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Came here for a pre-Father's Day celebration, and Cafe Maharani did not disappoint. Everything tasted amazing! We requested that our dishes be prepared with a milder spice level, which turned out to be a great choice because we were able to fully appreciate all the wonderful spices and flavors. We ordered the special mixed kebab biryani platter, which included shrimp, chicken, and lamb served over a bed of biryani rice. The presentation was impressive! We also ordered the fish tandoori, which came in a flavorful curry sauce that my family absolutely loved. As a special treat, the chef prepared another fish dish for us in a coconut curry style. The taste was immaculate--rich, savory, and incredibly satisfying. We couldn't stop dipping our stuffed cheesy naan into the curry sauce. None of us wanted that dish to end--we wished we had ordered more! A nice bonus is that many of these special dishes can be made upon request. Just contact the restaurant ahead of time, and they will gladly prepare them for your visit. Our servers were fantastic as well. They constantly made sure we were taken care of, refilling water, bringing extra napkins, and providing boxes when needed. With the new décor in place, the restaurant feels bright, welcoming, and inviting. It is a smaller space, so tables are fairly close together, but that only adds to the cozy atmosphere--you might even make friends with fellow diners. Overall, Cafe Maharani continues to be my go-to spot for authentic Indian cuisine!
Maharani never disappoints. We went two hours before closing and we were seated immediately (group of five). The ambiance is the same as always, it is well lit inside with the amazing variety of chandeliers and lamps and nicely decorated. The food is amazing, as usual. The chefs are always on top of it! The flavors, the plating (which has changed!), quantity, quality. It's a flavor that you expect and keep going back to!
I am pleased to share that this restaurant has made it to my Yelp folder of restaurants I can't shut up about. It is rare when you go to a place and immediately get that wow factor that you're dreaming of your next bite or your next visit or you can't wait to go again. Better yet you just want to tell a friend about it! I have been wanting to come here for about a year now, and I'm so happy we finally made it happen. Since they're only open after 5 PM, I was lucky enough to visit on my day off. I drove about 40 minutes just to try this place, and it was absolutely worth it. In fact, I'm already planning to come back next week! The samosa was DELICIOUS! I could honestly eat it every day. It was served with three sauces that paired perfectly together: a spicy sauce, a creamy avocado chutney, and a sweet mango chutney. Every bite was amazing. I almost ordered a second one but convinced myself that I didn't need it. Good thing I didn't because I was so full! Also, the rice was HUGE portion. This was definitely shareable for more than 2 people. When we arrived, we walked straight to the back to put our name on the waitlist. There wasn't really a place to sit and wait, but luckily there's a Down to Earth and a Subway nearby. We spent our time browsing aisle by aisle through Down to Earth while waiting. After about an hour, we came back and were told we were next. They probably forgot to call us after seating a couple of people waiting at the door, but honestly, it wasn't a big deal. The restaurant itself is small, but the ambiance makes up for it. The first thing that caught my attention was the beautiful ceiling. It immediately transported me somewhere else and added to the overall experience. We were seated about 30 minutes before closing, and our server was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. She gave me her personal recommendation, and although I originally wanted the butter chicken, I decided to order her favorite instead. I'm glad I did! One of the biggest reasons I wanted to visit was because of their famous giant naan. When they brought it out, I was amazed. Everyone in the restaurant was commenting on how incredible it looked. It definitely lived up to the hype. My friend and I shared the dinner for two along with the giant naan, and it was so much food that I couldn't finish it all. I brought half of my meal home for my partner, and he loved it too. Because the space is small, everyone feels close together, and it created a surprisingly welcoming atmosphere. The tables around us were chatting about the food, complimenting the service, and talking about coming back. It felt like everyone was sharing in the experience together. The service was fantastic from start to finish. The server answered all of our questions, made great recommendations, and helped make the meal memorable. I also asked if they take reservations, and they told me it's first come, first served. Parking was easy. I parked at Longs Drugs right in front, and there is a convenient pedestrian walkway that connects the surrounding businesses, making the wait much more bearable. From the amazing samosas and giant naan to the warm service and unique atmosphere, this place absolutely lived up to the hype. After waiting a year to try it, I can confidently say it was worth every minute of the drive and every minute of the wait.
I had my parents pick up an online order for me from here, and they said the workers were slow and unprofessional. They could see my order on the counter but did not grab it for them or acknowledge them. I order the palak paneer and samosa. Palak paneer has become one of my favorite Indian dishes, but this one was extremely salty. I am usually able to eat it plain, but this definitely needed rice or naan. The samosa was crispy, but the seasonings were different than what I am used to. A lot of people have said this is their favorite place for Indian food in Hawaii, but that was not the case for me. I would definitely like to give it a second try another day.
