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Udupi Palace

4 star rating
based on 36 reviews

Categories: Vegetarian, Indian, Pakistani  [Edit]

1329 University Blvd E
Takoma Park, MD 20912
(301) 434-1531
Hours:

Mon-Sun. 11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Good for Groups:
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Private Lot
Attire:
Casual
Price Range:
$$
Good for Kids:
Yes
Takes Reservations:
Yes
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Good for:
Lunch
Alcohol:
None

36 reviews for Udupi Palace

Review Highlights   

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"Note: There's also a lunch buffet on Sat/Sun for $10." (in 5 reviews)
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"Hands down I think Indian food is the best in all the different food…" (in 4 reviews)
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"Most delicious Indian food I've ever had." (in 14 reviews)
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Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites'
Photo of Jesus J.

 

0

16

Jesus J.

Hyattsville, MD

4 star rating
11/18/2009

This restaurant has excellent vegetarian dishes.  I'm a big meat eater and tend to have some sort of meat with most meals, but I was not disappointed after leaving Udupi.  Each dish I've tried has been very flavorful (some can be spicy, so be careful if you're not feeling the spicy).  The staff are friendly and fairly attentive.  You may struggle a bit when it comes to ordering.  I've been here quite a few times and I tend to have to repeat my order to the waiter at least three times.  This may be my fault, but patience is expected.  

I've never had their buffet - only ordered from the menu.  My favorite dish is paneer mahkni, and anything with eggplant or potatoes is delicious.  The mango chutney is also very good.  There's also a dessert shop near the entrance of the store that has a wide selection of little treats to nibble on after lunch or dinner.

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Photo of Stuart S.

Elite '09

11

193

Stuart S.

Washington, DC

4 star rating
11/4/2009

I came here with friends for the buffet. We were not disappointed. We had plenty of food, and there was something for everyone. When an entire restaurant is vegetarian, I don't have to worry about which dishes I can eat--the answer is simply everything. I must have had at least a few scoops of everything on the buffet.

The service is what you'd expect for a buffet, somewhere between lax and negligent, and they have put correspondingly little effort into decorating, but this place is clearly just focusing on the food, which I'm happy to report was delicious.

I don't know when I'll be back--this part of Takoma Park isn't exactly near the metro, nor is it a place I frequent--but should I find myself in the area again and hungry, I'll definitely swing by.

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Photo of Dora F.

 

0

25

Dora F.

Greenbelt, MD

2 star rating
10/13/2009

The parking is from hell. Be very careful when driving here because the strip it is on has the highest rate of pedestrian deaths in the entire region due to the custom of the local immigrant community of walking into traffic. It is very easy to drive by and not see it because the storefront is small and tucked away in a non-descript strip mall surrounded by the types of businesses that make white people nervous.

All vegetarian, with a sweet shop in front. Udupi is authentic, which means it can be difficult to communicate with the staff. When they say something is not too hot, you cannot trust them. The menu is extensive, but many of the dishes sound identical.

I have been here many times, and have had mixed results. My fav is the cheese dosai. Watch out for anything with Indian pickles---super hot! I actually prefer the nearby Woodlawn vegetarian restaurant, but stopped going there because people were attacked with machetes in the parking lot. I am not making this up.

Mango lassi is good. Pass on the ice creams. Chai is just okay.

I always see other customers in saris here, which is a good sign. This is a fun place to come with a group because you can try lots of stuff, and they are happy to put tables together for you.

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Photo of D H.

 

9

4

D H.

Washington, DC

5 star rating
11/5/2009

Why does their food taste so good?  Hands down I think Indian food is the best in all the different food restaurant choices.  Udupi is all vegetarian and they also have Tofu for those folks who eat that stuff lol.  But go, you won't be disappointed.  Even if you're not a vegetarian you will like their food.  But they also own a restaurant named Tiffin for those who are not vegetarian.
     It is in a highly congested area so parking might be a problem but still go.

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Photo of Sara M.

 

4

35

Sara M.

Berwyn Heights, MD

5 star rating
9/27/2009

If I could marry a restaurant, Udupi Palace would be front-runner for my groom.  I love this place.  It's South Indian cuisine, which means the food is vegetarian.  The menu is extensive and I haven't been disappointed with anything I've ever ordered.

