Punjab Fine Indian
1801 N Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, FL, 33432
Punjab Fine Indian Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Boca Raton for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Boca Raton for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Boca Raton for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1801 N Federal Hwy
Boca Raton, FL, 33432 - Phone (561) 392-8000
- Website https://www.bocapunjab.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 11:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
India is the birth place of Chicken Tikka Masala and Curries. Indian foods are prepared with a blend of finely mixed spices quite popular across the region. The spices develop the rich taste in Indian food enough to boggle your mind. The ever-increasing fan base of Indian food around the New York city is steadily increasing because of the large number of Indians who traveled to the land of dreams. The Indians also brought their very own vibrant, colorful, and aromatic authentic dishes for the people in the West. While most of the Indian population is Vegetarian, Indian food is great for people who are looking for vegan or vegetarian food option. If you are a Meat lover, don't get disappointed yet. Indian food also boasts of some popular non-vegetarian dishes too. Few examples are the famous Butter Chicken, Mutton Biryani and Tandoori Chicken are enough to satisfy your taste buds.
Indian food has gained reputation all over the world especially in the United States. You can find many places serving the appetizing Indian food across all major cities in the US. India is a diverse country with different food culture originated from different parts of the country. While the Northern region boasts tandoori dishes and korma offering royal taste, the Western Ghats offers sea foods that is made in naturally sweet tender coconut milk. The South Indian food servers a quality of different dishes made from rice accompanied with spicy chutneys, curries and famous sambhar. Also, the Indian sweets are a delight to relish. If you ever want to have a burst of sugar syrup in mouth, don't forget to try few Bengali Sweets. Be it spicy, tangy, or sweet flavor, you can find everything in the Indian cuisine. Be assured that the melody of spices will surely bring delight to you.
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David J.
I love Indian food; it makes me happy! I was excited to try this place; very hopeful of finding a favorite Indian restaurant. I've been here at least four times over 12 months and it's always the same thing. The staff at this restaurant seem to hate their jobs; their extreme apathy and hang dog attitudes just ruin my celebratory mood - every time! Plus the food is merely mediocre. There is no reason to visit this place unless it is to free the staff from their drudgery.
(1)Rebecca S.
The recently renovated Punjab restaurant awaited my arrival and hey - I changed my mind about the place! Upon entering the restaurant through the actual front door (they were closed off due to renovations and had guests entering through a side door) I noticed the dining area was VERY clean and brightly lit. My dining companion and I were greeted and seated immediately, offered menus and given water in a nice glass. The staff was friendlier than previous times and actually more attentive. The food was excellent - the lentil/pea soup was really, really tasty. I ordered my dish (Dal) with a medium spicy level and it was perfect! Overall, Punjab won me over. I really think the natural lighting from the windows really added to the experience and made me feel more comfortable. *Just a note - this was during the lunch hours.
(4)Blake M.
The best way to describe Punjab is average and adequate. That being said, there is something that sets them apart; they have the best naan of any Indian restaurant I've been too. They have a lunch special for $8 or $9 that includes soup, salad, naan, rice, and an entree. The entrees are tasty, if not somewhat oily, but nothing special. The service is usually efficient, but not anything special. I'll be back, mostly for the naan.
(3)Eva K.
I come here once in a while. Last night I got the vegetable navrattan shahi korma and my bf got the tandoori chicken. The navrattan korma was absolutely delicious, I couldn't get enough and my bf kept eating from my plate. I love the tiny slivers of nuts (cashews?) in it. His chicken tandoori was pretty good but he preferred the sauce mine came with and I tried his sauce and it was good but mine was better. Make sure to get it mild and ask for their hot sauce on the side. I can take a lot of heat but I once got the navrattan korma "hot" and it was so spicy I couldn't eat it. The chips with the onion chutney you get in the beginning are delicious!!!!! I love their samosas, there are many spices and different flavors in it, just how I like! The naan bread was also yummy. It was soft w/ crispy edges with good flavor and buttery. I've tried naan bread from many places and theirs is my fave. The flavors were so rich, satisfying, and finger-licking good my mouth is watering just thinking about it even though I just had it! Ok I am editing my review because last time I gave 4 stars for "smaller" portions but tonight I got take out and the portions were big! I got my usual navrattan korma. We also tried the panir tikki masala. Amazing. We nearly licked our plates clean. We are very full and have plenty leftovers for tomorrow.
(5)Nick A.
The curry chicken was a oily middle earth looking disaster, 9 parts grease & 1 part spicy tomato is what it tasted like, cut up some over cooked white meat chunks & vwah lah theres your overpriced $15 "dinner portion" the tandoori sauce was pretty good on my compadres dish free lentil soup & naan were good but the ceiling for those is only so high service is good but theyll need some belly dancers b4 i consider a return
(2)David C C.
Nice environment , prices and food. I really enjoy eating there. Everyone is nice and it's very spacious. I like their food so much! It's a awesome place to have a special quality dinner
(5)Aman P.
I ordered panner dish. Looks like they use the same sauce for everything. My food was gross. Lacha paranta had some type of odor Location is gross. Naan, chutneys are alright. Service is ok but I will never ever go back again.
(1)Tara J.
Best Indian food I've found in the Delray/Boca area yet. Being from the NW, we have a plethora of ethnic food options which seems to lack in S. Florida (except for Italian), so finding Punjab is a big WIN! I've eaten here for lunch around 5 times now and absolutely love it! The outside is currently under construction, and the restaurant is located next to a really dumpy looking motel on Federal, however, don't let that scare you. The place gets packed at lunch, and the food is really good AND authentic Indian. Lunch specials are only $7.95 and come with soup, Naan bread and salad, so you're in and out for $10 with tip. Try the eggplant bhartha. Gotta love it! And the Naan bread is among the best I've had in 20+ years of eating Indian food.
(5)Sylke L.
So delicious! Had a date night with my bf and stumbled upon this place by accident. Everything was just perfect, my bf ordered a veggie curry dish with onion chutney (he couldn't stop talking about it) and I ordered the chicken vindloo. The decor was beautiful with the Indian landmarks on the walls. The waiters and waitresses were very kind and soft spoken. I would definitely come back here with a larger group, there's lots of space!
(5)David K.
I had vegetable samosa and chicken samosa with two kinds chutney and mango juice. Everything was tasty and timely.
(4)Melissa R.
The outside is currently under construction, and the restaurant is located next to a really dumpy looking motel on Federal Highway in Boca Raton, however, don't let that scare you. This place gets packed at lunch, the food is really good and it's authentic Indian. Lunch specials are only $7.95 and come with soup, Naan bread and salad, so you're in and out for $10 with tip. Punjab delivers through foodoozle.com as well! I guess it's true, you really can't judge a book by its cover.
(4)Maher H.
I take back the good comments I said. They dropped a whole plate if food on me, and they didn't even offer to pay for the dry clean bill. Very disappointing
(1)Vincent T.
Only real good Indian places in south palm beach area. The nan is my favorite bread ever. The curry is perfect. I don't venture onto unknown plates much when it comes to Indian but I hear they are very good too. 5 people just ate for 48$. You just can't beat that for how delish it is. Only downside is it's small and a bit of a hole in the wall but once it's finished construction I bet it'll be much. Even despite the eye sores the inside is well maintained with nice paintings.
(4)Tara R.
I got takeout from here tonight. I'm new to the area, and had an Indian craving, and this place is close to my house. The food was good. The paneer was tender and plentiful, the samosa crisp and full. It was less spicy than I expected (I ordered medium, and it was more like mild), but the flavor was good. The one real complaint I have is that it was seriously the messiest take-out I've ever encountered. I guess the orange turmeric/grease mixture leaked out of the metal trays, and they didn't put it in a plastic bag, only a paper one. The liquidy grease separated from the rest of the sauce (you could see that when you opened the containers) and managed to get EVERYWHERE, including all over my kitchen when I got it home. I had it sitting on the seat of my car on the way home, (luckily) on top of my windshield sun-cover--my seat was protected by the cover, but it got all over the cover and stained it. Next time, I am bringing puppy pads and putting it on the floor. The place is a real hole-in-the-wall, and I don't think I'd ever eat in there, but the takeout was tasty and satisfied my craving. I'm certain I'll order from here again. I might try lunch next time; the dinner menu was a little on the expensive side.
(4)Kheng C.
A Tourist Trap !! Passed this place many times since they renovated, never been here before that either. Looks posh, high end Indian Restaurant but got a bit skeptical already at the entrance, we didn't feel very welcomed, they took their time towards you. We felt the arrogance in the atmosphere, chilling, started to feel negativity already, Sad ! and of all people Indians should know that. The staff here you can see are all family members, mother, sons, son in laws, daughters and daughter in laws with no interest in SERVICE!! We ordered our food hoping it'll be delicious after telling the server I'm Asian and we know Indian food but to our disappointment the Chicken Briani was too salty, the lamb curry was too sweet, reminding me back in the early 70's that this is how Americans and Europeans and other races likes it !! So Arrogant!! It tasted like all the dishes was MICROWAVED!!! You'll know that when the food gets cold very quickly!! STOP IT!! Its 2014, People have traveled the world, we know food, quality and spices!! Especially in Florida !! For those who thinks the food is good here! You're Ignorant and YOU DON"T KNOW INDIAN FOOD!!
(1)Sara D.
a Great Indian restaurant - if your interested in trying spicy food. It has a nice ambiance and would be great for a group to hand out and spending the eveining. It does not have windows but has a nice feel
(4)Jason G.
Since the renovation I've noticed the food hasn't been the same. The only possible scenario is that with all the expenses that went into this, they've cut back on the quality. I wasn't happy the past two times I've been. Oh and by the way, they raised their prices. Surprise surprise. Owner of this places owns the motel too. Sounds like the Indian E.B. Farnum.
(2)Paul M.
I like to come here every other week. This place, whether I take out or eat in, never lets me down. Very authentic atmosphere, food, and service. Everyone that works here is EXTREMELY nice and helpful. I would recommend this place for lunch or dinner. I have never had a bad meal from this place. Definitely worth going more than once.
(5)Tirath C.
Eating Indian food since birth I think qualifies me to give appropriate critique on Punjab's food. Frankly Boca doesn't have a single Indian Restaurant that can even be called decent. II have eaten here for lunch and dinner. Punjab's is not what authentic Indian food is like. If you like to try authentic Indian you mite have to spend on some gas and go to restaurants like Taste of India (Okeechobee) or Tandoor and Curry (Lauder Hills). Punjab's food is only good when they cater. Yes they somehow manage to get it right everytime the cater food. They are slightly better than Bombay Cafe on Glades road. The lunch special for $6.99 is cheap and has a good portion of food. However, all their curries taste the same. They just add color to make it look different. The taste of curries they have seems full of preservatives. You never that feel of being satisfied after eating Indian food. There are lots of methods and processes involved in making Indian food. It does not happen overnight. Punjab is terribly missing the mark. Their desserts are much better than their food. Try their desserts it might save your day.
(2)Alicia C.
phenomenal, fresh indian food. sit down restaurant, although i'm sure they have take out as well. not sure about delivery. fresh naan comes with every meal, as well as self serve dessert. call ahead for even quicker service. place was packed when we went for lunch. i think it's attached to a hotel area.
(5)David C.
It was good, not great. I was definitely satisfied after the good meal, but the chicken was a bit overlooked, and my lamb dish was a little dry. The sauces were great, but needed a little more. If you want Indian food, this should be a consideration.
(3)Garrin H.
I've been to Punjab several times this week, and continue to come back because I love their Lentil Dahl, and their lunch is served at a very reasonable price. If there is anything I would suggest improving, it would be the salad (more romaine or dark leafy green lettuce would be great, for those of us that like to eat well). The rice, I would suggest adding brown rice or basmati to the menu, a more nutritious alternative to white rice. Overall, I will definitely be back.
(4)Keith D.
Good portions and prices.
(4)Sumit R.
What a shame to Punjab food! Food - average at best. Service - poor an understatement. Prices - exorbitant for crappy food. Two people dinner $50 and no appetizers. I don't think I'll be going back there ever again.
(1)Samy D.
food was okay, service was miserable. my main issue is that all the family had a porrly stomach after having dined there. dont think I will be going back
(2)Britt S.
