The Raj of Blackdam in Basingstoke and Deane

Raj used to be my favourite Indian restaurant and I used to eat there about once a week. The manager Zac is absolutely amazing and will do anything for his customers and does a great job. He is smart (shirt and tie) and always professional. However, after my last visit I will not be returning again. The owner of the restaurant seems to care very little about the reputation of his own business and is always there but wearing tatty jeans and clothes and I feel this does not give a good business image - why can't he make more of an effort like his manager Zac? Also on my last visit there were a couple of teenagers just hanging out in there (I think they are related to the owner). Would have no objection to this if they were not helping out by setting and clearing tables (no problem with this) but wearing jeans or joggers and hoodies and to complete the look beanie hats. Just looked a little unprofessional to me. Then to make things worse one of the young lads had a handful of cutlery as he was laying a table - openly coughed into his hands, while holding the cutlery - then proceeded to put the contaminated cutlery on the table, prior to customers being seated at the table. Like I said the Raj was my favourite but has really gone downhill the owner really needs to make the effort, raise the profile, create a better image. The food is great - but come on guys you can do much better and follow the professional image set by Zac the manager. Maybe buy some branded t-shirts or polo shirts with the name Raj on! Train the young people in basic hygiene and customer service if they are going to be in your restaurant. Sorry, but for the time being at least you have lost a loyal customer.

Good food, but service is a bit lacking

Will be ordering from here again! The food was really good! It arrived quickly and was hot.

Popadoms soggy, quality of curry was not the best. Chips average and rice randomly dry!

excellent food, will use again.

Really nice meal and great service. Salted Lassi made with coriander and caraway. Not over salted. Malai Paneer creamy and pleasantly spiced. Lamb Biryani well cooked and succulent. Waiter friendly and attentive but not too much. Well priced. Clean. Couldn't speak highly enough of the whole meal.

Wrong order delivered, all food too salty, generally an awful experience.

Incredibly tasty food, full of flavour. Delivery was super fast.

Food was disgusting , inedible . Threw it all in the rubbish bin

Outstanding food. I’m a contractor and eat all over the country and definitely this is in top ten, and on the first night here. Read the reviews folks. Good use of spices and piping hot.

Our favourite Indian in Basingstoke, absolutely delicious and delivered hot and on time. Perfect!

amazing food. delivery was fast. everything was hot and fresh. will definitely be back.

excellent food , great delivery, always friendly.

Food is perfect, cannot fault it. Quick and friendly service too.

Ordered for take away - arrival time was as expected, but the food was terrible. A very ordinary order. Chicken Korma, Chicken Tikka Masala, Rice, Naan, chips. We actually considered the fact that we had Covid. Both curry's were utterly tasteless. My Keema naan (which is the bit I most look forward to), was the worst Keema naan I have ever had. My partner's Peshawari naan was equally bad (and burnt). The chips were lovely though. The Raj used to be nice! Won't bother anymore.

food was absolutely fantastic. arrived hot and full of flavour. would Highly recommend

Great Dining experience, Delicious food and prompt service. Perfect location with ample car park. the perfect venue for the Functions.

Food was lovely for the first time ordering from here. Fresh and still very hot when arrived, so thank you. Delivery was earlier than originally stated which was nice and the driver was kind and had a smile on their face again was really nice to have.

Haven’t eaten at raj for many years as felt the food was not great , but recently having ordered food and so glad I did , lovely tasty food and piping hot , would definitely order again , thankyou for a lovely meal

Hot, tasty and fresh food. Great value for money. Portion size is spot on! Will order from again soon! Thanks ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

the food is great and always delivered early and the people who delivers the food are always polite and cheerful , great service highly recommend Raj of black dam .

Very rude waiter food very poor not impressed would never go back one our party of 10 given wrong food seems they only wanted our money my advice is don’t go

Really good quality food and friendly delivery driver

Food was only just warm when it arrived, but was still delicious

Food delivered as promised and still nice and hot!

We’ve been coming to the Raj for a number of years. It recently changed management and updated its menu, and it’s been faultless since. We’ve eaten here as a couple all the way up to a group of 16. The food, waiting time and service is always spot on. Highly recommend the Raj, a wonderful place to eat and one of the best Indians in Basingstoke.

Lovely food .always arrives nice and hot

Wonderful staff and very fast food, recommended 👍👍👍

We ordered chicken biryani and there’s no chicken in it.

