Excellent place for getting to know Indian food. Buffet style with many delicious options. Our favorites were the Chicken Tikka Masala, the Lamb Jal Frazie and the Navaratan Khoorma. Don't forget to get the mango ice cream, it tastes exactly like your eating a blended mango. Yum!
(4)
Mitch R.
Went back again and had a similar experience - the first time wasn't a fluke. Excellent food, excellent service, excellent value...just all around a great place. I've been a designated driver both times I've been, so I haven't tried their drinks (which look interesting and different), but other than that I can vouch for this place wholeheartedly.
(4)
val s.
Used to love this place, it is near my neighborhood. Last time I was here though I saw a cockroach ON THE BUFFET. Then everything started grossing me out..like the ripped up seats... Sad.
(1)
Anthony N.
I don't understand why this place has such good reviews. Its not bad per say, but it is most definitely unimpressive. Swagat on NW 21is far far better! If u just want a Indian food buffet this is your place. However you can get similar quality food from the taste of India cart in heart burn alley for far cheaper, and you will have left overs. Anyways more on topic... namaste staff is friendly. Lunch buffet is $9, dinner is $13. There are a fair number of choices on the buffet and many sauces to choose from. The navaratan khoorma is the onemain dish that stood out as having a robust flavor. Everything else is at best ok. Go to Swagat, lil pricey but well worth it!
(2)
Rosetta S.
Not the best Indian in the metro are. The best there is the samosa, followed by the ice cream. But its not very good Indian food. Not full of flavor, selection is poor and everything tastes similar. Service is good. Not atmosphere I like. I won't be going back, or telling anyone to stop in. Not worth the money.
(2)
Brett S.
Food is below avg for indian food imo. I think people that rave about this place are not that familiar with indian food. The food was just very blah and it didnt consist of all the spices that i am so fond of when eating indian food. Food quality is very low. As a portland noobie, my search continues for good indian food.
(2)
Mark D.
Incredible.....very deep flavors.....abundance of choices ......so glad a friend took me to the lunch buffet...!.....when we drove up the people going in were the of the same ethnicity as the food being offered....always a good sign.....so much to enjoy and enough time to enjoy it all....big upholstered dining booths for the two of us....old style and great....the windows looked out on a nicely kept wooded area with big trees ... Great price for a lot of food ....quality ingredients....I told the wait staff to thank the chefs and the excellent work of their kitchen....older experience chefs I'm sure So highly recommended ....I'll be back most definitely ....thanks namaste....
(5)
Celia C.
Two of us shared a generous dish of palek paneer and still brought some home. It smelled and tasted like it had a little cinnamon (?) but it was GOOD. I mean, melt-in-your-mouth good! The mango lassis were devine- they weren't too cold and I found that I drank half of mine in the first sip. Not because they're small-- oh no. They fill a pint glass to the brim with the bright orange mango shake. Decor= confusing. There was train wallpaper on the walls of one booth. Actually the place itself seemed like a Denny's- bright, bland, and the booths were uncomfortable. There was a big buffet. I'm not a fan of buffets so I just ordered dinner. Recommendation: order their food to go once a week. I would go again for take-out.
(4)
britt C.
I see all the good reviews and I'm confused..did we not eat at the same restaurant?? We walk in to this place and wait a few minutes to be seated no biggie, they seat us right next to the buffet! Think like the buffet is in the middle and all the booths run parallel to it! It was so weird to sit literally two feet away from people getting all their food. It felt like a cafeteria..(not a good place to spend my 21st birthday!) We expected to order off the menu but was told it would take 30 minutes so we decided to go with the buffet. The website made it seem like this was slightly fancy hence going here for the birthday, sadly mistaken. To describe the food in one word is BLAND. Yes they have a lot of options but what does that matter if it sucks? Yes I am going there, it sucked!!! No spice, no depth of flavor, no richness. It actually pains me to write about a bad restaurant but people need to know. By the way we poured all the water from the pitcher & it was not refilled at all so we ended up passing around our leftover water to wash the food down, we don't mind but I am sure not most are willing to share water from each other's cups. The only pros: On the east side, ample parking.
(2)
Rosy D.
Great food, Very Clean, Fast with the water refills. I'd def go back
(5)
Erin D.
Kind of a strange location, but that's neither here nor there because the lunch buffet was very nice. A wonderful selection of all sorts of dishes! I kind of fell in love with the spiced rice pudding, I could've eaten several bowls if I wasn't trying to watch my girlish figure.
(4)
Ryan L.
Absolute junk! This is the worst Indian food in Portland and people love it...WHY? Three different friends recommended this and they are all dead ass wrong. The food is cheaply made and tastes like microwave Indian cuisine. Every dish is soupy, salty and flavorless. The people that love this place must have sand paper for taste buds. It's bland and gross and I had to suffer the next day with some vicious mud butt. Just say Nomaste and go to Dwarka.
(1)
S. H.
Yummy, yummy, yummy! Lots of great veggie options as well as goat and chicken. Everything was well seasoned and fresh. The service, which is obviously minimal at a buffet, was surprisingly wonderful. I inquired about papadum and the server said she was new and that she thought they usually only served it at dinner. I figured no big deal because I was already stuffed and only one plate into the feast, not to mention there was an assortment of other hot naan to choose from. Then, the sweetheart delivered a basket of the delectable treats! I couldn't have been happier. I left quite sated and I will definitely be back.
(4)
Aimee R.
I had heard good things about this place, but was pretty underwhelmed. They have a menu but it seems like the buffet it the main reason to go. The buffet had a good selection, but the food itself seemed pretty sub par compared to most other Indian food I've eaten. I guess you get what you pay for though, it was cheap (12.95 for all you can eat buffet).
(2)
Sonny D.
I was craving some Indian food. Heard great things about this place. I went here for the lunch buffet. The food was good just not a lot of selection for a buffet. You always had to look for someone to refill your water or drink instead of someone coming to ask you if you wanted a refill. I would refill my own drink if there was a machine that dispenses it out in the buffet area and not in the kitchen. I give it 3 stars would of been five if there were more of a selection and if there was some sort of customer service. Feels like they just want you to eat, pay and move on.
(3)
Amanda B.
Good. Good. Good. I don't care if it's a buffet. Seriously guys, it's the best Indian food I've had in Portland. $12.95 for an all you can eat dinner on Fridays and Saturdays and it's totally worth it. The selection was great, the naan was soft and fresh. All their dishes were flavorful and delicious! They even offered two paneer dishes loaded with chunks of cheese. We had gulab jamun, kheer and homemade mango ice cream for dessert. The restaurant is family owned - the owner and everyone else was great. Namaste is surrounded by sketchy airport hotels, but don't let that fool you. It's one of my favorites now!
(5)
david v.
Four stars Yelpers? Seriously?! Have you guys ever tried GOOD Indian food? PDX is admittedly short on really good Indian grub, but maybe people are mistaking quantity for quality here. The buffet is pretty huge, but not one one dish was memorable in any way. Three words describe this place- Bleh, meh and ugh. I just came back from India and it's a stretch to call this food Indian.
(2)
Kristina L.
Big Indian buffet. Freakishly quiet. You're greeted at the door & basically don't get talked to again until you leave to pay. A bit of a weird feel/ambianace, but the buffet is pretty good so it sorta helps make up for it.
(4)
M M.
The food is good, the service I experienced during dinner a few months back led me to never step foot in the restaurant again. I would've given them one star for the service, but I cannot deny the food was good.
(2)
Carrie S.
I've been waiting for more east side Indian restaurants for a very long time. This place has a HUGE dinner buffet and good food. If you like people watching and don't mind the atmosphere you should try this place.
(4)
Melisa C.
My neighborhood is not exactly a hot spot of fine dining so when Namaste took over the old Steamers restaurant at the HoJo on Sandy I didn't get too excited. I love Indian food but over the years have been less impressed with the standard array of heavy North Indian curries and more drawn to the lighter, fresher flavors of South India enough that I regularly make the trek from Parkrose to Hillsboro for dosa, idli, and the like. But any Indian food is better than no Indian food in my mind and I really wanted to support a new local business so we were there for opening night and have returned many times since as we've been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food and the variety of dishes. Namaste isn't about atmosphere--it's all bright fluorescent lights, faded vinyl flooring, lumpy booths, and oddly incongruous art (black and white photos of old Oregon compete with brilliant prints of old Punjab). If you're lucky, the cook will be blasting bhangra from the kitchen but otherwise it's quiet. The food is great. Not the best ever, but so much fresher tasting than I'd expected. You'll regularly find at least 4 meat curries and 4 veg, a couple of breads, 2 types of rice, chutneys, pickle, raita, and a few desserts. There's usually some type of pakora and the occasional samosa as well. The naan is always warm and fresh, and the chutneys are fiery and delicious. There's only been one dish I haven't liked. The folks who work there are super nice and friendly which I really appreciate. The prices seem fair for an all you can eat buffet which makes it a great deal if you happen to have growing teens to feed. Even my spice averse daughter finds plenty to eat and the soft serve mango ice cream is a highlight for her. Make sure to go hungry and take your time exploring and enjoying.
(4)
J T.
Great variety, wonderful service. Even my cautious-with-new-flavors husband loved the lamb and goat dishes. Vegans will find ample selections, too.
(5)
Alicia Y.
Great food but very odd decor...the train theme is still on the walls and is very out of place. The lighting is very institutional and bright. Service is quick and friendly. There is a great variety of meat and vegetarian choices as well as salads, chutney, and naans. Kind of a far drive but worth it for a cheap date night, we will be back. Please fix the decor though, it really needs help!
(4)
sarah s.
I loved this place when it was in Vancouver, but I love it even more now that it is in Portland and so much closer! The staff was really friendly and helpful and they did a great job or restocking the buffet as much as it was needed. Everything we ate was amazing. I've been really disappointed with the Indian food I've found in Portland (aside from the carts downtown) and Namaste is what I had been dreaming of! $12.95 for good quality all you can eat is an amazing deal and there is a lot of good variety. They are awesome at what they do!
(5)
Ken K.
Very small buffet. Dissapointed but food was ok. The big group of fruit flies surrounding the mango ice cream machine was lovely.
(2)
Greg H.
Delighted to find an adventurous and tasty lunch buffet. Goat masala yum. Good choice if you find yourself needing a meal in the culinary wasteland that is Sandy and 82nd.
(4)
Cheryl G.
We were a little frightened the first time we went to Namaste. It was way out there, in a Ho-Jos and looked very thrown together..wagon wheels and brocade booths with random Indian prints. Once we felt the fear and did it anyway, we were hooked. Nice people, good inexpensive food and all you want of it. Yippy!
(4)
Ren D.
Great food at great prices and it's amusing to look at the old train decor from the previous restaraunt. I didn't go there for the indian ambiance I went there for the food which is excellent.
I do not profess to be an Indian food expert. I am a big fan of it, though. I eat it when I can and sometimes cook it at home. I consider Taste of India in Seattle to be an example of consistently good Indian food. I went to Namaste on a Wednesday night because of its Yelp reviews. It was not busy. My partner and I both found the food to be one intolerably salty dish after another. I mean REALLY salty. The only way I could get it down was to keep eating the desserts throughout the meal to kill off the saltiness. There was a dish or two that were okay, but the standards like Palak Paneer, Masala and Tikka were pure salt. Also, after seating us, we never saw the hostess/waitress again, not to take away plates even, nothing. And yes, the decor is crap, but its something I'll easily overlook for good food. We developed several theories for our experience verses other Yelp reviews: (1) It was slow and the dishes were sitting for awhile and steaming out. We've noticed by cooking at home that sometimes steamy dishes will get too salty between cooking and serving. (2) There are different chefs and on our night there was a heavy smoker preparing most of the meals (3) The positive reviews were by people who consider ganga an appetizer and loved the all-you-can-eat option. The one star is for the mango lasse soft serve. A very nice treat. But not worth the $13 you'll pay to have dinner there.
(1)
Lulu F.
After reading the ratings here I decided to check it out, but wish I had chosen another place! To me 1 star means I will not go back unless I am starving and there is no other place to get any food. Like if a fruit stand were nearby, I would go there instead. It's a buffet so my expectations were not high to begin with. The decor and general atmosphere were as expected- very much like Old Country Buffet. Service? Typical buffet. So the real point-the food! I expected soooooo much more. I do think it should be known that I like it hot! If it doesn't make you sweat, at least a Iittle, then it isn't good Asian. There was quite a variety, but it was all 0 stars on a spice scale of 1-5 stars. The naan was an abomination!!! I could have made that crap at home and I only prepare meals 4 ways- microwave, take-out, steamed or raw. It was like white bread dough that they squished out on a baking sheet- YUCK! If you wanna stuff your belly on the cheap($10 for lunch) then this could satisfy you. Or if you like bland and no spice go for it. If your friend's little Indian momma serves you food with a side of plain yogurt to cool your mouth 'cause she's about to blaze all your taste buds and you love it-steer clear of Nasty, I mean Namaste.
(1)
Ryan C.
3 words - MANGO ICE CREAM! crazy good soft serve they have, home made and taste super good! food wise was not too bad, has a goat meat curry, lamb curry, 2 chicken curries, many othe veggies ones but doesn't interest me! ahaha! the naan were so-so, a bit flour-ry.. not moist and oily enough but it does its job when dipped with some curry. price's good for dinner buffet, $12. howeverrrr, don't eat this often if u wanna live.. i think they use too much MSG (monosodium glutamate), that's flavor enhancer for those that don't understand. left me super thirst after eating! plus, goat and coconut milk is not that good for you cholesterol level! hahahah!
(4)
Hillary R.
this was my first destination that i found through yelp in portland that i LOVED (stay tuned for a future two star rating of paley's place). i won't say it is the best indian in portland- i prefer bombay- but bombay is pricey as donkey donk. for the price and variety on the lunch buffet, namaste is the best i've had. Positives: the huge round booths two kinds of naan, including the beloved garlic huge amount of rice, kept warm in a separate area at least 8 different kinds of warm food, including a goat offering everything on buffet has a different taste (though all could have been a bit spicier) decent veggie selection- the veggie curries were the favorite of our entirely meat eating group. parking lot three stalls (at least in the women's bathroom), for those of you who have immediate post-eating issues like myself big salad area of buffet, not just a couple lettuce and tomato bits good sauce options- the spicy one rocked two kinds of soup- though the ginger one was meh good service- quick pop refills if you have not been, go now.
(5)
Jessica D.
I work near this restaurant so go here often. The buffet is super good. I wouldn't say it's the best Indian food I've ever had but it's pretty tastey with a wide variety to meet your needs. The naan is wonderful! Plenty of meat and vegetarian options. Not a fan of the mango ice cream though but nice for dessert if that's your thing.
(4)
T. N.
We tried this place out again recently and wow, what a difference! Their currys were actually spicy, some were very spicy...hubs and I like that! Still love their mango icecream and their veggie pakoras. Will go here again if we crave for Indian for dinner.
(4)
Tristin M.
Nice Indian buffet. The staff could have been friendlier, but the food was good. A nice lunch option especially if you're limited on time.
(4)
Kate P.
I usually hate buffets. All you can eat is generally a big rip off for me, because I can't eat very much in one sitting. And large quantities of mediocre food doesn't impress me. However, Namaste is my favorite Indian restaurant in town. For the price of an entree at most other Indian restaurants, you can get the whole buffet. You get to try a whole variety of very good dishes. And I love the mango lassi soft serve! This place is usually pretty busy, so the food is replaced often and always hot and fresh. And they have a huge selection of dishes to choose from!
(5)
Lydia R.
This was the best Indian food I've had in a long time. The mango soft serve was very good, what a great way to end a perfect lunch! Super affordable too!
(5)
Nick R.
The food was ok. The atmosphere was weird. The staff seemed reluctant to help. Will not be going back.
(2)
Daniel W.
its alright but I think ill look for another Indian place.
(2)
Scott A.
Just average food. Pretty much what you'd expect from a buffet. Some good dishes but the spices were a bit weak overall.
(3)
Carmel K.
I added this business, not sure if I got the address correct but it's in the same building "Steamers" used to be in so I found the address for them... My husband said this is the best Indian food he has ever eaten and he is hard to impress since he makes homemade Indian at home. We went to the lunch buffet, I really loved how there were so many choices and an even amount of vegetarian and meat choices. The people working were all very friendly, always checking to see if we needed anything. The building is across from the Grotto so if you get a window seat in the right spot you get an amazing view of the trees across the way.
(5)
Christian B.
As a fan of the Vancouver, WA restaurant, I was glad to spot this on this side of the river. Simply put - same food that was over in Vancouver, just 10 or so miles South. And that's not a bad thing; my wife and I used to dislike having to go to Vancouver just to get awesome Indian food. Glad that they're in Portland and we will be visiting a lot, as we have been since it has opened. Definitely recommended!
(5)
Lisa H.
The service was friendly and the atmosphere was way better than I expected after reading reviews about wagon wheel decor. The only "wagon wheel" things I saw were the front doors. Anyway, the food was tasty, included mango ice cream, and I was quite happy with my experience. The only thing I would change is to add more choices to the buffet. The Namaste location in Vancouver has a much wider variety of choices. Overall, I totally recommend this place!
(4)
Reed E.
Yum yum yum. Really good Indian grub found here. The garlic naan, some veggie dish, the chicken on the bone, and the mango ice cream were my faves (I'm not too good with names). Not too spendy, but the selection was a wee bit small and the staff were hard to be found. We had to get the guy out of the bar to pay our bill. I remember coming here when it was Steamers, before we hit the Grotto for xmas fun. The decor has not changed. There's a lovely steam train motif that really transports you to a simpler time. Despite these nuances, I will return.
(4)
Nicole M.
to be honest I'm a snob when it comes to buffet food. It is simply the best way to get food poisoning so I stay far away from it--normally. Not at Namaste. Food here is fresh--all of the stations are clean and well tended to. I lived in India for a year--and this food is very food for portland standards--none of the Swagat garbage. People are friendly, service is laid back. Food is delicious and varied. If it wasn't for my waistline I'd be back all the time--but I can safely say I will make it there once a month.
(4)
Mick R.
Great Indian buffet - very fresh - but there is only booth seating.
(4)
Sion H.
We tried this place based on the reviews. After trying one short plate, not so much. Buffet was very poor in flavor and quite lifeless. Although the rice and fish pakora was acceptable the rest had very little to offer. I had a salted lassi that was awful and my partner's chai was undrinkable. The naan was dry and cold. Namaste? Stay away!
(1)
Noel M.
I absolutely love Namaste. There are a lot of Indian restaurants I like in Portland, but if I'm really in the mood to stuff myself with as many different dishes as possible - this buffet is the place to go. Yeah, there was a drug bust going down in the parking lot next door when we pulled up for lunch one day and the decor is weird - I really don't mind - I mean, there is homemade mango ice cream waiting for me inside! The staff is SO friendly and if you really know the menu, they might sneak you some dessert thats not out on the buffet.
(4)
Eggland B.
There might be some debate as to the "authenticity" of Namaste's food... I can't help you there, but it was TASTY!! The people were nice, there was tons of food (it's a buffet... $11.95 for dinner), and plenty of open seating. We didn't go into the lounge, but the chalkboard sign said $1 domestic beers and $2 microbrews. Cheap! I had some new things and some familiar things. One of the nice surprises were these little balls that resembled donut holes that had been soaked in honey... delicious!! The mango ice cream was nice also... not too sweet. There were lots of meat-based and vegetarian dishes. They were all good and ranged from mild to very spicy. The naan was a little dry. That was a disappointment, but it wasn't so bad that I would knock off any points for that. The only reasons I couldn't give this place five stars was that it was UTTERLY lacking in ambiance. It felt like a cafeteria run by Indians. If they had located their establishment on Hawthorn or in Sellwood, in a nicer building, they would be making money hand over fist. We'd definitely go back!
(4)
Alex G.
This is a no brainer.. fantastic indian food, quickly replenished buffet... a dinner buffet at that! Equally good for carnivores and vegetarians. Comfy large booths and servers that didnt give me the stink eye when my 2 year old dropped rice everywhere under her high chair. I think I ate my weight in garlic naan and they had these amazing shrimp. The medium sized ones, not the chinsy little ones.. with a dry spice mixture on them. They were so good. I wouldnt hesitate to go back and after our recent trip to Portland and alot of dismal food, I wish we would have eaten here every night during our stay.
(5)
Data S.
Disgusting! Over priced garbage!
(1)
Yana Y.
Dear Namaste, Perhaps you're not so bad, perhaps my experience could have been much better had I been more attentive to other reviews that regaled your buffet, perhaps it is all my fault. Having searched for a new Indian restaurant to try out and craving some Indian desserts in particular, Namaste's name popped up. I looked at your website and was fooled by your flashy animation. The pictures in your gallery lied to me, promising delicious cocktails, fancy sweets, and beautifully presented curries. Your website also promised a menu, which I didn't see, but then again maybe I didn't know the secret handshake. The decor is odd and I would understand having no time to redecorate, but at the very least you could take down the christmas-y angel basket that stared at me throughout my meal. And the meal.... I am vegetarian so I guess sometimes buffets feel like a cheat, even when they are not, because I can only eat 1/3 of the selection. The highlight was an eggplant curry, the sadness came from the samosas and the really stale gulab jamun. Alas, you may change your ways and we shall meet again. But until then, I'll keep searching.
(2)
Limnos L.
This place is really unusual because it's part of a motel and the decor is strange but it has great Indian food. It's a standard buffet style place.
(5)
Anni B.
I have to give this place five stars. Close the homestead, AMAZINGLY delicious Indian food, affordable, friendly, and the choices, wow, they blow the doors off any Indian buffet in Portland, or at least the ones I have visited so far. Two different types of rice and three different varieties of naan? Some of the sauces look and taste so exotic (well, for me anyway), it would take at least two or three visits to get through them all. Yum! The decor is really funky because it used to be an old timey lounge for the hotel next door, but it definitely is fun to look at all the old logger photos of early Oregon. Highly recommended!
(5)
Janet K.
Certainly inexpensive, and very laid back. However, the food is not particularly fresh or inspired, but load up your plate and chow down, 'cause it's cheap and there is lots of it.
(2)
Emily M.
This resturant is soooooo goood! Once you start eating you cant stop. I used to hate indian food cause it never tasted good, but obviously I've been going to the wrong place. Everything is delicious. EVERYTHING. one of my favs is the rice pudding and all the curries are creamy and delicious! Go! It's awesome. I promise.
(5)
Ronald C.
Wow. Within five minutes of sitting down I was grinning from ear to ear, and within 20 minutes I was shivering with giddy happiness and yummy spicy warmth. The perfect balance of spice and heat, and all the dishes (as many as I could try) were exceptional.
(5)
Hannah H.
Namaste! One of my favorite Indian resaurants! The family who owns namaste is so pleasant, I always feel happy giving them business, bringing all my friends, and recommending them to everyone! Baljeet is on top of his game keeping the food fresh, since it is a buffet. He seems to always make it a priority to have fresh nan which is greatly appreciated! The buffet is always veggie friendly! My favorite curries are the Navatran mixed vegetable...very creamy and deliscious, also the Palak paneer! It is VERY hard to find the right portions going at first, because you totally have to try everything! and make sure to NOT skip the homemade mango ice cream!!! I am not a BIG fan of ice cream, but this ice cream is amaaaazing and is the perfect taste to end the meal with!
(5)
Sheila J.
Reading the reviews set me up for a high expectation. I would say this is a decent and tasty Indian buffet( tried the dinner). However its not a stand out in my opinion. Being indian, I will say that I am picky about what Indian food I would consider 4 or 5start. As such I would still vote Chennai Masala as my favorite.
(3)
Melissa P.
Best buffet I have ever been to! They have garlic nan and homemade mango ice cream! They have a great variety for salad, rice, meat and vegetarian choices. And the service was nice too! I don't know what some people are talking about the place having a bad atmosphere, and lighting I thought it was great!
(5)
Evan H.
This is one of the more surreal places to eat in Portland. The ambience / dining experience is a juxtaposition I find difficult to describe. On our visit, the food was generally very good, with lots of vegetarian options, if it wasn't blazingly spicy (which how we prefer our Indian food--which is more or less trad). The buffet price is what you'll find elsewhere, if you can find an Indian buffet for dinner in Portland. Again, the food was generally better than what we've had in our beloved hometown (which is weak for Indian, admittedly). We'll definitely be back to Namaste and will recommend a visit to others. Oh, and the mango soft serve is a funny, rather brilliant way to end the meal. Don't miss this restaurant if you think you might like to eat an Indian buffet in a weird space.
(4)
Mary D.
My new favorite Indian Buffet in Portland is at Namaste. I came here on Monday for the $11.95 Dinner Buffet. The quality and the selection of items was mind blowing. I used to live in the San Francisco Bay Area and visited many an Indian Buffet and have never seen so extensive a selection of dishes on a buffet. The rice is kept warm in rice cookers including a biriyani (chicken on the night I went). They have two soups, lots of vegetarian and about 10 different meat dishes. All are the dishes taste different, fresh, and aren't salty. When you sit down they ask you what kind of naan Plain? or Garlic? and they deliver a basket of piping hot naan to your table. They have three different desserts galub jamun (sweet donut balls), rice pudding (with spices and tapioca pearls), and mango soft serve ice cream ( Tasty and a vibrant cal-trans orange). We talked with the owner and they plan on offering a menu when the economy turns around. Until then you can enjoy diverse dishes on their buffet.
(5)
Jeffrey H.
I lived in the Bay Area for several years where there was indian food everywhere. This is the best indian food buffet I have ever eaten by far. There were about 20 different main entrees to choose from and all of the entrees I tried were really delicious. The food was hot (temperature) and full of flavor. Service was very fast. I will definitely be returning. Price was $11.95 for dinner buffet which seemed very reasonable for how much food was made available.
(5)
Nikolos R.
i'm usually not keen on buffets. generally they just aren't my thang.... but there are always exceptions.....and namaste is it! buffet is clean and well cared for food is kept fresh and the service is friendly. great $3 white russian specials from time to time.
(5)
Jodi N.
I live nearby and it's awesome to have Namaste as a place to go to for comfort food. There are many options at the buffet and food is excellent! Staff are friendly, and prices are fair. The only problem is that you have to get past the fact that it is decorated/set-up like you're eating in a hotel lobby or hotel conference room. None of the decor really matches.. But who cares..as long as good food is there!
(4)
Julie S.
I absolutely loved eating here. The food was very good. There were a lot of Indian people eating here as well which is always a good sign that it's legit. I loved that we weren't given any menus. We weren't told any prices or how we would be charged for our food. I talked to the owner after we were done eating and he said that if we ever wanted to order something specific we could call ahead and he would make it and put it in the buffet. ** now that's good service ** The waitress was a bit young, but adorable. The Tikka Masala was to die for.. It made me want to become one of "those" people who stay in a restaurant for 6 hours so they can go back to the buffet 10 times. The decor created a very legit ethnic feel that is apparent when there's 3 different pattens on the wall/ carpet/ chairs. So what? there's still some Christmas decorations up. you know... that's part of the experience. I will be back Namaste.
(5)
dave s.
I was excited to see a new restaurant open in the old Steamers building. We had the buffet and were really impressed. Great price--$11.50 for a full buffet. Four vegetarian dishes, several meat dishes (chix, beef, lamb and goat). I didn't try the goat, but am looking forward to having it next time. Wait for the fresh naan--it's really nice. The owner said they should be getting their liquor license in the next week or so, so they will open a bar and serve beer in the dining room. I'll be eating there regularly. Looking forward to ordering from the menu next time.
(5)
Jason K.
My wife and I had the lunch buffet. It was not the best or the worst Indian food I've ever had. Some of the dishes were so-so, while others were winners. The good thing is they lay out a lot of stuff, so you're bound to find something you like. My wife complained that some of it was too buttery. I felt the chicken vindaloo lacked the fire of others I've had. But the different rices were super flavorful. The curry and tandoori were spot on. The location is a little odd and if it weren't for the big sign out front, you'd have no idea this restaurant was here, unless you were staying at the adjacent motel. Namaste is essentially attached and looks just like the motel. The enter is in the back. Odd set up.
(4)
Andrea P.
Hmmmm - I have a love hate relationship with this place. I guess you could it is an authentic Indian experience, in that it is pretty filthy and run down. I'm a little afraid I caught something using the bathroom. The food is really good, bursting with flavor and very aromatic. They have more options than most other Indian buffets. It IS a buffet - some of the other folks there are SUPER UBER gross, and that gives me the eebie jeebies and makes me a little scared. The mango ice cream is AWESOME. The location an ambiance are...70's lounge that has lived a very hard life. The staff are very nice and the service is great. I'm torn. I want to give a good rating, but I keep going back to the yucko parts, darn it :(
(2)
Parul A.
I went there with a group of friends. The food was cold with no taste at all. The only thing that was eatable was cucumber salad. This was the worst Indian food I had in US. The tea was pathetic. I would suggest not to eat there.
(1)
Tim G.
Pretty standard, really. Namaste provides typical Indian food options in buffet form. They don't change the buffet very often, so you never have to worry about missing out on one of your favorites. Make sure to go for dinner though... there are certain dishes they don't put out for lunch. The chicken tikka masala is pretty delicious, but the chicken can be a bit dry from time to time. How they manage to make chicken that is fully submerged in sauce dry is a mystery to me, but I still really like the dish. The tandoori chicken is pretty much the opposite... there's no sauce yet it is moist and tender, and the flavor of the tandoori chicken is just right. For dessert they have homemade mango ice cream. Sometimes they also have coconut, but the mango is my jam. The consistency of the ice cream isn't always quite right, but the flavor always is.
(3)
Holly D.
The food was good and very diverse. The vegan and vegetarian is marked but there is also lots of chicken dishes. There is also ice-cream and pudding for dessert! I would not bring a date. A few rough looking customers and lots of hipster want to bes.
(4)
Lori B.
I've eaten at other Indian buffet restaurants and Namaste has been my favorite by far . The selection is really good and everything I've tried has been really tasty and freshly made.
(5)
Robert O.
My favorite Indian restaurant. Awesome selections of spicy chicken. About 5 to choose from.
(5)
Cherry T.
I had lunch and enjoyed the buffet. Great variety compared to other Indian buffets I have partaken. Some of the dishes were slightly different than what I am accustomed to having at Indian restaurants. And I felt some of the dishes were way too buttery. I can't say that this was the best but it sufficed for satisfying my craving for some Indian food. But I would point out the rice options. There was the standard jasmine rice but then there was one that was seasoned with chicken. THAT was delicious. I also enjoyed the coconut and mango ice soft serve available. I've never been to an Indian restaurant that offered that I thought it was great. I made myself stop otherwise I easily could have eaten a lot more of it. All in all, it was fine but I wouldn't make it a regular spot to visit.
(3)
Andrew A.
The Good: selection and value. You're allowed to stuff a to-go box rather than eat there, something a number of people do (but probably shouldn't..ahem.) The Bad: almost every dish is a sub par version of something you'd fine at a quality Indian restaurant. My favorite - Matar Paneer - was just awful, it was very watery rather than stew-like hearty. Two versions of rice were very dry as they are kept in two giant warmers. The Saag Paneer was one of the better dishes. Tandoor Chicken was average, their fried stuff was above average. At dinner there was something pinkish color that looked like dessert, but was wasn't, very yummy. Their Gulab Jamun is flavorful, but served cold; what makes this dish is when it's served warm. The coconut Soft Serve Ice Cream was okay, but the Mango option was gross: bright Orange food coloring and bad flavor. Service is attentive and efficient. Parking and overall building is odd. Portland doesn't do Indian well, I'd go back if I had an Indian food hankering. People going through the buffet line kinda resembles a hog trough.
(3)
Julie T.
The last several visits, they have had no samosas, and the buffet has been looking more sad than normal. With less offerings and running out of standard items. They also do a full price charge for tweens which seems strange when most only eat rice and naan. Need to be on the lookout for a new place.
(2)
Jim H.
United Airlines sucks ass! How's that for a headline? Why? Because they don't even give you a figgin bag of peanuts to eat! How the hell am I supposed to get from Baltimore to Portland OR on a can of ginger ale?! Huh!?! Well, after a hellish flight on the flying starvation tube called American Airlines, the girlfriend's family took me to this oasis for their buffet--and OH MY CHRIST is the food FUGGINAWESOME!!! I ate everything on the menu three times over! And the wait staff didn't bat an eye as I got plate after plate. There were about 4 chicken dishes, lamb AND goat in addition to mostly vegan dishes (which are clearly marked with a little sticker). Well, this omnivore devoured everything. I would go back again-yes I would, because the staff were super friendly, nice, and kept their buffet clean, refreshed, and hot! This place gets 5 pakoras!
(5)
Karthik R.
Horrible food. Horrible service. I had to wait 15 mins for the check at the table, had to go the register twice(10 mins apart) to pay for the food. Finally someone showed mercy and let me pay for the food. Stay away from this place as this is a sorry example for Indian food.
(1)
Isaac B.
Four stars for being the only Indian buffet around and for tasting pretty damn good! VERY AUTHENTIC. A tad bit on the spicy side but there are some options for people who don't like heat. Make sure to try the soft serve mango and coconut ice cream.
(4)
Larry J. H.
I was brought here by my family and this was my first experience with Indian Cuisine? I discovered this to be a very good to great Buffet; I ate here with my daughters family and found this restaurant, clean, friendly and the food while different than what I was used to was very tasty! I would definitely come again!" Larry H. from La Center Washington.
(5)
Patti F.
I just can't say this is a "rare" buffet. And anyone who goes to Indian restaurants as much as I do knows that it's pretty standard to see buffet at lunch (though at dinner it is rare). It is a LARGE buffet, and as such, there seems to be a large selection. But look closer: half the buffet is actually a traditional salad bar. Most Indian buffets I frequent have a token salad, but focus mainly on traditional Indian dishes; and that is what I enjoy. So I skipped over half the buffet to the dishes which were more to my expectations. There were a good amount of vegetarian options, and everything was labeled so I could easily tell what to avoid. I didn't find anything stellar, or anything to rave about, but as such I didn't find anything specific to complain about (other than fruit flies hanging around the soup and fruit desserts - which happens but it's still yucky).
(3)
Francis L.
The food is good,but just way to spicy for me it upsets my stomach and it wasn't always like this but the last two or three times my husband and I have stopped in it has been extremely spicy and they lie to customers who come in and ask if the food is spicy,and the restaurant staff tell them it isn't. The mild dishes are even spicy, like I said my stomach can't handle so much spice,I will feel sick then start to gag. I shouldn't have to feel like this when I come here and my husband even told them friday night that we won't be back because the food was so spicy,and my husband loves spicy food and he was even feeling sick from so much spicy food.
(1)
Shipra M.
Pathetic. Absolutely. Anybody who knows what indian food is supposed to be..will know this restaurant does not serve that. It's stale, tasteless and theres rude service. Please DONT go there.
(1)
Saurabh S.
Visited in a group of 7 and tried all their dishes. The food was stale and did not at all taste good. Nothing other than dal and chicken biryani was even edible. The worst Indian restaurant I have ever been to.
(1)
L L.
This place has always been hit or miss but lately more miss than hit. The food tonight was once again luke warm (on the verge of cold). My mom even had to ask them to microwave her plate to heat up to a normal temp. It seems like a food safety issue to have food moderately warm being served like that. And tonight there was also a meat dish mislabeled as vegetarian that I unfortunately bit into. At $12.99 a plate this place is hardly worth it anymore. They definitely need some quality control going on.
(1)
Sara M.
3.5 stars really. I felt like the restaurant was a lil dirty, but the food I tried was alright. The vindaloo was pretty good. I felt like the naan was a lil stale, there wasn't any super spicy chutneys, but for a buffet- not too bad. They have mango and coconut ice cream for desserts.
(3)
Tony P.
As an Indian having eaten Indian food ever since I was born, this is a good lunch spot for a quick bite during the work day. Very reasonably priced, and a clean environment. I will definitely go back to get my mid-day Indian food cravings satisfied and top that off with their home-made mango ice cream!
(3)
Sean S.
We originally came here with no experience with Indian cuisine and thought that going to a buffet would be the best way to find out if we enjoyed it or not. After visiting the buffet, we did not leave disappointed. This place has some great food and service. The naan is amazing, the mango ice cream is great, and the Chicken Tiki Masala is a quality chicken dish. I would recommend the food here to anyone.
(5)
Sarah S.
I passed by the restaurant several times while visiting Portland, so eventually got a hankering for Indian food and decided to try it out. Buffet Dinner is $12.95. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The decor is basic. The table set up is clearly designed for quick turn around and minimal staff (no place setting, giant pitcher of water, get your own silverware). My empty plates were cleared quickly, and I liked that I could have a fresh plate AND fresh silver ware. As for the food, I was encouraged to see fresh food being brought out regularly. But the selection and the flavor was just ok. Unfortunately there was nothing that stood out to me. In retrospect I should have traveled a little farther to a place with better reviews.
(2)
Jess R.
Great place for vegans/vegetarians and lunch! Lung buffet only $10 per person and goes till 4 pm! Buffet has salad bar, and about 5 vegetarian vegan friendly dishes, rices, pita and 5 chicken and other meat dishes. And ice cream at the end!!! Can't beat it. Kind staff too. Will definitely be back here
(5)
K D.
i have terrible food poisoning. terrible. it's not even worth the risk.
(1)
Jeffrey R.
As a traveling business professional, I spend a number of evenings out of town. Usually Yelp and business associates pull me through. Not in the experience of dining at this Namnaste. I was disappointed with my experience. The food, while plentiful, was less than ordinary. I enjoy great buffets. This was not. The nan was piled high , hard and over cooked. The Dal, tandoori were all less than satisfactory. Skip this Sandy slop house.
(1)
Ron S.
I like curry, so I like this place . Not much indian restaurants in portland but I like the buffet style restaurants because it's the best way to try everything at once. It's cheap for all you can get and good quality . Big space and lots of curries I don't know how to make . I recommend trying it out if you think you like indian food .
(4)
Sarah D.
Namaste has a great selection of food on their buffet. There are meat, vegetarian, and vegan options. After you've delighted your taste buds with saffron rice and curry chicken, you can enjoy a coconut of mango ice cream cone. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.
(4)
Sumit B.
I had high expectations from the food but It was not Authentic Indian food! It looked nice but was badly cooked. The spices weren't great. The meat was stale. I wasn't able to gather courage to try deserts. The only good part was fresh salad.
(1)
Crys C.
Amazing lunch buffet and affordable. We left stuffed and raving over the mango sherbet. Yum!
(4)
Ford F.
Delicious Tandoori, friendly staff. It's a buffet, go there hungry and get your money back with a pile of Indian food. Decor is a little David Lynchy.. but I'm a fan.
(4)
Mike F.
This place has to be one of the best Indian Food restaurants around. The buffet is incredible so much food and variety. Fresh Fresh Fresh. I have been to several Indian restaurants and they have the best service and food. This is worth the trip from anywhere in Portland.
(5)
Kim I.
I didn't have such high hopes for this place, and I was pleasantly surprised that it was much better than I had expected. I'm no expert on Indian Cuisine, but it tasted delicious. There were plenty of options to choose from, and an endless amount of food. The coconut and mango homemade soft serve ice cream and rice pudding was amazingly good. What really blew me away was the lunch buffet price. It was only 9.99 a person and I almost felt bad I was eating so much for just 9.99. I will be back. The amount of food for the price and the ice cream was enough reason for me to come back.
(4)
A. R.
GREAT SERVICE! This is the BETTER Namaste. Food here is bursting with flavor! Good selection, Great value. We love the authentic ambiance!
(4)
Jason D.
$9.95 lunch buffet is a decent deal, but can you guys figure out how to make your sauces thicker. Everything is so watered down, it looks cheap. Flavor is good but fix your sauces and I promise you will get more business.
(3)
Cecilia K.
All you can eat buffet - with delicious rice pudding! Lunch buffet doesn't have as much on the menu as dinner but still a great selection for the price. I heard they opened a location near Lloyd Center so I can't wait to try out that one too!
