It may only be April, and maybe it’s too soon to declare my Restaurant of the Year.
But Royal Taj left me no choice.
From the food to the service, from the décor to the dessert — every detail made me feel genuinely cared for, and no, I wasn’t the birthday guest.
We were instantly charmed the moment we arrived. Royal Taj is tucked away in a standalone building in Columbia, Md. with Asian-style sloping eaves. Delicate string lights hung beneath the roof, gently flickering, as if hinting at the cozy golden glow that would take over once night fell. Outside, small fire pits glowed quietly, wooden tables and chairs were neatly arranged, and a cheerful family was already seated, chatting and enjoying the spring weather.
For me, the presence of families is always a good sign, because if a restaurant is trusted by families, it usually means the food is generous and the quality reliable.
At the entrance, we were warmly greeted by a handsome and friendly waiter who led us to a window-side table. Next to us was a family celebrating a birthday. The upbeat birthday tune and bursts of laughter made me smile instinctively: This is the kind of place that lifts your mood effortlessly.
The menu was thick and thoughtfully organized, with categories for lamb, seafood, biryani and dedicated pages for breads, appetizers and desserts.
Naturally, I opened Yelp for recommendations. The lamb roganjosh came highly praised, and I was immediately convinced. My partner chose to trust his instincts and ordered the goat biryani, which also sounded amazing. Naan? Of course: we picked garlic naan. There were over ten types of bread — we’ll definitely try more next time. For appetizers, we took another server’s recommendation and ordered the Gobhi Broccoli Manchurian: a soy-sauce stir-fried dish made with cauliflower and broccoli.
The Gobhi Broccoli Manchurian arrived like a cheerful little messenger. Its sweet and tangy crisp shell gave way to soft, flavorful veggies that instantly woke up my taste buds. Then came the main dishes — or more accurately, a vibrant edible tapestry spread across our white tablecloth: the bright orange roganjosh curry, creamy white yogurt sauce, fluffy steamed rice, a colorful heap of biryani and golden garlic naan completing the masterpiece.
I quickly snapped a photo and dove right in — I was starving.
COURTESY OF YUYU HUANG
A basket of freshly baked garlic naan and layers of spice-rich dishes: the kind of meal that invites you to slow down and savor every bite.
My first bite of the lamb roganjosh absolutely stunned me. The lamb was tender, juicy and flavorful without the slightest gaminess: fresh like the lamb I once had in Inner Mongolia. The roganjosh curry was a layered symphony: Kashmiri chili heat, tomato sweetness and warm masala spice all in perfect rhythm on my tongue.
I hesitate to call it “harmonious,” because that would understate its complexity. Let’s just say: It was fabulous.
My partner’s goat biryani was equally impressive. The goat had a more pronounced flavor than the lamb (in a good way), and the biryani — a spiced rice dish — was deeply infused with aromatics that clung to every grain, blending with the tender chunks of meat beautifully. I only had one spoonful, so I won’t pretend to offer a full review; but judging by how quickly he finished it, I’d say he was more than satisfied.
And then there was the naan: absolutely delicious. Warm and fluffy, with a hint of salt and garlic that brought out the subtle sweetness and nuttiness of the flour. I felt like a child playing with toast and jam, using the naan to try every dip — curry, yogurt, even plain — and loving each variation equally.
By the way, the naan is refillable! Each round comes with three pieces. They’re easy to finish, and there’s no need to worry about them going cold or running out. The staff will keep bringing them, warm and fresh.
As night fell, the restaurant shimmered in a golden glow. The chandeliers sparkled and the gilded accents gleamed. It felt as if the space itself was saying, “As long as you’re here, the world outside can wait.”
Just as we were about to ask for the check, the same server who had welcomed us noticed we hadn’t ordered dessert. He snapped his fingers, called over a colleague, and said, “One cheesecake and two chai teas for them.”
It felt like watching a magician pull doves from a sleeve. Except here, it was food.
And when I took that first bite of the creamy cheesecake and the first sip of warm chai, I understood the gesture. The richness of the cake and the warmth of the tea softened the spice journey we’d just taken. It was a gentle, thoughtful kiss goodnight for my awakened senses.
COURTESY OF YUYU HUANG
A cozy cup of chai and a melt-in-your-mouth cheesecake: a sweet surprise from Royal Taj’s staff that made guests feel truly cared for.
Before we left, all three servers who had helped us came by to say goodbye with warm smiles. I felt utterly spoiled. The price? Less than $60 per person if you don’t order alcohol. Yet I felt like a princess stumbling into a fairytale — or maybe a lady celebrating her anniversary — attended to with the utmost care.
As we stepped outside, that same server ran out again to wave goodbye. And behind him, the lights under the eaves finally came on — just as I had imagined they would when we arrived — casting a warm, golden glow over his vibrant, joyful face.
“I’ll come back.” I couldn’t help say it out loud, because I know I will.
Most restaurants I treasure are memorable because of the people I dine with: family, friends or for special occasions.
But Royal Taj was the opposite. It made an ordinary Sunday night feel like something special. Stunning dishes. Attentive service. A refined yet warm ambience. Families laughing all around.
It was perfect. Extraordinary.
I know I’ll be back — I just don’t know how many times.
