Bombay Cuisine has, hands down, the best Indian food in West Michigan...and I LOVE Indian food. Although it certainly doesn't compare well to the great Indian restaurants on Devon Avenue in Chicago, it's not bad either. Because it is the best in West Michigan, I frequently overlook the quality of service at Bombay. In most instances, the staff seem either hurried, frantic, slightly distracted or all three. The only good thing they have going is that much of the staff seems to have been there for years and they are always friendly. My favorite dishes: Lamb Vindaloo w/ Garlic Naan. TASTY!
(4)
Gene W.
This place has very good Indian food overall at good prices. My family & kids have been eating here for years. The lunch buffet has been very busy lately, up to 20 min to get service after seating but it is very informal and waiter told us we could have just started on buffet. Tandoori and butter chicken dishes are great, also naan and samosas. Great beers on tap. We have always been satisfied with the food here!
(4)
Jc N.
This place is my fav. For indian food. Ive never been to india so i cant say how authentic it is but i can say ive never had a bad meal. Even my kids like the italian food you can order from next door. Plates are very large and my family has never left hungry. Bathrooms are very nice and have always been clean. Staff are friendly, sometimes a little slow but not bad. I love the masala tea and the naan bread, but again everything here for me is good.
(4)
Jerry C.
Food is always good here. The service is great, and friendly wait staff. I would have given them 5 stars, except parking is terrible.
(4)
Katy C.
This review is based on my most recent visit to Bombay Cuisine, as I've been there several times before. My friend and I had dinner on a Monday evening at 7pm. The restaurant was pretty empty; there were only 3 other parties dining at the same time. We ordered samosas to start. You have a choice of pea and potato or chicken, and each order comes with 2 samosas. I asked if we could do both, but they said no since they are pre-made. I guess I should have clarified that I wanted one of each type, not one with all 3 ingredients in it. Oh well! They came out and they are very big! I have never seen samosas that big before. I'd say they're pie-slice sized. They come with dipping sauce, a tamarind sauce and a cream-based cilantro sauce. The samosas were hot and very good. I would get them again. For my dinner I ordered the butter chicken, which is one of my favorite Indian dishes. My friend got the baingan bharta, which is a dish made of roasted eggplant. We split a side of garlic naan. The sauce on the chicken was amazing. I kept dipping the naan in it because it was so tasty. The chicken however was overcooked and and a bit tough. I didn't care that much because the flavors were amazing. My friend enjoyed her dish and had no complaints. Some of the garlic on the naan was overly browned, slightly burnt, but I love that flavor so I wasn't upset. The service was great, no complaints there. The only thing I would say is that the front window area where we sat could have been cleaner. The windowsill was dirty and there were spiderwebs in the corners of the windows. My friend looked up at one point and freaked out because there was a spider crawling on the windowsill beside me. Not the best for when you're eating dinner. I felt really bad but I killed it because she has an intense phobia of spiders. Overall, I like the food, and it's conveniently located for me so I will probably continue to visit. I might opt for takeout next time.
(3)
Ronald M.
Food probably tastes good, but two trips to the buffet- yielded empty pots. What was left was ok, but I came for the butter chicken - empty never refilled NO WI-FI
(2)
Carl E.
Food was great, and they finally seemed to have figured out how to keep the Guinness drinkable. Service for our table of 7 was poor. Inattentive, slow, spotty. Had to finally get up and ask for a bill and boxes when I couldn't take it anymore. It was a Friday night, but it wasn't swamped, and there were a bunch of servers. Strangely clueless. No manager to be seen.
(2)
GR G.
This is my absolute favorite place to grab Indian lunch buffet. The curries are all mild and super tasty. My favorite offering is their eggplant. Their protein dishes vary, but the staples of butter, masala and tandoori chicken are always excellent. Their veggie dishes are hearty and packed with flavor as well. Insider tips: instead of filling up on basmati rice, I use their salad as my base. The eggplant is usually at the end, get it before it is gone.
(5)
Patrik B.
Terrible service. Ordered take out. When we arrived 40 min later, they had not made it saying they could not accommodate our allergy restrictions (which they said they could when we ordered). They claimed they had called and left a voicemail. When I asked what number, the waitress showed some random number on a piece of paper. Went home empty handed to hungry kids. Wasted fuel and time. No real apology. Boo Bombay!!!
(1)
Adam G.
I have driven by Bombay Cuisine many times and thought I should finally visit for their lunch buffet. There were 4 of us and the tables seemed a little small and the place just a bit too dark. The buffet didn't really have many choices, only one vegetarian option, the meat dishes were kinda bland. They had plenty of naan which was great as it was the best thing there. When I go to a buffet I like to just get a little of everything and then go back for a larger portion of my favorite. There was no real stand out, they were all kinda Meh.
(3)
Lee C.
We arrived around 1PM on Sunday for the buffet. The place had good business and we got seated immediately. It smells good there and the atmosphere is fine. The menu looked standard, and the prices seem unjustifiably high. We decided to try the buffet. There were enough vegetarian dishes. The sauces had very little taste, seemed somewhat greasy, and mushy (maybe overcooked). The rice was a little hard. I found the food boring. The servers were good and kept our cups full, collected dirty plates, and the like. I think there must be better Indian places in GR. If not, there are certainly places with more flavor in other cities. I was disappointed.
(2)
Adrianne B.
Oftentimes, I do Indian buffet with my kiddo for lunch because it is inexpensive, quick, and delicious. She loves rice and "circle bread" and "red chicken"! We picked Bombay Cuisine solely because we'd passed it before and it always looked pretty busy. Best things: naan, butter chicken, and eggplant w/ cashew. We had a very nice server who was the only one who seemed to have her act together. Modern rock on the radio, kind of an interesting switch-up with what is usually played at an Indian restaurant. Worst things: clumpy, over-cooked basmati rice, greasy pakoras, NO sauces or condiments on the buffet, unidentified red sauce on the naan tongs (I have a kid with nut allergies--that could be problematic). The buffet was laid out strangely, too close to other tables and the patio/front doors. And the interior of the restaurant was moody and dark-- we probably should have sat out on the patio. Other servers seemed rushed and slammed, and in their haste, there was water/liquid spilled on the floor between the kitchen, tables, and buffet that was never cleaned up. The buffet was always 'out' of something (or multiple things-- including utensils and plates) while I sat in full view. Chafing 'dishes' (wayyyy too shallow for a buffet doing a decent lunch service) were refilled by the waitstaff dumping silver prep bowls into them, splashing the other dishes, the table, etc. One of the entrees sat with a 1/8'' of sauce and two errant chunks for the entire time I was there. Bush league buffet maintenance!!
(2)
Nicole V.
This is my favorite Indian restaurant in town. I have ordered almost everything from their menu. There isn't anything I don't like. My favorite meal is garlic naan and kofta dilkush. They also have really great desserts from the restaurant (trattoria di stagione) they are connected to.
