Classic Curry Indian Restaurant Melbourne — Restaurant in Melbourne

Let me preface this review by clarifying one critical fact: I am not a food snob. I am a flavor realist. When I order butter chicken, I expect butter chicken not a sugar-soaked poultry soup with the consistency of failed tomato broth and the emotional depth of a vending machine meal.

Now, onto Classic Curry Indian Restaurant, which I visited solely because EatClub dangled a modest discount in front of me like a carrot before a highly intelligent but financially prudent rabbit. Spoiler: the only thing classic about this establishment is how it manages to serve a dish so far removed from tradition that it deserves its own documentary titled “Butter Chicken: The Great Betrayal.”

Let’s dissect this gastronomic misadventure scientifically.

Flavor Profile (or lack thereof): Traditionally, butter chicken is an opulent dance of butter, cream, tomatoes, and spices a culinary quartet that sings. What I received, however, was a lukewarm lullaby. It was sweet offensively sweet, in fact. As if someone dropped a tablespoon of sugar into the pot and thought, “Voilà! Curry.” The only spice present was the burning sensation of my regret. It was more reminiscent of a dessert curry served in an alternate universe where Indian food is reinterpreted by retired pastry chefs with spice allergies.

Gravy Consistency: Let us speak now of the so-called “gravy.” This was not gravy. This was liquid. It had the texture of mildly spiced tomato water and the stickability of melted ice. I could have performed fluid dynamics experiments on it in fact, I nearly did, because it exhibited laminar flow rather than any viscosity indicative of a well-prepared curry. It slipped off the rice, ignored the naan, and insulted the very concept of surface tension.

Chicken Quantity: I paid $14 (minus EatClub's intervention, which prevented a full-scale meltdown), and in return, I received what can only be described as a scavenger hunt for protein. If there were any fewer chicken pieces, I would’ve reported the dish missing and filed a police report. The chicken that did show up to the party was overcooked and clearly had no interest in being there.

Conclusion: Three stars and this rating is given not out of generosity, but because the dish was technically edible, and because I paid less than full price thanks to EatClub, whom I now consider the real MVP of the experience.

If you are someone who equates sweetness with substance, you may survive this experience. However, if you, like me, possess functioning taste receptors and a minimal understanding of what butter chicken should taste like, I recommend you take your business to an establishment where the butter chicken contains more butter...

Restaurant Review: A Homely Haven of Culinary Delights

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

CLASSIC CURRY offers a dining experience that takes you back to the comforting embrace of home-cooked meals. Run by a delightful couple, this unassuming eatery at 597 Elizabeth St, Melbourne provides exceptional food and service without any pretentiousness or excessive flair.

The entree and main course dishes at CLASSIC CURRY were simply amazing. With minimal oil and a perfect balance of flavors, each bite felt like a nostalgic journey to a home kitchen. The absence of extra spices allowed the natural taste of the ingredients to shine through. It was refreshing to savor a meal that mirrored the simplicity and authenticity of a homemade feast.

The owners of CLASSIC CURRY truly excel in providing warm and attentive service. From the moment you enter, you are greeted with genuine smiles and a personalized touch. The couple's passion for their craft is evident in their interactions with patrons, creating an atmosphere that feels like dining among family.

In terms of ambiance, it offers a cozy setting that invites you to relax and savor the experience. There are no unnecessary frills or fancy decorations, allowing the focus to remain on the food itself. It truly feels like you're enjoying a meal at home, surrounded by warmth and comfort.

If you're yearning for a dining experience that feels like a taste of home, CLASSIC CURRY is the place to be. With its exceptional food, heartfelt service, and welcoming owners, it stands out as a haven for those seeking a break from the usual fancy and expensive restaurants. Give yourself the pleasure of enjoying a delightful meal that feels like it was prepared just for you, with...

In short, This is THE WORST restaurant. Block it or blacklist it, there should not be any other choice. They just ruined my weekend by serving me such a pathetic meal. I ordered Chicken Biryani, Garlic naan, Matar paneer and Chicken Josh for home delivery today. I am writing this review soon after throwing the food away.

Chicken Biryani - THE WORST BIRYANI YOU CAN EVER HAVE. They served Yellow Jeera Rice with tandoori chicken pieces, no biryani masala, just plain yellow jeera rice with chicken pieces. Not even dog grade food. As you can imagine AWFUL TASTE!!

I called up the restaurant, complained about the pathetic biryani, the lady said " people come back to us stating that the biryani is not good AT ALL, and we tell them that there is a problem in the menu, actually its fried rice. We are still in the process of changing the menu." "Misleading". AND, How on earth its chicken FRIED RICE??

No apologies, nothing! The lady was not even in her senses I guess while talking.

Garlic naan - Pathetic. These naans were cooked on tawa, not in Tandoor!!

Matar Paneer - Soggy, they served 2 din puraana paneer with added fresh peas.

Chicken Josh - Not as mentioned on their website. It was not cooked in yogurt at all. it AGAIN had tandoori chicken pieces in RAW onion gravy. Cherry on the cake - They served the same gravy from Chicken Josh as a side with their SO CALLED chicken biryani aka fried rice. LOL!

Very Expensive and Worst...