Karim's - Original from Jama Masjid, Delhi 6 — Restaurant in Kolkata

An Unexpected Delight at Karims, Maula Ali, Kolkata Walking into Karims on CIT Road, Maula Ali, Kolkata, I had modest expectations, but what unfolded was a truly memorable dining experience that far exceeded them.Ratings:Food: 10/10Ambience: 9/10Service: 8/10From the moment we were seated, the warm and inviting ambience set a promising tone, earning a well-deserved 9/10. The decor was tasteful, blending modern comfort with a touch of traditional charm, creating a cozy yet vibrant atmosphere. The service, rated at 8/10, was attentive and friendly, though there’s slight room for improvement in speed and personalization.The real star of the evening was the food—deserving a perfect 10/10. The starters were a revelation, particularly the kebabs. Unlike the often lackluster offerings at places like Barbecue Nation, Karims served four or five varieties of kebabs that were fresh, succulent, and bursting with flavor. Each bite was a testament to their culinary expertise. Accompanying the kebabs were delectable paneer dishes and an assortment of vegetarian starters, all equally impressive. The butter naans, served hot and perfectly soft, were a delightful complement to the meal.The main course featured a standout chicken biryani that added an elegant touch to the experience. While the main course menu was somewhat limited, the quality of the biryani more than made up for it, with fragrant rice and tender, well-spiced chicken that left us wanting more. The only minor hiccup was the mocktails, which came at an additional cost—slightly unexpected for a dining experience of this caliber.Dessert was the one area that left us wanting more. The firni, while creamy and flavorful, was the sole offering, which felt a bit underwhelming after such a robust meal.Pros:Exceptional kebabs, bursting with freshness and flavor.Outstanding chicken biryani, a highlight of the main course.Freshly made, buttery naans that paired perfectly with the dishes.Cons:Dessert options were limited to just firni.Mocktails were not included in the meal and incurred an extra charge.Suggestions for Improvement:Expand the dessert menu to include at least one additional option, such as ice cream, to round out the experience.Consider offering one complimentary mocktail per person to enhance value and guest satisfaction.Overall, dining at Karims was an absolute pleasure and worth every penny. The food, ambience, and service combined to create a memorable evening that left us delighted and eager to return. For anyone seeking authentic, flavorful cuisine in Kolkata, Karims on CIT Road is...

I visited on 17th September 2025 and opted for a mutton buffet for four and a chicken buffet for one. Honestly, I felt the place lacked proper organization and was clearly understaffed.

On 15th September 2025, I had messaged them to inquire about pricing, the menu, and other details. They informed me that the mutton buffet was ₹645 + 5% GST and the chicken buffet was ₹499 + 5% GST, and also shared the menu.

Since I had read in multiple reviews that the chicken buffet is served on the ground floor and the mutton buffet on the 5th floor, I asked if one person from our group (who wanted the chicken buffet) could be accommodated with us on the 5th floor. When I asked how it would be managed and what the pricing would be, they said the person would also need to pay ₹645 + 5% GST (mutton buffet price). On asking whether the menu would remain the same, they replied that both menus were identical except for chicken biryani in the chicken buffet and mutton biryani in the mutton buffet.

When I questioned why a person having only the chicken buffet had to pay more, their explanation was: “We charge extra for the ambience.”

Coming to the food:

The buffet was average, not bad.

Food was not properly served hot.

Veg starters lacked taste, and the potatoes were undercooked.

The chicken biryani was served only after reminding staff 6–7 times.

Food replenishment was slow, and service delays were noticeable everywhere.

At billing, we were informed that prices had increased from that very day to ₹699 + GST. But when I had asked them over chat just two days earlier, they hadn’t mentioned any price change which signifies lack of communication of internal team.

For a ₹735 buffet, the offerings were disappointing:

No complimentary water.

No prawns.

Fried corn was too dry.

Mutton appeared only in biryani (which was also delayed).

The second mutton hari was served late, and the mutton wasn’t soft.

The only dessert was firni, served just once in a small bowl. The Chinese main course was also average.

Overall, not value for money. The menu has also been reduced — no mutton gravy, no murgh musallam, no prawns. The only positive was that mocktails were available at ₹59 and tasted good.

They seriously need to improve coordination, increase menu variety, and provide transparent pricing details when customers call in advance.

As for parking, they only have space for 2–3 cars. Otherwise, you’ll need to park on...

This establishment offers two distinct buffet experiences in separate floors:

Ground Floor: Chicken buffet

5th Floor: Mutton buffet

While the concept is unique, the 5th-floor arrangement leaves room for improvement. There are no tables suited for couples or groups of four—only six-seater tables—making shared dining with strangers inevitable.

The buffet spread itself is generous, but considering the pricing at ₹845 + 5% GST, the inclusion of a complimentary drink or an additional dessert would be a welcome touch, especially since the only dessert served was firni.

Food Quality & Taste:

Tandoor Starters (chicken tandoori, malai tikka) lacked flavor and not so much tasty.

Fish fry had a tangy note, also some pieces were dry and not entirely fresh.

Chinese Starters were the highlight in this category, although the prawn starter was overcooked, rendering the prawns chewy.

Noodles were the weakest point of the buffet—bland, unseasoned, overcooked, and unpleasantly slimy.

On the brighter side, the mutton biryani, murg musallam, mutton kosha, and firni were flavorful ,tasty and well-executed.

A 500 ml bottled water was provided but, contrary to expectations, was not complimentary and added to the bill.

Verdict: The restaurant delivers a satisfactory overall experience with standout mains but inconsistent starters. Service and table arrangements, especially on the 5th floor, could be improved to better suit different group sizes. Worth a visit for the mutton-based dishes, but expectations for tandoor and seafood should...