Taj Indian Cuisine

First time and wow... Just wow. An explosion of flavor. I found the medium heat to be too much for me over all the dishes. I would definitely mix in some milder heat next time. No complaints though everything was fantastic. The missing pic was the Biryani. Ordered that just to take home. It is a chef special and it's delicious. Can't wait to go back and try the lunch buffet.

First time dining at Taj after having it on my “list” for a very long time, and it did not disappoint. Many aspects of this restaurant impressed me. The high quality of the ingredients was very noticeable, in particular the dishes which had coconut milk in them were VERY creamy and delicious. I also appreciate the portion sizes - very good value. The service was also really great. Our server was able to provide recommendations and speak on the specifics of each dish to help us decide (because I’ll eat anything so it’s hard to choose). We started with the masala dosa and WOW it was unlikely any dosa I’d had before. The texture was so addictive, I could eat one every day. For our entree, we shared saag lamb and the chicken chettinadu and coconut naan. Everything was so delicious. The meat dishes were so flavorful and very tender and I absolutely loved the texture and flavor of the naan. I think in a time when going out to eat feels like a luxury, this is the perfect place to come. The attention to detail is excellent from the food to the atmosphere. It’s a beautiful restaurant overall (I’m obsessed with the bathroom wallpaper) and I look forward to returning.

The food here was delicious and fresh. We definitely liked the special cocktails they were tasty and strong. We also liked the Naan here it was very thin and fresh. Would recommend if you are looking for Indian food in Portland.

A Flavorful Experience at Taj Indian Cuisine! Our first visit to Taj Indian Cuisine was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment we stepped in, the rich aroma of spices filled the air, setting the tone for an authentic and memorable dining experience. The ambiance was warm and intimate, with dim lighting and charming little lanterns on each table that created a cozy, inviting atmosphere. The service was impeccable—attentive, friendly, and professional. We appreciated the thoughtful touch of a water pitcher on each table, which was promptly refilled throughout our meal. Every interaction with the staff was pleasant, making us feel truly welcomed. Now, let’s talk about the food—absolutely phenomenal! We tried the Green Chicken, and it did not disappoint. Every bite was packed with bold flavors, perfectly seasoned, and cooked to perfection. The dish had a wonderful balance of heat and richness, making it an instant favorite. If you’re looking for an exceptional Indian dining experience in a charming, intimate setting, Taj is a must-visit. Be sure to make a reservation—it’s worth it! We’ll definitely be back for more. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Highly recommend!

We absolutely love Taj! When we moved to Maine we were so glad we found this place. We love our Indian food and this did not disappoint. From the small restaurant they had to their now upscale restaurant the quality has been consistently amazing. We love the atmosphere, the friendly staff, the amazing food and is always our go to for a celebration. Tonight (Mother's Day) was perfect and the best meal we have had to date at Taj. I also loved the coconut mojito! I would say to book because this place is popular and rightfully so!

Came here for dinner with friends, I booked a reservation so we were seated right when we arrived. It’s a very busy place with quite the wait time so highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time. The food was delicious, the spice level was just right. The mango drink was great, tasted fresh and real mango not just flavoring. The service was slow, it takes a minute to get the attention of your server. The lighting inside the restaurant was very dim. I understand the new aesthetic is low lighting but the lighting was so dim it caused eye strain and was difficult to see the menu. I’d definitely come back definitely for lunch, highly recommend this restaurant!

Taj Indian in Portland isn’t a bad spot, especially since it’s the only halal Indian option in the area. The staff is really nice, and the food is decent, but the long wait times and dim lighting take away from the overall vibe.

Wow, Taj Indian Cuisine, you absolutely hit the spot today! My soul genuinely needed what you were serving up. The Chicken Korma was incredibly rich and creamy, with that perfect balance of spices that just sings on the palate. And the Garlic Naan? Perfectly pillowy and fragrant, ideal for scooping up every last bit of that delicious sauce. To top it all off, the Fig Old Fashioned was a revelation – a sophisticated and unique twist on a classic, the ideal companion to a truly comforting meal. Thank you, Taj, for an experience that was just what my soul craved!

Always inviting, always that feeling of coming home. My favorite go-to restaurant. I just need to experiment more; I had the hibiscus chutney last time and the complexity of flavors just blew me away. Thank you Sai, thank you Auntie- miss you Vini

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.

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 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.

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!!

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.

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 :)

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 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.

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

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.

Some of the best Indian food in southern Maine. Take-out or eat-in, they provide top-notch delights. Their new location is a big step up from the old, but is noisier!

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.

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

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!

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!

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.

Went here for the lunch buffet and as usual a it was amazing here! This is my go to spot for Indian food and you won't get any better. They opened a new location right by the old one and it is very nice inside and there are so many seating options. They also have a cool new bar setup as well. The buffet is one of the best deals around. Went up three times to refill my plate and they also give you some naan on the side as well. From the goat curry, to the butter chicken, to the chicken byrani it is all amazing! 100% would recommend coming here and checking out their new spot for the lunch buffet or just a dinner. You will not be disappointed.

