Royal Paan - Pure Vegetarian — Restaurant in Ottawa

So I am writing this review after eating from this place thrice since it started. Let me first describe my experience with the service: On 6th July we decided to head up to Royal Paan for our dinner. Naturally we checked the timings on Google and it said they are open till 11pm. We were heading back from Gatineau that evening, so we reached there around 9:30pm. We were 12 of us. After a long wait for almost 45-50 mins, We finally entered the restaurant. And we were told that they only serve Falooda and Lassi post 10pm. We were highly disappointed. But upon letting them know that we 12 had a list of at-least 3 dishes each to try and we traveled a lot to be there that day, the staff agreed to make us a Special Bombay Sandwich for each of us. But again they took a little longer than promised to get our sandwiches ready.

The second time was a couple days ago when I decided to order from Royal Paan via Doordash. Though the kitchen opens at 2:30pm, I couldn't place an order until 6pm. But the food came in 60 mins as promised and the packaging seemed to be really good too. I loved the fact that they had included spoons in it too. However, the Royal Falooda that I ordered came open, with a straw in it. I was highly disappointed. Especially during the times of the pandemic, delivering food open is not at all good. It can get contaminated on the way.

Third and the most recent one was today, when my roommates and I decided to get from the same place again. Again I encountered the same problem that Doordash didn't allow me to book for a long time and suddenly at 6pm it allowed me. Again the packaging of the food was good and food came in time. But, the drinks (lassi and falooda) came open with a straw.

I recommend the Royal Paan owners to kindly look into the issue with doordash and clearly mention the timing of its opening and closing.

Now coming to the food, I am a pure vegetarian and I am so damn happy that Royal Paan is now in Ottawa. I dont think I will go to any other restaurant anymore as I dont have to worry about whether there is any meat or non-veg in the dishes I am ordering. The prices do seem reasonable. Although I know the ones in Toronto are said to be cheaper than this.

I have tried Pav bhaji, Samosa chat, dablei, vada pav, paneer burger, paneer kaati roll, pani puri, falooda, mango lassi, rose milkshake and they have all been great. I love the food, I just wish the service here improve.

I would love to give a 5 star rating some day, but until the service is improved, it will just be 4. In fact...

Royal Paan is a renowned establishment that has gained a reputation for its delectable Indian street food and indulgent desserts. While their Dahi Puri, Pani Puri, and Royal Falooda are undeniably delightful, it is essential to address their struggles with timely order delivery.

When it comes to the flavors and quality of their dishes, Royal Paan truly shines. Their Dahi Puri bursts with a harmonious blend of tangy yogurt, crispy puri shells, and a medley of chutneys and spices. The Pani Puri, with its crispy shells filled with a refreshing and flavorful concoction, is an absolute treat for the taste buds. And let's not forget the Royal Falooda—a luscious combination of rose-flavored milk, falooda noodles, ice cream, and assorted toppings that create a heavenly dessert experience.

However, it is worth mentioning that Royal Paan has had its struggles with late orders. At times, the wait for their delicious creations can be longer than anticipated, resulting in an inconvenience for customers who are eager to indulge in their delectable offerings. The delays can be frustrating, particularly during busy periods.

It is important to note that while the delay in order delivery is a concern, the taste and quality of Royal Paan's dishes remain exceptional. Their commitment to using authentic ingredients and preparing their food with care is evident in the delightful flavors they deliver.

To ensure a seamless experience, it is advisable to plan ahead when placing an order with Royal Paan. Calling in advance or placing orders during less busy hours may help mitigate the wait time.

In conclusion, Royal Paan offers a tantalizing array of Indian street food and decadent desserts that are worth savoring. The flavors of their Dahi Puri, Pani Puri, and Royal Falooda are a testament to their culinary expertise. While their struggles with late orders can be an inconvenience, the exceptional taste and quality of their dishes make Royal Paan a worthwhile choice for those seeking a flavorful and indulgent...

After hearing such good reviews about them, we visited and I've got to say that it wasn't a pleasant experience. Firstly, we waited for 45 minutes in the line. No one from the restaurant is monitoring the crowd inside and outside the restaurant. I'm saying this because not many people were following social distancing and a lot of them weren't wearing a mask. The restaurant needs to have a strict policy when it comes to social distancing. They made us wait for 20 mins for our order(which is okay because it was a busy time), but they missed to put one of our items in the bag. Now this isn't professional at all. If you're gonna make your customers wait for such a long time, at least make sure that they get what they paid for.

Coming to the food, the vada in the vada pav didn't have the 'bombay' taste as they mention in their menu. It pav they gave was a masala pav and that's the only joy ride that my taste buds got. The dahi papdi chaat didn't have any papdi in it. I'm not sure whether they forgot to put it or just tried to hide it in the dahi and chutney. The Dabeli was fine but has less of sev.

The only reason that I've to nit-pick so much is because after waiting in line for so long, I expect my food to be good or at least give me value...