Took a chance and boy did it pay off. There was about 6 of us at dinner and we all ordered something different and then just passed it around. There was not a single dish I did not love. Literally love. The place was pretty empty which I could not understand, becuase I intend to put it on my Must Hit for lunch and dinner list! Even a few family members who were intimidated to try Indian, walked out loving the place. I hope this place sticks around a long time!! Loved it!
(5)steve c.
Quite good and a nice surprise while visiting the area. The Dal Mahkni, Vegetable Tika and garlic Nan were highlights (only the Sag Paneer was tasteless and lacking freshness). Great, friendly service and reasonable prices. Recommended!
(4)Damara C.
Ohhh Punjab! I avoided you for years because it's never as good as Bombay Cafe and you look like a dump outside. However, I'm glad I gave you another shot. It looks nicer inside and the food was overall good. Still not as good as Bombay, but a much better dinner experience. I would have given 4 stars, but my chicken in the chicken tikka masala was so dry and you didn't have tomato soup that I love. The naan was great, and so was the masala sauce and julab. The rice wasn't fresh. Overall, good not great. I will give you one more try because I am forever optimistic.
(3)Corey K.
I'd love to give you a review of the food, but I can't. We walked in and then walked out. The place is appalling! Dark, no windows; a smell of mildew, mold and cleaning solutions attempting to mask the odors that permeated the air. simply blah!
(1)Katianna C.
We love this place and go all the time! There is a great atmosphere, and the staff are very friendly!
(5)E. P.
So I was definitely skeptical about eating here after seeing that it was attached to a no-tell motel on Federal Highway-but was pleasantly surprised by some of the items. We came with another couple and to start with ordered the veggie sampler app. It was all just ok-and was not served with any chutney sauces-those cost extra. I ordered paneer tikka masala for my main course, however, and that was delicious! My husband got veggie curry, and that was very oily-would not order again. The only real downer was that service was exceptionally slow. I swear there was an hour lull between apps and our main entrees. That took forever. The place in Deerfield in the Cove is better, but this is a decent option in Boca. I still don't understand why Boca doesn't have good local restaurants. Everything has to be chain or super high-end.
(3)Alejandra D.
Punjab, simply put, is the best place to get Indian food in this area and it looks the ugliest. That's probably the only reason for four stars and not five. It's very good, the owners are nice, and it definitely tastes amazing but it is attached to a dingy, gross, pink hotel and it probably puts a lot of people off. The Curry chicken was what Ive ordered twice so far and with the rice its very tasty. A lot of spice and your mouth will be tingling for a long time after.
(4)Cuong L.
The lunch special here is great. For $7.95 you get your choice of main entree (lots of different types of curries and a few other oddities), salad, soup, rice, chutney, and naan. I've tried the curried lamb and beef, both were excellent. Be careful when you order spicy, cause when they a level 4 spice (out of 5) is quite dangerous for your tastebuds here, but it's a good type of spicy though. Each mouthful is packed with flavor and a burning sensation if you ordered the max level of spicy. My favorite is the keema egg matar, hearty, meaty, and creamy. The tandoori chicken however was quite dry, even the dark meat. The service is very friendly, however, the dinner menu looks very pricey.
(4)Tom L.
Don't be fooled by the exterior! This place is among the better Indian restaurants I've been to. We live in Los Angeles and eat this type of food often enough to know a little. The interior is inviting with full bar. The service was excellent. The food is really why you want to be here though. The tamarind sauce and the onion chutney are to die for. Be prepared to drink lots of water if you decide to go spicy...
(5)Ron K.
Great Indian food, chicken tikka masala is awesome. Could be 5 stars but place is so run down and smells so bad that I can't look the other way. If this place were take out only it would get 5 stars for the food. Best Indian food in Boca but you should take out.
(3)Eve C.
I've been coming to Punjab for delicious Indian food in Boca for longer than I've actually been living in Florida! Whenever I'd come down to visit my family in the area, Punjab was a required meal. Now, whenever I'm up in their neck of the woods, I make sure to stop in whenever I can for some good eats! My most recent visit was on Black Friday after an attempt to tackle the mall. We were all famished, and very surprised to see lunch menus placed before us, offering a little bit of everything for a very low price. We all got our favorites - palak paneer, curry chicken, and curry lamb, tons of rice, some good dal soup, and naan galore! Not to mention veggie samosas and cheese pakora (not included in the lunch specials, but must-haves nonetheless). All delicious, perfectly spiced (be prepared if you like it spicy!), and mouth-watering. I'm tempted to jump in the car and head up there right now. I can't wait to go back!
(4)Vishal G.
My wife and I went for lunch on Sunday around 2 weeks back..The restaurant was empty with may be 2 other people. The lunch menu was very ordinary. The food was just OK and if we weren't hungry with our 2 year old, we would have probably left. We had Saag Paneer and Dal Makhani and they were very spicy. Panneer did not look fresh too. I will never go there again
(2)Zita K.
Having just moved to the area my husband and I were excited to try our first Indian restaurant down here. Looking for one close to home we found Punjab,. While we were a bit skeptical about how it would be as it's part of this odd looking hotel plus there was no-one else in the restaurant, we were so pleasantly surprised. The food was excellent! Fresh, hot and spiced so well. My husband is a huge biryani fan and loves dal so for him to rave about these dishes at Punjab really means something. I had the mixed tandori entree and had so much left over to take home. They served it with a most delicious sauce. Oh and the onion chutney that is served with the poppadums is fabulous. I definitely will be going again and hope that the food is as good and fresh as it was tonight. I'm glad to have this in the area,
(4)Elle Z.
Absolute best Indian restaurant in South Florida! Service is always extremely friendly and fast. Some of my favorite dishes are the Chicken Vindaloo, Chana Masala, and Vegetable Curry. Oh and don't forget to order some Roti bread! Your tummy will thank me later.
(5)TJ G.
Not the greatest Indian food I've ever had, but in Boca you can't be picky. The service was very friendly and the bhindi, okra dish, was delicious. The flavors were different than what I'm used to, but I enjoyed the meal and the leftovers I brought home. The restaurant is very nice inside and I can see going back again.
(3)Brad B.
Curry and naan were excellent. Service was so-so. But the food made it all worth the trip. Nice little spot with an authentic feel.
(3)Debbie H.
I've given this place several tries since my last review and it's been consistently good each time I've visited. Hats off for food that is prepared fresh and plentiful! Sure it's not a buffet but you get soup, salad and an entree with rice and naan for $8. I'll continue to come back for more and more!!!!
(4)Dawn K.
Been meaning to try this place for years and finally met friends there today for lunch. We were impressed with both the food and the value. A beef curry was found a bit lacking in tenderness. The veg city and an eggplant dish both met with unanimous approval. Service was acceptable, could have been a little more attentive. The value for the $7.95 lunch special was great! Will definitely be back.
(4)Alice S.
Don't be sketched out by Punjab's location- next door to a sketchy hotel in the middle of Boca. I just consider it to be a top secret cover for the best indian in all of South Florida. Sure, it's a heady claim, but Punjab's food does it justice. Stay away from their appetizers, since they're all fried. Go straight for some vindaloos and dive into their varieties of Naan. I've tried everything here- vegetarian, lamb, chicken, etc. The quality of the food is amazing and you will NOT be disappointed. Scout's honor. Anytime I'm craving some good, hearty Indian food I'll make the trip from Miami Beach. It's well worth it.
(5)Jose S.
Don't let the shady-ness of this place turn you away. Sure it's in a no-name 3rd tier hotel and sure the musty smell hits you like a ton of bricks as soon as you step in, but be sure you will have a wonderful meal. The lunch specials are excellent and very cheap. 7.95 gets you a side salad, a chick pea soup, an entree (try the CURRY) and naan. The options are beef, chicken or lamb. I find the chicken to be semi-over cooked but the curry makes up for it. You can choose you're spice level from 1 to 10. It's finger-licking good, i mean you will take the naan and scoop it out it's so good. You get rice along with your main dish, and the NAAN, which are like pitas/flour tortillas, EXCELLENT! So in conclusion, aside from the location and interior, the food is amazing. Go ahead and try it, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Cat L.
The food is hot & spicy, which i like. I love a burning pewp the next morning. Im a huge fan of spicy food. The service is kinda weird, they act like they can't be bothered and the place smells like musky piss coupled with the fact thats its inside a sleazy hotel that looks like a meth den. I think its fun, I wish my boyfriend would take me here because they do haev a bar, we can get drunk, eat spicy food and then check into the sleazoid hotel for a lay!
(3)Patrick W.
My wife and I visited on a Friday night and although the service and the ambiance were slow, the food tasted fine enough to give us our Indian fix. Definitely not top of the line, but again the food was tasty and the prices were right. Would come back again if the restaurant weren't in such a boring section of the country.
(3)Jessica H.
This is my favorite Indian Place in the World!! I don't consider myself a connoisseur, but I know yummy food when I taste it. The Naan is hot and delicious, the chutney is great. I usually get the Sag Panir which is chock full or flavor. Service can be spotty at lunch, decor is typical. The Hotel that it's it looks really shady, but don't let that fool you! Oh, and don't put your card in the 'free lunch' bowl. Unless you want financial advice.
(5)Gil D.
I took my daughters to Punjab to try Indian for the first time. Restaurant was empty on a Saturday night at 9 pm. Sat anyway because of the favorable reviews on yelp. Big mistake. No music, tv was tuned to violent wrestling match. Food was mediocre, naan tasted semi raw, chicken tandoori was tough. Service: very, very lacking. When I asked for bill, there was no phone line to charge my cc. Waited 30 minutes with no explanation or apology when I was asked to sign the bill, as they wrote down all my cc info, VERY uncomfortable situation with 3 tired children. Will NOT return.
(1)Ariel C.
The outside is scary, but we took a chance and walked through the doors which really paid off in the end. The inside is clean and has some great eastern details in the architecture and decor. Now on to the important stuff- the food. Yummy. The onion chutney is really so fantastic and I don't even like onion let alone chutney! I mean that stuff is so good. We had the lamb korma and chicken vindloo (did I spell that right?) both of which were excellent. I think the prices are really pretty fair- typical for Indian and Boca. The service is great too, they seem to really care if you like it or not. I would recommend this place if you're in the mood for Indian or just some good layered flavors.
(4)Chris K.
Never had a bad meal here and the Naan is second to none!! I was never a real fan of Indian restaurant's until I tried this place. Also, the lunch prices are very affordable. Since it is part of a Hotel, we would always joke that you could eat a great meal and then get a room to nap. They are in a middle of a remodel so I am excited to see what they do with the place. Food here is awesome and I highly recommend... Cannot go wrong with the Chicken Tandoori!
(5)Jacob Y.
Punjab used to be one of my favorite lunch places when I lived and worked in Fort Lauderdale. In fact, it was one of our favorite lunch destinations, for it had great choices of Indian dishes to choose from. Punjab in North Fort Lauderdale is located in a strip mall just north of 62nd Street on Federal Highway (aka US1)...then again, WHAT in Florida is NOT in a strip mall, right? From the moment you enter Punjab, you can feel a sense of calm ambiance, coupled with a very traditionally decorated dining room. In fact, there are these separated quarters inside the main dining room, complete with curtains that add a sense of privacy as well. But more importantly the food. With every meal, they provide you with fresh naan bread...perfect to soak up all the curry you want. And of course, their curry is outstanding with your choice of meat. What's better yet is the fact that they will spice it up to the level you want...perfect for those of us who LOVE it hot. Unfortunately, I never had a chance to stop by for dinner, but based on what I have seen thus far for lunch, I am tempted to make a trip there.
(4)Jen T.
Lunch specials offer a lot for the money. Lentil soup, salad, water and dessert come with every lunch entree, which is a steal in Boca for only $9.99. Sauces served separately, perfect for mixing and matching with friends. Authentic Indian cuisine. Don't be deceived by outside appearance. This place has good Indian food. We had a little trouble getting in and out in an hour and had to flag down the waiter a few times, so watch if you're on a time constraint.
(3)Anthony V.
I was turned on to this place by an Indian woman from work, who swore this was the best, most authentic, Indian restaurant around. She was totally right! This place is great. Not a bad item on the menu.
(5)Alex G.
A great lunch spot. In a cheesy motel location, but run by an Indian family and very authentic. Moreover, you get a ton of flavorful food for the price, and they have plenty of selections. For lunch, this place is a must try.
(4)Gary S.
