Masala Bistro
3401 Hartzdale Dr,Ste 120, Camp Hill, PA, 17011
Masala Bistro Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Camp Hill for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
3401 Hartzdale Dr,Ste 120
Camp Hill, PA, 17011 - Phone (717) 975-9091
- Website https://masalabistro.net
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
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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Dan R.
I really enjoyed my visit last week to Masala Bistro. Stopped by for the buffet on a saturday afternoon (8.95 adults - 4.95 children). I've been to Aangan and the Indian stand in the Broad Street Market before, so I want a total virgin. The Goat dish was good, as well as the bean & yellow rice dish (Briyani). Their dessert bar is great, rice pudding, pineapple, canteloupe, watermelon and mango in sauce. Will be back.
(3)Tom J.
I was always timid of trying Indian food, but I'm glad I got over that. Indian food is fantastic, I've only been to a handful of Indian restaurants and I must say, Masala Bistro is definitely on par with the others. The Tikka Masala was great, my GF ordered that and I probably eat half of it myself. Unfortunately I don't even remember what I ordered but I definitely recommend getting the veggi Pakora's for an appetizer, they are very yummy with the red sauce they come with. They offer several different styles of Naan and I recommended trying a few. Prices are very reasonable and the lunch buffet at 7 dollars is a great deal as well. EDIT: The lunch buffet prices have gone up a bit, however, it's still a great value. You get an incredible meal for under $10 and they have an abundance of choices. I always end my lunch with a bowl of Gulab Jamun (dough balls in sugar syrup), which are my absolute favorite. I'm looking forward to trying their dinner menu again.
(5)Steve P.
The 7.95 lunch buffet is awesome. They had 2 different kinds of curry 3 different meat dishes 2 veggie dishes and a bunch of rice and salads. Very cheap for the spread they had and food was constantly coming out of the kitchen so it was fresh and hot. Definitely give this one a try.
(4)Keidi K.
I definitely think this is the best Indian in the area. Their lunch buffet is a a great deal at $7, but if you go for dinner make sure to get some coupons of their site. ps. Try the chilli naan!
(5)Gaspere G.
Very friendly service. Excellent food. Soup. Appetizers. Entrees all good. Vindaloo could have been hotter, but I heard regulars asking for it extra spicy. Next time...
(4)Mark D.
Have been a fan of this place for several years. The buffet has a great selection of both meat-based and vegetable dishes; some familiar appetizers as well as a surprise or two; and even achar is available (mixed Indian pickle--try it, a little at a time on some naan or rice). We recommend the buffet special to any of our uninitiated friends or family that wish to try Indian food for the first time--they can get a wide concept of the cuisine at a very reasonable price. The owners are very friendly and will try to make your meal an enjoyable one. The chef can modify any item ordered off the menu on a sliding scale of spiciness: starting at a "3", he can take the heat level up to a "10" as requested. My wife and I have found a 6 or a 7 to be enough to make your lips tingle pleasantly without causing a flameout in your mouth. To sum up: worth the money, great selection, delicious food, nice people:--get in there and start giving your tastebuds a reason to thank you!
(5)Kate T.
I'm not an expert on authentic Indian food, but I can say that everything we sampled from the buffet was delicious, and that's been true on previous visits too. As everyone says, the buffet is a great bargain. Service was attentive and speedy. There seemed to be a lot of regulars coming in for their Saturday lunch, which can only be a good sign, right?
(5)Khalid S.
In the not-so-great Desi cuisine landscape of Harrisburg, this is probably the best buffet, much better than Aangan, Passage and Citadel. The reason is the food is really homely and fresh. They also claim it's Halal.
(4)Tara D.
Food and service was very good! Don't know how authentic it is since only second time eating at an Indian Rest. but it was delicious! Can't afford to do it too much though.
(5)Candice D.
I went there with a group for my brother-in-law's graduation party, and both the food and the service were top-notch. The waiter was excellent, our glasses were constantly refilled and dishes were cleared away (maybe this was because the place was surprisingly dead at the time we went but no complaints there). I assume the owner was the one who greeted us, but I may be wrong. While ordering we asked him for suggestions and boy did he provide! The entire group was satisfied from the appetizers to the entrees. The vegetarian dishes were raved over and the fruit filled and pizza-like naan were a hit. I shared a Chicken Tikka and a Malai Chicken dish, both of which came out sizzling, with the person sitting next to me and we both enjoyed them. I can't say for sure about the prices since I didn't pick up the tab but I didn't hear any complaints. Unfortunately I don't live in the area or else this could easily become one of my "regular" restaurants.
(5)Snorkel M.
This is the best Indian restaurant in the area. I have been to Masala Bistro for dinner several times and I have always been pleased with the service and food. For the record, I've had samosa, Alu Gobi, and Alu Paratha. I order the same food every time I go, so I can't obviously can't vouch for the quality of every meal on the menu. However, the food I have eaten has been absolutely delicious.
(5)Full C.
Best Indian food in the area. Small cozy location (in a strip mall next to Golds Gym. Eat too much? go workout afterwards). Good prices, good portions. good breads, good rices. No bad choices here. Run by the owners who take care of their customers!
(5)Lina K.
Good Indian food, but not as good as Passage to India or Aangan. They have two soups- Tomato and Chicken. Decent variety. I did try the lunch buffet- again, it's good, but does not have as much variety as Passage to India. Friendly workers and the restaurant is small but nicely decorated. I would recommend it if you are in the area and don't want to cross the river...but if you are on the East shore, stick with Passage to India or Aangan.
(3)John C.
I've only been here for the lunch buffet during the weekdays. It is the only Indian restaurant I've been to and the food here is decent. I like their spicy rice (I forget the name) The service isn't that great. I had an empty glass for about 30 minutes, even though the waiter passed by frequently and even cleared our plates, but never bother to refill. Overall, it is an ok place, but most likely wouldn't go back.
(3)Michael S.
Outstanding Indian food. I always eat way too much. Can't help myself. Portions are large and they will adjust spiciness to your preference. If you get takeout, they won't make the naan until you get there, so you'll wait 5 minutes. Service is fantastic. BYOB
(5)Stephanie h.
Took my bil (brother in law) here for his first Indian food experience and it was great! I haven't tested too many places in the past, but I really enjoy it. The rice is spectacular! We tried 3 dishes and my favorite is the eggplant one-so yummy. Their Chicken Korma was delish too. Plus, of course the Naan is awesome. We tried again for take out and was still yummy-plus, you get a lot to go. Plan to keep trying more items.
(5)Virginia B.
This is by far and away the best Indian food in the whole area. My husband and I visited Masala Bistro last night (a Friday) and it was phenomenal. My husband was skeptical when we pulled up to the run down strip mall (but I had read other reviews and I was prepared). Once we walked inside all doubts vanished. It smelled wonderful, we were welcomed warmly and the room was decorated nicely. Being a Friday night, we ordered off the menu and we ordered a lot so we could really try the different dishes. The price per dish was in the $10 range (Read- comparatively inexpensive, since we normally pay $12 to $15 per dish and the food at Masala Bistro is better). We drove 30 min. to get there, and I know we will be doing it frequently. The food is worth it. Our server (and owner I suppose?) was so warm and accommodating I felt right at home. I just loved her! If I were being really honest I would give 4 stars only because of the location. They could honestly move to a better, fancy location and charge more per meal and be a five star experience. I gave it 5 stars because the quality of the food and the service, for the price, deserved it.
(5)Michael J.
I just recently became a fan of Indian food. I don't know how to rate it as far as execution, but I can tell you that I ate the lunch buffet and everything I had tasted delicious. I just love the low, slow, burn you get from Indian food. Harrisburg area is finally getting some diversity in cuisine and I will definitely come back to the Masala Bistro! I give it a you'll eat until you want to unbutton your pants rating
(5)Brian R.
I've had the buffet here twice and enjoyed the food both times. The selection of the buffet was a good variety. I do prefer Aangan, but I have always enjoyed Masala and will continue to eat there. Their mango lassi is amazing.
(4)Barbara V.
Excellent Indian. Good service. BYOB
(4)Small Town G.
Though some of the food is good, I just hate the ambience and don't care for the lack of waitstaff. I think they should concentrate on the dishes they do well (like biryani) and not try to offer too many varied dishes on their buffet. Their butter chicken tasted like it was unmarinated which tells me they are trying to please everyone, which never works in the restaurant business.
(2)Jason d.
Very Good food at a good price. Very nice selection on the lunch buffett. Everything was fresh and tasted great. We had a few folks in the group who had not eaten Indian before and when they asked staff what was hot and what was not they were told nothing was hot but to them it was! :) I definitely recommend.
(4)Brian J.
The food was excellent, but the service was slow. If you are trying to make a movie like we were, be sure to give yourself some extra time, because it is worth it. It's BYOB.
(4)Mohun K.
Dinner on 3/20/13. Take this with a grain of salt - I'm originally from India so I put Indian places through the ringer. The food was decent enough for me to try the place again. The appetizers were quite tasty - onion bhajji and aalo bonda. I ordered the chicken vindaloo, which if done right burns your mouth. I was disappointed with the heat level and had to eat green chillies to add spice. The Kashmiri naan was scrumptious. Service was good. I ate here 2-3 times for lunch several years ago, but this was my first time for dinner.
(3)Rob M.
Consistently delicious food, prepared and served by gracious people.
(5)AgentxAngel X.
Thought this place was very good... has to be the best indian in the area. the down side was that it could be a little pricey.
(4)Donna E.
Outstanding, friendly service with authentic Indian fare. Good variety and large portion sizes. The server gave us good recommendations and guided us in spice level selections. Nice experience.
(4)Amy G.
I've been here for dinner as well as the buffet lunch and I have found it to be good every time I have eaten here. I find it to be a notch below Aangan and a notch above Passage to India. The buffet has always been fresh and tasty with all authentic cooking (although obviously the dishes are selected with an American palate in consideration). I agree that the mango lassi is very good. The service is also excellent. The prices are typcial for this type of food in this area.
(4)H B.
Good Buffet Lunch! Good Price! Good Service!
(3)J. K.
Great lunch buffet, much better than expected for my first Indian cuisine experience. Just the right amount of spice. Nice atmosphere and very friendly staff. Would definitely recommend to friends and will return!
(4)Don T.
Okay, I'm a New Yorker and I moved to NYC from Edison NJ, the largest Indian/Pakistani/Afghan neighborhood in the US. I was amazed at how good this food was and how creative the dishes were. There were both traditiobnal restaurant dishes as well as some home-style fare. A real treat that I wasn't expecting when I travelled through central PA. I'm going back whenever I pass through. Absolutely fantastic paneer dishes and not just the typical sag paneer. I'd love a little more cucumber in the Raita, but the freshness of the flavor and consistency won me over. Nice work!
(5)Stephen W.
