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    Ananda

    4.2 (738 reviews)
    PriceyIndian, Bars
    Closed 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Ananda Photos

    ANANDA ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Ananda

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    Architectural detail in the dining room.
    Leila B.

    Dining at Ananda feels like stepping into one of those rare food-centered films where a meal quietly alters your internal state. At the first bite of their savory samosas--crisp, deeply spiced, and unmistakably fresh--it was immediately clear this was not a typical dining experience. The flavors felt grounded and intentional, as if the food knew exactly what it was meant to be. As the meal unfolds, you notice video imagery of the farm: the land, the harvest, the work behind the ingredients. Gradually, it dawns on you that the farmers are also the staff. You catch glimpses of family life--children interacting easily, a young boy riding alongside his father on the farm--and then, moments later, that same boy darts across the dining room with an impish smile. The realization lands quietly but powerfully: this is not a concept being presented, but a life being lived. The space reinforces that coherence. Fireplaces, warm lighting, and a calm, elegant atmosphere invite you to slow down and stay present. Nothing feels performative. Everything feels aligned. Ananda doesn't try to impress. It simply knows who it is. The result is a meal that feels quietly expansive--and lingers long after you leave.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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

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    2 years ago

    Great atmosphere, great staff, amazing food and drinks. Will definitely be going here again.

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    1 year ago

    Waited over 20 minutes and no server ever. We eventually left without ordering. poor service -- won't be coming back.

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    2 years ago

    Oh. My. Gawd! Incredible experience. A must try for the area. Truly an elevated dining experience.

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    Thank you so much and we can’t wait to see you soon!

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    Page 2 of 19

    Ananda Reviews in Other Languages

    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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    This place is chaos in the best possible way…read more Game On in the Merriweather District is basically your inner child with adult money. The arcade selection is legit. Not a couple random machines tucked in a corner, but enough games to keep you busy way longer than you planned. The cocktails? Oh they're gimmicky. Fully. And that's the fun of it. They're colorful, dramatic, a little extra, and totally fit the vibe. If you want a quiet, serious cocktail moment, this isn't that. If you want something playful in your hand while you dominate skee ball, you're in the right spot. Now the food -- this surprised me. The cheesesteak egg rolls are a must. Crispy, cheesy, packed with flavor. Absolutely order them. The buffalo chicken sliders were also a win. Messy in the best way, saucy, juicy, and perfect for grazing between games. What really made it though was the staff. They genuinely look like they're having a good time working there. Not fake smiles. Real energy. That kind of vibe changes everything and makes you want to hang out longer. Game On knows exactly what it is and leans all the way in. Fun first, good food, playful drinks, great energy. We'll be back.

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    I would like to thank to Yelp for this event and thanks to introduce me such a unique place!…read moreI really enjoy the place. I tried Baijiu Mango Margarita and Watermelon Candy! They both was very good match with my cocktail taste! I like the food too! Calamari, truffle fries, edamame, rolles, chicken tenders,... all was tasty. The tour about the how they make Vodka, gin, Baijiu process was pretty impressed. They make all these drinks right behind the bulilding... By the way the most unique and different thing for me was BAIJIU! This is the first time I heard and tast! It's strong and tasty. The an other most important thing was, I was the winner for the event! I won the bottle of Oversea Baijiu. Because of my video that I share at instagram I am glad Oversea Distillery and Bar only 10 minutes away from my house! BAIJIU: (pronounced bye-jyo) is a traditional, clear Chinese distilled spirit. Literally translating to "white liquor," it is typically distilled from fermented grains like sorghum, rice, or wheat and ranges from 35% to 60% ABV. As the world's most consumed spirit, it boasts a history spanning millennia How It's MadeUnlike most Western spirits, baijiu relies on qu, a unique starter culture of crushed grains packed with active molds and yeasts. This culture simultaneously converts grain starches into sugars and ferments those sugars into alcohol--a process called solid-state fermentation. The mash is then traditionally distilled in clay or stone pots. Just like wine or whiskey, baijiu isn't a single flavor. It is categorized into four primary styles, though many sub-varieties exist: Strong Aroma: Sweet and pungent with fruity and spicy notes (e.g., Wuliangye). Sauce Aroma: Complex and savory, often likened to soy sauce, fermented vegetables, or dark chocolate (e.g., Kweichow Moutai). Light Aroma: Crisp, clean, and floral, similar to sake or high-end vodka. Rice Aroma: Mild, slightly sweet, and floral, closely resembling other Asian grain spirits like shochu.

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