Mandap The Authentic Gujarati Thali Restaurant — Restaurant in Gujarat

I visited Mandap - The Authentic Gujarati Thali Restaurant (મંડપ થે ઓથેન્ટિક ગુજરાતી થાલી રેસ્ટોરન્ટ) on my recent trip to Vadodara on 16th May 2025, and I must say—it was a delightful surprise! I found this place randomly while looking for a good lunch spot nearby, and it turned out to be an absolute gem. It's located inside a hotel on RC Dutt Road in the Alkapuri area, which initially made me think it might be fancy and overpriced—as is often the case with thali restaurants in premium settings. But my perception completely changed after the first few bites.

The thali was not just vast in variety, but the taste and quality were outstanding. We were served puri, roti, khaman, aloo sabzi, chana, another sabzi, three types of dal, chaas, jaljeera, salad, rice, and three kinds of desserts—my favorite being rasmalai. The siwai was also amazing! I even shared photos to show just how many bowls of rasmalai I ended up eating—it was that good. The service was warm and prompt, the ambiance truly lives up to the name "Mandap", and everything was clean and beautifully maintained.

The cost of one thali was ₹550 and for two people, including taxes, it was ₹1150—absolutely worth it for the quality and quantity. Only thing to note is that parking might be a bit tricky, but it’s a small price to pay for such an experience. The entire menu is pure vegetarian. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a genuine and fulfilling Gujarati...

Highly disappointed! I had high expectations from this place due to its location and being one of the oldest restaurants serving Gujarati thali, but all the expectations went down the drain while visiting it and eating dinner.

My experience: I was not allotted the table and told to wait even when there were several tables empty. Servers were not at all attentive and I had to call them every time for chapati and other stuff. At one point I gave up as they were simply ignoring my hand gestures as well. They have a combo of sweets, one part limited, one part unlimited. But they didn't bother to bring the unlimited version of sweets on the table. Every time, I asked for sweets, I had to wait and they would bring one handful of small bowl only instead of the whole plate comprising multiple options of unlimited sweets. Sabzis served were sev tamatar, lasaniya aloo, tindola, and one other variety out of which only lasaniya aloo were worth savoring. Punjabi daal was plain boiled moong daal with some seasoning, which you will normally see in a household where they prepare it for the sick people. Compared to a price of 499, the quality and quantity of the food served was not up to the mark. it is best to avoid this restaurant if you are looking for a Gujarati thali and visit other options which are way cost effective and way better in terms of quality, quantity, hospitality...

Imagine a scenario - it's ur birthday and u decide to go out with ur family for lunch. Some time before leaving ur kid gets sick, but is too excited to go out anyway. U pursuade her to have homemade khichdi even when she goes to restaurant and she agrees! U r happy about how graceful she is!

Then u reach the restaurant and wait for 45 mins for ur turn to get a table. And when u reach the table, Mr. Amit Kumar keeps saying the same thing like a broken record - "Outside food not allowed"

No willingness even to listen to reason!!

Can the kid have homemade khichdi? - "Outside food not allowed"

She's not feeling well. - "Outside food not allowed"

We are willing to pay for her. - "Outside food not allowed"

We have waited for 45 mins for our turn, can u at least give a solution? - "Outside food not allowed"

Do u have khichdi in today's menu? - "Outside food not allowed"

Thank you for ur wonderful hospitality Amit Kumar ji! - "Outside food not allowed"

I understand, it's a busy day for a restaurant. It's a Sunday and that too a festive one. But how u r treated is still more important than the quality of food.

An established and popular brand like Express or Mandap failing at understanding that? - Not sure if it is a brand SOP problem or just an employee problem. But I don't think I m going there again or recommending it again to anyone!

"Outside food...