After escaping the clutches of Central Pennsylvania, as a teenager I would always grumble about having to return to this place to visit family or friends. This restaurant, however, in recent years has become one of the highlights of return trips. I can't compare it to other local places, except for Passage to India (I think the last time I ate there I was 12), but I appreciate Indian food, and this is some of the best I've had anywhere.
(5)Jeff S.
avoid the buffet, gross.
(1)E G.
Probably the second best Indian restaurant in Harrisburg area. I actually tried this one second, right after Passage to India, and I thought it was heads above Passage. It probably scewed my impression of this place, but I'd say if you live on the West Shore or are in the area and want Indian food, this isn't a bad choice. I will say that Masala Bistro has the best service out of the Indian places in the area. That is a big plus especially if you know anything about Indian places and service. The owner is a very very friendly woman that tries her hardest to please the customers. the food is fresh, I think the tandoori's clay oven dishes are probably their best items, but not as good as Aangan. The goan shrimp curry was below average. Cocunut rice was very delicious. Appetizers like vegetable pakora, onion bajia and samosas are the best in town. My wife swears by their chicken korma, which I found to be bland and not spicy enough. The atmosphere is typical, nothing stands out about it, but it won't turn you off at all. Prices are not too expensive. get coupons on their site: masalabistro.net/coupon.… Definitely a place to check out.
(3)Sushant B.
The place has a good environment. Food is is good but not so much of customer service.
(4)Eddie S.
We have eaten here one other time and the food was good; however this evening in particular the food was just okay. The problem we had and the true cause of the 2 stars were the bugs. I took a picture of 2 of the 7 little critters we killed throughout our dinner. Again the food and service was okay. Next time we will go back to Passage To India in Harrisburg.
(2)Sasa T.
Well..I wanted to give it a 4 star but our friends were so disappointed with their food, I have to deduct a star looking of their sad faces. We were happy with our vegetarian portions but its the lamb curry that our friends swore was the worst they have had. The appetizers were good and cooked to perfection. We tried their spicy mirchi pakoda which is one of the better things on the menu. Our vegetarian dishes- mushroom saag and paneer kadhai was aptly spicy and tasted just fine. But our friends ordered lamb kadhai and chicken curry which lacked taste and they didnt even bother to touch it after few spoons. On the positive side, we ordered a bread basket and the nans were very soft and fresh. P.S. Its BYOB so load your beer/wine before you hit the restaurant.
(3)Sonja S.
Masala Bistro is the best Indian Restaurant I have been to thus far. Every State/City I travel through/vacation in, I seek out Indian Restaurants --I have only found one that comes close to being as good as Masala and that is in Hagerstown, MD. Best butter chicken ever, cabbage salad, Saag paneer, potatoes wit peas, rice desert, lentil soup, rice with nuts on the weekends!!! I love the rice with the nuts. Everything is delicious, presented in a clean, tasteful manner. I have been enjoying Masala 2-4 times per week for years now....the people are like family, wonderfully friendly, caring and accommodating.
(5)Simon D.
I had dinner here and ordered off their special menu. We had the Chicken Korma and Goat Biryani, both were flavorful and delicious. The Chicken Korma was creamy and gently spiced, you could taste a bit of the yogurt so the spices weren't too overwhelming. The Goat was a bit spicy for me, however it had a nice peppery spice. The meat was tender, not gamey, and there was plenty of it. The rice was cooked perfectly. Service on this particular night was a bit slow, looked like there was 1 lady who took the role of hostess/waitress and 1 busboy servicing the entire restaurant. Overall very good food, would definitely come back here again.
(4)Shannon P.
The food was okay... Kinda bland for an Indian buffet. There was a good variety of choices. The atmosphere was okay.. Cleaning supplies on one of the tables as we entered.. Unappetizing. The service was good by refilling our drinks and taking our plates. Probably wouldn't go back.
(3)Chris F.
Bland. Indian food is supposed to be interesting and exciting and this buffet is anything but. 8-9 choices of Americanized, "watered-down" indian food were on the lunch buffet the several times I have visited, and each time the menu was the same. Severe lack of spice and seasoning in most of the dishes. Staff is friendly, room is comfortable, and the price is cheap, $9.50 after tax. Visit Bombay Junction for the real Indian buffet experience.
(3)Christian G.
This place was good and had very large portions. Neither my girlfriend or I could finish our meals. I was a little confused though because it was hard to understand what our waitress was saying at times. It is definitely a place worth trying out but I would recommend getting your food to go.
(4)David A.
This place is in a non descript shopping center across from the mall. I went for dinner and it was very quiet. This is a family run place and the quality and preparation of the food showed tremendous pride. I started with samosa. The appetizer included two very large samosa. They had great texture and flavor. I was pretty full after eating these! I then had Tandoor Chicken. I order a half portion. It was huge. The chicken was perfectly cooked. I could not finish it but I tried! They mentioned that their lunch buffets are very popular. This could explain why it was so quiet for dinner. My bill was under $20 for a very good meal.
(4)Joselyn H.
Excellent food and relaxed atmosphere. I travel a lot and have eaten Indian food in many foodie cities. My husband worked in India on and off for over a year and we loved this place. The naan was the best I've ever had. Everything was super fresh and homemade. I will certainly be back.
(5)Sarthak S.
Only somebody who has never eaten real indian food will ever call this remotely "food". The waitress had an attitude problem and treated us real shitty. I thought I got sick after eating here. I don't think I will ever go back to this place.
(2)Anurag M.
Horrible service and bad food The lady who served us was extremely rude. We asked for kulfi and she said that we don't have it. We then asked can you tell us what desserts you have she was extremely impolite and said look at the menu everything is written there. We said the reason we asked was because you said kulfi wasn't there and she didn't care. Food was also below average. We even called the owner/manager a Sikh guy who was even ruder than the server. NEVER EVER GOING BACK AGAIN
(1)David J.
Best Indian place in the area. I'd put their butter chicken and chili chicken, as well as their korma and paneer, up against any other place in the Harrisburg/Lancaster area. The owners are super friendly, the lunch buffet has a great variety and stays fresh all the way until it closes. It's also very clean with a huge menu for dinner. I highly recommend the Rogan Josh and any variety of Korma you like. Simply the best.
(5)John N.
After paying my bill to the owner, I gathered my wife and two small kids and and headed out the door. The owner then comes chasing me out the door asking if I paid. I replied of course I did. She then goes, "Who did you pay?" I said, "YOU! She says I don't remember you paying, do you have a receipt that you paid. I showed her my receipt then she goes I'm sorry and goes back in side. I went back in and took my gratuity off because of the rudeness of that conversation. No true attempt to make up for the embarrassment of being wrongfully accused as a dine and ditcher. As for the food, it was good enough for me to frequent on a monthly basis when I worked in the area. It is now off my list. My advise, do not pay cash and ALWAYS ask for a receipt. She will forget you as soon as she takes your money.
(1)Sapan K.
I was visiting York PA for work and wanted to grab quick lunch on my way to BWI airport. Great place for buffet, especially non veg. Had some soft delicious tandoori chicken and nice ras malai to finish.
(4)Rishabh J.
Punjabi kadi is a must try. Good vegetarian options. Go for the ala carte. I am not too thrilled with their lunch buffet but then I am comparing it with their menu items which are awesome. The chef is really friendly as well. Ambience is decent. Way to go bhraji!!!
(5)Jasmina A.
'Happy'-the owner, made us quite happy with a delicious meal! This was our first time here, but it surely won't be the last. Having tried many Indian restaurants and buffets, I feel confident in saying that this is one of the best ones we've tried. The buffet was extensive, the food was fresh and delicious, and the service was great! No complaints here!
(5)Saagarika B.
The waitress here is disgusting . She shouted at me for no reason. She was warning me not to eat food. If I don't like the food or not I should put it in my mouth . I have never seen such horrible food .
(1)Stephanie C.
We love this place, it's just like family here. The waitress remembers us even though it may be months between visits. She even noticed the hub's recent weight gain, lol...got to love the culture and blunt comments! The food is always great, we usually order ala cart in order to get a spicier dish. As they tend to leave the buffet mild to appeal to the masses. I've never gotten anything here that I did not enjoy. I also have eaten the spiciest food I have ever had in my life here...hiccups and all it was a fun experience not to be repeated. This place is also quiet enough to have a conversation in which I appreciate when out dining with friends.
(5)Icky V.
Went last night for dinner. The person who waited on us was very nice. There was only a few other people in there, probably due to the inclement weather. I am unable to eat dairy and thought if there was any dairy in the dish, it would be in the description, since I saw it added under the descriptions of other dishes. I ordered something and it turned out to have cream in it. They were very accommodating when I explain my problem, and the waiter suggested Chicken Curry. It was very delicious, and my stomach was happy. My friend and boyfriend also loved the food and service. I would definitely go back.
(5)Samiam H.
I like the food at Masala Bistro and the prices are very reasonable. My problem with them was when 5 of us had dinner they had some creative accounting on the bill. They brought us basket and basket of naan. Our bread alone came to $28. The wait person stuck on a 20% service charge even though only 5 with one check and no mentioned on the menu or even written on the bill. We have been regulars here but not sure if we give a second chance, may switch to Passage or Aanagans. We have stopped going to Bombay Bistro as it has just gone down hill on portion control and cleanliness issues. Their website masalabistro.net has some good coupons, but it is August and they have a 25% off Spring special that is no longer offered but still on website. Check your bill carefully.
(3)Kimberly C.
The host was friendly and quickly seated me. The interior was cozy and clean. I was there for lunch and had the all you can eat buffet for $8.95. The food was very good and I liked everything I tried. I would come back!
(4)Ruth H.
FOODIE APPROVED! I'm from Northern Virginia and have had maybe 10 other Indian restaurant experiences, and this is by far the best. The number of dishes was plentiful; maybe 20. Bhindi Masala (okra WITH crispy fried onion strings) the spinach and cubed cheese dish, the chick pea dish, lemon rice (even my husband liked), goat curry, butter chicken, chili chicken, another 2 rices, veggie curry, deep fried veggie balls, chicken strips (like chicken tempura), huge platters of beautiful fresh fruit, the best rice pudding I've ever had, the cheese ball dessert, the mango purée dessert, and some other plates. Wow! I was impressed. The place has dim lighting, but fabulous food. I could actually Tate the fat in the cheeses (spinach dish & desserts). At other restaurants they were dry and tasteless. I recommend this place and hope to eat here next time I'm in town.
(5)Sam R.
Been here for buffet, food was amazing, lots of varieties and each dish had it's own taste, Indian buffet was best in this region. Have tried at various other Indian joints. It was bit pricey for Friday buffet $11.00, but they included Goat curry, Chicken pakora, Chilli Chicken, tandoori chicken, veg samosa, butter chicken, naan and 4 varieties of dessert and many more vegetarian items. It was an awesome experience
(5)Jon G.
Lunch buffet review: Very disappointing for "the best Indian restaurant" in Harrisburg. Maybe there is not much competition. The food was very bland and the tandoori chicken was so dry I could not it eat without a liberal helping of condiments. I would give it a try for dinner, perhaps that is better, but will not be back for the buffet.
