Diwana Bhel Poori House

I have been going to Diwana regularly for lunch for four years and cannot imagine that there is anywhere that serves better food at such an incredibly modest price. The service is good, and waiters very friendly and attentive. If you want Ritz style service, go to the Ritz. It is definitely my favourite restaurant in London. I recommend it to all my friends and none of them have been disappointed.
Comment on this reader review

Justin Coldwell
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 10
Thursday, November 10, 2011

Just to add my own experience to the mix: I first started going to the Diwana on Westbourne Grove, back in 1988 - which my girlfriend and I loved. The atmosphere, service, and the food were terrific.

I have since been to the Drummond Street restaurant on several occasions with my family.

My last visit was in April 2010. I had arranged to meet uncles and aunts there in the late afternoon - two of whom had just got off the train after a three hour journey. The waiters were, frankly, rude and unhelpful in every respect - to the extent that we relocated to the restaurant two doors down, and had a very convivial time. It was not remotely embarrassing for us to walk out, because we had been waiting for twenty five minutes without anyone taking our order, or even so much as offering us a glass of water.

I'm sure that the attitude there is: well, there'll be no shortage of customers, so why put ourselves out for people we don't know?

It's a pity, because the food has always been good. But they'd do well to look at the training they give to their staff. I have worked in the service industry on and off for much of my life. In my opinion, there is never any worthwhile excuse for making customers feel unwelcome.
Comment on this reader review

Eric Colvin
3 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, October 18, 2011

I have been going to this restaurant since 1970, albeit not regularly. This week I took six guests. Food was good but serivce was mediocre and not too attentive.

Whilst we were waiting for a table to be arranged for 7 people, we was the waiter take left over cutleries from previous guests and put it back in the tray for reuse.

What irritated me most was the fact when the bill arrived and I wished to pay by credit card, one of the waiters brought the handheld creditcard machine to thr table.

I looked at the amount and inserted my card and entered my pin. A message came up to hand the machine back to the waiter. This I did . Then he gave it back to me and he asked me to put in my pin number again.. As I was about to do so that I noticed that the amount had gone up considerably. On inspection, I found that he has entered 50% tip. This I call cheating as he did not say a word to me.. Normally I would have put the pin in. There was an option to change the amount from 50% to 25%,15% and 10%. I chose 10% as the service was not that great. No one asked us if the food was OK. I understand that the owners are not ' hands on' but they should have been involved in setting up the card machine. Tips are optional and shouls reflect the service received and not a matter of right. I shall visit again in the near future and if that same problem arises, I shall report it the Office of Fair Trading and the press. It is high time the owners took action and not just profits.
Comment on this reader review

- View all reviews by this user
4 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, October 04, 2011

I dined at Diwana for their lunch buffet last Tuesday 08-08-2011 while on "holiday" from the United States. The quality of the food was outstanding, perhaps the best I have ever had. However, the service was poor. I was parched from sightseeing throughout the city and asked for a class of water. The wait staff reluctantly brought me a shot of water in the smallest glass I had ever seen. Even though I was earlier than the majority of the lunch crowd, I failed to get the waiters attention to replenish my water which had remained empty for the majority of my lunch.

Upon receiving the check, the waiter who had refused to replenish my water informed me that they did not accept American Express and pointed to a laminated note that said "service charge not included." I paid with Visa and when he brought my receipt he again pointed to the little "service charge not included" sign. Firstly, this being the first restaurant on my trip I was under the false impression that there was no tipping in Europe. Secondly, had he been nearly as attentive with refilling my water I may have deigned to leave a tip but after the pushiness and the poor service I opted against it.

While leaving the restaurant, one of the older men said under his breath, "cheap bastard, next time don't come in."

The food was excellent, dont get me wrong but Drummond Street has three other indian buffets that looked equally as nice and likely more polite staff. If you expect attentive service or have any degree of sensitivity to being called a bastard, then I recommend trying one of the many nearby establishments.
Comment on this reader review

David
8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, August 13, 2011

Sunday: Buffet food was good. A little cold even though I got there for 1:30pm. Would like to go again.. But I think i would order from the main menu this time. The starters from the main menu were a little disappointing.
Comment on this reader review

Sab
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Sunday, June 12, 2011

I have been eating at Diwana my whole life.

