this is not only the best indian food i’ve had, but one of the best meals i have ever eaten. the food is so flavorful and reasonably priced for its quality. all of the staff are incredibly kind and accommodating, and the restaurant is not only huge but clean, fun, and entertaining. truly a restaurant for everyone!!!

Fantastic food and service! Samudhra is a standout for authentic, flavorful South Indian cuisine. Everything we ordered was fresh and delicious. Special thanks to Agnelo for his exceptional service—friendly, attentive, and spot-on with recommendations. He truly made the experience memorable. Highly recommend and will definitely be back!

Great food, extremely flavorful and tasty. Johnifer was an amazing server and was extremely attentive / proactive in making sure all of our party’s needs were taken care of. He gave great recommendations for the food based on our party’s preferences. John and Rakesh were also very hospitable and the staff in general were all amazing.

The food was absolutely excellent! Every dish was full of flavor, beautifully presented, and cooked to perfection. The ingredients tasted fresh and high quality, and each bite was a delight. The overall experience was fantastic, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable meal. personally recommend Anurag and Rakesh for their outstanding hospitality!

Samudhra continues to impress us every single time with its exceptional food quality and unforgettable flavors. It’s truly a must‑visit destination for anyone who appreciates great dining This evening, we had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Anurag Pandey, whose graciousness and professionalism made our experience even more special. He guided us through the dinner menu with such care and courtesy. His dedication to customer satisfaction is truly commendable. A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Pandey and the entire Samudhra team for making our evening wonderful !!

The food and ambiance were great. Mohan provided excellent service. The mine was unique with delicious choices

The wild berry margarita is sweet and was sooooo worth it. I also like the Gongura Kodi. Super spicy but Super worth it. Make sure you have some water nearby. The cheff made the basmati rice to perfection. No complaints and definitely will tell my friends about this spot. Vaidehi is a amazing server and explained so much to us as it was our first time here. She is super welcoming and friendly.

We were there for my birthday dinner, Vaidehi served us, she was excellent, suggested their best dishes, and made us feel welcome, food was awesome and ambience was great !!

This place is truly fantastic! The food quality was exceptional, just like always. The drinks and appetizers were top-notch and served quickly. Our server, Mohanrao T., was incredibly knowledgeable and guided us in selecting some of the main courses — and every recommendation was spot on. The biryani was absolutely out of this world. Overall, this is a one-of-a-kind spot. Give it a try — you won’t be disappointed!

Our waiter provided great service and had amazing customer service. He was engaging with the table and was attentive when our table needs had to be meet. Overall, Anurag Pandey was a wholesome and amazing person who served us really well. He made our experience the star quality. The food was delicious, giving us a taste of India. We learned about the making of the paneer because it was the best part of the meal. Every subji was far beyond 10/10 and should be eaten. The Veg Biryani was also superb. We thank our waiter and the amazing staff that made our experience memorable. We recommend anyone and everyone to come and visit this amazing dining experience.

Had a great experience thanks to our waiter, Anurag Pandey. He was very attentive, polite, and professional throughout the meal. He made sure everything was perfect and was quick to help with recommendations and requests. Service like this truly enhances the dining experience. Highly recommend asking for him!

It was my birthday today and we enjoyed a lot. The management team gave me a nice little surprise. Definitely recommend it

Great restaurant, food was tasty and our server Kishore was very nice. We ordered palak chat, paneer tikka masala, chicken tikka masala, and chicken biryani. Spice level and portion size were just right.

The ambience is great, and the food is excellent. My server, Manjari, was wonderful. This was my first time here, and I had a great experience with delicious food.

Samudhra offers a wonderful dining experience with great food and a warm atmosphere. The flavors were authentic and everything we tried was well-prepared and delicious. What really made the visit special was the service—our waiter, Mahesh, was attentive, friendly, and made sure we were comfortable throughout the meal. He was knowledgeable about the menu and gave excellent recommendations. Overall, a fantastic experience, and I would definitely recommend Samudhra to anyone looking for quality food and excellent service.

Ishor was a very great host! A welcoming hospitality coupled with rich food made this experience at Samudhra worth the drive! Recommend this restaurant if you want a taste of 🇮🇳.The owner was simply brilliant in his demeanor, hospitality, along with his super grounded personality in giving us one of the best experiences at an Indian cuisine!!! We highly recommend Samudhra to all for a fantastic dining experience!!! One for the books!!!

The ambiance were really good. We ordered mirchi Baji which had a very good flavour which reminded me of home cooked food. Also ordered Palak chat which was really good . Ragi sangati with Kodi Kura was great . The only dish which didn’t satisfy my taste buds was biryani , didn’t like it .

