Albany Indian Tandoori Restaurant — Restaurant in Albany

We recently dined at Albany Tandoori and found the food to be very flavoursome and enjoyable. On arrival we were greeted warmly and shown to our table, which set a good tone for the evening.

There were, however, some areas that could use improvement. For a table of five, only two dinner menus were available (both quite worn) and just one drinks menu — which only listed wines by the bottle. If wines by the glass were available, it wasn’t clear, and there was no mention of soft drinks at all — we had to assume they might have them. We were also asked twice for drinks almost immediately after sitting down, despite two of our party not yet arriving. Once we ordered, the kids enjoyed their drinks, and we had a bottle of West Cape Howe SSB and two glasses.

Service around the wine was disappointing. The cooler was placed awkwardly on the edge of the table, I was asked to lift the bottle myself for confirmation, and it was never presented or opened by staff — something I’d expect as standard in a licensed venue.

For food, we ordered three entrées to share, followed by five mains with rice, garlic naan, and chutneys. While the dishes themselves were excellent, the way they were served left something to be desired. Despite us leaving space in the middle of the table, food was placed on the edge (even on my phone at one point), leaving us to shuffle dishes into position ourselves so staff could set down the next plate.

The atmosphere was what you’d expect from a good Indian restaurant — lively and welcoming — but unfortunately our daughters asked to leave due to the state of the female toilets, where one light wasn’t working and the other was barely glowing.

Overall, Albany Tandoori is not a bad place to eat — in fact, the flavours and atmosphere could make it an epic dining spot — but the service, menu presentation, and attention to detail really need to lift to match the quality...

We booked a table for a group of 9 at 8:00 pm and arrived on time. Unfortunately, despite our booking, we were not seated until 9:10 pm, which set a difficult tone for the evening.

While our food order had been taken during the wait and the dishes arrived reasonably on time once we were seated, there were several service issues throughout:

Plates were initially brought to the table but then taken back as they had not been properly cleaned.

We waited around 15 minutes for cutlery, and when we asked, we were told it was still being washed. Some of the cups provided for tea were also dirty and had to be replaced.

Drinks were delayed, with some arriving only when we were already halfway through the meal, and the final drink arriving when we had nearly finished.

When we asked to adjust the table setting (as the arrangement made conversation and dining difficult for our group), the request was not accommodated and the explanations given felt unhelpful but she did it at the end.

At the end of the meal, the lady at the counter apologised, which I appreciated. However, the explanation given—that the booking was made later in the day and that some the staff members were new—did not feel like a fair reason for the multiple issues we experienced. We were offered three complimentary naan breads and a pot of tea, which was thoughtful, but did not make up for the overall disappointment.

The food itself was fine, fairly average, but the overall experience was well below expectations. What should have been a special dinner with family instead left us frustrated and let down, especially as this was part of our holiday in Albany.

I won’t be returning to this restaurant, and I share this review simply to reflect my...

During our recent visit to Albany Indian Tandoori Restaurant, we had the pleasure of indulging in a delightful vegetarian dining experience that highlighted both authenticity and quality. The Dal Makhani was the standout dish – luxuriously creamy, slow-cooked to perfection, and infused with a depth of flavors that reflected traditional North Indian preparation. It carried a subtle smokiness and a balance of spices that elevated the lentils without overpowering them. Complementing this, the Chilli Garlic Naan was freshly prepared in the tandoor, soft yet slightly crisp at the edges, with just the right kick of chilli and the aroma of roasted garlic. The Jeera Rice was light, fluffy, and fragrant with cumin, pairing harmoniously with the richness of the dal. As a starter, the Pappadum provided a crisp and savory introduction to the meal, adding a textural contrast to the dishes that followed. Service was courteous and efficient, with staff attentive to detail, ensuring a pleasant dining experience from start to finish. Portion sizes were generous, and the presentation of each dish was simple yet elegant, keeping the focus on flavor. Overall, Albany Indian Tandoori Restaurant offers an excellent vegetarian selection, executed with authenticity and care. For those seeking a refined yet comforting Indian dining experience in Albany, this establishment is well...