The Madras Cafe — Restaurant in Dr. Phillips

Our family of five (four Indian adults and one American female with a child) visited this restaurant for lunch on a Sunday. The “All Day Lunch Buffet” sign was displayed, and we were seated promptly with cold water served upon arrival.

Ambiance & First Impressions:

Upon entering, we noticed a table with four chairs placed right in front of the entrance door, forcing customers to squeeze between two tables while walking in. This arrangement felt inconvenient and could be improved for better accessibility.

Additionally, while the service was efficient, the overall presentation of the serving staff could be improved. A clean-shaven appearance and a welcoming smile would enhance the dining experience and create a more professional and inviting atmosphere.

Order Summary: •   Thali (3) •   Dahi Puri (3) •   Bonda (1) •   Paper Masala Dosa (1) •   Mango Lassi (2) •   Corn Soup (1) •   Chili Paneer (1) •   Thums Up (1)

Service & Food Quality:

Service was quick, and most of the dishes were flavorful and well-prepared. However, the Thali experience was disappointing and could use significant improvement.

Thali Breakdown: •   The poori served was extremely large and thick, more like a bhature rather than an authentic poori. •   The chole curry was well-prepared and met expectations. •   The idli and masala dosa were appropriately sized and tasted good. •   Both vegetable curries were potato-based, featuring potato white kurma and potato cauliflower fry, which lacked variety. •   The payasam dessert was too watery, as was the dal. •   Rice, papadam, and yogurt were acceptable. •   The sambar and rasam tasted identical, resembling only rasam, which was disappointing. •   The thali presentation was awkward, as dishes were served in different types and sizes of bowls instead of a uniform set.

Beverage Presentation: •   The Mango Lassi was served in a glass jar with a wide opening, which felt out of place. A more suitable serving glass would enhance presentation.

Final Verdict:

While the service was efficient and most dishes were enjoyable, the Thali was underwhelming in both presentation and taste. Additionally, the restaurant layout needs better planning, and staff presentation could be improved with a more polished, professional appearance and a friendly demeanor to enhance the overall...

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME, MONEY, OR ENERGY HERE. I would give ZERO STARS if possible.

This was by far the worst dining experience I’ve ever had. Despite the positive reviews and the hotel’s name, the service and food quality were severely lacking.

We arrived more than 35 minutes before closing, yet Mr. Leo and his staff refused to seat us. Instead, they rudely insisted we could only order takeout, all while giving an unnecessary lecture on how restaurants operate. His dismissive attitude set the tone for an incredibly frustrating experience.

After a long day of travel, we reluctantly ordered takeout, hoping the food would make up for the poor service. It did not. The order was wrong — five masala dosas arrived without the masalas — and the rest of the food was cold, bland, and mediocre at best. Despite their branding, the restaurant lacked South Indian hospitality, and the cuisine didn’t live up to the name. To make matters worse, items like Thalis and the lunch buffet, advertised both on Google and on-site on the windows were no longer even on the menu.

Mr. Leo’s focus seemed to be on arguing rather than addressing customer concerns. Even when we politely expressed dissatisfaction, his attitude remained defensive and dismissive, at one point even walking away from us mid conversation. After much back and forth, he refunded only $20 of our $150+ meal, showing little accountability for the errors.

One of the staff members even yelled and made aggressive and threatening moves at us (there were women and children present) when we voiced our disappointment — an appalling reaction in any service setting. Sadly, the only positive takeaway was bonding with three other families who had similar negative experiences alongside us.

I rarely write reviews, but this restaurant’s deceptive marketing and lack of basic customer service COMPELLED ME TO WARN OTHERS. The operation feels disorganized and poorly managed, with Mr. Leo and his team appearing overwhelmed by the demands of running a restaurant. The funniest part is, Mr. Leo boldly recommended us to make a reservation for dinner after all of this, and his aggressive coworker encouraged us to write a review. I strongly advise against visiting this...

We visited Madras Cafe in Orlando with family while on a trip and were excited to try some good vegetarian food. We found this place on Google and arrived around 2:30 PM, shortly before their 3 PM closing time. The decor was inviting, giving the place a warm and authentic feel. We decided to try three thalis, a garlic burnt fried rice, and chole bhature.

The thalis were a generous portion and a good representation of various dishes, but I was surprised to find the South Indian items less flavorful than the North Indian ones. The North Indian offerings, such as paneer and dal, were well-seasoned and satisfying. The halwa served as part of the thali was a highlight, with its rich and sweet taste.

The real star, however, was the chole bhature. The chickpea curry (chole) was flavorful, with just the right amount of spice and depth, and paired wonderfully with the fluffy, fresh bhature. It was honestly one of the best chole bhature dishes I’ve had, making it the highlight of our meal.

Service was efficient despite our late arrival, and the staff was courteous. Given that we arrived near closing time, we were impressed by how quickly the food was served and the overall attentiveness of the staff. The ambiance added to the experience, making it a pleasant place to dine.

Madras Cafe offers a mix of North and South Indian vegetarian dishes in a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. While some dishes could use a bit more authentic flavor, the standout items like the chole bhature make it worth the visit. We look forward to coming back, perhaps earlier in the day, to enjoy more of their offerings at...