Entrance 1, 3/F, Building S9, Sanlitun Village South,Sanlitun,West end of the 3rd floor of Building S9 at The Village
三里屯路19号三里屯Village南区S9三层,三里屯
This Indian eatery has made a name for itself in Beijing, serving up a menu of authentic flavors in a colorful, Bollywood-themed décor at modest prices. The massive menu is filled with delectable treats, like the addictive lamb and spinach curry and tasty stuffed naans.
For those that do not know, this branch (the Village branch) of Ganges closed on the 6th of December (2011). I had been there on the 2nd and was not aware of this, so I went on the 11th. However, the managers (who were sitting outside, in the cold weather, where Ganges used to be) informed me that it was closed (much appreciated since I would have just thought I forgot where it was and would've spent more time searching for it). We were pretty hungry and although their Dong Zhi Men branch is a mere 10 minute walk, we probably would have gone elsewhere - there are an abundance of restaurants at the Village after all. However, they offered (presumably since most people do not know it has closed down yet) to drive us there with one of their drivers. We gratefully accepted and were still able to go to the Dong Zhi Men branch for an amazing dinner. That level of service is pretty much unheard of in Beijing, but it didn't stop there. After a great meal (the Chicken Shahi Korma is to die for, the olive naan is great, and the Gulab Jamun is amazing too, albeit a small portion), we received the bill only to realize that we had not been charged for as many drinks we had (we were celebrating so we had a couple each). When we informed the waitress of this mistake she informed us that since we had to come from SLT, we were given the discount for the inconvenience. I'm sure this is only a limited time thing since the closing down of the Village branch is so recent, however, I was simply blown away by how thoughtful and considerate they were. I have never experienced that level of service before and I had an amazing night. As always, the food was great, the service was amazing and I will continue to come to Ganges very often but at Dong Zhi Men Wai in the future.
Honestly the best Indian food I’ve had in years. We started out with samosa which is a wonderful flour skinned triangle pastry with vegetables inside. On to two curries: one spicy and one not. We ordered saffron rice and regular Indian bread and ate with our hands (using the bread to grab and soak up the curry). I tried Kingfisher beer for the first time (not bad). The meal ended with a toast from the manager and tiny Indian desserts. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and will definitely return again soon!
I went here on Monday night with my sister. The restaurant, at around 7pm, had five or six other tables. We were ushered upstairs by a lone employee standing outside handing flyers who seemed nice enough. We sat upstairs; the decor was nice and the seats were comfortable. The Bollywood music videos were entertaining and provided good food for thought. I had the chicken curry; my sister had butter chicken. We were surprised by the small bowls the curry was in, but we also ordered butter naan and rice, they ended up being quite filling. The naan was quite disappointing - only 3 pieces per serving - and the butter was hard to taste, but overall it was fresh and filling. The rice was a much larger serving, big enough to share between two people. The food came quite quickly, though our drinks came much after our dishes were served, which was surprising. The service was inattentive, but polite enough. When we first sat down, we overheard two servers gossiping in Chinese about the "new manager". I thought it was pretty unprofessional, not to mention rude as we were sitting right behind them. I finished my water, and even though the servers were standing around with nothing to do, no one came to refill our water until I asked them to. It seemed like there was sour air between the Chinese servers and the Indian management, and that made me the mood in the room very uncomfortable. Overall, it was a good experience despite the inattentive service. I would definitely go back for the curry.
I took my daughter to Ganges in Sanlintun. I'd been to the one in The Place CBD, but at this location the decor and the environment is so much better. There was plenty of room with enough fresh delicious Indian food from the buffet. My six year old daughter loved the Mango Lassi drink. I will defintely go back and highly recommend Ganges in Sanlitun.
I had dinner here last week and lunch again today. I prefer the restaurant for dinner mostly because I’ll be eating with 4 or 5 friends and thus we can order more and different dishes. There is also music and a dance performance. At lunch it’s just me and one other so we are pretty much boxed into ordering the standards (which aren’t bad, I’m just saying). The restaurant is easy to find and the food is consistently excellent. For lunch I normally order a bit lighter. There’s nothing worse than food coma after lunch. Any of the barbecue choices are a good place to start or the portion of the menu dedicated to light and healthy dishes. For dinner, I would suggest ordering one dish over the amount of people that are in your group. Samosa, spicy lamb curry, Tandoor barbecue chicken, Paneer Pasanda for your veggie fix, and saffron rice are all excellent choices. Desserts are for those with a sweet tooth. If you swing that way then I suggest going with the carrot and cardamom dessert whose name starts with “Gajjar”. If I’ve got that name wrong just look on the menu. There is only one dessert that has carrot and cardamom.
