I hadn't been here in years - and I'd forgotten just how exquisitely wonderful the whole experience is at Ananda! My daughter and I came here to celebrate my birthday - and Ananda did not disappoint! My mood was majorly elevated the moment we walked in the door and took in the gorgeous lavishness that is Ananda. From the warm and welcoming greeting to the decadent desserts this was a 5+ experience! We had Vegetable Samosa Chaat for an appetizer (enough for a whole meal!), Mint and Chili Naan (you must try!), Lamb Vindaloo, Fish Curry, and a side of Palak Paneer. For drinks we had the non-alcohol Organic Berry Smash and Goji Iced Tea both of which were delicious! Although stuffed and sated we HAD to get dessert (it was my birthday, right?) and ordered the Gulab Jamun (oh so warm and scrumptious) and the Flourless Chocolate Torte w/ ice cream. Wait staff and servers were all extremely personable, friendly, efficient, and kind. Ananda is a just tad on the pricey side - but worth every penny! I can't wait to go back! :)
Sophia C.
Came here on a Thursday night and there were a good number of people. Ordered the chicken tikka masala for myself, and my husband got the lamb vindaloo. The tikka masala was good, but not amazing enough for me to make the trip out again. The lamb vindaloo was good enough for me to not gag because I DO NOT do lamb, mostly because of the smell and thought of eating a lamb. So that says something. Drinks were pretty good also. The vibe was nice and the food tasted good (not amazing though), and was a little overpriced for the portions and flavors I got. I've def had better Indian food. Honestly, I wouldn't take the time to come here again, unless a friend insisted, but it was good enough where I wasn't upset at the end. Try for yourself and determine whether it's worth your time.
Aileen McNamara
Hands down our favourite spot to dine out for any occasion. Enchanting, warm inviting atmosphere inside and out. Creatively delicious food and drink with gorgeous presentation and exceptional service. We love the seasonal farm to table touches from the proprietor’s very own farm. Great for date night, special occasions, or just to be transported from the daily grind. This is where we take guests visiting from out of town and they ALL swoon. The staff at this restaurant clearly take pride in what they do and are constantly finding ways to make it even better. If you haven’t been, you are missing out. It is always a delight.Parking: Never a problem. Large lot.Kid-friendliness: Our kids adore this place. From young kids up through adulthood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brett Gottuso
My first time here and first time trying elevated Indian cuisine. Absolutely incredible experience with probably the best service I've ever experienced. Appetizers, entrees, and dessert were perfect. I will be back again for sure next time I'm in the area from Virginia.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrew H.
Ananda is a modern take on Indian food. The appetizers seemed untraditional but were very good. The cocktails were also very good. Try the sagamore smash it doesnt disappoint. The main dish however left a lot to be desired. Somewhat small portions for the price tag and flavors that were decent but not the best. Also, I found it so strange to see items like duck, beef and pork on an Indian menu.
sabrina m.
Took my husband her for his birthday and the service was fantastic. I made reservations ahead of time as soon as we arrived we were seated and didn't have to wait. They provided the best customer service making sure the experience was memorable for myself and my husband . Definitely will go back again !
Ashley M
This was a great dining experience. I had a duck dish that was just the right balance of spicy and flavorful. I will be returning.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
nite a.
We are new to Maryland and was looking for a good Indian restaurant nearby. This is the second place we found so far and were excited to try out. But that was about it. On walking in , we figured it was mostly catering for western customers and not really an authentic Indian food place at all. The ambience was pretty good. But the food was just bland and tasteless. It's the first time in my life eating chicken biryani with broccoli in it. WTH. Lol. Chicken, broccoli, and a touch of rice(barely any) and they called it biryani. What a shame. Especially at this price range, they are merely using the name 'Indian' to attract clueless western customers. This would be our first and last visit to this place. We will stick with our regular which is nearby and caters much better food. Definitely won't recommend to anyone who is genuinely looking for real Indian cuisine.
Salma C.