Service was fast and the vibes inside were very sophisticated and great for a dinner date. Our server Johnifer was great! He explained the menu really well and gave great suggestions. We absolutely loved the Nellore Chepala Pulusu. Highly recommend if you want a slightly sweet mango flavored that packs a powerful spicy punch. Fish was so soft and juicy too. We will definitely come again soon

If you are looking for an authentic and memorable Indian dining experience, Samudra is an absolute must-visit. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with a warm atmosphere, but what truly set the evening apart was the impeccable service and the caliber of the food. Our server, Anurag Pandey, was the highlight of our visit. He was extremely polite, professional, and possessed a deep knowledge of the menu. We truly appreciated his thoughtful recommendations; he guided us through the options with ease, ensuring our meal was perfectly balanced. It is rare to find such attentive and genuine hospitality. The Chicken Dum Biryani was the definitive highlight. It was remarkably flavorful and felt truly authentic, with every grain of rice infused with aromatic spices.

The food, atmosphere, and service are 5 ⭐️. The decor of the restaurant makes you feel like you are no longer at a strip mall. The food is authentic, flavorful, and well presented. The food and beverage director was very intentional with the menu and the cocktail list. I appreciate the mocktail option and also the willingness to help with making me a semi-sangria without liquor and keeping it strictly wine based. Hands down the most flavorful, tender, and creative Indian meal I had in the Somerset/Franklin Township area. The Naan was light, crispy, and fresh. We’ll be back!

We had a fantastic experience celebrating a birthday here! The food was delicious, and the atmosphere made it extra special. The team went above and beyond by surprising my husband with a complimentary brownie and ice cream—a thoughtful gesture that truly made our night. A big shoutout to our server, Rahul, who was incredibly patient, kind, and attentive. Highly recommend!

First things first service was great Both our hosts dear Anurag Pande and John were awesome, 5 stars for it. Every item of food we ordered were delicious and fresh and i recommend this place to everyone. The atmosphere, food, service all 5 Stars. We ordered : Masala Papad Paneer tikka Palak chaat Katal kebab Jhinga 369 Kodi kura Methi paneer Andhra bhaingan Paneer tikka masala Kathal pulav All out cocktails and mocktails were wonderful This made our Valentine’s Day ❤️ Thanks

Had an amazing lunch here, this was our first time and everything was delicious! We had palak chaat, biryani and paneer tikka, all of it had good flavor. If you love lychees, I highly recommend lychetini (it is on the sweet side). All in all a good experience and would return!

I had dinner here and it was an amazing experience. The food was absolutely delicious, full of flavor, fresh, and clearly made with care. Indian cuisine can be hard to get just right, but this place nailed it. Our server, Kishore, was outstanding; friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed. Great food and great service. I’ll definitely be coming back!

We sat in the lounge, and the vibe was spectacular with great song selection, right volume of music, super high-def ginormous TV, and comfortable and clean sofas. The portion sizes were generous, and most of them were delicious. The cauliflower appetizer was a miss, but we enjoyed all the rest. Will certainly come back here with family.

Great food, we were a party of 14 and enjoyed the food! Definitely worth it, one of the best Indian restaurants

It was a great experience with my husband.. It was a surprise dinner for him and we loved the ambience and food.. Aurag Pandey did a great job suggesting us what we wanted to eat. Overall it was a great time .

Just finished an absolutely fantastic Wedding Anniversary special lunch celebration with my wife at Samudhra. Can't say enough. Lovely ambience, delicious food and very kind and generous hospitality! Definitely recommend it to anyone. My wife's favorite was Palak chat and we oved the dessert, Kubani ka Meetha.

We visited Samudhra for lunch the other day, and were really thrilled with every facet of our experience. Our party of three sat in the lounge for our meal, and the atmosphere was exceptional. Mahesh arrived at our table within moments of our sitting down and made us feel welcome, answering our questions and making suggestions. Two of us had the Rupee Premium Lager and my wife had the Kala Khatta cocktail and we all had the Sumadhra Thali for our meals. The quality of the food was top-notch, with each flavor bold and unique. From the Chicken Bhuna to the Shrimp Ghee Roast to the Goat Kadai Varuval, everything was outstanding. I personally cleaned my plate and asked for seconds on a couple of particularly excellent items. Throughout the two hours we spent at Samudhra, Mahesh visited the table regularly to address our needs and we never felt like we were waiting long if we needed anything. From every aspect and facet, the experience was one we'll remember for a long time. We've already recommended Samudhra to our friends and family and will continue to do so whenever the opportunity presents itself. In closing, we are looking forward to our next visit and can't wait to return!

