Traditional
The Raj was the first, so naturally they’re my number one Indian restaurant in Protaras. I’ve been eating here since my very good friend Andreas opened way back in 1992. It’s spacious and comfortable, with traditional décor, I just love the tiled table tops and the Raj’s excellent reputation just keeps their clients coming back again and again.
Well Travelled
I grabbed a chance to pop in for a chat with Owner Andreas and his son Thomas. With over 30 years experience Andreas is an expert in English Style Indian Cuisine. He’s contributed his whole life to his work, spending over 5 years with a mission to travel all over the UK researching the different recipes from the different settlers of various regions of Indian …
Multi award winning
They’ve won numerous awards over 3 decades, in fact this excellent restaurant boasts a TripAdvisor award putting them in the top 10% Indian Restaurants in the World! … check out their corporate Video here
Favourite Cuisine
I must just say; Indian cuisine is my favourite and so I’ve eaten at many restaurants and tbh, I’d agree with TripAdvisor because this is also one of my favourite Indian Restaurants in the world!
Top Chefs
On his travels, Andreas met and persuaded Head chef SurJeetSngh to move to Cyprus 8 years ago and together they select only the best Indian chefs and use only the finest local produce. Andreas once told me he imports his favourite spices from the Far East and from several regions in India, to compliment his recipes. Finally presenting an extensive Menu with enormous variety and taste … and they have a cool selection for the kids
Authentic
At the Raj, the magic of Tandoori comes to light, it’s as authentic as the Tandoori oven it’s cooked in. The ‘Tandoori’ is a clay oven which they meticulously light every day. It uses red-hot charcoal to seal in the juices of the marinated food to give it that unique, delicious flavour!
Menu
The selection is massive with way over 100 dishes; from the 14 different starters to Raj Classic Curries, Balti Dishes, wonderful Biryanis, to their Tandoori Specialities, House Specials and Vegetarian Dishes, with no cross cooking and traditional side dishes all amendable, according to your taste, even Phal is an option, but its too hot for me!
Starters
There’s 14 to choose from, everyone’s favourites’ include, Poppadums’ and dips, Onion Bhajis and Sheik kabab, but mine has to be the Panner Tikka Kebab, marinated soft goats cheese with seared peppers, served sizzling on the plate! and I just love the King Prawn Pakora and the Vegetable Samosas.
Biryanis
I occassionally pop in and grab a Biriyani dish with a couple of vegetarian specialities my favourites the King Prawn Biryani with Dhal Tarka, lentils cooked with tomatoes garlic and spices.
Tandoori
They get their Tandoori dishes absolutely spot on because of the traditional Tandoori Oven, the Tandoori King Prawns, marinated in yogurt and spices, served on a sizzler … just gorgeous, I could just order two of these lol
Naans
They even make their own Nann Breads, there’s 15 to chose from, their recipes perfected over the years and then cooked to perfection on the walls of their Tandoori oven … a bit smaller and crispier and absolutely delicious !
Absolute Favourite
I’ve been eating here since they opened, tried so many of their dishes and it’s hard not to just go for the Chicken Tikka Masala, the dish I normally choose to check out a new Indian, but my absolute favourite just has to be the Raj Special, cooked to your liking of course! Mmm ! … However, let me recommend a few more ideas.
Meze Style
If you’re not sure what to try, ask for the Mixed Tandoori Platter, then just add a few side dishes, my favourites the Aloo Gobi and the Sag Aloo, its just like creating your own Indian Meze.
Specialities
I also have to recommend the Chef’s Special, spicy chicken, with hot lime pickle, cooed in a madras sauce with onions, green chillies and mushrooms.
Variety
Last time we popped in for dinner Louise choose one of the ‘specialities of the house’, the Raj Mango Tikka, chicken tikka cooked in a medium curry sauce with mango pickle, mushrooms and onions and it was absolutely delicious!
Set Menu
They also have a cool offer on their set menu for two … it’s an elaborate setting of Indian dishes including Onion Bhaaji, Bombay Aloo, Mixed Vegetables, Chicken Rogan, Chicken Balti, Chicken Korma, Chicken Tikka Masala, Pilau Rice and a Naan Bread
First Time
The crew here are a brilliant, well oiled team because they’ve been together 8 years, their polite and attenuative and are always happy to help you choose something that will appeal to your taste buds, so do ask if you fancy trying something new.
Behind the Bar
They’ve got all your favourite drinks, including wines from Cyprus, Italy & Greece, imported spirits and beers including Peroni, of course Kingfisher Beer from India and Strongbow and Magners Ciders.
Everyone’s welcome
They welcome parties of any type and have a great selection for the kids and outdoor seating and breezy windows with gorgeous view overlooking the Mediterranean sea of Protaras Bay … I can feel a little romance in the air … Check out their Full Menu here
Open long summer season
April ’til November
Daily 17.30 ’til 23.00
Most credit cards accepted
Free Wifi
Directions
You’ll find them on the sea side of Protaras Avenue, aka Hotels Road, Protaras, it’s down the little slope above TeeJay’s Bar, nestled between the Sunrise Beach & Sunrise Pearl Hotels … with off street parking available … Hit the Google Map icon below …
GPS: 35.015772, 34.052476
Aromatic Indian Pleasures !
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