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    Mela

    3.7 (728 reviews)
    ModerateIndian
    Open 11:30 am - 10:30 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Mela Takeout or Delivery

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    MELA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Mela

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    Garlic naan offered upon seating
    John Y.

    This is a small little restaurant on Tremont street, down a few blocks from Back Bay train station. The buffet on a weekend was $18 per person and has an adequate enough variety. They offered garlic naan upon seating and it is included in the buffet. I'm not sure if refills are allowed or not, we didn't not ask for more. Nothing stood out as particularly good or bad...it's about what you'd expect for $18 per person Indian buffet. The offering is definitely not going to be remotely close to the variety and quality of a place like Godavari that costs about $25 per person...but given the choice, I'd pick Godavari. It was still good to try a smaller local place, though. Parking was very touch on Tremont street. Many were either short term 10-15m max limit or just not available. We had to park several blocks away. The staff were friendly, but interaction was extremely limited. The place looked clean enough, too.

    Gobhi Charchi
    Winni Z.

    I like how the plates were meant to be shared. I thought the main dish were flavorful, but the chicken was honestly pretty dried. I was able to add chicken to the Gobhi Charchi for the same price as the chicken tikka masala. The vegetarian appetizer platter was a miss...flavorless and mushy and tasted like it was straight from frozen. The space was small, servers were quick and friendly. I really did enjoy the flavor of the Gobhi Charchi, I think I try to come back and try other protein options though.

    Rohan D.

    The décor is lovely, one of the nicer interiors in an South Asian restaurant that I've experienced. The feeling is a little cramped though, I don't like being this close to other diners. They clearly cater to Gora clientele, the food is a little mild for my tastes. Prices are fair for the area and the classy atmosphere, an easy bus ride from downtown hotels.

    Sophie Y.

    First time trying this place, and overall, it was a mixed experience. The tadka daal and butter chicken were flavorful, and the goat curry was tender. However, the non-veg platter was disappointing--dried and rubbery. We mistakenly received naan, thinking it came with the entrees, but were charged $4 for it, which seemed excessive. Staff were mostly friendly and we had to ask them to refill our waters.

    Buffet

    We went for the weekday buffet which was an excellent deal, especially in Boston. The food was average and not amazing, but a good price for quantity. There was enough vegetarian variety, and we overall enjoyed the experience. The buffet area was cozy, there was no wait time, and service was great.

    Vegetable Pakora
    Christina P.

    Honestly, a hidden gem in Back Bay and maybe my second favorite Indian place I've been to of all time (I've been to quite a few along the east coast too) Veggie pakora (8/10): the vegetable were well seasoned and warm, pairing super well with the tamarind sauce and mint (?) chutney that was complementary. Personally, I like my pakora batter a little flakier, less heavy, so I was expecting something less heavy so I could have more room for the main entree, but it was still amazing. Eating a couple of these would make me as full as having one samosa (but I could have more of these so that's a plus) Goat korma (10/10): literally SO tender, juicy, fatty, gamey, meaty, all in the right proportions. there was a good amount of goat in my bowl, so do not be fooled when you see a ton of curry hiding it all. I love goat bone-in because those cuts are usually my favorites of goat, but Mela does a fantastic job of not skimping on portions and giving you more goat than bone itself. I asked the waitress for hot as possible, and for me, it was pretty hot, but it could be hotter. nonetheless, still amazing. probably my new korma place in boston. lamb korma (8/10): my friend is a bit of a copy and got the same curry with different protein, ordered medium; I tried it, and it was great (goat is still superior). I didn't get the taste of medium hotness to it, but the lamb was so tender and fell apart in your mouth, it's hard to deny how great this dish was. garlic naan (not pictures, 9/10): so warm and fluffy! came out just in time with our curry. comes in 4 pieces. I feel like the garlic could've been incorporated better (it tasted like it was just brushed on), but maybe that was the best way. Still, so good, a must-have staple during any dinner. masala tea (not pictured, 6/10): I wanted to like this, because I love chai and I make it at home, but I feel like it was missing a signature punch. If you like a more cardamom/clove heavy spiced chai, this one has that taste but much lighter. It also came unsweetened so you can sweeten it yourself, which I thought was neat. I think what brings this review down is the fact that it was lukewarm when brought out. Gulab jamun (10/10): by the end of the dinner my friend and I were SO full but I love Indian desserts and had to get gulab jamun. When I tell you they were so fragrant and warm and soft, soaked in a deliciously sweet cardamom-rose syrup, I almost caved and got another. I could eat 5 plates of these if I hadn't eaten dinner. Service was great! The people are young and sweet; I had a lot of requests and questions and they answered with ease and sincerity. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, large enough to handle a small dinner party and intimate enough to take friends/family you haven't seen in a while or a date there. Will definitely be making the trek back to try their other desserts.

