I was introduced to this restaurant by a friend who knew I was missing combinations of Northern Indian flavours, years ago, and have been going ever since, bringing more new people with me each time. The food is delicious and the portions are large (not sure what one of the other reviews was on about for portion size), and are priced in the range of $10-$20 per dish ordered. It definitely pays to go in groups and to split the tab and share dishes, but never - not once - have I been able to finish the entirety of any one main dish with two people at the table sharing - there are always delicious leftovers to take home. Favourites on the menu include the paneer pakora (eat them with *both* tamarind and the mint sauce*), vegetable pakora (crisp and light), beef samosa (rich and greasy), vegetable biryani, malai kofta (potato balls with cheese in a rich sauce), chicken passanda (like butter chicken, but richer and deeper flavour, and with almonds), butter chicken, mattar paneer (peas and cheese in sauce), vegetable korma (mixed veg in a cream sauce), bhainghan bhurta (beyond compare rich, roasted curried eggplant), gulab jamun and rasmalai. Hands down, the eggplant is my favourite, but it is an oily, sumptuous dish and pairs really well with the rice or naan. We are always asked at what level we would like the spiciness of our dishes. The flavours are rich, warm, comforting, heady. During the week, there is a simple but delicious buffet for about $14, but I prefer picking and choosing from the menu. The owner is a wonderful lady and I and my guests have always been treated very well there, regardless of whether or not we have reservations. There are times when the restaurant is quiet, but this contributes to the intimate atmosphere. The restaurant is narrow and long, and they have made excellent use of their space. At either end, there were tables with mirrors behind them on the wall and benches on one side, but after renovations to update the colour scheme, I think they may have only retained that on the far side from the door. I think this will be the restaurant's 30th year in business. I remember once doing a take out order to bring to a friend who's child was not feeling well - the very friend who introduced me to the restaurant! When Mrs. Sharma, found out I was intending to carry everything down the road on foot, she insisted that one of the lovely staff drive me. This is a gentleman who has served us and guided us through the menu for years. He not only drove me, but helped me carry everything to my friend's apartment. That was absolutely above and beyond any expectation of hospitality I could have had, and I was deeply touched. This place will continue to have my business as long as they're open.
Beautiful ambiance and delicious food. The manager was very courteous and rest of the service staff too. It will be one of my favourite Indian food stop whenever I will be in ottawa.
I had the Chicken Korma this evening...I was about three quarters of the way done, I was so full and I still forced myself to finish...it was THAT good. I've now been there twice in the last month and I'm not a huge Indian food fan but both my visits to Taj Indian Cuisine have been fantastic. The food, the friendly service, the cozy layout. Indian food fan or not, you need to come check this place out. 6 out of 5 if I could rate it that high.
Always delicious! I won't get Indian anywhere else! It can't even compare! The staff are all so nice and the environment inside is great.
Excellent food, and even better service! Great little gem in the west end.
Amazing food and better hospitality. You truly feel like family here. Seriously the food is so food you find yourself closing your eyes to savour each bite.
The best Indian food you can have in Ottawa. The ambient if cozy, the people are super friendly, and the food is AMAZING!!!!
Make sure you try their butter chicken, you will never taste any better anywhere else in Canada (seriously) :)
I had a really enjoyable experience at Taj Indian Cuisine. There were lots of delicious vegan options. The owners were very friendly and the service was exceptional.
Love this restaurant... You got to eat here.
The food is excellent. The people who work there are very friendly , service is great and I also Love the ambiance.
I had a delicious dinner here last night. The paneer was fabulous and I really liked the rice. The staff were very nice and the service was fast. I would definitely eat here again.
We have been addicted to Taj's biryani, butter chicken, and madras dishes for years and years. Hands down the best Indian restaurant in the greater Ottawa area.
We ordered lunch for our entire office from Taj Indian Cuisine and it was extremely well received by everyone. The good was great and they also accommodated food sensitivities and allergies which was greatly appreciated.
Excellent and tasteful food!
Great taste. Good food and quick service. 5 stars!!
Who Knew?!. A strip mall restaurant and a tiny place... serves excellent food and delightful take out. We are big fans of the beef and the service is homey and warm. Our daughter has a dairy allergy, but the staff was eager to help with selections that suited her needs. It is a must try when the food is what matters most and when Indian is the craving!
Good food - but pricey. As my title says, the food is good but the a la carte menu is expensive.
I have been here a few times both dinner, lunch buffet and to grab take-out. I'll likely only go back during the lunch buffet now because it's much cheaper.
For dinner you have to pay extra for naan, extra for rice, ext. It gets expensive on top of already expensive dishes (about 17 bucks for butter chicken).
The lunch buffet takes care of that annoyance though I did have to stir the rice a bit because what was on top was dry.
The Signature Butter Chicken. Went to taj last night and it was packed! I popped in to pick up my take out and noticed they changed their take out bags :) A nice red looking paper bag. I think their starting their branding too now. Clearly, i'm a regular if i know all this lol! Anyhow, this is the spot where everyone knows your name, i hardly mention my order right after saying my name. Gotta love that kind of treatment. The butter chicken is my favourite dish and thats what i normally get, Butter chicken, sag paneer and butter naan. I was talking to the owner who also is the main chef and its her recipes! She designed the curry sauces, korma sauces etc herself. Everything is fresh tasting and so rich and flavourful. It's better than ordering a friggin steak sometimes that you can probably make even better at home.