I always enjoy taking out-of-town visitors who like Indian food to this restaurant. Everything on the menu is good. I haven't tried a single thing that I haven't liked. Honestly, though, I most often get butter chicken because it's my favorite. I think the sauce is on the sweeter side and has lots of butter and cream. It's definitely restaurant-style butter chicken and really not spicy at all. It has so much sauce and you can put your naan bread in the sauce and get it all. It's so good. Palak paneer is also delicious, as is the chicken coconut korma and the chicken vindaloo. The fresh hot naan is excellent for sopping up sauce and you can get buttered naan as well as garlic or stuffed for an upcharge. If you are dining with multiple people, I highly recommend the set dinners where you get an appetizer platter, a choice of entrees, rice, and naan for a set price. For three people, our meal was a base price of $109.99 and you get a huge appetizer platter along with plenty of rice, giant naan, and the entrees, which are a great size portion. Plenty left over for lunch the next day! Service can be a little slow, as this place gets busy and there's not that many servers, but honestly, I've hardly ever been in a good Indian restaurant that wasn't a bit slow. If you're in a hurry, try to go as early as possible as there can be lines later on in the night. Excellent if you are looking for good restaurant-style, not too spicy Indian food with a variety of choices at a reasonable price.
When I first entered, it was like a whole new world! This place was beautifully decorated and the vibe was comforting. The food was amazing too, the garlic naan was my favorite. Standing up at 17, me and my friend devoured this. We got the garlic naan and it was amazing, highly recommend. The butter chicken was also flavorful and he sauce was rich. I personally don't like chicken as much but this was very nice.
This was such a great! experience. This location is a first come, first serve, "once all ingredients are used we close" location. Seating is limited but they do accept reservations. The portions are very large and each entree is enough to share. In my personal opinion, two entree choices are enough for a family of 4! The service was fantastic and extremely pleasant to be around. They were very helpful when trying to decide on dishes and drinks. They were kind and it seemed that everyone who was available was helping out! The dining space is very fun, with a colorful interior and lively atmosphere. Everyone is close together due to the small space, but that just makes it feel like a community' or family event.
Oh man! I can't believe it's taken my husband and I so long to come here! In only a couple short months, we've come twice! We've heard sooo many amazing things about Cafe Maharani, and I'm so glad we finally got here. We came once for our anniversary, ordered the dinner for 2, and left with so much leftovers. The next time, we cane for dinner with our 2 kids and my mother in law after a UH Baseball game. That time, we ordered the dinner for 3, and still left with lots of leftovers. The prices are great for the amount of food, and thebservice is friendly and quick. My favorite dish we've tried is the coconut fish karma! Yuuuummm! It's a dated, but still beautiful restaurant. The beautiful lights hanging from ceiling are definitely a highlight! It's a small spot, so come early if you want to be sat quickly.
Naan nomnom . Street parking or I highly rec the Down to Earth parking garage next door. Follow the signs (: My first time dining in -- there's a reason you always see a line of ppl waiting outside! Delicious, richly seasoned Indian cuisine, surrounded by a cozy but vibrant interior, and massive fresh naan made for a wonderful evening. What we shared btwn 3 ppl: - Garlic cheese naan - Tandoori party platter - Chicken masala curry - Saag (i forget what meat) Doesn't look or sound like much but we ate till full n had plenty of left overs to split amongst us and take home. Also, you probably need to request for food to be spicy if you're looking for that extra kick. Removed a star bc we became very skeptical of the seating process ....ppl who arrived AFTER us were called and seated BEFORE us despite our party name clearly next on the waitlist... we waited over an hour for a table...also, use the bathroom next door if you can. Despite all That and the rainy weather - it gave my visiting friend and I the chance to talk story and catch up outside. Plus, enjoying the good food - Finally - rlly lifted our spirits. I'll forever be a huge fan of their colorful light fixtures but will stick to take out from now on. cheers
I visited for the first time in six years. The interior and decor haven't changed and are still very lovely. We arrived around 7:00 p.m. and were seated within about 10 minutes. The customer service was excellent. The lassi, which I hadn't had in a long time, was not overly sweet and was absolutely delicious. The food was just as good as I remembered, and the prices were reasonable for the quality. This time, I'm giving it 5 stars.
I haven't visited Maharani since my previous review. My friends wanted to try this place and I wanted to give this place another try. We arrived when they opened and were able to get a table immediately. We got the dinner for 2. Eggplant pakora: The eggplant was crispy with a light crispy batter. It came with 3 sauces to dip in. I like the one with the yogurt. It has a mild and tartness taste. Yellow rice: The rice was very salty. We couldn't finish the rice since it was pretty much salt after salt taste. Chicken Masala: The chicken masala was good. It was pretty much only chicken with curry sauce. No additional ingredients like vegetables. Fish Masala: This curry has a stronger tomato taste. It has some vegetables in it which helps balance out the meal. The fish were good. It was basa fish which was soft and flaky with no bone. Plain Naan: The naan was huge. It was fluffy, light and goes great with the curry sauce. Super good. Garlic cheese naan: The naan was stuffed with cheese. It has the ultimate cheese pull. The whole naan itself was like a cheese pizza. Still very good and goes great with the curry. Sweet lassi: Absolutely love this drink. Good thick milky yogurt with a good tart flavor. It wasn't overly sweet. The drink was huge and it was quite filling. Would definitely love to order this drink as a to-go once in a while. Overall, well better than my first experience. Service was good. Our waitress was sweet and patient. The foods were good but the flavor wasn't in depth as authentic Indian flavors and spices. The portion was very generation. There were 3 of us and the dinner for 2 was very filling for all of us. There were quite a few leftovers that the 3 of us were able to split and share.
