The Old House — Restaurant in Karnataka

The Old House Cafe in Mysore City, a venue once renowned for its unique charm and relaxed ambience, has tragically spiraled into mediocrity, largely due to the glaring shortcomings of its manager. His lackluster attitude has eroded not only the staff’s morale but the entire customer experience, leaving a bitter aftertaste for anyone expecting a pleasant outing.

First and foremost, his failure to manage his staff effectively is evident the moment you walk through the door. The staff, lacking direction and motivation, often stumble through their tasks with little regard for the basics of customer service. It’s as though they have never been properly trained or even remotely encouraged to put their best foot forward. And the manager? He stands idly by, completely emasculated in his ability to address these glaring issues. Rather than stepping up and delivering constructive criticism or proper guidance, he hides behind a façade of helplessness, unwilling or unable to convey to his team the importance of professionalism and basic courtesy.

This dismal failure in leadership extends to his handling of the customer experience. When crowds swell, his response is lethargic at best, often resulting in disorganized chaos. Instead of acting decisively, he procrastinates endlessly, brushing off the mounting tension and hoping the situation resolves itself. In fact, he seems more inclined to shove customer concerns under the rug, pretending they don’t exist, or worse, offering superficial smiles while avoiding the core of the matter like an ostrich with its head in the sand. This creates an atmosphere of neglect, where customers feel more like inconveniences than valued patrons.

What’s even more infuriating is the way he pretends to work when the owners are present. His superficial display of busyness is a transparent attempt to cover his incompetence, and it’s an insult to the intelligence of both the staff and the customers. He gets paid without being held accountable, despite a slew of negative reviews from dissatisfied customers all pointing to the same issues. How the ownership continues to overlook these red flags is baffling, especially when the reputation of the cafe is clearly at stake.

His ineffective leadership, procrastination, and avoidance have left the cafe in a sorry state, where potential is squandered, and customers are left feeling frustrated and disrespected. If this continues unchecked, it won’t be long before the Old House Cafe's reputation deteriorates beyond repair. The cafe deserves better, and so do...

I had the pleasure of dining at The Old House on 27th February and was absolutely blown away by the entire experience. From the moment I stepped in, I was struck by the restaurant’s superb vibe and great ambience. The interiors are exceptionally well-maintained, exuding a sense of warmth and hospitality that makes you feel at home right away. Cleanliness and Hygiene is obviously a priority here—the toilet, wash room and every corner looked immaculately neat and hygienic. The food itself was nothing short of fantastic. The pizza arrived at the table piping hot and well baked, while the breads and gelatos were truly some of the best I’ve tasted. The variety on offer, combined with the quality of ingredients, makes this place a remarkable value for money venue. What truly sets The Old House apart, though, is the exceptional staff. They are remarkably well-groomed, always smiling, and clearly take pride in the restaurant they represent. Special mention to Mr. Harish, who took care of our table with genuine warmth and attention—I’ve rarely seen someone so involved and dedicated to ensuring every guest is happy. I’d also like to acknowledge Mr. Manjunath at the Bread Counter, whose proactive and pleasant demeanor made trying out different breads an absolute joy. It’s evident that the owner is deeply involved in the day-to-day running of The Old House and has instilled a spirit of service and pride in the entire team. In my opinion, this restaurant easily surpasses many 4 and 5-star hotels in both fare and service, not just in Mysore but across India. Hats off to the OWNER and everyone involved in creating such a remarkable dining experience. If you’re in Mysore, The Old House is a must-visit—go there for the warm ambience, stay for the outstanding service, and leave with a newfound appreciation for quality pizza, breads, and gelatos. You won’t be disappointed ! Do not forget to give a shout out for Mr Harish – one of the finest stewards I have encountered in a VERY LONG TIME and...

We visited The Old House on a Friday afternoon and ended up absolutely loving it. Every single item we ordered was a solid 5/5. ⭐

We started with the Korean cream cheese bun. 🥯 The last time I had a bun this good was at a cafe in Bangalore called The Monkey Cafe — and that was two years ago. This one at Old House totally matched that memory. Soft, melt-in-the-mouth, and just the right amount of sweetness.

Next, we had the Sicilian pizza. 🍕 The crust was thin, fresh, and the overall flavour was just spot on. They also served it with a side of some chilli oil or sauce, which added a beautiful nutty and spicy kick. 🌶️ That little add-on made a big difference. We loved it.

Then came the almond croissant — probably the best almond croissant I’ve had till date. 🥐 Perfectly flaky, but more than the texture, the flavour really stood out. Both the outside and the filling inside were just amazing.

We probably should have stopped with the pizza, but I got curious and wanted to try the croissant. And after that, I couldn’t resist going for something unusual I saw on the menu — Mysore filter coffee ice cream. 🍦☕ It was rich and intense, in the best way. I chose the cone instead of a cup, and that turned out to be a great decision because the cone gave a nice break from the richness of the ice cream and balanced everything really well. Sadly, I couldn’t try the white chocolate and hazelnut flavour, but maybe next time.

The cafe itself is beautiful. 🌿 We chose outdoor seating and really enjoyed it. It’s surrounded by greenery and in July, the weather was super pleasant and breezy, so it worked out well. The service was at a relaxed pace, not too fast, not too slow — and it actually helped us because we did end up overeating. 😅 So the little breaks between dishes were nice.

Overall, I’d totally recommend this place to anyone visiting Mysore. Would go back in a...