Alishan in Tonbridge and Malling

We were regulars at the Alishan and so thought we’d give this a go now it’s had a name change and, I think, new management. Sadly it did not live up to expectations. We were early in (6:30pm) but did not get our meal for over an hour (7:45pm). The food was ok, nothing great and definitely not as good as before. Upon leaving, the place was almost full but lots of tables waiting for food.

Ordered via Deliveroo with an estimated delivery of 20:15, food never turned up. Having called the restaurant I was told 25 minutes. No food 25mins later, so I called back and was told the driver had left a while ago (we live 3 min drive away from restaurant) so we waited a further 10 mins until I called back. After which i was told the driver was on their way, I’d get a call back when she’d spoken to the driver in 1 minute (I also got hung up on a couple of times). During the final phone call where I had to tell them not to hang up on me, and said clearly the driver isn’t on his way as he would have been here by now so where is he this isn’t acceptable. They then said they couldn’t get hold of him and would make the order again and it would be with us within 15 mins. It did arrive within 15 mins, the original driver must have taken our food home with him or the restaurant just lied which is a shame as if they had of told the truth from the start I would have understood (i.e they’re busy and forgot to make our order) so after 1hr45 we finally got our food. On a plus, it was tasty. But we won’t be ordering from them again.

Absolutely fantastic to give it a try!

Just had a takeaway curry from this restaurant for the first time and I’ve got to say I’m very impressed. Everything we ordered arrived which isn’t a given when ordering for a large family, it also arrived steaming hot. Lamb very tender, source tasty, chicken perfect. We will definitely be ordering from here again.

Lovely food. Rubbish service given it took 90 minutes to receive food. The attitude at paying the bill was unbelievable. The young guy behind the bar needs a few lessons in customer service!! Go elsewhere as there are other choices Indi18 for one.

Only ever had deliveries and not eaten in yet (will be doing so next year) and the food never lets you down. Our favourite in Tonbridge. My only reason for the 4 star rating is due to the last two deliveries an item has been missing from the order. Easily sorted via JustEat but please, someone check the orders are complete before shipping to save my guests or me going hungry :)

Very friendly, lovely place to eat.

Wow, we were looking around Tonbridge, trying to find something to eat. We all fancied Indian so opted for Alishan. So glad we did, authentic flavoursome food. Amazing. You have a new customer. Xx

What a shocking fall from grace. I have recently moved back to the area and Alishan was my go to Indian from age 18, I’m now 41. I decided to get a takeaway and my god, I now wish I hadn’t. Order kali mirch methiwala murgh - pure salt, no hint of fenugreek, just a horrible base curry sauce (totally inedible) Onion bhaji, completely soggy not a ball, just strips of batter which didn’t have the spice flavour I’m used to from other restaurants. (Inedible) Vegetable Dhansak - not sweetness or sour, again pure salt (not a hard dish to do well) Popadoms were acceptable as were the chutneys. Garlic naan was average. I like them to be a little crispy. This could be personal preference though. I called the Alishan to complain and was told I’d get a discount next time. No offer to refund any or at least part of the bill. This would have been appreciated. I won’t be returning again. I did ask if the chef had changed and was told no. I simply don’t believe this. I can cook better this and do. A very sad experience.

Very interesting menu options and tasty food. Good service too. I drive past a few other Indian restaurants to get to this one.

After going out for three curry’s in nine days, we left the best until last. Five of us were for my sons birthday, booking was easy over the phone, service was excellent, food was delicious. Already planning a return trip. Massive shame there were not more people in there, their food deserves a bigger audience.

This is my first review as i never do this but they Served 2 inedible dishes one came cold had to re order and still could not eat it. Had 2 bites of the main tastes disgusting(like vomit) if your thinking about eating here and like Asian quinine DONT

I have never left a review in my life but today I really have to . This curry last night was the worst curry I have had in my life . The chicken tikka coma had no taste just tasted of a burnt chicken . The rice was old . The onion bhaji came in a small cardboard box and wasn’t even in a ball it was like onion chips just loads or strips And the worst thing it didn’t even taste nice . My wife had the rice with the beef and said it was just all fat and didn’t eat it . My daughter told me this is different dad I don’t like it . I have never been to this rest before The cinnamon was too busy and I was hungry so I took a risk . Lesson in life don’t change your take away just wait a hour 😅 This review isn’t to make the place look bad this is just facts . I hope they take this in and turn it around .no wonder why when I went in it was empty on a Friday night makes sense now . And to top of all that it was more expensive then the cinnamon 🤦‍♂️ What a joke . Hope the fox enjoyed it last night . Please make the change like Michael Jackson . Thanks

I visited the restaurant with some friends and was initially concerned that the place was empty at 9pm on a Tuesday night. I needn’t have worried. It was lovely food, excellent service with the best keema naan I have ever tasted !!

