Authentic Gujarati Food at Gujarat Bhawan, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi |
Gujarat Bhawan is a sprawling building serving as a guest house to dignitaries from the state of Gujarat. After registering our entry at the gate the guard gave us directions to the Gujarati Restaurant. We reached the restaurant just near its closing time only to find all seats taken. It seemed this place is a popular destination for Gujarati food.
Perhaps the rush was because it was a Sunday. We were politely asked by the staff to wait which lasted for almost 15-20 minutes. The waiting area was in fact a banquet hall with another set of large seating arrangement perhaps for the parties. The whole place was spic and span and had beautiful carved furniture. The walls had sociopolitical messages and beautiful paintings. The front lawn has a beautiful landscaped garden while coming in we had noticed huge life-size sculptures of lions from Gir forest on the outside near entrance that adorned the facade of Gujarat Bhawan.
Ambiance: Finally, we were seated in a comfortable AC-cooled dining hall with a capacity of 40 people. The place was buzzing with people mostly families enjoying their meals. The interiors of Gujarati Restaurant are not very luxurious but neat and tidy. The seating too is not fancy but comfortable. The tableware was primarily stainless steel and there was gur (jaggery) and pickle pot, tissue holder and filled-up water jug at the center of each table. A 42inch flat TV screen played the Gujarati News Channel while we took a sip from the masala chhanchh (buttermilk).
Table Decor at Gujarati Restaurant in Gujarat Bhawan |
Fresh and Tasty Chhanchh – A great Cooler for Summers |
The Food: Only Gujarati Thali was on the menu for lunch which comprised of dal, roti, shak/sabzi, farsaan and chhanchh. The Gujarati restaurant serves only pure vegetarian food here and there is no bar facility either.
Our Gujarati Thali was actually a huge plate filled with an assortment of small bowls of dals(lentils) and sabzi(vegetables) along with roti(Indian bread), rice, dhokla, dahi bada, salad and papad(crisp roasted tortilla).
There were two dals and two vegetable dishes. The meethi dal typical of Gujarati cuisine was sweet and delicious. We gorged on it heartily. There was Aaloo ki tari wali sabzi (potato curry) and shak – a vegetable dish made up of different vegetables (here beans, potato and peas) seasoned with spices. The mixed vegetable dish as scrummy. It also had my favorite farsaan (a term for snack in Gujarati) – Dhokla – which was delightfully fresh and yumm!
The dessert was a laddoo which tasted very much like Malida we usually make at home with crushed roti dipped in ghee and then mixed with sugar.
The Taste: The food was regular Gujarati fare – thali of dal, roti, shak/sabzi, farsaan and chhaach – for lunch. Particularly liked Gujarati farsaan (dhokla), sweet dal and shak (mixed vegetable dish). The food was delicious and had the home-cooked feel about it. Thali and everything is unlimited and you can eat to your hearts content.
Must Try: The sweet dal, chhanchh and dhokla are really good and highly recommended.
Service: The staff at the Gujarati Restaurant at Gujarat Bhawan is polite and attentive and the service is quick. In spite of the rush the staff does not hover around and leaves you to have food in peace.
Price: Gujarati Thali at Gujarat Bhawan is total paisa vasool (value for money). You can enjoy unlimited food which is as good as home-made and sip on refreshing chhanchh for just INR140/- per thali.
REACHING THERE
Gujarat Bhawan is centrally located in the diplomatic area of Chanakyapuri, New Delhi and is accessible easily by bus, metro and car/taxi.
By Car – If you are driving or taking a cab it will take nearly 30 minutes without traffic. You will have to pay tolls on this route as well. Follow the route given below from Sector 18, Noida to Gujarat Bhawan, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
The Route via Delhi Noida Direct Flyway
(19.6 Km; 28 mins without Traffic)
Take Tulsi Marg to Captain Vijyant Thapar Marg (450m) >> Drive from Delhi Noida Direct Flyway, Grand Trunk Rd/Mahatma Gandhi Marg/Ring Rd, Bhairon Marg, Akbar Rd and Teen Murti Marg to Chanakyapuri, New Delhi (18.5Km) >> Turn right – Gujarat Bhawan will be on right.
