Shere Punjab

I recently ordered takeout from Shere Punjab on Maine Street in Brunswick, and unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience. There’s no dine-in option currently due to staff shortage, but the takeout service was prompt and polite, which I appreciated. Sadly, the food quality was very poor. The chole was undercooked, the naan was hard and barely chewable, and the onion bhajiya were extremely oily, they were literally floating in oil. I really wanted to support a local place, but the taste and texture were off across all dishes. For the price, it wasn’t worth it. Overall, I would not recommend this restaurant until they improve food preparation and consistency. The service was decent, but the meal itself fell far short of expectations.

I have never eaten Indian food before. Shere Punjab was an excellent introduction to eating Indian food. The food is absolutely fantastic! There is a well optioned menu. The place is small, cozy, intimate. It is like being invited to dinner. The staff there are very friendly. Our waitress was very kind and patient with us and helped us pick out a medley of different dishes and appetizers explaining each one. You will pay up eating here. But it is very delicious! Parking is all on the street, but Brunswick is a pedestrian friendly city. I highly recommend eating here. It was a great experience.

My girlfriend and here tried the vegetarian and vegan lunch choices. I will say that lunch choice for both was a really good deal! The flavors were complex and I like food spicy which helped make the meal a bit more enjoyable. Let me say that for a budget lunch meal, for two it was close to 36 dollars for two entrees and naan, and a soup which was reasonable for the amount of food we received! I would recommend it. The man who greeted us was friendly and personally came over to give us dietary recommendations as we were both in need of recommended options

The food is so comforting. It's a perfect blend of spices, not overwhelming. It was just right, and it feels so much like a home-cooked meal, which is rare. I absolutely enjoyed it. Will be back for more soon. Thank you 🙇

Nice family run restaurant. The server was very nice and the food was very good. We ordered chana masala, sweet Lassi, aloo Naan and tandoori roti. Loved all of it. We packed extra for dinner too. We found parking behind the restaurant and also at the beginning of the street- It is beside an Italian restaurant Impasta. Would love to visit again while returning.

This establishment is to-go only. Hence, no atmosphere or service. The only dish I've tried (and try at every single Indian restaurant) is the Lamb Curry if not the Lamb Korma. The rice was plain. I've never seen plain long rice served at an Indian restaurant. The Curry was flavorful but the lamb is still very tough. You're craving Indian food? Fine. But not the greatest.

The food here is fantastic. Family made recipes, all from scratch. The owners are so helpful to guide. educate and help in anyway possible. I had ordered my dish a hair too spicy (still fantastic) and when the owner came and asked how I liked everything, I mentioned I ordered it a touch too spicy. (all my fault) His immediate response, "would you like me to get you some yogurt?" YES! And it was homemade! I could tell because I also make homemade yogurt. When he brought the check I mentioned the yogurt, and he gave me a tutorial on how they make theirs. That was the icing on the cake. This place is so far superior than a cookie cutter place. You can see and taste the pride they take in their food. We've so far tried 5 dishes and all were delicious! I'm already planning my next order so I can try something new. Oh, and best part, being gluten free is not a problem here!

Absolutely delicious Indian food! Very cozy atmosphere with friendly servers who kept our glasses filled the entire time. We tried some new things we’d never had before and loved every bit of it. Highly recommend if you love flavorful, authentic Indian food!

It has been a while since our first visit to this delightful place. We have been back many times in the past couple of years. We have also tried other Indian restaurants, and this is the standard by which we compare all other experiences. This place has never let us down in any way. Great food. Great value. Great service. Fun experience every time. If the place is a bit crowded, take a walk around the block, and there will probably be a table ready by the time you get back around.

The delicious smell literally stopped me in the street as I was shopping in downtown Brunswick. I was not disappointed, the butter chicken is indeed phenomenal. I was craving papadum and samosa and they did not disappoint. A bit pricy and small portions but I am spoiled by Taj in South Portland. That said, the service was amazing and so was the ambience. It would be a great place for a romantic meal. The mango lassi was top notch as was the hot chai. I consider this a great fine dining option, and highly recommend!