All these comments on prices....it ain't 1990 people. It is an established business and they have set their standard and clientele who can enjoy quality food. If you can't afford it, go and buy packeted dishes that'll probably be cheaper, but with all the preservatives...
Then again, you can't please everyone...everyone has a different palette :)
I do recommend people to give this lovely place a visit and do try the Korma dishes and don't forget their Butter Chicken!
Fabulous!. Went for my birthday dinner and we ended up ordering another round of food because it was so wonderful (skipped desert ;-) The owner went out of his way to have my favourite wine available for our table, and the service was pleasant and efficient. A little pricey, yes, but absolutely worth it. This is one of the only places in Ottawa that serves Aloo Tikka, a phenominal vegetarian appetizer with tamarind sauce. Oh dear... I want some now....
This ones a toughy. First off I will agree with most comments regarding the price. It is outrageous to spend 17.95 on a medium dish of butter chicken. Rice was extra and Naan was extra. The butter chicken tasted exactly like Campbell's tomato soup... It even strongly resembled the canned soup. The chicken curry was delicious, albeit not worth the 17.95 for a small portion. The naan and basmati rice were also quite good. So all in all the food is a win (minus the Campbell's butter chicken). The price is however outrageous.
Excellent food and service. We are really like the food .. my family was so happy ...thank's to all Taj Indian Cuisine staff ....you people make my day...
Best in Ottawa. Our favourite of all the restaurants we tried in Ottawa and we tried ALOT.
Go for the butter chicken and the malai kofta!!!!
Stop complaining about the price, I get takeout at least twice a month and never had anything that was less than fresh or less than delicious. You get what you pay for!
Just say my first Indie movie at the Colisieum.
We had to go to Taj. My family loves the food.
Quick comment to complainers. Get a life. You read the menu,so you know the price. If your wallet feels heavy. Then get up and leave. Your reviews are hurtful for my favourite family restaurant.
I have brought amazing CEO's here. Send me your address, i will pay you back for your troubles.
But this restaurant is the Best. I am ready to bet anyone!
I really like the new taj website. I ordered delivery from this place. I have friends raving about the butter chicken and garlic nan bread.
I loved it.
Yesterday was our first time having dinner at Taj. Have to say that the service was excellent and the food was terrific. will definitely be going back!
My thoughts on Taj.. Wow... jealous people take it easy on your reviews. Don't hate.
And, obviously its the indian population that is having problems..
Get a life.
I have been coming to Taj since I was 11 years old. No way is the food bad or whatever these losers are saying in these reviews. How critical do you have to be.
Do any of you have a restaurant or cook
At the end of the day, you do not like the food get up and get out.
The family is nice and they will understand.
Be honest with yourself, I would not recommend anyone reading your reviews Praveen C and Z.A.
Taj, many of us kids have grown up on your food and we love it.
Thank you and keep up the good work.
Amazing people have come to this place. Politicians, home builders, CEO's and simple middle class white folk like me.
I have seen there dedication to there clients.
Don't hate reviewers... tell the people you do not like the food and get up and leave.
Paul Gauthier
Lunch Buffet Good Dinner overpriced. As the title says
Really delicious meal! My husband and I started with vegetable samosas, followed with butter chicken, sag ghost, rice and naan. Eerything was piping hot and very tasty. Would definitely recommend and come back! Perfect for date night followed by a movie at the Coliseum.
Great place - they were very hospitable and even kept the place open late for us to finish our food. The decor was pretty great and the food was delicious!
Loves the place. I have been going to this place for the past 22 years. Simply the best indian in Ottawa
Personal service and "home cooking" food. Great service and ready to help with ingredient questions and "go togethers". Always a pleasure to eat here.
Longstanding restaurant with a strong local following. Personal service makes you feel like regular on your first visit! Great bhangan!
Ottawa a westend Indian staple - traditional Indian consistently good - make sure to tell them hot if you can otherwise they tame the spice for "north Americans"
Food is great and staff are very freindly.
The only disappointement is they sell alcohol. We basically came because it's Halal restaurant so right there was a big trust shaker. When muslims see wine bottles it makes them wonder if the owners really care about halal and haram...
The quality of the food is excellent, all meats were cooked to perfection. The lamb was very good quality as it didn't have that after taste you get sometimes but what blew my socks off was the tandoori. I've had it many times but nowhere near as good here. Highly recommend!
Recently we hosted an engagement party for my vegan daughter and her fiance and we ordered most of the food from Taj. Indu, the owner/manager, was incredibly helpful both with ordering quantities of food and in the selection of tasty vegan options. The food was amazing! My guests continued to comment long after the event about how good the food was. Taj was super generous in their servings and we really received top value for our money. I would highly recommend Taj Indian Cuisine both for family dining and for larger events. - Margaret
Always love to go there once in a while. Cozy environment, elegant interior, friendly employees, smooth tune & mouthwatering food.
Amazing service and even better food! The service staff were so friendly and considerate. This place is a favourite for my family; we order here all the time when we have something to celebrate or when we want a fun night together. The garlic naan and butter chicken is p h e n o m e n a l. Couldn't recommend more!
Very delicious butter chicken, I really enjoyed it with rice and the garlic naan was amazing too. Overall, good quality and portions :)
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