Mantra by Indian Garden Restaurant & Caterings

h the Mantra team, explain what we needed, and they quickly got us a proposal that fit all our desires. The team on site was great and the food was both delicious and beautifully presented. I then went to another cousin's wedding later in the summer who also used Mantra for all their wedding events and can say the food was consistently delicious. Having grown up in Chicago and eaten at all the best Indian restaurants in the city and tried the best Indian caterers, I definitely feel this team is the best and their food is outstanding - wouldn't consider anyone else for my Indian catering needs.

hat, to this day, my guests are raving about. Food is an essential part of a South Asian wedding, and Mantra Catering was nothing short of outstanding. On the days of the event, they set aside meals for my husband and I to eat, so we didn't miss a thing! Will certainly be reaching out to them for several events to come!

ogether again soon!

ith! Everything went well, and our guests loved the food and evening. I appreciate Mantra and the team!

attention to detail and the professionalism in the dealings were amazing. Highly, highly recommend them!

credible food — it was acceptance, artistry, heart, and an experience our guests will never forget. At our initial tasting, Anu aunty and Kasia sat down with us and really listened. As a same-sex couple planning a fusion Indian wedding, we were nervous about how vendors might respond — but Anu aunty and Kasia welcomed us with warmth, kindness, and curiosity. They asked about how we met, took notes on our story, and made us feel that our love was not only accepted, but celebrated at Mantra. Our sangeet was Spain-inspired, and by the end of the tasting, Anu already had pages of ideas—creative, unique, and completely tailored to us. She didn’t just craft a menu. She helped us create a moment, designing dishes and presentation that elevated our vision and immersed our guests in the experience we dreamed of. For the cocktail hour and reception, Anu honored both of our families’ requests with a beautiful blend of North and South Indian flavors. Every item served throughout the weekend was a home run—flavorful, inventive, and unforgettable. Standout Favorites: • Sangeet: Empanadas, mango caviar gol gappa shots, paella and pizza stations, and the mangonada — guests are still talking about it. • Reception: Dal Bukhara, Mangalorean paneer, bhindi masala, bisi bele bath for our South Indian guests, and the desserts — wow. The chai crème Brulé and gulab jamun cheesecake were jaw-droppingly good and disappeared within minutes. And the presentation? Absolutely stunning — colorful, elevated, and true to the vibe of each event. It was clear that Anu aunty and her team approached this not just as a catering job, but as a labor of love. From the bottom of our hearts: Thank you, Anu aunty, Kasia, and Sonali, for making our wedding weekend nothing short of perfect. Your food was the heart of our celebration, and your energy made us feel truly seen and cherished. If you’re planning an Indian wedding in Chicago (or honestly, anywhere), and are looking for a caterer who delivers perfection, professionalism, and love, look no further than Mantra. With gratitude and love, Ashwin & Destry 🌈

t. I would highly recommend if you are looking for an Indian and/or vegetarian caterer.

ect. Their team was incredibly helpful and present every step of the way, guiding us through menu options, accommodating our preferences, and providing us with such peace of mind during the planning process. On the wedding day, their dedication truly showed. The food was exceptional – beautifully presented, fresh, and bursting with flavor. We’ve had countless compliments from our guests who were all amazed by the quality and taste of each dish. Every bite was simply delicious, and it was clear that every detail had been thoughtfully prepared with care. The staff on the day was also incredibly attentive and professional, ensuring that everything ran smoothly. We felt genuinely supported by a team that cared just as much about making our day special as we did. We can’t recommend Mantra enough! They exceeded all our expectations and helped make our wedding a day we’ll remember forever. If you’re looking for a catering company that is both professional and passionate about what they do, look no further.

our decision. Our goal was to create a memorable experience for our guests, and Mantra exceeded our expectations in every way. After narrowing down our choice from three different caterers, it became clear from the very first tasting that Mantra was the perfect fit. While their food is undeniably the best we’ve ever tasted, what truly set them apart was their full-service approach. Mantra handled everything seamlessly—from logistics and dinnerware to providing a professional and attentive serving staff. Working with them was effortless. They took the time to understand our vision, carefully noting our goals, requirements, and expectations. The menu was thoughtfully curated to strike a perfect balance between flavors and was personalized to suit our specific tastes. Their attention to detail was evident, not only in the delicious food but also in the beautiful presentation of the buffet and the impeccable service. A special mention goes to Kasia Firs, the incredibly responsive catering manager, who was our main point of contact from day one. Kasia provided expert guidance, offering proactive suggestions that aligned perfectly with our needs. She meticulously noted feedback from our three tasting sessions and ensured every detail was executed flawlessly in the final menu. Another standout was Anu Verma, the owner of Mantra. Anu was hands-on from start to finish, demonstrating her passion, dedication and keen eye for detail. She participated in venue walkthroughs and was right there on the wedding day, not only overseeing the serving staff and operations but also actively working alongside them, ensuring everything went smoothly. When the big day arrived, Mantra delivered beyond our expectations. The food was absolutely delicious, and many dishes were presented in creative, unique ways that left a lasting impression on our guests. The serving staff was professional, courteous, and attentive throughout the evening. Even now, a month after the wedding, we’re still receiving compliments from our guests about the incredible culinary experience they had at the wedding. Mantra truly brought our daughter's dream wedding to life, and we are beyond grateful. If you're looking for a caterer that goes above and beyond, we wholeheartedly recommend Mantra. Latha and Ganesh Pai