The food was amazing, but you know what was better the mojito amazing. And don’t get me started on the vibe, ambient orange lighting with beautiful walls and fireplaces. Also the water was amazing ice cold and refreshing. Oh and the service impeccable like Mahesh he was the GOAT so nice and relatable with our family. The food was so good as well!!! Thanking so much Samudhra I will be back!!

Went there for New Years with My Family for dinner. The Vibe and food was splendid and our server Manjiri was incredible.

Sat in the lounge before busy hours. The placed feels like you are in NYC but 3 mins from the house. Atmosphere is cool and comfortable. Drinks and food was good. Staff and manager were very nice!

The food and overall experience were excellent. The ambiance was warm and inviting, and the restaurant was very clean and well maintained, which made the dining experience even more enjoyable. The service truly stood out—Johnifer took great care of us, was attentive, friendly, and made sure everything was perfect throughout our visit. His professionalism and positive attitude really added to the experience. We had a wonderful time and would definitely recommend this place.

Everything was great. We didn’t have reservation but they still accommodated us. They have a separate room for families with kids so that was great for us. The food was beyond expectations and the quantity is very satisfying. Haleem and biryani is a must try

Holy cow…. Food was top notch. Stuff you can’t get anywhere else, and everything we tried was a 10/10. Ended up overeating because it all looked so good. The lounge and dinner experience was so cool. We sat in the lounge and enjoyed our dinner service with the best hospitality from not only Ishor and Rakesh, but the GM personally came up and welcomed us and frequented our table with GENUINE interest and positivity that can’t be faked. Geez, just found one of my new fav restaurants.

Ishor & Rakesh and the General manager were so kind and hosted us very well. Food, entertainment, and the ambience as a whole was a 10/10. Would definitely come back!

Went there for Lunch on the weekend of Rakshabandhan. They typically have Thalis on the weekend but the menu didn’t appeal to us much so we ordered A La Carte. We had prior reservations. The food taste was great. Our favourite part were the Appetisers - Dahi ke Kebab, Gobi starter and Paala Patta Chaat. Paneer Tikka Masala was good, Nizami Handi lacked seasoning but they said that’s how they make it. Service felt a little rushed, could’ve been due to the weekend. We are Pure vegetarian and there were plenty of vegetarian options which tasted well. Overall, had a good experience and the food was the highlight.

+6

★★★★★ Outstanding Experience at Samudhra Restaurant I had a fantastic dining experience at Samudhra Restaurant, thanks to the wonderful hospitality and service provided by Rakesh and Arjun. From the moment we walked in, both of them were incredibly welcoming, attentive, and professional. They made sure everything was perfect — from helping with menu selections to ensuring the food arrived promptly and exactly as ordered. Their recommendations were spot on and really enhanced the overall dining experience. The service was warm, friendly, and efficient throughout the meal. It’s clear that Rakesh and Arjun take great pride in their work and genuinely care about making guests feel comfortable and well looked after. Great food, excellent service, and a memorable evening. Many thanks to Rakesh and Arjun for making the visit special. I will definitely be returning! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Food was exceptional. Our host Anurag Pandey was attentive and friendly. I would definitely recommend.

Been here 3 times now. Not once has the service, food, or atmosphere failed us! Amazin restaurant and beautiful ambience. Kishore was amazing!

Samudra Premium Restaurant offers an excellent dining experience with great ambiance and delicious food. The quality and freshness of the dishes truly stand out, especially the seafood, which is cooked to perfection. The service is prompt, polite, and professional, making the entire experience very comfortable. A special mention to Rakesh—he is the best person there. His hospitality, attention to detail, and friendly attitude made our visit even more enjoyable. He went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect. Highly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for premium food and outstanding service.

We came here on a Sunday for a non-veg thali and it was amazing. Not one dish was disappointing. Our server Kishore was prompt with getting us more dishes as and when required. We sat at the lounge area and the atmosphere was perfect.

Amazing food! We came here to celebrate a friend’s anniversary, and it was such a wonderful experience. Even though it was a limited menu, every single dish was absolutely yum! Sid, our server, truly made the evening special. He was incredibly polite, attentive, and treated us like family from the moment we arrived. His recommendations were spot-on — starting with the Palak Chaat, which was delicious and perfectly balanced. Sid recommended two Dum Gosht Biryanis, and he was absolutely right. Hands down, the best dum biryani we’ve had in the US so far. The quality of the basmati rice, the rich aroma, and the perfectly blended spices were outstanding. Every bite was flavorful without being overpowering. His drink recommendations were excellent as well and paired beautifully with the food. Sid checked on us at just the right moments and made sure everything was perfect throughout the meal. We will definitely be coming back and can’t wait to try the Thalis next time. Thank you, Sid, for such warm hospitality — truly an unforgettable dining experience!

