Mitali G.

Amazing place for Indian buffet food in Edison. The ambience is very nice and calm. Loved their spread of starters, specially the Delhi chaat. And the tandoori chicken with garlic naan and ghee is delicious. Loved their chicken Biryani. The sheera (halwa) is the perfect end to their spread. The servers are warm and their service is good. Perfect for a business lunch too.
(4)
Yagoub A.

By far, my favorite place in Edison I went there 2 times so far. I usually get chicken masala and chicken biryani, the food taste really great and always fresh. The atmosphere is really great (very nice if you would like to invite someone for dinner) The people work there are super friendly and welcoming. I would for sure come again
(5)
Manisha A.

We went there on a Friday for the lunch buffet($10). There were hardly any starters, just a chaat , potato salad and pasta salad. Starters were so so. Main course-chicken, lamb gravy, paneer gravy, dal makhani and 2 more veg gravy, pulao, nan. The gravies were bland, lot of artificial color. None of the items were great . All in all the food is disappointing!
(2)
Sukeerthi A.

We went for dinner and its was a horrible experience. The staff was so careless and were just waiting for everyone to leave so that they can just close n go home. I just saw the reviews and went there. The food was good but expensive. The quality was not as expected. Would never go back.
(2)
David M.

I have eaten in a lot of Ind1an restaurants in NJ and NYC and this is the best current combination of food, value, service and atmosphere. Both their dinner menu and their lunch buffet were excellent, varied and reasonably priced. Add to my prior suggested dishes: lemon coriander soup; dosas, salad, tofu, mixed kebabs and butter chicken.
(5)
Jennifer C.

Akbar is a distinctive Indian restaurant that deserves 5 stars in every aspect of fine dining and entertainment. I have gone to their Sunday evening buffet three times, and this place just gets better with each visit. As someone who has been enjoying Indian cuisine for years, I believe Akbar's dishes are authentic. I have seen customers of many different ethnicities there, and all seemed to be highly satisfied. The buffet featured about 8 different classic north Indian meat and vegetarian items plus dessert. The spice level was medium- perfect for a wide range of palates. The tandoori chicken was cooked to gourmet perfection. The manager stood near the buffet tables, assisting people in identifying the various dishes. Servers were all around attentive and gregarious. They have a full bar offering several excellent wines and an elegant cocktail menu. If you like strong zesty drinks, you must try the French Martini. Don't hesitate to order the house wine, which is sure to please any wine enthusiast. The ambiance is spectacular. The entire restaurant, outside and interior, is built like a palace. There is a giant gold fountain in the center. The walls are covered in stained glass artwork depicting what appears to be the story of Akbar the Great. There is a beautiful garden area clearly visible outside the window, which is used for large parties. There are many decorous banquet ballrooms throughout the building. This place would be perfect for a wedding celebration. Whether you are tasting Indian food for the first time or are an aficionado of the cuisine, you will surely find Akbar to be an exciting restaurant experience!
(5)
Abhinav S.

Hate to say this but it seem like the Akbar restaurant I went to was nothing like the description in glowing reviews by other users. First, it was Friday evening and there were hardly 4 tables that were occupied. In my experience that says a lot. Ordered Chicken Chili -Spicy but it came out sweet. It had no resemblance to a dish by that name. Tamatar Shorba tasted like watered down ketchup. Chicken biryani - Meh.
(1)
Rhoda B.

This restaurant is better Han I expected! Good was amazing, the place is amazing! Very classy place over all.
(5)
Mena F.

Spectacular and amazing Indian buffet! Tasty items like tandoori chicken, paneer tikka masala, butter chicken, aloo gobi, dal tadka, biryani, naan with ghee, and tutti fruitti ice cream. The dÃ©cor of the restaurant is very ornate, elaborately designed and extravagant. Staff are friendly and welcoming. Best Indian food in Edison! Highly recommend!
(5)
Ashish J.

Absolutely a marvelous find on our way to Baltimore. Looked at yelp reviews and the yelpers were begging us to go to this place - and we are glad we listened. The place really sizzles - portions are huge, ingredients are fresh, serving is quick and friendly, parking is easy, and the prices are reasonable. Try their pakoras - you will know what I mean. Pakoras are very susceptible to screw ups but they got it right. Their roasted eggplant is a must have - smoky and yummy. The yellow lentils were cooked to delight and perfection. Our final entree, Mattar Paneer (peas + cottage cheese in gravy) was served with fresh paneer and if the peas were frozen, I couldn't tell!
(5)
Vinayak B.

When it comes to Mughlai food, this place comes really close to capturing the flavors of the home land. We had really tasty Tandoori Chicken (Murg) after ages! The meat was fall off the bone moist and had the perfect balance of spices. Tasted just like it would back home. For the main course, we got an order of the Butter Chicken (Murg Lawbabdar), Roomali Roti and Dum Pukht Biryani. Dum pukht translates to "slow oven". Cooking in this style involves sealing off the vessel lid with dough and slow cooking on a wood burning stove. The meat and the rice slow cook in the juices and the marrow. The result is a very flavorful and super moist biryani with really succulent meat. We thoroughly enjoyed all the dishes. Highly recommended this place for flavorful food. The staff is very attentive and polite.
(5)
Catalina D.

