Govinda's

On 28th November '24, I with my friends visited Govinda's, and it was a delightful experience. We came for praying and later had dinner over here. The peaceful ambiance and warm hospitality stood out. They serve pure vegetarian food without onion and garlic ( satvik food) , and the flavors were very rich and satisfying. The menu offered a variety of options, all thoughtfully prepared and delicious. I was impressed by flavors even away from home. The service was excellent, friendly, attentive, and never rushed, despite the restaurant being quite busy. Overall, Govinda's delivered great food, exceptional service, and a welcoming atmosphere. I highly recommend it for anyone seeking wholesome vegetarian cuisine in Toronto! And also it has Temple connected to it, so one can also seek blessings first and have food here.

𝙂𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙖’𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙜𝙚𝙢 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙮 "𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙫𝙞𝙠" 𝙫𝙚𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙘𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚, 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙧 𝙜𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙘. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙮 𝙛𝙡𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙚, 𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙩𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙛𝙪𝙡, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙛𝙛, 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙧𝙨, 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚. 𝙔𝙚𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙖 𝙗𝙞𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙞 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙞, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮, 𝙩𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩. 𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙡𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙙! 𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙀𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣 : )

I visited the restaurant today and was extremely disappointed with the pricing of the food. As a place associated with a temple, I expected the prices to be more reasonable and reflective of the values of the community, rather than being excessively high. Here’s a breakdown of what I ordered: Two tiny samosas and two tiny pakoras for $8 – which was completely unexpected for such small portions. We get samosa triple the size near my location in just $2 from a renowned restaurant. It's really unbelievable, a very small palak pakora in $2. Two kachoris for $8 – again, the price seemed excessive for the amount I received. A small portion of mixed sweets (just four pieces) for $7 – this felt overpriced for the quantity. I've gotten 5-6 pieces earlier, and I was so shocked that giving a good portion in this low price. Dry dhokla for $7 – the quality was not up to the mark. Altogether, I spent $30, which I feel is far too much for the quality and quantity of food provided. I understand that running a restaurant involves costs, but I truly believe that as a temple restaurant, the focus should be on making food affordable for the community rather than overcharging for very basic snacks. I hope you will reconsider your pricing strategy and look into offering better value for money. Many of us come to temple restaurants with the expectation of affordable, simple, and quality food, and unfortunately, my experience did not meet those expectations.

A calm, serene place to have lunch/dinner. The food is satvik, and some items are vegan. Really light on your stomach. The chapatis are so light that it feels you're eating at home. I had a thali and appetizer platter, and everything was so good, and service is really fast. There is no tax on items you pay the price for food only. Makes you feel full even if you feel the portions are decent and as per individual. Will definitely go again.

I used to be a big fan of Govinda’s at ISKCON Toronto and even left a 5-star review 8 months ago because the food, service, and overall experience were exceptional at the time. Unfortunately, my recent visits have been disappointing, as the quality, portions, and service have noticeably declined. 1. Reduced Portions and Limited Menu Options: Over the years, I’ve noticed a steady reduction in food portions and a significant limitation in the menu’s variety. While price increases can sometimes be justified by inflation or economic factors, it’s hard to accept these increases when both the quantity and variety of the food have been diminished. 2. Poor Service from New Staff: On our last visit, we encountered new staff members who were inattentive and failed to address guests promptly or properly. For example, despite fewer customers in the restaurant, it took a long time to get basic service. 3. Billing Errors: To make matters worse, when settling the bill, we were charged for three meals instead of two. While I’m willing to assume it was an honest mistake, it took unnecessary effort to explain the error, and even then, the staff took a considerable amount of time to acknowledge it. What was most disappointing was the lack of a proper apology for their mistake. Final Thoughts: Govinda’s was once a place I regularly recommended to family and friends for its excellent food, peaceful ambiance, and fair pricing. It’s disheartening to see such a wonderful establishment following the same declining trend we see in many businesses these days. I sincerely hope the management takes customer feedback seriously and works to restore the quality and service standards that made Govinda’s such a special place.