We went for lunch on weekday and there was no wait. We have also been here on weekends and is pretty busy and hence reservation is recommended. Johniffer was our server and was very attentive and ensured to suggest us based on our preferences. The drinks (mocktails) are very good especially amrood. Highly recommend panasakaya (jackfruit) pulao - the rice was so flavorful. We have never had bad experience in Samudhra and if at anytime we had any concerns the staff was very helpful and ensured to correct any.

Great food. We ordered the unlimited Thalis. There was a great selection of items and all the food was tasty. The server, Anurag, was kind and responsive. We will definitely come back.

Kiran and Manjeri were so kind, helpful and gave us a tour of the food. The manager John was very pleasant and spoke to us about the restaurant, community and the food. We felt like special guests and enjoyed our experience immensely. We will be back again!

We ordered chicken, Biryani dumka murg, Nan, and non-veg Thali. The food was really good. The quality the taste and the quantity ;SID our waiter. His service was phenomenal on time pretty prompt didn’t had to ask for anything. Everything was served on time and professionally. Sid made the experience exceptional:)

Muskan Punani

Thank you for the service! Had a great time. Our server was very pleasant and friendly. Don’t know his name but we were a party of 8 plus kids. If this helps.

Shailender Ahlawat

We had an absolutely wonderful experience at Samudhra in Franklin Park, NJ. From the moment we were seated, the service stood out - our waiter, Anurag Pandey, was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming, making sure everything was perfect throughout the meal. The food was outstanding - rich flavors, perfectly balanced spices, and clearly made with care and authenticity. Every dish we tried was fresh, beautifully presented, and incredibly satisfying. You can truly taste the quality and passion behind the cooking. Between the excellent service and the exceptional food, Samudhra has easily earned a spot on our list of favorite Indian restaurants. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a memorable Indian dining experience in the area - we’ll definitely be back!

Krivi Partani

Excellent experience overall. We came here to celebrate an anniversary and were immediately greeted with warm, friendly staff and a pleasant ambience. Our servers, Anurag Pandey and John, were both incredibly friendly and kind, happily offering suggestions and taking photos and whatever else we needed. For appetizers, we ordered the Paneer Tikka and Murgh Aatish Burra, and both arrived promptly with very good portion sizes with very flavorful mint and mango chutneys on the side. They also tasted good, and the Aatish Burra especially had a really unique flavor to it. For entrees we ordered Palak Nadru Subzi, Murgh Tikka Masala, and Laal Maas Gosht, and all three were very tasty. The Laal Maas had levels of spice and flavor you won't usually find around here, even in the better Indian restaurants. While the food is quite pricey, the quality of the food and service and the elegant atmosphere make it worth a visit for a fine dining experience.

Chetan Patel

We had dinner at Samudra today and absolutely loved the experience. The food was outstanding—fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. A special shoutout to our server Kishor, who made the evening even more memorable. He was attentive, friendly, and genuinely cared about our experience. When he found out it was my birthday, he surprised us with a brownie and ice cream as a birthday cake, which was such a thoughtful and kind gesture. Great food combined with exceptional service made this a truly memorable birthday dinner. Highly recommend Samudra, and ask for Kishor if you get the chance!

Soumya Shekhar

We have been going to Samundhra for many years now, and it has always been our go-to place—whether we want to enjoy a great meal without overthinking or celebrate a special occasion. The food is consistently delicious, and the portions are always generous. This time, Jonathan was our server, and he was incredibly nice and friendly. He even customized my drink exactly to my liking, which made the experience even better. As always, Samundhra did not disappoint. Highly recommend!

Shree Ks

​We came here for dinner and had a wonderful experience. The ambiance was great and the food was yummy. As vegetarians, we were very impressed—the vegetarian food was delicious, and the Nimbu Rasam was particularly wonderful!

+3

biplab paulchowdhury

It was an extra ordinary experience to celebrate 25th anniversary of our friend Atmosphere and staffs and services were amazing Mahesh et al everybody was truly at there best with the hospitality

Jasmeet Johar

Went with family members yesterday. We always try to go there atleast once while visiting NJ. They have built a new hall addition to the main restaurant and it has a great ambience with big led display. Seating was prompt including our service. Good overall was tasty and flavorful. Loved their palak chaat and dahi kabob. Tandoori fish was also great. Entree serving size was decent. They were kind enough to get us a complementary birthday cake too! Rakesh and Vaidehi provided great service. Highly recommend!

Navya

Went on a Sunday afternoon for early lunch during which the restaurant got filled completely. On the day we were waited on by Anurag Pandey, who was friendly and guided us through the menu. Now coming to the menu we went for 1 veg and 3 nonveg thalis. It is great way to taste all. All of them were nice. Since it was unlimited we went for seconds for the items we respectively liked. Might visit again.

