Arsalan Restaurant & Caterer — Restaurant in Kolkata

Arsalan stands as a culinary institution in Kolkata, a highly acclaimed restaurant chain celebrated for its mastery of authentic Mughlai cuisine. Its iconic Biryani, in particular, has earned it a legendary status among food connoisseurs. Founded in 2002 by Akhtar Parwez in the bustling Park Circus area, a traditional hub for Mughlai food, Arsalan quickly distinguished itself and has since grown into a city-wide landmark. It has become a household name, synonymous with high-quality, flavourful meals, expanding from its original location to numerous outlets across the city. While its Mutton and Chicken Biryani are legendary—perfectly capturing the unique Kolkata style with fragrant, long-grained rice, succulent meat, and the signature soft potato—the extensive menu offers a treasure trove of other delicacies. Diners can indulge in a variety of delicious kebabs, from tender Galouti to robust Seekh Kebabs. Signature dishes like the rich, slow-cooked Chicken Chaap and the delicate, white-gravy Mutton Rezala are perennial favourites. The restaurant's enduring success is built on a steadfast commitment to using high-quality ingredients and time-honoured cooking techniques, ensuring a consistent taste that patrons have come to trust. With a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere, most Arsalan outlets are bustling with energy, catering to both intimate family dinners and large group celebrations. In a nod to modern times, it also offers convenient online ordering and home delivery. Reflecting its evolution, the newest outlet, strategically located opposite the Bangladesh High Commission, offers a more premium experience. With its elevated decor, higher price point, and more polished staff behaviour, this branch caters to a clientele seeking a refined dining atmosphere, showcasing Arsalan's ability to adapt and appeal to diverse segments of the market while retaining its authentic...

I recently visited Arsalan Circus Avenue (near Park Circus outlet) and my experience was extremely disappointing.

First of all, when we were clicking pictures of the menu, the staff told us it wasn’t allowed, which makes no sense since the exact same menu is easily available online. Then, we brought a simple plastic water bottle and were told not to keep it on the table, with no proper explanation. The way they spoke made it seem like they were doing us a favor by letting us dine there, instead of treating us like customers.

The service was horrendous. We had to wait for over 40 minutes for the Special Chicken Biryani, only to be told that the previous batch was finished and the next batch wasn’t ready yet. That’s simply unacceptable for such a reputed restaurant. Although the staff did respond politely to queries, the overall service quality was extremely poor.

Now, about the food: It was just average. Not particularly bad, but nowhere near outstanding either. The biryani tasted like the usual Kolkata style Arsalan is known for, but the chicken pieces in the “Special Chicken Biryani” were disappointingly small. We also ordered Chicken Tandoori, which was just okay.

I have visited their Shobhabazar and Park Circus branches before, and the service and hospitality there were far better compared to this outlet.

Overall, this was an absolutely gutted experience. I am never visiting this branch again.

Ironically, the only highlight was the security guard outside saluting us both when we entered and when we left, which really says a lot when the best part of a restaurant visit happens on the outside...

We visited the new Arsalan outlet in Beck Bagan today, and honestly, it turned out to be a very disappointing experience. We were a group of 11 people, and things started going wrong right from the beginning.

We ordered 2 plates of kebab, but instead of serving everyone together, the staff served 5 of us first, and the remaining 6 were served more than 30 minutes later, even though we were all seated at the same table. Before everyone even got their starters, the main course started coming out again in random batches. First 5 people were served, then 2, then another 2, and the last 2 got their food when most of us had already finished eating. We eventually had to tell everyone to just start before the food got cold.

We had also ordered salad along with the biryani, but almost everyone finished their biryani and the salad never arrived. We had to cancel it at the end. And when we asked for the plates to be cleared, the captain in charge replied very rudely, saying, “ek haath me khali plate do, dusre haath se lo.” That kind of tone and behaviour was completely uncalled for.

For a brand like Arsalan, this level of poor service and such rude staff behaviour is totally unexpected. The captain’s attitude was extremely disrespectful and uninviting. After this experience, I honestly have no wish to visit this...