Gourmet Curry Hut — Restaurant in Melbourne

Let me preface this tragedy of a dining experience by stating that I am not inherently opposed to paying a premium for quality provided, of course, that said quality actually exists. Unfortunately, at Gourmet Curry Indian House, the only things gourmet are the prices, and the only thing being housed is a rotating cast of baby sparrows who appear to believe the establishment is their personal food court aviary.

Let’s begin with the food. Was it edible? Yes. Was it life-altering? No. Was it, in any conceivable universe, worth the exorbitant price tag that would make even Gordon Ramsay squint and say, “That’s bold”? Absolutely not. I ordered what should have been a flavor-forward, texture-balanced tribute to Indian cuisine.

But mediocrity alone is not a capital crime. What elevates this establishment to the hall of shame is its complete and utter disregard for basic architecture and environmental control. There are no closed doors. I repeat no closed doors. The building seems to exist in a perpetual state of openness, as if it were auditioning to be a gazebo at a wildlife sanctuary. This open-plan fiasco has led to a completely unregulated flow of airborne wildlife particularly baby sparrows

And why wouldn’t they? There are no barriers to entry, no deterrents, and apparently no policies about birds flapping their wings directly above my overpriced dal. During my meal, one of these feathered freeloaders performed a low-altitude flyby over my food. Another perched above a ceiling fan, possibly judging me for spending $28 on “curry of the day.”

Needless to say, this is not an ideal environment for civilized dining. Unless your idea of ambience is “Forest Cafe: Sparrow Edition,” you may want to consider alternative venues perhaps ones where you aren’t sharing the airspace with creatures who defecate mid-flight.

The staff, while polite, seemed oddly unfazed by the avian incursion. One assumes this is a daily occurrence, and they’ve simply accepted it as part of the ecosystem, like ants at a picnic or incompetence in government. Who, I might add, feel completely at home here. Instead, I received a lukewarm serving of “meh.” A dish that hovered awkwardly between mediocre and forgettable, like a movie you walk out of halfway through but still feel obligated to review...

🍛⛺️

The restaurant itself doesn't look very big, but has decent number of tables to accommodate a good number of diners. Having wanted to dine here for a long time, I was glad to have found an offer at this place, so I went ahead and placed my order. My pick-up time was half an hour after I placed my order, only to find that the restaurant hadn't checked their system about it, and so I had to wait for an additional 15 minutes to get my food.

👍🏼🔥

I ordered a Badshahi Biryani (Lamb, $18.28) which was quite good. Definitely not the best, because I've had better in Melbourne, but very good nonetheless. The box it came in was packed to the brim, so good in terms of quantity. I did have a slight issue with the lamb pieces, almost half were hard and the rest were much softer, dunno why that happened. The rice was beautifully cooked. The dish was superbly fragrant. The accompanying raita had a little too much salt, but was edible nonetheless. Saying all that, I still enjoyed my food and I'd definitely go back to this place.

👩🏻‍🍳🍴

The receptionist seemed like a nice person, she was looking after the diners, the register as well as cleaning up afterwards. Running a restaurant is a hard job. I wished the music playing on the TV would do better with a lower volume, given the space. The place was very neat and clean. I loved the simplicity of the dining table. Given that they've hosted celebrities like Naomi Osaka, Anthony Koutoufides, among others, lebds credibility to their reputation. Overall, I had a pretty good experience with the food here. Definitely recommend!

Dish ordered -

Lamb Badshahi Biryani (with...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Gourmet Curry Hut in Melbourne CBD, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish.

The food is absolutely fantastic. Every dish we tried was bursting with authentic flavors and cooked to perfection. The Chicken Madras, in particular, is a must-try. It has the perfect balance of heat and spice, making it incredibly tasty and satisfying. The variety on the menu ensures there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a fan of mild or spicy dishes.

The staff at Gourmet Curry Hut are incredibly helpful and friendly. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles and prompt service. They were attentive without being intrusive, and their knowledge of the menu helped us make great choices.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is cozy and welcoming. The decor is tasteful and gives a nod to traditional Indian aesthetics, creating a pleasant and relaxed dining environment. Whether you're there for a casual meal or a special occasion, it feels just right.

The wait time was very reasonable, even during peak hours. We didn’t have to wait long for our food, which arrived hot and fresh. The efficiency of the service added to the overall positive experience.

In summary, Gourmet Curry Hut offers delicious food, excellent service, and a delightful atmosphere. If you’re in Melbourne CBD and craving some top-notch Indian cuisine, I highly recommend stopping by and trying the Chicken Madras – you won’t be...