You can always order out or decide to eat in but whatever I decide to do, I've never been let down. As you descend down into Akbar, you'll find intimate tables close to each other and I've always had attentive service. If you are staving, I recommend ordering a shurat appetizer because everything is prepared fresh and may take a few minutes. I try to venture out from my favorite dishes and it all seems to be pretty good. Last time I tried a chicken dish and the lamb meatballs that came with a really good yogurt sauce. It was steamy as they brought it out to the table and I almost didn't get a good snapshot of the dishes :-)
(4)
Landy L.
Had their buffet several years ago which was delicious and recently stopped in for dinner. Had the coconut lamb curry and asked for it spicy. It more than brought the heat but instead of just straight fire, only enhanced the delicate and authentic Indian spices in the dish. Great Indian food is really hard to find in the city and Akbar more than delivers. Service was unobtrusive but attentive.
(5)
Carrie O.
So Akbar's been in the neighborhood for more years than I can remember, but somehow I've just never had the opportunity to take advantage of it - especially their lunch buffet, which I kept hearing about. I was able to come home from work early yesterday to begin a much-needed vacation, and my husband suggested that we have Indian. Normally, we go to Cafe Spice in Hunt Valley to partake of such offerings, but we didn't really feel like driving all the way out there. We had a bad experience at Kumari long ago and far away, so we decided that we'd try here. I'm glad that we did. Akbar is a lot smaller than I'd expected - it's more or less squeezed into a basement in Mt. Vernon. The decor was actually pretty nice, though - I liked the exposed brick walls and hardwood floors, which is a bit uncommon for this area of town. The staff was attentive and polite (though not overwhelmingly friendly - some don't mind that, but I found the reception a tad on the 'cool' side) and the layout was quite attractive. We decided, of course, on the buffet lunch. Hits! - The tofu jalfrezi. Holy Toledo. This stuff was spicy as I don't know what, and it was utterly delicious. Big chunks of veggies with lots and lots of tofu pieces. I've never had jalfrezi better than this. A must-try. - The saag palak. Again, quite spicy. Very heavy on the cumin, and while that may turn off some folk, I enjoyed it thoroughly. - The tandoori chicken. The best I have EVER had, it even beats out Cafe Spice's offering. Melted in my mouth. The only downside to this is that everyone else apparently agreed with me - I only got a couple of small pieces because they kept running out. - The kheer. Delicious, with the right consistency. It's hard for a lot of Indian places to make kheer without it either turning into rice flavored water or wallpaper paste, but Akbar gets it right here. Just Okay. - The chicken tikka masala. Good, but doesn't hold a candle to Cafe Spice's version. - The vegetable pakora. Okay flavor but it was kind of tough. I probably wouldn't choose this again. - The lentils. Not bad, good flavor, but they're not my favorite dish. In short, we'd definitely come here again for the buffet. It's a great option when we don't feel like driving to Hunt Valley. Price was decent at 9.95 (during the week). Get that tandoori chicken while it lasts.
(4)
Sue P.
Another great meal! The food is always consistently good and the service always on point. I love the food so much, it is always a nice treat when we get to come here. Always good Indian food when I come here!!
(5)
Misty P.
I was first introduced to Indian food here by my friend. It was a wonderful experience that opened my world of different ethnic cuisines. We came here on their buffet day for lunch. Their buffet is huge, but the quality is still there. The was tandoori chicken, various curries, chutneys, yogurt sauces, cucumber salad and even desserts. A pretty good deal for all you can eat Indian food. Also a great way to introduce yourself to it if you've never had it because you can try everything on the buffet line at a reasonable price.
(5)
Ashish J.
Only the second time that we found yelp-wisdom a little bit misleading. It was really a bagful of events that resulted in a rather subpar experience at this establishment that was rated quite high by yelpers. THE FOOD: Weekend lunch buffet which really falls short on choices for vegetarians. Three three main entrees - black lentils, peas+potatoes, and spinach - were all generic, kind of cold, and not much of anything else. Sorry, let me add one more - tofu disguised as a masala paneer dish (see pic). Aargh!!!! The app selection was also very poor as compared to a typical Indian weekend buffet at other places. Lentil donuts (Medhu Vada) did not have the right accompanying soups (sambar) or chutneys. THE SERVICE: We arrived here around 2:30 pm on Saturday (they close for lunch at 3:00pm). Apparently it was too late for us to order a la carte and we were steered towards the buffet. Alas, on top of that, they hurried us through the meals. I bet you their dinner service is better. Perhaps, if we had arrived earlier, we would have enjoyed warmer meals. Nevertheless, not keeping the buffet spread warm is not forgivable for Indian food. If you are a vegetarian, be prepared to get underwhelmed with their buffet choices.
(2)
Lina J.
My first visit here and I'm underwhelmed. I got the chicken tikka massala which was tasty but nothing super special. Rice comes with the entree but naan is extra (boo). The entrees are already pretty pricey (~$16) as it is so that was a disappointment. I didn't get a good vibe from the waiter/manager though the waitress we had was very nice and great at checking up on us. She even gave us extra rice in our to go boxes, which was really nice! The waiter/manager seemed to almost be mad at my group because 2/5 of us just opted for appetizers (sorry we just weren't that hungry!) Eh, I won't be back anytime soon or maybe ever if I can help it. Nothing impressed me very much, I'd sooner try the other Indian restaurants on Charles Street.
(3)
Andrei K.
This is a good indian restaurant with decent price. The underground atmosphere is good and the choice of the buffet is decent.
(4)
Suzie S.
Eggplant n Okura dish are sooooo good!!! Really hot n not so spicy. My 4 years old son loved this!! We are a lot except another curries.
(5)
Quin A.
A good lunch buffet option. They have a good number of dishes and desserts. Taste is good. Food is fresh and warm. Curries are fine but I find the grilled kebab a little dry. That didn't keep me from going back many times though. The gulab jamun are sweet, hot and juicy. Service is efficient and friendly. Definitely worth a try.
(4)
VA W.
My go to spot every time I come up to Bmore! As an Indian food lover the food here is de-LISh and never disappoints me or my tummy.
(4)
Diana M.
Was really sadden by my order. I ordered delivery through foodler which the service and delivery was fantastic. However, the food was subpar. The chicken tikka massala had a very tomatoie taste like tomato soup . No flavor and no spices. The rice was good and the naan bread was good as well. But thats about it. Its also pretty pricey. $16.99 for Chicken Tikka M. and $2.35 for a can soda. A CAN!
(2)
Sonali S.
If your looking for a good Indian restaurant serving authentic tasting food...this is your place. My favorite restaurant while I lived in Baltimore. Great buffet selection and cordial staff. Good ambience and instrumental music.
(4)
Diwakar S.
Well this was a blessing in disguise!. It was around 10:15 when I alongwith some of my friends were in Baltimore( I am originally from Philly) and were looking for some good place to eat and then we checked Akbar on Yelp, We called them to check if the restaurant was open, it was open but the kitchen was going to close soon, so we rushed as we were very hungry, we ordered a lot of stuff, biryani, dal makhani, butter nan, kulfi, gulab jamun etc. We were 4 people and we ate like anything and to our surprise, per person bill was just $27, the staff was very good. The manager is really amazing, they even waited after the business hours so that we could finish our meal. The taste was so good " Like the best Indian food I had in East coast - including some portions of NY, NJ and Philly. I would recommend this place to anyone who is looking for awesome Indian Food :) -Diwakar S
(5)
Iron M.
Would give this place zero stars if i could . Literally asked us to leave since we were 10 minutes close to the sunday buffet closing. T
(1)
Gokul S.
This is my first time coming to this place. I am originally from India. I want to say the taste here is close to home. We have orders paneer makhani , begum Palau, kheema naan which are very much standard basic indian dishes. But I must say they were delicious. Spice level was just enough and the taste was good. I also like the ambience. I might come back to eat here.
(4)
Jasmine W.
This is only my second time trying Indian food, but I was under impressed. I order the tandoori chicken and my boyfriend ordered lamb curry (unsure of the actually name of the dish). The wow factor was there with them serving me the chicken right off a skillet with onions. But the chicken didn't come with any sides or sauce. It was flavorful, but very dry. It was lacking something, but I'm not sure what. My boyfriends food was very good, I loved the sauce and the rice . I'm not a huge fan of lamb, but he loved it. The customer service was eh. We can it around 5:15 (dinner begins at 5) and waiters we're sitting down chatting. Our waiter wasn't very personable. The bus girl was super sweet though. Would be willing to go again since I'm new to Indian food, but definitely plan to order something different.
(2)
Morad B.
Honestly one of the worst Indian restaurants I have ever been to. Went there for a lunch buffet on a Saturday. Small restaurant. Mediocre selection. The tendoori was very dry. Even the curry chicken and other chicken dishes were as well. Very greasy sauces. Tasteless gulab jamun. Very doughy and no flavor. I actually felt a bit sick after eating there. The only positive is that the staff was very friendly. Will not repeat.
(1)
Sarah G.
My bf and I went to Akbar for my birthday. I loved the setting, it feels very out of the way since it's below street level, even though it's on a main street! It was kind of dark in there but not in a bad way, it made it feel very relaxed and a little romantic. The decor was cool with artwork and pottery from India (I think?). We were sat at a table in the center and had plenty of time to look at the menu. When our waitress came over she was very soft spoken, but in a way that she was very hard to understand. She was also not personable. Not to say that she was rude because she wasn't but it was just very odd. Anyway, we started with Garlic Nan- love! It's dumb but Nan is my favorite part of eating Indian food! We also had Paneer Pakora- it's basically the Indian version of mozzarella sticks. Those were good if a little bland. But they had brought out three different sauces and the sweet one paired with the cheese was kind of like eating brie and raspberry pastries! For my meal I had the Shahjehani Biryani. I think I had had this overseas so I was really looking forward to it. Unfortunately the dish seemed really dried out. I know it wasn't meant to have a sauce or anything but even the chicken was dry. So, it wasn't my favorite. My boyfriend got one of the slightly spicy chicken dishes, sorry can't remember which one but that was very good and came out in a little pot over a flame which was pretty cool! I'd definitely be willing to come back here and try some other dishes because I heard such great things! Hopefully we'll get a different server though.
(3)
A. C.
(12/18/2014) Akbar was one of the first Indian restaurants in Baltimore and has been pretty much consistently the same for the last couple of decades. No surprises here. We went for an office holiday outing and had the lunch buffet. The place is subterranean and a little cramped (although they try their best with bright lighting and large mirrors), so I wouldn't go with a group much larger than 6. Buffet dishes are fewer than at many of the other roomier places on the same street, but they've got your faves and plenty of delicious savory dishes for your vegan friends. I found the spicing to be relatively mild, but still aromatic. The Achari Baingan (Baby Eggplant with spices) was the mildest of the bunch, but the eggplants roasted whole until tender and silky and with a slight char were delicious, really let the eggplant flavors shine. The lowest common denominator dish, Chicken Tikka Masala, was very buttery, more tomato-y than most, had chunks of breast meat (easily overcooked in stews). Palak Saag was cooked down until almost puree, peppery, delicious (even though missing my fave paneer!). I'm generally not a big fan of daal, but the yellow lentils here were highly seasoned and soft (the way I prefer). Tandoori Chicken is as you would expect (touch dry from the chaffiing dish). Zucchini is zuccchini pretty much anywhere you go, not too many ways anyone can dress that up. Kheer is standard as with most buffets, def try the Gulab Jamon, that's a special treat, these are huge (relatively speaking) and super-soaked in sugar syrup. Overall, very good table service (it was a quiet weekday), although the manager was a little brusque, but no bother to us. Great value for lunch ($9.95 weekdays, $11.95 weekends) and very good food.
(4)
Jen K.
I take out or eat in Indian food about once a week or every other week. Since I rotate [mostly] among the places on Charles Street, I've been to Akbar at least 10 times over the last couple years. Unfortunately, I think it is going downhill. Last time I was there--on a weekday evening--the service was sub par. Slow and unattentive; something was just quite...off. Normally I am pleased with the service here, but that night it bordered on rude (even though I recognized it was the same staff and we did not request anything out of the ordinary). The food is average....certainly good enough to satisfy your craving for Indian food (well, unless you're used to homemade Indian food or have lived in South Asia), but nothing to write home about. I consistently have to ask for a side of chili, because they make dishes mild even if you ask for medium or spicy. The rice reminds me of microwavable basmati, and they only give you one tray regardless if you ordered 1 entree or 4.
(3)
Yong K.
i think it's one of the best legit/pure indian food restaurants in baltimore! the restaurant itself isn't too big, but get ready for some big portions. you will be full after a meal here. food: - chicken tikka masala - really great sauce with good rich flavors. good amount of spicy -rice: free refills (unless they changed it..) and it's well made! not too dry or soggy - lamb vindaloo - pretty good, but if u don't like curry-ish food that's kinda tangy, maybe not for you - forgot the name, but it was a yellow colored veggie curry... it was a bit bland for me. glad i wasn't the one who ordered it - GARLIC NAN - OH. MY. GOSH. this is like crack. so darn good. give me this with some mango chutney on the side and some curry to dip it in (tikka) and there's no stopping me. wow. when it comes out fresh and hot, it's so amazingly delicious. even the regular naan is good too but i'm a garlic lover so this just hit the spot. the space itself was very cozy, dimly lit. kinda downstairs in the ground feeling. nice atmosphere. not too loud. service: waiters were good, nothing special. Lunch Special: So... the lunch buffet here is good. you can get your typical curry with naan and rice, etc for about $11 which is great! However... i would really recommend walking about one more block north and checking out Kumari. i love their lunch buffet even more because i think it has more variety for about the same price! but make sure you try this place too!
