India Gate Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Washington

Absolutely awful.

We stayed in the area about a month ago and it has taken me this long to come to terms with the meal and produce this review. It was that bad. We discovered this place while walking through the neighborhood seeking lunch before a long walk through DC. This place boasted an "11.99 All-You-Can-Eat Indian Buffet" on a large poster on the stairs leading up to the restaurant. Some things definitely are too good to be true.

Upon entering India Gate at 12 pm we were greeted by complete darkness. Despite the open sign in the window, it looked like they had not even started the business for the day. It was devoid of any customers, and the buffet station was not set up. This should have been our cue to turn around and leave. Instead, my lunch date and I were hastily ushered to a table where they explained they would bring the buffet dishes to us.

The server then ran to the back, and we began hearing a series of clangs, some arguing in Hindi, and the unfortunate sound of a microwave. Ten minutes later we were presented with three bowls of piping hot slop, a basket of dry naan and a heaping pile of equally pathetic rice. I am assuming the dishes were supposed to be Chicken Tikka, Saag, and Dal. However, the mains were all extremely oily and of extremely poor quality. The naan and rice were nearly flavorless. It was as if the chef had no frame of reference for these classic dishes and instead prepared them based on some vague description from someone who had tried them once a decade ago. The entire set up all came off as utterly careless.

We choked it down and were brought out seconds. Although I hardly got more than a few bites in before I set my fork down and called it quits. The food was just too disgusting, even for a low price point in a notoriously costly city.

I have worked in the service industry and know how annoying patrons are. I am not one to complain, but I couldn't help but say how bad the food was. The server could not have cared less. He smiled and shrugged and gave us the bill.

Do not go to this place. They prey on unassuming tourists and do not care about the quality of their food. I sooner scavenge garbage from a McDonald's dumpster than eat at this...

Five-star rated… if you want to star in a live social experiment called “How to Get Scammed Without Warning” 🎭💸🔥

We walked in, eager to try this place, blindly trusting the stars ✨…without bothering to check the reviews first. Rookie mistake on my end 🫤😬

Our simple order: 5 entrees. That’s all. But suddenly, the man running the show stepped in like we were about to face starvation 🍽️😳 & offered to bring more food… not asked, not suggested, offered…as if we’d stumbled into a banquet hall instead of a dinner table 🍛👀

Before we could blink, plates kept arriving: an appetizer, 8 entrees, 5 sides of rice 🍚, naan piled like the restaurant was closing down tomorrow 🥖🏃🏻‍♀️, & bottled water like we’d just trekked across the Sahara Desert 🏜️💧💦

Then came the bombshell: the bill. 270 dollars 💸💀. And wait for it… 27 dollars of that was for bottled water 🚰😤. Not Fiji, not Evian, not some pristine glacier melt from the Swiss Alps 🏔️❄️ It wasn’t gently sourced from the mountains of Norway. It was basic bottled water with a luxury attitude. Honestly? I was more parched after seeing that check than from any actual thirst 💧😩

This place doesn’t just serve food…it serves confusion 🤯, pressure 😬, & a silent hope that you won’t protest until the check lands in front of you 🧾😶‍🌫️. By then, it’s too late ⏰❌

If overpriced chaos delivered with absolute confidence is your thing, go right ahead 👑💼. Otherwise, don’t say you...

India Gate is a great spot for a homestyle Indian meal in the heart of DC's trendy DuPont Circle. Strolled in here for dinner with a few friends and had a great experience. Friendly customer service throughout.

At first was apprehensive because Indian food in the DC area tends to either try to hard (Rasika and Indique Heights) or be overly oily and creamy (places clustered around Woodley Park Metro). India Gate was more like a homestyle meal, made with fresh ingredients and neither oily nor heavy. Got a sweet lassi to start and it was delicious. Had samosas for appetizer and while the crust was a little thick, the filling was tasty! Ordered the banghan barta and vegetable korma, I liked both but preferred the banghan. Also ordered the raita, which was fresh. They gave plenty of real basmati rice with the order and it didn't clump and wasn't dry.

True sign of a good meal - the leftover banghan and rice was just as good the next day for lunch! If you're looking for a stable Indian meal in a comfortable and casual dining atmosphere, India Gate is your place. I also overheard that the head chef was formerly of the esteemed Bombay Club, a choice destination for overseas dignitaries on visits to DC. If so, why not get a Bombay Club meal at a fraction...