I greatly prefer this Indian place over Karma. Hubby prefers Kaarma. I'll speak to India Pavillion. The buffet has more options. The restaurant is bigger. The sweet curry dessert is AMAZING. I could swim in that dish! Their curry/tomato dishes on the buffet and their spinach dish are my favorites. I prefer India Pavillion to almost every restaurant in State College! Their Naan is served warm. They have a mini salad bar included with the buffet. The man who appears to be the owner is very sweet. My ONLY..and I mean ONLY complaint, is that if you do takeout from the buffet, and order Naan, they weigh not only the naan but the foil AND parchment paper, too. I'm pretty sure that's not legal. I never see them change the 'tare' weight. Ive heard stories about special meals they sell/serve for Indian holidays. I'd LOVE to know when those happen!
(5)
Leslie S.
Delicious and fresh, made to order food every time! Chicken makhani is always a good choice as is the mango lassi!
(3)
M C.
I'm a huge fan of Indian food, but Indian Pavilion is just ok. I've eaten here a few times for the lunch buffet (around $9 on weekdays with unlimited free naan refills) and at dinner from the regular menu. The chicken tikka masala was good but it tasted a lot different than at other restaurants I've eaten around Philly. It's also really dark inside the restaurant -- better lighting is definitely needed!
(3)
Cindy L.
Not the better Indian buffet of the two in State College. They have nice interior decoration and the place looks nice for a group of people. As far as the food and flavors go, this place is lacking. Customer service is also lacking. I want to be able to eat delicious Indian cuisine and still think about it after, but this place did not do that for me.
(3)
Rob H.
The food is ok here - just ok. Their breads are good and the main courses are also good. The service is bad though. We came on a night that was not too busy and I noticed most of the patrons including us were frustrated with the bad service. We had to ask 3 times for our drinks and they finally served drinks with our main course. The appetizers came out with dinner too. For food they rate 3 but service is a 1. So I gave them 2 stars
(2)
Jared J.
Not the better Indian Buffet of State College. I'll hand it to them they have a nice ambiance. You can get your Indian staples here, but expect to be cut off from ordering additional Naan. Beware, customer service is experience is lacking. Kaarma buffet is a much better option.
(2)
Sa K.
I was trying to come to this place for six months. I finally made it today! My friend Jaskiran is from India, and she said the food is very good. She was not wrong about it. From 11.30am to 2:30pm every day, there's a buffet. You can eat as much as you want and as many times you want to serve yourself. The place is very cozy. The waitress are dressed like Indians. Theres a guy all the time offering flat bread, home made bread, and very tasty! I Like it! And I recommend it!
(4)
Elizabeth G.
I love Indian Pavillion. As an American, I think the food tastes exactly the same as it did when I was in India. However, my Indian friends say there are some differences. Most recently I went for the lunch buffet with some friends. It was $9.49 and included all the naan you can eat, a variety of starters and entrees (lentil balls in yogurt, dal tadka, chicken makhani and more). We arrived at 1:45pm and the buffet ends at 2:30pm. Some of the food on the buffet was a little cold, assuming that was because we arrived so late. All things aside, this is the best place for Indian food in Central PA!
(5)
Marybeth M.
When I was in school, I went to the buffet at least twice a month. 99% sure the owner recognizes me. They have lots of choices with a few dishes that are always offered (tandoori chicken, butter chicken, a saag dish, and of course rice and naan). There are two dining rooms, so you shouldn't ever have to wait. I've been here once for dinner, and it is a little on the expensive side (for State College), but that's very typical with Indian food. Dinner was excellent, especially because at dinner you can actually get spicy food! My one complaint: turn on the lights! I understand that dimmer lighting is supposed to be romantic, but when I'm stuffing my face to cure my college hangover, I don't need romance. IP is essentially in a basement, so there isn't that much natural light. Please turn up the lights! Don't wear tight pants to the buffet, and plan for nap time immediately afterwards.
(5)
Taehyun P.
Okay, all the Indian kids said this place was terrible, but my roommate and I loved it. So I guess foreign palettes will like this place! Besides the fact that it's super dark in here, the staff is always friendly and attentive, and the food is on point. I always ordered the tiki masala!! Also, we loved how they served fried naanish chipish looking things with sauce as a free appetizer :) Another great thing about this place is that they allow customers to bring in their own alcohol if they'd like to drink it, so there were many couples drinking fancy wine on their dates!
(4)
Xiujie Z.
Varieties of gourmet, price is quite reasonable. One of the best for lunch.
(4)
Michael M.
Indian Pavilion is a rather unexciting lunch experience for those in the mood for Indian cuisine. The selections available through the buffet are mediocre, with the curries and other sauces being runny and lackluster, the Chicken Tandoori being lukewarm (at best) and under-seasoned, and an embarrassing offering of Indian-style Fries. The Food: (below average) At this point in my life, I have enjoyed several Indian buffets and have come to expect a certain standard in quality and selection. The sad truth about Indian Pavilion is that it has a good selection of Indian cuisine available for the lunch before; however the quality of the food suggests they are more passionate about making an extra dollar than gaining long-term customers. The Atmosphere: (average) Indian Pavilion is located in a sub-ground level nook that offers a sort of private ambiance for small and large parties to separate from the masses of students and street traffic of downtown State College. Unfortunately, Indian Pavilion doesn't let this unique atmosphere into its dining premises. Once inside, you have some average seating, little to no music, and some nice pictures of Indian culture on the wall. But nothing feels authentic, and aside from the buffet, nothing feels particular "Indian" about this restaurant. The Price: (average) Considering that you are free to fill your tummy to your hearts content, an $8.95 buffet is the standard and reasonable rate. The limitless nature is the only reason this is average, however I have no urge to go back and spend it again. The Service: (below average) You get the strong vibe that the waitresses are purely composed of college students just trying to make a buck. Which by all means, amen! But it translated into a bunch of waitresses (I only remember seeing ladies) that really had no connection to the culture or passion for the food. Also, I found little to no personality (like not even a "How are you today?") from my waitress. The service was similar to the food: forgettable.
(2)
Noor N.
The food is good, don't get me wrong but every time I come here the service is horrendous! It takes on average (I timed it) 45 minutes to get your food, even if we're the only people in the resteraunt!!! For clarification I used to go with a group of 3 other friends which can account for a longer service time but not 45 minutes
(1)
Serena G.
The best of the best of restaurants in State College. The aesthetics are calming, the staff is amazing and the food is delicious! On every sit down occasion, the executive staff has inquired about my opinion, which is never short of extremely pleased. Even take out is neatly packed and labeled. Never a mistake and always a smile!! You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Sundeep R.
Good place purely for the buffet. Has a good spread but is pretty standard spread all through the week except on weekends when they serve idly and dosa (rice pancakes). I frequent this place not because of the great food but because it is only 2 or three places that offer Indian food in state college. The a la carte menu is very disappointing and gets a two star. Really bad Biryani. I usually get naan breads and butter chicken off the menu because every time I've ordered anything else, I've been disappointed. Mango lassi is not bad.
(4)
Irina D.
This is my favorite Indian restaurant in State College. My husband & I have been regulars here for several years. I've read some reviews about the vindaloo being too spicy; that's like calling your pint of Ben & Jerry's "too cold." ;) (Vindaloo is supposed to be spicy, people!) :) Food wait times are average for any (non-fast food) restaurant, and while busy, there is never a wait for a table or those awful beepers! The service is good to great, depending on who is working that day. (It has often been great, as the owner and his family are really quite hospitable and take care that you enjoy your meal.) they make most dishes as mild or spicy as you like. Go for the extensive menu and the best naan in town!
(5)
Zeyu W.
I should say that the food is just so so. Way worse than the Indian food that I ate in new york. Too salty... the place is hard to find at the first time but the environment is actually good with the dark light...
(3)
Andrea Liza R.
Fairly pricey but well worth it. The food has that warm, homestyle feel and taste. The restaurant is warm, ambient and beautiful. Portions are average, although I do feel they should offer more rice. Naan is great. Waitresses are kind. Their sauces are not as hot as one would expect and so for a Latina like me who loves spicy food, I have to order the hottest. Overall, a wonderful place. Much, much better than Kaarma.
(4)
Dan H.
They have lunch buffet which is way, way better than normal other Chinese cuisine buffet! The Mango Lassi, MUST TRY.
(5)
Ashish S.
Decent meal for a more than decent price !! Good service, the food just about justifies an authentic Indian cuisine !! Can go again!!
(4)
Megan L.
Everyone goes here for the buffet and yes it's great especially during the weekends cus they bring out the chana masala.. But you have to go for dinner so you can try everything else on the menu. All their curries are amazing and the korma is amazing
(5)
Rachel Z.
Awesome for dinner. I love their Chicken Tikka Masala and Cheesey Naan (perfect to dip in the tikka masala). I orderd them spiced Medium, which has just a small kick. BYOB. One of my favorite restaurants in State College. Service is awesome too.
(5)
Angela M.
After spending two days cooking, we treated ourselves to some great Indian food. My BFF and her husband love coming to this place, and so does their toddler. At 6pm on a Sunday night, we were immediately seated at one of the booths, and they brought a high chair for the little one. We ordered quickly since we were hungry, and Kate pointed out that their service can be a tad slow. The lavosh and sauces managed to hold us over until our veggie pakora, aloo tikki, and cheese naan arrived as appetizers. The veggie pakora was quite good, particularly with the spicy green sauce. The aloo tikki was a little on the mushy side - it could've been crisper on the outside. The cheese naan was all for the toddler, but she seemed to love it. For the mains we had the saag paneer, the baingan bharta, and the chicken curry, with plain and garlic naan. It doesn't look like much when it arrives, but it's quite filling. My favorite was probably the saag paneer with its creamy spinach and yummy cheese. The baingan bharta was pretty thick. I'm no expert when it comes to this dish, so maybe it's supposed to be, but I would have preferred a little thinner so as to give me a better reason to sop it up with the naan. The chicken curry had good flavor and very large pieces of chicken. With all the apps, naan, and rice, we managed to have some of each entree left so that one could eat it for lunch the next day. Prices seem about right for what I normally pay for dinner at Indian places. The servers kept our water glasses filled and didn't seem to mind dealing with a very excited little one. The place filled up as the night went on so that most tables in the right half of the restaurant were full.
