Unearth The Voyage
If you think comfort food in Maine means only chowder and whoopie pies, Taj Indian Cuisine will happily change your mind. This family-run spot in South Portland turns classic Indian recipes into craveable, local favorites with heart, spice, and a generous lunch buffet. With 4.5 stars and more than 1,700 reviews, it is clear people keep coming back for bold flavors and warm hospitality. Come hungry, because once you start tasting, you will want to try everything.
First Taste: The Welcoming Aroma
Walk through the door at Taj Indian Cuisine and the first thing you notice is the aroma. Toasty cumin, cardamom, and butter hit you in waves, a promise of comfort that feels immediate and honest. It is the kind of scent that makes you slow down, breathe deeper, and glance at every table for clues.
Staff greet you with a smile and a quick rundown of daily specials and buffet highlights. You feel like a regular even if it is your first time, which is part of the magic here. The space is warm, family friendly, and buzzing without being loud.
There is always that moment when the naan lands on the table, soft and blistered. You tear a piece and it is almost impossible not to nibble before the rest arrives. That first bite tells you everything: simple ingredients, careful cooking, and the kind of hospitality that turns a meal into habit.
Lunch Buffet That Locals Love
The lunch buffet at Taj Indian Cuisine is the definition of a Maine lunch win. It runs on select weekdays with a rotating lineup, so there is always a reason to swing by. Trays gleam with saag, chana masala, fragrant rice, and golden pakoras that crunch softly.
You fill your plate, then go back for that one curry you were not expecting to love. Everything is labeled, staff refill quickly, and the spice levels feel approachable. If you want more heat, there are condiments waiting to dial things up.
The best part is discovering how each dish balances comfort and brightness. A scoop of dal, a swipe of mint chutney, a bite of tandoori chicken, and suddenly the afternoon feels lighter. Value matters, and here you get variety, freshness, and the kind of flavors that turn a workday into a small celebration.
Tandoori Magic: From Clay Oven to Table
Taj Indian Cuisine treats the tandoor like a heartbeat. You can taste it in the charred edges of chicken, the smoky blush on shrimp, and the blistered surface of naan. That radiant heat locks in juice, perfumes the meat, and gives each bite a whisper of campfire.
Order the mixed tandoori platter if you want a tour. It arrives sizzling, scattered with onions and lemon wedges, sending up little clouds of spice. The color is a giveaway too, a rust red glaze that means yogurt, chili, and time.
Dip a piece in cooling raita, add a squeeze of lemon, and suddenly the flavors click into place. The texture is key: tender inside, lightly crisp outside, never dry. If you have been curious about clay oven cooking, this is where you feel the difference immediately.
Naan and Breads: The Soft Anchor
Good naan can turn a nice meal into a memorable one, and Taj Indian Cuisine understands that. The basket arrives warm, edges blistered, center soft enough to fold around rice or scoop up sauce. Garlic naan brings an herbal punch, while kulcha offers a richer chew.
It is easy to lose count while tearing pieces for the table. Each bread feels intentionally made, not an afterthought. If you prefer something leaner, try roti for a nutty, whole wheat bite.
Pair the bread with butter chicken, saag paneer, or even a simple dal. The combination turns saucy dishes into shareable bites that travel well from plate to plate. You can build a whole lunch around breads and chutneys alone and walk out happy.
Butter Chicken That Wins Skeptics
Butter chicken at Taj Indian Cuisine is the gateway dish for anyone on the fence. The sauce is velvety and tomato forward with a gentle warmth that does not shout. Tender chicken swims in the gravy, so every scoop clings beautifully to rice or bread.
Ask for the spice level that suits you, then add a hit of cilantro for brightness. It is comfort food through and through, the kind of dish you order for the table because someone will always want a bite. Leftovers heat up like a dream.
What makes it stand out is balance. Rich, but not heavy. Familiar, yet layered with toasted spices and butter that tastes clean and satisfying.
Vegan Comfort: Chana Masala and Dal
Plant based diners are covered at Taj Indian Cuisine, and not in a token way. Chana masala delivers chickpeas that hold their shape with a bright tomato gravy and a citrusy finish. The dal is soothing and deeply savory, perfect when you want warmth without heaviness.
Add basmati rice, spoon on mint or tamarind chutney, and it becomes a full meal that skips dairy entirely. Servers are helpful about ingredients and spice, so you can fine tune to taste. It is easy to share with mixed company because flavors are generous and satisfying.
These dishes prove vegan food does not have to be austere. The textures are playful, the aromas are huge, and the satisfaction is real. You leave full, energized, and ready to recommend it to a friend who thinks vegan means bland.
Spice Levels: Choosing Your Heat
One reason Taj Indian Cuisine wins over newcomers is control. You set the spice level, and the kitchen honors it without losing flavor. Mild still tastes complex, while medium wakes up the palate and hot delivers a steady glow.
Ask questions if you are unsure, because staff give honest guidance. Some dishes build heat over time, especially vindaloo and certain tandoori items. Raita offers a cooling counterpoint, and a squeeze of lemon can soften the edges.
The goal is not bravado, it is balance. You get to enjoy the dish, not fight it. That thoughtful approach encourages trying new curries and finding a personal sweet spot you can return to confidently.
Family Run Warmth and Service
Taj Indian Cuisine is family owned, and you feel that in the way service flows. There is an easy kindness in small gestures, like topping off water or explaining a dish without rush. Regulars are greeted by name, and newcomers get the same care.