I have a few Indian restaurants in my reviews and this is the best I have found in Florida. Get over the 1960's pink hotel / motel it is in. (If Norman Bates had an Indian cousin in FL. he might just be in there.) I love the Veg samosa's here. My wife likes the meat (chicken). I like the Chicken Vindaloo. I taunt them to make it hot. (Not usually a great idea). I have been going for over a decade and as people start opening their minds you can see the crowds picking up. There is never a wait and the same people have been there for ever. (It is hard to fire your family). Other things I like are the Naan, Chicken Tikka, and the aloo choolee (I am sure they are spelled wrong but you should be able to pronounce it with this spelling) I am not a lamb guy but my friends seem to like it. The same song plays in a loop, so after a few visits you will know all the songs by heart. The wall decor is the stuff a 1970's porno film background would kill for. (Not that I watch that kinda stuff) If you have a craving for a curry in Boca, this is your place. OT: If you never want to see your friends or family visit you again from out of town, book them a stay at the hotel. Ask for the smoking room just above the kitchen. You may never see them again. I actually did book someone a room there but they left town before checking in. (The story is now legendary in some circles.)
(4)Connie H.
Bad service, sneaky with their bill, they put 25 dollar extra on the bill, good thing we checked!!!!!! After we told the waitress, they just came and grab our bills and recalculate for the correct price, but no apology nor explanation!!!!! Wonder what would had happen if we did not check the bill!!!! The food was so so, chicken was way too dry for chicken briyani! The only good food was mango lassi and the garlic naan@!!! Negative star for the sneaky service and one star for the food because of the mango lassi.....will not go back and not likely recommend any one to go.
(1)Paul F.
Sara and I like Indian food and this place has yummy Indian food. Tandoori chicken, Curry this and curry that, lamb this and lamb that. At least once a year we come back for a special occasion, but they do have a lunch special last time we dined for lunch at Punjab. It was yummy. Make sure you ask for the non, the indian bread. They also have spicy and not spicy sauces. Also yummy.
(5)Brian R.
Average food. Service is rude. Nestled in an old pink roach motel on Federal with the ambiance of a 7-11, it didn't put me in the mood. C-ya dude!
(1)walter m.
I'm going to let my writing mimick how I feel about the food: ... The chutney was good and the it was cheap. ... exactly, there's nothing to be excited about.
(2)Don W.
Ate there a few years ago, and didn't like it then. Ate there last night, and it was worse. Just awful. Portions were very small and food not good by any stretch of the imagination. This is one to avoid.
(1)Amy H.
When I move away from S. Florida, this (and Caribbean Grill) will be what I miss most. Over the years, my family and I have tried every single item on the menu (excepting the Seafood section as none of us are big seafood eaters) and have enjoyed nearly everything. Coming from Coral Gables, I expected the Indian food to be overpriced, underportioned, and either inedible hot or bland as can be. Punjab straddles all of these lines well and generally gives you perfectly spiced food. The meat samosa, papadam, seikh kebab, and chicken pakora are standout appetizers. All of the naan is excellent, although I wish we could get more for the price. The chicken, lamb, and vegetable entrees are all spectacular and I often have to order more than 1 when I place my takeout order (and then I feast for the next few days!). One negative is that there must be several different chefs, or the one chef is a bit on the unsure side. Sometimes I will order an entree medium spice and it will be bland; other times I will order an entree mild and it will be super hot. If you can live with that, you will find little else to fault with this gem.
(5)Daniel L.
I am a vegan, and when I come to Boca to visit my dad, we inevitably eat here. It's close to home with at least a few things on the menu that I can eat. The food is good. But there's no denying the feeling I have that it tastes preprepared and not so fresh. But this is the case with pretty much every average Indian food restaurant in suburban areas. Beyond that, the service is good, the restaurant is never crowded, they're always nice. And the food is pretty good. And since apparently there are no vegans in Boca, this place earns major points for catering to those of us that don't eat animals. Cheers
(3)Dul L.
We used to like this restaurant a lot. But the last time we went, there was a funny smell and the food was greasy. It still tasted ok, but half of us got a tummy ache afterwards
(3)Jim S.
Decent food, but possibly the most unpleasant wait staff in America. Only saving grace is the entertainment value of trying to make the waitress smile.
(3)Yi L.
my co-workers and i went to punjab for lunch today. the service was fast, and you get a lot of food for $7.95. but the things that bothered me were: there was stuff floating in the ice water (GAG!!!!) and my knife had dried on stuff (red flakes came off when i wiped it). i ordered the tandoori chicken. the chicken was moist and tasty. the naan, however, was definitely the star of my meal. the rice was horrible and dry. but they gave you plenty of it. i didn't care for the soup. the salad was ok too. but please, dirty drinking water is not acceptable!!!!!!!
(3)Lanie R.
Sky's the limit! Not for Boca during lunch. I am so limited in choices for lunch. The fad here seems to be: American Italian (pizza) Japanese/Thai/Asian Fusion Cuban, Mexican, Indian, and other cuisines are rare and few. Even when you find one it's a toss up whether it's authentic or good. Of course when I found Punjab I was stoked. When I arrived I became a little hesitant at first sight but my gluttonous mind made me continue past the old run down Bates Motel and into the restaurant. My first step inside almost made me GAG! There was an overwhelming odor of insecticide lingering in the air. My co-worker begged for us to stay and tried to convince me it was a good sign. I rebutted there are two ways to look at it: 1. They are very clean and this is a preventive measure. or 2. They have an insect problem. We had driven a bit out of the way to come here and if I turned around now to lunch elsewhere I would be seriously be effin with my lunch time. So I stayed... Yes.. I stayed.... The interior is of typical Indian design. Service was impeccable and quick. I ordered my chick peas with potatoes and my friend ordered the chicken curry. Lunch meals come with yellow lentil soup, a salad, bread, and selected plate. The soup was ok. The salad was small considering it was to be split for two. My food was actually really good and my friend's curry sauce was pretty tastey. Lunch is priced at $7.95. Not bad for the amount of food. Overall it is a good lunch spot when craving Indian food. Now, may I respectfully suggest doing something about the stench? Once the food arrived at my table I didn't smell it anymore but up until then I was nearly throwing up in my mouth. This is a big problem for me. The food was good but it was a torturous dining experience. There aren't any other Indian restaurants in this area where I can go for lunch. Will l be forced to endure this sadistic ritual upon every craving?
(3)Steven S.
Unbelievably tasty food with IMHO outrageous (but typical Boca) prices. $16-$20 an entree served in tiny dishes. And yes I've eaten lots of Indian food before so I know about the legendary silver entree serving dishes. These might have once been used for appetizers. Didn't have an appetizer so don't know for sure. Perhaps it would be served in a thimble. Great service too. If you're not too hungry and money is no object go here. Not faint praise but still slightly damning.
(3)Monika K.
the location and decor are sub-par but the food is pretty tasty! started off w. the veggie samosas, which are delicious but fried. but once in a while doesnt hurt, right? right. also had some roti which is the healthier choice in regards to naan, made w. whole wheat. I had the chicken do-piaja, which was not nearly as spicy as they claim it to be, it needed to be more saucy as well. however my date had the lamb vindaloo i believe and it was delicious. im not a big fan of lamb, but this tasted fab. I also was feelin a li adventurous and ordered a mango yogurt drink called Lassi. man that stuff was AWESOME! I could have had at least 2 of them, almost like a dessert as a drink. all in all a good experience for the price.
(3)Stephanie M.
Great lunch special for only $8.95. It included curry, rice, naan, chutney, dal soup, and salad. Good price, lots of food and great taste.
(4)Herb T.
I remember going here years ago when there weren't that many people in the place at lunchtime. Since then I have watched the crowd grow and grow and now lunch time the place is full. Probably the best Indian food in South Florida. Competitors come and go but for good curries samosa naan this is the place. I agree the place is a little dank and could use a spruce up but what it lacks it looks it makes up for in excellent food excellent prices (lunch deals $7.95) and excellent service. The same people have run it for years and years. Great to meet those Indian food cravings. You will be happy here.
(4)Marc L.
I am a total fan of this restaurant. Would have never know that it was even there if it wasn't for Yelp! The only reason that I didn't give it 5 Stars was b/c I wasn't too pleased with the size of the portion for the price. Maybe it was just the Chicken Vindaloo that I ordered but the quality of the food was great. The Garlic Nan was GREAT and the staff was VERY friendly. Also they were nice about giving details about dishes I have yet to try. I highly recommend it and will definitely come back!
(4)Jo L.
My boyfriend and I are Indian food connoisseurs so after I read the previous reviews I thought Punjab seemed worth the half hour drive from Fort Lauderdale. He griped about the drive, but his tune changed once the food arrived. We had baingain bartha and chicken tikka masala. Both were ordered medium, and the spices were appropriate and complex. We preceded our entrees with the vegetable samosas, which were a little too heavy on potato and light on the other veggies, but certainly a minor complaint. The mint chutney (I believe that is what it is called) we requested was the best we have tried. Rice pudding and the best "honey balls" (sorry, can't remember the Indian name for these) put a delectably sweet finish on our meal. My only real gripe was the selection of wines that are offered by the glass. Considered the Boca location, you would think that they would upgrade their by-the-glass wine selection from Paul Masson's finest. The did offer better selections by the bottle, though. And the fact that there is a full bar compensated for that. Unlike Steven, I did not think the prices were outrageous for the quality of food. In short, don't be put off by exterior appearances. The restaurant adjoins a downscale-looking motel, but do not be alarmed - the food is delish. I hope the buffet is as good because I'd love to go back and enjoy it after some shopping at Town Center ! LOL
(4)David D.
The restaurant looks like a complete dive but the food is very good. At lunch they offer a four course meal (salad, soup, bread, and the main course with rice) for like $8 or $9. It used to be only like $6 but $8-9 is still very reasonable for the amount of food you get. If you're in the area and want Indian, this is the place to go.
(5)Jenifer M.
I frequent this restaurant - both for dining in and for delivery (through a local service as they don't deliver themselves). The food never disappoints. It is always served hot and everything is fresh and delicious. The service is fine - they are not very warm or inviting as hosts - but the food arrives on time, water glasses are refilled, and they are attentive.
(4)D.A. L.
Our meal (luncheon) for four was not good at all. The food was so overcooked it was unrecognizable and tasted like it had been sitting around for some time. Unfortunately all four diners decided to not return in the future based on this experience.
(1)Glendon H.
I've been coming here for years and it's my favourite of all of the Indian restaurants in palm beach county. I can't explain why my wife doesn't do it, may she's an American and I'm and Englishman and the food here reminds me of what we'd get at home. They've recently redecorated and the place looks a significantly better than it did last year. The service is attentive and staff are friendly. It smelt a little funky, and the air could have been a few degrees cooler. But since the food was so good the last time we were here, I'm pretending it's a present smell. We ordered the dinner for two, which started with soup, both were average, it would have been nice to have a lovely mulligatawny, but the options were vegetables or lentil. They tasted fine. Next came the appetiser selection , served with 3 chutneys and a poppadum and a grand selection of deep fried loveliness. The samosas were a stand out. Main course arrived and were so flavourful . I had the lamb madras, my wife the chicken korma and then it came with a vegetable curry on the side that was amazing, the vegetable so fresh and crisp. We ordered an extra naan Kashmiri naan, that's the sweet one with coconut and cashew. Damn it man . This place rocks
(4)Kirk F.
We came back for some more good eats. We were on a tight schedule to make our movie and the staff did an excellent job preparing our food and serving it quickly even though we were the ones that were running late. Thank you!
(4)Ken K.
This place is a favorita of mine for lunch. The people are nice, the food is good and comes pretty quickly. It's great for a work lunch when time needs to be managed.
(4)Angie B.
Had bad experience yesterday ordered two chicken tandoori lunch specials and was only given sauces and onion chutney for one advised that I had two lunches but still argued me down that we should have said to split into two, why when I ordered two separate lunch specials. Returned food and got our money back. Very disappointed
(1)Sam M.
Another amazing restaurant that most have not heard about in boca. This place is owned and operated by original punjabi Indians unlike most Indian restaurants that are not even owned by people from India. The cooks are Indian too so guess what you get original Indian food to eat. They just updated the restaurant which was long overdue. Another place that we have been going for over a decade. These places never get old and the food keeps getting better. Lunch specials are one of the best in town. I recommend the saag paint with the delicious fresh naans that they serve. Ample self parking available.
(5)Melissa S.
