Manzil means “destination" in Hindi. As the co-owner of an Indian fine dining restaurant in Gainesville, 37-year-old Puja Patel wants customers to feel transported to her home country. By sourcing ingredients and importing furniture and decor from India, Patel made authenticity a priority.
Manzil Fine Indian Dining opened in April on Southwest Archer Road. Patel said the restaurant’s goal is for customers to escape Gainesville without a plane ride.
“You stepped in here; you went to India,” Patel said. “You had your experience, and you can always come back.”
The main dining area features solid wood carvings made by India-based artisans depicting peacocks, cows, lions, horses and elephants — symbols of strength, prosperity and wisdom in her culture.
Soft yellow lighting from teardrop bulbs shines on the mandala designs on each chair cushion. A wooden map of India is displayed against a lush backdrop of leaves.
But more than the decor, customers can find authentic tastes of India on Manzil’s menu. Staples like butter chicken and tikka masala are always available, but other curries and flavors are on a rotational schedule.
The restaurant has an unlimited lunch buffet for $18.99 Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vegan and vegetarian options are available.
Darshan Shinde, a 34-year-old server who is originally from Mumbai, India, said he likes to push customers to try something different every time they come to the restaurant.
“I’ve been teaching a lot of customers to try something else other than butter chicken and chicken tikka masala,” Shinde said.
A blend of Indian spices, like cardamom and cinnamon, is combined with ginger, garlic and onion to season many of the dishes. Shinde’s favorite dishes: lamb rogan josh and chicken biryani.
Despite limited advertising, the restaurant's soft opening attracted many customers in February. Patel said many of the first customers have become regulars. The restaurant has also catered for large groups and parties, including UF’s Diwali gala, a Garba gathering at Celebration Pointe and Teacher Appreciation Week at Kanapaha Middle and Elementary schools.
Akshay Reddy, a 25-year-old UF medical student, has roots in South India. He has visited Manzil multiple times and said his favorite dishes are the biryani and lamb.
He described the restaurant as robust and said he likes coming for the unlimited lunch buffet.
“I bring my new friends here,” Reddy said. “It’s definitely top-tier decor compared to other Indian restaurants in town.”
As part of the restaurant’s one-year anniversary, the owners will redo the menu to expose customers to Indian street foods that aren’t available in Gainesville. Customers can expect items like pani puri and dosa to be featured.
Contact Summer Johnston at sjohnston@alligator.org. Follow her on X @summerajohnston.
