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Name: Tantric India Bistro
Address: 123 Stuart St, Boston, MA, 02116
Telephone: (617) 367-8742
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.59

Tantric India Bistro

123 Stuart St, Boston, MA, 02116

(617) 367-8742
Store is closed

Tantric India Bistro Menu

Vegetarian Appetizers

Samosas Crisp Stuffed Turnovers

Paneer Pakoras

Vegetable Pakoras

Gobi Manchurian
Chicken/seafood/lamb Appetizers

Samosas Crisp Stuffed Turnovers

Chicken 69

Crispy Pan Fried Shrimp

Malabar Crab Cakes

Lamb Choyala
Soups Salads And Chaats

Sprouted Moong Bean Salad

Five Spice Salad

Papri Chaat

Bhel Poori

Soup Du Jour
Chicken

Chicken Madras

Butter Chicken

Chicken Chettinad

Mango Chicken

Chicken Tikka Masala
Desserts

Ras Mala

Kheer Badami

Gulab Jamun

Molten Chocolate Cake

Mango Cheesecake

Kulfi

Healthy Meal suggestions for Tantric India Bistro

Vegetarian Appetizers

Samosas Crisp Stuffed Turnovers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Paneer Pakoras [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable Pakoras [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gobi Manchurian [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Chicken/seafood/lamb Appetizers

Samosas Crisp Stuffed Turnovers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken 69 [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Pan Fried Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Malabar Crab Cakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lamb Choyala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soups Salads And Chaats

Sprouted Moong Bean Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Five Spice Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Papri Chaat [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bhel Poori [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup Du Jour [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Chicken

Chicken Madras [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Butter Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Chettinad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mango Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Tikka Masala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Ras Mala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kheer Badami [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gulab Jamun [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Molten Chocolate Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mango Cheesecake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kulfi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Boston Common Coffee Co. ( 97 Salem St )

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 725 Commonwealth Ave )

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 725 Commonwealth Ave )

Write An Anonymous Review

Vikram G.

Tried takeout vegi appetizer sampler and Paneer Makhani and garlic naans. Coming from New Jersey, I would say nothing out of ordinary. Calling and placing the order was easy and food was ready at promised time.
(3)
Hanzhou P.

It was my first time trying Indian Food! It was similar to the Thai Food that I tried before, but was way better:-) My friend and I both agreed that Thai food has a more complicated taste which contains sweet, salty, spicy and various flavors. However, Indian Food is more simple and it naturally adapts to your gustation. This restaurant is located right behind my school but I've never noticed it before! I was glad that my friend introduced this amazing Indian restaurant to me. Definitely will be back soon:-)
(4)
Tammy L.

I've been here several times and it's really my main place for Indian food. Service is wonderful--they are very patient with questions on their dishes. I once brought a friend here who was on a restricted diet so she asked for recommendations on what she could eat. The server took his time to answer and even explained how it's eaten in India. Other times, I've asked about how spicy the dishes are and they never get annoyed with answering and making recommendations. Food wise, I've tried a few from the Chicken section of the menu. Chicken Vindaloo is a must. Tikka Masala is also recommended. A friend who also frequents here recommended the Butter Chicken. Tandoori chicken is amazing as well. Don't leave without trying the naan. I usually order the plain and the rosemary one. Just recently I tried the Lakhnawi Naan, which is a sweet naan, and it was absolutely delectable. I loved dipping it into my Chicken Vindaloo!
(5)
Daniel C.

I came here with my coworker to try their lunch buffet. The restaurant interior looks pretty colorful and modern. We were the first ones in the restaurant which should mean we get the food at its freshest. The buffet overall was decent - flavors and sauces were really well balanced. However the vegetarian dishes were far better than the meaty dishes, so I would rate overall 2 stars for meats and maybe 4 stars for non-meat dishes. Chicken Tikka Marsala had wonderful sauce on the outside but chicken was overcooked to the point of being dry. Same with the Tandoori chicken, which were exclusively large drumsticks, though less dry but still no hint of juiciness. Goat curry was mixed - some pieces had tenderness and others overcooked. The real stars are the non-meat dishes. Tomato-Coconut soup was very good; tangy and sweet. They offered both lemon rice and basmati rice which was great. Fried Potato dumplings were light and crispy with lots of dipping sauces. Superb Aloo Gobi and Paneer (cheesy dish similar to firm tofu with more calories). For dessert, they offered rice pudding with ground walnuts which was pretty good.
(3)
Shreya S.

The food was quite good. Chicken butter masala was awesome and biryani as well. The only thing that needs improvement was the waiting system. You need to take down names and maintain an order.
(4)
Naomi M.

My friends and I stumbled across this restaurant walking the streets of Boston searching for a nice meal. We all missed Indian food from when we had it overseas and we were glad we went here! I ordered the Lamb Tikka Masala and the cheese naan and both were delicious! One of my friends ordered Butter Chicken curry and garlic naan and my other friend ordered the Aloo Gobi Masallam and plain naan. Both of them had nothing but great things to say about their meals. The service was great as well! We all ended up taking the rest of our unfinished meals home and they even included a new container of rice in our take out bags. Even though this was only one visit, I had a positive experience.
(5)
Rabbitarch T.

Although it was a little bit expensive but the food was really good. The sauce was amazing and with a a lot of spices, the spicy level was just perfect( unlike some places where a medium is way too spicy). The portion was also very generous. We were both starving but ended up wrapping half of the food. Overall recommended!
(5)
Diane H.

Service - 0 stars Food - 3 stars I've never not tipped before but I felt that if you are going to spend your time fighting me then you probably don't deserve any. So we can for the lunch buffet. We had a restaurant.com gc. I read the fine print- doesn't say you have to order off a specific menu or anything or even that it doesn't work on the buffet. So we get the check and we're trying to show her that it doesn't say this--- she isn't having any of it. Apparently it's okay for her to not take it because she happen to tell someone else just now that it doesn't work- so that's her excuse. How is it a restaurant policy if it isn't stated ANYWHERE ? Maybe you guys should put it in the fine print instead of scamming people into coming and then not taking it. I was going to come back- but not anymore. DO NOT ARGUE WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS- you definitely show that you don't care and you pretty much look like an idiot. Who pays you? US.
(1)
Abby R.

Went for Saturday lunch buffet and about $13 got us unlimited naan, chicken tikka masala, 2 kinds of rice, tandoori chicken, a lentil curry, and a paneer curry. All the options were above average I would say and the staff were polite and kept the buffet from running out of anything. Definitely would recommend if you're in the area and want to eat your body weight in delicious indian food without committing to one specific dish.
(4)
Mike G.

My friend and I had never had Indian cuisine yet. So we decided to try Tantric for lunch today. We didn't know what to expect except a few dishes. But overall satisfied. We tried chicken tandoori, chicken tikka masala, lamb curry, mixed lentils, basmati rice(with peas and plain), saag paneer(spinach with cheese), fried eggplant, naan, and best of all was the tomato and coconut soup. We both had two heaping servings of this. It was UNBELIEABLE. Everything was a okay but the soup. The soup nailed it. Indian cuisine is nice but I would search if given other choices around me. But would try again though.
(3)
Jessica B.

I was a bit torn between a 3 and a 4 because I love the warm, comfortable, casual atmosphere and our service was quite good. The food was a bit more hit or miss. I met an old friend of mine and two Emerson College professors for dinner. They sat us in a very comfortable and private booth near the back where we could talk without interruption. I really liked both the decor and the design of the restaurant that provided some more secluded tables. Our waiter was great, very friendly and helpful without being overbearing. I am not anything near a connoisseur of Indian food, although I really like it. Unfortunately I have not been able to find lower calorie options that I liked. And anything tastes good with enough coconut milk curry on it. This menu helpfully marks healthier options. We split the vegetarian tantric platter with veggie samosa, Aloo Tikki, pakodas, and a paneer pakoda. Everything was quite good, but also quite fried. We had garlic naan, which was very oily and also delicious. We split a Saada Dosa that failed to impress. The texture of the dough seemed off and there was very little filling. I had the Aloo Gobi Masallam, which is roasted cauliflower sautÃ©ed with sliced onions, ginger and garlic, and garnished with cilantro. I ordered it "spicy for Americans," and the amount of fire was just right. Overall, it just wasn't great. I may well have ordered the wrong thing, so someone send me recommendations for next time. Nice place, would return.
(4)
David A.

I went here the other day for dinner by myself. The service was generally pretty good, quick to seat me, quick to refill water and take my order - that last one is huge, not a lot of places quickly identify whether a customer is ready to order, they add! I started with the Veggie Samosa, it was tasty, nice potato and cumin flavor with the standard sweet and spicy dipping sauces. Nothing about it was amazing, but it did make me want to come back and try their Keema Samosa. That said, it was a standard look and nothing sexy (see pictures). I then had the Garlic Naan. It was just decent, the Naan could have been chewier and softer/thicker. The garlic was definitely there, but I could barely taste it. Regarding the entree, I opted for the Chicken Tikka Masala and my server asked me how hot, I said "Indian Hot" and he replied "Are you sure, it's very spicy" and so I retorted "Yes, make is REAL INDIAN spicy, not the American hot level." Before I get to the description of the Tikka Masala, let me say that the dish came with rice, it should have been noted in the Menu that the dish comes with it, otherwise had I also ordered a Basmati rice I would have had a massive amount of rice! Sticking with the rice, it was under-seasoned, I think they didn't season it with rice when they were cooking. That said it was light and fluffy. Now for the Chicken Tikka Masala. I liked it, quite a bit, even though it wasn't really spicy. It was very flavorful, had good color and taste and just a tad creamy which made dipping the Naan into it very wonderful. I would give the entree a 4. However, considering the rice and the Naan, I have to give this place a 3, though a 3.5 is more accurate.
(3)
Nobbi L.

It was a busy Friday evening. I had been in a conference all day and was ready for dinner. The theater district was buzzing, and the first three establishments we went to had long waits. I found Tantric on Open Table, made a reservation, and we were in. The menu is classic Indian cuisine. We enjoyed Lamb Vindaloo, Chicken Tikka Masala, Raita, Garlic Naan, Paratha, and Indian pickles. Our server was attentive and sweet. The flavors were delightful and the dishes were spicy as we ordered them. As an Indian food lover for decades, I can fully endorse this place.
(5)
Lydia L.

soooo goodï¼The attitude of the waiter is good and the food is really delicious.I love it.
(5)
Stacey G.

I have been here multiple times with a group of coworkers for the lunch buffet and I've been here once for dinner for 2. The lunch buffet is an excellent deal, if you work in the area and like Indian food you should absolutely come here. They have a lot of options, especially for a vegetarian like me! The food is not too spicy. My favorite thing to get is the soup- it is very sweet and delicious. I'm not a fan of the samosa, naan and paneer pakoras served here. Overall the food is pretty good and I will likely return!
(3)
Lauren M.

I have been to Tantric a few times and never have been disappointed by my meal. It is so flavorful and well done that I always am looking for more friends that enjoy Indian food so that I have an excuse to go. However, I just called to make a reservation and the hostess warned me that they stopped serving alcoholic beverages 3 months ago ~April 2015...this is a BIG bummer because they had delicious cocktails before and the restaurant is perfectly situated in the theater district--It was great to go to Tantric before a show or movie with friends...now, it will be hard to convince some friends to go to dinner there if they can't get a drink after work...I personally hope they regain their liquor license so that they can again sell alcoholic beverages. Of course, drinking isn't everything, but it is a part of the dining experience and that is why I'm only giving 3 stars...
(3)
Neha S.

Average but tasty Indian lunch buffet. If you come at lunchtime, definitely get the buffet and NOT the ridiculously overpriced a la carte items. Nice staff, and prime location across from the W hotel. Seems to be very popular with big groups.
(3)
Rachel L.

I thought the customer service was exceptional. As other reviewers stated they no longer have their liquor license but are working for a beer/wine license. They called us ahead of time (made open table reservations) to let us know. Our waiter was very attentive. Water was always filled, made sure to tell us rice comes w the entrees when we were going to order (and brought us extra rice at no charge), food came out fast, and when a friend unexpectedly joined us mid meal, was there with an extra plate and setup before we even asked. Food was well flavored. I'm not huge on hot spice so got medium on my Chicken Tikka Masala and was very satisfied. Too much for one person, I brought home leftovers. Indian food leftovers are the best. Our friend said he would "definitely come back." I didn't give 5stars because I have to be blown away for that. Above average food with great service, only gripe was the diet coke ordered was flat but they didn't charge us so not a big deal.
(4)
David M.

I was a bit skeptical about eating Indian food due to past experiences; however I was very pleased with my newest finding. Tantric is well worth the visit because of their delicious menu and comforting atmosphere.
(4)
Shantel S.

Unfortunately, Tantric no longer serves alcohol. The food was incredibly bland. The medium spiced tikka masala wasn't spicy at all and the eggplant dish had little flavor. The veggie samosas and naan were very good, but the entrees were not. The sorbet tasted freezer burned and was awful. The service was great, but there were only 2 other tables occupied. The outdoor seating is nice, but I still won't return.
(1)
Maddy V.

It was my second time at the restaurant. I came here with my friend for dinner . We love spicy Indian cuisine and were both craving it. This was the only Indian place closest to us. I like to venture from the norm and try different dishes from what I've already had. The waiter gave us recommendations and we went with it. We started with the Gobi Manchurian, crispy fried chick pea batter wrapped around cauliflower. It looked and tasted like orange chicken. I enjoyed the crispness and crunch from the batter and would most likely get it again. The garlic naan was decent but I've had better. The entrees we got were the lamb saag and chicken madras. The spinach sauce with the lamb was especially tasty with the garlic naan as was the same with the sauce in the chicken madras. I felt that the chicken and lamb meat were a bit too tough. One of the biggest complaint I have was how long it took for our entrees to come out. After our appetizers came out, we waited for about 45mins. We weren't told why but I don't think that was a normal wait time considering it wasn't even that busy.
(2)
Manushi K.

Being from india, I can say that the naan was good (though expensive) but the curries we ordered were NOT. We ordered Malai Kofta and Chicken Chettinad. Malai Kofta was okay but Chicken Chettinad is something I love and have had millions of times. This curry was dark red and rather sweet. Chettinad is supposed to be orange and has a south indian tangy taste. When we told the server to check if that was chettinad, she simply argued with us saying that that is how they make it. We told her we cannot even eat it because it was too sweet for chettinad, she just shrugged and said that is what it is and did not care. Never going back and for people who want to try Indian, please dont get biased by going here. There is so much better .
(2)
Swarnamugi S.

Such bad food and worst service. Food was very bad that I got stomach problem within 30 minutes after eating. No proper service. Have to request them each time to take the plates. WORST. If there was a 0 rating, i would have preferred that.
(1)
Heath M.

Tantric, once known for its amazing cocktails, no longer has a liquor license. If this is a permanent situation it may spell the end of days for one of the best Indian restaurants in the city. It is a shame.
(2)
Vinita B.

I thought the service was fantastic, and they even packed my naan in this cute little carry out bag. It was my birthday dinner and they were very accommodating with us bringing in outside dessert (cupcakes) - we had a large party and they were really great in terms of seating and dealing with 8 people. However, we did have a slightly longer than average wait. Food was delicious though, and I wasn't that hungry so it didn't bother me. They were also very busy on a Saturday night. In general, if you see fellow indians eating there, it must be good, right? :) And we were the majority! Goat cheese/rosemary naan is a must!!
(4)
Lizzy G.

I dined in today with some friends during lunch time. I opted out of the buffet to order from the menu. The food was good, the service wasn't. I'd only return for takeout.
(3)
Edgar L.

Hmmm... this one is tough. I've been here probably 5 times, maybe 6. I have always had the buffet, and mostly during Sunday lunchtime. It wasn't until today that I realized that I was paying too much for not too great quality. I don't know why it didn't hit me earlier - maybe I was too enthralled by the company I was keeping or the conversation. Anyway... here is the skinny: Indian food. There are not too many options on the buffet line - usually about 7-9, and usually the same ones each time I've been here. Naan, this fried corn fritter thing, rice, some paneer, some tikki masala, some chicken tandoori, and a soup. Of these, I really only like the naan and the fried corn fritter thing, the latter of which is super deep fried, which is the reason I love it - being the fatty that I certainly am. There is also a great dessert kheer (rice pudding), which inho, goes great with the naan or the fried corn fritter thing - it just works perfectly. But other than that, the food is buffet food, and not the best Indian food. So if you're looking for quantity over quality, Tantric isn't bad, really. I used to eat more when I went to Tantric (maybe 2-3 plates of food filled to the top and then dessert) but today I only had one and it filled me decently, so I exercised self-control and stopped there. All in all ~$15 for the meal, which is a little pricey for the quality of food you're getting. Service: Decent. They refilled water quickly and took away plates quickly. But it took a long time for them to give us the bill; someone from our party had to go get it. The restaurant has a lot of room, though, so it is great for big parties. That's a plus, I guess. Verdict: Meh Indian food. Fairly expensive. Delicious fried corn fritter things.
(2)
Danae K.

You have the option of buffet or menu during lunch. perfect if you don't want to wait a long time, but want to eat out. nicely priced, clean and relaxing atmosphere. I would definitely recommend their lamb dishes as well as their chicken tikka massala. I've had better naan elsewhere... potentially because it's left out on the buffet table so it gets soggy. Good price, good food!
(4)
Meetali D.

Good ambience. Paneer makhani and chili cheese naan were really good but beware of the chili in that naan - super hot!! Dal tadka was average and so was garlic naan. I hate that I had to pay $22 for parking (weekend) in the nearby lot to dine here.
(4)
Emily A.

Eh. Wanted to really like this place but it just didn't impress. I went in the other day for the lunch buffet with a few friends. From the seating to paying the bill, nothing was clear and we weren't sure if we ever even had a server. No one ever refilled our waters (come on, it's an Indian place) and no one ever checked up on us. I'm only giving this place two stars because the food was outstanding. Some of the best Indian I've had in Boston, but that being said, I think I'll stick to the Indian places I'm more a regular at elsewhere.
(2)
Abe F.

We like Indian food a lot. We have tried several places in the Boston area. Tantric was the worst out of all of them. The food was very bland and not spicy at all. They use a lot of ketchup which sorta over powered everything in the taste. The actual space of the restaurant reminds me of a warehouse space. It was very open, drafty, and loud. Virtually no decorations and the tables were arranged awkwardly so it felt tight and over crowded. Very impersonal. I honestly wouldn't recommend it for friends. Maybe if you haven't had Indian food and don't like spice then this is the place for you. I suppose it would be okay for a work party.
(3)
Kyrah L.

Food - butter chicken - the gravy was great. . Although the chicken was a little bland Lamb kebabs - little dry but flavorful esp with the chutney Naan - decent Paratha - eh.. didn't really eat it Order/delivery- Can't order over the phone. Delivery took over an hour, but they were friendly enough. Overall good. I'll order again.
(4)
Lexi B.

AMAZING! Just had lunch at Tantric Indian Cuisine and it was great! The lunch buffet was very clean and the food was hot. One of the best Chicken Tikka Masalas I've ever had. Great deal and right near the blue man group. Also great for my gluten free boyfriend! The waitress was very informed and accommodating of his allergy. He could eat almost everything. If I could give it 100 stars I would!
(5)
Stuart P.

Started off with the samosas crisp stuffed turnovers with lamb served with tamarind and mint chutneys. The samosas were hot and flavorful, and the two sauces were excellent, distinct complements. Had the chicken tikka masala and lamb jardalu ma gos. Both really hit the spot, and was glad I asked for spicy with the tikka masala as the sauce had some sweetness. The lamb was incredibly decadent and had an interesting pairing with the tangerines. Finished the meal off with two types of naan - garlic and New England goat cheese and rosemary. My preference was the garlic as I had not had naan stuffed with cheese before, though both were quite good. Between the two of us, we had more than an entire meal of leftovers to take home. Overall really a wonderful experience on a Wednesday night. Absolutely no complaints with the service, and the restaurant filled up throughout the night (we began dinner on the earlier side around 6:15). Will definitely come back if I am in the area or craving Indian!
(5)
Nikhil H.

The chicken was like rubber. And it seemed relatively better after I ordered Idli, because that couldn't be cut with the fork they gave me. Oh, the sambhar had broccoli, and I am sure it was a discard from some other table. My friend ordered chana, and it was undercooked with gravy so scarce that the rice to go with it seemed like a mockery to the meal. Save your appetite for the panera breads near by.
(1)
Tina P.

Excellent salmon tikka dish-- tender and rich flavor!!!! Chicken tikka masala is also well done and mango martini was done right. Tantric is great for dates, family dinners, and a must after a comedy or theatre show. 5 stars!! Balle balle!
(5)
Ethan H.

As Han Solo would say "I have a bad feeling about this". From the get go the place was dead on a Thursday night no less. Surprisingly tantric was closing out on their liquor sales. No traditional king fisher beer here. Our waitress while friendly and talkative was lackadaisical as she forgot my diet coke and served our naan midway through the meal. That carries me on to my next point. The food. Average. The common chicken tikka masala was very rich and flavorful. The lamb saag had potential but sadly only a few lamb chunks were in it. Definitely not Boston's best Indian restaurant. Oh and by the way the prices are way way too high.
(2)
Jae P.

WeI really enjoyed Tantric! It's refreshing to finally find great Indian food in the Boston/Greater Boston area. They have great vegetarian options (major reason why we love Indian food!) Ambiance, music, and service was all stellar! We went before a show, and walked in on a Friday night at 630 without a reservation. Drink: basil ginger gimlet. A+ (I had several) App: Samosas crisp stuffed turnovers: B (they were a little greasy) Entrees: Daal Makhani (Hot) A+ Saag / Paalak Paneer (Hot) A+ New England Naan A Everything was spiced to perfection! Just the right amount of heat. My boyfriend, who hates goat cheese, ordered the New England Naan (I love goat cheese), and he liked it a lot as well! After having bad experience at a few local Indian restaurants, we're definitely going back to this one. Good thing we are in the theater district often! We'll be frequent visitors.
(5)
Ashlin T.

This was my first visit to this place and I would definitely go again. The food was tasty, and the service was a good balance between being attentive and giving us space. I tried the drink special - a raspberry martini. It was delicious, and was made with real raspberry puree. My vegetarian dish was very good, and the servings were large enough for me to take home. Although, my boyfriend finished his meal there. If you're looking for a place with a nice atmosphere, good food and drinks, I would recommend this restaurant.
(4)
Abhinav G.

I think it's one of the better places to have Indian food in Greater Boston area.. I've tried their lunch buffet a few times now, and I keep coming back - not just because of good food, but because honestly one is short of good Indian food options in Greater Boston area.. For a north-indian who likes it spicy, this might not be the 4 stars, but this is very much a relative rating :-).. For people, who like it mild or just fine, it could be even a 5..
(4)
manish m.

Pros Nice ambiance, waiting staff . Cons. We tried two dishes- Lauki Kofta and Chicken Chettinad. Both were dripping in sugar . We had asked for medium spicy because the staff told us spicy is really hot, but the food was totally disappointing. It was like we were eating dessert instead of an entree. If you equate Indian food with sugary syrupy food you will like it.
(3)
Maggie K.

While in boston I have been here for dinner twice. Both the times the waits were long even though we had reservations. The first trip was with a friend and second was with my husband and in laws. As soon as you enter there is a small waiting area and next to it stands the bar with a few chairs. The wait staff is never there and when you enter you gotta wait for a really longtime. The staff on board are only a few, this makes things wait long. After we were seated, neither the accompaniments were served (the papad n the chutneys) nor water. The waiter serving our table took 25 minutes to take orders. The decor is pretty decent however with a loud ambience. When it comes to food I have tried their papri chat, gobi manchurian, lauki koftas and the garlic naans. Food is okay however not really satisfied with the flavours in there. The lauki koftas were below average, had a pungent gravy. However enjoyed the garlic naans. They were soft and tasty. Parking is a pain, it's street parking. But if you don't mind spending a few extra $ then there is a garage a few blocks away. I am not sure if I wanna give this place one more try!
(2)
Rebecca S.

Great lunch buffet, lots of options and very friendly staff. I've never had to wait to be seated and they constantly are refilling the buffet trays so everything is full and fresh. Yum!
(4)
Geoff H.

8 of us came for lunch and all ordered the buffet and no drinks. We were literally the first people in the restaurant for the day. We sat at two tables that were adjacent. The bill came, and an automatic 18% tip was added? This is a buffet. Everyone enjoyed their meal.
(4)
Bonnie C.

I came here once and had their chicken tikka masala with garlic naan. Their tikka masala has more of a buttery taste compared to other tikka masalas that I've had. Maybe it's because I ordered mild, thinking it was going to be spicy. Definitely going to order medium next time. Overall a great meal and would come back again, but there are better Indian restaurants.
(4)
J. D.

Shockingly rude service. Went with a colleague at 7:30 on a Friday evening after working a 12 hour day. Just wanted dessert and coffee (first mistake). The waiter was incredibly rude about the fact that we only wanted dessert. I wanted to leave but didn't want to cause a scene in front of co-worker. And apparently the coffee machine was "broken" even though other people were receiving coffee, and we couldn't even get glasses of water. Then overheard our waiter tell a group of bridesmaids that we "stole" their table when really the waiter messed up by sitting us there. Bore the brunt of a gaggle of bacholerette partiers.....received snide remarks on that end........ If you expect good service, kindness, and basic human respect, don't go here. I can't say much for the food, except the restaurant is tacky and gimmick-y and most likely a scam. Money hungry, rude and disrespectful.....nothing worse in a restaurant. I can even forgive bad food, but being made to feel this uncomfortable? Never again.
(1)
Mansi R.

I decided to order some food to go while in Boston from Tantric. Looks like the restaurant has just reopened and they don't offer their entire menu. They don't have any of their south indian dishes or sandwiches. I decided to order the moong salad and the moong beans were completely raw and inedible. The samosas were alright. I don't recommend this place and I don't think I would try it again.
(1)
Timothy T.

Aiight overall. The venue itself is nice, clean and - as a welcome change compared to most other Indian restaurants I have been to - modern. Good enough for a casual meeting of friends and nice enough for a comfortable date. Located in downtown Boston, 1-2 blocks from the Common, it is both easily accessible and, so far as I know, the only Indian buffet in the area; keep in mind they are a full service restaurant, and that the buffet is only during lunch. The service is good. Not outstanding, but no complaints. Now for what counts: the food. I came here for the AYCE lunch buffet for $10.95 prior to tax. They also have a lunch buffet on weekends from 12-3 for $11.95. The selection is decent. Usually there are 3 meat and 3 vegetarian entrÃ©es. Naan is part of the buffet (most restaurants bring it to the table). There are other appetizer-type items and they also give you a dosa. While the flavor of the food is quite good, the meat is generally dry. I found that I did not want to eat as much as I usually do. Interestingly, this is one of the few places where I enjoyed the lamb more than the chicken. For desert, I had rice pudding and gulab jamun - both of which were delicious and nutritious (especially if you are getting ready to hibernate). (^_^) Atmosphere (^_^) Service (^_-) Options (^_-) Taste (^_^) Bang for buck Glad I came. I'll probably be back, but only if I'm too lazy to drive or take the T.
(3)
Ravi K.

Great Ambiance, location is a plus. I like the Panner Butter Masala here. Rotis, Naan were soft. It was a great lunch with my friends. Everyone liked the food here. Service and choice of music played was great too.
(4)
Nischint P.

The worst Indian food I've had in Boston. The utthapam didn't even look like utthapam. It was somewhere between a masala papad and some hardened dosa. The dosa batter was probably a week old. The mysore masala dosa was no better. The dosa was at least crispy. But the aloo masala inside was not tasty at all. It had the most minimal ingredients. No green chillies, no coriander, no curry leaves. Taste was bland. There was no hot chutney inside as mentioned in the menu. Instead we got some powder that was sprinkled. That's not mysore masala dosa. The sambhar was more like rasam, by that I mean watery. The taste was off and I didn't eat the whole thing. The gobi manchurian was decent but quantity was low. Could've fed probably a child. Service - this is the worst part. We complained about the utthapam and that guy never returned even with a response. Finally I had to walk up to another waitress and asked to exclude the utthapam from the check. That was the only high point of the dinner. Will never return to this place. Would advice no Indian to eat here. Giving one star cos I can't give 0 stars.
(1)
Corey L.

My Tantric tale begins on a Friday night around 9:30, when I met my friend and her husband for some dinner, armed w a fancy groupon. It wasn't busy, though it was quite a hot night and many young ladies of the night were traipsing about outside. Our waitress was nice and very good at keeping our waters filled, which was awesome. -Mango lassi: very good, not too sweet and more mango than most. -garlic naan: good, typical -chicken tikka masala: staple Indian food, done well, not super sweet as some places make it -chicken madras: interesting coconuty curry suggested by the waitress: really good -baingan bhurta: an eggplant curry which was tasty but not strongly flavored in any way. Like eggplant. Overall we had a great meal. I think 3.5 stars is good, but I'm going w 4 stars b/c I enjoyed my conversation w my friends so much.
(4)
Isha T.

We strolled in here for an early dinner after spending an awesome sunny day by Boston Commons. The samosas for appetizers arrived promptly but were high on oil and low on salt and taste. The hostess who greeted us was friendly throughout but definitely not very good at her job. For starters, she said that they don't serve Ajwain paratha, although the menu clearly states it. Our "Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani" was served before the bread and the entrees and sans the accompanying raita, which wasn't served until we asked for it. And oh, they more than made up for the missing salt from our appetizer in the biryani! Oil and salt was all we could taste. Prepared with broccoli and corn, there was definitely nothing "Hyderabadi" about it. The Paneer Makhani for entree was decent, but I swear anyone can make better Tadka Dal(lentils) at home. And what's their obsession with salt, cause they can't seem to add enough of it! After this, we didn't even bother ordering desserts (fearing excess salt in that too) and walked away after paying a heavy amount for zero satisfaction. Never ever going back there again.
(2)
Dan M.

Very, very good experience. My girlfriend and I were headed for an 8p show so we stopped into Tantric for a pre-show dinner. This was a great decision! Details: We shared a lamb samosa which was pretty good. We then ordered the Mango Chicken and Lamb Curry and a side of rosemary naan. This is where things really picked up. The waiter asked me for heat level and I said "hot". The Mango chicken was ordered mild and both came out as advertised. Both dishes were excellent and the naan was a 8 out of 10, definitely home made, not pita bread made out to be naan. A big bowl of steamed rice was also provided. The Chilean Cabernet was very good as was the pour. We will definitely return when we are in the area. If you like Indian food and are not overly concerned with pomp and circumstance, try this place. Wait staff was attentive, room was inviting and the meals were very good.
(4)
Julian H.

Generally disappointed by the taste of the food. I did have a small problem: I asked for medium spice and they gave me a strong and unpleasant spice, so they first gave me some sort of tzatziki to tone it down, which gave a weird taste so they gave me a new dish. A part from that, just not worth it, the nan, rice, and pudding were not good.
(2)
Nisreen G.

Lunch Buffet Review: When it comes to buffet's it needs to be quality over quantity always because the quantity is infinite at all buffets. Once I read that 6 letter word I'm putting on my slack pants and heading out ready to eat the world. Luckily, Tantric's lunch menu includes quality for both its service and its food. The dishes for the lunch buffet are wide in scope and taste. There's creamy chicken tikka masala, warm doughy naan, sweet and tangy coconut tomato soup, and at least four spicy vegetarian dishes. Also, get your plates of rice on rice on rice because their jasmine rice is slightly fluffy, long grained, and aromatic. omnomnomnomnom, thank you wonderful rice gods. The corn tikki is a bit on the oily side and the lamb dish is a little too sweet for me but it might've just been an off day for those two dishes. The buffet is about 10 dollars ish per person and with a pretty decent selection and dishes that are continuously replaced as quickly as they are eaten any buffet goer will be happy. Tantric is as good to their buffet guests as they are to their regular customers. When you sit down at the table they take your drink order and come over once you've had your first plate and ask you how your meal went. They also bring out plated dishes of the food at the buffet once a new dish has been restocked. A lazy girl's dream really. The dessert part of the buffet is worth just ignoring completely. It's usually a rice pudding of some sort that's mediocre in taste and texture. Just keep eating Naan and you'll forget all about dessert. Technical things: The buffet ends around 2 so show up before 1:30 or you're going to feel cheated by time. - Dress semi nice/ casual. It's a buffet but Tantric is a bit upscale so put down your baseball cap. - Do the lunch buffet on Friday's and just forget saturdays. It's more expensive and they only include one more dish to the regular line up which, to me, isn't really that great. - Be prepared to roll out of the restaurant like the rollie polie olie your sure to become.
(4)
Brian H.

The buffet was really good. The varieties of Indian food were really good.
(3)
Kunal M.

Had dinner at this restaurant tonight. The food was relatively decent and our server was good as well. So why the 2 stars? Well we came here tonight specifically to have their thali as we have done in the past. However, we were informed today that Thalis are not offered on Fridays and Saturdays. Though their restaurant and online menu specifically states the thali (i.e. dinner for 2) as being offered daily (except for lunch)....very irritating....I absolutely dislike false advertisements..... Makes me feel cheated!
(2)
Robert B.

I was there for the lunch buffet. The service is indifferent. I guess they figure it's a buffet... we're off the hook. The buffet was indifferent too. The lamb, the chicken were all dried out... even though they were in flavorful stews. I didn't feel so great after lunch. Not impressed.
(2)
Zwany C.

Tantric you amazing! The Chicken tikka masala I can shamelessly admit I'm addicted to. Fair warning though when you order spicy they don't hold back. My mouth was burning after the first few bites, though still not enough to keep me away from this delicious establishment. Thank you Tantric for existing!
(5)
Michelle T.

Food flavor wise, Tantric is certainly a 4 star. But value-for-money...this place is a 3, or even below. I'd bring my business over to Quality India any day, but I've heard good things about Tantric's lunch buffet, so will just have to add that to my to-do list. Came here on a girl date with my $25 restaurant.com coupon. Deal is, spend $50, get $25 off. We ended up still spending $25 per person WITH the coupon! Overpriced for a dinner for 2 women and no leftovers. We initially wanted to order the $49 combo for 2 that was on the menu, but our server informed us that this is not allowed if we use the coupon. FUNNY, because nowhere on the coupon NOR the menu does it say that the combo meal was restricted. Not nice Tantric, Not nice. Food: We ordered the fried cauliflower (Golbi) to start. The vegetables were lightly fried, tender inside and super spicy. A little on the heavier side of vegetables, but still a nice start to our meal. Garlic naan and onion naan - YUM. I'm a sucker for naan and these didn't disappoint. The bread itself was nicely baked so the bottom was crisp and dough chewy, but not to the point where it was crunchy. Tantric was generous with the onions and garlic. Would order these by itself and bring it home to eat with homemade curry in a heartbeat. Chicken Tikka Masala - Delicious, creamy and a tad spicy. Nice big pieces of chicken breast meat that was not over cooked. Seafood curry - Also delicious but on the spicy side! The curry itself was really red and thick. Seafood was pretty fresh but for $20, they could have been a little more generous with the portion. And that...was our $75 dinner my friends. Delicious and satisfying, yes. But small portions...worth my money? Meh. I think I could do better next time around! One other STRANGE thing was that blaring Top 40's club music, which completely doesn't fit in with the romantic, candle-lit setup Tantric has up. I'd suggest a different genre of music all together.
(3)
Nix M.

Amazing food....... Amazing Service Data of Visit: 12/25/13 Order: Punjabi Masala Chole, Gobi Manchurian, Dal Tadka, Paneel Makhani, Some Dosas Great food, great service..... Paneer was cooked to perfection. Loved that the Spicy meant Spicy here. Only reason it does not have 5 stars... because it took a long time to get the Sambhars and by that time the dosa's were too cold to eat.
(4)
Madhura S.

Horrible service over the last couple of visits! Service improved. Ask for Sujit. He is awesome!
(3)
Urmy M.

Great ambience! Great food! Good for groups! We were a group of 10 desi's on a Saturday night. We liked whatever we ordered. The chicken tikka and curry was really delicious and the tikka gravy wasn't sweet as it tends to in many places. Would definitely come back to this place.
(4)
Raj A.

Delicious food (and that too this is coming from an Indian). The service was excellent. We had a biryani, paneer makhni and gobi manchuria (some of the best i've had). Highly recommend it.
(5)
Malavikka R.

Had the buffet. Food was pretty good. Ambience was good. The restrooms were clean(a rarity in Indian restaurants in the US) and overall had a good experience.
(5)
Mariano A.

I am revising my review. I've eaten here about 20 times now, for the buffet every time. I cannot express how satisfyingly good this place is. The Naan is fresh and flaky, their mixed veggie pakhoras with the red and green sauces that are available to you are delicious. The reita (yogurt) available at the counter adds a touch of modesty to the otherwise deliciously bold and distinct flavors of the spices. Most memorable for me are the vegetable dishes and the chicken dishes, as I tend not to eat much lamb or beef when it comes to asian cuisine. The buffet varies day to day, but the Paneer with tomato sauce and Indian Spices, the Saag Paneer, the Dal Makhani and the chicken tikka masala, the cauliflower/potatoes in indian spices, and the tofu/peas dish in indian spices are all delicious. Delicious desserts too, especially the kheer style dessert. On top of the food being really good, I can really appreciate how well the staff manages and maintains the buffet quality. Staff consistently and constantly inspects and replenishes the items. A couple very memorable experiences where the service went above and beyond the norm: My friend and I grabbed the remaining pieces of Naan. They were on the colder side of warm because they were the last pieces. One of the servers noticed this, went into the back, and 5 mins later came to our table and offered us freshly just baked naan. Now that is great service! The original naan we had grabbed was completely edible and tasted fine, but to have that much attention and show that you care about your customers is exceptional. The second experience, I was putting food on my plate at the buffet. I had one mixed veggie pakora on my plate and went to the sauce bowl to add some sauce. As I pick up the spoon, I realized I actually wanted two more pieces of the small pakoras before i added the sauce, so I put the spoon back down. A staff member noticed this as he was walking by. He must have assumed I thought there was something wrong with the sauce because he came over and inspected it, and proceeded to change and refill the sauce bowl. Again, this was just another example of their attention to detail, which is very commendable. Indian chai tea is a nice complement to the meal, you have to order it apart from the buffet but I recommend it. I can't wait to come back, very reasonably priced and great quality. -----Old review---- Excellent buffet lunch on weekdays and weekends, both times were very good experiences. I enjoyed the flavored rice, the naan, the cauliflower/potatoes dish, the peas/tofu option was interesting, and of course, to the amusement of all Indian reviewers who laugh at the American obsession with chicken tikka masala :) .... the chicken tikka masala was really tasty!. There were a few things that I did not try, but looked good as well. I did try their rice pudding style dessert, it was very creamy and rich, and it was a great way to complete the meal. Great job Tantric, when I am in the Downtown area and craving Indian food, I will definitely be back!
(5)
Summer L.