The appetizers are all pretty standard fare - like pakora (breaded veggies), patties of chickpeas and lentils, and delicious little vada (savory donuts).  Everything comes with chutneys, my favorite is the coconut-based one.  Mmm.  They have a few major types of entrees.  The dosai are like giant crispy crepes stuffed with fillings like potatoes, onion, peas, and/or cheese.  They have a variety of uthappam, which are like savory pancakes studded with veggies.  And they have the usual assortment of curries.  Their paneer (cheese) dishes are some of my favorites.  And everything comes with yet more chutney, as well as raita (a yogurt-based condiment) and spicy pickled lemons.  They offer a few different thali, which are multi-course meals with options.  These are a LOT of food, but a great way to try various dishes.  They also offer a variety of delicious breads to accompany your meal.

They have a lunch buffet every day with a rotating assortment of dishes.  The weekend buffet is more extensive but a few dollars more expensive.  We alternate between the buffet and ordering from the dinner menu - each has its strengths.  Sometimes I'd like a lot of variety, other times I just want to order my favorites.  

The atmosphere is casual, and they recently changed their walls to a cheery yellow from their old Pepto-pink color.  The waiters are friendly and efficient, and they leave a big carafe of ice water on every table.  I wish more restaurants would do this!  If you save some room, the front of the restaurant is a sweets shop featuring a variety of classic Indian sweets that are sold by the pound.  We sometimes pick up a few items for take-out.  

I love Udupi Palace.  It's my favorite vegetarian Indian restaurant.  Now I want some paneer... and it's almost midnight.  Damn.

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Photo of Ruth N.

 

15

95

Ruth N.

Takoma Park, MD

5 star rating
10/30/2009

Delicious, delicious, delicious!

I love Indian food and have visited restaurants in many states and even a few different countries (but not India...yet) so this review is based on lots of yummy experience.  Thank goodness we live in Takoma Park so that we can visit Udupi Palace as often as we like!  We go for the buffets that they hold every day for lunch, with the best being on the weekends.  I've actually never ordered off the menu, so I can't speak to that.

The dishes are consistently delightful, with lots of fresh vegetables and all of the scrumptious seasoning you want.  Entrees range from mild to somewhat spicy on the buffet - if you need more heat then I suggest ordering from the menu.  The buffet offers a delicious line up of breads as well as a variety of main dishes, and lots of rice.  There is always a desert and a side-bar for salads and chutneys.  On the weekends another table is set up to offer pakoras and other delights.  Regardless of the day, another dish will be offered at your table (it comes with the buffet) that is an eggy crepe-like bread with seasoned mashed potatoes and veggies in the middle.  Soda and water are quickly refilled upon request - like most Indian places they tend not to swoop in with soda refills but they are good with the water.  Bathrooms are clean and convenient.  The whole inside is a neat yellow color with interesting architectural features.  

When you're done don't just walk out - stop at the little store that is built in.  They offer a wide variety of burfee (or barfi) for take away, along with other deserts and snacks.  Try the amriti, a drizzled honey treat eatten cold or warm (but usually not hot), or the gulab jamun which is best served warm or hot.  

Important tip - park around the side and then exit out onto New Hampshire by driving behind Udupi and turning so you can exit at the lights.  It's too crazy trying to get out at the lights onto University.

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Photo of Jessica P.

 

14

81

Jessica P.

Millersville, MD

3 star rating
5/3/2009

I actually came across this place when I got lost in the area and was hungry deciding to just rest a bit from being a little frazzled I went inside and I was greeted .  I sat down and they gave me different little dishes of peppers from mild to really really spicy from hot oil to paste.  A good amount of their menu is made for vegetarians.  I got some vegetable samosas, mango juice,Special rava Masala Dosai and finished all of that off with Badam halwa . Tip: when something is too spicy eat bread..it works b/c some of those last dishes of peppers were burn your tongue hot and I can usually handle the hottest but, this place had me beat!
I plan to go back soon, this time without the whole getting lost part.

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Elite '09

131

184

olivia d.

Bethesda, MD

3 star rating
3/6/2009

On Feb. 25, I gave up meat for Lent. I became a raging ball of irritation and insatiation. No food was tasty enough or filling enough and everybody was getting on my nerves. It was like PMS with roid rage.

