I'm Indian, my mom was a chef back in India, and I say that only because it means my standards for Indian food are... unreasonably high. I've lived in Atlanta for almost 30 years and never found an Indian restaurant that got it right. Then I stumbled onto Taj on Fifth in Columbus, Ohio on a business trip, and it might be the best Indian meal I've had outside of home. The lamb chops were incredible... I single-handedly finished the entire order and have no regrets. The butter chicken was the real thing: creamy, properly spiced, none of the honey-sweetened version so many restaurants pass off as authentic. The garlic naan was thin and crispy on the outside, yet soft and chewy in that perfect way you only get from a real tandoor. I'm a 100-pound woman who typically can't finish a single entree, let alone two. Most Indian food is so heavy and greasy that I'm done after a few bites. Here, I polished off a full order of lamb chops and half the butter chicken and garlic naan... one and a half entrees, solo, no help. ‍ Rich, properly balanced, and never heavy. That's rare! The service made the meal even better. My server, Deepak, struck that perfect balance...attentive without hovering. Turns out he's actually the owner and the chef behind the menu, and he took ten minutes tableside to chat with me. We realized he trained at IIHM in Hyderabad, which happens to be my hometown. That explains everything... the food isn't just made with passion, it's made with real technical training behind it. I also had the Jasmeen Dream cocktail, which was a great pairing. If you're anywhere near Columbus, this is a must. I'm already trying to figure out an excuse to go back. read more

Taj On Fifth - Jasmeen Dream - Indian Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

See all

First, the location is great since it's close to our hotel and situated along a busy street, so we felt very comfortable walking to the restaurant. The area also felt very safe. When we walked in, the restaurant was filled with happy diners, many of whom appeared to be of Indian descent--which is always a great sign when you're looking for authentic Indian food. We ordered the classic butter chicken and beef korma (we substituted beef for the lamb), along with the garlic naan. The garlic naan was perfect--crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, and the perfect vehicle for scooping up all that delicious curry and getting it straight into my happy belly! The sauces were absolutely amazing and packed with flavor. The servers were also very friendly, attentive, and professional, which made the experience even better. We were really happy with our experience at Taj on 5th and so glad we stumbled upon it while searching Yelp for great restaurants nearby. Definitely a wonderful find and a place we'd happily return to! read more

First Indian spot I have tried in Columbus and was pleasantly surprised on the menu options. Lots to offer both traditional and unique. You can cater the level of spice to what your palette enjoys. Mine is a level 7+. I decided to go with items I have never tried before which were both great. I went with the Beef Bori Kabob and Paneer Onion Kulcha Flatbread with a special request of extra spicy. The Paneer Onion was very spicy but tolerable. The Beef Kabob was spicy but to less degree. The kabob was also not a full meal so the flatbread was a great accompaniment. Since the others in my group got full plates, I was able to enjoy basmati rice since it was served in a large pot that was refillable. Dessert options are on a separate menu. I was able to get a pistachio sponge cake like dessert. Not too sweet with a hint of spice. Yum! Great recommendation by our server who was so helpful! Full bar service available. Indoor and Outdoor seating available. Wish it was a little warmer because I would love to sit outside. Tables are meant of large groups but it seems like management can make it happen if you call ahead. Only downside of this place was the parking was a bit hard. Best bet is to utilize the free street parking. Can't wait to come back and try new items. read more

See all

Solid food! Everything was well-flavored and delicious. Ambiance was clean and pleasant. read more

Taj On Fifth - Shrimp tandoori - Indian Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

We were venturing out to find a new Indian spot, and to our delight we found Taj! The most incredible aroma when you walk in and when they bring your dish out. They had an amazing selection of Indian gravies and stews, and by the best garlic naan in Columbus and you get so much in one order, which made us very happy! Our server was incredibly friendly and attentive, just so sweet. I wish I got her name, but she was wearing glasses. Just super helpful in making our final decisions for our order. Great cocktail menu and vibes too! Beautiful modern look with tasteful decor and the dimmed lights. We'll definitely be back soon! read more

Taj On Fifth - Chicken Makhani (Butter Chicken) and Rajasthani Laal Maas - Indian Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

See all

My friends and I decided to try Taj on Fifth for our monthly Team Tapas happy hour. At these happy hours we pick a restaurant that has a tasty looking happy hour and order basically everything on their small plates menu. I'd arrived early at Taj and decided to get a pre dinner cocktail. I ordered the banana nut old fashioned. I was pleasantly surprised by the drink. It was very tasty! I'd never had a banana old fashioned and the flavors complemented each other very well. Later I also had an espresso martini which I was pretty impressed with. The food was pretty good. We ordered everything except a 3 bean salad. The only thing I didn't like was some steak dish that was extremely overcooked tasting to the point it was like chewing rubber. Everything else was good. The reason I knocked off 2 stars was because we specifically came for the happy hour and they claimed they had a computer system mess up and couldn't give us the discount. They said we could tell a server next time we were there and they would give us the discount which seemed like bs to me. It felt a bit like a bait and switch. That said I was very happy with the drinks I ordered so it's too bad the experience was tainted by how the night ended. read more

