We saw this restaurant tucked in one corner of the food court with this amazing looking thaali in the display window. My growling stomach urged me on for a try and I am so glad I agreed.
We went pretty late on a Saturday for lunch at the food court in EA Mall but it was jam packed. Maybe 2pm is not that late by Indian standards but since coming to Singapore I’ve gotten used to lunch at noon and my stomach was crying bloody murder by then.
The waiters were all Rajasthani or Gujarathi. They bring around this jug and a basin for you to wash your hands at your table before and after eating. He managed to pour the water in a slow trickle and it all escaped into the bottom of that basin. Smart!
Once we are done with washing our hands, the steady barrage of dishes follow. Yummy things keep appearing on your plate at lightning speed.
It was tough to take pictures with a 50mm lens in a crowded restaurant but this thing on top of the rotis, that small flat disk, was mindblowing. It tasted like a much thicker version of puran poli. It was hot and oozing out ghee. I am getting hungry as I type this and I just had my lunch so you can imagine!
The food was amazing. It could be because I am a novice at this cuisines but it tasted very homemade, and very authentic. The only time I had a better Rajasthani meal was at Chowki Dhaani in Jaipur but that doesn’t count. This was in the heart of Chennai!
Priced at Rs 375 per thaali, its not a cheap meal. Its an unlimited thaali (except for sweets) with almost 30 items I think, so one round of every item is all most people will be able to manage. TH thought it was too expensive but then we seldom agree on these things so I will let you decide for yourselves. Definitely worth a visit.
Rajdhani Restaurant – Official Website
We visited the branch in EA Mall, same floor as the food court. I hear they have outlets all over India and abroad too.
Note: this is not a paid review. It’s based on my experience of going there once for lunch and we paid for our own meal. Please check out the comments for some mixed reviews.
We stumbled across your site when we trying to find out more on the Rajdhani. Hubby & I made plans and combined a movie outing at the EA with trying out this restaurant. We landed at the restaurant after some snacks at the theatre. I have had thalis in Rajasthan and my expereince of thalis at the roadside eateries in Rajasthan was awesome. My experience at Rajdhani was not good. The AC did not work. When we enquired about the AC, the waiter calmly told us that it was not working. Moreover, inspite of an early reservation, he placed us bang right in the middle of the restaurant and the waiters who passed by were always distrurbing the table. The chat that was provided with the thali has coconut and the sweet flavor didnt gel. None of the sabji's was what you could call yummy. I was initially misled cos i saw a couple of gujarati/rajasthani folks eating at the restaurant. It was a huge disappointment. I had been to Rangoli, the restaurant at T. Nagar and i had loved the food every single time. I had stuffed myself and actually had had trouble getting up and walking out. Nags, i was really taken by the photos you had up that i had made grandiose plans for Rajdhani. I was really disappointed. I made sure that we went to Rangoli the very next day so that hubby dearest could truly appreciate the difference between the thalis. Rangoli was simply superb! The price was Rs. 265/- compared to Rajdhani's – Rs. 350/-. Total paisa vasool at Rangoli. Do make it point to eat at Rangoli when you come down to India next.
I am very sorry to hear this and regret it even more because you went based on my review 🙁 To be fair, I have been there only once, we got a nice table right by the window maybe because we went well past lunch time, around 2:30pm. I loved the food but that could be because I haven't tasted anything better. Will definitely try Rangoli restaurant in T. Nagar next time I am in Chennai.
Thank you for leaving a note. This will be a good reference for anyone else looking for reviews of Rajdhani restaurant in EA mall chennai
I've been to this place in Mumbai cos i was dying for some home food …actually lots of it and voila! It was an amazing treat. Me and my cousin ate like pigs and skipped dinner after it. Rajdhani has a Gujrati cuisine. Most typical dishes of Rajasthan are not a part of it. What you had in Chowki dhaani was probably more closer to a Rajasthani cuisine. I have was born in Rajasthan and lived in Gujrat for 2 yrs.
Good blog. Very well written. Have you tried Vegnation restaurant at Gemini? inside the parsn manner? Try that. It has changed. Now, it serves very good food, including some lip smacking veg sizzlers..! I was trying to look for that, but could not find it hee…
I've had this in bombay and after that I wanted to bring home the whole restaurants – can you imagine coming home from work and someone serving food including washing my hands while they hold the dirty bowl..loved it! btw – we do have a rajadhani here -the food is good – but the service is no where near the India service.
