Honest Restaurant

Honest Restaurant is one of the best-known names in the Manek Chowk night market in the Old City of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, and is associated with bhajipau, a local take on pav bhaji. Manek Chowk is a square in the Khadia area that works as a jewellery and bullion market by day and, after the shops close, turns into a food market with stalls, tables and crowds through the night. Honest is part of that evening scene and is a regular stop for visitors on night food walks through the Walled City.

The menu is Gujarati street food. Dishes associated with the restaurant include bhajipau (spiced mashed vegetables served with buttered bread rolls), pav bhaji, masala sandwich and ragda pattice (potato patties in a spiced white-pea gravy). The dishes are cooked on large griddles in view of the customers and are heavily buttered and seasoned. Prices are low, at roughly INR 100-300 per person, so several dishes can be shared and tried in one sitting.

The dining room character is lively and crowded. Expect close seating, a high noise level, the smell of butter and spice, and a mix of local families, students and travellers. Late at night the atmosphere is festive, and it is loudest on weekends. Dress is casual. There is no alcohol, in keeping with Gujarat's dry status, and drinks are limited to tea, soda and similar options. Cleanliness standards are those of a busy street market, so visitors with sensitive stomachs may prefer freshly cooked, hot items.

There are no reservations, and approximate hours are 7PM-1AM, later at weekends; visitors should confirm before visiting. The best time to go is after about 8PM, when the market is in full swing, though early evening is quieter for those who prefer more space. The Old City is easiest to reach by auto-rickshaw or ride-hailing and the narrow lanes are best walked. Keeping valuables secure in the crowds and confirming the return transport are sensible precautions for a late-night visit.