(5)
Steve V.
I have been eating Indian religiously for nearly 15 years now. This place is at the bottom of my list. I went there for the lunch buffet and was really disappointed. It was mediocre at best. Bland and uneventful are two words that come to mind when I think about this place. There are much, much better places to get some great Indian food in the area.
(1)
K Mari S.
Great selection and quality of the food was great. Try the mango ice cream! Soo good.
(4)
Georgie K.
Okay let's just say I'm not a Buffett fan, but this place was picked by a friend so I wanted to try it. To start with they were not all that busy and it took about 20 minutes for me to order a beer and get it. They were great about water refills and clearing plates! It was very hot in there. Some of the food options were delicious and spicy, but not all. The fried appetizers were soggy and some of vegetarian dishes were watery with little flavor or richness. One curry dishes was amazing and tasty. The rice and naan were terrific. We will go back but maybe in the winter when a need for air conditioning is not important. Also the Buffett was $15.00 which I thought was lot when we get a great Indian dinner at lots of places with crispy apps . We do not care for all you can eat plus you can get your drink order right away.
(3)
Mohan K.
Place is a little dumpy, but the food is off the hook. Rare Indian buffet with plenty of satisfying options for vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Ice cream was great, and the naan was everflowing. Hit it up midweek evenings to beat the rush.
(4)
Sarah L.
One of the best places on this side of PDX to get delicious Indian buffet. Eggplant Masala cooked perfectly every time, fresh naan and mango ice cream. Don't pass this up!
(5)
Lindsay P.
I LOVE this place!!! I try to be as hungry as possible before i go because i literally want to eat EVERYTHING! Its the best. usually feel like taking a nap after though.
(5)
Ben W.
First time and really enjoyed the selections. Service was great - all servers were attentive and helpful. Would definitely recommend!!
(4)
Karey R.
I have been to Namaste for the dinner buffet several times now. For vegetarians I recommend coming here for a great quantity of Indian food for the price. Great value. I strongly encourage you to avoid the yellow-sauce vegetable curry. I LOVE curry and never have a problem with it but the yellow veggie choice never agrees with me. Avoid it and you'll be fine. There are consistently at minimum 5 hot curries, daals, etc that are vegetarian. Typically everything is well-labeled, however I did have one unfortunate incident where a pan of chicken legs were labeled as basted vegetables. One bit told me THAT wasn't correct. I fill a couple plates at the cold bar section. The fruit in yougurt sauce, the pastry balls in honey baste, the raw veggies with different dips, are all delicious. They have soups but I confess I've never tried them. You can finish with homemade (according to the sign) mango or coconut soft serve ice cream. Yum! And I never skip the bowl of anise and fennel by the checkouts. Settles the tummy. The staff are very nice and bus tables promptly. The decor is bizarrely outdated and CLEARLY from a previous incarnation in the location, seemingly some sort of down-home family diner. It's a lumberjack camp theme, of all things. So random, yet it adds to the ecclecticness of the place. Be forewarned - this restaurant closes between lunch & dinner service so pay attention to the open and closed hours.
(4)
Brittany R.
Mmm what can I say, I left this place so full that I could hardly walk. Everything I tried was delicious, the staff were on it and really nice. So many options for a great deal, I was not disappointed! I topped it all off with mango and coconut ice cream, I'll admit I over did it. I'll be back sooner then I'd like to admit, to gorge myself once again.
(4)
Miz C.
dinner buffets are few and far between, and this one is GOOD. there were a surprising number of people eating consistently streaming in, that too at 845pm on a weeknight! they had over 15 dishes! not the typical 5 or 6, and my worry is always that they will be too sweet (im indian and love spicy food) but the food was spiced just enough to be awesome. i gorged myself.
(4)
Leslie M.
I do love a buffet! No waiting, all you can eat - instant gratification at its best. The offerings are plentiful and there are vegetarian & vegan options. Plus mango and coconut soft serve ice cream for dessert! Good food for the price and convenience.
(3)
Shubhendu A.
I looked up for a highly rated Indian restaurant when visiting Portland, and I usually find yelp ratings fairly accurate. I wanted a full stomach followed by a good night's sleep to begin my trip. But I am sorry to say I was left disenchanted when I tried almost everything in the dinner buffet and find nothing close to the flavors I relish in Indian dishes. I went home empty stomach, lighter in the purse and worried about an upset stomach from the stale food.
(1)
Haroun K.
I don't tend to come out past 82nd a lot, but I will go to the ends of the earth in pursuit of good Indian food. The setting is less than glamorous, sort of cafeteria like. There is a buffet option for dinner, which runs around $14. The chana masala and pakora are pretty good. The other offerings weren't as tasty, and the gulab jamun was inedible. There is soft serve mango ice cream, but watching the patrons licking their hands right at the machine made the notion less than appetizing. They should have a foot pedal option or have the employees cranking that stuff out. If you are out near 82nd, and craving chana, check it out. I don't envision making the schlep, though.
(3)
Eric C.
massive selection...great quality
(5)
Sasha M.
Terrible lunch buffet for vegetarians. Limited choice poor taste and no service. Can give this place a skip easily. U will only come back feeling hungry.
(1)
Erin N.
After having lived in London and been spoiled by delicious Indian veg buffets in every neighborhood, PDX has been rather dissapointing whenever I get a curry craving. My first visit here I was appalled that this was the depths to which I must sink to experience an Indian buffet (at least on the East side). On second visit I'm starting to see this place as more of a divey guilty pleasure for when you really want to strap on the feed bag. Things to know before you go: It's at Sandy/82nd Ave. It's part of Howard Johnsons. There's a Keno lounge. It will be crowded. You may think several tour busses unloaded here. These factors should help to prepare you for the general ambiance. The food is better than one would expect from the above factors. You certainly won't leave hungry. The naan is poofy, chewy, and just the teeniest bit charred. Salad bar is unremarkable. Vegetable dishes are innocously tasty if bland. I can't speak to the meat dishes except to say that there were more than I was expecting. For dessert there are the standard rice pudding and cake as well as soft serve mango and coconut ice cream.
(2)
Tegan C.
I really like this place, it isn't the "best" food (it's a buffet, so you can't expect it to be perfect all the time). Nonetheless, its really an excellent place to go with friends since the environment is inviting for groups and the selection is really nice!
(4)
Erika M.
Yummy curry and pretty gluten free friendly. It's all you can eat Indian. There were some super delicious veggie patties and toasty naan. A variety of Indian favorites; samosas, tikka, paneer, saffron rice, etc. the coconut ice cream and mango ice cream paired great. They do offer beer along with some nonalcoholic beverages. Not a bad place for Indian fare and pretty family friendly.
(3)
Ana B.
I hate Buffets. But relationships are about compromise, so when the boyfriend brings up once again that we go to a buffet, I cave. I knew we were in trouble before we even got inside. Sharing a parking lot with a hotel and an apartment complex just strikes me as fishy. Upon entering my mind was not eased, in fact my anxiety rose a bit. Namaste is like a hermit crab that shed its shell, crawled into another, and began life. The "new shell" is what looks like Marie Calendars from the early 90s. The decor is stale pastel complete with fake flowers in need of a good dusting. Nothing about the ambiance says Indian. We were seated in the far back. Without a word our server disappeared. Unsure of the protocol I waited around a bit to see if someone popped back with menus or to give us the green light. After letting some time pass I flagged down an employee and ask if I needed a menu or if the buffet was the main feature. She shared blankly at me for a while before I said " I'm not really sure what's going on". She urges me to get the buffet, " It's a better deal"..well okay. The buffet has a wide array of subpar dishes. I will say the mango soft serve evoked my gag reflex, steer clear of that stuff. With the exception of the wrenched soft served everything else was palatable. For $12 a person I would rather get one really good dish then a shit load of ..shit.
(1)
Jillian C.
The food here was, of course, the star of the show. They have many classic, amazing, Indian dishes and some wonderful vegan and vegetarian options. The atmosphere was wonderful. The staff was amazing, friendly, on top of things, and very tidy. The decor was beautiful and went perfectly with the traditional (but not annoying) Indian music. We got there just after 5 when they reopen for dinner, that was a good decision, not long after we sat down it filled up fast! I had salad and a wonderful spicy corn and chicken soup for an appetizer and then dove into the Indian cuisine. Followed up by some amazing traditional desserts and a homemade Mango soft serve which was incredible! I highly recommend this place to anyone who like Indian cuisine, likes buffets, or is just plain hungry.
Namaste is so superior to every other Indian restaurant in Portland that you need a logarithmic scale to really contrast just how much better it is. The curries are rich and delicious and simply have a depth of flavor lacking in other Portland area Indian. The buffet is generally the way to go and, while there's definitely some dishes that are better than others, it's excellent overall. The ice cream also manages to be bizarrely good. Service-wise, you're generally going to walk-in and get the buffet, so it can be a bit hit or miss and the layout doesn't make it easy for you to be spotted. I certainly feel like everyone's trying.
(5)
emily r.
My family was in town, and we needed an affordable yet filling option for the 6 of us. 12.95 dinner buffet? hello! My favorite part was the kheer, which was incredible. The butter chicken sauce was pretty freaking great too. I can't believe I only went back to the buffet once, I regret it now. thankfully, there is a lifetime of indian food in my future. There is additional non-hotel parking in the back of the restaurant, fyi!
(4)
Tommy T.
I hadn't been to an all you can eat Indian Buffet in awhile and was reminded why I usually opt for food carts. The prices are usually cheaper and I eat just as much, The concept of all you can eat sounds great but as a vegan there are usually only a few options. Granted Namaste does have more vegan options than the usual all you can eat joint and they do label there vegan food (the could use new labels as the current ones are pealing off and sometimes hard to determine what they indicate). Still I can find a rather decent Chana Masala and Naan for a better price/ quality.
(3)
Jackie A.
Ugh, if this is the best Indian food Portland has to offer, I am in trouble. I hated everything about my experience with this place. First, the Saturday hours on the website said they were open all day. But when I called at 4pm to place a takeout order, they said they didn't open until 5. I call back a quarter after 5, and attempt to place my order. Nothing too complicated, some samosas, pakora, papad, and chicken korma with white meat chicken instead of dark meat. The lady insisted they couldn't make the chicken korma with white meat chicken, which surprised me, since this has never been an issue anywhere. I asked "Really? Are you sure?" And she huffs and starts talking to someone else at the restaurant (I'm assuming a cook?) and comes back on the line to say they CAN make it with white meat. Ok, great. Then, as I am finishing my order, she starts talking to someone ELSE at the restaurant (a customer this time), which was really confusing since she was still talking into the phone the whole time. Then she tells the customer, "Sorry, this girl is being hard." !!!! Lady, are you serious right now? I should have just told her nevermind at that point and gone elsewhere, but I had already driven over to that side of town. When I got to the restaurant, all the parking spots were full, so I had to park in a spot marked "motel parking only", since it shares a lot with a motel. The actual restaurant seemed dirty, and when I went into the women's restroom to wash my hands, they were out of both soap and paper towels. Again, this is at 5:30pm, just half an hour after the place opened for dinner service. To be fair, the lady who rang me up in the restaurant was very friendly, the food was cheap, and the place was packed, so obviously people like this place. I just found the food incredibly lackluster. My pakoras were cold, like they had been plucked out of the lunch buffet several hours ago, the papad was oily, and the korma was watered down. The vegetable samosas were the only enjoyable part of the meal. Overall, I had to try this place, since it came highly recommended from many people, but I won't be back.
(1)
Joe M.
The consistent 4 star reviews and positive word of mouth finally convinced me to check out another Indian buffet. I had my doubts naturally - is the buffet small, Is food only fresh when they first open, etc? After walking in the brightly lit restaurant, my fears were put to rest. It's probably one of the biggest Indian buffets I have been in this city. There is even a good size bar that has some great happy hour deals and drink specials running throughout the day. Since I arrived after 6, I missed out on the buffet discount price for happy, good to note on the next visit. I grabbed my plate and started with the chicken rice combo. The chicken has a nice spicy kick to it while the rice is moist and not dry. It's a great alternative to the typical white rice served these days.... There are plenty of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes that will please most folk. The chicken dishes certainly stand out with moist chunks of chicken and the sauces have just the right amount of spice and heat. I was pleased to see the servers consistently bring in hot fresh food during my visit. There is plenty of room at the bar to relax and mingle. During happy hour, they knock a couple of bucks off the buffet price. Drink specials are advertised consistently - the $3 white Russian has been up for a while. Other drink specials are listed too and rotate frequently. Service is friendly and a lot of people seem to enjoy their visit. The mango ice cream is a great way to finish off the meal - plus it's home made too :).
(4)
Stephanie G.
After we moved to Portland last year, we were starting to get worried about the lack of good (or any!) Indian buffets. Then yelp showed us Namaste and we were thrilled! Just fantastic Indian home-cooking, we go there almost every week.
(5)
Spencer D.
My previous experience with Indian food ended in disaster as the buffet I went to in Tennessee had maybe 5 options and was over spiced, over priced, and made my belly feel not so nice. I went into Namaste, ready to give Indian cuisine another chance and seek adventure, with friends yesterday for our mid-work day meal. Oh. My. God. Everything I tried was delicious...and I tried almost everything, so I know. Their Namaste Chicken curry is out of this world tasty, and the saffron rice was very flavorful and fresh. The mango ice cream was so good that I had to have two cones full. I left feeling a few pounds heavier, but the taste lingered on my tongue and I was able to smile through it...dreaming of the next time I come here. Gluten free and vegan friendly as well. Again, very delicious. A quick way to try all the curries: get a small plate of rice and put a little dab on different sections of your rice. Try each one...then go back and heap your plate with copious quantities of your favorite...return to table...inhale...repeat.
(5)
Tim H.
VERY flavorful and fresh, lots of meat and veggie options, plus a few things just for kids. Homemade mango soft serve ice cream was delicious. The staff was very friendly and kept the buffet area clean and full of fresh food. Took the wife and 3 boys here and we loved the huge tables and how quiet it was even though there were a lot of people there.
(5)
Warren C.
I will admit before I ate here, I had very little experience when it came to indian food and was a little biased about it before I experienced this restaurant. I don't really know a whole lot about indian food. Like many people the first thing that comes to my mind when I think about indian food is curry. There are really only so many ways you can eat curry before it becomes unexciting or pleasing to the palate. Being chinese, I've experienced many different styles of curry from many asian cultures and its really never been anything that has really stood out for me. Its not that I hate curry or dislike it but when I go out to eat I usually prefer not to eat food relatively close to my culture cause in my mind if I really wanted to eat asian food I can either cook it myself or go to my friends house. My friend Denis and I were meeting up this afternoon about a year and a half ago when were trying to decide where to meet for lunch. We've both seen that they had reopened the old "Steamers" restaurant and made it into an indian buffet restaurant. He suggested to give it a try and goes on with this story when he was growing up in Kenya his next door neighbors were indian and he was always over at their house eating. He's always loved indian food and wanted to give it a try. In the back of my mind I was a bit reluctant about eating here but since I've never had it before and my friend really wanted to go I decided to give it a try at least. As we entered the restaurant you could tell that their focus was really not in the decor as everything looks exactly what was left here from the previous restaurant. We were greeted and seated fairly quickly and like any other buffet we went on our way and grabbed our plates. Not really knowing what anything was other then the regular curry's I just started scooping anything that either looked physically appealing or just smelled good. I will say that was probably not a good idea or plan of attack. I loved everything I ate and actually ended up eating 3 plates of food. Denis and I were so full we literally sat at our tables for quite sometime to let the food settle in because it was painfully obvious we ate way too much! Since then I've come here numerous times and have come to love this place. Some of the items I really enjoy here are the fish and shrimp pakoras, The Lamb Curry, The goat, Chicken Curry, Tandoori chicken, The cream vegetables, and best part of this meal is their homemade mango ice cream. I remember the first time I saw it I looked at Denis and pointed out the ice cream and told him they also had Curry ice cream for dessert. I know, corny joke but I couldn't resist. If you've never had indian food before I would definitely suggest trying this restaurant as it is a good starter to experience what this culture has to offer when it comes to indian cuisine. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I think its a bit cheesy to still see the old decor from the previous restaurant and it really doesn't go along with the food that is served here. Its pretty obvious that its not very important to them but their focus is on serving quality indian food at a great price! This is a must come to place for indian food. Happy Eating Everyone!
(4)
Edgar V.
Disclaimer: We're going to start off with something odd and then circle back to what passes for "normal" in reviews like these. Portland is a funky town. Yes, funky. It tries to be normal but, just under the surface, there's always an alternative streak lurking. I've even spotted "Keep Portland Weird" bumper stickers - and, after two visits, I don't think PDX is in any danger of losing its weirdness by a country mile. This place is funky + hipster + granola + friendly + liberal = Portland. While on the Great American Road Trip, I decided that my own alternative streak was activated in that I wanted Indian food in an ostensibly white-bread town like Portland. A quick Yelp search turned up the rare gem of a Indian dinner buffet. Sure, it was near the airport (glamor always lives near every airport, right?) but I was in a devil-may-care mode and driving from the in-town Lloyd District would take a scandalous 15 minutes. (Portland is not that big of a city. Awesome but geographically small.) I observed that this Indian buffet drew a wide and varied crowd of locals: families, college students, and older couples. After I got my seat, an odd duo arrived at the booth next to mine: it appeared to be a father and son. Dad was dressed in a t-shirt, blazer, baseball cap, and cargo shorts. Strange mix of clothes. The son (appearing to be 13 years old) was dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans with a buzz haircut. As an observer of things, I noticed that the kid's jeans were quite snug and, being a person with an odd series of thoughts, thought that maybe the kid was an underage escort. Luckily, I did not voice any of this. After they sat down, it blew my mind to hear the kid and his dad talking at length about micro-loans and the kid going on about the economics and politics of India that he learned about in school. If the kid was an underage escort, then he was pretty darn versed in esoteric topics for a kid his age. No mention of "The Avengers" or Justin Bieber in their dinner conversation. Okay, so the odd part (yes, it is ALL odd) is over. Moving on to the regularly scheduled food review: the $12.95 dinner buffet is a mixed bag. They offer a variety of items but they all seem very one-note in the taste department. Nothing was spiced out of a tight window to offer contrast between dishes. The saag paneer was pleasant. The chicken tikka masala was pleasant. The samosas were a bit leaden. The eggplant pakoras were actually delightful. The navratan korma was a bit bland. The rice was quite dry; ladling some chicken curry on top greatly helped. Some of the naan sat out too long and became chewy. The kheer was strictly middle-of-the-road with no high notes of rosewater or distinct creaminess to it. Yet, for all of this consistency, this place deserves 3.5 stars. It offers a dinner buffet, plenty of seating, a wide variety of foods, service was accommodating, and draws an interesting crowd. Call it "dinner and a show" and you've got a winner.
(3)
Cork H.
We visited here with two (TWO) grandchildren under two-years old. It could have been nasty but, indeed, namaste. Under the circumstances we did the buffet (I don't like buffets) and the choices were many and the buffet station was kept clean and stocked. One problem was that only about 1/2 the steam table trays were labeled and so there was some guess work. Next time I'll know better how to choose, but there was nothing bad. There are a few little tricks such as the sweet items (could be viewed as desserts) were in the middle and not the end. As another commented the mango ice cream was delicious. The service was excellent and accommodating to our situation.
(4)
Hanz A.
Delicious. Looks, feels like an old family-style restaurant, but the buffet is fresh and diverse. Staff are very friendly. Flavours are rich and the ingredients seem fresh.
(4)
Anthony K.
Not the best, not the worst. The inside just seems like a cafeteria. It would be a lot nicer if they dressed it up a little bit but the food was good. I would probably go back only if i was ready to eat a ton of food because for the price they charge per person it came to almost $30 and we did not even have drinks.
(3)
Nicole B.
Why I even bother with buffets, I will never know. I always forget that I hate buffets, but once you step foot into a place that has a nice buffet spread it's always hard to forget the reason why you hate buffets. From this moment forward, I should probably stay away from buffets. Why? Because you eat more than you would normally eat, even if the food is just okay. Which what this place was. The people working there were pretty friendly. We were asked if we wanted anything to drink other than water, and our plates were always taken away when we were done. There were many options. Pakoras, salad, soups, vegetable curries & chicken curries. Rice, naan and tandoori chicken. Some of the curries were pretty bland, with barely any spice or flavor. It was pretty disappointing actually. I gave it 3 stars, because the service was friendly. I would probably say 2 1/2 stars for the food. It's only 9.99 for lunch. Which I would rather pay for one flavorful dish, than a whole buffet.
Meh definitely an odd place. Next door to a Ho Jos and the decor says trains and country kitsch but with a Ganesh statue thrown in. The fried apps were good, (because deep fryer) & the veggie curries had great flavor but the actual veggies had a previously frozen texture. The chicken makanini curry tasted off & fishy. 2.5 stars.
(2)
Amanda I.
I met two of my friends here for lunch last summer. We all enjoyed the naan and all the usual indian fare. It wasn't anything special and the ambiance wasn't that great.
(3)
Erik L.
One of the better Indian buffets I've been to. Great selection of food, decent quality, well spiced, and quick and efficient service. Not to mention huge! Couldn't help shake the feeling that it was the hometown buffet of Indian food though. Still, that wouldn't stop me from coming back here, even though I gorged myself to the point of being embarrassingly full. What a glutton I was.
(4)
Jen E.
oh good gods....... I love indian food and crave it on regular basis....... My mother knowing I was craving Indian food took me here since we were going to the Grotto for the Christmas light. First off it did have a large selections of food however.......I HATED ALL OF IT. My fav things to try are the Chicken Makhani (also known as Butter Chicken), the veggie Korma and the tandori chicken. First off my mother arrived at the restaurant with my grandmother and they sat them in the back where there was room for our large group. then my sister arrives with her husband, she asks where my mother is seated as she saw her car in the parking lot. She was told they were not there...... my sister described what they looked like....still was told they were not there. so my sister calls me to ask if we were there yet I told her we were a few mins away. My sister even showed a picture of my mother and grandmother still was told no one looking like that was there..... finally my sister just walked around and found them in the very back....oh it was the same person who seated my family just 15 minutes before. I get there with my boyfriend and yea pretty much had the same problem but took a lot less time to find them. Okay the food..... the food was horrible, the Makhani chicken had NO flavor, the Korma tasted like they threw in freezer burned veggies, the tandori chicken tasted as if it was infused with burnt smoke from other pieces burning. I didnt even eat 1/4 of my plate and I gave up..... though they did have excellent Mango and coconut ice cream.... so they had that going for them.... oh and the water was good. I have never been so disappointed with Indian food. We all decided NEVER AGAIN
(1)
Hannah E.
On a horribly rainy weekday evening, after a late meeting, with a serious head cold I swung by Namaste for some takeout. I happened to be in this 'hood, and after a quick yelp search for good food, Namaste popped up with decent reviews. I had a real hankering for Indian, so it was perfect. I got a large order for my husband, my babysitter, toddler, and I. We ordered the chicken tikka masala, lamb curry something-or-other, tandoori chicken, with rice & naan. Everything was amazing. And a huge feast for $32. Even after a nasty drive 30 minutes south, nothing was ruined- gotta love Indian takeout! The tandoori might be the best I've had so far. I would love to return to try the buffet, or more menu items! We will totally return. This place will probably replace my previous spot on NW 21st because it is not such an awful trek, although it is not the most pleasant neighborhood, that doesn't bother me.
(4)
Veruca S.
The dinner buffet is a deal!
(3)
Tim S.
The wife and I had wanted to try this place for a while so we finally tried to eat there 11/24/12. The food smelled and looked good but when we went up to the buffet line to dish up, we noticed a COCKROACH walking on the floor. It wasn't hurrying or trying to hide it was just walking across the middle of the floor like it had been around a while and didn't have to fear being killed by anyone. Made us wonder if the cockroaches have the run of the place. Ewwwwww.
(1)
Cvetiliana B.
As my idol Larry David would say "pritttaaaay, prittaaaaaay, prittaaaaay good! The best thing about this place is that they have dinner buffet. I know of no other place in PDX that offers Indian buffet at night! Shute, some don't even offer it on weekends! And that's just wrong! Some even stop their buffet at 2! Now how can I get even an hour in if I don't get up till noon on a weekend, ridiculous. Anyway, back to Namaste. Location not so good, too far & just not a fun area. Won't drive to this place, even for dinner, as I feel there are comparable places closer to me for lunch. I would have liked for them to have Samosa's or at least Pakoras rather than their fried salmon deals. But their mango ice cream was excellent (home made and so creamy!) as was the rice pudding, though slightly less sweet would be ideal. My staples are always the creamy veggie dish, naan bread and the spinach cheese dish, the first was excellent, the bread could have been tastier and the spinache dish not bad, (paleek paneer I think). Chai tea was okay. I don't eat chicken on the bone too often but I tried it for the purpose of this review and it was tender. Atmosphere was kinda odd but okay. If I am in the area or on my way to or from the airport, I will possibly stop by again for my favorite couple dishes this time than try everything like I did before. Also they did have a large selection. It's 3.5 stars but I rounded to 4.
(4)
Lisa M.
This is a regular dinner spot for my boyfriend and I. We haven't had much luck finding outstanding Indian food in Portland but Namaste is consistently good so we find ourselves returning again and again. The staff is friendly and attentive, the buffet is well stocked, and there is never a wait. Some of our favorites are the chicken tikka masala, eggplant pakoras, and rice pudding. The service at Namaste is always great but on two particular occasions the staff went above and beyond with customer service. The first occasion was a couple of years ago. I was a vegan and at the time they did not have marked vegan options (they do now). When I asked, the waitress politely told me they only had vegetarian options but she would check with the cook. When she came back, she informed me that the cook would prepare something special and a few minutes later came back with a big plate filled with a variety of vegan things. So awesome! The second occasion was a little embarrassing...I finished my dinner and realized I had forgotten my debit card and had no way to pay. They were very understanding about the whole thing and let me drive home and come back with my debit card. When I returned with the card, the manager said "Oh, I didn't know you were going right away, I would have let you come back and pay tomorrow." How nice and trusting is that?! You don't often get that kind of warmth and understanding these days! Love Namaste! They have earned themselves a loyal customer :)
(5)
Kerri K.
I really love this place! The food is great with lots of flavor, and the people who work here are very friendly. My favorite is the Aloo gobi, and the chai has a delicious array of Indian spices.. It's also so nice to be able to have a buffet at night. Thank you namaste- for being in portland!
(5)
Jess P.
Namaste was ok, maybe it was an off day but I just wasn't feeling their lunch buffet. (Stop. Appreciate the rhyme). $8.95 for a lunch buffet is definitely a fair price, and there were some dishes that were really good. Others, however, didn't seem to achieve the correct balance and came out a little too acidic. Also some of my Indian favorites were lacking- no samosas, or veggie pakora. Sad. The naan must have been out too long and was drying out. Some highlights, however, were the orange pastry cake (two words, first starts with an "s" and second starts with a "h". That's all I remember) which was so great. The rice pudding and custard were also super delicious. Rounding out the dessert excellence was the mango soft serve. Paired with fresh watermelon, I was in a sweetness induced bliss! On the entree side, I was definitely a fan of the palak paneer which was super creamy with big chunks of cheese. Also, kudos for labeling the dishes vegetarian and vegan!! It wasn't that this place was terribly disappointing, I still ate my fair share. But for the drive, it just didn't seem worth it. I keep reading these rave reviews so maybe it was just a blip. Unfortunately, I don't see myself venturing to Namaste anytime soon to test this theory.
(3)
Tim M.
Goat Curry! That's all you had to say to me, if you got that, I gotta have it. I mean tell me, when was the last time you had goat? In my never ending search for new and unusual culinary experiences, Goat Curry fills the void. It was delicious, as was everything else. I'll be back!
(4)
Professor X.
I've been here twice in the last week. On my second trip, I brought my husband. Upon pulling into the parking lot, which they share with a Howard Johnson motel, my husband commented: "This place looks a little shady. I'm surprised you were willing to even give it a try." If it wasn't for Yelp, I probably would have past it by. Both times I got the buffet and was very happy with the selection, flavor and quality. Come to think of it... I don't even know if they have a menu? Nor do I care. The buffet appears to be a permanent fixture, rather than one that is wheeled away between lunch and dinner. There is a good selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes. The meat quality is excellent. (And I'm picky when it comes to meat quality.) My husband is now a fan of Namaste too. Thanks to my fellow Yelpers for finding this place for me!
(5)
Chaein H.
Got sited by a lady ,she put a pitcher of water down on a table n just walk away .left my hanging there for a sec if thats where i suppose to sit . Hah .. I guess she is Bc since there is no server n she had about 5 table that time . Very large buffet for lunch . It cost $8.95 per person . Naan , basmati rice lamb curry is the bomb here! Very very good! I live the onion spicy sauce . I mix it in everything to spice things up , if u love spicy def should get this . Mango ice cream it's alright , nothing to rave about . Cons: hope To see more veg :) I know there's already large variety but just saying :)
(4)
James F.
Once you get past the outside appearance which screams shady lounge, you'll find Namaste to be a great Indian buffet. The buffet is pretty big, with one section of fresh veggies and chutneys and other sauces, and then the rice, and then a buffet of all the main dishes - common favorites like tandoori chicken, chicken tikka masala, palak paneer, etc. They also have a variety of pakora (foods fried in chickpea batter), including chicken and different veggies. They also have a goat dish. I got a plate, and loaded up on several of the main dishes, both vegetable and chicken and goat. While nothing struck me as too spicy, I was pleased with the goat masala, and the chicken pakora. The palak paneer seemed mostly sauce, or maybe the soft cheese was diced up smaller than I'm used to in San Diego's Indian restaurants. They had a chicken rice that was just so-so, but their chutney was great, and I went back for seconds. I wanted to save room for mango ice cream, but in the end, I was too stuffed. Naan was ok. Good food - though I think it could have been a little less mild. Service is pretty minimal - they seat you, they bring you a pitcher of water, and they stop by every now and then to clear a plate, and you pay up front. Decor is kinda wacky - while there's Indian paintings on the wall, the old decor of this place still stands out: giant sepia murals of logging trains and lumberjacks, and stained glass separators indicate that this place was some other restaurant previously. They have a separate bar area, and an upstairs room for events. If you are staying at the Howard Johnson that shares a parking lot with Namaste, show your room key to save a $1 on the buffet. Buffet lunch for under $10? score!
(4)
Chris R.
This was my first experiencevwith Indian food. It tasted great. The staff was friendly. The buffet was labled with the name and a brief description. For the price I was very pleased.
(4)
Wolf L.
This is a fairly standard Indian buffet. Nothing particularly amazing, but everything in the steam table was tasty. I've eaten in Indian restaurants that were a lot more dingy, so I won't complain too much. Let's just say that the decor of the restaurant, which seems left over from a second rate steakhouse, leaves much to be desired. However, I'm not expecting bells and whistles for an all you can eat lunch that's less than ten bucks. I did go back for thirds, if that tells you something. The naan was a bit chewy, but they had some delicious goat curry, which is a big favorite of mine. They had a lot to choose from in the table and even our veggie kid was quite satisfied. We'll definitely go back to Namaste.
(4)
Lisa W.
Namaste is one of the better Indian buffets in Portland. The tandoori chicken was tender, the goat curry delicious, the naan was fluffy and soft, and the mint chutney was hot! They also had chicken biryani, a lot of veggie options and coconut and mango soft serve. The best part? They are friendly ( unlike the owner at Dwaraka who looks like you might eat too much and eff with his bottom line). And you automatically get your own pitcher of water. Which you'll need.
(4)
Brian N.
Totally affordable and with a great selection of items. Most Indian buffets will limit their offerings to one or two varieties of meats, i.e. chicken and chicken. This place offered chicken, lamb, and goat. With two options for chicken, that made for FOUR meat curries! They also had a variety of fried items, including pakoras. Two kinds of biriyani. The saag paneer was really well flavored. I was just really impressed with the variety you get here for the price you pay. Great deal. The interior needs some work, kind of looks like an old Irish pub crossed with an American diner, playing Indian music, but they do good work here. Obviously not the most quality Indian food around, but if you're looking for an introduction to Indian offerings in buffet style, this place is a good bet. Also serving mango soft serve ice cream, which lacks mango flavor, but can hit the spot towards the end of your meal.
(4)
Cedric J.
This is my favourite buffet in town. Atmosphere: 2 (clean, but as mentioned everywhere else, awkward) Food: 5 (goat curry and lamb vindaloo are regulars; palak paneer is also a regular) Service: N/A (I serve myself at a buffet, I don't know about you) Value: 4 (9$, all you can eat... two meals worth of food. Try to do better than that) Sustainability: 1 (do you expect local, farm-raised at a place on 82nd?) I try to eat here once a month. It is far from convenient, but damn, it is really good food. It is the best buffet I've been to, but much like Don says, the buffet style isn't much of a draw and the food is filling. Every time I eat here, I skip dinner; it is just too gut-bomb for me. Every time I come, I'm really happy that they have goat curry. Their garlic chicken is really damned good, and I adore the navratan koorma and palak paneer. I don't really avoid anything here, which is the problem. They have an amazing tamarind chutney that I highly recommend slathering on just about everything. Yeah, the location and environs are a bit awkward, but isn't that why we go to ethnic buffets? The low-rent, weird places give ethnic restaurants their flair. I, for one, don't go to an Indian restaurant for its posh. (Of course, if I did, I would go to East India Company downtown and pay about 20$ for lunch.) Nevertheless, I just got back from England and I craved food like this. I couldn't find it. I implore you to find better Indian anywhere... I haven't been able to do it. And Tandoor is pretty damned good for lunch and India House and India Grill are still amazing for dinner. This is on par with all of them, if not a bit better.
(4)
Patrick S.
Awww Yeah! That's what goes through my mind whenever I have to go to deep NE for anything at all any time. It's because I can only think of the yummy goodness that will be awaiting me at Namaste. No joke I drive here on Sundays for lunch after a good Yoga class and I stuff myself and go into a food coma. It's not a pretty site, but hey who's gonna stop me huh? You? I don't think so. Sorry for getting all aggressive there, I do Yoga to not be aggressive but then I love Indian food so much that I start eating and I forget that I did the Yoga an hour earlier. It's complicated. I totally recommend Namaste for Indian Buffet either for lunch or dinner, which I can only assume is the same buffet only they charge a wee bit more for dinner. It's not the "Best" Indian food I have ever eaten but it is really yummy, priced right and it is better than most in P-town. So next time a friend asks for a ride to the airport just think of yummy curries and soft delicious naan awaiting for you down the road from PDX. Enjoy
(4)
Jeni M.
Not including food carts, I think that Namaste is the best that Portland has to offer for Indian food. No, it's certainly not the best I've ever had, but it's decent and the price for a buffet isn't outrageous. I'm not really into buffets but I like that option here though because it allows me to try a lot of different stuff and find what I like and ditch what I don't. The chicken makahni is awesomt, along with the veggie pakoras, and chicken tiki masala. The staff is pretty friendly and will find ways to work with you - In part two of birthday party dinner reservation disasters - I didn't realize that no one had made a reservation for me, so literally 15 minutes before twenty odd people were to arrive I had to call the Namaste myself and they were totally cool about it. Which was a save! When it's really busy service can be kind of slow, but it's not rage level slow so that's a plus. Also others have berated the decor of Namaste, but not me - I think it just adds to the whole Keep Portland Weird factor many of the reviewers that bemoaned about it moved here for. But the "Keep Portland Weird" if it suits me rant can be saved for another day. Stained glass, floral booths, and giant wall sized murals of lumberjacks (I think that's what it is? Maybe it's a train? I can't freakin' remember!) just add to the general WTF-ery that I enjoy a lot. Also, I wish that there were a website where I could write reviews about my friends - Last night at Namaste while eating a piece of chicken tikki masala (which was pretty yummy), something malfunctioned and I swallowed with out really having chewed. Now, I've never choked before so I was unaware of how your throat just kind of makes a vacuum seal and food just won't pop back into your mouth and the chunk was too large to swallow. So basically I'm choking, my life is flashing before my eyes, I'm kinda pissed that this is apparently how I'm going to die - ridiculously. And what do my best friend and boyfriend do? Hop out the booth and laugh at me hysterically. I'm trying not to laugh either because even though it's apparent that I'm for real choking, the hilarity of the situation is not lost on me. I started to hope there was a Chuck Palahniuk fan around or maybe a doctor as my vision started to get fuzzy and tears flowed freely from my eyes. Finally coming to terms with the fact that if God exists he's a "helps those who help themselves" kind of God for real, I just shoved my hand in my mouth and wildly extracted the chicken (which was a horrible feeling and I almost went crazy with terror when if felt like I has just pulled it apart and not removed it.. SCARY!) It was only at that moment that my bff and boyfriend finally stopped laughing... I was naturally upset and the best they could come up with for their behavior was that they just thought I was going to spontaneously puke. WHEN HAS THAT EVER HAPPENED? So anyway, the food is pretty good, the decor is bizarre and cool, the service is alright, and my best friend and boyfriend have a plot to kill me! NAMASTE!
(4)
Bob S.
About the dinner buffet. Solid 3.5, A-OK, I could be a fan. The quality is better than most Indian buffets. Good price, lot of choices, King Fisher on tap, goat offerings, lot of food, and quality spicy condiments. If you get annoyed with the tightness of the Bombay C.C. or the snootyness of the East India Co., it's a nice change. If I wanted a good Indian food buffet, I'd come here. Definitely worth checking out if you're willing to cross 82nd on Sandy Blvd. Still, it's an Indian food buffet so keep those expectations in line and you'll be A-OK, maybe a fan..
(4)
Katrina W.
Namaste word arithmetic. You will have 5 minutes. Remember to show your work. Begin now. Plus one star for being Indian food in a city where it can be hard to come by. Plus one star for being a flat-priced all-you-can-eat buffet of Indian food in a city where it can be hard to come by. Minus one star for the part about being a buffet where some of the food (cough*cough*naan) gets a little too dry and crusty around the edges. Plus one star for being on the East side. Hey, I get to award stars for anything I want. Minus one star for being a little bit out of the way. See, it all evens out. Plus one star for the kind of service that leaves you alone to talk, but knows when you need a plate cleared. Plus one star for HOMEMADE MANGO ICE CREAM. On second thought, plus two stars for that. Please put down your pencils and hand your papers to the front.
(4)
Azmat H.
One of the best Indian buffets in Portland.
(4)
Bree C.
I am slightly new to the Indian experience. I started out slow, dipping my foot in the Indian water with Trader Joe's Frozen Butter Chicken, yum, and the natural foods boxes you boil in water. Once I realized there were such addicting flavors to be had, like a fan"TASTE"ic voyage of the taste buds, I began craving Indian food. Last year, I had my family birthday dinner here. They let us bring a cake, which surprisingly, went well with the mango ice cream. This, for an Indian beginner, was a whole new ballgame, but exactly the way to fully immerse yourself in the delectable cuisine. More options than you could possibly try in one sitting, so I grabbed a Tablespoon of almost everything that sounded remotely good, and came back for seconds of my favorites. I was so surprised at how delicious things were, and with the different sauces, there were so many combination's! Good Naan, the chicken-y rice, or whatever, was fabulous, I can't remember which dishes were my favorite, but at least 3 were STELLAR, and there was only one that I was not all that fond of. This is great for any type of buffet, but when I am but a young padawan to Indian cuisine, I happen to find it even more surprising that I enjoyed so much. We had 8 people there, and 2 of those people are extremely picky (one is old and a bit particular about ethnic food, another is vegetarian) Still, they were able to find things they enjoyed, and had a happy time sampling the gorgeous lay out. The other 6 of us, well, we were like happy kids in a candy store of colorful Indian goodness. It was a good time to be had for all, in a very clean and nice atmosphere, with very nice employees/owners, huge selections at fair prices, and everywhere you look..... There was flavor!
(4)
Karen O.
