We made a reservation and arrived early, waiting at the bar we were taken care of with friendly service. Our meal was delicious, fresh, and hot! Tony, the owner was fabulous and took the time to talk us through the Atwood of making an authentic Curry. It was our anniversary and they surprised us with one of their desserts, a beignet soaked in a rose water syrup. All around a 10/10 experience. The ambiance is intimate and the decor and a well done. read more

Laila - Entry waiting area - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

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The lunch buffet has a nice assortment. The soup was excellent. All the food was prepared mild rather than heavily spiced and was of the highest quality. Our table was promptly cleared by welcoming staff as we returned to the buffet. My vegetarian sister found plenty of good things to eat, and we both enjoyed the setting. If you've ever been afraid to try Indian food, this place is good to introduce you to the many wonderful flavors or Indian cuisine without overwhelming you. read more

Laila - The food here is great. - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

I would love to come back here. Food was amazing, and a good price. For two people, all you can eat buffet it was $55. It was actually delicious. I already want more food from here. They have a menu or a buffet option. It is also very pretty and clean inside, even the bathroom was super clean! The staff is very kind and constantly checking in and keeping the area clean. I think my water was topped off almost every time I had a sip (one of my biggest pet peeves is not having water). Love it here. read more

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Service is fantastically attentive and very friendly. We have been several times and the food has been wonderful each time. They are gladly willing to accommodate gluten free requests read more

Pretty much all I'm going to say is if you love (or even kinda like) your tastebuds, you will order the fish moilee curry. One of the most sublime dishes I've eaten in a very long time - and this is not hyperbole. Okay, I'll say more. The ambiance is wonderful, the service is excellent, and the entire experience was truly enjoyable. You'll definitely want to order the crab cakes, too. Go. Eat. Enjoy. Laila should be on your list. read more

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It was an amazing experience!! The service and food were outstanding! Our server was amazing, I wish I could remember his name! But the owner was extremely friendly. He talked about the beautiful painting and artist who painted it! He also talked about how he loved the city! We had a great conversation! It was a great experience! The food was super delicious and flavorful! I had the Vegetable Samosas, Bacon & Cheese Naan, the Salmon Tandoori with a side of basmati rice and the Almrud Punch! The punch was extremely refreshing. I could really taste the different fruit flavors coming through! It wasn't too sweet either. My salmon was prepared and seasoned perfectly! It was juicy. Although, I ordered medium heat I couldn't really taste any heat. The naan and samosas came out hot and were tasty. I was a bit disappointed that I didn't see or taste any bacon on my naan bread. The server said the bacon was blended into the cheese... Hmmmm okay! It was still good but next time I'll just get the garlic naan. My partner loved her Chicken Kebab! She said the chicken was incredibly tender and juicy! She also ordered a side of mango chutney but she wasn't a fan! She was expecting more of a mango salsa type texture. All in all the ambience, staff, and food are top notch!! I suggest making reservations to get premium inside seating. We were sat on the enclosed patio which was nicely decorated but a tad tight! read more

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Amazing ambiance, service, food, etc. Always recommend Jay as your waiter. I will come back time and time again! The staff is incredibly friendly, greeted us and thanked us many times for spending our evening there. read more

Laila - Crab cakes - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

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Smaller restaurant without door patio...clean. Attentive service at lunch. Basic choices at buffet, but all done very well. Soup pot empty upon arrival and not refilled while there. Desert was tasty, but very runny. Out the door $25 with tea. Will try dinner there to get a better feel for their real capabilities. read more

My husband surprised me with dinner here for date night last week. I ordered the Chicken tikka masala and he ordered the goat curry. The masala was AMAZING! The portions were generous. I like how it was served, it felt almost communal where they gave us one rice to share and a bowl of each. The garlic naan was also fantastic. The place though, it is absolutely gorgeous! The decor is stunning and elegant and I just loved everything about it. Now, my go to Indian food. read more

