Indian, Thali restaurants in Asia
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A
Paradise
Well known for its authentic Assamese cuisine, its thali is the best way to get a lot of small tasters. Assamese food is not a lip tingler like typical Indian food and for some this cuisine can seem rather bland, but it’s the subtleties you’re after rather than the heat.
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B
Toran Dining Hall
Gung-ho staff knock up delicious, never-ending Gujarati thalis to a mostly middle-class crowd.
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C
Konark
This place serves tasty Indian food in colourful, comfy surroundings. The lunchtime South Indian thali is a gut buster; for something less filling, opt for the snack dishes, or eggless cakes and pastries.
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Natraj Lodge
Justifiably famous throughout town for its delicious all-you-can-eat Gujarati thalis, this place is permanently busy with locals.
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E
Refreshment Room
There's a strangely timeless ambience here, and surprisingly palatable food.
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Vishalla
On the southern edge of town, opposite Vasana Tol Naka, Vishalla is a magical eating experience evoking a traditional Gujarati village. You eat a veg thali seated on the floor in rustic wooden huts, and the complex includes craft stalls and a fascinating Utensil Museum. Dinner is accompanied by puppet or magic shows and traditional music. Bus 150 or 31 will take you nearby; an autorickshaw costs about Rs. 90 return.
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F
National Hindu Hotel
Keralan run, this concealed, no-frills and grittily authentic working-man's eatery serves nothing but finger-licking (there are no utensils), all-you-can-eat thalis. Expect a fast-moving line out the door and rows of benches inside. Just find a spare seat, say hello to your neighbour, and wait for wandering staff to fill your banana leaf to the brim.
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G
Mehran Terrace
Dining on one of the fort’s lofty terraces is unsurpassably romantic and, while the service won’t win any awards, the thali is rich and constantly refilled. The candle-lit, well-spaced tables, live music and traditional dancing, all 140m above the city, make for an unforgettable occasion. Don’t forget to book.
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H
Natraj Restaurant
This classy vegetarian restaurant has an extensive menu featuring North Indian, continental and Chinese cuisine. The stuffed tomato is divine, and the potato bomb curry will blow you away. There’s also a good selection of thalis, and South Indian fans will find scrumptious dosas.
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I
Fruit Shake Restaurant
The effort they didn’t spend on the moniker has all gone into the fine Lao food at this local restaurant. Fried dried beef, Luang Prabang–style, fresh chilli pastes and wild deer with basil are up for grabs as well as three-course set menus for US$3.
reviewed
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J
Four Seasons
This smart, hugely popular place is on two levels, with a glass wall to the kitchen. It’s an alcohol-free, pure vegetarian place with a mouthwatering menu featuring Rajasthani, North Indian and South Indian specialities, thalis, dosas and pizzas.
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Sangeetha
This well-run vegetarian restaurant serves lots of South Indian delights such as idli (savoury, soft, fermented-rice-and-lentil cakes) and masala dosa (rice-and-lentil crepes stuffed with spiced potatoes).
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La Coromandale
Tasty South Indian thalis, rice, noodles and cold drinks and a relaxed atmosphere for meeting and chatting are the attractions of this open-fronted restaurant, situated on the promenade. Beware of eccentric opening hours.
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Rajdhani
Opposite Mangaldaas Market, Rajdhani is famous for its Gujarati and Rajasthani thalis. It’s a great spot to refuel while shopping in the markets. On Sundays, dinner isn’t served and lunch prices are slightly higher.
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Rupasi Bangla
Cane, glass and wrought-iron furniture create a low-key but gently stylish ambiance in which to savour a great range of genuine Bengali cuisine. Friendly management can help you decipher unfamiliar menu terms.
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Hotel Priya & Restaurant
If you can handle the traffic fumes, this street-facing place has a certain cheerful clamour, and serves up reliable North and South Indian cuisine. The thalis (Rs50) are good and there are sweets too.
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Gopi Dining Hall
Just off the west end of Ellis Bridge, opposite the Town Hall, this small restaurant is a much-loved thali institution. The standard thali is Rs. 62, the unlimited is Rs. 72 and the deluxe is Rs. 82.
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Q
Lakshmi Vilas
One of several good vegetarian curry houses on Lebuh Ampang serving tasty thali (plate meals) for just around RM4. Leave some space for barfi (milk fudge) and other Indian sweets.
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R
Shiv Moon
This friendly place with pleasant views sits by the river to the east of Hampi Bazaar. It gets good reviews for the quality of its food, though the owners often tend to get politely pushy.
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Anantashram
This no-frills restaurant is as renowned for its Spartan decor and surliness of its staff as for its supremely delicious cooking and thali meals. Look for it down a small maze of laneways.
reviewed
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Indian Restaurant Vegetarian Food
A very friendly, family-owned place that serves cheap and adequate vegetarian thalis as well as individual Indian dishes. The owners also offer Indian cooking lessons.
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Agrasen
This smart place with gingham table-cloths and a first-floor terrace serves up safe-to-eat salads, pasta and pizza as well as a variety of Indian veg and meat dishes.
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Urvashi
Serving some of the best Indian food in District 1, Urvashi prepares a variety of Indian cooking styles and the thali lunch is a guaranteed filler.
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Zurich Restaurant
A convivially comfortable diner atmosphere with good-value thalis and English-language explanations of Indian menu items for the uninitiated.
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Andhra Bhawan Canteen
A bargain: tasty unlimited South Indian thalis at cheap-as-chips prices; non veg is also available. It’s canteen-style and hugely popular.
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