Vegetarian restaurant

SARAVANAA BHAVAN

Kips BayManhattan

4.2· 5,087 reviewsClosed nowVegetarian
SARAVANAA BHAVAN — vegetarian restaurant — in Kips Bay — Manhattan — NYC
SARAVANAA BHAVAN interior — Kips Bay

Kips Bay

Manhattan

The brief

About SARAVANAA BHAVAN

4.2-star Kips Bay South Indian vegetarian spot with 5,087 reviews, known for dosas, idlis, and traditional plant-based dishes from an established international chain.

Community Rating

4.2

out of 5

5,087 community reviews

Rating aggregated from community reviews across platforms. Read full reviews on Google or Yelp for detailed diner experiences.

Community-sourced rating

Reviews

What diners say about SARAVANAA BHAVAN

15 verified Google reviews

4.9

15 reviews

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Purusotham Sai Ramayya MoturuLocal guide
a week ago

It was raining, and we were craving some good tiffin, so we decided to visit Saravanaa Bhavan. The staff were very friendly and welcoming. Our server, Raj, was especially helpful and suggested some great items from the menu.<br><br>Based on his recommendation, we ordered mirchi bhajji, puri, mini idly, and thali. Everything was amazing! The idly was extremely soft, and the sambar was truly delicious. The highlight of the meal was definitely the thali, it was so good that I finished everything on the plate. No comments for thalli.<br><br>Overall, it was an extraordinary experience with great food and excellent service. A special thanks to Raj for his wonderful recommendations. Highly recommended!<br><br>Didn't get a chance to take other pics as we are so hungry😅😅😅.

Serene PowersLocal guide
2 months ago

Went to this restaurant for South Indian food with my friends.<br>The food was delicious!<br>We ordered Marsala Dosa, Mango Lassi, Biryani, Thali, all were excellent and flavorful!<br><br>Will definitely come here again!<br>Highly recommended.

Anushika BalaLocal guide
2 months ago

Had such a wonderful experience here! The food was absolutely delicious especially the dosa, which was amazing and full of flavor.<br><br>A special mention to Raj, our waiter, who was incredibly friendly, attentive, and made us feel so welcome throughout the visit. His service really made a difference!<br><br>The environment is cozy and inviting, and the people here are genuinely warm and kind. Overall, such a great place to enjoy good food and great company.<br><br>Highly recommend and would definitely visit again!

Tanvi DesaiLocal guide
Edited 3 months ago

Great South Indian comfort food. The pav bhaji was rich and buttery with nicely toasted bread. The Mysore masala dosa came perfectly crispy with a flavorful kick from the chutney, and even the plain dosa was fresh, light, and satisfying. The mirchi bhaji was crunchy, not greasy, and had just the right level of heat.<br>Solid quality, tasty chutneys and sambar I’d happily come back.

Sagar GosaviLocal guide
4 months ago

As they have put up rightly on there sign board, It's undoubtedly the best Indian Vegetarian Restaurant in New York at least. And they have restaurants in the same name in other countries as well. It's a mid size Restaurant so sometimes you have to wait till you get the table. Every Dish here has great authentic Indian taste. That's why perhaps it's always crowded. All the south Indian dishes like many types of dosas, idlis, medu vada along with south Indian Thali & Pav Bhaji too. A paradise for Indian food lovers. You should try there Madras Filter Coffee.👌👌 Loved this place...we went there for dinner & again for breakfast also. 👍🏻😍😍

Alexis GoncalvesLocal guide
4 months ago

Stopped by for lunch and the masala dosa really hit the spot – crispy outside, perfectly spiced potato filling. Also tried the rose milk, which was refreshingly sweet and a nice complement to the meal. Service was quick and the place has a casual, no-frills vibe that works well for South Indian comfort food. Definitely worth a visit if you're craving authentic vegetarian fare.

Mandeep SinghLocal guide
4 months ago

One of the best dosas in NYC.<br>Perfectly crispy, authentic, and consistently good across all Saravanaa Bhavan locations. The chutneys and sambar taste just like back home. Always a reliable spot for real South Indian food.🥘

Sneha JoshiLocal guide
5 months ago

Saravanaa Bhavan is not just a restaurant—it’s a feeling that’s hard to put into words. The moment you walk in, there’s a sense of familiarity and comfort, especially if you’ve grown up with South Indian food. It instantly takes you back home—early morning breakfasts, hot dosas, the aroma of ghee, sambar simmering, and simple, soulful meals made with love.<br>The food tastes exactly the way it should—authentic, consistent, and comforting. Every bite feels nostalgic, reminding you why Saravanaa Bhavan has earned its name across the world. There’s no unnecessary fusion or overdoing—just honest South Indian flavors served the way they’ve always been.<br>For many of us living away from home, this place isn’t just about eating—it’s about connection, memories, and comfort. A meal here feels like a warm hug from home. Truly deserving of 5 stars, every single time.