Great food and good service from staff lacks a bit of atmosphere, disappointed no desserts, the best way to finish off an Indian meal is with a mango kulfi, so marked down to 4 stars for no dessert.

Quality curry house. Really good poppadoms. Curries were amazing.

Normally the food is great. But tonight no flavour just heat in the Dum Gost and vegetable samosa tasted like frozen veg in raw curry powder and under cooked pastry. So disappointed...

The best curry in Tonbridge, fantastic food, the service is amazing, all of the staff cannot do enough to ensure you have the best experience. Very accommodating with allergies.

Really disappointed,normally more than happy… Ordered Chicken Korma,naans and rice. Sooo salty,naans burnt. Just awful and double the price. Only one poppadom for the price,cheaper to go and get a ready made pack at your local One Stop (Other retailers available!)

Excellent service and food as always! Have never received any less than a great meal!

Used to be a reasonably good priced but really dear now. Won't rush back!!

Very welcoming staff, lovely clean restaurant and beautiful food!!

Lovely Indian restaurant nice friendly staff good quality food very nice meal

The curries at Alishan were exceptional. To me, their curry was a revelation. Of note was the Alishan Special that, believe me, had an incredible depth of flavour. Sadly no more. It seems likely that there has been a change of chef in the kitchen and the quality has drastically suffered. This was my curryhouse of choice but after several disapppintingly bland meals I wont be going there again and dear reader, believe me when I write that while they were worthy of using the moniker 'award winning curry', that time has passed and to continue to peddle that line leaves one feeling cheated and not a little embarrassed for the establishment that was once so very good.

Food was good. Staff were really nice

First class food, highly recommended

Visiting in a Saturday after the first payday since Christmas, it became very busy and we were politely asked to vacate the table after we’d paid. I didn’t mind that. But the food was rather bland. I don’t mean lacking in heat - I don’t measure my masculinity in terms of the Scoville Scale - just devoid of much flavour. I ordered the Alishan Special from the ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ menu. It was very bland. My wife had a different dish, but it tasted identical. Our tarka dhal and saag bhaji were also tasteless. Our son’s CTM was very good - you could actually taste the coconut and almonds. Although it’s menu description is oxymoronic: “Invented by a world famous but unknown British Curry House the early 70’s.” The bill came in an American Express folder. They don’t take American Express.

Tonbridge is a lucky place as this is without a doubt the best Indian restaurant we have been to in the UK. We have and will always be your loyal customer.

Booked a table for 10 at Alishan last night. I had never been to the restaurant before so it’s a great new find and we will definitively book again. The service was delightful, the food was absolutely so delicious, which everyone commented upon … the nicest curry I’ve had in a very long time. I thought the restaurant was warm and cosy and it had a lovely atmosphere. Thank you for looking after us so well.

Good restaurant with clean facilities and interesting menu the staff were attentive and obliging. Thanks for the good food and beer much appreciated

First time visit and very impressed. Good menu choice and sensibly priced. So a very good meal at a very good price and I will definitely go back.

Really fab food and the staff are all lovely.

Food is exceptional, you can taste the fresh ingredients. The service was friendly and fast. Covid safe space. A good experience. Thanks Alishan! #thehungryvicar

This is a really good restaurant and the choice of dishes gives you plenty to try, really un-intrusive service

Loved every minute. So much range of flavours and textures. The staff are friendly and the service is quick. Great if you're short on time but want a quality meal. Always a great meal out. Recommend the take away too.

First restaurant we've visited since the end of the lockdown and it's as good as ever. Told the waiter that if I had room I'd quite easily eat the same again. Had to apologise to the missus for all of the contented sighs after each mouthful. Good vegetarian options, including last night's Sabji Mandi and Vegatble Korma. Well set with screens between tables and all staff wearing masks.