    We devoured our dishes
    Amanda C.

    Delicious food. Kind staff. Wonderful night! We had a good time together as a family and the restaurant made sure to stay open a bit past their hours to accommodate us which was very considerate and we were very grateful!

    Tandoori Chicken (half)
    Mark T.

    With all the various awards on the windowpanes, you'd think the food would be excellent. However, the lackluster meal left me thoroughly dissatisfied with the experience. I give out a 1-star rating only ~2.4 % of the time, so you know to earn a 1-star, you must miss the target by such a wide margin, you don't hit the backstop. I haven't had food this bland while dining out in over five years. There were two things I did like: one was that the rice was cooked nicely, and two that the prices were reasonable. The half-portion of Tandoori chicken I ordered cost $13. This looks fine on the surface, but eating it made me not hungry yet gave me virtually no pleasure. To start this deserved lambasting: there is a tiny side salad of lettuce, tomato, and onion. The veggies themselves were fresh, but they had not been dressed (not even oil), and to add insult to injury, they weren't even salted. My mother taught me to eat my veggies, but salt brings out the flavor, and fat carries it. Without either, I might as well eat crisp wet paper! Then there was the disgrace carrying the name Tandoori Chicken. This chicken went wrong in every direction imaginable. First, despite the seemingly flavorful red coating, the marinade was so bland it might as well have not been there. Second, the tomato-based sauce provided on the side had a muted flavor lacking any oomph at all. Third, other than one tender drumstick, the meat was astonishingly dry. Fourth, especially being a person who does not like to eat with his hands, all but one were neither wing nor drumstick. Getting the meat off the bone was a wonky experience. The service was appropriately fast, and the location was small and cute.

    Gobhi charchi ($15), vegan by default. Pretty good, but slightly oily.
    Kedar D.

    We got Mela takeout for lunch one day. They don't have individual-sized entrees or bowls, so it's not a great place for takeout if you're looking for a quick meal with co-workers. Three stars is not a bad review in my book. Fortunately, we had tons of plates, napkins and utensils at the office to make the meal work logistically. All of the takeout containers are messy and oily; there was one major spill in the bag we got. In general, dumping a hot and oily curry dish into a small plastic container and then transporting it for any distance isn't a great idea. Mela doesn't label its vegan options, unfortunately. I shared a gobhi charchi ($15) which I assume is vegan by default. It was tasty but oily. The shahi bhindi ($18) I also assume is vegan by default. It was fine but nothing amazing. I wouldn't go out of my way for Mela. It's not memorable or different from any other North Indian restaurant. But it's not bad.

    Meal
    Andres D.

    I had a lovely time visiting Mela with a friend. We each ordered a dish and so they brought us one giant cowl of rice to split. We also split some garlic naan. I had the lamb vindaloo, which was quite good though very tomato centric. I asked for it spicy and it was delightfully so. The garlic naan was very standard. I wouldn't call this the greatest Indian place in town or anything but it's definitely good and will satisfy your craving.

    Plate #3 Sunday Lunch Buffet at Mela 10/2019
    Vivian C.

    Mela's Sunday lunch buffet is still $14.95, however, there is no more juice at the buffet line. Sadness. They do instead have a milky tea, which, once sugared, is quite nice. The sambar soup was spicy. I think everything else was made mild for American taste and general buffet line consideration. New to the buffet line up were chicken samosa, Chinese style springrolls, and a dense mini savory donut labeled Medu Vada. I preferred the vegetable samosa over the chicken variant despite their far greater size. The goat in the curry was tender, the chicken in the tika masala rather tough. I always enjoy the large cheese cubes in the palak paneer. Definitely go with the garlic over the plain naan. They filled up over the lunch time hour, so reservations are recommended. For dessert, I took some of each: watermelon chunks, kheer, gulab jamun, and think I over did it with the almost bowlful of the rice pudding.

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    Excellent food. Reasonably priced and delicious. Highly recommended. Would definitely go again.

