Bansari Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Merrifield

3 stars because food was great but service was terrible.

I have had Bansari's takeout several times and the food is delicious. Tonight I took 2 friends visiting from out of town there for dinner because they love Indian cuisine.

855PM : We arrived at 855pm to a 75% full restaurant. Instead of a friendly welcome, we were seated and greeted with "Our kitchen closes in 5 minutes so you need to order now".

I looked online before we went there to see what their hours are. Their website says they close at 930p and their kitchen closes 15 minutes prior(= 915p).

So I said "Oh I'm sorry, your website says your kitchen closes at 915pm. Should we leave?"

The waiter mumbled something inaudible to the effect that I was mistaken, then handed us menus and told us we had 5 minutes to order. The menu actually has the same hours of operation as their website.

Thankfully we are well versed in ordering Indian cuisine, because there was certainly no assistance offered by the waiter.

905PM: The waiter came back and took our order and repeated it back incorrectly 3x. We were all as nice as can be and just kept smiling and nodding and repeating our order correctly.

915PM: Our appetizers came - papadum and samosas.

930pm: The rest of our food arrived. As usual, the food was delicious: Shrimp biryani mild, Saag paneer mild, palak paneer medium, chicken tikka masala, garlic naan.

People had started to clear out, but there were still 15-20 people left in the restaurant. We ate at a faster than normal pace since we were NOT feeling any welcoming vibes.

950pm: When we were finished we asked for some leftover boxes to go and for some extra raita for the VERY SPICY biryani (raita is a cold spiced yogurt condiment that is like asking for extra parmesan cheese at an Italian restaurant). The waiter said "No, the kitchen is closed." So I actually said "You mean you can't go to the refrigerator and get a serving of raita out of the huge gallon tupperware you always have in there?". The waiter shook his head with a smirk on his face, and I said "Well, that makes no sense, and that really sucks. Please just bring our check and we will get out of your hair. " He scurried off.

955PM: A BUS BOY literally came to our table to clear our plates with a big CART on wheels with dirty dishes on it, dirty diner style. Gross. Ridiculous.

I stood up and waived my credit card to the waiter and 2 other servers all standing around talking and one came to our table. I paid, left a 15% tip(too much considering treatment) and we left. There were 5-6 diners still in the restaurant showing no signs of leaving. Note, we were the only white people in the restaurant. I know this means the food is authentic, but I never expected it to mean we would be treated poorly. Maybe it was unrelated.

It is a shame when a restaurant has great food and terrible service. I read many reviews and it does not seem to be a common problem. However, I am not going to order takeout from Bansari anymore because of my experience. They are a busy place - so they won't notice or care.

NOTE TO MANAGEMENT: If you want to close your kitchen at 9pm - then just list it correctly on your menu and your website (which Chrome considers "not secure"...