Took out, but it's a beautiful resto. Was dead on a weeknight. Delish tandoori chicken and the best basmati rice! salad veggies very fresh! I see why the reviews are consistent. Area is a little shady and kinda secluded though.
(4)
H B.

Nice ambience. We tried ala carte instead of the buffet. A little bit on the expensive side but food and service was great. The waiters where very attentive and made great suggestions as we mentioned that it was our first time in this restaurant. We will come back again and try the buffet next time.
(4)
Nagaraju R.

Not up to the mark... Biryani is full salty... Roomali roti is not cut in 2-3 pieces it was difficult to cut and eat for us.. Malai kofta was not that great... I may try once more...
(3)
Asmi J.

Would like to summarize in 3 points: Try Seekh Kabab Try Halwa with icecream together Service was good
(3)
Atulya B.

One look at the menu of Akbar Restaurant and you see these exotic names of Chicken, Lamb, and Fish kebabs, making you feel as though you're in for a real treat. But sadly the food falls short, way short of one's expectations. With great expectations you see these sizzling entrÃ©e's' arrive, and the whole thing fizzles when you bite into a chunk of chicken or lamb kebab; there is little flavor other food color. My vegetarian friends didn't feel that great about their food too. We were here for our company's year-end dinner party and ended up ordering a lot of variety - both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. And unfortunately, none of the items we ordered stood out. Everything was O.K and some of them were simply bad. I figure this place is popular because it offers alcohol and has a decent interior. That said, there is nothing else going for this place.
(2)
Chrystlle Anne B.

It is a banquet hall but they have certain hours for lunch and dinner.. their restaurant is great! We are so amazed and My bf told me that their interior designs reminds him his native country ( pakistan ). The servers are nice people and they always make sure that their customers are satisfied with everything. This is my first Indian foods and i can literally say it is AMAZING!!!!
(5)
Simon P.

Came here for an engagement party and had a great time. How much of that being be attributed to Akbar I suppose could be debated but certainly their food is delicious. Normally I need meat with my meal but the party was a vegetarian affair. However, I have to say, I didn't mind at all. If you're gonna do vegetarian only, Indian food is the way to go in my (admittedly biased) opinion. The standout appetizers in my mind were the bhelpuri (which the server did a great job of mixing together with just the right amount of everything) and the gobi manchurian (for some Asian fusion flavor). Delicious. When it comes to vegetarian Indian food entrees, there are two things that I LOVE- Paneer makhani and malai kofta. Both of these dishes were phenomenal. If you're a vegetarian or giving up meat for a period of time, try these dishes here. They were among the best I've ever had. The only dish that fell short for me was the saag paneer. Lacking in spices and salt. Not terrible but I can make it better at home, which shouldn't be the case when compared to what an actual chef puts out.
(5)
Tanisha J.

We had buffet. The food was okay, nothing outstanding. There were 3 other events happening at the same time so it was too crowded and loud. The worst were the toilets some of which didn't even have toilet papers. Overall an okay restaurant which I don't think I'll go back to.
(3)
S M.

Must visit! Great service, delicious food, amazing ambience!! Absolutely loved the food!!
(5)
A P.

I have been to this restaurant for many many years, I have seen the food quality go from good to bad and again good. I have enjoyed restaurant, lunch buffet and 1000 times banquet cooking. What to eat, go for the boneless chicken, butter chicken, for veg for for methi mutter, kofta and panner. I love the way they make naan in the restaurant you can ask to keep it in tandoor just a bit longer and it gets crisper on out side and middle is still soft hmmmmm can't get enough. Sweet I am not a big eater at this place but they have really good pista ice cream, gulab gamun. They do make hot Dosa for buffet (mini) in weekends.
(4)
Mark J.

Dining Date December 8, 2014 for dinner. Some of my Indian friends took us here to get some authentic Indian food. Akbar was as good as advertised by my friends, as all of the food was delicious! The unfortunate thing is that we allowed our friends to do all the food ordering, an we don't remember the names of many of the dishes. Not that this matters much because every dish was fantastic. I wish we lived closer (we're from PA - Lehigh Valley) because we definitely want to come back for more. Even the service was top notch.
(5)
Laura S.

We felt really uncomfortable using the valet parking for an event going on, and had to park in the shopping mall and walk. The wait was long, and the wait for the food was even longer. The water tasted extremely strange. The quality of the food was very good, but both our dishes had little to no spiciness :/ The place is a bit more expensive than other places. The only thing that was REALLY good was the mango lassi. Disappointed :/
(2)
Jenn J.

Food was ok nothing to brag about. Service was good, we did the buffet but found the selections very limited.
(3)
Joe B.

The quality of the food was good a few years back and then it went down really bad....tried the buffet again and it was so -so. Rather than the taste of the food, there is much more attention paid to the appearance and decoration (probably because it is primarily a banquet hall and it is an important factor). Lunch buffet on weekdays is $9 and on weekends is $11. Dinner buffet on Sundays only is $15.99. Reasonable prices!
(3)
Jodie G.