Thankfully, places like Udupi exist where dishes are vegetarian AND actually have punchy flavor AND can make you full without feeling bean-bloated.

For many years, my family has come here every once in a while.. sometimes on our own, sometimes as guests of a huge celebration, sometimes for the buffet... Last week, we went for dinner, so no buffet. We got a bunch of dishes though so I will run through them...

1. Masala Dosai -- This is my parents' usual go-to order because it's tasty, not too exotic for shy tastebuds, and cool looking. It's a huge crepe-style pancake that's crispy and has a yellowy potato/onion type filling.

2. Vegetable Utthapam -- This is described as a "pancake" with tomato, peas, carrot & onion. It's kind of like a Korean been-deh-dduk. If you're not Korean, that might not help. But if you are, this will make tons of sense. Comes with a spicy coconut chutney and sambar. Sambar is described as a lentil soup but I found it to be more like a teeny bowl of sauce.

3. Paneer Tikka Masala -- I was so excited when I saw this on the menu because I freaking miss chicken tikka masala. Paneer is described as a "homemade cheese" but it doesn't really taste cheesy at all. This dish was ok... definitely not as good as getting chicken tikka masala somewhere else though.

4. Channa Batura -- Indian fry bread with a curried chickpea mush. Deep fried flat bread the size of a serving platter that becomes bubbly and crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. Gawd I love deep fried food. The chickpeas tasted great too.

Service was attentive and friendly. The dishes all came out at different times, a minor complaint... The decor is not fancy, and not exactly McDonald's... I'd say it's comparable to putting chandeliers in a pink Pizza Hut. My biggest beef was with the bathrooms, where someone managed to completely miss the toilet and piss all over the floor. The pink tiles made it hard for me to see that until I stepped into it. Not cool.

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Photo of Minger M.

 

19

100

Minger M.

Washington, DC

4 star rating
9/4/2009

I'm a big fan of buffets, particularly for Indian food as I love the assortment of flavors in one meal.  Udupi Palace does have a good buffet but it may not be the best representation of their kitchen.  My benchmark dish is roasted eggplant, and outside of Queens, NY they have hands down the best in the area.  The neighborhood is a bit sketchy but worth the trek.  They have a huge sweets counter.  I'm always so satiated that I can't consider anything more when I leave.

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6

22

Chris A.

Washington, DC

3 star rating
8/29/2009

Maybe the regular menu would have been a better choice - the thali left us wishing we'd gone to Woodland's buffet instead.

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Photo of Rachel Z.

 

0

5

Rachel Z.

Berkeley, CA

5 star rating
1/26/2009

This is my favorite restaurant. Period. Hands down. I no longer live in the area but I make a point to come eat here every time I'm in town.

All the dishes are vegetarian, which makes me happy, since I don't eat meat, but my friends and family all enjoy the place as well. They have a juice bar where you can order fresh juices (I like pineapple-orange, personally; they're not cold though so be ready for that).

The menu is large and varied, specializing in South Indian food, which is different from the more typical North Indian stuff you might expect from an Indian restaurant. The dosai (big crepe type things filled with potatoes) are very tasty and fun to eat. My favorite thing is the uttapam, big pancakes dotted with vegetables. Their curry dishes are excellent too.

Especially awesome is the lunch buffet - all you can eat of a huge variety of dishes, and they even come around and bring little mini dosai to your table!

The walls are bright and the atmosphere is jolly, though not fancy. I've never been here when it was crowded, and I've been here a lot, though I imagine it must happen sometimes. Come try it, you won't regret it!

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Photo of vena v.

 

2

126

vena v.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
7/25/2009

Dreamy pongal avail - rice with cashews and coconut sauce. The large thali is huge and delicious.

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Photo of Molly S.

 

7

5

Molly S.

Rockville, MD

5 star rating
5/15/2009

Hot damn! Udupi Palace is one of my two favorite Indian restaurants. Off the f*ckin' charts! Not like this hasn't been said already, but every Saturday/Sunday Udupi does this ridiculously delicious and plentiful lunch buffet...I could easily eat here every weekend. Haha I don't think I've ever actually eaten at Udupi for dinner because I am SO thrilled with the buffet. Udupi provides their diners with oodles of authentic, amazing Indian food. Service is just fine. Great to meet up with a bunch o' friends/family on a Saturday or Sunday early afternoon and eat a ridiculous amount of yummy food.