Took my friends and family here for my graduation dinner. They were great with moving my reservation up an hour when my event ended early. They sat the 8 of us, was willing to split checks with no problem, and the food was delicious. All of my out-of-state friends and family were raving about this place for weeks after they left. Went back for the lunch buffet during work a couple days ago. Got the tikka masala to go, decent price, tasted great.
(5)
Alexzandra R.

This is a review from 2 visits to this restaurant around New Year (1 buffet trip and 1 trip off the menu). Here were our notes at the time: -Super fresh buffet -Free dosas with buffet (south Indian crepes) -Caters well to vegetarians and non vegetarians -Clean restaurant and nice decor -Spices Generally mild -Suitable for most palates -Rice was generously dressed up with plenty cashews and raisins..a rare find in most Indian restaurants -Lots of paneer in the palak paneer..no skimping here! *Although a vegetarian, I have heard that the chicken tikka masala is the best around. Service: This was probably the thing we enjoyed least, though generally decent, the servers could have been more attentive. Not a deal breaker, particularly if you are getting the buffet. Though I did see some awkward interactions with other customers, one being a spat over bringing out the bottle the wine was poured from. Food: Well above average and is what bought us back for a second time. We will certainly plan to visit This restaurant again the next time we are in Boston. Flavorful, fresh, fragrant, wholesome and rich were the words we keep using to describe the dishes. Location: Fantastic location in front of the W hotel and very close to the Revere Hotel and a quick hop away from Boston Common. Overall this is pretty much a winner for us, great food will bring us back during our next visit to Boston!
(4)
Judy H.

Great buffet , nice variety of food, friendly staff.
(4)
Sungeeta A.

I came here the other night with my family. It was against my will as I've had enough indian food to last me a lifetime. I was, however, pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed my meal. For my cocktail I got an agave highball, which was pretty strong and not too sweet. We shared the rest of the meal family style. Our appetizer was the gobi manchurian. It was delicious and not too oily! We also got the butter chicken and saag paneer which were quite good. For breads we got the garlic naan, onion kulcha, and tandoori roti. The tandoori roti was the healthiest but a little too dry. The onion kulcha was probably my favorite! Overall I would probably let myself be dragged back here.
(4)
Michael T.

Came here for dinner and had a decent meal. Nothing too memorable, but it was better than average. The restaurant decor is nice, tables are a little tight and close together, and the service is so-so. I was a bit surprised and the limited number of appetizer or small plate options. If you want a vegetarian dish (lentils, or saag paneer) along with an entree, you have to order two full-size plates, which is a lot of food. That said, the lamb vindaloo was very good and spiced exactly as ordered, and the garlic naan was very tasty and not overly soft. Overall, a decent restaurant to get your Indian food fix, but not necessarily a place I would seek out.
(3)
Sally W.

I've worked in this area for years - and I cannot BELIEVE it took me this long to find their $13 lunch buffet! Wow - great lunch with meat and vegetarian options! The staff is attentive and kind - they helped me charge my phone and were not annoyed when I asked about food ingredients - big plus. Affordable - delicious indian food. Not difficult to get a table and not super fancy - but who cares about that when the food is so good! Seriously - check their lunch out.
(4)
Katie F.

My family went to Tantric India Bistro for my brother's birthday. We had an excellent meal. The service was great! I arrived at the restaurant before the rest of my family, and the staff almost immediately offered me a glass of ice water while I waited. Towards the end of the meal, after the waitress realized it was my brother's birthday, he was given his dessert complimentary! Also, my mom was debating between 2 desserts on the menu, so the waitress gave my mom her personal recommendation... which my mom seemed to like! As for my meal... I order the butter chicken, spicy. The menu said it was similar to chicken tikka masala, but more creamy. It was delicious, and very flavorful (even with the heat). The garlic naan, which was shared was slightly crispy on the outside, which I personally liked! For dessert I ordered the molten chocolate cake. If I had any complaint (and it's so minor, that it's not enough to affect my rating), the cake would've been better a little warmer... but it still taste good.
(5)
Michael L.

This was a major step in my introduction into Indian cuisine. Wow, I was damn well impressed.
(4)
Lynette S.

Had a dinner reservation for 6 through Yelp and they had a nice quiet, nook table waiting for us. (for bigger parties). The restaurant was about half full for Sunday dinner. Service was quick and helpful. Food was delicious. The Malai Koftas had more cabbage than milk but was still super tasty. All apps and entrees were delicious and well-received by all in our party. For an app, try the papri chaat. I've had slightly better in NJ but this was pretty awesome (Boston doesn't have as many options as NJ) too!! I have been for the buffet was pretty good as well, not the best. The highlights were: the service, veggie pakoras, tomato coconut soup, daal, and the gravy of the paneer (we got there an hour before the buffet ended and no more paneer was brought out so I just enjoyed the sauce). Lowlights: Not refilling some items during the time we were there, a mushroom dish that was not tasty, crunchy (on buffet for too long, got dry) rice with peas, but the plain rice was okay. For dessert they had rice pudding (made with jaggery) which my American taste buds could not appreciate but my husband (Indian) loved. Yum.
(4)
Chirag G.

We went for weekend buffet to this place. I could not find a single dish which was tasty. We had to ask for dosa twice but it was an habit for the waitress to forget, what we had asked for. It was not at all worth the money.
(1)
Carlos M.

I've been to their lunch buffet twice with a group of 4 coworkers. We were all pleasantly surprised during our first visit by the quality of the food (all delicious, all fresh). We were even more surprised to see that this wasn't a fluke, as our second visit was just as enjoyable as our first. While I have not been to dinner here, a delicious lunch buffet at a reasonable price downtown is absolutely deserving if 5 stars in my opinion.
(5)
Sonia S.

I fell in love with their food since the first time I tried it and cannot find another Indian place that comes even close to them. Their Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala and Malai Kofta are amazing! And the garlic naan? I would just eat it without adding anything to it.
(5)
Jacqueline R.

Tantric Indian bistro is just steps from the Wang Theatre so it was very dinner to grab a bite here before going to a show. The food, qualitatively, was delicious. We got garlic naan which was fluffy and garlicky, lamb tikka masala and daal makori. The portions weren't huge, which is actually a plus in my book. The only reason for docking a star is that their levels of spicy are pretty off-kilter. Someone who can only handle a little bit of spice at a time should still get mild (not mild-to-medium), and someone who puts hot sauce/sriracha/jalapeÃ±os on pretty much everything should only get mild-to-medium. The medium was painful to taste, let alone eat, and we had to send it back. Play it safe on the spicy scale and it will be a very enjoyable meal!
(4)
J J.

debated 5 or 4 stars. I got Chicken tikka masala, requested "pretty spicy". It was delightful. Perfectly spiced (I was sweating). Very flavorful. My colleague got the Lamb tikka masala and he felt the same. Service was good. There we no negatives, so I opt for 5 stars
(5)
Anand S.

Great place to dine in with friends. Superb food, service and good experience to go whenever possible. South Indian items are not at all good but. Idly Sambhar is the worst thing I have eaten here. But Biriyanis are very good. Not to mention about Mango lassi, entrees.
(4)
Amelia A.

His: Was in a group of 3 and they only gave us 1 bowl of rice. Ask for more. It was pretty good. Would like to go back for their lunch and see how it is. Hers: We actually came here a long time ago, so this is pretty over due. In any case - There was a lot of space in between the tables, which was really nice. Gave us our own space! The restaurant seems pretty lounge - like, and had a nice atmosphere. Our waiter was very polite. We ordered 3 separate dishes, each of which we expected to have a bowl of rice with. However, we only got one at first, so had to ask for more. I forget if we were charged extra or not. The Mango Chicken Curry I ordered was VERY good! Super tasty and the mango's sweetness brought it all together, nicely complimenting the curry.
(4)
Danielle P.

I cannot believe it has took me this long to write this review. I live about 2 blocks away from Tantric and the food is beyond amazing. I go all the time and get take out super frequently as well. The Tikka Masala is thick and creamy and full of flavor, the chicken is so moist you can cut it with a fork.... The nann is light and fluffy and so fresh. I am an Indian food snob and I've tried all the places in the area... Kashmir, Bombay Cafe, Masa etc... and Tantric blows them all out of the water.. Not to mention their martinis are so FREAKIN good. (Try the pear.) The staff is so kind and friendly and super helpful. Waters are always full and service is always great. GO to Tantric!
(5)
Melissa M.

Deliciuos Indian Food!!!!! We had some lentil dish (can't remember) and the butter chicken. Both. Plus there was some special tomato based soup on special. Go to Tantric hungry, because we were starving but even we couldn't finish the meal. So wonderful and won't be disappointed. Service was good and food came out pretty quickly. Beware though, you will fall asleep approximately 32 minutes after eating at Tantric. Or maybe I should have just put the fork down.
(4)
Sanjiv D.

Was visiting Boston from out of town and what an excellent dinner. Ordered the Shrimp and Chicken dishes. The Chicken dish was too spicy (at my request) and so I requested they make it milder. They provided the dish that was perfect and never charged me for the original dish. The food and the service was excellent. Would recommend anyone in the area go there for dinner. Worth the trip and would highly recommend it.
(5)
Trip C.

When we travel, we have some revolving requirements. Sometimes, we look for restaurants in our vicinity and other times, we look for specialties. In Tantric, we found both! It is directly across from the W Boston and we are ALWAYS on the hunt for great Indian food. We spent the day out walking Boston and when it got dark, we headed back to the hotel. Once in our room, hunger set in and we happened to look across the street. Score! I checked their reviews on Yelp and we placed a takeout order: Butter Chicken (the famous delhi cousin of chicken tikka masala with a more buttery creamy taste), Chicken Malai Kebabs (tandoor-grilled chicken marinated with mild cheese, sour cream, ginger, garlic and herbs) and Aloo Gobi Masallam (roasted cauliflower sautÃ©ed with sliced onions, ginger and garlic and garnished with fresh tomatoes and cilantro) and a Nimbu Pani (fresh lime soda made with freshly squeezed lime juice). After retrieving our dinner, we dug in. According to the hubs, the aloo gobi masallam and chicken malai were both delicious. I ordered the butter chicken with medium spice and it was wonderful! Flavorful, delicious, and the lime soda complemented the spice of the chicken. Tantric will be a go-to when we're in Boston.
(4)
Kelsey C.

I was craving Tandoori Chicken. Really, truly, drooling-at-the-thought, had-to-restrain-myself-from-sprinting-to-the-Ânearest-Indian-restaurant CRAVING. Like if-you-smelled-like-Tandoor-or-chicken-I-would-Âhave-taken-a-bite-out-of-you craving. And the chicken I had really hit the spot. If you're not in the mood to devour every chicken you set eyes on, the Bhel Poori is a nice light starter. The Punjabi Masala Chole is also a surprisingly good entrÃ©e - the chickpeas had soaked up the flavor of the sauce, and though it was a bit bland, IMO, it's still a nice thick helping of Indian comfort food. For desert, the cream-soaked Ras Malai is a rich but cooly refreshing contrast to the heavily spiced entrees and was probably the only memorable part of my meal. Although this review is written in a much more positive tone than the one I wrote for Mantra, what I said about arbitrarily flipping a coin when choosing between Tantric and Mantra still stands. So next time you're downtown and your Indian craving hits, flip a coin or pick the one with the shortest wait.
(3)
Catie C.

Not my cup of tea. The spices and herbs were overwhelming. I prefer Indian restaurants that are a bit more gentle on shaking the spice/herb bottles. The service is rather slow here but they are pretty good at refilling water. It just takes a bit between courses and getting the bill and getting the cards swiped. Our dinner could probably be cut down easily 20 mins if the server had better time management. They do have a patio but we decided to stay indoors because of the raw weather which was brightly lit. They have a buffet station that was not in use. Maybe they have a brunch buffet??
(2)
H P.

very nice food , not good, I used to buffets only at this place, never dine in or take out. all working days buffets are nice. rice pudding is so yummy... Chicken tandoori is too yummy, butter/tikka chicken is yummy, naan is just ok.. not good for vegeterian buffets. parking is not available park on your own risk.. I am mostly walking from work to eat and go back to work. -Himanshu
(4)
Director F.

We got
(4)
Carrie G.

The chicken tikka masala is to die for! I get that and the goat cheese and rosemary naan usually and they're both good enough to keep me craving it again :-) the chicken malai kebabs are a great appetizer, the tomato coconut soup is great, and the low fat mozzarella naan is really good too if you're not the goat cheese type. Also, the service there is phenomenal. The food is fast and the staff is efficient and friendly. I definitely recommend this place!
(5)
Katharine K.

I've been going to Tantric once or twice per month for years now. They have a great lunch buffet in an area of the city that has no other good Indian options so it has become a treat for my friends and I during our lunch breaks. I don't eat much meat so my favorites at the buffet are the naan, pakoras, tomato/coconut soup, and any of the veggie/paneer curries! The servers are always very friendly - love this place.
(5)
Kim W.

I came here for dinner on Thanksgiving. They had a nice ambiance and decor. The food was very tasty and the portions were good considering the price. Although I'm not a huge garlic lover, the garlic naan was delicious. I would definitely come back next time I'm in Boston.
(4)
Joanna F.

I have been to Tantric a few times before it was renovated, and always had a great experience. After it reopened, I went back and was so excited to order my favorite dish - Aloo Gobi Masallam. I always order it super spicy, and the waiters always ask if I have had their level of spicy before, presumably because I'm a little white girl who looks like she has never tasted anything spicy in her life. I'd imagine a lot of people order the spicy and send it back for being too spicy, so I understand the warning and I always insist on the spicy because I love it! However, the last time I went with my boyfriend, we both ordered our entrees spicy and mine was mild at best, while his made him visibly sweat. I would love to give Tantric a higher rating, however I did not get what I had ordered because the waiter took it upon himself to decide the heat level for me.
(3)
Jane N.

We were seated in a little alcove in the rear - it was quieter and more intimate than the main room, which was bustling and lively on a Saturday night. Service was efficient and friendly, papri chat refreshing and spicy, masala dosa not as hot as I would like but the sambar was.
(4)
Amit K.

They charge you more than you sign for... Double check your bank statement once the transaction is posted.
(1)
Mikhail Z.

I didn't make a reservation at Tantric Indian Bistro, and that was a big mistake - when I came there, the place was totally packed, no single table was available. I just thought that it is a regular Indian place where there are always some empty tables. I really like Indian cuisine, and that was a sign that I'm in right place - obviously, people like it! Another, even more important sign, was that 90% of the customers were Indians, so the place is appeared to offer more authentic Indian dishes, I guess. I waited some time and then got sit, and my expectations were absolutely correct. I had pan seared shrimps for appetizer and seafood madras for entree. The reason I like Indian dishes for is the combination of spices and the flavors they brought. Seafood madras was very-very good, though coconut slightly blends the spices there, but pan seared shrimps were to die for! I like spicy food, but I followed my waiter recommendation to have my dishes medium spicy to keep all the flavors. And the bouquet of flavors in that shrimps was out of this world! Now few suggestions/recommendations for the owners and customers... First, I'd definitely extend the wine list. Dishes are very-very good, no doubt about that! And, since I kind of expected that, I decided to have some wine. But when I looked at the wine list, I can't find anything reasonable! I mean in the sense of the same quality as the expected dishes, you know what I mean... Another suggestion is regarding the speed of service and/or cooking. I had to wait quite a bit to get my appetizer and then to get entree. For me personally, it was not a problem - I just sat and enjoyed my evening, looking at people around and drinking my salted lassi (which was also fantastic - very creamy, not watery at all as in many other places). For if I come with my 3 years old son, that would be an issue. And I saw families with kids who got tired of waiting and running and exploring around. But I believe, it was mostly a problem with my order - just because management perfectly resolved it. Before my seafood madras was ready, they apologized for long waiting and keeping me hungry and gave me chicken korma with the same sauce for free. Also, then they removed my drinks (two lassis) from the check! They wouldn't be able to afford the same thing with everybody if speed of cooking is really an issue there. I'm more than happy with my delicious dinner today, moreover with some stuff for lunch tomorrow (which was not necessary at all from their side).
(5)
Nisha B.

Being from Jersey it's always hard to eat out at an Indian spot as they're usually not up to par in terms of the spices but this place surprised me. We ordered the chicken curry, which to my surprise had a tomato based gravy with less onion/garlic flavoring but still wasn't "sour". We opted for the white meat, and topped it with the garlic naan and plain paratha. I would recommend this place again to all my fellow yelpers! One major piece of advise, if your in Boston on vaca, leave your car at the hotel and cab it...parking is scarce and it's not worth wasting time aimlessly driving to look for a spot.
(4)
Allison P.

The food here is very very good, Tantric is my go to spot for Indian food in Boston. Dinner is a tad bit pricey compared to other Indian restaurants, but the buffet is an exceptional value. I've had both and have been happy with my meals both during dinner and buffet. I will be coming back!
(5)
Mandeep T.

I wish I could give no stars at all. Ordered aloo gobi - cauliflower to go which is pretty basic for an Indian joint. Turned out to be full of oil which smelled terrible (Kerosene) and tasted even worse. Had to throw it and order food from hotel. And I paid like $21 for that and 1 roti which is expensive as well.
(1)
Eric F.

Having had a couple more dinners here for school events, I'm actually quite impressed with the consistent food and service. I tried some Lamb TIkka Masala and Jardalu Ma Gos last night and both were pretty solid though the lamb in the latter was noticeably more tender...go figure. They're also pretty accurate with spice levels, so "hot" will indeed bring a good amount of heat. I'd highly recommend the Bhel Poori appetizer btw - very refreshing with great kick from the tamarind sauce. Even as the night got busier being a Friday and all, our server checked in on our table regularly and kept up with water refills, etc. All in all, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this place for a good pre-theater dinner or just a relatively quick meal in the area.
(4)
Steffany L.

I love Indian/Pakistani food and Tantric Indian Bistro has a great buffet for just under $13. Modern but comfortable inside, and great selection on their menu. Definitely recommend checking this place out!
(5)
S T.

Came here Friday night. The food is delicious. You gotta try the Lamb Curry it is very good. I had the Lamb Vindaloo and its medium hot but not to the point where you can't taste anything! Don't forget the naan! Oh drink with a manjo lassi and you're good. I enjoyed the food here and would definitely return. The price is reasonable as well. Not a lot like other Indian restaurants... where the portions are small and the price is high. This place... reasonable portions.
(4)
Evan J.

Indian buffet that was pretty good. Impressive. Everything I ate was flavorful and well-prepared. Also, pretty affordable.
(4)
Jeff M.

Forgive me because I ate here a few weeks ago but I will do my best to be specific as I can. It is a darker restaurant but I am a fan. I like it being as intimate as possible and being able to just enjoy my girlfriends company. We both split the Chicken 69 and Naan to start. Naan was good, as was the Chicken 69. Just enough heat to keep me satisfied and not overpower my girlfriends sensitivity to heat. Enjoyed the the dish enough to keep eating the peppers knowing I had an entree coming next . My Lamb Vindaloo was very good. I am not afraid of spice and they did a good job with balancing the heat. It's what I get at any Indian restaurant, and while this wasn't the best, it was very good. I tried my girlfriends Tikki Masala and enjoyed it. Didn't blow me away by any means but was just a solid and delicious dish. Overall, I enjoyed my experience. Staff was attentive and pleasant without being overbearing. Would recommend to friends.
(4)
Larry G.

Second visit for SWMBO and I. Tandoori Chicken and Shrimp Biryani, plus a spicy roasted cauliflower dish who's name we can't remember. All excellent.
(5)
Sharon D.

You can't beat the lunch buffet! This place rocks! The food is always great and I love the decor. It is comfortable and even when packed, it doesn't feel crowded.
(4)
Vlad V.

Ambiance on Friday 4:30-6pm: business-friendly. Can have a comfortable conversation (though there was some annoying Indian music at some point). Tables with booths. Food: excellent tikka masala and orange lamb something.
(5)
Jeff D.

Descent food, sub par service.
(2)
K P.

I had the butter chicken and it was very good. I love Indian food and have a place that has set the bar for me. Tantric came close to that bar. Service was great.
(4)
Ammar A.

I youre looking for good indian food, this is the place. If youre looking for good service, its not. Taste of food was quite good but hey could really work on their presentation and service. I probably could make a more appetizing plate at home. The waiter made me feel like im eating at a food court. He just seemed upset with us for whatever reason!
(3)
Chaos M.

This is excellent place for Indian food, the price is a little expensive.
(5)
Lisa B.

Tantric is seriously delicious Indian food. Casual vibe and good location in the Theater District. As a veg, I had the palak paneer and vegetable samosas. Both were delicious. I know, you might think that this dish is too standard to screw up, but trust me, I've had some scary palak paneer. 2nd date? Check out Tantric! Drinks before, show after... Lots of possibilities.
(5)
Liana K.

I always feel like this place is slightly underrated whenever I come in and there's barely anyone there. The service is always attentive, the food is delicious for the price and location of being in the slums of the theatre district and the drinks are not too expensive. Plus they have some awesome happy hour week day deals I hear. I've had Idli Sambar which were filling for a light dinner. I've also had Lamb Jalfrezi another time which was good too. While its not the greatest place in the world, it definitely add some variety besides the pub and sandwich food downtown Boston offers.
(4)
Sean M.

Many of my friends are Vegetarians and this is my goto place in this part of the city for compromise. This is very good American style Indian food. Three dishes in particular stand out: Bhindi do Piaza, Gobi Masallam, and the Baigan Bhartha. The food here is well seasoned not spiced. They don't dumb down the heat. I love the Vindaloo {insert fav meat} and I alway break out in a sweat when I eat this. It is pricey and the Nan is not that great. Lunch buffet is a value and cleaner than most in Central Sq. I usually finish with a Masala Chai, which is decent, and I have not had a bad Mango Lassi here, if you have ever gotten a bad ML you will remember.
(4)
Allison R.

Well...meh. I guess Tantric was pretty okay. I came her with a friend last week before a show, since she had a '$20 gets you $40' Groupon. In the heart of the Theatre District, I even braved public transit for Tantric. My first observation upon walking in is that the lighting was super bright. It was kind of fuzzy, too, and something about the space just felt off--- or not quite feng shui. They were out of the Malbec I wanted so I settled for a different pour, and decided not to be adventurous with food and grabbed the vegetarian sampler plate with a side of garlic naan-- points for giving me that green minty curry chutney stuff on the side! My dining counterpart settled on Mango chicken. I tasted it-- not bad. I felt weird eating Indian food out of small serving dishes, I guess because I'm used to the grease fest that is Punjabi Dhaba, down the street from my house. I appreciated the dimming of the lights about 90% into our meal (around 7:30, maybe?), and also the awkward adult date we witnessed to our left. We likely made their eavesdropping a little awkward with chatter about sex and vibrators. All in all, I spent $10.80 on dinner, which was okay. Good will was earned by hosting a Groupon, but I wasn't wowed enough to return.
(3)
Erica K.

Food = 3 stars Customer service = 1 I didn't get his name (our waiter), but I would have certainly dropped it if I had. The guy moved like a disabled turtle...he was seriously so lethargic that I have no idea how he secured employment. Maybe the government is doing tax cuts for employers who hire human sloths. ...I was also irritated by their stingy rice policy. My husband and I ordered two separate entrees (Paneer Korma and Chicken Masala) that each had about two servings. We were given a bowl that held (no lie) a single cup of rice. We had to ask for more rice twice! They're also tight on the Naan. Anyone familiar with dining at Indian restaurants knows that an order of naan goes a looong way. Seriously, I don't care how hungry you are, or how greedy you are, have you ever known anyone to single handedly take out an order of naan by themselves? Well, the naan here is served like toast at a diner--you're going to get what looks like two pieces of sandwich bread cut in half. All in all, the food was good but the portion sizes were below average, they're also slightly more expensive than traditional Indian food, and my waiter moved like a PC virus. So no...I would not revisit.
(3)
Jessica B.

Really Wonderful My wife and I ate here literally dozens of times. It was right around the corner from our apartment and it was my wife's favorite restaurant, so we're a little biased, but also well placed to judge. The Food: Delicious. Pretty much everything you'd want from a nice Indian restaurant. I would totally pay for their chicken tikka masala recipe (seriously, anyone who knows, let me know ;)). That and the crispy and flavorful dosas and the pizza style nanzas were all crowd pleases for all the friends and family we took there. The Service: It's obviously hard not to become friendly with them after dozens of visits but the staff were always helpful, and accommodating. The owner, Mary, was always nice and friendly too. We never had slow or bad service there either. Price: It's a couple dollars more than other restaurants but nothing too crazy. Entrees were 16-20, and the location is very nice. If you want to save a little and still try the awesome food, the daily lunch buffet is great value for money and it's all you can eat and changes regularly so there's plenty of variety. Sadly we moved away from Boston otherwise it'd still be our regular spot. We plan on revisiting when we come back to the city.
(5)
Rico I.

Tasty affordable spacious and delicious. I ordered a la carte, and the food was exquisite. Will be coming back, price was good.
(4)
Chris C.

Not that great. Service non-existent. Could not get anyone to get me soda after I sat down for my buffet lunch. Did not leave a tip, and I've never done that in any restaurant. Only gets one star b/c food was fair, but service killed it. Cleanliness somewhat an issue. Don't think they will survive.
(1)
Ed M.

The lunch buffet is great. Not really expensive and lots to choose from. Also Tandoori Chicken in a buffet makes me happy. I try to get in here for lunch somewhat regularly (they have a punch card where the 10th time is free) and I really enjoy it every time. It's packed for lunch so going right at 12-1230 is not a good idea. The naan tastes nice, the Chicken Tikka Masala is great and usually there every time and the rest is just great. That said, it's not mind blowing best I have ever had, but it's really good anyway. I have tried lots of new items from coming here and I will be back again soon I hope!
(4)
Huan z.

Even though I don't like bigger restruants, but I really this one! I like their deco. Beautiful red walls. TV on the wall. Very clean. Big list of drinks. Decent place to eat for Lunch buffet which only cost $10.
(3)
Shruti V.

I went to Tantric with two other Indian friends for dinner once. The service was excellent(maybe because our friend knew the manager man) and so was the food! Our hostess was genuinely sweet AND we got bhel puri on the house. The chicken tikka, butter chicken and naan we had were all upto the mark! A little less apicy by indian standards but still excellent! :)
(4)
M K.

I'm seriously torn between a 3 and 4 star rating. The food was good and the menu is diverse while including classic Indian dishes. They have several paneer options which I was ecstatic about. The food was good, but not amazing and the ambiance felt like more of a sports bar with Indian decor so it left me feeling a little underwhelmed. Granted it was a Sunday night so maybe that led ot the lack of people in the place and the employees all watching a game on tv except the kind bartender who helped me out. The veggie pakoras were good, although the dipping sauces were the best part about them. The cheese naan was great, but I haven't met a piece of naan I didn't like! THrow cheese on it and it's like Indian pizza so I'm happy. The peas and Paneer were heavy on the peas with decent flavor. I wish there was more paneer in it, but it did make a good dip sauce for the naan. Portion sizes were huge and prices reasonable so it is a great option for some good food for a good price.
(3)
Julie B.

one word to describe their drink menu: WOW. i wanted to try every single thing, even though they were a little pricey, however. but the food was delicious, and i was really impressed/happy i was given the option of how spicy i wanted my curry to be. one of the better indian restaurants i have been to. i'll be going back.
(4)
Dean C.

Best Indian food I have had in Boston. Great service and excellent interior design. Plus outdoor seating with hookah smoking when the weather is nice.
(4)
Naner B.

Ate here before a concert at the Wang Theather. We were almost going to eat at Rock Bottom next door but SO glad we tried this place instead! Food was flavorful and spicy just like Indian food should be! Seriously-lamb samosas, chicken tikka masala, and rosemary goat cheese naan-How can you turn that down? Nice liquor selection and cocktail list too! Service was great, much better than many Indian joints I have visited. Considering its location, prices are reasonable. I was there on a Friday evening and beat the rush just by a hair. I would definately recommend making a reservation and allowing enough time to eat if you have a show to make.
(5)
Jessica R.

The only exciting thing about this restaurant is the name. Unfortunately not even sexual references are enough to save this place from it's unreasonably expensive food.
(2)
Allie M.

The food is definitely solid--their pakora are wonderful, and the lemon rice is perfect. The service is excellent--extremely friendly. And best of all, they have a $12 lunch buffet that they let you take out. The amount that they let you take out is good enough for 2 meals, so it's a great deal.
(4)
Laureen B.

I can not say anything about the food but bf and I sat for 15 mins before a waiter came out, went to other tables and went back inside, after 25 mins of being seated and no one showing up to take our order, not even drinks..we left...
(1)
Alison M.

My husband and I think this is the best Indian food in Boston - and he is from London, so he has eaten a lot of curry. My favorite is the Butter Chicken - like a richer, more amazing Chicken Tikka Masala.
(5)
Adrienne B.

I booked this place for a birthday celebration without really knowing what it was- I just needed a restaurant in that area that would take a reservation and they did! I was pretty pleasantly suprised by the yummy Indian food and delicious drinks. The only reason I only gave it 3 stars is because it was pretty over priced for what it was. I felt like they were trying to be chic by serving high priced basic indian food in small portions. I would definitely head back there with a group because it was a fun place to go for a nice dinner and drinks, but there are cheaper restaurants in the area and better indian food elsewhere.
(3)
Geoff T.

Over-priced place that focused a lot more on it's contemporary look than on it's indian food. They have a lunch buffet that is warmed-over left-overs. There are many superior indian food places that don't try so hard to look up-scale at the expensive of their food. The bar makes good drinks but, again, the prices will make sure you don't hang out too long.
(2)
Khalid S.

One of the better Desi buffets here in the Boston area. But then it's 10 bucks too. I thought their vegetable pakoras were very tasty and definitely stood out among everything else. Tandoori Chicken was also very good. Now, I hear they serve Shisha over the summer time on the patio, I think that would be awesome, since it's walking distance from my workplace. It'd be nice to smoke some double apple after a long day at work :)
(3)
Adi R.

I commuted to Boston for work for a few months last year and stayed in the Theater District. I made it to Tantric on average once a week until "the incident". Pre-incident, my impression of Tantric was that it was solidly average. I often got the paneer jalfrezi - a spicy dish with cheese, red chillies, onions and bell peppers. The naan, when I got it, tended to be pretty greasy. I was usually disappointed when I strayed from the jalfrezi. The paneer tikka masala had the re-heated feel to it... if you're going to $14 bucks for an entree, the least you can do is at least hide the fact it's being reheated! The "incident", of course, was violent food poisoning which is particularly inconvenient on a business trip. When I called the next day and left a message, the owner was nice enough to call me back but gave me the standard spiel on how it couldn't possibly be her restaurant. (Hmmm, let's see, dinner at 8, violently ill at 2am and knowing I ate a tame breakfast and lunch doesn't leave too many possible explanations). Anyway, never been back since and probably never will. Mela in the South End and Kashmir on Newbury are somewhat more reliable if you're in the area and in the mood for Indian.
(2)
J. H.

Tantric is obviously an attempt to make an Indian restaurant that will appeal to the theater-going masses. The dining room is dark and modern and the food is on the bland side. They don't even ask what level of spiciness you want in the dish when you order like they do at other Indian restaurants.
(3)
R.G. W.

I had a terrible time here the other night. I came, looking for a late-ish dinner (9pm). When I entered, there were 3 tables on the patio that were mid-meal, and 2 tables indoors that were just finishing up. I asked the host if they were still serving dinner, and he gave me a noncommital shrug, but then led me to a table -- with a drink menu only, not a food menu. I asked for a food menu, but then he ran into the kitchen, and dragged out a waitress. She gave me a menu, but then dragged him into a corner, where they audibly fought over why he sat me in her section. (Apparently, she wanted to go home early). I should have left then. She then proceeded to reluctantly take my order, and disappeared for the rest of the night. Getting service -- even getting my food, or water refills, was damn near impossible. Finally after 40 minutes, another man came out (the owner, or manager, I presume) and he apologized for the wait. I ate and left. No tip, and no return visit to this place for me. I ordered the chettinad chicken entree (which was undeniably sugary -- a taste I'd never experienced before in an Indian restaurant) and the chili cheese naan. Why it's called "chili cheese," I will never know, because the naan I received was sluttered with butter; there were no chilies nor cheese in sight.
(1)
Ashley M.

my friends had all said pretty negative things about the food here but i was pleasantly surprised. i went to an indian event and everyone seemed happy... they'd be a better crowd to judge than me. the butter chicken was supposedly really good though i didn't try it. the owner also owns jaipur cafe on route 1 in norwood, my long time favorite restaurant. however, i really go to tantric for the hookah. its one of the few places in boston to smoke. only outdoors in the summer... still not so bad though. they're only open for smoking until 11 pm... be forewarned. the drinks are very good too. i especially liked some basil lemon gimlet thing i tried recently.
(3)
Jen R.

This place is mediocre. The menu is nice but food does not live up to its expectations. Menu has a lot on it, but food was not as good as Kashmir.
(2)
M C.

It's not "great" Indian food, but I thought it was pretty good. I headed over on a Sunday, so it was pretty empty. The service was great; they were really friendly and helpful. I really liked my aloo saag, and I thought the naan was really yummy (not burned like it sometimes can be), and those who I was dining with really seemed to enjoy their dishes as well (chicken tika masala and paneer saag). Overall, I had a good experience, and I like its close proximity. This is going to be a strange comment, but the only thing that bothered me was the weird smell walking to the restroom. It kind of smelled like...the smell on Kneelend coming from the manholes or sewer things. It was faint, but it kind of clung on our clothing. Nevertheless, I didn't notice it while I was dining, and I wouldn't have noticed if I didn't drink so much water, thus really really needing to pee.
(3)
Zac R.

I'm a huge Indian food fan, and this is some of the best I've had in the entire country. A little bit pricy but well worth it. Chicken tikka masala is delicious.
(5)
Stephanie W.

Great Indian food...I would just not go there for dinner since the menu is much pricier then. Lunch buffet is only $10/person, and you will leave much more satisfied...it is more like a "best hits" of Indian food at that time. Consider yourself very fortunate when they serve lamb at the buffet. :-)
(4)
Winston W.

I work in downtown and it's a great place for lunch if you are looking for an Indian Buffet in the area. I'm all about the warm naan with my meal which is a plus. They have a large selection of veggie dishes and have the usual tandoori and curry chicken. Everytime I've been we've never had to wait for a table another huge plus.
(3)
Nicole B.

the food here is delish! i come here for dates and they have the perfect lunch buffet for friends! UPDATED: it must be said, that the manager of this restaurant is truly amazing. i made reservations here for my birthday for 8. only 5 of us were on time when we got there, and i had made the mistake of forgetting two people so the reservation was really for 10. when we got there the manager asked for our reservation. i told her and she asked us to wait for a minute so they could get set up. i had no idea, but she had pulled aside my friend as to not upset me, and told her that they had lost my reservation, and they weren't sure if they could seat all of us. she worked something out and we were sat right away. i was so impressed at her thinking on her feet. not only was the reservation lost, but people were late, the restaurant was packed, etc. but she still was kind enough to not want to upset me, and instead spoke to my friend (who told me all of this later). the food was great (lamb tika masala is the best!) the service fantastic. this place truly caters to the customers.
(5)
Anna P.

I've been here quite a few times for lunch during the work week. It's good indian food - nothing special, but a great default option. I only wish they had a slightly larger selection or varied the selection more often.
(4)
Sarah U.

This is my favorite Indian restaurant in Boston. Started going to the lunch buffet (decent price and a good selection), and became intrigued with their drink menu so I ventured there one night for dinner. I made the right decision. Drinks are fabulous and fun (may I suggest- Hot Lips, Persephone's Pleasure, Basil Ginger Gimlet, and Hendrick's Cucumber Martini). And the food... well let me tell you about the korma- seriously the best I have ever had. In fact, the shrimp korma turned by boyfriend, who previously didn't care for Indian, into an Indian-food lover. My favorite dishes (I am a vegetarian) are the Navratan Korma, Punjabi Masala Chole, and the Daal Makhani. They spice the dishes exactly how you ask them to. Also the Lakhnawi Naan is delicious- it is a sweet naan which is a perfect compliment with spicy food. And lastly the service is great. Wait staff is super friendly (once when a friend and I ordered one of our dishes too spicy our waiter brought out some Raita - on the house- which cooled the dish down a bit). And I like the atmosphere- it is definitely a fun place. Also during the summer they have outdoor seating.
(5)
Peter M.

Food was good. Southern Indian food is nothing like the normal Punjabi fare we have served in America. When I came to Tantric India Bistro, I saw a nice section of the menu for the kinds of foods you'd find in Bangalore, Mysore, and other parts of the South. I saw idli sambar -- flavorless "rice cakes" dipped in a sauce that somehow combines being spicy and devoid of flavor. I saw dosas, uttapam, and a variety of other selections I grew to hate in my time in India. So I was thrilled at the prospect of taking my wife on a date here, and letting her try the cuisine. Sadly, the food was nothing like what I had eaten in India. The dosas were excellent. Even the idli sambar was quite nice -- I'm not sure how you can do that. We enjoyed the food thoroughly, but sadly, my wife missed out on the experience of genuine South Indian food. Aside from that, the service was quite good. Only the gulab jamun was mediocre (but not bad).
(4)
Michael G.

