Royal India

I along with few of few of my colleges went to Royal India for a lunch meeting. We really enjoyed the fresh tasting great food. The Buffet was not as vast as in Indian restaurants in other cities but it was still better than all the Indian buffets I have been to in Downtown area. We really liked their Tandoori chicken and Onion Bhaji and the fresh Nan served on the table was the highlight of the buffet. I am not big on deserts but my friends really liked the Shahi Mango. On the whole, we all were really impressed with the quality of the buffet at Royal India.

Pros: Good Quality Food.

Posted 04/24/08

I'm always a little leery of rave reviews. But the rest of the public is right. Royal India has Very good food, great service.
A place not to be missed if you want a great Gas Lamp dining experience.

Pros: Good authentic food

Cons: None

Posted 04/18/08

Worst food ever seen in my life. They are even manager is not interested to accept the mistake I think everyone must have seen the same problem. Over all bad food and when try to talk with manager, he try to convince that thaat is the way it should look. I will not recommend any one . Worst then Road side Dabba in India. Bad name bad work bad food and bad reputation to royal taste of India. They should think listen and improve the quality. Thanks

Posted 04/13/08

We came across Royal India as we were walking in the Gaslamp Quarter looking for a good Indian restaurants - it was a very pleasant surprise! It's a very elegant looking restaurant. Our server was incredibly hospitable and the Onion Bhaji, Mixed grill, Shrimp butter tarka, Garlic Nan, and Pista Ice cream made for a wonderful meal!

Posted 04/05/08

The best Gas lamp district has to offer! I am a what you would call a "regular" at Royal India. There are a bunch Items in their menu, so getting tired of the food is never a problem, and something is always going on which makes it exciting. I went to a Scotch tasting and had a great time.Great drink list and the staff is very warm and welcoming. It's at the top of my list of things to do when friends and family come to visit.

Pros: Great food and good menu selection!!

Cons: None so far

Posted 03/26/08

Not authentic, Food is very bland. The decor is nice, but the food is not. I would not recommend it to people who know exactly what Indian food tastes like. Tandoori chicken was probably old and was very dry. We went there based on the reviews but according to all of us, it might be rated so high by non-Indians who are not familiar with Indian taste.

Pros: Ambience

Cons: Food

Posted 03/15/08

Upon entering we walk underneath beautiful palace style arches next to hand carved wooden bar reveals a beautiful dining room with the sounds from waterfall with a serene lovers statue sitting in beautiful stone wall behind the waterfall. Delicious flavorful curry with attentive service. We were 27 of us in San Diego for decor and style convention and Royal India is located just few blocks from the convention center all sat under large chandeliers in serene elegant Royal India. Our Menu Garlic Chicken and Herb rubbed salmon on Sizzling platters yummy samosas with mint chutney, white wine chicken garlic curry, lamb shank mixed vegetable ginger sautee garlic nan finished with Shahi Mango dessert. We were quite pleased with a stemless Royal dining experience. The Best Indian food in San Diego.

Pros: Sizzling platters

Posted 03/09/08

WOW, we are impressed: My wife and I travel all over the world and when we asked for Indian food we were recommended Royal India. We got seated in a great booth in the dining room with a view of their waterfall. Our server Lisa was amazing, she helped us through the menu and recommended her personal favorite dishes which were all spot on. Their exceptional wine list complimented our food excellently and we can't wait to come back to dine at Royal India again.

Posted 03/05/08

We live downtown and have tried them all. We held off on this place for a bit and went when my very well-traveled old man came to town.

I can only think of one other place where I have had anything close to this and it was at some highly-regarded place in Hong Kong (Admiral's Club?--don't remember).

The braised lamb shank was exceptional in evey way. Ordering Chicken Tikka Masala was the last thing I wanted to do (like going for Thai and getting Pad Thai--there are other gems on a menu) but the waiter recommended it even after he got the impression that we knew our Tikka Masala from our Vindaloo. Get the Chicken Tikka Masala and the Lamb Shank then take the leftovers home so your kitchen can smell like curry @ 11:00 p.m. when you reheat it later that night.

Pros: Everything great

Cons: nooooop

Posted 03/04/08

I had the best meal of my life at Royal India restaurant. Their Chicken Tikka Masala and Garlic nan so great it will make you cry. The service was fantastic. The music and the ambiance make this place truly unforgettable. We went to several upscale, well-known Indian restaurants in San Diego, but Royal India puts them all to shame. It's worth a trip to San Diego just to eat here.

