally tasty. Can't recall the name though. There are several cheese entrees under the 'Vegetable' listing. The waiter was pleasant enough, but hard to come by. They musta been short staffed because the young hostess in the short, short dress was wiping tables. Thank you for wearing panties, but I really didn't want to see them. At my niece's high school they had a rule: If your hem is shorter than where your fingertips reach when your arm are down, then it's too short. I think that would be good advice for her. If I come back, I'll be sure it's on a less popular night, most likely lunch just to be safe.
(3)
Na L.
This review is for their $10.99 lunch buffet. Amazing deal, painfully slow service (water/bill) but their food, and lunch deal makes up for it.
(4)
Rahul J.
Solid Indian food in the heart of Bethesda's downtown. We tried the tandoori salmon which is hard to get moist and flavorful - they nailed it. Everywhere else I've had it, it's been on the dry side. Almost went with the shrimp but the server suggested the Salmon. Glad we went with his recommendation. Good Navratan Korma (mixed veggies) The tamrind tequila was nice..sweet and tangy.
(4)
Charles O.
Really delightful food, service and atmosphere. Reasonable prices. This outpost of the longstanding Kentlands location brings great food to the mini restaurant row on Woodmont. Surprisingly, it's never crowded. A super alternative to the other choices on the strip - worth being a first choice, not just a place to go if Mussel Bar and American Tap Room are too busy.
(4)
Kesha L.
Visted on 8/18 (early afternoon around 2pm to a fairly empty restaurant) to treat my friend to a bday celebration. Restaurant We ordered: Appetizers: Veggie Pakoras (Tasty and hot) Samosas (Good/Tasty & hot although the bread was too thick for my liking) Entrees: Yellow Daal Makhanni Daal Veggie Bharta 1 Bread Basket Overall food was good/ok what you might expect from a chain. It really lacks that flavorful kick and is quickly forgettable. Naan was standard fare and arrived hot and well cooked. I think the blandness comes from being in Bethesda? Maybe they tone down the food flavors to appease the folks who live in that area? Drinks: 2 Mango Ritas This was the most disappointing part of the meal. While a pretty drink, it tasted like a smoothie (an overpriced one at that) and my friend & I could barely taste the alcohol. So much so that we had to ask whether any was in the drinks. We requested a redo and the waiter obliged. The second try was another disappointment.... this time the alcohol was way overdone & it was a watery mess. We inform the waiter (he actually sees our full glasses at the side of the table and inquires) that the second attempt was not a winner. He then goes on to prove a point " this is how we make them. I don't know what you're expecting. I tried again you asked for more alcohol etc. etc." We agreed and thanked him for trying again but I note that the fact remains that the drinks were horrible. And you know what? We like to go to restaurants and enjoy our meals/drinks and reward excellent service when due. I really despise bad customer service and especially restaurant staff that are defensive and challenge customers. It's not in my best interest to dislike a meal. I'm at your establishment to enjoy and eat well! ...the only place in DC where I've had consistently amazing customer service is BusBoys and Poets (pick a location). Why have a signature drink that is pretty but lackluster? Please listen to your customers! Think twice and if so don't order the Mango-Rita.
(1)
J K.
Service was extremely slow. The kadai paneer was good but everything else was subpar. Don't waste your time or money here.
(1)
Yumi M.
Good Indian food. The fruit and nuts naan wasn't as sweet as I had expected (the one's I've had had almond powder in it...maybe this isn't normal?) We ordered garlic shrimp for appetizer which was the best dish we had this night. For entree we ordered the cottage cheese with sweet tomato curry and tandoori chicken. Tasted just as I expected, nothing special.
(3)
John P.
Chicken tikka masala was awesome. Pani poori disappointed. Liked the place so much. We were staying at next door hotel so it was very convenient to walk to this place.
(5)
P t.
I've been here a couple of times and never had any issues with this place. It's decent Indian food but nothing that blows your mind. However when I went to dinner here recently, there was hair on my naan. After I pointed it out to the server, she just looked at me and said "oh". Like it was nothing to be concerned about. There was no acknowledgment of the incident or even I'm sorry. I'm not expecting them to replace naan (although you think for good customer service you think they would) or take it off our bill, but a mere apology would have been sufficient. Just be cautious of when you eat there!
(1)
Alexandra B.
We have been looking for a go-to Indian restaurant ever since we moved to the DC area, and (fingers crossed) I think we may have found it in Tandoori Nights. I was super dubious at first, since I knew it was a regional chain and it just seemed kind of flashy (read: tacky) from the outside. But after my boyfriend's coworker (from India) recommended the place to us, we decided it was time to give it a try. To be fair, there were a few things that bothered me about the place, which brought it down by a star. The decor was uninspired, and the seating was pretty cramped. We are not small people, I know, but I also shouldn't be able to hear every word of conversation from two separate tables within a foot of us on each side. Also, while the servers were friendly enough, they seemed frazzled and were very hard to track down when you wanted something. It didn't seem like the restaurant seated enough people for them to be that hectic. That being said, they did get everything right in our order, so I can't complain too much. We were feeling festive so we ordered a few specialty drinks. I had a very fruity drink (uncustomary for me, but I was in a fun mood) called the Caribbean Cooler, which was just what I needed in the 90+-degree weather, and it still packed a good punch. All the drinks were potent, large, and fairly priced for the downtown Bethesda area. For appetizers we ordered the Missi Roti--a wheat and chickpea bread--and the Aloo Chat Papri. The bread was warm and soft, but the flavor was not my favorite (I think that's just a matter of personal taste, though). The Aloo Chat Papri, however, was absolutely delicious. It had just that perfect touch of sweetness and great texture. We both agreed we could have eaten a whole dinner of that dish. For entrees, we both ordered vegetarian and shared. Each one came with a small bowl of rice, but they gave far more than we often have gotten at other local restaurants, so that was a plus. The Shahi Baingan--eggplant with a cashew sauce--was tasty, but the eggplant was a little overcooked to my liking. My boyfriend, however, loved it....I mean LOVED it, and to get him eating eggplant is pretty amazing. The Navaratna Korma was just so good. There was a great variety of vegetables in the korma and the sauce was the perfect blend of spice and flavor. I could not have been happier with my food, and I definitely ate way too much of it in my excitement! We also ordered some mango chutney, which perfectly met my expectations. All in all, we had an excellent experience here. I am very much looking forward to coming back and hoping that they prove themselves to be consistent. If so, they will definitely be seeing a lot of us, as we will finally have found our go-to Indian restaurant!
(4)
Timir D.
Inconsistent. Kebabs are good when they are hot and fresh but otherwise not so great. One day the seekh kebab was amazing and melt in your mouth tender, the other day it was just so so. A bit of a disappointment the second time. Probably will still give them another shot, maybe I will try the other location.
(3)
Vijay R.
In the appetizers, I tried Kurkure Hariyali, Raj Kachori and Pani Poori. I could barely have a mouthful! Usually the Pani Poori is a safe dish but here the water that went with it was too tangy spoiling the whole taste. I recommend skipping all three. The Naans were very small compared to similar fare in other Indian restaurants. I found the Veg Biryani to be ok though. That coupled with the decent service and good location makes me rate it 3 stars.
(3)
Trevor M.
Tandoori Nights should have a musically inspired Bollywood style opening with all the regalia, colors and at least one dance number...but, it seems to fall flat of it's own expectations. At least one dance number. Come on! Now, bear in mind that the Indaze group who owns, Karma in the Rio, Penang and the Tandoori Nights in Clarendon has opened one now in Bethesda Row. Speaking with one of the employees there seems to be a bit of a disconnect with this location to the one in the Kentlands in Gaithersburg. Previously, this location was Dehli Dhaba The atmosphere is pleasant with lovely art on the wall and murals on the ceiling as you enter in. There's even a little alcove for Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. The is very dimly light (as we came on a Friday evening) maybe to create a soft, romantic setting where you really can't read your menu. Hopefully, that tea light in the vase is strong enough. Started off with two cocktails: The Mumbatini and the Kachcumar Cooler. The Mumbatini with vodka, curry leaves, ginger, chili peppers and simple syrup. The Cooler was made with Hendricks Gin, cucumber, mint leaves chilies and lemonade...basically an indian mojito. The funny thing is that due to the chilis present in both drinks it was difficult to separate the two. With the Mumbatini, not a big deal, but the Hendricks was overshadowed and the sweetness of the cucumbers and rose did not get it's chance to sign through like a Bollywood love song. ....Still no dance number. Ordered the samosas ($5.99, really?) It should be light, with good structure, moist and with the right amount of curry and fennel with peas. It was dry and bland. Then ordered a salad to shake things up like a two step by a peg legged pirate The Spicy Cucumber Chicken Salad. It was not very memorable. Small chuncks of chicken and the dressing was mildly spicy. For the main, decided to go with an old favorite: Lamb Vindaloo. I requested that it be hot, as if I came from Goan and was missing a dish from home made in my Auntie's kitchen as Bollywood dancers sang to me in a chorus of enchantment. The meals came out quickly, but it lacked the heat that I was craving. Heck , it was rather tame. More akin to a standard curry, really. Overall, the service was pleasant, the atmosphere, a nice departure from the norm, but the food right now is ok. It's safe Indian food. If you were never familiar with Indian food and you wanted to know what it's like...well, in truth, I wouldn't bring folks here as a first taste of Indian, but if you enjoy the Indaze group of restaurants then this is for you. Maybe, Ganesh should move some more obstacles. ....and still no dance number.
(3)
Meli M.
I enjoyed what I ate. My mother ordered a tandoori dish which stated it came in a yogurt sauce, however that yogurt is really a marinade and is soaked in/cooked off by the time it comes to the table. When my mother made mention of this to the server she took off all of tribe extras from the meal cost - drinks, naans, etc. to make up for it being different from expectations. Great service and they always kept out waters full.
(4)
Mark S.
I am regular at their Gaithersburg location. I happen to be around Betheada and decided to try their this location. I had Malai Kebab and chicken tikka masala. I have to say they were outstanding ...... So loved it .....good and prompt service ..... They refilled my soda few times and brought extra rice .....I thought that was cool .... Definitely go again !
(5)
Valerie L.
This place is delicious! My husband and I LOVE Indian cuisine and after moving to the area, struggled to find a yummy local Indian restaurant. After striking out with Shangri-La in Bethesda (yuck), Cafe of India in Tenleytown (tasteless), and having a mediocre meal at Indique Heights in Chevy Chase, we decided to give Tandoori Nights a try thanks to Groupon. I have to admit, after realizing it was a small DC area chain, we were a bit skeptical. One of my best friends from high school is Indian and his parents swear by the Gaithersburg location, so we kept an open mind. After dining here, my faith in chain restaurants (well local ones at least) has been restored! So much so that we come here all the time for dinner AND for their lunch buffet. Their traditional dishes like their goat curry, Chicken saag, Chicken tikka masala are seriously delicious! Equally as delicious are their unique appetizers. They have the samosas and pakoras that we all know and love (which are yummy) but definitely give their Aloo Chat Papri and Kurkure Hariyali a try. They are so flavorful, that just a few bites will keep you wondering whether or not their entrees will be comparably as tasty (which they most definitely are.) What we love about this place is that they don't skimp on spice, EVERRRRR. Even during their lunch buffets (which can be spiced down in an attempt to appease the masses) Tandoori nights stays true to their flavor. Their chutneys are never watered down, the naan is always fresh/fluffy, and their rice pudding is one of the best I've ever had! The service is always great and they always do it with a smile (or silly innocent smirk depending on how you look at it.) If I HAD to list a downside.....it's their Masala chai and their coffee. Not so great.....but then again, who usually chooses to drink something hot while consuming spicy food (other than me.)
(5)
Kristen B.
Food- fantastic. Standard Indian menu but done very well. I loved their tandoori salmon and tikki masla as well as their lamb vindaloo. Their Naan is also fantastic. I've eaten here at least 5 times and it has always been great. Atmosphere- also fantastic. Very romantic and dimmed lights. As well as high end looking. Service- Like others have said I found it to be slow at times, but I always went during very busy hours so it did not bother me. And it was not unbearably slow.
(4)
Helen C.
This place was totally packed on a Saturday night, and for good reason. Their chicken tikka masala was very very good! The servers were very friendly and it is a chic/trendy atmosphere.
(5)
Boris M.
I have just one word to describe this place.. AMAZING. I moved back to this area and my friends and I were desperatly looking for a good indian Food Restaurant that we could come oftend and enjoy. WE FOUND IT. My friend is British so she is very "picky" about Indian food. She loved it. As she said.. BRITISH EMBASSY APPROVED.. lol. First, the drinks. I had the Mombay Martini (hope I spelled that right). My favorite martini right now. it was spicy and delicious. I had the chicken Vindaloo.... WOW... soooooo good, but also really spicy. It was a delicious torture to my tongue. :-) I tried my friend's fish in a curry souce and it was amazing as well. The place is beautiful and have a very nice bar as well. As I was leaving I saw a sign for lunch buffet for around $11 very good price, I think for that quality of food. I will come back againg for sure and maybe next time they'll teach me how to make that martini.. ;-)
(5)
Eugene K.
3.5-4 stars. The food was good. The service was good. What could make it great? If the food was a bit more adventurous. I had the lamb curry, my sis had the chicken curry. It seems to walk a really narrow tight rope between boring to ethnic-eaters, but non-offensive to unexposed tastes. Would I eat there again? Sure and I'd enjoy it. But when I'm looking for authentic curry, I want to smell coming out of my sweat pores and offend my colleagues at work. You're not going to get that here.
(4)
Izzat A.
Went here because we had a Groupon that was expiring. I ate here when it used to be Dehli Dhaba. This place is much better. For starters, we got the Aloo Chat Papri and Mulligatawny Soup. Both were very very good. The chat Papri was served in a very unique way. For entrees we got the chicken tikkah masala and the Tandoori Special Kabob Platter. The CTM was good, but not great, but the TSKP was very very good. Tons of food and the waiter was nice enough to make substitute some stuff that my wife wanted. Service was great and the decor is actually really nice. Prices can be expensive, but you do pay what you get for.
(4)
Udayan K.
Good: -Best Indian food around. -Lunch Buffet on weekdays is great value for money. -Favorites: Goat Curry, Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, Navrattan korma, Aloo Chaat in appetizers. I would say that most things are pretty good Bad -Sub-par service. Servers and waiters need to be educated!
(4)
Alex A.