This place is so-so. You'll find that you're better served by going to one of the many cheaper Indian restaurants in Boston. Also, their ice cream dessert is a little weird. Don't expect the normal ice cream here. It's an odd dish that comes chopped into pieces with funky spices and is hardly the consistency of regular ice cream.
(3)
Jen and Tim S.

It was MY birthday Adrienne was speaking of. It was a fun choice, and my review should in no way reflect her choice. I was excited when I got there because the place looks really cool and they seated our large group in this really cool semi-private room with fabric draped up to the lower ceiling. It was weird, though, because they also stuck a table of 2 in there, and we could have definitely been more comfortable if they weren't (I'm sure they would have been too). The service was pretty unapologetic, even after bringing meals really far apart and forgetting one altogether! For the price and the poor service, I'd say go somewhere else...
(3)
Boston F.

Tantric is an under-appreciated restaurant. If this restaurant were in another part of the city, I believe it would earn a lot of attention. People may not expect this sort of quality and creativity in the Theater District -- but that makes it all the more special as an option when dining downtown. Wonderful atmosphere, inviting service and a delicious menu with food from exciting regions of India make Tantric special. If you want a standard Indian menu, the best Indian food in Boston is the fantastic India Quality in Kenmore Square. For a different location, upscale atmosphere (still at reasonable prices) and a more interesting menu, Tantric is equal to the best.
(4)
Gregory D.

The best Indian restaurant we have found in the Theater District area. Service is always friendly and food is good. We tried the lunch buffet one time and it was good for a buffet. They have a room in the rear for groups. There was a wedding reception going on while we were there. A bus group also filed into the restaurant for a buffet.
(4)
Josh F.

Nestled in the heart of the theater district is Tantric India Bistro, an Indian "fusion" restaurant that is essentially a glamourized and sexified "regular" Indian spot. Well, not really, as traditional Indian food is mostly vegetables and this experience certainly satisifed my meatliness. (CC) The cocktails at TIB were solid; the mango clove martini had a sultry, earthy taste that I wasn't expecting and the mixed drinks were well poured and moderately pricey. (I think NYC eating has ruined any concept for me of what a "rational" price is) The appetizers definitely took me by surprise after reading the 3/1/2 star yelp review....they were Fabulous. (with a capital F) The goat cheese and rosemary naan, while not traditional, blended a modern flavor and traditional indian cooking into an awe inspiring, mouth watering, and plate licking blend. It melted in your mouth. The spicy lamb samosas were fluffy, filled with flavorful and fresh lamb, and melted around the fork. The sauces had the kick that broadcasted the freshness of ingredients. The waitress (who was attentive as it gets, a major sticking point for my experience) recommended the Chicken Chettinad and the Lamb Jalfrezi. Food was prompt but unrushed, and the atmosphere of the restaurant was soothing and mellow. The Chicken dish was VERY well spiced and smooth, blending hard tastes of peppercorn and tamirind effortlessly with the chili and garlic. Not nearly as spicy as we had been warned, (These are New Englanders, I should know better) the dish was perfect EXCEPT for the hard peppercorn leftovers that needed to be pulled aside. This is the reason for the 4 stars....not a favorite experience of mine having to cull the plate. The lamb was perfectly cooked, well blended, not overly heavy on the cream sauce, and delicious. I easily could have eaten it to the point that i exploded in a non-fun-indian-food kinda way, you know what I mean? Desert was the molten chocolate cake. Not the BEST i've ever had, but ultimately satisfying with it's gooey chocolate warmth. Very moist. I'd definitely make a point of stopping here for the lunch buffet or for a quiet dinner on a theater night in Boston. Feel free to bring a large group, as TIB has large tables that seat many....and seemed to be boisterously enjoying themselves.
(4)
Kevin K.

This is by far the best Indian food I ever ate!
(5)
M L.

I have dined there both for dinner and lunch (all-you-can-eat buffet). Most recently while there for lunch, the staff happily walked me through the buffet pointing out what was vegan. They also brought me complimentary vegan dosa and roti - a much-appreciated touch of customer service. The atmosphere is much trendier than other Indian restaurants.
(4)
SUSAN M.

I was staying at the Revere Hotel across the street and was looking for a restaurant with vegetarian options. I found the food to be very tasty and plentiful. I live in NYC where I frequently go to many Indian restaurants. I think this place is just as good as any place I've been to in NYC. I also used a $15 coupon for dinner from Rstaurants.com which came in handy :)
(4)
Jenn S.

Sampled some more fare at the Yelp Red Carpet Harvard Natural History Museum event the other night. Still very good! The servers were very friendly and anxious to educate us on the food. I immediately signed up for the cooking classes!
(4)
A Z.

I've been here now on two separate occasions. For dinner a few weeks it just felt a little overpriced, portions were alright and overall the food was pretty delicious. Had the chicken tikka and the lamb vindaloo ( I think? ). Really I left not too impressed with the place. It was a little sports bar-ish with some hints of bollywood, in a nice location but nothing hit me on that first visit. Then the lunch buffet on Father's day... Oh man. Couldn't complain about portions (obviously) had excellent samosas and naan, all of the chicken was cooked and curried perfectly. I'm not incredibly familiar with Indian food names, but I believe it was the Korma and the desserts that really hit me. I forget the name of the rice pudding-but-with-long-noodles type dish that my family always makes, but Tantric's really hit the spot after the big buffet. My dad is native Pakistani and he was blown away by how good the lunch buffet was, lots of food and pretty authentic. He said that he preferred it to most of the places he's usually been in the state. I consider that pretty high praise and a father's day well spent.
(4)
Olivia F.

I absolutely love this place. I've been here twice and have left pretty much delirious both times. My first time was in June, with my boyfriend. We had a restaurant.com coupon and tried lamb seekh kababs as our appetizer (fantastic, but make sure you tell them to leave them moist or they are a bit dry). Entrees: aloo gobi (great, but it's hard to mess up. This was pretty standard/above average) and saag paneer (incredible). The portions don't look big, but they are quite substantial, especially when you factor in rice. We also ordered roti. Tons of leftovers. The only issue I remember from this visit was that the waiter stopped paying attention to us almost immediately after he saw our coupon (because it guarantees gratuity). The second time was New Year's Eve with my boyfriend, brother and brother's friend. I had a glass of Riesling and tried at least a few bites of everything we got: lamb seekh kababs and roti (again!), paneer makhani (easily the best thing on the menu), saag paneer (good again), bhaingan barta (great, and just as good reheated the next day), vegetable kofta (very good), and daal makhani (the only dish I didn't like). The daal was unfortunately bland and flavorless, and I hated the texture. The service was much better this time around, probably because my brother frequents the restaurant and our waitress knew him.
(5)
Hannah S.

Food was ok and definitely pricey for dinner. Took them 4 tries to split the bill, which wasn't that difficult. We had a mango curry and another chicken dish -- which tasted exactly the same and the sauces came out pretty similar. The coconut naan was very good. I had the chicken curry which definitely was not as good as I've had at places much cheaper, like India Quality or Indian in Brigham Circle. The location is good, but for what you're paying you could get much better!
(2)
Rudy W.

I always go here if I want a great indian food in boston. haven't tried their buffet, but always have dinner here. so if you are looking for a great indian restaurant with great service. can't go wrong with this place.
(4)
Lauren W.

I've lived in the city for 8 years and I don't eat Indian very often but when I do I come here. It's the best I've had in Boston! Tantric is great for both take-out and dining in!
(4)
john d.

Tantric is a nice restaurant. If you want to try some Indian cuisine, this might be the place for you. They have a nice lunch buffet, so you can "see" the food you want to try...and if you choose something and don't like it...you don't have to worry about picking something and paying for something you don't like. I went last week for dinner and it was very crowded...tables were close to each other, and it was kinda loud. (Hard to have an intimate conversation, but good if you didn't want to gab.) It's kinda small. I thought the prices were pretty high...usually ethnic food is reasonably priced. So be prepared for that. FOOD? Delicious! I was asked "how spicy I wanted the curry" and it was perfect. I want to go back! Although, I will have to not go every week because of the price. Try it for lunch (buffet), if you like, try it for dinner (on a night when they are not crowded.) I don't think you will be dissappointed. Be prepared for the prices...or look at the menu before you sit down. Any questions, msg me direct.
(4)
Tiff D.

Review based on a sample appetiser. First time eating Indian food. Tried some chicken and a curry shrimp dish at the Yelp Red Carpet Event. It was delicious! The servers were very pleasant, even folding up a menu for my friend to stuff in tiny her purse. I will definitely be going here to try out their menu. So far. 4 stars
(4)
Yuri H.

Like the chicken butter!so yummy,and the service is also good.But it is not spicy for Chinese people even I try the"hot"level,next time I will try the Indian hot:D
(4)
Val B.

Been here a few times and all those times the server was very friendly and helpful and the food was very tasty! The last time I was there with some friends celebrating being us all being Aries and we had a great time here. Some never had Indian food before and didn't know how hot the food was going to be so they ordered mild and they said it was more sweet than anything but that wasn't a complaint either. I don't remember what everybody else had, but I had the Malai Kofta and that was very good but only came with 3 ....uh ...koftas? Or are those things malais? Anyways, 3 of those little nuggets. But it came just how I wanted it. Very spicy. I think that's the only way to eat Indian food. If it's not spicy, then I don't see the point in eating it. To calm the flames in my mouth and throat I also had a pear martini, which was so f-in good and a sweet mango lassi that I couldn't drink without closing my eyes with each sip. That's how good it was. Great food and yummy drinks!
(4)
Sarah J.

Awesome lunch buffet for $10.95! There are several meat and vegetarian choices. They brought out a complimentary appetizer when we sat down which was really nice. It was made of potatoes and was pretty yummy! This is a great place to go to for a great lunch! If I'm in the area again I'll definitely go back!
(4)
Scott B.

Sometimes, don't you wish you could tell them you are a yelper before you're even seated... just because you know you'll get good service? I wouldn't ever do this, as I grasp the ethical complications... but still... it would save me from having to drop a three star review on someplace like this... Here's how it all went down: Me and boyfriend: Hi, we'd like a table for two. Hostess: And you have a reservation? Me and boyfriend: No, do we need one? Hostess: (in a pretentious voice) Oh... well... let me see if we can seat you... **side note -- it is virtually empty inside.** Hostess: it looks like we are pretty booked... you can sit at the bar if that's not a problem. Me and boyfriend: Yes, we'll just take a bar table... not a problem. The script itself wasn't necessarily the problem, but the attitude that they are so incredibly fancy and popular that every table was spoken for was a little much. Food prices weren't too bad... food was alright... we just had the non-vegetarian sampler platter (which was pretty bland), and some drinks... My martini was pretty damn good... and my bf loved his fruity drink. The video playing on the big screen was bizarre for a dinner crowd -- a trendy Bollywood music video -- strange. Service was mediocre. A three star review through and through... BUT based on our awesome experience with Tantric hosting our Yelpoween, combined with the fact that I was using the gift certificate Melissa and I won for the costume contest... the review is bumped to 4 stars.
(4)
Janak S.

This place has spectacular food! The Paneer in tomato cream sauce was finger licking good! The garlic naan was amazing. The service was impeccable I'm puzzled by how poor the Mango Lassi was. It was mostly yogurt with very little mango in it? Also, the Malai Kofta was kind of dry and not very tasty This place is also on the pricy side, about $25 per person
(5)
Aisha L.

I have been to Tantric about 6 or 7 times now. I keep buying their Restaurant.com gift certificates and then going with my BF or bringing friends there. It has a great atmosphere and lots of tables and booths. I have never had a problem getting a table and I never made a reservation. Even on a Friday night when the place is packed, they seem to get us in just fine. The food is good. I like their Masala Dosa the best, and their Popadums are soooo good. Also you cant go without a Mango Lassi. The service is always friendly, and I have never had a bad experience there. Definitely check this place out. It is also really convenient for dinner and a movie at Loews.
(4)
Laura K.

If there's one thing I love, it's a lunch buffet that is both cheap and delicious. In addition to being both $10 and IN-CRED-I-BLE, Tantric's lunch buffet boasts an amazingly accommodating staff. In hopes of avoiding a crowd, I usually try to hit the buffet towards the end of the 11:30-3:00 time slot -- plus, it's only $8 after 2PM. However, as I'm sure it would not shock anyone to find, there have been a number of times where I've cut it really close and found next to no food left. (Sadness.) But Wait! What's that you say? Not a problem? You'll replenish the buffet with special-for-me-spicy food with just 5 minutes left?? Wait... this whole pile of naan was made fresh for me?? Who are you people?!!? I. can't. get. enough.
(4)
Susan K.

Checked this place out for lunch...especially since there was a $12 lunch buffet! i don't know about you guys but Indian buffets are da bomb. We were seated pretty quickly even though it wasn't THAT busy...it was a large group and they were able to accommodate all of us. They seated us to this corner that was kind of separate from the rest of the restaurant. It was kind of cool. I think useful since we were pretty loud. The entire place was pretty big and spacious. The buffet was cool. Different kinds of curry and good chicken! I can't think of the names at the top of my head but they were all delicious. I loved the thin bread. Don't know the name of it but its money. Must dip it into the curries. I wish there were MORE selection of curry...but regardless, what they had was good. It took a bit longer than usual to pay. We waited a little too long for our credit cards to be given back to us. It looked like there was only one waitress working. Other than that, it was a good experience. Would definitely come back when I get cravings for Indian food!
(4)
Julie B.

Truth be told, I have never really had Indian food. Well okay, maybe once, but it was far too spicy for me to enjoy at the age of 12 (thanks dad). My friend from Kolkata took me here and showed me what I've been missing all this time. We ordered various dishes in order to sample as many different things as possible. A word of advice if you're going to do this: all the curries come with rice. We didn't know this, so we ended up with three servings of uneaten rice and lots of leftovers. For starters, I recommend the Papri Chaat (if you love chickpeas) and Somosas. For entrees: if you like really spicy food, try the Chicken Jalfrezi. Fresh chili peppers, bell peppers, tender chicken goodness. If you're on the wimpy side, try the Butter Chicken (least spicy dish here). Do not leave without trying the garlic naan. Incredible. I'll be here for the lunch buffet to try even more things. Hi my name is Julie, and I'm addicted to Indian food.
(5)
Jeffrey K.

This place is pretty good not too shabby. The mango chicken was real good the sweet and spice level (out of 1-10 I got 5) was perfect. The side of naan was a great compliment. Also, I was surprised to see $2 PBRs so that was cool considering it was a Friday night. The service was on point. The server was very tentative with filling water glasses and asking if everything was up to par, I recommend this place to anyone who is trying indian food for the first time the ambiance and feel of this place makes it an enjoyable time.
(3)
Karen D.

I patroned Tantric India Bistro on a Saturday night and was able to get a table right away. The servers were all very thoughtful, helpful and friendly. I have a quite-limited diet and was very patiently accommodated by being given a vegan menu. It's a terrific option, however, I must say I am disappointed that so many of their meat dishes contain dairy. I know dairy is a crucial ingredient to Indian cuisine and am respectful of that...however, I do wish that they would be flexible in altering their recipes for carnivores/carni-lovers. The potato dish I ordered tasted great--it just wasn't exciting or satisfying. (I was a vegan for two years and I'm over carb-heavy main courses. And as someone who is now on the Paleo diet, I have to avoid the lentil-based mains.) In short, I suppose I am definitely a patron who appreciates lots of options and hoped for more from Tantric. I may go back again, but not until I've tried their competitors' meat-dish selection.
(4)
Digby C.

I've eaten here many times for lunch but last night also had dinner there for the first time. Generally it's a reliable buffet without being spectacular, and the price is reasonable for Boston. Last night we had the standard soup fare as an appetizer: tomato and coconut. We both thought it was great - better than most restaurants, maybe because it was richer. A+ For dinner my wife had the malai kofta, which she requested have a "heat rating" of 6 (on a scale of 0 to 10), and it was indeed a 6, and it tasted fantastic. Malai kofta used to be my test of a good Indian restaurant, and I will definitely order it next time I'm there. A+. I ordered the aloo gobi. When he asked me about the heat index I almost said "11" in honor of the day (Nigel Tufnel of course) but had been feeling a bit off all day, so I inexplicably ordered a 0. In retrospect that probably created a lot of confusion and consternation in the kitchen. "Wait, zero? How the hell do you make a zero? Has this guy ever been to an Indian restaurant before? WHAT DO WE DO?" The solution they seem to have reached was to scrape most of the sauce from whatever they'd prepped, resulting in a somewhat dry mass of cauliflower and potatoes that still had pockets of spicy sauce in hidden corners. Frankly it wasn't great, but then I have to share some accountability for ordering heat-free. Still: D. Our waiter only had three tables and seemed to be working on a floor routine where he said things in a stoned voice like "um, food is in the menu there, drinks are in the other one." He was also slow as hell. Waiter gets a C. Really this is a 3.5 star review, but I'm not quite ready to round up to 4.
(3)
S V.

Absolutely fantastic family meal. My parents and I shared 3 vegetarian entrees. We can be terribly critical of curry and all three of us left raving about the food! Most highly recommended!!!
(5)
Ken M.

We came here for a friend's birthday prior to a show at Jacque's. We ordered some naan and a vegetarian appetizer sampler plate for 6 of us to share to start the meal. The garlic naan was really tasty and not over cooked (burnt) like some places do. The vegetarian sampler plate had some standard vittles on the platter along with some interesting and different takes. I liked everything I tried from the platter (probably more than my fair share, but girls don't eat). I ordered a chai tea and honestly, I don't know how I'll ever go back to Starbucks for chai ever again. It was so delicious. I did something I never do...I ordered a vegetarian entree. It was amazing. It was nutty and cheesy and vegetable-tastic. I tried my friend's lentils and they were delicious too. We ordered more naan with dinner and the sweet naan was really good. The atmosphere is nice and the prices are certainly fair. I'd definitely come back again.
(4)
Kim C.

I was here for the lunch buffet. Pleasant music of modern Indian genre, not too loud. Buffet items were isolated from customer cross contamination in a very sanitary manner. Spice tailored to the mild palate, not exceeding 2000 Scoville units in my judgment. Food quality and taste is moderately high to high degree. Staff was gracious when I went for seconds and thirds at the buffet. Often times Chinese restaurants in particular, don't seem to get the Buffet concept. $20 with drink & tip.
(4)
Rani K.

I am half-Indian and grew up on this stuff, so I would consider myself somewhat an authority on "good" Indian food. I think this place definitely lives up to the adjective. I like the Americana, bistro take on Indian gourmet. Tantric caters to their neighborhood in terms of atmosphere, style, presentation and twists on favorite dishes, i.e. (Nan-wiches), and I think that practice is smart and creative. Word to the wise on spiciness levels: order conservatively. Having eaten spicy Indian food my entire life, I ordered my Punjabi Masala Chole medium, thinking I could add red chili peppers if needed. One bite and my mouth turned into a 4-alarm fire - my dinner companion actually said that my dish made his eyes water. And he only inhaled the scent - never even ate a bite. His Paneer Mahkani, however, was perfect. He did have the presence of mind to order it "as mild as possible" (that's a direct quote.) And it was fantastic - the sauce was gorgeous, and the flavor with the nan & rice was nicely balanced. AND my own dish was very promptly remade to a degree of edible spiciness. Both the server and the manager were very attentive to whether I liked it. Big props there for not rolling eyes or giving me a hard time about a dish politely sent back for an appropriate reason. At least one full star for the cucumber martini. Cool as its name.
(4)
Vicki L.

This was my first time eating Indian Food-it was awesome! The waiter was great! When he found out we had never eaten Indian food before he took the time to "school" us. We went with his recommendations and it was great.The portion sizes are very big-you can safely share any item and still walk away full. I will be going back and would suggest the place to friends. I'd suggest calling ahead as it's a busy place because of it's location. The only downsides to the place were the tables are very close...at one point the couple sitting at the table next to us chimmed in on dinner recommendations for our first time eating Indian food. Lets just say it's not a place for a little alone time with your loved one because of the close seating.
(4)
laura i.

chicken tikki masala was the best I've had, delicious cocktails, no trouble using the restaurant.com certificate...my food had heat and that's how I like it!
(5)
Sheena G.

I just ate at Tantric tonight with friends as a celebratory dinner. We were extremely excited to have a delicious Indian meal and had already had the menu decided before we even walked through the door. However, when we arrived we experienced the worst service I have ever had. So much so, that I decided to write a Yelp review for the first time as soon as I got home. Everything from placing our order, to getting the bill was such a process. It was an hour and a half before we saw our actual meal from when we placed our order, and this was after we waited so long to do just that. The server was apologetic and gave us dessert on the house, but the experience without a doubt sucked the life out of our excitement to be together celebrating. It reached a point where we talked about walking out. By the time the food finally came, all of us were so tired that we didn't want it anymore. I will never go to this place again.
(1)
Dan O.

Back again for lunch, the buffet was completely different. Everything was good and fresh. Keep up the good work Chef.
(4)
linny m.

food = delicious. service = abysmally horrendous.
(2)
Dean B.

Solid Indian food. I eat there about 1x per month when I'm on the road. I wish they had a broader selection of Indian beers, but the lamb dishes have been consistently tender, lean, and tasty. It isn't up to London curry houses, but it is consistent and the staff are always considerate.
(4)
Gene K.

Tried the lunch buffet and was very disappointed. The flavors were bland and uninspiring, and the buffet selection did not have everyone's favorite dish - the chicken tikka masala.. Perhaps my expectations were set too high, based on previous yelp reviewers. Sorry to say, this wasn't even close to Kashmir, Tanjore, or Bukhara... The service and setting were fine... it's the food that was disappointing.
(1)
Thuy L.

From the outside, the place doesn't look like much since its not swarming with the happy hour crowd...especially in comparison to its neighbor Rock Bottom. But the minute you walk in, you are greeted by the friendly staff and directed to one of their many open tables. I've been here just for drinks and then again last night just for dinner. The drinks here are delicious, strong, but good. The food is also really really good. I've been to several other Indian restaurants in the area, and I must admit, this is pretty good. We started out with an order of the Papri Chaat and an order of samosas. The Papri chaat had so much flavor and tasted so great that I was a little sad when we wiped the plate clean. The samosas were okay, but nothing special. For the main course, I had my favorite dish, the Paneer Tikka Masala which is not really found on many menus. My boyfriend got the Chicken Tikka Masala. The portions were quite large, there was plenty of sauce and not as much paneer or chicken in our dishes. We still had so much left over to take home for another meal. Our meals came with the basati rice and we got an order of the garlic naan. OMG--the naan was so fresh and delicious and it had this great lingering garlic aroma when our waiter brought it out to the table. You could actually see the minced garlic on it. Everyone was friendly, even the patrons, since we are seated so close to each other were friendly. We leaned over and asked what someone from a neighboring table had, and they explained to us the types of South Indian food as compared to the typical North Indian fare. It was a deliciously wonderful experience. The bathroom could have been a little cleaner, but I'm not going to stop coming just because of that. I left the restaurant anticipating when I could eat my leftovers.
(4)
matt k.

Just went to the lunch buffet. Tasty but not very adventurous although the lemon rice and tomato coconut soup were super-good.
(4)
Sarah A.

Cool atmosphere (you have to love the name) and an interesting drink menu and wine list. They have an awesome reisling on the wines by the glass list that I now want to buy in bulk and even though it was not on the menu they prepared my favorite entree Shani Paneer to perfection. Yum. Super generous portions too. While they are more expensive than most other Indian places it's not insane, especially for vegetarian options like the Shani Paneer. I'd also recommend Kashmir on Newbury Street as an alternative to Tantric.
(4)
Eric S.

This place is awesome! I usually wouldn't recommend the newer, trendier Indian Places ( food and/or ambiance is usually flawed somehow) usually but the food here is consistently great, in price ( for Downtown and not too much more expensive than elsewhere) portion size and quality for diner and for the lunch buffet. How do you know your in one of the newer , trendier restaurants by the Way? Hint: if you hear scratching and break-beats in the sitar music playing overhead ( not kidding). I would also say they probably have the best Lassis' in town as well. I would make a special trip downtown any time go there but they are right in the theater district, so give them a shot next time your catching a show.
(4)
Stephanie V.

I don't think I'm considered very difficult to please as far as restaurant reviews go here on Yelp. I expect a few things - decent service, a nice atmosphere, and good food. Tantric supplied those. I had the opportunity to buy Restaurant.com coupons for a discount so I grabbed one for this restaurant and took my friend with me. We went on a Wednesday night and the place was pretty dead when we got there but by the time we left, business had certainly picked up. Our waitress, while slightly hard to understand, was prompt and friendly. And the food was delicious. I got the tikka masala (figured I had to do it for my first time eating indian food.) Flavorful and delicious. I almost couldn't finish it. And my drink was STRONG. All in all - cute spot, good food. Give it a try.
(4)
Sara S.

Very nice experience! Good value, nice atmosphere, friendly and attentive service. I had chicken vindaloo and the garlic naan, my wife had the chicken kabob appetizer and the uttapan dosa; both very flavorful and prepared in a timely fashion. The waitress forgot to bring my chai until midway through the meal, so I declined it; looking forward to trying it and/or the lassi next time. Definitely looking forward to returning!
(4)
Philip L.

Ridiculously overpriced. Came here for lunch buffet and it was understaffed, food quality was terrible, and service was slow and unattentive. Took forever to get the bill, get plates cleaned up, etc... Chicken was dry, naan was chilly. Never again.
(1)
Steve D.

We made reservations through open table via Yelp and were seated very promptly. The service was very good. It was a Friday and the place was packed. The Vindaloo, at "Indian hot" level of spice. It was fairly spicey, and very tasty. The meal was delicious. I would definitely come back!
(4)
Crystal E.

Pricey yet good food. Usual for Indian food but will definitely be coming back again.
(4)
C R.

We used another one of those certificates from restaurant.com and chose Tantric on Stuart Street in Boston. We got there a few minutes before eight on a Saturday night, the hostess greeted us immediately, and got a nice seat in the back area (it filled up very soon after). The waitress was very pleasant as well. We needed a few quarters for the meter and they went out of their way to get some for us. We ordered the Lamb Samosa, Chicken Korma and the Mango Chicken. My korma was SPICY! When I made a passing comment to my partner, a manager overheard me and immediately asked if he could make me something else. (I like spicy so it was no problem!) But it was nice to have such an unexpected surprise like that. The mango chicken was delicious. I'd definitely order that next time. The food was good and the service even better. The ambiance was nice as well. It's downtown Boston - so the prices are a little more than your neighborhood Indian joint. There's quite a few indian places around although you won't smell like the restaurant when leave this one. So, of all the choices out there - I'd say pick this one.
(3)
PJ S.

Pretty uninspiring, right down to the SportsCenter channel running on the overhead tube. We've been looking for decent Indian food in Boston since moving here months ago. The best we have managed is a trek out to Needham for Masala Art. Let us know if you have in-town suggestions. Until, then, jump across the street to the W for a great meal at The Market restaurant there. It's not Indian food, but you will enjoy it far more than anything Tantric India Bistro decides to throw your way.
(2)
Betty J.

Tantric is american/indian fusion food. What is american/indian fusion food you ask? goat cheese filled naan, "naanwiches", naan pizza, etc... They also have traditional indian food: masalas, curries, jasmine rice, etc... I thought the food was really good. I didnt venture into the fusion sections of the menu and just stuck with traditional Indian dishes, but what I had was great; a squash based vegetarian entree which was similar to malai kofta but the balls were made from squash. I came here to celebrate a 5 year anniversary, and the decor was just fancy and sexy enough to make the evening seem special but not too over the top. Fancy restaurants scare me, and I wasnt frightened of Tantric at all. The $2 PBR drafts probably helped a lot. $2 PBR drafts in downtown boston at a semi-fancy indian restaurant, too cool!! Prices for food are a tad higher than your average ethnic restaurant, but you can tell that Tantric uses even more exotic ingredients than most Indian restaurants, and their location is in the theater district where everything costs more. To help bring down the cost, Tantric offers gift certificates on restaurant.com . They were out of mango cheesecake (more fusion I suppose), so we opted for the cannoli cake which was a little disappointing, but that's my only complaint. The service was professional, friendly, and quick. The owner came over to us and introduced herself, and made sure we were having a good experience. I highly recommend Tantric if you're going to a show and want to have a nice meal beforehand.
(4)
Adam E.

Despite the horrifyingly parking spotless location (if you must drive, allow at least a half hour to circle the blocks like a vulture), Tantric made me extremely happy. We started with drinks- dangerously delicious Indian Sunsets, which had strawberry Stoli, some strawberry puree, a little bit of peach schnapps and cranberry juice. They were $11, but this is the theater district and it's not the Tam, so I guess that's reasonable. Pricey or not, they were outstanding. The meals were more of the same. A bit more expensive than what I'm used to, but also completely delectable. Don't worry though, I had a Restaurant.com gift certificate, so the damage wasn't too bad. The Malai Kofta was probably the best I've ever had. The sauce was full of texture, which made it seem like you got more than the 3 balls in the dish. The Chicken Tikka Masala was fantastic as well. A substantial amount of chicken, and very nice sauce that wasn't too tomato-ey, nor too creamy. Service was top notch, too. Very attentive and friendly. I can't wait to go back and try their happy hour menu!
(4)
Alan Y.

Located right in the heart of the theater district, Tantric India Bistro is pretty hard to miss. The interior is quite well furnished and the servers are quite helpful and friendly. I decided to opt for the buffet while my friend ordered a mango chicken curry from the menu. I'm not really an indian food aficionado, so my tastes might not be as sensitive as others. The buffet was alright; the selection was a bit limited and the food really was not much better or different from other indian buffets I've been too. They do offer two different types of rice, but only offer one curry-like dish (the Chicken Tikka Masala). Their naan is pretty soft, but felt a bit stale. However, they do serve a great mango lassi as well as good rice pudding. Tantric India Bistro is a fairly mediocre indian restaurant, albeit very well furnished. I have yet to find a standout indian restaurant in Boston.
(3)
Hisham M.

Great ambience and location. Food is expensive, average. Food needs to be freshly made for me, and I get a sense it's not always the case with this place.
(2)
Aboud Y.

Not bad. Was here a few times for dinner and never left disappointed. Not sure why I'm not that compelled to return though...maybe because there are so many other good choices (e.g., Kashmir, Tamarind Bay, Bombay Club, Kebab Factory, etc.) and I tend to eat Indian delivered as opposed to when I got out. Will have to give it another shot
(3)
Calli C.

I've only gone here for the lunch buffet, which is admittedly the best deal in the place. I've heard that ordinarily the dishes, while delicious, are overpriced. However, for the lunch buffet, it's $10 and you get access to two soups, and four to six entrees (chicken tikka masala, pag paneer, a lamb dish, a lentil vegetarian dish, etc.), and some strange desserts. Also, they bring a plate of dosas to your table, which are like samosa potato filling but inside a thin crepe. Kind of meh but tasty with the mint sauce accompanying it. Overall, about average Indian food, but the lunch buffet is definitely a bargain, if only for the quantity of food.
(3)
Cecile B.

I am an Indian food fan! So I jumped on the groupon that they offered a little while back. I wasn't crazy that they put us back in the corner close to the kitchen door when the entire place was empty. But it's something we get a lot when we go out with our toddler. My fault I should have asked for another table. Food was good! We had a lentil dahal, a potato stuffed crepe and the delicious vegetable balls that come in a red yogurt sauce (I can never remember the names of the dishes). Plenty of food, friendly service, food came fast. Bill came fast too. I dont like when the check is brought to my table before I am even done eating, but I can chose to ignore it. It's a convenient place to go, after picking up our toddler so we may go back, but I think there are other options like Mela and Kasmir that are just as good and easier to get to.
(3)
Steve C.

Warm friendly staff, rich wonderful food from many unusual corners of India, gorgeous decor and music, attention to detail, very comfortable seating, high quality in all that they do. Check out owner Mary's evenings where she hosts parties for various excellent social causes... truly a place with a lot of heart, and fantastic food, drinks and dessert! ...right in the heart of the theatre district. Be sure to try the Gobi Manchurian, tender pieces of cauliflower in a deliciously spicy oniony chunky sauce. Anything with curry leaves, the lamb, the crab cakes, the salads (especially the sprouted salad or mango salad) are all fantastic. Not to be missed!
(5)
Charlie P.

Tantric has the best Indian food in the city and is heads and shoulders above Mantra on all levels. I went there last week for the lunch buffet and the stand out choices were: mattar paaner, chicken tikka masala, little fried potato disc appetizers, coconut chutney and dosas. I will never go back to Mantra, I'm Tantric all the way!
(4)
Ethan A.

Came because of the Groupon offer. When we first arrive, the host checked with a large party about separating their end table, which was being unused. This large party of college kids enjoying the buffet didn't mind, and we had the "pleasure" of being seated in between most of them. In any case, we order and get our food. We never again see our waiter, until its time for the check. It was moderately busy, but not so much that it would have taken too much time to simply ask us if everything were okay. Perhaps he saw my Groupon printout when I checked over its fine print, because he stood on the other side of the restaurant most of the night. I ordered a vegetarian "tantric" platter. It consisted of six or seven smaller sized foods, none of which were recognizable to me, but all tasted good. There were also a few random sauces accompanying my plate. I preferred the green over the red, but really couldn't tell you what they were. I have had Indian food a few times before, but would still really have appreciated the menu listing what I was ordering. Overall, I would not return. The prices were a bit much, especially considering the service was severely lacking. The food was okay, and it had a trendy atmosphere, but I left disappointed.
(2)
Alan T.

Ordered delivery. Came after 80 mins. without half my order. The lamb korma made it though. Sauce was ok, but the lamb was tough as rocks. Everything else just OK. If you think this is good Indian, you've never had good Indian.
(1)
Daniel M.

I know very little when it comes to Indian food. I tend to stick to buffets (I know, shoot me in the face) so that I can try out a variety of dishes with little worry about being stuck with something I don't care for. That being said I ventured to Tantric sans buffet to try out my luck. Good thing I did. We were seated right away and left alone with our menus for a few minutes until our server arrived. This was fine as it gave me a chance to take in my surroundings. The place is really nice. Very near being over the top but not quite. They have maximized their small space and manage to pull of an interesting, warm interior without turning in to an Asian Bennigans. When our server arrived he walked us through the menu trying to keep us (unsuccessfully it turns out) from getting overwhelmed. There's a lot to choose from and this is what usually shuts me down. After about 15 minutes we decided on saag paneer, rosemary naan, and vegetarian pizza (right?). A few moments later our food arrived and WOW. First of all the saag paneer was delicious. I like that they kept it simple and flavorful but not greasy. So good. The naan was light, full of yummy rosemary, and paired well with our dish. But seriously the real star was the pizza. One large piece of naan topped with the masala sauce, peppers, onion, and mozzarella. CLEARLY not authentic this was off the hook. It was so good that I've been thinking about it for days since. The pizza was light, cheesy, slightly sweet, and bursting with flavor. Why on earth are there not more Indian themed pizzas out there? This is a fusion I can get firmly behind. Our bill was not out of control even with additional naan and a (wicked sour and super good) lime soda. Mind you we didn't partake of their alchy bevvies so that may have helped a bit. I enjoyed my trip to Tantric and am very much looking forward to my next pizza adventure.
(4)
Linda S.

This may be the best Indian food I've had in the Boston Metro area. I've eaten at Tantric many times since I moved here, and I've never had a bad experience with it. The service is always very friendly and prompt, and the food is always outstanding. I'm generally a big fan of the chicken vindaloo. They always ask me how spicy I want it, and when I ask for a seven out of ten, they hit the mark every time. Try the sweet naan and the New England naan in particular - holy hell, goat cheese and rosemary in naan? What? Yes. Delicious. It's a little pricey, I won't lie, but it's not outrageous - and the ambiance and quality of the food are worth it. Also, the cocktails are expensive, but well-made and delicious, so if you're in the mood for spoiling yourself, you won't be disappointed. Also, they often have Bollywood movies playing on their TVs, and more than once I've seen this awesome one of Sharukh Khan's greatest dance remixes of all time, which is just... I don't know why, but it just adds to the sheer awesome of this place. As an added bonus, they have a pretty tasty lunch buffet which is quite a bargain for all-you-can-eat. Nom!
(5)
Lori k.

Outstanding buffet. Tasty food, reasonable price. Service also good. Good variety on buffet and menu. Went twice to bistro while in Boston for 4 day stay. We loved it both times. Nice, quaint decor. Will come again if visiting Boston.
(4)
Dogen B.

I am loving this indian restaurant more and more, i have been here for buffett Many times and it gets better every time. Last time they has kabab and kheer ans rasgullas, what indian buffett offers all this for such a great price in back bay? I am givng ths restaurant a enthusiastic paw-up and two woof woof !!
(5)
Jess H.

We came here solely because I saw that they had a vegan menu available on their website. We sat in the back in the little nook area which was really cute. We had to wait a long time to get service and my boyfriend wanted to walk out but once the server came to our table, things went ok. I asked about the vegan menu and they brought it over. Our waitress was extremely helpful when it came to ordering, telling me which breads I could eat and appetizers, etc. When they brought my meal out with the rice, the server immediately took the rice away and and said he brought the wrong one, quickly swapped it before I took a bite. I was grateful for that.. I asked for my meal to be "medium-mild" and for me it was almost inedible, way too spicy. I'd go back again just for the menu but get it mild if you don't like too much spice.
(3)
Tajar E.

