Bollywood Theater Reviews

I resisted initially, but I found the charms of this place.Advertised as Indian street food and small plates, the concoctions differ from most Indian restaurants.We had the Bhel Puri, a small plate of refreshing potatoes, mango, veggies peanuts, puffed rice, chutney and spices - delicious. Also had the Gobi Manchurian - fried cauliflower with lemon, curry leaves and sweet and sour sauce. Super delicious. Added a plated ofbeets roasted with coconut milk and curry leaves. Mouth was buzzing, and forced me to get ice cream at Salt and Straw next door. Poor us!

The Alberta Street part of town is well worth the time. We found the restaurant doing some research on what was near our rental. I could understand long lines for their food. We arrived between waves of customers 5:30ish. The line began about six feet from the front door and we waited about ten minutes to order. I consider this reasonable. I ate the pork dish full of yummy flavors. My wife had the fried okra strips, yes thin slices and were a delight.

I am very very picky of my Indian food. I mean, I'm Indian, so the best Indian food is my mom. But other than that, I would hands down say the best Indian food I've had in the US is Bollywood Theater in Portland. Pros: 1. The food tastes amazing, and is very authentic. 2. Most of the menu has items you cannot find in other Indian restaurants, like chaat (street) Indian food: vada pav, pav bhaaji, bhel puri, papdi chaat, etc. And these taste amazing. 3. The decor of the place feels like I'm sitting in India (but much more clean!). They have all these old street signs and garage sale type items from India, it just makes the whole thing feel very cozy and welcoming. Cons: 1. Sometimes there are really long lines, esp on Fri/Sat evenings. They don't take reservations and you have to wait in line to order and then grab a seat if there is one. But this is one of the rare cases, where the food is well worth the wait and hassle if you have to stand in line.

The place is located on very hip street which is full of artsy buildings and lots of interesting murals. The restaurants decor is also very funky and a must visit for all the nostalgia it bring if you are from India. You can go there for only street/fast food and avoid main course/thali dishes. Paav bhaji, vada paav and daal kachori are good.

Excellent food, lots of choices, great, fun atmosphere and good prices. We split a Thali platter and a generous side of beets. Beer and wine available, plus a real Bollywood movie on the TV. Will go back

This place is too legit to quit. I seriously mean that, I'm addicted to this place. If I'm anywhere near Alberta Street, I will stop and at least grab a coupe Vada Pav - whether I'm hungry or not. The food is nothing short of amazing. They offer daily specials, and fresh drinks. I've never had a dish that I didn't like. The customer service is great. The kitchen staff gets tipped out just as the servers do - which I love. The atmosphere is like your in India eating in a restaurant of there own. It's perfectly decorated, music is distinct, and bathrooms are impressive as well. If you get there at a busy time of the day, there will be a wait. However, they bought out the building behind the original space so I'm anxious to see the difference it makes.

Refreshing seasonal cocktails. Chicken curry a bit too mild for my tastes. Kale pakora special was very tasty. Pork curry was spicier but still too mild. Charming decor and vibe. Gluten-free friendly with some menu accommodations they were happy to make. Counter ordering with a line so I felt a bit pressured to rush my dietary needs convo.

Great Indian food, lots of chat dishes you don't see on most menus. I particularly enjoyed the extra spicing and the chutneys. Clean, fresh food and good sized portions.

Tasty and unique food that's worth the wait. Although the lines can be somewhat long it's definitely worth the wait. This is Indian street food so don't expect fine dining service and you'll be rewarded with great food at fair prices. The atmosphere, although somewhat loud and hurried, is interesting in it's decor and local culture. The ordering process is similar to a fast-food restaurant where you wait in line and order at the counter, the food, however, is anything but fast-food tasting. Everything we've had has been delicious, so much so that return visits have had me struggling to choose between exploring new things or ordering the things I loved so much on previous visits. Luckily they have smaller versions of many items so you can order like you would Tapas and enjoy several items on each visit. One of my go to places to take out of town guests.

I ate at this restaurant while visiting Portland last month. The food was above average, In addition, the menu had several items that were gluten-free and vegetarian, which worked for me.

My friends and I love adventure and finding ourselves craving some Indian cuisine, Bollywood Theater came to the rescue! The ambiance and food will teleport you into a truly Indian dining experience. The meal and staff are stellar, Bollywood Theater receives my highest recommendation. Definitely a MUST Do in Portland!

We have been to this restaurant a few times and have never been disappointed. The setting is somewhat funky with "Indian" artifacts covering walls and shelves. You place your order at the counter and take a number to your table where your food is brought to you. The staff were all friendly and helpful. We ordered several plates to share and all were prepared well, good portions and very flavorful. All in all it was a very nice casual dining experience.

Good Indian street served in a casual environment. Order at the counter and grab a seat; they deliver the food. An interesting menu with several selections. If I have the opportunity, I will return.

