Taj Mahal Indian Kitchen Little Rock — Restaurant in Little Rock

October 2025 update - After visiting most all of the top restaurants in Little Rock, I can confidently say that Taj mahal is one of the best restaurants in regards to food quality, service and management. The manager on duty, he is one of the best that I have encountered. Background music has definitely improved. July 2025 update - Menu has changed a bit-not too excited about the changes. Food substitutions are strictly not allowed strange as it would be about the same price- the explanation was a bit vague. Anti-loitering music may have been turned up..very annoying. Kitchen continues to be consistent.; April 2025 - same old, not a whole lot different. I am happy that they still have a Thali available. Anti-loitering music continues to be annoying. March 2025 Update: Upgraded from 4 stars to 5 stars, the food and service was excellent. I would encourage the owners to play Indian music instead of the canned music (anti-loitering music) used in cheap places to get the customers to their business and leave. Dec 2024 update. The bar/ cocktails have definitely improved. The food is good, fairly typical for an Indian restaurant. No Thali platter today. Come here to experiment with some cocktails that you don't find elsewhere. Biggest disappointment in this restaurant is the menu doesn't lend itself for a single person meal, so please come with friends. .(Previous review)Hopefully this review will be more "valuable" than the usual sweet words.... I wonder if the restaurant manager and the Kitchen team knows what they are doing. Single piece of tandoori chicken (I think) served in the Thali was fried beyond recognition - uneatable. Old Fashioned (terribly sweet) drink was served in a glass with dried lipstick marks. When notified the waiter, he unapologetically repoured the drink in another glass, to my surprise, he was not phased at the situation- made me wonder if it's a common occurrence. Don't get the Indian Chai, although the presentation was good, it's a milk latte - expected better from this caliber of a restaurant. The other Thali items was served and presented well, actually very well - food taste was excellent. Perhaps I picked a bad day to go there, hopefully the next experience will be better. I will come back and hope to edit this review...

ALWAYS A DELIGHT. I was introduced to Taj Mahal by some family. I want to be come a regular. We love the clean, quiet, family affair atmosphere. The food is always spectacular. The whole restaurant recently was remodeled from the outside and they seamlessly stayed operational. The staff is always polite and welcoming. This trip we had a large party and ordered (EVERYTHING COMES OUT FRESH, HOT):

Vegetable Samosa - crispy, comfortable, delicious. Chili Chicken - first time ordering; moderately/medium spicy, hot, fresh really good, paired well with veggies, will order again Chicken Saagwala - first time ordering; "Indian" level spicy. Really enjoyed, very spicy -- induced some sweating. Paired with Bullet Naan. An intense time. Chicken Kadhai - first time ordering, paired with Garlic Naan. Medium/Heat, the spiciness really builds up at the end. Chicken was cooked very well, chewy, cooked tear it with your fork, curry sauce was very good, bell peppers added a fun crunch. Chicken Vindaloo - medium spice level - on par with the Chili Chicken. Very good, and good mixture of texture with chicken, potatoes, the gravy is definitely a bright tangy taste. Chicken Curry - first time ordering, medium spice level - really good sauce. Paneer Tikka Masala - Medium spice, comfort staple. Tomato gravy base is so good, but it does mellow out the spiciness. if you like it spicy up it to "Indian" level. Always enjoyed. LOVE IT. Aloo Gobi - Medium spicy, bright, flavorful mixture of vegetables and spices. You can really taste the brighter, fresh cilantro that makes the dish so good. Garlic Naan - O.G. staple. Can't go wrong, usually ordered every trip. The Naan isn't oily or too hard, fresh garlic and toppings. Kashmiri Naan - first ordering, dessert bread. Will order again. TABLE SIDE LAVA CAKE - So fun watching dessert being prepared table side. Cake was hot, chocolatey, and cool with creamy vanilla ice cream. What's not to like?

Highly recommend Taj Mahal. Always trying to introduce it to visitors so I have an excuse to...

Stopped by at Taj Mahal Kitchen for lunch during our day trip in Little Rock. They had just opened after a long hiatus due to Covid and to our surprise, the place was very well kept - clean and the seating adhering to the guidelines. The servers were courteous and wearing masks and gloves. Our server suggested we try their Vegetarian Thali, which is very popular considering the restaurant is located in the office district. The wait time was more than what we anticipated, I was beginning to get restless.. but considering we were the only ones dining in, I can understand that on more regular business day, this wouldn't be the case. Tha Thali upon arrival looked Divine! The copper plate and bowls took me right back to India! There was à dal, one paneer curry, mix veg, raita, gulab jamun, tandoori roti, rice, pickle, onion fritters, papad and salad. Additionally, we were given the option of picking any other vegetarian curry from the menu as an add on. While I went for malai kofta, my husband picked Shahi paneer. All of this for $18! It's definitely a better choice than opting for individual curries and naan. But beware - you gotta finish it all!

I've tried quite a few Indian restaurants in the USA by now and my persistent complaint is that, they've adapted their flavours to suit the American population, most times it doesn't feel authentic. However, Taj Mahal Kitchen had an aroma within which as you enter gives you the comfort of being in a place that won't let you down. The gulab jamun was literally, melt in your mouth, the fritters, raita and dal oh so good!

My only suggestion would be - if they could use fresh veggies in the koorma instead of frozen ones. I can clearly tell the difference. And somehow malai kofta had a bit of preservative taste to it, a little too tangy.

All in all, We had a lovely experience and enjoyed our food. Better than most but still room for...