Friday night, the fridge is empty and nobody wants to cook. You open the menu for your favourite Indian takeaway Amsterdam spot and hit the same question every time: do you grab a set menu and be done with it, or build your own order dish by dish?
There is no single right answer. It depends on how many people you are feeding, how adventurous everyone feels and whether you care more about value or variety. This guide walks through both options using the real menu at Shah Jahan, our family-run Indian restaurant in the Jordaan, so you can order with confidence next time.
What counts as a set menu at an Indian takeaway?
A set menu is a fixed, per-person meal that takes you from starter to dessert. At Shah Jahan, every set menu follows the same shape: a starter, one or two mains, pilau rice, a naan and a bowl of kheer (a creamy Indian rice pudding) to finish.
Here is what is currently listed on our Thuisbezorgd menu, priced per person:
| Set menu | What you get | Price |
| Shahjahan menu | Samosa, chicken tikka, lamb bhuna, pilau rice, naan, kheer | €35.00 |
| Mumtaz menu | Onion bhaji, chicken tikka masala, palak paneer, pilau rice, naan, kheer | €34.00 |
| Fish menu | Samosa, fish tikka tandoori, aloo matter, rice, naan, kheer | €35.00 |
| Vegetarian menu | Onion bhaji, paneer makhani, aloo matter, pilau rice, naan, kheer | €31.00 |
| Children’s menu | Dal soup, butter chicken, rice or naan, kheer | €26.00 |
[CONFIRM WITH CLIENT: Prices above are from Thuisbezorgd on 30 September 2026. Confirm whether prices for direct collection from the restaurant are the same.]
The names are a nod to history. Shah Jahan was the Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal for Mumtaz Mahal, and the rich, spiced cooking of his court shaped much of what we now call Mughlai cuisine, including biryani and creamy, nut-based curries.
What does ordering individual dishes look like?
Ordering à la carte means you pick exactly what you want from the full menu: starters, soups, curries, tandoori grills, biryani, vegetable dishes and sides. A few favourites from our menu on Uber Eats give you a feel for pricing:
- Starters: samosa €6.50, onion bhajee €6.50, chicken pakora €7.00, tandoori mix starters (chicken, lamb and king prawn) €13.00
- Sharing starter: the Shah Jahan Platter, a chef’s selection of starters for two, €16.00
- Soups: dal soup, mulligatawny or yakhni, each €5.95
- Curries: butter chicken €21.50, chicken tikka masala €20.50
- Vegetarian: palak paneer €18.00, mixed vegetable curry €16.50
Our tandoori specialities, such as the mixed grill (€22.00), tandoori chicken (€16.00) and chicken tikka tandoori (€17.00), are listed in our main dishes menu and come with rice and a vegetable curry sauce.
[CONFIRM WITH CLIENT: Uber Eats prices checked 30 September 2026. Confirm (1) whether they match collection prices and (2) whether curries ordered à la carte include rice or rice is charged separately.]
Set menu vs individual dishes: side-by-side
| Set menu | Individual dishes | |
| Best for | Solo diners, couples, first-timers, busy weeknights | Groups, regulars, adventurous eaters, specific cravings |
| Decision time | Almost none | More, but fully in your control |
| Courses | Starter, main(s), rice, naan and dessert included | Only what you add |
| Variety across a table | Everyone eats a similar meal | Each person adds something different to share |
| Dietary needs | Vegetarian, fish and children’s options ready to go | Easier to avoid specific ingredients dish by dish |
| Budget | Fixed, predictable price per person | Can be cheaper or dearer depending on what you pick |
When a set menu is the smarter choice
You are ordering for one or two people
A set menu gives one person a full meal with a starter, a main, rice, bread and dessert, without over-ordering. The Mumtaz menu is a good example: it pairs a creamy chicken tikka masala with palak paneer, so you get a meat curry and a vegetable curry in a single order.
It is your first time ordering Indian food
If names like bhuna, makhani or aloo matter mean little to you yet, a set menu does the curating for you. Each one is built to balance a dry starter, a saucy main and something cooling at the end.
You want a predictable bill
With a fixed price per person, a set menu makes it easy to budget, especially when you are ordering for several people and splitting the bill.
You have a vegetarian or a child at the table
The vegetarian menu (onion bhaji, paneer makhani and aloo matter) and the children’s menu (dal soup and butter chicken) take the guesswork out of feeding mixed households. Butter chicken is a mild, creamy dish that tends to suit younger or more cautious eaters. If you want to know why it wins so many fans, read our guide to the best butter chicken in Amsterdam.
When ordering individual dishes makes more sense
You are feeding a group
Indian food is made for sharing. With four or more people, ordering a spread of different curries, a tandoori grill and a biryani, then sharing rice and breads across the table, often gives more variety than four near-identical set meals.
You already know your favourites
Regulars usually know exactly what they want: a lamb vindaloo, a mixed grill or a chicken hariyali in its spinach, mint and cashew sauce. À la carte lets you order that and skip what you do not need.
