Chennai Hoppers Indian Restaurant

#1 Happy New Year!! My husband said I was beaming like a kid in a candy store tonight while dining at Chennai Hoppers :D It has been 3+ hours since we came back but my hand still carries the scent of the delicious biryani that we devoured lol What a fabulous experience! Food, ambience and service - everything not just ticked the boxes but blew off our minds. I get really emotional when the food I eat reminds me of my hometown Chennai - tonight I was overcome with joy and memories reminding me of school, college and my life in Chennai that I dearly miss - all because of the most scrumptious food that Chennai Hoppers served. It's amazing how food can trigger such profound memories in us right?! Vanjiram fry, Goat Biryani, Potlam Parotta and Lala Kadai Halwa - I can't recommend these enough. For the food served, the homely ambience and jet-fast service, their prices are certainly justified. Please do visit them to experience the rare gems of Tamil Nadu (A state in South India) that are rarely found outside India and almost never across the USA.

I happened to be in this area during lunchtime and I was hungry. This place looked interesting so I decided to go in. Boy, was I surprised! The ambiance was amazing, very nicely decorated and the young man at the door was very friendly and welcoming. He seated me and a waiter came up to me with a smile and gave me a menu. This place was South Indian and the food looked pretty interesting. I ordered the Aadu Nei Chukka which is spicy boneless lamb cooked dry traditional masala Madurai style. It was absolutely delicious! Not too spicy for me. I would definitely recommend this place and I would love to return to try the other interesting items on the menu. The staff is friendly and welcoming, very polite. There is parking in front of the restaurant.

I've gotten MANY recommendations for this place for authentic South Indian food. Finally, I had the chance to come here. I made a dinner reservation on a Saturday as I wasn't sure how crowded it'd be. I got there right when it opened and got seated right away. The service was attentive and frankly the best I've had in this area. Everyone kept checking to ensure my water was filled, my thoughts on the food, if I need anything else, making sure I don't burn my hand with the biryani pot, etc. The interior is inviting and cozy. They have a nice Indian bench right by the entrance- I appreciated that detail. FOOD: It was VERY difficult to decide what to order. Since everyone kept raving about their dosas, I of course got their Mysore Masala Dosa as well as the Madras 65 Biryani. Pro tip: If you want to try the Kozhi 65 or Kozhi Lollipop appetizer, basically Kozhi 65 is within the Madras 65 biryani it's just seasoned rice comes with it which is a bonus. Overall, the food was delicious. I'm very critical about dosas as I love them, make them, and have had them in India itself. These dosas are definitely the best I've had in the DMV so far. The chutneys were nicely flavored and the potato filling was good. Me personally, I would've loved even more South Indian spice tempering added for more flavor, but I was still impressed! They say the dosa is spicy, but I wasn't phased. The Madras 65 Biryani is flavorful - the chicken is delicious! The raita I wish had more spices, but it was decent. Overall, I would come back to try more of their menu. I had amazing service, vibes, and food. Definitely come here for authentic dosa and South Indian cuisine!

We were blown away by the food, service, and cozy vibe. Even with a full house, the wait was short and the service was fantastic. Every dish was terrific. We enjoyed Dum Goat Biryani and Kozhi 65 the most. Great prices, zero hidden fees. Highly recommend!

The development that houses this restaurant is relatively new, built next to a highway exit that didn't exist when I lived in the area, an area which is not known as a culinary destination and an area which frankly I hate. You have to offer something good to get me to actually take that exit. This place is distinctive in its specificity, offering Tamil cuisine and a surprisingly upscale atmosphere. I got careful service. I've seen the place packed before but thankfully I found a table this time. The menu has only a few items that the casual American diner would even recognize, but trust me, this is the time to get adventurous. I eschewed the obvious choice of a dosa, the lentil-based crepe that some of the other tables had ordered, in favor of a mango chickpea salad. Apparently this is specialty food for a trip to the beach, and if you try this, you'll forget funnel cake. The mix of fresh flavors is both more interesting and more healthy. I also got an okra preparation, the description for which promises roasted spices. This still undersells the dynamic experience of hints of sweetness and sourness, but also the fiery heat that I asked for. If I had room for all of the vegetarian options on the menu, I'd probably have stuffed those down too. As it is, I'll have a little leftover chickpea salad for breakfast.