Pallavi Parinita

We love dining in Samudhra. Our favorite restaurant in NJ. Unbeatable food, unmatched service and beautiful ambience. We always love to come and celebrate our special days here. Moham Ji served us diligently and very kindly. We love coming here. Highly recommended!!

Kanugo Nikitha

We ordered paneer bullet, mirchi bajji, gobi chatpata, bonda, chicken biryani, butter naan, paneer tikka masala, and brownie with ice cream everything tasted amazing the food was flavorful, portions were generous, and the quality was really good. Service was quick and polite, and the overall vibe was nice with a moderate noise level. Parking is available, which makes it convenient. Just note that there’s a dress code to enter, so it’s better to call ahead and make a reservation. If you’re looking for a place with great food, good service, and a comfortable dine in experience, this one’s definitely worth visiting

+10

Gautham Kandukuri

Amazing Telugu restaurant that is serving very authentic tasting dishes. I truly appreciated the attention to detail when it came to the ambience and service. The dress code is not as inconvenient as some people made it seem. It’s very clear and reasonable for the kind of experience they are trying to create. We will definitely be back.

+1

Julie Smith

The food at this Indian restaurant was exceptional! Kiran provided excellent service as our waiter, and Rakesh gave us a warm welcome at the door. Both were dressed professionally and made our dining experience even better with their kindness and attentiveness. We highly recommend trying the dosa—it was outstanding! The restaurant itself was spotless, well-organized, and beautifully maintained. We’ll definitely be returning!

Wayne_Neighbor

Samudhra in Franklin Park is one of those places that makes dining out feel special from the moment you walk in. The ambience really sets the tone—it’s modern, classy, and welcoming all at once. Whether you’re coming in for a casual night or celebrating something a little bigger, it feels like the right place to be. The attention they put into making the setting comfortable and elegant shows they care about the overall experience, not just the food. Now, about the food—it’s premium quality all the way. Everything I tried was full of flavor, beautifully presented, and made with top-notch ingredients. You can really taste the difference here compared to other spots. Each dish felt carefully crafted, not rushed, and the balance of spices was excellent. It’s the kind of food that makes you want to come back just to explore more of the menu. On top of that, the customer service pushes the whole experience to another level. From start to finish, the staff was friendly, attentive, and genuinely cared about making sure everything was perfect. A special shout-out to Vaidehi—her warmth and professionalism stood out and made the visit feel even more enjoyable. She went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable, and it didn’t go unnoticed. If you want great taste, great service, and great atmosphere, Samudhra is the place to be.

+46

Bismita Bhattacharjee

Mindblowing hospitality and excellent professionalism and most importantly superb food quality and quantity. Today we went to celebrate my husband’s birthday and we were soo happy with everything be it food or courteous staffs. I strongly recommend this restaurant. Believe me or not we tried hundreds of Indian restaurants in the area but were never treated this way. Shout out to all the professional staffs and they were very accommodating as well. You don’t have to wait at all if you reserve and they will take care of you personally. Overall thank you for making our evening more special. We look forward to visit again.

Sudipto Dey

Awesome Indian restaurant! Went there with friends and they have a big room where they accommodated our large group. There were groups of 20+ people dining there as well. Serving large groups are generally tricky and they handled them perfectly. The food was delicious including the starters, main course and the desserts, how could I forget the cocktails & mocktails! Will go there soon

I generally avoid Indian restaurants in the United States due to 1. subpar taste, 2. high prices, and 3. poor service. However, this restaurant exceeded my expectations in every way. I made a reservation two hours before my visit and was promptly accommodated. 1. The food was exquisite, and 2. the pricing was exceptionally reasonable compared to other establishments in the U.S., considering the quality of service, food, and ambience. 3. The service was outstanding—unlike many restaurants where you have to wait for the same server to take your re-order, here you simply make eye contact with any staff member, including the GM, and your request is promptly addressed. I highly recommend visiting this restaurant to experience it for yourself. My suggestion if you are an adult order vegetarian thali and forget about anything. Reasonable & More than Sufficient.

+6

Anurag was very attentive and kind! Overall 4/5, the food was great but the dum biryani wasn’t anything special. Always come here for the appetizers mainly because we like them better like the palak chaat and murgh malai tikka.

Been a frequent lover of their Biryani and the standard they have, most Indian restaurants don’t have specific standard taste but Samudhra keeps up with that specially the Biryani it’s not too spicy but very flavorful. This time tired their Murgh Kallimirch besides our regular order wasn’t a fan of it, felt the dish was more like a curry than an appetizer also Madras Filter Coffee wasn’t great a little over priced. Looks like things have changed here a bit since they use to serve complimentary fritters welcoming customers but they don’t anymore and staff felt more busy and running with not that pleasant face. They are strict with their policies which is okay.

