Royal India

I have grown up eating Indian food all my life and this is the best I've ever had. I've been to other Indian restaurants in the area and had a decent experience. But Royal India takes it to a whole new level. The ambience and service were excellent! But the food is unbelievable. After having our onion bhaji, we ordered another round! They were that good. I had the chicken tikki masala as my main entree (spicy) and it blew my mind away. I really liked my spinach nan as well. Even the Martinis were amazing. Run; do not walk, to this restaurant. You will not be disappointed!

Pros: Great food!

Cons: X X X

Posted 05/19/09

I really enjoyed the dinner I had at Royal India, and felt that it was well worth the money. I tried the veggie samosas which were yummy. The chickpeas and eggplant with poori bread were quite impressive as well. I really liked their masala chai as well. Royal India is a perfect restaurant to enjoy vegan/vegetarian dinner.

Pros: Great vegetarian menu!

Cons: I did not find any

Posted 05/14/09

Royal India restaurant was recommended by the chief concierge at Manchester Hyatt and we are so pleased that I had to comeback and write something about it. The food is far far better than any other Indian restaurant I have visited in San Diego, and on top of that the Managers know the food and explain to the fullest with a pleasant smile. I would recommend the restaurant to any one who wants to enjoy a delightful meal with a smile

Pros: Great customer service

Cons: Parking

Posted 05/12/09

We had a limited menu so I can't comment for a whole menu, but for what it was the food was excellent and anticipating great experience on my return. The office was honoring our CEO from overseas and he is a hard man to please but Royal India did a great job. The ambiance was very impressive. The staff shined and the overall experience was an A+. Our event coordinator (Paola) was very impressed.

Pros: Staff, food & ambiance

Posted 05/10/09

I simply can't get enough of Royal India for the best Indian food I have ever had. I mean, I've only been once for a friend's birthday but now I'm just envisioning going back time and again. First there is the design, truly impressive. Lots of stone work,deep wood work and plush reds carpet. I love that you can understand the menu it is brief with description. Then there mojitos -- I am a bit of a mojito snob but they have awesome drinks and they really do a good job of getting a cross section. Third, there is the food. Wow! A great variety of flavors, mostly authentic flavors and, large portions. Basically there is something for everyone and from what I could tell it's all good. I was with a pretty large party so we ordered a lot of little things which means I was able to try a lot and each dish was better than the next. And speaking of parties, I know we were a pain, but our server was just a doll. She was really on top of it and gave us space but was there when we needed... I will definitely be going back, and when I learned that they have a private room, well it made me want an excuse for a party!

Pros: the best curry in California

Posted 04/27/09

My mother in law from Chicago gave us the gift certificate for dinner at Royal India and the certificate was mailed by the management to our address in San Diego. We were seated at the anniversary special booth by the waterfall and the experience was wonderful that I thought I must express my views. The mojitos and papadum were delicious to start with. My favorite Lamb Korma and Mango Chicken with spicy prawn chilli ginger curry and nan breads were amazing. What a curry and what an evening. Our best anniversary dinner in ten years.
Thanks for making our anniversary dinner so special with the best Indian food in San Diego.

Pros: The lamb Korma was awsome

Posted 04/26/09

I am a consultant living in San Francisco. I just finished a 3 week project in San Diego and once again admired your city and enjoyed great restaurant Royal India during our company dinner in the Gaslamp.

Our company dinner at Royal India was one of the best dinner our company has ever had. There are many Indian restaurants in San Francisco so our company CEO picked Royal India in the gaslamp for our dinner.

We were served Indian Mojito and Mango Martini for drinks and as appetizers Shrimp Pakora, Garlic mint chicken pakora, Samosa with chutneys was absolutely delicious and crisp. That was the best Mojito I have ever had and refreshing mango martini was superb.

The dinner was Lamb Korma, Mango pineapple chicken, vegetable chilli ginger, chicken garlic kabab and chicken chilli masala. assortment of breads. We all agree that even though there are lot of Indian restaurants in San Francisco but the food served by Royal India was by far the best Indian food we have had.