Alternate Route via Mahatma Gandhi Marg/Ring Rd
(18.3 Km; 25 mins without Traffic)
Take Captain Vijyant Thapar Marg to Delhi Noida Direct Flyway in Sector 15A, New Delhi >> Follow Delhi Noida Direct Flyway and Mahatma Gandhi Marg/Ring Rd to Sri Aurobindo Marg in West Kidwai Nagar. Take the exit from Mahatma Gandhi Marg/Ring Rd >> Continue on Sri Aurobindo Marg to Gujarat Bhawan in Chanakyapuri
Parking: Visitors are not allowed inside Gujarat Bhawan to park their vehicles. We had parked our car on the road like many others.
Moi at Gujarati Restaurant at Gujarat Bhawan |
QUICK REVIEW
Gujarat Bhawan is recommended for a simple Gujarati meal where you can eat to your hearts content. The unlimited special Gujarati thali is a pocket-friendly option to get an experience of having home-cooked Gujarati food in comfortable environs.
Where: 11, Kautilya Marg, Chanakya Puri, New Delhi 110 021
Business Hours: 8am -10am, 12.30pm – 2.30pm, 7.30pm – 10pm
Email: reservation@gujaratbhawan.com
Website: www.gujaratbhawan.com
Phone: (011) 4627 3200/8700 | Fax : (011) 4627 3200/8700/3220
Gujarati Restaurant at Gujarat Bhawan is a nice family-friendly place which offers authentic Gujarati food at very reasonable prices.
Cost For Two: Rs250/- (approx)
Date Visited: April 17, 2016 (Sunday)
RATINGS
Ambiance – 3/5 | Service – 3.5/5 | Food – 3/5
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
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Food and Dining
Kiran Acharya
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Wonderful detailed review, Bushra. And lovely shots.
Bushra Muzaffar
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Thanks for the kind words, Kiran!
Shabd Beej
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Nice review Bushra !
you took so much effort to put details like how to reach and all.
food supply is unlimited and price is reasonable.
Thanks for such a wonderful review, its a delight to read too 🙂
Mridula
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Sounds really really good!
Indrani
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I had a Gujrati thali once in Ahmadabad… the craving is still there. 🙂
Kalpanaa M
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Love Gujarati food. Gonna give this a try.
Maitreni Mishra
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Gujarati Thali looks yum… very detailed review 🙂
Bushra Muzaffar
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It was yum…and filling 🙂
Bushra Muzaffar
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I had always loved Gujarati snacks…the whole meal too is nice. Do try this one out 🙂
Bushra Muzaffar
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Hmm…I can relate to it now 🙂
Bushra Muzaffar
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It's not a fancy place but the food is simple and good. You should try this one, Mridula 🙂
Bushra Muzaffar
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Thank you for your kind words!
Bushra Muzaffar
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Yes! 🙂
Anupama K. Mazumder
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Good food at a great price!
http://www.volatilespirits.com
Maniparna Sengupta Majumder
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A nice review, Bushra 🙂 The thali looks delicious with a reasonable price…
Loved your blue dress..:-)
The Untourists
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Another Bhavan to add to the Delhi list. We have been big fans of Andhra Bhavan…
Bharat Desai
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A rare subject, but perfect description…
All relevant issues covered in great details..
Congratulations…Thanks for thinking differently…ultimately that is important.
Rajesh
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I love this food.
Bushra Muzaffar
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Oh yes! Andhra Bhawan is amazing too. Have been there many a times…will write about it too sometime soon 🙂
Bushra Muzaffar
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Thank you so much for these lovely comments, Maniparna! 🙂 Have a good day!
Bushra Muzaffar
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Thank you for your lovely feedback…very encouraging! Keep visiting the blog for more on Noida and NCR 🙂
Bushra Muzaffar
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Yes, Rajesh..Gujarati food is nice…I am a big fan of Dhoklas and Khandvis and their traditional colorful clothing too 🙂
Anonymous
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Thanks Bushra. I just happened to see your post, I am a gujju here in Delhi, and it never occured to me to visit Gujarati Bhavan. I will now, your review detailed and inviting. Thanks a lot.
Bushra Muzaffar
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I am glad you liked the review. I am sure you will like the food as well at Gujarat Bhawan. Thanks for the read.
cake ton time
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I love this article about the information of Gujrat Bhawan in Delhi.
Godrayjaggery
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I will surely going to eat some good food there. Thank you