Chicken Ghee Roast
The dish that made the name. Dark, glossy, unapologetically fiery.
Balmatta · since 1985
The crown of
Mangalorean ghee roast
A Balmatta rooftop institution where coastal Konkani seafood meets North Indian comfort — served hissing, under the monsoon sky, for forty years.
4.2· 28k+ diners₹700 for twoOpen daily · 11:30am–11pm
- Chicken Ghee Roast✦
- Crab Sukka✦
- Anjal Tawa Fry✦
- Kori Rotti✦
- Butter Chicken✦
- Neer Dosa✦
- Prawns Ghee Roast✦
- Fish Gassi✦
- Caramel Custard✦
- Gadbad✦
The house of Maharaja
Forty years on one rooftop, and the city still climbs the stairs.
For four decades, Maharaja has been Balmatta’s rooftop table — the address Mangalore returns to for ghee roast that arrives still hissing, kane fry off the morning catch, and thalis that feed a family without flattening a wallet. North Indian comfort and coastal Konkani fire share one kitchen, one terrace, and one long, breezy monsoon evening at a time.
Read our storyEst.
1985
Balmatta
Rated
4.2★
28k+ reviews
Cuisines
6
Coast to Punjab
For two
₹700
and generous
The signature
Chicken
Ghee Roast
Whole Byadgi chillies, a fistful of spice, and pure ghee — cooked down until the masala turns dark, glossy and clings to every piece. It arrives still hissing, with lace-thin neer dosa to scoop it up. This is the plate that made the name.
- Chicken Ghee RoastMost ordered
- Prawns Ghee RoastCoastal
- Crab Ghee RoastCoastal
- Mutton Ghee RoastFavourite
- Paneer Ghee RoastFavourite
What people come back for
The table’s greatest hits
Crab & Prawns Ghee Roast
Coastal indulgence, off the morning catch.
Chicken Thali
A full coastal meal on one tray — the family favourite.
Caramel Custard
The burnt-sugar finish regulars never skip.
From the coast
Konkani & Mangalorean
Off the morning catch — rava-crusted anjal and kane fry, coconut fish gassi, prawns sukka, kori rotti and neer dosa. The coast, exactly as it should taste.
Coastal menu →North of the Vindhyas
Tandoor & Mughlai
The Punjabi half of the kitchen — butter-soft tandoor, silky makhani gravies, dum biryani and fresh naan. One of Mangalore’s most-ordered North Indian tables.
North Indian menu →The rooftop
Dim lights, a sea breeze, and the first drops of monsoon.
Climb to the first floor and the city softens. Fans turn slowly overhead, the lights drop low, and on a wet evening the rain comes in sideways while the ghee roast keeps you warm. Downstairs is cool and air-conditioned; upstairs is where Mangalore actually wants to sit.
Families, college reunions, first dates and Sunday lunches — it has hosted them all, separate smoking and non-smoking corners, big tables for big groups, and staff who remember your order.
Rooftop diningA/C indoor hallFamily-friendlyLarge groupsBarLive sports
From the reviews
4.2★ across Google · Zomato · Tripadvisor
“Mangalore’s best ghee roast and gassi. The chicken ghee roast arrives still sizzling and you understand the queue.”
“Authentic Konkani and Mangalore-style seafood — the fish fries and curries are out of this world. A coastal institution.”
“Rooftop with a pleasant breeze, dim lights and a monsoon drizzle — courteous staff, quick service and very reasonable.”
“Been coming here with family for years. Affordable, generous thalis and that ghee roast keeps pulling us back.”
Find us
Come up to the rooftop
1st Floor, The Trade CentreBunts Hostel Road, near Jyothi Circle, Balmatta
Mangaluru, Karnataka 575003
Lunch11:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Dinner6:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Open all seven days
Good to know
Questions, answered
What is Maharaja Family Restaurant known for?+
Maharaja is best known for its Mangalorean chicken ghee roast — along with prawns and crab ghee roast, coastal Konkani seafood (fish fry and gassi), value chicken thalis, North Indian butter chicken and biryani, and its breezy Balmatta rooftop ambience.
Where is Maharaja restaurant in Mangalore?+
It is on the 1st floor of The Trade Centre on Bunts Hostel Road, near Jyothi Circle in Balmatta, Mangaluru 575003 — a short walk from Hampankatta in the heart of the city.
What are Maharaja’s opening hours?+
Maharaja is open all seven days for lunch (11:30 AM–3:30 PM) and dinner (6:30 PM–11:00 PM).
Is Maharaja good for families and groups?+
Yes — it is a family restaurant with air-conditioned indoor seating and an open rooftop, well suited to families and large groups, with separate smoking and non-smoking areas.
How much does a meal cost at Maharaja?+
It is affordable — roughly ₹700 for two people, with thalis from around ₹200 and signature dishes between ₹260 and ₹430.
Does Maharaja do takeaway and delivery?+
Yes — dine-in on the rooftop, takeaway, and delivery (available on Zomato). You can also call ahead to order.