Little Taj | Indian Street Kitchen — Restaurant in Malay

Nestled on the beautiful shores of Boracay Island, Philippines, Little Taj Indian Street Kitchen is a delightful oasis of authentic Indian flavors amidst the island’s tropical paradise. With its vibrant energy and tantalizing aromas, this restaurant brings a slice of India’s bustling street food culture to the serene beaches of Boracay.

Ambiance: 7/10

The ambiance at Little Taj reflects the island’s laid-back vibe, with colorful murals and décor that transport you to the lively streets of India. The space is cozy, though seating can feel a bit snug during busy times. Despite the compact setting, the restaurant buzzes with the joyful chatter of diners, creating an atmosphere that’s both casual and inviting—a perfect spot to unwind after a day at the beach.

Service: 9/10

The service at Little Taj is exceptional, with staff that embody the warmth and hospitality the Philippines is known for. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with friendly smiles and genuine enthusiasm. Our server took the time to walk us through the menu, highlighting their personal favorites and must-try dishes. Their suggestions were spot on, and their knowledge of the menu made our dining experience even more enjoyable.

Food: 9.5/10

The food at Little Taj is nothing short of a culinary journey through India. The portions are incredibly generous, easily enough to satisfy two people per dish. We started with the “Pani Puri,” which offered a delightful explosion of flavors—spicy, tangy, and sweet all in one bite. The “Chicken Biryani” was a fragrant masterpiece, with each grain of rice perfectly cooked and infused with aromatic spices.

The “Butter Chicken” was a creamy, indulgent dish that paired wonderfully with the warm, garlic naan. The “Saag Paneer,” featuring tender paneer in a rich spinach sauce, was hearty and satisfying. Every dish was a testament to the authenticity and care that goes into the cooking, bringing the bold, complex flavors of Indian street food to life on this idyllic island.

Overall Experience: 9/10

Little Taj Indian Street Kitchen is a must-visit for anyone on Boracay Island who craves authentic Indian cuisine. The combination of flavorful, generously portioned dishes, and warm, attentive service makes it a standout dining destination. Whether you’re a fan of Indian food or trying it for the first time, Little Taj offers an unforgettable experience that perfectly complements the island’s beauty and charm. It’s the kind of place where you’ll want to linger, savoring every bite as you soak in the vibrant,...

I am Indian. I was in India last year and earlier this year. I thought the food here in comparison to that, was OK. I went twice, as my first experience was good but my second, not so much. You have to remember that this is an Indian restaurant located in the middle of an island in the Philippines. The chefs are Filipino. The first time I went I just had a plain dosa as I was one person so it didn't make sense for me to order a curry or biryani that I could not finish. Based on the plain dosa I had, it was nice. The dosa came with homemade sambar and coconut chutney. The sambar maybe needed a little more flavour and it wasn't like the traditional sambar in India, this was more like a tomato based sambar. It was fine with the dosa. Freshly made and nicely presented. The blue ternate lemonade was so nice. Very refreshing. I hadn't seen this on a menu since I was in India, so I had to have it! If you haven't had it before, it is like a tangy lemonade. The second time I went, I had the tandoori chicken with a side of paratha (two in a portion). The tandoori chicken was not tandoori chicken. It lacked spice and flavour. The chicken pieces were fatty. I am Muslim. The restaurant is Halal friendly. A paratha is a rich flaky flatbread. This was more like a roti or chapati. It was nice and light. Not greasy. However, to call it a paratha is incorrect. Let me be honest, this isn't the best Indian restaurant in the world, but for a small restaurant located on an island in the Philippines, it wasn't bad. Average. I preferred the dosa I had the first time. Service was friendly and attentive. I had no issues. Both times my orders were taken in a timely manner, I received my food within 7 to 10 minutes. Other tables with bigger parties also got their orders pretty quickly. They are busy. The first time I went I was told it was around a thirty minute wait for a table but I could see a lot of people were finishing their meals so I waited, and got a table within 5 minutes. There are not that many tables, it is quite a small place. Reasonably clean. Nice atmosphere. They have complimentary WIFI that works. Not too pricey at all. I was in Boracay a while and had eaten seafood galore so I needed a break from it. Not bad. If you fancy something...

Ate here for dine-in with my family and really enjoyed the food. The package deal is very good value and offers a taste of many menu items. Their butter chicken is creamy and not too spicy.

I noticed that the meat chunks in their chicken dishes are cut larger than I am used to back in the Indian restaurants where I am from (Vancouver, Canada), which can make it difficult to eat with naan/roti without having to first cut them with your utensils. Basmati rice went really well with all the main dishes. The paneer is not as flavorful as the ones back home, however, the palak (spinach) sauce made up for it and brought good balance to the palak paneer dish.

The cheese paratha is very, very good - especially if you enjoy the crisp edge of a well-made samosa. The masala it came with was fantastic.

I liked the lamb, however, it was all attached to one large bone, so definitely have to use your utensils for that one before transitioning to hand and naan/roti.

The onion pakora was interesting - I’ve eaten many different kinds of pakora, but not onion - and was enhanced by the delicious sweet sauce. I did find it to be slightly too oily, but it was still very good.

The chaat was my wife’s (she is Punjabi) favorite dish that we ordered. I favored the butter chicken and cheese paratha. The chicken tikka had a good kick to is, so be advised if you are not used to spicier dishes.

Their drinks are delicious and if you buy a signature cocktail it came with a free order of onion pakora. Highly recommend the Bombay Bhang and Mumbai Mule.

Try it out if you’re...