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Ananda

4.2 (733 reviews)
PriceyIndian, Bars
Open 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM
Updated over 3 months ago

Ananda Photos

ANANDA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Classy
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Ananda

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Reviews With Photos

Lexy P.

My husband and I came here for his birthday. The ambiance, food and service were all wonderful. You can taste the quality of the food. This is the best Indian restaurant I've ever been to. We will definitely be back.

Shrimp Balchao
Olivia B.

Ananda has yet to disappoint me! One of my favorites! The roasted broccoli is 100/10. It was a perfect blend of sweet with the tamarind and savory with the cheese. The butternut squash and carrot soup was just delicious. The beef short rib was so flavorful, the beef was super tender with robust flavors and I especially loved the cauliflower and corn smash. My server was so kind and very attentive. The other staff and the manager were also very hospitable and kind.

Manhattan made by JR
Donyiel C.

Love this place! It's hidden but I like that about them. The service is always great! The food is delicious. During our last visit, our bartender, JR was amazing. He gave great suggestions and was very engaging. There's Sir Davis here! I had one of the best Manhattans I've ever had. Thanks JR! I will be back soon.

Chilean Sea Bass
Chloe H.

This was my first time back at Ananda since the pandemic. The last time I was here, I hosted my birthday dinner with a party of 10. This time it was a quiet solo dinner by the fireplace. This remains one of my favorite Indian restaurants. The service was impeccable. I usually get the whole Goa fish (visited Goa and loved the seafood), but I decided to try something different this time and ordered the Chilean sea bass with classic naan. I also ordered meat samosa and butternut squash and carrot soup as appetizers. My cocktail of the evening was the pomegranate martini. The sea bass was moist and flaky. It was accompanied by vegetable biriyani and cream spinach (I think). I didn't like the spinach. There was also a serving of what tasted like a sweet potato hash and it was delicious! The naan was warm, soft and fluffy. The meat samosa was different. It was tasty, but seemed more like a meat pie than a samosa. The butternut squash soup is always a favorite and it didn't disappoint - rich and flavorful. The pomegranate martini was sweet and smooth. Since I left happily stuffed, I had no room for dessert. I ordered the Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake to go. It was okay. I highly recommend dining here for an upscale dining experience. This place exudes old world charm, and the staff is very attentive.

Specials Menu (9/2025)
Kimberly S.

We arrived just before 5:30pm and were quickly greeted, seated and brought water. We opted to dine inside; however, the beautiful shaded patio was open with live music. Every item was perfectly cooked, well seasoned and came out hot temperature wise. Loved our first experience here and we will definitely be back to explore the rest of the menu!

Garlic naan
Madison P.

Overall: absolutely gorgeous restaurant, indoor, outdoor, and covered patio seating, delicious drinks, incredible food, huge menu, attentive service, multi-stall gendered restrooms, expensive, no happy hour What a perfect place for a nice date night. Every corner of this place is beautiful. I loved their plants and decor and there were so many cute and romantic places to sit. We were sat right away early on a Thursday. We tried four different cocktails- Warrior, cucumber detox, madras mojito, and the Parinda. All four were delicious, but the warrior definitely stood out. There were so many options on the food and drink menus that all sounded delicious. They even had mocktails. All of our food was stellar. It came out altogether. We got the garam masala goat, bengan bhartha, jingha karari, garlic naan, and aloo paratha. The meat was all tender and the flavors were balanced. It sounds like they have a farm which is really cool. The price was pretty hefty. It was a $200 dinner, so sadly we won't be able to frequent this place but I can definitely see us returning for a special date.

Bengan Bhartha
El P.