Just a little update, I'm pleased to say you can get the buffet to go. They charge you a flat rate, rather than weighing it. I don't tend to eat too much, so I suppose the weight option would be good. If you can throw down some serious Indian at a buffet, this place is for you! The variety each day is fantastic. I've tried many different dishes. I continue to highly recommend.
(5)
Deepa K.
Formal Indian restaurant tucked in the basement level of historic Mount Vernon. Went early on a Saturday night and had the attention of many wait staff. Food was DELICIOUS. Authentic Indian food, unlike many of the Nepali/Indian restaurants nearby. Our party was all vegetarian and we enjoyed all the entrees (palak paneer, bhindi masala and malai kofta). The naan was fresh and buttery (so sinful). They were also accomodating of our baby (luckily he behaved and no disturbance to other diners!). The waiter was very sweet and even brought a bowl of rice for our baby while we waited for our food. Will definitely return when I am craving real authentic North Indian/Punjabi food!
(4)
Thomas H.
Very personable staff, always great food at a surprisingly low price for the Mt. Vernon neighborhood.
(4)
Ericke W.
Awesome lunch buffet. Price us reasonable, food was great, would return next time in Baltimore.
(5)
Mike R.
This is the best Indian food in Baltimore Hands down. I drive into the city and pay to park just to eat here (I hate driving in the city) The food is always perfect, The staff is always helpful and friendly (not overwhelming) The chicken tikka masala is to die for. 10/10 Excellent
(5)
Joe M.
Initially, me and a friend were impressed. They started us off with the crispy flatbread and 3 different chutneys (all of them spicy). Our server even gave us another set of flatbread when we finished the first one. The mango nan was great. Order that if you plan to try this restaurant. Now the bad part. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant if you're a vegetarian. It's just so underwhelming. We tried two dishes and both of them were subpar. The Paneer Makhani (home made cheese cooked in tomato and butter sauce) didn't have any taste. Honestly I'd like to try more of the other dishes but at $12.95 - $13.95 per dish and not very big portion, I probably will just try other Indian restaurants...
(2)
Ieesha J.
Can I say "why haven't I found this place sooner"? Came here with a friend for dinner and I was VERY pleased. I ordered the special for the night (I'm not doing my Yelpers justice - by not remembering the name - sorry guys), and it was AMAZING! My second visit I dragged my co-worker for the lunch buffet and for 9.95 it was worth every cent. We eat Indian about twice a month and I took her out of her comfort zone. She was sold! We will be back!
(4)
Jared J.
Akbar is good, but I still like Kumari's lunch buffet (just a block further) more for their wide variety of food and general deliciousness. As for Akbar, I really don't have any complaints in terms of taste. The vegetable pakora, chicken tikka masala, kheer, gulab jamun, and eggplant dish (cant recall the name) were all good and well stocked. The naan was good, but like most Indian buffets, they tray always seemed to be down to one piece. I had never had chicken pakora before, and I was a little skeptical to see what looked like chicken wings at an Indian lunch buffet. They were good though, nice and spicy. The daal was the only dish that I thought was a bit lackluster at Akbar. I also was disappointed that they did not provide tea. In all, probably a 4.5 star lunch buffet.
(4)
Emily S.
The first time we went to the actual restaurant. The food was so great. They serve great portion sizes! We could have easily split an entree rather than ordering two appetizers and two entrees. The Naan is phenominal. I like the shrimp appetizer and now order it to be delivered as an entree. Speaking of delivery, they have online ordering. It usually comes within an hour. The first time? Amazing! THe second time? Not that great. Regardless, we will def try this place again for dine in and takeout.
(4)
Daniel W.
Loved the Chicken Tikka Masala! The outside appearance is deceiving but was pleasantly surprised when we got inside. Will be going back very soon!
(5)
Jennifer H.
Akbar was crowded, so it has a good following, but I haven't a clue why. Years ago it was great. Now? I don't get it. I love Indian food. I cook it at home quite a bit. So I know my way around an Indian recipe. My son ordered one of the daily specials. A lamb stew. It turned out to be exactly like lamb vindaloo. My mother ordered a chicken dish which was cold. We had it sent back to be reheated. It still was bland and boring. I ordered tandoori chicken. This was inexcusable. Indelible. Clearly old, and reheated. So dry, over-cooked, and tasteless. It was so horrid, the waiter (without my asking) offered to bring over a sauce to pour on it! About ten minutes later the sauce arrived. I was so disappointed. I was really looking forward to some tandoori cuisine. You really can't make that in a regular oven. Skip this restaurant. I think their real trade is the lunch buffet. I didn't notice the little ad for it on the menu until after we'd already committed to dine there.
(2)
Jill B.
Always the go-to for the best Indian cuisine in town!
(5)
Nicole J.
This used to be one of my favorite Indian restaurants in Baltimore, but the last time my husband and I were here a few months ago for a lunch buffet, the servers were a bit dismissive, which annoyed me, but I'm giving them a pass since we've not been treated like this before. The food was OK.
(3)
David F.
I love Akbar, this has got to be one of the best Indian restaurants in Baltimore. The atmosphere is so great and cozy. I eat here every week and always order the chicken tikka masala because it is to die for. I love the saffron yellow rice with the masala sauce on top. I also love their mango lassi and Indian desserts. Their pistachio ice cream is the best. Come eat here if you're in the mood for good Indian food, they also do carry out which is wonderful.
(5)
Jeffrey H.
Excellent Indian restaurant tucked away in the heart of Baltimore. Great food starting from the relishes and chutneys that they start every meal. I've eaten there many times over the past four years with many friends and whatever I've ordered - vegetarian, chicken, lamb, you have it - it's been uniformly excellent.
(4)
Michael C.
A second visit and a second great meal!
(4)
Laura A.
The food, service, and environment were outstanding. The eggplant was expertly seasoned and prepared, and coupled well with both the fresh garlic naan and rice.
(5)
Sean G.
We came here for a friend's birthday dinner, and even though I was full from eating lunch earlier, I had the chicken tikka masala, which was stunningly good, and big enough to take leftovers even after sharing with my wife. I'll be back for more.
(4)
Sara K.
Enjoyed the complimentary chip-thing (don't know what it's called) and the service was pretty good. I had the shrimp saag and while it was yummy and the serving generous, I'm not sure if it was worth the price.
(4)
Brian F.
Polite, quick, and friendly wait staff, great location and nice ambiance, and the Lamb Vindaloo was phenomenal- just the right amount of spice to make you sweat but not so much that it hurts. I'll definitely come back!
(5)
J. M.
My friends had told me about how terrific this place was. I was obviously suspicious because good Indian restaurants are much rare than one would imagine. The suspicion was well-founded because it was your generic experience being surrounded by the stereotype of Indian-ness as far as decor was concerned, with food that was barely a cut above frozen Indian food. Even the most mediocre cooks could follow a recipe book and replicate, [and with some persistence] or improve on the offerings here.
(3)
C S.
I alternate between coming here and Kumari but because the food quality varies slightly at both establishments, I've never been able to decide which place I like better. But thats okay - they're both great. I always order off of the vegetarian menu and think I've tried almost all of the curies. While the food is not always incredible, its reliably very good. There's also a nice calm ambiance here and the service is quiet and attentive.
(4)
Hillarie D.
Two words: Malia Kofta. Amazingly yummy. Went there on a whim right after moving to the area, and am sooo glad that we did. The wait staff was amazing (sent us home with extra rice at no charge), the manager was friendly and chatted when he found out that we had just moved to the area. DH and I shared an entree and two appetizers; it was more food than we could eat. This is officially on my regular eating list.
(5)
Sam B.
My favorite Indian restaurant since I've been in Baltimore (2003). The food is amazing, but also the staff are very personable and friendly. The owner is always present and making sure the service is excellent. I'm Indian, so now you know the food is good :-)
(5)
Michelle H.
There is something incredibly cozy about your entire dining experience at this Akbar location. Granted you descend below street level to enter the restaurant and tables are a bit close together due to its limited space, but it goes far beyond that. The service is impeccable - they know how to be welcoming and attentive but not overbearing. The atmosphere is very soothing - soft lighting, crisp what tablecloths, soft springy seats and very subtle background noise. But the food, oh the food!, is wonderful. I think Indian cuisine is the ultimate comfort food - it's hearty in flavor and texture and you just feel so satisfied after eating it. I've pretty much made my way through their entire menu, but highlights for me are the Chicken Sagwala, Channa Masala and Dal Special. All dishes are paired perfectly with their aromatic rice and soft, chewy garlic nan. Oh, and I personally can't resist Samosas, so if you're like me, start with an order of vegetable ones. You don't be sorry.
(4)
Farhan H.
I should have read the other reviews before eating at this place. Altough it is fancy looking and service is ok, the food is blah. The tandoori chicken was lots of color no taste. Boiled and then grilled to make it look like tandoori but it wasnt. Tasteless to say the least. The jalfrazi was right out of the box as well. Would not recommend this over priced crappy food to anyone.
(1)
Allison R.
I stumbled upon this restaurant by doing a Google search. I was pleasantly surprised when I visited. The food is absolutely delicious. It is one of the best Indian restaurants I've eaten at. The waiters are pleasant, and the prices are reasonable. You must visit if in Baltimore.
(5)
Chery S.
Pretty great Indian food. The only thing that deters me is the price since I know some other places that are much cheaper (and a little more delicious -- shout out to Punjabi Tandoor! Why are you only in California!?). This is a great, solid, delicious place though, and I would definitely like to come back soon. The Rogan Josh was my favorite from what I ordered. Chicken Tikka Masala also good. The Naan was good too but I just wish they'd give you a little bit more for what you pay.
(4)
Al E.
Had the buffet for lunch today. The regular menu is expensive, so I recommend the buffet as a way to try various dishes. I think there was only 1 meat (chicken) item, so it's a good deal for vegetarians at $9.95 and you can do to-go. 1 of my coworkers loves their mulligatawny soup b/c she says it's the spiciest of the Indian restaurants on our block. Another 2 coworkers eat regularly from their buffet - 1 is gluten-free. I didn't try the soup b/c it wouldn't fit in my to-go container. I had mixed greens (with tomato and cucumber); veggie dumplings in yogurt sauce (punjabi kadi); alu gobi masala (potatoes/cauliflower); fish in some kind of creamy sauce (I *think* it was the goa fish -- not a cream sauce but creamy if that makes sense), channa masala (chick peas in red sauce), and palak paneer (creamy spinach) -- a really nice variety with basmati rice. They had nan but I'm glad I resisted b/c I'm STUFFED. My faves were definitely the fish and the potatoes/cauliflower. The spinach was next in goodness. The veggie dumplings were not so good even though they smelled amazing and the sauce was tasty. The chick peas were fine. I'll be back!
(3)
Katie M.
I love this place! I've gotten the lunch buffet several times and take out for dinner once. The items on the lunch buffet are always a surprise to me, and I'm always pleased. There's a good selection of chicken and vegetarian dishes, plus naan and dessert. When I got take out, it was with a large group of people and we tried several things, but I don't remember what. So after trying several things on the menu, I would say that they have the best food overall. I probably wouldn't give any dish a 10/10 (except maybe the malai kofta), but everything I've tried would at least get an 8 or 9/10. I can't say that about any other Indian restaurant. Most places just have one or two particular dishes I like. This is definitely my top choice, especially for the weekday lunch buffet.
(5)
William K.
I think that akbar is a-ok. If you want a decent indian meal with the traditional flavors, then Akbar is fine. The service was attentive, courteous and responsive. There were 4 of us for dinner, including 1 vegetarian, and we all had more than enough to eat. In fact, 2 of us wished we hadn't eaten so much. The naan was hot, fresh and tasty. My Chicken Tikka Masala was honestly just like anywhere. Someone ordered a Dal, and another the goat... there were samosas, and also some kulcha... Everything tasted fine. The tea I had was especially delicious. There was a definite cardamom taste which I enjoyed, and drank a lot of. Again, good indian cuisine, nothing spectacular. Be aware this location is in what's known as a 'dive' meaning it's below street level.
(3)
M W.
I have tried three different Indian resultants during my last visit at Baltimore.. Those are - Akbar - Helmand - Lumbini It seems to me that I got "FULL" plate of very delicious food at Akbar. In Helmand, The food was delicious but my plate was NOT that full! I tried Lumbini for lunch buffet and it was really great. For dinner, I will prefer to go to Akbar next time!
(5)
K N.
I really enjoy going to Akbar's. The staff is very pleasant and the food is always delicious. Very cute location, with nice cocktails and wine selection. Quiet, relaxing atmosphere down in the restaurant.
(4)
Nadia H.
I had the Alu Gobi Masala (potatoes & cauliflower with onion and tomato) and it was phenomenal. My partner had the Yellow Dal (a lentil dish) and he seemed very pleased with it. Overall, everything was excellent!
(5)
Nausherwan H.
The food and price are not worth it, especially given the numerous other options for good desi food in the Mount Vernon area.
(2)
Jennifer H.
Absolutely the best Indian meal I have had. Yeah, it's kind of cave-like inside but still very cozy. Service was a bit strange but not bad at all.
(5)
Katie H.
This is hands down my favorite Indian restaurant in Baltimore City. The decor is welcoming, and nice for an intimate dinner. The staff is very friendly and prompt with service. And the food... I am a big fan of paneer makhani, and theirs is great. Nicely spiced, and so rich in flavor. Combined with their mango naan, it's pretty much heaven. In fact, the mango naan alone is pretty much amazing. They also have an excellent lunch buffet that's usually not too crowded. The chicken tikka masala--a regular offering at the buffet--is rich and well done, and all the chutneys taste amazingly fresh and flavorful. If you're a Hopkins student, you can also enjoy a small discount on top of their already reasonable prices. The one flaw is that they don't deliver. That's probably good for my wallet, though.