Food at this place was really really good. There is something peculiar about the staff at this place - all Indian men with smirks on their face. It is kind of cool, they use iPhones to take everyone's order. The staff also is not very good at understanding how to stage the food you order - when I stay stage, I mean bring the food in stages. We had a very long gap between the appetizers and the main courses. I think this place used to be called Delhi Dhaba - which was an absolutely horrible place. Highly recommend checking this place out. Oh by the way - I used a Groupon - should still be around if you search for it; otherwise, the prices may be a touch high.
(5)
David B.
All I can say is butter chicken (chicken makhani)
(4)
Chich S.
The food was fantastic! We ordered a bunch of plates and everything was good. The service was pretty ok, but I think part of it was that we sat outside and thus had a bit less attention paid to us.
(4)
A M.
...hit and miss here. had gone for a special event dinner one time and the food was buffet style and great! next time we were they're with the family over valentine's day and it was just average. nothing really stands out...which is a problem since this area has so many indian eating joints that are able to offer an authentic experience in the cuisine of some specialized part of india. the place is nice and if you're only looking at going for ambience and standard indian fare without being picky, then a good place to go!
(3)
Ana B.
So it was a rainy Saturday and we were looking for a romantic place to eat outside because our baby was with us (my beautiful biewer/yorkie mix) so we decide to go to Tandoori Nights, we talk to the hostess and asked if we could seat outside she said yes and promptly brought water for my husband, my dog and for me, When I first saw the menu I didn't know what to order everything looked foreign to me, so I decided to ask our server, she was very nice and sweet, she took the time to explain what were the best sellers and describe the dishes we tough we were interested in. We first order the assorted platter, from this particular platter I love the chicken tikka and the lamb kabob, I have heard so much about samosa that I was dying to try them but they were ok and I didn't like the Pakora. We continue ordering the Kashmiri Pulao that's the long rice with nuts and dry fruit with the salmon in curry with coconut milk, the smell of these two entrees was divine, the portions were enough for two people and a dog. I order glass of champagne. Overall it was a good experience, good food, great service, great price!!
Yummy. My friend & I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala which came in a yellow curry-like sauce. It had pieces of bell peppers & onions in the sauce as well. I also ordered the freshly cooked garlic naan which is my favorite thing to eat on the planet. We sat outside under the umbrella and when it started to rain our waitress pulled the umbrella closer to our table for us since it was still nice outside. I will eat here again for sure.
(5)
N S.
Tandoori Nights occupies the space of the previously horrible, Delhi Dhaba in the "heart" of Bethesda. The good news is it is not Delhi Dhaba, the bad news is it is not so much better, but improved nonetheless. Started out with the samosas, they were greasier than necessary and the filling with blandish and on the dryish, crumbly potato side. For $5.99/order (a new record), I need a damn good samosa. I would recommend they seek out another samosa maker. Continued my meal with the bhaigan bartha. It was oil central. Swimming in oil. I knew I had no business even taking the leftovers home, but I couldn't justify the expenditure not taking it. The car ride allowed even more separation so I was able to drain it even more when I got home. It was like consuming an oil-based relish. Imagine that, I was eating an oil based eggplant relish. The guilt followed me for days. Good thing I'm in two bhangra classes. My dining companion very much enjoyed his chicken tikka masala and said it was even tastier the next day. Space is adorable. Staff was pretty good.
(3)
Aditya J.
Food was ok...I have been here twice...*********BEWARE******** check your credit card statement ..They always charge more than what you are billed. ..This has happened with me twice..The charge is $5 more than actual one....sheer losers
(1)
Hayes W.
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of food and service at Tandoori Nights. We bought a last-minute Groupon and hit this on a whim, and I'll be going back for sure. Like always, get the masala and some na'an. The best na'an I've ever had in my life was in southern Afghanistan, but this stuff was not bad in comparison. Good drink selections as well, and the staff is helpful if you're unsure what to get. Stop by!
(4)
Morgan J.
One of the most ridiculous experiences I've had at a restaurant in years. I ordered an alcoholic drink and my waiter looks at my legal ID for eons. He looks up and tells me point blank that I won't be turning 21 until August. I tell him my birthday is actually in January, and he looks at me and says point blank: "No, see actually you were born in August." He then confiscates my ID for 20 minutes (no one has taken our order yet), then returns to tell me he's still "crunching the numbers" and that I just need to wait because verifying my age is "really important" to him. I then provide him with my health insurance card and SCUBA license which also provide my birth date, but apparently this was not satisfactory. Finally after about 40 minutes I get my drink and when we receive the check, he hasn't even comped or discounted the drink. It sucks because we've been here several times and the food's good, but I won't be back. I may look young, but that's no excuse for dreadful service and the assumption that I don't know the month of my own birthday.
(1)
Chris P.
Really? Really? I decided to go here based on the reviews....Well, it deserves a 4 based upon presentation. The place is well decorated and clean. The waiters are attentive. With that being said I think it's a bit pricey for the portions given. They don't have a buffet on the weekends so I went off the dinner menu. Chose rogan josh. Seriously, for $17 there should've been more than a small bowl of rice and just a few bits of lamb. I guess this is par for the course when it comes to Indian cuisine in Bethesda--charge a lot for a little. Next time I'll go to India Palace (or nearby India Garden).
(2)
Anita W.
I went here because the best of vegetarian/vegan article in the Washington Post recommended it. It wasn't a great place for vegan food. TONS of stuff had butter or cheese in it. The the pori pori puffs that came so highly recommended were served cold - not what I was expecting, and honestly, not that tasty. Give me a good samosa any day over that. That said, what I did have was very tasty (a mixed veggie dish). I also had the lentil crackers, which tasted like chips - very salty. My family had an appetizer sampler, naan, and buttered chicken. The kids objected to the spices, but they don't usually eat Indian food, so that's not surprising. The restaurant is in Bethesda where rent is high, so the place is not all that spacious. I felt a little cramped in our booth. Bethesda also means slightly higher prices and HORRIBLE parking. There are probably dozens of equal or better Indian restaurants in strip malls in the suburbs.
(3)
Bill P.
NICE PEOPLE!!!! Actually held onto my umbrella from last Friday lunch.....which I forgot....again. Only Indian on Bethesda Row with just Haad left on the Triangle. Lunch buffet $11 and pretty good 8 solid dishes with salad and dessert and yummy naan included. Angeethi went out of biz with huge lunch and dinner buffet with 20 choices but since Tandoori has Clarendon and Kentlands I'm sure they know what they are doing. Some of the highlights: Bhana lamb very tender pieces, mixed Paku, chicken curry, aloo gobi and kadi pakara.....all very good and YES! I got seconds. The tandoori chicken YES! in name of place so better be good. :) Got a huge drumstick and tender dark meat delicious with just right amount of spices. Will be going back and YOU should make your go to Indian in Bethesda. Delhi Dhaba WHO? :)
(4)
Shaad A.
Excellent place and great ambiance. Food and the service is superb. We had a large group and ordered a variety of items. Everything tasted terrific. Will highly recommend the place.
(5)
OIivia H.
Samosas, naan, Lamb Jafrezi, Chicken Tikka, Indian wine... everything I devoured was delicious. I wish there had been more of it, and that the service had been a bit more prompt, but one bite and I didn't care anymore, Indian food has a way of making everything better. It is not the best I have had, nor would I specifically recommend or return for it, but it hit the spot.
(4)
Fay F.
The restaurant was clean, quiet, and well decorated. Ordered spicy lamb curry (forgot the name) + keema naan Food came out in a reasonable time. Although the lamb was slightly overcooked, the curry was deeeelicious, spicy but soothing. The naan had grounded lamb in it, but I didn't taste it so much. Not that it's not good, but next time I'll just get the garlic one. And the waiters were happy and professional. I enjoyed it.
(4)
Michael S.
This restaurant is a really nice addition to the Bethesda scene. The food is very tasty and the wait staff will guide you through choices to help you avoid too highly spiced, for example. Portions are generous and very satisfying. As with all Bethesda restaurants, parking is an issue. But once you actually find a spot, try Tandoori Nights. A really good choice...even for people who aren't sure about Indian food. (If that's you, try tandoori items. Lots of similarity to barbecue and not very spicy.)
(4)
Subodh M.
My wife and I had dinner here last night on a Groupon. We will not go back without a Groupon - not worth it. The staff are pleasant and friendly, but the overall ambience is that it feels cramped. We ordered the Kabab platter. The shrimp was delicious, but all the other kababs were merely mediocre. We also ordered the Achari Lamb. Achari means in the flavor of Achar (Indian pickle.) This was not Achari - it was Lamb in Achar - and too salty as a result.. Anyway, I love Achar, but no one eats so much of it in one meal! The Laccha Paratha was OK. In short, mediocre food. You can get better food at lower prices, though not at the prime location this place occupies.
(3)
Lauren H.
It seems as though they have changed management (and possibly kitchen staff) within the past few months and the food quality has decreased. Also, they close between lunch and dinner now (i'm guessing between 3-5?) which is my prime indian food time considering that is when I have my breaks at work. So sad they made these changes. Its really hurting them.
(2)
M. Kelley S.
It was good - but I can't figure out why it keeps getting four stars. The staff was quick and professional - but since when is this a compliment? This should be a baseline expectation of a three-Yelp-star restaurant. My Chicken Tikka Masalla was really quite good, and my wife's Chicken Saag was equally tasty. It was pretty good, but it didn't do anything to stand out. I'd happily return, but I'm still looking for a top-notch Indian place in Bethesda. Were it not for our need to get food quickly, I'd have driven into the District for better Indian fare.
(3)
Sachith D.
I came here to meet a fellow South Asian friend for dinner. It was not a promising sign that the restaurant was half full, yet it took five tries and fifteen minutes before we had a waiter willing to commit to taking our order. Drinks were mango lassis, which were on the thick side with no ice, and these would sadly prove to be the best part of the experience. We wisely skipped the appetizers and went straight for entrees, which took forty minutes to prepare. The paneer makhani was decent, but nothing to write home about, and the lamb seekh kabob was the right temperature in both spice level and actual temperature, but also wasn't particularly special. The amount of time necessary to flag down a server and actually have that request fulfilled whenever we needed something was egregiously long and easily knocked the rating down a star. Had I wasted that much time when I was a server, I would have received a severe warning or been fired. It was interesting to see the servers using iPhones to take down orders, though. For the price, there are better options, and you would be well served to explore Yelp and find them rather than waste time and money at Tandoori Nights, Groupon or not.
(2)
Nroop B.
My first Indian restaurant in DC metro area after relocation. It was pretty good as long as food, ambience, area and prices are concerned. We enjoyed it. Removing 1 star only because of hostile hospitality...
(4)
Namita T.
The restaurant had a nice decor and a friendly staff. We waited for 15 mins to get a table on a Saturday night, which is really better than other restaurants on a weekend. We ordered pani poori, lamb seekh kabab, malai kofta and bread (tandoori roti and pudina parantha. For $5, we got 6 balls of paani poori which were just okay. I'll avoid that next time I go there. Other than that, the food was great! We liked the malai kofta very much... It had a nice rich gravy. We ended our dinner with masala tea, which was also good! Overall we had a pleasant dining experience and we will surely go back there again.
(4)
Penelope W.
While craving Indian, I thought of visiting Delhi whatever it's called. I was never a fan of the Delhi place, but it fixes the Indian craving. Just like every other Bethesda restaurant, this place changed names and got an interior make over. It's the same menu, down to the drinks except more expensive. The waiters take your order on their iPhones. At first it caught me off guard and I was getting annoyed that this person was standing next to me looking at his phone without talking to us. I finally figured it out when I looked around and saw them all taking orders that way. They could have done a better job of disguising their make over. Changing their name and look didn't do it for me! But like I said, going there for a quick Indian fix does the job.
Very very very good I could eat it every day, excellent and friendly service from Babu, Sandip and Kumar and all the rest. The food is 100% flavorful keep it up!
(5)
Nazcatt S.
Absolutely one of the best Indian restaurants I've been to in a long time. Recently renovated, very modern, with classic Indian decor touches. We had palak paneer, chicken tika masala, & chicken makhani entrees. All delicious. Appetizers were samosas and were great. Curry monitors and lychitini drinks were perfect starters made by Rachel, the most helpful bartender. Service was slow because it seemed they were understaffed but I would absolutely come back again.
(4)
Mimosa N.
Ugh so good. My family and I were in the DC area for vacation and we went to Tandoori Nights for dinner with my sister's best friend and her husband, who are both Indian. Upon entering, the restaurant itself was very nicely decorated; very classy. My siblings and I ordered the mango lassi to drink, which literally made my mouth water. Then to eat, everyone in our party of 8 ordered something different so, luckily, I got to try a little bit of each. Everything was delicious. I can't remember everything we had, but my goodness the chicken makhani (butter chicken, i believe) and the chicken saag (creamy spinach) were BOMB. I'm craving more just writing about it. The chicken vindaloo was good too, but SOOOO spicy! Raita was a great accompaniment for the spiciness. We also had the assorted bread basket on the side. For dessert, the malai and mango kulfi were like heaven. Perfect end to one of the best Indian meals I've ever had. I heard that the management had changed, thereby improving the quality of the food. How lucky for us! Man I wish there was a location down here in south Florida!
(5)
Sid E.
Much better than Delhi Dhaba! It was nice sitting outside. The food is very good. The waiters are a bit awkward and the prices are high. Overall, it was an enjoyable evening.
(4)
Sapna N.
This place is awesome!!! My husband and I checked this out since we moved the area very recent. It's become our favorite restaurant, we had the Paneer Tikka Masala and Chicken Tikka...the Kulfi was the most amazing thing, we have ever eaten.....We will see you all the time TANDOORI NIGHTS! Awesome place! I'm a frequent Yelper so I know that's a good place!
(5)
Ulas E.
It's a great place for lunch buffet on weekdays. I used to come here all the time and find the staff very friendly and attentive ( its a buffet after all) and I always ask for naan without butter. Lately noticed that their buffet choices were not as good and always the same so been going less. Hope the place is not going down in the same trend as other restaurants after a few years of good food.
(3)
M M.
I love this restaurant! I work around the corner and go once a week. It is always good food and wonderful friendly service. I highly recommend. The buffet has a great variety of foods. You can always find 3-4 dishes to fill your plate. Wonderful !!!
(5)
Marcia G.
Great food, the mojitos were not good. The service was okay. i think the place had very poor ventilation because my clothes smelled really bad when i got home. But because the food was so good I'm looking forward to go back and seat on their outdoor area.
(4)
Karen S.
