Ekta Indian Cuisine
1003 1/2 W Lancaster Ave, Bryn Mawr, PA, 19010
Ekta Indian Cuisine Menu
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Address :
1003 1/2 W Lancaster Ave
Bryn Mawr, PA, 19010 - Phone (610) 581-7070
- Website https://ektaindianrestaurant.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
India is the birth place of Chicken Tikka Masala and Curries. Indian foods are prepared with a blend of finely mixed spices quite popular across the region. The spices develop the rich taste in Indian food enough to boggle your mind. The ever-increasing fan base of Indian food around the New York city is steadily increasing because of the large number of Indians who traveled to the land of dreams. The Indians also brought their very own vibrant, colorful, and aromatic authentic dishes for the people in the West. While most of the Indian population is Vegetarian, Indian food is great for people who are looking for vegan or vegetarian food option. If you are a Meat lover, don't get disappointed yet. Indian food also boasts of some popular non-vegetarian dishes too. Few examples are the famous Butter Chicken, Mutton Biryani and Tandoori Chicken are enough to satisfy your taste buds.
Indian food has gained reputation all over the world especially in the United States. You can find many places serving the appetizing Indian food across all major cities in the US. India is a diverse country with different food culture originated from different parts of the country. While the Northern region boasts tandoori dishes and korma offering royal taste, the Western Ghats offers sea foods that is made in naturally sweet tender coconut milk. The South Indian food servers a quality of different dishes made from rice accompanied with spicy chutneys, curries and famous sambhar. Also, the Indian sweets are a delight to relish. If you ever want to have a burst of sugar syrup in mouth, don't forget to try few Bengali Sweets. Be it spicy, tangy, or sweet flavor, you can find everything in the Indian cuisine. Be assured that the melody of spices will surely bring delight to you.
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Steve L.
I've been hearing about how good Ekta is since they opened on Girard Avenue, so I'd meant to get the place and see for myself. So we finally got to the Bryn Mawr location on a Saturday, and I was very disappointed to hear that they'd ended their weekend buffet a few months earlier. I'd been looking forward to trying a number of their dishes in the same meal. On the plus side, they do now give 20% off their menu and a free soda, ice tea, or lemonade at lunchtime. We started with a cashew roll, which was four small fried log-shaped fritters; fairly tasty. Then our entrees came: mango chicken and Ekta vegetables. These each had a (different) subtle and delicious sauce as I can ever remember having in a standard "curry" entree. Incredibly good. The chicken dish has chicken breast and fresh mango pieces, and the vegetables in the other were fresh, not poured out of a freezer bag the way Navratan Korma is made at so many places. Only a few tables were occupied, but the waitstaff was still very polite and attentive. I'd definitely return, but I'd go back even sooner if I knew I could sample more of the dishes at their (departed) buffet.
(4)Michael A.
Probably the best Indian food on the Main Line. Maybe even in Philadelphia. I've been to plenty of better Indian places in DC, but this is as good as it gets in Philly.
(4)tony m.
Ok. This may not be truly Indian, Indian food as Indians would have it , but it was still quite good and well worth the price. I've been there several times. On one occasion I asked them to create a menu for a group of ten for which I offered a fixed price. The dinner was quite good and quite satisfying to all. For the lunch buffet, I have been there several times with friends. Again, this may not be pure Indian. I'm sure they have cut back on spices. Still, for a ten dollar lunch buffet there is a very good variety and all kinds of tastes - even if they may be mild. Really - consider what you would spend on a hoagie or what you would fork over at a fast food burger place. At Ekta, you have a wonderful lunch where you can take your time all afternoon returning to the buffet to taste any number of satisfying dishes.
(4)Penelope H.
Ekta is my favorite Indian restaurant on the Main Line and for those reviewers who question whether it is "authentic" Indian - yes, it is - I've eaten all over India as well as wonderful Indian restaurants in the UK. My fave dishes are Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Korma, Aloo Gobi(cauliflower & potato) and the Baigan Bartha (Eggplant). The naan garlic, plain or whatever is fresh and perfectly cooked. The service is always friendly and prompt and there is a discount for takeout. BYOB and pleasant atmosphere too.
(4)JohnnyNineThreeEight S.
The buffet on Sunday was pretty good. They had a variety of food and it was really tasty. I feel I'm a really strong critic when it comes to indian restaurants in american, since I lived near Jackson Heights and Jersey City for a while. If you asked me, I would say this is the best indian food in Philly hands down! However, don't make the mistake of going to any other Ekta. My wife and I tried the one in the city and it was horrible!
(5)Prasanna R.
Decent selection of food in the buffet. Let down is not much dessert options and you have to order them from the menu. Worth the try for a weekend brunch.
(3)Chanthara L.
Having tried several of the Indian eateries in the city we decided to venture out into the burbs. Pulled up this one on yelp and the reviews made it seem quite promising. Was not a let down either. Its a very well done restaurant and the interiors seem very well thought out with attention to detail, and very unlike a lot of the regular Indian joints. Really liked the feel of the place. The service was A-ok...not the best, but atleast they were smiling. Food was good, we had their lunch buffet. Seemed pretty standard to me, but the husband ate the chicken and was raving about it all the way home. So they do score points on their chicken being a winner definitely! Don't know if we'll make the trip all teh way back into the burns for it again, but if we find ourselves out there, we will stop by for more de-lish fare again!
(4)Joyce R.
We're fans of Indian food and that served at Ekta Was some of the best we've eaten. The sabzhi (sp?), a vegetarian dish, was exquisite. The chicken tikka masala was also wonderful. Finally, the masala tea, was delicately but fully spiced. Very flavorful. We found the service decent but there wasn't a crowd so good service was relatively easy. We will be back.
