I was off to another food trip with a small group of bloggers last night at Taj Minar Indian Restaurant and Bar.

The restaurant is located at the Damosa Gateway in Lanang, Davao City. When Brendel and I arrived, Damosa Gateway was brimming with people which also meant fewer to non-existent parking spots. It took me a good 15 minutes to find an available spot. Well, I guess its a testament at how popular this strip of bars, cafés, and restaurants is.

Taj Minar is the place to go if you have a liking for flavorful vegetable and meat dishes infused with a wonderful blend of herbs and spices. They serve appetizers, sidings, main courses, drinks, and desserts that are representative of Northern, Central, and Eastern Indian cuisine as I learned from their very informative website.


Blogie, Andrew, Ria, Mac, Chiclet, Brendel and I feasted on papadam, vegetable samosas, chicken, beef, and tilapia curry, pratha bread, biryani rice, carrot halva, and Mango lassi.


I especially enjoyed the papadam which are spiced thin wafers made from lentil flour. It’s so delicious that I wouldn’t just have it as an appetizer — I think it will also be great as a snack while watching late-night movies! Taj Minar’s different types of curry are all so succulent and delectable that you will surely go for second helpings — I know I did. The chicken, beef, and fish curry are meant to be eaten with fragrant Biryani rice or pratha bread or both if you’re like me. The samosas are like empanadas but different in that herbs are added making it more flavorful. I also tried the carrot halwa and the Mango lassi, a very refreshing mango-and-yoghurt concoction.


Restaurant owner Zafar Khan was also around to chat with the bloggers. He’s very friendly and warm. I like it when establishment owners talk to and mingle with their guests. I can see that Mr. Khan employs a “hands-on” approach in managing his restaurant which is good for patrons as we can be sure that the food and service that we get is top-notch.