Indian Cottage in Braintree

Paid £49 for the smallest portions you’ve ever seen wouldnt get a takeaway from this place again if you were paying! Honestly who do they think they are??? Attaching photographs so you can see how ridiculous barely any meat just sauce what absolute scumbags!

We had a Takeout meal from this restaurant on Saturday and can honestly say it was one of the best I’ve had, the food was very individual and very flavoursome. We had a half of larger whilst we waited and nice to see the choice of Indian beers available. Can’t wait to go back Keep it up lads !!!

Booked for 8pm, got there at 7.50pm, didn’t get anything to eat until 8.15pm and then I had 4 small pieces of chicken in my Jalfrezi so barely touched the food! I complained to the one person who seems to work out front and he said next time he’ll give me extra chicken!! I didn’t want extra I wanted a normal amount and even tho we barely touched the food he just charged us £85 and even asked if we wanted to leave a tip!! My advice is use Jhaal in Mark’s Tey because the guy here doesn’t care less about the customers he’s just after your money! Never in my life have I spent that much money and left starving!! He purposely avoided speaking to me or clearing the table coming over purely to take my money! Never again!

I've visited twice and been disappointed each time, sadly. The staff member was brusque and unfriendly. I wasn't sure what I did to cause offence. The food was very average. We were hoping for a nice dinner but just felt uncomfortable with the level of service and the standard of the food itself.

We have always had excellent service and really delicious dishes here at the Indian Cottage. The owner and his staff greet you with a warm welcome and can't do enough for you. Their meals are so tasty and always fresh. I never have any complaints.

Staff are very welcoming. Have had takeaway and eaten in restaurant many times. Absolutely fantastic food -everytime. Draft cobra too is also a plus!

I was somewhat apprehensive about visiting this restaurant after reading the reviews but was pleasantly surprised. I've spent many years in India and Bangladesh and can honestly say the food here was every bit as good as I've become accustomed to on the Sub Continent. The food was tasty and plentiful, if anything there was too much! Service always with a smile and never rushed. My guess is the chef is from Bangladesh as most are in the UK, his food is excellent. Hygiene was first class everything 'sparkley' clean. Two covers of 2/3 courses each totalling less than £40 including drinks and coffee, you cannot complain. Looking forward to my next visit. Well done Indian Cottage👍🇧🇩🇮🇳

The food service was terrible and the cutlery and plates were very unclean. The food is not worth the price!

As ever, these guys were really welcoming, and produced a great Indian Passanda takeaway. Been visiting for years, never had a bad meal, and can't fault their dishes. Keep it up!

My order of Bombay potatoes, chicken tikka mossala and pilau rice was delicious. The potatoes were well cooked and not hard. The mossala was tasty, mild, red in colour with big chunks of chicken. The pilau rice was fluffy and aromatic. Will definitely order from here again.

This meal was the worst I have ever tasted, the food was so tasteless and very poor quality, it was very over priced for what we ordered. Staff are rude a waiter constantly sighed if we asked for anything. Hygiene very poor food on floor no sanitiser, menus dirty. I would never visit again food, hygiene and service just awful.

Dropped in on spec tonight following a long day and in need of some food. The welcome was warm and friendly. The food was first class and full of taste. It was fresh and cooked to a high standard. One of the tell tales was a group of people who walked in after us got their food before we did. One of the dishes we ordered is not often seen on the menu and in order to be done correctly, need a little. time. Our requested for one dish to be cooked in a certain way was spot on. I only wish they were a little closer. I hope to be finding an excuse to go back at some point.

Came in for a take away & they charged me £3.95 for half a draught beer while I waited. They’re obviously comfortable with ripping people off. They told me it was special Indian beer....cobra. Apparently £5.50 a pint but are still happy to charge £3.95 for a half! Come here quite a lot and food is normally pretty good, tonight it was poor.

We have been eating here for 20 years. Friendly and speedy service from Shalim and the team. Menu has the classics but also a great chefs special collection. Can be chilly if you go early evening in the winter. Many happy night here.

