Cafe Pyaala

Went here on Xmas Day with a group of 10 for brunch. Unfortunately, they were not serving their weekend naashta (disappointing but understandable, as it was a holiday but not the weekend). The restaurant was quite busy and we were told that the nihari would not be available for 45 mins. It looked like there was only 1 person scheduled who was taking care of the cash, bussing, serving tabkes and as well as back of the house help. This regrettably resulted in slow, inconsistent and impolite service overall. Eventually, the food that arrived tasted good and fresh but the service left a bad taste. I do not blame the employee working as he had a lot to handle. Hope to try it again in the future when fully staffed!

December 26, 2024 on Google

I ordered Nihari and chicken breast BBQ. The Nihari was exceptional, ranking among the finest we have encountered in Canada. While the BBQ was satisfactory, it pales in comparison to the superior offerings available within the same establishment. The naans were also noteworthy, particularly the butter naan. We concluded our meal with a cup of authentic chai, although the quality fell short of the exceptional chai establishments within the same plaza. Our total bill amounted to approximately $55, which aligns with the pricing standards of other desi restaurants in the vicinity.

December 3, 2024 on Google

One of the best Nihari, can consider in top 5. The owner was very welcoming and gave us best suggestion in ordering. He himself seems like a foodie and knowledgeable person. Went second time when owner wasnt present, we repeated the order but owner wasnt present then and the guy on order has attitude problem, sounded rude. Kindly consider this. Highly recommend the boss (NIHARI), Dhaga Kebab, Bihari Boti, Chicken Malai Tawa Overall food is really great!

November 24, 2024 on Google

We were a group of six. We ordered two special nihari thaal with nalli and maghaz on side, two dhaga kebab, puri paratha and naan. Special Nihari 4.5/5 Dhage kebab 4/5 Naan 3.5/5 Puri Paratha 4/5 This is probably the best nihari I have had at a restaurant in GTA. It is not overly spicy, just an adequate amount of heat. The nihari is served in a steel dish and it sits on a small heat source to keep it warm. Trust me, that makes a whole lot of difference. Dhage kebab packs a bit more heat, but it is still quite flavourful. Naan was probably the only disappointment it needs improment. Puri paratha was as it is supposed to be. Food 4/5 Service 4/5 Atmosphere 3.5/5 Overall 4/5 The only negative is the 15% service charge. It is fine for a group of 6 or more, but they have it for 4 or more, which is just ridiculous. I haven't been to any restaurant which adds service charge for 4 people. May be this should be reconsidered.

November 8, 2024 on Google

Great Nihari, very balanced and flavourful. The naans were soft and piping hot. We just kept ordering more. We loved the dhaga kababs as well as the fried kababs. Delicious food without the excessive garam. Masala that often gives you heart burn. Highly recommended. The place is always crowded, for good reason, making it noisy and tight but the food makes up for it. I hope they find a bigger location.

October 20, 2024 on Google

I had heard mixed reviews from people who I know tried the nihari here so today I decided to try for myself. I bought 2 niharis, butter naans and plain naans. The nihari itself was a bit of a letdown. Taste of the gravy is good, but the amount of meat was included was disappointing. I have never gotten so little meat in the niharis anywhere. And as for the naans, which are average, there was absolutely no difference between the plain and the butter naan. (Maybe they forgot to butter them…) Normally I would say, “I wouldn’t mind trying other items on their menu next time I’m in the area.” But with so many options in the area, I’m sure I’ll go someplace else.

September 22, 2024 on Google

We ordered the beef sada nihari for $14.99 with plain naans. I felt the portion size was enough for one person but would be less if two people would want to share. The piece of meat in nihari was a bit too cooked. Perhaps they just boil the meat and add to the gravy, but I can not say this with certainty. In my opinion, the meat should be cooked and soft but should also have just a tiny bit of firmness to maintain its texture. The taste of nihari was not bad but nothing extraordinary. The gravy was slightly on the runny side. I also felt that the size of their plain naan was slightly smaller compared to what you normally get from other restaurants. The ambiance was good with a relaxed and casual environment, and the service was also pretty good. I also liked the way they presented the food on the table with a small fire underneath the nihari plate to keep it warm. We enjoyed the overall experience of going there, but don't think if we'd ever want to return as the taste was average.

September 22, 2024 on Google

I visited for brunch with a few friends, and it was a huge letdown. The Nihari gravy was too watery, and there were only two small pieces of meat in a large bowl of liquid. The service was equally bad. We had to keep reminding the server, who was also the cashier dealing with long lines, to bring our food and drinks. For a place that claims to be experts in Nihari, the recipe needs serious improvement. It’s not just about throwing ingredients together – flavor and customer experience matter. They have a tipping option, but it’s confusing. We had to serve ourselves, including grabbing napkins while excusing people in line, and even had to ask the cashier for water. It felt more like fast food, yet tipping was expected. If you’re offering a fast-food style service, it doesn’t make sense to pressure guests to tip before they even receive any service. The Nihari itself could be improved by adding more flavor to the gravy, and if more meat isn’t an option, then at least get the taste right. There are plenty of places in Mississauga with better Nihari. If you’re going to ask for tips upfront, you should make sure the experience and service match up.

September 17, 2024 on Google