(2)Mike D.
Encountering the huge, empty space, I refused to second-guess myself about Masala Bistro. It was dim with mismatched décor, then came the topper -a plastic plant caked in dust hanging on the wall next to our table. On the bright side, the highlights were tasty Shrimp Pataka. nice creamy Chicken Korma. The Spicy Shrimp Vindaloo has got a respectable spice, enough at least for me to break the prerequisite single bead of sweat. Service was a bit overbearing as a server (not even our waitress) kept trying to take my wife's appetizer plate and hovered over the table for no reason after we told her everythings fine.
(3)Tara D.
First time eating here...I tried a little of everything the lunch buffet had to offer and found my favorites to be the chili chicken, butter chicken and tandoori Chicken. Will definitely be back for dinner as I want to try the veggie dishes, goat and lamb. The flavor was superb and the owners are extremely polite and friendly and will make anyone feel comfortable.
(4)Paul V.
Yum
(4)Zee A.
I know, I know, I can be hard on the beige palettes that I find in York, PA. Yes, I do whine that I miss the spicy, ethnic, diverse foods in the city. But, lo and behold I have found the Taj Mahal of Indian food in Central, PA! That would be Masala Bistro. When we first arrived, the parking lot was DEAD....not one car, except ours. We sat out front in the car for a few minutes wondering if they were even open. But our lengthy drive and our pulsing hunger forced us to open the door...to a completely dead restaurant. Uh oh things didn't look so good. If no one else was eating here, should we? We were then greeted by our bespectacled host who graciously offered us the pick of the empty tables and immediately catered to our needs. I felt at home immediately as I felt like I was arriving at someone's home. But was the food good? The menu was loaded with typical Indian cuisine favorites and some dishes that I had never tried and I was eager to dive in. Our host was very attentive and in minutes we had beverages and some good recommendations. My husband ordered the mango lassi and he exclaimed that is was delish! We ordered the chicken pakoras, samosas, and the empire salad to start. Although very good, the appetizers didnt really stand out. The chicken pakoras were tasty, but were a tad bit salty and the fried flour a bit crumbly for me. I ended up picking it off to eat them. The main courses arrived with great fanfare and you could see the pride in the host's face as each dinner was placed on the table. One by one, our lamb chops in masala gravy (TO DIE FOR!!), saag paneer (smooth and flavorful), tandori mixed grill (nice flavor and tender), lamb korma (good sauce and tender lamb) and the chicken methi (a beautiful color and tender and juicy!). We had a virtual basket of the different varieties of breads placed on the table. I am in love with their Since I normally order a mango lassi for dessert, we were all very surprised to receive a free dessert by the most charming waitress ever. She was very warm, and sweet and was also very attentive to our needs. Although I am big on food, taste, and presentation, I would actually go back just to feel the invitation atmosphere all over again. As we were eating, the restaurant filled out nicely. It was refreshing to see Indian patrons as well as non-Indian. I love eating at places where the people from the culture eat also! My only recommendations and why I knocked off a star is that they need to dump the decor. It's a little hodge-podge, and needs a good dusting. I didn't like looking up and seeing dust. **Note, I have tried a couple of Indian restaurants in Central, PA before and I left out with a polite nod, and a big disappointment in my gut when I got out to the car. But Taj Mahal's food was a true winner and I will be back. Fair warning!
(4)Faiza M.
Very good food nice srives nice location every body try there they have a good food they have very good curry itme I love it
(5)Marie D.
This is by far my favorite Indian place near Mechanicsburg. They staff is friendly and the buffet is out of this world! When I moved to Mechanicsburg from Philadelphia I found the Indian food I tried to be lacking. Then I found this place and I felt like I was back in Philly!
(5)Tania M.
This evening we had a wonderful dinner. We tried several menu items and ate family style. We asked for chefs choice and he brought us both sampler appetizers, lamb chops, a goat in yogurt sauce dish and a lamb in spinach sauce dish as well as several types of naan. He also brought us a donut in syrup for dessert. They were extremely friendly and the atmosphere was wonderful. My boyfriend and I think it is the best Indian food we have ever had, my father was very pleased with the choices and quality, even my mother, who is not a fan of Indian food, enjoyed the meal.
(5)Mia B.
Normally I recommend ordering off the menu as opposed to buffets, but this is not the case at Masala Bistro....The buffet is amazing, and at 7$ (9 on weekends) its def. the way to go. The dinner menu is in my opinion overpriced for what you get, but the food is still superb. The weekend buffet is where its at!... They have a few more options than they do during the week, and you are bound to find something that you like, their dishes are so flavorful, and not too spicy.. (ive found that ordering off the menu is much spicier than what is on the buffet and to "them" medium is actually HOT haha so "mild" is a wise choice if you don't like fire mouth and are ordering off the menu).. I love Indian food, its like a party in your mouth..In my opinion no other food I have tried yields such unique and amazing flavors and spices.... the only other Indian establishment I have been to in the area is "passage to india" and Masala Bistro is MUCH better... They are always bringing out fresh naan, and you have to try the different chutneys that are in the 3 little bowls at the front of the buffet .... They are to die for. My favorite dishes are the butter chicken and the Korma... both are amazing and savory... Also, on the weekend buffet there is usually a dessert called "Gulab Jamun"... its in a small crockpot, don't miss it.. (deep fried cottage cheese balls dipped in a honey and rose water syrup).. it sounds a bit strange but its amazing!.(you would never know its cottage cheese, it tastes like a donut..(caution- there are almonds in it)........ on a hot day i will order a Mango Lassi, and on a cold day i will order the Masala tea.... mmmm The owners, who I believe go by the names 'Happy'(the woman) and "Sunny" (the man) are a really nice couple, and I've gotten to know them pretty well over the past couple years... They are very gracious and helpful with any questions you might have... This is also a great place for vegetarians! Go get some Indian food!! :)
(4)Bri G.
Welcome to the best Indian joint in town. Wonderful weekend buffets, highly recommend if you are a beginner. You can get a lot of food for $10 and change. They are always replacing food on buffet, it's not a usual buffet in the sense that the food just sits there all day. The naan is amazing and so are the dipping sauces. The chicken tikka has been my favorite dinner so far. So flavorful and the portions are so generous. The service is usually great. You never have to ask for refills, they are in top of it. Good casual date place. Highly recommend, Go hungry!
(4)James E.
This place is fantastic. Their lunch buffet is the best since you can try so many different things. The owner is the sweetest person in the world. She often does a lot of the waitressing. It's normally not too full. I've only seen a lot of people at the lunch buffets some times. But it's always good, lunch or dinner, so it doesn't matter.
(5)David J.
Best Indian place in the area. I'd put their butter chicken and chili chicken, as well as their korma and paneer, up against any other place in the Harrisburg/Lancaster area. The owners are super friendly, the lunch buffet has a great variety and stays fresh all the way until it closes. It's also very clean with a huge menu for dinner. I highly recommend the Rogan Josh and any variety of Korma you like. Simply the best.
(5)Chris F.
Bland. Indian food is supposed to be interesting and exciting and this buffet is anything but. 8-9 choices of Americanized, "watered-down" indian food were on the lunch buffet the several times I have visited, and each time the menu was the same. Severe lack of spice and seasoning in most of the dishes. Staff is friendly, room is comfortable, and the price is cheap, $9.50 after tax. Visit Bombay Junction for the real Indian buffet experience.
(3)Christian G.
This place was good and had very large portions. Neither my girlfriend or I could finish our meals. I was a little confused though because it was hard to understand what our waitress was saying at times. It is definitely a place worth trying out but I would recommend getting your food to go.
(4)Joselyn H.
Excellent food and relaxed atmosphere. I travel a lot and have eaten Indian food in many foodie cities. My husband worked in India on and off for over a year and we loved this place. The naan was the best I've ever had. Everything was super fresh and homemade. I will certainly be back.
(5)Mike D.
Encountering the huge, empty space, I refused to second-guess myself about Masala Bistro. It was dim with mismatched décor, then came the topper -a plastic plant caked in dust hanging on the wall next to our table. On the bright side, the highlights were tasty Shrimp Pataka. nice creamy Chicken Korma. The Spicy Shrimp Vindaloo has got a respectable spice, enough at least for me to break the prerequisite single bead of sweat. Service was a bit overbearing as a server (not even our waitress) kept trying to take my wife's appetizer plate and hovered over the table for no reason after we told her everythings fine.
(3)Tara D.
First time eating here...I tried a little of everything the lunch buffet had to offer and found my favorites to be the chili chicken, butter chicken and tandoori Chicken. Will definitely be back for dinner as I want to try the veggie dishes, goat and lamb. The flavor was superb and the owners are extremely polite and friendly and will make anyone feel comfortable.
(4)Paul V.
Yum
(4)Don T.
Okay, I'm a New Yorker and I moved to NYC from Edison NJ, the largest Indian/Pakistani/Afghan neighborhood in the US. I was amazed at how good this food was and how creative the dishes were. There were both traditiobnal restaurant dishes as well as some home-style fare. A real treat that I wasn't expecting when I travelled through central PA. I'm going back whenever I pass through. Absolutely fantastic paneer dishes and not just the typical sag paneer. I'd love a little more cucumber in the Raita, but the freshness of the flavor and consistency won me over. Nice work!
(5)Stephen W.
After escaping the clutches of Central Pennsylvania, as a teenager I would always grumble about having to return to this place to visit family or friends. This restaurant, however, in recent years has become one of the highlights of return trips. I can't compare it to other local places, except for Passage to India (I think the last time I ate there I was 12), but I appreciate Indian food, and this is some of the best I've had anywhere.
(5)Jeff S.
avoid the buffet, gross.
(1)E G.
Probably the second best Indian restaurant in Harrisburg area. I actually tried this one second, right after Passage to India, and I thought it was heads above Passage. It probably scewed my impression of this place, but I'd say if you live on the West Shore or are in the area and want Indian food, this isn't a bad choice. I will say that Masala Bistro has the best service out of the Indian places in the area. That is a big plus especially if you know anything about Indian places and service. The owner is a very very friendly woman that tries her hardest to please the customers. the food is fresh, I think the tandoori's clay oven dishes are probably their best items, but not as good as Aangan. The goan shrimp curry was below average. Cocunut rice was very delicious. Appetizers like vegetable pakora, onion bajia and samosas are the best in town. My wife swears by their chicken korma, which I found to be bland and not spicy enough. The atmosphere is typical, nothing stands out about it, but it won't turn you off at all. Prices are not too expensive. get coupons on their site: masalabistro.net/coupon.… Definitely a place to check out.
(3)Sonja S.