Went back 2 more times recently. The first just because and the second occasion for my birthday. FIRST TIME: My friend and I got the Meat Samosa with the Punjabi Pork dish and Masala Chai. The Meat Samosa was underwhelming for me as I expected more flavor like the Squash Samosa I had tried before. The chutneys were good, but previous times I've went, the chutneys tasted different. The green one was perfect while the tamarind date tasted a little off. But, I recommend getting the vegetable Squash Samosa since it's more traditional and tastier. The Punjabi Pork dish was incredibly meat centric. I just thought there'd be more rice or a dal/veggies on the side with it. Though I don't eat meat much, I knew the Pork was cooked to perfection; it cut easily and fell off the bone. This didn't taste authentically Indian by any means, but it's an interesting take. Would I get this dish again? Probably not, but it's good for those who enjoy pork and meat heavy dishes. Personally, I feel the pork could've used more Indian seasonings since I just tasted the meat. The flavor was on the bottom. Their chai was great and didn't disappoint. SECOND TIME (BIRTHDAY): Incredible time with attentive waiters and delicious food. Started with the light, flavorful Palak Chaat. Crispy, sweet, and savory with crunchy elements to it. Definitely a more Indian dish. I recommend this appetizer; it's light and refreshing before having your main meal. Per the waiter's suggestion, I opted for the Lamb Vindaloo- something supposedly spicy and something actually authentically Indian. I'm glad I listened- a large portion size was provided and it tasted great! Filling dish with incredible flavors. I can see this dish as a good go to if I cannot decide on anything else. I liked eating an actual Indian dish compared to the Punjabi Pork. My partner ordered the Garam Masala Goat, something I was debating to get. I tried some bites and it had some interesting sweet elements to it as if soy sauce was in it or something (I'm sure no soy sauce but something sweet in it.) The goat was cooked very well and it did taste good, but the Lamb Vindaloo is a legit Indian dish for sure. Their Mango Lassi and Masala Chai never disappoint. I also got gulab jamuns with a candle to celebrate my birthday. It was magical and an amazing, memorable time. Thank you, Ananda. I can't wait to come back again.
Grace M
I came here to celebrate a friend’s birthday. The service and ambiance were great. The food was quite delicious and this place offered decent portions. My friends and I ordered the Roasted Cauliflower, Corn & Crab Soup and Avocado & Roasted Corn Salad to start. Both were good but I would definitely return for the soup. We also ordered Lamb Chops, Halibut and Beef Short Rib; all were delicious. We also got a naan and garlic naan, which were both great but I wish we had larger portions. We got a slice of chocolate cake for desert, as part of the birthday treat from the restaurant.The drinks were great, and the bartender makes really good cocktails. They have a nice, small bar area where you can sit in and enjoy drinks before or after dinner. They also have an extensive wine selection.All in all, between the three of us we spent ~$275 on dinner, including my friend and I getting two drinks each. It’s a little on the higher end and I didn’t like the automatic 20% gratuity but the food was great.I would definitely return. I’m looking forward to enjoying the outside patio area in the summer time.Parking: Parking is readily available outside the restaurant. The lot is pretty bit.
Incredible food and drinks. Great atmosphere…and the service is phenomenal -> 100 stars. They went above and beyond for my family on one of our their busiest nights. I highly recommend and will be back many times.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lamb Chops, Naans
Cakes
My visit on Super Bowl Sunday for takeout ended in great disappointment, which is notable given my fondness for Indian cuisine. While I have my favorite go-to places for Indian food, I was keen on trying somewhere new. Unfortunately, the dishes I ordered were so excessively oily that the leftovers were practically glued to the container by the following day. Reflecting on the health advice I often give my patients, I decided to discard the leftovers. Furthermore, describing the lachha paratha and roti is challenging—they were tasteless, tough, and oily, a stark contrast to how they should taste. My husband, of Indian descent, was equally unimpressed with his meal. I would have liked to rate the food alone at least 3 stars, but doing so would not be truthful. I'm hopeful that my experience was the result of an off night or a substitute chef, rather than the norm.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Olivia B.
I got the Shrimp Balchao again my second time going to the restaurant and it was so good, no regrets! The ambiance was great and the service was swift.
Turtle
Amazing food, fixed very well! Great atmosphere for a relaxed yet enjoyable and refined experience.
