My go to spot for Butter Chicken as recommended by a co worker. It's worth the trek out to Waltham if you're not nearby and you just really enjoy Butter Chicken. They do a good job making it spicy if that's what you want and you can smell the butter and cream when they set it down. The garlic naan is hot, fresh and buttery which means I order it every time I visit. Prices are decent especially for the portion. I haven't tried any of their other items as I go elsewhere for other indian dishes I enjoy like Korma or Biryani. read more

Bonfire Indian Grill - Butter Chicken and Garlic Naan with Herbs - Indian Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

Went there with 5 other people. We passed food around, so I was able to try 4 different dishes, plus garlic naan and samosas. All of it was very tasty. Service was courteous and friendly, and the place seemed quite clean. The lighting was bright enough for old eyes to read the menu. If you want more "atmosphere", just wear sunglasses after you order. ;-) I hope to go back sometime and try some chicken dosa. read more

Four stars by definition. Met my expectations overall but did not blow me away enough to earn the final fifth star. I had the Onion Pakora as an appetizer and the Gongura Chicken as a main. I also had the opportunity to have some of the Papadum. Though, asking if they had any was a bit tricky (I didn't know what it was called at the time), and it is not brought out by default. Papadum and the sauces were solid. The cracker was thin and had good flavor. These were a green herbal one and one that was sweeter and had a tiny bit of heat. The Onion Pakora was good. The onion was nicely fried and not overloaded on the breading, grease, or salt. A simple appetizer I loved munching on. Dipping in the sauces (the same ones as for the Papad) helped add some extra dimensions. However, a spicy sauce would have been very welcome here. These two would make this a three-star experience, but the Gongura Chicken elevated it to the fourth star. The chicken was cooked phenomenally! It was very soft and tender. I ordered it as medium spicy, and there was some noticeable heat which had me reaching for the water but not crying or gasping for air. The sauce was savory, tangy, and zesty, and I think it had a pleasant acidity too. How to tell something is great, it tastes good both hot and the next day being removed from the fridge! Rice was one of the options (the other being naan) as an addition to the chicken, and it was cooked very nicely. Always a good option combined with protein, especially a saucy protein! Portion sizes were very reasonable for the prices, too. I have no complaints about the service; it was speedy and attentive. However, I wish sides and extras were spelled out on the menu. Seeing how challenging it was to describe Papadum, it would have made it more accessible if it had been written somewhere. read more

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Delicious food and attentive service in a neighborhood stalwart.... and well worth a drive for the rest of us! From the ease of parking at lunchtime to the preponderance of "authentic" clientele, we knew we were in for a treat when we went in for lunch. Whatever may be the restaurant's limited ambiance, the excellence of the food more than compensates. Highly recommended: Lamb Biryani, Vegetable Navratan Korma, Lamb Rogan Josh. We won't hesitate to go be back for either a dine-in experience or takeout. (Our leftovers were awesome!!) Bonus: the Sweet Lassi was the best of its kind as were the Ras Malai desserts. read more

I consider myself to have a pretty high spice tolerance and I have had my good share of Indian food. I unfortunately have not been able to try this spot in person, or try more than one meal. I had the Chicken tikka masala (spicy) with garlic naan. The meal was fantastic - the rice, chicken, and the sauce great. Just a warning: They do not play around with the heat....I was left sweating at the end. Job well done. Will come back for more. The rest of my family enjoyed their meals also (one vegetarian) as well. read more

Bonfire Indian Grill - Chicken Tikka Masala - Indian Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

Never expected as good as we got here! We had time to kill in an unfamiliar area. We knew that we could go to Moody St in Waltham for Indian food, there are several choices there, but we weren't sure we'd find parking nor if we could get back in time. Yelp steered us here, less than 5 minutes from our ultimate destination; ample parking. So with the stellar reviews, we figured it was worth a try! And it was good! I love dosas, hubs not so much, and I was excited to find a menu with dosas that also had the kind of dishes he prefers. We shared vegetable samosas as appetizer. He had his chana masala which he loved; it was served with a dish of white rice (probably basmati.). I've never seen chicken dosa, only vegetable or fruit ones, so I ordered it. I got a bowl of a delicious tomato-based sauce that had chunks of onion and tender chicken in it, and a huge rolled dosa. I wasn't sure quite how to tackle it, tbh! I tore off a few inches of the dosa and unrolled it, spooned in some of the sauce with a nice chunk of the chicken, eat and repeat, so so yummy! The chunks, no bones, were tender and flavorful; the sauce nicely spiced, tingly but not . If we're in this neighborhood again, I'd definitely return, and we definitely recommend it. read more

