Taj Restaurant Introduce
Located in the heart of the East Village's renowned "Curry Row," Taj Restaurant has been a staple of the New York City Indian dining scene since 1985. This family-run establishment offers more than just a meal; it provides an immersive cultural experience. Stepping inside, you're transported to a space that has carefully preserved a traditional Indian ambiance, complete with coppery red lanterns and bright fairy lights. What truly sets Taj apart is its unique status as a live music venue, where patrons can enjoy their meal accompanied by the deeply relaxing and harmonious sounds of traditional Indian instruments like the sitar and tabla.
Taj Restaurant is a place that feels "cozy and at home," as described by many satisfied customers. It's a spot where the atmosphere is as much a part of the draw as the food itself. The service is consistently praised for being fast, efficient, and exceptionally friendly, with staff who make you feel welcomed from the moment you walk in. The restaurant caters to a variety of diners, from solo adventurers to groups and families, and its affordability makes it a popular choice for those seeking a delicious meal without breaking the bank.
The menu at Taj is designed to be accessible and inviting, featuring a wide array of classic Indian dishes. From a variety of curries and Tandoori specialties to an extensive selection of vegetarian options, there is something for every palate. The restaurant is also known for its "complete dinners," which offer incredible value by including a soup, mixed appetizers, dessert, and spiced tea or coffee, making it a great way to sample a full range of flavors. Despite some mixed reviews on certain dishes, the consensus highlights the food's delicious and authentic nature, particularly for popular items like the Butter Chicken. Taj's commitment to providing a wholesome, satisfying, and culturally rich dining experience is what has kept it a beloved fixture on East 6th Street for decades.
---Taj Restaurant is centrally located at 310 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003, USA. This prime address places it directly on a street famous for its concentration of Indian restaurants, making it a key player in the East Village's vibrant dining scene. The location is highly convenient and easily reachable for New Yorkers from all boroughs.
The restaurant is situated in a very walkable neighborhood, with easy access to various public transportation options, including subway lines and bus routes. This makes it an ideal destination for those traveling by transit. For those with children, the restaurant is family-friendly and provides high chairs. While specific accessibility details are not fully provided, its location on a main street in a bustling area suggests general convenience for foot traffic.
---Taj Restaurant provides a flexible range of services to suit the diverse needs of its New York clientele.
- Dine-in Service: The restaurant offers a traditional sit-down dining experience within its unique, atmospheric setting.
- Outdoor Seating: During warmer weather, outdoor seating is available, allowing guests to enjoy their meal while taking in the vibrant street energy of the East Village.
- Takeout & Delivery: For those who prefer to eat at home, Taj offers convenient takeout and delivery options, ensuring you can enjoy their food wherever you are.
- Reservations: Taj accepts reservations, which is a helpful service for planning a special dinner or for larger groups to ensure a table is ready upon arrival.
- Catering: While not explicitly listed on the menu, many similar restaurants in the area offer catering for events, which may be an option worth inquiring about for larger gatherings.
Taj Restaurant has several unique features that make it stand out.
- Live Music: A major highlight is the live Indian music, which creates a memorable and authentic dining atmosphere. The presence of traditional instruments like the sitar adds a cultural depth to the experience.
- Affordable "Complete Dinners": The restaurant's "complete dinners" are a fantastic feature, offering a multi-course meal at a very low price. This makes it an incredible value for money, perfect for students and budget-conscious diners.
- Halal and Vegetarian Options: The menu includes a wide variety of Halal and vegetarian dishes, catering to different dietary needs and preferences.
- Bar Offerings: Taj serves a selection of alcohol, beer, and wine. A notable feature is its BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) policy, though it also offers small brewery beers at a cheap price, providing flexibility for customers.
- Late-Night Food: The restaurant is known to serve late-night food, making it a great option for those looking for a delicious meal after a night out.
Address: 310 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003, USA
Phone: (212) 505-8056
---When you visit Taj Restaurant, the menu is filled with options, but a few things are particularly worth choosing for a truly excellent experience. The Butter Chicken is a highly recommended dish, with one customer describing it as "creamy, delicious and just the perfect amount of 'spicy'." This classic is a great place to start. For those seeking a vegetarian option, the Mixed Vegetable Curry and Begun Bortha (a flavorful eggplant mash) are excellent choices that showcase the kitchen’s expertise.
To truly experience the value of Taj, consider one of the Complete Dinners. For a very affordable price, you get a soup, a mixed appetizer plate, a main entree, dessert, and spiced tea or coffee. This is a brilliant way to sample a variety of the restaurant’s offerings and is perfect for a satisfying, full meal. The mango ice cream, which is sometimes served as a complementary dish, is also a delightful and refreshing way to finish your meal.
Beyond the food, what is worth choosing is the live music experience. Dining at Taj while listening to the beautiful sounds of the sitar and tabla is an experience that sets it apart from other Indian restaurants in the city. The combination of the authentic ambiance, the live entertainment, and the generous hospitality makes Taj a memorable and highly recommended destination. It's a place where the food feeds the body and the atmosphere nourishes the soul, providing a genuine and welcoming escape from the city's fast pace.