We kept walking by this restaurant and we finally stopped in one of the nights we spent in the Alberta Arts District. The food was amazing. The portions were huge and we got the Thali plates - one of each, and that is definitely the way to go - lots of great choices in little dishes, all laid out on a big plate/tray. The flavors are just right, the yoghurt offsets the spices, the chutney is delicious even for a person that doesn't like chutney! I like the idea that they sell small containers of fennel candy which aids the digestion process and tastes so refreshing. Great selection of beverages, busy, fun environment, but we racked our brains trying to figure out where the theater (in the name) was located. It's still a mystery to us but we might go back next time we are in town and do a bit more research! Great place for a casual night.

Had a very enjoyable dinner here this past Saturday night. It was our first time going as my wife has a strong aversion to Indian food, mostly due to the strong smell of curry which she finds off putting. Our friends encouraged us to go stating that this is a different style of Indian food and does not have pervasive curry odor. We were pleasantly surprised to see they were right. We stepped up the counter, ordered our food and found a table. The food arrive pretty quickly and it was delicious. We had the Vada Pav and Kati Rolls as appetizers. My wife's main dish, the pork Vindaloo was really quite good - the pork was so tender. I had the Goan-style shrimp and completely cleaned my plate. Our tablemates ordered the beets, roasted with coconut milk and curry leaves and it was also really good - the beets were more savory than sweet which is how we like them. We will definitely be back.

Good food, limited menu so do not go expecting a typical Indian menu. I had the chicken curry and it was good, not overly spicy. Had an order of the bread as well, and it was also very good. Wish the menu did rate the space level of the dishes, as that would be helpful. as I order as a pick up on line, so unable to ask server about spiciness of dishes.

the owner is a prtland resturant who toured through india gathering recipes for unique and traditional street food. even the local Indian people love this place which I always see as a good sign for authentic and good quality food. I love love love the kati rolls and the tempura kale chips

Crowded, crowded crowded. No table service, order at the counter. The menu can be confusing, try the specials, both drinks and food. Venue very welcoming, but the tables are cram jammed into the room going to the restroom was like bobbing and weaving thru the restaurant. Love Indian street food! Sauces and chutneys great, consider doing take away, leftovers are good.

Dinner Sunday night - we were able to get in around 6:30 with no wait. You may need to stand in a line for ordering - however it moves well. Find a table and food will be served. All the dishes we had were very tasty - and non-traditional - limited selection of Indian breads. The chicken curry and the lam vendaloo were awesome. Will go back for sure

we returned with friends to have dinner on a stormy evening last thursday.......i had a narragansett lager, and my partner had a ginger lime soda....next we shared the tikka bowl with paneer and more...our friends had the tikka bowl too, and some non-alcoholic beverages.....the drinks, food, were excellent...the place was nice and warm, with wonderful music playing...the staff is super nice, funny, and friendly...we love coming here....thx so much...

We had tried to find an Indian restaurant earlier in the week (on Tuesday evening, IIRC). However, I gave up after a while, as all the ones within a reasonable distance from our hotel were either closed for the day, closed permanently, or were a food truck. It was odd. Fast forward to Friday. I had done more research and we were staying at a different hotel. We drove here around 5:45 p.m. for dinner. There was only street parking available. This almost resulted in us getting boxed in later, but the guy parked just ahead of us happened to come back and was nice enough to move up a bit. The restaurant was located in what everyone in our party agreed was a hipster-centric area. We arrived during a brief lull, so we didn't have to wait long. You order at the counter from a small paper menu. They had a mix of 'street food' and a few more standard Indian restaurant dishes. We got 2 dishes to split among 3 people, along with rice, their slightly different naan, and a small samosa appetizer. You pour your own water from carafes. Also, you can get a beer or wine, but if you want another one, you need to go back into the line. The food came out reasonably soon. Everyone enjoyed the meal and we managed to finish everything. The food was tasty. Overall, it wasn't exactly the Indian restaurant experience I was expecting, but at least it was different (and not in a bad way). They also had some patio seating in a roofed-but-open area to the side of the restaurant, I think.

deep fried cauliflower with chickpea flour was crispy, not greasy, but lemon slices could be cut thicker so it would not disappear during frying. goan shrimp were not overcooked, but sauce could have been stronger. paneer makhani was too sour, cashew, tomatos, tofu combo did not complement each other. ordered fried okra but never received until remind by next table that got an order. could have our order, oh well. lamb samosa was my favorite, mild, lots of filling. the paratha was made with brown flour instead of white flour, bland, not chewy and too dry to use to mop up sauce, with no hint of ghee. the positive is that all the sauces had their distinct taste and flavor.

If you like Indian food then do not miss Bollywood Theatre. I love everything about it - the decor, the ambience and most definitely the food. So fresh & delicious and really authentic. I recommend everything on the menu but my favourite is the Vada Pav. It’s delicious and the green chutney it’s served with is amazing. It’s a bit small so order a side to go with it or have two!! The ginger lime soda is a great drink to go with it.

Great food. Interesting place to eat. Order at counter and food is served at tables. Interesting happening neighbourhood.

This rustic place is always crowded...a good sign for quality, the food is quite varied and very tasty. We tried, family style, a variety of gluten-free dishes , each of them well balanced in terms of spices and individual tastes. The julienned Okra was particularly crispy and appetizing. You can't go wrong! Great value for the money

Great food, not sure why 80s hits in the dining area, but Indian music in restrooms. Would have liked all Indian music portions a little small. But I'd rather have good than more

Amanda was quick to suggest Vegan items and food arrives quickly, good taste food. The best part is about the superb ambiance and highly charged environment, good for mood uplifting. Will visit again as forgot to try okra fry!