This has been my go to Indian place in Boca for many, many years. I keep going back because I can't find anything better nearby. We always get the chicken tikka masala, lamb sag, and chicken tandoori with naan and rice. The food is good but nothing amazing. This is one of those Indian restaurants that uses a lot of cream in their curries as opposed to more spices and flavoring so it tastes delicious at the time but when you go home, you just want to lay down and nap. The service is always good and it's often empty so I'm not sure how they stay in business! The prices I'd say are average for upscale Indian. Definitely worth checking out if you are craving upscale Indian in Boca and someone please message me if you know of better Indian around!
(3)Jade F.
The best Indian food I've had while being in the USA. It needed a bit more spice and flavour but was still great. We also had a soft spoken and attentive waiter. He will definitely be our go to waiter in future. I would definitely suggest anyone to go here if they looking for an authentic Indian atmosphere and food.
(5)Yohana G.
We ordered carry out on a friday night. We ordered the vegetable curry which didn't taste distinct or spicy ( heard indian curry was very palatable). Also ordered the vegetable samosas which was basically potato and peas in a fried dough, from what I saw online this dish usually has carrots,corn,peas, potato, and cauliflower. We also ordered the naan(bread) which I cant opinionate since I have not had it before. I cannot say it was very special. 2 veggie curries, samosa (2), and 2 naan orders was $42.
(2)Eazy B.
The place is fabulous and the food is the best I had in a long timegood atmosphere good service overall very good love their Indian style dishes made me think I was back at home make sure if you have read Boca please visit this restaurant it's worth it
(5)Sachidanand S.
I oedered for biriyani and they got me fried rice (of course they call it biriyani). Disappointed .
(3)Veronica R.
I just finished having dinner here for the first time with my husband and 17 month old son and I LOVED it. It was quiet, clean, authentic, had great service, and really yummy food. We had the classic chicken tikka masala and naans but we asked the waiter to surprise us with an appetizer and it was all really good. Definitely coming back. They were really sweet to my son and kept giving him high fives. Very very happy.
(5)Julie D.
Consistently delicious and never disappoints when I have Indian cravings... I only wish they offered a buffet, because it's hard to choose :) A bit pricey, but worth every penny! Then again, it's impossible not to run up a tab when options like onion bhaji and garlic naan are mandatory items (for me) on top of an entree. Even my Indian friends who are gourmet cooks in their own right agree Punjab is top notch!
(5)Erica T.
Atmosphere is what you would expect. The food, however, is mediocre at best. Perhaps because this is attached to a hotel the food caters to a more American crowd, but all of our food was bland which is not what one would expect from beef vindaloo or lamb Korma. At any rate, I will not be going back, though you can certainly judge for yourself.
(3)Alex B.
Great service and food. Very nice setting, clean bathrooms. Definitely a must see in South Florida! The curry is amazing. They have really great lunch specials too, for great prices.
(5)Rabia J.
If you ever have a chance to visit India or Pakistan, you will discover some of the best desi food is in simplistic settings. You will enjoy roadside street food on carts consisted of chaat (potato/chickpea snack) , dahi baraye(yogurt dumplings with various toppings),samosas (fried savory pastry with veggies or meat) etc. So, when I go to Desi (Indo/Pak) restaurants in the U.S. I do not expect much with ambience but focus on yummy savory food with good quality ingredients. Dining at Punjab restaurant, you are definitely not eating at The Oberoi Amarvilas (considered the Ritz Carlton near the Taj Mahal in India). However, you will find a painting of the Taj Mahal and other famous places in India throughout the restaurant. Majority of the time, I have gone for the lunch specials. You can not beat the price in Boca, paying only 8 dollars for my favorite palak paneer (spinach and cheese) with some toasty hot naan right out of the tandoor (type of oven)... It does come with rice as well, which I always decline since the naan is so much better and tastier. Try the onion/tomato sauce with the entree, it's nice and tangy. Oh, and it also comes with lentil soup to start off with. Yikes, so much food but yet so good. One of the best lunch deals around town for sure!!! Dinner it's a different story, you might feel the prices are almost three times as much and the ambience is not there. If you do go for dinner I will recommend something which is not on the menu but is a fantastic appetizer. Try their chaat papri with dahi (yogurt) . It reminds me of some yummy street-side carts. They put some yummy sauces on top of it with bits of samosas pieces. It's delicious. They are in the middle of renovating the entire place but still open. Maybe by next month there might be no more smell of masalas (spices) and other odor. Try the food, it will remind you of some authentic punjabi dishes!!!
(4)John I.
I usually dont write yelp reviews for any restaurant but this time I had to cuz you are left with no option if you are served "stale" food. I was visiting from california and looking for some indian restaurant to satiate some of my indian food craving. I ordered dal makhani to go but as soon as I opened it there was a strong pungent smell indicating that it had gone bad already. Imagine paying $13 for a stale dal makhani. Please stay away from this restaurant. It was my first time experience at this restaurant and probably the last.
(1)Larry B.
I was surprised by all of the harsh reviews. I have been here several times and food is great. The staff seems a little stuffy and they could smile when they look at you but hey it's an Indian food restaurant in a motel. It is nicer on the inside then one may think. Food is probably dumbed down as far as the spice goes. Overall good place for a nice dinner out.
(4)Monique S.
The atmosphere is amazing as is the service. Being a regular consumer of Indian fare, I was rather disappointed in the food as a whole. The coffee was instant. The salad dressing was good but as you can see the lettuce is the cheapest available. I had the vegetable curry which was acceptable but not outstanding. The naan was excellent and served with the meal. I would not eat here again unless it's the only thing available
(2)Pete A.
Went for weekend lunch. Great service, and very good food. Priced right . Portions are the right size, and ambience is very good too. Am definitely going there again.
(4)Tripp P.
So delicious!! I love Punjab! It's a little off the beaten path because it is housed inside a motel, but that makes it kind of cool in my opinion. The food is always fresh and the restaurant itself is very clean. The staff is always gracious and kind. I'm a real sucker for all indian cuisine, but I highly recommend the Butter Chicken. It may sound boring, but it's just such a classic dish!
(5)Roberto B.
Delray and Boca Raton have very few choices for Indian food. Sitting in a run down motel, Punjab Restaurant would be a quickly forgotten poor to mediocre experience in any big American city. Here it is an oasis. It offers a three course Indian lunch for under $10. Don't expect high cuisine here, just an acceptable lunch with basic Indian chow.
(3)Fahd S.
As an out of town visitor, I came here craving some Indian food. I definitely was not impressed. The portion is rather small, the quality of the food is mediocre (the butter chicken was really oily and the lamb biryani had a weird smell) and the food is over priced. For those two entrees, it cost me $36. Simply put, do not waste your time and money here. It's not worth it.
(2)Joe M.
Went on a Fri night armed with a coup. Hadn't been in 5 years but heard about recent renovations and with coup decided to give it a go. The renovations really transformed this place. Gone is the stinky carpet and unattractive dining area. Place is really nice now. Greeted warmly seated by a window. Ordered drinks. Way overpriced for what we received. Appx $10 each. A cosmo in an old fashion glass and a martini without an olive? Served some spicy onion chutney with some crispy wonton like noodles. Good start. I had the chicken tandoor which was really good. Served with a fluffy rce and onions and peppers. Wife had a spicy vegetarian rice which she enjoyed. Also .brought home some nan and vege samosas for our son. Both excellent. Make no mistake this is not the quality that you will get in a major city, but a welcome option in Boca. Will return.
(3)Justin S.
Fantastic restaurant! The staff is friendly and welcoming. The food is consisted fly amazing and that garlic naan! I mean seriously! I need that recipe!!
(5)Phil F.
Great Food! Very clean premises and very good service. Best Indian restaurant in south Florida. You won't be disappointed.
(4)Joe B.
We have eaten here countless times and even had them supply the desserts for our wedding. We ate here again last night and it was awesome. The rogan josh was perfect and they make one of the best chaat. This was the first time we had eaten Indian food since returning from a trip to India. And I must say the only difference between the restaurant Punjab and restaurants in India is you can drink the water and eat the yogurt. Another great meal thanks Punjab!
(5)Kashif T.
One word: horrible. This place is far from traditional taste and serves freezer fresh food that is so tasteless, that its hard to consume it even on an empty stomach. Wife and I tried them out the other night. I Ordered biryani (one of the most common recipes found in indian cuisine) and she ordered chicken tikka (if you can't get this one right, there's something seriously wrong with the cook). Almost a half hours after the order was taken, what we were served was nothing that we ordered. Complete and utter carelessness about how the food tasted was evident through their attitude that showed their inability to prepare tasty and traditional recipes. No joke, it was so bad that it was simply inedible. We left almost all of it on the table. Paid the hefty $50 and cut our losses. This place, never again.
(1)Hayley W.
I can't get enough of this place. I've been twice now with friends and I absolutely love it. I am never disappointed. Both times now I've ordered the eggplant (can't remember the name) and I love it. The service is good and the food phenomenal. A bit on the higher side that I like to pay, but it is absolutely worth it and there's often enough for a small lunch the next day. Highly recommend.
(5)Erica L.
Love this place, food is always good! I usually order the Navratan Shahi Korma. It's vegetable dish with very creamy and rich korma sauce . The korma is good in all their dishes, my husband especially loves the lamb korma.
(4)Zachary F.
This is and always was my favorite Indian restaurant. It has been a while since the last time I was here, and the food was awesome. The people working here are very nice. It's like being at your family's house, that's if you like your family. Enjoy.
(5)Harry S.
Let me start this review by stating that they probably have the best naan bread I've ever tried. I see by their menu that they have other flavors as well and I'm definitely going to come back to try them. We went for an early Saturday lunch (11:45am) and the place was empty. We figured we just beat the crowd but during the entire meal nobody ever showed up. Not a good first sign I thought. Lunch combo special consisted of dal soup which needed more flavor but was pretty consistent with others I have tried. A pretty disappointing salad that consisted of iceberg lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes in, get this, Wishbone Italian dressing! Warning sign number 2! They made up for it with my main course of tandoori chicken though. Tender and flavorful with an excellent spicy sauce on the side. Onion chutney served with it was very hot but good. Wait service was attentive with clearing dishes and filling water glasses but lacked any kind of rapport. If he said 3 words total that is not an exaggeration. Not asking if we wanted beverages to start nor desert to finish didn't help either. Again, the place was completely empty. We should have wanted for nothing. To close, I have to give 3 stars based on our main meal. Everything else, 2 stars tops.
(3)Hugo B.
Wasn't sure what to expect because of the mixed reviews. Pulling up to Punjab, on a quiet weeknight, the one good surprise was that it is no longer attached to the run-down, icky motel shown on Google Maps (as of Oct 2013) and mentioned in past reviews. The whole complex has been torn down and rebuilt. The interior of the restaurant is clean and no longer has a hole in the wall feel but it lacks any particular charm either, especially because of the low drop ceiling. Just like another fellow Yelper wrote, the staff seems to linger and watch your every move, which can be a little uncomfortable. We were disappointed that we were not offered the customary papadum and chutneys. After opening the menu, we realized why: It's an item you have to order and pay for. We ordered some for the table but we were again let down since it only came with the onion chutney and not the other two. For the little they charge for it (i think it was 2 or 3 dollars) you'd think they'd give it to their customers for free and not break with tradition. Punjab has a full bar. Two of us ordered vodka martinis and two of us ordered wine. The wine arrived first. After a 5 minute delay the first martini arrived but never the second one. After asking the waiter about it, the bartender came over and sheepishly said that they were out of vodka! So, were you going to tell us or just leave our dry mouths hanging??? Our friend had to settle for a gin martini instead. Sorry, Punjab, gotta knock off a star for that. The service was okay with no designated waiter, just random people bringing items to the table. The meal ranged from great to below average, depending on the item: Bhindi (okra) was great, Channa masala (chickpeas) was good, Palak Paneer (spinach and cheese) was average and Chicken tika masala was below average. I suppose this place is a decent option for Indian food in South Palm Beach county but it pales in comparison to the options in West Palm Beach, especially Indus.
(3)Jade C.
