Shahi Maharani is an authentic North Indian restaurant on Level 3 of Raffles City Shopping Centre, where dining unfolds amid decor reminiscent of the royal palaces of India and live music. The kitchen draws on a heritage of Mughal recipes passed down through the generations — prized dishes from the imperial courts, served today to guests who are invited to feel pampered and serenaded like a real maharani.
The menu spans a la carte classics such as Murghi Tikka, Rogan Josh, Bengali Fish Curry and Shahi's Signature Paneer Makhni, alongside the celebrated Maharani's Specials: the royal Raan Sikandra, Tandoori Lamb Chops, the Tandoori Milawat sizzling platter, Tawa Jheenga, the vegetarian Subzi Sizzler and melt-in-the-mouth Galouti Kebabs. Desserts like Gulab Jamun, Rasmalai and Nutty Delight round things off, with a wine list of champagnes, Riesling and rose alongside.
Beyond the dining room, Shahi Maharani caters parties, corporate events and weddings, with halal vegetarian and non-vegetarian menus, a mobile tandoor and live counters for chaats, kebabs and jalebis; delivery and takeaway are also available. Lunch runs from 12.00pm to 3.00pm and dinner from 6.30pm to 11.00pm, and the restaurant has hosted guests from former President S.R Nathan to Narayana Murthy, all leaving messages of praise for the cuisine, service and ambience.
Tucked away on Level 3 of Raffles City Shopping Centre, Shahi Maharani brings the flavours of the Mughal courts to the heart of Singapore. Dining here is framed as a gastronomical journey through authentic North Indian cuisine, complete with live music and decor reminiscent of the royal palaces of India. The invitation is simple: come and feel pampered and serenaded like a real maharani.
The restaurant's own telling of its story begins with the Moghul emperors of days gone by. Their nobility, riches and valour are things of the past, the website reflects, but they left behind "a heritage so rich in culinary extravaganza" that it has been passed down through the years and will continue for generations to come. It is those prized recipes — handed down to posterity — that shape the kitchen's cooking today.
That heritage shows most clearly in the Maharani's Specials, a collection of dishes the kitchen treats as its showpieces.
Raan Sikandra is described as an inspired revival of a royal classic: fresh young leg of lamb, deboned and slow-cooked in a house-special masala of tomatoes, caramelised onions and warming spices. Tandoori Lamb Chops are kissed by aromatic spices and grilled to perfection in the tandoor. The Tandoori Milawat — "The Royal Sizzling Platter" — is a sumptuous sampler of house favourites: Chicken Tikka, Sarson Machhli Tikka, Lahsuni Jheenga and Seekh Kebab.
Seafood lovers have Tawa Jheenga, plump tiger prawns in a spicy marinade seared over a hot iron griddle and served sizzling. Vegetarians are equally well cared for: the Shahi Subzi Sizzler, a signature dish, plates vegetable croquettes over a bold, thick gravy, while Galouti Kebab offers melt-in-your-mouth spiced lamb served on mini paranthas.
The a la carte list carries the journey further. Murghi Tikka gives boneless chicken Shahi's signature spicy treatment, served with spiced lachha onions. Rogan Josh simmers tender boneless mutton in a traditional, deeply comforting spiced gravy. Bengali Fish Curry poaches kingfish fillets in a mustard-kissed curry of turmeric, tomatoes and classic Bengali spices, and Shahi's Signature Paneer Makhni stews lush cubes of cottage cheese in a creamy tomato and butter-based sauce.
Save room for the sweet finish: Gulab Jamun — deep-fried spheres of thickened milk in rose-scented syrup — Rasmalai garnished with pistachios and saffron, Nutty Delight with its vanilla ice cream and peanut brittle, or the Dessert Platter that samples all of the above. A wine list runs alongside the food, from Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label and Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial to a Mosel Riesling and a Provencal rose.
Meals here are paced for lingering. Lunch is served from 12.00pm to 3.00pm, with last orders at 2.30pm, and dinner from 6.30pm to 11.00pm, with last orders at 10.30pm. Reservations can be made online, and the team can be reached on +65 62358840.
The restaurant has played host to dignitaries and celebrities alike — former Singapore President S.R Nathan, Infosys chairman Narayana Murthy, Minister K. Shanmugam and cricketer Waqar Younis have all left messages praising the cuisine, service and ambience.
Shahi Maharani also takes the experience on the road. Its catering service — available for a minimum of 25 guests — offers vegetarian and non-vegetarian (halal) menus, a mobile tandoor, and live counters for chaats, kebabs and jalebis. Wedding catering is available at venues of your choice, silver-service sit-down meals can be arranged for groups of fewer than 20, and delivery services are on offer too. Delivery and takeaway are also available from the restaurant itself.
Whether it's an intimate dinner or a lavish celebration "at your very own mahal," as the team puts it, Shahi Maharani aims to cater to your every whim — keeping the culinary heritage of the Mughal courts alive one dish at a time.