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India Gate Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Indian Restaurants Pakistani Indian, Pakistani [Edit]
616 Robson StVancouver, BC V6B 2B9
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Granville Entertainment District
(604) 684-4617
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:30 am - 9:30 pm
Fri 11:30 am - 10 pm
Sat 12 pm - 10 pm
Sun 5 pm - 9:30 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
42 reviews for India Gate Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"Husband had the butter chicken and it was great too." In 5 reviews -
"The mattar paneer was perfect, and since I don't have the..." In 3 reviews -
"I especially liked the garlic naan, which was VERY garlicky." In 4 reviews
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42 reviews in English
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Review from Jenn C.
Downtown, Vancouver, BC
3/28/2012 2 Check-ins Here
mmmm DELICIOUS butter chicken! you gotta order it! one of the best i've had! for $15-17, you can have your favourite Indian Dish (butter chicken, chicken vindaloo, lamb curry, etc) and it comes with a big plate of rice! Oh! Don't forget to try their Vegetarian Samosas!!
we had such a friendly server, he smiled a lot when he came by and he always topped up our waters. The only 'bad' thing about this restaurant is probably its dated look - but that's about it! -
Review from Alice A.
4/7/2012
Prices are steep, the food is good but for that much money, you're probably better off eating elsewhere. There're many good indian restaurants in the lower mainland, but I guess downtown Vancouver does have slim pickings.
I had the vegetarian set and the fritters were my favourite. Everything else on the plate was just ok. The naan we ordered was too oily for my liking. The lamb roganjosh according to the bf was delightful, tender and just enough spicy. I thought it was all right. -
Review from Arnold P.
3/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
Lamb Vindaloo was a little too spicy to my liking. And I love spicy. I couldn't taste the flavour. For $11 during lunch I expected more, I'd pay only $8 for it. But the garlic naan bread was freshly baked and delicious
Service was good, they kept my water always full.
New Hardwood Floors! -
Review from Kathryn W.
Vancouver, BC
4/30/2012
We have tried other Indian restaurants and we always come back to India Gate. They are the best. If you have a problem, Gurmeet and Paul will always try and rectify it.
The prices are fair and comparable to other restaurant at their level. If you like spicy then they will make it spicy but you have to tell them. They can't read your mind. The washroom is always clean. This is a big plus as it is an indication of the cleanliness in the kitchen. This is a family that has been in business for years - 25 I think. If you are looking for an Indian Restaurant you won't find better. -
Review from Malloreigh M.
Vancouver, BC
11/30/2011
Well, this was quite nice. I've walked by this funny little Indian restaurant so many times and always meant to go in but it never really struck me as worth the trouble. Finally, though, I sat down at a table and ordered some grub. First impressions: grubby red carpet seems very old school; totally lethargic but chill staff member sat us at our table.
Service was a bit slow but quite friendly. I had the dahl soup; I wasn't feeling super famished. It was good. My companion had the vegetarian biryani, which was kinda underwhelming for the price - but filling, so he said!
I'll have to try their curries someday soon - that's where my real specialty in tasting lies. 'til then... this one is a three star. -
Review from Sid A.
10/11/2011
Because I am of Indian background, I am especially harsh on Indian restaurants. This place was not very good at all.
Walking in gave the feeling of cheapness, which would be okay if the food was cheap...but it isn't. After entering, the dishes are found to be between $15 - $17 each, and after just trying the Daal soups, I know that there is no way they are worth it. The soups weren't bad, but nothing special. The Keema Naan was tasteless, with no spice and no flavor.
At least the service was good. But unfortunately, Indian food aficionados like myself will have to look elsewhere for better quality food, ambiance, and value. -
Review from Amanda L.
11/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Stopped here for dinner last week, this place feels really run down, everything in the interior just lacks effort and is quite bland. The server was friendly but uncomfortably quiet.
It was a bit expensive and I was sick so I decided to share a meal with my dinner partner which worked out well because we were both full after.
We ordered the Paneer with tomatoes, peppers and onions and it was really good but didn`t have much in the way of spice which surprised me. -
Review from Peter K.
