Bharawan Da Dhabba
“An 11,000 km trip, just down the road”
Full disclosure. No matter how hard I try, there is no way to convey, just how spectacular my meal was at Bharawan Da Dhabba Indian Restaurant in Oliver, BC. Even by giving the best praise possible and the biggest endorsement I can, it would still be a disservice to the meal and experience I received from the family-run business.
When it was suggested that I go eat at Bharawan Da Dhabba I wholly expected it to be just another Indian restaurant serving the same main staples that everyone else serves but after walking into the restaurant and sitting down and appreciating the bright and energetic colourful walls, smell of fresh spices and a menu so large and diverse that I was feeling anxiety for the poor chef who’s job it was to memorize and produce each item with quality and speed.
I was greeted by the entire staff of Bharawan Da Dhabba who could not have been more polite or engaging to talk to. I was seated near a window and was told that the restaurant’s name, Bharawan Da Dhabba roughly translates to “The Brothers Eatery” as explained to me by chef/owner Rajiv Ghandi. Rajiv advised the name is in reference to both he and his brother Sushant Seth, opening a restaurant together and being proud of the family partnership it has produced.
Rajiv moved to Canada with his family in 2017 and originally lived in Penticton. He and his brother bought the former “Best of India Restaurant” in May 2024 as they were confident, they could offer authentic Punjab cuisine that would attract both locals and tourists alike and I can confirm that after eating the food at Bharawan Da Dhabba they were 100 per cent correct.
It was suggested to me that I try their version of butter chicken, chicken rogandosh and chicken tikka butter masala. I have had butter chicken hundreds of times, but I have never had chicken rogandosh or chicken tikka butter masala which is an even better version of normal tikka masala.
The two brothers behind the restaurant were confident, they could offer authentic Punjab cuisine that would attract both locals and tourists alike – and it appears they have succeeded 100 per cent says Sheldon Herman.
Sheldon Herman photo
As a chef, I have no idea, how they were able to get the chicken so tender, but still hold form without it shredding or falling apart. The butter chicken is their family’s version, and I would be happy if their version became the standard for butter chicken anywhere in the world.
The chicken tikka butter masala is a combination of flavours from both butter chicken and tikka masala, without the harsh spice that tikka masala can sometimes have. The chicken rogandosh will be for people who like that bold, “smack in the face” Indian flavour with a kick of spice. Then there is my absolute favourite part of Indian food. The naan bread.
Rajiv stated that his naan was the best anywhere around and people from India and Surrey have even said it’s their favourite. I was skeptical about this claim, but after eating two orders of garlic naan myself, I am also a believer that it’s the best garlic naan bread I’ve had anywhere.
At the beginning of this write-up, I said there was no way I could give Bharawan Da Dhabba the recognition or praise it deserves, and I stand by that, even after exceeding the length and word count I have to contend with. But the best praise and highest honour I can give it is that when my meal was done, I stood up and gave Chef Rajiv a big hug and even after the huge meal I had, I went back the next day and got four more orders of garlic naan bread, mango chicken curry (my new favourite) and another order of butter chicken.
Normally I end my articles with “And tell them Sheldon sent you” but in this case, there is no need, as you will probably see me sitting at a table trying one of the dozens of menu items that I still haven’t tried.
Bharawan Da Dhabba is located at 6390 Main St, Oliver, tel: 250-498-0872 or email [email protected]. The restaurant is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (10 p.m. Friday to Sunday).
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Sheldon Herman is the author of the international bestselling book The Tortured Traveller: How I Survived The Worst Vacation Ever and has travelled and dined in 60 different countries. Neither the writer nor the newspaper received financial compensation for this article, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the author. If you are a restaurant owner or have a suggestion for a restaurant to be featured, please send an email to [email protected].
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