Singh Wants Customers To Taste Real Indian Dishes

WATI TALEBULA Suva

Maya Dhaba retaurants have been the choice of most people when they want to taste Indian dishes.

With chefs directly from India, restaurant owners make sure taste and food presentation are original.

Maya Dhaba restaurants are located at Victoria Parade and MHCC in Suva.

Managing director, Harminder Singh said he has never regretted his decision to open in Fiji.

“In 2006, we came for holidays here. My cousin always liked India food so we tried all the Indian food restaurants in Nadi and then we came to Suva. We decided to have a restaurant here because I felt there was a demand. We opened in July, 2007,” Mr Singh said. “We got good response when we opened on the first week. People made lines outside because they wanted to taste something new. The Indian food in Fiji and the ones from India are really different.

“Until now, I am very happy because ambassadors and diplomats come here. Positive feedback from customers drive us to serve them with the best.

“All of my six chefs are from India. One is in MHCC and the five are here at this restaurant. Three chefs have been here since we started.

“We also have a restaurant with the same name is Sydney for 30 years.”

Mr Singh said they hope to expand in the near future.

“In the evening more than 50 per cent of our customers are foreigners and we have some ministers come for lunch.

These days we depend on foreigners,” he said.

“I am planning to change some menus and we are doing some renovation before the end of this year. We will have a live kitchen as it is fashion now.

“Customers tend to question why kitchen doors remain closed. I will also want to put a stage and people get to enjoy their dinner while listening to music.

“Most people do bookings in the evening.

“We also do outside catering. We open at 11am and close at 3 pm for lunch and then 6-10pm for dinner.”