Hotel Pandia's — Restaurant in Tamil Nadu

A Disappointing Decline in Quality and Hospitality – A Once-Loyal Patron’s Honest Review

As someone who was once a regular and satisfied customer of this restaurant, I am totally disappointed as the hotel, which once stood out for its food quality and courteous service, has unfortunately undergone a significant deterioration — both in terms of culinary standards and customer hospitality.

Long Waiting Time: It took more than 30 mins to find a table as it was a weekend which is agreed to some extent. But, despite finding a dine-in place, we were made to wait over 15-20 minutes without any proper update. But the things happened later on infuriated us further.

Rude Staff Behavior: Waiters were indecent and unprofessional, even asking customers to shift to another area (in our case, non-AC seating), claiming they "wouldn't serve every nook and corner." This came after we had already waited for 20 minutes at our table without anyone acknowledging us — not even to clean it — leaving us completely in the dark about whether service would happen at all. Ironically, we could see other guests dining comfortably in the same AC section, likely having gone through the same ordeal but choosing not to voice it.

Lack of Hospitality: Staff seemed disinterested in customer comfort or satisfaction — a far cry from basic hospitality norms. Despite multiple polite in-person requests, the staff showed complete apathy and failed to respond or take any action.

Understaffed Operations: Clearly not enough personnel to manage peak hours, resulting in poor service across the board.

Cold & Stale Food: Food was served cold and felt reheated — absolutely not what you’d expect from a dine-in experience especially from an established hotel like Pandia's.

Online Delivery Issues: Even food ordered online arrives late and cold, with delivery partners blaming the hotel’s delays.

Disregard for Orders: Instead of serving what the customer requests, they serve what they have — ignoring specific orders or customizations.

Unjustified Price Hike: Menu prices have increased steeply, but the quality and service don’t come close to justifying the cost.

Loss of Trust: The overall experience felt like a betrayal, especially from a place I once trusted and recommended to others.

🚫 Final Verdict: Avoid This Hotel If you value good food, warm hospitality, and respectful service, this hotel is no longer the place to go. There are far better options that actually care about...

I wasn’t sure why I haven’t reviewed Pandia’s all this while, it’s a family favourite and my goto place for some delicious food that I absolutely worship.

I got introduced to pandias 15 years before, newly married and newly staying in my wifey’s place in north madras. I wake up on a Sunday morning to this delicious aroma of flavoured Biriyani rice and some scrumptious gravy, as they fondly call it as brown Kurma. There is a yellow Kurma that gets offered here as well.

If you haven’t spotted it yet, it was my first Breakfast Biriyani experience, that too a Turkey Biriyani, that became a favourite. Note, Turkey Biriyani is available only on Sundays & Wednesdays, breakfast onwards.

The Biriyani is not spicy, more flavourful, Pulao style rice with beautifully cooked generous portion of meat. Not your typical Biriyani to be tagged as Ambur, Dindukal or Kalyana Biriyani, this is a hard to explain league of its own.

Wifey did recommend her favourites from this place that she grew up savouring, a combo matched in heaven, Chili Prawns & Parota. It’s a beautiful thokku style chili prawns with massively large prawns with a thick Malabar style parota. I really really wish that you try this here.

I also like their boneless Chicken 65, Chicken Chops and Mutton Chops.

Overall a wonderfully rustic hidden gem, which has a more upmarket branch open in...

If you're in Chennai and looking for an authentic South Indian dining experience, Hotel Pandias at Oldwashermenpet is a must-visit. This Hotel has been around for years, and its traditional decor with wooden chairs and tables gives it a vintage feel. The atmosphere is simple and inviting, and the friendly service only adds to the overall pleasant experience.

The mutton briyani and mutton leg fry are two standout dishes that I tried during my visit, and they were both flavorful and delicious. The briyani was uniquely prepared with a blend of spices that made every bite burst with flavor. The mutton leg fry was soft and juicy, and the meat was cooked to perfection. These dishes are a great representation of the traditional cuisine of Chennai.

To accompany my meal, I tried the popular carbonated drink in Tamil Nadu called Goli soda, which was a refreshing and tasty addition to my dining experience.

One thing I appreciate about Pandias is the availability of parking and take-away options, making it convenient for those on-the-go or looking for a quick meal.

Overall, I highly recommend Hotel Pandias for anyone looking to experience authentic Chennai cuisine in a traditional setting with great service. The mutton briyani and mutton leg fry are must-tries, and don't forget to wash it all down with some...