At the start of summer, we planned a family get-together in Delhi, eager to spend quality time together and create some lasting memories. What better way to do that than visiting a place that’s popular for offering a great time with friends and family? Carnatic Cafe at Sundar Nursery seemed like the perfect choice—famous, trendy, and promising good vibes. But does the hype live up to the reality? For us, unfortunately, it didn’t.

From the moment we arrived, it was clear that the place was overcrowded. Now, I get it—popularity can bring crowds, and as a businessman myself, I know managing that isn’t always easy. But what left us disappointed was the lack of any dedicated management to guide or assist guests. There was no one to help navigate the chaos, which made the entire experience feel disorganized.

The first hurdle was the order queue. It was long, and we ended up waiting 15 minutes just to place our order. That’s not ideal when you’re looking to spend quality time, not queue time. Once we finally placed our order, we were told to collect our beverages from a side counter. Fair enough, we thought—until we got there and were informed that the tea we ordered wasn’t available. Instead, they suggested filter coffee. When we politely asked if we could just wait for the tea, we were told it might take another 30 minutes. Thirty minutes! With no other options and no one in our group interested in coffee, we reluctantly settled for the filter coffee.

The waiting time for the food wasn’t too bad, and I’ll give credit where it’s due—the taste of the food was satisfying. But that’s where the positives end. For a place that charges premium prices (which, by the way, we wouldn’t have minded if the experience justified it), the lack of proper management and hassle-free service is hard to overlook.

As a traveller and someone who’s been around different cities and states, I understand that staff can get overwhelmed when it’s busy. But here’s my question: what’s the point of letting so many people in without any calculation of tables or proper arrangements? It feels greedy to pack the place without ensuring customers—who’ve come from far and wide to experience your cafe—aren’t left frustrated and disappointed.

In the end, the vibes might be good, and the food might taste fine, but the overall experience at Carnatic Cafe Sundar Nursery fell short of the hype. If you’re considering a visit, be prepared for long waits, limited options, and a lack of organization. For me, it’s a place I wouldn’t rush back to—not when there are so many other options out there that value their customers’ time and money.