4. Restaurants

Sitar Indian Cuisine

6004 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN, 37919
  • (865) 588-1828
  • Store is closed

Sitar Indian Cuisine Menu

  • Appetizers
  • Soups
  • Roti Char
  • Tandoori Specialties
  • Seafood Specialties
  • Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Sitar Indian Cuisine

  • Appetizers
  • Soups
  • Roti Char
  • Tandoori Specialties
  • Seafood Specialties
  • Desserts

Visit below restaurant in Knoxville for healthy meals suggestion.

Subway ( 8410 Middlebrook Pike )
Subway ( 7654 Oak Ridge Hwy )
Bojangles ( 505 Lovell Rd )

Visit below restaurant in Knoxville for healthy meals suggestion.

Subway ( 8410 Middlebrook Pike )
Subway ( 7654 Oak Ridge Hwy )
Bojangles ( 505 Lovell Rd )

  • Naomi G.

    Delicious and flavorful every time I eat here, a great environment. Clean and friendly, the staff is always spot on when it comes to service and knowledge of the food. Lunch buffet is under $10, a great way to try things you never might before.

    (5)

  • Jody S.

    I want to start off this review by talking about the food; it was very good. Not the best Indian I've had, but very good. Nice flavors, hefty portions, and fresh and hot from the kitchen. I had the lamb mango which was a fantastic blend of sweet and spice. My boyfriend had lamb vindaloo, which neither of us thought was spicy enough. The garlic naan was pretty much perfect. Based on the food alone, I would give it 4 stars. We went for dinner, so I can't comment on the buffet. We had a very odd experience with the waitstaff. We went on a Friday night around 7:15. We were promptly seated and immediately offered drinks. Good. Great. But nearly as soon as our butts hit the chairs, we were continuously asked by different members of the staff of we were ready to order. It was our first time there, so we said we needed a few minutes to look over the menu. I kid you not - every 30 seconds we were asked for our order. One woman even stood there and stared at us while we flipped the pages of the menu. It was very unsettling. We felt rushed and awkward. After taking out order, everything else was fine, if not a little rushed. The food came quickly and the staff refilled our drinks appropriately. They did hurry a bit to clear out appetizer plates to make room for the main course. We didn't feel too rushed once our entrees arrived, but already felt kind of strange about the whole thing. Anyways, it was sort of an odd experience. We had a few good chuckles about it and definitely enjoyed our food. We will be back to Sitar for sure - just not if we want a relaxed meal.

    (3)

  • Stacy L.

    I was beyond pleasantly surprised with this place! Huge portions. I'm never sure of what to get at Indian restaurants because I don't eat at them often enough to know what I like. I just had the server choose and it was delicious. Their naan is delicious as well! Even what they presented as starters was yummy!! I'm visiting and j would DEFINITELY return!

    (5)

  • Andy S.

    This is an Indian restaurant that is very good and serves very typical Indian food. There are a few locations. The staff is very friendly. The food is average good. They start the meal with a green sauce and a tomato type sauce served with some type of crispy cracker bread. I went with a friend and we both ordered the vegetarian combination plate (vegetarian thali). It came with some warm naan. The sag panir was delicious. It was a spinach and Indian cheese dish. It was my favorite of the meal. It also came with vegetable korma which was also tasty. It came with one other dish that was called dal makhni. It was ok, but it was my least favorite of the three. It also came with a lot of rice. I chose to put the food on my naan rather than on my rice. If you want Indian food and are in Knoxville, this is a good place.

    (4)

  • MoMo K.

    Very friendly environment from the inside, it looks odd from the outside, but you will like it once you go inside. FYI, they do not serve authentic indian food, but it will do. I am from chicago, and we have authentic Indian restaurants everywhere because Chicago is filled with indians. So just for your info, they "Americanize" the food. It's still good though! In chicAgo, you can get the same amount of indian food for $4-7, but here it's $14. Since it is unique to knoxville, it makes sense they over charge. (again, in comparison, there chilly chicken is wayyyy off compared to indian chilly chicken. Samosas are fine, and the biryani is fine too).

    (4)

  • Rachel H.

    I love this place! The Chicken masala is awesome! I haven't had anything I don't like here! I come as often as I can. The wait staff is always very attentive and polite as well.

    (5)

  • Jamie M.

    I came during lunch for the buffet. Good buffet, everything was very good. I will compare this to Bombay Palace. I personally like Bombay Palace better. Bombay has a more extensive buffet, although taste wise the curry at Sitar is a little better but by such a small amount. I would eat here again if I were in the area, however if you live closer to Farragut it's not worth the drive when Bombay Palace is at your disposal.

    (4)

  • Tiago K.

    I used to love this Indian buffet but it seems to have gone downhill. The food just wasn't as good the last time I visited. The naan bread was disappointing. The vegetable samosas we ordered off the menu weren't good. The dough was too thin and they were greasy.

    (2)

  • Shannon M.

    So I am a first time Indian cuisine diner, and I could not ask for a better experience. I was told by one of my business contacts that I have to try this restaurant. So I tried and I'm very impressed. The service was exquisite and the food even better. I will recommend the taste and experience to everyone I know. I'm throughly impressed with the staff and I couldn't ask for a better atmosphere or better taste .

    (5)

  • Christina D.

    Best Indian I've had. Yes this is the South, but just try it and then lets talk. My go to is the paneer jal frazi, which is a vegetarian dish but don't let that stop you! I dream about this creamy sauce with vegetables and their garlic naan. The buffet (lunch only) is a great way to go to try different dishes if you are unsure of what to get, sadly the paneer jal frazi is never on it. So you'll just have to try it ( you won't be dissapointed). Second favorite restaurant in Knoxville, not to mention the home made desserts and rice.

    (5)

  • Canny F.

    I came here with my Big from school for their lunch buffet and it was okay. I wish they had more vegan options but I understand they need to cater to everyone. I had rice with two types of curries which started to taste very salty. There was also okra but only a scoop left so I took it. The okra was very oily. There was another stir fried vegetable dish but it was smothered in oil. I didn't want to eat so much carbs but I had no choice with the curry. The naan was similar to the texture of pita bread. It was slightly warm and not chewy. As for dessert, I only tried the sweetened shredded carrots which tasted like candy carrots. I'm assuming they have different options daily. I would come here again in hopes of a better menu. The staff was nice and friendly but their were slacking on the water service. I'm not sure if you have to tip for buffets but we did.

    (3)

  • Rachelle S.

    I have always loved Indian food and wasn't sure I would find a good restaurant in the area. Sitar is amazing! I have been there a few times and the food is fresh, mouthwatering, and delicious each time! I can't compliment enough.

    (5)

  • India G.

    Sitar is my favorite restaurant in Knoxville. Since moving away I have searched for Indian restaurants as good and have not found any. Their sag paneer, chicken tikka and lamb vindaloo are to die for.

    (5)

  • Neil P.

    I went there last week and ate their buffet. That buffet is the worst I ever ate. Food tasted sweet and I don't eat lot of spicy food but come on add little spice in a dish. For the price you pay for the buffet it's definitely not worth it specially if you sit and order those dishes that cost about $11 go to the better Indian restaurant.

    (1)

  • DJ C.

    The food was really great! Compared to the other Indian place in town, Woodlands, I think the food at Sitar was better, and also the meal was about $1 cheaper for the buffet.

    (5)

  • Nisha S.

    Best Indian in Knoxville for sure, and one of the better ones I've been to period. Just ordered take out again tonight, and great as usual. Garlic naan is a must. But I've never been disappointed by anything there. Staff is super friendly and attentive. Its a converted fast food place, so doesn't look like anything special from the outside. But you'll be pleased once you eat there.

    (5)

  • Ellen S.

    I've enjoyed quite a few dinners at Sitar -- you can call me a long-time fan. Their food is good and we've always had prompt and attentive service. A group of diners should plan to order several items and share them family-style over the restaurant's delicious rice. I must recommend the malai kofta (vegetarian "meatballs" in a delicious sauce). It's always one of the dishes we order -- and for a group we might need more than one order because everyone likes it so much.

    (4)

  • Cameron E.

    I really am not sure what's up with these negative reviews that this place is getting. I just returned from this place and enjoyed the food immensely! The service isn't the best, I will admit but as long as you get serviced in an acceptable manner, then you have nothing to complain about.

    (4)

  • Jim T.

    I would have to respectfully disagree with several of the reviews posted. As for food quality, price, and overall value this is a five star plus restaurant There is no doubt that the servers could be a little more attentive and welcoming and for those people I give you three stars The Knox county health rating is an 82 which is not bad however I would like to see that in the mid 90s. no doubt that just a little bit of remodeling and cleaning could bring this up to a five star across the board. And has yelp ever considered multiple categories of rating? Maybe I just might be blind to it, because I've eaten at this restaurant well over 100 times over the past decade and always come back. $10.91 for great food and never been disappointed.

    (4)

  • Tim P.

    Going downhill fast. I've been a customer since Sitar opened in 1999. Back then, the restaurant was a breath of fresh air in the Knoxville food scene. The last couple of years I've gone there with friends for lunch to hit the buffet. My observations follow. Food: the selection of dishes never seems to vary. I'm not sure if the reason is that Knoxvillians have embraced these Indian dishes to the exclusion of others, but they need to mix it up a bit more. I make better naan from a frozen package at home. Decor: the restaurant is DIRTY. Tear up that nasty carpet and spring for some tile flooring, you cheapskates. Paint, remodel, clean--do whatever you must to make it look like you care about your establishment. Service: Poor. The waiters didn't offer anything besides water--no Kingfisher, no mango lassi....bupcus. The waiters and manager mumbled strangely at us as if we weren't paying customers. Didn't say thanks, please come back, or anything. Don't let the door hit you on your way out. Recommendation: vote with your dollars and go to Bombay Palace. They are friendly, attentive, and serve GREAT Indian cuisine.

    (1)

  • Zinzan R.

    Sitar is a disappointment. Opened in 2000 to much fanfare, and chest-beating (we'll show Kashmir!), it fizzled out quickly in importance and quality. While the place is bigger and has more of an ambiance than, Kashmir (see my review on Kashmir), both food and service are poor. I would give Sitar 3.5 stars for its lunch buffet. They have good variety and their buffet looks a little different every weekend. Yet, their food is unnecessarily greasy. you can see a huge pool of tomato juice-tinted oil around many of their dishes. Naan pieces for buffet are good, though there could be more of them on the buffet table. For dinner, I would give Sitar 2.5 stars. The waiters and usher are discourteous (they wave you in, don't say hello, instead tossing their head and saying "follow me") and frankly, don't care about you having a good experience. That is OK for a cheap lunch buffet, but I expect better for full-price dinner. The reason for poor service is that the owner keeps ALL tips, and neither the chef nor the wait-staff has any incentive to make you feel great. Honestly, I've never felt good after eating at Sitar, and strongly suspect that they lace their food with MSG. It shouldn't come as a shock, as many Indian restaurants in New Jersey and New York do that. The copious amount of oil they use just turns my stomach. A lot of their dishes taste alike, which is a bummer. I don't think their food is authentic of any part of India. If you live in West Knoxville, try Sitar for a buffet. If you want a nice dinner, go to Kashmir which has much better food.

    (3)

  • Audrey D.

