Boliwood Queenstown — Restaurant in South Island

The True Reality of This Restaurant: Avoid at All Costs

I don’t usually write reviews, but my experience at Bolliwood has compelled me to warn others. This restaurant is, without a doubt, one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had. From the moment I walked in, it was clear that customer service is not a priority here, and the entire visit went downhill from there.

First off, the staff is shockingly unwelcoming. Not a single smile or warm greeting—just a cold, arrogant attitude that makes you feel as though you’re inconveniencing them by even being there. When we asked for some basic clarifications about the menu, we were met with condescending responses and impatient sighs. They made us feel like they were doing us a favor by serving us! It was uncomfortable and insulting, to say the least.

The food itself was beyond disappointing. I was expecting authentic Indian cuisine, but what we got was bland, overcooked, and barely edible. The curries were watery and lacked any real flavor, the naan bread was dry and rubbery, and the appetizers tasted as if they had been reheated from the previous night. To make matters worse, the portions were insultingly small. It’s almost comical how little food you get for the outrageous prices they charge.

Speaking of prices—this place is an absolute rip-off. They charge fine-dining rates for what is essentially subpar, street-level food. I’ve had better meals at small takeout joints for a fraction of the price. It’s astonishing how they can justify their inflated prices given the lack of quality in both the food and service.

The ambiance isn’t much better. The décor feels tacky and outdated, and the entire space felt cramped and noisy. It certainly didn’t help that the staff seemed more interested in chatting amongst themselves than ensuring their customers were having a pleasant experience.

I can’t stress this enough: Bolliwood is not worth your time or money. There are countless Indian restaurants out there that offer far better food, friendlier service, and more reasonable prices. Do yourself a favor and avoid this place at all costs. I regret every dollar I spent and every minute I wasted here. Save yourself the disappointment and go somewhere—anywhere—else.

One star only because zero stars...

Disappointing Experience at Boliwood Indian Cuisine, Queenstown

My family and I visited Boliwood Indian Cuisine on Shootover Street in Queenstown for dinner. Despite the inviting ambiance, our experience was disappointing.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a lady waiter and placed our order. However, our excitement quickly waned when we received our starters. My dish appeared to have been reheated in the microwave and served cold inside.

We attempted to address this with the waiter, who was on her break at a corner table, but she did not attend to us for 30-40 minutes. When we approached the manager about our mains, he assured us they would be ready in 5 minutes.

Throughout the meal, we were not offered water, cutlery, or another round of drinks. The lack of attention was evident, with staff members eating in the open bar area and showing disregard for basic hygiene.

We were left to serve ourselves using our hands, as we had not been provided with spoons for the curries. Despite requesting water, no one attended to us, and we were forced to visit the filthy and flooded bathrooms to wash our hands.

The person who presented the bill did so with a grumpy demeanor, leaving us feeling unwelcome and disrespected. This experience was a stark contrast to our visit to Masala, a nearby restaurant, where we were treated with respect and courtesy. As we went for takeaway as me my family were hungry

It is disappointing that Boliwood Indian Cuisine does not uphold the standards expected in Queenstown. They seem to be overstaffed for 3 tables and lack proper training, which is a disservice to both the customers and the reputation of New Zealand’s hospitality industry.

In conclusion, our experience at Boliwood Indian Cuisine was subpar, and we left feeling dissatisfied and disheartened. From our heart we bless them all the staff for poor...

My family and I had just arrived in Queenstown for the first time and were craving some traditional desi food. We did a quick cursory search and found Boliwood Restaurant close by.

The service was solid. The staff were friendly and accommodating. Initially, when we walked in, we were told there was no seating available inside due to reservations by a large gathering occurring within the next hour. We decided to check out the outdoor seating but found it to be to be sub-par. For one, the tables and chairs are right out on the street, with people having a higher chance of bumping into you as you ate. They were also encrusted in a white substance that I can only assume were bird droppings. The waiter noticed our discomfort and asked us to come back in. We were given the table we originally asked for, so kudos for doing us a solid there.

The lamb biryani I had was hot and tasty, but the rest of the dishes were below average. I did not enjoy the chaat appetizer I had, and my family members reported similar feelings with their dishes.

The interior decor is nothing to write home about, but it was clean and minimalist. The kitchen isn't segregated from the dining room, so you can hear all the clicks and clangs of the cooking. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but some may not.

I did not go looking for a restroom, so I cannot comment about its availability or cleanliness.

All in all, this was an OK experience, but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend Boliwood Restaurant at this time. Maybe this was an off day for them, us, or both. Again, the lamb biryani was great, but the rest of the dishes left something to be desired. Regardless, I wish them all the best and would not be opposed to trying them again...