Mantra has come to represent an inviting atmosphere of modern elegance, comfort and sophistication. An inspired menu boasts delectable Indian Cuisine of both traditional and contemporary dishes made with the finest and freshest ingredients.
"This was Mother's Day and it was quickly apparent that they were not prepared for the rush. Why was it apparent? Because the servers told us, several times. The buffet was poorly laid out (rice at the end of the line, dressing separate from salad, unlabeled dishes) and unstocked as the cooks were having difficulty keeping up with the rush. The staff was overtly stressed to the point that it was comedic. They were out of several items (including Diet Coke & lemons). Tables remained unbussed and servers complained to patrons. All that said, the food that we had was good and I couldn't have been happier with my dining companion so all in all it was still a good memory. I'll probably be back, though not on a holiday."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"This was my second meal at Mantra. I returned based on the good experience I had in the first time, dining in the early evening. On Mother's Day I picked Mantra because it was listed as one of 30 or so restaurants in OpenTable offering some Mother's Day special. In addition my mother has switched to a vegetarian diet.
They weren't ready for the crowd. Waited close to 15 minutes for table even with a reservation. Plenty of tables clear, not enough servers. Did not get menus or buffet instructions when seated. Buffet backed up because they ran out of dishes.
I enjoyed my buffet selections. My mother said it was fair at best. The available vegetables all seemed to be breaded, and she's trying to avoid that, so she didn't find much to eat."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Wouldn't have expected this great restaurant in the area where it's situated. Food was delicious, service was excellent. We had a party of 7 plus a toddler and they accommodated us very well."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"First time trying this place and it was awesome. We decided to sit outside and wow it was a perfect match. The food was amazing and the staff was very energetic. The glass were kept full and every question asked was answered to my content. I suggest everyone that wants a break away from the norm and desires so delicious food with A+ service try Mantra."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"I was REALLY disappointed with our experience here. Our booking was for 7.45pm on a Friday night - keep this in mind when reading this.
I ordered a heineken beer when I first arrived and was told they didn't have any cold... So I ordered a Yuengling instead... Again, none in the fridge (really?!). So then I ordered a King Fisher beer. It came out in a glass - warm. I sent it back and they gave me a Maharaja which was finally cold. I got my beer 40 minutes after arrival...
I have to say I was EXTREMELY disappointed with the service from our waiter. I have had take out from here numerous times and the food is awesome, but I will never eat in again."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2010
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"First time at Mantra ... out of featured wine; sat next to table with 2 unruly noisy children banging on walls behind us - running - with their Mom's enjoying wine and not paying any attention to them (not Mantra's concern). With that said, the Noise level was Energetic and could have been Quiet to Moderate - this also made the Ambiance just Fair. The Food was very good, however, our server mixed up the 2 lamb dishes that were ordered - so the spicy one went to the person who didn't order it. The Naan was good - wish the jalapeno option was spicier! The chicken "sausage" was excellent! Hope our next visit is a better experience - would love to try more dishes."
Dined on 04/21/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"I like the Mediterainian and Indian flavor pallets and this place certainly knows how to apply them. I usually find chicken to be dry in those preparations but this was moist and flavorful only adding to the succulent tastes of the dishes. Also, being able to dictate the 'burn level' of the spices is a great touch."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, special occasion, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"There is nothing i could say negative about this awesome atmosphere! The service was incredible. Gretchen handled everything from the bar to the satisfaction of the guest i brought with me. The wait staff was impeccable and timely. No one behaved as if my friends and I were becoming a burden and there were many of us which I always anticipate to be a little unnerving for the wait staff but Mantra staff handled the guest with class and friendliness. The Chef came out to speak with us on several occasions and it just seemed as if we were among family! I will always suggest Mantra to my friends. It is my favorite Indian dining experience in the Raleigh area. The Tandoori Chicken was incredibly tender! The Chiken Tikka was deelish as always!!"
Dined on 04/18/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Consistently great Indian fare, amongst the best in the US, and accommodating staff. Madras and Vindaloo highly recommended for the spice fiend. A go-to restaurant when visiting Raleigh."
Dined on 04/16/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We tend to go to the same handful of restaurants downtown and were looking for something different Friday night. Mantra went far beyond our expectations. From Carl at the front door making our 7 year-old daughter feel absolutely special from the minute she walked in, to our waitress helping with drink recommendations. The food was amazing! the ambiance was definitely urban cool. We will be back many times in the futre and will recommend it to our friends!"
