Raaga Restaurant — Restaurant in Bailey's Crossroads

Stepping into Raaga Restaurant promises a journey into the rich tapestry of Indian cuisine, where vibrant flavors, aromatic spices, and a diverse menu come together to create a dining experience that, despite its culinary merits, leaves room for improvement in terms of cleanliness and air circulation.

The culinary prowess of Raaga is undeniable. The menu unfolds a panorama of Indian dishes, each prepared with an evident commitment to authenticity and quality. From traditional curries to tandoori delights, the flavors reflect the essence of Indian gastronomy. The richness of the spices, the tenderness of the meats, and the variety of vegetarian options showcase the culinary skill and dedication to providing a true taste of India.

The ambiance, however, is where Raaga encounters a notable challenge. While the restaurant exudes a certain warmth with its Indian-inspired decor, there is room for improvement in terms of cleanliness. On several occasions, the cleanliness standards did not align with the overall sophistication that the establishment aspires to portray. Tables, chairs, and certain areas of the dining space occasionally displayed signs of use that could detract from the overall dining experience.

Additionally, air circulation emerged as a notable concern. The aromatic spices that contribute to the distinctive flavors of Indian cuisine, while delightful in moderation, can, at times, become overpowering in a confined space. Improved ventilation would go a long way in ensuring a more comfortable and enjoyable dining environment for patrons, allowing them to fully savor the culinary experience without being overwhelmed by lingering scents.

Service at Raaga is generally attentive, with staff members displaying a welcoming demeanor. However, the occasional lapses in cleanliness and air quality impact the overall impression and could potentially be addressed through heightened attention to detail in maintaining the dining space.

In conclusion, Raaga Restaurant stands as a culinary haven for those seeking an authentic journey into Indian flavors. The commitment to culinary excellence is evident, but addressing cleanliness and air circulation concerns would be pivotal for Raaga to truly realize its potential as a premier Indian dining destination. With a focus on elevating these aspects, Raaga has the opportunity to not only provide an exceptional culinary experience but also ensure a dining environment that complements the rich tapestry of flavors...

I didn't know it was possible to make bland Indian food, but they accomplished it. There's no warning of this on their menu either. I called after receiving my order and they said it was intentional... that they make all the food that way because that's how people like it. Crazy. It's not just that it wasn't "hot" spicy, but that the flavors were very one note, not complex, at all, which is NOT what one expects from Indian food.

Everything I ordered was vegetarian... maybe they put all their spices in their meat? The Gobhi Aloo was flavorless and a bit watery. The Kari Pakora also had a very an extremely liquid "gravy" and though it was supposed to be a yogurt sauce, it also had very little flavor. I'd purchased Raita so I dumped some in, but their raita had no real flavor other than sour yogurt... It really didn't help much. Also, I ordered vegetable pakora which is supposed to be "seasonal vegetables" and it was just bits of spinach and onion in batter... (though these did taste okay) I asked them about that, and they said, yeah, that's all they make. The Samosa I order was edible but mostly tasted like salty potatoes.

When I called them they didn't offer an discount or any apology. I called GrubHub to discuss and since after they called the restaurant and they refunded my order (I didn't expect a complete refund) I decided to put 2 stars on this review instead of one. I feel bad about requesting a refund from any restaurant during the pandemic, but I had to throw most of...

Raaga is an authentic Indian restaurant located in Falls Church. I fell in love with this restaurant five years ago and I'm glad the quality hasn't changed. The restaurant gives off a warm feeling with the warm yellow painted walls and framed portraits of Indian musicians. The restaurant is also decorated with wooden elephant statue, magical lamps (like the ones in Aladdin), and musical instruments. Every table is draped with a white tablecloth with a small glass vase with a bunch of red carnations.

To start my meal, I ordered a Mango Lassi, which was a thick mango milkshake. For appetizers, we ordered Garlic Nan and Onion Kulcha, which consisted of four pieces of bread per order. The Garlic Nan was stuffed and topped with chopped garlic. The Onion Kulcha consisted of fine flour bread stuffed and topped with onions and fine herbs. I felt that the Onion Kulcha had more character and flavor. I liked that the onions made it sweet. I liked how the breads came with a lightly spiced raita yogurt. It would have been nicer if there was chopped cucumbers and herbs.

For entrees, we ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala and the Shrimp Masala, which I enjoyed equally. The Chicken Tikka Masala consisted of charbroiled chunks of chicken cooked in a mildly spicy tomato based sauce. The Shrimp Masala consisted of butterfly shrimp cooked in a coconut and tomato based curry sauce. Both of these dishes came with rice mixed with fennel seeds and...