Samudra in Franklin Park delivers a solid, no-nonsense dining experience, anchored by a genuinely good mutton biryani. The biryani stood out for well-cooked, tender pieces of mutton and balanced seasoning—flavorful without being overpowered by spice or grease. It tasted deliberate, not rushed, which is always a good sign. Dessert was also equally good. What really elevated the visit, though, was the service. Mr. John Ifer was attentive, warm, and professional without being intrusive.

The service and atmosphere are great. I think they need some improvements on food. Anda chaat was star dish. It was unique and perfect. The rest of the dishes were good , not great. Small improvements will make them better. Mirchi bhajii had a little too much tamarind in its stuffing. Rasams were good. Hyderabadi baingan curry was good. Natu kodi pulao was okay but not great. Falooda was not good. Malpua rabri was very hard. Could not even cut it to eat. Pala thalekuku were good( like homemade payasam) . Too pricey for what you get. I think their thali (which is served only during lunch hours) has good reviews from my friends and is also reasonable with the price, looking forward to try it in my next visit.

Went for dinner to Samudhra and the experience was good. We kept it simple and ordered Kodi 65- we ordered this twice, it was so good, Salmon 65, Mutton Biryani, Haleem and Ragi Muddha with Natugodi. Mutton birysni definitely didnt cut the mark for me, it was bland and lacked flavor. Haleem was so good! Drinks that we got- Mirchi Margherita, Aam Panna and Samudhra Mule.

+6

More towards the high end in terms of price, but the food we had was of good quality. Wouldn't say it was out of this world, good standard food. The portion size were also pretty huge for the biriyani.

+1

Had a great get-together with my friends at Samudhra and really enjoyed the lively ambiance. The atmosphere was vibrant, and the service was good. The food was okay—not the best, but still decent. One thing to keep in mind—formal attire is required, so plan accordingly. Overall, a nice place for a classy and enjoyable evening!

I recently had the opportunity to dine at Samudhra Premium Restaurant & Lounge in Franklin Park, and the culinary experience was truly exceptional. The food was the highlight of the evening. Every dish we ordered was thoughtfully prepared, rich in flavor, and beautifully presented. The authenticity of the spices and the freshness of the ingredients were evident in every bite, reflecting the kitchen’s strong commitment to quality. It’s clear that Samudhra takes pride in delivering a refined and memorable dining experience. The restaurant itself offers a sophisticated and elegant ambiance, making it well-suited for both special occasions and relaxed dining. I would, however, like to offer one piece of constructive feedback regarding the service. While the overall service was timely, one of the waitstaff members came across as somewhat abrupt in tone. A slightly more warm and welcoming approach would further elevate the overall guest experience and align perfectly with the premium quality of the food and setting. That said, the exceptional taste and quality of the cuisine make Samudhra a standout destination for authentic and flavorful dining in the Franklin Park area. I look forward to visiting again and exploring more of their menu.

+6

Finally went here after getting a lot of suggestions from friends. We went as a group of 6 and ordered a few appetizers and biryani. Overall, everything was good. I really liked the chepala pulusu it was prepared perfectly and tasted amazing. The biryanis were okay; they tasted a little sweet, which I didn’t expect, but the natu kodi pulao was made perfectly. We had a good experience overall. The staff and service were also good, and thanks to them for suggesting some dishes.

+6

This place impressed me right from the start with its warm, luxurious ambience — perfect for a relaxed yet upscale Indian dining experience. The menu is wonderfully extensive, offering a wide range of appetizers, entrées, cocktails, and mocktails. I especially loved the rasam, and the standout star for me was the dahi kebab. You don’t find it on many menus here, and they serve an exceptionally delicious version — perfectly creamy, balanced, and nostalgic. Among the appetizers, the Murgh Bhut Jolokia Tikka deserves a special shoutout. If you’re brave enough to test your spice tolerance, this one will definitely challenge you (and make you laugh at yourself in the process!). Other noteworthy dishes were the comforting yellow dal tadka and the rich, flavorful Pasanday Gosht.To end on a sweet note, their dessert menu is just as impressive. We tried the malpua with rabri, and it instantly transported me back to authentic Indian festive flavors — truly a memorable finish. The service was exactly what you’d expect from a fine-dining experience.The presentation of each dish was elegant and thoughtfully done. The only dish which disappointed me a bit was Nizami Handi. And they have a bar option in their lounge where you can really chill, non stop chat and also enjoy music and videos on big screens. Overall, a place worth revisiting and delightful experience — whether for a special occasion or simply to indulge in high-quality Indian cuisine.