We ate dinner there last night (used a Groupon), and were quite happy until the end of the meal when we saw a mouse run across the floor of the restaurant. My husband told the waiter, who said nothing about it but (to add insult to injury) just brought the bill. We had to leave to take our son somewhere, but I called the manager later. The manager acknowledged the problem, but made the excuse that there was a lot of garbage out back, and that it was to be expected. He said that he was planning on taking care of it.
(1)
Melani M.
I love this place. The food is very good, fresh and well done. A decent bar, which is you can't necessarily count on in Indian places. We've liked everything we ordered here, vegetarian and chicken dishes. I've found that the service generally genial, even though a bit slow. I agree that their naan leaves a bit to be desired, especially compare to the exquisite options at someplace like Masala Art. But I definitely think this is the best Indian in Bethesda, based on the food and the pleasant atmosphere.
(4)
H D.
Being of Indian origin I set the bar high. I have frequented the Tandoori Nights in Kentlands so was thrilled when this one opened closer to home. It is excellent. When I asked for spicy they very much made it so. I was particularly impressed with the Navaratna korma.
(4)
Mona G.
Came here for lunch, but wasnt impressed with the lunch buffet so I decided to order off the menu. The Tandoori chicken was amazing! The samosa however, was bland and heavy. I know this is a personal thing but I like smaller bite sized samosas over giant ones that tandoori nights serves.
(4)
Alyssa C.
With the rich aroma of spices wafting through the dimly lit restaurant and genuinely delicious food, I'd love to be able to give this restaurant more stars. However, the service was so disappointing and slow that even the amazing lentil soup and brilliantly hot channa masala couldn't make up for it. Every single waiter and waitress who came by our table was silent and unsmiling, ignoring multiple enthusiastic thank you's and smiles. The widespread deadpan would have been impressive if it hadn't been so disheartening. So while I will certainly enjoy good from this restaurant in the future, it will only be as takeout.
(3)
Cora C.
I usually don't like Indian food but Tandoori Nights was delicious. I had the lunch buffet. Try this place. You won't regret it. Excellent service.
(5)
Carolina R.
I love the food here though it's a bit overpriced. The service and quality of the food are great though they skimp on rice and naan.
(4)
Mickey L.
While our first experience with their Gaithersburg branch was unremarkable, Tandoori Nights in Bethesda has become our new favorite place to enjoy South Asian-style roasted meats thanks to their delicious preparations served on a sizzling plate. My dining companion and I have enjoyed various meats from the Tandoor but never our favorite fish. Hearing that TN prepared their signature Tandoori Whole Fish using Red Snapper, we followed our curious taste buds to Bethesda Row for dinner. On our first visit, the anticipation rose with each passing tandoori chicken dish steaming with seductive roasted aroma. Finally, when our snapper arrived, we savored the fish's charred ends, from jaw to tail, and the savory tender meat in between. The accompanying onions and carrot slices beautifully caramelized while we devoured the fish. The accompanying rice was nice and plain to keep the focus on the snapper, while the Black Dal was reminiscent of Passage to India's superior version. We also ordered a decent Goat Curry. The taste was like that of a tomatoey tart Roganjosh with meat a bit too firm. It was a nice foil but could not hold a candle to the superb fish. For our next visit, we ordered the a Spinach-Strawberry Salad and Tandoori Chicken Tikka in addition to the Snapper. The salad was bright with berry rivaling flavor and freshness better than many pricier fine dining restaurants. The chicken was five sizable pieces, each the size of an adult's palm, with a zesty flavor and accompanied by refreshing mint-cilantro and sweet tamarind chutneys. Though mild, the chicken was moist and full of flavor as with the mint-cilantro chutney. The sizzling onions and hot carrot added pleasantly sweet notes. As for the Snapper, it was even better than before: bigger with less marinade to accent more of the fish's inherent flavors. Even after the heartier-than-expected portion of Chicken Tikka, we devoured the Snapper and its dazzling flavors right down to the bones. In short, Tandoori Nights delivers outstanding succulent roasted fish and chicken with pleasant service and perky modern digs. While its curry may not be close to those of Passage to India's, their tandoori rocks and is better than our previous favorite kabob joints like Ravi's. Can't wait to go back and try more of their tandoori varieties!
(5)
Al T.
This review is for the lunch buffet only. I have the lunch buffet on a fairly regular basis, finding it consistently good. With the exception of the butter chicken, I find the vegetable dishes tend to be the stand-outs. The daal, no matter how prepared, is delicious.
(3)
Rehana A.
I've only been here for the lunch buffet. Food is amazing. The chicken biryani is especially delicious with lots of cashews and raisins. Also the biryani is made with white meat chicken. The butter chicken is a bit sweet but I kind of like that. But what compelled me to write a review for this business is the EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE we received from Varun. He made sure we had everything we need and continued to check on us. Thank you for great service and we will be back!!!!!
(5)
Isla C.
This is great Indian food, I really love the Chicken Tikka Masala with the rice and naan. So great!!
(4)
Medusa M.
A few days before trying this place out, the food on customers' tables outdoors quickly caught my attention. I decided to come here today (a Saturday) at 4:00 pm with my friend and boyfriend. The place was not packed at all, so we were seated quickly and offered some drinks by the waitress which arrived quickly. After we perused through the menu, we came to a decision of what we wanted, though my boyfriend had some questions about the chicken tikka masala and simple chicken tikka entree. The waitress, despite her somewhat limited English, was happy to help him with his question and explain the differences between the two entrees. While my boyfriend chose to get the chicken tikka entree (it comes with no sauce), my friend and I both chose to get the chicken tikka masala. Here, you have an option to have it plain or spicy, and since we like to keep it interesting, we went for the spicy option of course! After about 20 minutes, which we all thought to be a bit excessive, we received our entrees. My boyfriend's meal, which was the chicken tikka, came out sizzling on a pan with veggies and all the other patrons' heads were turning. Like most other Indian restaurants, the chicken tikka masalas my friend and I ordered came with a bowl with a rectangular shape and rice in a separate bowl. Unfortunately, we were disappointed at the amount of rice that we received. The rice-to-chicken tikka masala ratio was off. If you ask for more rice, they will charge you, which came as a surprise to me because rice is one of the cheapest foodstuffs available. However, if you get one extra bowl of rice for the entire table, they will not charge you extra. For us, that worked since I was quickly stuffed. However, if each person wants their own extra bowl of rice, you will be charged extra. As for the actual taste of the food: flavorful, perfect amount of spice, creamy, and filling. The chunks of vegetable still retain a small amount of crunch in the chicken tikka masala sauce, and go perfectly with the chicken and rice. The chicken is not dry; it has a good texture and taste that would still be good on it's own. We also got a bread basket on the side. This comes with plain naan bread, and garlic naan bread. The bread was as flavorful as bread comes. I must not go without saying that some small parts of a slice of bread or two were burnt, so be on the lookout for that. Overall, I enjoyed everything I ate at Tandoori Nights and have absolutely no complaints. I will most certainly be coming back here again!
(4)
Joshua S.
Full disclosure: the food was pretty good, worth more than the 2-stars I have to give Tandoori Nights. However, I can't give this place a higher rating for one simple fact: they serve bottled beer (which is great) - BUT they only pour enough to fill your cup and then they keep the bottle and the remaining 1/2 of the beer! Are you serious?! It doesn't even make sense - you've already opened the bottle. The remainder can't be served later. The only rationale I can imagine is they want you to buy another one after you drink the tiny amount they poured for you. I've never witnessed that kind of gimmick anywhere before. Surely a location that bills itself as 'fine dining' need not be so cheap. If you serve bottled beer, give the customer the bottle and let them do the pouring. Anything else just comes off as cheap and unprofessionally desperate.
(2)
Dyonna B.
My second time at this restaurant was just as great as the first time. Food is amazing, service is amazing. I got the Jalfrezzi chicken and asked them to make it spicy. Woooo it was spicy and I loved it. I didn't finish it on purpose so I could have some the next day. lol I will be back. Im a fan.
(4)
Amanda M.
This review is just for the take-out. I ordered the samosa, chicken tikka masala and naan. It could be because it was take-out but the samosa were pretty greasy. I also found the filling to be fairly bland and overly blended. I like it when I can still tell what vegetables make up the filling. The chicken tikka masala was good. The sauce was creamy without being too heavy, the chicken was tender, and the vegetables still had a bit of a bite to them. There wasn't enough rice for my liking but I'm sure if I had dined in the restaurant they would have gladly given me more. The naan wasn't nearly as crispy and buttery as I am accustomed to, but it still worked well to scoop up the extra masala sauce. Since I've only had the take-out and one main dish off the menu, I will most certainly try Tandoori Nights again. Maybe for the lunch buffet because it still looked fresh and well stocked at 2PM when I went in to pick up my order.
(3)
Natalie M.
We went on a Saturday and they don't take reservations on the weekends, so we put our names in around ten to 7 and we were told it would it would be a 30-35 minute wait. We went to Barnes and Noble to pass the time and after 50 or so minutes had passed we decided to check in with the hostess and since she was pretty swamped, another host asked her about our table and she told him she had called us a couple of times, which definitely wasn't true because my phone was on, with a strong signal. I was slightly annoyed, but we had a Groupon and in all fairness, the restaurant was packed and she was really busy. They need a better system to manage their waiting list- they were using a small notebook and the list was really disorganized. The host took us to a table, but the hostess was seating another party of two at that table. Fortunately, another table was also available, the nice host apologized for the long wait and a very nice waiter greeted us shortly after. We started with lychee cocktails, which were decent and fairly strong. For an appetizer we shared the honey grilled shrimp and found it to be too sweet and overcooked. For my entree I chose the chicken jalfrezi and my partner ordered lamb rogan josh, we shared garlic and jalapeño cheese naans. We both loved our dishes and the naan. While the food was great (aside from the appetizer) there are many other excellent Indian restaurants in DC, so I'm not in a huge rush to go back. If we do go back, it will be on a week day because I believe they take reservations on week nights.
(4)
Rebecca B.
I have been to tandoori nights before and love the food. However tonight I walked in with one other person and asked to sit outside. The server told us there were no seats available when we asked to wait he seemed confused by the request. Saying he didn't think we were able to wait. So I left, which is sad because I used to like that restaurant.
(1)
Sonika T.
I didn't find it good and nowhere close to our Indian food. We have ordered Raj Kachori, Paneer Tikka, and two portions of gravy for me and my friend. For my surprise Raj Kachori was without yogurt batter but it tasted ok a bit different than usual. Paneer Tikka had no flavor at all and both the gravies were same and tasteless! Got really disappointed that dum aloo wasn't close to the real dum aloo. Overall a disaster for me to spend $55 for this type of food. 2 stars for ambience and location only and no star for food. I am a vegetarian so can't comment if they serve better non-veg food! I doubt as server told me they use same gravy for 70% of their gravy-based entries.
(2)
Katherine H.
Service was pretty decent (3 stars) food taste was ok (1.5-2 stars) but for cost more like 1.5 star. But cleanliness was...disappointing. There was a disgusting hair in the rice. We pointed it out, they were apologetic and replaced the rice but didn't bother with either 1) comping that dish or 2) assuring us that was a solitary incident and/or they replaced that batch of rice. Which, part of me gets, it's a pain, things happen yadda yadda but that's also why we have food safety certifications, etc. Coupled with a disgusting trash littered bathroom and I was a bit concerned about the food. Friend and I were famished. But not so famished that we were able to overlook the sinewy lamb or oddly textured chicken (almost tough and rubbery in some bites), or the low protein to sauce ratio. When I got home, I also was sick to at stomach within 2 hrs...so yeah...I just knocked this down to 1 star. No returnsies for me. Too bad bc some of the flavors were pretty solid.
(1)
AJ F.
Better than average, tho three stars for the price and the fact that they were really skimpy on the shrimp. Had the Tandoor kabob mix and goat saag. Also had the garlic sKimp appetizer. Really, the price is probably forgivable considering it's ritzy downtown Bethesda location. Staff was very nice and accommodating. Seating was a little intimate: the older ladies next to us were practically in our laps.
(3)
Maya W.
I met a good friend for lunch in Bethesda and we decided to try this place in a whim. The service was pretty good and the atmosphere was nice. It wasn't packed on a Saturday afternoon and we were able to sit and chat over our meal casually, without being rushed. Overall the food was pretty good and the portion sizes were generous enough for leftovers. I had the veggie curry and she had chicken in this wonderful tomato based sauce. The only downfall of our experience was the overly dry samosas. I love samosas so I was extremely disappointed in the appetizer.
(4)
Amit M.
My wife and I often go here when we are craving good Indian food. Although their appetizers are not that great, we are big fans of their lunch buffet menu. For dinner, Paneer Kadhai and Fish Goani are highly recommended. Among bread options, I wasn't impressed by aloo parathas, but their naans are quite soft and delicious to eat. Service during lunch is pretty slow and during dinner isn't impressive either but it's not too bad for the delicious food you get here.
(3)
S V.
I've been here twice now. This place is in a great location, has good ambiance, and decent food. On this trip, for appetizer we had the raj kachori and for the main course, paneer tikka masala and malai kofta. The raj kachori is tasty and visually very appealing. Both entires were very tasty and well prepared. My favorite here though is thr jalapeño cheese naan. It's not to spicy and very flavorful.....almost like a popper. A friend of mine had a groupon, and we got a great deal. I've seen them many times do you might want to check for that before you go. This is a solid traditional Indian restaurant with an authentic menu and authentic tasting food.
(4)
Janet K.
Food is 3 stars, service is worse than 1 star! A report from Tandoori nights - Our waitress was a young woman who seemed OK enough on the surface, after all we were hungry. We ordered several dishes, appetizers, and drinks. The bill totaled around $100. When it came time to send back the dishes including the rice we hadn't finished, we decided to simply have the kitchen send us some more fresh rice in a to-go container because many times before we have asked for this and received it as a courtesy. The waitress was encouraging us to get it. When the bill came, it was $6 heavier for ... rice! The waitress refused to remove it despite not mentioning the additional charge and that we had already sent back all of our half-finished rice, so we asked for a manager. The clueless manager also refused to remove it and started arguing with us over why we should pay for the rice. Eventually we sent it back, giving them the to-go containers back. I was dining with a good friend of mine and her kids and she went to discuss the situation with the manager. While she was talking to the manager about the service, the waitress tried to butt in to the manager's discussion in a very loud and obnoxious tone, not helping things. Then when the manager gestured for her to stay out of it, she went to my friend's children and told them that their mother was being rude!! Unbelievable! Later when we were driving back, we realized that this was the same waitress that we had encountered a few years ago, who we believe keyed my friend's car after we dared complain about her. We are surprised she hasn't been fired yet, but it appears she is related to someone who works there.
