My friend and I had an excellent dinner tonight. Pamma was the manager and was very attentive to us - as were servers. Food was very flavorful and not too pricey. We will definitely come back. Loved the chicken tikka and paneer tikka in particular. Rice pudding was awesome. read more

My exposure to Indian cuisine has been somewhat limited but this may be one of the best places I've been to. The food was absolutely amazing and delicious. I had the butter chicken which was great, the sauce the chicken was in was at the perfect level of spiciness. The naan was fresh and the veggie samosas were amazing. Staff was very attentive and friendly. The portions may feel a tad small but I was full with my entree and a shared appetizer. The 2nd best part of the meal may have been the price. $25 for 2 entrees and an appetizer! Cannot wait to come back here! read more

Best Indian Buffett I've had in DC area, of 12. Dont need to stand up to get 2nd. Very friendly staff. Great chicken.

Had the weekend brunch buffet and all in all for a brunch was pretty good!. The pudina (mint chutney) was delicious, the Channa masala (which is often hard for restaurants to infuse much flavor in) was delicious and the butter chicken while not the most gluttonous (tasted like they used yogurt not cream in a higher ratio) was still pretty good and I may have had a second helping knowing that it was a little lighter than usual ones . The butter naan was outstanding and the desserts pretty authentic and tasty!. One of the better Indian restaurants in Gaithersburg!. Looking at other reviews, not sure how consistent they are but I guess I'll have to keep coming back to see!. read more

Loved Diya in Mclean.. was my favorite buffet. This, however, was extremely disappointing. Food was bland and stale. The lamb had a strong smell to it. Only items that were edible were the butter chicken and pani puri. Will not be returning. read more

Favorite date night place! The Thali is amazing. The carrot dessert is my all time favorite.

Very unprofessional. I gave a gift card as a gift for my boss on Father's Day and they gave him a hard time about it. They just list 2 customers in one bad choice what discount are you giving after some pays 70 dollars for 2 adults and 2 12 year old kids? read more

First experience and it started bad. We saw their BOGO AD saying buy one and get one with equal or less price with a minimum purchase of $30.00 but when we called to place order, the restaurant attendant said, in rather disdainful way, "Nope, this ad is wrong and they will give second item equal to half the price only of the item we order" We ended up ordering family meal instead with two vegetarians items and one non-veg. We chose "Punjabi Rajma", "Malai Kofta" and "Kake Da Goat Meat". We found out that all items were cooked in a gravy overflowing with Tomatoes base curry..all tasted the same. We ended up throwing away 80% of the curry from each of the three preparations. Mutton pieces themselves were good, even Rajma were good but we had to really find them diving deep as they were far few in number relative to the bulk made up of, again want to hammer this point, the tomatoes curry:-). I am Punjabi and have eaten epic of Punjabi food at Amritsars, Ludhianas, Jalandhars but no where had to plunge deep into a curry preponderant with so much of tomatoes. Saving grace was 'mint' dahi and gulab jamun ...thank God they did not prepare them in tomatoes curry and they were good..hence I give them three stars...given COVID-19, I don't want people not eating there..they should try their different items which they may find good read more

We went here during Valentine's weekend with another couple. We are both Indian so we have had our fair share of desi food on a daily basis. The food was cold and the flavors weren't enough to spruce up our taste buds. We ordered tandoori chicken, pani puris, chaat, biryani and naans. We were very disappointed in the food and will never be going back. We wish we could have gone to tiffin in takoma park instead. If you want Indian food that does not disappoint, go to chettinad restaurant or tiffin. read more

Loved the food. We were here for lunch a few weeks ago and now back again for dinner. Each time we had the Thali. Borh visits we received more food than we could finish!! The lunch Thali was served nice and hot (different from a buffet where the food is always just warm) and when I wanted something from the veggie offering that wasn't on the meat menu, they said no problem and included it in addition to the included meat dishes. At dinner, refills were a nominal additional charge but they gave us extra rice and naan without charging us. The wait staff was attentive and very friendly. I loved the space too. If it wasn't so hot, I would have taken advantage of the outdoor seating... We will definitely return! read more

Great Indian Restaurant. Excellent food, attentive service, inviting atmosphere. It's my new 'go-to' for Indian Cuisine.

