The worst Indian food!! I was staying a night in Winchester and was looking for a good dinner spot. All these great reviews about this place made me try it. I simply regretted the $50 we spend here. Ordered one lamb curry and one chicken tikka masala. Also, tried mango lassi. Mango lassi had no mango it seemed like.. It was simply milk put In a blender ad then decorated it with almonds and cardamom. Proportions were small, curry was weak, lamb and chicken quality was worst and prices were high compared to the quality u get. See if you live locally and don't have any other Indian dining option, go there. But if u r a visitor like me who has had much better Indian food don't waste your money here, read more

First time here and everything was phenomenal. The staff was amazingly pleasant, helpful, and personable. Superior quality food, wonderful atmosphere, and terrific people. read more

I would probably give this restaurant half a star if I could, and that too because the restaurant has really clean rest rooms. I have lived in India and know Indian food very well. This place is a joke. The service is poor. The waitress (who didn't look over 20), seemed to be angry about something and never even smiled once. It seemed like she had a party night, and had to wake up and come to the restaurant to work (but that's my opinionated guess). The service was also very slow both times I've been there. The food is simply fraudulent. The menu said we'd have naans with our entrees but what we got were rotis/chappatis (google it if you don't know what those are). Substituting rotis for naans is like serving a beef burger patty when you said you'd serve filet mignon/prime rib. The spice and the chicken weren't integrated either, and I could taste them separately. In short, it is an Indian restaurant in a small town probably with people who haven't been to DC either, let alone India, so for them, it might be a mediocre introduction at best to Indian food. read more

My wife and I got married in DC and had dinner with friends at Sona that night when we got back in town to celebrate. This was our first time eating in the restaurant, and our two friends' first experience with Sona. We had reservations for 7:30pm and when we got there our friends weren't there yet so we waited in the front room. As soon as you walk in, you're surrounded by beauty! The decor is not sparse at all, and the entire place is warm and welcoming. When the hostess learned that we had gotten married earlier that day, she congratulated us several times. Everything about this place is welcoming! As soon as our friends arrived, the chef/owner, Shiv, took us to our table. The rest of the night is a bit of a blur, thanks to a VERY strong "Sona Signature Cocktail"(which was DELICIOUS) and lots of yummy food and talking. Shiv came out periodically to check on us and to scoop rice onto our plates and tell us about various things he does at the restaurant. We ordered 2 orders of veggie samosas, which were perfect as usual. After we devoured those, we all shared the following dishes: Naan without butter Aloo Gobhi Vegetable Biryani Bhartha Baingan Ka and a dish off the specials board that I can't remember the name of While ordering, my wife asked if a certain dish had any dairy in it because we're vegan. Shiv then explained that he normally uses a mix of half & half and something else in his cooking, but that upon request, he could use coconut milk or nothing at all and it would be just as delicious. He was incredibly helpful with guiding us to make our whole table of food vegan so we could all share. We had all of our dishes made with coconut milk and once we started eating, the table was silent for a few minutes because it was so good. The experience was so amazing... we all talked about coming back once a month for a "monthly Sona dinner". We would come back more often if we weren't so broke. Prices at Sona seem high for the area, but they are definitely on par for the quality of the food and service. Everyone that works there is so nice, and even the other customers were awesome! It was a beautiful day outside so they had opened up the patio for dining and inevitably, a stink bug flew in the patio door. A member of our party got up to grab it and put it back outside and we laughed and talked with a nearby table about it. We are so not used to that... the four of us look... different.... than most around here and usually have to deal with ignorant people who don't understand a creative sense of fashion or individuality at all. Stepping into Sona in Winchester was like stepping into a welcoming oasis in a desert of ignorant rednecks. We will be back to dine in the restaurant from now on. No more takeout because the experience is what makes it all so wonderful! read more

Woah! What is with all these 5 star reviews? The food took forever, the portions were undersized, and it was about $6/plate too expensive compared to other Indian places of similar caliber. I would not come back. read more

