Maharaja Fine Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Charlottesville

This is a hidden gem in Charlottesville! I am a regular and I wish I took pictures of my food to share how wonderful it was! Just came in for the first time in a few months. Next time I dine I will definitely be editing this post with pictures. I hope I can encourage more people to check out this restaurant based on this review alone.

I am a regular at this restaurant for a good reason. I often feel that there are not enough very good restaurants in this area that are not extremely expensive. Maharaja is one of my go-tos when I am very hungry, want authentic Indian food, and don't have lots of time to spend waiting.

Let's talk about the food! I highly recommend the Samosa Chaat as an appetizer- sweet, crunchy, light yet filling, and perfect sharing size for two! For mains I have a couple favorites: tikka masala (recommend Medium unless you can handle hot!; lamb is always on point), vegetable khorma (LOVE their homemade paneer), Palak Paneer and Dal Paneer. They have a huge menu and these are just the dishes I have tried. When I really love a dish I tend to order it over and over, that's why I haven't eaten everything on the menu! Also, if you come in hungry and share an appetizer, split a Naan and order one main, you'll be going home with leftovers (unless you're a body builder or something).

Atmosphere is amazing as well. There are lots of tables inside and on the patio, as well as a small bar I've sat at to eat when dining alone (not for lack of tables). The restaurant is very clean, esthetically pleasing, not too loud, and comfortable. Not one of those places where they cram as many seats in as they can. I will say that it's almost too quiet. When seated next to another table I mind my speaking volume so my conversations won't disturb others. A little increase in music volume would easily solve that.

Now on to service. I'm always stunned to see so many open tables especially on Friday nights. There is one waiter, Inacio, who always takes care of us (he has help for food running and bussing before you assume there will be a long wait). Inacio is one of the best and kindest waiters I regularly interact with. He remembers names and faces, promptly seats you and takes your order, refills your water at least once without being asked, asks if you will be having your usual, and above all he connects with his guests to make them feel special and at home. His recommendations are always on point too! Even if the food was below average (it DEFINITELY is not), I would come again and again just for his service alone. Please be kind to your waiter!

They also offer delivery services with DoorDash if you want to check out their food first before dining out. Overall, if you want good food without high prices, please consider adding Maharaja to your...

I wanted to try this place solely based on both the good and bad reviews. And I have to say that my experience today enjoying the lunch buffet was a very good one. The food was super delicious as it was seasoned wonderfully and there was a nice variety. They had both a good variety of meat dishes as well as vegetable dishes to choose from. They also had a good variety of sauces, a nice lentil soup, fruit drinks and dessert that was included with the buffet. I was skeptical about the mango pudding at first and I really didn't taste the mango much in the first bite but after bite three the mango flavor was amazing. The rice pudding was equally delicious and not at all like your typical custard American rice pudding. It had a great infusion of creamy, spicy and nutty flavors. They home make both of those as well. The naan bread was brought fresh and hot to my table. I tried everything they had to offer on the buffet and ALL of it was great.

The wait staff was kind and courteous and the restaurant was decorated nicely and is clean. I definitely left here feeling very full and very satisfied. For the price of the lunch buffet what I got was well worth it. They also have a buy 7 get your 8th buffet free card. All you have to do is ask for one. I found out about the card from a regular customer of many years. He said that the quality and taste of the foods here are always amazing. I'll will be coming back to eat...

Too bad that Royal India closed. Now there are only 3 and Maharaja is at the bottom of those 3. With so few places to choose Indian food in Charlottesville you'd think they'd pay more attention to things. First, as you enter Maharaja the patio, outside seating area and entrance way are filthy. Old leaves, wind-blown trash, and dirt are everywhere. Looks like it hasn't been swept in a year. And, the pile of dog poop on the edge of the lawn doesn't help. We first tried this place two years ago as we were just starting to appreciate Indian food. Since then we've dined at several others and now realize how below standard Maharaja is. The pictures they post look good - real good but they're deceiving. The inside looks worn, dirty and very dated. The food is mediocre compared to the other Charlottesville Indian restaurants we've enjoyed. Maharaja's buffet food seems like varying colors and textures of paste all about tasting the same. It' s still ok but nothing worth going out of your way for. The service sucks. I had to twice place our empty plates and used napkins on another table so we had room on ours. And I had to ask for fresh napkins. On a scale of one to 10 my wife and I give...