"This is so good, I can't stop eating it," I said. I started with papadum that was like a round cracker with seeds on it. The waiter was very helpful in suggesting drinks and food he thought I might like. I tried mango lassi that I liked a little. It was a little sweet like a smoothie. For appetizers, I tried vegetarian samosas and sweet potato cashew rolls. I liked them both. The cashew rolls were a little spicier but I didn't really like the sauce. My mom and dad really liked the sauce though. Indian food is great to share because you can try a lot of things. For dinner I had tandoori chicken kabobs, palak paneer, Kashmiri Lamb Pasanda, saffron rice and two kinds of bread, naan and roti. I liked the chicken kabobs since they reminded me of sausage that is a little spicy but tastes good. The rice surprised me since it wasn't as yellow as the Spanish rice but seasonings were delicious. The naan was more doughy than the roti. The roti was like a gigantic handkerchief and was super fun to eat. For dessert, we had gulab jamum that tasted like munchkin donuts. Overall, I highly recommend you try Indian at this place. The food was delicious, the stained glass was decorative and the waiter was very helpful and kind. Last, there were tons of kids there!
(5)
Kalindi P.

Amazing food, amazing ambiance, extraordinary service!!!! We had such a wonderful experience eating there. Everything and everyone was on point! There was even a pianist playing beautiful songs and accepting requests! All the children in the restaurant got balloons! definitely making it a family tradition!
(5)
Dhara P.

This is one of the worst places to have a wedding or reception party. There staff is tremendously unprofessional and rude.
(1)
Swarup D.

Good indian food. Biryani is the best
(4)
Rob D.

Excellent! We were staying at the hotel around the corner and found this gem - a great surprise. We got takeaway and took it back to our room. The guy that helped me was nice, the food was great. I hope I have the chance to go by this place again during another up-the-coast road trip.
(5)
Something Y.

They have the best indian food i have ever tasted. The dishes are served and presented beautifully. The servers are super attentive. Did i mention that their food is amazing? Its a must try if you are ever in the area.
(5)
Christian C.

Went here with an Amazon Local or Groupon. It was pretty packed, but got a seat quickly. My Girlfriend and I stuck out like a sore thumb in contrast to the regulars. There are a ton of vegetarian options for my girlfriend and I can usually find something no matter what. The menu is huge and for a first time Indian experience it seemed over whelming. What was weird was that 1 waiter come over and served us water than asked us if he could take our order. I explained that I needed a bit more time. Several minutes later another waiter came over and asked to take our order. I was confused and explained that another gentleman was helping us. After another several minutes a third man came to our table....he did not appear to be a waiter but more of a manager. He asked if he could take our order with a bit of haste in his voice. I realized that I may not have 1 waiter but everyone kinda helping each other, and that I should just put in an order to anyone not wait for the first guy. With such an elaborate menu I was still kinda baffled as to what I would order. Since the pressure was on I pulled the trigger getting a shrimp appetizer I had been thinking about. AMAZING! I do not remember what it was called, but the shrimp were cooked perfect. Good sized plump shrimp in a sauce that was like nothing I ever had. The sauce was so good when I finished the app I asked they leave the plate so I could apply the sauce to pretty much everything else I was eating. When it came to our main courses I asked for exactly what the person next to me was eating. The waiter was skeptical of this order and explained the man was eating goat in a spicy tomato sauce. I told him to make sure it's spicy. My girlfriend got some veggie rice dish. Hers was OK mine was good. Next time I see a deal for Akbar I am going to go back and just order several of the shrimp appetizers. Speaking of deals.... I get that people might screw over waiters some times especially with Groupons etc., but I hate that they included there own tip in the check. They only put down like 15% and I usually tip around 20 so I took care of them....all 3 waiters.
(3)
Simran D.

Went for a party, and sat there like I was sitting in a burning oven....The AC WASNT WORKING, And they didn't bother to bring in the fans until a good half hour later. I heard they messed up the decor that was originally requested....The food ran out as people were on line waiting for someone to refill the trays. That is one complaint I have heard about Having parties at Akbar, the food somehow always runs out. I mean there should be somewhere there managing all this.
(2)
Mr X.

Staff great, ambience great, food is simply AWESOME!!! Very nice place for a date as well!
(5)
Ben Y.

I enjoy coming here but don't come frequently. The menu has some great selections once you know your way around it, and if you do the lunch buffet you'll get a great value with an OK selection. Servers are very attentive. 4 stars is well earned, not exceptional but very good nevertheless.
(4)
Nicole M.

I will give this place 3 stars as it was a bit of a let down I love Indian food the spicier the better this place looks very nice but as the old adage goes do not judge a book by its over the food was very mediocre. The vegetable samosas very not good not flavorful not good. I ordered the chicken tikka masala and it was bland had no spices whatsoever nothing I asked the waiter if they could spice it up some he said he couldn't so we asked for the manager I explained the food was bland he said how spicy did you order it I said I wasn't given an option as to how spicy I wanted it I told him from a scale of 1-10 I wanted a 7 in terms of spice. When they came back they tasted much better the food had flavor and had some sort of resemblance of tikka masala that I am use to. The manage came over and said was it too spicy for you in a very condescending manner and I told him no it was perfect. I was appalled to think we were served bland dishes because we were judged by appearance and when I got what I asked for they were expecting me to complain it was too spicy. All that to say I expected more the service was slow food was average I could think of many other places id rather spend my $100 on. I will keep trying until I find my go to Indian spot in Jersey.
(2)
Kaustav G.