Come here for some spice. The food is jampacked with flavor. It is not for quantity but for quality. We just decided to come here without any plans and we were impressed by the decor, the service, and the attention to detail. They have a good amount of selections from modern classics like butter chicken to more unique offerings like Appam. But one thing is for sure: the flavor level is high. A lot of their dishes are very flavorful to the point that one server asked if we needed bread to each all the curry that we ordered. We ordered the appam instead of the naan and thinking back, we probably should have ordered the naan basket. There was a good bit of curry left that would have been best used by eating it with naan. I can see why it was busy during lunch. It's pretty good. Pricey, but good.

Not bad! I will say the real challenge was to secure a reservation. My family and I originally came here on a rather slow evening, but we were unable to ask for a table, and even if we were to get one, they were not able to connect two tables for our party of four. Aside from that, the food was very flavorful. Be mindful that if you're going to ask for medium spicy, it is quite spicy so much so my scalp was sweating. So for beginners, definitely ask for mild. But I will give them points for not lacking on flavor. Members of my family were either vegetarian or non-vegetarian. For vegetarians, we got a Paneer Lababdar- rather sweet for our taste. I think next time we are going to try the Banarasi Biryani. This place in particular specializes in more non-veg South Indian dishes- so if you're up to try something other than your typical chicken tikka masala, this place is for you! Some highlights- Karachi Paneer Tikka, Reshmi Kabob, Chicken Ghee Roast (incredibly rich!) The staff was quite nice, although we've had to repeat our orders a few times to make sure that they got out/incorrect as there was some confusion. I would also recommend trying out their dessert list. They have some very unique flavors that are not found in any other Indian restaurants. I would recommend the Nannari Kulfi. Basically Indian sarsaparilla root ice cream (the same flavor for Root beer). You can also get the traditional dosa. Yeah, she saw a party of six order one large dose of for the whole table, that's a site to see! Overall, though it was a nice experience.

Absolutely outstanding experience! The food was bursting with authentic Indian flavors -- every dish was fresh, perfectly spiced, and beautifully presented. The service was equally impressive -- warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming from start to finish. You can really feel the passion in both the kitchen and the hospitality. Raj the manager was exceptional and polite. Great staff and sincerely super amazing experience. If you love great Indian cuisine, this place is a must-visit. I'll definitely be coming back again soon!

Portion sizes and to-go containers aren't the only corners they cut. I had planned to try this restaurant, but the first impression I received in the parking lot, courtesy of the owner, was enough to make me leave. While turning around to park, I briefly paused in an area that wasn't a legal parking spot, much less a marked or reserved parking space. Almost immediately, I was honked at and approached by a man, claiming to be the owner, and demanding that I move because I was in "his spot." No signs, no markings, and legally not a parking spot...meanwhile there were plenty of spots closer to his business. The sense of entitlement and clear lack of simple communication skills was appalling for an owner of such an establishment. First impressions set the tone for a customer's entire experience, and this one showed me the door before I even reached it. Never once did the owner ask what I was doing, or where I was going. A simple, polite conversation could have resolved the situation, but instead I was met with hostility and entitlement. Highly do not recommend - if you choose to dine, be careful...you might sit in the owners seat.

This is a smaller restaurant with minimal seating but they have an easy reservation system to secure your spot. The service is great, the waiters and staff are very friendly and helpful. I want to like this place but the food unfortunately doesn't cut it. It's average at best. The problem that I have is mostly with the tenderness of the meats. I got their lollipop chicken and while the flavor of their chicken was the skin of the chicken was so hard to eat, I've never experienced eating the skin to be that hard and unchewable. So I feel like this could be a 10/10 but with the skin texture its just make it 2.5/3 out of 5. I have gotten their goat Biryani and chicken biryani and unfortunately while their flavor was amazing, the meat was dry on multiple occasions. Similar as before, it could be a solid 10 but unfortunately doesn't hit the mark because of the meat dryness. Im willing to keep going to try different dishes until I find the best ones because their service is so good and tastes great, just wish their tenderness of their proteins would be better

Went here on Mother's Day, after searching around, just picked the spot based on photos I've seen before. When you walk up to the location it's an unassuming spot with lots of outdoor and indoor seating, and your typical desi music when you walk in. The staff are friendly, and are very attentive while you're waiting and after you sit down to make sure they can assist as need be. I will say the spot could do with an expansion (very popular) it could have been 3-4X larger, and still been full. We came here for dosa's which were 10/10 in the flavor, as well as the mouth feel. I tried multiple types, and I enjoyed them all. My father got the chicken biryani which I would recommend emptying on your plate, as the meat is on the bottom (or was in ours). The price of the place makes sense, based on the area, and the waitress very nicely told me tip was included already (so I tipped more as a thank you). Perfect for a casual dining experience or a special occasion, make sure you book ahead.

