Mela was a great place to go to for that Indian food craving with a friend! The staff was very friendly and the food was absolutely tasty and hit the spot. The ambiance was delightful and relaxed. 10/10 would recommend!

I used to work here as a server 10 years ago. When I visited Boston a couple of weeks ago, I decided to come here for lunch with two of my close friends who were also my Mela colleagues back then. We ordered the non-vegetarian platter, butter chicken, chicken korma, mustard lamb chop, and some naan. All the foods were fresh and delicious. I am glad they still have the tamarind Margarita on the menu which happens to be one of my favorite drinks of all time. Not a lot of restaurants that I know of serve this type of margarita. I happened to drink two of those during this trip. It is sweet, refreshing, and gives you that buzz that you are looking for. Lychee martini is another cool drink that they serve here. For our dessert, we got some kulfis and a coconut sorbet (which is actually served in a coconut shell...mind-blowing, right?). We were glad to see Jatinder Paji (who used to be the manager when we used to work there) still running this place. He came every now and then to check on us and also agreed to take some pictures. He also introduced his daughter who was helping him in the restaurant. Jatinder Paji is a nice human being and we are glad that his daughter was very friendly as well.This place brings back so many memories and will always have a special place in my heart. I am glad the quality of the food has stayed the same over the years. Keep it up, Mela Fam!

Absolutely terrible. The chicken was flavorless and dry. The meat was cooked only on the outside, the inside was literally raw and had to be sent back. The vegetable appetizer platter was cardboardish with bits that couldnt be cut with a knife. When we sent it back the server told us the kitchen says thats how it is aka deal with it. Worst Indian food Ive ever had (seriously, the chicken didnt even have salt & pepper. Imagine being an Indian restaurant that doesnt put spices on their meats). Will not be going back.

Absolutely delicious menu items-there is something for everyone. One of us ordered a vegetarian option, asking for very spicy and it was perfect! Our other meal was ordered as very low heat spice and that need was also met. The very delicate taste buds of our no heat spice friend was exactly that-full of flavor but no spicy heat at all. Employees were all masked and it seemed most patrons were as well, only removing masks when food was served. The restaurant is small and comfortable with a great window and view of the street-lots to watch even on a rainy day. Everyone was friendly and service was perfectly prompt. An all around 5 star experience.

5/5 for service. Food quality can be improved though

Very much enjoyed the food as it was my first time trying Indian food. The Kheer was absolutely delicious. While most of the service workers were very kind spirited, I find that my experience was slightly tainted because of our server. I don’t know if she was having a bad day or something but her attitude was standoffish, she wasn’t very attentive, and we had to rely on other workers busy with other tasks for service. This place is great I just think customer service can be improved.

Enjoyed a delicious dinner here! We sat outside, which was very socially distanced. They also had heaters which were needed on a chilly night. Would come back if I were in Boston again!

Food is utterly delicious !!!! Certainly coming back here again, highly recommend.The service could be improved slightly: We went around 8:30 pm on 5 September 2021. We were welcomed by a gentleman and we were asked if we wanted to dine in or dine out and we choose to dine outside. Water bottles were brought and the menu is to be scanned from your phone. We ordered two non-vegetarian Thalis ( you need to select two entrees and not from tandoor). First we were brought the samosa (it was meant to be non vegetarian Samosa but we were brought the vegetarian Samosas), followed by Kebabs and then the main course. For the desert, we had to ask them since they didnt ask us about the desert as they did for the other items and I hope this was just an aberration as most of the reviews seem to be very good.

I had to wait for 30+ minutes before I had to walk out. Understand there are a lot of delivery orders, but I think you need to prioritize in person folks

One of the best places for Indian food in and around Boston. Simple, clean and consistent taste. Sizeable portions. Good service. Nice ambience. Chapatis never disappoint us :)Highly recommended place for those who seek Indian food every now and then!

I loved the lunch buffet, and I am disappointed they are no longer offering it. Im sure I am not alone. Whole Foods has their hot bar fully open, I dont know what the fear is. Just open the buffet or I believe you will soon be out of business, no more than 2 tables ever occupied when I walk by/.

Their food is literally so good. I could dip their different naans in their different sauces literally all day. So good!

