I was transported back to dinners from my childhood in New Delhi. I appreciated how indulgent the…read moreexperience felt. The velvet interiors in jewel tones, the well staffed team who were attentive but not overbearing, and the beautiful presentation of each dish - the experience showed the owners had invested whole heartedly in customer experience, unlike some ethnic food places that do the bare minimum. Everything here was clean, elegant, thoughtful. Now, let's talk about the food. The appetizer (beet croquette) was excellent. The usual trap with kebabs, especially vegetarian ones, is that they feel dry. This didn't. We also got paneer pasanda, which was not my favorite. It was deep fried and turned rubbery. I'm more a fan of soft paneer that melts in your mouth. The lachha paratha was good. The item I'm still thinking of is their amazing mango lassi, which is like a drinking version of srikhand! Overall, I found the pricing to be fair based on the quality of the experience ($7 lassi, $13 appetizer, $20 entree, $8 breads).

Probably my new favorite Indian restaurant!! I've come here now twice, once for lunch and once for…read moredinner. The interior has a bunch of tables, and sitting out on the patio is also delightful. Over my visits, I've ordered the palak paneer, butter chicken, chicken korma, the crispy cauliflower, and the kale and sakarkandi chaat. The chaat was incredible - I ordered this on the server's recommendation and probably could've eaten many more bowls of it! It has kale that's been battered in a flavorful layer and then deep fried until it's crispy, along with sweet potatoes and the perfect balance of sauces. Really to die for! The crispy cauliflower also hits. It has a spiced batter that coats the cauliflower and makes every bit delicious. The star of the mains may well have been the palak paneer! I feel like it's sometimes hard to find a palak/saag paneer that is flavorful and thick. This was one of the best I've had. It was super creamy, rich in flavor, and had a good ratio of palak to paneer. The special butter chicken has a nice smoky flavor that distinguishes it from other butter chickens. The shahi murgh korma was also fabulous. I've really enjoyed their garlic naan, which is charred well and fluffy. Their dinner service was a bit slow on the Friday evening we went, but we really enjoyed sitting on the patio on a beautiful night so we couldn't complain too much. I think the portions are pretty generous and the prices are fair. It's a great location, looking out on Beacon St. and right near St. Mary's and Fenway. I will definitely be back!!!!

This review falls somewhere between 3 1/2 to 4 stars…read more Ever since I heard about Don't Tell Aunty opening up last year I've been itching to get in and try it, especially as someone who loves Indian cuisine and someone who is often intrigued by fusion concepts and modern twists on classic dishes. We finally decided to go for a mid afternoon meal on a Saturday in the beginning of June. We looked at the menu online ahead of time to refresh our memories on their offerings, and the food was listed all together in a section called "all day menu". We had some dishes in mind that we wanted to try, namely the tikka tots, the mirchi bhajji and the rasam ramen. Unfortunately none of these items were on the menu when we went in. I realized that they have separate menus for lunch and dinner with the lunch menu being more limited, which I know lots of restaurants do. Nevertheless we were still excited to try the food there. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very nice. Beautiful design, very comfortable and the music was a vibe. Contrary to some of the other reviews here saying that the service was aloof and lackluster, we found that it was prompt and down to earth. We opted for some Indian beers over cocktails. For food we decided on some curry dishes. Boyfriend ended up with paneer butter masala, I had Goan fish curry and we split some garlic naan. The guy did warn ahead of time that the fish curry was a naturally spicy dish, to which I stated that I was totally cool with that since I love the spicier dishes. Boyfriend asked for his butter masala to be extra hot. The presentation of the entrees is absolutely stunning. The rice was fluffy and the curry hit all the flavor notes as it was a little sweet, a little spicy and a little tangy. In hindsight I think I should've asked them to make it a tad spicier for me, but the flavor was definitely there and it was a pretty solid, filling dish. Boyfriend really enjoyed his butter masala, saying that they delivered on his request for extra heat. The bread wasn't bad, though the portion is rather small and it kind of reminded me of the packaged naan bread you can get at the grocery store. Overall it was a good experience at Don't Tell Aunty. I did see on the website that they were making changes to the menu, so I look forward to seeing what else they can do.

Everything worst experience - AC not working in 90 degree…read morehot - They did not ask us how much spicy wanted and Biryani too spicy and non tasty spicy - Chicken 65 appetizer is frozen just warmed up and it is not chicken 65 - Pizza bread is Indian naan bread and taste bad - Service very bad - They lied that every Saturday DJ/Dance floor and when we went to Saturday eve, they said it is only once a month Saturday and not sure when .....Everything is bad.