Thanks Yelp!ers. Went to a new city and didn't want burgers & fries near the hotel. Sona was a great find! Small, intimate, great food, owner WAS personable. We closed the place down the night we went. Wine, Murgh Chicken Masala, Lamb Vindaloo, Garlic Nan. My husband, the cook, put it best. It was like going to someone's house and having them cook something delicious for you. Didn't taste like "restaurant food", but homemade. Just wish it was closer to my home! read more

Don't let the exterior of this little bistro fool you, Sona Restaurant is the real deal. The interior is stylish and cozy, with plenty of seating. Each dish is expertly made with care and love by Chef/Owner Shiv Kumar. I'll admit that I was not a fan of Indian cuisine, but after meeting Shiv and being invited to the restaurant, I figured why not. I'm glad I went. Our meal was absolutely delicious. Each course was so flavorful that we couldn't wait for the next. Shiv gave us a tour of the kitchen which was very clean and organized. He explained how he prepared our dishes and gave us a primer on the basics of Indian food. Sona Restaurant also features wine dinners, chef dinners and cooking classes. If you are looking for incredible Indian food and an all-around good time, give Sona Restaurant a try! read more

If you are from India/Pakistan or have had a chance to enjoy Indian food at some city restauran, you might not want to go here. Way over priced, missing half the items of menu and food is not good. Lamb Karachi was cooked like a nasty Butter lamb. Samosas were ok bit that's about all worth eating. 95 dollars worth of food couldn't feed 3 people. read more

Like the previous reviewer said, the owner is very friendly, and having dinner at Sona feels like you are a guest at his home. I think this is the most endearing thing about Sona. My wife and I enjoy Indian food at restaurants quite often and while we have found many good ones, rarely do any of them match up to her mother's cooking. This was the exception. Unlike many Indian places, the food isn't drenched in ghee and heavy with cream. The food was brightly flavored, seemed very fresh, and I just can't say enough good things about it. We had the evening's chicken special - chicken with a thick and savory vegetable sauce, and the saag-e-punjabi. Both were dazzlingly tasty and were light enough that we had plenty of room for dessert (kheer and gulab jamun. Both were wonderfully satisfying). The most important point to make in this review is that I joined Yelp in order to recommend this restaurant to people. My wife and I had a wonderful time, a brilliant experience and hope to return many times. read more

4 stars for Sona, easy! While not the very best Indian food to be found it's by far the best you'll find with in 75 miles or so. The food is very good. Nothing tastes canned. You'll need to head to N. Virginia to find better, and then work at it. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The food is priced fairly. The wife and I always enjoy our meal, Sona is always on the short list when the two of us decide to have dinner out. The owner almost always stops by the table to see how we like our meal. read more

I don't want to say bad thing but if you are expecting authenticated Indian food it will not be my first choice

We were extremely disappointed. I've grown up eating Indian food and recently moved into the area. This is the only Indian takeaway locally, so we were saddened by our recent dinner. We got take out rather than dining in, so can't speak for the service. For $46 (for medium rice, 2 entrees, 2 naan and 2 veg somoas) It was incredibly expensive. No alcohol or drinks. While the food is ok, you would get food of similar quality in the frozen food section of a decent grocery store. read more

I've been going to this Restaurant since I was a young boy. The food is phenomenal. There has not been a single dish I've been dissatisfied with. I appreciate that the chef has been out to chat with me and my family nearly every time I've entered the restaurant. This is BY FAR my favorite restaurant in the area. There is an appropriate amount of spice and wonderfully developed flavor in everything I've tasted from here. Best Indian food in Winchester, great service, highly recommend. read more

Amazing food and even more amazing people. My husband and I absolutely love this place! The people who rate this restaurant with anything less than 5 stars are absolutely insane! Ask Shiv to fix "whatever is your favorite"... You won't be disappointed. This place is wonderful! read more

Absolutely the best Indian restaurant I've experienced to date! Wonderful experience and the most attentive service that went way above and beyond. Chef/Owner Shiv Kumar even made me a spicy Bloody Mary AND one for himself. Cheers! read more

