Authentic South Indian veg. Dosa & filter coffee faves. Reliable & affordable taste of home.
This vegetarian South Indian chain, originating from India, offers a taste of home for many. Known for its extensive menu, it's a reliable spot for classic dishes like dosa and filter coffee. While generally well-regarded for its value and accessibility, some find the Manhattan location not quite on par with its New Jersey counterpart or other highly-acclaimed South Indian restaurants in the city.
This restaurant specializes in South Indian vegetarian cuisine. Fan favorites include various types of dosas and filter coffee. While many find the food to be a comforting and authentic taste of home, some users note that the quality may not match that of more upscale or specialized South Indian restaurants, with specific mentions of the sambhar being a point of comparison.
"Dosas, filter coffee, and thali meals are frequently recommended by patrons. The sambhar and chutney also receive mentions as highlights."
Customers generally recommend this vegetarian South Indian restaurant for its authentic flavors and value. However, some reviews suggest it doesn't quite reach the same heights as other top-tier South Indian establishments in the city.
Important Note
Some reviews suggest that the Manhattan location may not be as good as other branches, and some find the prices to be on the higher side for certain dishes, particularly dosas, when compared to other establishments.
"Saravana Bhavan was suggested as a good choice for mild Indian food, with a note that flavor should not be mistaken for heat."
Positive"Saravana Bhavan was recommended as a South Indian vegetarian restaurant, suggesting its cuisine is often less spicy and complex."
Positive"The user had Saravanaa for the first time recently and found it amazing."
Positive"Saravanaa Bhavana is highlighted as a go-to comfort food spot, especially for its sambhar and pods, perfect for cold weather."
Positive"Saravanaa is recommended as an Indian food option in the Kips Bay area, known for its dosas."
Positive"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"Saravanaa Bhavan is a recommended spot for Southern Indian cuisine."
Positive"Saravanaa Bhavan was suggested for its Thali meals, which are typically served in large, varied portions."
Positive"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"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"This commenter confirmed Saravanaa Bhavan is a solid choice for dosa."
Positive"The filter coffee at Saravana Bhavan is considered decent but not the best."
Neutral"This commenter suggested that making homemade dosa is fun and easy, recommending a potato and onion filling with dal on the side."
Neutral"The original poster expressed enthusiasm for trying Saravana Bhavan after the recommendation for Indian food."
Positive"This commenter recommended Saravana Bhavan for Indian food, specifically suggesting trying a dosa."
Positive"Saravana Bhavan is considered okay, but it fulfills the need for South Indian food when one doesn't want to travel to Queens."
Neutral"This user mentions going to Saravana Bhavan for dosas during night classes at Baruch, implying it was a convenient and regular choice."
Neutral"This user, who liked Adda and Dharmaka, found Semma to be overpriced Indian food for the West Village. They prefer Saravana Bhavan for their go-to dosa in Manhattan."
Positive"While acknowledging Semma's dosa is good, this user highlights that its sambar is incredible and prefers Murder Bhavan's (Saravana Bhavan) chutney. Semma is better for groups wanting unique dishes, while Saravana Bhavan is for classic lunches."
Negative"This user believes Semma's dosa is significantly better than Saravana Bhavan's, though Saravana Bhavan's is still not bad. They compare the pricing to pasta dishes, suggesting it's acceptable to pay more for an excellent dosa."
Neutral