I love Govinda’s for the atmosphere and delicious authentic vegetarian and vegan delights! I work nearby and it’s a staple for me and staff when we want comfort and consistently amazing food. Love their Chapatti combo and Paneer and their pakora is my favourite. It’s a serene place with lovely staff and very affordable prices for great quality food. Definitely pay a visit to this gem!

Good fresh vegetarian food made daily. Being satvik, the food is prepared without garlic and onions. They do have vegan options, but like they say plant based, it’s not a vegan restaurant!! Little disappointed that they stopped making vegan Gulab jamuns. For $15 a limited Thali it’s not very cheap, but it’s wholesome. One time serve with one roti and one Farshan and one dessert. They make the food in morning and is used for both meal times; lunch and dinner. The samosas were mediocre but the khasta kachori was delicious. Their green chutney was very flavourful.

Dear Govinda's Management Team, I hope this message finds you well. I recently had the opportunity to visit Govinda's in Toronto, and as someone who has enjoyed dining at your London location, I had high expectations for my experience. Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed during my visit. I noticed that the server was being hurried and seemed to be under significant pressure from the lady behind the desk. This created an uncomfortable atmosphere, which, in my opinion, does not align with the values of kindness and respect that should be present in an establishment serving Lord Krishna. From my experience in the London branch, I have always appreciated the warm and welcoming environment you promote. It was disheartening to see a server who appeared to be overwhelmed and bullied, lacking the support they needed to provide a pleasant dining experience. I believe that cultivating a positive and respectful atmosphere is essential for both staff and patrons, especially in a place dedicated to serving the spiritual community. I suggest that more support and training be provided to the staff to ensure they feel empowered and valued while serving customers. A harmonious environment truly enhances the dining experience and reflects the love and devotion we all associate with the teachings of Krishna. This was on October 3rd around 6 pm after the aarti

We just left Govinda's, so the yummy food is still with us. The restaurant had few patrons, so we had our pick of tables. I asked for hot water with lemon...sorry, no lemon...lime?...sorry, no lime...ok, just hot water. The other two people ordered tap water. All the waters came in paper cups!! I asked for and got a real cup, which was great for the hot water. The meal was excellent - very appropriate portions, so that we all finished our meal and didn't have leftovers. Prices were reasonable and the service was prompt and courteous. I would return next time I'm in Toronto.

Food is vegetarian. Kind my mom makes. I had the big thaali. Seating space is aplenty. It's attached to the temple so not too noisy. I think it's a favourite with regulars. Service is quiet and friendly. They also do not charge tax.

Great neighbourhood staple for vegetarian Indian cuisine. Lovely ambiance, tasty home cooked food, and friendly service in a peaceful atmosphere for dining. They also offer delivery.

Located inside the temple. The dining area itself is in a large hall, with food being served from one of the corners. For $10, you get a soup and salad, a plate of food, and a dessert. The options vary day-to-day, sort of like a canteen. You basically get what they felt like making that day, so things may be different everytime. It's quite a lot of food for what you're paying for, since you get the full 3-courses. I don't know about the taste since I don't visit too many indian places, but I found it pretty tasty although there's no meat. Has various sauces and spices in everything. This probably isn't really a restaurant but part of the temple operations for the people that spend their days there, so don't be surprised with how it works. I don't expect it to operate like a commercial restaurant.

Amazing prasad/food. Must try in Toronto if you are in love with vegetarian food! They literally serve you the best vege delight in downtown Toronto!

Namaste y'all. Govinda's has an excellent selection of karma free food in Toronto. They've got all sorts of vegan dishes ranging from Indian to Italian to fast food. If you want some amazing food that is prepared without of the suffering of your fellow beings please come try Govinda's. All the food here is made with love and offered to RadhaKrishna as prasadam so you're eating food that is sanctified. While you're here you can pop in next door to take darshan of Sri Radha Krishna, Sri Jagganath, Balaram and Subhadra. Enjoy some kirtan and satsangh. Tell everybody Hare Krishna and Hari Bol for me.