(5)
Divyesh R.
I am not sure why this place has a lower rating than curry kitchen and other Indian restaurants in Grand Rapids. This is by far the better restaurants in Grand Rapids that I have been to. The Naan was really well made, the place was well maintained and the servers were friendly. The varieties in the buffet were not many but whatever was there was really good. The only downside is that the restaurant does not serve Briyani which is the signature dish that has to be served.
(4)
Carey G.
I had never had Indian food before eating here so I have nothing to compare it to, but I thought it was very good! My friends and I did the buffet so we could try a little of everything, and there wasn't anything that I really didn't like. Also was impressed with their beer and liquor selection, it was more extensive than I would expect!
(4)
Justin K.
I always come here when I am visiting family. Good stuff and Nice People!
(5)
Delwin-Lisa G.
I have eaten the weekday lunch buffet about 6 times. I have never been disappointed! The food is always well-stocked, hot, and best of all, very delicious! They usually have about 10-15 items to choose from. I eat here almost every time I visit Grand Rapids.
(5)
Jc N.
very good food, real Indian. we ordered the Rogan Josh and a Korma Kashmiri and both were so good, my wife and I got very full. We also tried the naan, it was ok, and the kulfi which was very good and creamy. Service was ok, seemed like there were only 2 people working at the time but she did a good job. Price is a little higher but the portions were very good for us and knowing its fresh and also so good made it worth the money.
(5)
Keyla S.
This place had a nice looking menu as far as variety, though in my opinion too pricey. Based on the prices I was hoping for great food, but unfortunately it was quite bland and disappointing. The buffet was also small and meh. Good Mango Lassi.
(2)
J S.
One of the best food I have ever eaten in Midwest region. Chef and server were polite and food was awesome. Definitely worth making a special visit to region to dine.
(5)
Jeremy F.
The food is good but in the buffet the Naan is usually cold or lukewarm. I like my Naan hot!! The service has always been terrible. I've been about 8 times. Palace of India is way better.
(3)
CJ D.
LOVE! Their chicken tomato cashew sauce is so yummy. This is one of my 5 top places to eat in GR.
(5)
Tony F.
My goto Indian place in G-rap. They do an all u can eat buffet on Sundays that is an easy way to fill up on favorites and explore new ones. A good sign is that they have an open kitchen. That's always a bonus for me cause it shows that the cooks have nothing to hide and want to invite you to see how proud they are to cook for you. Go here and you will need a food comma nap afterwards!
(4)
Littany W.
I should have followed the advice of Kellee K. and skipped out on Bombay Cuisine. It was fine for anyone who doesn't actually like Indian food and doesn't care that there is a lack of variety and sauces that don't hold up to their reputation. Went for the buffet at lunch time today and took a friend who was trying Indian for the first time - her response to trying the butter chicken said it all... "it tastes like Italian, and I love spaghetti". The naan was pretty good, the pakora was nothing more than onion rings and fried sliced potatoes which were salty and reminded me a bit too much of french fries. It was just a let down after so many people had claimed Bombay Cuisine was such an amazing go-to place.
(2)
RodSketti R.
We cannot get enough Bombay in our lives! I always get the Punjabi... Looks are deceiving because it looks like green baby poop! But it's so yummy!!!!! Girlfriend always gets Chicken Masla or Mirchi. She adds a bit more spice (a 7 or 8). The naan is always perfectly cooked. Some say go for the garlic naan, but I think it takes away from the dish. We've gone for the lunch buffet a few times. It's nice to try other dishes. The only reason we give Bombay a 4 star instead of a 5 is because of the price!
(4)
Lindsay C.
This place rocks! We had shrimp vindaloo and a dish with pineapple and veggies that was creamy and a little spicy. Both of the dishes were great, as was the yogurt/mango lassi and the creamy yogurt sauce. Everything was really fresh, the decor was great, the service rocked, and the portions were perfect size. I will admit that it is very pricey. I have been to several other Indian restaurants, both in Chicago and around here, and I thought this food was excellent and reasonably authentic (I am NOT an expert on Indian cuisine by any means).
(4)
George N.
My wife and I went for the lunch buffet. Called at 1:45 and was told it went to 2:30. We were 6 miles out so we thought we would have plenty of time for a buffet. Price was good and we had a great dinner there in the past so thought it would be a good bet. Buffet was more limited than we expected. No condiments included at all and were charged $2.50 for raita. Not a good deal. The worst part was that, for all intent and purposes, shutting down the buffet while we ate. They either pulled items entirely when they ran out (and this is at 2:15) or added so little that you didn't get any unless you were hovering and first or second to the buffet when the additional food came out. This really annoyed us since we are used to places that keep the food filled until the stated end of the buffet and you get to eat after the end time. Finally, my wife was certain that the bean and carrot dish was made with frozen vegetables with some sauce thrown in. It was not very good. We complained to the Manger and were given one buffet free. She told us we should come earlier next time and to give them another chance.
(2)
Kellee K.
I (Kellee) love Indian food. i love the savory, unique blend of spices and flavors. Bombay Cuisine does not offer Indian fare. Instead, they offer bland, watered down, Americanized dishes. Eric and I tried to lunch buffet ($8 pp). Not very friendly to vegetarians, but thats okay. I just took the sauce from the butter chicken, plus the chickpeas, a white curry, deep fried veggies, and the standard naan. The sauce from the butter chicken tasted okay. Tandoori chicken too salty. Deep fried veggies waaaay too salty. Chick peas pretty good. White curry tasted like mushroom soup, Indian spices, and frozen veggies mixed together. Naan okay. Atmosphere was pleasant, dark lighting, booths, brick walls. Not a single Indian person there though. Bottom line: We weren't impressed. If you're looking for Indian food, this isn't the place. Mind over matter, food over mind.
(2)
Joe B.
I love this place! The chicken saag and naan is sooo good. Wish I lived closer.
(4)
Matthew C.
The lunch buffet is alright, but the spices are pretty toned down for the buffet fare (even from the same dish ordered off the menu). I'd probably give the buffet 2 stars, compared to other Indian buffets I've done. Price: 10-12 for a portion that can serve two. Order two entrees, and you'll probably be taking some home. I'm 6'4", 260lbs. My wife is half my size. We had half of each entree left. The mint chutney is a bit runny, but the flavor is okay. Just a condiment, but I really enjoy it, so it's kind of a litmus test. Samosas: Seemed like they were using some kind of wonton wrapper, which was actually quite crisp and bubbly and tasted great. The filling was standard mashed potato, peas, and spices. Pretty good Samosas. They're not on the buffet, that I've seen. Rogan Josh: Excellent spice, the lamb was cooked perfectly, the sauce was tomatoey, but not too overpowering. I would order it again. Palak Paneer: Slightly different flavor than I'm used to, but it was delicious. Many times, people get hung up on "authentic" or "traditional", and completely disregard the fact that there are many variations on a dish within a culture. This wasn't the "standard" flavor, but it didn't have kraft cheese chunks, nor was it served on a bun. I quite liked it, to be honest. Overall, I'm not expecting Grand Rapids to have the selection of a larger city, when it comes to Indian cuisine. Bombay does a pretty good job (for now, at least).
