Love Darbar- big fan of their lunch buffet. Quick and easy option in Fells Point. Everything is fresh and ready to be eaten. Very polite staff that are quick to tend to your every need. I try to eat here at least once a week! read more

We have eaten at Darbar twice in the past two weeks and absolutely love this restaurant! The food is fantastic. The Tandoori options are amazing. The service is outstanding - prompt and friendly. We got recommendations on dinner choices from our waiter and they did not disappoint. Darbar is top notch and not to be missed. read more

We're Fells Point locals and decided to try this out one Saturday night. Clearly something was amiss because we sat for almost 10 minutes before a waiter even came over to get our drink orders. It was busy so we gave them the benefit of the doubt. We eventually ordered but were there well over an hour with no update on our food, while several tables around us had been served. We eventually left without eating and just paid for our wine. Since the manager finally came over to acknowledge what happened (one of their kitchen staff was ill so our waiter was trying to help out), we said we'd try again sometime. We went again on a very slow Tuesday night but the service didn't improve much. The place was nearly empty but our entrees still took quite a while to arrive and our waiter wasn't very attentive. The chicken tikka masala and vindaloo were both good, but my Indian boyfriend felt the vindaloo could have been hotter. We'll probably stick to take-out for this place. read more

Love, love this place. I've been there a few times already and it never disappoints. The service is great - never have to wait more than a few moments to get waited on and your glass is always full. Food is fantastic and is definitely one of the better Indian restaurants out there. I've tried both the buffets and menu service. Off the menu, I've tried the lamb saag, lamb xacutit, and chicken tikka masala. All tasty choices. Also, their beef samosas are excellent. The only word of caution I'd give is that their food is spicy, which I personally love, but all of those items are adequately marked on their menu. I think it has a very nice intimate setting. It's small, but a good spot for date nite. read more

Hubby was carving Indian food and this is the only one in the hood. A friend had been there and liked it, so we decided to give it a try a couple of weeks ago. Staff was very friendly and food was very good, but service was a bit slow coming from New York. --papadam and sauces were good; mint sauce was not hot, like expected --mango lassis were good (not noteworthy compare to other places but I don't know any other in Baltimore) Main dishes took 40+ minutes to arrive so shouldn't come here at the point of starving. --Lamb Xacutti was exactly what I wanted: rich, moderately spicy, Indian curry; ordered the spicyness level to be moderate, and would describe the result on my scale as 5/10 (meaning, I noticed the spice, but it was very easy to eat) --Zafarani Murg Biryani (a type of chicken Biryani) was excellent, one of the better ones can remember having --spicy tea (Masala Chai): ordered it with milk; took 15 minutes to arrive; was disappointed in the result: was very weak tasting. Starbucks' Chai is much stronger! I remember my friend's (Indian) home-made Masala Chai was stronger too. read more

Walked by this place a hundred times, finally decided to try it. Don't worry about looks-it's what they make in the kitchen that matters. Our server was extremely kind and knowledgeable about the menu. He didn't write a thing down and got our order perfect. My friend is vegetarian and no dairy and she had many choices and had a hard time deciding. Everything was fresh and HOT as in temperature, just cooked-which is a huge thing for me. The Lamb tikka masala was delicious-loved the flavors. All the other dishes were delicious as well-we had a vast selection and no one went hungry-servings are generous. My husband who claims he does not like that kind of food ate his entire meal there. The rest of us had plenty leftover to take home. Try the Naan bread but listen to the server when he says get it with the meal because you will be dunking it in the rich savory sauces. We will be back! Support local!!! XOXO read more

Excellent food with even better service. Our server had great attention to detail and coursed out our meal perfectly, definitely coming back. We had even forgotten a bottle of sanitizer on the table and our server chased us down the block to hand it back to us, great spot! read more

We have tried their weekend buffet a few times, and each visit left us with a food coma - tasty food, decent service, okay ambiance, relaxed environment. We usually go for a walk by the water in Fells or Canton after our meal here. read more

I really love this place! Indian food is one of my favorite cuisines, and I'm so glad I live within walking distance of Darbar. I order food to go more than I'd like to admit. The food is delicious and the staff are super friendly! Also, if you eat there, you get a free glass of wine with dinner! Such good prices for really quality food. The samosa chaat and chicken tikka masala are favorites of mine. Also the garlic naan is awesome! read more

I rarely leave reviews. But this was particularly upsetting. I ordered delivery and everything was delicious but the portions of the trio chicken kabob were insanely small. I got four small chunks of chicken and almost no veggies. Not great for the $12 price tag. I may get food here again, but not this dish. read more

Darbar - $12 trio chicken kabob....this is how it came, not after I ate half. Very odd. - Indian Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Went here for dinner with 4 other friends it was on Tuesday and the food was spiced to perfection and was delicious couldn't have asked for better service can't wait to go back. read more

