Best place ever, amazing food, and run by the most wonderful people! Cant get enough of the lunch…read morebuffet, the pakoras, and the butter paneer masala.

We came here on a weekday for lunch when they opened. We were greeted by the friendly waitress and…read morewere seated right away. They were pretty slow and two other parties came in for lunch while we were there. Both groups are of college age boys. Found out that they have a $14 lunch buffet so we opted to do that instead of ordering a la carte. The place was very clean and our waitress was cleaning up after people used the buffet. She was quickly removing plates from tables and refilling water cups. I wish I could rave about the food but I found the curries and food to be a bit bland. I'm not sure if they are so because they are part of the buffet and the restaurant was trying to keep things mild. Fresh delicious fluffy baked naan comes with the buffet.

Easily one of my favorite restaurants around. The food is always incredible and the staff is…read moreexceptional. Such beautiful lovely people! I am so appreciative of the wide selection of vegan options - lots of familiar dishes and new exciting ones to try, all expertly prepared, fresh, delicious, perfectly seasoned, and as spicy as you like (even super spicy! and the delicious flavors shine through). I really appreciated the dish recommendations, and loved everything new I tried, so amazing! Counting the minutes until I can eat here again. Thank you so much for a lovely dining experience.

Excellent restaurant food is delicious. They do a great job with presentation and food seems fresh…read moreand well cooked. Slightly strange atmosphere as it is always all middle aged male staff but they are pleasant and attentive. May be cultural but I have never experienced that before. That being said, we have been there several times and ordered take out from that. Definitely we will continue to go back

We love this place. Fantastic Indian fare with a nice variety of choices and a full bar. My…read morecoworkers from India swear it's the most authentic Indian restaurant in the Capital Region. Service is very friendly and efficient. Reservations are highly recommended as seating for walk-ins is very limited. Ambiance is casual classy with some nice cultural murals on the walls.

We hadn't had an Indian meal in quite a long time. The flavors were calling out to us. We…read moredefinitely wanted a location that served Doas and narrowed it down from three under consideration to the one that was closest - Spice Malabar. Our previous experience here was only with takeout about two years ago and we were quite pleased. The only downside on that occasion was finding out that 4 peppers on the menu for the dish that I ordered for myself was well beyond my spice tolerance. Certainly not the fault of the restaurant. We started out with a bottle of Saratoga Water (still) ($5) that is displayed upon every table as you are seated. I also couldn't pass up the opportunity to have an Ubu ($7) from Lake Placid. It was so tasty even though it was in a can. Papadam and chutneys were served while we perused the menus. Deviating from our tradition of starting with Mysore Masala Dosa we decided to try the Spring Dosa ($15). It was delicious enough to consider having again. Served with the traditional sambar and coconut chutney, the dairy rice-lentil crepe was a beautiful golden brown surrounding the flavorful filling of potatoes, panner, spring vegetables (which gave a contrasting crunch), and a lightly spicy spread. For her main course, my wife chose the Vegetables Kundapur ($20) with fresh vegetables, potato, coconut, ginger, and Mangalorean spices. Labeled with a single pepper on the menu, it had a slight level of spiciness and was very flavorful. We also tried a variation of Nan, Lacha Paratha. These whole wheat, griddle-made flatbreads reminded me of freshly made tortillas as their layers separated, but also flaked. They were delicious and less filling than Naan. As I've already noted, there was no way I was going to order any dish with 4 peppers next to it on the menu. I therefore opted to have the Lamb Madras ($26) with coconut, mustard seed, red chili, and curry leaf. Two peppers on the menu turned out to be JUST RIGHT! The lamb was very tender and not gamey. The coconut added a hint of sweetness and the white rice provided on the side for both of our meals was a perfect blend of texture for adding to the curry sauce. Service was friendly and efficient as they appeared to work as a team. Ambiance was very pleasant. There were plenty of leftovers for a second meal.

After wanting to go literally since it opened, and particularly encouraged by all the positive…read morereviews, my wife and I happened to be driving by for the Wednesday dinner buffet and had to stop! Shortly after we were seated there was a long line out the door, so certainly a popular spot, or at least for the dinner buffet. All told, we were a bit surprised to ultimately find the food just 'slightly above generic Indian buffet food.' Also, in spite the establishment's name, we asked twice for dosas but tragically none ever arrived. The meat dishes were primarily chicken, but varied and tasty. My favorite items were the tikka masala tofu and fritters.