Came on a Friday night for Indian and left fully satisfied! Service throughout the night was good and we were well looked after. Ordered: Paneer naan; thin layer of cheese throughout bread Lachha paratha: buttered thin bread Both were served hot before mains came, great of their own, with sauce, and with main Chicken tikka: always a good time and this was no different, big chicken portion, buttery, and flavorful Shrimp korma: big fresh shrimp tail on, plenty of nuts, very sweet so be sure to get it more spicy to counter balance the flavors Mango lassi: a little small but refreshingly sweet and tangy Will be back!

My entire family loves this place. We have probably picked up take out from here 100 times and we will order from them 100 times in the future too! Everything here tastes extraordinary fresh and cooked to order. There's nothing on the menu I wouldn't recommend. The one time something came out wrong, the owner met me on the sidewalk with a bottle of wine and immediately replaced my order. Can't say enough about them! Outstanding service, amazing food, great family ownership!

Found this place by chance while driving on the highway, looking for a place to have lunch. It is a small, simple, family owned place with amazing food. We ordeted chicken tikka saag and veg korma with tandoor roti and naan. The entrees came with plentiful rice. Everting was so fresh, delicious and tasted home made! Even the chutneys served with papad are remarkably tasty! The lassi was thick and creamy. Do try this place if you are in the area. Five stars for food and service.

A fantastic little gem in downtown Brunswick. I'm a huge fan of Indian cuisine and Shere Punjab ranks as some of the best I've had. My wife and I enjoyed a delicious lunch this week. She enjoyed the Chicken Masala while I had the lamb curry. Both were flavorful and spiced perfectly. The portion sizes were perfect for a filling lunch. The breads were a delicious accompaniment. I'll add the iced tea was a refreshing blend with Indian spices. The service was attentive and polite. Food was brought promptly in consideration for lunch timelines. The venue was small and quite dated, which is why they got only 4 stars. Some fresh paint might spruce up the place and give it a cleaner appearance. Overall, Shere Punjab is the real deal and a definite must-visit if you're looking for authentic Indian cuisine in the Brunswick area.

Delicious, every time! I've been coming here occasionally for about a decade now (which is crazy to think!). It hasn't changed, in the best way! It's so consistently good! This time, I decided to not get my go-to and instead try something new, and I am so glad I did! I almost always get a lamb curry because it's a less common meat to find other places, and they always cook it perfectly. The lamb Rohan josh or the lamb dilruba are my favorites. This time, however, I got the mixed grill. The lamb, two kinds of chicken, and the shrimp were all delicious! I think the tikka chicken was my favorite but I'd definitely get it all again.!I also tried the mango lassi for the first time and it was amazing! We also had the keema naan and the saag paneer, which are a couple of our regular favorites! I've had saag paneer at several restaurants but I prefer Shere Punjab's version. The consistency is perfect! And the keema naan has the perfect amount of lamb filling and is so flavorful! Definitely one of my favorite restaurants that I will always keep coming back to!

Probably some of the best and most authentic Indian food I've ever had! Really liked the samosas and the garlic naan - thin and crispy, and the garlic wasn't overpowering. Butter chicken was second to none. Its sauce was out of this world. I have been to many Indian restaurants in NY, but this place is better than all of them. Must visit!!

Maine Street in Brunswick features a diverse assortment of not only restaurants, but specifically restaurants with patio dining-- which is great when you can't decide between Vietnamese, either of two Indian restaurants, pizza, or seven other things. Shere Punjab didn't disappoint, with a broad assortment of menu items to suit any taste, whether you're a pescatarian, meat-a-tarian, vegetarian, or just want to carboload on naan. We got four dishes plus naan and papadam (first basket included gratis!), including a pudina lamb (good but not terribly remarkable), chicken tikka (reliable), chana saag (one of the best chickpea dishes I think I've ever had), and a veggie navratan korma (which had a great assortment of ingredients, but ultimately lacked much in the way of flavor-- would not order again). Naan was great and Shere Punjab also offers a bazillion varieties of bread, which seems somewhat unusual for an Indian restaurant. The service wasn't super fast, but they were very attentive, which is always a pro (one of my restaurant pet peeves is running out of water, which never happened here).