You want to control spice levels
Spice levels can be adjusted to your taste when you order dish by dish. Let us know how hot or mild you like it and the kitchen will adapt.
[CONFIRM WITH CLIENT: Confirm spice levels can be adjusted for takeaway orders, including orders placed through delivery apps.]
You have allergies or specific dietary needs
Ordering individually makes it easier to steer clear of certain ingredients. In the Netherlands, restaurants must tell customers about 14 allergens, including gluten, milk, nuts and sesame. Many of our dishes, such as samosas and paneer dishes, contain lactose, and several curries use cashews or almonds. Our team can help with any dietary requirements, so please ask before you order.
A simple rule of thumb
- 1 to 2 people: go for a set menu each. You get a complete meal and dessert with no leftovers to worry about.
- 3 people: mix it up. Order one or two set menus, then add a different curry or a tandoori dish to share.
- 4 or more people: go à la carte. Start with the Shah Jahan Platter or tandoori mix starters, add one curry per person plus a biryani, and share rice and naan.
- Mixed group with a vegetarian or child: order their set menu, then build the rest of the table’s order dish by dish.
How to build a balanced à la carte order
If you go your own way, a well-balanced Indian takeaway usually includes:
- A shared starter or two. Something crispy, such as onion bhajee or pakora, or a mixed tandoori starter.
- A range of curries. Mix a creamy one (butter chicken or korma) with a richer or spicier one (bhuna or vindaloo) and a vegetable dish (palak paneer or dal).
- Something from the tandoor. Grilled dishes add smoky flavour and texture. Learn more about the clay oven in our post From Tandoor to Table.
- Enough bread and rice. Freshly baked naan from the tandoor is essential for scooping up sauce.
- Something sweet. Kheer or kulfi is a cooling finish after a spicy meal.
[CONFIRM WITH CLIENT: Recommended number of naan and rice portions per person for a sharing order.]
Tips for a better Indian takeaway in Amsterdam
- Order a little early at weekends. Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest times for delivery across the city.
- Collect if couriers are busy. Delivery apps sometimes switch to collection only at peak times, so picking up your order from the restaurant in the Jordaan can be quicker.
- Store leftovers properly. Curries often taste even better the next day. The Dutch Nutrition Centre, Voedingscentrum, advises letting leftovers cool, keeping them covered in the fridge at 4°C and eating them within two days, or freezing them for longer.
- Make it a night in, not just a meal. Set the table, warm the plates and share everything family style. It is the closest thing to eating in the restaurant.
Why order from Shah Jahan?
Shah Jahan is a family-owned Indian restaurant that has served Amsterdam for over 20 years. You will find us at Eerste Anjeliersdwarsstraat 18, in the heart of the Jordaan, one of the city’s most charming neighbourhoods. Our kitchen cooks traditional North Indian dishes with fresh ingredients, traditional spices and family recipes, and our menu covers vegetarian, vegan and meat dishes.
It is the reason so many guests keep coming back, something we explore in what makes an Indian restaurant in Amsterdam worth visiting again and again.
You can order takeaway or delivery through Thuisbezorgd or Uber Eats, or contact us directly on +31 20 624 0122.
[CONFIRM WITH CLIENT: (1) Opening and takeaway hours. Uber Eats shows 17:00 to 22:30, while Thuisbezorgd shows opening at 16:00. (2) Whether customers can phone ahead for collection. (3) Whether there is a direct online ordering page on shah-jahan.nl to link here.]
Frequently asked questions
Are set menus better value than ordering individual dishes?
For one or two people, usually yes, because a set menu bundles a starter, main, rice, naan and dessert into one per-person price. For larger groups sharing several curries, ordering individual dishes can work out just as well and gives more variety.
Does Shah Jahan have a vegetarian set menu?
Yes. The vegetarian menu includes onion bhaji, paneer makhani, aloo matter, pilau rice, naan and kheer for dessert.
Is there a children’s menu for takeaway?
Yes. The children’s menu includes dal soup, butter chicken, rice or naan, and kheer.
Can I order Shah Jahan takeaway for delivery?
Yes. Shah Jahan is available on Thuisbezorgd and Uber Eats. At busy times, the apps may offer collection only.
Can I ask for a dish to be made milder or spicier?
Many dishes can be adjusted to your preferred spice level. Mention it when you order.
How long can I keep leftover curry?
The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping leftovers covered in the fridge for up to two days, or freezing them if you want to keep them longer.
Final thoughts
Choosing between a set menu and individual dishes comes down to who is at the table. Set menus are quick, complete and easy on the budget for smaller orders, while à la carte gives groups and regulars the freedom to share and explore. Whichever you choose, your next Indian takeaway in Amsterdam should feel like a proper meal, not just a quick fix.
Ready to order? Get in touch with Shah Jahan or find us on your favourite delivery app tonight.