Pure Vegetarian Jaimal's Bhojan Bhandar — Restaurant in Melbourne

When it comes to vegan cuisine in Melbourne, Jaimal’s Bhojan Bandar is undoubtedly one of the finest establishments, offering a menu so rich and diverse that even a carnivore might briefly question their life choices. As a person who approaches food with the same analytical precision I apply to string theory, I must say this place excels in delivering both gastronomic delight and tactical salesmanship.

First, let us address the cuisine, the pièce de résistance of this establishment. The dishes are crafted with such meticulous attention to detail that I suspect the chefs possess an intimate knowledge of molecular gastronomy. The flavors are a harmonious symphony that would leave even the most critical palate in awe. The ingredients are fresh, the spices are perfectly balanced, and the overall presentation is an art form. In this regard, Jaimal’s Bhojan Bandar deserves nothing short of a standing ovation though, as previously mentioned, I find such displays of enthusiasm overly dramatic and physically taxing.

However, my visit was not without its quirks. As I approached the counter to order a single dish (yes, singular, as in one), I encountered a lady whose persuasive skills were nothing short of Jedi-like. She subtly, yet effectively, convinced me to add a dessert to my order. Now, I won’t reveal her name or physical description partly because I respect her privacy, and partly because I fear her ability to telepathically influence my future dining decisions. But let me assure you, her tactics were so sophisticated that I found myself willingly succumbing to her suggestion, despite my initial resolve to avoid dessert entirely.

The dessert, gajar halwa I must admit, was delectable and an intricate medley of flavors that justified its presence on my plate. But this brings me to my one point of contention: the pricing. While the food is undeniably worth the expense, the prices are high enough to give even the most affluent diner a moment of pause. One could argue that this is the cost of culinary excellence, and perhaps they would be correct. Nevertheless, it is this factor that compels me to dock one star from an otherwise stellar review.

In conclusion, Jaimal’s Bhojan Bandar is a haven for vegan food enthusiasts and anyone with a penchant for top-tier cuisine. The food is impeccable, the ambiance is inviting, and the staff are if nothing else, exemplars of persuasive prowess. I would wholeheartedly recommend this establishment to anyone seeking an unforgettable vegan dining experience. But be forewarned: if you approach the counter with the intention of ordering a single item, prepare to leave with a dessert, a side dish, or perhaps even an existential crisis about your dining choices.

Final Rating: 4 stars—one for the food, one for the ambiance, one for the skilled staff, and one for the delightful dessert. The missing star? Consider it the price of...

My friend and I have been to this place twice so far and after trying a variety of dishes can say this has become one of our favourite places to eat.

Visiting this place will give you insights into how meals are prepared and tastes like in a vegetarian punjabi household . Simple. Flavourful. Nutritious. Satisfying and hence will make you come back again and again.

The owner and host, Mr. Waheguru Pal ( Mani ) is friendly and loves to share his story and philosophy.

After having a lovely chat with him , we tried his recommendations .

Starters:

Samosa : Popular snack. North Indian style potato filling. Mild spices. Medium sized. Served with tamarind chutney.

Aloo Tikki Chaat: Shallow fried potatoes . Mashed. Topped with multiple chutneys and yogurt. Sprinkled with dry spices . Topped with grated carrot and radish. The addition of grated radish makes this one unique. Very tasty.

Mains:

Sarson da saag with Makki ki Roti: Must try! Sarson ( mustard ) was sourced from a farm . Saag was perfectly cooked. The flavours were mild and reminded me of how my mom makes it. This was served with hot Makki ki rotis that were topped with butter. Mani was kind enough to offer us radish on the side.

Baingan Bharta and Roti: Baingan ( eggplant ) was perfectly roasted. The spice levels were adjusted to our needs as this was made fresh ! The aroma of smoky eggplant filled up the place and added to the overall experience . Highly recommended!

Sweets : We tried kheer, gulab jamun and Jaimal’s bite which was my favourite out of the three. I wouldn’t be divulging the details. Just...

I had passed by this restaurant, and noticed what seemed to be the owner sitting outside, who seemed very chill, while the restaurant looked good from what I could quickly see, so today I decided to walk back just for this. And I'm so glad I did First I was welcome by the gentleman I had seen, Balvir, such a friendly human being The food is vegetarian, and if requested it can be totally vegan I had dahi vada, shahi paneer, puri channa, tawa roti, mango lassi, gulav jaman My food was prepared by Ragani & Jessi It was all delicious, full of flavors without being too spicy as requested And no wonder, as all the food is prepared on the spot Around 20 people can sit inside, and 4 outside Very friendly staff (family, and "adopted" family) very good food If that restaurant was on a busier street it would surely get plenty more of customers, so, I would say, enjoy the calmness was it's not too popular, get to know this gem and be the one recommending your friends to...