Had been meaning to update my review for Thumka Restaurant--and after hosting a milestone birthday here, I finally am. We had about 16 people for a semi-private gathering, and the setup worked perfectly. Huge thanks to Siya, who helped plan everything and made the process easy. The co-owner Sunil checked in to make sure everything was running on time, which I really appreciated. Service was on point--Tony helped us get started, and Roleen made sure everything kept flowing smoothly. Food-wise, everything delivered. The buffet was fresh and flavorful, and we added tandoori shrimp and lamb chops à la carte--both were excellent. Kudos to Chef and owner Ruby Bhalla The place has a fun, upscale NYC vibe, especially on nights with live music. Also appreciated the thoughtful birthday wishes from the team--it made the night feel even more special. Definitely a go-to spot for celebrations. read more

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Oh so close to being a new go to for Indian food yet read on to see why it's not . . . Let me start by pointing out the positives - we ordered take out via their website and it worked perfectly. Food was ready ahead of the promised time, I was greeted super courteously and felt very welcome, the ambiance was very upscale and lastly the food was absolutely delicious. You may be asking why not rate them 5 stars? Well it is a matter of principle. We ordered somosas, chicken 65, tandoori shrimp koliwada appetizer and buttered chicken, and buttered naan - all in around $90. The portion size ridiculously small. The shrimp appetizer was 6 medium sized shrimp for $30 - so $5 a shrimp !!! The buttered chicken was supposed to be a dinner portion, yet came in a container the same size as the appetizers and maybe a cups worth of basmati rice if that. Bad move - thy are in Jamesburg - not Princeton - not Redbank - not NYC. Thankfully there are many other options in the area - not here to advertise them but they are easy to find. Worth a try? Yes maybe - the food will not disappoint - but you will feel taken advantage of when you see how little you are getting for your money. read more

I stopped into this restaurant for dinner. When I arrived I parked on the street nearby. I walked into a really nice restaurant. I was greeted and sat and served by Tony. I had: Red Sangria Azure Lagoon Lassi Lamb Chops Chicken Samosa Veg Manchurian Gravy Garlic Naan Gulab Jamun The food was so good and my favorite was the lamb! This spot was great all in all! read more

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This review is solely based on the weekday lunch pre fixe! For $22, you get a samosa, choice of daal, choice of entree with rice & naan and glulab jamun. Quite the feast! And it was all served on a giant silver platter! Everything was delicious and beautifully presented. My single complaint was that the service was very slow even though the restaurant was practically empty. I can see this place getting litty at night so I might have to return after dark to see what's up ;) read more

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We had an overall good experience. The food was great! And don't be fooled by the small storefront/facade because the inside is expansive and an influencers dream. It's BYOB but also has a bar with a great cocktail menu. We ordered spring rolls (alright, nothing spectacular), paneer tikka tacos, seekh kabab (highly recommend), gobi Manchurian (bangin!), daal makhani (great!), goan fish curry (which my family loved), and kadai chicken (also fantastic). I did find the restaurant to be VERY loud, so we couldn't really have good conversation within our party. Service was great! The manager personally helped take care of our table since my aunt has previously held an event at the restaurant and knew our family. read more

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One of the best Indian food places in NJ- quality is superior and live music is fab. Highly recommended for service and quality

Don't waste your time or money. While the restaurant looks amazing. The food doesn't share that same sentiment. Food was bland. And as authentic as a Chanel bag on Canal Street. I had what "THEY" Called Lamb Kadhai as well as their idea of Butter Chicken. No taste no seasoning just not worth the money. Maybe it was an off night! Furthermore the portions were more like petite tapas portions. And for the price just not worth it read more

We kept passing by and saying we had to try Thumkaa and finally got there this weekend. The restaurant is BYOB but they have an interesting array of "mocktails" and a few wines that I presume are from some sort of winery distributor arrangement. For a non-alcoholic bar it's set up nicely and the decor, including the bar, transformed the space into something that definitely feels like you're no longer in Jamesburg - in a good way! We had the manchurian gobi as an appetizer - it was delicious. Entrees were Chicken Khadai and Paneer Makhani. Both were really good. 2 of the 3 were ordered "mild" and 1 was ordered "medium spicy" and they nailed it. I read some other complaints about portions but that's all we ordere for 2 people and we took home enough leftovers for another meal. My only critique is that it's a bit noisy but that's partially due to the fact that it was completely full with tables turning as they became available. We will definitely go back! read more