Everything was bad. The service was horrible. Even though the place was nearly empty, there was only one server who also doubled as a host. They would frequently disappear into the back room for extended periods. I was not served water...not even when the food came. Malai kofta and naan was not good. Very watery and not very rich or flavorful. Maybe other dishes are better. Who knows. read more

My family & I have had the pleasure to experience the wonderful food on a few occasions. The lunch time menu was delightful with enough left for dinner, I rather the slightly more expensive choice of 2 main dishes. Very polite & fast service. My take out orders were Packed v.well. Recommend chicken Korma/so tender, Gongura chicken, Samosa chaat & garlic Naan. Have tried many Indian restaurants & this has been one of the best. read more

Bonfire Indian Grill - Cost dinner time take out. 3 meals, 2 orders of garlic Naan and one soda. Only complaint is $2 for a can of soda. - Indian Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

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$18 Bonfire Platters (Thali) comes with 2 small portions of curry ($3 extra for a little bit of lamb is not worth), dry chicken kebab (too salty), salad (carrots, cucumber, and onions?), small sweet ball dessert and rice (could be more fragrant) is not value option for takeaway lunch. Box lacks space to contain much curry. Price is a little high for the small portions. For better value, could reduce price or change box packaging for larger portions. read more

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Everyone swears by Royal Indian, but this is my favorite Indian in the area. Chill atmosphere, ample seating, great service, and (in my opinion) the better food. Staff is so nice. Great portion sizes and good takeaway containers make it so I can turn anything I get into two amazing meals. read more

We order takeout from Bonfire Grill on a regular basis. Over the last three sessions, food quality has deteriorated. I have been getting Hyderabadi Chicken Masala on a regular basis but recently it came with such second-rate chicken pieces, as to necessitate discarding. I complained about it in my new order and thankfully it improved. Among that day's purchase was also Gongura Chicken, which was so saturated with salt that it had been tossed again. With the high cost of food, I will seriously have to reconsider having this as my favorite go-to restaurant. Not happy at all! read more

Chicken was old. Chutney didn't taste like chutney at all. It tasted like old ketchup with food coloring and wocestershire sauce from the bottom of a trash barrel. Asked for mild spice and food turned me into a dragon. Not worth it. Go to Royal India. read more

Too salty. The shrimp was tough. Too spicy, ordered medium spice, got extra spicy. Plain rice was good. Next time to place in Bedford, MA.

During our trip back from Maine to Washington DC, we spent a night in Waltham. We chose this place after reading positive reviews on Yelp. Being of Indian origin, my spouse and I tend to be choosy and cautious when it comes to our food. The eatery can be found in a modest shopping area. As soon as we stepped inside (July 28, 2023), we were delighted by the sleek and minimalistic interior design. We were pleased to see that there were no obnoxious screens playing Bollywood movies or musicals, which made our experience even more enjoyable. My wife who is a seafood fan, ordered the Malabar Fish Biryani. I ordered the Chicken Curry Dosa. The initial taste of the Chicken curry was absolutely amazing! It was evident that the spices had been meticulously picked, ground, and blended into the chicken, which was both juicy and tender. The seasoning was spot-on, a feat that is often challenging to achieve. The flavorful, deep-fried fish pieces were mixed with tasty rice in the "Hyderabad" style. A side of sauce was provided to pour as desired. The raita was a lovely complement that soothed the throat. The fish biryani dish was very generous for the price. The man who assisted us that night, Mr. Rao, was a very pleasant person as well as the staff. He became even more joyful when I told him that the chicken curry was the most delicious I had tried in a long time. He stated that the recipe he had passed on to the chef was his own. This particular dish doesn't incorporate tomato sauce, ketchup, or cream, which are frequently used as quick fixes in similar restaurants. To thicken a sauce, cashew is ground into a paste. Their dedication to using pure and natural ingredients ensures that every dish is infused with an exceptional flavor. We requested that our meals be prepared with a "medium" level of spiciness. The dishes were quite tasty, with just the right amount of heat to add some flavor without being overly sweat-inducing or nose-drippingly hot, which would have made the meal unbearable. If you're not used to spicy food, I suggest starting with a mild level to still enjoy the flavor without overwhelming your taste buds. Based on my observations, the menu seems to predominantly showcase dishes from South Indian cuisine, specifically those from the state of Andhra, which happens to be my place of origin. If you're looking for tasty Telegu food, you've found a rare treasure among the numerous common tandoori, Punjabi, and Mughlai dishes that most Americans are familiar with. I really regret not trying the Gongura chicken at that restaurant. It seems like I'll need to make another trip to Waltham to fulfill my desire for their amazing food. read more

