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SARAVANA BHAVAN

Updated

Phone: (212) 679-0204

Address: 81 LEXINGTON AVENUE 10016

TLDR

Authentic South Indian vegetarian fare incl. dosas & filter coffee. Humble yet delicious & affordable.

Reddit Sentiment for SARAVANA BHAVAN(based on 57 Reddit opinions)

56% Positive30% Neutral9% Negative

Achievements and Accolades

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Tags

south indian 48indian 41vegetarian 2dosa 29vegetarian 13south indian 11View All

Neighborhoods

Kips Bay

Details

This vegetarian South Indian restaurant, a chain originating from India, is a well-regarded spot in Manhattan for its authentic flavors and diverse menu. Known for its dosas, thalis, and filter coffee, it offers a humble yet delicious dining experience that appeals to both locals and visitors. It's a great option for a satisfying and reasonably priced meal, particularly for those seeking classic South Indian comfort food.

Food Overview

This vegetarian South Indian restaurant is praised for its dosas, filter coffee, and thali meals. While many recommend it for its authentic flavors and good value, some users find it to be a decent option but not as exceptional as other highly-rated South Indian establishments like Semma, particularly noting that the sambhar can be inferior.

Highlights / Recommended

"Dosas, filter coffee, thalis, sambhar, and pongal are frequently recommended dishes. The cheddar masala dosa and filter coffee are specifically highlighted."

Mentioned Dishes:

  • filter coffee(2)
  • dosa(2)

Customer Sentiment

Customers generally recommend this restaurant for its authentic South Indian vegetarian dishes, particularly dosas and filter coffee, often citing it as a great value.

Reddit Opinions & Reviews

Top Reddit Posts About SARAVANA BHAVAN

A user found the Mysore masala dosa and filter coffee to be reminiscent of home, though they noted it was on the expensive side.
A user who has eaten at both Semma and Saravana Bhavan multiple times states that Semma's dosa is of better quality but not worth the price, recommending Saravana Bhavan for its variety and value.
Saravanaa Bhavan is recommended as a solid choice for dosa, with one user suggesting it's a great spot for those with South Indian partners.
Multiple users recommend Saravanaa Bhavan as a highly recommended vegetarian Indian dining option in NYC.
This restaurant is suggested as a place to get good South Indian food, specifically mentioning their thali.
Saravana Bhavan is recommended for mild Indian food, with a user noting that flavor should not be confused with heat.
A user recommends Saravana Bhavan for its vegetarian options and states it's a good spot for lunch.
Saravanaa Bhavan was suggested for its Thali meals, which are typically served in large, varied portions.

Recent Reddit Mentions

From post: Spiciest Vegetarian Dishes In Nyc

"Mysore dosa at SARAVANAA BHAVAN is listed as a recommendation for spicy food."

Positive
Apr 24, 2026View Comment →

From post: Need Urgent Reccos For Home Cooked Indian Food

"This user provided a link to Saravanaa Bhavan's website, noting it's not quite Times Square but likely relevant."

Positive
Apr 15, 2026View Comment →

From post: Where Can I Get Rose Milk Indian In Nyc

"The user mentioned Saravana Bhavan as a place that has Rose milk. However, they could not confirm the quality of the drink there."

Neutral
Apr 15, 2026View Comment →

From post: Indiannepali Food Recommendations

"Saravanaa Bhavan is described as a chain of South Indian restaurants originating from India, known for humble but delicious vegetarian food like dosas and pongal."

Positive
Apr 8, 2026View Comment →

From post: Recently Moved To Nyc From Houston So Far Im

"Saravanaa Bhavan is recommended for dosa and idly, especially for those with South Indian partners."

Positive
Apr 1, 2026View Comment →

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 →