Watan Grill — Restaurant in Turnhout

I have been frequenting this place since not long after it opened, before they had delivery service. I have to say, I am very impressed.

Service: The owner of the restaurant is very passionate and he expresses this through his service. He is always ready to help, always polite and behaves in a manner that truly makes you feel welcome and at ease. It is the very definition of hospitality. To illustrate, we have an infant, and sometimes we choose to sit upstairs, he never fails to ask us whether he needs to help us carry the carriage upstairs. It is remarkable service that is also remarkably consistent.

Food: The quality of the food is very good. Things are cooked well. The meats are juicy and retain a lot of moisture. The diverse choices do not limit you to one kitchen, as signature dishes from Central and South Asia are available here. I am particularly fond of pilau/polo/plov, I have tried the real deal in Uzbekistan, but also here in Turnhout. Watan does an excellent job at creating this dish and I am grateful they do. Of course, their butter chicken is also very nice. The owner of What's up India in Rotterdam once said: "if your butter chicken is not good, you should close down immediately." Well, Watan does not need to close down, for their butter chicken is good! There is almost too much sauce for the amount of rice they give you. Also, mango and strawberry lassi are good. Even the mint tea has cardamum in it and is not your typical hot water with mint leaves. Quite good and leaves a lasting impression on the taste buds.

Atmosphere: It is not a very big restaurant, but the decor is nice. It has a slightly homey feel to it, dark colours accented by wood patterns and grey tones. From the outside, the black and gold lettering reminds of a sisha/hookah cafe. But, do not be fooled, this place does not serve alcohol or sisha. It is strictly a family friendly and also muslim friendly place with halal food and no untoward products.

In short, I am absolutely shocked by the price to quality ratio of this restaurant. I would much rather go here than to any haute cuisine fancy restaurant elsewhere. The portion sizes fill you up, it is good, hearty, honest food, cooked with skill and love, and you taste it: every. single. bite. every. single. visit.

Do I recommend it? No. I actually ask for you...

I feel like I am carrying out a public duty to my fellow man by writing this review. So phenomenal was the experience. A recent review bumped this down to a 4.8 from 4.9 and it is necessary to rectify that error.

We came here to treat our father to a Father's day dinner, and it absolutely did not disappoint. For dishes we ended up with analysis paralysis; it all looked great, after all, and decided to order 5 different main dishes including 2 curries, 2 rice platters and a mixed grill platter, and followed it with almost every dessert on the menu.

The service? Phenomenal, throughout the ordering process the staff fully assisted us with getting a selection of dishes to fit our hopes for the experience, along with dietary advice. The food? Exquisite. The rice platters were solid, the curries great but the mixed grill was downright the best I've ever had, and that is some stiff competition that it wiped the floor with. The price? I defy you to find me a better price point for this mix of flavor, quantity and service anywhere in a 50km radius.

Watan Grill thoroughly deserves to have one of the best review scores in the city, and you are a fool if you don't shortlist them for your next evening out. Eat at Watan's. You won't regret it. We for one have already planned in our...

I had dinner at this restaurant and was pleasantly surprised by the overall experience. The food was well-prepared and flavorful, and the service was efficient and attentive throughout the evening. The staff were friendly and welcoming, which added to the comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere. I would definitely consider returning for another meal...