Quality has waned significantly in the past few years. Prior favorites are now very difficult to recognize. read more

We had a fabulous meal- beautiful setting with COVID conscious staff. Can't wait to go back!

I was close to writing a lengthy review about why I gave the Ambassador 2 stars, but honestly, it's too much to address. This kitchen has to get their act together. Somebody needs to tell the owner, this is not Baltimore circa 1990, when "Indian" food was a novelty and the customer didn't know better. Bottom line, this is the worst Indian food in Baltimore-this includes the carryouts. The food is dreck. I'll grudgingly give 2 stars because the ambiance and service is excellent. You can have a good experience so long as you overlook the food and the bill afterward (high) because the dining room/patio arguably is the nicest in Baltimore. The best thing I can say is the Kingfishers were cold and the naan was very good. Decor/restaurant 5 stars Service 4+ stars Food 0-1 stars Price/Value 2 stars read more

Downgrading my review due to lack of consistency. Really bad service on one occasion, which was a huge surprise. I think they forgot about us completely. We just sat there, no water, no drinks, no one came to take our drink or appetizer order, so we left. On several occasions, dinner has been just OK. Tried the buffet again this month and not only was the food not fresh-tasting, but my chai had a skin on top, so had been sitting for AWHILE (?) and was barely warm. Yuck. The buffet food is sitting, that's one thing, but my drink should be freshly prepared. It's just too expensive for them to not pay attention to these things. Lovely patio. Hope they get it together. read more

Beautiful indoor/outdoor atmosphere, rarely over crowded and great food :) I always go to the lunch buffet and am never disappointed. Its about $12 on weekdays and on weekends its more pricey at about $22 but that includes unlimited drinks (alcoholic and non alcoholic like chi tea) and most times they also have a omelet station for those who are not into Indian cuisine (but call ahead to inquire about this). Its a great introduction to Indian food for any friends you may have that are skeptical of it, (esp if you know they have an omelet to fall back on) and believe me everyone I have taken has fallen in love! The alcoholic drinks are serve yourself which is fantastic as well, so you can be in and out in 30 min or take 2 hours. read more

The Ambassador Dining Room is an overpriced mediocre Indian restaurant located inside a lovely old building in a nice north Baltimore neighborhood. On a recent Saturday night, our party of four sat waiting about 40 minutes for our 7 pm reservation. No apologies or considerations were given for this rude treatment. When my husband inquired about the wait, a table was pointed to and the clipped reply was that was our table. The party sitting there had their check but looked to be very comfortably "hanging out". This, on its own, was enough to make me reluctant to stick around, though our personal circumstances were such that waiting was our choice. When we were finally shown to our tiny table, I thought, how can we possibly have an Indian meal on this small surface? The answer was "because this is unlike any Indian meal I have ever been served." No papadam, no sauces, no pickle, no rice, no tureen,etc. We had some appetizers which were the best tasting items of the night; we carefully passed the plates around so as not to knock the glasses or plates off the table When the entrees arrived, we were each served just one plate of food - and the food covered maybe the interior 50%. This food was inferior to just about every other indian meal I can think of. The korma was completely tasteless- it might as well have been straight milk-doused meat, sprinkled with raw almonds. The rice was very tasteless as well And the saag given on the side is (I guess) their thing Too bad their thing was so thin and underspiced..... The naan was cut small, toasted and dried out, in a small basket. As I looked around the table, I thought about the communal aspect of so many Indian meals. Not this one! no room, not enough food, and no one seemed to be enjoying theirs anyway..... The place is dumbed down and the prices are jacked up. And this supposedly "lovely dining room" I have heard about was just ok. The half of the restaurant with fireplace, Xmas lights, and views of the garden was blocked off for a private party. Overall, the Ambassador was a big ol letdown. read more

Gorgeous atmosphere, delicious food and perfect service! If you go during good weather, you can sit on the patio overlooking beautiful gardens. Even while waiting for a table, they will ask you to wait in the garden and allow you to order drinks that they will bring you. A little pricey, but well worth the experience and tasty food! read more

