The Maharaja royal Indian cuisine — Restaurant in Porto

Food ordered: Chole Bhature, Aaloo Paratha, Gobhi Paratha, Chai, Lassi.

We travel a lot across Europe, and we always try to have Indian food for dinner since that’s what really satisfies us. Over the last three weeks of our trip across southern Europe, we have been quite disappointed with the “so called” Indian restaurants. The disappointment comes either from the food quality, service quality, or ambiance.

During our visit to Maharaja, we felt that the quality, service, and ambiance were all quite good. This is a new restaurant, and we got a lot of time to talk to Mr. Pankaj from Jammu in India. We had a great conversation.

First came the sweet Lassi, and I lowered my expectations a bit as I would not rate it among the best. But then came the heavenly Choley Bhaturey, and Aaloo paratha.

In European Indian restaurants, you rarely get the feeling of a freshly prepared filling for the boiled potatoes. This one felt quite freshly prepared. The parathas were quite big.

The bhatura was great. They made the puffed bhaturey unlike the usual one on the menu. The choley were also good. My wife liked it much more than me.

Then we ordered Gobhi paratha. Generally, the restaurants (even in India) try to directly boil the cauliflower and mash it. But this one felt authentic. The cauliflower was properly grated and fried, it felt. This is rare as it requires hard work.

The Indian Chai was also great!

We ended up spending quite some time in...

Authentic Indian flavors in the heart of Porto

Tucked along the bustling Mouzinho Street, The Maharaja offers a surprising sense of calm the moment you walk in. The space has plenty of indoor seating, and the atmosphere feels warm and unhurried, a welcome break from the busy street outside.

Service was friendly and personal, led by two women from Punjab who made us feel right at home. Their hospitality added a genuine touch that matched the food beautifully.

We ordered a mix of Chicken Tikka Masala, Bhindi Masala, Roti/ Chapati, and a Garlic Naan. Every dish felt authentic and full of flavor, with the chef even offering to customise the spice level to suit our Indian palate. That kind of flexibility makes all the difference when you're far from home.

Everything arrived quickly, and the quality of cooking was evident in every bite. The Chicken Tikka Masala was rich and balanced, the Bhindi was well-cooked without being oily, and the breads were fresh and nicely done.

If you're in Porto and craving real Indian food that respects the roots of the cuisine, The Maharaja is well worth a visit. We left fully satisfied and glad to have...

During our visit to Maharaja Royal Indian Cuisine in Porto, we indulged in an incredible dining experience. The meal started with crispy, flavorful papadum and beautifully charred paneer tikka that set the tone for a promising culinary journey.

For the mains, we opted for the Chana Masala and Aloo Jeera, both of which were bursting with authentic Indian flavors. The spices were perfectly balanced, and the dishes were cooked to perfection. One delightful touch was the complimentary onions, which added a refreshing crunch to the meal—always a nice gesture.

To end the meal, we tried the Gajar Ka Halwa. While it was rich and fragrant, I found it slightly too sweet for my taste, and I would have appreciated a bit more koya to enhance its creaminess. Nonetheless, the overall experience was so good that I still gave the restaurant a well-deserved 5 stars.

No meal in Porto feels complete without a glass of its famous red wine, and pairing it with Indian food was a unique and satisfying choice.

The friendly and attentive staff added to the charm of the evening, making it a must-visit spot for anyone craving Indian flavors in Porto. Highly...