Maharaja Restaurant — Restaurant in Castle Point

It had been a while since I had a proper night out, especially at an Indian restaurant, I owe the night to my sons: one of them had a birthday, and the other generously paid for the meal. It turned out to be a memorable experience,

Let’s start from the beginning. The car park is a bit of a challenge. While there are spaces available, manoeuvring can be tight, especially on busy evenings.

the entrance, the first thing that caught my eye was how flashy it looked. Two massive chairs stood at the entrance, seemingly there to welcome guests. The lighting and wall décor were quite impressive, though perhaps a little over the top, some elements felt slightly exaggerated. Of course, I couldn’t resist taking a photo in one of the chairs, just to mark the occasion! Inside, the restaurant was quite large, with plenty of seating. However, privacy might be a bit limited during busy hours. We got lucky though, a spacious corner area with a sofa-style seat became available. The menus looked elegant on the outside, very posh and glossy covers, but the content inside was fairly basic. I was a bit disappointed to find there were no special offers for groups. It would have been great to see some set menu options or sampler platters, especially for larger parties like ours. We were five people and wanted to try a mix of dishes, so we ended up ordering different items to share: meat, chicken, prawns, various rice dishes, etc. For drinks, we all had soft fizzy options. Soon after, we were served papadums, one each, along with two types of sauces and a small bowl of finely chopped onions. At first glance, I thought the presentation looked a bit poor, especially the onions, which seemed thrown together. But I was proven wrong. Once I tasted the combination of the sauces and onions, the flavour completely changed my perception. There was something unique and bold about the taste, it elevated what seemed like a simple starter into a surprisingly satisfying one. When our main dishes arrived, they weren’t particularly striking in appearance, but the taste made up for it. Everything was cooked just how I like it, well-done but still full of flavour. I particularly enjoyed the pilau rice, which was cooked to perfection and flavoured with one with mushrooms, one minced meat, and one vegetables. It paired really well with our mix of curries.

Even though we initially worried our order might fall short, the food turned out to be more than enough. That said, I still believe they should consider offering meal deals or sharing platters, it could make the restaurant more appealing, especially to families or groups. I understand it may not be the most profitable route, but sometimes a little generosity in the menu can go a long way in attracting loyal customers. After the meal, we each decided to try their hot drink, which seemed to be something like a sweet latte with a creamy layer on top. It was served in a tall glass and tasted a bit too sweet and rich for my liking. However, if it had been offered in a smaller portion—maybe a dessert-style cup—it would’ve made the perfect after-dinner treat. Now, for the downsides. The only real let-down was the toilets. For such a large restaurant with plenty of seating and a grand layout, the toilet area felt cramped and underwhelming. I think they could have easily spared a bit of space to improve this, and it’s something I hope they address in the future. Overall, I truly enjoyed the evening. The service was attentive, the food was satisfying, and the atmosphere had a festive feel. If I could, I would give this place a 4.5-star rating. A 4 feels too low considering how much we enjoyed ourselves, but a full 5 would be slightly too generous due to the few things that could be improved. Unfortunately, most review systems don’t allow half-stars. Still, I’d lean toward 5—just for the experience and effort alone. Would I go back? Absolutely. And I’d recommend it to others too—with a heads-up about the parking and the toilets, just so they know...