We picked up dinner from Café Maharani and our meal was great. We got the Vegetable Samosa, Saffron Rice, Lamb Saag, Butter Chicken, Garlic Naan, and Butter naan. Everything tasted great and the food held up well for takeout. We ordered through Uber Eats, but there wasn't a way to order the Naan by itself, so we just called and they were able to just add it to our order, and we paid for it there. Accessibility There is a small parking lot behind the restaurant, but that seems to get filled up quickly. There is also street parking available in the front. Food Vegetable Naan - It had great flavor and the outside stayed crispy after bringing it home. It came with two sauces that both tasted great. Saffron Rice - Fluffy and aromatic. It went well with both dishes we got. Butter Chicken - Very flavorful and a nice amount of spice. Lamb Saag - The lamb was nice and tender and went well in this sauce. Garlic Naan and Regular Naan - Both as were expected and went well with the sauces from both dishes. Overall, we love the food here and will definitely go back!
The restaurant space is very limited, which isn't an issue. But however big or small, just keep it clean. The glass on the table was sticky. They had windows open and AC turned off. Which might be ok on a good weather day, But it was hot and humid, with none to less breezy. We ordered veg jalfrezi, which we very well know how it's made, but this one was no where near to being authentic. Lots of assorted vegetables and no gravy. Very dry. Chicken Masala curry was alright, not the best. Be careful with ordering garlic naan. They are a good size. We had a lot of naan left. It's a good size naan. They don't cut it for you. So be ready to carve out quarters or halves as you prefer. Mango lassi had a ton of ice, which is atypical of lassi recipes. It got diluted and watery real quick I will not recommend this place. Spice Up and Tadka are by far the best Indian restaurants in Waikiki
1 month ago
My family always comes here for special occasions. Very delicious, fresh food that you wont be disappointed by. I love ordering the mango lassi, which is yogurty and can fill you up pretty quickly, or the chai drinks too. The service is also good and the beautiful decorations and lights definitely enhance the experience. The humongous naan you see in a photo posted on the restaurant's front door is a good option for larger groups though can be quite crispy which is good depending on your preference. I will always recommend this to my friends, we love coming here. Also if you're thinking about going which you should by now.. definitely get the veggie samosas and garlic naan... mm mm mm read more
Among the beautiful mosaic chandeliers, the atmosphere is amazing. We just love these new additions. Tonight, we had the delicious Lamb Korma, Coconut Shrimp Korma, Saffron Rice, Naan and Pinot Noir. Everything from presentation, delicious savory sauces, tender lamb and large shrimp that melt in your mouth to excellent attentive service made it a perfect dinner. Thank you for making life so enjoyable. read more
We made reservations for 5 pm on a Monday evening they said it's normally not to busy on Mondays. Parking is available behind the restaurant in the two lots. We were warned not to park on the street as they cars are towed away if you park on the street before 6:30pm The service was excellent as we did not know what to order The servers suggested we order the dinner for 4 people because we had a group of 6 diners. The portions are big and it would be enough. They were sure right, we all ate and still had 3 boxes of leftovers to take home. We ordered the vegetable appetizer sampler with all the sauces, Balti Lamb, Butter Chicken, saffron rice, Fish curry, Naan Bread, The interior of the restaurant is interesting the ceiling has all these beautiful lights and transports you to some foreign location. You don't think Hawaii while you are there. The server warned us that the tip of 18 percent is added to the bill so don't add additional 15-20 percent unless you want to. That was a nice warning. Overall a nice dinner and good for groups. It is a small restaurant so not many tables. read more
Came here for a pre-Father's Day celebration, and Cafe Maharani did not disappoint. Everything tasted amazing! We requested that our dishes be prepared with a milder spice level, which turned out to be a great choice because we were able to fully appreciate all the wonderful spices and flavors. We ordered the special mixed kebab biryani platter, which included shrimp, chicken, and lamb served over a bed of biryani rice. The presentation was impressive! We also ordered the fish tandoori, which came in a flavorful curry sauce that my family absolutely loved. As a special treat, the chef prepared another fish dish for us in a coconut curry style. The taste was immaculate--rich, savory, and incredibly satisfying. We couldn't stop dipping our stuffed cheesy naan into the curry sauce. None of us wanted that dish to end--we wished we had ordered more! A nice bonus is that many of these special dishes can be made upon request. Just contact the restaurant ahead of time, and they will gladly prepare them for your visit. Our servers were fantastic as well. They constantly made sure we were taken care of, refilling water, bringing extra napkins, and providing boxes when needed. With the new décor in place, the restaurant feels bright, welcoming, and inviting. It is a smaller space, so tables are fairly close together, but that only adds to the cozy atmosphere--you might even make friends with fellow diners. Overall, Cafe Maharani continues to be my go-to spot for authentic Indian cuisine! read more
1 month ago
Maharani never disappoints. We went two hours before closing and we were seated immediately (group of five). The ambiance is the same as always, it is well lit inside with the amazing variety of chandeliers and lamps and nicely decorated. The food is amazing, as usual. The chefs are always on top of it! The flavors, the plating (which has changed!), quantity, quality. It's a flavor that you expect and keep going back to! read more
4 months ago