    As others have already mentioned, it is the best Indian food in Knoxville which means it's not the best in the world. It is also salty, but since I love Indian food and I'm a fan of salt, this is where I get my fix in town. It's pretty tasty, actually. I would recommend the pswari naan with the yogurt/cucumber sauce, paneer pakora (breaded deep fried Indian cheese) with the sweet purple sauce that they give you when you sit down, garlic naan, spinach or lentil soup, any of the vegetarian dishes (they are interchangable because they all taste the same) and the masala tea. It doesn't really matter what you get, because it's all the same - but still I like it. As for the atmosphere, it's awkward- I can't put my finger on it. It's a dive. But so what. I freaking love Indian fast food! I eat here once every 2 months and the service is fine, not stellar, but adequate. There's no way I'm going to stop eating here unless another Indian place opens up closer to my house. BTW, the health inspection scores aren't the best, I've heard from an insider. I will still not stop eating there; I know I'm nasty.

    (4)

  • Casey F.

    The buffet is good, especially for someone who hasn't eaten a lot of Indian food and just wants to try out bits and pieces to see what he or she likes best. And then, when you, dear diner, get a grip on what sorts of Indian food you like, feel free to move onto the menu and never look back. I ate off the menu for the first time last week and I'm so glad I did. The dishes on the buffet are not very spicy at all, presumably to appeal to as many palates as possible. I can deal with that, it's cool, whatever. However, I am not happy until the lining of my mouth is tingling from the heat of chili peppers. I don't know if I burned off all my taste buds in the war or what, but I like stuff super spicy. X-Treem spice, you might say, if you had just arrived here in a time machine from 1997. And were a skater. But I digress! What I was trying to say about twelve lines back is that when you order off the menu, you can choose how spicy you want your food. So if you want it blistering hot, go for it. If you want it a little hot, go for it. None at all, shoot. They won't judge you! Like I said, my last visit was the first time I'd ordered off the menu. I got the Lamb Vindaloo. The lamb was very tender, and the vindaloo sauce was the perfect mix of tangy and spicy. My coworker, who is like my little Indian food wise-woman, ordered Shahi Paneer. Paneer, for those not in the know, is a firm-ish Indian cheese. I tried a little bit of her entree too, and it was delicious. The sauce was sort of creamy and earthy tasting, a little bit like a yellow curry. Both dishes were served with roughly a gallon of basmati rice. Seriously, they were very generous with the rice. This is always a good thing. I could have probably just eaten the vindaloo sauce on the rice and been happy. We also got naan and onion chutney to go with our meal. Those are both staples on the buffet, so I was already familiar with them. The naan is good - not much to say about it, it's naan, it's there, it's good. The onion chutney is so delicious. The first time I saw it on the buffet, I was sort of alarmed by the fact that it is a bright, almost Volunteer, orange. But I was convinced to try it once, and ever since, I've been addicted. It's hard to explain the taste - oniony, and yet, more than oniony. It transcends the state of onioness to become some sort of tangy, crisp side-dish of the gods. The raita, also on the buffet, is good too. It's a yogurt-cucumber sauce, a bit like Greek tzatziki. I always feel like I'm wasting it on the naan, though. I'll have to find out what I'm -supposed- to be eating with it. Service was pretty good, but refills were verrry slow on our waters - which were in teensy little goblets. I'm getting thirsty now just remembering it. So, all in all, I loved it. Now, mind you, I am not necessarily the most qualified person to judge Indian food, because this is only one of two places I've had it. Maybe it won't please Indian food connoisseurs, I don't know. It DID please me, though, and that's worth 4 stars.

    (4)

  • Saundra P.

    Great Indian food! (One of the VERY few Indian restaurants in Knoxville) We have always had incredible service and fantastic food. The manager is quick to offer suggestions (even things not on the menu) if you are undecided what you want. Last night I was telling him that I have been trying my hand at cooking curries and other indian dishes-- he had some great ideas and advice for me to try at home. ALWAYS have a great time at Sitar!

    (5)

  • Adrianna L.

    Amazing place for a friends gathering! Yesterday was my first time visit to this place and I love the food quality, time of service and the bathrooms were clean. I don't feel fat at all !! They can make a plate with big quantities of spicy , something that I looveee! I definitely recommends this place if you want to try spicy food and have a good time.

    (5)

  • Dipesh A.

    I've been to so many indian restaurants Worst experience ever. customer service sucked big time. I ordered specialty thali thinking that it has mutton rogan Josh but they served me malai lamb & on top of that when I then I told them they gave me wrong curry they keep on insisting that it is rogan josh. Never gonna come back. absolutely Not recommended. I wish there was 0 stars available.

    (1)

  • Jennie B.

    This would have been 5 stars, but later that evening I heard from a friend that Sitar failed their health inspection. I believe in giving people 2nd chances, so I would definitely go again. The lunch buffet was EXCELLENT! Taj pales in comparison to this place, in variety and taste. Huge selection of food and desserts, very friendly service, good prices and a very casual dining atmosphere make this place the perfect Indian food to try when you've got a hankering.

    (4)

  • Chuck C.

    I went with low expectations and I liked it, a lot. I went to the buffet and for dinner. I recommend the lunch buffet so that you can try many different items. It has been put on my list.

    (5)

  • Abraham L.

    I went there for dinner in the summer of 2009, then again shortly afterwards to try the lunch buffet. I'd been told that this was the best Indian restaurant in Knoxville. Apparently that honor approaches the level of distinction of such accolades as "best pizza in Ohio", or "best water in the Sahara Desert". Dinner-- The naan was old, the mulligatawny soup tasted like it came out of a can (salt and more salt, with traces of aluminum), and the lamb biryani was completely lacking in any flavor other than, you guessed it, salt. Lunch-- Again, all the dishes were bland and overly salted. I'm also fairly certain that the food was saturated with MSG, as my girlfriend and I promptly passed out as soon as we got home and woke up in a chemical-induced stupor. The issues with cleanliness and service are detailed elsewhere on this page. That said, this is a hard town for ethnic food, and I only went there twice and a year ago. If you're desperate for Indian food and you're in the area, give Sitar a try. But don't let the reputation fool you; prepare to be disappointed, and maybe a little hungover.

    (2)

  • M H.

    Sad to see the recent reviews. When I lived in Knoxville, this was a daily stop, if not a every other day stop for me. It was here that I first began my love affair with Indian food. If the recent reviews are true and the place can get it's act together. I have no problem with updating this review at a later day to a 5 star review.

    (3)

  • John D.

    The best Indian in Knoxville. The state of the building is honestly pretty rough, it's a wreck inside and out, but the food is still really good. The lunch buffet is a good deal and a fun way to explore and figure out if you're new to Indian. Taj has a better atmosphere, but the food here is much better IMO

    (3)

  • Kristi J.

    I love indian food but my friends do not. I go by myself a lot and find it very interesting that there are always so many other people there by themselves. I guess that shows how good it is - people will go alone rather than miss out. I have had better indian food but feel very lucky I have this restaurant so close to my house. I was always a big fan for Kashmir on 17th but now that it is gone, this is my indian restaurant of choice!

    (4)

  • Solomon L.

    Ate here for lunch, they had the common dishes out for buffets as many previous Indian places I've been to. The food was mediocre. The curry was a bit sweet and buttery without much punch, and the paneer saag wasn't quite up to par. Must be the pervasive bar-b-que taste that seems to creep itself into every type of liquid that passes for sauce around here. The naan was rather stale, but that may be because I came in fairly late in the lunch hour. Decor is nice. Overall not too bad, I have had worse and I have had much better. I hope to find a better place in Knoxville. I will also try them for dinner and see what I think then. Maybe it was just lunch that's not too good.

    (3)

  • Sarah W.

    Well, I can't believe I haven't yet reviewed Sitar. I've had plenty of Indian and I have to say this has been my favorite. My husband agrees. One qualification of my review: I tend stick to the soupier chicken dishes (I still can't like lamb!), but then I have at all other restaurants and these sauces by far have the best flavor I've ever tasted. On helpful: If you're looking for hot, you need to ask for Indian hot. If you're like me and like you're mouth on fire, the Indian hot is still a little bland. I get the "vindaloo sauce" (that's what I was told to ask for) on the side. It also works to ask the waiter to make it as hot as he likes it. :) One more qualification: I can't review the buffet. As a rule I stay away from buffets because I never eat enough to get my money's worth. I also stay away, as a rule, because you simply cannot get a sense of the quality of a restaurant from its buffet, especially if you're hitting it later in the day (and I do have a little experience on the restaurant side of things to be knowledgeable about the crap they'll put on there to save money). It's simply unfair! So order off the menu. It's worth it and you'll like it much better. If you want it spicy you'll have to work for it. And decor aside, but then I'm pretty sure ethnic food has an inverse relationship to the decor of the restaurant, the very thought of this place makes my mouth water!

    (5)

  • Courtney B.

    Best Indian restaurant in town, BY FAR!!! We dine here or get take out AT LEAST twice a month, if not more..... EXCELLENT food.....as good as it gets IMHO After a few times in, the staff recognizes your family and remembers your usual orders....always excellent food...I have never had a bad meal here. I have not tried the lunch buffet....as I understand it, my tastes (Indian Hot is my order) are way too blazen for the buffet... :D FIVE STARS. P.S. To the person who left me a comment saying I am a waiter there, I am actually not a waiter ANYWHERE. I do not work in the food service industry - sorry - you have the wrong person!

    (5)

  • Shardul S.

    Good enough to satisfy a craving. Problem is food lingered for 24 hours....that's not good Indian. Also too much cream in tikka masala....should be red not so much cream. Chicken curry was brown. Should have been gold. Spinach and potatoes were decent...I should have stuck to that. Naan was good. Quality of chicken was bad, and I think that is what stuck with me for the lady 24 hours.

    (3)

  • Brandon H.

    This is a really good Indian restaurant. We always go for the lunch buffet, which is cheaper and you can have several dishes at once. The taste is excellent and such a treasure to have in Knoxville. I highly suggest anyone who likes Indian food to get to Sitar ASAP! I also like that they play new(er) Bollywood songs. It's much better than other places that play Indian classical. Two thumbs up!

    (5)

  • Melissa C.

    Love this place. The wait staff is always very attentive, the prices are reasonable. The lunch buffet is good with a decent variety. My very favorite is their Saag Paneer (in fact, it is what I always order). Everything that my husband has ordered has been delicious too. Look for coupons in the Metropulse!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth M.

    I wish I could give a better review, but Sitar is just ok. It seems like they used to be better, but I guess that happens alot with restaurants over the years. I'll still go again sometime to just to see if things improve because Knoxville doesn't have many Indian options, unfortunately.

    (3)

  • Deborah M.

    Really good food, really good service. A little on the pricey side, but we have yet to try the buffet.

    (4)

  • Kfac G.

    Great indian food. The service was quick and courteous. Would definitely recommend this place to everyone.

    (5)

  • Patrick B.

    I usually hit the lunch buffet at Sitar, though I have been to dinner twice with equally good results. The service could be a little better as most of the staff seems pretentious, and unwilling to speak with you after ordering. I do wish the buffet had more of a variety -- it's the same mix every time. Make sure you ask the waiter for the green chutney!

    (4)

  • Mike C.

    Lamb Vindaloo was very good. Just the right spice level. If you don't agree, you're a douchebag.

    (4)

  • David B.

    This place is NOT closed... I have eaten there around five times... They have a buffet during lunch.. I have had the buffet once. I was very pleased with the food and service was o.k. Usually hot in an Indian restaurant is VERY hot, but I thought that my food could have been a little hotter. The lamb rogan josh is decent. The buffet could stand to have a few more meat choices, but had several vegetables.. Everything was very good and I will be going back.. Although, I haven't tried any of the other places in town as of yet.

    (3)

  • Imran Q.

    The best Indian in Knoxville. But that's not saying much.