Had the $12 to $15 (after tip) lunch 3 years ago : it was fine. Had the Bistro menu today : pizza ( store bought thin , couldn't taste the ginger/corriander/oregano, not a fan of this particular plant-based mayo, no plant-based cheese ) & burger ( patty is supposed to be soy, but I believe it is mostly wheat) . Had to wait a long time for another napkin. Fine if you simply need a place to chill with your ppl. 15% tip, no tax. The temple has a lovely small shop.

$10 - soup, main course, dessert $2 - tea Accepts cc, debit, cash. 4/5- food. Delicious and ample. 5/5 - service. Courteous and kind. 5/5 - atmosphere. Serene and clean. Check the hours, map your route and must-experience.

I was very near to this place, we are neighbourhood. The food is delocio-ous and hygenic. Highly recomended. Keep the spirits high.

I really enjoyed this unique experience! Firstly, as other reviewers mentioned it's located inside of a real working temple, it's quiet and serene and definitely doesn't have the look of a restaurant. My partner said it almost feels like a museum. We were told to sit wherever we wanted, there were a few tables occupied but there was lots of space to choose from. It's a very quiet place and I felt awkward when the chairs were screeching as I pulled one from underneath the table, but otherwise it's lovely and peaceful. The server came over to us and asked if we'd been there before, we let him know that it was our first time and he explained the process. He would bring us a soup then our meal, which consists of the daily sampling of a few vegetarian dishes, and then a dessert. The food changes daily so you can't really choose from a menu like a regular restaurant. He asked if we had any allergies or intolerances and then left to bring us the soup. The soup was a butternut squash and it was light and peppery. I enjoyed it, it wasn't a traditional rich squash soup like I'm used to, it had some traditional Indian flavour to it which I enjoyed. The main course consisted of some type of fried basmati rice with veggies and tofu, a spinach pakora, green peas with paneer, a lentil curry, some other type of pea curry, a potato and carrot curry and a piece of roti. I particularly enjoyed the pea curry, the rice and the pakora, but I found everything to be yummy. I've definitely had better Indian food but it's always been much richer and saltier so I felt that this was healthier and more homemade tasting. Like others have mentioned, it's a lot of food, certainly enough to fill a big appetite. For dessert we had a choice between a raisin cake and a cranberry ball, we each ordered a different one so we could try both. The cake was a bit tough and dry, perhaps were just not accustomed to this type of pastry and the cranberry ball tasted like a giant dried cranberry, perhaps there were some nuts in there as well, I thought it was a nice end to the meal. The server was kind and made us feel comfortable, our food was brought out quickly and water was filled regularly. No complaints about the service at all. Overall, I thought it was a great and very unique experience. Have I had better Indian food? - Yes I have, but this tasted homemade and healthy and the $10 price is unbelievable value. Plus I got to try some new dishes that I've never had before. The venue is super unique and good conversation piece, definitely come with an open mind and your appetite!

This has to be the best deal in Toronto next to eating at mother's house! When one thinks of Hare Krishnas one thinks of old movies with chanting monks in orange garb begging for money, but Govinda's had none of that. This vegetarian and vegan 'restaurant' is located inside the Krishnas' temple and serves a plate of whatever (vegetarian and vegan Indian food) they have cooked and prepared on that day. Firstly, the food was tasty, seemed healthy and despite having one plate filled me right up. Secondly, the decor and setting is literally the most amazing in GTA given how one is sitting inside a temple with the related statue, icons, paintings, high ceiling and pillars. Thirdly, did I mention the food was $10 only? This place is cheaper than poisoning oneself at Denny's or killing off the kids at McDonalds and healthy and tasty! Think about that next time a junk food global chain charges you $13 for its crap. Back to Govinda's: The food comprised of white rice and/or bread, lentils, potatoes, pakora and vegetarian balls sandwiched between a salad and a choice of desserts. We actually dropped into the temple proper/sanctuary for the experience and took time to appreciate the decorative items. I swear the two attendants refilled everyone's water more often and were more polite than the waiter at the hip and expensive brunch place on King Street and that was after we had asked the King West waiter for a water refill! The only down side to this place is the singular set meal and the washroom which, while not unclean, had some toilet paper strewn here and there and had a bag of trash sitting on the floor. No animals were killed in the course of writing this review.

