Chatni indian restaurant

The dumplings were good .

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 2

We stepped in here somewhat randomly while we were in Montclair, mainly because someone opened the door and we caught whiffs of something fragrant and delicious. Like the famed Toucan Sam, we followed our noses inside.

There are two menus here, and if you arrive while lunch specials, your server will automatically bring you the menu with the specials. I overheard a nearby table asking for 'the other menus', and based on their conversation, it seemed like they wanted the bigger portions of the dinner menus. Something to keep in mind if you're especially hungry.

That said, my husband and I were more than satisfied with our lunch specials. We were given a metal pot filled to the top with rice AND a basket of four naan, each of which were branded with tandoori char and given a generous brush of fat before arriving at our table. Both were excellent eating vessels for our curries. We ordered the Our surprising favorite was the baigan bharta, a curry made with fire-roasted eggplant. We couldn't stop dragging pieces of naan through this tasty bowl, leaving us to nickname it thereafter the Indian Baba Ghanoush.'.

Service left something to be desired. When we walked in, there was a single server who clearly wanted to be anywhere but by our table side. Interactions were kept short and curt, and there was such little warmth and welcome from the moment we arrived, when we awkwardly waited by the entrance and waited to be acknowledged.

In the end, we're so glad we came in, because the food is outstanding. If you make it in time for the weekend lunch specials (which includes your choice of two entrees, rice, and naan), know you're in for a reasonably priced and decently filling meal. Weekday lunch specials are even more fairly priced, with meals under $11.

Vegetarian options: There's an entire section of the menu dedicated to vegetarian options. Highly recommend the chana masala and eggplant curry.

Parking: Street parking in Montclair is extremely hard to come by, so much that anyone pulling out of a spot is bound to have another car take the spot within seconds. There are also quite a few no-parking loading zones, so pay attention to signs if you're trying to park in the street. I tend to park at an outdoor municipal parking lot a few blocks away. The hourly rate isn't cheap, but it's better than trying to search for a street spot that involves parallel parking on a busy street.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 2

The food is good and can be better.
Friendly staff and fast service.

The only problem was too much of smoke (tadka) inside.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

I love Indian food and eat it all the time. Had heard good things about this place so decided to try it out. Ordered samosas and vindhaloo.

I’m sorry to say it but I’ve never had more bland, flavorless Indian food. On top of the disappointing flavor, my chicken was super overcooked and dry. The samosas were dry and crumbly as well.

Some people who have good taste recommended this place to me so I’ll try them out again but first impression was pretty awful.

Food: 1

Decent place with good lunch specials

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Stale food plus the owner was talking about their staff’s talking about nose picking in native languages ( i.e. nepalese ) i my self wouldn’t go to that place
I was a bit shy but my brother in law confessed about it and they weren’t much concerned ( may be they knew about that)

Food: 1

Service: 1

Best Indian food.. love it

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Ordered food from Chatni for delivery.
Naan: OK
Daal Makhni: horrible, who adds curry leaves to Daal makhni? absolutely abysmal. We could not even eat to fill ourself.
Chicken Biryani: Didnt feel like a biryani at all, felt like rice fired on Tava with cooked butter chicked. Horrible taste, too sour.

For $60+ worth of order, the food was not at all appetizing.
Last order from the restaurant.

Recommended dishes: Chicken Biryani

This is one of our regular stops in Montclair. Attentive service, delicious food, comfortable ambiance.
Very fair prices, especially the lunch specials

Kid-friendliness: High chairs and welcoming

Wheelchair accessibility: Ground level, no stairs

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Truly a gem, I've tried several Indian restaurants around the area and surrounding and this one is by far the most flavorful and my favorite!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Ordered thru uber eats Over $200 food lacked flavor, very greasy, They do not give individual rice's for orders. even though orders say Accompanied by rice your expected to share rice with others. definitely would not order from here ever again. Ordered samosas they were salty and did not come with chutneys.

Food: 1

Service: 1

Great food

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

To much oil and veggies fried onions raw onion scallions really not good at all

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Went here for the first time and food was amazing and staff was really nice and friendly I recommend everyone to go here

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Everytime I order from here it's always super yummy

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5