Lunch Dates are fabulous and quick service ones are even better! We ordered: an okra appetizer, garlic naan, and butter chicken Everything was tasty and we were checked on during our meal. The butter chicken was a bit more spice-infused than I'm used to (even my sis agreed who loves Butter Chicken anywhere). The portions were quite small in comparison to the price, so my only qualm was the teeny tiny butter chicken dish (and little bits of chicken) we got.

Vibey Indian spot with a rare mix of South Indian and North Indian dishes! The decor feels like an off-the-beaten path cozy cafe. The food is unique and delicious, and the menu flags many vegan items. The staff are also very courteous and kind- we had an allergy in the group and they took it really seriously. Some hits were the Marina Beach Salad and the Thattu Nei Podi Idli- both can be shared as appetizers. The place is definitely a crowd pleaser- I would come back!

One of the best South Indian meals we've had in a while. The idli, vada, and sambar--simple and basic, but the taste was spot on. Felt like eating back home. The kottu paratha was good too--flavorful and a big portion. Tried the flower fritters (forget the name)--lots of people love it, but I didn't. Too much batter, couldn't taste the actual flower. We ended with a dosa, which was also good. Definitely overate, but no regrets! Make sure to book a table--place gets busy.

LOVED this place! Indian food isn't normally in my rotation, but friends wanted to try this place for lunch and I'm SO glad that they did! The dining room is beautiful, with stylish art on the walls and interesting tiles on the ceiling. The staff was extremely attentive and welcoming--patiently answering all our questions and continually checking on us to make sure that we were OK. The food was unique and flavorful. We tried to veer away from some of the traditional Indian dishes--tandoori chicken and dosas--and try some of their more unique offerings. The Kaalan Manchurian, was hands down, one of the best mushroom dishes that I have ever had. It was spicy, sweet and crunchy--truly one of a kind. I also enjoyed our lamb dish, the Kashmiri Lamb Roganjosh, the lamb was slow roasted and tender covered in a spicy coconut based sauce. My only issue was that the menu was SO long and varied, it was challenging to decide what to order. I can't wait to return and try some other items.

We visited here for lunch on a weekday and we were impressed by the breath and imagination of the menu. Everything we ordered was quite tasty but we would have preferred more cost effective lunch sized options. If you're comfortable ordering dinner sized portions at dinner prices for lunch time, then this is a fine Indian restaurant and particularly specializes in vegetarian entrees and breads. Maybe I should have expected the prices given the Montgomery County location, but I was just a bit taken aback. We'll come back of course, but for dinner.

12/9/25 Tonight for the first time I ordered a new dish, Lamb Kurma. Absolutely delicious! Thank you Chennai Hoppers !

I've eaten Indian food across continents, from backstreet stalls in Mumbai to white-tablecloth dining rooms in Delhi, London and DC....This place? It's the real deal. The butter chicken arrives like a warm handshake from an old friend, fragrant, rich, and bold. The sauce clings to each piece with a kind of devotion, balancing creaminess and spice in that way only a confident kitchen can pull off. Zimmern would call it soulful. Bourdain would tell you it's the kind of dish that makes you cancel the rest of your day. The spice level runs hot, not a timid heat, but one that makes its presence known, lingers, and challenges you to keep going. If that's not your thing, ask them to bring it down as far as they're willing... they'll still hand you something with backbone. In a world of watered-down curries and "safe" menus, this spot refuses to play small. For my money, it's one of the better Indian kitchens around, a place that cooks like it means it. Gandhi might say no violence, but after that first bite, you'll understand the urge to slap the table in sheer joy.