Very disappointing buffet. Over the years I have developed a criteria on Indian buffet and here is how this place ranks: Atmosphere 5 Selection 2 Quality/freshness 2 Naan 1 Service 2 Considering that for 2 people we paid about $40 for the buffet I can safely say that this place is way overpriced for the experience. Don't waste your time or money. read more

Amazing Indian restaurant! Food is different from other typical Indian restaurants. I highly recommend the lunch buffet! The naan is soft and delicious, as are the chicken, fish, and chick pea curries. The chocolate cake is also very decadent. The best part is the ambiance of the outdoor seating near the beautiful garden. I highly recommend this place. read more

Excellent food, good spicing, nice surroundings and no one pushed us to go. However, understand that the amount is such that each person orders a plate, as the food is not served in dishes that can be shared as is often the case with other Indian restaurants. The prices are high, entree dishes in the $20-40 range. Accessibility is limited as there are 4 steps to get to the restaurant and the men's room is down 10 steps, although the women's room is adjacent to the restaurant. They will not split the check for 2 couples at one table, somewhat irritating for a high cost restaurant, esp when one person orders an especially expensive entree and orders substantially more drinks. Not someplace I would go to often. read more

I simply hate the Ambassador. Not because of the food but because of the setup of this place. I don't understand the idea of 'upscale Indian food.' When I think Indian food, I think rustic, modest, and filling. And the Ambassador is anything but those qualities. The restaurant itself is very formal. Already an awkward feeling for me to eat Indian food. Food is fine, but damn, it is by far the most expensive Indian food that I have ever tasted! I'm sorry, but I am ok eating 'less tasty' food for a much cheaper price. I will never go there again. It's against all my ideas on Indian food. read more

Fine white table cloth dining in the Tuscany Canterbury area. Top quality ingredients matched with traditional Indian flavors makes for a memorable dining experience. Patio seating on a warm Summer's evening is just wonderful. For those who are confused and enter the building through the basement entrance and are flummoxed by the buzzer-- go around the corner to the main Canterbury Apartments entrance! The restaurant is at the back of the main lobby. read more

So... I really wanted to give Ambassador Dining Room three stars since the food is decent but ultimately, the questionable service ethics and outrageous prices overshadowed everything else. While visiting last week, I took my friend and my brother and his family out for dinner here. We started our meal with a round of delicious mango Sriracha cocktails while I selected a bottle of wine for the table. To eat we shared orders of the appetizer platter, the tandoori shrimp, the tandoori chicken, and a couple of vegetable dishes, accompanied by two orders of the garlic naan. The appetizer platter, while tasty, was meager in size, and we soon discovered that all orders would be so. The tandoori shrimp and chicken, separate menu items, were served combined on one plate, and consisted of three pieces of shrimp and three pieces of chicken. I found it hard to believe that ~$20 orders were comprised of so little, and wondered if they took advantage of the fact that we ordered two tandoori dishes. Furthermore, since there were four adults at the table, they at least could have given us four of each. The vegetable dishes were comparably small compared to their cost as well. Finally, even though we placed two orders of the naan, we were presented with a basket of four small, somewhat stale, pieces. I then told one of the servers that we had placed two orders and without further comment, another basket was brought out. At last I asked for the bill, only to be presented with one from another table, and considerably higher than ours. Returning it and shortly thereafter receiving our own, I saw that we had been charged for three orders of the naan. When I mentioned this to the main server and saw that he was about to dispute it, I added that it was the only "discrepancy" with the tab. And perhaps because he thought better of it, he agreed to take one off. On a final note, the basmati rice and spinach were bizarrely served on each plate instead of in bowls. In light of the above and the fact that there are hundreds of delicious Indian restaurants between Baltimore and New York, I never plan on returning. And that is unfortunate, because Ambassador Dining Room has a lot of potential. read more

Last week we celebrated a birthday party with 50 guests who appreciated the warm, welcoming dining room and the delicious buffet. The fish curry, chili chicken, lamb vindaloo, saag, dal makhani and rasmalai were some of the highlights. Planning for the event was a breeze with the helpful management. Great service! Will definitely go back! read more

