The ambiance was great. The kitchen manager and other staff members were absolutely polite and respectful!

OMG *this place*!!! I generally think most Indian food is delicious, so how this place has been able to top them all and be my #1 best Indian restaurant--in a heavily South Asian location at that--continues to blow my mind. First of all, the service is impeccable; from the moment, I walked in, the host and manager were both so kind and hospitable in a way that felt natural, while also going above and beyond. And the decor: easily the most beautiful restaurant I have ever been in. Full stop. Just a fun experience, without even getting into food and drink. There isn't a bad seat in the restaurant, and I would even want to come sit at the fun bar. Ok, food and drink. I got a sangria, which was easily as good as any you would find in a Spanish restaurant--not too sweet. They have a fun "street food" appetizers section that isn't on most Indian menus--we got the dilli ki shaan, which were kind of like potato salad in a crispy shell? And for my main, I had the coconut machi curry with fish--omigod, it was so flavorful!! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. My friend got the mewa murg tikka, and I think that delicious, flavorful, savory, smokey chicken may have even been better than my dish. The habanero and cheese naans were also pretty good. I can't wait to go back, though my biggest challenge will be whether to order the same dish or try something new! read more

Great service and experience! We did a walk in for an early dinner right when they opened back up. We were immediately seated and given a crunchy tortilla like appetizer complimentary. It's like being given naan, but seemed like a hard shell tortilla. The ambiance is absolutely beautiful and breathtaking!!! The staff were super kind and provided tons of complimentary treats included such as chai, champagne, rice pudding. Although not the best quality tasting Indian food in the area and a bit pricey we got more than our money worth with all the complimentary treats. The cheese naan wasn't fluffy and cheesy. The tikka masala was a bit too sweet and flavor wasn't quite there. I asked for some spice and they provided green Thai chili and a red paste which helped! We ordered: Mango Lasi 7/10 Mint mojito 8/10 Tikka Masala 7/10 Lamb Josh Rogan 8.5/10 Cheese naan 7/10 Provided complimentary: Two cups of champagne Chai Rice pudding I'll come back and try more items, it could've been an off day for the kitchen. read more

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This review is specifically for the weekday lunch buffet, which runs around $25-$30. If your strategy is to skip breakfast and show up hungry, you'll definitely get your money's worth. The buffet offers a huge variety of dishes, which is probably why the place is usually packed at lunchtime. The staff are attentive, friendly, and somehow manage to keep everything running smoothly despite the crowds. As for the décor, "subtle" is not a word that applies here. Think bold, gold, and more gold. If a palace and a chandelier had a baby, this restaurant would be the result. It's definitely memorable. Food-wise, I would rank it solid mid-tier Indian food. Nothing that completely blew me away, but plenty of tasty options and enough variety that everyone can find something they like. The buffet selection is really what earns the extra star for me. Overall, it's a great lunch spot when you're in the mood for variety, good service, and enough food choices to make at least three trips back to the buffet before convincing yourself you're done. read more

Happy to have referred two friends to this lovely restaurant! I went two different times once to order a la carte and the second time to experience the buffet. Before Maharani Palace I will admit Indian food was not on my radar. Not on purpose; I live closer to other cuisine. I share this detail as context behind why I might have been so impressed with the buffet. An opportunity to try many wonderful popular Indian dishes I have heard before. The chicken tandoori was my favorite. Moreover, the customer service was wonderful. I never had to hunt anyone down to get my water refill. Lastly, this is a great restaurant to go to if you are looking for a place that isn't too noisy. Would return! read more

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A really good deal for brunch! All you can eat buffet with a variety of options. I particularly liked the goat curry, the chicken biryani, and the fried cheese paneer. There were some things you can definitely skip on. Unfortunately, wasn't a huge fan of any of the dessert items. Service was attentive with cleaning up plates. The place really nice on the inside and pretty to look at. Definitely recommend trying it out for brunch! read more

Maharani Palace - Brunch buffet - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

Nice selection on the Buffet bar. Including some Chinese dishes. Some dishes had a nice spice. I enjoyed everything. Staff are exceptional friendly and helpful. Love the atmosphere. I came early morning on a Friday. I am glad I did. The parking lot was getting full with guests. By the time we left the restaurant was full. read more