Rakshanda H ALocal guide
5 months ago

Saravanaa Bhavan in Manhattan brings an authentic taste of South India to the city. The restaurant is simple and clean, with the focus entirely on the food. The dosas are crisp and flavorful, served with sambar and a variety of chutneys, while the idlis are soft and comforting. The thali is generous, offering a mix of curries, rice, and sides that let you sample a bit of everything.<br><br>The restaurant can get crowded, and service is sometimes slow, but the food makes it worth the wait. For anyone craving traditional South Indian vegetarian dishes, Saravanaa Bhavan delivers authentic flavors that feel both satisfying and nostalgic.

Sukesh SathyamoorthyLocal guide
5 months ago

Excellent chilli rava onion dosa, crisp and flavourful, very reminiscent of classic Tamil Nadu style. The sambar is proper tiffin style, comforting and homely, and the chutneys are well balanced and fresh.<br>Parotta with kurma tastes just like the Chennai outlets, soft layered parotta with a nicely spiced kurma that feels familiar and authentic. The rose milk is refreshing and well made, a good way to end the meal.<br>Overall, a very satisfying South Indian meal that stays true to traditional flavours.

ChintuLocal guide
5 months ago

The place is nice and clean and located close to Times Square. Parking can be a bit difficult to find, but the food is fresh and tastes really good. I highly recommend the masala dosa and the podi dosa (spicy) — both were excellent.<br><br>Finish it off with their best filter coffee. The staff is friendly, and overall it’s a great place that I would definitely recommend.

Debisree RayLocal guide
5 months ago

Saravanaa Bhavan is one of the most well-known Chennai-based South Indian vegetarian restaurant chains, with locations all over the world, including New York and New Jersey. I visited this New York location, and as always, it was buzzing with a mixed crowd — not just Indians, but many non-Indians who clearly love the food here too.<br><br>They primarily serve classic Tamil-style South Indian dishes like dosa, idli, uttapam, rasam, sambar, and thalis. We went on a cold day around lunchtime and luckily got a table right away. I started with a bowl of rasam, and it was perfect — hot, tangy, comforting, and exactly what I needed as I wasn’t feeling my best. It came with papadum and felt truly rejuvenating. I also had a cup of filter coffee, which was rich, creamy, and strong — just how South Indian coffee should be.<br><br>For the main meal, we ordered masala dosa with potato filling and gunpowder kind of podi sprinkled on top, along with an onion dosa. Both were served with multiple chutneys and sambar, everything piping hot, fresh, flavorful, and made with quality ingredients. It was hearty, filling, and absolutely satisfying — even if it’s definitely carb-loaded!<br><br>Overall, it was a really wonderful experience. If you love authentic South Indian vegetarian food, this place is definitely worth a visit.

SUMIT SINHALocal guide
5 months ago

I recently tried the Upma and Vada with Sambar and Chutney at Saravanaa Bhavan in New York, and here’s my honest take:<br>The upma was warm and comforting, with a nice, subtle blend of spices and soft texture—perfect for breakfast or a light meal. The vada arrived crispy on the outside yet soft inside, and when dipped into the sambar, the flavors came alive with that classic South Indian tang and spice. The chutneys (coconut and tomato-style) added a refreshing contrast that balanced the savory dishes well.<br>Overall, the meal felt authentic and satisfying—a good example of South Indian vegetarian cuisine in Manhattan. The restaurant has a relaxed casual vibe and is a popular choice for traditional favorites like dosas, chutneys, and filter coffee too.

VBLocal guide
6 months ago

Excellent as always! The food was delicious and the service was great.<br><br>We had ordered ghee roast masala dosa, dahi vada, milagaipodi masala dosa (spicy), and obviously filter coffee. The dosas were crispy and fresh,and the coffee was spot on.<br><br>The menu is pretty descriptive and is properly marked about spice levels, vegan and gluten free options. It’s perfect for first time visitors as well.<br><br>Highly recommended!

Komal Nerurkar
7 months ago

Came with a group of 20 and had delicious food and incredible service. The food arrived very quickly and we tried many dishes - appetizers, dosas, and desserts - and all were great. We all really enjoyed the Mini Idlis, Masala Dosas, and the Rasmalai.

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