Saravanaa Bhavan — Restaurant in Rome

I recently had the opportunity to visit this restaurant an Indian restaurant that claims to offer an authentic culinary experience. However, as a foreigner with a diverse taste palate, I found my dining experience at this establishment to be underwhelming and disappointing. While it may cater well to Indian diners, the lack of consideration for foreign tastes left me unsatisfied.

One of the major issues I encountered was the limited variety in the menu. While I understand that Indian cuisine is rich and diverse, it seemed as though it primarily focused on traditional Indian dishes without considering the preferences of a broader audience. The absence of options that could appeal to foreigners or those unfamiliar with Indian flavors was quite disappointing. It's important for any restaurant to recognize that not everyone who walks through their doors will be intimately acquainted with Indian cuisine.

Moreover, the staff seemed uninterested in assisting foreign patrons in navigating the menu or explaining the dishes. I felt a distinct lack of warmth and attentiveness from the servers, which made me feel unwelcome and uncomfortable. When I sought recommendations or asked for clarifications regarding certain dishes, I received vague responses or minimal effort to guide me. This lack of customer service contributed to my overall negative experience.

Unfortunately, even the dishes I did order failed to impress. The flavors were overwhelmingly intense and unfamiliar, making it difficult for me to fully appreciate the nuances of the cuisine. The spiciness was dialed up to extreme levels, which overshadowed the other ingredients and left my taste buds overwhelmed. The lack of balance in the seasoning and the absence of milder options made it challenging for me to find something enjoyable on the menu.

In terms of ambiance, the restaurant felt cramped and lacked a welcoming atmosphere. The lighting was too bright, and the seating arrangements were uncomfortable, making it difficult to relax and enjoy the meal. I expected a more inviting and aesthetically pleasing environment that would enhance the overall dining experience.

Overall, my visit left me disappointed and dissatisfied. The lack of consideration for foreign tastes, unhelpful staff, and overwhelming flavors made it clear that this establishment is primarily geared towards Indian diners. While it is important for a restaurant to stay true to its culinary roots, it is equally crucial to accommodate and embrace a wider range of palates. Unfortunately, it fell short in this aspect, and I would not recommend it to foreigners looking for an authentic Indian dining experience that caters to their preferences. In addition to the aforementioned concerns, another aspect that contributed to my negative experience was the practice of customers eating with their bare hands. While I understand that eating with hands is a traditional and cultural practice in India, it can be off-putting and unhygienic for foreign diners who are accustomed to using utensils.

The absence of utensils or even an option to use them was surprising and discomforting. It left me feeling uneasy about the cleanliness and sanitation standards of the restaurant. Proper hand hygiene and the use of utensils are widely considered essential in many parts of the world, and the lack of this option made me question the overall hygiene practices in the establishment.

While I respect cultural traditions, it would have been thoughtful to offer utensils as an alternative for those who are not familiar or comfortable with eating by hand. This would have allowed foreign patrons to enjoy the meal without feeling alienated or uneasy.

The combination of limited menu options, lackluster customer service, overwhelming flavors, and the requirement to eat with bare hands collectively contributed to my dissatiqfaction .It is my hope that the restaurant takes these concerns into consideration and makes improvements to cater to a...

I am appalled by the shocking behavior exhibited by the manager at Saravana Bhavan in Rome. Not only did they mistreat my 17-month-old baby, but they also crossed the line by suggesting that I should file a police complaint if I had any issues.

During our visit, the manager snatched a glass from my baby's hand in an aggressive manner. This act of hostility towards a defenseless child is absolutely unacceptable and deeply concerning. When I expressed my dismay and questioned their behavior, the manager's response was completely dismissive and insensitive.

To make matters worse, instead of acknowledging their misconduct and attempting to resolve the situation, the manager had the audacity to suggest that I involve the police. This suggestion was not only inappropriate but also reflected a lack of professionalism and understanding of customer service.

It is deeply disheartening to encounter such behavior in a supposedly reputable establishment. As a customer, I expect to be treated with respect, especially when dining with a young child. Saravana Bhavan failed miserably in this regard, leaving me deeply disappointed and concerned for the treatment of other patrons.

They also displayed dishonesty when it came to my bill.

During my visit, I noticed an additional charge of 3 euros on my bill, which the manager attributed to a "human error." While I understand that mistakes can happen, what appalled me was the manager's dismissive attitude towards my concern. Instead of addressing the issue with sincerity and offering an apology, they belittled me, questioning why I was making a fuss over just 3 euros. It was as if they were trying to downplay the significance of the error and disregard my valid inquiry.

They even had the audacity to suggest that I come back another day to file a complaint, as if inconveniencing me further was an appropriate response to their own mistake.

Based on my distressing experience, I strongly advise against visiting Saravana Bhavan Rome. The manager's aggression, insensitivity, and suggestion to involve the police have left a lasting negative impression on me. I sincerely hope that the restaurant's management takes immediate action to address these serious issues and reevaluate their approach to...

Would have given higher rating if they had not made it so difficult to get tap water. If you do not have a problem having tap water in Rome, then please do ask for tap water. Otherwise they force you to buy water.

For the restaurant: Everything you serve must be a choice for the customers. Forcing people does not make sense. Also what is the cover charge for?

Ordered a paneer mushroom Kathi roll and a vegetable uttapam. Kathi roll was very good but the uttapam could have been better. The uttapam had big pieces of carrots and beans which made it less tasty. A recommendation for the chef, please connect with the chefs of any Sarvana Bhavan franchise of London. They use the same ingredients but the uttapam is far superior. I think it’s because they chop the beans fine and carrots are grated. So the texture of the uttapam is uniform. I hope my feedback helps improve the dish

Edit: Will give zero stars after the foolish reply given by the owner. Tap water is a right and must not require me to ask you 5 times to serve it. It was not a millimetre it was a few centimeters. You are surviving just because it’s not a restaurant in India. Point is your veg uttapam is bad and unauthentic. Learn to accept feedback and improve. Everything is temporary. Improve or you will definitely be replaced by a better restaurant. Don’t expect much to change from such a stubborn owner. All the best with the mediocrity and serving sub standard South...