Masala Bistro is the best Indian Restaurant I have been to thus far. Every State/City I travel through/vacation in, I seek out Indian Restaurants --I have only found one that comes close to being as good as Masala and that is in Hagerstown, MD. Best butter chicken ever, cabbage salad, Saag paneer, potatoes wit peas, rice desert, lentil soup, rice with nuts on the weekends!!! I love the rice with the nuts. Everything is delicious, presented in a clean, tasteful manner. I have been enjoying Masala 2-4 times per week for years now....the people are like family, wonderfully friendly, caring and accommodating.
(5)Sushant B.
The place has a good environment. Food is is good but not so much of customer service.
(4)David A.
This place is in a non descript shopping center across from the mall. I went for dinner and it was very quiet. This is a family run place and the quality and preparation of the food showed tremendous pride. I started with samosa. The appetizer included two very large samosa. They had great texture and flavor. I was pretty full after eating these! I then had Tandoor Chicken. I order a half portion. It was huge. The chicken was perfectly cooked. I could not finish it but I tried! They mentioned that their lunch buffets are very popular. This could explain why it was so quiet for dinner. My bill was under $20 for a very good meal.
(4)J R.
called to make sure they were open, she said yes. get there and she says sorry, we close at 3 and open again at 5. UGH. i see i am not the only person who was told the same thing based on another review. why lie and say you are open when you know you will not be open. wasted a 20 minute trip to be told sorry, closed. wish I could rate the food but they would not serve us.
(1)Shannon P.
The food was okay... Kinda bland for an Indian buffet. There was a good variety of choices. The atmosphere was okay.. Cleaning supplies on one of the tables as we entered.. Unappetizing. The service was good by refilling our drinks and taking our plates. Probably wouldn't go back.
(3)Kimberly C.
The host was friendly and quickly seated me. The interior was cozy and clean. I was there for lunch and had the all you can eat buffet for $8.95. The food was very good and I liked everything I tried. I would come back!
(4)Ruth H.
FOODIE APPROVED! I'm from Northern Virginia and have had maybe 10 other Indian restaurant experiences, and this is by far the best. The number of dishes was plentiful; maybe 20. Bhindi Masala (okra WITH crispy fried onion strings) the spinach and cubed cheese dish, the chick pea dish, lemon rice (even my husband liked), goat curry, butter chicken, chili chicken, another 2 rices, veggie curry, deep fried veggie balls, chicken strips (like chicken tempura), huge platters of beautiful fresh fruit, the best rice pudding I've ever had, the cheese ball dessert, the mango purée dessert, and some other plates. Wow! I was impressed. The place has dim lighting, but fabulous food. I could actually Tate the fat in the cheeses (spinach dish & desserts). At other restaurants they were dry and tasteless. I recommend this place and hope to eat here next time I'm in town.
(5)Sam R.
Been here for buffet, food was amazing, lots of varieties and each dish had it's own taste, Indian buffet was best in this region. Have tried at various other Indian joints. It was bit pricey for Friday buffet $11.00, but they included Goat curry, Chicken pakora, Chilli Chicken, tandoori chicken, veg samosa, butter chicken, naan and 4 varieties of dessert and many more vegetarian items. It was an awesome experience
(5)Jon G.
Lunch buffet review: Very disappointing for "the best Indian restaurant" in Harrisburg. Maybe there is not much competition. The food was very bland and the tandoori chicken was so dry I could not it eat without a liberal helping of condiments. I would give it a try for dinner, perhaps that is better, but will not be back for the buffet.
(2)Simon D.
I had dinner here and ordered off their special menu. We had the Chicken Korma and Goat Biryani, both were flavorful and delicious. The Chicken Korma was creamy and gently spiced, you could taste a bit of the yogurt so the spices weren't too overwhelming. The Goat was a bit spicy for me, however it had a nice peppery spice. The meat was tender, not gamey, and there was plenty of it. The rice was cooked perfectly. Service on this particular night was a bit slow, looked like there was 1 lady who took the role of hostess/waitress and 1 busboy servicing the entire restaurant. Overall very good food, would definitely come back here again.
(4)Zee A.
I know, I know, I can be hard on the beige palettes that I find in York, PA. Yes, I do whine that I miss the spicy, ethnic, diverse foods in the city. But, lo and behold I have found the Taj Mahal of Indian food in Central, PA! That would be Masala Bistro. When we first arrived, the parking lot was DEAD....not one car, except ours. We sat out front in the car for a few minutes wondering if they were even open. But our lengthy drive and our pulsing hunger forced us to open the door...to a completely dead restaurant. Uh oh things didn't look so good. If no one else was eating here, should we? We were then greeted by our bespectacled host who graciously offered us the pick of the empty tables and immediately catered to our needs. I felt at home immediately as I felt like I was arriving at someone's home. But was the food good? The menu was loaded with typical Indian cuisine favorites and some dishes that I had never tried and I was eager to dive in. Our host was very attentive and in minutes we had beverages and some good recommendations. My husband ordered the mango lassi and he exclaimed that is was delish! We ordered the chicken pakoras, samosas, and the empire salad to start. Although very good, the appetizers didnt really stand out. The chicken pakoras were tasty, but were a tad bit salty and the fried flour a bit crumbly for me. I ended up picking it off to eat them. The main courses arrived with great fanfare and you could see the pride in the host's face as each dinner was placed on the table. One by one, our lamb chops in masala gravy (TO DIE FOR!!), saag paneer (smooth and flavorful), tandori mixed grill (nice flavor and tender), lamb korma (good sauce and tender lamb) and the chicken methi (a beautiful color and tender and juicy!). We had a virtual basket of the different varieties of breads placed on the table. I am in love with their Since I normally order a mango lassi for dessert, we were all very surprised to receive a free dessert by the most charming waitress ever. She was very warm, and sweet and was also very attentive to our needs. Although I am big on food, taste, and presentation, I would actually go back just to feel the invitation atmosphere all over again. As we were eating, the restaurant filled out nicely. It was refreshing to see Indian patrons as well as non-Indian. I love eating at places where the people from the culture eat also! My only recommendations and why I knocked off a star is that they need to dump the decor. It's a little hodge-podge, and needs a good dusting. I didn't like looking up and seeing dust. **Note, I have tried a couple of Indian restaurants in Central, PA before and I left out with a polite nod, and a big disappointment in my gut when I got out to the car. But Taj Mahal's food was a true winner and I will be back. Fair warning!
(4)Faiza M.
Very good food nice srives nice location every body try there they have a good food they have very good curry itme I love it
(5)Marie D.
This is by far my favorite Indian place near Mechanicsburg. They staff is friendly and the buffet is out of this world! When I moved to Mechanicsburg from Philadelphia I found the Indian food I tried to be lacking. Then I found this place and I felt like I was back in Philly!
(5)Tania M.
This evening we had a wonderful dinner. We tried several menu items and ate family style. We asked for chefs choice and he brought us both sampler appetizers, lamb chops, a goat in yogurt sauce dish and a lamb in spinach sauce dish as well as several types of naan. He also brought us a donut in syrup for dessert. They were extremely friendly and the atmosphere was wonderful. My boyfriend and I think it is the best Indian food we have ever had, my father was very pleased with the choices and quality, even my mother, who is not a fan of Indian food, enjoyed the meal.
(5)Mohun K.
Dinner on 3/20/13. Take this with a grain of salt - I'm originally from India so I put Indian places through the ringer. The food was decent enough for me to try the place again. The appetizers were quite tasty - onion bhajji and aalo bonda. I ordered the chicken vindaloo, which if done right burns your mouth. I was disappointed with the heat level and had to eat green chillies to add spice. The Kashmiri naan was scrumptious. Service was good. I ate here 2-3 times for lunch several years ago, but this was my first time for dinner.
(3)Rob M.
Consistently delicious food, prepared and served by gracious people.
(5)AgentxAngel X.
Thought this place was very good... has to be the best indian in the area. the down side was that it could be a little pricey.
(4)Donna E.
Outstanding, friendly service with authentic Indian fare. Good variety and large portion sizes. The server gave us good recommendations and guided us in spice level selections. Nice experience.
(4)Amy G.
I've been here for dinner as well as the buffet lunch and I have found it to be good every time I have eaten here. I find it to be a notch below Aangan and a notch above Passage to India. The buffet has always been fresh and tasty with all authentic cooking (although obviously the dishes are selected with an American palate in consideration). I agree that the mango lassi is very good. The service is also excellent. The prices are typcial for this type of food in this area.
(4)H B.
Good Buffet Lunch! Good Price! Good Service!
(3)J. K.
Great lunch buffet, much better than expected for my first Indian cuisine experience. Just the right amount of spice. Nice atmosphere and very friendly staff. Would definitely recommend to friends and will return!
(4)Kate T.
I'm not an expert on authentic Indian food, but I can say that everything we sampled from the buffet was delicious, and that's been true on previous visits too. As everyone says, the buffet is a great bargain. Service was attentive and speedy. There seemed to be a lot of regulars coming in for their Saturday lunch, which can only be a good sign, right?
(5)Khalid S.
In the not-so-great Desi cuisine landscape of Harrisburg, this is probably the best buffet, much better than Aangan, Passage and Citadel. The reason is the food is really homely and fresh. They also claim it's Halal.
(4)Mia B.
Normally I recommend ordering off the menu as opposed to buffets, but this is not the case at Masala Bistro....The buffet is amazing, and at 7$ (9 on weekends) its def. the way to go. The dinner menu is in my opinion overpriced for what you get, but the food is still superb. The weekend buffet is where its at!... They have a few more options than they do during the week, and you are bound to find something that you like, their dishes are so flavorful, and not too spicy.. (ive found that ordering off the menu is much spicier than what is on the buffet and to "them" medium is actually HOT haha so "mild" is a wise choice if you don't like fire mouth and are ordering off the menu).. I love Indian food, its like a party in your mouth..In my opinion no other food I have tried yields such unique and amazing flavors and spices.... the only other Indian establishment I have been to in the area is "passage to india" and Masala Bistro is MUCH better... They are always bringing out fresh naan, and you have to try the different chutneys that are in the 3 little bowls at the front of the buffet .... They are to die for. My favorite dishes are the butter chicken and the Korma... both are amazing and savory... Also, on the weekend buffet there is usually a dessert called "Gulab Jamun"... its in a small crockpot, don't miss it.. (deep fried cottage cheese balls dipped in a honey and rose water syrup).. it sounds a bit strange but its amazing!.(you would never know its cottage cheese, it tastes like a donut..(caution- there are almonds in it)........ on a hot day i will order a Mango Lassi, and on a cold day i will order the Masala tea.... mmmm The owners, who I believe go by the names 'Happy'(the woman) and "Sunny" (the man) are a really nice couple, and I've gotten to know them pretty well over the past couple years... They are very gracious and helpful with any questions you might have... This is also a great place for vegetarians! Go get some Indian food!! :)
(4)Bri G.
Welcome to the best Indian joint in town. Wonderful weekend buffets, highly recommend if you are a beginner. You can get a lot of food for $10 and change. They are always replacing food on buffet, it's not a usual buffet in the sense that the food just sits there all day. The naan is amazing and so are the dipping sauces. The chicken tikka has been my favorite dinner so far. So flavorful and the portions are so generous. The service is usually great. You never have to ask for refills, they are in top of it. Good casual date place. Highly recommend, Go hungry!