This would be a five-star restaurant if a) their lunch buffet didn't suck and b) the service wasn't so snarky. (I went there for years as a special occasion dinner place.) I have loved some of their dinner entrees, but the service was so rude it was tough to enjoy. On one occasion, three of us were seated at a tiny table, likely for two. When we inquired about a slightly larger table nearby, we were told simply "no." They actually argued with us--and they weren't even full! The portions are also rather small. Nearby Masala Kitchen is new, and I hope word spreads. The food is just as good with bigger portions and a lot less snark and snobbery. Not to mention cheaper. When the food is good, it's hands-down the best in Baltimore. But it just feels bad to be treated so rudely. And the lunch buffet is not even close to the calibre of the dinner. Some items were merely bland, but the korma tasted like it had gone bad. Check out Masala Kitchen or Mughal Gardens--you'll leave happier. read more

Some restaurants are defined by their amazing food or by their rock-bottom prices or their lively atmosphere. You go out to eat well, to eat cheaply, or to have a great time with friends - or just soak up the good times being had by others. The Ambassador fits in none of these categories. The food is wholesome, the lunch buffet is fairly-priced, and the crowds can be fun. But basically the Ambassador is a place to go to slip into another world for a while, a fancy dining room in a luxury Charles Village apartment building with gorgeous gardens, a lovely outdoor patio, white tables galore, wood paneling, excellent wait staff, and high ceilings. Weekday lunch buffets are great, especially if the crowds are light. Then the whole place seems even bigger than usual and it's like being in a culinary temple. The large tables accommodate big groups, but it always seems quiet enough to have a great conversation. The food and atmosphere enable excellent experiences to happen. It is consistently a fine dining choice in North Baltimore. The Goanese-style seafood dishes are particularly good if you are having dinner. read more

The Ambassador Dining Room has long been my father's favorite restaurant, so I have been coming here for as long as I can remember. Usually when I return to restaurants that seemed very special during childhood, I'm sourly disappointed to find that they're not in fact as special as the memory I've since conjured in my head.This one, however, is more magical than I remembered it being as a child and while it is a bit pricey, the fine Indian dining is well worth the price. Located inside a historic apartment building, it's not surprising that all throughout my childhood memories, I felt like I was eating like royalty. My favorite time of year to enjoy the Ambassador is definitely in the summer when the patio's full-length windows are open to provide perfect views of the amazing garden (while still enjoying the air-conditioning). Somehow, it's almost as amazing in the wintertime, while you still get the patio dining experience without facing the bitter cold. As for the food, I give the Ambassador much credit for instilling in me a love of Indian cuisine. Both the vegetable and meat samosas are amazing for appetizers; I often wish I could just order them but then I'd certainly be missing out on the entrees. While I typically opt for the tandoori chicken, you really can't go wrong. It is especially important to note how great of a restaurant this is if you have vegetarian diners in your party-- there seems to be just as many vegetarian options as meat options. While it is more expensive than the average restaurant I review, it is definitely a place to splurge if you're looking for a place for any type of special occasion. read more

I'm giving this place The benefit of the doubt because I waited over an hour to eat here last month and I had reservations. That pissed me off a lot because they gave us stale naan bread as an apology. But ok everyone deserves an off night so with that said I'm basing my score off the many times I've eaten at this charming and romantic Baltimore spot over the last 15 years. The parking situation is frustrating and even though they offer valet I've never seen it. The restaurant itself is located in an apt building which gives it alot of character. The back dining room is always a beautiful space to dine in as well especially in the summer. The service is never too shabby and the food is quite solid overall. I've never had a bad meal here. But for what it is I'd say the food is a bit overpriced. The samosas are pretty good... The lamb masala is very good and the signature ambassador cocktail is a drink I could inhale every hour of the day. It's that damn tasty.. Probably my favorite drink in town and I'm not even an alcoholic. What's the verdict? Eat here.. Whether you like Indian or not this is a romantic setting with class, charm, style and good food. Is it the best Indian in town, no. But it's up there and for that it deserves your business. read more

I've been here at least 30+ times. I have been coming here for 15 years and the food has always left me feeling this is THE best Indian restaurant in the United States. And I have been to Indian restaurants in 10 different states. The ambiance alone makes this worth 5 stars. Not your typical hope in the wall or mom and pop local joint. The price is worth it. The food is worth it. The setting, especially the fireplaces and fountain are worth it. Kir and His brother have made a name for themselves in Baltimore that has never required advertising because it's that f***ing good. Valet too on busy nights. read more