    (3)

  • J B.

    I've been hear several times. Frequented by locals who love authentic Indian food, this place is the real deal. Remember to get a Mango Lassi!

    (5)

  • Loretta L.

    Good stuff, better than Kashmir.

    (5)

  • Naomi G.

    Delicious and flavorful every time I eat here, a great environment. Clean and friendly, the staff is always spot on when it comes to service and knowledge of the food. Lunch buffet is under $10, a great way to try things you never might before.

    (5)

  • Andy P.

    I've only been here for the lunch buffet about thirty times - weekdays and weekends. The food is good but the selection on the buffet is always the same. The food is typical of other quality Indian buffets. I've eaten better Indian food in Africa but I've eaten a lot worse at higher priced places in the US. Waiters seem a little stand-offish but I guess that's part of the atmosphere. My whole family likes to eat here - and my kids are picky eaters!

    (4)

  • Becky K.

    Have eaten several times at Sitar and just was not that impressed. The lunch buffet is a good bargain, if you want the same food every time. The service is not that good. Drink glasses are small and you have to ask more than once to get the glasses refilled.

    (2)

  • Jody S.

    I want to start off this review by talking about the food; it was very good. Not the best Indian I've had, but very good. Nice flavors, hefty portions, and fresh and hot from the kitchen. I had the lamb mango which was a fantastic blend of sweet and spice. My boyfriend had lamb vindaloo, which neither of us thought was spicy enough. The garlic naan was pretty much perfect. Based on the food alone, I would give it 4 stars. We went for dinner, so I can't comment on the buffet. We had a very odd experience with the waitstaff. We went on a Friday night around 7:15. We were promptly seated and immediately offered drinks. Good. Great. But nearly as soon as our butts hit the chairs, we were continuously asked by different members of the staff of we were ready to order. It was our first time there, so we said we needed a few minutes to look over the menu. I kid you not - every 30 seconds we were asked for our order. One woman even stood there and stared at us while we flipped the pages of the menu. It was very unsettling. We felt rushed and awkward. After taking out order, everything else was fine, if not a little rushed. The food came quickly and the staff refilled our drinks appropriately. They did hurry a bit to clear out appetizer plates to make room for the main course. We didn't feel too rushed once our entrees arrived, but already felt kind of strange about the whole thing. Anyways, it was sort of an odd experience. We had a few good chuckles about it and definitely enjoyed our food. We will be back to Sitar for sure - just not if we want a relaxed meal.

    (3)

  • Stacy L.

    I was beyond pleasantly surprised with this place! Huge portions. I'm never sure of what to get at Indian restaurants because I don't eat at them often enough to know what I like. I just had the server choose and it was delicious. Their naan is delicious as well! Even what they presented as starters was yummy!! I'm visiting and j would DEFINITELY return!

    (5)

  • Christina D.

    Best Indian I've had. Yes this is the South, but just try it and then lets talk. My go to is the paneer jal frazi, which is a vegetarian dish but don't let that stop you! I dream about this creamy sauce with vegetables and their garlic naan. The buffet (lunch only) is a great way to go to try different dishes if you are unsure of what to get, sadly the paneer jal frazi is never on it. So you'll just have to try it ( you won't be dissapointed). Second favorite restaurant in Knoxville, not to mention the home made desserts and rice.

    (5)

  • Andy S.

    This is an Indian restaurant that is very good and serves very typical Indian food. There are a few locations. The staff is very friendly. The food is average good. They start the meal with a green sauce and a tomato type sauce served with some type of crispy cracker bread. I went with a friend and we both ordered the vegetarian combination plate (vegetarian thali). It came with some warm naan. The sag panir was delicious. It was a spinach and Indian cheese dish. It was my favorite of the meal. It also came with vegetable korma which was also tasty. It came with one other dish that was called dal makhni. It was ok, but it was my least favorite of the three. It also came with a lot of rice. I chose to put the food on my naan rather than on my rice. If you want Indian food and are in Knoxville, this is a good place.

    (4)

  • MoMo K.

    Very friendly environment from the inside, it looks odd from the outside, but you will like it once you go inside. FYI, they do not serve authentic indian food, but it will do. I am from chicago, and we have authentic Indian restaurants everywhere because Chicago is filled with indians. So just for your info, they "Americanize" the food. It's still good though! In chicAgo, you can get the same amount of indian food for $4-7, but here it's $14. Since it is unique to knoxville, it makes sense they over charge. (again, in comparison, there chilly chicken is wayyyy off compared to indian chilly chicken. Samosas are fine, and the biryani is fine too).

    (4)

  • Rachel H.

    I love this place! The Chicken masala is awesome! I haven't had anything I don't like here! I come as often as I can. The wait staff is always very attentive and polite as well.

    (5)

  • Jamie M.

    I came during lunch for the buffet. Good buffet, everything was very good. I will compare this to Bombay Palace. I personally like Bombay Palace better. Bombay has a more extensive buffet, although taste wise the curry at Sitar is a little better but by such a small amount. I would eat here again if I were in the area, however if you live closer to Farragut it's not worth the drive when Bombay Palace is at your disposal.

    (4)

  • Tiago K.

    I used to love this Indian buffet but it seems to have gone downhill. The food just wasn't as good the last time I visited. The naan bread was disappointing. The vegetable samosas we ordered off the menu weren't good. The dough was too thin and they were greasy.

    (2)

  • Shannon M.

    So I am a first time Indian cuisine diner, and I could not ask for a better experience. I was told by one of my business contacts that I have to try this restaurant. So I tried and I'm very impressed. The service was exquisite and the food even better. I will recommend the taste and experience to everyone I know. I'm throughly impressed with the staff and I couldn't ask for a better atmosphere or better taste .

    (5)

  • Canny F.

    I came here with my Big from school for their lunch buffet and it was okay. I wish they had more vegan options but I understand they need to cater to everyone. I had rice with two types of curries which started to taste very salty. There was also okra but only a scoop left so I took it. The okra was very oily. There was another stir fried vegetable dish but it was smothered in oil. I didn't want to eat so much carbs but I had no choice with the curry. The naan was similar to the texture of pita bread. It was slightly warm and not chewy. As for dessert, I only tried the sweetened shredded carrots which tasted like candy carrots. I'm assuming they have different options daily. I would come here again in hopes of a better menu. The staff was nice and friendly but their were slacking on the water service. I'm not sure if you have to tip for buffets but we did.

    (3)

  • Rachelle S.

    I have always loved Indian food and wasn't sure I would find a good restaurant in the area. Sitar is amazing! I have been there a few times and the food is fresh, mouthwatering, and delicious each time! I can't compliment enough.

    (5)

  • India G.

    Sitar is my favorite restaurant in Knoxville. Since moving away I have searched for Indian restaurants as good and have not found any. Their sag paneer, chicken tikka and lamb vindaloo are to die for.

    (5)

  • Neil P.

    I went there last week and ate their buffet. That buffet is the worst I ever ate. Food tasted sweet and I don't eat lot of spicy food but come on add little spice in a dish. For the price you pay for the buffet it's definitely not worth it specially if you sit and order those dishes that cost about $11 go to the better Indian restaurant.

    (1)

  • DJ C.

    The food was really great! Compared to the other Indian place in town, Woodlands, I think the food at Sitar was better, and also the meal was about $1 cheaper for the buffet.

    (5)

  • Nisha S.

    Best Indian in Knoxville for sure, and one of the better ones I've been to period. Just ordered take out again tonight, and great as usual. Garlic naan is a must. But I've never been disappointed by anything there. Staff is super friendly and attentive. Its a converted fast food place, so doesn't look like anything special from the outside. But you'll be pleased once you eat there.

    (5)

  • Ellen S.

    I've enjoyed quite a few dinners at Sitar -- you can call me a long-time fan. Their food is good and we've always had prompt and attentive service. A group of diners should plan to order several items and share them family-style over the restaurant's delicious rice. I must recommend the malai kofta (vegetarian "meatballs" in a delicious sauce). It's always one of the dishes we order -- and for a group we might need more than one order because everyone likes it so much.

    (4)

  • Cameron E.

    I really am not sure what's up with these negative reviews that this place is getting. I just returned from this place and enjoyed the food immensely! The service isn't the best, I will admit but as long as you get serviced in an acceptable manner, then you have nothing to complain about.

    (4)

  • Jim T.

    I would have to respectfully disagree with several of the reviews posted. As for food quality, price, and overall value this is a five star plus restaurant There is no doubt that the servers could be a little more attentive and welcoming and for those people I give you three stars The Knox county health rating is an 82 which is not bad however I would like to see that in the mid 90s. no doubt that just a little bit of remodeling and cleaning could bring this up to a five star across the board. And has yelp ever considered multiple categories of rating? Maybe I just might be blind to it, because I've eaten at this restaurant well over 100 times over the past decade and always come back. $10.91 for great food and never been disappointed.

    (4)

  • Tim P.

    Going downhill fast. I've been a customer since Sitar opened in 1999. Back then, the restaurant was a breath of fresh air in the Knoxville food scene. The last couple of years I've gone there with friends for lunch to hit the buffet. My observations follow. Food: the selection of dishes never seems to vary. I'm not sure if the reason is that Knoxvillians have embraced these Indian dishes to the exclusion of others, but they need to mix it up a bit more. I make better naan from a frozen package at home. Decor: the restaurant is DIRTY. Tear up that nasty carpet and spring for some tile flooring, you cheapskates. Paint, remodel, clean--do whatever you must to make it look like you care about your establishment. Service: Poor. The waiters didn't offer anything besides water--no Kingfisher, no mango lassi....bupcus. The waiters and manager mumbled strangely at us as if we weren't paying customers. Didn't say thanks, please come back, or anything. Don't let the door hit you on your way out. Recommendation: vote with your dollars and go to Bombay Palace. They are friendly, attentive, and serve GREAT Indian cuisine.

    (1)

  • Hriday R.

    Food was tasteless and service was horrible:( I had a coupon to use and soon as I took my coupon out to show the server he said we don't take any coupon?? And then he called his owner which was old guy and he got mad at us:( he was so rude and said if we want to have a food you have to pay otherwise you can leave?? Are you kidding me? Is this how you treat your customers? But then we just thought lets just have a food since we were craving for Indian .. I think we made a mistake by making a decision to eat :( food was just horrible they put a a lot of salt and oil seems like they did it own purpose since owner argued with us.. I will never come back and don't recommend at all

    (1)

  • Kevin C.

    We were very hesitant because of all the negative recent reviews, but the food was great. I had the chicken tikka masala and it was very tasty. The naan was also some of the best I've had in a while. A lot of people are bashing the cleanliness, but I didn't get that vibe.

    (4)

  • Chasity S.

    Fantastic Indian cuisine! Chicken Tikka Masala (not sure of the spelling) and Kalmi kabob! Oh my goodness! Yummy! This place is jumpin! The reason is the food! It is amazing!

    (5)

  • Barbara H.

    I love the lunch buffet at Sitar; it's smaller than some other buffets, but the food is high quality and fresh. It's affordable and pretty good for Indian food in the southern parts of the united states. I've been to 20-30 Indian restaurants, and this place is in my top 5.

    (5)

  • Brad L.

    Great food at a great price. The restaurant felt very cozy and the service was exceptional. The only thing that I needed was a bigger table for all of the food that we ordered. I recommend the shrimp tandoori. Can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Angel G.

    This was my first Indian cuisine attempt and the lunch buffet was the perfect experience. The restaurant's buffet has plenty of variety, great price and tasty food. Vegetarian options were available. For under $10 per person, I definitely plan to return with a good appetite!