(5)
Man G.
The best Indian food I've ever had! Ive eaten it in NYC, San Francisco, etc. The chicken tiki masala (try it medium-spicy) is superb. The Indian tea was a unique flavor- I recommend it over regular iced tea. I only wish I lived close enough to eat here once a week. I recommend reservations- they don't have a lot of seats; I called in at 5:30pm Saturday for a 6:30pm reservation. By 6:45, there was a line out the door. Parking is very close (1/2 block or less) at a pay lot ($10 all night).
(5)
Marshall L.
There are around a half dozen Indian/South Asian places within a few blocks of where Akbar is, so each of these places have to stay on their toes to stay open amidst all the competition. I've only ever gotten takeout from Akbar, but it's always been great and worth the price. The sauces are always flavorful and the samosas are some of the best I've ever had. They are also very reliable at making the food spicy, so you'll be best starting off mild and not being a hero unless you know you can really handle the heat. The staff are pretty friendly and attentive for the most part, and it being on sort of a sub-street level part of the building, it's got this great cozy dark atmosphere to it. This is the type of place that if I lived across town, I'd still drive to get takeout on a regular basis!
(4)
George M.
All you can eat lunch buffet that only has 7 or 8 different dishes is a little boo for me Matthew said it best - "Not bad, just not good" The chicken tikka masala was good but nothing special, nan was tasteless and the rice was mediocre at best The salad had chunky pieces of cucumber which ='s not good Again, this was the all-you-can-eat lunch and not their regular menu so perhaps it can be as good as my friend told me but they are what I thought they was
(2)
Sathiya K.
The food was very average in quality (may be it is on a saturday). Ambience is below average. Service is OK. Overall, I rate as Below average
(2)
Cheryl K.
I love Akbar. I really do. Let's see, there's the ambiance, the attentive waitstaff, and of course, the food. I've been coming to Akbar regularly since the summer of 2007 and the food has been consistently great. The weekday lunch buffet, while not as expansive as say, Mughal Gardens, has always been chock-full of fresh and perfectly seasoned dishes. Really, it's quality over quantity. Dinner at Akbar is always a treat. It's a fantastic spot for a date, what with the low lighting and soft music and the peppery papadum and the accompanying chutneys are a perfect start. I can't vouch for every item on their menu, but I can say that at the very least, their chicken korma, chicken makhani, channa masala, palak paneer, chapati, mango lassi, and chai tea are excellent. I love Indian food and I never turn down an opportunity to try out other places but I always find that nothing compares to Akbar.
(5)
Jenny A.
Best Indian food in Baltimore. Consistently amazing Tikka Masala. I think I already wrote a review for Akbar like two years ago. Oh well. Amazing restaurant.
(5)
Christy L.
Located down in the basement of a little building on Charles Street, Akbar doesn't look like much from the outside. Once you open the door, though, you're in for a pleasant surprise. The little dining room is full of ambiance, clad with exposed brick walls, red leather booths, and subtle Indian decor. Our waiter came over immediately and recommended some Indian drinks (get the Kingfisher beer!!!) and appetizers. My friends and I ended up splitting some mango chutney naan bread-- perfectly soft and chewy with a thin spread of sweet mango sauce in the middle. We loved it so much that we got a second (and maybe even a third) order of it! All of the entrees come served in personal-sized bowls that sit over tea light candles to keep them warm while you eat. I ordered the Channa Masala (chickpeas, tomatoes, and onions in a dry sauce) and it was excellent. One of my friends loves her food ridiculously spicy and was a bit disappointed that her entree came out somewhat bland, but our waiter was really nice about it and had it fixed in less than a minute. At the end of the meal, the owner came over to get feedback on our experience. He was super nice and really seemed to take pride in his restaurant. The only drawbacks about this place are that it's a bit pricey and the acoustics aren't good for such a small dining area. When it's crowded in there, it gets LOUD, and you have to really raise your voice to talk to someone across the table. Otherwise, it's a fun, unusual place to eat. If you're in the Mt. Vernon area, go try it!!
(4)
Juiana L.
Friendly service, very neighborly atmosphere, a perfect Indian dining experience for those who enjoy a wonderful sampling of Indian favorites, especially superb balsamic rice and lamb curry, fresh salad, variety of savory condiments. Price is right, food delicious. I'm ready for an encore.
(4)
Teresa S.
Excellent Indian food! Nice cozy restaurant a few steps down from street level. We tried the chicken vindaloo; chicken malai kebab; chicken tikki masala; onion kulcha and garlic naan. Everything was excellent! Will definitely go back!
(5)
Jan T.
The best Indian food in Baltimore in my book. A small and intimate place (you will get to know your neighbors on a busy night or during the excellent weekend lunch), this place offers traditional Indian fare at its best. The dishes are flavorful, the sauces creamy, and the drinks a perfect accompaniment. The saturday lunch buffet offers the traditional Indian favorites like chicken korma, but also offers a fresh-made dosa (South Indian style stuffed pancake) station that is excellent and a nice deviation from your traditional a la carte of cafeteria style Indian. A definite recommendation for anyone liking good Indian food, and a wonderful way to start off an afternoon at the Walther's or evening at the theatre.
(5)
Victoria L.
I am an Indian food snob. Well, actually, I really just love Indian food and will eat it for every meal if possible. See: PUT IT IN MY MOUTH. So a friend and I checked out Akbar and I am amazed I didn't wind up ordering everything on the menu. Chicken Tikka Masala, which is my go-to test dish for any new-to-me Indian place, was AMAZING. They don't skimp on the rice or naan, and they have a very awesome wine list. Vegetable Samosas? Amazing. PLUS, the service was super attentive without being overbearing. I am so glad this place is right around the corner from my apartment. However, when I am 400 lbs from eating nothing but garlic naan and samosas, I hope they'll install a wider door for me.
(5)
b w.
Fav Indian place in the Baltimore Area!
(5)
George B.
I've now been here twice, the second time last night, and am very pleased with everything. A nice, casual atmosphere with attentive and pleasant service. The food was great. When they say spicy, they mean spicy, so if you go for spicy, order the raiti as well.
(4)
Judy C.
I think they serve the best lunch buffet in the area (and I've been to all the restaurants in that area). I love the selection of food they have (saag, pakoras, chicken tikka masala), and it is tasty enough. Service is fast, and the food definitely fills you up for the day! But I really can't stand the price for either the buffet or the dinner. The prices for dinner are just outrageous (compared to Indian Row restaurants in NYC), and the food isn't that great to pay that much. I'd rather go to the Helmand for dinner instead.
(3)
Pavi S.
Mediocre. I'm Indian and the food is not that great.
(2)
Carl A.
A cautionary tale: After the monument lighting, my friends and I went in to get a table. It was crowded, of course, but we had no problem securing seats. We ordered; big beers, naan, and main courses. The server was very attentive, and detailed. Unfortunately, they brought the wrong dish out for me. I ordered Chicken Vindaloo, cheekily mentioning that I wanted a "4.5" spiciness. They brought out a Lamb Vindaloo. I had also been eyeing that, so I figured, what the hell, leave it, it's fine. It wasn't fine. It was made of lava. Obviously, I should have corrected the error. Lesson learned: Don't mix and match your dishes, because some people like tear-jerkingly-spicy food. And make sure your waiter brings out the right dish.
(3)
Janey R.
Ever since my friend took me here I HAVE BEEN SINGING FOR AKBAR! I never had such great Indian food and I come during their lunch buffet. It's all well priced and it's a hidden treasure. I have never came and never had a place to seat. THough it's small andlooks like nothing. it is indeed award winning and notable! I LOVE IT. the staff is amazing and it really feels like your eating at home... I always have a good time and the food makes me happy and full all day. I love it so much! I always suggest this place because its fast, the food is good, and its warm. Everything about it just makes a person smile.
(5)
Jonathan A.
My favorite Indian restaurant in Mt. Vernon. I always order the Chicken Tikka Masala and the Palak Paneer. They are delicious!
(5)
James P.
Love this Place!!! If you love East Indian food, or you are looking for something new, try this place. The food is great, the service is awesome, and the ambiance is wonderful. I brought a friend from DC to the place and it blew away any other places we have been to down there. The attention to detail, the cleanliness and courteous staff have us both wanting to return. We particulary enjolyed the seasonings and sauces that went with the meals. We both ordered chicken dishes that were excellent. We ate great meals and even had enough to take home, so the portions were certainly adequate. Please go for dinner and the lunch buffet is great too. Definitely a thumbs up!
(5)
Jennifer T.
We came on a weekday for a late dinner and it was virtually empty. We ordered the lamb samosas for an appetizer and chicken tikka masala and chicken korma for our main dishes. We took our time chatting while eating the samosas, but after 20 minutes, we started to wonder where our main dishes were. When we finally decided to ask the waiter on the whereabouts of our dinner, he told us that our food had been keeping warm in the kitchen and they were waiting for us to finish our appetizers. Oops. Please excuse our lack of dining etiquette. We're heathens. The waiter brought out our (re-heated) food five minutes later. Despite the misunderstanding, the food was delicious: the chicken was tender, the sauce was creamy and tangy and perfect for dipping with naan. Overall, a good experience. It makes a great go-to place for dinner.
(4)
Meatdowntown C.
Maybe I need to give it another try. I tried the sag paneer and it was like buying it from a package in the store. The somosas were fine but I think it will be hard to screw up fried food anyway. The service was just okay since there were basically two people (and one of them was either the manager of the partner/owner). There is nothing special about this place. Spend more money and go to LUMBINI.
(1)
Tebles H.
My experiences at Akbar have always been pleasant. The owner greets me with kindness, the servers brings me water consistently. I always order the same dish, which is my down fault. The vegetarian platter :) yummy as always. However, I can go without the yogurt portion, but that's just my preference. I wish to have an extra samosa :). Oh, I forgot to mention, I had the buffet on Sunday for lunch, I wish they had fish curry or some sort of fish/seafood, but they had a lot of chicken options, which I do not eat. The chi tea was AMAZING. And I had my 3 years-old niece who asked for ketchup for her potatoes. The server went out of his way and brought us ketchup from another restaurant. That totally topped it off. And they didn't charge me for her eating at the buffet, she did have a small plate, but regardless I was shocked & totally satisfied. I expected to pay half price for a kid buffet. I will continue to come again and again. I wish they would re-open at 4pm instead of 5pm for dinner ;)
(4)
Chad O.
I was very happy with the food with the exception of the overcooked lamb (very well done and not very edible). With that said, the curry that I got on the lamb was well worth it, not to mention the outstanding papadum and mint chutney. I noticed that they didn't have one of my favorite Indian dish (actually Indo-Chinese), Gobi Manchurian, so I asked the manager if it was possible to get it made. He spoke with the chef and said he could. It was VERY good and told them they needed to get that added to their menu! Can't wait to get back there...had a great time and the food was delicious (with the exception of the lamb)!
(4)
Asam S.
Great Indian food, friendly service and portions so large that you will probably end up taking some home...loved it. By the way, the desserts and Mango lassi are great!
(4)
Ambereen A.
This place was ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE. I'm Pakistani and I just moved to Baltimore 6 days ago and I was so excited to try this place since it was called the "best indian food in all of baltimore." That review could not be more wrong. The naan was ok. Kind of flavorless. The aloo paratha was the worst I've ever had. it was crispy and black and over fried and had no potatoes in it. The vegetable samosas are supposed to have chunks of potatoes in them. Instead, these had some nasty pureed potato paste in them. The boti kebab was dried out and flavorless. The chicken tikka masala was exactly the same. They both came out the same way: 4 chunks of meat on a plate of raw sliced onions. That's it. I will never come back here again. Oh and the worst part is that when we came home, our clothes and hair REEKED. Everything we were wearing had to be washed. Immediately.
(1)
Samantha S.
FANTASTIC!! I have been to a few other Indian places in Mt. Vernon...but this was my first time to Akbar. I must say that the it exceeded my expectations and was better then the other places i used to go to frequently. I went with a friend and we shared Chicken Tika Masala and Lamb Saag and both were excellent! servied over a flame to keep it hot too! the Naan, rice, chip things with the three sauces (that they bring out for free before you order) were also great!! when we we ready for to - go -boxes they brought them out with rice inside so that we would have some with the leftover food...very thoughtful. I will be for sure returning :)
(5)
Monty J.
What a pleasant surprise. Completely exceeded our expectations. One of the best Indian meals I have ever had.
(5)
Brian N.
My friend Laura has always given me a really hard time about having never had Indian food. We decided to meet up when she was in town with some other friends and finally give me my first Indian food experience. Akbar came highly recommended from one member of our group, and it didn't disappoint. The fruit and nut naan was INCREDIBLE and so was pretty much everything else (I can't remember what anything was called except for Tandoori Chicken and Vindaloo Chicken). Now, I don't really have any other restaurants to compare this place to since this was my first time eating Indian, but this place was great in my humble opinion. It's small, but was completely packed and the service was great still, so that makes me think that this is a great restaurant overall. The bathroom was gross though, which stopped me from giving it 5 stars.
(4)
Matthew L.
One of the many Indian restaurants in Mt Vernon, it does little to seperate itself from the competition. The naan is so so and the tandori chicken was a little dry. The flavors are nice. The basement location makes it seem kind of dark cavernous. The wait staff is attentive and professional. Not bad, just not good.
(3)
Mimi C.
