Diwana Bhel Poori House

Go to this restaurant if you only care about the food, which is not bad, and prices, which are not high. The buffet especially is good value for money. But don't go there if you want to be treated politely by the staff. After having gone there 2-3 times I have learnt my lesson and will not be going back here. Two of us went here and were seated in one of the ridiculously narrow and uncomfortable tables in the middle. Despite repeated requests to be seated elsewhere we were refused since 'if a bigger party arrived they would be stuck'. This despite some of them promising us a different table and encouraging us to order first. Eventually of course when we decided to leave instead, we were forced to pay for the entire meal since we had already ordered it. Oh and when we said we would leave and never come back - they really couldn't have cared less. So yes - if all you care about is value for money - do go there - but if you like to be treated in a civilised fashion - dont bother. And no i don't expect grand service in such places - only the bare minimium politeness.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 6
Thursday, June 04, 2009

Go to this restaurant if you only care about the food, which is not bad, and prices, which are not high. The buffet especially is good value for money. But don't go there if you want to be treated politely by the staff. After having gone there 2-3 times I have learnt my lesson and will not be going back here. Two of us went here and were seated in one of the ridiculously narrow and uncomfortable tables in the middle. Despite repeated requests to be seated elsewhere we were refused since 'if a bigger party arrived they would be stuck'. This despite some of them promising us a different table and encouraging us to order first. Eventually of course when we decided to leave instead, we were forced to pay for the entire meal since we had already ordered it. Oh and when we said we would leave and never come back - they really couldn't have cared less. So yes - if all you care about is value for money - do go there - but if you like to be treated in a civilised fashion - dont bother. And no i don't expect grand service in such places - only the bare minimium politeness.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 7
Thursday, June 04, 2009

I've been going to Diwana since the late 1970s and if anything it's got even better. The food is excellent. I frequently call the lunchtime buffet one of the wonders of the western world. It's just not an Indian buffet in any conventional sense -- because of the sheer variety of very fresh foods, salads, pickles and chutneys. The only thing missing from this absolute feast (it's about 4 metres long and stuffed to the gunwales with tasty surprises) is any of the superb lip-smacking Bombay "chaat" dishes -- the bhel poori, aloo papri chaat, dahi vada and dahi bhalle chaat that are a keynote of many south Indian restaurants. The smart thing to do would be to have the buffet, but also order a couple of these starters, depending on how many of you there are.The comments about the staff in some of the other reviews I feel are very unfair. If you are at a very cheap restaurant and paying £6.95 for a lavish and spectacular buffet, don't expect to be able to sit there all afternoon without the staff at least dropping hints! It goes with the territory. I don't think you'll find any restaurant anywhere that is this cheap and that will be content for you to idle time after your meal while there are loads of people waiting to be seated. So, all you confrontational types, why not just take lunch a little later? The queues are mainly at the 12.45-1.30 peak time -- they die away pretty soon either side of that. At weekends the buffet lasts till 4 now and it's also every day of the week (as opposed to just on Sunday, as before) so you've plenty of choice. And actually there is only one other restaurant in Drummond Street serving anything like a comparable feast as Diwana. That's Chutneys, but it's not quite in the same league in terms of variety. And another thing -- the waiters are only acting on orders -- so is it right to give them a hard time Try eating at theWong Kei in Chinatown, another fab cheap eaterie -- people go there specially for the experience of being bossed around and you will definitely get the bill before you've finished if it's crowded. If you want to be left in peace, either avoid the absolute peak of lunchtime, or go somewhere more expensive! There, I've had my say. Diwana, I love you!
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Nigel
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, May 04, 2009

I have been eating in Diwana in Drummond Street since the 1970's and the food has been consistantly excellent. I have never had a bad meal there - never! Indian families eating there is testament to the authenticity of the food. Also eaten in the Westbourne Grove restaurant, which was smaller and served equally tastey food. Sadly this is now closed. Yes ,Drummond Street Diwana could do with a smarten up and if the loo is still the same, it could do with demolishing and starting again. The food however is what I go for and will continue to go for. I wish we had one in Brighton, but nothing touches it.
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chelostar
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Saturday, April 04, 2009

I feel the need to defend this restaurant from some of the negative reviews. The service is fine, if you are expecting Gordon Ramsay Hospital Road style service, go there instead. If you want good food, no fuss, and at great value, head to Diwana. I have been here many times, my parents are Indian and this food is close to authentic and well worth the queue for the buffet. People queue to go here most days, and dont people usually vote with their feet?
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Have been several times because the food is good but everytime we go we say it is the last due to the bad service and the bad attitude of the staff. Dont even think of going if you are alone and they even make groups of two feel like they are taking up too much space. There is heavy pressure to leave a tip, they bring the bill before you have even finished eating and hustle you out the door the moment they take your plates away. All they care about is getting numbers through the door and getting your money, avoid it if you want anything other than a quick lunch to grab when you are short of time.
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Sian Spaight
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 3
Friday, February 13, 2009

This restaurant is well known for its poor customer service - I've (stupidly) been here several times and always have a 'run in' with the staff. We go back occasionally as its handy for work, we love the food (which is great value at £6.95 all you can eat). There is an extensive range of cold salads and hot currys. Its the staff that let the place down.

Today I left once again disgruntled. It started ok - for once we were allowed to sit wherever we liked (they normally give you no choice and do not like single diners). We had a good lunch but it became obvious that once we had finished we should leave without delay. As soon as we put our plates down they were gone and replaced with the bill. As soon as our card was put down it was processed. Even though its a help yourself buffet they had asterisked the Service Charge section of the credit card slip which we decided to cross out!

We carried on chatting and drinking our water for a few minutes when the waiter told us to leave as we had finished eating. I said we were finishing our drinks and that he was being rude. He replied that we needed to leave as we had finished eating and there were other customers waiting to be seated. We had no choice but to exit whilst he stood over us with his arms folded.

This is a very typical example of the attitude of this restaurant - its 'eat then get out'. They are only interested in throughput and have no respect for their customers.... I just don't get this attitude at all.

I think I can safely say that I will never be going back there again - and this time I mean it! There are other nice veggie restaurants on Drummond Street that deserve the business more than this band of mercenaries..
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Lisa
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 7
Thursday, February 12, 2009

I made a booking for 30 people at a lunchtime. When I paid for the group (with money I had collected from each person in advance) they tried to make me pay extra for having a large booking! Apparently it was to pay for the waiter but we all served ourselves from the buffet! I was not informed of this at the time I booked or when I went in to pay the deposit. My team will be taking their lunches elsewhere. I've had better food too.
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Vicky
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Friday, February 06, 2009

I ate at lunch time and found the buffet food interesting and tasty. Good value. The only problem was the narrow wooden seating. No problem with the staff who all seemed friendly.
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Peter Noble
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9
Thursday, November 27, 2008

I had the same experience as Priti who reviewed earlier. My friends and I went to the restaurant, with seats reserved. They split us into two groups because of the place couldn't accomodate us. Fair enough but when I made reservation over the phone, I was promised they could seat us all in one table. This is not about being petty. This is about integrity and clearly Diwana didn't demonstrate that.

We too left because the staff were not only rude, they made us feel unwelcomed and as if they paid us to be there! We didn't eat here in the end.
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ajyap - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Friday, November 14, 2008