Paani Indian Cuisine

Paani Indian Cuisine in Sudbury is a shining example of how traditional culinary heritage can be beautifully adapted to meet American standards while preserving the most valuable and precious flavors of Indian cuisine. This restaurant skillfully blends the bold, often intense spices of Indian cooking into more accessible, yet still distinctly flavorful dishes that are perfect for non-native guests. I admired their courage in making these adjustments without losing the essence of what makes Indian food so special. Our dinner was not only delightful in taste but also in the atmosphere, which was warm and inviting. The staff were knowledgeable and respectful of our privacy, allowing us to fully enjoy our meal in a relaxed setting. The shared entrées and main courses were executed to perfection, with each dish offering a taste that faithfully represented traditional Indian flavors without being overwhelming. On this occasion, our group didn’t include anyone of Indian origin, so there was no debate over the spiciness or lack thereof - just a unanimous appreciation of the balanced, delicious food. Though I don’t claim to be an expert in Indian cuisine, I consider myself a devoted enthusiast, much like many others. For me, Paani stands out as one of the best places to experience authentic-tasting Indian food in a modern, warm, and guest-focused environment.

This was our first time at Paani and we were very pleased with the food, service, and atmosphere. We had the garlic naan, chicken tikka masala, and the chicken making khas. The food was very tasty. We'll definitely be back.

Visited early in the day on a weekend. Outdoor dining was very well laid out and a lot of tables with plenty of space for distancing. Service was attentive and patient with us. Food portions were outstanding with a "to go" bag we had 2 big extra meals the next day. Quality was excellent with well balanced flavors. This was our first time at this place and it is definitely on the repeat list ! Value for the money is also excellent , especially in consideration of the portion size.

The naan and roti were good. The Hara daniya paneer appetizer was great. The vegetarian entree is okay , could be better. Overall had an average experience.

I first met Vimi Verma the owner of #Paani Indian restaurant in Sudbury in 2012 once we moved to Sudbury. The food was always good but what I remembered was the kindness with which she treated my daughter Pranavi Martinez when she went to work at Paani as a teenager. Pranavi would come home with some delicious dish, that we enjoyed. While we were away in Atlanta Gautam ordered some food from Paani out of curiosity and told us to try it. Ajit and I have never been able to find good Biryani having tried several restaurants, so that's what I ordered..some goat biryani, then later chicken biryani. Both were so exceptional, they tasted as good the next day. Last night we decided to visit the new location, a much bigger restaurant now opposite Whole Foods in Sudbury. Both Ajit and I were blown away by the quality of food. The pea pulao filled with savory nuts was something so outstanding, Ajit who isn't much into rice took a second helping. It's a dish by itself. Especially since we are finding poorly cooked or poor quality rice in most restaurants these days. Every dish we ordered was mouth watering and cooked to perfection. I left a note for Vimi. Even though it's been over a decade when we first met, I haven't been to Paani much. I'm glad we have one more restaurant in Sudbury that we can endorse. And visit. Worth every cent.

Really great place to eat. Good ambiance, tasty food, amazing and quick service. Would highly recommend

This review is from my first visit to Paani since they moved from their old location. We had the lunch buffet on a Sunday. The selection of foods was good, not overwhelming. The quality of the food was very good. There were quite a few vegetarian options. The staff was pleasant and polite. The place wasn't terribly crowded and I felt relatively safe with the number of Covid cases increasing. I always overeat when there's a buffet so next time we'll visit for dinner.

I went to a buffet at Paani restaurant today and was totally disappointed. There was very little variety, the dosa was soggy, and the chicken biryani rice was undercooked. The kadai chicken lacked salt, and the naan was rubbery and inedible. Overall, it was a very bad experience, with minimal food options, and the price felt too high for the quality of the food. Very disappointing.”

This place is my absolute favorite and go-to for Indian cuisine in the metro west area. Best lamb vindaloo, chicken masala and naan. The ambiance and owners are amazing!! Will miss it sooo much!

