Chalukya Samrat Restaurant — Restaurant in Bengaluru

So I visited the newly opened Chalukya Samrat, and it was a huge disappointment, the size of Mount Everest. We used to be regulars at the old outlet before it shut down, and our favorites were Dipp Sambhar Vada and the Masala dosa, and I wanted to try these 2 items. Ordered the Dipp Vada Sambhar first, it was a piece of heaven in my plate, the most amazingly crunchy Vada, swimming in a tangy and sweet typical Karnataka Style Sambhar, I gobbled it up in 3 minutes, and it was so good that I was tempted to order 2 more, and I so wish I had done that, because, sadly, I ordered the ghee roast masala dosa, priced at a steep 130 Rs, but with high expectations, I took the slip and went to the dosa counter and that is from where the nightmare began. Firstly, I tried explaining the person taking the order that I want my dosa to be properly roasted, crisp, extra roast, used up all the variations, he listened to me and then put his hand under the counter and gave me a dosa that was already plated, it wasn’t a cold dosa, but there went my hope of an extra roast dosa in the drain. I meekly took the dosa, found a corner to sit and eat it peacefully, the first bite, the center was perfectly crisp on both sides, but as I dug deeper, I found that the inside layer of the dosa seemed uncooked, and the batter was so thick and raw, that it can be scraped up with a spoon. I took a few bites, and I kid you not, I was surprised, the dosa had no flavor, no salt, no taste at all, it felt as if I am chewing on a piece of slightly warm cardboard. Even the palya was disappointing and had no flavor at all I tried both the chutneys, again not upto the mark, no flavor, both green and white chutneys tasted the same, the only saving grace, was the bowl of piping hot sambar. I have eaten a lot of dosas, good, and bad both, but there has never been a time that the dosa was so unpalatable that I had to throw it away, and as someone who hates wasting food, I always finish whatever is in my plate, but today’s dosa was so bad, that I could not eat more than half of it. I feel disappointed that a place like Chalukya Samrat, which I loved and adored, has dished out the worst dosa today. I hope this review is taken seriously, and the Chalukya team ups their game, and improves the quality of the food they serve.

Dipp Vada Sambar, a solid 9/10! Ghee Roast...

Chalukya Samrat has always held a special place in my heart — a place I’ve visited since childhood when it was located at Race Course Circle. It was a regular weekend stop — especially for its legendary masala dose, badam halwa and laghu upahaara (mini meals), even if it meant waiting for a while. Ever since it closed, I had been waiting for its reopening, and now that it's back at Nehru Circle, it feels like a beloved tradition has returned.

The food continues to live up to its legacy. The Masala Dose remains their star — their signature dish with a distinctive red chutney spread inside a perfectly crisp, triangle-shaped dosa. The idly-vada with sambar is another comforting favorite that never disappoints and their filter coffee must try .Melt-in-the-mouth badam halwa with balanced sweetness —is an absolute delight! Recent favourite is the rava idly and sagu.

For North Indian cuisine lovers, I highly recommend the Handi Biryani and Paneer Maharani sabji— both flavorful and satisfying.

The restaurant is thoughtfully laid out, with self-service and full-service sections on different floors, making it easy for diners to choose their preferred experience.

Being an iconic place, it’s no surprise to see crowds and a bit of a wait for the dose — but the staff handles it exceptionally well, working tirelessly to serve everyone. And trust me, that little wait for their signature masala dose is absolutely worth it.

The place also offers valet parking, which adds to the convenience — especially during peak hours when the crowd picks up.

It’s only right to highlight the key figure behind it all — Mr. Santosh, who is incredibly friendly and personally ensures everything runs smoothly, making sure guests truly enjoy their meals. If you happen to see him during your visit, walk up and share your food experience — he’ll be delighted to hear from you and have a warm conversation.

Whether you're a long-time fan or a first-time visitor, Chalukya Samrat is worth a visit for its nostalgic charm and consistently...

Visited Chalukya Samrat around 10:30 PM and was surprised to find the place still buzzing with people — definitely a popular spot. We managed to get a table after a short wait. They do offer valet parking, but the security staff guiding the cars seemed a bit confused. A car ahead of us reversed without warning and almost hit ours, which was quite unnerving.

We placed our order and received everything within 15 minutes, which was impressive given how crowded it was. The mushroom pepper dry was spicy, garlicky, and quite enjoyable. Dal tadka was flavorful and comforting. We did have an issue with the tandoori rotis — a few were burnt — but the staff handled it well and replaced them promptly with fresh ones that were thin and nicely cooked. The kaju matar pulav was tasty and the quantity served was just right.

The service overall was quick and courteous. Special thanks to Ashwini and her team, who ensured our orders came on time and checked in on us during the meal.

However, the cleanliness and ambience, especially towards the end of our visit, left something to be desired. The washroom wasn’t maintained — water on the floor, tissues lying around, and the mirror seemed to be placed at a height that didn’t accommodate everyone. The real downside was when staff started cleaning while we were still in the middle of our meal. Despite many customers still dining, the cleaning crew began mopping and moving around with trays, making us feel rushed. One of them even stood near our table with their cleaning supplies, which made us uncomfortable and gave the impression that we were overstaying, even though the place was still accepting customers.

In summary, the food and service were satisfying, but the way the end-of-day operations were handled made the dining experience less pleasant. Would consider visiting again, hoping the late-night customer...