Dakshin, The Celebrated Tastes of Southern India — Restaurant in Andhra Pradesh

A Southern Symphony for the Senses: Dakshin at ITC Welcomhotel, Vizag Stepping into Dakshin at the Welcomhotel by ITC in Vizag is like entering a tranquil haven dedicated to the rich and diverse culinary heritage of South India. My recent dining experience here was truly memorable, not just for the food, but for the entire atmosphere it creates. Exquisite Ambiance: A True Highlight ✨ The ambiance at Dakshin is simply beautiful and truly sets the stage for an authentic South Indian dining experience. The decor is thoughtfully designed, reflecting traditional elements with a sophisticated touch. Warm lighting, tasteful artwork, and comfortable seating create an inviting and serene atmosphere. It feels refined yet welcoming, making it perfect for a relaxed dinner or a special occasion. There's a subtle elegance that allows the focus to remain on the culinary journey, without being overly ostentatious. The traditional music playing softly in the background adds another layer to the experience, transporting you to the heart of South India. A Culinary Journey Through the South 🍽️ Dakshin proudly showcases the awe-inspiring variety of dishes from the states south of the Vindhyas. The menu is a well-curated selection of coastal delicacies, creations from royal households, and closely guarded family recipes. While I found the taste of most dishes to be truly authentic and flavorful, brimming with traditional spices and fresh ingredients, some preparations stood out more than others. For instance, their Appam and Pachakari Stew were particularly delightful, perfectly cooked and balanced in flavor. The non-vegetarian options, especially the fish dishes, were notably fresh and expertly prepared. The attention to detail in presentation also enhanced the dining experience. Service and Overall Experience ✅ The service at Dakshin complements the high standards of ITC. The staff are professional, courteous, and knowledgeable about the menu, offering helpful recommendations and ensuring a smooth dining experience. They strike a good balance between attentiveness and allowing guests their space, which is always appreciated in fine dining. While it's a specialty restaurant, it's worth noting that Dakshin does not offer a buffet, focusing instead on à la carte dining which allows for a more personalized and curated meal. The prices reflect the premium quality of the ingredients, the expertise in preparation, and the overall upscale experience. In conclusion, Dakshin at Welcomhotel by ITC, Vizag, is more than just a restaurant; it's a celebration of South Indian cuisine. The beautiful ambiance, combined with authentic flavors and impeccable service, makes it a highly recommended destination for anyone looking to truly savor the culinary traditions of the South. It's a place where you can immerse yourself in the rich culture and taste the heritage...

You know those places that everyone raves about, and you excitedly visit to see what the fuss is about, and it turns out to be a massive disappointment. That was Dakshin for us - An anticlimax to my birthday celebration on 10th May.

What was good - The ambiance What was mediocre - The food What was terrible - Server's attitude, hygiene.

The ambiance was very inviting and cozy. Full points. There aren't many restaurants in Vizag that offer such pleasant seating.

The food is westernized to fit non-spicy foodies. It lacked the depth and flavours of the fantastic Andhra cuisine. Zamindari, Spicy venue are better options. You won't get the same ambiance, but the food there is mind-blowing. Dakshin's payasam is a mockery of the payasam made by mothers in Andhra and South India. It was watery, just boiled rice, and sweet. A 5-year-old can make it! There was not a single dish that made us go WOW! Not a single dish. And I am not biased because I've had my fair share of Andhra cuisine in Vizag.

The service fell below a 5-star standard. When we were in the process of deciding which side of the table we should sit, the server (a tall, dark, not-so-skinny gentleman) said loudly, "You know we serve only Andhra cuisine, right? Nothing north-Indian." This made us pause and re-evaluate our decision to come to Dakshin. We decided to stay because we were hungry and already there. I ordered a mango drink (from their menu) and the non-veg thali. The drink did not arrive even after 40 minutes, and hence I cancelled my order. The lady at the reception was polite but very hurried, as if they didn't want to deal with customers. All in all, the staff really needs training on how to be nice to ALL customers and not selective customers. The restaurant is all about Andhra cuisine, but the pride did not show in them. Customers who are from out of state and yet excited to explore Andhra cuisine want to understand what they are ordering, and we did. However, the explanation was half-baked - this is chicken, this is mutton, this is prawns. I mean, thank you for the world-class explanation.

Also, there was a mosquito roaming on our food - pic attached - that completely killed our appetite. We gulped the food, paid the bill, and dashed out in relief. In the evening, we went to Zamindari and enjoyed the lovely Andhra cuisine in all its glory and as it's meant to be. No whitewashing, no fakeness!

For those who think that this review is biased. We love ITC and frequent KAI on special occasions. We've never had such a mediocre experience there. Therefore, Dakshin was a shock to our system.

Will we visit again? Definitely not. Will we recommend Dakshin?...

The best service ever had although I visited many restaurants in Visakhapatnam. The way manmadha invited us with warm welcome and heartful smile. Next he made us seated in a corner place where we all were really comfortable . Next he shared the menu which were digital and quite interesting. We can even see the image of the dish over the tab. Later manmadha had suggested the best of this his menu. Mutton iguru (south Indian style) out of the world. Thengai kori( it's a Kerala chicken curry made of coconut... It's the best which is little spicy and creamy because of coconut milk and it's flavour was mouthwatering) Royyala vepudu( south Indian style and very spicy 🔥) must try this.. the prawns were really fresh and very soft.. 4.Kodi vepudu( it's an amazing dish I have ever tried this taste In any other resturant.. that ghee flavour from Kodi ghee roast was full exiting)

I must thank manmadha for suggested the best and chef sailesh from South Indian kitchen who made our food this tasty and delicious... It's really yummy my dear.. we really enjoyed the food... Mainly hospitality by manmadha it's just wow and my family members were really happy and had wonderful memories at dakshin grandbay.

I recommended this restaurant for mainly their hospitality and next quality and taste of food. Last but not least the luxurious ambiance with beautiful slow music. Amazing experience.

❤️THANK YOU...