Got takeout tonight because I had heard good things. Bad is an understatement. Mulligatawny was a flavorless blended lentil mush, and in the smallest container possible, barely a cup of soup (maybe a good thing because it went in the trash anyway). Chicken korma was also flavorless, as was my wife's dish (forget what she got). We needed to season and spice at home to make it edible. Samosas were ok. They did give us a huge container of rice tho, maybe the one good thing. Totally not worth the $70. Will stick to Soul of India and Cafe India (Maynard).

Tried for the first time. Ordered takeout. Food was tasty. The veggie pakora were rather hard. Not a big deal. Portions were on the small side. About half of what I would expect. Makes the place quite expensive! Maybe they are more generous if you dine in? I ordered rice only to discover my dish came with rice. I would have appreciated it if the person taking my order would have let me know. Good thing I got the extra rice since everything else was meager.

After my favorite place in Framingham closed down, I found this spot. Best Indian food outside of Boston, hands down. You can taste the freshness of the ingredients. A good example is the samosas: at other places you can tell it's been reheated or refried, but here it's so fresh and flavorful with hints of lemon and other spices. My roommate's (who have traveled a lot and are international) love this place as well "better than anything they had in Dubai". Their favorite is the biryani chicken. The owner suggested the Yellow Dal which in excited to try next time. The atmosphere in the restaurant is very clean and fancy. The prices are far for the quality you get. I highly recommend, I drive an extra 20 minutes to go here/pick up despite their being countless Indian spots in Framingham

Good food, service and ambiance! Recommended! Chicken was tender amd the entire family (including 2 kids) enjoyed having dinner!

The food is consistently amazing. Love their Goat biryani! Kids love the chicken tikka masala and mango lassis. Try all of their naan flavors. 10/10

Great authentic Indian food. A little pricey because they use no artificial coloring. When I've asked for different levels of spiciness, they've always accommodated me. Also the lamb is very tender. Some restaurants' lamb is tough and dry. We've never sat inside because of Covid but it looks very nice.

Food is extremely good service ok ambiance attractive. Can bring kids. Goat and lamb dishes are really really good

My boyfriend & I ate here last night and we were blown away. The service was excellent and the food was incredible. For an appetizer we had the Kebab Tasting Platter, the chicken was exceptionally seasoned, the lamb was tender, and the shrimp was just perfect. For entrees I was blown away by my Chicken Makhni Khas...so flavorful, creamy, and tender. My boyfriend really liked his Lamb Vindaloo, he ordered it spicy and oddly enough he thought it could be spicier! While I can't remember the exact names, we also enjoyed our cocktails. Mine was a Mango Highball something and his was a spin on an Old Fashioned. I have to add that the next day we gave my boyfriend's 6 year old son some of my leftover Chicken Makhni Khas, he's usually a super picky eater, can you believe he asked for a second serving?! He even said, "This chicken is REALLY good" Agreed!

Amazing competitive Buffet!! We went for lunch buffet and really enjoyed it, the food was delicious and loved the warm naan!! Soft and thin. The added addition of chai is so nice. Along with that the relaxed ambiance is all you need. Service is excellent. Having been to other buffets around town, paani definitely brings their A game. 10/10. I love the little details, clean , meticulous service, they put out fresh flowers on their tables :)

I have been eating here for years. The food is excellent. Esp the tandoori dishes and meat samosas. They have a nice patio for warmer weather. Going to get takeout tonight!

We love Paani so much! The lunch buffet is incredible and they're always changing it up - lots of options and each week is different! It also includes chai and desserts! Even aside from the food, the staff are so kind and thoughtful. They are gracious with our 1 year old who makes a huge mess (but loves the food!). A server even ran after us in the parking lot today to return her silly little fork that we forgot! Thank you for being great!

We had buffet there today . Me and my family . The food is just OK and the options are very limited . Staff and service is good . Ambiance I would say is just fine .

I am from India, have traveled all over India and tasted dishes from many parts of the country. Paani is THE BEST AND MOST AUTHENTIC INDIAN FOOD I HAVE EVER TASTED- hands down! We are also vegan and the baigan bhartha, lemon rice is my favorite! Just go go go to this nice restaurant. The staff are super, chefs are fabulous!!! Owner is also super!!!

