Indigo Indian Restaurant — Restaurant in Budapest

I’ve written this review on the night of my 2nd visit to Indigo while the dining experience is still fresh in my mind. My 1st try at the resto was last week and it wasn’t a good experience for me. It was a weekend night and they had a few long tables of parties going and perhaps the kitchen was understaffed because I was waiting 30+ minutes for my main entrée to show up but it never did.

When I asked a passing waiter for the ETA of the dish he said that it hadn’t been started yet. So I was like, okay this is my out then. I waited too long for nothing. So I told him to cancel my main entrée order. He went to check to see if it was okay with the manager which okayed the bail out since it hadn’t been started to be prepare yet, so there was no loss to the restaurant nor the customer to just nullify it.

I did have an appetizer – the Onion Bhajia which was a huge plate that filled me up anyways so I was happy to just have that only. But I wasn’t so happy with the dish as its not what was pictured in the photos. Based on those I thought it was going to be 1 large pile of onion opened, aired out and spread out like an afro and to just pull on these light, crispy, onion strings out of it as if pulling on hairs.

But the Onion Bhajia came in a 6-pack configuration with each ball tightly wound where the center core was dense, thick and heavy that needed to be cut through. I could only eat 4 of them before getting full enough to call it quits. Renato was super cool about the whole situation and it wasn’t an issue. I also met the manager Lorand (who okayed the dish exit) and he thought it was a logical idea since the Bhajia was a super heavy dish and he was super chill about it as well. I have to say that both of these guys were funny, nice, really cool dudes that treat customers as if they were friends and welcomed me back to the resto anytime… which I did tonight.

I ate outside this time on a nice terrace, service was prompt, they were attentive and didn’t forget the outside tables like some inept resto staff do. The menu itself has a nice, soft, silky texture for its page stock with colorful photos of plates in a leather binder. Most people don’t notice the little nuances, like menu design or cutlery quality, but these subtle attention to detail is another factor that separates a great restaurant from just an average one.

Renato was eager and energetic as always to take your order, respectfully calling customers “Sir” even though I don’t think I’m that old yet lol. I ordered the Chicken Coconut Curry Madras which was a top choice for me last week, also based on Lorand’s recommendation, he said its one of the best, and he was right, it was excellent. Garlic Naan side for dipping and sandwiching large chunks of pure chicken breast cut with zero fat or tendons. The bowl came warm to the touch to keep the dish warm during portioning. Great body consistency to the sauce, not runny with oil overspill leakage, not too spicy, just right actually, very good.

I followed it up with a Mango Lassi (homemade yogurt frappe) which was awesome! …for the Gulab Jamun, a classic Indian dessert made from fried milk dough balls in a hot syrup which was great. I did mention to Renato some more coconut shavings would be a good addition and a few smashed mini-cut mint leaves for color and scent. Not many, like 3 or 4 just to give off a nice smell during dessert delivery and it wouldn’t affect the taste of the dish overall since the sweet syrup would overpower it.

If you want a really good, high-end, authentic, Indian cuisine in Budapest, I think you’ve found it right here at Indigo. Their attention to detail shows the caring behind the dishes, their presentation is good, containers and bowls are nicely designed, cuisine is colorful, correctly portioned at 80% fullness, enough room for a dessert and 2 locations on each side of the river gives locals no excuse to not try them. Lorand and Renato will make you feel like an old friend revisited and you will have a great dining experience at Indigo surely. I...

I had been to Indigo a few times years ago and had wanted to return, as I had remembered it being quite nice, so the wife and I decided to try their daily thali luncheon special during the week between Christmas and New Years. We were surprised at how crowded the restaurant was on a Thursday, but then realized how crowded with tourists the rest of the city was. It's a good thing we had called to make a reservation, but when we arrived, our reservation was not there. We were able to be seated anyway, but this little glitch turned out to be an omen.

The kitchen, it turned out, was in pandemonium because of the unexpected crowd. After we were seated and our order taken , I realized all of the other people at tables near us were still waiting for their food to arrive, 23 people at my count. And some appeared to look like they had been waiting a long time. Our drinks arrived quickly, but then we waited 53 minutes for our thali luncheons to arrive. We weren't angry, as it was obvious what was happening, and this was confirmed after we finished our meal by the manager. They had been caught completely by surprise by the volume of the crowd that day. But we were disappointed.

The food, however, was worth waiting for. Each thali tray was arranged with dal (lentils), a vegetable curry, a paneer dish, yogurt and fresh cucumber and other veggies (which I mixed together to make a raita) and a main course.Mine was chicken tikka masala -- the chicken was very tender and the dish tasty. My wife ordered the vegetable thali so her main was vegetarian, and also delicious. A large piece of naan (tandoor bread) was also provided, along with a small dessert. Altogether, a complete meal for 4490 forints, and we were both stuffed after finishing.

When we got the check, I questioned the long wait for our food with the manager, who explained the situation that day, and I suggested he comp us on the drinks. Not only did he remove the charges for our two drinks, but he also brought us two desserts to sample. One, the pistachio ice cream, was outrageously good.

Even the best restaurants have a bad day now and then. Stuff happens. But it's also an opportunity for a restaurant to show it cares about its customers, and the manager at Indigo gets a huge thank you for stepping up and taking responsibility for the...

recently had the pleasure of dining at a restaurant that left a lasting impression on me. From the moment we stepped through the door, we were greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The combination of delectable cuisine, a charming ambience, and the attentive staff made for an unforgettable experience.

Despite arriving 45 minutes earlier than our scheduled booking, the staff went above and beyond to accommodate us. They were incredibly understanding and made sure we were comfortably seated in no time. The efficiency of their service was commendable, as our food arrived just 15 minutes after placing our order.

Speaking of the food, it was an absolute delight for the taste buds. Every dish was bursting with flavor and prepared to perfection. It was evident that the chefs took great pride in their craft. The quality of the ingredients shone through, and each bite was a testament to their culinary expertise. Considering the taste and the portion sizes, the prices were more than reasonable. It was truly a satisfying experience in every sense.

One standout aspect of our visit was the exceptional service provided by Lorand, our server for the evening. His extensive knowledge of Indian cuisine was evident as he guided us through the menu and offered insightful recommendations. Lorand's attentiveness and genuine care for our dining experience made us feel valued as guests. His professionalism and friendly demeanor added an extra layer of enjoyment to our evening.

All in all, I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant to anyone in search of a memorable dining experience. The combination of delicious food, a delightful ambience, and the remarkable staff makes it a standout choice. Whether you're a fan of Indian cuisine or simply appreciate excellent service, this place is sure to leave a...