Kumar's Taste of Asia, Galway — Restaurant in Galway

I feel compelled to share my horrific experience at this restaurant to atleast help fellow Indian nationals avoid spending their money here. Frankly, there were so many issues that it’s difficult to list them all.

Behavior and Attitude: 0/5 If I could rate this place a negative score, I would. The staff seems overly focused on accommodating local Irish customers while discounting Indian patrons. When I arrived, the restaurant was nearly full, except for a reserved table for six and a small table for three, which had no reservation notice. However, I was directed to a dungeon like dimly-lit, unheated section at the back of the restaurant. Initially hesitant, I accepted. I soon noticed another Indian couple was ushered in to be seated in the same area. However, shortly after, when another local couple arrived, they were offered the available table outside!! This blatant disparity in treatment was impossible to ignore. As I was leaving, I noticed another local couple was waiting for a table. Although there were available tables inside the “dungeon”, I assumed they were asked to wait to be seated in the main area!!!

Food: 1/5 The food was disappointing, to say the least. It was bland and lacked any real flavor. The aloo gobi was poorly prepared, with both the potatoes and cauliflower undercooked. Portions of the tandoori roti were so raw, essentially it was like dough/atta before it’s placed on the tawa!!! I showed the server, asking if he would eat something like this himself—he simply took it away, without an apology or any form of acknowledgment. When the roti was replaced, it was delivered with no explanation or courtesy. No one said anything!!

Interior: 1/5 The interior felt like a run-down roadside Indian restaurant, far from the warm and welcoming atmosphere one might expect from a dining establishment. Even small dhabas in India offer a more inviting setting.

Ethics: 0/5? The final straw was the bill. When I went to pay, I was handed a handwritten receipt, which is reminiscent of what you’d get at a local market stall in India—not at a proper restaurant in Ireland ! I assume this is a tactic to avoid showing the full revenue, particularly when dealing with Indian customers. If you are smart enough, I hope you know what I am saying. When I asked for a formal receipt, it seemed to be an inconvenience, and after some fumbling with the machine, I was handed a small, unprofessional slip.

As a family that runs a fine dining North Indian restaurant in India, I understand that some locals may rate this place highly, simply because they don’t have a true understanding of Indian cuisine. However, I’m baffled by Indian patrons claiming the food was good—because it was far from it. My experience was frustrating, and it ruined my evening.

If you care about quality food, respectful service, and ethical business practices, I strongly advise avoiding this restaurant...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Kumar during our trip to Galway. This hole in the wall exceeded all of my expectations. As a group of 7 with no reservation during St.patty’s day weekend we had very low hopes that they would be able to sit us. Once we arrived the restaurant was full and it smelled amazing. We spoke to one of the host who went above and beyond and told us not to worry. Give them 30-45 min and they would have a table for us. We arrived after a short while and we were immediately greeted and helped. The entire staff is extremely efficient and friendly. You can tell they really care about their customer and want to provide the best experience possible. They really made us feel at home.

The atmosphere at Kumar is simply fantastic. The decor is very spunky but really feels homey. The lighting is warm and inviting which creates a cozy and intimate atmosphere.

Now let’s talk food. We did two of the specials and an order of the butter chicken. For the specials we got: Appetizers: vegetable samosas, chicken tikka, onion bhaji, seekh kebab

Main course: lamb madras, chicken jalfrezi, chicken tikka Marsala, shahi paneer, butter chicken

Wow!

I was just simply blown away by the flavors of their meals and the freshness of their ingredients. Every dish was bursting with spices and flavors. You can really tell that the chefs put a lot of care and attention into each and every dish.

Overall, I cannot recommend Kumar enough. It’s just simply amazing and I am so glad we stumbled upon...

Having recently relocated to Galway, I had a strong craving for Indian cuisine one evening, and my friends shared the same desire for Indian-style rice dishes. We decided to visit "Kumar's the Taste of India," conveniently located near the Spanish Arch. The restaurant's ambiance was quite unique, resembling something straight out of a movie with its Indian slum-themed decor, featuring broken walls, vibrant decorations, and religious idols.

However, our dining experience took a disappointing turn. We waited at our table for a good 20 minutes without anyone coming to assist us, as the staff seemed preoccupied with serving the local Irish customers, seemingly neglecting our presence as Indians. We had to approach the busboys to finally place our orders. To our surprise, we were told to order everything at once, as they wouldn't prepare items separately.

We ordered chicken biryani, samosas, mushroom rice, and Kumar's special assorted rice. While the biryani exceeded our expectations compared to other Indian restaurants in the city, the assorted rice dishes left much to be desired. They were rather average, and the portions were disappointingly small. The samosas were a letdown, being two mini samosas with insufficient filling. Moreover, the prices were notably on the higher side for each item.

Overall, I was thoroughly disappointed with both the service and the food quality. Service: 1/5 Food: 2/5 Worth Going: No Value...