Taj Indian Cuisine

Had a short stay in Portland and decided to try out this Indian restaurant. There is one word to describe this place and thats "Superb!". The food was amazing the Chicken tikka masala was spiced just right and our cheesy garlic naan was delicious! They had an extensive cocktail list making things like an Aviation and a Last Word which is uncommon even for a regular bar. The atmosphere was amazing too they made the night an evening to remember.

I literally dreamt about their biryani. The food is so good for (what I think is) a very reasonable price. The flavors are out of this world! My photos don't do the food full justice. The staff is so knowledgeable about every dish, not to mention very friendly and attentive. Service is fast, and food comes out piping hot. The atmosphere is lovely and gorgeous. Very clean and well decorated. I rave about Taj, it's quickly become one of my favorite restaurants.

Had an amazing time at Taz with my friends! The food was full of real desi flavors — just like home. We enjoyed every dish, from the spices to the aroma, everything was perfect. The place has such a nice vibe for hanging out with friends and enjoying good Indian food together. Highly recommend for anyone who loves authentic taste and great service! 🍛🇮🇳

I can’t rave about this place enough. Everything I’ve ever had has been a perfect flavor bomb in my mouth! The cocktails are a 10000/10 every single time. I brought my husband for the first time the other night and he could not stop talking about it (during the entire meal and afterwards). The service and ambiance are right up there with the quality of the food - warm, welcoming, and attentive from start to finish. I hope you enjoy my food photos as much as I do when I look back at them fondly :)

Taj’s food consistently impresses with its tasteful and fresh flavors. Their goat curry is particularly noteworthy, one of the best I’ve ever had. The warm service complements the exceptional food quality.

This place jumped out at me while staying near the airport for a night. I'm a huge lover/consumer of Indian food and I can't say I've seen many JB semifinalist Indian restaurants. The menu has the usual suspects, nothing too crazy. I went with the shrimp khorma and I love how you can substitute coconut milk for cream in any of the curries. It had amazing flavors and perfect texture.. 10 out of 10 for me. The shrimp was decent quality and they weren't stingy with the portion. Medium spice level had a good/noticeable amount of heat w/o overwhelming the dish if you have a high spice tolerance; it would probably be way too hot if you have a low tolerance. You can order ahead online, but prep time was over an hour, so you can't wait until you're hungry to place an order! From pick up, it looks like a classy, upbeat, dimly-lit, date night worthy atmosphere. It was a Monday night and there was not an empty seat in the house, so reservations are probably needed. The main reason I'm docking a star is because service was pretty bad for pickup. I guess they don't have enough staff to match their popularity. Nobody was at the front desk and people were just crowded around at the entrance. There were no signs or guidance on where to go to get takeout orders, and that was another area full of people standing around. If this is any indication of what dining in might be like, service might he a little slow/sub-par, but food gets an A+.

Never expected to find authentic Indian food in Portland, Maine. Great food, wonderful service and an overall great time. Their outdoor patio space is gorgeous, with a beautiful mural. Highly recommend!

I’ve tried many Indian restaurants across Maine, and Taj Indian Cuisine truly stands out. From the first bite, it honestly felt like being back home in India. The flavors are rich, authentic, and made with so much care. It’s easily the best Indian food I’ve had in the USA so far. It’s actually hard to pick a single best dish because everything tasted wonderful. The first time I visited, I tried their buffet, and every item was full of flavor. I loved it so much that I came back again and tried their à la carte menu, which was just as amazing. Some of my favorites were the Chicken Tikka Masala, fresh Naan, Mango Lassi, and Sai Lager beer. Everything was perfectly prepared and incredibly satisfying. The hospitality also deserves a special mention. The staff were warm, welcoming, and made the whole experience even better. I also learned they have another location downtown called Silver Street by Taj, which I’m definitely planning to visit. If you want to try real, authentic Indian food, Taj Indian Cuisine is the place. You’ll truly love it.

Went to lunch on a Saturday and was quite surprised as they were quite busy. Wasn't expecting the buffet on Saturday, but happy they had it. The restaurant was very attractive and the food was hot and very tasty. Would definitely go back.

