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Take away or eat in person?

This is a common question that plagues most people living in an urban area, especially when it comes to dishes such as Chinese food, burgers, and Indian food.

Both eat-in and takeaway options for Indian cuisine offer rich flavours, which can push enjoyment up to the next level. However, if you are a fan of takeaways, you may miss out on a whole new eating experience- eating an Indian meal in a restaurant.

Why might this be a more enjoyable option?

Photo by Chan Walrus

Authentic Dining Experience

When you opt to eat out at an Indian restaurant, like Urban Tandoor, you have the chance to immerse yourself in the entire experience.

This includes the ambiance, the décor, the music, and the waiting staff's excellent service. All Indian restaurants also provide a warm and welcoming setting, which you can't get with takeaways!

Fresher Food

It has happened to everyone at least once. You order a takeaway or delivery, and the food arrives cold due to traffic or staff delays. Or, in the case of some Indian food, it can lose its texture and crispness.

Another benefit of eating in a restaurant is that you get the food served fresh and hot. This will ensure it's tasty, crispy, and, of course, that it doesn't lose any flavour. What's not to like about that?

Interaction

Takeaways are now, primarily, ordered from apps.

This is convenient, but it removes the in-person interaction, which can cause isolation in some people.

When you dine at a restaurant, you have the opportunity to engage with staff, which will enhance your meal. For some, this can involve the staff making serving suggestions, talking about new dishes you may never have heard of, as well as suggesting pairings for the food. This can enhance the meal, and allow you to explore a wider range of taste combinations, that you simply cannot get with a takeaway option.

Enjoying a Social Experience

When you eat at any restaurant, there will likely be other people there with you, whether it is your family, a date, or a group of friends. This enhances the experience and allows for a more communal aspect of dining, which you can get with takeaways, but it is somewhat limited.

Indian food is often designed to be shared between multiple people, which can bolster conversation and connection. In many cases, a person who orders a takeaway is likelier to do so alone, which can be isolating and hinder social interaction.

Cost

OK, so it may seem that eating in a restaurant is more expensive than ordering takeaway food, but in actuality, it is often cheaper. There are no delivery charges, no need to wrapping the food up in packaging, and, of course, the cost of eating takeaways is not only financial. These options tend to be heavy in both salts and sugars, as preservatives, which are often missing from in-house cooked food, meaning you don't have to pay for delicious food by putting your health at risk.