(5)Nelly D.
The food was pretty good, but the atmosphere was awful (it was dead quiet in a bad way). There were about 6 tables of people all seated right on top of each other, so it was really awkward because you could hear everything people were saying so everyone stopped talking. I really don't think I've ever felt so uncomfortable at a restaurant in my entire life. Beside that, though, the food was good (we had the hara bhara kabob, lamb chettinad, and garlic naan) but not the best I've had either. Next time I'd probably get the chicken tikka masala (as so many other reviews have mentioned was really good) TO GO!
(3)Elizabeth M.
The food is good, the service is good, and the prices are reasonable. I love BYO's because you save so much money; no corking fee here either, which is lovely. We'll definitely go back!
(4)Regina F.
Bindi Masala with essence of pomegranate? Yes please! Under full disclosure, I've only ever ordered Bindi from Ekta, but that's because it has been so delightfully satisfying that I've never found the need to change dishes. Regardless of ordering carryout or eating in, the chefs are willing to accommodate "spiciness" requests. The rice is always fresh, and never greasy. As for dining in, Ekta offers a pleasant, quiet environment, which is surprisingly conducive to quiet conversation given how small the seating area is. And for carry out? Twice I've been the recipient of a complementary rice pudding dessert. Happy Munching!
(5)Gavin S.
I ordered takeout one evening on my way home from class and we enjoyed everything we got. A couple notes - this location has a very small dining room, though it is tastefully done. Also - you get 10% off for takeout orders. Makes this a nice way to go. My order was ready in about 20 minutes and included a complimenatary rice pudding desert. What I ordered - for an appetizer, Gulistani Kabob from their special menu - 5 round fritters. Real tasty in the mint chutney and tamarind chutney. For breads, the Paneer Naan stuffed with cheese - very nice - and the Peshawari Naan with dry fruit and nuts, bringing a sweet flavor for a change of pace. For our main course I got the Ekta Dal with yellow lentils - a bit watery perhaps but still tasty - and the Lamb Rogan Josh, a traditional lamb curry, which had a dark color and was very satisfying. A couple of mango lassis rounded things out - they have other favors as well, I think they mentioned pomagranate - those would be fun to try. Overall I had a good experience, and saving 10% plus not having to tip makes takeout here tempting. I will return to sample more of their menu.
(4)Rafael G.
Ekte has the right idea when it comes to buffet - not too many items and bringing them out in relatively small portions. This way, you see the waiters refreshing the buffet so often, it's clear that the food hasn't been sitting out all afternoon. My family really enjoyed our meal here, but charging me for an iced tea refill?
(4)Susan L.
Incredibly cozy, wonderful decor, and that fantastic smell. The rosemary naan was great (not the best, but good), the lamb dishes were very tasty, and the desserts were fine. Only gripes is that the dishes were VERY small for the price and they gave us one bowl of rice to share between two people (definitely not enough). The finishing touch was adorable: little bags of a sample of Lindt chocolates (random but still cute). Don't ask for tea though, unless you know what Indian tea is. Other notes: bathrooms are very clean and nice. Cheap metered parking is across the street. BYOB!
(4)Christopher S.
Seriously. Do not, whatever you do, eat here. If you do you will be forced to enjoy arguably the best Indian on the Main Line. And you will likely overeat. Seriously, I love the Ekta in Fishtown. But this one is better. The dining room is a bit weird (it was probably once an Italian joint). But who cares. Once you taste their Butter Chicken, you wont care about anything other than whats on your fork. Then you won't listen to your stomach when it says you're full. You'll just keep eating and savoring each mouthful of tasty goodness UNTIL YOU EXPLODE!
(5)Nili T.
We are regulars at Ekta on weekends buffet..We love their food.We find their chef as the best of Indian cuisine ever,and we tried a lot:,his touch is superb in any dish he makes. The only down side on the buffet is their deserts.We miss Gulab Jamoon,that they make only rarely. On the weekend buffet the desert selection is poor and disappointing. Other then that its fantastic.
(4)P B.
Food is okay. Ordered from here at least once a week. However, the delivery service is awful- if your going to eat Etka, don't bother with delivery and head in to the restaurant.
(3)Hillary I.
Really good Indian food. Spicy means spicy. The samosas were not greasy or soggy. The alu gobi was heavy on the gobi & the saag paneer was excellent.
(4)Brian M.
Best Indian food I've had in Philadelphia. We ordered the vegetable samosas, paneer naan, kadai chicken, and chicken vindaloo. Everything we had was great! BYOB was a nice added bonus.
(5)Craig L.
A wide menu and good options. They do a pretty good job of measuring heat; I don't quite have a favorite yet but hit this place about once a week for lunch. Chicken Tikka Masala is tasty goodness. Takes a bit to get the food out but always worth it.
(4)Lauren C.
I was staying in a hotel for an extended period of time in Conhohocken and not thrilled with my selection of restaurants in the area. Then I found Ekta, the closest reputable Indian place on yelp. I was blown away with how amazing the food was. I did takeout both times and the first time I accidentally ordered from the wrong location as I went to the other to pick it up. They were very nice about it and put a rush on making my order. I only had to wait less than 10 minutes. The food itself is outstanding. I think one time I ordered a channa masala-like dish and the other time I tried something I had never had before. I definitely will be going back soon.
(5)Vanessa B.
Fantastic. Love these place. A little pricey but totally worth it. I lived in that area for a few years and this place is my go-to for Indian. I still crave the lamb korma (with whole cashews) and amazing paneer nan. Lunch buffet is an affordable way to try the basics. They offer a student discount for to go orders too! You have to try this place.