By far the best Indian restaurant I have ever experienced. The food is consistently of high quality and absolutely delicious. I highly recommend the Samosa Chana Chat Awadhi Style. Perfection! Compliments to the head chef and team! The owner Vinny is very attentive and takes great care of her customers. She very kindly agreed to holding a cancer research fundraiser event at the restaurant, which was greatly enjoyed by all those taking part. The restaurant is tastefully decorated in a modern style, with a relaxing atmosphere. Wonderful food, wonderful owner and wonderful staff!

Horrible service, bad attitude, overpriced. They forgot half of my takeout order, and screwed up the other half. Then, they refused to take accountability for their mistakes. Steer clear.

They say they're open for lunch until 2:30 and we arrived at 2:19. We were turned away as they said they were already closed. Not very customer centric. Look elsewhere.

A more upscale Indian restaurant. I've been going here since they were at a different location. This place is family owned and has wonderful service. Great food!

The restaurant is set in a nice location. The nice blue interiors and decor reflects the name "Paani" meaning Water. Well maintained restaurant, service is great too. Coming to the main part....food! Overall decent number of choices in both vegetarian and non-vegeterian entrees (10-15 in each). The chilli mushroom as appetizer was good. Crispy n nicely tossed in chilli sauce. The main course of chicken makhni(butter chicken) and naans were bit of disappointment though. Butter chicken was really mild on spices and the naans (plain n garlic) just tasted wrong. Something was off about them.for the first time was disappointed with naans at a restuarant. Their mango lassi was just ok. The masala chai was good, a bit too milky for my taste though. Overall Not very pleased with the food, was bit pricey too. The positive part was the decor n service.

We were there recently on a Sunday for the Buffet lunch. We were seated quickly although in about 30 minutes it became full. It happened to be a special Diwali buffet lunch. The soup was lukewarm and oddly Indo-Chinese. Not sure what. They had salad, some corn deal etc. out. They had standard vegetarian dishes. Nothing to write home about. The sweets and special savory stuff fi Diwali were all store-bought. Not worth the extra money for a Diwali buffet. Disappointing!

We were in the area and found this restaurant via a Google search. Everything we ordered was delicious. While the food was great, the experience was a tad off. We had to wait about 30 to 40 minutes between appetizer and main dishes. When I noticed every table that came in after us were already eating their dinner, I asked about our food. The server informed us it was coming. About 10 minutes after I asked, the food arrived. Personally, I think they completely forgot about our food and only remembered when someone noticed we were sitting there with empty plates for such a long time. Regardless, we would have appreciated an update from the staff on this while we were waiting. I understand that things happen but to not say anything as if nothing happened doesn't seem right. For this first visit, the food was solid. The waitstaff is very friendly but seemed to need a lot of oversight from one of the managers. Not sure what happened with the food delay but that did have a negative effect on our first time at this restaurant.

Wow! You had me at - the warm hospitality and cleanliness, easy parking, and great wine selection! The delectable, authentic cuisine was fresh and promptly served to our group of 10. Our guests only eat Halal and Paani is one of very few, finer dining experiences in MetroWest offering GF, Vegan options+ easy access and seating for two ADA guests. Delightful vibe, music, intimate bar, and did mention the service and food are five star! Clients

If you happen to be in the area, do not miss this local gem. Their food is amazing, there was never a dish we ordered that we did not like, service is great and the food will make you go back every time you crave fine Indian food.

I came here for dinner with my husband and toddler assuming we could sit on the patio because it was 70s out. The waiter told me the patio hadn't opened for the season yet, and I was so disappointed. After he saw my husband and daughter waiting outside for me he said they could open the patio after all! It was so kind of them and they were so friendly and accommodating! Their naan is delicious as are their samosas and the butter chicken. Their patio is so relaxing and calm, and I was so happy to have a nice evening out with great food! High recommend!

The food is amazing, excellent service and friendly staff. We have tried this place several times, no surprise, consistently keeping its standards! The restaurant has also a pretty good ambiance.

