INDIAN TIFFINS — Restaurant in Dublin

The best place for authentic South Indian food in Dublin and Ireland.

My following review is from the perspective of an Irish person and for the benefit of Irish and other non-Indian people I will include more detailed descriptions of the dishes. Indian customers - and there are so many here (often with queues out the door at weekends, such is the demand for the quality food here) - just need to know that the Dosas are the best in the country (and there are a wide variety of options), Hyderabad style Biryanis are great, and there's Vada, Idli, Pav etc.

Until very recently (really just the last couple of years), all the Indian restaurants in Ireland were basically just the kind you would find in the U.K., completely catering to the English pallet, an invented and westernised form of so-called "Indian food", often made in fact by cooks from Pakistan and Bangladesh: served by overdressed and overly formal staff, on white tablecloths, chicken tikka masala and naan bread (and probably a side portion of chips).

But now, finally, we can get the real deal. The menu of South Indian dishes bears no resemblance to those of the old-fashioned westernised restaurants. South Indian food, in contrast, is much less based around wheat, it's far spicier, and it is absolute heaven for vegetarians (meat-dishes are the exception and not the rule) and people who can't eat wheat (gluten free).

Dosa is a savoury crepe made from a batter of rice and lentils, served with a kind of vegetable gravy / thin soup and a peanut chutney, which is not sweet, but actually very spicy. If you've never had a Dosa before, get a Masala Dosa: it is filled with mildly spiced buttery potatoes, and it's got to be one of the most delicious things on our planet. I honestly feel sorry for anyone who hasn't tasted a Masala Dosa. There's around a dozen other ones you can get here, and they're all great, but the Pav Bhaji Dosa is another particular highlight, with a beautiful vegetable curry filling. Dosas are all vegetarian, and are gluten-free.

Idli is plain rice cake with an absorbent quality, perfect for the very tasty dips it's served with. Again, gluten-free. As are Vadas, deep fried savoury doughnuts: a real treat. But if you want something that is healthy yet filling, the chicken Biryani is perfect. The vegetarian Biryani is magnificent too: the rice resting on top of a bed of very spicy potatoes and vegetables, with the additional sauces helping to cool the heat.

Pav, Roti, and Bhatura (various breads) are available here too, as are many more delights, two more must-have highlights being: Dahi Puri - a cold snack dish with small crisp-like shells filled with mashed potatoes, tamarind, spices, thin slices of raw onion, other crunchy savoury things, topped with yogurt, herbs, and pomegranate seeds. Absolutely wonderful. Paneer Curry - a magnificently indulgent cheese and vegetable curry, typically served with Roti (flatbreads).

Do make sure you try their beautiful Masala Chai (tea), you will find yourself dreaming of it later.

Decor and vibe is casual and informal, it gets very busy at weekends especially, because it is...

I recently had an incredibly disappointing experience at Indian Tiffins on Parnell Street in Dublin. The behavior of the receptionist was beyond appalling, and the overall service was utterly unacceptable. I would strongly advise to use your discretion while visiting this establishment if you value pleasant dining experience. The food is tasty, I believe in giving the credit where due.

Upon entering the restaurant, the receptionist simply walked past us without acknowledging our presence or offering any information about when he would be available to take our order. We were left waiting, feeling completely ignored. Even after giving multiple reminders, he seemed disinterested and failed to prepare our order in a timely manner. A few customers left the place feeling unattended too. Also, this is not the first time I have experienced this at Indian Tiffins. Their focus is more on fulfilling delivery orders than in-house orders.

To make matters worse, when the food finally arrived, the starters were served last, just as we were on the verge of leaving. It was a complete mess, and the lack of organization was evident. It is unacceptable for a restaurant to serve its customers in such a haphazard manner, especially after being reminded several times and waiting so long.

When we confronted the receptionist about the poor customer service, his response was utterly dismissive. He simply stated, "I am not the owner," as if that excused his unprofessional behavior. It was clear that he had no interest in rectifying the situation or addressing our concerns whatsoever.

The hygiene standards at Indian Tiffins were appalling. Flies were buzzing around the restaurant, and I even witnessed them landing on the food. This lack of cleanliness is not only unappetizing but also poses a serious health risk. Additionally, the condition of the toilets was far from satisfactory, further contributing to the overall unpleasant experience.

Furthermore, when we inquired about a student discount and presented a friend’s student leap card, the receptionist rudely informed me that they do not accept it. When I pressed for more information regarding their student discount policy, he arrogantly stated that it was the owner's policy and that "regular customers" were aware of it. He even had the audacity to ask if our intention was to argue. Such condescending behavior towards customers is simply unacceptable.

In conclusion, my experience at Indian Tiffins on Parnell Street was extremely disappointing. The receptionist's appalling behavior, lack of attention to customers, messed up serving orders, presence of flies, unhygienic toilets, and dismissive attitude contributed to a thoroughly negative dining experience. I would like to caution potential customers if they value good service and a pleasant dining...

👎 Unpleasant Experience: Discrimination & Misleading Food at Indian Tiffin 👎

Date: 28th July 2023, 10:00 PM

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the recent visit to Indian Tiffin. The incident that occurred during our visit was quite disheartening, as it left us feeling discriminated against. Despite waiting in line for 15 minutes, one of the workers rushed our order, insinuating that we were causing delays for others. (Within 10 seconds of sitting, are you ready with your order already? Because people are waiting outside. This kind of discriminatory behavior is simply unacceptable. One can't help but wonder if an Irish customer would have been treated in the same manner. It's disappointing to see such bias, especially when a significant portion of the customers were Indian.

Perhaps Indian Tiffin could consider exploring practical solutions like opening a larger restaurant or possibly implementing a notice at the entrance, advising customers to have their orders ready before entering. This way, they can ensure a smoother and more efficient dining experience for everyone. Sarcasm intended.

Now, moving on to the food review: 🍽️ We ordered 2 cheese chilli masala dosas. Although the texture and appearance were good, they lacked the spiciness that the name suggests. It was a bit misleading and not what we expected.

🥥 The coconut chutney was a letdown. It had an unusual sweetness and didn't match the authentic taste we were hoping for. Additionally, we felt it was under-seasoned, lacking enough salt.

🍛 The sambhar was average, earning a rating of 2.5/5. It didn't stand out as exceptionally good or bad.

The atmosphere at 10:00 PM on a Friday evening was quite crowded, resulting in a considerable wait in small line.

Lastly, while it might seem insignificant, it's worth noting that the toilet handle inside the restroom was broken.

I had higher expectations from a renowned restaurant like Indian Tiffin. The issues of discrimination, misleading food, and maintenance should not be overlooked. I sincerely hope that they take this feedback seriously and make the necessary improvements to ensure a fair and delightful dining experience for...