I wish I could givezero rating.. Such a rip off !! No wonder why the restaurant is empty on a Friday evening !! Will never go there again. The malai kofta we ordered is not definitely freshly made and felt frozen. To our wonder all the items are bland and not good at all. Stay away from it !! read more

I am Indian and think Diya is one of the very best Indian restaurants in the area. I have never had a bad meal here and highly recommend this restaurant if you are looking for authentic North Indian food. read more

I looooove the foods !! Rich in flavour and delicious ! Gotta try the lamb sheekh kabob its soooo juicy !! Also the chicken vandaloo, OMG you cant taste the spicy in your tongue but it'll definitely got you a runny nose ! I know it sounds weird but i just love spicy food ! I just dont like the "too quite" environment, just feel uncomfortable thats all. read more

I just dined at Diya Bistro. One critical issue: Yogurt Raita was stale at a large party. Rice was lumpy. Tava fry was undercooked. I have eaten at the Vienna location and it was far better. I think they can do better. Location, parking, restaurant set up all good. Lot of staff. Bar tenders good. read more

Love this place! Great food, authentic & flavorful. Best Indian Restaurant in kentlands. Service is really good also. And carry out orders have been flawless. You won't be disappointed in the butter chicken or the vindaloo. Enjoy! read more

I was very skeptical as I am when it comes to trying different types of foods. I'm glad they sent me the mailer because the food was very rich in flavor. The price is very reasonable for the quality of food that you receive. I would highly recommend this restaurant and I wish them all the best. Here's some food for thought.. If you're interested in alcohol they will not have their liquor license for another three months. P.S. This was the best service I received in over a year. read more

The food was amazing! We were there as part of a private party and the food just kept coming. Then we were told we had been eating appetizers, and there was more food on the way! The restaurant went out of it's way to make us comfortable and well fed! read more

Our family of 4 adults and 1 toddler ate brunch/buffet today (December 30, 2018) at Diya Bistro. The service was very professional, courteous and friendly. All the items served as part of the brunch/buffet were superb. There were several items to eat, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. They were very tasty and delicious. The desserts served at the end of the buffet were just so wonderful. I recommend this restaurant to everyone who wants to try something novel, yet very tasty. I rate this place a 5 out of 5. Waiting to go back there soon! read more

The meal was outstanding. The lamb was very tender. A date with my grandkids and son will see us back. Things spicy were not SO spicy that an Englishman could not eat them read more

Best food ever!!!! Delicious food with great flavors and spices.. Great service too. Lovely atmosphere

Just had an AMAZING brunch at Diya. Great customer service! We LOVED THE fish curry and goat biriyani. Thanks to everyone!

Great food, good service. We frequent this place with the whole family. Favorite dishes include chance bhatura and chicken vindaloo.

I live walking distance to Diya and I love Indian food, so when they opened I was thrilled! I thought for sure I'd have a new spot only steps from my apartment. Bonus: their Facebook says they have options for vegetarian/vegans, so I thought I hit the jackpot. (I am vegan and my boyfriend is not, so we try to find places where we can both try new dishes and be happy)! After being seated we were handed menus. I immediately asked which vegetarian items were also vegan or could possibly be made vegan. After two waitresses argued in another language, I was prompted by a waitress to order the veggie thali and told it could be made without dairy. A few minutes later, when time to write down my order, the waitress changed her mind and said to order it regular and she would point out the curry with dairy so I wouldn't eat it. She added it was easier for them to give me it and I don't eat it. I fully support being easy on the kitchen, so recommend something else I can actually eat! So, without trying to be a difficult vegan and live up to the stereotype, I ordered it with the intention to give my boyfriend the items with dairy. After I declined a drink other than water, the waitress ran me through a gauntlet of teas and lassis, which I know have dairy. After multiple no thank yous, she laughed and said she should stop because I don't want dairy. (Was that a laugh because she was uncomfortable or because she's mocking me?) Luckily the manager came over and said he made sure the kitchen would make a curry without cream. I felt only some relief because cream isn't the only dairy ingredient... When my veggie thali came I noticed the paneer sag, which had chunks of cheese in it. There was also a yogurt sauce and rice pudding. Out of the 5 little bowls on my plate, I could eat two. The waitress did come over to point out which items have dairy; however, she only pointed out the rice pudding. I ate my rice and two little bowls, which were very good. After dinner the waitress asked how the food was and I said delicious. She gave me a backhanded comment that I should've had the dairy anyway because I really missed the full flavor of the dishes. And she continued on to say the dairy was the main part of the flavor. If I started my experience asking for no dairy, why would you recommend and push a platter with dairy as a main flavor? Especially after it was going to be problematic for the kitchen? My boyfriend loved his food and my rice pudding. I bagged up most of my dinner for him to eat at home. Needless to say, I'm very disappointed and am sharing my experience so other hopeful vegans don't fall into the same situation. Vegans, if you want delicious Indian food clearly labeled vegetarian or vegan try Hot Breads instead (next door to Bonefish and Sweetfrog). read more

Food was very tasty and reasonably priced. Been there twice and got the butter chicken both times. Will come back again.