Thumkaa is a fantastic Indian restaurant and a great spot if you're looking for delicious food with a relaxed BYOB vibe (though they do offer wine as well). Everything we tried was absolutely delicious, and the service really stood out. Our server, Tony, was friendly, attentive, and extremely knowledgeable about the menu. He gave great recommendations and made sure to ask about our preferred spice levels when ordering, even repeating them back to ensure everything was correct, which I really appreciated. We started with the chicken samosas and chicken lollipops, both of which were flavorful and perfectly prepared. For my entrée, I had the butter chicken with garlic naan, and it was outstanding... rich, comforting, and full of flavor. I also came here in November for a Friendsgiving with a larger party, and they were able to accommodate all of us without any issues. The experience was just as great, which really speaks to their service and organization. Overall, Thumkaa delivers excellent food, great service, and a welcoming atmosphere. I'll definitely be coming back! SN: the interior is great for photos as well! read more

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Here's the thing about indian restaurants, if it's frequented by Indians, it's probably authentic. Excellent by any standard. Exceptional service, ambiance and food quality. As good as it gets in Central NJ. Good degree of options on the menu. Highly recommended. One of the few Indian restaurants where don't have to order butter chicken and naan, you'll be pleasantly surprised if you do. I don't do 5 stars but 4.5 stars isn't an option and dinging them 1/2 a star wouldn't be fair. read more

Food was amazing , tasty and the serving quantity was a lot for a fine dinning. Their events are really fun and exciting. We would recommend to go with your family and enjoy. read more

We attended the NYE dinner and have eaten here previously. The ambiance is great, beautiful decor. The food was delicious. Every appetizer to entree was full of flavor and they adjusted the spice levels well. They are BYOB. Their mocktails are equally good and they put a lot of effort into presentation. The staff was very nice and friendly. They kept up the service with a smile the entire night. They also had live entertainment. Both the singers present that night were very good. Overall a great experience and highly recommend ! read more

Thumkaa Bar and Kitchen - Indian Near Me - Jamesburg, New Jersey

Bad food bad service Tandoori roti is not at all tandoori roti Kadhai chicken was bad Its not fine dining read more

Upon arriving we were pleased w/ the accommodation as we arrived 30 mins early for a reservation. We ordered drinks and apps, and they came out timely. Once everyone arrived our waiter left us for an hour w/ out taking our order, however, he had no problems taking orders from other patrons who arrived after us. Once we started our order he stopped, left our table, started taking pics for other patrons, then came back about 6 -10 mins later to finish the table's order. He never brought out my Grandmother's food, so she ended up sharing w/ my cousin, NEVER brought out a requested drink, and completely left us high and dry until it was time to pay the check. We specifically asked for separate checks, and he STILL brought out one check. We could barely hear him because he basically whispered every time he spoke to us. I will say the food was great (spicy as hell even tho we asked to please tone down the spice)- Awful, awful service- terrible. People had their children running around screaming and carrying on, bathroom was a mess- we drove over an hour to have dinner here to celebrate my daughter's birthday and was disappointed w/ the service. Horrible. read more

The food is pretty average and for such price I was expecting a high level taste but unfortunately it isn't, and portion is very small, kid size. The service is delayed, drinks were brought in during entrees. Ambience is ok. Not planning to go again. read more

I had the chance to attend two private events when they first opened, and the food at both was excellent -- full of flavor, beautifully presented, and such a fun experience overall. Since then, I've also ordered takeout a few times, and while a couple of items weren't exactly prepared as requested, other dishes were absolutely exceptional. That said, the quality and creativity of their menu really shines through, and it's clear the team is passionate about bringing bold Indian flavors to our town. The ambiance inside is lively and welcoming, making it a great spot for a casual dinner with friends or even a celebratory night out. And if you like live music, they have some evenings where you can dance & dine! The service has improved immensely since their opening days, which is such an important part of the dining experience. And honestly, that's a learning curve for any new restaurant -- you can really see how the team has grown and adjusted with time. The staff is now much more attentive and welcoming, making dine-in visits a real pleasure. read more