(4)
Alanna B.
It has been awhile since I've eaten here, but this is one of the best Indian foods in the State College area. The prices maybe a little high, but I have never had a disappointing dish from here. I always got take out, and for a party of 1, I always had at least 3 meals from 2 dishes. My favorite dishes were Chicken Tikka Masala.......I can't remember the other one. Enjoy!
(4)
R B.
My favorite indian restaurant so far. I love the food, the price is right, it's convenient, and the atmosphere is great. My favorite is the chicken tikka masala but you can't go wrong with anything.
(5)
David R.
I had amazing food here, every time. They have a nicely balanced menu that includes a large vegetarian section and fish, on top of chicken and lamb dishes. I've sampled a number of them: they can compete even with the good Indian restaurants of Pittsburgh. Indian people seem to come here. Good sign. Service is spotty, but friendly. (I don't care if the food is that good!)
(5)
Yaima R.
Their lunch buffet is very good, I enjoy Indian food and find the buffet to be inexpensive; while offering very tasty choices. The flavors are very authentic as well.
(4)
Flint W.
Good food and service. The lamb vindaloo is perfect in spiciness and tangyness. The bad? Management had someone run a vacuum cleaner for twenty minutes until I approached them. Lighting was also too dim to read
(4)
Carolyn M.
For me, this is the ultimate Indian restaurant in State College. The lunch buffet is a great value at $7.95 and I believe the takeout buffet was only 4.50/lb., which was ridiculously inexpensive for how good the food is. The selection is varied and there is always Tandoori Chicken, just in case you have a picky eater along with you. It can get a little crowded during lunch because a lot of people in town know how great a deal it is, but I haven't encountered an unpleasant crowd at dinner. Dinner is menu only, I almost always go for Chicken Makhani, as spicy as you ask for, and a Mango Lassi - delicious! Never had a bad meal at India Pavilion. BYOB - no cork fees and closed on Mondays. There is a metered parking garage that usually isn't too packed (unless it's a football weekend, graduation or some other university event) right behind the place.
(5)
Kristy Y.
The food was good, but a bit overpriced for my taste. Lunch is a much better deal than dinner.
(2)
Meghan C.
Not much to say about India Pavilion other than a super consistent thumbs up! I've been coming here since I was in high school, and the quality is always on point. The menu is pretty typical of an Indian restaurant, but I've never had a bad dish here. The lunch buffet is usually pretty busy, but worth it, as there's usually a pretty good variety of stuff. I'm so grateful State College has a good Indian restaurant. Hope it sticks around for years to come! BYOB, no corkage fee. Sweet.
(4)
James P.
Good food. Accommodating of spicy requests. Very friendly, though less attentive than I'd like service-wise. (Specifically, it's just a reality that water is going to be drained fast here; they do come around periodically, but not fast enough that my glass wasn't empty several times, even intentionally pacing myself to respond to the anticipated slow refill.)
(4)
Andres L.
Lunch buffet: tandoori chicken is so good. I love chicken though. The seasoning and flavor is incredible. All the other stuff are eh. Dinner: india pavilion special. Comes with a bunch of meat. Tandoori chicken- two pieces (amazing), chicken pieces that taste like tandoori, one piece of shrimp and the driest, saltiest sausage pieces. Went with a group so we shared each others curries. They were all relatively tasty. Make sure to get medium though, the mild lacks flavor. Bread was good too. Been here three times and always leave with a to go box. Portions look small but they fill you up. It should be said that this is the only indian restaurant i've ever been to.
(5)
Mike T.
This is a pretty good Indian Restaurant as far as the lunch buffet goes. The weekend Buffet is a really nice size and also really inexpensive for an Indian Lunch. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a good cheap meal that's actually quality while in State College.
(4)
Matt O.
I have to write an update before we move from State College and I forget. I previously complained about the at times unexplainable high prices, and the dry chicken. I have to recant those complaints, as the past two visits here have been in direct contradiction. The price the past two times has been perfectly in line with the menu, and every meal we've ordered has been under $30. Also, the chicken has been fantastic, the flavor of the sauce robust, and the rice has been delicate and cooked perfectly. I'm very happy to say I can recommend India Pavilion again, they seem to have stepped up their game.
(4)
Chris D.
I'm still kind of new to the Indian food scene, but I really liked this place. I went here on a date and had excellent service. All the food was good, I had a lamb and onions dish. The rice was also very tasty, we ended up ordering an extra side of rice. I would definitely come back here!
(4)
Rowan R.
If you've never had Indian food before, the lunch buffet here is a good place to start. The buffet is well stocked with both meaty and vegetarian choices, and the food is mild and pleasant. Try a mango lassi or even better the Masala Spiced Chai steeped in milk...mmmm. If you want to get a better idea of the food here, come for dinner and order off the regular menu. The made to order food is far superior to the buffet fare...I can highly recommend the Chicken Korma and the Malai Kofta. For dessert, their kheer is lovely as is the gulab jamun. I had IP cater my wedding...and they did an fantastic job! Everything was hot, tasty, fresh and there on time.
(4)
Chris R.
This was my first time to Indian Pavilion. I expected much more based on all the good reviews, but unfortunately I was very disappointed. Worst chicken tikka masala I've ever had, and the "medium" (how I always order it anywhere else) lamb vindaloo was too spicy to finish it. Sadly I won't be returning.
(2)
Sam B.
Huge fan and family friendly. My family looks forward to making weekly visits. Owners are very nice and food is delicious.
(5)
Michael B.
Great Saturday buffett
(4)
Laura R.
Delicious and vegetarian friendly. A great find for central PA.
(5)
Eric P.
Best lunch in State College for the money. Dinner is good too.
(4)
Resha M.
Food- decent/good nothing spectacular Service- horrible, waited for more than an hour to get our meals, took them 15 min just for our drinks
(2)
Brent W.
This place is an absurdly great deal. For something like $8, the lunch buffet is top-notch -- I've been to other places that offer only a random smattering of drippy curries and flaccid naan. But their offerings include the full range of different potato dumplings and cakes, some great chicken, a small salad bar, and usually some desserts. Naan was delicious and buttery, but we had to ask several times for some non-burnt pieces, and the mango lassi was inedibly saccharine.
(4)
Michael W.
My Indian cuisine knowledge isn't incredible, but I kind of know what's going on. If you're looking for something legit with spices, shy away from Indian Pavilion because it is the blandest Indian food I've ever had. What saves this place from getting a two star review is their price. For $7.99, you can test your might at their lunch buffet. As far as selection goes, they do have around 6 different things you can try out, and about 3-4 more things on the dessert side of things. Out of all the things there, I'd have to say that their garlic naan was pretty good. I may not know how legit it actually is, but it tasted darn good to me. There are these curry french fries next to the rice which would actually taste awesome, if they were freshly fried. Instead, they've probably been sitting there for 2 hours, just waiting and waiting and waiting for people to eat them. With curry, you have about 3 different choices, with one having chicken inside. There is also a yogurt lentil ball, and some grilled chicken. If you're an Indian food noob, then this place is all good. For desert, they do have some honey bread balls, and some tapioca yogurt of some sort. The tapioca was decent, but the honey bread balls were a tad too sweet for my taste. I actually liked it the first time I came here, but on my 2nd visit, I was not impressed anymore. The lack of spices basically takes the "Indian" aspect out of India Pavilion. It becomes even comparable to Thai curry. Service for water and naan refills are a little on the slow side, but what can you expect from a buffet. Not a bad place, but not incredible either. Without spices, I don't even think you can call this place Indian cuisine.
(3)
Jeff O.
Damn yeah! Thank you please. This place is great. Went here for dinner and everything was fantastic. Samosas, paneer pakora, and garlic naan started things off. For dinner I tried the Chana Saag (chicks peas and spinach in a sauce--something I've never seen before) and also my friend's Malai Kofta which was delicious. Prices were very good, atmosphere is classy and service was spot on. I hope to go back for the buffet sometime while I'm camping out here. Highly recommended if you're near Penn State.
(5)
Caroline S.
Best Indian in State College. The buffet is excellent. Great price and good selection, especially for vegetarians. The waiters are helpful and accommodating. The mango lassi is the best I've had in a while. I wish I could eat here every day.
(5)
Clark G.
Excellent Indian food. The restaurant looks dirty and can be; but the food is good and not too expensive.
(3)
Julianne D.
Oh, India Pavilion. I remember when your lunch buffet was $5.95 (back when I was an undergraduate at Penn State during the pre-cell phone era and had to walk ten miles in the snow, barefoot, to get to class; do I sound like an old codger yet?). Besides the price increase, not much has changed at IP since those years: not the decor or the food or the management. The owner is super friendly and welcomes customers--especially repeat--warmly. The food is okay. Don't expect to be blown away. It's solid, decent Indian food that seems slightly Americanized. While I've never been to India, I do have several friends and family members that either are Indian or have lived in India. They are the ones who tell me that IP's food is mild in flavor and very, very heavily spiked with ghee (clarified butter). Oh, well. It's tasty when I'm in the mood for it. Plenty of vegetarian options on the menu and on the buffet line, as well. Try and stick to one plate instead of going back to the buffet for more food. Your stomach will thank you later. One annoyance that I must point out: what's up with the naan stinginess? Is it expensive or too time-consuming in productivity for them to keep it on the buffet line/bring to your table without being nagged? The people dolling out the naan always come to your table and ask you how many pieces you want...dude/dudette--at least one per person, if not more. And please don't look at us like we're eating you out of business if we ask for more than one piece of naan.
(3)
Yvonne B.
We're vegetarian and this Indian resto has many option and tasty too.
(4)
Seth S.
Pro's: If you want Spicy, you get spicy, solid Indian Food, patient wait staff Con's: Service is slow So we went in thinking we would have seven in the group and we took over the big table. Then we moved to a smaller table after waiting 45 minutes. Finally the other 4 showed up and we moved back to the large table. The wait staff was very patient with us as they cleaned up our table three times. Usually I can't get food spicy enough, but the dishes here, when requested extra spicy, packed a punch. The server is really slow, so if you are cutting it close on time, don't go, but if you want to catch up with friends, or on a date, then you can probably deal with the delay. I gave them an extra star for putting up with us moving three times. It's solid Indian food.
(4)
Emily N.
