Bombay Palace

We went here a week ago- party of 5 at 7pm

good service
good food

deff will come here again soon

Posted 02/16/09

I was recently in Manhattan during Restaurant Week with all its great prix fixe menus, though these arre not extended into the weekends. Bombay Palace, however, has prix fixe all year long. Their prix fixe dinner menu is actually $5 cheaper than the Restaurant Week price and it includes an extra course and coffee or tea. The food was just excellent, they had a wide variety of dishes and everything I tried was fantastic. The vegetable samosa appetizer might have been my favorite but it is so hard to say! The service was great in the beginning of the night but dropped off a little towards the end of the meal; they seem to have a strange system of allocating waiters. It took us forever to get desert and the check even though drinks, appetizers, and entrees came out right away. But I would still definitely go back because the food was so good. And it didn't seem necessarily like the service is always bad but that something unusual was going on.

Overall the food and atmosphere was great and I thought very well worth the $29.95 prix fixe.

Posted 08/14/08

This place is great for large crowds, but I've had much better food for half the price. The staff was pleasant and attentive, ambiance average.

Posted 01/08/08

I found Bombay Palace listed on the Rewards Network site (dining for FF miles) and in the Entertainment Book, so I gave them a shot. This was a few years ago, and I continue to bring friends here when we're in the mood for a nice Indian meal. The staff is extremely accommodating (though they will try to push extras on you). The decor is very warm and the huge saltwater aquarium with many different gorgeous fish is always a delight. The FOOD, though, is the best part. The "Prawn Patio" appetizer is so fabulous, I sometimes order two and call it a meal. Their vindaloo, which I frequently order, is super-spicy and delicious, though you have to order rice if you want it. My friends and I will continue to return, especially if I continue to get extra frequent flyer miles!!!

Pros: Excellent food, love the aquarium, attentive staff

Cons: Decor is a little stuffy, but it doesn't distract from a great meal.

Posted 02/14/07

My father-in-law recommended this restaurant after I had arrived in the city for the summer. I was craving aloo gobi and roti, but found another dish that tickled my fancy; chicken vindaloo. To warn anyone out there that has not had this dish, its hot, very hot. However, it is hot in manner that is not pure pepper or temperature. The spices which season this dish are subtle but combine to make a powerful statement. The chili and peppercorns did not overwhelm the cinnamon and cumin. It was wonderful. I cooled my palate down with a nice mango lassi. I have been back twice and have found the food to be always consistent.

Pros: Food is worth the money, won't leave feeling empty

Cons: Service is a little slow even during a weeknight

Posted 07/26/06

My sister and I went there for an early dinner after visiting the MOMA yesterday. We ordered the prefix (?) meal, since it was between 5 and 7pm, but we had to ask for the menu when we sat down. First thing is the restaurant was FREEZING... My sister asked the waiter if they could raise the temperature a little, but he said the building is centrally located in another location in the building. The waiters were cordial, as well as the manager, but not very welcoming. The place is definitely glamorous looking, but everything looks so old and dated. The music that was playing reminded me of some old saloon scene, totally clashing with the decor and the large fish tank with exotic fish. Overall, the food on the prefix meal were great, but not as amazing as what other reviews have reported. The manager did bring over an additional dish of something lentil on the house, but we're not sure if this is commonly included. It was actually better than the 2 lamb dishes we had, though they were very good as well. Overall, the food was very good, but no different than some other cheaper Indian restaurants in the city. The restaurant's website says the prefix is $19.99, but it's really $29.99. No biggie, just that it could seem like they're unfairly trying to lure people in on the website with false information. Sounds like the buffet and dinner are amazing, so we may try that some other time if we're in the area... but to be honest it didn't leave me dying to go back. If you do go? Bring a jacket!

Pros: Convenient if you're in the area

Cons: Room is too cold and food could be same and cheaper elsewhere

Posted 07/13/06

Well sat March 4th i decided to go here with my friends.
The day started horrible and also ended the same way.
A lot of crazy things went on as it was close to my sisters wedding, so all craziness
I took them 45 mins to seat us down.i was about to flip out and leave.
it gets worse. bad service/ and took forever to get food.. NOT GOING BACK

Pros: nothing

Cons: everything

Posted 04/14/06

What a beautiful restaurant and what service! Its in midtown so caution on the prices, as some of the elitists may not feel justified in paying nearly $15 for a lunch buffet that is tasty as it is well prepared. I felt like a maharaja dining here in the evening, however, I noticed a majority of the patrons weren't Indian but rather corporate America from next door. Oh well, gotta love those mini-bite samosas.