Excellent service, friendly and polite staff. Food was great! Loved it.

A nice outdoor seating area and great selection of food. It was a beautiful night for a great meal with good service.

Excellent restaurantGreat lamb and great goat.Served hot and delicious.Spiced perfectly

The food was delicious. Enjoyed having the lunch buffet and dinner while in Boston. Super attentive staff very clean place.

I would like to start by commending the staff for their excellent service given the fact that we reached close to their closing time!We ordered a samosa chaat, paneer makhani, sabji jalfrezi, naans and mango Lassi. Everything that we ordered was fresh and delicious, and we enjoyed every bit of it.All throughout our dinner, we were never made to feel any less welcome, and the staff ensured we had a good time.I would definitely recommend this restaurant for their delicious food and impeccable service!PS. No clicks as we were too hungry to click any before diving right in!

This was my first time dining in the restaurant as I usually get takeout. As always, the food was terrific - best Indian food in the city - and service was extremely (if not overly) attentive. The only thing that could be improved are the acoustics in the dining room - its LOUD. With only 3 tables full, it was very difficult to hear the conversation at my own table.

We visited this restaurant yesterday on a trip to Boston. Food is not that great. One veg item was good but I experience the worst goat biryani I have ever had. Location, service, and cleanliness are very good.

Ordered food onlineOne of the worst chicken tikkas ever had. Super dry chicken, just 3 small pieces of chicken. Ordered 3 portopms of chicken tikka and had to throw them all as it was so dry.

Very nice staff...the people were wonderful.

Being from Westchester County NY I found them to show a lot of hospitality....really enjoy my dishes of chicken and lamb

This is the third time they have forgotten part of my order. The first time I let it slide, but come on, the third time you deliver an incomplete order? I like the food but hate the hassle.

AYCE was tasty and the limited offerings let me try a little bit of everything. Good service. Interior is a bit cramped and stuffy though.

Amazing indian food with great ambience!

Not bad! But being from Dubai, I’ve been lucky enough to have had a wide variety of Indian food, and honestly this was not the best and not very authentic - flavor wise! But not horrible. Service was good and portions were very generous! :)

Came here for late lunch. The restaurant was empty except us. However, staff was happily to serve us. Great food and atmosphere.

Chicken tikka masala was delicious

Great service, delicious and fresh food. Enjoyed lunch buffet. They need to add a fish fish in buffet.

Great food. Generous portion of rice. I got the lamb coconut curry and it was delicious. The meat is so tender and the sauce has plenty of flavors.

For authentic delicious 😋 food MELA is the right chioce....dont miss!!!

I love coming here! The service is ALWAYS incredible. Everyone that works here is as amazing as the food. I have never been disappointed with anything I’ve ordered. And I always have left overs. I absolutely recommend this place and I’ll continue to come here!

Too little food portion as compare to price … 2 smosa in $5 , serious rip off

The place serves large portions and for convenient prices. very nice owner. Great work.

Insanely good! The only place in town with a Rogan josh! I can’t get enough.

Firstly, this is the first and only place in the USA that I know has Bira beer (white & blonde), so thats awesome. Secondly, and not so awesome, this place does not have good food. I ordered the lamb Biryani, and it tasted like fried rice with beef chunks. Ive had Biryani in various places in India and the USA and this is by far the most disappointing Biryani. It didnt has mustard seeds, or coriander, or cardamom, or star anise, or any Biryani spices. Literally fried rice with (maybe) lamb. Who makes Biryani with sautéed onions and corn??? My friend ordered a chicken Tikka masala with Poori, which I ended eating instead because It was decent. She also got masala tea after our meal, which she said was the worst shes had (I think at that point, we were both pretty sure that we would never come back to Mela). The service was good. Waiters were friendly, though we were the first and only people there for a good 20mins. Maybe youll like it! We didnt!

Visited on Saturday and found food not even meeting basic Standards. Vegetables curries were already stale and not edible. Owner or manager seems arrogant and more polite to whites than Indians visiting their place. Samosa and sweets like kheer and jamun was good but other items in buffet lunch not meeting expectations. Fix fast else you will perish.

Delicious food and good service i just love it

One of the best Indian restaurant in town.