Notably, this restaurant is a spinoff of Andaaz which is, or more accurately was in Biltmore Village. As of this writing, Andaaz and the surrounding area have been ravaged by flooding. When I stopped in at this downtown restaurant (which is on higher ground and did not flood), the owners estimated 8 months (summer 2025) until their other location could be rebuilt. So this gave me a reason to stop in here. While it didn't have a line out the door like the other notable Indian outlet I stopped at, it was close to full and had a patio and a bar as well as a stretch of tables. Notably, they were offering bottled water and their food was in takeout containers, which indicates that even in this area, the hurricane damage has impacted the water supply as of this writing. Still, it was a dining experience worth coming for. One reason you'd end up here over other Indian places is that it has a number of marked vegan options; this being Asheville there were guests for whom this was important. I was recommended a dal tadka, and when I asked for spicy lentils I certainly received them, with ample fresh flavor and a consistent burn. In addition to rice, I dipped in a bread with mint leaves on it that provided a cool flavor contrast. A fried okra salad was deliciously crunchy on its own, but I also mixed a bit of it in with my lentils for an exciting flavor combination. The price was a bit high for what it was and their non-alcoholic drink menu didn't impress me, but I was happy to have dined here and I hope this location does well while they rebuild their better-known predecessor. read more

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We came on a Sunday for the lunch buffet, and it did not disappoint! It's hidden away in the side room, which was full of people enjoying the food. I wasn't sure if there would be enough vegetarian options, but there were plenty! We asked if they change it up on different days, and they confirmed they do, but on this day, they had lentils, saag paneer, matar mushroom, fried kale, and another potato dish on top of rice, naan, salad, and soup! I was very happy and very full. My husband isn't vegetarian, and he had maybe 4 more main dishes he could try, which he said were all very good. Service was friendly and attentive. We ordered mango lassis as well, which were very thick and filling. The buffet is cheaper during the week, but it really wasn't bad for the amount of food we got even with the weekend prices. I would come back to try something on the menu as well. We'll be back! read more

Laila - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

I enjoyed dining at Laila but would probably venture to try a different restaurant next time. The service was great-they were attentive, took the time to review the menu with us but gave us space as well. 10 out of 10 for service. We ordered the Chicken Malai Kebab and the Chicken Tikka Masala. The portions were large, including the side of rice, which was nice. The Malai Kebab was ok. I thought it was under seasoned/a bit bland and not crispy/charred as the menu described. The side of basil sauce to dip however was very good. I have had better Indian food elsewhere but Laila is a nice experience in Asheville if you're looking for an Indian restaurant with good service and ambiance. read more

Laila - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

We were having trouble finding a spot for dinner tonight and happened upon this spot while wondering about. And WOW. We're in from out of town and didn't make any reservations for our trip (rookie mistake) but I'm so glad we didn't because we wouldn't have found this absolute GEM. The staff was so kind and accommodating getting us seated and making reccomendation a for things they liked. We got Hara Bhara Kabab, Chicken Tikka Masala, Goan Shrimp Curry, Chicken Biyrani, and Dal Mahkani. Everything was exceptional and I really appreciated the high quality and seasoning of the meat. The spice level is very honest so if you say mild it is mild-- I am a bit weary of medium but I totally could have handled it. They also have a lunch buffet I would return for if we weren't leaving tomorrow. read more

Laila - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

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Love Laila and showing them the love until Andaaz recovers from the flood. Service is good and food consistent. The enclosed outdoor patio is cozy. The inside dining is beautiful but lunch buffet only available on the patio. read more

Laila - Buffet on patio - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

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Fantastic fish curry! Light white bass in a perfectly spiced curry Chicken lalabdar a rich tomato fennel spice like Italian meets Indian read more

Laila - Fish curry - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Absolutely delicious and the staff were delightful! The ambiance was lovely too! Highly recommend. read more

