India Gate

Started off promising with the chicken samosa. You get a weird plate with a tiny salad on it when your entrée comes out. Portions are small. Chicken is probably dark meet and pretty awful. Flavor of the chicken dal entrée was good. My friend as had the chicken Tikka masala and her comment is «chicken was the grizzly junky parts»
If you order the garlic naan it comes out warm with garlic flakes falling off… It’s dry no butter and no actual garlic.
Rice was dry and awful
Won’t go back!

This was a disappointing experience.
I opted for the «buffet», which wasn’t a buffet, but a predetermined selection of 4 dishes that came with naan, rice, and a tiny side salad. I didn’t mind that it was all served to me (rather than me serving myself) and I did enjoy the daal. The vegetable curry wasn’t great, but with so much food given to me, I didn’t care leaving it almost untouched.
However, before leaving I asked for a box, as I wasn’t able to finish all the dishes given to me. First, the waitress nodded and then took good 10 – 15 minutes before getting back to me. When she did, she said she can’t give me a box. I asked why, but she didn’t offer an explanation besides saying «buffet». I wouldn’t have asked for a box for an actual buffet, but since there were several leftover dishes in front of me that they could not possibly serve to anyone else, I was appalled at their attitude towards food waste and at the illogical policy. I did ask if they were just going to throw out the food, and my waitress just nodded…
Simply awful.

My first so-​so review. I came here twice, and left totally unimpressed, with my Indian food craving dissatisfied. I’m writing this review so that I can remember to walk 10 blocks the other way and go to Rasoi, which is, in my opinion, 10 times better. They are very nice here, but it is food that won’t keep me up at night, dreaming when I can have it again. Not at all. Very clean place, nice people, disappointing food.

Had the chicken tandoori — one of my favorite Indian dishes — and it was good. Service was very good. For dessert I had the Rasmali, which I probably won’t order again. It seemed like soggy cookies dipped in something. It wasn’t bad but I can’t justify the cost of the Rasmali.

I actually curse the people who seem to have no idea about Indian food and rated this place so highly. In a sentence — it’s not good. Really not good. The lamb vindaloo was hot but lacked any flavor. The saag paneer was also flavorless. Bhindi masala was oily but did have something slightly going for it. Got take out — they forgot my pappadum. Raita was actually cloyingly sweet and honestly, quite disgusting. Whomever said they would choose this place over Rasika needs to have a tastebud transplant operation. Super disappointing.

The restaurant claim that the meat here are halal. Good locations new Dupont circle and plenty of seats on 2^nd and 3^rd floor of the building. We came here for lunch and opted for Buffet but they bring the food over. The vegetarian dishes are ok but the chicken is not very fresh. Service are ok and very prompt.

This was the best Indian I had in DC (and I went to 3 places, including the much less tasty but Rasika). The aloo tikka was hands down the best I’ve ever had; the sweet lassi was perfect; and the malai kofta was very good (would have preferred spicier but I didn’t ask).
If you love good indian and not just a fancy building come here! It is not fancy; the bathroom was on an unlit and cold 2 floor. But I care about food, and that is 5 stars!

My husband works in the area so we eat here often! Great food and service! My favorite are the vegtable samosas, the mango lassie and the kheer! I highly recommend this restaurant!

My boyfriend and I went here for the buffet special (Sun-​Fri, 11am-​2pm, $ 10.95), and what we left with was an amazing experience. We got there right as the doors opened, and so the buffet table wasn’t set up yet. Instead, they brought what would have been on the buffet to the table. Family-​style. It was perfect, fast, and delicious.
Granted, we will never be judges on a Food Network show, but from our perspective (as connoisseurs of American-​Indian food), the food was delicious. We gorged ourselves on rice and fresh naan, chicken tandoori, mixed vegetable curry, daal tarka (lentils), and began bharta (eggplant). None of these are the things I would normally have ordered, but they were all amazing — we didn’t leave a clean bowl. My boyfriend (a picky eater) said he would gladly have eaten a dozen of the chicken tandoori wings (it was flavorful and succulent) and also polished off the eggplant. I was in love with the daal. They also served rice pudding, but we were so stuffed we didn’t get more than a bite in.
The best part, however, was the service. We probably waited at most 5 minutes for our food, and every few minutes the owner was over checking to see if we needed anything. It was exceedingly professional but also warm and inviting at the same time. She even saw how much I loved the daal and sent me home with some extra. We paid a fraction compared to how much food we actually got.
I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a wonderful quiet place with great service and good, solid food, and that mom-​and-​pop feel.
¹⁰⁄₁₀ would eat here again.