Food here is top notch! Seriously best Indian in the area for a dinner, not "take out" type food. The only let down is the restaurant itself, being apart of the hotel and the current construction there is a bit of a put-off. The restaurant has a slight musty smell when you walk in, so if you have major allergies it might be unbearable for you. Only other point that I noticed is that the staff there kind of watch you eating, which can be a little uncomfortable; I think it is just attentiveness, but can come across as a little creepy after an hour or so haha! Food wise it is very authentic. I appreciate that each dish can be specified as Mild, Medium or Hot. Although if you are an avid curry fan or grew up in India or London, I will tell you now - the Medium is Mild. The naan is hot and homemade, the chukney is good and the rice is too. The portions are just enough, and the serving in the metal bowls makes it very easy for a sharing experience. I noticed that they had a sign for a great lunch for around $8, which would definitely challenge rivals Bombay Cafe off Glades Rd - will check that deal out in the future and update as necessary.
(4)Meri S.
Excellent place. We have been enjoying this restaurant on our annual trips to this area for seven years. Service is very good and the food is great. I enjoy the vegetable soup, garden salad, tandoori chicken, onion Nan bread and beer. My husband likes the lentil soup, garden salad, Panaar Tikki Masala, papadam bread and wine.
(5)Tripp P.
So delicious!! I love Punjab! It's a little off the beaten path because it is housed inside a motel, but that makes it kind of cool in my opinion. The food is always fresh and the restaurant itself is very clean. The staff is always gracious and kind. I'm a real sucker for all indian cuisine, but I highly recommend the Butter Chicken. It may sound boring, but it's just such a classic dish!
(5)Monique S.
The atmosphere is amazing as is the service. Being a regular consumer of Indian fare, I was rather disappointed in the food as a whole. The coffee was instant. The salad dressing was good but as you can see the lettuce is the cheapest available. I had the vegetable curry which was acceptable but not outstanding. The naan was excellent and served with the meal. I would not eat here again unless it's the only thing available
(2)Pete A.
Went for weekend lunch. Great service, and very good food. Priced right . Portions are the right size, and ambience is very good too. Am definitely going there again.
(4)Larry B.
I was surprised by all of the harsh reviews. I have been here several times and food is great. The staff seems a little stuffy and they could smile when they look at you but hey it's an Indian food restaurant in a motel. It is nicer on the inside then one may think. Food is probably dumbed down as far as the spice goes. Overall good place for a nice dinner out.
(4)Roberto B.
Delray and Boca Raton have very few choices for Indian food. Sitting in a run down motel, Punjab Restaurant would be a quickly forgotten poor to mediocre experience in any big American city. Here it is an oasis. It offers a three course Indian lunch for under $10. Don't expect high cuisine here, just an acceptable lunch with basic Indian chow.
(3)Fahd S.
As an out of town visitor, I came here craving some Indian food. I definitely was not impressed. The portion is rather small, the quality of the food is mediocre (the butter chicken was really oily and the lamb biryani had a weird smell) and the food is over priced. For those two entrees, it cost me $36. Simply put, do not waste your time and money here. It's not worth it.
(2)Joe M.
Went on a Fri night armed with a coup. Hadn't been in 5 years but heard about recent renovations and with coup decided to give it a go. The renovations really transformed this place. Gone is the stinky carpet and unattractive dining area. Place is really nice now. Greeted warmly seated by a window. Ordered drinks. Way overpriced for what we received. Appx $10 each. A cosmo in an old fashion glass and a martini without an olive? Served some spicy onion chutney with some crispy wonton like noodles. Good start. I had the chicken tandoor which was really good. Served with a fluffy rce and onions and peppers. Wife had a spicy vegetarian rice which she enjoyed. Also .brought home some nan and vege samosas for our son. Both excellent. Make no mistake this is not the quality that you will get in a major city, but a welcome option in Boca. Will return.
(3)Justin S.
Fantastic restaurant! The staff is friendly and welcoming. The food is consisted fly amazing and that garlic naan! I mean seriously! I need that recipe!!
(5)Phil F.
Great Food! Very clean premises and very good service. Best Indian restaurant in south Florida. You won't be disappointed.
(4)Joe B.
We have eaten here countless times and even had them supply the desserts for our wedding. We ate here again last night and it was awesome. The rogan josh was perfect and they make one of the best chaat. This was the first time we had eaten Indian food since returning from a trip to India. And I must say the only difference between the restaurant Punjab and restaurants in India is you can drink the water and eat the yogurt. Another great meal thanks Punjab!
(5)David J.
I love Indian food; it makes me happy! I was excited to try this place; very hopeful of finding a favorite Indian restaurant. I've been here at least four times over 12 months and it's always the same thing. The staff at this restaurant seem to hate their jobs; their extreme apathy and hang dog attitudes just ruin my celebratory mood - every time! Plus the food is merely mediocre. There is no reason to visit this place unless it is to free the staff from their drudgery.
(1)Kashif T.
One word: horrible. This place is far from traditional taste and serves freezer fresh food that is so tasteless, that its hard to consume it even on an empty stomach. Wife and I tried them out the other night. I Ordered biryani (one of the most common recipes found in indian cuisine) and she ordered chicken tikka (if you can't get this one right, there's something seriously wrong with the cook). Almost a half hours after the order was taken, what we were served was nothing that we ordered. Complete and utter carelessness about how the food tasted was evident through their attitude that showed their inability to prepare tasty and traditional recipes. No joke, it was so bad that it was simply inedible. We left almost all of it on the table. Paid the hefty $50 and cut our losses. This place, never again.
(1)Hayley W.
I can't get enough of this place. I've been twice now with friends and I absolutely love it. I am never disappointed. Both times now I've ordered the eggplant (can't remember the name) and I love it. The service is good and the food phenomenal. A bit on the higher side that I like to pay, but it is absolutely worth it and there's often enough for a small lunch the next day. Highly recommend.
(5)Erica L.
Love this place, food is always good! I usually order the Navratan Shahi Korma. It's vegetable dish with very creamy and rich korma sauce . The korma is good in all their dishes, my husband especially loves the lamb korma.
(4)Zachary F.
This is and always was my favorite Indian restaurant. It has been a while since the last time I was here, and the food was awesome. The people working here are very nice. It's like being at your family's house, that's if you like your family. Enjoy.
(5)Harry S.
Let me start this review by stating that they probably have the best naan bread I've ever tried. I see by their menu that they have other flavors as well and I'm definitely going to come back to try them. We went for an early Saturday lunch (11:45am) and the place was empty. We figured we just beat the crowd but during the entire meal nobody ever showed up. Not a good first sign I thought. Lunch combo special consisted of dal soup which needed more flavor but was pretty consistent with others I have tried. A pretty disappointing salad that consisted of iceberg lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes in, get this, Wishbone Italian dressing! Warning sign number 2! They made up for it with my main course of tandoori chicken though. Tender and flavorful with an excellent spicy sauce on the side. Onion chutney served with it was very hot but good. Wait service was attentive with clearing dishes and filling water glasses but lacked any kind of rapport. If he said 3 words total that is not an exaggeration. Not asking if we wanted beverages to start nor desert to finish didn't help either. Again, the place was completely empty. We should have wanted for nothing. To close, I have to give 3 stars based on our main meal. Everything else, 2 stars tops.
(3)Hugo B.
Wasn't sure what to expect because of the mixed reviews. Pulling up to Punjab, on a quiet weeknight, the one good surprise was that it is no longer attached to the run-down, icky motel shown on Google Maps (as of Oct 2013) and mentioned in past reviews. The whole complex has been torn down and rebuilt. The interior of the restaurant is clean and no longer has a hole in the wall feel but it lacks any particular charm either, especially because of the low drop ceiling. Just like another fellow Yelper wrote, the staff seems to linger and watch your every move, which can be a little uncomfortable. We were disappointed that we were not offered the customary papadum and chutneys. After opening the menu, we realized why: It's an item you have to order and pay for. We ordered some for the table but we were again let down since it only came with the onion chutney and not the other two. For the little they charge for it (i think it was 2 or 3 dollars) you'd think they'd give it to their customers for free and not break with tradition. Punjab has a full bar. Two of us ordered vodka martinis and two of us ordered wine. The wine arrived first. After a 5 minute delay the first martini arrived but never the second one. After asking the waiter about it, the bartender came over and sheepishly said that they were out of vodka! So, were you going to tell us or just leave our dry mouths hanging??? Our friend had to settle for a gin martini instead. Sorry, Punjab, gotta knock off a star for that. The service was okay with no designated waiter, just random people bringing items to the table. The meal ranged from great to below average, depending on the item: Bhindi (okra) was great, Channa masala (chickpeas) was good, Palak Paneer (spinach and cheese) was average and Chicken tika masala was below average. I suppose this place is a decent option for Indian food in South Palm Beach county but it pales in comparison to the options in West Palm Beach, especially Indus.
(3)Jade C.
Food here is top notch! Seriously best Indian in the area for a dinner, not "take out" type food. The only let down is the restaurant itself, being apart of the hotel and the current construction there is a bit of a put-off. The restaurant has a slight musty smell when you walk in, so if you have major allergies it might be unbearable for you. Only other point that I noticed is that the staff there kind of watch you eating, which can be a little uncomfortable; I think it is just attentiveness, but can come across as a little creepy after an hour or so haha! Food wise it is very authentic. I appreciate that each dish can be specified as Mild, Medium or Hot. Although if you are an avid curry fan or grew up in India or London, I will tell you now - the Medium is Mild. The naan is hot and homemade, the chukney is good and the rice is too. The portions are just enough, and the serving in the metal bowls makes it very easy for a sharing experience. I noticed that they had a sign for a great lunch for around $8, which would definitely challenge rivals Bombay Cafe off Glades Rd - will check that deal out in the future and update as necessary.
(4)Rebecca S.
The recently renovated Punjab restaurant awaited my arrival and hey - I changed my mind about the place! Upon entering the restaurant through the actual front door (they were closed off due to renovations and had guests entering through a side door) I noticed the dining area was VERY clean and brightly lit. My dining companion and I were greeted and seated immediately, offered menus and given water in a nice glass. The staff was friendlier than previous times and actually more attentive. The food was excellent - the lentil/pea soup was really, really tasty. I ordered my dish (Dal) with a medium spicy level and it was perfect! Overall, Punjab won me over. I really think the natural lighting from the windows really added to the experience and made me feel more comfortable. *Just a note - this was during the lunch hours.
(4)Eva K.
I come here once in a while. Last night I got the vegetable navrattan shahi korma and my bf got the tandoori chicken. The navrattan korma was absolutely delicious, I couldn't get enough and my bf kept eating from my plate. I love the tiny slivers of nuts (cashews?) in it. His chicken tandoori was pretty good but he preferred the sauce mine came with and I tried his sauce and it was good but mine was better. Make sure to get it mild and ask for their hot sauce on the side. I can take a lot of heat but I once got the navrattan korma "hot" and it was so spicy I couldn't eat it. The chips with the onion chutney you get in the beginning are delicious!!!!! I love their samosas, there are many spices and different flavors in it, just how I like! The naan bread was also yummy. It was soft w/ crispy edges with good flavor and buttery. I've tried naan bread from many places and theirs is my fave. The flavors were so rich, satisfying, and finger-licking good my mouth is watering just thinking about it even though I just had it! Ok I am editing my review because last time I gave 4 stars for "smaller" portions but tonight I got take out and the portions were big! I got my usual navrattan korma. We also tried the panir tikki masala. Amazing. We nearly licked our plates clean. We are very full and have plenty leftovers for tomorrow.
(5)Nick A.
The curry chicken was a oily middle earth looking disaster, 9 parts grease & 1 part spicy tomato is what it tasted like, cut up some over cooked white meat chunks & vwah lah theres your overpriced $15 "dinner portion" the tandoori sauce was pretty good on my compadres dish free lentil soup & naan were good but the ceiling for those is only so high service is good but theyll need some belly dancers b4 i consider a return
(2)David C C.
Nice environment , prices and food. I really enjoy eating there. Everyone is nice and it's very spacious. I like their food so much! It's a awesome place to have a special quality dinner
(5)Aman P.
I ordered panner dish. Looks like they use the same sauce for everything. My food was gross. Lacha paranta had some type of odor Location is gross. Naan, chutneys are alright. Service is ok but I will never ever go back again.
(1)Tara J.
Best Indian food I've found in the Delray/Boca area yet. Being from the NW, we have a plethora of ethnic food options which seems to lack in S. Florida (except for Italian), so finding Punjab is a big WIN! I've eaten here for lunch around 5 times now and absolutely love it! The outside is currently under construction, and the restaurant is located next to a really dumpy looking motel on Federal, however, don't let that scare you. The place gets packed at lunch, and the food is really good AND authentic Indian. Lunch specials are only $7.95 and come with soup, Naan bread and salad, so you're in and out for $10 with tip. Try the eggplant bhartha. Gotta love it! And the Naan bread is among the best I've had in 20+ years of eating Indian food.