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Place is spacious and elegantly decorated. We ordered and array of dishes, including the briyani and tandoori chickens. Good savory flavors with right amount of spice. Good portions too. One of our chicken pieces were slight undercook so both the chef and owner came to apologize and offered us an addition dish which was really nice. They also gave us a compliment mango lassi for dessert too, which was tasted really good. Price is fair and service was excellent. They have quite a large menu size so I would visit again to try some other options. read more

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I rate restaurants within their category and concept. I am not comparing a neighborhood Indian restaurant to a Michelin star dining experience. If a place delivers quality food, good service, and an experience that meets or exceeds expectations for what it is trying to be, that earns a strong rating from me. We recently visited Maharani Palace and decided to try their buffet after it was recommended to us. I should mention that I am generally not much of a buffet person. I usually prefer ordering à la carte so I can choose exactly what I want and enjoy dishes made to order. Overall, the buffet was decent, but it did not really wow me. They were very busy when we visited, so that may have played a role, and I always try to be fair about factors like that. For me, the main issue was that the buffet selections simply were not the most appealing options for my personal taste. Nothing was bad, and there was certainly enough variety, but I did not find myself especially excited by what was available. That said, the restaurant was clearly popular, and the busy dining room suggested many people were enjoying themselves. Sometimes a buffet just may not be the best way to experience a restaurant, especially if you are someone who normally prefers ordering specific dishes. I would absolutely be willing to give Maharani Palace another try, but next time I would order à la carte. I have a feeling that may be the better route for me and could lead to a much stronger overall experience. Based on this visit, I would call it a solid 3 stars, with room to move higher on a return trip. read more

The best Indian food I've had in NoVa. Flavorful and delicious. Very fancy inside and a great experience. read more

Maharani Palace - Butter chicken, gobi musallam, lababdar malai kofta, garlic naan. - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

You must try their homemade ice cream. I cannot believe I missed the best part of Maharani Palace for so long. I am now a regular, and the entire staff recognizes me because I visit so often. I have also been bringing different friends with me to try their lunch buffet. I have tried all three ice cream flavors: pistachio, rose, and mango. The mango ice cream is my absolute favorite. It has completely spoiled me for all other ice cream. It is $6 extra, which is so worth it!! read more

Maharani Palace - Mango, Pistachio, Rose Ice Cream - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

So as most places I find, I found this place on Tik Tok. I did hear alot of mixed things so I tried to go in with an open mind and it wasn't bad but wasn't great either. Vegetarian Friendly: Yup! being an Indian restaurant there are plenty of veg options to satisfy even the most pickest person. Decor: this has to be probably the best looking Indian restaurant in virginia and maybe on the east coast. There is no place that comes close to the beauty of this place. Food Breakdown: So my friends and I got a variety of items from Bombay Bhel, Paparad (complementary) Mango Lassi, Egg curry, Paneer Curry, Basil and Rosemary Naan. Food Highlights: So I want to say that I love everything I got fro the list above except for the Apps. Idk if its cause it was a Tuesday but it really didnt taste fresh| Egg Curry (3/5) Paneer (2/5). But I will say the Lassi (5/5), the Basil and Rosemary Naan (5/5), Bhel (4/5), Mango Cocktail (5/5) Portion Size: Was actually really good for the price. The price was high but the portion was also pretty good. Service: Amazing service. From the front host to the servers I really liked the people and had no issues. Price: It for sure is expensive. But doesn't try to hide what they are and the is no issue being expensive if that's what they are going for. Would I go Back: I would go back for the lassi, naan, drinks from the bar and try more apps. But the e ntre was sadly a miss but I would love to try it one more time maybe on a Friday and see if it gets better. read more

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Absolutely loved the food here! The mango lassi was so delicious and rich. We loved the garlic naan and butter chicken . I appreciated that I didn't have to get it spicy because I don't do spices well. The food was fresh and hot. The decor is absolutely stunning in here and it's worth visiting for that alone. Definetly will visit again in the future ! This place is a must visit if you like Indian food read more

