Persian Darbar Pune — Restaurant in Pune

Persian Darbar. Pune Camp. Today after getting couple important things behind, my son and I decided to for a quick lunch.Persian Darbar was right on the way. Also true Millennial my son found excellent Dine In offer on Swiggy. We reached around 2 PM. Valet Parking was available. The restaurant has rich Persian decor. The roof , walls and even Airconditioners were given a decorative touch. The walls towards road side had stained glasses taking us back to nostalgic era. Air conditioning was good and we were immediately seated. Before we placed and order I wanted to take a break and visited washrooms. Clean. That's one way to know we are at right place . Not many pay attention to this aspect but newer eateries are doing with care.

Once seated. We sifted through menu card which was designed well. And like going through umpteen kebabs we settled on tried and tasted Full Chicken Tandoori. For a main course we requested a recommendation and per captain's advice we ordered Special Chicken Lahori, Boneless, Mutton Biryani and Roti Basket. Mojito was served as complimentary being Swiggy Dine In offer .

Cool refreshing mint and soda. Mostly sprite with slice of lemon. This is one Mocktail which never fails to amaze me. Lunch of Dinner this is one I prefer. Especially we just drove in gruelling hear and Pune Traffic. Both equally nerve wrecking.

Within few minutes they served Tandoori Chicken. One look and I understood we are in for a great treat. First of, the bird was huge. Not the usual less than kolo or barely three quarters of kilo. It was at least 1.25 to 1.3 Kilos. The Tandoori Chicken was completely free from the red food color . Which is at times obnoxious and unhealthy for human consumption. Many eateries for some reason literally dump loads of it to make it attractive. The Chicken had tawny shade of color . Between brown and orange. Nicely done. The Chicken had four large pieces, not the usual smaller cuts. We divided a portion with wings to us and rest we got it packed. The Chicken was marinated well and had quality Tandoori Masala and really done well. The Tandoor oven has uncanny ability to turn the ordinary into extraordinary. This was full blown chicken. Nice, the charred edges and some portion stuck to bones was delicious. The only point of improvement is the bird being large sized had it's huge wings and leg piece muscles. And some portion the spices simply didn't penetrate and the meat wasn't tender there. It was chewy at best and rubbery at worst. Fortunately this was miniscule part of it. Most of the chicken was done well.

Next they served Lahori Chicken. Special and boneless. The pieces were small and cooked well. I was initially sceptical about the chicken. Because it was only boiled and then cooked in the yellow gravy. But chef had done wonderful job. Yellow gravy is getting at top of my list. Since it's good on stomach than red gravy and gets all tye essense of spices well. It's was akin to Lababdar or Balti Chicken. But has it's own unique taste and flavour. First with a plain roti and then Missi roti, which has become my latest addition, the food was simply marvellous. Gravy had right balance of spices, not sure but may be little curd or cottage cheese, onion tomato may be little bit cashew not sure about it. Thickish gravy with finger licking taste.

I finsihed my Rotis with single serving. My son being a youth with an excellent appetite, just like his voracious father in his youth, took some more. We finished half the Roti Tokari and half the dish. It was copious amount of chicken and gravy , sufficient for 2 to 3 people with good appetite. Swiggy discount was 20% and the whole experience set me back by 1650 Rs/-.against 2100 Rs or so.

Good spend. I saw many families and youngsters enjoying their food. Service was super quick and waiters were very courteous. Captain knew his menu and didn't sell unnecessarily expensive items as house speciality. That's a risk you always run while asking for recommendations. Not here. After all they began in 1978. Don't miss the history. That's...

A Royal Feast Awaits at Persian Darbar – A Pune Gem!

Persian Darbar, proudly "Original Since 1978," truly lives up to its reputation as a culinary landmark, offering a magnificent journey into the heart of Mughlai and Middle Eastern flavors right here in Pune. Stepping inside, the ambiance immediately transports you to a regal setting, with intricate patterns on the ceiling and walls, plush seating, and warm lighting that creates a truly inviting atmosphere for a royal dining experience.

As soon as you enter, the grand entrance with its illuminated stairs sets the tone for the lavish meal ahead. The attention to detail in the decor, from the beautiful tiled flooring to the ornate wall art, reflects the rich heritage the restaurant embodies.

Now, let's talk about the food – which is undoubtedly the star of the show. Persian Darbar is renowned as a "Biryani House," and for good reason. Their biryani, specifically the Mutton Raan Biryani mentioned in their menu's introduction, is a masterpiece. It's evident that every grain of rice and every succulent piece of meat is infused with authentic spices, delivering a rich and aromatic experience that truly honors its Mughlai origins. This is undoubtedly some of the best biryani you'll find. ( it will be spicy 🌶️ even if they say it’s less spicy or medium)

Beyond the biryani, their commitment to diverse and authentic flavors shines through in their Arab Kebabs. We tried a few variations, including a creamy, possibly malai-based chicken kebab (pictured with fries) that was incredibly tender and flavorful, and another succulent kebab dish, generously coated in a white, rich sauce. These kebabs are perfectly grilled, moist, and packed with spices, making them a definite must-try for any kebab aficionado.

And then, for the grand finale – the Kunafa pudding. Described as "the best Kunaffa pudding from Dubai to Singapore," this claim is bold, but after tasting it, utterly justified. Served warm with its delicate, crispy vermicelli-like pastry exterior and a gooey, cheesy interior, topped with crushed pistachios, it's a dessert that perfectly balances sweetness and texture. It's a truly unforgettable end to a fantastic meal and a rare find that distinguishes Persian Darbar from others.

The menu proudly states their dedication to "real spices, saffron, excellent quality of mutton and chicken," and this commitment to ingredients and traditional recipes is palpable in every dish. Persian Darbar isn't just a restaurant; it's an institution that offers a taste of culinary royalty, making it "THE RAAN KING OF MUMBAI" and now, undoubtedly, a top choice in Pune. Highly recommended for an authentic, rich, and satisfying...

Disappointing and Discriminatory Experience

If you’re dining solo or just with one other person, and especially if you’re dressed casually, this place doesn’t seem to care about your experience. I arrived early today, intending to meet friends, and decided to order a starter while I waited. Even though I’ve been here over 60 times and often spend a considerable amount on my bill (never below 3-4K), I was met with dismissive service the moment I stepped in.

The food here is indeed expensive, but I’ve always come back, overlooking the cost just to enjoy a good time with friends and savor the meal. Unfortunately, the service I received this time made me question if that expense is worth it. There’s a manager who, with his dark demeanor, acts as if he’s sizing you up from the moment you walk in. “Crocodile,” as I’ve come to think of him, seems to judge customers from head to toe before even approaching to take an order, making for a very uncomfortable experience.

As soon as I ordered the starter, the manager and captain reminded me that they stop taking orders at 12:30 AM. I had no problem with that and waited for my friends to join. But what was puzzling and frustrating was that, after I complied, I still saw people arriving later and getting their orders taken. It seemed clear that being alone and dressed casually somehow made me a lower priority in their eyes.

When my friends finally arrived, the issues continued. Our food came out with long gaps of up to 30 minutes between dishes. They delivered the rotis but forgot the gravy entirely, which made the bread dry and unpleasant by the time it was actually ready to be eaten. Other tables, meanwhile, seemed to be served with more care and attention.(southbombay ladies)

At the end of the meal, we asked for our leftovers to be packed up, and they gave us a bag without even bothering to check if everything was included. When I got home, I discovered that food was missing from the bag.

This experience was honestly disappointing and frustrating. If you value consistency, fairness, and good service, think twice about...