Moonlight Tandoori in Harlow

Friendly staff good food. You can take your own alcohol in, not soft drinks

Our lovely waiter Mohammed has always looked after us. We enjoy visiting and enjoy trialing all the menu with Mohammed giving us his recommendations and always gives us attentive service

Superb food. Was ready to collect 10 minutes after ordering. The owner was working hard and chatting away, other staff greeted me nicely and had a laugh. Turned down my tip and wished me well. This place sets the bar high. I ordered tandoori chicken main which comes with salad & sauce and Lahori fish as I’m trying to be healthier. Felt really light and healthy and not greasy afterwards. Thank you so much!

Excellent cannot fault this place for food atmosphere and service

Beautiful food!! Service was perfect, very welcoming and attentive.

My son wanted to treat me to a curry for my birthday, and Moonlight was our first thought. Tuesday night is banquet night, and I do advise you to reserve your seat. Once you've confirmed that you are having the banquet, you will be given a different menu, which is packed with choice. For £17.50 you each choose one starter, one main, one rice, one bread and share one side dish. I struggled to finish it all, and the staff let us take home the leftovers for breakfast! Popadoms and the accompanying sauces are extra, they have an amazing red sauce for your popadoms which is bordering on addictive! Moonlight does not serve alcohol, but you are welcome to take in your own, and there is no corkage fee. It certainly did not spoil the night or cause an issue to any of the other guests. The restaurant was very clean, the staff were friendly and chatty and the food was piping hot and well cooked. Continues to be one of my favourite restaurants, particularly on banquet night. As always, I found it best to park in the old blockbuster car park and walk through. I didn't realise that they have been serving food here since the 80's , and I can highly recommend this hidden gem!

Exellent food and service very clean dinner, would recommend to try it. Chand

I went with 2 of my mates. We came from East London. Excellent food and staff was very friendly and good service. This is my 2nd time I would recommend the food and Restaurant is very clean. (Anwar Hussain)

Came to Moonlight from London following recommendations from friends. We received a welcoming and excellent service from staff, mouth watering menu and more importantly a clean Restuarant. Must try.

EXCELLENT QUALITY SERVICE AND FOOD

This was the best Indian cuisine I have ever eaten. I live in York and often eat Indian in Leeds. This restaurant beats every single one hands down with every mouth watering dish better than the next. Absolutely phenomenal food. The level of food was through the roof! Cannot reommend it enough! 20 out of 10. Amazing staff and service. Had the best night. Thank you.

Very good Indian lovely dinner but feel a little squashed when going in a bigger group

Ordered a biryani and they don't know how to make it properly. So threw it away because it was not good at all. That's the second time I went to a bengali restaurant and they have no idea how to make biryani

Best Indian takeaway we’ve had in Harlow! Food was piping hot, tasty and delicious - we will be re-ordering again

First visit here, and won't be the last. Fab evening, great food and atmosphere......Definitely my new go to Indian 😁

Saw in the local press they were up for best takeaway so we went to try for the first time last night. Food was reasonably priced and piping hot but am afraid that's where the positive points end. My orange coloured onion bhaji was rock hard (I suspected last nights and put in an oven to reheat) and I couldn't eat. The rice was dyed orange, the mint yogurt was dyed orange, in fact nearly everything was dyed orange for some strange reason! The curry my partner had had little flavour which summed up most of the food and the only thing that was very enjoyable was my plain naan bread, but surely that's easy to get right? Such a shame.

Great food , great people . Loved it .

ABSOLUTELY BANGING FOOD!! First time trying Moonlight the onion bhajis & chicken tikka were lovely and cooked jusI how I like them. My daughter had the korma and garlic naan and didn’t save me any because it was that good lol 😂. I had the chicken tikka masala with a keema naan it was absolutely gorgeous. I’m glad to have found my new favourite curry spot. The manager (called Suff I think) was an absolute geeza sorted me right out and very helpful!

This has always been my go to for an Indian takeaway. Not to sure after today meal was bland tasteless and watery. That much so I threw 2/3 of my meal away. Not sure if they had a different chef in but has probably put me off ordering again.

Excellent value for money ,the food is the best indian tandoori food in harlow . The restaurant has a nice look about it and the lighting and decor adds to a good dining experience.The staff are very inviting and helpful and friendly (especially our table waiter Foysol who was very attentive and made sure our food was to our liking ). All in all a very pleasant meal. we will be going back to this restaurant whenever we want an indian dinner. You will not Be Disappointed with this one!!

