Urban Maharajas — Restaurant in Toronto

Updated (September 13, 2025) A Return to Urban Maharajas: Urban Maharajas has proven itself with a consistent and even improved dining experience. After our first visit, my friend and I returned a little over a month later and were impressed to find the food tasted even better and fresher than before.

The Gilafi Seekh Kebab appetizer was a standout, with well-seasoned, perfectly cooked kebabs. The unique sauce on top added an intriguing twist, making it a dish worth trying. 8/10

The Chicken Lababdar was the clear highlight of the meal. This was a truly delicious version of a classic, with tender and generously sized chicken pieces. The sauce was a complex mix of nutty, creamy, and spicy notes, with distinct hints of fenugreek, rose, and other aromatic spices. It's a dish I would absolutely order again. 10/10

The Butter Chicken also impressed, featuring a well-balanced, tomato-based sauce and soft, tender chicken. The spices were expertly blended, making for a very well-made and satisfying dish. 9/10

To complement our main courses, we also ordered the onion and chili salad, which enhanced the flavours of both dishes perfectly.

The service was excellent once again. Urban Maharajas seems to have found its stride, delivering high-quality, flavourful food with great consistency. I hope this quality continues, as it's quickly becoming a go-to spot for an exceptional dining experience.

July 23, 2025 A Promising Spot for Indian Flavours with Room for Refinement My friend and I visited Urban Maharajas, and our initial impressions were quite positive. The restaurant has a very nice ambiance, with a well-designed and inviting atmosphere. We also appreciated the cleanliness of the bathrooms, which is always a good sign. The menu was enticing, and we were eager to start our meal. We ordered Schezwan Chicken Popcorn, Cigars, Tandoori Mushrooms, and Butter Chicken. Our dining experience had a slight snag when our main course, the butter chicken, was brought to the table before our appetizers. The server promptly apologized and corrected the order, but the mix-up was a bit annoying. The appetizers arrived soon after. The Schezwan Chicken Popcorn had a delightful mix of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavours, but the texture was inconsistent; some pieces were perfectly tender, while others were noticeably rubbery. I’d rate this dish a 5/10. The Cigar was decent, with a good level of spice in the beef filling, but it was quite dry and lacked richness, only somewhat saved by the accompanying sauce. It scored a 3/10. The Tandoori Mushrooms were beautifully presented and well-seasoned with a good spice level. Unfortunately, their texture was rubbery, almost as if they were made from canned mushrooms. The dish shows potential, earning a 6/10. Our Butter Chicken eventually made its proper appearance, served with saffron rice. The butter chicken itself was a highlight—creamy, tangy, and, as requested, delightfully spicy. We thoroughly enjoyed the rich flavours of fenugreek, yogurt, and masala. The chicken was well-cooked, and we gave the butter chicken a solid 7/10. Overall, the service needs attention. Beyond the initial mix-up, servers were not very attentive, a side dish was forgotten, and plates were not changed. The server-guest relationship felt a bit neglected throughout our dining experience. Improvements in service would undoubtedly elevate the overall experience. Despite these issues, Urban Maharajas has clear potential. With some adjustments to the consistency of their dishes and improved service, it could easily deliver an excellent guest experience. Consistency is key. I'd give the restaurant an overall rating of 7/10. Would I...

Has the potential to be one of the best Indian restaurants in the city; the food is wonderful and yet I’m torn on whether I’d return as our overall experience was not great.

The bhatura is cooked to perfection (for those not familiar, it is a fried bread that is crispy on the outside and very fluffy on the inside). The naans were tasty. The masala fries are great - a little overcooked but this allows the masala to be cooked properly, and the portion size is worth the price (although double the Vaughan location price?).

I had ordered a chipotle chicken tikka, but I’m not sure if that was what I got, it could have been the chicken tikka masala (I did not want to wait another 25 minutes for it to be corrected, especially as it was already cold when the other food came out). If it was the chiptole tikka, I’d question if it was from a tandoor, there was zero charcoal/smoke flavour (would also hope for a sizzler plate), and it came in a thick sauce rather than a dry rub. There was also far too much salad compared to chicken.

A few other areas that need improving: The service was slow when it came to taking orders - papadams should be offered if you know service is slow. We had asked for the food to come out together but they gave us the chicken tikka by itself, it was a 10 minute wait for the other items (including bread/fries) and it was unfortunately just cold by then, and we still had to ask their staff for another item they’d forgotten to bring out (this can happen on a slightly busy night but it impacts the experience). The iced chai was probably just hot chai with ice thrown in or they allowed hot chai to cool down, the flavour is great, but they need to speak to a barista on how to make this an iced drink. The mango lassi is tasty, should be a larger drink for that price.

It was also frustrating that a table walked in 10 mins after us, and had all of their food (a lot more than we ordered) well before we had ours.

A dedicated bar mixologist is needed, someone dedicated to their craft would make a better drink and probably make you more money.

Is there a service manager? I’m doubtful, and this could prevent them from reaching the level they should.

The restaurant is easily accessible and close to TTC stations, and lots of carparks nearby.

The pricing is very fair, and the decor inside is very nice. They may benefit from dimming lights and adding candles on a Fri/Sat night if they want to take advantage of the number of couples who walked by and instead went elsewhere.

We had just come from a show, and people outside were commenting on how nice the food smells from outside, a missed opportunity not to have a...

My recent visit to Urban Maharajas in Toronto was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we stepped in, we were greeted with warm smiles and a welcoming ambiance that combined traditional Indian elegance with a modern flair. The attention to detail, both in the décor and the service, made the experience truly memorable.

For mains, we ordered the Butter Chicken, a classic that Urban Maharajas has truly perfected. The rich, creamy tomato-based gravy had a deep, smoky flavor and paired beautifully with their soft, crispy Lachha Paratha and Garlic naan. We also tried the paneer pasanda, a vegetarian dish that was as indulgent as it was aromatic, with soft cubes of paneer simmered in a luscious, spiced tomato and cashew gravy. Every bite reflected authentic North Indian culinary craftsmanship.

What stood out just as much as the food was the service. Our server, Ridhi and Naba were not only attentive but impressively knowledgeable about the menu. She took time to explain the spice levels, preparation methods, and even suggested pairings based on our preferences. Throughout the evening, our water glasses were never empty, plates were cleared promptly, and we felt genuinely cared for—not rushed.

Urban Maharajas is more than just a restaurant; it’s an experience. Whether you’re a fan of Indian cuisine or exploring it for the first time, this place sets the bar high. With an excellent menu, passionate staff, and a refined yet cozy atmosphere, Urban Maharajas offers a dining experience that’s worth every visit. Highly recommended for food lovers seeking both authenticity and impeccable service. There were some people giving them hard time, even though they were trying their best to make them feel at ease. I wish people develop a sense of empathy towards servers and people working in food industry. I was there with friends, who reserved this gem of a...