We have been here before and had a good experience but this was quite the opposite. The owner/chef is nice and attentive but that's about it. The wait staff are not at all friendly - no smiles or warmth in their demeanor. The food was tasty enough but my salmon tandoori was grossly overcoked to the point that the fish was exceedingly dry, and my wife's chicken saag was the same - dried out chicken breast. We were both very disappointed after reading several other good reviews. He has work to do. read more

Some of the best Indian food I've had. I love how this place is decorated, it's very pretty and sparkly. Shiv is an awesome chef and incredibly friendly. He takes great pride in his restaurant and it shows. I also love how he goes beyond the highest spice level for me. There is quite a variety of menu options and no shortage of vegetarian offerings. They also have a pretty decent bar. read more

We learned about this restaurant on Yelp, while driving through Winchester on the way home to Michigan. It is one of the best Indian restaurants I have eaten at, and I have eaten at many. And the proprietor is one of the most charming people you will ever meet. We often drive down to Virginia because my father lives at Smith Mountain Lake. We will seriously try to time our next visit with one of Sona's special events. read more

My fiancé and I are always looking for new food to try. I drive by this place everyday to get to work and was worried because I never see anyone in the parking out front. (All the parking is in the back)This one of THE BEST places we have ever tried!!! The head chef came to our table to welcome and suggest new dishes he wants to add to the menu. We explained what we wanted and he suggested some amazing garlic bread to complement it. When he came back to ask how our meal was there was nothing left. It was amazing!!! The garlic peta bread when fantastic with my finance's spicy dish. We will definitely be back!!! read more

Went there with a party of ten recently. Excellent food...the chef/owner came out and we never even ate off of the menu! He asked us what we like, how spicy, etc, and brought out dish after delicious dish. read more

Some of the best Indian food I've had! Excellent atmosphere and the service is outstanding. Sona's beer selection is one of a kind, I'm really looking forward to the Beer Pairing dinner. read more

Do not eat here!!! I found worms in my soda, they were small, white, smaller than the size of a grain of rice. I told the waitress and she just brought me a new soda... But at that point I was so scarred I couldn't eat a thing... especially not the rice!!! read more

Do NOT be fooled by the location or the simple look of the building. This is about the most authentic Indian food you could hope for. Clearly, everything on the menu is developed with care and prepared in a traditional way. I enjoy the simple side of Indian food so I stick with the simple Butter Chicken (which is still amazing) and my husband tends to try out whatever lamb special is offered. We have never been disappointed. If you don't know what to order, ask the chef, Shiv, and he'll steer you in the right direction. Ask about the beers too. Out of the ordinary Indian offerings. read more

From the outside I was skeptical but once you open the door you are in paradise. Authentic Indian and the chef came out to introduce himself. We chatted, he explained different ingredients and sauces. Absolutely delicious and unique experience. I'm one happy lady!! read more

What a delight to find in Winchester Va. The owner/chef is sure to come out for a meet and greet, especially if you ask for them to bring the HEAT. FYI. Don't ask for it if you can't handle it. This is one if those rare Indian restaurants that will serve you the heat level you ask for. Be warned! read more

Everything was very bland. The tikka Masala had no flavor beyond the tomato base and was very acidic. The lamb boti was very dry and bland. The naan was tough and rubbery. Very disappointing. read more

I found the chef to be extremely personable. As I'm a neophyte to Indian cuisine he was able to select a diverse and delicious spread for our group. The food was wonderful and I can't wait to go back. Way too expensive though. read more

Got the chicken tikka masala and although the sauce was good, there wasn't much chicken at all and the chicken was thinly sliced. Basically it was $16 and I am still hungry. read more

Awesome pure tasting healthy food. Super nice and hospitable owner and staff. Wonderful environment. Lots of exciting events happen here.