Bleh. Ordered the Chicken Vindaloo (I love a good hot Vindaloo!) which, as is customary for a Chicken Vindaloo was, on the menu, advertised with all white breast meat.
There was no white meat; all fatty dark meat in a murky sauce.
I pointed this out to the server who claimed someone must’ve made a mistake on the menu. The owner hurriedly brought out some Lamb Vindaloo which was, meh (same murky sauce). Almost no heat at all, lukewarm temperature-​wise.
The naan was fine.
No way I’d go back; a big disappointment for one of my few nights in DC on business.

Odd place. Stopped in for lunch buffet and was told they would just bring me food. I figured that meant I could order what I wanted and they’d offer me a reasonable price for a few dishes plus rice and bread. It turns out they just brought me food, most of which I didn’t even want. The «lentils» were not lentils at all, they were chickpeas. (But still tasty). The chicken tikka masala was absolutely flavorless and not creamy. Miserable and mostly dark meat chicken, very little white meat. The vegetables were overcooked and I didn’t really want them anyway. The rice and naan were fine. Prices were reasonable but I wanted a buffet for speed, didn’t get that. And the dealbreaker was the fact that chicken tikka — the signature Indian dish — was terrible.

We had a lovely meal here, very tasty food. The buffet situation was a bit odd because instead of you going up and serving yourself, they brought it to us family style. This is a small family run kind of place so there were some stalls and awkwardness with the service. But all around, we had a nice meal and would return!

It’s perfectly good Indian food, though somewhat expensive. Delivery may take some time.

We had a fabulous meal: chicken samosa-​very tasty; chicken tandoori-​awesome; biryani outstanding! Service was great! We would definitely eat there again!

My wife and were in DuPont Circle for a weekend trip. She wanted Indian cuisine, and out first choice was closed. The second choice was more of a tea shop that served Indian cuisine. Our third choice was here, and the food was great! I had the Lamb Saag and my wife had the Chicken Tikka Masala, and we both agree it was delicious!
The restaurant has a very nice atmosphere and it quiet. I would definitely come back!!!

Did not like their servings! We ordered for samosa (which was good), gulabjamoon (not indian at all) and masala tea (why I ordered that!!). I am not coming back!

It wasn’t the best Indian food I’ve had, but it was still pretty good! I think it’s family owned and the atmosphere is nice and quiet.
I got Shrimp Saag (shrimp and spinach in a cream sauce), Peshwari Naan I think it was called (bread with coconut, raisins, almonds, and cherry… sweet and very delicious!), and the naan stuffed with potato and herbs. They also provided rice and a little salad. I also got a masala chai. Very soothing on a rainy night!
Like other reviews said, yes the price is a bit high for the amount of food they give. I pay about the same at other good Indian restaurants and I always have leftovers and more naan. But it’s DC; that’s to be expected. I would go there again!

This was my first Indian experience in DC and I think I did well. I’ve been craving Indian food and this place was a few blocks away from my place so I decided to try it on the way home.
It’s a pretty small place. About 4 tables were taken when I went in, with like 4 – 5 tables remaining. The servers were very nice and refilled my water frequently. I had a mango lassi which is always delicious. I had the vegetable samosas which weren’t as spicy as I would’ve liked, but still flavorful and tasty. You got 2 for about $ 5. For my entrée I had butter chicken which was $ 17. That made me cry a little, but it was really good! I was stuffed when I left. I would definitely go back, and I probably will because it’s so close. Keep up the good work :)

Lunch buffet review. As a new business, it definitely has potential.
Pros: Price ($ 10.95), ambiance (upstairs, enough space, not loud), service (attentive & friendly), food (tastes healthy & fresh).
Cons: Not enough selection, and the food could have been warmer. The buffet included rice, two vegetarian dishes, an egg dish, a chicken dish, salad, rice pudding, and a couple chutneys. Not sure what I was supposed to use for salad dressing (I tried one of the chutneys but it was pretty thick), and would have liked to get our own naan (1 piece pp brought to the table, more if you ask). I would suggest adding one or two more meat choices. I also enjoy when chai is part of the buffet.

This place is a super small mom-​and-​pop outfit. And it is fantastic! On weekdays they have a buffet of vegetarian and chicken. The rice is yummy and fluffy, the chicken is moist and just right, not overly spicy.
But the Indian chai is a total knockout! Brewed in batches, they take their time steeping it in cardamom powder and family magic! I can’t wait to go back!