A very old eatery in Mumbai = remember going there as a kid. Always eat there every time we go to India.
I have visited Rajadhani in Bangalore(U B City)…Price was around Rs.249/- Food was good.Service was not all that great…My husband keep saying that Dubai Rajadhani is the BEST:)
I've passed by this place so many times, and haven't entered. Maybe I will next time!
that was so mouth-watering indeed! had been to similar Restaurant in Delhi some time back.. it was truly awesome! this reminds me the yummy Indian restaurant food again 🙂
I love this restu a lot…awesome shots Nags
Awesome review Nags. I just loved the shots 🙂
Twice i missed the chance to visit this place as kiddos were not interested. even the rangoli of saravana bhavan will be great…. Chowke dhani , wow.. making me hungry again.
Nice review:)
Nags,
It's "stuffed baati" and usually eaten with dal and churma (jaggery). The baatis are oven baked and soaked in ghee to keep them soft. It's a typical Rajasthani dish "dal-baati-churma".
I know this cause my boyfriend is a Rajasthani Jain 🙂 It's pretty easy to make at home too. Maybe I'll post a recipe soon.
Love the photography more than the food itself 😀
how come we missed this restaurant? nice pictures.
oooh and look at that gorgeous beauty of a jalebi sitting in between the katoris ….i would have gone for it long b4 the hand washing !
nice review nags..i remember u had some review for u.s. eateries too..il check them out….
Hey Nags..Lovely pics and good read..I did have food at Rajdhani twice and first time I really liked it a lot and there were too many varieties to eat and next I went to UB City in Bangalore and I felt the some of the items has been removed and the price tag was same exclusive of tax! and i felt its not worth it…(second Time) and agree with u on the pricing..
I love rajdhani restaurant. We usually go to this restaurant (in Bangalore), when we feel like having vegetarian food.. :)There thaali is superb. I love the different items they serve.
I think the thick one u r talking abt is bati.. it is made of wheat flour and tht needs ghee to fry.
Just for an idea, u can see the link here – http://nishamadhulika.com/58-dal_bati_recipe.html
The thaali looks too tempting. I remember the last time we had such a thaali in Rangoli, Chennai. Can't wait to try Rajdhani, when we visit Chennai.
Wow! Wish I had known this when I was in chennai! 🙁
Abroad too?? u must have searched for singapore.. any branch ther?
I have Fond memories of this place,,made me nostalgic,,,ya u right the thick thing tastes like Puran poli,specially with a dollop of ghee on top of it
I just love Rajdhani and the one at UB City, Bangalore is one of my favorite restaurants even though I'm not much of a non-veg-restaurant fan. The pics are compelling me give Rajdhani another visit. The simple porridge was so irresistible and so the mango pulp dessert.
I think ur getting mixed up. Rajdhaani is a strictly Veg restaurant.
oh! i LOVE the rajdhani thali. in fact, i make frequent trips to my husband's office only to eat this 😉 He gets it at a subsidized rate of 175 and there arent as many items but what is on the platter is WAY more than we can eat. I think I'm going to pay him a visit soon, now that my taste buds have been reminded of the taste!
This place is indeed great! But I just wish the ambiance was much better for the quantity and quality of food they serve. A nice fine dining would be great instead of having it in malls which is extremely noisy and always crowded.
Yes, Rajdhani is good. But like I said, you must try the thaali at Friends Union Joshi CLub at Kalbadevi in Mumbai. Or Status. Or Samrat. Xan you tell I like my Gujju food? 😀
I love the Rajdhani food too. Maybe its coz am a novice in the cuisine too. But at Bombay I wud find their outlets crowded all the time.. So I guess it has to be real good ..
Abt the price, same with me and the better half. He thinks its expensive , I dont.
its a yumm thali.. we have Rajdhani in dubai for a couple of years now..its around AED35/- (arnd the same amt as INR)depends on the day. Its like a blow once u have it.. heavy lunch. 🙂 utter satisfaction
Food is simply WOW. Service is worth a watch 🙂 🙂
Wow, the pics look so inviting! Amazing review, never been here. But EA is new 🙂
have tried Rajdhani at Bangalore (UB City). Food is great 🙂
First time when they brought the 'jug and basin' I was baffled as to what it is for 🙂
Wow,super shots! Nice post nags 🙂
no such luck. there's no rajdhani restaurant thali in singapore yet.