Went today on a rainy Thursday, January 24th. Got the Tandoori Chicken and a side of garlic Naan (this of course came with a side of white rice). Unfortunately my waiter had a strong accent, spoke quietly, and seemed to know little English which made communication difficult. Despite that the food was average. The moment the waiter sat down the plate of Tandoori Chicken (which was made incredibly fast and was dry leading me to believe it was just reheated) I saw a thick black hair in the salad that accompanied the chicken. I mean that sort of thing doesnt really bother me that much personally but I know it would disgust most. The rice was also dry and seemed old and/or of poor quality. It reminded me of those boil in bag rice boxes which again doesnt bother me much personally because the rice came with the meal (which still doesnt mean its free of course). The sause that came with the Tandoori chicken was of average flavor. Nothing exciting but not bad. The garlic Naan was fairly good, however its pretty hard to screw up big time. It was crispy which is personally not how I like it plus they added oil to the top which again isnt personally how I prefer my Naan. You can find two pics with my review. One of the Tandoori Chicken alongside its side salad and the other showing the hair that was very clearly in the salad when it came to my table. I wouldnt reccomend this place to my friends but I mean it wasnt awful. Cheers mates 🍻

Great food and even better service. Dine in is a must! Highly recommend!

It is located on a nice street in Boston. The place is small, but nice, very good service. They offer a variety of dishes in their menuThe food is good as well. I ordered Lamb shanks and it comes with a side of basmati rice. I will go there again some time to check more dishes and see if I add one more star.

The malai kofta here is pretty yum! But the Samosa chat is always delivered soggy and soaked as they do not pack the yoghurt and chutneys separately INSPITE of writing in notes every time to **DO NOT MIX YOGHURT. Please pack yoghurt and sauces separately.

My experience here was worse i dont like the food everything i ordered here was not cooked properly naan was uncooked

UN-AUTHENTIC INDIAN FOOD IN WHOLE OF UNITED STATES. ALL POSITIVE REVIEWS ARE FAKE BY LOCAL GUIDES GIVEN FREE FOOD TO POST FALSE POSITIVE. THEY MAKE TOMATO KETCHUP CHICKEN. OWNER IS RUDE AND USES POOR QUALITY HIGH FAT CONTENT MEAT AND TOMATO KETCHUP FOR FOR ALL GRAVYS. ASK ANY INDIAN THEY WOULD TELL THIS PLACE IS ONE OF THE WORST RESTAURANT IN WHOLE OF UNITED STATES

The service here is pretty good most of the time this place is Lit!! My Friend Suggested me this place and I would love to visit this place again.

I love this place. Food is clean, delicious and very good service. I ordered a cocktail with mango and it was amazing; reasonable price, please try it. I think they have one of the best bartenders in Boston. Highly recommended for vegetarian and none vegetarian people.

This place never disappoints you...

Had a great Groupon for a 4 course meal and everything was delicious!

Nice interior. Lovely staff. Good food. Overall a great experience. Will definitely go back.

Nice restaurant but The staff are asking you for a mandatory and unpolite tip.

So delicious!! The garlic naan is absolutely perfectly cooked and the rice has an incredibly delicious flavor. Some kind of a spice is added and just really makes all the difference! The lamb vindaloo was really really good and the potatoes in it were perfectly soft.Thank you Mela for offering such an authentic and pleasant Indian experience.Also the tamarind sauce is absolutely incredible! Definitely highly recommended!

Food is tasty and staff courteous...

The service tonight was attentive and charming. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming and the food was delicious. Absolutely recommend going here!

Poor service with average food quality, owner need to learn service delivery and hospitality management...

Delicious

I tried their paneer sabji which was not even close to any indian food. Could only feel tomato paste in their and nothing else. It was sour in taste and the rice was so stale. Would not recommend if you are looking for good indian taste.

Food was very blanch and tasteless, gravy was too liquid and the bread was very hard.Looked like frozen food was heated up and served

It was a nice friendly place and good food but there IDLY and MENDUVADA was dry and not eatable rest was ok

We had their lunch buffet, and it was really good. I think I personally tried everything and it was all tasty. Nothing was super spicy, but there were one or two things with a little heat. Plenty of choices worked for our kids. Our waitress was so friendly and helpful, and everyone who was working had a pleasant, welcoming smile. This place was a real winner.