I had an exquisite experience at Taj--and let me set the record straight: I'm from Singapore. I know my Indian food. When cravings hit, I usually cook it myself because authenticity is hard to find and even harder to get right. After years of chasing that elusive ummphhh--locally and beyond--I can finally say: I've found the one. Pro tip from someone who doesn't mess around: skip the buffet and order à la carte. This is where Taj truly shines. Start strong with the pakora--crisp, fragrant, and properly spiced. The tikka masala? Rich, balanced, deeply comforting. The lamb biryani is a must, but honestly, no Indian food experience is complete without biryani, period. I ordered the goat--succulent, tender, perfectly cooked. My guest had the chicken version, equally flavorful and moist. Now let's talk about the sleeper hit: masala dosa. Crisp, golden, soulful. A must-try. And don't you dare skip the puri--light, puffy, buttery clouds served with an array of dipping sauces that make you slow down and savor. Yes, it gets crowded. That's not a flaw--that's a badge of honor. Great food draws people like moths to a flame. Do yourself a favor and make a reservation. Final verdict? Taj is THE GOAT. No pun intended.

Not sure i appreciate that they tip themselves automatically at 20%. What if I thought the service was only worth 15%? What I did think was that the portions were very small. See my photos to see the size of the bowls.

This was the best Indian restaurant I have been too! And because of this restaurant, I have been exploring more Indian food options!! Everything was amazing from appetizer to main course. We had chicken tikka masala, chicken 65 and garlic naan! We also had the mango smoothie for drink and it was to die for! The service was great! It was a modern Indian restaurant that is well managed, very different than other Indian restaurants I have been to! Will definitely come back next time I am in the area.

Amazing experience as usual. A part of me misses the old location but the new one is always nice to walk into. We sat at the igloos this time and highly recommend reserving those!!!

This was our first Neil here, but it won't be our last. Because it was lunchtime, and because we're one of the try as many things as possible so that I can review them, we both chose the buffet. The decor is attractive and relaxing, and the buffet set up was done very very well. Many buffets are not particularly appealing and generally the food can be disappointing. This one had many delicious options, such as chicken, korma, butter, chicken, and several curries. As you would expect, the non-fried items were generally quite similar to things ordered individually, while several of the smaller deep-fried appetizers were still good, but not quite as crisper hot as you would get with an individual order. The Pecora was excellent, but the punugulu (fried lentil balls) didn't have much flavor and weren't worth having on the plate. It was obvious that most of the crowd was there for the buffet, and it makes sense; delicious food quickly served with a great price in an attractive, relaxing setting. What could be better than that?

I like it. Doing the buffet is an amazing taste testing experience. We enjoy it very much. Wait staff is lovely and professional. Dr. Lynn McGovern

Taj was so good! It was my first time at their newish location in Clarks Pond in South Portland. There is a ton of free parking in the lots. We were sat immediately and got to sit in the heated igloos in their fenced in back space outside. The igloos seat 4 people, which we had. The service was fantastic. We got our drinks and food in great time. I tried the spicy margarita which packed a great punch and was delicious. I think I had 3 since they were so good and I wasn't driving! The food was mouth watering. It was so flavorful, delicious, and had so much depth. We got some vegetable samosas and the gobi 65 (fried cauliflower in sauce) for apps. They were both incredible. Warm and flavorful. For my entree, I got medium spice chicken tikka masala which comes with white rice. It had the perfect spice and was so delicious I wanted to keep going back for more. My mom had the chicken hakka noodles. They were so good with tastes of ginger and garlic. The classics were fantastic. I can't wait to go back and try more food and drinks!!

We sat at the bar. While the food at taj is excellent, having it with a Manhattan or two makes it even better. The food is great, a notch or two up from most Indian in the area. The service was dope, drinks were excellent.

Perhaps the best Indian restaurant in Maine, if not New England. They have lunch buffet that's very popular, and close mid-afternoon between lunch and dinner during the week. Seems they're always busy, so make a reservation. Wide range of Indian cuisine, all outstanding.

Hands down the best Indian I've ever had. Pair that with an excellent bar with amazing drinks, and it's a winner. Taj special biryani is my go-to

