There are dinners, and then there are events disguised as dinners. Our evening at Barbeque Nation in DLF Saket was firmly in the latter category—a full-blown culinary carnival with coal pits, kebabs, and a waiter named Sanjeev who could moonlight as a food evangelist.

It was a hot June evening in New Delhi, the kind where the air feels like it’s been reheated in a microwave and the only reasonable response is to seek refuge in air conditioning and grilled meat. My parents and I, armed with a reservation made via their mobile app (because we’re modern like that), arrived at 7 PM sharp. The restaurant welcomed us like long-lost royalty—minus the trumpets, but with enough warmth to make up for it.

First Impressions & Flaming Tables

The ambiance? Think rustic charm meets buffet bravado. The seating area was spacious, the lighting flattering, and the vibe somewhere between celebratory and “we’re about to eat our weight in tikka.” Each table came equipped with its own miniature grill, complete with glowing coals and the promise of DIY deliciousness.

It was a hot evening, so we had a bottle of beer before dinner began. Each table has a pit at the center of the table where a small-scale barbeque grill with fresh ashes of coal is set. The barbeque sticks are put over these mini grills.

Sanjeev, our table attendant, arrived with the energy of someone who truly believes in the transformative power of paneer tikka. He explained the concept: fixed price, unlimited starters, followed by a buffet that could easily feed a small village. We nodded solemnly, knowing we were about to test the limits of human appetite.

The Starter Symphony

Then came the skewers. Chicken tikka, fish tikka, prawn tikka, paneer tikka, mutton seekh kebabs, and a parade of vegetables that had clearly been marinated with love and ambition. Each stick was a flavor bomb—succulent, smoky, and seasoned to perfection. The prawns were spicy enough to make you sweat, the fish was so moist it could’ve been mistaken for poetry, and the paneer was the kind that makes vegetarians feel smug.

And the best part? We got to finish grilling them ourselves. There’s something deeply satisfying about turning your own food over hot coals while sipping a cold beer and pretending you’re on MasterChef. The waiters, meanwhile, were relentless in their generosity—“Sir, have this,” “Sir, try that,” “Sir, you haven’t lived until you’ve tasted this mushroom.” Resistance was futile.

The Buffet Beckons

Just when we thought we’d peaked, the buffet revealed itself like a plot twist in a Bollywood movie. Curries of every persuasion, biryani that smelled like a festival, dal makhani so rich it could buy property in South Delhi, and naan that was soft enough to double as a pillow.

For the main course, we had some biryani, dal makhani, butter chicken, palak paneer and naan. They were all very tasty and filling. The biryani was fragrant and flavorful, the dal makhani was rich and creamy, the butter chicken was sweet and tangy, the palak paneer was smooth and healthy, and the naan was soft and fluffy. We also tried some salads and raita to balance out the heaviness.

Dessert: The Final Frontier

Their dessert spread was awesome as well. Cheesecakes, Brownies, Mousses, Ice Creams and Indian Desserts like Phirni, Gulab Jamuns, Halwa, etc made us want to stuff ourselves even more! For dessert, we had some kulfi, gulab jamun, brownie and ice cream. They were all heavenly and indulgent. The kulfi was creamy and nutty, the gulab jamun was soft and syrupy, the brownie was moist and chocolaty, and the ice cream was smooth and refreshing.

Behind the Scenes with Chef Vikas

Just when we thought the evening couldn’t get more memorable, Chef Vikas appeared like a culinary Gandalf and invited us into the kitchen. He walked us through their operations, showed us the separate grills for veg and non-veg, and gave us a peek into the organized chaos of a restaurant in full swing. It felt like being backstage at a rock concert—except with more cumin.

Apparently, not everyone gets the kitchen tour. We felt special. And slightly overfed.

A Snapshot of Satisfaction

As we wrapped up the evening, my dad clicked a photo of me—grinning, glowing, and possibly in a mild food coma. It captured the essence of the night: joy, indulgence, and the kind of satisfaction that only comes from grilled pineapple and good company.

Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and we enjoyed every bite of it. The service was prompt and courteous, the ambiance was cozy and lively, and the price was reasonable for the quality and quantity of food. I would definitely go back there again and try some other dishes. If you’re looking for a place to have a grilled dinner with your friends or family in New Delhi, you should check out BBQ Nation.