Food was nice but it is far too expensive for a takeaway! £10.95 for chicken, King Prawn £14.95! These are restaurant prices and even then that would be considered pricey! Double the price of a Chinese takeaway!

Hands down the best Indian takeaway in the area and I’m from Tunbridge Wells! Meat nice and tender, sauce out of this world, portion sizes more then generous! Delivery on time. What more do you want!? Big up to the Alishan

over ten years we've used this restaurant less and less. It has been great but that was a long time ago. Last couple of tries have been really bad. This time my keema naan was inedible, the sauce on my pathia was watery and the chicken hard and rubbery, maybe previously frozen? The butter chicken was much closer to a passandra and way to sweet even for my son. not sure they care anymore.

I had a takeaway from Alishan Restaurant last night and I was very impressed from start to finish. The lady that took my call was very friendly and couldn't of been more pleasant. She told me how long the meal would take to come and it was dead on the time indicated. We had more than enough food infact more than enough and it was very tasty, temperature was perfect and lovely quality would definitely recommend to anyone and will certainly visit this restaurant when we are able too once lockdown and COVID free and will also have more takeaways from them.

Me and my partner love this restaurant, the food is amazing and the service is great. Very well decorated. Was stung by the £1.50 per Poppadom when the bill came out they were stale as well but we didn't say anything due to them normally being cheap and just something to start you off. Did query it when the bill came but they defended their decision to charge this amount for them. It seems like a con because everything else is reasonably priced and they know these are always ordered when a visit is had. Thought I would put this review out to warn anyone else visiting.

Excellent food, delivered work excellent service.

Whether you visit in person or opt for a take away, you will not be disappointed. Great service, bit more expensive for take away than others but worth paying a little more, you definitely get what you pay for. My 7 year old son has only recently been introduced to Indian food and agrees Alishan is the best.

Just had the best meal , throughly enjoyed it after all these weeks. Chicken tikka best one around, thank you to all the staff, especially the chef.

This is the best Indian in tonbridge as the staff are great and the taste of the food is brilliant. keep up the good work.

Brilliant to have Indian takeaway during this lockdown and the food tasted great and arrived early. Would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for Indian food.

Alishan deserves the recognition... They have offered 50% discount for the NHS as their contribution to the community. My family ordered masala b-q prawns, Jhinga TIL tinka followed by the yummy onion bhajis. As for our mains, we’ve ordered Grilled Sea Bass, King Prawns Achari but requested a bit spicy.. also ordered railway lamb .. ohh my hubby said it’s the best.. together with pilau and vegetable rice. Poppodums are crispy with the dips.. Thank you Alishan Restaurant for the delicious meal. can’t wait for our next deli every!!

Fantastic take away tonight, and as I work for NHS a generous 50% discount,really enjoyed the meal and very prompt delivery,we will recommend to our friends

Delivery or eat in quality just the same great Indian restaurant sophisticated menu excellent quality always brilliant service and great staff , would highly recommend it’s the best Indian in Tonbridge no question , give it a try you won’t regret it

Super!King Prawn Dhansak was deliciousBest Indian food in the area.Delivery was prompt and good value

I usually eat in at the Alishan, but decided to pick up a takeaway for the family during "the lockdown". After a very friendly order taken by phone we turned up to be greeted like lost friends. The food was ready so home it went and wow. Great sized portions, perfectly spiced and lots of meat in the meat dishes (unlike some other places I have been recently). My children have already requested a return visit. We will be back to dine in when we are able. Thanks!!!

I ate at this restaurant tonight 24/2/20 the staff were so friendly and attentive the food was amazing had a madras vindaloo hot with bombay potato and chilli cheese nann. Food was piping hot and restaurant was clean with nice atmosphere will be definitely going back A*

We dined as a family of five last night and were so impressed by the quality of the food. It was perfectly cooked, beautiful flavours and just great taste in general. The price is reasonable and it is located bang in the centre of Tonbridge. The staff are friendly and quick to take your order and the food is prepared in good time. There are many Indian restaurants in the Tonbridge area and the Alishan is by far the best. There is much competition for example the Tumeric Gold is Tudely. The food is better at the Alishan and the atmosphere is a lot calmer. and it is a hidden gem in the community. A real secret between the locals. I would highly recommend coming here and you will not be disappointed.