Taj Indian Cuisine in South Portland, ME, is a gem and a James Beard Award finalist--and trust me, it deserves all the hype! From the moment I walked in, I knew I was in for a treat. For appetizers, we started with their samosas filled with potatoes and peas--classic and crispy perfection. But the true star was the *pani puri* . If you haven't tried it before, it's a crispy hollow dough ball stuffed with potatoes, onions, and mint sauce. The flavors hit you all at once in the best way possible--it's like an explosion in your mouth! Fun fact: *pani puri* is a popular Indian street food that originated in northern India and has made its way across the globe because of its irresistible crunch and burst of flavor. Next up, we tried the *chicken tikka tacos*--such an innovative twist on a classic! I loved how customizable it was with different sauces to suit your mood. We also shared a *dosa*, which was HUGE! Perfect for sharing, and the flavors were on point. You can't visit an Indian spot without indulging in some naan and curry, right? The *garlic naan* was so soft and chewy (filled with sooo much garlic), and the *chicken tikka masala* was creamy with the perfect blend of spices. My favorite, though, was the *saag paneer*--this one was extra creamy, and it just melted in your mouth! We almost tried the *biryani rice* with chicken. There is a taj special biryani rice only available on Fridays but unfortunately, we missed it (sold out! so get there before it does!). However, I'm definitely coming back to try it next time! Every single bite was a 10/10. From the garlic naan to the chicken tikka tacos to the samosas, it was all *chef's kiss* . The ambiance of Taj Indian Cuisine is fantastic too--perfect for a date night or just a cozy meal with family. It sets the right mood with its warm and inviting vibe. The only thing I'd say is that I gave it an 8/10 for ambiance, just because it was a bit busy when we visited. In terms of affordability, it was a pleasant surprise. Having grown up with Indian restaurant prices in Massachusetts, where a chicken tikka masala costs around $20-$25, I was happy to see Taj's prices were much more reasonable--our chicken tikka masala was only $16! Definitely an 8/10 for affordability! I can't wait to return to Taj next time I'm in Portland. If you love flavorful, creative Indian cuisine, don't miss this spot!

Food was outstanding. The ambience, waitstaff and service were top notch. I would highly recommend.

There is a reason they have won the hospitality award. They have excellent service. Also the best Indian I have had in Maine hands down. The restaurant is also very nicely renovated. We go here at least once a month for takeout. Lastly, they are wonderful community members who have a freezer with free meals for those in need.

We ordered through Door Dash. Chicken Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, Chili Chicken and Naan. Hands down the best Indian food I've ever had. The chicken in the tikka masala was not the most tender, however, that was not enough to take away a 5-star overall rating. Everything else was just perfect.

When you walk in you're greeted by friendly hosts and seated quickly. The restaurant is quite large with plenty of seating ranging from 2 seaters for dates and tables for large groups. We went on a Sunday for lunch and had the option of the buffet or ordering from their menu. We selected the buffet, which seems to be the most common choice. I think the buffet was $22 ish. There was a decent variety of dishes and appetizers. Vegetarian and non vegetarian options. When we came back to our table we had water and naan waiting. What we didn't like: * there isn't a dedicated server to areas of the restaurant so it seems a bit random on who checks on you, which can be good to be frequently checked on but also bad if nobody is assigned because perhaps some tables could be missed. For instance, we had 2 different servers ask us if we needed anything and we told them both another basket of naan to finish our plates. Neither returned to bring us naan or check if we got it. Another server walked around with naan offering it to several tables and skipped ours. We didn't flag him down because we figured we'd just wrap it up and go about our day. What was great: * I enjoyed the butter chicken, but im a basic white girl. My husband is North Indian and he also enjoyed the butter chicken. We think they did a decent job of making things flavorful with a tiny bit of spice without being too much for those who aren't used to the spices. * I would also say the bathrooms were nicely decorated and clean. * Plenty of parking, making this a great place to meet with friends family or co-workers * Bar seemed popular so im assuming they have a decent list of cocktails

Wow, how the change in venue has been a rebirth for TAJ. TAJ has always had great food as long as they have been open, but the new location (11 months old) has lots of dishes that are not typical to Indian Restaurants. And everything we tried was excellent. I wont list everything we tried, but highlights were the Gobi 65, the Aloo Crepe, and the Mugali (I am certain I spelled that wrong). And the new restaurant is large, clean, modern and very nicely decorated, and very full of people. Make sure to make a reservation because otherwise you are going to wait a long time.

We've been enjoying Taj's delicious food for years but I have not been to their new location until Saturday. Hubby and I ordered their pani puri (a traditional street food which is not commonly found here, we first tried it in Bangkok this year) and vegetable samosas as appetizers. Then for our entree, he ordered spicy butter chicken (the sauce is the best) and while I ordered the chicken vindaloo (medium spicy). We had a side of garlic naan. The naan was a bit dry but tasty as usual. Both entrees were on point. Their prices are reasonable and the ambiance in the new location is much more pleasant. Could be more private though. Service is pretty good but the check process could be more expedient.

