Surtaj Indian Restaurant

Overall 10 - Food 10, Ambience 10, Value 10, Service 10

I love the Surtaj! Every time I visit Newcastle I have to go here. If I could get them to freeze and send their vindaloo to me in the UK, I would definitely do it! I'll be back their at Easter 2014 and I'm looking forward to it.   (May, 2013)

Overall 10 - Food 10, Ambience 10, Value 10, Service 10

The best AUTHENTIC Indian food we have ever had. A great family restaurant, with gracious hosts. Highly recommend this restaurant.

Lynette - May 2012   (Lynette - May, 2012)

Overall 7.8 - Food 8, Ambience 7, Value 8, Service 8

A delightful family run restaurant. Good food and friendly service.   (JW - January, 2012)

Overall 10 - Food 10, Ambience 10, Value 10, Service 10

I eat here frequently and always have an amazing meal and experience. The staff are sweet, polite and extremely helpful.

Saag Gohst is the best thing on the menu in my eyes and their naans are to die for! My favourite restaurant by far.   (Louise - July, 2011)

Overall 9 - Food 9, Ambience 9, Value 9, Service 9

We went to this restaurant and had a lovely night. It was recommended to us by our friends and we will definiately go back. Personally i thought everything was excellent so dont know what else the restaurant owners could improve on.   (Jess - April, 2011)

Overall 2 - Food 4, Ambience 2, Value 1, Service 1

I went here on labor day long weekend. I would say, I had a very awful experience.

To begin with, the waitress (who was the owner of the business) wasn't dressed up well. Then we were not served water until we asked for it. They had a bit of rush that eve including few non-Indians, so she didn't give much attention to serve us and was more occupied with non-Indians. The food quality was just average, wasn't impressive at all. Waitress gave a dirty look to my friend when he ordered "Pulav" in the middle of our course. She wanted us to order everything in the beginning.

After we had too much, I thought of giving a review to them but they almost insulted me for that. She was like, "Indian customers do not have sense of ordering of food". Aussies order food in a better way (no offence to aussies). It gave me feeling that they did not want Indian customers. I still tried to convey my message that I wasn't happy with the food and service but the owner of the restaurant came out and said to me "you didn't like the food, that is okay, no need to give review and you can go now"

I know, other people have given good review about them but still I wouldn't even think for a moment to go in there if I visit Newcastle again.   (Worst Experience so far - October, 2010)

Overall 9.3 - Food 9, Ambience 9, Value 10, Service 9

Fantastic! The best Indian in Newcastle and the Hunter. Looking forward to next time already.   (August, 2010)

Overall 9.5 - Food 10, Ambience 8, Value 10, Service 10

Wonderful food, friendly service, and BYO as well. Really recommend this restaurant.   (elm - See my reviews (2) - April, 2009)

Overall 8.5 - Food 8, Ambience 10, Value 6, Service 10

Great place to go with friends, beautifully presented roomy upstairs restaurant, great service.

Between the 6 of us, we ordered:

2 * Pappadums

Stuffed Naan (with vegies in it)

Naan with minced lamb in it

Bhattura (deep fried bread) - extra yum!

1 whole tandoori chicken - yum!

Saag Ghost (Lamb with Spinach curry) - yum!

Chicken Surtaj (house curry) - sweet and spicy.

Prawn Marsala - sour and spicy, if you're into that kind of thing.

1 large plate of rice (just enough for 6)

With mango lassi's all around, the bill still ended up being only $20 each :)

If you're going here, get naan!! Don't be surprised how small the curry serves are, they really are enough. Try the mango lassi!   (Joyce - March, 2009)

Overall 9.3 - Food 10, Ambience 8, Value 9, Service 10

A Newcastle insitution: reliably great food, friendly low key service, and modest prices.   (August, 2008)

Overall 10 - Food 10, Ambience 10, Value 10, Service 10

Everyone must try this restaurant. This Indian dining experience was superb - excellent food, quick friendly service and great value for money. Its location is deceiving as it's upstairs hidden on Hunter St but I'm glad I took my friend's advice to find the best Indian in Newcastle.   (A must-do dining experience - July, 2008)

Overall 7.8 - Food 8, Ambience 7, Value 8, Service 8

The food was good. Quantities weren't large but we were satisfied. Service was friendly but not intrusive.

We were there on a quiet night & could hear a television on in a back room - that spoil the ambience a little.

But all in all a nice little Indian restaurant.   (July, 2008)

Overall 8.8 - Food 9, Ambience 8, Value 8, Service 10

the food at Surtaj is fantastic, the meat was so tender and so well cooked, i was there with my mom n sis after our graduation at newcastle uni, they were very impressed too - and we are Indian, we know a thing or two about good Indian food ;) a great restaurant, i have been back there twice since then.   (A. Rana - See my reviews (3) - July, 2008)

Overall 9.5 - Food 10, Ambience 9, Value 9, Service 10

I have never tasted idian food so tender. I could taste each of the spices etc - Wonderful   (May, 2008)

Overall 9.8 - Food 10, Ambience 9, Value 10, Service 10

very impressed I have never tasted meat so tender you can tell that only the best produce has been used this is a restaurant which I will crave for, highly recommended   (May, 2008)

Overall 8.8 - Food 9, Ambience 8, Value 9, Service 9

Will be back!   (November, 2007)

Overall 9.8 - Food 10, Ambience 9, Value 10, Service 10

Fantastic. There is no better Indian restaurant that I have come across here, or OS.   (January, 2007)