Pros: Great food

Cons: None

Posted 02/27/08

We went to Royal India couple times during our San Diego convention trip in Feb 14 since it is very close to the convention center and Manchester Hyatt where we stayed.
Royal India's vegetarian menu is huge and food is excellent. We tried Paneer Pakora( Cheese Fritters) and Onion Bhaji . The mint and tamarind chutneys are a great compliment to the appetizers and are delicious. We loved their Veggie Korma and Malai kofta with Garlic nan and Paneer Nan. It was simply the best!!! Indian food at Royal India is amazingly good and tasty .

Posted 02/22/08

My husband took me to Royal India and it was the best Indian restaurant I've been to in a very long time. The food is amazing, especially the Lobster butter tarka with garlic Nan. The wine selection was great and the ambience was perfect. It is high-class, without being pretentious or stuffy. I'll definitely go back when I'm in the Gaslamp area.

Pros: Big restaurant, so enough privacy!!!!

Posted 02/10/08

My husband and I love Royal India, We've gone once for our anniversary and will be going again for our upcoming anniversary. Nice atmosphere good tasty and flavorful Indian food and mixed drinks to die for, specially their Indian Mojito. I would highly recommend Royal India to all the good Indian food lovers.

Pros: Great tasting food !!!!!!!!!

Posted 02/10/08

I stopped in and ate at Royal India this week with a co-worker and we were both in a rush but wanted a good meal so we decided to try something different and had Indian food. I had not eaten Indian food in quite awhile but this definately turned me back on to the cuisine. I had the chicken kabobs and we shared the spinach appetizer that was also very tastey. I will definately be back soon-

Posted 01/29/08

This is strictly a review of their lunch buffet, which I know is much different than ordering from the menu, so please keep that in mind when reading this. About 2.5 weeks ago, my wife and I met up with some friends for the lunch buffet at Royal India. We had heard many great things about their food, and were excited to check out their lunch buffet. The restaurant was pretty empty, though, being so close to the holiday season may have explained this. Aesthetically the restaurant was very nice, and the servers were very attentive (considering we were one of 3 parties there). The buffet itself was pretty common- naan, rice, a couple of vegetable dishes (saag, pakora, samosas) and a few meat dishes (tikka masala, lamb, tandoori chicken). The food was a bit bland, I imagine to cater to American taste buds, but still tasty. I actually enjoyed the vegetable dishes more than the other dishes. For dessert they had mango pudding and rice pudding. It was sweet and delicious. The price was very reasonable as well, especially since this is a downtown restaurant. All in all, not too bad. My wife and I would probably take people there who are used to less spicy/flavorful Indian food.

Pros: Good price, nice assortment (buffet)

Cons: Food is a bit bland, more suited for American taste buds

Posted 01/02/08

Decided to try this restaurant for lunch on a week there happened to be a big convention in town. We were looking forward to the buffet that was advertised on their sign outside. We waited for about 20 minutes in line outside. Once we were seated, we realized that the restaurant didn't seem to know how to handle the extra business. There were no fresh naans. They served pita bread from the local grocery story. There was no tandoori chicken. And the veggies were running out both time I went up there. The food was all served on paper plates. None of them matched. The sodas were served in styrafoam cups. We asked if they had any real naan that we could order, and the waiter informed us that if he gave it to us, he would have to give it to everyone. It was no better than fast food.

Pros: no pros that day

Cons: must have gone on a bad day

Posted 12/30/07

Wow, I didn't think this restaurant had such good reviews. We were there for dinner a couple of days ago. The positives: Service - We had a good server who new more about the dishes than most waiters I've had at Indian restaurants and she was prompt in bringing in the dishes.
Appetizers: The samosas were bland and small. Chutney was more sour than spicy (but similar to other Indian restaurants). Pakoras were better but not great.
Main dishes: We ordered Baingan bharta and Paneer tikka masala - both dishes were tasty. The waitress asked us the level of spicy and we opted for American hot - turned out to be rather mild. She did give us extra red chili paste but that just masks the taste so I don't like to add it to the dish.
Nan was good. Portions are quite good. We could have managed with one dish and one nan as they give unlimited rice with the dish.
Cost: It cost us around $80 for two - which was costly for us - but I guess it's normal for San Diego. Still $4 for samosas is not worth it.

Posted 11/05/07

its the best indian restaurant in san diego. I LIKE THE Their FOOD Food was really good and original. Very Pricey- Every appetizer is over 20 dollars and are really small, salads are a great value, fried spinach is amazing, steak and chicken were great, dessert assortment is really good

Posted 10/04/07

I was part of SAPI a group of Doctors of Indian origin meet in San Diego and we have had few meetings in Royal India restaurants waterfall room. It is fantastic the service is very accomodating and seating is very relaxing. As appetizer we had Chicken garlic Kabab, Tandoori Chicken, Pakoras Papdum and Main course Karahi Chicken, Fish Kabab, Vegetable Korma with Nan and RusMalai dessert it was fantastic. Its full bar and incredible Indian food with marvelous decoration. Royal India at 329 Market Street San Diego CA 92101. 619-269-9999. Must try Royal India for Indian Food.

