Garlic Clove Indian Restaurant — Restaurant in Gold Coast City

If ever there was a restaurant that could simultaneously delight and infuriate, Garlic Clove Indian Restaurant in Ormeau is it. Let’s start with the food: it is, quite simply, exceptional. The curries are rich, deeply spiced, and lovingly prepared, with each mouthful reminding you why this place once had a sterling reputation. Years ago, their onion bhaji set a benchmark for Indian starters, and I’m pleased to report that the kitchen still delivers on flavour and authenticity. The food is so good, it almost makes you forget everything else. Almost.

But the service and atmosphere? An utter shambles. On a frigid 12°C night, the double doors were propped wide open, letting a biting draft sweep through the empty dining room. The staff’s justification? Apparently, attracting hypothetical new customers is more important than the comfort of the actual paying ones. This logic is baffling in 2025, especially when the only other table was similarly bundled up, shivering through dinner. The ambiance was further sabotaged by a bizarre soundtrack—think relentless 70s disco funk interrupted by a repetitive glockenspiel and bongo loop, and, inexplicably, an alarm going off mid-meal. The waiter, dressed more for a trip to the shops than for table service, seemed to take pride in misunderstanding requests, adding an unwelcome edge to the evening. To cap it off, we were charged for plastic takeaway containers—a petty move that left a sour taste after an otherwise delicious meal. “How a business with such extraordinary food can sabotage its own reputation with such poor service and disregard for patrons is absolutely perplexing.” In summary: • Food: Outstanding, as always. • Atmosphere: Freezing, noisy, and uncomfortable. • Service: Casual to the point of careless, with a side of attitude. • Value: Diminished by nickel-and-diming on takeaway containers. If you’re ordering takeaway, you’ll enjoy some of the best Indian food on the Gold Coast. But if you’re dining in, bring a coat, earplugs, and a healthy dose of patience—you’ll...

EDIBLE BUT NOT ENJOYABLE

Food 3/10 It took a while to get a semi correct meal however we will start from there. The chicken tikka masala was unlike any other we have ever tried before. It had a foul underlying taste that ruined the entire curry itself that can only be described as almost plastic like. The chicken itself was over cooked and dry. The kadai however was alright, the chicken was succulent and the flavour was pleasant. The naan was very thin and crispy and lacked in both garlic and cheese flavour, however the portion of naan was very large. We had ordered coconut rice, however we received saffron that was so over cooked you could tell simply by looking at it. It was actually putrid and couldn’t be eaten. Onion bahjis were rank. The onion had not been peeled correctly so some of the skin remained inside the large flavourless burnt bahjis.

Service 5/10 The service was slow however this was not the young girls fault. They were friendly and were trying hard, it was clear that they had not been given adequate training though. We received the wrong curries and naan to start, the girls noticed and came to correct the mistake, when we got our new curries the rice was forgotten about. We then asked and received the incorrect rice. Perhaps if their boss was looking after the brand new girls and showing them how to serve they could do a better job and make tips.

Atmosphere 4/10 There were only couples in the restaurant tonight, a lower lighting and perhaps some quiet music in the background could take away from the sound of the cars in the car park. Also having the waitresses meet you at the door and take you to a table immediately instead of awkwardly walking through not sure if you need to wait to be seated or just pick your own table. Didn’t enjoy seeing what I can only assume was the boss sitting down on her phone in the restaurant at a table.

Overall I would give the restaurant a 3.5 out of 10. I wouldn’t recommend it and I wouldn’t...

Title: A Disastrous Experience at Garlic and Cloves Indian Restaurant

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

I recently had the misfortune of dining at Garlic and Cloves Indian Restaurant, and I must say that it was a truly disappointing and unsatisfactory experience. From the moment I walked in until the time I left, everything about this place left a bitter taste in my mouth, and it wasn't just the food.

First and foremost, the service was abysmal. It took an eternity for the food.

Moving on to the food, I can confidently say that it was one of the worst Indian meals I have ever had. The dishes lacked any depth of flavor or authenticity. The curries were bland and tasted like they had been watered down. The naan bread was dry and stale, completely devoid of the soft and fluffy texture that makes it so enjoyable. The appetizers were greasy and lacked any real taste or texture. It felt like they were using low-quality ingredients or cutting corners in their preparation.

The portion sizes were also ridiculously small for the exorbitant prices they charged. I left the restaurant feeling hungry and unsatisfied, as if I had wasted my hard-earned money on an empty meal.

In addition to the terrible food and lackluster service, the ambiance was far from inviting. The lighting was harsh and overly bright, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere. The decor was outdated and uninspiring, adding to the overall lack of charm and appeal.

Overall, my experience at Garlic and Cloves Indian Restaurant was nothing short of a disaster. From the poor service to the lackluster food and unpleasant atmosphere, this place left a lasting negative impression on me. I would strongly advise anyone looking for an authentic and enjoyable dining experience to steer clear of this establishment. There are far better Indian restaurants out there that truly value their customers and take pride in...