India House Restaurant Chicago — Restaurant in Chicago

A Cozy Post-Valentine’s Indian Buffet Experience

My husband and I visited 'India House Restaurant Chicago' on a pleasant, snowy weekend for a post-Valentine’s celebration. Located in downtown Chicago, this restaurant offered a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Food: We opted for the weekend buffet, which is available every Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM. As a vegetarian, I was pleasantly surprised by the wide range of vegetarian options.

Starters: The Pani Puri was a highlight—crispy shells filled with tangy and spicy water, perfectly balanced. The samosas were fresh, crispy. Main Dishes There were four vegetarian gravies, including Palak paneer, Dal Makani, Gobi and Machurian balls. While the gravies were decent, they could have been more spicy and tasty. Rice & Breads The biriyani was fragrant, and they also had plain naan. Desserts The rice kheer was rich and creamy, and the mango kulfi was a refreshing end to the meal. The mandarin oranges added a fresh, fruity touch.

Overall, the food was mildly spiced, which might appeal to those who prefer less spice, but I would have liked an option for spicier dishes. Compared to other Indian buffets in the area, the vegetarian variety here is above average, though the flavors could be more robust.

Service & Ambience: The service was excellent—our plates were cleared promptly, and the staff was friendly and attentive. The ambiance was cozy and romantic, with soft lighting and red roses on each table, a nice touch for Valentine’s Day. The restaurant was clean and well-maintained, with traditional Indian decor that added to the experience.

Pricing: The buffet cost $50 for two which we found reasonable for downtown Chicago. This is a fair price for the variety and quality offered.

Parking: Paid street parking was available nearby, which was convenient. However, parking in downtown Chicago can be challenging, so I’d recommend using a parking app like Spot Hero to reserve a spot in advance. Alternatively, the restaurant is easily accessible via public transit, being just a short walk from the Red line Grand station.

Overall: If you’re looking for a vegetarian-friendly Indian buffet in downtown Chicago, India House Restaurant Chicago is a decent choice for those who prefer mildly spiced food or are new to Indian cuisine.

For a more adventurous spice level, you might want to request customizations from the kitchen. I’d rate this experience...

TL;DR: Food is a little under-seasoned and missing depth. Service was decent and the inside is beautifully designed. Not the best Indian restaurant I've ever been to but it is satisfactory in a pinch.

Food: Vegetable Samosas: They're crisp enough, which is nice. Many restaurants mess this up. The inside is a bit under-seasoned, which is unfortunate. This should have a burst of flavor instead of just some mildly flavored white potatoes. Disappointing. While the tamarind sauce is quite delicious, the onion chutney was missing for some reason.

Garlic Naan: The naan was cooked well with a great crisp. I think there can be a bit more garlic but this is nitpicking. It was very good.

Naan sticks: This appetizer was given as a compliment. It seems to be an Indian take on bread sticks, served with a tomato bisque. We appreciate this touch. Thank you for free this appetizer.

Panera Tikka Masala: The flavor is slightly sweet but not overly sweet. The inclusion of large cut vegetables is a nice deviation from dishes at other locations. While it was ordered as "spicy" I would equate it to more of a medium spice.

Dal Makhani: This dish had the nice bean taste that's expected from it. This dish seemed to meet expectations for what it should be. While tasty, this dish was ordered "spicy" but had more of a medium spice level.

Drinks: Tipsy Mango Lassi: This is the most flavorless "Mango Lassi" I've ever had. Maybe the mangos weren't ripe? Either way, it tastes like nothing. I highly suggest a new Mango vendor.

Smoky Indian: This drink has a wonderful presentation with a nice subtle taste. Recommend

Service: When ordering food I asked for my dish spicy. The server looked at me and said "for you, maybe mild" which is slightly racist. I eat Indian food all of the time and only ever get it spicy. If someone orders it that way, give it to them that way. Don't be rude and make stereotypical presumptions. The spice level was weak, which made...

An Average Experience at India House Restaurant

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

I recently dined at India House Restaurant and had an average experience overall. While there were some positives, there were also a few areas that left room for improvement.

Let's start with the positives. The taste of the food at India House Restaurant was generally good. The flavors were authentic and reflected the essence of Indian cuisine. The menu offered a decent variety of dishes, allowing for a selection that catered to different preferences. I particularly enjoyed some of the classic Indian dishes that were well-executed and satisfying.

However, one aspect that stood out as a drawback was the high default gratuity policy. It was disappointing to see that a substantial gratuity was automatically added to the bill, regardless of the size of the party or the quality of service received. This policy seemed to assume a certain level of service satisfaction, which should ideally be determined by the diners themselves. While I understand the need for gratuity, it should be left to the discretion of the customer rather than being automatically included.

Furthermore, the service at India House Restaurant was average at best. The staff members were polite, but their attentiveness and responsiveness could have been better. There were instances where our requests took longer to be fulfilled, and it felt like the service lacked a personal touch. Promptness and proactive engagement with customers would greatly enhance the dining experience.

In conclusion, India House Restaurant provided an average dining experience with good-tasting food and a decent menu variety. However, the high default gratuity policy, average service, ambiance, and slightly higher pricing were aspects that prevented it from standing out. With some improvements in these areas, the restaurant has the potential to enhance its overall appeal and provide a more exceptional dining experience for...