Gopi Ka Chatka - St Kilda East — Restaurant in Melbourne

Wow, where do I even begin? Gopi Ka Chutka in St Kilda has completely won my heart and taste buds. If you're someone who craves authentic Mumbai/Ahmedabad-style street food, this place is an absolute gem that will transport you straight to the vibrant streets of Ahmedabad. From the moment I stepped in, I could feel the warmth of the restaurant’s atmosphere, and the owners, Vrushank Shah and Manisha Shah, made us feel so welcome, almost like I was a guest in their own home.

Now, let's talk about the food – and trust me, it’s nothing short of magical. I tried a variety of dishes: 3 different types of Pav Bhaji, Kachori Chat, Dabeli, VadaPav, Pani Puri, Schewan Paneer Sandwich, and Manchow Soup. I honestly didn’t expect to be so blown away, but each dish was a flavor explosion in my mouth! The Pav Bhaji was rich and velvety with just the right amount of spice, and every variation had its own distinct twist. The Kachori Chat was crispy and tangy, and the Dabeli and VadaPav were like a little piece of Mumbai in every bite. I couldn’t get enough!

But the true star of the show was the Pani Puri. OH. MY. GOODNESS. The taste was absolutely mouth-watering! The crispy puris paired with the tangy, spicy, and sweet water were just perfect. It was one of the best Pani Puris I’ve ever had – seriously! I could have eaten a whole plate by myself, but I had to share (reluctantly).

The Schewan Paneer Sandwich was another delightful surprise – bursting with flavor and a bit of spice that tingled my taste buds. And the Manchow Soup was comforting and perfectly balanced with a little kick, which left me craving more.

The variety of flavors in each dish was impressive. Every item I tried had its own unique character, and it was so clear that they’re made with passion and an understanding of authentic Indian street food. What really stood out to me, though, was the fact that everything was made with so much love and attention to detail. You can tell that Vrushank and Manisha truly know their stuff when it comes to Indian cuisine. They don’t just serve food; they serve an experience.

And let me not forget to mention the service – absolutely top-tier. Both Vrushank and Manisha are genuinely kind and approachable, and they made sure every moment of our visit was perfect. They took the time to check in and chat, making us feel like more than just a customer. Their passion for what they do is infectious, and their attention to making sure every guest leaves happy is truly heartwarming.

I can't recommend Gopi Ka Chutka St Kilda enough! With over 120 items on the menu, I know I’ve only scratched the surface, and I’m already planning my next visit to try even more. If you're craving authentic, mouth-watering Indian street food, look no further. I promise you’ll leave with a happy belly, a smile on your face, and a desire to come back again and again. Gopi Ka Chutka is a true hidden treasure in St Kilda, and I’m so glad I...

While the food was good and generally is.. the service at best was horrible.

From when we entered at 7:00pm (start of dinner time) the one server that they had was just running around, slamming the door between the dining area and kitchen ( atleast 20 times, really loudly) and just being chaotic.

We were asked to order online and even put in notes online, only for him to open the door and scream the orders out. So didn’t really understand why we couldn’t just tell him the one change we wanted.

He forgot to give us a chutney we ordered as a side with the Pav bhaji and when after it was over we told him to just cancel it since it wasn’t there yet he got annoyed and angrily told us “why didn’t you ask for it. “. :-s when my husband told him off for this he yelled at him and told him he’s being aggressive, when my husband only asked why would we have to ask, there was nothing else we we could’ve eaten the chutney with, and the error was clearly on their end. He said “it goes with many things, you should’ve told me.” What was the point of ordering online and adding notes online too then?

We still had a pani puri left which we then asked for, (cause we were told to “ask for” food we ordered previously) but It seemed as if out of anger it was covered in black pepper to a point with it was inedible and we left it after having just one. Please see the photo attached below to understand what I mean.

Overall the constant noise and chaos created by ONE server was more than over 10- 12 customers present in the restaurant.

Apart from the inedible pani puri the rest of the food was great but the experience just sad.

Gopi ka chatka your service...

I recently ordered food from this Indian restaurant for a takeaway order, and unfortunately, the experience was disappointing from start to finish. Despite calling ahead to place my order well in advance, my partner was still made to wait over 30 minutes upon arrival, only to be told that the food hadn’t even been started. This completely undermines the point of pre-ordering and showed a clear lack of organization in the kitchen and front-of-house operations.

The service was particularly poor. Staff seemed disinterested and unengaged, offering little in the way of communication or apology for the delay. There was no effort made to provide an update or manage expectations while I waited, and the overall attitude felt dismissive rather than hospitable.

When my partner finally received the food, it did little to redeem the experience. The flavors were mediocre at best—bland and lacking the richness and depth that good Indian cuisine is known for. Portions were reasonable, but considering the price point and the wait, the value for money simply wasn’t there. It felt more like a rushed, thrown-together meal than a thoughtfully prepared dish.

Given the long wait, indifferent service, and average food, my partner left feeling frustrated and disappointed. Dining out or ordering takeaway should feel convenient and enjoyable, but this visit was neither. Unfortunately, based on this experience, I would not recommend this restaurant and would hesitate to return. There are certainly better Indian dining options in the area that deliver both in terms of quality and...