When I first arrived I was concerned that maybe it was too quiet. I appreciate not having to compete with loud music or the cacophony of other people, but I was nervous that having a conversation with my friend would disturb the silence of everyone else. But it was fine, or at least I didn't feel like that one jerk talking in the quiet car. The space was large and there were plenty of places to sit. The building is beautiful. Everything is very clean and orderly. While the cafe is in the temple, there's a separate entrance. You don't order your meal, as the menu is set each day. The server welcomes you and asks if you're vegan or have any dietary restrictions. For $10, you get a soup, a main dish (with several items), and a dessert. Drinks are $2 extra. It was a lot of food and everything was delicious. Our server walked us through what each item was. There are a few different places to go for lunch in the neighborhood, but this is the healthiest and probably the least expensive option.

We did not know about this place until it popped up on Groupon and we decided to go since the food price was insanely cheap. We got a deal for 4 people for around $30 total (their regular price is $10 per person which is sill very cheap). This place is located inside an Indian temple. It is extremely peaceful there. We went on a Monday evening and there were only two people other than us sitting there. The server was a nice gentleman who told us that all the food is made by temple volunteers. There is no set menu - it changes on a daily basis. He explained the food options to us: everything was vegan except for a paneer dish that was vegetarian. The food was lovely! I would buy it even if the price was higher. We got to try all the options they had that day (a salad to start, lentil soup, vegetarian "meat" balls in tomato sauce, basmati rice, deep fried vegetables and many other delicious dishes). The place felt cozy and staff was welcoming. I should have taken a photo of the food when I was there but you have no patience when you are starving... I am surprised that I had not heard about this place until now! We will definitely go back again!

I went here on Groupon, but their prices are soooooo cheap you don't need to wait for that special deal. It's a non for profit located in a temple. It has a very quite atmosphere that you'd expect temples to have. The buffet is served to you as many times as you wish and they have a variety of desserts (chickpea flour cookies!!!) and drinks (tamarind juice is an interesting choice but very strong in taste). I'd definitely come here again esp when I feel like saving money and eating a good Indian food.

Just incredible! Clean, fresh, and healthy! I was speaking to a friend who spoke about his friend, a macrobiotic chef in LA... she won't eat anyplace but Govindas! Practically the only restaurant in Toronto I eat at.

Love this place. Very tasty vegetarian, top quality and inexpensive. Too bad hours are limited.

Very simple basic dishes, mediocre taste and very limited selection. Bought $10 for 2 from Groupon. Pretty cheap but you definitely get what your pay for. It's actually located in a temple so depending on how comfortable you are eating there it could feel like a totally amazing experience or just uncomfortable. In the summer it's incredibly hot as there is no aircondition. It's also a non for profit organization and everyone is a volunteer there.

