Urban Maharajas

Urban Maharajas

22 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5E 1A6

(416) 362-4848

http://www.urbanmaharajas.com/

Over all: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Service: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Food: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Atmosphere: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Updated (September 13, 2025)

A Return to Urban Maharajas: Better Than Ever.

Urban Maharajas has proven itself with a consistent and even improved dining experience. After a successful first visit, my friend and I returned a little over a month later and were impressed to find the food tasted even better and fresher than before.

The Gilafi Seekh Kebab appetizer was a standout, with well-seasoned, perfectly cooked kebabs. The unique mayonnaise-based sauce on top added an intriguing twist, making it a dish worth trying. 8/10

The Chicken Lababdar was the clear highlight of the meal. This was a truly delicious version of a classic, with tender and generously sized chicken pieces. The sauce was a complex mix of nutty, creamy, and spicy notes, with distinct hints of fenugreek, rose, and other aromatic spices. It's a dish I would absolutely order again. 10/10

The Butter Chicken also impressed, featuring a well-balanced, tomato-based sauce and soft, tender chicken. The spices were expertly blended, making for a very well-made and satisfying dish. 9/10

To complement our main courses, we also ordered the onion and chili salad, which enhanced the flavours of both dishes perfectly.

The service was excellent once again. Urban Maharajas seems to have found its stride, delivering high-quality, flavorful food with great consistency. I hope this quality continues, as it's quickly becoming a go-to spot for an exceptional dining experience.

July 23, 2025

Urban Maharaja: A Promising Spot for Indian Flavours with Room for Refinement.

Craving Indian food, my friend and I decided to try Urban Maharaja, and our initial impressions were quite positive. The restaurant boasts a very nice ambiance, with thoughtful design and setup creating an inviting atmosphere. We also appreciated the cleanliness and tidiness of the bathrooms – always a good sign. The menu's selection of offerings was enticing, making us eager to dive into our meal.

We ordered a spread of SCHEZWAN CHICKEN POPCORN, Cigars, Tandoori Mushrooms, and Butter Chicken. While waiting, we admired the plate settings and the overall decor, building our anticipation for the food. However, our dining experience hit a slight snag early on when our main course, the butter chicken, was brought to the table before our appetizers. We had to remind the server, who promptly apologized and corrected the order. This moment, though minor, was a bit annoying.

Soon after, the Schezwan Chicken Popcorn and Cigars arrived, both well-plated and visually appetizing. The popcorn chicken offered a delightful mix of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavours. However, the texture was inconsistent; some pieces were perfectly juicy and tender, while others were noticeably rubbery, dry, and tough. I'd rate this dish a 5/10. 

The Cigar was decent, with a good level of spice in the beef filling, but it suffered from being quite dry and lacking richness, saved somewhat by the accompanying sauce. This one scored a 3/10.

The Tandoori Mushrooms were beautifully presented, well-seasoned, and had a good spice level. Unfortunately, their texture was rubbery, almost as if they were made from canned mushrooms rather than fresh, marinated ones cooked in a tandoor. Despite this, the dish shows potential, earning a 6/10.

Our Butter Chicken, accompanied by saffron rice, eventually made its proper appearance. The saffron rice was acceptable, and the butter chicken itself was a highlight – creamy, tangy, and, as requested, delightfully spicy. Both my dining partner and I thoroughly enjoyed the rich flavours of fenugreek, yogurt, and masala seasoning. The chicken was well-cooked, though I personally would have preferred it slightly softer. We'd give the butter chicken a solid 7/10.

Overall, the service needs attention. Beyond the initial mix-up with the order, servers didn't check on us after dropping off the food, a side dish was forgotten, and plates weren't changed after appetizers. The server-guest relationship felt a bit neglected throughout our dining experience. Improvements in service would undoubtedly elevate the overall experience.

Despite these minor issues, Urban Maharaja has clear potential. With some adjustments to the consistency of dishes and improved service, it could easily deliver an excellent guest experience. Consistency, whether on a quiet Monday or a bustling Saturday night, is key. I'd give the restaurant an overall rating of 7/10.

Would I return? Absolutely. Perhaps a busier night would offer a different perspective on their capabilities.