Mughal Darbar Restaurant

I’m American, born in California but I’ve been 2 Pakistan several times & 4 sure this food is the ~BEST~ ever. We haven’t had the Buffet yet, only ordered from menu, but same cook. A small, restaurant, needs a little TLC… but really the Food is the
BEST in the Inland Empire. Very Reasonable price, nice people. I’ve found my favorite place 2 Eat.

I had never heard of Mughal Darbar in Riverside so I was eager to try it. Name suggested a Pakistani restaurant but what the heck I did not care as I had Pakistani friends in school and they cooked so good. Here’s my analysis for 1 star rating–
Cons: 1) Like Felicia said the place is hole in the wall. Minimalistic like college Canteen.
2) $ 6.95 price for buffet is deceiving as they charge for Naans/​Rotees thus bill for 2 is around $ 18+
3) If you are taking American or Americanised company for Indian food initiation, this is NOT Indian food plus it is very hot and spicy.
4) Girl with Scarf was nice, could speak English and told us she was from Lahore. But the rest of the guys were un-​welcoming and rude.
5) It is right by 60 freeway difficult to find although parking is free and plenty reason for lone star I have given.
6) For buffet, choices are limited. Go early exact 3 PM they close.
Pros: Beef stew was good atleast my American friend liked it. Another reason for 1 star.
Punjab Palace near ToysRUs beats this place hands down considering 1, price 2. Choice of buffet dishes & 3. Service & attitude

I went to this place after reading the reviews that had been posted and expected average food… We went to the lunch buffet and entered to find loud fans blowing throughout the musty small place. The tables were sticky. The food was almost inedible. They had things labeled «chicken» that had huge bones (like lamb). Everyone that ate the food ended up with a stomach ache.
I only can compare this place to Punjab– which is leaps and bounds better!
This might be the place to go if you don’t mind poor quality meat and extra salty sauces. It is inexpensive, but trust me, you get what you pay for.

I was an Indian Food virgin when I first arrived here, so I really did not know what to expect.
So first thing, the place is a hole in the wall. It didn’t look well kept. Also, our waiter seems unhappy. I don’t know, I mean he was attentive and served us our food quickly and all, but he just did not seem happy. Kinda sad but I like happy waiters =)
So being that I was a Indian Food virgin, I had my friend order for me. We both got Chicken Tikka Masala, Rice and Garlic Naan. They were all pretty damn good. And in the end, we got Galub Jaman. Being that it was my first experience, I really liked the food I ate, and I started to really become interested in Indian food.
Overall, this place is good but the place could use a little cleaning up and also more happiness spread to the service. Since then, I have also tried other Indian eateries, such as Ravi’s in Colton, Delhi Palace in San Bernardino, and Punjab Palace in Riverside. All seem to be superior to this place.

Been here for the buffet, which was cheap and only on certain days if I recall. There used to be quite a few Indian buffets, but when those went under, places like this were the only ones left.

I’ve only been here for the lunch buffet. I love Indian/​Pakistani food, and they have such good cuisine for that from the East Bay in Northern California that I sometimes get cravings. This is the first Indian/​Pakistani place I tried in Riverside itself in the last year.
The buffett is pretty much several main dishes such as tandoori chicken and various curries with rice on the side. They also give you a basket of freshly baked thick naan which tasted delicious.
Obviously the lack of variety in this visit would be a deterrant from coming here too much. But I was thoroughly impressed with the taste — it was delicious food especially for a buffet — the choices though just leave something to be desired if you’re a super pickey eater (I’m not especially).
The food was VERY heavy though, I had a nice satisfying food coma hit me once I walked out. I believe the lunch buffet was about $ 10, 9.99? You really can’t beat that especially with the lack of Indian food selection out here. About the only other all you can cram deal is probably the new Asian buffet on University.