I am pleased to share that this restaurant has made it to my Yelp folder of restaurants I can't shut up about. It is rare when you go to a place and immediately get that wow factor that you're dreaming of your next bite or your next visit or you can't wait to go again. Better yet you just want to tell a friend about it! I have been wanting to come here for about a year now, and I'm so happy we finally made it happen. Since they're only open after 5 PM, I was lucky enough to visit on my day off. I drove about 40 minutes just to try this place, and it was absolutely worth it. In fact, I'm already planning to come back next week! The samosa was DELICIOUS! I could honestly eat it every day. It was served with three sauces that paired perfectly together: a spicy sauce, a creamy avocado chutney, and a sweet mango chutney. Every bite was amazing. I almost ordered a second one but convinced myself that I didn't need it. Good thing I didn't because I was so full! Also, the rice was HUGE portion. This was definitely shareable for more than 2 people. When we arrived, we walked straight to the back to put our name on the waitlist. There wasn't really a place to sit and wait, but luckily there's a Down to Earth and a Subway nearby. We spent our time browsing aisle by aisle through Down to Earth while waiting. After about an hour, we came back and were told we were next. They probably forgot to call us after seating a couple of people waiting at the door, but honestly, it wasn't a big deal. The restaurant itself is small, but the ambiance makes up for it. The first thing that caught my attention was the beautiful ceiling. It immediately transported me somewhere else and added to the overall experience. We were seated about 30 minutes before closing, and our server was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. She gave me her personal recommendation, and although I originally wanted the butter chicken, I decided to order her favorite instead. I'm glad I did! One of the biggest reasons I wanted to visit was because of their famous giant naan. When they brought it out, I was amazed. Everyone in the restaurant was commenting on how incredible it looked. It definitely lived up to the hype. My friend and I shared the dinner for two along with the giant naan, and it was so much food that I couldn't finish it all. I brought half of my meal home for my partner, and he loved it too. Because the space is small, everyone feels close together, and it created a surprisingly welcoming atmosphere. The tables around us were chatting about the food, complimenting the service, and talking about coming back. It felt like everyone was sharing in the experience together. The service was fantastic from start to finish. The server answered all of our questions, made great recommendations, and helped make the meal memorable. I also asked if they take reservations, and they told me it's first come, first served. Parking was easy. I parked at Longs Drugs right in front, and there is a convenient pedestrian walkway that connects the surrounding businesses, making the wait much more bearable. From the amazing samosas and giant naan to the warm service and unique atmosphere, this place absolutely lived up to the hype. After waiting a year to try it, I can confidently say it was worth every minute of the drive and every minute of the wait. read more
I had my parents pick up an online order for me from here, and they said the workers were slow and unprofessional. They could see my order on the counter but did not grab it for them or acknowledge them. I order the palak paneer and samosa. Palak paneer has become one of my favorite Indian dishes, but this one was extremely salty. I am usually able to eat it plain, but this definitely needed rice or naan. The samosa was crispy, but the seasonings were different than what I am used to. A lot of people have said this is their favorite place for Indian food in Hawaii, but that was not the case for me. I would definitely like to give it a second try another day. read more
6 months ago
I always enjoy taking out-of-town visitors who like Indian food to this restaurant. Everything on the menu is good. I haven't tried a single thing that I haven't liked. Honestly, though, I most often get butter chicken because it's my favorite. I think the sauce is on the sweeter side and has lots of butter and cream. It's definitely restaurant-style butter chicken and really not spicy at all. It has so much sauce and you can put your naan bread in the sauce and get it all. It's so good. Palak paneer is also delicious, as is the chicken coconut korma and the chicken vindaloo. The fresh hot naan is excellent for sopping up sauce and you can get buttered naan as well as garlic or stuffed for an upcharge. If you are dining with multiple people, I highly recommend the set dinners where you get an appetizer platter, a choice of entrees, rice, and naan for a set price. For three people, our meal was a base price of $109.99 and you get a huge appetizer platter along with plenty of rice, giant naan, and the entrees, which are a great size portion. Plenty left over for lunch the next day! Service can be a little slow, as this place gets busy and there's not that many servers, but honestly, I've hardly ever been in a good Indian restaurant that wasn't a bit slow. If you're in a hurry, try to go as early as possible as there can be lines later on in the night. Excellent if you are looking for good restaurant-style, not too spicy Indian food with a variety of choices at a reasonable price. read more
When I first entered, it was like a whole new world! This place was beautifully decorated and the vibe was comforting. The food was amazing too, the garlic naan was my favorite. Standing up at 17, me and my friend devoured this. We got the garlic naan and it was amazing, highly recommend. The butter chicken was also flavorful and he sauce was rich. I personally don't like chicken as much but this was very nice. read more
5 months ago
This was such a great! experience. This location is a first come, first serve, "once all ingredients are used we close" location. Seating is limited but they do accept reservations. The portions are very large and each entree is enough to share. In my personal opinion, two entree choices are enough for a family of 4! The service was fantastic and extremely pleasant to be around. They were very helpful when trying to decide on dishes and drinks. They were kind and it seemed that everyone who was available was helping out! The dining space is very fun, with a colorful interior and lively atmosphere. Everyone is close together due to the small space, but that just makes it feel like a community' or family event. read more
