Shahi Maharani

Shahi Maharani is a North Indian restaurant on level 3 of Raffles City Shopping Centre, in the City Hall area. It serves tandoori grills, rich curries, breads and Indian sweets. The restaurant says its recipes come down from the days of the maharajas.

The restaurant belongs to Shahi Foods, a company founded in 1983 by the late Mrs Duru Mirpuri. Shahi Maharani opened in 1997 and moved to Raffles City in 2001. Today Mr Kishore Mirpuri and his daughter, Ms Chitra Mirpuri, own the restaurant and carry on the family business.

What to order

The menu has an à la carte list, a page of house specials and a separate Jain menu. Signature dishes named by the restaurant include:

• Raan Sikandra: a leg of lamb, boned and cooked slowly in the kitchen's own spice mix.
• Kekada Mirch Masala: crab in a coconut gravy, served with house-made parantha.
• Chicken Makhanwala: the house version of butter chicken, with grilled chicken simmered in a rich tomato sauce.
• Tandoori Milawat: a sizzling mixed platter of chicken tikka, fish, prawns and kebab.
• Shahi Subzi Sizzler: a hot plate of vegetable croquettes on a heavy gravy, with no meat.

Vegetarians have plenty of choice. The Jain menu alone lists tarka dal, bhindi masala and paneer bhurji with peas. For dessert, try the kesar rasmalai, soft cheese dumplings flavoured with saffron. Kulfi falooda and gulab jamun are also on the list. If North Indian food is new to you, our Indian food guides are a good place to start.

Lunch buffets

On weekdays, lunch includes a North Indian buffet. On weekends and public holidays, the lunch buffet adds street food, kebabs and biryani. Offers on the buffet change from time to time, so check the restaurant's website before you go.

The setting

The restaurant seats up to 120 guests, and the whole venue can be hired. A City Nomads review described the main room as brightly lit, with plush seats and carpets. For private meals, a room called the Maharani's Chamber holds up to 18 people. It has soft colours, glass lamps and carved wooden doors. Guests there get personal service, and set menus can be planned for the group. On selected days, a live band mixes Indian classical pieces with Bollywood hits.

Good to know before you go

• Reservations: book online through the restaurant's website or by phone.
• Jain diners: a separate Jain menu is available.
• Events: the restaurant also caters for parties, weddings and corporate events.
• Menus: see the Shahi Maharani website for current menus.

Getting there

The restaurant is at unit #03-21B in Raffles City Shopping Centre, 252 North Bridge Road. Raffles City connects directly to City Hall MRT station by escalator. You can also reach it from Esplanade station through basement 2.

Nearby

Raffles City shares its complex with Swissôtel The Stamford, where SKAI serves grilled meat and seafood on level 70. Close by, CHIJMES and St Andrew's Cathedral are worth a look before or after your meal. Browse more Indian restaurants in Singapore or all restaurants in City Hall and Clarke Quay.