Royal bait al Mandi Canberra — Restaurant in District of Canberra Central

Negatives- We have booked for 7pm and when we arrived it was absolute chaos. No one knew what what going on. Waited 10 mins to be seated. Then waited another 15 mins for the order to be taken, after which we were told we have to order at the reception and pay.

There were people walking around in the restaurant trying to find any place they could to sit down. Children screaming and shouting as well. I understand it’s not the staff’s fault but surely dampens the whole experience.

Food took another 50 mins to arrive. Someone came to us and said they’ve run out of mutton and will replace it with chicken. We weren’t offered the difference in money, just had to cope it I suppose. By this time we were very hungry and almost thought of leaving.

I understand that it’s their opening night and as someone who’s worked in high end hospitality, opening nights are chaotic; but this was something else. They had around 5-6 people on the floor but no one seemed to know what to do. It seemed like the manager/owner has never run a restaurant.

Positives - The food itself was very nice. It was my first time having Mandi. I had heard a lot about the dish and wanted to try it.

The staff were very clearly overwhelmed but were warm and apologetic about the chaos. I can always appreciate good customer service!

Overall - I think with time they’ll get their operations right. The food is good and staff are great. I don’t see how this restaurant can’t be turned around. We should perhaps cut them some slack for their first night.

Will definitely give them...

We have just tried the mixed Mandi here, which included chicken, mutton leg, and fish fillet. Despite hearing mixed reviews, I decided to try it for myself. Mandi has been my favorite dish for years. Being from Hyderabad, I've tasted many varieties and even cooked it at home, resulting in one of the most flavorful and well-spiced dishes I've ever made.

From the moment we entered the restaurant, it was clear that service was not a priority. No one acknowledged us, which is unusual compared to other restaurants. Ordering was equally frustrating; we had to go to the desk ourselves, and even then, service was slow and indifferent. The staff seemed more interested in observing diners than actually helping them.

The taste of the food was highly disappointing. It lacked any real flavor and seemed like they had simply boiled rice in broth with an excessive amount of oil and salt. It was nothing like the balanced, flavorful Mandi I make at home. We ordered the mixed Mandi, which included a fish fillet, a chicken leg, and a mutton leg. Choosing the spicy option was a waste of money as it only came with a separate spicy sauce that I didn't even bother to open.

The restrooms and wash area were unhygienic, adding to the overall negative experience. When leaving, the rude receptionist asked how the food was with a fake smile. I hesitated, then lied and said 'Good,' just to avoid further conflict, despite how unpleasant the entire experience was.😏😞

You're better off traveling to Sydney to eat at Mata Al Mandi in Lakemba than having this Mandi...

A Heartfelt Thank You to Mr. Jawad of Royal Bait Al Mandi, Canberra

During a recent trip back to Sydney from the Snowy Mountains, my friends and I faced an unexpected and challenging situation—we hit a kangaroo around 45km before reaching Canberra. Our rental car was damaged, and though we managed to reach Canberra by 11:30 pm, we were stranded, with no accommodation available and no help from the rental or insurance companies until the following morning.

We parked near Royal Bait Al Mandi, a local restaurant in Canberra, to have dinner and regroup. It was there that we met Mr. Jawad, the owner, whose kindness and generosity left a lasting impression on all of us. Upon hearing about our situation, he didn’t hesitate to offer help. He arranged a place for us to stay that night and went above and beyond to help us secure another car so we could get home safely.

In a time when we felt helpless, Mr. Jawad extended a hand of genuine compassion and humanity. It’s not every day you come across someone who helps strangers with such sincerity—and we’re truly grateful for his support.

If you’re ever in Canberra—or even visiting from Sydney—I highly recommend stopping by Royal Bait Al Mandi. Not only is the food delicious and comforting, but it’s run by someone whose values and hospitality make it a truly special place.

Thank you once again, Mr. Jawad. You reminded us that kindness still exists...