Dera Restaurant

Had a lovely time at this unassuming little gem. Really enjoyed the Brain Masala, which is made with very small bits of goat brain. The texture is similar to tofu, and the taste is a slightly more mineral spicy masala. It's great.

My favorite dish was probably the paneer pakora.

Some of THE BEST, Tandoori Chicken I've had in the area.

The decor is elegant, perfect for even a fancy date.

There is even a private area for practicing Muslims who would like to say their prayers, and of course the food is Halal.

Bathrooms are clean, and well maintained, the staff is polite, and friendly.

There are even an assortment of handmade sweets sold by the pound.

I decided to have a Pakistani/Indian style lunch buffet today, and was very impressed.

There is a variety of items to choose from, including the weekend favorites like Nihari (braised beef stew, which melted in your mouth, finished with fresh lime juice), Paya (beef foot soup, tender, not over powering with spice) Haleem (mixed grains with meat, where the richness in this dish is balanced with the shredded ginger and cilantro), all these dishes pair perfectly with Naan (flat bread).

The Pakistani style Biryani was prepared perfectly, with fluffy rice, and juicy tender pieces of chicken, whole chilies for and extra kick, and finished with fresh mint.

I'm able to describe and know these dishes as I'm very educated with this food, however, for folks who are not, there should have been labels, and that's not a big issue, but something to add in my opinion.

I will be coming back, and bringing my family here, as the food is authentic, fresh and absolutely delicious.

First time trying this restaurant. The buffet was wonderful! We tried everything and it was all delicious! I loved the semolina and butter chicken! My sister loved the more spicy dishes.
Atmosphere is great, service was also great. Will definitely be back again! Hi

I’ve travelled the world and Dera makes the BEST Chicken Tika Masala I have ever had. Perfectly baked (and large) naan bread is served with each entree. The service is superb!!! Highly recommend.

I recently ordered a beef naan from Dera, and I was very disappointed to find a piece of paper inside the food. It appears that proper checks were not conducted during preparation.

This raises concerns about food safety and quality control. I kindly request that you review this issue to prevent such incidents in the future. I would appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.

It was really bad experience for me and with family. I was having iftar 03/23/2024 with my family. We get table before 2 minutes of iftar waitress came & telling us we have to move other side of the table because she gets customers maybe those customers was from any Arabian country. I didn’t understand why we have to move? Because of my color or we are from Bangladesh.she was act like racist.It was unacceptable for me & also my teen daughter. I own the restaurant & also 25 employees working in my restaurant.she doesn’t know how to serve the customers.I will recommend others customers be careful about this restaurant there service are too bad.

Desserts to Satisfy the Sweet Tooth

No meal is complete without dessert, and The Spice Route offers a delightful selection of traditional sweets. We indulged in Gulab Jamun and Kheer. The gulab jamun was soft and syrup-soaked, while the kheer, a creamy rice pudding, was delicately flavored with cardamom and topped with slivers of almonds. It was the perfect sweet ending to an incredible meal.

Service That Makes You Feel at Home

The service at The Spice Route was impeccable. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and offered great recommendations based on our preferences. The staff’s genuine warmth and enthusiasm for the food added to the overall experience, making us feel like part of the family.

Final Thoughts

The Spice Route is more than just a restaurant; it’s a celebration of Pakistani culture and cuisine. Whether you’re a connoisseur of South Asian food or a newcomer eager to explore new flavors, this restaurant promises a memorable experience. With its delicious food, welcoming atmosphere, and attentive service, The Spice Route has certainly earned a place on my list of must-visit dining spots. Don’t miss out—your taste buds will thank you!

If you’re looking to embark on a culinary adventure, look no further than Dera, a hidden gem that brings the vibrant flavors of Pakistan right to your plate. From the moment you step inside, the warm ambiance and inviting decor set the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.

For the main course, we opted for the Biryani and Nihari—two classics that showcase the depth of Pakistani cuisine. The biryani was a fragrant medley of basmati rice, succulent marinated chicken, and aromatic spices, cooked to perfection. Each grain of rice was infused with flavor, making it a dish you could savor bite after bite.

The Nihari, a slow-cooked beef stew, was nothing short of divine. The meat was tender and rich, simmered in a spiced broth that left us craving more. Served with warm naan, it was a cozy dish that felt like a warm hug on a cold day.

I would not recommend going to this place the chairs are always dirty. The costumer service is horrible. Ma and my family and friends went there and the waiter spilled burning hot chai all over my friend and mind you it was like 6 cups and she got burned and soaking wet and the waiter didn’t even mind to apologize

I have been to Dera many times and each time , I get to be amazed at how authentic the food is. Is so good that it feels like you are eating it in Pakistan. Love their nihari and paya and kebabs and Lahori fish .
Today we Met chef and owner of Dera, Mr. Rabani. What a sweetheart. He provided us , complimentary sample of chola ( very good) and biryani rice .
The ambiance is great to bring your gora or non gora friends . It’s so clean. Washroom are clean as well.
Highly recommend

The service was excellent, and the food was yummy. Top of that, when it's a clean, well decorated restaurant, you have to come back again and again.

Good place for families and friends to meet up. Food is decent, they also have sweets onsite for sale.

We ordered halwa puri, paratha, omelette and fries (which weren’t ready and eventually had to cancel because it took too long and weren’t worth it because they’d be like the rest of the order). The paratha was undercooked, and the halwa puri was burned and also drenched in oil. The chickpea curry I got along with the halwa puri was served in a singular small bowl, and the reason that they came up with is that they ran out of it and gave me extra halwa to make up for it???

I don’t understand why they just HAVE to serve when they don’t have fresh food to even serve, they could’ve just said we don’t have fresh food, and I would’ve taken my business elsewhere rather than eating crazily overpriced food and having stomachache problems and feeling nauseous along with everyone else in my family.

Visited this restaurant for the first time. The biryani was excellent. The mutton kadhai had a nice flavor, although the meat seemed a bit tough. The Kebabs and Malai Tikka were delicious. Good customer service!

I took my family to this restaurant and the food was by far one of the best places I’ve eaten. The food is fresh and the service was great! We’ve tried their new falooda as well and it was really good.

I would definitely bring my family here again!

Good spot for lunch. Enjoyed the buffet. Nice variety of dishes . Staff was friendly and attentive

They made all the dishes freshly and hot. I couldn't complain about a single item on the menu. The bihari beef kebab was my wife's favorite, mine was the chicken tikka, and my in-laws loved the Goat Biryani. Even the chai was good.

The server was nice and attentive. They also have sweet meats and my wife enjoyed them. I wish I lived in the area so I could be here everyday.

Today i visited Dera Restaurant Virginia, Its Pakistans cousin, Food was fresh and delicious, in fact presentation was good too. Service was ok but atmosphere wasn’t appealing, they must work on their sitting arrangements and furniture needs to be replaced.