Mantra

Sunday night go to spot for take out. The food is always fresh and consistent. Favorites include saag paneer and paneer makhani. The gulab jamun dessert is good too!

Went to this restaurant like an hour ago. The color from asparagus kofta curry is still stuck to my hand despite washing it several times with soap. Wonder what kind of food color they used! Until an year ago we went to Mantra Jersey City as we lived near by to Mantra Jersey City. Though initial experience was not the best, they improved greatly later on. The food quality from Jersey City Mantra is a trillion times better to the one I had today. The carrot halwa wasn’t cooked properly! I never leave dessert and I did it today for the first time. The charge for buffet is the same in both Jersey City and here. Then why is the food quality so bad? Still got a bad taste in my mouth! On my way eat dessert elsewhere. Never going here again!

I have come to Mantra a few times and the food was always fairly good. However, my last visit for lunch was less then great. The staff was not super friendly but I can almost look past this if the food is good. The selection of food was not bad but the lack of flavor was terrible. I have eaten at many Indian restaurants all over world, so I have a fairly good palette or understanding of what it should taste like when prepared properly.
The lack of seasoning and spices made the food taste very bland. Combine this with mediocre service and this leaves a bad taste. I am leaving here very disappointed and I probably wouldn’t return again. The food just didn’t hit the spot for me.

I’ve been going to Mantra since they opened. It’s in a strip mall but the interior is stunning. The waiters are wonderful. I always start with the table side chaat. We were looking for something just a little different and the manager suggested the corn chaat which we both love and now order regularly. The chicken tikka masala, tandoori chicken, and saag paneer are all delicious. If you’re new to Indian food, try the lunch buffet. There are a lot of vegetarian foods that I would never have ordered but I really enjoyed. They also do take out and catering. One of my very favorite restaurants.

Been here many times over the past 5 years. Never disappointed. I recommend coming Here for lunch. Everything is delicious and fresh. Has a lounge feeling love this place.

We went there years ago for dinner and never went back because it was expensive for no reason (value wasn’t there). Yesterday we decided to go back as a family for the lunch buffet and that was worth it. Good variety and selection of veggie dishes. The food wasn’t spicy — yet still flavorful. We love spice but sometimes it’s too much for the kiddos. Still pricier than other Indian buffets we’ve been to in the area, but the value was there this time. They do add a service charge to the bill without telling you (no menu to read for buffet), so pay attention. We usually tip 20% and almost added that to the already beefed up bill. Can’t explain my 3 stars… just not sure if it would become a regular for us.

My family always uses this place for family events. Always do a great job with the food and are super courteous and accommodating. My biggest pet peeve is the ambiance. I can’t stand eating there. Every Indian restaurant to me is just so dark and red and gloomy. It’s so annoying, it’s depressing. They are backwards in the style and can’t stand the extremely low dim lighting. That’s the only thing I would change. I wouldn’t eat there. They need to take page out of different kinds of restaurants and add brightness to their dining

There’s a lot of places in the area that try to make Indian food, but Mantra comes closest to it. I’ve been a regular visitor for my homeland-​cravings and the lunch buffets have given me numerous food-​comas.
The buffet offers a very balanced option space — with some indo-​chinese appetizers/​idlis or wadas with sambar/​pakodas, a couple of vegetarian subzis, a chicken tikka and rotating fish/​lamb dishes. One of my personal favorites is their asparagus kofta. Their cloudy nans are very well done and even though the gajar halwa fails to impress, the kheer more than makes up for it. Their service is quick and the staff is very friendly.
Not the best Indian food I’ve had — but it’s geographically located to succeed and satisfies my cravings with much ease.