There's literally nothing bad about this place. The entire experience was great. We had excellent service--our waiter walked us through the menu and gave us the BEST recommendations (highly recommend the Samosa Chaat!) We had excellent wine. And the food! OMG THE FOOD. SO. FREAKING. GOOD. Would go back for breakfast, lunch, and dinner tomorrow. read more

I would go to Darbar for their lunch buffet. It is a solid option for a quick, affordable lunch on weekdays. I have tried dinner once and didn't feel like it was worth it. I would rather drive to Mt.Vernon or Columbia for a better option. I do not love their decor, either. It seems dark and I can sometimes see the inside of the storage area which is rather untidy. read more

Food was super delicious! Staff was amazing and had great recommendations for us (first time trying Indian food). Food took some time to come out but was well worth the wait! read more

Splendid experience. My friend and I went there for lunch today. We were welcomed by a very polite server who directed us to the table we chose. Immediately we got served ice cold water which really made a difference since today was so hot!! We were asked if we wanted to get buffet which we chose. The food was amazing. Very good quality. I'm Greek and I really like goat and lamb and they had goat at the buffet. I could not be more pleased!! There was also chai, and a couple desserts to choose from. This is far from the typical ethnic food buffet, it's very genuine, and everything is delicious. The music they play is very relaxing, and the servers always made sure to clean the table and bring warm, freshly baked naan, between our trips to the buffet!! My only suggestion for improvement is maybe adding one more option to the food buffet, but y'all definitely deserve the five stars! read more

So wrong on so many levels! Went with group for special occasion. Wait staff was extremely rude and tried to pressure us into ordering by picking one of three entrees instead of ordering off the menu. When we asked to order off menu got upset and then didn't take our order for 30 minutes, then was extremely disorganized and even told people things like "no, that is too spicy for someone like you" and "oh you think you want that?". Food was mediocre/average or below par for Baltimore as there aren't any truly great Indian places in town. Food was not spiced to our request as the waiter didn't order what we requested. One curry dish had overcooked sauce and was already nearly solid when served. Waiter didn't know how to split the check and overcharged us. We had multiple items on the bill that we didn't order or receive and they ended up making us pay about $40 (on a bill of $260) for food we didn't receive. They also included an 18% gratuity, which is normal with groups, but given the HORRIBLE service we received it was like a slap in the face. We eat at Indian restaurants in Baltimore/Columbia/Towson/White Marsh area about once every two weeks for the last 3 years. We will NOT be returning to Darbar. read more

Great service and delicious buffet options. Wait staff is kind and attentive, and the food is excellent!

My family and I were die hard Akbar fans (Charles street) but my elderly mother found it difficult to do the steps. When Darbar opened in the Fells point area we were delighted and went there within the first week of it's opening. The food, like Akbar, is delicious. Our favorite dishes usually are lamb chops, tandoori chicken, biryani ( a rice dish which you can get with chicken, lamb, shrimp or vegetarian: they are ALL delicious), dhal (lentils) and either nan or roti (kinds of bread). We also do a lot of the curries, with lamb rogan josh and the chicken tikka masala being stand out favorites. Our newest favorite (the list keeps growing) is "kurkuri bindi"(crispy fried okra) which is also outstanding. Not only is the food in these establishments wonderful, their service is fast, friendly and courteous. They are especially indulgent with my mother and her needs, and will frequently return to the table to make sure everything is to our satisfaction. By the way there is a new chef at Darbar now and there are even more things being added to the menu including some really good and unusual desserts. Our family couldn't be happier with Darbar and every time we set out for dinner we look at each other and say"where do you want to go? as if there was any real debate! We always say that the true test of any ethnic restaurant is whether people of THAT ethnic group will eat there, simply because they know what the food is SUPPOSED to taste like and what makes something good or bad. Well trust me, we are as Indian as they come, and I know my way around a kitchen so I believe I have honestly rated this establishment, so help me God! Priya P. read more

Not the best Indian food I've ever had, but definitely not the worst. The samosas were pretty good, the naan was soft and flavorful, and the curries were as expected - but nothing was extraordinary. Everyone I went with agreed with me that the food was good, but no one was raving about it. If you're craving Indian food and don't know where else to go, Darbar does the job. read more

I was a bit skeptical to try this place because I was so satisfied with my go to Indian place, Kumari. But, I'm glad I did, it was fantastic. The flavors, sauces, naan were excellent and would recommend this place to anyone. Service was friendly and attentive. Too bad the current delivery minimum is $50. A must try. read more

Waited for 45 minutes for our dinner. When the dinner finally got to us, it wasn't anything special. My daughter was starving and there was nothing short of empty promises from the management stating that our food is on its way. I was on the verge of walking out. Very disappointed for a place that has garnered high reviews. The food was good, I should say, but not the best I have had. And I am of Indian/South asian descent. There are better places to get good Indian food in Baltimore, and Darbar is certainly not the best among them. read more