I wanted to try something new, so I thought I would try Indian pavilion. I went during one of their lunch buffet times and I was really happy with my experience. If you don't know if you like Indian food, it's a great way to try out several different things. If you love Indian food, you won't be disappointed. I have taken friends and family members who were visiting and they all found something they liked.
(4)
Niamh O.
India Pavilion was my first exposure to Indian food (eight years ago!), and it remains the standard against which I measure Indian buffets. The buffet and the dinner selection have to be addressed separately. The lunch buffet is a complete steal. They always lay out at least eight main dishes (an even mix of vegetarian and meat), as well as bringing baskets of naan to the tables. With an $8 price tag, it's hard to resist, and the food is reliably good (while not amazing). The saag, the chicken tikka masala, and the daal dishes are my personal favorites. Also the biryani. As for dinner, it's definitely pricier, but the food is higher quality, as it's made to order. The place is rarely packed at dinner, whereas it always is for lunch. It's BYOB, which is nice. I highly recommend the lamb curry and any potato dish. And if you go often enough (as I did), you'll come to know the owners, and they'll come out and speak with you during your meal. I always think this is an excellent sign of a wonderful local.
(4)
Casey W.
- recommend: chicken tikka masala w/ naan - much better than Masala Fine Indian Cuisine - fast delivery - pleasant staff - overall rating: 3.5
(3)
Van B.
authentic!
(5)
Jen D.
Best in town. Sunday special totally worth it. Big fan of their rice pudding and curry chicken. I graduated from PSU in 2000 and went back a few years ago for college reunion... Visiting this restaurant brought back great memories and experienced good dining for reasonable price again. Love this place.
(3)
Dariño H.
Service is TERRIBLE. I ordered a meal and it took them 45 minutes to get it ready - the restaurant wasn't even packed. When we got our foods, it was the wrong one. I told the waitress that the food was wrong, but she argued back that it wasn't. They even charged both of us the WRONG prices for the food and we had to fight to pay the correct prices. The food was also not that great and I recommend KAARMA over this place.
(2)
T. N.
Very reasonable buffet. We all loved it - even the kids. I really like the spinach dish and potato pancakes. They were very welcoming to our party of four adults and two toddlers. Lots of gluten free options.
(5)
Lynn J.
so i must've really been a poor starving college student back in the day with little to no experience with indian food...this place used to taste so GOURMET to me, but then again...indian food in central PA, need i say more? i went back as an alumna and i guess my palate has expanded since my college days because the buffet didn't tickle my tongue like it used to. the chicken makhni was a little on the bland side and for chicken that was taking a luxurious bath in a decadent sauce...it was still dry. for college students, this place is definitely great, but for someone who has seen/tasted more of the world...don't expect too much
(2)
Andrew S.
I went here once and went here for the second time yesterday with friends for the lunch buffet. I read the review about better dinner menu, but unfortunately we went here again for the lunch so my review will be based on the lunch experience. We went there at 2.05pm. Almost a closing time, but we went it we could see that they still served the food and we went ahead and helped ourselves for the food after got seated. The choices of food were like usual: rice, rice cakes, some lentil with yogurt, some curry soup, orange-colored chicken curry, and grilled chicken (the best of all and I think all patrons want this chicken). We got full servings of all except for dessert, because it was already past 2.30pm when we helped ourselves for dessert. The food tasted pretty good, like usual, 7.5/10 rating. It was fulfilling and I was pretty satisfied with the food. There was no wait to be seated. I liked it. And you don't have to worry to split the bill since you can just pay individually when you are done at the cashier. Price-wise, it was a pretty cheap restaurant to go to. The place is also neat and the waitresses are nice. They checked on us everytime if we needed another thin-baked bread or more water. 5/5 service rating. I might check the dinner and will update if I will ever try it.
(3)
Anjali M.
I'm a fan of India Pavillion. They have provided me with many blissful naps in the afternoon due to food coma from their lunch buffets. When I was a student at PSU, there were a couple Indian restaurants opening and then closing down. But India Pavillion bore the storm. This may not be the best Indian food you've ever had, but when you're in State College, this is the best you can get in town. All the South Asian students [and their friends!] really like this place, even for catering. They're pretty good with service on catering, so if you need something for an event, be it for an on-campus event or for a big shindig, definitely try them out! I've also done the sit-down menu and it was pretty good. Same fare as you would receive at other comparable Indian restaurants. The lunch buffet is their best deal and all I can think about while writing this are those cute dosas. Mmm, dosas. There are plenty of other veggie and non-veggie options on the buffet line, so don't you worry! There's pretty much plenty of space around to walk by unless the buffet line is huge. Otherwise, you should be good :) The owner is really nice here. When my family and I talked to him, he offered that if I needed anything while I was away from my parents that I should him know. Aw, now that's really sweet.
(4)
Courtney H.
My reasons to complain just show that it is a well liked restaurant, so my review might not be so helpful It's just too busy of a place during the lunch buffet, which takes away from enjoying the food. There are plenty of employees so you are never left wanting, but it's like having a bunch of butterflies flying around you the whole time (I happen to like their outfits). Food was too tangy for me, not spicy enough, and too salty, but my husband didn't seem to mind; he still likes India Pavilion more than Kaarma. I Think that I might find the dinner more enjoyable, and it appears that the dinner prices are much more reasonable than other Indian restaurants I have been too in Bloomington, IN, Columbia, MO (other college towns) and Chicago, IL.
(3)
Jackie V.
I think Yelp's three-star description of "A-OK" is a pretty fair assessment. I would like to add, however, that the wait staff and manager are VERY nice; it definitely adds to the overall atmosphere and dining experience. So, back to the A-OK bit. The food was pretty good...I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the buffet was rather disappointing. Everything seemed pretty dairy-laden (sorry, vegans, you're SOL with the buffet!) and it seems to be the same rotation of dishes. I guess I can't necessarily blame them; I'm not sure if the market here really demands a lot of variety in the Indian food. I came in with a group of 5 during after the regular lunch rush, and 2 of us ordered off the menu while the other 3 had buffet. Ordering off the menu was the only way to get what looked like a tasty, dairy-free meal, but man, the service was S-L-O-W. By the time we got our meals, the buffet go-ers had gone up 3x and finished the pitcher of water on the table. The food itself wasn't bad, but it wasn't as flavorful as I was expecting. Cest le vie, I suppose. My quest for a go-to Indian spot here in SC continues....but for those of you who have never had Indian food, I'd recommend giving this place a try, as long as you have plenty of time to dine and aren't looking to avoid butter & cream.
(3)
Dave H.
My Indian friend took me to one of her favorite dinner spots - India Pavilion - to try out the local "exotic" Indian cuisine. It was reasonably crowded for the time of night. I think it was around 8pm but I forgot to check my watch. We were seated quickly in a booth. Their food was warm and appetizing. The panna (is that right?) bread was good. Chana saag (spinach), one of my favorite Indian dishes, was delicious here! There's a lunch buffet available here that I haven't tried. It's tucked out of the way in on Calder Way but worth a trip if you're in the mood for Indian at Penn State.
(3)
Megan K.
Great Indian food. The place can be a bit dark but I think that is what they are going for? Excellent food at dinner and they do a lunch buffet that changes regularly. Prices are reasonable and their Naan (bread) is amazing!
(4)
Austin T.
I came here for the lunch buffet; it was alright. It got a little annoying to have four different sauces mix repeatedly on my plate, but the naan was exceptionally good at wiping it up [it tastes good, too]. Also annoying was the continual running-out of plates and food at the buffet. grr :{ BUT i left full. The server was pretty chill and it was pretty amusing to watch other people play guess-the-ingredients with every dish. I probably wouldn't come back here, but I'm also not particularly fond of [Exotic] Indian Cuisine. Come if you love your curries...
(3)
Emily A.
After having moved to State College and eaten at the India Pavilion for dinner, I'll bump them up to four stars. Dinner entrees were better (and spicier) than the items on the lunch buffet, and service was competent. The BYOB option is nice as well. This still does not compare to my favorite Indian places back in Columbus, but I am sure I will eat here many times while living in State College.
(4)
Gaurav S.
The food in the buffet is decent, but they are way too stingy with their naans. You have to almost beg for them, like you're a homeless person in a soup kitchen. And even then, they take their own sweet time bringing it for you. I wonder if it's a ploy to save money and force people to eat more rice. Whatever the reason, I experienced it twice, and am definitely never going back. Kaarma, their competitors, may not have great food but at least their service is good.
(2)
bob t.
I ate here with a pretty knowledgable vegatarian Indian-o-phile, who spends a month a year in india one evening (that is, well, parse it the way you want to). I like Indian restaurants from traveling to places with good indian restaurants. He thought the food was unimaginative and not at all worth going back to. I, on the other hand, thought it was ok, but not great. So, it could have been the evening, or the chef, but I'm still looking. If they do do delivery, which I did not know, that would be a plus.
(2)
Justin E.
It's a golden rule that my wife and friends of mine have to go here at least once a week, as their lunch buffet is incredible, and I usually don't like buffets. The main dishes are very tasty, as well as their desserts. This place is quite popular at lunch time, so try to get there around 11:45am to beat the lunch rush!
(5)
Yvette A.
LOVE everything I've tried. Best North Indian food I've had anywhere and it's nestled in the middle of downtown State College. Highly recommend the Chicken Tikka Masala. Oh and you can bring your own wine without worrying about a corking fee.
(5)
Alicia P.
I just spent the weekend at State College visiting my best friend, who'd been telling me about this place for a week before I got up there. Being the skeptic Miami girl I can't help being, I braced myself for an average experience but left wishing I could carry the Tikka Massala back in a bucket for daily consumption. I'm officially impressed and now on the hunt for comparable noms in Miami.
(5)
Megan D.
I've had a lot of Indian food in my life and I still think India Pavilion is wonderful. (A lot of my Indian friends also think IP is quite good, which has to prove something, right?) Lunch buffet is awesome. Comes with bottomless naan and there are usually at least three vegetarian options. Not to mention rice, an appetizer, and dessert! I've also been here for dinner plenty of times. I think I've tried every vegetarian option on the menu. My favorites include Mutter Paneer, Daal Makhani, Chana Masala, Saag Paneer, Navratan Korma, and Malai Kofta. Good samosas and pakoras. The Shahi Kulcha is naan stuffed with cheese and spices...it's pretty awesome. Their Kheer and Mango Lassis are also quite good. Very warm, friendly environment. Attentive staff. BYOB. IP, I miss you.