(4)
Jessica C.
I love this place!!!! If you're afraid to try Indian food for the first time, this is a good place to ease you in to the cuisine. Their food is slightly Americanized, but still has same flavors of authentic Indian food. I have never had a bad meal here. I also like the atmosphere and service. Even though they have a tiny parking lot, I have never had a problem parking right outside.
(5)
Onur K.
I, too, should have followed the advice of Kellee K. and skipped out on Bombay Cuisine. My wife and I wanted to have Indian food for lunch so I looked one in Yelp. Bombay Cuisine has good ratings so we decided to give it a try. We drove around 15 miles for this place. What a disappointment... If you have never tasted good Indian food with spices and flavors, you might be satisfied with the food here. It does not taste terrible or anything. It just is not 'Indian'. I don't know what it is...
(2)
Amy M.
I highly recommend the butter chicken & saag kulcha. I crave both of those from here all the time & love to eat here when I am in town. I have noticed the portions seem to be bigger on the main dishes when you get take out, FYI.
(4)
e r.
Prices have gone up. Food is far from traditional. We no longer go here because we don't get what we pay for. Those looking for a Indian experience, take a trip to Devon Ave, Chicago.
(3)
Anuj M.
Can hardly call the food being served here as Indian Cuisine. Not worth at all.
(2)
Maggie R.
Love this place. Aloo Gobi's fantastic. Food's a bit rich and not as spicy as I'd like, but still, it's one of my fav places to go in GR.
(5)
Jenny K.
I was pleasantly surprised at my experience here last night. They added little things here and there to make it transform into a more "upscale" looking establishment (walls full of wine, jazz music, candles everywhere). I like that. It's a little less stark now. My dish (spinach-based sauce w/ cheese cubes, forgot the name) was perfect. The server asked my preferred spice level on a scale of 1 to 10. I asked for a 5, and by god, it was a 5. All in all, the decor now matches the high prices, and I feel like the food quality went up a bit too.
(4)
Lisa P.
I love Indian food. Now, so do my kids. Bombay Cuisine made that easy with a heat index on the menu. They shied from anything above medium heat, but enjoyed everything. Samosa are great. Garlic naan is too. Everyone has their own favorite dish making this a pricey night out. And we end up with tons of leftovers.
(4)
Jason G.
I found Bombay Cuisine while traveling to Grand Rapids for a few months. I was shocked to find an Indian restaurant at all, let alone one of this quality, because the city overall is pretty barren of any ethnic foods. Location: On Lake Drive. Look and feel: It's a warm feeling establishment. Comfortable without being fancy. All of the servers are white, which was pretty much typical for Grand Rapids, but still seems weird to me. The cooks seem to be Indian, which is all that I really care about. Menu: It's a pretty standard menu for an Indian restaurant. They seem to have a large wine selection, of which I never partook. They also have 2 for 1 beers on tap, and the selection here is excellent. The food: I ate here many times over the course of a few months, so I tried a few of their dishes. I didn't experiment as much as I might have otherwise because I found a few favorites that I just loved. One thing to note is that, just like everywhere else in this city, they don't make spicy food unless you challenge them. I finally figured out that when I ordered my dishes at a level 12 (on a scale of 1-10) I was able to eat it without needing to add the pepper sauce. Saag Ghost - I don't know how they do it, but they manage to get the flavor of the lamb to spread throughout the spinach such that the dish is completely unified, as opposed to pieces of lamb sitting in the saag. I've ordered this in many restaurants from New York to San Francisco, and I think this place does it best. I am still amazed. Bangain Bartha - This is one of the smokiest eggplant dishes I've ever had. It's outstanding. Murg Methi, Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Lababdar, Chicken Bhuna, Vegetable Korma are all good dishes, but none of them grabbed me the way the above two did. Masala Roti, Garlic Roti - Both excellently prepared wheat versions of naan. Samosa - Their potato pastries are very good, and an excellent choice if you are hungry since the wait for your entrees might be a little while. Value: Meals here are a little expensive for the Grand Rapids area, but well worth it. Eating there, I typically found the bills to be around $60 for two people, including beer, after tax and tip. Will I go back? If I ever find myself back in Grand Rapids, this is the first place I will eat.
(5)
Holden C.
Carried out Bhuna, Rogan Josh and Butter Chicken last week. Food was very good as usual. Not sure why they stopped making the Jhinga Tava Masala but it was very good. Garlic Nan is tasty but make sure your friends have it too...lots of garlic!!! Overall their food is very good. The service is genenrally good but has been spotty. The new deck is a great addition. If you go, look for parking in the back. There is plenty.
(4)
Mina S.
The food is exceptional. It's not amazing but it's not so bad either. They have an awesome butter chicken. Although, I must say, the chicken they use seems almost like it is from a frozen package or can. The prices are fair for the buffet. 21 bucks between my husband and I. The food is not so hot and spicy so it's good enough for our toddlers to enjoy. Its not the best Indian restaurant in town, but again, its exceptional and I can't complain. Ordering outside of the buffet is much different. Dinner dishes are priced very high and the portions that are given are rather small.
(3)
Andy S.
Just moved to the Grand Rapids area and one of the things I was most worried about was finding some of the more exotic foods I grew up loving. I grew up in CA and lived in Boston for the past 15 years. I live on Mexican food, Sushi and Indian food. Bombay Cuisine was recommended. It's 'Indian' food. Other reviews suggest that is has gone through changes so maybe the recommendation was based on how it used to be. The food was very bland and didn't have much flavor. I should have known when the rice that came with it looked like Uncle Ben's. It's unfortunate because I was really looking forward to it. But, it's on par with the frozen Indian entrees you would expect from the alternative type grocery stores. A much cheaper option than the $40 we spent.
(2)
Stacie M.
Pretty good Indian food but be careful when placing to go orders. They must not train the person answering the phone very well because out of five orders two were ones she must have picked out herself because they were completely wrong.
(3)
S C.
The only thing that is consistent with this restaurant that it never ceases to disappoint me. Yes, the prices have gone up and you do drop a pretty penny to dine here. The service is USUALLY not great. Example, if you order takeout and your bill is $15 and you pay with a $20, they ASSUME that are entitled to the change. Personally, I think that is tacky. My husband feels like they do not provide you with enough rice to go with your food and then they charge for extra rice. We are also a fan of the Kheer, rice pudding. We've been served spoiled pudding here more than once. I have noticed the dining room to be dirty which prompted me to look at their health department inspections which are not good. The are continually cited for the same things :( Its unfortunate. I wish GR had more options because this place would be hurting for business in a flash.
(2)
Jason Z.