Not sure why this place gets hate on Yelp... I've ordered from here about 7 times now because it's nearby, and the food is good. I liked the masala fries, the chicken roast, all the biriyanis I've tried, chicken 65, the korma, the tikka masala, the baigan bhorta, ... Come to think of it, I've never ordered food here and not liked it. I think everything I've ordered has been yummy. Service is quick. Staff was friendly and answered my questions ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ To be fair, I've only ever gotten takeout from here so I can't comment on the table service, but I would probably try eating in if it weren't for COVID. The interior space is large, much larger than it looks from the outside, and the space is clean. Give this place a try if you're nearby and have a hankering for Indian food. read more

I don't know if the food is good or not because I didn't get a chance to try it. I showed up to order takeout at lunchtime on a weekday, after paying they said it would be 25-30 minutes! I only get a 30 minute lunch and they are about ten minutes from my work. There is no reason ANY food should take that long in a restaurant that has one customer and I'm it. So they stole my money and I didn't get lunch. Good riddance, won't ever go back. read more

The worst Indian food I have had in my life. All I want is good Indian food in Waltham and sadly this place did not fulfill that need. The food had no flavor and when I went to order the food, it was completely disorganized and chaotic. Go to better places nearby like Royal India Bistro in Lexington or India Kitchen in Waltham. Disgrace to Indian restaurants! read more

This is my neighborhood gem. I love the friendly staff and there food is amazing. I always got take out from this place but the ambience is very cozy at this place. read more

Have only had takeout here, and it was very good, with large portions. A rice-based dish was enough for one person for lunch and dinner, and the breads were amazing. The only hitch was the rice pudding; tasty and fresh, but not fully cooked to pudding consistency. I'm not sure the mostly liquid state was intentional. So I heated it myself at home to an excellent, semi-solid pudding. read more

Food is always super delicious. Stands out among Indian food restaurants that I have tried. Service is also always great!

My husband and I have been excited about bonfire opening for months ! Really wanted to enjoy the food but wow. I am so sad to say we will never go back. We ordered takeout and it took over an hour for it to be ready. When we came home two items were missing. We had ordered paneer tikka masala, channa masala, garlic naan and masala fries. Never got the rice or the naan. Rest was so bad I only took one bite and went to sleep hungry. Food was bland and I couldn't taste any masalas. Hope they get a new chef, but until then I won't be returning or recommending. Sorry and sad. read more

I'v been to a lot of restaurants and always order the lamb korma with mixed results. However, this will remain near the top of experiences I will always remember. Not only for quite the delicious meal but also for meeting one of the most friendly hosts you could ever have the pleasure of talking with. 5/5 would drive 1hr plus to eat again! read more

Would have given 0 rating if possible. Ordered Chicken Manchurian and Chicken biryani. Chicken manchurian has absolutely no taste. Chicken biryani was cold and stale and has a weird smell and taste. Threw the entire order in the trash. Also, the restaurant takes almost an hour to prepare 2 non tandoori dishes. read more

Came here a few times and usually stick with my go to selection when I get Indian food. Chicken Tikka Masala with rice and garlic naan. While it was solid on both occasions I thought the consistency of the dish was different when I went, almost as if a different chef changes the recipe. Anyway, solid Indian food. read more