(5)Blake M.
The best way to describe Punjab is average and adequate. That being said, there is something that sets them apart; they have the best naan of any Indian restaurant I've been too. They have a lunch special for $8 or $9 that includes soup, salad, naan, rice, and an entree. The entrees are tasty, if not somewhat oily, but nothing special. The service is usually efficient, but not anything special. I'll be back, mostly for the naan.
(3)Sylke L.
So delicious! Had a date night with my bf and stumbled upon this place by accident. Everything was just perfect, my bf ordered a veggie curry dish with onion chutney (he couldn't stop talking about it) and I ordered the chicken vindloo. The decor was beautiful with the Indian landmarks on the walls. The waiters and waitresses were very kind and soft spoken. I would definitely come back here with a larger group, there's lots of space!
(5)David K.
I had vegetable samosa and chicken samosa with two kinds chutney and mango juice. Everything was tasty and timely.
(4)Melissa R.
The outside is currently under construction, and the restaurant is located next to a really dumpy looking motel on Federal Highway in Boca Raton, however, don't let that scare you. This place gets packed at lunch, the food is really good and it's authentic Indian. Lunch specials are only $7.95 and come with soup, Naan bread and salad, so you're in and out for $10 with tip. Punjab delivers through foodoozle.com as well! I guess it's true, you really can't judge a book by its cover.
(4)Maher H.
I take back the good comments I said. They dropped a whole plate if food on me, and they didn't even offer to pay for the dry clean bill. Very disappointing
(1)Vincent T.
Only real good Indian places in south palm beach area. The nan is my favorite bread ever. The curry is perfect. I don't venture onto unknown plates much when it comes to Indian but I hear they are very good too. 5 people just ate for 48$. You just can't beat that for how delish it is. Only downside is it's small and a bit of a hole in the wall but once it's finished construction I bet it'll be much. Even despite the eye sores the inside is well maintained with nice paintings.
(4)Meri S.
Excellent place. We have been enjoying this restaurant on our annual trips to this area for seven years. Service is very good and the food is great. I enjoy the vegetable soup, garden salad, tandoori chicken, onion Nan bread and beer. My husband likes the lentil soup, garden salad, Panaar Tikki Masala, papadam bread and wine.
(5)Tara R.
I got takeout from here tonight. I'm new to the area, and had an Indian craving, and this place is close to my house. The food was good. The paneer was tender and plentiful, the samosa crisp and full. It was less spicy than I expected (I ordered medium, and it was more like mild), but the flavor was good. The one real complaint I have is that it was seriously the messiest take-out I've ever encountered. I guess the orange turmeric/grease mixture leaked out of the metal trays, and they didn't put it in a plastic bag, only a paper one. The liquidy grease separated from the rest of the sauce (you could see that when you opened the containers) and managed to get EVERYWHERE, including all over my kitchen when I got it home. I had it sitting on the seat of my car on the way home, (luckily) on top of my windshield sun-cover--my seat was protected by the cover, but it got all over the cover and stained it. Next time, I am bringing puppy pads and putting it on the floor. The place is a real hole-in-the-wall, and I don't think I'd ever eat in there, but the takeout was tasty and satisfied my craving. I'm certain I'll order from here again. I might try lunch next time; the dinner menu was a little on the expensive side.
(4)Kheng C.
A Tourist Trap !! Passed this place many times since they renovated, never been here before that either. Looks posh, high end Indian Restaurant but got a bit skeptical already at the entrance, we didn't feel very welcomed, they took their time towards you. We felt the arrogance in the atmosphere, chilling, started to feel negativity already, Sad ! and of all people Indians should know that. The staff here you can see are all family members, mother, sons, son in laws, daughters and daughter in laws with no interest in SERVICE!! We ordered our food hoping it'll be delicious after telling the server I'm Asian and we know Indian food but to our disappointment the Chicken Briani was too salty, the lamb curry was too sweet, reminding me back in the early 70's that this is how Americans and Europeans and other races likes it !! So Arrogant!! It tasted like all the dishes was MICROWAVED!!! You'll know that when the food gets cold very quickly!! STOP IT!! Its 2014, People have traveled the world, we know food, quality and spices!! Especially in Florida !! For those who thinks the food is good here! You're Ignorant and YOU DON"T KNOW INDIAN FOOD!!
(1)Sara D.
a Great Indian restaurant - if your interested in trying spicy food. It has a nice ambiance and would be great for a group to hand out and spending the eveining. It does not have windows but has a nice feel
(4)Jason G.
Since the renovation I've noticed the food hasn't been the same. The only possible scenario is that with all the expenses that went into this, they've cut back on the quality. I wasn't happy the past two times I've been. Oh and by the way, they raised their prices. Surprise surprise. Owner of this places owns the motel too. Sounds like the Indian E.B. Farnum.
(2)Paul M.
I like to come here every other week. This place, whether I take out or eat in, never lets me down. Very authentic atmosphere, food, and service. Everyone that works here is EXTREMELY nice and helpful. I would recommend this place for lunch or dinner. I have never had a bad meal from this place. Definitely worth going more than once.
(5)Tirath C.
Eating Indian food since birth I think qualifies me to give appropriate critique on Punjab's food. Frankly Boca doesn't have a single Indian Restaurant that can even be called decent. II have eaten here for lunch and dinner. Punjab's is not what authentic Indian food is like. If you like to try authentic Indian you mite have to spend on some gas and go to restaurants like Taste of India (Okeechobee) or Tandoor and Curry (Lauder Hills). Punjab's food is only good when they cater. Yes they somehow manage to get it right everytime the cater food. They are slightly better than Bombay Cafe on Glades road. The lunch special for $6.99 is cheap and has a good portion of food. However, all their curries taste the same. They just add color to make it look different. The taste of curries they have seems full of preservatives. You never that feel of being satisfied after eating Indian food. There are lots of methods and processes involved in making Indian food. It does not happen overnight. Punjab is terribly missing the mark. Their desserts are much better than their food. Try their desserts it might save your day.
(2)Alicia C.
phenomenal, fresh indian food. sit down restaurant, although i'm sure they have take out as well. not sure about delivery. fresh naan comes with every meal, as well as self serve dessert. call ahead for even quicker service. place was packed when we went for lunch. i think it's attached to a hotel area.
(5)David C.
It was good, not great. I was definitely satisfied after the good meal, but the chicken was a bit overlooked, and my lamb dish was a little dry. The sauces were great, but needed a little more. If you want Indian food, this should be a consideration.
(3)Garrin H.
I've been to Punjab several times this week, and continue to come back because I love their Lentil Dahl, and their lunch is served at a very reasonable price. If there is anything I would suggest improving, it would be the salad (more romaine or dark leafy green lettuce would be great, for those of us that like to eat well). The rice, I would suggest adding brown rice or basmati to the menu, a more nutritious alternative to white rice. Overall, I will definitely be back.
(4)Keith D.
Good portions and prices.
(4)Sumit R.
What a shame to Punjab food! Food - average at best. Service - poor an understatement. Prices - exorbitant for crappy food. Two people dinner $50 and no appetizers. I don't think I'll be going back there ever again.
(1)Samy D.
food was okay, service was miserable. my main issue is that all the family had a porrly stomach after having dined there. dont think I will be going back
(2)Britt S.
Took a chance and boy did it pay off. There was about 6 of us at dinner and we all ordered something different and then just passed it around. There was not a single dish I did not love. Literally love. The place was pretty empty which I could not understand, becuase I intend to put it on my Must Hit for lunch and dinner list! Even a few family members who were intimidated to try Indian, walked out loving the place. I hope this place sticks around a long time!! Loved it!
(5)steve c.
Quite good and a nice surprise while visiting the area. The Dal Mahkni, Vegetable Tika and garlic Nan were highlights (only the Sag Paneer was tasteless and lacking freshness). Great, friendly service and reasonable prices. Recommended!
(4)Damara C.
Ohhh Punjab! I avoided you for years because it's never as good as Bombay Cafe and you look like a dump outside. However, I'm glad I gave you another shot. It looks nicer inside and the food was overall good. Still not as good as Bombay, but a much better dinner experience. I would have given 4 stars, but my chicken in the chicken tikka masala was so dry and you didn't have tomato soup that I love. The naan was great, and so was the masala sauce and julab. The rice wasn't fresh. Overall, good not great. I will give you one more try because I am forever optimistic.
(3)Corey K.
I'd love to give you a review of the food, but I can't. We walked in and then walked out. The place is appalling! Dark, no windows; a smell of mildew, mold and cleaning solutions attempting to mask the odors that permeated the air. simply blah!
(1)Katianna C.
We love this place and go all the time! There is a great atmosphere, and the staff are very friendly!
(5)E. P.
So I was definitely skeptical about eating here after seeing that it was attached to a no-tell motel on Federal Highway-but was pleasantly surprised by some of the items. We came with another couple and to start with ordered the veggie sampler app. It was all just ok-and was not served with any chutney sauces-those cost extra. I ordered paneer tikka masala for my main course, however, and that was delicious! My husband got veggie curry, and that was very oily-would not order again. The only real downer was that service was exceptionally slow. I swear there was an hour lull between apps and our main entrees. That took forever. The place in Deerfield in the Cove is better, but this is a decent option in Boca. I still don't understand why Boca doesn't have good local restaurants. Everything has to be chain or super high-end.
(3)Alejandra D.
Punjab, simply put, is the best place to get Indian food in this area and it looks the ugliest. That's probably the only reason for four stars and not five. It's very good, the owners are nice, and it definitely tastes amazing but it is attached to a dingy, gross, pink hotel and it probably puts a lot of people off. The Curry chicken was what Ive ordered twice so far and with the rice its very tasty. A lot of spice and your mouth will be tingling for a long time after.
(4)Cuong L.
The lunch special here is great. For $7.95 you get your choice of main entree (lots of different types of curries and a few other oddities), salad, soup, rice, chutney, and naan. I've tried the curried lamb and beef, both were excellent. Be careful when you order spicy, cause when they a level 4 spice (out of 5) is quite dangerous for your tastebuds here, but it's a good type of spicy though. Each mouthful is packed with flavor and a burning sensation if you ordered the max level of spicy. My favorite is the keema egg matar, hearty, meaty, and creamy. The tandoori chicken however was quite dry, even the dark meat. The service is very friendly, however, the dinner menu looks very pricey.
(4)Tom L.
Don't be fooled by the exterior! This place is among the better Indian restaurants I've been to. We live in Los Angeles and eat this type of food often enough to know a little. The interior is inviting with full bar. The service was excellent. The food is really why you want to be here though. The tamarind sauce and the onion chutney are to die for. Be prepared to drink lots of water if you decide to go spicy...
(5)Ron K.
Great Indian food, chicken tikka masala is awesome. Could be 5 stars but place is so run down and smells so bad that I can't look the other way. If this place were take out only it would get 5 stars for the food. Best Indian food in Boca but you should take out.
(3)Eve C.
I've been coming to Punjab for delicious Indian food in Boca for longer than I've actually been living in Florida! Whenever I'd come down to visit my family in the area, Punjab was a required meal. Now, whenever I'm up in their neck of the woods, I make sure to stop in whenever I can for some good eats! My most recent visit was on Black Friday after an attempt to tackle the mall. We were all famished, and very surprised to see lunch menus placed before us, offering a little bit of everything for a very low price. We all got our favorites - palak paneer, curry chicken, and curry lamb, tons of rice, some good dal soup, and naan galore! Not to mention veggie samosas and cheese pakora (not included in the lunch specials, but must-haves nonetheless). All delicious, perfectly spiced (be prepared if you like it spicy!), and mouth-watering. I'm tempted to jump in the car and head up there right now. I can't wait to go back!
(4)Lanie R.