Let me start with a regret...I regret that I haven't tried Taj before last Wednesday. OMG - I have been missing out!!! This is some of the best Indian Food I have had in the area. I loved everything about Taj - EVERYTHING They take reservations and I would highly HIGHLY recommend calling to make a reservation. We were here on Wednesday and it was PACKED! We had Naan to start - ALLL SOOO GOOD! And it wasn't drowning in Cilantro, which was perfect because my friends cannot tolerate it. Butter - $2.99 Garlic - $3.99 Cheese with Garlic - $6.99 For my entree I had the Taj Biryani Special, which was a combination of rice cooked in steam with spices. I chose boneless chicken cooked in yogurt, lemon sauce Vegetable - $15.99 | Chicken w/ Egg - $17.99 It was a great portion - I ate half and took half home to enjoy as leftovers. My husband had the chicken tikka masala and it was delicious!! The restaurant is casual and cozy. They can pack a lot of people in that place. It can get very loud in their, so be warned for those that have noise sensitivity. I 1000% recommend Taj, first because he is a kind and charitable person and the food is amazing! Service is amazing! We can't go back. I need to make up for all of the years we didn't visit and should have been.

Ordered take out from here on my way through Portland...WOW! When I got home 90mins later and ate my tikka masala I think there was an actual Indian flavor explosion in my mouth. This is by far the best tikka masala I've ever had and my other half agrees as well. Will definitely be back and highly recommend!

first made a reservation early 445pm and it was packed , sat right dow our nice server explained the drink menu and we got drinks an a app so good it was bonda! i got shrimp manchurian and she got some chicken special only on fri and sat , we both loved meals and had gelato dessert so so good!!! very nice inside very modern!!!

Was in town and wanted to treat some friends to Dinner and ended up going to Taj. Overall, we were very happy. I made a reservation a couple days earlier and was glad I did because it was very busy when we arrived. We got seated right away and our servers were friendly and quick with service. The restaurant is quite nice and moody in the evening, my only critique of the space is the tables are VERY close together. Which makes sense because there is clearly a lot of demand but I felt like we were in other peoples space getting seated and getting up. For apps, we ordered the Samosas, Papad, and Gobi Manchurian. All were solid and the Gobi was my favorite app. For mains we ordered Butter Chicken, Malai Kofta, and Saag Paneer with Rice and Naan. Everything was really good except for the Saag which was a littler watery and mediocre the butter Chicken was VERRRYYY good. Probably one of the better ones I've ordered. Garlic naan was quite good as well.

Went to Taj with the family and we ordered a bunch of entrees which turned out amazing. We got the chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, curry, and lamb khorma. Everything came out hot and fresh as always! I've been to the previous location plenty of times but this was our first time here at the new one and it was great! More space and very modern. Would recommend this place for Indian food!

We didn't know what to expect, we came to Maine from California and heard that it had great seafood and have been disappointed with under seasoned and overpriced food items. We decided to go to Taj Indian Cuisine after another disappointing and mediocre day of food in Downtown Portland. Firstly, the ambiance of the restaurant was impeccable- not a stone unturned, clearly very thoroughly thought out. The lighting is on the dimmer side, supplemented with lamps. The restaurant is super chic and the food paired with the lavish interior perfectly. The menu has an extremely reasonable set of prices, even on the better side of things compared to what we've been eating throughout the week. It has a nice variety of dishes. The portion sizes are great for an individual or family style meal. Everything was well seasoned and rich. The service was good with attentive staff who were sure to replace our water pitchers and clear off dishes. I would 100% recommend for any traveling tourists who like their food seasoned :D If we had found it earlier on in our trip, I'm sure it would've been visited more than once :))

TAJ does not disappoint for their phenomenal lunch buffet, which features over 25 choices; their unique and reasonably priced cocktails prepared by their amazing bartenders; and their delicious dinner entrees. If we're more than two, we always make a reservation, because the word is out and they are busy every night, but especially in the weekends. Their food is really reasonably priced - and the wait staff are professional and friendly. Perfect place for friends, family or a date!

Soo yummy! Ordered takeout here while visiting for the weekend and absolutely loved the food. I tried the vegetable saag, cheese naan with garlic, and vegetable samosas and everything was delicious. The takeout took a little longer than expected since it was a busy Saturday night, but the staff was very friendly and offered us water while we waited which was so nice! The restaurant also looked beautiful -- I'll definitely have to dine in next time I'm in the area!

