Day 8 of eating at 100 Asian restaurants in Maryland, and today we’re at one of my go-to takeout spots, Rangoli in Hanover! If you’ve spent any time around Arundel Mills, you’ve probably driven right past it, but Nomsters, you need to actually stop in, especially for the buffet.
Rangoli’s an Indian restaurant that covers a ton of ground, North Indian, South Indian, and even some Indo-Chinese, and their lunch buffet is one of the best deals going in the area. It’s $24 on the weekend (Friday through Sunday, 11:30 to 3) and $23 on weekdays (Monday through Thursday, 11:30 to 2:30), and you walk out completely stuffed. The move, if you ask me, is going on a weekend so you can hit the dosa station, which isn’t part of the weekday spread. It’s easily one of the spots I’d put on my list of the best Indian buffets in Maryland.
View this reel on Instagram
What Makes Rangoli A Must Visit
A lot of Indian restaurants pick a lane, but Rangoli genuinely does a little of everything, and does it well. You’ve got North Indian comfort food (think butter chicken and rich, creamy curries), South Indian specialties like dosas, AND a handful of Indo-Chinese dishes for good measure.
That range is exactly what makes the buffet such a win, because you can graze across a whole bunch of styles in one sitting instead of committing to a single plate. It’s been around since 2011, it’s racked up thousands of glowing reviews, and it’s the kind of reliable, always-solid spot I keep in my back pocket for a takeout night. The location right by Arundel Mills makes it an easy stop, too, whether you’re shopping or just passing through.
What to Order at Rangoli
The buffet’s the main event, but the full menu’s worth knowing too. Here’s how I’d play it.
The Lunch Buffet ($23 to $24)
The buffet’s what I come for. The spread’s a big one: butter chicken, goat curry, lentil dishes like dal, okra masala, samosas, lamb biryani, a few Indo-Chinese options like Hakka noodles, and fresh naan brought right to your table. Load up a little of everything, that’s the whole point of a buffet, and it’s all so yum. Don’t skip dessert either, because there’s usually gulab jamun (warm, syrup-soaked little bites) waiting at the end. The weekend version adds a grill station, which is another reason to aim for Saturday or Sunday.
The Dosa Station (weekends only)
If the buffet has a headliner, it’s the dosas. These are big, crispy South Indian crepes made from a fermented rice-and-lentil batter, cooked fresh right there at the station, and they come with sambar and coconut chutney for dipping. Just remember they’re a weekend thing, so plan around it if a dosa’s what you’re after. That’s really what tips me toward a weekend visit.
Going A La Carte
Not a buffet day? The full dinner menu’s loaded too. Rangoli does all the classics you’d hope for, butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, palak paneer, dal makhani, lamb rogan josh, and biryani, plus a big vegetarian selection and a full bar if you want a drink with dinner.
Is Rangoli North or South Indian?
Short answer, both! Indian food isn’t one single cuisine, it’s a bunch of really distinct regional ones, and Rangoli pulls from more than one. The North Indian side is the creamy, tomato-and-butter curries and tandoori most people picture when they think “Indian food.” The South Indian side is lighter and rice-forward, which is where those dosas come in. Rangoli even throws in some Indo-Chinese dishes, an Indian take on Chinese food that’s hugely popular in India. So if you’ve got a group that can never agree on where to eat, this is a safe bet.
The Vibe and Experience
Rangoli’s a proper sit-down restaurant, not a hole-in-the-wall, so it works whether you’re there for a quick solo buffet lunch or a bigger group dinner. It’s family-friendly, they take reservations, and there’s even outdoor seating when the weather’s nice. Service moves quick at lunch since the buffet does a lot of the work. And because it’s right by Arundel Mills, parking’s a non-issue, there’s a big free lot.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 7791-C Arundel Mills Blvd, Hanover, MD, right by the Arundel Mills mall and Live Casino.
- Buffet: weekend $24 (Fri to Sun, 11:30 to 3) and weekday $23 (Mon to Thu, 11:30 to 2:30). Dosas are weekend-only.
- Dinner: full a la carte menu daily (dinner service runs into the evening, until about 9:30 or 10pm), plus a full bar.
- Good for: solo buffet lunches, family dinners, and groups that can never agree on one cuisine.
- Dietary: the kitchen’s halal, and there’s a big vegetarian and vegan selection.
- Logistics: reservations accepted, and dine-in, takeout, and delivery are all available.
- Parking: big free lot, super easy.
- Pro tip: the full menu’s at therangolirestaurant.com.
Is Rangoli’s Buffet Worth Trying?
YES, especially on a weekend. For around $24 you get a genuinely wide, freshly-stocked spread PLUS made-to-order dosas, which is tough to beat for the price. It’s my pick for an easy, no-fuss Indian meal when I want a bit of everything, and it’s just as good for a solo lunch as it is for feeding a whole crew. Go hungry, go on a weekend for the dosas, and pace yourself so you’ve got room for the gulab jamun. For another unbeatable Indian lunch deal a few minutes away, Spice N Curry in Elkridge is my other go-to.
Have you guys hit up Rangoli’s buffet yet? Let me know your must-grab dish in the comments, Nomsters, and if you’re a dosa fan like me, save this so you remember to go on a weekend.