Ambassador Dining Room - Xmas decorations around their twin outdoor fireplaces. Beautiful! - Indian Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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It's a pretty restaurant with a good ambiance. The food on the other hand was memorable in the worst way. Boiled chicken with sauce poured on it does not equal chicken tikka masala. Don't waste your money on this unauthentic, overpriced Indian food. read more

This was my third time visiting the Ambassador and my first time bringing someone instead of being brought. Needless to say they did NOT disappoint. From the welcoming hostesses to the attention detailed servers the Ambassador gave the illusion that we were the only guests in the place. The food, oh the food, from the vegetable samosas to naan to the various vegetable dishes we ordered everything was perfect. The food had the right amount of kick and the perfect amount of food. While the prices are on the high side, the quality of the food makes it money very well spent. I'm looking forward to being back in Baltimore later this year so I can introduce more of my family and friends to the Ambassador. read more

Wish there was 0 star. This is not an authentic place. In fact, I don't even know what kind of food this was. The rice was terribly done. The curry was bland and very fatty. No where near anything Indian food. If you look around the place, you will see old clientele. The food was overpriced. But forget about the price, it was plain horrible. I can't write enough of how horrible and unauthentic the food is. Another hyped up restaurant in Baltimore for the lack of decent options. I now just hope my tummy can digest the food I ate (less than half the plate) quickly so I can forget about this experience. read more

WHAT A FIND!!! Lovely British-Empire, Indian restaurant whose FLOOR-TO-CEILING GLASS WALLS in the back of the restaurant, completely fold accordion-style & open up -the entire length of the dining room -to a gorgeous garden with a fountain, right behind the restaurant! How unusual! The Ambassador Restaurant is situated inside the very old grand "all stone & marble" Homewood Apartment Building, which was built in the 1930's. That building lobby boasts skyscraper ceilings and a huge Marble reception desk with hundreds of solid Brass Mailboxes. -Gosh...this reminds me of the Fred Astaire/Bogart Era! Incredible Architecture! When I first walked in and up the polished, Marble Stairs, all the way across the lobby to get to the restaurant on the opposite side, I thought uh, oh -The only other experience I had of a restaurant in an apartment building (in Silver Spring, MD.) was not stellar, but this is a beauty! - Elegant waiters dressed in Tuxedos and fine WHITE GLOVE SERVICE! (When was the last time you had white-glove service for (most) entree's under $20 each)? That being said, expect service that is very professional and formal, but not warm. I read one review which described the service as "aloof" which accurately describes the wait-staff style. The food is excellent. The Butter Chicken is fabulous. While you're waiting for your food, you can walk around the outdoor manicured garden. The restaurants back panels are open on appropriate comfortable weather days. -Would make a perfect & very romantic evening dinner for two. I would not take my children here. -Leave the kids at home. It's just not that kind of a restaurant. -Mainly romantic couples, adults and business crowd, wearing dressy clothing, suits and office attire (if it's after work). I would recommend a tie after 6PM. Jeans are totally inappropriate here. You will never, ever find this restaurant if someone didn't tell you about it or you read about it. There is no outdoor large sign to mark it's existence! Also, be prepared to walk as there is only street parking. If you're lucky, you'll get a spot right in front of the building. I just love this place!!! You will walk out and tell all your friends of this great find. If I lived in that apartment building I would be broke because I could not live there without eating at this restaurant every single night!!! read more

This is the place that turned my boyfriend onto Indian food, and for that alone I am grateful. It has such an elegant, charming atmosphere, I think that may be my favorite part about the place. It's in kind of a strange location... the bottom floor of an apartment building, which mostly JHU students seem to live in. Seeing a kid walk by with a load of laundry on my way to a nice restaurant was a little strange, but don't let it put you off. If it's nice weather, you really have to sit outside. The outdoor dining gives you a great view of their garden, and the patio furniture and tiles and everything just puts together this picturesque setting. The food itself is good, if not a little standard. I went here to celebrate my mother selling her home, and everyone enjoyed their meals. I'd love to come back again some time. read more