Haven't had great Indian street food in a while, so we made a special trip to Bollywood Theater for my birthday. The papri chaat and bhel puri hit all the right notes. The kati rolls weren't quite Nizam's (for those who remember Nizam's in Kolkata) but they were good. Friendly service, nice outdoor seating area. We were lucky enough to get there before just before the line to order got really long (at 2 p.m. on a Thursday?). I suspect they do get long lines a lot and the food is totally worth it. We'll be back.

Come hungry, you won't be disappointed. You can just have an appetizer as a snack but the portions are good to fill you up. Everything is delicious in here.

I have eaten at many restaurants in India and I found this place compared very favorably. The chicken curry entrée I had was excellent. True, it was not spicy but then I also found the food in India to not be very spicy either. Fortunately there were various Chinese and sauces you could add to make it as hard as you want which I did. Overall the amount of food in the entree was right for me but if you have a big appetite you will need to order more. I would definitely eat here again.

Great experience. Authentic Indian food with great presentation. Must drop by at this place if you want to taste Indian fast food in Portland. You will not regret it. Be prepared for some good wait times.

We had to stand in a long line to order food. Part of the line is where you get your taste wine samples before ordering. That slowed things down. Then the women taking orders was more interested in chatting with customers instead of moving things along. All of this took way more time then necessary. What a hassle.

I don't eat a lot of indian food, but I do frequent a few places in my home town. This was by far the best I've had on my travels. The pork vindaloo was great, It looked and tasted amazing. The buns they give you to soak up the juices were really good. The lamb samosas were also really good.

A hint of Indian food - simple narrow options very much for an American palate. Portions were just right for a light lunch. Fried okra was very salty good. The curried chicken and rice was an inkling of good Indian food. Just did not have the depth of flavor and spices. Kingfisher on draft was a nice suprise. I would try another Indian option before going back.

It was great to eat tasty food that has not been over elaborated in the way that is the case with so much American food . Chicken Thali was really good with a great chapati. Good beer too in a setting where decor is interesting. Relaxed atmosphere, order food , sit down then server will bring it. A very pleasant and heart warming lunch on a cold wet day.

It's my Indian friends go to place when he needs an India home food fix. It's delicious and certified yum by someone whose had it all from the source. :)

This was my first trip to portland and I was pleasantly surprised by the ambiance and the taste of food. No wonder that the restaurant is fully occupied and might take few minutes before you can get seated.

The atmosphere is fun and quirky. It's a great place to go with friends but sometimes the food quality is questionable and personally not always as flavorful as I would expect for this type of cuisine. Fun but not my first choice.

Second time around...got the Bhel Puri ( potatoes, vegetables, onion, cilantro, peanuts, spices and puffed rice with green and tamarind chutneys) - so fresh, lots of crunchy and tasty ingredients, a perfect light dish. Also got the Gobi Manchurian: Indo-Chinese fried cauliflower with lemon, curry leaves and a sweet and sour sauce. OMG it was so tangy and delicious - even some pieces of breaded and fried lemon rind! Spectacular tastes served here.

Heading to a knit shop in the area and parked across the street from Bollywood Theater. Actually, thought it was a theater to see Bollywood movies. Instead, it is an Indian restaurant with incredible, authentic Indian eats. We ordered lamb samosas, saag paneer, beets, wrap w chicken and veggies and all of it was noteworthy and leaving you wanting to come back. You order at the register and they bring you your food. Outside seating too. Lots of fun drink choices: pineapple soda, Indian favorites and Coke with real cane sugar.

Totally recommend it. Affordable, healthy and full of flavors. Great place to eat. Try the mango lassi drink. Thumbs up!

Great place with good Indian food. Ambience is so nice as it looks like a mix of Indian restaurant or Dhaba in India with lot of good graffiti and styles in it. Food tastes good for sure with different flavors and most interesting thing is that it doesnt run by Indians. So, it is so amazing that Chefs and staff are doing such a good job. I will definitely visit them again when i am in Portland and wish they can open one in San Diego

Not your typical Indian restaurant - in a REALLY good way. They serve Indian "street" food and excellent thali plates. Expect long lines but it's worth it.

we returned for lunch and i had a narragansett lager from the east coast ..1890....my partner had the pimm's cup...next, we shared the goan shrimp with curry sauce and rice...yummy...we sat outside in the sun and people watched on a spring day..the staff is the best...thx so much

It was our last night in Portland with an early flight out, so we wanted dinner to be delicious but quick. Checked the menu and saw that we'd order at the counter, so it seemed to fit the bill. Loved the Indian decor and actually watching the movie. Then the food came, and we were stunned by the richness and depth of the flavors, different from anything we'd had in hundreds of delicious Indian meals. The line was out the door as soon as we sat down, and the food is the reason. Go there hungry, as often as you can.