Pros: Great Service and delicious food

Posted 09/03/07

My Favorite Royal India an upscale Indian restaurant features tandoori (clay oven) and Karahi (Indian wok) items prepared with only the freshest ingredients. Tandoori murg, a half-chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, is the house specialty. In addition to meat and poultry, numerous vegetarian options are available. Curry, of course, is omnipresent. The subdued interior ? gauze drapery partitions, Indian art, light woods, and fine linens ? offers a wonderful setting in which to dine.

Pros: Fresh Fresh

Posted 08/29/07

We were in a mood for authentic Indian food ? perhaps such as Samosas, Chicken Wings and we found Royal India while driving. This eatery on Market Street welcomes guests with sizzling plates of chicken Kababs as well as value-oriented lunch buffet. If you are still looking for a good Indian food I found one for you. it is as authentic as it can be. Must Try.

Posted 08/29/07

Royal India an elegant restaurant specializes in Northern Indian cuisine presented us with a classic Curry Tandoori Butter Chicken all I can say it was fantastic. I have never had this item anywhere and loved it with Garlic Nan. Tasteful interior create an upscale dining experience. Must Try

Pros: Fantastic

Posted 08/29/07

I am student here and Indian food is popular in Russia as Indian Movies as well. I could not get good Indian food in Russia but Royal India is very good. We do not have Classic Decorated Indian restaurants in Russia but Royal India has very beautiful decoration and the food id very tasty. I tried Chicken tikka masala and Nan and I can eat it daily. Royal India is the best just very good.

Posted 08/29/07

We are great fans of Indian food. We have been going to royal India for an exquisite dinning experience for past Six months or so. And the food and service there is great and always consistant. We recently discovered there Monday Nite Buffet, exellent quality and alot of choices. The Nans are served fresh on the tables and there Tandoori Chicken is so fresh and Moist unlike Other buffets in Down town. Everything in the buffet is Really good but my Favourite items in the buffet are the Samosas, Palak Paneer(Spinach and Cheese) and Lamb Keema Matter(Minced Lamb).The Perfect end to the buffet is the Mango Homemade Rice Pudding, Yummy Mango Moouse deserts and fresh fruits. No wonder Royal India won the Best Buffet award in City Search Polls. No matter how busy they are we are always seated and served promptly. We have tried other restaurants in downtown area too but nothing comeseven close to Royal India's Ambience, Food quality and Service. I would recommend Royal India to Everyone. Try it once and you will be a fan of Royal India as well

Pros: Great Food, Ambience and Service

Cons: Nothing I can Think off

Posted 08/20/07

I love Indian food and expected to have a great choice of Indian food when I moved to San Diego in 2006. Then I started to look for one... I asked the locals, I reviewed the reviews and took a chance again and again; but nothing that wowed me.Then came Royal India ,The atmosphere was breath taking, yet simple. Traditional yet elegant and our service was friendly and attentive. And the food, well, it was the freshest, cleanest flavors I have tasted with any Indian food. Every bite was a tasteful morsal. My friends also said wow many times. There was not one thing that any of us did not think was well above the price. By the time we were done, each person paid less than $35 out their pocket and it was the truly best Indian food I have had in SD. Royal India is truly the best of the best.

Posted 08/08/07

Seven of us went to Royal India for the Monday night buffet. One of my colleagues recommended the place.

We were seated right away due to the fact that no one else was in the place. We all ordered the Monday Night Buffet. After a hard day of work and no lunch for any of us we needed to chow down.

I had some chicken and beef and it didn't taste right at all. The curry was too...bland. I pretty much tried everything I could and the seasoning was off. Everyone at the table kept muttering the taste wasn't there. One of my friends went so far as to leave and get coffee at Starbucks and wait for us outside. I've never seen him do that before and he loves Indian food.

We've all eaten at Masayla, Monsoon and Bombay and the food there is much better and the service is stellar. I finally had to get up and fill everyone's water glass. That isn't something I want to do after a hard day.

My friends and I are going to the competition and get REAL Indian food.

For a restaurant called Royal India we didn't feel like royality.

Pros: The price was right.

Cons: The food was bland

Posted 08/04/07

Besides good decor and service Royal India in down down treated us with delicious Indian food. My family is vegetarian and we ordered all vegetarian Saag Paneer , Bengan Bhartha, Aloo Gobi, Daal, Spicy Vegetarian butter tarka with Roti and Nan breads. It was delicious with authentic taste. Let me tell you the true view. Just visit Royal India once and you would know the difference. My mom said it Bhadu Saru Shea(Its all Fantastic)

Posted 07/17/07

I have been eating Indian food for long time and during our show in Los Angeles we look a quick trip to San Diego and our sponserers took us to Royal India in down town San Diego and all I can say is I had Indian food at its best in the greatest ambience. We all loved it all.