If you're vegan and doing the buffet, you can ask them for roti bread (whole wheat unbuttered) in lieu of the naan (which is buttered). We didn't realize that until we were all finished, but then when the hostess realized we were vegan, she told us next time to let them know and they would be happy to bring out roti. Good variety of vegan options here! My favorite is the chana masala.
(4)
Don B.
What other than a list of solid Yelp reviews would drive me to travel up 82nd to a sketchy-looking HoJo in search of an Indian lunch buffet? Well, aside from my undying lust for adventure-dining, not much, I tell ya. In my past life, I never had luck with hotel restaurants, let alone motel restaurants. When I heard rumblings about a solid Indian buffet posted up in some former diner/WT-food spot on NE Sandy and 82nd, let's just say I was a little hesitant. But like any good Yelper, I knew that my community would never lie to me, so I finally found the time and motivation to make the trek and see if by chance there was actually some good Indian food in Portland. Lo and behold... it's not too shabby. Namaste offers a no-frills $8.95 lunch buffet in what was once likely a Black Angus or something. it's about as basic and dirty as they come. You walk in, grab a plate, and choose between 2 soups, a basic salad bar, and a litany of Indian standards. Aloo gobi, dal, goa chicken curry, chicken makhani, lamb jal freezi, tandoori chicken, mutter, saag paneer, and more. Not one to waste time with fillers such as fresh veggies, I dove straight in to some curry, and sampled a variety of the offerings. Good? Not too bad! About on par with the downtown carts, but more expensive. See, Indian food fills me up. Fast. I can't eat more than about 1 plate of it, which is the amount I'd get for $6.50 at the cart. Now if I were able to get 3 plates down, this would be a steal, but when it comes down to it, I just don't eat that quantity for lunch, and don't want to. I wish they had a single-item option for a cheaper price. Oh well. They do offer an $11.95 dinner, but it's probably for the same spread, and my stomach doesn't get any larger at dinnertime. The scene inside is pretty surreal. Old style booths with pioneer/b+w steam locomotive motif, acoustic tile ceiling, florescent lights... basically zero ambiance. I think the ambiance actually sucked some of the life out of me, if that's possible. The bar... who knows if they even use it, but it looks like it could have been a classic sweater/turtleneck/moustache bar from the 70's. The general state of the place is dirty and thrown together, but to me, that's a sign that they're really just focusing on food. And the food is pretty solid for Portland (I love the food here, but there's not really good Indian food). Overall, I was impressed with the quality, and would consider this some of the better Indian I've had in Portland. Again, the location is sketch and the buffet-style is a turn off to me, but I may just be willing to pay the extra now and again to have some decent Indian food from time to time.
(4)
Paul S.
I really enjoy Namaste and was happy to know that they were so incredibly close to me (which could be dangerous). I was afraid to go in the first time as the building appears a little "shady". I swallowed my fears and went in only to find a mecca of Indian food in buffet format!!! I love that Namaste does lunch and dinner buffet. The food is fresh and not as spicy as some of the Indian food I have had. The paneer in the spinach is nice and has a great texture. I have seen more and more people in there every time I go, so that is good news for this business. I also love the mango ice cream they have. Good ending to a good meal. I did post a pic awhile back of my plate of food. Yum!!!
(4)
R H.
This review is delayed by a couple of months but thought it was still important to post. Food was mediocre and the price was reasonable. The thing that really cemented our decision to not ever set foot in this establishment again was the fact there was a COCKROACH running across the windowsill. Of course, you know if there is one roach there has got to be others. Just so there is no question, the roach was inside of the restaurant...how I really wished it was outside. I did mention it to the person after we paid our bill but she didn't react, no concern what-so-ever. The only thing that I wish we had done before we had gone there was to preview their Health inspection score because the health inspectors wrote them up for their roach violation. If you're interested in reading the report go to www3.multco.us/MCHealthI… I hope by now the roach problem was dealt with.
(1)
Clarkitty C.
Second time around the wait staff pretty much ignored us. We ran out of water and when the waitress walked by we asked for another pitcher of water and were acknowledged but never received the water. So I walked up to the front and got the pitcher of water for myself. 2 minutes later another waitress came by with a dirty look on her face and asked for our empty pitcher back like we had done something wrong. Food this time was not as good as the time before and the pakoras were very dark brown like the fry oil needed to be changed. I probably wont come back.
(2)
Esther K.
Oh. So. Good. Wow, it's good. Tasty and full of flavor without being too spicy! The Chicken Tikka Masala is one of the best I've ever had. In fact, I think this is the best ethnic food I've ever eaten in Portland. Now, as a warning- fancy, this place is not. It's a no-frills buffet that looks more like a cafeteria than a dinner place, but the variety and quality of food completely makes up for it. Highly recommended!
(4)
Brandi B.
It's an Indian buffet by the airport. Not expecting much. If you go, go in with that mindset and you may be pleasantly surprised! Kind of a sprawling complex with several dining rooms including a couple of private spaces upstairs and a sizable bar on the main level. I'm not a big buffet person, but food was consistently good, and (obviously, as it's Indian) there are lots of vegetarian options. The bathroom however, looked like it hadn't been cleaned in days. Not cool. Again though, the food was pretty solid. All in all not bad for an Indian joint by the airport.
(3)
Kristine P.
Oh wonderful Indian spices! When they had a reunion in my mouth a choir sang, I shit you not! We were happy to find a buffet that served at night and drove quite a ways to partake. The selections were great, they had gulab jamun which is my favorite! Just wish it had been offered warm instead of cold. That is my only complaint though. I'm also happy to report that the next day (digestion) was not a problem what-so-ever!
Very good. Visiting PDX and fancied an Indian take away. Did not have the buffet, but ordered individual dishes. Yummy rice, great 'real' naan! The food was really yummy and authentic, reminded me of being back in England. Will go back when visiting PDX in future.
(4)
Holy-foo' X.
Samuel Jackson, to Bridget Fonda, who is toking out on his couch, yet again: "That stuff is gonna rob you of your ambition..." Bridget: "Not if my ambition is to get high, and watch TV....." This memorable exchange from "Jackie Brown" sums up perfectly my feelings about Namaste, as well as a few other Indian cuisine buffets scattered around town: I seem to always enter these places all bad intentions, looking to put these places out of business w/the excesses of my revolting, Romanesque gluttony. Then invariably, after not finishing even round one, I am invariably and summarily trounced and shown the door by these eateries. just as though I were another light-weight posin' chump. What the heck is going on????? Them Indians know what they're doing, all right. I'm convinced they're lacing that delicious food w/corn starch, or Wrath o' Vishnu, or Buddha fairy dust or something.... something that bloats you and makes you moan to be taken out behind the barn and put DOWN, in no time flat! It seems to me they could take a huge chunk out of world hunger there in the mother land (the Indian Subcontinent), by feeding the lower castes even tiny portions of such food. Then again, all productivity would continuously grind to a halt, as the bloat factor is so bad, you are reduced to a food coma and have to sleep it off for about 18 hours, each meal! How in the world could you hold a job down, gettin' down on fonky fonky Nosh such as this on even a semi-regular basis??? I love a nice curry, which I realize is hardly a unique sentiment in the West. Curry, along w/Chinese, became the official national co-cuisines of the UK decades ago, for example. That said, I really dig the robust flavors and intense heat of the spiciest curry dishes, preferably with lamb, or some sort of seafood. No problem, Namaste has about 87 different dishes in their Unholy Buffet featuring either lamb (I especially love their "Dancing Lamb", esp. w/the paella-style rice), or seafood--mainly fish or shrimp. Their Tikka Masala, Their Rogan Josh, oh man their Ginger chicken (or lamb), w/the onions, chilies and coconut.... I am dinging Namaste one star b/c, despite being a buffet, they require numerous return trips in order to exhaust their lengthy menu options. And perhaps that is all part of their dastardly plan for world dominion. I have been there 3-4 times since they opened their doors. I used to love the seafood place that was there before Namaste, but now I've been forced to forget about the old, and focus on tackling the Beast out in East Po-Po!
(4)
angie s.
Just tried it for the first time, Sunday Lunch buffet, not bad for under 10 bucks. The seating area itself is bit lame, just 80's style booths. Food wasn't bad, Im from the east coast where there are exceptional Indian joints everywhere but this seems to be limited here in NE. They don't have things labeled all that well, some of the labels are on the opposite side of the buffet, so you have to walk around to know what it is. They don't have the typical popular dishes, like Butter Chicken or Tikka Masala (well, had a chic pea version that was just ok) but I did try some things I had never had that were very good. Overall, for the price, it was pretty good and the staff was super nice. They put a pitcher of water on my table so I didn't really need any staff assistance once seated, which I enjoyed.
(3)
Matt L.
could this be the best indian buffet in portland? It could be. I'm not saying it's not, that's for sure, because then I'd have to provide an example of a better place, and I'm not sure I could do that. Due to a previous sixth-month occupation of a NW 23rd apartment, Swagat has become my baseline in terms of indian food buffet; Namaste is more expensive, but more better. One key element that's immediately apparent is the fresh naan - garlic naan, even, which you can't find at Swagat, or a few other indian buffets I could mention. It's something you generally run into at restaraunts (like the India Oven on Belmont.) All the key food groups were there: palak paneer, chicken makhni and tika masala, goat and lamb curries, breaded and fried veggies (potatoes, so indian french fries, basically) - and homemade mango icecream! Oh, and the rice - plain sweet rice with saffron, or a delicious stir-fried variation with a little more kick. All of this was available at the dinner - you read that right, dinner! - buffet, like an hour before they closed. There were a few inconvenient bones in a couple of the meat sauces, though the buffet features little warning notes regarding those dishes. There were a couple of sort of dried out rubbery bits of meat in amongst the generally fresh juicy ones - but that's a hazard of buffet food, and one which I'll gladly brave in the interest of stuffing myself so full of delicious indian food that I contemplate taking a nap in the car before returning for yet another course. This was my first visit, but I can't even imagine how it'd be my last.
(4)
Kate D.
So tasty, it is worth the drive from NoPo. The hostess/proprietor pointed out non-spicy dishes for our 3-year old.
(5)
Karen W.
There was so much to choose from and all was Delicious. They help was so friendly and sweet. Tandoori chicken as good as we've ever tasted. Several varieties of chicken (all excellent) as well as peas & potatoes, and spinach with paneer. Desserts were good too, although it almost hurt to try to fit them in, after all of that good food. We'd go back a few times a week if we didn't live in NJ.
(5)
Jen C.
This buffet is the freakin bomb, a jewel in the city of Portland for Indian food and did I mention cheap as hell? The naan bread is freakin amazing, soft and warm and everything you want naan to be. The biranyani rice and white rice are cooked to perfection. Chicken curry is awesome. I really wanted to try the coconut rice but was so full I forgot about it! Now how is that possible?
(5)
Cass M.
Come hungry and be ready to be adventurous. I heart namaste and am not afraid to say it. I love their naan, the plethora of veggie dishes, and even their weird decorating. The price is right and its close to home. If you are only going to hit one buffet in PDX make this one the place.
(4)
A N.
Stopped here during our road trip to Seattle. We were greeted by a friendly staff and great ambiance. Lots of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options to choose from. Food was very good. Few dishes could have used more salt and spice to taste better. The restaurant owners 2 daughters, 7-8 year olds, work here also, one at the cashiers desk, one on the floor. Very sharp kids, but might draw flak from people as kids shouldn't be working, and this can constitute child labor. Toilets were also clean. Will come back again whenever I visit Portland.
(5)
Mel L.
I'm just now sure why so any yelpers like this place. Two stars is "Meh. I've experienced better" and this perfectly expresses my dinner there on Friday night. There were four of us and we had the $12 buffet. I was absolutely baffled by the way the buffet was set up. Rice in the middle, entrees to the left, salads, soups, sauces, and dessert to the right, but you pick up your plate next to the salad. Many of the dishes did not have tags to explain what they were and you could serve your self from either side but one side just felt like the back side and was impossible to get to the rice from. But that is just the technical issues. There was a wide selection of entrees, but almost all of them where a little bit of solid food swimming in a pan of thin sauce. If you selected more then two of these, the sauces would just all run together and you would not be able to tell them apart. What I had was okay, but is was just that okay, nothing special. Nothing that was outstanding and made me want to go back for more. I tasted just about everything. If you want the hot experience, there is plenty to choose from, but it a guessing game which one will be spicy. Even the Mango ice cream really had very little flavor. So disappointing. And the place it self if a just above what I would call a dump. The decor from when the place was Steamer and had a locomotive motif did not work for the Indian cuisine. We sat at a table the had flickering light above it, bad enough to drive us away quickly after we had finished our meal. I recommend skipping this place unless you are a die hard fan of overpriced mediocre Indian food.
(2)
Diana M.
I really love this place! Indian Cuisine is one of my favorite foods to eat and this helps me get that fix on the cheap! I love their naan and during the lunch hour they have garlic naan which makes a wonderful thing even more AMAZING! Their food and servers are always nice and attentive which I can appreciate because some buffets leave you and your dishes to pile up. Everyone seems to love their mango soft serve ice cream, I on the other hand am not to big on it. I actually prefer their rice milk pudding which is making my mouth water as we speak! If you're new to Indian Cuisine, I would recommend this place to be the one you try so you can get a taste of all the currys and other food items.
(5)
InternationalTraveler ..
Excellent Surprise, Buffet style, clean, fresh, not peppery. wide variety of very tastey dishes. Veggies fresh and cooked, delish meats, deserts, soups. Service was good. Price was good. Will be back, recommend
(4)
Tet W.
I came here for lunch because I was craving Indian food. I'm not a big fan of buffets but this one was pretty good. It's nice to be able to select multiple items like soups, naan, curry, salads and sauces. The staff was nice. You pretty much serve yourself so service was very minimal. The tandoori chicken was very good. The creamy yogurt and chicken was very tasty with the chicken rice. The palak paneer which is home made cheese cubes cooked with spinach and mild spices was also very tasty. The ambiance is nothing to rave about. It just looks like an Indian cafeteria but it's located in a very convenient location with plenty of parking. If you like spicy foods or a big fan of curry, you'll like Namaste. For a $9 all you can eat buffet, this is a bargain. I definitely recommend giving this place a try.
(4)
Hulk I.
I love indian food and I'm surrounded by Indian culture. My job has fortunately let me taste true Indian Food, so I like to think I have some degree of credibility. With that said, Namaste is a great place to try a good variety of dishes. Though the flavors may not be as spectacular as Swagat, but is the dinner buffet that wins me. Most Indian restaurants only have buffet at lunch, but this place has it at dinner as well. That means you can stuff yourself crazy with all the curry you want. The price is great and the portions have no limit. Also, if you are trying indian food for the first time, this a a great place to start.
(4)
Leo D.
Had the Saturday lunch buffet and the options were excellent. Although we were greeted, no one ever came by to take our drink order and left to wonder what the Indian Whiskey taste like. The goat, rice and naan are my favorite. I always hope for decent lettuce, but they had iceberg. They did carry fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. The decor is a lousy, but not dirty. I'd go back.
(3)
Neil B.
As someone of Indian descent, I feel badly when people think that this is good Indian food. 1) Buffet only - not really a problem 2) Quality - The rice is made in giant rice cookers, who knows how often, and kept in them indefinitely. It was dry, lacking flavor, and of some indescript type. Not basmati, unlikely to even be jasmine. The "vegetables" are mostly cheap items, like potatoes, carrots, onions and spinach. No okra, eggplant, or anything that requires either time, effort or expense to cook. Most unfortunately, they attempt to compensate for the flavors and ingredients through liberal use of oil. When I was there, there were literally pools of oil floating on EVERY dish. 3) Variety - very standard chaana masaala, mixed vegetables, spinach, etc. Not one unique / special item. Disclaimer: NONE, I don't own / know an Indian restaurant in town. Just moved here.
(1)
Dan E.
I am a big Thai food fan, I am always on the lookout for a new place. And Thai buffet is my holy grail... it seems like more thai places only serve the buffet at lunch though. Very happy to find this place. Ambiance is a bit hole-in-the-wall, but the food is awesome! I usually go through once to try a little sample of each dish - it took 2 plates to do that here. Turns out that I didn't need the sampler plate, it was all great - no bad or iffy dishes. Really good! I ate too much, but I had an excuse, as we hiked St. Helens the next day, lol.
(5)
Danielle D.
Everything was great until we found the roach in the iced tea. We enjoyed the Old Portland decor, the lamb curry, the goat curry.... nothing was amazing or off the charts, but not overly greasy, either. As we were congratulating each other on another buffet accomplishment, I spied it. A roach. In the iced tea glass. We were grossed out, and discreetly carried it up to the front counter. Our server seemed concerned but her manager was dismissive, and we didn't pay. We won't return.
(1)
Kevin W.
Your indian food was delicious and had tons of variety. I loved your Mango ice cream!
(4)
Lydia H.
Unlimited naan. . . I am in heaven. Indian food check, buffet check, great price check, we have a winner. I've had better palak panner but it was still good. The highlight for me was the "too bad I can't remember the name." It was yellow, creamy, full of veggies and amazing. I also enjoyed the rice pudding, although I had to have a few bites of it before it hit the magic this is tasty spot. The mango ice cream was also fantastic. My beau's only prior experience with Indian food was some bites of a food cart meal I got a year ago. So I think for Indian food newbies this buffet is the way to go and he really liked everything he tried. The only real downside for me was the decor; I think this place used to be an "ole time" lumber mill bar or something and its just plain weird, but I am there for the buffet not to redecorate.
(4)
Michael E.
We really enjoyed their buffet. Perfect for everyone? Maybe not, but for most. Perfect for us. Good variety, vegetarian options, and all around a good experience.
(4)
D A.
Because it's a convenient place to meet a good buddy from the 'Couve, we've eaten here several times at lunch. $10 bucks too much for a buffet lunch, you say? Well, no, not if you're hungry and like pretty good Indian food. I've had better, but not at this price. The sauces are rich and the dishes are filling. Just right for a cold, damp Oregon day. They offer a wide variety of traditional dishes, both hot and cold. Sorry, I can't name them without a guide. We learned not to go early -- it seems they warm their hot dishes on the steam table, instead of in the kitchen.
(4)
Tiffany M.
I am definitely a fan of this restaurant. My sister and I went for a late lunch and when we walked in the place was clean with a huge buffet. There were so many choices on the buffet and I was not shy to try them all. I was not disappointed and I think we ate enough food for 5 people. THIS IS A MUST TRY PLACE! I recommend people here all the time. YUM!!
(4)
Linda A.
For a buffet, this place is amazing. I recommend going once to preview because, some dishes you may not like and you need to identify what you like...and you will most definitely find some favourites!
(4)
Paolina T.
Mango ice cream is homemade and YUMMY! Yummy! Yummy! I would just go there for the ice cream, but unfortunately for my waist line, the rest of the food is YUMMY! Of course we only do buffet and they have a lot of different foods to choose from as well as many different meats (chicken, lamb, goat) THey have 2 different kinds of rice. WARNING: If you decide to go to Namaste, refrain from eating most of the day. THat way you can enjoy more of the variety of foods. Don't be scared of the goat... it is delicious!
(5)
Olivia T.
Ummm yeah...now Portland has an Indian restaurant that offers Buffet for dinner. Ummm yeah..it's not in SW, not in inner SE, not downtown, it's all the way on NE 83rd & NE Sandy Blvd. It worth the trip out there because you will be full of Indian food goodness. Let's see, for $11.95 you can get unlimited salad (but really who comes here for salad?), rice, Naan, condiments, soups, and entrees (such as Chicken vindaloo, Lamb curry, Vegetables curry, Chicken Swharma, and more). The best part is the dessert..of course you can have the rice pudding and the sweet sticky cake that usually comes with Indian Buffet. In additional to that, you can have homemade Mango Ice Cream. Yes, it's homemade and yes it's so gooooooooooooood. If I didn't remember about my diet, I would eat more ice cream than I should had. Don't come here for ambiance because there's none. Their furnitures are the same furnitures from previous Steamers' restaurant. Just come here for delicious food and fill up your bellies. Happy eating, yeeps!
(4)
Roman S.
this place gives me mixed feelings. i've only been to this place for dinners and only for their buffet. you will notice one of the more "extensive" indian dinner buffets. they usually even have a goat and lamb dish. chicken. vegeterian goop, desserts mango ice cream, mango lassi (sometimes they charge me sometimes they dont?) all this fun for $13? yes... well.. here's the bad part.. the decor of this place is pretty fucking horrible.
(4)
Charles L.
I have been here multiple times and think it is the best Indian buffet in the Portland area. It warms my heart that there are an equal number of meat and vegetarian options, and the latter are all delicious. In particular, I love the samosa, naan, anything with garbanzos, and the mango ice cream. The decor is a mixed bag as other reviewers have noted, but I come here for the food, not the ambience.
(5)
Timothy C.
Finally got a chance to duck in a give Namaste a shot! Hooray! Stopped in for lunch and was surprised by the buffet service? Restaurant was fairly busy and the food was rotated often. The Nan was fabulous when its first served! I sampled almost everything, and that quite a belly full. The buffet offers a nice cold salad side and probably a dozen items on the hot side. My favorite was the goat!!! The mutton dish was delicious! Everything else was fair to good. Service was ample, attendant kept our table clear of empty dishes and our drinks full. The music was relaxing and enjoyable, Its a little dark in the diningroom, but wasn't dreary, kinda cozy? Anyways, 4 starts is a fair assessment, and YES I WILL BE RETURNING! The staff was boasting of their dinner service with additional dishes, so I gotta check it out.
(4)
Harsha R.
Click the like button for: An Indian dinner buffet. Nice. The appetizers such as aloo tiki, and pakoras are quite good. The naans (plain/butter/garlic) are nice and soft. And I'm a fan of their tandoori chicken, chicken biryani and chicken vindalho. Finally, they usually have a good dessert spread - gulab jamuns, mango ice-cream, etc. Click the dislike button for: Pretty much any other (veggie/chicken) curry apart from the vindalho. I feel they use way too much cream. It may just be their (Punjabi) style of cooking but I'm not a huge fan of creamy food. Also, the chicken tikka masala and chicken makhani can be mild. Click the disbelief button for: When they say they are open till 9 pm but run low on a few buffet items at 8 pm, you'd think they'd do something to sustain the customers who are already there or just walking in. But not over here. If they are out of a particular dish, tough luck. I can understand a dish like biryani will take time to prepare. But if they anticipate a busy (Friday) evening, they should be better prepared. And no mango ice-cream as well. That just sucks.
(3)
tara c.
We have always enjoyed this buffet - no ambience, sure, but consistently tasty food. So today I look at Yelp to check when they are open and happen to read the recent review with the lovely roach anecdote and now that's all I can picture. Great. Thanks, Yelp.
(3)
James S.
My wife and I both had gotten sick after having their lunch buffet. We're never going back! Hope you have a strong stomach if you do go don't bring the elderly or children!
(1)
Jami H.
This is a weird little place in the middle of a Howard Johnsons complex. It seems maybe it used to be a Howard Johnsons restaurant. Hard to tell if it is actually connected to hotel. It's kind of run down and oddly set up, and the ambience is hardly romantic or relaxing. A bit too bright and glaring, with ugly floral booth fabric. But I dug it for it's weirdness. The buffet was surprisingly good. Surely not gourmet Indian cuisine, but solidly tasty, and lots of offerings including multiple chicken dishes and TWO goat dishes. Rice pudding AND mango soft serve. Two kinds of basmati rice. The people watching was also quite good. Most diverse crowd I've experienced at a restaurant in a long time.
(4)
Park S.
Excellent buffet. Foods are fresh and plentiful. Service is decent. Usually owner is main waitress and she is so busy seating ppl, , not alot of time to go around and check with customers. Then again, Asian restaurants are known for their poor to terrible service and that's why we never tip.
(4)
Lid C.
I have a crave/repulsed relationship with Namaste. I happen to live nearby, I love Indian food and I love buffets. The positive Yelp reviews inspired my first visit. I was lucky enough to encounter Chana Masala, my absolute favorite Indian dish and it was good, really good. I was pleased with all the vegan options that day and was looking forward to returning. The second time was far less impressive than the first. It was ok but nothing worth mentioning. You know, unless you're a Yelper. I decided the second time might have been a fluke so I returned a third time. I think it's fair to say it was awful. Awful, awful, awful. My friend and I wrinkled our noses at everything we had, including the once loved Chana Masala, and threw out more food than I ever consider acceptable. Had that been my first experience, I never would've returned. I decided to go a fourth time to see if the first awesome experience was the fluke or if my recent experience was the one to be expected. The fourth time was hands down the best experience of the four. Everything was so incredible and flavorful, the Chana Masala was AMAZING. As I was moaning my way through lunch, I couldn't believe this was the same place I had visited so many times before. I have since returned and it was just ok. Not bad, not great. I would LOVE to give this place four or even five stars but their complete lack of consistency begs I take away a star. The other star? The cleanliness. The whole place feels run down, dark, poorly planned and straight up dirty. I've even had to switch tables once before to avoid a strong, offensive odor emitting from the booth I was sitting in. What kind of smell, you wonder? The kind that rhymes with "nuke" and "comet". Will I return? Probably. Every other Indian restaurant is a bazillion miles away from me plus I end up at Namaste on days I forget to allot time to go to a restaurant, order, wait, eat, pay, leave. At Namaste I skip straight to the eat, which is my favorite part of going out. If they get the place cleaned up and start churning out consistently good food, I will happily update my review and sing their praises.
(3)
Jyoti N.
A huge selection of food for an Indian buffet. I liked the bell peppers and the onion tomato chutney the best and of course Gulab Jamun. I did not try every single thing because I got full before I could even though I was taking very little of it.
(4)
Gary H.
This buffet is the bomb! I have been here 3 times now and every time it ROCKED! it's a jewel in the city of Portland for Indian food and it's at a very fair price.? The naan bread is very good!, soft and warm and everything you want naan to be. The biranyani rice and white rice are cooked to perfection. Chicken curry is awesome as well of all the other Items on the buffet. I really wanted to try the Ice cream but was so full I forgot about it! Guess I will have to go back again soon!
(4)
Af R.
Awesome buffet, $12.50 for dinner and so many choices. Two soups, lots of chicken, tons of veggies entrees and appetizers. Mango soft serve could have been good but it was too runny.
(4)
Becky H.
Everything was fresh and tasty, the place was spotless, and I actually got to try a couple of dishes I've never had before. The "Fruit Custard" (which I Googled and was unable to find one like it) was excellent. I would make it at home if I could find a recipe! Their signature "Namaste Chicken" was so delicious, it was hard not to go for seconds. The service was OK once we got started, although we waited 5-10 minutes after being seated, for our initial contact with a waitress. I would guess regulars just get their table and go to the buffet before they order drinks, but we weren't sure so we sat there first. -shrug- No biggie. If I lived in Portland, this would be a frequent choice.
(4)
Neeva D.
I love Indian food. In fact, New Taste of India catered my wedding, so no one can say I don't have a passion for the cuisine. And this is some damn fine food. So far I've been to Namaste twice and each time I have walked out with a belly full of delicious. To me, the best part about Indian food is the variety of dishes, and I hate going to a restaurant and being limited to one curry and some rice and being forced to order tons of extra side dishes if I want anything else (which is every time). I always find myself looking for a server for a refill of naan and trying to calculate how I can get everything I want without spending a fortune. But at Namaste, I walk like three feet and BOOM plateful of naan, pakoras, and those little fried potato bite things. And my favorite tamarind sauce. YUMMY HEAVEN. The chicken tikka masala is awesome, and is the dish I tend to gravitate to. The others are good, but I want to bathe in the chicken tikka masala, for real. But I don't, because that would be pretty rude for the other buffet patrons ("Just scoop around the rubber ducky, thanks!"). I do have a couple of complaints - the naan isn't my favorite. Now I know what you're thinking: "But Neeva D., you just made such a huge deal out of the fact that we can get all the naan we want at our fingertips*, and now you tell us it's not even good?" Firstly, just call me Neeva. Secondly, the fact that I can have all I want, when I want, makes up for the deficiencies I find in the quality. I prefer a soft puffy naan, and the naan at Namaste is a little thin and crispy towards the center. Not a bad thing, just not my preference. The decor is lacking, and at times the service is nonexistant, but it's a godamn buffet godammit. Don't look at the walls, eat! And after that go eat some more! All the better if the staff don't get in your path from table to food! What are you waiting for? *Please don't actually use your fingertips. The tongs are there for your and other people's sanitary concerns. Thanks!
(5)
Heather A.
Curry flavored french fries! Yes!!!
(4)
Michael V.
I went here for the first time today for lunch and I must say that for a buffet this is real value. The food is kept fresh and the variety is the best of any Indian buffet that I have had in Portland. The chicken and goat masala were very good and so was the tandoori. The other curries were ok but not great. The mango soft ice cream was a nice treat as well. I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Annette V.
Had a craving for Indian food recently so made the trek to Namaste. The location is definitely in an area I don't frequent much, but the positive Yelp reviews made me hopeful that it would be well worth it. The building itself is shabby and dark inside, but spacious enough that you can be seated away from other patrons. For the food: the mint sauce is sooo good, I wish I could bottle it up and take it home with me to use on random things. The buffet menu featured soups, salad bar, naan, and several different types of curries, (goat, chicken, lamb, vegetarian) and although they were all very flavorful and delicious, you get full very quickly and after your first plate you're ready to throw in the towel and head on over to the mango ice cream machine. Fresh homemade mango ice cream is what the sign read, and fresh homemade mango ice cream is really what you get. The flavor was spot on, and the cold creaminess was exactly what was needed to quell a stomach full of spices and curry. Next time I'm around the area and craving Indian food, I will give it another whirl.
(3)
Nathan S.
I heard stories about the quality of Namaste in Vancouver and made the hike up there over a year ago. In Portland, this place does not fail to deliver as well. I returned to the States from India about two weeks ago (believe me, I developed quite a taste for Indian food while I was there) and since have been craving some quality Indian food. This is the place. Namaste's masala is as close to authentic Indian as it gets. On top of it all, the place is a buffet so you don't have to worry about getting your money's worth. I have no complaints whatsoever, but be warned, if you're an Indian food pro, chapati/roti is not available. I don't blame Namaste for only providing naan (in my opinion, the mostt westernized Asian and/or Middle Eastern bread) when that's what people are accustomed to. Last but not least, Namaste even provides authentic Indian beers like Haywards 1000 (think Olde English but Indian) and Kingfisher. Authenticity is the key to this place, you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Kevin B.
I use to love it but my stomach did not What happened... and the Ammonia smell its got to go
(2)
Roxanne B.
I wish there was a way to give this place 3.5 stars. The reason this place isn't a true 4 to me is because some of my favorite buffet items that I'm accustomed to seeing at buffets in the Silicon Valley weren't available. The buffet is a great value and you are bound to find something edible to eat here. The buffet is well stocked and kept clean, and there is always plenty of naan - I hate going to Indian restaurants where the naan is sparsely available. For some reason, I found the vegetarian dishes (I'm not a vegetarian) to be the most tasty and satisfying out of all of the offerings. The best part is the mango soft-serve ice cream. It has this smoothy, dense, icy texture and tastes of real mango. It is like a cross between gelato and sorbet. I swear I can eat like 2 or 3 cones on my way out the door. I heard their spot in Vancouver also has coconut soft-serve ice cream.
(4)
Amy S.
WeI wanted to be thrilled and delighted by a new discovery. We had high hopes, which were utterly unrealized. Things we liked: 1. the wagon wheel door hardware. 2. the lovely and very kind people who clearly own the place. Things we didn't like: the food. I think the problem is that it's a buffet, and only a buffet. How long has the food been sitting there anyway? The fish was dried out, the creamy dishes were way too creamy, there was a distinct lack of vegetables, the goat was goaty (?), and the "homemade" softserve mango ice cream was a color not found in nature. There isn't really more to say. Sorry, Namaste. We wanted to love you.
(1)
Eric O.
This is the second location that I know of for this restaurant - Their other location is in Vancouver, WA: yelp.com/biz/namaste-ind… I just visited this location for the first time today, and as with their Vancouver location, I think the food here tastes great,with a good blend of spices. They have a fairly large rice warmer that they always keep full with fragrant and flavorful authentic Basmati rice. Their buffet is available for lunch and for dinner, and they have a good selection of food. I've been to other Indian restaurants, and I prefer the food here better - it seems of a higher quality. Another thing I like about the food here is that many items are mild, so it's easier to taste the flavors in the food. Their prices for the buffet are $8.95 for lunch and $11.95 for dinner. One thing I think is odd is their odd hours - they're open only for a few hours for lunch (11:00AM-2:30PM) and then they open again for dinner (5:00PM-9:30PM).
(4)
Emily H.
My bay area friends will be happy because I won't make them go out for Indian food every time I visit them, because I can finally get something half way decent here. I'm not sure I have much to add to the chorus of four star reviews, but I want to echo the sentiment that this place is decent by any standard, and really good by Portland standards. It is at least a notch or two below Londo, Chicago, or Washington DC options, but at least as good as a lot of what I have had in the Bay Area. So yeah, really good by Portland standards. I like that it doesn't cost you an arm and a leg to eat, and you can sit at your table talking as long as you want and nobody gives you a dirty look or tries to rush you out, or glares at you when you show up without a reservation. (Ahem, Bombay Cricket Club- you aren't all that!) I like the cheesy decor that is virtually untouched from the previous incarnation of the space and the weird cafeteria vibe. It makes me think the owners really wanted to open a restaurant and decided to focus on the food. They obviously didn't spend a million dollars on a fancy build out (more like about $50 on the build out). My husband commented that the attached bar area looks like The Regal Beagle (from Three's Company). They seriously need some karaoke going on in there. Indian Buffet and karaoke? Hells yes. P.S. Brightly colored or not, the mango ice cream is delish.
(4)
Christine B.
Great Indian food for the price! Fun, clean buffet style which helps with trying new things. I found new favorite dishes and will definitely be back! Very casual, family friendly style restaurant.
(5)
Noah P.
I don't usually think of 82nd as the best place to get tasty food, however, this restaurant is a total gem. I love going here to and from PDX -- the all you can eat special for around $12 is a pretty great deal. They always have a large and fresh buffet. I'm really not someone who even likes buffets - but I love this place.
(5)
Garrett C.
Got into Portland and yelped for food. Namaste came up with a good rating for a good price less than a mile away from our hotel. Good food for a buffet. Definately came out happy. The mango soft serve ice cream was a nice finish. Would go back again.
(5)
R W.
The reason why I am adding my praise to the heap is that you may think you've been steered wrong by Yelp when you finally find this place on NE Sandy and 84th. You haven't - it's awesome. Much better variety than Swagat. The inside is spacious and clean. All is yummy here. One warning: the chunks of stuff that look like papaya are not fruit at all.
(4)
Steve M.
I'm typically a pretty devout vegetarian and if you decide to remain one at Namaste, you will be richly rewarded. Their Palak Paneer was delicious, the other veggie curries were yummy as well, but the Palak Paneer was definitely a standout (as in a 'mmm I need some of that on every plate at a buffet' kind of way). I'm typically pretty devout, but occasionally I falter. At Namaste's it was a veritable Noah's ark of critters that led me from my devout vegetarian ways. Our friends the chicken, his compadre the goat, and their lil buddy the lamb are all well represented here. Being a buffet, I was pretty resistant to their animal charms on the first go around...but c'mon Chicken Vindaloo? Who can resist trying a Chicken Vindaloo? (aside from the answer of obviously not this Steve). The Goat? How often does someone bring goat to the buffet? and umm, I'm sorry Mr. Lamb, but you just taste too good to resist ;) The quality is definitely the best for Indian Buffet I've had in Portland, the people who run it are super friendly, and if you're looking for a nice place to relax over Indian food with a friend? I can't suggest it happily enough. The location is a little bit out there, but I was on my way to a movie at the Roseway and it worked out to be REALLY convenient :D
(4)
Dian K.
I went there for lunch direct from the airport. Pretty much the only time I go would be when I'm close to the airport because I live clear across town on the other side. It's a shame too since it's one of the better Indian buffet in town. It has a lot of variety and they're all good. The mango ice cream is the best!
(4)
Katie D.
Found this place a few months back because I was missing my favorite Taste of India from the U-District in Seattle. Anyway, thanks to Yelp I ended up here and I am so glad that I did! For less than $12 I can eat my belly full of masalas, vindaloos, tamarind and mint sauce... Being semi gluten-free and dairy-free I have found several worthy choices at this place. I even tried goat the last time I was here and it was great! My favorite thing about a buffet is getting to the food is fast! The mango ice cream is pretty tasty, but I like the entrees a bit more than the desserts. Definitely worth the drive and the price if you're hungry and want some Indian foods!
(4)
Holly B.
This is my favorite Indian restaurant! Not only do they have a buffet during dinner hours (very rare!) but it's the best Indian FOOD, not just Indian buffet food. Most Indian buffets I have been to have like 4 or 5 entrees and a bunch of sauces/greens/things people never eat. This place has like, 12 entrees, plus 2 kinds of naan, homemade mango ice cream, 2 soups, and a salad bar with all those sauces some people like. There is always a goat dish, lamb dish, 2 chickens, a beef, and a bunch of vegetarian options. Sometimes shrimp too. The service is fine I am sure, I don't really know because I serve myself whenever I want. It's a buffet! The owner is so friendly and always remembers us. I really hope this place stays around, I love it. They are pretty busy for dinner, but there is always an open table. This is a great way to try Indian for the first time, or introduce Indian to a friend or family member that is hesitant to try it.
(5)
Lynn S.
So Good! Save room for the mango soft serve, you will want two bowls full; trust me.
(5)
Stan H.
I got to spend a week near Portland and had a fist full of Yelp reviewed places to try. I ended up eating here twice, once for lunch and once for dinner. Good spices, authentic enough flavor and nice selection. Lamb, goat, fish, and lots of chicken- the buffet is about 15' long. I have hit Pok Pok, Hot Pot City, Super Buffet, Enjoni and Jarra's Ethiopian place and this is tops so far in cost vrs quality. Jarra's was certainly the friendliest as it was a slow night and their lamb shank was just falling off the bone good but that is another review. Dirty Gin Martini from the bar was a bit too watered down so had to get another. Props for chilling it and the glass though. Cashier made a simple error and short changed me, I had to let her know the martinis were not strong enough for that =) Tandoori chicken, mint sauce, saag paneer all great. They have a dish that has halved serano chilies in it you can pull out to help add heat to other dishes. Some of the sauces were off, things were not perfect and really there should be 3 stars but the goat and lamb pushed it right up to 4. They have wifi but can't remember the freakin password. sheesh. Can't see a buffet getting much better- you get what you pay for and here it works out in your favor.
(4)
Lester A.
Menu variety: Went here on a dinner buffet so they had a great selection of Indian food at the buffet line. I had the chicken tikka masala, curry and khoorma and who can pass up on unlimited naan bread? Don't forget to try their mango soft serve ice cream for dessert. Food taste: Delicious and tasty, you'll have to filter out the crispy to soft naan bread but at least they make sure it is never empty so you know its freshly made. Service: Pleasant Price: Above average but well worth Wait Time: None, seated upon arrival Ambiance: Indian music playing, Indian decor, private seating area in the back and the buffet line and tables were clean. Bathrooms: Available but did not use it. I've been to their restaurant in Vancouver so I already knew their food was great. Overall it was a great dining experience and I'll definitely come back for seconds.
(4)
Gina H.
I really liked this place. The atmosphere is pretty hilarious. Service - good Food - good Cost - not too bad (it is all you can eat) Location - kinda out there Overall though, I would for sure go back!
(4)
Michael and Teresa T.
The food was great! Yelpers have, once again, pointed us in the right direction. This place doesn't look like much on the outside, but don't judge the book by the cover. Excellent food!
(4)
Liz C.