summary: a total vibe of a dining experience. Upscale and definitely expensive, but up there with some of the best Indian food I've ever had. A must-experience in the area if your budget allows. For context: we went for dinner around 4:30, so the restaurant was empty and just slowly starting to fill up. The decor is very unique and quite nice. There's a lot of covered seating with outdoor fans blowing everywhere (noise wasn't an issue). The service was plentiful and attentive. Side note: there was no sign or indicator from the outside that we were at Ananda (unless I totally missed it), so just bear that in mind if you're looking for it. It's not hard to find though especially if you use GPS - there's only one building in the lot. Drinks - we had a total of 4 signature cocktails (only one picture included) - all of the cocktails are priced at $15. This is how I knew we were in for a treat. The drinks were all delicious in a way where there was a perfect balance of ingredients and a level of depth/complexity where you immediately know the kitchen/bar knows exactly what they're doing. Food - Unsurprisingly, everything was delicious. Cooked perfectly with a perfect balance of seasoning. The shrimp dish had just the right amount of bounce to the meat and the goat was super tender. We were also provided with some rice and sauce to complement the dishes that went really well with the entrees. I honestly think you'll be fine ordering anything on the menu here and it coming out delicious. Price - I do think it warrants mentioning because the prices do feel a bit on the steep side. Small plates and apps were in the mid 10s and above. Entrees were in the mid 20s and many of them going into the 40s per plate. That being said, it was an elevated, upscale dining experience and I do feel like it was worth it. The ambiance and the food really took things to a different level compared to just some other restaurant. If your budget allows and you're looking for an incredible culinary experience, I would say that Ananda is a must check out.

Jingha Karari
Selina L.

I love the food here! My favorite dish is the Goa Fish. But everything I've ever had here is tasty. I love that everything taste different too. Huge selection of drinks: wine, cocktails, whatever you fancy. Service is amazing. We were the last table and had to wait for our Uber to come, but the waiter staff were patient with us and let us stay longer even though they were closing.

Clara K.

Came to celebrate my friend's birthday here. This is probably one of the nicest decorated Indian restaurant in Howard county. It's located in a nice and safe community called Maple Lawn. Service is great. They are usually busy so I can see why some reviews say they feel rushed. Our server was pretty nice. Food is mostly great. I love their Chicken Tikka Masala and Butter chicken. We ordered lamb dish that I wouldn't get it next time. It had little too much of the lamb smell. When the lamb is marinated and cooked right, there shouldn't be any smell of it. Rice and naan were great. I wouldn't mind visiting on a special occasions but the price is little too high compare to the quality.

Fish Curry
Vy H.

LOVE this place!! I come here often mainly for dinner--arriving into the complex, the parking lot is very dark and not well lit, but don't be fooled, once you get inside it's well lit and has a nice fancy vibe. Food is AMAZING! Top recommendations are the Chicken Tikka Masala/Butter Chicken, Lamb Shank, Garlic Naan or Goat Cheese Naan and Fish Curry! Their Butter Chicken is the best I've had in the DMV area--so delicious especially if you dip the naan bread in the masala sauce--I usually request for extra sauce on the side. The Lamb Vindaloo and Beef Tenderloin are good too! Portions are huge, so expect to get very full. Service is always great--love sitting at the bar because all the bartenders are super cool. They have a full bar and offer lot of the high end whiskey/scotch/bourbon that you don't see too often in other restaurants. The owner comes around too and always stops by to say hi to us.

Jazz band
Lj S.

We went here for Mother's Day and First the ambiance is great!!! Live jazz in the background soft pillows along the bankhead. The servers were all helpful and very nice! The place was not loud even with a good number of kids around. And the food was awesome!My first son had a tiki masala he said it was delightful my second son had lamb balls that he said was amazing! The seasoning on everything was evenly distributed and overall Mild.My wife had a Peach Bellini and I think she loved it because she ordered 2 of them! Overall this was a Dream restaurant!

Bhindi Pyaaz- Okra, onions, traditional spices
Mona L.

Upscale Indian dining that provides a lovely indoor or outdoor setting in this well to do area of Maple Lawn in Fulton. As others have mentioned, the building that houses the restaurant is difficult to identify from the roadside and the entrance we found was from the parking lot and not the side that faces the road. Parking is easy once you can find it. We were a party of 10 and were easily placed together. Unfortunately, the one thing they were not able to do is give us separate checks and would only take 6 credit cards. Service was okay. They were quite busy for a weeknight. We would occasionally need to flag down our server. There were others who helped clear out table as dishes were finished and refilled our water glasses. We selected a variety of different dishes and everyone enjoyed their meal. The sauces were flavorful, meats were tender and I understand many of the fresh produce used in several dishes comes from their own Ananda organic farm. So vegetables will be fresh. There is no large communal platter of rice that can be shared unless you order one of a variety of Biryanis, which was quite overpriced. Each plate has a preplated serving of simply flavored rice and a side. The one thing I was a bit disappointed about was the Kashmiri naan. It was quite dry and falling apart when trying to lift it. The filling of dried fruit and nuts were falling out. So I needed to scoop up pieces of a tasty bread that I usually enjoy pulling apart. The garlic naan bread had a totally different texture for the others who ordered that bread. All in all, it was an enjoyable night out, a bit pricey for what we ordered. I could see coming here for a special occasion. The dining room is well decorated and quite beautiful. I believe due to certain walls that can be slid opened or closed to the outdoor, the acoustics are limited in dampening the noise levels. Smaller groupings would make it easier to hear one another.

