Delhi Darbar Hotel — Restaurant in Goa

We dined here because our friends had visited 17 occassions previously before COVID 2020. Even though I had read the recent reveiews on here they insisted that it is a top notch restaurant. All I can say is if you want the novalty of an authentic traditional person welcoming you into their diner then thats about the highlight. I would call this a diner rather than a restaurant, if you picture it as a small grubby place to go after spending the night on a British pub crawl then that's your expectations then great head here and remember the next mornings toilet activity. Lol. The table cloths are cleaned I assumed, but have old stain marks and the place could do with a spruce up to make it fresh. We ordered a sparking wine and when the waitor popped the cork there was no pop or any fizz. For the first time in my life I was presented with flat sparking wine, which is something that I have had after leaving my own fizz in the fridge for over a week. The price was not reflected as it was expensive but shockinly undrinkable vinegar. The ice bucket that they then placed our flat wine was that dirty I could only say it reminded me of a coal shovel I used to use to refill our open fire at home back in the 80's. The ice cubes was not filtered however it was just used to fill the ice cold bucket so we never opted for ice in our drinks. If covid has taught every human on earth that cleanliness prevents the spread of germs then 4 years later this place has forgotten the basics. The food was lots off in fact huge portions as you would expect and in general it did taste good. From not experiencing many Goan Indian cuisines but having many British curries, it's far far better than any English dodgy city of the night india restaurant. However what I have experienced Goan food in my stay it was just an average taste and an average place. The glasses presenting the wine and cocktails where out of this world which also is a highlight but sadly nice wine glasses being poored by cheap flat wine from a dirty ice bucket doesn't make it better. It's like having an Austin allegro and then changing the steering wheel for a Ferrari. Will not make any difference lol. This I believe was a amazing place before COVID and it is a shame as it would not take much for it to become back to its former glory, maybe I am being harsh. If you want to experience good to medium Goan food then do try this place but please remember it's not the fanciest or cleanest place, the toilets are ok. There are much much better restaurants a little bit closer to the shore line, if it's a budget then please go here as the price isn't that bad and they will bag up any leftovers to remind you what you ate the night before :(. No really it's ok if you want to experience and are on a British budget, but if you are Indian or local then it is expensive and probably go to a smaller establishment. If you want luxury then head over to the river fronted restaurants or the ones facing the sea. Or in fact get a pair of pants on and go into the casino on the river, for the same money you get inclusive drinks and food and. Chips and entertainment. For me I will not be returning to this place unless I start to see recent reviews saying the place has cleaned up. I dont mind paying for cleanlieness and better facilities, it's a no brainer, if the cloths are dirty what are the cooking facilities like. They might be clean but it's just my opinion and I think it's what most people will think. Sad expereince but food was ok. Sorry I wish it was a better experience. The casinos are cleaner and have entertainment, you might end up on the toilet from both places but at least in the casino you've been entertained. The place has air-conditioning which was slightly to cold but they turned it down as I was slighyly cold and had goose bumps. Well it was a night to remember but I hope it really does get back...

Delhi Durbar Hotel in Goa has undoubtedly become one of my favorite culinary destinations! My recent visit to this delightful establishment left me with an unforgettable experience of flavors and aromas that tantalized my taste buds like never before.

Upon entering the hotel, I was warmly greeted by the attentive and courteous staff, who escorted me to the restaurant with a genuine smile. The ambience was both charming and relaxing, making it a perfect setting for a delightful dining experience.

Now, let's talk about the food – it was simply divine! The chefs at Delhi Durbar have mastered the art of preparing delectable dishes that reflect the rich and diverse flavors of Indian cuisine. The menu offers a wide range of dishes, from classic North Indian delicacies to mouthwatering coastal delights.

For starters, I had the pleasure of savoring their Paneer Tikka – the soft and succulent paneer pieces were marinated to perfection, bursting with flavors of spices and charred to a delightful smoky texture. The Tandoori Prawns were equally impressive, leaving me wanting more with each bite.

The main course was an absolute treat. The Butter Chicken was a showstopper – creamy, rich, and perfectly balanced with spices. The Goan Fish Curry was a delightful surprise, with its coconut-infused gravy and tender fish pieces. The aromatic Biryani stole the spotlight, and the fragrance alone was enough to awaken my taste buds.

To end on a sweet note, the desserts at Delhi Durbar were nothing short of blissful. The Gulab Jamun was warm and soaked in a sugary syrup, while the Kulfi was the ideal way to cool down after a delightful feast.

I must also commend the service, as it was top-notch throughout the evening. The staff's knowledge of the menu and their recommendations were spot-on, making my dining experience even more enjoyable.

Overall, my visit to Delhi Durbar Hotel in Goa was an unforgettable journey through the diverse and delightful world of Indian cuisine. The flavors, the service, and the ambience all came together to create a memorable culinary experience that I'll cherish for years to come. If you're a food lover seeking an exceptional dining experience in Goa, Delhi Durbar Hotel is a must-visit...

I don’t have pictures of the food to share but I must say that the quality of food has dropped tremendously from what it was in 2018. Yes, this was pre-covid times, so they must have lost their old staff but it doesn’t mean they must compromise on the taste of the food.

We ordered 4 garlic naans, each of which was not well done, like it previously was. For starters we ordered tandoori chicken and hariyali kebabs, both of which were just satisfactory. The kebabs didn’t have the flavour and charcoal infused taste like this restaurant once served.

For the main course, there were the above mentioned naans and chicken darbari and mutton masala, both of which again were just ok.

The dessert was gulab jamuns which were hot but lacked a punch or even a filling of kesar, badam, pista.

Sadly, this legend that was once Delhi Darbar has lost it’s legacy to it’s new branches in Candolim and Calangute. No wonder you barely see people visit this restaurant, which once used to see a packed house. It’s sad to see that it’s priced at the same rates as restaurants which serve better food, but Delhi Darbar is still a fat fry...