Ambassador dining room will always have a special place in my heart. I started coming here at least six years ago and I enjoy it especially for their lunch buffet. Sometimes the dishes are as hot as they should be but they are still very tasty. A beautiful and headed location it's nice for a date night with the white tablecloth and the well-dressed servers. This place is more of an experience but it's very fun to go to and you would have some great food to go along with it. read more

I've had many friends tell me about the Ambassador Dining Room so myself and a friend went for Baltimore Restaurant Week. Finding the location was difficult because it was so dark on the street. They do have complementary valet parking, just pull into the driveway. Inside the restaurant it smelled delicious! The food was great. I ordered the vegetable samosa, crab malabar and chocolate cake. The first two courses had great flavoring but the chocolate cake was disappointing. I'm not sure what the original prices would have been but I plan to return in the summer for brunch. The staff was welcoming and let us stay long after we finished eating. I'll definitely be returning. read more

Worst Indian food ever. No taste. No spices. Too much oil. Gave them feedback. They did not even bother to give a fuck. Very late service. No respect and don't care about feedback. Will never come back and never recommend it. Even one star is too much. read more

Found this lovely restaurant on the recommendation of a local, and was not disappointed! Sat out on the lovely patio, the food was amazing, and the service was a quick and attentive! Thanks for the great evening! read more

Food was good, not great. Service was in general very slow and not at all as attentive as I was expecting from other reviews. In some cases it reached "terrible" (like when the waiter dribbled coffee from the pot onto my trousers. Nice). The garden is lovely, though, and is the only reason this stretches into three stars. read more

We went here for dinner as a family. Overall, the flavors of the food were very good. However, the portions were pretty small for the price you are paying. I ordered the jingha karari, and only had three shrimp in the dish. My sibling ordered the lamb shank and he had barely any meat on the bone. The naan was wonderful, as were the samosas. Hard to find location, but a very beautiful place. read more

I have been visiting this place for years and the food and service have always been wonderful. It is my family and friends top 10 places to eat in Baltimore and my in-laws eat there once a week. Atmosphere is great and they have outdoor seating in the warmer weather months. Staff is very friendly and attentive and the speed of service is perfect. Food is very good and I think it is the best in the city. I would highly recommend. read more

Best Indian I've ever had! Very authentic! Plus the ambiance is absolutely wonderful! Very relaxing! Great for a romantic evening or work dinners or even just a casual night out. Carry out is great as well. I recommend going anytime of year and sitting on the patio. The doors are open to the gardens in the spring, summer, and fall and the fireplaces offer a great setting in the winter. read more

Ambassador Dining Room ROCKS!!!!! Our favorite restaurant! Whether it's a formal night out or even a relaxed one, Ambassador's excellent cuisine & superb staff will not disappoint. I am born in Baltimore & reassure you that you will love it! Dr. D read more

The worst Indian food ever!!! Very disappointed!! Doesn't worth a penny. Food tasted bad with no flavor, our waiter was rude to us and when I told her that we didn't like the food, she replied that she can't help us!!!! Never never again. read more

I have been to The Ambassador twice now, once for dinner and once for lunch. While the food is not the most outstanding I've had in terms of Indian, it is still delicious and made with high-quality ingredients. And when paired with the exceptional service and gorgeous dining area, the Ambassador makes for a perfect spot to celebrate any special occasion or simply enjoy a relaxed meal with friends and loved ones. The Ambassador's menu offers a variety of Indian staples in an upscale environment. While the food is very good, it's much more mild than other Indian food I have had, not just in heat but in flavor and seasoning. This could very well be to cater to a wider variety of clientele. The desserts, however, are absolutely amazing! My favorite menu item is actually the mango lassi... it's made to perfection and you can taste the fresh cardamom. It is absolutely to die for. If you come during lunch hours, try the buffet. The food is at the same high quality as the food served during dinner hours, which cannot be said for many Indian lunch buffets, or buffets in general. The dining area is absolutely beautiful. There is an indoor patio area (which I believe can be opened up in the warmer months) with two fireplaces on either side in addition to the main dining area. Both are beautiful. I would highly recommend coming during the holidays, because the Christmas decorations are gorgeous. Additionally, the service is exceptional. If you are on a date and know that the person you are taking likes Indian, this would be a perfect date spot. Overall, The Ambassador is a fantastic dining experience. read more

