- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Amar India Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Indian Restaurants Pakistani Indian, Pakistani [Edit]
2751 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd.Dayton, OH 45458
(937) 439-9005
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
28 reviews for Amar India Restaurant
Review Highlights
-
"My favorite dish I always get is the Saag Paneer." In 5 reviews -
"The daily lunch buffet is a favorite." In 6 reviews -
"I always order nan and lamb curry." In 2 reviews
Loading...
28 reviews in English
-
Review from Kristin M.
Chicago, IL
12/10/2011
Amar, once I make my millions of dollars after finally learning to understand what the numbers mean next to stock market symbols, I will ask you to come to me in whatever city I may then be living. I have so missed you during my years away, and I thank the heavens that you wait for me to return.
In other words, I like this place.
My love affair with Amar began one day in 2000 when my first boyfriend finally convinced me that the ramen noodles that I so loved did not count as a foreign food. He took me to Amar to experience my first Indian meal-- with thousands more to come. Excluding a homemade meal a friend's grandmother once made, I have not yet found a better Indian restaurant. The buffet is delicious, surely, but I'm a traditionalist: I always order from the menu, and always the same chicken mater, level 3. However, I have had the chance to try other dishes-- vindaloo, korma, makhani-- and I've not been disappointed. It's gone so far that once I finally moved to a city within a drive's distance from Dayton, I make sure to pick up from Amar before driving back so that I have a good meal to look forward to. In fact, I've converted a few Chicagoans using this very method!
Not only is the food delicious, but the people are wonderful. Speedy but friendly, I love coming in to chat. I've noticed that Amar's employees act similarly with other regulars, there are quite a few regulars. They now know my voice when I call. I tell you, my boyfriend's a little worried about my love for this restaurant, and perhaps rightly so. I'm not sure what I would do if forced to choose between the two. Thankfully, it will never come to that, as he too is now an avid fan.
The only complaint I've had thus far is the price range: it's a bit on the steep end. However, it won't keep me away-- it's worth it. See you next week, Amar! -
Review from Russell L.
Plano, TX
3/18/2012
After reading all of the gleaming recommendations on Yelp!, I decided to give this place a try. I decided to give their lunch buffet a try-- and usually a good way to taste a cross section of a restaurant's menu.
It started out downhill when I arrived, I was standing there for quite a few minutes in front of the waitress-- literally in front of her with no acknowledgement. After she finished spacing out, she told me to sit down.
I waited for awhile longer staring at the wall before she came by to ask me if I wanted the buffet and took my drink order. She disappeared again and left me to take on the buffet table. Still a little miffed about the spacy hostess and the lack of attentiveness on her part, I marvelled at the wonderful buffet that was waiting before me.
As advertised on their website, there were 3 vegeterian dishes, 3 non-vegeterian, and dessert. If you could sum up their buffet in two words it would be chickpeas and chicken--all which is very good. Though all chicken, the Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, and the Curry chicken were all quite good---just too much chicken in one setting. I would have liked to see other meats like lamb--even if it meant a little bit of a price premium. Naan bread was plentiful and for the first time, I could have as much of it as I wanted.
The dessert selection of the buffet scored another positive for the meal. There was the Kheer, a rice pudding lightly flavored with coconut---not too sweet but just right. There was a derivative of the Kheer that used condensed milk and very thin noodles---strange but delightful.
Buffet and a glass of water led to a very fulfilling meal of $10--a bargain for homemade cuisine. When paying for my bill the same female server asked me if I needed change for a tip---a surprising shameless hint at scoring a gratuity and very uncharacteristic of the Indian culture.
Minus the spacy, shameless, and inattentive server, this would have been a 4 star experience. Amar would be wise to pick who receives his customers. The food is first rate and pretty authentic from what these reviews say and the number of Indian and Pakistani customers who eat here. I will try Amar India again, but not before I make my round to the other Indian buffets in the Dayton area. Hopefully, I will encounter better service at these other establishments. -
Review from Liz H.
Dayton, OH
10/17/2011
I just moved to Dayton in August and so far, this is one of my favorite restaurants. I have been already several times. I think the lunch buffet is good, but busy, and the dinner is also wonderful. I also love that they serve a wide range of alcoholic beverages, so you can wash down your favorite beautifully colored food with some lovely wine, the color of your choosing. I should start this noting that I love Indian food.
I have always had good service when here. Sometimes the servers aren't the chattiest, but they have always been prompt, responsive, and kind. I like that.
Saag paneer isn't my favorite dish usually, but here it really is my favorite. I usually go for Navratan Korma, but they have the Saag Paneer (or maybe it was just saag) at the buffet, and I really love it. Best I have ever had. I love their Korma too, but I have to order that--I have, and I will again. I don't think you can go wrong with anything though.