I've been coming to Govinda's for about 13 years now - in my opinion it is one of Toronto's best kept secrets for really delicious Indian food! The portions are beyond generous - I've never once come away hungry when eating there. I would never in my life call their food bland like some other review mentioned. No they don't use garlic and onions, but they use hing (a spice that has the same sort of savory taste profile as onions and garlic), and plenty of other spices and curries, so the food is extremely flavorful and tasty! And the staff is always very warm and welcoming. If you go there enough for them to recognize you, it gets really lovely as they get so happy to see you back, and you feel like it's really "your place". And you absolutely cannot beat the price. In the past few years they have renovated the dining room, and it's absolutely stunning inside now! The dramatic vaulted ceilings create a real sense of grandeur, and the authentic and large, beautiful Hindu statuary and tapestries are as gorgeous as they are fascinating to get up close and really take a good look at. Most of the time there is gentle Indian music playing, though sometimes it may not be - either way, the natural light that comes in from the skylights is lovely during the day, and at night the low lighting makes for a really intimate and relaxing feel. Yes, this restaurant is inside the Hare Krishna temple, but it's in a completely separate section of the building, and it's never something that comes up if you're there to eat. In fact, I think it's a really cool element - how often do you get to visit a real temple AND get an flipping awesome meal on the cheap? If you have no interest in the temple part, then you simply stick to the restaurant room. But if you like to catch a bit of culture, you're free to pop into the temple-space and look around before or after your meal, and if you have any questions one of the staff there is always happy to answer them. I couldn't find anything to complain about if I tried. Like I said, I've been going there for 13 years. I found the place when I was in university, fell in love, and have been going back - dare I say, religiously - ever since!

Nothing impressive. Mediocre food. Usually Iskcon restaurants are very good. This one didn't meet expectations. Just because this restaurant is in the temple, it can't be reviewed as great food. They could do better. The people serving were nice and the place itself was spacious and clean.

Bought $10 for 2 from Groupon. Pretty cheap. You get for what your pay for. Keep in mind it's non for profit organization. A temple. If it's a hot day, then don't even bother going in there. There is no AC or FAN. You will sweat like a pig in there. Servers are volunteers and they are amazing. Food not so much. It's blant. I recommend stay away from this place...however I recommend helping the organization.

Simply best Indian vegetarian restaurant in Toronto with elegant ambience and meditative atmosphere. I love to go there often. Food is really yummy starting you with soup and salad, then main course and ending with Dessert. It's worth your every penny, time and taste buds and I guess the best value for money you will ever find in Toronto.

It's like if you took Chipotle, made it Indian and added unlimited refills of everything and threw in bonus soup, salad, and desert. They're probably making nothing in terms of profit because the food quality is so high and so delicious. Interior looks like an Indian temple. 10/10 and two thumbs up

Food was cheap but not great. The meal starts with soup and salad, and then unlimited amounts of some of the foods at the hot table. One dessert is also included. Found the process a bit confusing and the servers seemed equally as confused.

Generous servings. A unique settings and some really interesting vegetarian dishes. For the price you should give it a shot.

Fridays and Saturdays are best! A good place to decompress with bad karma always left at the door.

I went here with a groupon but it was cheap anyway. the food was mediocre..nothing fancy... finally a place that served not only main course, but also salad and dessert.

We enjoyed the BEST vegetarian lunch ever ! Delicious food, warm hospitality, quiet and beautiful place. Thank you Govinda's. We'll be back (next time for supper) and we highly recommend !

Went there on a groupon deal ($10 for 2 people for lunch or dinner buffet). You get a bowl of soup and a small plate of salad and two times at the buffet (someone puts the food for you on a plate to monitor portion control) and one dessert (non Indian). I found the food to be incredibly salty and very bland - very little variety. The place is in some sort of church, and the actual restaurant is in a room with really high ceilings but it was dark and a little dingy. The people were nice, but unfortunately I wouldn't recommend it. The experience was a bit weird for me.

I've lived in this neighbourhood my whole life and love this spot. The price is great for the wonderful quality of veggie buffet and it's a non-profit. The staff, who are all volunteers, are always lovely and attentive. If you're cool with a small spread of delicious food, huge portions, good prices and lovely people then this is a great spot. If you're looking for a vast menu with tons of options and have a more limited diet, perhaps not for you. We love it!

