India Gate

I was delighted to find such a tasty Indian restaurant in Indianapolis! My boyfriend, whom never previously had Indian food, and I decided to try it since I was craving some Chicken Tikka Masala and naan. My cravings were perfectly satiated with their lunch buffet, and it was great for my beau so he could venture and try a little sampling of everything. The service staff was *wonderful* and brought freshly made naan right to your table and we feasted to our hearts’ (and stomachs’) delight.
Clean, friendly, and tasty. Definitely coming back here when I visit!

Worst food. I ordered mutton biryani and it has no taste rice is not basmati and it is full of gravy (curry). Will not go here for biryani anymore. It is expensive with zero taste.

I went for lunch on Friday and was pleased to see this little place almost full. And it must be a draw – I was one of several diners eating alone. You don’t see that in too many places, so I figured it was a good sign that the food is yummy enough that people say «fork it, imma go by myself.» Glad I did. The chicken curry was wonderfully flavored, the Tikka masala was nice and spicy, there was a chili pepper chicken that was almost more like a Chinese takeout item, but super delicious. They are not afraid to bring the heat. Wait staff is great about refilling water, asking how the food is, bringing out naan, etc. I had a couple little fried babies with some red chutney on them, wish I could remember the name. I ate everything. Will return.

Outstanding buffet! The food was wonderful and there was a great selection. Old favorites and some new things to try.

This used to be a great restaurant but now like other Indian restaurants the quality has gone down. The owner is still good and tries to accommodate your requests but the food quality has gone down. Last 3 visits to the buffet has been disappointing.
Garlic Naan used to be our favorite here. Now its just a spongy bread with no taste. Hard to see Garlic on it. Paneer curry is like paneer in spicy water. Other Vegeterian curries are something you don’t even want to eat them at a restaurant. Standard Potato or chana curry. No one likes them. It’s there just to show that there are 5 different varieties. The one tray in the morning remains the same till evening. No one eats them.
I am changing my ratings…
Garlic Naan — ³⁄₁₀
Paneer Tikka Masala — ²⁄₁₀
Veg Biryani — ⁸⁄₁₀
Eggplant appetizer or other appetizer– ⁵⁄₁₀
other vegeterian curries — ²⁄₁₀
Gulab Jamoon — ⁶⁄₁₀
Dosa — ³⁄₁₀
Hope the owner reads this review and fixes the issue. They raised the price of the buffet which is totally fine but at the same time the food quality has to improve.

I wish I had come here sooner. I got takeout from their buffet for dinner and tried several things, all so good. The dosa and naan were great and I was really appreciative to have it wrapped in foil to take home. I’ll be back very soon!

Loved it! The staff was super friendly, and the food was wonderful. I love that they have a dinner buffet!

Delicious fresh food! Friendly service & atmosphere. I ordered 2 buffets to carry out, the gentleman at the counter was very nice & helpful. Gave me plenty to take home. The receptionist was also very nice. This is going to be our new favorite place to eat at. So rare to find a place like this Indy, hope it stays that way.