9/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
While visiting Vancouver, I ducked in here to get away from the rabid hockey fans on the streets.
The food was good and plentiful, but nothing to rave about relative to Indian food I've had elsewhere.
Service was attentive. And the atmosphere was comfortable, if not cozy.
Value was very good, as downtown Vancouver tends to be pricey. -
Review from Norah L.
Vancouver, BC
12/3/2011
The restaurant's kind of dated and in need of a makeover, however I have to say the food is very good and at the prices they charge it should be!! My group only ordered vegetarian dishes so obviously we can't comment on the meat ones. The paneer dishes were delicious, and the veggie korma was a big hit. Our naan was freshly baked. Service was slow, but the waiter was friendly.
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Review from Reena M.
12/31/2010 1 Check-in Here
The last time i came here was 8 years ago for a UBC club event we organized and it was a success! The food was great then, and it still is now.
A friend and I ordered take out from here because she lives nearby. I was happy to find that the food still tasted pretty good. However, I did think the prices were pretty high. But it sort of can be justified with the notion that rice is included with curries (whereas at other places it costs $3-$4). I don't like rice, however, so I ordered a naan. And that's where I was a bit disappointed because it tasted like it was a store made one rather than a fresh naan from the restaurant's own tandoor. And it wasn't that big either.
Well anyway, it's a decent Indian restaurant downtown (where there aren't many) and it does pretty well judging by the busy dining room and that they're still around 8 years later.Listed in: Sip & Grub in Downtown…
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Review from Mike S.
Vancouver, BC
11/19/2011
Difficult review here... Food - pretty darn good, the rest - pretty darn ok... I mean a yelp rating is more than just eats, right.... So, the food is really good,a 4 star for sure. The restaurant itself is a little dingy and the service is adequate. Probably a 3.5 star b/c of the food but man, a face lift, a smiling wait staff and this place would be numero uno...
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Review from Mark D.
3/6/2011
I have eaten here many times. For Vancouver, I consider it an average Indian restaurant. For San Francisco, it would be a very good Indian restaurant.
They make a good vindaloo. It has a nice touch of heat. Their samosa are good but not exceptional. and the same is true for their naan.
While the room is very basic, their service is always exceptional. They are super friendly and check back often to insure your experience is going well.
If I am in the neighborhood, I never hesitate to stop there for a bite. Plus, some of my friends really like the place.
Overall, I think they provide:
Good Food
Basic/Plain Ambiance
Exceptional Service -
Review from Harsha R.
11/16/2010
If first impressions count, this place will only get 3-stars from me. A 3-star rating implies in all likelihood, I'll not be returning here as I'm only visiting Vancouver. But I also doubt I'd recommend this to anyone else visiting Vancouver.
Not that the food was bad. I ordered the vegetarian thali. It started off with the strangest of salads I've ever had. Lettuce drenched in a chutney/sauce that was kind of tasty but at the same time weird!
The thali came with naan, rice, mutter paneer, alu gobi, dal, yogurt and a gulab jamun. The fare was good, and spicy. I'd have to say I enjoyed it. I initially felt one naan and the small scoop of rice will be insufficient. But it turned alright.
However, the service was very indifferent and that is keeping me from giving them an extra star. One of the waitress kept filling my water silently and regularly. But no one ever came to check on the food or how I was doing. Though I did notice other customers being checked upon and it seemed to me I was the only one being neglected. Hmmm. [Dining alone in a new city in a new country may have aggravated this feeling!] And it took like forever to get my check and have it cleared.
If not for the indifference.. Well, as it turns out, it can make a whole lot of difference.Listed in: Four Days in Vancouver
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Review from Cyrus G.
1/12/2011
Ok, I'm not as excited as everyone else on here, but I still enjoy going to India Gate. All the meals I've tried there are solid, the service is decent and you have to enjoy the decor that likely hasn't changed in 20 years.
I definitely recommend this place for lunch. -
Review from Danielle S.
6/18/2009
Absolutely delicious.
