Great food, fast service, and the restaurant is nice and modern. Visiting from out of town and I will be back

Had an hankering for Indian food, so decided to try this place. I liked the atmosphere, although I think I ate here a long time ago and liked the decor a little better then. Whatevs. The service was good, no issues. I had the Chana masala lunch meal, and while the salad was a bit on the scrawny side, the rest of the meal did not disappoint! The naan was especially delicious, and the entree was flavorful and just the right spice. Lunch was around $13, which for today is pretty decent I guess. I'd definitely come back for more. read more

Title: School Cafeteria Version of Indian Cuisine Milan Restaurant Review: Seeing a 4.5-star average and craving good Indian cuisine, we decided to pick up takeout from Milan on our way home from work. Unfortunately, the experience was an utter letdown from start to finish. Samosa Chaat: This was the first time I've ever been served samosas that were soggy, with the filling half in, half out, swimming in what looked and tasted like a chickpea stew. I had been looking forward all day to biting into a fresh, crispy samosa -- crunchy on the outside, spicy and soft on the inside -- with a vibrant chutney for dipping. Instead, I got a sad, mushy mess that was inedible. Crab Masala: I ordered this dish after being lured (nay, tricked) by the menu description boasting jumbo lump crab meat. What I received was anything but. The "crab" was shredded into bits no larger than a grain of rice -- the kind you'd expect from the cheapest canned variety, if it was even crab at all. It smelled like crab but contained no discernible pieces of actual meat. The sauce itself was an orange, oddly textured paste devoid of substance or freshness. If you don't have the main ingredient, please remove the dish from your menu. This was a total waste of time and money. Tandoori Lamb Chops: These were spiced decently but lacked the unmistakable aroma of meat cooked in a real tandoor oven. They tasted more like something reheated from a steam tray than freshly prepared. In fact, all the food had that same "cafeteria" quality -- the bland, tired flavor of dishes that were made early in the day (or perhaps days before) and kept warm for too long. Rice: The meal came with a massive container of plain white rice, but even that managed to disappoint. It wasn't basmati -- just some generic long-grain variety, dry and flavorless. It's the first time I've ever not wanted to eat rice from an Indian restaurant. Amritsari Kulcha: Another major disappointment. It looked and tasted like it had been oven-baked, and soggy at that. "Gross" would be the most accurate description. Aftermath: After sampling small portions of each dish, I spent the rest of the night -- and the next day -- dealing with severe, gut-twisting abdominal pain. Final Verdict: Do yourself a favor: don't waste your time, your money, or your stomach on Milan. Everything about this meal screamed school cafeteria version of Indian food -- bland, lifeless, $70.00 worth of bleh. read more

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Seeking quick takeout, I came expecting decent food (rarely have I found Indian food that I did not like), but not the world. I walked out with a full bag of quality food. Their website says they grind their own spices, and it tastes like it. I ordered the Indian hot level, and while the chili certainly hit, the complexity of flavors does not lie. It's easy to make an okay channa masala, but their chickpeas were lusciously flavored and I struggled to save them for leftovers. A bhindi masala was crisp and fresh. These dishes included an absolute mountain of rice, far more than I needed, particularly given that I ordered a tasty fruit-filled bread on the side as well. This is no great tragedy however; I can slowly use that extra rice. I also ordered a salad which had some raisins and shaved almonds and a light fruity dressing. I did not order, but nonetheless received a single gulab jamun. This is a nice little gift, though given that the other dishes I ordered were vegan, if I was actually a vegan I wouldn't have wanted this dairy-based dessert. But what the portion size, the little details, and the robust flavor state is that this is a place that despite apparently being around for a while is not complacent. They strove to do better than average Indian takeout, and they succeeded. read more

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I love Indian food. With that being said this place is BY FAR the best in all of cville. The atmosphere is incredible with a cute, dark, and slightly outdated restaurant feel that is eerie of the 2000s. The wait staff here might be the best overall group in town. Very attentive. Constantly checking in on you and fulfilling any request. Even kind enough to box up our meal for us. Would highly recommend giving this place a shot as the price point meets the quality. read more

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Wonderful Indian cuisine. Plenty of space and the tables/booths are roomie. They have a bar, if you want to try their cocktails. I ordered a masala chai tea, it was served piping hot and creamy. I tried the pakira Paneer (deep fried cheese). It comes in five cheese triangles with tamarind chutney and an onion relish. This was really good. For the entree I ordered a saag paneer. It was as very tasty and the cubes of cheese were generous. The garlic Naan was warm, soft, and thick. The basmati rice taste strange, so I didn't eat too much of it, but the food was delicious and filling after all that food I was stuffed. Rohan was a very good server. Friendly and customer centric. I recommend this Indian eatery. read more

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This has to be the worst Indian I have ever had in my life Never had bad Indian food until today I've literally had frozen Indian food that taste better than this read more

I ordered takeout one a sunday. I got Mattar Paneer, Butter chicken, naan, and paneer pakoras. The portion sizes are good. The food itself is very decent and reasonably priced. read more

Take out ordering was easy and great to pick up. Staff was friendly and nice. Found was great.

