The Indian Cafe — Restaurant in Nelson

I've been to the Indian Cafe before a couple of times and this time went with my husband as I'd been raving to him about it for ages. Unfortunately this time around the entire dining experience was disappointing and we left trying to think of ideas to salvage our only night out together in several months, without kids. Definitely not as I remember. We were the only two seated inside and it took ten minutes to take our drink and food order. We ordered the banquet for two, seemed great value for money and had a variety of dishes on offer. After a bit of a wait the entree came out served by the maitre'd whilst a waitress served our plates and then came back with the sauces.....already we felt like we'd been a little forgotten as we didn't have any plates or condiments before the course arrived. All was forgiven when we ate the entree, it was delicious. Unfortunately the meal took a nosedive after that, the rice portion of dinner arrived first and felt like it was sitting alone on the table for an age - we eventually had to get up and ask where the rest of the main was. It immediately came out after we asked, the food lacked any flavour, the vegetarian dish was a packet of mixed veges, some almonds in some kind of bland sauce. On the other end of the scale the beef course was so hot it was inedible, and the other two dishes - lamb/chicken were totally bland, no heat whatsoever and nearly no flavour. During this time other diners had arrived and were being served, the maitre'd seemed to be spending a lot of time on the telephone chatting to a friend and we seemed to be sitting a lot without any attention. Eventually our mains were cleared in two attempts, I say two as part was cleared, then five minutes later the second lot was cleared. We left the restaurant feeling we would've had a more entertaining night by tossing banknotes into an open fire and watching them burn, and at least we wouldn't have had the stodgy stomach that felt like we'd consumed nothing but bland nothingness. Mmmmm don't think we'll be back...

Hey 👋 All Used to love this place back in 2016 /2017 ,Was great bustling food was yum . Went there after a while 2025 The customer service team have become relaxed , it was alright. The food was ok won't say bad , but definitely not good like it used to be . Ordered butter chicken but got chicken tikka masala . Gave the feedback but he argued back that it's not possible and it's the same chef since 11 years . As my Indian Heritage background I know my taste for Indian food . So might have won awards but not the same anymore has lost its touch ... Drinks were warm like coke had asked for more ice also i asked if it was cans , was told yes but just served from big bottles , was on flatter side. Mehhh Sorry team not rating you good becaus of honesty. Otherwise , enjoyed eating with family was alright environment . Hopefully you guys can up the game like it used to be as i truly love this place hopefully this feedback can bring positiva change in food and service

Reply to the reply below : Thanks for clarifying that how the staff were and drinks . I guess you are truly proving me correct here rather taking the feedback to up the game you are taking it personally and pointing it back at the customer. And now also dictating how my taste buds inside my mouth might have tasted the food ? Rather actually tale the feedback and have a chat with the chef and see what went wrong to create a better tase for next time . Also thanks for pointing out to me that i was enjoying my food, yes i was hungry with my family and not that fussed when hungry . Hence i dropped a feedback so maybe you can up the game and make the improvement . I can also see that the business has been sold recently and seems like it now the same anymore . Anyway your choice guys your restaurant upto you how you want to take this feedback and get better or not . Not my loss :) il take away more stars as you’re dictation on my taste buds telling me how i would now taste food inside my own body .

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I was 'hangry' last nite when I went into this restaurant for a look see. I perused the menu displayed out the front before deciding to go in, I had previously looked at several other menus belonging to other restaurants. Having just $25 on me I am limited in what I can order but I ended up choosing the Beef Korma, so I pop in to place my order. According to the outside menu it will cost just under $22 so I had plenty on me. Alas I get to the counter to place my order and it is rung up but I'm told it will be $28 & change. I politely explain there must be an error as on the menu out the front it clearly displays a far lesser price. He laughs his head off before telling me in a great big booming voice "ohh those prices are old, and haven't been that price for ages". Talk about bloody embarrassing !! I will now NEVER EVER set foot in that place again ! One can not simply treat people like that nor should they be breaking the Consumers Act with baiting their customers. I did not order because I did not have enough money, so I told him this yet he didn't care nor did he offer to charge me the advertised price. He didn't have to, but he should of. As a result I, and my friends have vowed to not ever eat from there. It won't make the restaurant collapse but we go out a few times a month normally leaving behind a few hundred dollars that he will now NEVER get his grubby hands on. All because the restaurant is too damn lazy to change a very out of date...