Ho-ly Crap. Finally, some Indian food that is ACTUALLY good. It's about freaking time, Portland. This little gem popped up on Sandy not too long ago, and I'm SO happy that my roommates and I stumbled upon it. I've been in search for the real deal in the realm of Indian food since I moved here, and no one has really delivered....that is until I dined here. The paneer was amazing, and everything else was so delicious. The naan was really fresh, and the papadums=heaven. The fish pakora was surprisingly delightful. The only thing that I wasnt wild about was their selection of chutneys/raitas, but when you've got some pakora, fresh naan and amazing dishes, who need a good raita? Their kheer & mango ice cream were good. And the thing that bumps this to 5 stars: all you can eat Gulab jamun. GULAB JAMUN. Food porn at its finest. All of you jokers who think that India house and Swagat are legit, take heed when I say : you're paying for over priced mediocre food. Namaste is where its at.
(5)
Tara K.
Namaste opening on Sandy Blvd has been a highlight for my neighborhood, and for a vegetarian always looking for somewhere to appease myself and my meat eating family it was a blessing. The buffet is huge, the veg selections are ample and easily identified, and the place is big enough for groups. Homemade mango ice cream is a must. I'm not saying the food is the best Indian you can get in town because it isn't, but unless you want to drive across town or into the Couv it will do for most. This place is a bit pricey at $12.99 a person for dinner, but you can get a to-go container for the same price and take home enough for two with naan. Also, if you buy a drink and eat in the bar area you get $1 off your meal, and the drinks are pretty cheap.
(4)
Jo L.
I'm always bummed that most Indian places only do buffets for lunch, so I was ecstatic when I realized they have it for dinner. Great number of options including vegetarian and vegan. Will definitely be back. Over and over.
(4)
Remi E.
Every once in a great while, you hit the jackpot. This time, it included all three categories for an exceptional experience: great food (and I'm a 40-year connoisseur of great Indian food), great prices, and great staff. The restaurant, in fact, was the one highlight of our staying in that awful Howard Johnson's on the premises. ;-) One of my daughters was having an issue and both the server and the manager came to talk to me and to her in succession to find out why she was crying. The manager finally offered to put her meal on the house in his attempt to cheer her up and make her eat. She finally did (we included the cost in the tip, though), and I was left utterly impressed with this rare display of genuine concern from the management. Every dish was really good, but I will mention the exceptional, for which you HAVE to go and try the place out. This is the only Indian restaurant that has giant rice-cooker pots of rice in the buffet (look for it at the back on the right, or you might miss it) instead of little drying-out driblets running out in a warmer pan. And we're not just talkin' white rice-- they got BIRYANI! ...in the buffet (not just fancy dinner-plate orders)! And finally: the pièce de resistance: the most heavenly, CREAMY mango ice cream that it has ever been my pleasure to imbibe. I totally shoulda saved more room. Again, I couldn't believe that they offer such a carefully-perfected treat just for a buffet (usually buffets unload the cheapest, mass-produced stuff that they can on customers)... and it's all included in the already low price ($11-12). As another reviewer mentioned, they are the only open-late buffet I've ever seen... and with the best thing you'd want in variety-- Indian food! Your mouth will say Hooray!!! Don't miss Namaste. Enjoy. : )
(5)
Maitreya L.
Great deal if you have a big appetite! I usually eat 3 heaping plates or so of food at buffets, and it can be hard to get filled at regular restaurants, so I generally like any decent buffet. . I'm not usually a fan of Indian food because I don't like curry, but this place is actually pretty good. I just avoid the curry dishes. My fiance loves this place so we eat there pretty often. The quality varies, busy nights are best like any buffet because the food is fresher. I've only been to about 6 Indian restaurants in my life, usually mediocre small town ones, and this is the only Indian place I've tried in Portland, but the food is actually better than any of the non-buffet Indian restaurants I've been too, and it's hard to beat the price for such a filling meal. The selection is better than any Indian buffet I've tried. Their "homemade" mango ice cream is quite good too. It seems family run and the staff is pretty friendly. The atmosphere is nothing special, but is fine for a buffet. I see a lot of Indian people eating here too, so that is probably a good sign.
(5)
Mal C.
This review is based on the buffet. Close to the airport, this is a gem in the rough. Inexpensive, authentic Indian food. Everything was awesomely spiced and the meats were moist. Fresh naan bread, delicious masala tea, and many dessert options. The ambiance could certainly be improved, but at this price and quality, who cares!
(5)
H. M.
It's an Indian buffet. For dinner. About $12.50 a person with "homemade" mango soft serve. As my husband said, amazing what they can do with powder. Don't set your expectations to the height of Dwaraka, but be prepared to be pleasantly surprised. Certainly a great place to bring a crowd of hungry people that like Indian food. The service was attentive and kind and we'll be back, not for the beer list, though. Oh, if you go to the bar and buy a drink, you get $2 off your dinner. You'll go home and want to lay down beside your stomach.
(4)
Marcia S.
The buffet has a good variety of food but the quality varies by dish, some very good, some bland. It's a $12.95 all you can eat buffet in a diner like setting. I was surprised that I got charged for the mango lassi separately.
(3)
Heather S.
Did you ever go to Howard Johnson's (HoJo's) when you were a kid? I did. Paper menus and grilled cheese aside, HoJo's had old school charm. Namaste Indian Cuisine (NIC, for short), is in an old HoJo's! With western drawing wallpaper, huge windows overlooking green, well-manicured lawns (almost like a golf course, but is probably apartments), and an almost chapel kind of back room, NIC is a dive dream come true! You can order a la carte off the menu or try their bountiful buffet for a very reasonable price. I can't speak for the cost of lunch (I think it's around $8.95/person0, while dinner is definitively $12.95/person. Add to that that the food is plentiful, fresh, varied, and delicious, (with options for vegetarians and chicken/meat eaters alike, fresh hot naan, as well as 4 different dessert options, including homemade mango or coconut ice cream and fruit custard), and it's awesome. Service is incredibly attentive. Namaste Indian Cuisine is perfect when you're: a) wanting a change of scene b) craving Indian food c) wanting to experience the 1970's d) wanting delicious food e) craving an experience, much like a amusement park ride, but for your meal. Yay!
(5)
Katherine S.
Do not go here!! My husband and I have been dying to find a good Indian resturant in the Portland area, but alas to no avail! This was just another let down. We went here a few days ago and first off the food is nothing to write home about, most taste like it is from freezer section at Trader Joe's, second the service wasn't that great, no one ever came to clear any of our plates while we were there eating at the buffet, and third dead rat in the parking lot outside.... yea. But to top it all off my husband and I most definitely got food poisoning after eating here! It was our first and LAST time eating there. The only good thing I can say about this place is the food poisoning was reasonably priced at only 12$ a plate for the buffet.
(1)
Jim W.
I'm no expert on Indian food. Now that that's out of the way - I do know if I like something, and I do know if it's good enough that I'll go back. I've been here about 10 times. Very convenient to hit after flying into PDX and getting food quick when you're hungry. Love all the curry's, masala, fresh veggies and sauces. If you're not familiar with Indian Food like me - get a plate and sample a small bit of everything - you'll find what you like then go back and enjoy! If you're a "meat and potatoes" kind of guy - one that steers clear of unfamiliar spice - you might still like this - some of the dishes are very mild but bursting with flavor! Enjoy!
(4)
Roderick M.
Average Indian food at best. Food on buffet was not labeled very well at all. Pakoras were hard. The price for the buffet was outrageous. $25.00 for my girlfriend to eat the buffet and we had water to drink. $25.00 for only a buffet of vegetables and rice. If you're looking for great Indian food avoid this place. If you're looking for over priced average Indian food then Namaste is a good choice.
(2)
Abhilash R.
I've been to Indian restaurants in the remotest of places in the US. This being in a gastronomic place called Portland is by far the WORST I have been to in the entire United States. Came here when I was hungry - hoping that even mediocre good would taste great that way. But tough luck! The food doesn't even taste like Indian food for many dishes - let alone be authentic. I really hope this place closes down.
(1)
Nathan R.
We found this place on yelp were blown away by the tastiness of the food. So glad we made it.
(5)
Peter S.
So much selection, not enough room in my belly! I always leave here stuffed, and feel like I need someone to wheelbarrow me out. If you love good Indian food, then this is a must!! Friendly staff, and clean environment. Try the Mango ice cream if you have room at the end of your meal, so good!
(4)
Greg B.
Let me be blunt on saying that this place that has a buffet line for Indian food. I visited this place during my lunch break. I was short on time and I needed the food now. The person at the counter was rather helpful. She pointed out the options. I got the feeling that the place was rather new. It borrowed the ideas of an all you can eat for specific dishes that everyone knows is from India. There are reviews by other lovers of places that serve food that denote dishes that do not include meat. I eat meat. I found the dishes that I wanted and paid for it. I was surprised by the quality of the naan and the spicy eggplant curry. I procured the yellow rice and the mixture of that, along with the tandoori chicken, was quite lovely. I was alarmed by the cheap prices that the place charges for such a volume of food. I shall have to go again. There is a parking lot nearby. It is an easy location and I went there in the latter afternoon hours. It is near Lloyd Center.
(4)
Nathan S.
The best Indian buffet I've had! The highlights are definitely the goat and the chicken tandoori! Plus, all the sauces, chutneys, and the deserts are wonderful too. Can't beat the price either, makes it completely worth it! They have such a huge variety and everything is always fresh. Love this place.
(5)
Christian B.
Poor Quality. I love India Oven on Belmont but it's far away so I tried this place because it is close and I'm sorry to say that I will never return.
(1)
Curt S.
Selection, price, value, and quality- Namaste on upper Sandy BLVD is the Indian buffet to beat in this town. If there's a better one around here, I sure don't know where, and I've tried most of the major Indian buffets in the area. Extra point considerations for: Housemade coconut and mango softserve ice creams for dessert options. Kids eat free or very-cheaply depending on the age of the child. Loses one star from a perfect rating because: It's freezing in there. Naan has been a bit dry on occasion.
(4)
Scott S.
I love Indian food. I used to live in Hillsboro where there are several Indian restaurants in the immediate area. I live in SE Portland now, and my options are limited. I've been to Namaste more times than I should have, because I kept hoping things would improve. They never did. Bad food and they can barely even get the naan right, which is not a good sign.
(1)
Donald H.
So I decided to eat here with my daughter because it's very near her pre-school. I'm a big fan of Indian food. This was honestly the worst Indian food I've ever had. I'm not saying it was disgusting. Just bland and overcooked.
(2)
Emilie J.
I love this buffet! Been a million times because the food is always so delicious! Thee staff is super nice!
(5)
Jessica P.
It wasn't bad. The location is interesting. I hope the new location has a better ambiance. But the Mango Ice Cream was to die for. I would come back just for that. The buffet was ok. If your check out there website there is a coupon.
(3)
Theresa C.
This review is based on past experiences as I'm catching up on my yelping. I'm not uneducated about Indian food - my sister is married to a family from Sri Lanka so I'm pretty accustomed to real, homemade curries etc. I feel very at home at Namaste - the paneer is rich and tasty and the sauces are well balanced. Samosas and pakora are always available. All the vegetarian food is clearly marked on the buffet with several different vegetarian curries and hubby never leaves unsatisfied with his chicken and goat and other meat entrees. There's always papadum and naan and you can also order off the menu if you're looking to customize your level of spiciness or have a yearning for food that's not on the buffet that day. Make sure to order a beer to make that meal perfect. They have a large selection of salad foods including my favorite sliced cucumbers and raita and dessert is part of the buffet. I've never had to wait for a table but I've also never seen it empty. It may not be the classiest place in town but the prices are right and the food is good and fresh. I don't understand the complaints about spiciness - if you want it hotter then add some sambal or chutney. Not all Indian food is mouth blistering. The only thing I think I'd like them to add would be plain papadum. But then I'd probably never leave...
(4)
Dan R.
Went here for our anniversary, something different. Appreciated the spices of Indian food but hardly ever ate it. Not a buffet person and sitting right next to it didn't seem a good seat to me (though I took advantage of it a couple times hitting up fresh arrivals to the table, like tandoori shrimp. Good range of foods and many flavors. My favorites were the goat masala and butter chicken, but everything i tried was tasty. service pleasant but sparse. So a strong 3.5, as the food merits a 4.
(3)
Jando S.
Some folks go weak for chocolate, I have a weakness for Indian buffets. There is almost always something sinister about food when it's been sitting out awhile, especially when available in unlimited quantities. The strange allure I have for Indian buffets above all is one I can't put my finger on just yet, which automatically means I'm fan of Namaste without fully understanding why. It probably helps they have a never ending buffet, one that continues throughout lunch and dinner. Actually, that's totally it. Namaste is certainly one of the larger Indian establishments in Portland. Plenty of parking, lots of seats big groups and small parties, even a separate lounge area with a bar that could be its own venue. Decor wise, the place could use some spice. It feels very generic around the buffet area, like eating in a hotel cafeteria, and the lack of ambiant music makes the place feel stale real fast. Greater pains should be taken to give the place a face lift. It comes as no surprise however, the seating area surrounding the buffet is generally the most popular. When it comes to the main attraction, the buffet, the spread is pretty vast. It is split into two sections: hot and cold foods. On the cold foods side is usually a salad that lots of people tend to ignore, along with some soups and desserts like raita (rice pudding). The middle of the buffet usually is stacked with samosas, masala fries, and often very dried out naan. On the hot foods end is roughly 11-12 choices ranging from veggie curries to meats and rice. On a whole the food is probably 3.5/5. I usually prefer dinner as they tend to feature their best options, like garlic naan in place of regular naan for example or goat biriyani instead of plain basmati rice. I appreciate their biriyani, chicken makahani, palak paneer (though the cheese is tough), and the mango self serve ice cream is a nice touch. For things that could use some improvement is the surprisingly bland lamb roganjosh, tandoori chicken and all naan are overly dry. I'd recommend table side servings for the latter and one will see a dramatic improvement in quality. For everything they offer, the prices ($10 lunch, $13 dinner) aren't outrageous. Non-buffet fans will be happy to know a la carte food is available, though I have yet to try it. Namaste has a could use a lot of improvements in food and interior space, I know this place has the potential to be the 'it' spot for Portland Indian food.
(4)
Sheila E.
I've eaten here twice, and both times were really good. And I have to say that I'm not a fan of buffets, but I don't mind coming here. It's clean, the food is very tasty and it's not expensive ($12.95 for the dinner buffet). But the one major standout to me is the mango ice cream. OMG - I could seriously eat a bucket of this stuff and still want more. I l love mangos, and this ice cream is smooth and creamy and oh so delicious! They also have coconut ice cream which is good, but the star is the mango. I will go back again and again just for that ice cream. YUM.
(4)
Benjamin K.
Although not the best Indian I have ever had it definitely is good and a wide selection. The handmade mango and coconut ice cream is great. The Chick end Pakrosa is good too along with the dozen curries they offer.
(4)
Jens J.
In a concerted effort to break away from our traditional Sunday brunch fare of eggs and hashbrowns etc., we decided to go for Indian cuisine. So through the usual pouring rain we traversed up Sandy to Namaste, which is located right across from Cameo Cafe. I don't know what was in this location before Namaste, but on one wall was a huge floor-to-ceiling photo of a 19th century logging operation. We were immediately seated with our own pitcher of ice water. Off to a good start, I would say! We opted for the lunch buffet ($9.50). As we sat down, we heard a loud pulsating beep emanating from throughout the restaurant. We thought it was a fire alarm or drill. But no, what was really happening is that somehow someway, the National Weather Service had pushed a global warning to everybody's cell phone (including mine) warning of an impending blizzard. The message probably should have been refined to say the blizzard was just going to be in the Cascades. Both JP and I agreed, that by far and away, the best buffet item was the raised Chole Batura bread. It was like a cross between a steamed bun and some exquisite rolls my mom used to bake on special occasions. We both had at least three servings of this incredibly divine bread. Also outstanding was the lentil vegetable soup. Spiced perfectly, I had two helpings. In fact, this was the best vegetable soup I've ever had. I also enjoyed the Potato Pakora. At first glance, these look like French Fries, but are really strips of deep-fried potato and chick pea. Resting on a bed of grilled onion, the Tandoori chicken was particularly tasty. The primary reason I have not been a consumer of Indian food here-to-now is that I have perceived that most Indian food is jammed with cilantro. Not so at Namaste. And actually, dishes here are, for the most part, seasoned mildly. For desserts, I recommend the fruit custard and the soft-serve mango ice cream. I also discovered I have a fondness for Suji Halwa - which are paralleliped-shaped treats made from flour, cashews and almonds. The Suji Halwa has a texture resembling cake.
(4)
Amy L.
Came here for the buffet for a friend's birthday party. This is also one of my mom's favorite places to eat. I pretty much come here on a regular basis. The food is okay it is definitely lacking more spices or flavor that what I'm use to for indian food. Most of the dishes are on the salty and greasy side. They definitely cater more to the American palate there's more fried food like fries and more cream in their curry. The area is a bit run down the booths aren't the most sanitary looking and they are the only indian dinner buffet place in town. The booths the chair cushions are cracked. All the other places only have lunch buffet. I don't recommend coming here for dinner buffet because by then the food has be warmed up for so long it's basically mush. Some of the dishes I like are: Goat Curry: they use goat bones and meat instead of ground lamb pretty good flavor Marsala Chai: They make it in house I think. Tastes the same as the Chai I've had at a tea house. Free refills Overall, I wouldn't come here unless my family or friends wanted to go here. There's other indian places in town that are better.
(2)
Sandeep K.
1 star because of the wrong information. On yelp, they say they are open 11-9.30, but they are closed during afternoon. I made a long trip to come here because this was the only place that showed as open!!
(1)
Erin K.
I am so glad this place has come to Portland. My friend has been trying to get us to go to the one in Vancouver for months, but so far we hadn't found a good enough excuse to cross the border for a restaurant... But, once we heard that it was in Portland, we visited it within a week! And we are so glad (and stuffed) that we did! We went on a Sunday night around 6 and business looked a bit slow, although there was a pretty steady stream of people coming in and out over the course of the 1 1/2 hours we were there. I loved this place because it has some of my favorites stand bys (sorry about the spelling: navratan korma, and I don't remember the name, but the one with spinich and farmers cheese) as well as some new ones (to me at least) crispy fried halibut (a little salty, but wonderful in small bits) and fried eggplant (I don't know how they did it, but they managed to make the eggplant both flavorful and still firm, almost potato like, while not making it too greasy). The buffet is the way to go in my opinion, $11.95 for dinner (5:30-9pm) and I think $9 for lunch. You can sample all the stuff you love and experiment with the stuff you haven't tried before, and may even find some new favorites. Save room for the rice pudding and/or homemade soft serve mango ice cream!
(5)
Oliver R.
I concur! Giving this place 4 stars because, well, buffets just don't get 5 stars, even on cruise ships. Even in Vegas. But dang, if this isn't the best indian food i've had in portland. Granted, Portland sets the bar way low, but still, I'm a happy camper now that I've gone and visited. Unfortunately, i like my Indian food best taken with a hangover and an episode of the Wire, and these guys don't do takeout or delivery. Well, they *did* say that i was welcome to put together my own takeout order from off the b uffet, but that just makes me feel like I'm wasting the opportunity to gorge myself on all-you-can-eatness. Plus, then I have to work too hard to make it happen. Yet. I'm hoping that if i bug them enough, they might start doing order off of menu and takeout. Till then, it's strictly a buffet place. Still, solid stuff at a good price. Do me a favor and bug them to start doing a menu, k?
(4)
Jeffrey G.
Was craving some Indian tonight. I went with a friend from the east coast who lives Indian. Was pretty good. For $13 for dinner we were not expecting the Taj Mahal but it was worth it for an Indian fix. Mango ice cream is yummy. This place reminded me of going to an Indian buffet in the UK...questionable decor, so-so food but definitely fits the bill. Enjoy!
(3)
Katherine K.
I once had the opportunity to travel to India, but had to give it up to take a job. One of the biggest mistakes of my life. So instead, I try to eat Indian fare on a semi-regular basis to quell the pain I still feel. Luckily, Namaste is just down the road from my workplace, so I can bust on over to satiate my need for naan. Don't be discouraged when you walk in the door...because you will be and you will question my Yelp sanity. The decor reeks of cheap hotel restaurant (it's true the HoJo is right next door). The place used to be the old Steamers restaurant, and the good people who bought it never took down the Oregon yesteryear pictures or obnoxious floral booths. But the smells should reassure you. I love Indian spices, they tickle my nose hairs. The food is straight up Indian buffet, so you'll see all the usual suspects like veggie korma, chicken tikka, paneer, etc. But it's all really really tasty. The rice is served in a giant cooker, which I get, but wish it could be fresh. I'm not down with the goat (I'm a cutetarian, and can't make myself eat animals I think are cute, so no goat...or bunnies or baby cows or lambies), but I've been told it's good too. And when you have to unbutton your pants to shove another spoonful of basmati in your face, please consider that you still HAVE to try the mango soft serve. It makes the atmosphere completely a moot point. It is bright orange deliciousness that, be forewarned, if you drip on a blouse will not come out in the wash. Just sayin'.
(4)
Hari R.
It is important to know for context, so I say this, I eat Indian cuisine everyday. I have been hearing about this restaurant for a while and we went there Sat for their dinner buffet. I must say we were sorely disappointed by the taste of the items. We have been avoiding Indian buffets, in general, because the quality of the ingredients is almost always poor, starting with frozen vegetables and meat, serving leftovers from the previous day and what not. Still, if the taste is unique, we thought it is worth trying, but boy, this restaurant was all that and some. The taste of most of the curry dishes was sub par. I don't like wasting food, that was the only reason I finished what was on my plate. Sure, my kids appreciate the help yourself ice-cream cones and I do too, but that is not why I visit. May be, this restaurant is not catering to the palates of Indians and that is okay, but I hope they do. I must say, the service was good.
(2)
Lacy L.
I've generally had great meals here. This last time, however, was very unremarkable. 50% of the sauces tasted like Campbells Cream of Tomato soup with only slightly different flavor profiles. What happened Namaste??
(3)
Charlotte L.
Very friendly service, but overall poor quality food. The rice and fried appetizers at the buffet seemed like they may have been sitting out all day. Some of the dishes tasted pretty good, like traditional north Indian restaurant cuisine, but other dishes were not so good. We had mildly upset stomachs afterward, so unfortunately we cannot recommend this restaurant.
(2)
Jim P.
New location is a redone buffet, nothing to be desired. Food was ok at best, but it's a 13$ buffet, so go with that expectation and your expectations will be met.
(3)
Louise W.
I loved the food and the people were GREAT !! The coconut ice cream was a huge hit. The chicken was moist and tasty .
(5)
Hly N.
We came here for lunch buffet during the week and it was good. The best Indian food I've ever had was in London. This obviously wasn't nearly as good but better than some Indian I've had in the States. It was $10 for lunch per person and there were plenty of options, including rice, a variety of various chicken dishes, yogurt, chutney and naan. They even offered soft serve coconut or mango ice cream! Yum.
(3)
Andi O.
We've eaten at the buffet and have gotten al a carte take out. It's always been very tasty. My husband and I have very different levels of heat tolerance, it's a little too hot for him, but since it's so tasty, he soldiers through while wiping sweat beads off his bald noggin'. I on the other hand like the level of heat. Servers are a bit underwhelmed and I can't recall a time where they checked on us after the first order, so points off for that, but to be fair, we're usually in for a quick lunch anyway. Maybe they're peppier for the dinner crowd?
(4)
Paul L.
My real problem with this place was that anyone would rate it four stars. The food is mediocre at best. The saag paneer was over cooked, the curries are all for the faint of heart. The kids liked the butter chicken. I was excited that they had goat. It was not particularly tasty, unfortunately. All the food would have been a lot better if they had supplied some kind of condiment to spice things up. Actually, in all honesty, the place served our purposes for the evening. Three adults and three teens/ preteens, one who had never eaten Indian food, so it worked. The place is in the middle of a remodel, so don't expect a perfect setting. The wait staff seem to be the young children of the owners. Most not old enough to serve the beer we ordered. Otherwise they did well. BTW, they do have ninkasi. So long story short, I would have given them three stars just because of the fun evening, but the food is bland. Just so you know.
(2)
Ritesh G.
I went with my wife to this restaurant on valentines day and if you are an Indian, I don't believe you will appreciate their food. Nothing on the menu was worth the buffet price and had some strange tastes of garlic and cardamom. There was no sole paneer item in main course for vegetarians. On name of paneer there was palak panner, which was cooked awful. Gulab jamun in sweets were cold ! Who serves them cold. All in all we would never go this place again.
(1)
Kimberly H.
This is an Indian Buffet. Went with a group of 10. Five if which were kids. Everyone found food they liked. I thought the curry dishes were delightful and tasty. I gave this a 4 star as it was good for being a buffet. My kids ate. I left satisfied. Family of 5 (kids ages 7,6,6) plus a glass of wine was $51. I will return when in Portland.
(4)
Pete H.
A really really good and comprehensive Indian buffet. I've been here for both lunch and dinner. Excellent selection and everything tastes great. Very clean here also. I've eaten here probably 10 times over the course of the several years they have been open. I have always had a consistently good experience. The dinner is really really good. I think the main difference between lunch and dinner is just a few items, but the last time I went for dinner, I must have eaten probably 30 of the prawns- so good. Regardless of how great all the food and salad bar is, what is even better? They make their own homemade Mango Soft Serve ice cream. This is just so damn good. I can be stuffed to the gills from the rest of the buffet, but I still want to eat one or two servings of mango deliciousness before I leave. I'm glad I live pretty close to here.
(4)
Winnie F.
Huge variety, selection and different type of meats. From chicken to goat to lamb to veggies style..it's all there. Their fried selection is the biggest I ever seen in a buffet setting. Two types of rice to choose from. Home made mango ice cream and good cold selections. Service was OK, missed refiling our chai tea couple times. Parking was good- easy to find. Overall clean, but bathroom could use some work. Price was all right, about $9 for lunch and $12 for dinner. Had cheaper same quality Indian buffets elsewhere before. Location was close to me so I will return next time I crave Indian!
(3)
Sarah M.
This restaurant was one of my first Portland experiences and I have been back many times. I love their buffet (both lunch and supper) and wish I could eat there everyday! Their service is good and even when they're packed the atmosphere is nice. The food at the buffet is always fresh and you can count on your favourite dishes being there. Go try it!
(5)
Ravi Chandra M.
A horrible restaurant with decent interiors but with horrible attitude. We went here for a dinner and felt well at the beginning since there are very few restaurants that offer dinner buffets. And then we found that the chicken biryani finished and the chef was refusing to fill it and this was at about 745pm while the restaurant closes at 930. Then we going out that this is not specific to this dish but in general with other dishes too as they weren't refilling them. And at one point about 5-10 people were just waiting for new/clean plates for about 15 minutes until I went and talked to the last at the front desk. Overall a restaurant that can be avoided.
(2)
Kristine Y.
Today was a much better go! Vegetarian dishes were made very well, plenty of delicious paneer in palak paneer, tandoori chicken great - all is all very good. Still wouldn't come here for only makhani chicken, albeit an improvement - chicken pieces good but curry a little runny. I'm probably being picky... Everything was really great - 4 stars as curry was runny and the decor bugs me a little. Small things I know. I'm sure we will return and I'll be wishing for hot halva - was good. :)
(4)
Katie B.
The two-star rating describes it best: "Meh, I've had better." - but this place wasn't THAT bad, so I'll stick with three-stars. Came here for dinner while staying at the HoJo during a long road trip, lured by the idea of an all-you-can-eat buffet and dinner within walking distance. Can't beat the convenience. From the time that we were seated until we were well into our first buffet plate, our three cups sat empty on our table. The waitress walked past multiple times, but never even glanced at our lack of water - which is pretty important when you're eating Indian. Eventually, a man walked by, did a double take at our empty glasses, and sent a pitcher over immediately. Other than that, the food was good. Anyone who reviews this saying it's the best Indian food they've ever had has clearly not eaten very much Indian. The spices were all very, very mild, and the variety wasn't quite as impressive as I was expecting. Go for the soft serve dessert! We were so smitten with the coconut that we never tried the mango, but judging by the other reviews, both flavors are a hit. Namaste was good, but not great. During future visits to Portland, this place won't be on my list of places to eat.
(3)
John K.
Really good! Buffet style fresh and delicious! I will remain a regular customer.
(4)
Laura J.
Indian food is by far my favorite food, and this stuff was pretty darn good! The service was a little slow, but they were quite busy and I believe this was more of a family-run facility. My compliments go to their selection of vegan food. They had an ABUNDANCE!! And, they listed what was vegan right on the menu so I didn't have to ask a million questions. Everything was also so tasty and although I got my meal to go from the buffet, they were sure that I left with plenty of hot food. My only complaint was the lack of spiciness. I like my food spicy and I always figure that Indian cuisine delivers that but I feel like they almost altered their recipes to fit the masses. I get it, not everyone likes spicy. Still, I recommend this place to anyone that likes to stuff themselves with tasty eats for a very decent price!
(4)
Lynsy W.
so we started by sitting down without anybody giving us a menu and were just expected to choose the buffet. Then the wait staff was very pushy about ordering drinks 4times we were approached. When we had no other options we went for the buffet which was very disappointing. we will not go back :(
(2)
Charlie B.
This place is definitely one of the better Indian food buffets in town. We come here 4 or 5 times a year and have yet to have a bad experience. I like that their vegan and vegetarian options are clearly marked. It seems to be a family operated business and it's not uncommon for their very young daughter to be running the cash register which we always get a kick out of.
(4)
Cee B.
Good food, don't get me wrong. But it gets the low rating for overall ambience. I'm here on a night that's not busy at all, and the one waitress I've seen in the whole place wouldn't sit me until she placed down her beer. Then I got a dirty table, until I moved myself. Later, had to find her so I could order a mango lassi (delicious by the way). So in review. I enjoyed the food. Could've won me over with better service though.
(2)
Chiemi N.
I love Indian food...not too fond of buffets, though. I've been to Namaste once or twice before, and I remembered it to be better. A group of friends wanted to go to Namaste after we met for coffee. Now, I was supposed to go play tennis, and on hindsight, probably would have been a better choice. But, I love Indian food, and I love the group of friends that I ended up going to lunch with. I know my favorites, and usually dive right into those offerings. I will take tiny tastes of things I am unsure of. It all tasted ok. It's buffet, so the service is mostly self-serve. But the staff was quick to clear the used plates away. The seating of booths and tables with padded chairs are comfortable. The decor of plastic flowers and Home Interior type pictures are a little cheesy. I live way over on the westside, so I wouldn't drive out of my way to eat here. But, if a friend wanted to go, and I was in the neighborhood, I wouldn't be opposed to going!
(3)
Kyle I.
Great buffet. Lots of options. They are always refilling the naan with warm, fresh bread. Namaste chicken is fabulous And make sure to save room for the mango ice cream!
(4)
Rat B.
We wanted a special night out to celebrate, but we should have looked elsewhere. Clearly they want you to just eat the buffet here, and we didn't realize that when we picked the place. I mean, who goes to a buffet at 8pm? There's no telling how long those steam table trays have been sitting there. It's always best to go to a buffet during the busiest hours so the food is freshest. Anyhow, after waiting for a couple minutes, the lone waitress seated us at a filthy table directly next to the buffet and asked if we wanted drinks. We didn't know yet if we wanted drinks, as we hadn't seen a menu. She gave us two pitchers of water (for three people mind you) and disappeared. Twenty minutes later we flagged down the only other employee we would see, the bartender, and begged for menus. He brought them right away. Fifteen minutes after that, the waitress returned and wrestled with understanding our orders and writing them down. I'm sympathetic to the woman, because it's a big restaurant and she's doing all the busing etc. It appeared there were several buffet lovers seated in other parts of the place, so there's no telling how her night has been going. I've worked enough food service jobs to be more than patient about situations like this. Ten minutes later we got our drinks, which were pretty good (except the margarita came with sugar on the rim instead of salt - never seen that one before). Twenty minutes later, we were served our lukewarm and mediocre dishes. The lamb khurma was not impressive at all, and half the lamb chunks were tough - a major letdown since I rarely order lamb. The chicken tikka masala was the best of the bunch, but still not great. The malai kofta was simply bad and another huge letdown. The salads were fresh but the rice was not. And I don't know what they served, but it was nan-like only in shape and seasoning, and nothing like traditional nan you can find elsewhere. It was like Boboli or something. Still, at least it was kinda warm, which the rice was not. Did I mention rice disappointment? Also, how do you fuck up rice? Probably by making gigantic batches in the morning to serve all day long... The ambiance was mish-mashed with old pioneer days photos and weird indian paintings, set in a cafeteria feel that makes Izzy's seem snazzy. The men's room clearly hadn't received any attention all day, and it was absurd how much trash was on the floor. I got the distinct impression that they try and get by with as few employees on the clock as they can, and it really shows. I would consider trying the buffet for lunch at some point if this place were closer to home, but even then I'm not sure I could justify materially supporting such a place when there are many other options for Indian cuisine that I can try. I don't blame the poor woman who seated us for the crappy service, but rather whomever is running the joint. Namaste, bitches (that's a regretsy reference)
(2)
Nancy K.
I've been here a few times and have enjoyed the food here. I like that they have 4-5 different curries, a couple different naan and rice options, salad, soups and dessert! Seriously, how could you go wrong with this kind of variety? The food is definitely a 4-star experience for me but the condition of the restaurant itself is 2-stars on a good day. The booths are really worn out (the one I was sitting at was torn up and taped together). You will be sorely disappointed if you're coming for some ambiance. You won't find it here. But if you can get past that, the food is quite tasty and the service is decent too.
(3)
Lezley L.
My stomach still hurts from overindulging in this AYCE goodness. Dang you Naan and mint chutney for being so delicious. The only two dishes I did not enjoy was the Tandoori chicken (so dry that I had to dip it in other sauces just to chew it) and goat curry (I like goat but this was too chewy for me). The lamb was nice & tender. The other dishes were tasty. You definitely have to save room for their mango ice cream - wow that just topped off the night. Oh I guess I should mention how interesting the wall paper is. Reading other reviews, I guess it use to be a steakhouse so that explains why it has Old Western wall paper. BTW the buffet is around $13/person which isn't bad for AYCE. ------Mint chutney--------
(4)
Brandon D.
Came here for lunch one Friday with several co-workers that had been here before. It had been years since I had amazing Indian food, and I'm going to have a wait a bit longer before I do again (not that I was expecting a buffet to do that for me). With that said, this place is definitely worth it considering the price of the buffet is under $10! There is a very solid selection of food, although I would steer away from the fried items unless you can get them right when they are brought out. I enjoyed all of their curries and the Goat Masala was shockingly good (there are quite a few Indian restaurants that'll charge you more for just masala and it won't be as good). My two favorite curries were the Special 64 (I think that's what it was called) and a green curry that for the life of me I can't remember (didn't take notes like I usually do...). The Chicken Tandoori was quite good too. Not too much to say about service (it's a low price buffet after all), it's what you'd expect really. As for decor...Well you come here for food, so yeah. All in all, it was a good and filling lunch that left me in near slumber for the rest of the work day. I guess that mean Namaste did their job!
(3)
Claude W.
Best value I have seen in a long time. If you are curious about Indian food, you should go. If you like Indian food, don't miss it. If you are cheap you'll have spare change to try their Himalayan Single Malt. If you are hungry, start walking. The buffet is so comprehensive that from soup to ice cream you will discover new flavors. Interested to compare goat to lamb? It's there, along with the Indian classic dishes and unlimited roti and naan breads. My only regret is that they are not in San Jose :-(
(5)
Tom S.
This is very good Indian food in an unpretentious setting (what appears to be a former Howard Johnson's restaurant). Overall spicyness factor (new term) is medium, not bland and not outrageously hot either. At $9.95 their lunchtime buffets are not cheap, but the food is at least as good as some of the more upscale Indian restaurants in Portland. My brief interactions with the servers and cashiers have been pleasant. Recommended.
(4)
Jordan L.
I saw the other Yelp reviews mentioning cockroaches, so I checked the Multnomah County health dept. website first. They scored a 94 last November so I figured it was safe. Took the family to dinner Friday night. The place was clean, the food was excellent and we all left very, very full! My only complaint is that $13 per person seems a little steep, but over-all we had a great experience. As for the complaints about decor - it didn't used to be an Indian place. It was a traditional buffet for years and years before the current folks took over and changed the cuisine.
(5)
James V.
Thank you for having so many flavorful vegetarian dishes. The Saag Paneer is lovely.
(4)
Evelyn S.
Went with a bunch of friends for Buffet Lunch...I must first acknowledge that I am not a fan of buffets...meanwhile...I did not enjoy the food at this one very much...luckily the company was good. Food was all just "ok", nothing was bad, nothing was great. Servers were nice. $10 for a lunch is a steep price to pay when it is all mediocre and doesn't even include a beverage. Bottom line - I won't be going back anytime soon, if ever.
(2)
Leah H.
I don't understand anyone that rips on Namaste's decor. Who cares? This is a buffet we are reviewing here. My expectations are reasonable prices, good tasting food, and ability to wear clothes that let my waist expand after eating way too much. Last thing I'm looking for is how stylish the carpet is...or...whatever people critique when it comes to ambiance. Namaste was one of my first experiences with Indian food. This is when I learned that I could combine my love for rice and bread IN ONE MEAL...all while eating with my hands! Three things I love! Since then I have tried many other Indian restaurants as well and continue to give props to Namaste for their variety of non-chicken items. I can eat a meal there happily with no meat at all. But they also provide lamb and goat options which are totally tasty. The mint sauce is deliciously green and a little bit spicy. I love eating it with the samosas, pakoras, or just the hot fluffy naan. I do wish there were spicy dishes available. The mango soft serve kind of creeps me out. The flavor is not really there and it is neon orange. I generally stay far away from that stuff. The service is pretty nonexistent but that's alright; it is a buffet. They offer lunch and dinner. Their dinner offering stands them apart from other Indian buffets and it is only about $12. I don't ever eat at buffets but Namaste has become the exception.
(4)
Savvy G.
So a good friend of mine wanted to meet up here. Holy moly it's random lol it's an Indian place with old western Decor lol let me just say it's delicious, was packed and worth the commute!
(5)
Ronald A.
We got take out from here tonight. This was our first visit. It will not be our last. We ordered rogan josh and a vegetable khorma. Both were flavorful. They each had just the right spice. Add in the naan and a bit of rice. Good meal all around.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes 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.
Wes And April C.
Excellent place for getting to know Indian food. Buffet style with many delicious options. Our favorites were the Chicken Tikka Masala, the Lamb Jal Frazie and the Navaratan Khoorma. Don't forget to get the mango ice cream, it tastes exactly like your eating a blended mango. Yum!
(4)Mitch R.
Went back again and had a similar experience - the first time wasn't a fluke. Excellent food, excellent service, excellent value...just all around a great place. I've been a designated driver both times I've been, so I haven't tried their drinks (which look interesting and different), but other than that I can vouch for this place wholeheartedly.
(4)val s.
Used to love this place, it is near my neighborhood. Last time I was here though I saw a cockroach ON THE BUFFET. Then everything started grossing me out..like the ripped up seats... Sad.
(1)Anthony N.
I don't understand why this place has such good reviews. Its not bad per say, but it is most definitely unimpressive. Swagat on NW 21is far far better! If u just want a Indian food buffet this is your place. However you can get similar quality food from the taste of India cart in heart burn alley for far cheaper, and you will have left overs. Anyways more on topic... namaste staff is friendly. Lunch buffet is $9, dinner is $13. There are a fair number of choices on the buffet and many sauces to choose from. The navaratan khoorma is the onemain dish that stood out as having a robust flavor. Everything else is at best ok. Go to Swagat, lil pricey but well worth it!
(2)Rosetta S.
Not the best Indian in the metro are. The best there is the samosa, followed by the ice cream. But its not very good Indian food. Not full of flavor, selection is poor and everything tastes similar. Service is good. Not atmosphere I like. I won't be going back, or telling anyone to stop in. Not worth the money.
(2)Brett S.
Food is below avg for indian food imo. I think people that rave about this place are not that familiar with indian food. The food was just very blah and it didnt consist of all the spices that i am so fond of when eating indian food. Food quality is very low. As a portland noobie, my search continues for good indian food.
