Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Chola

    4.0 (749 reviews)
    ModerateIndian, Soup, Seafood
    Open 12:00 pm - 2:45 PM, 5:00 PM - 10:45 PM

    Order Chola Takeout or Delivery

    Chola Photos

    Business Info

    CHOLA ATMOSPHERE

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

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Chola

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Alice J.

    A surprise find near the Roosevelt Island Tramway station in New York. Chola is actually a Michelin recommended restaurant. The prawns on sizzling plate are excellent: tender and juicy. Great upscale ambiance. Good service. Though their accent made it a bit hard to understand if they were serving goat or something else.

    Heather W.

    Excellent service; fresh delicious, piping hot food! Lychee martinis perfectly balanced, not sweet! Chicken dishes perfectly prepared!

    Good portions!
    Shivani P.

    Came here for lunch with friends the day of the NYC Marathon. Beautiful interior with excellent service. Complimentary pappad is provided with the meal. We started with the chili paneer which was excellent! Great texture and the perfect amount of spice. We then followed with the rasam, 3 curries, onion kulcha and rice. All delicious. Good spot for both vegetarian and vegans - something on the menu for everyone. Highly recommend!

    Amélie B.

    Absolutely delicious food and amazing service ! We tried the Dak Bungalow Murgh Curry and the Melugu Kozhi Chettinad. Both were exceptional!

    Eric B.

    A recent Yelp friend request read: I saw your reviews on the Restaurant Reviews group and was really impressed with your knowledge of food. I'm not sure about that as although Gayle and I enjoy our share of dining establishments, we definitely don't have the palate to run with the culinary elite. Which brings us the Chola, voted by my dear Wife and I as the best meal we experienced during our 3 week trip to NYC and Canada. Gayle also gives Chola her coveted (and seldom awarded) - "Lick the Plate" prize. We found Chola via on online search (from our Hotel room) for nearby restaurants. This place was a bit of a schlep, but well worth it for the exercise and what was to come. It's just past the out-of-business Indian place next door. Here's what we enjoyed: - Bombay Breeze Martini (Gayle) - Taj Mahal Beer (Eric) - Basamati Rice - Lata Shetty's Kori Gassi (Gayle) - Aunt Murli Shrimp Malai Curry (Eric) The last dish in particular was outstanding. It was most enjoyable to move beyond Chicken tikka masala. Our table was nice, the service was attentive with pride of ownership, and our evening together sparkled. Things went so well that I should have proposed marriage to Gayle again!

    Exterior
    Kathy X.

    My friend came here for dinner. This place has an elegant interior and peaceful ambiance. They serve elevated Indian cuisine. Instead of getting my usual Mango Lassi, I decided to try the Indian coffee. This was mixed with milk and had faint aroma of spices. The coffee was smooth and creamy. My friend and I shared the Garlic Naan, which was pretty good, but didn't have enough garlic taste for me. It was nicely buttered, as well as slightly crispy though. For my entree, I ordered the Lamb Biryani, topped with bread, which I absolutely loved. The bread was soft and delightfully warm. The Lamb Biryani was delicious, but a bit spicy for me, so I took bites with the raita (yogurt sauce), which definitely helped. The lamb was wonderfully tender, well seasoned, and plentiful. The rice was perfectly cooked, full of boldly flavored whole spices, along with garden herbs. The combination of rice and lamb made for mouthwatering bites. I also tried the dessert, Gulab Jamun, which are kind of like warm milk based balls in sweet soup. It only came with 2 balls in a sugar syrup with cardamom, rose, and coconut. The balls were sticky, chewy, and satisfyingly yummy. However, the syrup it came in was too sweet even for me. Service was solid. Our waiter was welcoming and attentive. Prices are on the expensive side, so I would only return once in awhile to treat myself. Next time, I would like to try the Lata Shetty's Lobster Ghee Roast or one of the Fish dishes, and of course, the Mango Lassi.

    Alyssa C.