Restaurant was very busy today (Sunday) but the staff couldn't have been more helpful. They initially didn't have room for us to put up a highchair for my son, so he sat on our laps initially, then they moved us to a different table as soon as it became free.

Dosas and pooris were excellent as ever, and the staff gave us a free helping of shrikhand for my son.

I love this restaurant. I have never experienced anything other than exemplary service, although it's not the kind of place to linger over a meal. I an very surprised to read reviews that describe the staff as rude, I have never experienced this in over 30 years of being a customer.
Comment on this reader review

OB - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Sunday, November 07, 2010

This is one of several "value" Indian vegetarian restaurants in Drummond Street. The evening "specials" have been good value whenever I've had them (Tuesday's saag paneer v good) . The lunchtime buffet is ok to good - on a par with its competitors but worth a comparison on the day before committing.

Seating can be cramped when busy and tables might be shared. We once shared with a young Indian couple who told us this was the first recognisably Indian food they'd had in 2 years in London.

Last week had evening special, coke and tip for £10.
Comment on this reader review

Axel
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9
Sunday, May 02, 2010

Great restaurant, food is delicious, have been going to this restaurant since 1970 when it was really small.

Today had the buffet, which was great value for money and excellent food, also the De Lux Dosa and somosas with family - brilliant.

Service is good and staff are polite and helpful.

Definately recommend this restaurant.
Comment on this reader review

Vics - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, April 08, 2010

I have been going to Diwana since the 1980s, I should add that I go there every few years. I have always enjoyed the food.

In the 1980s, when Diwana was around there were only a handful of Indian restaurants specialising in this type of Indian Street Food and Dosas, but now there are more in London.

So why did I return to Diwana Bhel Poori House after all these years?. Well, Indian restaurants in Wembley e.g. Sakonis or Chennai Dosa in East Ham tend to kill you with chillies. It spoils your enjoyment and your gulping down water. On the other hand, I found Diwani to be pretty mild and you can enjoy your food!. It is also great for kids.

I ordered the Pani Poori, which was excellent, but I felt they only gave a tiny amount of tamirind water - the whole fun is to keep filling up your poori with tamaring water. In India, the street stalls just keep filling with water. So I have no idea why Diwana only gave a tiny cup of tamaring water. I suppose, I should have asked the waiter for more!

The Spinach Dosa was amazing!!! Thank you!.

The Dosas will fill you up.... Again was pleased that they did not kill me with the chillies!

I have noticed they have more items on the menu.

The faloodas are always worth trying if you have never done it (a kind of Indian thin milkshake with rose syrup).

Now that I write this, I forgot to order a Lassi (yogurt drink, though don't know if they had it on the menu!). (Lassi is pronounced Less-sy, not like the Lassi the hero dog!).

The decor is basic, so don't go expecting luxury and Diwana has a bit of legendary cult following. Even heard some american tourists in there....

It was priced well. I certainly will be back to Diwanas.....

I know there are some nice looking restaurants in Drummond Street, I have tried a couple of them, but found them too hot. Diwana's is just perfect!
Comment on this reader review

RK
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, April 05, 2010

I've been going here for years and remember getting excited even about getting take away from this place. The food is fantastic. (Take away is especially good

because you can just order loads of the starters, which are amazing). The lunch buffet is amazing, I love having the option of trying lots of new things or just gorging on a few that I like.

As for service - I've experienced both the awful and the great. I had dinner with a friend and the waiters tried to take our not-empty plates away three or four times. And when we asked for water they "forgot" numerous times before begrudgingly bringing some near the end of the meal. On the other hand, when at the buffet lunch, I've seen a completely different side - waiters being very helpful, smiling and laughing with us. It's a shame when you have a bad experience with service and I have one friend who won't go back. But for me, the food is too good to miss out on and I've been pleasantly surprised on my return.
Comment on this reader review

M
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9
Friday, March 26, 2010