Sky's the limit! Not for Boca during lunch. I am so limited in choices for lunch. The fad here seems to be: American Italian (pizza) Japanese/Thai/Asian Fusion Cuban, Mexican, Indian, and other cuisines are rare and few. Even when you find one it's a toss up whether it's authentic or good. Of course when I found Punjab I was stoked. When I arrived I became a little hesitant at first sight but my gluttonous mind made me continue past the old run down Bates Motel and into the restaurant. My first step inside almost made me GAG! There was an overwhelming odor of insecticide lingering in the air. My co-worker begged for us to stay and tried to convince me it was a good sign. I rebutted there are two ways to look at it: 1. They are very clean and this is a preventive measure. or 2. They have an insect problem. We had driven a bit out of the way to come here and if I turned around now to lunch elsewhere I would be seriously be effin with my lunch time. So I stayed... Yes.. I stayed.... The interior is of typical Indian design. Service was impeccable and quick. I ordered my chick peas with potatoes and my friend ordered the chicken curry. Lunch meals come with yellow lentil soup, a salad, bread, and selected plate. The soup was ok. The salad was small considering it was to be split for two. My food was actually really good and my friend's curry sauce was pretty tastey. Lunch is priced at $7.95. Not bad for the amount of food. Overall it is a good lunch spot when craving Indian food. Now, may I respectfully suggest doing something about the stench? Once the food arrived at my table I didn't smell it anymore but up until then I was nearly throwing up in my mouth. This is a big problem for me. The food was good but it was a torturous dining experience. There aren't any other Indian restaurants in this area where I can go for lunch. Will l be forced to endure this sadistic ritual upon every craving?
(3)Steven S.
Unbelievably tasty food with IMHO outrageous (but typical Boca) prices. $16-$20 an entree served in tiny dishes. And yes I've eaten lots of Indian food before so I know about the legendary silver entree serving dishes. These might have once been used for appetizers. Didn't have an appetizer so don't know for sure. Perhaps it would be served in a thimble. Great service too. If you're not too hungry and money is no object go here. Not faint praise but still slightly damning.
(3)Monika K.
the location and decor are sub-par but the food is pretty tasty! started off w. the veggie samosas, which are delicious but fried. but once in a while doesnt hurt, right? right. also had some roti which is the healthier choice in regards to naan, made w. whole wheat. I had the chicken do-piaja, which was not nearly as spicy as they claim it to be, it needed to be more saucy as well. however my date had the lamb vindaloo i believe and it was delicious. im not a big fan of lamb, but this tasted fab. I also was feelin a li adventurous and ordered a mango yogurt drink called Lassi. man that stuff was AWESOME! I could have had at least 2 of them, almost like a dessert as a drink. all in all a good experience for the price.
(3)Stephanie M.
Great lunch special for only $8.95. It included curry, rice, naan, chutney, dal soup, and salad. Good price, lots of food and great taste.
(4)Anthony V.
I was turned on to this place by an Indian woman from work, who swore this was the best, most authentic, Indian restaurant around. She was totally right! This place is great. Not a bad item on the menu.
(5)Alex G.
A great lunch spot. In a cheesy motel location, but run by an Indian family and very authentic. Moreover, you get a ton of flavorful food for the price, and they have plenty of selections. For lunch, this place is a must try.
(4)Herb T.
I remember going here years ago when there weren't that many people in the place at lunchtime. Since then I have watched the crowd grow and grow and now lunch time the place is full. Probably the best Indian food in South Florida. Competitors come and go but for good curries samosa naan this is the place. I agree the place is a little dank and could use a spruce up but what it lacks it looks it makes up for in excellent food excellent prices (lunch deals $7.95) and excellent service. The same people have run it for years and years. Great to meet those Indian food cravings. You will be happy here.
(4)Marc L.
I am a total fan of this restaurant. Would have never know that it was even there if it wasn't for Yelp! The only reason that I didn't give it 5 Stars was b/c I wasn't too pleased with the size of the portion for the price. Maybe it was just the Chicken Vindaloo that I ordered but the quality of the food was great. The Garlic Nan was GREAT and the staff was VERY friendly. Also they were nice about giving details about dishes I have yet to try. I highly recommend it and will definitely come back!
(4)Jo L.
My boyfriend and I are Indian food connoisseurs so after I read the previous reviews I thought Punjab seemed worth the half hour drive from Fort Lauderdale. He griped about the drive, but his tune changed once the food arrived. We had baingain bartha and chicken tikka masala. Both were ordered medium, and the spices were appropriate and complex. We preceded our entrees with the vegetable samosas, which were a little too heavy on potato and light on the other veggies, but certainly a minor complaint. The mint chutney (I believe that is what it is called) we requested was the best we have tried. Rice pudding and the best "honey balls" (sorry, can't remember the Indian name for these) put a delectably sweet finish on our meal. My only real gripe was the selection of wines that are offered by the glass. Considered the Boca location, you would think that they would upgrade their by-the-glass wine selection from Paul Masson's finest. The did offer better selections by the bottle, though. And the fact that there is a full bar compensated for that. Unlike Steven, I did not think the prices were outrageous for the quality of food. In short, don't be put off by exterior appearances. The restaurant adjoins a downscale-looking motel, but do not be alarmed - the food is delish. I hope the buffet is as good because I'd love to go back and enjoy it after some shopping at Town Center ! LOL
(4)David D.
The restaurant looks like a complete dive but the food is very good. At lunch they offer a four course meal (salad, soup, bread, and the main course with rice) for like $8 or $9. It used to be only like $6 but $8-9 is still very reasonable for the amount of food you get. If you're in the area and want Indian, this is the place to go.
(5)Jenifer M.
I frequent this restaurant - both for dining in and for delivery (through a local service as they don't deliver themselves). The food never disappoints. It is always served hot and everything is fresh and delicious. The service is fine - they are not very warm or inviting as hosts - but the food arrives on time, water glasses are refilled, and they are attentive.
(4)D.A. L.
Our meal (luncheon) for four was not good at all. The food was so overcooked it was unrecognizable and tasted like it had been sitting around for some time. Unfortunately all four diners decided to not return in the future based on this experience.
(1)Vishal G.
My wife and I went for lunch on Sunday around 2 weeks back..The restaurant was empty with may be 2 other people. The lunch menu was very ordinary. The food was just OK and if we weren't hungry with our 2 year old, we would have probably left. We had Saag Paneer and Dal Makhani and they were very spicy. Panneer did not look fresh too. I will never go there again
(2)Zita K.
Having just moved to the area my husband and I were excited to try our first Indian restaurant down here. Looking for one close to home we found Punjab,. While we were a bit skeptical about how it would be as it's part of this odd looking hotel plus there was no-one else in the restaurant, we were so pleasantly surprised. The food was excellent! Fresh, hot and spiced so well. My husband is a huge biryani fan and loves dal so for him to rave about these dishes at Punjab really means something. I had the mixed tandori entree and had so much left over to take home. They served it with a most delicious sauce. Oh and the onion chutney that is served with the poppadums is fabulous. I definitely will be going again and hope that the food is as good and fresh as it was tonight. I'm glad to have this in the area,
(4)Elle Z.
Absolute best Indian restaurant in South Florida! Service is always extremely friendly and fast. Some of my favorite dishes are the Chicken Vindaloo, Chana Masala, and Vegetable Curry. Oh and don't forget to order some Roti bread! Your tummy will thank me later.
(5)TJ G.
Not the greatest Indian food I've ever had, but in Boca you can't be picky. The service was very friendly and the bhindi, okra dish, was delicious. The flavors were different than what I'm used to, but I enjoyed the meal and the leftovers I brought home. The restaurant is very nice inside and I can see going back again.
(3)Brad B.
Curry and naan were excellent. Service was so-so. But the food made it all worth the trip. Nice little spot with an authentic feel.
(3)Debbie H.
I've given this place several tries since my last review and it's been consistently good each time I've visited. Hats off for food that is prepared fresh and plentiful! Sure it's not a buffet but you get soup, salad and an entree with rice and naan for $8. I'll continue to come back for more and more!!!!
(4)Dawn K.
Been meaning to try this place for years and finally met friends there today for lunch. We were impressed with both the food and the value. A beef curry was found a bit lacking in tenderness. The veg city and an eggplant dish both met with unanimous approval. Service was acceptable, could have been a little more attentive. The value for the $7.95 lunch special was great! Will definitely be back.
(4)Jen T.
Lunch specials offer a lot for the money. Lentil soup, salad, water and dessert come with every lunch entree, which is a steal in Boca for only $9.99. Sauces served separately, perfect for mixing and matching with friends. Authentic Indian cuisine. Don't be deceived by outside appearance. This place has good Indian food. We had a little trouble getting in and out in an hour and had to flag down the waiter a few times, so watch if you're on a time constraint.
(3)Jose S.
Don't let the shady-ness of this place turn you away. Sure it's in a no-name 3rd tier hotel and sure the musty smell hits you like a ton of bricks as soon as you step in, but be sure you will have a wonderful meal. The lunch specials are excellent and very cheap. 7.95 gets you a side salad, a chick pea soup, an entree (try the CURRY) and naan. The options are beef, chicken or lamb. I find the chicken to be semi-over cooked but the curry makes up for it. You can choose you're spice level from 1 to 10. It's finger-licking good, i mean you will take the naan and scoop it out it's so good. You get rice along with your main dish, and the NAAN, which are like pitas/flour tortillas, EXCELLENT! So in conclusion, aside from the location and interior, the food is amazing. Go ahead and try it, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Cat L.
The food is hot & spicy, which i like. I love a burning pewp the next morning. Im a huge fan of spicy food. The service is kinda weird, they act like they can't be bothered and the place smells like musky piss coupled with the fact thats its inside a sleazy hotel that looks like a meth den. I think its fun, I wish my boyfriend would take me here because they do haev a bar, we can get drunk, eat spicy food and then check into the sleazoid hotel for a lay!
(3)Patrick W.
My wife and I visited on a Friday night and although the service and the ambiance were slow, the food tasted fine enough to give us our Indian fix. Definitely not top of the line, but again the food was tasty and the prices were right. Would come back again if the restaurant weren't in such a boring section of the country.
(3)Jessica H.
This is my favorite Indian Place in the World!! I don't consider myself a connoisseur, but I know yummy food when I taste it. The Naan is hot and delicious, the chutney is great. I usually get the Sag Panir which is chock full or flavor. Service can be spotty at lunch, decor is typical. The Hotel that it's it looks really shady, but don't let that fool you! Oh, and don't put your card in the 'free lunch' bowl. Unless you want financial advice.
(5)Gil D.
I took my daughters to Punjab to try Indian for the first time. Restaurant was empty on a Saturday night at 9 pm. Sat anyway because of the favorable reviews on yelp. Big mistake. No music, tv was tuned to violent wrestling match. Food was mediocre, naan tasted semi raw, chicken tandoori was tough. Service: very, very lacking. When I asked for bill, there was no phone line to charge my cc. Waited 30 minutes with no explanation or apology when I was asked to sign the bill, as they wrote down all my cc info, VERY uncomfortable situation with 3 tired children. Will NOT return.
(1)Ariel C.
The outside is scary, but we took a chance and walked through the doors which really paid off in the end. The inside is clean and has some great eastern details in the architecture and decor. Now on to the important stuff- the food. Yummy. The onion chutney is really so fantastic and I don't even like onion let alone chutney! I mean that stuff is so good. We had the lamb korma and chicken vindloo (did I spell that right?) both of which were excellent. I think the prices are really pretty fair- typical for Indian and Boca. The service is great too, they seem to really care if you like it or not. I would recommend this place if you're in the mood for Indian or just some good layered flavors.
(4)Chris K.
Never had a bad meal here and the Naan is second to none!! I was never a real fan of Indian restaurant's until I tried this place. Also, the lunch prices are very affordable. Since it is part of a Hotel, we would always joke that you could eat a great meal and then get a room to nap. They are in a middle of a remodel so I am excited to see what they do with the place. Food here is awesome and I highly recommend... Cannot go wrong with the Chicken Tandoori!
(5)Jacob Y.
Punjab used to be one of my favorite lunch places when I lived and worked in Fort Lauderdale. In fact, it was one of our favorite lunch destinations, for it had great choices of Indian dishes to choose from. Punjab in North Fort Lauderdale is located in a strip mall just north of 62nd Street on Federal Highway (aka US1)...then again, WHAT in Florida is NOT in a strip mall, right? From the moment you enter Punjab, you can feel a sense of calm ambiance, coupled with a very traditionally decorated dining room. In fact, there are these separated quarters inside the main dining room, complete with curtains that add a sense of privacy as well. But more importantly the food. With every meal, they provide you with fresh naan bread...perfect to soak up all the curry you want. And of course, their curry is outstanding with your choice of meat. What's better yet is the fact that they will spice it up to the level you want...perfect for those of us who LOVE it hot. Unfortunately, I never had a chance to stop by for dinner, but based on what I have seen thus far for lunch, I am tempted to make a trip there.
