Taj Mahal — Restaurant in Raleigh

Updated for 2022! This place is still the best Indian around. Been eating here for about 20 years, sometimes three times per week!

The current 2022 lunch setup is: no buffet, but, they offer a lunch special where they bring you a sample of several items. For me it’s as much as I would eat off the buffet. They make it throughout lunch so it’s fresh, and the naan made fresh for each customer.

The bad reviews here need to be addressed: yes, the food is NOT always consistent and perfect. In my experiences this only ever happened with the buffet, never ordering fresh off the menu. Every once in a while the tandoori would be dry, service slow, etc. Out of all my visits I’ve had probably three where, if it were my first trip, I’d probably not return. Heck, twice I’ve shown up and the door simply locked and Nobody inside. But they try really hard and are a small family restaurant so I give them a pass. Found out later one of the locked door days was an emergency I won’t elaborate on publicly. Life happens sometimes.

But 98% of the time I’d say the food is a 7 out of 10 or better. Favorites are of course tandoori chicken, Chana masala. The buffet is sadly gone, a victim of COVID, so any experience is going to be menu or lunch special. Don’t always have a ton of time so have been going less but I hope the buffet returns…!

Original review: The new Taj Mahal location on Falls of Neuse is incredible. The weekday lunch at the moment is just Mohan "bringing out whatever he's made". You can request vegetarian. For people looking for the old buffet that was on Capital, don't worry, you won't miss it. He says he is considering adding a buffet or maybe on just Sunday lunch or something, but for now no. But he brings out all the favorites and lots of it and lots of bread. It is better than the buffet as far as freshness and taste. Incredible flavor on everything. Compare with any other Indian restaurant in the area and the Taj will win. At lunch he brings out huge metal plates with about six things (the other day it was tikkii masala chicken, butter chicken, saag paneer, a samosa, two very large pieces of tandoori chicken, plus rice, the bread, a salad, and desert if you want it. And, he asked if we wanted any other items or more of anything. It is a little unusual but is worth...

Pros: Friendly staff Amazing naan

Cons: Food tasted only mildly seasoned Space feels kind of cramped Buffet options left things to be desired All food options for the buffet are not readily available on said buffet

The first thing that I noticed as I stepped in the building was the dimly lit dining area. Though the time of day and the weather probably did not help this, the darkly color painted walls did not help in making this restaurant feel very spacious. Coupled with the seating arrangement being somewhat tightly packed, the space felt as though it was misused in a way. As I moved to the buffet to survey the options, I noticed that several of the trays had lids on them with the food underneath. Though from a cooking standpoint I can understand this. However, as a patron, if options are laid out on a buffet, I feel as though they shouldn't be hidden from view behind lids in. The food tasted only mildly spiced. Everyone has their own preference but, when I enjoy a plate of tandoori or masala, I expect a punch of various spices in each bite. This food felt severely lacking in that field. The naan however was exceptionally good, crispy, and seasoned. The final thing that troubled me was I enjoy a galab jamun at the end of a meal the few times I make it to eat Indian. Sadly, I did not see if anywhere on the line. I inquired with the hostess and she asked how many would I like. She brought me a small ramekin of galab and I was very thankful. However, I feel as though if items are offered in a buffet setting, they should be readily available to patrons so that they don't feel as though they need to search...

Taj Mahal serves the best Indian food in Raleigh - hands down - and they have the awards to prove it from the Independent and Spectator. We discovered Taj Mahal 10 years ago when it was located on Capitol Boulevard, but they moved recently and we had trouble finding them again. They are now serving the same great food at Falls of the Neuse near the TJMax outlet, next to Raleighwood and the Dollar Store. They serve lunch, dinner and do outside catering as well and we can recommend the food as the best. Offering a warm and friendly atmosphere for lunch or casual dining, it's a family run restaurant where the quality of the food is top priority. They tailor the spice level to your palette and no matter whether you like it hot or not so much, top quality ingredients deliver and will keep you coming back for more! The naan's are freshly baked and excellent (especially the garlic) and the portions are very generous, so if you buy take out you will get two to three meals from a dish and reheated they retain their yuminess. They also serve a range of good chilled Indian beers to cool the palette if you go spicey, or yogurt lassie for the sweeter palette and drivers. Give it a try for a quick lunch or relaxed dinner and you will not be disappointed. We love Taj Mahal and wish them a successful and...