This is one of the finest Indian dining places in Central Jersey. The ambiance is great and if you are seated by the window facing the lawn, you get an excellent view. You get a variety of items in their menu. The non-veg platter is must and it tastes excellent. I'd definitely go in for the Goat Handi curry for an entree. I've also been there for buffet and the items are fresh and tasty. The waiters are very cordial and polite and I like their hospitality.
(5)
Gina B.

Never tried an Indian restaurant before and I had the most wonderful experience here. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was wonderful and the staff was extremely attentive. We were treated wonderfully and given suggestions to what to order. The bread was amazing!!!! I will absolutely return here and will recommend to friends and family!
(5)
Marc S.

I visited Akbar restaurant for 2 birthday parties. They have nice big hall. Food is also good. No complain. I recommend this place if you are looking for any kind of party hall..
(4)
Rafael O.

Need to order your food and ask for it to be spicy. They do not make it spicy by default. Other than that, the place looks great and the atmosphere is very good. We really liked it, although we did not know that we needed to order or food to be spicy...
(4)
Alex C.

My review is only for the $9.95 lunch buffet. I come here often, and I absolutely this joint. It's not the greatest meal I have ever had, but for 10 bucks, it's rock solid and consistent. They have the usual offerings...tandoori chicken, paneer masala, chickpeas, cauliflower, naan, etc. Service was always great, and there was always enough fresh food in their buffet line. Not sure about banquets or a la carte, but a quick lunch outside of the office is always a good option here.
(4)
Brittney H.

This place is clearly used for private parties/receptions/weddings/etc. It is such an elaborately decorated place, beautiful decor and exceptionally dressed staff. The lunch buffet tasted great, but there were a few highlights: fresh naan brought to your table, mango kulfi (if I don't have the right word, it is mango ice cream), and an interesting appetizer I don't normally see at Indian buffets... Chaat. I'd definitely go back, but I would particularly love to attend an event at this place. I am 100% sure that it would be an incredible experience.
(4)
Duane S.

The food is so salty here and they won't come to fill up water glasses even when they see you took your last drink. They have a big sign at at the entrance saying they are top Indian restaurant in central NJ. Apparently people in NJ don't know good food. Sad to say I wasted extra NJ turnpike tolls to come here.
(2)
Angie P.

Love their tasty selection of food. The buffet for $9.95 can't be beat!! From appetizers, to dessert--their selection never disappoints. The servers are very nice and the ambience is pretty, with stained glass art and intricate door embellishments. Cleanliness is a bit questionable but other than that...I'd still continue to go!!!
(4)
Melanie H.

We found our Indian restaurant! You know its good when you are surrounded by Indian families and they just kep coming in!! Sunday dinner buffet is lovaly and an amazing price!!! Cannot wait to go back- totally tops.
(5)
Olga M.

We organized a Hindu wedding ceremony for a very small group of guests at this venue. The managerial staff was spectacular from start to finish. They promised great service, attention to detail, excellent food and a fun event. Our expectations were exceeded repeatedly and our wedding was absolutely beautiful, traditional and memorable. A special thanks to Sanjeev and Gita for making our day very special and accommodating our long list of requests (custom table setup and layout, two meals for the duration of the event, dosa station, food served on banana leaves and so forth). We had a vegetarian menu that was absolutely delicious. Do consider Akbar as a venue option for your wedding or family event. We wholeheartedly recommend it!!!
(5)
Ravi G.

Good food and a great setting. Was visiting town and this was the only place that was open late after 10:30pm. Decor was excellent and place was spacious. Since I ordered carryout, don't know how the service was but the staff was attentive and got the food I ordered out quickly. Food was good quantities but a little pricey. Place was huge and nice atmosphere. Overall, a great place to visit. PS: Just check the credit card bill before signing. He screwed up the decimals!!! Chicken Biryani for $149.99 ;) That Chicken better be the one that used to lay golden eggs. He fixed it later but overall, a good experience.
(4)
Lori M.

Akbar is my favorite Indian restaurant - heck, I'll go even further - it is my favorite restaurant, period. I can't believe I haven't reviewed it yet. Akbar may not be the first Indian restaurant I tried, but once I did, it was the one that everything else has been compared to. My first visit was around 1995. We went with another couple and I remember that we kept ordering more food! The bill came to about $75 a couple. (Our usual bill runs about $45-$50 for two, without drinks.) It was at Akbar that I tasted my first Palak Paneer. Akbar offers lots of vegetarian choices and was also my introduction to Malai Kofta, Paneer Tikka Masala, Baingan Bharta, Dal Tadka and Dal Makhani. One dish that I've never found anywhere else is Palak Softa, somewhat similar to Palak Paneer, but the cheese is grated and semi-melted into the spinach base. Only recently did I find out that Akbar has a very reasonably priced (under $10) lunch buffet. Buffet appetizers include samosas, dosas and papdi chaat (wheat krisps with chopped onions, potatoes and chickpeas, that you top with tamarind sauce and/or yogurt). The buffet entrees are pretty evenly divided between vegetarian and meat dishes, and even vegans will find enough to fill a platter. The buffet items vary from visit to visit, but you can pretty much depend on seeing tandoori chicken and something with paneer. Desserts include classics like gulab jamun and mango ice cream. And I can't finish this review without mentioning that Akbar's rice and bread options are wonderful: fragrant basmati rice, plain or served as biryani or pulao - and sinfully delicious naan and poori. It's way too easy to fill up on these delicious staples. So I've been going to Akbar for more than 15 years. The dÃ©cor has never become run down. We are always greeted in a professional and friendly manner and the service is attentive. And I always feel as if I'm eating in a special place.
(5)
Steve G.