We're lucky to have so many Indian options in MoCo. One of family favorites is Chennai Hoppers, a light-filled and cozy spot that's surprisingly never packed. A few weeks ago we came in extra hungry amd decided to order several dishes: masala dosa, palak methi paneer, dum goat biryani, murg tikka masala, garlic and butter naan and mango lassi. The medley of chutneys that came with the monstrous dosa was a parade of bright flavors that satisfied even the pickiest among us. Best to have a crowd to tackle this or you can make a meal of it. Their street samosas which are served in a little wire basket in the shape of a bicycle are also fabulous. While all of the dishes were delish, the other star of the night was the dum goat biryani. We savored the flavorful tender goat meat and rice. Their service is also attentive and friendly. Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs because we had enough leftovers for another family meal. Extra tip: They have generous coupons for $15 off a $60 gift card or a free mango lassi or naan with a minimum $20 purchase.

YOU HAVE TRULY LOST A LOYAL CUSTOMER I ordered idli and vadai for carryout from Chennai Hoppers around 6pm, and what I got was absolutely nasty. The idlis were dry, hard, and crispy on the edges with a dingy yellow color on one side -- completely unappetizing and inedible. This restaurant used to serve authentic Tamil food when it first opened, but the quality has gone down the drain. What they served me today was careless, stale, and honestly insulting to anyone who knows what real idli should taste like. Chennai Hoppers has become a huge disappointment. I won't be ordering from here again.

New go-to Indian restaurant alert? Was craving Indian and browsing Yelp as usual. I wanted to try something new but didn't feel like driving far. We decided on Chennai Hoppers! It was a Saturday night around 8 pm, which, I think is late for dinner, so I was surprised to find that the restaurant was still packed. We sat and waited for about 10 mins before being seated at a table by the window. They have a QR code scanning system and I think you can order from there too, but our waiter took our order. MAN is the menu HUGE! We ended up getting the Street Samosa, Old Delhi Butter Chicken, Dum Goat Biryani, Garlic Naan and Mango Lassi. Street Samosa: So cute that it comes in a truck! Comes with white and brown sauces. While I'm not quite sure what they are, I liked the brown sauce better as it was sweeter and balanced out the samosa. The inside of the samosa is just potato, I'd say relatively average for a samosa and nothing super mind blowing. Butter Chicken: Wow! At first I was disappointed by the portion because the chicken came in a tiny bowl with a side of rice but I WAS MISTAKEN. So full. And so delicious too! The chicken was cooked perfectly and that butter chicken sauce....the depth of flavors was incredible. Pair that sauce with the biryani for an even more flavorful bite! The pieces of chicken were big too. I was impressed. Goat Biryani: I usually don't like biryani, or maybe I just haven't had a good one. But this was probably my favorite biryani yet! The rice was so yummy I probably could have had an extra side of it. One thing we didn't appreciate was the tiny bones from the goat pieces...watch out! Also the pieces of goat were a bit dry and hard but given that this is still a 4 star review, the flavor of the rice definitely made up for it trust me! Comes with a yogurt sauce to balance out the heat, but honestly I didn't really need it. It was nice to mix it but it wasn't quite that level of spicy. Next time David says he'll try the chicken! I'm so glad to have visited this place, definitely can't wait to come back when the next Indian food craving hits!

Delicious South Indian food in Gaithersburg! Went here on a Sunday evening and the place was packed at 6.30. reservations are must but still expect to wait for a little while. We had the kaalan Manchurian which was tangy and a little sweet and we couldn't tell that this was made from mushroom. Also had the Thattu idli, chicken biryani and chicken parotta! The food was delicious and the quantity was more than average. The swing in the waiting area adds a nice touch to the general theme of the restaurant. Definitely coming back to try more of their delicacies.

Great restaurant that specializes in Southern Indian food. There are many vegetarian and pescatarian options, which is great! I highly recommend trying their dosas and tandoori dishes. The portions are very large for a very reasonable price. The restaurant is located in a beautiful building with calming music playing. The service is attentive.