(2)Mark D.
Incredible.....very deep flavors.....abundance of choices ......so glad a friend took me to the lunch buffet...!.....when we drove up the people going in were the of the same ethnicity as the food being offered....always a good sign.....so much to enjoy and enough time to enjoy it all....big upholstered dining booths for the two of us....old style and great....the windows looked out on a nicely kept wooded area with big trees ... Great price for a lot of food ....quality ingredients....I told the wait staff to thank the chefs and the excellent work of their kitchen....older experience chefs I'm sure So highly recommended ....I'll be back most definitely ....thanks namaste....
(5)Celia C.
Two of us shared a generous dish of palek paneer and still brought some home. It smelled and tasted like it had a little cinnamon (?) but it was GOOD. I mean, melt-in-your-mouth good! The mango lassis were devine- they weren't too cold and I found that I drank half of mine in the first sip. Not because they're small-- oh no. They fill a pint glass to the brim with the bright orange mango shake. Decor= confusing. There was train wallpaper on the walls of one booth. Actually the place itself seemed like a Denny's- bright, bland, and the booths were uncomfortable. There was a big buffet. I'm not a fan of buffets so I just ordered dinner. Recommendation: order their food to go once a week. I would go again for take-out.
(4)britt C.
I see all the good reviews and I'm confused..did we not eat at the same restaurant?? We walk in to this place and wait a few minutes to be seated no biggie, they seat us right next to the buffet! Think like the buffet is in the middle and all the booths run parallel to it! It was so weird to sit literally two feet away from people getting all their food. It felt like a cafeteria..(not a good place to spend my 21st birthday!) We expected to order off the menu but was told it would take 30 minutes so we decided to go with the buffet. The website made it seem like this was slightly fancy hence going here for the birthday, sadly mistaken. To describe the food in one word is BLAND. Yes they have a lot of options but what does that matter if it sucks? Yes I am going there, it sucked!!! No spice, no depth of flavor, no richness. It actually pains me to write about a bad restaurant but people need to know. By the way we poured all the water from the pitcher & it was not refilled at all so we ended up passing around our leftover water to wash the food down, we don't mind but I am sure not most are willing to share water from each other's cups. The only pros: On the east side, ample parking.
(2)Rosy D.
Great food, Very Clean, Fast with the water refills. I'd def go back
(5)Erin D.
Kind of a strange location, but that's neither here nor there because the lunch buffet was very nice. A wonderful selection of all sorts of dishes! I kind of fell in love with the spiced rice pudding, I could've eaten several bowls if I wasn't trying to watch my girlish figure.
(4)Ryan L.
Absolute junk! This is the worst Indian food in Portland and people love it...WHY? Three different friends recommended this and they are all dead ass wrong. The food is cheaply made and tastes like microwave Indian cuisine. Every dish is soupy, salty and flavorless. The people that love this place must have sand paper for taste buds. It's bland and gross and I had to suffer the next day with some vicious mud butt. Just say Nomaste and go to Dwarka.
(1)S. H.
Yummy, yummy, yummy! Lots of great veggie options as well as goat and chicken. Everything was well seasoned and fresh. The service, which is obviously minimal at a buffet, was surprisingly wonderful. I inquired about papadum and the server said she was new and that she thought they usually only served it at dinner. I figured no big deal because I was already stuffed and only one plate into the feast, not to mention there was an assortment of other hot naan to choose from. Then, the sweetheart delivered a basket of the delectable treats! I couldn't have been happier. I left quite sated and I will definitely be back.
(4)Aimee R.
I had heard good things about this place, but was pretty underwhelmed. They have a menu but it seems like the buffet it the main reason to go. The buffet had a good selection, but the food itself seemed pretty sub par compared to most other Indian food I've eaten. I guess you get what you pay for though, it was cheap (12.95 for all you can eat buffet).
(2)Sonny D.
I was craving some Indian food. Heard great things about this place. I went here for the lunch buffet. The food was good just not a lot of selection for a buffet. You always had to look for someone to refill your water or drink instead of someone coming to ask you if you wanted a refill. I would refill my own drink if there was a machine that dispenses it out in the buffet area and not in the kitchen. I give it 3 stars would of been five if there were more of a selection and if there was some sort of customer service. Feels like they just want you to eat, pay and move on.
(3)Amanda B.
Good. Good. Good. I don't care if it's a buffet. Seriously guys, it's the best Indian food I've had in Portland. $12.95 for an all you can eat dinner on Fridays and Saturdays and it's totally worth it. The selection was great, the naan was soft and fresh. All their dishes were flavorful and delicious! They even offered two paneer dishes loaded with chunks of cheese. We had gulab jamun, kheer and homemade mango ice cream for dessert. The restaurant is family owned - the owner and everyone else was great. Namaste is surrounded by sketchy airport hotels, but don't let that fool you. It's one of my favorites now!
(5)david v.
Four stars Yelpers? Seriously?! Have you guys ever tried GOOD Indian food? PDX is admittedly short on really good Indian grub, but maybe people are mistaking quantity for quality here. The buffet is pretty huge, but not one one dish was memorable in any way. Three words describe this place- Bleh, meh and ugh. I just came back from India and it's a stretch to call this food Indian.
(2)Kristina L.
Big Indian buffet. Freakishly quiet. You're greeted at the door & basically don't get talked to again until you leave to pay. A bit of a weird feel/ambianace, but the buffet is pretty good so it sorta helps make up for it.
(4)M M.
The food is good, the service I experienced during dinner a few months back led me to never step foot in the restaurant again. I would've given them one star for the service, but I cannot deny the food was good.
(2)Carrie S.
I've been waiting for more east side Indian restaurants for a very long time. This place has a HUGE dinner buffet and good food. If you like people watching and don't mind the atmosphere you should try this place.
(4)Melisa C.
My neighborhood is not exactly a hot spot of fine dining so when Namaste took over the old Steamers restaurant at the HoJo on Sandy I didn't get too excited. I love Indian food but over the years have been less impressed with the standard array of heavy North Indian curries and more drawn to the lighter, fresher flavors of South India enough that I regularly make the trek from Parkrose to Hillsboro for dosa, idli, and the like. But any Indian food is better than no Indian food in my mind and I really wanted to support a new local business so we were there for opening night and have returned many times since as we've been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food and the variety of dishes. Namaste isn't about atmosphere--it's all bright fluorescent lights, faded vinyl flooring, lumpy booths, and oddly incongruous art (black and white photos of old Oregon compete with brilliant prints of old Punjab). If you're lucky, the cook will be blasting bhangra from the kitchen but otherwise it's quiet. The food is great. Not the best ever, but so much fresher tasting than I'd expected. You'll regularly find at least 4 meat curries and 4 veg, a couple of breads, 2 types of rice, chutneys, pickle, raita, and a few desserts. There's usually some type of pakora and the occasional samosa as well. The naan is always warm and fresh, and the chutneys are fiery and delicious. There's only been one dish I haven't liked. The folks who work there are super nice and friendly which I really appreciate. The prices seem fair for an all you can eat buffet which makes it a great deal if you happen to have growing teens to feed. Even my spice averse daughter finds plenty to eat and the soft serve mango ice cream is a highlight for her. Make sure to go hungry and take your time exploring and enjoying.
(4)J T.
Great variety, wonderful service. Even my cautious-with-new-flavors husband loved the lamb and goat dishes. Vegans will find ample selections, too.
(5)Alicia Y.
Great food but very odd decor...the train theme is still on the walls and is very out of place. The lighting is very institutional and bright. Service is quick and friendly. There is a great variety of meat and vegetarian choices as well as salads, chutney, and naans. Kind of a far drive but worth it for a cheap date night, we will be back. Please fix the decor though, it really needs help!
(4)sarah s.
I loved this place when it was in Vancouver, but I love it even more now that it is in Portland and so much closer! The staff was really friendly and helpful and they did a great job or restocking the buffet as much as it was needed. Everything we ate was amazing. I've been really disappointed with the Indian food I've found in Portland (aside from the carts downtown) and Namaste is what I had been dreaming of! $12.95 for good quality all you can eat is an amazing deal and there is a lot of good variety. They are awesome at what they do!
(5)Ken K.
Very small buffet. Dissapointed but food was ok. The big group of fruit flies surrounding the mango ice cream machine was lovely.
(2)Greg H.
Delighted to find an adventurous and tasty lunch buffet. Goat masala yum. Good choice if you find yourself needing a meal in the culinary wasteland that is Sandy and 82nd.
(4)Cheryl G.
We were a little frightened the first time we went to Namaste. It was way out there, in a Ho-Jos and looked very thrown together..wagon wheels and brocade booths with random Indian prints. Once we felt the fear and did it anyway, we were hooked. Nice people, good inexpensive food and all you want of it. Yippy!
(4)Ren D.
Great food at great prices and it's amusing to look at the old train decor from the previous restaraunt. I didn't go there for the indian ambiance I went there for the food which is excellent.
(4)Dwan J.
yay! finally an indian restaurant in NE Portland!! so tired of driving to other areas of portland to eat at fancy expensive indian restaurants...so i end up cooking. now i can eat out close to home. i spend 4 months every year in india and i am always perplexed as to why all indian restaurants in the USA are fancy expensive restaurants. india is not like that. namaste has a huge buffet and everything i tried is excellent. has several veg and non-veg options, including more "obscure" meats like lamb and goat. and mango ice cream for dessert. the decor is not fancy at all...even a little kitschy. perfect! and frankly, it's india authentic! the turban headed waiters with the cloth napkins you will find serving you at overpriced indian restaurants is NOT authentic. lunch buffet is $8.95 dinner buffet is $11.95 ALL YOU CAN EAT signage and posters are straight from the mother country. so are the people...(i love hearing the Hindi language spoken there) even the beer! they have at least 3 imported beer varieties, including my favorite: kingfisher! sweeeeet er, i mean "aré vaha" namaste
(4)Jules D.
I do not profess to be an Indian food expert. I am a big fan of it, though. I eat it when I can and sometimes cook it at home. I consider Taste of India in Seattle to be an example of consistently good Indian food. I went to Namaste on a Wednesday night because of its Yelp reviews. It was not busy. My partner and I both found the food to be one intolerably salty dish after another. I mean REALLY salty. The only way I could get it down was to keep eating the desserts throughout the meal to kill off the saltiness. There was a dish or two that were okay, but the standards like Palak Paneer, Masala and Tikka were pure salt. Also, after seating us, we never saw the hostess/waitress again, not to take away plates even, nothing. And yes, the decor is crap, but its something I'll easily overlook for good food. We developed several theories for our experience verses other Yelp reviews: (1) It was slow and the dishes were sitting for awhile and steaming out. We've noticed by cooking at home that sometimes steamy dishes will get too salty between cooking and serving. (2) There are different chefs and on our night there was a heavy smoker preparing most of the meals (3) The positive reviews were by people who consider ganga an appetizer and loved the all-you-can-eat option. The one star is for the mango lasse soft serve. A very nice treat. But not worth the $13 you'll pay to have dinner there.
(1)Lulu F.
After reading the ratings here I decided to check it out, but wish I had chosen another place! To me 1 star means I will not go back unless I am starving and there is no other place to get any food. Like if a fruit stand were nearby, I would go there instead. It's a buffet so my expectations were not high to begin with. The decor and general atmosphere were as expected- very much like Old Country Buffet. Service? Typical buffet. So the real point-the food! I expected soooooo much more. I do think it should be known that I like it hot! If it doesn't make you sweat, at least a Iittle, then it isn't good Asian. There was quite a variety, but it was all 0 stars on a spice scale of 1-5 stars. The naan was an abomination!!! I could have made that crap at home and I only prepare meals 4 ways- microwave, take-out, steamed or raw. It was like white bread dough that they squished out on a baking sheet- YUCK! If you wanna stuff your belly on the cheap($10 for lunch) then this could satisfy you. Or if you like bland and no spice go for it. If your friend's little Indian momma serves you food with a side of plain yogurt to cool your mouth 'cause she's about to blaze all your taste buds and you love it-steer clear of Nasty, I mean Namaste.
(1)Ryan C.
3 words - MANGO ICE CREAM! crazy good soft serve they have, home made and taste super good! food wise was not too bad, has a goat meat curry, lamb curry, 2 chicken curries, many othe veggies ones but doesn't interest me! ahaha! the naan were so-so, a bit flour-ry.. not moist and oily enough but it does its job when dipped with some curry. price's good for dinner buffet, $12. howeverrrr, don't eat this often if u wanna live.. i think they use too much MSG (monosodium glutamate), that's flavor enhancer for those that don't understand. left me super thirst after eating! plus, goat and coconut milk is not that good for you cholesterol level! hahahah!
(4)Hillary R.
this was my first destination that i found through yelp in portland that i LOVED (stay tuned for a future two star rating of paley's place). i won't say it is the best indian in portland- i prefer bombay- but bombay is pricey as donkey donk. for the price and variety on the lunch buffet, namaste is the best i've had. Positives: the huge round booths two kinds of naan, including the beloved garlic huge amount of rice, kept warm in a separate area at least 8 different kinds of warm food, including a goat offering everything on buffet has a different taste (though all could have been a bit spicier) decent veggie selection- the veggie curries were the favorite of our entirely meat eating group. parking lot three stalls (at least in the women's bathroom), for those of you who have immediate post-eating issues like myself big salad area of buffet, not just a couple lettuce and tomato bits good sauce options- the spicy one rocked two kinds of soup- though the ginger one was meh good service- quick pop refills if you have not been, go now.
(5)Jessica D.
I work near this restaurant so go here often. The buffet is super good. I wouldn't say it's the best Indian food I've ever had but it's pretty tastey with a wide variety to meet your needs. The naan is wonderful! Plenty of meat and vegetarian options. Not a fan of the mango ice cream though but nice for dessert if that's your thing.
(4)T. N.
We tried this place out again recently and wow, what a difference! Their currys were actually spicy, some were very spicy...hubs and I like that! Still love their mango icecream and their veggie pakoras. Will go here again if we crave for Indian for dinner.
(4)Tristin M.
Nice Indian buffet. The staff could have been friendlier, but the food was good. A nice lunch option especially if you're limited on time.
(4)Kate P.
I usually hate buffets. All you can eat is generally a big rip off for me, because I can't eat very much in one sitting. And large quantities of mediocre food doesn't impress me. However, Namaste is my favorite Indian restaurant in town. For the price of an entree at most other Indian restaurants, you can get the whole buffet. You get to try a whole variety of very good dishes. And I love the mango lassi soft serve! This place is usually pretty busy, so the food is replaced often and always hot and fresh. And they have a huge selection of dishes to choose from!
(5)Lydia R.
This was the best Indian food I've had in a long time. The mango soft serve was very good, what a great way to end a perfect lunch! Super affordable too!
(5)Nick R.
The food was ok. The atmosphere was weird. The staff seemed reluctant to help. Will not be going back.
(2)Daniel W.
its alright but I think ill look for another Indian place.
(2)Scott A.
Just average food. Pretty much what you'd expect from a buffet. Some good dishes but the spices were a bit weak overall.
(3)Carmel K.
I added this business, not sure if I got the address correct but it's in the same building "Steamers" used to be in so I found the address for them... My husband said this is the best Indian food he has ever eaten and he is hard to impress since he makes homemade Indian at home. We went to the lunch buffet, I really loved how there were so many choices and an even amount of vegetarian and meat choices. The people working were all very friendly, always checking to see if we needed anything. The building is across from the Grotto so if you get a window seat in the right spot you get an amazing view of the trees across the way.
(5)Christian B.
As a fan of the Vancouver, WA restaurant, I was glad to spot this on this side of the river. Simply put - same food that was over in Vancouver, just 10 or so miles South. And that's not a bad thing; my wife and I used to dislike having to go to Vancouver just to get awesome Indian food. Glad that they're in Portland and we will be visiting a lot, as we have been since it has opened. Definitely recommended!
(5)Lisa H.
The service was friendly and the atmosphere was way better than I expected after reading reviews about wagon wheel decor. The only "wagon wheel" things I saw were the front doors. Anyway, the food was tasty, included mango ice cream, and I was quite happy with my experience. The only thing I would change is to add more choices to the buffet. The Namaste location in Vancouver has a much wider variety of choices. Overall, I totally recommend this place!
(4)Reed E.
Yum yum yum. Really good Indian grub found here. The garlic naan, some veggie dish, the chicken on the bone, and the mango ice cream were my faves (I'm not too good with names). Not too spendy, but the selection was a wee bit small and the staff were hard to be found. We had to get the guy out of the bar to pay our bill. I remember coming here when it was Steamers, before we hit the Grotto for xmas fun. The decor has not changed. There's a lovely steam train motif that really transports you to a simpler time. Despite these nuances, I will return.
(4)Nicole M.
to be honest I'm a snob when it comes to buffet food. It is simply the best way to get food poisoning so I stay far away from it--normally. Not at Namaste. Food here is fresh--all of the stations are clean and well tended to. I lived in India for a year--and this food is very food for portland standards--none of the Swagat garbage. People are friendly, service is laid back. Food is delicious and varied. If it wasn't for my waistline I'd be back all the time--but I can safely say I will make it there once a month.
(4)Mick R.
Great Indian buffet - very fresh - but there is only booth seating.
(4)Sion H.
We tried this place based on the reviews. After trying one short plate, not so much. Buffet was very poor in flavor and quite lifeless. Although the rice and fish pakora was acceptable the rest had very little to offer. I had a salted lassi that was awful and my partner's chai was undrinkable. The naan was dry and cold. Namaste? Stay away!
(1)Noel M.
I absolutely love Namaste. There are a lot of Indian restaurants I like in Portland, but if I'm really in the mood to stuff myself with as many different dishes as possible - this buffet is the place to go. Yeah, there was a drug bust going down in the parking lot next door when we pulled up for lunch one day and the decor is weird - I really don't mind - I mean, there is homemade mango ice cream waiting for me inside! The staff is SO friendly and if you really know the menu, they might sneak you some dessert thats not out on the buffet.
(4)Eggland B.
There might be some debate as to the "authenticity" of Namaste's food... I can't help you there, but it was TASTY!! The people were nice, there was tons of food (it's a buffet... $11.95 for dinner), and plenty of open seating. We didn't go into the lounge, but the chalkboard sign said $1 domestic beers and $2 microbrews. Cheap! I had some new things and some familiar things. One of the nice surprises were these little balls that resembled donut holes that had been soaked in honey... delicious!! The mango ice cream was nice also... not too sweet. There were lots of meat-based and vegetarian dishes. They were all good and ranged from mild to very spicy. The naan was a little dry. That was a disappointment, but it wasn't so bad that I would knock off any points for that. The only reasons I couldn't give this place five stars was that it was UTTERLY lacking in ambiance. It felt like a cafeteria run by Indians. If they had located their establishment on Hawthorn or in Sellwood, in a nicer building, they would be making money hand over fist. We'd definitely go back!
(4)Alex G.
This is a no brainer.. fantastic indian food, quickly replenished buffet... a dinner buffet at that! Equally good for carnivores and vegetarians. Comfy large booths and servers that didnt give me the stink eye when my 2 year old dropped rice everywhere under her high chair. I think I ate my weight in garlic naan and they had these amazing shrimp. The medium sized ones, not the chinsy little ones.. with a dry spice mixture on them. They were so good. I wouldnt hesitate to go back and after our recent trip to Portland and alot of dismal food, I wish we would have eaten here every night during our stay.
(5)Data S.
Disgusting! Over priced garbage!
(1)Yana Y.
Dear Namaste, Perhaps you're not so bad, perhaps my experience could have been much better had I been more attentive to other reviews that regaled your buffet, perhaps it is all my fault. Having searched for a new Indian restaurant to try out and craving some Indian desserts in particular, Namaste's name popped up. I looked at your website and was fooled by your flashy animation. The pictures in your gallery lied to me, promising delicious cocktails, fancy sweets, and beautifully presented curries. Your website also promised a menu, which I didn't see, but then again maybe I didn't know the secret handshake. The decor is odd and I would understand having no time to redecorate, but at the very least you could take down the christmas-y angel basket that stared at me throughout my meal. And the meal.... I am vegetarian so I guess sometimes buffets feel like a cheat, even when they are not, because I can only eat 1/3 of the selection. The highlight was an eggplant curry, the sadness came from the samosas and the really stale gulab jamun. Alas, you may change your ways and we shall meet again. But until then, I'll keep searching.
(2)Limnos L.
This place is really unusual because it's part of a motel and the decor is strange but it has great Indian food. It's a standard buffet style place.
(5)Anni B.
I have to give this place five stars. Close the homestead, AMAZINGLY delicious Indian food, affordable, friendly, and the choices, wow, they blow the doors off any Indian buffet in Portland, or at least the ones I have visited so far. Two different types of rice and three different varieties of naan? Some of the sauces look and taste so exotic (well, for me anyway), it would take at least two or three visits to get through them all. Yum! The decor is really funky because it used to be an old timey lounge for the hotel next door, but it definitely is fun to look at all the old logger photos of early Oregon. Highly recommended!
(5)Janet K.
Certainly inexpensive, and very laid back. However, the food is not particularly fresh or inspired, but load up your plate and chow down, 'cause it's cheap and there is lots of it.
(2)Emily M.
This resturant is soooooo goood! Once you start eating you cant stop. I used to hate indian food cause it never tasted good, but obviously I've been going to the wrong place. Everything is delicious. EVERYTHING. one of my favs is the rice pudding and all the curries are creamy and delicious! Go! It's awesome. I promise.
(5)Ronald C.
Wow. Within five minutes of sitting down I was grinning from ear to ear, and within 20 minutes I was shivering with giddy happiness and yummy spicy warmth. The perfect balance of spice and heat, and all the dishes (as many as I could try) were exceptional.
(5)Hannah H.
Namaste! One of my favorite Indian resaurants! The family who owns namaste is so pleasant, I always feel happy giving them business, bringing all my friends, and recommending them to everyone! Baljeet is on top of his game keeping the food fresh, since it is a buffet. He seems to always make it a priority to have fresh nan which is greatly appreciated! The buffet is always veggie friendly! My favorite curries are the Navatran mixed vegetable...very creamy and deliscious, also the Palak paneer! It is VERY hard to find the right portions going at first, because you totally have to try everything! and make sure to NOT skip the homemade mango ice cream!!! I am not a BIG fan of ice cream, but this ice cream is amaaaazing and is the perfect taste to end the meal with!
(5)Sheila J.
Reading the reviews set me up for a high expectation. I would say this is a decent and tasty Indian buffet( tried the dinner). However its not a stand out in my opinion. Being indian, I will say that I am picky about what Indian food I would consider 4 or 5start. As such I would still vote Chennai Masala as my favorite.
(3)Melissa P.
Best buffet I have ever been to! They have garlic nan and homemade mango ice cream! They have a great variety for salad, rice, meat and vegetarian choices. And the service was nice too! I don't know what some people are talking about the place having a bad atmosphere, and lighting I thought it was great!
(5)Evan H.
This is one of the more surreal places to eat in Portland. The ambience / dining experience is a juxtaposition I find difficult to describe. On our visit, the food was generally very good, with lots of vegetarian options, if it wasn't blazingly spicy (which how we prefer our Indian food--which is more or less trad). The buffet price is what you'll find elsewhere, if you can find an Indian buffet for dinner in Portland. Again, the food was generally better than what we've had in our beloved hometown (which is weak for Indian, admittedly). We'll definitely be back to Namaste and will recommend a visit to others. Oh, and the mango soft serve is a funny, rather brilliant way to end the meal. Don't miss this restaurant if you think you might like to eat an Indian buffet in a weird space.
(4)Mary D.
My new favorite Indian Buffet in Portland is at Namaste. I came here on Monday for the $11.95 Dinner Buffet. The quality and the selection of items was mind blowing. I used to live in the San Francisco Bay Area and visited many an Indian Buffet and have never seen so extensive a selection of dishes on a buffet. The rice is kept warm in rice cookers including a biriyani (chicken on the night I went). They have two soups, lots of vegetarian and about 10 different meat dishes. All are the dishes taste different, fresh, and aren't salty. When you sit down they ask you what kind of naan Plain? or Garlic? and they deliver a basket of piping hot naan to your table. They have three different desserts galub jamun (sweet donut balls), rice pudding (with spices and tapioca pearls), and mango soft serve ice cream ( Tasty and a vibrant cal-trans orange). We talked with the owner and they plan on offering a menu when the economy turns around. Until then you can enjoy diverse dishes on their buffet.
(5)Jeffrey H.
I lived in the Bay Area for several years where there was indian food everywhere. This is the best indian food buffet I have ever eaten by far. There were about 20 different main entrees to choose from and all of the entrees I tried were really delicious. The food was hot (temperature) and full of flavor. Service was very fast. I will definitely be returning. Price was $11.95 for dinner buffet which seemed very reasonable for how much food was made available.
(5)Nikolos R.
i'm usually not keen on buffets. generally they just aren't my thang.... but there are always exceptions.....and namaste is it! buffet is clean and well cared for food is kept fresh and the service is friendly. great $3 white russian specials from time to time.
(5)Jodi N.
I live nearby and it's awesome to have Namaste as a place to go to for comfort food. There are many options at the buffet and food is excellent! Staff are friendly, and prices are fair. The only problem is that you have to get past the fact that it is decorated/set-up like you're eating in a hotel lobby or hotel conference room. None of the decor really matches.. But who cares..as long as good food is there!
(4)Julie S.
I absolutely loved eating here. The food was very good. There were a lot of Indian people eating here as well which is always a good sign that it's legit. I loved that we weren't given any menus. We weren't told any prices or how we would be charged for our food. I talked to the owner after we were done eating and he said that if we ever wanted to order something specific we could call ahead and he would make it and put it in the buffet. ** now that's good service ** The waitress was a bit young, but adorable. The Tikka Masala was to die for.. It made me want to become one of "those" people who stay in a restaurant for 6 hours so they can go back to the buffet 10 times. The decor created a very legit ethnic feel that is apparent when there's 3 different pattens on the wall/ carpet/ chairs. So what? there's still some Christmas decorations up. you know... that's part of the experience. I will be back Namaste.
(5)dave s.
I was excited to see a new restaurant open in the old Steamers building. We had the buffet and were really impressed. Great price--$11.50 for a full buffet. Four vegetarian dishes, several meat dishes (chix, beef, lamb and goat). I didn't try the goat, but am looking forward to having it next time. Wait for the fresh naan--it's really nice. The owner said they should be getting their liquor license in the next week or so, so they will open a bar and serve beer in the dining room. I'll be eating there regularly. Looking forward to ordering from the menu next time.
(5)Jason K.
My wife and I had the lunch buffet. It was not the best or the worst Indian food I've ever had. Some of the dishes were so-so, while others were winners. The good thing is they lay out a lot of stuff, so you're bound to find something you like. My wife complained that some of it was too buttery. I felt the chicken vindaloo lacked the fire of others I've had. But the different rices were super flavorful. The curry and tandoori were spot on. The location is a little odd and if it weren't for the big sign out front, you'd have no idea this restaurant was here, unless you were staying at the adjacent motel. Namaste is essentially attached and looks just like the motel. The enter is in the back. Odd set up.
(4)Andrea P.
Hmmmm - I have a love hate relationship with this place. I guess you could it is an authentic Indian experience, in that it is pretty filthy and run down. I'm a little afraid I caught something using the bathroom. The food is really good, bursting with flavor and very aromatic. They have more options than most other Indian buffets. It IS a buffet - some of the other folks there are SUPER UBER gross, and that gives me the eebie jeebies and makes me a little scared. The mango ice cream is AWESOME. The location an ambiance are...70's lounge that has lived a very hard life. The staff are very nice and the service is great. I'm torn. I want to give a good rating, but I keep going back to the yucko parts, darn it :(
(2)Parul A.
I went there with a group of friends. The food was cold with no taste at all. The only thing that was eatable was cucumber salad. This was the worst Indian food I had in US. The tea was pathetic. I would suggest not to eat there.
(1)Tim G.
Pretty standard, really. Namaste provides typical Indian food options in buffet form. They don't change the buffet very often, so you never have to worry about missing out on one of your favorites. Make sure to go for dinner though... there are certain dishes they don't put out for lunch. The chicken tikka masala is pretty delicious, but the chicken can be a bit dry from time to time. How they manage to make chicken that is fully submerged in sauce dry is a mystery to me, but I still really like the dish. The tandoori chicken is pretty much the opposite... there's no sauce yet it is moist and tender, and the flavor of the tandoori chicken is just right. For dessert they have homemade mango ice cream. Sometimes they also have coconut, but the mango is my jam. The consistency of the ice cream isn't always quite right, but the flavor always is.
(3)Holly D.
The food was good and very diverse. The vegan and vegetarian is marked but there is also lots of chicken dishes. There is also ice-cream and pudding for dessert! I would not bring a date. A few rough looking customers and lots of hipster want to bes.
(4)Lori B.
I've eaten at other Indian buffet restaurants and Namaste has been my favorite by far . The selection is really good and everything I've tried has been really tasty and freshly made.
(5)Robert O.
My favorite Indian restaurant. Awesome selections of spicy chicken. About 5 to choose from.
(5)Cherry T.
I had lunch and enjoyed the buffet. Great variety compared to other Indian buffets I have partaken. Some of the dishes were slightly different than what I am accustomed to having at Indian restaurants. And I felt some of the dishes were way too buttery. I can't say that this was the best but it sufficed for satisfying my craving for some Indian food. But I would point out the rice options. There was the standard jasmine rice but then there was one that was seasoned with chicken. THAT was delicious. I also enjoyed the coconut and mango ice soft serve available. I've never been to an Indian restaurant that offered that I thought it was great. I made myself stop otherwise I easily could have eaten a lot more of it. All in all, it was fine but I wouldn't make it a regular spot to visit.
(3)Andrew A.
The Good: selection and value. You're allowed to stuff a to-go box rather than eat there, something a number of people do (but probably shouldn't..ahem.) The Bad: almost every dish is a sub par version of something you'd fine at a quality Indian restaurant. My favorite - Matar Paneer - was just awful, it was very watery rather than stew-like hearty. Two versions of rice were very dry as they are kept in two giant warmers. The Saag Paneer was one of the better dishes. Tandoor Chicken was average, their fried stuff was above average. At dinner there was something pinkish color that looked like dessert, but was wasn't, very yummy. Their Gulab Jamun is flavorful, but served cold; what makes this dish is when it's served warm. The coconut Soft Serve Ice Cream was okay, but the Mango option was gross: bright Orange food coloring and bad flavor. Service is attentive and efficient. Parking and overall building is odd. Portland doesn't do Indian well, I'd go back if I had an Indian food hankering. People going through the buffet line kinda resembles a hog trough.
(3)Julie T.
The last several visits, they have had no samosas, and the buffet has been looking more sad than normal. With less offerings and running out of standard items. They also do a full price charge for tweens which seems strange when most only eat rice and naan. Need to be on the lookout for a new place.
(2)Jim H.
United Airlines sucks ass! How's that for a headline? Why? Because they don't even give you a figgin bag of peanuts to eat! How the hell am I supposed to get from Baltimore to Portland OR on a can of ginger ale?! Huh!?! Well, after a hellish flight on the flying starvation tube called American Airlines, the girlfriend's family took me to this oasis for their buffet--and OH MY CHRIST is the food FUGGINAWESOME!!! I ate everything on the menu three times over! And the wait staff didn't bat an eye as I got plate after plate. There were about 4 chicken dishes, lamb AND goat in addition to mostly vegan dishes (which are clearly marked with a little sticker). Well, this omnivore devoured everything. I would go back again-yes I would, because the staff were super friendly, nice, and kept their buffet clean, refreshed, and hot! This place gets 5 pakoras!
(5)Karthik R.
Horrible food. Horrible service. I had to wait 15 mins for the check at the table, had to go the register twice(10 mins apart) to pay for the food. Finally someone showed mercy and let me pay for the food. Stay away from this place as this is a sorry example for Indian food.
(1)Isaac B.
Four stars for being the only Indian buffet around and for tasting pretty damn good! VERY AUTHENTIC. A tad bit on the spicy side but there are some options for people who don't like heat. Make sure to try the soft serve mango and coconut ice cream.
(4)Larry J. H.
I was brought here by my family and this was my first experience with Indian Cuisine? I discovered this to be a very good to great Buffet; I ate here with my daughters family and found this restaurant, clean, friendly and the food while different than what I was used to was very tasty! I would definitely come again!" Larry H. from La Center Washington.
(5)Patti F.
I just can't say this is a "rare" buffet. And anyone who goes to Indian restaurants as much as I do knows that it's pretty standard to see buffet at lunch (though at dinner it is rare). It is a LARGE buffet, and as such, there seems to be a large selection. But look closer: half the buffet is actually a traditional salad bar. Most Indian buffets I frequent have a token salad, but focus mainly on traditional Indian dishes; and that is what I enjoy. So I skipped over half the buffet to the dishes which were more to my expectations. There were a good amount of vegetarian options, and everything was labeled so I could easily tell what to avoid. I didn't find anything stellar, or anything to rave about, but as such I didn't find anything specific to complain about (other than fruit flies hanging around the soup and fruit desserts - which happens but it's still yucky).
(3)Francis L.
The food is good,but just way to spicy for me it upsets my stomach and it wasn't always like this but the last two or three times my husband and I have stopped in it has been extremely spicy and they lie to customers who come in and ask if the food is spicy,and the restaurant staff tell them it isn't. The mild dishes are even spicy, like I said my stomach can't handle so much spice,I will feel sick then start to gag. I shouldn't have to feel like this when I come here and my husband even told them friday night that we won't be back because the food was so spicy,and my husband loves spicy food and he was even feeling sick from so much spicy food.
(1)Shipra M.
Pathetic. Absolutely. Anybody who knows what indian food is supposed to be..will know this restaurant does not serve that. It's stale, tasteless and theres rude service. Please DONT go there.
(1)Saurabh S.
Visited in a group of 7 and tried all their dishes. The food was stale and did not at all taste good. Nothing other than dal and chicken biryani was even edible. The worst Indian restaurant I have ever been to.
(1)L L.
This place has always been hit or miss but lately more miss than hit. The food tonight was once again luke warm (on the verge of cold). My mom even had to ask them to microwave her plate to heat up to a normal temp. It seems like a food safety issue to have food moderately warm being served like that. And tonight there was also a meat dish mislabeled as vegetarian that I unfortunately bit into. At $12.99 a plate this place is hardly worth it anymore. They definitely need some quality control going on.
(1)Sara M.
3.5 stars really. I felt like the restaurant was a lil dirty, but the food I tried was alright. The vindaloo was pretty good. I felt like the naan was a lil stale, there wasn't any super spicy chutneys, but for a buffet- not too bad. They have mango and coconut ice cream for desserts.
(3)Tony P.
As an Indian having eaten Indian food ever since I was born, this is a good lunch spot for a quick bite during the work day. Very reasonably priced, and a clean environment. I will definitely go back to get my mid-day Indian food cravings satisfied and top that off with their home-made mango ice cream!
(3)Sean S.
We originally came here with no experience with Indian cuisine and thought that going to a buffet would be the best way to find out if we enjoyed it or not. After visiting the buffet, we did not leave disappointed. This place has some great food and service. The naan is amazing, the mango ice cream is great, and the Chicken Tiki Masala is a quality chicken dish. I would recommend the food here to anyone.
(5)Sarah S.
I passed by the restaurant several times while visiting Portland, so eventually got a hankering for Indian food and decided to try it out. Buffet Dinner is $12.95. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The decor is basic. The table set up is clearly designed for quick turn around and minimal staff (no place setting, giant pitcher of water, get your own silverware). My empty plates were cleared quickly, and I liked that I could have a fresh plate AND fresh silver ware. As for the food, I was encouraged to see fresh food being brought out regularly. But the selection and the flavor was just ok. Unfortunately there was nothing that stood out to me. In retrospect I should have traveled a little farther to a place with better reviews.
(2)Jess R.
Great place for vegans/vegetarians and lunch! Lung buffet only $10 per person and goes till 4 pm! Buffet has salad bar, and about 5 vegetarian vegan friendly dishes, rices, pita and 5 chicken and other meat dishes. And ice cream at the end!!! Can't beat it. Kind staff too. Will definitely be back here
(5)K D.
i have terrible food poisoning. terrible. it's not even worth the risk.
(1)Jeffrey R.
As a traveling business professional, I spend a number of evenings out of town. Usually Yelp and business associates pull me through. Not in the experience of dining at this Namnaste. I was disappointed with my experience. The food, while plentiful, was less than ordinary. I enjoy great buffets. This was not. The nan was piled high , hard and over cooked. The Dal, tandoori were all less than satisfactory. Skip this Sandy slop house.
(1)Ron S.
I like curry, so I like this place . Not much indian restaurants in portland but I like the buffet style restaurants because it's the best way to try everything at once. It's cheap for all you can get and good quality . Big space and lots of curries I don't know how to make . I recommend trying it out if you think you like indian food .
(4)Sarah D.
Namaste has a great selection of food on their buffet. There are meat, vegetarian, and vegan options. After you've delighted your taste buds with saffron rice and curry chicken, you can enjoy a coconut of mango ice cream cone. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.
(4)Sumit B.
I had high expectations from the food but It was not Authentic Indian food! It looked nice but was badly cooked. The spices weren't great. The meat was stale. I wasn't able to gather courage to try deserts. The only good part was fresh salad.
(1)Crys C.
Amazing lunch buffet and affordable. We left stuffed and raving over the mango sherbet. Yum!
(4)Ford F.
Delicious Tandoori, friendly staff. It's a buffet, go there hungry and get your money back with a pile of Indian food. Decor is a little David Lynchy.. but I'm a fan.
(4)Mike F.
This place has to be one of the best Indian Food restaurants around. The buffet is incredible so much food and variety. Fresh Fresh Fresh. I have been to several Indian restaurants and they have the best service and food. This is worth the trip from anywhere in Portland.
(5)Kim I.
I didn't have such high hopes for this place, and I was pleasantly surprised that it was much better than I had expected. I'm no expert on Indian Cuisine, but it tasted delicious. There were plenty of options to choose from, and an endless amount of food. The coconut and mango homemade soft serve ice cream and rice pudding was amazingly good. What really blew me away was the lunch buffet price. It was only 9.99 a person and I almost felt bad I was eating so much for just 9.99. I will be back. The amount of food for the price and the ice cream was enough reason for me to come back.
(4)A. R.
GREAT SERVICE! This is the BETTER Namaste. Food here is bursting with flavor! Good selection, Great value. We love the authentic ambiance!
(4)Jason D.
$9.95 lunch buffet is a decent deal, but can you guys figure out how to make your sauces thicker. Everything is so watered down, it looks cheap. Flavor is good but fix your sauces and I promise you will get more business.
(3)Cecilia K.
All you can eat buffet - with delicious rice pudding! Lunch buffet doesn't have as much on the menu as dinner but still a great selection for the price. I heard they opened a location near Lloyd Center so I can't wait to try out that one too!
(5)Steve V.
I have been eating Indian religiously for nearly 15 years now. This place is at the bottom of my list. I went there for the lunch buffet and was really disappointed. It was mediocre at best. Bland and uneventful are two words that come to mind when I think about this place. There are much, much better places to get some great Indian food in the area.
(1)K Mari S.
Great selection and quality of the food was great. Try the mango ice cream! Soo good.
(4)Georgie K.
Okay let's just say I'm not a Buffett fan, but this place was picked by a friend so I wanted to try it. To start with they were not all that busy and it took about 20 minutes for me to order a beer and get it. They were great about water refills and clearing plates! It was very hot in there. Some of the food options were delicious and spicy, but not all. The fried appetizers were soggy and some of vegetarian dishes were watery with little flavor or richness. One curry dishes was amazing and tasty. The rice and naan were terrific. We will go back but maybe in the winter when a need for air conditioning is not important. Also the Buffett was $15.00 which I thought was lot when we get a great Indian dinner at lots of places with crispy apps . We do not care for all you can eat plus you can get your drink order right away.
(3)Mohan K.