(1)
Brian S.
Love the food -- if they were serving it. It's Sunday night, and we wanted some place open late. By heir website, yelp and Google all say they are open until 10pm tonight. We arrived at 9:45 but the chef had already left. After traveling 15 minutes to get there, it left us angry -- and more importantly hungry. Be open when you say you're open or it's not worth bothering.
(3)
Jason K.
If you are strolling along Bethesda Row and are thinking about eating Indian then do yourself a favor and don't go here! The service is less than mediocre. The samosa, chicken tikka masala, and the mango lassi were worse than my dreadful attempts at recreating these dishes at home. As another poster noted, this place needs a new chef and all of the staff need a few courses in basic service. I highly recommend going to Kadhai or Passage to India instead.
(1)
Joe H.
We've been here a few more times and every time the food is delicious, and the cocktails too. They have a spicy martini, a curry mojito, and a spicy cucumber cooler. Very tasty. Our last time there we sat at the bar, and the service we received from the bartender was excellent.
(4)
Laura D.
Came here on a Sunday afternoon since it was the only indian restaurant open near us at 3 and we were pleasantly surprised. It was pretty much empty we couldn't complain about the service. The location is nice. We got the samosas witch we thought were really good. I got the classic chicken tikka masala which was good. My mom got the curry chicken which was quite spicy! The naan bread was delicious. Overall pretty good but perhaps a bit pricy. I would probably come back to try their buffet.
(4)
Dan M.
Tandoori provides a very satisfying meal in a classy looking environment. Look up, and you'll be greeted by a shimmering night sky that provides the perfect accompaniment to a nice meal. We had chicken tikka, chicken jalfrezi (tomatoes, onions, bell pepers, broccoli), and of course, garlic naan. They were all delicious. The jalfrezi especially was a great mix of veggies and meat, with slight curry flavor and subtle pleasant spice. This has to be one of the better Indian restaurants around. I'm not a big outside eater, but they do have a very nice setup with seats outside for all those who go for that sort of thing. In fact, so many people chose the outside seats that the inside was empty except for us, which we didn't mind at all. We had to track down a waitress for more water a few times, but overall, service was solid. We'll be back for sure.
(4)
Greg W.
Fantastic! This was my first time at this restaurant. I had the lunch buffet. Everything was quality. The service was good. The food was outstanding. I highly recommend this place, you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Cyrus C.
I came here with a couple of my friends and spouse an hour before closing. The service was horrible and the food was average. The waiter came to us and after about ten minutes of being seated, the waiter told us that they're about to close the kitchen and to order asap. So we did! My wife and I got the tandoori and the my friends got the butter chicken and lamb chana. Our tandoori was not the best, the butter chicken was good and the lamb was spicy but Ok. During our entire dinne, the waiter never once checked on us. In fact when we asked for water another waiter gave it to us but his expression was that he was very disgusted. Finally we asked for the bill and to our surprise they already added a gratuity of 18%. I asked to speak to my waiter and I was told that he already left for the night! !!! Really? Your customer has not finished their food, you (waiter) leave and have the audacity to add a pre determined gratuity on the bill. I asked them to take off the gratuity ; my friends insisted that we give some too and then we got the hell outta there. Save your money and go to another good restaurant.
(1)
Diane T.
My husband and I came here early on a Saturday night, after seeing a movie. The restaurant was busy, but we were seated and served promptly and attentively. We split the Garlic Shrimp appetizer, which is made with wine and honey and is very good. We also split the Chicken Makhani, with a side of olive naan. Both were delicious. My husband likes their mojitos, because they don't scrimp on the mint. We'll be back.
(4)
Yulai L.
Great butter chicken and naan. Good price for buffet
(5)
Ravi P.
Mediocre. Nothing wrong with the food, but really nothing to set it apart and rave about. In their defense we did not request it spicy, so their chefs true ability is yet to be seen. The dining experience is mid range, not dive but not mind blowing fancy either.
(3)
Janet L.
Purchased a $20 for $40 worth of food groupon.. and came here on a weeknight. I'd give 2.5 stars for service and 3ish for food. The restaurant itself is located in a very convenient location (Bethesda row area), right next to Barnes and Noble and a few blocks away from the Metro. There is a circulator stop next to the restaurant. There are a couple of tables outside that are pretty nice to dine at. The interiors are nice too. On the night we went... our waiter told us that someone had called out sick, thus the long waits.... because it took a very long time. My friend and I had been meaning to have a 1 hour dinner... but with the slow service, that turned into almost 2-2.5 hours. However, since the staff was very polite and respectful, I'm going to believe that the long wait was indeed due to a couple of people calling out sick. As for the food. MY EYES GLISTENED WHEN I SAW PANI PURI... little fried crisps (think in the shape of a hollow sphere) punched out through the tops, filled with chickpeas, tamarind chutney, potatoes, etc... and paired with a spicy water that is so flavorful. I used to eat these all the time in India! The spicy water was a bit too thick in consistency for me, but the flavors were almost perfect! I was very happy with this dish. Their masala chai was ok. I prefer it when they make it with the milk instead of bringing me tea + milk separately .... As for the entrees (my friend got their Chicken Tikka Masala and I got the Lamb Vindaloo)... the flavors were solid. I wouldn't say it was anything exceptional, but if you're craving Indian food and you're in the Bethesda area, this is not a bad place to go :)
(3)
Sherry H.
Came for lunch buffet. Food on steamer table was not hot. We got here when they opened. Most everything was pretty mediocre. The sag part of Sag Paneer was salty, although the the paneer was good. The tandoori chicken was also salty. Taking this off the list b
(2)
Ros A.
Seems this business could benefit from a hospitality management course. - They were busy and eventually got a table but sat for about 10 minutes before we were even given a menu. - The Diced Chicken appetizer was actually very small, battered/FRIED chicken pieces that were dry in spite of being smothered in what tasted like buffalo sauce. They should have stated fried chicken on the menu. Was not good at all. - Then plates afterward sat in front of us for a long time. I eventually asked one of the wait staff who was clearing another table to if he would take our plates - he brusquely said someone else would do it. - Main course dinner sauce (lamb) was so salty I couldn't finish it. Admittedly, the waitress was nice and promptly returned with additional regular tomato-based sauce to dilute it but that was the only positive. Based on inattentive service and poor food, I won't be in a hurry to come back.
(2)
Chintan D.
Great ambience in the heart of Bethesda. Offers the taste that keeps me begging for more. On top of that they do catering. I have used them at least 6-7 times just for catering. Has lots of vegetarian options as well. The mood is set for couples but they also have a big table to accommodate large parties.
(4)
Elsa M.
Seriously some of the best Indian food I have had in ages, albeit some of the slowest to come out too. We stopped in before catching a movie the other night, thinking that an hour and some change would be enough time to grab a quick dinner, however it took a good 40 minutes just to get our meals. I ordered the Chana Lamb Chop Masala - made with lamb chops, chickpeas, and spices and served with jasmine rice. DELICIOUS! My husband got a spicy vegetable dish that he loved as well. Naan does not come complimentary, but it's definitely worth getting. In fact, it was so good, I ordered a second order to go for the movie in lieu of popcorn. lol! Definitely stop on in if you are in the neighborhood, but if you are headed to a movie like were were, make sure you allow a good two hours to get your food and actually eat it in time.
(4)
M K.
We are a regular here and love every dish! Try the mango lassi, okra, dal ghost and saag chicken ... It reminds me of the best home cooked meal The ambience is very welcoming and nice crowd! Good for family and or business lunch/ dinner with a group. Service can be improved a bit by training all the staff to be a little more polite... But overall it's great value for money and delicious food. It's the best indian food in dc region.
(5)
Ruth C.
Three star service, two and a half star food. Cute interior. Crowded outdoor patio on such a nice day, with a few tables occupied inside as well. We were seated shortly after we arrived despite the empty hostess counter. Neetu was polite and soft-spoken, though I found the usage of phones for taking orders somewhat distracting. Drinks came out five minutes after ordering, and we had ice water to tide us over. Skip the strawberry lassi, it has vague elements of a smoothie and lassi but isn't as satisfying as standard editions go. Aloo chat papri didn't come out until the entrees did, which baffled me even more so when we found the mixture had been resting long enough that the flour crisps were already halfway soggy. I don't see the point of a mounded presentation if you're going to drizzle the chutney and yogurt and let it die. Similarly, the kashmiri naan was barely above room temp, making it very easy for the pine nuts to break free of the dough. In case we didn't read the descriptions, our server was kind enough to check that we knew the vindaloo would be spicy and the goat curry wouldn't be boneless. Butchering was so-so on the goat, but the cook on the meat was nice enough. Vindaloo was only spicy relative to the local demographics; I ate a pepper and didn't get tingled. When we declined dessert, the check was ostentatiously presented to my male coworker. Overall, flavors are okay but nothing to write home about, particularly when compared with rivals in the area. Maybe I'll check out their lunch buffet.
(3)
Steven S.
Great ambiance, great food, great prices. The portions were large and the food was delicious. We eat at a lot of indian restaurants and this is very good quality for the money. Traditional indian food in a modem setting. Will come back for sure!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes 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.
J.J. B.
Just came back from dinner at Tandoori Nights - wanted to try this place again & used a $40.00 LivingSocial offer this time. Oddly enough, we sat at the same exact table we did last year. The restaurant was empty when we got there, but lo & behold, there was a steady stream of diners that came in right after us so it was full when we left. I couldn't resist & got the Tandoori Vegetables (Chef's Special) again because is was SO good last time. This time, however, I would venture to say that it was not as good. Not that it was bad (far from it!) - I just happened to like it better last time. For instance, this time the onions were very sharp & biting (instead of sweet) & the apple was not as good. However, they brought a nice side of lentils for us to eat with our dishes & I really like those. I also tried the Olive Naan this time & it was great. The only downside was the side of Mango Chutney that I ordered - it was *extremely* salty & vinegar-y, so much so that I asked the waiter if it was supposed to taste like this. He kindly did not charge us for it but after going in the back & tasting some for himself, said that yes, this was the way it was supposed to be; however, he described it as tasting sweet & in no way did I feel it tasted sweet & it was quite inedible to me. That was the only blip in the meal though. Like I said last time, I will go again once another offer comes up, but this time, I will try another dish, perhaps the Tandoori chicken.
(3)Sharon F.
I went to order take out tonight and saw a worker in the kitchen dolling out rice into carryout containers with his bare hands. It's flu season! Gloves please! I left and won't be back.
(1)Mel L.
What I ordered (I uploaded some pics): - Garlic Nann - Tandoori Fish - Bombay Fish Curry What I like: - Garlic Nann is very fresh, the bits of garlic are flavorful but not overpowering, the flavor and texture come together very well! - Tandoori Fish is presented beautifully, and the masala sauce comes with it compensates the dish to bring out the sweetness and juiciness of the fish meat. - Bombay Fish Curry: all I want to say is YUMMM! One of the best fish curry I've had. The color, consistency, herbal flavors are all there! Scooping some fish and eat it with garlic nann, you will leave your dinner with satisfaction! What can be improved: - Waitresses/Waiters are attentive, but most of them lack energy in their service. I came for an early dinner, so it was just the beginning of their night. I would save my 5th stars for exceptional customer services.
(4)Kim F.
This used to be one of our favorite restaurants. Unfortunately, service has slowed to an absolute crawl and the quality of the food is declining as well. Chicken tikka masala came last weekend with four bites of chicken in the entire dish--hardly worth the cost of the meal. We are, very sadly, looking for a new favorite for Indian food.
(2)Raj G.
Bethesda MD. Excellent food. Good service. Ordered crispy spinach for an appetizer. Really good. Tandoori whole fish , a big red snapper. Delicious. Chicken Vindaloo really spicy. Both accompanied by basmati rice and makhani dal. Everything was delicious. Very generous portions. Reasonable prices.
(5)Eunice K.
service was good food was good aloo chat papri: flavorful and fresh! vindaloo is spicy.. has a nice kick
(4)Alex F.
Since I started working in Bethesda, I've been to Tandoori Nights three times. The first time was after a long, grueling bike ride along the Capitol Crescent Trail, which drops off right by Woodmont Avenue in the heart of Bethesda's restaurant row. I was hungry, no, I was STARVING and as I locked up my bike next to a tree by the Barnes and Noble, I smelled butter chicken. Or whatever the Tandoori Nights equivalent is. That was it, game over. I had to have it. My friend and I shared said chicken, along with spinach paneer and plenty of naan. Only complaint the first time was that it was a tad pricey. The second and third time I went, my coworkers and I went for the buffet lunch. For 10.99, you get an all-you-care-to-eat bonanza. This my friends, is a bargain. Just as I had hoped, I got to mix everything together into one wonderful Indian Food sludge pile. Maybe that sounds gross to you, that's on you. To me, mixing everything together is what I dream about at night. I sopped up the remnants with the warm, soft naan, and then everyone at the table sat there for about 15 minutes after, too full to move. The ambiance is pretty and tasteful: above the booths are silver bead curtains that glisten and glimmer and add an interesting barrier between parties. I can't finish this review without also touching on the faucet in the women's bathroom. It is a thing of beauty. To see what I mean, either hunt down my Vine account or go see for yourself. Sorry dudes, apparently your bathroom has a boring faucet. In conclusion: the lunch buffet rocks! I would never turn down an offer to go here for dinner/not lunch buffet, but...the buffet is incredible. You can't beat the price or the variety, at least not in Bethesda. Enjoy.
(4)Samantha L.
Went here for dinner back on New Years Day. The good news is that we had a living social instant deal that gave us $40 for $20 The bad news is that it was still kind of expensive, and not very good. We ordered the Lamb Roganjosh and Chicken Vindaloo and an appetizer (Samosas maybe?) The lamb was ok... but the chicken was WAY too spicy. Vindaloo is traditionally one of the spicier items on the menu, and I'm ok with spicy, but this was burn your mouth, no real flavor, so hot you couldn't enjoy it spicy. Almost the opposite of what I love about Indian food. Normally I think Indian Food is spicy, but also has a ton of flavor. Probably wont go back... despite it being just down the street.
(2)Yummy F.
This is one of the times where I wished I checked yelp before going to that place. Let's start with the positive: the location is nice, especially in the summer and the food didn't get me sick. The rice was ok, maybe the most decent part of the meal. The negatives: the quality of meat is not good, be it for chicken or what they call lamb but tastes like beef. I ordered the chicken Makhani and it tastes like some creamy dish that everything but chicken Makhani which I know well by mow and the chicken didn't taste good. I was almost sure I was going to be sick and I am glad I didn't after all. My friend ordered 'the lamb" dish and we could both swear that it was not lamb. I usually take leftover with me but in this case I didn't want to get near the food. Seriously, don't expect much, bland, not convincing and on the top of that overpriced (well, it's Bethesda too). Finally, the service is poor, not rude but hesitant and not well trained.
