Hathi Indian Restaurant — Restaurant in Sunshine Coast Regional

4th Feb 2023 - the food is still great but the service is really slow. Wait was 90 minutes to get our takeaway order. It was absolutely chaotic with takeaway customers lined up waiting for their food, dine in customer trying to find counter staff so that they could pay their bill and new customers waiting to be seated. The wait staff ignored everyone. One family was there waiting for 2 hours for their takeaway order. Takeaway orders were being processed in no particular sequence. Young staff with no management to guide them, lacking communication skills but the food is fantastic so the place is packed. I have maintained the 5 star rating for the food alone.

The very first update around 4 months ago - Wonderful and amazing food. We were on a holiday and decided on Indian food for dinner. Found this restaurant on Google. Ordered the Lamb Rogan Josh, Goat Khorma and Chicken and Cheese Naan. Totally different from the Rogan Josh and Kormas that I have eaten before, but these curries were exceptional. Will definitely be back to try out the other curries on the menu. My compliments to the chef. Update - Have now been here four times since our first review. We are slowly working our way through the menu and so far have tried the Grilled Tandoori Chicken Wings for Entree, Masala Naan, Spicy Naan, Kheema Naan, Cheese & Garlic Naan, Peshwari Naan, Lamb Khorma, Lamb Saagwala, Goat Rogan Josh, Goat Madras, Goat Curry (Sri Lankan) and Prawn Masala. Once again totally different from similar curries we have had in other restaurants before but totally enjoy their curries. For me was the Prawn Masala had a lot of capsicum & onion and was on the dry side but it reminded me of my childhood and was close to the Prawn Chilly fry my mother used to cook for us. Hard to choose between the curries we have had so far but the Khorma currently is our favourite. We have only tried the MEDIUM curries and they seem to suit our taste buds just fine. The spices used in the Mild Goat Curry (Sri Lankan) were yummy but seems to have a bit of a kick and linger in the mouth a bit longer than other curries. Will definitely be back. They no longer have a buffet but are open for lunch on Thursday and Friday. They have 2 value for money takeaway deals that are advertised on their printed takeaway menu and a shop front board. At $42 the local special is good value for 2 people and the $84 Family Feeder will...

Food was nice and well presented.

My issue is with their robust refusal to understand that the sandwich board outside the shop is deceptive. It offers a family special for $88, but after you are seated and ask for that, they advise that it is for take-away only, something the signage doesn't mention. Regrettably this disagreement dominated the dining experience and hence this review.

The OTHER side of the board DOES say takeaway for a different special, but not both. If you approached the shop from the south and never saw the other side, you'd only see this offer which says nothing about takeway.

First the waitress argued that the sign DID say Takeaway (it doesn't), then the girl at the bar wanted to justify it, then even the manager couldn't grasp that this was 'deceptive and misleading', only being interested in establishing that I was aware it was only for takeaway BEFORE I placed my order, and I chose to stay, so what's the problem. This ignored the fact that I was there under false pretences.

He is either totally clueless, or totally aware but refusing to concede, and will just keep this practice in place because he knows that once somebody is seated and decided what they want to eat, few people will get up and leave, they will take it on the chin. Nonetheless, deceptive either way.

Being treated like I'm an idiot by a conman and his staff isn't cool. We...

I haven't been here for a couple of years, used to love the outdoor area with the water feature, which sadly isn't used anymore. We booked for a 6.30pm seating and although only one other table was occupied, we were placed next to the counter and traffic to kitchen. It was very loud, bright and not private for a couple on a night out. It took 50 mins for our food to arrive, after having to ask 40mins in. The phones rang constantly, for a very long time, at a very loud volume. If there isn't any intention to answer them then turn them down or put them on hold. This is very unprofessional to have seated guests put up with this. It was evident that your take away were more important, with many casually dressed user drivers and take away ordering guests standing around the inside of the restaurant. It is not cold outside and would be better for your dining guests to have them wait outside or provide a seating area. As there were many empty tables (space to put seating). Would be good if your booking site allowed guests to chose the table they want also. I would not recommend Hathi to anyone any more. Besides that the food was good, but...