Pros: Food, Service, Ambiance

Cons: Price

Posted 02/11/06

As a very frequent traveler and a great fan of Indian food, I visit this Bombay Palace since 1989. I know all other Bombay Palace restaurants of the world wide Bombay Palace chain and with the flag ship in Kuala Lumpur, having won 3 consecutive prices as the best in Asia outside India (and believe you me Malaysia is known for good food!) this New York restaurant is the top in Indian Food. Especially the buffet lunch is of the greatest quality in the city. I have been there counting more than 23 dishes to choose from with all having outstanding quality over the years. The staff is great and recognizes their regular customers with great courtesy! Highly recommended!

Pros: Buffet Great, Location, Courtesy

Posted 10/29/05

Bombay Palace lived up to the great reviews I read online before trying the restaurant tonight. I live in Vegas and was in NYC on business, so very glad I took this site for it's word. Upon my arrival, I met the GM who was seating people. I told him that I read it was #1 for Indian and he gave me his personal guarantee. Not only that, but Mr. Diler was very kind and personally treated me to several large portion samples of foods! I felt very spoiled and loved the personal attention, as I am on this biz trip solo without hubby! I feel as if I've made new friends and THANK GOD the food is absoultely incredible so I can confirm the great things I have read prior to my experience. Thank you to all at Bombay Palace for making my dining exerience so great and yummy!

Pros: personal service, beautiful dining area, GREAT TASTE!!!

Cons: if it was free..., need a Vegas location

Posted 06/21/05

The restaurant is beautiful and the ambience is very comfortable, yet stylish. We had the banquet/feast for two, and it was amazing. It was delicious and very filling, and we got a chance to taste a little of everything on the menu. The service was great and incredibly friendly. The bill was also very reasonable, especially for all that we had. Also, being a Friday night, as well as around theater time, we ended up staying for almost 3 hours, obviously without feeling one bit rushed. Cannot say enough great things about the Bombay Palace, we will definitely make it a regular!

Pros: service, food, decor

Posted 04/30/05

In the past I have gone here for the food and really liked it. Recently I moved to the area and order delivery frequently. I have also tried their brunch menu on weekends. I love the food. You will find the usual Indian flair. Good food, ambience, and service. The space is decent and you won't find yourself huddled next to your neighbor. This is the best place in the area for Indian, much better than Jewel of India, Dawat, and Utsav. The only drawback is the oil in the food; the paneer makhni tends to be very oily. We usually have paneer makhani, chicken tikka masala, samosas, bhel, and bread. I like all of it. The bhel is not original but not bad either. Totally recommend the place.

Pros: Good food, Good service

Posted 02/23/05

The overall experience was great - good food, nice ambience, great service. All for reasonable prices, especially in Midtown. I was very happy with the experience overall.

Pros: Food, Service, Ambience

Cons: , Condiments

Posted 10/04/04

I love this restaurant! The ambience is very elegant, with painted portraits of great maharajas hanging on dark mahogany walls, and a majestic chandallier. The food is very good, although, I must admit, I've had better. The service is very attentive and personalized. The manager stopped by our table several times to ensure our satisfaction. Overall, I highly recommend this place for any special occasion.

Pros: ambience, attentive service

Posted 07/31/04

$12.95 for a decent buffet. Not bad tasting, but I've had better. I might go there again if i were in the neighborhood. The service was really good.

Posted 03/10/03

Bombay Palace has some of the best Indian food I've ever had. Not being Indian, I can't vouch for its authenticity, which other reviewers have criticized, but it simply tastes great! The service tends to be a little bit laid back, perhaps even inattentive, and the pricing is a little bit steep, but overall it's a good value, and worth a visit.

Pros: food quality

Cons: lax service

Posted 12/02/02

The appetizer - Aloo Papri - has so much sauce on it, it looks like a main curry dish. Anyone from India will frown on it. The service is so awful for such an expensive restaurant. I guess one has to pay extra to make the waiters smile. Don't think of taking your girlfriend/wife for an date/anniversary.

Pros: good ambience, good locality

Cons: poor service, average food, very expensive

Posted 09/18/02