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).

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!

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

My friend and I had a good experience getting takeout from Taj. The channa saag was excellent and my friend enjoyed her chicken tikka masala. The pakora was flavorful and texturally satisfying. I think fresh it would have been even crispier. The one thing that is keeping me from giving it five stars is that the veggie samosas were kind of... bad. They were soft, not crispy on the outside, and the filling was bland. It was like they totally forgot to add the spices. Very odd given how delicious everything else was. But that's definitely not enough to stop me from coming again!

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 :)

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.

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

Excellent food, ambiance and service. The biryani was legitimately one of the best I've had. Will definitely visit again when in Portland.

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!

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!

Not only was it our first time at Taj, it was our first time trying Indian food! Taj was highly recommended, and it lives up to the hype. We had the chicken tikka masala, saag paneer, garlic naan, and garlic and cheese naan. Everything was delicious. We also tried a few of their cocktails, which were also excellent. Service was good, and it's a beautiful restaurant with great ambiance. We will be back!

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)

Delicious Saturday buffett with plenty to choose from even gluten free dishes if you are looking for that. The tandoori chicken piece was fresh and delicious. You definitely should try this restaurant. Staff are extremely nice and accommodating. Got a chai tea as well and it is delicious . Nothing like those sweetened powdery mix. If you wish you can add sugar. I like mine as is. There's plenty of parking. No reason for you not to try it. I can definitely take more heat but those who are worried being spicy it is not. So definitely try and support local businesses. Towards the end of week and weekend buffett is $18.99 per person and other days $15.99. A real steal! Where can you go and get home made , fresh foods and try other cuisine for this price? Pretty hard to find if you ask me.

Had many great experiences es at the old location. Recently tried the buffet at the new location and was very disappointed. It's a beautiful restaurant. The food did not match the location. We arrived about 30 minutes after opening. Everything was lukewarm in the chafing dishes. I ate only the vegetarian/vegan selections, and they were bland. Spiciness was no problem. Maybe it was different with the meat selections. No red onion chutney, no gulag jamun, and the metal dish for desserts is tiny, but no problem, I just took more than one because I love mango pudding. We will try again, just to make sure this wasn't just an off day. My favorite part of the experience--- I love the bathroom wallpaper!

Hands down the best Indian cuisine in Southern Maine. We have been regulars to this amazing restaurant for years! Highly recommend stopping by and checking out their new establishment.

Fabulous food and service. Absolutely delicious Indian food and I can't recommend highly enough. Free parking as well!

Went for a birthday dinner and was pleasantly surprised. Atmosphere was modern with dim lights throughout. Staff was attentive and helpful with helping steer choices for the evening. Food was delicious and plentiful.

LOVE Taj! Order early online because there will be a long wait. My favorite meal is the Molai Kofta, I also like the saag paneer and curry eggplant. I usually get the medium spice which is perfect for me (similar to a 2). My kids also love this place, especially the chicken korma.

This is the best restaurant in the Portland area and deserves all the notoriety it gets. And then some. Somebody send the Michelin testers over there. They moved to a new location and every detail is meticulously thought out-- the plates have a TAJ engraving, the cocktails are unique, they have Slovenian orange wine, the tin ceiling... the emerald green.. I'm getting lost reminiscing about this scenic abyss. The food is phenomenal, comes out hot and QUICKLY. AND THE PRICES ARE NORMAL, if NOT UNCHANGED SINCE THE LAST LOCATION! TAJ is a breath of fresh air in Portland's otherwise overpriced and over-glorified food scene. Really, they are so excellent and every staff member was kind, quick, and attentive. Will come again, and again, and again.

Great Indian restaurant in Portland. Sophisticated ambiance and expansive layout. The food was fresh and delicious. We ordered mirchi pakoras and onion bhaji, both freshly out of the frying pan. Chicken tikka masala was fantastic Saag paneer was good a bit in the milder side. Mango lassi was top notch, albeit in a warm glass! Overall great hospitality and experience

If I could give this place 6 stars I would. Absolutely everything was seasoned to perfection and delicious. I cannot wait for the opening of their new location in the Old Port I hope it ensures steady business and keeps them around a long time. The meal portions are large enough to be satisfying and none of the food is oily in that americanized Indian food way. It's definitely my go to Indian spot in Maine and worth trying.

Had the lunch buffet which was totally delicious and varied. Tons of choices. The service was excellent. The restaurant, itself, is very beautiful. A wonderful find.