See all

First time here. This space used to be the awesome Palle. I made reservations for 5 a few days ahead, and after I parked in the garage around the corner, was shown to our table. The other Yelpers joined (less 1 who cancelled) and we had a really nice time and a wonderful server. I started with a Somacillin cocktail, which is $5 off for happy hour. We all shared some apps that were all pretty great. The Aloo Tikki Chaat, and Salmon Dippers were 2 I would get again. Jennifer R split the Rasmalai Cake Jar with me for dessert. Yum. I can't wait to return for happy hour, and for an entree. read more

See all

Such a great addition to Grandview. There have been a few different restaurants in this location prior and I am hoping Taj is here for the long haul. It's a modern take on classic Indian dishes and the atmosphere is high energy. Happy hour brought in a crowd and they have several HH specials. They do a special small plate "chaat and chai" menu and cocktails are $5 off. Loved the spicy "Mumtaz margarita." On to the food. We all enjoyed what we ordered. Garlic naan was soft and buttery. Dal dish was a little salty, but had good flavor. The standouts for me were the aloo tikki chaat and the rasmalai cake for dessert. I have my eyes on the galab juman tiramisu for next visit. Service was excellent and the Chef even came by our table to greet us. read more

See all

This isn't a run of the mill place for Indian takeout. You will get the most out of Taj's when you dine in and experience their cozy ambiance and great service. Things started questionably because our table wasn't ready for the 5:30 reservation my wife and I had. We were invited to grab drinks at the bar, which we gladly did (along with some small plates) during the happy hour which goes until 6:00. Not to throw shade at the food, but the drink course was my favorite. Taj's take on an Old Fashioned hit well for me, and my wife's Thai Masala Chai was excellent. I don't order Chai's, but this version was good enough to make me want to start. After about 15 minutes, we were seated in our booth, and out came the small plates. The Chaat's are the way to go. No doubt about it. The wings score points for uniqueness in that they were tossed in a Tamarind sauce which gave it a small sour profile. But the Crispy Kale Chaat and Aloo Tikki Chaat were the best food items that I tasted. We split two large plates in the Taj Stuffed Paneer and Chicken Tikka Masala. The paneer was the better of the two. And the Tandoori Roti (bread) that we ordered was bland and had us wishing that we took our server's advice and got the garlic naan. We saved room for dessert and ordered the Tiramisu with a distinctly Indian slant. It was fun. I can't say enough about the staff. Everyone from the hostess to our bartender to out wait staff to the chef and proprietor stopping by our table to chat was very much appreciated. To our surprise, they have a covered patio that would be great for a private party. I can imagine it being prime real estate for the masses when it becomes uncovered during the warm weather months. It's definitely a place that we are looking to return to for additional chaats, drinks and desserts. read more

See all

The restaurant was very clean. The food was delicious and it came out very quickly. The restaurant is very intimate and the service is outstanding. The stuffed paneer is very creamy and favorable. It is a mild dish but I ordered it spicy and it was mouthwatering. read more

Taj On Fifth - Tandoori Roti - Indian Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

See all

We took an earlier reservation (5:45) because later times were booked, so the service was attentive even as it became busier. The chef even came out to get feedback and told us a bit about the northern Indian cuisine of New Delhi and the Punjabi region. We gave him kudos for the creative yet approachable menu. I had to google a few ingredients, which is always fun to experience new flavors and textures. After reading other Yelp reviews, we decided to start with the well-reviewed Crispy Kale Chaat, which was good. We aren't fans of fried food in general, but it was unexpected and tasty. The lightly fried kale bits are topped with chickpeas, yogurt, chutneys, chaat masala, and pomegranate seeds. It had more sweetness than we prefer, but I can see why people speak highly of this starter. From the photos we saw on Yelp, the Taj Stuffed Paneer was a looker! The Paneer is stuffed with cashews and spices and cooked with onions, tomatoes, and cream, topped with saffron and edible silver leaf. I appreciated the lingering heat after a few bites and thought the sauce was deliciously buttery and creamy. Different than most paneer dishes I've had. Our second entree was the Chicken Makhani, which was both of our favorites. Tender breast meat simmered in a creamy, fragrant tomato and butter sauce was very flavorful. The two options made for a nice contrast in flavors, and I would order both again. For dessert, we shared Rasmalai Cake Jar, which was a riff on a trifle. Layers of whipped cream, sponge cake, and rasmalai (sweet spongy dessert cheese) spiced with cardamom, saffron, and rose. Overall, Taj on Fifth is a very nice modern take on Indian cuisine. The restaurant is a sleek space with a large, open island bar with a few TVs. We didn't have cocktails, but the wine and beer were fine. I am happy Taj is close to our home and look forward to enjoying other dishes on the patio this summer. read more