On a Wednesday night, Akbar Restaurant was packed. There were maybe two empty tables when we walked in. We ordered the chicken tikka masala, chicken vindaloo, and palak paneer. I requested that the chicken vindaloo be spicy, but not Indian spicy. The waiter asked, "On a scale of 1-10, how spicy?" and I said 7 but between our table and the kitchen, that request must have gotten lost because everyone agreed that the chicken vindaloo was the mildest. My friend requested extra sauce to accompany his palak paneer but the waiter gestured to the full restaurant and hedged saying that maybe when it got less busy, the cook could accommodate the request so my friend gave up. We waited over 30 minutes before our food arrived and maybe 1/3 of the restaurant had emptied by then. Although, while we were waiting, our water was attentively refilled by the female waitstaff. The chicken tikka masala was good but I really would have liked the chicken vindaloo to be a little bit spicy. As delicious and satisfying lunch buffets are, one doesn't expect them to be at all spicy to accommodate a range of spicy food tolerance so I was sad that the chicken vindaloo was so mild when I specifically asked that it be spicy. After serving our food, our waiter did not return to check up on us until we were almost finished. Since it was already 8:30 when they brought out our food, I was too hungry to bother and customer service didn't seem like a priority.
(2)
A. D.
The food at this place is always consistently tasty. It is the best Indian food in the area...hands down! The ambiance could be a bit better. It feels dark and dank because it is below street level.
(4)
Sarah Lynn T.
This is my favorite Indian restaurant. I've been here to eat in for dinner, lunch buffet, and carry out and the food is just lovely. I've been eating here for about two years now, and it's so high on my list of favorites that we went here for my birthday this year. The quality is consistently stellar. They have lots of choices on the lunch buffet, which is a great way to try a lot of different things you might not ordinarily try without paying a lot for it. Their samosas are crispy and savory; sometimes I get hit with a craving for one and that is a craving that cannot be ignored. I also love their Chicken Tikka Masala, and they give you so much of it that you always have leftovers for lunch the next day. If the cream based sauce of the CTM is too heavy for your taste they have lots of other great items on the menu. Their Lamb Bhuna is incredibly flavorful and some of the most tender meat I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying. Make the most of your meal with some of the homemade breads; I particularly enjoy their chapati (roti). My better half says I would be remiss to write a review of Akbar without including high praise for their mango lassies - they're a special treat for him. We eat a lot of Indian food in our house, and if I want to eat Indian when I eat out (other than my in-law's house) this is where I go to get it.
(5)
Dalzire B.
An amazing restaurant. The people are nice and the food is divine!
(5)
Erin T.
Akbar is one of my favorite restaurants. I love the Chicken Tikka Masala, and my boyfriend is a fan of the Lamb Saag. The restaurant is a little pricey, but for the quality, it seems to be about right. And the lunch buffet is a great way to get my Indian food fix at a lower price. I can't say much about authenticity, but I love the flavors and the service is always good. My only major criticism is that the space is a bit cramped, and the restaurant decor is overall a little dark and tacky.
(4)
Vivian Z.
best Indian place ever!!!!! This restaurant is a hidden treasure, tucked in the basement on Charles Street I've tried several Indian places in Baltimore and this is by far the best Indian food I've had. The flavors and spices are just right. Unlike other places where the curry can be watered down and the taste are bland We live on the East side of Baltimore but would drive to downtown for take out. We also enjoy going on Saturdays or Sundays for their lunch buffet - which there are a number of varieties at a very reasonable price. Our favorite dishes are - Chicken Tikka Masla and Matar Paneer. we LOVE it!!!
(5)
David P.
Akbar was good many years ago, but now it's simply disappointing. N.B.: I've only ever been for their weekend lunch buffet. Despite being at the peak of lunch hours, food had been in the warming trays too long - scorched, dried-out, and so forth. Flavor was not up to par - perhaps it's been Americanized, which would be very sad. The most recent visit was the worst by a long shot. We'd go out to Catonsville, Cockeysville, or Columbia for similar food without issue - and even with current fuel prices, mileage would be no object.
(1)
Ayon J. R.
One of the few decent Indian places in Baltimore city. The food is slightly above average, and service is good. But the sitting area is very cramped and suffocating.
(3)
Richard C.
We were in the mood for Indian food last week, and despite my absence from Yelp reviews for a few months, I still check out the thoughts of fellow Yelpers. I had already seen Theresa's review last year, so I decided that Akbar was going to be the restaurant to hit on this particular Thursday evening. I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to Indian food, having been spoiled so much living in England which has some outstanding Indian restaurants. Akbar didn't just deliver, but it is by far the best Indian food we have had in this country, and certainly on a par with some of our favourite restaurants from back home. The service is unassuming - nothing special, nothing annoying, just efficient, which is all I'm really looking for. The food, however, is something quite special. We ordered the Aloo Tikki and Seekh Kebab from the appetizers, and the Chicken Methiwala and Boti Kebab from the entrees. The Aloo Tikki (curry-leaf flavored potato pancakes) and Seekh Kebab (ground lamb with spices) were the perfect way to start the meal, and almost made me regret that I couldn't just eat the Seekh Kebab all night - succulent, tender, flavorful cuts of ground lamb 'sausage' - absolutely delectable. Once the entrees arrived, we were very happy that we weren't eating the appetizers all night. The Chicken Methiwala (boneless chicken cooked with fenugreek, herbs and spices) was one of the most delicious Indian dishes I have eaten - an Indian spice explosion! The Boti Kebab (marinated cubes of lamb charcoal broiled tandoori style) came to the table sizzling away, and were then transferred to the plate by the waiter. OK, so it stated 'cubes of lamb', and I guess they were cubes - 4 enormous 'cubes', each one almost the size of Simona's fist, and each one so tender and flavorful that they need to be tasted to be believed. And the size of the 'cubes' was consistent with all of the food we had - very large portions, easily accommodating taking leftovers home for a complete second meal in the next day or two. Our food came to around $35, and their wine and beer selection was also fairly inexpensive. There website also has $5 discount vouchers if you order 2 entrees (found this out after our meal!), making it an even cheaper date. I can't recommend Akbar highly enough - it's a gem tucked away in the basement level of Charles Street, and it's even managed to persuade me to start Yelping again.
(5)
Theresa F.
This is the restaurant I weigh all other Indian restaurants against. I love Indian food and have eaten at quite a few around the US and abroad, and I ALWAYS go back to Akbar's! Akbar's gets 5 stars for its food. Tucked away in a little basement on Charles St, Akbar's is cozy, quiet, full of subdued wait staff and usually nearly full. Though you always feel like you are talking a bit too loud and enjoying yourself a bit too much, they really don't mind. At least, they've never said anything to us! I always wish Indian restaurants were a bit more lively in atmosphere, but the food is worth it! I've been here many times and tried many dishes, and literally, all their dishes are spectacular. Definitely a must hit when visiting Baltimore, or a staple if you live there. Yum!
(5)
Yelp Fan F.
I love their lunch buffet and the gulab jamuns are to die for. The price is very affordable. I am an Indian food snob and this as good as it gets in restaurants located in India itself. Now home-cooking is completely different and in my opinion, home-cooked Indian food is almost a different cuisine than what you get in restaurants. So no this does not compare to home-cooked food.
(5)
S T.
Strange as it may sound, in my 2 years in this region I have never been to Akbar b4. Went there last nite. It's a small place, but it was quite packed. So here is my review: Wait staff - very nice and polite. Were at our table immediately after our beers got over. Frequent rounds asking us if we need anything else and in the end, were quite polite enuf to ask us about how our experience was. Service - The appetizers came out pretty quickly. Although the main course took a little longer. Still not that bad. Food - Quite good. I liked it. Although I did from my friends that the lunch buffet was ordinary. Dinner a'la carte was def. gooooood!!! Cons - well, the place is too cramped up. Our table was too small for a party of 4. I must say, that overall I was impressed by this place and will def. be going there a lot!!!
(4)
Richard B.
Poor 'cheap' tasting bristly grey meat and imbalanced seasoning in the dishes. No complaints on the service though the food felt like the cheapest of ingredients which is unacceptable so close to the Mughal Gardens which is head and shoulders above this place.
(2)
Pradeep H.
If you want to really find the true taste of Indian food, don't go here for lunch buffet..Dinner has always been good ...Definitely better than Mughal Garden and Kumari...in the Mount Vernon area...for north indian food. Very less space to sit..So becomes kinda cramped especially on weekends and during lunch time. I will give it a 3.5.
(4)
Bert C.
I ordered to pick up. The restaurant looked nice and cozy when I walked through it. I got the chicken tikka masala and it was fantastic. Their rice was delicious by itself, but with the yogurty richness of the sauce it was a real treat. I hope to soon dine in, and perhaps order a wider range of food in the future to better critique this restaurant.
(4)
Nathan F.
The Food is great and I can honestly say its my favorite Indian restaurant in Baltimore. I just wish it was a little bigger...
(4)
Pascal P.
The food I've had here for dinner has always been delicious. The lunch buffet is nothing spectacular, but it's great for what it costs. Dinner is also a great value. There's really nothing to dislike about this place, and choosing between Akbar and the equally excellent Mughal Garden which is nearby can be tough.
(5)
Dave L.
I really enjoyed their veggie korma. Nan was well done, and the service was pretty fast. a great choice for Indian in Mt Vernon
(4)
Trisha S.
A few friends took me here for dinner. I very much enjoyed the food, but was a bit put off by the waiter. He not only told us that we were ordering too much, but tried to change the items we were ordering. He hovered around our table while we looked through the menu and was critical of what we wanted to order. As much as I enjoyed the food, I would think twice before I went back.
(3)
CJ W.
beat the rush, and get the akbari nan. can be a bit crowded at dinner, so go a little early for the better parking and a private little booth. their mango chutney filled nan (akbari nan) is a must, and goes great with any of their entrees. it's casual for how nice everything is and the prices are low compared to the level of professionalism their staff offers. be specific with your spice levels or you may find things too bland or too hot to enjoy. many of the dishes are served on charming iron stands, warmed by tea candles, which makes for good presentation, sharing, and nice long meal where your food doesn't get cold. all your standard indian favorites plus a few stand out items make akbar a solid choice for your indian fix.
(4)
Rachel O.
I LOVE me some Indian food and this was GOOOOD. I had the Bhindi Masala and the boy had Channa Masala. It came with a big plate of yellow rice and two servings of papadam. We also had the naan (of course) and some King Fisher beer. Total check=$30. Not quite as cheap as Mumbai, but totally worth it for the US. There was one really strange thing. I asked the waiter about dosa and he said they didn't serve it because it was southern Indian (which I knew) so I asked him about a place that he would recommend to get some. He got really snotty and blew the question off by huffing and saying something like, "it's only for breakfast anyway."
(4)
Nanda R.
Been here many times with friends. Food is very good. Service is good too.
(3)
Kathryn E.
Very good Indian fare, and they have a tasty lunch buffet as well. Not as good as Ambassador, but close.
(4)
Woo Y.
Turn your gaze to waist level while strolling along N. Charles St. - look beyond the mottled crotches of your requisite urban derelicts - and you just might be fortunate enough to spy a simple sign that modestly heralds the stairway down to Indian comfort food heaven. Okay, so that was just a wordy way of saying this place is in the building basement, but the food is simple, flavorful, and delicious! Now, I'm not going to pretend that I know all the nuances of northern vs. southern Indian cuisine without looking it up on Wikipedia, but I know tasty food when it goes in my mouth, and this is it, gosh darnit! I've been dining here occasionally for several years, and they are very consistently some of the best Indian I've had. I am a flavor and hot spice fiend, so I almost always go with the chicken or goat vindaloo (the spiciest dish they have) for maximum mouth party bliss. The meat is extremely tender My mouth is watering now just thinking about it! The garlic naan bread is super garlicky and super delicious. The Tandoori meats are tender and well seasoned, and the Chicken Tikka Masala is creamy and smile-inducing. The wait staff are modestly friendly and attentive, and as mentioned, you will never go thirsty as they will swoop in with the water pitcher as soon as they see your cup being less than full. Okay, so maybe you might see an occasional roach crawling happily up a wall, but I just see it as part of the authentic experience! I know everyone's got their own opinions and tastes, but I'm a little surprised to see other reviews knocking the food (maybe I just haven't tried the not great stuff?), so I say that this place is definitely worth a try to come and decide for yourself!
(4)
Rebecca W.
I haven't eaten here i a few years, but I stop in every couple of visits home - usually with friends. The good is good and I enjoy the atmosphere.
(4)
Eric P.
Akbar is usually a pleasurable experience, but the service can be spotty.
(3)
Lee D.
Not posh but moderate prices and good food. The space is a bit dilapidated, but they're great for take out. I love it for comfort food, but have heard it's not the most authentic North Indian.
(3)
Rob H.
Definitely the best Indian food I've had in Baltimore (and DC for that matter in this price range). Consistently great classics, very good prices, and respectable service. It's rustic Indian (not fancy, not shabby).
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
India is the birth place of Chicken Tikka Masala and Curries. Indian foods are prepared with a blend of finely mixed spices quite popular across the region. The spices develop the rich taste in Indian food enough to boggle your mind. The ever-increasing fan base of Indian food around the New York city is steadily increasing because of the large number of Indians who traveled to the land of dreams. The Indians also brought their very own vibrant, colorful, and aromatic authentic dishes for the people in the West. While most of the Indian population is Vegetarian, Indian food is great for people who are looking for vegan or vegetarian food option. If you are a Meat lover, don't get disappointed yet. Indian food also boasts of some popular non-vegetarian dishes too. Few examples are the famous Butter Chicken, Mutton Biryani and Tandoori Chicken are enough to satisfy your taste buds.