Maharani Palace - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

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Weekday lunch buffet priced at $20 was a steal!! As you enter, u will be awed by the magnificent ambiance and friendly service. The buffet includes veg and non veg starters, main course, dessert and chai / naan served at table. Clean restrooms and clean cutlery with a huge space makes it perfect! The fruits and dal makhani were my favorites. Great value for money and loved all the north indian items :) read more

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Wow!!! We have been on the hunt for an outstanding Indian food restaurant and finally have found it!! We ordered the butter chicken which is absolutely delicious!! The garlic naan bread is fresh and perfect. We also tried the Anardana Aloo kulcha bread....and it was perfect. We can't wait to go back. They have an impressive bar. Lots of fine bourbons it looked like. read more

Maharani Palace - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

We stopped by Maharani Palace recently after hearing good recommendations for this place from our friends. The ambiance of the place is definitely a conversation starter! Very over the top decorations that definitely gives you the ambiance of a palace! But it somehow works here Service was good and the food was good as well - much better than other Indian restaurants in the area! The dishes were very flavorful and each had a unique taste. Spice levels were good as well - specially for me since I cannot handle much spice! Definitely a good option for good North Indian food! read more

Lunch Rating... This is a buffet. Never eat at buffets. Food missed mark even with all of the options. Besides finding bits of bone or whatever it is in some of the curries, then the taste was .... It was just a very overrated and overpriced experience. The naan was good, but that was it. Plenty more Indian places to go, just not here. read more

The interior of this restaurant was one of the best that I have ever seen. It was decorated so nicely and the staff was very kind. We ordered the chicken biryani and chicken tiki masala with yogurt. It was very delicious and a bit spicy, even though we got medium. The owner was very kind and made sure we felt welcomed as this was our first time here. The mango lassi is amazing and everything was presented nicely. read more

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Booked a reservation on a Wednesday evening for a work dinner. When the team and I walked in we were instantly greeted and sat within moments. The restaurant is very lovely! Its spacious and has plenty of seating. Our server was very kind and gave good recommendations. Drinks were half off that day so I chai martini which was pretty tasty but the Goa Paradise was my favorite!! I love a sweet drink we enjoyed the samosas and chicken 65 appetizers! So yummy!! Chicken tikka masala was delicious and the garlic naan made me want to go thank the chef. Bathrooms were very clean and overall I can't wait to bring my team back. The overall restaurant and staff deserve nothing but good reviews in my opinion. read more

Ambiance: Elegant and regal, with gold-toned accents that truly live up to the restaurant's name. Service was quick and attentive despite the weekend rush. Food: We went for the Saturday lunch buffet, and the place was buzzing. The live dosa station was a great start -- the masala dosa was crisp and paired beautifully with flavorful peanut and tomato chutneys. The tandoori chicken had good flavor, though a few pieces were a bit dry. The potato tikki and pakoras were delicious, and the pasta was surprisingly good -- I even went back for seconds! The navratan dal and kadhi pakora were both flavorful, and the naan was fresh and soft. The kadai egg was okay at best, but the chicken biryani stood out -- absolutely superb. For dessert, I tried the mango kheer, and it was divine -- creamy, fragrant, and perfectly sweet. I'd go back just for that alone! Hot and sour soup was bad! That was the only fail. Parking: Restaurant has ample reserved parking. read more

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Where did I start?!?! The environment take out of the country while you're dinning. The food was beyond good. Truly felt like it was cooked with love. I have the butter chicken but sample quite a few other options from the rest of the party's plates. The FREAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE, we had 3 under 5 and they were inclusive to them along with the adults. They were helpful with menu options and clarity. I would definitely go again!!!! read more

Great place for buffet, lunch or dinner. My family love going to this restaurant and we go there quite frequently. I would highly recommend this restaurant. read more

When I first heard about this place, I was a little hesitant. Looking at the menu, $8 for a samosa! You really think you are doing fine dining in Herndon! I went with my family this past weekend. My father was in awe with the decorations. It is beautiful from the inside. Outside, it looks like Herndon. The food portions are good size. My biggest complaint was it took awhile to flag down our waitress. Once, I actually got up to get another plate and utensils. You are also CRAMMED into your area table. It was hard to get out. On the way out, they serve you paan which was such a nice treat. read more

