Udupi Shivalli — Restaurant in England

The place was our pride and we would love visiting from London (all the times when we visited the Jain temple that is literally 2 blocks away). What more we did recommend this restaurant to all other of our friends n family. Not anymore.

After some great experiences in my previous visits (pre-pandemic), first time we went there for lunch on Sunday and were truly disappointed with all aspects that makes me update my review. (Did something change during the entire pandemic like change of staff, owner, etc I m just wondering)..

So, we had a table booked for 1.15 but we reached there a little late around 1.40 (informed them about the delay) but they kept the table. Thanks for that. Everything from then just went downhill.

After we were seated on our table, we waited for about 25 mins for our waiter to arrive with the menu card. All the waiters were quite busy serving just the 1 big group that was occupying the entire back area of the restaurant and no one ever had the courtesy to pass by just to check if we needed anything.

Sensing we were getting close to the afternoon closing time and knowing that preparing Jain food might take a bit of a time, I had to go upto the bar counter myself and request for the menu card.

Again the trend of getting ignored continued and we had to keep having to call them to get their attention away from the big group they were engrossed completely.

After placing our orders the food arrive in the expected time, but unfortunately our Jain order was messed a little (something we had never experienced even during the times they had buffet which I believe is more challenging), but was corrected promptly. However, most of our food was cold, including Dosas.

After the food was served, we realized they didn't come with cutleries, so again we ask for it only for them to realize then they had missed on providing the table cutleries of spoons and forks in a glass before our food arrived. That's certainly not the standard I would expect.

The food taste was just average and nowhere close to our previous visits. Didn't feel it was the same place. With shivalli, we have come to expect a certain authentic south Indian food. The desert was a pale shadow of the gulab jamun we had enjoyed here.

Most the service issues were given excuse of having a big group which is understandable but not to this extent.

There is huge gap between the pre pandemic era when they served buffet and still were able manage everything and service was great. But this time post pandemic, with the buffet option gone, I would believe it would be reasonably easier with no-refills Thali options. However, a lot seems to have changed and not just the buffet being missing. Unfortunately, almost all of them...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at a vegetarian South Indian restaurant, and I must say, it was an absolute delight for my taste buds. From the moment I stepped into the establishment, I was greeted with warm hospitality and a vibrant ambiance that reflected the rich heritage of South India.

The menu boasted a wide array of authentic South Indian dishes, each prepared with utmost care and attention to detail. The variety of dosas, idlis, vadas, and uttapams was simply astounding. Whether you are a fan of traditional favorites or eager to explore new flavors, this restaurant caters to all palates.

The dosas were light, crispy, and generously filled with flavorful fillings. I particularly enjoyed the masala dosa, which was perfectly golden and accompanied by an assortment of chutneys and sambar. The idlis were soft and fluffy, melting in my mouth with every bite. And the vadas were impeccably spiced, providing a burst of flavors in every crunchy morsel.

One of the highlights of my dining experience was the variety of chutneys and accompaniments offered. The coconut chutney was refreshingly smooth, the tomato chutney had a delightful tanginess, and the mint chutney added a pleasant hint of freshness. The sambar, with its harmonious blend of spices, complemented the dishes beautifully.

The restaurant's attention to quality ingredients was evident in each dish. The vegetables used were fresh and vibrant, enhancing the flavors of the curries and stir-fries. The use of traditional spices and aromatic herbs added an authentic touch to every preparation.

To complete the meal, the dessert selection was both indulgent and satisfying. The traditional payasam, a rice and milk-based pudding, was a sweet conclusion to my culinary journey. It was evident that the chefs took great pride in their craft, as every dish was presented with precision and artistry.

The service at this vegetarian South Indian restaurant was exceptional. The staff was knowledgeable, attentive, and willing to offer recommendations based on individual preferences. They were passionate about their cuisine, and their enthusiasm translated into a memorable dining experience.

Overall, dining at this vegetarian South Indian restaurant was an absolute pleasure. From the delectable dishes to the warm hospitality, every aspect was carefully curated to provide an authentic taste of South India. Whether you are a vegetarian or simply looking to explore the vibrant flavors of South Indian cuisine, I highly recommend giving this restaurant a visit. You will leave with a newfound appreciation for vegetarian fare and a desire to...

Worst thalli I ever had. This is the first time I decided to rate a restaurant(you can imagine how pathetic the food was)The good thing about this restaurant was the staff(Telugu guy)was very polite and was working really hard.We ordered Udupi thalli it was supposed to be a South Indian thalli. They didn’t had curries. They filled the plate with what curries they had and charged us 15 pounds. We also other chilli paneer and goby 66. Paneer was sautéed in chilli and tomato sauce. In goby 65 I couldn’t find goby flower at all. It was all goby bottom part. The only thing that we liked was dosa. We also ordered a sambar Wada. Sambar was good but wada was not cooked inside. I would give minus rating and we will never visit it again.

Reply to owner comments: First of all before arriving to the restaurant we called 2 times to check the thalli was available for 3 people. One call was made at 7 and before coming to restaurant at 8:30 . The lady we spoke on the call said all the thalli were available. You can check with the lady who spoke to us.We order udipi thalli, maharaja thalli and special thalli. After ordering the food after 15 min Your staff came told us that only udipi thalli was there and chole and few other curries were finished. A lady came from kitchen told us that the food you served in thalli was very limited and gave us what was left. Even she told us that you get white rice in the thalli we order but there was not white rice she gave jeera rice.we ordered chilli paneer and gobi 65(it was a typo error) it was not even good. I am complaining about the food taste mate not about the items we got. Secondly, I didn’t ask the staff personal information.When he explained about what we get in thalli he spoke Telugu that’s how I know he is from Telugu state. You should be happy that I am leaving good comment about your staff. Seems you are unable to digest that good comment. Instead of apologising to customer you are making fun of your customer. I know how the south India food taste like because I born and bought up in India.Probably you should visit south India try the food. Why would I leave a bad if we like the food. Genuinely the food was not good and that’s why I am...