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Gaylord Fine Indian Cuisine
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Gaylord Fine Indian Cuisine
8.2
Gaylord Fine Indian Cuisine is a 1970s-era stalwart just off the Magnificent Mile, serving classic Northern Indian dishes in a white-tablecloth dining room. Guests lean on tandoori platters, rich curries, and a buffet format at select services, using it for everything from business dinners to special-occasion meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb Rogan Josh, Chicken Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: A long-running Mag Mile–adjacent dining room pairing classic Northern Indian recipes with old-school white-tablecloth service.
Who should go: Fans of traditional Indian fine dining and leisurely multi-course meals.
When to visit: Weekend dinner service when the dining room feels most alive.
What to order: Lamb rogan josh, chicken tikka masala, saag paneer.
Insider tip: Use the buffet service, when offered, to sample broadly before returning for a more focused à la carte visit.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce near the Mag Mile; expect to use nearby paid garages within a 1–2 block walk. Valet is not guaranteed — occasionally offered on busy evenings, so call ahead if you need it.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jackets and dresses feel appropriate, but neat jeans are generally fine.
Noise level: Moderate — conversational at most tables, though larger groups can raise volume during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: Reservations strongly recommended; without one, waits of 30–60 minutes are common during prime hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait; buffet service days can see brief peaks at noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — strong coverage with numerous paneer, vegetable curries, and lentil dishes.
Vegan options: Limited but workable — a few vegetable curries and breads can be made vegan on request; confirm with your server.
Gluten-free options: Many curries and tandoori items are naturally gluten-free; staff can guide substitutions, but there is no fully separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the white-tablecloth setting and attentive service make it feel special without being overly formal, especially for couples who enjoy classic, slower-paced dinners.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often possible on weeknights or early seatings, but less likely during prime weekend dinner — walk-ins should expect a wait or limited table selection.
Is it kid-friendly? Reasonably — well-behaved kids and families are welcome, high spice levels can be adjusted, and portions are shareable, though the atmosphere skews more adult and special-occasion.
Best For
Better for: Traditional Northern Indian recipes, classic service, and celebratory white-tablecloth meals near the Magnificent Mile.
Skip if: You want ultra-casual pricing, hyper-regional or very spicy modern Indian, or a buzzy, trend-driven dining room.
Gaylord Fine Indian Cuisine
7.8
Just off the north end of the Mag Mile, Gaylord offers a white-tablecloth take on Northern Indian staples backed by decades of local history. Tandoori platters, rich curries, and biryanis come in a setting used for business dinners, celebrations, and multi-course nights with family.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tandoori chicken platter, Lamb rogan josh, Chicken biryani
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: A longstanding fine-dining Indian restaurant pairing tandoor classics with old-school white-tablecloth formality.
Who should go: Diners seeking classic Indian in a traditional, sit-down setting.
When to visit: Weekend dinners for fuller buffet options and celebratory energy.
What to order: Tandoori chicken, lamb rogan josh, chicken biryani.
Insider tip: Order family style and ask them to balance spice levels across the table so everyone can share comfortably.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated valet; most guests use nearby paid garages along the Mag Mile or limited metered street parking on adjoining blocks.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jackets and dresses fit the room, but neat jeans are generally acceptable.
Noise level: Moderate — conversation is comfortable at most tables, with livelier energy during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: Reservations are strongly recommended; walk-ins may face a wait depending on convention and tourist traffic.
Weekday lunch: Usually seated quickly, with little to no wait outside peak business lunch windows.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple vegetarian curries, appetizers, and paneer dishes are core parts of the menu.
Vegan options: Limited but workable — some vegetable curries and sides can be prepared without cream or ghee on request.
Gluten-free options: Several naturally gluten-free items (tandoori proteins, rice, many curries); notify the staff for guidance on sauces and breads.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the white-tablecloth setting and classic service create a polished, low-noise environment that works well for conversation-forward dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — walk-ins are possible outside peak periods, but weekend evenings and convention weeks fill quickly, so booking ahead is the safer move.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for well-behaved children — staff is accustomed to families and can moderate spice levels, but the room skews formal and may not suit very young or restless kids.
Best For
Better for: Traditional Northern Indian preparations, attentive old-school service, and multi-course celebratory meals in a formal setting.
Skip if: You’re seeking trendy small plates, ultra-spicy regional specialties, or a casual, fast-turnover dining experience.
Gaylord Fine Indian Cuisine
8.3
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Hidden Gems Heaven
Gaylord Fine Indian Cuisine is a long-running downtown Indian restaurant serving Northern and select Southern Indian dishes in a white-tablecloth dining room with space for private functions. Its banquet-style layout and flexible private room make it a less obvious but useful option when groups want curries, tandoori platters, and buffets instead of steak or seafood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Rogan Josh, Saag Paneer
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Decades-old Indian dining room with a true private space for groups.
Who should go: Groups craving classic North Indian dishes in a quieter setting.
When to visit: Weekend dinners or buffet hours for widest selection and energy.
What to order: Chicken tikka masala, lamb rogan josh, garlic naan.
Insider tip: Request the back room for more privacy and lower noise.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated lot; limited metered street parking nearby — most guests use nearby paid garages within a few blocks (rates vary by time and event days).
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans and sweaters are fine, but many guests lean slightly dressy for dinners and group events.
Noise level: Moderate — normal conversation is doable in the main dining room; the private room is noticeably quieter for speeches or group conversations.
Weekend wait: Often 20–40 minutes without a reservation; longer if a private event is in progress.
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait, though buffet windows can draw short spikes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — strong selection with multiple paneer, lentil, and vegetable curries.
Vegan options: Some options, but more limited; several dishes can be prepared dairy-free on request.
Gluten-free options: Many curries and tandoori items are naturally gluten-free, but naan and fried items contain gluten — ask about cross-contact.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for comfortable, conversation-forward dinners than high-drama romance — the private room or corner tables work best if you want a quieter atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weekdays and early evenings; for weekend dinners or larger groups, reservations are strongly recommended — especially if you want the private room.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally welcoming for families — staff can adjust spice levels and recommend milder dishes; earlier seatings are most comfortable with children.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, reunions, and celebrations that benefit from a true private dining room, classic North Indian recipes, and buffet or banquet-style service.
Skip if: You want cutting-edge Michelin-style plating, a trendy cocktail scene, or an ultra-quiet, intimate date setting.