(2.75 stars) At first viewing the contrast is startling. Here, in a beautifully decorated setting was a large buffet of Northern Indian dishes. I identified many dishes as being favorites, and sampled a few that were new to me. While not to the complete standard of an entree in a good Indian restaurant, each of the dishes was well above the expectations of an Indian buffet. Naan is brought to your table. Service did a nice job of clearing used plates and filling water glasses. Certainly one of the better Northern Indian buffets I've experienced.
(2)
sasha h.

Are you brown? Do you need to throw a birthday, anniversary, graduation party or any other celebration? Are you inviting the 500 people in the tri-state you're related too? if so, Akbar is the option. I've probably been to 10 parties here including one of mine own...they have more hall space than I know what do with. Food is pretty good and lots of vegetarian or meat options. Bar has mango lassis so they get an A in my book. It has become pricey to throw a party anywhere these days but they are comparable to the other halls in Edison. They can give you recommendations for decorators etc but you are better off finding your own. Definitely recommend having your party here though, kids birthdays go over especially well, they have good service. The outside and inside of the restaurant is well kept and decadent, looks very "Indian"
(4)
Pallavi B.

Three stars only for the space and arrangements. To call it a restaurant is a little exaggeration. Attended a baby boy's arrival party here a fortnight ago. Pluses: Nice space Conveniently located near the highway Dedicated parking lot Very well catered Minuses: Food is less than ordinary- It is expected at party halls like this one. I am not going into the details of all the courses of the food (you may refer to my fellow yelpers comments for that), however I would like to note for sure that it gave my friend's husband and me discomfort in our stomachs. Even my friend felt all swelled up after eating here for some reason. I am being told that similar set ups in Stamford give you value for your money every time. I think they should take a hint from those places. Toilets could have been cleaner- It could be that there were two functions going on simultaneously. However I do not think that could be an excuse for not having a full time attendant at the washroom (especially at the womens') when the place is full to it's capacity. I do not know whether I will be invited again to review this place in the future. However I believe that if the management follows these little suggestions than the place could be much better
(3)
Avi N.

This is based on 2 recent visits to Akbar for social events. Akbar has 3 halls that are fully booked almost every day. The food, beverage and service are provided by Akbar. This is not just Akbar. many of these Indian catering establishments follow the same formula and create the same experience. What i have noticed is that - Food is below par at these events. It is generic buffet food, very mild for Indian food. There are shortcuts taken, e.g., any preparation involving paneer will have small cubes of uncooked paneer which tastes like tofu - basically tasteless. Even salt was missing from most dishes. I never eat breads at an Indian party as the breads are barely warm, extremely chewy and indigestible at most places. The same place will serve you a better food if you visit them as a restaurant. I suspect that they have quite different recipes for catered and restaurant menus. There is no reason to lower the bar at catered events considering the prices they charge. Akbar is also stingy with alcoholic drinks and you may drink all night and would not get drunk. - Food temperature is very low. By the time you take your plate from the buffet to your table, it is not even lukewarm. Eating cold, underspiced Indian food is the most disgusting experience, especially when you are attending an event where someone else has chosen the menu and you are indirectly paying anyway. - Service is unprofessional. I saw a host for a company holiday party greeting a couple of guests in the doorway and a waiter with a bowl of titbits was rudely shouting "Excuse Me' instead waiting a few seconds. I was poured an orange soda and the glass was splashed on the outside leaving me with sticky fingers. - Ambiance is poor, too. Incense sticks were burning in the hallway to mask some smell, whatever it was and it smelled like you were visiting an Indian temple instead of a part hall. The hall I visited had 2 electric heaters to ward off the cold coming in from somewhere and the partitions between the halls are so thin that god forbid if you get stuck with a party next door and a high powered DJ. The noise will overpower your own sound arrangements and kill the whole event.
(2)
Sudeep B.

Awesome food and great ambiance, BUT quite expensive. This place has facilities to host wedding and receptions and if you happen to visit on a day that they have such a function there then you might end up being second class citizens. The Tandoori Lamb Chops are HEAVENLY albeit expensive at $21.99 for a plate that has 4 chops.
(4)
Inderpreet B.

Living across the street we just had to write a review about this place! I can't tell you how many times I have been here for anniversary parties or small birthdays. The food is always great and the service is top notch. The last time we can here we used a coupon from restaurant.com and loved the value for what we had. We had chili paneer and papdi chaat for appetizers. The garlic naan is AMAZING! For entre we had Dal Makhni and Malai Kofta! It was delicious! Definitely recommended.
(4)
M T.