Indian food has gained reputation all over the world especially in the United States. You can find many places serving the appetizing Indian food across all major cities in the US. India is a diverse country with different food culture originated from different parts of the country. While the Northern region boasts tandoori dishes and korma offering royal taste, the Western Ghats offers sea foods that is made in naturally sweet tender coconut milk. The South Indian food servers a quality of different dishes made from rice accompanied with spicy chutneys, curries and famous sambhar. Also, the Indian sweets are a delight to relish. If you ever want to have a burst of sugar syrup in mouth, don't forget to try few Bengali Sweets. Be it spicy, tangy, or sweet flavor, you can find everything in the Indian cuisine. Be assured that the melody of spices will surely bring delight to you.
Nina U.
You can always order out or decide to eat in but whatever I decide to do, I've never been let down. As you descend down into Akbar, you'll find intimate tables close to each other and I've always had attentive service. If you are staving, I recommend ordering a shurat appetizer because everything is prepared fresh and may take a few minutes. I try to venture out from my favorite dishes and it all seems to be pretty good. Last time I tried a chicken dish and the lamb meatballs that came with a really good yogurt sauce. It was steamy as they brought it out to the table and I almost didn't get a good snapshot of the dishes :-)
(4)Landy L.
Had their buffet several years ago which was delicious and recently stopped in for dinner. Had the coconut lamb curry and asked for it spicy. It more than brought the heat but instead of just straight fire, only enhanced the delicate and authentic Indian spices in the dish. Great Indian food is really hard to find in the city and Akbar more than delivers. Service was unobtrusive but attentive.
(5)Carrie O.
So Akbar's been in the neighborhood for more years than I can remember, but somehow I've just never had the opportunity to take advantage of it - especially their lunch buffet, which I kept hearing about. I was able to come home from work early yesterday to begin a much-needed vacation, and my husband suggested that we have Indian. Normally, we go to Cafe Spice in Hunt Valley to partake of such offerings, but we didn't really feel like driving all the way out there. We had a bad experience at Kumari long ago and far away, so we decided that we'd try here. I'm glad that we did. Akbar is a lot smaller than I'd expected - it's more or less squeezed into a basement in Mt. Vernon. The decor was actually pretty nice, though - I liked the exposed brick walls and hardwood floors, which is a bit uncommon for this area of town. The staff was attentive and polite (though not overwhelmingly friendly - some don't mind that, but I found the reception a tad on the 'cool' side) and the layout was quite attractive. We decided, of course, on the buffet lunch. Hits! - The tofu jalfrezi. Holy Toledo. This stuff was spicy as I don't know what, and it was utterly delicious. Big chunks of veggies with lots and lots of tofu pieces. I've never had jalfrezi better than this. A must-try. - The saag palak. Again, quite spicy. Very heavy on the cumin, and while that may turn off some folk, I enjoyed it thoroughly. - The tandoori chicken. The best I have EVER had, it even beats out Cafe Spice's offering. Melted in my mouth. The only downside to this is that everyone else apparently agreed with me - I only got a couple of small pieces because they kept running out. - The kheer. Delicious, with the right consistency. It's hard for a lot of Indian places to make kheer without it either turning into rice flavored water or wallpaper paste, but Akbar gets it right here. Just Okay. - The chicken tikka masala. Good, but doesn't hold a candle to Cafe Spice's version. - The vegetable pakora. Okay flavor but it was kind of tough. I probably wouldn't choose this again. - The lentils. Not bad, good flavor, but they're not my favorite dish. In short, we'd definitely come here again for the buffet. It's a great option when we don't feel like driving to Hunt Valley. Price was decent at 9.95 (during the week). Get that tandoori chicken while it lasts.
(4)Sue P.
Another great meal! The food is always consistently good and the service always on point. I love the food so much, it is always a nice treat when we get to come here. Always good Indian food when I come here!!
(5)Misty P.
I was first introduced to Indian food here by my friend. It was a wonderful experience that opened my world of different ethnic cuisines. We came here on their buffet day for lunch. Their buffet is huge, but the quality is still there. The was tandoori chicken, various curries, chutneys, yogurt sauces, cucumber salad and even desserts. A pretty good deal for all you can eat Indian food. Also a great way to introduce yourself to it if you've never had it because you can try everything on the buffet line at a reasonable price.
(5)Ashish J.
Only the second time that we found yelp-wisdom a little bit misleading. It was really a bagful of events that resulted in a rather subpar experience at this establishment that was rated quite high by yelpers. THE FOOD: Weekend lunch buffet which really falls short on choices for vegetarians. Three three main entrees - black lentils, peas+potatoes, and spinach - were all generic, kind of cold, and not much of anything else. Sorry, let me add one more - tofu disguised as a masala paneer dish (see pic). Aargh!!!! The app selection was also very poor as compared to a typical Indian weekend buffet at other places. Lentil donuts (Medhu Vada) did not have the right accompanying soups (sambar) or chutneys. THE SERVICE: We arrived here around 2:30 pm on Saturday (they close for lunch at 3:00pm). Apparently it was too late for us to order a la carte and we were steered towards the buffet. Alas, on top of that, they hurried us through the meals. I bet you their dinner service is better. Perhaps, if we had arrived earlier, we would have enjoyed warmer meals. Nevertheless, not keeping the buffet spread warm is not forgivable for Indian food. If you are a vegetarian, be prepared to get underwhelmed with their buffet choices.
(2)Lina J.
My first visit here and I'm underwhelmed. I got the chicken tikka massala which was tasty but nothing super special. Rice comes with the entree but naan is extra (boo). The entrees are already pretty pricey (~$16) as it is so that was a disappointment. I didn't get a good vibe from the waiter/manager though the waitress we had was very nice and great at checking up on us. She even gave us extra rice in our to go boxes, which was really nice! The waiter/manager seemed to almost be mad at my group because 2/5 of us just opted for appetizers (sorry we just weren't that hungry!) Eh, I won't be back anytime soon or maybe ever if I can help it. Nothing impressed me very much, I'd sooner try the other Indian restaurants on Charles Street.
(3)Andrei K.
This is a good indian restaurant with decent price. The underground atmosphere is good and the choice of the buffet is decent.
(4)Suzie S.
Eggplant n Okura dish are sooooo good!!! Really hot n not so spicy. My 4 years old son loved this!! We are a lot except another curries.
(5)Quin A.
A good lunch buffet option. They have a good number of dishes and desserts. Taste is good. Food is fresh and warm. Curries are fine but I find the grilled kebab a little dry. That didn't keep me from going back many times though. The gulab jamun are sweet, hot and juicy. Service is efficient and friendly. Definitely worth a try.
(4)VA W.
My go to spot every time I come up to Bmore! As an Indian food lover the food here is de-LISh and never disappoints me or my tummy.
(4)Diana M.
Was really sadden by my order. I ordered delivery through foodler which the service and delivery was fantastic. However, the food was subpar. The chicken tikka massala had a very tomatoie taste like tomato soup . No flavor and no spices. The rice was good and the naan bread was good as well. But thats about it. Its also pretty pricey. $16.99 for Chicken Tikka M. and $2.35 for a can soda. A CAN!
(2)Sonali S.
If your looking for a good Indian restaurant serving authentic tasting food...this is your place. My favorite restaurant while I lived in Baltimore. Great buffet selection and cordial staff. Good ambience and instrumental music.
(4)Diwakar S.
Well this was a blessing in disguise!. It was around 10:15 when I alongwith some of my friends were in Baltimore( I am originally from Philly) and were looking for some good place to eat and then we checked Akbar on Yelp, We called them to check if the restaurant was open, it was open but the kitchen was going to close soon, so we rushed as we were very hungry, we ordered a lot of stuff, biryani, dal makhani, butter nan, kulfi, gulab jamun etc. We were 4 people and we ate like anything and to our surprise, per person bill was just $27, the staff was very good. The manager is really amazing, they even waited after the business hours so that we could finish our meal. The taste was so good " Like the best Indian food I had in East coast - including some portions of NY, NJ and Philly. I would recommend this place to anyone who is looking for awesome Indian Food :) -Diwakar S
(5)Iron M.
Would give this place zero stars if i could . Literally asked us to leave since we were 10 minutes close to the sunday buffet closing. T
(1)Gokul S.
This is my first time coming to this place. I am originally from India. I want to say the taste here is close to home. We have orders paneer makhani , begum Palau, kheema naan which are very much standard basic indian dishes. But I must say they were delicious. Spice level was just enough and the taste was good. I also like the ambience. I might come back to eat here.
(4)Jasmine W.
This is only my second time trying Indian food, but I was under impressed. I order the tandoori chicken and my boyfriend ordered lamb curry (unsure of the actually name of the dish). The wow factor was there with them serving me the chicken right off a skillet with onions. But the chicken didn't come with any sides or sauce. It was flavorful, but very dry. It was lacking something, but I'm not sure what. My boyfriends food was very good, I loved the sauce and the rice . I'm not a huge fan of lamb, but he loved it. The customer service was eh. We can it around 5:15 (dinner begins at 5) and waiters we're sitting down chatting. Our waiter wasn't very personable. The bus girl was super sweet though. Would be willing to go again since I'm new to Indian food, but definitely plan to order something different.
(2)Morad B.
Honestly one of the worst Indian restaurants I have ever been to. Went there for a lunch buffet on a Saturday. Small restaurant. Mediocre selection. The tendoori was very dry. Even the curry chicken and other chicken dishes were as well. Very greasy sauces. Tasteless gulab jamun. Very doughy and no flavor. I actually felt a bit sick after eating there. The only positive is that the staff was very friendly. Will not repeat.
(1)Sarah G.
My bf and I went to Akbar for my birthday. I loved the setting, it feels very out of the way since it's below street level, even though it's on a main street! It was kind of dark in there but not in a bad way, it made it feel very relaxed and a little romantic. The decor was cool with artwork and pottery from India (I think?). We were sat at a table in the center and had plenty of time to look at the menu. When our waitress came over she was very soft spoken, but in a way that she was very hard to understand. She was also not personable. Not to say that she was rude because she wasn't but it was just very odd. Anyway, we started with Garlic Nan- love! It's dumb but Nan is my favorite part of eating Indian food! We also had Paneer Pakora- it's basically the Indian version of mozzarella sticks. Those were good if a little bland. But they had brought out three different sauces and the sweet one paired with the cheese was kind of like eating brie and raspberry pastries! For my meal I had the Shahjehani Biryani. I think I had had this overseas so I was really looking forward to it. Unfortunately the dish seemed really dried out. I know it wasn't meant to have a sauce or anything but even the chicken was dry. So, it wasn't my favorite. My boyfriend got one of the slightly spicy chicken dishes, sorry can't remember which one but that was very good and came out in a little pot over a flame which was pretty cool! I'd definitely be willing to come back here and try some other dishes because I heard such great things! Hopefully we'll get a different server though.
(3)A. C.
(12/18/2014) Akbar was one of the first Indian restaurants in Baltimore and has been pretty much consistently the same for the last couple of decades. No surprises here. We went for an office holiday outing and had the lunch buffet. The place is subterranean and a little cramped (although they try their best with bright lighting and large mirrors), so I wouldn't go with a group much larger than 6. Buffet dishes are fewer than at many of the other roomier places on the same street, but they've got your faves and plenty of delicious savory dishes for your vegan friends. I found the spicing to be relatively mild, but still aromatic. The Achari Baingan (Baby Eggplant with spices) was the mildest of the bunch, but the eggplants roasted whole until tender and silky and with a slight char were delicious, really let the eggplant flavors shine. The lowest common denominator dish, Chicken Tikka Masala, was very buttery, more tomato-y than most, had chunks of breast meat (easily overcooked in stews). Palak Saag was cooked down until almost puree, peppery, delicious (even though missing my fave paneer!). I'm generally not a big fan of daal, but the yellow lentils here were highly seasoned and soft (the way I prefer). Tandoori Chicken is as you would expect (touch dry from the chaffiing dish). Zucchini is zuccchini pretty much anywhere you go, not too many ways anyone can dress that up. Kheer is standard as with most buffets, def try the Gulab Jamon, that's a special treat, these are huge (relatively speaking) and super-soaked in sugar syrup. Overall, very good table service (it was a quiet weekday), although the manager was a little brusque, but no bother to us. Great value for lunch ($9.95 weekdays, $11.95 weekends) and very good food.
(4)Jen K.
I take out or eat in Indian food about once a week or every other week. Since I rotate [mostly] among the places on Charles Street, I've been to Akbar at least 10 times over the last couple years. Unfortunately, I think it is going downhill. Last time I was there--on a weekday evening--the service was sub par. Slow and unattentive; something was just quite...off. Normally I am pleased with the service here, but that night it bordered on rude (even though I recognized it was the same staff and we did not request anything out of the ordinary). The food is average....certainly good enough to satisfy your craving for Indian food (well, unless you're used to homemade Indian food or have lived in South Asia), but nothing to write home about. I consistently have to ask for a side of chili, because they make dishes mild even if you ask for medium or spicy. The rice reminds me of microwavable basmati, and they only give you one tray regardless if you ordered 1 entree or 4.