Ordering and delivery was quick , although delivery driver was demanding and extra £5 for delivery when he arrived . After calling restaurant they confirmed no delivery charge . Won’t be using again

new management, food great, service great, inside vibe very good warming and friendly, the manager was very patient and helpful, so much better, good job well done

New prices are extortionate, no madras on the menu anymore ?? Food quality gone down hill won't even try to order again

I last visited the Raj a few years ago and was very disappointed. Visiting yesterday evening couldn't have been more different. The food was amazing and best Indian food I've had in a long time. Very tasty, not greasy and good portions. Service was good too. Will definitely be back.

Authentic indian food and great service. Will come again.

Fantastic Indian food was soooo amazing service was first class definitely come again plenty of parking space please come if you like a descent ruby murie

Great food. We went on a quiet night and the service was fabulous. Def go back

I’ve come back to The Raj and had two recent excellent experiences 👍 food is the best as well as the service. Nice big restaurant and good parking. The Chicken Jalfrezi is the best I’ve had !

We ordered a take-away I asked for dishes that were not on the menu. A tikka Ceylon and a vegetarian Dhansak. The restaurant said no problem at all… The curries were perfectly cooked! Delicious! Delivery in good time. We thoroughly enjoyed our take-away. I’m going to eat at the restaurant on my birthday!! :) Thank you

Lovely Naga lamb, should really try this place more often. Homely authentic food.

Always get my food from here, every Friday after work me and my family. Service is brilliant definitely recommend.

Very tasty Indian food..Excellent service and staff is really nice!! Highly recommended 👍

Had a takeaway from the New Raj this evening and I must say the portions were tiny compared to usual, must of had 6 smalls bits of Lamb / Chicken and absolutely loads of sauce. Chips portion were small as well. Preferred the old Raj but may give it another go as it’s right on our doorstep.

Food we got was good, but there were a few major problems: - vegetarian missus ordered veg samosas, got 1x veg and 2x meat (only found out they’re meat after biting into it - that’s really not ok) - paid for chicken tikka curry, got chicken curry. paid for nothing effectively - chicken pakora advertised as battered but they’re breadcrumbed. not a major problem, but i was disappointed

Been taken over…food is awesome, service is brill! Raj is back !

having ordered online and paying on what looked like the raj website ,we then get a text 20 minutes later saying they are not open and we will get our money back in 3-5 days!(it was a food hub website which looked totally like the raj website!) so we ring the raj and they say its got nothing to do with them ,they are trying to shut it down! if you dont get it shut down you WILL lose customers! so we thought we would re order as it is our local indian and we have always had good food from there! being under new management we thought the food would probably be better as you are trying to keep your customer base and keep people coming back! im afraid to say that the food was poor ! the chicken tikka over cooked and bland came with just a bag of chopped onions chicken pathia ,less chicken than normal,bland chicken tikka masala ok we will not be going back there ,and we live 4 minutes away ! its sad to see that the food when opened at home looked very under whelming!

The Raj is now under new management so we thought we would try it out as we had been a regular customer at the "old" Raj. We were welcomed upon arrival and shown to our table where our drinks order was taken. We all ordered something different and every one of us thought our meal was delicious - perhaps slightly hotter than usual, which is fine by me. The pershwari nan was freshly cooked and tasted amazing. We will certainly be returning back very soon.

Great new menu, authentic Indian food with reasonable price.. Excellent service and very friendly staff. Highly recommended.

Arrived half an hour early and was still stone cold. Had to reheat all the food. The mixed starter was awful and tasted like had been sat in kitchen all day. I've never had to reheat an Indian takeaway ever. Was very disappointed as used to be very nice few years ago.

I recently visited, thoroughly impressed with vibrant atmosphere and welcoming staff and flavors perfectly balanced. The impeccable service gave excellence to my dining experience. Highly recommended

Amazing food and very good service since under new management

Food was great, I went there a couple of year's ago and it was not a good experience but going back there tonight was totally different. What ever has happened there now is 100% better and I recommend it to anyone, it is well worth a visit in my book. Polite staff and clean place to eat. On the whole visit and food I would honesty give them 4.5 really, so im looking forward to going back again and hope it's still at the same standard

ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE AND APPALLING FOOD! What has happened to your service and food Raj of Black dam? We ordered Chicken Tikka Byriani Saag Aloo and Pesharwi Naan. The Tikka was cold the Saag Aloo was too spicy, other people who read this review might agree when I say it should of mild taste. We didn't get the Vegetable Curry that normally accompanies it. When I called the restaurant to let them know this they said they would call back.... no call back This is terrible service and food shame on your restaurant We will not be ordering from you again. instead we will make sure to order from another Indian restaurant in Basingstoke.