We visited this restaurant, which is inside the ISKCON temple of Toronto after our son's Convocation ceremony on 8th June 2016 in the evening, along with the Dharamshi family. We took a $10 vege buffet, which was really good, starting with Salad, then the main course and we took a dessert of Dates and dry fruit crushed round piece very tasty, included in buffet. Highly recommended

Not worth the money.... Even though it was 10.00....the portion is a joke. The waiter was nice but the kitchen staff give you hard time if you want seconds. I miss the former Govindas when you pay a donation and the food was an abundance and all persons from all walks of life can attend.... Now it seems like its only for high income people.

This was a unique experience. I've never gotten lunch from inside of a Hare Krishna Temple before, safe to say. Dim lighting, nicely made-up tables, soft Indian music. Kind of a funky atmosphere. I liked it. Got the dish to go, $10 all in, pretty generous amount, lots of variety, nice taste, pretty fresh. Really enjoyed the date balls for dessert. I'm not a vegan or vegetarian by any means, but I still respect the food and the ethos behind it. All in all, I enjoyed it. Will be back for sure, maybe I'll try eating in next time and soak up more of the atmosphere. I don't know how they make any money though, it wasn't very busy and it's pretty cheap and there is no alcohol obviously to help pad the bottom line. Hope they make it, I'd like to come regularly!

Govinda's is the vegetarian restaurant in the Hare Krishna temple. The food is Indian but they don't use garlic or onions, so it's a bit bland. The price is actually a donation. The last time I went there it was $7. The volunteer working there pushed the food around on the plate with his fingers a bit, which I didn't like so much. Every so often there is a jingling sort of chant that comes over the PA system. It's an interesting experience, but the food isn't that great and the atmosphere a bit weird.

This place rocks. Friendly staff and calming atmosphere. I recommend it to anyone!

I ordered the Complete Thali Meal and the Complete Vegan Thali Meal through Foodora and there were some mistakes with the order. We did not get a Vegan meal, but instead two regular ones. We also ordered a mango juice and the mango tamarind tea, but received two regular mango juices. The pakoras were also missing from one of the meals. By the time I realized the errors, it was too late to contact the restaurant. The food we did eat was delicious, but I am not sure I would order from here again since there were multiple problems with our order. I'm giving two stars for this reason, but based on food alone I would give 4 or 5 stars.

Went again yesterday...originally found it during Doors Open and was very pleased and surprised with the ambiance, food, service and quantity. I purchased a groupon....took my nephew who is super picky. Loved the salad, soup and cold mango juice. Then, had a huge serving of vegan Indian food. Delish! They were very attentive and even said we could go back for more...but we were unable to finish. Then, desert. We had the vegan option of a date/nut/coconut ball...have purchased these separately at other places for 3 - 4 $. We will be going back regularly.

Nice selection of a vegetarian buffet. A little hard for me to eat here as a vegan. I was disappointed in the limited amount of gluten free options as well as the ghee and cheese in 70% of their dishes. For a $10 buffet it is a great deal. Service is warm and welcoming.

Food is simple, karma free (nobody was killed...) I like it! Plus very chip.

Look for deals on Wagjag or Groupon they always have deals for this place. We got 2 lunch buffets for $10. That's $5 for a buffet. It was in a cool building i think it use to be a church. There wasn't a big selection but worth what we paid. Not sure if i would pay full price for this place. The food was decent, only a couple dishes did we love.

Great place to eat; delicious food; numerous Indian dishes to choose from; amazing price! We keep going back! When you arrive, a friendly server seats you and brings salad and soup. Then you go to the steam table, and a server dishes out your food. You can indicate what dishes you'd like, and how much of each. Such interesting, yummy food, and lots of it ... sometimes we don't even have room for dessert! The beautiful, large dining room has a really Indian 'feel' to it; reminds me of some of the wonderful places I visited in India, which adds to the fun of the experience. :-) Everyone I know who's tried Govinda's loves it. No wonder. Delicious, nutritious food, served by friendly staff, in an amazing and interesting setting, at rock-bottom prices ... as someone else said: "...one of Toronto's best kept secrets for really delicious Indian food". I'll add - Govinda's is one of my very favourite dining experiences in Toronto. A great place to visit for a quick lunch, or a leisurely dinner, and the perfect place take out-of-town guests for an inexpensive, unique experience. :-) Try it !