(4)Alice S.
Don't be sketched out by Punjab's location- next door to a sketchy hotel in the middle of Boca. I just consider it to be a top secret cover for the best indian in all of South Florida. Sure, it's a heady claim, but Punjab's food does it justice. Stay away from their appetizers, since they're all fried. Go straight for some vindaloos and dive into their varieties of Naan. I've tried everything here- vegetarian, lamb, chicken, etc. The quality of the food is amazing and you will NOT be disappointed. Scout's honor. Anytime I'm craving some good, hearty Indian food I'll make the trip from Miami Beach. It's well worth it.
(5)Gary S.
I have a few Indian restaurants in my reviews and this is the best I have found in Florida. Get over the 1960's pink hotel / motel it is in. (If Norman Bates had an Indian cousin in FL. he might just be in there.) I love the Veg samosa's here. My wife likes the meat (chicken). I like the Chicken Vindaloo. I taunt them to make it hot. (Not usually a great idea). I have been going for over a decade and as people start opening their minds you can see the crowds picking up. There is never a wait and the same people have been there for ever. (It is hard to fire your family). Other things I like are the Naan, Chicken Tikka, and the aloo choolee (I am sure they are spelled wrong but you should be able to pronounce it with this spelling) I am not a lamb guy but my friends seem to like it. The same song plays in a loop, so after a few visits you will know all the songs by heart. The wall decor is the stuff a 1970's porno film background would kill for. (Not that I watch that kinda stuff) If you have a craving for a curry in Boca, this is your place. OT: If you never want to see your friends or family visit you again from out of town, book them a stay at the hotel. Ask for the smoking room just above the kitchen. You may never see them again. I actually did book someone a room there but they left town before checking in. (The story is now legendary in some circles.)
(4)Connie H.
Bad service, sneaky with their bill, they put 25 dollar extra on the bill, good thing we checked!!!!!! After we told the waitress, they just came and grab our bills and recalculate for the correct price, but no apology nor explanation!!!!! Wonder what would had happen if we did not check the bill!!!! The food was so so, chicken was way too dry for chicken briyani! The only good food was mango lassi and the garlic naan@!!! Negative star for the sneaky service and one star for the food because of the mango lassi.....will not go back and not likely recommend any one to go.
(1)Paul F.
Sara and I like Indian food and this place has yummy Indian food. Tandoori chicken, Curry this and curry that, lamb this and lamb that. At least once a year we come back for a special occasion, but they do have a lunch special last time we dined for lunch at Punjab. It was yummy. Make sure you ask for the non, the indian bread. They also have spicy and not spicy sauces. Also yummy.
(5)Brian R.
Average food. Service is rude. Nestled in an old pink roach motel on Federal with the ambiance of a 7-11, it didn't put me in the mood. C-ya dude!
(1)walter m.
I'm going to let my writing mimick how I feel about the food: ... The chutney was good and the it was cheap. ... exactly, there's nothing to be excited about.
(2)Don W.
Ate there a few years ago, and didn't like it then. Ate there last night, and it was worse. Just awful. Portions were very small and food not good by any stretch of the imagination. This is one to avoid.
(1)Amy H.
When I move away from S. Florida, this (and Caribbean Grill) will be what I miss most. Over the years, my family and I have tried every single item on the menu (excepting the Seafood section as none of us are big seafood eaters) and have enjoyed nearly everything. Coming from Coral Gables, I expected the Indian food to be overpriced, underportioned, and either inedible hot or bland as can be. Punjab straddles all of these lines well and generally gives you perfectly spiced food. The meat samosa, papadam, seikh kebab, and chicken pakora are standout appetizers. All of the naan is excellent, although I wish we could get more for the price. The chicken, lamb, and vegetable entrees are all spectacular and I often have to order more than 1 when I place my takeout order (and then I feast for the next few days!). One negative is that there must be several different chefs, or the one chef is a bit on the unsure side. Sometimes I will order an entree medium spice and it will be bland; other times I will order an entree mild and it will be super hot. If you can live with that, you will find little else to fault with this gem.
(5)Daniel L.
I am a vegan, and when I come to Boca to visit my dad, we inevitably eat here. It's close to home with at least a few things on the menu that I can eat. The food is good. But there's no denying the feeling I have that it tastes preprepared and not so fresh. But this is the case with pretty much every average Indian food restaurant in suburban areas. Beyond that, the service is good, the restaurant is never crowded, they're always nice. And the food is pretty good. And since apparently there are no vegans in Boca, this place earns major points for catering to those of us that don't eat animals. Cheers
(3)Dul L.
We used to like this restaurant a lot. But the last time we went, there was a funny smell and the food was greasy. It still tasted ok, but half of us got a tummy ache afterwards
(3)Jim S.
Decent food, but possibly the most unpleasant wait staff in America. Only saving grace is the entertainment value of trying to make the waitress smile.
(3)Yi L.
my co-workers and i went to punjab for lunch today. the service was fast, and you get a lot of food for $7.95. but the things that bothered me were: there was stuff floating in the ice water (GAG!!!!) and my knife had dried on stuff (red flakes came off when i wiped it). i ordered the tandoori chicken. the chicken was moist and tasty. the naan, however, was definitely the star of my meal. the rice was horrible and dry. but they gave you plenty of it. i didn't care for the soup. the salad was ok too. but please, dirty drinking water is not acceptable!!!!!!!
(3)Erica T.
Atmosphere is what you would expect. The food, however, is mediocre at best. Perhaps because this is attached to a hotel the food caters to a more American crowd, but all of our food was bland which is not what one would expect from beef vindaloo or lamb Korma. At any rate, I will not be going back, though you can certainly judge for yourself.
(3)Alex B.
Great service and food. Very nice setting, clean bathrooms. Definitely a must see in South Florida! The curry is amazing. They have really great lunch specials too, for great prices.
(5)Glendon H.
I've been coming here for years and it's my favourite of all of the Indian restaurants in palm beach county. I can't explain why my wife doesn't do it, may she's an American and I'm and Englishman and the food here reminds me of what we'd get at home. They've recently redecorated and the place looks a significantly better than it did last year. The service is attentive and staff are friendly. It smelt a little funky, and the air could have been a few degrees cooler. But since the food was so good the last time we were here, I'm pretending it's a present smell. We ordered the dinner for two, which started with soup, both were average, it would have been nice to have a lovely mulligatawny, but the options were vegetables or lentil. They tasted fine. Next came the appetiser selection , served with 3 chutneys and a poppadum and a grand selection of deep fried loveliness. The samosas were a stand out. Main course arrived and were so flavourful . I had the lamb madras, my wife the chicken korma and then it came with a vegetable curry on the side that was amazing, the vegetable so fresh and crisp. We ordered an extra naan Kashmiri naan, that's the sweet one with coconut and cashew. Damn it man . This place rocks
(4)Kirk F.
We came back for some more good eats. We were on a tight schedule to make our movie and the staff did an excellent job preparing our food and serving it quickly even though we were the ones that were running late. Thank you!
(4)Ken K.
This place is a favorita of mine for lunch. The people are nice, the food is good and comes pretty quickly. It's great for a work lunch when time needs to be managed.
(4)Angie B.
Had bad experience yesterday ordered two chicken tandoori lunch specials and was only given sauces and onion chutney for one advised that I had two lunches but still argued me down that we should have said to split into two, why when I ordered two separate lunch specials. Returned food and got our money back. Very disappointed
(1)Sam M.
Another amazing restaurant that most have not heard about in boca. This place is owned and operated by original punjabi Indians unlike most Indian restaurants that are not even owned by people from India. The cooks are Indian too so guess what you get original Indian food to eat. They just updated the restaurant which was long overdue. Another place that we have been going for over a decade. These places never get old and the food keeps getting better. Lunch specials are one of the best in town. I recommend the saag paint with the delicious fresh naans that they serve. Ample self parking available.
(5)Melissa S.
This has been my go to Indian place in Boca for many, many years. I keep going back because I can't find anything better nearby. We always get the chicken tikka masala, lamb sag, and chicken tandoori with naan and rice. The food is good but nothing amazing. This is one of those Indian restaurants that uses a lot of cream in their curries as opposed to more spices and flavoring so it tastes delicious at the time but when you go home, you just want to lay down and nap. The service is always good and it's often empty so I'm not sure how they stay in business! The prices I'd say are average for upscale Indian. Definitely worth checking out if you are craving upscale Indian in Boca and someone please message me if you know of better Indian around!
(3)Jade F.
The best Indian food I've had while being in the USA. It needed a bit more spice and flavour but was still great. We also had a soft spoken and attentive waiter. He will definitely be our go to waiter in future. I would definitely suggest anyone to go here if they looking for an authentic Indian atmosphere and food.
(5)Yohana G.
We ordered carry out on a friday night. We ordered the vegetable curry which didn't taste distinct or spicy ( heard indian curry was very palatable). Also ordered the vegetable samosas which was basically potato and peas in a fried dough, from what I saw online this dish usually has carrots,corn,peas, potato, and cauliflower. We also ordered the naan(bread) which I cant opinionate since I have not had it before. I cannot say it was very special. 2 veggie curries, samosa (2), and 2 naan orders was $42.
(2)Eazy B.
The place is fabulous and the food is the best I had in a long timegood atmosphere good service overall very good love their Indian style dishes made me think I was back at home make sure if you have read Boca please visit this restaurant it's worth it
(5)Sachidanand S.
I oedered for biriyani and they got me fried rice (of course they call it biriyani). Disappointed .
(3)Veronica R.
I just finished having dinner here for the first time with my husband and 17 month old son and I LOVED it. It was quiet, clean, authentic, had great service, and really yummy food. We had the classic chicken tikka masala and naans but we asked the waiter to surprise us with an appetizer and it was all really good. Definitely coming back. They were really sweet to my son and kept giving him high fives. Very very happy.
(5)Julie D.
Consistently delicious and never disappoints when I have Indian cravings... I only wish they offered a buffet, because it's hard to choose :) A bit pricey, but worth every penny! Then again, it's impossible not to run up a tab when options like onion bhaji and garlic naan are mandatory items (for me) on top of an entree. Even my Indian friends who are gourmet cooks in their own right agree Punjab is top notch!
(5)Rabia J.
If you ever have a chance to visit India or Pakistan, you will discover some of the best desi food is in simplistic settings. You will enjoy roadside street food on carts consisted of chaat (potato/chickpea snack) , dahi baraye(yogurt dumplings with various toppings),samosas (fried savory pastry with veggies or meat) etc. So, when I go to Desi (Indo/Pak) restaurants in the U.S. I do not expect much with ambience but focus on yummy savory food with good quality ingredients. Dining at Punjab restaurant, you are definitely not eating at The Oberoi Amarvilas (considered the Ritz Carlton near the Taj Mahal in India). However, you will find a painting of the Taj Mahal and other famous places in India throughout the restaurant. Majority of the time, I have gone for the lunch specials. You can not beat the price in Boca, paying only 8 dollars for my favorite palak paneer (spinach and cheese) with some toasty hot naan right out of the tandoor (type of oven)... It does come with rice as well, which I always decline since the naan is so much better and tastier. Try the onion/tomato sauce with the entree, it's nice and tangy. Oh, and it also comes with lentil soup to start off with. Yikes, so much food but yet so good. One of the best lunch deals around town for sure!!! Dinner it's a different story, you might feel the prices are almost three times as much and the ambience is not there. If you do go for dinner I will recommend something which is not on the menu but is a fantastic appetizer. Try their chaat papri with dahi (yogurt) . It reminds me of some yummy street-side carts. They put some yummy sauces on top of it with bits of samosas pieces. It's delicious. They are in the middle of renovating the entire place but still open. Maybe by next month there might be no more smell of masalas (spices) and other odor. Try the food, it will remind you of some authentic punjabi dishes!!!
(4)John I.
I usually dont write yelp reviews for any restaurant but this time I had to cuz you are left with no option if you are served "stale" food. I was visiting from california and looking for some indian restaurant to satiate some of my indian food craving. I ordered dal makhani to go but as soon as I opened it there was a strong pungent smell indicating that it had gone bad already. Imagine paying $13 for a stale dal makhani. Please stay away from this restaurant. It was my first time experience at this restaurant and probably the last.
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