Khyber for Authentic Indian Food

It started in 1958 with a small place, which presently is the ground floor section of 'Khyber' but over the years it expanded to accommodate 200 seating at a time. The only Indian cuisine serving restaurant at Kala Ghoda among the bee line of restaurants that have come up in nearby buildings, Khyber has become a brand in itself with no other branches anywhere.

As you stand outside a wooden door frame, the real sense of the quality of the resto is hardly forthcoming. But as you enter the marble flooring, exclusive paintings by late M F Hussain and Anjolie Ela Menon take you into a new world of 'experience'.

Climb up the stairs and the open seating as well as corner seating for larger groups with huge tables welcomes every dinner. In 1986 the restaurant was engulfed in fire and had to be shut for three years, after that the owner decided to keep the rustic look of the walls as it is, then it would have been a decision very hard to take but the vision has paid off now. As the look with bright lighting brings warmth to the area.

This was my second visit to Khyber, first one was in 2006 when we celebrated a friends birthday party. Recently three of us decided to have a feast, before the Ganpati visarjan, long holiday for the high court began. Two of us were non-veg and one vegan. So we started with Tandoori chicken.

My vegan friend Urvi, ordered a mix pakora, it took eternity to come as the chef overcooked them in the oil, (a confession which only a good restaurant does to hold on to their customers) but when it arrived we all loved every bit of it. For main course we called for Panner Makhnwala, the quantity was sufficient for three of us, to go with Roti, Nans etc. We ended with a malai kulfi which was perfect.  

The experience of enjoying a meal was complete to add to it was an over attentive staff many of whom have been with the resto for years, we were told one staff was due for retirement after serving for over two decades. The staff was also very forthcoming to gives us a peek into the history of the entire property which not only houses Khyber, but a continental restaurant and pub (now shut). 

Of course there will be a lot of food recommended by the staff and of your personal choice. As for me i can say have anything at Khyber and be rest assured that it will be top quality. As for the prices, it is a little on the higher side, but an experience is always priceless, Isn't it?