I love Indian food and found this to have a unique approach. Not all "traditional" meals, but a variety of "street food" and "small plates" allowed me to choose a variety of dishes that were more than I could eat. But I tried, because the food was absolutely delicious. Prepared fresh with fresh ingredients. Atmosphere was relaxed, and trendy, with Bollywood movies being shown on a screen. Could not beat the prices. Excellent value. Best meal all trip. Would highly recommend.

Bollywood is a delightful addition to the Alberta scene. Casual, decor reminiscent of souviners from a trip to India. The menu is street food, small plate, Thali meals and sides. Beverages include cocktails, local and Indian brews, wine and traditional Indian offerings. We tried the lamb samosas which arrived hot and perfectly cooked. The tomato raisin chutney and green chutney were delicious. We also shared the pork vindaloo. If you are looking for a little spice, this will not disappoint. The accompanying buttered rolls were melt in the mouth wonderful.

Great find .... very happening place and Amazed with all the details in restaurent. Both the branches are great , all the staff is very helpful and felt like home away from home.

I went here because the Washington Post listed it as one of their favorite places to eat. SO glad I took the time to go. the food was real and delicious and very flavorful....loved the decor!

Save yourself a trip to India. Eat here. Most of the young staff have never set food in India but, hey, it's all about the food! For a refreshingly light supper on a hot summer night, I enjoyed a plate of beets that were not violated with vinegar. Very laid back atmosphere as one would expect in Portland. East meets West here as Portland and the Willamette Valley constitute the beet producing capital of the world. So many other dishes on the menu that you'd find for a few rupees on the streets of Mumbai. I recommend it.

I got the bhel puri and the gobi manchurian. They were both good but really really spicy, which I wasn't ready for. The windows were open in the back room, and a bunch of flies were lazily circling, which made for an uncomfortable dining experience.

Super tasty bites, a bit overpriced for the size of plates, but totally delicious. Yummy mango Lassi. Very busy place with kitchy, rusty, crusty, up-cycled decor. Fun place to visit.

Don't be scared away by the hipster vibe of this Alberta St haunt, the flavors are very approachable as is the spice - yet still a representation of classic Indian street food. Try the Mango Lassi and Fried Okra (thin sliced)!

... but I wondered about the advert in the toilet for something that claims to treat both constipation *and* dysentery. I trust the food here will not make me test its efficacy.... the curry was very tasty and the raita outstanding. not that I'm an expert.

Love this place. Eat here whenever i'm in Portland. No line tonight, which is unusual. Ordered Pork vindaloo at the counter and the corn on the cob special. Corn was out of this world. Pork was tender, but the sauce too salty. My only complaint about this place is that the sauces are often way to salty.

Funky joint- owned and operated by Americans who have done a great job recreating street side ambience n good street food at reasonable prices.However avoid Chicken Kathiroll- chicken tasted off n had red cabbage instead of onions.

Bollywood Theater was the last Portland delight my best friend insisted we try before flying back to the East Coast, and I am so glad she did. Four of us ordered five different dishes. And all four of us fell in love five times. Bollywood Theater is more than a meal to our quartet, it's a memory. Like fellow reviewers say, its not a typical Indian restaurant, but I'd turn 'typical' into 'classic'. It's not a classic Indian restaurant in format. The food is served counter-style. Dishes arrive at the table in the order they were placed. Diners bus their own tables. They play Bollywood movies constantly. But the classic Indian flavors we've come to know and love are present in each dish. Then, there is a freshness Bollywood Theater brings to their food brightening the presentation, creating interest in texture and expanding the flavor profiles. It's the kind of old world-new world harmony most fusion cuisine attempts, but never fully realizes. Add heaping portions at affordable prices, and I don't know why anyone wouldn't stuff themselves at Bollywood Theater before getting on a plane. I can't wait to do it again.

First time I've tried Indian food. Shared plates: okra, green tomatoes, curried chicken, lamb and more were all delicious.

rustic indian decor..simplistic menu..lot of india street food items beside main courses..family friendly..offering both vegetarian and non veg options..american youngsters own the place.

You order at the counter, pay for your food, get a number and find a seat. A runner brings your orders as they are prepared. The food is good; there are choices to satisfy both large and small appetites. Nothing we tried was too fiery. The flavors were varied and intriguing. 5 of us, both vegetarians and omnivores, came hungry and we all left happy and satisfied.

Came here with my wife whilst road-tripping trough America as we’d had this place recommended to us by a local. Lots of free parking on side streets around the restaurant. Very impressed with the food, great flavours, good level of spice and a wide variety and selection of Indian inspired gems. We ordered a beef Kati Roll... this was probably our least favourite dish (the reason I’m not giving 5 stars) as in my opinion it tasted more like a Turkish kebab with the spices they used and the yogurt & cucumber sauce (Raita). We also ordered; - Pork Vindaloo = DELICIOUS! The meat was very tender and the vindaloo curry was very flavoursome, could have been more spicy! - Chicken Curry = GOOD! Chicken fell off the bone nicely, the cure could have been creamier. - Paratha’s were very tasty and great for dipping in the extra curry sauce! - Daal was a little bland but a nice extra to have.

we love indian food. we love to cook it and eat the food our indian friends ake. we also enjoy good indian restaurants! but we found the various items here to be 'just ok'. fun decorations and to watch the running films. expansive menu, if you want to try new and different things... but not spectacular for the taste buds, and not very authentic seeming.