I had recently seen this being promoted by a local influencer and was excited to try it. We walk in and it's very packed so I'm expecting it to be fire. The atmosphere and decor is nice but it was TOO LOUD. They had a live band but the positioning of the singer was so poor - he was barely audible towards the front of the restaurant and I couldn't hear myself talk to my husband (mere inches away) from where we were sat (in the back). I asked if we could turn it down and they said it was the lowest they could keep it. If you're going to have a live band please consider your acoustics. It's like I went to a mediocre concert I didn't ask to attend and happened to have a meal. They also did birthday and wedding shout outs which elevated the music 2-3x. The food was OK at best. The rice in my biriyani tasted a bit crunchy and oily. It was spicy to be spicy without distinct flavor profiles. Service was quick and the servers were very nice. The decor and service are carrying this rating to a 2. If it was dependent on food paired with the live band - easily a 1. As of right now, there are better Indian restaurants I'd rather revisit. read more

Very nice ambiance, fits 182 customers, no liquor license yet, but serve many different wine choices and make sangria's . The theme is Indian infusion food with lots of mouth watering flavors.Wine selection is mainly all from NJ winery which is classic move .Plenty of parking and handicap access. So far the service has been good. read more

The location was great with plenty of street parking. Large dining area and huge bar. Great vibe with decor and lighting. Food was excellent. Crème brûlée dessert was homemade and so good! Tony, our server, made helpful suggestions on the menu as it had been ages since we had Indian food. I would go back. read more

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I must say I am very easy going with food tastes. The one thing I didn't like was Indian food. to me it was sloppiness looking and very unappealing. I do like hot food very much. my friends persuaded me to go to thumkas in Jamesburg. it is located in mendokers old bakery. I was so pleasantly surprised. The appetizers and entrees my friends and I got were well explained and delicious . can now say I enjoy Indian food and I will definitely be back. if any of you know of the old beloved bakery you will be shocked at the decor ‍ read more

We Love this new Indian restaurant and couldn't wait for it to open! Tonight was my 3rd time here and we had a Great Meal Again! The food is delicious, the Service was Excellent and the ambiance was wonderful! I don't know how Anyone can give this restaurant LESS than 5 stars! read more

Best Indian restaurant around. You MUST try the chicken samosas - theirs are the best I've ever tasted! The butter chicken was off the charts and the service was incredible. Beautiful ambiance, doesn't even feel like you're in jamesburg. 10/10 recommend and will be back for sure!!! read more

Thumkaa Bar and Kitchen - Sangria - Indian Near Me - Jamesburg, New Jersey

Decent experience at this restaurant. Our server was attentive and there was nice follow-up and follow-through throughout the dinner. Ambiance is trendy. Food was good but EVERYTHING is a la carte. Whatever entree you order comes out solo...no rice, yogurt, veggies, naan...nothing. My husband left hungry. The other issue is the wine. The wine is from a NJ winery. WHY??!! NJ is not known for wine! They have a full bar. So they should round out the wine selection. read more

Our experience did not lived up to expectations. We ordered Thunka Nachos with Chicken option, and it came with store bought cheese sauce and beans from a can. On the name of chicken there were about 5 small bits of chichen that were cold and appeared cooked way before serving. There was nothing fresh in the plate. Our order of Tawa Chicken for main entry came with same chicken bits that were in the nachos, the gravy was ok taste wise, but very heavy. Pretty much I could not sleep whole night after consuming about half the dish. Naan bread was the only thing l liked. I wish they served fresh ingredients, and provided hot plates, for the price they charge. read more

It's my happy place! From the server to the food and the ambience everything is five star!!! I love the restaurant and every time I go there it's even better read more

The food is authentic and tastes fantastic. The staff is very attentive and knowledgeable. You won't be disappointed by the food or the service. read more

