The Shalimar Restaurant — Restaurant in Oldham

We went to The Shalimar for my sister's birthday after being here once before and rating it very well. This time was probably the worse experience ive had in a restaurant. For start it took them half an hour to bring us our drinks, we was a group of 13 including 2 kids and 2 toddlers, so we asked politely could they please be quick with the kids drinks as they were getting restless. Their response was "in a minute, go and sit down", so once the drinks arrived we quickly made our orders of popadoms, starters and mains as we didn't want to wait so long again. The food was quite nice which was the only positive. Once the bill came we all paid what we ordered and there seemed to be £40 left over. We asked for the bill to be explained and the waiter told us that the kids meals were full price (after telling us they were half price but then said they meant half portions. but why would we want half portions for full price??????) and also our poppadoms and dips come to £30!!!! We ordered 25 popadoms, they did not say anything about the dips they just put 4 trays on our table and 2 of them didn't even get eaten. So we didn't want to pay for that as if they told us each tray was £5, we would have just asked for 2. So we all got up to leave and they threatened us very aggressively that they will call the police. Also the manager, who acted in the most disgusting way I've ever seen a manager of a restaurant act, then went on to call my friend disgusting after her response of service being atrocious. We proceeded to leave with our cake we bought in for my sister and 2 waiters got up in our faces and said we cannot leave. By this point we had already left the £25 on the table and told them this. They refused to let my sister leave with her cake and went to call us many names right in the middle of the restaurant. One waiter grabbed my sister's arm as she refused to give them HER cake that WE brought in. I think that is absolutely DISGUSTING. After asking several times for the box for our cake they finally gave to us. As we walked out the door the same waiter, who grabbbed my sisters arm, told us we couldn't return to the restaurant and aggressively SLAMMED the front door shut!!! I am absolutely DISGUSTED and APPAULED by the waiters and the manager of this restaurant. They had ZERO knowledge of good customer service!!! I would never come back to this restaurant, the manager is so passive aggressive it's unbelievable. He shouldn't even be in...

Arrived as a booked group of 13 adults. Service felt very disorganised. Last time I visited, the meal I ordered was very bland for what it was supposed to be. I ordered the same meal on this visit but asked if it could be spicy hot, had a discussion with the waiter about it and he seemed to understand what I was after. My meal was the last to be served and was as bland as the last time. At the end of the meal, I was asked by one of the waiters if everything was alright, to which I replied that my meal wasn't what I specifically asked for. He turned around and walked away!!! Why ask if you have no intention of listening!!! We spend £350. I will not be going again. I don't normally make reviews as you do usually get the ones that don't enjoy it. Unfortunately that's...

Never had a bad meal here and this time was no different. We visited mid week for tea with a couple of friends. The service was welcoming, friendly and attentive. Completely covid safe so no issues there. Still the best popadums and chutney tray. It's the onions, I don't know what they do with them but I like them here more than anywhere else! All our dishes were very tasty. In all it's a comfortable and reliable place with good food and service at reasonable price. Definitely going to leave my comfort zone next time and order...