Delivery is late called to find out where out food was to be told all delivery are out and you will get your food when you get it. They then put the phone down. Called beck to be told they don’t care if we order again we are not important

They did not deliver I called to see where my food was they were Rude and told me they diet care if my food was late or if I ordered again as I am not important to them ( a customer not important) I will never give these people my money again

Had meal this evening with my wife all good spoiled by watching member of kitchen staff coming out of kitchen and urinating in rear car park Have used this restaurant many times but never again

Great food and service at a very reasonable price. Can feel a little empty sometimes as there is so much competition from other eateries in the area but the Alishan is well worth a visit.

Chicken jalfrazi 4 pieces of chicken the size of a 5p coin 8.00 takeaway!!! RIP off

This is an excellent curry house with delicious food and top service every time. Highly recommended!

This is definitely the place to go for a great curry in Tonbridge. I’m now officially a regular as I’ve been so many times, trying to work my way through the menu, with favourites such as Dum Gost & butter chicken which melt in the mouth. The peswari & the chilli cheese naans are the best I’ve eaten. Always great friendly service, we are looking forward to returning.

Came here on a Saturday night, 6:30 very empty only 2 tables where taken, they was going to sit us near window but I said no so they moved us to the back where was nicer, table set out was lovely and we where greeted nicely, we had onion bhaji for starter and 2 samos, and 2 alcoholic drinks, mains we had chicken tikka and corma with 2 rice and 2 nan bread I wanted plan but they brought over garlic but that's all that was wrong food was perfect and there was alot I could not eat it all, things let down the night was lady taking orders in the restaurant, shouting and say address, waiters where friendly and quick to clean the tables soon as where finished like there watching us, price of the meal with 4 alcoholic drinks was £55 not bad price I think for lovely food

Nice service. Look after children well

Lovely food especially the Alishan special and great service.

The service was excellent, discreet but very attentive. And most importantly the cuisine is excellent. Very good value for money. Very good indeed

Excellent service excellent cuisine.

Family meal to celebrate 70th birthday. Pleasant staff. Fresh white table linen Good service with all our dishes arriving together. Extensive menu at reasonable prices.

Really love this place - always have a great meal & look forward to eating here. Staff are so friendly & welcoming - with special thanks to Bernard & Daniella for consistently looking after us so well. Highly recommend the Alishan special chicken dish & chicken chettinad. Chilli & cheese Nans are also a top favourite. Really relaxed & enjoyable meal, highly recommend. Fantastic value for money too!

Very tasty and excellent service

We have never really noticed this restaurant. I am so glad we went in as we were over that way and fancied a curry. It was the best curry I have ever had. I had the cream and basil chicken and my partner had the railway lamb. Serious amount of food, absolutely brimming with taste and so fresh! To top that it was quick but not so quick you felt they were rushing you. We had the loveliest little waiter who was so attentive and explained some dishes to me and a really sweet young girl! We will be back and be telling our friends! Thank you for a lovely meal, compliments to the chef!

We should have known something was ammis when we walked in and could smell burnt electronics but we were really hungry and this was the first place we came across on our walk down the Tonbridge High Street. We both ordered Biryani, one prawn and one lamb. The staff were very friendly and helpful although we were told that the food was Asian when clearly it is not. It is a bulk standard Indian restaurant. The Biryanis turned up in little bowls and I asked if they were starters! They were tasty but I pointed out to the owner that the rice was over cooked. We ordered a vegetable side of fried baby aubergine but it turned up swimming in cheap vegetable oil. We complained and they kindly swapped it for something different and was suggested spinach and cheese. This was bland and tasteless and also swimming in cheap oil. This was one of the worst Currys we have had.

Impromptu meal for two. Only couple in restaurant. Lovely food and service. Thank you for a nice evening

Gone down hill. This used to be the best Indian. The portion size is tiny now compared to the last owners. The chicken is chewy and very greasy. Not impressed. Will change review once things get better.

Not bad but very busy and very noisy. Staff is kind and helpful although not too fast. But i wouldn't mind coming back. A little bit expensive.

Food ok, rushed us at the end... will try sgain

Ok food, service was good, Don’t get the duck! £7 for 2 small pieces of meat.