Been coming here for years. Food and service always amazing. Moved away now, but always stop off here when back in the area.

Amazing food and service, and of course Foysal was amazing with service. Lassi was great, anf mix grill was recommended

My friend has decades of experience eating Indian food throughout the world. Tonight she was overwhelmed by the quality and flavours of the food. Food exquisite and service impeccable. Definitely will return.

We turned up on a Monday evening without booking, we were made very welcome. Help was offered with choices from the menu. Plenty of choice on the menu. Food was lovely, service was so friendly and welcoming without being intrusive. We will definitely be returning, and would highly recommend.

I must say I normally love the food here. However, on Friday 10th March, I ordered a delivery, all my favourites. Order placed 17:21, advised 75mins for delivery, that's fine. 17:45 knock at the door, food!! 24 mins!! Sag Aloo, Mushroom Bhaji, COLD! Chicken Chilli Bahaar, not the normal colour and Chicken tough as old boots, obviously reheated, not nice at all. £30 wasted. I shall have to find another favourite Indian takeaway. Shame! :-(

When I ordered paneer tikka, the waiter didn't know the dish, which was shocking being it "Indian rastaurant" that they called. Paneer tikka was tasteless and smelled rotten. mint chutney was sweet and orange in colour instead green. Lamb masala was ok compared to above all. naan was good. After eating all this, I can definitely say it's not an Indian restaurant. stop calling it Indian and selling not at all Indian taste food!!!

You must try this restaurant!!! Down from Scotland visiting my daughter and her husband, they took us here for dinner.. Wow, fantastic food, super friendly and helpful staff who take time to advise on dishes, and will adjust to your taste. First class food at a very reasonable price . Big thanks to all staff, especially Mohammed for making our night so enjoyable. We will be back next time we're down!! 👍🏻🥰

Was great being able to book a table on line so easily. Welcomed and shown to our table. Was also a welcome change that lime pickle available with the popadums. We both enjoyed the starters, and the main meal was excellent. The portions were just right as there was very little left over. Was not bothered that there is no booze available but one can bring your own. Overall a very pleasant experience with friendly staff. Visited Wednesday 18th Jan 2023

Excellent food and service. Good prices.

Food was impeccable the best I have had in this town for a long while.

The worst Indian I ever had. I had a better microwave curry 🍛 😒. Disappointed, but the price explain everything as was cheap for a curry,I'd not bother ordering if your looking for a nice Indian

Fantastic food, staff and atmosphere, proper hidden gem!

Been twice recently. Possibly the best Insian food we have had. Friendly staff and bring your own booze great.

We have previously ordered their mutton biriyani through take out and it has never failed us. Today, we decided to dine in and it was a great experience. The staff is very welcoming. The food was great! Especially Shahi kebab and Lamb Madras. The restaurant carters to your needs and everyone seems very friendly. Portion size is decent too.

We have previously ordered their mutton biriyani through take out and it has never failed us. Today, we decided to dine in and it was a great experience. The staff is very welcoming. The food was great! Especially Shahi kebab and Lamb Madras. The restaurant carters to your needs and everyone seems very friendly. Portion size is decent too.

Really enjoyed the food here! Never judge a book by its cover!

Once again we had a birthday celebration at the Moonlight on 18th September 2022 It was as usual a great meal and fantastic service. The staff catered for 12 of us to a very high standard. Our favourite Indian venue…..Derek Eels

Visited here for a family reunion, and whilst the other two in my party said their meal was OK..i had a chicken Tikka Biriyani which has to be the worst I have ever tasted, on arrival there was a strange odour to it which I put down to maybe the oil or Ghee they used. The chicken Tikka was absolutely tasteless and flavourless and came complete with frozen veg. When the waiter asked about the meal and I was honest in my opinion, I was informed that a Biriyani was not supposed to be spicy but surely the taste is created by spices... I have had many Biriyani's over the years and never have i had one so bland to be fair they did deduct the cost of my meal from the total. On the up side, the Pashwari Nan bread was absolutely lovely.. Definitely one Restaurant to avoid.

Visited here Aug 22 a nd staff were brilliant, very attentive, although for a Sat night was only about a third capacity. Whilst the other two in my party said their food was ok, I ordered a chicken tikka biriyani, this was the worst Biriyani I have ever had, Completely tasteless, flavourless and not a usual smell of spices as usual. To be fair the management did offer a replacement, but this was after everyone had finished, so they did deduct the cost of the meal. Certainly NOT the best Indian Restaurant around.