The owners were were very accommodating and did champagne toast with us. I wish Royal India had a branch in San Francisco , I would eat there daily.

Thanks a lot Royal India for great drinks, curry, service and setup.

Pros: The best Indian food in all aspects

Posted 04/19/09

I have been in San Diego for 15 years and love Indian food. I have eaten in almost all the Indian restaurants. Indian food is flavor, authentic recipes and great taste. Royal India in the gaslamp has the most authentic Indian food. We tried Prawn pepper masala, lamb korma , mint nan, and Rus Malai. Royal India is undoubtedly the best Indian food I have ever tried.

Pros: Best Indian food

Posted 04/14/09

Simply amazing. After eating at Royal India, I came to a conclusion that it was the best food I've had this whole year, the best Mojito I've ever tasted and not to mention one of the most outstanding services provided! Royal India is perfect in all senses. The food was extraordinary. We had: Seekh kabab (SO Juicy and Fresh!), Basmati Rice, Chicken Tikka Masala & Prawn Pepper Masala and the Nan bread. I seriously have nothing negative to say about this place.

Pros: Perfect Indian restaurant!

Cons: None

Posted 04/14/09

Royal India is by far one of the best Indian restaurants in Gaslamp area.The dishes they prepare are authentic, flavorful and cooked to perfection. My favorite dish is the Chicken Mango pineapple with Kabuli Nan. Service is friendly and the restaurant looks beautiful. Keep it up guys!

Pros: Authentic and freshness

Cons: Parking sometimes

Posted 04/09/09

I went to eat there on the recommendation of a colleague who swore by the quality. I rate any restaurant on the following
-Quality of Food : In this case, it was nice, fresh and flavorful .
-Price: Price is nothing but value for your money and for the serving size and quality, I think it was fairly priced.
-Attitude of staff: excellent, knowledgeable and friendly.
Based on my experience, I will rate Royal India as the Best Indian restaurant in Gaslamp area and I will highly recommend this place.

Pros: Quality, Value and Servive

Cons: None

Posted 04/07/09

It was a magical experience at Royal India. Very comfortable seating with romantic candle light ambiance and first class service. Very elegant and relaxing atmosphere because of all the elements of nature surround you like water, wood, stone etc..... . We tried the Samosa appetizer that came with mint lemon chutney and a sweet chutney wow the samosas would melt in your mouth. Chicken curry with tender meat and some tomato curry and lamb kebab that was served on a sizzling platter. I liked the food and the ambiance with very professional service very much and will be back at Royal India for another great meal.!

Posted 02/25/09

This Indian restaurant in San Diego is the best I've tasted. I took my family there and we enjoy the customer service and the great Indian Food. I would refer anyone to this San Diego Indian Restaurant.

Posted 02/24/09

Heard about Royal India and was fortunate enough to have an opportunity to try it. It was a magical experience. Very nice and comfortable seating and first class service. I ambiance was so elegant and relaxing because of all the elements of nature surround you like water, wood, stone etc...Don't think I can eat at any other Indian restaurant . I would highly recommend one of those Indian beers. There is a huge selection and the waiter was helpful in directing us to one that we'd like best. I very much enjoyed Royal India!

Pros: Good food and great ambience

Cons: None

Posted 02/03/09

I met a girl friend downtown for lunch and we wanted to try Indian restaurant. We tried Lunch Buffet at Royal India for a change of pace. There was a decent variety and the food looked fresh. Couple of Salads, Yogurt dressing and tandoori chicken with fresh nan bread would have been enough for me in $12 but there were 5 or 6 different Indian curries. Sambosas, Rice and desserts. All in all awsome quality and taste. Our server was female, and extremely attentive. The food was very good, and my friend and I had a wonderful visit together. When I got home I telephoned the restaurant to let them know how very pleasant our server was. Too many times people complain about poor service and fail to acknowledge good service. At this restaurant we experienced both great Indian food and wonderful service.