The food here is fantastic! I have eaten Indian food around the world and this is some of the very best. From the raita to the Nan to the shrimp curry, to the classic ( to me a Brit) chicken tikka masala all superb. Don't look at the actual restaurant which could have done with a renovation a few years ago. Taste the food!

Our favorite Indian restaurant in Maine - and it now serves Indian wine! We love all of the food - never have a bad meal here - but especially love the vegetarian and lamb dishes

Everything here is really good. The nan the fresh and the best I've ever had. The service is always friendly and they are always kind. It's quiet and peaceful, well decorated, a good local spot. I'd say one of the better hidden gems of Brunswick. If you like Indian food this is the place to go! 10/10 would recommend.

My experience was divine. I ended up ordering over $100 worth of food just for three people because it looked so good and boy was it worth it. The food tickled my tongue in such a way that I was shook to the core. The mango lassi had ice, big strike. Unacceptable to my standards. other than that the setup of the place left me comfortable and very exuberant.

Terrific dinner. My dal was great and my friend loved then butter chicken. Place was packed on a Sunday night.

Food was very good and plenty of it. Nicely seasoned. Server was helpful and friendly. Nice ambiance. Best Indian food I've had in Maine in a while.

I travel for work and get to try Indian food all over the country. This is some of the best I have ever eaten. Great job, Shere Punjab !

I don't leave many reviews but this place is the #1 Indian food in Maine - they nail lamb vindaloo on the head everyone - the building could use an upgrade... but that food makes up for it.

Best Indian place in Maine. Highly recommended. We normally do takeout but the restaurant is also great to sit in and enjoy the food fresh out of the kitchen

My favorite Indian food in Maine, we make a trip here from Portland. Love the food, great service. Worth a visit for sure!

Delicious food, very promptly served. I ordered the Butter chicken and vegetable paratha- both stellar. The puri my daughter ordered was light and satisfying. Everything came quickly and the server was very responsive.

Fast service on a Holiday Sunday night. Every single bread type, appetizer, and entre was perfect. I enjoy tandoori chicken, and perfectly done to look, taste, and juiciness. Rice was spiced perfectly. The sauce was the highlight. It brightened, without oversaturating your palette. Did not try dessert.

One of my favorite sources for Indian food. Love the food. My wife thinks it's not as good as some places we go to in cities BUT I always like it. It always takes a long time to get the orders filled for take out, which is what we usually do, thus the four stars. I will certainly go back.

Excellent food and overall experience. Will definitely come back. Best Indian food in Brunswick. 10 out of 10!

Amazing. The food here is simply that. Prices very reasonable, portion size perfect. I love this place. Unfortunately, it's not very close to where we live. Or maybe that's a good thing. I admit the service is a little gruff, but I think that's just cultural and should not be taken personally. I have a feeling if you are a regular it's a little different. Anyway, the place is small, but quite cozy. We were given a complimentary thin cracker like bread with a couple different sauces. I wish they had explained them, but the green one was my favorite. I was wishing for more crackers. I ordered the mango chicken which had mango chutney, mint, and ginger in it. My husband ordered a lamb dish. We ordered a coconut bread and samosa. The samosa were amazing! Very big and tasty. Our food came with a large dish of rice for us to share. Everything we had was delicious! The only downside here is my stomach wasn't big enough! Best Indian food I have had.

Food was decent for Indian food in Maine, service could definitely be improved. Butter chicken was a standout. Inside is very hot and stuffy but outdoor seating was nice.

I am still glowing from happiness (and a little maybe from spicy-food sweat) after an amazing dinner from Shere Punjab. This is my second solid takeout dinner from this spot in Brunswick. The first time was solid, this time was exemplary. We had the lamb biryani (see photo) which was jam packed full of tender lamb and a ton of veggies, raisins, and FLAVOR. It was also jam packed into the container! I almost wish we'd gotten another order of samosa, but then I might have exploded. The saag paneer was perfect - I don't think I've ever had it where the paneer was browned first and it really made a delicious difference. The naan was hot and fresh. I can't wait to eat here again!