Lovely friendly restaurant. Staff very attentive and food out of this world. Great choice on menu, and explanation of each dish. Great you take your own alcohol. They supply wine chillers and will also keep your wine in the fridge for you.

Small communal restaurant located in quite an odd place, which is maybe why more people don't know about it. The food and the service are top quality. The menu is so extensive that you would have to go every week for a year to try everything. They no longer serve alcohol (I don't know why) but you can take your own for no extra charge. Looking forward to the next visit.

Beautiful food, ontime and hot. Lovely lady who delivered it. Thank you.

I've been eating in this restaurant for a number of years on a regular basis And can honestly say I've never had a bad meal I've tried every Indian in Harlow it's by far the best they don't sell alcohol but you can bring your own and they don't charge corkage I've seen a couple of bad reviews on Moonlight don't think they've been eating in the same place as me

Had a tasty Tandoori Mixed Grill... Best in the area... and a Moonlight Special sizzling chicken.mushrooms.potato..on hot plate really good...naan and rice. Enjoyed the evening with a few Beers and Wine which you can bring in free of harge. The owner always takes the time come and say hello.

Probably one of the worst indians in Harlow. Chicken was chewy and for the curry itself it was very bland and watery. Would not recommend.

Had a great time here, food was great I was out drinking heavily with Bernie Clifton when he got the munchies and had to eat so we crept in here, we eat heartily unfortunately Bernie soiled himself at the table.

Possibly the worst curry I have had in a long time Ordered a vegetable rogan and vegetable korma that had no flavour. When I rang to tell the moonlight (out of courtesy before just posting negatively) they told me it's because korma is a pre made source and they had no other complaints for the last two nights. Korma is not meant to taste of water, I know this is a mild curry but water is not a flavour. No excuse was given for the lack of flavour in the rogan. Also, very disappointing that a vegetarian dish was filled with cabbage and just a couple of pieces of frozen veg. Was offered a free replacement but was unfortuanty completely put off from the lack of taste and the person on the other end of the phone trying to excuse away the tastelessness.

Best meal in harlow love the food love nicola and mark the best food indian ever

Amazing curry balti is the best

had to whate 2 hours for food very cold ?

Lovely food great service in the restaurant really nice and friendly place

Brilliant, love this place for take away and restaurant

Have been using this place for years, normally really good, but the last couple of time I’ve not been impressed with the food or delivery service. The food has not been as nice as previously, too oily and tons of garlic, and the delivery we received last night was appalling, all the dishes in the bottom of the bag was squashed, and the popadoms were completely crushed, it looked like someone had sat on it 😡

Sorry but it’s just ridiculous that it’s even open

I saw a review by Paul which I think was totally unfair What Paul failed to mention on his review it clearly states on the menu a £2 surcharge if customers only order one main which is totally understandable considering their one of the cheapest indian restaurants in Harlow and by far the best Also they don't sell alcohol but will happily put your wine beer in the fridge Which saves you a fortune on drinks I've been coming here for a lot longer than 5 years and can honestly say I have never had a bad meal and knowing the management if I did have a problem they would rectify it So good luck Paul finding a better Indian in Harlow

A lovely atmosphere, the food is outstanding, been visiting here for nearly 30 years and not once has there ever been any issues. Would recommend this restaurant to all, take out or eating in you will not be disappointed.

Very disappointed with our takeaway. it was the most flavourless food ever. Very bland, unseasoned tasteless food. You would not say we had an Indian takeaway.

With regret (best onion bhaji ever) i will not be eating at this restaurant again Saturday 16/10/21 was my last visit .To be charged a cover charge for only ordering one main course but our meal consisted of starters and side dishes is in my opinion a total disregard for customers on a budget or regular loyal customers only ordering what they only want is an injustice of human rights. My wife and i have been regular customers eating in and having takeaways from here since we moved to Harlow 5 years ago.. I had not usually checked the bill breakdown and always left a tip,, but when checking i saw the surcharge and asked what is was for, when told what it was for i felt this was totally unacceptable .My anger at this time rose but circumstances with my wife present and other customers and children in the restaurant i did not want to spoil their evening by telling everyone to check their bills. there may well be a surcharge on drinks if someone does not order one i do not know. I paid the bill and said to the waiters we wont be coming back .In this case its not the money its the principle getting rich on charging for not eating is a 100% profit . Just making all customers aware .Good Bye Moonlight Paul and Sandra

What a lovely restaurant. Excellent food and service. Staff were very polite and friendly. Excellent value. Well worth a visit.