In the impending apocalypse, if we have one restaurant in Portland to save, it is Taj. The food. The hospitality. The upgraded decor that makes it look like Nobu. We'll start with our waitress who did the Lord's work in answering my father-in-law's questions regarding the menu and how to eat specific foods as authentically as possible. We were admittedly a little more high maintenance than we usually are, and the waitress handled this graciously. Now, the food. After several rounds of take-out, I can confirm the Taj journey must be experienced in person. Starting off with pakora, cholle with batura and pani puri, I realized how much fun eating Indian food is. You are literally battling your family to grab the last pieces of crispy batura (deep fried naan) to dip into the savory cholle (cooked chick peas). I will have visions of myself taking my fork to the plate of pakora and eyeballing the rest of everyone's portions to see if I took too much. I am at peace with myself enough to admit that I love a tikka masala. As 'basic' as it is. I don't care if it's paneer, lamb, chicken or even shrimp. I am eating that. Side note: I do love the lamb khorma here. It's excellent. I can't say it enough. It's just so good. Far better than any Indian food I've found in the Greater Boston area.

Note: This review is for takeout only (order placed via Yelp)! We ordered the: - Butter Chicken (spice level: triple extra mild (0) for the goo-goo-ga-ga-est member of the group) - Veg Samosas - Onion Mirchi Bajji (think: mini Chile Rellenos, served like street tacos) - Paneer Dosa (akin to Ethiopia's Injera; a soft pancake-esque, sour-ish crepey, spongey flatbread) - Lamb Curry (spice level 1) -- YUM. - Cheese Naan w/ Garlic - Garlic Naan - 8 oz. of Raitha (a cooling yogurt-based veggie condiment, perfect for cooling down the extra spice) - Mango Lassis (thick, utterly sweet mango/yogurt smoothies) - Tamarind Chutney (a sweet, citrus-y, syrupy sauce) Everything was beyond delicious. Taj is THE best Indian food in the greater Portland area, if not all of Maine. Their food is authentic, delicious, and made with so much care. Their menu is extensive, not white-washed, and customizable based on your preferred spice level or dietary restrictions (vegetarians and vegans, rejoice)! What I will recommend is to branch out of your comfort zone if new to Indian cuisine. As a notorious creature of habit who tends to order the same dish every time I go to a restaurant, I ordered a few items that I had no idea whether I'd like them or not, and was pleasantly surprised every single time. Butter chicken, tikka masala, or naan are great places to start, but trying something new is incredibly rewarding! Wonderful for takeout, but I've heard that their new space is above and beyond. Locally-owned by wonderful people who are intent on giving back to the local community, too :)

Their new location is so spacious and beautiful!! They were so busy which was nice to see!!! We were sat right away, drink menu was great. Loved that they had Mezcal on the menu!! I ordered the Taj Grill, so much food and so beautifully cooked!!! Flavorful and delicious!! Chicken legs, thigh Tandoori kabobs and shrimp!!

The service, food , and atmosphere Gorgeous new space! Great menu, everything was delicious