Dined on 04/12/2013
2005
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"This is the second time we've been here where they have had issues with their bar/alcohol. The first time, they were out of a variety of liquor. This time, they had no draft beers. This is a problem for a downtown, young crowd type restaurant.
This is the third time that service has been subpar. Having a drink/water on the table is not only simple, but required when it comes to spicier foods. They had a challenging time getting us drinks and keeping us refilled.
While the food was good overall, one particular dish (I'll give credit where credit's due - it was not on the menu, they made it especially at our request) was burnt and not very good.
The manager ended up discounting our meal, but they really need to get it together"
Dined on 04/13/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"I enjoyed the food and that you could customize the spice of it. I have been to Indian restaurants that they say they can make it mild but it never really is mild. I also liked that the tables where in their own little nook and it seemed like you were the only person in there."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2013
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Working our way around the menu and so far we have not been disappointed. This is the best Indian restaurant that I have found in Raleigh thus far. The food and service is always outstanding."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We enjoyed our typical wonderful experience. Mantra has become our "go to" for an excellent Indian meal. Service has improved from average to very good over the past few weeks. We commend the restaurant for its extremely reasonable corkage. We have Mantra as one of our "recommends" for dining out in Raleigh to friends and neighbors."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2012
Share:
+1point
1of1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"I have been waiting to try The Mantra since I heard about it. I finally got to take my family for dinner and we were not disappointed. Service was excellent, as was the choice of dishes. Everyone enjoyed the appetizers and main courses and the chef was gracious enough to visit our table and inquire how we liked the food. Later on, her presented us with a free dessert selection - which was delicious. I loved the place and had a great time."
Dined on 03/28/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
Share:
+1point
1of1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"If you read some of the negative reviews about service, you can sweep that care aside now. Visiting Mantra for the first time, I found that they've really spent a lot of energy improving the service side of the business. The manager of the house goes out of his way to make sure you have a good experience from beginning to end.
The restaurant is elegantly, but simply decorated. Complimentary papadum with 3 sauces are a nice start to a meal. Our waitress was very attentive, never letting glasses of water go lower than 1/2 filled. She was also helpful in guiding us through spice levels and splitting a check. Only miscue was some really small pours of wines - barely a 1/4 of a glass. The food was delicious, perfectly spiced and filling."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2007
Share:
+1point
1of1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The food was excellent. Indian is our favorite. Our server was very sweet and attentive and patient because we were talking so much that we didn't order right away. This was our first visit and we will definitely go again."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion
Share:
+1point
1of1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We went on Valentine's Day for dinner; I completely forgot that some restaurants have a set menu on certain days and this was one of those days. I had been looking forward to Indian food for a while so needless to say I was a little disappointed when I found out about the set menu. I a somewhat new to Raleigh and I haven't found that many restaurants with great food. My experience at this one was pretty much the same. The fish dishes are good and the service was good at first but slacked off as the evening went on. Over all I would go back to try the other dishes. Taking in account that I picked the wrong day to go trying new restaurants this one was decent and I will be going back to try it again."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2011
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Went to Mantra on Valentines day. Food was good but menu was very limited and needlessly expensive without offering service of standard. Staff was in hurry to serve courses and disturbed many times, something you would not expect on V day dinner."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, romantic
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"This was my first experience with Indian food and I'm in love! The food was great and the service was beyond fantastic. My husband asked about a special bread that was not on the menu and instead of just saying they didn't have it, they made it! We will definitely be back!!"
Dined on 02/12/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
Share:
+1point
1of1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Food was good but overpriced. Service wasn't poor, just unprofessional for this price range (i.e. a sticky table top and wait staff appeared to have little if any training)."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2005
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The service was poor. It was interesting that a couple who were seated before us and completed their meal, paid the check and left before we received our meal. Our server kept walking by and avoided eye contact. After the third pass through we got her attention. She kept blaming the kitchen for being slow. It was interesting once the manager got involved our meal was served. The food was not appealing to look at and had no taste. I would not recommend this restaurant."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2009
Share:
0points
1of2voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We had to wait 15 minutes for a table even though we had a reservation. Then we sat at our table for 15 minutes without anyone talking to us. Our waitress came by to drop off the sauces and whatever to us without saying a word to us. No explanation of what she threw on our table, no quick comment that she was busy but would be with us as soon as possible, nothing. After waiting a few more minutes we realized we'd be better off going somewhere else where someone would at least get us a drink while we waited.We got up and left right in front of the manager/owner and she did not say a word to us. Seemed like they didn't even want our business."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2011
Share:
+1point
1of1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Ratings-Only Reviews for Mantra Indian Cuisine & Bar