Satya South Indian Cafe

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Address

17 Great North Rd
Auckland
Region: Auckland
Licence: Unknown
Cuisine: Indian
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Contact

Phone: 09-361 3612

Open

Overall DineOut Score based on 7 reviews

Total		6.6
Food		7.3
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		6.1
Service		5.9
Environment		6.1
Toilets		5.4
Child Friendly	Very

Review by: duke (19) on 18th June 2010

Total		7.1
Food		8
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		7
Service		7
Environment		7
Toilets		2

A trip to Auckland is not complete without a visit to Satya. I dined with a group of 4 on a Monday night, the restaurant was pretty much full with a pleasant atmosphere. I always get the dahi puri (sp?) as an entree which is so delicious (I can't recall all the specific ingredients but Satya regulars will know what I mean!). There are so many mains to choose from, we settled on 3 vege curries between us (paneer, dahl and vegetable curry) with garlic paratha bread. I normally go for mild - medium and the rest prefer medium - hot. So we ordered medium which was a bit much for me but just right for everyone else. It's BYO if that's your thing and the service is good. Only downer is the toilet. Really really bad. Out near the kitchen, watered dowm hand soap in a scummy container, dirty handtowel and as another reviewer has mentioned, a dirty looking washing machine. However I will continue to overlook this as the food is so great. See you next time Satya.

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Review by: bandit (14) on 21st April 2010

Total		8.6
Food		9
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		8
Service		9
Environment		8
Toilets		7

We often visit satya when we don't feel like cooking because it is such an easy and reliable treat. The staff are amazing - very sweet and humble, and not intrusive or vulgar. We try to get different starters and mains each time and have yet to be disappointed. dahi puri, masala papadam, and dosas are all delicious, and we also can't actually dine there without getting parathas, which are amazingly flaky and a real treat. Never had any problems with the curries we try, our favourites are lamb palakura, chicken tikka masala, and they also do a custom curry for me (the vegetarian tofu with paneer instead of tofu) without a hassle.
Lassis are a meal in themselves so just get one to share, but definitely help ease the stomach after a massive curry session. Can't really say more except it is the best indian we have tried in Auckland. And the fact that satya spice is available for purchase makes it even better.
To those reviewers who complained that the toilets were dirty/"filthy" - never had a problem. Just because they are old, does not mean they are unclean.

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Review by: Max Powers (18) on 13th January 2010

Total		7.7
Food		8
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		7
Service		7
Environment		7
Toilets		10

For many years, I believed that the country's best Indian food was to be had in Wellington, but after eating at Satya a few times I'm not sure that is the case any more. I really think this might be as good as it gets, and unlike the earlier reviewers I think it's very good indeed.
Strangely this Satya hardly seems to be reviewed here whereas the sister restaurant on K Rd has dozens. I dine pretty regularly at both. Great North Rd is a slightly prettier room, hung with bright silks in pinks and purples, so it's where I dine in, K Rd is marginally closer to my house so is usually where I'll order takeout on a cold and wet Auckland day.
I became a fan after trying their food at the Auckland Food Show a few years ago. Whilst wandering among the endless stalls hocking crappy pestos and bland marinades I could smell extraordinary spices and delicious aromas from across the hall. After following my nose to the Satya stand I became a firm fan of their lively, vibrant cooking, and of the lovely family that run all 3 Satya restaurants in Auckland.
The main reason to eat at Satya is flavour. If you like butter chicken you should stay away from Satya lest you get a terrible fright. All of the spices are freshly ground, most food is cooked in light oils rather than the ghee of Northern food. In fact Satya's food - the cuisine of Kerala and the southern plateau - has as much in common with Malaysian as with the Indian food we're used to seeing here.
Dishes such as the samosa chat will start you off properly and make you wonder why you bother elsewhere. Try the fresh, lively sambar - a lentil soup - if you think Indian food is all heavy and creamy. Or the bhel puri - better than the yoghurty but still excellent dahi puri - which can be made searingly hot as it often is on the Indian streets. If you've not had a dosa - a sort of savoury pancake that is incredibly hard to make then do try one here too. In fact, the variety at Satya is vast so coming in a group is well advised if you want to really experience it all.
A few standouts tho - if you've had a thali before then try one here. It is the Indian street equivalent of a tv dinner, a selection of curries, rice and condiments served on a tray, wghich is the best thing to recommend for guests that are swamped by the choice. The eggplant and coconut curry will appeal to all lovers of Malay and Thai food and shouldn't be missed. Winter visitors should try the Dhal Mahkni, a standout dish of black lentils and ginger that is slowly simmered for a day, and will warm off a winter chill better than any soup.
Vegetarians and Vegans will be well served here, as will those among us that ask for everything to be 'Indian hot' for they won't disappoint. The service is friendly and pleasant, and you can BYO or there is a short wine list. You'll leave feeling lighter and fresher than at many an Indian restaurant, and also desperate to return.