Laila - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

The interior has been thoroughly and wonderfully reworked, and now offers an elegant, relaxed escape on Biltmore Ave. The staff is affable, knowledgeable, and eager to please. I ordered the Kashmiri Yogurt Soup, Garlic Naan, Malai Kofta, and Saffron Kheer. I could go on and on about all of these, but each was soulful and satisfying, clearly the work of a highly skilled, playful and patient chef. This chef loves his work, and it shows. I am not of Indian descent, but I believe there is cross-cultural commonality in the concept of home, a place of comfort and acceptance, of peace and laughter and love. This food tastes like home. read more

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Food and service were very good. Recommendations were right on point as far as what we requested. Ambience is very nice, tables are close together but that did not distract from our meal. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area and like Indian. read more

My grandparents and I REALLY enjoyed this restaurant. First off, the ambiance was beautiful, I love the decor choice and the cute chairs! Now for the star of the show: the food. I was overwhelmed by how good it was, especially the chicken tikka achari, the gobi manchurian and the naan basket. The paratha was so buttery and flaky, and I love the sticky, savory, slight sweetness of the gobi Manchurian. You can tell the chicken tikka achari was marinated for a good amount of time because it was so tender and flavorful, nearly melting in my mouth! Hats off to the chefs and owners for running such a wonderful establishment. Visiting Laila made our trip to Asheville very memorable! read more

Laila - Paratha, Garlic Naan, plain Naan - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

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A step up on Indian food scene this place is new and a welcome addition as a classy landing spot. Great for a date night. And the ambience is fantastic with an attentive staff and full service bar. Food selections are well balanced and if your new to Indian food they will guide your for some great experiences. Some items like Butter Chicken may not be on the menu but similar offerings with a twist are as good or better. It's a little pricy but worth it for the experience. read more

What do you want in a restaurant experience......... Great food? Beautiful atmosphere? Friendly staff? Reasonable prices? Well "Laila" checks all those boxes !!!! This is a very special restaurant. The food is amazing, and the staff are super nice and helpful if you're not familiar with Indian food. This is my go-to place downtown...... ask for Dipak.... He is the man !! you won't be disappointed. 5 stars read more

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Laila delivery was delicious.. a little/lot high priced, though. The temp was good and they didn't miss anything. Thank you!

Absolutely one of the best places for Indian food we have been to. The place is new but the are a sister restaurant to Andaaz in Biltmore. The quality is very comparable and the drinks are a wonderful blend of flavors Eric had the Lamb Vindaloo while I had the Brazino. Both were amazing The staff were very friendly and helpful. Kevin the bartender was great. But don't get confused he isn't Indian. The owner Tony does have a vested interest and personally gets input from the patrons read more

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My wife and I truly enjoyed our dinner at Lalia. the room is inviting and our server was pleasant and showed good attention without being bothersome or checking in at odd times (like before you have tried the dish). We started with the Gobi Manchurian, which was a little more saucy and less spicy than we are used to from our prior location. My wife ordered the chicken lababdar which was very flavorful with a good amount of chicken. I ordered the fish curry. The curry was a rich, deep flavor but there was only 4-5 chunks of fish. We will be back on our next trip to Asheville but i will likely try the roganjosh, korma or chettinad next time. read more

DELICIOUS & affordable lunch buffet. Welcoming and polite service! Deepak was a great server. Also lots of GF options read more

Laila - Tikka Masala - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

I've been here twice (once for dinner, once for the lunch buffet), and the food is delicious. Everything I've tried has been great; they have some of the best chicken tikka masala I've ever tried, and the crispy kale chaat is incredible. The service, however, seems to border on being predatory. When we ate here for dinner, our server (who seemed to also be a manager, or possibly the owner) insisted that the dishes we'd ordered would be too dry and that we needed to order something with more sauce to go with it. He was very pushy and we gave in and ordered just a side of the sauce of the chicken tikka masala so he'd stop pressuring us, but it was uncomfortable and sort of tainted the experience even though the food was really delicious. For the lunch buffet, the service was much more pleasant and not pushy... but we were surprised to be charged what was apparently the "weekend" price. It was a holiday Monday, so I don't exactly fault them for doing so, but the sign out front had the regular weekday buffet price listed and nowhere did it say they'd be charging weekend pricing. If they're going to charge weekend prices on a weekday, that needs to be stated up front. I think I might be willing to give this place one more try and see if we get less predatory feeling service next time (the food really is great), but if the same kind of thing happens again, there are other equally good Indian restaurants in town that have never felt pushy or shady. read more

