‘Authentic’ Indian food in Manila at Queens Crystal Garden Restaurant
I’ve always wanted to try good Indian food in Manila. Though I’ve done so in one of those hole-in-th-wall eateries along U.N. Avenue (beside those rows of Indian groceries), I’ve been on the look-out for a fine dining establishment representative of the continent. Admittedly, there are gazillions of Chinese, Japanese and (ulk!) Korean restos in the city and only a few Indian. So imagine my relief when I got invited “on coverage” to a cocktail party at Queens in Jupiter St. Makati City.
The complete name is Queens Crystal Garden Restaurant, and the super-amiable owner Ram Hathiramani told moi they just put the phrase “Crystal Garden” to attract the Chinese, haha. But really, my impression is that Queens is one great place to go to if you have guests from Indian, Pakistan or anywhere else craving for some savory curry or tandoori. I browsed through the Queens menu and it’s quite extensive – some 250 dishes of which 80 are vegetarian. An even better news for anti-carnivores is that this place serves no pork or beef – beef because cows are sacred to Indians and pork because the foreign chefs in the resto are Moslems and they don’t eat baboy.
Aside from Indian, Queens whips up Indonesian dishes and those that are best termed ‘Asian Fusion.’ At the party, I happily munched on the chicken tikka, samosa, satay and the roomali roti etc. – all the while relieved that am turning vegetarian (budgetarian) for the night. 
A new discovery were the roster of Indian desserts such as the beda (milk cake), coconut balls and kaju roll which was similar to the Filipino ‘yema.’ I looked at the Indian ladies garbed in their colorful native wear and agreed that they were indeed slim for overloading only on tofu and lentils.
For food lovers, the house recommends the following familiar favorites: Papadum Masala (fried delicate thin crispy bread with special spices), Mutton Vindaloo (pieces of lamb marinated with vinegar and a blend of spices and cooked in a tangy piquant sauce), Paneer Makhanwala (Cottage cheese cooked in tomato, butter, cream & chili sauce), Prawn Biryani (Aromatic rice cooked fresh with your choice and garnished with fresh herbs), Mie Malay (Malaysian style noodles), and Nasi Goreng Crab (Indonesian crab fried rice), among others.
The roster of desserts also look tempting: Sizzling Brownie Sundae, Oreo Cappucino (cold coffee shake blended with Oreo cookies and served with ice cream), Kulfi (Indian ice cream) and of course the Lassi (blended flavored yoghurt).
I promise to be back next time!
Queens is located at 146-C Jupiter Street, Makati City. Opening hours from: 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Telephone numbers: 8951316 and 8951816.
Blogging since 2004 and recently married to Mr Z. I can't live without coffee....and brown sugar.
Extremely interesting. I used to practically subsist solely on indian food when I was living in Cityland 8 in Makati. On the ground floor was an authentic indian resto that had no name but was fondly referred to as the “Indian Cafe”. The food was yummy and surprisingly reasonable. Sadly I don’t believe it’s still there. I will definitely give Queens a try. Thanks for the tip Ajay!
Kamusta naman ang pricing?
Ang ganda ng food pics!!!
sawap! definitely will try this….
girl, made a tribute to all of my friends. drop by kasi andun ka…
Thanks for dropping by Adam, and do give Queens a try
Considering the ambiance, the place is not too expensive Toni – about P400 per pax for a full meal. And you can choose from a wide array of dishes that are cheap to high-end
Thanks for the tribute jerome dear. I feel flattered to be called ‘phenomenal’ (agawan daw ng trono si Sharon)
hi ajay.. this looks really good. there’s an indian resto near the office but it’s a bit low end. i think it’s bombei food, inc. it’s surprisingly good too!
Hi Dessa. I think you’re referring to New Bombay Canteen. Really cheap and good too!:)
The food at Queens is REALLY good! I treated a good friend there on my birthday last year. I’d really like to go back there again sometime soon!
Hi, I am new in Manila, visiting. Would appreciate details of other indian restaurants here.
When my wife and I go out to eat on Saturdays we usually pick Queens over other restaurants. It’s more expensive than New Bombay Food and other similar Indian restaurants but it costs less overall to eat here than in other eateries of the same class overall.
Talk to Ram again sometime, Ajay, he’s a very interesting person.
This is wonderful. Thanks for writing this article. I\’ve been wanting to visit an Indian resto for so long!
Cheers!
This is wonderful! Thanks so much for writing this entry. Been wanting to visit an Indian resto for so long!
Cheers!
Hi there! I have been trying to look for a good Indian restaurant! I’m so fascinated with their cuisine! Thanks for heads up! I’ll defintely give this a try!!
Yey!! At last!! 
Thanks thanks!!
I’m also into Middle Eastern Cuisine – any suggestions?
hey i m frm india n i m goin to visit manila and really wanted to eat indian gujarati food coz its been 1 year that i havent eaten de indian fud nw… i didnt have ny clue bwt indian restaurants in manila then dis blog came to my rescue… i m thinking of goin to manila in a few days n hoping to drop by at de crystal hotel for sure…
hi evryone…
my boyfriend loves indian food.. and we always go and dine at Queens at Bollywood its now a Branch of Queens crystal garden at jupiter makati owned By Mr. Prabhat and Sima Agrawal..
both food at QCG and at Queens at Bollywood are amazing.. well.. maybe coz they have best chef from nepal.
well hope you guys try to dine at Bollywood were you can experience the modern lyfstyle of indian cuisine!
hi guys , i have heard new bombay is opening MADARS CAFE its fusion of north indian and south indian food …. And i have heard they are opening in Greenbelt 2 branch …… I am exited according to owners its a first time in manila fusion of north indian and south indian foods ….. Guys lets go there in nov end after they have open in a mean time its under construction……
Mr. Prabhat and Sima Agrawal.. just start winding up ur bollywood after they are open u might close it so its better to close before they operate coz their prices are cheaper than u ……….. haha haha
Hi Ajay
A good and a much needed info for me.. In your comments you have mentioned about Bombay Canteen, can you give the address of that place so that we can try.
Siv…
hi u should try new bombay madras cafe at greent belt 2 it has all the rage of food indin and south indian food and that also authentic. …