This was GREAT! My husband is Indian and we eat Indian a lot- we had ordered takeout from here…read morebefore but never dined in- it was SO nice! Such a pretty and nice ambiance for a date night, they even had live music from a local singer- Miranda Rae! She was amazing and so talented! Now the food, again, we eat a lot of Indian- so we can have high expectations. But WOW. We were absolutely blown away. We had ordered the lamb shank masala and butter chicken, it was SO good! That was the best lamb I've ever had- hands down. This is our new favorite spot. The owner, Madhu, was so kind and sweet. He explained that for every dish on the menu he and his wife had studied how to make it perfectly through cooking classes they had taken across India. And the lamb had no added tenderizers and it was SO TENDER. I'm so impressed, we will be coming back here! Thank you, Crystal Spoons!

We picked Crystal Spoons for a family member's graduation as it looked quite fancy from the…read morepictures. Ambience-wise, it indeed was very fancy and upscale, with beautiful vivid blue plush chairs and florals and crystal light fixtures hanging from the ceilings. (There was a giant screen with bollywood trailers blasting which was a little jarring but the rest of the restaurant was beautiful.) Food-wise, it was average, not incredible, but service was painfully slow, which was the biggest problem. We also missed bowls of rice that were specifically ordered to come along with our dishes. We had to ask repeatedly, and still did not get all of the rice to come out. My in-laws also asked for chai repeatedly but did not end up getting it served despite asking 3-4 times. I got the malai kofta -- would skip this one; small tiny dumplings, sauce OK. The veggie and chicken rice palou dishes were nicely seasoned and came with raita. My favorite here was the saag paneer which had a nuttier creamy texture (it actually wasn't even on the menu but the kitchen was able to offer it upon request). We also did like the aloo tikki chaat (potato appetizer) which was served warm with nice chutney. Samosas were ok (price on the menu is for a set of 2).

Mela on Tremont Street has been open since 2006 and after one visit it is very easy to understand…read morewhy it has stood the test of time. Whether you are a student, a local or just someone in the South End and Back Bay area looking for good affordable Indian food in Boston, this place consistently delivers. Worth mentioning upfront for students -- Mela offers the weekday lunch buffet for $11.99 with a valid student ID, available through March 2026. The regular weekday buffet is $14.95 and the weekend buffet is $17.95. For a full Indian buffet in the South End Boston that is genuinely one of the better deals you will find in the city right now. The ambiance was warm and inviting, the kind of place that feels comfortable the moment you walk in. The owners were friendly and you could tell they genuinely take pride in what they do. We started with the aloo tikki chaat which was really well done. The balance of spice and sweetness was spot on and the depth of flavor made it feel thoughtfully prepared. It is one of those dishes where every bite feels complete and it set the tone for everything that followed. The mango lassi was just as good. Thick, rich and satisfying without being overly sweet. It felt authentic and filling, not the watered down version you sometimes get at other places. For the main we went with the vegetarian dinner for two which is one of the best value options on the menu at this South End Indian restaurant. It comes with soup, two gravies, basmati rice, naan, raita and two desserts, so you get a full and complete meal rather than just a single dish. We chose the malai kofta and saag paneer. The malai kofta was the standout, creamy, rich and deeply flavorful in a way that genuinely reminded us of food in India. The saag paneer had a fresher and lighter taste that balanced the richness of the kofta perfectly. The naan came out hot from the tandoor, soft and slightly doughy, and worked beautifully with both gravies. Everything on the table felt cohesive and well thought out. The desserts were the highlight of the whole meal. The malai kulfi is made in house and you can taste exactly why that matters. Rich, smooth and perfectly sweet. The gulab jamun came out warm and soft enough that it melted the moment it hit your tongue. Both were outstanding and the kind of ending that makes you want to come back just for dessert. If you are a student at Northeastern, BU, Berklee or Emerson looking for affordable Indian food near campus, Mela is exactly the kind of place you want in your regular rotation. The student buffet deal alone makes it worth knowing about. Between the food quality, the warm atmosphere and the strong vegetarian friendly options at this affordable Indian restaurant in Boston, it is easy to see why this place has lasted nearly two decades. We featured our visit on Instagram @bostonvegeats where we cover the best vegetarian and vegan friendly spots around Boston and Mela earned its spot on the page without question.