(2)Stewart W.
Food was great! A little overpriced but really not bad at all. Also, there is a groupon for $22 for $40 so we used that and were very happy with the price. The fried spinach was great and the vegetarian dishes were also quite good. The cardamom flavored ice cream was fantastic but it is 7 dollars for a small amount. Lastly, get a mango lassi... They are amazing!
(5)Priya N.
TIP TIP TIP or GO TO HELL!!!! Food was ok! Chicken makhani and chicken 65 are bad. Never ever go to this place unless you are willing to give huge tip or else be prepared to accept their foul language. Let me keep this all apart. As we weren't happy we gave tip less than 15% of the bill. Here comes waitress Niva, she walks back to us and asks for more tip. We explained politely about our experience with food and with what we are disappointed with. She started using foul language "GO TO HELL" and "YOU INDIANS ARE ALWAYS LIKE THIS". These are the exact words she used and I can prove if they have security cameras. Fucking ridiculous what the hell she thinks. Such a racist. Even after her comments about indians, I didn't say a word, all I asked is this the attitude you show towards your customers. She wasn't even listening and kept on whining about tip. I never saw anybody like this.... Food wise its ok there are many other restaurants which serve tasty and better food. Please don't go to this place if you respect yourselves.
(1)Heather J.
I really enjoyed this place! We started with the vegetable samosas, which were great. I love the sauces that come with them - I wish I knew what the dark-purplish one was made of (or even what it's called). It's my favorite! For our entrees we got the chicken saag and the chicken makhani. I loved the creamy tomato sauce of the chicken makhani, and the chicken was really tender. The saag was excellent, as well. And of course we got naan, and it was buttery and delicious. The service was friendly, attentive, and efficient. Our orders were taken promptly, water glasses were consistently refilled, food came out within a reasonable time, leftovers were packaged and brought out quickly, and the check was taken care of within minutes. The place is also really nicely decorated. I have recently been to both Shangri-La in Bethesda and Indique Heights in Chevy Chase, and neither place comes close to the quality of food and service at Tandoori Nights. I'll definitely be back here!
(4)J H.
Fair food, poor atmosphere and service night we were there. We visited on a Sunday evening before a holiday, about 9:00. Most of the time, there was a rauchos group nearby, ear-splitingly loud. They were having a good time -- no problem with that -- but rather inconsiderate of rest of us. When that group finally left, the staff put on their coats, handed us the check before we were halfway done. Obviously they wanted us to leave. Very poor customer relations and service.
(2)Christie D.
I was really excited to try this place, but I hated my meal. I hardly ate any of it. It wasn't tasty and it was all sauce. Hardly any meat. I should have gotten the tandoori chicken, that looked good when other people ordered it. The rice was good. Our appetizer was really really dry. Garlic naan would have been better. I recommend anyone eating here to get the naan and the tandoori chicken. I obviously made the mistake of not getting those items.
(2)Anya I.
I've been here three times for the lunch buffet, and my experiences have been similar each time. I can't speak for any of the menu items, yet. Service- quick, courteous, and attentive. Our water glasses were never empty. Food- hot, good choices for a buffet, delicious, and satisfying. It's not the best Indian food you will ever eat, but it's pretty good. It's always a treat to finish with one (or four) bowls of rice pudding. Ambiance- spacious interior, easy-to-navigate buffet line, clean and comfortable dining area. Solid choice of restaurant, and I'll be back again and again.
(4)Libby F.
Excellent food, but lousy understaffed service on a Saturday night. I'm lucky that parking is free in public parking garages in Bethesda on a Saturday night because I'd be way over my time limit. So, maybe it was an off service night, and maybe I'll be back. Get a Groupon. It's a great way to see if this place is for you. I am not an experienced Indian food eater, and what I don't get is why different restaurants call menu items by different names. I had the Khile Phool here. Sauteed cauliflower and potatoes in aromatic spices. Loved it. At another place it was called Aloo Ghobi, and basically the same thing. I loved the crispy spinach appetizer, Kurkure Hariyali. Again, a new name from what I had before. I guess I just have to say to the server, "I'll take the spinach appetizer, please." The breaded cheese entree was equally tasty. Can't recall the name though. There are several cheese entrees under the 'Vegetable' listing. The waiter was pleasant enough, but hard to come by. They musta been short staffed because the young hostess in the short, short dress was wiping tables. Thank you for wearing panties, but I really didn't want to see them. At my niece's high school they had a rule: If your hem is shorter than where your fingertips reach when your arm are down, then it's too short. I think that would be good advice for her. If I come back, I'll be sure it's on a less popular night, most likely lunch just to be safe.
(3)Na L.
This review is for their $10.99 lunch buffet. Amazing deal, painfully slow service (water/bill) but their food, and lunch deal makes up for it.
(4)Rahul J.
Solid Indian food in the heart of Bethesda's downtown. We tried the tandoori salmon which is hard to get moist and flavorful - they nailed it. Everywhere else I've had it, it's been on the dry side. Almost went with the shrimp but the server suggested the Salmon. Glad we went with his recommendation. Good Navratan Korma (mixed veggies) The tamrind tequila was nice..sweet and tangy.
(4)Charles O.
Really delightful food, service and atmosphere. Reasonable prices. This outpost of the longstanding Kentlands location brings great food to the mini restaurant row on Woodmont. Surprisingly, it's never crowded. A super alternative to the other choices on the strip - worth being a first choice, not just a place to go if Mussel Bar and American Tap Room are too busy.
(4)Kesha L.
Visted on 8/18 (early afternoon around 2pm to a fairly empty restaurant) to treat my friend to a bday celebration. Restaurant We ordered: Appetizers: Veggie Pakoras (Tasty and hot) Samosas (Good/Tasty & hot although the bread was too thick for my liking) Entrees: Yellow Daal Makhanni Daal Veggie Bharta 1 Bread Basket Overall food was good/ok what you might expect from a chain. It really lacks that flavorful kick and is quickly forgettable. Naan was standard fare and arrived hot and well cooked. I think the blandness comes from being in Bethesda? Maybe they tone down the food flavors to appease the folks who live in that area? Drinks: 2 Mango Ritas This was the most disappointing part of the meal. While a pretty drink, it tasted like a smoothie (an overpriced one at that) and my friend & I could barely taste the alcohol. So much so that we had to ask whether any was in the drinks. We requested a redo and the waiter obliged. The second try was another disappointment.... this time the alcohol was way overdone & it was a watery mess. We inform the waiter (he actually sees our full glasses at the side of the table and inquires) that the second attempt was not a winner. He then goes on to prove a point " this is how we make them. I don't know what you're expecting. I tried again you asked for more alcohol etc. etc." We agreed and thanked him for trying again but I note that the fact remains that the drinks were horrible. And you know what? We like to go to restaurants and enjoy our meals/drinks and reward excellent service when due. I really despise bad customer service and especially restaurant staff that are defensive and challenge customers. It's not in my best interest to dislike a meal. I'm at your establishment to enjoy and eat well! ...the only place in DC where I've had consistently amazing customer service is BusBoys and Poets (pick a location). Why have a signature drink that is pretty but lackluster? Please listen to your customers! Think twice and if so don't order the Mango-Rita.
(1)J K.
Service was extremely slow. The kadai paneer was good but everything else was subpar. Don't waste your time or money here.
(1)Yumi M.
Good Indian food. The fruit and nuts naan wasn't as sweet as I had expected (the one's I've had had almond powder in it...maybe this isn't normal?) We ordered garlic shrimp for appetizer which was the best dish we had this night. For entree we ordered the cottage cheese with sweet tomato curry and tandoori chicken. Tasted just as I expected, nothing special.
(3)John P.
Chicken tikka masala was awesome. Pani poori disappointed. Liked the place so much. We were staying at next door hotel so it was very convenient to walk to this place.
(5)P t.
I've been here a couple of times and never had any issues with this place. It's decent Indian food but nothing that blows your mind. However when I went to dinner here recently, there was hair on my naan. After I pointed it out to the server, she just looked at me and said "oh". Like it was nothing to be concerned about. There was no acknowledgment of the incident or even I'm sorry. I'm not expecting them to replace naan (although you think for good customer service you think they would) or take it off our bill, but a mere apology would have been sufficient. Just be cautious of when you eat there!
(1)Alexandra B.
We have been looking for a go-to Indian restaurant ever since we moved to the DC area, and (fingers crossed) I think we may have found it in Tandoori Nights. I was super dubious at first, since I knew it was a regional chain and it just seemed kind of flashy (read: tacky) from the outside. But after my boyfriend's coworker (from India) recommended the place to us, we decided it was time to give it a try. To be fair, there were a few things that bothered me about the place, which brought it down by a star. The decor was uninspired, and the seating was pretty cramped. We are not small people, I know, but I also shouldn't be able to hear every word of conversation from two separate tables within a foot of us on each side. Also, while the servers were friendly enough, they seemed frazzled and were very hard to track down when you wanted something. It didn't seem like the restaurant seated enough people for them to be that hectic. That being said, they did get everything right in our order, so I can't complain too much. We were feeling festive so we ordered a few specialty drinks. I had a very fruity drink (uncustomary for me, but I was in a fun mood) called the Caribbean Cooler, which was just what I needed in the 90+-degree weather, and it still packed a good punch. All the drinks were potent, large, and fairly priced for the downtown Bethesda area. For appetizers we ordered the Missi Roti--a wheat and chickpea bread--and the Aloo Chat Papri. The bread was warm and soft, but the flavor was not my favorite (I think that's just a matter of personal taste, though). The Aloo Chat Papri, however, was absolutely delicious. It had just that perfect touch of sweetness and great texture. We both agreed we could have eaten a whole dinner of that dish. For entrees, we both ordered vegetarian and shared. Each one came with a small bowl of rice, but they gave far more than we often have gotten at other local restaurants, so that was a plus. The Shahi Baingan--eggplant with a cashew sauce--was tasty, but the eggplant was a little overcooked to my liking. My boyfriend, however, loved it....I mean LOVED it, and to get him eating eggplant is pretty amazing. The Navaratna Korma was just so good. There was a great variety of vegetables in the korma and the sauce was the perfect blend of spice and flavor. I could not have been happier with my food, and I definitely ate way too much of it in my excitement! We also ordered some mango chutney, which perfectly met my expectations. All in all, we had an excellent experience here. I am very much looking forward to coming back and hoping that they prove themselves to be consistent. If so, they will definitely be seeing a lot of us, as we will finally have found our go-to Indian restaurant!
(4)Timir D.
Inconsistent. Kebabs are good when they are hot and fresh but otherwise not so great. One day the seekh kebab was amazing and melt in your mouth tender, the other day it was just so so. A bit of a disappointment the second time. Probably will still give them another shot, maybe I will try the other location.
(3)Vijay R.
In the appetizers, I tried Kurkure Hariyali, Raj Kachori and Pani Poori. I could barely have a mouthful! Usually the Pani Poori is a safe dish but here the water that went with it was too tangy spoiling the whole taste. I recommend skipping all three. The Naans were very small compared to similar fare in other Indian restaurants. I found the Veg Biryani to be ok though. That coupled with the decent service and good location makes me rate it 3 stars.
(3)Trevor M.
Tandoori Nights should have a musically inspired Bollywood style opening with all the regalia, colors and at least one dance number...but, it seems to fall flat of it's own expectations. At least one dance number. Come on! Now, bear in mind that the Indaze group who owns, Karma in the Rio, Penang and the Tandoori Nights in Clarendon has opened one now in Bethesda Row. Speaking with one of the employees there seems to be a bit of a disconnect with this location to the one in the Kentlands in Gaithersburg. Previously, this location was Dehli Dhaba The atmosphere is pleasant with lovely art on the wall and murals on the ceiling as you enter in. There's even a little alcove for Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. The is very dimly light (as we came on a Friday evening) maybe to create a soft, romantic setting where you really can't read your menu. Hopefully, that tea light in the vase is strong enough. Started off with two cocktails: The Mumbatini and the Kachcumar Cooler. The Mumbatini with vodka, curry leaves, ginger, chili peppers and simple syrup. The Cooler was made with Hendricks Gin, cucumber, mint leaves chilies and lemonade...basically an indian mojito. The funny thing is that due to the chilis present in both drinks it was difficult to separate the two. With the Mumbatini, not a big deal, but the Hendricks was overshadowed and the sweetness of the cucumbers and rose did not get it's chance to sign through like a Bollywood love song. ....Still no dance number. Ordered the samosas ($5.99, really?) It should be light, with good structure, moist and with the right amount of curry and fennel with peas. It was dry and bland. Then ordered a salad to shake things up like a two step by a peg legged pirate The Spicy Cucumber Chicken Salad. It was not very memorable. Small chuncks of chicken and the dressing was mildly spicy. For the main, decided to go with an old favorite: Lamb Vindaloo. I requested that it be hot, as if I came from Goan and was missing a dish from home made in my Auntie's kitchen as Bollywood dancers sang to me in a chorus of enchantment. The meals came out quickly, but it lacked the heat that I was craving. Heck , it was rather tame. More akin to a standard curry, really. Overall, the service was pleasant, the atmosphere, a nice departure from the norm, but the food right now is ok. It's safe Indian food. If you were never familiar with Indian food and you wanted to know what it's like...well, in truth, I wouldn't bring folks here as a first taste of Indian, but if you enjoy the Indaze group of restaurants then this is for you. Maybe, Ganesh should move some more obstacles. ....and still no dance number.
(3)Meli M.
I enjoyed what I ate. My mother ordered a tandoori dish which stated it came in a yogurt sauce, however that yogurt is really a marinade and is soaked in/cooked off by the time it comes to the table. When my mother made mention of this to the server she took off all of tribe extras from the meal cost - drinks, naans, etc. to make up for it being different from expectations. Great service and they always kept out waters full.
(4)Mark S.
I am regular at their Gaithersburg location. I happen to be around Betheada and decided to try their this location. I had Malai Kebab and chicken tikka masala. I have to say they were outstanding ...... So loved it .....good and prompt service ..... They refilled my soda few times and brought extra rice .....I thought that was cool .... Definitely go again !
(5)Valerie L.