Good food. However their focus is private parties. They have a nice yard at the back and a decent sized party room both of which are usually busy on weekends and especially in the evenings. That's when parking becomes difficult here even though they have a decent sized private lot AND the wait staff gets diverted to the private event. They have a decent buffet lunch. The variety is not as much as some other Indian buffet places (like Rasoi II and Shalimar) but their prices on weekdays is a little lower compared to these places as well (for the weekday buffet). Over all I have given them a 4* and they are not a bad place if you are in Edison area and have a craving for some Indian food.
(4)
Bill L.

We are always made to feel welcomed, no matter how crowded they get with parties, whenever we show up for the very nice weekend lunch buffet. The are very friendly & make our visit feel special, even as large parties rage on in this large complex. The buffet food has some solid selections (only thing is Chicken Tandoori is always a little dry, though the pcs. are very large & very tasty.) The curries & other selections have much flavor & are always enjoyable, including nice aptzs. that are always present. The surroundings are a cut above & make one feel as if he or she is having lunch in a far off palace. The breads, drinks, & desserts are all very good as well. While we would like to see a little more selection, they do offer a very fine buffet for a very fair price & we are always happy to return here, from Staten Island, when we are in NJ shopping.
(4)
Patricia L.

During a recent visit home, my mom brought me here twice for their lunch buffet. Their buffet is reasonably priced - roughly $11 per person including tax and tip - and food is wedding-diet-breaking-worthy. They offer a quality selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes and I think a few of their dishes change depending on the day. Service is quiet and efficient. I cannot wait to be back home so I can eat here again. Highly recommend.
(4)
Laila J.

Been here a few times for parties. They have small and large catering halls. The food is very tasty and service is not bad.
(3)
Z. P.

We have used Akbar Restaurant for many of our family events including engagements, sweet sixteens and weddings. I used them recently for our babyshower. The staff is very curteous and professional but the food was awful. The hall was ghetto, the napkins were dirty and the tables were not set up the way we wanted them. We had a great time regardless but I will not use them again.
(5)
Geoffrey E.

Great Indian food in an unsuspecting location. Even with a GPS, this place was a little tough to find. It's on the back side of a Holiday Inn, behind a shopping center just off a highway exit. I'm glad I found it, because the food was great! The menu is a little larger than your typical Indian restaurant and the food is mighty tasty. The service was fast and friendly and the ambiance is great; the place is very cozily lit and the decor is over-the-top opulently Indian, from the outside to the inside, complete with indoor water fountain. The prices are a little steeper than I usually pay for Indian food, but the food was good enough that I didn't care. With tip, dinner for one was $30. Overall, I give it four stars.
(4)
Stewart O.

I'm always hesitant eating at Indian restaurants in the Edison area as majority are very ethnocentric and can make someone who is not of Indian decent very intimidated....but not that case with Akbar. The wait staff treats everyone with a smile and always eager to answer questions and/or provide recommendations based on one's preference. I'm a vegetarian and I was very excited to have options! I recommend - very easy to get to, great staff, and nice decor.
(5)
Sam P.

Incredible. The service, the food... everything, every time. Tandoori Lamp pork chops NEVER fail. Garlic Naan with any gravy'd dish. Even their house merlot is the best for a 'house merlot'
(5)
D P.

I actually had a very positive experience at Akbar. I thought the food was really good and the staff were friendly. I admit that the wait staff was not the best I have had but they were patient with our large group that came out to eat that nice. This location is clearly a small business whose clientele is one particular group. Beyond that I do plan on going back and enjoyed some of their unique offerings that I have not found at other Indian restaurants. The location is a bit hard to find so give yourself some extra time to arrive to this location if you are going for the first time.
(4)
Amit A.

I haven't been here in a few years but I came here with family this past weekend and I must say the food was good, not bad at all. The atmosphere is nothing great, if you are in the area or haven't been here in awhile then give it shot.
(3)
Robert M.

If you love delicious Indian food at a very reasonable price in a lovely atmosphere then this is your restaurant! We went for the lunch buffet; only $8.95. They bring you warm and fresh made dosas and naan bread. The tikka masala paneer was the best I've ever had. In addition, the tandoori chicken was outstanding! The service was very good and friendly. They refill your water glass very often as well as asking you if everything is okay. I will go again and again! Mango icecream was delicious and included in buffet price.
(5)
YASMEEN B.