Updated January 28, 2016: I’ve been eating lunch at India Gate at least once a week since July. It’s irresistible! The 2 servers, Kristie and Joy are helpful, professional and know their foods if you have questions. Someone commented on ‘Google’ that ’ she is loud and talks fast’, but if you came here regularly (& you should) you would see that Kristie’s personality is energetic, welcoming, attentive and friendly, and NOT ‘off-​putting’ at all. She and Joy are THE BEST! They always remember you when you return, asking how you are.
Yes, Kristie is ‘loud’ and ‘talks fast’… The place is small, very busy and it does get loud — with lots of happy (& regular) customers enjoying the unlimited buffet & friends. It’s a great ‘meet-​up’ place. Joy and Kristie are always zooming around checking on customers’ needs, as well as greeting new customers and expeditiously taking payments. They always check to offer a ‘frequent diner’ card for you so you can get a free meal after several visits. Frankly, the place’s vibe would be very different if they left!
I love the food — sometimes it’s a bit spicy but I love the house made Raita with wonderful yogurt which helps to cool spicier items. My favorites: saag paneer, chicken tikka masala, paneer in anything, the biryanis, chicken 65, onion pakoras, the cabbage dish, garlic naan, the rice pudding, goat dishes, — all of it!!! Unlimited iced tea is great. You can also order a la carte at the spice level you enjoy.
Food is hot and it IS FRESH because the ingredients are purchased several times a week. I know, because Joy and Kristie make the grocery runs! Also, India Gate is PRISTINE, which is critical to me as someone with a food marketing background. Can’t say that about many Indianapolis places!
Not all establishments have the same high standards for cleanliness as does India Gate! I suggest you check out some nearby (especially Indian) restaurants’ Marion County Food Inspection Reports. It just might change where you eat! That is why I’m a convert to WONDERFUL India Gate.
Where else can you get delicious, Indian food at a very reasonable price (buffet all the time!), and very attentive, caring attention. The service is exemplary!
Get take-​out for a quick meal but you are really missing out if you don’t stay and eat. I see people passing India Gate on their way to McAllister’s Deli… they don’t know what they are missing!
If people are less than thrilled with their meal, they should SPEAK UP and ask for co-​owners Matt, his wife, Pria, or Raj. One of management is there. They CARE about each diner having an excellent experience. They check on me when one of them is there and are absolutely responsive if I mention something is too spicy, offering to dial down the level for anything! Same attention on requests with Joy and Kristie.
Lastly, posting a snotty review here is immature, petty and uncalled for. NAMASTE.

The buffet was so great and fresh it didn’t seem like a buffet. A fresh sprig of mint was in my iced tea. The dosa and naan are as on point as the service. Will be back for sure.

Now we’re talking! This place has some really great flavor and if you like it spicy they’ll make it that way for you. I was there for a pick-​up order but the owner had me sample some items from the buffet. Really good stuff and a great variety. The staff is very friendly and the restaurant is clean and welcoming.
I will most certainly be back!

So went for chat buffet last evening and didnt have a good experience everything was too sour for the taste. The sweet chutney was too sour, the dahi wada were extremely sour, pani puri had gone soft and the water is extremely sour.
Also, the chana chat which was there had chana which had gone bad. There was pav bhaji for which the bread was too hard as of it was lying there from morning buffet though it got better in the second round i went for. Even the onion pakora were looking stale and refried.
Gulab jamun was the highlight as the previous time and biryani was good too.
The dosa had masala in it which was extra salty and made it a bad experience overall.
Above all that the buffet was 14.99 which again was very expensive compared to other places which definitely server better food than this times experience of mine. Naan vegetables and egg curry were very nice like before.

July 4, 2015
Short version: 11 $ gets you plate after plate of delicious, hot, fresh, perfectly prepared Indian standards with a few extra unknown surpasses, enjoyed in a new, sparkling clean dining room, assisted by friendly, pleasant wait staff who bring fresh hot individual baskets of naan AND Dosas.
Spectacular find!!!
Long version: Our cross country move from Boston to LA includes a pit stop in Indianapolis for a wedding. Traveling with 2 cats requires that we stay in one face less chain hotel after another, surrounded by miles of faceless, repetitious chain restaurants, most of which I’ve never eaten in and hope to never be so desperate as to need to.
Last night’s LA Quinta is another example. Going for a walk amongst the holiday shuttered Malls (really there only time to go for a walk in this environment) I see a cluster of cars at one humming cinder block desire and discover an Oasis of delight: India Gate.
This is some of the freshest, most carefully spiced Indian food I’ve ever been lucky to eat. The masala is discernable different flavors. The ingredients are clearly fresh and good quality.
Goat Curry– tender and just enough heat
Mutton Briyani– tender most mutton, well seasoned rice
Tandoori chicken– some of the best I’ve ever had. Very tender, not at all dry!
Idli & sambar!
Chai chai chai!
Dosas crisp fresh and coconut perfect side sauce.
I feel deeply grateful to you, India Gate, for changing my channel. I’m ready to face a wedding now.