Came here for the first time for dinner with a group of friends, one of whom, recommended this place. We ordered several dishes- their coffee, chai tea, mango lassi, mushroom fritters, taro chips appetizer, samosas, Kashmiri naan, garlic naan, palak paneer, masala dosas, chicken parotta, bread basket, and Kashmiri lamb roganjosh. Total for 6 of us came out to approximately $217, which included an automatic 18% gratuity. What's hot - Quality. Delicious, flavorful, and comes with a good degree of heat. All of our dishes were well-seasoned. We could definitely taste the spices from the dishes and there is a nice degree of heat that comes from the food, that heats up your throat. It's like a low-level spiciness that continues to build, which adds to the flavor. - Menu variety. There's an excellent variety for all dietary needs- meats, veggies, and vegans. Based on what one of our friends told us, who is from India, this restaurant is very good in that it caters more to the southern Indian cuisine, versus the northern Punjab region. As such, there are dishes on their menu that one may not ordinarily come across in a more mainstream Indian restaurant, such as their mushroom fritters and taro chips. - Service. Good and reliable. - Layout. Fairly decently space. Their tables don't appear to accommodate large groups, probably no more than a party of 6 people. Definitely make reservations if you come with a large group. - Price. The value for money, especially given the portions, is pretty good. Each of our curry dishes came with its own bowl of rice, as well. For example, my palak paneer came out to around $17, my husband's lamb roganjosh was $23, 3 samosas came out to $9. - Location. Fairly easy to find and parking is convenient. It's also located in a plaza with other restaurants, shops, and even a couple of bubble tea cafes. What's not - Rush. This restaurant isn't very large. Most diners appear to come in small groups. This place is definitely not one where they'll allow you to linger to continue small talk. After we paid, their staff pretty much asked us to leave, because there were other diners waiting. On the one hand, I get it. On the other hand, it felt kinda rude. - Price. Our tab included an 18% gratuity charge. I'm uncertain whether it's an automatic gratuity for all diners or for groups over a certain number, or whatever other reason there is. Just be aware there may be an automatic gratuity factored in, which means there's no reason for you to add even more. Final answer Would like to come back again, but it's a little out of the way.

We ordered chicken biryani and vegetable biryani with salna for about 20 people. It was ready on time, hot and well packed and ready on time. All our guests appreciated both the biryanis. We could have used a few more chicken pieces in the biryani. The guys once again was excellent and authentic.

Chennai Hoppers is a charming little spot in Gaithersburg that serves up some fantastic South Indian food. I ordered the Mysore dosa, and it was perfect--crispy, flaky, and packed with flavor. The sambar was also spot on, with a well-balanced taste that wasn't overly spicy but still had a nice depth of flavor. Everything tasted fresh and authentic, and the service was friendly and attentive. For dessert, I tried the cardamom crème brûlée, but it was more of a flan than an actual crème brûlée, which was a bit disappointing. While it was still tasty, it wasn't what I expected, so I'm taking off a star for that. Would come again!

I went there on a Sunday at 8pm and it was packed. I expected to wait but the server said they were going to close soon so he basically refused us. Not great but I could see they were visibly busy. A friend who gets catered by this place brought me a plate while I was at work. The food was delicious so that's why I wanted to dine in. I ended up getting carry out for myself and family. The Thalappakatti Mutton Biryani dish was phenomenal. (I don't even eat meat but the rice alone was fragrant and flavorful). It comes very spicy so you should request it accordingly. It reminds me a spicy pulao. This is probably the best I've ever tbh. I picked up the Kozhi 65 which my family said was very good and flavorful. I also got the yellow dal which was ok (a bit too much bay leaves). But that rice dish was!

Wonderful restaurant, the food is delicious, the service is on top of everything, very polite, and pleasant to be there, you feel special. the food present is excellent, you feel that you want to try everything. I will go back anytime. I am sure your family will be very happy there.

These guys never fail me!. Amazing good and great service! Food was great! Ambience was on point!

What an experience. The restaurant was classy, yet comfy. The only thing is that the tables were a little too close together. It was hard to get in the seat. The staff was very helpful, available, but not in your face. We started with Kozhi 65, one of their very popular dishes. It was crispy, moist, and very tasty. For entrees, we got Hopper Ghee Roast, which was exceptional. We have not had anything like it before. The second entree was the Paneer Labadar. Just LOVE! My husband does not eat the Paneer, but he loved the sauce so much he dipped the garlic naan in the sauce. I just love a plain dosa... so I had to get one. It was HUGE and good. Obviously, we got plenty of leftovers. They were as good as the first night. We will be back.