See all

Chloe the bartender was super helpful with describing drinks and food recommendations. The crispy kale chaat is amazing & enough for 2 -4 to share. Our go to chicken tikka masala allows us to compare different Indian places and the one here is delicious but comes with a creamy sauce rather than one that is redder in color. We ended liking the daal makhani better. The garlic naan is one of the best in CBus! We had the Jackson heights and Golden hour cocktails which had the perfect balance of flavors. The Jackson heights is their version of a manhattan. You know a bar is doing it right if they have Luxardo cherries. Parking is available behind the building and across the street so don't be afraid to drive down here for dinner! Great patio and cozy booths inside with a nice bar if you want to relax. The owner stopped by and was very friendly. read more

See all

Wow! Randomly picked Taj On Fifth on a whim and fell in love. Great atmosphere. Excellent service (above and beyond), wonderful food with great portions. Will definitely return. read more

Taj on Fifth is a sort of modern and warm, moody place to eat. The food was delicious, and spicy when appropriate. It came out nice and warm, and with plenty of rice! It was all delicious. The only thing I would change is how much meat there is in each entree - they were expensive given the amount. Service was great and quick and our server was super nice. It was lowkey since it was NYE and we appreciate the vibe and comforting food to finish out the year. read more

See all

First time at this restaurant. Excellent food and well-made drinks, friendly, responsive service. We would rate this as one of the best Indian restaurants in Columbus. Well worth a visit. read more

I was very excited for Taj on Fifth to open and I was not disappointed. From the moment we stepped into this restaurant we were greeted by the staff who worked hard to take good care of us. We loved the contemporary feel of the restaurant along with the TVs playing some sports games that we were interested in. It was not too loud in the restaurant which was pleasant. We ordered the Galouti Kebab as our first course and the Taj Stuffed Paneer alongside some garlic naan as our second course. Absolutely no complaints on either dish and would happily order both of these dishes again. Can't wait to be back to try the many dishes on their menu. I do wish that the parking garage attached to the building was still free, however, I am unsure if Taj on Fifth validates parking like some of the other businesses in the area. read more

Taj On Fifth - Galouti Kebab - Indian Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

See all

The food was very good but the portion size for the price was disappointing. It was also more than on line. I got it for carry out and the place looked very clean. read more

The food was sooooo good, they were so accommodating with my dairy allergy, my cocktail was great, the ambiance is very nice-- highly recommend people get in here and try it!! I love Indian food, been to India twice and this is my new fave spot in Columbus! read more

See all

Recent experience the quality has gone down significantly.. Chutney was just watered down n butter chicken was Ok. More mustard than required in BC. Restaurant was pretty empty on Saturday evening in summer ..Sad to see food that was amazing a few months ago go down ..too much sodium had bloating next day Charging not cheap for food yet can't maintain quality !! This is on way to be another one to fall off .. read more

Came for a midafternoon lunch. Not crowded and World Cup on TV but muted for casual music on the speakers. Excellent ambiance. Do not miss the Taj Stuffed Paneer!! The paneer is delicious and the cream sauce is perfect with naan. Chicken biryani was perfectly spiced and superb. Staff were very attentive. read more

First time in for HH. Food was fresh and flavorful! I especially liked the Biryani Lamb! Chloe was kind and helpful. She also makes great Old Fashioned!! SN: parking can be a bit of an issue, so be sure to ask about validation and other open lots. read more

Taj on Fifth was a lovely surprise for a weekend brunch. I started with the Crispy Kale Chaat and their signature Taj Masala Chai, which was a standout pairing I didn't know I needed. The kale chaat had a perfect light crunch, topped with a sweet-tart burst from fresh pomegranate seeds. The flavor was rich and layered -- I think this is that "umami" everyone raves about. I can see why the menu calls it a "new crowd favorite." The Taj Masala Chai was wonderfully aromatic, with a cozy blend of spices. Admittedly, it had that "first-sip wonder" where the initial flavor is bold and the rest fades -- but when sipped between bites of the chaat, the flavor stayed vibrant the whole way through. Brunch hack unlocked! I also ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, which came with a generous portion of chicken. The flavor leaned more black-pepper-forward than the tomato-heavy versions I'm used to, which made it feel fresh and different -- definitely worth a try if you're looking for something new. The bartenders were kind, welcoming, and happy to chat after the lunch rush, which made the experience even better. I'll definitely be back -- the Gulab Tiramisu is calling my name! read more

Taj On Fifth - Chicken Tikka Masala and Basmati rice - Indian Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

