We visited Gateway to India while visiting my Central Illinois home. We went on New Year's Eve, and it was not very crowded at all. Unfortunately, the lone waitress working that night was overburdened but also seemed a little bit inept at her job. On the upside, she did apologize profusely and the food was mostly great, especially the impeccable chicken tikka masala. We'll give it another try next time we're home, and here's hoping there will be more servers on staff at that time. read more

I really enjoy this restaurant. The food is very good here and it is a great place to go when we are in Springfield. If you aren't acquainted with Indian food, the menu has excellent descriptions of their different items and you can get them at your own spice tolerance. Very nice clean environment and the waitstaff is prompt in keeping water glasses filled and dirty plates cleared away. read more

Gateway to India is the best Indian place I've ever been, as far as taste and service are concerned. Even Chicago area restaurants, of which I've tried many, don't match this kitchen. read more

Had the butter lamb. Amazeballs. Best Indian food ever.

On a business trip to Springfield from hometown Chicago and didn't want any of the "chain" restaurants dominating springfield's culinary landscape. Went to Taste of India and very surprised. One of the best Indian places I've been to. Menu is huge...almost overwhelming. The dish I ordered took a while but it was, I believe, made from scratch. Huge portion with half taken home with me. Service was just ok and the atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired. But it's the food that counts here. Very good. I will be going back. read more

Try the buffet. You will find something you like. Nice staff, tasty alternative to fast food and the area.

I could put that green (cilantro and mint, I think) sauce on everything, so delicious, especially with samosas. I dream about it.

My boyfriend and I had never had Indian food before but this is right by our apartment so we thought to give it a try. It was really tasty and once the waitress heard we had never had Indian food before she gave us some suggestions. I love trying new food, so if you do too give it a try! read more

The food is tasty due to the usage of powder and butter so be prepared to get some high calorie diet. The Naan is good other than that the taste of vegetable dish is just ok. If you guys would like to try different cuisine definitely visit this place once. read more

I was specifically looking for Indian food while visiting Springfield. The waitress suggested the Tandoori shrimp. I was reluctant because I had a taste for chicken Korma. Well let's just say I was pleasantly surprised. The Tandoori shrimp was fantastic. I highly recommend it and the chicken Korma. read more

My family is in a food coma! Excellent service and food at a reasonable price. Gateway to India is an authentic Indian restaurant that is open Sun thru Sat for lunch. Last time we enjoyed good authentic Indian food was 4 years ago when we lived in Washington DC. The wait staff were friendly and attentive. The selection of foods on the buffet were varied and deliciously prepared. You won't go wrong by giving this place a try. I now need to go take a nap. read more

I've only ever been here for the lunch buffet and occasionally for takeout, and it's almost always good. For a little while the quality dipped but that was due to a change in management, and now it's back to being delicious again! We always arrive a little after 11 when they open. The lunch buffet is well-stocked with a variety of delicious foods, and lunch includes a basket of fresh Naan. Overall this is a pretty solid place to get good Indian food! read more

Gateway is the real deal; don't let the location and their nondescript establishment fool you. I've ordered take out from them several times and it has always been good and consistently, noticeably better -- more flavorful -- than "higher end" or "gourmet" Indian restaurants I've paid much more at in big cities (Chicago, Washington DC, San Francisco). When they are busy, take out sometimes takes a bit longer, but better to eat at a busy restaurant than one with no customers, I guess. The vegetable samosas are especially good, with a combination of savory and sort of sweet (the way sweet peas and sweet potatoes taste sweet) with a crunchy exterior and soft filling. The pakora are another solid choice. For entrees, the chicken tikka is also a good choice -- very big portion, easily enough for 2 or even 3 people. The tikka masala and makhani dishes also good; plus the almond-coconut dishes. Sweet mango lassi -- kinda like a sweet mango smoothie -- a good beverage with the spicier dishes. Bottom line: solid food, good value, I would get their food again, no question. read more

This is the best Indian food restaurant within a 50 mile radius for us! We have been back again and again. The lunch buffet is wonderful with a nice selection of dishes. We returned the next week for dinner and they will make it as spicy as you want. I went for mild but next time will kick it up a notch! Love, Love, Loved the place! read more

I had the chicken tikka masala and plain naan bread here this evening - maybe the best I've ever had! Everything was hot. The basmati rice was fragrant and just-right moist. The masala was delicious and the large chicken chunks were very tender, juicy. The naan bread was not only light and tasty, but even flaky. There was no one else in the restaurant when I arrived at around 8 PM - we should tell everyone that this unremarkable building holds remarkable food! read more

After 6 years I finally went to Gateway to India. I don't know why I have waited so long, that place is phenomenal! The lunch buffet is a great way to try everything for a fraction of the price if you're new to Indian Cuisine. A+ read more