1st visit back to Portland in 3 yrs & found this gem. Had their house made Ginger lime soda, and it was delicious and refreshing. Perfect on a hot day. My husband had the PIMM's cup, and thought it was very good as well.

Watch a movie and eat great Indian food. This is a happening spot that deserves a visit if you like authentic Indian food. Shrimp, chicken, and vegetarian selections. Nice selection of drinks.

There are SO many places to eat along Alberta St, but many people told me "but my favorite is the Bollywood." You order at a counter when you enter, and are encouraged to ask for suggestions and descriptions of the food and craft beers. The staff was delighted to tell me about the daily specials and the most popular, and make sure the spice level was to my liking. High ceilings, subtle Indian decor, the the old movies (without sound) showing high on one wall.

we returned for lunch with friends on a sunny day....i began with a rainier, and my partner had a pimm's cup cocktail...next, we shared the goan shrimp and paneer makhani...all of it was thirst quenching and delicious as always...our friends were happy too...the staff, decor, and ambiance is so fine...thx so much!

Wanting to try something a little different we went to the Bollywood Theater on a cold evening last week. On arrival, you can get the menu and order at the cash registers - interesting selection and touted as 'street food'. The restaurant has an urban, open feeling. Once ordered, the food is brought out to you. The pork vindaloo and chicken curry were both tender and tasty, the raita was refreshing. This is not your typical Indian restaurant, but with taste and variety, definitely needs trying out!

Came here for lunch with a group of girlfriends on a Saturday afternoon. I'm a big fan of Indian and feel like this was such a different take on any Indian I'd ever had. Such great flavor on everything we ordered. The group of us ordered 2 items per person and tried at least a bite of everyone's dishes. My favorite was the unique "salad"(Bhel Puri), cauliflower bites(Gobi Manchurian), Paneer Makhani and Lamb Samosas. Just delicious. My only complaint was that there wasn't enough on the plate. I probably should have ordered one more dish for myself...but we'd just finished a hike and I was starving...so maybe on a regular day, two dishes would have been enough. :)

This was so amazing. This meal was absolutely excellent. I was so sure I knew what I was going to order before realizing what Bollywood Theater was all about and how unique their menu and experience is. The fried cauliflower are stupendous and the Paneer was to die for. WOW, don't miss out on this opportunity for a totally new Indian food extravaganza. THANKS SO MUCH!

Yes, the Pork Vindaloo was fantastic. A moderate spice and pick apart tenderness made it easy to share and enjoy, soaking it all up with the buttered rolls. It had to be my favorite however, our party of 7 shared quite a bit. The Goan Shrimp was also a big hit at the table, also a moderate spice. The shrimp had a perfect snap to them, and the curry had a great proportion of chile and lime to balance the zip and ahhhh. One of the nicest things, as this place is so busy and popular, we arrived before others in our party, ordered drinks and Gobi Manchurian (also, GREAT!). Having ordered food items, when the rest of our party arrived we were permitted to bypass the long line and step to the 'order more / phone orders' line. The staff was very attentive and was quick with recommendations.

Three adults and one three year old adventurous eater. 11 a.m. weekday morning. We were sincerely greeted and got a table with a window. The menu here is limited compared to the Hawthorn St. Bollywood, at least since I was there a year ago. Food was very good, but the things I ordered had a chickpea sameness. My companions had chicken curry, spicey and delicious.

My wife & I try to visit this Bollywood at least once a month and have so ever since it opened (early 2012). Many of the reviews posted on the SE Division Street location are actually for this Alberta location (Division should be dubbed "Bollywood Theater II" - opened 2013) We love the lofty ceiling, open floor plan, large windows and collection of colorful posters, furniture and knick-knacks from India. Prices are affordable and food portions are generous. Arrive early or there may be a long line snaking out the door (toward next door's equally popular ice creamery, Salt & Straw); grab a menu and order at the counter, servers bring your food out as it's readied. Wait typically isn't long. Enjoy outdoor seating when weather is nice; capacity recently increased when the dining and kitchen expanded into an adjacent storefront (the former Bin21 wine bar). Best of all, the food here is terrific! Favorites: definitely the pork vindaloo, goan shrimp, and chicken curry; order the latter two as a "thali meal" (with a variety of side dishes and sauces). The crisp, fried slivers of okra with creamy raita for dipping = outstanding! Cocktails, wines and local beers for those who drink alcohol, some interesting Indian sodas, lassis and delicious chai (served hot or cold) for those who don't. Save the airfare to India and check this place out! kripyā bhojan kā ānnaṅd lijīyai

How people think this is good Indian food is hard to understand. The only possible explanation is that Portland is such an Indian food desert that they get a pass for being at least different from the typical Punjabi fare of chicken tikka and naan. But different doesn't mean good. This food is incredibly simple and bland and honestly is not distinguishable from what you can get in the frozen food section at Trader Joe's. Which is to say the food is passable (I like the frozen Indian meals at TJ's). But it's not what you go to a restaurant to eat. I give 2 stars rather than 1 because the atmosphere is upbeat and fun, and the cocktails are decent. But a restaurant's rating should be about the food, and the food here is mediocre at best. The fact that this place gets highly rated speaks more to the dearth of decent Indian food in Portland than anything else.