Place is a little dumpy, but the food is off the hook. Rare Indian buffet with plenty of satisfying options for vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Ice cream was great, and the naan was everflowing. Hit it up midweek evenings to beat the rush.
(4)Sarah L.
One of the best places on this side of PDX to get delicious Indian buffet. Eggplant Masala cooked perfectly every time, fresh naan and mango ice cream. Don't pass this up!
(5)Lindsay P.
I LOVE this place!!! I try to be as hungry as possible before i go because i literally want to eat EVERYTHING! Its the best. usually feel like taking a nap after though.
(5)Ben W.
First time and really enjoyed the selections. Service was great - all servers were attentive and helpful. Would definitely recommend!!
(4)Karey R.
I have been to Namaste for the dinner buffet several times now. For vegetarians I recommend coming here for a great quantity of Indian food for the price. Great value. I strongly encourage you to avoid the yellow-sauce vegetable curry. I LOVE curry and never have a problem with it but the yellow veggie choice never agrees with me. Avoid it and you'll be fine. There are consistently at minimum 5 hot curries, daals, etc that are vegetarian. Typically everything is well-labeled, however I did have one unfortunate incident where a pan of chicken legs were labeled as basted vegetables. One bit told me THAT wasn't correct. I fill a couple plates at the cold bar section. The fruit in yougurt sauce, the pastry balls in honey baste, the raw veggies with different dips, are all delicious. They have soups but I confess I've never tried them. You can finish with homemade (according to the sign) mango or coconut soft serve ice cream. Yum! And I never skip the bowl of anise and fennel by the checkouts. Settles the tummy. The staff are very nice and bus tables promptly. The decor is bizarrely outdated and CLEARLY from a previous incarnation in the location, seemingly some sort of down-home family diner. It's a lumberjack camp theme, of all things. So random, yet it adds to the ecclecticness of the place. Be forewarned - this restaurant closes between lunch & dinner service so pay attention to the open and closed hours.
(4)Brittany R.
Mmm what can I say, I left this place so full that I could hardly walk. Everything I tried was delicious, the staff were on it and really nice. So many options for a great deal, I was not disappointed! I topped it all off with mango and coconut ice cream, I'll admit I over did it. I'll be back sooner then I'd like to admit, to gorge myself once again.
(4)Miz C.
dinner buffets are few and far between, and this one is GOOD. there were a surprising number of people eating consistently streaming in, that too at 845pm on a weeknight! they had over 15 dishes! not the typical 5 or 6, and my worry is always that they will be too sweet (im indian and love spicy food) but the food was spiced just enough to be awesome. i gorged myself.
(4)Leslie M.
I do love a buffet! No waiting, all you can eat - instant gratification at its best. The offerings are plentiful and there are vegetarian & vegan options. Plus mango and coconut soft serve ice cream for dessert! Good food for the price and convenience.
(3)Shubhendu A.
I looked up for a highly rated Indian restaurant when visiting Portland, and I usually find yelp ratings fairly accurate. I wanted a full stomach followed by a good night's sleep to begin my trip. But I am sorry to say I was left disenchanted when I tried almost everything in the dinner buffet and find nothing close to the flavors I relish in Indian dishes. I went home empty stomach, lighter in the purse and worried about an upset stomach from the stale food.
(1)Haroun K.
I don't tend to come out past 82nd a lot, but I will go to the ends of the earth in pursuit of good Indian food. The setting is less than glamorous, sort of cafeteria like. There is a buffet option for dinner, which runs around $14. The chana masala and pakora are pretty good. The other offerings weren't as tasty, and the gulab jamun was inedible. There is soft serve mango ice cream, but watching the patrons licking their hands right at the machine made the notion less than appetizing. They should have a foot pedal option or have the employees cranking that stuff out. If you are out near 82nd, and craving chana, check it out. I don't envision making the schlep, though.
(3)Eric C.
massive selection...great quality
(5)Sasha M.
Terrible lunch buffet for vegetarians. Limited choice poor taste and no service. Can give this place a skip easily. U will only come back feeling hungry.
(1)Erin N.
After having lived in London and been spoiled by delicious Indian veg buffets in every neighborhood, PDX has been rather dissapointing whenever I get a curry craving. My first visit here I was appalled that this was the depths to which I must sink to experience an Indian buffet (at least on the East side). On second visit I'm starting to see this place as more of a divey guilty pleasure for when you really want to strap on the feed bag. Things to know before you go: It's at Sandy/82nd Ave. It's part of Howard Johnsons. There's a Keno lounge. It will be crowded. You may think several tour busses unloaded here. These factors should help to prepare you for the general ambiance. The food is better than one would expect from the above factors. You certainly won't leave hungry. The naan is poofy, chewy, and just the teeniest bit charred. Salad bar is unremarkable. Vegetable dishes are innocously tasty if bland. I can't speak to the meat dishes except to say that there were more than I was expecting. For dessert there are the standard rice pudding and cake as well as soft serve mango and coconut ice cream.
(2)Tegan C.
I really like this place, it isn't the "best" food (it's a buffet, so you can't expect it to be perfect all the time). Nonetheless, its really an excellent place to go with friends since the environment is inviting for groups and the selection is really nice!
(4)Erika M.
Yummy curry and pretty gluten free friendly. It's all you can eat Indian. There were some super delicious veggie patties and toasty naan. A variety of Indian favorites; samosas, tikka, paneer, saffron rice, etc. the coconut ice cream and mango ice cream paired great. They do offer beer along with some nonalcoholic beverages. Not a bad place for Indian fare and pretty family friendly.
(3)Ana B.
I hate Buffets. But relationships are about compromise, so when the boyfriend brings up once again that we go to a buffet, I cave. I knew we were in trouble before we even got inside. Sharing a parking lot with a hotel and an apartment complex just strikes me as fishy. Upon entering my mind was not eased, in fact my anxiety rose a bit. Namaste is like a hermit crab that shed its shell, crawled into another, and began life. The "new shell" is what looks like Marie Calendars from the early 90s. The decor is stale pastel complete with fake flowers in need of a good dusting. Nothing about the ambiance says Indian. We were seated in the far back. Without a word our server disappeared. Unsure of the protocol I waited around a bit to see if someone popped back with menus or to give us the green light. After letting some time pass I flagged down an employee and ask if I needed a menu or if the buffet was the main feature. She shared blankly at me for a while before I said " I'm not really sure what's going on". She urges me to get the buffet, " It's a better deal"..well okay. The buffet has a wide array of subpar dishes. I will say the mango soft serve evoked my gag reflex, steer clear of that stuff. With the exception of the wrenched soft served everything else was palatable. For $12 a person I would rather get one really good dish then a shit load of ..shit.
(1)Jillian C.
The food here was, of course, the star of the show. They have many classic, amazing, Indian dishes and some wonderful vegan and vegetarian options. The atmosphere was wonderful. The staff was amazing, friendly, on top of things, and very tidy. The decor was beautiful and went perfectly with the traditional (but not annoying) Indian music. We got there just after 5 when they reopen for dinner, that was a good decision, not long after we sat down it filled up fast! I had salad and a wonderful spicy corn and chicken soup for an appetizer and then dove into the Indian cuisine. Followed up by some amazing traditional desserts and a homemade Mango soft serve which was incredible! I highly recommend this place to anyone who like Indian cuisine, likes buffets, or is just plain hungry.
(5)Catie C.
Best Indian buffet in PDX.
(5)amy h.
Almost a year since my last review of this place and it's as delicious as always. All of our out-of-town guests got to visit here this past year as well and everyone loved it. Also, for those of you who care about the décor, they are in the process of remodeling and deep cleaning.
(5)Jason P.
Namaste is so superior to every other Indian restaurant in Portland that you need a logarithmic scale to really contrast just how much better it is. The curries are rich and delicious and simply have a depth of flavor lacking in other Portland area Indian. The buffet is generally the way to go and, while there's definitely some dishes that are better than others, it's excellent overall. The ice cream also manages to be bizarrely good. Service-wise, you're generally going to walk-in and get the buffet, so it can be a bit hit or miss and the layout doesn't make it easy for you to be spotted. I certainly feel like everyone's trying.
(5)emily r.
My family was in town, and we needed an affordable yet filling option for the 6 of us. 12.95 dinner buffet? hello! My favorite part was the kheer, which was incredible. The butter chicken sauce was pretty freaking great too. I can't believe I only went back to the buffet once, I regret it now. thankfully, there is a lifetime of indian food in my future. There is additional non-hotel parking in the back of the restaurant, fyi!
(4)Tommy T.
I hadn't been to an all you can eat Indian Buffet in awhile and was reminded why I usually opt for food carts. The prices are usually cheaper and I eat just as much, The concept of all you can eat sounds great but as a vegan there are usually only a few options. Granted Namaste does have more vegan options than the usual all you can eat joint and they do label there vegan food (the could use new labels as the current ones are pealing off and sometimes hard to determine what they indicate). Still I can find a rather decent Chana Masala and Naan for a better price/ quality.
(3)Jackie A.
Ugh, if this is the best Indian food Portland has to offer, I am in trouble. I hated everything about my experience with this place. First, the Saturday hours on the website said they were open all day. But when I called at 4pm to place a takeout order, they said they didn't open until 5. I call back a quarter after 5, and attempt to place my order. Nothing too complicated, some samosas, pakora, papad, and chicken korma with white meat chicken instead of dark meat. The lady insisted they couldn't make the chicken korma with white meat chicken, which surprised me, since this has never been an issue anywhere. I asked "Really? Are you sure?" And she huffs and starts talking to someone else at the restaurant (I'm assuming a cook?) and comes back on the line to say they CAN make it with white meat. Ok, great. Then, as I am finishing my order, she starts talking to someone ELSE at the restaurant (a customer this time), which was really confusing since she was still talking into the phone the whole time. Then she tells the customer, "Sorry, this girl is being hard." !!!! Lady, are you serious right now? I should have just told her nevermind at that point and gone elsewhere, but I had already driven over to that side of town. When I got to the restaurant, all the parking spots were full, so I had to park in a spot marked "motel parking only", since it shares a lot with a motel. The actual restaurant seemed dirty, and when I went into the women's restroom to wash my hands, they were out of both soap and paper towels. Again, this is at 5:30pm, just half an hour after the place opened for dinner service. To be fair, the lady who rang me up in the restaurant was very friendly, the food was cheap, and the place was packed, so obviously people like this place. I just found the food incredibly lackluster. My pakoras were cold, like they had been plucked out of the lunch buffet several hours ago, the papad was oily, and the korma was watered down. The vegetable samosas were the only enjoyable part of the meal. Overall, I had to try this place, since it came highly recommended from many people, but I won't be back.
(1)Joe M.
The consistent 4 star reviews and positive word of mouth finally convinced me to check out another Indian buffet. I had my doubts naturally - is the buffet small, Is food only fresh when they first open, etc? After walking in the brightly lit restaurant, my fears were put to rest. It's probably one of the biggest Indian buffets I have been in this city. There is even a good size bar that has some great happy hour deals and drink specials running throughout the day. Since I arrived after 6, I missed out on the buffet discount price for happy, good to note on the next visit. I grabbed my plate and started with the chicken rice combo. The chicken has a nice spicy kick to it while the rice is moist and not dry. It's a great alternative to the typical white rice served these days.... There are plenty of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes that will please most folk. The chicken dishes certainly stand out with moist chunks of chicken and the sauces have just the right amount of spice and heat. I was pleased to see the servers consistently bring in hot fresh food during my visit. There is plenty of room at the bar to relax and mingle. During happy hour, they knock a couple of bucks off the buffet price. Drink specials are advertised consistently - the $3 white Russian has been up for a while. Other drink specials are listed too and rotate frequently. Service is friendly and a lot of people seem to enjoy their visit. The mango ice cream is a great way to finish off the meal - plus it's home made too :).
(4)Stephanie G.
After we moved to Portland last year, we were starting to get worried about the lack of good (or any!) Indian buffets. Then yelp showed us Namaste and we were thrilled! Just fantastic Indian home-cooking, we go there almost every week.
(5)Spencer D.
My previous experience with Indian food ended in disaster as the buffet I went to in Tennessee had maybe 5 options and was over spiced, over priced, and made my belly feel not so nice. I went into Namaste, ready to give Indian cuisine another chance and seek adventure, with friends yesterday for our mid-work day meal. Oh. My. God. Everything I tried was delicious...and I tried almost everything, so I know. Their Namaste Chicken curry is out of this world tasty, and the saffron rice was very flavorful and fresh. The mango ice cream was so good that I had to have two cones full. I left feeling a few pounds heavier, but the taste lingered on my tongue and I was able to smile through it...dreaming of the next time I come here. Gluten free and vegan friendly as well. Again, very delicious. A quick way to try all the curries: get a small plate of rice and put a little dab on different sections of your rice. Try each one...then go back and heap your plate with copious quantities of your favorite...return to table...inhale...repeat.
(5)Tim H.
VERY flavorful and fresh, lots of meat and veggie options, plus a few things just for kids. Homemade mango soft serve ice cream was delicious. The staff was very friendly and kept the buffet area clean and full of fresh food. Took the wife and 3 boys here and we loved the huge tables and how quiet it was even though there were a lot of people there.
(5)Warren C.
I will admit before I ate here, I had very little experience when it came to indian food and was a little biased about it before I experienced this restaurant. I don't really know a whole lot about indian food. Like many people the first thing that comes to my mind when I think about indian food is curry. There are really only so many ways you can eat curry before it becomes unexciting or pleasing to the palate. Being chinese, I've experienced many different styles of curry from many asian cultures and its really never been anything that has really stood out for me. Its not that I hate curry or dislike it but when I go out to eat I usually prefer not to eat food relatively close to my culture cause in my mind if I really wanted to eat asian food I can either cook it myself or go to my friends house. My friend Denis and I were meeting up this afternoon about a year and a half ago when were trying to decide where to meet for lunch. We've both seen that they had reopened the old "Steamers" restaurant and made it into an indian buffet restaurant. He suggested to give it a try and goes on with this story when he was growing up in Kenya his next door neighbors were indian and he was always over at their house eating. He's always loved indian food and wanted to give it a try. In the back of my mind I was a bit reluctant about eating here but since I've never had it before and my friend really wanted to go I decided to give it a try at least. As we entered the restaurant you could tell that their focus was really not in the decor as everything looks exactly what was left here from the previous restaurant. We were greeted and seated fairly quickly and like any other buffet we went on our way and grabbed our plates. Not really knowing what anything was other then the regular curry's I just started scooping anything that either looked physically appealing or just smelled good. I will say that was probably not a good idea or plan of attack. I loved everything I ate and actually ended up eating 3 plates of food. Denis and I were so full we literally sat at our tables for quite sometime to let the food settle in because it was painfully obvious we ate way too much! Since then I've come here numerous times and have come to love this place. Some of the items I really enjoy here are the fish and shrimp pakoras, The Lamb Curry, The goat, Chicken Curry, Tandoori chicken, The cream vegetables, and best part of this meal is their homemade mango ice cream. I remember the first time I saw it I looked at Denis and pointed out the ice cream and told him they also had Curry ice cream for dessert. I know, corny joke but I couldn't resist. If you've never had indian food before I would definitely suggest trying this restaurant as it is a good starter to experience what this culture has to offer when it comes to indian cuisine. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I think its a bit cheesy to still see the old decor from the previous restaurant and it really doesn't go along with the food that is served here. Its pretty obvious that its not very important to them but their focus is on serving quality indian food at a great price! This is a must come to place for indian food. Happy Eating Everyone!
(4)Edgar V.
Disclaimer: We're going to start off with something odd and then circle back to what passes for "normal" in reviews like these. Portland is a funky town. Yes, funky. It tries to be normal but, just under the surface, there's always an alternative streak lurking. I've even spotted "Keep Portland Weird" bumper stickers - and, after two visits, I don't think PDX is in any danger of losing its weirdness by a country mile. This place is funky + hipster + granola + friendly + liberal = Portland. While on the Great American Road Trip, I decided that my own alternative streak was activated in that I wanted Indian food in an ostensibly white-bread town like Portland. A quick Yelp search turned up the rare gem of a Indian dinner buffet. Sure, it was near the airport (glamor always lives near every airport, right?) but I was in a devil-may-care mode and driving from the in-town Lloyd District would take a scandalous 15 minutes. (Portland is not that big of a city. Awesome but geographically small.) I observed that this Indian buffet drew a wide and varied crowd of locals: families, college students, and older couples. After I got my seat, an odd duo arrived at the booth next to mine: it appeared to be a father and son. Dad was dressed in a t-shirt, blazer, baseball cap, and cargo shorts. Strange mix of clothes. The son (appearing to be 13 years old) was dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans with a buzz haircut. As an observer of things, I noticed that the kid's jeans were quite snug and, being a person with an odd series of thoughts, thought that maybe the kid was an underage escort. Luckily, I did not voice any of this. After they sat down, it blew my mind to hear the kid and his dad talking at length about micro-loans and the kid going on about the economics and politics of India that he learned about in school. If the kid was an underage escort, then he was pretty darn versed in esoteric topics for a kid his age. No mention of "The Avengers" or Justin Bieber in their dinner conversation. Okay, so the odd part (yes, it is ALL odd) is over. Moving on to the regularly scheduled food review: the $12.95 dinner buffet is a mixed bag. They offer a variety of items but they all seem very one-note in the taste department. Nothing was spiced out of a tight window to offer contrast between dishes. The saag paneer was pleasant. The chicken tikka masala was pleasant. The samosas were a bit leaden. The eggplant pakoras were actually delightful. The navratan korma was a bit bland. The rice was quite dry; ladling some chicken curry on top greatly helped. Some of the naan sat out too long and became chewy. The kheer was strictly middle-of-the-road with no high notes of rosewater or distinct creaminess to it. Yet, for all of this consistency, this place deserves 3.5 stars. It offers a dinner buffet, plenty of seating, a wide variety of foods, service was accommodating, and draws an interesting crowd. Call it "dinner and a show" and you've got a winner.
(3)Cork H.
We visited here with two (TWO) grandchildren under two-years old. It could have been nasty but, indeed, namaste. Under the circumstances we did the buffet (I don't like buffets) and the choices were many and the buffet station was kept clean and stocked. One problem was that only about 1/2 the steam table trays were labeled and so there was some guess work. Next time I'll know better how to choose, but there was nothing bad. There are a few little tricks such as the sweet items (could be viewed as desserts) were in the middle and not the end. As another commented the mango ice cream was delicious. The service was excellent and accommodating to our situation.
(4)Hanz A.
Delicious. Looks, feels like an old family-style restaurant, but the buffet is fresh and diverse. Staff are very friendly. Flavours are rich and the ingredients seem fresh.
(4)Anthony K.
Not the best, not the worst. The inside just seems like a cafeteria. It would be a lot nicer if they dressed it up a little bit but the food was good. I would probably go back only if i was ready to eat a ton of food because for the price they charge per person it came to almost $30 and we did not even have drinks.
(3)Nicole B.
Why I even bother with buffets, I will never know. I always forget that I hate buffets, but once you step foot into a place that has a nice buffet spread it's always hard to forget the reason why you hate buffets. From this moment forward, I should probably stay away from buffets. Why? Because you eat more than you would normally eat, even if the food is just okay. Which what this place was. The people working there were pretty friendly. We were asked if we wanted anything to drink other than water, and our plates were always taken away when we were done. There were many options. Pakoras, salad, soups, vegetable curries & chicken curries. Rice, naan and tandoori chicken. Some of the curries were pretty bland, with barely any spice or flavor. It was pretty disappointing actually. I gave it 3 stars, because the service was friendly. I would probably say 2 1/2 stars for the food. It's only 9.99 for lunch. Which I would rather pay for one flavorful dish, than a whole buffet.
(3)SF S.
Came here at 8:30. This place is supposed to be a buffet. They close at 9:30, They don't even refill the entrées. So when you want chicken tikka masala or goat curry. All the meat is gone! I had to fish for it. They need to do a better job at refilling them.
(2)Mr S.
Meh definitely an odd place. Next door to a Ho Jos and the decor says trains and country kitsch but with a Ganesh statue thrown in. The fried apps were good, (because deep fryer) & the veggie curries had great flavor but the actual veggies had a previously frozen texture. The chicken makanini curry tasted off & fishy. 2.5 stars.
(2)Amanda I.
I met two of my friends here for lunch last summer. We all enjoyed the naan and all the usual indian fare. It wasn't anything special and the ambiance wasn't that great.
(3)Erik L.
One of the better Indian buffets I've been to. Great selection of food, decent quality, well spiced, and quick and efficient service. Not to mention huge! Couldn't help shake the feeling that it was the hometown buffet of Indian food though. Still, that wouldn't stop me from coming back here, even though I gorged myself to the point of being embarrassingly full. What a glutton I was.
(4)Jen E.
oh good gods....... I love indian food and crave it on regular basis....... My mother knowing I was craving Indian food took me here since we were going to the Grotto for the Christmas light. First off it did have a large selections of food however.......I HATED ALL OF IT. My fav things to try are the Chicken Makhani (also known as Butter Chicken), the veggie Korma and the tandori chicken. First off my mother arrived at the restaurant with my grandmother and they sat them in the back where there was room for our large group. then my sister arrives with her husband, she asks where my mother is seated as she saw her car in the parking lot. She was told they were not there...... my sister described what they looked like....still was told they were not there. so my sister calls me to ask if we were there yet I told her we were a few mins away. My sister even showed a picture of my mother and grandmother still was told no one looking like that was there..... finally my sister just walked around and found them in the very back....oh it was the same person who seated my family just 15 minutes before. I get there with my boyfriend and yea pretty much had the same problem but took a lot less time to find them. Okay the food..... the food was horrible, the Makhani chicken had NO flavor, the Korma tasted like they threw in freezer burned veggies, the tandori chicken tasted as if it was infused with burnt smoke from other pieces burning. I didnt even eat 1/4 of my plate and I gave up..... though they did have excellent Mango and coconut ice cream.... so they had that going for them.... oh and the water was good. I have never been so disappointed with Indian food. We all decided NEVER AGAIN
(1)Hannah E.
On a horribly rainy weekday evening, after a late meeting, with a serious head cold I swung by Namaste for some takeout. I happened to be in this 'hood, and after a quick yelp search for good food, Namaste popped up with decent reviews. I had a real hankering for Indian, so it was perfect. I got a large order for my husband, my babysitter, toddler, and I. We ordered the chicken tikka masala, lamb curry something-or-other, tandoori chicken, with rice & naan. Everything was amazing. And a huge feast for $32. Even after a nasty drive 30 minutes south, nothing was ruined- gotta love Indian takeout! The tandoori might be the best I've had so far. I would love to return to try the buffet, or more menu items! We will totally return. This place will probably replace my previous spot on NW 21st because it is not such an awful trek, although it is not the most pleasant neighborhood, that doesn't bother me.
(4)Veruca S.
The dinner buffet is a deal!
(3)Tim S.
The wife and I had wanted to try this place for a while so we finally tried to eat there 11/24/12. The food smelled and looked good but when we went up to the buffet line to dish up, we noticed a COCKROACH walking on the floor. It wasn't hurrying or trying to hide it was just walking across the middle of the floor like it had been around a while and didn't have to fear being killed by anyone. Made us wonder if the cockroaches have the run of the place. Ewwwwww.
(1)Cvetiliana B.
As my idol Larry David would say "pritttaaaay, prittaaaaaay, prittaaaaay good! The best thing about this place is that they have dinner buffet. I know of no other place in PDX that offers Indian buffet at night! Shute, some don't even offer it on weekends! And that's just wrong! Some even stop their buffet at 2! Now how can I get even an hour in if I don't get up till noon on a weekend, ridiculous. Anyway, back to Namaste. Location not so good, too far & just not a fun area. Won't drive to this place, even for dinner, as I feel there are comparable places closer to me for lunch. I would have liked for them to have Samosa's or at least Pakoras rather than their fried salmon deals. But their mango ice cream was excellent (home made and so creamy!) as was the rice pudding, though slightly less sweet would be ideal. My staples are always the creamy veggie dish, naan bread and the spinach cheese dish, the first was excellent, the bread could have been tastier and the spinache dish not bad, (paleek paneer I think). Chai tea was okay. I don't eat chicken on the bone too often but I tried it for the purpose of this review and it was tender. Atmosphere was kinda odd but okay. If I am in the area or on my way to or from the airport, I will possibly stop by again for my favorite couple dishes this time than try everything like I did before. Also they did have a large selection. It's 3.5 stars but I rounded to 4.
(4)Lisa M.
This is a regular dinner spot for my boyfriend and I. We haven't had much luck finding outstanding Indian food in Portland but Namaste is consistently good so we find ourselves returning again and again. The staff is friendly and attentive, the buffet is well stocked, and there is never a wait. Some of our favorites are the chicken tikka masala, eggplant pakoras, and rice pudding. The service at Namaste is always great but on two particular occasions the staff went above and beyond with customer service. The first occasion was a couple of years ago. I was a vegan and at the time they did not have marked vegan options (they do now). When I asked, the waitress politely told me they only had vegetarian options but she would check with the cook. When she came back, she informed me that the cook would prepare something special and a few minutes later came back with a big plate filled with a variety of vegan things. So awesome! The second occasion was a little embarrassing...I finished my dinner and realized I had forgotten my debit card and had no way to pay. They were very understanding about the whole thing and let me drive home and come back with my debit card. When I returned with the card, the manager said "Oh, I didn't know you were going right away, I would have let you come back and pay tomorrow." How nice and trusting is that?! You don't often get that kind of warmth and understanding these days! Love Namaste! They have earned themselves a loyal customer :)
(5)Kerri K.
I really love this place! The food is great with lots of flavor, and the people who work here are very friendly. My favorite is the Aloo gobi, and the chai has a delicious array of Indian spices.. It's also so nice to be able to have a buffet at night. Thank you namaste- for being in portland!
(5)Jess P.
Namaste was ok, maybe it was an off day but I just wasn't feeling their lunch buffet. (Stop. Appreciate the rhyme). $8.95 for a lunch buffet is definitely a fair price, and there were some dishes that were really good. Others, however, didn't seem to achieve the correct balance and came out a little too acidic. Also some of my Indian favorites were lacking- no samosas, or veggie pakora. Sad. The naan must have been out too long and was drying out. Some highlights, however, were the orange pastry cake (two words, first starts with an "s" and second starts with a "h". That's all I remember) which was so great. The rice pudding and custard were also super delicious. Rounding out the dessert excellence was the mango soft serve. Paired with fresh watermelon, I was in a sweetness induced bliss! On the entree side, I was definitely a fan of the palak paneer which was super creamy with big chunks of cheese. Also, kudos for labeling the dishes vegetarian and vegan!! It wasn't that this place was terribly disappointing, I still ate my fair share. But for the drive, it just didn't seem worth it. I keep reading these rave reviews so maybe it was just a blip. Unfortunately, I don't see myself venturing to Namaste anytime soon to test this theory.
(3)Tim M.
Goat Curry! That's all you had to say to me, if you got that, I gotta have it. I mean tell me, when was the last time you had goat? In my never ending search for new and unusual culinary experiences, Goat Curry fills the void. It was delicious, as was everything else. I'll be back!
(4)Professor X.
I've been here twice in the last week. On my second trip, I brought my husband. Upon pulling into the parking lot, which they share with a Howard Johnson motel, my husband commented: "This place looks a little shady. I'm surprised you were willing to even give it a try." If it wasn't for Yelp, I probably would have past it by. Both times I got the buffet and was very happy with the selection, flavor and quality. Come to think of it... I don't even know if they have a menu? Nor do I care. The buffet appears to be a permanent fixture, rather than one that is wheeled away between lunch and dinner. There is a good selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes. The meat quality is excellent. (And I'm picky when it comes to meat quality.) My husband is now a fan of Namaste too. Thanks to my fellow Yelpers for finding this place for me!
(5)Chaein H.
Got sited by a lady ,she put a pitcher of water down on a table n just walk away .left my hanging there for a sec if thats where i suppose to sit . Hah .. I guess she is Bc since there is no server n she had about 5 table that time . Very large buffet for lunch . It cost $8.95 per person . Naan , basmati rice lamb curry is the bomb here! Very very good! I live the onion spicy sauce . I mix it in everything to spice things up , if u love spicy def should get this . Mango ice cream it's alright , nothing to rave about . Cons: hope To see more veg :) I know there's already large variety but just saying :)
(4)James F.
Once you get past the outside appearance which screams shady lounge, you'll find Namaste to be a great Indian buffet. The buffet is pretty big, with one section of fresh veggies and chutneys and other sauces, and then the rice, and then a buffet of all the main dishes - common favorites like tandoori chicken, chicken tikka masala, palak paneer, etc. They also have a variety of pakora (foods fried in chickpea batter), including chicken and different veggies. They also have a goat dish. I got a plate, and loaded up on several of the main dishes, both vegetable and chicken and goat. While nothing struck me as too spicy, I was pleased with the goat masala, and the chicken pakora. The palak paneer seemed mostly sauce, or maybe the soft cheese was diced up smaller than I'm used to in San Diego's Indian restaurants. They had a chicken rice that was just so-so, but their chutney was great, and I went back for seconds. I wanted to save room for mango ice cream, but in the end, I was too stuffed. Naan was ok. Good food - though I think it could have been a little less mild. Service is pretty minimal - they seat you, they bring you a pitcher of water, and they stop by every now and then to clear a plate, and you pay up front. Decor is kinda wacky - while there's Indian paintings on the wall, the old decor of this place still stands out: giant sepia murals of logging trains and lumberjacks, and stained glass separators indicate that this place was some other restaurant previously. They have a separate bar area, and an upstairs room for events. If you are staying at the Howard Johnson that shares a parking lot with Namaste, show your room key to save a $1 on the buffet. Buffet lunch for under $10? score!
(4)Chris R.
This was my first experiencevwith Indian food. It tasted great. The staff was friendly. The buffet was labled with the name and a brief description. For the price I was very pleased.
(4)Wolf L.
This is a fairly standard Indian buffet. Nothing particularly amazing, but everything in the steam table was tasty. I've eaten in Indian restaurants that were a lot more dingy, so I won't complain too much. Let's just say that the decor of the restaurant, which seems left over from a second rate steakhouse, leaves much to be desired. However, I'm not expecting bells and whistles for an all you can eat lunch that's less than ten bucks. I did go back for thirds, if that tells you something. The naan was a bit chewy, but they had some delicious goat curry, which is a big favorite of mine. They had a lot to choose from in the table and even our veggie kid was quite satisfied. We'll definitely go back to Namaste.
(4)Lisa W.
Namaste is one of the better Indian buffets in Portland. The tandoori chicken was tender, the goat curry delicious, the naan was fluffy and soft, and the mint chutney was hot! They also had chicken biryani, a lot of veggie options and coconut and mango soft serve. The best part? They are friendly ( unlike the owner at Dwaraka who looks like you might eat too much and eff with his bottom line). And you automatically get your own pitcher of water. Which you'll need.
(4)Brian N.
Totally affordable and with a great selection of items. Most Indian buffets will limit their offerings to one or two varieties of meats, i.e. chicken and chicken. This place offered chicken, lamb, and goat. With two options for chicken, that made for FOUR meat curries! They also had a variety of fried items, including pakoras. Two kinds of biriyani. The saag paneer was really well flavored. I was just really impressed with the variety you get here for the price you pay. Great deal. The interior needs some work, kind of looks like an old Irish pub crossed with an American diner, playing Indian music, but they do good work here. Obviously not the most quality Indian food around, but if you're looking for an introduction to Indian offerings in buffet style, this place is a good bet. Also serving mango soft serve ice cream, which lacks mango flavor, but can hit the spot towards the end of your meal.
(4)Cedric J.
This is my favourite buffet in town. Atmosphere: 2 (clean, but as mentioned everywhere else, awkward) Food: 5 (goat curry and lamb vindaloo are regulars; palak paneer is also a regular) Service: N/A (I serve myself at a buffet, I don't know about you) Value: 4 (9$, all you can eat... two meals worth of food. Try to do better than that) Sustainability: 1 (do you expect local, farm-raised at a place on 82nd?) I try to eat here once a month. It is far from convenient, but damn, it is really good food. It is the best buffet I've been to, but much like Don says, the buffet style isn't much of a draw and the food is filling. Every time I eat here, I skip dinner; it is just too gut-bomb for me. Every time I come, I'm really happy that they have goat curry. Their garlic chicken is really damned good, and I adore the navratan koorma and palak paneer. I don't really avoid anything here, which is the problem. They have an amazing tamarind chutney that I highly recommend slathering on just about everything. Yeah, the location and environs are a bit awkward, but isn't that why we go to ethnic buffets? The low-rent, weird places give ethnic restaurants their flair. I, for one, don't go to an Indian restaurant for its posh. (Of course, if I did, I would go to East India Company downtown and pay about 20$ for lunch.) Nevertheless, I just got back from England and I craved food like this. I couldn't find it. I implore you to find better Indian anywhere... I haven't been able to do it. And Tandoor is pretty damned good for lunch and India House and India Grill are still amazing for dinner. This is on par with all of them, if not a bit better.
(4)Patrick S.
Awww Yeah! That's what goes through my mind whenever I have to go to deep NE for anything at all any time. It's because I can only think of the yummy goodness that will be awaiting me at Namaste. No joke I drive here on Sundays for lunch after a good Yoga class and I stuff myself and go into a food coma. It's not a pretty site, but hey who's gonna stop me huh? You? I don't think so. Sorry for getting all aggressive there, I do Yoga to not be aggressive but then I love Indian food so much that I start eating and I forget that I did the Yoga an hour earlier. It's complicated. I totally recommend Namaste for Indian Buffet either for lunch or dinner, which I can only assume is the same buffet only they charge a wee bit more for dinner. It's not the "Best" Indian food I have ever eaten but it is really yummy, priced right and it is better than most in P-town. So next time a friend asks for a ride to the airport just think of yummy curries and soft delicious naan awaiting for you down the road from PDX. Enjoy
(4)Jeni M.
Not including food carts, I think that Namaste is the best that Portland has to offer for Indian food. No, it's certainly not the best I've ever had, but it's decent and the price for a buffet isn't outrageous. I'm not really into buffets but I like that option here though because it allows me to try a lot of different stuff and find what I like and ditch what I don't. The chicken makahni is awesomt, along with the veggie pakoras, and chicken tiki masala. The staff is pretty friendly and will find ways to work with you - In part two of birthday party dinner reservation disasters - I didn't realize that no one had made a reservation for me, so literally 15 minutes before twenty odd people were to arrive I had to call the Namaste myself and they were totally cool about it. Which was a save! When it's really busy service can be kind of slow, but it's not rage level slow so that's a plus. Also others have berated the decor of Namaste, but not me - I think it just adds to the whole Keep Portland Weird factor many of the reviewers that bemoaned about it moved here for. But the "Keep Portland Weird" if it suits me rant can be saved for another day. Stained glass, floral booths, and giant wall sized murals of lumberjacks (I think that's what it is? Maybe it's a train? I can't freakin' remember!) just add to the general WTF-ery that I enjoy a lot. Also, I wish that there were a website where I could write reviews about my friends - Last night at Namaste while eating a piece of chicken tikki masala (which was pretty yummy), something malfunctioned and I swallowed with out really having chewed. Now, I've never choked before so I was unaware of how your throat just kind of makes a vacuum seal and food just won't pop back into your mouth and the chunk was too large to swallow. So basically I'm choking, my life is flashing before my eyes, I'm kinda pissed that this is apparently how I'm going to die - ridiculously. And what do my best friend and boyfriend do? Hop out the booth and laugh at me hysterically. I'm trying not to laugh either because even though it's apparent that I'm for real choking, the hilarity of the situation is not lost on me. I started to hope there was a Chuck Palahniuk fan around or maybe a doctor as my vision started to get fuzzy and tears flowed freely from my eyes. Finally coming to terms with the fact that if God exists he's a "helps those who help themselves" kind of God for real, I just shoved my hand in my mouth and wildly extracted the chicken (which was a horrible feeling and I almost went crazy with terror when if felt like I has just pulled it apart and not removed it.. SCARY!) It was only at that moment that my bff and boyfriend finally stopped laughing... I was naturally upset and the best they could come up with for their behavior was that they just thought I was going to spontaneously puke. WHEN HAS THAT EVER HAPPENED? So anyway, the food is pretty good, the decor is bizarre and cool, the service is alright, and my best friend and boyfriend have a plot to kill me! NAMASTE!
(4)Bob S.
About the dinner buffet. Solid 3.5, A-OK, I could be a fan. The quality is better than most Indian buffets. Good price, lot of choices, King Fisher on tap, goat offerings, lot of food, and quality spicy condiments. If you get annoyed with the tightness of the Bombay C.C. or the snootyness of the East India Co., it's a nice change. If I wanted a good Indian food buffet, I'd come here. Definitely worth checking out if you're willing to cross 82nd on Sandy Blvd. Still, it's an Indian food buffet so keep those expectations in line and you'll be A-OK, maybe a fan..
(4)Katrina W.
Namaste word arithmetic. You will have 5 minutes. Remember to show your work. Begin now. Plus one star for being Indian food in a city where it can be hard to come by. Plus one star for being a flat-priced all-you-can-eat buffet of Indian food in a city where it can be hard to come by. Minus one star for the part about being a buffet where some of the food (cough*cough*naan) gets a little too dry and crusty around the edges. Plus one star for being on the East side. Hey, I get to award stars for anything I want. Minus one star for being a little bit out of the way. See, it all evens out. Plus one star for the kind of service that leaves you alone to talk, but knows when you need a plate cleared. Plus one star for HOMEMADE MANGO ICE CREAM. On second thought, plus two stars for that. Please put down your pencils and hand your papers to the front.
(4)Azmat H.
One of the best Indian buffets in Portland.
(4)Bree C.
I am slightly new to the Indian experience. I started out slow, dipping my foot in the Indian water with Trader Joe's Frozen Butter Chicken, yum, and the natural foods boxes you boil in water. Once I realized there were such addicting flavors to be had, like a fan"TASTE"ic voyage of the taste buds, I began craving Indian food. Last year, I had my family birthday dinner here. They let us bring a cake, which surprisingly, went well with the mango ice cream. This, for an Indian beginner, was a whole new ballgame, but exactly the way to fully immerse yourself in the delectable cuisine. More options than you could possibly try in one sitting, so I grabbed a Tablespoon of almost everything that sounded remotely good, and came back for seconds of my favorites. I was so surprised at how delicious things were, and with the different sauces, there were so many combination's! Good Naan, the chicken-y rice, or whatever, was fabulous, I can't remember which dishes were my favorite, but at least 3 were STELLAR, and there was only one that I was not all that fond of. This is great for any type of buffet, but when I am but a young padawan to Indian cuisine, I happen to find it even more surprising that I enjoyed so much. We had 8 people there, and 2 of those people are extremely picky (one is old and a bit particular about ethnic food, another is vegetarian) Still, they were able to find things they enjoyed, and had a happy time sampling the gorgeous lay out. The other 6 of us, well, we were like happy kids in a candy store of colorful Indian goodness. It was a good time to be had for all, in a very clean and nice atmosphere, with very nice employees/owners, huge selections at fair prices, and everywhere you look..... There was flavor!
(4)Karen O.
If you're vegan and doing the buffet, you can ask them for roti bread (whole wheat unbuttered) in lieu of the naan (which is buttered). We didn't realize that until we were all finished, but then when the hostess realized we were vegan, she told us next time to let them know and they would be happy to bring out roti. Good variety of vegan options here! My favorite is the chana masala.
(4)Don B.
