India Pavilion Restaurant

by Jennie H.

I totally come here for the curried chicken soup. Sometimes I'm the creeper in the corner downing two bowls (they're tiny, ok) of randomly delicious soup. I think they roll their eyes when they see me coming  because my bill is usually less than 6 bucks. Also, the Peshawari Naan with apricots, coconut, and almonds is amazing.

by Toodles K.

I love this place each and every time I go there.  It's just not my favorite for some reason but I will say it's my 2nd favorite.  I can't put my finger on what would bring it over the top and be my favorite... Maybe location?  Central Square is not bad but it's not pretty.Anyway, I went here Saturday 2/7 for the weekend buffet.  The Chicken Tikka Masala, Onion Chutney, Naan, Pakoras, and service were wonderful.  The price is good too.Another thing, on River Street (ask if you don't know where that is) just down the street from the restaurant is an Indian grocery store owned and operated by the same people who own Indian Pavillion.  I adore this shopt and have found many bargains there in terms of frozen naan and of course spices which you will find up the stairs and in the back.  This place also has a grilling and food area where you can order Pakoras and Samosas (among many other yummy items).  You can also order something like Chicken Korma to go and they'll make it from scratch right in front of you.  Superb!

by Ligaya T.

High five, good Indian! It seems that the ratings are all over the place because of poor quality of the lunch buffet. Haven't been, but let me tell ya, my saag paneer and chicken tikka masala were the bomb d. Why? Cuz they've got the cream! Literally. There dishes are smooth textured but still chock full of flavor. The lassi was even a bit too potent for my sensitive tastes. I can't stand cheesy Indian art (or Japanese for that matter) so the bright murals with beguilingly smiling women baring their bellies in here make me want to scream. Dining partner is important. Look.at.face.They got us in and out quickly; pretty sizeable place so you shouldn't have to wait long. Service was cordial. But mint chutney for those yummy samosas? Well, it was $1 and it just shouldn't be.

by Muckenfuss V.

A wonderful institution. A complete meal with soup, main dish, rice, and postprandial dessert and tea is $12 (add $2 for most lamb dishes). None of it will knock your socks off (that carrot cake dessert is pretty bad), but you'd be hard pressed to make the food for double that price. I have gotten fond of that coconut soup, even though the first time it seemed as though somebody poured boiling water over a bag of flaked coconut.The servers are wonderful; the dude with the 'stache remembers us every time.

by Ken C.

Only been there once, and it was solid. Reasonably priced, and the coconut soup was so good, this will probably be my go-to place in Central for Indian food just so I can get the soup again!

by Rowena S.

Great place to get your Indian food fix!  My review of this place is long over due.A two person vegetarian dinner is only $23.95 and includes: soup, poori or paratha bread, rice, 4 different entrees (nice variety!), dessert, and tea or coffee.  I'm not a vegetarian, but get this one because it's slightly cheaper than the meat version.  Either way, still a great deal with the variety and amount of food you get.The food is delicious!  The poori is nice and "poofi".  The kulfi (pistachio with spices) ice cream dessert is yummy in my tummy.  Can't wait for my next date here!

by Julia D.Dave L.Jeff M.Elizabeth F.Jennie H.

Oh dear "IP"...we miss you dearly...This is the first place I ever tried Indian, and it won me over and became one of our most frequented dinner spots the past 3 years. My fiance and I would come here when a craving would hit about every 2 weeks or so. We have since moved, sadly, but we'll make the trek back.The place is cozy inside, you can watch bustling Central Sq out the window, service is impeccable and the food is excellent. It's the standard that we use to test other "Chicken Tikka Masalas" against. -Still haven't found a better sauce, it's more red, less creamy with cinnamon sticks (many times in the sauce) and the dark meat is so flavorful! Their veggie pakoras are amazing, crunchy, big. The quantity of rice is just right. Their Malak Kofta is also delicious.Their prices are unbeatable for the quality of food: we buy two entrees and an appetizer, and it's around $20, plus they give you those spicy wafer chips with that onion chutney-like salsa for free while you look at the menu.Polite and super professional waitstaff, quality food, and low prices. It will always be our favorite Indian spot :)Food: +3 stars.  Reasonable quality Indian food.  Nothing to freak out over, but decent.Price: +1 star.  The add $2 for coffee, soup, appetizer, dessert, etc. is a darn good deal.  Dishes are reasonably priced.Service: -1 star.  It is somewhat annoying that for the "dinner" deal you need to request each item or they wont bring it (for example, you have to specifically say I want a coffee; they don't offer coffee or tea?).  Also, the cream for my girlfriend's coffee curdled at the table, yucky!there are other indian places to go to.  cross the charles and check out India Quality by BU; its fantastic.  but if you are stuck in central square its an ok option.This place is just BLAH! It was not the most comforting/cleanly dining room I've ever been in. I am pretty sure samosas came out of the microwave. Rogan josh had a stronger tomato flavor than I expected for the dish. Lamb korma was not creamy enough. I am 95% sure the veg tables in the biryani were frozen. Breads were decent. Garlic on naan was a little burnt. Next time I am craving a curry I'll just stick to Pavilion's cousin Punjabi Dhaba. If I want a dining (ie waiter service) experience I'll head to Tamarind Bay.Next time I come, I'm totally getting samosas.I want to say the lamb was melting from the bone, but there was no bone, so my dining companion put it best: The lamb was melting from itself.The naan was fluffy and delicious, and even the basmati rice was good. This is notable because I normally can't see the point of rice that isn't brown.The onion chutney, which at other restaurants is simply chunks of onion in a red goo, was more like a tasty salsa.I totally come here for the curried chicken soup. Sometimes I'm the creeper in the corner downing two bowls (they're tiny, ok) of randomly delicious soup. I think they roll their eyes when they see me coming  because my bill is usually less than 6 bucks. Also, the Peshawari Naan with apricots, coconut, and almonds is amazing.

by Cori l.

First off the service was AWFUL and the silverware and glasses were dirty....BUT the food was decent.  Things came out at random times, but everything was hot and had a nice flavor.  I think if I ever wanted food from Indian Pavilion again, I would order out.  Oh and DON'T GET DESSERT!

by Sean M.

3.25 starsI have been to a majority of the "buffet" spots, but somehow I always missed this one. The food was decent with a few exceptions. A huge positive is that the food is seasoned and does not overwhelm you with mouthfuls of spice-bombs. Even at a buffet though I feel the dishes that are meant to be spicy-hot should be just that. It seems to me they are serving slightly watered down versions. All the vegetarian dishes I tried were quite good. The tandoor chicken is above average and they way the serve it, smothered in onions keeps if from drying out. Unfortunately the nan is left out to get dry. The pakoras were extremely oily and over fried making them hard. The onion chutney was weak, and did not taste that fresh.  My mango lassi was more fruity than most I've had and very good.Overall I am impressed enough to return for dinner and IP will be in the lunch rotation.* Excellent service* Nice atmosphere, comfortable room and seating.* A good value and they have takeout for the buffet.* Mild on the spice

by Mouhsin S.

Probably the best Indian restaurant in the central square area. The non-vegetarian Thali for 1 is excellent (and easily enough for 2-3). The chicken tikka masala is solid, and the lamb saag is tasty. Love the rice pudding. The lentil soup is a little watery.