    This place is SO good. Was told that the cuisine is authentic southern indian cuisine and was really pleased to discover new tastes that I had never had before but thoroughly enjoyed! Interior was beautiful and service was attentive. Came for lunch on a Saturday at opening and there was plenty of room. There is a complimentary tamarind sauce with light chips! Ordered the rogan josh lamb curry and one of the fish curries that was recommended. Each was a little under $30 but SO so good! Powerful but not overbearing flavors. The fish curry reminded me of some southeast asian cuisines! Basmati rice and garlic naan came separately, probably could have done without the naan this meal. Will definitely return to try more! (:

    Malai Kofta, excellent !
    michelle b.

    Went shopping for a mattress which is always a stressful decision and was ready for a late lunch. Walked around the corner and found Chola, and was pretty happy we did . Smart, tasteful interior . Excellent service and really exceptionally tasty dishes! I've eaten in a lot of Indian restaurants and this would definitely be one of the best. Lots of vegetarian options as well as vegan options which is great!

    Infront of restaurant.

    See all

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    20 days ago

    I no like food.service is very slow. I'm Indian so the food I'm expecting is not like that sorry

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J B.
    0
    5
    0

    23 days ago

    good food good service. I like the way they fixed up the space--it seems to work and feel better.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 4

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Excellent food, excellent service, great place to meet a friend and actually be able to have a conversation. Will be back!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Atul T.
    0
    14
    42

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Tried coastal Indian food for the first time--delicious, good service, and a slightly upscale vibe. The onion naan was the highlight!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kashif K.
    1560
    452
    18876

    2 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 3
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Jane M.
    9
    147
    155

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Sean K.
    10
    19
    0

    1 year ago

    Consistently excellent quality and taste. Delivery orders always packed well. Good job chola team!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mantis T.
    0
    105
    32

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 19

    Chola Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Chola

    Is there a buffet in 2023?

    They didn't have a buffet when I was there

    Do you guys still offer the lunch buffet as of Sept 2021?

    Unfortunately, the buffet concept has come to an end.

    Are there vegan options on the lunch buffet?

    Yes, We do have vegan options for the buffet and since the buffet selection changes everyday, it would be better to call the restaurant at 10:30 am so that we can let you know the vegan dishes that we will be serving on the buffet.

    What time is the lunch buffet?

    The timing for the Lunch Buffet starts from 12 Noon till 2:45 pm.

    Is this place halal?

    Yes, the meat served at Chola is Halal.

    View All 7 Questions

    You might also consider

    Crab House NYC

    Crab House NYC

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
    0.2 miMidtown East
    $$$$

    I had a great experience here. There are so many food options to choose from, including lobster,…read moreshrimp, all kinds of crab legs, and even blue crabs. It's honestly a seafood lover's dream. I highly recommend coming with a large group so you can try a bit of everything. They also offer an option to pay an extra $45 to take your leftovers home, which is absolutely worth it. I ended up with so much food that my fridge is still full. The service was impeccable from start to finish. The staff was attentive, friendly, and made the whole experience even better. I would definitely come back and highly recommend this place to others.

    If I had to choose a death row meal, this would be my new selection!! WOW - the offerings on the…read moremenu were so plentiful and a meal that would usually cost probably a thousand dollars was only $125 per person. The lobster is a little chewy, but the spicy claws were very flavorful. All of the crab had so much meat and the seasonings were all amazing. Surprisingly, the iron steak was one of our favorites despite this being a seafood spot. The waiter did say to just check mark the paper instead of quantities, but they end up bringing you 2 of everything you order. The sweet & spicy fish is also very solid, garlic noodles were buttery, and even their iced tea was super refreshing. Could not recommend this place more!! Bonus: they play a great 2000s throwback playlist that got us singing along and dancing while we were peeling all our seafood to pass the time. Shoutout to whichever employee put that playlist together!

