Maharaja Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Albuquerque

Indian cuisine is known for its rich, bold flavors and authenticity. Unfortunately, Maharaj in Albuquerque delivered none of that. My recent visit to their lunch buffet left me questioning not just the quality but the entire experience, and it was far from worth the $17.99 per plate (+ tax) that I paid.

The buffet offered about 15 items, which at first glance seemed promising. But as soon as I started tasting, disappointment set in. The food was bland, underwhelming, and lacked the essential flavors that define Indian cooking. It didn’t feel authentic in the least, almost like someone was trying to replicate Indian dishes without truly understanding them. For the price, the quality was shockingly poor.

Dessert was no better. The Gulab Jamun was, without a doubt, the worst I’ve had in my 25 years. It was dense, overly sweet, and completely missed the mark. The Gajar Halwa, though slightly better, was still mediocre at best—lacking the freshness and depth you expect from a well-made halwa.

The service from the staff was decent, but the owner’s attitude was something I’ve never encountered before. When another customer politely shared that they didn’t enjoy the food, the owner’s response was beyond absurd—he began counting the plates the customer had used and questioned how they could dislike the food if they had taken multiple plates. Seriously? This is a buffet, where diners try small portions of each dish to form an opinion. To have the owner hovering over tables, counting plates like some kind of food police, was utterly ridiculous and unprofessional. It's hard to enjoy your meal when you feel like you're being watched and judged.

On a more positive note, the ambiance was clean and well-lit, though it had almost no connection to Indian culture. For an Indian restaurant, it lacked the warmth and cultural richness that should be reflected in the decor.

I don’t usually feel the need to write such negative reviews, but this experience was so disappointing that I felt compelled to share it. If you’re looking for authentic Indian cuisine, this is not the place for you. The food was bland, the attitude of the owner unacceptable, and for the price, you’re better off elsewhere.

In conclusion, if you’re willing to settle for mediocrity in both taste and experience, then maybe Maharaj is worth a try. But if you’re after real Indian flavors or even basic professionalism, steer clear—you won’t find it...

The ambiance is great, nice calm music, beautiful lighting, nice decorations, very warm and welcoming. The tables are a little to low to the chairs height maybe that just me but I felt like the tables were a bit too low from where I was sitting. The hosts are very polite and professional, I was greeted as soon as I entered and they acted happy to see me. They immediately brought me a vase of cold ice water and made sure I knew where the drink menu was. The table was very clean, although it appeared to have alot of scratches on it, not that scratches are especially bad but it seemed they were covered by a very soft covering making them prone to scratches. Even with the scratches it was still very nice. I ordered paneer pokhara for my appetizer it was absolutely delicious they brought chutneys with it I would say as a single person the chutney was perfect but as a group I would say they need more chutythe volum is about 75% too small for a group as people tend to prefer the sweet red chutney. For my entree I had lamb korma with garlic naan. The lamb chunks that came in the korma were a bit big I think if they reduced their size by just 25% it would be perfect. The sauce of the lamb korma was delicious and savory the rice was delicious and cooked perfectly. The garlic naan was crispy and light and the garlic flavor was reminiscent of garlic bread from a good Italian restaurant. For the last item I ordered out of the character for the restaurant, I ordered tiramisu an Italian dish sadly I can't report the tiramisu was done well it was frozen solid and was delivered upside down, it was still delicious even though it was farm from what you would expect. The food for which they're established is excellent the indian food they brought was perfect and well made as long as you stick their indian dishes you will be happy you came it's a great restaurant and the staff are warm and professional. I genuinely believe you will enjoy yourself if you come here and you will...

I recently visited the new Maharaja Albuquerque Indian Cuisine for their highly recommended dinner buffet, and it was a delightful experience for any lover of Indian food. The moment you walk in, the warm and welcoming ambiance sets the tone for a satisfying meal. The staff is genuinely friendly, with servers who are not only attentive but incredibly quick to cater to your every need, ensuring that your dining experience is smooth from start to finish.

The dinner buffet itself offers a wonderful spread of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, with classic dishes like Butter Chicken , Lamb Vindaloo, Tandoori Chicken and a goat curry entree, with a chef's special with shrimo. The flavors are balanced, perfect for those who prefer their spices on the milder side, especially when compared to traditional Indian heat levels. However, if you’re someone who enjoys a bit more kick in your food, I’d recommend trying their lunch buffet instead to get Chicken Vindaloo. I’ve heard the dishes served during lunch are spicier, especially compared to the dinner offerings, with options beyond the creamy mildness of butter chicken.

The regular & garlic naan was freshly baked and replenished regularly, staying soft and warm throughout the meal, and the chutneys added a great layer of flavor to the dishes. One highlight of the meal was the rich, aromatic biryani that hit all the right notes in terms of texture and flavor.

While some buffets can feel overwhelming, Maharaja Albuquerque strikes the right balance, offering a variety of dishes without compromising on quality. Combined with the friendly service and fast-paced attention from the staff, this is a place I would highly recommend for both casual diners and Indian food aficionados.

The full menu is also available if you're not a buffet fan, as well as a variety of lassi drinks.

For those who crave spicier dishes, make it a point to visit during lunch hours to enjoy even...