staff and especially Sonali and Kasia are the best executors of the activities at the events. Mrs. Sharma helped us organize the menu for all the events for my daughter's wedding. Mrs. Sharma was given the freedom to create a menu that guests will remember, and sure she did; entire menu was a hit across all functions and the service was beyond expectations. They even created a menu for some of the guests with special dietary needs and ensured they were delivered to their table with everybody else's. I can't thank enough the entire Mantra team, you are the best at what you do and more importantly treating my daughter's wedding just like your daughter's wedding - thank you!

y stressful, and the food/catering aspect is one of the most important parts of the occasion. The team at Mantra really understands this and they made the entire process working with them very easy, with no headache. The food was genuinely the best food I've ever had at any wedding. The entire team and staff at Mantra was extremely friendly and displayed the utmost professionalism, both during the planning stage and during the day of all the wedding events. We consistently heard high praise throughout my sister's wedding weekend, in regards to two particular points: 1) about how good the food was in taste and quality, and 2) also how well each wedding event flowed into the other, and Mantra played a major role in this. Mantra has a passion for food and the folks there are committed to providing outstanding service, and it clearly shows. I would recommend them without hesitation to anyone who is looking for a caterer that provides good food and service.

ood was. My husband and I were continuously impressed with how thoughtful they were during the entire wedding planning process and really listened to our concerns when it came to food at our wedding. We could not recommend them enough! Simply spectacular!

ghly recommend them as a caterer.

nter in Chicago, the event was not just a union of hearts but a celebration of exquisite flavors and impeccable service. Mantra Caterers surpassed all expectations with their exceptional food that left the guests talking for days. From delectable appetizers to the main course, every dish was a gastronomic delight, showcasing a perfect blend of taste and presentation. The culinary team's commitment to quality was evident in every bite. What set Mantra Caterers apart was not just the extraordinary food but also the impeccable service. The staff's professionalism and attention to detail ensured a seamless and delightful experience for all the guests. Mantra Caterers played a pivotal role in making wedding an unforgettable celebration. Highly recommended for those seeking culinary excellence and top-notch service on their special day

to detail in presentation and the variety of dishes showcased the culinary expertise of the catering team. From appetizers to desserts, every bite was a burst of flavor that left a lasting impression on the guests. The staff's professionalism and efficiency ensured a seamless dining experience, contributing to the overall success of the event. Mantra Caterers exceeded expectations, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them for any special occasion.

s undoubtedly the catering by Mantra Caterers. The food was not only a feast for the taste buds but also a visual delight, beautifully presented and expertly crafted. The variety and flavors showcased the culinary prowess of Mantra Caterers, leaving every guest raving about the exceptional dining experience. The seamless management by the catering team added a layer of perfection to the festivities, making it a day to remember. Highly recommend Mantra Caterers for turning an already special day into a culinary masterpiece!

y at our challenging reception venue (no kitchen). Anu and Kasia worked tirelessly to make sure all the details were perfect, food was served on time and at the perfect temperature, all while making the dishes look and taste Michelin quality. It's not many times you can say the food made the reception pictures look even better! They were a pleasure to work with and recommend Mantra to anyone!

lexible and went above and beyond in accommodating our guests' allergies and dietary restrictions. And they make sure that we, as the bride and groom, were fed throughout!

perfection, ensuring that every detail is taken into account. Highlights on our wedding menu were the baby lamb chops, Amritsari fish, corn chili samosas, mangalorean paneer and biryani. The mango creme brulee dessert is one of the best desserts I've ever had! Our guests were complimenting the food all night long. Thanks Mantra for catering our special day!