    Photos
    Crab House NYC - First dining room when you walk in, more space down the stairs farther in

    First dining room when you walk in, more space down the stairs farther in

    Crab House NYC - Cajun butter shrimp

    Cajun butter shrimp

    Crab House NYC - Salt & Pepper Fried Lobsters

    See all

    Salt & Pepper Fried Lobsters

    Mermaid Oyster Bar - Shrimp avocado sliders

    Mermaid Oyster Bar

    4.3(239 reviews)
    1.0 miTheater District, Midtown West

    Stopped by Mermaid Oyster Bar near Times Square for a quick bite during happy hour before catching…read morea train. This is exactly the kind of place that works well when you need something fast but still high quality. Service stood out. Jeanine was excellent; she quickly understood our time constraint, guided us to the right dishes, and kept everything moving without making it feel rushed. At one point we accidentally put a plastic menu over a lit candle, and she handled it immediately and made the moment feel light rather than awkward. The atmosphere was lively and full; the place was packed, but it still felt organized rather than chaotic. The bar looked well stocked, and the overall ambience worked well for a pre-train, Times Square-adjacent stop. Food was solid, with a few standouts. The salmon tartare with sesame crackers was excellent; clean, fresh, and well balanced. Jeanine recommended the shrimp avocado sliders, and that was the right call; they were outstanding. Happy hour oysters were fresh and well balanced. Littleneck clams were good, though slightly less compelling than the oysters. The fish tacos were good but not particularly memorable. Fried calamari was well executed, though the accompanying sauce could have used a little more flavor. The hot sauce, assuming it is made in house, was excellent and added a much better punch to the seafood. Drinks from the happy hour menu, including the Pink Flamingo and margarita, were good and consistent. I would come back to try more from the main menu. If you like seafood, this is a strong option for the price point and location, especially during happy hour.

    Seafood tower was great except the clams. They took the clams back no questioned ask (fishy)…read more Branzino and wedge salad were on point. Atmosphere was clean and noise level not good to allow for conversation Service was professional albeit a bit "go through the motions" versus having joy / emote enthusiasm

    Photos
    Mermaid Oyster Bar - Bar area

    Bar area

    Mermaid Oyster Bar - Fried calamari

    Fried calamari

    Mermaid Oyster Bar - Hot & Dirty Martini

    See all

    Hot & Dirty Martini

    Fish Cheeks

    Fish Cheeks

    4.4(2k reviews)
    2.7 miNoHo
    $$

    Food: 5/5 We got the Market Oysters ($22/dozen HH), Zabb…read moreWings ($18), Steamed Fish with Thai Herbs ($40), and Crab Fried Rice ($28). The steamed fish was the star. It was incredibly tender and comes on a heated tray so the Thai herbs and sauce stay hot. I've never had anything like this at any Thai restaurant. Service: 3/5 The service was inconsistent. The front door was open and it was cold. We asked a waiter to close the door and he said they had to leave it open. We saw the manager constantly closing it when customers would swing it open so we ended up asking him and he said no problem and closed it right away. There were so many waiters and waitresses crowded behind us just standing around, it was a bit awkward because they were right there 2 inches away. We also saw people get shrimp chips? We never got ours. Ambiance: 5/5 The ambiance is lively, trendy, and full of energy without feeling overly chaotic. The space has a modern downtown NYC vibe with colorful touches and a buzzing atmosphere that makes it great for group dinners or date nights. It's definitely a place that feels fun and memorable from the moment you walk in.

    Of course I had to come back, I've been craving this place at least once a week. Every time I…read morereturn, I bring a new friend so they can experience the magic too. Second visit was at the Brooklyn location with my homegirl and we got seated immediately. Service was quick, waiter was attentive. That location is smaller than the Noho one but still a great vibe. We shared the oysters (literally the only place that can get me to eat oysters), some white wine maybe one too many lol and the Choo Chee Scallops. I never knew I needed scallops in a curry paste sauce until now... omg SO good. The sauce alone deserves its own review. Third visit was date night and we shared the crab fried rice (obviously a must), the coconut crab curry, okay I totally get the hype now because it was DELICIOUSSSSS and the pork belly chili garlic. The flavors were amazing, super bold and savory, but we personally didn't care for the pork itself. Still definitely worth trying if you're a pork lover. At this point Fish Cheeks is becoming one of my favorite spots in the city. The food is flavorful, fun to share, and every visit somehow tops the last.