I eat Indian food a lot and have tried all restaurants in the area. I went to Diya for dinner and ordered a vegetarian thali. It was the worst food i ever had my life. I left the whole plate after trying a bite of everything.. Couldnt eat ! First, food is really bland and no salt. Palak paneer- palak tasted and smelled like it was made from rotten leaves ! Dal makhni smelled disgusting. Seems they didnt clean rice before cooking. Ordered aloo tikki masala.. Didnt feel a bit of potato..was all doughy and masala was pureed channa, again smell bad. Only plus is that owner was really nice. He came to eaxh table to say hello. read more

The best, authentic chat, sarso ka saag and makki ki Roti that I have ever had in the US. And I have eaten at a lot of indian restaurants across most of the US from east to mid west to southern US in core indian pockets too. The chat was exactly what I have had in Delhi in my earlier life and saag was out of this world. Most of the restaurants do not even know that this is how these recipes are done. If you live in the greater Washington D.C. area and have not been here then you are definitely missing something. I am told the same about chhole bhathure too which I am going back to try soon. A very welcome different restaurant among the run of the mill indian restaurants that one comes across mostly. read more

Fantastic food for a fantastic price point! keep it going! Try their Punjabi menu "chole bhature and makke di roti and sarso da saag" fresh as it can be and delicious! read more

Food was great. Tried the thali (meat sampler), everything was amazing. Really enjoyed the lamb and will be getting that next time. The price was excellent and service was great. read more

Outstanding food. The appetizers were amazing and fun. The main courses for our group were delicious and provided varied dishes for all. The service was wonderful! I have a new favorite restaurant. If anyone wants great Indian food this is the place to get it. Loved this place. read more

Ambiance is good food is worst. Had dinner at the restaurant and ordered another dish to go. Food tastes bad and could easily tell it was not made fresh. Family member got sick that night from the food at Diya and the to go dish had stinking smell, It was bad and stale when opened at home, It was a horrible experience, I will not go to this restaurant again and wouldn't recommend to anyone. read more

After eating Indian curries weekly for 40+ years, I can honestly say this is the WORST curry I have ever had. I ordered the non-veg thali: 1) Butter chicken (chicken was "off," maybe spoiled and I didn't eat it and sauce was probably out of a can; 2) Goat curry (lots of sauce and maybe 1 ounce of mea)t; 3) Lentils were okay; 4) papad (not crispy but soggy); Nan (texture of a roof shingle; 5) Rice (lukewarm, made when?) and 6) some kind of white sauce, not raita, maybe yoghurt with unidentifiable white threads and lumps. $12. I'm wondering about who it is who wrote the positive reviews. Just glad I didn't eat the chicken. read more

I have to change my opinion . I loved the food today . The Biryani was excellent and I am ready to try again.

Absolute hidden gem. It does confuse the GPS, however once you locate the place you will be extremely satisfied. Authentic Indian food. Give Diya a shot! You'll love what they have to offer. P.s. there's a buffet on the weekend with hidden menu items and fresh dishes that will delight your taste buds. The staff is absolutely amazing. They are so friendly and family oriented they even teach you to dance Indian style. And, they are super personable!!! This family restaurant provides an absolutely heavenly authentic cusine. Try it you'll see! read more

Fantastic experience. Wonderful food, both vegetarian and non. Attentive staff from order to delivery. Best in the region; not to be missed!

Gone couple times. Tried both dinner and buffet. I would give dinner 4 Star. Buffett 2 Star. Buffet was not hot and food was average. Won't order buffet again. Save yourself from being disappointed from eating buffet and order off the menu. Much better food read more

Great service and extremely inviting setting. The lunch menu is quite varied and the thalis are a great deal. I hope the service level does not drop off. The naan was perfect as were the vegetarian dishes. My only disappointment was the butter chicken. The sauce was bland and didn't seem to have any spices. Perhaps it was just off today. That being said if they can improve that dish I will be back. They put a great deal of effort into making the place inviting and comfortable. read more

There are much better Indian restaurants in the area like Tandoori Nights or India Palace. The price is alluring, but the food is not good. The shahi paneer/paneer makhani tasted like ketchup or tomato soup from a can mixed with paneer. The butter chicken was extremely dry. The mini somosa look like they're the Himalayan brand somosa's from costco... The ambiance is lovely but their waiters wear polo t-shirts... kills the elegant vibe. Definitely not the same chef as Diya in Tysons. read more

I love this place! It's really hard to find quality Indian buffets. Helps that the interior is really nice and clean as well. The butter chicken, saag, samosas and dal halwa were my faves!!! read more

The ambience of the place is nice but the food is definitely not suggestible. I ordered a chicken Manchurian and it tasted like some chunks of chicken and veggies sautéed in tomato ketchup and non-veg thali we ordered had butter chicken which was very sour and the chicken pieces were very hard. It was all waste of money. The restaurant was rated 4.3 so i thought we would get some good Indian food but it was a blunder! read more