So, very often upscale and Indian Food do not intersect, but we went to Thumkaa tonight for the first time, and they are doing a pretty good job of it. While Jamesburg may not be a fine dining mecca, the space is large and well decorated. They have been busy since opening a few months ago, and it was not easy to get a reservation. They are working on a liquor license.but for now, only have NJ wines, but plenty of it. We opted to BYO. Large menu, lots of choices....some familiar, some new to us, and we eat plenty of Indian food. We had Manchurian Gobhi (cauliflower) and Chile Momos (a dumpling) for appetizer and both were amazingly flavorful and delicious. Entrees were Paneer Kedai for me and Butter Chicken for my wife....again super good. Naan were fermented, unleavened and delicious. Service was polite and efficient. The portions were generous and the presentation (including dishes, silverware and wine stems were all chic) We met the owner on the way out and he assured me that every ingredient was authentic and imported from India.... With tons of authenticity and some Chinese and Mexican elements sprinkled in, Thumkaa is an adventure that I look forward to embarking on again! read more

Food tasted okay. I ordered butter chicken and without exaggerating they gave me 8oz of rice and 2 pieces of chicken. I was really looking forward to trying this place, but I wouldn't go back again. read more

Food is okay and not worth the price. The quantity is very less appetizers are served in soup like bowls, you can visualize the quantity. All the items we ordered are okay nothing tasted exceptional or wow.. We ordered chicken, lamb and paneer ( Tawa chicken, buna ghost and paneer kadai) all the three tasted pretty much same. The service is fast and ambience is decent. read more

The staff is so welcoming and polite. The food is outstanding (butter chicken is out of this world). Rishika was our server and so gracious. Been 3 times and we will be back!!@ read more

Two stars only cause the very thin garlic naan was actually good but my entree wasn't. I got the Kadai chicken which came with a small white rice side. It was oily and very thick. The oil was too much where I felt it in my stomach all night and into the next day. It clogged me up and even after running a mile I'm still clogged. read more

One of the worst Indian restaurant in New Jersey. It was nothing but hype. They just created fake image of not seating more than 1.5 hours otherwise you'll charged additional $50. They don't have any liquor license and giving name "Bar & Restaurant ". All servers and managers are highly dressed up giving you impression that you're in high end restaurant but food is horrible and no choice. Do not, do not waste your precious evening and money at this place. There's a Burrito Bowl next door, you'll be more happy eating there. It's very noisy place. Non alcoholic drinks are nothing but colorful sugary water read more

The food was incredible, the dal makhi was so delicious and the nan was amazing, great staff and customer service too. The vibe was really nice overall, I highly recommend this place. read more

Food and drinks were below average. The ambience and service was good but that was about it. Menu items are described well but the actual food lacks taste. Cocktails were very sugary. My blue lagoon drink tasted like KOOL-AID. I will not be returning. read more

Terrible experience and ended up walking out. We ordered 2 appetizers and two entrees. This was the first Indian restaurant that I've ever visited where rice is charged separately ($8 and order for plain rice) and was rather surprising since the entrees are not cheap. Anyway, the one appetizer comes but without the other. We finish the first appetizer and after about 10 minutes someone comes to see how we're doing. When we ask about the second appetizer we were told it will be right out. 10 minutes later someone else comes to take the dish of the first appetizer and we ask again about the second appetizer. They say they will check. About another 10-15 minutes someone else comes to check on us. At this point we're pretty annoyed and he says he will check....well another 10 minutes and we said to just cancel the appetizer if the entrees are ready. He swears the appetizer will be out in ONE minute and leaves. Finally a after about another 10-15 minutes and ANOTHER person asks if we want to place an order. At this point we asked for them to cancel the order and just bill us for the appetizer At this point I have the first and fourth person at the table and they are not listening to our request and promising that the order will be right out. Well we got up went to the front desk and spoke to the manager, told him of the experience and just asked to please bill us for one appetizer. He did apologize stating they were very busy ( the restaurant was half occupied) and short staffed in the kitchen. While the manager did try to make good by comping the appetizer, the experience was that bad that we will not return, especially when there are a few other Indian restaurants in the area were the food and service is wonderful. read more