(5)
Marlee S.
India Pavilion is good if you're craving Indian food and you're stuck in State College. The chicken makhani (their version of chicken tikka masala) is the best dish there, although it tastes more tomato-ey than i prefer. The naan is good, and the lunch buffet is definitely worth it if you plan to eat a lot. You can also do lunch buffet to go for $4.50/pound. I always have really great naps after eating here.
(3)
Sandy M.
Excellent lunch buffet!! There are currently three Indian lunch buffets in State College, but this is by far the most popular and has the nicest atmosphere. Staff is friendly and wait for a table is usually very short; the busiest time is about 12:15 p.m. when everyone comes in for their lunch hours. An excellent place for your first introduction to Indian cuisine. Not too spicy, fresh and cool replenished water at every table, and the recent addition of naan brought to every table make this a fast and filling treat. Don't forget the sweet and yummy Kheer (rice pudding) for dessert! India Pavilion closes for a short time in the afternoon, then reopens for dinner with a full menu with lots of variety. My one and only nighttime experience there was pleasant, intimate, and a nice change from the hustle and bustle of the lunchtime crowd. Restaurant is BYOB. Lunch buffet is around $6.95 a person; dinners vary but are probably $$ in range, with a few more expensive options.
(5)
Harry T.
Food is good and staff very courteous. Very good for lunch buffet for the vast number of hungry but poor students like me. What could make this place better? The decor is stale, needs freshening. Kitchen needs good ventilation so the dining area and the patrons do not smell like kitchen, after spending some time in here. Handicap access would be nice.
(3)
Ellen D.
India Pavilion is one of the best restaurants in the State College area. The competition isn't high, given that the vast majority of restaurants focus on fast food and menu limited to wings, pizza, and soda. But even putting aside the lack of competition, India Pavilion should be a regular go-to restaurant. The staff and owner make it a warm, welcoming place with good service and good Indian food. The owner is very community minded. I've had Indian food at many places in many cities, and except for the very elite Indian restaurants, India Pavilion stands up to all of them. In fact, their food is so good that this restaurant located in the very center of rural Pennsylvania has been hired to cater events in Cleveland, Ohio. A very big city. They have a good vegetarian selection, good breads, and lively spicing. I am not much of a desert eater, but I would make a pitch for their kheer. I've only eaten at their lunch buffet once and was pleased to see some items not on their regular menu. Buffets in general are problematic, in my view, but I thought theirs was decent and a great deal for those on limited budgets.
(4)
raquel s.
The Lunch Buffett that I eagerly awaited two weeks for and that everyone talks about ended my obsession with the Indian Pavilion, but I've still got an orangish red spot on my beige carpet to remind me of it. Indian food is messy-- I get that. I'm messy-- I get that, too. But what I don't understand is why the restaurant doesn't get that if you are sending people through a buffet line to take out, that an ordinary, cheap, thin styrofoam container with no seal and one divider in it will suffice. Even though I tried to be careful with my much thought about lunch, by the time I arrived at my apartment, and put it on my kitchen table and opened my bag, sauce leaked from it right onto my carpet. Not to mention, every thing I put in my container was now on top of each other. I love lentils, I love falafel, which is what I thought this would be slightly like, yet the lentil balls in creamy yogurt sauce were absolutely the worst textured thing I can remember eating in a long time. The fat on the chicken wasn't trimmed again, and even though its in a rich creamy tomato sauce, you can still taste it. YUCK. There is an older gentleman, very thin, who sits in the back at a table in a dimly lit area and watches you as you go through the buffet line. Good idea, somewhat poor execution. It would have been better if I knew he was there. There was absolutely no heat, no spice, no kick, and almost no flavor to anything I chose-- and I took a nice selection. I'd like to comment again how stingy they are with the Naan. Incredible. LOL, even though you are paying for it by the pound, they still don't want to give you more than 2 pieces. I'm under the impression they used to give it out to you for free. I guess times are tough but I get the sense that this annoys a lot of people. Still, there was a decent crowd of people on a finals week Tuesday when it's almost pretty deserted. On the up side, the owner is nice. He is personable, he is friendly, he seems kind. And I like to support businesses with good owners. Despite what everyone said-- Go to the buffet, the buffet is so cheap, etc. the best way to enjoy the indian pavilion is by going for dinner.
(2)
Matthew D.
I love it here. I worked here briefly washing dishes in the back. The staff is lovely, and they hooked me up nicely at the end of the night with generous portions of food to take home. One of my best friends is Hindu, and I grew up eating his mother's south Indian cooking. I pretty much judge all Indian food by those standards, but there are a lot of dishes I haven't tried, particularly the northern fare. I have to say everything I've eaten here has been spectacular. The lunch buffet rocks. The naan rocks too...and they have all different flavors, I believe. It's nice inside too and has a cozy atmosphere. I remember that not a lot of younger students went here. I guess they'll take Gumby's Pizza or Wing Zone over some chana masala. What I'm saying is you'll have a more adult crowd here. I saw one of my film professors eating dinner one night. I think it's also BYOB if I'm not mistaken. It's the best Indian food in State College.
(4)
Hayley B.
India Pavilion is great. I usually come for the lunch buffet because it's affordable, and delicious. I would definitely recommend it. Also, the owners are super sweet, and really helpful. I came here once for lunch with a friend who was allergic to lentils. There weren't many lentil-free options at the buffet, so she mentioned this to our waiter, and he went to the kitchen and had them make her another dish. It was great.
(5)
Jennifer M.
I now live in an area with abundant Indian restaurants and still miss the Pavilion. The buffet had plenty of food for vegetarians and the staff was always friendly. You can eat a bit more economically by getting takeout from the buffet and eating somewhere nice outside. I used to pay something like $3-4 for lunch.
(4)
A. T.
Above average Indian food. Their buffet is a good combination of the usual suspects and a couple unique dishes. Good atmosphere. If I'm in the mood for Indian food, this is my first choice in State College.
(4)
Jane A.
Great lunch buffet! There aren't much variety, but the food is great and very clean and the naan is delicious and the best part is you get endless naan!
(4)
Brian B.
Came for the lunch buffet a few days ago and can't complain. For $8.50 (after tax), you get a generously full and well-staffed buffet. Although the food isn't the world's best, it's delicious and inoffensive to those trying it out for the first time. For being a lunch buffet, the restaurant was PACKED. Went through two plates and a dessert and left full.
(4)
Kyra S.
This place is great, my family and I went here for dinner and everything we had was delicious. My coconut curry was the most flavorful I've ever had, and the naan, although a bit over cooked, was also amazing. My little sister, a very picky eater, was able to find something that she found delicious on the vast and varying menu. After ordering the food, however, it seemed that my party and I were neglected. We had to wait forty minutes after finishing our meals to get the check in a nearly empty restaurant. On the other hand, the food was phenomenal, and quite cheap on a college student's budget.
(4)
Brent G.
This place is ok. I think for Indian food it tends to be on the blander side but that may be because they tend to not make the food as spicy as most other places. The chicken at the buffet can be dry at times but still pretty good. It could just be that it has been sitting out for a while but it still has good flavor. The buffet as a whole is pretty affordable compared to what I am used to in the SF Bay Area. I have been for dinner as well and my assessment doesn't really change, still a bit bland but fairly affordable.
(3)
Rachel G.
Good, standard Indian food with a well-stocked buffet. I wonder, though I'm no expert, about some of the dishes' authenticity--one of the buffet dishes on my first visit looked and tasted like fried popcorn chicken in a cream curryish sauce. To add to other reviewers' insights: this place, like Cozy Thai, is BYO. We came here last spring with a large group and our waiter provided a much-appreciated ice bucket for our white wine.
(3)
Alice W.
So here's the deal, I used to use the lunch buffet to satiate my hunger after long bike rides ALL THE TIME. Lately, I have been less than satisfied. This place can be awesome or so-so, its a little hit or miss. When I have gone for dinner, the spice level is right on, hot = hot perfection.
(3)
Scott G.
My friend Pilar and I would frequent the lunch buffet. I remember the food being awesome, however, this was the first Indian place I had ever been to. To this day, the chicken tikka masala is memorable. I haven't had another that has impressed me like India Pavilion's did.
(4)
J S.
This review is about the buffet lunch, not the menu based orders. Good quality if not imaginative Indian buffet. There was nothing that really stands out compared to any others I have been to.
(4)
Jess G.
For a simple girl who doesn't get too fancy with international cuisine, Indian Pavilion is perfect. The lunch buffet is one of my favorite places to go to and I never walk away disappointed. Service is a bit sow, but if you can deal with delayed water refills, you'll do just fine.
(5)
Martin M.
busy Thursday night, high decibel level--good thing there is some carpeting on the floor. I order non-veg thali, ask waiter to tell Indian chef to make it as hot as he would like it.....am disappointed that it comes out wimpy. Did they not take me seriously? At least, the flavors are fresh and complex. Lots of rice & sauce...bit skimpy on the meat....the food takes a long time to come out. Service: friendly enough, but needs to learn 1) the subtle art of checking on tables to see if anything they need (water refill? clean fork?...waiter would come out into dining room, do a quick scope, and disappear back into kitchen without making it over to us! I finally resorted to a biiig arm wave) and 2) the essential practice of picking up what's not needed anymore! By the end of the meal, the (large) table is covered with empty nan baskets, dirty plates etc., looks like a staging area for the dishwasher. Overall.....meh....OK, I believe this is the best Indian food in State College, but it could be quite a lot better for not a lot of effort. Female member of our party reported that bathroom was apparently clean, but had strong mold odour....
(3)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :222 E Calder Way
State College, PA, 16801
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
India is the birth place of Chicken Tikka Masala and Curries. Indian foods are prepared with a blend of finely mixed spices quite popular across the region. The spices develop the rich taste in Indian food enough to boggle your mind. The ever-increasing fan base of Indian food around the New York city is steadily increasing because of the large number of Indians who traveled to the land of dreams. The Indians also brought their very own vibrant, colorful, and aromatic authentic dishes for the people in the West. While most of the Indian population is Vegetarian, Indian food is great for people who are looking for vegan or vegetarian food option. If you are a Meat lover, don't get disappointed yet. Indian food also boasts of some popular non-vegetarian dishes too. Few examples are the famous Butter Chicken, Mutton Biryani and Tandoori Chicken are enough to satisfy your taste buds.
