Taj Indian Cuisine in South Portland, ME, is a gem and a James Beard Award finalist—and trust me, it deserves all the hype! From the moment I walked in, I knew I was in for a treat.

For appetizers, we started with their samosas filled with potatoes and peas—classic and crispy perfection. But the true star was the pani puri 😍. If you haven’t tried it before, it’s a crispy hollow dough ball stuffed with potatoes, onions, and mint sauce. The flavors hit you all at once in the best way possible—it’s like an explosion in your mouth! Fun fact: pani puri is a popular Indian street food that originated in northern India and has made its way across the globe because of its irresistible crunch and burst of flavor.

Next up, we tried the chicken tikka tacos—such an innovative twist on a classic! I loved how customizable it was with different sauces to suit your mood. We also shared a dosa, which was HUGE! Perfect for sharing, and the flavors were on point. You can’t visit an Indian spot without indulging in some naan and curry, right? The garlic naan was so soft and chewy (filled with sooo much garlic), and the chicken tikka masala was creamy with the perfect blend of spices. My favorite, though, was the saag paneer—this one was extra creamy, and it just melted in your mouth!

We almost tried the biryani rice with chicken. There is a taj special biryani rice only available on Fridays but unfortunately, we missed it (sold out! so get there before it does!). However, I’m definitely coming back to try it next time! Every single bite was a 10/10. From the garlic naan to the chicken tikka tacos to the samosas, it was all chef’s kiss 🤤.

The ambiance of Taj Indian Cuisine is fantastic too—perfect for a date night or just a cozy meal with family. It sets the right mood with its warm and inviting vibe. The only thing I’d say is that I gave it an 8/10 for ambiance, just because it was a bit busy when we visited.

In terms of affordability, it was a pleasant surprise. Having grown up with Indian restaurant prices in Massachusetts, where a chicken tikka masala costs around $20-$25, I was happy to see Taj’s prices were much more reasonable—our chicken tikka masala was only $16! Definitely an 8/10 for affordability!

I can’t wait to return to Taj next time I’m in Portland. If you love flavorful, creative Indian cuisine, don’t miss this spot! 🍽️