1909 Crown of Bhopal — Restaurant in Madhya Pradesh

The Begums of Bhopal played a key role in the development of Bhopal. Under the patronage of Begums of Bhopal, the city reached the apogee of art, architecture, and culture. One such instance of a landmark that was constructed in the city of Lakes is Minto Hall which was built by Nawab Sultan Jahan Begum. She was quite passionate about architecture and one can experience the same in the popular heritage building- Minto Hall which celebrates her spirit, her dreams, and her aspirations.

Today this popular heritage building stands beautiful wearing the royal look. The massive makeover enthralls all for its poise and grandeur. Let's take a look at the journey of Minto Hall:

The story of its origin

The fourth and the last begum of Bhopal - Nawab Sultan Jahan Begum conceived the very beautiful 'Minto Hall' to felicitate Lord Minto, the then Viceroy of India. The foundation stone for Minto Hall was laid on 12th November 1909. The building was finally completed by Nawab Hamidullah Khan, son of Nawab Sultan Jahan Begum. The architect of this heritage building was AC Rovan.

Interestingly the building was never actually used for the original purpose it was meant for. After India attained Independence and formation of the state of Madhya Pradesh, it became a natural choice for the assembly hall for MP State Government.

After its completion, over the years, the building was then brought in use for various purposes including headquarters of Bhopal army, Hamidia college, etc.

Renovation

Minto Hall being Bhopal's prime identity has now been renovated as an international convention center without disturbing its originality. The main hall is used as a multipurpose hall for occasions like conferences, banquets, felicitations, etc. The building also has 2 meeting rooms, two committee rooms, a boardroom, and a media center.

The beautiful Rooftop Restaurant

One can enjoy the vibrant beauty of the city from this rooftop restaurant. The panoramic view from here cannot be missed. You get to enjoy some tantalizing meals with spectacular views. Named as '1909- The Crown of Bhopal', this classic resto's theme and entire ambiance will make you fall in love with it.  You can also spend a fun evening with your family and friends amidst a...

We wanted to celebrate an occasion and make it memorable. The first place that came to our mind was 1909 The Crown of Bhopal. It is located in Kushabhau Thakre Hall or Minto Hall which is its popular old name. It does have an ancient history with Begum of Bhopal and her son had it built for Viceroy of India. As soon as you enter the place you are greeted by beautiful landscapes and old style mansions everywhere. The places are so well maintained that you would want to live there. 1909 The Crown of Bhopal is a rooftop restaurant which has exotic lake views the kind you would die for. It is frequently visited by politicians and film stars alike. After absorbing the serene atmosphere and feeling like royalty, we clicked tons of photos and videos. Finally, we looked at the menus, took recommendations and ordered all the fancy named stuff. For starters, we ordered Tandoori Murg (Half) @₹375 for my non-vegetarian parents. They really loved it. For vegetarian starters, we went for Tashtari E Kebab (₹590) which is a delicious veg platter. It had 4 kinds of veg snacks (Paneer Tikka, Mushroom Tikka and 2 types of kebabs) with 16 pieces in all. We also ordered Corn Salt & Pepper (₹350) which was ecstatic. Paneer Tikka is known as Paneer Ke Soole (₹390) which we ordered separately as they were grilled to perfection. In mocktails, we got Orangatang (₹250), Sea Sickness (₹300) and Hawain Blue (₹250). The former two were a lovely mix of juices while the latter was just heavenly. My dad ordered an Erdinger Beer Dunkul (₹300) which has kind of coffee taste in beer. He really liked it. In the veg main course, we went for Tawa Paneer (₹425) which was different from the usual Paneer dishes we have tried. It was tasty. Dal Makhani (₹360) was light and not heavy like other places serve. It was delicious. For non veg, we ordered Chicken curry Home style (₹625) which was medium spicy and my parents loved it. For Indian bread, we ordered Garlic Naan which is billed as Kaju Naan (₹100), Lachha Parantha (₹100) and Butter Tandoori Roti. All were delicious. We loved the memorable experience we had and would visit again. This rooftop restaurant lives up to its title of being The...

A Regal Dining Experience at 1909 Crown of Bhopal

While 1909 Crown of Bhopal boasts a stunning historical setting within the iconic Minto Hall, the dining experience falls short of expectations. The restaurant's potential for grandeur is undeniable, but the execution often lacks the finesse required to truly elevate it to a world-class dining destination.

The ambiance, though impressive, can feel somewhat dated. While the historical charm is undeniable, the overall atmosphere could benefit from a more contemporary touch. The service, while polite, can be inconsistent, with long wait times and inattentive staff.

The menu, a fusion of Indian and international cuisine, is ambitious but uneven. Some dishes are executed with precision and flair, while others fall flat. The presentation, though visually appealing, doesn't always translate to exceptional taste.

While 1909 Crown of Bhopal offers a unique setting, it struggles to deliver a dining experience that matches its historical significance. To truly shine, the restaurant needs to focus on improving its service, elevating its cuisine, and modernising...