An excellent rendition of royal cuisine--Punjab being one of the Northernmost regions of India, and close to Rajasthan, the state of nobility. The familiar staples we ordered were elevated to a tier I rarely encounter. The meal opened with a basket of delicately thin papadum fried crisp without being scorched--a feat with the papads so thin. It was served with onion, tamarind and mint chutney. The lamb biriyiani arrived with a platter of steamed fluffy, needles of basmati rice for our curries. When you pick through the complex biriyiani, you will discover a plethora of ingredients including vegetables, fruit, nuts, and herbs. This is the tip of the iceberg. The biriyiani also has layers of tempered spice delivered from ground spices early in the cooking process, then whole spices layer to perfume the rice. The result is a symphonic, cohesive entree that remains one of my favorites. The Chicken Korma and Chicken Tikka Masala were not the heavy creamed and ghee variety. Rather, it seemed to be thickened by nut purees and butters and blended dried fruit. The flavors were more delicate, and the final experience less likely to induce a food coma. The Aloo Gobhi had large florets of cauliflower and tender potato. It was earthy, nutty and very well balanced. The Baigan Bharta was lush, velvety and perfectly fiery at medium heat for us. This was one of the most beautiful examples of Baigan Bharta I have encountered, and one of the most exquisite. We ordered 5 items for 4 people and expected to bring home loads of leftovers. But we devoured so much of it that we scarcely brought home a tiny tub of leftover chicken tikka masala. Yes, the prices are not inexpensive. But the portions are more than adequate for each person and the level of execution exemplary. This was a true delight. I cannot fathom how they re-created all of this in the USA, let alone midcoast Maine. The irony is I actually prefer humbler versions of these dishes enriched with heavy cream and clarified butter (ghee), but I cannot get over how they pulled this meal off... just another one of numerous guests they've seen over the years. The only thing I can possibly think of that could gild this meal and take it to another level is live music and dancers... :D No less than 3 servers from the multi-generational family attended to us, and delivered superb service. R.e.s.p.e.c.t.

Our first time at Shere Punjab, and why only 3 stars? Very simple: an absolutely horrid appetizer dish. You'll notice they have an extensive menu except for the appetizers, with just a handful listed. So maybe they just don't give a damn about them, cooking them all up on Monday and hoping they last the rest of the week. Well at any rate that's how they tasted, so dry, so old slicing into their samosas like cutting open a pin cushion. We ordered their Punjab Special Vegatarian, you've been warned. On the other hand I had an exquisite lamb byriani.

Amazing Indian food in Brunswick. We love it. They like to see us because we order a lot of food on their menu. Their vegetarian dishes are awesome. Sauces are quality. Love the chicken dishes too

Great food for Take out. The place is small and cluttered. Service is efficient but nonchalant.

We took a chance on this lovely little Indian restaurant. The food was excellent and the people serving were lovely. Portions were generous, spice was just what we asked for (medium), and prices were very reasonable. We will be back.

I would add pictures of the amazing food - but I devoured it as soon as the dishes arrived! The chicken curry was sublime. The naan arrived piping hot - making me think I could live on bread alone. But it truly was the service which sets this restaurant apart - I felt welcomed as though I were a guest in their home.

Update for August 20, a Sunday evening: still delicious! The restaurant was packed but service was friendly and moved along. Nice to see parents of incoming Bowdoin students enjoying the restaurant and knowing their children could be well-fed and cared for at a local restaurant.

We do a lot of eating on family drives. Take away in places like Brunswick, Saco, Biddeford, and such have become common of late. We chose this since the wife and I are NYC transplants (Queens in particular) and miss Little India quite a lot. When we find a new Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, Punjab, etc place it moves to the top of the running list. Our take away order this day was relatively standard for what things we typically get. (You know how everyone uses item X to determine how good a place is...) Sadly my biryani didn't agree with me (my issue) but the lamb in it was very tender. The garlic naan had too much cilantro for my taste, but otherwise tasty. We will consider it next time we are out that way.