Chicken Tikka Masala was super, super sweet - did not taste great or authentic. Lamb Biryani was alright. I wouldn’t avoid this place but I also wouldn’t make my way to come here on purpose.

The food its very delicious try chicken masala with Nan bread

Excellent location, food is wholesome and sumptuous. They use the right ingredients with great attitude. Thaali is absolute value for money. Every dish is delicious and served hot.

Great food, great service,

This spot never fails to deliver. They serve great dishes for affordable rates, there no long wait even when the spot is packed.

Great spot fresh hot food!

This restaurant is unquestionably one of the best restaurants in the area. Always when I come to this place I am highly satisfied. They maintain their high level service and the highest level of food they offer. You always win with this place. Warmly recommended.

Very tasty!

I celebrated my birthday today in this gorgeous place. happy to tell that it was a pleasant evening and the restaurant was clearly the reason for the strong event. The waiters collaborated in a splendid manner, the cuisine was very good and my buddies were very joyful. We shall no dout return for more joyful events. Thank you very much.

Good spot to grab a bit for Indian food. Lunch buffet should have a bit more variety.

Was very good, nice place to dine at.

Amazing chicken salad !!!!

Extraordinary atmosphere and super amiable service. The food was fresh and yummy. Will definitely recommend this restaurant to others. Convenient prices and large portions. Great job.

Had some a great experience eating here! The staff were friendly and were constantly checking on our table. Our glasses never reached empty and the food was delicious. The menu is also amazing and there’s so much to choose from. 10/10 would recommend.

Very well organised and convenient spot. They offer generous meals and for affordable prices. We enjoyed the food a lot and the staff were super personal and chatty. I recommend this place!

Cool Indian restaurant

Excellent Indian food! Tandoori chicken was absolutely delicious. Great service and fast. Prices are fair, decent portions.

Very slow

Authentic Indian cuisine, feels like India in here. Seating is a bit crowded, but I think this is one of the best places to get a taste of North India in Boston. The food was good, the service was quick, the songs were Bollywood. Would definitely visit again. They even serve saunf when you leave, what else can you demand from an Indian restaurant.

Really good food. its taste like home made indian food. Service was really good and people over there are really calm and responsive. I recommend must go

I tried this place once with a friend and I am addicted ever since. I loved the good ambience and tasty food and drinks. Highly recommended.

Superb food. Good ambiance. Great service. We have never been disappointed either with the wonderful Brunch Buffet or Dinner. Still going there and it remains the best restaurant in the Southend. What surprises me is how happy and content the Wait Staff are which tells me they are treated well by Management.

Horrible service and the chicken dishes had a hard edge to the meat and thickened sauce like it was recycled from the brunch hours earlier. It was like the food had been sitting out on a counter or plated and heated up in a microwave. I felt lucky I didn’t get sick from the bites I was able to muscle through.Update: The owners response shows where the bad service starts. Bad attitudes from the wait staff start with him.

Excellent menu, attentive staff. We were so impressed, we went twice in a couple of days. The food we had was very well spiced - and with a choice of the level of hotness - so that you could taste the spices without them being overbearing. Reasonable prices, too. An easy walk from Back Bay.

A good neighborhood restaurant serving North Indian cuisine. They offer a good selection of dishes as well as beverages. They have a lunch/brunch buffet, which is somewhat limited but focuses more on quality than quantity of choices. The staff are all friendly and the naan is delicious. Not the best Indian cuisine around, but a good option if youre craving it. Lunch is reasonably but dinner is on the pricey side for the quality.

Butter chicken was delicious. Buffet is definitely worth the money. Wanted my vegetarian friends to enjoy the butter chicken gravy minus the chicken. The staff got us a bowl full of gravy but it had some chicken pieces in it. This hurt their religious sentiment. Restaurant also needs to get new bigger plates.

