Maharaja Indian Restaurant
+64 3-352 0150+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
12:00 pm - 3:30 pm5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Mon
5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Tue
5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Wed
5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Thu
5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Fri
5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Sat
12:00 pm - 3:30 pm5:00 pm - 11:00 pm
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
CUISINES
Indian, Asian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, After-hours
features
Does this restaurant offer free wifi?
Details
About
You’ll feel like royalty at Maharaja. This Indian restaurant and cocktail bar serves classic dishes in a contemporary setting with traditional accents."
CUISINES
Indian, Asian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, After-hours
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
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4.5
361 reviews
Excellent
245
Very good
77
Average
16
Poor
12
Terrible
11
Antipodallen
Wellington10 contributions
May 2024 • family
We are visiting Christchurch and I had asked a colleague for a good Indian restaurant - he suggested Maharaja and also said we should book. Three of us for dinner on a Saturday, it was good that we booked as it was busy.
Excellent curry, I had the Butter Tikka Masala because it’s a house specialty and I haven’t seen it before. It was very good, at medium spice I would say it’s similar to medium or “kiwi hot” in Wellington Indian restaurants. Really good mix of flavours.
At our table we also had Lamb Bhuna, Chicken Tikka and Samosas. Everyone enjoyed their meals. Curries were served in metal bowls above a tealight candle to keep them warm which was a nice touch.
There was a bit of a wait for our order to be taken (but not particularly long, maybe 1/4 hour) which came with an apology and complementary poppadoms. Service was friendly and good, and the food didn’t take long to arrive.
Quite noisy as it was full - lots of other diners talking.
Absolutely recommend for a good curry, and will go back next time I’m in Christchurch.
Written 25 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter D
Auckland Central16 contributions
Sept 2023 • couples
Great food. Much larger servings than the usual Indian bowls so very good value for money.It was very busy for a Monday night so this shows it’s consistently meeting customer expectations. Very nice ambience in a restored villa.
Written 10 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
djmcc50177
Christchurch17 contributions
Oct 2022 • none
Maharaja remains our top Indian Restaurant here in Christchurch.
The classy Atmosphere , greeting and welcome given , the ongoing service from staff who appear genuine and warm while attending to each diners needs - all were very good and very favourablely compared to others .
Our group of two couples all chose Naan Breads , a main each and the new option of adding vegetables at $3 is an improvement in healthy eating in my view .
BYO is a bonus and also making adding wine to our meal was great - and was much appreciated .
I was really impressed with our overall Dining experience and would even say that the Service on the night, was a step up on already good service experienced on other visits to Maharaja Indian restaurant .
Takeaway Indian is an option we noted although why would you ? when the better option is to enjoy the atmosphere , service and great food - while avoiding doing the dishes at the same time .
We are going back again, for sure as we had such a good night there .
Written 5 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe D
2 contributions
Dec 2024 • friends
I recently celebrated my 75th birthday at a camping spot two hours away from Christchurch and chose the Maharaja to provide the food. The staff were very helpful, the owner so friendly, and the food delicious. All was prepared perfectly for the pickup time and the staff kept in touch. Can thoroughly recommend the Maharaja Restaurant!
Written 5 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beng A
New Zealand6 contributions
May 2024 • friends
Waited for an hour just for the first dish, ie salads, to be served. The servings were unbelievably and miserably small, and the prices were extremely high. The food standards and quality were just below average, in my view. Absolutely poor value for money. One of the worst dining experiences I've ever had!
Written 30 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rajiv Biala
Hi Aben
We are sorry to hear your experience in the delay of entree but how ever not sure if you have the right restaurant as our serving are quite big even the salad for 12.00 price.Maharaja is also very well known for its standards and we would love to hear from you so we can get better understanding of what has happened
regards
Team Maharaja
Christchucrh
Written 21 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CAChrch
Christchurch1 contribution
Oct 2023 • couples
Tried a few weeks ago for lunch and walked out as didn’t enjoy the experience - it was quiet but we were put on the table facing a wall, it smelt very heavily of incense and bleach, and the waiter seemed disinterested in serving us.
Putting it down to likely a one time thing, we ordered take away and it was not good at all. The food tasted like tomato soup and the naan was inedible.
Privately emailed them to let them know of our experiences but haven’t heard anything back from them!?
Written 17 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
djmcc50177
Christchurch229 contributions
Feb 2023 • none
We dined again at the Maharaja Indian Restaurant on the evening of the 9 Feb 2023.
Returning to the Maharaja Indian Restaurant was a delightful experience and our guest couple thoroughly enjoyed our shared experience.
The food we believe to be amongst the best Indian meals we have experienced and the venue is so well set up with all the internal separate Dining areas which provide a good atmosphere, good conversation can be enjoyed and the staff are very good too. Nothing is negative about the Maharaja as the restaurant is so good to return back to each and every time that we have gone back there.