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0

12

Debbie L.

Silver Spring, MD

5 star rating
12/2/2008

If I had to recommend an Indian place in the DC area, this would be it. Ignore the complete sketch of the neighborhood, the horrible traffic and the lack of parking. The food is completely worth all that. The best deal really is the lunch buffet. For $10 a person, I can fill up on deliciously spiced food and not be hungry the rest of the day. There is always plenty of naan (unfortunately, not fresh, but still good) and rice to complement the many entree dishes available.

I've tried numerous items on their (very extensive) menu during dinner hours and have never been disappointed. I have taken meat-eating friends here and they have never complained about the lack of meat in the dishes after their first bite.  The wait staff are always attentive and friendly, and are more than willing to recommend dishes to someone unfamiliar with the menu.

And if you can manage it after stuffing yourself silly, try something from the dessert counter. Mmm.

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Elite '09

275

484

Ina C.

Cambridge, MA

4 star rating
5/30/2008

I always wondered what I could possibly eat if I ever decided to go vegetarian. "How many ways can you prepare tofu?" I asked. I always thought that, without meat, a meal is really boring...But thanks to Udupi Palace, I realize that there is a world of variety!

Today was a rare day when I got a pretty sizeable lunch break, so my coworker and I decided that this would be the day to visit Udupi. I was attracted by the $10 buffet, and by the fact that I'd have a new place to Yelp about :) We were the first ones there at 11:30, but there was a steady stream of people, and the restaurant was half-full by the time we left at 12:15.

I knew I'd never be able to remember the names of the dishes that made up this pretty sizeable buffet. I'll just say that I had things that I'd never had before (I know I'm totally risking losing "useful" points here!) and it was truly delicious, even for a person without a very developed Indian palate.

I also appreciated the JUG of water that they left at our table, and promptly replaced with another full jug once they saw that the first one was down to about 3/4 empty (1/4 full?).

If you ever find yourself on New Hampshire inside the Beltway looking for a cheap ethnic dining experience, I highly recommend coming to Udupi!

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Elite '09

31

120

Shawn H.

Germantown, MD

5 star rating
6/3/2008

Absolutely 5 stars for food, service and the desserts... don't miss the desserts before you leave--take home a box for your friends!

I hate the location, but everything else about Udupi Palace is fantastic. I haven't been there in some time and was just reminded (by a review here on Yelp) that I need to find a reason to drive in that direction once in a while.

It's the best Indian food I have had outside of 6th St. in NYC.

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3

14

Sophia C.

Washington, DC

5 star rating
9/16/2008

I'm one of those folks who truly appreciates good "ethnic foods".  (Really what does that mean?) Anywho, I was introduced to the fabulousness that is Udupi Palace about a year ago by a good friend.  I was looking for some good vegetarian foods to enjoy.  No I'm not a full vegetarian (I do eat fish & dairy) but sometimes I get tired of the salads, etc.  Eating sides at every function gets old after a while.  Can someone hand me an entree please?

So yeah, international foods have always been my favorites.  I can appreciate cultures that can infuse good seasonings on some veggies that make my mouth water.  And UP does just that.  I mean it is DELICIOUS!!  I've tried quite a few things off the menu, and everything, and I do mean everything, is to die for! And I do have to give a shoutout  on that Naan....drooling on my keyboard now.

I've never had an opportunity to dine in, I've always ordered to go.  Rest assured dine in options are just as good, the place is always packed.  And one of my markers for truly authentic good food is whether folks of the same culture frequent the restaurant.  And they do, it seems to be a family affair in the seating area.

So enough of my rambling, get yourself to this place quick, the next time you have a hankering for some mouth watering delicious Indian food. Trust me, you won't miss the meat!

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Elite '09

6

157

Olivia L.

Washington, DC

3 star rating
10/8/2008

Interior is nicer than Woodlands' (which is catty corner) but the food isn't as good.  My dosa was soggy and not hot.  The selection of condiments wasn't as good either -- no pickle?  no tamarind?  and the riata was pretty flavorless.  Also, mind you, it's a vegetarian buffet for $9 and you have to drive there.

I didn't try any desserts from the counter, but they looked tasty.

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Photo of Brian R.

