Royal India Bistro — Restaurant in Lexington

Visited Salem for the weekend and was looking for Indian food on the way home and saw that this place was highly rated in Lexington. We have some family friends in Lexington and always had dinner at their homes, so this was a first!

We ordered some tasty classics:

GARLIC NAAN Unleavened white bread with garlic. Oh my gosh if you love garlic and bread then this is for you! Naan is typically teardrop-shaped, bread made from ghee and buttermilk kneaded into dough which is then baked in a tandoor (traditional Indian clay oven). It has that slight char and lightly baked texture to it. It's quite light and very easy to stuff your face with. A better version of pita bread, if you will. Got a great, buttery bite to it.

ONIONS NAAN Unleavened white bread stuffed with onions. If you're an onion fan THIS is for you! Finely minced onions were kneaded into this dough and it was delicious. I was worried the onion flavor would be too overwhelming to enjoy, but nope this was light and super flavorful. Loved spooning some biryani and chutney on this. Made every bite so freaking phenomenal.

POORI Crispy, deep fried puffy bread. This was so interesting because of its appearance, but the taste was interestingly doughy and almost nutty. The first bite was crispy and it gets a little chewier as you chew, but I spooned some biryani and masala on my pieces and it was delicious! Definitely a vehicle for chutneys, sauces, curry, and rice. Really light and tasty.

PLAIN DOSA Enormous thin crepe made with rice and lentils, served with coconut chutney and sambhar. The dosa was crispy and crepe-like, very thin so it was pretty thin and easy to break into shareable sizes for everyone at the table. This is a very popular street food in India, famous for its simple ingredients and savory flavor. I can see why! You can have it with anything, we were served coconut chutney which was so creamy and flavorful to spoon onto and enjoy with. Sambhar also came with it which was really, really tasty; a South Indian stew made with lentils, mixed veggies, tamarind, gerbs, spices and the special spice powder of Sambar. So freaking tasty for just a couple of sides!

SHRIMP BIRYANI Basmati rice cooked with shrimp, seasoned with fresh ground spices, toasted cashews and raisins. The basmati rice was cooked to al dente perfection and had the perfect bite. The shrimp was nice and tender, but a little salty for my taste. The fresh ground spices made every bite in your mouth sooo wonderful. Loved the addition of toasted cashews and raisins, gave every bite a little added nuttiness and sweetness. What a tasty dish, wish it wasn't too salty.

CHICKEN CHILI MASALA (HOT) Boneless tandoori chicken cooked with green chili, onions, peppers and spices. When they said hot spice level, they were not kidding. It was so yummy. The spice level had us sweating a little and that's saying something. It was divine, the chicken was moist and juicy, but the SPICES just made it amazing. Loved this dish so much!

CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA (HOT) Boneless diced chicken tandoori cooked in a creamy tomato sauce. The chicken was cooked to perfection, nice and moist, but again this dish was just a little too salty for my taste. Other than that, the spices, the flavors, everything was so on point.

The service here was so friendly and fast. They answered all our questions about the various different items on the menu to choose from and what they recommended. I might come back here if I'm in the Lexington area, but I definitely would probably say something about the saltiness for my own peace of mind. Again, they were so nice and the vibes were so...

Royal Indian Bistro is a true gem! From the moment you walk in, the warm and inviting atmosphere makes you feel right at home. The decor strikes the perfect balance between elegance and comfort, creating an ambiance that sets the stage for an exceptional dining experience.

The food is absolutely phenomenal. Every dish bursts with authentic flavors, clearly crafted with care and expertise. Whether you’re indulging in their butter chicken, savoring their perfectly spiced biryani, or trying one of their fresh naan breads, each bite is an absolute delight. The menu offers a great variety, catering to both adventurous foodies and those seeking classic Indian favorites.

The service is impeccable—friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. The staff goes above and beyond to ensure every guest feels valued and well cared for.

What truly sets Royal Indian Bistro apart, though, are the fantastic owners. Their passion for food and hospitality shines through in every aspect of the restaurant. They greet guests with genuine warmth, making you feel more like a part of their extended family than a customer.

If you’re looking for an outstanding dining experience with amazing food, exceptional service, and a welcoming atmosphere, Royal Indian Bistro is the place to be. Highly...

Came with friends this evening (Sunday). After carefully looking over the menu and three of us deciding on dosa (which are lower priced than the other food at about $13), the waitress came to take our order. Soon after a man came and told us there was no south Indian food being served this evening. No explanation! And NO advance warning from the server when we got the menus.

There was a group of young people hanging behind the bar that looked under 15 years old and stood there the entire time. It's a small place so it felt odd to see this lineup.

Two of us were served almost immediately. Four of us waited another 15+ minutes even for nan. There were no updates from the server (who also looked very young). Got our curries and they were small bowls with a few chunks of meat or fish in plain sauce for close to $20 each. No potato or veg. Not even raita was served OR OFFERED with it, we got no chutney or condiments.

While we were still eating someone sprayed the table behind us with a cleaner that smelled like bleach. It was around 5pm, not closing time.

It felt like no adult was in charge. Overall,...