ITLU - Veg Diner Restaurant — Restaurant in Hyderabad

I visited this restaurant with high hopes, but my experience was far from satisfactory.

From the moment we walked in, the service was lackluster. The staff seemed disinterested and unattentive, leaving us waiting for a significant amount of time before we were even greeted.

While the food arrived, it was a major letdown. The thali items were all cold along with the accompaniment papad. This was after we waited for 30 mins. To add to our disappointment the cold dishes made our meal unenjoyable. The bomb price that we paid for this thali, the number of items and the cold food is not at all in sync.

Despite the restaurant's promising exterior and menu, the reality fell short in every aspect. The combination of subpar food and inattentive service made for an underwhelming dining experience.

On top of this, i was surprised to find an additional 6 percent service charge added to my bill without any prior notice. This lack of transparency was frustrating. This should be known to the customers while paying. Additionally the meal was lacking in a basic yet crucial aspect: regular water refills. The restaurant dumped water bottles on our head as a mandatory requirement and didn't even concern to ask for regular.

Transparency, food quality and attentive service are key to a positive restaurant visit and unfortunately this itlu fell short in these areas.

Based on my experience, I won't recommend this to anyone seeking a quality dining experience and...

We hosted a luncheon at ITLU, hoping to treat our NRI guests to an authentic Telugu meal. While the location, parking, and ambiance were excellent, the food was a major letdown. The menu, billed as South Indian, felt far from it. A thali starting with jeera rice and puri sabji is unheard of in authentic Telugu or South Indian cuisine. Signature Andhra dishes like aratikaya koora, kandi podi, gongura pachchadi, pulihora, neti garelu, and bobbatlu were conspicuously absent. The parval tadka served didn’t align with South Indian flavors, and the sambar paled in comparison to what’s served at places like A2B in Chennai. Overall, the menu misrepresented South Indian, particularly Telugu, cuisine, leaving our guests disappointed. I urge ITLU to stop marketing itself as a South Indian restaurant unless it delivers authentic flavors. Suggestions for Improvement: Revamp the Menu: Include staple Telugu dishes like gongura pachchadi, pulihora, aratikaya koora, kandi podi, neti garelu, and bobbatlu to reflect authentic Andhra cuisine. Authentic Sambar and Rasam: Ensure sambar matches the tangy, flavorful standard of renowned South Indian restaurants. Train Staff on Regional Cuisine: Educate the team on what constitutes Telugu and South Indian food to maintain authenticity. Please employ staff who know Telugu and not those who cannot understand...

We recently visited Itlu and had an absolutely fantastic dining experience. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance felt welcoming and cozy, setting the stage for a memorable meal.

Food: The food was exceptional, offering a perfect blend of flavors that were both bold and balanced. Every dish we tried had a unique twist, showcasing fresh ingredients and expert preparation. The menu is diverse, and each item we ordered was delicious. It’s clear that the chefs at Itlu take pride in their craft, delivering a culinary experience that goes beyond expectations. Whether you’re a fan of traditional flavors or something a little more adventurous, there's something for everyone.

Service: What truly elevated the experience was the service. Raghu and Bharat were outstanding! Their attention to detail and friendly demeanor made us feel like we were in good hands. They were attentive without being overbearing, offering helpful suggestions and ensuring we had everything we needed. Their knowledge of the menu was impressive, and they made sure we were well taken care of throughout the meal.

Overall, Itlu delivered a perfect blend of excellent food and top-notch service. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend checking it out! You won’t be...