Bala's Madras Restaurant (South & North Indian) — Restaurant in Hamilton

We ordered Mango Chicken, but it came with an extra: a 10cm straight black hair. We told the waiter and he didn‘t know what to do so he got his boss. The boss was very rude, told us it has to be ours (three women with long blonde, curly brown and red hair) that it has to be ours and didn‘t even apologise. The major problem for us wasn‘t the hair, but how the situation was handled on their side. When we where leaving we asked if we‘re good and the waiter said yes. So we left, seconds later the boss came after us and said we have to pay. We went back and told him that we asked that and paid full price (90 NZD). Only thing he apologised for, was how his waiter reacted and that he himself knows everything. Very unpleasant experience. A hair in the food can happen, but handling the situation better should be expected by professionals.

EDIT: No one offered us a replace dish and to lie about that is just adding to the unprofessionalism. Also I saw at least two people from whom that hair could have been - and by the way there is another review complaining about multiple hairs in...

Delicious South Indian Veg Breakfast at Bala Restaurant – A Must-Try!

I had an absolutely delightful experience at Bala Restaurant in Hamilton! If you're a fan of authentic South Indian vegetarian breakfast, this place is a hidden gem that truly delivers.

From the moment I walked in, the warm and inviting aroma of spices took me straight to the streets of South India. I ordered a classic spread – idli, vada, dosa, upma, and pongal – and every dish was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The sambar was rich and comforting, and the coconut chutney was creamy and full of flavor. The dosa was crispy just the way I like it, and the idlis were soft and fluffy.

What really stood out was the authentic taste and consistency. It’s clear the kitchen takes pride in using traditional recipes and quality ingredients. The service was quick and friendly, and the staff made sure everything was...

This was the very first South Indian restaurant I visited upon landing in New Zealand and what a warm welcome it was! I was greeted with a comforting cup of hot, flavourful tea and a delicious South Indian breakfast that instantly reminded me of home.

What truly stood out was Bala’s passion and dedication to bringing authentic South Indian flavours to the table. Every detail, from the spices to the preparation, reflected his commitment to staying true to our culinary roots.

It was more than just a meal - it was a nostalgic experience, and I genuinely enjoyed every bite. Wishing Bala and his team continued success in sharing the rich taste of South India with the...