Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Chutneys – Seattle
Chutneys - Seattle
Photo from Chutneys
Chutneys at a glance
Seattle Wallingford
- 🍛 Indian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 82 of the guests
#557 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#10 Indian Restaurant out of 22 in Seattle
Good
7.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
541
Reviews
69.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Attentive staff
- Good atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent food
- Pricey buffet
The restaurant, an Indian Restaurant, in Seattle’s vibrant Wallingford neighborhood, invites you to discover a truly authentic dining experience. You’ll immediately notice its cozy and casual atmosphere, providing a quiet escape from the city bustle.
A highlight for many is its great tea selection, perfect for complementing your meal. Whether you’re craving healthy options, vegan dishes, or traditional Indian flavors, Chutneys promises a memorable visit with its diverse menu.
Overview: Introducting Chutneys
Chutneys offers a dining experience where the staff often leaves a positive impression, with many guests appreciating the attentive and kind service. The overall atmosphere is also frequently noted for being pleasant and clean, contributing to a comfortable visit.
However, the culinary journey can be a bit inconsistent, as some find the food lacking in authentic spice or proper seasoning. There are also recurring concerns about the overall value, with some finding the pricing, especially for the buffet, a bit steep.
Good
7.1
out of 10
541
Reviews
69.9%
Satisfaction
129
negative
34
neutral
378
positive
Chutneys achieves a respectable 7.1 overall score, indicating a generally good experience for many patrons. Customer satisfaction stands at 69.9%, suggesting a mixed but leaning positive sentiment, with 378 positive remarks against 129 negative ones across 541 customer comments.
This shows that while many enjoy their visit, there’s a notable segment with reservations. Delving into specifics, the Ambience (8.9) is clearly a standout, often described as quiet and clean.
Service (7.5) also performs well, with staff frequently praised for their attentiveness. The Food (7.1) receives a good score, though opinions are somewhat divided on its consistency and spice levels.
The main area for improvement appears to be Value (4.2), which falls into the average category, with several guests feeling the cost doesn’t always align with the offering.
What people like
- Attentive, kind service
- Pleasant, clean atmosphere
- Varied food options
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Concerns about value
- Occasional service issues
Chutneys presents a mixed but generally positive picture. If you prioritize a pleasant atmosphere and attentive service, you’ll likely find it a comfortable spot.
The food can be quite enjoyable, especially for those who appreciate variety, but be prepared for potential inconsistencies in flavor. With a recommendation score of 7.1, Chutneys is worth considering if you’re in the mood for Indian cuisine and value a good dining environment.
However, if you’re seeking exceptional value or a consistently bold, authentic spice profile, you might find aspects of the experience less compelling.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Chutneys
Food (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot scores a solid 7.1, indicating a generally good experience. While customer satisfaction is a bit mixed at 69.2%, many guests absolutely adore the delicious Indian cuisine. With 236 positive remarks out of 341, the lunch buffet, fresh food options, and great vegetarian selections frequently earn high praise for their variety and authentic flavors.
However, 82 negative comments suggest some areas for improvement. Patrons occasionally found the food bland or tasteless, noting issues with the spice level and the quality of certain buffet items like Naan or Tandoori chicken, which sometimes lacked freshness or proper seasoning.
Food
341
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
82
negative
23
neutral
236
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious Indian cuisine
- Great vegetarian options
- Amazing lunch buffet
What people don't like
- Bland, tasteless food
- Inconsistent spice level
- Dry Tandoori chicken
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this Indian food place in Seattle was fantastic. We were a table of 10, and the food came out quick and was SO GOOD. The chef even came out at the end to ask how we liked the food.
- lunch buffetDelicious lunch as always. Fresh food always coming up to the lunch buffet.
- buffetespecially for buffet during lunch on the weekend
- FoodFood:5
- Indian fooddelicious Indian food you can get around here
- chicken tikka masalaI thoroughly enjoyed their delicious curries and saags. I highly recommend trying the vegetable samosas, chicken tikka masala, and garlic naan. I also particularly liked their aloo saag and chicken curry, and the raita was a great accompaniment.