 

1

112

Brian R.

Berkeley, CA

4 star rating
5/5/2009

I had a lentil pancake thing that was more the size of a pizza.

The former president of India recommends this place.  When has he ever led us astray?

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Elite '09

193

418

Jade T.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
7/10/2007

I dined at Udupi Palace yesterday and I was pleasantly surprised.

Pros:
- Friendly staff.
- Reasonable prices.
- Large portions.
- Delicious food.
- Water pitchers at tables (a major convenience for both the customers and server, in my opinion).

Cons:
- Shady neighborhood.
- 2nd location is in Chicago, Ill.

If you're in the area (which I never am), check out Udupi Palace.

Note: They even have a small Indian bakery at the entrance!

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Elite '09

158

252

Mary Kay S.

Washington, DC

4 star rating
9/23/2007 3 photos

We wrapped up our tour of Indian markets with a "snack" at Udupi Palace.  I think my husband was sold mostly by the offering of a vegetarian Mulligatawny soup.  So, in we went.

It was barely 4 pm, and we had all the makings in the car for a fabulous chicken curry dinner, so we decided to just get a few items.  We got the appetizer assortment, some alu paratha, and the soup.  I ended up being pretty stuffed!  

The appetizer assortment was a variety of fried things, served with several dipping sauces, including a tamarind sauce, a mint-cilantro sauce, a lentil sauce, and a coconut sauce.  All of the sauces were delicious, and a great excuse to keep eating fried things.  There were two different kinds of lentil donuts, an onion pakora, a vegetable samosa, and something with red lentils. I tried it all, and it was all good.  The alu paratha was stuffed with peas, carrots and potatoes, and I could easily see that being a poor student's perfect meal.

The Mulligatawny soup was very light -- the broth was a very nice vegetable broth, and it was light in color, presumably because of the lack of beef.  I liked it a lot.

In the end, our "snack" was very filling. The waiter was nonplussed that we didn't want a curry to go with our appetizers, and no doubt we would have been wise to have tasted at least one of their curry dishes, but it just wasn't the right day for it.  We'll come back on our next round of Indian market tours, and either try the curries here, or go down the street a hundred feet and try Tiffin, their non-vegetarian restaurant sister.

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Photo of Erin W.

 

23

75

Erin W.

Washington, DC

5 star rating
8/13/2007

I hit Udupi Palace for takeout two nights ago. Huge all-veg menu, and takeout service was right quick. While I waited, I browsed the sweets case by the door. Not knowing what most of the goodies were, I asked the server to pack me a small sampler box (the sweets are sold by weight). Some were really yummy, some slightly less so. In the future, I'll stick with the dough balls soaked in rosewater and honey.

The spinach kofta I ordered was quite possibly the most delicious thing I've ever eaten, really flavorful, with just a touch of heat. We also got dal, which was jazzed up with veggies instead of the usual plain lentils and red beans. This was hot, and even hotter the next day when we ate the leftovers. I also ordered poori--total fried deliciousness.

The area is a little sketch, imo. Take that opinion for what it is, though--I live in Woodley Park, so most of the rest of the city feels sketch to me.

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Elite '09

229

376

Su K.

Washington, DC

4 star rating
8/22/2008 3 photos

I'm not too fond of vegetarian cuisine - shocking, I know. So when I say I left Udupi Palace satisfied and give it 4 stars, you can bet you're in for some good Indian cuisine. I can't possibly give this place 5 stars b/c, well, they don't have meat and that would break the Carnie Code of Conduct and violate the Carnivore Crew's Terms of Service.

Food - My wife and I came here b/c we called Tiffin and they didn't have chicken tikka masala on the buffet, which is a no-no in our book. The lunch buffet is $8.95 ($1 cheaper than Tiffin) and runs from 11:30am to 3pm. The flavors were exciting and surprisingly, I didn't miss the meat too much. The buffet layout makes sense as you start off w/ all the carbs (basmati rice, naan, 2 other bun-like items) and move on to the rest, which you just pour on top of the carbs. The following dishes were available:
Yellow Dal - I'm not a big fan of Dal, but it was good
Spinach Mushroom Curry - excellent w/ plenty of kick
Cabbage Poriyal - mostly for texture
Squash & Black Eye Peas - Hey mama! This the beats that make you groove.
Kadai Tofu - tasty! Had chunks of green peppers
Chana Masala - good flavor, but I'm, not a big fan of chick peas
Mutter Paneer - Best dish on the buffet! Peas + cheese in a delectable sauce that had just the right amount of kick. The consistency of the sauce was a bit odd, however.

