About Thlaiwala

Thaliwala is a fast casual concept of Indian and Nepali cuisine that specializes in Thali - a traditional and diverse platter of small dishes served on a large plate. Our Thalis will provide a culinary journey through the diverse flavors of the Indian subcontinent, featuring a selection of curries, rice, breads, chutneys, and more.
 
While the literal meaning of thali in Hindi is “plate”, in India and Nepal it represents so much more. The thali represents balance. Balance of vegetables. Balance of meats. Balance of spices. A bounty of delectable delicacies, from vegetarian to non-vegetarian, the Thali is a feast for all the senses. Each Thali is a curated collection of flavors and ingredients, designed to tantalize your taste buds and offer a taste of the rich cultural heritage of India and Nepal.

After twelve years of running Gorkha Palace in Northeast Minneapolis, business partners Rashmi Bhattachan and Sarala Kattel have come up with this new concept which is a fast casual Indian Nepali restaurant. The Covid Pandemic also made them pivot into offering the delectable dishes in a fast casual format. While Gorkha Palace, their first restaurant in Northeast Minneapolis will continue to serve its regular menu that consists of organic ingredients sourced from sustainable agriculture, Thaliwala will be offering a range of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, so there's something for everyone. Our menu is designed to be shared, making it the perfect option for families, friends, and groups.
 
 
Whether you're looking for a quick lunch or a more leisurely dining experience, Thaliwala offers a warm and inviting atmosphere that's perfect for any occasion. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be happy to guide you through our menu and help you choose the perfect Thali to suit your tastes.

So why not come and discover the flavors of the Indian subcontinent today?

Meet the owners

Rashmi
Bhattachan

Rashmi grew up in the mountainous city of Pokara in Nepal. She is passionate about cooking and loves to share her culinary delights with family, friends, relatives and loyal customers. Her passion for cooking was instilled in her by her grandmothers. She started her entrepreneurial journey with a small food stall at the Mill City Farmers Market selling MoMo and Curries. She plans to continue the market’s tradition of promoting local farms, organic and fresh high quality ingredients. Rashmi holds a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management and a Masters Degree in Business Management .

Sarala Kattel

Sarala brings over Twenty years of professional restaurant experience with her to Gorkha Palace. She was the head chef of many popular Nepali/Indian restaurants. She started out as a prep cook and moved her way up in the restaurant world, and is adept at developing a variety of menus and dishes. She is passionate about cooking and serving good food with utmost regard in food safety. Her delicious meals leave a lasting impression on her customers  always wanting to come back again and again to try another dish.