- flavorsThe buffet offered a wide variety of options, and the food was tasty throughout the entire spread. Each station featured well-prepared dishes with appealing flavors, allowing guests to sample different cuisines and styles in one meal. The freshness of the ingredients and the consistent quality made it easy to go back for seconds without disappointment.
- fresh foodthey keep bringing out fresh food
- gulab jamunThe buffet has a good variety and options, but not every item is good because of the lack of spices. However, the dessert options were actually good and authentic, especially the rice pudding and gulab jamun.
- Malai Koftaincluding some of the harder to find ones like Malai Kofta
Frequently criticized
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was that the Indian food was heavily catered to non-Indians. The spice level was almost nonexistent, and the food tasted near bland. While the Tandoori chicken looked good, it was not seasoned properly.
- curriesMy experience at the restaurant was that of an average buffet. Unfortunately, almost all of the curries tasted the same, which was quite disappointing. On a positive note, the dessert was good.
- samosasMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the food quality and a lack of transparency regarding ingredients. I ordered samosas, which were served frozen, with the peas inside still cold. Additionally, the dessert menu lacked ingredient lists and allergen callouts.
- Tandoori chickenTandoori chicken looked good but was not seasoned properly
- biryanithe food came it didnt look anything like what biryani should look like
- buffetThe buffet has literally nothing
- chickenChicken is very old and like rock hard
- chicken tandoorichicken tandoori, which was very dry and not flavorful or spicy
- dishesIf you are looking for authentic Indian food, I would suggest you avoid this place. Most of the dishes lacked spices, and some had honey/sugar in them. The buffet has a good variety and options, but not every item is good because of the lack of spices.
- food qualitydisgusting food I eat 🙄Chicken is very old
If you're craving delicious Indian food with a good variety, especially at the lunch buffet, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some dishes might occasionally lack the expected spice or consistency, so manage your expectations for every single item.
Service (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 62% of the guests
Overall, the service here shines brightly, earning a 7.5 score and a 74.6% customer satisfaction rate, which is quite good! Based on 85 positive comments out of 114 total, many rave about the attentive staff and friendly servers. Guests often highlight the personalized care from the owner and the unique authentic Indian service, including proper cutlery and separate plates, making for a truly enjoyable experience.
However, it's not without its bumps, with 24 negative remarks. Some experiences mention rude server behavior, particularly when issues arise, and frustratingly long waiting times. There are also comments about limited table service and a perceived lack of proper training, suggesting inconsistencies in the overall customer service.
Service
114
Reviews
74%
Satisfaction
24
negative
5
neutral
85
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive, friendly staff
- Personalized owner interaction
- Authentic Indian service
What people don't like
- Rude server behavior
- Long waiting times
- Limited table clearing
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was truly amazing, marked by both amazing food and amazing service. The server was incredibly kind, the nicest man I’ve ever met in the Seattle area, and was very accommodating to our every need.
- staffThe staff treats me like family, remembering me as a regular and taking great care of me during my visits. The combination of great food, great staff, and a great atmosphere creates a truly wonderful and lovely experience all around. I highly recommend the amazing Chutneys Bistro.
- ServiceService:5
- peopleAnd not to forget the people, they are very kind.
- serverShimul is an amazing server, always so friendly and attentive
- ownerThe owner did come up to us to apologise for the server
- serversThe servers are all so attentive and kind.
- take outDine-in or take out here are both great options
- waiterour waiter was extremely friendly
- HarishHarish does an exceptional job!
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe service was very limited as the only thing they did was to take me to my seat and filled my glass with water; none of the used plates were removed.
- serverThe rice looked undercooked, and it seemed like the rice and curry were hastily thrown together. When we brought this up to our server, he started arguing with us, asking why we ordered something we weren't going to eat and insisted the biryani was supposed to look that way. Having cooked and eaten biryani all our lives, we know what it should look like.
- waiterThe kitchen staff was occupied with filling takeout orders and did not greet us. We found menus and ordered the Bread basket and Riata from a waiter who finally acknowledged our existence. We waited and waited for the food to arrive and asked about the delay.
