Saffron Restaurant & Lounge

Tonight my husband, two friends, and I enjoyed a very authentic Indian food experience at Saffron. The staff was very accomodating with my vegetarian palette and the rest of our party's liking to meat dishes. We tried everything they recommended and were extremely happy with the choices. I highly recommend the Sea Bass and Cauliflower dish. The breaded okra was also a nice treat. Our water and wine glasses stayed full throughout the meal and we had an abundance of naan to compliment our meal. The staff took pleasure in hearing our positive praise of the food and recommended dishes to try on our next visit. I recommend dining here with several people so everyone can order a different dish and try from one another. The restaurant was packed so I suggest reservations to ensure a table. Although the place was packed, it was not loud as some restaurants tend to be when busy. We had a great time and look forward to returning again. Pros: excellent food, friendly and attentive staff, array of vegetarian, meat, and seafood dishes not found at other Indian restaurants more

I like their dinner menu but their buffet has really deteriorated. I am not sure if they are trying to save money but the same entre that you would order for dinner is far better than the one served during their buffet. I really hope they read this review and improve their buffet quality.\r more

My husband discovered this place awhile back and we just love it. In fact, we routinely drive over 40 miles each way just to eat here. The food is fantastic, and the servers are very nice. You can't go wrong with Saffron. We highly recommend it! more

As an Indian I rate this food to be really OK. Nothing extraordinary for me to pay extra $$s.\r Less choices for vegetarians. I would not suggest unless you are looking more for ambience and less tasty food. Pros: OK ambience Cons: Not so OK food more

What a great find!! I have eaten at all the Indian restaurants in the area frequently, was surprised to see such a tremendous difference at Saffron. This is an awesome place, excellent authentic food, great environment, great wine list and good service. This place definitely deserves the top 20 ranking by N&O food critic that it received. I haven't come across any other Indian restaurant making it to such a list. Pros: everything more

I'm an south indian living in Morrisville for the past 1 year. Today, myself and my friend went to Saffron for lunch. The lunch buffet was the WORST indian food i ever had. Even my friend did not like the food. It is tasteless and oily. The checken briyani & the chicken thikka masala was not good at all. \r I would not recommend Saffron to anyone as an Indian.\r Pros: Ambiance Cons: Tasteless food more

Firstly, we love Indian food and frequented Indian restaurants in NYC before moving down her 12 years ago. We heard so many good things about this newer restaurant, we just had to try it. On our first vist, service was extremely slow and our meals came out at different times. Asking for rice to go with our dishes was ignored as well a dessert menu. Finally after begging for the check, we had to wait over 15 minites for it. Two of our party finally got up and went outside to wait. All this and it was not even crowded. \r Our next visit had better service although our waiter was pretty surly (nice busboy though and it was his first night) and we got (and did not have to ask for) a bowl of rice. The food, however (tandoori chicken) was gamey and consisted of a thigh and two legs- no white meat to be seen, and it was not inexpensive. My husband's tandoori seafood grill though was plain, but fresh and enjoyable.\r The desserts were good especially the plum pudding, but we don't care what anyone says, Royal India on Capital is the best- we love it! more

I have eaten at a few Indian restaurants in the area and this place is by FAR the best..\r \r I recommend the Prawn, or the Chicken Tikka Marsala. \r \r You HAVE to try the Chocolate dessert, it is to die for.\r \r Very great staff & service! Pros: Great Atmosphere, Great Service, Great Food more

Love it! I wasn't sure that I would like Indian food but let me tell you this is way beyond my expectations and delicious gourmet food. The restaurant is hip, and comfortable. The service is good and very uncomplicated - they have it down to a science. Pros: Outstanding Food Cons: If you don't like buffet style this might not be for you more

I was very disappointed by this Indian restaurant. I decided to visit it after reading the reviews but it turned out to be a fiasco. The food is mediocre, the place is very loud during lunch (my college cafeteria is way more pleasant) and the service is bad and not friednly. I went to for lunch and found my table dirty, the server (there are not that many to cover) took a long time to refill my glass of water. The buffet area was not clean at all. And the price isn't justified neither by the food nor the service. I won't go back and would recommend people to try Sitar Indian Palace in Durham. My Indian girlfriend loves Udupi in Cary. And I love it too. Pros: can't think of one Cons: food, ambience, loud, bad service, not good value more

I do not know what the heck was wrong with them. No one has time to get Non's , they took forever then they started serving puri's , no plates no spoons no yogert no sambar, it was worst. WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE. more

I and my friends at UNC have visited Saffron ( Located on Davis Drive adjacent to Harris Teeter Store) on several occasions and have never been disappointed by the food or service. Both are excellent. The server does a good job of explaining the various dishes menus and also gives useful suggestions in deciding your food.\r \r I usually enjoy the Chicken curry dishes the most with Kadai Chicken being my favorite. The appetizers dishes are also excellent. The services were attentive and prompt at all the times I have visited Saffron. I will certainly recommend Saffron to anyone who wants to try best of the Indian Dishes.\r more

