Royal Afghan: ITC Windsor Bangalore North Indian Restaurant

Restaurant Name: Royal Afghan: ITC Windsor Bangalore
Phone: +918061401227
Address: ITC Windsor 25, Windsor Square, Sankey Road, Bangalore 560008 Karnataka, India
Time: 12:30 PM – 03:00 PM, 07:00 PM– 11:30 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 7,000
Cuisines: North Indian, Afghan
Facilities: Wheelchair Accessible, Full Bar Available, Table reservation required, Romantic Dining, Luxury Dining, Wifi, Outdoor Seating

Royal Afghan: ITC Windsor Bangalore: Overview

Al fresco spaces are bound to be the first choice when people begin to consider dining out in restaurants. I cannot think of a better place than Royal Afghan at ITC Windsor for a special meal. This much-loved restaurant occupies a vantage position at the hotel, flowing on to the pool and the surrounding greenery. It is currently open only for lunch and is an ideal spot for a long, leisurely meal on these cloudy afternoons.

The menu has remained largely unchanged over the years and that is one of its charms; you know exactly what to expect at Royal Afghan and can order assured that every dish will be crafted with the perfection that only comes with years of practice.

I dined here before the last lockdown and was recommended the chef’s special menu. It progresses from various tandoor-cooked dishes to main course gravies and rotis. You are encouraged to eat with your hands and cutlery is provided only if you insist on it.

There was a Tandoori Salad to start with — onion, peppers, tomatoes, paneer and pineapple steeped in a marinade of malt vinegar, black cumin and garam masala and allowed to acquire a golden tinge and caramelised edges in the tandoor.

Then came one of the stars of the Royal Afghan menu, the Barrah Kebab. Choice cuts of lamb are marinated in yogurt, vinegar and an array of spices that serve not just to flavour, but also tenderise the meat. The Murgh Malai Kebab is a crowd-pleaser, but pales in comparison with the Barrah.

The Tandoori Jhinga is another extravagant dish, using jumbo prawns flecked with ajwain.

Royal Afghan makes a speciality of its Murgh Makhani, tender pieces of chicken tikka enrobed in a rich and silken gravy with a slight hint of sweetness. The other must-have dish here is the Dal Bukhara, slow-cooked black lentils finished with cream and butter. Indulge with abandon. You can tackle the guilt later. I ate these curries with an assortment of breads, the pudina paratha being a particular favourite of mine.

If the desserts were any less tempting I would have given them a miss, considering the richness of the meal. But both the Gulab Jamun, served warm, and the brilliantly crafted Rasmalai are made to break all such resolve. So, I relished them without regret.

At Royal Afghan: ITC Windsor Bangalore, they’ve taken huge efforts to put various measures in place to make the dining in experience safe for customers as well as staff. So, when you’re in the mood to step out for a splash-out meal, Royal Afghan should be one of your top choices.