(4)James E.
This place is fantastic. Their lunch buffet is the best since you can try so many different things. The owner is the sweetest person in the world. She often does a lot of the waitressing. It's normally not too full. I've only seen a lot of people at the lunch buffets some times. But it's always good, lunch or dinner, so it doesn't matter.
(5)Tom J.
I was always timid of trying Indian food, but I'm glad I got over that. Indian food is fantastic, I've only been to a handful of Indian restaurants and I must say, Masala Bistro is definitely on par with the others. The Tikka Masala was great, my GF ordered that and I probably eat half of it myself. Unfortunately I don't even remember what I ordered but I definitely recommend getting the veggi Pakora's for an appetizer, they are very yummy with the red sauce they come with. They offer several different styles of Naan and I recommended trying a few. Prices are very reasonable and the lunch buffet at 7 dollars is a great deal as well. EDIT: The lunch buffet prices have gone up a bit, however, it's still a great value. You get an incredible meal for under $10 and they have an abundance of choices. I always end my lunch with a bowl of Gulab Jamun (dough balls in sugar syrup), which are my absolute favorite. I'm looking forward to trying their dinner menu again.
(5)Steve P.
The 7.95 lunch buffet is awesome. They had 2 different kinds of curry 3 different meat dishes 2 veggie dishes and a bunch of rice and salads. Very cheap for the spread they had and food was constantly coming out of the kitchen so it was fresh and hot. Definitely give this one a try.
(4)Keidi K.
I definitely think this is the best Indian in the area. Their lunch buffet is a a great deal at $7, but if you go for dinner make sure to get some coupons of their site. ps. Try the chilli naan!
(5)Gaspere G.
Very friendly service. Excellent food. Soup. Appetizers. Entrees all good. Vindaloo could have been hotter, but I heard regulars asking for it extra spicy. Next time...
(4)Dan R.
I really enjoyed my visit last week to Masala Bistro. Stopped by for the buffet on a saturday afternoon (8.95 adults - 4.95 children). I've been to Aangan and the Indian stand in the Broad Street Market before, so I want a total virgin. The Goat dish was good, as well as the bean & yellow rice dish (Briyani). Their dessert bar is great, rice pudding, pineapple, canteloupe, watermelon and mango in sauce. Will be back.
(3)Mark D.
Have been a fan of this place for several years. The buffet has a great selection of both meat-based and vegetable dishes; some familiar appetizers as well as a surprise or two; and even achar is available (mixed Indian pickle--try it, a little at a time on some naan or rice). We recommend the buffet special to any of our uninitiated friends or family that wish to try Indian food for the first time--they can get a wide concept of the cuisine at a very reasonable price. The owners are very friendly and will try to make your meal an enjoyable one. The chef can modify any item ordered off the menu on a sliding scale of spiciness: starting at a "3", he can take the heat level up to a "10" as requested. My wife and I have found a 6 or a 7 to be enough to make your lips tingle pleasantly without causing a flameout in your mouth. To sum up: worth the money, great selection, delicious food, nice people:--get in there and start giving your tastebuds a reason to thank you!
(5)Candice D.
I went there with a group for my brother-in-law's graduation party, and both the food and the service were top-notch. The waiter was excellent, our glasses were constantly refilled and dishes were cleared away (maybe this was because the place was surprisingly dead at the time we went but no complaints there). I assume the owner was the one who greeted us, but I may be wrong. While ordering we asked him for suggestions and boy did he provide! The entire group was satisfied from the appetizers to the entrees. The vegetarian dishes were raved over and the fruit filled and pizza-like naan were a hit. I shared a Chicken Tikka and a Malai Chicken dish, both of which came out sizzling, with the person sitting next to me and we both enjoyed them. I can't say for sure about the prices since I didn't pick up the tab but I didn't hear any complaints. Unfortunately I don't live in the area or else this could easily become one of my "regular" restaurants.
(5)Snorkel M.
This is the best Indian restaurant in the area. I have been to Masala Bistro for dinner several times and I have always been pleased with the service and food. For the record, I've had samosa, Alu Gobi, and Alu Paratha. I order the same food every time I go, so I can't obviously can't vouch for the quality of every meal on the menu. However, the food I have eaten has been absolutely delicious.
(5)Full C.
Best Indian food in the area. Small cozy location (in a strip mall next to Golds Gym. Eat too much? go workout afterwards). Good prices, good portions. good breads, good rices. No bad choices here. Run by the owners who take care of their customers!
(5)Lina K.
Good Indian food, but not as good as Passage to India or Aangan. They have two soups- Tomato and Chicken. Decent variety. I did try the lunch buffet- again, it's good, but does not have as much variety as Passage to India. Friendly workers and the restaurant is small but nicely decorated. I would recommend it if you are in the area and don't want to cross the river...but if you are on the East shore, stick with Passage to India or Aangan.
(3)John C.
I've only been here for the lunch buffet during the weekdays. It is the only Indian restaurant I've been to and the food here is decent. I like their spicy rice (I forget the name) The service isn't that great. I had an empty glass for about 30 minutes, even though the waiter passed by frequently and even cleared our plates, but never bother to refill. Overall, it is an ok place, but most likely wouldn't go back.
(3)Michael S.
Outstanding Indian food. I always eat way too much. Can't help myself. Portions are large and they will adjust spiciness to your preference. If you get takeout, they won't make the naan until you get there, so you'll wait 5 minutes. Service is fantastic. BYOB
(5)Stephanie h.
Took my bil (brother in law) here for his first Indian food experience and it was great! I haven't tested too many places in the past, but I really enjoy it. The rice is spectacular! We tried 3 dishes and my favorite is the eggplant one-so yummy. Their Chicken Korma was delish too. Plus, of course the Naan is awesome. We tried again for take out and was still yummy-plus, you get a lot to go. Plan to keep trying more items.
(5)Eddie S.
We have eaten here one other time and the food was good; however this evening in particular the food was just okay. The problem we had and the true cause of the 2 stars were the bugs. I took a picture of 2 of the 7 little critters we killed throughout our dinner. Again the food and service was okay. Next time we will go back to Passage To India in Harrisburg.
(2)Sasa T.
Well..I wanted to give it a 4 star but our friends were so disappointed with their food, I have to deduct a star looking of their sad faces. We were happy with our vegetarian portions but its the lamb curry that our friends swore was the worst they have had. The appetizers were good and cooked to perfection. We tried their spicy mirchi pakoda which is one of the better things on the menu. Our vegetarian dishes- mushroom saag and paneer kadhai was aptly spicy and tasted just fine. But our friends ordered lamb kadhai and chicken curry which lacked taste and they didnt even bother to touch it after few spoons. On the positive side, we ordered a bread basket and the nans were very soft and fresh. P.S. Its BYOB so load your beer/wine before you hit the restaurant.
(3)Anurag M.
Horrible service and bad food The lady who served us was extremely rude. We asked for kulfi and she said that we don't have it. We then asked can you tell us what desserts you have she was extremely impolite and said look at the menu everything is written there. We said the reason we asked was because you said kulfi wasn't there and she didn't care. Food was also below average. We even called the owner/manager a Sikh guy who was even ruder than the server. NEVER EVER GOING BACK AGAIN
(1)John N.
After paying my bill to the owner, I gathered my wife and two small kids and and headed out the door. The owner then comes chasing me out the door asking if I paid. I replied of course I did. She then goes, "Who did you pay?" I said, "YOU! She says I don't remember you paying, do you have a receipt that you paid. I showed her my receipt then she goes I'm sorry and goes back in side. I went back in and took my gratuity off because of the rudeness of that conversation. No true attempt to make up for the embarrassment of being wrongfully accused as a dine and ditcher. As for the food, it was good enough for me to frequent on a monthly basis when I worked in the area. It is now off my list. My advise, do not pay cash and ALWAYS ask for a receipt. She will forget you as soon as she takes your money.
(1)Sapan K.
I was visiting York PA for work and wanted to grab quick lunch on my way to BWI airport. Great place for buffet, especially non veg. Had some soft delicious tandoori chicken and nice ras malai to finish.
(4)Rishabh J.
Punjabi kadi is a must try. Good vegetarian options. Go for the ala carte. I am not too thrilled with their lunch buffet but then I am comparing it with their menu items which are awesome. The chef is really friendly as well. Ambience is decent. Way to go bhraji!!!
(5)Jasmina A.
'Happy'-the owner, made us quite happy with a delicious meal! This was our first time here, but it surely won't be the last. Having tried many Indian restaurants and buffets, I feel confident in saying that this is one of the best ones we've tried. The buffet was extensive, the food was fresh and delicious, and the service was great! No complaints here!
(5)Saagarika B.
The waitress here is disgusting . She shouted at me for no reason. She was warning me not to eat food. If I don't like the food or not I should put it in my mouth . I have never seen such horrible food .
(1)Stephanie C.
We love this place, it's just like family here. The waitress remembers us even though it may be months between visits. She even noticed the hub's recent weight gain, lol...got to love the culture and blunt comments! The food is always great, we usually order ala cart in order to get a spicier dish. As they tend to leave the buffet mild to appeal to the masses. I've never gotten anything here that I did not enjoy. I also have eaten the spiciest food I have ever had in my life here...hiccups and all it was a fun experience not to be repeated. This place is also quiet enough to have a conversation in which I appreciate when out dining with friends.
(5)Icky V.
Went last night for dinner. The person who waited on us was very nice. There was only a few other people in there, probably due to the inclement weather. I am unable to eat dairy and thought if there was any dairy in the dish, it would be in the description, since I saw it added under the descriptions of other dishes. I ordered something and it turned out to have cream in it. They were very accommodating when I explain my problem, and the waiter suggested Chicken Curry. It was very delicious, and my stomach was happy. My friend and boyfriend also loved the food and service. I would definitely go back.
(5)Samiam H.
I like the food at Masala Bistro and the prices are very reasonable. My problem with them was when 5 of us had dinner they had some creative accounting on the bill. They brought us basket and basket of naan. Our bread alone came to $28. The wait person stuck on a 20% service charge even though only 5 with one check and no mentioned on the menu or even written on the bill. We have been regulars here but not sure if we give a second chance, may switch to Passage or Aanagans. We have stopped going to Bombay Bistro as it has just gone down hill on portion control and cleanliness issues. Their website masalabistro.net has some good coupons, but it is August and they have a 25% off Spring special that is no longer offered but still on website. Check your bill carefully.
(3)Dan R.
I really enjoyed my visit last week to Masala Bistro. Stopped by for the buffet on a saturday afternoon (8.95 adults - 4.95 children). I've been to Aangan and the Indian stand in the Broad Street Market before, so I want a total virgin. The Goat dish was good, as well as the bean & yellow rice dish (Briyani). Their dessert bar is great, rice pudding, pineapple, canteloupe, watermelon and mango in sauce. Will be back.