Great food, Love the lunch buffet. The food is fresh and well seasoned.The best Naan that i ever had! The Mango icecream is mouthwatering and refreshing. I have been introduced to this restaurant by my boyfriend. I live in chicago so every chance i get i come to eat here and sometimes visit my boyfriend ;) read more

So good my normally picky 4 year old left with a very happy tummy. (His words not mine) Being from South Dakota we only had one indian restaurant, which we frequented often, and this reminded us of home. The naan was slightly greasy but everything else had good flavor. Service was very nice. read more

Excellent lunch buffet with a great assortment of choices. All tasty! Naan with every table price more than affordable. Dinner menu gives a wide variety of Indian dishes originally spiced in the cuisine of the country. Expect a difference in the flavors of the dinner dishes over the lunch buffet( more mild at lunch). Dinner is exquisite especially the lamb. Best Indian cuisine in Illinois! read more

The lunch buffet has good variety, was served hot, and came with hot naan. Everything I tried was very good, nothing stood out as "best ever" or "what the he'll was that?" Just good Indian cuisine at a reasonable price. read more

Been here numerous times and they are very consistent. They always ask how spicy you would like your food and the lady that runs the place is always nice to talk with. Their makhani chicken is very good (butter chicken) as are their samosas. Good flavor and good spice. I heard the buffet is pretty good but I never had the chance to try it. read more

Great place, best Indian food in IL outside of Chicago! New owners have brought on a new chef with even better takes on classic dishes. Family favorite! My daughter-- very picky eater -- loves the vegetable korma read more

Really tasty Indian food! I especially like the tikka masala. I think the food here is better than other Indian food I've had in other cities. read more

This place is definitely solid, but it won't blow you away. We were travelling through the area and couldn't find any other Indian options. At first look, the building is awkward and the decor is cheap and lacking. Even the staff (proprietors?) were lackluster and a bit sloppy. That said, the lunch buffet was surprisingly extensive and offered many options you don't find other places -- keema matter, idli, 2 types of dal, gajar ka halwa. It also had typical fare like tikka masala, navratan korma and pakora. Hits: Hot, fresh, unending naan brought to your table. The spicy chicken with peppers, it tasted almost like sichuan. Yellow lentils. Dal makhani. Keema mattar. Mango ice cream. Tandoori, I didn't have any but my partner said it tasted of the traditional clay oven. Misses: Pakora was bland. Gachar ka halwa didn't taste of carrots, only spices. Saag needed flavor. Not a bad place to go, but definitely lost points for the deteriorating building. read more

Incredibly authentic Indian cuisine! I also appreciate that this establishment has menu descriptions for each dish, for those who are interested in trying Indian for the first time. Please don't feel like you have to be an expert to eat here. I highly recommend the Green Masala (I got mild, but they can make it as spicy as you want), and Tikka Masala. Also, order the Naan bread.....oh man, do it. Dip it in the plum sauce! This is my favorite Indian place in the area. I would NOT suggest the pistachio ice cream, as I don't believe they sell a lot of it, and ours was kind of old and hard. But the food is the point, here. It is to die for. The staff are very friendly and helpful. They really want you to have a nice experience. read more

When I found Gateway to India on Yelp, the positive reviews left me with high expectations. It is one of a small number of Indian restaurants in Springfield, Illinois. Located near the intersection of Wabash and Chatham, finding it is not difficult. The restaurant offers a buffet during lunch hours and an evening menu. The reviews were correct; Gateway to India was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I visited the restaurant just before noon, so I had the lunch buffet. I ordered water and selected a variety of foods from the buffet. The Dal soup was flavorful and spicy, and it was a perfect match for the flatbread that I was given. The Matar paneer, Jeera rice, and lettuce salad were much milder, but they contrasted the spicier foods and tasted excellent. The uttapam tasted like a seasoned bread, and the rice and vegetables it contained blended very well. I would have tried more, but the Matar paneer was very filling. At my sister's recommendation, I tried the Tandoori chicken, which had an exceptional, well-cooked flavor. Nothing disappointed me; even the water tasted great. Aside from the food, the atmosphere was pleasant. The mood was a mix of casual and fine, with decoration that looked expensive but not overly fancy. The service was surprisingly attentive to buffet customers, as well. Buffet meals cost around ten dollars per person. It was a great experience for me, and it is perfect if you are looking for Indian food in Springfield. read more