I've only been to 2 Indian restaurants in GR and this one is my favorite. Great food, good drink selections and the bathrooms are clean (possibly a reflection of the kitchen area). The Palak Paneer is my favorite and I loved it there. Enjoy.
(4)
Mimi X.
I'm an Indian food whore and Bombay Cuisine is good stuff. Their palak paneer and malai kofta are the reasons I got turned on to Indian food to begin with. Up until then, I'd never had tasty let-me-clean-up-the-bowl vegetarian food. edit: I hear that Bombay looks different now, and has expanded and/or moved. So if ownership, the menu or staff has changed, then I can no longer vouch for it.
(5)
Annie K.
If you were a fan of the old Bombay, you might agree with me here... Ever since they moved and expanded, the food has not been great. In fact, the quality of the food and service has gone down significantly. Sadly to say, I will no longer go to Bombay or even crave it. The prices have gone up and I truly miss the feel of what Bombay used to be - the vibe they had is much better than this shi-shi vibe they have now. If you claim to love Indian food and are going to Bombay, you are surely missing out. Bombay is not authentic and you will find more authentic cuisine at India Palace on Diamond/Fulton but if you can drive down Taste of India or India Town. Everything tastes so much better. You will not regret it. I am truly sad that Bombay is no loner what it used to be. I miss my old Bombay...but alas we must all move on ...
(3)
Krupesh K.
Have just been in the US for 11 months, this is the best indian food out here that I have tasted yet! Neat atmosphere too :) Although yelp shows this resto as a vegetarian one this one happens to serve excellent chicken tikka and other tandoori dishes! Brilliant place and worth every buck u spend there...
(5)
Tony H.
This is my favorite Indian restaurant. The sauces are rich and complex with some of them simmering for over 36 hours. What sets Bombay apart from so many others is the quality of meat. I don't tolerate greasy stringy chicken, and Bombay has never delivered that to my table (like so many other Indian restaurants). I too am aware that this is an American version of India . . . but it's still so good.
(5)
Brian C.
Bombay Cuisine is where I have had my best meals since moving to West Michigan. I have only eaten off the vegetarian menu, which is extensive, and have been very pleased each time. The food never really gets that spicy, despite its "hot" labels, but it is nonetheless delicious. it will typically cost you between 10 and 15 dollars for a meal. The service has been good, and will take about 20 minutes to serve. I highly recommend this place.
(5)
M T D.
People have mentioned this before, but I'll reiterate that Bombay lost a lot of its charm when it moved next door into the larger space. The atmosphere seems more forced now, like they focus-groupped out their appeal. More importantly, the prices almost doubled. Don't be surprised to spend $50+ for two people to go to dinner. There's plenty of competition for Indian food in town, try somewhere else.
(2)
Meghan B.
I have to beg to differ with the rest of the reviewers so far. I used to love, LOVE Bombay Cuisine when I lived in Grand Rapids. But now that I live in Chicago and have Devon Avenue at my disposal, Bombay Cuisine can't hold a candle to the Indian food here. Perhaps that's unfair. But really, the last time I had BC I was certain that the sauces came from a can. I haven't been back since.
(3)
Monroe D.
Absolutely great food. Atmosphere and service are good but nothing special, but hey, the food is delicious. And if you buy one beer you get one free.
(4)
l v.
Still can't find an indian restaurant that holds up to this place. Even in England where the national dish is curry....seriously.
(5)
Sheila G.
My husband and I went there a few weeks ago because we were craving Indian. We'd just moved into the neighborhood and thought we'd try it out. Needless to say, we won't be going back. I can make better Indian food than what they serve there. Also, the service was horrible. We were going to dine in but no one was even attempting to seat us. At that point we decided it would be best to get it to go. It still took several minutes for the woman working behind the bar to take our order. Not good for a hungry, pregnant woman. My husband ordered a 7 out of 10 on the spice scale (10 being the hottest the server had ever had) only for it to be totally bland. Even I could eat it and I'm trying to avoid spicy food. Overall, very disappointing.
(2)
Lisa S.
Maybe it's that I grew up down the street from Little India, or maybe it's that my best friends in elementary school were Indian and so I spent many afternoons perched on their mom's kitchen counter watching her cook, but Little Bombay is just too... Midwestern for my tastes. Everything's a little creamier, a little sweeter, a little more mild than usual. It's still good food - probably the best Indian food in GR, all things considered - but there's something a little bit off, if you're looking for authenticity. By the way, I remember it being up in the air whether or not they had any vegan dishes - the servers said yes but it seemed there was ghee in everything. Just a heads up.
(3)
Matty T.
They didn't even know what curry chicken was. PASS
(2)
Jon W.
Decent service and decent food; I'd eat here again...
(4)
Mary V.
Great food with perfect sauces and high quality ingredients. Beer selection is also just right to accompany the food. Staff are relaxed and helpful. Atmosphere has a touch of class but is not stuffy. I went with a guest from India who was very pleased. Actually he said that he would be delighted to find such a restaurant at home.
(5)
Mandie A.
Really tasty. I know it's "Americanized" Indian food, which is fine with me because it's still delicious. I went to India recently and had some of the same dishes I usually get at BC and I actually like Bombay's better. They had different flavors to them. Try the baingan bhurta (sp?)The naan is sooo delicious. I wish it were a little cheaper :( I usually end up spending about 20 bucks for a meal, but the plus side is that there's always enough left to bring home leftovers. Yeah, leftovers are worth it.
(4)
Derek Z.
I've been coming for years, but if you're gonna raise prices, then fix you're decor and clean the interior. Also, the quality of authentic food has severely declined in recent months. I think the chef has ditched the restaurant. I don't mind the eastown connection, but you have to deliver on taste and price; definitely lacking. Kinda boring for Indian cuisine, please change...
(2)
Claire S.
Split four "small" vegetarian dishes with four people. Perfect amount. Fluffy rice. Delicious dishes. Yummy naan. We were able to snag the last couple bottles of a tasty wine that was discounted. Good service from our waitress Sara(h).
(4)
Anny C.
Food and prices were decent but I've had Indian food that were more flavorful. Atmosphere was nice and service was good. Food came out pretty fast too. Plenty of parking.
(4)
Benj R.
I haven't had a meal I haven't like here. Everything is amazing, their nan is the best I have ever tasted, and though I haven't tasted any of their wines or beer on tap, I see they have a huge selection. Good service, good food The only bad thing is it gets a little packed, and there isn't any room to wait for a table.
(4)
Jeff E.
So, perhaps Bombay Cuisine is not the best Indian restaurant in the U.S., but it's the best in GR hands down, and I really don't have much to judge it against other than Tasty Curry in San Fran. Curry dishes are great, if a bit more mild than the menu may suggest, which is probably for the best here in Bland Rapids.
(5)
Mike S.
bombay is deelish! like everyone else has said, it's a bit expensive, normally comes out to around $20 per person. the staff is friendly, and the service is prompt. it's the best indian food i've found in the g-rap so far.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : 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.
