Malancha - Contemporary Indian Restaurant — Restaurant in Rugby

⭐☆☆☆☆ Absolutely Disgraceful Experience at Malancha

If you're looking for a pleasant dining experience in Rugby, avoid Malancha at all costs.

We were a group of four, including an infant, and simply wanted to order two main curries with naan. But apparently, this restaurant has a rigid policy of one main course per person. Fair enough if it's a house rule—but the way it was enforced was shockingly rude and aggressive.

The manager, who claimed to be born in the UK and to have 51 years of experience in the hospitality industry, behaved in a way that was anything but professional. Honestly, I’m still unclear why he felt the need to mention his birthplace—it added nothing to the conversation and felt like a bizarre attempt to assert authority. His attitude was condescending, dismissive, and downright hostile. When we politely explained we weren’t very hungry and didn’t know about the policy, he snapped, “I don’t make the policies, my friend. My company does.”—with zero empathy or courtesy.

We asked for his name to raise the issue with management, but he refused to share it, which speaks volumes about accountability here. He even shouted at us and told us to “get lost” at 9:30 PM—with a baby in tow. That’s not just bad service; it’s inhumane.

There were no high chairs for kids, and the staff clearly lacked basic training in hospitality. If this is what 51 years of experience looks like, I’d rather be served by someone new but respectful.

Dining out is not just about food—it's about the experience. And this was hands down the worst experience we've ever had. There are plenty of wonderful restaurants in Rugby that treat customers with dignity. Do yourself a favour and go anywhere...

I think they forgot our booking, tried to wing it and gave us bad attitude. I never write reviews but this deserved one!

Booked to come here with friends and gave 3 weeks notice. We booked the lamb and chicken for 2 that needs to be marinated for over 24 hrs. Both at roughly £70 per dish and paid a £50 deposit and we requested a specific table.

We arrive and seated at the table we didn't ask for. There are no sides that come with the dishes so we all ordered rice naan etc. We were then told the lamb for 2 was not available they only had a lamb for 4 at £109 (didn't tell us price increase) Took nearly 2 hours to arrive. Waiter was getting agro with us because we asked a couple of times how long. Not unreasonable in my opinion.

Rice was brought out nearly ten mins before main which had been under the heat lamp for so long it had a crust on top. Naan breads were fresh and sides.

Lamb was brought out in the roasting tin it was cooked in dumped on the table and then the put a chefs green handled carving knife with it for us to carve! Not enough room on table for sides let alone a leg of lamb.

Then came the very expensive small chicken. Probably started out the size of a turkey but the length of time it was cooked is ended up very small again we had to carve ourselves. Dry as a bone. We had to ask for masala sauce to be able to eat it.

When challenged about the chicken and its cost the waiter came back and said. Sorry this should have been 2 chickens (could have got them spiced and cooked for less than a tenner)

Bill was £300 (Only 6 pints drunk). I would have disputed the bill but the friends we were with are kinder and didnt...

I am giving this review 3 stars, as the food was very good, when we eventually got it. The service was appalling. I had booked in advance and as it was a Tuesday evening, got the new deal re Government incentive. We arrived at 7.30 pm but by 8.30 or so had only eaten poppadums and we had had to ask for a waiter to take our order. We were getting up at 6.00 am the following morning, so it was important to us to have had our meal by 8ish that night. We ordered second drinks that never came until we asked the waiter again. The restaurant was fairly busy, but I have seen busier pre Covid 19 and never had to wait all that time. Several other customers were complaining also. Someone had been there since 7.00 pm and only got their meal just ahead of us. The thing is, the waiters, were doing their level best to cope. It was the management that was in the wrong. They know how many customers are booked in and should have the staff and chefs to cope. The customers should not be the ones to suffer because of their lack of organisation. No one actually came up to the tables and apologised for what was happening, only when we complained and when we left there was no sign of an apology from anyone. Although the food is very nice, there are plenty of other choices in my area, I shall not be going back there for a long time. They did themselves no favours. I am in catering myself, so know how it all works and this was definitely unacceptable. I felt sorry for the staff, particularly the Chef, who must have been under tremendous pressure. Come on Manager, you are...