Ziyka Restaurant — Restaurant in Melbourne

Visited on 28 Ramadan. Negatives : Doors open at 5:36 when the iftar time was 5:43 so everyone waiting outside was rushing in and trying to get the place they booked. We where the biggest group with 6 families and we had women who where expecting and the iftar was late. The food was not even ready and the staff where scrabbling to organize everything. Once the food was ready after 15 min of iftar. The que build up and it was big. Attached is the picture and who ever has been there knows that the line stretched through the entire restaurant. and who ever stood in the que would fill up the plate to the max in order to avoid another stand in the que.

The food kept running out quick and ppl and to wait. Specially pregnant women (we had 3 in our group) The staff keep filling up but the food kept running out. And not to forget the serving plates to. At the end they had to opt for plastic plates which where even smaller in size which many ppl complained about. By the time everyone was done the iftar, I saw plates filled with food at most tables. People had over filled and didn't eat. That's what happens when you have buffet and a long que. Waste of food.

In summary it was very badly organized. There was shortage of staff (given the current situation in melbourne it's hard to get staff) If they know the number of people you are going to cater, you should be be prepared for it or cancel it if you can't manage the event. It's just going to give you more bad reviews in my opinion.

Positives: The staff was very very hard working and polite. They did not break a sweat. The serving staff never argued or show temper to customers who complained, rather politely answered that they are filling up soon. I addressed the mismanagement to the young lady at the counter, who acknowledged that things could have been organized better but given the crowd is not easy to handle. (specially desis / this is my personal opinion) it didn't go as planned.

The person who had invited us at the iftar party was is disbelief on what was happening. He had done an iftar with them last year and at that time everyone was served at the table as per to him. He later apologized to everyone for the inconvenience.

The food in no doubt was delicious and i would rate it 8/10 The BBQ, Biryani, Aloo Gosht and the sweets all spot on.

Will i visit them again ? Yes for the Food - Definitely No for the wait time (45 Min over the weekend) You know it's good food when you see so many customers waiting.

Summary: They are definitely one of the best restaurants in Melbourne in terms of authentic Pakistani food. And the quality of food was impeccable. I do look forward to visiting them again in future. And hope they improve the serving standards. Which i think they will take it positively.

Thanks for the Experience From and...

Ziyka is one of the first Indian restaurants that I tried in Melbourne. Maybe I was homesick for the first time, and I liked the food very much. But, the second time was a bad experience. The place has a very affordable menu compared to many places in city, and it opens until late at night. The restaurant was full, and people were waiting in line to get seated.

It's a budget restaurant and I can't talk about the ambiance. However, just for the readers, if you expect a silent and peaceful, excellent dining sort of place, then better to stay away. It isn't very quiet inside. The plates and glasses hard little bit of greasy thing on it, and that means it isn't cleaned correctly. We have been requested to move the tables in between as a massive group of people came for dining. Also, it took almost 30 minutes to get our order.

The food ordered Chicken Karahi, Paneer Masala, Garlic Naan, and Butter Naan. The food was not at all up to the mark. I was expecting at least a fresh panner considering how busy this place is, and it was quite chewy. I felt like both chicken and paneer are not adequately marinated. It was as if they had used the same curry base for both the dishes and just changed the masala and put the pieces in later. The Paneer dish was awful, and my friend even stopped eating. The chicken curry was good enough, but the chicken is a bit overcooked. I took the Panner masala to take away as I wanted to have it later, and the moment I had a bite, I had to throw it out. I am not at all exaggerating but, this is my honest review.

To the management, you guys got excellent crowd support and good business. Please don't ruin it by serving poor food. Also, please keep a signboard at the entrance, if it gets too crowded, saying the waiting to be expected. Some people don't have a lot of time to spare in the middle of the night. I don't understand why you guys don't take the card, and it's only cash in hand business. This is a huge downside for me, and it has...

A True Pakistani Culinary Gem on Lygon Street

Nestled in the vibrant heart of Melbourne's food scene on Lygon Street, Ziyka stands out as a beacon of authentic Pakistani cuisine. In a landscape where many desi restaurants often dilute their flavors to cater to the Western palate, Ziyka's chef remains unapologetically true to the roots, delivering a taste that is as genuine as it is exceptional.

Our culinary journey at Ziyka began with a trio of Kadhai dishes: Chicken Kadhai, Prawn Kadhai, and Paneer Kadhai. Each dish was a symphony of rich, bold flavors and aromatic spices that transported us straight to the bustling streets of Lahore.

The Chicken Kadhai was succulent and tender, the Prawn Kadhai was a delightful oceanic twist on a classic, and the Paneer Kadhai was an absolute vegetarian delight. We found ourselves literally licking our plates clean, a testament to the sheer deliciousness of the food.

Complementing the Kadhai dishes were the rotis – hot, fresh, and straight from the oven. They were the perfect vehicle to scoop up every last bit of the flavorful gravies.

However, one should note that while the food is worth every second of the wait, patience is a necessity. The dishes take a while to be served, and if you find yourself wanting more rotis, be prepared for a considerable wait.

Ziyka's popularity is no surprise given its authentic taste, which is both spicy and delightfully oily, and its reasonable prices. The restaurant has garnered a dedicated following, and it's easy to see why. Despite the minor inconvenience of the wait time, the overall dining experience is nothing short of spectacular.

In conclusion, Ziyka on Lygon Street is a must-visit for anyone craving an authentic Pakistani culinary experience. It's a place where tradition reigns supreme, and every bite is a celebration of true desi flavors. Just remember to bring your patience along with your appetite, and you won't be...