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    lovely place to have the most authentic indian food . Friendly staff, & the ambiance was top notch! dont forget to try their mocktails

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    Mela Reviews in Other Languages

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    Ssaanjh Indian - Chickpea curry

    Ssaanjh Indian

    4.5(65 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    This place has been on the top of my list to try for a while and I was finally in the area, so I…read moredecided to make the 20 min walk to Ssaanjh. The restaurant offers a beautiful ambiance and you're warmly greeted by their wonderful team as you walk in. The menu boasts unique speciality dishes that you won't find in most places. The owner, Manju, curated a blend of flavors for me to try that paired perfectly together. This truly elevated my experience. I enjoyed every dish here. I had a difficult two days, but being here at Ssaanjh was healing. I embraced my time here and look forward to coming back with family, friends, or even myself. Thank you to the lovely team here, keep on rocking!

    Saanjh presents itself as a fine dining Indian restaurant -- white tablecloths, elegant plating,…read moreand a chic, modern atmosphere -- and in that sense, they definitely deliver. The space is clean, stylish, and thoughtfully decorated, blending a chic Indian vibe with subtle Italian-inspired décor. It's a lovely setting, especially for date night or a more upscale dinner. That said, the food itself was... fine, but not standout. We spent about $60 on one appetizer, one shared entrée, and two pieces of naan, which feels a bit steep for what we got. I also left hungry. Highlights: The dahi puri was the star of the meal -- super refreshing, flavorful, and a perfect bite between richer dishes. The naan was well-seasoned, crisp on the outside, fluffy inside, and genuinely delicious. The butter chicken had a nice kick of spice but was otherwise surprisingly bland and lacked depth of flavor. If you've had a lot of Indian food (especially in the Cambridge area), this may fall a bit short. There are several nearby spots that offer more memorable flavors. If you're staying in or near Boston proper, Shanti in Dorchester and Sher-a-Punjab in Quincy are both stronger options. That said, Saanjh is very convenient for its location, which gives it an edge. Service: Service was quick, efficient, and genuinely warm. We had the pleasure of speaking with Saj (?) who was an absolute highlight of the experience. He was friendly, engaging, and went above and beyond -- even staying about 15 minutes past his break just to chat with us. He clearly cares about the guest experience and deserves serious recognition (and probably a raise!). Overall: Come here for the ambiance, service, and convenience. If exceptional Indian food is your top priority, there are better options nearby. Still, a pleasant experience overall, especially thanks to the great service.

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    Don't Tell Aunty - Three chilli chicken

    Don't Tell Aunty

    3.5(49 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    I stayed at the CitizenM hotel in Backbay and just needed something to eat. I planned on going to…read moreanother place on the street but Don't Tell Aunty caught my eye and am I so glad it did so! The food was phenomenal. Hands down, no notes, fantastic. The portions were shockingly large. The atmosphere was club like which felt a little odd but also added to the vibes. Service was quick, recommendations were given without fanfare and they were absolutely correct. Absolutely would go back in a heart beat and I was texting friends with upcoming Boston trips to make sure to stop in.

    Was really looking forward to coming here after seeing all of the hype on instagram and…read moreTikTok...only to get confronted with the hard truth: don't come here if you're looking for authentic Indian food. If you're looking for a vibey place with interesting twists on Indian food (not spicy by any means) then this is your place. If you're looking for authentic Indian food (sweet butter chicken????) then maybe consider going someplace else....I do have to say that the staff was kind enough to ask if I wanted something else, but tasting the food let me know that most likely anything else wouldn't be my type. I will say that the fish fry was pretty decent but definitely order some chaat masala on the side for some extra flavor. The chutney that came with it was very watery. Also the 2 naans was too funny, never been to a restaurant that gave less than 4 pieces.

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    Crystal Spoons - Delhiwala butter chicken  Lamb Nizami Curry

    Crystal Spoons

    4.5(19 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    This was GREAT! My husband is Indian and we eat Indian a lot- we had ordered takeout from here…read morebefore but never dined in- it was SO nice! Such a pretty and nice ambiance for a date night, they even had live music from a local singer- Miranda Rae! She was amazing and so talented! Now the food, again, we eat a lot of Indian- so we can have high expectations. But WOW. We were absolutely blown away. We had ordered the lamb shank masala and butter chicken, it was SO good! That was the best lamb I've ever had- hands down. This is our new favorite spot. The owner, Madhu, was so kind and sweet. He explained that for every dish on the menu he and his wife had studied how to make it perfectly through cooking classes they had taken across India. And the lamb had no added tenderizers and it was SO TENDER. I'm so impressed, we will be coming back here! Thank you, Crystal Spoons!