Let me start by saying the food was fantastic! I had the Taj Special Chicken Biryani and the mango lassi. Hubby had the chicken tikka masala and that was delightful as well. We also shared the cheese and garlic naan (chefs kiss). The loss of star has to do with service. We got there just before 5pm on a Sunday and they were already pumping out to go orders but only 3 or 4 tables had been seated. When they took our order they said it would be a "little longer" which we were ok with. What we weren't told was that meant an hour, which seemed excessive for those dining in.

Yelp reviews led me astray. I had my hopes up for this place. It is a small restaurant. I tried the 18.99 lunch buffet and think I would have been better off ordering from the menu. The first thing I noticed was the tamarind sauce was watered down. I've never seen this done before. It should be thick. There was no mint chutney. The yogurt sauce was unremarkable. The available sauces was basically tasteless. The buffet was hot and all the metal containers were closed but what was strange? Was the metal spoons with plastic handles were all inside the containers. I also have never seen this before so when I lifted spoons they were pretty hot and so uncomfortable to hold. I was excited to see they had sambal, however, they do not give you any bowl or cup. You're supposed to use the tiny condiment metal container for the sambal. I've never seen that before either so you get a tiny bit and there was really nothing in the sambal. It did have a good flavor. The tandoori chicken was burnt and that's all I could taste was the burnt flavor really burnt on the edges. Plus they don't give you a knife to cut it with. I was using a fork and spoon as the knife. The naan unremarkable. I love non-and I usually eat too much but I guess it's a good thing because I only had a few bites. There was biryani rice that was OK, but I found something strange in the rice that kind of grossed me out. I have posted a picture. I couldn't figure out what it was. Maybe an old piece of meat. There was plain basmati rice which was average. Was one of the rice dish that looked oily, and old, which I did not have. They had vegetable curry, and like a spinach curry. The curry had a good flavor and were the best things in my opinion in the buffet. But not the goat curry. You could very fish out any actual meat. There were lots of bones and lots of liquid. I got a couple pieces of goat and it was very tough. I ate one bite and that was it. They had butter chicken and one other kind of chicken which was unremarkable , but the chicken was better than the tandoori chicken. I was really disappointed by the dessert offerings. They had a liquidy mango thing that was just not appealing. I didn't even try it. The had the worst ladu I have ever had. I I think that they even cheated on the ingredients. It basically broke apart when I touched it with a fork and tasted like toasted uncooked cream of wheat. I spit it out it was that bad. The staff was attentive and cleared plates right away and wipe up spills by the buffet right away. They give you a small bottle of filtered water.with your buffet. I use their bathroom and when I noticed was the door had black smudge marks both inside and out that look like it had never been cleaned and the bathroom smelled like pee --- so they don't keep the bathroom clean. There was soap and paper towels, although the paper towel dispenser wasn't working. So some others have commented that this is the best Indian restaurant in Portland, which indicates that there is no good Indian restaurant in Portland and unless ordering enough, the menu gets you something decent but the buffet was very disappointing and very overpriced for the quality of the food you shouldn't have to fish out, the vegetables and meat from the container that is mainly sauce when you arrive early for lunch. If I had to guess, with the buffet being mainly sauces and little meat or veggies, and the meat being tough...I think that it is leftover buffet. I looked at photos from someone else's buffet meal here on Yelp and it looks like less sauce and more veggies and meat ratio. So maybe the buffet is better on the weekdays. I will not be back to see though. With tip my meal was 23.59. The one thing the got right was the temperature of the food. The buffet didn't have any lentil dish nor any paneer.

Authentic, incredibly tasty food. Cook to your own heat tolerance. Wonderful service. Make a reservation!

I've been going to Taj for probably a decade, especially for their legendary lunch buffets, and I can't say enough good things about it. The food is great, the service is great, and their new location is just gorgeous. It's got that sweet bougie interior reminiscent of fancy Old Port restaurants. They've also now got a full bar and I don't drink, but it looks goooood. It's very family friendly, they are amazing with my daughter. It's her favorite restaurant. One day when she was about 3, we were getting close to the end of our meal and staff was coming by periodically to clear off the table. Every time they did, she guarded her naan bread furiously, telling them in no uncertain terms that she was NOT done!!!! When we left, they gave her free naan for the road!

My first time at Taj was wonderful, although very busy during school vacation break. The interior was lovely and the seating was expansive. We didn't take advantage of the buffet and ordered off the menu. Staff did a great job given how busy it was. Our entrees were delicious - Butter Chicken, eggplant curry and mutter with paneer. The naan was fantastic.

This place is SO great. We've ordered takeout many times before and always had great food. Today we decided to pick up, and lucky for us we got to see their new location. Come to find out they do a buffet lunch from 11-2 which we are beyond excited to come back and try. I can't wait to taste the whole menu and change up my future take out orders. As far as drinks - the bar is comfortable and lovely. We started with the margarita with curry that was phenomenal. We also got to try their collab beer with Oxbow which was great. It was a nice right down the middle smoothing drinking beer. It is my firm belief that you will only have a great experience here.