    (4)

  • Uriah R.

    The staff was VERY friendly but I'm not sure if they understood that I had NO clue what I was ordering. He had a hard time trying to tell me what the different dishes consisted of. If you know Indian food that's not likely a big deal, but I don't. I've eaten dinner there both times I've visited so missed the lunch buffet. If I ever go back I want to go earlier in the day to sample different things so I can figure out what I like or not. I'm not sure exactly what I ordered, but I think it was some sort of coconut soup which I thought was good, and a lamb kabob? Anyway, if I go again I want to take someone with me that knows what this stuff is as what I had was pretty good but if I have SOME idea of what to order I think it would be way better. They had nice tableclothes and linen and the waiter was quick with the refills on both my visits. I didn't think it was cheap, but not expensive either. Certainly cheaper then a decent steakhouse. They had a mix of people as well, the jeans/tshirt/boots guys like me to folks that looked dressed up for a night out. At any rate, I never felt out of place there.

    (3)

  • Jeevan M.

    Its very very very bad They have no clue how biryani is made. Its basically chicken rice with raisins and cashews. They cant replace rice with nan on the entrees. U hav to eat rice The soups are bad too and the mango juice is just mango pulp frm the can So, if ur indians dont try the restaurant. Its bad!!!

    (1)

  • Ashley T.

    The servers know us when we walk in and have our orders memorized. Saag paneer mild for the lady, paneer jal frazi medium for the fellow. The portions are large enough for leftovers the next day and the prices are very reasonable. The service is also very quick. We always use the bogo entree coupon in the metro pulse and spend under $15 for two people for dinner. Not too shabby! The kulfi (Indian ice cream) is super yummy. If you are new to Indian food, go at lunch time for the $7.99 buffet. Lots of vegetarian options as well as meat for the meaties.

    (5)

  • B B.

    Ate there last night. Pretty good! The atmosphere could be a little better, okay, a lot better, but the food is on target. Service, pretty dang good too! They're like a West Virginia road salt truck waiting for a snow flake to fall! At your service when you need them!

    (4)

  • Dee O.

    I have eaten at Sitar a few times since I moved to Knoxville. The things worthy of praise include the exceptionally quick service and abundance of food. I've pretty much gotten take out all but once. They usually have my meal ready within 10 minutes of calling. I've never had to wait after getting there. I LOVE my rice, could pretty much eat rice everyday for the rest of my life. Sitar always has plenty of rice to go around. Even for the to go orders. I've heard ravings about the buffet although I've never tried it. I have looked through their buffet offerings a few times though and I think I would personally just stick to ordering off the menu. The quality of the food is okay. I think there is still a lot to be desired in terms of taste and quality. I've had way better Indian food (even in remote Auburn, AL) but I have also had worse. I'm sure 'I will be back at Sitar to satisfy my Indian food cravings.

    (3)

  • Beth And Jim S.

    He said: back in town, had to revisit. Server remembered us. Papadum really good. Mint chutney that comes with it very tasty. Place half full on a Wednesday night, a good sign that the locals like this place too. Have since been to several more Indian joints on both coasts, this one is number one or two on my list depending on the day. She said: I feel like I'm cheating on my favorite Indian place back home, but I just can't resist! What awesome food here! I know I'll be back again and again (shhhh...don't tell my restaurant back home!).

    (5)

  • Hanna K.

    So delicious. I love it! I can't afford the dinner prices, but the lunch buffet is an awesome deal! Definitely go!

    (5)

  • Piyush P.

    Being an Indian I can say that this place is worse then a street market in India. It's really filthy. Carpet is filled with food crumbs and what not. Silverware is really old and not cleaned properly. Food is really mediocre. Health department should considering visiting this place.

    (1)

  • S B.

    Just wonderful. One of the best Indian restaurants I've ever been to. First visit, I asked the waitperson what their favorite vegetarian dish was and ordered it. Haven't deviated since. I've tried all my friend's dishes, and each were equally wonderful.

    (5)

  • Charlie P.

    Damn good Indian food! Trust me, I know good Indian food. Eat here and be happy. The roasted eggplant is off the chain!!!

    (4)

  • Sheena R.

    SO good! My husband and I love Indian food, we have tried many different places, and this was by far my favorite! Great flavors, everything was cooked perfect, and service was great too! If you haven't tried here you should definitely give It a shot!! We will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Mary T.

    This is one of my favorite lunch spots in Knoxville! Sitar is better than Taj the other Indian restaurant around town for lunch and for dinner. Sitar has a very good lunch buffet. The place is usually packed. The water glasses they give you are extremely small and sometimes the servers are a little slow to refill your glass. The building itself could use a facelift, as it is in a old Captain D's building. Overall I love the food here! Their naan is the best around town! The lunch buffet is so good because you get to try so many different things. I enjoy dinner here too but I enjoy the lunch more. If you are in the area, craving Indian food for lunch, stop at Sitar. It is pretty darn good! Definitely give it a shot. If you are unfamiliar to Indian food, go for lunch because you can try an assortment of items that are quite tasty! Cheers and Enjoy!

    (4)

  • David C.

    J and I as well as Mom are pretty critical of Indian places. If this was NYC or London it would be maybe 2 stars. But we are in Knoxville so it got three. So why? Well the Nan is marginal and seems like store bought and the spices in the Lamb Rogan Josh are so so. J complained that it did not qualify as a hole in the wall due to no Bollywood. Overall maybe 2.5 stars.

    (3)

  • Tiffany B.

    I ate at this restaurant last week and I was very disappointed. The service at this restaurant was less than desirable. Our server was unfriendly and my food was not hot. I was also turned off by the appearance inside the restaurant. The table was sticky and floors needed to be cleaned.

    (1)

  • Barbara H.

    I love the lunch buffet at Sitar; it's smaller than some other buffets, but the food is high quality and fresh. It's affordable and pretty good for Indian food in the southern parts of the united states. I've been to 20-30 Indian restaurants, and this place is in my top 5.

    (5)

  • Brad L.

    Great food at a great price. The restaurant felt very cozy and the service was exceptional. The only thing that I needed was a bigger table for all of the food that we ordered. I recommend the shrimp tandoori. Can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Angel G.

    This was my first Indian cuisine attempt and the lunch buffet was the perfect experience. The restaurant's buffet has plenty of variety, great price and tasty food. Vegetarian options were available. For under $10 per person, I definitely plan to return with a good appetite!

    (4)

  • Hriday R.

    Food was tasteless and service was horrible:( I had a coupon to use and soon as I took my coupon out to show the server he said we don't take any coupon?? And then he called his owner which was old guy and he got mad at us:( he was so rude and said if we want to have a food you have to pay otherwise you can leave?? Are you kidding me? Is this how you treat your customers? But then we just thought lets just have a food since we were craving for Indian .. I think we made a mistake by making a decision to eat :( food was just horrible they put a a lot of salt and oil seems like they did it own purpose since owner argued with us.. I will never come back and don't recommend at all

    (1)

  • Kevin C.

    We were very hesitant because of all the negative recent reviews, but the food was great. I had the chicken tikka masala and it was very tasty. The naan was also some of the best I've had in a while. A lot of people are bashing the cleanliness, but I didn't get that vibe.

    (4)

  • Chasity S.

    Fantastic Indian cuisine! Chicken Tikka Masala (not sure of the spelling) and Kalmi kabob! Oh my goodness! Yummy! This place is jumpin! The reason is the food! It is amazing!

    (5)

  • Uriah R.

    The staff was VERY friendly but I'm not sure if they understood that I had NO clue what I was ordering. He had a hard time trying to tell me what the different dishes consisted of. If you know Indian food that's not likely a big deal, but I don't. I've eaten dinner there both times I've visited so missed the lunch buffet. If I ever go back I want to go earlier in the day to sample different things so I can figure out what I like or not. I'm not sure exactly what I ordered, but I think it was some sort of coconut soup which I thought was good, and a lamb kabob? Anyway, if I go again I want to take someone with me that knows what this stuff is as what I had was pretty good but if I have SOME idea of what to order I think it would be way better. They had nice tableclothes and linen and the waiter was quick with the refills on both my visits. I didn't think it was cheap, but not expensive either. Certainly cheaper then a decent steakhouse. They had a mix of people as well, the jeans/tshirt/boots guys like me to folks that looked dressed up for a night out. At any rate, I never felt out of place there.

    (3)

  • Jeevan M.

    Its very very very bad They have no clue how biryani is made. Its basically chicken rice with raisins and cashews. They cant replace rice with nan on the entrees. U hav to eat rice The soups are bad too and the mango juice is just mango pulp frm the can So, if ur indians dont try the restaurant. Its bad!!!

    (1)

  • Ashley T.

    The servers know us when we walk in and have our orders memorized. Saag paneer mild for the lady, paneer jal frazi medium for the fellow. The portions are large enough for leftovers the next day and the prices are very reasonable. The service is also very quick. We always use the bogo entree coupon in the metro pulse and spend under $15 for two people for dinner. Not too shabby! The kulfi (Indian ice cream) is super yummy. If you are new to Indian food, go at lunch time for the $7.99 buffet. Lots of vegetarian options as well as meat for the meaties.

    (5)

  • B B.

    Ate there last night. Pretty good! The atmosphere could be a little better, okay, a lot better, but the food is on target. Service, pretty dang good too! They're like a West Virginia road salt truck waiting for a snow flake to fall! At your service when you need them!

    (4)

  • Dee O.

    I have eaten at Sitar a few times since I moved to Knoxville. The things worthy of praise include the exceptionally quick service and abundance of food. I've pretty much gotten take out all but once. They usually have my meal ready within 10 minutes of calling. I've never had to wait after getting there. I LOVE my rice, could pretty much eat rice everyday for the rest of my life. Sitar always has plenty of rice to go around. Even for the to go orders. I've heard ravings about the buffet although I've never tried it. I have looked through their buffet offerings a few times though and I think I would personally just stick to ordering off the menu. The quality of the food is okay. I think there is still a lot to be desired in terms of taste and quality. I've had way better Indian food (even in remote Auburn, AL) but I have also had worse. I'm sure 'I will be back at Sitar to satisfy my Indian food cravings.

    (3)

  • Loretta L.

    Good stuff, better than Kashmir.

    (5)

  • Beth And Jim S.

    He said: back in town, had to revisit. Server remembered us. Papadum really good. Mint chutney that comes with it very tasty. Place half full on a Wednesday night, a good sign that the locals like this place too. Have since been to several more Indian joints on both coasts, this one is number one or two on my list depending on the day. She said: I feel like I'm cheating on my favorite Indian place back home, but I just can't resist! What awesome food here! I know I'll be back again and again (shhhh...don't tell my restaurant back home!).

    (5)

  • Hanna K.

    So delicious. I love it! I can't afford the dinner prices, but the lunch buffet is an awesome deal! Definitely go!

    (5)

  • Piyush P.

    Being an Indian I can say that this place is worse then a street market in India. It's really filthy. Carpet is filled with food crumbs and what not. Silverware is really old and not cleaned properly. Food is really mediocre. Health department should considering visiting this place.

    (1)

  • S B.

    Just wonderful. One of the best Indian restaurants I've ever been to. First visit, I asked the waitperson what their favorite vegetarian dish was and ordered it. Haven't deviated since. I've tried all my friend's dishes, and each were equally wonderful.

    (5)

  • Charlie P.

    Damn good Indian food! Trust me, I know good Indian food. Eat here and be happy. The roasted eggplant is off the chain!!!

