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SARAVANA BHAVAN

Updated

Phone: (212) 684-7755

Address: 81 LEXINGTON AVENUE 10016

TLDR

Authentic veg South Indian eats & coffee w/ lots of dosa options.

Reddit Sentiment for SARAVANA BHAVAN(based on 56 Reddit opinions)

54% Positive32% Neutral9% Negative

Achievements and Accolades

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Tags

south indian 45indian 37vegetarian 2dosa 26vegetarian 11indian food 8View All

Neighborhoods

Kips Bay

Details

A widely recognized vegetarian South Indian chain, Saravana Bhavan offers a consistent dining experience across its multiple Manhattan locations. Renowned for its flavorful and authentic dishes, it's a popular choice for both locals and visitors seeking a taste of South India. The restaurant is particularly celebrated for its extensive dosa selection and aromatic filter coffee.

Food Overview

Saravana Bhavan is a vegetarian South Indian restaurant. It is highly recommended for its wide variety of dosas, filter coffee, and thali meals. While some find it to be a great value and a satisfying option, others have noted that the Manhattan location may not be as exceptional as other branches or competitors like Semma, particularly concerning the dosa and sambhar quality. Despite this, it's considered a solid choice for those seeking South Indian flavors in Manhattan.

Highlights / Recommended

"The restaurant is widely recommended for its wide variety of dosas, filter coffee, and thali meals. Specific mentions include Mysore masala dosa, cheddar masala dosa, sambhar, and pods."

Mentioned Dishes:

  • filter coffee(2)

Customer Sentiment

Customers generally praise Saravana Bhavan for its authentic South Indian vegetarian cuisine and value, with many recommending it as a reliable choice for flavorful meals.

Reddit Opinions & Reviews

Top Reddit Posts About SARAVANA BHAVAN

Several users recommend Saravanaa Bhavan for South Indian food, specifically mentioning their thali and dosa options as good and affordable choices.
A lengthy discussion comparing Semma and Saravana Bhavan for dosas. Some users find Semma's dosa higher quality but more expensive, while others prefer Saravana Bhavan for its variety, value, and chutney. Some users express that Saravana Bhavan is a solid, go-to option for dosa in Manhattan.
Saravanaa Bhavan is recommended multiple times as a great vegetarian Indian dining option in NYC.
This restaurant is highlighted as a go-to comfort food spot, praised for its sambhar and pods, making it ideal for cold weather. It's also recommended as a good choice for South Indian food.
Saravanaa Bhavan is recommended for Indian food, with a specific suggestion to try their dosa. Another commenter confirms it's a solid choice for dosa.
Saravana Bhavan is recommended as a South Indian vegetarian restaurant, and also suggested as a good choice for mild Indian food where flavor is prioritized over heat.
A user found the Mysore masala dosa and filter coffee to be reminiscent of home, though noted it was expensive. Another comment recommended the restaurant.
Users suggest this restaurant as a potential option for a vegetarian sampler plate and point out that it is a vegetarian establishment.

Recent Reddit Mentions

From post: New South Indian Rest Annapurna Bhavan How Is It

"The Saravana Bhavan on Lexington Avenue in New York City is rated as an 'alright' option for South Indian food by the reviewer, who holds the Ganesha Temple in Flushing as the gold standard for authenticity."

Neutral
Mar 24, 2026View Comment →

From post: Any Good Lunches Around Madison Square Park

"Saravanaa Bhavan is praised for its solid Dosa."

Positive
Mar 20, 2026View Comment →

From post: Any Good Lunches Around Madison Square Park

"Saravanaa Bhavan is listed as a good lunch option near Madison Square Park."

Positive
Mar 20, 2026View Comment →

From post: Where Do Indians Like To Get Their Indian Food

"This user lists Saravanaa Bhavan as a go-to spot for Indian food."

Positive
Mar 14, 2026View Comment →

From post: Is There Such A Thing As Great Mild Indian Food

"Saravana Bhavan was suggested as a good choice for mild Indian food, with a note that flavor should not be mistaken for heat."

Positive
Feb 11, 2026View Comment →

From post: Is There Such A Thing As Great Mild Indian Food

"Saravana Bhavan was recommended as a South Indian vegetarian restaurant, suggesting its cuisine is often less spicy and complex."

Positive
Feb 11, 2026View Comment →

From post: Kips Bay Just Need A Little Oasis In This Desert

"The user had Saravanaa for the first time recently and found it amazing."

Positive
Jan 29, 2026View Comment →

From post: Kips Bay Just Need A Little Oasis In This Desert

"Saravanaa Bhavana is highlighted as a go-to comfort food spot, especially for its sambhar and pods, perfect for cold weather."

Positive
Jan 29, 2026View Comment →

From post: Kips Bay Just Need A Little Oasis In This Desert

"Saravanaa is recommended as an Indian food option in the Kips Bay area, known for its dosas."

Positive
Jan 28, 2026View Comment →

From post: Which Breakout Cuisine Would You Like To See In

"This user mentioned Saravanaa Bhavan as a decent option for South Indian food, while also noting a lack of diverse options in the cuisine category."

Neutral
Dec 31, 2025View Comment →

From post: Great Eats For A Picky Teen

"Saravanaa Bhavan is a recommended spot for Southern Indian cuisine."

Positive
Dec 29, 2025View Comment →

From post: Places Similar To Carmines

"Saravanaa Bhavan was suggested for its Thali meals, which are typically served in large, varied portions."

Positive
Dec 22, 2025View Comment →

From post: Where Are You Going Out To Eat These Days Without

"Saravanaa Bhavan was listed as a restaurant the user loves and finds affordable, as part of a broader discussion on budget-friendly eating in NYC."

Positive
Nov 11, 2025View Comment →

From post: Two Nights In Nyc Looking For Spanish Tapas And

"This is a casual, all-vegetarian, South Indian chain from India with multiple Manhattan locations. The user found it great for lunch, reasonably priced, and impressive to visitors."

Positive
Nov 2, 2025View Comment →

From post: Where In Nyc Can You Eat With Your Hands

"This commenter confirmed Saravanaa Bhavan is a solid choice for dosa."

Positive
Oct 28, 2025View Comment →

From post: Where Would I Get South Indian Best Filter Coffee

"The filter coffee at Saravana Bhavan is considered decent but not the best."

Neutral
Oct 27, 2025View Comment →

From post: Where In Nyc Can You Eat With Your Hands

"This commenter suggested that making homemade dosa is fun and easy, recommending a potato and onion filling with dal on the side."

Neutral
Oct 24, 2025View Comment →

From post: Where In Nyc Can You Eat With Your Hands

"The original poster expressed enthusiasm for trying Saravana Bhavan after the recommendation for Indian food."

Positive
Oct 24, 2025View Comment →

From post: Where In Nyc Can You Eat With Your Hands

"This commenter recommended Saravana Bhavan for Indian food, specifically suggesting trying a dosa."

Positive
Oct 24, 2025View Comment →

From post: Indian Cuisine In Manhattan

"Saravana Bhavan is considered okay, but it fulfills the need for South Indian food when one doesn't want to travel to Queens."

Neutral
Oct 13, 2025View Comment →