Akbar's Own Cuisine of India — Restaurant in Vancouver

Akbar's Own Indian Restaurant 1905 West Broadway, Vancouver - cheated me! Last year March I placed a large catering order and confirmed the total price not only over the phone but also by email. When I went to pick up the order, they were trying to charge me like $20-$30 more and then when I refused to pay the different price, they asked if I would be willing to pay cash. After wasting over 30 minutes of my time, they agreed to the original total price and so I paid with Visa to keep a record. Then when I got home, I noticed that one of the big party trays was incorrect (they had given me beef korma instead of prawn korma). After I provided photo proof, they agreed to give me a free prawn korma party tray next time (that was a year ago). Just yesterday, I placed another party order with them to make use of the prawn korma they owed me. I also ordered some other dishes including 15 naan (at the time of the order), the manager Sam confirmed that each naan is cut into 3 pieces. When I went to pick up the order, the prawn korma tray was smaller than last time (I pointed it out to Sam but he gave me a false answer), and again they tried charging me more money than the agreed upon total that I had confirmed with Sam when placing the order. After standing firm, I got them to honour the original price and before leaving, I asked Sam if there is 45 pieces of naan (my 15 order cut into 3 pieces) and Sam confirmed yes while packing my items into a bag. When I got home and opened the prawn korma party tray, there was only approximately 5 pieces of shrimp (not even prawn) which was quite embarrassing because we had over 20 people trying to fish for even just one shrimp. Plus instead of 45 pieces of naan, there was only 36 so I called the owner Animesh and he didn’t take any accountability for the missing naan but instead he was very rude and insulting to me. Both him and his manager Sam had amnesia regarding the attempted overcharge last year. 10 pieces of naan had cut marks on one side and 26 pieces had cut marks on two sides which leads me to believe that some naan were cut into 4 pieces (see attached photo as proof of naan cut into 1/4 pieces) but Animesh kept arguing with me they don’t make mistakes and only cut their naan’s into 2 or 3 pieces. When I placed the order, Sam (the manager himself) confirmed that they cut their naan into just 3 pieces so in that case, where’s my 45 pieces and why just 36?! I feel I was cheated out of almost 4 naan that amount to about $10. Just very shady and unprofessional business practices! I would highly recommend people to stay away from Akbar's Own...

Great food but TERRIBLE SERVICE. I went there on Valentine’s Day with my boyfriend. When I arrived there was only one other table. The service was good and prompt at first. The server was very nice but she seemed a bit inexperienced. Maybe she’s new. We ordered tap beer which was very warm. I ordered another beer that was bottled hoping as it was probably kept in a fridge maybe it would be colder. It was not. The food was amazing but after we finished dinner the server asked if we wanted dessert. We ordered the dinner for two which the menu says comes with an appetizer, a choice of 2 main dishes and dessert. So I said of course we want the dessert that comes with the meal. After asking for dessert, which was ice cream and shouldn’t take that long, my boyfriend and I sat at the table for over 30 minutes waiting for dessert. At this point we were the only table in the restaurant. Another table came in during this time and they were greeted promptly and they got their dinner while I was still waiting for dessert. They got their hot meal before we got dessert!! I eventually had to go up to the staff and ask where my dessert was. She said it was rang in but the kitchen never received the order. Even if that’s true (and it’s probably not, I’m a server and I use that line all the time when I forget something), the server never came to ask if I wanted another drink when my beer was empty. She never checked on us. Didn’t ask if we wanted the check. After more than 30 minutes why did she think we were still sitting there??? We couldn’t even see any staff most of the time because they were in the back and my boyfriend asked if we were expected to even pay the bill seeing as they abandoned us. I asked her to bring the check with the dessert as we’d already been there so long. She brought the dessert, came back to check on us and I had to ask for the bill again. It just seemed absolutely ridiculous. Almost an hour between asking for dessert and then getting that and the bill. Needless to say it put a damper on our special valentines dinner, and I will not be dining with them again. I only recommend this place for take out. And I get the feeling that’s what they expect from their customers, unfortunately, as they don’t seem to care at all about providing any decent service for an in...

A great restaurant! Been there four times. Always friendly, fast service! (Usually with a motorized robot bring the food.) Highly recommend Akbar’s Own.

I recently had the mixed platter (chicken & veggie pakoras & 2 samosas plus two types of chutney). Great flavour (even without the chutney but spectacular with), just enough crispiness to give it texture! And for an appetizer item, pretty decent size.

Previously I had the lamb thali (lunch tray meal), which was awesome. Mine came with some extra pakora (I think), which is even in the picture on the menu and a regular part of their thali but might not be listed in the description so keep an eye out for it!

On another outing I had chicken curry (kadhai, I think) and it didn’t disappoint!

I usually order “extra hot” (which is their maximum spice level) when it’s an option. Not that day for some reason. Hence it was merely great but not the usual out-of-this-world. “Extra hot” for me feels like “spicy enough” but it might be too much / little spice depending on the person.

If you’re new to Indian food & Akbar’s in particular, if you have a regular size appetite, try one or two appetizers or the thali (lunchtime only).

If you have a bigger appetite, a curry (made as a meal for an extra charge) or some other main dish and perhaps an appetizer will probably suit you better. With company, best to order at least two main dishes (curries with chicken, vegetarian, lamb, beef, or seafood; rice dishes; or tandoor dishes).

Sadly, the place has seen a reduction in business due to nearby construction. The more folks that eat there & recommend it to others, the more likely Akbar’s Own can continue as a Vancouver go-to for many more years to come! (Saves travel time for Vancouver people going out to Surrey instead for Indian food of this quality.)

But the plus side of this commotion is you’re likely to find the place a quiet setting to have a great meal alone or with company. It’s almost like having the place to yourself (with the occasional pickup orders showing up).

But once construction is complete and Akbar's (hopefully) survives it, you'll get to dine on Indian food in a bustling, energetic atmosphere of other Indian food lovers!

And don’t make the same planning mistake as me: It’s closed on Sundays. EDIT: They're open on...