I placed a very small order last night I usually cook all my meals at home however yesterday was a very hectic day and am a single mom with a baby so I decided to order from this place chicken makhani khas/ samosa a onion kulcha. I did not get a chance to even look at the order placed told my landlord to start eating as I dont get time until midnight to sit down and eat. The food order was wrong they gave us dehati chicken which barely had one serving looked like it was a left over from a table to go home stale samosa. , I was hungry and ate however could not eat more than 2-3 bites and have very bad nausea and stomach ache. I would never recommend this place to anyone.

I had been craving Indian food for a few months. I finally decided to do takeout from here and was so excited, but unfortunately it was not great. Everything was very salty and just wasn't great. I had been here before and I really like the owner and staff. I'll try again at some point, but sadly it was a let down.

Fantastic food and service. Gobi manchurian, paneer cubes, veg seekh appetizer were all very good. Their onion kulcha is a must try. Our kids loved the food too. Definitely a place to go back to.

Service is great. Food is fantastic; never disappointed, place is lovely and we always get seated immediately.

Great Indian food with great service. Nice bar too. The owner is a lovely woman. What more is there?

Took my parents here for their anniversary. It was great. Food was excellent and service to match. Yes

Awesome buffet! We found this place by accident when we had given up on another Indian buffet being closed, and we're heading towards the new Whole Foods for lunch, and then smelled this place a sign, my friend who is following me called me as we pulled in to the parking Plaza and I answered the phone "I know, I see it too!" There was only about 30 minutes left before they closed for the afternoon, but it was enough time to get 2 helpings, they were very accommodating and friendly with our kids, we had the place mostly to ourselves. Lunch buffet was $15 for adults and $10 for kids, free for kids under four. Recommend!

I think giving one star is pretty generous. When we were seated, it took 15 minutes for the waiter to take our order. I had to get the waiter to take our order. We've been seated for almost an hour and only had our appetizers. The chicken was way too dry. The appetizers had no flavor. Here's our high lights from the restaurant: * Food was either bland or too salty * Service was HORRIBLE!!!!! * our order took almost 1 hour and 30 minutes to arrive * I ended up getting sick. * also in the bathroom there was no soap. The soap container only had water. They can't afford to buy new soap

Delicious Indian cuisine. Never greasy and packed with flavor. The heat from chilis is toned down a bit for the American palate. The Chicken Korma is subtle and sublime. The vindaloo, my favorite dish, is milder than you would get elsewhere but you can specify heat level. The tandoori chicken is a must have as is the slow simmered dal. The naan is made in a proper tandoori oven and is also a must have item!

We've tried their lunch takeout, off the menu, and their lunch buffet. Lunch take out was great because you get to choose two main dishes off the menu and comes with small sides. I believe they don't currently have a regular dine-in lunch menu though Lunch buffet was about $20 per person and very much worth it! They had so many options! A regular salad and chickpea salad. Many different types of chicken curries and vegetarian dishes, some fried dishes, shrimp biriyani. Spiciness level were mild, which I was glad of. They had a lot of sauces on the side, so you probably could increase the heat on your own if you wanted to. Also included soup, tea, apple juice, and fruit salad, and freshly made naan brought to your table. Waiter offered us a second helping of naan when they saw we finished - and we finished it! It was so good - hot crispy naan brushed with butter! Ambiance was also great - restaurant is very new and has large windows. Everything is very modern. Includes a bar and option to eat outside. Definitely a fine dining experience! Saw people there meeting for a business lunch. Great place to meet friends for lunch. We've also ordered off their regular/dinner menu. You can choose the spiciness level and the presentation was great. I had their biryani and korma curry, both were really flavorful. Both the Indian restaurants in Sudbury and Wayland are great, but this one definitely wins in terms of presentation and ambiance. Their lunch buffet also has much more options and the freshly made naan made to order makes a huge difference. The lunch buffet is also a great option for those who tend to eat their Indian food on the mild side. Everything is still flavorful and delicious, but you don't have to worry about certain dishes being too spicy to eat. Great opportunity to try a lot of different dishes. Can't wait to go back again!

Went there for first time the other night. The restaurant has a very comfortable atmosphere, the manager was very nice and helped us figuring out what we wanted. The food was Delicious. Would recommend for anyone..