Order ed via just eat. 3 pound delivery. 50 p admin. Charge. Delivered on time. Nice delivery guy. Not to bad a meal. 25 pounds total.

The whole meal was excellent, super tasty and proportions large. The tables were nicely spaced so that some feeling of privacy was given at each table. The decoration was traditional and made us all feel very welcome. The waiting staff were all very attentive to each table and very polite at all times. We will certainly be going back again soon. I do have one regret that no desserts were on the menu as I have this desire to have jelabi that i remembered eating from many years ago. Highly recommend this hidden gem.

Lovely food very plentiful. Being vegetarian was not a problem. Would recommend to my friend.

Another fantastic meal at the Raj! My favourite Indian Restaurant in Basingstoke! Thanks guys! Can’t wait until my next visit.

Used the Raj for quite a few years and it was without a doubt the best indian in Basingstoke , most recent delivery turned up with the updated menu showing it is now called the New Raj At Blackdam , obviously expected the price increases with current climate but did not expect the smaller portions and less taste. Really disappointed and my hunt continues for a decent curry in Basingstoke. Obviously under new ownership and I feel robbed.

Very tasty and nice Indian food. The food was not greasy or oily, authentic Indian dishes , the onion Bhaji was great and very large (tennis ball ) Nice to be able to get a draught Cobra on a Monday night :-) with amazing food .

Ordered over phone and was given price and my name taken, drive all the way there and they said they had no recollection of my order we normally have deliveries and quite often but will never irder again

The food was delicious and the service was good and everyone was very polite Will be going back again

My first visit and the food was delicious. Best onion bhajis ever. The popadums and bann were so light and fresh. Will definitely be going back.

5 star food and 5 star service, will be back.

Ate here on Tuesday night. Everything we ordered was delicious - the lamb biryani, chicken tikka, Bombay aloo and chapattis were all just so tasty. Will definitely be coming back again.

Quite a few people there last night (maybe best to book)

Lovely little restaurant had last minute availability cant do enough for you, food is fresh and delicious highly recommend

My experience is amazing the staff was very child friendly. They had very good Indian food. Alcohol is also returned to this amazing establishment.

One of the best place to feel the authentic Indian cuisine in basingstoke. Inspired with their staff services and hospitality, ambiance presented me positivity and even take away is on time. Highly recommend this restaurant.

Nice food, friendly staff under New Management, reasonable price. Highly recommend🙂

Having been coming to the raj for years now, since new management the food has been the best we’ve known it.

Raj under new management food lovely and came out quick plates were hot food was hot and real tasty we will be back

The food was amazing. The new management was amazing. Real Indian food. The food was made faster than any restaurant in this location was served warm with cold drinks. The service was very good and respectful. Definitely consider coming here. New manager now serve alcohol.

Absolutely awful meal. We waited for 2 hrs for the food and when it arrived it was stone cold. I emailed with photos and they never replied. I called and they said there was nothing they could do and basically told me 'tough'! Very poor from The Raj, definitely not what they used to be.

After coming from India my search for authentic Indian food continues...... Tried Raj of black dam and I wonder how can a food be called Indian food when the food is so very unworthy of even eating it , I ordered tandoori prawns and duck curry and chicken curry, only thing that I would rate my one star is the prawns ,it cannot be more than one star for the prawns , the duck curry was stale and curry was disgusting, the chicken curry.. oh my god , I wonder why you people are spoiling the name of Indian food ??? Being a reviewer I would want you guys to serve proper Indian food with proper indian taste, otherwise call it as something else.. I would be eager to change my review about your food so please do take it in a positive way and make changes in your food. But for now it's a full No!! No!! For me .

Been coming to raj for 25 plus years for a good reason, amazing food, great service, can not fault them , onion bhajee are so good, lamb curry is my go to sauce, lots of lamb in each portion, naan bread spot on, and mint sauce sooo good. If you pick up order for home enough food per portion for two people just order an extra naan as you get two bhajee s per order. Try raj and you will never go anywhere else again for an Indian meal. Staff very professional and pleasant to speak to.