The chicken tikka masala was good and tasted fresh. I was too excited to take a picture before but…read moreit came with fresh cilantro and a drizzle of cream on top. The service was excellent. They are very friendly and clearly proud of the restaurant. It's a nice place for fast casual dining. It's nothing fancy, but it doesn't need to be and it's comfortable. This is probably the best Indian restaurant within 10 miles of the UAlbany area since Sitar left.

THE BEST IM ALBANY HANDS DOWN!! I've ha tried many restaurants. Indian cuisine is my favorite. I'm…read moreglad I found this place...

Was visiting Albany and stayed in downtown . I was craving for any kind of food but nothing was…read moreopen in downtown . It was only 8.30 pm and almost everything was closed !!!! Saw some restaurant bars , but they were selling beers but no food ! Thanks to Google , I found this place - curry leaf restaurant. I quickly called them up and was happy that they had food to pick up :) parking was a bit sketchy but since it was slate night I got something outside the restaurant! Lots of space inside the restaurant to sit and eat , but I had to go . Price was not too high. Average price . Ordered food and it was ready in 15-20 mins .. naan was fresh and tasted great . Curry was super duper good ! Wow . Nice and spicy and had so much flavor ! In a place that didn't have any food, I think this restaurant is a blessing ! Thought oh that of giving a 4 star , but for the TIMELY food which tasted great - gave it a 5 star .. it's surely a hidden gem in Albany .

My son had stopped here on the way to visit and based on some of the leftovers, we knew it had to…read morebe on the list. Traveling within about 5 minutes on the way to visit a good friend, and it happened to be right around lunch time, the opportunity finally came. It's a casual place, lots of 2 and 4 top tables, but what caught my eye when we went in was the cooler full of amazing side options. Then you look up and there's a beautiful oven and a dough station. This is looking great. We sat and ordered lamb kebab and doner kebab. A couple minutes later, a large (~11x17?) wooden tray appeared with a piping hot lavash bread and a plate of dill yogurt sauce. If the meal had stopped there, I would have been a happy camper. We had just had a few pieces when the kebab arrived, each with a pepper, tomato, some red cabbage, and onion. Both meats were authentic and delicious. My favorite way to eat my doner was with a bit of the bread, a bit of the dill sauce, some onion and cabbage, and a bunch of meat - a mini gyro, if you will. We took away about 1/3 of the generous portions and ordered a large mixed plate (all 10 of the sides) and baklava to take to our friend. It's a bit of a drive for us, but any time we're anywhere close, we're going to be back for sit down (if it's mealtime) or takeaway if it's not. I highly recommend you do the same.

Alibaba is probably the oldest Turkish restaurant in the Albany area, and it recently got a nice…read moreupgrade -- from the furniture to the serving plates and menus. The place feels much more modern and inviting now. Our family especially enjoys the beyti kebab, the güveç, and their pide. I haven't tried the pizza yet, but since their pide is very good, I imagine the pizza would also be solid. For me though, the real highlight at Alibaba is the mezze. In Turkish cuisine, grilled meats and kebabs are almost always enjoyed with a variety of mezze. They might technically be sides, but they're a big part of the whole experience. These days there are several Turkish kebab places in the area, but none of them offer a wide selection of fresh, house-made mezze like Alibaba does. At many places you're lucky if you find one or two options, often just a basic ezme. At Alibaba you'll find around ten different mezze and each one tastes distinct and freshly made. Every time I tell myself I'll just take a little... and somehow I end up filling a big mezze plate. Honestly, even when we grill at home, our motivation is picking up mezze from Alibaba to go with it. I'm not sure if it gets the credit it deserves, but don't skip the mezze here -- you'd be missing out. In fact, start with the mezze and figure out the rest later :))

Great food and service. Beware if you ask for water it is bottled and costs. Very cute small paki…read morerestaurant. Nihari was different than what I'm used to but it was good. Biryani rice was good but chicken was a bit bland. Quick and easy to order.

delicious !!! Exceeded our expectations -----from the teas to entrees and appetizersread more

Butter chicken Chicken Tikka Masala…read moreGarlic Naan The service was straightforward enough the guy was kind, said thanks for stopping in. Little can be said for the ambiance. As I had read prior to arriving, this is definitely a take-out spot. I got Butter chicken and it was good, though I had been hoping for more flavor.... This was likely an error in my part and I should've ordered something else, but I will likely be going back to try something new!

