Bindaas Gärtnerplatz is at Rumfordstraße 5, near the Viktualienmarkt. We went with friends and returned for a second visit. The veg biryani, served in a clay pot under a layer of naan, was our standout dish. Go here if you’re after a lively dinner where you can order a few plates for the table. This is our review of the Gärtnerplatz branch. Bindaas Gärtnerplatz
Updated
What was Bindaas like on our visits?
From Rumfordstraße, I saw pale stone, a white sign and a few tables outside. I could have walked past thinking it was another quiet dining room. At the door there was Bollywood music, then a neon Namaste over the bar and a tuk-tuk that had been made in India. That’s where I realised we’d picked somewhere different for dinner. We went with friends, which meant I got to try more than I would have ordered for myself. On our second visit we talked to Sinkus, one of the owners. He explained the name; next time I see something cool, I know what to say.
I liked the idea of starting with something to drink and a couple of snacks rather than ordering a curry and going straight home. There were cocktails, fresh juices and lemonades to go with the samosas, pakoras and grills. The food below is what we ordered on those visits in 2022. Check the Gärtnerplatz menu for what’s on today.
What did we order?
Gobi Manchuria and black daal
The Gobi Manchuria is the dish I’d put in the middle and tell people to stop talking for a minute. The cauliflower reminded me of Korean popcorn chicken: crunchy, tangy and hot, with more chilli than I was expecting from the look of it. Eat the first piece while it’s still crisp and hot. This was one of the dishes where it helped to have a few friends at the table.
When the House Black Daal arrived, I was surprised it wasn’t anywhere near the midnight-black colour I’d imagined. Then I tasted it. The sauce was thick and creamy and the lentils had a depth I hadn’t expected. The colour was the least interesting thing about it once I’d taken a bite. I’d order it again with something to scoop it up.
Veg biryani, rice and butter chicken
Our veg biryani came in a clay pot with a charred layer of naan on top. Break the bread to let the steam and the spice out. This was the dish I kept looking at while we passed the plates around. The plain rice was fine while it was hot, then a little dry after a few spoonfuls. If I had to choose one rice dish again, I’d order the biryani.
The butter chicken was thick and creamy, and I could still pick out the spices. When we spoke to Sinkus, he told us they used honey rather than sugar in the sauce. That explained the rounded taste we got from it on that visit. Ask the restaurant about the current ingredients if there’s something you need to avoid.
Badami chai
We were too full for pudding. I had my eye on the mango pudding and the kulfi, so I made a mental note for another visit. What I did have was Badami chai. It reminded me of a little cappuccino in the way it arrived, with almond, cardamom and a sprinkling of pistachio. That’s the finish I’d choose if I wanted something sweet and warm without trying to find space for another plate.
Who would we go back with?
I’d go back with friends who want to pass dishes around, or with somebody who likes a lively room on a date. We had lived in Asia for a long time and were used to more heat, so some dishes were milder than we’d have chosen. Sinkus said to ask if we wanted something hotter. If you care about the spice level, ask when you order. That’s more useful than deciding the whole menu will be too mild or too hot.
For a table of friends, I’d start with the cauliflower, leave space for the black daal and share the biryani. That gives you something crisp, something slow and rich, and a dish to open together when it arrives. We paid roughly €6 for a starter and €15 for a main when I first wrote about it in 2022. Check the current menu for what you’ll spend. The reason I’d order to share is that the portions were generous enough for us to try a few things without everybody needing a starter and a main of their own.
Where is Bindaas and how do you book?
The Gärtnerplatz restaurant is at Rumfordstraße 5, 80469 Munich. From the Viktualienmarkt, head towards Gärtnerplatz. Reichenbachplatz is a tram stop nearby. Use the MVV journey planner to check the best route from where you’re staying.
- Monday to Friday: 11:30 to 14:30 and 17:30 to 23:00.
- Saturday: 12:00 to 23:00.
- Sunday: 17:30 to 23:00.
Use the Gärtnerplatz booking page or call +49 89 82030032. Bindaas also lists a Werksviertel restaurant, so check the location before booking. Branch hours and contact · Bindaas locations
If you’re making a day of the area, see our Viktualienmarkt guide.