Podi Cafe — Restaurant in Gujarat

We went to Podi Cafe last Sunday. It was bustling, but fortunately, we got the table in just 5 minutes. The waiter set it up in no time, and we ordered it in the next 10 minutes, eagerly waiting for it to arrive. And then the thing happened—the dosa we ordered arrived. We see the plate—we see each other, and then we see the waiter—"Bhai, ye baccho ka portion aap le aye ya abhi aur ek ayega"? . The waiter was like This is the portion we served. We were shocked but more traumatised by the quantity served. The dosa was just a bit bigger than a usual pancake. We liked all the things we ordered, but they actually and sincerely need to work on the quantities because this was the tiniest dosa I have ever eaten in my life. How did the owner not know the dosa size? The madras curry at 580 Rs without paratha? And is the paratha the size of just an adult's fist and only one? How did the chef not intervene to make a properly sized dosa? How is others' feedback not taken into account when I see so many have written about the sizes/portions? Why doesn't it matter to the owner? Nothing is being done about it? Well, you are one of the most expensive cafes, that too a south indian one, I have ever come across. Call me a real gareeb, but the dosa size has to be worked upon. I felt the prices and the portions aren't justified at all, even if I compare them with Europe or another metro. So, dear owner, if you are reading this, please work on it. Authentic South Indian food is not just food; it's a true emotion. Good food, seldom disappoints; we were here because if we want to come here randomly just like that, I have to think 5 times...

A question worth asking a staff before you visit this restaurant is “is the South Indian food authentic?”

Honestly save yourself the trouble I’ll tell you the answer is no. They’ll tell you of it, probably, but if you know anything of South Indian food? This is not it.

Sure, the dosa is thick and the sambaar is nice but there’s more to South Indian food than just idli and dosa (if that’s what you’re here for then you might not be as disappointed as I was. except that the tomato chutney served along with it wasn’t chutney but LITERALLY salsa.)

I ordered the “madras curry with string paratha” quite excitedly.

Paneer butter masala. PANEER BUTTER MASALA!! That’s what I was served. Mind you, they also have another dish called “chettinad paneer with Malabar paratha”. Giving them the Benefit of the doubt I asked the service if they served me the wrong dish. The server assured me it was madras curry after having a word with the “chef”. To which I asked what would be different in the chettinad paneer dish if not for the madras curry. They literally said it would be the SAME DISH. Bro what!?? The manager came in telling us the same thing to which she said “our head chef is absent today” which I could honestly believe.

If I wanted to have a punjabi paneer dish I would literally go to uhh ANY OTHER RESTAURANT IN SURAT WHICH DOESN’T CLAIM TO BE SOUTH INDIAN AUTHENTIC.

Anyway, while we were quite vocal about this, it’s worth mentioning the manager and the staff were very sweet through all of this. In fact they waived the curry off the bill as well.

Would I go to podi cafe again? That’s...

The Podi Cafe. A premium south indian restaurant at Surat.it has Perfect location and good place with positive vibes. The ambience of the Restaurant is really good. When you enter you can feel the aroma of traditional south indian jasmine. They have some real good dishes like Malabar Paratha and various south indian veg curries. They serve on well cut banan leaf and you can have that magic aroma when you eat your food.

For filter coffee lovers , this place is new hangout place. But I would like to try their hot chocolate next time for sure. Many dishes are the unique and you may not get the same Any where in Gujarat.

It was pleasant surprise to see so many south indian cooks and staff Inside. You can experience the cultural vibes for sure. They have scope to improve their service for sure. Otherwise food is 10/10 & ambience is 10/10. The podi cafe is not Just about the food but about the experience. At podi cafe , One can Experience south india at without visiting...