Swaadisht Foods Royale - Umhlanga — Restaurant in KwaZulu-Natal

We visited Swaadisht in Oceans Mall for the second time - first time being last year. Our waiter resembled what you would expect from a car salesman - smooth-talking, dream-selling, problem-solving. Anyway, initially this is bearable but it becomes over-bearing as you start feeling you’re no longer being listened to and only being sold to - case in point when we ordered the water. We asked for a 500ml and we were sold the 750ml as it was better value for money. We agreed and ordered the 750ml. Low and behold, he brings us the 500ml - to which we then remind him of the 750ml we ordered. We request the 750ml. Bear in mind that the 500ml was still unopened. He then asks us if he can call the manager as they’ll charge him for this. We agree and ask him to call the manager. A very serious female manager comes to the table and starts interrogating us to establish who was at fault she was downright rude actually and it left us considering whether or not we should stay. We tell her there was a miscommunication and that we ordered the 750ml. A few minutes later, they both walk away and go make the change on the system. From this point, the previously in-your-face waiter now focuses his attention almost exclusively on his bigger table and neglects us until the food arrives about 30 minutes later. Between the awkward interrogation of the water and the food arriving, our waiter has a literal clash with another waiter and an argument and pointing of fingers erupts in front of guests. Our waiter also catches a begger and animatedly starts chasing the lady away. The manager also approaches our table wanting to take a picture of us, we comply, too scared to say no to this intimidating woman after our first encounter with her. The food arrives and our 2 butter chickens arrive without rice - which should be standard with the meal. He goes back for this and returns with it a few minutes later. The food was as good as our previous experience and here we cannot fault them. However, what left a bitter taste was the service and mild animosity between staff and staff and management. There’s no attempt at even trying to look professional in front of patrons. The final straw was the point when our salesman waiter brought us our bill. As he puts it on the table, he pleads with us to please tip him in cash so he can get home tonight as they don’t receive their tips each night. Despite the bizarre experience, we would’ve tipped him anyway as we know what waiters earn, but tips should never be assumed, and more so, they should not be assumed to your patrons after giving them the bill. Even though the food was good, we probably won’t return due to this experience. Oh yes, and final final straw was being charged for both waters. Obviously we contested this and subsequently they had one removed. In summary: Good food,...

Swaadisht - Oceans Mall Umhlanga - Review - 25.05.2025 The booking was made early in the week for a Sunday family lunch to celebrate a birthday. When we got to Swaadisht at the Oceans Mall, Umhlanga an ungracious hostess directed us to a table set the bottom of the staircase. We had to put up a chilly cross breeze and people using the staircase. We requested being moved to a more private and warmer part of the restaurant. The hostess refused to accommodate us. She was rude, abrupt and intolerant to our request. She insisted that all the tables were booked in advance. Much Ado about nothing, we were finally moved to a table that was 'reserved' for another group. Nobody turned up for said booking. Our food was not up to standard and to a point not edible. None of us ate much. The only items that was acceptable in taste was the lamb (mutton) vindaloo and the butter naan. The prawn curry was too pungent, the broad bean curry didn't look or taste like a curry. When I mentioned this to the waiter, he took it back to the kitchen. It was returned in under 2 minutes worse than before. We barely touched the mutton breyani and chicken breyani. The taste of sojee was more acceptable than the vermicelli. My masala tea had a smell and strange aftertaste. The waiters were unprofessional and loud. The noise from the kitchen was becoming worse as the time dragged along and the loud music was perhaps used to drown out the noise. The dramatic ungracious hostess moved around asking people whether she could video them lunching. She was openly unhappy about being denied the opportunity to video patrons making inaudible babbling sounds. The place lacked ambience and atmosphere. The disgruntled hostess set the mood and tone to our bad experience the moment she met us at the entrance. A definite NO to return to this venue. I believe that we need to support businesses to grow the economy of this country and decrease unemployment. However customer service is important for retention and survival of all businesses especially in the service industry. The service industry engages all 5 senses especially touch, taste and smell..make the effort to gain the customer satisfaction by gratifying of these 5 senses. Make it a gastronomical experience with professional staff. All of these aspects sadly missed it's mark at Swaadisht at the Oceans...

We ordered the minced mutton samoosas and the prawn springrolls as starters. This was followed by a mutton bunny and a lamb Vindaloo with basmati rice. The samoosas were tasteless. The minced meat had the light colour of minced chicken not red meat, and was completely tasteless. No evidence of coriander. I expected fresh lemon wedges, but none was supplied. The prawn springrolls were, literally, prawnless, filled with carrots, corn and green veg, encased in a thick, unappetizing dough, quite unlike light pastry. The accompanying dip was nasty - tomato sauce, and not even good quality, poured into ramekins with very little evidence of anything else added - very unlike the delicious samoosa dip that my sister makes or the dip from eateries in Johannesburg. The bunny was okay, but the meat cuts looked like offcuts. No balance of spices and herbs and the texture indicated undercooked spices. The vindaloo was atrocious. I normally have a chilli or two with my breakfast, so I'm used to heat. I had ordered the standard heat. It was extremely hot to the point of being unpleasant and inedible. I could feel the granules of the chilli powder or vindaloo spice which, evidently, was not cooked through, possibly added when I ordered and definitely too much. The manager/owner said that the food was made to order - the order took about 20mins and that should give an indication of the quality to curry cooks. No balance of spices and herbs. I didn't get the taste of garlic and ginger at all and there was no fresh coriander added to the dish. The meat was also just poor cuts of lamb with lots of bone. The vents of what looked like extractors under the airconditioners are filthy and needs to be cleaned. The basmati was fragrant and good, well cooked. The waiter was good and attentive although another waiter claimed to be our waiter and said our waiter was just helping him, so I suppose that is where...