I dined at Gateway to India yesterday with my dad; this was my first experience with Indian food. We arrived at the restaurant at 7:30 and were seated immediately. All of the tables were arranged in one room, and only a few other people were dining at that time. The restaurant had a cozy, casual atmosphere with warm lighting. Quiet Indian music played in the background. We were given water and an appetizer of papadum chips and dip, along with our menus. The thin, crunchy chips were provided with a chunky, sour mint chutney dip and a tangy, thick tamarind sauce. We ordered three entrees: Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, and Malai Kofta. We also asked for a Mango Lassi and Masala Tea to drink, and a side of Paneer Kulcha, a flatbread. The food was prepared within five to ten minutes and served with rice. All of the dishes were hot, creamy, and expertly seasoned. I enjoyed the Tikka Masala most; it had a nutty, sweet flavor and a rich consistency. The Saag and Tikka Masala were ordered with paneer, which is a mild tofu-like cheese that was dense but not heavy. The food and atmosphere of Gateway to India were wonderful, and I absolutely recommend dining there. I did not expect the modest building and filling food, but these surprises were definitely not disappointing. We had a kind, attentive server, and our meal was well worth the price. I hope to dine at Gateway to India again soon. read more

Really disappointed today. My friends and I have been here multiple times and have never had a problem with service before. All to-go orders have always been ready at the time suggested. Today a group of 7 of us showed up for dinner and got seated right away. When it came to getting utensils because we didn't have enough, or water and water glasses because we didn't have enough, that was not done speedily. When it came to ordering appetizers and drinks, that took 50 minutes before we even got drinks brought to the table. Dinner entrees took at least another hour. We inquired multiple times on missing orders/drinks/dinner entrees and we were told things were "coming." At the end of the meal upon discussing what may have happened or what could be done differently for next time, the staff merely shrugged their shoulders and did not offer an apology for the lack of service provided. This is deeply disappointing as this establishment was one of the best, and as you know, good local restaurants are hard to come by in Springfield. Customer satisfaction is key in any restaurant, and here they clearly do not have the customers best interest in mind. read more

1 star because there is nothing less than this. Worst possible place to eat. Rude owner and completely tasteless food. Better eat Maggie at home, Only thing that tasted as it should was water. Veggie buffet is no good. Stay at home or go to Flavors of India. read more

I have lived in may different US cities and two weeks after visiting I still can't believe that the best Indian food I've ever had is in Springfield, IL. read more

I am so disappointed. The old owners stated that the new owners would use the same cook. The food is not even comparable. I used to order takeout at least once a week and won't even bother now. The sauces are watery and the spices are lacking. I want my old Gateway back :( read more

This is one of the worst Indian restaurant i ever came across. Food is of very low quality. they have no sense of making Indian food by any means. Besides, owner is very unprofessional. He has no sense of dressing. He don't even know how to represent food and himself too. Again, talking about food, most of the time they serve stale food. read more

A must go to and regular spot for me and my family. Since moving to Springfield almost 2 years ago I was so happy to find amazing ethnic food. Just a good as the stuff I've had in Chicago growing up. Actually even a step up. Top 3 Indian restaurants I've been to in the country. While the atmosphere might not be any bring special, the food is top notch. read more

I had a 50th anniversary party for my parents at Gateway to India on May 16 2010. Samir&Alka(the owners) provided us with outstanding service. The food was excellent. We had 60 people at the restaurant and everything went as scheduled. They even helped us with the decorations. The dahl makani , butter chicken, tandoori chicken and sag paneer were superb as well as other dishes. I will definitely have another party at this excellent establishment. I like the new owners. Everything went smoothly from appetizers to dinner to dessert.The atmosphere was wonderful. All the guests had a great time and they loved the food. read more

wtf im from california theres plenty different places to go for indian food and these prices are crazy . 2.99 for naan?? seriously ??? where i come from its 1$ and its amazing . chicken tikka masala for 8.99 and they give so much you wont need seconds...rip off .wasn't even good read more

I've had a lot of Indian food, and while some of the dishes here are average, the chicken biryani is outstanding. So savory and delicately spiced, it's far beyond biryanis I've had elsewhere. Do give it a try! read more

Food was just OK. Service is horrible. You have to wait for your bread for long time. We were 4 in a group and constantly wait for bread/Naan. We did mentioned to the owner standing there but it seems like he has I do not care attitude. We got food from buffet and by the time bread came in food was cold. I will try to avoid this place. read more

Its not even worth giving a review... Rude Management!! I just realized I wasted my 2 mins..

This place upset my stomach for several hours after I had dinner. Had to cancel my plans after the dinner because my stomach was hurting really bad. My boyfriend said his stomach was feeling weird but not as bad as mine. Went there on the weekend, it seemed very understaffed there. Not coming here again. read more

In reality, I would give this place 1 1/2 stars. I love Indian food and I do visit a lot Indian restaurants (and my girlfriend is also Indian so let's just say I have had a lot of exposure to the food). However, I have to say that Gateway to India is probably the worst Indian restaurant I have been to. I don't know why that is. Every time I've been there I have been disappointed. I have some friends who like this place, and I believe it might be because this might be the only Indian restaurant in the area. So having something is better than nothing I guess. Overall, i have stopped going there. There is much better places than this. read more