Raj Palace - Colchester

Sadly this is the WORST RESTAURANT I’ve ever visited; and by a long margin! The many negative comments left in their reviews testify to how bad my own experience was. Neither the staff nor the manager demonstrated any understanding whatsoever regarding allergens in their food, despite being asked more than once and being allowed reasonable time to respond, placing them it would appear in breach of the requirements of the Food Standards Agency, given there was no written allergen information evident or offered when asked. I suffer from COELIAC DISEASE and because of this face the potential of serious illness if consuming even the smallest amount of gluten but the waiter showed no understanding at all as to what gluten free was! As we proceeded through the evening it came to waiting half an hour or so for the ‘manager’ to come on site, only for him to say coeliac isn’t a thing. For him to state this quite categorically, either suggests he should not hold the position he claimed, or maybe was just assuming the position? certainly his conduct was WAY BELOW THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS reasonably expected. Based on my experience this restaurant was DISAPPOINTING in the extreme and poses a POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ANY GUESTS WITH FOOD ALLERGIES. When the point was pushed further, explaining to the manager he needed to explain his stance, he just disappeared, only to return subsequently in a much more agitated nature, I assume maybe through the frustration of not being able to answer the simple questions ‘are the poppadoms made from gluten free flour’ and ‘what is your understanding of gluten free and coeliac from your restaurant’s perspective?’ Suffering from coeliac disease has never been an issue before in any restaurants I’ve been to both in the UK and outside of it, so his behaviour and attitude in what I believe in my reasonable view was shocking to say the least! Short term I suggest AVOIDING the RAJ PALACE in North Station Road, Colchester completely if you have any kind of food allergy, meanwhile they have been reported to the FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY for investigation at local level. In addition to the above we also had to ask for menus twice before any were offered, the waiter failed to understand two of the basic orders placed and whilst actually the taste of the food was okay, both Vindaloo and Phall (supposed to be the hottest dishes) were less hot than I’d expect a Bhuna or Tikka Masala to be. The Pilau Rice brought to the table was very anaemic in colour and lacked completely any sign of its renowned yellow colour achieved from adding turmeric to the rice as it cooks. This was also raised as a concern but resulted in another dish of identical rice being brought and a semi aggressive attitude by the staff when the dish was questioned. Needless to say that for a Friday evening the number of guests in the restaurant could be counted on less than the fingers of two hands

Lower quality of food cheaper cuts of meat and sur charges we were unaware off reporting to trading standards been going here for years but never again

Being carers we tend to have takeaways for special occasions and that was the case again. It was my wife's birthday and Raj Palace did us proud. The food (for six) was with us in 35min and it was piping hot and exceptionally tasty. I have no hesitation in recommending Raj Palace.

Took my partner out for a special meal. We were not disappointed. The food was perfect the service was outstanding. The ambiance was loverly after their refit. Special thanks to Rashid the owner which welcomed us back with open arms.

The food was amazing and tasty. Beautifully decorated and clean. Very friendly staff. Would definitely recommend.