We just had our second event with catered food from Tantric. The food was an absolute HIT. Big fat samosas - delicately spiced, not greasy which is impressive for a fried food, and perfectly complemented by their sour tamarind chutney. Tandoori chicken bites - big plump extremely juicy pieces of chicken. Again, delicately spiced, and totally delicious. Veggie pakoras - tasty and not greasy. Overall, i'm really impressed with this restaurant. They make fine food for catering on a modest budget. Some other people claim that Tantric's food is bland, but imo it is a different style of cooking than the over-spiced, cream and oil laden food you'll find at your ordinary northern indian restaurant. This is a _LOT_ healthier and tastes great. Mary the owner is often around and greets you warmly. I'll definitely use them for more events in the future.
(5)
Dara C.

This place probably has the best weekday deal I've ever seen in Boston. $2 PBR drafts, $4 glasses of wine and $3 - 4 appetizers from 8:30 on, Monday through Friday. (Whaaaaat?) The restaurant itself was pretty empty on a Thursday but we camped out at the bar, and for good reason. The food was quite decent, and full of fire. The gobi Manchurian was fantastic: sauteed cauliflower that was spicy, onion-y and slightly sour. Two types of bread were good, though the green chili cheese naan was surprisingly bland. Veggie pakora was a tad overfried in that they didn't taste like veggies but, hey, fried stuff ... good stuff ... Chicken tikka was standard. The rest of the menu looks pretty average and a tad on the expensive side. (Is it location? Probably.) Apps will run you about $10 apiece and entrees are $15 to $20, even some of the veggie things that are less than $10 elsewhere. I don't know if I would fork over that kind of change when there's fantastic Indian takeout for mere pocket change elsewhere. But that bar deal, which is a genius move on the owners' part, is entirely useful. I plan on returning. Gobi gobi gobi.
(4)
Sara D.

I loved this place. The food, drinks, and service were all wonderful. Will def continue to eat here.
(4)
Julia M.

So after I posted this review, Mary, the owner, contacted me on Yelp and gave me some great news: "I am a vegetarian as well and want to let you know that the chef prepares the masala sauce that goes in the chicken tikka masala separately so you can order that with paneer or better yet with the Kumbh Palak Kofta on our menu. So you can actually have the masala sauce and not dream of it anymore! Just tell your server that you want the kumbh palak kofta but in the masala sauce. It isn't on the menu but tell them Mary told you about it." Thanks for the tip Mary! I'll be sure to check it out.
(4)
CaT P.

me and my bf were here last night. i was in an extremely bad mood, but... this place was sooooo good, my mood turned better too.. :) it was rather empty (around 8.30 there were only 2 other guests left). we shared the vegetarian appetizer platter (yum!), and then the chicken massala (i believe). some garlic nan and 2 mango lassies. really good. the waitress was friendly too, and we were eager to take the leftovers home (usually we arent). will definitely come back. just wondering why it was so empty, perhaps because it was a sunday evening in January?
(4)
anna k.

I've been to this place about 3 times, and every time a success! Atmosphere is very romantic with dimmed lights and cool accessories. Weirdly enough, every single time they were completely empty. They serve one of the yummiest drinks I've tried (Strawberry kiss or something along those lines). A couple of my friends visited this place as well and each of us enjoyed our dishes. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. We had vegetable Pakoras, Chicken Vindaloo, Punjabi Masala Chole. I am a BIG fan of the Lamb Tikka Masala. Give it a try, I think this place won't dissapoint
(4)
Jamie F.

Had a great time with the girls here for a high school reunion dinner. After reading the Yelp reviews, I ordered the chicken tikka masala and LOVED it. Much better and spicier than what's served at the food courts and local Indian restaurants that I've been to. You can eat individual- or family-style (recommended). I also ordered an Indian Sunset drink, which was a good size and tasted wonderful. I tried some of my friend's garlic and rosemary naan bread - both yummy! I might've filled up on too much rice because I did have some chicken left over. The prices are up there, but you can get discounts from restaurant.com . Our waitress was adorable and friendly - easily handled our multiple payment methods. For once, a server actually took our group photo right (no one's head was cut off!) No need for reservations. And I really like the dÃ©cor: warm/deep colors, comfy booths, intimate lighting. Next time, I'll definitely have to try the lunch buffet.
(4)
Meridith H.

These 3 stars are for an enthusiastic A-OK rating. My partner and I arrived in time for a late lunch buffet, and were treated to a large, well-kept dining room. Service was quick & friendly, and the lunch buffet had a good variety & good quality. It was a bit pricey for a lunch buffet; you can see that you're helping to pay for the great location & a decent wage to the employees. Overall I think this place is a nice treat.
(3)
Amanda L.

After first coming here for the Yelpoween event, I was determined to come back. After a loooooong 3 hours at the movie theater (thank you Brad Pitt) Joe and I (along with fellow Yelpers Calvin C. and Jenny N.) decided to grab something to eat. I suggested Tantric, rather selfishly, since I had a coupon for BOGO Free ($10 max, boo). Anyway, it was practically empty, but it was about 3:00PM so I wasn't too surprised. They were running a lunch buffet, but unsure of whether they would take my coupon or not, we opted for the menu. Interesting side note: If you purchase their Karma Sutra martini, you get a $20 gift card to Too Timid. I did not partake this time :) Onto the meals, I ordered some Naan, of course and the Chicken Madras, medium spiced. It wasn't very spicy at ALL, which was disappointing. I like my Indian food HOT, but I always order medium the first time, because I feel it is a true test to whether they can live up to the spice. If this was medium, then their spicy must not be much different... Ah well, my meal was passable, which would be ok if the entire meal wasn't $16.00!!!! If my meal is going to be that much, it needs to be more than passable. While the portions did leave me stuffed the flavors were not particularly rich. The Naan was splendid however. Our total even with our discount was still more than $30, which I feel wasn't entirely worth it. I've had Indian food about 10x better at 10x less the price. Can't say I will be coming back any time soon.
(3)
Ryan H.

Nice atmosphere. Good, but standard Indian food for an American establishment. Attentive and friendly wait staff.
(4)
Pete C.

First off, I really like the interior of this restaurant. It's definitely Indian, but very tastefully done in a contemporary manner. I've been here a few times, but only for the lunch buffet. The last time I went it was $10 and this past week it was $11. As far as buffets go, the choices are rather limited. But the choices that are presented are well executed. The flavors are clean and the ingredients fresh. There's always naan, some fried appetizer like pakoras, salad, a soup, a couple of rices, three vegetable items, tandoori chicken, one other meat item (usually chicken), and dessert. Just as a comparison, the other place we like to go to for an Indian lunch buffet is Kashmir which is $1 less and always has more choices. But the food isn't as well executed. The lunch buffet at Tantric is still a good value since the emphasis is on quality over quantity. Follow-up: I received a nice message from Mary, the owner, thanking me for my review. She also mentioned that they were working on providing more variety, in response to my review. It's good to see a business owner care so much about their business and is willing to accept and consider constructive criticism from their most important asset, their customers.
(3)
Jessica S.

drinks are good and the staff is nice. butter chicken and rosemary goat cheese naan are amazing. i love this place. even when its busy i never wait long
(5)
J A.

Nothing to write home about here. Fair weather Indian at inflated prices in a so-so atmosphere. I've experienced many Indian restaurants in Boston over the years and while the scene here is nothing like London or NYC this place is really lacking. I dined during the lunch buffet and was disappointed with quality and variety of food offered. The dosa brought to my table seemed as though it had been sitting for several hours and hastily warmed before being carried to my table. Don't expect to return here anytime soon.
(2)
Em G.

The food was delicious. We ordered Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, Veg Korma, and Lamb Vindaloo. I would recommend them all. No stingy rice policy (as mentioned by other reviews) and I thought the prices were great for the portions. Excellent service! They had a coat check and were extremely accommodating to our party of six. I will definitely go back.
(4)
Jim H.

Tantric is a weekly favorite, relaxed, friendly and an authentic menu that ventures well beyond the standard butter chicken, kormas, and chicken tikka masala, all of which they do a fine job of but give a try to some less usual recipes from several distinct cuisines of India. A beginning suggestion, the satisfying complex Gobi-Manchurian, which exhibits the Chinese influence found in Kolkata cooking, the sweet and peppery pieces of cauliflower are succulent. The Malabar crab cakes are another unusual find, crispy spicy with a pungent edge. Dori Maach, a cardamon flavored white fish with a delicate flavor provided by roasted onion seeds is a Bengali recipe. I admit I am a grump about newly minted cocktails. In my mind vodka is never found in a martini, and for months I easily dismissed the list of cocktails at Tantric as more of those too interesting drinks and would order Indian beer or a simple gin and tonic. Finally someone in our group ordered a gimlet with ginger and BASIL. WOW!!! One sip and I ordered my own. Five stars on this gimlet but, unfortunately, I can't seem to replicate it at home. Amazingly intense and refreshing, a perfect compliment to the complexities of gin. A word on spice and a word on HEAT. To its credit, Tantric unfailingly inquires about the spice level diners prefer. I usually lean toward hot, but here this is not quite so simple. The chef seems to understand something I only discovered after visiting India, that there are ways of turning up spice flavor without merely dialing up the Scoville units of heat until your taste buds burn out and go numb. Ordering hot in many Indian restaurants In America means heat alone and at risk of destroying the subtle and complex flavors found in Indian food. So on a first visit I suggest if ordering several dishes try some hot and some medium. But if its a test of heat you're after try any of the Vindaloos, but my favorite is the lamb. I've never had a disappointment here, the ancillary things like rice, breads, tea, and desserts are all delicious. First time looking in I had some concerns about atmosphere, but the music (a cool blend of traditional Indian riffs with contemporary dance) the comfortable soft light level, and the absolutely charming staff erased those concerns. On our second trip back we were friends, on our fifth, treated like family. A final recommendation if you like Indian sweets; Tantric's take on Gulab Jamun is authentic, and worth the calories! Crisp, light spherical dumplings in a syrup delicately flavored with rose water and cardamon. Finish up with a cup of Masala tea, and you'll be back. A longtime adherent to Kashmir I admit I was reluctant to try this place, I suppose mostly out of habit, and fear that its proximity to the theaters would make a weekend dinner reservation difficult. But I've only once had an appreciable wait, and the space is a bit bigger than it appears from the street.. Open Tables, especially if visited before 4 of the same day is a big help. Though you might find Indian restaurants in more charming neighborhoods (this neighborhood is in the midst of the construction of a cool new W hotel across the street) in Boston, none are as delicious as Tantric.
(5)
Jim C.

The place had a great look and feel to it; I was expecting good things. However, I found it to be mediocre food, and slightly overpriced. I thought the serving sizes were rather small for the price and the dishes comprised of a ton of sauce and not enough meat. To be honest, i think that the Faneuil Hall Bombay Club is better food (assuming its fresh) and a much better value. On the bright side, their Naan was good and they did make it fresh to order.
(2)
Grace T.

So, not sure what happened, or maybe I never noticed, but the chicken is always dry and rather tasteless. The sauce is now hit or miss too! Spicy, yes, but sometimes just not enough... flavor. Don't get me wrong, if you put a bowl down in front of me, I will dip garlic naan, and throw rice into the curry and slurp it all up until there is no sauce left, but there will be white cubes of chicken at the bottom of the bowl (which my dog is very thankful for I suppose). This place is good when you have a scratch that must be itched, but there are better ones scattered about now!
(3)
Lora B.

I came here after a hard week of law school with a bunch of 1Ls, about a half an hour before the buffet was supposed to close, and I must say I was pretty impressed. When we first walked in it looked like we were too late. The buffet table was looking pretty empty, but as we were seated the host told us he would refill all of the dishes for us!Three vegetarian dishes, 2 chicken dishes and 1 lamb dish later...PLUS tomato coconut soup and nan we were very happy law students.They did close the buffet right at 3, but while it was still open the food was hot and tasty. If you are looking for spicy Indian food (like I always am) you may want to avoid the lunch buffet. However, the quality of the food was definitely above decent, so I would totally go back for dinner and try some spicier dishes off of the regular menu.
(3)
Shivani G.

I received a lovely e-mail from Mary, the owner of Tantric. She has renewed my faith in customer service. Mary not only explained the shortcomings for the dishes we had, but also offered to refund the money for our meal. We're definitely going to try their restaurant again! We'll use our Tantric bucks to give them another shot. We liked their staff, the chic decor and squank music, so maybe this time around will be a charm! Stay tuned for an update!
(4)
Andrea E.

Headed up here on a Sunday after a day at MFA. It was pretty quiet, though business picked up as we ate. Our server was just great, really charming. When she started to recommend the chicken, I said we are vegan. She seemed pretty excited to go get us their new vegan menu designed to help us navigate the choices without worry. Of course I thought that was awesome. It's not perfect though because pakoras are definitely vegan and weren't on there. The place was spacious and nicely decorated. We did get the pakoras and they were tastier than most. We also wanted the kofta, but they were out of them. Not cool. OK, we got the dal, the Baigan Barta and the Idli Sambar. The baigan (eggplant) was really good and we've had this dish all over town. The dal was good, but maybe because the dal in the Sambar sauce was so damn good, it seemed a bit pale in comparison. It's not expensive for the neighborhood, maybe a buck more per dish than anyplace in Cambridge or elsewhere.
(4)
Colleen B.

It was like our own private India as a group of friends and I dined in the "semi-private" room in the back of the restaurant. So VIP! The service was outstanding! There were about 10 of us and each felt rightly pampered. Even though I've been to Indian restaurants before--I appreciated the attention to detail and explanations the waitstaff gave us about certain popular entrees. Two other bonuses...my drink...the exotic cardamom-infused Kama Sutra: #1 ...came with a $20 gift card to Too Timid ( a very classy adult store in Newbury St. This was a few months back so I'm not sure if the promotion is still running.) -AND- #2 ...moved from table to table so did my drink...thanks to the attentive waitstaff. The appetizers were fresh and so were the accompanying sauces/chutneys. The platters are reasonably priced and a good selection. If you're looking to save room for dessert or another Kama Sutra give a Dosa a try. Think Indian burrito with a crispy crust. Try the Masla Dosa and it will be just enough food without over-doing it.
(4)
Ian H.

Great Tandoori. Lunch buffet is the way to go, but it's OK for dinner, too. This place is trying to be hip and trendy, which might be a turnoff for some. it's got a very contemporary decor, and a drink menu heavy on "creative" cocktails whose names end with -tini. That said, some of their foofy cocktails are quite good, and most of their food is quite good as well. Tantric is what you might call "upscale mediocrity" - the food is about as good as India Quality, but more expensive and served in an environment that's just chic enough to feel like a worthy prelude to a night of theatre or opera. You won't feel completely ridiculous if you come here dressed up. But really, the best time to go is in the middle of the day, for the lunch Buffet, which is easily the best I've seen in Boston. At $10 it's not the cheapest option around, but they have a wider variety of dishes than most buffets, change their offerings each day, and always have a (good) soup and dessert option included. The Pakoras are large and crisp, the naan is fluffy and fresh, and the Tandoori Chicken is the best I've ever had. (Which isn't saying so much, but still)
(4)
Sasha R.

Indian lunch buffet? Naan that expands in your belly? Tea with heavy cream? Yes, please! A lot of vegetarian options. Tasty food and pleasant decor. Watch out for the expandable naan.
(3)
David M.

I like this place. You can get good cocktails, and spicy Indian food. Sometimes the atmosphere is a little slow, and the waitstaff can be a little less than first-class, but I enjoy myself every time I eat here. I get a good buzz off of every drink, which is a good thing since they're about 10 dollars each. They have 2 meal combos, which are a great deal... soup, samosas, 2 entrees, dessert, and coffee for only 40 dollars! Once again, I like their cocktails. If not for the alcohol content, for the fun names and flavors each one has... When you look at the drink menu, you have to take a second to figure out which one you want, because they all sound so interesting.
(4)
Trish F.

Belly full.. unable to think.. or.. work.. hmmmmmmmmm.. I just took part in their all you can eat lunch buffet for $9.95 (which scoots down to $7.95 after 2PM). I'm pretty new to the Indian food scene. Okay. That's a lie. It's my Indian food renaissance. I grew up eating Indian food at friends' parties, but I was never one for spicy, so yeah. Then when my old job started adding Indian dishes (curryesque & vindalooesque) to the menu, I realized that spicy/Indian foods weren't all Looney Tunes ACME explosions waiting to happen. Now, I'm working up my mild taste buds and I'm back on the scene. Anyhoo.. the selection was great. Their tomato coconut soup was wonderful and who can really argue with all you can eat naan. I can't remember the names of all the selections, but I was definitely pleased with most of the trays. I think there were only 2-3 things I didn't try (I decided against the rice that had chile pepper seeds). Our server was really great. He was the only one working the floor (it wasn't too busy), but still made rounds to make sure our waters were full and that we were enjoying our meal. When I asked if there any ultra spicy items in the buffet, he offered to bring out some spicy seasonings (of course I didn't accept but that tidbit is for those who like it hot-ter). The decor is nice and simple and I adore the back corner of tables with the fabric hanging from the ceiling. Oh.. and for those interested.. they have hookahs during the summer. Check their webpage for details and flavors. I've definitely seen people seated outside the restaurant in the summer.. enjoying themselves and hookahing up. It's not my thang, but I figured I'd mention it. 3.5 stars for the cheap buffet.. but I'll need to try a regular priced dish to make a more educated decision. Word is, their chicken tikka masala is the "bomb diggity". Yeah I don't know. I heard one of the kids on the street say it. Time traveler from '97?
(4)
Melissa S.

The food is delicious, I just wish that the portions were bigger for the price. That being said, I go like once a month. I'm hooked. We order the same dishes every time: Butter Chicken, Bhindi do Piaza(okra) and Kumbh-Palak Kofta (spinach/mushroom croquets). Their garlic naan is flippin' awesome. I wasn't too wild about the lunch buffet. But whatdya want? It's a lunch buffet. Great for cocktails and a light dinner!
(3)
Mike S.

I go at least once a week for the lunch buffet. The menu changes more frequently than other lunch buffets I've had, and the selection is always good. Our group usually includes a vegan, and I am allergic to both wheat and dairy. So I can say for a fact that we enjoy both the meat free dishes, and that the dishes without yogurt or cream are also delicious. Many Indian places have very dry food when they aren't heavy on the butter or cream. I love their Pakoras, dense and moist. Price is decent, waitstaff is friendly but managers are lacking in service skills. Small detail, but I really appreciate the cloth napkins even though its only a buffet.
(3)
JD H.

Let me start by saying that the people that work here are very nice and attentive. I went here on a Saturday with a group of friends for the buffet lunch. This review may be a bit biased because as a rule I dislike buffets. My friends persuaded me to try it out. I was happy to notice that there was an ok selection of vegetarian dishes. The sad part was that the food was luke warm and lacking in flavor or freshness. Usually the flavor and aroma of Indian food is refreshing, invigorating even irritating for sensitive taste buds or noses. Hence Lorilai's comment in Gilmore Girls that Rory should burn down the house after she gets Indian takeout. But this food was more bland than airline food. The atmosphere is ok- felt like the cheesecake factory booth set up to me. Not a bad experience but not worth the parking fees or leg work to get here.
(2)
Derek W.

This place has pretty good Indian food, but the drinks are what make it. The signature cocktail list is chock full of goodies, especially the basil ginger gimlet, which is my personal favorite. The food is pretty good, too. Lamb korma was nice, not the best korma I've ever had, but certainly average, at least. The service was fast and very friendly, as well. Things can get on the pricey side (and those oh so delicious drinks are even more so), which is a little disappointing, considering how affordable Indian food often is, but not hugely surprising given the neighborhood.
(3)
Sarah W.

Aw, sadness for all the bad-mediocre reviews. I've been here twice now and have been very pleased both times. The food is always good. For something a little different in the salad region they have a five spice salad (or named something like that) that is very different and just to die for. Very yummy. Their naan has always been good and the curry always creamy. The decor, too, is fantastic and is just nice enough to make you feel like you're getting a bargain in such a great place! I don't, however, get the existence of the large flat screen. Service has been a little hit or miss too, but never terrible. Only gripes. I'm a pretty big fan of Tantric.
(4)
Shaina S.

All the praises of Tantric's food that I heard at the Elite event gave me an itchin' to come back and try it for realsies. I went to the lunch buffet with a few friends of mine before catching a show at the Opera House. We had a lot of fun watching the Indian music videos (one of which was based on E.T.?!) as we dined on delicious and spicy foods. The true Indian amongst us was able to explain the small delicious dish they put on our table before we chowed down and the buffet forced me to expand my Indian horizons beyond my usual Chicken Tikka Masala and Saag Paneer (neither of which were options). I forget the names of all the good stuff I tried, but the potato garlic soup was really excellent, as was another potato dish (something-Vinda?) and the rice pudding (Kheer-something) at the end. The servers were very helpful even though we didn't need much help digging right into the buffet and the swanky atmosphere works well day or night.
(4)
Alex L.

This is an update to a review I wrote in Nov 08. During that visit I found the service to be very bad and the quality of the Biryani was poor. I gave what I believe to have been a fair two star rating. About a month ago I was contacted by the restaurant. The owner had read my review and wanted me to know they had recently turned over some wait-staff and welcomed a new (or recently returned) Chef who specializes in Biryani. I was invited back with the promise of Biryani on the house. I did go back, and wow, what a different experience. My Hendrick's cucumber martini was excellent. Our Gobi Manchurian, a deep-fried, Chinese-influenced cauliflower appetizer, was very good (and very spicy too). My lamb biryani was perfect this time, and my wife's Muttar Paneer was good as well. We had an order of garlic naan also. In the spirit of full disclosure I will add that the restaurant owner and I had identified each other when I came in. My table received particularly special service this time around, not to mention a discount for giving them another shot*. This undoubtedly colored my experience and this review, but I believe the food was good enough this time to warrant a future incognito visit. This to me is why Yelp exists. It's very possible they were having an off night the first time I visited, and if not for the invitation to come back, I might not have given Tantric another chance. Unfair for the restaurant, but unfortunately that's life. But the management at Tantric deserves credit for turning my first bad experience into a positive second one, with probably more to follow. My final word on Tantric is to give them a shot and see for yourself. *I have followed the yelp disclosure policy as best as possible for this update ( yelp.com/faq#free_stuff ), and for the record, I write my reviews to provide advice to would-be consumers and constructive criticism to businesses. I never write poor reviews to receive special attention.
(4)
Bob F.

Eleven of us ate there last night, and everyone had a great time. As an Indian food lover for twenty years I search for the best restaurants. Tantric is a gem! I had the Kama Sutra cocktail. It was as exotic and sultry as the name implies. I had a new lamb dish, which unfortunately I can't remember the name (it started with an "N") that was stellar! We shared food, so I was able to sample numerous apps and a delightful spicy salmon dish. The servers were full of smiles and good humor. Even the owner/hostess Mary Sen dropped by our table a few times to greet us warmly and ensure we were all happy. This may have been my first time at Tantric, but it certainly will not be my last! If you like excellent Indian food this is a must-do experience.
(5)
AC C.

Ok, I was ready to write a low to medium review but.... two hairs found in two different dishes, GAME OVER BEWARE
(1)
Jeff A.

The lunch buffet at $10 is a great value. They have 8-10 very well executed choices and emphasize quality over quantity. The tomato soup was great, not sure what the spices in it were but just an amazing flavor. My buddy, who had been there before, asked for a dosa before we went to the buffet and it was included in the cost at no extra charge. Don't forget the Gulib Jamin for dessert! A real treat for not a lot of cash!
(5)
Gwen F.

It's very, very difficult for me to eat Indian food. All of my Indian food-phile friends moved away after college. I love the friends I have here, but very few will join me for some naan, chicken tikka and a lassi. I suppose I could go for dinner by myself, but I'm lazy. Thus I'm forced to carry on my affair with Indian food in secret, munching away quietly at my desk at work. I like Tantric because they carry my favorite dish (paneer tikka masala), which isn't very common, and they deliver. My only complaint about the paneer tikka masala is that there's no fire. My past experiences with anything tikka masala involved some degree of spiciness. This stuff was so mellow and mild, that it tastes exactly the same as Tantric's paneer makhani, which I've also tried. It's still good, but I like a little pain sometimes. Delivery is extremely cost prohibitive. There's a $15 minimum, and a $5 delivery fee, guaranteeing that you'll never spend less than 20 bucks a go. I don't mind blowing that or more on a nice dinner, but let's be honest - I'm eating at my office. Alas, I can only order from this place rarely, when I'm really craving that yummy paneer. I just wish it were worth the cash.
(3)
Momo K.

it's really 3.5 stars b/c of the price and waitress threw away our food otherwise a solid 4.... we had a group of four and ordered two masalas, seafood curry, 2 nans, 2 lassies, 3 apps total came out to be 110 with a $25 coupon tips included. i thought that it was $$ food is pretty good, the masala was flavorful and the naans, oh the sweet one w/ almonds and raisins, so good my experience would have been better if the waitress didn't throw away our salmon tikka. we had 2 huge pieces that were were gonna take home but she thought it was trash, it was expensive like 20 bucks! overall, nice decor and good food....
(4)
Sidanshu G.

The foood here was great. Me and my friends liked the Gobi Manchurian, Chicken 69, Chicken Korma and Paneer Makhni. The ambiance is decent. If you are able to find a parking space on the street ... you are lucky else there are more than a couple of parking garages nearby......
(4)
Jacob A.

Had the buffet. Very good Indian food (I love Chicken Tikka Masala) and enough variety to please both me and my wife.
(4)
Tim G.

Nice ambience. The initial time to take our order was a bit long but service after was fine. Waitress was very pleasant. Roghan Josh was good but the Aloo Gobi Masalam too salty for us - and we have had it many times in other restaurants
(3)
Trisha S.

Just don't do it. Don't. This was the second worst Indian food I've ever had. The worst being a $6 lunch buffet at 3pm. And I paid a month's income of an Indian laborer ($30). First I had to switch places with my friend because I had a huge TV screen behind her and I'm too distractible by moving pictures... Its a "nice" restaurant. TV? Really? One dish was inedible. My friend was unimpressed, but didn't mind it, so maybe it was just me. It had a really strong taste of nasty chemicals. It seemed like someone spilled oven cleaner in the sauce. Everything else was just very mediocre. Edible. Maybe even good if you don't know anything about Indian food. But I found it bland and uninspiring. And I love Indian food. Also, the service was seriously irritating. I think I was interrupted mid-sentence at least a dozen times by "How is your mimosa/soup/chicken/cocktail...?" Its fine, but now my conversation isn't doing so well, thank you. If you are forced to go, don't get violent. You'll be okay. But otherwise, steer clear.
(1)
Edward O.

Good, reasonably priced (for Boston) Indian food with decent service. Nice cocktail selection which includes a Hendrick's with cucumber. Can't say no to that.
(3)
Nicole M.

Over the past many years, I've walked by here so many times and turned my nose up at it because there's NEVER anyone in the place. I figured, how good can it be if it's empty?! Then one night we ate here and everything changed. I really don't understand why it's not more crowded. Is it because the Theatre District is touristy and most people prefer chain restaurants over ones they've never heard of? Is it because people are more likely to go to Cambridge or the South End for Indian food? Who knows... I thought the food was fantastic, the service superb and Persephone's Pleasure pomegranate martini delicious. I'm definitely looking forward to returning. 3.5 stars.
(3)
Chris H.

We went to Tantric on the recommendation of a friend from India. The atmosphere was pleasant. I appreciated that they didn't just slap some kama sutra illustrations on the wall and call it a day. The service was prompt and attentive. We started with naan and vegetable samosas. I have to say that the naan was the best I've ever had; fluffy, warm and not charred to a crisp. The samosas were good as well, not too heavy and excellent flavor. I ordered the chicken vindaloo and my wife ordered the chicken saag. The vindaloo was delicious, but I should have been more adventurous and ordered it hot. It was spicy, but definitely not off the charts. The only criticism I have is that the meal was served almost a little too quickly. We were not in any hurry, and the restaurant wasn't overly crowded, but things moved fast. I suppose that's not the worst thing in the world (certainly better than things taking forever!)
(4)
Maryann D.

The mong bean salad was amazing as was the salmon kabob. The shrimp vindaloo needed more shrimp and potatoes - less sauce. Wine bottle prices are very high. In general the food was great. The restaurant itself needs to be cleaned up a bit. The bathrooms were hot, smelly and messy. I didn't want to look in the kitchen! Our waiter had incredibly bad BO which almost spoiled the dinner altogether. Fortunately, he wasn't our only waiter!
(3)
Jean B.

Recently, before heading over the very handy Wilbur Theater, the missus and I decided to check out a new restaurant in the area (new to us, anyway) Since we hadn't had any Indian Food in a while, the Tantric Bistro it was. We were slightly concerned initially that *we* would not be trendy enough once we got inside to eat there as the outside was the most moderne (extra e intentional, for pronunciation) Indian restaurant we've visited, but we were treated incredibly well right off the bat. We'd had a reservation (which I would recommend just to be safe on a weekend night with a show to go to) and we got a great table by the heater on this raw night. The hostess and owner (?) was naturally gracious as were the variety of servers we experienced. My partner had the Wine Flight -- a generous and very good selection of three different white wines. Totally worth the price -- recently she has had more expensive wines that were less good and less in term s of quantity as well. I stayed with the stand-by Taj Mahal beer which was fresh and inexpensive. We settled on the prixe fixe meal which was more than enough food for us, including samosas, naan, and a beautiful chocolate dessert we split. We opted for the slightly more expensive lamb option in addition to the chicken. Again, so worth it. The lamb was a sort of lamb vindaloo and the chicken tikka, but the portions were generous for two moderate eaters, with rice, and enough to take home. The service all along was excellent. I asked about the music selection which was a custom made Indian techno fusion selection that was NEVER overpowering. The hostess was totally fine with us adjusting the heat next to us. The restaurant had couples, families and small groups. We were able to have an intimate dinner with excellent food and service. The entire time we were there, we felt like we were in a very upscale restaurant somewhere other than right on Tremont Street with food courts and chains restaurants just down the street a few doors. But the bill, which included the wine flight, a taj mahal and my required pre-theater whiskey plus a meal for two with app, dessert and take home leftovers was about $80 pre-tip. Not bad for a very contemporary restaurant in the heart of the theater district. And the food really was excellent. They even offered to hang onto the leftovers for us while we were at the show. Instead, we did take the low key small handled brown bag. We will definitely be back -- would go again in heartbeat even we didn't have that ballet subscription I got talked into.
(5)
Joy W.

I used to work at Tantric and can't say enough about the wonderful management and their commitment to a positive dining experience for their customers. They seem to be having trouble finding their niche, which explains the sometimes sub-par service - it's hard to keep good servers when the restaurant isn't busy enough for them to make money! The food and drinks are excellent. I especially recommend the chicken tikka masala, papri chaat, mojitos and the basil ginger gimlet. Be sure to ask your server about the night's featured drink. The creative bartenders come up with some great combinations and everything is fresh and yummy.
(4)
K J.

I made a note to come to this place after the food they served up at the Yelpoween Event. And simply two days later, when I was thinking of a place to treat a couple of friends, name the place that came to my mind. At 6:30 PM, the place was not overly crowded. A lot of the staff there recognized Lys and I from the Yelpoween event. One of the guys was even wearing the hot Yelp pins on his shirt. +1 for that. My girl and I both love whiskey and we ordered a Jack and Coke and were really happy to have got exactly that and not Coke and Jack. For appetizers, we decided to do away with the regular pakoras and tikkis and chaat and ordered the Tengra style chili panneer, its paneer stir fried with vegetables and spicy sauces. Right amount of spiciness that I would have liked in anything that was stir fired. The entree menu was endless with a wide range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items to choose from....and more importantly they had a selection of dosas to choose from (another reason to come to this place often now). The butter chicken gravy was creamy, the palak panner and the daal makhani was of the perfect consistency, the naans/roti/kulchas were soft and not burnt. Perfect food for the night while discussing the other couples wedding that was coming up. And even better, if you love your Bollywood music they play it all the time on the TV.
(5)
Sean E.

So as far as last minute, fourth choice on the list, places to go to eat before a movie, Tantric was surprisingly good. Food-wise, that is. Everything else could use some help here. Beginning with the people working the front and extending to the horrible drink menu. It's located in a fairly busy part of Boston -- in between Boston Common and the Theater District. Around 5pm on a Saturday all the restaurants in the area were overflowing with people. Except for poor Tantric, that is. The place is much smaller than Rockbottom, Bennigans or PF Changs. The vibe is much more mellow. So I can understand the family folk wanting a more lively place -- with the football game on and a good selection of comfort food. But if you're in the area and just looking for a good meal, Tantric can serve you up some decent Indian food in a comfortable yet almost elegantly designed space. Now there's more problems with this place than there should be. The price on just about everything could go down a dollar or two. They did seem to have an ok deal on some combination platters and the standards like vindaloo and tandoori -- which is what we got. Being familiar with these dishes I was surprised that they actually didn't disappoint. The vindaloo could have been spicier but both dishes had excellent flavor. The wine/beer/cocktail list is horrendous. The wine selection is poor and the prices are marked up beyond belief. The beer -- Harpoon IPA and Sierra Nevada were as far from your standard Bud and Bud light as they got -- and they were out of Sierra Nevada. I guess if you're an Indian restaurant all you have to do is put Kingfisher on your list and shrug your shoulders. Cocktails are all 10 dollars across the list. I guess this has become common practice and who knows, they might have been worth the price but I wasn't looking to go that crazy. The bartender did look like he needed something to do though. It boils down to Tantric being a reasonably priced casual Indian restaurant with solid food trapped in an overpriced wannabe upscale restaurant. This is too bad. If they dropped the pretense I'd come back here more often.
(3)
Kristin G.

I went here last night with some friends because one of them got a $50 restaurant.com gift certificate (that you have to spend $100 to use). None of us had ever tried Indian food and I was somewhat apprehensive but WOW was I impressed! Everything about the atmosphere from the great music and beautiful artwork to the comfortable booth we sat in was warm and welcoming. Our waitress was very friendly and helpful with the menu as we really had no clue what we were doing. We tried a bunch of different things between the four of us because we needed to rack the bill up to $100 (not including alcohol) and everything we had was delicious! I was afraid Indian food would be too spicy for my palate but I ordered my entree (I got the seafood madras) mild and it was creamy, flavorful perfection. My friends love spicy food and each ordered an entree "medium" on the spicy scale; they said their food was delicious but the spice was a little abrasive. The garlic naan was AMAZING and perfect for dipping in the generous portion of sauce our entrees were served in. Also, the cocktail menu here is very creative and the drinks we ordered were outstanding. The only negative thing about our experience at Tantric was that we were forced to over order because of the gift certificate and couldn't bring our leftovers with us as we were going out after. Any of the entrees we ordered could easily have been shared between two or three people, which would ordinarily make for a great value. All in all, I'm an Indian cuisine newbie so my experience doesn't have much to compare to but tantric was a wonderful dining experience and I will definitely be back!
(5)
Bri T.

i think TANTRIC serves good Indian food! I have been twice so far. The first time, my friend and I split the vegetarian Platter for $35 -it is a lot of food so I considered it a pretty good deal. The second time I bought a restaurant.com coupon so I ventured out on my own - I started with the Gobi Manchurian (YUM!!!) and then had Baingan Bhurta for my entree (also a YUM!) and they made everything VERY spicy just how I like it. the atmosphere is very nice for a dinner and drinks with friends/lovers - so it is good for date night or dinner with friends. my only complaint - the service could be friendlier. but overall - A-OK.
(3)
Linda Lea W.

I went here with a pregnant friend for dinner. The heat was not working so it was freezing and we were not offered complimentary tea or anything (which would've lessened the blow of NO HEAT on a January evening). The food was extremely bland. I ordered Navratan Korma and it was just sauce and chopped up broccoli stalks and EXTREMELY overpriced (over $15/vegetarian entree). This was the first time in my life that I didn't have my leftover wrapped to bring home (and more than 3/4s of my meal was left over) I will definitely not go back and would recommend to anyone looking for indian to bring their business elsewhere. What a waste of money.
(1)
Jean A.

Really nice place. We had a reservation for Valentine's Day. I was a little put off because we were seated right next to another couple (arms length away seats) even though there were 20+ tables open around us! Awkward!!! When we asked to move down a couple seats, we were told that the rest were unfortunately reserved. C'mon the hostess could have swapped some around so that we weren't sitting on these other peoples laps. Anyways, the food was amazing. Order the Kama Sutra cocktail. Gobi Manchurian - thumbs up (but spicy). Need to ask to see the seperate vegan menu, but that is okay. Very nice vegan selections. However, no veg desserts except for sorbet. Took some leftovers home, and they were just as yummy the next day. Everyone should go here. I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Joe B.

Great Food with good sized portions and Excellent Presentation. The Decor is tasteful with a relaxing atmosphere. The wait staff is professional, courteous, and attentive. Since I'm not too familiar with Indian cuisine I asked the waiter for suggestions...he was spot on! If you're looking for a night out in a relaxed atmosphere with great food then this is the place.
(5)
Raul C.

One of my favorite Indian restaurants, a crowd favorite for those heading to the theater as it is right in the middle of the Theatre District. I have not been to the buffet, only from the menu and everything I've had is really good, large portions and very tasty. Outstanding service from the wait staff and the hostess every single time I've been there. Chicken Tikka Masala and Mango Lassi are my favorites. They have a nice selection of cocktails and also plenty of vegetarian options.
(4)
Heather H.