(3)H B.
Good Buffet Lunch! Good Price! Good Service!
(3)Gaspere G.
Very friendly service. Excellent food. Soup. Appetizers. Entrees all good. Vindaloo could have been hotter, but I heard regulars asking for it extra spicy. Next time...
(4)John C.
I've only been here for the lunch buffet during the weekdays. It is the only Indian restaurant I've been to and the food here is decent. I like their spicy rice (I forget the name) The service isn't that great. I had an empty glass for about 30 minutes, even though the waiter passed by frequently and even cleared our plates, but never bother to refill. Overall, it is an ok place, but most likely wouldn't go back.
(3)Michael S.
Outstanding Indian food. I always eat way too much. Can't help myself. Portions are large and they will adjust spiciness to your preference. If you get takeout, they won't make the naan until you get there, so you'll wait 5 minutes. Service is fantastic. BYOB
(5)Keidi K.
I definitely think this is the best Indian in the area. Their lunch buffet is a a great deal at $7, but if you go for dinner make sure to get some coupons of their site. ps. Try the chilli naan!
(5)Steve P.
The 7.95 lunch buffet is awesome. They had 2 different kinds of curry 3 different meat dishes 2 veggie dishes and a bunch of rice and salads. Very cheap for the spread they had and food was constantly coming out of the kitchen so it was fresh and hot. Definitely give this one a try.
(4)E G.
Probably the second best Indian restaurant in Harrisburg area. I actually tried this one second, right after Passage to India, and I thought it was heads above Passage. It probably scewed my impression of this place, but I'd say if you live on the West Shore or are in the area and want Indian food, this isn't a bad choice. I will say that Masala Bistro has the best service out of the Indian places in the area. That is a big plus especially if you know anything about Indian places and service. The owner is a very very friendly woman that tries her hardest to please the customers. the food is fresh, I think the tandoori's clay oven dishes are probably their best items, but not as good as Aangan. The goan shrimp curry was below average. Cocunut rice was very delicious. Appetizers like vegetable pakora, onion bajia and samosas are the best in town. My wife swears by their chicken korma, which I found to be bland and not spicy enough. The atmosphere is typical, nothing stands out about it, but it won't turn you off at all. Prices are not too expensive. get coupons on their site: masalabistro.net/coupon.… Definitely a place to check out.
(3)Tom J.
I was always timid of trying Indian food, but I'm glad I got over that. Indian food is fantastic, I've only been to a handful of Indian restaurants and I must say, Masala Bistro is definitely on par with the others. The Tikka Masala was great, my GF ordered that and I probably eat half of it myself. Unfortunately I don't even remember what I ordered but I definitely recommend getting the veggi Pakora's for an appetizer, they are very yummy with the red sauce they come with. They offer several different styles of Naan and I recommended trying a few. Prices are very reasonable and the lunch buffet at 7 dollars is a great deal as well. EDIT: The lunch buffet prices have gone up a bit, however, it's still a great value. You get an incredible meal for under $10 and they have an abundance of choices. I always end my lunch with a bowl of Gulab Jamun (dough balls in sugar syrup), which are my absolute favorite. I'm looking forward to trying their dinner menu again.
(5)Mark D.
Have been a fan of this place for several years. The buffet has a great selection of both meat-based and vegetable dishes; some familiar appetizers as well as a surprise or two; and even achar is available (mixed Indian pickle--try it, a little at a time on some naan or rice). We recommend the buffet special to any of our uninitiated friends or family that wish to try Indian food for the first time--they can get a wide concept of the cuisine at a very reasonable price. The owners are very friendly and will try to make your meal an enjoyable one. The chef can modify any item ordered off the menu on a sliding scale of spiciness: starting at a "3", he can take the heat level up to a "10" as requested. My wife and I have found a 6 or a 7 to be enough to make your lips tingle pleasantly without causing a flameout in your mouth. To sum up: worth the money, great selection, delicious food, nice people:--get in there and start giving your tastebuds a reason to thank you!
(5)Candice D.
I went there with a group for my brother-in-law's graduation party, and both the food and the service were top-notch. The waiter was excellent, our glasses were constantly refilled and dishes were cleared away (maybe this was because the place was surprisingly dead at the time we went but no complaints there). I assume the owner was the one who greeted us, but I may be wrong. While ordering we asked him for suggestions and boy did he provide! The entire group was satisfied from the appetizers to the entrees. The vegetarian dishes were raved over and the fruit filled and pizza-like naan were a hit. I shared a Chicken Tikka and a Malai Chicken dish, both of which came out sizzling, with the person sitting next to me and we both enjoyed them. I can't say for sure about the prices since I didn't pick up the tab but I didn't hear any complaints. Unfortunately I don't live in the area or else this could easily become one of my "regular" restaurants.
(5)Snorkel M.
This is the best Indian restaurant in the area. I have been to Masala Bistro for dinner several times and I have always been pleased with the service and food. For the record, I've had samosa, Alu Gobi, and Alu Paratha. I order the same food every time I go, so I can't obviously can't vouch for the quality of every meal on the menu. However, the food I have eaten has been absolutely delicious.
(5)Full C.
Best Indian food in the area. Small cozy location (in a strip mall next to Golds Gym. Eat too much? go workout afterwards). Good prices, good portions. good breads, good rices. No bad choices here. Run by the owners who take care of their customers!
(5)Lina K.
Good Indian food, but not as good as Passage to India or Aangan. They have two soups- Tomato and Chicken. Decent variety. I did try the lunch buffet- again, it's good, but does not have as much variety as Passage to India. Friendly workers and the restaurant is small but nicely decorated. I would recommend it if you are in the area and don't want to cross the river...but if you are on the East shore, stick with Passage to India or Aangan.
(3)Virginia B.
This is by far and away the best Indian food in the whole area. My husband and I visited Masala Bistro last night (a Friday) and it was phenomenal. My husband was skeptical when we pulled up to the run down strip mall (but I had read other reviews and I was prepared). Once we walked inside all doubts vanished. It smelled wonderful, we were welcomed warmly and the room was decorated nicely. Being a Friday night, we ordered off the menu and we ordered a lot so we could really try the different dishes. The price per dish was in the $10 range (Read- comparatively inexpensive, since we normally pay $12 to $15 per dish and the food at Masala Bistro is better). We drove 30 min. to get there, and I know we will be doing it frequently. The food is worth it. Our server (and owner I suppose?) was so warm and accommodating I felt right at home. I just loved her! If I were being really honest I would give 4 stars only because of the location. They could honestly move to a better, fancy location and charge more per meal and be a five star experience. I gave it 5 stars because the quality of the food and the service, for the price, deserved it.
(5)Stephanie h.
Took my bil (brother in law) here for his first Indian food experience and it was great! I haven't tested too many places in the past, but I really enjoy it. The rice is spectacular! We tried 3 dishes and my favorite is the eggplant one-so yummy. Their Chicken Korma was delish too. Plus, of course the Naan is awesome. We tried again for take out and was still yummy-plus, you get a lot to go. Plan to keep trying more items.
(5)Michael J.
I just recently became a fan of Indian food. I don't know how to rate it as far as execution, but I can tell you that I ate the lunch buffet and everything I had tasted delicious. I just love the low, slow, burn you get from Indian food. Harrisburg area is finally getting some diversity in cuisine and I will definitely come back to the Masala Bistro! I give it a you'll eat until you want to unbutton your pants rating
(5)Brian R.
I've had the buffet here twice and enjoyed the food both times. The selection of the buffet was a good variety. I do prefer Aangan, but I have always enjoyed Masala and will continue to eat there. Their mango lassi is amazing.
(4)Small Town G.
Though some of the food is good, I just hate the ambience and don't care for the lack of waitstaff. I think they should concentrate on the dishes they do well (like biryani) and not try to offer too many varied dishes on their buffet. Their butter chicken tasted like it was unmarinated which tells me they are trying to please everyone, which never works in the restaurant business.
(2)Barbara V.
Excellent Indian. Good service. BYOB
(4)Jason d.
Very Good food at a good price. Very nice selection on the lunch buffett. Everything was fresh and tasted great. We had a few folks in the group who had not eaten Indian before and when they asked staff what was hot and what was not they were told nothing was hot but to them it was! :) I definitely recommend.
(4)Sarthak S.
Only somebody who has never eaten real indian food will ever call this remotely "food". The waitress had an attitude problem and treated us real shitty. I thought I got sick after eating here. I don't think I will ever go back to this place.
(2)Virginia B.
This is by far and away the best Indian food in the whole area. My husband and I visited Masala Bistro last night (a Friday) and it was phenomenal. My husband was skeptical when we pulled up to the run down strip mall (but I had read other reviews and I was prepared). Once we walked inside all doubts vanished. It smelled wonderful, we were welcomed warmly and the room was decorated nicely. Being a Friday night, we ordered off the menu and we ordered a lot so we could really try the different dishes. The price per dish was in the $10 range (Read- comparatively inexpensive, since we normally pay $12 to $15 per dish and the food at Masala Bistro is better). We drove 30 min. to get there, and I know we will be doing it frequently. The food is worth it. Our server (and owner I suppose?) was so warm and accommodating I felt right at home. I just loved her! If I were being really honest I would give 4 stars only because of the location. They could honestly move to a better, fancy location and charge more per meal and be a five star experience. I gave it 5 stars because the quality of the food and the service, for the price, deserved it.
(5)Michael J.
I just recently became a fan of Indian food. I don't know how to rate it as far as execution, but I can tell you that I ate the lunch buffet and everything I had tasted delicious. I just love the low, slow, burn you get from Indian food. Harrisburg area is finally getting some diversity in cuisine and I will definitely come back to the Masala Bistro! I give it a you'll eat until you want to unbutton your pants rating
(5)Brian R.
I've had the buffet here twice and enjoyed the food both times. The selection of the buffet was a good variety. I do prefer Aangan, but I have always enjoyed Masala and will continue to eat there. Their mango lassi is amazing.
(4)Barbara V.
Excellent Indian. Good service. BYOB
(4)Small Town G.
Though some of the food is good, I just hate the ambience and don't care for the lack of waitstaff. I think they should concentrate on the dishes they do well (like biryani) and not try to offer too many varied dishes on their buffet. Their butter chicken tasted like it was unmarinated which tells me they are trying to please everyone, which never works in the restaurant business.
(2)Jason d.
Very Good food at a good price. Very nice selection on the lunch buffett. Everything was fresh and tasted great. We had a few folks in the group who had not eaten Indian before and when they asked staff what was hot and what was not they were told nothing was hot but to them it was! :) I definitely recommend.
(4)Brian J.
The food was excellent, but the service was slow. If you are trying to make a movie like we were, be sure to give yourself some extra time, because it is worth it. It's BYOB.
(4)Tara D.
Food and service was very good! Don't know how authentic it is since only second time eating at an Indian Rest. but it was delicious! Can't afford to do it too much though.