If you like south indian food.. This is the place. Good food and dance performance on weekends.
I love this restaurant and the food! My husband is Chinese and loves it too, yesterday he even suggested it to some people in a bar! I prefer the one in Lidu, less noisy and easier to find a table .. anyway during the weekend we prefer to go the one in Sunlitun. Planning to go on Friday!
This review is best viewed as a poem structure than just a wall of text structure: --- On a dark corner of the third floor of The Village. Lies Ganges, where they serve expensive Pakistan/Indian food. With prices ranging from fifty to a hundred or more. We reserved a seat of five that evening. --- As we stepped into the restaurant, the waitress was confused, looking for every table with a reservation, But in the end, the manager took over and sat us down. --- We took a while to digest the menu. Looking at every dish that contains curry. Finally we ordered, Chicken Maratha (51), Chicken Kadhai (48), Vegetable Corma (44) and Butter Chicken (48). With a variety of 'Naan' to eat with. --- We ordered iced water, But it came without ice. Time was on the curries, Since they came all at once. --- The curries looked small, As the dish they served it with was small, But in the end, it was quite big, For a stomach for our sizes. --- While eating our curries, There was a dancer, Who danced on stage, To keep the customers entertained. --- Finally, the bill was 296. With the voucher, it reduced to 96. "The end" --- A different type of review than I usually write since, I mainly just go into the details, and not a poetic structure. So, yeah. Thanks CityWeekend for selecting me as the January 6th edition winner. I really appreciated it, and in return you get this type of review. =P Thanks again.
The Ganges chain of Indian restaurants have built up a well deserved reputation. The food is excellent, the service is friendly, and the prices are reasonable. Having eaten at several Indian restaurants in Beijing, this is the best I've found so far. The range of dishes is vast ranging from southern Indian cuisine to dishes from the north. The lamb madras costing 58 RMB was hot and spicy, and the meat was very tender. The Goan fish curry was extremely good and also quite hot. A little more expensive at 66 RMB it does however come with a generous serving of rice. There is a good range of naans, though no Peshwari naan which is popular amongst many westerners. The Kandhari naan, at 18 RMB, was good, though a little flat! The range of Dosas, a type of crepe from Sri Lanka and southern India, is also extensive. The Mysore Masala Dosa was spicy and full of flavour and came with a dip that complimented it well. It was a little expensive at 44 RMB. A fair range of beers, but most only come in 330 ml bottles costing around 30 RMB. A better deal is the draft beer, a choice of Tiger or TsingTao at 35 RMB for half a litre. Other drinks on offer include the popular lassi, a yoghurt based beverage, costing 25 RMB per glass. The dessert menu is extensive and authentic. Amongst the sweets on offer are jalebis, kulfi icecream, rasgulla and kheer. They are not cheap given the small servings, costing around 25 RMB. While a meal for two will cost at least 250 RMB, it is unlikely you will leave disappointed. The toilet facilities are clean, and there is a no smoking policy throughout. There is also free WiFi available. One final note, the menu states that all meat served is Halal, which will satisfy many Muslims, though some westerners may balk at this.
Yesterday was my tenth visit to Ganges. I don’t think I’ve gone to any other restaurant in Beijing that many times. My once a month visit has become a ritual. The first time I went to Ganges it was when I was contracting for Google in Haidian. I stumbled upon their restaurant on Chengfu lu and was immediately a fan. The food was wholesome and delicious – perfect for a day like today. I also found their service and food quality to be predictably consistent. Consistency is the hallmark of a good restaurant. When I started consulting near the Poly Plaza it didn’t take me long to find the Sanlitun restaurant. I’ve been to 3 out of the 4 of their restaurants in Beijing and the Sanlitun location is my favorite. The restaurant has an airier feel with decorative chandeliers and a very nice terrace to enjoy in the summer. Thursday thru Saturday they have live Bollywood dances which are entertaining but not distracting. The music is not so loud that you can’t hear yourself think. Conversation is still possible. Even when the restaurant is chocked full of people I’ve never had bad service which I think is a sign of a well run restaurant. Ganges curry is rich both in color and in taste. I would recommend the spicy curries the most. The Chicken, tofu or lamb all will satisfy your hankering for Indian. I suggest the barbecue for those that can’t stomach spicy food. An ample helping of garlic naan and a side of saffron rice complements just about any Indian food. The desserts at Ganges are also worthy of mention. Each is tiny, very rich but not overly sweet - a under indulgent but perfect way to end a great meal.