Stumbled upon this gem of a restaurant while walking around Asheville, we were intrigued by the modern decor and welcoming vibe from the sidewalk. The hostess and manager were extremely friendly and accommodating and got us seated immediately even though it was packed. The service was fantastic and friendly and the food was absolutely incredible. We got a lot of different things to try and everything was better than the last. Next time I'm in Asheville, we will make sure we return. read more

We went for Monday lunch buffet in December. We sat outside on the patio, but they had heaters so it was warm. The food was outstanding. We tried almost everything. Everything was very fresh and had great flavor. Often we find tandoori chicken dry, but not here. It was the best tandoori I have ever had. It was tender with great flavor. We went back for more. Our server was friendly and efficient, but kept busy. read more

Laila - Menu - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

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I think this is one of the best Indian restaurants I have experienced in the USA. This is as close to the BIR experience that we have had. The depth of flavor is amazing. I think this is a fairly new establishment. The decor is very nice. The staff are also friendly and attentive. My one "small" complaint is that a table for two is way too small to accommodate the curry rice and naan. We ended up sitting at the bar which was much more comfortable. read more

Laila - Pahari Gosht (GF) Dhaba Chicken Curry (GF) Naan - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Food was Excellent. Service was also great, wonderful birthday dinner for my friend!

I'd get the lunch buffet perhaps but would not recommend Laila for dinner. My wife and I enjoy Indian cuisine greatly and have eaten at scores of Indian restaurants in many cities in our 25 years together. The food here is ok but there wasn't anything noteworthy about the dishes we sampled. And there were more downsides. The server was friendly at the outset, we ordered an appetizer and drinks. Then we ordered 3 entrees plus bread and raita to share between my wife, daughter and me. After the appetizer was served, we didn't see him for a long time. No checking on drinks, no status updates on our order which took a remarkably long time to prepare(40-45 minutes). For an order where nothing seemed to be cooked to order, nor would need to be. In fact, the food was indifferent from what they offer on the lunch buffet(I know this because I have had the buffet at their other restaurant several times). Except that you spend over $20 to get one smallish bowl of saag or Chana masala or malai kofta(our order) when you could spend less at lunch and sample as much of any of these things plus the rest of the menu, minus some of the protein based/a la minute dishes. At the buffet, bread and condiments are included as well, while all of this is a la carte on the dinner menu. When our server took our order, he asked what level of spiciness we preferred. We emphasized mild because my 8 year old does not enjoy spicy food(spiced yes, spicy no) and he responded affirmatively as we watched him send the order from a handheld device at the table. When the food finally arrived, chili heat was highly evident in the Chana Masala(hottest Chana masala I've ever had) and midlevel in the malai kofta(in my experience, typically a mild dish). With a little effort we got our servers attention and informed him of the spiciness. He apologized and removed the bowls that we had already eaten from and said he would take them back. 5-10 minutes later he returned with what was clearly the same food reheated with an ample amount of cream added to it. Wow. A highly inappropriate way to handle the scenario. New food could have been prepared, alternate dishes could have been suggested, or at the very least they could have told us that's just the way the dishes are spiced. The addition of cream to already incredibly buttery dishes made them far less appetizing and only masked the heat, leaving them still unappealing to my daughter and now to my wife and I as well who are ok with heat in a dish. We never complained or expressed dissatisfaction. We asked to box the food up after eating not much more. The server apologized a few times as it was clear we were not enjoying the redressed food. He brought a tiny bowl of very soupy mango rice pudding to us as an apparent mea culpa. Even my daughter thought it was cloyingly sweet and we did not eat much of it. All in all, I could see grabbing lunch here but that's it. Although spicy, the Chana masala was pretty good in its initial iteration. It's confusing to me that the ownership seems to invest heavily in decor--at both Laila and previously at Andaaz, their flagship restaurant that was sadly destroyed like so many by hurricane helene--with the spin that these are fine dining restaurants. But in true fine dining a dish would never be reheated with cream as a resolution to a guest's dislike of the heat level that was alleged by the server as being mild. And fine dining to me is not fancifully plating and then upcharging the same food that is offered on your lunch buffet. I am giving 3 stars because I understand the importance of reviews for small businesses, if I were just basing my decision on objective opinion it would be lower. read more