India Gate was my last gastronomical stop in Vancouver, and as a farewell dinner, it was the perfect send-off back to humid Houston. Leaving the city without doing Indian is close to sacrilege, so at least one meal was a must. My friends' recommendation was Vij's, and although it sounds splendid (and is an excuse to come back to Vancouver another time), I decided that I'd rather forego the fusion and spring for something more authentic. We trolled through the Yelp reviews of Indian here, and India Gate was one of the top choices. So away we went!
Tucked away on Robson Street, from the exterior, it might be hard to miss through its nondescript facade. Inside the decor seems to be a little bit dated, though not run-down or dirty. It's a funny contrast from the slick chain stores surrounding it, but as my friend observed, if they can afford to keep paying the rent in this posh area, it must be solid.
Deciding on an entree was excruciating. I love to eat Indian family-style because there's just so much goodness it's hard to narrow down what I want to just one thing. Some Indian restaurants in my neck of the woods offer meals that sample a little bit of several dishes, but I didn't see anything like that offered, so after seesawing through the menu I decided to go vegetarian and get the spinach and potatoes. I was able to customize my level of spiciness and chose "medium", since things that are too hot aren't particularly flavorful--if all I wanted was heat, I'd eat a habanero pepper!
Service was pleasant and our waiter was the cutest older gentleman who may have been the manager or owner. When my friend asked what she should get--the lamb curry or the lamb korma--he immediately told her to get the curry, because it was very authentic. I like that. None of this namby-pamby business about "oh, but EVERYTHING is good!" When my friend's boyfriend ordered the lamb korma, her other choice, he laughed and told him he was a smart man.
The food was phenomenal. My potato and spinach dish had the perfect amount of heat, and I was able to try bites from both my friends' plates. The lamb was sooo tender it practically melted in my mouth, and although one of them was ordered "hot", it wasn't on fire. I sampled some of my friend's garlic naan and was so impressed I ordered my own. All told we left for under $20 pre-tip for each dish, but it was well worth the price for the really delicious meals we ate.
At the end of the meal my Vancouverite friends remarked that they had a new Indian restaurant to add to their rotation. I'm still searching for the perfect traditional Indian restaurant in Houston, but if I lived in Vancouver, my search would be over!Listed in: Fun in Van-city
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Review from Joe B.
9/2/2008
living in North Oakland, just south of Berkeley, where we are incredibly spoiled for great, cheap Indian food, it's very hard for an Indian restaurant elsewhere to earn a 5-star rating from me, but India Gate pulled it off. The restaurant looks slightly out of place around Robson, where it seems like there's a cafe crepe on every corner and fancy shopping all around, but there it is, beckoning you to try it out. After all, there must be some reason they can thrive among bars and the the student-and-young-adult grab-and-go food in the area.
I had the vegetarian mixed dinner, which arrives on a huge Hungry Man style plate. The Naan was smooth and buttered with ghee to start out and to use for dipping. The papadum was just perfect, not too spicy and tided us over 'till the main course. The mattar paneer was perfect, and since I don't have the names of everything in front of me, I'll just have to say it was a perfect vegetarian meal. The little dessert cake was sweet but not overpowering.
We left feeling (a little too) full and spent a good two hours walking it off. But it was a GOOD full. Labor Day weekend was winding down, our vacation was coming to a close, and the streets were starting to thin out. A wonderful end to our vacation.Listed in: Vancouver for Yankees, or…
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Review from Katie F.
2/20/2010
3.5 stars but I'll round up since I'm in a good mood after our pre-game FIN-GER Olympic hockey meal!
Convenient location near the Bay and across from the Future Shop downtown. Near a Canada Line station.
Loud atmosphere and average service but food comes quickly. Prices are higher than expected for Indian curries (most are $17 each) but they do include rice (good portion for 2) and papadums. Just an FYI, they didn't bring our papadums until we asked for them - not sure if they were just so busy and forgot?
We had the meat samosas which were hot and fresh. They do the samosa style with the thin wrap and no potato filling... mmmm. A bit greasy. The raita is the thick style and quite tasty. Naan is below average. I didn't find it too greasy but it's quite "flat" - it's not as light as the good ones are. Hubby and I shared the butter chicken which was quite nice.