Good value but don't expect authentic flavours. Was here for a pre-Potter buffet and was underwhelmed by the limited selections. None of the dishes were spicy -well maybe a tiny notch with the aloo mutter. The chicken tikka tasted microwaved and lacked any spices. At least the naan was fresh and went well with the rich korma. At 42rmb/pax and having adapted to insipid Beijing taste buds, come here to fill up at a good price. The search for authentic Indian continues
the first place to go for curry! i loved how they mixe cream and chicken and tomatoes and curry. full of spices yet not too spciy hot.
Maybe it depends when you go - but after the experience I had there the other week, I don't think I'll be bothering to go back. I've loved the original outlet in Wudaokou for years, but this one in The Village isn't a patch on it. The food is just so-so, and very expensive for relatively small portions. And the service is just abysmal. We found it a major effort to get anyone's attention, even though we'd gone before the evening rush and there was almost no-one else in the place. Eventually we ended up being served by three different people - none of them very friendly or attentive - and, unsurprisingly, they managed to mess a lot of things up: they forgot to bring the rice, forgot to bring the drinks, tried to force on us a lassi we hadn't ordered. And the bill was completely mixed up: almost every single item had been recorded wrongly. Worst of all, the Indian manager didn't give a damn - tried to tell us that "it didn't really matter" because "all the dishes are about the same price". I was sorely tempted to leave without paying at all.
My husband I have been in Beijing now for three months. Sadly next week we both return to our jobs in LA. Before leaving I wanted to thank the Ganges staff for all of the excellent food and service we have received. During our stay here there were many a night we craved Lamb Vindaloo & naan and you always came through. For those new arrivals that, like us, will need a bit of guidance on where to get great Indian food – this is the place! Ganges’ restaurants are clean, comfortable, and their food is excellent. After an exhausting day navigating this great city, their customer service is also very much appreciated. Our sanity and happiness was at least in part maintained because of the frequent trips we made to Ganges.
I took six friends / colleagues to eat Indian food for the first time this Friday. I am an old hand at Indian food so I had spent a considerable amount of effort talking up the cuisine in general and Ganges in specific. We arrived and there was a line going out the door. We had reserved in advance – something I never do but did because there were 7 of us – but that didn’t much matter because the restaurant was so packed. This was my first time going on a Friday night so I was a bit surprised the restaurant was so popular. Either way, while we waited we were given free refreshments and constant assurances that we would get the first table that freed up which I appreciated quite a bit. We were seated upstairs directly in front of the stage but back a bit. Good for those in our party that have never seen the Bollywood dancing thing, which in this case was all of us. I initially had little interest in the dance performance but after conversation stopped watching the performance was the only thing to do. As it turns out the performance and the music really added to the overall experience. My colleagues talked non-stop about it on Monday. Ordering was a bit tough so we literally ordered almost two dishes for each person. It was way too much but in some respects made the evening better because we all had so many dishes to chose from. Without a doubt there was something for everyone. The dishes that really stood out for those among us that were the grilled fish, the mushroom curry, butter chicken, and the garlic naan. Surprisingly the Chinese among us didn’t care for spicy food so this time we only ordered the spicy vindaloo. After we were so full all we could do is stare at one another a complimentary fruit plate arrived. I give management big props for all around excellent service. Not like we needed anything else to eat but when the topic of dessert came up we universally ordered more. According to the waiter they have a special chef now that only does boutique Indian sweets. The milk cashew and the almond desserts were definitely the favorites. You’ll have to ask someone on staff. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone that loves good value and great food. Recommendations: Butter Chicken Grilled Fish Mushroom Curry Any type of naan (garlic, wheat, or plain) Spicy Vindaloo Mango Lassi Salt Lassi for hot weather Almond dessert Milk & Cashew dessert Last note: I noticed that Ganges now has a “Yoga menu” on the menu. There aren’t that many items however each is reputed to be both healthy and meatless.
Very decent Indian food, but not outstanding. Service was attentive, but a big mix up was made (which they corrected free of charge). lamb rogan josh, tandoori chicken, chili garlic shrimp etc. All very decent, but again, no stand outs. Solid three stars and solid value.
Throughly enjoyed everything at Ganges! The restaurant decor, the music, the service, the food - all lovely! A very comfortable and inviting place with excellent food. My only complaint is that it is priced a little high - other than that I would give it 5 stars.