(5)Jay R.
Really like this place. Food is consistently delicious and the service is prompt and attentive. Sunday brunch is a killer deal, but make sure you are prepared for the resulting food coma :)
(5)Dave G.
Staff tried to sit 2 of us at a tiny table that was jammed between the front entrance and another table - so close that I would have been closer to the person next to me (less than 6 inches) rather than my date and would have had to ask the other table to let me in/out. They didn't try to offer us another table so we left and went to another place.
(1)neeters m.
Spicy, good quality food with some interesting options on the menu. My only complaints are that the food is a bit too rich and the ambiance sometimes a bit stuffy.
(4)Zack W.
I order takeout from Ekta pretty regularly - My cravings are frequent and intense but I pat myself on the back after each visit. Tantalizing flavors, wonderfully aromatic aromas, and hearty, highly satisfying menu items are commonplace. My current favorites include Lamb Chettinad, Chicken Korma, Ekta vegetables, baigan bharta, and garlic naan. Each and every friend, family member, foodie, and fearless leader I've shared an ekta meal with has been consumed by south indian spice & everything nice and is eagerly awaiting their next ekta experience. Don't be upset but sometimes I enjoy savoring Ekta dishes alone - I love all of you but I'm addicted to Ekta leftovers - especially for lunch the following day. I may get Ekta tonight....it would be the third time in less than two weeks and there is nothing at all wrong with that! If your taste buds are craving some new flavors or wish to take a journey across the globe, I highly recommend giving Ekta a shot. You will leave with your very own Ekta-fied needs and desires - and as your relationship with ekta matures, your tastebuds will always get lots of attention and remain young at heart. Ekta OVER all other Indian restaurants around the Main Line. You will be amazed by all of the flavors!! This place is a gem and everyone should try it!!
(5)Chelsea B.
Great food and nice service. My husband and I went with another couple and brought a bottle of white wine (no corking fee). We ordered vegetarian - a super yummy paneer tikka masala and another very good dish - I think it was the alu gobi. The ambiance is nice and pretty formal-ish. At least for dinner, it's one of those places you could feel comfortable dressing up pretty well or coming in with jeans and a decent shirt. You don't get super massive portions: my husband and I shared two main dishes and only had a little bit left. But I thought it was a good price. Their menu is online if you Google it. I've eaten Indian in a fair number of different places - homemade and in restaurants - and was happy with this place. It certainly isn't the best I've had, but it's better than OK. I'd recommend it, and I'll go back with friends.
(4)H M.
This place was okay. I went during lunch, had the buffet. The selection wasn't as big as I thought it was going to be. There was a lamb dish that was pretty good along with a chicken tikki marsala that was yum. The wings weren't that good. They had about 5 different chutneys which were all good but the mango one was yum! I would give this place another shot!
(3)Jane M.
This place is amazing. I truly love it. We eat out only about once a month and it turns out this is the only restaurant we want to go to. I should mention that we work at very flexible jobs so we get to go during the week for buffet. They make the best Mutter Paneer I ever had. I have many Indian friends and the food tastes very similar to the ones I had at my friends' homes. As some reviews claim; if they Americanized Indian food.. Kudos from me.. They did a great job.
(5)Ken K.
Had dinner with a friend last night and have to say that I was quite impressed by both of our dishes. Bring a bottle of wine from across the street and you won't be disappointed.
(4)Mike S.
We just got take out tonight from Ekta, and I can't wait to eat the leftovers tomorrow. The tandoori chicken and shrimp were both excellent. The nan was right on the money and the rice was perfect. Good prices and great food is what I was hoping for and is what I got! will definitely go back.
(5)Katie P.
Beautiful jewel located on Lancaster Avenue in Bryn Mawr. I thought their lunch buffet was incredible for $9.99. Included many chutneys and several desserts and salad. They brought warm nan bread to my table. The mango lassi I ordered was great- very fruity. Lovely decor with Indian paintings and murals line the walls. Great tranquil atmosphere. Perfect!
(5)Jenna S.
They get the last star because I keep going back and it keeps being consistently AWESOME!
(5)Michael L.
I got a flyer in the mail about this restaurant so I was curious to try it out. I had to run an errand nearby so I ordered Alu Ghobi and Samosa's to go. I picked up the food at 3pm at the promised time. Here's the bad: when I got home and tried it out, the food tasted like it was reheated food from the lunchtime buffet. As for the good: the restaurant does have a nice ambience. Too bad I won't be coming back.
(2)R L.
Good food. Indian in Bryn Mawr, yay! I had Malai Kofta, which didn't really seem to have much cheese for "cheese dumplings" but were nonetheless delicious. My girlfriend had mango chicken (on the special bryn mawr menu) and it was delicious as well. I've had better naan but this was perfectly acceptable. tamarind and mint chutneys served with it were good. decor is somewhat cheesy but that doesn't matter. service is just fine. lots of families with kids there when I went. They deliver! and there's no fee (according to the website) so a meal + tip is pretty much the same price whether you go to sit in or order delivery. Seeing as how I usually end up spending way more than I intend on delivery food I think I'll try this next time and get better quality food than pizza or bad chinese for probably a similar price. Also I definitely plan to go to the 9? dollar lunch buffet sometime!
(4)Liza T.
Great weekday buffet ! Mattar paneer was off the hook!
(4)Vijay K.
The food is sub-par (probably the worst Indian restaurant in the Philly area) and the service is lousy. Not once did our waiter stop by to check on our food...and I suggest the manager undergoes formal restaurant training. He could use some.... Do yourself a favor and visit Spice in Newtown Square
(1)Matt H.