Milan is consistently one of the best Indian spots in cville and I go between here and maharaja for my favorite. Everything I've had is good from sit down dinner to takeout to their buffet brunch (not sure if they do this anymore post COVID). The butter chicken and chicken tikka are great, but don't sleep on their aloo gobi, the malai Kofta, Mattar paneer (one of my favs), the chana masala or the saag paneer. I think some of the only stuff I haven't tried are their shrimp or fish offerings but I may soon. Pro tip: get the peshwari naan if you've never had it. I've had it a few places but had Milan's when I was a kid and nothing has compared since. It's filled with almond coconut and cherries. It's so good and one of my favorite things on their menu! Overall if you're looking for a solid Indian spot, this is it. It's been here for a long time and there's a reason why. read more

It's edible, but I'd never choose it over other options. With Maharaja being closed for summer break, it was the easiest backup plan for Indian takeout. The paneer is dense in a way that makes it a little rubbery, and it doesn't absorb any of the flavor from the sauce. The tikka masala sauce is thin like a tomato soup. The saag has a bitter flavor. The naan is thin and covered in too much cilantro. read more

A little pricey but a lot delicious. We started with Chai and loved the complex but milky flavor. I also tried some one of their wines from India, and loved that as a complement to the meal. A naan is essential. I love the garlic, or the peshwari if you've got a bit of a sweet tooth. The breads are all great with a nice chew. The stars are of course the entrees. The spice levels match what you'd expect, and they have you customize per order to ensure it meets your taste. I always get the paneer makhani, a rich curry (similar to the sauce on butter chicken). It is a wonderful meal and great with the basmati rice and the breads! I like the atmosphere inside the place, and the service is fast and friendly. It is a bit pricey, but not more so than similar restaurants in the area. I also order online from here frequently, and always find the food to be well packed and have good portions. Can't wait to eat again! read more

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we ordered takeaway from Milan recently and, although carefully prepared and with friendly service, the food was far too spicy (after I asked for everything mild). I'm inclined to try them again because it may have been just an honest error. read more

The service is amazing and their food is even better. I always go here if I'm in the mood for Indian food. I would highly recommend to others. read more

We've been here twice and the service was really great. The first time wasn't as busy as the second time and even when it was busy, we were seated right away and we didn't have to wait very long for anything. The food is delicious. I wish they had some sort of sampler option so we could have tried more with smaller portions, but I'm always a fan of that and the space was very soothing and simple as well. read more

I lived in Charlottesville for 4 years for school and not once did I step foot inside Milan - only ever ate the food here when it was catered for our student events. So when a family friend wanted Indian food during a visit to the old stomping grounds, I suggested Milan - and am so glad I did! We arrived about 30-40 minutes before lunch service was set to close, but our server was super helpful in making sure we got our orders in on time and accommodating all kinds of special requests (extra spicy, no cilantro). The bang for your buck is excellent! For a $12 lunch thaali, you get your choice of sabzi / curry, rice, naan, side of veggies, and soup or salad, and the portions were quite big! I got the Malai Kofta thaali and was impressed with the savoriness of the gravy and softness of the kofta. The food was well-seasoned, had great flavor and was super satisfying for a weekend lunch. Definitely recommend coming to Milan / bringing a group here if you are in Charlottesville, especially for an excellent lunch deal. read more

Milan Indian Cuisine - two plates of food on a wooden table - Indian Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

During our visit to Charlottesville we decided to try this Indian restaurant. The first thing I noticed is the ambiance: it felt very fancy with the dim lights and the paintings on the wall. I decided to get the food that I am familiar with: chicken biryani and the tikka masala, with a side of the garlic naan. Food did not take long to come out. Waiter was nice and checked in on us when we ate our food. The tikka masala tasted good, but for some reason the biryani tasted a bit different from other Indian restaurants that I have visited in the past. Overall, my experience here was good. The ambiance, service, and food were all satisfactory. read more