Pretty tasty! Great selection of entrees! Service was great, very attentive, especially for a buffet! The place is very decorated and fun to look around during your visit! A little pricey for a buffet did me only because I don't eat a ton! But well worth it for my teenage boys! read more

Maharani Palace - Sorry... I ate it all! - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

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Amazing service super kind staff and food was also good. Restaurant was very clean as well! They were very helpful when I asked for a reduced portion size for my toddler. read more

An Indian restaurant with a wow factor! The outside looks a bit plain, with some elaborate elephants and font, but once inside the restaurant, it's a whole different vibe. The decoration gives off upscale/ bougie vibes...I mean, look at the chairs and decor on the wall!! The restaurant is very clean and well-maintained. There is a large buffet full of both veg and non-veg dishes/curries, as well as a decent/big selection of desserts. I definitely enjoyed the butter chicken, tandoori chicken and desserts. I personally am used to spicy South Indian food and typical/common North Indian curries, so some of these curries/flavors were new to me. There were a few items I absolutely didn't enjoy because of this--the chicken biryani (as they used some different spices) and the raita (yogurt) which had a weird taste because of the spices they added. The masala coffee/tea were included with the buffet. At the end of the meal, they provide a spice packet in nice packaging matching their emblem. Luckily, it wasn't busy when we arrived, we were seated immediately. Upon seating, we were able to start at the buffet. I loved the elaborate decorations, presentation of the food and the overall ambiance of the food. The staff were very attentive and nice. We didn't have to wait or motion to them, instead, they came around and asked if we needed anything. There is plenty of parking in front of the restaurant. Would I return? Possibly, only because I prefer Indian buffets where I can choose my own items and know what I'm selecting. read more

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The decor of this place is amazing! It's really quite breathtaking and it is fairly large but still gets crowded on the weekends. We got a couple of delicious cocktails, the spinach chaat, and tandoori items. The portions were generous and delicious. Because it was close to Indian Independence Day, we also got complimentary champagne. The service was also amazing. 10/10. read more

Maharani Palace - Interior decor - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

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Wide variety of interesting and delicious dishes. Great service. (A manager kept bringing me cups of chai himself.) Gorgeous decor.

I was finally able to make a visit as I was attending a friend's birthday luncheon. This place is on a corner lot, limited of parking but manageable and the exterior wasn't any comparison to what was behold on the interior. As you walked in, you will be mesmerized by the multitude of beautiful decorations, artifacts, artwork from top to bottom. After passing the hostess area, the bar or beverage station is on the right with dining on the left, buffet area behind the bar, there's three levels, private dining in the basement for larger parties and another private dining area on the upper level. As you walked through the buffet line, you are guided with friendly staff and if you are uncertain of how to proceed or eat particular items, just ask and they will instruct you. The buffet line is very overwhelming with a variety of different dishes from protein, vegetables and desserts. The flavors of the food were on point and didn't disappoint. Afterwards, we stop and took some photos with some of the artwork and the staff members were very patient and encouraged us to do so. Our server was attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. They took pride in welcoming their guests into their India oasis. I would definitely make another visit to try other items on their menu. read more

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I have loved Indian food for over 25 years, and am always trying the new places that come along in the Ashburn, Sterling and Herndon areas. I was excited to see Mellow Mushroom giving way to Maharani Palace because Mellow Mushroom's food and service quality had fallen off considerably and I no longer ate there. I tried Maharani the first week they opened, and I've been a regular ever since. When you first walk in, you can immediately understand why they use the word "Palace"- because the restaurant is beautifully decorated, from the wall decor, to the chairs, and right down to the flatware (gold!), it is truly a gorgeous restaurant. The service is spot on as all of the servers are very attentive and I have never had my drink go empty. The manager or owner has stopped by many times in my visits to check in, making sure everything is satisfactory and I always tell them that yes, I am indeed a very happy customer! All of the food on the buffet is delicious! My favorites are the biryani chicken, butter chicken and various cauliflower and veggie dishes. I appreciate all of the hard work that goes into making this restaurant a success and I plan to be a regular customer for a very long time. I even brought my sister in law, who had never tried Indian food, in for lunch one day and now she is always asking to go back. Thank you to the staff at Maharani Palace! read more