Parking is out the back and we have never experienced any problems and the B.Y.O. is much appreciated as are the classy wine glasses which do justice to any wine that we bring along.
If you haven't tried the Maharaja Indian Restaurant at 452 Papanui Road,
then do give them a visit - you won't regret going there.
Written 15 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sightsee45031703103
Christchurch1 contribution
Aug 2024 • couples
The whole spices in the curry.
I love their goat curry, nice chunky pieces cooked in whole spices. Finding a piece of clove, cardamom or cinnamon under your teeth reminds you that this was hand made with spices that were toasted and grinded that day. This also means that once the left overs have sat in my fridge overnight.. the flavours intensify. And, using your hands to eat leaves a lovely aroma that is the hallmark of proper Indian food.
In chch Indian food sauces seem to all be out of a packet and is completely homogenous and lacks any adventure or uniqueness. This is where Maharaja shines.
Please don't change.
Written 26 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
justind19822021
Christchurch13 contributions
Jan 2022 • family
Good parking , service was very very good , greeted as we entered , seated quickly. Entree platter was very good , mango chicken and korma ordered for main and both well enjoyed , however mango chicken was apparently amazing my korma was not as sweet as I would have liked . However still enjoyable. Presentation of food was also very good with the mains coming on a pod with flame underneath to keep warm
Written 2 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BobS99
Christchurch3 contributions
Jul 2024 • friends
Beware - I booked the small private room for a group of six friends two of whom are hard of hearing. This was all confirmed two days before our visit. I couldn't believe when we arrived that we were out in the restaurant with the noise of both the patrons and music. If there was to be a change the restaurant could have given me a call to let me know as they were given my name and phone number when I booked.
To me a confirmed booking is just that and the group who were in there should have been told that it was prebooked.
I am not sure how our account was more expensive than it should have been but I was not provided with a receipt so haven't been able to check.
Overall a disappointing visit.
Written 10 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rajiv Biala
Hi Caleb
We are so sorry to hear your experience and we apologies for the inconvenience ,how ever being weekend it is quite hard to find quieter table as staff did try to accommodate your needs and bill was presented when paying as we do this with all customers as this is the policy for customers to double check before payment.We would love to have a chat if you can give us a call and how we can make your next visit up to your expectation.
Regards
Maharaja
Written 21 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MurrayL
Christchurch101 contributions
Apr 2023 • none
What a great experience - such tasty food, charming staff and great atmosphere. Having lived in India, we kind of know our Indian cuisine and could not fault the food on offer. Thank you, Maharaja - we'll certainly be back!
Written 28 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard_Shillito
Picton50 contributions
Oct 2020 • none
We had our first meal out since lockdown in the Maharaja, we had been told that it was a great restaurant, and indeed it was.
The hot version of the prawn Malabari was superb, the naan breads cooked to perfection .
The atmosphere of the restaurant was convivial and relaxed and the service was friendly , swift and efficient .
As a long time fan of Indian cuisine I cannot recommend this restaurant more highly
Written 8 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NorthStar11006652437
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • family
The place was packed on a sat night and presumably does a good level of business in general. There’s absolutely no excuse for the condition of the car park area behind the restaurant which resembled the Somme in WW1. To arrive and find yourself grounded in mud and the bottom of the car scraping against a rock whilst helplessly manoeuvring around wheels spinning is not a good start to an evening especially when alighting from your car you find yourself ankle deep in mud. The business is evidently profit taking and not investing in basic infrastructure. Get the area properly sealed or close it off - it was clearly signposted as parking and totally unsuitable.
Written 10 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NH79
Christchurch12 contributions
Jul 2022 • family
This was my favourite indian restaurant over the years until recently. I used to recommend it to everyone. But recently the quality of food has gone down completely. Last time we ordered takeaway and was given stale rice which was very crunchy and curry was salty. We thought it might be one off. Yesterday we ordered beef biryani and a butter chicken. The beef biryani was horrible. Nothing like a biryani. Mushy rice mixed with beef curry. We've had biryani at this restaurant before and was very yummy! Not sure i want to come back again. It's a shame as i used to highly recommend this restaurant. Wonder if it's a different chef who is bringing the quality of food 👇!
Written 16 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KrisFoodTrip
Christchurch14 contributions
Jul 2020 • couples
Me and my husband went in for the first time to dine in here on a Tuesday night and wasn’t expecting for the place to be packed.
The service was excellent! I can’t fault it. Staff were friendly and attentive.
The food is great! Best Indian we’ve ever had so far. The price is surprisingly cheap yet the quality of the dish is not compromised. Been to a lot of Indian restaurants in Christchurch but nothing has been this good and well priced.
For my main I’ve had “Goat Madras” with “Parantha” and my husband got “Butter Chicken” with “Garlic and Cheese Naan”.
It was rich and packed with flavours 💟💟👌👌
The dessert were amazing too! A great way to end the night ☺️☺️
100% coming back soon!
Written 24 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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