Address: Third Floor, Phoenix Market City, Viman Nagar, Pune
Time: 12:30 PM to 11:30 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 1,300
Cuisines: Bengali, Chettinad, Goan, North Indian, Kashmiri, Gujarati
Facilities: Serves Jain Food, Wallet Accepted, Kid Friendly, Vegan Options
Modelled on the lines of quick-service sushi restaurants that dot Japan, which lets you pick up plates of food that keep rotating on conveyor belts, the first one-of-its-kind in the country specializes in fare from different part of India.
Autobahn, Viman Nagar, Pune: Decor
On the third floor of Phoenix Market City is Autobahn – India’s first conveyor belt restaurant. Done up in hues of beige, the decor is straightforward and comfortable with most tables placed next to two-level conveyor belts that ferry the food.
Autobahn, Viman Nagar, Pune: Food
There are two options to choose from – an on-the move menu or la carte. The on-the-move option comprises of fixed, bite-sized appetizers and desserts that are continually moving on the belt.These are ideal to pick up without the hassle of placing the order or waiting for the food to arrive. A great pick from this section are the Fish Strips. Delicious crumb-fried fish served with kasundi (mustard sauce) that could have done with slightly less tang. The crisp-on the-out Makai Kali mirch Tikki is another good option. Our other picks, Paneer Chaunka and Murgh Ki Kanti, both the dishes tossed in a similar onion-tomato gravy was strictly okay. The not so appetizing appetizer was the Mysore Chicken Fry. While the flavors were on point, it was the under-cooked bits of meat was an appetite-killer.
The on-the-move dishes are meant for one as a snack; if you want something more substantial – order a la carte. Place the order through the tab on the table, and your order is directly brought to your table on a bigger tray. The Dahi Ka Karara Kebab, fried until crisp on the outside and creamy inside is a decent option. However, what wasn’t anywhere close to being decent was the Meen Moily. The South Indian fish curry felt more like a thick kadhi rather than the silky, coconut dish.
Autobahn, Viman Nagar, Pune: Plus & Minus
It’s definitely a novel concept and quite fun, as well. While they have their tech down to pat in terms of ensuring the food reaches the table smoothly, the food could do with some more polishing.