Tasty Punjab — Restaurant in Queensland

Tasty Punjab offers flavourful dishes; however, the prices are notably higher than those at other Indian restaurants in Rockhampton, averaging about $10 more per main course. The establishment's identity is somewhat unclear—whether it functions as a takeaway, a traditional restaurant, or an Indian fast-food venue, particularly given the presence of pre-prepared curries in the hot counter. Our order was placed through the app, which was quite innovative considering it appeared to be a one-person operation during my visit. However, this convenience came with an online surcharge of $2.50, although a $5 discount was provided for first-time orders. To avoid the additional fee, it may be advisable to call ahead, assuming there is time for the single staff member to answer the phone. Personally, I dislike incurring extra charges, so I would refrain from using the app in the future. We selected the immediate pickup option when placing our order, but upon arriving at the shop approximately 15 minutes later at 5:35 PM, the assistant informed us that our order was still being prepared and would take an additional 10 minutes. The order was presented at 18:05, approximately 35 minutes after it was placed. Given that there was only one staff member managing walk-in orders, serving customers, answering phone calls, and cooking, I believe she performed exceptionally well under the circumstances. The establishment features vibrant yellow walls adorned with black lettering, complemented by black tables and chairs. It is clear that the shop is relatively new, as it appeared to be impeccably clean and well-maintained. A sign in the window indicates that it is fully licensed, and according to the receipt, it claims to be the "Best Indian Restaurant in Rockhampton," which may be seen as self-promotional. I was under the impression that all restaurants are required to provide restroom facilities for patrons or, at the very least, have them available within 80 meters. I noted that a previous reviewer had inquired about restroom access but received a curt response indicating that there were no toilets available. My fried mixed vegetables, while flavourful, did not match the fried appearance depicted on the website; instead, they appeared stewed or boiled and seemed to have been precooked and reheated prior to serving. I anticipate that this observation may be contested by the management of The Tasty Punjab, as they appear to respond to all reviews, whether positive or negative. The adage "you get what you pay for" comes to mind; however, considering that the main courses are priced $10 higher than those at other Indian restaurants, one might question whether the additional cost is justified. Ultimately, the decision is yours to make. I would order again, as the food was enjoyable, but I would appreciate a quicker turnaround time for takeout orders and sufficient staffing to alleviate the pressure on a single employee who is managing multiple responsibilities, including serving, cooking, and likely cleaning up afterward. This workload seems excessive for...

I’ve visited this restaurant a few times, hoping the experience would improve, but unfortunately it hasn’t. The food is extremely expensive — in fact, it’s the most expensive Indian food I’ve ever had, even compared to restaurants in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. For the price, the quality just isn’t there.

The curries are often bland, and the meat has been overcooked on multiple occasions, making me suspect it may have been reheated rather than freshly prepared. The naan bread is thick, doughy, and lacks the crispness you’d expect from a proper tandoor — it tastes more like a pre-made product quickly reheated.

Another frustration is the push to download an app for a discount, which feels less about customer convenience and more about collecting personal data. It’s very off-putting when dining out should be about the food and service, not data harvesting.

Overall, the experience has been disappointing, especially at these prices. Sadly, I won’t...

Tasty Punjab is like home away from home! Just moved from Melbourne, and this is the best Punjabi food I have had here. The Desi Chicken was super hommie, and the Garlic Naan was perfect—soft and full of flavor. Loved the warm hospitality! Did you dine in, take away, or get delivery? Dine-in What did you get? Dinner How much did you spend per person? $40-$60 Which dishes do you recommend? Butter Chicken Garlic Naan Vegetarian options: Plenty of vegetarian options, from Dal Makhani to Paneer Pakora—perfect for all desi food lovers! Dietary restrictions: They even cater to dietary needs like Jain food, so no onion, garlic dishes can be requested. Parking: Free of charge street parking Free of charge over-side street parking Kid-friendliness: Great place for families—my kids loved their butter chicken with rice from the kids' menu. Wheelchair accessibility: Yes, they have ramps inside and outside for...