Amazing service and food was very quick to come and super tasty!! Definitely going back soon.

Superb curry, super awesome service, favourite is the alishan special or the chicken naga! We'll be back soon!

Courteous service and good menu. Prices realistic.

Classy Indian restaurant. Two steps above your run of the mill curry house and reasonable prices. Some of the best curry I've had, merits the awards and praise.

Nicest Indian restaurant and best Indian food I have had for a few years. Went on a busy Saturday evening and couldn't fault a thing.

Superb food as always. Alishan Barbeque and the spiced monk fish highly recommended.. accompanied by Taka dhal sag paneer with garlic and coriander naan.. Simply moorish...

High quality food and reasonable prices make the Alishan one of the best restaurants in Tonbridge. The food is fresh and delicious and the service is excellent. Very happy to recommend

Tried a vegetarian option on Saturday, very good. Also ordered a side that came in a peanut based sauce and the waiter asked us to confirm that we had no nut allergies before ordering it, so thumbs up for an attentive waiter.

Situated at the top of Tonbridge High St. this restaurant offers a wide menu and some original choices. The service is good and so is the quality of the food. We love it

Visited for the first time on a Friday evening. We didn’t book but were able to get a really good table! The staff were really attentive and friendly. Food came out in good time and was delicious. Couldn’t recommend enough.

Extremely busy place at the weekend and since the layout is one big room, it is very noisy (which might not be to everyone's taste). Seems short staffed when I visited as it was hard to get hold of anyone to get food or drinks ordered so had to wait a relatively long time to get anything to the table. Food was unfortunately very bland, hardly any difference between dishes in terms of spice or taste so not a place I would visit again.

Yummy! Visited with friends from the area, first time for Indian food, it was so delicious! The staff was so nice and friendly! Would highly recommend!

Popped in with a mate on the off chance they had a free table on a Friday. Luckily we were there just before it started to fill up. Met by very friendly staff and thet were attentive throughout our meal. Food choices were ample and we weren't rushed in making our order, enjoying the normal poppadum and dips whilst perusing the menu.

Recommended by friends and booked a table -do this well in advance as it is very popular. Only a few tables occupied when we arrived but by the time we had ordered a drink the place was full. Service was excellent as was the food.

A friendly place lovely food i had chicken it was lovely not cheap meat will def be going again

Ordered our usuals ... masala b-que prawns, tandoori smoked duck, Alishan b-que feast and poppodoms with condiments. For mains spiced monkfish , tawa duck and chicken chettinad... what can I say??? to perfection.. tasty and delicious.. Alishan won’t be there for 20years if they’re food is not to it’s best..

Seriously good food and they deliver to Southborough too...result!

Ordered a take away, very over cooked chicken tasted like sawdust. Sauce was the same in both curries. Been eating there for 10 years, no more...

We ordered a couple of starters which we shared - chicken tikka and lamb sheek gilafi, followed by spiced monkfish (my friend loved it), Kalimirch Aur Methiwalla Murgh (chicken in fenugreek masala), Tarka Dhal and Chapatis. Everything was delicious and despite having had enough to eat, I kept going back for more. The waiter was very friendly and helpful giving us suggestions and advice. Restaurant was quiet but it was a Monday evening. I hadn't eaten here for years but will definitely return again soon.

Always a little odd eating out alone, and like many places the lone diner is hidden in a discreet corner. But it kind of makes sense.

Had a fantastic meal at Alishan last night the service was amazing and the food we was served tasted even better . The staff are friendly and happy to help. The food was piping hot and came out in next to no time . It was the best Indian we had tasted and can not wait to book up again.

Met with the girls again. Ordered our usual Masala B-Q Prawns, Alishan Barbecue Feast to share and the moorish onion bhaji. As for the mains we ordered Spiced Monkfish in coconut sauce, Tawa Duck and Jhinga Zaffrani. Of course the meal will not be complete without the popodums ..

The best Indian restaurant in Tonbridge.

Our favourite Indian for a fair distance, this is an excellent spot with great staff

Ordered fish pakora for my starters, mouth watering Jhinga Zaffrani- Jumbo Prawns marinated in spices with a distinct flavour. Accompanied by mashed aubergine that gives a special taste.