I have been a loyal and regular customer of Top In Town for nearly 5–6 years, and it has consistently been one of the preferred places in Brisbane for Indian food lovers. Because of this long-standing positive experience, I was genuinely excited when Arabian Mandi by Top In Town was introduced. Authentic mandi options are quite limited in Brisbane, so my expectations were naturally high.
Upon entering the restaurant, the ambience immediately stands out. The place has been well renovated, offering a pleasant atmosphere with a fresh and modern vibe. From a visual and comfort perspective, the setup is quite appealing and inviting.
Coming to the food experience, while the portion size is generous and satisfying, the overall quality of the mandi unfortunately did not match my expectations.
Chicken:
The chicken was noticeably dry, which significantly affected the taste and authenticity of the dish. Mandi chicken is usually expected to be tender, juicy, and infused with flavour, but this element was missing.
Chutney:
The accompanying chutney felt bland and lacked depth of flavour. A well-prepared chutney plays an important role in balancing the dish, and with some refinement, this can be greatly improved.
Rice:
In my personal opinion, mandi rice should be slow-cooked in broth or stock, allowing it to absorb rich flavours and aroma. Unfortunately, that richness was not present here. The rice itself was also quite dry, and due to this, I couldn’t even finish the plate, which is rare for me.
Despite these shortcomings, I would like to sincerely appreciate the staff. They were extremely polite, professional, attentive, and hardworking. Their service truly stood out and is the main reason I am giving this review three stars. Credit where it is due — the team on the floor is doing an excellent job.
I genuinely hope the chefs and management take this feedback constructively. With some improvements in moisture, seasoning, and authenticity, this place has strong potential to become a well-known mandi destination in Brisbane.
I will definitely return for a second visit, hoping to see positive changes.