Lamb Chops
Alan B.

I was in the area for business and my friend asked to meet here, as many of his neighbors are coming here, all the way from Bethesda. We had a few dishes to try different things. The lamb chops were delicious. The Tikka Masala and the Paneer were also good. They have a nice whiskey selection. The service was good and we were able to sit outside as the weather was good that day.

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8 months ago

Delicious food in a grand setting.Service is impeccable. Love the creative Indian menu but be warned this place is expensive.

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Ask the Community - Ananda

Is it dressy or casual?

Its a gorgeous restaurant! I would recommend no flip flops or athletic wear (e.g., leggings, sweatshirts, t-shirts). Jeans are appropriate if paired with a nice top.

Can you order off the regular menu on the weekends during their lunch buffet?

We no longer offer buffets.

Is it halal?

Yes it is halal, we have asked many times before. Some of the meat options are not halal, but there are very few meat items on the menu that are not halal. Most if not all of the meat is halal.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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Royal Taj

Royal Taj

(1.8k reviews)

$$$

If I could give Royal Taj 7 stars like they do in Dubai, this would easily be the first restaurant…read morein America to earn it. From the moment you walk in, the ambience sets the tone elegant, warm, and truly transporting. The food is nothing short of exceptional rich, authentic flavors that remind you what real Indian cuisine is supposed to taste like. Every dish feels crafted with care and tradition. But what truly elevates the experience is the staff. Attentive, welcoming, and genuinely passionate about what they do, they go above and beyond to make you feel like family. This isn't just a meal, it's an experience. Highly recommend to anyone looking for top-tier Indian cuisine.

Finally got to check out this popular spot after hearing so much about it through Yelp. We stopped…read morein for a quick lunch and were quickly seated in a semi-private room surrounded by shelves of REALLY nice whiskey. The owner's collection is really impressive and I'm already planning a trip back with my partner to explore more of the spirits. My friend and I ordered the half serving of fish curry, half serving of butter chicken, and veggie pakoras. Everything was delicious and came out quickly. The butter chicken wasn't like any other butter chicken I've had -- it was more rich in flavor and leaned more towards a tikka masala in my opinion but it was still good. It came with only one serving of rice for both orders so if you prefer more rice, order extra. It wasn't my favorite basmati rice I've had though. The service was extremely attentive and at times a bit suffocating. Once our food came out, we were checked on 5-6 times in a matter of 10 minutes all by different servers. After a certain point, we both got annoyed because we just wanted to have a conversation without being interrupted every 2 minutes. Waters were refilled any time even a small sip was taken. It seemed like the servers were bored and just trying to find something to do. But I would've much preferred our own server just stopping by once, so my friend and I could've enjoyed our time to catch up. Beyond that, the space is gorgeous with lots of fancy decor. We felt a bit underdressed actually. My friend and I both said how we'd love to come back for a nicer dinner and eat at the bar so service is more relaxed next time.

House of India - Biryani and cucumber raita

House of India

(271 reviews)

$$

Went there on a Saturday for lunch buffet. It's a big disappointment as we entered and saw the…read morefood placed. We still convinced ourselves saying maybe the food tastes good. We saw only a few items , but costing $20+ per person and we were 4 of us. All the food trays were empty and the food was served cold while it was 12 noon. We checked with the manager about this and asked if they could serve the food hot. We didn't get a very positive response but he kept saying the food is hot. We had started eating and were in dilemma to continue eating or just pay and leave. Finally we were frustrated and decided to leave the place. We asked for the bill, and he charged us for two people originally and charged it to one person. We paid the bill and left the place. I didn't want to post this, that's why it took me about 3-4 weeks. But I still wanted to put it out there so that they can take the customers bit seriously for the food they serve and the money they charge. While they run their business to earn dollars they should think that even the customers that visit them work hard thru the week and just want to spend some good time with their family on a weekend, and they pay from their hard earned money. So it's mutual. Don't take your customers for granted, and serve them whatever in the name of Indian food. This is nowhere Indian both in terms of taste or service. Please change your restaurant name anything but India., because I know you are not an Indian restaurant.

