The Coriander Indian Restaurant — Restaurant in Victoria

We went to this place around 4-5 times and I could say that the staff in this place is biased towards customers. The way they treat local Canadians or people with fair skin ( probably to fetch hefty amount of tips ) , which is great but I also went with my family and the service was not good and we are capable to give tips. The thin tall guy with specs who take orders have different expressions for their own countrymen, along with the other person with studs on his ears. Also, don't serve in "chef coats" if you are not a chef. It's a disrespect towards the profession. People cooks for years to earn that chef's jacket. Don't give to some random guy. Although, the food was decent but hospitality is all about making an overall impact. Don't keep short term goal, think about bigger vision. We spend almost of thousands of dollars on eating outside but you lost a permanent customer. Hope you guys will understand. All the best Regards, Anshul Bhatia, Red Seal Chef

Reply to your reply on my review, since I am not able to reply.

Dear Ganpat and Anshu,

Thank you for your message. However, I must be direct: your response does more to deflect than to address the very real concerns I raised.

You accuse me of making “serious assumptions” and “personal attacks,” when in fact I described exactly what I experienced. If that truth makes you uncomfortable, that’s not my responsibility. I didn’t fabricate the treatment I received—I called it out. And as someone who has spent over a decade in this industry. I will not stay silent when I witness service that lacks basic respect and professionalism.

Your statement about inclusivity and non-discrimination is easy to write, but actions speak louder than prepared corporate language. What I encountered during my visit contradicted those values. Instead of acknowledging even the possibility that something went wrong, you chose to protect your image while attempting to discredit my integrity.

Your comment about the chef coats is equally dismissive. I didn’t question the coat—I questioned the conduct of the person wearing it. A uniform alone does not earn respect; behavior does. And when someone in a chef coat delivers substandard treatment, it’s absolutely appropriate—especially for another chef—to question that.

I did not write my review out of anger or ego. I wrote it because I believe the hospitality industry must hold itself to a higher standard—one where feedback, even uncomfortable feedback, is not met with deflection and denial.

You’ve made it clear you’re not interested in owning any part of what happened. That’s your choice. Just as it’s mine to share my experience—honestly, fairly, and without apology. All...

Definitely overpriced by about 3 to 4 dollars a dish compared to other Indian restaurants in Victoria. I remember when they first opened they were much more affordable. I used to order here once a week when they were $3 to $4 dollars cheaper a dish. I would continue to order takeout here once a week, if their dishes were on average 17.99 to 18.99 Food is great. Create lower prices for vegetarian dish’s. Varsha and Curry Club have fair pricing. Varsha has a combo meal at a great price. Curry Club has buffet on weekends and prices are fair.For the main meal $17.99 to $18.99 including rice. The curry club spring rolss are $15.99 and are amazing crispy yumminess for 4 nice size rolls. The Coriander restaurant reflects the prices that of a tourists spot more than that of the local James Bay people. Being It’s not fancy restaurant it’s a tiny cafe style restaurant. The prices should reflect that. Prices are too steep when other Indian places serve similar quality for a more affordable price. I wish the Coriander would start up their buffet again that was classic. Reflect loyalty to the area.in pricing perhaps a weekly deal to draw the regulars. I think starting up the buffet again would draw the locals back. This would show a kind effort for the locals drawing so many local people back. In my opinion it’s been lost since the prices sky rocketed. As a plus, creating a collective space which is what James Bay needs for a gathering space on Weekends by having the buffet. Think of it…with all the new builds going up in James Bay area it’s something to consider. They would have a jump start… It would be packed. Pack the place with great deals perhaps a deal of the week. An Indian bento box Japanese style with a few options. Great for takeout. James Bayers love their takeout. Trust me. Those of us who love to order take out would be all over that… An IndiIan style Bento box with rice. 2 proteins perhaps, one veggie option and one meat. One veggie Bento and another a meat bento. That would be epic. Bring back the Buffet on weekends too ! Lower base prices ..I assure you the people will come. Have a weekly special. Indian Bento boxes ! …If you have fair prices the people will most often become loyal and spread the word. So far, everyone I talk to they say the prices at Coriander.have gotten too steep. It’s not a fancy restaurant it’s a local’s joint. Cute yes, but the prices should honour the fact that it a simple local joint. I’ve only spent a lifetime in marketing, so...

Blatant Discrimination Overshadows Decent Food – Unacceptable Service

Let me be very clear: while the food here—particularly the pan biryani—is decent, the discriminatory behavior toward brown-skinned guests is appalling and absolutely unacceptable.

Across multiple visits, we encountered a consistent and disturbing pattern. The server—who also appears to be one of the chefs—displays an unmistakable lack of respect and courtesy toward brown customers. Orders are taken with visible impatience, and the body language is dismissive, almost as if brown guests are an inconvenience. This is not a one-off experience—it has happened every single time we’ve dined here.

Worse, the kitchen staff have no hesitation in making guests feel unwelcome. They openly stare, whisper among themselves, and display inappropriate body language that clearly communicates discomfort or mockery. If the restaurant is even slightly busy, brown guests are left waiting for extended periods without updates, apologies, or even the most basic gestures of hospitality.

A particularly telling example of this bias: when we ordered tea, we were given plain white sugar in a cheap, outdated container. The white guests seated next to us were provided with a proper tray including white, brown, and sugar-free options. This kind of microaggression speaks volumes—it’s not just about sugar; it’s about respect, and it’s clearly being distributed unequally.

When it’s time to pay the bill, there’s no eye contact, no smile, no thank you—just a silent transaction, as though we’re not worth acknowledging.

Let’s also not ignore the fact that when ordering online, the food quality noticeably declines. It seems once the customer is out of sight, standards fall further.

We gave this place four chances. Four. Each time, the experience was the same—not just for us, but for other brown patrons as well. Enough is enough.

Racism and discriminatory service have no place in the hospitality industry. Until this establishment makes a serious effort to correct their attitude, I cannot in good conscience recommend it—unless it’s the absolute last option in town. Even then, you...