PADMA CAFE PERUNNA — Restaurant in Kerala

We went in during rush hour, so had to wait for a few good minutes, before we got our seats. Overall, a good vegetarian place, with a good ambience. Only gripe we had were most of the items came a bit cold, and weren't fresh as you'd expect and the really compact seating arrangements. For an upscale place, it seemed a bit too congested. Also there are better restaurants taste wise, nearby, so not exactly something I'd recommend.

Taste: 3/5 Price: 4/5 Ambience: 4.5/5 Service: 4/5

The pal(milk) porotta with soya curry was an unexpected W. Exceeded expectations, specially for a vegetarian dish. I personally am not a fan of masala soya curries, but I liked the porotta drenched in what seems to be, coconut milk based stew. It was also served hot, and was seemingly the only fresh dish we recieved lol. Paneer butter masala was really rich and tastes good. It wasn't too oily, or spicy. Chapati was cold, and hard. Porotta was also not hot. All of them were definitely not fresh, and probably reheated. Ghee roast arrived cold, which is a total bummer, cause the crispiness depends on the heat. Tastes good, on par with other restaurants. Chutneys are fine, nothing spectacular. I've had better from other places (notably Pazhayidam and Aaryas). Kesari was nice too, liked it (20₹). The only dish I did not like was chole bhature. The bhatura was fine, and hot/fresh, however, the chole was utterly bland and dry. Usually if it's dry, you'd expect it to have a lot of flavour, but this was lackluster and totally disappointing. Filter coffee was great, with strong flavour and slight sweetness. It was 25₹, totally overpriced.

Prices were fair, as you'd expect from a South Indian veg restaurant and for the quantity they provide, pretty reasonable aswell, with each of us incurring around 150₹per head.

The place was really neat and well maintained, the washrooms were clean. Servers were really nice, and even gave suggestions which were helpful. They did seem to be a bit understaffed, but it's probably due to rush hour. Keep in mind, during rush hour, you'd be waiting to get free seats.

Ample parking space, and it's right next to the road, with clear markings and signboard, so it's...

A Mixed Experience on a Busy Christmas Day

This restaurant stands out for its spacious parking, pleasant ambiance, clean and hygienic atmosphere, and delicious vegetarian food. These highlights make it a promising option for dining, especially for those seeking a comfortable and family-friendly environment.

However, our visit on Christmas Day revealed significant operational shortcomings. The heavy footfall, driven by the holiday crowd and the unavailability of other open restaurants, exposed the restaurant's lack of preparedness to handle large numbers.

One of the major issues was the absence of a proper queue management system. Staff were untrained in managing queues, ensuring first-come, first-served service, or following up on orders efficiently. This led to a frustrating experience, as guests who arrived later were served before us. The lack of leadership and oversight was evident, with no captains or supervisors to guide the staff.

The service was further marred by delays in order-taking and serving. The order taker was preoccupied with serving duties, resulting in a disorganized flow of operations. Basic table essentials like glasses and tissues were missing, and no effort was made to upsell or cross-sell items. Even bottled water was not offered, leaving guests to fend for themselves.

While the food quality and ambiance are commendable, the poor service on a busy day highlighted the need for better staff training and management. With proper leadership, queue management, and attention to guest needs, this restaurant could significantly enhance its reputation.

Conclusion: This restaurant has the potential to be a top choice for vegetarian dining, thanks to its tasty food and pleasant atmosphere. However, the chaotic service during peak times, lack of queue management, and inattentive staff diminish the overall experience. Improvements in these areas are necessary for it to live up to...

Padma Café, located in Perunna, is a vegetarian restaurant run as a Women Empowerment Project by the Nair Service Society - Social Service Department. This café stands out with its cleanliness, excellent parking facilities, and spacious interiors, making it a convenient stopover for travelers.

The café maintains a clean environment, including wash areas and toilets, which is a major plus for visitors. It features two spacious air-conditioned cabins, each accommodating 30+ guests, providing a comfortable dining space. An additional snacks counter set up outside near the washroom is a thoughtful touch.

The ample parking space is another advantage, capable of accommodating even large vehicles, making it ideal for families and groups traveling by bus or van.

We visited in the morning for breakfast, and while the ambience was good, the food was average. The café tends to be crowded during mornings, leading to delays in food service. The staff appeared to lack proper training, which affected the overall experience.

One downside was the presence of houseflies, likely due to seasonal factors, which could be improved with better pest control measures.

The pricing is reasonable, making it a budget-friendly option for travelers. However, one major drawback is the lack of a visible price list or menu. It would be helpful if: • A large display board with available items and prices is placed prominently. • A printed menu is provided on each table for customer convenience.

Padma Café is a decent option for a quick vegetarian meal, especially for travelers looking for clean facilities and ample parking. While the ambience and infrastructure are commendable, improvements in service efficiency, food quality, and menu visibility would enhance the overall dining experience.

Recommended for travelers needing a...