Very cool spot on happening Alberta. Nice selection of tasty eats. We tried a variety of items and liked it all. Refills on the spiced chai were an added bonus.

This is one of our favorite places to drop in and share some really good food. The atmosphere is very casual and we like to get a few items and share everything. Let me just say that I love, love, love the vegetarian fare. The beets are just a taste sensation, and the fried okra is not the kind you get in Texas. This is okra that has been cut lengthwise into thin strips, fried, and is served with a wonderful yogurt sauce. Some other great choices include the dal and coconut curry, the potato patties, and the pork vindaloo is also just delicious. They always have specials on the wall behind the cashier and the food is always fresh and delicious.

Perhaps not a place for a first date, though that's debatable, depending on your dat's idea of dining out. The serving system is like fast food, but with GREAT food instead of boring junk. You order at the counter, pay, and they bring you everything wherever you are sitting -- quite fast, in fact, as we noticed during two successive visits. Among the dishes we had were lamb inside some kind of ball, stewed pork, chicken and various side dishes like fried okra and nan. Everything was first-class, and prices are very reasonable. Oh, and the Indian beer (top brand on the list) was superb. I was told it was a special grade they may not always have.

If you want reasonably priced, decent and not-quite-traditional Indian food in a hipster environment, you will be pleased with Bollywood Theater. Of the three dishes we ate, the asparagus pakoras were the best.

We had our dinner here after a long-day traveling. The food is great, especially the curry which I love the most. The lights on the ceiling are quite beautiful. Good place for dating.

It was a very good experience, I'm not a fan of spicy food but even so this was great authentic indian food. The service is good and the atmosphere is unique.

Not being a fan of Indian fare, I was a bit apprehensive about dining here, but my friends picked the place... I actually found a yummy dish - Bhel Puri. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening with friends and the food! In fact, I'll give Indian food another try! I hope to return when I'm in the area.

This restaurant is amazing! The Decor is wonderful, the service is fabulous. It has open air windows, string lights, and a beet/kombucha beverage called Konjibucha that you didn't know you needed until now. There were a variety of people there from all walks of life, and overall it was an amazing experience. Perfect for couples wanting to go out for the night, or families wanting to try something new.

Did I mention I am already planning my next visit. Wonderful Indian food with a flair. I could eat this food every day. I have not found one thing I do not like. Wonderful fresh food with interesting spice blends bringing you traditional flavors with a new slant. I promise you the difficultly finding a place to park (if you drive), the long lines will be worth it and you will forget all about it once you taste the food. This is a counter service restaurant and you must order before you can be seated, with staff bringing you your food and drinks. On a good day they can open up the walls and let the sun shine in. A little noisy but lots of energy and everyone is having a good time. Try everything! It is all good.

Just stopped in to Bollywood Theater to buy a gift certificate. The line was out the door so I asked the waitress if we could buy a gift certificate without waiting since we were turning right around and leaving the restaurant. The waitress out front was very rude and short with us and told us NO. Her attitude and the policy of the restaurant to not provide gift cards to customers not eating at the restaurant is very anti-customer service. We left. We will not be giving our business to this establishment.

We have been intrigued by this place for years but have never managed to fit a visit into our plans. On this trip to Portland we made it a priority to have a meal at Bollywood Theatre. We had concerns: how would seating work? Would the food be tasty? Would the atmosphere be fun or cheesy? Well, on all counts this was a win. I could have - and arguably should have- given this a full five but I think the meal was a mistake for me to order. It simply was too many tastes for me. All very good but more than I could manage. So the seating experience was just fine. You step up to order al la fast food. They give you a number and somehow a table magically appeared for our party of 7. Easy as can be. The ambience was terrific and added to the dining fun. You can see into the prep kitchen and see the spices used in the meal. Artifacts on the wall and the overall eclectic feel of the place gives a real sense of vibrancy. The food, the real reason for the visit, was full of flavor. The spice level was right on. The small dishes one member of our party ordered were, according to the rest of us, the best pick because they really focus on specific tastes. My meal was surely tasty but there were just one taste too many. The naan was a bit heavy - perhaps whole wheat flour is a healthier choice but makes a denser bread. The sauces were well seasoned. The dal dish was the bomb. Tasty lassi options. All good. And next door to salt and straw in case your taste buds needs post meal cooling. I would go back and take more time at the order station to pick a couple individual plates. The portion sizes are most ample so you won't leave hungry. Thank you Bollywood Theatre for making our multi year wait worth it.