- Training the staffTraining the staff is a must
- chefdemote your "chef" to a kitchen help
- customer serviceVery bad customer service for sure.
- delayWe found menus and ordered the Bread basket and Riata from a waiter who finally acknowledged our existence. We waited and waited for the food to arrive and asked about the delay. When it did arrive, the stuffed naan was charred so badly we sent it back.
- deliveryalways late with delivery no matter what delivery service I use
- kitchen staffWe arrived at 5: 30 pm and were the only party there. The kitchen staff was occupied with filling takeout orders and did not greet us. We found menus and ordered the Bread basket and Riata from a waiter who finally acknowledged our existence.
- ownerThe owner with specs was very rude to us
If you're looking for a place with generally warm and attentive staff, this spot is definitely worth a try, as many guests have fantastic experiences. Just be aware that some visitors have encountered occasional inconsistencies in service, including rudeness or delays, which might disappoint.
Ambience (8.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 34% of the guests
The restaurants ambience truly shines, earning an 8.9 score and an impressive 98% customer satisfaction! With 48 positive remarks out of 49, guests consistently rave about the "great ambience" and "vibe, " often highlighting the unique "historic school" setting, "outdoor seating, " and how "clean" the place is. Its clearly a welcoming and memorable environment.
However, there was one minor point of contention among the 49 observations. A single guest noted an issue with the temperature, describing it as a bit warm in the restaurant. This seems to be an isolated incident, but worth keeping in mind.
Ambience
49
Reviews
98%
Satisfaction
1
negative
0
neutral
48
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Spotlessly clean
- Unique setting
What people don't like
- Warm temperature
Often praised
- atmosphereThe staff treats me like family, remembering me as a regular and taking great care of me during my visits. The combination of great food, great staff, and a great atmosphere creates a truly wonderful and lovely experience all around. I highly recommend the amazing Chutneys Bistro.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambienceNice ambience with outdoor seating
- locationI love the location of this restaurant.
- placeThis place is one of a kind!
- Noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
- ParkingParking has always been easy
- atmosphere was really nicethe atmosphere was really nice
- beautiful thingThe beautiful thing about this place is the great food
- cleanit is very clean
Frequently criticized
- temperatureA bit warm in the restaurant
If you're looking for a place with a fantastic atmosphere, this spot is definitely worth checking out. The overwhelmingly positive feedback on its unique setting and comfortable vibe makes it a strong contender, despite a very minor mention of the temperature.
Value (4.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 26% of the guests
When it comes to value, its a bit of a mixed bag, folks! While some customers found the prices quite fair, noting a 4.2 score which is average, and appreciated getting a lot for a "really good price" or a "reasonable price, " the overall customer satisfaction sits at a rather poor 24.3%. Based on 37 opinions, with 9 positive remarks, theres a definite split.
However, a significant number of people, 22 to be exact, felt the experience was a waste of money and expensive. Concerns about portion size not matching the price and unexpected charging extra or mandatory tips really soured the deal for many, indicating that the value proposition often falls short.
Value
37
Reviews
24%
Satisfaction
22
negative
6
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable price options
What people don't like
- Waste of money
- Too expensive
- Unexpected charges
Often praised
- $17For about $17 you get all you can eat
- PricesPrices are fair
- buffetCan get lots of food for the cheap price of $20 during their buffet
- pricelunch buffet, which costs around $20
- price was reasonablePrice was reasonable for the flavor
- pricedbest priced and delicious Indian food
- pricesPrices are reasonable
- really good priceThat's really good I think!
- reasonable priceVery reasonable price
Frequently criticized
- pricedisappointed in quality/quantity of food given price
- waste of moneyThe kadhai paneer and samosas were also not good; I can make better food at home. Overall, it was an utter waste of my money, and I will never eat from here again.
- adult priceowner charged Adult price for that kid
- buffetThere were various selections, and I particularly enjoyed the naan and butter chicken. However, I felt the buffet was a little on the expensive side, costing around $20 per person.
- charging extraCharging extra than your bill!!!
- cost of the lunch buffetthe cost of the lunch buffet has been increased to $21.95. ... this is not affordable for a single person, let alone to bring a whole family in.
