Flora Indian Restaurant Melbourne CBD — Restaurant in Melbourne

I find myself compelled to write this review not as a mere consumer of food, but as an individual who, in the pursuit of culinary excellence, was subjected to an experience so utterly catastrophic that it has left me questioning the very fabric of what defines "edible." I recently visited Flora Indian Restaurant with high expectations, under the naive belief that Indian cuisine, a treasure trove of complex flavors, would be faithfully represented. However, what transpired can only be described as a travesty of the highest order, an affront to both the culinary arts and my sense of dignity as a patron.

Let us begin with the pièce de résistance of any Indian meal: the biryani. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. What I was presented with was not, as one would expect, a delicate tapestry of spiced rice, tender meat, and the aromatic blend of cardamom, saffron, and other spices that define this dish. No, what I was served was nothing more than what could only be described as tamarind rice, aggressively peppered, with a few errant chicken pieces thrown in for good measure. The chicken, if I may be so bold, was an afterthought, devoid of flavor and far beneath the standard of even the most pedestrian chicken dishes. It was as if the chef had forgotten what biryani is supposed to be and decided to concoct a travesty using the most pedestrian of ingredients, without regard for balance, technique, or culinary integrity. If this was an attempt at biryani, it was a gross misrepresentation, an exercise in mediocrity that should have been left in the annals of gastronomic history.

And then, to add insult to injury, there was the jalebi. A dish that should sing with sweetness, offering a glorious balance of syrup and crispiness, a dessert that has enchanted taste buds for generations. Instead, what I was confronted with was an insipid, lackluster offering, so mildly sweet that it could scarcely be considered dessert at all. The sweetness was not merely subtle; it was practically non-existent, a whisper in the wind that failed to satisfy even the most basic expectations of what a dessert should deliver. In this case, the jalebi was not a treat but a dull, uninspired offering that left me questioning the very concept of sweetness.

To summarize: Flora Indian Restaurant has somehow managed to ruin two quintessential dishes of Indian cuisine with an alarming degree of incompetence. The biryani was a miserable, pepper-laden mockery of the dish, while the jalebi was a sweet disaster of unremarkable proportions. In a world where the bar for food is set high, this establishment has managed to trip over it in the most spectacular fashion.

In conclusion, Flora, I implore you: re-evaluate your approach to Indian cuisine. What you are serving is not worthy of the name "Indian food," and your blatant disregard for flavor, tradition, and quality is an insult to those who appreciate the true essence of this culinary tradition. Until you undergo a complete overhaul, I will remain steadfast in my refusal to return, and I will advise all who seek genuine Indian food to steer clear of your...

“Great Indian Cuisine in a Prime Location”

We visited this restaurant for the second time during our trip to Melbourne from Cardiff, Wales, and it remains a highlight of our dining experiences. Located conveniently opposite Flinders Street Station, it’s an ideal spot for a quick and delicious meal.

On our first visit, we ordered the Vegetable Thali , which came with a variety of vegetable curries, rice, and roti. This time, my wife and I tried naan instead of roti, which came with four different curries and one of which was a soya curry that looked and tasted remarkably like chicken—a unique and enjoyable dish we had never tried before.

However, we found that two Thalis were too much food for the two of us; one would have sufficed. While the flavour s were excellent, we found the spice level on the hotter side. As Indians who are accustomed to spicy food, we appreciated the heat but felt a bit overwhelmed. Perhaps the restaurant could consider offering complimentary plain yogurt to help diners manage the spiciness, or include it as part of the meal.

On a less positive note, the cleanliness of the W.C. facilities was not up to the mark. While some responsibility lies with customers to leave the facilities tidy, the management should ensure they are cleaned and maintained regularly. Cleanliness is a key factor in a dining experience, and I wonder if Australian restaurants have hygiene rating standards similar to those in the UK.

Overall, we enjoyed our meal and would recommend this restaurant to anyone craving Indian food in Melbourne. If we have the opportunity to visit again, we’d...

Today, my friends and I visited Flora and ordered 8 Aloo Parathas, 2 Paneer Parathas, 1 Gobhi Paratha, along with 4 teas and 2 salted lassis. While we were enjoying our meal, several of us noticed an unusual texture while chewing. Initially, we ignored it, assuming it might be a ginger, any veggie or something else. However, one of my friend later discovered a big piece of plastic inside the stuffing of her paratha. This was extremely concerning and unacceptable, as we were consuming food contaminated with plastic. We immediately reported the issue to a server, who redirected us to another staff member. After a long discussion, the staff apologised and ready to refund whilst we declined a refund for the tea and lassi then we took refund of parathas only. However, the presence of plastic in food is a serious health hazard. We understand that the kitchen can be busy during peak hours, but such negligence is not justifiable. Food safety and hygiene should always be the top priority. We hope the management takes this feedback seriously and implements stricter quality control to prevent such incidents...