I am not always the most adventurous eater. I find something I like or love and stick with that. Here, though, I have gone off the beaten path many times, and I have never been disappointed. I would try near anything on the menu, and I am certain I would be happy with it.
Plus they end the meals with those candy-coated fennel seeds (i think that's what they are), and those are awesome. -
Review from Matthew R.
Middletown, OH
I really wanted to give this place more stars. The food was pretty good, nothing that special, but still pretty good.
A little over priced.
It seemed we got a bad waitress too. I only noticed 2 people waiting on the tables. A male & a female. The male seemed like he was very busy, running around getting drinks, taking orders, always doing something. The female it seemed would just wonder around ignoring us and then dissappear for 10 minutes.
When we were first seated, she asked if we wanted to eat from the buffet. I told her I didn't know and that I'd like to see a menu. She didn't come back with a menu for about 15 minutes. We nearly left. It's not like she was busy either. There were only about 4 or 5 tables of people eating, and the male waiter was taking care of most of them. She hadn't taken our drink orders either so we just sat there wondering if we'd been forgotten about.
But listen, don't let my bad experience sway you from visiting. If you love Indian food, this place has good authentic Indian food.
It just wasn't a good enough overall experience to make me drive out of my way to be a repeat customer. Maybe I'll return if I'm ever in the area with friends who're wanting Indian food.
Not recommended for families with younger kids that aren't willing to try things that look "icky". -
Review from Aman B.
1/19/2011
great food, large buffet.
Been here a few times and this time around, felt like Amar India needed a review from me.
To start off, for those looking for a large meal, buffet is the way to go. The amount of food is quite a bit and as far as I'm aware, its only available during lunch hours (11:30 - 2pm i think). This is also a good way to get started with Indian food as your going to be able to sample a wide array of items from meat, vegetarian and appetizers.
The quality of food at the buffet has generally been consistent in terms of quality of ingredients. If I had to say something, as a person with roots in India, those Pakora's need some improvement. Everything else is good for those who like mild food.
Now, if you are not going for a buffet, there are other options on the menu. I have had various dishes from the vegetarian side and a few times when I have come for those meal, their spices have been VERY inconsistent. One time I asked for spicy 4/5 and got a mild meal, other time I got a VERY spicy meal. This can present a problem to a person who cannot tolerate spicy food.
I cannot truly recommend a specific dish, but from the ones I've had, I would easily repeat on the following items:
DAL MAKHANI
BASANT PANEER (very fattening dish, but most similar to having something like butter chicken, only vegetarian)
Another option for dinner is the Thal, there is a VEGETARIAN THAL and also a NON-VEG THAL which go from $15 - 17. I'm sorry, but in any other city, these are $10 max for the same portions. Its great food, but the prices are just all over the place here.
The interior of the place is clean, however the place could use a make-over.
Another note, the local paper apparently prints coupons as I have seen some people coming into the buffet and paying much less. This is perhaps why its full. Just a heads up if your a local that has access to the paper. I wish i could get access to this coupon. -
Review from Allison D.
Dayton, OH
3/16/2011
My husband and I adore this place. It is probably the best Indian food I've had, even though I know there are other spots in the Dayton area I still need to try. It's hard to pass this place up, though.
My favorite is the Chicken Korma, though the Tikka Masala and the Biryani dishes I've had are also wonderful. The Vindaloo is also a real treat. We get it as hot as possible and then couple it with one of the creamier dishes (with a milder spice) for balance.
The lunch buffet is also very plentiful and affordable, with a variety of dishes that are all delicious. You really can't go wrong with it. Prices and service are also spot on. -
Review from Lindsey Y.
Troy, OH
2/24/2012
My family had a great lunch at Amar India last week. We came in on Saturday for the lunch buffet and as soon as we walked in we were whisked to a comfortable booth and had our drink orders taken. As is stated on the Amar India website, there are a variety of different dishes available, including appetizers, vegetarian dishes, meat dishes, chutneys, green salad, and desserts. I ended up eating most of the vegetarian dishes and they were very good. I can't comment on their authenticity but I thought they were well spiced and very flavorful. As for the meat dishes, the only meat featured was chicken, which, while understandable from a cost point of view, was a little disappointing. I tried all the desserts and they were yummy. It was the first time I'd ever tried jalebi and I'm hooked. Throughout our trips to the buffet, we had multiple servers visit us and replace our drinks. The service was swift and courteous. The dining area is nicely decorated and was full with other customers but I never felt crowded. Overall, it was a really pleasant experience and I can't wait to come back to Amar India.