Bill H.
Bombay Cuisine has, hands down, the best Indian food in West Michigan...and I LOVE Indian food. Although it certainly doesn't compare well to the great Indian restaurants on Devon Avenue in Chicago, it's not bad either. Because it is the best in West Michigan, I frequently overlook the quality of service at Bombay. In most instances, the staff seem either hurried, frantic, slightly distracted or all three. The only good thing they have going is that much of the staff seems to have been there for years and they are always friendly. My favorite dishes: Lamb Vindaloo w/ Garlic Naan. TASTY!
(4)Gene W.
This place has very good Indian food overall at good prices. My family & kids have been eating here for years. The lunch buffet has been very busy lately, up to 20 min to get service after seating but it is very informal and waiter told us we could have just started on buffet. Tandoori and butter chicken dishes are great, also naan and samosas. Great beers on tap. We have always been satisfied with the food here!
(4)Jc N.
This place is my fav. For indian food. Ive never been to india so i cant say how authentic it is but i can say ive never had a bad meal. Even my kids like the italian food you can order from next door. Plates are very large and my family has never left hungry. Bathrooms are very nice and have always been clean. Staff are friendly, sometimes a little slow but not bad. I love the masala tea and the naan bread, but again everything here for me is good.
(4)Jerry C.
Food is always good here. The service is great, and friendly wait staff. I would have given them 5 stars, except parking is terrible.
(4)Katy C.
This review is based on my most recent visit to Bombay Cuisine, as I've been there several times before. My friend and I had dinner on a Monday evening at 7pm. The restaurant was pretty empty; there were only 3 other parties dining at the same time. We ordered samosas to start. You have a choice of pea and potato or chicken, and each order comes with 2 samosas. I asked if we could do both, but they said no since they are pre-made. I guess I should have clarified that I wanted one of each type, not one with all 3 ingredients in it. Oh well! They came out and they are very big! I have never seen samosas that big before. I'd say they're pie-slice sized. They come with dipping sauce, a tamarind sauce and a cream-based cilantro sauce. The samosas were hot and very good. I would get them again. For my dinner I ordered the butter chicken, which is one of my favorite Indian dishes. My friend got the baingan bharta, which is a dish made of roasted eggplant. We split a side of garlic naan. The sauce on the chicken was amazing. I kept dipping the naan in it because it was so tasty. The chicken however was overcooked and and a bit tough. I didn't care that much because the flavors were amazing. My friend enjoyed her dish and had no complaints. Some of the garlic on the naan was overly browned, slightly burnt, but I love that flavor so I wasn't upset. The service was great, no complaints there. The only thing I would say is that the front window area where we sat could have been cleaner. The windowsill was dirty and there were spiderwebs in the corners of the windows. My friend looked up at one point and freaked out because there was a spider crawling on the windowsill beside me. Not the best for when you're eating dinner. I felt really bad but I killed it because she has an intense phobia of spiders. Overall, I like the food, and it's conveniently located for me so I will probably continue to visit. I might opt for takeout next time.
(3)Ronald M.
Food probably tastes good, but two trips to the buffet- yielded empty pots. What was left was ok, but I came for the butter chicken - empty never refilled NO WI-FI
(2)Carl E.
Food was great, and they finally seemed to have figured out how to keep the Guinness drinkable. Service for our table of 7 was poor. Inattentive, slow, spotty. Had to finally get up and ask for a bill and boxes when I couldn't take it anymore. It was a Friday night, but it wasn't swamped, and there were a bunch of servers. Strangely clueless. No manager to be seen.
(2)GR G.
This is my absolute favorite place to grab Indian lunch buffet. The curries are all mild and super tasty. My favorite offering is their eggplant. Their protein dishes vary, but the staples of butter, masala and tandoori chicken are always excellent. Their veggie dishes are hearty and packed with flavor as well. Insider tips: instead of filling up on basmati rice, I use their salad as my base. The eggplant is usually at the end, get it before it is gone.
(5)Patrik B.
Terrible service. Ordered take out. When we arrived 40 min later, they had not made it saying they could not accommodate our allergy restrictions (which they said they could when we ordered). They claimed they had called and left a voicemail. When I asked what number, the waitress showed some random number on a piece of paper. Went home empty handed to hungry kids. Wasted fuel and time. No real apology. Boo Bombay!!!
(1)Adam G.
I have driven by Bombay Cuisine many times and thought I should finally visit for their lunch buffet. There were 4 of us and the tables seemed a little small and the place just a bit too dark. The buffet didn't really have many choices, only one vegetarian option, the meat dishes were kinda bland. They had plenty of naan which was great as it was the best thing there. When I go to a buffet I like to just get a little of everything and then go back for a larger portion of my favorite. There was no real stand out, they were all kinda Meh.
(3)Lee C.
We arrived around 1PM on Sunday for the buffet. The place had good business and we got seated immediately. It smells good there and the atmosphere is fine. The menu looked standard, and the prices seem unjustifiably high. We decided to try the buffet. There were enough vegetarian dishes. The sauces had very little taste, seemed somewhat greasy, and mushy (maybe overcooked). The rice was a little hard. I found the food boring. The servers were good and kept our cups full, collected dirty plates, and the like. I think there must be better Indian places in GR. If not, there are certainly places with more flavor in other cities. I was disappointed.
(2)Adrianne B.
Oftentimes, I do Indian buffet with my kiddo for lunch because it is inexpensive, quick, and delicious. She loves rice and "circle bread" and "red chicken"! We picked Bombay Cuisine solely because we'd passed it before and it always looked pretty busy. Best things: naan, butter chicken, and eggplant w/ cashew. We had a very nice server who was the only one who seemed to have her act together. Modern rock on the radio, kind of an interesting switch-up with what is usually played at an Indian restaurant. Worst things: clumpy, over-cooked basmati rice, greasy pakoras, NO sauces or condiments on the buffet, unidentified red sauce on the naan tongs (I have a kid with nut allergies--that could be problematic). The buffet was laid out strangely, too close to other tables and the patio/front doors. And the interior of the restaurant was moody and dark-- we probably should have sat out on the patio. Other servers seemed rushed and slammed, and in their haste, there was water/liquid spilled on the floor between the kitchen, tables, and buffet that was never cleaned up. The buffet was always 'out' of something (or multiple things-- including utensils and plates) while I sat in full view. Chafing 'dishes' (wayyyy too shallow for a buffet doing a decent lunch service) were refilled by the waitstaff dumping silver prep bowls into them, splashing the other dishes, the table, etc. One of the entrees sat with a 1/8'' of sauce and two errant chunks for the entire time I was there. Bush league buffet maintenance!!
(2)Nicole V.
This is my favorite Indian restaurant in town. I have ordered almost everything from their menu. There isn't anything I don't like. My favorite meal is garlic naan and kofta dilkush. They also have really great desserts from the restaurant (trattoria di stagione) they are connected to.