From the outside it is a bit non-descript but the interior was bright, cheerful, modern and clean. We weren't expecting too much but the food was out of this world yummy. So many vegetarian options too. Tons of flavor, fast service, great options. We were shocked and surprised at how great everything was. Food was rich and creamy, nice amount of heat, service was attentive without being obtrusive. A bit on the expensive side for the size of the options, but honestly we would definitely go back as the food was so good. Highly recommend read more

Worst food experience ever. We order (delivery) Paneer Manchurian, onion chilli uttapam and idli vada. The paneer was dry and rubbery, not edible at all. We had to throw it out. The idli and uttapam were decent but the chutney and sambar we bad!! Would not recommend this place to anyone. read more

We ordered several dishes and we really loved it. The staff were friendly and the dishes were authentic as well. We'll definitely return.

Ordered from a new restaurant that opened recently. I ordered Malia kofta, paneer tikka masala, naan. They threw in a free dessert which was very nice of them. The food was very good. I came in earlier than the order time but they made it really quick. Parking was very easy. Will be going back and would recommend. read more

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I love this place! The food is very flavorful and it has the type of heat that sneaks up on you slowly. My favorite dish is the the butter chicken, but everything is excellent .. lamb vindaloo, chickpeas chana masala, and vegetable samosa to name a few. I love the scent when you walk through the door. It's so lovely and fragrant. Best of all, the people who work here are very polite, kind and respectful. read more

My family went here for weekend lunch and it was excellent! We ordered tandoori chicken, chicken malai kebab, paneer tikka masala, dosa, roti, and all were very delicious--everyone was happy across veg and non-veg. The condiment sauces and sambar were also flavorful. Besides this, the service was very good and the owners and waiters were friendly, knowledgeable, and wearing masks and had appropriate COVID-19 protocols. The restaurant has just recently opened for in-person dining and seems like a good take out spot. Parking was also very easy. read more

Bonfire Indian Grill - Interior of restaurant - Indian Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

First time trying Indian food and it was a major win! Absolutely love this place and would recommend to everyone!

The food is really good, especially their Dosa, served with three sauces, authentic and high quality! Chicken tikka masala and the butter chicken are great as well. Also nice staff and service. We will definitely go back for another family meal! read more

Bonfire Indian Grill - Plain Dosa with three sauces - Indian Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

I've only gotten takeout from here twice. Everything I've tried from here as been delicious. If you order online, give them a call and ask them to call you back when your order is ready. read more

AMAZING RESTAURANT!! The service was quick and friendly, the portions are huge and really really good. 10/10 recommend. I usually never leave reviews but this place deserves it. Will definitely visit again and recommend to everyone!! Thank you!! read more

Bonfire Indian Grill - Tiki Masala and Butter Chicken - Indian Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

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This was my go to takeout place for biryani, chicken 65, chili chicken and Manchurian, but since last 6 months or so the food has been horrible. I think they no longer have the original chef. read more

So far every thing we've had there is great! Our goto Indian spot in Waltham lately.

If you're looking for traditional boring tastes-like-everywhere-else food, go somewhere else. This place is a new spin on classic dishes and tastes great doing it. Try their lunch wraps, quite delicious. Lost a star because they really need to work out the kinks in their order taking. 2 out of 3 times the order has not been ready after giving plenty of time to prepare. read more

If you order online and don't select a good tip, you will be refused the meal when you go pick it up. They have used a power failure as an excuse twice now. The cook comes up and whispers to the stiff at the counter and than they make the excuse. Also i got diarrhea real bad from before and that is the sign to stop going there. read more

So so so good. We loveee Indian food and this is probably the best we've ever had. I do not say that lightly. The best part for me is when I ask for a dish to come mild and it ACTUALLY comes mild. 10/10. Will be back many many times. read more

My wife and I were planning to go to a subway, Panera or chipotle near by. But we came across bonfire, and while it didn't have many reviews, we still decided to give it a shot. To our surprise, the Mysore masala dosa was so tasty and had just the right level of spice. The dosa size was not par with other restaurants, may be they could make it a bit bigger. We then tried their biryani, and the medium spice level was still very flavorful and tasty! I would go back again. read more