Had dinner with my sister, who was in the mood for spicy food, and I hadn’t been there in a while… well, we left disappointed.
The samosas were flavorful, but small… and I ordered the Calcutta appetizer, and when it arrived at table, beautiful plate, but only 1?! Very small portion for the price… and we had to ask the waiter 2x if had coconut or pine nuts, for him to finally tell us, yes it did… my sister is allergic, so I was the only one who could eat it.
Pakora is not on menu, but when asked, they were willing to make it… that was nice.
They offered a small courtesy tomato soup in between, and honestly, it tasted like canned soup…
We ordered a table side chaat, and he mixed in a bowl that was previously used! Yikes… not happy about that. I mean, even if no one else touched it, I don’t want to see my food prepared in a used bowl…
Waiter seemed to be more involved with a group table in the back, but there was only us and 3 other tables full, rest of the place was empty! Why service wasn’t quicker is beyond me.
Main dishes arrived, small portions, the lamb vindaloo needed salt, wasn’t spicy at all and was quite bland… and my chicken murgh was just fine, nothing special or worth coming back for…
With all that, sadly I won’t be back. .
Décor was nice, good atmosphere but food just didn’t cut it, and value was not there.

I’ve had dinner here about 4 times and each time has been amazing! We usually get the garlic naan, rice, and either the lamb or chicken tikka. Super yummy! Presentation is also superb. Though it’s not the best Indian food I’ve had, it’s definitely the best in the area.
As for the the ambiance, it’s lovely! Service is great as well. Definitely a go-​to spot for a nice family dinner or a date.

Ate here a few times. Usually get sag paneer, chicken tikka masala, samosas, tandoori chicken and a few other vegetarian options. Nice atmosphere, good food, reasonable pricing and good service. Would recommend it.

This place is the ultimate go to Indian/​Pakistani restaurant in NJ.
Why? I usually can find Indian restaurants that have good food but not a place I would bring a date too (as long as she likes spicy flavorful food). This place takes the cakes. As one who loves this type of cuisine, I am constantly exploring to find the best of the best. This place is quite a rare find for me.
The set up of this place is elegant, dimmed lighting, with a fireplace, bar and lounge. Now there is one other Indian restaurant that I have been to that has a nice bar but that is triple the price and the food doesn’t compare. This place looks like it was built to be Mantra, not a take over of some old restaurant converted over to an Indian restaurant :) but then again who knows lol. From what the bartender told me this place is been open for quite a few years.
Anyhow on to the best part.
The food here is great. Some of the dishes they have are modern twists on traditional dishes.
The Spinach and Tomato rice had a taste i never experinced, it was quite enjoyable.
Hyderbadi Angare (fire) — Was spicy, rich and creamy. Definitely never had a dish that had the taste combination of this.
Chicken Tikka masala was great,
Naan was good.
Mango Lassi was average.
I know it’s cosmetic but the food presentation here is done so well. All of the dishes had vibrant colors to them.
Desert wasn’t bad at all, they did hook up the decorations on a Dessert I ordered (see pics).
Now why not 5 stars? Well I have gone to their Buffet twice and the Chicken Tikka Masala is no where as good on the Buffet menu as it is when you order it.
That being said if you want an Indian Restaurant that is easy on the eyes and you might not having a few drinks at this is your spot !
Enjoy

First time trying Indian food. The food was good and the service was awesome but I must give it a below average rating for the terrible pricing. Way over priced!!!

Last night after shopping I had some amazing Indian food, perhaps the best…
We had Garlic shrimp with garlic naan as appetizer which is amazing!!! I also liked the complimentary tomato soup, I don’t like tomato soup in general, but I definitely love this one!!!
We had Mushroom and truffle oil naan which is good but I still like garlic naan better, chicken tikka masala (a bit mild for me), Lassuni Chicken (garlic, yogurt, and onion sauce) which is heavenly!!!
The waiters are very good to us, they brought us complimentary appetizer and dessert.
Then I just realized their other location is the Indian place by my job that I also like a lot! What a small world I need to try the jersey city location’s menu instead of buffet next time!

Used to come here because it was close to where I lived and a convenient option for dine-​in Indian food. The ambience is nice, and they try to make it seem like an upscale place. Menu is typical Indian food, nothing out of the ordinary. Food portions are small for the price, but nonetheless the food is decent. A few times I have been here, the staff has been extremely rude. One time I had a non-​Indian server get into an argument with me over the food (I know Indian food, I’m Indian!). This place is alright, but there’s much room for improvement!

