Maharani Restaurant in Colchester

It tastes overly oily... and maybe like old chicken? I'm not sure, but it has a strong minty taste—maybe because the chicken isn't fresh thats why they add more

I ordered delivery tonight, first time I've tried this restaurant. Absolutely worth it! I've been looking for a new (to me) place for a great curry and I was not disappointed. Already looking forward to the next time

coming here is always lovely from the owner down to the staff food is excellent service is on point thank you again for a lovely meal. recently used for the first time for a delivery will be honest arrived quite cold however after a phone call new curry delivered very hot excellent customer care and will continue to use both restaurant and now take away

Tasty food ,good ambience and good staff members. Highly recommended good packaging for take away Good space and ambience for dinner. If I visit Colchester I will visit Maharani Indian restaurant Thank you all the staffs for your great service.

Food was stunning, services was lovely and staff just wonderful! Highly recommend!

Fabulous food. Very attentive staff. Very enjoyable experience. Will definitely visit again soon.

I can’t rate this restaurant high enough. We have visited a few times now and the food has always impressed us. Service is amazing.

Visited for the first time and I must say the food was excellent, generous portions and great service from all the staff, now our go to place and can't wait for our next meal there, best in colchester easy.

Fantastic food and service, as always!

Another perfect meal here. Great service and atmosphere. Highly recommend 🥰

Excellent food, really attentive waiting team. I would certainly come again. Thank you so much!

Food is always amazing from here!

Fantastic food, friendly atmosphere great time

Have been a few times and have never been disappointed by the food and service would recommend all the time 🤙🤙

5 star couldn’t recommend enough geraldine was a star will visit again the first time we can

One of the worst restaurant experiences I’ve had in years. The service was terrible the waitress was extremely rude, showing constant attitude and treating customers with no respect. The food was even worse definitely not fresh, and we suspect it gave my wife and daughter food poisoning after they ate the fish dish. We nearly had a bad stomach ourselves. This place is a complete rip-off, and I strongly advise everyone to avoid it at all costs

Lovely vegetarian curry. Recommend the vegetable makani for people who like their curry mild. Delivered hot and 20 minutes early. Very tasty. Would order again.

Couldn’t thank the manager and staff for being so attentive for my daughter’s 30th on Saturday the 22nd Feb . Food was great as was the service

Very good food. Staff very kind and helpful

Always love going to this place, lovely food and great staff 🥘

I ordered a takeaway from this restaurant for the 1st time and I was very disappointed with the food. The food was lacking of flavour and the lamb in the dishes were very chewy. To make matters even worse, they were really tight on the amount on the pieces of meat that were in the actual dishes. We ordered x4 mains and all of them had barely any meat in them. There was more sauce and tomatoes than meat! The food was really overpriced for what was delivered. I spent over £90 and they still charged me for a few poppadums. Instead they offered me a free mint sauce to go along my poppadums. Embarassing! Never ordering from this place again. There are far better places than this and far cheaper!

Excellent service and place to eat. Really friendly staff.

Very good food and atmosphere but best of all, the service. 10/10 service, very polite and attentive. Always helpful and quick.

Although the food was lovely and possibly the tastiest curry I have had, it kept me up all night feeling dehydrated and drinking gallons of water. The takeaways were quite frequent, which meant the front door was often open, causing the restaurant to get cold. The waiter could have gone outside with the food to hand it to the Deliveroo driver but chose to remain inside, leaving the door open unnecessarily. There is a lot they can do to improve in general but overall satisfied.

Terrific Indian experience! Lovely staff, food and tmosphere. Will be back for sure

Fabulous food and service, lovely selection, free tea and Bailey's what more could you want, would visit again when next in Colchester

Food Excellent , staff brilliant and a very warm welcome The service we were given was top draw there attention to detail was superb

Lovely customer service, lovely food and generous portions. Would definitely recommend and return

Popped in on the off chance of grabbing a table but was told they were fully booked. They took my number whilst we went for a drink and 30 minutes later we received a call telling us a table was available. Food was great, arrived quite quickly, hot and full of flavour. Service was fantastic, the atmosphere was lovely and will definitely be going back. Not surprised or was fully booked.

Great restaurant! Been coming for years and would highly recommend 👍

Never had a disappointing meal from here.

Fantastic food, great atmosphere, will be back and would highly recommend. Thank you

DELICIOUS! My stomach is very happy!

The food is incredible, the service is very nice

Absolutely amazing place. Food was very tasty and service was excellent. Thank you.

⭐ 1 Star Extremely disappointed with my recent experience at Maharani. I placed a takeaway order (as I regularly do) and waited over an hour and a half before calling to check on it. I was told they attempted delivery but got no answer—this is completely untrue, as I was sitting in the living room by the door the entire time with the TV off. No one came. They then tried to claim I had entered the wrong phone number, which I know was correct. When I called to clarify, the woman on the phone was incredibly rude, hostile, and hung up on me. After calling back, I was promised a refund, but it was never issued. I’ve now had to dispute the payment through my bank. Avoid this place unless you want to risk being scammed. Terrible customer service and zero accountability.

