It’s Day 94 of 100 Asian restaurants in Maryland, and I’m putting you on to one of my absolute favorites in HoCo: Royal Taj in Columbia. Short answer, yes, this Indian spot’s worth it. The setting’s stunning, the food’s fantastic, and the service is next level (it almost outshines the food…almost). If you only order one thing, make it the chicken tikka masala, but do yourself a favor and grab their $4 hot sauce too.
What Royal Taj Is Known For
Royal Taj’s a full-service Indian restaurant in Columbia that’s been a go-to of mine in Howard County for a while now. It’s the kind of place that nails the fundamentals: a warm, refined dining room, a big menu of North Indian classics, and a team that genuinely takes care of you. If you’re newer to Indian food, a lot of the menu leans on tandoor-cooked meats, rich simmered curries, and chaat (savory snacks built on crispy fried bases and layered with tangy sauces), so there’s something for every comfort level.
One thing I love about Columbia is how much solid Indian food is packed into this pocket of the county. If you’re working your way through it, my write-up on Clove & Cardamom is another Columbia Indian spot worth a stop, their tandoori wings and mango lassi sundae blew me away. But Royal Taj’s a top spot I keep coming back to.
What to Order at Royal Taj
Here’s everything we got this time, plus my take on each. I love ordering half portions of a few dishes so you can taste more of the menu (more on that below).
- Alu Tikki Chaat ($17): deep fried potato patties stuffed with lentil, onion, and other aromatics, served over chickpeas with a bunch of yum sauces. I usually reach for their samosa chaat, but I switched it up this time and wasn’t mad about it at all. If you’ve never had chaat, it’s the perfect intro, crispy, tangy, a little bit of everything in one bite.
- Chicken Tikka Masala ($17 for a half): classic but done nicely here. We’re both suckers for this dish and always get it even though it’s “standard,” lol. Creamy, cozy, exactly what you want it to be.
- Baigan Bhartha ($16 for a half): freshly baked and bashed eggplant cooked down with onion and spices, and it’s so so good. A must if you like eggplant, and you guys know I’m a sucker for eggplant.
- Saag Paneer ($16 for a half): a silky spinach sauce cooked with housemade cottage cheese cubes. I’ve always had a soft spot for saag paneer, and they do a really nice version here, earthy and rich without going heavy.
PRO TIP: get the hot sauce. It’s like an extra $4, but it’s so good and worth every penny. OH and don’t forget to get the goat cheese naan as well. You can thank me later.
Is Royal Taj Good for Date Night or a Special Occasion?
Yes, the setting’s easily nice enough for a date night or a low-key celebration. The dining room’s stunning, and like I said, the service almost steals the show from the food. The team here really pays attention, and that little bit of extra care goes a long way when you’re settling in for a whole meal. Whether you’re dressing up a little or just want a relaxed sit-down dinner with people you like, they’re a lovely option.
If you’re chasing an even fancier Indian night out in the area, my Ananda review over in Maple Lawn is the move, that one’s proper fine dining with a gorgeous patio and some of the best lamb I’ve had. Royal Taj is still a fantastic option for a special night out so you can’t go wrong with either.
Should You Visit Royal Taj for Lunch?
YES, and here’s my biggest tip: come at lunch and order half portions of a bunch of things. That’s how you get to try more of the menu without over-ordering, and the half portions on the curries run $16 to $17, so it’s an easy way to sample. It’s one of my favorite spots to bring people who want a proper spread without committing to full portions of everything. Split a chaat to start, grab two or three half-portion curries, add some naan, and you’ve basically built your own little tasting menu for way less than you’d think.
Royal Taj also earns its place on my roundup of must-try restaurants in Columbia if you want to build a whole day of eating around it. There’s genuinely so much good food in this corner of Howard County. My one regret is not experiencing their lunch buffet when it was available. Maybe they’ll bring it back one day!? Here’s to hoping.
Good to Know
- 📍 8335 Benson Dr, Columbia, MD 21045
- Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11:30am to 9:15pm, Friday and Saturday 11:30am to 10:15pm
- Price: moderate, full-service sit-down, with half portions available on many dishes
- Phone: (410) 381-1111
- Website: royaltajmd.com
- Don’t skip the $4 hot sauce or the goat cheese naan
If you haven’t been, make a point to dine with them. Royal Taj’s one of the Indian spots I recommend most in Howard County. Between the fantastic food, the stunning room, and service that goes above and beyond, it’s earned its place as a HoCo favorite of mine. Have you guys been to Royal Taj yet? Let me know what you’d order in the comments.