I've eaten here many times over the last 17 years. My girlfriend and I had two meals here in as many months -- one outstanding, one regrettable -- and my rating is averaged between those two.
Went for a dine-in experience first -- had pakoras, lamb vindaloo, kadhai beef, and dal makhni. We were blown away. Hands down the best Indian meal either of us has had in years, and maybe the best meal we've ever had in a restaurant together. The depth of flavour in the main dishes was outstanding, portions were very generous, service was thoughtful, and the restaurant's atmosphere was fabulous as always. The place feels like one of the most luxurious restaurants in St. John's. The cost was very reasonable for what we got, and while automatic gratuity is unusual in a local restaurant, we would have tipped at the rate charged anyways. We raved about it for weeks and will certainly go back for a similar meal in the future.
Ordering takeout, on the other hand, won't be happening again. We ordered a couple of the mixed appetizer platters -- advertised as chicken and veg pakoras, bhajis, and samosa -- plus some naan and papadam. We were quoted a very long wait time (about 75 minutes). The platters substituted the restaurant's usual (and delicious) mixed-veg pakoras with whole vegetables, roughly chopped and poorly fried in soggy batter that fell off in sheets. Chicken pakoras were few and far between, bhajis were not included, samosas were greasy, the naan tasted stale and hard, and papadams were forgotten even though we were charged for them. The cost was nearly the same as our dine-in experience -- almost $100 when more than half our meal wasn't what we paid for.
This is a restaurant that clearly knows how to deliver high-quality food, great customer service, and experiences unlikely to be forgotten -- I just wish that was what we received both times we went. $50 a head for an immaculate dinner is beyond reasonable, but $50 a head for random pieces of bell peppers and broccoli, stale bread, and missing items is not. I hope our takeout experience was simply indicative of an off night in the kitchen, and that India Gate is able to keep up its high standards for years to come -- because when it hits the mark it strives for, there aren't many local restaurants that can compare.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Jon Ballard
Simply amazing. Gratuity is already included, that didn't bother me as it was less than I usually tip.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tasia Warg
I ordered the dinner for 2. I do this so I can can have food for the next day. This is without a doubt THE best Indian food in Eastern Canada!! I have been eating Indian Gate food for almost 30 years, I think it keeps getting better all the time!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pho Dro
Great place for a dinner. Tasty food, great service, cozy sitting. Be sure to ask for naan bread, goes really well with spicy sauces.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kayleigh Anne
One of our favorite restaurants in the city! The butter chicken is unbeatable and their willingness to always accommodate our lengthy list of allergies is always so appreciated!
The service and food here is so amazing. Also appreciate that they don’t blare the music like so many places nowadays.
Those with nut or gluten allergies, rejoice— you are welcomed here! They even accommodate a separate butter chicken without cashew!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Balraj Benipal
They charge 18% automatic tip on top of food. But in return the price is going up and quantity is going down for the food. Which is not fair for the price set for the food. Couple weeks ago we went and used to get 5pc pakoras for 7$ something now we only get 4pc instead. Gobi manchuriyan we used to get good quantity now this time we get only 5pc in it. Ridiculous it is, not sure if i want to come back with this high price and low quantity food.
Sean McKay
Ordered a very simple thing to get some food for the road, samosas and spring rolls. Was told 5-10 minutes - waited for a half hour. Half the spring rolls were cold and soggy. The samosas are not like any samosa I’ve had with this strange overpowering seasoning salt that they coat the outside with. Sauce supplied wasn’t anything i have ever had at an Indian restaurant, strange mayo based dip, didn’t even use it more than once. Overall pretty rough, would not recommend, far from authentic Indian that’s for sure.
Food: 2
Service: 2
Anastasios Hadjistephanou
India Gate delivers a fantastic atmosphere — warm, stylish, and welcoming. The décor strikes a perfect balance between traditional Indian charm and modern comfort, making it an ideal spot for a relaxed meal with friends or family.
The food was rich in flavor with a solid variety of dishes, and the pricing was fair — offering good value without being overpriced.
However, while the setting was excellent, the service left a bit to be desired. Staff were generally polite, but the overall attentiveness and responsiveness could use some improvement.
One important point: tipping should never feel like an obligation. It should be a gesture of appreciation — given when the customer feels genuinely satisfied with the service. Moreover, the amount should be left entirely to the discretion of the customer, not presented as a fixed percentage. Good service earns a good tip, but it should be voluntary, not expected by default.
In short, India Gate is definitely worth visiting for the food and ambiance. With some attention to service and a more respectful approach to tipping, it could easily become a top favorite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Jay Gee
Incredible food , ambiance and service. Great vegan options !
I have 2 experiences that I want to share: Winter 2023 and Fall 2024
Winter 2023 The dal makhni was amazing. I felt it melt in my mouth. The chicken was also very good. There were 4 of us. Even though the food was a bit pricey, I felt that the money was worth the food. Which was why I really wanted to visit them again and treat my family.
Fall 2024 I came back for another visit to treat my husband. The atmosphere was just as good as before and the service was very good. The food, however, was another story. The dal makhni was definitely not as I remember it. While the shrimp was good, all of the food were definitely not worth their cost. 18% gratuity for minimum 2 people?! Before, it was for minimum 6! Who decided that this was a good idea? There’s expensive, and there’s robbery. I’d firmly say that we’d been served with the second.
If cost is not a factor, I’d still think twice before eating here.
I've eaten here many times over the last 17 years. My girlfriend and I had two meals here in as many months -- one outstanding, one regrettable -- and my rating is averaged between those two.
