The Raj on the Square — Restaurant in Gauteng

A restaurant I once praised has now left me appalled and utterly regretful of my last visit. We had specifically booked a table by the fireplace, only to arrive and find it stone cold. We asked multiple times for it to be turned on, but were blatantly ignored throughout the evening. To make matters worse, we were served a pitiful excuse of a "dhall" to cover up the fact that they didn’t even bother with basic accompaniments like salad or raita for the biryani. The waiter rushed past us repeatedly as if we didn’t exist, zero attention, zero service. The atmosphere was cold, chaotic, and completely devoid of hospitality. Adding insult to injury, the person who appeared to be the host stood across the room occasionally glaring at us, yet made no effort to check in or respond to our clear attempts to get his attention. This same person was apparently responsible for the fireplace and offered a laughable excuse that “other customers might complain”, as if our specific, pre-arranged request was irrelevant. This, despite those other customers being seated at the opposite end of the restaurant. Our reservation, made specifically for that table and confirmed over the phone, was simply brushed aside, treated as if it didn’t matter at all. They had no problem letting us walk in and pay inflated “upmarket” “Sandton Square prices”, but couldn’t be bothered to deliver the basics, common courtesy, warmth, or even a meal worth partaking of. If they had been honest at the time of booking and told us our request wouldn't be honored, we would have gladly gone elsewhere. But no, they were perfectly fine taking our money while delivering less than one-star service. This didn’t feel like dining at a premium Sandton establishment. It felt like being dumped at the back of a run-down, low-effort curry joint. We sat there cold, ignored, and disappointed, served food that tasted stale and left a sickly, lingering aftertaste. To the owners: catch a wake-up. You’re coasting on location and appearances while completely neglecting the fundamentals of service and hospitality. At this rate, it won’t just be customers you lose, it’ll be your entire reputation. I’ll never return, and I will not recommend this place to anyone seeking a proper Indian dining experience. You’ve not only lost a loyal customer, you’ve ruined the image you once...

A Regal Rendezvous at The Raj on Mandela Square

I walked into The Raj on Mandela Square like a pilgrim seeking comfort, and left feeling like royalty, with a cup of chicken masala in hand (because who needs a crown when you’ve got creamy curry?). Perched in the heart of Sandton’s glitzy Nelson Mandela Square, this North Indian gem is a feast for all senses, and yes, even the smell of imported spices gets its own standing ovation.

The ambiance? Think soft lighting, elegant booths, and a gentle hum of conversation that pairs beautifully with the scent of garlic naan wafting through the air. It’s stylish without being pretentious, great for date nights or undercover food reviews. I half expected Bollywood music to kick in any moment…in a totally classy way, of course.

And then arrived the chicken masala. It was everything a curry dreams of being: tender chicken bathed in a velvety, tomato-onion gravy, laced with just the right kick of garam masala. It struck a perfect balance, rich, aromatic, and comforting, but not so spicy that I needed to signal for help. The spices feel authentic, and apparently, they do bring them in, basmati rice and all, from India.

Service deserves its own applause too. Friendly, attentive, and ready with recommendations, whether you're a spice novice or a seasoned vindaloo warrior. From fellow diners’ reports, the staff have even gone the extra mile: a waitress once walked a customer through dishes using pictures, and the manager corrected a pricing error without fuss. That’s the kind of personal touch that makes a difference.

Yes, it’s not the cheapest curry outpatient clinic around, but that seems fair for a place serving authentic, imported-spice-infused fare in one of Johannesburg’s most prestigious squares.

In summary, The Raj on Mandela Square is a splendid blend of ambiance, flavor, and flair. Whether you're a committed curry addict or just someone craving a cozy bowl of masala excellence, this place delivers. My chicken masala was a symphony of flavor, and the overall experience felt like a mini-vacation, right in the city center.

Five stars, for the food that hugs your soul, the service that warms your heart, and the setting that makes it all feel delightfully fancy. I’ll be back for that chicken masala encore…maybe with naan this time, and definitely with...

Not a very good experience unfortunately. Was there last night with a party of about 12 people. Once orders were placed, approximately 1.5 hours had passed and we still had not received so much as an apology or explanation, much less a plate of food on the table.

After a little while longer, the food arrived. However, much to the disappointment of everyone at the table, numerous dishes were either cold or inconsistently heated. Which leads me to believe that the food was being reheated in a microwave and being served to customers ???!

Either it's a microwave being used, or the kitchen staff is woefully inept at coordinating for a large party of guests. If that is the case then the Raj should really not be accepting reservations for a party of more than two.

Complaining to the manager was a waste of time, as he proceeded to blame it on a busy night for the kitchen. He gave us an apology in the form of ice cream, served in polystyrene cups with plastic spoons. I assume this is because the kitchen did not want to do any washing up as it was long past closing time by now.

To sum up, it was a dreadful experience at a restaurant that is charging premium prices for below par food.

I implore anyone considering this restaurant to think twice and make a u turn. Rather give your hard earned money to Bayleaf, Geet, or...