Alibaba & 41 Dishes - Trivandrum — Restaurant in Kerala

Very Disappointing Experience

I visited Alibaba and 41 Dishes after a long-time wish to try the place, but the experience turned out to be very disappointing. What we ordered: Nadan Mutton Spicy Soup : Priced 200.This was more like a curry than a soup. It was extremely over-flavoured and overly spiced, making it unpleasant to have.Even though they said it Nadan, the flavour was that much overpowering 👎🏼 Turkish Barbeque - Half :Priced 360- Just average. Didn’t feel worth the price at all👎🏼 Mixed Fried Rice :Priced 260- The worst item we ordered. The egg was overpowering and had a very bad taste—we couldn’t even eat a spoonful, even after trying with sauces.Very very bad in taste😑👎🏼 Cheesy Arabic Kunafa -Priced 350:We waited over 30 minutes for this, only to be served a dish with cold, unbaked cheese straight from the fridge. Totally not worth the wait and price.And we thought why the hell we have waited that much for this pathetic dish😡.

When we raised the issue of the fried rice, the staff member who took the order responded by saying “other customers didn’t have any problem,” which felt very unprofessional and dismissive. However, another staff member came later, patiently listened to our concerns and removed it from the bill, which we really appreciated. The cashier also addressed our feedback politely and removed the Kunafa from the bill as well, assuring us improvements will be made.

Pros: ✔️ Staff eventually handled the complaints respectfully and responsibly. Cons: ❌ Poor food quality ❌ Overpriced for what’s offered ❌ Long wait time with underwhelming results ❌ Initial unprofessional response to complaints

Overall, while the staff response to complaints was a positive note, the food experience was extremely poor. Not what we expected, and sadly not a place we’d recommend based on this visit. And we won't try this in...

I recently visited Alibaba and 41 Dishes for lunch with a group of 11 people, and overall, it was a mixed experience. The total bill came up to ₹7,077, which felt slightly overpriced for the quality and quantity of food served.

Ambience: The restaurant has a pleasant ambience with plenty of dining space, making it ideal for large groups or family gatherings. The seating was comfortable, and the decor added to the overall dining experience.

Food: The restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes, which is great for groups with diverse tastes. While not every dish hit the mark, there were some highlights. The mutton soup was disappointing—it lacked flavor and didn’t live up to expectations. On the brighter side, the chicken stew with butter roti was a standout dish. The stew was rich and flavorful, and the butter roti complemented it perfectly. Another excellent dish was the Nemmeen Pollichath—it was well-prepared, flavorful, and definitely worth trying.

Desserts: While the desserts looked tempting, they were quite costly, and the portion sizes didn’t justify the price. It’s worth skipping if you’re on a budget.

Service: The service was prompt and attentive, which made the dining experience smoother, especially for a large group.

Verdict: Alibaba and 41 Dishes is a decent spot for group lunches, thanks to its spacious ambience and extensive menu. However, the slightly overpriced bill is a drawback. While some dishes like the chicken stew and Nemmeen Pollichath shine, others like the mutton soup fall flat. The desserts are overpriced, so you might want to save room for something else. Overall, it’s a good place to visit if you’re in the mood for experimenting with their menu, but stick to the recommended dishes for the best experience.

Rating: 3.5/5

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I recently visited this restaurant, and unfortunately, it was extremely disappointing due to both the poor quality of the food and the unprofessional, rude behaviour of the front-of-house staff. To begin with, the staff member who served us lacked even the most basic understanding of how to treat customers with respect. His attitude was rude and dismissive, making us feel as if we were asking for free food rather than being paying customers. Hospitality begins with greeting customers politely, listening to their needs with patience, and creating a welcoming atmosphere. Sadly, this staff member showed none of these qualities, which completely ruined our dining experience. Additionally, the food is priced significantly higher than the average for Trivandrum, yet it does not justify this cost in terms of taste, quality, or presentation. The dishes lacked flavour, freshness, and care in preparation, leaving us feeling that the meal was a complete waste of money. To the management or owner: if you are reading this, please understand that customer service is the backbone of your business. It is not simply about taking orders and delivering food but about ensuring that customers feel welcome, respected, and valued throughout their visit. If your staff continue to behave in this unprofessional manner, it will drive customers away and damage your restaurant’s reputation, no matter how good you believe your food to be. I am writing this with the hope that you will take this feedback seriously, train your staff in proper customer service, and improve your food quality to match the prices you charge. Trivandrum deserves better dining experiences, and so do the customers who choose to spend their money at...