. However, Indian Garden and their team were extremely flexible. They made sure I was their priority and assured me all my deposits were safe. They made this whole experience easy and I’m so glad I went with them for my Indian wedding. Not to mention, the day of was FABULOUS. We got so many compliments on the food (honestly that’s the main compliment of the night). Their attention to detail on the setup is unmatched. They are truly amazing and I highly recommend using them for your upcoming wedding.

or a tasting, they were extremely personable and gave us ideas on different food options that our guests would love. They have an amazing variety and fusion-blend. All of our guests raved about the food! Mantra was amazing to work with. They were super helpful throughout the entire process and very responsive to our phone calls and emails. We would not have wanted anyone else to cater our wedding day food and we’re so glad we chose Mantra!

ant and enjoyable experience. Mantra is willing to work with you to provide unique food options for your event that leave guests raving about the food. We would highly recommend using Mantra for any catering needs. They are definitely the best in the Chicago area for their service, responsiveness, creativity and quality.

ntive during the wedding, and also did the set up and clean up! Our guests were raving about the food, and our wedding definitely would not have gone as smoothly if it were not for them.

he reception! Days before our event, Anu/Arun were dealing with an extremely serious personal family emergency, but they did not let it impact their quality of food, service, or attention to detail. Anu/Arun are an excellent team and they are a true testament to professionalism. I would 100% recommend them to my friends/family, and will definitely be back for future events. Thank you both so much for making our event a huge success!

went above and beyond to exceed our expectations. Starting from our first inquiry to food tasting to the event day, every interaction is memorable. The food spread, the taste, the quality, the props and the presentations were meticulously thought through and planned for. Our guests continue to rave about the delicious mouth watering food which was innovatively presented and the ambiance created by Anu and team. Anu made it very easy for us to collaborate and plan. She was always there for us before, during and post event and we can't think of going to anyone else for any of our family events. Thank you Mantra team! You rock!"

tra-Indian Garden! Anu and Kasia were amazing to work with, they brought their creativity and helped create an out of the box menu for us that fit the fusion of cultures, our personality/taste and the diversity of guests that would be in attendance. Our guests are still talking about the banana pepper tacos from our indo-mexican lunch and the samosa cart/lamb chops from our cocktail hour! We would highly recommend Mantra, you will not be disappointed!!

vered in every aspect. If you're looking for a caterer that can deliver both on delicious traditional and out of the box items - Mantra

the quality of food ,service and personal touch were exceptional .We would have them cater our future events in Michigan ,no Qs.

The food was outstanding, the presentation was beautiful, and their team was so helpful/professional. From our first inquiry, to the day of the event, Anu made us feel at ease. Her team will go above and beyond to help you achieve your wedding vision. You will not be disappointed in anything Mantra has to offer!

wedding. The food was very delicious, the service was top notch, and the ambiance you created was unimaginable. Our guests were beyond happy with all of the types of food prospered. However, we remember a few more things other than the delicious food your team prepared. What made our experience most memorable was your compassion, understanding and treating us like you would family. It was very challenging to a plan a wedding during this pandemic, but you made it that much easier with your caring personality, going above and beyond expectations and being by our side for every single event, both at home and venue. Words cannot describe the impact you had on our wedding. People always say, “the best way to someone’s heart is through their stomach” and you certainly accomplished that. We are excited and happy to have created a relationship with you and look forward to Mantra being apart of our future memories. Love Anjali, Hiren, and the Ghayal-Pal Families

and passing of items for appetizers and the mango nada were well received. Secondly, Anu and team were very responsive in terms of communication for any questions or discussions leading up to the event. They also gave suggestions and recommendations for our event rather than just going with our ideas.

efinitely amazing and they put a twist on traditional Indian items. Even more than their food, their team went above and beyond to make everything so memorable for all of us. Their attention to detail, their creativity, and their overall passion for the events they cater are like no other. Mantra is by far the best Indian restaurant in the Midwest. We are so grateful to have had them as caterers for our 3 days of wedding events.

l the details from plating to timing to decorations were flawless. One of my guests had significant allergy restrictions and Anu and Kasia walked her through all the dishes to ensure she was safe and enjoyed the food.

easy to work with. Thank you so much for your service!

the end of the night! Thank you for helping make our events so fun!

great with a variety of choices. Everything was hot, perfect, and too the point. All my guests enjoyed it. Their staff service was great. I can also say as a nurse, all staff members used COVID precautions. Weddings are filled with friends, family, dance, and most important food and I would recommend Arun and Anu to of my family and friends!

s exceptional support and the food was truly amazing! Everyone raved about the food served at each event and they ensure no items were repeated and provided us the variety we requested! Having good food is essential for an Indian wedding and they definitely set high standards for our family and friends for future events! Will highly recommend Arun/Anu and their team to everyone!

ood was outstanding and the presentation was beautiful and very unique. It was not at all your typical Indian dinner buffet. To this day, people are still complimenting the high quality of food!