Indian food has gained reputation all over the world especially in the United States. You can find many places serving the appetizing Indian food across all major cities in the US. India is a diverse country with different food culture originated from different parts of the country. While the Northern region boasts tandoori dishes and korma offering royal taste, the Western Ghats offers sea foods that is made in naturally sweet tender coconut milk. The South Indian food servers a quality of different dishes made from rice accompanied with spicy chutneys, curries and famous sambhar. Also, the Indian sweets are a delight to relish. If you ever want to have a burst of sugar syrup in mouth, don't forget to try few Bengali Sweets. Be it spicy, tangy, or sweet flavor, you can find everything in the Indian cuisine. Be assured that the melody of spices will surely bring delight to you.
Liltuscany M.
I greatly prefer this Indian place over Karma. Hubby prefers Kaarma. I'll speak to India Pavillion. The buffet has more options. The restaurant is bigger. The sweet curry dessert is AMAZING. I could swim in that dish! Their curry/tomato dishes on the buffet and their spinach dish are my favorites. I prefer India Pavillion to almost every restaurant in State College! Their Naan is served warm. They have a mini salad bar included with the buffet. The man who appears to be the owner is very sweet. My ONLY..and I mean ONLY complaint, is that if you do takeout from the buffet, and order Naan, they weigh not only the naan but the foil AND parchment paper, too. I'm pretty sure that's not legal. I never see them change the 'tare' weight. Ive heard stories about special meals they sell/serve for Indian holidays. I'd LOVE to know when those happen!
(5)Leslie S.
Delicious and fresh, made to order food every time! Chicken makhani is always a good choice as is the mango lassi!
(3)M C.
I'm a huge fan of Indian food, but Indian Pavilion is just ok. I've eaten here a few times for the lunch buffet (around $9 on weekdays with unlimited free naan refills) and at dinner from the regular menu. The chicken tikka masala was good but it tasted a lot different than at other restaurants I've eaten around Philly. It's also really dark inside the restaurant -- better lighting is definitely needed!
(3)Cindy L.
Not the better Indian buffet of the two in State College. They have nice interior decoration and the place looks nice for a group of people. As far as the food and flavors go, this place is lacking. Customer service is also lacking. I want to be able to eat delicious Indian cuisine and still think about it after, but this place did not do that for me.
(3)Rob H.
The food is ok here - just ok. Their breads are good and the main courses are also good. The service is bad though. We came on a night that was not too busy and I noticed most of the patrons including us were frustrated with the bad service. We had to ask 3 times for our drinks and they finally served drinks with our main course. The appetizers came out with dinner too. For food they rate 3 but service is a 1. So I gave them 2 stars
(2)Jared J.
Not the better Indian Buffet of State College. I'll hand it to them they have a nice ambiance. You can get your Indian staples here, but expect to be cut off from ordering additional Naan. Beware, customer service is experience is lacking. Kaarma buffet is a much better option.
(2)Sa K.
I was trying to come to this place for six months. I finally made it today! My friend Jaskiran is from India, and she said the food is very good. She was not wrong about it. From 11.30am to 2:30pm every day, there's a buffet. You can eat as much as you want and as many times you want to serve yourself. The place is very cozy. The waitress are dressed like Indians. Theres a guy all the time offering flat bread, home made bread, and very tasty! I Like it! And I recommend it!
(4)Elizabeth G.
I love Indian Pavillion. As an American, I think the food tastes exactly the same as it did when I was in India. However, my Indian friends say there are some differences. Most recently I went for the lunch buffet with some friends. It was $9.49 and included all the naan you can eat, a variety of starters and entrees (lentil balls in yogurt, dal tadka, chicken makhani and more). We arrived at 1:45pm and the buffet ends at 2:30pm. Some of the food on the buffet was a little cold, assuming that was because we arrived so late. All things aside, this is the best place for Indian food in Central PA!
(5)Marybeth M.
When I was in school, I went to the buffet at least twice a month. 99% sure the owner recognizes me. They have lots of choices with a few dishes that are always offered (tandoori chicken, butter chicken, a saag dish, and of course rice and naan). There are two dining rooms, so you shouldn't ever have to wait. I've been here once for dinner, and it is a little on the expensive side (for State College), but that's very typical with Indian food. Dinner was excellent, especially because at dinner you can actually get spicy food! My one complaint: turn on the lights! I understand that dimmer lighting is supposed to be romantic, but when I'm stuffing my face to cure my college hangover, I don't need romance. IP is essentially in a basement, so there isn't that much natural light. Please turn up the lights! Don't wear tight pants to the buffet, and plan for nap time immediately afterwards.
(5)Taehyun P.
Okay, all the Indian kids said this place was terrible, but my roommate and I loved it. So I guess foreign palettes will like this place! Besides the fact that it's super dark in here, the staff is always friendly and attentive, and the food is on point. I always ordered the tiki masala!! Also, we loved how they served fried naanish chipish looking things with sauce as a free appetizer :) Another great thing about this place is that they allow customers to bring in their own alcohol if they'd like to drink it, so there were many couples drinking fancy wine on their dates!
(4)Xiujie Z.
Varieties of gourmet, price is quite reasonable. One of the best for lunch.
(4)Michael M.
Indian Pavilion is a rather unexciting lunch experience for those in the mood for Indian cuisine. The selections available through the buffet are mediocre, with the curries and other sauces being runny and lackluster, the Chicken Tandoori being lukewarm (at best) and under-seasoned, and an embarrassing offering of Indian-style Fries. The Food: (below average) At this point in my life, I have enjoyed several Indian buffets and have come to expect a certain standard in quality and selection. The sad truth about Indian Pavilion is that it has a good selection of Indian cuisine available for the lunch before; however the quality of the food suggests they are more passionate about making an extra dollar than gaining long-term customers. The Atmosphere: (average) Indian Pavilion is located in a sub-ground level nook that offers a sort of private ambiance for small and large parties to separate from the masses of students and street traffic of downtown State College. Unfortunately, Indian Pavilion doesn't let this unique atmosphere into its dining premises. Once inside, you have some average seating, little to no music, and some nice pictures of Indian culture on the wall. But nothing feels authentic, and aside from the buffet, nothing feels particular "Indian" about this restaurant. The Price: (average) Considering that you are free to fill your tummy to your hearts content, an $8.95 buffet is the standard and reasonable rate. The limitless nature is the only reason this is average, however I have no urge to go back and spend it again. The Service: (below average) You get the strong vibe that the waitresses are purely composed of college students just trying to make a buck. Which by all means, amen! But it translated into a bunch of waitresses (I only remember seeing ladies) that really had no connection to the culture or passion for the food. Also, I found little to no personality (like not even a "How are you today?") from my waitress. The service was similar to the food: forgettable.
(2)Noor N.
The food is good, don't get me wrong but every time I come here the service is horrendous! It takes on average (I timed it) 45 minutes to get your food, even if we're the only people in the resteraunt!!! For clarification I used to go with a group of 3 other friends which can account for a longer service time but not 45 minutes
(1)Serena G.
The best of the best of restaurants in State College. The aesthetics are calming, the staff is amazing and the food is delicious! On every sit down occasion, the executive staff has inquired about my opinion, which is never short of extremely pleased. Even take out is neatly packed and labeled. Never a mistake and always a smile!! You won't be disappointed!
(5)Sundeep R.
Good place purely for the buffet. Has a good spread but is pretty standard spread all through the week except on weekends when they serve idly and dosa (rice pancakes). I frequent this place not because of the great food but because it is only 2 or three places that offer Indian food in state college. The a la carte menu is very disappointing and gets a two star. Really bad Biryani. I usually get naan breads and butter chicken off the menu because every time I've ordered anything else, I've been disappointed. Mango lassi is not bad.
(4)Irina D.
This is my favorite Indian restaurant in State College. My husband & I have been regulars here for several years. I've read some reviews about the vindaloo being too spicy; that's like calling your pint of Ben & Jerry's "too cold." ;) (Vindaloo is supposed to be spicy, people!) :) Food wait times are average for any (non-fast food) restaurant, and while busy, there is never a wait for a table or those awful beepers! The service is good to great, depending on who is working that day. (It has often been great, as the owner and his family are really quite hospitable and take care that you enjoy your meal.) they make most dishes as mild or spicy as you like. Go for the extensive menu and the best naan in town!
(5)Zeyu W.
I should say that the food is just so so. Way worse than the Indian food that I ate in new york. Too salty... the place is hard to find at the first time but the environment is actually good with the dark light...
(3)Andrea Liza R.
Fairly pricey but well worth it. The food has that warm, homestyle feel and taste. The restaurant is warm, ambient and beautiful. Portions are average, although I do feel they should offer more rice. Naan is great. Waitresses are kind. Their sauces are not as hot as one would expect and so for a Latina like me who loves spicy food, I have to order the hottest. Overall, a wonderful place. Much, much better than Kaarma.
(4)Dan H.
They have lunch buffet which is way, way better than normal other Chinese cuisine buffet! The Mango Lassi, MUST TRY.
(5)Ashish S.
Decent meal for a more than decent price !! Good service, the food just about justifies an authentic Indian cuisine !! Can go again!!
(4)Megan L.
Everyone goes here for the buffet and yes it's great especially during the weekends cus they bring out the chana masala.. But you have to go for dinner so you can try everything else on the menu. All their curries are amazing and the korma is amazing
(5)Rachel Z.
Awesome for dinner. I love their Chicken Tikka Masala and Cheesey Naan (perfect to dip in the tikka masala). I orderd them spiced Medium, which has just a small kick. BYOB. One of my favorite restaurants in State College. Service is awesome too.
(5)Angela M.
