(212) 684-7755

81 Lexington Ave (26th Street)
New York, NY 10016 40.7414 -73.9833

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Neighborhoods: Kips Bay, Midtown

SARAVANABHAVAN.COM

Hours:

Mon-Fri 8:30am-3pm, 5:30pm-10pm

Sat-Sun 8:30am-10:30pm

Last updated 5.13.12

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Lunch Spot, Cheap Eats

Cuisine:

Vegan, Vegetarian, Indian

Reviews & Ratings for Saravanaas Bhavan

4 Star Rating: Recommended

25 reviews

What users are saying:

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Reviews from:
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/06/11

The best South Indian in NYC.

by vladya

This is the best South Indian eatery in New York.

I highly recommend getting Medhu Vada as a starter followed by either Mini Meals, Thali or Masala Dosa(or any other of the many they have) and Masala chai of course.

I've been eating almost exclusively Indian food for many years, having lived in Jackson Heights for years, i can tell you - this place is one of the few best ones in New York. If you think that East 6th street has any good Indian eateries - you don't know authentic Indian food. The crowd says it all, this place gets packed with Indians. And the staff has been great in my experience, especially female staff :) no, both actually.

I currently reside in South Korea and this is the place i miss the most.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/19/11

Delicious food!

by GoDuke

Had a great couple of vegetarian dishes and a bottle of mine. I'd definitely recommend this Indian restaurant and will be back again.

1 Star Rating: Poor

02/07/10

Disappointing ~ Not much to Expect

by mpatel1950

Some people told me to check out Saravanaas....so I went. The food was "okay". It truly could have been much better. Not to my expectations, and I've been a lot of restaurants in Little India. Some MUCH better choices in the area.

  • Pros: Nice Place to Hang out
  • Cons: Overrated
1 Star Rating: Poor

04/01/09

PLEASE DON'T GO HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by frequentdiner12

This was THE worst dining experience of my life!! Put aside the fact that I was ignored by my waiter, the busboy and a man who seemed like the manager when I asked for a plate (I literally had to go to the kitchen and get it myself, seriously?), the creepy crawlies I saw in the establishment, and the mediocre food served in this place, I will never ever ever return. I was warned about this place, and even heard a few people making complaints as I was being seated and I still ate there-boy, am I sorry!! Please heed my warning and stay away-with the variety of restaurants in the area it would be a shame to give even a dime to this place-please spare yourself and your wallet and go elsewhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Pros: the area-plenty of OTHER restaurants to choose from
  • Cons: everything
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/10/09

Satisfaction

by RomeoFoxtrot

I came here for dinner on a cold night recently and had one of the most overall satisfying meals I've had in a while. After about twenty minutes of pouring over the menu, I settled on the mini tiffen, a meal with assortment of sample on it including a small version of one of the potato filled dosas, the rava kichidi (one of the rice dishes), and a few other chutneys, as well as daal. I had a small Taj Mahal beer, which in addition to the onion raita, helped to temper some of the heat from one of the spicier condiments. All the main dishes are served on these great divided metal plates. Alll in all I found the meal to be very balanced in terms of flavors and textures. The cold Taj Mahal really went perfectly as well. Yum!

  • Pros: Great Food, Cold Beer
  • Cons: Bright! Odd signage inside.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/21/08

Great food

by snej

My favorite South Indian in the city. Authentic and delicious. Yes, service can be a bit uneven, but everyone is always pleasant, and the food and the prices more than compensate. I agree with the reviewer who suggested going to Tabla or Devi if you want very polished service. If food is your thing, this place is it.

  • Pros: food and value
  • Cons: as others have mentioned, the crowds
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/16/08

best indian food and great service

by jason0987654

they have the best indian food in nyc ,any time when u go this people are packed always there is a long wait for this restuarant but it makes lot of sense we had been seated because there food is great and the service is fantastic even though they are packed the waiters are freindly and sweet ,they are really fast ,you all have to try there south indian thali and there dry fruit rava dosa .

  • Pros: great service and best food
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/27/08

great food for great prices

by siroliveoil

i love this place. amazing vegetarian indian food. so much taste. i found this place on citysearch when i was looking for breakfast.

cant wait to come again.

  • Pros: indian vegetarian delicious food
  • Cons: none
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/19/08

Authentic, tasty and inexpensive

by Raogiorgi

I've been to Saravanaas several times and have found the food to be authentic and delish. Definitely worth a shot and appeals to both desis and non-desis alike. The service is business-like and not the most hospitable; but you get what you pay for. You can eat an enormous amount for $20. It can get super-crowded and noisy. Best to go early (say 6 or 6.30pm for dinner and 11/11.30 for brunch or lunch).

  • Pros: Price, location, authenticity
  • Cons: Lackadaisical service, noisy
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/18/08

Love the food!

by Newyorking

I have had breakfast and lunch here, and dinner pick-up, and this is by far my favorite South Indian restaurant. The food is authentic and tasty. The service is not bad either - but then I have never been here on weekends. I highly recommend this place for the food. The ambience is not bad either - there is usually a long wait during lunch especially in the summer, but the trick is to get there at the right time when there are fewer people. I have never had a bad experience here, and love the food. The only negative part is the Indian tea - it is not perfect, and tends to be very strong.

  • Pros: Food

Showing 1-10 of 20 reviews

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