I never thought I had to give this review after 6 visits to this restaurant and grabbing multiple takeouts. We been to the restaurant today after calling them that we will reach in 10-15 mins. We called at 2 pm after seeing online that the kitchen will close at 3pm. And when we called the lady who attended never said that you must reach in 10 mins. We drove safe due to the weather conditions and reached at 2:20 pm. After reaching the restaurant I had to wait at the entrance only to notice that the lady doesn’t pay any attention to even ask what am I looking for. After 5 mins a man came to ask what am I looking for. I said we called few mins before and were told to come. The first statement from him was you never called and we won’t take any phone reservations ( in the past, We had even ordered food before reaching to avoid any delays in the preparation). Please know that no one would say that they called if they haven’t as it’s easy to prove it’s wrong from call record. I was shocked to hear that and he immediately asked the other lady and she said they called at 1:30 and said that we were expected to come in 10 mins which not true as we called her at 2 pm and said around 10-15 mins. This man goes and brings the phone and says u called at 2 pm and by the time all this conversation happened it was 2:27 pm so he says it’s already 2:30 and u r very late and we don’t have place for you. I was puzzled in my head and remained him about the restaurant closure at 3 pm as I felt there’s still time. He says kitchen closes at 2:30 but I can give you takeout (we didn drive all the way for that suggestion. You should have told us that clearly on the phone. I didn’t understand how can takeout be given if kitchen closes in 3 mins. This is such a unpleasant experience on a Valentine’s Day. We haven’t had any bad experiences during our earlier visits. This is the first time we went for a lunch. During our dinner visits we always received a warm welcome and smiling waitress. There is a man and a lady who we used to see during our dinner dates. We were always happy with food, ambiance and the way they treated us which made us to visit this restaurant again and again. It was always our first option when we think about Indian food. You may be busy with your schedule but for 5 mins delay we had to pay such a price isn’t what we were expecting from you. In fact you never mentioned that we have to pay the price if we don’t reach on time and also we didn’t promise that we will be on the dot. We would have taken the precautions otherwise. This rating is definitely not for the food but for the way we were treated. Firstly, The tables were occupied but definitely not crowded for the lady not to notice me. It was clearly she was ignoring the customer even when one was standing right in front of her. I wouldn’t have felt bad if you had told us that there is only one table left and if we don’t reach on time it will be given to others . Again, we are not sure whether only one table was left when we called. No clear information was...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Masterclass in Indian Cuisine — Where Hospitality Meets Heart

Let’s get this straight: Bansari Indian Cuisine isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a full-sensory experience that deserves to be in the same conversation as some of the best dining spots I’ve visited around the world. Located in Vienna, VA, this place doesn’t just serve food — it serves soul on a plate. If Michelin gave stars for heart, Bansari would earn all three.

We walked in around 10PM, not expecting much beyond a quick bite. Instead, we were greeted like family. Mr. Jeet, one of the employees , personally welcomed us with a smile that said, “We’re glad you’re here,” not “We’re about to close.” That level of warmth and hospitality is rare — and unforgettable.

Service That Sets the Bar

The staff? Absolute pros. Kind, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the food they’re serving. Our server didn’t just take an order — he guided us through the menu, explained the flavors behind each dish, and even shared stories. It felt like we were guests at a dinner party, not customers in a restaurant. If I could bottle that level of service and ship it across the country, every restaurant would be better for it.

Vegetarian Food That’s a Flavor Bomb

We’re vegetarian, and I can’t tell you how refreshing it was to see so many creative, standout options that didn’t feel like afterthoughts. • Samosa Chaat – street food perfection. Crunchy, spicy, tangy — just the right balance. • Cranberry Goat Cheese Naan – totally unexpected, and completely addictive. That sweet-sour-tangy mix? Genius. • Paneer Makhani – velvety, rich, balanced. Comfort food with finesse. • Vegetable Biryani – every grain fragrant, spiced just right, and not oily. True care went into this. • We also tried Pav Bhaji, Veg Pulav, and a Mango Coconut Daiquiri — tropical, light, and refreshing. A perfect cool-down after the spices.

And for fellow street food lovers: Vada Pav is a must. That’s Mumbai in a bite, full stop.

Ambience & Experience

The space is elegant, cozy, and welcoming. No gimmicks — just clean decor, soft lighting, and a warm atmosphere that keeps the focus where it should be: on the food and the people. Everything came out fresh and quick — clearly made to order, not rushed.

Final Verdict

I’ve dined at high-end Indian restaurants across London, NYC, Mumbai, San Francisco, and Chicago — and Bansari genuinely holds its own. This isn’t just one of the best Indian restaurants in the DMV — it’s one of the best Indian dining experiences I’ve ever had. Period.

Yes, prices are a bit higher than your average spot — but this isn’t average. The quality, service, and hospitality make every dollar worth it. You’re not just paying for a meal — you’re investing in an experience.

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Whether you’re new to Indian food or grew up with it, Bansari makes you feel at home while feeding you like royalty. I’ll be back — and I’ll be bringing everyone I...