Kolapasi Indian Kitchen - Laverton — Restaurant in Melbourne

Our visit to this restaurant transcended a simple meal; it was an experience etched in our memories, largely thanks to the extraordinary hospitality of the owner, Mr. Sendhil. From the moment we arrived, his genuine warmth and engaging personality shone through. He generously took the time to converse with us on a variety of topics, making us feel like cherished guests rather than just customers. His heartfelt blessings to my daughters were a particularly touching gesture. Beyond the captivating conversation, Mr. Sendhil's generosity extended to a delightful array of complementary treats and even a thoughtful souvenir to commemorate our visit – a truly unexpected and heartwarming touch.

The food itself was nothing short of exceptional. Every dish we sampled was bursting with flavour, a testament to the quality of ingredients and the skill in the kitchen. What truly set this restaurant apart was their groundbreaking concept of offering a complete tasting experience before placing our order. This included a tantalizing preview of various appetizers, main courses, and even desserts! To say this blew our minds would be an understatement; we've never encountered such a customer-centric approach anywhere else. Not only were the flavours outstanding, but the portion sizes were also generous and the quality of every single item was top-notch. Despite the 110 km round trip from home, every kilometre driven was absolutely worth it for this remarkable culinary journey. If there were more than five stars available, this restaurant would undoubtedly receive them.

While the menu tasting we attended provided a fantastic opportunity to sample the incredible variety and depth of their offerings, it was the unparalleled hospitality, especially from Mr. Sendhil, that truly elevated this dining experience to an unforgettable level. Each dish was not only thoughtfully prepared with creativity and quality ingredients, but also presented with genuine care and pride. This is a restaurant that understands the art of making guests feel...

As a first-time visitor, I didn't have any expectations except for the 4.9 Google review; it does speak a lot about how excellent the food is. The food is delicious; I had one of the best biriyani rice ever. When it comes to the service, I had a lot to say about it as I was surprised from time to time. Maybe I am not familiar with the concept.

Service was slow: I went to the restaurant at nearly 6.30. The whole restaurant had 1 table of 4 no service attendant. The process was waiting to be greeted, having a complementary tasting plate to choose curry from, and waiting for the food to be served. The whole process took about 40-45 mins until the food arrived at our table. At nearly 7 pm, 2 more people arrived, I think they were business owners or management. Since then, the service has been getting a little bit quicker.

Price: the restaurant does not have any menu or materials to disclose the price, and the server didn't mention the price. I felt weird as it was my first time coming to a restaurant ordering the food without knowing the price, even though I had learnt from Google reviews the average price before entering. I didn't ask as we assumed that the price couldn't be too expensive. However, knowing the bill for two people cost us $64 for two curries, one biryani rice, and two naan breads until the end was a bizarre experience. Thinking about it on the way home, the price was fair for the food. But that would be great if I knew the pricing in advance.

-Vibe: the restaurant was very quiet, no music after the owner arrived, the lighting was cool white lighting, everyone talked very soft. Overall, the vibe wasn't there, doesn't make I feel like I am sitting at a casual dining outlet.

Cutlery, and tableware are all made of paper, biodegradable materials. Nothing wrong with them but with the bill we paid for, I think the service, the food and everything should be matched...

Sometimes, the best meals aren’t planned. They happen when you’re hungry, curious, and chasing something simple — like a good parotha. That’s how I stumbled into Kolapas, tucked away in Laverton, buzzing with families, spice, and the scent of slow-cooked comfort.

They greet you with something rare — tastings. Like walking into someone’s kitchen back home, they want you to try it before you commit. Confidence like that only comes when the food speaks for itself.

I started with the Chunka Chicken, parotha combo, and goat biryani. Let me tell you — it wasn’t just good, it was damn near spiritual. Layers of spice, texture, depth. That chewy, buttery parotha sopped up the gravies like it was made for that purpose alone.

But I wasn’t done. I came back. This time: Green Chilli Chicken Biryani that slapped you awake with heat and flavour, Chicken Chettinad, and another rich, cashew-based gravy. Everything hit the right notes — bold, unapologetic, soulful.

Staff? Friendly, no fuss. Prices? Fair. Vibe? Packed with people who look like they know good food — and that’s always a good sign. Found out later this is part of a franchise across Sydney, Canada, and the U.S., but this place still feels real. Not polished to death. Just honest cooking done right.

This isn’t five-star dining. It’s something better — food that reminds you why you fell in love with eating in the first place. I’ll be back....