After spending two days cooking, we treated ourselves to some great Indian food. My BFF and her husband love coming to this place, and so does their toddler. At 6pm on a Sunday night, we were immediately seated at one of the booths, and they brought a high chair for the little one. We ordered quickly since we were hungry, and Kate pointed out that their service can be a tad slow. The lavosh and sauces managed to hold us over until our veggie pakora, aloo tikki, and cheese naan arrived as appetizers. The veggie pakora was quite good, particularly with the spicy green sauce. The aloo tikki was a little on the mushy side - it could've been crisper on the outside. The cheese naan was all for the toddler, but she seemed to love it. For the mains we had the saag paneer, the baingan bharta, and the chicken curry, with plain and garlic naan. It doesn't look like much when it arrives, but it's quite filling. My favorite was probably the saag paneer with its creamy spinach and yummy cheese. The baingan bharta was pretty thick. I'm no expert when it comes to this dish, so maybe it's supposed to be, but I would have preferred a little thinner so as to give me a better reason to sop it up with the naan. The chicken curry had good flavor and very large pieces of chicken. With all the apps, naan, and rice, we managed to have some of each entree left so that one could eat it for lunch the next day. Prices seem about right for what I normally pay for dinner at Indian places. The servers kept our water glasses filled and didn't seem to mind dealing with a very excited little one. The place filled up as the night went on so that most tables in the right half of the restaurant were full.
(4)Alanna B.
It has been awhile since I've eaten here, but this is one of the best Indian foods in the State College area. The prices maybe a little high, but I have never had a disappointing dish from here. I always got take out, and for a party of 1, I always had at least 3 meals from 2 dishes. My favorite dishes were Chicken Tikka Masala.......I can't remember the other one. Enjoy!
(4)R B.
My favorite indian restaurant so far. I love the food, the price is right, it's convenient, and the atmosphere is great. My favorite is the chicken tikka masala but you can't go wrong with anything.
(5)David R.
I had amazing food here, every time. They have a nicely balanced menu that includes a large vegetarian section and fish, on top of chicken and lamb dishes. I've sampled a number of them: they can compete even with the good Indian restaurants of Pittsburgh. Indian people seem to come here. Good sign. Service is spotty, but friendly. (I don't care if the food is that good!)
(5)Yaima R.
Their lunch buffet is very good, I enjoy Indian food and find the buffet to be inexpensive; while offering very tasty choices. The flavors are very authentic as well.
(4)Flint W.
Good food and service. The lamb vindaloo is perfect in spiciness and tangyness. The bad? Management had someone run a vacuum cleaner for twenty minutes until I approached them. Lighting was also too dim to read
(4)Carolyn M.
For me, this is the ultimate Indian restaurant in State College. The lunch buffet is a great value at $7.95 and I believe the takeout buffet was only 4.50/lb., which was ridiculously inexpensive for how good the food is. The selection is varied and there is always Tandoori Chicken, just in case you have a picky eater along with you. It can get a little crowded during lunch because a lot of people in town know how great a deal it is, but I haven't encountered an unpleasant crowd at dinner. Dinner is menu only, I almost always go for Chicken Makhani, as spicy as you ask for, and a Mango Lassi - delicious! Never had a bad meal at India Pavilion. BYOB - no cork fees and closed on Mondays. There is a metered parking garage that usually isn't too packed (unless it's a football weekend, graduation or some other university event) right behind the place.
(5)Kristy Y.
The food was good, but a bit overpriced for my taste. Lunch is a much better deal than dinner.
(2)Meghan C.
Not much to say about India Pavilion other than a super consistent thumbs up! I've been coming here since I was in high school, and the quality is always on point. The menu is pretty typical of an Indian restaurant, but I've never had a bad dish here. The lunch buffet is usually pretty busy, but worth it, as there's usually a pretty good variety of stuff. I'm so grateful State College has a good Indian restaurant. Hope it sticks around for years to come! BYOB, no corkage fee. Sweet.
(4)James P.
Good food. Accommodating of spicy requests. Very friendly, though less attentive than I'd like service-wise. (Specifically, it's just a reality that water is going to be drained fast here; they do come around periodically, but not fast enough that my glass wasn't empty several times, even intentionally pacing myself to respond to the anticipated slow refill.)
(4)Andres L.
Lunch buffet: tandoori chicken is so good. I love chicken though. The seasoning and flavor is incredible. All the other stuff are eh. Dinner: india pavilion special. Comes with a bunch of meat. Tandoori chicken- two pieces (amazing), chicken pieces that taste like tandoori, one piece of shrimp and the driest, saltiest sausage pieces. Went with a group so we shared each others curries. They were all relatively tasty. Make sure to get medium though, the mild lacks flavor. Bread was good too. Been here three times and always leave with a to go box. Portions look small but they fill you up. It should be said that this is the only indian restaurant i've ever been to.
(5)Mike T.
This is a pretty good Indian Restaurant as far as the lunch buffet goes. The weekend Buffet is a really nice size and also really inexpensive for an Indian Lunch. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a good cheap meal that's actually quality while in State College.
(4)Matt O.
I have to write an update before we move from State College and I forget. I previously complained about the at times unexplainable high prices, and the dry chicken. I have to recant those complaints, as the past two visits here have been in direct contradiction. The price the past two times has been perfectly in line with the menu, and every meal we've ordered has been under $30. Also, the chicken has been fantastic, the flavor of the sauce robust, and the rice has been delicate and cooked perfectly. I'm very happy to say I can recommend India Pavilion again, they seem to have stepped up their game.
(4)Chris D.
I'm still kind of new to the Indian food scene, but I really liked this place. I went here on a date and had excellent service. All the food was good, I had a lamb and onions dish. The rice was also very tasty, we ended up ordering an extra side of rice. I would definitely come back here!
(4)Rowan R.
If you've never had Indian food before, the lunch buffet here is a good place to start. The buffet is well stocked with both meaty and vegetarian choices, and the food is mild and pleasant. Try a mango lassi or even better the Masala Spiced Chai steeped in milk...mmmm. If you want to get a better idea of the food here, come for dinner and order off the regular menu. The made to order food is far superior to the buffet fare...I can highly recommend the Chicken Korma and the Malai Kofta. For dessert, their kheer is lovely as is the gulab jamun. I had IP cater my wedding...and they did an fantastic job! Everything was hot, tasty, fresh and there on time.
(4)Chris R.
This was my first time to Indian Pavilion. I expected much more based on all the good reviews, but unfortunately I was very disappointed. Worst chicken tikka masala I've ever had, and the "medium" (how I always order it anywhere else) lamb vindaloo was too spicy to finish it. Sadly I won't be returning.
(2)Sam B.
Huge fan and family friendly. My family looks forward to making weekly visits. Owners are very nice and food is delicious.
(5)Michael B.
Great Saturday buffett
(4)Laura R.
Delicious and vegetarian friendly. A great find for central PA.
(5)Eric P.
Best lunch in State College for the money. Dinner is good too.
(4)Resha M.
Food- decent/good nothing spectacular Service- horrible, waited for more than an hour to get our meals, took them 15 min just for our drinks
(2)Brent W.
This place is an absurdly great deal. For something like $8, the lunch buffet is top-notch -- I've been to other places that offer only a random smattering of drippy curries and flaccid naan. But their offerings include the full range of different potato dumplings and cakes, some great chicken, a small salad bar, and usually some desserts. Naan was delicious and buttery, but we had to ask several times for some non-burnt pieces, and the mango lassi was inedibly saccharine.
(4)Michael W.
My Indian cuisine knowledge isn't incredible, but I kind of know what's going on. If you're looking for something legit with spices, shy away from Indian Pavilion because it is the blandest Indian food I've ever had. What saves this place from getting a two star review is their price. For $7.99, you can test your might at their lunch buffet. As far as selection goes, they do have around 6 different things you can try out, and about 3-4 more things on the dessert side of things. Out of all the things there, I'd have to say that their garlic naan was pretty good. I may not know how legit it actually is, but it tasted darn good to me. There are these curry french fries next to the rice which would actually taste awesome, if they were freshly fried. Instead, they've probably been sitting there for 2 hours, just waiting and waiting and waiting for people to eat them. With curry, you have about 3 different choices, with one having chicken inside. There is also a yogurt lentil ball, and some grilled chicken. If you're an Indian food noob, then this place is all good. For desert, they do have some honey bread balls, and some tapioca yogurt of some sort. The tapioca was decent, but the honey bread balls were a tad too sweet for my taste. I actually liked it the first time I came here, but on my 2nd visit, I was not impressed anymore. The lack of spices basically takes the "Indian" aspect out of India Pavilion. It becomes even comparable to Thai curry. Service for water and naan refills are a little on the slow side, but what can you expect from a buffet. Not a bad place, but not incredible either. Without spices, I don't even think you can call this place Indian cuisine.
(3)Jeff O.
Damn yeah! Thank you please. This place is great. Went here for dinner and everything was fantastic. Samosas, paneer pakora, and garlic naan started things off. For dinner I tried the Chana Saag (chicks peas and spinach in a sauce--something I've never seen before) and also my friend's Malai Kofta which was delicious. Prices were very good, atmosphere is classy and service was spot on. I hope to go back for the buffet sometime while I'm camping out here. Highly recommended if you're near Penn State.
(5)Caroline S.
Best Indian in State College. The buffet is excellent. Great price and good selection, especially for vegetarians. The waiters are helpful and accommodating. The mango lassi is the best I've had in a while. I wish I could eat here every day.
(5)Clark G.
Excellent Indian food. The restaurant looks dirty and can be; but the food is good and not too expensive.
(3)Julianne D.
Oh, India Pavilion. I remember when your lunch buffet was $5.95 (back when I was an undergraduate at Penn State during the pre-cell phone era and had to walk ten miles in the snow, barefoot, to get to class; do I sound like an old codger yet?). Besides the price increase, not much has changed at IP since those years: not the decor or the food or the management. The owner is super friendly and welcomes customers--especially repeat--warmly. The food is okay. Don't expect to be blown away. It's solid, decent Indian food that seems slightly Americanized. While I've never been to India, I do have several friends and family members that either are Indian or have lived in India. They are the ones who tell me that IP's food is mild in flavor and very, very heavily spiked with ghee (clarified butter). Oh, well. It's tasty when I'm in the mood for it. Plenty of vegetarian options on the menu and on the buffet line, as well. Try and stick to one plate instead of going back to the buffet for more food. Your stomach will thank you later. One annoyance that I must point out: what's up with the naan stinginess? Is it expensive or too time-consuming in productivity for them to keep it on the buffet line/bring to your table without being nagged? The people dolling out the naan always come to your table and ask you how many pieces you want...dude/dudette--at least one per person, if not more. And please don't look at us like we're eating you out of business if we ask for more than one piece of naan.
(3)Yvonne B.
We're vegetarian and this Indian resto has many option and tasty too.
