Himalayan Taj — Restaurant in Houston

Update to earlier review: I visited again today for lunch on 8/5/25. The food was as delicious as ever; however, I was disappointed in the service.

As one who has previously worked in restaurants, I’m aware that a bias exists toward single diners. Perhaps that’s what motivated the hostess to sit me next to a family with multiple loud, unruly children. Not wanting to make her job too difficult, I initially gave the family the benefit of the doubt, rationalizing that once the parents saw me set my things down and head for the buffet, they would corral and quiet their children.

I was wrong. Not only did the parents do nothing to control their offspring, but while I was filling my plate at the buffet they moved one of their high chairs to directly in front of the booth opposite me at MY table. Yes, their child was now in my space. I was furious and as soon as I spied a freshly cleaned table, I swiftly reseated myself there.

Meanwhile, though I was as far away from the children as I could get, they continued to scream and holler throughout the meal. Unfortunately, the restaurant staff appeared to say nothing to them. Then a little while into my meal, a single male diner arrived. Though the table I vacated was still empty, the hostess didn’t seat him in that table but over in the section in which I now sat. I wondered to myself if she thought that because I’m a woman I would just sit there and take it.

Finally, before I could even get my dessert, the same hostess rudely plopped the check on my table. So I ignored it and got dessert.

If I hadn’t been on a tight schedule, I would have left a complaint right at the restaurant. However, when I needed to leave, I didn’t see any manager so I just paid, left my check at the front and hurried out.

I’m a longtime customer of Himalayan Taj, so I know the kind of customer service of which their staff are capable, and I hope to experience better from them on my next visit.

This is the best Indian lunch buffet in the area and it’s the only one that’s not just on the weekends. Many of us customers, especially fellow restaurant workers, cannot take time off on weekends to go eat lunch. So we come here! At about $16 for all you can eat of vegetables, meats, fish, starches and desserts, it is a veritable steal. And gluten free options abound; if in doubt just ask a server. Dinner options are excellent too, though the buffet is my favorite for value...

The place is a small, simply decorated but inviting building very close to Space Center Houston and Johnson Space Center. There is a decent amount of seating within the restaurant. There also seemed to be proportionally just enough parking spaces outside, but I did come during a less busy time.

The snack appetizer served when you first sit down are papadums, with what I believe were a sweet-and-sour tamarind chutney (with the tiniest hint of a kick) and a green chutney (with a slightly bigger, but still mild kick of spice). This was my first time having papadums; they are certainly fun to crunch on and to try the chutneys with as you wait for your main meal.

The menu offers a wide variety of dishes, and there is a good amount of vegetarian options too. They offer the food at spice levels up to 5. I ordered the shahi kofta (at spice level 3) and the butter naan, later adding a side of basmati rice as well.

The meal was delicious; the shahi kofta was rich, creamy, and very filling, with the hot vegetable balls maintaining a slightly crispy exterior when they were first served to me. I will say, I expected it to be a bit spicier at level 3 (I got a mild amount of spice-heat but mostly just felt the temperature-heat from the kofta). Nevertheless, I still very much enjoyed it over my rice and dipping my naan into the sauce. Speaking of the naan, one expects naan at a restaurant to be soft and fluffy, which the naan here enjoyably passes.

Prices were alright for the portion sizes, considering other places in the area and my past experiences in other cities. Here, there is deceptively (in a good way) more fullness that awaits you than what meets the eye in those bowls and dishes, and I ended up taking the rest of my meal home in to-go boxes and foil (for the naan).

The servers were also very kind and attentive (perhaps almost too much for only one person - but I appreciated it very much!) My hearing is not great, but the server who took my order was patient and repeated herself when I couldn’t quite catch things the first time around.

A nice meal with friends, family, or even just solo. Overall 4.7,...

Dirty, loud and gross tables. I have been too many Indian restaurant until this was the worst one customer service was zero food was so bad. Everything was cooked with the water Water can tomato sauce. This is our first time and I order couple of dishes. The food server accidentally put in the wrong order For our appetizers, however, He did correct the order and brought us the right appetizer. I had order some tea and this damage happens to be apparently their manager who brought the tea out the first thing he said oh you were the one who returned the food. What was wrong with his tone was very accusatory. He was mad or not happy that we returned that we did not order and I don’t know if this is right.

Was shocked and I explained it to him That we did not order the wrong dish. There was a misunderstanding that server waiter took the wrong order. He was not having it his whole demeanor was how dare we send some thing back. Very uncomfortable I was there with my kids. I will Never take my family back there since food is not authentic, and all their manager is rude. And it’s unfortunate anytime a Caucasian white family or people walk in he was all yes ma’am yes sir… Would you like me to bend over attitude? . I guess he has been getting away with so called Indian food to non-natives. And getting their money for some tomato ketchup or canned tomato cooked vegetables. I don’t recommend this restaurant to anybody who knows what Indian food tastes like. You will be for sure...