-
Review from Sam 'Wags' W.
Moraine, OH
7/2/2011 9 Check-ins Here
Their lunch buffet is well known, however, their menu is even better. Order "off-the-menu" if you are in the mood for some more exotic offerings.
-
Review from Kevin L.
Dayton, OH
9/3/2011
Service seems abrupt and keen on turnover, but that is perhaps a cultural element. Food is mostly consistent in terms of taste and quality. The daily lunch buffet is a favorite. Many of my Indian friends gravitate towards this place if given a choice. Prices a bit higher than competition.
-
Review from Anita W.
Cincinnati, OH
4/7/2010
This has always been one of my favorite restaurants in Dayton. If you're trying it for the first time I recommend going to the lunch buffet. The buffet is very reasonably priced and offers you a taste of several different kinds of dishes. They always have Chicken Curry, Tandoori Chicken, Saag, Nan, Lentil Soup, and desert in the buffet. Other dishes will vary. Most of the dishes on the buffet are mildly spiced unless otherwise indicated by the sign.
My favorite dinner entree is the Chicken Korma, creamy and amazingly spiced goodness. It's really great. I also really enjoy the Kashmiri Nan with it, which is their bread with dried fruit and nuts. Use the nan to sop up the yummy korma sauce. Other favorites are the Saag Paneer and Aloo Nan. When ordering, you choose your preferred spice level from 1 (mild) to 5 (very spicy).
Make sure you check out their website for coupons before you go. Or if you live in the area, their coupons are almost always found in the dailies. -
Review from Marianne C.
Butler, OH
3/23/2010 5 Check-ins Here
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place... I always order nan and lamb curry...spice level four please! I should go for five, but I'm chicken. Well, lamb...
In all seriousness, this is a wonderful Indian restaurant with a very friendly staff. The food is always fresh tasting and usually served quickly. I was there the other night after not being there for almost a month (or perhaps more?). One of the guys there asked me where I had been. It's nice to be recognized. :)
I highly recommend this place, but I suppose I can't say anything more than the lamb curry is excellent, since that's all I eat.Listed in: Favorite Haunts
-
Review from Lyndsey R.
Dayton, OH
9/20/2011
Wonderful food and buffet. We love this place.
-
Review from Jane S.
Dayton, OH
1/19/2012
My husband and I eat at Amar almost every week. Need I say more?
-
Review from Renee K.
New York, NY
5/29/2010
I'm from San Francisco, and travel to New York, London, and Washington DC for work and have had A LOT of Indian food. As such, I have to scale down a bit, because in the universe of Indian restaurants all over the world, this place is not perfection, so I cannot give it 5 stars. To be fair though, it IS very very good, and probably the best that you can find in such a suburb as Miamisburg, Ohio. As such, I scale up to 4 from a 3.5 stars.
My colleagues and I dined here on a week night. The place was mostly empty, so we had our doubts. However, the food was delicious and exceeded expectations and overcame initial doubts (Indian in Miamisburg, Ohio?). We got a couple of naan breads, vegetable biryani (slightly wet, but still fluffy), chicken tikka masala, lamb, paneer, and a whole bunch of other stuff. I also got a side of onions and lemon. Overall, the bill was a bit over $100 for four people, including drinks. Not a bad deal and very satisfying.
Pros: delicious authentic Indian fare which includes a spicy onion chutney dipping sauce, great tikka masala, good samosas, and satisfying menu.
Cons: not very spicy for Indian food, at all. I ordered a 4/5 spicy. Should have order a 12 spicy or something. I guess it's slightly pricey for this area, but no complaints. -
Review from Rockn D.
Huntsville, AL
12/27/2011
My friends and I stopped in for lunch on our way home from another dog show. Great food! I ordered sweet iced tea, but they brought out a glass of unsweet tea. It was hard for them to keep our tea glasses full, as they only seemed to have one pitcher available. They offered us water or another beverage, while we waited for more tea to be made. After looking around, we noticed that other people were not even drinking tea at all, but drinking water, cokes, alcoholic beverages etc. This would have probably happened regardless of what type of restaurant we went to. I suspect it has more to do with being outside the Southeast, where many of us are notorious sweet iced tea drinkers, compared to the rest of the country. After all, it was Dayton, OH. The food was great though and we enjoyed our lunch. My only complaint is that the buffet is in a corner, and it would have been nicer if it were a bit more open, to allow for easier access.
-
Review from Joseph D.