You know when Spring breaks and the weather is so perfect that all you can think about is going outside? That was yesterday (and probably tonight too). Last night was the perfect temperature to go out so I invited a few friends and we went to the Sanlitun Ganges to eat on their rooftop patio. After a few beers we ordered a few more and finally moved on to the barbeque. We ordered what was essentially a rack of lamb, the barbequed chicken, the barbequed fish, one vegetable curry and saffron rice all around. The lamb was the big surprise. Four pieces of lamb with yogurt / spices on the side and cooked so the meat was fall off the bone good. The lamb was spiced only as much as needed without smothering the taste of the meat. The barbequed chicken breast (not called barbequed chicken but cannot remember the real name) was spiced with cheese and spinach and again, very moist, very well cooked. The barbequed fish was much different than any I have tried before. It wasn’t spicy but was very good. With all of the other more spicy stuff we ordered the fish probably should have been left for a time when we weren’t drinking beer and eating more spiced barbeque. Finally, the vegetable curry and saffron rice are old standbys of mine. I’ve tried each a million times and they are always a sure bet. Excellent food, service on a wonderful spring night!
I get the feeling that I’m back home going to a very good Indian restaurant when I visit Ganges. For me Ganges’ service, environment, food and price are just what I am looking for when I go out to dine. The service is prompt, courteous, and very well trained. When I want something from the staff they are only a hand wave away and my requests have always been quickly satisfied. They also think on their feet which is a rare quality in Beijing. Inside their restaurants the lighting and furniture are comfortable and welcoming. More importantly, the food is excellent. I normally order barbeque dishes however the curries are excellent as well. Their menu is also expansive enough that one doesn’t need to order the same old dishes each time. In fact, each visit I go out of my way to order something that I’ve never tried before. I’ve rarely been disappointed. As of late, I have been going to watch the Bollywood dancing. The music is very upbeat and fun to listen to and the dancers are very good. The whole experience is well choreographed and makes for a great time especially when in the company of friends. Four Stars!
We have been going to one location of Ganges or another for a few years now. Management does a great job at training the staff, the food is excellent, and dishes are appropriately priced. We have always left satiated and happy which explains our loyalty to the restaurant. Last Thursday we visited the Sanlitun Ganges specifically for dinner and to watch the Bollywood performance. The restaurant was packed with an interesting mix of Chinese and foreign, young and old. The performance was led by a dancer dressed in colorful Indian garb dancing to Bollywood music. At times we clapped along but for most of the performance we watched, ate and had fun. And despite the full house, our order was turned around very quickly and service was as prompt as normal. All in all, the evening was quite enjoyable if not a welcome departure from our “normal” restaurant experience.
Consistently excellent food, comfortable environment, and really gracious service. Ganges ranks among the top restaurant in Beijing without all the pomp and circumstance. If you have never gone, I recommend almost anything barbequed, the garlic naan, a bit of spicy vindaloo with your favorite meat or vegetable, and some Indian yoghurt to temper the heat. On a cold day, don’t forget the Indian tea.
I’m not sure what I can say that hasn’t already been said here already. The service is consistently above their price point. Environment wise the seating and tables are very comfortable and well appointed. This particular restaurant has an upstairs, which I prefer when I’m alone, and a more secluded downstairs which is better when I’m with a friend. The biggest reason for going to any restaurant – the food – is where Ganges shines. I’ve tried quite a few of the popular dishes (chicken curry, chicken masala, lamb tika, garlic nan, saffron rice, etc) here and they are all very good, but for a change I also recommend the Tandoori Pomfret, the lamb saagwala or even the Indian style crispy chicken wings. The Mulugatwani (sp) soup is a good starter in the winter and summer. In each, the spices are consistent and the way I like Indian food. This particular location is nice because of all of the Christmas decorations and events at the Village. So even though Ganges is my purpose in going to the Village, it doesn’t have to be the end of my night when I leave.
*4.5 stars* Yes, Ganges most certainly lives up to its reputation. It's probably one of the finest Indian restaurants I've ever been to - definitely in terms of its nice interior, candle lit ambiance and equally delicious dishes. We started out with the garlic naan and Lamb Rogan Josh (sp) which were both impressive. The korma was very tender and succulent. My friend's tandoori chicken was perhaps one of the best and tastiest prepared chicken dishes...ever. And I mean it. Reservations are not necessary but we did just in case. We arrived right before they dinner started and the restaurant was already bustling. By the time we left, the dining area was full. Service, thankfully, was on the mark this evening. I'm firmly putting Ganges right up there among the best of Beijing eats. It offers a tantalizing full menu, beautiful ambiance and excellent service. And for the price, it's an excellent value. Oh yeah, that chicken is damn freakin' good!!
