Sparrow Cafe — Restaurant in Uttar Pradesh

Says recommended by National Geographic but much worse compared to other cafes nearby...

No ambiance, lot of insects... apparantly the board outside also says 'live pasta' and still the menu has just two types of pasta and guess what the taste is annoyingly blunt...

My further review post reading the owner's comments as there was no option to re-comment on the same, here it goes:

Instead of acknowledging the feedback and putting a word of improvement, it is quite astounding to see your outrageous comments. Seems like my review after a slew of good ones have quite shaken you.

After reading the same I am reducing it to one star instead of two, as earlier I put an extra star for fine service.

First of all, to enter in your café, there was only one motivation for us that it is recommended by 'National Geographic’, in an otherwise ordinarily decorated café (no offense with that though, as some places offer really good food with simple and traditional artifacts which I truly admire) and only one other customer who seemed to be your friend and therefore, it is quite self-explanatory that we were looking for nothing more than good taste and service. Though, I still would say that the service was decent.

I guess instead of slamming and demeaning your customers' age, tastes, and preferences with an ‘essay’, try to learn about people skills to run your business first. And by the way, I would like to clarify that I am a working individual in an MNC having worked in a number of metro cities and have dined out at plentiful places and tried multiple authentic cuisines like Thai, Italian, Chinese, Mexican, fusion to name a few; and NOT a STUDENT. So, before absurdly assuming my understanding of taste and place, kindly refrain yourself from being overly judgmental.

I hope you’re learned enough to know the famous English phrase- “Don’t judge a book by its cover”.

And, I am afraid that Google doesn’t classify its users based on your understanding of ‘classy’ mindset parameters, so unless you develop a giant platform of your own, it would be interesting to see how you are going to tackle such reviews without ultimately showcasing your appalling conduct.

Also, I am not sure, from where your ‘highly qualified staff’ learned their culinary skills to put cauliflower in white sauce pasta, as I understand you are vouching about authentic Italian pasta in your café and not Indian fusion pasta??

Moreover, the same board which mentions ‘live pasta’ doesn’t mention timing, so instead of expecting your customers to assume out of nowhere that it is served at a particular time take a lead on your own. Or you may be wise to mention a timing on the board along with a disclaimer: “We Do Not Customize Pasta” (peri peri sauce pasta).

So next time, before being offensive and belittling to your customers’ reviews try broadening your horizon of thinking and the art of politeness.

Lastly, I did not intend to disparage your café and wrote about my own experience. But had no option after reading your feedback than to answer.

Wish you good...

Sparrow Cafe in Varanasi offers a cozy retreat with some highlights and some significant letdowns, making for a very mixed dining experience. While it's a pleasant place to relax, the inconsistent food quality and slow service can be frustrating.

Ambiance and Staff 🌟 The cafe's strongest points are its atmosphere and its people. The ambiance is very cozy, providing a comfortable and relaxing space to unwind from the bustle of Varanasi. It's the kind of place you'd want to settle into with a book or for a long chat. Complementing this is the very nice staff, who are friendly and welcoming, making you feel at ease from the moment you walk in.

The Highs: Breakfast & Coffee ☕🥞 If you visit Sparrow Cafe, focus on the breakfast items. The French toast is amazing—it's prepared to perfection and stands out as the best thing on the menu. The coffee is also good, providing a solid brew to start your day or to enjoy with a sweet treat. These two items alone make the cafe worth a visit, especially if you're craving a Western-style breakfast.

The Lows: Inconsistent Food Quality 👎 Unfortunately, the quality doesn't extend across the entire menu. The burrito was a very bad experience, lacking flavor and authenticity. Even more disappointing was the total misrepresentation of the Bombay sandwich. It bore no resemblance to the classic Indian street food, which can be particularly frustrating for those seeking familiar flavors. This inconsistency means ordering is a bit of a gamble.

The Service: A Test of Patience ⏳ Another major issue is the service speed. Everything takes too much time to arrive. This isn't the place for a quick meal. The laid-back vibe can be a double-edged sword; while it's great for leisurely visits, the long waits for food can become a significant annoyance, especially if you're on a schedule.

Final Verdict Sparrow Cafe is a good option if you prioritize a nice atmosphere and friendly service over a quick or consistently high-quality meal. Stick to the French toast and coffee, and be prepared for a long wait. It's a place with potential, but the menu needs some serious adjustments to match the otherwise...

1.5 hours of WAITING!!!

I was really hopeful about this cafe given it has a nice showcase of famous people and a tag of National Geographic. I get that the waiting time could be a bit much as food is being prepared from scratch.

Today, we were only 3 people at the entire Cafe and we ordered 2 Lemon Soda, 1 Imli Punch, 1 classic pancake and 1 Bombay masala sandwich.

The drinks appeared about 30-35minutes later. The pancake came at about 1 hour, at that point we were getting really annoyed and while waiting for the sandwich which came after 1.5 hours, no one bothered to check on us. We only saw 2 people wandering around.

The food was nothing special and pretty overpriced, they were okay but the looooongggg waiting time killed the mood entirely. They couldn't deliver as they promised. Management should look into this at...