(5)Divyesh R.
I am not sure why this place has a lower rating than curry kitchen and other Indian restaurants in Grand Rapids. This is by far the better restaurants in Grand Rapids that I have been to. The Naan was really well made, the place was well maintained and the servers were friendly. The varieties in the buffet were not many but whatever was there was really good. The only downside is that the restaurant does not serve Briyani which is the signature dish that has to be served.
(4)Carey G.
I had never had Indian food before eating here so I have nothing to compare it to, but I thought it was very good! My friends and I did the buffet so we could try a little of everything, and there wasn't anything that I really didn't like. Also was impressed with their beer and liquor selection, it was more extensive than I would expect!
(4)Justin K.
I always come here when I am visiting family. Good stuff and Nice People!
(5)Delwin-Lisa G.
I have eaten the weekday lunch buffet about 6 times. I have never been disappointed! The food is always well-stocked, hot, and best of all, very delicious! They usually have about 10-15 items to choose from. I eat here almost every time I visit Grand Rapids.
(5)Jc N.
very good food, real Indian. we ordered the Rogan Josh and a Korma Kashmiri and both were so good, my wife and I got very full. We also tried the naan, it was ok, and the kulfi which was very good and creamy. Service was ok, seemed like there were only 2 people working at the time but she did a good job. Price is a little higher but the portions were very good for us and knowing its fresh and also so good made it worth the money.
(5)Keyla S.
This place had a nice looking menu as far as variety, though in my opinion too pricey. Based on the prices I was hoping for great food, but unfortunately it was quite bland and disappointing. The buffet was also small and meh. Good Mango Lassi.
(2)J S.
One of the best food I have ever eaten in Midwest region. Chef and server were polite and food was awesome. Definitely worth making a special visit to region to dine.
(5)Jeremy F.
The food is good but in the buffet the Naan is usually cold or lukewarm. I like my Naan hot!! The service has always been terrible. I've been about 8 times. Palace of India is way better.
(3)CJ D.
LOVE! Their chicken tomato cashew sauce is so yummy. This is one of my 5 top places to eat in GR.
(5)Tony F.
My goto Indian place in G-rap. They do an all u can eat buffet on Sundays that is an easy way to fill up on favorites and explore new ones. A good sign is that they have an open kitchen. That's always a bonus for me cause it shows that the cooks have nothing to hide and want to invite you to see how proud they are to cook for you. Go here and you will need a food comma nap afterwards!
(4)Littany W.
I should have followed the advice of Kellee K. and skipped out on Bombay Cuisine. It was fine for anyone who doesn't actually like Indian food and doesn't care that there is a lack of variety and sauces that don't hold up to their reputation. Went for the buffet at lunch time today and took a friend who was trying Indian for the first time - her response to trying the butter chicken said it all... "it tastes like Italian, and I love spaghetti". The naan was pretty good, the pakora was nothing more than onion rings and fried sliced potatoes which were salty and reminded me a bit too much of french fries. It was just a let down after so many people had claimed Bombay Cuisine was such an amazing go-to place.
(2)RodSketti R.
We cannot get enough Bombay in our lives! I always get the Punjabi... Looks are deceiving because it looks like green baby poop! But it's so yummy!!!!! Girlfriend always gets Chicken Masla or Mirchi. She adds a bit more spice (a 7 or 8). The naan is always perfectly cooked. Some say go for the garlic naan, but I think it takes away from the dish. We've gone for the lunch buffet a few times. It's nice to try other dishes. The only reason we give Bombay a 4 star instead of a 5 is because of the price!
(4)Lindsay C.
This place rocks! We had shrimp vindaloo and a dish with pineapple and veggies that was creamy and a little spicy. Both of the dishes were great, as was the yogurt/mango lassi and the creamy yogurt sauce. Everything was really fresh, the decor was great, the service rocked, and the portions were perfect size. I will admit that it is very pricey. I have been to several other Indian restaurants, both in Chicago and around here, and I thought this food was excellent and reasonably authentic (I am NOT an expert on Indian cuisine by any means).
(4)George N.
My wife and I went for the lunch buffet. Called at 1:45 and was told it went to 2:30. We were 6 miles out so we thought we would have plenty of time for a buffet. Price was good and we had a great dinner there in the past so thought it would be a good bet. Buffet was more limited than we expected. No condiments included at all and were charged $2.50 for raita. Not a good deal. The worst part was that, for all intent and purposes, shutting down the buffet while we ate. They either pulled items entirely when they ran out (and this is at 2:15) or added so little that you didn't get any unless you were hovering and first or second to the buffet when the additional food came out. This really annoyed us since we are used to places that keep the food filled until the stated end of the buffet and you get to eat after the end time. Finally, my wife was certain that the bean and carrot dish was made with frozen vegetables with some sauce thrown in. It was not very good. We complained to the Manger and were given one buffet free. She told us we should come earlier next time and to give them another chance.
(2)Kellee K.
I (Kellee) love Indian food. i love the savory, unique blend of spices and flavors. Bombay Cuisine does not offer Indian fare. Instead, they offer bland, watered down, Americanized dishes. Eric and I tried to lunch buffet ($8 pp). Not very friendly to vegetarians, but thats okay. I just took the sauce from the butter chicken, plus the chickpeas, a white curry, deep fried veggies, and the standard naan. The sauce from the butter chicken tasted okay. Tandoori chicken too salty. Deep fried veggies waaaay too salty. Chick peas pretty good. White curry tasted like mushroom soup, Indian spices, and frozen veggies mixed together. Naan okay. Atmosphere was pleasant, dark lighting, booths, brick walls. Not a single Indian person there though. Bottom line: We weren't impressed. If you're looking for Indian food, this isn't the place. Mind over matter, food over mind.
(2)Joe B.
I love this place! The chicken saag and naan is sooo good. Wish I lived closer.
(4)Matthew C.
The lunch buffet is alright, but the spices are pretty toned down for the buffet fare (even from the same dish ordered off the menu). I'd probably give the buffet 2 stars, compared to other Indian buffets I've done. Price: 10-12 for a portion that can serve two. Order two entrees, and you'll probably be taking some home. I'm 6'4", 260lbs. My wife is half my size. We had half of each entree left. The mint chutney is a bit runny, but the flavor is okay. Just a condiment, but I really enjoy it, so it's kind of a litmus test. Samosas: Seemed like they were using some kind of wonton wrapper, which was actually quite crisp and bubbly and tasted great. The filling was standard mashed potato, peas, and spices. Pretty good Samosas. They're not on the buffet, that I've seen. Rogan Josh: Excellent spice, the lamb was cooked perfectly, the sauce was tomatoey, but not too overpowering. I would order it again. Palak Paneer: Slightly different flavor than I'm used to, but it was delicious. Many times, people get hung up on "authentic" or "traditional", and completely disregard the fact that there are many variations on a dish within a culture. This wasn't the "standard" flavor, but it didn't have kraft cheese chunks, nor was it served on a bun. I quite liked it, to be honest. Overall, I'm not expecting Grand Rapids to have the selection of a larger city, when it comes to Indian cuisine. Bombay does a pretty good job (for now, at least).