A little pricey, but ree-lee effin' good.
(4)John G.
A weekly favorite for my wife and I, and it is very easy on the wallet! Friendly staff. I have eaten at many Indian restuarants, and this is one of my favorites. The vegetarian options are great, including Kadai Paneer, Shabnam Curry, and Mutter Paneer.
(5)Jason J.
I've been a regular at Ekta for the past year or so, and have never had anything less than a 5 star experience. Wait staff is attentive, and the food quality is top notch.
(5)Chris H.
After Saffron's successful entrance into the Main Line, we were excited to get a place even closer to our home. After trying Ekta's food twice, we were somewhat disappointed. Perhaps it was because Saffron was our point of comparison, which is outstanding in our opinion.
(2)Moritz R.
Very decent food, probably the best Indian food I have ever had (disclaimer: I usually don't like Indian food) at very reasonable prices... Check it out for yourself. It comes with high praises in Zagat as well and shows of many awards on the wall at the bar... I had lamb (Boti Kabob) and I loved it. My girlfriend had Kadahi Chicken, rather spicy but delicious.
(5)Rebecca C.
Hands down best Indian food on the main line. As a vegetarian, I always go for the creamy paneer tikka masala, bhindi (okra) masala, and dal makhani (lentils). Pluses: Great dine in student discounts, BYOB.
(5)Anita S.
My husband and I ate there at 7pm on a Friday night. We had a reservation but it wasn't necessary. The tables are a bit close but it wasn't too noisy. However, the college guy behind us was impossible not to hear telling his table mates he was considering taking beef out of his dietary repertoire because he can feel love for cows, but fish could stay because it's not possible to develop an emotional attachment to fish. Ahh college days. Anyway, the service was very good without being obtrusive. Our water glasses always topped off...a requisite of the Indian dining experience. The basic samosa was quite nice as the outside was crispy and tender, but not greasy, even on the ends. The potato and pea stuffing could have used a bump up in spices. The tamarind sauce was the best I've had because it had a nice sour finish to it. The garlic chicken appetizer my husband ordered was right up his alley but over the top on the garlic scale for me, and I'm a garlic enthusiast. We ordered garlic naan and mint naan. Both were good. My husband ordered the lamb saagwala and I had the mint chicken. The complexity of the sauces was excellent but both dishes were let down by being too sweet and the spinach in my husband's dish did not come through at all. It was a mediocre dining experience, but the prices were reasonable. We will try Tiffin next time.
(3)Adi P.
Good food but prices and serving size way less. They should also work on customer service.
(3)Joanna S.
Good Indian cuisine a few blocks from Bryn Mawr College Best dishes were chicken korma, bootie kabob and saag paneer. We also had fancy sweet nan (which did not go with all of our dishes), mango chicken, mango salsa and butter chicken. Reasonable prices
(3)Ruth K.
By far my favorite place to have Indian in the area. If you want flavor and spice, theyve got it!! I always take my friends here and they rave about how good it tastes. LOVE it here! Located very conveniently on lancaster.
(5)Christopher B.
I love Ekta! Best Indian on the main line. I always get the tandoori chicken and masalador chola, followed by a chai. The food is not overly heavy, nor is it soupy like the dishes at some Indian restaurants. My only qualm is the waiters are a bit awkward, but I suppose that is partially a language barrier. They are always prompt and polite, though.
(4)Michael F.
First timer today, and I'll be back for sure. A few staples to try, Chicken Tikka Masala and Chicken Vindaloo. Maybe I've just been to too many buffets, but the sauces here both exceeded the buffet bar. The vindaloo was wickedly spicy and delicious. The Naan was fresh, hot, crispy and clearly not sitting around. A second order, but of Onion Naan, with scallion and red onion, was terrific, and one of the best Naan orders I've ever tested. That alone would bring me back. The basmati rice seemed a bit dry and an after thought. It was my only minor gripe. Good service and reasonable price. Looking forward to trying some other items on the menu.
(4)Kelly C.
SO GOOD!! I had Ekta twice before, the first was for my first date with my now wife! I didn't remember how delicious it is!! I liked this location--the staff is friendly and prompt & the decor is really pretty. They give you wafers and sauce to munch on--so good!! We ordered vegetable samosa to start--crispy, flaky & flavorful. For our main course we shared tandoori chicken and saag aur paneer with rice. Everything was really flavorful. The chicken was tender and the cheese in the saag paneer was soft, but not too soft. I literally cannot wait to go back!
(5)Lilly E.
Ekta is within walking distance from our home and since we moved here six months ago we have been here four times and ordered take out about four times. We love Indian food! I brought an out of town guest here for lunch and she thoroughly enjoyed the experience. She always has a lot of questions and the waiters were more than happy and patient with their responses. We have tried many of the dishes and each one was delicious so we don't have a favorite. The ambience here is beautiful and relaxing.
(4)Valerie S.
I've been to Ekta a couple of times and really enjoyed it. The first time was a year or so ago - that time, we all had the buffet which was a great way for me to try out Indian food for the first time. Apparently they were losing money on it though, so they recently shut it down. Went again last week and had the Vegetable Biryani which was just outstanding. Also tried a couple of appetizers - Vegetable Samosa, Onion Bhaji, and the Cashew Rolls. We declared the Onion Bhaji (little fritters of onions, spinach, and potatoes) the winner. The Samosa was pretty good too, but the Cashew Rolls were really gummy and we just didn't really care for them. Guess I'd have to say that Ekta is now my go-to Indian food place. Couldn't eat Indian food every day, but once in a while, it's a nice treat!
(5)Hana L.