My in-laws are regulars and invited my husband, young son and I to join them for dinner tonight. What a treat! The owner and staff were so warm and welcoming, it felt like we were visiting old friends. We enjoyed a wide array of dishes, from vegetable samosa to chicken tikka masala to goat curry. Everything was excellent. The mushroom naan should not be missed! We enjoyed everything about this visit and will be back again soon.

Service average. Food average. But check your bill before you pay. We ordered two specialty drinks clearly marked on the menu for $9. They then proceeded to charge us $12 each for the two drinks. When I made the inquiry on the overcharge, the manager/owner? then tried to rely on a tiny disclaimer on the corner of the cocktail menu that she pointed to that said prices are subject to change. I was not left with a good feeling. I was asked if I wanted to pay the advertised price that was on the menu, and of course I said yes. They gave me $6 cash back.

I've been here last year, it was bad. I was there two days ago and it's worse now. Can you imagine I had to ask 9 times to get water (5 times until they brought the pinch and 4 more time before they brought glasses). Food also degraded. "All you can eat" buffet is more like "all you can find", because the food is simply missing. DANGER: I got several micro and very sharp pieces of crashed bones in chicken.

The reviews looked great and wanted to try but were disappointed. They s didn't have a lot of options unlike mentioned in the reviews- a basic menu. Very few vegetarian options. The food was not very great too. Naan was good though. He served the Naan first and had to wait for a while to get the sides. The naan has got cooled down by then. A little classy place. The website isn't updated.

We have been coming to this restaurant for many years. It is our absolute favourite and the waitstaff know us well now. The owner, Vimi, is so very nice, polite and gracious every time we go. Every dish is delicious and tastes fresh and of a high standard. The waitstaff are very friendly and recommend new dishes to try. We have never been disappointed. Wonderful place to eat, relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The best around and a great asset to Sudbury.

Just went there for the lunch buffet today, and it was fabulous! The food tasted as good as it smelled and was seasoned to perfection! I just love all the Indian spices they use! And since it was a buffet, I got to try a little bit of everything! There are plenty of gluten-free options on the buffet, but I had to cheat today because they brought out the most delicious piping hot pita bread! Yum! I started my meal with a fresh salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Had a little fruit jam for something sweet. Also enjoyed the pita chips, so crispy! And tried the various chicken dishes with different types of seasonings on top of rice. The restaurant is sparkling clean with very attentive staff who give great service! There is outdoor dining, as well. And both indoor and outdoor offer a very pleasant dining experience! If you like Indian food, which I do, you won't be disappointed!

I really wish I liked the food here because the service is superb and the owners absolutely lovely. Unfortunately the flavors are lacking compared to other Indian restaurants in the area.

This is by far our favorite restaurant in Sudbury and the surrounding area. The food is outstanding - consistently excellent. The garlic naan is our go-to. A rare gem in Metro West

First time - we'll definitely be back! Great experience ordering take out. Friendly and professional when I called in. Everything was ready when promised. Smelled amazing and tasted delicious. My only regret is that we didn't dine in. The restaurant is cheerful and welcoming.

I absolutely love this place! If you are in the Sudbury are visit them. If you are not in the area, take the drive! It's worth it. They are so nice and the food is amazing! Love this place!

I stopped in today for the first time for lunch and so glad I did. We had the lunch buffet and it was great. Lots of choices for food, great flavors. The restaruant is absolutely beautiful. It is warm, cozy yet spacious. The staff is super friendly and you feel so welcome. I highly recommend. Best Indian food around!! You won't be disappointed.

Love the new location. Lots of space, beautiful color scheme, big windows. Versatile seating- full bar with TV if you want to eat at the bar, nice booths, as well as 2- and 4-tops. Food is just as excellent as old location. Been here several times and food is always delicious. Tonight had the aloo chat, chicken tikka masala and Kashmiri naan.

We came here after a stressful day. We needed some good, warm, nourishing food - and our meal here was exactly what we needed!! The blend of spices....the absolutely perfect Bhindi Masala (hard to find anywhere!) and the extremely delightful chicken tikka! Can't say enough our good things - you must check out the new location in the Whole Foods plaza in Sudbury. It's so beautiful! The owner and staff are so friendly - makes it even more inviting!