Really great food and the staff are nice

Visited Moonlight Tandoori this evening for the first time and I must say was not disappointed at all all. Food was amazing and very fresh and tasty and good value for money, Staff were very friendly and very attentive. Would highly recommend, 100% will be going back in the very near future.

Booked a table for four as soon as they reopened , always lovely friendly staff and lovely food, we’re never disappointed when we come here.

Very expensive meal course only with diet coke and nan bread £21

First time visit. At first we thought it was only a takeaway but you walk up the lovely clean stairs into the clean restaurant. They don’t sell alcohol but can take your own which was a great idea to bring your price down so a little stop off for a bottle of wine. Service was very efficient and food was ordered at affordable prices. Love the fact that our plates come over already hot and our dishes were sizzling and kept hot on a candle lit hot plate area for our dishes We had king prawns which was lovely and flavoursome Onion bhaji were amazing homemade large portions And chicken Jalfrezi nice spicy but not to over powering I would highly suggest you try this restaurant as it’s a great find

The Lamb in my dish very chewy my wife's meal luke warm very disappointed on our last few meals

Me and my family have just returned from a lovely evening at Moonlight Tandoori, this is the first time we have been to a restaurant as a family (5 of us) since the lockdown was relaxed last week, we have used this restaurant a few times before lockdown amongst others in Harlow but we chose the Moonlight tonight as we always enjoy the food and service and there is always a friendly atmosphere, also you can take your own alcohol which keeps the cost down in these current times, I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who like a good curry and doesn’t want to pay the earth for it, it’s a modern Indian restaurant, always lovely and clean inside, highly recommended

Lovely food Good prices Attentive staff 👌🏼

Lovely food and very customer friendly restaurant.

Delivered food was great and the meal was as expected

Dont get take away from here if you want value for money.food was well cooked but very small in quantity for a meal for 2 at 24.95 with about 6 0r 7 pounds of food at most chicken tikka masala was all sauce and only 6 cubes chicken in it .

Well that was delicious. Fast food hot. Definitely order more. Best indian take away for a while .................. ............ . ...........................

The prawn pathia was hot, watery, and tasteless. The Lamb Tikka, was tough, chewy and way too many onions in it ... We chucked a majority of it away.. I have never ordered from Moonlight before, and I can honestly say I will never order from here again. I had to have a jam sandwich for my dinner 😑

I have visited Moonlight many times and have never been disappointed. Food is always to the highest standard and the service is always friendly and professional. Very happy with the Covid restrictions put in place, tables were placed apart at a suitable distance, staff wore masks and hand sanitiser and NHS track and trace provided. Takeaway/delivery is also of a very high standard and would recommend this if you didn’t want to go out. Thank you Moonlight, hope to see you soon

Fantastic food always the best service back every week ,harlows best Indian by miles! Love karen and lee ❤

We paid for a delivery but not only was most of the hot food delivered cold and needed reheating but the pasanda was so sugary and sweet it was inedible. Although I selected straight chicken pasanda, I received a deep red tandoori chicken.

We had a very nice & pleasant meal here again tonight. Great service, top food, nicely decked out inside & very competitive prices(just under £40 for 2). We had plenty of food for our hard earned cash & would recommend this establishment 1st before all other Indian (eat in) restaurants!!

Even with all these COVID-19 measures quite nice place for dinner. Just do not sit in front of air-con, really freezing experience.

I love the Moonlight and have eaten here for over 40 years; first in the old Staple Tye centre and now in the new unit which says a lot about it. However, I ate there on Sunday night and the place was absolutely rammed and included 3 very large and loud parties. Even the collection area was being used as a dining overflow. There was zero distancing or customer discipline. My wife and I felt very uncomfortable. (To keep my office open I reduce numbers and have plenty of ventilation; all windows and doors open). As there were no windows open at the restaurant I asked for this to be addressed but this was refused. Come on guys; the food is great but I couldn't wait to get out. I rushed my meal and did not clear the plate as I always do. Another large party was being set up next to my table as I left. I will still be having plenty of take away but won't risk eating in until you start to limit the numbers dining. The quality of the take away is not quite as high a standard as the eat in but I will certainly be happier.

