Stepwell Café — Restaurant in Jodhpur

A Deeply Disappointing Experience at Stepwell Café, Jodhpur

Our recent visit to Stepwell Café, a venue that many have touted for its ambiance, turned out to be a profound letdown in nearly every aspect. Despite the café’s charming decor and inviting atmosphere, the service and overall experience left us thoroughly disillusioned.

Upon arriving, we were greeted by an abrupt encounter that set the tone for the rest of the visit. As we ascended the stairs, a waiter curtly informed us that smoking was not permitted—a reminder delivered with little to no courtesy. This struck us as odd, especially when we observed that foreign guests were allowed to smoke in designated areas on the top floor. It raises a significant concern: if the café expects a certain level of decorum from its patrons, shouldn’t the staff mirror that respect? Moreover, the presumption that we were there to smoke felt not only unwarranted but also indicative of a prejudiced attitude that we later found echoed in other aspects of the service.

Our order itself was simple and unpretentious—a coffee, a strawberry shake, a serving of pasta, and a pizza. However, what should have been a straightforward dining experience quickly devolved into an exercise in patience. After placing our order, we waited an astonishing 30 minutes for a single dish: the pasta, which arrived cold and unappealing. The delay only compounded when the pizza finally showed up 15 minutes later, and even then, it was clear that the kitchen’s focus was woefully misplaced. Basic accompaniments like water were completely overlooked until we had to specifically request them, and the drinks, which ideally should have been prioritized, were left unattended.

The most disconcerting aspect of our visit was the unmistakable bias in the treatment of customers. Throughout the evening, it became evident that the staff’s attentiveness was disproportionately skewed in favor of foreign patrons. While they received prompt and polite service, we were left waiting, repeatedly reminded of our presence by having to follow up on our orders. This inequity in service not only tarnished the dining experience but also suggested a deeper, systemic issue within the café’s operational policies.

A visit to any café should leave you feeling valued and respected; unfortunately, Stepwell Café failed miserably on both fronts. From the initial impolite encounter to the interminable wait times and the blatant display of preferential treatment, every element of our experience contributed to a growing sense of frustration and disappointment. For those seeking a place where every customer is treated with equal respect and efficiency, we would strongly advise looking elsewhere. Stepwell Café, despite its aesthetic appeal, does not live up to its reputation and is simply not...

Disappointing Service at Stepwell Café

OVERPRICED WITH BAD SERVICE

Our visit to Stepwell Café did not live up to its reputation. While the ambiance is nice, the service was quite disappointing.

As we climbed the stairs, the waiter abruptly informed us that smoking was not allowed—without any courtesy of addressing us as “sir” or “ma’am.” Interestingly, we noticed foreigners smoking in the café. When we asked about this, they explained that smoking was not allowed on the top floor. Fair enough, why did the waiter assume we were there to smoke in the first place? Coming to the service—our order was simple: 3 coffees, a strawberry shake, pasta, and pizza. However, we waited 30 minutes before receiving just the pasta. The pizza came 15 minutes later, and drinks, which should have been served first, were completely forgotten until we asked. Even basic things like water had to be requested separately.

What stood out most was the clear bias in service. The staff seemed more attentive to foreign guests, while we were left waiting unnecessarily. A good café should treat all its customers with equal respect and efficiency. Sadly, Stepwell Café failed in that regard. Definitely not worth the hype. Just they forgot to mention one thing “DOGS AND INDIANS NOT ALLOWED” Ps- we paid 3000 for 4 persons for...

The treatment at the cafe left me wondering that am I living in Australia or UK , because the kind of discrimination which I had to deal here for being an Indian , I can only imagine that happening to me in Australia or UK. I am left to ponder that am I living in pre-independence era when indians were looked down for being Indians in India .

This ungracious , ridiculously overpriced cafe has left only one thing which would have taken my memory to 1919 - “ dogs and Indians are not allowed “ . Except this the staff there made every effort to make us feel so .

I would not go at this cafe , even if I am dying of hunger and this place is the only place serving free food .

PS- I know some of you reading the review might feel that I am blowing things out of proportion , so please go there during tourist season . Every hotelier in Jodhpur is humble when they have less foot fall or when foreigners are not here , to know there true colour , go...