Our friends are fanatics for Indian food, and we've been to several in the Baltimore area with them. We had heard many things about The Ambassador Dinning Room, mostly positive, so on a recent weekend night we decided to try it. Street parking was not a problem in the quiet neighborhood around Hopkins. When you enter, you are in a plush apartment building. A few steps up from the lobby os the restaurant. It is warm, luxurious and classy all at once. You are seated and presented with menus by a well dressed waiter. You would expect all of this luxury to come at a price, and it does . We ordered 3 vegetarian dinners and one shrimp dinner, to share. We also ordered two of their breads. When the food arrives, you will be somewhat disappointed by the small portions, given the high prices compared to other restaurants in the area. Ex: the shrimp dish was $25. How many shrimp would you expect for $25? How about 3. Granted, they were larger shrimp, but seriously? 3 shrimp? For $25?? The description of the food does not indicate the spice level. Some of the dishes were very hot, others were very mild. The bill 43 vegetarian dinners, one shrimp dinner, and two flat breads came to well over $100. We don't mind spending good money for good food, fugly laughed at night dealing then we had paid mostly for the setting of the restaurant, not the food. read more

Indian restaurants tend to be of the cheap curry house variety. You know, the kind of place that serves up food in massive quantities and doesn't care a fig for decor or ambiance. On the high end, there are a couple of places (Rasika, Junoon) that offer expensive Indian food that has been retooled. The Ambassador hits a much needed middle ground. The food at the Ambassador is well prepared North Indian food, but nothing to write home about. It's not the best I have ever had, but certainly not the worst. Where the Ambassador really shines is ambiance. The restaurant is tucked away in an apartment building with minimal signage so it already seems like you are going somewhere secret. Once you enter the Ambassador you feel like you are in an old school private Bombay social club. There are rattan chairs on the patio, white tablecloths, and suited waiters. The service is fantastic. We drank red wine on the patio while looking at the fountain in the moonlight. This spot is not the place to go if you want some cheap carry out or you just want to casually go and destroy some food. It is the rare Indian restaurant perfect for date night or group dinners. Note that you are paying for atmosphere here. read more

I was a guest for New Year's Eve. I called three different times prior to that evening to ask if the sauces and dressings could be left off any of their dishes. My husband is on a strict diet. I was assured all three times that it could be done. Upon ordering at the restaurant, we both reminded the waiter to leave off the salad dressing, to put it on the side. The salad was brought with the dressing on top of the lettuce. (it was cheap looking iceberg lettuce to boot.) The waiter refused to bring one with dressing on the side. We talked to the maitre d' who became irate and went into a rage when we explained the predicament. He ordered us to leave the restaurant right away or else the entire party with which we arrived would be thrown out. He also informed us that ALL of their food came from a central commissary pre-pared. They don't prepare any of it at the dining room. We were very fortunate to snag a UBer to home. We had to leave the party in order for our friends to not be thrown out, too. read more

Food was good, if a little mild. Service was attentive. Setting is stunning, especially looking out over the garden in the summer! Prices are a little high. Good place to take a newbie for Indian food, as its not aggressively spiced, and a lovely place to spend an evening. read more

YUCK! Worst Indian food I've ever had. I ordered Chicken Tikka Masala (with the spinach side), Naan and Bengan Khas. 1. The Chicken Tikka Masala tasted like creamy tomato soup. The chicken was dry and bland. This dish was really terrible. I've eaten my fair share of Chicken Tikka Masala and this was the first time I couldn't eat it and had to throw the whole dish away. 2. The Spinach side dish was also inedible. I accidentally dropped my Naan in it, and dearly regretted that mistake. 3. The Naan was tough and tasted like it was seasoned? Not good. 4. The Bengan Khas was okay with the yogurt, but became very boring after a couple of bites. However, since the rest of my meal was terrible I hate half of it (I was hungry). I ordered my food from the online menu (to go). The prices on their online menu didn't match my total (I paid less than the online prices). That's the only good thing I can think of though. Can't believe I paid $30 for the worst Indian food I've ever had. read more