I hadn't been here in years - and I'd forgotten just how exquisitely wonderful the whole experience is at Ananda! My daughter and I came here to celebrate my birthday - and Ananda did not disappoint! My mood was majorly elevated the moment we walked in the door and took in the gorgeous lavishness that is Ananda. From the warm and welcoming greeting to the decadent desserts this was a 5+ experience! We had Vegetable Samosa Chaat for an appetizer (enough for a whole meal!), Mint and Chili Naan (you must try!), Lamb Vindaloo, Fish Curry, and a side of Palak Paneer. For drinks we had the non-alcohol Organic Berry Smash and Goji Iced Tea both of which were delicious! Although stuffed and sated we HAD to get dessert (it was my birthday, right?) and ordered the Gulab Jamun (oh so warm and scrumptious) and the Flourless Chocolate Torte w/ ice cream. Wait staff and servers were all extremely personable, friendly, efficient, and kind. Ananda is a just tad on the pricey side - but worth every penny! I can't wait to go back! :)
Came here on a Thursday night and there were a good number of people. Ordered the chicken tikka masala for myself, and my husband got the lamb vindaloo. The tikka masala was good, but not amazing enough for me to make the trip out again. The lamb vindaloo was good enough for me to not gag because I DO NOT do lamb, mostly because of the smell and thought of eating a lamb. So that says something. Drinks were pretty good also. The vibe was nice and the food tasted good (not amazing though), and was a little overpriced for the portions and flavors I got. I've def had better Indian food. Honestly, I wouldn't take the time to come here again, unless a friend insisted, but it was good enough where I wasn't upset at the end. Try for yourself and determine whether it's worth your time.
Hands down our favourite spot to dine out for any occasion. Enchanting, warm inviting atmosphere inside and out. Creatively delicious food and drink with gorgeous presentation and exceptional service. We love the seasonal farm to table touches from the proprietor’s very own farm. Great for date night, special occasions, or just to be transported from the daily grind. This is where we take guests visiting from out of town and they ALL swoon. The staff at this restaurant clearly take pride in what they do and are constantly finding ways to make it even better. If you haven’t been, you are missing out. It is always a delight.Parking: Never a problem. Large lot.Kid-friendliness: Our kids adore this place. From young kids up through adulthood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My first time here and first time trying elevated Indian cuisine. Absolutely incredible experience with probably the best service I've ever experienced. Appetizers, entrees, and dessert were perfect. I will be back again for sure next time I'm in the area from Virginia.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ananda is a modern take on Indian food. The appetizers seemed untraditional but were very good. The cocktails were also very good. Try the sagamore smash it doesnt disappoint. The main dish however left a lot to be desired. Somewhat small portions for the price tag and flavors that were decent but not the best. Also, I found it so strange to see items like duck, beef and pork on an Indian menu.
Took my husband her for his birthday and the service was fantastic. I made reservations ahead of time as soon as we arrived we were seated and didn't have to wait. They provided the best customer service making sure the experience was memorable for myself and my husband . Definitely will go back again !
This was a great dining experience. I had a duck dish that was just the right balance of spicy and flavorful. I will be returning.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We are new to Maryland and was looking for a good Indian restaurant nearby. This is the second place we found so far and were excited to try out. But that was about it. On walking in , we figured it was mostly catering for western customers and not really an authentic Indian food place at all. The ambience was pretty good. But the food was just bland and tasteless. It's the first time in my life eating chicken biryani with broccoli in it. WTH. Lol. Chicken, broccoli, and a touch of rice(barely any) and they called it biryani. What a shame. Especially at this price range, they are merely using the name 'Indian' to attract clueless western customers. This would be our first and last visit to this place. We will stick with our regular which is nearby and caters much better food. Definitely won't recommend to anyone who is genuinely looking for real Indian cuisine.