I don't particularly like Indian, but I really like the food here!! I'd have to say this is my FAVORITE Indian place. My favorite dish is the butter chicken with garlic naan - I'd highly recommend it!!
(5)Sharee G.
So I usually go to Tiffin but I wanted to try something different. I started with the fish appetizer and the fried onion & spinach appetizer, I forget the names. They were just okay, not bad or really good. We ordered the lamb vindaloo (which didn't have potatoes. I love potatoes in my vindaloo), aloo means potatoes I thought, curry chicken and butter chicken and garlic naan which were all okay once again. Didn't blow my mind but it wasn't bad either.The mango lassi was really good. I I'm going to stick with Tiffin because for me the flavors were better. However this was good but based on the reviews and everyone saying it was competition for Tiffin, it was a let down. I was hoping to have another good Indian restaurant to go to because I love the cuisine but it was just okay. By no means am I saying it was bad because it was alright, but for me tiffin's food taste way better. The waiters are a bit awkward and quiet. I prefer attentive and friendly. I just found them distant and kind of quiet. When I asked a question they answered quickly and spoke in a low tone. This place is one of the better Indian restaurants, that I will say.
(3)Linda W.
The best authentic Indian food around! The chicken tikka masala or chicken sagwala are great. Definitely a great spot for a get-together with friends.
(5)JR M.
Visited recently on a week night after reading about Ekta on yelp. As I was not sure about its popularity I made a reservation for 7:15pm. When we arrived it was not too busy. Counter man was on the phone and ignored us for about five minutes, but a waiter eventually came out of the kitchen and seated us. After that the service was fine. Place is very clean to include the bathrooms. We ordered an aloo tikka appetizer that was tasty and enough to share for two people. Main course was lamb korma and mango chicken, both good. The lamb may be the best I've had in years, flavorful and tender. The restaurant started to fill up after 7:30 to include several people wearing turbans, which I take as the seal of approval. No liquor license but they do allow BYOB. Not much on street parking but there is a metered lot 25 yards east that is free after 6pm. Overall a great experience, I'd go back anytime.
(4)Robyn Jael B.
One of my favorite Indian restaurants on the Main Line, Ekta doesn't disappoint. Ekta is a small, well-decorated BYOB restaurant, with a quiet atmosphere and friendly staff. I highly recommend their lamb korma or any of their coconutty dishes!
(5)Kay B.
I really like this Indian place. I made special trips to it from Wayne, and now from Montgomery County. One of the reasons I like it so much is that the decor isn't tacky like some other Indian restaurants - no gazebos, fake flowers, inappropriate lights, odd wall colors, blatant reuse of previous restaurant accessories, etc. It also doesn't hurt that the food is good. I don't know how authentic it is, but it's tasty. I've come here to eat in and for take out. The last dish I had and really enjoyed was the vegetarian shabanam curry. Great balance of vegetable flavors and the cashew paste makes this dish more rich than brothy - highly recommend. Also try their Ekta naan! Some of the people at the front who are always there, and who I suspect are the owners, have a bit of a language barrier. When calling ahead, I've had trouble understanding them and vice versa, so prepare to clearly speak and adeptly listen. Service is pretty decent, but they are pretty adamant about closing time and push back if placing an order 20 minutes before close - can do without this attitude. All in all it's one of my favorite area Indian restaurant and I recommend it for eat in, casual occasions, night out or take out.
(4)Kyle D.
Some of the best Indian food my wife and have ever had, and we eat a lot of Indian food. The Saag Paneer is amazing.
(5)Raghari P.
Good ambience and service. We ordered onion pakora and it was over fried. Kadai paneer was okay.
(3)Isaiah C.
Great buffet selection.
(3)John H.
Good Sunday Buffett. Clean.
(3)Vanessa W.
Establishments like this add to my increasing wariness of Main Line restaurants, no matter how good the reviews. The food here is almost insultingly bland and insipid, drowning in a goopy excess of cashew cream and salt. It is also extremely overpriced for what you get. ($26 for two vegetarian entrees? WTF?) And beware: their website advertises 25% off entrees at lunch time, but when you go to pick up your food, they'll tell you that deal only applies to dine-in orders and refuse to honor what's printed on the website. No thanks.
(1)Matthew L.
My favorite Indian restaurant. There are many in the area I like but Ekta is my favorite. Everything on their menu is amazing. I especially like the Saag Paneer. I don't know what they put in it but I can't find anywhere that makes it as good as they do. Too bad they don't have a buffet anymore during lunch.
(5)David P.
Ekta is my favorite Indian restaurant on the Main Line (Funny, just 10 years or so ago, there was only 1). I regularly order Mirch Tikkaa, which although super spicy is amazingly good. Every time I order it, I get warnings. Last night a second waiter came to the table just to make sure it was not a mistake. I guess they only expect Desis to order it. The Ekta Naan is bread filled with slightly sweet sesame paste that is delicious. There are many dishes on their menu that I don't find at other local Indian restaurants. They also do the basics well like Chiken Tika Masla and Vindaloo.
(4)Dan B.
Moved to PA from England (... the spiritual home of Indian food....!... (as I know it)) 3 years ago. Have since endured a range of Indian restaurants, that all sit somewhere in-between mediocre and terrible. This is the first "traditional" Indian restaurant that I've been to around the Main Line that I've thought would hold it's own back home. I really enjoyed my Kadai Chicken, and I'm looking forward to my return to Ekta, for I shall take on the Vindaloo. 4 stars instead of 5 mainly due to the typical Indian restaurant stuff... minimal atmosphere, quiet wait staff & uninteresting decor.
(4)David N.