    We picked Crystal Spoons for a family member's graduation as it looked quite fancy from the…read morepictures. Ambience-wise, it indeed was very fancy and upscale, with beautiful vivid blue plush chairs and florals and crystal light fixtures hanging from the ceilings. (There was a giant screen with bollywood trailers blasting which was a little jarring but the rest of the restaurant was beautiful.) Food-wise, it was average, not incredible, but service was painfully slow, which was the biggest problem. We also missed bowls of rice that were specifically ordered to come along with our dishes. We had to ask repeatedly, and still did not get all of the rice to come out. My in-laws also asked for chai repeatedly but did not end up getting it served despite asking 3-4 times. I got the malai kofta -- would skip this one; small tiny dumplings, sauce OK. The veggie and chicken rice palou dishes were nicely seasoned and came with raita. My favorite here was the saag paneer which had a nuttier creamy texture (it actually wasn't even on the menu but the kitchen was able to offer it upon request). We also did like the aloo tikki chaat (potato appetizer) which was served warm with nice chutney. Samosas were ok (price on the menu is for a set of 2).

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    Momo Masala - Chicken Curry

    Momo Masala

    4.8(40 reviews)
    2.4 miJamaica Plain
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    Five stars five stars! Went here after another community event and I'm so glad I did. Staff was…read moregreat when I couldn't decide and I was very grateful for all of the vegetarian and vegan options! Prices were very reasonable and the portions were HUGE. I'm very glad. Each dish was really meant to be shared (based on size alone). Ambience is really relaxing. Warm lighting, cloth napkins, footed water glasses. All in all it would be a really cute date night spot too.

    I have been fortunate to be able to find and dine at several Himilayan/Nepalese restaurants in the…read moreBoston area, and every one of them has so far been a great experience. Tonight, I added Momo Masala to that list. I was also fortunate to have friends who live nearby, and when I mentioned to them I was going (hopefully to invite them), they said it was one of their regular places for take-out. But they also informed me that they did not have a liquor license. But that recently changed!! They now offer beer, wine, cocktails, and whiskey pours - none of these are huge amounts, but there are certainly enough options for any of these. Our group of 4 did sample several cocktails. They aren't super fancy (though some drinks do have garnishes or salty/spiced rims), but everything is well crafted. Momos first, if course. They offer several varieties, but if you prefer yours steamed, read the menu carefully, as not all varieties are available steamed. We got vegetable and chicken momos, the chicken ones in a broth. Their medium level of spiciness provided a nice but not overwhelming kick. Our entrees continued the high quality. Their chicken tikka masala has a very dark and rich sauce, and the chicken chunks were tender. The lamb was equally good. The naan here (we got garlic) is very crisp, just the way I like it. This is a popular take-out spot, but there are enough tables to accommodate people who dine in conveniently, with a relaxing ambiance. This is another great add to the wide variety of dining options in Jamaica Plain.

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    Madras Dosa - Papri Chaat, Samosa Chaat, Pulav (Rice)

    Madras Dosa

    3.9(150 reviews)
    1.5 miWaterfront, South Boston
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    Okay, so I'm a little torn…read more This is gonna sound conceited, because it is, but Jersey Indian food just crushes the competition. And by competition I mean the rest of the country. Give it to Jersey, it's basically all we have. So when I come at an Indian place here it's like a rebound after a bad breakup - I'm expecting to be disappointed. And Boston (Seaport, specifically) is well-supplied in disappointment. But Madras is...good. Not great. It's wickedly expensive, $20 for a dosa with a base set of ingredients, but that's kind of normal price levels for the area. But the quality is decent and when they say spicy they don't mean Taco Bell Fire sauce. Madras' spicy hurts good. Dosas come with a set of sauces, which each have something to say - it's a whole culinary conversation. Besides the price, I think the dosas are a little dense - when I've had them before (yes, in Jersey), they tend to be crispier, more crackly and able to handle their fillings better. So - not the best, but I'd definitely go back.

    I speak as a person with more of an Indian palate... don't do it unless you want to be…read moredisappointed. The dosa was incredibly disappointing. The dosa itself was a strange texture - it reminded us more of paper than a dosa which should be crispy yet fluffy at the same time. I'm not sure what this place uses for batter. The sambar was ok, but the chutneys were waaaaay too sweet (could have been a dessert itself lol). The potatoes in the dosa masala also didn't taste seasoned. The samosa chaat was very one note. A chaat should be a balance of textures, flavors, and temperatures yet this was one pile of weird mush. The samosa itself was soooo soggy it added nothing to the dish. The sev wasn't crispy enough either, and the chutneys again too sweet. The place serves chai (through a machine, not brewed by a person). It's got a small seating area to eat inside. Again, save your dosa cravings for elsewhere.

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    Mela - indpak - Updated May 2026

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