Treated by my partner and daughter to a birthday meal here one week ago. The food is amazing, the service excellent! Such lovely staff, made us feel so welcome! The portions are so large we each had enough food to take home for another meal. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough! Will be going back here many times, have managed to get a table for Valentines 💘 night in this very popular restaurant!

Lovely food and great service....well priced....Good location....clean and well presented

Such lovely food and great staff, they go above and beyond.

Customer service was lovely, checked on us to see if everything was great, Food was great fast service 10/10

Very friendly and efficient staff, would highly recommend! Food is amazing and didn’t have to wait long at all for it. 😊😊

Great food. Really good Korma. Rafi is the man. Up the Mahrani. Really enjoyed it. Would go back. Thank you xxxxxxxxxxxx

Staff were so accommodating and food is delicious. Definitely recommend!

Excellent service and excellent meal

Amazing service and the waiters and waitresses were incredible throughout. The food was also 10/10 and the portion sizes were large and perfect! Excited to come again!

Absolutely fabulous food, fast and efficient service, wiould definitely recommend, thank you Maharani 👍

Great food and great service at a good price 👍

Best Indian in Essex! Rafi was so welcoming and have been twice. In January! Recommend the chicken pakora starter and thw lamb rogan as a main. Only indian ill be going to from now. Cant big them up enough. Support this local business if ypu love a curry. 5 stars just aunt enough x

Great food, great service. The complimentary tea was delicious.

I had an amazing experience, and I want to thank the Maharani team. I will definitely revisit again soon!

“Disappointing Experience” We visited this restaurant based on its positive reviews, but unfortunately, the food was extremely disappointing. None of the dishes we ordered tasted remotely like authentic Indian cuisine. Everything seemed frozen, lacked flavor, and felt far from fresh. To make matters worse, I ended up with an upset stomach afterward. Had even one dish been above average, I might have considered leaving a better review. I’m genuinely puzzled by the glowing feedback this place has received. Either we visited on an exceptionally bad day, or the reviews are misleading. This restaurant does not do justice to Indian food in any way.

Really tasty and good value. Thanks Maharani.

The food was awfully sweet. The curries were inedible. The garlic naan was burnt. The curries did not represent Indian food in any way.

Excellent food and great service, thank you! We’ve been a few times and we’re always happy to come back here, one of the best in town

I was taken aback at how good this place is!! The food was fantastic and I must admit Olga is one of the most attentive and charming hostess’ I’ve come across for a very long time. I’m based near London and this is as good as or if not better than places there!

Superb food, great service and warm friendly atmosphere. First time here to eat in and all 4 of us have had a superb tasty meal. It tasted freshly cooked. Lovely staff and a delicious masala chai at the end of the meal. I would recommend Maharani. Thank you

I ordered food for New Year's and both the curries were too sweet. The naan was too burnt and the food was inedible. The food is not a representation of Indian culture.

Excellent food and service. Will be back soon. Been here a few times now and it’s always been great. Staff are fantastic.

Perfect location, excellent staff, delicious food and added extras which were a bonus! Thank you very much - we will be back.

Simply put this is one of the best Restaurants in Essex. Yes I can say that as they do a whole chicken curry on the bone that is to die for unique in colchester; This in addition to the wonderful service and strangely a great red and white wine list as well as bubble to complement a special event.. it’s a lovly place but for Friday and Saturday night you’ll need to book in advance .

Amazing food and service would go back in a heart beat booked for 2025 thank you so much it was great! Such a great selection

Food was exceptional and so was the service!

First time here, really nice place. Will be coming again

Lipika and olga were fantastic. Food was amazing

Lipika was fantastic! Loved our experience, always a 10/10 time here Great food!

Came here with 12 friends. Best time ever! Food was superb, staff (Lipika in particular) was superb! Would definitely come again!

Excellent food and service very friendly. Would highly recommend.

Excellent food, lovely service our favourite curry place in Essex. Highly recommend.

The food is excellent the atmosphere is ok the restaurant was literally empty when we went but the staff serving our table was constantly interrupting our conversation in attempt to tell us if you finished leave. We are a group who likes to eat slowly but unfortunately we had to finally leave as she said the table is reserved. I’m not sure if this is the norm in UK Resturant that waiters keep bugging customers until they leave. If this is the case then they should reconsider their strategies with tourist as this is interrupted as very disrespectful behavior which was the case. I gave the review mainly because of the attitude not the food.

Wow this restaurant is amazing.... The food is the best I've had in a long time. Beautifully presented and tasted even better. Really nice restaurant with very good service. First time here and won't be my last.

Amazing food. Best in Colchester

Amazing best curry I've had in a long time

I had a great Birthday spent at Maharani. I’ve always loved Indian food and this place does it well. So accommodating and the free Baileys went down a treat!

Lovely food, lovely people - great night.

We had our Xmas meal here. Amazing service, staff so friendly and helpful. Food delicious, and catered for my nut allergy. Highly recommend!