Just awesome - been here dozens and dozens of times. Tried almost everything on the menu and its universally superb. Ekta is also ranked as the 8th best Indian restaurant in the USA by Travel & Leisure magazine. And it is well deserved.
(5)Monica L.
PROS: Delicious flavors, nice atmosphere, huge portions, friendly staff CONS: The naan could be better The curried dishes here are hearty and filling, with an assortment of flavors and textures from each dish. The naan is pretty standard but satisfying. Overall, a solid Indian restaurant.
(4)Craig D.
(4) ~ very good food & service...just wish the tables weren't so close together:(You could hear your neighbor's conversation. Also wished they'd serve Rasmalai ~ Our fav Indian dessert:) OUR MENU: * Mango Lassi = (4) very good * Lamb Vindaloo = (4) very good & spicy...no potatoes too:) * Raita = (4) very good * Basmati Rice = (3.5) good, but we've had better. * Masala Tea = (4.5) Very Good! NOTES: There's a metered parking lot across the street that's free after 6PM. Reservations might be needed if you want more private seating:)
(4)Michelle R.
Definitely best Indian on the main line. The food is amazing and tastes 'real'. It is much better than Tiffin down the street, which is good too but not nearly as good as Ekta. One of my close friends is from India and says that Ekta is much for authentic than Tiffin or in that case any Indian restaurant around;
(5)Jolena M.
If you want bang for your buck and high quality, delicious Indian food then come here. Everything I've tried so far is delicious! They also deliver and the service here is very good. All the workers are courteous and pleasant. Highly recommend, as I think it's better than the other Indian restaurant down the street, Tiffin. Ekta is comparatively more authentic. They used to have $10 lunch buffet on the weekends, but I haven't checked if they still do that lately.
(5)Monty S.
Food is good but service is not good at all.. The guy who is working there is totally lazy and he won't come to ask you for water. Not worth it to go there..
(1)Peiwen T.
Came here for twice. The Naan here is really delicious, thick, crispy and soft inside. However, it will no provide any sauce along with the Nann, so it is better to eat it with main dishes. The butter chicken is really great with creamy sauce. The Boti Kabob, which is lamb, is very crispy but a little bit dry. Definitely recommend this restaurant for people who love Indian food.
(4)A V.
Delicious!! The service can be hit or miss which is why they lost a star, but the food is excellent. Very flavorful and fresh! A great place for date night, a family with young children, or groups. Plus it's BYOB!!
(4)Alison J.
Ekta is fantastic. They do everything right. The vegetarian dishes are fresh and flavorful, especially the cashew dish with their homemade cheese. The naan is wonderful, chewy, and comes in many varieties. The rice pudding is delicious, too. Yum! One of the best places to eat in Bryn Mawr. Very sad that the buffet is gone, though :( Bring it back, please!!
(5)Rosalie R.
Let's face it people...we don't have a whole lot of choices for great Indian food. At Ekta you will find it fresh, hot and delicious. I don't think there is a buffet, so you will always know that it was cooked for you that day. As other reviewers have noted, the dishes are not very spicy. My American palate didn't mind. I'm sure if you asked the server, he would accommodate a request for more spice. I would highly recommend Ekta and will definitely plan to return.
(4)Sam H.
My review is solely based on the buffet: Went here for lunch today with my family and had the buffet. The selection is not large, but the food was very good. The butter chicken was rich but not overbearing. The tandoor chicken was evenly spiced and charred nicely. The decor clean looking and comfortable. The service was friendly and prompt. Flavor: 4 stars Spiciness as in heat: 2 - 3 stars (not spicy at all) Selection: 2 - 3 stars I might come back to order ala carte. But I'm not sure if I would venture here for the buffet because I prefer a larger selection.
(3)John D.
Amazing food. I try new things every time I come here and it's always perfect. Definitely my favorite Indian place. Great relaxed atmosphere too. And it's BYOB! Favorites: Paneer Mangoli and Lamb Vindaloo
(5)Kate T.
I have been to ALOT of Indian restaurants, all over the country. This is more of a 4-star restaurant, but for this area, it's a 5. Indian in the Philly area, and the Main Line in particular, is sub-par. This place is definitely the best I'm aware of in this area. The atmosphere is above average. It's clean, neat, and has a definite Indian feel with paintings and photographs. The staff is both more competent and less intrusive than typical Indian-restaurant staff. The menu has all the usual choices, plus some more unusual offerings and even a few dishes I'd never heard of. Every table around me was ordering chicken tikka masala so I figured that was good and went for something I'd never heard of, as did my husband. We were both wowed. They have an especially large bread selection-- like 10+ different naans. We had the Peshawari which was very sweet, almost dessert-like, which I loved.
(5)Jason R.
The food is pretty good, but when you take price into account, you can do much better. I wouldn't go back here. It was better when they had a lunch buffet.
(2)Jen W.
Where to begin? This place is pretty fancy. Interior was small but easy on the eyes. The staff is very good and so is the service. The prices are pretty ridiculous as well as the portions, but the food was good. Wish they had mor hot and spicy-ness in it but it was good nonetheless. The sam savera was delicious, and the chicken tikki marsala. Curry chicken was a tad bit bland but still savory. I have to say there aren't that many food options either compared to other places. Disappointed that the lunch buffet is no longer there. Service - 5 stars Food - 4 stars Prices - 3 stars Other - 3 stars
(4)Pritam P.
I walked in with my wife and kid after a morning birthday party my kid had across the street. Seating was a little congested but I can understand due to the location. We ordered Chicken Biryani, Chicken Makhni and Naan. The food was good and the spice level was as we wanted (we eat less spice). They had some special going on so for a discount on the check. Overall it's got good food and will definitely go back again.
