Zaffran By Tbc... North west Frontier Cuisine (Restaurant & Bar) — Restaurant in Bengaluru

3/5 Stars - A Tale of Two Visits

I've had the pleasure of dining at Zafran Restaurant twice, and my experiences couldn't have been more contrasting.

First Visit (5/5): My initial visit was nothing short of spectacular! The ambiance was elegant, and the staff were warm, attentive, and knowledgeable. But what stole the show was the food - every dish, both veg and non-veg, was a masterpiece. Flavors were balanced, presentation was impressive, and portion sizes were generous. We left feeling satisfied and eager to return.

Second Visit (1/5): Unfortunately, my second visit just 2 weeks later was a stark disappointment. We ordered almost the same dishes, but the quality had plummeted. Each item tasted completely different - and not in a good way. Flavors were off, spices were mismatched, and textures were unappealing. Moreover, the chicken meat quality was noticeably substandard. It felt tough, dry, and lacked the tenderness and juiciness we've come to expect from a restaurant of Zafran's caliber. We notified the staff, who apologized but it was really a bad experience.

The Verdict: While my first visit showcased Zafran's potential, the second visit exposed inconsistencies in their kitchen. I'm willing to give them another chance, hoping that the issues were an isolated incident.

Pros:

Elegant ambiance Great staff Excellent food quality (first visit)

Cons:

Inconsistent food quality Significant decline in taste and presentation (second visit)

Recommendation: Despite the mixed experience, I still recommend Zafran Restaurant for its ambiance, service, and potential for delicious food. Hopefully, they'll iron out their kitchen inconsistencies.

Will I return? Yes, to give them another chance.

Ambiance: 4/5 Service: 4.5/5 Food Quality (First Visit): 5/5 Food Quality (Second Visit): 1/5 Overall: 3/5

ps - do try their Shorba & most of...

You will be spoilt for choice while looking for authentic North Indian fare around Marathahalli, and to add more to the trouble there is now Zaffran by TBC just right here in Marathahalli near the old Spice Garden location. A classy new place with fantastic insta-worthy decor with cozy seating for an authentic fine dining experience, with a service to match. I sat down with my bunch of friends with a Jal Jeera Gin & Tonic, a desi version of this very videshi concoction which was decent as the startered began to arrive. The Lahori Paneer Tikka was super soft, well marinated and cooked to perfection in a tandoor and so was the Murgh Zafrani tikka, juicy and extremely tender. The chargrilled tawa prawns had a superior flavour infused into these super fresh tender prawns. The super star starters were complemented by a murgh dhaniya shorba that was high on flavors but low on consistency, it was a very thin soup.

The Jamoontini, the desi martini infused with jamoon fruit was pink and refreshing to pair with the Zafrani Pulao, their signature, a less spicy flavorsome version that I enjoyed with the decent Mutton Rogan Josh and chicken Kolhapuri. Compared to the starters, that are highly recommended, the mains fell a little short of excellence for us, and the desserts tried to make up for the same, with the Shahi Tukda getting a thumbs up from us and the Gulab Jamun getting a thumbs down.

Overall a great place with excellent starters and drinks that you should try with your favorite bunch, and don't forget to use Eazydiner to unlock some excellent offers when you dine here a...

A Disappointing Experience Despite Promising Ambience

We visited this newly opened restaurant after reading some glowing reviews online. Unfortunately, our experience didn’t match the hype. We ordered the Mutton Rara, expecting a rich, well-cooked dish. While the masala was flavorful, the mutton itself was undercooked—tough and chewy. I immediately flagged it to the waiter, who was polite and said he’d inform the manager. But even after asking twice, the manager didn’t show up until much later. When he finally came, he offered to replace the piece and brought back a small dish with 2–3 pieces. I tried one and sent the rest back. It felt more like a formality than a genuine attempt to fix the issue. The Laccha Paratha was another letdown—burnt at the bottom and barely edible. At ₹90 per piece, basic quality should be expected. We could only eat half of it. I don’t have any complaints about the waiter—he was courteous throughout. But the manager’s delayed response and lack of engagement was disappointing. Eventually, they offered a complimentary Gulab Jamun, which was a nice gesture, but it didn’t make up for the overall experience. The interiors are impressive, no doubt. Clearly, a lot of money has gone into the design. But customers don’t come for the decor alone—they come for quality food and respectful service. Smiles are welcome, but they shouldn’t be plastic. Value is shown through action, not appearance. Hope the management will take this positively and fix the issue ASAP ... even we want a good hotel nearby .. However not just to taste the curry masala...actual...