Pros: wonderful variety and taste

Posted 01/26/09

My husband and I live in the San Diego region and have been to Royal India twice in the past few weeks. The first time was at the recommendation of the owner of the SD Wine and Culinary Institute. He said Royal India was one of his favorites. That night I had the Lamb korma and it was one of the best korma I've had in 30 years of eating well throughout the US, Europe, and India. Last night we took my husband's sister. She's from Kansas and not familiar with Indian food at all. We shared the Mango soup (makes you moan with pleasure), Royal bread basket (Coconut Nan is the best) as an appetizers. They were all EXCELLENT. As entrees, my sister-in-law loved her Chicken tikka masala. My husband had the tandoori Salmon and loved it, and I very much enjoyed the Chicken korma-wonderful! We also thought the bottle of Simi Chardonnay we had with dinner was delicious. The service was excellent from start to finish in both our experiences, and the people who helped us were each fascinating and friendly. Since my sister-in-law and I were there celebrating our Dec birthdays, they gave us a complimentary Champagne. Royal India is one of those must try restaurants!!

Posted 01/15/09

I m an Indian working in medicine in San Diego. This is the first time I am writing usually I do not comment but wow I was impressed and thought I must express myself about Royal India and its Indian food. I dine out 10 times in a month at San Diego's marvelous restaurants. Royal India trumps them all. In my 30's and having dined in some outstanding restaurants in Europe and USA I can honestly say Royal India is up there with the best of them for a total dining experience. My wife and I selected the special menu Royal Dinner for two...marvelous food, exquisite appetizer Samosa, Chicken Chilli ginger , Chicken Garlic Kabab, onion Nan... all of the highest quality. excellent presentation and service. We ended our dinner with Gulab Jaman dessert and it was great dinner. Only criticism ...and it is minor we had to drive couple of rounds for parking. I strongly recommend this restaurant. World class and deserving of congratulations and support. I will be back.

Pros: It was a wow curry

Cons: Parking

Posted 01/12/09

We, the management and owners of Royal India restaurants are deeply saddened to learn that one of our competitors had stooped to the levels of hostile insanity and has been impersonating as one of our ex-employees and posting reviews in an impetuous effort to hinder the reputation of our company.

We do not intend to indulge in this unprofessional and vindictive attitude of our business rivals but instead continue focusing on the raising the bar for the quality of Indian food in southern California along with exceptional standards of hospitality to all our customers who have been very loyal to Royal India for years now due to their own first hand experience.
We take immense pleasure and honor in thanking all our patrons for giving us an opportunity to serve them and their families

Always serving authentic food with due hospitality
Royal India Restaurant

Posted 01/11/09

I have never been to a party with Indian D J bollywood style in San Diego and my friend told me about Royal India organizing a D J party for New Year so I bought ticket for myself and my wife. Being from India I really wanted to have some Indian style fun and dance. It was a house full party we did not expect so many people for an Indian party. We had dinner the the menu was Samosa, Tandoori Chicken, two salads, Chicken tikka masala, lamb curry, channa masala, Indian noodles , Chilli paneer and desserts during the dinner there was live singing and the the food was delicious but the D J party is going to be in our memories for long time. Almost 150 people on the dance floor from the beginning to end. Few people had brought their American friends and it was great to see them dancing Indian style as well. WOOO we could not stop dancing and the drinks in the bar was awsome. New year eve toast and all the dance is unforgettable night. Thanks you Royal India and wish you a successful 2009.

Pros: First time such a great Indian party and it was fantastic

Cons: too many people

Posted 01/10/09

My Girlfriend and I were staying in downtown Marriot San Diego. We came to San Diego for a Vacation and to watch Chargers game. When we asked the concierge, Royal India was one of the few restaurants they recommended. Not much familiar with Indian cuisine we thought we will give Royal India a try. So we went to Royal India since it was only two blocks away from Marriot.We were thoroughly pleased with the whole experience.We told the waitress when we were seated that we were not much familiar with the Indian cuisine. So on her recommendations we ordered Veggie Samosa, Chicken tikka Masala, Lamb Rogan Josh and Garlic Nan and we ordered it medium spicy. I can assure it was the best meal of my life. Fresh and full of flavors and spiced just right. Our waitress Lisa was very friendly, knowledgeable about the menu and professional. We also enjoyed the extensive cocktail menu; a sweet, icy mojito was just what I needed to get in the right spirit for the Game!The restaurant has a very warm and elegant look to it. I will absolutely return to Royal India.

