Canton Royale Restaurant — Restaurant in Uttar Pradesh

This place seriously needs to address some deep rooted issues with its staff and overall service quality. From the bar to the restaurant to the general staff, most seem poorly trained and lack even basic hospitality etiquette.

I’ve had multiple unpleasant experiences here in the past - rude, arrogant, and at times downright discriminatory behavior from their staff. Because of this, I had stopped visiting for a few years. Recently, I decided to give their restaurant, Canton Royale, another chance - and unfortunately, it confirmed that nothing has changed.

The person serving us clearly had no interest in doing his job properly. He didn’t bother to greet back when I greeted him.

When I asked where the main course section was on the menu, his response was dismissive and arrogant - pointing at it rudely and saying that it is right there, instead of answering politely.

When I asked for food recommendations, he responded in an uninterested, almost irritated tone - saying “it’s up to you.” I even asked whether the chicken dish had a thick gravy, and his response was, “You can see when the food comes.” Absolutely unacceptable for a restaurant of this supposed standard.

When the food did arrive, he simply dumped the dishes on the table and walked away, without offering to serve or even asking if we needed help. Meanwhile, I saw other tables being properly served. Throughout the meal, he never checked back once to see if we needed anything - I had to keep flagging down other staff members for even the smallest requests.

To make things worse, I had ordered drinks before the food, but they only arrived after we had nearly finished eating, that too after repeatedly asking and reminding them.

It’s clear that this staff member either hates his job or has absolutely no training in customer service. Sadly, this wasn’t a one-time incident - I’ve faced similar behavior at their bar and restaurant before.

There’s a clear pattern of discriminatory treatment, not toward foreigners, but toward fellow Indians or anyone they don’t perceive as “worthy” of good service for some odd reason. Ironically, they seem to be nicer to foreigners - although this particular staff member was the worst of them all.

To top it off, the food itself is below average - nothing special, definitely not worth the poor experience that comes with it.

There’s a shocking lack of basic hospitality training across the staff. For a place that calls itself a reputed hotel, this level of service is disgraceful.

Surya Palace management seriously needs to retrain their staff and teach them what genuine hospitality means. You’re in the service industry - start acting like it.

I won't be...

Canton Royale Restaurant offers a mixed but ultimately decent dining experience, characterized by a pleasant setting and commendable service, though the food quality can be inconsistent. It's a place with great potential, but one where you have to order carefully to ensure a truly satisfying meal.

A Pleasant Ambiance and Excellent Service Upon entering, the first thing you notice is the good ambiance. The restaurant is well-lit and has a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere that feels like a welcome escape from the bustling streets of Varanasi. This pleasant setting, combined with the good service and cleanliness, creates a very inviting environment. The staff are attentive and polite, making sure you are comfortable and that your needs are met, which significantly elevates the dining experience.

Even before the food arrives, the attention to detail is evident. The menu card is very nice looking, well-sorted, and tidy. It's a pleasure to browse and gives a great first impression of a well-managed establishment.

A Tale of Two Tastes The dining experience begins on a high note with a delightful complimentary offering. The complimentary papad and chutney are definitely worth going for. They are a great start to the meal and are both fresh and flavorful. The absolute standout of the entire meal, however, was the lemon rice and curry combination. The flavors in this dish were nothing short of amazing—the rice was fragrant and perfectly cooked, and the curry was rich and harmonious. It was a clear testament to what the kitchen is capable of and is a dish worth visiting for. Unfortunately, not all items lived up to this high standard. The mushroom panini was just okay; it lacked a certain punch and came across as quite bland. It felt like it was missing key seasonings or ingredients to give it a more robust flavor profile. Even more disappointing was the Elaichi shorba, which was way too watery and tasteless. It completely lacked the aromatic warmth of cardamom and had the consistency of a thin, unseasoned broth, making it a definite miss.

Final Verdict In conclusion, Canton Royale is a restaurant with a lot of positives. Its pleasant atmosphere, excellent service, and a beautifully presented menu make it a good spot for a relaxed meal. However, the quality of the food is a bit of a hit-or-miss affair. If you stick to the recommended dishes like the incredible lemon rice and curry, you're likely to have a great experience. But be prepared that not every item on the menu may live up to your...

During my recent visit to Canton Royal restaurant with my parents and wife, we opted for the Maharaja Thali and Maharani Thali. The Maharaja Thali included Paneer Hyderabadi, Corn Palak, Kofta, Dal Makhani, Biryani, and Dessert, while the Maharani Thali featured Paneer Handi, Angoori Kofta, Dal Maharani, Pulao, and Gulab Jamun.

The restaurant's ambiance was pleasant, providing a comfortable setting for our dinner. The staff was quick and attentive, ensuring that we were promptly seated and attended to throughout our meal. Their efficiency contributed to a positive dining experience.

Moving on to the food, the thalis offered a wide variety of dishes. The Maharaja Thali included Paneer Hyderabadi, Corn Palak, Kofta, Dal Makhani, Biryani, and Dessert. While the flavors of the dishes were generally good, it is worth mentioning that the Handi Paneer, Corn Palak, and Angoori Kofta were just average in taste. These particular dishes lacked the wow factor we were expecting and could have been more flavorful and well-seasoned. Additionally they had mentioned Welcome Drink with Thali but they didn't serve that.

However, the other items in the thalis such as Paneer Hyderabadi, Dal Makhani, and the Biryani stood out with their delicious flavors and authentic preparations. The Dal Makhani was rich and creamy, and the Biryani had a fragrant aroma with well-cooked rice. The desserts provided a sweet ending to our dinner, with the Gulab Jamun being particularly enjoyable.

Overall, Canton Royal restaurant at Hotel Surya offers a decent dining experience. While some dishes like Handi Paneer, Corn Palak, and Angoori Kofta were average in taste, the other dishes such as Paneer Hyderabadi, Dal Makhani, and Biryani were delicious and satisfying.

It's worth noting that taste preferences can vary, and while certain dishes might not have met our expectations, others may find them enjoyable. We appreciate the restaurant's effort to offer a variety of options and their efficient service, making it a suitable choice for a pleasant dining experience...