Kahani Indian Restaurant

3.5 Below Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  1     

The food is quite good. But, unfortunately, be careful when ordering T/A and we have ordered 3 times from here and each time we have been over charged, very suspicious and dodgy. Needless to say we go else where now even though we live across the road.

Dec 16, 2011 

5 Average

Food  6      Ambience  3      Service  7      Value  4     

I went here a few weeks ago with a friend. We were going to one of the other cafe's or restaurants along the main strip when I mentioned that it was a shame that the Indian and Thai restaurants hadn't lifted their game to match that of the other restaurants along the strip. It would take very little effort to attract a regular following, just ride on the coat tails of the other restaurants and catch some of their business. (The Thai at least has made an effort with its appearance, long overdue, but have not been tempted to try their food for many years as not impressed last time).

My friend said she wouldn't mind Indian for a change, so I thought we would give it a go, not having been there for many years and would probably be cheaper than the other restaurants as it was out of the way and very little effort put in to decor or atmosphere. Even though it was Saturday night the restaurant never filled beyond about 20% capacity.

It was only after opening a bottle of wine that we looked at the menu and noticed the prices, certainly not cheap. We would have gone elsewhere if we had looked at the prices first. I would have expected meat dishes to have started around $14, not $18 which is the same price of much better restaurants.

Service was reasonable considering almost empty. We only had a couple of dishes so I could not really judge their food on such small samples, but what we had was ok.

It is a shame they don't spend a few thousand dollars to make the place more appealing instead of the sparse decor and unmatched floor tiles where they expanded into the old butcher shop. The old restaurant which was where Wildwater Grill now is (before the block of shops was redeveloped 10 years ago) had so much more atmosphere.

Close in some of the large windows to make it feel more cosy and more like a restaurant, add some decor to the walls, redo the floor and you might attract some more patrons. The $200 kitty for decoration just has not worked!

Oct 07, 2010 

2.3 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  2      Service  4      Value  2     

This is the worst Indian food I ever had. Very tasteless food. I tried "Hyderabadi Biryani" which is a rice dish supposed to have a unique delicious taste of its kind, instead it was more like some fat grain sticky rice mixed with left over gravy and half cooked meat. Biryani should be made of basmathi rice, know that Kahani restaurant. People don't even think going into it.

Jan 23, 2010 

4.3 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  3      Service  7      Value  4     

Sloppy, generic indian with no fresh flavours. I'd expect this from a cheap takeaway stand, but not a long-standing restaurant. Majority seems to be precooked and lacking real flavour. I've travelled India and there is nothing authentic about this.

Nothing too bad, it is hygienic, but its got nothing really going for it. The general traffic through the place would seem to indicate most locals agree with me.

Dec 16, 2009 

6 Average

Food  5      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  6     

After reading previous diners' reviews we were looking forward to our meal at Kahani but sadly we were disappointed. The papadums were pre-made and although stored in an air-tight container behind the front counter tasted a bit stale and the main courses were extremely sweet to the point where they weren't particularly enjoyable. The decor and general state of the restaurant is looking a little 'tired' too. On the plus side, service was reasonably good and it was quite fairly priced. Probably wouldn't go again, know of better Indian restaurants on the Northern Beaches.

Sep 13, 2009 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  8     

We had takeaway tonight (21/6/08), Beef Madras and Naan. I can't eat too spicy curries so they adjusted the spice for our taste which was very nice of them! All the staff there were very friendly and I think this is very authentic Indian food and it's the best we have found in Sydney... we will be back again!

Jun 21, 2008 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  10     

For a discerning, non-indigenous devotee of Indian food visiting Dee Why on holidays, this very clean, very hygiene, friendly, family-run business was a haven. Excellent, genuine food that had all the taste and depth of expertly cooked Southern Indian cuisine. Doesn't look much from the outside (nor the inside) but what I had on Thursday 28 February 2008 was superb, especially the Rogan Josh, and the naan, and the home-made samosa's and the perfectly cooked rice and the baby lamb chops from the Tandoori and the Sour Fish and and, and ...being just twenty yards from the southern end of the Strand, you can have a cold draught ale at any bar on the Strand before bellying up to the table at Kahani's. Enjoy, it's terrific food !!

Mar 08, 2008 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

This is our main Indian dining as have tried others from Dee Why to Mona Vale and this is the best. My Father-in-Law lived in India for years and found this is the most authentic. Food has always been great and we love the quick service. Always get take away and delivery but looking forward to eat in...

Oct 31, 2007 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  8     

We have been there three times and the food was consistently good, with great variety in the menu. The staff is very friendly and delivers excellent service. The decor is not pretentious at all, but tables are nicely set and the ambience is OK. With most mains under AUD 20, it is good value. Highly recommended.

Jul 21, 2007 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  8     

It's always to have food from this restaurant. You can always ask them to make a food according to your own taste.

May 22, 2007