Lovely bit of grub 10/10 service everytime

We visit the Moonlight Tandoori fairly frequently and think it is the best Indian restaurant in Harlow. Highly recommended.

Can’t fault them, food was hot and very good quality, have paid a lot more for Indian food that was a lot less enjoyable

Food was very nicely cooked and staff were also very helpful and friendly . This was my second visit for dinner and will be coming here again . Apparently they were voted best Indian restaurant in Harlow .I kinda believe that because I really couldn’t fault them . Well done guys ! Will be coming soon . 10/10 for overall dining experience

The food was delicious and it was on time for my pick up

Best Indian restaurant in Harlow ,great food and they do the best Onion Bhajis .Friendly staff and great service both eating in or takeaways .Would recommend a try .

Very good food, but tiny dining area.....worth it though.

Very personal attention from charming staff. The food is excellent, too.

Great meal. First visit for many years.....moonlight has been there for 37 years! On Groupon, so even better value.

I'm very surprised this place gets such good reviews. The food was so disappointing! Plain and tasteless. We got two dhansaks and they were completely different, one of them was ok, but the other one tasted of gone off porridge. Samosa seemed to be stuffed just with plain mash with no taste to it and paratha bread was really hard - probably just microwaved. It's literally the worst indian I have had. Stuff was ok, but didn't look very friendly. Didn't ask why hardly touched any of my meals. It's such a shame, as we were looking forward to our meal. Never coming back.

We have been using the Moonlight since the early 80's when the restaurant was in the previous complex. So we have been loyal customers for 39 years and obviously now and then, but not very often, the food is not as good as you are used to, but you make those allowances. December tho, was for some reason really bad, the Bombay alloo was dry with undercooked potatoes, no sauce or tomatoes and no spices. The chicken Malaya was mainly sauce which was thin like water and the chicken was underdone, it just was not anything like the high standards we were used to from the Moonlight. The tables were not busy but the takeaway was absolutely manic and I got the feeling that speed was superceeding quality. I'm really disappointed as the staff are lovely and we have always gone there for our Indian meals and unfortunately have not got that episode out of my mind, especially as we binned the meal as inedible.I hope things have got back to a high standard, and maybe one day, we can revisit and recement our loyalty, but that may be some time away. I cant mark them down too much but quality has to be consistent.

Always return to this restaurant. Best indian in harlow. Usually take away but on occasion eat in. Small and personal

A nice menu, great service, will go again.

Very nice food very very cosy and warm staff are friendly takeaways have been good. We have been visiting this nice restaurant via the mearcat app where we get 2 for 1 up to 6 people, and was very surprised how this place had changed since we last visited about 13 years ago, back then we found the food not up to standard and staff not very friendly. But that has all changed for the good, well done to all concerned. We have visited on a Saturday night where we cant used the app and atmosphere was great. WE will continue to use the app (until it runs out) and still visit on a Friday or sat and continue with takeaways (which we cant use the app for). All in all this restaurant is highly recommended try it !

Went here for a family meal for 10 people. A good welcome, but found tables really cramped and pushed up against the wall. Ordered our meals, which took a while before served, which is no bad thing if all freshly cooked. The opinions across the group on the meals they ate, ranged from the good, the bad and rubbish. Heating in the restaurant ranged from freezing to boiling. Service was always low key and attentive. You felt valid as a customer, but it was a shame some of the food let it down. Drinks prices are not cheap, and can inflate the final bill if not careful.

It does what it says on the tin.m everything is pleasant

Food is great... get takeaway pretty often from them and the food is steaming hot and always arrives quicker than they say. Polite on the phone

Ordered a takeaway last week, and the man that took my order (Jack) was so kind and lovely, he recommended me a dish based on what I normally have, he also suggested sides and starters, I felt like I was actually ordering within the restaurant! Big up Jack :)

Cosy and welcoming. Great food. Very friendly staff

Great food , small cosy upstairs restarant just off a small community shopping centre extensive large menu

Food was delicious I'd go again 👍

Unfortunately this restaurant is unable to deal with larger groups. Drinks were not offered and when ordered it was hit and miss whether they arrived. Same for the food. Two hours from arriving some of the food appeared. But, unlike the drinks, it shouldn't have been cold. That and the testy waiting staff made it a night to remember. Judging by the other reviews it's probably fine if there's a couple of you but if you're looking for a group sitting I'd advise you went elsewhere.