The food is quite good and although to me Ganges is as Indian as The Saddle Cantina is Mexican, it's still worth it. The variety of choices if quite impressive and the ingredients are fresh. Every time I go there with my friends, we over order, such is our fear of missing out on something delicious and our ambition of trying each and every single item on the menu. As a result, we always end up with mountains of leftovers (always handy for next day's lunch), pants that are suddenly too tight and a sheepish look on our faces. However, as much as we enjoy the food, I've come to grow more and more attached to their delivery service, due to the inumerous unpleasant experiences I've had with the waiters. The service is ghastly, especially at the one in the Village. Slow, confused, unfriendly waiters who only manage to get orders right under the (very polite and corteous) manager's watch. When he isn't nearby, it's common waiting 20 minutes for a beer, having to order everything twice and still getting the wrong order. I love my palak paneer and garlic naans dearly, however despise waiting 20 minutes for a surly waitress to get me a lukewarm tsing tao. Stick to their (very efficient) delivery service and get your beers at the local market.
I went last Sunday and had a feast. The restaurant was pretty full so it seems like this is one of the more popular restaurants at The Village. We especially liked the samosas with a sweet and spicy tomato sauce on them and the butter chicken, which was fantastic and tasted great the next day when we had leftovers for dinner. I found a couple of the dishes a little bit spicier than what I'm used to from Indian food in the UK, but they're extremely accommodating if you want anything made a bit more mild. The naan was perfect. The palak paneer was great -- although to be honest I don't think I've ever eaten bad palak paneer. For dessert, try the gulab jamun with ice cream and a cup of the delicious chai. I liked watching the Indian music videos a lot but thought some would be a little racy for families with small children -- there's lots of seating away from the screen, though. Lastly, Ganges has really comfortable seating, and that's always a plus for me.
When I visited on Sunday night, we saw a waitress spill the complimentary chips (the ones served with mint and chili prior to the meal) on the counter and scoop them back into the container. While the crackers didn't fall on the ground, it nonetheless struck us as somewhat unhygienic. I understand that probably much worse happens in the kitchens, but at least we don't have to witness that.
very good indian food!! the service could easily be improved, but the excellent food and the low prices totally account for it! i recommend this restaurant!
Ganges is the perfect choice for Indian food. Always consistent in great service and the food quailty, which is hard to find in Beijing! I usually head over to the branch at the Place, but the interior is not as nice as the one at the Village. Cosy chairs, a bright atmosphere and funny bollywood clips on the screen while enjoying butter chicken & Co. Go on like this Ganges team!
There is obviously a reason City Weekend gave Ganges the top spot in this year's "Best Restaurants" awards Indian category. Hands down the best curry you're getting in Beijing. It is that simple. I've ordered takeout from the Lido branch for months, but the restaurant in The Village at Sanlitun is a great location — I just wish the mall itself weren't so difficult to figure out.
Addendum to my previous comment: The manager of Ganges, after finding out what had happened called us to apologize, and insisted we come back and give the restaurant a second chance, which we ended up doing yesterday. Of course one must take into consideration that we had VIP treatment, however the food was just as good as in their Lido location, service was friendly and we had an excellent evening! So switching my verdict from last time, I will return - just hope that the food & service remain as good as yesterday and that no one else has to endure our initial experience.
Having been a regular of Ganges by the Lido, I was very happy when they opened their new branch in the Village - much more convenient. Booked a table with a few friends the other night, which when we got there a few minutes late (under 10min) had been given away, we waited 15min for them to set another table for us on the terrace, during which time 2 other tables were seated. One of my friends ended up sitting on the floor as they didn't bring him a chair for a while, so we decided to pack up and leave - without eating, and head over to Mughal's in the Nali mall... Pitiful service, no idea if the food is as good as in their other location. Will definitely not return.
The India of today is colourful, vibrant, and modern, and this is the inspiration for the decoration of our new restaurant in Sanlitun: floor-to-ceiling decorative windows, sparkling violet chandeliers, and a golden ceiling for the feel of a Bollywood movie set; comfortable sofa seating and views from windows for your enjoyment; and a seating layout that has space for a large group or a quiet candlelit dinner. The new restaurant also has an outdoor patio – the perfect place to enjoy a meal at lunchtime, or a few drinks on a balmy Beijing evening. With our projector screen on the second floor of the restaurant we continue the Bollywood theme, playing popular music videos and movies, allowing you to get a taste of Indian culture with your eyes as well as your mouth! Let’s not forget the main reason for visiting … the food! At Ganges we believe that Indian cuisine can be considered an equal to the finest in the world. We’re passionate about Indian food, and we hope to share our passion with you. We’ve created a menu that offers an incredible variety of Indian food, with over 200 carefully selected recipes from the north and south of India—favourites such as Butter Chicken and Palak Paneer, as well as special fusion recipes from Mumbai for the connoisseurs of Indian food. Visit us at our new restaurant in the Village in Sanlitun, and experience the India of today.