Nawab Fine Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Charleston

Edit: I wanted to take the time to edit my initial review. Yes, I had a few bad experiences inside the restaurant but decided I wanted to try again because everyone deserves another chance. I am very glad I did because I experienced none of the problems I had before and the food was still just as good! Since I tried again, I have been back an additional 4 times and have enjoyed my experience each time. Therefore, I changed my rating to 4 star and am a happy customer.

This is not an indictment of their food. I have found their buffet to change frequently and have some very wonderful dishes, including a few I’ve never even seen before. If I were rating the food only I would say it’s close to 5 star, and certainly every bit as good as Sitar in downtown Charleston.

They are near my office, so I was excited about being able to run out at lunch and have quality Indian food quickly. I eat by myself at lunch because my work schedule differs from the others in my building. Doesn’t matter, usually I’m doing paperwork while eating anyways. After my first few trips there I notice that I am asked to eat at the bar instead of a table. The first time I was asked to simply try the bar. So I did. I wasn’t happy with the bar, the lighting is bad and there is enough stuff piled up there that you feel like you are in a storage room. You become an afterthought to the waiters as well. The next time I came in I was directed immediately to the bar despite there being tables available. They tell me it’s because I am by myself. While there I notice two tables with just one female occupant sitting there. So today I went back again. When I walked in I am asked if I want the bar or a table and I say table immediately. I start walking towards a table and the host says the bar is available. I continue to walk towards a table. When I get ready to sit he tells me he guesses it is ok I sit there because he doesn’t really know how busy it’s going to be today. I was among the first people in for lunch and there were more than enough tables available! In addition, of the only two occupied tables, one was a single female occupant who I assume was not asked to sit at the bar.

Like I said, the food is solid. But the attitude and insistence about sitting at the bar has lost them a customer. I do not plan on returning. 5 stars for the food, 1 for the service, 3...

I went to Nawab only because my daughter with special needs, insisted on going there. After getting seated, she had a Q on menu item, so I asked this Somalian guy in ball cap, and surprisingly he was angry, and scolded me saying you are Indian, you should know, you have been here before and why are you asking. So, I mentioned that it was a long time ago and I don’t remember it, at which he retorted “I know you, I remember you, you gave us a bad review, etc. etc”. I was shocked and had no recollection and I should have walked away right then, but anyways for my daughters sake I just apologized and placed our order.

We ordered the dinner for 2. Although the food looked great, and we started eating, I noticed my daughter was not eating, so I gradually added raita, till I had poured the whole container of raita in her rice and palak paneer, however, she kept on drinking the mango lassi rather than eat. Eventually, found out, she could not eat it because it was extremely spicy hot and we had made sure to order mild. The lady server as well as the ball cap Somalian, was nice enough to offer the extra raita, which we took, hoping she will eat at the hotel later at night. I am glad she did not eat, because, for the next 4 days, I had heartburns, and still having heartburns, as the food was extremely hot n spicy, the type you only realize sometime later after eating when the heartburn starts. BTW I eat Indian food all the time so normal spicy does not bother me, so this was a something different.

No one deserves to be treated with hostility or served food that could result in adverse health consequence. My hope is that this was purely accidental, and without any malicious intent. I’ve chosen to forgive them and move on. I’m only sharing this experience so that many other trusting visitors, especially those with dietary sensitivities or medical concerns, can be cautious and are not caught by an unpleasant surprise or land up...

I tried Nawab for the first time today with my cousin from Florida. We arrived late into the buffet time period so I wasn't expecting much, but the food was surprisingly fresh, and definitely very good quality ingredients were used. Vegetarian, chicken and one beef option were available, a dessert rice, some garden salad, raita and chutney. Tea was also available, apparently as part of the buffet. The seasonings are deep but not overly spicy, and everything had its own distinct flavor. I also ordered the bread basket separately and the various flatbreads that arrived were all delicious, fresh and obviously housemade. The waitstaff was very attentive without being obtrusive and because I have weak American tastebuds I drank a lot of water with my meal. My glass was refilled promptly whenever I needed it to be. The dessert rice was very nice, not too sweet, with some coconut and a bit of dried fruit in it. The butternut squash dish was exceptional. I looked at the extensive menu while I was waiting for my cousin and they have vegan options and will also take custom orders if they have the ingredients. I wish they had additional paper napkins for those of us who are affected by the spice, but other than that I have zero complaints. I will definitely...