Smart India Restaurant ( Te puke ) — Restaurant in North Island

Be careful of the water — they charge $6 for a bottle without telling you! That was the most disappointing part of our visit. On top of that, the food was just average with small portions, and not worth the price. We didn't even finish the water we were charged for. My advice: manage your expectations for the food, and definitely do not drink their water.

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You're welcome.

Do not insult our intelligence with further misleading replies. The facts are clear and undeniable:

Prior Permission: We explicitly asked for your permission before opening our own bottle of wine, specifically because we wanted to avoid hidden charges. Your staff simply said "OK." At no point was any "corkage fee" mentioned. Had it been, we would have taken the bottle away. The "Water" Charge: When I returned the next day to question the $6 charge, you clearly called it a charge for "water" and pointed to a menu item stating "Water $6 / BYO." This is what you explicitly stated, and I remember it distinctly as it was the first time I heard such a thing. Lack of Transparency & The Missing Bill: If your menu and practices were transparent, why on the first night did you only provide a generic POS receipt when I asked for a detailed bill? The refusal to give an itemized bill is the very reason I had to return and ask questions. A honest restaurant has nothing to hide. The Contradiction: You claim your "dining guests know, we never charge for water." So, what does that make me? Am I not your guest? Or am I the only one ever charged for water? If I am the singular exception, then this one-star rating is more than you deserve. The Illegitimate "Fee": We opened the bottle ourselves. What service are you charging for? This is not a corkage fee; it is a penalty for trusting you. Had I been informed upfront, I would have rather donated that $6 to charity than pay it to your restaurant. A Dishonest Exception: I have eaten at many Indian restaurants across New Zealand, and yours is the only one that has been so deeply disappointing. Integrity is the most important thing in business. Own up to your actions. Your behavior is a disservice to the reputation of the wider Indian community. A Final Demand: Stop wasting time on lies. Use it to finally update your menu. That is the bare minimum you can do to build some credibility.

Do not reply. Just fix...

If there was an ability to give 6 stars this place deserves it.

I’m normally an Indian hot Butter chicken person but tried the Indian Hot Vindaloo and it was superb.

Experience: the staff are professional and friendly

Quality: absolutely no issues or complaints, they took the request for Indian hot seriously and my mouth was on fire lol. The cheese garlic naan was fresh and had proper melted cheese.

If you are in Te Puke and had plans to have Indian that night for sub $30 a person, come here anywhere else would be a...

Had a delightful dinner with family at Smart India Restaurant in Te Puke. We ordered butter naan and palak paneer, both bursting with the rich, authentic flavors of Punjabi cuisine. As a cherry on top, they surprised us with a complimentary bowl of rice—such a thoughtful touch!

The staff were genuinely warm and welcoming, and a special shoutout to Duty Manager Mr. Subodh Singh, who made our evening truly memorable with his hospitality.

If you're craving Indian food in Te Puke, I highly recommend this place. We'll definitely...