(5)Amin G.
worst indian restaurant experience ever. We called around 9:10 to ask if we can drive another 25 mins and be there at 9:35pm to dine in. After asking several times and making sure its okay to be there at 9:35 we drove to this restaurant since my wife was craving for some indian food. Once we reached there the owner told us that he can only give us take out food, we cannot dine in. I cannot believe that we drove 25 mins and they could not let us eat there. We had to take takeout food and eat at a rest area since we were traveling from virginia. Food sucked as well. They did not put any rice in my takeout order which was suppose to come with Dal fry. Horrible horrible experience.
(1)Brian J.
The food was excellent, but the service was slow. If you are trying to make a movie like we were, be sure to give yourself some extra time, because it is worth it. It's BYOB.
(4)Amy G.
I've been here for dinner as well as the buffet lunch and I have found it to be good every time I have eaten here. I find it to be a notch below Aangan and a notch above Passage to India. The buffet has always been fresh and tasty with all authentic cooking (although obviously the dishes are selected with an American palate in consideration). I agree that the mango lassi is very good. The service is also excellent. The prices are typcial for this type of food in this area.
(4)Samiam H.
I like the food at Masala Bistro and the prices are very reasonable. My problem with them was when 5 of us had dinner they had some creative accounting on the bill. They brought us basket and basket of naan. Our bread alone came to $28. The wait person stuck on a 20% service charge even though only 5 with one check and no mentioned on the menu or even written on the bill. We have been regulars here but not sure if we give a second chance, may switch to Passage or Aanagans. We have stopped going to Bombay Bistro as it has just gone down hill on portion control and cleanliness issues. Their website masalabistro.net has some good coupons, but it is August and they have a 25% off Spring special that is no longer offered but still on website. Check your bill carefully.
(3)Kimberly C.
The host was friendly and quickly seated me. The interior was cozy and clean. I was there for lunch and had the all you can eat buffet for $8.95. The food was very good and I liked everything I tried. I would come back!
(4)Ruth H.
FOODIE APPROVED! I'm from Northern Virginia and have had maybe 10 other Indian restaurant experiences, and this is by far the best. The number of dishes was plentiful; maybe 20. Bhindi Masala (okra WITH crispy fried onion strings) the spinach and cubed cheese dish, the chick pea dish, lemon rice (even my husband liked), goat curry, butter chicken, chili chicken, another 2 rices, veggie curry, deep fried veggie balls, chicken strips (like chicken tempura), huge platters of beautiful fresh fruit, the best rice pudding I've ever had, the cheese ball dessert, the mango purée dessert, and some other plates. Wow! I was impressed. The place has dim lighting, but fabulous food. I could actually Tate the fat in the cheeses (spinach dish & desserts). At other restaurants they were dry and tasteless. I recommend this place and hope to eat here next time I'm in town.
(5)Shannon P.
The food was okay... Kinda bland for an Indian buffet. There was a good variety of choices. The atmosphere was okay.. Cleaning supplies on one of the tables as we entered.. Unappetizing. The service was good by refilling our drinks and taking our plates. Probably wouldn't go back.
(3)Mike D.
Encountering the huge, empty space, I refused to second-guess myself about Masala Bistro. It was dim with mismatched décor, then came the topper -a plastic plant caked in dust hanging on the wall next to our table. On the bright side, the highlights were tasty Shrimp Pataka. nice creamy Chicken Korma. The Spicy Shrimp Vindaloo has got a respectable spice, enough at least for me to break the prerequisite single bead of sweat. Service was a bit overbearing as a server (not even our waitress) kept trying to take my wife's appetizer plate and hovered over the table for no reason after we told her everythings fine.
(3)Tara D.
First time eating here...I tried a little of everything the lunch buffet had to offer and found my favorites to be the chili chicken, butter chicken and tandoori Chicken. Will definitely be back for dinner as I want to try the veggie dishes, goat and lamb. The flavor was superb and the owners are extremely polite and friendly and will make anyone feel comfortable.
(4)Paul V.
Yum
(4)Tania M.
This evening we had a wonderful dinner. We tried several menu items and ate family style. We asked for chefs choice and he brought us both sampler appetizers, lamb chops, a goat in yogurt sauce dish and a lamb in spinach sauce dish as well as several types of naan. He also brought us a donut in syrup for dessert. They were extremely friendly and the atmosphere was wonderful. My boyfriend and I think it is the best Indian food we have ever had, my father was very pleased with the choices and quality, even my mother, who is not a fan of Indian food, enjoyed the meal.
(5)Mohun K.
Dinner on 3/20/13. Take this with a grain of salt - I'm originally from India so I put Indian places through the ringer. The food was decent enough for me to try the place again. The appetizers were quite tasty - onion bhajji and aalo bonda. I ordered the chicken vindaloo, which if done right burns your mouth. I was disappointed with the heat level and had to eat green chillies to add spice. The Kashmiri naan was scrumptious. Service was good. I ate here 2-3 times for lunch several years ago, but this was my first time for dinner.
(3)AgentxAngel X.
Thought this place was very good... has to be the best indian in the area. the down side was that it could be a little pricey.
(4)Donna E.
Outstanding, friendly service with authentic Indian fare. Good variety and large portion sizes. The server gave us good recommendations and guided us in spice level selections. Nice experience.
(4)Joselyn H.
Excellent food and relaxed atmosphere. I travel a lot and have eaten Indian food in many foodie cities. My husband worked in India on and off for over a year and we loved this place. The naan was the best I've ever had. Everything was super fresh and homemade. I will certainly be back.
(5)Chris F.
Bland. Indian food is supposed to be interesting and exciting and this buffet is anything but. 8-9 choices of Americanized, "watered-down" indian food were on the lunch buffet the several times I have visited, and each time the menu was the same. Severe lack of spice and seasoning in most of the dishes. Staff is friendly, room is comfortable, and the price is cheap, $9.50 after tax. Visit Bombay Junction for the real Indian buffet experience.
(3)Anurag M.
Horrible service and bad food The lady who served us was extremely rude. We asked for kulfi and she said that we don't have it. We then asked can you tell us what desserts you have she was extremely impolite and said look at the menu everything is written there. We said the reason we asked was because you said kulfi wasn't there and she didn't care. Food was also below average. We even called the owner/manager a Sikh guy who was even ruder than the server. NEVER EVER GOING BACK AGAIN
(1)Sapan K.
I was visiting York PA for work and wanted to grab quick lunch on my way to BWI airport. Great place for buffet, especially non veg. Had some soft delicious tandoori chicken and nice ras malai to finish.
(4)Eddie S.
We have eaten here one other time and the food was good; however this evening in particular the food was just okay. The problem we had and the true cause of the 2 stars were the bugs. I took a picture of 2 of the 7 little critters we killed throughout our dinner. Again the food and service was okay. Next time we will go back to Passage To India in Harrisburg.
(2)David J.
Best Indian place in the area. I'd put their butter chicken and chili chicken, as well as their korma and paneer, up against any other place in the Harrisburg/Lancaster area. The owners are super friendly, the lunch buffet has a great variety and stays fresh all the way until it closes. It's also very clean with a huge menu for dinner. I highly recommend the Rogan Josh and any variety of Korma you like. Simply the best.
(5)Sasa T.
Well..I wanted to give it a 4 star but our friends were so disappointed with their food, I have to deduct a star looking of their sad faces. We were happy with our vegetarian portions but its the lamb curry that our friends swore was the worst they have had. The appetizers were good and cooked to perfection. We tried their spicy mirchi pakoda which is one of the better things on the menu. Our vegetarian dishes- mushroom saag and paneer kadhai was aptly spicy and tasted just fine. But our friends ordered lamb kadhai and chicken curry which lacked taste and they didnt even bother to touch it after few spoons. On the positive side, we ordered a bread basket and the nans were very soft and fresh. P.S. Its BYOB so load your beer/wine before you hit the restaurant.
(3)Sonja S.
Masala Bistro is the best Indian Restaurant I have been to thus far. Every State/City I travel through/vacation in, I seek out Indian Restaurants --I have only found one that comes close to being as good as Masala and that is in Hagerstown, MD. Best butter chicken ever, cabbage salad, Saag paneer, potatoes wit peas, rice desert, lentil soup, rice with nuts on the weekends!!! I love the rice with the nuts. Everything is delicious, presented in a clean, tasteful manner. I have been enjoying Masala 2-4 times per week for years now....the people are like family, wonderfully friendly, caring and accommodating.
(5)David A.
This place is in a non descript shopping center across from the mall. I went for dinner and it was very quiet. This is a family run place and the quality and preparation of the food showed tremendous pride. I started with samosa. The appetizer included two very large samosa. They had great texture and flavor. I was pretty full after eating these! I then had Tandoor Chicken. I order a half portion. It was huge. The chicken was perfectly cooked. I could not finish it but I tried! They mentioned that their lunch buffets are very popular. This could explain why it was so quiet for dinner. My bill was under $20 for a very good meal.
(4)Amin G.
worst indian restaurant experience ever. We called around 9:10 to ask if we can drive another 25 mins and be there at 9:35pm to dine in. After asking several times and making sure its okay to be there at 9:35 we drove to this restaurant since my wife was craving for some indian food. Once we reached there the owner told us that he can only give us take out food, we cannot dine in. I cannot believe that we drove 25 mins and they could not let us eat there. We had to take takeout food and eat at a rest area since we were traveling from virginia. Food sucked as well. They did not put any rice in my takeout order which was suppose to come with Dal fry. Horrible horrible experience.
(1)J R.
called to make sure they were open, she said yes. get there and she says sorry, we close at 3 and open again at 5. UGH. i see i am not the only person who was told the same thing based on another review. why lie and say you are open when you know you will not be open. wasted a 20 minute trip to be told sorry, closed. wish I could rate the food but they would not serve us.
(1)Christian G.
This place was good and had very large portions. Neither my girlfriend or I could finish our meals. I was a little confused though because it was hard to understand what our waitress was saying at times. It is definitely a place worth trying out but I would recommend getting your food to go.
(4)John N.
After paying my bill to the owner, I gathered my wife and two small kids and and headed out the door. The owner then comes chasing me out the door asking if I paid. I replied of course I did. She then goes, "Who did you pay?" I said, "YOU! She says I don't remember you paying, do you have a receipt that you paid. I showed her my receipt then she goes I'm sorry and goes back in side. I went back in and took my gratuity off because of the rudeness of that conversation. No true attempt to make up for the embarrassment of being wrongfully accused as a dine and ditcher. As for the food, it was good enough for me to frequent on a monthly basis when I worked in the area. It is now off my list. My advise, do not pay cash and ALWAYS ask for a receipt. She will forget you as soon as she takes your money.
(1)Rishabh J.
Punjabi kadi is a must try. Good vegetarian options. Go for the ala carte. I am not too thrilled with their lunch buffet but then I am comparing it with their menu items which are awesome. The chef is really friendly as well. Ambience is decent. Way to go bhraji!!!