(3)Yong K.
i think it's one of the best legit/pure indian food restaurants in baltimore! the restaurant itself isn't too big, but get ready for some big portions. you will be full after a meal here. food: - chicken tikka masala - really great sauce with good rich flavors. good amount of spicy -rice: free refills (unless they changed it..) and it's well made! not too dry or soggy - lamb vindaloo - pretty good, but if u don't like curry-ish food that's kinda tangy, maybe not for you - forgot the name, but it was a yellow colored veggie curry... it was a bit bland for me. glad i wasn't the one who ordered it - GARLIC NAN - OH. MY. GOSH. this is like crack. so darn good. give me this with some mango chutney on the side and some curry to dip it in (tikka) and there's no stopping me. wow. when it comes out fresh and hot, it's so amazingly delicious. even the regular naan is good too but i'm a garlic lover so this just hit the spot. the space itself was very cozy, dimly lit. kinda downstairs in the ground feeling. nice atmosphere. not too loud. service: waiters were good, nothing special. Lunch Special: So... the lunch buffet here is good. you can get your typical curry with naan and rice, etc for about $11 which is great! However... i would really recommend walking about one more block north and checking out Kumari. i love their lunch buffet even more because i think it has more variety for about the same price! but make sure you try this place too!
(4)Christopher C.
Quiet, cozy, authentic, inexpensive, delicious...very nice staff too!
(5)Lauren S.
Just a little update, I'm pleased to say you can get the buffet to go. They charge you a flat rate, rather than weighing it. I don't tend to eat too much, so I suppose the weight option would be good. If you can throw down some serious Indian at a buffet, this place is for you! The variety each day is fantastic. I've tried many different dishes. I continue to highly recommend.
(5)Deepa K.
Formal Indian restaurant tucked in the basement level of historic Mount Vernon. Went early on a Saturday night and had the attention of many wait staff. Food was DELICIOUS. Authentic Indian food, unlike many of the Nepali/Indian restaurants nearby. Our party was all vegetarian and we enjoyed all the entrees (palak paneer, bhindi masala and malai kofta). The naan was fresh and buttery (so sinful). They were also accomodating of our baby (luckily he behaved and no disturbance to other diners!). The waiter was very sweet and even brought a bowl of rice for our baby while we waited for our food. Will definitely return when I am craving real authentic North Indian/Punjabi food!
(4)Thomas H.
Very personable staff, always great food at a surprisingly low price for the Mt. Vernon neighborhood.
(4)Ericke W.
Awesome lunch buffet. Price us reasonable, food was great, would return next time in Baltimore.
(5)Mike R.
This is the best Indian food in Baltimore Hands down. I drive into the city and pay to park just to eat here (I hate driving in the city) The food is always perfect, The staff is always helpful and friendly (not overwhelming) The chicken tikka masala is to die for. 10/10 Excellent
(5)Joe M.
Initially, me and a friend were impressed. They started us off with the crispy flatbread and 3 different chutneys (all of them spicy). Our server even gave us another set of flatbread when we finished the first one. The mango nan was great. Order that if you plan to try this restaurant. Now the bad part. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant if you're a vegetarian. It's just so underwhelming. We tried two dishes and both of them were subpar. The Paneer Makhani (home made cheese cooked in tomato and butter sauce) didn't have any taste. Honestly I'd like to try more of the other dishes but at $12.95 - $13.95 per dish and not very big portion, I probably will just try other Indian restaurants...
(2)Ieesha J.
Can I say "why haven't I found this place sooner"? Came here with a friend for dinner and I was VERY pleased. I ordered the special for the night (I'm not doing my Yelpers justice - by not remembering the name - sorry guys), and it was AMAZING! My second visit I dragged my co-worker for the lunch buffet and for 9.95 it was worth every cent. We eat Indian about twice a month and I took her out of her comfort zone. She was sold! We will be back!
(4)Jared J.
Akbar is good, but I still like Kumari's lunch buffet (just a block further) more for their wide variety of food and general deliciousness. As for Akbar, I really don't have any complaints in terms of taste. The vegetable pakora, chicken tikka masala, kheer, gulab jamun, and eggplant dish (cant recall the name) were all good and well stocked. The naan was good, but like most Indian buffets, they tray always seemed to be down to one piece. I had never had chicken pakora before, and I was a little skeptical to see what looked like chicken wings at an Indian lunch buffet. They were good though, nice and spicy. The daal was the only dish that I thought was a bit lackluster at Akbar. I also was disappointed that they did not provide tea. In all, probably a 4.5 star lunch buffet.
(4)Emily S.
The first time we went to the actual restaurant. The food was so great. They serve great portion sizes! We could have easily split an entree rather than ordering two appetizers and two entrees. The Naan is phenominal. I like the shrimp appetizer and now order it to be delivered as an entree. Speaking of delivery, they have online ordering. It usually comes within an hour. The first time? Amazing! THe second time? Not that great. Regardless, we will def try this place again for dine in and takeout.
(4)Daniel W.
Loved the Chicken Tikka Masala! The outside appearance is deceiving but was pleasantly surprised when we got inside. Will be going back very soon!
(5)Jennifer H.
Akbar was crowded, so it has a good following, but I haven't a clue why. Years ago it was great. Now? I don't get it. I love Indian food. I cook it at home quite a bit. So I know my way around an Indian recipe. My son ordered one of the daily specials. A lamb stew. It turned out to be exactly like lamb vindaloo. My mother ordered a chicken dish which was cold. We had it sent back to be reheated. It still was bland and boring. I ordered tandoori chicken. This was inexcusable. Indelible. Clearly old, and reheated. So dry, over-cooked, and tasteless. It was so horrid, the waiter (without my asking) offered to bring over a sauce to pour on it! About ten minutes later the sauce arrived. I was so disappointed. I was really looking forward to some tandoori cuisine. You really can't make that in a regular oven. Skip this restaurant. I think their real trade is the lunch buffet. I didn't notice the little ad for it on the menu until after we'd already committed to dine there.
(2)Jill B.
Always the go-to for the best Indian cuisine in town!
(5)Nicole J.
This used to be one of my favorite Indian restaurants in Baltimore, but the last time my husband and I were here a few months ago for a lunch buffet, the servers were a bit dismissive, which annoyed me, but I'm giving them a pass since we've not been treated like this before. The food was OK.
(3)David F.
I love Akbar, this has got to be one of the best Indian restaurants in Baltimore. The atmosphere is so great and cozy. I eat here every week and always order the chicken tikka masala because it is to die for. I love the saffron yellow rice with the masala sauce on top. I also love their mango lassi and Indian desserts. Their pistachio ice cream is the best. Come eat here if you're in the mood for good Indian food, they also do carry out which is wonderful.
(5)Jeffrey H.
Excellent Indian restaurant tucked away in the heart of Baltimore. Great food starting from the relishes and chutneys that they start every meal. I've eaten there many times over the past four years with many friends and whatever I've ordered - vegetarian, chicken, lamb, you have it - it's been uniformly excellent.
(4)Michael C.
A second visit and a second great meal!
(4)Laura A.
The food, service, and environment were outstanding. The eggplant was expertly seasoned and prepared, and coupled well with both the fresh garlic naan and rice.
(5)Sean G.
We came here for a friend's birthday dinner, and even though I was full from eating lunch earlier, I had the chicken tikka masala, which was stunningly good, and big enough to take leftovers even after sharing with my wife. I'll be back for more.
(4)Sara K.
Enjoyed the complimentary chip-thing (don't know what it's called) and the service was pretty good. I had the shrimp saag and while it was yummy and the serving generous, I'm not sure if it was worth the price.
(4)Brian F.
Polite, quick, and friendly wait staff, great location and nice ambiance, and the Lamb Vindaloo was phenomenal- just the right amount of spice to make you sweat but not so much that it hurts. I'll definitely come back!
(5)J. M.
My friends had told me about how terrific this place was. I was obviously suspicious because good Indian restaurants are much rare than one would imagine. The suspicion was well-founded because it was your generic experience being surrounded by the stereotype of Indian-ness as far as decor was concerned, with food that was barely a cut above frozen Indian food. Even the most mediocre cooks could follow a recipe book and replicate, [and with some persistence] or improve on the offerings here.
(3)C S.
I alternate between coming here and Kumari but because the food quality varies slightly at both establishments, I've never been able to decide which place I like better. But thats okay - they're both great. I always order off of the vegetarian menu and think I've tried almost all of the curies. While the food is not always incredible, its reliably very good. There's also a nice calm ambiance here and the service is quiet and attentive.
(4)Hillarie D.
Two words: Malia Kofta. Amazingly yummy. Went there on a whim right after moving to the area, and am sooo glad that we did. The wait staff was amazing (sent us home with extra rice at no charge), the manager was friendly and chatted when he found out that we had just moved to the area. DH and I shared an entree and two appetizers; it was more food than we could eat. This is officially on my regular eating list.
(5)Sam B.
My favorite Indian restaurant since I've been in Baltimore (2003). The food is amazing, but also the staff are very personable and friendly. The owner is always present and making sure the service is excellent. I'm Indian, so now you know the food is good :-)
(5)Michelle H.
There is something incredibly cozy about your entire dining experience at this Akbar location. Granted you descend below street level to enter the restaurant and tables are a bit close together due to its limited space, but it goes far beyond that. The service is impeccable - they know how to be welcoming and attentive but not overbearing. The atmosphere is very soothing - soft lighting, crisp what tablecloths, soft springy seats and very subtle background noise. But the food, oh the food!, is wonderful. I think Indian cuisine is the ultimate comfort food - it's hearty in flavor and texture and you just feel so satisfied after eating it. I've pretty much made my way through their entire menu, but highlights for me are the Chicken Sagwala, Channa Masala and Dal Special. All dishes are paired perfectly with their aromatic rice and soft, chewy garlic nan. Oh, and I personally can't resist Samosas, so if you're like me, start with an order of vegetable ones. You don't be sorry.
(4)Farhan H.
I should have read the other reviews before eating at this place. Altough it is fancy looking and service is ok, the food is blah. The tandoori chicken was lots of color no taste. Boiled and then grilled to make it look like tandoori but it wasnt. Tasteless to say the least. The jalfrazi was right out of the box as well. Would not recommend this over priced crappy food to anyone.
(1)Allison R.
I stumbled upon this restaurant by doing a Google search. I was pleasantly surprised when I visited. The food is absolutely delicious. It is one of the best Indian restaurants I've eaten at. The waiters are pleasant, and the prices are reasonable. You must visit if in Baltimore.
(5)Chery S.
Pretty great Indian food. The only thing that deters me is the price since I know some other places that are much cheaper (and a little more delicious -- shout out to Punjabi Tandoor! Why are you only in California!?). This is a great, solid, delicious place though, and I would definitely like to come back soon. The Rogan Josh was my favorite from what I ordered. Chicken Tikka Masala also good. The Naan was good too but I just wish they'd give you a little bit more for what you pay.
(4)Al E.
Had the buffet for lunch today. The regular menu is expensive, so I recommend the buffet as a way to try various dishes. I think there was only 1 meat (chicken) item, so it's a good deal for vegetarians at $9.95 and you can do to-go. 1 of my coworkers loves their mulligatawny soup b/c she says it's the spiciest of the Indian restaurants on our block. Another 2 coworkers eat regularly from their buffet - 1 is gluten-free. I didn't try the soup b/c it wouldn't fit in my to-go container. I had mixed greens (with tomato and cucumber); veggie dumplings in yogurt sauce (punjabi kadi); alu gobi masala (potatoes/cauliflower); fish in some kind of creamy sauce (I *think* it was the goa fish -- not a cream sauce but creamy if that makes sense), channa masala (chick peas in red sauce), and palak paneer (creamy spinach) -- a really nice variety with basmati rice. They had nan but I'm glad I resisted b/c I'm STUFFED. My faves were definitely the fish and the potatoes/cauliflower. The spinach was next in goodness. The veggie dumplings were not so good even though they smelled amazing and the sauce was tasty. The chick peas were fine. I'll be back!
(3)Katie M.
I love this place! I've gotten the lunch buffet several times and take out for dinner once. The items on the lunch buffet are always a surprise to me, and I'm always pleased. There's a good selection of chicken and vegetarian dishes, plus naan and dessert. When I got take out, it was with a large group of people and we tried several things, but I don't remember what. So after trying several things on the menu, I would say that they have the best food overall. I probably wouldn't give any dish a 10/10 (except maybe the malai kofta), but everything I've tried would at least get an 8 or 9/10. I can't say that about any other Indian restaurant. Most places just have one or two particular dishes I like. This is definitely my top choice, especially for the weekday lunch buffet.
(5)William K.
I think that akbar is a-ok. If you want a decent indian meal with the traditional flavors, then Akbar is fine. The service was attentive, courteous and responsive. There were 4 of us for dinner, including 1 vegetarian, and we all had more than enough to eat. In fact, 2 of us wished we hadn't eaten so much. The naan was hot, fresh and tasty. My Chicken Tikka Masala was honestly just like anywhere. Someone ordered a Dal, and another the goat... there were samosas, and also some kulcha... Everything tasted fine. The tea I had was especially delicious. There was a definite cardamom taste which I enjoyed, and drank a lot of. Again, good indian cuisine, nothing spectacular. Be aware this location is in what's known as a 'dive' meaning it's below street level.
(3)M W.
I have tried three different Indian resultants during my last visit at Baltimore.. Those are - Akbar - Helmand - Lumbini It seems to me that I got "FULL" plate of very delicious food at Akbar. In Helmand, The food was delicious but my plate was NOT that full! I tried Lumbini for lunch buffet and it was really great. For dinner, I will prefer to go to Akbar next time!
(5)K N.
I really enjoy going to Akbar's. The staff is very pleasant and the food is always delicious. Very cute location, with nice cocktails and wine selection. Quiet, relaxing atmosphere down in the restaurant.
(4)Nadia H.
I had the Alu Gobi Masala (potatoes & cauliflower with onion and tomato) and it was phenomenal. My partner had the Yellow Dal (a lentil dish) and he seemed very pleased with it. Overall, everything was excellent!