PLEASE NOTE: As of August 2024, Taj is in an entirely new location. Any photos you see on Yelp before then are no longer an accurate representation of their space. This might be the best glow-up by any restaurant in Maine ever. We've been fans of Taj since they originally opened in June of 2012. For well over a decade we've enjoyed their incredibly authentic Indian dishes (I only just recently learned that the family travels to India several times a year to get the high quality spices they need). When people ask us what the best Indian food in Maine is? We have never hesitated to tell them: Taj. They've recently moved into a space over THREE TIMES LARGER than the former location. There's an enormous lunch buffet room, a dedicated takeout space (which means no more loitering awkwardly at their entrance/hovering over tables of diners while you wait for your own order), and a chic dining room that feels very modern and trendy (while still maintaining that welcoming vibe that the Guntaka family has done such a great job at creating). The hope is that those - let's be lovingly honest here - always wrong predicted wait times for takeaway should be more accurate moving forward (we would joke, "did they say 60 minutes? it'll probably be closer to 90".... and it always was). Regarding dining in? THEY'RE TAKING RESERVATIONS NOW. That changes a lot. The food is as exceptional as always. The new tightened up in-person menu clearly labels what's already vegan and what can be made vegan by ordering it with coconut milk. I think our new fave order is: 1. Veggie Samosa - with tamarind sauce, it comes two to an order; homemade pastry stuffed with creamy potato. 2. Gobi Manchurian - fried cauliflower seasoned with spices, and covered with a sweet and spicy sauce that just adds a different flavor profile from everything else. 3. Papads - so crunchy! 4. Coconut chutney and mint chutney - the coconut one is also peanutty and so thick; the mint one is thinner in texture but adds such a pop of brightness. 5. Dal curry - yellow lentils sauteed with onions, tomatoes, cumin and garlic. Total comfort food. 6. Aloo saag - hearty chunks of potatoes cooked with ginger and garlic in fresh, creamy spinach. This is so much more filling than you think it's going to be. 7. Veg Korma - fresh vegetables cooked in a cashew nut gravy (must be substituted with coconut milk to make it vegan). So thick, so creamy, so decadent. ^ This order is for two people. Yes, it is always too much food. But, it's also always too delicious to stop eating long after the point of being "so full I couldn't possibly have another bite" (she says as she scrapes every last ounce of sauce from bowl into her mouth). Also... they've got a cocktail program now! We can't recommend enough the Kermala Coconut Mojito (rum, coconut milk, lime, and mint - it's refreshing!) and the Masala Martini (mango nectar, vodka, lime, pineapple juice, and chaat masala - it's a little sweet, a little spicy, a little salty; it satisfies all the taste buds), both of which compliment the food so well. CONGRATS, SAI, HEMALATHA, AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY. Your passion for community continues to shine on, and you so, so, soooooooooooooo deserve this. Let's go Taj 2.0!

I have not been to Taj in a few years, and they are now in a new, huge space right next-door to urban air in Clark's pond. Taj has always been one of my favorites - but my problem is none of my other family members enjoy Indian food as much as I do so I always get out voted. I actually decided to come here today by myself for a nice buffet lunch and so glad I did! Taj is STILL one of my favorites! First off, the new space is wonderful! The decor is upscale, and there is a big room that is strictly for all of the buffet while the seating is in a different area. Much different than their last location you were standing in line for the buffet next to somebody's table where they were trying to eat. There is also a pretty bar with seating around it. Waitstaff is plentiful and as attentive and friendly as ever. The buffet had a lot of options, both with meat and vegetarian. I noticed a lot of gluten-free options, which advise they are gluten-free on the tag. All the favorites that I used to have at the old Taj! Notable mention goes to the tandoori chicken, the butter chicken, and saag paneer. Everything was cooked wonderfully and was delicious! The chicken could be cut with a fork it was so tender. The place was absolutely packed, so there was no food that had been sitting around on the buffet for any length of time. High honors goes to the simple dessert of mango fruit custard, and these delicious little sweetened balls of brown sugar and almond meal (maybe?) whatever they are, if you see them on the dessert bar, get them! Put them with the mango custard, and it was so good!

Friggin awesome take out. It was a really nice and welcomed change from Thai or pizza.

The food is just delicious and service is fantastic! Lemon Drop Martini was perfect! Thank you

Poor service, and mediocre food! Not even hot after a long wait Not an inviting atmosphere and staff rude

I love Taj! Some of the BEST Indian food I've ever had. I always do take out as I'm usually at work. It usually takes a while sine they're always busy - because the food is that good!! I had Shrimp Korma made with coconut milk, Chicken Tika Masala, also with coconut milk and an Eggplant dish with a tomato based sauce. All absolutely fabulous. Served with basmati rice; had enough for at least 4 meals. Also an appetizer that was gluten-free made with spinach and? A fritter type dish, that was also great. Still have that leftover, needs to be reheated in an oven. The other thing I love about Taj is that you can order all dishes as mild or as spicy as you want. Great for all!! The dining room looks beautiful and comfy. I need to relax and have lunch there soon. It was close to 9:15 pm when I picked up my order and people were still eating, as well picking up takeout. They close at 9:00 pm. Highly recommend you stop in if you're in the area and like Indian - you will not be disappointed.