Tonight me and my partner purchased a chicken korma plain rice and nan after walking home my food was barely warm, despite that fact my chicken was pink by pink I don’t mean a slight bit pink I mean it had to of only been cooked for about 2 minutes, Myself I have long hair and partner blonde so I was also shocked when I found a small black hair in food 😡🤬I’m disgusted with the response I got after taking the food back as I was refunded but told to not talk about it! I who has worked in a food industry and grown up around food industries do not think is restaurant is up to any standard at all! So warning everyone check your chicken before eating it not only check the chicken but also check for hairs! Or even better use a different Indian don’t waste your money or time one these!! This is not acceptable they should not be open unless they can stick to the standards meant to be set!!!!

Always a friendly welcome. Good menu well cooked. Convenient to walk to. The Monday menu is a always a good deal.

Been here a fare few times and again last night as normal with my girlfriend and my Ma Normally go mid week so not busy and service great ...bit slower at weekends but that said we had a party of 8 and it was not a problem Always good and food great and attentive staff .. wine list not always up to date but hey ho ..not a big issue for us Thanks again indian cottage

Our favourite local Indian Restaurant that's been a regular haunt for the last 29 years with the same friendly helpful owner for the last 18 years! If you fancy going off menu they are always happy to oblige too.

Such a shame we cannot return here . I don,t like Indian food at all but they were holding a special event and our group of friends all wanted us to go along and so sorted out that they would cook me a plain rump steak and chips meal which was very kind of them to do. Unfortunately my steak was so very thin and also cooked so much (burnt in places) that I could not cut it let alone eat it. It was absolutely dreadful. On saying this everyone else enjoyed their Indian food and I have to say we were given a discount due to complaining about the steak . The service was wonderful and our friends will no doubt return again for a nice Indian meal. I am just sorry that my meal means we will not and cannot return. I have given good marks rather than low as the Indian food I am told was good so to be fair marked it on this although I don,t eat Indian food

About time I wrote a review we have been visiting fir 15 years now. Never have had a bad meal. We normally get takeaways but odd occasions in the past have sat in but find this more expensive to do so. Fab chicken tikka masala& the best onion bajees I have tried. Friendly staff always know us by name now.

We have been regular visitors to this restaurant ever since we moved into the village. In all honesty, having eaten in here on about 30 occasions, i have never had a bad meal. The food is always, so so tasty, even the children enjoy it, which for my fussy 2 is an achievement. A food tip if you visit, have the onion bhajees, they are so so delicious. I would definitely recommend these. Prices are as you would expect in any Indian restaurant. The staff are so friendly and welcoming. One very minor point is that if the restaurant is busy, with the limited staff (normally only 3), you can wait a bit longer than normal for service. Delicious food, friendly staff - we will continue to visit this restaurant.

My family and I have always had a good meal in this restaurant but it's improved vastly with a new chef recently. Friendly staff who know all regulars by name, it's always a pleasure. Service can be a bit slow but we're never in a hurry anyway.

First visit to the restaurant, really lovely food, very respectable prices. The staff were very friendly and we will definitely return. Thank you for a pleasant evening.

We normally order takeaway food from here and have done so for a long time. This weekend was no exception, we phoned over our order and collected it as requested in 15 minutes.The food was fantastic hot fresh and lots of it. The dressings supplied are a real bonus and we always receive a really great welcome. Why cook when all this great food can be cooked for you ?

Ordered a takeaway from here at the weekend, and after a 15 minute drive there to pick it up and 15 drive back only to find the order incomplete. This has happened before on new year eve! We did a 30 minute round trip only to get home to find rice missing! We telephoned, to be abruptly told come back and we will give it to you. No apology. Obviously we didn't want to drive 30 minutes again just to get rice! This happened again this weekend, again no rice! We telephoned again to be rudely told ' it's always you!!!!' No apology again. We have used this Indian sporadically over the years, it has gone downhill for food and especially service! When we have eaten in, we have found some waiting staff rude, now even the manager is rude. Won't be returning again.

Have used this Indian lots of times and we love it! We always receive fab service and delicious hot food!

