Himalayan Grill — Restaurant in Haymarket

Hi and thank you for letting me share. We have been to Himalayan Grill ("HG") twice now, both times as a family. We are five: me, my wife and our three sons ages 13 & 11 & 8. The restaurant is clean and it is also new. We hope HG maintains their very high levels of cleanliness and hygiene after being 'new' goes away in 6-months. You are doing great so far. The second time we were there to eat, we arrived between the lunch and dinner times and had to wait about 20 minutes until the evening reopening. We observed that even during this closed time between meal periods HG staff was outside cleaning all the exterior glass doors and windows. The staff are all genuinely nice, friendly & attentive. The restaurant is small enough that it is easy to get their attention if you need anything during your meal but large enough that there is ample space between all tables with plenty of room to move between tables and chairs. We observed there is a small bar at the front of the restaurant where you can eat or drink and they also have a very robust take-out service being run from the counter. Himalayan or Indian food is not our normal or 'default' cuisine, so this review doesn't present any natural bias in favor of the cuisine, as we are not from that part of the world. Having made that disclaimer, all five of us agree the food is amazing. There is something for everyone at HG and they even take the time to have different spice levels, so it is not a one-spice fits all restaurant. The portions are ample and the selection is wide-ranging enough to offer variety over the course of several different visits without repeating your previous order. For the five of us, including gratuity and tax, we spent an average of $33 and $43 per person ($165.00 and $215.00) on our two visits. I personally ate the Himalayan Goat Soup and the Khasiko Masu on both visits. My wife has a dairy allergy and they were able to accommodate her with no issues. My sons like the Royal Butter Chicken and Tandoori Chicken. We ordered a variety of starters on our second visit (Spinach Chat - AMAZING, Chicken Sekuwa (Nepali skewers) and a variety of Naan), so it was more expensive than our first outing. The prices are a little on the high side, but we appreciate that everything is new and the economy is still inflated right now, so we are OK with it. The food quality and flavor is worth the price. I would also add that HG is not in the same class as some of its next-door budget-friendly neighbors (Good Fellas, Taco Bell, Popeyes), it is more aligned with Parrando's and Red House Tavern. It also benefits from being next door to plenty of easily-accessible dessert options for those who like to dine at one place and have dessert at another. The Owners/Managers are omnipresent and take the time to visit your table and elicit your feedback. They are happy to have your business and want to earn return customers. Everyone who reads this should make a trip to HG to check it out...you will not be disappointed. We weren't...twice so far...and looking forward to...

Always looking for new places to try, my friend and I landed on the relatively new Himalayan Grill. The restaurant is styled in the manner of a Himalayan chalet and the interior is welcoming and open with a high vaulted ceiling and comfortable cushioned chairs at the various table arrangements. The menu had so many choices of Nepali and Indian appetizers, korma, mains, desserts, traditional drinks and specials it was difficult to choose. My friend chose the Butter Chicken and Butter Naan but I’m a bit more of a challenge because of a garlic allergy. The waitress tried to help me navigate the menu and was careful to check with the chef to be sure we found garlic-free options, but we found it difficult to identify much on the menu. The waitress then called in the Manager to help. The manager quickly showed me exactly which dishes were garlic free. I ordered the Nepali Chicken Chowmein and a Spinach Chat share plate for my friend and I. I was blown away by the Spinach Chat, really wonderful mix of sweet, salty, and sour flavors with crispy and crunchy textures, very unusual and very satisfying. The Nepali Chicken Chowmein was a tasty and very generous portion of stir fried egg noodles tossed with cabbage, bell peppers, chicken and spices. Unfortunately, my Naan of choice was Aloo Paratha which was made with a spice paste which included garlic so it was a non-starter and instead I ordered the plain Naan, but it was also very good. My friend’s couldn’t stop talking about how tasty the Butter Chicken was and she also ordered what she described as a perfectly sweetened Mango Lassi. I ordered San Pellegrino and it came without the bottle, pre-poured. I would suggest bringing the guest the full bottle with the empty glass. There was so much food, we both had enough leftovers for another meal. Overall, I was quite impressed by the attentiveness and friendliness of the staff and the quality of the food and drink. But I was most impressed by the effort made by the entire staff to help me find garlic free lunch options. Thank you so much. This place goes on my list...

Himalayan Grill: A Culinary Haven in Haymarket

This spacious Indian-Nepali restaurant excels in delivering an extensive menu spanning both Indian and Nepali cuisines, from aromatic biryanis to authentic Himalayan specialties. The kitchen's swift execution ensures minimal wait times without compromising on quality—a rare balance in fine dining.

My experience with their Nepali goat curry showcased their culinary expertise, while their diverse menu caters to every palate, featuring vegetarian delights, tandoor specialties, and regional favorites. The traditional breads—both roti and paratha—are expertly crafted to complement any dish.

The well-stocked bar elevates the experience, offering authentic South Asian spirits and beverages that pair perfectly with their robust flavors. The establishment impresses with its thoughtful seating arrangement and attentive service from their courteous staff. At $40, my feast provided enough for two meals, demonstrating exceptional value.

In essence: Diverse authentic cuisine, lightning-fast service, generous portions, fair prices, and a curated bar program—Himalayan Grill masterfully combines efficiency with culinary excellence, making it a standout dining destination in Northern Virginia. Ordered Goat Mughalai Biriyani. It was Spicy as...