(4)Bradford G.
Empty for weekday lunch. Lamb chetinad with coconut was a bit bland. Kadai lamb was fantastic with tomatoes and ginger. Basmati rice. Saag aur paneer. All delicious.
(4)Brick T.
Couldn't be better! Great food, great service! I'd recommend it to Indian food fans and those new to Indian cuisine. Just great, great food.
(5)Akshay B.
Food took a long time to arrive. It tasted okay, but it wasn't very authentic, and it was somewhat bland. The ambience is nice, though.
(2)Leilani M.
My favorite place to come for quality Indian food. My roommate (who is friends with a master chef from India) says is as close to the real thing you'll find without actually traveling there. Service is top notch. Beautiful yet not ostentatious decor. Very high quality for what you pay. Was introduced to their Philadelphia location by a friend when I was living in south Philly and the tandoori chicken was the best I've ever had. Once I moved in with my roommate literally a 2 minute walk from our house to their location in Bryn Mawr I have become a regular coming at least twice a month. I never hesitate to bring out of town friends here when they come to visit. They instantly treat you like a close friend and you're recognized every time you come in regardless of how long it's been since your last visit.
(5)J P.
I grew up eating Indian food -- so when I moved to the Main Line, I immediately started looking for a quality Indian restaurant. There's quite a few around the area, but truly, I haven't even tried the other ones yet because I love Ekta! Fresh and delicious food -- I've tried many of their non-veg main courses and I have no complaints so far! Can't go wrong with the naan, vindaloo, saagwala, kadai ...all very good! Next time, will try their tandoor and biryani dishes. I guess I wish they could adjust the spices on some of the dishes, but that's not too big of a deal. The service is great once you are seated, but I've been here a couple times when I've had to literally wait for over an hour on a weekday night (and there's not much room to begin with) -- so make a reservation even if you don't think you need one. Nice atmosphere and BYOB. Prices are reasonable (main courses $11-16ish).
(4)Tough C.
I have given this high marks in the past, but now I won't be back. The food is still good but the service we received 2 days ago was terrible. We were virtually ignored for most of our stay. Taking into account a previous incident here when picking up take out, I have to speculate that when there are only women in your party they don't value you as customers.
(1)Sarah T.
I think all the of the people who have posted reviews complaining about this place didn't get enough hugs as children. Whomp whomp. It's fine. It is exactly what you would expect. It is not the restaurants fault if you have weird expectations. Seriously. It isn't. I am sorry your dad was so mean.
(4)BRETT H.
My wife and I decided to come here because they had some different stuff on the menu, for instance "Chandrakala -White flour dumplings filled with Dry fruits and fresh coconut stir fried" They were very sweet and unappealing as an appetizer. Another dish we also got "Kadai Paneer", and didn't like, claims to have homemade paneer. The paneer was so chewy and terrible that we asked after the meal, and NO they do not make their own Paneer. There are way better places to go for Indian food.
(1)Brian H.
Compared to other Indian restaurants, this is a four-star Indian. If comparing to other BYOB's in the area and in town, I have to give it three stars. Bindhi was my favorite Indian in Philadelphia, since closed. :-( But this restaurant holds it's own, from polite and accommodating service, decent decor, to the warm comfort of flavors in every dish. The cauliflower veg dish was fresh and tasty. The Lamb Vindaloo, toned down to a two pepper dish from three, had pleasant heat, a nice richness with the lamb still tender and flavorful. The only disappointment was the Chicken Korma, where the chicken was a bit dry with the sauce a tad more creamy-y than cashew-y, just missing a burst that the other dishes had. The rice served along the dishes was light and airy with only a few lumps, very impressive. The garlic naan was delicious. Very good, and will be my new Indian "go to" place in the burbs.
(4)Tony H.
Best Indian around by far. Reasonably priced, good service, clean and great food. Try Ekta vegetables and the lamb korai. Yum!
(5)Caitlin F.
This is likely not authentic Indian. What it is, however, is very good. My favorite is the Chicken Tikka Masala. I ordered it once in preparation for an all-day-and-all-night-huge-paper-researching-and-Âwriting-cram-fest. The portions are so nicely (hugely) sized that this delicious chicken was literally all I ate for lunch, dinner, and then breakfast. Whenever I was hungry and needed a break, I just broke out the containers of rice and chicken and chowed down. Ekta propelled me through my terrible procrastination and into a A on the paper. Oh, and they threw in a complimentary dessert! Wasn't exactly sure what it was and I didn't eat too much of it (by the time I remembered it, it had been stowed in the back of my fridge for a week...) but it was a nice gesture. Doesn't deliver for lunch though. Pity.
(5)Erik B.
I've eaten here a few times, but always for take-out. I've had a lot of good Indian, but rarely do I have "great" Indian, and this is great Indian! I judge an Indian by their chicken vindaloo...are they willing to hurt complete strangers, people they just met? The answer here is a resounding "yes." This is one of two times that I've been to a place that hasn't held back. Every painful, succulent, beautiful bite brought a tear of joy, sorrow, anguish, delight that I've not had replicated. The heartburn began before I even finished, in that good, nay, great way. Since then, I've not been so brave to do it again (I only just regrew my stomach lining), but the chicken tikka masala and korma (respectively) are equally as good in flavor, if not in sadistic and/or masochistic pain. I can't speak to their service, but the food is always ready at the appointed time. The guy on the phone was a little...off.
(5)Adelyn V.