What other than a list of solid Yelp reviews would drive me to travel up 82nd to a sketchy-looking HoJo in search of an Indian lunch buffet? Well, aside from my undying lust for adventure-dining, not much, I tell ya. In my past life, I never had luck with hotel restaurants, let alone motel restaurants. When I heard rumblings about a solid Indian buffet posted up in some former diner/WT-food spot on NE Sandy and 82nd, let's just say I was a little hesitant. But like any good Yelper, I knew that my community would never lie to me, so I finally found the time and motivation to make the trek and see if by chance there was actually some good Indian food in Portland. Lo and behold... it's not too shabby. Namaste offers a no-frills $8.95 lunch buffet in what was once likely a Black Angus or something. it's about as basic and dirty as they come. You walk in, grab a plate, and choose between 2 soups, a basic salad bar, and a litany of Indian standards. Aloo gobi, dal, goa chicken curry, chicken makhani, lamb jal freezi, tandoori chicken, mutter, saag paneer, and more. Not one to waste time with fillers such as fresh veggies, I dove straight in to some curry, and sampled a variety of the offerings. Good? Not too bad! About on par with the downtown carts, but more expensive. See, Indian food fills me up. Fast. I can't eat more than about 1 plate of it, which is the amount I'd get for $6.50 at the cart. Now if I were able to get 3 plates down, this would be a steal, but when it comes down to it, I just don't eat that quantity for lunch, and don't want to. I wish they had a single-item option for a cheaper price. Oh well. They do offer an $11.95 dinner, but it's probably for the same spread, and my stomach doesn't get any larger at dinnertime. The scene inside is pretty surreal. Old style booths with pioneer/b+w steam locomotive motif, acoustic tile ceiling, florescent lights... basically zero ambiance. I think the ambiance actually sucked some of the life out of me, if that's possible. The bar... who knows if they even use it, but it looks like it could have been a classic sweater/turtleneck/moustache bar from the 70's. The general state of the place is dirty and thrown together, but to me, that's a sign that they're really just focusing on food. And the food is pretty solid for Portland (I love the food here, but there's not really good Indian food). Overall, I was impressed with the quality, and would consider this some of the better Indian I've had in Portland. Again, the location is sketch and the buffet-style is a turn off to me, but I may just be willing to pay the extra now and again to have some decent Indian food from time to time.
(4)Paul S.
I really enjoy Namaste and was happy to know that they were so incredibly close to me (which could be dangerous). I was afraid to go in the first time as the building appears a little "shady". I swallowed my fears and went in only to find a mecca of Indian food in buffet format!!! I love that Namaste does lunch and dinner buffet. The food is fresh and not as spicy as some of the Indian food I have had. The paneer in the spinach is nice and has a great texture. I have seen more and more people in there every time I go, so that is good news for this business. I also love the mango ice cream they have. Good ending to a good meal. I did post a pic awhile back of my plate of food. Yum!!!
(4)R H.
This review is delayed by a couple of months but thought it was still important to post. Food was mediocre and the price was reasonable. The thing that really cemented our decision to not ever set foot in this establishment again was the fact there was a COCKROACH running across the windowsill. Of course, you know if there is one roach there has got to be others. Just so there is no question, the roach was inside of the restaurant...how I really wished it was outside. I did mention it to the person after we paid our bill but she didn't react, no concern what-so-ever. The only thing that I wish we had done before we had gone there was to preview their Health inspection score because the health inspectors wrote them up for their roach violation. If you're interested in reading the report go to www3.multco.us/MCHealthI… I hope by now the roach problem was dealt with.
(1)Clarkitty C.
Second time around the wait staff pretty much ignored us. We ran out of water and when the waitress walked by we asked for another pitcher of water and were acknowledged but never received the water. So I walked up to the front and got the pitcher of water for myself. 2 minutes later another waitress came by with a dirty look on her face and asked for our empty pitcher back like we had done something wrong. Food this time was not as good as the time before and the pakoras were very dark brown like the fry oil needed to be changed. I probably wont come back.
(2)Esther K.
Oh. So. Good. Wow, it's good. Tasty and full of flavor without being too spicy! The Chicken Tikka Masala is one of the best I've ever had. In fact, I think this is the best ethnic food I've ever eaten in Portland. Now, as a warning- fancy, this place is not. It's a no-frills buffet that looks more like a cafeteria than a dinner place, but the variety and quality of food completely makes up for it. Highly recommended!
(4)Brandi B.
It's an Indian buffet by the airport. Not expecting much. If you go, go in with that mindset and you may be pleasantly surprised! Kind of a sprawling complex with several dining rooms including a couple of private spaces upstairs and a sizable bar on the main level. I'm not a big buffet person, but food was consistently good, and (obviously, as it's Indian) there are lots of vegetarian options. The bathroom however, looked like it hadn't been cleaned in days. Not cool. Again though, the food was pretty solid. All in all not bad for an Indian joint by the airport.
(3)Kristine P.
Oh wonderful Indian spices! When they had a reunion in my mouth a choir sang, I shit you not! We were happy to find a buffet that served at night and drove quite a ways to partake. The selections were great, they had gulab jamun which is my favorite! Just wish it had been offered warm instead of cold. That is my only complaint though. I'm also happy to report that the next day (digestion) was not a problem what-so-ever!
(5)Charlie O.
At times, choosing to embark on a dining experience at a restaurant can feel like a risky culinary endeavor - especially when that restaurant is located in a nondescript location near 82nd Avenue, an unappealing street in Portland. I was surprised to notice one day that an Indian restaurant had opened near the intersection of Northeast 82nd Avenue and Sandy Boulevard. Being a huge fan of Indian cuisine, my curiosity led me to overcome skepticism and visit Namaste on a Sunday afternoon. Boy, am I happy I walked into this restaurant. I feel like I've discovered a something that has potential for greatness. And there are good reasons I've dined there three times in the past week. Owned by the proprietors of a restaurant with the same moniker in Vancouver, Washington, Namaste has been open for business for a little over a month in Northeast Portland. Walk in through the wooden palatial doors, and you'll likely be seated at a booth by a window. The place looks like it was an establishment for American cuisine in its previous incarnation, but that doesn't matter because the food is what you're here for. One can order individual entrees at Namaste, but buffet is their primary business, and it's quite a good deal. During lunchtime, $8.95 gets you access to an amazing panoply of curries, naan, pakoras, and desserts. The fee changes to $11.95 during dinnertime, and even at that price it's a bargain. The buffet has plenty of offerings for both omnivores and vegetarians. Even if you're one who abnegates from animal flesh, you'll have many items to choose from. The pakora offerings change daily. Chicken, potato, and zucchini pakoras are all nice nibbles to start off with. A vast number of curries are offered at the buffet. The chana masala is rife with chickpeas marinating in a flavorful, savory gravy. If you're in the mood for Indian cheese, the palak paneer is one of most wonderful ways to eat puréed spinach. And you should keep these two words in mind when you visit this place: navaratan khoorma. Creamy and slightly sweet, it's the most memorable vegetable curry I've ever had. Chicken tikka masala is buttery and delightful. The lamb curry is comprised of generous morsels of mutton and mushrooms in a brown gravy - absolutely wonderful. The best way to eat the fresh, fluffy naan flatbread is to tear off little pieces and use them pick up morsels from the curries. Papadum - a thin, crispy cracker - can also be used to scoop up items from your plate. Nurtured in a pile of vegetables on the buffet line, the tandoori chicken is an item I highly recommend. Grab a piece, and you may discover the best tandoori chicken you've ever eaten at any Indian restaurant. If you still have room in your gut after the main-course gluttony, there are dessert offerings. Kheer - a sweet rice pudding tinged with cardamom - is addictive. My favorite is the gulab jamuns - balls of dough made from milk and flour in a caramelized sugar syrup. By the time you're done eating at Namaste, you'll understand that location isn't everything in the restaurant business, and that some adventures can result in great rewards. I'm simply thrilled that I no longer have to drive all the way out to Beaverton and Hillsboro to attain great Indian cuisine.
(5)Marie H.
Very good. Visiting PDX and fancied an Indian take away. Did not have the buffet, but ordered individual dishes. Yummy rice, great 'real' naan! The food was really yummy and authentic, reminded me of being back in England. Will go back when visiting PDX in future.
(4)Holy-foo' X.
Samuel Jackson, to Bridget Fonda, who is toking out on his couch, yet again: "That stuff is gonna rob you of your ambition..." Bridget: "Not if my ambition is to get high, and watch TV....." This memorable exchange from "Jackie Brown" sums up perfectly my feelings about Namaste, as well as a few other Indian cuisine buffets scattered around town: I seem to always enter these places all bad intentions, looking to put these places out of business w/the excesses of my revolting, Romanesque gluttony. Then invariably, after not finishing even round one, I am invariably and summarily trounced and shown the door by these eateries. just as though I were another light-weight posin' chump. What the heck is going on????? Them Indians know what they're doing, all right. I'm convinced they're lacing that delicious food w/corn starch, or Wrath o' Vishnu, or Buddha fairy dust or something.... something that bloats you and makes you moan to be taken out behind the barn and put DOWN, in no time flat! It seems to me they could take a huge chunk out of world hunger there in the mother land (the Indian Subcontinent), by feeding the lower castes even tiny portions of such food. Then again, all productivity would continuously grind to a halt, as the bloat factor is so bad, you are reduced to a food coma and have to sleep it off for about 18 hours, each meal! How in the world could you hold a job down, gettin' down on fonky fonky Nosh such as this on even a semi-regular basis??? I love a nice curry, which I realize is hardly a unique sentiment in the West. Curry, along w/Chinese, became the official national co-cuisines of the UK decades ago, for example. That said, I really dig the robust flavors and intense heat of the spiciest curry dishes, preferably with lamb, or some sort of seafood. No problem, Namaste has about 87 different dishes in their Unholy Buffet featuring either lamb (I especially love their "Dancing Lamb", esp. w/the paella-style rice), or seafood--mainly fish or shrimp. Their Tikka Masala, Their Rogan Josh, oh man their Ginger chicken (or lamb), w/the onions, chilies and coconut.... I am dinging Namaste one star b/c, despite being a buffet, they require numerous return trips in order to exhaust their lengthy menu options. And perhaps that is all part of their dastardly plan for world dominion. I have been there 3-4 times since they opened their doors. I used to love the seafood place that was there before Namaste, but now I've been forced to forget about the old, and focus on tackling the Beast out in East Po-Po!
(4)angie s.
Just tried it for the first time, Sunday Lunch buffet, not bad for under 10 bucks. The seating area itself is bit lame, just 80's style booths. Food wasn't bad, Im from the east coast where there are exceptional Indian joints everywhere but this seems to be limited here in NE. They don't have things labeled all that well, some of the labels are on the opposite side of the buffet, so you have to walk around to know what it is. They don't have the typical popular dishes, like Butter Chicken or Tikka Masala (well, had a chic pea version that was just ok) but I did try some things I had never had that were very good. Overall, for the price, it was pretty good and the staff was super nice. They put a pitcher of water on my table so I didn't really need any staff assistance once seated, which I enjoyed.
(3)Matt L.
could this be the best indian buffet in portland? It could be. I'm not saying it's not, that's for sure, because then I'd have to provide an example of a better place, and I'm not sure I could do that. Due to a previous sixth-month occupation of a NW 23rd apartment, Swagat has become my baseline in terms of indian food buffet; Namaste is more expensive, but more better. One key element that's immediately apparent is the fresh naan - garlic naan, even, which you can't find at Swagat, or a few other indian buffets I could mention. It's something you generally run into at restaraunts (like the India Oven on Belmont.) All the key food groups were there: palak paneer, chicken makhni and tika masala, goat and lamb curries, breaded and fried veggies (potatoes, so indian french fries, basically) - and homemade mango icecream! Oh, and the rice - plain sweet rice with saffron, or a delicious stir-fried variation with a little more kick. All of this was available at the dinner - you read that right, dinner! - buffet, like an hour before they closed. There were a few inconvenient bones in a couple of the meat sauces, though the buffet features little warning notes regarding those dishes. There were a couple of sort of dried out rubbery bits of meat in amongst the generally fresh juicy ones - but that's a hazard of buffet food, and one which I'll gladly brave in the interest of stuffing myself so full of delicious indian food that I contemplate taking a nap in the car before returning for yet another course. This was my first visit, but I can't even imagine how it'd be my last.
(4)Kate D.
So tasty, it is worth the drive from NoPo. The hostess/proprietor pointed out non-spicy dishes for our 3-year old.
(5)Karen W.
There was so much to choose from and all was Delicious. They help was so friendly and sweet. Tandoori chicken as good as we've ever tasted. Several varieties of chicken (all excellent) as well as peas & potatoes, and spinach with paneer. Desserts were good too, although it almost hurt to try to fit them in, after all of that good food. We'd go back a few times a week if we didn't live in NJ.
(5)Jen C.
This buffet is the freakin bomb, a jewel in the city of Portland for Indian food and did I mention cheap as hell? The naan bread is freakin amazing, soft and warm and everything you want naan to be. The biranyani rice and white rice are cooked to perfection. Chicken curry is awesome. I really wanted to try the coconut rice but was so full I forgot about it! Now how is that possible?
(5)Cass M.
Come hungry and be ready to be adventurous. I heart namaste and am not afraid to say it. I love their naan, the plethora of veggie dishes, and even their weird decorating. The price is right and its close to home. If you are only going to hit one buffet in PDX make this one the place.
(4)A N.
Stopped here during our road trip to Seattle. We were greeted by a friendly staff and great ambiance. Lots of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options to choose from. Food was very good. Few dishes could have used more salt and spice to taste better. The restaurant owners 2 daughters, 7-8 year olds, work here also, one at the cashiers desk, one on the floor. Very sharp kids, but might draw flak from people as kids shouldn't be working, and this can constitute child labor. Toilets were also clean. Will come back again whenever I visit Portland.
(5)Mel L.
I'm just now sure why so any yelpers like this place. Two stars is "Meh. I've experienced better" and this perfectly expresses my dinner there on Friday night. There were four of us and we had the $12 buffet. I was absolutely baffled by the way the buffet was set up. Rice in the middle, entrees to the left, salads, soups, sauces, and dessert to the right, but you pick up your plate next to the salad. Many of the dishes did not have tags to explain what they were and you could serve your self from either side but one side just felt like the back side and was impossible to get to the rice from. But that is just the technical issues. There was a wide selection of entrees, but almost all of them where a little bit of solid food swimming in a pan of thin sauce. If you selected more then two of these, the sauces would just all run together and you would not be able to tell them apart. What I had was okay, but is was just that okay, nothing special. Nothing that was outstanding and made me want to go back for more. I tasted just about everything. If you want the hot experience, there is plenty to choose from, but it a guessing game which one will be spicy. Even the Mango ice cream really had very little flavor. So disappointing. And the place it self if a just above what I would call a dump. The decor from when the place was Steamer and had a locomotive motif did not work for the Indian cuisine. We sat at a table the had flickering light above it, bad enough to drive us away quickly after we had finished our meal. I recommend skipping this place unless you are a die hard fan of overpriced mediocre Indian food.
(2)Diana M.
I really love this place! Indian Cuisine is one of my favorite foods to eat and this helps me get that fix on the cheap! I love their naan and during the lunch hour they have garlic naan which makes a wonderful thing even more AMAZING! Their food and servers are always nice and attentive which I can appreciate because some buffets leave you and your dishes to pile up. Everyone seems to love their mango soft serve ice cream, I on the other hand am not to big on it. I actually prefer their rice milk pudding which is making my mouth water as we speak! If you're new to Indian Cuisine, I would recommend this place to be the one you try so you can get a taste of all the currys and other food items.
(5)InternationalTraveler ..
Excellent Surprise, Buffet style, clean, fresh, not peppery. wide variety of very tastey dishes. Veggies fresh and cooked, delish meats, deserts, soups. Service was good. Price was good. Will be back, recommend
(4)Tet W.
I came here for lunch because I was craving Indian food. I'm not a big fan of buffets but this one was pretty good. It's nice to be able to select multiple items like soups, naan, curry, salads and sauces. The staff was nice. You pretty much serve yourself so service was very minimal. The tandoori chicken was very good. The creamy yogurt and chicken was very tasty with the chicken rice. The palak paneer which is home made cheese cubes cooked with spinach and mild spices was also very tasty. The ambiance is nothing to rave about. It just looks like an Indian cafeteria but it's located in a very convenient location with plenty of parking. If you like spicy foods or a big fan of curry, you'll like Namaste. For a $9 all you can eat buffet, this is a bargain. I definitely recommend giving this place a try.
(4)Hulk I.
I love indian food and I'm surrounded by Indian culture. My job has fortunately let me taste true Indian Food, so I like to think I have some degree of credibility. With that said, Namaste is a great place to try a good variety of dishes. Though the flavors may not be as spectacular as Swagat, but is the dinner buffet that wins me. Most Indian restaurants only have buffet at lunch, but this place has it at dinner as well. That means you can stuff yourself crazy with all the curry you want. The price is great and the portions have no limit. Also, if you are trying indian food for the first time, this a a great place to start.
(4)Leo D.
Had the Saturday lunch buffet and the options were excellent. Although we were greeted, no one ever came by to take our drink order and left to wonder what the Indian Whiskey taste like. The goat, rice and naan are my favorite. I always hope for decent lettuce, but they had iceberg. They did carry fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. The decor is a lousy, but not dirty. I'd go back.
(3)Neil B.
As someone of Indian descent, I feel badly when people think that this is good Indian food. 1) Buffet only - not really a problem 2) Quality - The rice is made in giant rice cookers, who knows how often, and kept in them indefinitely. It was dry, lacking flavor, and of some indescript type. Not basmati, unlikely to even be jasmine. The "vegetables" are mostly cheap items, like potatoes, carrots, onions and spinach. No okra, eggplant, or anything that requires either time, effort or expense to cook. Most unfortunately, they attempt to compensate for the flavors and ingredients through liberal use of oil. When I was there, there were literally pools of oil floating on EVERY dish. 3) Variety - very standard chaana masaala, mixed vegetables, spinach, etc. Not one unique / special item. Disclaimer: NONE, I don't own / know an Indian restaurant in town. Just moved here.
(1)Dan E.
I am a big Thai food fan, I am always on the lookout for a new place. And Thai buffet is my holy grail... it seems like more thai places only serve the buffet at lunch though. Very happy to find this place. Ambiance is a bit hole-in-the-wall, but the food is awesome! I usually go through once to try a little sample of each dish - it took 2 plates to do that here. Turns out that I didn't need the sampler plate, it was all great - no bad or iffy dishes. Really good! I ate too much, but I had an excuse, as we hiked St. Helens the next day, lol.
(5)Danielle D.
Everything was great until we found the roach in the iced tea. We enjoyed the Old Portland decor, the lamb curry, the goat curry.... nothing was amazing or off the charts, but not overly greasy, either. As we were congratulating each other on another buffet accomplishment, I spied it. A roach. In the iced tea glass. We were grossed out, and discreetly carried it up to the front counter. Our server seemed concerned but her manager was dismissive, and we didn't pay. We won't return.
(1)Kevin W.
Your indian food was delicious and had tons of variety. I loved your Mango ice cream!
(4)Lydia H.
Unlimited naan. . . I am in heaven. Indian food check, buffet check, great price check, we have a winner. I've had better palak panner but it was still good. The highlight for me was the "too bad I can't remember the name." It was yellow, creamy, full of veggies and amazing. I also enjoyed the rice pudding, although I had to have a few bites of it before it hit the magic this is tasty spot. The mango ice cream was also fantastic. My beau's only prior experience with Indian food was some bites of a food cart meal I got a year ago. So I think for Indian food newbies this buffet is the way to go and he really liked everything he tried. The only real downside for me was the decor; I think this place used to be an "ole time" lumber mill bar or something and its just plain weird, but I am there for the buffet not to redecorate.
(4)Michael E.
We really enjoyed their buffet. Perfect for everyone? Maybe not, but for most. Perfect for us. Good variety, vegetarian options, and all around a good experience.
(4)D A.
Because it's a convenient place to meet a good buddy from the 'Couve, we've eaten here several times at lunch. $10 bucks too much for a buffet lunch, you say? Well, no, not if you're hungry and like pretty good Indian food. I've had better, but not at this price. The sauces are rich and the dishes are filling. Just right for a cold, damp Oregon day. They offer a wide variety of traditional dishes, both hot and cold. Sorry, I can't name them without a guide. We learned not to go early -- it seems they warm their hot dishes on the steam table, instead of in the kitchen.
(4)Tiffany M.
I am definitely a fan of this restaurant. My sister and I went for a late lunch and when we walked in the place was clean with a huge buffet. There were so many choices on the buffet and I was not shy to try them all. I was not disappointed and I think we ate enough food for 5 people. THIS IS A MUST TRY PLACE! I recommend people here all the time. YUM!!
(4)Linda A.
For a buffet, this place is amazing. I recommend going once to preview because, some dishes you may not like and you need to identify what you like...and you will most definitely find some favourites!
(4)Paolina T.
Mango ice cream is homemade and YUMMY! Yummy! Yummy! I would just go there for the ice cream, but unfortunately for my waist line, the rest of the food is YUMMY! Of course we only do buffet and they have a lot of different foods to choose from as well as many different meats (chicken, lamb, goat) THey have 2 different kinds of rice. WARNING: If you decide to go to Namaste, refrain from eating most of the day. THat way you can enjoy more of the variety of foods. Don't be scared of the goat... it is delicious!
(5)Olivia T.
Ummm yeah...now Portland has an Indian restaurant that offers Buffet for dinner. Ummm yeah..it's not in SW, not in inner SE, not downtown, it's all the way on NE 83rd & NE Sandy Blvd. It worth the trip out there because you will be full of Indian food goodness. Let's see, for $11.95 you can get unlimited salad (but really who comes here for salad?), rice, Naan, condiments, soups, and entrees (such as Chicken vindaloo, Lamb curry, Vegetables curry, Chicken Swharma, and more). The best part is the dessert..of course you can have the rice pudding and the sweet sticky cake that usually comes with Indian Buffet. In additional to that, you can have homemade Mango Ice Cream. Yes, it's homemade and yes it's so gooooooooooooood. If I didn't remember about my diet, I would eat more ice cream than I should had. Don't come here for ambiance because there's none. Their furnitures are the same furnitures from previous Steamers' restaurant. Just come here for delicious food and fill up your bellies. Happy eating, yeeps!
(4)Roman S.
this place gives me mixed feelings. i've only been to this place for dinners and only for their buffet. you will notice one of the more "extensive" indian dinner buffets. they usually even have a goat and lamb dish. chicken. vegeterian goop, desserts mango ice cream, mango lassi (sometimes they charge me sometimes they dont?) all this fun for $13? yes... well.. here's the bad part.. the decor of this place is pretty fucking horrible.
(4)Charles L.
I have been here multiple times and think it is the best Indian buffet in the Portland area. It warms my heart that there are an equal number of meat and vegetarian options, and the latter are all delicious. In particular, I love the samosa, naan, anything with garbanzos, and the mango ice cream. The decor is a mixed bag as other reviewers have noted, but I come here for the food, not the ambience.
(5)Timothy C.
Finally got a chance to duck in a give Namaste a shot! Hooray! Stopped in for lunch and was surprised by the buffet service? Restaurant was fairly busy and the food was rotated often. The Nan was fabulous when its first served! I sampled almost everything, and that quite a belly full. The buffet offers a nice cold salad side and probably a dozen items on the hot side. My favorite was the goat!!! The mutton dish was delicious! Everything else was fair to good. Service was ample, attendant kept our table clear of empty dishes and our drinks full. The music was relaxing and enjoyable, Its a little dark in the diningroom, but wasn't dreary, kinda cozy? Anyways, 4 starts is a fair assessment, and YES I WILL BE RETURNING! The staff was boasting of their dinner service with additional dishes, so I gotta check it out.
(4)Harsha R.
Click the like button for: An Indian dinner buffet. Nice. The appetizers such as aloo tiki, and pakoras are quite good. The naans (plain/butter/garlic) are nice and soft. And I'm a fan of their tandoori chicken, chicken biryani and chicken vindalho. Finally, they usually have a good dessert spread - gulab jamuns, mango ice-cream, etc. Click the dislike button for: Pretty much any other (veggie/chicken) curry apart from the vindalho. I feel they use way too much cream. It may just be their (Punjabi) style of cooking but I'm not a huge fan of creamy food. Also, the chicken tikka masala and chicken makhani can be mild. Click the disbelief button for: When they say they are open till 9 pm but run low on a few buffet items at 8 pm, you'd think they'd do something to sustain the customers who are already there or just walking in. But not over here. If they are out of a particular dish, tough luck. I can understand a dish like biryani will take time to prepare. But if they anticipate a busy (Friday) evening, they should be better prepared. And no mango ice-cream as well. That just sucks.
(3)tara c.
We have always enjoyed this buffet - no ambience, sure, but consistently tasty food. So today I look at Yelp to check when they are open and happen to read the recent review with the lovely roach anecdote and now that's all I can picture. Great. Thanks, Yelp.
(3)James S.
My wife and I both had gotten sick after having their lunch buffet. We're never going back! Hope you have a strong stomach if you do go don't bring the elderly or children!
(1)Jami H.
This is a weird little place in the middle of a Howard Johnsons complex. It seems maybe it used to be a Howard Johnsons restaurant. Hard to tell if it is actually connected to hotel. It's kind of run down and oddly set up, and the ambience is hardly romantic or relaxing. A bit too bright and glaring, with ugly floral booth fabric. But I dug it for it's weirdness. The buffet was surprisingly good. Surely not gourmet Indian cuisine, but solidly tasty, and lots of offerings including multiple chicken dishes and TWO goat dishes. Rice pudding AND mango soft serve. Two kinds of basmati rice. The people watching was also quite good. Most diverse crowd I've experienced at a restaurant in a long time.
(4)Park S.
Excellent buffet. Foods are fresh and plentiful. Service is decent. Usually owner is main waitress and she is so busy seating ppl, , not alot of time to go around and check with customers. Then again, Asian restaurants are known for their poor to terrible service and that's why we never tip.
(4)Lid C.
I have a crave/repulsed relationship with Namaste. I happen to live nearby, I love Indian food and I love buffets. The positive Yelp reviews inspired my first visit. I was lucky enough to encounter Chana Masala, my absolute favorite Indian dish and it was good, really good. I was pleased with all the vegan options that day and was looking forward to returning. The second time was far less impressive than the first. It was ok but nothing worth mentioning. You know, unless you're a Yelper. I decided the second time might have been a fluke so I returned a third time. I think it's fair to say it was awful. Awful, awful, awful. My friend and I wrinkled our noses at everything we had, including the once loved Chana Masala, and threw out more food than I ever consider acceptable. Had that been my first experience, I never would've returned. I decided to go a fourth time to see if the first awesome experience was the fluke or if my recent experience was the one to be expected. The fourth time was hands down the best experience of the four. Everything was so incredible and flavorful, the Chana Masala was AMAZING. As I was moaning my way through lunch, I couldn't believe this was the same place I had visited so many times before. I have since returned and it was just ok. Not bad, not great. I would LOVE to give this place four or even five stars but their complete lack of consistency begs I take away a star. The other star? The cleanliness. The whole place feels run down, dark, poorly planned and straight up dirty. I've even had to switch tables once before to avoid a strong, offensive odor emitting from the booth I was sitting in. What kind of smell, you wonder? The kind that rhymes with "nuke" and "comet". Will I return? Probably. Every other Indian restaurant is a bazillion miles away from me plus I end up at Namaste on days I forget to allot time to go to a restaurant, order, wait, eat, pay, leave. At Namaste I skip straight to the eat, which is my favorite part of going out. If they get the place cleaned up and start churning out consistently good food, I will happily update my review and sing their praises.
(3)Jyoti N.
A huge selection of food for an Indian buffet. I liked the bell peppers and the onion tomato chutney the best and of course Gulab Jamun. I did not try every single thing because I got full before I could even though I was taking very little of it.
(4)Gary H.
This buffet is the bomb! I have been here 3 times now and every time it ROCKED! it's a jewel in the city of Portland for Indian food and it's at a very fair price.? The naan bread is very good!, soft and warm and everything you want naan to be. The biranyani rice and white rice are cooked to perfection. Chicken curry is awesome as well of all the other Items on the buffet. I really wanted to try the Ice cream but was so full I forgot about it! Guess I will have to go back again soon!
(4)Af R.
Awesome buffet, $12.50 for dinner and so many choices. Two soups, lots of chicken, tons of veggies entrees and appetizers. Mango soft serve could have been good but it was too runny.
(4)Becky H.
Everything was fresh and tasty, the place was spotless, and I actually got to try a couple of dishes I've never had before. The "Fruit Custard" (which I Googled and was unable to find one like it) was excellent. I would make it at home if I could find a recipe! Their signature "Namaste Chicken" was so delicious, it was hard not to go for seconds. The service was OK once we got started, although we waited 5-10 minutes after being seated, for our initial contact with a waitress. I would guess regulars just get their table and go to the buffet before they order drinks, but we weren't sure so we sat there first. -shrug- No biggie. If I lived in Portland, this would be a frequent choice.
(4)Neeva D.
I love Indian food. In fact, New Taste of India catered my wedding, so no one can say I don't have a passion for the cuisine. And this is some damn fine food. So far I've been to Namaste twice and each time I have walked out with a belly full of delicious. To me, the best part about Indian food is the variety of dishes, and I hate going to a restaurant and being limited to one curry and some rice and being forced to order tons of extra side dishes if I want anything else (which is every time). I always find myself looking for a server for a refill of naan and trying to calculate how I can get everything I want without spending a fortune. But at Namaste, I walk like three feet and BOOM plateful of naan, pakoras, and those little fried potato bite things. And my favorite tamarind sauce. YUMMY HEAVEN. The chicken tikka masala is awesome, and is the dish I tend to gravitate to. The others are good, but I want to bathe in the chicken tikka masala, for real. But I don't, because that would be pretty rude for the other buffet patrons ("Just scoop around the rubber ducky, thanks!"). I do have a couple of complaints - the naan isn't my favorite. Now I know what you're thinking: "But Neeva D., you just made such a huge deal out of the fact that we can get all the naan we want at our fingertips*, and now you tell us it's not even good?" Firstly, just call me Neeva. Secondly, the fact that I can have all I want, when I want, makes up for the deficiencies I find in the quality. I prefer a soft puffy naan, and the naan at Namaste is a little thin and crispy towards the center. Not a bad thing, just not my preference. The decor is lacking, and at times the service is nonexistant, but it's a godamn buffet godammit. Don't look at the walls, eat! And after that go eat some more! All the better if the staff don't get in your path from table to food! What are you waiting for? *Please don't actually use your fingertips. The tongs are there for your and other people's sanitary concerns. Thanks!
(5)Heather A.
Curry flavored french fries! Yes!!!
(4)Michael V.
I went here for the first time today for lunch and I must say that for a buffet this is real value. The food is kept fresh and the variety is the best of any Indian buffet that I have had in Portland. The chicken and goat masala were very good and so was the tandoori. The other curries were ok but not great. The mango soft ice cream was a nice treat as well. I would definitely recommend this place.
(4)Annette V.
Had a craving for Indian food recently so made the trek to Namaste. The location is definitely in an area I don't frequent much, but the positive Yelp reviews made me hopeful that it would be well worth it. The building itself is shabby and dark inside, but spacious enough that you can be seated away from other patrons. For the food: the mint sauce is sooo good, I wish I could bottle it up and take it home with me to use on random things. The buffet menu featured soups, salad bar, naan, and several different types of curries, (goat, chicken, lamb, vegetarian) and although they were all very flavorful and delicious, you get full very quickly and after your first plate you're ready to throw in the towel and head on over to the mango ice cream machine. Fresh homemade mango ice cream is what the sign read, and fresh homemade mango ice cream is really what you get. The flavor was spot on, and the cold creaminess was exactly what was needed to quell a stomach full of spices and curry. Next time I'm around the area and craving Indian food, I will give it another whirl.
(3)Nathan S.
I heard stories about the quality of Namaste in Vancouver and made the hike up there over a year ago. In Portland, this place does not fail to deliver as well. I returned to the States from India about two weeks ago (believe me, I developed quite a taste for Indian food while I was there) and since have been craving some quality Indian food. This is the place. Namaste's masala is as close to authentic Indian as it gets. On top of it all, the place is a buffet so you don't have to worry about getting your money's worth. I have no complaints whatsoever, but be warned, if you're an Indian food pro, chapati/roti is not available. I don't blame Namaste for only providing naan (in my opinion, the mostt westernized Asian and/or Middle Eastern bread) when that's what people are accustomed to. Last but not least, Namaste even provides authentic Indian beers like Haywards 1000 (think Olde English but Indian) and Kingfisher. Authenticity is the key to this place, you won't be disappointed!
(5)Kevin B.
I use to love it but my stomach did not What happened... and the Ammonia smell its got to go
(2)Roxanne B.
I wish there was a way to give this place 3.5 stars. The reason this place isn't a true 4 to me is because some of my favorite buffet items that I'm accustomed to seeing at buffets in the Silicon Valley weren't available. The buffet is a great value and you are bound to find something edible to eat here. The buffet is well stocked and kept clean, and there is always plenty of naan - I hate going to Indian restaurants where the naan is sparsely available. For some reason, I found the vegetarian dishes (I'm not a vegetarian) to be the most tasty and satisfying out of all of the offerings. The best part is the mango soft-serve ice cream. It has this smoothy, dense, icy texture and tastes of real mango. It is like a cross between gelato and sorbet. I swear I can eat like 2 or 3 cones on my way out the door. I heard their spot in Vancouver also has coconut soft-serve ice cream.
(4)Amy S.
WeI wanted to be thrilled and delighted by a new discovery. We had high hopes, which were utterly unrealized. Things we liked: 1. the wagon wheel door hardware. 2. the lovely and very kind people who clearly own the place. Things we didn't like: the food. I think the problem is that it's a buffet, and only a buffet. How long has the food been sitting there anyway? The fish was dried out, the creamy dishes were way too creamy, there was a distinct lack of vegetables, the goat was goaty (?), and the "homemade" softserve mango ice cream was a color not found in nature. There isn't really more to say. Sorry, Namaste. We wanted to love you.
(1)Eric O.
This is the second location that I know of for this restaurant - Their other location is in Vancouver, WA: yelp.com/biz/namaste-ind… I just visited this location for the first time today, and as with their Vancouver location, I think the food here tastes great,with a good blend of spices. They have a fairly large rice warmer that they always keep full with fragrant and flavorful authentic Basmati rice. Their buffet is available for lunch and for dinner, and they have a good selection of food. I've been to other Indian restaurants, and I prefer the food here better - it seems of a higher quality. Another thing I like about the food here is that many items are mild, so it's easier to taste the flavors in the food. Their prices for the buffet are $8.95 for lunch and $11.95 for dinner. One thing I think is odd is their odd hours - they're open only for a few hours for lunch (11:00AM-2:30PM) and then they open again for dinner (5:00PM-9:30PM).
(4)Emily H.
My bay area friends will be happy because I won't make them go out for Indian food every time I visit them, because I can finally get something half way decent here. I'm not sure I have much to add to the chorus of four star reviews, but I want to echo the sentiment that this place is decent by any standard, and really good by Portland standards. It is at least a notch or two below Londo, Chicago, or Washington DC options, but at least as good as a lot of what I have had in the Bay Area. So yeah, really good by Portland standards. I like that it doesn't cost you an arm and a leg to eat, and you can sit at your table talking as long as you want and nobody gives you a dirty look or tries to rush you out, or glares at you when you show up without a reservation. (Ahem, Bombay Cricket Club- you aren't all that!) I like the cheesy decor that is virtually untouched from the previous incarnation of the space and the weird cafeteria vibe. It makes me think the owners really wanted to open a restaurant and decided to focus on the food. They obviously didn't spend a million dollars on a fancy build out (more like about $50 on the build out). My husband commented that the attached bar area looks like The Regal Beagle (from Three's Company). They seriously need some karaoke going on in there. Indian Buffet and karaoke? Hells yes. P.S. Brightly colored or not, the mango ice cream is delish.
(4)Christine B.
Great Indian food for the price! Fun, clean buffet style which helps with trying new things. I found new favorite dishes and will definitely be back! Very casual, family friendly style restaurant.
(5)Noah P.
I don't usually think of 82nd as the best place to get tasty food, however, this restaurant is a total gem. I love going here to and from PDX -- the all you can eat special for around $12 is a pretty great deal. They always have a large and fresh buffet. I'm really not someone who even likes buffets - but I love this place.
(5)Garrett C.
Got into Portland and yelped for food. Namaste came up with a good rating for a good price less than a mile away from our hotel. Good food for a buffet. Definately came out happy. The mango soft serve ice cream was a nice finish. Would go back again.
(5)R W.
The reason why I am adding my praise to the heap is that you may think you've been steered wrong by Yelp when you finally find this place on NE Sandy and 84th. You haven't - it's awesome. Much better variety than Swagat. The inside is spacious and clean. All is yummy here. One warning: the chunks of stuff that look like papaya are not fruit at all.
(4)Steve M.
I'm typically a pretty devout vegetarian and if you decide to remain one at Namaste, you will be richly rewarded. Their Palak Paneer was delicious, the other veggie curries were yummy as well, but the Palak Paneer was definitely a standout (as in a 'mmm I need some of that on every plate at a buffet' kind of way). I'm typically pretty devout, but occasionally I falter. At Namaste's it was a veritable Noah's ark of critters that led me from my devout vegetarian ways. Our friends the chicken, his compadre the goat, and their lil buddy the lamb are all well represented here. Being a buffet, I was pretty resistant to their animal charms on the first go around...but c'mon Chicken Vindaloo? Who can resist trying a Chicken Vindaloo? (aside from the answer of obviously not this Steve). The Goat? How often does someone bring goat to the buffet? and umm, I'm sorry Mr. Lamb, but you just taste too good to resist ;) The quality is definitely the best for Indian Buffet I've had in Portland, the people who run it are super friendly, and if you're looking for a nice place to relax over Indian food with a friend? I can't suggest it happily enough. The location is a little bit out there, but I was on my way to a movie at the Roseway and it worked out to be REALLY convenient :D
(4)Dian K.
I went there for lunch direct from the airport. Pretty much the only time I go would be when I'm close to the airport because I live clear across town on the other side. It's a shame too since it's one of the better Indian buffet in town. It has a lot of variety and they're all good. The mango ice cream is the best!
(4)Katie D.
Found this place a few months back because I was missing my favorite Taste of India from the U-District in Seattle. Anyway, thanks to Yelp I ended up here and I am so glad that I did! For less than $12 I can eat my belly full of masalas, vindaloos, tamarind and mint sauce... Being semi gluten-free and dairy-free I have found several worthy choices at this place. I even tried goat the last time I was here and it was great! My favorite thing about a buffet is getting to the food is fast! The mango ice cream is pretty tasty, but I like the entrees a bit more than the desserts. Definitely worth the drive and the price if you're hungry and want some Indian foods!
(4)Holly B.
This is my favorite Indian restaurant! Not only do they have a buffet during dinner hours (very rare!) but it's the best Indian FOOD, not just Indian buffet food. Most Indian buffets I have been to have like 4 or 5 entrees and a bunch of sauces/greens/things people never eat. This place has like, 12 entrees, plus 2 kinds of naan, homemade mango ice cream, 2 soups, and a salad bar with all those sauces some people like. There is always a goat dish, lamb dish, 2 chickens, a beef, and a bunch of vegetarian options. Sometimes shrimp too. The service is fine I am sure, I don't really know because I serve myself whenever I want. It's a buffet! The owner is so friendly and always remembers us. I really hope this place stays around, I love it. They are pretty busy for dinner, but there is always an open table. This is a great way to try Indian for the first time, or introduce Indian to a friend or family member that is hesitant to try it.
(5)Lynn S.
So Good! Save room for the mango soft serve, you will want two bowls full; trust me.
(5)Stan H.
