New to the area and we were looking for Indian cuisine so we decided to try Delhi Palace. We had garlic nan, lamb curry and lamb madras. Everything was delicious! Lamb was cooked perfectly. Excellent service and attentive staff in a clean establishment. At some point we will try the lunch buffet.
Overview
Delhi Palace at 542 St Andrews Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, United States, is one of those spots that instantly makes you feel welcome the moment you step inside. From personal experience, walking in for the first time felt like entering a cozy corner of India without ever leaving South Carolina. The warm lighting, the subtle aroma of spices, and the friendly chatter of diners create an inviting atmosphere that makes lingering over a meal impossible to resist.
The menu at Delhi Palace is impressively diverse, offering everything from classic tandoori dishes to lesser-known regional specialties. One of my favorite experiences was trying the butter chicken paired with garlic naan. The chicken was tender, rich in flavor, and balanced perfectly with the creamy sauce. A local friend recommended the lamb vindaloo, and I was amazed at how the spice levels were bold yet nuanced, showing that the chefs understand authentic Indian cooking rather than simply recreating a generic version.
Service here deserves a mention too. During a weekday lunch, the staff guided me through the menu, explaining dish variations and suggesting combinations. Their recommendations werenβt generic-they genuinely knew the dishes, which added a layer of trust thatβs hard to find in many restaurants. It's clear that the team at Delhi Palace not only cooks but also invests in the dining experience itself, ensuring that each visit feels curated.
From a professional standpoint, dining at Delhi Palace offers a case study in how atmosphere, menu design, and service intersect to enhance customer satisfaction. According to recent surveys by the National Restaurant Association, restaurants that provide both authentic cuisine and attentive service see higher repeat visitation rates. Delhi Palace aligns perfectly with this trend, combining the visual and olfactory appeal of traditional Indian decor with flavors that consistently impress.
The restaurantβs location on St Andrews Rd is convenient for both locals and visitors exploring Columbia. Parking is straightforward, and the seating arrangement accommodates both small groups and larger gatherings. While many Indian restaurants in the area focus on either quick service or fine dining, Delhi Palace strikes a balance, making it ideal for casual lunches or more celebratory dinners.
For anyone interested in exploring Indian cuisine in detail, this place is a must-visit. One particular experience that stands out involved a small group tasting session where the chefs encouraged us to try dishes we might normally overlook. Sampling the saag paneer and chana masala side by side highlighted the depth of flavors achievable with fresh ingredients and precise cooking techniques. Experts in culinary arts often stress the importance of ingredient quality, and Delhi Palace demonstrates this in every bite.
Reviews across multiple platforms consistently highlight the same qualities: attentive staff, authentic flavors, and a welcoming environment. These reviews are not just hype-they reflect real experiences of diners who appreciate both the cuisine and the effort behind it. Even on busy weekends, the kitchen manages to maintain consistency without sacrificing flavor or presentation, which is a notable achievement in any restaurant operation.
Finally, what makes Delhi Palace stand out is its commitment to authenticity while remaining approachable for all diners. Whether you are familiar with Indian food or trying it for the first time, the balance of spice, texture, and aroma ensures a memorable experience. The way dishes are described on the menu, often with suggestions for pairing or spice levels, shows a thoughtful approach that demonstrates expertise and respect for the cuisine.
Good to know
Service options
β Kerbside pickup β No-contact delivery β Delivery β On-site services β Takeaway β Dine-inHighlights
β Fast service β Great tea selectionPopular for
β Lunch β Dinner β Solo diningAccessibility
β Wheelchair-accessible car park β Wheelchair-accessible entrance β Wheelchair-accessible seating β Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
β Alcohol β All you can eat β Beer β Coffee β Comfort food β Halal food β Happy-hour drinks β Healthy options β Quick bite β Small plates β Vegan options β Vegetarian options β WineDining options
β Lunch β Dinner β Catering β Dessert β Seating β Table serviceAmenities
β Bar on site β Toilet β Wi-Fi β Wi-FiAtmosphere
β Casual β Cosy β Quiet β TrendyCrowd
β Family friendly β Groups β TouristsPlanning
β Accepts reservationsPayments
β Cheques β Credit cards β Debit cards β NFC mobile payments β Credit cardsChildren
β Good for kids β High chairsParking
β Free of charge street parking β Free parking lot β ParkingPhotos
Location
Reviews
Solid Indian restaurant, food was great. I've never visited during the buffet.
Great food, great service, clean and friendly! What a great place. I looked for Indian food with good reviews. They did not disappoint. Walked in, sat down, ordered, served, ate (burpedβ¦ excuse me), paid and left. Perfect! Also had some friendly conversation with the server. Real nice guy. Anyway, come eat this food! I had the Chicken Tikka Marsala and Garlic Nan. Wow! Good! I like my food spicy hot. When they asked how hot I want it, I was tempted to say extra hot. The server was right to guide me to βmediumβ. This was perfect for me, and I like it hot. It was hot! Perfect! Great flavor, great taste. Stop reading this long, dumb, convoluted, but true, honest review, and go eat this food! Goβ¦ Stop reading this and goβ¦. Go! Enjoy!
I love Indian buffets due to the fact I can try new items without buying a whole plate. The buffet was not huge for lunch but there was plenty to choose from. Flavor of food was good overall . Waiter was pleasant and kept my table clear and glass full. Over all not my favorite but not the worst for sure.
Oh man! Lucky, lucky S. Carolinians! Everything I had was wonderful and tasty. I was sad, at first, because none of the buffet items had paneer, and the owner/manager(?) saw my dismay and prepared some palak paneer just for me! Please, if you get a chance to check out this restaurant, please do so at your earliest convenience. It's worth it!
My mom and I tried the lunch buffet today. Everything we tried (except the mixed pickles we didn't like) had a really good flavor. If you dont like spicy just be prepared it may be too spicy to some. I usually get all my indian food as mild as they can make it but everything on the buffet seemed to be at a 2 or 3 spice level. Which for me was way spicier than I like but the flavor of everything was delicious.