Went back 2 more times recently. The first just because and the second occasion for my birthday. FIRST TIME: My friend and I got the Meat Samosa with the Punjabi Pork dish and Masala Chai. The Meat Samosa was underwhelming for me as I expected more flavor like the Squash Samosa I had tried before. The chutneys were good, but previous times I've went, the chutneys tasted different. The green one was perfect while the tamarind date tasted a little off. But, I recommend getting the vegetable Squash Samosa since it's more traditional and tastier. The Punjabi Pork dish was incredibly meat centric. I just thought there'd be more rice or a dal/veggies on the side with it. Though I don't eat meat much, I knew the Pork was cooked to perfection; it cut easily and fell off the bone. This didn't taste authentically Indian by any means, but it's an interesting take. Would I get this dish again? Probably not, but it's good for those who enjoy pork and meat heavy dishes. Personally, I feel the pork could've used more Indian seasonings since I just tasted the meat. The flavor was on the bottom. Their chai was great and didn't disappoint. SECOND TIME (BIRTHDAY): Incredible time with attentive waiters and delicious food. Started with the light, flavorful Palak Chaat. Crispy, sweet, and savory with crunchy elements to it. Definitely a more Indian dish. I recommend this appetizer; it's light and refreshing before having your main meal. Per the waiter's suggestion, I opted for the Lamb Vindaloo- something supposedly spicy and something actually authentically Indian. I'm glad I listened- a large portion size was provided and it tasted great! Filling dish with incredible flavors. I can see this dish as a good go to if I cannot decide on anything else. I liked eating an actual Indian dish compared to the Punjabi Pork. My partner ordered the Garam Masala Goat, something I was debating to get. I tried some bites and it had some interesting sweet elements to it as if soy sauce was in it or something (I'm sure no soy sauce but something sweet in it.) The goat was cooked very well and it did taste good, but the Lamb Vindaloo is a legit Indian dish for sure. Their Mango Lassi and Masala Chai never disappoint. I also got gulab jamuns with a candle to celebrate my birthday. It was magical and an amazing, memorable time. Thank you, Ananda. I can't wait to come back again.
I came here to celebrate a friend’s birthday. The service and ambiance were great. The food was quite delicious and this place offered decent portions. My friends and I ordered the Roasted Cauliflower, Corn & Crab Soup and Avocado & Roasted Corn Salad to start. Both were good but I would definitely return for the soup. We also ordered Lamb Chops, Halibut and Beef Short Rib; all were delicious. We also got a naan and garlic naan, which were both great but I wish we had larger portions. We got a slice of chocolate cake for desert, as part of the birthday treat from the restaurant.The drinks were great, and the bartender makes really good cocktails. They have a nice, small bar area where you can sit in and enjoy drinks before or after dinner. They also have an extensive wine selection.All in all, between the three of us we spent ~$275 on dinner, including my friend and I getting two drinks each. It’s a little on the higher end and I didn’t like the automatic 20% gratuity but the food was great.I would definitely return. I’m looking forward to enjoying the outside patio area in the summer time.Parking: Parking is readily available outside the restaurant. The lot is pretty bit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tandoori Fish, Molten Lava Cake, Lamb Shank, Naans, Lamb Chops
Restaurantji Recommends
Incredible food and drinks. Great atmosphere…and the service is phenomenal -> 100 stars. They went above and beyond for my family on one of our their busiest nights. I highly recommend and will be back many times.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lamb Chops, Naans
My visit on Super Bowl Sunday for takeout ended in great disappointment, which is notable given my fondness for Indian cuisine. While I have my favorite go-to places for Indian food, I was keen on trying somewhere new. Unfortunately, the dishes I ordered were so excessively oily that the leftovers were practically glued to the container by the following day. Reflecting on the health advice I often give my patients, I decided to discard the leftovers. Furthermore, describing the lachha paratha and roti is challenging—they were tasteless, tough, and oily, a stark contrast to how they should taste. My husband, of Indian descent, was equally unimpressed with his meal. I would have liked to rate the food alone at least 3 stars, but doing so would not be truthful. I'm hopeful that my experience was the result of an off night or a substitute chef, rather than the norm.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
I got the Shrimp Balchao again my second time going to the restaurant and it was so good, no regrets! The ambiance was great and the service was swift.
Amazing food, fixed very well! Great atmosphere for a relaxed yet enjoyable and refined experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Chicken Tikka Masala, Palak Paneer, Lamb Shank, Naans
Absolutely amazing food. Fantastic
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5