I LOVE this restaurant. My husband and I love to try new places, but Ekta is one of our frequent neighborhood go-to's. Honestly, we'd drive a long way just to go to this restaurant too. The atmosphere inside is great--quiet, cute and a BYOB. The prices here are incredibly reasonable (I might even venture to say cheap) and we love that we can bring our own wine or beer. My favorites appetizers are the samosa chat and cashew roll-both equally delicious and different. I am obsessed with their paneer tikka masala (rich, delicious and addicting) and the lamb vindaloo main courses (a bit spicy and the lamb is awesome). The portions are huge and three of us have shared these dishes before with plenty to spare. They will continue to bring you basmati rice as you run out, so eat up! Also not to be missed-the paneer naan (I love paneer!) and garlic naan--neither are particularly unique Indian dishes but they sure are good!
(5)Melissa B.
Disclaimer: this review regards their food and delivery service only. Annoyance #1: Person taking order and delivery driver had no idea where my apartment building was, despite being less than 1 mile away. Annoyance #2: Ordered Veg samosas, chicken tikka masala, raita, papadam, and plain naan. All of it was the blandest Indian food I've ever had. Such a disappointment. The raita especially was almost completely flavorless, and the tikka masala and samosas weren't much better. I don't need it to be spicy hot, but I prefer Indian that's flavorful and tasty. This wasn't. Overall, a big disappointment. I'll order from Tiffin from now on, even though that's not great food either.
(2)Bridget G.
Best Indian restaurant, and def. a contender for best restaurant on the main line. This is not a mediocre review that you see on most of yelp and then go to places based on that and leave disappointed. This place is more than legit. I have never been to the Middle East, but I'm confident enough to say that this place TASTES like India! I'm confident enough to give it a 5 star rating, which there are only a few others that I hold in that regard in the Philadelphia and surrounding area ( I. E. dim sum garden, el jarocho, the good dog bar). I've tried numerous Indian places including overseas and this IS IT! Do yourself a favor and get to this place...you will love it! Recommend the appetizer chicken pakora and both chicken vindaloo and chicken korma ( my personal fab and standby). Oh, and it's a BYO!!
(5)Ricardo C.
Naan is amazing! Order the aloo ... Chat from the appetizer section, it's cold and refreshing.
(4)Danan R.
The chicken tikka masala was very good. The sauce was a bit creamier than what I'm used to but I enjoyed it all the same. The paratha was nice and crispy and not overly greasy. I'll be coming back to try more of the dishes but I'm happy with the food quality and service thus far. It's small but very clean, and the servers are friendly and helpful.
(4)Steph L.
I'm truly sorry Ekta, but your rival Tiffin's food just tastes better. It seems to come down to personal preference (I've heard arguments for both of why they are better); for me, I prefer Tiffin's tikka masala sauce.
(2)Mindy K.
Ekta has been one of my favorites in Philly for some time based on the following: -It's arguably the best Indian food I have had. Ever. -The quality/taste is consistently lives up to my expectations -The Fishtown location delivers essentially to all of metro Philadelphia. The delivery radius is actually absurd (Fishtown, Nolibs, Fairmount, Rittenhouse, Center City, Old City, Queen Village), and even though they have pulled back the boundaries a bit, it's still quite impressive. -Relatively inexpensive. -The leftovers reheat beautifully - almost the original state. So, we decided to give Ekta Bryn Mawr a whirl. Of course, we proceeded with caution. Would the Bryn Mawr location taste as good as Fishtown? Would their Tikka Masala still make us sigh contentedly and love life just a bit more at that moment? Would their Saagwala be so good that it would make us forget that Chicken Tikka Masala was actually our favorite with each new bite? WHAT WE ATE *Samosa Chat This was soooooo interesting. First of all, we were surprised that the dish was served COLD. It was layers of fried pastry dough that is used in samosas, flattened to form the first layer. Then around it and on top there were crumbled pieces of fried noodle-type looking things. It looked and tasted very similar to chopped up fried singapore noodles. Then, it was topped with chick peas, onions, mint, sauces, and a few slivers of ginger. At first, it was weird trying to get used to the fact that this dish was cold, but with each extremely flavorful bite. *Chicken Tikka Masala If you haven't tried Indian cuisine before, I always recommend that you start with Tikka Masala - it is definitely the most approachable intro dish. This is probably because Tikka Masala isn't really authentic traditional Indian cuisine, but rather an invention that originated with the Brits by tweaking an existing dish to friendly-fy the taste for Western palates. However it was born, I don't care, I love it and it's AWESOME at Ekta. The Tikka Masala did taste slightly different than what we were used to at the Fishtown shop. I'd say it was a teensy bit less sweet, but it still tasted heavenly and I wouldn't really be able to tell you if one was better than the other - just that they were different. SLIGHTLY. *Chicken Saagwala Saagwala is one of my newer favorite Indian dishes. It's essentially like a cream of spinach dish, with pureed or chopped spinach, excessive amounts of butter and ginger. The saagwala tasted the same as what we expected, thankfully. The one minor difference is that I felt like the spinach pieces may have been larger at this location? So - rather than pureed/minced, they were closer to a very fine chop? It doesn't really matter though, it was stellar. About the comparison to Tiffin, if we're debating straight up food - the short version is that I prefer the fried samosas and pakoras at Tiffin, but the sauces and main dishes really shine at Ekta. The interior decor in Bryn Mawr is actually very nice. Whereas the Fishtown location does feel very much like a makeshift dining room attached to a takeout counter, the Bryn Mawr location boasts of all the staples that are required to make a Mainline restaurant successful - cleanly and semi-formally attired waitstaff, friendly and attentive service, comfortable but solid wooden tables/chairs. An added bonus - it's BYOB! There isn't much more to say about that
(5)