+6

Nikhil

Samudhra offers a modern ambiance and serves high‑quality South Indian delicacies. We had lunch here, and overall it satisfied our taste buds. We ordered both the South Indian Veg and Non‑Veg Thali. Each was good in its own way. Due to our smaller appetites, we couldn’t fully do justice to the unlimited offerings, but everything we tried tasted great. We also ordered mac & cheese for our kid, which was good as well. That said, we do want to bring up a concern. On a previous visit, our friends experienced an uncomfortable situation where the staff member taking orders repeatedly peeped into their plates and discouraged sharing food when their 3‑year‑old was eating from their thali. Unfortunately, we noticed similar behavior during our visit. Please don’t risk harming your reputation over such practices. It’s natural for kids to share food with their parents, and expecting them to order a separate thali isn’t always reasonable. Being more considerate or having clearly written policies would go a long way.

+6

Pooja Kamat

The food was good - 8/10 Quantity was sufficient to feed 3 people. We even took some back home and didn’t have dessert. We had a mix of veg and non-veg food. Images below to help.

+2

First time here, not very impressed with the food. IMO over hyped. Food was very bland inspite of requesting the food to be made spicy. The Mysore bonda was extremely oily. Had higher expectations for a fine dining restaurant. Drinks were good. Not very happy with the food for NJ standards. The flavors must be relooked for improvements.

+6

Decent Experience at Samudra Indian Restaurant I visited Samudra Indian Restaurant and tried several dishes, including paneer tikka, murgh tikka, kodi ghee roast, samosa chaat, chicken biryani, mutton biryani, and veg biryani. The ambiance was pleasant and inviting, which made for a comfortable dining experience. However, the food was just okay—not great. While everything was decent, it didn’t quite meet my expectations in terms of flavor and quality. Additionally, the prices were on the higher side, which felt a bit steep considering the overall experience. Overall, it was an average visit, and while the ambiance was nice, the food could definitely be improved to match the pricing.

+4

Definitely service and atmosphere are incredible while the food was decent . The mutton biriyani texture was very close to Hyderabad but the taste was little disappointing to me. The tandoor was pretty good. Sid our host made our dinner feel very special and accommodating.

Honestly, kinda disappointed with the food after dining here with high expectations. Kodi ghee roast was a little sweet. Chicken tikka and Gosht seekh kebab were decent, but expensive. Biryanis - this was a surprise, unfortunately, a bad one. Hyderabadi murgh (chicken) and Gosht (Mutton) dum biryani were 'bland'! Not sure if this was a one off (last batch maybe?), because this place is highly rated and we expected better. The nati kodi pulao was satisfactory. Heads up that we couldn't make any of the biryanis or pulao spicy, because they can't really alter the dish apparently.

Extremely Disappointing Experience at Hotel Samudhra My experience at Hotel Samudhra was extremely disappointing and far below expectations. The place is completely overhyped, and unfortunately, nothing about the food or service lived up to even basic standards. The food quality was very poor. The chicken tikka was undercooked and almost raw, which is completely unacceptable and unsafe. The masala papad was one of the worst I’ve ever had. We were told that the biryani was their best dish, but honestly, even the biryani was terrible and nowhere close to what it should be. It has now been over 3 hours, and I’m still experiencing stomach discomfort after eating there, which raises serious concerns about food safety and hygiene. The service was equally disappointing. The welcome was unfriendly, and the waitress had a very rude attitude, which made the overall experience even worse. And the waitress were saying Overall, this was a very unpleasant experience — poor food quality, rude service, and completely not worth the hype. I would not recommend this place to anyone.

The food was so average , the biryani was really not great. The dessert was terrible

+2

We went to the restaurant today. The experience was okay, not great. We ordered Kodi 65, but they were out of mutton, so we went with chicken biryani instead. The food wasn’t impressive . it tasted more like chicken fried rice than a proper dum biryani. When I gave feedback, the waiter mentioned they had spent three years researching this menu, experimenting with different flavors and even types of water. Honestly, I expected a mid–South Indian spice level, but it felt more like eating at a North Indian restaurant

GANI V

I came across this restaurant through a Street Byte YouTube video. I visited on a weekend and tried the Non-Veg Thali, along with both the Mutton and Chicken Biryani. I ordered the Thali because it was recommended in the video, but honestly, I didn’t enjoy it much—definitely not worth the hype. Most of the items in the Thali lacked spice and flavor. The only thing I really liked was the Tomato (Roti Pachadi) in Thali, which had an authentic taste. The Biryanis, on the other hand, were good. However, while serving, we noticed a lot of ghee—maybe a bit too much for my liking. Overall, the restaurant is a bit expensive. It’s worth trying once, but I wouldn’t go back regularly.

