I’m a total sucker for a good lunch deal, so when I was craving Indian and realized I hadn’t been to Mango Grove in a minute, I swung by for a quick midday bite. This Columbia spot’s been around since 1996, and it’s known for a big vegetarian and vegan menu alongside all the classics.
I went straight for their chicken lunch box ($15.95), which packs in chicken tikka masala, tandoori chicken, channa masala, veg cashew korma, rice, naan, and a little side of green sauce. It was super tasty, I left happy and full, and it’s a solid deal even if it’s not the most affordable combo out there. If you’re hunting for a filling Indian lunch in Howard County, Mango Grove’s an easy call. Here’s the full rundown.
View this reel on Instagram
What Makes Mango Grove Special?
Columbia’s got a real lineup of Indian spots, but Mango Grove’s been in the game since 1996, and that kind of staying power says something. The menu leans into both North and South Indian cooking, so you’ll find everything from tikka masala and biryani to dosas, and there’s a genuinely big vegetarian and vegan section (with gluten-free options too).
Their weekday lunch boxes are the easy entry point, but they also run a weekend buffet if you’d rather graze. If you like comparing Columbia’s Indian spots, Clove & Cardamom is another one I rate, but Mango Grove’s the move when you want a quick, generous lunch.
What to Order at Mango Grove
The lunch box is the reason to come midday, so here’s how it works and what else is worth knowing.
Chicken Lunch Box ($15.95)
This was my pick, and it’s a lot of food for the money. You get chicken tikka masala, tandoori chicken, channa masala, and veg cashew korma, plus rice, naan (mine came unbuttered, just a heads up), and a side of green sauce to tie it all together. It’s super tasty and genuinely filling, the kind of lunch that leaves you happy and set for the afternoon. Is it the most affordable combo around? Not quite, but for this much variety in one box, it’s a really good value.
The Rest of the Lunch Box Lineup ($15.50 to $17.50)
There are eight lunch boxes total, including one vegetarian and two vegan options, so pretty much everyone at the table has something to love! Prices run from $15.50 to $17.50, and you can tack on a small dessert for an extra $3.50. Just know the lunch boxes are a weekday thing, available 11am to 3pm.
The Weekend Buffet and Beyond
I didn’t make it to the buffet this trip, but it’s on my list. Mango Grove runs an all-you-can-eat buffet on weekends (around $25 a person), which is a good option if you want to try a bit of everything. Off the regular menu, there’s plenty more to dig into, so I’ve got reasons to come back. If buffets are your thing, they also made my roundup of the best Indian buffets in Maryland.
What’s an Indian Lunch Box?
If the term’s new to you, an Indian lunch box is basically a build-your-own combo plate, a spin on the classic tiffin or thali idea. Instead of ordering one big entree, you get a few curries or proteins in smaller portions alongside rice and bread, so you get to taste a bunch of things in one sitting. It’s a great way to try a restaurant when you can’t decide, and it’s usually a weekday lunch special, which is exactly what Mango Grove does from 11am to 3pm.
The Vibe and Experience
This was a grab-and-go kind of visit for me, a quick midday stop to fuel up. Mango Grove sits in the Lakeside shopping center off Stanford Boulevard, so there’s plenty of free parking, and they do dine-in, takeout, and delivery. It’s a casual, no-fuss spot, which is exactly what you want on a busy weekday. Fun bonus, a Tous Les Jours is opening in the same complex, so I see a dessert run in my future! For another Howard County Indian option, Ananda is worth a look too.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍8865 Stanford Blvd, Unit 107, Columbia, MD 21045, in the Lakeside shopping center
- Hours: Mon to Thu 11am to 3pm and 5pm to 9:30pm, Fri 11:45am to 2:45pm and 5pm to 10:30pm, Sat 11:45am to 10:30pm, Sun 11:45am to 9:30pm
- Lunch boxes: weekdays 11am to 3pm, $15.50 to $17.50, with a $3.50 dessert add-on
- Weekend buffet: Friday through Sunday, around $25 per person
- Dietary: a big vegetarian menu, two vegan lunch box options, and gluten-free choices
- Good to know: free parking in the plaza, plus dine-in, takeout, and delivery, and reservations are accepted
- Website: themangogrove.net
Is Mango Grove Worth A Trip?
For a filling, no-fuss Indian lunch in Columbia, yes. The chicken lunch box gave me a ton of variety for the price, and I walked away happy and full, which is really all I want from a weekday lunch. It’s not the most budget-friendly combo out there, but the portions and variety make it a solid deal, and I’m already planning to come back for the weekend buffet.
Have you guys been to Mango Grove yet, or do you have a go-to Indian lunch spot in Columbia? Let me know in the comments, Nomsters, and tell me which lunch box I should try next time.