    Photos
    Fish Cheeks - Coconut crab curry

    Coconut crab curry

    Fish Cheeks - Grilled branzino with garlic peanut sauce

    Grilled branzino with garlic peanut sauce

    Fish Cheeks - Goi nuaa- beef tartare

    See all

    Goi nuaa- beef tartare

    Crab House Times Square

    Crab House Times Square

    4.7(60 reviews)
    1.3 miMidtown West, Theater District

    Wanted to enjoy a post Mother's Day dinner, had been looking at Crab House Times Square for their…read moreluxurious seafood experience! All I can say is this place is very impressive! From the moment I entered the restaurant, I knew the experience was going to be next level. Thank you Jay for seating me and my friend at the best table in the house. Thank you to our phenomenal server Shamim. Your service was really over the top stellar. Soon as you sit at the table, menus are placed. Complimentary delicious bread, water, and warm hand towels are provided to clean your hands. The seafood buffet is $168 and you can order everything, as many times as you like. The buffet is contactless. The food is served to you at your table. Because the food is served in a manner that is based on a shared dining experience. All guests at the table have to order either buffet or Prix Fix menu. My order of Rockefeller oysters, and clams were simply the best I ever tasted. The way they were prepared is the only way I want to taste them. The next dishes they brought out were fried shrimp, sizzling shrimp scampi. Soft shell crab was cooked to perfection. My garlic butter Nova Scotia Lobster was divine. Cooked, and served to perfection! Next the sizzling sea bass was brought to the table! O-M-G! Within a second after arriving to our table still sizzling. Jose came to personally debone the fish (never had that done before) and he added the Thai chili sauce. At this point, my body was in a foodie coma! After a brief clean up of our table. I left our dining room, and went to the ladies room. When you walk in the ladies room, between the floral scent, and decor you are in awe of the details, the bathroom was dreamy. Back at the table our two servers set up a Picasso style dessert with hand drawn chocolate with the ice cream and a delicious cheesecake. Thank you for the birthday wishes, and celebration for my friend. José out did his self with his talented art skills. Special thanks to the Manager Sam for stopping by every table to see if everything was to our satisfaction. It was beyond our satisfaction. Tip: Make reservations even if your a party of two. Be sure all guests arrive at the same time. Tip#2: The upstairs level is perfect for large gatherings, corporate events, holiday events, bridal, baby showers, bar/bat mitvah's, and industry events.

    I had an amazing experience at Crab House Times Square! Honestly the most luxurious AYCE dining…read moreexperience I've ever had. From the moment you walk in, the ambiance is beautiful. LOVE the rococo inspiration. The opulent decor made me feel like I'm dining in a palace. Most of the tables are set up in private rooms too so you can have your own space for your feast. The all-you-can-eat menu is made fresh to order, not sitting out like a typical buffet, which makes a huge difference in quality. I loved the seafood selection: lobster, crab, shrimp, oysters, clams, mussels, octopus, fish, calamari ... you name it. What really stood out to me was how much variety there is. Even the steak, fried rice, noodles, lamb, and veggies were delicious. The service was super attentive and quick with bringing out dishes. The price is definitely a splurge, but worth it for the experience and high qualit. It's not just a meal, it's a whole vibe. I would absolutely come back and recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable, over-the-top dining experience in Times Square!

    Photos
    Crab House Times Square - Room for corporate meetings

    Room for corporate meetings

    Crab House Times Square - Lobster rolls

    Lobster rolls

    Crab House Times Square - Beautiful private room

    See all

    Beautiful private room

    Chola - indpak - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...