For dessert, they had Carrot Halwa, which was very good. There's also a mild and a spicy soup available, though I wasn't too fond of either of them. They have an excellent tamarind chutney that goes well with all the dishes, but you have to request it. They also provide two thingamabobs at your table - I have no idea what they are called, but they look like giant flautas and taste like samosas (http://www.yelp.com/bi...).

Note: There's also a lunch buffet on Sat/Sun for $10.95.

Service - Ok, the pitcher of water on your table is convenient, so if you're thirsty, you have no one to blame but your lazy self, but there's something lacking when you never make eye contact with your server since they come remove your plates while you go back up for another plate.

Location - Yes, the parking sucks and this part of Takoma Park has jayrunners (as opposed to jaywalkers). The interior is massive and they have two setups for a group of 20, so definitely great for groups. Heck, bring your whole office in here and go to war on your office sewage system.

There's also a bakery when you enter the restaurant (http://www.yelp.com/bi... never had burfee before, so the guy gave us some samples. It tastes like frosting. Btw, if you don't know what the desserts are, don't expect any help from the sales guy.

Me: So what's burfee?
Uber Helpful Guy: Oh, we have mango burfee, and chocolate, and almond burfee....*proceeds to name all the different burfee flavors but neglects to tell me what it is*
Me: Ummmm...ok.......so, what's this kanlakan thing?
UGH: Oh...this one...is different dessert, sir. Is very good. Very different...
Me: Uhhhh...ok....how about baklava? What's that?
UHG: Well, sir..this one very different from burfee, sir. Is very good, and different from kanlakan...
Me: ..........................

We got one of the kanlakan (I'm probably not spelling that right) which was greasy as anything and a baklava ($075), neither of which was very good. The desserts are $7/lb, cashews $9/lb, and hot mix, which I'm sure if different and very food, is $7.50/lb.

Note: Udupi owns Tiffin. No, not pwns, but they own them. If they could combine Tiffin's meats with Udupi's veggies, it would be my favorite Indian buffet.

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Elite '09

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171

Julia W.

Atlanta, GA

4 star rating
7/20/2007

Went here last night with a friend of mine. Oh my goodness. No matter how hungry you are (I hadn't eaten all day and my friend was hungry too), do not get the sampler appetizer platter if it's just the two of you. Somehow I always manage to forget that most Indian appetizers are deep fried. My body cannot handle all that fried stuff (although holy crap it is good). As a result, it just basically sat in my stomach like a bunch of rocks and I could barely eat my meal.

I got one of their house specialties, which was good, but not what I was expecting. It was very odd because the platter had some sort of bark or spice in it that looked eerily like bones and kept throwing me off.

My friend got their hottest curry (can't remember the name) and that was excellent.

Next time we have to skip the appetizers so we can try one of their many delicious looking desserts in the bakery case.

Oh, and unless you really love garlic, do not get the garlic parathaa. Every inch of it is covered in garlic. Fortunately, we both love garlic, and in general love anything that gives us bad breath and gas. Woo!

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0

9

suma s.

Rockville, MD

1 star rating
1/17/2009

I am surprised at all the good reviews this place has! I have been to Udupi Palace 3-4 times have been disappointed all the time. The dosas are very cakey and thick, north indian dishes are horrible. There are much better restaurants to eat north indian food than this one. Will not go here again.

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8

36

Megan K.

Takoma Park, MD

5 star rating
3/15/2008

I love Udupi.  I usually go on Sundays at brunch time for the buffet, which is around $8 or $9. It's all-vegetarian, and I always eat myself silly.  They have fantastic vada (I think that's the name--lentil doughnuts) and sambar. The buffet comes with a big ol' masal dosai, chutney, pickles, dessert, and lots of other good things that change on a weekly basis.  

There are always a lot of Indian families, which I think is a positive.   Not Metro accessible, but worth the drive!

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2

134

sarah s.