Pros: Great location

Cons: None what so ever

Posted 01/10/09

What a FANTASTIC meal! Don't miss the Chicken korma or the Eggplant Bengan bhartha With Garlic nan. Best Indian food in San Diego. My only complaint is that we needed bigger stomachs! Go with a group so you can try a little of everything.

Posted 12/09/08

I recently moved here from London and was looking for a good Indian restaurant in Gaslamp, and all the people i asked, recommended Royal India to me. The food was better than i expected .The atmosphere with a water fountain, painting on the wall and the candle lights is amazing. You have to experience to see the difference.

Pros: Chicken korma, ambience and great service

Posted 11/04/08

I read the review about Royal India's Indian cuisine in the union tribune today and our company decided to try lunch buffet at Royal India. We loved both the salads, all the chutneys including the mango and yogurt dressing. I loved the samosa with mint chutney and tandoori chicken with tamarind chutney. It was an outstanding experience.
Talking about curry OH MY GOD I am addicted to Royal India the roasted chicken cooked in creamy tomato curry I believe its Chicken Tikka Masala and palak paneer the spinach item with farmers cheese in it and vegetables in coconut curry with cashew paste is really great and I agree with the review by Margret King the food editor that it is addictive.
I do not like it spicy but the chicken curry and lamb curry looked very tempting.
The fresh Nan bread was awesome and I mean it.
Two Desserts the silky mango and the rice pudding are must try and Royal India is on our list for once a week office lunch. It was a hearty and satisfying experience.

Pros: Good price, Great Quality

Posted 10/22/08

Beautiful decor and Delicious food plus courteous staff, what more do you want? I love Indian food and Royal India is exceptional! I'd recommend the classic chicken tikka masala and their Kabuli Naan to go with it, heaven in your mouth... And the Mango chutney, simply can't get enough! And the added bonus is that, you can eat outside. I can't wait to go back...

Pros: Beautiful decor and Delicious food

Cons: Parking sometimes.

Posted 10/21/08

?Seems like the real deal for good Indian food?
Ate here last night and it was very good - their tandoori stuff come on sizzling platter WOW Thats cool, really cool. Nice selections of curries and - the best tasting Nan I have ever had. Everyone spoke of Royal India for Indian food at my work. Had a chicken garlic kabab which was obviously freshly made. Very nice hostess and waiters - great people. Would recommend this to everyone.

Pros: Its all great

Cons: Looking for parking but then found free in horton plaza

Posted 10/09/08

Visiting from Chicago we were looking for a good restaurant in San Diego and the concierge at Hotel Del Recommended Royal India. After whole day on the beach in coronado we decided to go to Royal India in the Gaslamp of Down town San Diego. Royal India is a beautiful Indian restaurant. The decor is very elegant. It looks like the designer did fantastic job on it. It's a designer restaurant.
My kids ordered Mango Pineapple curry served with rice.
Myself and John ordered Spicy Lamb Rogan Josh and Wine Garlic Curry with chicken.
My kids loved it so much that Julia said Indian food in Chicago does not taste the same this is really good. This is delicious mommy. Its better then pasta.
Our lamb Rogan Josh was very flavorful and tender meats and we had it with onion Nan. Chicken Garlic Nan was fantastic we never had that dish in any Indian restaurant before.
All I want to say is that My family enjoyed Royal India the most during our stay in Sn Diego. Next time Royal India will be the reason to visit San Diego. IT WAS REALLY DELICIOUS. Only reason I am writing is that I am so happy because my kids finished the whole dish and in Chicago they do not even want to go to Indian restaurants.
Fantastic experience and its amazing, the best meal during visit to San Diego was at Royal India.