Erik NJ

My family came here all dressed up expecting a glamorous experience. Found nothing "premium" about this restaurant. Food was just ok; no extraordinary presentation; ambience was also nothing special; didn't see any $25,000+ chandeliers or anything like that. While serving food, the server's dress was touching the food which is an insult to fine dining service protocol. As far as location is concerned, they don't even have their own lot. Its in a strip mall next to dental and physical therapy offices. No reason for them to call themselves "premium" or to require customers to dress up in "smart casual". If you are planning to celebrate something grand, I suggest you go elsewhere. My family is so disappointed.

We were very disappointed with our recent visit to Samudra. Despite having a confirmed reservation for a weekday dinner, we found they had already run out of Veg Biryani (having one special) and most of their popular South Indian dishes by 8:00 PM. As a matter of courtesy, the staff should inform guests about major menu shortages upon arrival or reservation especially those with appointments. It felt unfair to be seated and then find the key items unavailable, particularly given the high price point. The service and communication were very poor; had we known, we would have dined elsewhere. While I’ve heard good things about the food, the management needs to maintain better standards for the price they charge. After spending a couple hundred dollars, we left feeling very unsatisfied and won’t be returning or recommending it.

Food was not good. To be honest, not worth the price. Service was TERRIBLE!!! The entire staff needs to learn how to treat their customers. They love to blame customers on their lack of understanding and interpretation. They don’t take accountability. The man on the floor, his name is John, made it feel like he didn’t want to go back and forth and requested in a rude manner to order at once. When we showed them the mistake they made on receipt they blamed us. Honestly, never recommending this place to anyone and never going back here again. It’s not worth it and there are many better Indian restaurants out there with better service.

Samudhra markets itself as a premium Indian dining experience — "an ocean of flavors," as their own website puts it. Unfortunately, our visit last Saturday evening was more of a shallow puddle. We were first-time visitors and made that clear to our waiter early on, hoping for some guidance through the menu. Instead, we were rushed from the moment we sat down, with little effort made to walk us through the dishes. For a place positioning itself as upscale, that's a fundamental miss. We ordered the Khandari Machli, Andhra Kodi Kura, naans, and the Goat Dum Biryani. Our waiter repeatedly warned us that the Andhra Kodi Kura would be very spicy. When it arrived, it was completely mild — not subtly toned down, but indistinguishably so. When I politely flagged this, wondering if we'd even received the right dish, he appeared visibly annoyed. That reaction alone says a lot about the service culture here. The Khandari Machli was equally disappointing — barely any flavor beyond coriander powder and a few sparse pieces of fish. The Goat Dum Biryani, which should be the showstopper of any South Indian menu, had an overwhelming sour note — likely from tamarind — with none of the layered heat, aroma, or depth you'd expect from a proper Hyderabadi dum preparation. To cap the evening, when we had leftovers, the waiter didn't offer to pack them — he simply dropped off some of the flimsiest takeout containers I've seen. For a restaurant that calls itself premium, that detail is telling. The atmosphere tries hard to feel elevated, but without authentic food or genuine hospitality to back it up, it reads as performative. We left disappointed, and would not return.

We were planning to celebrate my parents’ 25th anniversary here, and honestly I’m glad we didn’t. When I called about booking for 14 people, they told me it would be a $50 minimum per person plus tax and gratuity on top. Fine, I get that restaurants set minimums for large parties. But when I explained three of those “people” were kids under the age of three, they said the policy still applied. Charging toddlers a $50 minimum is not just absurd, it’s downright greedy. I even asked if they could make an exception just for the kids, and the response was basically a cold “no, it’s policy.” No flexibility, no care, just a brush-off. That kind of attitude shows they’re more interested in squeezing every dollar out of people than in actually treating guests well. And the worst part, our family has eaten here before. We used to enjoy coming, but after this, never again. There are far better restaurants in North Jersey that are creative, welcoming, and know how to treat their customers with respect. We ended up going somewhere else that night, had an incredible experience, and the receipt enclosed shows the party of 14 and how much we ended up spending, where no one tried to nickel-and-dime toddlers. This place has officially lost our business.

We visited Samudhra Premium Restaurant expecting a quality experience, but unfortunately, it was far from it. We ordered two mutton biryanis, and what we received was essentially just flavored rice. While the rice itself was decent, the meat was a huge letdown—around 80% were just bones, and the remaining few pieces were undercooked. When we raised this with the staff, their response was shocking: “We are giving the same food to everyone, and no one else complains.” That kind of attitude says a lot about how seriously they take customer feedback. For a restaurant claiming to be “premium,” this was a completely unsatisfactory experience, and we felt it was more hype than quality. Definitely not worth the price or the expectations.