Review for takeout order on 5/30/2021: Punjab cuisine. We ordered Keema Mutter (ground lamb and veggies) and Shahi Korma (mixed veggies) for takeout. The portion is large for two - each entry comes with rice and we got two additional garlic naan (which was super delicious when hot).

Possibly the best that I have had out of India or Pakistan. The Daal soup is my favorite. Yummy!

This would have been a 5 except for the worn decor, 1-star bathrooms, and attitudes of the senior staff. The food however rises above the rather decrepit physical plant. Our starter was the Tika Chicken, which was served on a bed of fresh lettuce. Talk about perfectly seasoned and grilled! Yum. We followed it with the mixed Biryani for 2. This comes with chicken, lamb, and a good number of shrimp (although we didn't really like shrimp in Biryani). At a heat rating of just 2/10, it was perfect for my wife, although I would have gone for a 3. There's also veggies sprinkled throughout, but the lamb was the standout. If we go again I'm getting the Lamb Biryani. I must say the senior wait staff was so dispirited I think India must have lost a Cricket match to England. They looked tired and could have cared less if we'd been there or not. The young wait staff were much more attentive, pleasant and earned the 20% tip.

OK, it's official: this place is openly hostile to trans people. Our server mocked us to our faces. This is a new all-time low for restaurant experiences. We came in and were waiting to be served when the server (the owner? Older guy with grey hair) came up and grunted at us and gestured in the direction of a table that was still being bussed. It was so weird we weren't even sure what to do until he told us to have a seat. We started ordering and I knew things were getting off to a bad start when he called me 'sir'. We ordered okra curry and lamb curry as well as a couple of Taj Mahal beers. When he came out again, he remarked to us "A queen sized beer for you " to my partner "... and a king sized beer for you" to me. To be totally clear I am NOT a man and and do not LOOK at all like a man. My partner clarified "No, a queen sized beer and a queen sized beer!" and had to repeat herself twice before the guy laughed and walked off. He was just trying to get a dig in. What a way to treat somebody. The food was OK- it was much nicer last time when we came for dinner, I think they cheap out on their lunch recipes. The naan was good. But you know what? None of that matters! The server was openly antagonizing me because I'm trans. Our guy came up and made some really weird comments about "Is the food good enough" that felt creepy and menacing. We felt like we'd had enough and tried to get our server's attention but he was ignoring us so we got the other guy to run our card. Our server came up and made another crack about "Oh, so you're done? There's no food left here" because we hadn't been able to finish our meal. Being treated like he'd been treating us really kills your appetite, let me tell you. When he took our plates he took my napkin (which I'd set on the curry-laden plate so it could be taken away) and laid it on the table in front of me. This is an all time new low for being treated badly at restaurants for being trans. Let's be clear, Shere Punjab is openly hostile to trans people to the point that they will antagonize you to your face. By the way, this place is listed as having a gender-neutral restroom but that is NOT the case. They have single-stall restrooms but they're gendered. Why, I wonder? I didn't tip a cent and let him know why on the slip. Wow. Talk of an experience ruining your day.

Takeout - Very busy tonight given limited dining options open on 7/3. Service was excellent, they acknowledged the wait, and the food was just as good as any other day. Love this place.

Best Indian food around , fast and great service ! They make sure your cups always filled with water and food is always on point !

Best Indian food ever. Anywhere. Fresh herbs and fresh taste. Staff are kind. Obsessed!

