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Moti Mahal
- Hours:
Mon-Fri, Sun 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Mon-Wed, Sun 5:30 pm - 9 pm
Thu 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Fri-Sat 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
17 reviews for Moti Mahal
Review Highlights
"...a Kingfisher beer, a butter chicken, a vegetables in a..."
(in 3 reviews)
"...try the prawns in papya curry with garlic naan bread."
(in 5 reviews)
"This morning, my little brother moved to India."
(in 4 reviews)
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17 reviews in English
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Review from Éva B.
Calgary, AB
1/4/2012
I came here for dinner with friends the other night. The food was absolutely phenomenal. The food was simple and delicious.
We ordered Butter Chicken, some Naan bread, Gobi Alu Matter, and some rice. I loved the Naan but I'm a sucker for bread. Each dish was piping hot and tasted so good.
The service was also amazing. All of our dishes came out quickly after we ordered everything was hot and fresh. The smell of the food was intoxicating to be around. The portions were also just right I didn't feel over whelmed by a large helping of butter chicken and just the right amount of rice.
I also liked that this location had a parking lot. As residents of Calgary know trying to find a parking spot on 17th Ave so a venue with parking is a HUGE plus.
I will have to come again and bring more friends to this awesome restaurant. The décor was also very nice. It was a cozy restaurant not too big, not to small, a perfect venue for an intimate evening with friends. -
Review from Joanne I.
Calgary, AB
11/12/2011
Been here once, loved it, will go back again soon. Lately, I've been dissatisfied with some of the other restaurants I usually visit. I decided to try something new!
This place has very dim lighting and Indian music in the background. I think this place is very well decorated - especially metal door fixtures on the wall. We got to drink out of what it looked like a tin cup? It felt like we were truly in India.
I don't even know where to start with food. We ordered a thing of rice, shrimp something sauce (amazing), and spinach-cheese sauce. I think it's inappropriate to call them "sauce", maybe curry? I forget the names but I will revisit soon and edit the list of things to get there!
Overall, had a wonderful time, there was a little delay from the server side, taking good 5 minutes till he visited us for the first time. We were seated by the lady who was at the front. Otherwise, lovely, lovely, place to eat. -
Review from Tremaine L.
Calgary, AB
10/26/2011
I've been dining at Moti Mahal for about 25 years now, and I never tire of the amazing food and stellar service. I was first introduced to Moti by my dad when they were located on 17th Avenue and 4th St, and I dare say they were the best Indian restaurant in the city then as well.
I love the new location off 14th St, and still go there frequently, either to dine in or just pick something up to take home. Beautiful decor and ambience starts your journey to India, the friendly service and savory spiced dishes steal your heart. -
Review from Jason A.
Calgary, AB
10/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is by far the best Indian restaurant in Calgary, and among our favourites worldwide.
When we first moved to Calgary, we figured that Indian is always a safe bet for a vegetarian, so we did a review search for reviews and Moti Mahal came up top in the very few review sites that existed 6 years ago. Well, we arrived late, having driven through several snow storms on the Trans Canada from Vancouver, and arrived shortly before closing. We offered to head elsewhere, but they stayed open for us!
And this has been the theme for us--even on the odd occasion when some problem would crop up, they would always strive to make it right. So we have brought other visitors to Moti Mahal, and they always ask to go back (or become regulars themselves, if they wind up in Cow Town).
The food is delicious. We have ordered all over the menu, both vegetarian and the odd occasion I stray into the meat or seafood sections, and have never been disappointed. The vegetarian selections are extensive, in both the vegetable and pulses sections (their spinach lentils--palak dahl--is a favourite of ours). I think their tandoori chicken is among the best I've ever had. It's Kashmiri cuisine, with nods to western expectations, but they do not skimp on spicing. (If you can't handle spice, stay away from the vindaloo, which I find hot but easily managable, and I'm not exactly insensitive to capsaicin.)
Parking can be difficult. A tip: half a block north on 14th St., on the left at 16th Ave, you will see a green P lot just past the book store, ironically near the Green Chili (which is decent, but not in the same class as Moti Mahal). -
Review from Tara M.
7/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
This morning, my little brother moved to India.
To see him off, my sister and I took him out for Indian as a 'this is what you'll be eating for a year' meal.
After reading many reviews about Indian places in the city, and not wanting to travel to the NE since we were sans car, we settled on Moti Mahal; and I think we chose wisely.
The food here is excellent. Between the three of us we had a mango martini, a coconut mohito, a Kingfisher beer, a butter chicken, a vegetables in a delicious cream and fennel curry, a lamb with spinach, saffron rice, naan and chicken simosas; all of which were great. I highly recommend any of the drinks as well as the saffron rice and vegetables * muah * delicious!
The decor is quintessentially Indian (or what I think of as 'quintessentially Indian') complete with tapestries on the walls and bronze dishes.
The service was a little slow at the beginning, but picked up and was attentive throughout. The server even graciously separated our bill at the end of the meal.
Each of us ate and drank for around $40 pp including tip so definitely affordable.
Although I am sure there are Indian places in the NE to write home about, the Moti Mahal still offers a yummy and pretty traditional Indian meal if you want to stick to downtown.
T. -
Review from Robyn B.
Calgary, AB
8/3/2011
Moti Mahal is the best all-around Indian restaurant in Calgary. While it hits all the notes as most traditional Indian restaurants in terms of decor and menu, Moti dials down the oil/grease quotient, making dining there better than the rest. Here's an Indian restaurant you can actually leave feeling satisfied instead of full of regret!
They have an expansive menu, excellent flavour profile, and appropriate portions. The atmosphere is intimate and more suited to adults/couples or small groups than big parties or families with (loud) kids.