I found their spice ratings on the conservative side. Whenever I go to a place for the first time, I pick "medium" to be safe. Their medium is quite mild, so if you like more heat, I'd recommend moving up at least to medium hot or hot.
All in all, an enjoyable meal but a bit pricey IMHO for Indian food considering the basic decor and average service. -
Review from Sean R.
Vancouver, BC
3/30/2009
My review may be a little bias as I know the owners, but I must say I have tried a lot of India restaurants in Vancouver and this is definitely one of the best. I have not had better pakoras anywhere else in the city! Crispy, not too much batter and a nice sauce... mmm, mm, mm. They have lots of options for both veg and non-veg. My favorites are the palak paneer, buhna chicken, tandoori chicken and a mango lassi to wash it down.
The service here is also very good which to be honest is sometimes lacking at India restaurants. The owners and servers are very friendly and attentive and they even offer your food at different levels of "hotness" which is good as not everyone likes their food spicy or vice versa.
Definitely at good choice if your in the mood for India food. =) -
Review from Jason T.
Vancouver, BC
1/1/2010
I am a fan of ethnic foods and this place was a big disappointment. I ordered delivery for a hockey game and was excited when it arrived. While we were eating the flavors were OK. We had the butter chicken and the chickpea curry with spinach naan and a side of rice.
The 2 kickers for this place were the gut-wrenching stomach ache that followed, the diarrhea and the price $39.
I don't recommend this place nor would I eat there again. -
Review from Janessa P.
3/11/2009
Good. Filling. Vegetarian. Cheap.
Those 4 things are pretty much all I want in Indian food, and India Grill supplies the first 3 quite well.Listed in: Le Vancouver, BC
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Review from Lee R.
2/28/2010
We went here today since we were downtown for the Olympics. It is a great location right in the middle of everything. We were one of two tables when we arrived. Within 30 minutes, half the restaurant was full.
Our server was not very nice. He was old and grouchy. He took our order and never said a word. Not a single word. Maybe he does not like Americans??
Our food and drinks were fine, but nothing special. Actually, their naan seemed like it was made in advance and just heated up. I think that is lame for an Indian restaurant. And if they did make it when we ordered it, they could use a lesson or two on how to make better naan. -
Review from Molly W.
Updated - 8/11/2009
My boyfriend and I went here for lunch today. We ordered two chicken curry lunch specials with soup, and two papadums.
The papadums are tasty and come with what tastes like a mango chutney for dipping.
The soup was a lentil chicken soup with this thick, green, creamy broth. It was absolutely divine. The broth's thickness was reminiscent of chowder. It was warm, smooth, and mild. It was the kind of soup that anyone home with a cold would appreciate. I slurped it up happily until our food came.
We each got one drumstick and one wing/breast smothered in a smooth, creamy curry.
The chicken. Oh god the chicken. It was so moist, so tender, so "joosy and devine" as the poster in Vera's on Davie says. Merely prodding the drumstick caused slivers of fresh, delectable meat to peel away from the bone.
I ate like a starving man. It was heavenly. Filling, but not stuffing. The rice is comparable to Yummy Teriyaki's fried rice -- crack in food form.
On top of that, the lunch special was only $8 each. I'm so glad we were in that part of downtown for lunch today!Listed in: Tastiest Places in The 'Couve
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/12/2008
I LOVE this place! The portions are great, all the food is so well done and delicious. I get the… Read more »
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Review from Nivasha H.
6/30/2009
Another Texan chiming in to say what a wonderful place India Gate is! Instead of our farewell dinner, it was our first meal in Vancouver - and what a meal it was!
I don't know how much my review will be tainted after eating nothing but "cruise food" for a week, but this meal was memorable (in a great way).
The owner/manager is an older, hilarious gentleman who claimed that the "medium" level of spiciness was "for babies" - well after that challenge, we ordered our food extra hot and we weren't disappointed.
The bhuna chicken was flavorful and the chicken, tender. Husband had the butter chicken and it was great too.
Thanks Yelp for a great heads up on India Gate! -
Review from Yoony P.