Pros: Fantastic Meal

Cons: Parking bit tough but found large parking lot one block away

Posted 08/28/08

I love Indian food and I have been to almost all the Indian restaurants in San Diego. My friends gave us Royal India gift certificates on our anniversary so we went to Royal India on our anniversary and made reservation ahead of time by e mail.
Beautiful hostess sat us inside on a nice table. Server almost arrived immediately and brought champagne on the house ( that was a nice start ). We ordered Vegetable samosa and it was crispy and flavorful with mint chutney. We had Chicken garlic kabab which was served on a sizzling platter and lamb coconut curry that came with basmati rice and we ordered garlic Nan bread.
Everything was absolutely fantastic and full of flavor. We absolutely loved our dinner and enjoyed our 10th anniversary dinnerat Royal India.
The ambiance is very romantic and relaxing and the service is superb.
Must try Royal India in the gaslamp.

Pros: The food is full of aroma, very authentic

Cons: not yet

Posted 08/25/08

Royal India Restaurant located in the gaslamp catered my daughters graduation party in July. Myself and my husband Ajay have tried almost all the Indian restaurant in San Diego and picked Royal India to catered our special party Royal India serves most authentic Indian food in elegant ambiance.
We were so happy with the food and service I thought we must let people know where to get real good Indian food.
When we want Indian food we always go to Royal India and we are always very happy. Owners and executive chefs Sandeep Kambo and Jagdeep Kambo cook food for our parties under their supervision.
My favourite at Royal India is Chilli Ginger Masala, white wine garlic curry, seekh kabab curry, shrimp butter tarka, paneer nan stuffed with farmers cheese and spices.
One must try Royal India to taste good Indian food.

Pros: Its very authentic

Cons: Bit pricy

Posted 08/24/08

We had an excellent dinner at Royal India. We are not very daring when ordering, but the shrimp korma sounded to good to pass up. It was well worth it, I usually order the chicken tiki masala, but the korma is my new favorite. I would recommend Royal India to anyone, food here is authentic and very flavorful. Everyone in the restaurant is very friendly.

Pros: Authentic!!!

Cons: Parking?

Posted 07/29/08

Believe me, I have had such great Indian food after a long time. The chefs have done a great job in using the spices and bringing out the authentic Indian taste.

Pros: Good Food

Cons: Parking sometimes

Posted 06/20/08

Royal India is one of the best restaurants I've had the pleasure to visit! from the sensual decor to the great and delicious cuisine, and the best service ever!!I recommend this wonderful experince to everyone!

Posted 06/17/08

Going back soon to Royal India!: Great food, excellent service and beautiful ambiance. Can't wait to go back!!!

Posted 06/06/08

got a tounge that aint tied and eyes not empty of tears
reggaein cafe india, sd...
fear the lost human heart imprisoned by man's dictates,
tied w earthly authority
it all started w the conformity,
a part proud of a killing greeding and feeding
fake and wrong
when every song and painting warned and told
this laughing humanity whose tounge is tied and
whose eyes are cold,
shabd and meera urching searching how could i burn ignorant mold
5/8/08

Pros: cafe india

Cons: parking

Posted 05/07/08

Having been recommended by a friend who wasn't really a foodie like I am, I happily tried Royal India restaurant in the gaslamp, let me tell you this: whether you've' have Indian or Thai food before or a 'haute cuisine' devotee, you will be utterly happy here. the restuarant has a sleek, chic look, but is easy and casual in demeanor. so you'll be fine whether you're dressed up or dressed down. but it's all about the food: delicious curry like chicken tikka masala or garlic kabab meats, the flavors in curry and marinations for kababs are perfectly done. i've been several times for lunch buffet and dinner and just keep trying different things as the mood takes me. i've recommended it to all my friends and we all agree; it's our 'currant' fav restaurant!

Pros: Great flavors , super ambience, comfortable seating

Posted 04/30/08