I was dying for Indian cuisine last night, so my sister suggested Akbar's. I dined with my sister and her son... It appears this place is often used for celebrations (weddings and b-day parties). There were lost of decorations and fab Indian decor. Plus there's a really nice courtyard in the back. When we arrived there was a wedding, so parking was really tight last night. I thought we were going to have to park on the side street because EVERY lot was full and coned-off until we saw one spot available (by the way it was 9:30 pm). If that's an issue, they do offer valet service. I'm certain if there is a fee or if it was only for the wedding party. We were promptly greeted by a nice waiter who sat us down and gave us menus. Appetizers: samosas - which were cripsy on the outside and tender inside with yummy spice. Disappointed that one order comes with only two samosas...so we requested two orders. Drinks: Sprite - three (+2 free refills) Dinnner: Chicken Tiki Marsla, Mutter Paneer, and a mixed grill of chicken and lamb chops (arriving on a sizzling platter) + Naan + Basmati Rice (of course). We were asked about the level of spice desired...me and my nephew chose mild and my sister requested "heat" on her combination. The fare was rich and delicious! We shared our meals with each other and we were all pleased. I loved the Mutter Paneer because it was not tomato based, which most I've had and gives me acid-reflux/heart burn. The cheese was tender and not over-cooked or chewy. We were too stuffed for dessert, so we left really happy with full bellies! Cons: Had to ask three different wait staff to get us refills on the Sprites, which comes in a wine glass filled with ice. So you know you are only getting 1/4 or 1/2 cup of Sprite, which goes quickly. There was a 10 yr old b-day party going on in the main dining area with a party of 30-40 people. I think we were short-changed on the service because wait staff was more attentive to that group - no love lost though. Plus there were several other tables with 6+ persons dining...I was just thirsty. Price: $85.57 for three people - not bad, but I was expecting like $70-75.00. Pros: Delicious food. Nice portions.
(4)
Karen A.

We used to go to another local indian restaurant, but one night recently we tried Akbar and HOOOO LEEE COW! The service was awesome, the atmosphere was fantastic and the food was some of the best I've ever had. Only a few dollars more than most indian places and well worth it. I ordered a dessert which I ended up not enjoying. When I mentioned it, the server sent out a beautiful brownie sundae for free! I even moved my birthday party there after our first visit, and they made sure it went off without a hitch! Oh, and if you can swing it, go on a Sunday afternoon for the buffet. Great price for a LOT of food.
(5)
K P.

Excellent food & service. Spacious interiors. Only issue is that their menu has been the same for years. Otherwise this is the best restaurant around here.
(4)
mak m.

its an ok restaurant ... high prices ... good food but pricy ...
(3)
Morning S.

D grade for hosting our party. The three lazy staff members who didnt pick up our dishes. I got up and waitresses our own guests since their staff was unsupervised, booked a party of over 20 guests and discussed details with the Manager prior so that the operation of service and attentiveness be on point A grade when we checked them out and dined a party of 3. They can only handle small parties. AVOID USING THIS LOCATION FOR BIG PARTIES, OKAY FOR DINE INS WITH LESS THAN 5 GUESTS AT A TIME. HERE IS MY PARTY EXPERIENCE FOR YOU TO KNOW. Grade D- The day of our event, the owner, manager was not present while knowing 1 week plus ahead about our event. No management and poorly organized operation. Grade D- The day of our event, there was nobody taking care of hosting and seating our guests. , fork, or plate at least 3 times for the server to bring it. Servers were quick to remove plates we were eating from. Grade C - The food lacks an explanation of the dishes which means I have to continue to host and ask my guests about their allergies and make sure they only eat the food that suits them. There lacks a card listing what dishes are vegetarian and non vegetarian. I know the food, although others in my party were new to the meals Grade A+ - Decor, statues, paintings, Grade B- Served leftover food, even though it was known that my party would include over 20 people. Dishes were just reheated. Conclusion: I was very disappointed and spend a significant amount of cash to have my party at an Asian, Indian, Restaurant. The hosts, including myself were starving because we had to spend the entire party doing the jobs of the server. I literally began serving my own guests, forks, dishes, spices, and creating explanations of the foods. Book your large party elsewhere. ___ I came home and fell asleep in my custom made dress because the manager and the servers didn't care, and collected their tip, while I did all the work serving my guests.
(2)
Patrick M.

Was looking for Indian food and stopped in for the lunch buffet. The nondescript location hides a really nice place. It's a banquet hall, but the restaurant is welcoming and comfortable. The food was great, the service was excellent. Pretty reasonably priced, too.
(4)
Kati Y.

definitely a solid banquet facility - it felt really weird when the two of us walked into this "palace". all the dishes were well prepared, excellent service - a great place for a group gathering
(4)
Mizell W.

very nice Indian
(4)
Em G.

An excellent restaurant for North Indian fare. This restaurant has been around for quite some time, so I'm surprised it didn't have a review. It has a couple or few banquet halls and they provide good service if you hold an event there. Again good food :)
(5)
Sunny M.

Decent Indian restaurant. I typically go for the buffet and pig out on tandoori chicken and kababs. Naans are decent. The rest of the stuff is a bit bland but whatever, I only go for the meat! :)
(3)
Leo L.

$9.99 for lunch buffet with 5 dishes plus appetizer, bread, rice and desert. not bad. i only go during the weekend, when the restaurant is hosting many parties, from wedding to baby's naming party. A lot of time the restaurant is closed for general public. make sure you call before you go during the weekend.
(4)
N D.