11/26/2009
The long and short of this place is: It's yummy but pricey!
The food was tasty and upon ordering we were asked how hot we wanted the food (a nice touch!)
All dishes came with a healthy serving of rice making the decision to order naan a bit easier. I love naan, but i didn't want a carb overload.
Our dinner for three consisted of 3 curries, one appetizer, and 1/2 litre of house red for 78.00 with taxes. I believe most of the entrees had a price point of about seventeen dollars. A bit steep in my opinion for a casserole of curry and a plate of rice.
During the meal we were asked several times if everything was to our satisfaction. At the end of the meal they cleared our table away but did not impose the bill on us until we asked them to--there was some serious girltalk going on!
Though the flavours and service were good, I may have to search elsewhere for Indian food next time. -
Review from Teunis D.
Vancouver, BC
12/9/2010
Wen't here based on other yelp reviews, always on the lookout for a good lunch spot nearby gastown.
All I can say is this place is great! Very good quality Indian food and very reasonable. The waitstaff are all wonderful. I'm amazed they aren't more crowded at lunch. I particularly love the saag chicken. -
Review from David T.
8/28/2010
Three years ago, when I was on a business trip in Vancouver, I got take-out from this restaurant, twice! I must say that it was the best Indian food that I have ever had! The spiciness and flavor of the chicken I got was perfect; not too hot and not too mild. The garlic naan was really good, too.
I should also point out that I did not have to wait too long for my food, and the man who served me was very nice and professional. I believe he was a manager or owner.
I have not been back recently, and so I can only hope that this restaurant is still in business and is just as good as when I last ordered from there. -
Review from Wes Y.
12/18/2009
The food here was alright. I had no complaints as far as their food goes - an extensive vegetarian menu like many Indian places.. the dishes from which turned out fine. I am a fan of spicy and so ordered the foods extra hot. Some places, when asked for spicy, give you food with nothing but spicy where you can't taste anything else. Their food was just spicy enough to give me what I want while being able to explore the different and definitely interesting tastes I look for in Indian food.
The service really wasn't anything exceptional but I got enough to get what I needed I guess. To be very anal, it did take a long time to get my bill, but I don't get picky like that so I had no huge problems. -
Review from Brett C.
Toronto, ON
6/13/2009
Food was good, albeit a little pricey (but it is downtown, so I didn't expect cheap). Staff was friendly. But the decor is just weird (do they really need that raised spot in the middle of the men's restroom?!?).
Oh, and if some family comes to the window to read the menu, raps on the glass to point something out and the noise catches your attention, the family comes in to eat, the staff asks whether they want to eat by the window or not, and you accidentally say "sit them by the window!" loudly in a joking manner as if you want them to suffer the same fate as you did when they knocked on the glass, the staff won't be able to look you in the eye without smiling. You would think that is a good thing to do towards a customer, but apparently it causes at least one member of the staff to avoid eye contact for the entirety of your meal. -
Review from Jenn W.
12/2/2008
India Gate has been my second choice Indian takeout for quite a while (first choice place sometimes can't deliver) & I was always impressed by their samosas, disappointed by their naan, and overall pleased with the warm spicy fullness in my belly.
A couple of weeks ago we had plans to go out and try several places in Mount Pleasant, but it was nasty and cold and wet out and we were just not rallying. Instead we decided to walk around the corner & try India Gate's Vegetarian Thali.
Unfortunately, most of the platter was pretty sub par; the mattar paneer and alo gobi weren't anything special. The tarka dal though was amazing, and I'll always be sure to order it for takeout now - if I ever order Indian again! It was so good that it inspired me to make it at home & for the past couple of weeks I've been cooking Indian dishes nightly.
So the food is hit & miss, and a bit overpriced (as are the drinks - full bar) - but the staff are friendly and it's a good option if you aren't willing to leave downtown for your Indian food fix. -
Review from Maria C.
4/4/2010
Went here during the opening weekend of the Winter 2010 Olympics and my boyfriend had been raving that Vancouver has great Indian food. Fail.
PROS: Service was good and the food was decent. The only thing that I can rave about coming here was the dessert. I had the Gulab Jamun w/ Kheer - my mouth is salivating just thinking about it.