Maharani Palace's excellent reviews and stunning ambiance led my parents to try this restaurant for a group dinner. Based on the good experience they encountered, my wife and I decided to try this Herndon restaurant's food for a takeout dinner. Maharani Palace is housed in an unassuming building, but upon entering I was struck by the palatial feel of the space and the shimmering metallic and crystal accents, both of which felt special occasion worthy. My order was ready on arrival and neatly packaged in branded containers as well as a reusable tote bag, nice touches befitting the royal vibes. Each of our dishes cost around $25 each. While I have no issue paying this much for Indian food, at this price point the food should be essentially flawless. While each of the three items we ordered tasted great and had very flavorful base curries, the meats themselves lacked finesse. The butter chicken gravy ran a touch sweet for my personal liking, but nonetheless was enjoyable and certainly within the acceptable range for this specific dish. We appreciated the prominent tomato and methi flavors. The chunks of tandoori chicken in the dish themselves, unfortunately, ran a touch dry. Ditto for the lamb saagwalla, whose creamy and piquant spinach sauce was betrayed by slightly stringy lamb. We also highly enjoyed the smoky and complex kadhai curry and found the bone-in chicken juicy and well seasoned, but the pieces themselves were cut very poorly such that we found small, jagged pieces of bone in many bites. This felt very sloppy, is potential hazardous, and is not something we encounter even at much cheaper places. On the plus side, the garlic naans had an ideal fluffy/chewy texture with a good tandoor char, the curries weren't overly heavy, and the portions were big enough to yield a full meal's worth of leftovers for both me and my wife. The high pricing and some execution issues will make us less likely to return for takeout. That being said, we enjoyed our food overall and feel that the excellent interior ambiance may merit a trip for dine-in or the well-regarded lunch buffet. The food earned 4 stars, but my overall rating is reduced to three due to the prices and poor bone in chicken preparation. read more

Maharani Palace has the best lunch buffet in NoVa. With beautiful interior and ample dining space, with friendly service! I will be going as often as I can for their lunch buffet! I don't even know where to start with their food selections because all are very flavorful and delicious! I got each dish and my plate was so full I had to go back for second and third plate to be able to try everything they have out. Some of the dishes I really like are palak(spinach), butter chicken, tandoori, paneer, pav bhaji, chaat, samosa, vindaloo, salad with yogurt dressing, desserts and so much more! Everything is delicious here and no need for extra explanations, you just gotta go and try it yourself. I had great experience and I recommend Maharani Palace! Especially if you have a big group of family or friends with you. Their lunch buffet does get busy and very crowded all throughout on weekends, 11:30am-3:00pm. I do recommend making a reservation a few days ahead for weekends. read more

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We came to try this restuarant for my mom's birthday after some friends recommend it, complementing the interior decoration and vibes. Ambiance: Stepping into this restuarant was like entering an exquisite palace where traditional Indian craftsmanship meets contemporary elegance. The shimmering chandeliars effortlessly fuses in with the black, gold, and maroon color scheme, further enhancing the ambiance. Food: We were started off with complimentary papad with tamarind and green chutney. Appetizer: - We orderd the samosas, which were warm and flavorful, but didn't come with chutney - so we asked for it were given tamarind and green chutney. (5/5) Main Course: - Paneer Butter Masala: taste was spot on, however I would've prefered the paneer cubes to be a little softer, and the paneer to gravy ratio could've been a little more balanced - there was too much paneer. (4.5/5) - Lababdar Malai Kofta: taste was really good, however in this case, the kofta to gravy ratio could've been more balanced by having one additional kofta (4.5/5) - Daal-E-Khaas: taste was really good, however this one was spicier then the other two, despite the fact that we had ordered medium spice level (out of mild, medium, and spicy). (4.5/5) - Garlic naan: was buttery, soft, and crispy (5/5) - Rice came with the sabzis, and was good. There were whole cardamom pods in the rice, which I thought was odd, but not an issue. (5/5) - Mango Lassi: I appreciated the creaminess and sweetness of the lassi, probably one of the best I've had. I also liked the fact that it came in pineapple shaped and textured glass (5/5) Service: - Service was really good. I was surprised, almost caught off guard at how fast the main course came out. I don't believe I have seen food come out so quickly at an Indian restaurant. - The owner came in and checked in on us "since we were new faces", and after finding out it was my mom's birthday, insisted on bringing out cake and a sweet (halwa) on the house. - Our server, Madhuri was super professional and great during our time. At the end, she brought out the cake and even sang happy birthday - which really made it even more special. I had low expectations going in due to people saying this place was good for the vibes and not really the food, but my experience was on the contrary. The food was great and I definitely will be coming again. read more