6 months ago
Oh man! I can't believe it's taken my husband and I so long to come here! In only a couple short months, we've come twice! We've heard sooo many amazing things about Cafe Maharani, and I'm so glad we finally got here. We came once for our anniversary, ordered the dinner for 2, and left with so much leftovers. The next time, we cane for dinner with our 2 kids and my mother in law after a UH Baseball game. That time, we ordered the dinner for 3, and still left with lots of leftovers. The prices are great for the amount of food, and thebservice is friendly and quick. My favorite dish we've tried is the coconut fish karma! Yuuuummm! It's a dated, but still beautiful restaurant. The beautiful lights hanging from ceiling are definitely a highlight! It's a small spot, so come early if you want to be sat quickly. read more
9 months ago
Naan nomnom . Street parking or I highly rec the Down to Earth parking garage next door. Follow the signs (: My first time dining in -- there's a reason you always see a line of ppl waiting outside! Delicious, richly seasoned Indian cuisine, surrounded by a cozy but vibrant interior, and massive fresh naan made for a wonderful evening. What we shared btwn 3 ppl: - Garlic cheese naan - Tandoori party platter - Chicken masala curry - Saag (i forget what meat) Doesn't look or sound like much but we ate till full n had plenty of left overs to split amongst us and take home. Also, you probably need to request for food to be spicy if you're looking for that extra kick. Removed a star bc we became very skeptical of the seating process ....ppl who arrived AFTER us were called and seated BEFORE us despite our party name clearly next on the waitlist... we waited over an hour for a table...also, use the bathroom next door if you can. Despite all That and the rainy weather - it gave my visiting friend and I the chance to talk story and catch up outside. Plus, enjoying the good food - Finally - rlly lifted our spirits. I'll forever be a huge fan of their colorful light fixtures but will stick to take out from now on. cheers read more
I visited for the first time in six years. The interior and decor haven't changed and are still very lovely. We arrived around 7:00 p.m. and were seated within about 10 minutes. The customer service was excellent. The lassi, which I hadn't had in a long time, was not overly sweet and was absolutely delicious. The food was just as good as I remembered, and the prices were reasonable for the quality. This time, I'm giving it 5 stars. read more
I haven't visited Maharani since my previous review. My friends wanted to try this place and I wanted to give this place another try. We arrived when they opened and were able to get a table immediately. We got the dinner for 2. Eggplant pakora: The eggplant was crispy with a light crispy batter. It came with 3 sauces to dip in. I like the one with the yogurt. It has a mild and tartness taste. Yellow rice: The rice was very salty. We couldn't finish the rice since it was pretty much salt after salt taste. Chicken Masala: The chicken masala was good. It was pretty much only chicken with curry sauce. No additional ingredients like vegetables. Fish Masala: This curry has a stronger tomato taste. It has some vegetables in it which helps balance out the meal. The fish were good. It was basa fish which was soft and flaky with no bone. Plain Naan: The naan was huge. It was fluffy, light and goes great with the curry sauce. Super good. Garlic cheese naan: The naan was stuffed with cheese. It has the ultimate cheese pull. The whole naan itself was like a cheese pizza. Still very good and goes great with the curry. Sweet lassi: Absolutely love this drink. Good thick milky yogurt with a good tart flavor. It wasn't overly sweet. The drink was huge and it was quite filling. Would definitely love to order this drink as a to-go once in a while. Overall, well better than my first experience. Service was good. Our waitress was sweet and patient. The foods were good but the flavor wasn't in depth as authentic Indian flavors and spices. The portion was very generation. There were 3 of us and the dinner for 2 was very filling for all of us. There were quite a few leftovers that the 3 of us were able to split and share. read more
We picked up dinner from Café Maharani and our meal was great. We got the Vegetable Samosa, Saffron Rice, Lamb Saag, Butter Chicken, Garlic Naan, and Butter naan. Everything tasted great and the food held up well for takeout. We ordered through Uber Eats, but there wasn't a way to order the Naan by itself, so we just called and they were able to just add it to our order, and we paid for it there. Accessibility There is a small parking lot behind the restaurant, but that seems to get filled up quickly. There is also street parking available in the front. Food Vegetable Naan - It had great flavor and the outside stayed crispy after bringing it home. It came with two sauces that both tasted great. Saffron Rice - Fluffy and aromatic. It went well with both dishes we got. Butter Chicken - Very flavorful and a nice amount of spice. Lamb Saag - The lamb was nice and tender and went well in this sauce. Garlic Naan and Regular Naan - Both as were expected and went well with the sauces from both dishes. Overall, we love the food here and will definitely go back! read more
4 months ago
The restaurant space is very limited, which isn't an issue. But however big or small, just keep it clean. The glass on the table was sticky. They had windows open and AC turned off. Which might be ok on a good weather day, But it was hot and humid, with none to less breezy. We ordered veg jalfrezi, which we very well know how it's made, but this one was no where near to being authentic. Lots of assorted vegetables and no gravy. Very dry. Chicken Masala curry was alright, not the best. Be careful with ordering garlic naan. They are a good size. We had a lot of naan left. It's a good size naan. They don't cut it for you. So be ready to carve out quarters or halves as you prefer. Mango lassi had a ton of ice, which is atypical of lassi recipes. It got diluted and watery real quick I will not recommend this place. Spice Up and Tadka are by far the best Indian restaurants in Waikiki read more
