Nomsters, there’s a new Indian buffet in HoCo, and I’m so glad the team at Indian Bistro invited me in to try it. It’s tucked into Columbia Palace Plaza right off Route 108, and for $18.99 you get a daily lunch buffet from 11 to 3, chai included. I left already planning my next visit.
My standouts were the butter chicken, the saag paneer, the samosas, and the gulab jamun for dessert. So if you’re the type who can never say no to an Indian buffet (same, honestly), this one belongs on your list. Howard County’s Indian scene is already solid, but a fresh, budget-friendly buffet right in Columbia is always good news. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
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What Makes This Buffet Stand Out…
The big draw here is a daily lunch buffet at a price that doesn’t sting, which is rare for a spot this new. Columbia’s Indian food following has been growing (Clove & Cardamom is another Columbia Indian spot I really enjoyed), and Indian Bistro adds an all-you-can-eat option to the mix.
You get to graze across a bunch of curries, a tandoori pick, rice, and bread instead of committing to one entree, which makes it a great way to feel out a new spot. It’s casual, it’s right by a Giant so you can knock out errands after, and the buffet runs every single day. For under $20, that’s a lot of food and a lot of variety.
What to Get at the Indian Bistro Buffet
These were my standouts from the buffet, plus a look at what else you’ll be piling onto your plate.
Butter Chicken
Butter chicken was one of my standouts, and it’s the dish I’d point any first-timer to. It’s that creamy, mildly spiced tomato curry basically everyone loves, and it’s a solid starting point before you work your way across the rest of the buffet. Spoon it over rice from the buffet and you’re set. Just plain yum.
Saag Paneer
The saag paneer was another favorite of mine, and it’s a must if you want something vegetarian. It’s soft cubes of paneer cheese in a creamy greens gravy, and it’s one of those dishes that makes eating your greens feel like a treat instead of a chore. Load up.
Samosa
You gotta start with the samosas! These are the crispy fried pastry triangles stuffed with spiced potatoes and peas, and they’re the perfect savory bite to kick off a plate. I’d grab a couple on your first trip up to the buffet before you dive into the curries.
Gulab Jamun
Save room for the gulab jamun! If you’ve never had it, it’s warm, fried milk-solid dumplings soaked in a sweet, fragrant syrup, and it’s the ideal way to close out a buffet run. It was one of my standouts and the perfect sweet ending.
The spread goes well beyond my picks, so come hungry. You’ll also find:
- Other chicken dishes and a rotating mix of veg and non-veg curries
- Biryani, rice, and warm bread to build your plate around
- Chai to sip on, which is included in the buffet price
Is Indian Bistro’s Lunch Buffet Worth It?
$18.99 for a daily lunch buffet with this much variety is a solid deal, IMO. A buffet is a great way to try a new-to-me spot because you get a little taste of everything without committing to one dish, and at this price it’s an easy yes for a weekday lunch.
If you love a good Indian buffet, the Mint Room buffet over in Ellicott City runs right around the same price, so between the two you’re covered on both ends of Howard County. Just remember it’s a lunch thing (11 to 3 daily), so plan around that window if you’re craving it.
Saag Paneer vs Palak Paneer, Explained
Since saag paneer was one of my top picks, here’s a quick FYI a lot of people wonder about. Saag and palak aren’t quite the same thing. Palak paneer is made specifically with spinach (palak is the Hindi word for it), while saag is a broader term for a dish built from leafy greens, which can include spinach but also mustard greens, fenugreek, or a blend.
That’s why the saag version can taste a little earthier and more layered than a plain spinach one. Either way you’re getting soft paneer in a creamy green gravy, and both are great vegetarian picks if that’s what you’re after.
The Vibe and Experience
Indian Bistro sits in Columbia Palace Plaza, the shopping center anchored by Giant right where Route 108 meets Centre Park Drive, so it’s a super convenient stop and parking’s never a headache with the big lot out front.
It’s a casual, low-key spot, the kind of place you can pop into for a relaxed weekday lunch without any fuss. The team invited me in to try it, and I’m grateful for the chance to check it out. It’s family-friendly and easy for a group who all want to eat something a little different.
Good to Know
- 📍 8765 Centre Park Dr #14, Columbia, MD, in Columbia Palace Plaza off Route 108
- Lunch buffet: $18.99 per person, 11am to 3pm daily, chai included
- Dinner: they’re open in the evening too (4pm to 10pm), so you can go a la carte after the buffet window
- Parking: free surface lot for the whole plaza, easy in and out
- Ordering: dine-in for the buffet, plus takeout and online ordering through their website
- Good for: vegetarians (lots of veg curries), first-timers (butter chicken’s your friend), and anyone who loves a budget-friendly buffet
- It’s brand new, so give them grace if the menu’s still settling in
Would I Go Back to Indian Bistro?
Indian Bistro’s a welcome addition to Columbia’s Indian food lineup, and for under $20 the daily lunch buffet is an easy win. It’s a solid, budget-friendly buffet with the classics done well, and I’m genuinely planning to head back to work through more of the menu. If you’re already exploring the HoCo food scene, add this one to the rotation. For more of my Columbia go-tos, peep my roundup of must-try restaurants in Columbia.
Have you guys been to Indian Bistro yet?! Let me know what you load up on in the comments, Nomsters, and send this to your favorite Indian food partner in crime so you can go split a buffet plate soon.