This place is delicious! My husband and I LOVE Indian cuisine and after moving to the area, struggled to find a yummy local Indian restaurant. After striking out with Shangri-La in Bethesda (yuck), Cafe of India in Tenleytown (tasteless), and having a mediocre meal at Indique Heights in Chevy Chase, we decided to give Tandoori Nights a try thanks to Groupon. I have to admit, after realizing it was a small DC area chain, we were a bit skeptical. One of my best friends from high school is Indian and his parents swear by the Gaithersburg location, so we kept an open mind. After dining here, my faith in chain restaurants (well local ones at least) has been restored! So much so that we come here all the time for dinner AND for their lunch buffet. Their traditional dishes like their goat curry, Chicken saag, Chicken tikka masala are seriously delicious! Equally as delicious are their unique appetizers. They have the samosas and pakoras that we all know and love (which are yummy) but definitely give their Aloo Chat Papri and Kurkure Hariyali a try. They are so flavorful, that just a few bites will keep you wondering whether or not their entrees will be comparably as tasty (which they most definitely are.) What we love about this place is that they don't skimp on spice, EVERRRRR. Even during their lunch buffets (which can be spiced down in an attempt to appease the masses) Tandoori nights stays true to their flavor. Their chutneys are never watered down, the naan is always fresh/fluffy, and their rice pudding is one of the best I've ever had! The service is always great and they always do it with a smile (or silly innocent smirk depending on how you look at it.) If I HAD to list a downside.....it's their Masala chai and their coffee. Not so great.....but then again, who usually chooses to drink something hot while consuming spicy food (other than me.)
(5)Kristen B.
Food- fantastic. Standard Indian menu but done very well. I loved their tandoori salmon and tikki masla as well as their lamb vindaloo. Their Naan is also fantastic. I've eaten here at least 5 times and it has always been great. Atmosphere- also fantastic. Very romantic and dimmed lights. As well as high end looking. Service- Like others have said I found it to be slow at times, but I always went during very busy hours so it did not bother me. And it was not unbearably slow.
(4)Helen C.
This place was totally packed on a Saturday night, and for good reason. Their chicken tikka masala was very very good! The servers were very friendly and it is a chic/trendy atmosphere.
(5)Boris M.
I have just one word to describe this place.. AMAZING. I moved back to this area and my friends and I were desperatly looking for a good indian Food Restaurant that we could come oftend and enjoy. WE FOUND IT. My friend is British so she is very "picky" about Indian food. She loved it. As she said.. BRITISH EMBASSY APPROVED.. lol. First, the drinks. I had the Mombay Martini (hope I spelled that right). My favorite martini right now. it was spicy and delicious. I had the chicken Vindaloo.... WOW... soooooo good, but also really spicy. It was a delicious torture to my tongue. :-) I tried my friend's fish in a curry souce and it was amazing as well. The place is beautiful and have a very nice bar as well. As I was leaving I saw a sign for lunch buffet for around $11 very good price, I think for that quality of food. I will come back againg for sure and maybe next time they'll teach me how to make that martini.. ;-)
(5)Eugene K.
3.5-4 stars. The food was good. The service was good. What could make it great? If the food was a bit more adventurous. I had the lamb curry, my sis had the chicken curry. It seems to walk a really narrow tight rope between boring to ethnic-eaters, but non-offensive to unexposed tastes. Would I eat there again? Sure and I'd enjoy it. But when I'm looking for authentic curry, I want to smell coming out of my sweat pores and offend my colleagues at work. You're not going to get that here.
(4)Izzat A.
Went here because we had a Groupon that was expiring. I ate here when it used to be Dehli Dhaba. This place is much better. For starters, we got the Aloo Chat Papri and Mulligatawny Soup. Both were very very good. The chat Papri was served in a very unique way. For entrees we got the chicken tikkah masala and the Tandoori Special Kabob Platter. The CTM was good, but not great, but the TSKP was very very good. Tons of food and the waiter was nice enough to make substitute some stuff that my wife wanted. Service was great and the decor is actually really nice. Prices can be expensive, but you do pay what you get for.
(4)Udayan K.
Good: -Best Indian food around. -Lunch Buffet on weekdays is great value for money. -Favorites: Goat Curry, Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, Navrattan korma, Aloo Chaat in appetizers. I would say that most things are pretty good Bad -Sub-par service. Servers and waiters need to be educated!
(4)Alex A.
Food at this place was really really good. There is something peculiar about the staff at this place - all Indian men with smirks on their face. It is kind of cool, they use iPhones to take everyone's order. The staff also is not very good at understanding how to stage the food you order - when I stay stage, I mean bring the food in stages. We had a very long gap between the appetizers and the main courses. I think this place used to be called Delhi Dhaba - which was an absolutely horrible place. Highly recommend checking this place out. Oh by the way - I used a Groupon - should still be around if you search for it; otherwise, the prices may be a touch high.
(5)David B.
All I can say is butter chicken (chicken makhani)
(4)Chich S.
The food was fantastic! We ordered a bunch of plates and everything was good. The service was pretty ok, but I think part of it was that we sat outside and thus had a bit less attention paid to us.
(4)A M.
...hit and miss here. had gone for a special event dinner one time and the food was buffet style and great! next time we were they're with the family over valentine's day and it was just average. nothing really stands out...which is a problem since this area has so many indian eating joints that are able to offer an authentic experience in the cuisine of some specialized part of india. the place is nice and if you're only looking at going for ambience and standard indian fare without being picky, then a good place to go!
(3)Ana B.
So it was a rainy Saturday and we were looking for a romantic place to eat outside because our baby was with us (my beautiful biewer/yorkie mix) so we decide to go to Tandoori Nights, we talk to the hostess and asked if we could seat outside she said yes and promptly brought water for my husband, my dog and for me, When I first saw the menu I didn't know what to order everything looked foreign to me, so I decided to ask our server, she was very nice and sweet, she took the time to explain what were the best sellers and describe the dishes we tough we were interested in. We first order the assorted platter, from this particular platter I love the chicken tikka and the lamb kabob, I have heard so much about samosa that I was dying to try them but they were ok and I didn't like the Pakora. We continue ordering the Kashmiri Pulao that's the long rice with nuts and dry fruit with the salmon in curry with coconut milk, the smell of these two entrees was divine, the portions were enough for two people and a dog. I order glass of champagne. Overall it was a good experience, good food, great service, great price!!
(3)Justine B.
I had a Groupon for this place and used it last Saturday with my boyfriend. I had been to their location in Gaithersburg and had a pleasant experience. This was not as pleasant. It seemed as if tables had no assigned servers, like the idea was that if a server saw that a table needed something, he or she would go ahead and take care of it. If this was the case, we didn't realize it until our check was brought to us by the fourth server that came by our table. This made ordering problematic, as we had been waiting for the man who had taken our dinner order to ask for drinks and dessert. The décor was a bit uninspired and the tables were quite cramped, but the food was delicious. We ordered the vegetable samosas to start. For entrees, I had the Baingan Bharta and my boyfriend ordered the Chicken Tikka. We also had an order of naan and mango lassis. It was all very good. Unfortunately the evening went a little sour as we were waiting patiently for who we thought our waiter was. None of the servers who brought us water or cleared our plates would even look at us or respond to our thank yous. One server almost dropped my glass on the floor as he absentmindedly set it down badly onto our table. For the small size of the restaurant, the majority of tables empty, and the large number of servers, we were surprised to have to wait so long. Many of the servers were standing nearby conversing with one another. The food was delicious but I expect more when dining in a Bethesda restaurant.
(2)Adi R.
Yummy. My friend & I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala which came in a yellow curry-like sauce. It had pieces of bell peppers & onions in the sauce as well. I also ordered the freshly cooked garlic naan which is my favorite thing to eat on the planet. We sat outside under the umbrella and when it started to rain our waitress pulled the umbrella closer to our table for us since it was still nice outside. I will eat here again for sure.
(5)N S.
Tandoori Nights occupies the space of the previously horrible, Delhi Dhaba in the "heart" of Bethesda. The good news is it is not Delhi Dhaba, the bad news is it is not so much better, but improved nonetheless. Started out with the samosas, they were greasier than necessary and the filling with blandish and on the dryish, crumbly potato side. For $5.99/order (a new record), I need a damn good samosa. I would recommend they seek out another samosa maker. Continued my meal with the bhaigan bartha. It was oil central. Swimming in oil. I knew I had no business even taking the leftovers home, but I couldn't justify the expenditure not taking it. The car ride allowed even more separation so I was able to drain it even more when I got home. It was like consuming an oil-based relish. Imagine that, I was eating an oil based eggplant relish. The guilt followed me for days. Good thing I'm in two bhangra classes. My dining companion very much enjoyed his chicken tikka masala and said it was even tastier the next day. Space is adorable. Staff was pretty good.
(3)Aditya J.
Food was ok...I have been here twice...*********BEWARE******** check your credit card statement ..They always charge more than what you are billed. ..This has happened with me twice..The charge is $5 more than actual one....sheer losers
(1)Hayes W.
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of food and service at Tandoori Nights. We bought a last-minute Groupon and hit this on a whim, and I'll be going back for sure. Like always, get the masala and some na'an. The best na'an I've ever had in my life was in southern Afghanistan, but this stuff was not bad in comparison. Good drink selections as well, and the staff is helpful if you're unsure what to get. Stop by!
(4)Morgan J.
One of the most ridiculous experiences I've had at a restaurant in years. I ordered an alcoholic drink and my waiter looks at my legal ID for eons. He looks up and tells me point blank that I won't be turning 21 until August. I tell him my birthday is actually in January, and he looks at me and says point blank: "No, see actually you were born in August." He then confiscates my ID for 20 minutes (no one has taken our order yet), then returns to tell me he's still "crunching the numbers" and that I just need to wait because verifying my age is "really important" to him. I then provide him with my health insurance card and SCUBA license which also provide my birth date, but apparently this was not satisfactory. Finally after about 40 minutes I get my drink and when we receive the check, he hasn't even comped or discounted the drink. It sucks because we've been here several times and the food's good, but I won't be back. I may look young, but that's no excuse for dreadful service and the assumption that I don't know the month of my own birthday.
(1)Chris P.
Really? Really? I decided to go here based on the reviews....Well, it deserves a 4 based upon presentation. The place is well decorated and clean. The waiters are attentive. With that being said I think it's a bit pricey for the portions given. They don't have a buffet on the weekends so I went off the dinner menu. Chose rogan josh. Seriously, for $17 there should've been more than a small bowl of rice and just a few bits of lamb. I guess this is par for the course when it comes to Indian cuisine in Bethesda--charge a lot for a little. Next time I'll go to India Palace (or nearby India Garden).
(2)Anita W.
I went here because the best of vegetarian/vegan article in the Washington Post recommended it. It wasn't a great place for vegan food. TONS of stuff had butter or cheese in it. The the pori pori puffs that came so highly recommended were served cold - not what I was expecting, and honestly, not that tasty. Give me a good samosa any day over that. That said, what I did have was very tasty (a mixed veggie dish). I also had the lentil crackers, which tasted like chips - very salty. My family had an appetizer sampler, naan, and buttered chicken. The kids objected to the spices, but they don't usually eat Indian food, so that's not surprising. The restaurant is in Bethesda where rent is high, so the place is not all that spacious. I felt a little cramped in our booth. Bethesda also means slightly higher prices and HORRIBLE parking. There are probably dozens of equal or better Indian restaurants in strip malls in the suburbs.
(3)Bill P.
NICE PEOPLE!!!! Actually held onto my umbrella from last Friday lunch.....which I forgot....again. Only Indian on Bethesda Row with just Haad left on the Triangle. Lunch buffet $11 and pretty good 8 solid dishes with salad and dessert and yummy naan included. Angeethi went out of biz with huge lunch and dinner buffet with 20 choices but since Tandoori has Clarendon and Kentlands I'm sure they know what they are doing. Some of the highlights: Bhana lamb very tender pieces, mixed Paku, chicken curry, aloo gobi and kadi pakara.....all very good and YES! I got seconds. The tandoori chicken YES! in name of place so better be good. :) Got a huge drumstick and tender dark meat delicious with just right amount of spices. Will be going back and YOU should make your go to Indian in Bethesda. Delhi Dhaba WHO? :)
(4)Shaad A.
Excellent place and great ambiance. Food and the service is superb. We had a large group and ordered a variety of items. Everything tasted terrific. Will highly recommend the place.
(5)OIivia H.
Samosas, naan, Lamb Jafrezi, Chicken Tikka, Indian wine... everything I devoured was delicious. I wish there had been more of it, and that the service had been a bit more prompt, but one bite and I didn't care anymore, Indian food has a way of making everything better. It is not the best I have had, nor would I specifically recommend or return for it, but it hit the spot.
(4)Fay F.
The restaurant was clean, quiet, and well decorated. Ordered spicy lamb curry (forgot the name) + keema naan Food came out in a reasonable time. Although the lamb was slightly overcooked, the curry was deeeelicious, spicy but soothing. The naan had grounded lamb in it, but I didn't taste it so much. Not that it's not good, but next time I'll just get the garlic one. And the waiters were happy and professional. I enjoyed it.
(4)Michael S.
This restaurant is a really nice addition to the Bethesda scene. The food is very tasty and the wait staff will guide you through choices to help you avoid too highly spiced, for example. Portions are generous and very satisfying. As with all Bethesda restaurants, parking is an issue. But once you actually find a spot, try Tandoori Nights. A really good choice...even for people who aren't sure about Indian food. (If that's you, try tandoori items. Lots of similarity to barbecue and not very spicy.)
(4)Subodh M.
My wife and I had dinner here last night on a Groupon. We will not go back without a Groupon - not worth it. The staff are pleasant and friendly, but the overall ambience is that it feels cramped. We ordered the Kabab platter. The shrimp was delicious, but all the other kababs were merely mediocre. We also ordered the Achari Lamb. Achari means in the flavor of Achar (Indian pickle.) This was not Achari - it was Lamb in Achar - and too salty as a result.. Anyway, I love Achar, but no one eats so much of it in one meal! The Laccha Paratha was OK. In short, mediocre food. You can get better food at lower prices, though not at the prime location this place occupies.
(3)Lauren H.
It seems as though they have changed management (and possibly kitchen staff) within the past few months and the food quality has decreased. Also, they close between lunch and dinner now (i'm guessing between 3-5?) which is my prime indian food time considering that is when I have my breaks at work. So sad they made these changes. Its really hurting them.
(2)M. Kelley S.
It was good - but I can't figure out why it keeps getting four stars. The staff was quick and professional - but since when is this a compliment? This should be a baseline expectation of a three-Yelp-star restaurant. My Chicken Tikka Masalla was really quite good, and my wife's Chicken Saag was equally tasty. It was pretty good, but it didn't do anything to stand out. I'd happily return, but I'm still looking for a top-notch Indian place in Bethesda. Were it not for our need to get food quickly, I'd have driven into the District for better Indian fare.