To be fair, I would give Tantric 3.5 stars if I could. I ended up at Tantric on a Saturday evening by chance. Our other choices for dinner before a movie ended up being closed or having too long of a wait. The dining room was almost empty on a Saturday evening, which made the atmosphere a little sad. They have very nice decorations and I'm sure would be more impressive with a crowd. The tandoori was excellent, as was it's accompanying mint sauce. Sadly I got white-personed on my vindaloo. When asked how spicy I wanted it I replied "Pretty spicy!" Apparently this means "Not very spicy!" That said, the seasonings were well balanced and I did enjoy my dish. The jasmine rice was also well seasoned. Sadly, the naan bread was nothing worth writing home about. Prices were too much, I feel as though I've had superior quality for the same dishes at other restaurants for lower prices. Their drinks menu looked exciting, but not $10 for a cocktail exciting. The beer selection was limited and pricier than necessary. And I got a bad pour.
(3)
Serena L.

my boyfriend and i chose this restaurant together based on the restaurant week options and were not disappointed! the service was phenomenal and the food was amazing! i had the seafood madras and it was delicious! the chicken dish he ordered was equally good. our desserts (brownie and mango cheesecake) were so yummy that we decided to take the leftovers with us! we are definitely going to be back!
(4)
Betty J.

Tantric is american/indian fusion food. What is american/indian fusion food you ask? goat cheese filled naan, "naanwiches", naan pizza, etc... They also have traditional indian food: masalas, curries, jasmine rice, etc... I thought the food was really good. I didnt venture into the fusion sections of the menu and just stuck with traditional Indian dishes, but what I had was great; a squash based vegetarian entree which was similar to malai kofta but the balls were made from squash. I came here to celebrate a 5 year anniversary, and the decor was just fancy and sexy enough to make the evening seem special but not too over the top. Fancy restaurants scare me, and I wasnt frightened of Tantric at all. The $2 PBR drafts probably helped a lot. $2 PBR drafts in downtown boston at a semi-fancy indian restaurant, too cool!! Prices for food are a tad higher than your average ethnic restaurant, but you can tell that Tantric uses even more exotic ingredients than most Indian restaurants, and their location is in the theater district where everything costs more. To help bring down the cost, Tantric offers gift certificates on restaurant.com . They were out of mango cheesecake (more fusion I suppose), so we opted for the cannoli cake which was a little disappointing, but that's my only complaint. The service was professional, friendly, and quick. The owner came over to us and introduced herself, and made sure we were having a good experience. I highly recommend Tantric if you're going to a show and want to have a nice meal beforehand.
(4)
Adam E.

Despite the horrifyingly parking spotless location (if you must drive, allow at least a half hour to circle the blocks like a vulture), Tantric made me extremely happy. We started with drinks- dangerously delicious Indian Sunsets, which had strawberry Stoli, some strawberry puree, a little bit of peach schnapps and cranberry juice. They were $11, but this is the theater district and it's not the Tam, so I guess that's reasonable. Pricey or not, they were outstanding. The meals were more of the same. A bit more expensive than what I'm used to, but also completely delectable. Don't worry though, I had a Restaurant.com gift certificate, so the damage wasn't too bad. The Malai Kofta was probably the best I've ever had. The sauce was full of texture, which made it seem like you got more than the 3 balls in the dish. The Chicken Tikka Masala was fantastic as well. A substantial amount of chicken, and very nice sauce that wasn't too tomato-ey, nor too creamy. Service was top notch, too. Very attentive and friendly. I can't wait to go back and try their happy hour menu!
(4)
Alan Y.

Located right in the heart of the theater district, Tantric India Bistro is pretty hard to miss. The interior is quite well furnished and the servers are quite helpful and friendly. I decided to opt for the buffet while my friend ordered a mango chicken curry from the menu. I'm not really an indian food aficionado, so my tastes might not be as sensitive as others. The buffet was alright; the selection was a bit limited and the food really was not much better or different from other indian buffets I've been too. They do offer two different types of rice, but only offer one curry-like dish (the Chicken Tikka Masala). Their naan is pretty soft, but felt a bit stale. However, they do serve a great mango lassi as well as good rice pudding. Tantric India Bistro is a fairly mediocre indian restaurant, albeit very well furnished. I have yet to find a standout indian restaurant in Boston.
(3)
Hisham M.

Great ambience and location. Food is expensive, average. Food needs to be freshly made for me, and I get a sense it's not always the case with this place.
(2)
Aboud Y.

Not bad. Was here a few times for dinner and never left disappointed. Not sure why I'm not that compelled to return though...maybe because there are so many other good choices (e.g., Kashmir, Tamarind Bay, Bombay Club, Kebab Factory, etc.) and I tend to eat Indian delivered as opposed to when I got out. Will have to give it another shot
(3)
Calli C.

I've only gone here for the lunch buffet, which is admittedly the best deal in the place. I've heard that ordinarily the dishes, while delicious, are overpriced. However, for the lunch buffet, it's $10 and you get access to two soups, and four to six entrees (chicken tikka masala, pag paneer, a lamb dish, a lentil vegetarian dish, etc.), and some strange desserts. Also, they bring a plate of dosas to your table, which are like samosa potato filling but inside a thin crepe. Kind of meh but tasty with the mint sauce accompanying it. Overall, about average Indian food, but the lunch buffet is definitely a bargain, if only for the quantity of food.
(3)
Cecile B.

I am an Indian food fan! So I jumped on the groupon that they offered a little while back. I wasn't crazy that they put us back in the corner close to the kitchen door when the entire place was empty. But it's something we get a lot when we go out with our toddler. My fault I should have asked for another table. Food was good! We had a lentil dahal, a potato stuffed crepe and the delicious vegetable balls that come in a red yogurt sauce (I can never remember the names of the dishes). Plenty of food, friendly service, food came fast. Bill came fast too. I dont like when the check is brought to my table before I am even done eating, but I can chose to ignore it. It's a convenient place to go, after picking up our toddler so we may go back, but I think there are other options like Mela and Kasmir that are just as good and easier to get to.
(3)
Steve C.

Warm friendly staff, rich wonderful food from many unusual corners of India, gorgeous decor and music, attention to detail, very comfortable seating, high quality in all that they do. Check out owner Mary's evenings where she hosts parties for various excellent social causes... truly a place with a lot of heart, and fantastic food, drinks and dessert! ...right in the heart of the theatre district. Be sure to try the Gobi Manchurian, tender pieces of cauliflower in a deliciously spicy oniony chunky sauce. Anything with curry leaves, the lamb, the crab cakes, the salads (especially the sprouted salad or mango salad) are all fantastic. Not to be missed!
(5)
Charlie P.

Tantric has the best Indian food in the city and is heads and shoulders above Mantra on all levels. I went there last week for the lunch buffet and the stand out choices were: mattar paaner, chicken tikka masala, little fried potato disc appetizers, coconut chutney and dosas. I will never go back to Mantra, I'm Tantric all the way!
(4)
Ethan A.

Came because of the Groupon offer. When we first arrive, the host checked with a large party about separating their end table, which was being unused. This large party of college kids enjoying the buffet didn't mind, and we had the "pleasure" of being seated in between most of them. In any case, we order and get our food. We never again see our waiter, until its time for the check. It was moderately busy, but not so much that it would have taken too much time to simply ask us if everything were okay. Perhaps he saw my Groupon printout when I checked over its fine print, because he stood on the other side of the restaurant most of the night. I ordered a vegetarian "tantric" platter. It consisted of six or seven smaller sized foods, none of which were recognizable to me, but all tasted good. There were also a few random sauces accompanying my plate. I preferred the green over the red, but really couldn't tell you what they were. I have had Indian food a few times before, but would still really have appreciated the menu listing what I was ordering. Overall, I would not return. The prices were a bit much, especially considering the service was severely lacking. The food was okay, and it had a trendy atmosphere, but I left disappointed.
(2)
Alan T.

Ordered delivery. Came after 80 mins. without half my order. The lamb korma made it though. Sauce was ok, but the lamb was tough as rocks. Everything else just OK. If you think this is good Indian, you've never had good Indian.
(1)
Karen D.

I patroned Tantric India Bistro on a Saturday night and was able to get a table right away. The servers were all very thoughtful, helpful and friendly. I have a quite-limited diet and was very patiently accommodated by being given a vegan menu. It's a terrific option, however, I must say I am disappointed that so many of their meat dishes contain dairy. I know dairy is a crucial ingredient to Indian cuisine and am respectful of that...however, I do wish that they would be flexible in altering their recipes for carnivores/carni-lovers. The potato dish I ordered tasted great--it just wasn't exciting or satisfying. (I was a vegan for two years and I'm over carb-heavy main courses. And as someone who is now on the Paleo diet, I have to avoid the lentil-based mains.) In short, I suppose I am definitely a patron who appreciates lots of options and hoped for more from Tantric. I may go back again, but not until I've tried their competitors' meat-dish selection.
(4)
Daniel M.

I know very little when it comes to Indian food. I tend to stick to buffets (I know, shoot me in the face) so that I can try out a variety of dishes with little worry about being stuck with something I don't care for. That being said I ventured to Tantric sans buffet to try out my luck. Good thing I did. We were seated right away and left alone with our menus for a few minutes until our server arrived. This was fine as it gave me a chance to take in my surroundings. The place is really nice. Very near being over the top but not quite. They have maximized their small space and manage to pull of an interesting, warm interior without turning in to an Asian Bennigans. When our server arrived he walked us through the menu trying to keep us (unsuccessfully it turns out) from getting overwhelmed. There's a lot to choose from and this is what usually shuts me down. After about 15 minutes we decided on saag paneer, rosemary naan, and vegetarian pizza (right?). A few moments later our food arrived and WOW. First of all the saag paneer was delicious. I like that they kept it simple and flavorful but not greasy. So good. The naan was light, full of yummy rosemary, and paired well with our dish. But seriously the real star was the pizza. One large piece of naan topped with the masala sauce, peppers, onion, and mozzarella. CLEARLY not authentic this was off the hook. It was so good that I've been thinking about it for days since. The pizza was light, cheesy, slightly sweet, and bursting with flavor. Why on earth are there not more Indian themed pizzas out there? This is a fusion I can get firmly behind. Our bill was not out of control even with additional naan and a (wicked sour and super good) lime soda. Mind you we didn't partake of their alchy bevvies so that may have helped a bit. I enjoyed my trip to Tantric and am very much looking forward to my next pizza adventure.
(4)
anna k.

I've been to this place about 3 times, and every time a success! Atmosphere is very romantic with dimmed lights and cool accessories. Weirdly enough, every single time they were completely empty. They serve one of the yummiest drinks I've tried (Strawberry kiss or something along those lines). A couple of my friends visited this place as well and each of us enjoyed our dishes. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. We had vegetable Pakoras, Chicken Vindaloo, Punjabi Masala Chole. I am a BIG fan of the Lamb Tikka Masala. Give it a try, I think this place won't dissapoint
(4)
Linda S.

This may be the best Indian food I've had in the Boston Metro area. I've eaten at Tantric many times since I moved here, and I've never had a bad experience with it. The service is always very friendly and prompt, and the food is always outstanding. I'm generally a big fan of the chicken vindaloo. They always ask me how spicy I want it, and when I ask for a seven out of ten, they hit the mark every time. Try the sweet naan and the New England naan in particular - holy hell, goat cheese and rosemary in naan? What? Yes. Delicious. It's a little pricey, I won't lie, but it's not outrageous - and the ambiance and quality of the food are worth it. Also, the cocktails are expensive, but well-made and delicious, so if you're in the mood for spoiling yourself, you won't be disappointed. Also, they often have Bollywood movies playing on their TVs, and more than once I've seen this awesome one of Sharukh Khan's greatest dance remixes of all time, which is just... I don't know why, but it just adds to the sheer awesome of this place. As an added bonus, they have a pretty tasty lunch buffet which is quite a bargain for all-you-can-eat. Nom!
(5)
Lori k.

Outstanding buffet. Tasty food, reasonable price. Service also good. Good variety on buffet and menu. Went twice to bistro while in Boston for 4 day stay. We loved it both times. Nice, quaint decor. Will come again if visiting Boston.
(4)
Dogen B.

I am loving this indian restaurant more and more, i have been here for buffett Many times and it gets better every time. Last time they has kabab and kheer ans rasgullas, what indian buffett offers all this for such a great price in back bay? I am givng ths restaurant a enthusiastic paw-up and two woof woof !!
(5)
Jess H.

We came here solely because I saw that they had a vegan menu available on their website. We sat in the back in the little nook area which was really cute. We had to wait a long time to get service and my boyfriend wanted to walk out but once the server came to our table, things went ok. I asked about the vegan menu and they brought it over. Our waitress was extremely helpful when it came to ordering, telling me which breads I could eat and appetizers, etc. When they brought my meal out with the rice, the server immediately took the rice away and and said he brought the wrong one, quickly swapped it before I took a bite. I was grateful for that.. I asked for my meal to be "medium-mild" and for me it was almost inedible, way too spicy. I'd go back again just for the menu but get it mild if you don't like too much spice.
(3)
Grace T.

So, not sure what happened, or maybe I never noticed, but the chicken is always dry and rather tasteless. The sauce is now hit or miss too! Spicy, yes, but sometimes just not enough... flavor. Don't get me wrong, if you put a bowl down in front of me, I will dip garlic naan, and throw rice into the curry and slurp it all up until there is no sauce left, but there will be white cubes of chicken at the bottom of the bowl (which my dog is very thankful for I suppose). This place is good when you have a scratch that must be itched, but there are better ones scattered about now!
(3)
Tajar E.

We just had our second event with catered food from Tantric. The food was an absolute HIT. Big fat samosas - delicately spiced, not greasy which is impressive for a fried food, and perfectly complemented by their sour tamarind chutney. Tandoori chicken bites - big plump extremely juicy pieces of chicken. Again, delicately spiced, and totally delicious. Veggie pakoras - tasty and not greasy. Overall, i'm really impressed with this restaurant. They make fine food for catering on a modest budget. Some other people claim that Tantric's food is bland, but imo it is a different style of cooking than the over-spiced, cream and oil laden food you'll find at your ordinary northern indian restaurant. This is a _LOT_ healthier and tastes great. Mary the owner is often around and greets you warmly. I'll definitely use them for more events in the future.
(5)
Dara C.

This place probably has the best weekday deal I've ever seen in Boston. $2 PBR drafts, $4 glasses of wine and $3 - 4 appetizers from 8:30 on, Monday through Friday. (Whaaaaat?) The restaurant itself was pretty empty on a Thursday but we camped out at the bar, and for good reason. The food was quite decent, and full of fire. The gobi Manchurian was fantastic: sauteed cauliflower that was spicy, onion-y and slightly sour. Two types of bread were good, though the green chili cheese naan was surprisingly bland. Veggie pakora was a tad overfried in that they didn't taste like veggies but, hey, fried stuff ... good stuff ... Chicken tikka was standard. The rest of the menu looks pretty average and a tad on the expensive side. (Is it location? Probably.) Apps will run you about $10 apiece and entrees are $15 to $20, even some of the veggie things that are less than $10 elsewhere. I don't know if I would fork over that kind of change when there's fantastic Indian takeout for mere pocket change elsewhere. But that bar deal, which is a genius move on the owners' part, is entirely useful. I plan on returning. Gobi gobi gobi.
(4)
Sara D.

I loved this place. The food, drinks, and service were all wonderful. Will def continue to eat here.
(4)
Julia M.

So after I posted this review, Mary, the owner, contacted me on Yelp and gave me some great news: "I am a vegetarian as well and want to let you know that the chef prepares the masala sauce that goes in the chicken tikka masala separately so you can order that with paneer or better yet with the Kumbh Palak Kofta on our menu. So you can actually have the masala sauce and not dream of it anymore! Just tell your server that you want the kumbh palak kofta but in the masala sauce. It isn't on the menu but tell them Mary told you about it." Thanks for the tip Mary! I'll be sure to check it out.
(4)
CaT P.

me and my bf were here last night. i was in an extremely bad mood, but... this place was sooooo good, my mood turned better too.. :) it was rather empty (around 8.30 there were only 2 other guests left). we shared the vegetarian appetizer platter (yum!), and then the chicken massala (i believe). some garlic nan and 2 mango lassies. really good. the waitress was friendly too, and we were eager to take the leftovers home (usually we arent). will definitely come back. just wondering why it was so empty, perhaps because it was a sunday evening in January?
(4)
Jamie F.

Had a great time with the girls here for a high school reunion dinner. After reading the Yelp reviews, I ordered the chicken tikka masala and LOVED it. Much better and spicier than what's served at the food courts and local Indian restaurants that I've been to. You can eat individual- or family-style (recommended). I also ordered an Indian Sunset drink, which was a good size and tasted wonderful. I tried some of my friend's garlic and rosemary naan bread - both yummy! I might've filled up on too much rice because I did have some chicken left over. The prices are up there, but you can get discounts from restaurant.com . Our waitress was adorable and friendly - easily handled our multiple payment methods. For once, a server actually took our group photo right (no one's head was cut off!) No need for reservations. And I really like the dÃ©cor: warm/deep colors, comfy booths, intimate lighting. Next time, I'll definitely have to try the lunch buffet.
(4)
Amanda L.

After first coming here for the Yelpoween event, I was determined to come back. After a loooooong 3 hours at the movie theater (thank you Brad Pitt) Joe and I (along with fellow Yelpers Calvin C. and Jenny N.) decided to grab something to eat. I suggested Tantric, rather selfishly, since I had a coupon for BOGO Free ($10 max, boo). Anyway, it was practically empty, but it was about 3:00PM so I wasn't too surprised. They were running a lunch buffet, but unsure of whether they would take my coupon or not, we opted for the menu. Interesting side note: If you purchase their Karma Sutra martini, you get a $20 gift card to Too Timid. I did not partake this time :) Onto the meals, I ordered some Naan, of course and the Chicken Madras, medium spiced. It wasn't very spicy at ALL, which was disappointing. I like my Indian food HOT, but I always order medium the first time, because I feel it is a true test to whether they can live up to the spice. If this was medium, then their spicy must not be much different... Ah well, my meal was passable, which would be ok if the entire meal wasn't $16.00!!!! If my meal is going to be that much, it needs to be more than passable. While the portions did leave me stuffed the flavors were not particularly rich. The Naan was splendid however. Our total even with our discount was still more than $30, which I feel wasn't entirely worth it. I've had Indian food about 10x better at 10x less the price. Can't say I will be coming back any time soon.
(3)
Ryan H.

Nice atmosphere. Good, but standard Indian food for an American establishment. Attentive and friendly wait staff.
(4)
Mike S.

I go at least once a week for the lunch buffet. The menu changes more frequently than other lunch buffets I've had, and the selection is always good. Our group usually includes a vegan, and I am allergic to both wheat and dairy. So I can say for a fact that we enjoy both the meat free dishes, and that the dishes without yogurt or cream are also delicious. Many Indian places have very dry food when they aren't heavy on the butter or cream. I love their Pakoras, dense and moist. Price is decent, waitstaff is friendly but managers are lacking in service skills. Small detail, but I really appreciate the cloth napkins even though its only a buffet.
(3)
Pete C.

First off, I really like the interior of this restaurant. It's definitely Indian, but very tastefully done in a contemporary manner. I've been here a few times, but only for the lunch buffet. The last time I went it was $10 and this past week it was $11. As far as buffets go, the choices are rather limited. But the choices that are presented are well executed. The flavors are clean and the ingredients fresh. There's always naan, some fried appetizer like pakoras, salad, a soup, a couple of rices, three vegetable items, tandoori chicken, one other meat item (usually chicken), and dessert. Just as a comparison, the other place we like to go to for an Indian lunch buffet is Kashmir which is $1 less and always has more choices. But the food isn't as well executed. The lunch buffet at Tantric is still a good value since the emphasis is on quality over quantity. Follow-up: I received a nice message from Mary, the owner, thanking me for my review. She also mentioned that they were working on providing more variety, in response to my review. It's good to see a business owner care so much about their business and is willing to accept and consider constructive criticism from their most important asset, their customers.
(3)
Jessica S.

drinks are good and the staff is nice. butter chicken and rosemary goat cheese naan are amazing. i love this place. even when its busy i never wait long
(5)
Meridith H.

These 3 stars are for an enthusiastic A-OK rating. My partner and I arrived in time for a late lunch buffet, and were treated to a large, well-kept dining room. Service was quick & friendly, and the lunch buffet had a good variety & good quality. It was a bit pricey for a lunch buffet; you can see that you're helping to pay for the great location & a decent wage to the employees. Overall I think this place is a nice treat.
(3)
J A.

Nothing to write home about here. Fair weather Indian at inflated prices in a so-so atmosphere. I've experienced many Indian restaurants in Boston over the years and while the scene here is nothing like London or NYC this place is really lacking. I dined during the lunch buffet and was disappointed with quality and variety of food offered. The dosa brought to my table seemed as though it had been sitting for several hours and hastily warmed before being carried to my table. Don't expect to return here anytime soon.
(2)
Em G.

The food was delicious. We ordered Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, Veg Korma, and Lamb Vindaloo. I would recommend them all. No stingy rice policy (as mentioned by other reviews) and I thought the prices were great for the portions. Excellent service! They had a coat check and were extremely accommodating to our party of six. I will definitely go back.
(4)
Jim H.

Tantric is a weekly favorite, relaxed, friendly and an authentic menu that ventures well beyond the standard butter chicken, kormas, and chicken tikka masala, all of which they do a fine job of but give a try to some less usual recipes from several distinct cuisines of India. A beginning suggestion, the satisfying complex Gobi-Manchurian, which exhibits the Chinese influence found in Kolkata cooking, the sweet and peppery pieces of cauliflower are succulent. The Malabar crab cakes are another unusual find, crispy spicy with a pungent edge. Dori Maach, a cardamon flavored white fish with a delicate flavor provided by roasted onion seeds is a Bengali recipe. I admit I am a grump about newly minted cocktails. In my mind vodka is never found in a martini, and for months I easily dismissed the list of cocktails at Tantric as more of those too interesting drinks and would order Indian beer or a simple gin and tonic. Finally someone in our group ordered a gimlet with ginger and BASIL. WOW!!! One sip and I ordered my own. Five stars on this gimlet but, unfortunately, I can't seem to replicate it at home. Amazingly intense and refreshing, a perfect compliment to the complexities of gin. A word on spice and a word on HEAT. To its credit, Tantric unfailingly inquires about the spice level diners prefer. I usually lean toward hot, but here this is not quite so simple. The chef seems to understand something I only discovered after visiting India, that there are ways of turning up spice flavor without merely dialing up the Scoville units of heat until your taste buds burn out and go numb. Ordering hot in many Indian restaurants In America means heat alone and at risk of destroying the subtle and complex flavors found in Indian food. So on a first visit I suggest if ordering several dishes try some hot and some medium. But if its a test of heat you're after try any of the Vindaloos, but my favorite is the lamb. I've never had a disappointment here, the ancillary things like rice, breads, tea, and desserts are all delicious. First time looking in I had some concerns about atmosphere, but the music (a cool blend of traditional Indian riffs with contemporary dance) the comfortable soft light level, and the absolutely charming staff erased those concerns. On our second trip back we were friends, on our fifth, treated like family. A final recommendation if you like Indian sweets; Tantric's take on Gulab Jamun is authentic, and worth the calories! Crisp, light spherical dumplings in a syrup delicately flavored with rose water and cardamon. Finish up with a cup of Masala tea, and you'll be back. A longtime adherent to Kashmir I admit I was reluctant to try this place, I suppose mostly out of habit, and fear that its proximity to the theaters would make a weekend dinner reservation difficult. But I've only once had an appreciable wait, and the space is a bit bigger than it appears from the street.. Open Tables, especially if visited before 4 of the same day is a big help. Though you might find Indian restaurants in more charming neighborhoods (this neighborhood is in the midst of the construction of a cool new W hotel across the street) in Boston, none are as delicious as Tantric.
(5)
Jim C.

The place had a great look and feel to it; I was expecting good things. However, I found it to be mediocre food, and slightly overpriced. I thought the serving sizes were rather small for the price and the dishes comprised of a ton of sauce and not enough meat. To be honest, i think that the Faneuil Hall Bombay Club is better food (assuming its fresh) and a much better value. On the bright side, their Naan was good and they did make it fresh to order.
(2)
Lora B.

I came here after a hard week of law school with a bunch of 1Ls, about a half an hour before the buffet was supposed to close, and I must say I was pretty impressed. When we first walked in it looked like we were too late. The buffet table was looking pretty empty, but as we were seated the host told us he would refill all of the dishes for us!Three vegetarian dishes, 2 chicken dishes and 1 lamb dish later...PLUS tomato coconut soup and nan we were very happy law students.They did close the buffet right at 3, but while it was still open the food was hot and tasty. If you are looking for spicy Indian food (like I always am) you may want to avoid the lunch buffet. However, the quality of the food was definitely above decent, so I would totally go back for dinner and try some spicier dishes off of the regular menu.
(3)
Shivani G.

I received a lovely e-mail from Mary, the owner of Tantric. She has renewed my faith in customer service. Mary not only explained the shortcomings for the dishes we had, but also offered to refund the money for our meal. We're definitely going to try their restaurant again! We'll use our Tantric bucks to give them another shot. We liked their staff, the chic decor and squank music, so maybe this time around will be a charm! Stay tuned for an update!
(4)
Andrea E.

Headed up here on a Sunday after a day at MFA. It was pretty quiet, though business picked up as we ate. Our server was just great, really charming. When she started to recommend the chicken, I said we are vegan. She seemed pretty excited to go get us their new vegan menu designed to help us navigate the choices without worry. Of course I thought that was awesome. It's not perfect though because pakoras are definitely vegan and weren't on there. The place was spacious and nicely decorated. We did get the pakoras and they were tastier than most. We also wanted the kofta, but they were out of them. Not cool. OK, we got the dal, the Baigan Barta and the Idli Sambar. The baigan (eggplant) was really good and we've had this dish all over town. The dal was good, but maybe because the dal in the Sambar sauce was so damn good, it seemed a bit pale in comparison. It's not expensive for the neighborhood, maybe a buck more per dish than anyplace in Cambridge or elsewhere.
(4)
Colleen B.

It was like our own private India as a group of friends and I dined in the "semi-private" room in the back of the restaurant. So VIP! The service was outstanding! There were about 10 of us and each felt rightly pampered. Even though I've been to Indian restaurants before--I appreciated the attention to detail and explanations the waitstaff gave us about certain popular entrees. Two other bonuses...my drink...the exotic cardamom-infused Kama Sutra: #1 ...came with a $20 gift card to Too Timid ( a very classy adult store in Newbury St. This was a few months back so I'm not sure if the promotion is still running.) -AND- #2 ...moved from table to table so did my drink...thanks to the attentive waitstaff. The appetizers were fresh and so were the accompanying sauces/chutneys. The platters are reasonably priced and a good selection. If you're looking to save room for dessert or another Kama Sutra give a Dosa a try. Think Indian burrito with a crispy crust. Try the Masla Dosa and it will be just enough food without over-doing it.
(4)
Ian H.

Great Tandoori. Lunch buffet is the way to go, but it's OK for dinner, too. This place is trying to be hip and trendy, which might be a turnoff for some. it's got a very contemporary decor, and a drink menu heavy on "creative" cocktails whose names end with -tini. That said, some of their foofy cocktails are quite good, and most of their food is quite good as well. Tantric is what you might call "upscale mediocrity" - the food is about as good as India Quality, but more expensive and served in an environment that's just chic enough to feel like a worthy prelude to a night of theatre or opera. You won't feel completely ridiculous if you come here dressed up. But really, the best time to go is in the middle of the day, for the lunch Buffet, which is easily the best I've seen in Boston. At $10 it's not the cheapest option around, but they have a wider variety of dishes than most buffets, change their offerings each day, and always have a (good) soup and dessert option included. The Pakoras are large and crisp, the naan is fluffy and fresh, and the Tandoori Chicken is the best I've ever had. (Which isn't saying so much, but still)
(4)
Sasha R.

Indian lunch buffet? Naan that expands in your belly? Tea with heavy cream? Yes, please! A lot of vegetarian options. Tasty food and pleasant decor. Watch out for the expandable naan.
(3)
Trish F.

Belly full.. unable to think.. or.. work.. hmmmmmmmmm.. I just took part in their all you can eat lunch buffet for $9.95 (which scoots down to $7.95 after 2PM). I'm pretty new to the Indian food scene. Okay. That's a lie. It's my Indian food renaissance. I grew up eating Indian food at friends' parties, but I was never one for spicy, so yeah. Then when my old job started adding Indian dishes (curryesque & vindalooesque) to the menu, I realized that spicy/Indian foods weren't all Looney Tunes ACME explosions waiting to happen. Now, I'm working up my mild taste buds and I'm back on the scene. Anyhoo.. the selection was great. Their tomato coconut soup was wonderful and who can really argue with all you can eat naan. I can't remember the names of all the selections, but I was definitely pleased with most of the trays. I think there were only 2-3 things I didn't try (I decided against the rice that had chile pepper seeds). Our server was really great. He was the only one working the floor (it wasn't too busy), but still made rounds to make sure our waters were full and that we were enjoying our meal. When I asked if there any ultra spicy items in the buffet, he offered to bring out some spicy seasonings (of course I didn't accept but that tidbit is for those who like it hot-ter). The decor is nice and simple and I adore the back corner of tables with the fabric hanging from the ceiling. Oh.. and for those interested.. they have hookahs during the summer. Check their webpage for details and flavors. I've definitely seen people seated outside the restaurant in the summer.. enjoying themselves and hookahing up. It's not my thang, but I figured I'd mention it. 3.5 stars for the cheap buffet.. but I'll need to try a regular priced dish to make a more educated decision. Word is, their chicken tikka masala is the "bomb diggity". Yeah I don't know. I heard one of the kids on the street say it. Time traveler from '97?
(4)
JD H.

Let me start by saying that the people that work here are very nice and attentive. I went here on a Saturday with a group of friends for the buffet lunch. This review may be a bit biased because as a rule I dislike buffets. My friends persuaded me to try it out. I was happy to notice that there was an ok selection of vegetarian dishes. The sad part was that the food was luke warm and lacking in flavor or freshness. Usually the flavor and aroma of Indian food is refreshing, invigorating even irritating for sensitive taste buds or noses. Hence Lorilai's comment in Gilmore Girls that Rory should burn down the house after she gets Indian takeout. But this food was more bland than airline food. The atmosphere is ok- felt like the cheesecake factory booth set up to me. Not a bad experience but not worth the parking fees or leg work to get here.
(2)
Derek W.

This place has pretty good Indian food, but the drinks are what make it. The signature cocktail list is chock full of goodies, especially the basil ginger gimlet, which is my personal favorite. The food is pretty good, too. Lamb korma was nice, not the best korma I've ever had, but certainly average, at least. The service was fast and very friendly, as well. Things can get on the pricey side (and those oh so delicious drinks are even more so), which is a little disappointing, considering how affordable Indian food often is, but not hugely surprising given the neighborhood.
(3)
Ashley M.

my friends had all said pretty negative things about the food here but i was pleasantly surprised. i went to an indian event and everyone seemed happy... they'd be a better crowd to judge than me. the butter chicken was supposedly really good though i didn't try it. the owner also owns jaipur cafe on route 1 in norwood, my long time favorite restaurant. however, i really go to tantric for the hookah. its one of the few places in boston to smoke. only outdoors in the summer... still not so bad though. they're only open for smoking until 11 pm... be forewarned. the drinks are very good too. i especially liked some basil lemon gimlet thing i tried recently.
(3)
Jen R.

This place is mediocre. The menu is nice but food does not live up to its expectations. Menu has a lot on it, but food was not as good as Kashmir.
(2)
M C.

It's not "great" Indian food, but I thought it was pretty good. I headed over on a Sunday, so it was pretty empty. The service was great; they were really friendly and helpful. I really liked my aloo saag, and I thought the naan was really yummy (not burned like it sometimes can be), and those who I was dining with really seemed to enjoy their dishes as well (chicken tika masala and paneer saag). Overall, I had a good experience, and I like its close proximity. This is going to be a strange comment, but the only thing that bothered me was the weird smell walking to the restroom. It kind of smelled like...the smell on Kneelend coming from the manholes or sewer things. It was faint, but it kind of clung on our clothing. Nevertheless, I didn't notice it while I was dining, and I wouldn't have noticed if I didn't drink so much water, thus really really needing to pee.
(3)
Zac R.

I'm a huge Indian food fan, and this is some of the best I've had in the entire country. A little bit pricy but well worth it. Chicken tikka masala is delicious.
(5)
Stephanie W.

Great Indian food...I would just not go there for dinner since the menu is much pricier then. Lunch buffet is only $10/person, and you will leave much more satisfied...it is more like a "best hits" of Indian food at that time. Consider yourself very fortunate when they serve lamb at the buffet. :-)
(4)
Winston W.

I work in downtown and it's a great place for lunch if you are looking for an Indian Buffet in the area. I'm all about the warm naan with my meal which is a plus. They have a large selection of veggie dishes and have the usual tandoori and curry chicken. Everytime I've been we've never had to wait for a table another huge plus.
(3)
Nicole B.

the food here is delish! i come here for dates and they have the perfect lunch buffet for friends! UPDATED: it must be said, that the manager of this restaurant is truly amazing. i made reservations here for my birthday for 8. only 5 of us were on time when we got there, and i had made the mistake of forgetting two people so the reservation was really for 10. when we got there the manager asked for our reservation. i told her and she asked us to wait for a minute so they could get set up. i had no idea, but she had pulled aside my friend as to not upset me, and told her that they had lost my reservation, and they weren't sure if they could seat all of us. she worked something out and we were sat right away. i was so impressed at her thinking on her feet. not only was the reservation lost, but people were late, the restaurant was packed, etc. but she still was kind enough to not want to upset me, and instead spoke to my friend (who told me all of this later). the food was great (lamb tika masala is the best!) the service fantastic. this place truly caters to the customers.
(5)
Anna P.

I've been here quite a few times for lunch during the work week. It's good indian food - nothing special, but a great default option. I only wish they had a slightly larger selection or varied the selection more often.
(4)
Boston F.

Tantric is an under-appreciated restaurant. If this restaurant were in another part of the city, I believe it would earn a lot of attention. People may not expect this sort of quality and creativity in the Theater District -- but that makes it all the more special as an option when dining downtown. Wonderful atmosphere, inviting service and a delicious menu with food from exciting regions of India make Tantric special. If you want a standard Indian menu, the best Indian food in Boston is the fantastic India Quality in Kenmore Square. For a different location, upscale atmosphere (still at reasonable prices) and a more interesting menu, Tantric is equal to the best.
(4)
Sarah U.

This is my favorite Indian restaurant in Boston. Started going to the lunch buffet (decent price and a good selection), and became intrigued with their drink menu so I ventured there one night for dinner. I made the right decision. Drinks are fabulous and fun (may I suggest- Hot Lips, Persephone's Pleasure, Basil Ginger Gimlet, and Hendrick's Cucumber Martini). And the food... well let me tell you about the korma- seriously the best I have ever had. In fact, the shrimp korma turned by boyfriend, who previously didn't care for Indian, into an Indian-food lover. My favorite dishes (I am a vegetarian) are the Navratan Korma, Punjabi Masala Chole, and the Daal Makhani. They spice the dishes exactly how you ask them to. Also the Lakhnawi Naan is delicious- it is a sweet naan which is a perfect compliment with spicy food. And lastly the service is great. Wait staff is super friendly (once when a friend and I ordered one of our dishes too spicy our waiter brought out some Raita - on the house- which cooled the dish down a bit). And I like the atmosphere- it is definitely a fun place. Also during the summer they have outdoor seating.
(5)
Peter M.

Food was good. Southern Indian food is nothing like the normal Punjabi fare we have served in America. When I came to Tantric India Bistro, I saw a nice section of the menu for the kinds of foods you'd find in Bangalore, Mysore, and other parts of the South. I saw idli sambar -- flavorless "rice cakes" dipped in a sauce that somehow combines being spicy and devoid of flavor. I saw dosas, uttapam, and a variety of other selections I grew to hate in my time in India. So I was thrilled at the prospect of taking my wife on a date here, and letting her try the cuisine. Sadly, the food was nothing like what I had eaten in India. The dosas were excellent. Even the idli sambar was quite nice -- I'm not sure how you can do that. We enjoyed the food thoroughly, but sadly, my wife missed out on the experience of genuine South Indian food. Aside from that, the service was quite good. Only the gulab jamun was mediocre (but not bad).
(4)
Michael G.

This place is so-so. You'll find that you're better served by going to one of the many cheaper Indian restaurants in Boston. Also, their ice cream dessert is a little weird. Don't expect the normal ice cream here. It's an odd dish that comes chopped into pieces with funky spices and is hardly the consistency of regular ice cream.
(3)
Jen and Tim S.

It was MY birthday Adrienne was speaking of. It was a fun choice, and my review should in no way reflect her choice. I was excited when I got there because the place looks really cool and they seated our large group in this really cool semi-private room with fabric draped up to the lower ceiling. It was weird, though, because they also stuck a table of 2 in there, and we could have definitely been more comfortable if they weren't (I'm sure they would have been too). The service was pretty unapologetic, even after bringing meals really far apart and forgetting one altogether! For the price and the poor service, I'd say go somewhere else...
(3)
Sarah W.

Aw, sadness for all the bad-mediocre reviews. I've been here twice now and have been very pleased both times. The food is always good. For something a little different in the salad region they have a five spice salad (or named something like that) that is very different and just to die for. Very yummy. Their naan has always been good and the curry always creamy. The decor, too, is fantastic and is just nice enough to make you feel like you're getting a bargain in such a great place! I don't, however, get the existence of the large flat screen. Service has been a little hit or miss too, but never terrible. Only gripes. I'm a pretty big fan of Tantric.
(4)
Shaina S.

All the praises of Tantric's food that I heard at the Elite event gave me an itchin' to come back and try it for realsies. I went to the lunch buffet with a few friends of mine before catching a show at the Opera House. We had a lot of fun watching the Indian music videos (one of which was based on E.T.?!) as we dined on delicious and spicy foods. The true Indian amongst us was able to explain the small delicious dish they put on our table before we chowed down and the buffet forced me to expand my Indian horizons beyond my usual Chicken Tikka Masala and Saag Paneer (neither of which were options). I forget the names of all the good stuff I tried, but the potato garlic soup was really excellent, as was another potato dish (something-Vinda?) and the rice pudding (Kheer-something) at the end. The servers were very helpful even though we didn't need much help digging right into the buffet and the swanky atmosphere works well day or night.
(4)
Alex L.