My daughter wanted to try something different other than the regular chain restaurant for her birthday in an attempt to diversify her palate. She attends a local university in the area and asked that I check reviews and surprise her with a place. I've always wanted to try Indian cuisine. As there were many similar restaurants in the area, I settled on Akbar based on the few reviews I read and after comparing it to other eateries in the immediate area. For our first experience (and a relatively hasty choice on my part because I was tired from work and didn't research options in advance), we were by no means disappointed. Some of the cuisine my daughter felt was an acquired taste. Myself, I was very pleased with everything. The flavors were deep with a spiciness that creeps up on you and lingers on and on (water glasses were thankfully refreshed!). The sauces were very fresh and tasty. My daughter and I stuck out like sore thumbs amongst the other guests, but we did not feel unwelcome. It was a Tuesday night and certainly not overcrowded, so we were able to take our time to peruse the menu and order our food. I enjoyed everything from the appetizers to dessert. We had several waiters and all were courteous and polite, sometimes engaging us in conversation. One gave us complimentary ice cream along with our desert. My only complaint would be the shrimp in my biryani was tough (dried out), but the tender goat, warm roti, and sizzling pot appetizer more than made up for that. I am looking forward to attending again the next time I am in the area. I don't have any other restaurant to compare this experience to, but truly enjoyed my meal (made for great leftovers).
(4)
John O.

The food at Akbar's is really delicious. The service has been variable over several visits from okay to excellent, but never unacceptable. The atmosphere is very pleasant and the decorations are top notch.
(4)
Zinat M.

I've been here many times over the years for various wedding and wedding related functions. Never came for a sit down restaurant meal. So only commenting on this as a venue for Desi functions here. It's a nice space with colorful and glitzy Indian decor. They have a huge room which can then be minimized if needed by their movable wall (for lack of a better description). The food is of fine dining quality, north indian fare, and they have an extensive menu. There is a huge parking lot outside and rooms for the brides and grooms to get ready in. Every function I've been to here has never disappointed and everyone feels very regal being there.
(4)
Jerry J.

Luncheon buffet at $8.95 is fabulous. Fresh entrees that vary daily that are augmented by delicious soups (if the lemon-coriander soup is there on your visit, you've hit the jackpot). Ice cream desserts also out of this world (papaya and pistachio/cherry, 2 faves). Worth a drive up and down the Parkway- easily bests all the Indian eateries in Essex County.
(4)
Adella C.

Very indian :) we loved the decor and the food - there are some excellent vegan and vegetarian options!
(4)
Leah Z.

My family and I love to try ethnic food, especially Indian. So we tried Akbar our first time tonight to celebrate my parents' anniversary. The gated entrance and building facade are quite impressive, but it sort of ends there. The interior is spacious, but is in serious need of updating. At first glance it looks lovely, but within 5 minutes you realize it looks closer to the inside of a 1980's hotel lobby. All that aside, I was quite happy to see that we were the only white people there - a sign that the food is probably pretty good if Indians are frequenting the place. However, we were not thrilled with our meals. I ordered the shrimp curry and my shrimp were really overcooked and very tough. The sauce though was quite nice, as was our basmati rice, which was complimentary. My mother ordered a tandoori seafood dish with chunks of fish and whole shrimp. The fish was nasty - it was insanely salty and didn't taste like any fish I ever had. My dad ordered tandoori minced lamb, but it looked more like sliced sausage. It tasted fine, but a little on the dry side. He asked for a sauce to go with it which they sent right over, also complimentary. We also asked if we could get some naan - apparently, that was not complimentary as it is in many Indian restaurants, and got charged nearly 10 bucks for only two pieces. Yikes. As far as service, it was pretty good, but I think that's because the waiters are constantly on the floor, practically hovering over your shoulder every minute. We couldn't really do anything without them looking at us - it was overkill. We would have appreciated it more if we had a little breathing room. I think at this place, you're paying more for the atmosphere than you are the food, which could be a lot better considering the prices. Next time we'll just head somewhere that's more authentic and affordable, which isn't hard to do in central Jersey.
(3)
meg v.

We went here for a belated birthday dinner recently and after having heard good things about this restaurant I was a little disappointed. To qualify, I have to say that I eat Indian food as often as humanly possible and we ordered mainly vegetarian dishes. For the most part, I found that while the restaurant was elegant and the service was very pleasant, the food didn't have the pizazz I had been looking forward to. I had a variation dish of Aloo Gobhi (dry spiced cauliflower/potato dish). Of note; we were never asked about how hot we would want our dishes, (which is the typical question), so I suspect that perhaps they preemptively made our dishes VERY mild, which took away from the splendor of what should have been a very nice meal. It ended up meh. I got the feeling that not too many non-Indians frequented, (we were asked 3 times where we were from), so maybe this is a learning curve for them. With Oak Tree Road so closeby, New Jersey's answer to Chicago's famed 'Little India", there are too many restaurants for us to explore to get back to Akbar, ask for it hot, and cross our fingers.
(2)
mehul m.

I feel like this restaurant targets american people more...the food is very bland and has no taste. I went with my fiance and we had poor service topped off with cold naan. I ordered saag chaana and asked them to make it spicy...instead I got some sort of steamed spinach with no taste. it might have just been a one off thing but i def did not have a good first experience.
(3)
Anant H.

no complaints food is on the money...
(5)

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Address : 21 Cortlandt St
Edison, NJ, 08837
Phone (732) 632-8822
Website https://www.akbarrestaurant.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :12:00 pm - 3:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Akbar Restaurant

21 Cortlandt St, Edison, NJ, 08837

Akbar Restaurant Menu

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