My friends and I get together for ""ethnic dinner night"" once a month. We choose a different ethnic restaurant every month and a rather larger group (17 last night) go and get to try new foods.\r \r I ordered the Rajasthani Solay appetizer, which was basically lamb on a stick. The portion was really small for the price, but the taste was really good. I then ordered the Malai Chicken Tikka. I actually thought it was rather bland without a lot of flavor. LUCKILY, since we had such a large group, I got to try bits and pieces of other foods as well. \r \r I tried the Saffron Chicken...the sauce was spicy and very good. I love the yogurt sauce that comes with the flour crisps when you are first seated. It reminded me Greek Zatiki cucumber yogurt dip. Good stuff! We liked the garlic nan. There was a dish with cashews and onion sauce....very good! I thought the food was a little overpriced for what you got though. \r \r The service definitely could've been better. I realize we had a group of 17, but the waiter was very short and rude with us. He still did well with getting our orders correct and explained some of the dishes to us. He still seemed annoyed by us and very impatient.\r \r I'd go back. I'd like to try some more dishes! Pros: Good food, yummy yogurt dip, loved the flour crisps Cons: Server wasn't very friendly, pricey more

The food is truly the best Indian in the Triangle. The paneer dishes are excellent as is the garlic nan. A nice place for a great dinner or lunch. more

I know my Indian food, and I can assure you that this is one restaurant you should experience! I love the decor, but most of all the food is awesome. I have never tasted a dish that I have not loved in any of my numerous visits. Saffron is so different from any other Indian restaurant I have personally been to, even Azitra. I have gotten great service, and have given my thorough compliments to the chef many times. I cannot stress how good this food is! You have to have to visit Saffron! Pros: Amazing food, great decor, friendly service. Cons: On busy nights, some wait, but I'd consider that a good thing. more

One of the worst meals I've had in the Triangle. Menu wasn't accurate and what I got was a few pieces of fish floating in some kind of stew liquid which tasted average and was extremely overpriced for what I got. Don't recommend it. The meal my husband ordered was equally disappointing. A friend got salmon which was overcooked. Pros: decor was OK Cons: food was below average and overpriced for what you get. more

We just got back from our first visit to Saffron and we were very impressed with the total experience. I have recently returned from an extended trip to Bangalore India and was craving some of the delicious dishes I was living on for a couple of weeks. I have always been a huge fan of Indian food, but most of the places you go to are just fair at best. Saffron is very authentic. Their dishes are spiced just right. Not mild but not crazy hot either. We ordered the veg Somosas, Sag Paneer and Chicken Tika with a side of Nan. The Somosas were just OK, though very nicely presented. The Sag Paneer and Chicken Tika were just GREAT! The Nan also was very fresh and cooked to perfection. The dishes were served with a side of flavored rice that was also perfection. \r I spent some time talking to one of the partners as well as the hostes Megan. I found the staff to be much more warm and welcoming than most resturants of any kind. They are very focused on making your experience as enjoyable as possible. I was told several times that if there was anything I could suggest to make the meal better to please share with them.\r There is no question that I will be returning to Saffron again and again. more

well, i really like this restaurant. it has a pretty swanky decor inside and the wait staff are very good. They all seem to be helpful. I've only went for lunch, so its buffet style. I like it because its a low price for really good food. It looks very romantic, but since i am there for only lunch, its only business professionals. ITs quick and good. I like it so much, I like to take it behind the school and get it pregnant. Pros: Good hot, Soft pita-like bread served Cons: i've gotta get up to get my food...heheh more

I've lived in the area for over 10 years and in that time I've been to every Indian restaurant and buffet in town. Saffron is hands down the best place I've ever been. The food is beyond excellent. If you're a fan of Indian cuisine then this place is a must. Lunch Buffet or dinner, best I've ever had. Staff is prompt and friendly and the one of the best things is a fresh Nann for every table. May sound over the top but I like Saffron so much I go there nearly every day, to the point they know my on sight! As for the negative reviews, don't listen to them, they don't know what they are talking about, regardless of where they are from. Pros: Nice abience, clean, lots of parking, prompt friendly staff. Cons: Like all buffets, if you get there late in the lunch hour things tend to wind down. more

Fabulous Indian Food! The Chicken Tikka Masala is to die for. Great Ambiance. If you work in RTP the buffet can not be beat. It is only 8 dollars and you can sample all the delicious food on the menu! This restauraunt is a 10!! If you love classy Indian Food this is a must try! Pros: Lunch Buffet is only $8.00, Chicken Tikka Masala is the Best in Town, Close to RTP for lunch Cons: Dinner is a bit Pricey! more