Went for a dine-in experience first -- had pakoras, lamb vindaloo, kadhai beef, and dal makhni. We were blown away. Hands down the best Indian meal either of us has had in years, and maybe the best meal we've ever had in a restaurant together. The depth of flavour in the main dishes was outstanding, portions were very generous, service was thoughtful, and the restaurant's atmosphere was fabulous as always. The place feels like one of the most luxurious restaurants in St. John's. The cost was very reasonable for what we got, and while automatic gratuity is unusual in a local restaurant, we would have tipped at the rate charged anyways. We raved about it for weeks and will certainly go back for a similar meal in the future.
Ordering takeout, on the other hand, won't be happening again. We ordered a couple of the mixed appetizer platters -- advertised as chicken and veg pakoras, bhajis, and samosa -- plus some naan and papadam. We were quoted a very long wait time (about 75 minutes). The platters substituted the restaurant's usual (and delicious) mixed-veg pakoras with whole vegetables, roughly chopped and poorly fried in soggy batter that fell off in sheets. Chicken pakoras were few and far between, bhajis were not included, samosas were greasy, the naan tasted stale and hard, and papadams were forgotten even though we were charged for them. The cost was nearly the same as our dine-in experience -- almost $100 when more than half our meal wasn't what we paid for.
This is a restaurant that clearly knows how to deliver high-quality food, great customer service, and experiences unlikely to be forgotten -- I just wish that was what we received both times we went. $50 a head for an immaculate dinner is beyond reasonable, but $50 a head for random pieces of bell peppers and broccoli, stale bread, and missing items is not. I hope our takeout experience was simply indicative of an off night in the kitchen, and that India Gate is able to keep up its high standards for years to come -- because when it hits the mark it strives for, there aren't many local restaurants that can compare.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Simply amazing. Gratuity is already included, that didn't bother me as it was less than I usually tip.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I ordered the dinner for 2. I do this so I can can have food for the next day. This is without a doubt THE best Indian food in Eastern Canada!! I have been eating Indian Gate food for almost 30 years, I think it keeps getting better all the time!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place for a dinner. Tasty food, great service, cozy sitting. Be sure to ask for naan bread, goes really well with spicy sauces.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of our favorite restaurants in the city!
The butter chicken is unbeatable and their willingness to always accommodate our lengthy list of allergies is always so appreciated!
The service and food here is so amazing. Also appreciate that they don’t blare the music like so many places nowadays.
Those with nut or gluten allergies, rejoice— you are welcomed here! They even accommodate a separate butter chicken without cashew!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
They charge 18% automatic tip on top of food. But in return the price is going up and quantity is going down for the food. Which is not fair for the price set for the food. Couple weeks ago we went and used to get 5pc pakoras for 7$ something now we only get 4pc instead. Gobi manchuriyan we used to get good quantity now this time we get only 5pc in it. Ridiculous it is, not sure if i want to come back with this high price and low quantity food.
Ordered a very simple thing to get some food for the road, samosas and spring rolls. Was told 5-10 minutes - waited for a half hour. Half the spring rolls were cold and soggy. The samosas are not like any samosa I’ve had with this strange overpowering seasoning salt that they coat the outside with. Sauce supplied wasn’t anything i have ever had at an Indian restaurant, strange mayo based dip, didn’t even use it more than once. Overall pretty rough, would not recommend, far from authentic Indian that’s for sure.
Food: 2
Service: 2
India Gate delivers a fantastic atmosphere — warm, stylish, and welcoming. The décor strikes a perfect balance between traditional Indian charm and modern comfort, making it an ideal spot for a relaxed meal with friends or family.
The food was rich in flavor with a solid variety of dishes, and the pricing was fair — offering good value without being overpriced.
However, while the setting was excellent, the service left a bit to be desired. Staff were generally polite, but the overall attentiveness and responsiveness could use some improvement.
One important point: tipping should never feel like an obligation. It should be a gesture of appreciation — given when the customer feels genuinely satisfied with the service. Moreover, the amount should be left entirely to the discretion of the customer, not presented as a fixed percentage. Good service earns a good tip, but it should be voluntary, not expected by default.
In short, India Gate is definitely worth visiting for the food and ambiance. With some attention to service and a more respectful approach to tipping, it could easily become a top favorite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Incredible food , ambiance and service. Great vegan options !
Just bad quality food overall.
Restaurantji Recommends
Me and friend got sick after their food. Food was alot spicy but lacked any actual flavour. I wouldn’t eat here again.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Malai Kofta
The mandatory 18% tip applied after tax is insulting to the customer
Delicious food and great ambiance
Excellent food, service and atmosphere!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tandoori Chicken, Samosa Chaat
I have 2 experiences that I want to share: Winter 2023 and Fall 2024
Winter 2023
The dal makhni was amazing. I felt it melt in my mouth. The chicken was also very good. There were 4 of us. Even though the food was a bit pricey, I felt that the money was worth the food. Which was why I really wanted to visit them again and treat my family.
Fall 2024
I came back for another visit to treat my husband. The atmosphere was just as good as before and the service was very good. The food, however, was another story. The dal makhni was definitely not as I remember it. While the shrimp was good, all of the food were definitely not worth their cost. 18% gratuity for minimum 2 people?! Before, it was for minimum 6! Who decided that this was a good idea? There’s expensive, and there’s robbery. I’d firmly say that we’d been served with the second.
If cost is not a factor, I’d still think twice before eating here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 4
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