Maharaja indian restaurant/bar — Restaurant in Christchurch

Maharaja Indian Restaurant. My original thoughts of “Indian restaurant” extend from my first encounter with it in Bristol, England many years ago and to be honest they didn’t change much right up until 2013. You can either go for the light Indian option, butter chicken or some other mélange of hot to “Oh god” option that would come with a boy’s night out and a few lagers. That was till I discovered Maharaja Indian. They are opposite the BP top end of Papanui Road, 452 Papanui Road to be exact. Yes I’ll be honest it wasn’t ME who discovered it but my talented and smart partner. “Lets eat Indian tonight, I’ve found a great little restaurant” she said. “Yes” I rolled my eyes as memories of “Bristolesque” and cheap lunches with mates came flooding back. Oh how wrong was I. It’s an old villa that has been turned into a restaurant. You walk in and are pleasantly surprised. There are nooks and crannies that beg exploring. Couples nuzzle in corners while bigger groups taking up dinning areas with what seemed like raucous abandon. It doesn’t bother you if they do, as you feel shielded in whatever area of the restaurant you find yourself from prying eyes or lads celebrating the discovery of at last, Indian food that tastes bloody good. Does it sound like I’ve been there a bit? Well you would be right. Why wouldn’t you when the price is as good as their pickle platter??! There is such a wide range of tastes which caught me by surprise. ALL the options taste fresh and luxurious. No bland curries here but a smorgasbord of interesting tastes all delivered by friendly and courteous staff. The bar isn’t really a bar but that’s ok because the beverages they provide all make the experience better. On my last visit I had booked in for a Friday night and it was pretty crazy busy. I ordered a mountain goat Beer and Grace ordered a Spice trail Riesling. We had been recommended these to go with hot and spicy food. The recommendation was right, refreshing beverages that went well with what we had. I ordered the butter chicken and naan with two sides of Maharaja Pickle and coriander, tomato and red onion. Grace went for the Maharaja platter. Each dish we share and it’s full of flavour. To be honest the first time I had the pickle I thought “Dear god, who would eat this??!” Ohhh how you acquire a taste for it. I can only say it’s like olives, once you get used to it, you just can’t NOT have it again. Things that I tried on my first trip have grown on me and I’ve found that each time I go back my palate changes. The flavors aren’t just great, they are wonderful. If you look around you at Maharaja you will see all sorts of people enjoying it. Families, Couples, friends all enjoying it for the three things that I feel make a good experience. Food, atmosphere and price. ALL of the meal comes together well, we always enjoy what we have no matter which combination we have ordered and Vishal, the manager, always looks after us very well. We end up taking a little package of leftovers home for my Saturday lunch. I love it when you get enough food to have that little reminder the next day on how delicious it all was. The price is great and my memories of Bristol restaurants past fall from my mind and are replaced by warm food, exotic tastes and good service. Raj, the owner, and his team have got the Indian experience right for me. I’m sure you can find something that you will love here too. Book a table and try it for...

Occasionally, you happen across a restaurant that truly impresses. The Maharaja was such an experience. On the recommendation of our friendly Indian taxi driver, we decided to give The Maharaja a try.

Imagine our surprise when we arrived at the address he had provided us only to find a rather unkempt and somewhat derelict looking building that had once been The Maharaja, but was now clearly not. A quick check of their excellent Website set us straight, they have moved to a new location that is truly magnificent.

The Maharaja is now to be found in the old Papanui Railway Station building at 1 Restell Street Papanui, which, in itself, proved a little tricky to find, but it was well worth the effort.

The old station building has been cleverly converted into a stylish and comfortable restaurant beside the train tracks and we thought the location furthered the ambience of the establishment and gave it a pleasant authenticity. Right on time, the Coastal Pacific passenger train from Picton clacked by our window on its way to Christchurch Station adding beautifully to the railway theme. We waved to the passing g passengers from our dinner table and they smilingly waved back.

The staff made us feel very welcome and my family enjoyed the atmosphere of the restaurant, the retro style of the railway station and the groovy music they were playing. We ordered tikka prawns and samosa for entrees, both superb. There was an enticing cocktail list and I wanted to try the adult mango lassi, but decided against it as I was driving, but we’ll return by taxi another day and give it a test.

We all ordered different curries from the well-presented menu and they were served in silver bowls on little candle burners to keep them hot and the plates were warmed also, which enabled full enjoyment of a delicious meal that remained warm while being consumed. Little things like this set this restaurant apart and really made our experience special.

We shared the curries between us and each was exceptional. Extra rice was provided for free and our son, a self-proclaimed naan bread aficionado, gave it two thumbs up.

The wine list was well chosen, we had an excellent Hunter Valley Shiraz, that complimented the meal and left the restaurant feeling like well-fed princes and princesses.

I thoroughly recommend The Maharaja for a wonderful night out in Christchurch with great food, pleasant atmosphere and friendly service.

We will return with friends as we’d love to introduce new customers to this wonderful restaurant.

Thank you everyone at The Maharaja for a top night on the town in Christchurch. See...

A Culinary Adventure with Exceptional Service

Nestled in the heart of Papanui , Maharaj Indian Restaurant offers a vibrant journey through the flavors of India, complemented by impeccable service from their dedicated waitstaff.

From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with warm hospitality and an inviting ambiance that sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. The restaurant's décor pays homage to India's rich cultural heritage, with intricate tapestries adorning the walls and soft, ambient lighting casting a cozy glow.

The menu is a treasure trove of authentic Indian cuisine, boasting a diverse selection of dishes ranging from traditional favorites like butter chicken and biryani to regional specialties such as dosas and chaats. Each dish is expertly crafted using fresh, high-quality ingredients and bursting with aromatic spices that tantalize the taste buds.

But what truly sets Maharaj Restaurant apart is its exceptional service, led by the gracious and attentive waitstaff. Our waitress, Hasala, was a delight from start to finish, providing insightful recommendations and ensuring that every aspect of our dining experience was nothing short of perfect. Her warm demeanor and genuine passion for the cuisine added an extra layer of enjoyment to our meal.

Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur of Indian cuisine or embarking on your first culinary adventure, Maharaj Restaurant promises an unforgettable journey through the flavors of India, accompanied by unparalleled service that will leave you eager to...