You can never take the Indian out of an Indian :) Even in Maine, my husband needed Indian food, lol. So we got some late night take out from this place - it is the only Indian spot within 30 miles of where we were (Harpswell). The place is doing take out only at this time. Even though we ordered over the phone and were quoted about 30 min wait, we ended up waiting for about 45 minutes total. But I can see why - the place is bombarded with orders! There were at least 15 different parties that picked up food in the 15 minutes that we actually stood at the storefront and another 5 - 7 that got turned away because their food wasn't ready yet. The place took safety seriously. There was a big table between you and the entrance and everyone wore masks and gloves while handling food. I appreciated everyone maintaining distance whole waiting. Now for the food - Ragz had the chicken soup and it was very different from what he has had in India before, but it was still delicious and he would have it again. I had the tomato soup, and I am a fan! It was a huge container - could easily be 2 servings and was perfectly tangy and warming. Loved the healthy dose of cilantro is came with. I would order it again in a heart beat. Ragz also had their chicken tikka and it was absolutely delicious! There was no "tempering" of spice levels to make it easier on the palette, it straight up reminded us of home - strong seasoning, well cooked chicken - and very melt in your mouth! The last thing we shared was the mixed veggie parantha and aloo parantha. These were definitely underwhelming. I wouldn't have them again - not enough filling, too much dough and very big. I want to say parts of these could use a little bit more cooking. Also lacked seasoning and I likely would not order these again. Overall, I would come back for the soup and the chicken tikka. The rest of the menu also looked pretty solid.

My review of a lot of food from this place. mild food: 10/10 Note: perfect for people aren't Indian spicy food: 10/10 Note: perfect for the token Indian friend (me) Rice: 10/10 Note: generous portion Naan: 10/10 Note: good amount of bread for 7 Drink 10/10 Note: thick and mango-y Service: 10/10 Note: Nice people, I like the guys shirt. Promptness: 10/10 Note: amount of time to wait = 1 cuddle on the couch. Price: Twas 26x the price of a 30 oz jar of Hellman's mayonnaise, very reasonable for dinner.

Please, please, fix your dirty window tapestries and clean the windows! The food is awesome, but the entry looks dirty and kept me from eating here for years. Make the walk up to the restaurant look appetizing and clean! I adore the food here, won't stop eating here, but the cleanliness is questionable!

Really, really fine food. We eat Indian frequently around the state and everything served was soooo good. 5 stars.

Amazing food and wonderful people. So grateful they do curbside pickup! All of their food is fresh a d delicious.

We come here often and always enjoy every thing we have ever ordered. From the soups to the paneer saag, to their naan of many flavors, chicken tikka of course, and always their biryani rice, it is all better than the average! When they start offering Gobi 65, we'll be in heaven!!

This has been my favorite restaurant for almost 20 years now. The chicken tikka masala is amazing, as is the chicken tikka, which is a version brought to the table in a sizzling pan with a side of sauce for dipping (rather than chunks already in the sauce in a very civilized bowl). The rice is great. The naan is GREAT. The poori is fun, and I have burned myself on it every single time. The multi-generational family that runs it is just wonderful. A meal from Shere Punjab always makes me really happy. And full. Really really full.

Arrived here for lunch on a very busy Saturday during an art expo. Upon entry, we noticed only two tables were occupied, and were seated right away by the hostess. Ordered the paneer pakora for an appetizer. Owner came out and also gave us a basket of papadam's and a trio of mint, tamarind and onion chutneys to munch on while we were waiting. Both were fabulous. The chickpea batter on the paneer was scrumptious, and the extra dusting of spice on top was a nice touch. Our naan breads came out shortly afterwards, piping hot, then our main courses. Ordered the Nav Ratna Korma and Chicken Masala. The korma dish was out of this world! Check out the description on the menu and you'll see why. Delicious fragrant sauce, fresh medley of vegetables and bursting with flavor. I'm a meat eater folks...and would order that korma (vegetarian) dish over a meat option without hesitation or regret in a flash. Chicken masala was also delicious. You could tell all the spices and chopped ginger was cooked fresh. I was kinda bummed at first that the chicken wasn't breast meat but it was prepared and spiced so well I got over it. Generous portions. We ate half at the restaurant and took the rest home. FYI: The place doesn't have a 5-star appearance, the help are attentive but don't expect mr./mrs personality...go there for the food and you won't be disappointed. I have eaten Indian food all over Maine, ie. Portland, Lewiston, Waterville, etc. I won't mention their names, but by far this is the best one I've eaten at in Maine. P.S. Sounds like some patrons have gotten their feathers ruffled here. If you don't have nerves of steel or are overly sensitive, place your order, put in some earplugs and enjoy your fine Indian cuisine experience. You won't be disappointed.