    (4)

  • Sheena R.

    SO good! My husband and I love Indian food, we have tried many different places, and this was by far my favorite! Great flavors, everything was cooked perfect, and service was great too! If you haven't tried here you should definitely give It a shot!! We will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Mary T.

    This is one of my favorite lunch spots in Knoxville! Sitar is better than Taj the other Indian restaurant around town for lunch and for dinner. Sitar has a very good lunch buffet. The place is usually packed. The water glasses they give you are extremely small and sometimes the servers are a little slow to refill your glass. The building itself could use a facelift, as it is in a old Captain D's building. Overall I love the food here! Their naan is the best around town! The lunch buffet is so good because you get to try so many different things. I enjoy dinner here too but I enjoy the lunch more. If you are in the area, craving Indian food for lunch, stop at Sitar. It is pretty darn good! Definitely give it a shot. If you are unfamiliar to Indian food, go for lunch because you can try an assortment of items that are quite tasty! Cheers and Enjoy!

    (4)

  • David C.

    J and I as well as Mom are pretty critical of Indian places. If this was NYC or London it would be maybe 2 stars. But we are in Knoxville so it got three. So why? Well the Nan is marginal and seems like store bought and the spices in the Lamb Rogan Josh are so so. J complained that it did not qualify as a hole in the wall due to no Bollywood. Overall maybe 2.5 stars.

    (3)

  • Tiffany B.

    I ate at this restaurant last week and I was very disappointed. The service at this restaurant was less than desirable. Our server was unfriendly and my food was not hot. I was also turned off by the appearance inside the restaurant. The table was sticky and floors needed to be cleaned.

    (1)

  • Adrianna L.

    Amazing place for a friends gathering! Yesterday was my first time visit to this place and I love the food quality, time of service and the bathrooms were clean. I don't feel fat at all !! They can make a plate with big quantities of spicy , something that I looveee! I definitely recommends this place if you want to try spicy food and have a good time.

    (5)

  • Dipesh A.

    I've been to so many indian restaurants Worst experience ever. customer service sucked big time. I ordered specialty thali thinking that it has mutton rogan Josh but they served me malai lamb & on top of that when I then I told them they gave me wrong curry they keep on insisting that it is rogan josh. Never gonna come back. absolutely Not recommended. I wish there was 0 stars available.

    (1)

  • Jennie B.

    This would have been 5 stars, but later that evening I heard from a friend that Sitar failed their health inspection. I believe in giving people 2nd chances, so I would definitely go again. The lunch buffet was EXCELLENT! Taj pales in comparison to this place, in variety and taste. Huge selection of food and desserts, very friendly service, good prices and a very casual dining atmosphere make this place the perfect Indian food to try when you've got a hankering.

    (4)

  • Chuck C.

    I went with low expectations and I liked it, a lot. I went to the buffet and for dinner. I recommend the lunch buffet so that you can try many different items. It has been put on my list.

    (5)

  • Abraham L.

    I went there for dinner in the summer of 2009, then again shortly afterwards to try the lunch buffet. I'd been told that this was the best Indian restaurant in Knoxville. Apparently that honor approaches the level of distinction of such accolades as "best pizza in Ohio", or "best water in the Sahara Desert". Dinner-- The naan was old, the mulligatawny soup tasted like it came out of a can (salt and more salt, with traces of aluminum), and the lamb biryani was completely lacking in any flavor other than, you guessed it, salt. Lunch-- Again, all the dishes were bland and overly salted. I'm also fairly certain that the food was saturated with MSG, as my girlfriend and I promptly passed out as soon as we got home and woke up in a chemical-induced stupor. The issues with cleanliness and service are detailed elsewhere on this page. That said, this is a hard town for ethnic food, and I only went there twice and a year ago. If you're desperate for Indian food and you're in the area, give Sitar a try. But don't let the reputation fool you; prepare to be disappointed, and maybe a little hungover.

    (2)

  • M H.

    Sad to see the recent reviews. When I lived in Knoxville, this was a daily stop, if not a every other day stop for me. It was here that I first began my love affair with Indian food. If the recent reviews are true and the place can get it's act together. I have no problem with updating this review at a later day to a 5 star review.

    (3)

  • John D.

    The best Indian in Knoxville. The state of the building is honestly pretty rough, it's a wreck inside and out, but the food is still really good. The lunch buffet is a good deal and a fun way to explore and figure out if you're new to Indian. Taj has a better atmosphere, but the food here is much better IMO

    (3)

  • Kristi J.

    I love indian food but my friends do not. I go by myself a lot and find it very interesting that there are always so many other people there by themselves. I guess that shows how good it is - people will go alone rather than miss out. I have had better indian food but feel very lucky I have this restaurant so close to my house. I was always a big fan for Kashmir on 17th but now that it is gone, this is my indian restaurant of choice!

    (4)

  • Solomon L.

    Ate here for lunch, they had the common dishes out for buffets as many previous Indian places I've been to. The food was mediocre. The curry was a bit sweet and buttery without much punch, and the paneer saag wasn't quite up to par. Must be the pervasive bar-b-que taste that seems to creep itself into every type of liquid that passes for sauce around here. The naan was rather stale, but that may be because I came in fairly late in the lunch hour. Decor is nice. Overall not too bad, I have had worse and I have had much better. I hope to find a better place in Knoxville. I will also try them for dinner and see what I think then. Maybe it was just lunch that's not too good.

    (3)

  • Sarah W.

    Well, I can't believe I haven't yet reviewed Sitar. I've had plenty of Indian and I have to say this has been my favorite. My husband agrees. One qualification of my review: I tend stick to the soupier chicken dishes (I still can't like lamb!), but then I have at all other restaurants and these sauces by far have the best flavor I've ever tasted. On helpful: If you're looking for hot, you need to ask for Indian hot. If you're like me and like you're mouth on fire, the Indian hot is still a little bland. I get the "vindaloo sauce" (that's what I was told to ask for) on the side. It also works to ask the waiter to make it as hot as he likes it. :) One more qualification: I can't review the buffet. As a rule I stay away from buffets because I never eat enough to get my money's worth. I also stay away, as a rule, because you simply cannot get a sense of the quality of a restaurant from its buffet, especially if you're hitting it later in the day (and I do have a little experience on the restaurant side of things to be knowledgeable about the crap they'll put on there to save money). It's simply unfair! So order off the menu. It's worth it and you'll like it much better. If you want it spicy you'll have to work for it. And decor aside, but then I'm pretty sure ethnic food has an inverse relationship to the decor of the restaurant, the very thought of this place makes my mouth water!

    (5)

  • Casey F.

    The buffet is good, especially for someone who hasn't eaten a lot of Indian food and just wants to try out bits and pieces to see what he or she likes best. And then, when you, dear diner, get a grip on what sorts of Indian food you like, feel free to move onto the menu and never look back. I ate off the menu for the first time last week and I'm so glad I did. The dishes on the buffet are not very spicy at all, presumably to appeal to as many palates as possible. I can deal with that, it's cool, whatever. However, I am not happy until the lining of my mouth is tingling from the heat of chili peppers. I don't know if I burned off all my taste buds in the war or what, but I like stuff super spicy. X-Treem spice, you might say, if you had just arrived here in a time machine from 1997. And were a skater. But I digress! What I was trying to say about twelve lines back is that when you order off the menu, you can choose how spicy you want your food. So if you want it blistering hot, go for it. If you want it a little hot, go for it. None at all, shoot. They won't judge you! Like I said, my last visit was the first time I'd ordered off the menu. I got the Lamb Vindaloo. The lamb was very tender, and the vindaloo sauce was the perfect mix of tangy and spicy. My coworker, who is like my little Indian food wise-woman, ordered Shahi Paneer. Paneer, for those not in the know, is a firm-ish Indian cheese. I tried a little bit of her entree too, and it was delicious. The sauce was sort of creamy and earthy tasting, a little bit like a yellow curry. Both dishes were served with roughly a gallon of basmati rice. Seriously, they were very generous with the rice. This is always a good thing. I could have probably just eaten the vindaloo sauce on the rice and been happy. We also got naan and onion chutney to go with our meal. Those are both staples on the buffet, so I was already familiar with them. The naan is good - not much to say about it, it's naan, it's there, it's good. The onion chutney is so delicious. The first time I saw it on the buffet, I was sort of alarmed by the fact that it is a bright, almost Volunteer, orange. But I was convinced to try it once, and ever since, I've been addicted. It's hard to explain the taste - oniony, and yet, more than oniony. It transcends the state of onioness to become some sort of tangy, crisp side-dish of the gods. The raita, also on the buffet, is good too. It's a yogurt-cucumber sauce, a bit like Greek tzatziki. I always feel like I'm wasting it on the naan, though. I'll have to find out what I'm -supposed- to be eating with it. Service was pretty good, but refills were verrry slow on our waters - which were in teensy little goblets. I'm getting thirsty now just remembering it. So, all in all, I loved it. Now, mind you, I am not necessarily the most qualified person to judge Indian food, because this is only one of two places I've had it. Maybe it won't please Indian food connoisseurs, I don't know. It DID please me, though, and that's worth 4 stars.

    (4)

  • Saundra P.

    Great Indian food! (One of the VERY few Indian restaurants in Knoxville) We have always had incredible service and fantastic food. The manager is quick to offer suggestions (even things not on the menu) if you are undecided what you want. Last night I was telling him that I have been trying my hand at cooking curries and other indian dishes-- he had some great ideas and advice for me to try at home. ALWAYS have a great time at Sitar!

    (5)

  • Courtney B.

    Best Indian restaurant in town, BY FAR!!! We dine here or get take out AT LEAST twice a month, if not more..... EXCELLENT food.....as good as it gets IMHO After a few times in, the staff recognizes your family and remembers your usual orders....always excellent food...I have never had a bad meal here. I have not tried the lunch buffet....as I understand it, my tastes (Indian Hot is my order) are way too blazen for the buffet... :D FIVE STARS. P.S. To the person who left me a comment saying I am a waiter there, I am actually not a waiter ANYWHERE. I do not work in the food service industry - sorry - you have the wrong person!

    (5)

  • Shardul S.

    Good enough to satisfy a craving. Problem is food lingered for 24 hours....that's not good Indian. Also too much cream in tikka masala....should be red not so much cream. Chicken curry was brown. Should have been gold. Spinach and potatoes were decent...I should have stuck to that. Naan was good. Quality of chicken was bad, and I think that is what stuck with me for the lady 24 hours.

    (3)

  • Brandon H.

    This is a really good Indian restaurant. We always go for the lunch buffet, which is cheaper and you can have several dishes at once. The taste is excellent and such a treasure to have in Knoxville. I highly suggest anyone who likes Indian food to get to Sitar ASAP! I also like that they play new(er) Bollywood songs. It's much better than other places that play Indian classical. Two thumbs up!

    (5)

  • Melissa C.

    Love this place. The wait staff is always very attentive, the prices are reasonable. The lunch buffet is good with a decent variety. My very favorite is their Saag Paneer (in fact, it is what I always order). Everything that my husband has ordered has been delicious too. Look for coupons in the Metropulse!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth M.

    I wish I could give a better review, but Sitar is just ok. It seems like they used to be better, but I guess that happens alot with restaurants over the years. I'll still go again sometime to just to see if things improve because Knoxville doesn't have many Indian options, unfortunately.

    (3)

  • Deborah M.

    Really good food, really good service. A little on the pricey side, but we have yet to try the buffet.

    (4)

  • Kfac G.

    Great indian food. The service was quick and courteous. Would definitely recommend this place to everyone.