The first time I went to Govinda's was because I bought a groupon and I was really amazed by the truly delicious vegetarian food. It helps that the restaurant is in a temple, scrupulously clean and pretty to sit in. It helps that the staff are lovely, friendly and very helpful. But really, it's the food that had me going back time and time again, without a groupon. It's one of those places I need to go to often, everything is just so yummy.

Good wholesome vegetarian food and very friendly staff. The building was pretty neat, at first we took our shoes off and then realized that we didn't have to for the restaurant. The food was phenomenal, great flavours and everything worked well together. You can have as much as you want (except the dessert, just 1 per person), but I was full after one generous plate. Reminded me a home cooked meal and I would definitely go back again!

I read some of the good reviews and purchased a groupon ticket and went there but sorry to say it was a bad experience. I am writing this so no one else gets fooled like I did. The food is so bland and tasteless. Doesn't feel like Indian food at all. The salad served was some simple stuff nothing great and then in the name of buffet you have to line up for the staff to serve you. Not one curry was recommendable. Desserts were limited one type person .. its not even worth trying forget going back again.

We used a Groupon which was a great way to try a new place. It turned out to be a most pleasant surprise. The staff were so welcoming and the food was delicious! It was not a serve yourself buffet, but there were several courses and more than enough to eat. The variety was good, and it tasted fresh and had a "home away from home" feel about it. The dining atmosphere is more like a big canteen rather than a restaurant, but, it is such a pleasure to eat healthy, tasty food, at such a reasonable price. I have paid way more for mediocre meals at other restaurants many times before. Without any doubt, we will be making regular visits to Govinda's from now on, for one of those "We're hungry, but don't want to spend the evening eating out" type of meals.

the friendly service is what I really liked!! the people who work there were very friendly and welcoming as a vegetarian who loves indian food, I was in heaven... I'm thinking of going vegan soon though and I noticed that although everything was delicious and made with lots of veggies, many things had either ghee or paneer (I think) which is cheese anyway, my favourite were the kafta (?) balls! which tasted like balls of cheesy chickpea goodness, sooo good, and the dhal, which is like a thick lentil soup! AND ALL FOR 8 BUCKS if you're a poor student like me that's the best news youve heard all day highly recommend! oh and the decor and music is really nice too :)

This place offer very simple basic dishes. Do not expect the flavour to be bombastic or comparable to regular restaurants. If you have eaten too much seasoned and marinated food and wants a break, this is a place to be. It's mostly quiet and serene place from your usual husselling and bustling dining experience. For $2 you get a big glass of mango juice.

This was an interesting experience. I loved the service, and the concept behind it. The food however, was okay. I've had better. As a naturalized Canadian of Indian background (I've grown up here for the majority of my life), I appreciate that the food wasn't too spicy as most Indian food is. However, the lack of salt made it bland. We had rice, dal, vegetables, spinach with potatoes, a paneer stuffed empanada thing, roti, and onion pakoras. Salad and a cupcake rounded the meal. The menu changes daily. I didn't think much of the food and was glad I went with a groupon. Even after just a small sample of everything, I wasn't able to have seconds, which made me skeptical of how the food was prepared. The service, on the other hand, was absolutely outstanding. The servers were both really sweet. My only complaint about the ambiance was that the music was a tad loud, and subsequently, I couldn't hear when I tried to have a conversation.

Solid food. All you can eat. Good prices. Seems like it is Not-For Profit. What more can I ask for when it is 7-8$ for all you can eat food as a student?

Awesome experience overall. Great food, great atmosphere, friendly service and great prices. I will definitely make this a regular encounter.