I am flabbergasted as to why this place has any kind of decent rating whatsoever. That plates we ordered had a variety of different selections, with different ingredients, presented in a different fashion. However, much to my disappointment, they all tasted almost exactly the same. Yeah, this guy seems to have found one recipe and applied it to every recipe in his repertoire. Furthermore, the texture of all his sauces was rather coarse and gritty. They just didn't sit well on the tongue. The only reason I can see the popularity of this place is that it caters do the alternative lifestyle folks. They have identified this place and seem to love it. This might explain the Stella reviews of a less than mediocre restaurant. Maybe part of the problem was that restaurant is staffed, from what I saw, with non-indian employees. Most of them are sitting around doing . As a matter of fact, the only Indian folks I saw and the restaurant were the ones that were painted on the bathroom wall. This may or may not be a factor, as I know you don't necessarily have to be Indian to make good Indian food, but I thought it interesting anyway. I have absolutely no intention of returning to this mistake of a restaurant.

Pretty good selection of Indian dishes. The menu is a bit confusing at first. What's the difference between street food and small plates? Well the plate is about the same size, but it appears the small plates have bread or rice. I had the Goan Style Shrimp meal. The shrimp were fresh and well cooked. The sauce was tasty. There were several sides in small bowls, but not enough bread to scoop it up. The bread was good, but not absorbent. Drinks were well made and very strong. Prices are moderately expensive, but the food is good quality.

Haven't run out of choices. Everything I've had has been good, but watch out for the deep fried items.

Might be a bit Americanized but it is really good. Love the kati roll. Yes you will wait in line, yes it will be worth it. Decent price too.

This is a welcoming place with very friendly staff. The food is interesting and everything we tried was delicious. I thought a little pricey, but somethings are served with larger portions than others. You might want to ask how big each dish is. Some dishes are more shareable than others. Highly recommend.

Everything here is delicious. The biggest danger here is ordering too much and then not having room to pop over to Salt & Straw because you can barely walk from cleaning your plates here.

If you have ever had Kati rolls somewhere else ,nothing to do with your usual ones We had chicken Kati rolls and they were tasty but not very spicy Tali was good too ,also missing spice Over all I guess they cater to people from everywhere so they can't really make it too spicy Anyway the food was good ,inexpensive and the staff was nice

We ordered the pork vindaloo and wow the meat was so tender and sauce so flavorful. We also had the bheli puri which was a nice compliment to the pork. We opted for pappadums instead of rolls as we try to be gluten free. There is green chutney and fried chilies for extra heat to be found on a side table. We are definitely coming back to explore more of the menu. Service was friendly and accommodating. This is not a usual Indian restaurant but that’s what makes it special.

Let me start by saying i loved the interiors. Full of posters from the indian film industry mostly really really old. Very nostalgic! food was great and so was the service. Food was served in steel plates just like in India . Very impressed

Interesting place, we got there early before the crowds, about 5:30pm and we got our food quickly. It was fresh, hot and delicious. we had the Okra side as an appetizer and it was excellent. every thing we ate was worthy of another visit.

This is an organized chaos of Indian Style in a good restaurant/Bar. I mean this very positive compared what you experience in India. So you feel you are in India, but than in a well organized place. I am not so sure if i am expressing myself right. We just came in for a Nice IPA and some fried plantains. The lady behind the bar advised me to take some Papadums with three types of chutneys. Just for $3,50. More than a good advise and we’ve loved it. We weren’t hungry at all, but in this place I am sure you can eat great Indian food in a superb ambience. Well done

The food did not meet expectations. Very mild and weak flavours. Ordered the chicken curry, Manchuria cauliflower, and lamb biryani. Curry was just ok, the chicken was tender but hadn't observed much flavour from the spice, the biryani was not good at all and was $12 for a very small portion. The cauliflower was good - but tell me something deep fried that isn't good! If you have eaten real Indian food, I wouldn't bother with this place.

Four of us visited the restaurant for dinner. We had prawn curry, chicken curry, pork vindaloo, lamb samosas and a few other items. All dishes were very good with the exception of the samosas which weren't very exciting. You order at the counter and then find a table. The items ordered are then delivered to your table by the wait staff. Individual plates and cutlery have to be collected from a central location. For cocktails we ordered gin and tonic, pimms cup and a whiskey shandy - all very good. All dishes ordered arrived at the table at about the same time. If you want to pace yourselves, order a few dishes at a time.

Loved everything I tasted. I usually don't like spicey food, but this stuff is not to be missed. We sat outside and enjoyed each dish as it was brought to the table.

On my recent trip to Portland I had lunch at BT thanks to a friend's recommendation. The ambience and the decor really stands out, its everything India. The signs, the posters, the lamps, the pictures of gods and goddesses - its all very unique. The menu is simple and so is the food. I also think the food is cooked light, not too heavy with lots of cream and such. We had a thali with egg curry, paneer makhni, okra and paratha. The paratha was big and soft. The gravy dishes were quite flavorful. The best of the lot was the okra, julienne cut and fried served with raita. Its a dry dish but one of the tastiest okra dishes I have had. We also had lassi and dal, both of which could use a little more flavor. Still good though. Will definitely be back on my next trip.

Family style with multiple dishes is the way to go at this little gem. That way you can have a taste of multiple dishes. Beer, wine on tap. Fun, colorful decor. Order and take a seat to enjoy your drink and the view!

This is decent Indian food. Decor is really nice. We waited a long time time. Food quality was okay. Beer selection below average. Overall Average. Wouldn’t eat here again unless I needed to.