First time coming here & we'll definitely be back! Food was 10/10. Everything is made fresh! I got the chicken tikka masala and ohhh man was it delicious. I believe Hubby got the Lamb curry. Pictures don't do justice, trust me! Servings look small but we were able to take home for leftovers.. and let me tell youuu!! Leftovers tasted even better (iykyk). My kids enjoyed the garlic & butter naan. Ambience was also great. Service was quick!! We were constantly checked on which I appreciate especially in a high volume restaurant. We came at perfect timing 6pm & there were lots of tables open, but once we ordered I swear it was a full house! Thanks Cafe Maharani for bomb Indian food! read more
I think you could consider Cafe Maharani a hole-in-the-wall. But once you step inside that hole you are transported to a vibrant oasis, a place that provides a feast for all the senses. Your eyes are flooded with beautiful photos that hang like mesmerizing murals on the wall. Intricate glass chandeliers set the ceiling aglow alongside colorful umbrellas. Tables are full of warm conversations from patrons. And exotic scents waft through the air wrapping you in a blend of spice-filled warmth. And I haven't even gotten to the food yet! But honestly we avoided dining here for years even though it's in our neighborhood. The lines outside the door and the uncertainty of parking kept us away. Shame on us!! No wonder patrons brave the lines and maneuver the parking situation. Cafe Maharani is SO worth it!! We only needed one meal here to be absolutely hooked. After our first taste, we came back for more--three times in four weeks. The luxurious food and eclectic experience called to us like the sirens called seamen to the rocks! Ok, maybe I'm being dramatic but the food here IS dramatic, artful and lively in every way. Portions are generous and service is gracious. I adore Indian restaurants because they offer so many vegetarian and pescatarian options. But Cafe Maharani also does meat skewers cooked in tandoor ovens. I wouldn't know but other patrons seem to really enjoy the swords of beef and chicken and lamb. What I do know is their fish tikki masala and shrimp korma are dishes that stay with me in my dreams! Both are savory, spicy, rich but not heavy, deliciously balanced, bold yet welcoming. And the pankoor appetizers are crunchy but not oily, perfectly palate-pleasing bites that melt in your mouth. Of course, naan-thing bad to say about the naan. They are even known for a huge table-size naan. It's something fun to try if you have a party large enough to share or an appetite large enough to devour it! Everything is extraordinarily engaging to your taste buds. The menu is extensive and offers combinations that are great for sharing with Ohana. We have always visited Cafe Maharani as a table for two and an appetizer, curry/korma, saffron rice, and regular size naan ends up satisfying our appetites and providing another meal or two of leftovers. There is street parking after 6:30 pm and a couple stalls in the back. We see a lot of takeout happening, too. Don't make the mistake we did and miss out on this marvelous little spot because you can't find parking or have to wait for a table. Make a wise life choice and visit Cafe Maharani as soon as you can! read more
I went to Café Maharani because it's been going viral on TikTok, and honestly, it turned out to be one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had. The service staff seemed nice at first, but that changed quickly. They don't write anything down, which led to multiple mistakes and forgotten parts of our order. We even called ahead and were told the last seating was at 8:30pm; we arrived around 8:10pm and there were already two other parties waiting. Once we finally got seated, we were told they were out of rice -- which I totally understand happens late in the day. But what ruined the experience was the way we were ignored once we sat down, the attitudes from the staff, and the constant errors. They messed up our order and then told us they had no more naan. The only positive was the chef, who was incredibly kind and personally came out to say he would make garlic naan for us free of charge. Unfortunately, his kindness couldn't make up for the overall service issues. I would not recommend this place at all, especially given the hype. Save your time and money. read more
Dinner in Honolulu, Hawaii... Cafe Maharani has been in the Moiliili area for a very long time - like decades! I've been here with my friends from volleyball... that's how long ago my last visit was! I remember that everything i had eaten was spicy... same as this time. Even the Butter Chicken was spicy... and the chicken saag, fish curry, and Pani Poori. I was only able to eat the Naan - which was almost like pita bread. It was a little crisp and toasted in a couple of places. It was disappointing over all. Parking was a bit challenging. We found a metered stall on the street. We would have had to pay for about 45 minutes, but friendly people along the sidewalk advised us to not pay as the meters aren't really checked on weekends... really??? We would have paid with a credit card... Service was okay. The young guy said his family was from Bangladesh (close to India). We had to catch his attention - at the end - for the check. Our water was filled only once. We asked for takeout containers and only 2 were given to is when we had 3 entrées. We asked for an additional container. The foil was used to take the extra Naan home. This is a cozy OG restaurant. No reservations are taken. Just go early because it's a popular place. Portions were generous! read more
1 year ago
This restaurant is a small, cozy spot located on South King Street. Parking might be a little tricky as there is a very small lot in the back. Your best bet is to arrive early (before they open at 5pm) or try your luck with street parking. I paid a visit with 4 of my friends and we ordered the Dinner for 6 combo. This includes a choice of appetizer, six entrees, rice pulao, and naan. We originally wanted to try their famous oversized naan, but unfortunately the machine was down that night. We started with the tandoori platter, which included a mix of meats: chicken tikka, wings, kebabs. The flavor was super packed and filled our tummies. Then, came our entrees on a giant silver platter carried by 2 staff members. Every dish had its own distinct flavor profile and it was clear the kitchen puts care into their cooking. Our entrees consisted of: chicken tikka masala (savory with bold spices and tender), butter chicken (creamy, comforting, and not too heavy), palak paneer (creamy, flavorful), eggplant korma (mild, aromatic, great veggie option to the meat dishes), and dal sambar (my favorite, just the right amount of spice, veggies were tender and flavorful). The ambiance is warm and inviting. Though it is a small and often crowded venue, the vibe is friendly and casual. The staff also took a few minutes to chat with us and didn't make us feel rushed. A few tips if you're planning to go: - They're only open for dinner 5-9pm - They don't accept American Express - They don't take reservations - Call ahead to check if the big naan is available - Go with an empty stomach, especially if you're ordering one of the dinner combos! read more