CONS: Butter chicken is my all time favorite Indian dish and I wasn't too impressed with theirs. I have had much better back home in San Jose. It's not that it wasn't good, just that I've had better.
FINAL ANSWER: Worth going because the food is good, service is fast, and is conveniently located downtown in the Robson area. -
Review from jeff n.
4/29/2011
i went here for the first time recently. the food was pretty good, just over priced for an average place. we were there at 8pm. it's a big single room for probably 80 people, and i think there were maybe 6 other diners in there with us. that was a little worrisome as we sat down.
the chicken tikka masala was just fine -- it had a nice sauce. when just a few pieces of chicken for 17$, it really should be clean white meat, in my book. the mixed vegetables with spices dish was fine too.
i'm not sure exactly the cause, but the naan seemed pretty lardy or heavy somehow.
it might not be a fair comparison, but in la, food would be half the price and have a little more zing.
service was great. -
Review from matthew k.
7/24/2011
I recently went here because we bought a coupon through Living Social prior to visiting Vancouver. The food was fantastic and the the service was very attentive. We ordered Butter Chicken and the Garlic Nan. Very Tasty. The coolest thing was that they gave us anise at the end of the meal to cleanse the pallet. I never had anise before and thought it was quite reminiscent of black liquorice. I would recommend this restaurant to locals or any people that are in town visiting.
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Review from Brad H.
Vancouver, BC
1/28/2010
No frills... I do take out here on the Lamb Korma, which is the best in the city... prices have been trending up the but portions are generous...
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Review from Sophia A.
3/19/2010
THE BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT IN VANCOUVER!
A little pricey but the food is excellent! (I'm Pakistani and British, I know good Indian food!)
We came here plenty of times when we lived in Vancouver, and delicious everytime - tender and not fatty lamb, flavourful chicken, not over run with chilli. Service is great too - just bear in mind this is an authentic indian restaurant with Indian waiters and some of them are not so up on their english - but they are great at memorising your order! (no pen and paper!). They do a great lunch combo special which is well priced (and the restaurant does get busy, so plan ahead).
Now I'm in San Francisco so far all the Indian Food is like curry from a jar... we miss India Gate! -and Vancouver :( -
Review from Terence L.
5/28/2010
Had the combo platter which included Lamb, Beef, Chicken and Curry and ordered a side of Garlic Naan. Food was pretty good, but prices on the menu seemed kinda pricey for Indian food. Service was decent and waiters/waitresses were friendly although one of them didn't speak english and when I asked for a straw, she brought a pitcher of water :)
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Review from Jeff K.
6/17/2009
Been here a few times - Food is pretty good, although the prices have gone up a bit. It is a close place to eat near Robson shopping. My wife actually got sick here once.
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Review from Star S.
Vancouver, BC
4/24/2011
I have absolutely no problem throwing down $18 for a meal...if it's good. I realize too that the location of this place also makes the food expensive. Living in Vancouver, I try at least one new restaurant a week and let me tell you, this is definitely one you should pass by, ESPECIALLY if you're just visiting. Vancouver is filled with good eats, don't waste your time or money here. The food is average and not worth the price, which could explain why there was no one there at 7pm on a beautiful Saturday evening. We only went because we had a Groupon, and it was still very expensive and not worth it. We definitely won't be going there again.
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Review from Allyson F.
2/18/2010
Maybe it was because it was the Olympics and possibly because I'm not that familiar with Vancouver, but overall I thought this place was great. The prices were a little bit high, but we had fantastic service and the food was tasty. I especially liked the garlic naan, which was VERY garlicky.
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Review from Darren W.
Vancouver, BC
9/3/2010
Stumbled across this place after reading the reviews here and am writing to confirm that this place is very decent. Excellent curries (the vegetarian curry was my favourite). Portion sizes are quite large and I definitely left feeling stuffed. A must try!
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Review from Deepa B.
10/29/2009
I probably went here with very high expectations based on the Yelp rating and therefore came out quite disappointed. The food and service is just ok - nothing exceptional.