(4)Jessica C.
I love this place!!!! If you're afraid to try Indian food for the first time, this is a good place to ease you in to the cuisine. Their food is slightly Americanized, but still has same flavors of authentic Indian food. I have never had a bad meal here. I also like the atmosphere and service. Even though they have a tiny parking lot, I have never had a problem parking right outside.
(5)Onur K.
I, too, should have followed the advice of Kellee K. and skipped out on Bombay Cuisine. My wife and I wanted to have Indian food for lunch so I looked one in Yelp. Bombay Cuisine has good ratings so we decided to give it a try. We drove around 15 miles for this place. What a disappointment... If you have never tasted good Indian food with spices and flavors, you might be satisfied with the food here. It does not taste terrible or anything. It just is not 'Indian'. I don't know what it is...
(2)Amy M.
I highly recommend the butter chicken & saag kulcha. I crave both of those from here all the time & love to eat here when I am in town. I have noticed the portions seem to be bigger on the main dishes when you get take out, FYI.
(4)e r.
Prices have gone up. Food is far from traditional. We no longer go here because we don't get what we pay for. Those looking for a Indian experience, take a trip to Devon Ave, Chicago.
(3)Anuj M.
Can hardly call the food being served here as Indian Cuisine. Not worth at all.
(2)Maggie R.
Love this place. Aloo Gobi's fantastic. Food's a bit rich and not as spicy as I'd like, but still, it's one of my fav places to go in GR.
(5)Jenny K.
I was pleasantly surprised at my experience here last night. They added little things here and there to make it transform into a more "upscale" looking establishment (walls full of wine, jazz music, candles everywhere). I like that. It's a little less stark now. My dish (spinach-based sauce w/ cheese cubes, forgot the name) was perfect. The server asked my preferred spice level on a scale of 1 to 10. I asked for a 5, and by god, it was a 5. All in all, the decor now matches the high prices, and I feel like the food quality went up a bit too.
(4)Lisa P.
I love Indian food. Now, so do my kids. Bombay Cuisine made that easy with a heat index on the menu. They shied from anything above medium heat, but enjoyed everything. Samosa are great. Garlic naan is too. Everyone has their own favorite dish making this a pricey night out. And we end up with tons of leftovers.
(4)Jason G.
I found Bombay Cuisine while traveling to Grand Rapids for a few months. I was shocked to find an Indian restaurant at all, let alone one of this quality, because the city overall is pretty barren of any ethnic foods. Location: On Lake Drive. Look and feel: It's a warm feeling establishment. Comfortable without being fancy. All of the servers are white, which was pretty much typical for Grand Rapids, but still seems weird to me. The cooks seem to be Indian, which is all that I really care about. Menu: It's a pretty standard menu for an Indian restaurant. They seem to have a large wine selection, of which I never partook. They also have 2 for 1 beers on tap, and the selection here is excellent. The food: I ate here many times over the course of a few months, so I tried a few of their dishes. I didn't experiment as much as I might have otherwise because I found a few favorites that I just loved. One thing to note is that, just like everywhere else in this city, they don't make spicy food unless you challenge them. I finally figured out that when I ordered my dishes at a level 12 (on a scale of 1-10) I was able to eat it without needing to add the pepper sauce. Saag Ghost - I don't know how they do it, but they manage to get the flavor of the lamb to spread throughout the spinach such that the dish is completely unified, as opposed to pieces of lamb sitting in the saag. I've ordered this in many restaurants from New York to San Francisco, and I think this place does it best. I am still amazed. Bangain Bartha - This is one of the smokiest eggplant dishes I've ever had. It's outstanding. Murg Methi, Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Lababdar, Chicken Bhuna, Vegetable Korma are all good dishes, but none of them grabbed me the way the above two did. Masala Roti, Garlic Roti - Both excellently prepared wheat versions of naan. Samosa - Their potato pastries are very good, and an excellent choice if you are hungry since the wait for your entrees might be a little while. Value: Meals here are a little expensive for the Grand Rapids area, but well worth it. Eating there, I typically found the bills to be around $60 for two people, including beer, after tax and tip. Will I go back? If I ever find myself back in Grand Rapids, this is the first place I will eat.
(5)Holden C.
Carried out Bhuna, Rogan Josh and Butter Chicken last week. Food was very good as usual. Not sure why they stopped making the Jhinga Tava Masala but it was very good. Garlic Nan is tasty but make sure your friends have it too...lots of garlic!!! Overall their food is very good. The service is genenrally good but has been spotty. The new deck is a great addition. If you go, look for parking in the back. There is plenty.
(4)Mina S.
The food is exceptional. It's not amazing but it's not so bad either. They have an awesome butter chicken. Although, I must say, the chicken they use seems almost like it is from a frozen package or can. The prices are fair for the buffet. 21 bucks between my husband and I. The food is not so hot and spicy so it's good enough for our toddlers to enjoy. Its not the best Indian restaurant in town, but again, its exceptional and I can't complain. Ordering outside of the buffet is much different. Dinner dishes are priced very high and the portions that are given are rather small.
(3)Andy S.
Just moved to the Grand Rapids area and one of the things I was most worried about was finding some of the more exotic foods I grew up loving. I grew up in CA and lived in Boston for the past 15 years. I live on Mexican food, Sushi and Indian food. Bombay Cuisine was recommended. It's 'Indian' food. Other reviews suggest that is has gone through changes so maybe the recommendation was based on how it used to be. The food was very bland and didn't have much flavor. I should have known when the rice that came with it looked like Uncle Ben's. It's unfortunate because I was really looking forward to it. But, it's on par with the frozen Indian entrees you would expect from the alternative type grocery stores. A much cheaper option than the $40 we spent.
(2)Stacie M.
Pretty good Indian food but be careful when placing to go orders. They must not train the person answering the phone very well because out of five orders two were ones she must have picked out herself because they were completely wrong.
(3)S C.
The only thing that is consistent with this restaurant that it never ceases to disappoint me. Yes, the prices have gone up and you do drop a pretty penny to dine here. The service is USUALLY not great. Example, if you order takeout and your bill is $15 and you pay with a $20, they ASSUME that are entitled to the change. Personally, I think that is tacky. My husband feels like they do not provide you with enough rice to go with your food and then they charge for extra rice. We are also a fan of the Kheer, rice pudding. We've been served spoiled pudding here more than once. I have noticed the dining room to be dirty which prompted me to look at their health department inspections which are not good. The are continually cited for the same things :( Its unfortunate. I wish GR had more options because this place would be hurting for business in a flash.
(2)Jason Z.