Miamisburg, OH
5/16/2011
Wow, found this place while on travel via Yelp, really glad I did. I had the vegetable sampler and mushroom lamb. Both were delicious and reasonably priced ($6 and $15 respectively). The lamb had a nice thick tasty sauce, and you choose how spicy on a 1-5 scale. Plenty of room, quiet, and great service. I noticed a lot of non-Asians getting takeout, and 50/50 split of dining in people as well. Highly recommended, especially for OH.
-
Review from Bryan A.
Montgomery, OH
6/27/2011
Very good lunch. Still not a big fan of the food in the Dayton area. This was the best Indian I have had in the area. Not quite "great" compared to some Indian food I have had elsewhere. But, actually pretty good. Chicken Curry and Chicken TM tasted almost identical. Soup was good and Paneer was the best in the meal. Certainly worth $8 for lunch. Want to stop in on a weekend and get fresh food off the menu and a beer. Hopeful that is even better.
-
Review from George N.
Middletown, OH
1/9/2011 1 photo
Fantastic food and great service. Hit the lunch buffet with young kids, they devoured it!
-
Review from Greg S.
Dayton, OH
12/16/2010 2 Check-ins Here
My favorite Indian restaurant in the area and in the top five overall. Great food, with a large selection of tasty vegetarian entrees. They also have a great selection of Naan, appetizers and other delicacies. I suggest the Saag Paneer and pakoras.
-
Review from Tracy B.
Denver, CO
1/24/2011
The buffet has a good selection but not the best food. I think kohinoor has better quality food, but their buffet doesnt have as wide of a variety.
-
Review from Ed H.
Chicago, IL
2/6/2006
Every time I go here to eat, I love what ever I order. Ihave never once had any bad food. Once and a while the service is slow, but most of the time its pretty good.
-
Review from Dan P.
Dayton, OH
12/14/2010 1 Check-in Here
This is where I fell in love with Indian food. Was the first experience in an Indian restaurant several years ago and I recently went again soon after moving back to the area. Try the vindaloo if you like spicy, try the korma if you like sweet. Those are my two favorites. Also, get some Naan to help tie it all together.
-
Review from Ryan P.
6/25/2009
Simply a great place to grab a bit to eat. The service is consistently good and the people that run the place (and Jeet India) seem to really enjoy sharing their delicious food with others. Favorites include saag paneer, bhartha, chilli chicken, and the garlic naan.
-
Review from Kitten H.
Columbus, OH
4/14/2009
I've been coming here since I was little.. I love the food here! It's my absolute favorite Indian restaurant. My favorite dish I always get is the Saag Paneer. They have a lunch buffet which is small but delicious as well. The owner is very kind and I recommend this place especially for first time Indian food virgins.
-
Review from Brian C.
1/9/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This was our second time visiting Amar India and both times were excellent all around! The wonderful smell immediately invades your senses when you walk in the door accompanied by the Indian music playing throughout the restaurant, the atmosphere rounds out the experience but the food really makes it worth while! Service was prompt and friendly, as it should be. This is a nice restaurant, perfect place for a date but still casual and comfortable. What comes to mind when I eat this food is comfort food, the wiki page for comfort food says that "comfort food can be defined as food that brings some form or measure of comfort, sense of well-being, or easy satisfaction.", Amar India embodies this definition. We started with the special aloo tiki, amazingly good! Of course a couple orders of nan, can't eat Indian without it. For entrees we ordered the chicken curry and lamb curry, my lamb curry (level 3 spicy) was perfectly balanced with flavor, heat, and quantity, I didn't want it to end! We were completely satisfied after our meal and when they bring the check out it's buried under a mound of candied fennel seeds which are addictive as well. Best Indian food in town and one of our favorite places to eat in Dayton.
-
Review from Amrit S.
Springboro, OH
12/26/2009
Aside from being regular customers, my family asked Amar India to cater for a reception. Surjit Singh, the owner, personally came out to help; all of his appetizers were made in front of the guests. Not to mention, the food was as incredible as it usually is. Surjit Singh's food rivals that of India. Amar India is undoubtedly the best Indian restaraunt in the Dayton/Cincinnati area.
-
Review from J C.
San Antonio, TX
9/17/2010
Great Indian. We'll definitely be back and bring others with us. The saag paneer, chicken tikka masala, naan, and pakoras were some of the best we've had.
-
Review from Eli a.
Champaign, IL
7/18/2009
THE BEST indian food i have ever eaten. i've been ordering the chicken korma (number 2 on the spicy meter), with 2 plain naan, and meat samosas for about 13 years now. excellent wait staff. if its too far a drive for you, try their sister establishment, Jeet India. too bad i live in illinois, i'd eat at amar india every 2 weeks