Orders arrive promptly, with check ins at the right moments. If you need gluten free bread advice or want to split plates, they make it simple. The vibe is welcoming for solo diners, families, and date night alike.
That warmth keeps people coming back as much as the food does. When a place recognizes you, meals feel personal and relaxed. It is hospitality that is hard to fake and even harder to forget.
For Kids and First Timers
If you are bringing kids or visiting for the first time, Taj Indian Cuisine makes it easy. Start with mild butter chicken, dal, or tandoori chicken for simple flavors and familiar textures. Naan is a guaranteed hit, especially garlic or plain with a touch of butter.
Servers will guide portion sizes and spice levels to keep everyone comfortable. Share a mango lassi if you want a sweet, cooling treat alongside the meal. The buffet is also a smart way to sample without committing to a single entree.
By the end, first timers usually have a favorite and a plan for what to try next. The menu is broad but not overwhelming when you take it step by step. Your table becomes an easy path into Indian cooking that feels friendly and fun.
Takeout That Travels Well
Some nights call for takeout, and Taj Indian Cuisine packs it like pros. Curries arrive sealed and hot, rice fluffs up perfectly, and naan keeps its soft chew if you crack the lid briefly. Sauces never seem watered down, even after a short drive.
Online ordering is straightforward through their website, and pickup is quick. Ask for extra chutneys and a side of raita to round out your order. If you like variety, mix a tandoori item with one curry and a dal for balance.
Timing matters, so plan around opening hours to catch dinner. Once home, the kitchen aromas fill the room instantly. It is the kind of takeout that makes a couch, a movie, and a generous plate feel like a mini vacation.
Mango Lassi and Drink Pairings
Mango lassi is the crowd pleaser at Taj Indian Cuisine, creamy and lightly sweet with that tropical perfume you expect. It cools spicy dishes fast and doubles as dessert if you are the sip and linger type. For something lighter, ask about lime soda or a simple chilled chai.
Nonalcoholic pairings shine because they reset your palate between bites. A lassi with vindaloo is a classic play, while lime soda loves tandoori. Water with lemon works when you want clean, neutral refreshment.
Whatever you choose, balance is the goal. Drinks here do not overshadow the food, they highlight it. You leave refreshed, not weighed down, ready to plan the next visit.
Navigating the Menu Like a Local
Start with something crunchy like samosas or pakoras, then split a tandoori platter to sample char and spice. From there, pick one creamy curry and one lighter option to keep the table balanced. Do not forget a basket of naan, because it ties the whole meal together.
If you want seafood, ask about shrimp specials or fish curries that rotate. Vegetarians will be happy with saag paneer, chana masala, or aloo gobi. Pair with basmati rice, then adjust heat using raita and chutneys.
Finish with kheer or another sweet if available, and you have the arc locals swear by. The trick is mixing textures and weights so you never get palate fatigue. It turns a good dinner into an easy ritual you will repeat.
Weeknight or Weekend: When To Go
Taj Indian Cuisine opens for lunch on weekdays and dinner service later in the day, so timing matters. If you prefer a quieter vibe, weekday lunches and early dinners are your best bet. Weekends bring more buzz, which can be fun if you enjoy that lively feel.
Check the posted hours because Saturday runs late, while weekday lunch wraps mid afternoon. Calling ahead for larger groups helps, especially if you want to linger. Parking is straightforward in the plaza, making quick stops easy.
Whatever your schedule, the food is consistent and the service steady. Plan around your appetite and spice cravings, then let the menu guide you. You leave satisfied, with a new favorite time to return.
Value and Portions That Satisfy
Taj Indian Cuisine sits in that sweet $$ zone where quality meets value. Portions are generous without feeling heavy, so sharing a couple entrees works well. The buffet amplifies value further, especially when you want range and speed.
Bread baskets carry enough for the table, and rice comes fluffy and plentiful. Sauces taste layered and slow cooked, a sign of care you typically pay more for. Leftovers stretch into tomorrow, which makes the check feel even friendlier.
You do not need to overthink the order to get a great deal. Pick favorites, add a new dish to explore, and enjoy how far your dollar goes. It is the kind of value that wins repeat visits and easy recommendations.
Location, Contact, and How To Book
You will find Taj Indian Cuisine at 333 Clarks Pond Pkwy Ste 6, South Portland, ME 04106. It is easy to reach from major roads, and there is ample parking nearby. The Google rating sits proudly at 4.5 stars across a large stack of reviews.
Before you go, check hours because lunch and dinner windows vary by day. For questions or to coordinate a group, call +1 207-828-6677. The website http://www.tajofmaine.com/ lists menus, updates, and helpful details.
If you prefer to map it, the coordinates are 43.6312086, -70.3253537. Whether you dine in, take out, or pop in for the buffet, planning is straightforward. That simplicity makes returning an easy habit.
Why It Becomes a Local Favorite
At Taj Indian Cuisine, tradition meets Maine sensibility in a way that feels natural. Dishes are cooked with patience, service is genuinely kind, and prices make it easy to visit often. You get bold spice without bluster, comfort without boredom, and a menu that welcomes everyone.
Locals come for the lunch buffet and stay for the dependable dinners that follow. Newcomers show up curious and leave with a short list of favorites. That is how a restaurant moves from discovery to staple.
If you are looking for a spot that turns a weeknight into something special, this is it. Bring friends, share plates, and make it a ritual. You will quickly understand why so many reviews sound like love letters.