This is a take out place. Service is respectful. They're very popular. A lot of people were seated…read morewaited for food. The food is prepared fresh, so there is a 20-30 min wait. I didn't mind because it was pleasant speaking to other customers. It's a small takeout place, but a customer told me that they have a bigger place with seating coming soon. Very good. I just had a type of kebab and naan, and they gave me chutney. They're famous for their nihari, a type of beef curry, and other dishes. A local told me that this is the most authentic Pakistani food in the area. Very good

Reviewing this spot again after nearly 4 years!…read more In my eyes, this spot has withstood the test of time. Maharaja still holds a dear place in my heart. The food is always exactly what I'm hoping for, and the service is always quick. I don't have to wait very long to get my food, and I always leave happy. My go-to is the Chicken Vindaloo. I have a pretty solid heat tolerance, and I don't recommend this to anyone that can't handle a bit of heat... I sometimes find myself sweating after this dish, but it is so worth it. My wife orders the Chicken Tikka Masala and it's also very delicious. I've tried a few chicken tikka masala dishes in the area (by extension of my wife) and this is my favorite. The sauce is a rich, buttery sauce that tastes amazing, and the chicken is always so tender. We share a helping of rice for the chicken tikka masala and vindaloo. It is plenty of food and we typically leave with leftovers (which reheat nicely). I do also love the copper-wear. Some of the appliances are getting a bit dented, and unfortunately the window in the front is cracked and I notice these small things, but the food is good enough for me to look past that.

As a vegetarian, I often keep my choices simple and focus on dishes that truly reflect authenticity…read moreand balance of flavors. During my visit, I ordered the classic yellow dal tadka and Kashmiri dum aloo and both exceeded my expectations. The dal tadka was comforting and beautifully prepared, with the perfect consistency and a well-balanced tempering that enhanced the natural flavor of the lentils without overpowering them. It had that unmistakable homemade, authentic Indian taste that is surprisingly hard to find. The Kashmiri dum aloo was outstanding. The potatoes were perfectly cooked, absorbing the rich, aromatic gravy infused with traditional spices. The depth of flavor, subtle heat, and creamy texture were exactly how this dish should be prepared. Honestly, I haven't tasted such an authentic and well-executed Kashmiri dum aloo anywhere in America. Ambience was very nice and service was exceptional too. If you are looking for genuine Indian flavors prepared with care and authenticity, I highly recommend this restaurant. It delivers both quality and taste in every bite.

Somehow a local favorite in some circles but just about the worst, blandest Asian food I have had…read more I bet self negating monks who eschew spice eat tastier food. Literally a crime against cuisines they purport to serve. It's like the recipes were reverse engineered by looking at pictures of food.

Mike & Mike are very nice, friendly & patient in explaining their food, ingredients & how they make…read moreit. They know their stuff! 1st: I Do Not recommend the Pad Thai. Have had it at the Troy Farmer's Market & at the Student Union & for all their effort in making it, with 10 ingredients including mustard greens & bok choy, there is zero flavor. (Tried Chicken & tofu orders) The pad thai sauce needs some umami, fish sauce, tamarind? I'm not sure. Pad Thai is not supposed to be spicy, so I am confused as to everyone ordering it, & being asked a spice level. Maybe the spic covers up the non-sauce that the noodles are tossed in? I even trekked up to the student union to pick up lunch one day, and asked for extra Tamarind sauce. I got a dollop of brown sauce on top, that tasted like extra salty. Hoisin sauce. And then some more further down in the bowl. Such a disappointment, I couldn't eat all that salt, threw it out. Should I ask for "extra Thai flavor" next time? Really don't know. **Pad Thai is not a Spicy dish friends.** 2nd: Definitely go for: A Rice Bowl with -the string beans. Crispy with a kick of spice -the beets at the Farmer's Market. Never thought I would finish off beets, but this will convert you. I crave this! Too bad they don't have it at the RPI Student Union during the week. -green curry chicken is not bad. Spice comes on a little bit later. -The Mango Lassi is $4.(average since coffee & battenkill milk costs about the same at the Mkt.) A nice option to have, Mike said that it's made with rose water. Needs a bit more cardamom. -Had a nice to-go cold peanut noodle chicken noodle bowl from the RPI Student Union. They're now on a new remodeled floor at the Union, the menu looks smaller. Maybe it will take some time to build it back up, or they may not have the room for extras. -always fun seeing their homemade ice cream flavors according to the holiday. Very creative & fun chefs. Follow their Facebook for updates. So, too bad I had to average out my review to 3 stars for TMC, but the Pad Thai is very disappointing. My mother bought one & didn't like it either & she's more forgiving with food. Yet customers seem to really like it. Get schooled on Pad Thai at Sukothai in Albany folks! Or even Chom's Cafe In Troy.