Divine Darbar — Restaurant in Melbourne

Divine Darbar is a delightful addition to Lygon Street, bringing a taste of India to Carlton. From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted with a welcoming, casual ambiance that feels just like home. The service is incredibly warm and attentive, making you feel like part of the family.

We had the pleasure of trying a variety of dishes, and each one was a true delight. The stars of the show were undoubtedly the Butter Chicken and Masala Chaap. The Butter Chicken was hands down the best I’ve ever had, with just the right amount of spice and an explosion of amazing flavors that left me wanting more with every bite. Absolutely the best butter chicken I had in my life - right amount of spice and amazing flavors.

What we’ve had: 🍽️ Garlic Chilli Cheese Naan ($10.00): A perfect blend of garlic, cheese, and spice, this naan was a delicious accompaniment to our meal. 🍚 Basmati Rice ($6.00): Fragrant and fluffy, the basmati rice served as an excellent complement to our flavorful curries. 🥘 Palak Paneer ($22.00): Creamy homemade cottage cheese paired beautifully with spinach, tomatoes, fenugreek, and a hint of fresh chili. 🍢 Masala Chaap ($19.00): Masala chaap was so tender and stole the show tasted like cheese. Soybean marinated in yogurt and spices, chargrilled to perfection, resulting in a mouthwatering dish bursting with flavor. 🍗 Old Delhi Butter Chicken ($24.00): Char-grilled chicken cooked in a rich and creamy tomato-based gravy with fenugreek, a true culinary masterpiece that left us craving more. 🍽️ Pappadums ($8.00): Thin, crispy lentil wafers that provided the perfect crunch and texture to our meal. 🥟 Pani Puri ($12.00): Hollow puris filled with flavored water, a refreshing and flavorful appetizer that awakened our taste buds. 🍖 Vindaloo Lamb ($25.99): Tender lamb cooked to perfection in a spicy and tangy vindaloo sauce, a must-try for lamb lovers. I only wished it was even spicier 🔥

Moreover, Divine Darbar boasts an impressive cocktail list that is very reasonably priced, adding another layer of enjoyment to your dining experience.

Overall, our experience at Divine Darbar was nothing short of amazing. The food was amazing, the service impeccable, and the ambiance inviting. Whether you’re a seasoned lover of Indian cuisine or new to the flavors of the subcontinent, Divine Darbar is a must-visit destination in Carlton. We can’t wait to return for another unforgettable...

Divine Darbar offers an exquisite dining experience that combines exceptional food with unparalleled service. My wife and I recently dined here, and while the food was undeniably excellent, what truly stood out was the exceptional service provided by Rabia, I think that was her name, one of the waitresses.From the moment we entered, Rabia greeted us with a warm smile and made us feel incredibly welcome. Throughout the evening, she went above and beyond to ensure that we had everything we needed, from recommending dishes to promptly attending to our requests.What truly impressed us was Rabia's professionalism and dedication to her work. Her level of hospitality and attention to detail made us feel as though we were the most important guests in the restaurant. Despite initially mistaking her for the owner due to her confident demeanor and impeccable service, we were surprised to learn that she was simply a member of the staff.Despite our intention to tip Rabia for her exceptional service, we regretfully realised that we didn't have any cash on hand at the time. However, her outstanding performance left a lasting impression on us, prompting me to write this review to express our gratitude and appreciation for her exceptional service.Overall, Divine Darbar exceeded our expectations, thanks in large part to the outstanding service provided by Rabia. We will undoubtedly be returning soon to indulge in both the delicious cuisine and the impeccable hospitality that this...

Do yourself a favour and find another Indian restaurant. I had a very frustrating experience at Divine Darbar due to the unprofessional and ill-mannered behaviour of the manager.

I called on Sunday night to make a reservation but was told they only do walk-ins. When I arrived, the restaurant was understandably busy and I was told that there are no tables available for dine-in. When I asked about the wait time, I was told it would be at least 30 minutes. I requested to wait inside as there were a couple of chairs available to sit on, but was told to wait outside. Since it was hot, I offered to wait in my car and requested a call when a table became available. They initially refused but reluctantly took my number after I insisted.

After 40 minutes, when I didn't receive any call, I returned to the restaurant and saw many empty tables from outside. I then waited another 5 minutes, hoping they would call me, but they never did.

Frustrated, I went inside and expressed my disappointment to the "manager". However, I was met with a dismissive attitude. Rather than offering any explanation or taking responsibility, she simply smirked and refused to explain why I hadn’t been contacted. It was incredibly frustrating and left me feeling disrespected as a customer.

If you don't want to serve a customer for any reason, just let them know. Why lie and...