(3)Sachith D.
I came here to meet a fellow South Asian friend for dinner. It was not a promising sign that the restaurant was half full, yet it took five tries and fifteen minutes before we had a waiter willing to commit to taking our order. Drinks were mango lassis, which were on the thick side with no ice, and these would sadly prove to be the best part of the experience. We wisely skipped the appetizers and went straight for entrees, which took forty minutes to prepare. The paneer makhani was decent, but nothing to write home about, and the lamb seekh kabob was the right temperature in both spice level and actual temperature, but also wasn't particularly special. The amount of time necessary to flag down a server and actually have that request fulfilled whenever we needed something was egregiously long and easily knocked the rating down a star. Had I wasted that much time when I was a server, I would have received a severe warning or been fired. It was interesting to see the servers using iPhones to take down orders, though. For the price, there are better options, and you would be well served to explore Yelp and find them rather than waste time and money at Tandoori Nights, Groupon or not.
(2)Nroop B.
My first Indian restaurant in DC metro area after relocation. It was pretty good as long as food, ambience, area and prices are concerned. We enjoyed it. Removing 1 star only because of hostile hospitality...
(4)Namita T.
The restaurant had a nice decor and a friendly staff. We waited for 15 mins to get a table on a Saturday night, which is really better than other restaurants on a weekend. We ordered pani poori, lamb seekh kabab, malai kofta and bread (tandoori roti and pudina parantha. For $5, we got 6 balls of paani poori which were just okay. I'll avoid that next time I go there. Other than that, the food was great! We liked the malai kofta very much... It had a nice rich gravy. We ended our dinner with masala tea, which was also good! Overall we had a pleasant dining experience and we will surely go back there again.
(4)Penelope W.
While craving Indian, I thought of visiting Delhi whatever it's called. I was never a fan of the Delhi place, but it fixes the Indian craving. Just like every other Bethesda restaurant, this place changed names and got an interior make over. It's the same menu, down to the drinks except more expensive. The waiters take your order on their iPhones. At first it caught me off guard and I was getting annoyed that this person was standing next to me looking at his phone without talking to us. I finally figured it out when I looked around and saw them all taking orders that way. They could have done a better job of disguising their make over. Changing their name and look didn't do it for me! But like I said, going there for a quick Indian fix does the job.
(3)Tim R.
We had a very good experience. The staff was helpful and very patient. We had a lot of requests and they were always right there and quick to respond. Like the food, like the décor, like the service.
(4)Anaelle S.
Very very very good I could eat it every day, excellent and friendly service from Babu, Sandip and Kumar and all the rest. The food is 100% flavorful keep it up!
(5)Nazcatt S.
Absolutely one of the best Indian restaurants I've been to in a long time. Recently renovated, very modern, with classic Indian decor touches. We had palak paneer, chicken tika masala, & chicken makhani entrees. All delicious. Appetizers were samosas and were great. Curry monitors and lychitini drinks were perfect starters made by Rachel, the most helpful bartender. Service was slow because it seemed they were understaffed but I would absolutely come back again.
(4)Mimosa N.
Ugh so good. My family and I were in the DC area for vacation and we went to Tandoori Nights for dinner with my sister's best friend and her husband, who are both Indian. Upon entering, the restaurant itself was very nicely decorated; very classy. My siblings and I ordered the mango lassi to drink, which literally made my mouth water. Then to eat, everyone in our party of 8 ordered something different so, luckily, I got to try a little bit of each. Everything was delicious. I can't remember everything we had, but my goodness the chicken makhani (butter chicken, i believe) and the chicken saag (creamy spinach) were BOMB. I'm craving more just writing about it. The chicken vindaloo was good too, but SOOOO spicy! Raita was a great accompaniment for the spiciness. We also had the assorted bread basket on the side. For dessert, the malai and mango kulfi were like heaven. Perfect end to one of the best Indian meals I've ever had. I heard that the management had changed, thereby improving the quality of the food. How lucky for us! Man I wish there was a location down here in south Florida!
(5)Sid E.
Much better than Delhi Dhaba! It was nice sitting outside. The food is very good. The waiters are a bit awkward and the prices are high. Overall, it was an enjoyable evening.
(4)Sapna N.
This place is awesome!!! My husband and I checked this out since we moved the area very recent. It's become our favorite restaurant, we had the Paneer Tikka Masala and Chicken Tikka...the Kulfi was the most amazing thing, we have ever eaten.....We will see you all the time TANDOORI NIGHTS! Awesome place! I'm a frequent Yelper so I know that's a good place!
(5)Ulas E.
It's a great place for lunch buffet on weekdays. I used to come here all the time and find the staff very friendly and attentive ( its a buffet after all) and I always ask for naan without butter. Lately noticed that their buffet choices were not as good and always the same so been going less. Hope the place is not going down in the same trend as other restaurants after a few years of good food.
(3)M M.
I love this restaurant! I work around the corner and go once a week. It is always good food and wonderful friendly service. I highly recommend. The buffet has a great variety of foods. You can always find 3-4 dishes to fill your plate. Wonderful !!!
(5)Marcia G.
Great food, the mojitos were not good. The service was okay. i think the place had very poor ventilation because my clothes smelled really bad when i got home. But because the food was so good I'm looking forward to go back and seat on their outdoor area.
(4)Karen S.
We ate dinner there last night (used a Groupon), and were quite happy until the end of the meal when we saw a mouse run across the floor of the restaurant. My husband told the waiter, who said nothing about it but (to add insult to injury) just brought the bill. We had to leave to take our son somewhere, but I called the manager later. The manager acknowledged the problem, but made the excuse that there was a lot of garbage out back, and that it was to be expected. He said that he was planning on taking care of it.
(1)Melani M.
I love this place. The food is very good, fresh and well done. A decent bar, which is you can't necessarily count on in Indian places. We've liked everything we ordered here, vegetarian and chicken dishes. I've found that the service generally genial, even though a bit slow. I agree that their naan leaves a bit to be desired, especially compare to the exquisite options at someplace like Masala Art. But I definitely think this is the best Indian in Bethesda, based on the food and the pleasant atmosphere.
(4)H D.
Being of Indian origin I set the bar high. I have frequented the Tandoori Nights in Kentlands so was thrilled when this one opened closer to home. It is excellent. When I asked for spicy they very much made it so. I was particularly impressed with the Navaratna korma.
(4)Mona G.
Came here for lunch, but wasnt impressed with the lunch buffet so I decided to order off the menu. The Tandoori chicken was amazing! The samosa however, was bland and heavy. I know this is a personal thing but I like smaller bite sized samosas over giant ones that tandoori nights serves.
(4)Alyssa C.
With the rich aroma of spices wafting through the dimly lit restaurant and genuinely delicious food, I'd love to be able to give this restaurant more stars. However, the service was so disappointing and slow that even the amazing lentil soup and brilliantly hot channa masala couldn't make up for it. Every single waiter and waitress who came by our table was silent and unsmiling, ignoring multiple enthusiastic thank you's and smiles. The widespread deadpan would have been impressive if it hadn't been so disheartening. So while I will certainly enjoy good from this restaurant in the future, it will only be as takeout.
(3)Cora C.
I usually don't like Indian food but Tandoori Nights was delicious. I had the lunch buffet. Try this place. You won't regret it. Excellent service.
(5)Carolina R.
I love the food here though it's a bit overpriced. The service and quality of the food are great though they skimp on rice and naan.
(4)Mickey L.
While our first experience with their Gaithersburg branch was unremarkable, Tandoori Nights in Bethesda has become our new favorite place to enjoy South Asian-style roasted meats thanks to their delicious preparations served on a sizzling plate. My dining companion and I have enjoyed various meats from the Tandoor but never our favorite fish. Hearing that TN prepared their signature Tandoori Whole Fish using Red Snapper, we followed our curious taste buds to Bethesda Row for dinner. On our first visit, the anticipation rose with each passing tandoori chicken dish steaming with seductive roasted aroma. Finally, when our snapper arrived, we savored the fish's charred ends, from jaw to tail, and the savory tender meat in between. The accompanying onions and carrot slices beautifully caramelized while we devoured the fish. The accompanying rice was nice and plain to keep the focus on the snapper, while the Black Dal was reminiscent of Passage to India's superior version. We also ordered a decent Goat Curry. The taste was like that of a tomatoey tart Roganjosh with meat a bit too firm. It was a nice foil but could not hold a candle to the superb fish. For our next visit, we ordered the a Spinach-Strawberry Salad and Tandoori Chicken Tikka in addition to the Snapper. The salad was bright with berry rivaling flavor and freshness better than many pricier fine dining restaurants. The chicken was five sizable pieces, each the size of an adult's palm, with a zesty flavor and accompanied by refreshing mint-cilantro and sweet tamarind chutneys. Though mild, the chicken was moist and full of flavor as with the mint-cilantro chutney. The sizzling onions and hot carrot added pleasantly sweet notes. As for the Snapper, it was even better than before: bigger with less marinade to accent more of the fish's inherent flavors. Even after the heartier-than-expected portion of Chicken Tikka, we devoured the Snapper and its dazzling flavors right down to the bones. In short, Tandoori Nights delivers outstanding succulent roasted fish and chicken with pleasant service and perky modern digs. While its curry may not be close to those of Passage to India's, their tandoori rocks and is better than our previous favorite kabob joints like Ravi's. Can't wait to go back and try more of their tandoori varieties!
(5)Al T.
This review is for the lunch buffet only. I have the lunch buffet on a fairly regular basis, finding it consistently good. With the exception of the butter chicken, I find the vegetable dishes tend to be the stand-outs. The daal, no matter how prepared, is delicious.
(3)Rehana A.
I've only been here for the lunch buffet. Food is amazing. The chicken biryani is especially delicious with lots of cashews and raisins. Also the biryani is made with white meat chicken. The butter chicken is a bit sweet but I kind of like that. But what compelled me to write a review for this business is the EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE we received from Varun. He made sure we had everything we need and continued to check on us. Thank you for great service and we will be back!!!!!
(5)Isla C.
This is great Indian food, I really love the Chicken Tikka Masala with the rice and naan. So great!!
(4)Medusa M.
A few days before trying this place out, the food on customers' tables outdoors quickly caught my attention. I decided to come here today (a Saturday) at 4:00 pm with my friend and boyfriend. The place was not packed at all, so we were seated quickly and offered some drinks by the waitress which arrived quickly. After we perused through the menu, we came to a decision of what we wanted, though my boyfriend had some questions about the chicken tikka masala and simple chicken tikka entree. The waitress, despite her somewhat limited English, was happy to help him with his question and explain the differences between the two entrees. While my boyfriend chose to get the chicken tikka entree (it comes with no sauce), my friend and I both chose to get the chicken tikka masala. Here, you have an option to have it plain or spicy, and since we like to keep it interesting, we went for the spicy option of course! After about 20 minutes, which we all thought to be a bit excessive, we received our entrees. My boyfriend's meal, which was the chicken tikka, came out sizzling on a pan with veggies and all the other patrons' heads were turning. Like most other Indian restaurants, the chicken tikka masalas my friend and I ordered came with a bowl with a rectangular shape and rice in a separate bowl. Unfortunately, we were disappointed at the amount of rice that we received. The rice-to-chicken tikka masala ratio was off. If you ask for more rice, they will charge you, which came as a surprise to me because rice is one of the cheapest foodstuffs available. However, if you get one extra bowl of rice for the entire table, they will not charge you extra. For us, that worked since I was quickly stuffed. However, if each person wants their own extra bowl of rice, you will be charged extra. As for the actual taste of the food: flavorful, perfect amount of spice, creamy, and filling. The chunks of vegetable still retain a small amount of crunch in the chicken tikka masala sauce, and go perfectly with the chicken and rice. The chicken is not dry; it has a good texture and taste that would still be good on it's own. We also got a bread basket on the side. This comes with plain naan bread, and garlic naan bread. The bread was as flavorful as bread comes. I must not go without saying that some small parts of a slice of bread or two were burnt, so be on the lookout for that. Overall, I enjoyed everything I ate at Tandoori Nights and have absolutely no complaints. I will most certainly be coming back here again!
(4)Joshua S.
Full disclosure: the food was pretty good, worth more than the 2-stars I have to give Tandoori Nights. However, I can't give this place a higher rating for one simple fact: they serve bottled beer (which is great) - BUT they only pour enough to fill your cup and then they keep the bottle and the remaining 1/2 of the beer! Are you serious?! It doesn't even make sense - you've already opened the bottle. The remainder can't be served later. The only rationale I can imagine is they want you to buy another one after you drink the tiny amount they poured for you. I've never witnessed that kind of gimmick anywhere before. Surely a location that bills itself as 'fine dining' need not be so cheap. If you serve bottled beer, give the customer the bottle and let them do the pouring. Anything else just comes off as cheap and unprofessionally desperate.
(2)Dyonna B.
My second time at this restaurant was just as great as the first time. Food is amazing, service is amazing. I got the Jalfrezzi chicken and asked them to make it spicy. Woooo it was spicy and I loved it. I didn't finish it on purpose so I could have some the next day. lol I will be back. Im a fan.
(4)Amanda M.
This review is just for the take-out. I ordered the samosa, chicken tikka masala and naan. It could be because it was take-out but the samosa were pretty greasy. I also found the filling to be fairly bland and overly blended. I like it when I can still tell what vegetables make up the filling. The chicken tikka masala was good. The sauce was creamy without being too heavy, the chicken was tender, and the vegetables still had a bit of a bite to them. There wasn't enough rice for my liking but I'm sure if I had dined in the restaurant they would have gladly given me more. The naan wasn't nearly as crispy and buttery as I am accustomed to, but it still worked well to scoop up the extra masala sauce. Since I've only had the take-out and one main dish off the menu, I will most certainly try Tandoori Nights again. Maybe for the lunch buffet because it still looked fresh and well stocked at 2PM when I went in to pick up my order.
(3)Natalie M.