I went with a friend on Monday 2/07/2018 the waiter was very rude from the minute we walked in, no welcoming hello just a what! Then was asked what we want after being moaned at when we asked for a table away from the window as the sun was shining through! We placed our order the waiter then went round the corner his phone rang so he answered it and had a VERY heated argument over the phone which lasted about ten minutes. He than came back and asked what we’d like to order which I replied you already took our order to which he replied angrily no you haven’t ordered! At this point we got up and left! Would never eat at this restaurant again it used to be so nice.

An average meal in a cold restaurant with very little atmosphere. Some very bizarre behaviour by one of the waiters which was a little alarming. We had to ask to see a dessert and coffee menu. No decaffeinated coffee available, or tea. We had to ask for our change too. We won't be returning.

We do enjoy tbis Indian restaurant. It is normally really good food. But occasionally it is amazing. Our son has a great time and the staff are really friendly. I think tbe jalfrezi is perfect. Must try this restaurant.

A nice restaurant & friendly staff. A good menu of the usual suspects & a few house specials. The Tandoor was not operational so we could not have any tandoori, tikka, naan based meals which was a shame. I enjoyed my prawn puri starter & chicken vindaloo main course which were perfectly adequate & washed down with a cold pint of Kingfisher.

Tried this restaurant again and one member of the staff was SO uninterested in us. Food was not as good as I would have expected. Average is the best I can say :(

Been here twice, food nothing special and not good value for money. Staff were rude on 2nd visit, won't be going back

staff always friendly but they are working in a restaurant without easy access. food is invariably well cooked and presented , might i suggest the meat thali if eating in , or for takeaway rogan josh or pasanda. my son enjoys the vindaloo dishes maintains they are the hottest in the area. we have been regular customers for over 20 years .prices are comparable with any locality , the only downside is a lack of ambience evenings during the week.

Eaten in here twice and a takeaway once and the food is ok, but not the best Indian food I've eaten.

Usual options on the menu with a few different dishes. Service was okay but could have been better. Portions were excellent and the food tasted very good.

Fuimos en un sábado por la noche, cena rápida a la llegada nos recibieron en la puerta y sentado por el personal muy agradable. Frío, buena cerveza y de lo que la mujer dijo muy buen vino de la casa. La comida en sí estaba bien, nada puedo poner mi dedo pero no el mejor. Decoración les vendría bien una renovación. Sobre todo no es un mal lugar, pero podría hacerlo un poco mejor

Temprano almuerzo buffet del domingo con mi familia, inc hija de dos años. El personal, amable, pero parecía un poco confuso, a lo que el buffet era inicialmente.

Muy recomendado para visitar el restaurante o para llevar o tener.

Best Indian in the area by far. The ingredients are always really good quality and nothing is ever too greasy. The staff are really friendly. I've read a review on here about the takeaway not being good but we've been living here over a year and have never found that to be the case. Highly recommend!!

We recently moved to Kelvedon and drive past the Indian Cottage most days. We decided to book it for NYE (just me and my partner) and we're very pleasantly surprised. We ordered a Rogan Josh and a balti, which we were both in agreement was the best Balti we had ever tasted. The staff were equally very attentive and friendly and made us feel very welcome as first time customers. My only criticism would be the decor which was quite dated, but with a bit of a refurb this restaurant would get a 5* review. Delicious food, friendly staff and cosy atmosphere. 4/5 stars.

We have been here loads of times due to the fact we are fairly local. There is always a friendly welcome and you are well looked after. The food is lovely and the atmosphere good.

No idea why it's taken me so long to write a review of the Indian Cottage given I've been a customer for nearly 15 years. Anyway, better late than never. The menu choices are what you'd expect from a South Asian restaurant, but everything is obviously freshly cooked and well presented. The staff, led by Shamil the manager who hails from Assam, are so friendly and attentive. If you have a sit in meal, they always offer you a complimentary liqueur or spirit. It's such a nice place, at the heart of the village and community. Their Monday and Wednesday banqueting offers are really good value too. Really nice place.

I went to the Indian Cottage for a takeaway and was very disappointed with the quality of the food.The staff were very pleasant and the food was served very quickly, perhaps too quickly.I shall not return to this establishment.

We went for lunch today and had a wonderful meal. The service was as usual excellent and the food delicious. We've never had a bad meal here. Such a jewel in the village's crown.