(5)Nausherwan H.
The food and price are not worth it, especially given the numerous other options for good desi food in the Mount Vernon area.
(2)Jennifer H.
Absolutely the best Indian meal I have had. Yeah, it's kind of cave-like inside but still very cozy. Service was a bit strange but not bad at all.
(5)Katie H.
This is hands down my favorite Indian restaurant in Baltimore City. The decor is welcoming, and nice for an intimate dinner. The staff is very friendly and prompt with service. And the food... I am a big fan of paneer makhani, and theirs is great. Nicely spiced, and so rich in flavor. Combined with their mango naan, it's pretty much heaven. In fact, the mango naan alone is pretty much amazing. They also have an excellent lunch buffet that's usually not too crowded. The chicken tikka masala--a regular offering at the buffet--is rich and well done, and all the chutneys taste amazingly fresh and flavorful. If you're a Hopkins student, you can also enjoy a small discount on top of their already reasonable prices. The one flaw is that they don't deliver. That's probably good for my wallet, though.
(5)Man G.
The best Indian food I've ever had! Ive eaten it in NYC, San Francisco, etc. The chicken tiki masala (try it medium-spicy) is superb. The Indian tea was a unique flavor- I recommend it over regular iced tea. I only wish I lived close enough to eat here once a week. I recommend reservations- they don't have a lot of seats; I called in at 5:30pm Saturday for a 6:30pm reservation. By 6:45, there was a line out the door. Parking is very close (1/2 block or less) at a pay lot ($10 all night).
(5)Marshall L.
There are around a half dozen Indian/South Asian places within a few blocks of where Akbar is, so each of these places have to stay on their toes to stay open amidst all the competition. I've only ever gotten takeout from Akbar, but it's always been great and worth the price. The sauces are always flavorful and the samosas are some of the best I've ever had. They are also very reliable at making the food spicy, so you'll be best starting off mild and not being a hero unless you know you can really handle the heat. The staff are pretty friendly and attentive for the most part, and it being on sort of a sub-street level part of the building, it's got this great cozy dark atmosphere to it. This is the type of place that if I lived across town, I'd still drive to get takeout on a regular basis!
(4)George M.
All you can eat lunch buffet that only has 7 or 8 different dishes is a little boo for me Matthew said it best - "Not bad, just not good" The chicken tikka masala was good but nothing special, nan was tasteless and the rice was mediocre at best The salad had chunky pieces of cucumber which ='s not good Again, this was the all-you-can-eat lunch and not their regular menu so perhaps it can be as good as my friend told me but they are what I thought they was
(2)Sathiya K.
The food was very average in quality (may be it is on a saturday). Ambience is below average. Service is OK. Overall, I rate as Below average
(2)Cheryl K.
I love Akbar. I really do. Let's see, there's the ambiance, the attentive waitstaff, and of course, the food. I've been coming to Akbar regularly since the summer of 2007 and the food has been consistently great. The weekday lunch buffet, while not as expansive as say, Mughal Gardens, has always been chock-full of fresh and perfectly seasoned dishes. Really, it's quality over quantity. Dinner at Akbar is always a treat. It's a fantastic spot for a date, what with the low lighting and soft music and the peppery papadum and the accompanying chutneys are a perfect start. I can't vouch for every item on their menu, but I can say that at the very least, their chicken korma, chicken makhani, channa masala, palak paneer, chapati, mango lassi, and chai tea are excellent. I love Indian food and I never turn down an opportunity to try out other places but I always find that nothing compares to Akbar.
(5)Jenny A.
Best Indian food in Baltimore. Consistently amazing Tikka Masala. I think I already wrote a review for Akbar like two years ago. Oh well. Amazing restaurant.
(5)Christy L.
Located down in the basement of a little building on Charles Street, Akbar doesn't look like much from the outside. Once you open the door, though, you're in for a pleasant surprise. The little dining room is full of ambiance, clad with exposed brick walls, red leather booths, and subtle Indian decor. Our waiter came over immediately and recommended some Indian drinks (get the Kingfisher beer!!!) and appetizers. My friends and I ended up splitting some mango chutney naan bread-- perfectly soft and chewy with a thin spread of sweet mango sauce in the middle. We loved it so much that we got a second (and maybe even a third) order of it! All of the entrees come served in personal-sized bowls that sit over tea light candles to keep them warm while you eat. I ordered the Channa Masala (chickpeas, tomatoes, and onions in a dry sauce) and it was excellent. One of my friends loves her food ridiculously spicy and was a bit disappointed that her entree came out somewhat bland, but our waiter was really nice about it and had it fixed in less than a minute. At the end of the meal, the owner came over to get feedback on our experience. He was super nice and really seemed to take pride in his restaurant. The only drawbacks about this place are that it's a bit pricey and the acoustics aren't good for such a small dining area. When it's crowded in there, it gets LOUD, and you have to really raise your voice to talk to someone across the table. Otherwise, it's a fun, unusual place to eat. If you're in the Mt. Vernon area, go try it!!
(4)Juiana L.
Friendly service, very neighborly atmosphere, a perfect Indian dining experience for those who enjoy a wonderful sampling of Indian favorites, especially superb balsamic rice and lamb curry, fresh salad, variety of savory condiments. Price is right, food delicious. I'm ready for an encore.
(4)Teresa S.
Excellent Indian food! Nice cozy restaurant a few steps down from street level. We tried the chicken vindaloo; chicken malai kebab; chicken tikki masala; onion kulcha and garlic naan. Everything was excellent! Will definitely go back!
(5)Jan T.
The best Indian food in Baltimore in my book. A small and intimate place (you will get to know your neighbors on a busy night or during the excellent weekend lunch), this place offers traditional Indian fare at its best. The dishes are flavorful, the sauces creamy, and the drinks a perfect accompaniment. The saturday lunch buffet offers the traditional Indian favorites like chicken korma, but also offers a fresh-made dosa (South Indian style stuffed pancake) station that is excellent and a nice deviation from your traditional a la carte of cafeteria style Indian. A definite recommendation for anyone liking good Indian food, and a wonderful way to start off an afternoon at the Walther's or evening at the theatre.
(5)Victoria L.
I am an Indian food snob. Well, actually, I really just love Indian food and will eat it for every meal if possible. See: PUT IT IN MY MOUTH. So a friend and I checked out Akbar and I am amazed I didn't wind up ordering everything on the menu. Chicken Tikka Masala, which is my go-to test dish for any new-to-me Indian place, was AMAZING. They don't skimp on the rice or naan, and they have a very awesome wine list. Vegetable Samosas? Amazing. PLUS, the service was super attentive without being overbearing. I am so glad this place is right around the corner from my apartment. However, when I am 400 lbs from eating nothing but garlic naan and samosas, I hope they'll install a wider door for me.
(5)b w.
Fav Indian place in the Baltimore Area!
(5)George B.
I've now been here twice, the second time last night, and am very pleased with everything. A nice, casual atmosphere with attentive and pleasant service. The food was great. When they say spicy, they mean spicy, so if you go for spicy, order the raiti as well.
(4)Judy C.
I think they serve the best lunch buffet in the area (and I've been to all the restaurants in that area). I love the selection of food they have (saag, pakoras, chicken tikka masala), and it is tasty enough. Service is fast, and the food definitely fills you up for the day! But I really can't stand the price for either the buffet or the dinner. The prices for dinner are just outrageous (compared to Indian Row restaurants in NYC), and the food isn't that great to pay that much. I'd rather go to the Helmand for dinner instead.
(3)Pavi S.
Mediocre. I'm Indian and the food is not that great.
(2)Carl A.
A cautionary tale: After the monument lighting, my friends and I went in to get a table. It was crowded, of course, but we had no problem securing seats. We ordered; big beers, naan, and main courses. The server was very attentive, and detailed. Unfortunately, they brought the wrong dish out for me. I ordered Chicken Vindaloo, cheekily mentioning that I wanted a "4.5" spiciness. They brought out a Lamb Vindaloo. I had also been eyeing that, so I figured, what the hell, leave it, it's fine. It wasn't fine. It was made of lava. Obviously, I should have corrected the error. Lesson learned: Don't mix and match your dishes, because some people like tear-jerkingly-spicy food. And make sure your waiter brings out the right dish.
(3)Janey R.
Ever since my friend took me here I HAVE BEEN SINGING FOR AKBAR! I never had such great Indian food and I come during their lunch buffet. It's all well priced and it's a hidden treasure. I have never came and never had a place to seat. THough it's small andlooks like nothing. it is indeed award winning and notable! I LOVE IT. the staff is amazing and it really feels like your eating at home... I always have a good time and the food makes me happy and full all day. I love it so much! I always suggest this place because its fast, the food is good, and its warm. Everything about it just makes a person smile.
(5)Jonathan A.
My favorite Indian restaurant in Mt. Vernon. I always order the Chicken Tikka Masala and the Palak Paneer. They are delicious!
(5)James P.
Love this Place!!! If you love East Indian food, or you are looking for something new, try this place. The food is great, the service is awesome, and the ambiance is wonderful. I brought a friend from DC to the place and it blew away any other places we have been to down there. The attention to detail, the cleanliness and courteous staff have us both wanting to return. We particulary enjolyed the seasonings and sauces that went with the meals. We both ordered chicken dishes that were excellent. We ate great meals and even had enough to take home, so the portions were certainly adequate. Please go for dinner and the lunch buffet is great too. Definitely a thumbs up!
(5)Jennifer T.
We came on a weekday for a late dinner and it was virtually empty. We ordered the lamb samosas for an appetizer and chicken tikka masala and chicken korma for our main dishes. We took our time chatting while eating the samosas, but after 20 minutes, we started to wonder where our main dishes were. When we finally decided to ask the waiter on the whereabouts of our dinner, he told us that our food had been keeping warm in the kitchen and they were waiting for us to finish our appetizers. Oops. Please excuse our lack of dining etiquette. We're heathens. The waiter brought out our (re-heated) food five minutes later. Despite the misunderstanding, the food was delicious: the chicken was tender, the sauce was creamy and tangy and perfect for dipping with naan. Overall, a good experience. It makes a great go-to place for dinner.
(4)Meatdowntown C.
Maybe I need to give it another try. I tried the sag paneer and it was like buying it from a package in the store. The somosas were fine but I think it will be hard to screw up fried food anyway. The service was just okay since there were basically two people (and one of them was either the manager of the partner/owner). There is nothing special about this place. Spend more money and go to LUMBINI.
(1)Tebles H.
My experiences at Akbar have always been pleasant. The owner greets me with kindness, the servers brings me water consistently. I always order the same dish, which is my down fault. The vegetarian platter :) yummy as always. However, I can go without the yogurt portion, but that's just my preference. I wish to have an extra samosa :). Oh, I forgot to mention, I had the buffet on Sunday for lunch, I wish they had fish curry or some sort of fish/seafood, but they had a lot of chicken options, which I do not eat. The chi tea was AMAZING. And I had my 3 years-old niece who asked for ketchup for her potatoes. The server went out of his way and brought us ketchup from another restaurant. That totally topped it off. And they didn't charge me for her eating at the buffet, she did have a small plate, but regardless I was shocked & totally satisfied. I expected to pay half price for a kid buffet. I will continue to come again and again. I wish they would re-open at 4pm instead of 5pm for dinner ;)
(4)Chad O.
I was very happy with the food with the exception of the overcooked lamb (very well done and not very edible). With that said, the curry that I got on the lamb was well worth it, not to mention the outstanding papadum and mint chutney. I noticed that they didn't have one of my favorite Indian dish (actually Indo-Chinese), Gobi Manchurian, so I asked the manager if it was possible to get it made. He spoke with the chef and said he could. It was VERY good and told them they needed to get that added to their menu! Can't wait to get back there...had a great time and the food was delicious (with the exception of the lamb)!
(4)Asam S.
Great Indian food, friendly service and portions so large that you will probably end up taking some home...loved it. By the way, the desserts and Mango lassi are great!
(4)Ambereen A.
This place was ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE. I'm Pakistani and I just moved to Baltimore 6 days ago and I was so excited to try this place since it was called the "best indian food in all of baltimore." That review could not be more wrong. The naan was ok. Kind of flavorless. The aloo paratha was the worst I've ever had. it was crispy and black and over fried and had no potatoes in it. The vegetable samosas are supposed to have chunks of potatoes in them. Instead, these had some nasty pureed potato paste in them. The boti kebab was dried out and flavorless. The chicken tikka masala was exactly the same. They both came out the same way: 4 chunks of meat on a plate of raw sliced onions. That's it. I will never come back here again. Oh and the worst part is that when we came home, our clothes and hair REEKED. Everything we were wearing had to be washed. Immediately.
(1)Samantha S.
FANTASTIC!! I have been to a few other Indian places in Mt. Vernon...but this was my first time to Akbar. I must say that the it exceeded my expectations and was better then the other places i used to go to frequently. I went with a friend and we shared Chicken Tika Masala and Lamb Saag and both were excellent! servied over a flame to keep it hot too! the Naan, rice, chip things with the three sauces (that they bring out for free before you order) were also great!! when we we ready for to - go -boxes they brought them out with rice inside so that we would have some with the leftover food...very thoughtful. I will be for sure returning :)
(5)Monty J.
What a pleasant surprise. Completely exceeded our expectations. One of the best Indian meals I have ever had.
(5)Brian N.