Living around the corner from here, I was at first upset when I realized that Tallay Thai was no longer open (closing with no notice or explanation). I slowly watched the building get repainted, new carpet etc, and finally saw a sign announcing the new restaurant, DARBAR, opening March 21st. Of course, I had to be the first one there to try it out. The food was AWESOME! One of the best Indian food restaurants in the city! Sauces were hearty and flavorful, not just spicy to be spicy. We had veggie samosas, naan, chicken vindaloo, and chana masala. Everything was cooked well and balanced. The chutneys were also delicious! I could have had the mint chutney as a meal, so delicious! I would highly highly highly suggest visiting this restaurant the next time you are in the mood for indian food, or wanting to try something new. They mentioned they will be opening a lunch buffet next week, which I will have to sneak away from work to try as well. Welcome to the neighborhood :) read more

One of the best Indian restaurants in Baltimore! Came here as a single diner and highly enjoyed myself. I ordered the Paneer Makhani with a side of naan. Both were absolutely delicious!! The server, Sandy, was very friendly and made me feel welcome. He told me Darbar has the same owner as Akbar, which makes sense, both are delicious. I like the atmosphere better at Akbar but I think the food is better at Darbar. I recently dined at Nepal House as did not enjoy it. Very nice atmosphere but the food was bland, especially the paneer. If you're in town, definitely stop by! read more

Okay I would say there are far better Indian buffets and take outs there. The food here was lacking flavor. Not only that the staff here were not friendly at all. I am not sure if I ended up going on a off day, because the reviews were good on this place. I have only been here once but was not impressed at all. read more

Always good Indian food, nice ambiance, friendly service - this place is great! The lamb chops were a bit overcooked but the chicken vindaloo and saag paneer were fantastic. The bread was fresh. The gulab jamuns were underwhelming but then again, I've never had good gulab jamuns in the US - so its par for the course. Overall, favorite Indian place in Baltimore City so far! read more

Tried their Salmon Tikka Masala. It was amazing! Must come back to try other items on the menu. Service was great and it is around the harbor. If you like Indian food, definitely stop by! read more

Solid Indian restaurant in Fells Point. The Goa Fish Curry is particularly good, and the weekend brunch is excellent. Service is prompt if sometimes a bit annoying (I don't want you to ask me if I need anything 10 times during the meal), and prices are on par with other Indian spots in Baltimore. I'm subtracting half a star because they send leftovers home with you with in flimsy styrofoam and plastic bags. This place offers Groupon-like deals frequently, so I hope they're doing ok financially and will be around a while. read more

I crave the Darbar mixed grill when I am not eating it. My only wish is for a better beer selection. I love this place!

Every so often Indian food seems to hit the spot and Darbar more than offers a solution. Great paneer chicken chutney, chicken tikka masala and garlic naan. Not much in the way of beer selection, though, and the food is pricey. read more

For starters, they have free off-street parking across the street from the restaurant! That is a huge plus because parking in that area can be a pain, so it's nice they offer free parking if you end up driving. The food was great! My go to is usually the chicken tiki masala which did not disappoint! Their nan was also super fluffy and warm (I'm a huge nan snob, so this part was important to me). The waiter was patient and willing to go over any menu items we had questions about. read more

I've been here a few times for the buffet and haven't been disappointed. It's pretty consistent but not always in a good way. They are always out of naan...always. It just doesn't seem like they ever check the buffet on their own. Someone always has to ask them to bring out more and then it's another 10 minute wait. Every time I've been there, there have only been a few other tables so I'm not sure why it takes awhile to get water refills and plates cleared. The food is good. Sometimes the chicken in the tikka masala is a little tough and not as tender as it should be. It's the only buffet in this area so I'm sure I'll be back but at least I know what to expect. read more

I've had wonderful Indian food before, in LA. Given that this place is in Baltimore, I couldn't expect anything better than average. The food lacked salt and flavoring. The staff was kind and welcoming, but the food fell short. read more

This is our favorite Indian restaurant to go to in Baltimore as a family and the location is perfect. The staff is super friendly and the food is really good. I knock one star off for sometimes slow service and their desserts are not their great compared to other places I have tried. read more