Taj Restaurant Vibe
Appetizers
- Papadom $2.95
thin bean wafer
- Samosa $3.95
turnover filled with meat, vegetable or coconut
- Bhujia $3.95
vegetable fritters
- Kala Chajee $3.95
banana fritters
- Begun Bhajee $3.95
bengal style eggplant fritters
- Chana - Poori $4.95
whole chicken peas cooked in mild sauces, served with porri
Soup
- Mulligatawny Soup $2.95
mild spicy lentil soup
- Coconut Soup $2.95
delicious hot coconut in milk
- Vegetable Soup $2.95
daily fresh vegetable with wild spice
Main Entrees - Vegetable Corner
All Entrees Are Served With Pilaf Rice (brown Rice On Request). Dhal (prepared From Yellow Split Peas), House Condiments (on Request). All Complete Dinners $5 - Include Soup, Mixed Appetizers Plate, Dessert And Spiced Tea Or Regular Coffee.
- Begun Bortha $9.95
eggplant baked, mashed, seasoned with herbs
- Takka Dhal $7.95
yellow lentil cooked with spicy herbs in sauce
- Mixed Vegetable Curry $8.95
lightly spiced vegetable
- Shaag Chajee $8.95
spinach cooked in chopped onion and green pepper
- Vegetable Mushroom $8.95
- Broccoli And Chana $8.95
broccoli cooked with chicken peas and lightly spiced
Main Entrees - Our Special Home Made Bread
All Entrees Are Served With Pilaf Rice (brown Rice On Request). Dhal (prepared From Yellow Split Peas), House Condiments (on Request). All Complete Dinners $5 - Include Soup, Mixed Appetizers Plate, Dessert And Spiced Tea Or Regular Coffee.
- Paratha $3.95
multi-layered grilled and buttered breads
- Chapatai $2.95
tender thin roast bread
- Porri $2.95
deep fried puffed bread
- Chal Poori $3.95
deep fried with spiced ground lentil filled bread
- Cheese Poori $3.95
deep fried with american cheese stuffed bread
Main Entrees - Kurma And Biryani Specialties
All Entrees Are Served With Pilaf Rice (brown Rice On Request). Dhal (prepared From Yellow Split Peas), House Condiments (on Request). All Complete Dinners $5 - Include Soup, Mixed Appetizers Plate, Dessert And Spiced Tea Or Regular Coffee.
- Kurma $10.95
choice of lamb, beef, chicken cooked with very mild spice, yogurt based sauce & almond
- Biryani Special $12.95
choice of lamb, beef, chicken or vegetable cooked with saffron rice, raisins and sweet peas in butter
- Chicken Tikka Musalom $10.95
tandoori chicken tikka cooked with cream & almond sauce
- Butter Chicken $10.95
spring chicken cooked with mild spice & cream sauce
- House Special Mixed Biryani $12.95
lamb, beef, chicken and mushrooms cooked with saffron rice, raisins and sweet peas in butter
Desserts
- Firni $2.95
exotic indian custard with rose flavor
- Gulab Jamon $2.95
indian spheres in syrup
- Taj Special Kheer $2.95
a famous indian sweet dish made from milk, rice and fruits, flavored with cardamon and honey
- Yogurt $2.95
homemade - plain or mango flavor
- Mango Ice Cream $2.95
Taj Restaurant Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Live music
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Coffee
- Halal food
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Late-night food
- Organic dishes
- Wine
Dining options
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
Amenities
- Restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Children
- High chairs
Taj Restaurant Photos










Taj Restaurant Location
Taj Restaurant Reviews
pricesbeermusicianssitarsamosassweetappetizerbutter chickenhospitalitymango
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1A little surprised by the strong reviews here. The food is standard, some things seem fresh and others (like the samosas) seem frozen. My lassi had chunks on the bottom!!! The beer was warm and flat. I'm worried about this place, the staff seem very nice but the food is unsettling. Fried onions was so greasy, butter chicken tasted so sweet and oddly spiced.
February 09 · FrancesExcellent food, excellent service, excellent atmosphere. I’m so glad we visited! We were greeted directly when we entered and the waiter made us feel cozy and at home. The prices were very affordable and service was fast and efficient. The place has a BYOB possibility but also serves small brewery beers at a cheap price. I had Butter Chicken and it was creamy, delicious and just the perfect amount of ”spicy”. We were also served mango ice cream after our meal as a complementary dish by the restaurant. Highly recommend this place!
December 28 · Henri SaloLazy service, took forever to bring food when the restaurant was almost empty.However, good live music.Food was OK, not close to Indian food.
April 21 · Agrita DubeyExcellent service and hospitality can be found at this location. The best way to describe TAJ is by telling you that it's like a home cooked meal in a cozy environment without all of the bells, whistles, and sterility found in chain and contemporary restaurants.
June 28 · Nicholas GordonNo other Indian food spot compares. I've been coming back to this place since I moved to the city. The prices can't be beat for food that is tasty & filling - I always leave with a full stomach! The family that runs the restaurant is always so welcoming and kind. It's suitable for large gatherings or even dinner for two.Their live sitar music is so wonderful to enjoy with your meal as well (be sure to bring cash to tip the musicians!)They've been around for 35 years in the East Village. Show them some love! There's so much richness in this restaurant.
December 12 · KT Pe Benito
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