I got to spend a week near Portland and had a fist full of Yelp reviewed places to try. I ended up eating here twice, once for lunch and once for dinner. Good spices, authentic enough flavor and nice selection. Lamb, goat, fish, and lots of chicken- the buffet is about 15' long. I have hit Pok Pok, Hot Pot City, Super Buffet, Enjoni and Jarra's Ethiopian place and this is tops so far in cost vrs quality. Jarra's was certainly the friendliest as it was a slow night and their lamb shank was just falling off the bone good but that is another review. Dirty Gin Martini from the bar was a bit too watered down so had to get another. Props for chilling it and the glass though. Cashier made a simple error and short changed me, I had to let her know the martinis were not strong enough for that =) Tandoori chicken, mint sauce, saag paneer all great. They have a dish that has halved serano chilies in it you can pull out to help add heat to other dishes. Some of the sauces were off, things were not perfect and really there should be 3 stars but the goat and lamb pushed it right up to 4. They have wifi but can't remember the freakin password. sheesh. Can't see a buffet getting much better- you get what you pay for and here it works out in your favor.
(4)Lester A.
Menu variety: Went here on a dinner buffet so they had a great selection of Indian food at the buffet line. I had the chicken tikka masala, curry and khoorma and who can pass up on unlimited naan bread? Don't forget to try their mango soft serve ice cream for dessert. Food taste: Delicious and tasty, you'll have to filter out the crispy to soft naan bread but at least they make sure it is never empty so you know its freshly made. Service: Pleasant Price: Above average but well worth Wait Time: None, seated upon arrival Ambiance: Indian music playing, Indian decor, private seating area in the back and the buffet line and tables were clean. Bathrooms: Available but did not use it. I've been to their restaurant in Vancouver so I already knew their food was great. Overall it was a great dining experience and I'll definitely come back for seconds.
(4)Gina H.
I really liked this place. The atmosphere is pretty hilarious. Service - good Food - good Cost - not too bad (it is all you can eat) Location - kinda out there Overall though, I would for sure go back!
(4)Michael and Teresa T.
The food was great! Yelpers have, once again, pointed us in the right direction. This place doesn't look like much on the outside, but don't judge the book by the cover. Excellent food!
(4)Liz C.
Ho-ly Crap. Finally, some Indian food that is ACTUALLY good. It's about freaking time, Portland. This little gem popped up on Sandy not too long ago, and I'm SO happy that my roommates and I stumbled upon it. I've been in search for the real deal in the realm of Indian food since I moved here, and no one has really delivered....that is until I dined here. The paneer was amazing, and everything else was so delicious. The naan was really fresh, and the papadums=heaven. The fish pakora was surprisingly delightful. The only thing that I wasnt wild about was their selection of chutneys/raitas, but when you've got some pakora, fresh naan and amazing dishes, who need a good raita? Their kheer & mango ice cream were good. And the thing that bumps this to 5 stars: all you can eat Gulab jamun. GULAB JAMUN. Food porn at its finest. All of you jokers who think that India house and Swagat are legit, take heed when I say : you're paying for over priced mediocre food. Namaste is where its at.
(5)Tara K.
Namaste opening on Sandy Blvd has been a highlight for my neighborhood, and for a vegetarian always looking for somewhere to appease myself and my meat eating family it was a blessing. The buffet is huge, the veg selections are ample and easily identified, and the place is big enough for groups. Homemade mango ice cream is a must. I'm not saying the food is the best Indian you can get in town because it isn't, but unless you want to drive across town or into the Couv it will do for most. This place is a bit pricey at $12.99 a person for dinner, but you can get a to-go container for the same price and take home enough for two with naan. Also, if you buy a drink and eat in the bar area you get $1 off your meal, and the drinks are pretty cheap.
(4)Jo L.
I'm always bummed that most Indian places only do buffets for lunch, so I was ecstatic when I realized they have it for dinner. Great number of options including vegetarian and vegan. Will definitely be back. Over and over.
(4)Remi E.
Every once in a great while, you hit the jackpot. This time, it included all three categories for an exceptional experience: great food (and I'm a 40-year connoisseur of great Indian food), great prices, and great staff. The restaurant, in fact, was the one highlight of our staying in that awful Howard Johnson's on the premises. ;-) One of my daughters was having an issue and both the server and the manager came to talk to me and to her in succession to find out why she was crying. The manager finally offered to put her meal on the house in his attempt to cheer her up and make her eat. She finally did (we included the cost in the tip, though), and I was left utterly impressed with this rare display of genuine concern from the management. Every dish was really good, but I will mention the exceptional, for which you HAVE to go and try the place out. This is the only Indian restaurant that has giant rice-cooker pots of rice in the buffet (look for it at the back on the right, or you might miss it) instead of little drying-out driblets running out in a warmer pan. And we're not just talkin' white rice-- they got BIRYANI! ...in the buffet (not just fancy dinner-plate orders)! And finally: the pièce de resistance: the most heavenly, CREAMY mango ice cream that it has ever been my pleasure to imbibe. I totally shoulda saved more room. Again, I couldn't believe that they offer such a carefully-perfected treat just for a buffet (usually buffets unload the cheapest, mass-produced stuff that they can on customers)... and it's all included in the already low price ($11-12). As another reviewer mentioned, they are the only open-late buffet I've ever seen... and with the best thing you'd want in variety-- Indian food! Your mouth will say Hooray!!! Don't miss Namaste. Enjoy. : )
(5)Maitreya L.
Great deal if you have a big appetite! I usually eat 3 heaping plates or so of food at buffets, and it can be hard to get filled at regular restaurants, so I generally like any decent buffet. . I'm not usually a fan of Indian food because I don't like curry, but this place is actually pretty good. I just avoid the curry dishes. My fiance loves this place so we eat there pretty often. The quality varies, busy nights are best like any buffet because the food is fresher. I've only been to about 6 Indian restaurants in my life, usually mediocre small town ones, and this is the only Indian place I've tried in Portland, but the food is actually better than any of the non-buffet Indian restaurants I've been too, and it's hard to beat the price for such a filling meal. The selection is better than any Indian buffet I've tried. Their "homemade" mango ice cream is quite good too. It seems family run and the staff is pretty friendly. The atmosphere is nothing special, but is fine for a buffet. I see a lot of Indian people eating here too, so that is probably a good sign.
(5)Mal C.
This review is based on the buffet. Close to the airport, this is a gem in the rough. Inexpensive, authentic Indian food. Everything was awesomely spiced and the meats were moist. Fresh naan bread, delicious masala tea, and many dessert options. The ambiance could certainly be improved, but at this price and quality, who cares!
(5)H. M.
It's an Indian buffet. For dinner. About $12.50 a person with "homemade" mango soft serve. As my husband said, amazing what they can do with powder. Don't set your expectations to the height of Dwaraka, but be prepared to be pleasantly surprised. Certainly a great place to bring a crowd of hungry people that like Indian food. The service was attentive and kind and we'll be back, not for the beer list, though. Oh, if you go to the bar and buy a drink, you get $2 off your dinner. You'll go home and want to lay down beside your stomach.
(4)Marcia S.
The buffet has a good variety of food but the quality varies by dish, some very good, some bland. It's a $12.95 all you can eat buffet in a diner like setting. I was surprised that I got charged for the mango lassi separately.
(3)Heather S.
Did you ever go to Howard Johnson's (HoJo's) when you were a kid? I did. Paper menus and grilled cheese aside, HoJo's had old school charm. Namaste Indian Cuisine (NIC, for short), is in an old HoJo's! With western drawing wallpaper, huge windows overlooking green, well-manicured lawns (almost like a golf course, but is probably apartments), and an almost chapel kind of back room, NIC is a dive dream come true! You can order a la carte off the menu or try their bountiful buffet for a very reasonable price. I can't speak for the cost of lunch (I think it's around $8.95/person0, while dinner is definitively $12.95/person. Add to that that the food is plentiful, fresh, varied, and delicious, (with options for vegetarians and chicken/meat eaters alike, fresh hot naan, as well as 4 different dessert options, including homemade mango or coconut ice cream and fruit custard), and it's awesome. Service is incredibly attentive. Namaste Indian Cuisine is perfect when you're: a) wanting a change of scene b) craving Indian food c) wanting to experience the 1970's d) wanting delicious food e) craving an experience, much like a amusement park ride, but for your meal. Yay!
(5)Katherine S.
Do not go here!! My husband and I have been dying to find a good Indian resturant in the Portland area, but alas to no avail! This was just another let down. We went here a few days ago and first off the food is nothing to write home about, most taste like it is from freezer section at Trader Joe's, second the service wasn't that great, no one ever came to clear any of our plates while we were there eating at the buffet, and third dead rat in the parking lot outside.... yea. But to top it all off my husband and I most definitely got food poisoning after eating here! It was our first and LAST time eating there. The only good thing I can say about this place is the food poisoning was reasonably priced at only 12$ a plate for the buffet.
(1)Jim W.
I'm no expert on Indian food. Now that that's out of the way - I do know if I like something, and I do know if it's good enough that I'll go back. I've been here about 10 times. Very convenient to hit after flying into PDX and getting food quick when you're hungry. Love all the curry's, masala, fresh veggies and sauces. If you're not familiar with Indian Food like me - get a plate and sample a small bit of everything - you'll find what you like then go back and enjoy! If you're a "meat and potatoes" kind of guy - one that steers clear of unfamiliar spice - you might still like this - some of the dishes are very mild but bursting with flavor! Enjoy!
(4)Roderick M.
Average Indian food at best. Food on buffet was not labeled very well at all. Pakoras were hard. The price for the buffet was outrageous. $25.00 for my girlfriend to eat the buffet and we had water to drink. $25.00 for only a buffet of vegetables and rice. If you're looking for great Indian food avoid this place. If you're looking for over priced average Indian food then Namaste is a good choice.
(2)Abhilash R.
I've been to Indian restaurants in the remotest of places in the US. This being in a gastronomic place called Portland is by far the WORST I have been to in the entire United States. Came here when I was hungry - hoping that even mediocre good would taste great that way. But tough luck! The food doesn't even taste like Indian food for many dishes - let alone be authentic. I really hope this place closes down.
(1)Nathan R.
We found this place on yelp were blown away by the tastiness of the food. So glad we made it.
(5)Peter S.
So much selection, not enough room in my belly! I always leave here stuffed, and feel like I need someone to wheelbarrow me out. If you love good Indian food, then this is a must!! Friendly staff, and clean environment. Try the Mango ice cream if you have room at the end of your meal, so good!
(4)Greg B.
Let me be blunt on saying that this place that has a buffet line for Indian food. I visited this place during my lunch break. I was short on time and I needed the food now. The person at the counter was rather helpful. She pointed out the options. I got the feeling that the place was rather new. It borrowed the ideas of an all you can eat for specific dishes that everyone knows is from India. There are reviews by other lovers of places that serve food that denote dishes that do not include meat. I eat meat. I found the dishes that I wanted and paid for it. I was surprised by the quality of the naan and the spicy eggplant curry. I procured the yellow rice and the mixture of that, along with the tandoori chicken, was quite lovely. I was alarmed by the cheap prices that the place charges for such a volume of food. I shall have to go again. There is a parking lot nearby. It is an easy location and I went there in the latter afternoon hours. It is near Lloyd Center.
(4)Nathan S.
The best Indian buffet I've had! The highlights are definitely the goat and the chicken tandoori! Plus, all the sauces, chutneys, and the deserts are wonderful too. Can't beat the price either, makes it completely worth it! They have such a huge variety and everything is always fresh. Love this place.
(5)Christian B.
Poor Quality. I love India Oven on Belmont but it's far away so I tried this place because it is close and I'm sorry to say that I will never return.
(1)Curt S.
Selection, price, value, and quality- Namaste on upper Sandy BLVD is the Indian buffet to beat in this town. If there's a better one around here, I sure don't know where, and I've tried most of the major Indian buffets in the area. Extra point considerations for: Housemade coconut and mango softserve ice creams for dessert options. Kids eat free or very-cheaply depending on the age of the child. Loses one star from a perfect rating because: It's freezing in there. Naan has been a bit dry on occasion.
(4)Scott S.
I love Indian food. I used to live in Hillsboro where there are several Indian restaurants in the immediate area. I live in SE Portland now, and my options are limited. I've been to Namaste more times than I should have, because I kept hoping things would improve. They never did. Bad food and they can barely even get the naan right, which is not a good sign.
(1)Donald H.
So I decided to eat here with my daughter because it's very near her pre-school. I'm a big fan of Indian food. This was honestly the worst Indian food I've ever had. I'm not saying it was disgusting. Just bland and overcooked.
(2)Emilie J.
I love this buffet! Been a million times because the food is always so delicious! Thee staff is super nice!
(5)Jessica P.
It wasn't bad. The location is interesting. I hope the new location has a better ambiance. But the Mango Ice Cream was to die for. I would come back just for that. The buffet was ok. If your check out there website there is a coupon.
(3)Theresa C.
This review is based on past experiences as I'm catching up on my yelping. I'm not uneducated about Indian food - my sister is married to a family from Sri Lanka so I'm pretty accustomed to real, homemade curries etc. I feel very at home at Namaste - the paneer is rich and tasty and the sauces are well balanced. Samosas and pakora are always available. All the vegetarian food is clearly marked on the buffet with several different vegetarian curries and hubby never leaves unsatisfied with his chicken and goat and other meat entrees. There's always papadum and naan and you can also order off the menu if you're looking to customize your level of spiciness or have a yearning for food that's not on the buffet that day. Make sure to order a beer to make that meal perfect. They have a large selection of salad foods including my favorite sliced cucumbers and raita and dessert is part of the buffet. I've never had to wait for a table but I've also never seen it empty. It may not be the classiest place in town but the prices are right and the food is good and fresh. I don't understand the complaints about spiciness - if you want it hotter then add some sambal or chutney. Not all Indian food is mouth blistering. The only thing I think I'd like them to add would be plain papadum. But then I'd probably never leave...
(4)Dan R.
Went here for our anniversary, something different. Appreciated the spices of Indian food but hardly ever ate it. Not a buffet person and sitting right next to it didn't seem a good seat to me (though I took advantage of it a couple times hitting up fresh arrivals to the table, like tandoori shrimp. Good range of foods and many flavors. My favorites were the goat masala and butter chicken, but everything i tried was tasty. service pleasant but sparse. So a strong 3.5, as the food merits a 4.
(3)Jando S.
Some folks go weak for chocolate, I have a weakness for Indian buffets. There is almost always something sinister about food when it's been sitting out awhile, especially when available in unlimited quantities. The strange allure I have for Indian buffets above all is one I can't put my finger on just yet, which automatically means I'm fan of Namaste without fully understanding why. It probably helps they have a never ending buffet, one that continues throughout lunch and dinner. Actually, that's totally it. Namaste is certainly one of the larger Indian establishments in Portland. Plenty of parking, lots of seats big groups and small parties, even a separate lounge area with a bar that could be its own venue. Decor wise, the place could use some spice. It feels very generic around the buffet area, like eating in a hotel cafeteria, and the lack of ambiant music makes the place feel stale real fast. Greater pains should be taken to give the place a face lift. It comes as no surprise however, the seating area surrounding the buffet is generally the most popular. When it comes to the main attraction, the buffet, the spread is pretty vast. It is split into two sections: hot and cold foods. On the cold foods side is usually a salad that lots of people tend to ignore, along with some soups and desserts like raita (rice pudding). The middle of the buffet usually is stacked with samosas, masala fries, and often very dried out naan. On the hot foods end is roughly 11-12 choices ranging from veggie curries to meats and rice. On a whole the food is probably 3.5/5. I usually prefer dinner as they tend to feature their best options, like garlic naan in place of regular naan for example or goat biriyani instead of plain basmati rice. I appreciate their biriyani, chicken makahani, palak paneer (though the cheese is tough), and the mango self serve ice cream is a nice touch. For things that could use some improvement is the surprisingly bland lamb roganjosh, tandoori chicken and all naan are overly dry. I'd recommend table side servings for the latter and one will see a dramatic improvement in quality. For everything they offer, the prices ($10 lunch, $13 dinner) aren't outrageous. Non-buffet fans will be happy to know a la carte food is available, though I have yet to try it. Namaste has a could use a lot of improvements in food and interior space, I know this place has the potential to be the 'it' spot for Portland Indian food.
(4)Sheila E.
I've eaten here twice, and both times were really good. And I have to say that I'm not a fan of buffets, but I don't mind coming here. It's clean, the food is very tasty and it's not expensive ($12.95 for the dinner buffet). But the one major standout to me is the mango ice cream. OMG - I could seriously eat a bucket of this stuff and still want more. I l love mangos, and this ice cream is smooth and creamy and oh so delicious! They also have coconut ice cream which is good, but the star is the mango. I will go back again and again just for that ice cream. YUM.
(4)Benjamin K.
Although not the best Indian I have ever had it definitely is good and a wide selection. The handmade mango and coconut ice cream is great. The Chick end Pakrosa is good too along with the dozen curries they offer.
(4)Jens J.
In a concerted effort to break away from our traditional Sunday brunch fare of eggs and hashbrowns etc., we decided to go for Indian cuisine. So through the usual pouring rain we traversed up Sandy to Namaste, which is located right across from Cameo Cafe. I don't know what was in this location before Namaste, but on one wall was a huge floor-to-ceiling photo of a 19th century logging operation. We were immediately seated with our own pitcher of ice water. Off to a good start, I would say! We opted for the lunch buffet ($9.50). As we sat down, we heard a loud pulsating beep emanating from throughout the restaurant. We thought it was a fire alarm or drill. But no, what was really happening is that somehow someway, the National Weather Service had pushed a global warning to everybody's cell phone (including mine) warning of an impending blizzard. The message probably should have been refined to say the blizzard was just going to be in the Cascades. Both JP and I agreed, that by far and away, the best buffet item was the raised Chole Batura bread. It was like a cross between a steamed bun and some exquisite rolls my mom used to bake on special occasions. We both had at least three servings of this incredibly divine bread. Also outstanding was the lentil vegetable soup. Spiced perfectly, I had two helpings. In fact, this was the best vegetable soup I've ever had. I also enjoyed the Potato Pakora. At first glance, these look like French Fries, but are really strips of deep-fried potato and chick pea. Resting on a bed of grilled onion, the Tandoori chicken was particularly tasty. The primary reason I have not been a consumer of Indian food here-to-now is that I have perceived that most Indian food is jammed with cilantro. Not so at Namaste. And actually, dishes here are, for the most part, seasoned mildly. For desserts, I recommend the fruit custard and the soft-serve mango ice cream. I also discovered I have a fondness for Suji Halwa - which are paralleliped-shaped treats made from flour, cashews and almonds. The Suji Halwa has a texture resembling cake.
(4)Amy L.
Came here for the buffet for a friend's birthday party. This is also one of my mom's favorite places to eat. I pretty much come here on a regular basis. The food is okay it is definitely lacking more spices or flavor that what I'm use to for indian food. Most of the dishes are on the salty and greasy side. They definitely cater more to the American palate there's more fried food like fries and more cream in their curry. The area is a bit run down the booths aren't the most sanitary looking and they are the only indian dinner buffet place in town. The booths the chair cushions are cracked. All the other places only have lunch buffet. I don't recommend coming here for dinner buffet because by then the food has be warmed up for so long it's basically mush. Some of the dishes I like are: Goat Curry: they use goat bones and meat instead of ground lamb pretty good flavor Marsala Chai: They make it in house I think. Tastes the same as the Chai I've had at a tea house. Free refills Overall, I wouldn't come here unless my family or friends wanted to go here. There's other indian places in town that are better.
(2)Sandeep K.
1 star because of the wrong information. On yelp, they say they are open 11-9.30, but they are closed during afternoon. I made a long trip to come here because this was the only place that showed as open!!
(1)Erin K.
I am so glad this place has come to Portland. My friend has been trying to get us to go to the one in Vancouver for months, but so far we hadn't found a good enough excuse to cross the border for a restaurant... But, once we heard that it was in Portland, we visited it within a week! And we are so glad (and stuffed) that we did! We went on a Sunday night around 6 and business looked a bit slow, although there was a pretty steady stream of people coming in and out over the course of the 1 1/2 hours we were there. I loved this place because it has some of my favorites stand bys (sorry about the spelling: navratan korma, and I don't remember the name, but the one with spinich and farmers cheese) as well as some new ones (to me at least) crispy fried halibut (a little salty, but wonderful in small bits) and fried eggplant (I don't know how they did it, but they managed to make the eggplant both flavorful and still firm, almost potato like, while not making it too greasy). The buffet is the way to go in my opinion, $11.95 for dinner (5:30-9pm) and I think $9 for lunch. You can sample all the stuff you love and experiment with the stuff you haven't tried before, and may even find some new favorites. Save room for the rice pudding and/or homemade soft serve mango ice cream!
(5)Oliver R.
I concur! Giving this place 4 stars because, well, buffets just don't get 5 stars, even on cruise ships. Even in Vegas. But dang, if this isn't the best indian food i've had in portland. Granted, Portland sets the bar way low, but still, I'm a happy camper now that I've gone and visited. Unfortunately, i like my Indian food best taken with a hangover and an episode of the Wire, and these guys don't do takeout or delivery. Well, they *did* say that i was welcome to put together my own takeout order from off the b uffet, but that just makes me feel like I'm wasting the opportunity to gorge myself on all-you-can-eatness. Plus, then I have to work too hard to make it happen. Yet. I'm hoping that if i bug them enough, they might start doing order off of menu and takeout. Till then, it's strictly a buffet place. Still, solid stuff at a good price. Do me a favor and bug them to start doing a menu, k?
(4)Jeffrey G.
Was craving some Indian tonight. I went with a friend from the east coast who lives Indian. Was pretty good. For $13 for dinner we were not expecting the Taj Mahal but it was worth it for an Indian fix. Mango ice cream is yummy. This place reminded me of going to an Indian buffet in the UK...questionable decor, so-so food but definitely fits the bill. Enjoy!
(3)Katherine K.
I once had the opportunity to travel to India, but had to give it up to take a job. One of the biggest mistakes of my life. So instead, I try to eat Indian fare on a semi-regular basis to quell the pain I still feel. Luckily, Namaste is just down the road from my workplace, so I can bust on over to satiate my need for naan. Don't be discouraged when you walk in the door...because you will be and you will question my Yelp sanity. The decor reeks of cheap hotel restaurant (it's true the HoJo is right next door). The place used to be the old Steamers restaurant, and the good people who bought it never took down the Oregon yesteryear pictures or obnoxious floral booths. But the smells should reassure you. I love Indian spices, they tickle my nose hairs. The food is straight up Indian buffet, so you'll see all the usual suspects like veggie korma, chicken tikka, paneer, etc. But it's all really really tasty. The rice is served in a giant cooker, which I get, but wish it could be fresh. I'm not down with the goat (I'm a cutetarian, and can't make myself eat animals I think are cute, so no goat...or bunnies or baby cows or lambies), but I've been told it's good too. And when you have to unbutton your pants to shove another spoonful of basmati in your face, please consider that you still HAVE to try the mango soft serve. It makes the atmosphere completely a moot point. It is bright orange deliciousness that, be forewarned, if you drip on a blouse will not come out in the wash. Just sayin'.
(4)Hari R.
It is important to know for context, so I say this, I eat Indian cuisine everyday. I have been hearing about this restaurant for a while and we went there Sat for their dinner buffet. I must say we were sorely disappointed by the taste of the items. We have been avoiding Indian buffets, in general, because the quality of the ingredients is almost always poor, starting with frozen vegetables and meat, serving leftovers from the previous day and what not. Still, if the taste is unique, we thought it is worth trying, but boy, this restaurant was all that and some. The taste of most of the curry dishes was sub par. I don't like wasting food, that was the only reason I finished what was on my plate. Sure, my kids appreciate the help yourself ice-cream cones and I do too, but that is not why I visit. May be, this restaurant is not catering to the palates of Indians and that is okay, but I hope they do. I must say, the service was good.
(2)Lacy L.
I've generally had great meals here. This last time, however, was very unremarkable. 50% of the sauces tasted like Campbells Cream of Tomato soup with only slightly different flavor profiles. What happened Namaste??
(3)Charlotte L.
Very friendly service, but overall poor quality food. The rice and fried appetizers at the buffet seemed like they may have been sitting out all day. Some of the dishes tasted pretty good, like traditional north Indian restaurant cuisine, but other dishes were not so good. We had mildly upset stomachs afterward, so unfortunately we cannot recommend this restaurant.
(2)Jim P.
New location is a redone buffet, nothing to be desired. Food was ok at best, but it's a 13$ buffet, so go with that expectation and your expectations will be met.
(3)Louise W.
I loved the food and the people were GREAT !! The coconut ice cream was a huge hit. The chicken was moist and tasty .
(5)Hly N.
We came here for lunch buffet during the week and it was good. The best Indian food I've ever had was in London. This obviously wasn't nearly as good but better than some Indian I've had in the States. It was $10 for lunch per person and there were plenty of options, including rice, a variety of various chicken dishes, yogurt, chutney and naan. They even offered soft serve coconut or mango ice cream! Yum.
(3)Andi O.
We've eaten at the buffet and have gotten al a carte take out. It's always been very tasty. My husband and I have very different levels of heat tolerance, it's a little too hot for him, but since it's so tasty, he soldiers through while wiping sweat beads off his bald noggin'. I on the other hand like the level of heat. Servers are a bit underwhelmed and I can't recall a time where they checked on us after the first order, so points off for that, but to be fair, we're usually in for a quick lunch anyway. Maybe they're peppier for the dinner crowd?
(4)Paul L.
My real problem with this place was that anyone would rate it four stars. The food is mediocre at best. The saag paneer was over cooked, the curries are all for the faint of heart. The kids liked the butter chicken. I was excited that they had goat. It was not particularly tasty, unfortunately. All the food would have been a lot better if they had supplied some kind of condiment to spice things up. Actually, in all honesty, the place served our purposes for the evening. Three adults and three teens/ preteens, one who had never eaten Indian food, so it worked. The place is in the middle of a remodel, so don't expect a perfect setting. The wait staff seem to be the young children of the owners. Most not old enough to serve the beer we ordered. Otherwise they did well. BTW, they do have ninkasi. So long story short, I would have given them three stars just because of the fun evening, but the food is bland. Just so you know.
(2)Ritesh G.
I went with my wife to this restaurant on valentines day and if you are an Indian, I don't believe you will appreciate their food. Nothing on the menu was worth the buffet price and had some strange tastes of garlic and cardamom. There was no sole paneer item in main course for vegetarians. On name of paneer there was palak panner, which was cooked awful. Gulab jamun in sweets were cold ! Who serves them cold. All in all we would never go this place again.
(1)Kimberly H.
This is an Indian Buffet. Went with a group of 10. Five if which were kids. Everyone found food they liked. I thought the curry dishes were delightful and tasty. I gave this a 4 star as it was good for being a buffet. My kids ate. I left satisfied. Family of 5 (kids ages 7,6,6) plus a glass of wine was $51. I will return when in Portland.
(4)Pete H.
A really really good and comprehensive Indian buffet. I've been here for both lunch and dinner. Excellent selection and everything tastes great. Very clean here also. I've eaten here probably 10 times over the course of the several years they have been open. I have always had a consistently good experience. The dinner is really really good. I think the main difference between lunch and dinner is just a few items, but the last time I went for dinner, I must have eaten probably 30 of the prawns- so good. Regardless of how great all the food and salad bar is, what is even better? They make their own homemade Mango Soft Serve ice cream. This is just so damn good. I can be stuffed to the gills from the rest of the buffet, but I still want to eat one or two servings of mango deliciousness before I leave. I'm glad I live pretty close to here.
(4)Winnie F.
Huge variety, selection and different type of meats. From chicken to goat to lamb to veggies style..it's all there. Their fried selection is the biggest I ever seen in a buffet setting. Two types of rice to choose from. Home made mango ice cream and good cold selections. Service was OK, missed refiling our chai tea couple times. Parking was good- easy to find. Overall clean, but bathroom could use some work. Price was all right, about $9 for lunch and $12 for dinner. Had cheaper same quality Indian buffets elsewhere before. Location was close to me so I will return next time I crave Indian!
(3)Sarah M.
This restaurant was one of my first Portland experiences and I have been back many times. I love their buffet (both lunch and supper) and wish I could eat there everyday! Their service is good and even when they're packed the atmosphere is nice. The food at the buffet is always fresh and you can count on your favourite dishes being there. Go try it!
(5)Ravi Chandra M.
A horrible restaurant with decent interiors but with horrible attitude. We went here for a dinner and felt well at the beginning since there are very few restaurants that offer dinner buffets. And then we found that the chicken biryani finished and the chef was refusing to fill it and this was at about 745pm while the restaurant closes at 930. Then we going out that this is not specific to this dish but in general with other dishes too as they weren't refilling them. And at one point about 5-10 people were just waiting for new/clean plates for about 15 minutes until I went and talked to the last at the front desk. Overall a restaurant that can be avoided.
(2)Kristine Y.
Today was a much better go! Vegetarian dishes were made very well, plenty of delicious paneer in palak paneer, tandoori chicken great - all is all very good. Still wouldn't come here for only makhani chicken, albeit an improvement - chicken pieces good but curry a little runny. I'm probably being picky... Everything was really great - 4 stars as curry was runny and the decor bugs me a little. Small things I know. I'm sure we will return and I'll be wishing for hot halva - was good. :)
(4)Katie B.
The two-star rating describes it best: "Meh, I've had better." - but this place wasn't THAT bad, so I'll stick with three-stars. Came here for dinner while staying at the HoJo during a long road trip, lured by the idea of an all-you-can-eat buffet and dinner within walking distance. Can't beat the convenience. From the time that we were seated until we were well into our first buffet plate, our three cups sat empty on our table. The waitress walked past multiple times, but never even glanced at our lack of water - which is pretty important when you're eating Indian. Eventually, a man walked by, did a double take at our empty glasses, and sent a pitcher over immediately. Other than that, the food was good. Anyone who reviews this saying it's the best Indian food they've ever had has clearly not eaten very much Indian. The spices were all very, very mild, and the variety wasn't quite as impressive as I was expecting. Go for the soft serve dessert! We were so smitten with the coconut that we never tried the mango, but judging by the other reviews, both flavors are a hit. Namaste was good, but not great. During future visits to Portland, this place won't be on my list of places to eat.
(3)John K.
Really good! Buffet style fresh and delicious! I will remain a regular customer.
(4)Laura J.
Indian food is by far my favorite food, and this stuff was pretty darn good! The service was a little slow, but they were quite busy and I believe this was more of a family-run facility. My compliments go to their selection of vegan food. They had an ABUNDANCE!! And, they listed what was vegan right on the menu so I didn't have to ask a million questions. Everything was also so tasty and although I got my meal to go from the buffet, they were sure that I left with plenty of hot food. My only complaint was the lack of spiciness. I like my food spicy and I always figure that Indian cuisine delivers that but I feel like they almost altered their recipes to fit the masses. I get it, not everyone likes spicy. Still, I recommend this place to anyone that likes to stuff themselves with tasty eats for a very decent price!
(4)Lynsy W.
so we started by sitting down without anybody giving us a menu and were just expected to choose the buffet. Then the wait staff was very pushy about ordering drinks 4times we were approached. When we had no other options we went for the buffet which was very disappointing. we will not go back :(
(2)Charlie B.
This place is definitely one of the better Indian food buffets in town. We come here 4 or 5 times a year and have yet to have a bad experience. I like that their vegan and vegetarian options are clearly marked. It seems to be a family operated business and it's not uncommon for their very young daughter to be running the cash register which we always get a kick out of.
(4)Cee B.
Good food, don't get me wrong. But it gets the low rating for overall ambience. I'm here on a night that's not busy at all, and the one waitress I've seen in the whole place wouldn't sit me until she placed down her beer. Then I got a dirty table, until I moved myself. Later, had to find her so I could order a mango lassi (delicious by the way). So in review. I enjoyed the food. Could've won me over with better service though.
(2)Chiemi N.
I love Indian food...not too fond of buffets, though. I've been to Namaste once or twice before, and I remembered it to be better. A group of friends wanted to go to Namaste after we met for coffee. Now, I was supposed to go play tennis, and on hindsight, probably would have been a better choice. But, I love Indian food, and I love the group of friends that I ended up going to lunch with. I know my favorites, and usually dive right into those offerings. I will take tiny tastes of things I am unsure of. It all tasted ok. It's buffet, so the service is mostly self-serve. But the staff was quick to clear the used plates away. The seating of booths and tables with padded chairs are comfortable. The decor of plastic flowers and Home Interior type pictures are a little cheesy. I live way over on the westside, so I wouldn't drive out of my way to eat here. But, if a friend wanted to go, and I was in the neighborhood, I wouldn't be opposed to going!
(3)Kyle I.
Great buffet. Lots of options. They are always refilling the naan with warm, fresh bread. Namaste chicken is fabulous And make sure to save room for the mango ice cream!
(4)Rat B.
We wanted a special night out to celebrate, but we should have looked elsewhere. Clearly they want you to just eat the buffet here, and we didn't realize that when we picked the place. I mean, who goes to a buffet at 8pm? There's no telling how long those steam table trays have been sitting there. It's always best to go to a buffet during the busiest hours so the food is freshest. Anyhow, after waiting for a couple minutes, the lone waitress seated us at a filthy table directly next to the buffet and asked if we wanted drinks. We didn't know yet if we wanted drinks, as we hadn't seen a menu. She gave us two pitchers of water (for three people mind you) and disappeared. Twenty minutes later we flagged down the only other employee we would see, the bartender, and begged for menus. He brought them right away. Fifteen minutes after that, the waitress returned and wrestled with understanding our orders and writing them down. I'm sympathetic to the woman, because it's a big restaurant and she's doing all the busing etc. It appeared there were several buffet lovers seated in other parts of the place, so there's no telling how her night has been going. I've worked enough food service jobs to be more than patient about situations like this. Ten minutes later we got our drinks, which were pretty good (except the margarita came with sugar on the rim instead of salt - never seen that one before). Twenty minutes later, we were served our lukewarm and mediocre dishes. The lamb khurma was not impressive at all, and half the lamb chunks were tough - a major letdown since I rarely order lamb. The chicken tikka masala was the best of the bunch, but still not great. The malai kofta was simply bad and another huge letdown. The salads were fresh but the rice was not. And I don't know what they served, but it was nan-like only in shape and seasoning, and nothing like traditional nan you can find elsewhere. It was like Boboli or something. Still, at least it was kinda warm, which the rice was not. Did I mention rice disappointment? Also, how do you fuck up rice? Probably by making gigantic batches in the morning to serve all day long... The ambiance was mish-mashed with old pioneer days photos and weird indian paintings, set in a cafeteria feel that makes Izzy's seem snazzy. The men's room clearly hadn't received any attention all day, and it was absurd how much trash was on the floor. I got the distinct impression that they try and get by with as few employees on the clock as they can, and it really shows. I would consider trying the buffet for lunch at some point if this place were closer to home, but even then I'm not sure I could justify materially supporting such a place when there are many other options for Indian cuisine that I can try. I don't blame the poor woman who seated us for the crappy service, but rather whomever is running the joint. Namaste, bitches (that's a regretsy reference)
(2)Nancy K.
I've been here a few times and have enjoyed the food here. I like that they have 4-5 different curries, a couple different naan and rice options, salad, soups and dessert! Seriously, how could you go wrong with this kind of variety? The food is definitely a 4-star experience for me but the condition of the restaurant itself is 2-stars on a good day. The booths are really worn out (the one I was sitting at was torn up and taped together). You will be sorely disappointed if you're coming for some ambiance. You won't find it here. But if you can get past that, the food is quite tasty and the service is decent too.
(3)Lezley L.
My stomach still hurts from overindulging in this AYCE goodness. Dang you Naan and mint chutney for being so delicious. The only two dishes I did not enjoy was the Tandoori chicken (so dry that I had to dip it in other sauces just to chew it) and goat curry (I like goat but this was too chewy for me). The lamb was nice & tender. The other dishes were tasty. You definitely have to save room for their mango ice cream - wow that just topped off the night. Oh I guess I should mention how interesting the wall paper is. Reading other reviews, I guess it use to be a steakhouse so that explains why it has Old Western wall paper. BTW the buffet is around $13/person which isn't bad for AYCE. ------Mint chutney--------
(4)Brandon D.
Came here for lunch one Friday with several co-workers that had been here before. It had been years since I had amazing Indian food, and I'm going to have a wait a bit longer before I do again (not that I was expecting a buffet to do that for me). With that said, this place is definitely worth it considering the price of the buffet is under $10! There is a very solid selection of food, although I would steer away from the fried items unless you can get them right when they are brought out. I enjoyed all of their curries and the Goat Masala was shockingly good (there are quite a few Indian restaurants that'll charge you more for just masala and it won't be as good). My two favorite curries were the Special 64 (I think that's what it was called) and a green curry that for the life of me I can't remember (didn't take notes like I usually do...). The Chicken Tandoori was quite good too. Not too much to say about service (it's a low price buffet after all), it's what you'd expect really. As for decor...Well you come here for food, so yeah. All in all, it was a good and filling lunch that left me in near slumber for the rest of the work day. I guess that mean Namaste did their job!
(3)Claude W.
Best value I have seen in a long time. If you are curious about Indian food, you should go. If you like Indian food, don't miss it. If you are cheap you'll have spare change to try their Himalayan Single Malt. If you are hungry, start walking. The buffet is so comprehensive that from soup to ice cream you will discover new flavors. Interested to compare goat to lamb? It's there, along with the Indian classic dishes and unlimited roti and naan breads. My only regret is that they are not in San Jose :-(
(5)Tom S.
This is very good Indian food in an unpretentious setting (what appears to be a former Howard Johnson's restaurant). Overall spicyness factor (new term) is medium, not bland and not outrageously hot either. At $9.95 their lunchtime buffets are not cheap, but the food is at least as good as some of the more upscale Indian restaurants in Portland. My brief interactions with the servers and cashiers have been pleasant. Recommended.
(4)Jordan L.
I saw the other Yelp reviews mentioning cockroaches, so I checked the Multnomah County health dept. website first. They scored a 94 last November so I figured it was safe. Took the family to dinner Friday night. The place was clean, the food was excellent and we all left very, very full! My only complaint is that $13 per person seems a little steep, but over-all we had a great experience. As for the complaints about decor - it didn't used to be an Indian place. It was a traditional buffet for years and years before the current folks took over and changed the cuisine.
(5)James V.
Thank you for having so many flavorful vegetarian dishes. The Saag Paneer is lovely.
(4)Evelyn S.
Went with a bunch of friends for Buffet Lunch...I must first acknowledge that I am not a fan of buffets...meanwhile...I did not enjoy the food at this one very much...luckily the company was good. Food was all just "ok", nothing was bad, nothing was great. Servers were nice. $10 for a lunch is a steep price to pay when it is all mediocre and doesn't even include a beverage. Bottom line - I won't be going back anytime soon, if ever.
(2)Leah H.
I don't understand anyone that rips on Namaste's decor. Who cares? This is a buffet we are reviewing here. My expectations are reasonable prices, good tasting food, and ability to wear clothes that let my waist expand after eating way too much. Last thing I'm looking for is how stylish the carpet is...or...whatever people critique when it comes to ambiance. Namaste was one of my first experiences with Indian food. This is when I learned that I could combine my love for rice and bread IN ONE MEAL...all while eating with my hands! Three things I love! Since then I have tried many other Indian restaurants as well and continue to give props to Namaste for their variety of non-chicken items. I can eat a meal there happily with no meat at all. But they also provide lamb and goat options which are totally tasty. The mint sauce is deliciously green and a little bit spicy. I love eating it with the samosas, pakoras, or just the hot fluffy naan. I do wish there were spicy dishes available. The mango soft serve kind of creeps me out. The flavor is not really there and it is neon orange. I generally stay far away from that stuff. The service is pretty nonexistent but that's alright; it is a buffet. They offer lunch and dinner. Their dinner offering stands them apart from other Indian buffets and it is only about $12. I don't ever eat at buffets but Namaste has become the exception.
(4)Savvy G.
So a good friend of mine wanted to meet up here. Holy moly it's random lol it's an Indian place with old western Decor lol let me just say it's delicious, was packed and worth the commute!
(5)Ronald A.
We got take out from here tonight. This was our first visit. It will not be our last. We ordered rogan josh and a vegetable khorma. Both were flavorful. They each had just the right spice. Add in the naan and a bit of rice. Good meal all around.
(4)