Bhoj Templestowe

4.5 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  5     

Prompt and accurate, but otherwise sterile service delivered us some excessively oily Onion Bhaji and Samosas to begin with. The Samosas were same old thing that your cheap Indian takeaway dishes up. A bit like the Indian equivalent of Marathon Dim Sums.

For mains, we ordered the limp, overcooked, bland Beef Vindaloo, an acceptable but uninspiring Chicken Tikka Masala, a Chicken Makhani that was no better than what Continental put in a jar, Dal Masala which was just a bowl of gravy, decorated with a dried chilli, no lentils within a bull's roar of this dish, and the finishing touch, a particularly ordinary and suspiciously "fishy" tasting Fish Malabar. Allegedly the fish used was Rockling, which is usually subtle to moderately flavoured, and very firm in texture, however, this "fish" tasted like extender and just evaporated once it hit the tongue.

This dross was served with "saffron" rice, which consisted of a 1 in 10 tumeric colored piece of rice, with a pea or two thrown in, and Roti which I believe was cooked sometime during the Cretaceous period. As is all too often in Melbourne's suburban restaurants this place is, and serves, mutton dressed as lamb. The claims about Melbourne's best Indian are undeniably fraudulent.

May 10, 2010 

8 Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  6      Value  8     

Been going for ten years and the food is consistently fantastic. Service varies, admittedly, but it is always polite and friendly, and honestly that isn't why anyone would seek out this little jewel of a restaurant. Go for the food.

Sep 24, 2009 

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  5      Service  8      Value  8     

Yes, the decor is a bit old and worn, but that's irrelevant to me. We got free delicious pappadams upon sitting down, the entrees were beautiful, the mains were decent and the rice was wonderful. I found the service to be very good, although it was interesting that the waiter seemed not to notice me at all and only communicate with my male partner! If you don't mind this old fashioned quirk then I recommend this restaurant for a good, relatively inexpensive meal.

Apr 21, 2009 

6.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  8     

I have to agree with Tatu. I too had heard fantastic things about Bhoj, it has been claimed to be the best Indian restaurant in the Eastern suburbs, so my expectations were quite high. We were a big group, so we opted for the banquet to get a bit of variety. The food was ok. The chicken tikka was disappointing, a bit tasteless and the chicken was very fatty.

The service was friendly but our waiter was so quiet we couldn't hear what he was saying and we didn't know what dishes he was bringing out. It all tasted pretty much the same anyway. The one redeeming feature was that it was very well priced, we had more than we could eat and it was less than $30 per head.

Nov 17, 2008 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  9     

My partner and I went to Bhoj Templestowe last week and we were pleasantly surprised. The food was absolutely delicious! The young guy who served us was very helpful indeed. The decor is a little old fashioned, but I wouldn't complain as long the food and service are good.

We have been to a quite a few Indian restaurants in Melbourne, and some may find this place a little pricey, however I would pay for fresh good quality food rather than what most Indian restaurants serve these days.

Sep 18, 2008 

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  6     

My best friend and I have been going to Bhoj each month for approx 3-4 years. We have been very happy with the food, although service could be a little quicker on busy days. (restaurant very poplular in the area). Because we are regulars we get a free sample dish now, and then each visit a voucher for 20% off for next time.

Ambience is fine as far as Indian decor goes (not every ones taste). Prices can get a bit pricey if you order entrees, mains and desserts as well as alcohol drinks...but we keep it simple, entrees and mains are fine and affordable for us, with water.

Jul 14, 2008 

5.5 Average

Food  7      Ambience  4      Service  6      Value  5     

We arrived by chance, in that we we were in the district, and there it was. We were also the first diners of the evening. We had read very favourable reports and overall, the food was good but not spectacular. Roganjosh was well prepared, breads OK, and a fish dish, cannot recall its name, was very nice.

Our service was satisfactory; not many other patrons had arrived by the time we finished. The venue was not attractive...rather run down. There are better Indian restaurants in Melbourne and Vic, and even in Newcastle, NSW. Don't rush there.

Sep 23, 2007 

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  1      Service  4      Value  1     

Not worth mentioning. Its pricey in the first place. The konkani fish curry and daal were not even average tasting ($57-overpriced for 2 people). Over an above it, on weekends, you HAVE to order the main course WITH the entree, so that your minimum order tops $27.5, which means you have to pay a minimum of 27.5, irrespective of what you eat. Does this make sense? What on earth? They are sitting pretty on patronage of the well-meaning citizens of this part of the world. Ask any indian and he will know the quality of the food. I think the citizens should avoid this joint ...to bring about a sea change (which is needed) in quality. Thumbs down

Apr 07, 2007 

5.3 Average

Food  7      Ambience  4      Service  5      Value  5     

Having heard good things about this restaurant, maybe I was expecting too much. It looks worn out from outside and when you are in, it is worn out and should I say messy. Service was friendly but somehow had a feeling that their hearts were not in it. Food was typical Indian nothing to rave about. Good enough, wouldn't return in a hurry.

Sep 18, 2006