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Great food: very authentic and tasty! Highly attentive service! Pleasant atmosphere! Only downside: parking. Otherwise: this will be our regular favorite! read more

Lunch menu was wonderful. They bring you everything for your meal. See photos Great assortment and the place was very clean. read more

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This place is hands down my favorite. They are always consistent with service and their food! I try so many different Indian restaurants and no one makes a better korma than them! We have been going here for 5 years and they have yet to disappoint me! Thank you Milan!! read more

Incredible Indian restaurant in C'ville! It has a very upscale interior, with attractive artwork and decor. The food was great! We went because our friend from Germany is vegan and Indian restaurants always have an excellent selection of options, and Milan was no exception. They also seem to lean heavily into the seafood direction, so keep that in mind. The pakoras and pappadums were among the best I have ever had. My mango Lassi (ordered to go as dessert) was perfect. All of the entrees but one were delicious. Unfortunately my tandoori lamb chops came out SUPER salty, but they were very gracious about replacing, apparently they might have accidentally been twice marinated. Sadly, the replacement chops were still quite salty, so I would recommend going with seafood, which seems to be their strong suit. Highly recommend if you are in the area! read more

Milan Indian Cuisine - Potato crispy snack - Indian Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

One of my favorite places in Charlottesville! The service is always great, and they give you a lot for carry out as well. Recommendations: samosas, garlic naan, mattar paneer, dal tarka Portions: the lunch portion feels more balanced with the price to me and you get a soup/salad, but it's get a good amount either way If you're a vegetarian, get yourself here immediately. If you're a meat eater, you should come too! read more

My 5 star rating is for the food which was of excellent quality. The menu is pretty extensive to cater to most palates. Service & friendliness was just as good as the food quality. The only negative I'd give the restaurant is for the ambiance. It was very noisy when we visited and if you're looking for a quiet place to dine then this certainly won't meet your requirement. read more

We started with the peshwari naan, it was a sweet type of naan and very good. The coconut shrimp curry had great flavor but was spicier than one would expect for 2/5 spice level. The vegetable patia's sauce was good but the vegetables seemed canned, did not taste fresh, and most vegetables didn't match authentic Indian vegetables (corn, peas, etc.). Service was average and staff could use more training, although they were friendly. We may try some other Indian restaurants in Charlottesville before returning here, read more

The flavors in the Aloo Gobi were perfect. I thought the onions could've been cooked more, but otherwise it was excellent. The servers gave me extra rice with my leftovers without me asking and that was very kjnd. I did think we were checked in on a bit too often by different people, which made the meal feel rushed. I am sure it was unintentional though. Maybe better than no check ins! Definitely coming back to try more vegetarian options! read more

We ordered some items for delivery. The food was pretty tasty. Their spice level is a notch higher than I was expecting. The mild spicy was more like a medium. I enjoy spicy food, so no complaints for me. Just an FYI if someone is less spice tolerant. We got the chicken tikka masala, lamb rogan josh, palak paneer, and a biryani dish. I wish the lamb was more tender, but it was still good. The biryani had scallops, which I have never seen before, so that was really nice. The family liked that one quite a bit. read more

Milan is great! I always get the chana masala, which is quite reasonably priced. The staff are also friendly and the food comes out quickly.

Went here for lunch from a recommendation after getting of the train station in Charlottesville. Really delicious Indian food. I got the Lamb Rogan Josh, absolutely delicious. My father got the chicken tikka and it was also very yummy. If you like spice, a 3 had us at a good heat level. Lunch is so worth it as it comes with a soup or salad, and then a side. read more

Milan Indian Cuisine - a plate of food on a table - Indian Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Great service and atmosphere. We really enjoyed the wide ranging menu and feasted on a plethora of appetizers.

Friendly service, cool interior. My complaint is that they add the tip to your total as a "Suggested Gratuity" and then hand you another receipt for "Additional tip" So, CHECK YOUR RECEIPTS!!! They also have an 11% sales tax on top of their "Suggested Gratuity" Regarding their food, it was pretty good. The Chili Shrimp and their Mocktails were amazing. I do wish the shrimp was more crispy but overall it was a great meal! read more

Milan Indian Cuisine - Berry Mocktail - Indian Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Food was excellent. They are always so sensitive to their customers. It's been continuously so good and I'm planning to take my entire staff there for lunch for Christmas. I've ordered some takeout and the servings have been so big. It lasted several evenings. I highly recommend these folks read more

Fabulous food and service!! On a short visit to Charlottesville and found this gem of a restaurant! I highly recommend and will visit again when I'm next in town! read more

Milan Indian Cuisine - Chicken Jalfrazie - Indian Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Great lunch served on a tali. So glad this restaurant survived Covid but I do miss their buffets.