I have been driving by this place for a while and never knew how good it was, but we went there for dinner the other day and it was a fantastic experience, the food was perfect, the kabob platter and the panneer curry were fantastic! Service was a little weird they asked for our number when we walked in (we did not provide) usually when they do that it is because there is a wait but the place had plenty of seating, they did not push it after we declined, the actually table service was good. Great atmosphere inside. You will not be disappointed with the food here.

Updating my review. We gave this another chance. We go alllll the time now. It's a unique experience and the food is sooo good. Okra fritters are a must try. Cheese dosa is a treat. I love the way they cook the fish.

After reading reviews of several area Indian restaurants, we decided to try Chennai Hoppers. The restaurant is decorated with photos and artifacts from India. When we arrived only a few tables were occupied, but before we left there was a line at the door. The service was excellent and the food was perfect. This may have been the best saag paneer I've ever eaten. The Murg Tikka Masala was perfectly seasoned, cooked well and the chicken was mouthwatering and tender. The street samosas were served in the cutest truck, but it wasn't just about the presentation they were perfect! The only downside was that there is no alcohol to drink, but don't let this deter you from trying this gem of a restaurant!

We found this place on Yelp when we were in Gaithersburg. We made a reservation on a Friday night and drove to this place. It's a small place with limited seating inside. There were some people waiting to get in. We waited like 5 mins and were seated. The service is ok. There were just 2-3 servers that night, and they just came to take the order. But never came back to check if we needed anything. We had to flag them to talk to them. The food is quite good. We didn't try a lot of things or the traditional items, which I'm sure is quite good. We got the following: - Uthiri Onion Pakoda- this was very good and crispy. It comes in a good size portion as well. - Street Samosas - this was ok. Nothing special. - Dosa - not bad. The chutney and sambhar were good. Dosa could have been more crispy. Overall, we had a good time and the food was good. Look forward to trying other things on the menu next time.

Thursday 5/14/2024 I made a takeout order through toast app and got some items i was familiar with & some new items that were highly reviewed & rated. I ended up spending $78.22 on a mango lassi $6, garlic naan $5, plain dosa $12.95, old Delhi butter chicken (mild) $18.95, kozhi 65 (fried chicken cubes) $12.95, and aadu chukka (boneless lamb-medium spice) $17.95. - mango lassi (rating: 7.4/10) * this reminded me of a mango flavored Danimals yogurt drink but it was decent. * one thing I didn't like was that I got the drink only 3/4ths full while having to pay full price which is bogus. - garlic naan (rating: 7.3/10) * this was solid and it goes great with some of the other dishes I got (particularly the butter chicken & rice). - plain dosa (rating: 2/10) * this was something I never had before until now and I did not like it at all. I tried it with multiple different dips but I just wasn't feeling it. - old Delhi butter chicken (rating: 8.4/10) * this item right here was my favorite. Butter chicken is easily the best Indian dish I've had and they definitely made it pretty good. - kozhi 65 (rating: 7.4/10) * these fried chicken pieces are decent but nothing impressive. It does have a nice citrus flavor with the lemon, cilantro, and onions but I wish the texture was more crispy. - aadu chukka (rating: 7/10) * this is seasoned well and definitely has a spicy kick to it but for me it was alright. All in all, this is a solid Indian spot with pretty expensive prices and smaller portions than I was expecting. When I saw pictures of the food, the portions looked a bit bigger than what I got but maybe I'm tripping. If you come here make sure you definitely get that delicious butter chicken. I would be open to a future visit so I could try even more of their items like the goat biryani, nilgiri lamb kurma, kozhi lollipop, murg tikka Marsala, tandoori wings, and murg til tikka.

The samosas' and the dosa's potato filling, the mutton kurma, and the chatneys, particularly the tomato chatney, were all delicious, and the service was very attentive, but the room was chilly and all of the drinks are all non-alcoholic and sweet (except for the water).

Cozy nice well decorated clean place with friendly staff. The food is very delicious we enjoyed every single dish . We definitely will go back to try more . Thank you best of luck

Was excited to finally check this place out. I went for lunch with some friends and the food was delicious. We ordered okra and paneer dishes as an appetizer. For entrees we got the mango shrimp curry and goat biryani in addition with side of Naan and Masala dosa. We also ordered mango lassi and rose milk to drink. All the dishes were exceptional. I was looking for a lunch menu but was told they didn't have one. This place was worthwhile, and a bit pricey for lunch but I highly recommend it.