    (5)

  • Patrick B.

    I usually hit the lunch buffet at Sitar, though I have been to dinner twice with equally good results. The service could be a little better as most of the staff seems pretentious, and unwilling to speak with you after ordering. I do wish the buffet had more of a variety -- it's the same mix every time. Make sure you ask the waiter for the green chutney!

    (4)

  • Mike C.

    Lamb Vindaloo was very good. Just the right spice level. If you don't agree, you're a douchebag.

    (4)

  • David B.

    This place is NOT closed... I have eaten there around five times... They have a buffet during lunch.. I have had the buffet once. I was very pleased with the food and service was o.k. Usually hot in an Indian restaurant is VERY hot, but I thought that my food could have been a little hotter. The lamb rogan josh is decent. The buffet could stand to have a few more meat choices, but had several vegetables.. Everything was very good and I will be going back.. Although, I haven't tried any of the other places in town as of yet.

    (3)

  • Imran Q.

    The best Indian in Knoxville. But that's not saying much.

    (3)

  • J B.

    I've been hear several times. Frequented by locals who love authentic Indian food, this place is the real deal. Remember to get a Mango Lassi!

    (5)

  • Zinzan R.

    Sitar is a disappointment. Opened in 2000 to much fanfare, and chest-beating (we'll show Kashmir!), it fizzled out quickly in importance and quality. While the place is bigger and has more of an ambiance than, Kashmir (see my review on Kashmir), both food and service are poor. I would give Sitar 3.5 stars for its lunch buffet. They have good variety and their buffet looks a little different every weekend. Yet, their food is unnecessarily greasy. you can see a huge pool of tomato juice-tinted oil around many of their dishes. Naan pieces for buffet are good, though there could be more of them on the buffet table. For dinner, I would give Sitar 2.5 stars. The waiters and usher are discourteous (they wave you in, don't say hello, instead tossing their head and saying "follow me") and frankly, don't care about you having a good experience. That is OK for a cheap lunch buffet, but I expect better for full-price dinner. The reason for poor service is that the owner keeps ALL tips, and neither the chef nor the wait-staff has any incentive to make you feel great. Honestly, I've never felt good after eating at Sitar, and strongly suspect that they lace their food with MSG. It shouldn't come as a shock, as many Indian restaurants in New Jersey and New York do that. The copious amount of oil they use just turns my stomach. A lot of their dishes taste alike, which is a bummer. I don't think their food is authentic of any part of India. If you live in West Knoxville, try Sitar for a buffet. If you want a nice dinner, go to Kashmir which has much better food.

    (3)

  • Audrey D.

    As others have already mentioned, it is the best Indian food in Knoxville which means it's not the best in the world. It is also salty, but since I love Indian food and I'm a fan of salt, this is where I get my fix in town. It's pretty tasty, actually. I would recommend the pswari naan with the yogurt/cucumber sauce, paneer pakora (breaded deep fried Indian cheese) with the sweet purple sauce that they give you when you sit down, garlic naan, spinach or lentil soup, any of the vegetarian dishes (they are interchangable because they all taste the same) and the masala tea. It doesn't really matter what you get, because it's all the same - but still I like it. As for the atmosphere, it's awkward- I can't put my finger on it. It's a dive. But so what. I freaking love Indian fast food! I eat here once every 2 months and the service is fine, not stellar, but adequate. There's no way I'm going to stop eating here unless another Indian place opens up closer to my house. BTW, the health inspection scores aren't the best, I've heard from an insider. I will still not stop eating there; I know I'm nasty.

    (4)

  • Becky K.

    Have eaten several times at Sitar and just was not that impressed. The lunch buffet is a good bargain, if you want the same food every time. The service is not that good. Drink glasses are small and you have to ask more than once to get the glasses refilled.

    (2)

  • Andy P.

    I've only been here for the lunch buffet about thirty times - weekdays and weekends. The food is good but the selection on the buffet is always the same. The food is typical of other quality Indian buffets. I've eaten better Indian food in Africa but I've eaten a lot worse at higher priced places in the US. Waiters seem a little stand-offish but I guess that's part of the atmosphere. My whole family likes to eat here - and my kids are picky eaters!

    (4)

  • Naomi G.

    Delicious and flavorful every time I eat here, a great environment. Clean and friendly, the staff is always spot on when it comes to service and knowledge of the food. Lunch buffet is under $10, a great way to try things you never might before.

    (5)

  • B B.

    Ate there last night. Pretty good! The atmosphere could be a little better, okay, a lot better, but the food is on target. Service, pretty dang good too! They're like a West Virginia road salt truck waiting for a snow flake to fall! At your service when you need them!

    (4)

  • Dee O.

    I have eaten at Sitar a few times since I moved to Knoxville. The things worthy of praise include the exceptionally quick service and abundance of food. I've pretty much gotten take out all but once. They usually have my meal ready within 10 minutes of calling. I've never had to wait after getting there. I LOVE my rice, could pretty much eat rice everyday for the rest of my life. Sitar always has plenty of rice to go around. Even for the to go orders. I've heard ravings about the buffet although I've never tried it. I have looked through their buffet offerings a few times though and I think I would personally just stick to ordering off the menu. The quality of the food is okay. I think there is still a lot to be desired in terms of taste and quality. I've had way better Indian food (even in remote Auburn, AL) but I have also had worse. I'm sure 'I will be back at Sitar to satisfy my Indian food cravings.

    (3)

  • J B.

    I've been hear several times. Frequented by locals who love authentic Indian food, this place is the real deal. Remember to get a Mango Lassi!

    (5)

  • Loretta L.

    Good stuff, better than Kashmir.

    (5)

  • Zinzan R.

    Sitar is a disappointment. Opened in 2000 to much fanfare, and chest-beating (we'll show Kashmir!), it fizzled out quickly in importance and quality. While the place is bigger and has more of an ambiance than, Kashmir (see my review on Kashmir), both food and service are poor. I would give Sitar 3.5 stars for its lunch buffet. They have good variety and their buffet looks a little different every weekend. Yet, their food is unnecessarily greasy. you can see a huge pool of tomato juice-tinted oil around many of their dishes. Naan pieces for buffet are good, though there could be more of them on the buffet table. For dinner, I would give Sitar 2.5 stars. The waiters and usher are discourteous (they wave you in, don't say hello, instead tossing their head and saying "follow me") and frankly, don't care about you having a good experience. That is OK for a cheap lunch buffet, but I expect better for full-price dinner. The reason for poor service is that the owner keeps ALL tips, and neither the chef nor the wait-staff has any incentive to make you feel great. Honestly, I've never felt good after eating at Sitar, and strongly suspect that they lace their food with MSG. It shouldn't come as a shock, as many Indian restaurants in New Jersey and New York do that. The copious amount of oil they use just turns my stomach. A lot of their dishes taste alike, which is a bummer. I don't think their food is authentic of any part of India. If you live in West Knoxville, try Sitar for a buffet. If you want a nice dinner, go to Kashmir which has much better food.

    (3)

  • Audrey D.

    As others have already mentioned, it is the best Indian food in Knoxville which means it's not the best in the world. It is also salty, but since I love Indian food and I'm a fan of salt, this is where I get my fix in town. It's pretty tasty, actually. I would recommend the pswari naan with the yogurt/cucumber sauce, paneer pakora (breaded deep fried Indian cheese) with the sweet purple sauce that they give you when you sit down, garlic naan, spinach or lentil soup, any of the vegetarian dishes (they are interchangable because they all taste the same) and the masala tea. It doesn't really matter what you get, because it's all the same - but still I like it. As for the atmosphere, it's awkward- I can't put my finger on it. It's a dive. But so what. I freaking love Indian fast food! I eat here once every 2 months and the service is fine, not stellar, but adequate. There's no way I'm going to stop eating here unless another Indian place opens up closer to my house. BTW, the health inspection scores aren't the best, I've heard from an insider. I will still not stop eating there; I know I'm nasty.

    (4)

  • Becky K.

    Have eaten several times at Sitar and just was not that impressed. The lunch buffet is a good bargain, if you want the same food every time. The service is not that good. Drink glasses are small and you have to ask more than once to get the glasses refilled.

    (2)

  • Andy P.

    I've only been here for the lunch buffet about thirty times - weekdays and weekends. The food is good but the selection on the buffet is always the same. The food is typical of other quality Indian buffets. I've eaten better Indian food in Africa but I've eaten a lot worse at higher priced places in the US. Waiters seem a little stand-offish but I guess that's part of the atmosphere. My whole family likes to eat here - and my kids are picky eaters!

    (4)

  • Andy S.

    This is an Indian restaurant that is very good and serves very typical Indian food. There are a few locations. The staff is very friendly. The food is average good. They start the meal with a green sauce and a tomato type sauce served with some type of crispy cracker bread. I went with a friend and we both ordered the vegetarian combination plate (vegetarian thali). It came with some warm naan. The sag panir was delicious. It was a spinach and Indian cheese dish. It was my favorite of the meal. It also came with vegetable korma which was also tasty. It came with one other dish that was called dal makhni. It was ok, but it was my least favorite of the three. It also came with a lot of rice. I chose to put the food on my naan rather than on my rice. If you want Indian food and are in Knoxville, this is a good place.

    (4)

  • MoMo K.

    Very friendly environment from the inside, it looks odd from the outside, but you will like it once you go inside. FYI, they do not serve authentic indian food, but it will do. I am from chicago, and we have authentic Indian restaurants everywhere because Chicago is filled with indians. So just for your info, they "Americanize" the food. It's still good though! In chicAgo, you can get the same amount of indian food for $4-7, but here it's $14. Since it is unique to knoxville, it makes sense they over charge. (again, in comparison, there chilly chicken is wayyyy off compared to indian chilly chicken. Samosas are fine, and the biryani is fine too).

    (4)

  • Rachel H.

    I love this place! The Chicken masala is awesome! I haven't had anything I don't like here! I come as often as I can. The wait staff is always very attentive and polite as well.

    (5)

  • Jamie M.

    I came during lunch for the buffet. Good buffet, everything was very good. I will compare this to Bombay Palace. I personally like Bombay Palace better. Bombay has a more extensive buffet, although taste wise the curry at Sitar is a little better but by such a small amount. I would eat here again if I were in the area, however if you live closer to Farragut it's not worth the drive when Bombay Palace is at your disposal.

    (4)

  • Jody S.

    I want to start off this review by talking about the food; it was very good. Not the best Indian I've had, but very good. Nice flavors, hefty portions, and fresh and hot from the kitchen. I had the lamb mango which was a fantastic blend of sweet and spice. My boyfriend had lamb vindaloo, which neither of us thought was spicy enough. The garlic naan was pretty much perfect. Based on the food alone, I would give it 4 stars. We went for dinner, so I can't comment on the buffet. We had a very odd experience with the waitstaff. We went on a Friday night around 7:15. We were promptly seated and immediately offered drinks. Good. Great. But nearly as soon as our butts hit the chairs, we were continuously asked by different members of the staff of we were ready to order. It was our first time there, so we said we needed a few minutes to look over the menu. I kid you not - every 30 seconds we were asked for our order. One woman even stood there and stared at us while we flipped the pages of the menu. It was very unsettling. We felt rushed and awkward. After taking out order, everything else was fine, if not a little rushed. The food came quickly and the staff refilled our drinks appropriately. They did hurry a bit to clear out appetizer plates to make room for the main course. We didn't feel too rushed once our entrees arrived, but already felt kind of strange about the whole thing. Anyways, it was sort of an odd experience. We had a few good chuckles about it and definitely enjoyed our food. We will be back to Sitar for sure - just not if we want a relaxed meal.