- cutting cornersThe restaurant seems to cut corners
- expensiveAND expensive
- experiencehorrible experience for the $$$ we paid
- gratuity tipsthey charge you gratuity tips (over 20%) and it’s mandatory
If youre looking for a budget-friendly meal, this might be a gamble, as many found it overpriced for what you get. It seems worth trying only if youre prepared for potentially higher costs or smaller portions than expected.
How are the prices at Chutneys?
You’re looking at roughly 31 per person – reported by 82 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For an Indian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average is 31, a good chunk of guests actually spend a bit less, mostly in the $21–$30 range. This shows there’s a nice mix of options, from more budget-friendly to a bit more premium.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 82 most recent reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in Seattle.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for an Indian Restaurant in Seattle. It offers a good balance, catering to different spending levels while maintaining a mid-range average.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Chutneys
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Excellent Buffet Variety and Quality
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! The buffet offered a wide variety of options, and the food was tasty throughout the entire spread. Each station featured well-prepared dishes with appealing flavors, allowing guests to sample different cuisines and styles in one meal.
The freshness of the ingredients and the consistent quality made it easy to go back for seconds without disappointment. Overall, the buffet created a satisfying and enjoyable dining experience that catered to many preferences.
- buffet9
- food9
- dishes8
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Fresh and Tasty Buffet Lunch
My experience at the restaurant was great for a quick lunch. They are doing a buffet during lunch time, and all the items were fresh and so tasty.
- buffet9
- items10
- fresh10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
4
Okay Buffet Experience with Parking Perks
My experience at this restaurant for the lunch buffet was just okay, not great. While there were a few vegetarian options available, the overall taste was average. Some items seemed like they were frozen reheated rather than freshly cooked.
On the positive side, the restaurant offers free parking and has good seating space. Overall, it was an okay experience, but I’m not sure I would return.
- lunch buffet5
- vegetarian options5
- taste5
- frozen reheated3
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Family Dinner
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Exceptional Experience, Highly Recommended!
My experience at this restaurant was truly exceptional. The clean, classy environment made for a pleasurable experience, perfect for a date night or an evening out with family. The staff were the kindest, most accommodating I've encountered, ensuring a wonderful time.
It's definitely one of the best restaurants in Seattle!
- environment10
- staff10
- experience10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Hidden Gem with Fantastic Food!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a hidden little gem with a French Bistro style. The place is very clean and offers so many food options, including many dishes I hadn't heard of before and GF options.
The Saag Paneer is fantastic! The prices are fair, and we will definitely be back.
- food options9
- GF options8
- Saag Paneer10
What Chutneys offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Hard liquor
- Vegan options
- All you can eat
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Organic dishes
- Halal food
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Outdoor seating
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Quiet
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Chutneys Bistro in Wallingford?
At Chutneys Bistro, you can anticipate a cozy and casual atmosphere, ideal for a quiet meal. You’ll find a wide array of dining options including brunch, lunch, and dinner, with comfortable seating and table service. They also offer catering for your special events.
Does Chutneys Bistro offer options for various dietary needs and service preferences?
Absolutely! Chutneys Bistro caters to diverse preferences with healthy, vegan, vegetarian, and halal food options. For your convenience, you can choose from delivery, takeout, curbside pickup, or dine-in. They also provide outdoor seating and accept reservations.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Chutneys?
Chutneys has an overall restaurant score of 7.1 out of 10, indicating a generally good experience. Customer satisfaction is at 69.9%, suggesting a mixed but leaning positive sentiment among guests.
How do customers rate the food at Chutneys?
The food at Chutneys receives a score of 7.1. While many appreciate the variety and fresh options, some opinions note inconsistencies in seasoning, blandness, or dry chicken, suggesting the quality can vary.
What are the strongest and weakest aspects of Chutneys?
The strongest aspects are its Ambience (8.9) and Service (7.5), often praised for a pleasant atmosphere and attentive staff. The weakest aspect is Value (4.2), with some customers finding the pricing, particularly for the buffet, to be on the expensive side.