The BEST restaurant in Winchester!! The food is amazing! I love it here and will definitely be coming back often. Vegan options are available here!! :) read more

This place is a hidden gem! If you have not been here yet- go! The owner and chef has incredible unique creations to suit your palate. They can spice to whatever level you desire. Whether you are a carnivore or vegetarian, there is something here for you. Each creation is divine. Each week he had new specials for you to try. It is a wonderful and friendly environment with individualized attention. They also have take out so if you can't stay to enjoy the experience, make sure you inquire about specials. read more

Indian food is not what this restaurant serves. I really wouldn't want folks to form an opinion about Indian food by eating here. The service was pathetic, staff was doing what they wanted, everything was coming in installments after we asked for small things each time. Appetizers came almost towards end of the dinner and my gosh the food tasted horrible. We came in because kids were hungry and we did not really have enough time to look for other restaurants around. So searched on Google and drove here. We even called ahead telling them we are a group. Really hope that people think twice about coming to this restaurant. I would not go here again. read more

One of the best Indian restaurants I've ever been to. A small family owned place, with fresh ingredients and super friendly and accommodating staff. The owner and chef clearly loves cooking and making people happy. I've traveled to India before and will be back here for sure! read more

My husband, daughter and I just had a superb lunch at this sleeper of a restaurant. The service, food and ambience were all excellent! We were treated as if we were in a home. We told the owner that we wanted to share his recommendation for a chicken, lamb and vegetarian dish and he took it from there! A very memorable and fun lunch resulted and at a very reasonable price. Try Sona and you will be very pleased and glad you did. And it will not be your last visit! read more

Some of the best food in Winchester. The chef and owner comes to the table during dinner to speak with clients. Very friendly and welcoming. He recommends dishes and will make any variation of Indian food you want. He recommended many dishes during a meal with several friends when we were unsure what to order. Then he brought all dishes to the table for everyone to share. I have returned several times to eat already. read more

I am in love with this restaurant. Shiv, the owner, cooks from his soul and offers incomparable hospitality, and the result is nourishment on every level. I feel a sense of well-being after eating a meal at Sona that few other dining experiences can match. This is in part due to the attention to detail and the quality of ingredients; for example, Shiv explained on one of our many visits that he takes care to keep his cooking oils fresh, and does not use anything old. I can taste and feel the difference. Sona is the first Indian restaurant I have visited in my life where the food sits well with me. Personal favorites include the chicken makhani, the chai, and any and every special that they've set in front of us. A word on spicing: they use a scale of 1 to 10. I don't consider myself a spicy food lover in general, so I started at a 1, and after the better part of a year worked my way up to a 3. Start conservative if you have a doubt. read more

Liked the chicken soup so much, clear chicken broth nicely flavored with herbs and a hint of spice! The mint chutney is always one of my favorites and here too it fresh and flavorful. Would like to see lunch specials with lunch prices at Sona. The entree I got was okay - but not much meat for $13. My recollection is three pork dishes - which is more - if any - than I remember seeing at other Indian restaurants. Cool. Oh but I only recall two or maybe three lamb choices - which if so, that is fewer than I would hope to see. Anyway, I love lamb slowly stewed with attention to herbs and broth but not heavy sauces... So, wish you continued success Sona and I do plan to come try more of your dishes soon : ) ! read more

This was one of the most enjoyable dining experiences I've ever had anywhere. Add to that the amazing flavors and quality of everything I ate. Shiv, the owner and executive chef, gives individualized attention to every patron. And his wife is lovely too. I felt like I had been invited into their home and was a special guest. Don't let the exterior of the building fool you (I had driven past many times and not even realized it was a restaurant. Very unassuming structure, and then when I came to realize it was a restaurant, I hesitated to give it a chance. So very happy I decided not to judge a book by it's cover. The interior is warm and inviting, tastefully decorated, beautiful hardwood floors...not at all what I expected considering the exterior. And the food. The flavors. Everything was made with love and care. Made to order. First time will not be my last. read more

Definitely the best quality Indian food I've had.. the decor is intriguing, mouth watering aromas greet you at the door. Everything is fresh and made to order. The food has deep rich flavor that you'll crave! Sooo good!! read more

Really, really good Indian food. They can make it spicy or not. Very authentic. I highly suggest this place for people who like Indian, and for people who want to try something new. read more