The super spicy, super good chicken mumtaz featuring curry with apricots is my favourite! -
Review from Jason O.
Calgary, AB
12/11/2010 1 Check-in Here
On the norm the gang at Moti Mahal treat you like royalty taking extra special attention to all the small details.
While I won't let one person ruin my favorite memories at this place, it does warrant enough to make a mention.
When we asked our server if she had any recommendations for a drink she coyly responded "check the drink list" - not exactly a great way to start our dining experience that evening.
The food was great as usual - but that kind of service puts a bad taste in my mouth that makes me question whether I would take clients back. -
Review from Devon B.
Calgary, AB
12/10/2010
Oh my, the feasts I have had all thanks to Moti Mahal. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out, this place simply makes delicious, mouthwatering food for a sect price.
The inside is warm, elegant and lives up to the Indian theme of the restaurant. The service has always been good and when you don't want to sit down and eat, they welcome takeout customers.
If you like Indian food, this should be a stop for you. Even if you don't like Indian food, this place may change your mind. -
Review from Sarah Louise F.
Calgary, AB
Updated - 11/29/2010
Except for, want to know what is awkward? CLOSING YOUR AMAZING RESTAURANT, ON 17TH AVENUE, ON THE WEEKENDS! Sorry Moti Mahal, but I am bummed out.
Listed in: vegan friendly in calgary
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/9/2010
I like this Indian Restaurant. Although a lot of Indian places in Calgary are awesome and include… Read more »
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Review from Teraza R.
4/10/2011
Really enjoy the food here and they are VERY accomodating to allergens/gluten free. Big bonus.
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Review from Chad W.
Calgary, AB
10/3/2008
For those looking for finer Indian dining in Calgary, look no further than Moti Mahal. Their menu offers nearly every traditional Indian dish one could think of -- and they do it well.
The decor is divine...like being in India. Damn.
Parking can be a problem, as they share a lot with a hair salon and a liquor store. But whatever -- the food here is heavenly, the service is superb, and all around, the experience is better than awesome. -
Review from david k.
9/24/2011
really good Indian food, great service as well. We live in Florida, otherwise we'd be frequent customers.
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Review from Coolden J.
7/27/2010
I wanted to try Indian food while in Calgary because I saw so many Indian in this city. Yelp helped me to pick this restaurant.
When we got into the restaurant, we were greeted nicely. Our table was being prepared. After 5 mins, we were seated. Indian decoration is all over the place. Our server did not come to our table not until 10-15 mins since we sat down. We were ready to order and went ahead to order the food (roti, quarter chicken tandoori and lamb kashmiri based on her recommendation). When the food arrived, we received more pieces of chicken than I thought. Couldnt finish the food because it was plenty. The taste is very good.
When the bill came I was surprised that they charged half chicken even though we ordered quarter chicken. Earlier, I also heard the restaurant owner apologized to the customers next to our table because the same waitress mistakenly took order. It was not a big deal for me just because of the quality of the food. I recommend to try this place if you want to taste some good Indian food. -
Review from Jeanette B.
Edmonton, AB
12/4/2008
I lived in Calgary for a number of months, and this is actually the first Indian restaurant I have ever eaten at. It's a beautifully decorated restaurant that is very traditional in decor, so you feel like you might be in India. I loved the copper cups they used for serving water.
I was here with a friend. We got vegetable samosas to start, then we had butter chicken, saffron rice, and naan bread. Everything was absolutely delicious. The chicken was a little too spicy for me though.
Ever since I ate here, I've been hooked on Indian food. I've been to many Indian restaurants in Edmonton, and none of them match or exceed the wonderfully authentic atmosphere of Moti Mahal. -
Review from Lindsey C.
Calgary, AB
3/28/2011
This is hands down my FAV restaurant in Calgary. The food is incredible, try the prawns in papya curry with garlic naan bread! I get it every time, also they make a delicious mojito! I went there for my birthday and all my friends LOVED it. You should make a reservation to be safe because it usually fills up fast! It's a bit pricey but totally worth it and they way it is decorated down to the plates and cups is very ethnic and really cool!
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Review from Chad T.
10/8/2009
The indian food is excellent. Great spices, they can make it as hot as you want, and the garlic naan is crispy-doughy perfection.
The only reason I'm giving it 5 stars is because the lamb was a little tough. I like my lamb so tender it just falls apart, which is definitely not the case at Moti. -
Review from Zoe L.
Calgary, AB
12/10/2009
As I have said, I love Indian food, so when my friends suggested Moti's of course I was on board!
We go to the restaurant early, so we were the first of many people to start trickling in. The inside of the restaurant has a great atmosphere, very well decorated and lit nicely. We received a friendly greeting and were seated promptly. One of my favorite details was the brass water cups, that little thing made the experience feel authentic! Some of my friends had never had Indian food before so they had some questions for the waiter and he happily answered them. There are a lot of choices on the menu, some very authentic dishes. My Husband and I had a hard time deciding! We ordered 3 dishes, one was our favorite veggie dish Gobi Alu and we had to try the tikka butter chicken, which we had never come across! All the portions were excellent, there was enough for my friends to even try some on our choices. The rice portions could be a bit bigger. The naan was perfect! The food was so good, even though I was stuffed I would have kept eating if there was more! I even tasted my Husbands mango lassi, it was one of the best I had tasted! The cost of dishes are a couple dollars more than other places I have been, about $15 for a meat dish, but I didn't mind paying more since you got a good portion and it was delicious!
I can not wait to go back to Moti Mahal! If you are looking for a delicious, authentic Indian meal in a great atmosphere, this is the place to go!