We went to Laila's for the Christmas buffet and the food was amazing. Although the restaurant was packed with friendly customers and staff, the food was kept clean, warm, refreshed, and delicious. Laila's is a family favorite. read more

Asheville already has a number of good to excellent Indian restaurants, but fortunately we can add another one to the excellent column! As others have noted, it's the same owners as Andaaz in Biltmore Village -- but quite different. First, it's in South Slope, but more importantly, they serve a mixture of traditional Indian food and some dishes you normally wouldn't find. To try several things, we went for the weekend buffet. Where do I start? Hands down the best Tandorri chicken I've ever had (and I love Indian food, so I have eaten at dozens of Indian restaurants across the US and the UK over the years). Very tender and flavorful on the inside with a perfect seasoned char on the outside. The tikka masala was also very good, starting with great flavor followed by a nice burn. In terms of something you don't see everyday, they had a wonderful fish curry. The fish was so tender, cooked to perfection, and the sauce was a yellow curry that reminded me more of Thai curries. The garbanzo bean salad was bursting with spices. One of the rice choices was a vegetable biryani that was both great on its own and as a base for the curries and masala. We ordered a side of bacon and cheese naan (again, something you might only find in Asheville at an Indian restaurant!). It was also very good. We called it a naansadilla. Two great desserts: a kheer that had fresh mango and real pieces of nutmeg in it and some sort of thin, light, sugary bread thing (I didn't catch the name) that was like eating the top off of a glazed donut, but with less sweetness and more depth. Prices maybe a little higher than their competitors, but for the quality and variety of food, definitely worth it. Wait staff friendly and efficient. For sure a keeper for the Indian restaurant scene here in AVL (or at least we hope so)! read more

Proper Tikka Marsala Brit style Off the charts. My husband is normally very picky but this restaurant made him him extremely happy. Thank you Dipak !! read more

We had dinner there the other night. It was delicious. I mean DELICIOUS!!!!! One of the best restaurants in Asheville.

What a fantastic experience. We came here to celebrate after our recent wedding and it was incredible. Genuinely one of the best meals we've ever had. My wife had the shrimp curry, I had the lamb vindaloo. Both were delicious. The atmosphere in the restaurant is very nice and well decorated. Shoutout to our waiter Deepak. Very nice man who clearly took pride in giving excellent service. I would recommend this place anyone looking for a nice meal in Asheville. Can't wait to come back next time we visit. read more

Clean restaurant, good food, fair service. Probably best quality vegan Indian food in Asheville read more

Laila - Seafood Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Super mediocre and Luke warm buffet. But the worst part was the tiny tea cup of chai that was offered with a big smile like it was complimentary, then getting the bill and finding out they were charging $6 a cup. This was maybe 6oz. When I said that it was some expensive chai, he said "that is because it is the BEST chai!". Don't lie. That chai was watered down Folger's chai, and we all thought it was included with the buffet. $75 for a lunch buffet for three. Insanely not worth it. read more

We walked in early for our reservation by about 30 minutes, they were able to accommodate us right away, and that great service continued throughout the night. It was our first time, so we had a few questions for our waiter. We wanted to sample as much as we could, so we definitely over ordered, but all the dishes were great. We're not local, but plan to stop in again on our next visit to town. read more

Ordered samosas OVERCOOKED dal makhani pure water no lentils WAS REPLACED lamb vindaloo LIQUIDY NO CONSISTENT naan was good read more