Great little Indian,called up booked a table in my name no problem.on arrival we were greeted like old friends even though it was our first visit.the staff couldn't do enough with getting us drinks and poppadoms and all the rest.only one thing that irked my lady which was the slow time between starters and mains although it didn't really bother me as I was in no rush and enjoying the evening.price was good and will be going back soon.

Pop here often, its warm, friendly, the food is fresh and always tastes amazing. The staff are always lovely and ive never been with anyone who hasn't loved it to bits. Good range of dishes and beers.

It as a good place to visit if you enjoy Good Indian meals. All hot and perfectly cooked. Staff are really efficient yet friendly. Well worth a visit.

A great Indian Restaurant in a lovely village location. The food is always fab and we always get a really warm welcome. They also do discount cards so you can get a free main course with your order when you eat there or get takeaways. I came with some friends and had a really lovely meal and fab evening this week. They occasionally do Elvis/Abba theme nights there too.

This is our local indian restaurant and have been using indian cottage for some years now. Never have we had cause for complaint with our meals. The service is excellent always make you feel welcome polite take time to let you choose what you want . when there have Been a large number of us we never had to wait long for our food always excellent top class resturant

Don't be put off by the decor, this restaurant serves really lovely curry.Been here with the family on many occasions and have never been disappointed. The chicken dhansak is our favourite!

we live just around the corner so frequent this restaurant quite often. The food has always been very good and the service excellent, the decor could do with an update but is typical Indian Restaurant fare so no problem. Mondays & Wednesdays they do a good offer and Sundays is a buffet unfortunately they dont include Kurma in this tho' which is a shame. We also went in a large group (13) and the service/quality speed of the food did not suffer at all.

We were staying at Prested Hall and decide to go for a quick curry. We were pleasantly surprised at the service, we didn't have to wait. The food was lovely, not too greasy like you sometimes get and great value

We've visited this restaurant several times and every time the food has been delicious. The staff are attentive and really polite. We've also bought take-away food which as been great as well. I think the food is great value as well as being very tasty. We'll be back soon.

This was ok. Staff very friendly and restaurant clean. Being perfectly frank, and it is always subjective, we have had better but it was ok......

Very "run of the mill" , sorry cannot see where the other reviews are coming from, my advice, find an Indian restaurant elsewhere.

Visited on a Monday night as a change from a Saturday,it was quiet despite it being their offer night,however the staff were attentive and the food was fine,no Nan breads available as oven was out of order,didn't bother us as plenty of other choices.Enjoyable evening and will be back soon.

We visited this restaurant on a Friday evening and it was our first visit, and I have to say it was one of the best Indian meals I have had at a restaurant for a long time. The staff were very friendly and welcoming . Everything that we ordered tasted lovely. Would definitely recommend and will be definitely be going back.

We visit the Indian Cottage fairly regularly and always have an enjoyable experience. The food is always good and the atmosphere is nice. The staff are very friendly and attentive.

went here for a Christmas meal with a couple of friends, the outside doesn't look good but, inside its very clean and tidy. we had one of the best Indian Meals the we have ever had, everything was just right. my only criticism is that the tables are a bit small and they don't use warmers to keep the food hot, eat quickly!!

Having eaten here only once I wasn't keen to go back. The staff are nice, friendly and plesant. However the food took too long and we weren't offered anything in the meantime. When the food did arrive it was almost identical despite being competly different orders. Has great potential but just sorry on a few marks.

Live locally and have visited this restaurant many, many times over the past decade. The owner and staff are extremely friendly, and the food is of a good quality.

Visited on Friday evening at 6 O'Clock. 3 adults and 1 year old child. Staff were very helpful supplied a childs high chair, warmed some milk for baby etc and could not have been friendlier. Food was good quality, service quick and staff great. We all would recommed this resturant.

Went with the family on a Sunday lunchtime and we were the only people there. There is reputedly a Sunday buffet there but it was more like a set meal. The price was reasonable but the food average.

Food was very good...when it turned up.Also took 30 minutes to provide us with 4 BOTTLES of beer, after asking 4 times