(4)Seth S.
Pro's: If you want Spicy, you get spicy, solid Indian Food, patient wait staff Con's: Service is slow So we went in thinking we would have seven in the group and we took over the big table. Then we moved to a smaller table after waiting 45 minutes. Finally the other 4 showed up and we moved back to the large table. The wait staff was very patient with us as they cleaned up our table three times. Usually I can't get food spicy enough, but the dishes here, when requested extra spicy, packed a punch. The server is really slow, so if you are cutting it close on time, don't go, but if you want to catch up with friends, or on a date, then you can probably deal with the delay. I gave them an extra star for putting up with us moving three times. It's solid Indian food.
(4)Emily N.
I wanted to try something new, so I thought I would try Indian pavilion. I went during one of their lunch buffet times and I was really happy with my experience. If you don't know if you like Indian food, it's a great way to try out several different things. If you love Indian food, you won't be disappointed. I have taken friends and family members who were visiting and they all found something they liked.
(4)Niamh O.
India Pavilion was my first exposure to Indian food (eight years ago!), and it remains the standard against which I measure Indian buffets. The buffet and the dinner selection have to be addressed separately. The lunch buffet is a complete steal. They always lay out at least eight main dishes (an even mix of vegetarian and meat), as well as bringing baskets of naan to the tables. With an $8 price tag, it's hard to resist, and the food is reliably good (while not amazing). The saag, the chicken tikka masala, and the daal dishes are my personal favorites. Also the biryani. As for dinner, it's definitely pricier, but the food is higher quality, as it's made to order. The place is rarely packed at dinner, whereas it always is for lunch. It's BYOB, which is nice. I highly recommend the lamb curry and any potato dish. And if you go often enough (as I did), you'll come to know the owners, and they'll come out and speak with you during your meal. I always think this is an excellent sign of a wonderful local.
(4)Casey W.
- recommend: chicken tikka masala w/ naan - much better than Masala Fine Indian Cuisine - fast delivery - pleasant staff - overall rating: 3.5
(3)Van B.
authentic!
(5)Jen D.
Best in town. Sunday special totally worth it. Big fan of their rice pudding and curry chicken. I graduated from PSU in 2000 and went back a few years ago for college reunion... Visiting this restaurant brought back great memories and experienced good dining for reasonable price again. Love this place.
(3)Dariño H.
Service is TERRIBLE. I ordered a meal and it took them 45 minutes to get it ready - the restaurant wasn't even packed. When we got our foods, it was the wrong one. I told the waitress that the food was wrong, but she argued back that it wasn't. They even charged both of us the WRONG prices for the food and we had to fight to pay the correct prices. The food was also not that great and I recommend KAARMA over this place.
(2)T. N.
Very reasonable buffet. We all loved it - even the kids. I really like the spinach dish and potato pancakes. They were very welcoming to our party of four adults and two toddlers. Lots of gluten free options.
(5)Lynn J.
so i must've really been a poor starving college student back in the day with little to no experience with indian food...this place used to taste so GOURMET to me, but then again...indian food in central PA, need i say more? i went back as an alumna and i guess my palate has expanded since my college days because the buffet didn't tickle my tongue like it used to. the chicken makhni was a little on the bland side and for chicken that was taking a luxurious bath in a decadent sauce...it was still dry. for college students, this place is definitely great, but for someone who has seen/tasted more of the world...don't expect too much
(2)Andrew S.
I went here once and went here for the second time yesterday with friends for the lunch buffet. I read the review about better dinner menu, but unfortunately we went here again for the lunch so my review will be based on the lunch experience. We went there at 2.05pm. Almost a closing time, but we went it we could see that they still served the food and we went ahead and helped ourselves for the food after got seated. The choices of food were like usual: rice, rice cakes, some lentil with yogurt, some curry soup, orange-colored chicken curry, and grilled chicken (the best of all and I think all patrons want this chicken). We got full servings of all except for dessert, because it was already past 2.30pm when we helped ourselves for dessert. The food tasted pretty good, like usual, 7.5/10 rating. It was fulfilling and I was pretty satisfied with the food. There was no wait to be seated. I liked it. And you don't have to worry to split the bill since you can just pay individually when you are done at the cashier. Price-wise, it was a pretty cheap restaurant to go to. The place is also neat and the waitresses are nice. They checked on us everytime if we needed another thin-baked bread or more water. 5/5 service rating. I might check the dinner and will update if I will ever try it.
(3)Anjali M.
I'm a fan of India Pavillion. They have provided me with many blissful naps in the afternoon due to food coma from their lunch buffets. When I was a student at PSU, there were a couple Indian restaurants opening and then closing down. But India Pavillion bore the storm. This may not be the best Indian food you've ever had, but when you're in State College, this is the best you can get in town. All the South Asian students [and their friends!] really like this place, even for catering. They're pretty good with service on catering, so if you need something for an event, be it for an on-campus event or for a big shindig, definitely try them out! I've also done the sit-down menu and it was pretty good. Same fare as you would receive at other comparable Indian restaurants. The lunch buffet is their best deal and all I can think about while writing this are those cute dosas. Mmm, dosas. There are plenty of other veggie and non-veggie options on the buffet line, so don't you worry! There's pretty much plenty of space around to walk by unless the buffet line is huge. Otherwise, you should be good :) The owner is really nice here. When my family and I talked to him, he offered that if I needed anything while I was away from my parents that I should him know. Aw, now that's really sweet.
(4)Courtney H.
My reasons to complain just show that it is a well liked restaurant, so my review might not be so helpful It's just too busy of a place during the lunch buffet, which takes away from enjoying the food. There are plenty of employees so you are never left wanting, but it's like having a bunch of butterflies flying around you the whole time (I happen to like their outfits). Food was too tangy for me, not spicy enough, and too salty, but my husband didn't seem to mind; he still likes India Pavilion more than Kaarma. I Think that I might find the dinner more enjoyable, and it appears that the dinner prices are much more reasonable than other Indian restaurants I have been too in Bloomington, IN, Columbia, MO (other college towns) and Chicago, IL.
(3)Jackie V.
I think Yelp's three-star description of "A-OK" is a pretty fair assessment. I would like to add, however, that the wait staff and manager are VERY nice; it definitely adds to the overall atmosphere and dining experience. So, back to the A-OK bit. The food was pretty good...I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the buffet was rather disappointing. Everything seemed pretty dairy-laden (sorry, vegans, you're SOL with the buffet!) and it seems to be the same rotation of dishes. I guess I can't necessarily blame them; I'm not sure if the market here really demands a lot of variety in the Indian food. I came in with a group of 5 during after the regular lunch rush, and 2 of us ordered off the menu while the other 3 had buffet. Ordering off the menu was the only way to get what looked like a tasty, dairy-free meal, but man, the service was S-L-O-W. By the time we got our meals, the buffet go-ers had gone up 3x and finished the pitcher of water on the table. The food itself wasn't bad, but it wasn't as flavorful as I was expecting. Cest le vie, I suppose. My quest for a go-to Indian spot here in SC continues....but for those of you who have never had Indian food, I'd recommend giving this place a try, as long as you have plenty of time to dine and aren't looking to avoid butter & cream.
(3)Dave H.
My Indian friend took me to one of her favorite dinner spots - India Pavilion - to try out the local "exotic" Indian cuisine. It was reasonably crowded for the time of night. I think it was around 8pm but I forgot to check my watch. We were seated quickly in a booth. Their food was warm and appetizing. The panna (is that right?) bread was good. Chana saag (spinach), one of my favorite Indian dishes, was delicious here! There's a lunch buffet available here that I haven't tried. It's tucked out of the way in on Calder Way but worth a trip if you're in the mood for Indian at Penn State.
(3)Megan K.
Great Indian food. The place can be a bit dark but I think that is what they are going for? Excellent food at dinner and they do a lunch buffet that changes regularly. Prices are reasonable and their Naan (bread) is amazing!
(4)Austin T.
I came here for the lunch buffet; it was alright. It got a little annoying to have four different sauces mix repeatedly on my plate, but the naan was exceptionally good at wiping it up [it tastes good, too]. Also annoying was the continual running-out of plates and food at the buffet. grr :{ BUT i left full. The server was pretty chill and it was pretty amusing to watch other people play guess-the-ingredients with every dish. I probably wouldn't come back here, but I'm also not particularly fond of [Exotic] Indian Cuisine. Come if you love your curries...
(3)Emily A.
After having moved to State College and eaten at the India Pavilion for dinner, I'll bump them up to four stars. Dinner entrees were better (and spicier) than the items on the lunch buffet, and service was competent. The BYOB option is nice as well. This still does not compare to my favorite Indian places back in Columbus, but I am sure I will eat here many times while living in State College.
(4)Gaurav S.
The food in the buffet is decent, but they are way too stingy with their naans. You have to almost beg for them, like you're a homeless person in a soup kitchen. And even then, they take their own sweet time bringing it for you. I wonder if it's a ploy to save money and force people to eat more rice. Whatever the reason, I experienced it twice, and am definitely never going back. Kaarma, their competitors, may not have great food but at least their service is good.
(2)bob t.
I ate here with a pretty knowledgable vegatarian Indian-o-phile, who spends a month a year in india one evening (that is, well, parse it the way you want to). I like Indian restaurants from traveling to places with good indian restaurants. He thought the food was unimaginative and not at all worth going back to. I, on the other hand, thought it was ok, but not great. So, it could have been the evening, or the chef, but I'm still looking. If they do do delivery, which I did not know, that would be a plus.
(2)Justin E.
It's a golden rule that my wife and friends of mine have to go here at least once a week, as their lunch buffet is incredible, and I usually don't like buffets. The main dishes are very tasty, as well as their desserts. This place is quite popular at lunch time, so try to get there around 11:45am to beat the lunch rush!
(5)Yvette A.
LOVE everything I've tried. Best North Indian food I've had anywhere and it's nestled in the middle of downtown State College. Highly recommend the Chicken Tikka Masala. Oh and you can bring your own wine without worrying about a corking fee.
(5)Alicia P.
I just spent the weekend at State College visiting my best friend, who'd been telling me about this place for a week before I got up there. Being the skeptic Miami girl I can't help being, I braced myself for an average experience but left wishing I could carry the Tikka Massala back in a bucket for daily consumption. I'm officially impressed and now on the hunt for comparable noms in Miami.