My friend Laura has always given me a really hard time about having never had Indian food. We decided to meet up when she was in town with some other friends and finally give me my first Indian food experience. Akbar came highly recommended from one member of our group, and it didn't disappoint. The fruit and nut naan was INCREDIBLE and so was pretty much everything else (I can't remember what anything was called except for Tandoori Chicken and Vindaloo Chicken). Now, I don't really have any other restaurants to compare this place to since this was my first time eating Indian, but this place was great in my humble opinion. It's small, but was completely packed and the service was great still, so that makes me think that this is a great restaurant overall. The bathroom was gross though, which stopped me from giving it 5 stars.
(4)Matthew L.
One of the many Indian restaurants in Mt Vernon, it does little to seperate itself from the competition. The naan is so so and the tandori chicken was a little dry. The flavors are nice. The basement location makes it seem kind of dark cavernous. The wait staff is attentive and professional. Not bad, just not good.
(3)Mimi C.
On a Wednesday night, Akbar Restaurant was packed. There were maybe two empty tables when we walked in. We ordered the chicken tikka masala, chicken vindaloo, and palak paneer. I requested that the chicken vindaloo be spicy, but not Indian spicy. The waiter asked, "On a scale of 1-10, how spicy?" and I said 7 but between our table and the kitchen, that request must have gotten lost because everyone agreed that the chicken vindaloo was the mildest. My friend requested extra sauce to accompany his palak paneer but the waiter gestured to the full restaurant and hedged saying that maybe when it got less busy, the cook could accommodate the request so my friend gave up. We waited over 30 minutes before our food arrived and maybe 1/3 of the restaurant had emptied by then. Although, while we were waiting, our water was attentively refilled by the female waitstaff. The chicken tikka masala was good but I really would have liked the chicken vindaloo to be a little bit spicy. As delicious and satisfying lunch buffets are, one doesn't expect them to be at all spicy to accommodate a range of spicy food tolerance so I was sad that the chicken vindaloo was so mild when I specifically asked that it be spicy. After serving our food, our waiter did not return to check up on us until we were almost finished. Since it was already 8:30 when they brought out our food, I was too hungry to bother and customer service didn't seem like a priority.
(2)A. D.
The food at this place is always consistently tasty. It is the best Indian food in the area...hands down! The ambiance could be a bit better. It feels dark and dank because it is below street level.
(4)Sarah Lynn T.
This is my favorite Indian restaurant. I've been here to eat in for dinner, lunch buffet, and carry out and the food is just lovely. I've been eating here for about two years now, and it's so high on my list of favorites that we went here for my birthday this year. The quality is consistently stellar. They have lots of choices on the lunch buffet, which is a great way to try a lot of different things you might not ordinarily try without paying a lot for it. Their samosas are crispy and savory; sometimes I get hit with a craving for one and that is a craving that cannot be ignored. I also love their Chicken Tikka Masala, and they give you so much of it that you always have leftovers for lunch the next day. If the cream based sauce of the CTM is too heavy for your taste they have lots of other great items on the menu. Their Lamb Bhuna is incredibly flavorful and some of the most tender meat I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying. Make the most of your meal with some of the homemade breads; I particularly enjoy their chapati (roti). My better half says I would be remiss to write a review of Akbar without including high praise for their mango lassies - they're a special treat for him. We eat a lot of Indian food in our house, and if I want to eat Indian when I eat out (other than my in-law's house) this is where I go to get it.
(5)Dalzire B.
An amazing restaurant. The people are nice and the food is divine!
(5)Erin T.
Akbar is one of my favorite restaurants. I love the Chicken Tikka Masala, and my boyfriend is a fan of the Lamb Saag. The restaurant is a little pricey, but for the quality, it seems to be about right. And the lunch buffet is a great way to get my Indian food fix at a lower price. I can't say much about authenticity, but I love the flavors and the service is always good. My only major criticism is that the space is a bit cramped, and the restaurant decor is overall a little dark and tacky.
(4)Vivian Z.
best Indian place ever!!!!! This restaurant is a hidden treasure, tucked in the basement on Charles Street I've tried several Indian places in Baltimore and this is by far the best Indian food I've had. The flavors and spices are just right. Unlike other places where the curry can be watered down and the taste are bland We live on the East side of Baltimore but would drive to downtown for take out. We also enjoy going on Saturdays or Sundays for their lunch buffet - which there are a number of varieties at a very reasonable price. Our favorite dishes are - Chicken Tikka Masla and Matar Paneer. we LOVE it!!!
(5)David P.
Akbar was good many years ago, but now it's simply disappointing. N.B.: I've only ever been for their weekend lunch buffet. Despite being at the peak of lunch hours, food had been in the warming trays too long - scorched, dried-out, and so forth. Flavor was not up to par - perhaps it's been Americanized, which would be very sad. The most recent visit was the worst by a long shot. We'd go out to Catonsville, Cockeysville, or Columbia for similar food without issue - and even with current fuel prices, mileage would be no object.
(1)Ayon J. R.
One of the few decent Indian places in Baltimore city. The food is slightly above average, and service is good. But the sitting area is very cramped and suffocating.
(3)Richard C.
We were in the mood for Indian food last week, and despite my absence from Yelp reviews for a few months, I still check out the thoughts of fellow Yelpers. I had already seen Theresa's review last year, so I decided that Akbar was going to be the restaurant to hit on this particular Thursday evening. I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to Indian food, having been spoiled so much living in England which has some outstanding Indian restaurants. Akbar didn't just deliver, but it is by far the best Indian food we have had in this country, and certainly on a par with some of our favourite restaurants from back home. The service is unassuming - nothing special, nothing annoying, just efficient, which is all I'm really looking for. The food, however, is something quite special. We ordered the Aloo Tikki and Seekh Kebab from the appetizers, and the Chicken Methiwala and Boti Kebab from the entrees. The Aloo Tikki (curry-leaf flavored potato pancakes) and Seekh Kebab (ground lamb with spices) were the perfect way to start the meal, and almost made me regret that I couldn't just eat the Seekh Kebab all night - succulent, tender, flavorful cuts of ground lamb 'sausage' - absolutely delectable. Once the entrees arrived, we were very happy that we weren't eating the appetizers all night. The Chicken Methiwala (boneless chicken cooked with fenugreek, herbs and spices) was one of the most delicious Indian dishes I have eaten - an Indian spice explosion! The Boti Kebab (marinated cubes of lamb charcoal broiled tandoori style) came to the table sizzling away, and were then transferred to the plate by the waiter. OK, so it stated 'cubes of lamb', and I guess they were cubes - 4 enormous 'cubes', each one almost the size of Simona's fist, and each one so tender and flavorful that they need to be tasted to be believed. And the size of the 'cubes' was consistent with all of the food we had - very large portions, easily accommodating taking leftovers home for a complete second meal in the next day or two. Our food came to around $35, and their wine and beer selection was also fairly inexpensive. There website also has $5 discount vouchers if you order 2 entrees (found this out after our meal!), making it an even cheaper date. I can't recommend Akbar highly enough - it's a gem tucked away in the basement level of Charles Street, and it's even managed to persuade me to start Yelping again.
(5)Theresa F.
This is the restaurant I weigh all other Indian restaurants against. I love Indian food and have eaten at quite a few around the US and abroad, and I ALWAYS go back to Akbar's! Akbar's gets 5 stars for its food. Tucked away in a little basement on Charles St, Akbar's is cozy, quiet, full of subdued wait staff and usually nearly full. Though you always feel like you are talking a bit too loud and enjoying yourself a bit too much, they really don't mind. At least, they've never said anything to us! I always wish Indian restaurants were a bit more lively in atmosphere, but the food is worth it! I've been here many times and tried many dishes, and literally, all their dishes are spectacular. Definitely a must hit when visiting Baltimore, or a staple if you live there. Yum!
(5)Yelp Fan F.
I love their lunch buffet and the gulab jamuns are to die for. The price is very affordable. I am an Indian food snob and this as good as it gets in restaurants located in India itself. Now home-cooking is completely different and in my opinion, home-cooked Indian food is almost a different cuisine than what you get in restaurants. So no this does not compare to home-cooked food.
(5)S T.
Strange as it may sound, in my 2 years in this region I have never been to Akbar b4. Went there last nite. It's a small place, but it was quite packed. So here is my review: Wait staff - very nice and polite. Were at our table immediately after our beers got over. Frequent rounds asking us if we need anything else and in the end, were quite polite enuf to ask us about how our experience was. Service - The appetizers came out pretty quickly. Although the main course took a little longer. Still not that bad. Food - Quite good. I liked it. Although I did from my friends that the lunch buffet was ordinary. Dinner a'la carte was def. gooooood!!! Cons - well, the place is too cramped up. Our table was too small for a party of 4. I must say, that overall I was impressed by this place and will def. be going there a lot!!!
(4)Richard B.
Poor 'cheap' tasting bristly grey meat and imbalanced seasoning in the dishes. No complaints on the service though the food felt like the cheapest of ingredients which is unacceptable so close to the Mughal Gardens which is head and shoulders above this place.
(2)Pradeep H.
If you want to really find the true taste of Indian food, don't go here for lunch buffet..Dinner has always been good ...Definitely better than Mughal Garden and Kumari...in the Mount Vernon area...for north indian food. Very less space to sit..So becomes kinda cramped especially on weekends and during lunch time. I will give it a 3.5.
(4)Bert C.
I ordered to pick up. The restaurant looked nice and cozy when I walked through it. I got the chicken tikka masala and it was fantastic. Their rice was delicious by itself, but with the yogurty richness of the sauce it was a real treat. I hope to soon dine in, and perhaps order a wider range of food in the future to better critique this restaurant.
(4)Nathan F.
The Food is great and I can honestly say its my favorite Indian restaurant in Baltimore. I just wish it was a little bigger...
(4)Pascal P.
The food I've had here for dinner has always been delicious. The lunch buffet is nothing spectacular, but it's great for what it costs. Dinner is also a great value. There's really nothing to dislike about this place, and choosing between Akbar and the equally excellent Mughal Garden which is nearby can be tough.
(5)Dave L.
I really enjoyed their veggie korma. Nan was well done, and the service was pretty fast. a great choice for Indian in Mt Vernon
(4)Trisha S.
A few friends took me here for dinner. I very much enjoyed the food, but was a bit put off by the waiter. He not only told us that we were ordering too much, but tried to change the items we were ordering. He hovered around our table while we looked through the menu and was critical of what we wanted to order. As much as I enjoyed the food, I would think twice before I went back.
(3)CJ W.
beat the rush, and get the akbari nan. can be a bit crowded at dinner, so go a little early for the better parking and a private little booth. their mango chutney filled nan (akbari nan) is a must, and goes great with any of their entrees. it's casual for how nice everything is and the prices are low compared to the level of professionalism their staff offers. be specific with your spice levels or you may find things too bland or too hot to enjoy. many of the dishes are served on charming iron stands, warmed by tea candles, which makes for good presentation, sharing, and nice long meal where your food doesn't get cold. all your standard indian favorites plus a few stand out items make akbar a solid choice for your indian fix.
(4)Rachel O.
I LOVE me some Indian food and this was GOOOOD. I had the Bhindi Masala and the boy had Channa Masala. It came with a big plate of yellow rice and two servings of papadam. We also had the naan (of course) and some King Fisher beer. Total check=$30. Not quite as cheap as Mumbai, but totally worth it for the US. There was one really strange thing. I asked the waiter about dosa and he said they didn't serve it because it was southern Indian (which I knew) so I asked him about a place that he would recommend to get some. He got really snotty and blew the question off by huffing and saying something like, "it's only for breakfast anyway."
(4)Nanda R.
Been here many times with friends. Food is very good. Service is good too.
(3)Kathryn E.
Very good Indian fare, and they have a tasty lunch buffet as well. Not as good as Ambassador, but close.
(4)Woo Y.
Turn your gaze to waist level while strolling along N. Charles St. - look beyond the mottled crotches of your requisite urban derelicts - and you just might be fortunate enough to spy a simple sign that modestly heralds the stairway down to Indian comfort food heaven. Okay, so that was just a wordy way of saying this place is in the building basement, but the food is simple, flavorful, and delicious! Now, I'm not going to pretend that I know all the nuances of northern vs. southern Indian cuisine without looking it up on Wikipedia, but I know tasty food when it goes in my mouth, and this is it, gosh darnit! I've been dining here occasionally for several years, and they are very consistently some of the best Indian I've had. I am a flavor and hot spice fiend, so I almost always go with the chicken or goat vindaloo (the spiciest dish they have) for maximum mouth party bliss. The meat is extremely tender My mouth is watering now just thinking about it! The garlic naan bread is super garlicky and super delicious. The Tandoori meats are tender and well seasoned, and the Chicken Tikka Masala is creamy and smile-inducing. The wait staff are modestly friendly and attentive, and as mentioned, you will never go thirsty as they will swoop in with the water pitcher as soon as they see your cup being less than full. Okay, so maybe you might see an occasional roach crawling happily up a wall, but I just see it as part of the authentic experience! I know everyone's got their own opinions and tastes, but I'm a little surprised to see other reviews knocking the food (maybe I just haven't tried the not great stuff?), so I say that this place is definitely worth a try to come and decide for yourself!
(4)Rebecca W.
I haven't eaten here i a few years, but I stop in every couple of visits home - usually with friends. The good is good and I enjoy the atmosphere.
(4)Eric P.
Akbar is usually a pleasurable experience, but the service can be spotty.
(3)Lee D.
Not posh but moderate prices and good food. The space is a bit dilapidated, but they're great for take out. I love it for comfort food, but have heard it's not the most authentic North Indian.
(3)Rob H.
Definitely the best Indian food I've had in Baltimore (and DC for that matter in this price range). Consistently great classics, very good prices, and respectable service. It's rustic Indian (not fancy, not shabby).
(4)