We went on a Saturday and they don't take reservations on the weekends, so we put our names in around ten to 7 and we were told it would it would be a 30-35 minute wait. We went to Barnes and Noble to pass the time and after 50 or so minutes had passed we decided to check in with the hostess and since she was pretty swamped, another host asked her about our table and she told him she had called us a couple of times, which definitely wasn't true because my phone was on, with a strong signal. I was slightly annoyed, but we had a Groupon and in all fairness, the restaurant was packed and she was really busy. They need a better system to manage their waiting list- they were using a small notebook and the list was really disorganized. The host took us to a table, but the hostess was seating another party of two at that table. Fortunately, another table was also available, the nice host apologized for the long wait and a very nice waiter greeted us shortly after. We started with lychee cocktails, which were decent and fairly strong. For an appetizer we shared the honey grilled shrimp and found it to be too sweet and overcooked. For my entree I chose the chicken jalfrezi and my partner ordered lamb rogan josh, we shared garlic and jalapeño cheese naans. We both loved our dishes and the naan. While the food was great (aside from the appetizer) there are many other excellent Indian restaurants in DC, so I'm not in a huge rush to go back. If we do go back, it will be on a week day because I believe they take reservations on week nights.
(4)Rebecca B.
I have been to tandoori nights before and love the food. However tonight I walked in with one other person and asked to sit outside. The server told us there were no seats available when we asked to wait he seemed confused by the request. Saying he didn't think we were able to wait. So I left, which is sad because I used to like that restaurant.
(1)Sonika T.
I didn't find it good and nowhere close to our Indian food. We have ordered Raj Kachori, Paneer Tikka, and two portions of gravy for me and my friend. For my surprise Raj Kachori was without yogurt batter but it tasted ok a bit different than usual. Paneer Tikka had no flavor at all and both the gravies were same and tasteless! Got really disappointed that dum aloo wasn't close to the real dum aloo. Overall a disaster for me to spend $55 for this type of food. 2 stars for ambience and location only and no star for food. I am a vegetarian so can't comment if they serve better non-veg food! I doubt as server told me they use same gravy for 70% of their gravy-based entries.
(2)Katherine H.
Service was pretty decent (3 stars) food taste was ok (1.5-2 stars) but for cost more like 1.5 star. But cleanliness was...disappointing. There was a disgusting hair in the rice. We pointed it out, they were apologetic and replaced the rice but didn't bother with either 1) comping that dish or 2) assuring us that was a solitary incident and/or they replaced that batch of rice. Which, part of me gets, it's a pain, things happen yadda yadda but that's also why we have food safety certifications, etc. Coupled with a disgusting trash littered bathroom and I was a bit concerned about the food. Friend and I were famished. But not so famished that we were able to overlook the sinewy lamb or oddly textured chicken (almost tough and rubbery in some bites), or the low protein to sauce ratio. When I got home, I also was sick to at stomach within 2 hrs...so yeah...I just knocked this down to 1 star. No returnsies for me. Too bad bc some of the flavors were pretty solid.
(1)AJ F.
Better than average, tho three stars for the price and the fact that they were really skimpy on the shrimp. Had the Tandoor kabob mix and goat saag. Also had the garlic sKimp appetizer. Really, the price is probably forgivable considering it's ritzy downtown Bethesda location. Staff was very nice and accommodating. Seating was a little intimate: the older ladies next to us were practically in our laps.
(3)Maya W.
I met a good friend for lunch in Bethesda and we decided to try this place in a whim. The service was pretty good and the atmosphere was nice. It wasn't packed on a Saturday afternoon and we were able to sit and chat over our meal casually, without being rushed. Overall the food was pretty good and the portion sizes were generous enough for leftovers. I had the veggie curry and she had chicken in this wonderful tomato based sauce. The only downfall of our experience was the overly dry samosas. I love samosas so I was extremely disappointed in the appetizer.
(4)Amit M.
My wife and I often go here when we are craving good Indian food. Although their appetizers are not that great, we are big fans of their lunch buffet menu. For dinner, Paneer Kadhai and Fish Goani are highly recommended. Among bread options, I wasn't impressed by aloo parathas, but their naans are quite soft and delicious to eat. Service during lunch is pretty slow and during dinner isn't impressive either but it's not too bad for the delicious food you get here.
(3)S V.
I've been here twice now. This place is in a great location, has good ambiance, and decent food. On this trip, for appetizer we had the raj kachori and for the main course, paneer tikka masala and malai kofta. The raj kachori is tasty and visually very appealing. Both entires were very tasty and well prepared. My favorite here though is thr jalapeño cheese naan. It's not to spicy and very flavorful.....almost like a popper. A friend of mine had a groupon, and we got a great deal. I've seen them many times do you might want to check for that before you go. This is a solid traditional Indian restaurant with an authentic menu and authentic tasting food.
(4)Janet K.
Food is 3 stars, service is worse than 1 star! A report from Tandoori nights - Our waitress was a young woman who seemed OK enough on the surface, after all we were hungry. We ordered several dishes, appetizers, and drinks. The bill totaled around $100. When it came time to send back the dishes including the rice we hadn't finished, we decided to simply have the kitchen send us some more fresh rice in a to-go container because many times before we have asked for this and received it as a courtesy. The waitress was encouraging us to get it. When the bill came, it was $6 heavier for ... rice! The waitress refused to remove it despite not mentioning the additional charge and that we had already sent back all of our half-finished rice, so we asked for a manager. The clueless manager also refused to remove it and started arguing with us over why we should pay for the rice. Eventually we sent it back, giving them the to-go containers back. I was dining with a good friend of mine and her kids and she went to discuss the situation with the manager. While she was talking to the manager about the service, the waitress tried to butt in to the manager's discussion in a very loud and obnoxious tone, not helping things. Then when the manager gestured for her to stay out of it, she went to my friend's children and told them that their mother was being rude!! Unbelievable! Later when we were driving back, we realized that this was the same waitress that we had encountered a few years ago, who we believe keyed my friend's car after we dared complain about her. We are surprised she hasn't been fired yet, but it appears she is related to someone who works there.
(1)Brian S.
Love the food -- if they were serving it. It's Sunday night, and we wanted some place open late. By heir website, yelp and Google all say they are open until 10pm tonight. We arrived at 9:45 but the chef had already left. After traveling 15 minutes to get there, it left us angry -- and more importantly hungry. Be open when you say you're open or it's not worth bothering.
(3)Jason K.
If you are strolling along Bethesda Row and are thinking about eating Indian then do yourself a favor and don't go here! The service is less than mediocre. The samosa, chicken tikka masala, and the mango lassi were worse than my dreadful attempts at recreating these dishes at home. As another poster noted, this place needs a new chef and all of the staff need a few courses in basic service. I highly recommend going to Kadhai or Passage to India instead.
(1)Joe H.
We've been here a few more times and every time the food is delicious, and the cocktails too. They have a spicy martini, a curry mojito, and a spicy cucumber cooler. Very tasty. Our last time there we sat at the bar, and the service we received from the bartender was excellent.
(4)Laura D.
Came here on a Sunday afternoon since it was the only indian restaurant open near us at 3 and we were pleasantly surprised. It was pretty much empty we couldn't complain about the service. The location is nice. We got the samosas witch we thought were really good. I got the classic chicken tikka masala which was good. My mom got the curry chicken which was quite spicy! The naan bread was delicious. Overall pretty good but perhaps a bit pricy. I would probably come back to try their buffet.
(4)Dan M.
Tandoori provides a very satisfying meal in a classy looking environment. Look up, and you'll be greeted by a shimmering night sky that provides the perfect accompaniment to a nice meal. We had chicken tikka, chicken jalfrezi (tomatoes, onions, bell pepers, broccoli), and of course, garlic naan. They were all delicious. The jalfrezi especially was a great mix of veggies and meat, with slight curry flavor and subtle pleasant spice. This has to be one of the better Indian restaurants around. I'm not a big outside eater, but they do have a very nice setup with seats outside for all those who go for that sort of thing. In fact, so many people chose the outside seats that the inside was empty except for us, which we didn't mind at all. We had to track down a waitress for more water a few times, but overall, service was solid. We'll be back for sure.
(4)Greg W.
Fantastic! This was my first time at this restaurant. I had the lunch buffet. Everything was quality. The service was good. The food was outstanding. I highly recommend this place, you will not be disappointed.
(5)Cyrus C.
I came here with a couple of my friends and spouse an hour before closing. The service was horrible and the food was average. The waiter came to us and after about ten minutes of being seated, the waiter told us that they're about to close the kitchen and to order asap. So we did! My wife and I got the tandoori and the my friends got the butter chicken and lamb chana. Our tandoori was not the best, the butter chicken was good and the lamb was spicy but Ok. During our entire dinne, the waiter never once checked on us. In fact when we asked for water another waiter gave it to us but his expression was that he was very disgusted. Finally we asked for the bill and to our surprise they already added a gratuity of 18%. I asked to speak to my waiter and I was told that he already left for the night! !!! Really? Your customer has not finished their food, you (waiter) leave and have the audacity to add a pre determined gratuity on the bill. I asked them to take off the gratuity ; my friends insisted that we give some too and then we got the hell outta there. Save your money and go to another good restaurant.
(1)Diane T.
My husband and I came here early on a Saturday night, after seeing a movie. The restaurant was busy, but we were seated and served promptly and attentively. We split the Garlic Shrimp appetizer, which is made with wine and honey and is very good. We also split the Chicken Makhani, with a side of olive naan. Both were delicious. My husband likes their mojitos, because they don't scrimp on the mint. We'll be back.
(4)Yulai L.
Great butter chicken and naan. Good price for buffet
(5)Ravi P.
Mediocre. Nothing wrong with the food, but really nothing to set it apart and rave about. In their defense we did not request it spicy, so their chefs true ability is yet to be seen. The dining experience is mid range, not dive but not mind blowing fancy either.
(3)Janet L.
Purchased a $20 for $40 worth of food groupon.. and came here on a weeknight. I'd give 2.5 stars for service and 3ish for food. The restaurant itself is located in a very convenient location (Bethesda row area), right next to Barnes and Noble and a few blocks away from the Metro. There is a circulator stop next to the restaurant. There are a couple of tables outside that are pretty nice to dine at. The interiors are nice too. On the night we went... our waiter told us that someone had called out sick, thus the long waits.... because it took a very long time. My friend and I had been meaning to have a 1 hour dinner... but with the slow service, that turned into almost 2-2.5 hours. However, since the staff was very polite and respectful, I'm going to believe that the long wait was indeed due to a couple of people calling out sick. As for the food. MY EYES GLISTENED WHEN I SAW PANI PURI... little fried crisps (think in the shape of a hollow sphere) punched out through the tops, filled with chickpeas, tamarind chutney, potatoes, etc... and paired with a spicy water that is so flavorful. I used to eat these all the time in India! The spicy water was a bit too thick in consistency for me, but the flavors were almost perfect! I was very happy with this dish. Their masala chai was ok. I prefer it when they make it with the milk instead of bringing me tea + milk separately .... As for the entrees (my friend got their Chicken Tikka Masala and I got the Lamb Vindaloo)... the flavors were solid. I wouldn't say it was anything exceptional, but if you're craving Indian food and you're in the Bethesda area, this is not a bad place to go :)
(3)Sherry H.
Came for lunch buffet. Food on steamer table was not hot. We got here when they opened. Most everything was pretty mediocre. The sag part of Sag Paneer was salty, although the the paneer was good. The tandoori chicken was also salty. Taking this off the list b
(2)Ros A.
Seems this business could benefit from a hospitality management course. - They were busy and eventually got a table but sat for about 10 minutes before we were even given a menu. - The Diced Chicken appetizer was actually very small, battered/FRIED chicken pieces that were dry in spite of being smothered in what tasted like buffalo sauce. They should have stated fried chicken on the menu. Was not good at all. - Then plates afterward sat in front of us for a long time. I eventually asked one of the wait staff who was clearing another table to if he would take our plates - he brusquely said someone else would do it. - Main course dinner sauce (lamb) was so salty I couldn't finish it. Admittedly, the waitress was nice and promptly returned with additional regular tomato-based sauce to dilute it but that was the only positive. Based on inattentive service and poor food, I won't be in a hurry to come back.
(2)Chintan D.
Great ambience in the heart of Bethesda. Offers the taste that keeps me begging for more. On top of that they do catering. I have used them at least 6-7 times just for catering. Has lots of vegetarian options as well. The mood is set for couples but they also have a big table to accommodate large parties.
(4)Elsa M.
Seriously some of the best Indian food I have had in ages, albeit some of the slowest to come out too. We stopped in before catching a movie the other night, thinking that an hour and some change would be enough time to grab a quick dinner, however it took a good 40 minutes just to get our meals. I ordered the Chana Lamb Chop Masala - made with lamb chops, chickpeas, and spices and served with jasmine rice. DELICIOUS! My husband got a spicy vegetable dish that he loved as well. Naan does not come complimentary, but it's definitely worth getting. In fact, it was so good, I ordered a second order to go for the movie in lieu of popcorn. lol! Definitely stop on in if you are in the neighborhood, but if you are headed to a movie like were were, make sure you allow a good two hours to get your food and actually eat it in time.
(4)M K.
We are a regular here and love every dish! Try the mango lassi, okra, dal ghost and saag chicken ... It reminds me of the best home cooked meal The ambience is very welcoming and nice crowd! Good for family and or business lunch/ dinner with a group. Service can be improved a bit by training all the staff to be a little more polite... But overall it's great value for money and delicious food. It's the best indian food in dc region.
(5)Ruth C.
Three star service, two and a half star food. Cute interior. Crowded outdoor patio on such a nice day, with a few tables occupied inside as well. We were seated shortly after we arrived despite the empty hostess counter. Neetu was polite and soft-spoken, though I found the usage of phones for taking orders somewhat distracting. Drinks came out five minutes after ordering, and we had ice water to tide us over. Skip the strawberry lassi, it has vague elements of a smoothie and lassi but isn't as satisfying as standard editions go. Aloo chat papri didn't come out until the entrees did, which baffled me even more so when we found the mixture had been resting long enough that the flour crisps were already halfway soggy. I don't see the point of a mounded presentation if you're going to drizzle the chutney and yogurt and let it die. Similarly, the kashmiri naan was barely above room temp, making it very easy for the pine nuts to break free of the dough. In case we didn't read the descriptions, our server was kind enough to check that we knew the vindaloo would be spicy and the goat curry wouldn't be boneless. Butchering was so-so on the goat, but the cook on the meat was nice enough. Vindaloo was only spicy relative to the local demographics; I ate a pepper and didn't get tingled. When we declined dessert, the check was ostentatiously presented to my male coworker. Overall, flavors are okay but nothing to write home about, particularly when compared with rivals in the area. Maybe I'll check out their lunch buffet.
(3)Steven S.
Great ambiance, great food, great prices. The portions were large and the food was delicious. We eat at a lot of indian restaurants and this is very good quality for the money. Traditional indian food in a modem setting. Will come back for sure!
(5)