Pros: It was really good, THE BEST

Posted 07/13/07

I was in town from LA with some friends and staying at the W. The concierge there recommended this as his favorite restaurant in the whole city-Royal India. So of course we checked Royal India out. Wow. Everything about it was spot-on. From our drink at the bar, our food at the table, the service throughout, the decor, everything. Will DEFINITELY be back again

Posted 07/12/07

Most impressive. Upon entering Royal India, the first thing I noticed was their beautifully hand carved Mahogany bar. I loved the style and the music playing while I enjoyed my cocktail.

After my friends arrived, we headed to the fountain room seating area. The decor was beautiful. It had an airy feeling with the tall ceilings, but also contained a feeling of intimacy.

The food was excellent. Everything we ordered was fantastic. The perfect amount of spice and flavor. A few of the dishes I recommend are the Mango Pineapple Lobster, the chicken korma curry, and the paneer nan

Posted 07/12/07

OH MY GOD!!! comming from England and finding Royal India place was a dream come true, believe me I know Indian food comming from the "Balti Belt" There are plenty of "Indian" restaurants in San Diego but please know Royal India is the most authentic you will possibly get! The portions are superb, the Executive Chefs and owners, I beleive there names are Sam and Jag, are without a doubt the most personable and helpful chefs I have ever encountered! They guided us through the extensive menu with such flair and grace. They actually seemed to know our tastes and needs just from speaking to us for no more than 10 mins, I know the food but my guests had never had Indian food before. To say they were impressed would be an understatment! FIRST RATE!!!!!!! YOU HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THIS PLACE!!!!!!!!!!!

Pros: Personal Touch and service

Posted 07/10/07

In june Physer had set up a meeting at Royal India the the physicians n San Diego and there were about 138 of us. The valet parking was right in front of the restaurant and myself and my wife went to attend the meeting. Royal India at 329 Market street is a huge restaurant with large waterfall and three banquet halls. The best part is service and food. There were about 10 staff members serving the appetizers in trays and chutneys in the middle. We tried Fish pakora and Little samosas and full bar was available including gold and blue lable scotch, Jack and coke and vodka drinks it was superb.
After snacks we had a presentation by physer and Royal India has state of the art projectors, wireless audio and screens and best part is it is quite open restaurant almost 200 seater and large patios.
After the lecture Indian royalty was server and truly a real Indian food with lots of flavor, Fresh nans were awsome. We had Rus Malai as dessert.
On the whole it was the best venue Physer has picked for Physicians so far. We requested Royal India for next meeting by physer abd are going to be in Royal India in down town on July 27th again. Love Royal India.

Posted 07/10/07

It is hard to miss this restaurant if you are in down town San Diego in the Gaslamp area. A large patio and very close to Horton plaza mall. My experience say there is only one Royal India if you want the taste of traditional north Indian cuisine. The serivice is exceptional and the ambience is so soothing. I have tasted quiet a few entrees on the menu and must say, they prepare it just the right way. The food has a good balance of Indian spices and not creamy as well. I was there last weekend and learnt the owners are executive chefs as well and their mom help make the recipes, Royal India has family recipes . I just freaked out on Sag Paneer, Baigan Bharta and their Chicken T. Masala's. A must go for all you Indain food lovers. Royal India is one of the best Indian restaurant i have ever eaten all around the world. The food is of GREAT Quality. This is infact the only restaurant I would pick anyday to go to when I need to chill out. The Food is excellent, the service great and the management most cordial.I cant imagine why anyone would not like Royal India. We went over almost after they almost closed once and the management opened the doors for us even though it was quite late.I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for good food at reasonable prices. All my friends too prefer this place.

Pros: Very good Indian restaurant

Posted 07/10/07

Royal India is a very clean and elegant indian setting. I have been eating indian food for a very long time and Royal India's food is by far the best I have had. I like there Prawn pepper masala alot and the Chicken nan is just great. The servers were excellent and really cared if we enjoyed our meal. Looking forward to my next experience.

Pros: Great food, Good Service and Beautiful Decor

Cons: Parking on weekdays sometimes but on weekends Valet parking is great

Posted 07/10/07

Royal India is by far the best Indian restaurant around in San Diego Gaslamp . Being vegetarians we enjoy the choices and quality of foods specially the Veggie Malai Kofta and the bread with Nuts and Raisins. The wait staff is great and the ambience is wonderful

Pros: Great food and even better service

Cons: Buffet is only till 2:30 pm

Posted 07/10/07