There are numerous classy Indian restaurants in Joburg, but Raj distinguishes itself in certain ways. It starts with the old colonial feeling conveyed by the décor, which includes mahagony and leather trimmed chairs, canary-yellow (or maybe turmeric-yellow) walls, and white-accented accessories and tablecloths. Elegant art work is sparingly distributed throughout, and the odd statue of a Hindu god or goddess lurks in the corners.
The layout is quite unique as well. There are several rooms interconnected by arched passageways, most of which open onto the Michelangelo Hotel shopping plaza. The way the rooms are segmented from each other means you have a more intimate dining experience than you would if everyone was grouped together in one massive room. So it’s private, yet open at the same time.
Then there’s the food. I’ve been to many Indian restaurants in Joburg, and there’s something slightly superior to Raj’s cooking – the spices are superbly subtle, the meat extra-succulent, and the vegetables perfectly fresh. It’s also pricier than other high-class Indian joints, but worth the extra expense. A glance through the peekaboo window onto the kitchen shows that these chefs mean business.
The primarily north Indian menu includes all the usual suspects – curries, biryanis, vegetarian dishes, rotis, and naans. For starters I opted for the murgh malai tikka (chicken marinated in yoghurt, cream and cashew nuts), which I can confidently say was one of the best I’ve ever tasted. The sublime spices aligned perfectly with the tenderest chicken and to create a remarkable party in my mouth.
I was tempted to go with the butter chicken after that, as it had been highly recommended to me, but since I had had a chicken appetizer, I decided on the lamb sheekh kebabs instead. I was similarly impressed with the delicate dance of cinnamon, cardamom and cloves that livened up the meat, and the beautiful presentation.
I’d highly recommend The Raj if you’re looking for a classy night out and have some money to spend, especially if you are staying in the adjacent hotel – in this case, you won’t have to go far if you’re craving top-notch Indian food.
Expert Review
There are numerous classy Indian restaurants in Joburg, but Raj distinguishes itself in certain ways. It starts with the old...
There are numerous classy Indian restaurants in Joburg, but Raj distinguishes itself in certain ways. It starts with the old colonial feeling conveyed by the décor, which includes mahagony and leather trimmed chairs, canary-yellow (or maybe turmeric-yellow) walls, and white-accented accessories and tablecloths. Elegant art work is sparingly distributed throughout, and the odd statue of a Hindu god or goddess lurks in the corners.
The layout is quite unique as well. There are several rooms interconnected by arched passageways, most of which open onto the Michelangelo Hotel shopping plaza. The way the rooms are segmented from each other means you have a more intimate dining experience than you would if everyone was grouped together in one massive room. So it’s private, yet open at the same time.
Then there’s the food. I’ve been to many Indian restaurants in Joburg, and there’s something slightly superior to Raj’s cooking – the spices are superbly subtle, the meat extra-succulent, and the vegetables perfectly fresh. It’s also pricier than other high-class Indian joints, but worth the extra expense. A glance through the peekaboo window onto the kitchen shows that these chefs mean business.
The primarily north Indian menu includes all the usual suspects – curries, biryanis, vegetarian dishes, rotis, and naans. For starters I opted for the murgh malai tikka (chicken marinated in yoghurt, cream and cashew nuts), which I can confidently say was one of the best I’ve ever tasted. The sublime spices aligned perfectly with the tenderest chicken and to create a remarkable party in my mouth.
I was tempted to go with the butter chicken after that, as it had been highly recommended to me, but since I had had a chicken appetizer, I decided on the lamb sheekh kebabs instead. I was similarly impressed with the delicate dance of cinnamon, cardamom and cloves that livened up the meat, and the beautiful presentation.
I’d highly recommend The Raj if you’re looking for a classy night out and have some money to spend, especially if you are staying in the adjacent hotel – in this case, you won’t have to go far if you’re craving top-notch Indian food.