Kesar Da Dhaba — Restaurant in Punjab

So..where do I start, Kesar da dhaba is a very famous eatery located in and about the Golden Temple complex. My grandparents used to come here when they were in college. My mom has visited the dhaba when she was a kid and I had visited this place about a decade ago. Back then, the Golden Temple complex and the bazaars around it, though crowded had sufficient accessibility and this place had it's own unique flavour. The food, good lord, I was blown away by the velvety texture of the daal, the melt in mouth feel of the chhole and the cloud like plushness of the kulchaas. It was nothing short of extraordinary, yet true to its roots and worth the price.

Now let me tell you about my last week's experience.

Ever since the construction of the new Golden Temple complex, (though most of it is beautifully done, it's serene and rich) which I really appreciate and I commend the planners/architects. The bazaars and the access to certain places like Kesar da dhaba has become extremely restricted. There was an electric rickshaw traffic jam within the narrow as hell streets which led to us reaching the dhaba after about 20-25 min.

We reached the dhaba had to wait a while for a table, since this place is always full. Though you'd rarely find localites, mostly tourists.

"We ordered our food and the first bite led me to a wave of immense disappointment."

The thali served to us were slightly warm, not hot like it should be. The dahi pakoris were obnoxiously oversized and tasteless. The chhole were drowning in soda. The daal was drunk in oil and the kulchaas were just okay. The lachha parantha on the contrary was soft but cold.

We had kindly asked the person serving us to give us hot parathas next time and he said and I quote, "abhi hi toh bnaaya hai, aapka pta nai mujhe toh theek lag rha hai". I mean I understand the place is packed and it's not easy catering to a full house. But honestly traveling 40 min to and fro (till car parking), paying about 600 bucks for just some ordinary amritsari cuisine, to me, honestly is not worth it.

I understand the place is famous and all and I absolutely agree that the food I had a decade ago was amazing, but now, especially if you're a Punjabi who's going back after a long time, please, do me a favour, don't go, don't waste your time and energy... there's better places to eat tbh. If you're a tourist who wants a flavour of the hustle bustle of Amritsar streets and ordinary kulcha thaali, please be my guest.

I used to love this place man, I hope they get back to the awesome food that they...

Kesar Da Dhaba, situated in the heart of Amritsar but tucked discreetly in the narrow gullies, is a dream place for every vegetarian! Founded in 1916, this restaurant has preserved well the values of serving genuine Punjabi dishes till the present era.

Ambience: The feeling of reaching Kesar Da Dhaba is as glamorous and comfortable as being encapsulated into the walls of a traditional Indian rural house with historical background. The eating place decoratively displayed as a traditional Indian eating house has basic country-made furniture in woods and photo frames on walls capturing its history. Agiitation inside gives it a very upbeat vibe, which feels in tune with Amritsar itself.

Food: I would like to describe the food here at Kesar Da Dhaba as mouth watering that defines its true flavor. It boasts of its scrumptious dishes and its well-deigned dhaba brings a list of Punjabi mouth-watering dishes to please your palate. The Dal Makhani is the most famous of Punjabi dals – it is slow-cooked, is a rich preparation and the dal turns extremely smooth with a rich flavor. The other special dish is the Palak Paneer, the Baingan Bharta also another delicious one that is made from fresh vegetables in spices.

That is served with adrenaline, butter that the Aloo and Gobi parathas should not be missed. After a meal of grilled and buttery spices, the rice pudding called Phirni served in earthenware pitchers is inarguably the tastiest way to end a powerhouse meal.

Service: The service we found here is extremely good and fast no matter if it is a peak time or not. There are also many friendly, professional employees who can recommend appetizers or entrees that would complement the main course. This shows that management at this place pays much attention to ensuring patrons get the best services even with the ever constant stream of the customers.

Value: On the balance of economies, convenience and quality, Kesar Da Dhaba seems to be the most prudent choice. It offers large portions, and more to that the prices reflect the local rates and therefore everyone can afford to eat from this joint. The quality of food as well as the organizational nature of the management ascertain that every amount spent...

2/5 Stars

I recently visited Kesar Da Dhaba in Amritsar, and I must say, I was thoroughly underwhelmed. As a food enthusiast, I had heard a lot about this place, thanks to the hype created by YouTubers and social media platforms. Everyone seemed to be raving about the amazing food quality, and I was excited to try it out for myself.

However, my experience was far from exceptional. The food quality was, at best, average. I ordered some of their signature dishes, including the sarson ka saag and makki di roti, but they failed to impress. The flavors were bland, and the portion sizes were small, considering the prices they were charging.

What really disappointed me was the fact that the food didn't live up to the hype. I had expected something extraordinary, given the rave reviews and recommendations from social media influencers. But what I got was a mediocre meal that didn't justify the prices.

To make matters worse, I discovered that there are many other dhabas in Amritsar that serve great quality food at affordable prices. In fact, some of the smaller, lesser-known eateries I visited during my trip served food that was far superior to Kesar Da Dhaba.

It's clear that the hype surrounding Kesar Da Dhaba is largely driven by social media and influencer marketing. it's not worth the prices they're charging. If you're looking for authentic, delicious Punjabi food in Amritsar, I would recommend exploring other options.

Tips: Don't believe the hype. Try other dhabas in Amritsar for a more authentic experience. Be prepared for small portion sizes and average food quality. Consider visiting during off-peak hours to avoid the crowds. If you're looking for great food at affordable prices, try some of the smaller, family-run eateries in Amritsar.

Overall, my experience at Kesar Da Dhaba was a letdown. While it may be a popular spot, it's not worth the prices or the hype. There are better options available in Amritsar, and I would recommend exploring...