Passage to India — Restaurant in Maryland

I recently had lunch at Passage to India in Bethesda with a few friends, including one who grew up in India. The restaurant itself has a warm, elegant atmosphere from the chandeliers, framed art, and rich tones give it a classic and slightly formal feel, but it’s still inviting. The space wasn’t crowded during lunch, which made it perfect for conversation. We never felt rushed, and the staff was friendly, attentive, and accommodating throughout our meal.

As for the food, it was a mix of traditional Indian dishes and some creative fusion touches. For my meal, I tried their butter chicken “taco”, which uses soft naan in place of a traditional taco shell. It’s a fun fusion twist, creamy, flavorful butter chicken with fresh greens and shredded cheese layered over warm naan. It was hearty, messy in the best way, and full of flavor.

My friends ordered more traditional dishes, including a beautifully presented thali with dal makhani, paneer curry, rice, and naan, as well as crispy chaat drizzled with yogurt and chutneys. I also shared a delicious samosa with one of them. It was perfectly crisp on the outside and filled with spiced potatoes and peas.

My Indian friend mentioned that while the food was good, the flavors were not quite as bold or complex as what she’s used to at home. From my perspective, the dishes were satisfying, with just enough spice to make them interesting without being overwhelming.

Overall, Passage to India offered a pleasant dining experience: flavorful food, comfortable surroundings, and great service. If you’re looking for a relaxed place to enjoy Indian cuisine in Bethesda, especially with friends or family, it’s a nice spot to...

I wish I could give this place zero stars. We usually order from Biryani City but wanted to try a new place. We checked out this place because it had a decent amount of good reviews, but gosh do I regret this choice. We spent nearly $70 for two bland entrees. We got the chicken biryani, naan, samosas, and chicken tikka masala. The most flavorful item was the samosas. The chicken masala tasted like tomato soup with a tiny bit of pepper. The biryani was all around bland. Not even the chicken had spice. I wish I could get a full refund because it definitely wasn't worth the $70.

Update in response to the comment left by Passage to India: I understand that Passage to India has been serving customers since 2001 and has built a reputation for quality food. However, my recent experience with takeout did not match the quality I’ve come to expect from any restaurant. I recognize that recipes can vary slightly across businesses, but the taste and consistency seemed off for my dishes. I just hope that the quality can be maintained for both dine-in and takeout orders, as it’s important for customers to enjoy the same experience no matter how they choose to order. I appreciate your willingness to discuss the matter further and look forward to seeing how the restaurant can improve...

Our dining experience was nothing short of amazing! We started with DOI Fuchka, which was bursting with flavors and easily one of the most delicious starters we’ve had. The Alfredo Pasta was creamy, rich, and so good that we literally licked the spoon clean. The Palak Chaat was fresh and crispy, perfectly balanced with tangy and spicy notes, while the Chicken Pakora was crunchy on the outside and tender inside—absolutely addictive. The Majestic Chicken lived up to its name with bold spices and mouthwatering taste, and the Lamb Chopsticks were cooked to perfection, juicy, and full of flavor. Each dish we ordered felt thoughtfully prepared and exceeded expectations. To end the meal on a sweet note, we indulged in the Lava Chocolate Cake, which was warm, gooey, and simply heavenly—it truly made our day. Overall, every single dish was a hit. The presentation, flavors, and quality were all superb. Highly recommend this place for anyone looking to enjoy a wide variety of delicious and...