1 year ago
My first time coming to this establishment. Thank you Yelp for the raving review that were true. Everything was absolutely delicious. Best Indian food I've ever had! You need to be able to tolerate some spice to eat here. Everything has level of spiciness to it. Service was impeccable. Super friendly attentive staff. This place is BYOB if you want some alcohol with your meal. The shrimp fried rice we had was sooo good. The eggplant tikki masala and lamb saag were my favorite dish. See pics for the items we ordered. I loved them all. Will definitely come again. read more
2 months ago
Loved this place. Driven by for years and always meant to try it but expected to have to wait as small and no reservations, but went at 630pm on a Thursday night and no wait, with street parking right outside from 6.30pm and small lot in the back (which was full). Menu was huge, so much variety, ordered combination meal for 3 for 4 of us was plenty as portion sizes are generous. Curries, stuffed naan and tandoori chicken appetizer were great. Drinks were good and large. Could go back forever and not try everything on the menu it feels like. Service was very, very good and nice, cozy atmosphere in the restaurant with beautiful light decorations. Highly recommend for variety, quality and quantity of food and great service, all made easy and for good value. read more
Solid servings for the two person dining set. Comes with two curries, two pieces of naan, and two pieces of the appetizer you choose. Garlic naan didn't have any garlicky flavor in my opinion. Feel like they just dusted it with garlic powder and called it a day. Rice was also lackluster and had a significant amount of wood pieces. Curries were good, was able to make it many meals leftover. Decor was nice, don't recommend sitting by the door. Parking is out in the back, with a small selection of stalls available but street parking is nearby. Just felt like despite being empty and being able to walk in, the servers were trying so hard to rush us out instead of letting us enjoy our meal, never my favorite kind of service as someone who typically dines alone. read more
Went back for a birthday!! Amazed at the price for these items!! The mixed grill is less than $40 and feeds an army. Each naan is less than $15. Great price! I am not surprised that they have won the best Indian restaurant for many years. Service is always wonderful. And the decor is beautiful like stepping into a different world. read more
6 months ago
My go to Indian place. They don't take reservation so it's only walk in. If you don't want to wait I would go there pretty early maybe right when they open or call ahead to see if there's a wait because the place fills up fast. Got the dinner for two and we had 3 people but still had so much leftovers. Got the butter chicken, and Vegetable Masala with Vegetarian Samosa and Garlic Naan with Saffron Rice. Rice was a little disappointing as you can see the coloring was very spotty. Butter chicken was so tender and the Vegetable Masala was nicely seasoned. My favorite part is the mango chutney that brings a perfect sweet tang to the dishes especially the samosas. Restaurant is small but got a homey authentic vibe to it. Parking is just street parking which is limited but you can just park across the street by Longs. read more
10 months ago
I hope you never go out of business. I hope when your chef and staff go to bed, the pillow is always cold. I hope your coffee is always the perfect temperature, never too hot or too cold. I hope your fruit is always ripe at the exact moment you're craving it. I hope your phone battery lasts until you're safely home, no matter how long the day. Most original and best tasting restaurant on island. Locals love it, tourists should try it, and everyone should support it. It should be noted, I don't know authentic Indian food, but apparently that's what a lot of people say. This is a small business I would cry if I hear they ever have to go out of business because the food is THAT GOOD. Also, the giant naan that was big enough to wrap my son is a perfect eye catcher. Heard of this place from a friend and she raved about it, I just couldn't find time to go because I work remote so I don't go to Manoa side a lot. Then, my connect group leader talked about how this is his favorite place and would drop any plans if someone invited him to go here so I knew it was really good, I'm just excited I finally had a reason to go. Parking is probably the only questionable thing about this restaurant, and I admit that is also what stopped me from coming, BUT DO NOT BE ME. Parking is easy to find and just go to Longs, you're not the only one doing it and it's so worth circling around to find parking. The food and family sets are sooo worth it. We had a lot of food and a lot to take home, well worth the price. Staff was also so helpful and friendly, and pretty amazing at remembering our order. Also, it may not be the best for groups, but don't let that stop you either! They try to accommodate as much as possible. It's a small business, they do what they like!!! Seriously, take it from a picky eater, this place is worth coming back over and over and over. read more
4 months ago
I found this place to have pretty below average Indian food. I got the palak paneer and thought the paneer was overcooked. It was definitely the firmest paneer I've ever had. The majority of the huge naan was very crispy, so crispy that I couldn't use it to scoop up food since it just crumbled away in my hands. It was very unlike the soft chewy naan I'm used to getting. My friend got the mango lassi and she enjoyed it but I found it odd there was ice in it. I've never had a lassi with ice since, as I learned, it just waters down the lassi and makes it separate so it was a little weird and frothy instead of creamy and smooth. This is also the first Indian restaurant I've been to where rice doesn't come with the meal. The portions were very large so that was nice. There's limited parking in a lot next to it and some street parking. read more