    (3)

  • Stacy L.

    I was beyond pleasantly surprised with this place! Huge portions. I'm never sure of what to get at Indian restaurants because I don't eat at them often enough to know what I like. I just had the server choose and it was delicious. Their naan is delicious as well! Even what they presented as starters was yummy!! I'm visiting and j would DEFINITELY return!

    (5)

  • Barbara H.

    I love the lunch buffet at Sitar; it's smaller than some other buffets, but the food is high quality and fresh. It's affordable and pretty good for Indian food in the southern parts of the united states. I've been to 20-30 Indian restaurants, and this place is in my top 5.

    (5)

  • Brad L.

    Great food at a great price. The restaurant felt very cozy and the service was exceptional. The only thing that I needed was a bigger table for all of the food that we ordered. I recommend the shrimp tandoori. Can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Angel G.

    This was my first Indian cuisine attempt and the lunch buffet was the perfect experience. The restaurant's buffet has plenty of variety, great price and tasty food. Vegetarian options were available. For under $10 per person, I definitely plan to return with a good appetite!

    (4)

  • Uriah R.

    The staff was VERY friendly but I'm not sure if they understood that I had NO clue what I was ordering. He had a hard time trying to tell me what the different dishes consisted of. If you know Indian food that's not likely a big deal, but I don't. I've eaten dinner there both times I've visited so missed the lunch buffet. If I ever go back I want to go earlier in the day to sample different things so I can figure out what I like or not. I'm not sure exactly what I ordered, but I think it was some sort of coconut soup which I thought was good, and a lamb kabob? Anyway, if I go again I want to take someone with me that knows what this stuff is as what I had was pretty good but if I have SOME idea of what to order I think it would be way better. They had nice tableclothes and linen and the waiter was quick with the refills on both my visits. I didn't think it was cheap, but not expensive either. Certainly cheaper then a decent steakhouse. They had a mix of people as well, the jeans/tshirt/boots guys like me to folks that looked dressed up for a night out. At any rate, I never felt out of place there.

    (3)

  • Jeevan M.

    Its very very very bad They have no clue how biryani is made. Its basically chicken rice with raisins and cashews. They cant replace rice with nan on the entrees. U hav to eat rice The soups are bad too and the mango juice is just mango pulp frm the can So, if ur indians dont try the restaurant. Its bad!!!

    (1)

  • Ashley T.

    The servers know us when we walk in and have our orders memorized. Saag paneer mild for the lady, paneer jal frazi medium for the fellow. The portions are large enough for leftovers the next day and the prices are very reasonable. The service is also very quick. We always use the bogo entree coupon in the metro pulse and spend under $15 for two people for dinner. Not too shabby! The kulfi (Indian ice cream) is super yummy. If you are new to Indian food, go at lunch time for the $7.99 buffet. Lots of vegetarian options as well as meat for the meaties.

    (5)

  • Tiago K.

    I used to love this Indian buffet but it seems to have gone downhill. The food just wasn't as good the last time I visited. The naan bread was disappointing. The vegetable samosas we ordered off the menu weren't good. The dough was too thin and they were greasy.

    (2)

  • Shannon M.

    So I am a first time Indian cuisine diner, and I could not ask for a better experience. I was told by one of my business contacts that I have to try this restaurant. So I tried and I'm very impressed. The service was exquisite and the food even better. I will recommend the taste and experience to everyone I know. I'm throughly impressed with the staff and I couldn't ask for a better atmosphere or better taste .

    (5)

  • Christina D.

    Best Indian I've had. Yes this is the South, but just try it and then lets talk. My go to is the paneer jal frazi, which is a vegetarian dish but don't let that stop you! I dream about this creamy sauce with vegetables and their garlic naan. The buffet (lunch only) is a great way to go to try different dishes if you are unsure of what to get, sadly the paneer jal frazi is never on it. So you'll just have to try it ( you won't be dissapointed). Second favorite restaurant in Knoxville, not to mention the home made desserts and rice.

    (5)

  • Canny F.

    I came here with my Big from school for their lunch buffet and it was okay. I wish they had more vegan options but I understand they need to cater to everyone. I had rice with two types of curries which started to taste very salty. There was also okra but only a scoop left so I took it. The okra was very oily. There was another stir fried vegetable dish but it was smothered in oil. I didn't want to eat so much carbs but I had no choice with the curry. The naan was similar to the texture of pita bread. It was slightly warm and not chewy. As for dessert, I only tried the sweetened shredded carrots which tasted like candy carrots. I'm assuming they have different options daily. I would come here again in hopes of a better menu. The staff was nice and friendly but their were slacking on the water service. I'm not sure if you have to tip for buffets but we did.

    (3)

  • Rachelle S.

    I have always loved Indian food and wasn't sure I would find a good restaurant in the area. Sitar is amazing! I have been there a few times and the food is fresh, mouthwatering, and delicious each time! I can't compliment enough.

    (5)

  • India G.

    Sitar is my favorite restaurant in Knoxville. Since moving away I have searched for Indian restaurants as good and have not found any. Their sag paneer, chicken tikka and lamb vindaloo are to die for.

    (5)

  • Neil P.

    I went there last week and ate their buffet. That buffet is the worst I ever ate. Food tasted sweet and I don't eat lot of spicy food but come on add little spice in a dish. For the price you pay for the buffet it's definitely not worth it specially if you sit and order those dishes that cost about $11 go to the better Indian restaurant.

    (1)

  • DJ C.

    The food was really great! Compared to the other Indian place in town, Woodlands, I think the food at Sitar was better, and also the meal was about $1 cheaper for the buffet.

    (5)

  • Nisha S.

    Best Indian in Knoxville for sure, and one of the better ones I've been to period. Just ordered take out again tonight, and great as usual. Garlic naan is a must. But I've never been disappointed by anything there. Staff is super friendly and attentive. Its a converted fast food place, so doesn't look like anything special from the outside. But you'll be pleased once you eat there.

    (5)

  • Ellen S.

    I've enjoyed quite a few dinners at Sitar -- you can call me a long-time fan. Their food is good and we've always had prompt and attentive service. A group of diners should plan to order several items and share them family-style over the restaurant's delicious rice. I must recommend the malai kofta (vegetarian "meatballs" in a delicious sauce). It's always one of the dishes we order -- and for a group we might need more than one order because everyone likes it so much.

    (4)

  • Cameron E.

    I really am not sure what's up with these negative reviews that this place is getting. I just returned from this place and enjoyed the food immensely! The service isn't the best, I will admit but as long as you get serviced in an acceptable manner, then you have nothing to complain about.

    (4)

  • Jim T.

    I would have to respectfully disagree with several of the reviews posted. As for food quality, price, and overall value this is a five star plus restaurant There is no doubt that the servers could be a little more attentive and welcoming and for those people I give you three stars The Knox county health rating is an 82 which is not bad however I would like to see that in the mid 90s. no doubt that just a little bit of remodeling and cleaning could bring this up to a five star across the board. And has yelp ever considered multiple categories of rating? Maybe I just might be blind to it, because I've eaten at this restaurant well over 100 times over the past decade and always come back. $10.91 for great food and never been disappointed.

    (4)

  • Tim P.

    Going downhill fast. I've been a customer since Sitar opened in 1999. Back then, the restaurant was a breath of fresh air in the Knoxville food scene. The last couple of years I've gone there with friends for lunch to hit the buffet. My observations follow. Food: the selection of dishes never seems to vary. I'm not sure if the reason is that Knoxvillians have embraced these Indian dishes to the exclusion of others, but they need to mix it up a bit more. I make better naan from a frozen package at home. Decor: the restaurant is DIRTY. Tear up that nasty carpet and spring for some tile flooring, you cheapskates. Paint, remodel, clean--do whatever you must to make it look like you care about your establishment. Service: Poor. The waiters didn't offer anything besides water--no Kingfisher, no mango lassi....bupcus. The waiters and manager mumbled strangely at us as if we weren't paying customers. Didn't say thanks, please come back, or anything. Don't let the door hit you on your way out. Recommendation: vote with your dollars and go to Bombay Palace. They are friendly, attentive, and serve GREAT Indian cuisine.

    (1)

  • Hriday R.

    Food was tasteless and service was horrible:( I had a coupon to use and soon as I took my coupon out to show the server he said we don't take any coupon?? And then he called his owner which was old guy and he got mad at us:( he was so rude and said if we want to have a food you have to pay otherwise you can leave?? Are you kidding me? Is this how you treat your customers? But then we just thought lets just have a food since we were craving for Indian .. I think we made a mistake by making a decision to eat :( food was just horrible they put a a lot of salt and oil seems like they did it own purpose since owner argued with us.. I will never come back and don't recommend at all

    (1)

  • Kevin C.

    We were very hesitant because of all the negative recent reviews, but the food was great. I had the chicken tikka masala and it was very tasty. The naan was also some of the best I've had in a while. A lot of people are bashing the cleanliness, but I didn't get that vibe.

    (4)

  • Chasity S.

    Fantastic Indian cuisine! Chicken Tikka Masala (not sure of the spelling) and Kalmi kabob! Oh my goodness! Yummy! This place is jumpin! The reason is the food! It is amazing!

    (5)

  • Beth And Jim S.

    He said: back in town, had to revisit. Server remembered us. Papadum really good. Mint chutney that comes with it very tasty. Place half full on a Wednesday night, a good sign that the locals like this place too. Have since been to several more Indian joints on both coasts, this one is number one or two on my list depending on the day. She said: I feel like I'm cheating on my favorite Indian place back home, but I just can't resist! What awesome food here! I know I'll be back again and again (shhhh...don't tell my restaurant back home!).

    (5)

  • Hanna K.

    So delicious. I love it! I can't afford the dinner prices, but the lunch buffet is an awesome deal! Definitely go!

    (5)

  • Piyush P.

    Being an Indian I can say that this place is worse then a street market in India. It's really filthy. Carpet is filled with food crumbs and what not. Silverware is really old and not cleaned properly. Food is really mediocre. Health department should considering visiting this place.

    (1)

  • S B.

    Just wonderful. One of the best Indian restaurants I've ever been to. First visit, I asked the waitperson what their favorite vegetarian dish was and ordered it. Haven't deviated since. I've tried all my friend's dishes, and each were equally wonderful.

    (5)

  • Charlie P.

    Damn good Indian food! Trust me, I know good Indian food. Eat here and be happy. The roasted eggplant is off the chain!!!

    (4)

  • Sheena R.

    SO good! My husband and I love Indian food, we have tried many different places, and this was by far my favorite! Great flavors, everything was cooked perfect, and service was great too! If you haven't tried here you should definitely give It a shot!! We will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Mary T.

    This is one of my favorite lunch spots in Knoxville! Sitar is better than Taj the other Indian restaurant around town for lunch and for dinner. Sitar has a very good lunch buffet. The place is usually packed. The water glasses they give you are extremely small and sometimes the servers are a little slow to refill your glass. The building itself could use a facelift, as it is in a old Captain D's building. Overall I love the food here! Their naan is the best around town! The lunch buffet is so good because you get to try so many different things. I enjoy dinner here too but I enjoy the lunch more. If you are in the area, craving Indian food for lunch, stop at Sitar. It is pretty darn good! Definitely give it a shot. If you are unfamiliar to Indian food, go for lunch because you can try an assortment of items that are quite tasty! Cheers and Enjoy!

    (4)

  • David C.

