MotiMahal Restaurant — Restaurant in Toronto

Bye Bye buddy, will miss you….

I was not just a customer but an admirer of Moti Mahal's Chane. Whenever there was a talk of food with friends/relatives, I used to Vouch for Moti Mahal's Chane.

Their service always have been Horrible (been years), staff take your order as if they are doing a favor to you, there first question is "are you ready", no Hi, no Hello, no Greetings, and no Smile (as if it costs) at all. I am not demanding a smile (used to it by now), but if you have problems in your life, then who doesn't. Being a customer we are being nice to you and being a service provider you should be super nice or at least be courteous.

Then comes the server who gets your food ready and through/put the plate/tray on their counter, an irritating audio machine (before used to be grumpy server's voice) will call out your order no. and your food plate/tray will be left on the counter without server saying "enjoy your food" or here is your order or anything like that, you just need to figure out what your order could be and pick and go.

You are supposed to know where the cutlery is, if you ask then they answer you in a way as if you have committed a crime by asking them.

The server's frowning face is like, he is doing a favor by feeding you (as if it's free) and you have ruined his day by coming into that restaurant and helping them staying in business by buying food from them.

Filthy washrooms, stairs, slippery floor, shaky uneven tables which moves with your slight finger touch, and you have to be careful while eating, in case your leg touches it by mistake then whole table shakes and food falls out of the food tray, a lot more to stay away from this restaurant (same standards have been kept for years).

Ppl may say if you had this much problem then why did you go for so long, answer is simple, I haven't found Chane anywhere else like they make.

When I was living in Toronto, this was my fav. food place to go, again to be precise for their Chane only.

I moved out of Toronto few years back and I would make sure whenever I am in Toronto I visit them and have their Chana Bathura.

I went there this week, and that was the final push.

Person taking order - are you ready, done (order taken) with get lost attitude.

Person behind the counter (food server) - asked for water, gave water with an attitude as if he is giving you water for free in a desert.

Cut short…got the food, nothing else was tasty, I can say for vegetarian dishes only (matar paneer, daal, saag, saambhar, etc.) except Chane, but this time I couldn’t enjoy or have same taste I used to.

Then I realize it's because of staff's attitude, the ambience there, rest of the food and Mainly that my family didn’t enjoy at all, they would have been coming only because of me.

That was it for me and it was a final visit.

Just want to suggest to buckle up buddy before it's too late…

You don't have to take my review seriously, up to you, your choice, I don't write much reviews and don't care about other restaurants where I don't like the food, I just don't go there again, but this was my favorite and I am sad to say good bye to it, just don't want it to lose more customers, specially loyal customers… it's been so many years and nothing has changed…. Good Luck. Bye bye,...

Moti Mahal on Gerrard St. East is a longstanding Indian restaurant nestled in a cozy space. Being one of the oldest establishments in the area, it carries a sense of tradition and authenticity. Upon my visit, I decided to try their renowned Chana Bhatura along with a side of butter naan and masala chai.

The Chana Bhatura dish comprised two fluffy bhaturas served with a generous portion of chana, aloo subji, and a side salad. It seemed promising at first glance, with a presentable presentation. However, the bhaturas and aloo subji were disappointingly drenched in oil, making them heavy on the palate. Additionally, the absence of garlic in the chana was noted, diminishing its flavor profile. While everything was adequately cooked, nothing particularly stood out, leaving the overall impression as just "okay".

Accompanying the meal was the masala chai, which unfortunately tasted like it was prepared by a machine, lacking the authentic touch one would expect from a traditional Indian restaurant. This further contributed to the average experience.

One notable downside was the lack of clear instructions for ordering. Customers are required to first approach the counter to place their order and receive a coupon, followed by a wait until their number is called. This process was confusing as there were no signs or staff to guide patrons through it. As a result, I found myself sitting at a table for some time before realizing I needed to place the order myself.

The overall dining experience fell short of expectations, especially considering the inconvenience of the ordering process and the underwhelming quality of the food. Traveling 1.5 hours to visit this establishment would not be worthwhile, especially when there are other options available. The heavy nature of the Chana Bhatura left little room for exploring other menu items, further diminishing the overall appeal.

In conclusion, while Moti Mahal may hold a nostalgic charm for some due to its longevity, it fails to deliver a memorable dining experience. With oily dishes, lackluster flavors, and a confusing ordering system, I would rate this restaurant a mere 2 stars and do not anticipate returning...

Avoid the Hype – This Place Needs a Serious Wake-Up Call

Let me be blunt — don’t fall for the flashy Instagram reels or influencer posts. Most of them are paid promotions, and the reality of this place is far from what they showcase.

We ordered sev puri expecting, well, sev puri, but what we got was a confused mess closer to bhel puri, drowned in an overly sweet, oddly flavored chutney. It felt like someone who’s never tasted authentic street food just threw things together hoping no one would notice.

The chole bhature were another disaster. I get that this is a street-style dish and usually a bit oily — but this was beyond acceptable. The bhature were so saturated in oil that even two hours later, I could still feel it in my throat. When we were done, there was a visible layer of thick oil left in the plate. It was not just unappetizing — it felt unhygienic and careless.

Worse? Every single item was completely tasteless. Not underwhelming — just bland, greasy, and forgettable.

And it’s not just about the food. The staff looked like they’d rather be anywhere else. Zero enthusiasm, no smiles, no warmth. It honestly felt like the entire place is just running on autopilot, without an ounce of pride in what they serve.

We visited with high expectations after hearing so much about Moti Mahal. That name used to mean something. But now? It seems like the owner has just stopped caring — and it shows. Just glance at the other reviews here. The complaints are piling up, and clearly, no action is being taken.

This isn’t just disappointing — it’s embarrassing for a place with such a legacy. Unless the owner steps in and overhauls the food, staff attitude, and hygiene, this place will keep going downhill.

Do yourself a favor: skip this place. There are far better Indian restaurants that actually care about food...