Chokhi Dhani is definitely on the top of the list of places to visit for dinner in Jaipur. There are outlets elsewhere too such as Mumbai but the original remains attractive to visit if in the city. When we planned our trip to the city, we budgeted a good couple of hours for this visit for dinner on the Saturday that we landed in Jaipur. And I'm mighty glad we did, since the experience is definitely something you shouldn't miss. And ensure to make it in by around 6:30-7:00, so you can have dinner by 8-8:30 maximum, else the place can get really crowded.
The place is outside of Jaipur and took us a good 45-50 minutes from the main city. There is a lot of chaos for parking, most cars and taxis park anywhere in the lane outside the entrance. There is a large door passing through which, you are in a different place and time altogether. After having the ladies welcoming you by placing a tikka to your forehead and the sound of a man playing folk instruments at the entrance, you arrive at the reception where four-five 'cashiers' handing out tickets. There is a little higher end buffet option at around 800, while the regular sit-down-and-be-served option which we picked was 550 per person (a little more authentic it seemed). You should check with these cashiers while booking if you have a time preference since they can tell you availability of meals for that time.
The ticket covers your meal and entry, women can get their Mehndi for no charge (really NOT the best mehendi!) , you can also sit and watch the dances, magic show and things like that for free, while anything else is chargeable - chaat, camel/elephant rides, old-fashioned bowling alley and basketball shooting games charged by chances, some typical mela type of games(like shooting the balloon, darts), palmist, face-reader, some snacks and drinks inside, etc. The pani puri was Rs.20 per plate, camel ride for Rs.20, bowling for Rs.5 per chance (win back 10 if you strike), Mineral water for Rs.30. The slight annoying part is that there are signs around the place clearly mentioning no tips - but people like the Mehndi ladies will smile and tell you 2-3 times, Aapki ichha se de sakte hai.
Coming to the meal, we had taken a 8 pm slot - was very lucky in fact to have taken this early slot, because when we were getting out at around 9:15, there was a long queue of around 80-100 people waiting to get in. There are two food halls, near the entrance itself where you need to come and queue up.
We made it in, removed our footwear, and waited to be guided in. On both sides, on raised platforms, in some sections, some people were already eating. We were guided to a different part, sat on our mattresses and waited for the food bonanza to start. There were very low wooden tables for each person, plates replaced by a plate made of dried leaves, cups made of dried leaves called 'donnas', water and buttermilk served in 'khullars' or clay tumblers. Buttermilk keeps coming throughout the meal. Cut Cabbage was served, some pickle, besan boondi, some chutney to start with. Then came in some dal pakodas, followed by servings of the sabzis. There was one dum alu, a green gravy based tinda sabzi, a gatte ki sabzi (which is something you'll find in most Rajasthani eateries). There was one dal and one kadhi, Green moong dal Khichdi and plain rice. Everything was fairly average. The rotis were these lovely phulkas, puffy and blown to perfection and served fresh and hot! Dal Baati Choorma was one thing that stood out, each bit tasting excellent and even better together. For dessert there were Malpuas which were fabulous - hot, flavourful, yet the sugar syrup was tasty, without being overly sweet.
The place isn't particularly the best place for a Rajasthani meal, there are better tasting ones you can get in the city. But it is a must visit for the experience it offers. I'd give it that extra 1 only for the experience, else the food is average. Go for the village setting and the typical Indian mela like extravaganza, without expecting the world from the food. I definitely do not regret taking over 2 hours to visit the place!
http://www.zomato.com/review/wKDpM
The place is outside of Jaipur and took us a good 45-50 minutes from the main city. There is a lot of chaos for parking, most cars and taxis park anywhere in the lane outside the entrance. There is a large door passing through which, you are in a different place and time altogether. After having the ladies welcoming you by placing a tikka to your forehead and the sound of a man playing folk instruments at the entrance, you arrive at the reception where four-five 'cashiers' handing out tickets. There is a little higher end buffet option at around 800, while the regular sit-down-and-be-served option which we picked was 550 per person (a little more authentic it seemed). You should check with these cashiers while booking if you have a time preference since they can tell you availability of meals for that time.
The ticket covers your meal and entry, women can get their Mehndi for no charge (really NOT the best mehendi!) , you can also sit and watch the dances, magic show and things like that for free, while anything else is chargeable - chaat, camel/elephant rides, old-fashioned bowling alley and basketball shooting games charged by chances, some typical mela type of games(like shooting the balloon, darts), palmist, face-reader, some snacks and drinks inside, etc. The pani puri was Rs.20 per plate, camel ride for Rs.20, bowling for Rs.5 per chance (win back 10 if you strike), Mineral water for Rs.30. The slight annoying part is that there are signs around the place clearly mentioning no tips - but people like the Mehndi ladies will smile and tell you 2-3 times, Aapki ichha se de sakte hai.
Coming to the meal, we had taken a 8 pm slot - was very lucky in fact to have taken this early slot, because when we were getting out at around 9:15, there was a long queue of around 80-100 people waiting to get in. There are two food halls, near the entrance itself where you need to come and queue up.
We made it in, removed our footwear, and waited to be guided in. On both sides, on raised platforms, in some sections, some people were already eating. We were guided to a different part, sat on our mattresses and waited for the food bonanza to start. There were very low wooden tables for each person, plates replaced by a plate made of dried leaves, cups made of dried leaves called 'donnas', water and buttermilk served in 'khullars' or clay tumblers. Buttermilk keeps coming throughout the meal. Cut Cabbage was served, some pickle, besan boondi, some chutney to start with. Then came in some dal pakodas, followed by servings of the sabzis. There was one dum alu, a green gravy based tinda sabzi, a gatte ki sabzi (which is something you'll find in most Rajasthani eateries). There was one dal and one kadhi, Green moong dal Khichdi and plain rice. Everything was fairly average. The rotis were these lovely phulkas, puffy and blown to perfection and served fresh and hot! Dal Baati Choorma was one thing that stood out, each bit tasting excellent and even better together. For dessert there were Malpuas which were fabulous - hot, flavourful, yet the sugar syrup was tasty, without being overly sweet.
The place isn't particularly the best place for a Rajasthani meal, there are better tasting ones you can get in the city. But it is a must visit for the experience it offers. I'd give it that extra 1 only for the experience, else the food is average. Go for the village setting and the typical Indian mela like extravaganza, without expecting the world from the food. I definitely do not regret taking over 2 hours to visit the place!
http://www.zomato.com/review/wKDpM
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