Alexandria, VA

5 star rating
8/13/2008

The best Indian in the entire metro area. Love everything I've ever ordered here. Even the buffet is good. 2 big drawbacks for me, though-it takes me like an hour to get there from the VA 'burbs, and the area is pretty sketchy. But, if you're in the area or nearby, it's definitely worth the trip. Yum!

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L C.

Hyattsville, MD

5 star rating
5/20/2009

We eat here far too often, but it's just so delicious!! Our typical order is baghan bartha and extra spicy chana masala with a paratha, but you really can't go wrong here. It is in a really crappy location in an even crappier neighborhood, but it's totally worth the trip.

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Cliff E.

Silver Spring, MD

5 star rating
8/4/2008

Parking sucks- food great.

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James B.

Silver Spring, MD

5 star rating
10/1/2007

First off, I'm not a vegetarian.  Wife and I do eat vegetarian occasionally, though.

I go for the Masala Dosas.  Generally thin, buttery, and lightly fried, wrapping fillings like potato... they're great.

I really haven't tried all that much else there, although my wife has - we haven't gone wrong yet and we've brought friends and my family there before.

It's almost on the corner of University and New Hampshire, and the shopping center parking is a bit dodgy, but ... it's not really that bad of an area.  Heavy shopping district with multiple centers, one or more on all four corners... the traffic's worse than anything else in my view.

Good stuff if you're looking for a non-meat restaurant.

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Brian W.

Takoma Park, MD

4 star rating
8/17/2006

Ignore the location with the pawn shops and busy intersection out front and you'll find some of the best Indian food in the DC 'burbs.  It's tasty!

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Tu-Van L.

Rockville, MD

4 star rating
2/22/2006

My first Indian cuisine experience was at this lovely gem in the depths of Takoma Park.  A great find for cheap vegetarian Indian cuisine that has a little bit of everything.

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jax g.

Silver Spring, MD

4 star rating
5/23/2007

the best all veg buffet i've ever had.  on weekends there are two-double sided buffet stations plus even more stuff on other tables!  there is so much to taste, it's amazing.  the only drawback is that it's only from 1pm-3pm on saturday and sunday.  

great masala dosa platter if you miss the buffet.  i avoid the sweets but they look great.

somewhat dicey neighborhood.  it's kinda scary but i've never had a problem going alone.

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Amanda B.

Nashville, TN

5 star rating
8/7/2006

Most delicious Indian food I've ever had. Not too pricey and a friendly staff (they know my friend and I and even predict our order).  I don't know what more a pseudo-vegetarian Indian food lover could ask for!

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Anna H.

College Park, MD

5 star rating
9/13/2008

HANDS DOWN the best Indian Food I have experienced. I go to the buffet sometimes twice a week. I'm kinda obsessed. Pretty much whole buffet is vegan minus a couple dips and the dessert stuff, if the rice isnt completely white then they might have put ghee on it. They know i dont eat dairy and are always willing to point out what i can and cant eat.  Superb cleanliness, there is always someone polishing the buffet and they keep the food perfectly displayed and replenished throughout the 11:30- 3:00 time period. Without fail your old plates are removed from your table the moment you get up, but you never really see it happen, its like magic. Hmm and where do i even start with the food,,, the spinach is rich and delcious, there tofu is orgasmic, wait im not gonna even continue attempting to describe how good everything is because you need to just get up off your ass and go there right NOW. yum all you can eat go hungry leave feeling a good satisfied full never grossly full. I love you Udupi Palace and all the team there A true diamond in the ruff

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Michelle W.

Rockville, MD

4 star rating
11/9/2007

Udupi Palace specializes in Southern Indian vegetarian food, which does not taste anything like most of the other Indian restaurants in the US (e.g., the dishes are not swimming in butter and cream).  Most of the food has a very earthy and meaty flavor despite the absence of meat (I think the term is "umami"?).   If you've never had South Indian, I recommend one of the combination platters (enough for almost 3 people, if you order dessert as well). The prices are very affordable, and the quantities are enormous... And do not mistake vegetarian for low-fat, there are plenty of calories to go around. Yet no matter how full you are, try the rasmalai for dessert.  It is light and delicate (ignore the description of what it is made of--it tastes nothing like the ingredients!) and close to divine. It's in a sketchy neighborhood, but the inside is pretty and clean; and the restaurant is always full of Indian families, so you can be assured it is the real thing.

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