Aman A.
Google
Visited: First time (impressive), Second time (disappointing)
Location: Ground Floor, Western Pearl Building, Kondapur, Hyderabad.
Cuisine: North Indian / Punjabi-style dhaba fare with a bar.
Review:
On my first visit to Dhaba Estd. 1986, I was quite impressed. The food stood out – bold, rich flavours, well-executed North Indian dishes (especially the tandoori breads and some curries) — it very much delivered the punch one expects from a “dhaba-style” dining experience. The ambience is lively and the bar offering (including chilled beer) added a nice touch to an upscale casual setting.
However, on my second visit, the experience didn’t match that opening impression. The service felt less attentive than before — it seemed the staff were either less engaged or perhaps stretched thin. Also, the food lacked consistency: some dishes did not taste as vibrant or fresh, the seasoning seemed a bit muted and portion sizes/or richness felt slightly reduced compared to the first time. In short: the promise was high, the first impression strong — but the follow-through was lacking.
What works well:
The concept: A North Indian dhaba format with a bar in Kondapur hits a nice niche.
On good days, the food is very good and the ambience fun.
They serve beer and have a bar component, which is a plus for a casual evening out.
What needs improvement:
Consistency: They need to ensure that the flavour, freshness and execution of dishes don’t dip from one visit to the next. Several reviews echo that concern.
Service & attention: Sometimes the staff appears less prompt or less familiar with the menu, which impacts the dining experience.
Value proposition: For the price point, diners expect steady high quality — any drop in taste or service tends to stand out more in this segment.
Recommendation:
If you’re looking for a lively North Indian dinner with friends, some chilled beer and a fun vibe, Dhaba Estd. 1986 is worth a try — especially if you go with the expectation that it can hit the mark strongly. But if you’re after a reliably high-end dining experience where every dish is top-tier and service flawless, then you might want to either go at a quieter time (so service can be more attentive) or check in advance how the kitchen is doing that day.
Final verdict:
A solid 3 stars — because the strong first visit shows the potential. With a bit more consistency in food and service, this place could easily be a 4-star venue in Kondapur. As is, it’s “very good on its day, but don’t assume every visit will be that day.”
