Astoria Veg - Fine Dining — Restaurant in Tamil Nadu

I recently dined at Astoria Veg - Fine Dining in Chennai, and while I truly wanted to have a memorable culinary experience, I left feeling underwhelmed and a little disappointed. Let me break it down so that others considering this place have a clearer picture of what to expect.

To begin with, the food was just okay. It wasn’t bad by any means, but it wasn’t something I would go out of my way to recommend either. I ordered a Chinese rice dish expecting something flavorful yet balanced. Unfortunately, the spice level was through the roof. I wish the staff had taken a moment to ask about our spice preferences — especially since not every guest in a vegetarian fine dining restaurant is going to expect such an aggressive amount of chili. The rice came loaded with chopped red chili pieces that I spent a lot of time picking out, and despite the effort, the heat was still overwhelming. And this is coming from someone who usually handles spicy food quite well. It wasn’t just spicy — it was uncomfortably spicy.

We also tried a corn-based dish, hoping for something crispy and fresh, but it didn’t quite deliver either. The texture was off — soggy rather than crisp — and the taste felt flat, as if it had been made earlier and reheated. For a place that presents itself as fine dining, I expected more attention to freshness and detail.

Service was another letdown. Though there were several staff members on the floor, we never really felt looked after. It was as if we were invisible despite the restaurant being nearly empty. We had to get their attention multiple times just for basic requests, and there was no sense of warmth or attentiveness from the team.

I also want to mention something that really made me uncomfortable — the cleanliness and hygiene practices. At one point, I watched a staff member refill a water jug using leftover water from another table. This might not seem like a big deal to some, but it didn’t sit well with me. In a fine dining setup, hygiene should be a top priority, and this felt like a careless move. To make matters worse, the water that was served to us tasted strange — slightly metallic and not at all refreshing.

The atmosphere itself was quite formal and a bit cold. I usually enjoy calm, upscale environments, but this one felt lifeless. The dining area was nearly empty, and instead of feeling peaceful or exclusive, it came across as uninviting. A little soft music or even a smile from the staff might have helped lighten the mood.

All in all, while I appreciate the effort of any restaurant trying to offer a fine dining vegetarian experience, Astoria Veg didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The food lacked balance and finesse, the service needed a lot more heart, and the hygiene practices were concerning. I really hope the management takes these points seriously and makes improvements, as the location and concept do have potential.

Until then, I’m not sure I would return — especially not for their Chinese dishes. Perhaps they shine in another cuisine, but based on this visit, it just didn’t...

I’ve ordered food via Swiggy from Astoria Veg multiple times and was always happy with the quality, quantity, and pricing. However, my recent dine-in experience was far from satisfactory.

Dine-in experience on 22nd December 2024:

Parking & Security: While there’s ample parking for four-wheelers, two-wheeler riders are directed to a narrow, inconvenient lane. It’s disappointing that the security staff treats motorcyclists with an indifferent attitude, ignoring even premium bikes while showing more respect to basic cars.

Ambience & Facilities: The ambience is clean and hygienic, and the wash area and restrooms are well-maintained. However, the air conditioning was poorly managed—I was sweating throughout the meal, and even after bringing it up, no action was taken.

Service Issues: The food server was polite but struggled with communication, as he didn’t understand English, Tamil, or Hindi. While I appreciate giving opportunities to people from remote areas, it’s crucial for staff to have basic language skills in a customer-facing role. It feels like the management is exploiting their situation, hiring them at lower wages, which isn’t ideal for a restaurant of this level.

Food Quality: The food was basic and safe in flavor, not particularly tasty. I ordered the special meals, and while some items like the sambar and rasam were good, the appalam was disappointing. The “special” in the special meals (costing Rs. 185 + 5% tax) only included one not-so-great chapati compared to the regular meals priced at Rs. 150 + 5% tax. Definitely not worth the extra Rs. 35.

Hospitality: While the staff was polite, they lacked warmth or a welcoming attitude. The person at the cash counter had the worst demeanor, making the experience feel like I was an uninvited guest.

Final Thoughts: Astoria Veg has great potential, but they need to improve hospitality, staff training, and AC management. Food is okay but nothing extraordinary, and the dine-in experience doesn’t match the expectations set by their delivery service. Would I return? Likely not for dine-in.

Online food ordering experience, via swiggy:

I’ve ordered food from Astoria Veg through Swiggy several times, and their curd rice and lemon rice are excellent! The portions are generous, and the pricing for these dishes feels reasonable. However, I did notice that other menu items are priced quite high, which might be due to Swiggy’s markup or the restaurant itself.

While the quality is undoubtedly great, the Swiggy pricing makes me eager to try dining in directly, as I’ve heard prices are more reasonable at the restaurant. Looking forward to experiencing their fine dining setup soon! Definitely recommended for takeout or delivery if you’re craving flavorful...

Astoria Veg Restaurant, Chennai: A Reliable Spot for Vegetarian Delights Astoria Veg Restaurant in Chennai is a solid choice for anyone seeking a dependable and satisfying vegetarian meal. It's the kind of place you can count on for consistent quality, a pleasant dining experience, and a wide array of options that cater to various tastes.

Upon entering, you'll find an ambiance that is clean, well-maintained, and comfortable. While it might not be a fine-dining establishment, it offers a welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere, suitable for casual lunches, dinners, or even a quick breakfast. The seating is usually ample, and the overall feel is one of efficiency and neatness.

The service at Astoria is generally prompt and courteous. The staff are attentive without being intrusive, ensuring that your order is taken efficiently and your food arrives in a timely manner. They are usually knowledgeable about the menu and can offer recommendations if needed.

The true highlight, of course, is the food. Astoria Veg boasts an extensive menu that covers a broad spectrum of vegetarian cuisine, with a strong emphasis on South Indian classics, but also offering popular North Indian and Chinese vegetarian dishes.

Here are some common highlights that patrons often praise:

South Indian Breakfast Staples: Their idlis, dosas (especially the crispy varieties), and vadas are consistently fresh and well-prepared, served with flavorful sambar and a selection of fresh chutneys.

Thali Meals: For a wholesome and comprehensive meal, their South Indian thali is an excellent choice, offering a variety of curries, rice, bread, and sweets.

Variety of Curries and Breads: They offer a good selection of North Indian curries and various rotis, naans, and parathas.

Filter Coffee: No South Indian meal is complete without a strong, aromatic filter coffee, and Astoria usually delivers on this front.

The quality of ingredients feels fresh, and the preparation is generally hygienic. Portions are usually generous, and the pricing is quite reasonable, making it a good value-for-money option for a wholesome vegetarian meal.

In summary, Astoria Veg Restaurant is a reliable and popular spot in Chennai for a satisfying vegetarian dining experience. If you're looking for good food, decent service, and a comfortable setting without breaking the bank, Astoria Veg is definitely...