    J and I as well as Mom are pretty critical of Indian places. If this was NYC or London it would be maybe 2 stars. But we are in Knoxville so it got three. So why? Well the Nan is marginal and seems like store bought and the spices in the Lamb Rogan Josh are so so. J complained that it did not qualify as a hole in the wall due to no Bollywood. Overall maybe 2.5 stars.

    (3)

  • Tiffany B.

    I ate at this restaurant last week and I was very disappointed. The service at this restaurant was less than desirable. Our server was unfriendly and my food was not hot. I was also turned off by the appearance inside the restaurant. The table was sticky and floors needed to be cleaned.

    (1)

  • Adrianna L.

    Amazing place for a friends gathering! Yesterday was my first time visit to this place and I love the food quality, time of service and the bathrooms were clean. I don't feel fat at all !! They can make a plate with big quantities of spicy , something that I looveee! I definitely recommends this place if you want to try spicy food and have a good time.

    (5)

  • Abraham L.

    I went there for dinner in the summer of 2009, then again shortly afterwards to try the lunch buffet. I'd been told that this was the best Indian restaurant in Knoxville. Apparently that honor approaches the level of distinction of such accolades as "best pizza in Ohio", or "best water in the Sahara Desert". Dinner-- The naan was old, the mulligatawny soup tasted like it came out of a can (salt and more salt, with traces of aluminum), and the lamb biryani was completely lacking in any flavor other than, you guessed it, salt. Lunch-- Again, all the dishes were bland and overly salted. I'm also fairly certain that the food was saturated with MSG, as my girlfriend and I promptly passed out as soon as we got home and woke up in a chemical-induced stupor. The issues with cleanliness and service are detailed elsewhere on this page. That said, this is a hard town for ethnic food, and I only went there twice and a year ago. If you're desperate for Indian food and you're in the area, give Sitar a try. But don't let the reputation fool you; prepare to be disappointed, and maybe a little hungover.

    (2)

  • M H.

    Sad to see the recent reviews. When I lived in Knoxville, this was a daily stop, if not a every other day stop for me. It was here that I first began my love affair with Indian food. If the recent reviews are true and the place can get it's act together. I have no problem with updating this review at a later day to a 5 star review.

    (3)

  • John D.

    The best Indian in Knoxville. The state of the building is honestly pretty rough, it's a wreck inside and out, but the food is still really good. The lunch buffet is a good deal and a fun way to explore and figure out if you're new to Indian. Taj has a better atmosphere, but the food here is much better IMO

    (3)

  • Kristi J.

    I love indian food but my friends do not. I go by myself a lot and find it very interesting that there are always so many other people there by themselves. I guess that shows how good it is - people will go alone rather than miss out. I have had better indian food but feel very lucky I have this restaurant so close to my house. I was always a big fan for Kashmir on 17th but now that it is gone, this is my indian restaurant of choice!

    (4)

  • Brandon H.

    This is a really good Indian restaurant. We always go for the lunch buffet, which is cheaper and you can have several dishes at once. The taste is excellent and such a treasure to have in Knoxville. I highly suggest anyone who likes Indian food to get to Sitar ASAP! I also like that they play new(er) Bollywood songs. It's much better than other places that play Indian classical. Two thumbs up!

    (5)

  • Melissa C.

    Love this place. The wait staff is always very attentive, the prices are reasonable. The lunch buffet is good with a decent variety. My very favorite is their Saag Paneer (in fact, it is what I always order). Everything that my husband has ordered has been delicious too. Look for coupons in the Metropulse!

    (5)

  • Dipesh A.

    I've been to so many indian restaurants Worst experience ever. customer service sucked big time. I ordered specialty thali thinking that it has mutton rogan Josh but they served me malai lamb & on top of that when I then I told them they gave me wrong curry they keep on insisting that it is rogan josh. Never gonna come back. absolutely Not recommended. I wish there was 0 stars available.

    (1)

  • Jennie B.

    This would have been 5 stars, but later that evening I heard from a friend that Sitar failed their health inspection. I believe in giving people 2nd chances, so I would definitely go again. The lunch buffet was EXCELLENT! Taj pales in comparison to this place, in variety and taste. Huge selection of food and desserts, very friendly service, good prices and a very casual dining atmosphere make this place the perfect Indian food to try when you've got a hankering.

    (4)

  • Chuck C.

    I went with low expectations and I liked it, a lot. I went to the buffet and for dinner. I recommend the lunch buffet so that you can try many different items. It has been put on my list.

    (5)

  • Casey F.

    The buffet is good, especially for someone who hasn't eaten a lot of Indian food and just wants to try out bits and pieces to see what he or she likes best. And then, when you, dear diner, get a grip on what sorts of Indian food you like, feel free to move onto the menu and never look back. I ate off the menu for the first time last week and I'm so glad I did. The dishes on the buffet are not very spicy at all, presumably to appeal to as many palates as possible. I can deal with that, it's cool, whatever. However, I am not happy until the lining of my mouth is tingling from the heat of chili peppers. I don't know if I burned off all my taste buds in the war or what, but I like stuff super spicy. X-Treem spice, you might say, if you had just arrived here in a time machine from 1997. And were a skater. But I digress! What I was trying to say about twelve lines back is that when you order off the menu, you can choose how spicy you want your food. So if you want it blistering hot, go for it. If you want it a little hot, go for it. None at all, shoot. They won't judge you! Like I said, my last visit was the first time I'd ordered off the menu. I got the Lamb Vindaloo. The lamb was very tender, and the vindaloo sauce was the perfect mix of tangy and spicy. My coworker, who is like my little Indian food wise-woman, ordered Shahi Paneer. Paneer, for those not in the know, is a firm-ish Indian cheese. I tried a little bit of her entree too, and it was delicious. The sauce was sort of creamy and earthy tasting, a little bit like a yellow curry. Both dishes were served with roughly a gallon of basmati rice. Seriously, they were very generous with the rice. This is always a good thing. I could have probably just eaten the vindaloo sauce on the rice and been happy. We also got naan and onion chutney to go with our meal. Those are both staples on the buffet, so I was already familiar with them. The naan is good - not much to say about it, it's naan, it's there, it's good. The onion chutney is so delicious. The first time I saw it on the buffet, I was sort of alarmed by the fact that it is a bright, almost Volunteer, orange. But I was convinced to try it once, and ever since, I've been addicted. It's hard to explain the taste - oniony, and yet, more than oniony. It transcends the state of onioness to become some sort of tangy, crisp side-dish of the gods. The raita, also on the buffet, is good too. It's a yogurt-cucumber sauce, a bit like Greek tzatziki. I always feel like I'm wasting it on the naan, though. I'll have to find out what I'm -supposed- to be eating with it. Service was pretty good, but refills were verrry slow on our waters - which were in teensy little goblets. I'm getting thirsty now just remembering it. So, all in all, I loved it. Now, mind you, I am not necessarily the most qualified person to judge Indian food, because this is only one of two places I've had it. Maybe it won't please Indian food connoisseurs, I don't know. It DID please me, though, and that's worth 4 stars.

    (4)

  • Saundra P.

    Great Indian food! (One of the VERY few Indian restaurants in Knoxville) We have always had incredible service and fantastic food. The manager is quick to offer suggestions (even things not on the menu) if you are undecided what you want. Last night I was telling him that I have been trying my hand at cooking curries and other indian dishes-- he had some great ideas and advice for me to try at home. ALWAYS have a great time at Sitar!

    (5)

  • Solomon L.

    Ate here for lunch, they had the common dishes out for buffets as many previous Indian places I've been to. The food was mediocre. The curry was a bit sweet and buttery without much punch, and the paneer saag wasn't quite up to par. Must be the pervasive bar-b-que taste that seems to creep itself into every type of liquid that passes for sauce around here. The naan was rather stale, but that may be because I came in fairly late in the lunch hour. Decor is nice. Overall not too bad, I have had worse and I have had much better. I hope to find a better place in Knoxville. I will also try them for dinner and see what I think then. Maybe it was just lunch that's not too good.

    (3)

  • Sarah W.

    Well, I can't believe I haven't yet reviewed Sitar. I've had plenty of Indian and I have to say this has been my favorite. My husband agrees. One qualification of my review: I tend stick to the soupier chicken dishes (I still can't like lamb!), but then I have at all other restaurants and these sauces by far have the best flavor I've ever tasted. On helpful: If you're looking for hot, you need to ask for Indian hot. If you're like me and like you're mouth on fire, the Indian hot is still a little bland. I get the "vindaloo sauce" (that's what I was told to ask for) on the side. It also works to ask the waiter to make it as hot as he likes it. :) One more qualification: I can't review the buffet. As a rule I stay away from buffets because I never eat enough to get my money's worth. I also stay away, as a rule, because you simply cannot get a sense of the quality of a restaurant from its buffet, especially if you're hitting it later in the day (and I do have a little experience on the restaurant side of things to be knowledgeable about the crap they'll put on there to save money). It's simply unfair! So order off the menu. It's worth it and you'll like it much better. If you want it spicy you'll have to work for it. And decor aside, but then I'm pretty sure ethnic food has an inverse relationship to the decor of the restaurant, the very thought of this place makes my mouth water!

    (5)

  • Courtney B.

    Best Indian restaurant in town, BY FAR!!! We dine here or get take out AT LEAST twice a month, if not more..... EXCELLENT food.....as good as it gets IMHO After a few times in, the staff recognizes your family and remembers your usual orders....always excellent food...I have never had a bad meal here. I have not tried the lunch buffet....as I understand it, my tastes (Indian Hot is my order) are way too blazen for the buffet... :D FIVE STARS. P.S. To the person who left me a comment saying I am a waiter there, I am actually not a waiter ANYWHERE. I do not work in the food service industry - sorry - you have the wrong person!

    (5)

  • Shardul S.

    Good enough to satisfy a craving. Problem is food lingered for 24 hours....that's not good Indian. Also too much cream in tikka masala....should be red not so much cream. Chicken curry was brown. Should have been gold. Spinach and potatoes were decent...I should have stuck to that. Naan was good. Quality of chicken was bad, and I think that is what stuck with me for the lady 24 hours.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth M.

    I wish I could give a better review, but Sitar is just ok. It seems like they used to be better, but I guess that happens alot with restaurants over the years. I'll still go again sometime to just to see if things improve because Knoxville doesn't have many Indian options, unfortunately.

    (3)

  • Deborah M.

    Really good food, really good service. A little on the pricey side, but we have yet to try the buffet.

    (4)

  • Kfac G.

    Great indian food. The service was quick and courteous. Would definitely recommend this place to everyone.

    (5)

  • Patrick B.

    I usually hit the lunch buffet at Sitar, though I have been to dinner twice with equally good results. The service could be a little better as most of the staff seems pretentious, and unwilling to speak with you after ordering. I do wish the buffet had more of a variety -- it's the same mix every time. Make sure you ask the waiter for the green chutney!

    (4)

  • Mike C.

    Lamb Vindaloo was very good. Just the right spice level. If you don't agree, you're a douchebag.

    (4)

  • David B.

    This place is NOT closed... I have eaten there around five times... They have a buffet during lunch.. I have had the buffet once. I was very pleased with the food and service was o.k. Usually hot in an Indian restaurant is VERY hot, but I thought that my food could have been a little hotter. The lamb rogan josh is decent. The buffet could stand to have a few more meat choices, but had several vegetables.. Everything was very good and I will be going back.. Although, I haven't tried any of the other places in town as of yet.

    (3)

  • Imran Q.

    The best Indian in Knoxville. But that's not saying much.

    (3)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm

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 : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    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.

Sitar Indian Cuisine

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