This is an update to a review I wrote in Nov 08. During that visit I found the service to be very bad and the quality of the Biryani was poor. I gave what I believe to have been a fair two star rating. About a month ago I was contacted by the restaurant. The owner had read my review and wanted me to know they had recently turned over some wait-staff and welcomed a new (or recently returned) Chef who specializes in Biryani. I was invited back with the promise of Biryani on the house. I did go back, and wow, what a different experience. My Hendrick's cucumber martini was excellent. Our Gobi Manchurian, a deep-fried, Chinese-influenced cauliflower appetizer, was very good (and very spicy too). My lamb biryani was perfect this time, and my wife's Muttar Paneer was good as well. We had an order of garlic naan also. In the spirit of full disclosure I will add that the restaurant owner and I had identified each other when I came in. My table received particularly special service this time around, not to mention a discount for giving them another shot*. This undoubtedly colored my experience and this review, but I believe the food was good enough this time to warrant a future incognito visit. This to me is why Yelp exists. It's very possible they were having an off night the first time I visited, and if not for the invitation to come back, I might not have given Tantric another chance. Unfair for the restaurant, but unfortunately that's life. But the management at Tantric deserves credit for turning my first bad experience into a positive second one, with probably more to follow. My final word on Tantric is to give them a shot and see for yourself. *I have followed the yelp disclosure policy as best as possible for this update ( yelp.com/faq#free_stuff ), and for the record, I write my reviews to provide advice to would-be consumers and constructive criticism to businesses. I never write poor reviews to receive special attention.
(4)
Bob F.

Eleven of us ate there last night, and everyone had a great time. As an Indian food lover for twenty years I search for the best restaurants. Tantric is a gem! I had the Kama Sutra cocktail. It was as exotic and sultry as the name implies. I had a new lamb dish, which unfortunately I can't remember the name (it started with an "N") that was stellar! We shared food, so I was able to sample numerous apps and a delightful spicy salmon dish. The servers were full of smiles and good humor. Even the owner/hostess Mary Sen dropped by our table a few times to greet us warmly and ensure we were all happy. This may have been my first time at Tantric, but it certainly will not be my last! If you like excellent Indian food this is a must-do experience.
(5)
AC C.

Ok, I was ready to write a low to medium review but.... two hairs found in two different dishes, GAME OVER BEWARE
(1)
Gwen F.

It's very, very difficult for me to eat Indian food. All of my Indian food-phile friends moved away after college. I love the friends I have here, but very few will join me for some naan, chicken tikka and a lassi. I suppose I could go for dinner by myself, but I'm lazy. Thus I'm forced to carry on my affair with Indian food in secret, munching away quietly at my desk at work. I like Tantric because they carry my favorite dish (paneer tikka masala), which isn't very common, and they deliver. My only complaint about the paneer tikka masala is that there's no fire. My past experiences with anything tikka masala involved some degree of spiciness. This stuff was so mellow and mild, that it tastes exactly the same as Tantric's paneer makhani, which I've also tried. It's still good, but I like a little pain sometimes. Delivery is extremely cost prohibitive. There's a $15 minimum, and a $5 delivery fee, guaranteeing that you'll never spend less than 20 bucks a go. I don't mind blowing that or more on a nice dinner, but let's be honest - I'm eating at my office. Alas, I can only order from this place rarely, when I'm really craving that yummy paneer. I just wish it were worth the cash.
(3)
Momo K.

it's really 3.5 stars b/c of the price and waitress threw away our food otherwise a solid 4.... we had a group of four and ordered two masalas, seafood curry, 2 nans, 2 lassies, 3 apps total came out to be 110 with a $25 coupon tips included. i thought that it was $$ food is pretty good, the masala was flavorful and the naans, oh the sweet one w/ almonds and raisins, so good my experience would have been better if the waitress didn't throw away our salmon tikka. we had 2 huge pieces that were were gonna take home but she thought it was trash, it was expensive like 20 bucks! overall, nice decor and good food....
(4)
Sidanshu G.

The foood here was great. Me and my friends liked the Gobi Manchurian, Chicken 69, Chicken Korma and Paneer Makhni. The ambiance is decent. If you are able to find a parking space on the street ... you are lucky else there are more than a couple of parking garages nearby......
(4)
Jacob A.

Had the buffet. Very good Indian food (I love Chicken Tikka Masala) and enough variety to please both me and my wife.
(4)
Tim G.

Nice ambience. The initial time to take our order was a bit long but service after was fine. Waitress was very pleasant. Roghan Josh was good but the Aloo Gobi Masalam too salty for us - and we have had it many times in other restaurants
(3)
Trisha S.

Just don't do it. Don't. This was the second worst Indian food I've ever had. The worst being a $6 lunch buffet at 3pm. And I paid a month's income of an Indian laborer ($30). First I had to switch places with my friend because I had a huge TV screen behind her and I'm too distractible by moving pictures... Its a "nice" restaurant. TV? Really? One dish was inedible. My friend was unimpressed, but didn't mind it, so maybe it was just me. It had a really strong taste of nasty chemicals. It seemed like someone spilled oven cleaner in the sauce. Everything else was just very mediocre. Edible. Maybe even good if you don't know anything about Indian food. But I found it bland and uninspiring. And I love Indian food. Also, the service was seriously irritating. I think I was interrupted mid-sentence at least a dozen times by "How is your mimosa/soup/chicken/cocktail...?" Its fine, but now my conversation isn't doing so well, thank you. If you are forced to go, don't get violent. You'll be okay. But otherwise, steer clear.
(1)
Edward O.

Good, reasonably priced (for Boston) Indian food with decent service. Nice cocktail selection which includes a Hendrick's with cucumber. Can't say no to that.
(3)
Nicole M.

Over the past many years, I've walked by here so many times and turned my nose up at it because there's NEVER anyone in the place. I figured, how good can it be if it's empty?! Then one night we ate here and everything changed. I really don't understand why it's not more crowded. Is it because the Theatre District is touristy and most people prefer chain restaurants over ones they've never heard of? Is it because people are more likely to go to Cambridge or the South End for Indian food? Who knows... I thought the food was fantastic, the service superb and Persephone's Pleasure pomegranate martini delicious. I'm definitely looking forward to returning. 3.5 stars.
(3)
Chris H.

We went to Tantric on the recommendation of a friend from India. The atmosphere was pleasant. I appreciated that they didn't just slap some kama sutra illustrations on the wall and call it a day. The service was prompt and attentive. We started with naan and vegetable samosas. I have to say that the naan was the best I've ever had; fluffy, warm and not charred to a crisp. The samosas were good as well, not too heavy and excellent flavor. I ordered the chicken vindaloo and my wife ordered the chicken saag. The vindaloo was delicious, but I should have been more adventurous and ordered it hot. It was spicy, but definitely not off the charts. The only criticism I have is that the meal was served almost a little too quickly. We were not in any hurry, and the restaurant wasn't overly crowded, but things moved fast. I suppose that's not the worst thing in the world (certainly better than things taking forever!)
(4)
Maryann D.

The mong bean salad was amazing as was the salmon kabob. The shrimp vindaloo needed more shrimp and potatoes - less sauce. Wine bottle prices are very high. In general the food was great. The restaurant itself needs to be cleaned up a bit. The bathrooms were hot, smelly and messy. I didn't want to look in the kitchen! Our waiter had incredibly bad BO which almost spoiled the dinner altogether. Fortunately, he wasn't our only waiter!
(3)
Jeff A.

The lunch buffet at $10 is a great value. They have 8-10 very well executed choices and emphasize quality over quantity. The tomato soup was great, not sure what the spices in it were but just an amazing flavor. My buddy, who had been there before, asked for a dosa before we went to the buffet and it was included in the cost at no extra charge. Don't forget the Gulib Jamin for dessert! A real treat for not a lot of cash!
(5)
Jean B.

Recently, before heading over the very handy Wilbur Theater, the missus and I decided to check out a new restaurant in the area (new to us, anyway) Since we hadn't had any Indian Food in a while, the Tantric Bistro it was. We were slightly concerned initially that *we* would not be trendy enough once we got inside to eat there as the outside was the most moderne (extra e intentional, for pronunciation) Indian restaurant we've visited, but we were treated incredibly well right off the bat. We'd had a reservation (which I would recommend just to be safe on a weekend night with a show to go to) and we got a great table by the heater on this raw night. The hostess and owner (?) was naturally gracious as were the variety of servers we experienced. My partner had the Wine Flight -- a generous and very good selection of three different white wines. Totally worth the price -- recently she has had more expensive wines that were less good and less in term s of quantity as well. I stayed with the stand-by Taj Mahal beer which was fresh and inexpensive. We settled on the prixe fixe meal which was more than enough food for us, including samosas, naan, and a beautiful chocolate dessert we split. We opted for the slightly more expensive lamb option in addition to the chicken. Again, so worth it. The lamb was a sort of lamb vindaloo and the chicken tikka, but the portions were generous for two moderate eaters, with rice, and enough to take home. The service all along was excellent. I asked about the music selection which was a custom made Indian techno fusion selection that was NEVER overpowering. The hostess was totally fine with us adjusting the heat next to us. The restaurant had couples, families and small groups. We were able to have an intimate dinner with excellent food and service. The entire time we were there, we felt like we were in a very upscale restaurant somewhere other than right on Tremont Street with food courts and chains restaurants just down the street a few doors. But the bill, which included the wine flight, a taj mahal and my required pre-theater whiskey plus a meal for two with app, dessert and take home leftovers was about $80 pre-tip. Not bad for a very contemporary restaurant in the heart of the theater district. And the food really was excellent. They even offered to hang onto the leftovers for us while we were at the show. Instead, we did take the low key small handled brown bag. We will definitely be back -- would go again in heartbeat even we didn't have that ballet subscription I got talked into.
(5)
K J.

I made a note to come to this place after the food they served up at the Yelpoween Event. And simply two days later, when I was thinking of a place to treat a couple of friends, name the place that came to my mind. At 6:30 PM, the place was not overly crowded. A lot of the staff there recognized Lys and I from the Yelpoween event. One of the guys was even wearing the hot Yelp pins on his shirt. +1 for that. My girl and I both love whiskey and we ordered a Jack and Coke and were really happy to have got exactly that and not Coke and Jack. For appetizers, we decided to do away with the regular pakoras and tikkis and chaat and ordered the Tengra style chili panneer, its paneer stir fried with vegetables and spicy sauces. Right amount of spiciness that I would have liked in anything that was stir fired. The entree menu was endless with a wide range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items to choose from....and more importantly they had a selection of dosas to choose from (another reason to come to this place often now). The butter chicken gravy was creamy, the palak panner and the daal makhani was of the perfect consistency, the naans/roti/kulchas were soft and not burnt. Perfect food for the night while discussing the other couples wedding that was coming up. And even better, if you love your Bollywood music they play it all the time on the TV.
(5)
Sean E.

So as far as last minute, fourth choice on the list, places to go to eat before a movie, Tantric was surprisingly good. Food-wise, that is. Everything else could use some help here. Beginning with the people working the front and extending to the horrible drink menu. It's located in a fairly busy part of Boston -- in between Boston Common and the Theater District. Around 5pm on a Saturday all the restaurants in the area were overflowing with people. Except for poor Tantric, that is. The place is much smaller than Rockbottom, Bennigans or PF Changs. The vibe is much more mellow. So I can understand the family folk wanting a more lively place -- with the football game on and a good selection of comfort food. But if you're in the area and just looking for a good meal, Tantric can serve you up some decent Indian food in a comfortable yet almost elegantly designed space. Now there's more problems with this place than there should be. The price on just about everything could go down a dollar or two. They did seem to have an ok deal on some combination platters and the standards like vindaloo and tandoori -- which is what we got. Being familiar with these dishes I was surprised that they actually didn't disappoint. The vindaloo could have been spicier but both dishes had excellent flavor. The wine/beer/cocktail list is horrendous. The wine selection is poor and the prices are marked up beyond belief. The beer -- Harpoon IPA and Sierra Nevada were as far from your standard Bud and Bud light as they got -- and they were out of Sierra Nevada. I guess if you're an Indian restaurant all you have to do is put Kingfisher on your list and shrug your shoulders. Cocktails are all 10 dollars across the list. I guess this has become common practice and who knows, they might have been worth the price but I wasn't looking to go that crazy. The bartender did look like he needed something to do though. It boils down to Tantric being a reasonably priced casual Indian restaurant with solid food trapped in an overpriced wannabe upscale restaurant. This is too bad. If they dropped the pretense I'd come back here more often.
(3)
Joy W.

I used to work at Tantric and can't say enough about the wonderful management and their commitment to a positive dining experience for their customers. They seem to be having trouble finding their niche, which explains the sometimes sub-par service - it's hard to keep good servers when the restaurant isn't busy enough for them to make money! The food and drinks are excellent. I especially recommend the chicken tikka masala, papri chaat, mojitos and the basil ginger gimlet. Be sure to ask your server about the night's featured drink. The creative bartenders come up with some great combinations and everything is fresh and yummy.
(4)
Kristin G.

I went here last night with some friends because one of them got a $50 restaurant.com gift certificate (that you have to spend $100 to use). None of us had ever tried Indian food and I was somewhat apprehensive but WOW was I impressed! Everything about the atmosphere from the great music and beautiful artwork to the comfortable booth we sat in was warm and welcoming. Our waitress was very friendly and helpful with the menu as we really had no clue what we were doing. We tried a bunch of different things between the four of us because we needed to rack the bill up to $100 (not including alcohol) and everything we had was delicious! I was afraid Indian food would be too spicy for my palate but I ordered my entree (I got the seafood madras) mild and it was creamy, flavorful perfection. My friends love spicy food and each ordered an entree "medium" on the spicy scale; they said their food was delicious but the spice was a little abrasive. The garlic naan was AMAZING and perfect for dipping in the generous portion of sauce our entrees were served in. Also, the cocktail menu here is very creative and the drinks we ordered were outstanding. The only negative thing about our experience at Tantric was that we were forced to over order because of the gift certificate and couldn't bring our leftovers with us as we were going out after. Any of the entrees we ordered could easily have been shared between two or three people, which would ordinarily make for a great value. All in all, I'm an Indian cuisine newbie so my experience doesn't have much to compare to but tantric was a wonderful dining experience and I will definitely be back!
(5)
Bri T.

i think TANTRIC serves good Indian food! I have been twice so far. The first time, my friend and I split the vegetarian Platter for $35 -it is a lot of food so I considered it a pretty good deal. The second time I bought a restaurant.com coupon so I ventured out on my own - I started with the Gobi Manchurian (YUM!!!) and then had Baingan Bhurta for my entree (also a YUM!) and they made everything VERY spicy just how I like it. the atmosphere is very nice for a dinner and drinks with friends/lovers - so it is good for date night or dinner with friends. my only complaint - the service could be friendlier. but overall - A-OK.
(3)
Linda Lea W.

I went here with a pregnant friend for dinner. The heat was not working so it was freezing and we were not offered complimentary tea or anything (which would've lessened the blow of NO HEAT on a January evening). The food was extremely bland. I ordered Navratan Korma and it was just sauce and chopped up broccoli stalks and EXTREMELY overpriced (over $15/vegetarian entree). This was the first time in my life that I didn't have my leftover wrapped to bring home (and more than 3/4s of my meal was left over) I will definitely not go back and would recommend to anyone looking for indian to bring their business elsewhere. What a waste of money.
(1)
Jean A.

Really nice place. We had a reservation for Valentine's Day. I was a little put off because we were seated right next to another couple (arms length away seats) even though there were 20+ tables open around us! Awkward!!! When we asked to move down a couple seats, we were told that the rest were unfortunately reserved. C'mon the hostess could have swapped some around so that we weren't sitting on these other peoples laps. Anyways, the food was amazing. Order the Kama Sutra cocktail. Gobi Manchurian - thumbs up (but spicy). Need to ask to see the seperate vegan menu, but that is okay. Very nice vegan selections. However, no veg desserts except for sorbet. Took some leftovers home, and they were just as yummy the next day. Everyone should go here. I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Joe B.

Great Food with good sized portions and Excellent Presentation. The Decor is tasteful with a relaxing atmosphere. The wait staff is professional, courteous, and attentive. Since I'm not too familiar with Indian cuisine I asked the waiter for suggestions...he was spot on! If you're looking for a night out in a relaxed atmosphere with great food then this is the place.
(5)
Raul C.

One of my favorite Indian restaurants, a crowd favorite for those heading to the theater as it is right in the middle of the Theatre District. I have not been to the buffet, only from the menu and everything I've had is really good, large portions and very tasty. Outstanding service from the wait staff and the hostess every single time I've been there. Chicken Tikka Masala and Mango Lassi are my favorites. They have a nice selection of cocktails and also plenty of vegetarian options.
(4)
Heather H.

To be fair, I would give Tantric 3.5 stars if I could. I ended up at Tantric on a Saturday evening by chance. Our other choices for dinner before a movie ended up being closed or having too long of a wait. The dining room was almost empty on a Saturday evening, which made the atmosphere a little sad. They have very nice decorations and I'm sure would be more impressive with a crowd. The tandoori was excellent, as was it's accompanying mint sauce. Sadly I got white-personed on my vindaloo. When asked how spicy I wanted it I replied "Pretty spicy!" Apparently this means "Not very spicy!" That said, the seasonings were well balanced and I did enjoy my dish. The jasmine rice was also well seasoned. Sadly, the naan bread was nothing worth writing home about. Prices were too much, I feel as though I've had superior quality for the same dishes at other restaurants for lower prices. Their drinks menu looked exciting, but not $10 for a cocktail exciting. The beer selection was limited and pricier than necessary. And I got a bad pour.
(3)
Vicki L.

This was my first time eating Indian Food-it was awesome! The waiter was great! When he found out we had never eaten Indian food before he took the time to "school" us. We went with his recommendations and it was great.The portion sizes are very big-you can safely share any item and still walk away full. I will be going back and would suggest the place to friends. I'd suggest calling ahead as it's a busy place because of it's location. The only downsides to the place were the tables are very close...at one point the couple sitting at the table next to us chimmed in on dinner recommendations for our first time eating Indian food. Lets just say it's not a place for a little alone time with your loved one because of the close seating.
(4)
laura i.

chicken tikki masala was the best I've had, delicious cocktails, no trouble using the restaurant.com certificate...my food had heat and that's how I like it!
(5)
Sheena G.

I just ate at Tantric tonight with friends as a celebratory dinner. We were extremely excited to have a delicious Indian meal and had already had the menu decided before we even walked through the door. However, when we arrived we experienced the worst service I have ever had. So much so, that I decided to write a Yelp review for the first time as soon as I got home. Everything from placing our order, to getting the bill was such a process. It was an hour and a half before we saw our actual meal from when we placed our order, and this was after we waited so long to do just that. The server was apologetic and gave us dessert on the house, but the experience without a doubt sucked the life out of our excitement to be together celebrating. It reached a point where we talked about walking out. By the time the food finally came, all of us were so tired that we didn't want it anymore. I will never go to this place again.
(1)
Dan O.

Back again for lunch, the buffet was completely different. Everything was good and fresh. Keep up the good work Chef.
(4)
linny m.

food = delicious. service = abysmally horrendous.
(2)
Dean B.

Solid Indian food. I eat there about 1x per month when I'm on the road. I wish they had a broader selection of Indian beers, but the lamb dishes have been consistently tender, lean, and tasty. It isn't up to London curry houses, but it is consistent and the staff are always considerate.
(4)
Gene K.

Tried the lunch buffet and was very disappointed. The flavors were bland and uninspiring, and the buffet selection did not have everyone's favorite dish - the chicken tikka masala.. Perhaps my expectations were set too high, based on previous yelp reviewers. Sorry to say, this wasn't even close to Kashmir, Tanjore, or Bukhara... The service and setting were fine... it's the food that was disappointing.
(1)
Thuy L.

From the outside, the place doesn't look like much since its not swarming with the happy hour crowd...especially in comparison to its neighbor Rock Bottom. But the minute you walk in, you are greeted by the friendly staff and directed to one of their many open tables. I've been here just for drinks and then again last night just for dinner. The drinks here are delicious, strong, but good. The food is also really really good. I've been to several other Indian restaurants in the area, and I must admit, this is pretty good. We started out with an order of the Papri Chaat and an order of samosas. The Papri chaat had so much flavor and tasted so great that I was a little sad when we wiped the plate clean. The samosas were okay, but nothing special. For the main course, I had my favorite dish, the Paneer Tikka Masala which is not really found on many menus. My boyfriend got the Chicken Tikka Masala. The portions were quite large, there was plenty of sauce and not as much paneer or chicken in our dishes. We still had so much left over to take home for another meal. Our meals came with the basati rice and we got an order of the garlic naan. OMG--the naan was so fresh and delicious and it had this great lingering garlic aroma when our waiter brought it out to the table. You could actually see the minced garlic on it. Everyone was friendly, even the patrons, since we are seated so close to each other were friendly. We leaned over and asked what someone from a neighboring table had, and they explained to us the types of South Indian food as compared to the typical North Indian fare. It was a deliciously wonderful experience. The bathroom could have been a little cleaner, but I'm not going to stop coming just because of that. I left the restaurant anticipating when I could eat my leftovers.
(4)
matt k.

Just went to the lunch buffet. Tasty but not very adventurous although the lemon rice and tomato coconut soup were super-good.
(4)
Sarah A.

Cool atmosphere (you have to love the name) and an interesting drink menu and wine list. They have an awesome reisling on the wines by the glass list that I now want to buy in bulk and even though it was not on the menu they prepared my favorite entree Shani Paneer to perfection. Yum. Super generous portions too. While they are more expensive than most other Indian places it's not insane, especially for vegetarian options like the Shani Paneer. I'd also recommend Kashmir on Newbury Street as an alternative to Tantric.
(4)
Eric S.

This place is awesome! I usually wouldn't recommend the newer, trendier Indian Places ( food and/or ambiance is usually flawed somehow) usually but the food here is consistently great, in price ( for Downtown and not too much more expensive than elsewhere) portion size and quality for diner and for the lunch buffet. How do you know your in one of the newer , trendier restaurants by the Way? Hint: if you hear scratching and break-beats in the sitar music playing overhead ( not kidding). I would also say they probably have the best Lassis' in town as well. I would make a special trip downtown any time go there but they are right in the theater district, so give them a shot next time your catching a show.
(4)
David M.

I like this place. You can get good cocktails, and spicy Indian food. Sometimes the atmosphere is a little slow, and the waitstaff can be a little less than first-class, but I enjoy myself every time I eat here. I get a good buzz off of every drink, which is a good thing since they're about 10 dollars each. They have 2 meal combos, which are a great deal... soup, samosas, 2 entrees, dessert, and coffee for only 40 dollars! Once again, I like their cocktails. If not for the alcohol content, for the fun names and flavors each one has... When you look at the drink menu, you have to take a second to figure out which one you want, because they all sound so interesting.
(4)
Serena L.

my boyfriend and i chose this restaurant together based on the restaurant week options and were not disappointed! the service was phenomenal and the food was amazing! i had the seafood madras and it was delicious! the chicken dish he ordered was equally good. our desserts (brownie and mango cheesecake) were so yummy that we decided to take the leftovers with us! we are definitely going to be back!
(4)
Huan z.

Even though I don't like bigger restruants, but I really this one! I like their deco. Beautiful red walls. TV on the wall. Very clean. Big list of drinks. Decent place to eat for Lunch buffet which only cost $10.
(3)
Shruti V.

I went to Tantric with two other Indian friends for dinner once. The service was excellent(maybe because our friend knew the manager man) and so was the food! Our hostess was genuinely sweet AND we got bhel puri on the house. The chicken tikka, butter chicken and naan we had were all upto the mark! A little less apicy by indian standards but still excellent! :)
(4)
Sean M.

Many of my friends are Vegetarians and this is my goto place in this part of the city for compromise. This is very good American style Indian food. Three dishes in particular stand out: Bhindi do Piaza, Gobi Masallam, and the Baigan Bhartha. The food here is well seasoned not spiced. They don't dumb down the heat. I love the Vindaloo {insert fav meat} and I alway break out in a sweat when I eat this. It is pricey and the Nan is not that great. Lunch buffet is a value and cleaner than most in Central Sq. I usually finish with a Masala Chai, which is decent, and I have not had a bad Mango Lassi here, if you have ever gotten a bad ML you will remember.
(4)
Alison M.

My husband and I think this is the best Indian food in Boston - and he is from London, so he has eaten a lot of curry. My favorite is the Butter Chicken - like a richer, more amazing Chicken Tikka Masala.
(5)
M K.

I'm seriously torn between a 3 and 4 star rating. The food was good and the menu is diverse while including classic Indian dishes. They have several paneer options which I was ecstatic about. The food was good, but not amazing and the ambiance felt like more of a sports bar with Indian decor so it left me feeling a little underwhelmed. Granted it was a Sunday night so maybe that led ot the lack of people in the place and the employees all watching a game on tv except the kind bartender who helped me out. The veggie pakoras were good, although the dipping sauces were the best part about them. The cheese naan was great, but I haven't met a piece of naan I didn't like! THrow cheese on it and it's like Indian pizza so I'm happy. The peas and Paneer were heavy on the peas with decent flavor. I wish there was more paneer in it, but it did make a good dip sauce for the naan. Portion sizes were huge and prices reasonable so it is a great option for some good food for a good price.
(3)
Julie B.

one word to describe their drink menu: WOW. i wanted to try every single thing, even though they were a little pricey, however. but the food was delicious, and i was really impressed/happy i was given the option of how spicy i wanted my curry to be. one of the better indian restaurants i have been to. i'll be going back.
(4)
Dean C.

Best Indian food I have had in Boston. Great service and excellent interior design. Plus outdoor seating with hookah smoking when the weather is nice.
(4)
Naner B.

Ate here before a concert at the Wang Theather. We were almost going to eat at Rock Bottom next door but SO glad we tried this place instead! Food was flavorful and spicy just like Indian food should be! Seriously-lamb samosas, chicken tikka masala, and rosemary goat cheese naan-How can you turn that down? Nice liquor selection and cocktail list too! Service was great, much better than many Indian joints I have visited. Considering its location, prices are reasonable. I was there on a Friday evening and beat the rush just by a hair. I would definately recommend making a reservation and allowing enough time to eat if you have a show to make.
(5)
Jessica R.

The only exciting thing about this restaurant is the name. Unfortunately not even sexual references are enough to save this place from it's unreasonably expensive food.
(2)
Allie M.

The food is definitely solid--their pakora are wonderful, and the lemon rice is perfect. The service is excellent--extremely friendly. And best of all, they have a $12 lunch buffet that they let you take out. The amount that they let you take out is good enough for 2 meals, so it's a great deal.
(4)
Laureen B.

I can not say anything about the food but bf and I sat for 15 mins before a waiter came out, went to other tables and went back inside, after 25 mins of being seated and no one showing up to take our order, not even drinks..we left...
(1)
Adrienne B.

I booked this place for a birthday celebration without really knowing what it was- I just needed a restaurant in that area that would take a reservation and they did! I was pretty pleasantly suprised by the yummy Indian food and delicious drinks. The only reason I only gave it 3 stars is because it was pretty over priced for what it was. I felt like they were trying to be chic by serving high priced basic indian food in small portions. I would definitely head back there with a group because it was a fun place to go for a nice dinner and drinks, but there are cheaper restaurants in the area and better indian food elsewhere.
(3)
Geoff T.

Over-priced place that focused a lot more on it's contemporary look than on it's indian food. They have a lunch buffet that is warmed-over left-overs. There are many superior indian food places that don't try so hard to look up-scale at the expensive of their food. The bar makes good drinks but, again, the prices will make sure you don't hang out too long.
(2)
Khalid S.

One of the better Desi buffets here in the Boston area. But then it's 10 bucks too. I thought their vegetable pakoras were very tasty and definitely stood out among everything else. Tandoori Chicken was also very good. Now, I hear they serve Shisha over the summer time on the patio, I think that would be awesome, since it's walking distance from my workplace. It'd be nice to smoke some double apple after a long day at work :)
(3)
Adi R.

I commuted to Boston for work for a few months last year and stayed in the Theater District. I made it to Tantric on average once a week until "the incident". Pre-incident, my impression of Tantric was that it was solidly average. I often got the paneer jalfrezi - a spicy dish with cheese, red chillies, onions and bell peppers. The naan, when I got it, tended to be pretty greasy. I was usually disappointed when I strayed from the jalfrezi. The paneer tikka masala had the re-heated feel to it... if you're going to $14 bucks for an entree, the least you can do is at least hide the fact it's being reheated! The "incident", of course, was violent food poisoning which is particularly inconvenient on a business trip. When I called the next day and left a message, the owner was nice enough to call me back but gave me the standard spiel on how it couldn't possibly be her restaurant. (Hmmm, let's see, dinner at 8, violently ill at 2am and knowing I ate a tame breakfast and lunch doesn't leave too many possible explanations). Anyway, never been back since and probably never will. Mela in the South End and Kashmir on Newbury are somewhat more reliable if you're in the area and in the mood for Indian.
(2)
J. H.

Tantric is obviously an attempt to make an Indian restaurant that will appeal to the theater-going masses. The dining room is dark and modern and the food is on the bland side. They don't even ask what level of spiciness you want in the dish when you order like they do at other Indian restaurants.
(3)
R.G. W.

I had a terrible time here the other night. I came, looking for a late-ish dinner (9pm). When I entered, there were 3 tables on the patio that were mid-meal, and 2 tables indoors that were just finishing up. I asked the host if they were still serving dinner, and he gave me a noncommital shrug, but then led me to a table -- with a drink menu only, not a food menu. I asked for a food menu, but then he ran into the kitchen, and dragged out a waitress. She gave me a menu, but then dragged him into a corner, where they audibly fought over why he sat me in her section. (Apparently, she wanted to go home early). I should have left then. She then proceeded to reluctantly take my order, and disappeared for the rest of the night. Getting service -- even getting my food, or water refills, was damn near impossible. Finally after 40 minutes, another man came out (the owner, or manager, I presume) and he apologized for the wait. I ate and left. No tip, and no return visit to this place for me. I ordered the chettinad chicken entree (which was undeniably sugary -- a taste I'd never experienced before in an Indian restaurant) and the chili cheese naan. Why it's called "chili cheese," I will never know, because the naan I received was sluttered with butter; there were no chilies nor cheese in sight.
(1)
Stephanie V.

I don't think I'm considered very difficult to please as far as restaurant reviews go here on Yelp. I expect a few things - decent service, a nice atmosphere, and good food. Tantric supplied those. I had the opportunity to buy Restaurant.com coupons for a discount so I grabbed one for this restaurant and took my friend with me. We went on a Wednesday night and the place was pretty dead when we got there but by the time we left, business had certainly picked up. Our waitress, while slightly hard to understand, was prompt and friendly. And the food was delicious. I got the tikka masala (figured I had to do it for my first time eating indian food.) Flavorful and delicious. I almost couldn't finish it. And my drink was STRONG. All in all - cute spot, good food. Give it a try.
(4)
Sara S.

Very nice experience! Good value, nice atmosphere, friendly and attentive service. I had chicken vindaloo and the garlic naan, my wife had the chicken kabob appetizer and the uttapan dosa; both very flavorful and prepared in a timely fashion. The waitress forgot to bring my chai until midway through the meal, so I declined it; looking forward to trying it and/or the lassi next time. Definitely looking forward to returning!
(4)
Philip L.

Ridiculously overpriced. Came here for lunch buffet and it was understaffed, food quality was terrible, and service was slow and unattentive. Took forever to get the bill, get plates cleaned up, etc... Chicken was dry, naan was chilly. Never again.
(1)
Steve D.

We made reservations through open table via Yelp and were seated very promptly. The service was very good. It was a Friday and the place was packed. The Vindaloo, at "Indian hot" level of spice. It was fairly spicey, and very tasty. The meal was delicious. I would definitely come back!
(4)
Crystal E.

Pricey yet good food. Usual for Indian food but will definitely be coming back again.
(4)
C R.

We used another one of those certificates from restaurant.com and chose Tantric on Stuart Street in Boston. We got there a few minutes before eight on a Saturday night, the hostess greeted us immediately, and got a nice seat in the back area (it filled up very soon after). The waitress was very pleasant as well. We needed a few quarters for the meter and they went out of their way to get some for us. We ordered the Lamb Samosa, Chicken Korma and the Mango Chicken. My korma was SPICY! When I made a passing comment to my partner, a manager overheard me and immediately asked if he could make me something else. (I like spicy so it was no problem!) But it was nice to have such an unexpected surprise like that. The mango chicken was delicious. I'd definitely order that next time. The food was good and the service even better. The ambiance was nice as well. It's downtown Boston - so the prices are a little more than your neighborhood Indian joint. There's quite a few indian places around although you won't smell like the restaurant when leave this one. So, of all the choices out there - I'd say pick this one.
(3)
PJ S.

Pretty uninspiring, right down to the SportsCenter channel running on the overhead tube. We've been looking for decent Indian food in Boston since moving here months ago. The best we have managed is a trek out to Needham for Masala Art. Let us know if you have in-town suggestions. Until, then, jump across the street to the W for a great meal at The Market restaurant there. It's not Indian food, but you will enjoy it far more than anything Tantric India Bistro decides to throw your way.
(2)
Tammy L.

I've been here several times and it's really my main place for Indian food. Service is wonderful--they are very patient with questions on their dishes. I once brought a friend here who was on a restricted diet so she asked for recommendations on what she could eat. The server took his time to answer and even explained how it's eaten in India. Other times, I've asked about how spicy the dishes are and they never get annoyed with answering and making recommendations. Food wise, I've tried a few from the Chicken section of the menu. Chicken Vindaloo is a must. Tikka Masala is also recommended. A friend who also frequents here recommended the Butter Chicken. Tandoori chicken is amazing as well. Don't leave without trying the naan. I usually order the plain and the rosemary one. Just recently I tried the Lakhnawi Naan, which is a sweet naan, and it was absolutely delectable. I loved dipping it into my Chicken Vindaloo!
(5)
Daniel C.

I came here with my coworker to try their lunch buffet. The restaurant interior looks pretty colorful and modern. We were the first ones in the restaurant which should mean we get the food at its freshest. The buffet overall was decent - flavors and sauces were really well balanced. However the vegetarian dishes were far better than the meaty dishes, so I would rate overall 2 stars for meats and maybe 4 stars for non-meat dishes. Chicken Tikka Marsala had wonderful sauce on the outside but chicken was overcooked to the point of being dry. Same with the Tandoori chicken, which were exclusively large drumsticks, though less dry but still no hint of juiciness. Goat curry was mixed - some pieces had tenderness and others overcooked. The real stars are the non-meat dishes. Tomato-Coconut soup was very good; tangy and sweet. They offered both lemon rice and basmati rice which was great. Fried Potato dumplings were light and crispy with lots of dipping sauces. Superb Aloo Gobi and Paneer (cheesy dish similar to firm tofu with more calories). For dessert, they offered rice pudding with ground walnuts which was pretty good.
(3)
Shreya S.

The food was quite good. Chicken butter masala was awesome and biryani as well. The only thing that needs improvement was the waiting system. You need to take down names and maintain an order.
(4)
Naomi M.

My friends and I stumbled across this restaurant walking the streets of Boston searching for a nice meal. We all missed Indian food from when we had it overseas and we were glad we went here! I ordered the Lamb Tikka Masala and the cheese naan and both were delicious! One of my friends ordered Butter Chicken curry and garlic naan and my other friend ordered the Aloo Gobi Masallam and plain naan. Both of them had nothing but great things to say about their meals. The service was great as well! We all ended up taking the rest of our unfinished meals home and they even included a new container of rice in our take out bags. Even though this was only one visit, I had a positive experience.
(5)
Rabbitarch T.

Although it was a little bit expensive but the food was really good. The sauce was amazing and with a a lot of spices, the spicy level was just perfect( unlike some places where a medium is way too spicy). The portion was also very generous. We were both starving but ended up wrapping half of the food. Overall recommended!
(5)
Diane H.

Service - 0 stars Food - 3 stars I've never not tipped before but I felt that if you are going to spend your time fighting me then you probably don't deserve any. So we can for the lunch buffet. We had a restaurant.com gc. I read the fine print- doesn't say you have to order off a specific menu or anything or even that it doesn't work on the buffet. So we get the check and we're trying to show her that it doesn't say this--- she isn't having any of it. Apparently it's okay for her to not take it because she happen to tell someone else just now that it doesn't work- so that's her excuse. How is it a restaurant policy if it isn't stated ANYWHERE ? Maybe you guys should put it in the fine print instead of scamming people into coming and then not taking it. I was going to come back- but not anymore. DO NOT ARGUE WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS- you definitely show that you don't care and you pretty much look like an idiot. Who pays you? US.
(1)
Abby R.

Went for Saturday lunch buffet and about $13 got us unlimited naan, chicken tikka masala, 2 kinds of rice, tandoori chicken, a lentil curry, and a paneer curry. All the options were above average I would say and the staff were polite and kept the buffet from running out of anything. Definitely would recommend if you're in the area and want to eat your body weight in delicious indian food without committing to one specific dish.
(4)
Mike G.

My friend and I had never had Indian cuisine yet. So we decided to try Tantric for lunch today. We didn't know what to expect except a few dishes. But overall satisfied. We tried chicken tandoori, chicken tikka masala, lamb curry, mixed lentils, basmati rice(with peas and plain), saag paneer(spinach with cheese), fried eggplant, naan, and best of all was the tomato and coconut soup. We both had two heaping servings of this. It was UNBELIEABLE. Everything was a okay but the soup. The soup nailed it. Indian cuisine is nice but I would search if given other choices around me. But would try again though.
(3)
Jessica B.