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Review by: gianouts (60) on 20th December 2009

Total		6.8
Food		8
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		6
Service		5
Environment		6
Toilets		N/A

We had heard good reports about Satya and I had in particular been recommended this one in Great North Road so we decided to give it a go this evening and we would happily return.
The restaurant is situated in a slightly weird location but people definitely seem to be able to find it. The decor is simple but with an Indian theme and silk draped across the ceiling. Considering our table was originally for four people I expect they try and squash people in; it was a suitable size for two people.
We started with some thick Mango Lassis that were pretty good and for our entree Dahi Puri and Hypderabadi Lamb. These were both very good and packed with flavour.
For our main we had Apollo Fish (Dry Curry), Mutter Paneer, Garlic Paratha and Cheese Paratha. We enjoyed all of these dishes and in particular enjoyed having a dry curry for a change.
The service wasn’t friendly or attentive and the wait staff were all very casually dressed. It is a very relaxed environment so don’t expect anything else.
The food is great and we will be back for it.

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Review by: bluevaliant (4) on 14th September 2009

Total		6.9
Food		8
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		7
Service		5
Environment		6
Toilets		6
Child Friendly	Very

Satya South Indian Cafe is just simply outstanding south indian food. Having sampled some of the real thing in Kerala and Karnataka I think these guys are truly authentic. Their dosa have to be tried to be believed. The setting is simple and basic, the service is definitely no frills (but fine), but you're here for the food - and if you like full flavoured, authentic indian food as opposed to kiwi-curries this is the place for you.

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Review by: Solitary Wanderer (38) on 28th August 2009

Total		3.7
Food		4
Dessert		N/A
Presentation		4
Service		3
Environment		4
Toilets		2

Satya South Indian Restaurants are a family owned business with three Auckland restaurants; one in Sandringham, one in K Road and the newest addition a stones throw away on Great North Road. It’s been getting some good reviews and some friends recently recommended it, so off we went last night for our first Indian restaurant dinner in nearly ten years. The interior is draped with brightly coloured scarves and the seats also have colourful coverings. The reception area is at the back of the restaurant so you have to walk right through the premises to get some attention after arriving. The seating was a bit awkward with chairs pushed together which don’t line up with the pushed together tables so it was uncomfortable. We started with the much praised Dahi Puri which is mix of yoghurt, boiled potato and chick peas with tamarind chutney with a topping of freshly ground roasted spices. It’s served on a small wafer style cracker and was pleasant enough, but I was content with just one piece (although they promise you won’t be). We also tried the Samosa Chat which was tamarind and date chutney, yoghurt, onion, tomato with a topping of South Indian spices. The seasoning was almost identical to the Dahi Puri but preferable because it was served hot and the pastry and potato made it more substantial and rewarding on the palate. On to the mains and we both opted for the Combo Curry Thalis from the Deccan Plateau with my wife trying the prawn and I the chicken. They both came with rice, paratha, sambar, rasam, papadam, yoghurt & pickle. The currys were both fairly mild, the pickle hot and the paratha a very tasty cross between pastry and bread. The sambar and rasam were watery sauces with very similar flavours which we weren’t sure what to do with – we tried dipping the papadam and paratha but they didn’t absorb anything so ended up not using them. There was only about four small pieces of chicken in my curry which I poured onto the rice which is then too hot so you add the yoghurt to cool it down and end up with a gluggie mess. I washed it down with a Taj Mahal beer – the only import beer they have on offer. After taking our order and serving the food the service was non-existent with the water jug left empty and empty glasses cluttering the table. My wife asked one question about the menu to the young waitress and received a very vague response. The bathroom doubles as the laundry and the grime around around the door handle was concerning. My wife needed to use the toilet which was engaged so the staff sent her upstairs to the family living quarters – there were no signs and all the doors were closed so she tentatively opened a couple of doors, one of which was someone’s bedroom, before giving up and coming back downstairs. She said it was filthy – with dirty bathrooms and living quarters you’ve got to wonder about the state of the hygiene in the kitchen. The music was appropriate modern Indian sounds played at a decent volume, however, overall Satya proved a very underwhelming and unsatisfying dining experience.

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