4 months ago
Love the food here, especially their lamb dishes and curry! They have so many options that it's so hard to choose from, but don't worry! The staff are super nice and helpful, so they'll help you decide what you should order based on your preference! The curry was so tasty and the lamb dishes were just really soft and juicy. We also got the platter and it's definitely a good way to try out their dishes, but I would just go for their curry, lamb dishes and naan! Just a little warning, it will get really hot with all the spicy food and small space, so make sure you're well prepared! There's a bit of line and it can take a while to get seated, but the food is definitely worth it!! read more
16 days ago
4 months ago
Tiny little restaurant right across from Longs by University Ave. It's been there for a long while and their India cuisine is by far the best I have ever tried even better than the one I recently went to in TX. Lots of take out and long line is waiting before it is open. We go there often with my family and always one of my daughter's flavors place to go to every time she comes back to Oahu. Very nice decorations inside the restaurant and BYOB. Enjoy. read more
4 months ago
Been hearing about this place and finally able to visit. We ordered appetizers tandoori plater and it's amazing, they gave a lot and come with 3 different dipping sauce. At that point we knew we ordered too much food. Then comes out eggplant tikka masala, I have to say it's on the sweet side. Second entree lamb Rogan Josh was more to my liking. Ordered also chicken biryani, it came in the traditional looking pot. It's good and again it's a lot of food. My waitress is nice and friendly, there's also a man who helps us with our reservations, he also very kind. The restaurant is small but super unique. The art wall and the decoration on the ceiling was no other. Very impressive place to go. read more
6 months ago
I came to dinner with my sons. We got there before they opened and got in line, I couldn't believe that even on a Thursday evening there was a line. We ordered a lot because I wanted to try a bit of everything. Appetizers were the vegetarian platter, tandoori platter, we got mango lassis, and for the meal mater paneer and lamb vindaloo, saffron rice, we also ordered the big garlic naan. They brought the mango lassi, I've never seen such big cups of mango lassi before! They were really good. Then the appetizers came on huge platters. Everything was good on the platter, my favorite was the pakora. The tandoori wasn't as good as the vegetarian platter but it was still good. The lamb vindaloo was the only disappointment of the night, it wasn't spicy at all and there was only one piece of potato in the whole bowl. The large naan was so fresh and soft, that would have been enough for at least 6 people, probably more. We wanted to get dessert but the server told us they only usually have dessert around the holidays, except it was on the menu so I didn't understand why have it on the menu if it's not a usual thing. The restaurant is beautiful and the service was nice, they have definitely earned their popularity. I will come back. read more
2 months ago
I absolutely love it here! The food, the service, the atmosphere - everything was wonderful. Our waitress was so friendly and funny. The decor is charming and truly transports you away from University and King st. Most importantly everything we ate was delicious and the portions are huge. The veggie appetizer platter was filled with delicious vegetarian pakoras and the panipuri were so yummy and crisp, the filling and sauce were so flavorful. The lamb tikka masala was so tender, but my favorite was by far the eggplant tikka masala, I've never eaten anything like it. If you're going to get naan, the lamb stuffed naan is the way to go it's so warm and comforting while being packed with flavor. I can't wait to come back! read more
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More info about Cafe Maharani
2509 S King St
Honolulu, HI 96826
Mo'ili'ili
Directions
(808) 951-7447
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https://cafemaharani.com
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Ask the Community - Cafe Maharani
Does this restaurant take reservations?
No - Cafe Maharani does not take reservations- best to get there when it opens - usually many people are waiting outside
Can the curries be made vegan (e.g., with tofu instead of paneer... and using coconut milk instead of cow milk)?
Yes
When will the full menu be avaliable again? Unfortunately, my favorite dishes are not on the Covid-19 menu :(
Full menu is available
Long shot, but are there takeout options during the stay-at-home orders?
Yes! We've always ordered take-out or delivery (through GrubHub, Door Dash or Bite Squad) because the place is so small it can be hard to get a table! We just got some last week! Yum!
If someone in my family has nut allergies, can that be accommodated?
Some of the sauces have nuts in them, so be sure to ask about it if you go.
Do they do catering? Thanks Jocya for answering. But it wont deter me from trying your food :) the…
We are not cartering at this moment
Are there any vegan options here?
Yes, it's very easy to be vegan when it comes to Indian food. Just avoid all of the vegetarian options that have cream in them. The rice and naan are without animal products and then foods like the cauliflower dish, garbanzo beans, etcetera are all…
To the cook: Do you use pre-made spice packets for any dishes? Maybe the vindaloo? Or the Kashmiri chicken?
All of our dishes are freshly made everyday and we use fresh spices. Indian spices like chili powder, tumaric powder, cumin and coriander powder are pre made and we use those spices like everybody else.
Is there ANY MSG in their food?
Steve, Indian cuisine doesn't use MSG in any of their cooking. The taste you get is purely due to spices.
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106 reviews that are not currently recommended
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