I've only been to 2 Indian restaurants in GR and this one is my favorite. Great food, good drink selections and the bathrooms are clean (possibly a reflection of the kitchen area). The Palak Paneer is my favorite and I loved it there. Enjoy.
(4)Mimi X.
I'm an Indian food whore and Bombay Cuisine is good stuff. Their palak paneer and malai kofta are the reasons I got turned on to Indian food to begin with. Up until then, I'd never had tasty let-me-clean-up-the-bowl vegetarian food. edit: I hear that Bombay looks different now, and has expanded and/or moved. So if ownership, the menu or staff has changed, then I can no longer vouch for it.
(5)Annie K.
If you were a fan of the old Bombay, you might agree with me here... Ever since they moved and expanded, the food has not been great. In fact, the quality of the food and service has gone down significantly. Sadly to say, I will no longer go to Bombay or even crave it. The prices have gone up and I truly miss the feel of what Bombay used to be - the vibe they had is much better than this shi-shi vibe they have now. If you claim to love Indian food and are going to Bombay, you are surely missing out. Bombay is not authentic and you will find more authentic cuisine at India Palace on Diamond/Fulton but if you can drive down Taste of India or India Town. Everything tastes so much better. You will not regret it. I am truly sad that Bombay is no loner what it used to be. I miss my old Bombay...but alas we must all move on ...
(3)Krupesh K.
Have just been in the US for 11 months, this is the best indian food out here that I have tasted yet! Neat atmosphere too :) Although yelp shows this resto as a vegetarian one this one happens to serve excellent chicken tikka and other tandoori dishes! Brilliant place and worth every buck u spend there...
(5)Tony H.
This is my favorite Indian restaurant. The sauces are rich and complex with some of them simmering for over 36 hours. What sets Bombay apart from so many others is the quality of meat. I don't tolerate greasy stringy chicken, and Bombay has never delivered that to my table (like so many other Indian restaurants). I too am aware that this is an American version of India . . . but it's still so good.
(5)Brian C.
Bombay Cuisine is where I have had my best meals since moving to West Michigan. I have only eaten off the vegetarian menu, which is extensive, and have been very pleased each time. The food never really gets that spicy, despite its "hot" labels, but it is nonetheless delicious. it will typically cost you between 10 and 15 dollars for a meal. The service has been good, and will take about 20 minutes to serve. I highly recommend this place.
(5)M T D.
People have mentioned this before, but I'll reiterate that Bombay lost a lot of its charm when it moved next door into the larger space. The atmosphere seems more forced now, like they focus-groupped out their appeal. More importantly, the prices almost doubled. Don't be surprised to spend $50+ for two people to go to dinner. There's plenty of competition for Indian food in town, try somewhere else.
(2)Meghan B.
I have to beg to differ with the rest of the reviewers so far. I used to love, LOVE Bombay Cuisine when I lived in Grand Rapids. But now that I live in Chicago and have Devon Avenue at my disposal, Bombay Cuisine can't hold a candle to the Indian food here. Perhaps that's unfair. But really, the last time I had BC I was certain that the sauces came from a can. I haven't been back since.
(3)Monroe D.
Absolutely great food. Atmosphere and service are good but nothing special, but hey, the food is delicious. And if you buy one beer you get one free.
(4)l v.
Still can't find an indian restaurant that holds up to this place. Even in England where the national dish is curry....seriously.
(5)Sheila G.
My husband and I went there a few weeks ago because we were craving Indian. We'd just moved into the neighborhood and thought we'd try it out. Needless to say, we won't be going back. I can make better Indian food than what they serve there. Also, the service was horrible. We were going to dine in but no one was even attempting to seat us. At that point we decided it would be best to get it to go. It still took several minutes for the woman working behind the bar to take our order. Not good for a hungry, pregnant woman. My husband ordered a 7 out of 10 on the spice scale (10 being the hottest the server had ever had) only for it to be totally bland. Even I could eat it and I'm trying to avoid spicy food. Overall, very disappointing.
(2)Lisa S.
Maybe it's that I grew up down the street from Little India, or maybe it's that my best friends in elementary school were Indian and so I spent many afternoons perched on their mom's kitchen counter watching her cook, but Little Bombay is just too... Midwestern for my tastes. Everything's a little creamier, a little sweeter, a little more mild than usual. It's still good food - probably the best Indian food in GR, all things considered - but there's something a little bit off, if you're looking for authenticity. By the way, I remember it being up in the air whether or not they had any vegan dishes - the servers said yes but it seemed there was ghee in everything. Just a heads up.
(3)Matty T.
They didn't even know what curry chicken was. PASS
(2)Jon W.
Decent service and decent food; I'd eat here again...
(4)Mary V.
Great food with perfect sauces and high quality ingredients. Beer selection is also just right to accompany the food. Staff are relaxed and helpful. Atmosphere has a touch of class but is not stuffy. I went with a guest from India who was very pleased. Actually he said that he would be delighted to find such a restaurant at home.
(5)Mandie A.
Really tasty. I know it's "Americanized" Indian food, which is fine with me because it's still delicious. I went to India recently and had some of the same dishes I usually get at BC and I actually like Bombay's better. They had different flavors to them. Try the baingan bhurta (sp?)The naan is sooo delicious. I wish it were a little cheaper :( I usually end up spending about 20 bucks for a meal, but the plus side is that there's always enough left to bring home leftovers. Yeah, leftovers are worth it.
(4)Derek Z.
I've been coming for years, but if you're gonna raise prices, then fix you're decor and clean the interior. Also, the quality of authentic food has severely declined in recent months. I think the chef has ditched the restaurant. I don't mind the eastown connection, but you have to deliver on taste and price; definitely lacking. Kinda boring for Indian cuisine, please change...
(2)Claire S.
Split four "small" vegetarian dishes with four people. Perfect amount. Fluffy rice. Delicious dishes. Yummy naan. We were able to snag the last couple bottles of a tasty wine that was discounted. Good service from our waitress Sara(h).
(4)Anny C.
Food and prices were decent but I've had Indian food that were more flavorful. Atmosphere was nice and service was good. Food came out pretty fast too. Plenty of parking.
(4)Benj R.
I haven't had a meal I haven't like here. Everything is amazing, their nan is the best I have ever tasted, and though I haven't tasted any of their wines or beer on tap, I see they have a huge selection. Good service, good food The only bad thing is it gets a little packed, and there isn't any room to wait for a table.
(4)Jeff E.
So, perhaps Bombay Cuisine is not the best Indian restaurant in the U.S., but it's the best in GR hands down, and I really don't have much to judge it against other than Tasty Curry in San Fran. Curry dishes are great, if a bit more mild than the menu may suggest, which is probably for the best here in Bland Rapids.
(5)Mike S.
bombay is deelish! like everyone else has said, it's a bit expensive, normally comes out to around $20 per person. the staff is friendly, and the service is prompt. it's the best indian food i've found in the g-rap so far.
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