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Went to Maharani Palace with my mom (her name is literally Maharani. couldn't be more perfect) and my sister, and we had such a good time. We ordered three mains to share: butter chicken, lamb rogan josh, and goat curry. All came with rice (you'll probably want to ask for an extra bowl if you're big rice people). Everything was so flavorful and the portions were great for sharing. My personal favorites were the butter chicken. creamy and rich and the lamb rogan josh. Heads up: the lamb is pretty spicy, but if you like heat it's totally worth it. Drinks were fun! we tried the mango lassi, guava cooler, mirchi margarita, and pama cosmo. All were super refreshing, and the mirchi marg had a nice little kick. ( not my favorite) Only thing I'd call out is that the owner kind of rushed us off at the end (I think there was a wait). Not a huge deal, but it did feel a bit hurried. Overall though, loved the vibe and the food. definitely a spot I'd come back to for a family night or when I'm craving really good Indian food. read more

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Service- 5/5 Ambience- 5/5 Food- 2/5 Drinks- 2/5 Wonderful concept, owners with a big heart, but food and drink quality has a long way to go.. Went here for dinner last night for a special occassion. Was dazzled by the decor and welcome. Ordered mocktails Kiwi mint, Chili Margarita and Mango mojito, all of them super sweet. For appetizer we had Ragada patties, which came out cold and had little flavor. Entree Chili paneer tasted like it came out of a can, Malai kofta was again sweet. Methi paratha was crisp. At this point free champagne and Gulab jamuns were distributed to all.. Here's what I found..There is great intent and good heart, but if food quality and flavor is not top notch, longevity is a challenge. Giving a subpar review is hard, but feedback is the only way to improve. Do better, Maharani! read more

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I haven't been to an Indian buffet since pre-covid but Maharani exceeded all my expectations and more. The interior is ornate and spacious - I could hardly believe this used to be a pizzeria. They have several areas that you can rent out for a private event and they do get quite busy during peak hours. I tried so many different dishes and I found the taste and quality to be too notch. The hot foods were kept hot and the cold foods were chilled appropriately. Furthermore, the buffet area was kept clean and well stocked. I definitely will return! read more

Maharani Palace - Beautiful interior - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia

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Took the family here and had a nice time. The place has good ambience, looks really nice inside- I wa impressed. We ordered some custom cocktails from their bar. They were a bit on the sweeter side but still pretty good. Food was excellent. We got the Gobi Manchurian, Chicken Vindaloo, Paneer Butter Masala, and some bread. Everything tasted great, really flavorful- tasted a bit different than the regular creamy texture with curries. The naan was definitely better than the roti, way softer and had better texture. Overall solid spot for Indian food if you're looking for something in the area. I would definitely be back to try other dishes. read more

The owner is very gracious and welcomed us personally. He explained the offerings in the lunch buffet and recommended the tomato soup, which was so comforting on a cold March day. I enjoyed the goat curry and a few appetizers, with a small salad, jasmine rice and naan. We relaxed in the beautiful dining room, and enjoyed our conversation while the servers checked on us regularly. I'll be back. read more

Place looks like a palace. The service was good. Food had a lot of choices. Enjoyed the pana puri and chicken corn biryani.truly authentic Indian food. read more

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I'm so glad my friend recommended this place for Indian buffet, it was incredible! Upon entering, I was struck with the intricate gold decor. The servers were extra attentive, and the food selection was the biggest I've seen. I got a little bit of everything and it was all so tasty. Their popsicles were delicious and super creamy. I wanted to go again the very next day! read more

Maharani Palace - Mango popsicle - Indian Near Me - Herndon, Virginia