Ilai Indisches Gastronomie — Restaurant in Munich

Disappointing Experience at Illai Restaurant: Poor Service and Portions

I recently dined at Illai Restaurant and unfortunately, it was a thoroughly disappointing experience from start to finish. Despite the promising menu, the overall service and portion sizes left much to be desired.

First and foremost, the way the staff treated customers was utterly lacking. There was a noticeable absence of attentiveness and hospitality. It seemed as though they were indifferent to our presence, which made the dining experience feel unwelcoming and impersonal.

Moreover, the portion sizes of the dishes were shockingly inadequate. It felt as though we were being served meals fit for children rather than adults. The lack of quantity left us feeling unsatisfied and compelled to order more, which significantly inflated the bill without adding any substantial value to our meal.

One of the most disappointing aspects was the biryani, which arrived lukewarm at best. A dish renowned for its vibrant flavors and comforting warmth, the tepid temperature of the biryani was a major letdown. It lacked the freshness and aromatic appeal that one expects from a well-prepared biryani.

Additionally, the "uthappam" label on the menu was perplexing and insulting. For me the Uthappam is called as Kids Uthappam what they served

Overall, Illai Restaurant fell short on multiple fronts. From the subpar service to the insufficient portion sizes and lackluster quality of the dishes, it was a disappointing dining experience. I would not recommend this establishment to anyone looking for a satisfying and enjoyable meal. It's evident that there are significant improvements needed in both the kitchen and front-of-house operations before Illai can be considered a worthy dining...

We ordered a dinner combo menu for a mini-party. It was kinda impromptu and they delivered the food on time.

The actual Food Review:

Chicken biryani- It’s a Tamilnadu style biryani. If you’re craving basmati rice tamilnadu style biryani (heard they also make seeraga samba), this would be your best bet. I totally loved it. It had amazing flavor, rice was cooked to perfection, neither too dry nor soggy. This is one of the best I have tasted in Munich, because Indian restaurants in Munich generally serve some instant mix up biryani.

Veg Pulao- surprisingly this was also very good. I had vegetables for every bite in the food which is amazing. What I loved about it was they refrained from adding potato and had cauliflower in it. Great!

Non veg salna and pepper chicken was also true to its name, spicy and flavorful. Not to forget the cuts of the chicken in pepper chicken- small pieces with bone, just went well with the biryani as a side.

Mushroom pepper fry- I was not impressed by it, but no complaints.

Mini Rasamalai - had 2 small soft pieces with loads of badam. The sugar could have been lesser for my liking.

Overall highly recommend if you’re looking for some authentic south indian food. The price point is the winner here. If they could sustain these standards, it’s a great place for...

Updated Review: I recently revisited Ilai again and noticed some changes that I wanted to share. While the food still retains its authentic Tamil flavors, which I truly appreciate, the service has unfortunately declined. During my latest visit, it took a while to receive the menu, and I had to ask for it multiple times. The Sarbath I ordered had a chemical taste. What was disappointing was the lack of apology or acknowledgment from the staff when I brought this to their attention.

Additionally, being charged over €15 for a small piece of fish felt excessive and not in line with the value expected for the price. Despite these issues, the culinary authenticity remains a highlight, but improvements in service and pricing are necessary to ensure a consistent dining experience.

Original Review: First authentic Tamil food in Munich. Wanted to try this since a long time. Recently visited this place and the food was amazing and delicious with authentic flavors.

Tried Chicken 65, Chicken Biriyani, Kothu Parota. Everything was super delicious. Even Gulab Jamun was amazing and tasted homemade.

Service was friendly. I would definitely recommend this for anyone who wants to try...