I’ve seen this place undergo a couple of management and name changes over the past 15 years or so, but I’ve stuck around and I’m glad I have.
The food here is very fresh and the typical South Asian dishes they offer are always served in a gourmet style.
Last time I went, they had only two servers on the floor and it was quite a busy night, so our waitress forgot a few things and seemed a bit overwhelmed, but the food came out just as amazing as usual and the management is always professional and charming.
Highly recommended!

I used to come to this place every week with my friends for more than a year. Today, October 21^st. We had the worst treatment by the manager in charge. All the waiters are so polite But today this asshole in the middle of our meal brought the the bill, when I asked WHY he brought the bill in the middle of the meal he said because it was a buffet and we were eating for the second time dessert. WHAT? IF YOU DON’T WANT PEOPLE TO SERVE AGAIN DON’T DO BUFFET, DO A LA CARTE!
We were 5 old ladies having a good time and this asshole ruined our one week time out.
NEVER coming back and I will make sure all of my friends do not come back while this unpleasant manager is there.

Been here 3 times for dinner. Last time was a while ago, but I’d love to go back. I’m a huge tikka masala maniac and this place does it right. Their garlic naans are soft and chewy. I also tried the biryani rice bowl with chicken, which was excellent — had just the right amount of spice for my taste. Saag paneer is also a crowd pleasure, so I had to try that also — wasn’t disappointed! But all of the dishes I get are usually the «standard» that most people have tried and love. Well, I’m sticking to it!
I usually take pictures but I just wasn’t THAT into Unilocaling back then (my Unilocal obsession is actually quite new). Besides, during dinner time, the interior is very very dark — my photos would likely all have been quite orangey, making the food look less delicious than it truly is.
The bar, which is to the slight left when you walk in is quite awesome (but small) — the lighting and décor is welcoming and modern. The service was good enough and the bathrooms were clean. It’s just, I have Kinara and Blue Lotus to order from when I want to eat Indian food (which is usually take out for me). Would love to come by to check out their lunch buffet!

WOW! This place is gorgeous! As soon as you walk in, you notice a beautiful lit up bar with comfortable lounge couches, live jazz playing, soft lighting, and a fire divider between the bar and the restaurant. This is very rare to see because most Indian restaurants are BYOB. The restaurant itself is very romantic with candles on every table, dim lighting and classy music playing separate from the live jazz at the bar.
Service is always top notch here. The wait staff is very friendly, accommodating and always have a smile on their faces. All the times I came here were on Saturday nights, busy or not they provide great service for every table. The prices are higher than your average Indian restaurants in the area, but you get good quality food.
OMG the food!!! Its DELICIOUS! To start, they gave us a complimentary cucumber spicy appetizer, which was different but good. We ordered the samosa which was crispy, filled with potatoes and definitely a nice starter. The cauliflower appetizer, was sweet and spicy yet crispy on the outside and super juicy on the inside, just a bite of heaven in your mouth. Lamb vindaloo, was spicy, extremely tender and melt in your mouth as soon as you bit into it. Chicken curry was OK, not my favorite, sauce was a bit off in flavor, wasn’t spicy but the chicken was soft and edible. Rosemary naan was OK, I think I’ll stick to the traditional and garlic naan next time. To finish off, we got the banana foster which was made table side and it was a great way to end the dinner.
You don’t find many great Indian restaurants that have high quality food, great service and a large bar selections. If you don’t mind paying the extra few bucks then this is your spot, especially for a special occasion.

Haven’t been out to an Indian restaurant in a while before this place. A huge group of us came here last week to celebrate a co-worker’s last day.
When you walk in the layout is interesting — to the right, a regular restaurant, to the left, a lounge set up with a bar. At first I thought it was weird but it works.
Food was great, I love indian food and was not disappointed. The menu is extensive and can be kind of overwhelming. The nan wasn’t the best I’ve ever had but then again you can’t go too wrong with nann in general. I would definitely come back here to try more of them menu.