I was a bit torn between a 3 and a 4 because I love the warm, comfortable, casual atmosphere and our service was quite good. The food was a bit more hit or miss. I met an old friend of mine and two Emerson College professors for dinner. They sat us in a very comfortable and private booth near the back where we could talk without interruption. I really liked both the decor and the design of the restaurant that provided some more secluded tables. Our waiter was great, very friendly and helpful without being overbearing. I am not anything near a connoisseur of Indian food, although I really like it. Unfortunately I have not been able to find lower calorie options that I liked. And anything tastes good with enough coconut milk curry on it. This menu helpfully marks healthier options. We split the vegetarian tantric platter with veggie samosa, Aloo Tikki, pakodas, and a paneer pakoda. Everything was quite good, but also quite fried. We had garlic naan, which was very oily and also delicious. We split a Saada Dosa that failed to impress. The texture of the dough seemed off and there was very little filling. I had the Aloo Gobi Masallam, which is roasted cauliflower sautÃ©ed with sliced onions, ginger and garlic, and garnished with cilantro. I ordered it "spicy for Americans," and the amount of fire was just right. Overall, it just wasn't great. I may well have ordered the wrong thing, so someone send me recommendations for next time. Nice place, would return.
(4)
Vikram G.

Tried takeout vegi appetizer sampler and Paneer Makhani and garlic naans. Coming from New Jersey, I would say nothing out of ordinary. Calling and placing the order was easy and food was ready at promised time.
(3)
David A.

I went here the other day for dinner by myself. The service was generally pretty good, quick to seat me, quick to refill water and take my order - that last one is huge, not a lot of places quickly identify whether a customer is ready to order, they add! I started with the Veggie Samosa, it was tasty, nice potato and cumin flavor with the standard sweet and spicy dipping sauces. Nothing about it was amazing, but it did make me want to come back and try their Keema Samosa. That said, it was a standard look and nothing sexy (see pictures). I then had the Garlic Naan. It was just decent, the Naan could have been chewier and softer/thicker. The garlic was definitely there, but I could barely taste it. Regarding the entree, I opted for the Chicken Tikka Masala and my server asked me how hot, I said "Indian Hot" and he replied "Are you sure, it's very spicy" and so I retorted "Yes, make is REAL INDIAN spicy, not the American hot level." Before I get to the description of the Tikka Masala, let me say that the dish came with rice, it should have been noted in the Menu that the dish comes with it, otherwise had I also ordered a Basmati rice I would have had a massive amount of rice! Sticking with the rice, it was under-seasoned, I think they didn't season it with rice when they were cooking. That said it was light and fluffy. Now for the Chicken Tikka Masala. I liked it, quite a bit, even though it wasn't really spicy. It was very flavorful, had good color and taste and just a tad creamy which made dipping the Naan into it very wonderful. I would give the entree a 4. However, considering the rice and the Naan, I have to give this place a 3, though a 3.5 is more accurate.
(3)
Nobbi L.

It was a busy Friday evening. I had been in a conference all day and was ready for dinner. The theater district was buzzing, and the first three establishments we went to had long waits. I found Tantric on Open Table, made a reservation, and we were in. The menu is classic Indian cuisine. We enjoyed Lamb Vindaloo, Chicken Tikka Masala, Raita, Garlic Naan, Paratha, and Indian pickles. Our server was attentive and sweet. The flavors were delightful and the dishes were spicy as we ordered them. As an Indian food lover for decades, I can fully endorse this place.
(5)
Lydia L.

soooo goodï¼The attitude of the waiter is good and the food is really delicious.I love it.
(5)
Stacey G.

I have been here multiple times with a group of coworkers for the lunch buffet and I've been here once for dinner for 2. The lunch buffet is an excellent deal, if you work in the area and like Indian food you should absolutely come here. They have a lot of options, especially for a vegetarian like me! The food is not too spicy. My favorite thing to get is the soup- it is very sweet and delicious. I'm not a fan of the samosa, naan and paneer pakoras served here. Overall the food is pretty good and I will likely return!
(3)
Lauren M.

I have been to Tantric a few times and never have been disappointed by my meal. It is so flavorful and well done that I always am looking for more friends that enjoy Indian food so that I have an excuse to go. However, I just called to make a reservation and the hostess warned me that they stopped serving alcoholic beverages 3 months ago ~April 2015...this is a BIG bummer because they had delicious cocktails before and the restaurant is perfectly situated in the theater district--It was great to go to Tantric before a show or movie with friends...now, it will be hard to convince some friends to go to dinner there if they can't get a drink after work...I personally hope they regain their liquor license so that they can again sell alcoholic beverages. Of course, drinking isn't everything, but it is a part of the dining experience and that is why I'm only giving 3 stars...
(3)
Neha S.

Average but tasty Indian lunch buffet. If you come at lunchtime, definitely get the buffet and NOT the ridiculously overpriced a la carte items. Nice staff, and prime location across from the W hotel. Seems to be very popular with big groups.
(3)
Rachel L.

I thought the customer service was exceptional. As other reviewers stated they no longer have their liquor license but are working for a beer/wine license. They called us ahead of time (made open table reservations) to let us know. Our waiter was very attentive. Water was always filled, made sure to tell us rice comes w the entrees when we were going to order (and brought us extra rice at no charge), food came out fast, and when a friend unexpectedly joined us mid meal, was there with an extra plate and setup before we even asked. Food was well flavored. I'm not huge on hot spice so got medium on my Chicken Tikka Masala and was very satisfied. Too much for one person, I brought home leftovers. Indian food leftovers are the best. Our friend said he would "definitely come back." I didn't give 5stars because I have to be blown away for that. Above average food with great service, only gripe was the diet coke ordered was flat but they didn't charge us so not a big deal.
(4)
David M.

I was a bit skeptical about eating Indian food due to past experiences; however I was very pleased with my newest finding. Tantric is well worth the visit because of their delicious menu and comforting atmosphere.
(4)
Shantel S.

Unfortunately, Tantric no longer serves alcohol. The food was incredibly bland. The medium spiced tikka masala wasn't spicy at all and the eggplant dish had little flavor. The veggie samosas and naan were very good, but the entrees were not. The sorbet tasted freezer burned and was awful. The service was great, but there were only 2 other tables occupied. The outdoor seating is nice, but I still won't return.
(1)
Maddy V.

It was my second time at the restaurant. I came here with my friend for dinner . We love spicy Indian cuisine and were both craving it. This was the only Indian place closest to us. I like to venture from the norm and try different dishes from what I've already had. The waiter gave us recommendations and we went with it. We started with the Gobi Manchurian, crispy fried chick pea batter wrapped around cauliflower. It looked and tasted like orange chicken. I enjoyed the crispness and crunch from the batter and would most likely get it again. The garlic naan was decent but I've had better. The entrees we got were the lamb saag and chicken madras. The spinach sauce with the lamb was especially tasty with the garlic naan as was the same with the sauce in the chicken madras. I felt that the chicken and lamb meat were a bit too tough. One of the biggest complaint I have was how long it took for our entrees to come out. After our appetizers came out, we waited for about 45mins. We weren't told why but I don't think that was a normal wait time considering it wasn't even that busy.
(2)
Manushi K.

Being from india, I can say that the naan was good (though expensive) but the curries we ordered were NOT. We ordered Malai Kofta and Chicken Chettinad. Malai Kofta was okay but Chicken Chettinad is something I love and have had millions of times. This curry was dark red and rather sweet. Chettinad is supposed to be orange and has a south indian tangy taste. When we told the server to check if that was chettinad, she simply argued with us saying that that is how they make it. We told her we cannot even eat it because it was too sweet for chettinad, she just shrugged and said that is what it is and did not care. Never going back and for people who want to try Indian, please dont get biased by going here. There is so much better .
(2)
Swarnamugi S.

Such bad food and worst service. Food was very bad that I got stomach problem within 30 minutes after eating. No proper service. Have to request them each time to take the plates. WORST. If there was a 0 rating, i would have preferred that.
(1)
Heath M.

Tantric, once known for its amazing cocktails, no longer has a liquor license. If this is a permanent situation it may spell the end of days for one of the best Indian restaurants in the city. It is a shame.
(2)
Vinita B.

I thought the service was fantastic, and they even packed my naan in this cute little carry out bag. It was my birthday dinner and they were very accommodating with us bringing in outside dessert (cupcakes) - we had a large party and they were really great in terms of seating and dealing with 8 people. However, we did have a slightly longer than average wait. Food was delicious though, and I wasn't that hungry so it didn't bother me. They were also very busy on a Saturday night. In general, if you see fellow indians eating there, it must be good, right? :) And we were the majority! Goat cheese/rosemary naan is a must!!
(4)
Lizzy G.

I dined in today with some friends during lunch time. I opted out of the buffet to order from the menu. The food was good, the service wasn't. I'd only return for takeout.
(3)
Edgar L.

Hmmm... this one is tough. I've been here probably 5 times, maybe 6. I have always had the buffet, and mostly during Sunday lunchtime. It wasn't until today that I realized that I was paying too much for not too great quality. I don't know why it didn't hit me earlier - maybe I was too enthralled by the company I was keeping or the conversation. Anyway... here is the skinny: Indian food. There are not too many options on the buffet line - usually about 7-9, and usually the same ones each time I've been here. Naan, this fried corn fritter thing, rice, some paneer, some tikki masala, some chicken tandoori, and a soup. Of these, I really only like the naan and the fried corn fritter thing, the latter of which is super deep fried, which is the reason I love it - being the fatty that I certainly am. There is also a great dessert kheer (rice pudding), which inho, goes great with the naan or the fried corn fritter thing - it just works perfectly. But other than that, the food is buffet food, and not the best Indian food. So if you're looking for quantity over quality, Tantric isn't bad, really. I used to eat more when I went to Tantric (maybe 2-3 plates of food filled to the top and then dessert) but today I only had one and it filled me decently, so I exercised self-control and stopped there. All in all ~$15 for the meal, which is a little pricey for the quality of food you're getting. Service: Decent. They refilled water quickly and took away plates quickly. But it took a long time for them to give us the bill; someone from our party had to go get it. The restaurant has a lot of room, though, so it is great for big parties. That's a plus, I guess. Verdict: Meh Indian food. Fairly expensive. Delicious fried corn fritter things.
(2)
Danae K.

You have the option of buffet or menu during lunch. perfect if you don't want to wait a long time, but want to eat out. nicely priced, clean and relaxing atmosphere. I would definitely recommend their lamb dishes as well as their chicken tikka massala. I've had better naan elsewhere... potentially because it's left out on the buffet table so it gets soggy. Good price, good food!
(4)
Meetali D.

Good ambience. Paneer makhani and chili cheese naan were really good but beware of the chili in that naan - super hot!! Dal tadka was average and so was garlic naan. I hate that I had to pay $22 for parking (weekend) in the nearby lot to dine here.
(4)
Emily A.

Eh. Wanted to really like this place but it just didn't impress. I went in the other day for the lunch buffet with a few friends. From the seating to paying the bill, nothing was clear and we weren't sure if we ever even had a server. No one ever refilled our waters (come on, it's an Indian place) and no one ever checked up on us. I'm only giving this place two stars because the food was outstanding. Some of the best Indian I've had in Boston, but that being said, I think I'll stick to the Indian places I'm more a regular at elsewhere.
(2)
Hanzhou P.

It was my first time trying Indian Food! It was similar to the Thai Food that I tried before, but was way better:-) My friend and I both agreed that Thai food has a more complicated taste which contains sweet, salty, spicy and various flavors. However, Indian Food is more simple and it naturally adapts to your gustation. This restaurant is located right behind my school but I've never noticed it before! I was glad that my friend introduced this amazing Indian restaurant to me. Definitely will be back soon:-)
(4)
Abe F.

We like Indian food a lot. We have tried several places in the Boston area. Tantric was the worst out of all of them. The food was very bland and not spicy at all. They use a lot of ketchup which sorta over powered everything in the taste. The actual space of the restaurant reminds me of a warehouse space. It was very open, drafty, and loud. Virtually no decorations and the tables were arranged awkwardly so it felt tight and over crowded. Very impersonal. I honestly wouldn't recommend it for friends. Maybe if you haven't had Indian food and don't like spice then this is the place for you. I suppose it would be okay for a work party.
(3)
Kyrah L.

Food - butter chicken - the gravy was great. . Although the chicken was a little bland Lamb kebabs - little dry but flavorful esp with the chutney Naan - decent Paratha - eh.. didn't really eat it Order/delivery- Can't order over the phone. Delivery took over an hour, but they were friendly enough. Overall good. I'll order again.
(4)
Lexi B.

AMAZING! Just had lunch at Tantric Indian Cuisine and it was great! The lunch buffet was very clean and the food was hot. One of the best Chicken Tikka Masalas I've ever had. Great deal and right near the blue man group. Also great for my gluten free boyfriend! The waitress was very informed and accommodating of his allergy. He could eat almost everything. If I could give it 100 stars I would!
(5)
Stuart P.

Started off with the samosas crisp stuffed turnovers with lamb served with tamarind and mint chutneys. The samosas were hot and flavorful, and the two sauces were excellent, distinct complements. Had the chicken tikka masala and lamb jardalu ma gos. Both really hit the spot, and was glad I asked for spicy with the tikka masala as the sauce had some sweetness. The lamb was incredibly decadent and had an interesting pairing with the tangerines. Finished the meal off with two types of naan - garlic and New England goat cheese and rosemary. My preference was the garlic as I had not had naan stuffed with cheese before, though both were quite good. Between the two of us, we had more than an entire meal of leftovers to take home. Overall really a wonderful experience on a Wednesday night. Absolutely no complaints with the service, and the restaurant filled up throughout the night (we began dinner on the earlier side around 6:15). Will definitely come back if I am in the area or craving Indian!
(5)
Nikhil H.

The chicken was like rubber. And it seemed relatively better after I ordered Idli, because that couldn't be cut with the fork they gave me. Oh, the sambhar had broccoli, and I am sure it was a discard from some other table. My friend ordered chana, and it was undercooked with gravy so scarce that the rice to go with it seemed like a mockery to the meal. Save your appetite for the panera breads near by.
(1)
Tina P.

Excellent salmon tikka dish-- tender and rich flavor!!!! Chicken tikka masala is also well done and mango martini was done right. Tantric is great for dates, family dinners, and a must after a comedy or theatre show. 5 stars!! Balle balle!
(5)
Ethan H.

As Han Solo would say "I have a bad feeling about this". From the get go the place was dead on a Thursday night no less. Surprisingly tantric was closing out on their liquor sales. No traditional king fisher beer here. Our waitress while friendly and talkative was lackadaisical as she forgot my diet coke and served our naan midway through the meal. That carries me on to my next point. The food. Average. The common chicken tikka masala was very rich and flavorful. The lamb saag had potential but sadly only a few lamb chunks were in it. Definitely not Boston's best Indian restaurant. Oh and by the way the prices are way way too high.
(2)
Jae P.

WeI really enjoyed Tantric! It's refreshing to finally find great Indian food in the Boston/Greater Boston area. They have great vegetarian options (major reason why we love Indian food!) Ambiance, music, and service was all stellar! We went before a show, and walked in on a Friday night at 630 without a reservation. Drink: basil ginger gimlet. A+ (I had several) App: Samosas crisp stuffed turnovers: B (they were a little greasy) Entrees: Daal Makhani (Hot) A+ Saag / Paalak Paneer (Hot) A+ New England Naan A Everything was spiced to perfection! Just the right amount of heat. My boyfriend, who hates goat cheese, ordered the New England Naan (I love goat cheese), and he liked it a lot as well! After having bad experience at a few local Indian restaurants, we're definitely going back to this one. Good thing we are in the theater district often! We'll be frequent visitors.
(5)
Ashlin T.

This was my first visit to this place and I would definitely go again. The food was tasty, and the service was a good balance between being attentive and giving us space. I tried the drink special - a raspberry martini. It was delicious, and was made with real raspberry puree. My vegetarian dish was very good, and the servings were large enough for me to take home. Although, my boyfriend finished his meal there. If you're looking for a place with a nice atmosphere, good food and drinks, I would recommend this restaurant.
(4)
Abhinav G.

I think it's one of the better places to have Indian food in Greater Boston area.. I've tried their lunch buffet a few times now, and I keep coming back - not just because of good food, but because honestly one is short of good Indian food options in Greater Boston area.. For a north-indian who likes it spicy, this might not be the 4 stars, but this is very much a relative rating :-).. For people, who like it mild or just fine, it could be even a 5..
(4)
Maggie K.

While in boston I have been here for dinner twice. Both the times the waits were long even though we had reservations. The first trip was with a friend and second was with my husband and in laws. As soon as you enter there is a small waiting area and next to it stands the bar with a few chairs. The wait staff is never there and when you enter you gotta wait for a really longtime. The staff on board are only a few, this makes things wait long. After we were seated, neither the accompaniments were served (the papad n the chutneys) nor water. The waiter serving our table took 25 minutes to take orders. The decor is pretty decent however with a loud ambience. When it comes to food I have tried their papri chat, gobi manchurian, lauki koftas and the garlic naans. Food is okay however not really satisfied with the flavours in there. The lauki koftas were below average, had a pungent gravy. However enjoyed the garlic naans. They were soft and tasty. Parking is a pain, it's street parking. But if you don't mind spending a few extra $ then there is a garage a few blocks away. I am not sure if I wanna give this place one more try!
(2)
Rebecca S.

Great lunch buffet, lots of options and very friendly staff. I've never had to wait to be seated and they constantly are refilling the buffet trays so everything is full and fresh. Yum!
(4)
Geoff H.

8 of us came for lunch and all ordered the buffet and no drinks. We were literally the first people in the restaurant for the day. We sat at two tables that were adjacent. The bill came, and an automatic 18% tip was added? This is a buffet. Everyone enjoyed their meal.
(4)
Bonnie C.

I came here once and had their chicken tikka masala with garlic naan. Their tikka masala has more of a buttery taste compared to other tikka masalas that I've had. Maybe it's because I ordered mild, thinking it was going to be spicy. Definitely going to order medium next time. Overall a great meal and would come back again, but there are better Indian restaurants.
(4)
J. D.

Shockingly rude service. Went with a colleague at 7:30 on a Friday evening after working a 12 hour day. Just wanted dessert and coffee (first mistake). The waiter was incredibly rude about the fact that we only wanted dessert. I wanted to leave but didn't want to cause a scene in front of co-worker. And apparently the coffee machine was "broken" even though other people were receiving coffee, and we couldn't even get glasses of water. Then overheard our waiter tell a group of bridesmaids that we "stole" their table when really the waiter messed up by sitting us there. Bore the brunt of a gaggle of bacholerette partiers.....received snide remarks on that end........ If you expect good service, kindness, and basic human respect, don't go here. I can't say much for the food, except the restaurant is tacky and gimmick-y and most likely a scam. Money hungry, rude and disrespectful.....nothing worse in a restaurant. I can even forgive bad food, but being made to feel this uncomfortable? Never again.
(1)
manish m.

Pros Nice ambiance, waiting staff . Cons. We tried two dishes- Lauki Kofta and Chicken Chettinad. Both were dripping in sugar . We had asked for medium spicy because the staff told us spicy is really hot, but the food was totally disappointing. It was like we were eating dessert instead of an entree. If you equate Indian food with sugary syrupy food you will like it.
(3)
Mansi R.

I decided to order some food to go while in Boston from Tantric. Looks like the restaurant has just reopened and they don't offer their entire menu. They don't have any of their south indian dishes or sandwiches. I decided to order the moong salad and the moong beans were completely raw and inedible. The samosas were alright. I don't recommend this place and I don't think I would try it again.
(1)
Timothy T.

Aiight overall. The venue itself is nice, clean and - as a welcome change compared to most other Indian restaurants I have been to - modern. Good enough for a casual meeting of friends and nice enough for a comfortable date. Located in downtown Boston, 1-2 blocks from the Common, it is both easily accessible and, so far as I know, the only Indian buffet in the area; keep in mind they are a full service restaurant, and that the buffet is only during lunch. The service is good. Not outstanding, but no complaints. Now for what counts: the food. I came here for the AYCE lunch buffet for $10.95 prior to tax. They also have a lunch buffet on weekends from 12-3 for $11.95. The selection is decent. Usually there are 3 meat and 3 vegetarian entrÃ©es. Naan is part of the buffet (most restaurants bring it to the table). There are other appetizer-type items and they also give you a dosa. While the flavor of the food is quite good, the meat is generally dry. I found that I did not want to eat as much as I usually do. Interestingly, this is one of the few places where I enjoyed the lamb more than the chicken. For desert, I had rice pudding and gulab jamun - both of which were delicious and nutritious (especially if you are getting ready to hibernate). (^_^) Atmosphere (^_^) Service (^_-) Options (^_-) Taste (^_^) Bang for buck Glad I came. I'll probably be back, but only if I'm too lazy to drive or take the T.
(3)
Ravi K.

Great Ambiance, location is a plus. I like the Panner Butter Masala here. Rotis, Naan were soft. It was a great lunch with my friends. Everyone liked the food here. Service and choice of music played was great too.
(4)
Kunal M.

Had dinner at this restaurant tonight. The food was relatively decent and our server was good as well. So why the 2 stars? Well we came here tonight specifically to have their thali as we have done in the past. However, we were informed today that Thalis are not offered on Fridays and Saturdays. Though their restaurant and online menu specifically states the thali (i.e. dinner for 2) as being offered daily (except for lunch)....very irritating....I absolutely dislike false advertisements..... Makes me feel cheated!
(2)
Nischint P.

The worst Indian food I've had in Boston. The utthapam didn't even look like utthapam. It was somewhere between a masala papad and some hardened dosa. The dosa batter was probably a week old. The mysore masala dosa was no better. The dosa was at least crispy. But the aloo masala inside was not tasty at all. It had the most minimal ingredients. No green chillies, no coriander, no curry leaves. Taste was bland. There was no hot chutney inside as mentioned in the menu. Instead we got some powder that was sprinkled. That's not mysore masala dosa. The sambhar was more like rasam, by that I mean watery. The taste was off and I didn't eat the whole thing. The gobi manchurian was decent but quantity was low. Could've fed probably a child. Service - this is the worst part. We complained about the utthapam and that guy never returned even with a response. Finally I had to walk up to another waitress and asked to exclude the utthapam from the check. That was the only high point of the dinner. Will never return to this place. Would advice no Indian to eat here. Giving one star cos I can't give 0 stars.
(1)
Corey L.

My Tantric tale begins on a Friday night around 9:30, when I met my friend and her husband for some dinner, armed w a fancy groupon. It wasn't busy, though it was quite a hot night and many young ladies of the night were traipsing about outside. Our waitress was nice and very good at keeping our waters filled, which was awesome. -Mango lassi: very good, not too sweet and more mango than most. -garlic naan: good, typical -chicken tikka masala: staple Indian food, done well, not super sweet as some places make it -chicken madras: interesting coconuty curry suggested by the waitress: really good -baingan bhurta: an eggplant curry which was tasty but not strongly flavored in any way. Like eggplant. Overall we had a great meal. I think 3.5 stars is good, but I'm going w 4 stars b/c I enjoyed my conversation w my friends so much.
(4)
Isha T.

We strolled in here for an early dinner after spending an awesome sunny day by Boston Commons. The samosas for appetizers arrived promptly but were high on oil and low on salt and taste. The hostess who greeted us was friendly throughout but definitely not very good at her job. For starters, she said that they don't serve Ajwain paratha, although the menu clearly states it. Our "Hyderabadi Vegetable Biryani" was served before the bread and the entrees and sans the accompanying raita, which wasn't served until we asked for it. And oh, they more than made up for the missing salt from our appetizer in the biryani! Oil and salt was all we could taste. Prepared with broccoli and corn, there was definitely nothing "Hyderabadi" about it. The Paneer Makhani for entree was decent, but I swear anyone can make better Tadka Dal(lentils) at home. And what's their obsession with salt, cause they can't seem to add enough of it! After this, we didn't even bother ordering desserts (fearing excess salt in that too) and walked away after paying a heavy amount for zero satisfaction. Never ever going back there again.
(2)
Dan M.

Very, very good experience. My girlfriend and I were headed for an 8p show so we stopped into Tantric for a pre-show dinner. This was a great decision! Details: We shared a lamb samosa which was pretty good. We then ordered the Mango Chicken and Lamb Curry and a side of rosemary naan. This is where things really picked up. The waiter asked me for heat level and I said "hot". The Mango chicken was ordered mild and both came out as advertised. Both dishes were excellent and the naan was a 8 out of 10, definitely home made, not pita bread made out to be naan. A big bowl of steamed rice was also provided. The Chilean Cabernet was very good as was the pour. We will definitely return when we are in the area. If you like Indian food and are not overly concerned with pomp and circumstance, try this place. Wait staff was attentive, room was inviting and the meals were very good.
(4)
Nisreen G.

Lunch Buffet Review: When it comes to buffet's it needs to be quality over quantity always because the quantity is infinite at all buffets. Once I read that 6 letter word I'm putting on my slack pants and heading out ready to eat the world. Luckily, Tantric's lunch menu includes quality for both its service and its food. The dishes for the lunch buffet are wide in scope and taste. There's creamy chicken tikka masala, warm doughy naan, sweet and tangy coconut tomato soup, and at least four spicy vegetarian dishes. Also, get your plates of rice on rice on rice because their jasmine rice is slightly fluffy, long grained, and aromatic. omnomnomnomnom, thank you wonderful rice gods. The corn tikki is a bit on the oily side and the lamb dish is a little too sweet for me but it might've just been an off day for those two dishes. The buffet is about 10 dollars ish per person and with a pretty decent selection and dishes that are continuously replaced as quickly as they are eaten any buffet goer will be happy. Tantric is as good to their buffet guests as they are to their regular customers. When you sit down at the table they take your drink order and come over once you've had your first plate and ask you how your meal went. They also bring out plated dishes of the food at the buffet once a new dish has been restocked. A lazy girl's dream really. The dessert part of the buffet is worth just ignoring completely. It's usually a rice pudding of some sort that's mediocre in taste and texture. Just keep eating Naan and you'll forget all about dessert. Technical things: The buffet ends around 2 so show up before 1:30 or you're going to feel cheated by time. - Dress semi nice/ casual. It's a buffet but Tantric is a bit upscale so put down your baseball cap. - Do the lunch buffet on Friday's and just forget saturdays. It's more expensive and they only include one more dish to the regular line up which, to me, isn't really that great. - Be prepared to roll out of the restaurant like the rollie polie olie your sure to become.
(4)
Brian H.

The buffet was really good. The varieties of Indian food were really good.
(3)
Michelle T.

Food flavor wise, Tantric is certainly a 4 star. But value-for-money...this place is a 3, or even below. I'd bring my business over to Quality India any day, but I've heard good things about Tantric's lunch buffet, so will just have to add that to my to-do list. Came here on a girl date with my $25 restaurant.com coupon. Deal is, spend $50, get $25 off. We ended up still spending $25 per person WITH the coupon! Overpriced for a dinner for 2 women and no leftovers. We initially wanted to order the $49 combo for 2 that was on the menu, but our server informed us that this is not allowed if we use the coupon. FUNNY, because nowhere on the coupon NOR the menu does it say that the combo meal was restricted. Not nice Tantric, Not nice. Food: We ordered the fried cauliflower (Golbi) to start. The vegetables were lightly fried, tender inside and super spicy. A little on the heavier side of vegetables, but still a nice start to our meal. Garlic naan and onion naan - YUM. I'm a sucker for naan and these didn't disappoint. The bread itself was nicely baked so the bottom was crisp and dough chewy, but not to the point where it was crunchy. Tantric was generous with the onions and garlic. Would order these by itself and bring it home to eat with homemade curry in a heartbeat. Chicken Tikka Masala - Delicious, creamy and a tad spicy. Nice big pieces of chicken breast meat that was not over cooked. Seafood curry - Also delicious but on the spicy side! The curry itself was really red and thick. Seafood was pretty fresh but for $20, they could have been a little more generous with the portion. And that...was our $75 dinner my friends. Delicious and satisfying, yes. But small portions...worth my money? Meh. I think I could do better next time around! One other STRANGE thing was that blaring Top 40's club music, which completely doesn't fit in with the romantic, candle-lit setup Tantric has up. I'd suggest a different genre of music all together.
(3)
Nix M.

Amazing food....... Amazing Service Data of Visit: 12/25/13 Order: Punjabi Masala Chole, Gobi Manchurian, Dal Tadka, Paneel Makhani, Some Dosas Great food, great service..... Paneer was cooked to perfection. Loved that the Spicy meant Spicy here. Only reason it does not have 5 stars... because it took a long time to get the Sambhars and by that time the dosa's were too cold to eat.
(4)
Madhura S.

Horrible service over the last couple of visits! Service improved. Ask for Sujit. He is awesome!
(3)
Urmy M.

Great ambience! Great food! Good for groups! We were a group of 10 desi's on a Saturday night. We liked whatever we ordered. The chicken tikka and curry was really delicious and the tikka gravy wasn't sweet as it tends to in many places. Would definitely come back to this place.
(4)
Raj A.

Delicious food (and that too this is coming from an Indian). The service was excellent. We had a biryani, paneer makhni and gobi manchuria (some of the best i've had). Highly recommend it.
(5)
Malavikka R.

Had the buffet. Food was pretty good. Ambience was good. The restrooms were clean(a rarity in Indian restaurants in the US) and overall had a good experience.
(5)
Mariano A.

I am revising my review. I've eaten here about 20 times now, for the buffet every time. I cannot express how satisfyingly good this place is. The Naan is fresh and flaky, their mixed veggie pakhoras with the red and green sauces that are available to you are delicious. The reita (yogurt) available at the counter adds a touch of modesty to the otherwise deliciously bold and distinct flavors of the spices. Most memorable for me are the vegetable dishes and the chicken dishes, as I tend not to eat much lamb or beef when it comes to asian cuisine. The buffet varies day to day, but the Paneer with tomato sauce and Indian Spices, the Saag Paneer, the Dal Makhani and the chicken tikka masala, the cauliflower/potatoes in indian spices, and the tofu/peas dish in indian spices are all delicious. Delicious desserts too, especially the kheer style dessert. On top of the food being really good, I can really appreciate how well the staff manages and maintains the buffet quality. Staff consistently and constantly inspects and replenishes the items. A couple very memorable experiences where the service went above and beyond the norm: My friend and I grabbed the remaining pieces of Naan. They were on the colder side of warm because they were the last pieces. One of the servers noticed this, went into the back, and 5 mins later came to our table and offered us freshly just baked naan. Now that is great service! The original naan we had grabbed was completely edible and tasted fine, but to have that much attention and show that you care about your customers is exceptional. The second experience, I was putting food on my plate at the buffet. I had one mixed veggie pakora on my plate and went to the sauce bowl to add some sauce. As I pick up the spoon, I realized I actually wanted two more pieces of the small pakoras before i added the sauce, so I put the spoon back down. A staff member noticed this as he was walking by. He must have assumed I thought there was something wrong with the sauce because he came over and inspected it, and proceeded to change and refill the sauce bowl. Again, this was just another example of their attention to detail, which is very commendable. Indian chai tea is a nice complement to the meal, you have to order it apart from the buffet but I recommend it. I can't wait to come back, very reasonably priced and great quality. -----Old review---- Excellent buffet lunch on weekdays and weekends, both times were very good experiences. I enjoyed the flavored rice, the naan, the cauliflower/potatoes dish, the peas/tofu option was interesting, and of course, to the amusement of all Indian reviewers who laugh at the American obsession with chicken tikka masala :) .... the chicken tikka masala was really tasty!. There were a few things that I did not try, but looked good as well. I did try their rice pudding style dessert, it was very creamy and rich, and it was a great way to complete the meal. Great job Tantric, when I am in the Downtown area and craving Indian food, I will definitely be back!
(5)
Robert B.

I was there for the lunch buffet. The service is indifferent. I guess they figure it's a buffet... we're off the hook. The buffet was indifferent too. The lamb, the chicken were all dried out... even though they were in flavorful stews. I didn't feel so great after lunch. Not impressed.
(2)
Alexzandra R.

This is a review from 2 visits to this restaurant around New Year (1 buffet trip and 1 trip off the menu). Here were our notes at the time: -Super fresh buffet -Free dosas with buffet (south Indian crepes) -Caters well to vegetarians and non vegetarians -Clean restaurant and nice decor -Spices Generally mild -Suitable for most palates -Rice was generously dressed up with plenty cashews and raisins..a rare find in most Indian restaurants -Lots of paneer in the palak paneer..no skimping here! *Although a vegetarian, I have heard that the chicken tikka masala is the best around. Service: This was probably the thing we enjoyed least, though generally decent, the servers could have been more attentive. Not a deal breaker, particularly if you are getting the buffet. Though I did see some awkward interactions with other customers, one being a spat over bringing out the bottle the wine was poured from. Food: Well above average and is what bought us back for a second time. We will certainly plan to visit This restaurant again the next time we are in Boston. Flavorful, fresh, fragrant, wholesome and rich were the words we keep using to describe the dishes. Location: Fantastic location in front of the W hotel and very close to the Revere Hotel and a quick hop away from Boston Common. Overall this is pretty much a winner for us, great food will bring us back during our next visit to Boston!
(4)
Judy H.

Great buffet , nice variety of food, friendly staff.
(4)
Sungeeta A.

I came here the other night with my family. It was against my will as I've had enough indian food to last me a lifetime. I was, however, pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed my meal. For my cocktail I got an agave highball, which was pretty strong and not too sweet. We shared the rest of the meal family style. Our appetizer was the gobi manchurian. It was delicious and not too oily! We also got the butter chicken and saag paneer which were quite good. For breads we got the garlic naan, onion kulcha, and tandoori roti. The tandoori roti was the healthiest but a little too dry. The onion kulcha was probably my favorite! Overall I would probably let myself be dragged back here.
(4)
Michael T.

Came here for dinner and had a decent meal. Nothing too memorable, but it was better than average. The restaurant decor is nice, tables are a little tight and close together, and the service is so-so. I was a bit surprised and the limited number of appetizer or small plate options. If you want a vegetarian dish (lentils, or saag paneer) along with an entree, you have to order two full-size plates, which is a lot of food. That said, the lamb vindaloo was very good and spiced exactly as ordered, and the garlic naan was very tasty and not overly soft. Overall, a decent restaurant to get your Indian food fix, but not necessarily a place I would seek out.
(3)
Sally W.

I've worked in this area for years - and I cannot BELIEVE it took me this long to find their $13 lunch buffet! Wow - great lunch with meat and vegetarian options! The staff is attentive and kind - they helped me charge my phone and were not annoyed when I asked about food ingredients - big plus. Affordable - delicious indian food. Not difficult to get a table and not super fancy - but who cares about that when the food is so good! Seriously - check their lunch out.
(4)
Katie F.

My family went to Tantric India Bistro for my brother's birthday. We had an excellent meal. The service was great! I arrived at the restaurant before the rest of my family, and the staff almost immediately offered me a glass of ice water while I waited. Towards the end of the meal, after the waitress realized it was my brother's birthday, he was given his dessert complimentary! Also, my mom was debating between 2 desserts on the menu, so the waitress gave my mom her personal recommendation... which my mom seemed to like! As for my meal... I order the butter chicken, spicy. The menu said it was similar to chicken tikka masala, but more creamy. It was delicious, and very flavorful (even with the heat). The garlic naan, which was shared was slightly crispy on the outside, which I personally liked! For dessert I ordered the molten chocolate cake. If I had any complaint (and it's so minor, that it's not enough to affect my rating), the cake would've been better a little warmer... but it still taste good.
(5)
Michael L.

This was a major step in my introduction into Indian cuisine. Wow, I was damn well impressed.
(4)
Lynette S.

Had a dinner reservation for 6 through Yelp and they had a nice quiet, nook table waiting for us. (for bigger parties). The restaurant was about half full for Sunday dinner. Service was quick and helpful. Food was delicious. The Malai Koftas had more cabbage than milk but was still super tasty. All apps and entrees were delicious and well-received by all in our party. For an app, try the papri chaat. I've had slightly better in NJ but this was pretty awesome (Boston doesn't have as many options as NJ) too!! I have been for the buffet was pretty good as well, not the best. The highlights were: the service, veggie pakoras, tomato coconut soup, daal, and the gravy of the paneer (we got there an hour before the buffet ended and no more paneer was brought out so I just enjoyed the sauce). Lowlights: Not refilling some items during the time we were there, a mushroom dish that was not tasty, crunchy (on buffet for too long, got dry) rice with peas, but the plain rice was okay. For dessert they had rice pudding (made with jaggery) which my American taste buds could not appreciate but my husband (Indian) loved. Yum.
(4)
Chirag G.

We went for weekend buffet to this place. I could not find a single dish which was tasty. We had to ask for dosa twice but it was an habit for the waitress to forget, what we had asked for. It was not at all worth the money.
(1)
Carlos M.

I've been to their lunch buffet twice with a group of 4 coworkers. We were all pleasantly surprised during our first visit by the quality of the food (all delicious, all fresh). We were even more surprised to see that this wasn't a fluke, as our second visit was just as enjoyable as our first. While I have not been to dinner here, a delicious lunch buffet at a reasonable price downtown is absolutely deserving if 5 stars in my opinion.
(5)
Sonia S.

I fell in love with their food since the first time I tried it and cannot find another Indian place that comes even close to them. Their Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala and Malai Kofta are amazing! And the garlic naan? I would just eat it without adding anything to it.
(5)
Zwany C.

Tantric you amazing! The Chicken tikka masala I can shamelessly admit I'm addicted to. Fair warning though when you order spicy they don't hold back. My mouth was burning after the first few bites, though still not enough to keep me away from this delicious establishment. Thank you Tantric for existing!
(5)
Jacqueline R.