First of all I have te say about to our server Tapa, he…read moremeet with as genial, cheerful and smiling face from the beginning to the end. He was very kind. The was ok. We tried battaniye, meet samos and one of street food of India, (fried Spanich, it was different but tasty) and cucumber Rita. By the way they bring Rita with biryani, too. the place otantik but looks a bit old. There is a buffet, but we were late and nearly things was finished. Tapa also, offerd us traditional dessert at the and.

Curry & Kabob - Kid's 10 Pieces Chicken Nuggets w/Fries Samosa chatr Lamb Biryani

Curry & Kabob

(316 reviews)

$$

If you haven't tried this place yet, you definitely need to! I place an order over the phone for…read morethe lamb curry and garlic naan. The lady on the phone was kind enough to make sure that she scheduled my order to be ready for when I got to the restaurant so it wasn't sitting out. The lamb curry itself was delicious and tasted great paired with the rice it came with! The garlic naan was great, and I was surprised I got 4 pieces! My usual place back in Georgia only gave me 2, so you definitely get a lot of food for your dollar. I also appreciate how carefully everything was wrapped and packaged so that nothing spilled and everything stayed warm. I cannot recommend this place enough! Will be returning soon.

Curry and Kabob Tucked into Wilde Lake Village Center in…read moreColumbia, Curry & Kabob is truly a neighborhood gem--I only wish I had discovered it sooner. You'll find it toward the far end of the plaza (near The Bagel Bin and neighboring shops), with free parking just a short walk away. Inside, the space is modest in size but thoughtfully arranged. Seating feels comfortable without being cramped, and the décor leans simple and clean--warm wood tones, minimal accents, and an overall relaxed vibe that lets the food take center stage. The menu features Indo-Nepalese cuisine, and this is where they really shine. Our group sampled a variety of dishes, each customized to our preferred spice levels--and every one of them was spot on. The Nepal dish of Chicken Momo dumplings completely filled the dish and I was too slow in grabbing an immediate pic but it was shared among 4 of us.The sauces were rich, layered, and full of flavor. I also have to say their Garlic naan bread was one of the most delicious I have tasted in the many versions of naan bread I have eaten. Light, chewy but still tender and full of bits of garlic that almost melted in my mouth, truly tasted freshly made. Portions are generous, and I'll admit I didn't mind having leftovers...especially since mine disappeared later that same day without hesitation. Service was warm and attentive, adding to an already enjoyable experience. They also offer a weekend lunch buffet (Friday through Sunday) at a reasonable price, which is definitely on my list for a return visit. Whether dining in or grabbing takeout, this is a spot worth keeping in rotation if you're craving bold, comforting flavors. I will definitely return to try more of their selections.

Clove & Cardamom - Lamb Tikka Masala and Fresh Made Garlic Naan! The perfect combination.

Clove & Cardamom

(212 reviews)

$$

Take it from this very picky Indian: an absolute standout! Everything from ambiance to service to…read morehospitality to presentation to the food itself, a decadent pleasure! Dined here with a group of friends and the food was mouthwatering, luscious, rich, fulfilling, and absolutely a hit. The rich, creamy dish I ordered, the paneer lababdar, was a huge portion with cubes of paneer and a savory, spicy tomato-cashew sauce, topped with grated paneer and cream. It was spectacular with an order of fresh, garlicky naan. The spicy mango margarita cocktail was also amazing! The service was very good. The ambiance was nice, with an upscale feel. The vibe was on par with what I'd expect from this kind of restaurant. Definitely recommended and definitely will return!

Came out to C&C for dinner. Restaurant is located in a very quiet and relaxing area of Columbia…read morenext to Merriweather. The ambiance of the place is really nice and modern. Service was good. We only had small plates - Edamame Masala Croquetted (VG) and Eggplant & Potato Chaat (VG, GF). Both were very tasty, but the Edamame had a little bit of kick to it due to the masala's they used. We didn't end up ordering any entrees because the small plates were a good portion for 2 people. The menu itself looks very delicious with a mix of Indian and Fusion. Lots of vegetarian options and they're willing to customize many items. Overall, it was a good experience. I'd def come back for another visit.

Ananda - indpak - Updated May 2026

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