Another great Indian buffet experience! Hearty flavors, appropriate saltiness and spiciness, and…read moreminimal greasiness. The goat in the Goat Curry was amazingly tender. Their lunch buffet is only on weekdays from 11:30-3, $14.95/person. Show your student ID for an additional 20% discount! What a steal, recommend for sure

Five stars five stars! Went here after another community event and I'm so glad I did. Staff was…read moregreat when I couldn't decide and I was very grateful for all of the vegetarian and vegan options! Prices were very reasonable and the portions were HUGE. I'm very glad. Each dish was really meant to be shared (based on size alone). Ambience is really relaxing. Warm lighting, cloth napkins, footed water glasses. All in all it would be a really cute date night spot too.

I have been fortunate to be able to find and dine at several Himilayan/Nepalese restaurants in the…read moreBoston area, and every one of them has so far been a great experience. Tonight, I added Momo Masala to that list. I was also fortunate to have friends who live nearby, and when I mentioned to them I was going (hopefully to invite them), they said it was one of their regular places for take-out. But they also informed me that they did not have a liquor license. But that recently changed!! They now offer beer, wine, cocktails, and whiskey pours - none of these are huge amounts, but there are certainly enough options for any of these. Our group of 4 did sample several cocktails. They aren't super fancy (though some drinks do have garnishes or salty/spiced rims), but everything is well crafted. Momos first, if course. They offer several varieties, but if you prefer yours steamed, read the menu carefully, as not all varieties are available steamed. We got vegetable and chicken momos, the chicken ones in a broth. Their medium level of spiciness provided a nice but not overwhelming kick. Our entrees continued the high quality. Their chicken tikka masala has a very dark and rich sauce, and the chicken chunks were tender. The lamb was equally good. The naan here (we got garlic) is very crisp, just the way I like it. This is a popular take-out spot, but there are enough tables to accommodate people who dine in conveniently, with a relaxing ambiance. This is another great add to the wide variety of dining options in Jamaica Plain.

I have tried many Indian restaurant in Boston. This is the only restaurant in Boston which serves…read moreauthentic Indian taste. I had an opportunity to talk to the owner of the restaurant and he stated that the raw spices used in the food is prepared by the owner himself. Also the mango lassi was so thick and delicious. My favorite dish over here was Saag paneer, Chicken Tikka masala and Samosa. The ambience is relaxing with vintage Indian music playing in background. We always get super friendly service.

What I liked: Good location at the Kendall T-stop…read more Fast service. Reasonable prices for wine by the bottle. Good amount of lamb in the lamb saag. What could be improved: Wine selection. I suspect they are limited by screw cap wines, but there may be better quality Cabernet Sauvignon on the market.

Good! I got a dosa with spice and onions. Was exactly as described. The sauces were quite good…read more Would do more in dosa next time

I speak as a person with more of an Indian palate... don't do it unless you want to be…read moredisappointed. The dosa was incredibly disappointing. The dosa itself was a strange texture - it reminded us more of paper than a dosa which should be crispy yet fluffy at the same time. I'm not sure what this place uses for batter. The sambar was ok, but the chutneys were waaaaay too sweet (could have been a dessert itself lol). The potatoes in the dosa masala also didn't taste seasoned. The samosa chaat was very one note. A chaat should be a balance of textures, flavors, and temperatures yet this was one pile of weird mush. The samosa itself was soooo soggy it added nothing to the dish. The sev wasn't crispy enough either, and the chutneys again too sweet. The place serves chai (through a machine, not brewed by a person). It's got a small seating area to eat inside. Again, save your dosa cravings for elsewhere.

Just had another of Wow Tikka's build your own seasoned bowl and it absolutely hit. You get to…read morecustomize everything -- pick your base, proteins, toppings, sauces -- and they nail the execution every time. The flavors are bold and balanced, nothing tastes like it's been sitting around. The staff is genuinely friendly and welcoming, which makes the whole experience even better. Plus, if you catch decent weather, their outdoor picnic bench area is a nice spot to enjoy your food. With their late-night hours, it's become my go-to spot when I'm craving quality Indian food at any hour. Highly recommend if you're in the Fenway area.

I admit that I'm addicted to Indian food, especially "street food." High on my addiction list is…read morechaat, and while my homemade samosa chaat is good, Wow tikla is AWESOME. To make good samosa chaat requires good samosas and liberal use of spices and chutneys. These folks prepare it perfectly. Just order it and start your addiction.