India Palace Restaurant And Bar — Restaurant in Springfield

If you’re reading reviews to quickly see if you want to eat here, allow me to summarize: this is the BEST Indian food in Springfield. Perhaps, the best in the region.

Now, if you have a little more time, allow me to elaborate… I’m writing this review as I eat the leftovers I brought home last night and it’s still blowing me away today. Yesterday was my daughter’s 18th birthday and she requested to go out for Indian for her birthday meal, as Indian food is our favorite cuisine. I did a Google search to see where we should go; I’m sad that Gem of India is no longer around and I’m bitter with Taj Mahal that they don’t do a buffet since covid. I was intrigued when I saw India Palace and realized I hadn’t heard of this one before.

Ambiance: This restaurant is located in the building that used to house Avanzare Italian Dining and they didn’t need to change much when they moved in; this interior really fits the cuisine in my opinion. It wasn’t very busy when we showed up around 6pm on a Wednesday night, so I was worried that it wouldn’t be very good. However, it did get busier while we were there.

Menu & Prices: they have a very extensive menu, probably more options than I have ever seen at an Indian restaurant. And the prices are not terrible—pretty average for any other restaurant of any genre—around $12-$16 per plate depending on what you get.

The Staff: the staff was very kind and attentive, always making sure our drinks were full.

The Food: my daughter and I can never decide which we like better: chicken Tikka Masala, or Butter Chicken. So we ordered one of each. The Tikka Masala has large chunks of bell peppers which was quite good. The Butter Chicken—excellent of course. My husband (who has lived in Scotland for many years and reports that there are more Indian restaurants in Scotland than there are McDonald’s in the US, so he’s had his fair share of Indian food) typically orders Lamb Karahi when he gets Indian but at this restaurant it is called Kadai Lamb. He said it was absolutely the best he’s had in Springfield and quite possibly the best he’s ever had, period. We ordered three servings of regular naan, even though I really wanted the garlic naan but I’m on a tight budget right now and was trying to save any money I could (only a dollar). But oh my goodness, that was the best naan I’ve ever had. My son absolutely devoured it. (I didn’t get my son a meal here because he claims he doesn’t like Indian food and I fed him pasta before we came. But he tried it and loved it.) I tasted some of each dish and the complexity of the flavors is amazing. The aromatics in your mouth and nose while you’re eating makes you pause, eat slower and pay attention to the flavors in your mouth & the scents in your nose. In each dish, I noticed large slivers of ginger which was delightful and added another level of complexity. When the meal was placed on our table, I said, “Oooh, this is ‘grown-up’ Indian!” This is not gas station Indian food, it is very sophisticated Indian food for the same price as you’d get anywhere else.

Apologies for the lack of food pics, I was too excited to dig in when the...

If I could give more than 5 stars, I would — and I’d keep clicking until I broke the system.

Let me start with the vibe. The atmosphere is exactly what you want it to be — relaxed and welcoming but still nice enough to feel like a special night out. Perfect for a date, catching up with friends, or just spoiling yourself because you deserve it.

Now, the staff? Exceptional. Our server was a gem — kind, attentive, funny. And a manager (maybe even the owner?) noticed me hesitating over the menu and came over without hesitation, ready to help, smiling, and sincerely warm. It was the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like you're the only person in the room — the kind you remember.

But let’s talk about the food, because I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I left. I’m fighting with my own self-control to not dive into the leftovers right now, and I am losing.

Appetizers? Heavenly. The mixed vegetable pakora was perfectly crisp and seasoned like it was handcrafted by someone who has dedicated their life to mastering flavor. The aloo tiki? So good I nearly proposed to the plate. The naan? Unreal. Crispy, chewy, flavorful — just how naan is supposed to be. The bullet naan is exactly what it promises — spicy and aggressive — but I will gladly burn for that kind of flavor. Worth every tear.

And the korma? I would eat this dish every single day. I will. I'm already planning my return. Actually — scratch that — I’m going back tomorrow. I need to experience the weekend lunch buffet like my life depends on it.

Portions: generous. You’ll leave full, happy, and still have just enough to savor again later. Prices: almost suspiciously affordable for how good everything is. I’d pay my weight in gold and still feel like I got a deal.

If you don’t try this place, if they somehow don’t make it — I will make it my personal mission to ensure that everyone feels the pain of that loss. This isn’t just a new restaurant — this is a rare gem, and I’m begging you: go now, go hungry, and...

My family and I recently dined at India Palace, eager to explore a new Indian cuisine option in Springfield. Unfortunately, our excitement quickly turned to disappointment.

Positives:

The service was excellent, staff members were friendly, attentive, and welcoming. The atmosphere was decent, neither overly extravagant nor uninviting, creating a neutral but acceptable dining environment.

Negatives:

The most critical aspect of any restaurant, the food, fell far below expectations. Having enjoyed Indian cuisine at various establishments in the area, I was particularly let down by the lack of flavor and authenticity in the dishes. Indian cuisine is celebrated for its bold spices and rich, aromatic profiles, but India Palace failed to deliver on both fronts.

The chicken tikka masala lacked any depth of flavor and tasted more like plain chicken in cream rather than the robust, spiced dish it should be.

The butter chicken was even blander, an unfortunate feat considering its typically rich and savory nature.

Surprisingly, the most flavorful item on the buffet was a simple potato and pea dish, which outshined the restaurant’s signature entrées.

The raita, a yogurt-based side, had more seasoning than the main courses, which was quite telling.

Even Nawab’s Indian Cuisine, which I have previously reviewed unfavorably, offers a better dining experience. Zayka Indian Cuisine on S. Jefferson Ave remains the top choice in Springfield for authentic and flavorful Indian food, including their buffet.

Final Thoughts:

If you are looking for a true Indian dining experience filled with vibrant flavors, India Palace is not the place to find it. Based on this visit, I do not plan to return and would strongly recommend that others explore alternative options for Indian cuisine...