(5)Jasmina A.
'Happy'-the owner, made us quite happy with a delicious meal! This was our first time here, but it surely won't be the last. Having tried many Indian restaurants and buffets, I feel confident in saying that this is one of the best ones we've tried. The buffet was extensive, the food was fresh and delicious, and the service was great! No complaints here!
(5)Saagarika B.
The waitress here is disgusting . She shouted at me for no reason. She was warning me not to eat food. If I don't like the food or not I should put it in my mouth . I have never seen such horrible food .
(1)Stephanie C.
We love this place, it's just like family here. The waitress remembers us even though it may be months between visits. She even noticed the hub's recent weight gain, lol...got to love the culture and blunt comments! The food is always great, we usually order ala cart in order to get a spicier dish. As they tend to leave the buffet mild to appeal to the masses. I've never gotten anything here that I did not enjoy. I also have eaten the spiciest food I have ever had in my life here...hiccups and all it was a fun experience not to be repeated. This place is also quiet enough to have a conversation in which I appreciate when out dining with friends.
(5)Icky V.
Went last night for dinner. The person who waited on us was very nice. There was only a few other people in there, probably due to the inclement weather. I am unable to eat dairy and thought if there was any dairy in the dish, it would be in the description, since I saw it added under the descriptions of other dishes. I ordered something and it turned out to have cream in it. They were very accommodating when I explain my problem, and the waiter suggested Chicken Curry. It was very delicious, and my stomach was happy. My friend and boyfriend also loved the food and service. I would definitely go back.
(5)Sarthak S.
Only somebody who has never eaten real indian food will ever call this remotely "food". The waitress had an attitude problem and treated us real shitty. I thought I got sick after eating here. I don't think I will ever go back to this place.
(2)Sam R.
Been here for buffet, food was amazing, lots of varieties and each dish had it's own taste, Indian buffet was best in this region. Have tried at various other Indian joints. It was bit pricey for Friday buffet $11.00, but they included Goat curry, Chicken pakora, Chilli Chicken, tandoori chicken, veg samosa, butter chicken, naan and 4 varieties of dessert and many more vegetarian items. It was an awesome experience
(5)Jon G.
Lunch buffet review: Very disappointing for "the best Indian restaurant" in Harrisburg. Maybe there is not much competition. The food was very bland and the tandoori chicken was so dry I could not it eat without a liberal helping of condiments. I would give it a try for dinner, perhaps that is better, but will not be back for the buffet.
(2)Simon D.
I had dinner here and ordered off their special menu. We had the Chicken Korma and Goat Biryani, both were flavorful and delicious. The Chicken Korma was creamy and gently spiced, you could taste a bit of the yogurt so the spices weren't too overwhelming. The Goat was a bit spicy for me, however it had a nice peppery spice. The meat was tender, not gamey, and there was plenty of it. The rice was cooked perfectly. Service on this particular night was a bit slow, looked like there was 1 lady who took the role of hostess/waitress and 1 busboy servicing the entire restaurant. Overall very good food, would definitely come back here again.
(4)Zee A.
I know, I know, I can be hard on the beige palettes that I find in York, PA. Yes, I do whine that I miss the spicy, ethnic, diverse foods in the city. But, lo and behold I have found the Taj Mahal of Indian food in Central, PA! That would be Masala Bistro. When we first arrived, the parking lot was DEAD....not one car, except ours. We sat out front in the car for a few minutes wondering if they were even open. But our lengthy drive and our pulsing hunger forced us to open the door...to a completely dead restaurant. Uh oh things didn't look so good. If no one else was eating here, should we? We were then greeted by our bespectacled host who graciously offered us the pick of the empty tables and immediately catered to our needs. I felt at home immediately as I felt like I was arriving at someone's home. But was the food good? The menu was loaded with typical Indian cuisine favorites and some dishes that I had never tried and I was eager to dive in. Our host was very attentive and in minutes we had beverages and some good recommendations. My husband ordered the mango lassi and he exclaimed that is was delish! We ordered the chicken pakoras, samosas, and the empire salad to start. Although very good, the appetizers didnt really stand out. The chicken pakoras were tasty, but were a tad bit salty and the fried flour a bit crumbly for me. I ended up picking it off to eat them. The main courses arrived with great fanfare and you could see the pride in the host's face as each dinner was placed on the table. One by one, our lamb chops in masala gravy (TO DIE FOR!!), saag paneer (smooth and flavorful), tandori mixed grill (nice flavor and tender), lamb korma (good sauce and tender lamb) and the chicken methi (a beautiful color and tender and juicy!). We had a virtual basket of the different varieties of breads placed on the table. I am in love with their Since I normally order a mango lassi for dessert, we were all very surprised to receive a free dessert by the most charming waitress ever. She was very warm, and sweet and was also very attentive to our needs. Although I am big on food, taste, and presentation, I would actually go back just to feel the invitation atmosphere all over again. As we were eating, the restaurant filled out nicely. It was refreshing to see Indian patrons as well as non-Indian. I love eating at places where the people from the culture eat also! My only recommendations and why I knocked off a star is that they need to dump the decor. It's a little hodge-podge, and needs a good dusting. I didn't like looking up and seeing dust. **Note, I have tried a couple of Indian restaurants in Central, PA before and I left out with a polite nod, and a big disappointment in my gut when I got out to the car. But Taj Mahal's food was a true winner and I will be back. Fair warning!
(4)Faiza M.
Very good food nice srives nice location every body try there they have a good food they have very good curry itme I love it
(5)Marie D.
This is by far my favorite Indian place near Mechanicsburg. They staff is friendly and the buffet is out of this world! When I moved to Mechanicsburg from Philadelphia I found the Indian food I tried to be lacking. Then I found this place and I felt like I was back in Philly!
(5)Rob M.
Consistently delicious food, prepared and served by gracious people.
(5)Mia B.
Normally I recommend ordering off the menu as opposed to buffets, but this is not the case at Masala Bistro....The buffet is amazing, and at 7$ (9 on weekends) its def. the way to go. The dinner menu is in my opinion overpriced for what you get, but the food is still superb. The weekend buffet is where its at!... They have a few more options than they do during the week, and you are bound to find something that you like, their dishes are so flavorful, and not too spicy.. (ive found that ordering off the menu is much spicier than what is on the buffet and to "them" medium is actually HOT haha so "mild" is a wise choice if you don't like fire mouth and are ordering off the menu).. I love Indian food, its like a party in your mouth..In my opinion no other food I have tried yields such unique and amazing flavors and spices.... the only other Indian establishment I have been to in the area is "passage to india" and Masala Bistro is MUCH better... They are always bringing out fresh naan, and you have to try the different chutneys that are in the 3 little bowls at the front of the buffet .... They are to die for. My favorite dishes are the butter chicken and the Korma... both are amazing and savory... Also, on the weekend buffet there is usually a dessert called "Gulab Jamun"... its in a small crockpot, don't miss it.. (deep fried cottage cheese balls dipped in a honey and rose water syrup).. it sounds a bit strange but its amazing!.(you would never know its cottage cheese, it tastes like a donut..(caution- there are almonds in it)........ on a hot day i will order a Mango Lassi, and on a cold day i will order the Masala tea.... mmmm The owners, who I believe go by the names 'Happy'(the woman) and "Sunny" (the man) are a really nice couple, and I've gotten to know them pretty well over the past couple years... They are very gracious and helpful with any questions you might have... This is also a great place for vegetarians! Go get some Indian food!! :)
(4)Bri G.
Welcome to the best Indian joint in town. Wonderful weekend buffets, highly recommend if you are a beginner. You can get a lot of food for $10 and change. They are always replacing food on buffet, it's not a usual buffet in the sense that the food just sits there all day. The naan is amazing and so are the dipping sauces. The chicken tikka has been my favorite dinner so far. So flavorful and the portions are so generous. The service is usually great. You never have to ask for refills, they are in top of it. Good casual date place. Highly recommend, Go hungry!
(4)James E.
This place is fantastic. Their lunch buffet is the best since you can try so many different things. The owner is the sweetest person in the world. She often does a lot of the waitressing. It's normally not too full. I've only seen a lot of people at the lunch buffets some times. But it's always good, lunch or dinner, so it doesn't matter.
(5)Don T.
Okay, I'm a New Yorker and I moved to NYC from Edison NJ, the largest Indian/Pakistani/Afghan neighborhood in the US. I was amazed at how good this food was and how creative the dishes were. There were both traditiobnal restaurant dishes as well as some home-style fare. A real treat that I wasn't expecting when I travelled through central PA. I'm going back whenever I pass through. Absolutely fantastic paneer dishes and not just the typical sag paneer. I'd love a little more cucumber in the Raita, but the freshness of the flavor and consistency won me over. Nice work!
(5)J. K.
Great lunch buffet, much better than expected for my first Indian cuisine experience. Just the right amount of spice. Nice atmosphere and very friendly staff. Would definitely recommend to friends and will return!
(4)Khalid S.
In the not-so-great Desi cuisine landscape of Harrisburg, this is probably the best buffet, much better than Aangan, Passage and Citadel. The reason is the food is really homely and fresh. They also claim it's Halal.
(4)Kate T.
I'm not an expert on authentic Indian food, but I can say that everything we sampled from the buffet was delicious, and that's been true on previous visits too. As everyone says, the buffet is a great bargain. Service was attentive and speedy. There seemed to be a lot of regulars coming in for their Saturday lunch, which can only be a good sign, right?
(5)Tara D.
Food and service was very good! Don't know how authentic it is since only second time eating at an Indian Rest. but it was delicious! Can't afford to do it too much though.
(5)Jeff S.
avoid the buffet, gross.
(1)Stephen W.
After escaping the clutches of Central Pennsylvania, as a teenager I would always grumble about having to return to this place to visit family or friends. This restaurant, however, in recent years has become one of the highlights of return trips. I can't compare it to other local places, except for Passage to India (I think the last time I ate there I was 12), but I appreciate Indian food, and this is some of the best I've had anywhere.
(5)J R.
called to make sure they were open, she said yes. get there and she says sorry, we close at 3 and open again at 5. UGH. i see i am not the only person who was told the same thing based on another review. why lie and say you are open when you know you will not be open. wasted a 20 minute trip to be told sorry, closed. wish I could rate the food but they would not serve us.
(1)Amin G.
worst indian restaurant experience ever. We called around 9:10 to ask if we can drive another 25 mins and be there at 9:35pm to dine in. After asking several times and making sure its okay to be there at 9:35 we drove to this restaurant since my wife was craving for some indian food. Once we reached there the owner told us that he can only give us take out food, we cannot dine in. I cannot believe that we drove 25 mins and they could not let us eat there. We had to take takeout food and eat at a rest area since we were traveling from virginia. Food sucked as well. They did not put any rice in my takeout order which was suppose to come with Dal fry. Horrible horrible experience.
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