I should think if you go at less busy times things would be better but I went on a Saturday night for a good friends birthday. Now if your going with a big crowd for a special night out you MUST read my review because it is honest. On turning up car park was full and stayed full. The place was very busy and packed to bursting. We turned up for a 8pm sitting dine and dance buffet there was 25 of us. The tables weren't ready and we were ushered to the bar where all the next sitting were waiting. It was so cramped the seat backs from opposite tables were less than a foot apart you had to walk to the bar like a crab all the way. As I arrived at the bar a waiter was in front of me with a tray of food trying to get past it was impossible but I stepped to the side and I had to get close to other diners at a table to let him past. Doing this the diner at the table physically pushed me with both hands even though I hadn't touched her. That was within 2 minutes of getting there. I'm going to be quick now. Basically it was short staffed. We were over charged on the bill as a small child who wanted an omelette and chips was charged FULL buffet price even though she was 6 years old and was entitled to a free meal with a paying adult. The omelette was not served we were just left with the starters bought to the table so the little girl just had a plate of chips and the party was charged child's buffet price for that. There was no waiter assigned to the table so when we were told help yourself to the buffet and if there is a dish you want that is not there just ask and it would be prepared and bought to the table. We asked for things and like the omelette was not forthcoming. Long story short the place was under staffed and the place was well over crowded. I left my main meal as we were so tightly packed in I just couldn't comfortably eat it without putting my sleeves in my friends dinner in the next seat. I felt sorry for the people sitting opposite as they were sat on a fixed seating bench that was 10 tables long without any gaps between the ten tables to get up and go to the toilet or wash hands. The food was OK but a bit on the hot side hence I had ordered a less spicy dish to come to the table but as I said didn't arrive. The starters were my dinner that cost £25. The buffet bar was around the small dance floor. Hey guys it was dangerously over crowded and uncomfortable. The service was pleasant when it was there but it was non existent most of the time. I found it terrible really and say don't go on a busy night because it's too over crowded. I would of payed more for it to be more comfortable. Also checked out the prices online and some of the drinks were more expensive than advertised. They say they sell glasses of COCA-COLA. It was NOT Coca-Cola it was a brand named Sun Glint or something close but not Coca-Cola and it cost a pound more than advertised. My friend who's 50th birthday it was had a great time so that was great. Shame on you Maharaja you guys were just shoe Horning people in to maximise profit. I don't blame you for that but we were good customers that some of which traveled miles to patronise you're establishment and because of the crowding were made uncomfortable. Basically an average Indian restaurant which were money hungry and put bottom line before their customers... Not long after my visit they had a fire. Lucky it wasn't that night because I could imagine there being a big problem evacuating that place. It was bad I ain't being silly just too...

First to qualify this review I will say that we a lot of Indian food and from all over the UK, and we have spent happy times in some really good Indian restaurants. Sad to say the Maharaja is not one of them.

Overpriced, overrated (for some reason) and understaffed by seemingly untrained and awkward staff.

We attended here for a family night out to celebrate a 21st birthday. The catalogue of agro began right at the go, the car park was jam packed with about eight or ten cars and a taxi sat precariously on a drop of zone. A would be customer was trying to park a van by driving backwards and forwards up and down the tiny car park seemingly hoping for a space to magically open up. After a kind of car and van dance manoeuvre we were out on a busy main road with no clue where to park. There were eleven of us in three cars. Having some local knowledge helped us to find a nearby road were we squeezed in amongst the other cars parked up and down this residential road. We were very glad it was not raining as we walked back to the restaurant. Once inside it was like a crazy game of dodge as customers and staff slid past in all directions. We eventually got seated at a table laid for ten...but we were eleven. After a game of move the tables a waiter squeezed us in around the table which was right against a walkway.....asking for trouble as it turned out. The waitress that turned up was being trained we think as she did not have a clue but tried to be helpful, and then, what a wait for food, well over an hour, and oh dear only ten meals arrived. By the time humble apologies had been made and the eleventh meal arrived everyone else was mostly finished. Number eleven family member gulped down a few mouthfuls and gave up...an evening ruined for her already. Then there was the oafish Neanderthal from a nearby table who pushed uncaringly passed a member of our party only trying to eat her meal. When she complained he used a very unpleasant term to describe her. The uncarry and uninterested staff just pretended not to notice. Lastly, the pleasant Indian background music found in the better Indian restaurants was not in evidence here. Instead there was a booming disco type music so load we could not chat at our table. You would think that was enough wouldn’t you but no......when the bill arrived there was no discount for online booking as promised. This was resolved but by now no one cared and just wanted to leave and forget about the Maharaja....better places...