Minar has been a go to for us for all the years we've lived in the Utica area. We were proud that we had such a quality Indian restaurant 15 miles from our rural village. But recently the heat level has been creeping up on even the most basic food items to an intolerable amount. We've mentioned it when she asked how we enjoyed our meal after choosing from the buffet. Waited a few months before we came back to carefully order off the menu and it was even worse. If you like fiery hot chicken masala, this is your place.
Jennifer Mills
As soon as you walk in, the place smells amazing. Our server was extremely helpful, knowledgeable and accommodating. The food was all extremely flavorful and abundant. They even gave us free extra rice to take home with our leftovers. Great place to go for gluten free or vegetarian options as well.Dietary restrictions: Lots of gluten free options
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: North Indian Tandoori Tikka, Minar Special Soup, Chicken Tikka Masala
I would like to thank Limo and the young lady for excellent service and hospitality! The cuisine is fragrant and absolutely delicious! I really enjoyed the Minar specialty soup, I didn't want that to end! Thank
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Akshaya Kontham
Best buffet place at an affordable
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Linda Whiteman
Buffet was great- food was hot and replenished timely. Staff was very attentive plus busy with phone calls for take out. I thought a little extra help may be needed on days with two buffets are available. All in all it was a very good experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Colter Bush
Fantastic. Food is always delicious. Lunch buffet, dinner, or to go. Never had an issue. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fenster O.
Not long ago, this was the go-to place for delicious Indian. Note: past tense. It seems the epidemic changed the restaurant industry for the worse. Minar included. Recently ordered takeout. The lentil soup was bland and diluted. Mains were nowhere near past glory; barely serviceable chicken curry and Gobi. Portions are substantially smaller while the price shot up. That's not exclusive to Minar. We were livid to find the Pakoras were the crumbs left over in the deep fryer basket after preparing the appetizer. Literally nothing inside. What was left were small, rock hard and dry bits of breading. What self-respecting restaurant owner perpetrates a sham like this on their customers. It's despicable. You're out of Pakoras, make new ones! Don't give me breading crumbs and tell me they're an appetizer. Our revenge will be no longer frequenting this joint. My business and therefore my hard earned dollars will go to a restaurant that does not disrespect me with a belief they can pull the wool over my eyes.
Richard Savory
Wonderful food, good service, very fair prices. Behl Puri appetizer for $4.95 is delicious and practically a meal in itself.
Mansoor K.
Had the lunch time buffet. The food was delicious with a wide choice of dishes, and tea with desert too. The service was great. Would definitely come back again.
Try the Achari Chicken. It's my favorite and a bit on the zingy side with spices.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Shoe Crown
Called ahead for an order since we were on a tight schedule. They had our food ready in 20 minutes and even prep’d a table for us so we could eat inside real quick. The goat vindaloo was fantastic (not too spicy @ medium heat request), and the service was super accommodating. We’ll definitely be coming here again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Goat Vindaloo
Mulah Htoo
Amazing. They have buffet style Indian food and the foods were delicious. 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Charles Zimmerman
This is by far some of the best most consistent Tikka Masala in the capital district. Always good. Fresh spice level done as you prefer. Always my go to when I'm in Albany.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kayla Rena
I love this place so much. I haven’t been able to get there is person so I ordered it through DoorDash and it was still just as good as going there. Simply delicious, consistent every time! I love Indian food because of this restaurant. I can’t recommend them enough!Vegetarian options: Lots of veggie options
Minar has been a go to for us for all the years we've lived in the Utica area. We were proud that we had such a quality Indian restaurant 15 miles from our rural village. But recently the heat level has been creeping up on even the most basic food items to an intolerable amount. We've mentioned it when she asked how we enjoyed our meal after choosing from the buffet. Waited a few months before we came back to carefully order off the menu and it was even worse. If you like fiery hot chicken masala, this is your place.
As soon as you walk in, the place smells amazing. Our server was extremely helpful, knowledgeable and accommodating. The food was all extremely flavorful and abundant. They even gave us free extra rice to take home with our leftovers. Great place to go for gluten free or vegetarian options as well.Dietary restrictions: Lots of gluten free options
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: North Indian Tandoori Tikka, Minar Special Soup, Chicken Tikka Masala
Good food, when they say spicy, it's spicy.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Tikka Masala, Korma, Chicken Vindaloo
I would like to thank Limo and the young lady for excellent service and hospitality! The cuisine is fragrant and absolutely delicious! I really enjoyed the Minar specialty soup, I didn't want that to end! Thank
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best buffet place at an affordable
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Buffet was great- food was hot and replenished timely. Staff was very attentive plus busy with phone calls for take out. I thought a little extra help may be needed on days with two buffets are available. All in all it was a very good experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic. Food is always delicious. Lunch buffet, dinner, or to go. Never had an issue. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Not long ago, this was the go-to place for delicious Indian. Note: past tense. It seems the epidemic changed the restaurant industry for the worse. Minar included. Recently ordered takeout. The lentil soup was bland and diluted. Mains were nowhere near past glory; barely serviceable chicken curry and Gobi. Portions are substantially smaller while the price shot up. That's not exclusive to Minar. We were livid to find the Pakoras were the crumbs left over in the deep fryer basket after preparing the appetizer. Literally nothing inside. What was left were small, rock hard and dry bits of breading. What self-respecting restaurant owner perpetrates a sham like this on their customers. It's despicable. You're out of Pakoras, make new ones! Don't give me breading crumbs and tell me they're an appetizer. Our revenge will be no longer frequenting this joint. My business and therefore my hard earned dollars will go to a restaurant that does not disrespect me with a belief they can pull the wool over my eyes.
Wonderful food, good service, very fair prices. Behl Puri appetizer for $4.95 is delicious and practically a meal in itself.
Had the lunch time buffet. The food was delicious with a wide choice of dishes, and tea with desert too. The service was great. Would definitely come back again.
Restaurantji Recommends
Try the Achari Chicken. It's my favorite and a bit on the zingy side with spices.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Called ahead for an order since we were on a tight schedule. They had our food ready in 20 minutes and even prep’d a table for us so we could eat inside real quick. The goat vindaloo was fantastic (not too spicy @ medium heat request), and the service was super accommodating. We’ll definitely be coming here again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Goat Vindaloo
Amazing. They have buffet style Indian food and the foods were delicious. 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is by far some of the best most consistent Tikka Masala in the capital district. Always good. Fresh spice level done as you prefer. Always my go to when I'm in Albany.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love this place so much. I haven’t been able to get there is person so I ordered it through DoorDash and it was still just as good as going there. Simply delicious, consistent every time! I love Indian food because of this restaurant. I can’t recommend them enough!Vegetarian options: Lots of veggie options
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Veg Pakora