My impression of Darbar in a word? Adequate. Surrounded by pub grub and pizza, Darbar is a great way for those with a traditional American palate to eat Indian food. Generally speaking, everything tasted downright tame. "Sterile" is too strong a word, but I left feeling like I hadn't gotten what I wanted. The first thing I noticed was a weird gloopy red something that was supposedly tamarind. You know the trio of sauces (a green chutney, tamarind, and onions) most Indian places put out with a few papadums right as you are seated? No matter how cheap the place is, I've only ever experienced real tamarind. Sometimes a little watery, sometimes thicker, but always real tamarind. This was the first time I've ever seen this... syrup (?), and I avoided it. The green chutney was good but oddly mild. The veg samosas were fine. Nothing special. Like the green chutney, they hit the right notes, I suppose, but there was... something missing. It's like they held back on the spices, which is an odd thing to say about Indian food. But most Indian food I've had, even mild dishes, have been intensely flavorful. For a main, I had the chana masala, which is one of my favorites. Darbar's version was heavy, mild, and sweet. I'm used to a lighter, tangier, spicier take on the dish with a bit more heat (differentiation between spice and heat is intentional). In my experience, a tangy spicy chana masala pairs beautifully with a poori (puffy fried bread), which is something Darbar's version just wouldn't work with because there's not enough contrast between the two. My dinner companion ordered an assortment of vegetarian dishes, and all were similarly heavy, sweet, and oddly light on spice. Even saag paneer. I've never had sweet saag paneer. It was almost spinach pudding. I think the only thing I actively enjoyed was the naan. But I don't go out for Indian for the bread. I go for the beautiful complex spices. My only guess as to what's going on here is they're courting an American southern palate. From my extensive exploration of Curry Row down in the village during my college years in NYC, having dinner at many friends of Indian descent houses, and countless blissful lunches at Woodlands in Langley Park, MD (the best Indian lunch buffet I've ever had in my life), Darbar isn't spectacular. I can do better with a few Madhur Jaffrey recipes in my own kitchen. Darbar seems to be a big fish in a small pond, and I don't think they're incapable of stepping up their game. Maybe with some competition in the future, they'll get in the groove. Unless I'm feeling lazy, cramped for time, and the cravings get bad, I won't be back. Despite being insanely full, I felt unsatisfied, and that's not worth the money or the calories. read more

-Small but good buffet. -Good service.will definitely like to visit Again. ************************* read more

I just want to start by saying i LOVE Indian food. My mother almost disowned me because I didn't list Chinese food as my number one favorite (since I'm Chinese)...anyway, because of this fact, I've tried many Indian restaurant around town and I am so glad Darbar opened in Canton/Fells Point because now we don't have to travel all the way to downtown for Indian food. The owner of Darbar is the same owner as Akbar, and if you had Indian food in Akbar, you know it's tasty. We went to Darbar twice since it opened, once for dinner and the other for lunch buffet. We were very satisfied both times. Though the menu is a bit different than Akbar's, the food was delicious. Their Chicken Tikka Masala was amazing, esp with the chicken cooked to perfection, very tender, not dry at all and cury sauce was to die for. I was disappointed however, that they do not have Martar Paneer but not every Indian restaurant should have the same menu right? So high recommendations for Darbar! go try it and you will LOVE it~ read more

I have been here twice now for the lunch buffet and both times I found it "just ok". I agree with other reviewers that it is by no means the worst Indian food I have ever had, but it was generally lacking for me on multiple fronts. All of the chicken dishes were dry and the tikka masala had a sweet and tinny element to the sauce - maybe too much sugar and canned tomato sauce? - that I did not find appealing. The various vegetable dishes were bland and uninspired and also did not hold up well for a buffet. The naan and channa masala type dish were probably the standouts as better than the rest, but not enough to get me to go back. In addition, I agree the interior, menus, and carpets are in need of a refresh as the place veers more towards seeming to not get enough cleaning as opposed to the Charm City shabby chic vibe you often find in Baltimore restaurants. Service was fine, but not particularly attentive with only just a few tables. Also, if you have a Living Social coupon for this place like I did, read the fine print as it is only for dinner and not the buffet. I did not realize that and I ended up not being able to use the coupon prior to the expiration. read more

Incredible food! This is by far my favorite Indian food restaurant. Besides having delicious food, I am also impressed by the variety. They have a lot of dishes that I haven't seen at any other Indian food restaurants. My two favorite dishes are KHATTA MEETHA BAIGAN (eggplant in a tangy, yogurt sauce) and KURKURI BHINDI (crispy, fried strips of okra). Two things I have never had before and you must try. The service is always fast and friendly. I feel good giving patronage to this place. I definitely recommend Darbar. read more

Been to the lunch buffet twice since the new owners and chef took over, they're doing a great job. Excellent service and food! The usual wide selection of vegetable dishes, tikka masala, and very meaty tandoori, now also a delicious goat curry. Desserts rotate now which brings some good variety. read more

This is the best Indian food I have ever eaten. I ordered take away. The rice -- they have seasoned rice and gave me a plenty of it. It had a great aroma and presented well. I ordered Chicken Tikki Masala (my favorite) -- seasoned chicken, tons of it, and the best flavor! The naan came wrapped in foil with a cloth under it to keep the naan from getting soggy. Wow! Impressive meal! read more