Rajwadu

Rajwadu sits behind the Ambaji temple off Malav Talav Road in Jivraj Park, a purpose-built village compound of mud-plastered walls, lantern-hung pathways and a small courtyard shrine, laid out so that diners walk through craft stalls and folk-art displays before reaching the seating. The kitchen serves an unlimited thali that draws on both Gujarati and Rajasthani traditions, so alongside the expected shaak, dal, kadhi, khichdi, farsan and chutneys there is usually dal baati churma, bajra rotla with white butter, and a live counter turning out hot jalebi or malpua. Servers bring each item to the seat and refill continuously until told to stop. Prices run to roughly INR 850 per person (~$8.85), about INR 1,700 for two (~$17.70). The draw beyond the food is the programme: live folk music, garba and dance performances run through the evening, particularly at weekends and during Navratri, when the compound becomes genuinely crowded. Seating is a mix of floor mats and low benches, and the whole site is open-air, which makes the October-to-March window the comfortable one. Like every restaurant in the state it is dry. Rajwadu is around six kilometres southwest of the old city and easiest reached by cab or auto-rickshaw; the surrounding lanes are narrow and parking is tight on festival nights. Families with children tend to enjoy it more than couples looking for a quiet meal, since the noise level is high and the entertainment continuous. Arriving close to opening avoids both the queue and the worst of the crush.