New Delhi — Restaurant in Oslo

My friend, my husband, and myself showed up to New Delhi craving Indian food after spending two weeks in Europe. We had no reservation but it wasn’t busy so we went to the host (who I now understand is the owner) and asked for a table for 3. We were told no tables since we had no reservation. We found it odd since it was 8:30PM and no where near full but he said they were short of staff. We walked away, but watched another table of people with no reservation get seated which made me start thinking.

I went to make an online reservation, they had availability at 9, 9:15, 9:30 and 10PM that night. We walked to our hotel and had the concierge call to make a reservation at New Delhi. The concierge was told they were open, just come over and they would seat us. My husband was reluctant to go back, he said he had a feeling the owner purposely didn’t seat us because of him (he is Indian). I thought there was no way that could be true. So to test this theory, our friend (who is white) and I (also white) walked in and they sat us. No questions asked. But when my husband walked in, the owner stopped him again.

I couldn’t believe what was happening. SURELY I’m not watching my husband get discriminated against at an Indian restaurant.

We explained how we got sat, and then, understanding he was caught — the owner started to change his tone. Now, he said, the problem wasn’t that they weren’t understaffed, it was that my husband was intoxicated. We were confused — None of us had a sip of alcohol since traveling to Norway a few days prior. How could he claim “intoxication”? I was APPALLED. I’ve never experienced discrimination like this before and all I could ask was, “what are you talking about? Every one of us is 100% sober. Do you have a problem with Americans or is it just the fact that he’s Indian?” Then the owner started to pretend like he couldn’t understand English, the same language he was perfectly capable of speaking a few minutes prior. He started speaking in Hindi and then Norwegian, making it impossible to communicate. Frustrated and almost in tears, we stood up and left.

I debated writing this review because I didn’t want to relive something so horrible. I realized that not acknowledging it would make me complicit in the same behavior that broke my heart. I wish I had the awareness to call out this disgusting treatment in the moment but we were all in disbelief. I hope no one ever has to feel the way we did.

I ended up reading countless other reviews that spoke of this same treatment to fellow Indians.

STAY FAR AWAY! Giving your business to this place is like supporting an organization of hate and intolerance. The city of Oslo is better than that. Your money and time deserve better...

Wanted to celebrate my 50th birthday at my favorite restaurant and contacted New Delhi through their website well in advance to book a table for 10 of my friends. Firstly they never got back to me to confirm my booking until I managed to message the owner through WhatsApp. They then got back to me the night before the booking. Meanwhile I had personally visited the restaurant to ask about the booking but was only able to speak with a waiter who clearly stated he didn’t have anything to do with bookings. So, total waste of time trying to speak with them in advance when booking a table. On the big day I was surprised to find another party just seated at the table I had booked. They thankfully moved that group of people but it kept us waiting for quite a while before we were seated. The food was good, as always, but they «forgot» which dishes I had pre ordered for the group and when I realized there was no vegetarian options for my guests I became really annoyed. Again, no point in booking, it seems. Eventually one vegetarian dish was served but by then the rest of us were almost done. Very disappointing. Finally I had told them repeatedly we were going somewhere else for dessert but this was very difficult for them to subtract from the price of the total meal. When the waiter started to argue about the bill, I didn’t want to end my birthday arguing so I just gave in ending up paying for desserts I didn’t order. They said they would discount our next meal but I never received a voucher or some kind of proof of future discounts. And also, no apologies from any waiter for all the «hiccups» through the evening.

In conclusion, food is good but service is poor. Especially if you try to book a group of people trying to celebrate something. It seems they stay afloat thanks to the food but the restaurant is very noisy and seems chaotic. They get away with poor planning and service thanks to the food and popularity. Oh, and the bragging poster of Haaland enjoying his butter chicken is just comical… of course he gets better service than us...

Brilliant food (authentic samosa and great chai) and excellent service from the staff. However, the handsome looking turbaned man with free flowing white beard isn't gentle enough to treat customers nicely. I spotted a Sikh man in Oslo so expected a warm welcome but I wasn't treated nicely. Ofcourse, I went in without reservation but I did nicely ask if there is a table and staff very respectfully gave me a table. Took the order, as I wasnt hungry and went in out of excitement as a British Sikh to find a Punjabi Indian restaurant in Oslo. Then the waiter moved me from the table I was given first stating it is reserved, I was happy and prompt to move to where he asked me to. Then this aged Turbaned fellow showed up (I hope he was coming to greet me as a fellow turbaned man) and told me off saying there is no table available. At first I thought he was joking but when he repeated that, I politely said the table was give by your staff but if you want I can leave. Then he told me(as a favour) to be seated, and asked if I've placed the order, to which I said yes, I did for a chai and samosa then he went a bit crazy and disrespectfully said they don't serve chai and samosa only. He also explained (rudely) that how would they sustain such expensive place in middle of Oslo city centre and salaries if they serve customers with chai and samosa only. That literally broke my heart. Not just as a customer but as a fellow Sikh too.

Firstly, I didnt force myself into the restaurant and then waiter did take my order and accepted it. I had this bothering me all night, perhaps this reaches to others and the person I intend to. Every customer is equally good and please be clear if there are certain conditions for customers. While entering I was hoping to book for our team dinner I'm hosting later this week, but now I had to force myself to take my team of 35 to Mantra by Mr India.

My review of one star is for my heart break while for food and service from staff with great atmosphere scores 5 stars.

Heart broken Amanpreet Singh,...