I will admit that the restaurant was not what I expected - it's much more informal! Fits in with the general Portland vibe in that regard; certainly casual, and you bus your own tables. Not your traditional Indian restaurant; focuses on street food rather than the "normal". There are still a lot of recognizable dishes, including pork vindaloo and chicken curry. No naan on the menu; some dishes have buttered rolls served with them as the bread choice. It was fun to try, and the food was good. I can't say I'll rush back, but I'm glad I could check it off my list. I think my favorite part was the pillows on the window seats.

If you're allergic to vinegar or just can't stand it, come here and feast on a dish of red and golden beets dressed in coconut milk and curry leaves. Curry leaves are just a nice refreshing garnish and not red hot, fiery, take your head off. Mild as a spring rain in Portland. The Gobi Manchurian (cauliflower) is an attractive plate, with a hot spice that won't let you alone. And for someone who cannot tolerate spice at all, I enjoyed this dish because the burn was only momentary and I dug in for more. There was also a thunder and lightning storm underway, which only added to the drama. In the streets of Mumbai, each of these dishes would cost less than a dollar. So, head for India or just here and be happy.

This place has the best flavor around. It's on the rich side, but very satisfying. I personally can't leave without ordering the Kati-roll with chicken, it's amazing. But I haven't had a bad thing on the menu. Decent beer selection on tap too. If you're thinking of trying it, just go, and give it a shot. It won't disappoint.

I have to admit... Indian food is not really my jam, but this place was awesome! Excellent flavors. We went here with a group of nine people for an early dinner on a Monday evening and it was relatively empty. We ordered a bunch of different dishes and just shared everything so we could all taste the different dishes. Everything was delicious. They have some really interesting cocktails also.

Stopped in for dinner after a local I met on the bus highly recommended it. Of course I quickly glanced at reviews and pics on Yelp before checking it out. MINUS 1 STAR: What I was unaware of is this is an order at a counter and then bus your own table experience. For this I took a star off..I tipped generously at the counter only to find out I would be bussing my own table once I sat down. Haha MINUS 1 STAR: Although the food was tasty, the portion size was SMALL for the price I paid. Got the chicken curry and paid $12 for a small plate of 2 pieces of chicken and maybe 2 tablespoons of rice. The decor is awesome and the drinks were great. Had a Pimm's cup and wasn't disappointed. Menu choices are limited to 4-5 entree choices with the curry and vegetable options being the most recognizable dishes. Wanted vindaloo but they use pork rather than lamb or chicken. Overall I would skip if you are a seasoned Indian food consumer.

I love going to this restaurant for some good Indian street food. Lots of tasty vegetarian options. Love the chutneys and the Bollywood movies they're usually projecting onto the wall.

There are many dishes to chose from. Small dish if you just like to have a bite. Large plate if you need a good meal. They have a delicious lassi also.

Had gone to this place for dinner. Ambiance is a creative typical Indian style set up. They have decent amount of choices for starters & main course. Liked Gobi Manchurian along with Paneer Makhani Thali... the quantities are pretty good & the taste is not typical like the other Indian restaurants.

I'm glad I listened to my friend and chose to dine here. I did not know what to order so the guy taking our orders suggested several options and spicy level. I wanted something a little spicy yet delicious, and he nailed it. Can't remember the name but it was vegetarian. My friend got the curry chicken with the rice...I tried that too and it was awesome. Overall, great place to dine. This place gets packed during lunch time!

Dinner for two on an outside table. Staff were knowledgeable and helpful when making choices. Food was very tasty and well prepared. Popular spot for a reason!

We always have to come here on our visits to Portland...nothing like it in Chicago. The Bhel Puri is the best - very fresh and crunchy combo of potatoes, mango, veggies, onion, cilantro, peanuts, puffed rice, spices and chutneys! We also tried the chicken kati roll: a flour wrap with egg, pickled onion and chutney. Another favorite of ours is the Gobi Manchurian, fired cauliflower with lemons - eat a battered lemon! We also had the dal and coconut curry (lentils and veggies cooked in coconut milk, with rice) - a very nice dish. A Portland must!

This was a casual, unique Indian food experience. We had the Tofu Kati Roll, Chole and extra dosa but I really wish that we had the people or appetite to order more. Our food was balanced, flavorful and made my mouth and tummy very, very happy. I also noticed that more than 1/2 of the other guests appeared to be Indian and also enjoying their food - a very good sign.

TL;DR: Avoid this restaurant if you’re looking for authentic Indian food. We went to Bollywood Theater expecting an authentic Indian dining experience, but it fell quite short. Honestly, the food tasted more like something you'd grab at Costco than a traditional Indian restaurant. On top of that, the prices felt like a rip-off considering both the quality and the portion sizes. Definitely not what we were hoping for. In fact, there are food trucks just a couple of blocks away offering better choices (though not Indian) with much better taste—and at a fraction of the price.

First of all I love Alberta street and Bollywood is just the right kind of place for it. I really enjoyed the pork vindaloo and the side dishes like the yogurt. Good place, good vibes. Would recommend it!