DISCRIMINATORY SERVICE, will not ever return. Please note, I posted this on Yelp and they want to protect Melas racist behavior and as such removed it. I went it on Friday after having been there before (though this evening was the worst Id seen), and though 4 employees were there, none greeted me. I stood there awkwardly while the female server pretended not to notice me though she was facing me and about 5 feet away. Eventually I was sat by one who was nudged by the server on the phone to seat me (the person on the phone was only one who wasnt aware of me standing there until he eventually turned around). No one came to take my order for so long that it was time enough to see the female server visit the other two tables and ignore mine. Id seen her before and she only stares at me as if shes never seen a Black person before - horrid and incredibly rude. Eventually she sent the person who sat me my way, but as another table, of two White women, came in, she quickly went over to take their order. Additionally, and most shockingly, I would look up once in awhile from my dinner to see one them staring at me from across the room. Each. One. Over the span of a half hour. I couldnt wait to pay and leave, and will never return. I know it has nothing to do with me as customer because Im always just reading the news on my phone if Ive there on my own and tip 20% routinely. How are you a restaurant in Boston, if you antagonize Black customers this way? As I mentioned in the now deleted Yelp review that explained all of this - you do not deserve my service, and therefore your restaurant will no longer receive it. Ive also turned several friends, of diverse backgrounds, away now that they know what the atmosphere at Mela is truly like.

Great tasting Indian food...we get the non-vegetarian dinner for 2 which feeds us for 2 nights. Service is very attentive. If youre lucky you can park at a meter if driving.

Authentic Indian cuisine that will have your taste buds percolating! Loved the calm,classy atmosphere,the delicious food from the appetizers and main dish,to the drinks and dessert. The service is excellent and staff is friendly and helpful. Great for couples or night out with friends.

The food is consistently good. The service is pretty decent, and I look look of the restaurant. Its a nice casual date spot. Or dinner after strolling the south end. Been a few times, always leave full and happy. Recommend the vegetarian dinner for 2.

Food was an hour late and ice cold. Delivery guy demanded a tip when he was an hour late. $30 for one order of very generic Indian food and zero consideration towards their client. Restaurant did not care to make it right. Was a loyal customer.

Good Indian food. Need more of a meat selection besides just chicken dishes. However, food is great and wait staff is attentive. The place is pretty small so call ahead or get there early. Garlic naan is yummy.

Great Indian fare in a relaxed atmosphere.

I tried the lunch buffet and it was good. They had 3 vegetarian options which is better than most places.Food tasted fresh and good. The naan served with buffet was fresh and very tasty.I believe service can be improved. We wanted to order a coke but waiter never checked with us, our glasses were filled with water right away and then no one came back.

Editing my review after a recent incident at this place.CHEAP, DISGUSTING, VERY AGGRESSIVE WAITRESS (one in particular), WORTHLESS OWNER.If I had the ability to rate this place 0 or even negative (-) stars, I would do that.First I used to like to go this place, as they at least had some decent food before, now they dont even have that.Secondly, the reason behind this very bad review is a recent incident, when I went for buffet. The food was not at all above average and the service was definitely not good. I did not like the behavior at all and that is why I did not find any reason to add any single penny of tip. The waitress (who actually did not serve us at all or even showed us a table) called us in and said we forgot to add tip, when I said that I did not add it because I did not like the service, she was so furious and became aggressive to us and literally DEMANDED for tip, which was a little shocking and unbelievable to me; on top of this, the owner was actually supporting her and did not say a single word to her but asked me to pay/give tip to her. I took out my wallet and gave almost all the cash I had there. She shamelessly put all of them and went inside (that was actually unbelievable act from a person who I assume would be a student). I expected at least a sense of respect from the owner or that shameless waitress to their customers which was missing BIG TIME in them.An advice to owner: Pay your waitress/workers at least that much that they wouldnt have to beg/fight/demand/become aggressive for tips.An advice to the waitress: Get yourself some self respect and earn the tip rather than demanding or begging for it.

Good food. Great ambience. And a very prompt service. And they have a good selection at the bar too.

Very tasty. More spicy would have been great. I recommend it, we had the all you can eat.

Good service, decent food although the food is a bit too sweet even for a spicy dish.

Absolutely amazing. Every time I go there the food is mouth watering, savory, succulent and hits the spot. From sweet to spicy, Mela had got you covered. And the prices are low to mid range. Replay? High.

Decent Indian food. They do a lunch buffet which is awesome and cheap. Be prepared for an afternoon coma after.