Maharajah Indian Restaurant


Maharajah
Hobart Lunch-goers were probably disappointed to see the demise of a stalwart of Hobart’s CBD, the Siam Garden Thai restaurant in Bathurst Street. It was quick, cheap, reliable Thai in the West End, restaurant upstairs and Bain-marie downstairs for grab and go.
It wasn’t necessary to grieve too long.
Complimentary Poppadoms are served with each meal.
Maharaja, Indian restaurant set up in their place, with the same take-away or dine-in options.
This Girls says, out with the old, in with the new.
I had a Friday lunch date with a friend who hasn’t frequented the blog for a while, known as Sugarplum Fairy. Our usual place is the Ivory Café, then work colleague, the Silver Fox invited himself along. What was two, soon became an impromptu team lunch of nine.
The Silver Fox!
There was no room at the Ivory Café inn but all was not lost when we remembered Maharaja Indian had opened around the corner in Bathurst Street.
The standout observation about Maharajah is the size of the menu. It’s huge. It’s not your average five beef, chicken, lamb and vego curries. This menu is seriously impressive.
Kofta Shamsavera $14.90.
Their vegetarian options are the most interesting like cheese stuffed spinach balls and mushroom kebab. There are dishes I have not seen at other Indian restaurants in Hobart like Murg Musallam which is the Maharaja house special, chicken cooked in slow fire with onion, tomatoes and spices to form ‘semi dry chicken masala’ garnished with whole egg. Murg E Khaas Patti is the chef’s creation of chicken with mushroom, onion and tomatoes and garnished in special Khaas Patti style. And there’s the Akbari Kofta, marinated chicken mince balls stuffed with cheese, mushrooms, herbs and spices and in the chef’s special gravy.
Corn, Capsicum and Mushroom Masala $14.90
The second observation is that the serves are equally impressive.
Their prices are comparable to other Indian restaurants in Hobart, however add to it their great selection of dishes and the convenience of being in the heart of the city, these guys are a winner in our book.
Mushroom Kabab $14.90
Our meals rounded out to about $19 each. That included a main meal each, a mix of five roti and naan and rice to share. Even with the Silver Fox giving it his best go to finish off what the rest of us couldn’t eat, we still had leftovers. 
Cheese Naan $3.00
They also offer the ever-popular Thali – their menu states ‘this is how Royals were treated to a special feast!’ Thali comprises of an entrée, three curries, rice, naan, riata and poppadum, $21.90. They have meat and vegie Thali options on their menu.
Tip - Thali means plate made up of a selection of small dishes served in little bowls. There’s usually dal, meat and vegetables with roti, pickles or chutney on the side.
Lacha Parantha $3.00
If you’re in a hurry you can choose up to three curries, rice and naan bread from the bain-marie downstairs, served to you upstairs in the restaurant for $15, or take the same away for $13.
Mushroom Bhajia $7.90 (entree)
It was so good, the group returned with a tenth person for lunch not long afterwards and have now decided it is our go-to Indian restaurant in Hobart.
You can find the Maharajah at 81A Bathurst Street, Hobart or call them on  (03) 6234 4327.
Here’s a link to their webpage
Find out more about the Ivory Café here. I can’t believe we haven’t blogged about them, they’re the best. 
The last time we went out with Sugarplum Fairy we went to the Westend Pumphouse, find it here.

Maharaja on Urbanspoon