A retro Hindi-cinema-themed restaurant chain with outlets on C.G. Road, SG Highway and elsewhere in Ahmedabad, decked out in hand-painted film posters and dhaba props. The kitchen covers North Indian tandoor and gravies plus a Kathiyawadi section of sev tameta, ringan no olo and bajra rotla. Loud, kitsch and reliably good value.
Mirch Masala trades on an unashamedly kitsch conceit: hand-painted Hindi film posters, retro signage, enamel plates and highway-dhaba props, assembled into a themed dining room that has become a small chain across Ahmedabad with branches on C.G. Road, the SG Highway at Bodakdev, Maninagar, Chandkheda and Science City Road. Behind the decor the cooking is more serious than the theme suggests. The menu splits between standard North Indian tandoor and gravy work, with paneer tikka, dal tadka and butter-heavy curries, and a properly executed Kathiyawadi section that brings the fierier Saurashtra repertoire east into the city: sev tameta, where crisp gram-flour sev is folded into a garlicky tomato masala at the last moment; ringan no olo, fire-roasted aubergine mashed with green garlic; lasaniya batata, potatoes in a heavy garlic and red chilli paste; and bajra rotla served with a knob of white butter and jaggery. That Kathiyawadi list is the reason to choose it over a generic North Indian restaurant. Mains typically cost INR 200-350 (~$2.10-3.65), with a meal for two around INR 700-1,000 (~$7.30-10.40). Everything is vegetarian at most outlets and the restaurants are dry. Expect volume, bright lighting, families and a fast turnover, especially on weekend evenings. For a traveller who cannot get to Rajkot or Junagadh, this is a convenient city-centre way to eat Kathiyawadi food.
| Price | $$ |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily roughly 11AM-11:30PM |
| Reservations | Walk-in; phone the branch for larger groups |
| Address | 7-10 C.G. Road, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009 |
Signature dishes
- Kathiyawadi sev tameta
- Ringan no olo with bajra rotla
- Paneer tikka and tandoori platters
- Dal tadka with lasaniya batata
Good to know
- Known for
- Kathiyawadi and Punjabi; known for sev tameta and ringan no olo
Location
7-10 C.G. Road, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009
23.0312, 72.5601 View on map
Highlights
- Retro Hindi-cinema decor with hand-painted posters and dhaba props
- A genuine Kathiyawadi section: sev tameta, ringan no olo and lasaniya batata
- Bajra rotla served with white butter and jaggery, the Saurashtra staple
- Multiple Ahmedabad branches, including C.G. Road and the SG Highway
Tips for visiting
- Order from the Kathiyawadi section rather than the North Indian list; it is the point of difference
- Kathiyawadi food is genuinely hot and garlic-forward; ask for it mild if that is a concern
- Weekend evenings are loud and busy, so go on a weekday for a calmer table
- The C.G. Road branch is reachable on foot from most Navrangpura hotels
When to visit
Weekday evenings around 7:30PM for a quieter room; weekends fill quickly across all branches.
Accessibility
Branches vary: the SG Highway and mall outlets generally have lift or level access, while the C.G. Road location is on an upper floor of a commercial building. Telephone the branch, for example +91 79 2640 3340 for C.G. Road, to confirm lift access before visiting.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kathiyawadi food?
The cooking of the Kathiawar peninsula in western Gujarat: spicier, smokier and far more garlic-driven than central Gujarati food, built around sev tameta, roasted-aubergine olo, garlic potatoes and bajra rotla with white butter.
How much does a meal cost?
Mains run roughly INR 200-350 (~$2.10-3.65), with a meal for two typically INR 700-1,000 (~$7.30-10.40).
Is it vegetarian?
Most Ahmedabad outlets are vegetarian, and all are alcohol-free under state prohibition.
Which branch is most convenient?
The C.G. Road outlet in Navrangpura is the most central for visitors, with further branches on the SG Highway at Bodakdev, in Maninagar, Chandkheda and on Science City Road.