We had good a couple of times here while passing through Portland, ME. They have this new restaurant, which is really nice and upscale. The food is authentic Indian food and very delicious. Their mild was spicy for us :) we have a low tolerance for spice anyway. The wait staff was just ok. I'd recommend this place for food and ambiance. Also, sweet that yelp gave a coupon on check-in :)

My first time at the new location. Wow, they did a great upgrade job. More tables, bigger bar, and larger buffet room. The serving puts are really good too, they have glass tops to see the food, the lids close slowly, each had its own serving spoon, and there's room to set your plate down if you need to. They put in a lot of thought and good choices. And the buffet room is separated from the seating area. The bar is nice size, handling about 10 seats. I came around 1pm and the seats dining was full so I ate at the bar. The food is still great. The tandoori chicken were talky good, but no complaints with any of the other items. You can eat most diets here, veg or meat. I had the buffet and a mango Lassi, it came to around $20 which I think is very reasonable. So load light and go often!

Absolutely love the new location , the addition of a bar and the can not wait to go back for the buffet. The food was some of the best Indian food I have had in Maine. The chicken tiki Marsala was perfect the samosas full of delicious spices, and the pakora was excellent . The service was amazing even as busy as they were every one was helpful and efficient. The bartender even makes some of his own specialty alcohol. The limoncello was wonderful. It was very busy so a reservation would be a good idea. Will return again soon

I have enjoyed garlic naan, chicken and goat tikka, butter chicken and goat korma I love Indian food and while I'm not an expert, I have tasted good Indian cuisine and VERY good Indian food and Taj is Very good. It would be the first place I would recommend in Portland area. Food was fantastic and service was exceptional. The ambiance and decour is lovely and the inside was very clean. 5 stars no question (unless there is a 6th star available).

All I can say is WOW!!! The food, the dining room, the service were all 10/10. We walked in without a reservation and they were able to fit us in quickly. We ordered samosas, dosas, tikka masala, and vindal. Can't wait to come back!

The best dam Indian food in Maine hands down!!! The buffet is phenomenal!! Everything is fresh and delicious!!! I want to go every day!!

This place was packed at 7PM on a Sunday evening and now I know why. The Tikka Masala was amazing paired with garlic naan. The bartenders are super friendly and great at making strong, delicious drinks.

Taj never disappoints.... I brought a friend who was visiting for the night. So glad we made a reservation. It was packed on a Friday night as expected. The palak paneer is my Jam!! so we ordered that and the aloo gobi with some garlic naan and we left fully satiated (with leftovers that I knew the kids would 'fight' over) with smiles on our faces I will return again and again.

Came to Taj tonight to celebrate birthdays with 5 friends - the space is lovely- very upscale - greeted very warmly at the door- food was excellent- service was excellent- We stayed quite awhile (much, much longer than I thought-) never felt pressured at all. Will be coming back soon- highly recommend Taj!

Lived in Portland for a few months and this was a place my coworker and I ate at every week! Absolutely hands down, the best Indian restaurant I've ever eaten at! Go, you won't regret it. Well mannered helpful staff. Always a pleasure. Some favorites were Hakka noodles, the fried chickpea covered jalapeños, tikka masala, the naan, and more! Yum yum yum!

The staff are incredible here and so is the food. So attentive and professional. Willing to explain the different foods, answer any questions etc. The best service I have ever had in Maine. The service DURING THE BUFFET puts to shame all other "fancy" restaurants in portland that are 2-3 times the price, with average food and poor service. It was, and every time I go, extremely busy, whether for lunch buffet or dinner. Yet I feel like that shouldn't be a reason to give 4 stars, it's not cramped, it is just not to my personal preference to be in a super busy place like that in a small dining area. There is something for everyone on the menu, you might not know what that is if you are not familiar with indian food. In which case go to the buffet! Then you can go for a dinner another time once you know your favorite dishes. The food is just amazing, very fresh. Top 3 of dozens of indian restaurants I have been to around country and the UK. I leave and a few hours later i'm already looking forward to the next time I plan on going. (will add pictures later)

Never eaten such bad Indian food. we ordered four common Indian dishes, chicken tikka masala, ,Rogan Josh , malai kofta and Saag paneer. First three were all cooked in same one sauce and tasted same. Saag paneer was watery and contained tiny pieces of paneer. It tasted terrible..I am an American of Indian origin and know what good Indian food is. This was terrible. It is disgraceful to call it ' Indian cousin' Service and ambiance were good. Yash 0 star

Excellent service and excellent food. Very nice decor and what seems to be a nice outdoor dining area. The vindaloo and naan were absolutely spot on with flavor. I personally like it spicier which I was told next time ask for 10 out of 10 for spice. The only reason it's not 5 stars is I thought it was a bit pricy. Def a great spot.