Tantric Indian bistro is just steps from the Wang Theatre so it was very dinner to grab a bite here before going to a show. The food, qualitatively, was delicious. We got garlic naan which was fluffy and garlicky, lamb tikka masala and daal makori. The portions weren't huge, which is actually a plus in my book. The only reason for docking a star is that their levels of spicy are pretty off-kilter. Someone who can only handle a little bit of spice at a time should still get mild (not mild-to-medium), and someone who puts hot sauce/sriracha/jalapeÃ±os on pretty much everything should only get mild-to-medium. The medium was painful to taste, let alone eat, and we had to send it back. Play it safe on the spicy scale and it will be a very enjoyable meal!
(4)
J J.

debated 5 or 4 stars. I got Chicken tikka masala, requested "pretty spicy". It was delightful. Perfectly spiced (I was sweating). Very flavorful. My colleague got the Lamb tikka masala and he felt the same. Service was good. There we no negatives, so I opt for 5 stars
(5)
Anand S.

Great place to dine in with friends. Superb food, service and good experience to go whenever possible. South Indian items are not at all good but. Idly Sambhar is the worst thing I have eaten here. But Biriyanis are very good. Not to mention about Mango lassi, entrees.
(4)
Amelia A.

His: Was in a group of 3 and they only gave us 1 bowl of rice. Ask for more. It was pretty good. Would like to go back for their lunch and see how it is. Hers: We actually came here a long time ago, so this is pretty over due. In any case - There was a lot of space in between the tables, which was really nice. Gave us our own space! The restaurant seems pretty lounge - like, and had a nice atmosphere. Our waiter was very polite. We ordered 3 separate dishes, each of which we expected to have a bowl of rice with. However, we only got one at first, so had to ask for more. I forget if we were charged extra or not. The Mango Chicken Curry I ordered was VERY good! Super tasty and the mango's sweetness brought it all together, nicely complimenting the curry.
(4)
Danielle P.

I cannot believe it has took me this long to write this review. I live about 2 blocks away from Tantric and the food is beyond amazing. I go all the time and get take out super frequently as well. The Tikka Masala is thick and creamy and full of flavor, the chicken is so moist you can cut it with a fork.... The nann is light and fluffy and so fresh. I am an Indian food snob and I've tried all the places in the area... Kashmir, Bombay Cafe, Masa etc... and Tantric blows them all out of the water.. Not to mention their martinis are so FREAKIN good. (Try the pear.) The staff is so kind and friendly and super helpful. Waters are always full and service is always great. GO to Tantric!
(5)
Melissa M.

Deliciuos Indian Food!!!!! We had some lentil dish (can't remember) and the butter chicken. Both. Plus there was some special tomato based soup on special. Go to Tantric hungry, because we were starving but even we couldn't finish the meal. So wonderful and won't be disappointed. Service was good and food came out pretty quickly. Beware though, you will fall asleep approximately 32 minutes after eating at Tantric. Or maybe I should have just put the fork down.
(4)
Summer L.

Took my friends and family here for my graduation dinner. They were great with moving my reservation up an hour when my event ended early. They sat the 8 of us, was willing to split checks with no problem, and the food was delicious. All of my out-of-state friends and family were raving about this place for weeks after they left. Went back for the lunch buffet during work a couple days ago. Got the tikka masala to go, decent price, tasted great.
(5)
Julian H.

Generally disappointed by the taste of the food. I did have a small problem: I asked for medium spice and they gave me a strong and unpleasant spice, so they first gave me some sort of tzatziki to tone it down, which gave a weird taste so they gave me a new dish. A part from that, just not worth it, the nan, rice, and pudding were not good.
(2)
Sanjiv D.

Was visiting Boston from out of town and what an excellent dinner. Ordered the Shrimp and Chicken dishes. The Chicken dish was too spicy (at my request) and so I requested they make it milder. They provided the dish that was perfect and never charged me for the original dish. The food and the service was excellent. Would recommend anyone in the area go there for dinner. Worth the trip and would highly recommend it.
(5)
Trip C.

When we travel, we have some revolving requirements. Sometimes, we look for restaurants in our vicinity and other times, we look for specialties. In Tantric, we found both! It is directly across from the W Boston and we are ALWAYS on the hunt for great Indian food. We spent the day out walking Boston and when it got dark, we headed back to the hotel. Once in our room, hunger set in and we happened to look across the street. Score! I checked their reviews on Yelp and we placed a takeout order: Butter Chicken (the famous delhi cousin of chicken tikka masala with a more buttery creamy taste), Chicken Malai Kebabs (tandoor-grilled chicken marinated with mild cheese, sour cream, ginger, garlic and herbs) and Aloo Gobi Masallam (roasted cauliflower sautÃ©ed with sliced onions, ginger and garlic and garnished with fresh tomatoes and cilantro) and a Nimbu Pani (fresh lime soda made with freshly squeezed lime juice). After retrieving our dinner, we dug in. According to the hubs, the aloo gobi masallam and chicken malai were both delicious. I ordered the butter chicken with medium spice and it was wonderful! Flavorful, delicious, and the lime soda complemented the spice of the chicken. Tantric will be a go-to when we're in Boston.
(4)
Kelsey C.

I was craving Tandoori Chicken. Really, truly, drooling-at-the-thought, had-to-restrain-myself-from-sprinting-to-the-Ânearest-Indian-restaurant CRAVING. Like if-you-smelled-like-Tandoor-or-chicken-I-would-Âhave-taken-a-bite-out-of-you craving. And the chicken I had really hit the spot. If you're not in the mood to devour every chicken you set eyes on, the Bhel Poori is a nice light starter. The Punjabi Masala Chole is also a surprisingly good entrÃ©e - the chickpeas had soaked up the flavor of the sauce, and though it was a bit bland, IMO, it's still a nice thick helping of Indian comfort food. For desert, the cream-soaked Ras Malai is a rich but cooly refreshing contrast to the heavily spiced entrees and was probably the only memorable part of my meal. Although this review is written in a much more positive tone than the one I wrote for Mantra, what I said about arbitrarily flipping a coin when choosing between Tantric and Mantra still stands. So next time you're downtown and your Indian craving hits, flip a coin or pick the one with the shortest wait.
(3)
Catie C.

Not my cup of tea. The spices and herbs were overwhelming. I prefer Indian restaurants that are a bit more gentle on shaking the spice/herb bottles. The service is rather slow here but they are pretty good at refilling water. It just takes a bit between courses and getting the bill and getting the cards swiped. Our dinner could probably be cut down easily 20 mins if the server had better time management. They do have a patio but we decided to stay indoors because of the raw weather which was brightly lit. They have a buffet station that was not in use. Maybe they have a brunch buffet??
(2)
H P.

very nice food , not good, I used to buffets only at this place, never dine in or take out. all working days buffets are nice. rice pudding is so yummy... Chicken tandoori is too yummy, butter/tikka chicken is yummy, naan is just ok.. not good for vegeterian buffets. parking is not available park on your own risk.. I am mostly walking from work to eat and go back to work. -Himanshu
(4)
Director F.

We got
(4)
Carrie G.

The chicken tikka masala is to die for! I get that and the goat cheese and rosemary naan usually and they're both good enough to keep me craving it again :-) the chicken malai kebabs are a great appetizer, the tomato coconut soup is great, and the low fat mozzarella naan is really good too if you're not the goat cheese type. Also, the service there is phenomenal. The food is fast and the staff is efficient and friendly. I definitely recommend this place!
(5)
Katharine K.

I've been going to Tantric once or twice per month for years now. They have a great lunch buffet in an area of the city that has no other good Indian options so it has become a treat for my friends and I during our lunch breaks. I don't eat much meat so my favorites at the buffet are the naan, pakoras, tomato/coconut soup, and any of the veggie/paneer curries! The servers are always very friendly - love this place.
(5)
Mikhail Z.

I didn't make a reservation at Tantric Indian Bistro, and that was a big mistake - when I came there, the place was totally packed, no single table was available. I just thought that it is a regular Indian place where there are always some empty tables. I really like Indian cuisine, and that was a sign that I'm in right place - obviously, people like it! Another, even more important sign, was that 90% of the customers were Indians, so the place is appeared to offer more authentic Indian dishes, I guess. I waited some time and then got sit, and my expectations were absolutely correct. I had pan seared shrimps for appetizer and seafood madras for entree. The reason I like Indian dishes for is the combination of spices and the flavors they brought. Seafood madras was very-very good, though coconut slightly blends the spices there, but pan seared shrimps were to die for! I like spicy food, but I followed my waiter recommendation to have my dishes medium spicy to keep all the flavors. And the bouquet of flavors in that shrimps was out of this world! Now few suggestions/recommendations for the owners and customers... First, I'd definitely extend the wine list. Dishes are very-very good, no doubt about that! And, since I kind of expected that, I decided to have some wine. But when I looked at the wine list, I can't find anything reasonable! I mean in the sense of the same quality as the expected dishes, you know what I mean... Another suggestion is regarding the speed of service and/or cooking. I had to wait quite a bit to get my appetizer and then to get entree. For me personally, it was not a problem - I just sat and enjoyed my evening, looking at people around and drinking my salted lassi (which was also fantastic - very creamy, not watery at all as in many other places). For if I come with my 3 years old son, that would be an issue. And I saw families with kids who got tired of waiting and running and exploring around. But I believe, it was mostly a problem with my order - just because management perfectly resolved it. Before my seafood madras was ready, they apologized for long waiting and keeping me hungry and gave me chicken korma with the same sauce for free. Also, then they removed my drinks (two lassis) from the check! They wouldn't be able to afford the same thing with everybody if speed of cooking is really an issue there. I'm more than happy with my delicious dinner today, moreover with some stuff for lunch tomorrow (which was not necessary at all from their side).
(5)
Nisha B.

Being from Jersey it's always hard to eat out at an Indian spot as they're usually not up to par in terms of the spices but this place surprised me. We ordered the chicken curry, which to my surprise had a tomato based gravy with less onion/garlic flavoring but still wasn't "sour". We opted for the white meat, and topped it with the garlic naan and plain paratha. I would recommend this place again to all my fellow yelpers! One major piece of advise, if your in Boston on vaca, leave your car at the hotel and cab it...parking is scarce and it's not worth wasting time aimlessly driving to look for a spot.
(4)
Allison P.

The food here is very very good, Tantric is my go to spot for Indian food in Boston. Dinner is a tad bit pricey compared to other Indian restaurants, but the buffet is an exceptional value. I've had both and have been happy with my meals both during dinner and buffet. I will be coming back!
(5)
Kim W.

I came here for dinner on Thanksgiving. They had a nice ambiance and decor. The food was very tasty and the portions were good considering the price. Although I'm not a huge garlic lover, the garlic naan was delicious. I would definitely come back next time I'm in Boston.
(4)
Joanna F.

I have been to Tantric a few times before it was renovated, and always had a great experience. After it reopened, I went back and was so excited to order my favorite dish - Aloo Gobi Masallam. I always order it super spicy, and the waiters always ask if I have had their level of spicy before, presumably because I'm a little white girl who looks like she has never tasted anything spicy in her life. I'd imagine a lot of people order the spicy and send it back for being too spicy, so I understand the warning and I always insist on the spicy because I love it! However, the last time I went with my boyfriend, we both ordered our entrees spicy and mine was mild at best, while his made him visibly sweat. I would love to give Tantric a higher rating, however I did not get what I had ordered because the waiter took it upon himself to decide the heat level for me.
(3)
Jane N.

We were seated in a little alcove in the rear - it was quieter and more intimate than the main room, which was bustling and lively on a Saturday night. Service was efficient and friendly, papri chat refreshing and spicy, masala dosa not as hot as I would like but the sambar was.
(4)
Amit K.

They charge you more than you sign for... Double check your bank statement once the transaction is posted.
(1)
Mandeep T.

I wish I could give no stars at all. Ordered aloo gobi - cauliflower to go which is pretty basic for an Indian joint. Turned out to be full of oil which smelled terrible (Kerosene) and tasted even worse. Had to throw it and order food from hotel. And I paid like $21 for that and 1 roti which is expensive as well.
(1)
Eric F.

Having had a couple more dinners here for school events, I'm actually quite impressed with the consistent food and service. I tried some Lamb TIkka Masala and Jardalu Ma Gos last night and both were pretty solid though the lamb in the latter was noticeably more tender...go figure. They're also pretty accurate with spice levels, so "hot" will indeed bring a good amount of heat. I'd highly recommend the Bhel Poori appetizer btw - very refreshing with great kick from the tamarind sauce. Even as the night got busier being a Friday and all, our server checked in on our table regularly and kept up with water refills, etc. All in all, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this place for a good pre-theater dinner or just a relatively quick meal in the area.
(4)
Steffany L.

I love Indian/Pakistani food and Tantric Indian Bistro has a great buffet for just under $13. Modern but comfortable inside, and great selection on their menu. Definitely recommend checking this place out!
(5)
S T.

Came here Friday night. The food is delicious. You gotta try the Lamb Curry it is very good. I had the Lamb Vindaloo and its medium hot but not to the point where you can't taste anything! Don't forget the naan! Oh drink with a manjo lassi and you're good. I enjoyed the food here and would definitely return. The price is reasonable as well. Not a lot like other Indian restaurants... where the portions are small and the price is high. This place... reasonable portions.
(4)
Evan J.

Indian buffet that was pretty good. Impressive. Everything I ate was flavorful and well-prepared. Also, pretty affordable.
(4)
Jeff M.

Forgive me because I ate here a few weeks ago but I will do my best to be specific as I can. It is a darker restaurant but I am a fan. I like it being as intimate as possible and being able to just enjoy my girlfriends company. We both split the Chicken 69 and Naan to start. Naan was good, as was the Chicken 69. Just enough heat to keep me satisfied and not overpower my girlfriends sensitivity to heat. Enjoyed the the dish enough to keep eating the peppers knowing I had an entree coming next . My Lamb Vindaloo was very good. I am not afraid of spice and they did a good job with balancing the heat. It's what I get at any Indian restaurant, and while this wasn't the best, it was very good. I tried my girlfriends Tikki Masala and enjoyed it. Didn't blow me away by any means but was just a solid and delicious dish. Overall, I enjoyed my experience. Staff was attentive and pleasant without being overbearing. Would recommend to friends.
(4)
Larry G.

Second visit for SWMBO and I. Tandoori Chicken and Shrimp Biryani, plus a spicy roasted cauliflower dish who's name we can't remember. All excellent.
(5)
Sharon D.

You can't beat the lunch buffet! This place rocks! The food is always great and I love the decor. It is comfortable and even when packed, it doesn't feel crowded.
(4)
Vlad V.

Ambiance on Friday 4:30-6pm: business-friendly. Can have a comfortable conversation (though there was some annoying Indian music at some point). Tables with booths. Food: excellent tikka masala and orange lamb something.
(5)
Jeff D.

Descent food, sub par service.
(2)
K P.

I had the butter chicken and it was very good. I love Indian food and have a place that has set the bar for me. Tantric came close to that bar. Service was great.
(4)
Ammar A.

I youre looking for good indian food, this is the place. If youre looking for good service, its not. Taste of food was quite good but hey could really work on their presentation and service. I probably could make a more appetizing plate at home. The waiter made me feel like im eating at a food court. He just seemed upset with us for whatever reason!
(3)
Chaos M.

This is excellent place for Indian food, the price is a little expensive.
(5)
Lisa B.

Tantric is seriously delicious Indian food. Casual vibe and good location in the Theater District. As a veg, I had the palak paneer and vegetable samosas. Both were delicious. I know, you might think that this dish is too standard to screw up, but trust me, I've had some scary palak paneer. 2nd date? Check out Tantric! Drinks before, show after... Lots of possibilities.
(5)
Liana K.

I always feel like this place is slightly underrated whenever I come in and there's barely anyone there. The service is always attentive, the food is delicious for the price and location of being in the slums of the theatre district and the drinks are not too expensive. Plus they have some awesome happy hour week day deals I hear. I've had Idli Sambar which were filling for a light dinner. I've also had Lamb Jalfrezi another time which was good too. While its not the greatest place in the world, it definitely add some variety besides the pub and sandwich food downtown Boston offers.
(4)
Allison R.

Well...meh. I guess Tantric was pretty okay. I came her with a friend last week before a show, since she had a '$20 gets you $40' Groupon. In the heart of the Theatre District, I even braved public transit for Tantric. My first observation upon walking in is that the lighting was super bright. It was kind of fuzzy, too, and something about the space just felt off--- or not quite feng shui. They were out of the Malbec I wanted so I settled for a different pour, and decided not to be adventurous with food and grabbed the vegetarian sampler plate with a side of garlic naan-- points for giving me that green minty curry chutney stuff on the side! My dining counterpart settled on Mango chicken. I tasted it-- not bad. I felt weird eating Indian food out of small serving dishes, I guess because I'm used to the grease fest that is Punjabi Dhaba, down the street from my house. I appreciated the dimming of the lights about 90% into our meal (around 7:30, maybe?), and also the awkward adult date we witnessed to our left. We likely made their eavesdropping a little awkward with chatter about sex and vibrators. All in all, I spent $10.80 on dinner, which was okay. Good will was earned by hosting a Groupon, but I wasn't wowed enough to return.
(3)
Erica K.

Food = 3 stars Customer service = 1 I didn't get his name (our waiter), but I would have certainly dropped it if I had. The guy moved like a disabled turtle...he was seriously so lethargic that I have no idea how he secured employment. Maybe the government is doing tax cuts for employers who hire human sloths. ...I was also irritated by their stingy rice policy. My husband and I ordered two separate entrees (Paneer Korma and Chicken Masala) that each had about two servings. We were given a bowl that held (no lie) a single cup of rice. We had to ask for more rice twice! They're also tight on the Naan. Anyone familiar with dining at Indian restaurants knows that an order of naan goes a looong way. Seriously, I don't care how hungry you are, or how greedy you are, have you ever known anyone to single handedly take out an order of naan by themselves? Well, the naan here is served like toast at a diner--you're going to get what looks like two pieces of sandwich bread cut in half. All in all, the food was good but the portion sizes were below average, they're also slightly more expensive than traditional Indian food, and my waiter moved like a PC virus. So no...I would not revisit.
(3)
Jessica B.

Really Wonderful My wife and I ate here literally dozens of times. It was right around the corner from our apartment and it was my wife's favorite restaurant, so we're a little biased, but also well placed to judge. The Food: Delicious. Pretty much everything you'd want from a nice Indian restaurant. I would totally pay for their chicken tikka masala recipe (seriously, anyone who knows, let me know ;)). That and the crispy and flavorful dosas and the pizza style nanzas were all crowd pleases for all the friends and family we took there. The Service: It's obviously hard not to become friendly with them after dozens of visits but the staff were always helpful, and accommodating. The owner, Mary, was always nice and friendly too. We never had slow or bad service there either. Price: It's a couple dollars more than other restaurants but nothing too crazy. Entrees were 16-20, and the location is very nice. If you want to save a little and still try the awesome food, the daily lunch buffet is great value for money and it's all you can eat and changes regularly so there's plenty of variety. Sadly we moved away from Boston otherwise it'd still be our regular spot. We plan on revisiting when we come back to the city.
(5)
Rico I.

Tasty affordable spacious and delicious. I ordered a la carte, and the food was exquisite. Will be coming back, price was good.
(4)
Chris C.

Not that great. Service non-existent. Could not get anyone to get me soda after I sat down for my buffet lunch. Did not leave a tip, and I've never done that in any restaurant. Only gets one star b/c food was fair, but service killed it. Cleanliness somewhat an issue. Don't think they will survive.
(1)
Ed M.

The lunch buffet is great. Not really expensive and lots to choose from. Also Tandoori Chicken in a buffet makes me happy. I try to get in here for lunch somewhat regularly (they have a punch card where the 10th time is free) and I really enjoy it every time. It's packed for lunch so going right at 12-1230 is not a good idea. The naan tastes nice, the Chicken Tikka Masala is great and usually there every time and the rest is just great. That said, it's not mind blowing best I have ever had, but it's really good anyway. I have tried lots of new items from coming here and I will be back again soon I hope!
(4)
Gregory D.

The best Indian restaurant we have found in the Theater District area. Service is always friendly and food is good. We tried the lunch buffet one time and it was good for a buffet. They have a room in the rear for groups. There was a wedding reception going on while we were there. A bus group also filed into the restaurant for a buffet.
(4)
Josh F.

Nestled in the heart of the theater district is Tantric India Bistro, an Indian "fusion" restaurant that is essentially a glamourized and sexified "regular" Indian spot. Well, not really, as traditional Indian food is mostly vegetables and this experience certainly satisifed my meatliness. (CC) The cocktails at TIB were solid; the mango clove martini had a sultry, earthy taste that I wasn't expecting and the mixed drinks were well poured and moderately pricey. (I think NYC eating has ruined any concept for me of what a "rational" price is) The appetizers definitely took me by surprise after reading the 3/1/2 star yelp review....they were Fabulous. (with a capital F) The goat cheese and rosemary naan, while not traditional, blended a modern flavor and traditional indian cooking into an awe inspiring, mouth watering, and plate licking blend. It melted in your mouth. The spicy lamb samosas were fluffy, filled with flavorful and fresh lamb, and melted around the fork. The sauces had the kick that broadcasted the freshness of ingredients. The waitress (who was attentive as it gets, a major sticking point for my experience) recommended the Chicken Chettinad and the Lamb Jalfrezi. Food was prompt but unrushed, and the atmosphere of the restaurant was soothing and mellow. The Chicken dish was VERY well spiced and smooth, blending hard tastes of peppercorn and tamirind effortlessly with the chili and garlic. Not nearly as spicy as we had been warned, (These are New Englanders, I should know better) the dish was perfect EXCEPT for the hard peppercorn leftovers that needed to be pulled aside. This is the reason for the 4 stars....not a favorite experience of mine having to cull the plate. The lamb was perfectly cooked, well blended, not overly heavy on the cream sauce, and delicious. I easily could have eaten it to the point that i exploded in a non-fun-indian-food kinda way, you know what I mean? Desert was the molten chocolate cake. Not the BEST i've ever had, but ultimately satisfying with it's gooey chocolate warmth. Very moist. I'd definitely make a point of stopping here for the lunch buffet or for a quiet dinner on a theater night in Boston. Feel free to bring a large group, as TIB has large tables that seat many....and seemed to be boisterously enjoying themselves.
(4)
Kevin K.

This is by far the best Indian food I ever ate!
(5)
M L.

I have dined there both for dinner and lunch (all-you-can-eat buffet). Most recently while there for lunch, the staff happily walked me through the buffet pointing out what was vegan. They also brought me complimentary vegan dosa and roti - a much-appreciated touch of customer service. The atmosphere is much trendier than other Indian restaurants.
(4)
SUSAN M.

I was staying at the Revere Hotel across the street and was looking for a restaurant with vegetarian options. I found the food to be very tasty and plentiful. I live in NYC where I frequently go to many Indian restaurants. I think this place is just as good as any place I've been to in NYC. I also used a $15 coupon for dinner from Rstaurants.com which came in handy :)
(4)
Jenn S.

Sampled some more fare at the Yelp Red Carpet Harvard Natural History Museum event the other night. Still very good! The servers were very friendly and anxious to educate us on the food. I immediately signed up for the cooking classes!
(4)
A Z.

I've been here now on two separate occasions. For dinner a few weeks it just felt a little overpriced, portions were alright and overall the food was pretty delicious. Had the chicken tikka and the lamb vindaloo ( I think? ). Really I left not too impressed with the place. It was a little sports bar-ish with some hints of bollywood, in a nice location but nothing hit me on that first visit. Then the lunch buffet on Father's day... Oh man. Couldn't complain about portions (obviously) had excellent samosas and naan, all of the chicken was cooked and curried perfectly. I'm not incredibly familiar with Indian food names, but I believe it was the Korma and the desserts that really hit me. I forget the name of the rice pudding-but-with-long-noodles type dish that my family always makes, but Tantric's really hit the spot after the big buffet. My dad is native Pakistani and he was blown away by how good the lunch buffet was, lots of food and pretty authentic. He said that he preferred it to most of the places he's usually been in the state. I consider that pretty high praise and a father's day well spent.
(4)
Olivia F.

I absolutely love this place. I've been here twice and have left pretty much delirious both times. My first time was in June, with my boyfriend. We had a restaurant.com coupon and tried lamb seekh kababs as our appetizer (fantastic, but make sure you tell them to leave them moist or they are a bit dry). Entrees: aloo gobi (great, but it's hard to mess up. This was pretty standard/above average) and saag paneer (incredible). The portions don't look big, but they are quite substantial, especially when you factor in rice. We also ordered roti. Tons of leftovers. The only issue I remember from this visit was that the waiter stopped paying attention to us almost immediately after he saw our coupon (because it guarantees gratuity). The second time was New Year's Eve with my boyfriend, brother and brother's friend. I had a glass of Riesling and tried at least a few bites of everything we got: lamb seekh kababs and roti (again!), paneer makhani (easily the best thing on the menu), saag paneer (good again), bhaingan barta (great, and just as good reheated the next day), vegetable kofta (very good), and daal makhani (the only dish I didn't like). The daal was unfortunately bland and flavorless, and I hated the texture. The service was much better this time around, probably because my brother frequents the restaurant and our waitress knew him.
(5)
Hannah S.

Food was ok and definitely pricey for dinner. Took them 4 tries to split the bill, which wasn't that difficult. We had a mango curry and another chicken dish -- which tasted exactly the same and the sauces came out pretty similar. The coconut naan was very good. I had the chicken curry which definitely was not as good as I've had at places much cheaper, like India Quality or Indian in Brigham Circle. The location is good, but for what you're paying you could get much better!
(2)
Rudy W.

I always go here if I want a great indian food in boston. haven't tried their buffet, but always have dinner here. so if you are looking for a great indian restaurant with great service. can't go wrong with this place.
(4)
Lauren W.

I've lived in the city for 8 years and I don't eat Indian very often but when I do I come here. It's the best I've had in Boston! Tantric is great for both take-out and dining in!
(4)
john d.

Tantric is a nice restaurant. If you want to try some Indian cuisine, this might be the place for you. They have a nice lunch buffet, so you can "see" the food you want to try...and if you choose something and don't like it...you don't have to worry about picking something and paying for something you don't like. I went last week for dinner and it was very crowded...tables were close to each other, and it was kinda loud. (Hard to have an intimate conversation, but good if you didn't want to gab.) It's kinda small. I thought the prices were pretty high...usually ethnic food is reasonably priced. So be prepared for that. FOOD? Delicious! I was asked "how spicy I wanted the curry" and it was perfect. I want to go back! Although, I will have to not go every week because of the price. Try it for lunch (buffet), if you like, try it for dinner (on a night when they are not crowded.) I don't think you will be dissappointed. Be prepared for the prices...or look at the menu before you sit down. Any questions, msg me direct.
(4)
Tiff D.

Review based on a sample appetiser. First time eating Indian food. Tried some chicken and a curry shrimp dish at the Yelp Red Carpet Event. It was delicious! The servers were very pleasant, even folding up a menu for my friend to stuff in tiny her purse. I will definitely be going here to try out their menu. So far. 4 stars
(4)
Yuri H.

Like the chicken butter!so yummy,and the service is also good.But it is not spicy for Chinese people even I try the"hot"level,next time I will try the Indian hot:D
(4)
Val B.

Been here a few times and all those times the server was very friendly and helpful and the food was very tasty! The last time I was there with some friends celebrating being us all being Aries and we had a great time here. Some never had Indian food before and didn't know how hot the food was going to be so they ordered mild and they said it was more sweet than anything but that wasn't a complaint either. I don't remember what everybody else had, but I had the Malai Kofta and that was very good but only came with 3 ....uh ...koftas? Or are those things malais? Anyways, 3 of those little nuggets. But it came just how I wanted it. Very spicy. I think that's the only way to eat Indian food. If it's not spicy, then I don't see the point in eating it. To calm the flames in my mouth and throat I also had a pear martini, which was so f-in good and a sweet mango lassi that I couldn't drink without closing my eyes with each sip. That's how good it was. Great food and yummy drinks!
(4)
Melissa S.

The food is delicious, I just wish that the portions were bigger for the price. That being said, I go like once a month. I'm hooked. We order the same dishes every time: Butter Chicken, Bhindi do Piaza(okra) and Kumbh-Palak Kofta (spinach/mushroom croquets). Their garlic naan is flippin' awesome. I wasn't too wild about the lunch buffet. But whatdya want? It's a lunch buffet. Great for cocktails and a light dinner!
(3)
Scott B.

Sometimes, don't you wish you could tell them you are a yelper before you're even seated... just because you know you'll get good service? I wouldn't ever do this, as I grasp the ethical complications... but still... it would save me from having to drop a three star review on someplace like this... Here's how it all went down: Me and boyfriend: Hi, we'd like a table for two. Hostess: And you have a reservation? Me and boyfriend: No, do we need one? Hostess: (in a pretentious voice) Oh... well... let me see if we can seat you... **side note -- it is virtually empty inside.** Hostess: it looks like we are pretty booked... you can sit at the bar if that's not a problem. Me and boyfriend: Yes, we'll just take a bar table... not a problem. The script itself wasn't necessarily the problem, but the attitude that they are so incredibly fancy and popular that every table was spoken for was a little much. Food prices weren't too bad... food was alright... we just had the non-vegetarian sampler platter (which was pretty bland), and some drinks... My martini was pretty damn good... and my bf loved his fruity drink. The video playing on the big screen was bizarre for a dinner crowd -- a trendy Bollywood music video -- strange. Service was mediocre. A three star review through and through... BUT based on our awesome experience with Tantric hosting our Yelpoween, combined with the fact that I was using the gift certificate Melissa and I won for the costume contest... the review is bumped to 4 stars.
(4)
Janak S.

This place has spectacular food! The Paneer in tomato cream sauce was finger licking good! The garlic naan was amazing. The service was impeccable I'm puzzled by how poor the Mango Lassi was. It was mostly yogurt with very little mango in it? Also, the Malai Kofta was kind of dry and not very tasty This place is also on the pricy side, about $25 per person
(5)
Aisha L.

I have been to Tantric about 6 or 7 times now. I keep buying their Restaurant.com gift certificates and then going with my BF or bringing friends there. It has a great atmosphere and lots of tables and booths. I have never had a problem getting a table and I never made a reservation. Even on a Friday night when the place is packed, they seem to get us in just fine. The food is good. I like their Masala Dosa the best, and their Popadums are soooo good. Also you cant go without a Mango Lassi. The service is always friendly, and I have never had a bad experience there. Definitely check this place out. It is also really convenient for dinner and a movie at Loews.
(4)
Laura K.

If there's one thing I love, it's a lunch buffet that is both cheap and delicious. In addition to being both $10 and IN-CRED-I-BLE, Tantric's lunch buffet boasts an amazingly accommodating staff. In hopes of avoiding a crowd, I usually try to hit the buffet towards the end of the 11:30-3:00 time slot -- plus, it's only $8 after 2PM. However, as I'm sure it would not shock anyone to find, there have been a number of times where I've cut it really close and found next to no food left. (Sadness.) But Wait! What's that you say? Not a problem? You'll replenish the buffet with special-for-me-spicy food with just 5 minutes left?? Wait... this whole pile of naan was made fresh for me?? Who are you people?!!? I. can't. get. enough.
(4)
Susan K.

Checked this place out for lunch...especially since there was a $12 lunch buffet! i don't know about you guys but Indian buffets are da bomb. We were seated pretty quickly even though it wasn't THAT busy...it was a large group and they were able to accommodate all of us. They seated us to this corner that was kind of separate from the rest of the restaurant. It was kind of cool. I think useful since we were pretty loud. The entire place was pretty big and spacious. The buffet was cool. Different kinds of curry and good chicken! I can't think of the names at the top of my head but they were all delicious. I loved the thin bread. Don't know the name of it but its money. Must dip it into the curries. I wish there were MORE selection of curry...but regardless, what they had was good. It took a bit longer than usual to pay. We waited a little too long for our credit cards to be given back to us. It looked like there was only one waitress working. Other than that, it was a good experience. Would definitely come back when I get cravings for Indian food!
(4)
Julie B.

Truth be told, I have never really had Indian food. Well okay, maybe once, but it was far too spicy for me to enjoy at the age of 12 (thanks dad). My friend from Kolkata took me here and showed me what I've been missing all this time. We ordered various dishes in order to sample as many different things as possible. A word of advice if you're going to do this: all the curries come with rice. We didn't know this, so we ended up with three servings of uneaten rice and lots of leftovers. For starters, I recommend the Papri Chaat (if you love chickpeas) and Somosas. For entrees: if you like really spicy food, try the Chicken Jalfrezi. Fresh chili peppers, bell peppers, tender chicken goodness. If you're on the wimpy side, try the Butter Chicken (least spicy dish here). Do not leave without trying the garlic naan. Incredible. I'll be here for the lunch buffet to try even more things. Hi my name is Julie, and I'm addicted to Indian food.
(5)
Sarah J.

Awesome lunch buffet for $10.95! There are several meat and vegetarian choices. They brought out a complimentary appetizer when we sat down which was really nice. It was made of potatoes and was pretty yummy! This is a great place to go to for a great lunch! If I'm in the area again I'll definitely go back!
(4)
Jeffrey K.

This place is pretty good not too shabby. The mango chicken was real good the sweet and spice level (out of 1-10 I got 5) was perfect. The side of naan was a great compliment. Also, I was surprised to see $2 PBRs so that was cool considering it was a Friday night. The service was on point. The server was very tentative with filling water glasses and asking if everything was up to par, I recommend this place to anyone who is trying indian food for the first time the ambiance and feel of this place makes it an enjoyable time.
(3)
Digby C.

I've eaten here many times for lunch but last night also had dinner there for the first time. Generally it's a reliable buffet without being spectacular, and the price is reasonable for Boston. Last night we had the standard soup fare as an appetizer: tomato and coconut. We both thought it was great - better than most restaurants, maybe because it was richer. A+ For dinner my wife had the malai kofta, which she requested have a "heat rating" of 6 (on a scale of 0 to 10), and it was indeed a 6, and it tasted fantastic. Malai kofta used to be my test of a good Indian restaurant, and I will definitely order it next time I'm there. A+. I ordered the aloo gobi. When he asked me about the heat index I almost said "11" in honor of the day (Nigel Tufnel of course) but had been feeling a bit off all day, so I inexplicably ordered a 0. In retrospect that probably created a lot of confusion and consternation in the kitchen. "Wait, zero? How the hell do you make a zero? Has this guy ever been to an Indian restaurant before? WHAT DO WE DO?" The solution they seem to have reached was to scrape most of the sauce from whatever they'd prepped, resulting in a somewhat dry mass of cauliflower and potatoes that still had pockets of spicy sauce in hidden corners. Frankly it wasn't great, but then I have to share some accountability for ordering heat-free. Still: D. Our waiter only had three tables and seemed to be working on a floor routine where he said things in a stoned voice like "um, food is in the menu there, drinks are in the other one." He was also slow as hell. Waiter gets a C. Really this is a 3.5 star review, but I'm not quite ready to round up to 4.
(3)
S V.

Absolutely fantastic family meal. My parents and I shared 3 vegetarian entrees. We can be terribly critical of curry and all three of us left raving about the food! Most highly recommended!!!
(5)
Ken M.

We came here for a friend's birthday prior to a show at Jacque's. We ordered some naan and a vegetarian appetizer sampler plate for 6 of us to share to start the meal. The garlic naan was really tasty and not over cooked (burnt) like some places do. The vegetarian sampler plate had some standard vittles on the platter along with some interesting and different takes. I liked everything I tried from the platter (probably more than my fair share, but girls don't eat). I ordered a chai tea and honestly, I don't know how I'll ever go back to Starbucks for chai ever again. It was so delicious. I did something I never do...I ordered a vegetarian entree. It was amazing. It was nutty and cheesy and vegetable-tastic. I tried my friend's lentils and they were delicious too. We ordered more naan with dinner and the sweet naan was really good. The atmosphere is nice and the prices are certainly fair. I'd definitely come back again.
(4)
Kim C.

I was here for the lunch buffet. Pleasant music of modern Indian genre, not too loud. Buffet items were isolated from customer cross contamination in a very sanitary manner. Spice tailored to the mild palate, not exceeding 2000 Scoville units in my judgment. Food quality and taste is moderately high to high degree. Staff was gracious when I went for seconds and thirds at the buffet. Often times Chinese restaurants in particular, don't seem to get the Buffet concept. $20 with drink & tip.
(4)
Rani K.

I am half-Indian and grew up on this stuff, so I would consider myself somewhat an authority on "good" Indian food. I think this place definitely lives up to the adjective. I like the Americana, bistro take on Indian gourmet. Tantric caters to their neighborhood in terms of atmosphere, style, presentation and twists on favorite dishes, i.e. (Nan-wiches), and I think that practice is smart and creative. Word to the wise on spiciness levels: order conservatively. Having eaten spicy Indian food my entire life, I ordered my Punjabi Masala Chole medium, thinking I could add red chili peppers if needed. One bite and my mouth turned into a 4-alarm fire - my dinner companion actually said that my dish made his eyes water. And he only inhaled the scent - never even ate a bite. His Paneer Mahkani, however, was perfect. He did have the presence of mind to order it "as mild as possible" (that's a direct quote.) And it was fantastic - the sauce was gorgeous, and the flavor with the nan & rice was nicely balanced. AND my own dish was very promptly remade to a degree of edible spiciness. Both the server and the manager were very attentive to whether I liked it. Big props there for not rolling eyes or giving me a hard time about a dish politely sent back for an appropriate reason. At least one full star for the cucumber martini. Cool as its name.
(4)

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Address : 123 Stuart St
Boston, MA, 02116
Phone (617) 367-8742
Website https://www.tantricbistro.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 11

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Tantric India Bistro

123 Stuart St, Boston, MA, 02116

Tantric India Bistro Menu

Vegetarian Appetizers

Chicken/seafood/lamb Appetizers

Soups Salads And Chaats

Chicken

Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Tantric India Bistro

Vegetarian Appetizers

Chicken/seafood/lamb Appetizers

Soups Salads And Chaats

Chicken

Desserts

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