See all

I stopped in for dinner on a Saturday night with my boyfriend while we were visiting Columbus over a weekend. The place was booked full which we took to be a good sign! The space was warm and welcoming and we were able to get two spots at the bar. We ordered the kale chaat as an appetizer. I had high hopes but the kale was a bit too battered and fried. For our mains we ordered the Rajasthani laal maas and aloo gobi with roti and naan. The laal maas came with a disclaimed for being spicy and they were not kidding!! Great flavor with the lamb and gravy but definitely not for the faint of heart. Overall I had a good meal but wasn't blown away by anything. It was an enjoyable evening and if back in the area I would try them again! read more

This was a great eating experience. Friendly, attentive staff. Open kitchen and modern decor vibe. But - the food was the star! Lamb chops were meaty, with just the right spice and cooked to perfection. All of our dining companions, including Indian food novices were very impressed. read more

The food and service are amazing and to top it off the cocktails are also delicious! Been here twice and I can't wait to come back!

Was here for lunch today. Good food. Friendly service. Attractive decor. Generous portions. I will definitely return .

Food, service, ambiance... Amazing! I didn't think I was a big Indian food fan, but I can't wait to come back! read more

Taj On Fifth - Grilled Masala Lamb Chops, Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Tikka, Garlic Naan - Indian Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Open for just about a year, this spot is perfect for anyone craving authentic good Indian food. The chef was so nice and came out to check on our experience. He makes all the sauces to order and if you have a food allergy he said he can make any dish allergy friendly. The chicken tikka masala was exceptional(it says it's made with nuts but it's not), the garlic naan was so aromatic and the Palak Paneer was some of the best I've had. Try this place. You won't be disappointed read more

Love this place! Elevated Indian food and generous portions. Cozy environment with great lighting and seating. Can't say enough good things about this place. Its a hidden gem in Grandview. Jennifer our server is the best, hope you get her! read more

We had a truly great meal at Taj on Fifth. The space is small, cozy and inviting yet hip at the same time -- a good vibe for a date, dinner with friends, etc. Our server was attentive, personable, and knowledgeable about dishes , giving advice when asked about what to order or how much. We also really appreciated that the chef came out to talk to each table, asking about our meal and explaining some of his approach or inspiration for the dishes, like a play on tiramisu with Indian flavors. We ordered the chicken makhani and Taj stuffed paneer (a unique dish with cashew-stuffed paneer in a creamy sauce and beautiful plating) and garlic naan (one order of which is perfect to share between two people). The cocktails were flavorful (and strong, be forewarned!). All in all, we really enjoyed the experience and plan to return to try some of the other great dishes we saw coming out and experience the great hospitality. read more

See all

Totally great experience. Partner and Chef Deepak Kumar is very passionate about offering the most authentic Indian food in Columbus. He delivered! The Punjabi Chicken Curry was fantastic. Also enjoyed the Pakora plate which was accompanied with a side of an amazing cilantro- mint dip. Ambiance was inviting and new. Highly recommend! read more

Taj On Fifth - Indian Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

We finally got to try out Taj on Fifth this evening for a double birthday celebration. We've been so excited to try it and we were NOT disappointed. There were four of us. We ordered several small plates and we each had a different large plate for dinner. Every single thing was amazing and we are SO thrilled! The portions were huge so needless to say we had a lot of to-go containers. The naans and onion kulcha were crazy good as well. The service was impeccable and the owners and chef took the time to chat which is always welcomed. We can't wait to return. Oh, and they have delivery thru Door Dash! read more

They make some great fresh food their services are great staffs friendly very helpful atmosphere is great it's worth going to their great for community read more

Excellent lamb chops from Chef Deepak! Flavorful and delicious! Well done! Will definitely return!

Wonderful food. Not just the usual dishes, but a little bit of adventure on the menu. Service could not have been better. A real treasure on Columbus' food scene. read more

Wow....How have we not known about this new-ish Indian place? This is simply the best Indian we've had in Columbus (and we eat a lot of Indian). It's a great combination of traditional dishes and house specialities that are a little jazzier than you'll find elsewhere. Excellent service! Beautiful serving dishes add to the ambience. The indoor seating area is a very airy with comfie booths. One of our favorites was the appetizers was the Kale Chaat, and don't miss the naan -- you've never had it this perfect: crunchy light bits and wonderfully chewy bits. All in all this was stunning meal! read more

The most amazing food I have had in a long time. The service on point. Everything came out hot, fresh and flavorful! read more

Great menu and food. Good suggestions from the staff and we all shared a lot of dishes. We'll be back!

Food was great and authentic. Actually spicy and the chutney was good too. We had the Taj Curry, chicken tikka masala and gullati kabob. Restaurant was packed with people but the wait time wasn't bad. read more

There's way better Indian food in columbus, and vibes in the restaurant are not great at all. Try Aab instead.