Went to the Raj on a Friday night. For years the place was heaving, you needed to book. Now, they NO longer serve alcohol. Have to take your own. Took prosecco to share with friends, given red wine glasses to drink it in. Didn't seem...

Lovely food at a decent price. We go quite regularly. Usually very quiet. Staff are friendly. Cannot serve alcohol

I have ordered from the Raj many times and also eaten in on occasion. However, this time the waiter really did ruin the whole experience. On arrival, we were seated and ordered drinks, but the waiter never returned to take our order until I called...

Excellent food and fabulous honest service. Great value for money. One of the best Indian restaurants in town if not the best. Been going for years never disappointed

It's beena while since we had a takeaway from them, not for any reason other than cooking at hiome during lockdown. I don't normally write reveiws but felt the need after the takeaway we just had. It was amazing, chicken chilli masala (loads of flavour...

Tasty food. Good service. Best onion Bhajis in Europe! No alcohol license but cannot fault the food and service.

Having not been to the Raj for quite some time, we were delighted to find that the food was still of very high quality. We came with a couple of friends and all agreed that our meals were delicious. There's nothing quite like a freshly...

Gave me server food poisoning I want my money back as well you compensate me for my troubles if not I’ll take this to court

My salon is next door... but, despite being neighbours, my first choice is always Raj. I love the simplicity of the website ordering and delivery (when I am at home!!) Highly recommended.

Staff are very polite and helpful the food is great and it's value for money. My favourite place

Dinner with friends at the Raj was absolutely fantastic. The food and the service was exceptional. Had to take our own wine but that was a bonus as we did not pay inflated prices for wine. Highly recommend.

Friendly staff beautiful food as always

I was a regular customer for years and now it’s time to stop. First of all the past month or so the people on the telephone were absolutely atrocious. So rude and can barely speak English and was hard to understand them. I’ve been going for so long that I know their names, which is Francis and Rocky. Not good enough. Next the chef Mujeeb did a horrendous job. I don’t know how he still has the job after all these years. I have had food inside and all I can hear is him shouting rudely at the staff and once I heard him shout at the customers. The environment as a person dining in is TOXIC and hostile and very old fashioned interior that needs updating. Anyways the food was disgusting, pink meat and the korma which is meant to be the easiest and most common dish was horrendous. There was a piece of hair in my food which I assume is from mujeeb. I’m sorry but you thought the food was disgusting, but the delivery time was tragic. It was over 3 hours late and I got nothing as compensation. No refund no curry on the house. Mujeeb, Tony, Rocky and Francis should be ashamed of themselves on how they are running the place. NEVER ORDER FROM HERE!

Just had a takeaway the food was not up to scratch the take dhal was disgusting all watery there was no flavour in any of the food the tandoori chicken was dry and tough as old boots won’t be eating the raj food again very disappointed with the hole meal £57 wasted

Always a great curry, always hot. Lovely customer service.

Never had a bad meal from here food is always cooked lovely and large portions, if there are any mistakes or i haven't been happy the restaurant have always been happy to turn it around and are always so friendly and welcoming, the sit down experience is nice too obviously once covid is over i always recommended the Raj - Best indian in basingstoke for me!

Firstly, I've been a customer of the Raj of Black Dam for 20 plus years. I've noticed things slowly changing over the past two years but still remained a loyal customer. Had a food delivery last night. I expected the long delay you always get...

Great food and great service. Highly reccomend!

Very Nice food. Delivered quickly but online order system can be touchy with paypal payments.

Food always nice here. Good selection of dishes. My only trouble is trying to resist temptation as im just round the corner.

Always amazing food and staff are amazing

Friendly and fast. I've been using them for years. I'm a fan of the Rogan Gosh. I expect they're struggling with the increased numbers of takeaways due to Covid. Collection is fast and 10% less cost.

We waited 3 hours for delivery and never came. We had to collect. During call could hear other complaints from customers 🖓

I’ve been a customer for some years here and had a delicious meal there last night. However, the Raj does need to be taken to task, in the middle of this covid pandemic, as there was no access to NHS app check in. Neither did...

We have attended this restaurant many times. In August we ordered a takeaway and I paid via PayPal. I had a telephone call from the Raj saying the payment was not received. I paid cash on delivery. I was then charged via paypal! I complained...

We have been to this restraunt many times over the years and have never had a bad experience, the food is always outstanding, the staff are always friendly and very helpful and it's very clean. I booked a table for tonight after not going since...