Mandala Kitchen & Bar

Best steak in Austin. I’m not even joking.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

probably amongst the best fried rices i’ve had, really really really good

Food: 5

Mandala Kitchen & Bar is such a gem! The food is flavorful and beautifully presented, with a great mix of traditional and modern dishes. The atmosphere feels warm and stylish, perfect for both a nice dinner out or a relaxed evening with friends. The staff is attentive and welcoming, and the drinks are just as impressive as the food. Overall, it’s a wonderful spot for delicious food and great vibes in Austin.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

The pad Thai it’s great!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

So glad we stopped in. A really charming neighborhood spot!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Get the ribeye steak with rice I’m an addict I get this a few times a week!! Do eeet!

The Pho was Phonomenal!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food here is always excellent, rice plates, curry bowls, noodle plates, they are all amazing. Never once have I had a dish come out subpar! Delicious vegan options too. Not only is the food reason enough to come back, but the service is great every time. Vinnie is the absolute best!! Mandala has such an inviting atmosphere, also one of the few places in the area open late. Eat here!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Literally so underrated I love the edamame garlic and the the middle dish hits home. For the location quick service and attention to detail I love this place catch me here at least once a month if not more

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I placed an order at 12:00 PM after confirming the restaurant was open, and scheduled it for pickup at 1:45 PM. Not only was my order accepted and paid for, but when I arrived at the scheduled time, the restaurant was closed despite it being within their posted business hours and with someone visibly inside. I attempted to call multiple times both after placing the order and upon arrival, but received no response. DO NOT place online orders, I am still trying to get my money refunded.

Rating: 4.2/5 [Postmates delivery]

Mini Rice Pancakes ($12): Turmeric rice batter, ground pork, shrimp, and mung bean, served with two sauces: coconut cream and house special sauce. I’ve never had this dish with coconut cream as a sauce—it had a thinner consistency and was salted, which made it really interesting. The house special sauce is similar to fish sauce. The pancakes stayed crispy, and you can taste the turmeric. The shrimp was slightly overcooked, but it’s not a big deal when you’re dunking the pancakes into the sauces. The coconut cream sauce is especially unique—the sweet and savory combination kept me coming back for more.

Crispy Rice Pie ($12): Crispy rice crust, egg, dried shrimp, dried shredded pork, honey green onions, white truffle, and house special sauce. The rice crust was crunchy and made a great base for all the toppings. I poured the house special sauce over the pie, which brought all the flavors together. I’m usually not a fan of dried shrimp, but this one didn’t have a strong smell or taste, so it was fine. My husband loved the honey green onions. This appetizer is on the heavier side because of the rice—I was pretty full after just a quarter slice.

Cajun Fried Rice ($20): Crawfish tails, hickory-smoked pork and beef sausage, egg, sweet corn, sweet onion, scallion, and Cajun spices. I’d never had crawfish fried rice before, and it wasn’t bad. I’m not a huge crawfish fan, so it’s more of a try-once dish for me, but my husband really enjoyed it. You definitely get hits of Cajun spice, while everything else is more subtle and well-balanced.

Food: 4

I ordered a pick up from doordash it was the Cajun Fried Rice. The crawfish smelled like it was rancid, I've worked in restaurant's before, I understand the smell of spoiled seafood (And have gotten very sick trusting it before). The server asked me if I have ever had crawfish before condescendingly. I replied that I have had it multiple times. But the smell was strongly of sour seafood. They were nice enough to remake the dish with shrimp, but that also smelled the same way. I threw the entire dish out. The server said they had the seafood delivery that day, but I distrust the how much attention was taken to the odor of the seafood or if the chef didn't know or care. I won't go back again, and if the seafood was delivered that day assuming the server did know that and was telling the truth. Then my assumption is that I was given the leftover from the previous week's delivery. I did not return for a replacement order afterwards because of lack of trust.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 2

They say it opens at 4:30. It’s Thursday 4:43 and still place is closed. Wasted my time only :(

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 4

Service: 1

Great Curries! Consistently good food!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Tamarind Fish, Vietnamese Chicken Curry, Mama Phuong's Egg Rolls, Green, Yellow, Red, Truffle Edamame, Lemongrass Steak, Mini Pancakes, Mandala Chicken Wings

Eggrolls? Burned. Spring rolls? Meh. Pad thai? Literally no flavor.

Looking at past pictures, I don't know if they ran out of ingredients but the chicken looked like what you give your dog when their stomach is dicey and the noodles had no sauce on them.

I rarely write restaurant reviews for food quality alone but this is a special occasion.

Food: 1