Fantastic food. I tried this place for the first time recently and will definitely be adding it into the rotation. We split a bunch of different things on the menu and all of it was awesome. Cute spot and pretty quick service. read more

ONCE AGAIN!! Milan KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK!! A HOMERUN from my server, Maddie! Such amazing food, from an amazing restaurant! I'm a flight attendant and every time I'm in Charlottesville, I HAVE to eat here! There are people in other cities, in other states, and even other countries that now know about Milan! I talk about this place a lot! The butter chicken is superior to any other I've had anywhere else! The rice (even when I take it home, after a whole day of flying) still tastes as good as it does fresh after a few seconds in the microwave! I really wish they'd consider making frozen meals, or branching out! read more

Milan Indian Cuisine - Papadums and chutney! Was described to me as sorta Indian nachos, or like chips and salsa -- but Indian. Delicious! - Indian Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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I cannot say enough good things about Milan. We love Indian food and this place has filled the void left in our hearts since we moved to C'ville from NY. Our servers are always attentive and friendly. Only once did we wait too long for an item which they were very apologetic for and removed it from the bill. I added the price of the item into the tip because this place consistently delivers and the offer above and beyond for the small wait. The inside is cute and it's a great atmosphere. You have to try their pakoras and samosas with their mint chutney. Best chutney in town. The Chicken 65, tikka masala, mahkni, lamb biriyani, pashwari naan (and any naan), goat vind'alho and Rogan Josh are all worth trying. There is a reason this is voted best in town. read more

The food was amazing, it was exactly what we were looking for. I wished we would've left room for desert because I really wanted to try some Rasmalai but it's okay because we'll be coming back soon. The service was great. Our waitress was very attentive, made great dish recommendations and made us feel welcomed. The look and the feel of the restaurant overall was very authentic, the ambiance fit with the culture and food. We really loved the experience and will be coming back soon. read more

Wonderful find! Great food at reasonable prices. I had peshwari naan and lamb korma in gigantic proportions...enough to feed me lunch the next day. Good attentive service, too. And you want pappdums?? They won't come bigger than here. read more

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Delicious, spicy means spicy, and great service. The dining room is awkward, as you are close and / or oddly facing other customers. If you like a cozy dining space, it's perfect. The food is always good and is always way more than I could ever eat at one meal. I didn't get any pictures of the food, but I will next time. I've been for dinner multiple times and now lunch once. I'll return. Hopefully I'll see you there. read more

As an Indian, I continue to remain disappointed in the Indian food in this town. Got takeout and we were very disappointed. Giving this an "OK" review because American customers clearly love the chicken tikka masala, a dish I avoid like the plague, so maybe that's the only dish to get like in every Indian restaurant. We ordered two lunch dishes and a lunch Tandoori platter. Didn't realize this means bento-box style presentation for each dish with an extra dish we didn't order? And so the saag paneer and baingan bahar both came with a bland potato-zucchini vegetarian side dish. The menu clearly caters to American expectations of Indian food, so the spicing and preparation reflects that. Sadly I think many Americans do know what good Indian food is, but restaurants like these continue to assume bland and under-spiced oily dishes will substitute just fine. As an Indian growing up eating phenomenal baingan and saag in the homeland, these are poor imitations of what Punjabi food can be. We asked for Indian hot level heat but none of the dishes were even spicy -- the saag especially was awfully bland and was insipid with both the naan and rice. I'm going to give the leftovers an extra tadka with ghee, haldi, mirchi, dhaniya to fix it so we don't throw it away. The naan themselves were also thick and with the consistency of a pizza base. One quarter piece left me dry-mouthed and its flavor swallows up any meat or veg you wrap it in. I wouldn't even bother refrigerating this, it will be unchewable within an hour. The tandoori was especially disappointing -- the meat (chicken and shrimp) had marinade rubbed on to them just before serving it looks like, and again, no spices, no heat, just a slight tang. The "curry sauce" that we asked for is basically pureed boiled tomatoes with the barest hint of kalonji. Zero spice. All in all, spent $50 on this meal and I would not recommend a single item. No turmeric, no cumin, no chillies, this is a facsimile of what some restaurants believe Americans will enjoy as Indian food. If you are desi, homemade sadly is still your best. option in Charlottesville. read more

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