(5)Megan D.
I've had a lot of Indian food in my life and I still think India Pavilion is wonderful. (A lot of my Indian friends also think IP is quite good, which has to prove something, right?) Lunch buffet is awesome. Comes with bottomless naan and there are usually at least three vegetarian options. Not to mention rice, an appetizer, and dessert! I've also been here for dinner plenty of times. I think I've tried every vegetarian option on the menu. My favorites include Mutter Paneer, Daal Makhani, Chana Masala, Saag Paneer, Navratan Korma, and Malai Kofta. Good samosas and pakoras. The Shahi Kulcha is naan stuffed with cheese and spices...it's pretty awesome. Their Kheer and Mango Lassis are also quite good. Very warm, friendly environment. Attentive staff. BYOB. IP, I miss you.
(5)Marlee S.
India Pavilion is good if you're craving Indian food and you're stuck in State College. The chicken makhani (their version of chicken tikka masala) is the best dish there, although it tastes more tomato-ey than i prefer. The naan is good, and the lunch buffet is definitely worth it if you plan to eat a lot. You can also do lunch buffet to go for $4.50/pound. I always have really great naps after eating here.
(3)Sandy M.
Excellent lunch buffet!! There are currently three Indian lunch buffets in State College, but this is by far the most popular and has the nicest atmosphere. Staff is friendly and wait for a table is usually very short; the busiest time is about 12:15 p.m. when everyone comes in for their lunch hours. An excellent place for your first introduction to Indian cuisine. Not too spicy, fresh and cool replenished water at every table, and the recent addition of naan brought to every table make this a fast and filling treat. Don't forget the sweet and yummy Kheer (rice pudding) for dessert! India Pavilion closes for a short time in the afternoon, then reopens for dinner with a full menu with lots of variety. My one and only nighttime experience there was pleasant, intimate, and a nice change from the hustle and bustle of the lunchtime crowd. Restaurant is BYOB. Lunch buffet is around $6.95 a person; dinners vary but are probably $$ in range, with a few more expensive options.
(5)Harry T.
Food is good and staff very courteous. Very good for lunch buffet for the vast number of hungry but poor students like me. What could make this place better? The decor is stale, needs freshening. Kitchen needs good ventilation so the dining area and the patrons do not smell like kitchen, after spending some time in here. Handicap access would be nice.
(3)Ellen D.
India Pavilion is one of the best restaurants in the State College area. The competition isn't high, given that the vast majority of restaurants focus on fast food and menu limited to wings, pizza, and soda. But even putting aside the lack of competition, India Pavilion should be a regular go-to restaurant. The staff and owner make it a warm, welcoming place with good service and good Indian food. The owner is very community minded. I've had Indian food at many places in many cities, and except for the very elite Indian restaurants, India Pavilion stands up to all of them. In fact, their food is so good that this restaurant located in the very center of rural Pennsylvania has been hired to cater events in Cleveland, Ohio. A very big city. They have a good vegetarian selection, good breads, and lively spicing. I am not much of a desert eater, but I would make a pitch for their kheer. I've only eaten at their lunch buffet once and was pleased to see some items not on their regular menu. Buffets in general are problematic, in my view, but I thought theirs was decent and a great deal for those on limited budgets.
(4)raquel s.
The Lunch Buffett that I eagerly awaited two weeks for and that everyone talks about ended my obsession with the Indian Pavilion, but I've still got an orangish red spot on my beige carpet to remind me of it. Indian food is messy-- I get that. I'm messy-- I get that, too. But what I don't understand is why the restaurant doesn't get that if you are sending people through a buffet line to take out, that an ordinary, cheap, thin styrofoam container with no seal and one divider in it will suffice. Even though I tried to be careful with my much thought about lunch, by the time I arrived at my apartment, and put it on my kitchen table and opened my bag, sauce leaked from it right onto my carpet. Not to mention, every thing I put in my container was now on top of each other. I love lentils, I love falafel, which is what I thought this would be slightly like, yet the lentil balls in creamy yogurt sauce were absolutely the worst textured thing I can remember eating in a long time. The fat on the chicken wasn't trimmed again, and even though its in a rich creamy tomato sauce, you can still taste it. YUCK. There is an older gentleman, very thin, who sits in the back at a table in a dimly lit area and watches you as you go through the buffet line. Good idea, somewhat poor execution. It would have been better if I knew he was there. There was absolutely no heat, no spice, no kick, and almost no flavor to anything I chose-- and I took a nice selection. I'd like to comment again how stingy they are with the Naan. Incredible. LOL, even though you are paying for it by the pound, they still don't want to give you more than 2 pieces. I'm under the impression they used to give it out to you for free. I guess times are tough but I get the sense that this annoys a lot of people. Still, there was a decent crowd of people on a finals week Tuesday when it's almost pretty deserted. On the up side, the owner is nice. He is personable, he is friendly, he seems kind. And I like to support businesses with good owners. Despite what everyone said-- Go to the buffet, the buffet is so cheap, etc. the best way to enjoy the indian pavilion is by going for dinner.
(2)Matthew D.
I love it here. I worked here briefly washing dishes in the back. The staff is lovely, and they hooked me up nicely at the end of the night with generous portions of food to take home. One of my best friends is Hindu, and I grew up eating his mother's south Indian cooking. I pretty much judge all Indian food by those standards, but there are a lot of dishes I haven't tried, particularly the northern fare. I have to say everything I've eaten here has been spectacular. The lunch buffet rocks. The naan rocks too...and they have all different flavors, I believe. It's nice inside too and has a cozy atmosphere. I remember that not a lot of younger students went here. I guess they'll take Gumby's Pizza or Wing Zone over some chana masala. What I'm saying is you'll have a more adult crowd here. I saw one of my film professors eating dinner one night. I think it's also BYOB if I'm not mistaken. It's the best Indian food in State College.
(4)Hayley B.
India Pavilion is great. I usually come for the lunch buffet because it's affordable, and delicious. I would definitely recommend it. Also, the owners are super sweet, and really helpful. I came here once for lunch with a friend who was allergic to lentils. There weren't many lentil-free options at the buffet, so she mentioned this to our waiter, and he went to the kitchen and had them make her another dish. It was great.
(5)Jennifer M.
I now live in an area with abundant Indian restaurants and still miss the Pavilion. The buffet had plenty of food for vegetarians and the staff was always friendly. You can eat a bit more economically by getting takeout from the buffet and eating somewhere nice outside. I used to pay something like $3-4 for lunch.
(4)A. T.
Above average Indian food. Their buffet is a good combination of the usual suspects and a couple unique dishes. Good atmosphere. If I'm in the mood for Indian food, this is my first choice in State College.
(4)Jane A.
Great lunch buffet! There aren't much variety, but the food is great and very clean and the naan is delicious and the best part is you get endless naan!
(4)Brian B.
Came for the lunch buffet a few days ago and can't complain. For $8.50 (after tax), you get a generously full and well-staffed buffet. Although the food isn't the world's best, it's delicious and inoffensive to those trying it out for the first time. For being a lunch buffet, the restaurant was PACKED. Went through two plates and a dessert and left full.
(4)Kyra S.
This place is great, my family and I went here for dinner and everything we had was delicious. My coconut curry was the most flavorful I've ever had, and the naan, although a bit over cooked, was also amazing. My little sister, a very picky eater, was able to find something that she found delicious on the vast and varying menu. After ordering the food, however, it seemed that my party and I were neglected. We had to wait forty minutes after finishing our meals to get the check in a nearly empty restaurant. On the other hand, the food was phenomenal, and quite cheap on a college student's budget.
(4)Brent G.
This place is ok. I think for Indian food it tends to be on the blander side but that may be because they tend to not make the food as spicy as most other places. The chicken at the buffet can be dry at times but still pretty good. It could just be that it has been sitting out for a while but it still has good flavor. The buffet as a whole is pretty affordable compared to what I am used to in the SF Bay Area. I have been for dinner as well and my assessment doesn't really change, still a bit bland but fairly affordable.
(3)Rachel G.
Good, standard Indian food with a well-stocked buffet. I wonder, though I'm no expert, about some of the dishes' authenticity--one of the buffet dishes on my first visit looked and tasted like fried popcorn chicken in a cream curryish sauce. To add to other reviewers' insights: this place, like Cozy Thai, is BYO. We came here last spring with a large group and our waiter provided a much-appreciated ice bucket for our white wine.
(3)Alice W.
So here's the deal, I used to use the lunch buffet to satiate my hunger after long bike rides ALL THE TIME. Lately, I have been less than satisfied. This place can be awesome or so-so, its a little hit or miss. When I have gone for dinner, the spice level is right on, hot = hot perfection.
(3)Scott G.
My friend Pilar and I would frequent the lunch buffet. I remember the food being awesome, however, this was the first Indian place I had ever been to. To this day, the chicken tikka masala is memorable. I haven't had another that has impressed me like India Pavilion's did.
(4)J S.
This review is about the buffet lunch, not the menu based orders. Good quality if not imaginative Indian buffet. There was nothing that really stands out compared to any others I have been to.
(4)Jess G.
For a simple girl who doesn't get too fancy with international cuisine, Indian Pavilion is perfect. The lunch buffet is one of my favorite places to go to and I never walk away disappointed. Service is a bit sow, but if you can deal with delayed water refills, you'll do just fine.
(5)Martin M.
busy Thursday night, high decibel level--good thing there is some carpeting on the floor. I order non-veg thali, ask waiter to tell Indian chef to make it as hot as he would like it.....am disappointed that it comes out wimpy. Did they not take me seriously? At least, the flavors are fresh and complex. Lots of rice & sauce...bit skimpy on the meat....the food takes a long time to come out. Service: friendly enough, but needs to learn 1) the subtle art of checking on tables to see if anything they need (water refill? clean fork?...waiter would come out into dining room, do a quick scope, and disappear back into kitchen without making it over to us! I finally resorted to a biiig arm wave) and 2) the essential practice of picking up what's not needed anymore! By the end of the meal, the (large) table is covered with empty nan baskets, dirty plates etc., looks like a staging area for the dishwasher. Overall.....meh....OK, I believe this is the best Indian food in State College, but it could be quite a lot better for not a lot of effort. Female member of our party reported that bathroom was apparently clean, but had strong mold odour....
(3)