Karigari Connaught Place — Restaurant in New Delhi

We recently visited this restaurant for a family dinner with a group of 15 people, and unfortunately, the experience was far below what one would expect from a so-called fine dining establishment.

To begin with, even when only two members of our party had arrived, it took the staff over 25 minutes to serve the first dish. We had to remind the waiter multiple times to take and process our order — a rather frustrating start to what was supposed to be a pleasant evening.

Secondly, the water service was extremely poor. Without asking, the staff placed packaged bottled water on the table, assuming that we preferred it. Upon requesting regular water, the waiter brought just one small 750ml bottle — and that too only for the person who specifically asked, despite the fact that all other glasses on the table were empty. We had to repeatedly request more water. It is common courtesy in any good restaurant — let alone a fine dining one — to place a jug or beaker of water that can serve multiple guests. Even when we asked for this specifically, they brought another single 750ml bottle for 15 people. This is not only inefficient but also inconsiderate of guests’ basic comfort.

Thirdly, when the main course was served, the service continued to disappoint. There was no effort to clear and reset plates, which is a basic practice in fine dining. We were given just meal plates and only 9 bowls for a table of 15. We again had to repeatedly ask for spoons, forks, and additional bowls, which disrupted the flow of the meal and created unnecessary frustration.

All in all, the poor attention to detail, inadequate service, and lack of basic hospitality made this experience deeply unsatisfying. None of us could enjoy our meal, and we left without feeling content or taken care of. This is not what one expects from a restaurant that claims to offer a refined dining experience.

We hope the management takes this feedback seriously and makes the necessary improvements. At this point, we would not recommend this place for large gatherings or for anyone expecting...

Karigari in Connaught Place is a refreshing change from the usual crowd-pullers in central Delhi. For starters, getting there is simple as there’s an NDMC parking lot right across the street, so no unnecessary parking drama.

The space feels thoughtfully designed. The handcrafted theme isn’t just branding, the interiors reflect it. From tasteful furniture to uniquely styled ceiling fans, there’s a clean, artistic touch that gives the place personality without overwhelming you.

Service is smooth and modern. Our server noted down our order via the phone app instead of scribbling on paper, which added efficiency and a more polished feel. He was attentive, too, catching a small confusion when we mistook papaya slices for aam papad and clarifying it immediately. It’s a small thing, but it shows awareness and care.

The vibe inside is mellow, helped by a playlist of old Hindi songs playing at just the right volume. You can actually have a conversation without shouting. The crowd was polite, no loud tables or rowdy groups, which made the lunch experience calm and enjoyable.

Now, the food. We started with tomato soup, which turned out far better than expected, balanced, tangy, and warming. Then came the Dal Tadka Paneer Bhurji, a single dish despite sounding like two. This one was a standout. Rich, layered, and unlike anything we’ve had at typical North Indian spots. A must-try.

The Ambalewala Tariwala Chicken came along side. While the chicken itself was fairly standard, the gravy was excellent, mildly thick, tangy, and memorable. Both dishes paired well with garlic naan and soft tandoori rotis that stayed warm and pliable till the end of the meal.

Staff checked in just enough, and the service never felt rushed. This is a relaxed pace to the experience that makes you want to...

Went here for brunch with a group of friends, and the experience was honestly disappointing. We were told there’d be a 20-minute wait for a table, which was fine. After about 15–20 minutes, we were seated. Around 10 minutes later, someone finally came to take our order. Since we were all really hungry, we ordered quite a bit.

Then, suddenly, the electricity went out. To our surprise, the place didn’t have a proper power backup or generator. They managed to turn on a few fans using limited backup power, but when I asked if they could switch on the fan near us, they flat-out refused, claiming it was "not working"—even though it was working perfectly just before the power outage.

Roughly 10 minutes later, a server informed us our food would be delayed by another 30 minutes due to the power cut. We agreed to wait.

Over 20 minutes later, the electricity came back. However, the fan near us was still off. When I asked again, the manager claimed it was “dead” and they needed to call an engineer. Meanwhile, the server told a completely different story—that he had turned it off due to power shortage.

So which one is it?

What really annoyed us was that some customers were allowed to have their fans turned on, while we were left sweating and uncomfortable. Are we not paying customers too?

Overall, poor communication, selective treatment, and no proper backup for a basic utility like electricity made this a frustrating experience. Definitely not what you'd expect from a place that claims to serve brunch...