Superb meal here last night. Service was exceptional and currys really tasty. Food is on the spicier side but this was excellent for my taste. Will be back!!!

This was my first time at this restaurant and I have to say that it was brilliant. However, it’s not just the excellent food that makes this restaurant great, it’s the service too. From start to finish the staff were great - this place knows how to get things right. Complimentary drinks and a lolly for our son at the end of the meal topped it for me - few restaurants offer nice touches like that anymore. Keep doing what you’re doing and thanks to all staff at the Maharani!

Great food and service. We will be back

Host was amazing, food was amazing. Stuffed right now. Every time I've been here foods been perfect.

We visited here for our works Christmas meal and it was impeccable. The food and staff were amazing and attentive. Highly recommend this restaurant.

My first time in İndian restaurant I really liked it 🤍

Best Indian in Colchester. Food is always great and service is great!

Amazing food very flavour full. Muskaan was amazing host!

Excellent food, excellent service. Highly recommend and we will be back soon. Thank you!

The service was top-notch, with attentive and knowledgeable staff who guided us through the menu. The food was fresh, bursting with flavor, and beautifully presented. To finish, we enjoyed a delightful chai tea that was the perfect end to the meal. Highly recommend this place for anyone seeking great food paired with brilliant service.

Delicious food, friendly helpful staff, sensible prices, and good attention to the kind of details that make a difference. Eating here is a really nice experience

A Hidden Gem for Indian Cuisine! I recently had the pleasure of dining at [Restaurant Name], and I have to say, it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment I walked in, the ambiance was warm and inviting, with a perfect blend of traditional and modern touches. The staff were friendly and attentive, making us feel right at home. The food was nothing short of spectacular, and packed with flavorful filling. For the main course, I highly recommend the butter chicken—it was rich, creamy, and absolutely delicious. The flavors were well-balanced, and the spices were just right, not overwhelming but still packing a punch. The naan was perfectly soft and freshly baked, complementing the dishes beautifully. What stood out to me the most, however, was the attention to detail in each dish. Everything was fresh, and the ingredients tasted high-quality. It’s clear that the chefs at [Restaurant Name] are passionate about their craft. Overall, [Restaurant Name] offers an exceptional dining experience with authentic flavors and top-notch service. Whether you're a long-time fan of Indian cuisine or new to the flavors, this place is a must-try. I'll definitely be back!

Service was great, they treated us very well and even gave us chocolates for one of our birthdays. Olga was very attentive and welcoming. Food was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone and we would come back in a heartbeat.

Mind blowing foods also service is the best, highly recommended coming more.

Excellent meal, fast service, and really nice atmosphere in the restaurant! Nice and close to high street

Been here lots of times now for sit in. With the countless different Indian restaurants tried throughout the years, across various countries, I can say it’s the best sit in curry I have ever had. Flavours and quality the best there is. Staff are always welcoming and smiling.

Great experience and lovely food.

Amazing service amazing food and at a reasonable price pukka

Food full of gristle, told to wait an hour for the wrong dish to be sent. Staff are rude and clearly to busy for a just eat customer

I had a very tasty meal and the service was very good, olga was very friendly and helpful

Beautiful ambiance but extremely disappointing experience. The food was bland, overpriced, and far from authentic - just a few bites in a £27 platter! Staff refused a table change despite no network, and there's no Wi-Fi. Not recommended.

I recently visited here hoping for a memorable Indian dining experience, but sadly, the food was far from satisfactory. Despite the restaurant’s impressive ambiance, which creates a warm and inviting atmosphere with beautiful decor and comfortable seating, the quality of the food was a major letdown. As an Indian, I had high expectations for authentic flavors, but the dishes fell short in every way. The spices were either overpowering or bland, the textures felt off, and even staple dishes lacked the richness and depth typical of Indian cuisine. It felt like a poor imitation rather than a celebration of our diverse flavors. The service was fine, and I genuinely appreciated the effort that went into making the place look stunning, but unfortunately, even the best ambiance can’t make up for the subpar food. I left feeling disappointed and wouldn’t recommend it to anyone looking for a true taste of India. If they can work on enhancing the quality of their dishes, they could be a great spot. For now, though, it’s a one-time visit or no visit at all.

Lovely food and friendly staff! :)

Booked a table for our daughters birthday, was slightly dismayed to receive a call 10 minutes before we were due to arrive (whilst parking the car) to say that our table may not be ready at our booked time. But we headed on up anyway to find our favourite waitress Olga ( from Our old Indian that's closed down ) waiting to welcome us with a an apology and told the last people had just taken a little longer than expected, ended up at the back of the restraunt chatting to the folk just leaving and them wishing our daughter a happy birthday too !!! A drink on the house whilst waiting as an apology for the 5 minute wait. Food was absolutely fantastic, service was impeccable and well priced for what we had. We will definetly be using this as our regular local Indian .Restraunt isn't very spacious so i would advise pre booking, and as a nice touch a box of chocolates and card for the birthday girl !

Just received our order from Maharani and I have to say how disappointed we are. Insipid at best. Best thing is the naan bread. Will be avoiding in future!