The food was delicious. It had the authentic South Indian taste. I definitely recommend this place.

Authentic Tamil / South Indian cuisine. Great veg Thali. Service is great and felt like fine dining from start to finish.

This is my go-to spot for Indian/South Indian food in Maryland, and perhaps the entire DMV. Food is always flavorful and on-point. Lovely ambiance. Service is great. Get a reservation in advance, if possible.

One of my friends ordered a feast for a birthday party and I enjoyed the Palak Paneer, Samosa, and Garlic Naan. The paneer was quite flavorful, albeit a bit greasy and oily. The crispy Samosa weren't too big and a good size, easy enough to conquer. The naan was soft. The food had a mild spicy kick, but not overpowering. I would order more dishes when we're in the area!

It is very hard to find a good south Brian place in Maryland and I really this place. Food was very good. It is clean and has a very good ambiance, nice interior. Reasonable prices. Definitely go again and highly recommend.

The egg drop tasted so refreshing. The staff allowed us to try how much spicy we liked. Naans were crispy outside soft inside. First time to have chicken biryani, I liked it more and more after first bite.

Truly spectacular! Exquisitely authentic and insanely delicious ----if you've missed your favorite South Indian delights---you've got to go here. On the pricier side sure but it's worth it.

We went for dinner on a Friday night. Front desk staff was not pleasant when we confirmed our table booking. Ordered mushroom Manchurian, masala dosa, butter chicken and naan. Manchurian and Dosa arrived quickly but the other dishes were served after 30-35 mins. Chicken was very good in taste but it wasn't very warm. They can add more staff for weekends to handle the rush and train the staff to be more courteous and polite to customers (read Indian customers).

The food here was delicious. I had the paneer tikka to start, and the Dum goat Bryani. The servers were attentive and very nice. The inside of the restaurant has a warm vibe to it. Definitely a great place for lunch and small groups. I had a chai tea for dessert and left full and happy. I'll definitely be back.

I can't believe I haven't been here before but really impressed by this restaurant. It's in a very competitive area but was fully packed. I had made a reservation prior to coming in so was on a table within seconds of coming in. The staff was friendly and attentive even with how busy they were. The menu has lots of vegan and vegetarian options along with other non-vegetarian staples of South India. We ordered all vegetarian options and were not at all disappointed other than the fried onion pakoras and the veg Biryani. The pakoras were just too crunchy and individual onion slices meant we felt more of the dough rather than the onions in each bite. And with the veg biryani, a little spicier than expected. If they would have asked us, I would lower the spice level just slightly (I was able to eat but my parents found it really hot). Now for the good stuff, the paneer tikka multani was perfectly spiced and the accompanying moong daal and chutney add the nice balance. The moong dal helped clean the palate and calm the flavors so I can take another bite of the paneer for more spiced fun. The banana gotas or the banana dumplings as they called them in their description were surprise winners in my book. They had that gota and falafel texture but with the South Indian feel to it. Really nice with the Imli chutney on the side. My two year old enjoyed the sambar and idli but for me the paneer curry and masala okra were the show piece. Enjoyed how unique flavored they were; even though they were North Indian dishes, they had just the right amount of south india represented. Overall, really great menu with some of the best non-typical south indian fare but still lots of options for south dishes as well. I will definitely come back.

Not my favorite for Indian food. This is one of those Indian places where everything has a cinnamon spice taste. I don't like this kind. It's also more expensive than the Indian restaurants in my neighborhood, which is a far nicer neighborhood than where this place is. So you have to go out of your way to this neighborhood and pay extra for worse food. Not ever going back. I don't think their food is bad, as in the quality of the got was good, and the overall preparation was good. Maybe some people even like these flavors. But for me, I spent $80 for 2 people and had only enough leftovers for 1 meal. I normally spend only $45 for 2 people at Minerva and have leftovers for 2-3 more meals. The other negative is the packaging. They package to go orders in paper boxes. Everyone knows the industry standard is the black plastic containers. Yes it wastes plastic, but I don't care about wasting plastic when the alternative is a flimsy paper box that dissolves before you finish the food. If I lived in this neighborhood I might go back, but there's absolutely no reason to take a trip to this neighborhood for high priced Indian from the part of India that relies on one spice dominating the dishes, rather than the complex flavors of better Indian food.