Gajalee Restaurant, Mangalore: A Seafood Lover's Paradise with a Surprising Veg Delight Gajalee Restaurant in Mangalore stands as a true culinary gem, particularly for those with a penchant for authentic Mangalorean-style seafood. Nestled in the picturesque Circuit House Compound, the restaurant offers not just delectable food but also a charming ambiance that harks back to its colonial bungalow origins, complete with French-style windows and often a panoramic view of the city. The undisputed stars of Gajalee's menu are its Mangalorean seafood preparations. From the moment you peruse the menu, you'll find yourself salivating over the extensive array of fresh catches. The fish fry here is legendary, prepared with a perfect blend of spices and a crisp exterior that gives way to tender, flaky fish within. Whether it's the delicate Bombil Fry (Bombay Duck) or the perfectly executed Banguda (Indian Mackerel) Rawa Fry, Gajalee consistently delivers. For those who appreciate rich, aromatic gravies, the Prawn Ghee Roast is an absolute must-try. This signature dish, a hallmark of Mangalorean cuisine, is a symphony of flavors with plump prawns bathed in a spicy, ghee-laden masala. Similarly, their crab dishes are highly celebrated, offering succulent crab meat in a variety of preparations that showcase the region's distinct spice profiles. And don't miss out on their squid dishes, whether it's a fiery masala or a subtle butter pepper garlic, each bite promises a burst of coastal goodness. While Gajalee is primarily celebrated for its seafood, a pleasant surprise awaits vegetarians: the Veg Biryani. In a place renowned for its non-vegetarian fare, their vegetarian biryani holds its own. Often described as flavorful and aromatic, it's a testament to the kitchen's culinary prowess that even their non-seafood offerings are crafted with care. Gajalee generally garners praise for its courteous and attentive staff, who are often willing to guide you through the menu and suggest specialties.
In conclusion, Gajalee Restaurant is an essential stop for anyone looking to experience the vibrant and authentic flavors of Mangalorean seafood. And for those who prefer plant-based options, don't shy away – their veg biryani might just become your...
Read moreYesterday I came here with my family for lunch. It's a decent & nice place to eat out. It is situated near Kadrí Park inside a government PWD circuit house campus on top of a small hill . The outer look of the building is old but when you enter it it is vast inside. There are 3-4 halls with many dining tables,chairs to have food & drink. There is also a Bar. There is an open space on one side of the hill adjacent to the restaurant building arranged with dining tables chairs to enjoy food under big colorful umbrellas where you can see the beautiful Mangalore city worth it for dinner. I went for lunch with my family and ordered a few Mangalorean dishes with chilled beers, creamy tomato soup & virgin blue lagoon cocktail ..masala papads...every single item was good. Had chicken ghee roast, pomfret masala, silver fish( Bolenjir in local Tulu language) deep fry& rawa fry & paneer tikka. Ghee roast chicken was a little hard not soft at all , spicy but tasty..Pomfret was so soft & flavoured. Paneer Tikka is mast masth👌👌.Silver fish( small bolanjir fish) is properly rawa fried was crisp & excellent. They normally come in the size of a finger. Then we ordered dum chicken biryanis. It is an authentic Mangalore style Biryani with a few medium size chicken pieces. I can't say it was mouth watering but it had a good taste.. Seating was good. The ambiance is average.. Service is good but there is a delay in service I mean food preparation time was 45 minutes or more. At one time when one of the dishes was served 45-50 minutes after our order I sent the order back to the kitchen for a late serving , then the manager came & apologized several times for the delay. OK it was a mistake of the restaurant & I pardoned because we have really enjoyed our lunch here. Wants to visit again. Thank...
Read moreDisappointed with the Experience.
I rarely leave negative reviews, but my recent visit to Gajalee hotel was quite despairing. We went in with high expectations based on the reviews, but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to them.
To begin with, The staff seemed disorganized and inattentive. And all thanks to Mr prashant Kumar ( A waiter ) who is literally lack basic ethics and etiquette. The waiter responded with an irritated tone .This dim witted waiter was literally turned off the lights while we were having food & had the audacity to holler at us to vacate , as if we were bothering him and he rolled his eyes before walking away without a word.
No customer should be made to feel like a burden. Dining out is not just about food — it’s also about the experience, and unfortunately, this one was soured by the lack of basic courtesy and professionalism.
The food itself was decent, but the service really overshadowed everything. I genuinely hope the management addresses this kind of behavior, because no one deserves to be treated with disrespect. PERIOD.
Overall, it was an underwhelming experience and not worth the money. I hope the management ( Mr Chirag Madhukar Shetty ) takes feedback seriously and works on improving both service and basic etiquette , how to speak to customers. Shetre, prashant Kumar ga churu yencha paaterodu pand...
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