Herbivore Indian Cuisine (Vegetarian & Non-Vegetarian)

UPDATE on the HORRIBLE FOOD: I have added pics and photos of the red color of the extremely red Paneer gravy which almost seems unnatural. These pictures were taken in May 2023 and I could not post the review back then. If they have improved, then good for them, if they still put food color in prep, and use frozen samosas and naan, its pathetic. Generally gravies are orange and not red. Also Naan almost seems its readymade frozen naan. Wish they take the feedback in a constructive way and avoid posting all fake reviews. DC Indian Restaurants and NYC Indian restaurants have very unnatural tendency to have 5 star reviews when the food is hardly edible forget being average. Dont know what marketing agencies they use for the reputation augmentation Orignal Review posted in Jan 2025: Very horrible food, just too much of red color and no taste. The reviews all seem fake as it was not close to the taste promised in them. Samosas are frozen ready made ones. Curry was extremely tasteless. This happened 2 years ago, but they had shut down the reviews so nobody can show the truth. I dont know how they did that.

It was so nice to have food here. I tried the masala dosa, and it tasted very good. We also ordered some other Indian food, which made the experience really enjoyable. I would love to visit this place again.

Had an amazing time at Herbivore, we celebrated my son’s graduation party here and booked the patio for the event, not only did they make sure everything was served on time, but the service was amazing and so professional. We got everything buffet style to accommodate the guests and everyone LOVED the food. Thank you team Herbivore!

Dropped by here with two of my friends after a casual walk around Georgetown. Indian food is always good. Herbivore serves the best one by far. It is for those looking for high quality, colorful, tasteful Indian food for takeout or eating on-location. Definitely for those (group or individual) looking for good food and a place to talk. Its peaceful, air conditioned, colorful setting is a delight to spend time in. Parking can be a hassle but we were lucky to find one 5 houses up. Would definitely recommend.

Food and service were excellent. We got the biryani and chicken tikka masala with some naan bread. Everything was delicious. 10/10

Fantastic, went once, had Masala Dosa breakfast and it was one of the top breakfasts of my life. Already cannot wait to try other things off their menu. Plus they play Indian music, no top 40 bs.

My friend had come here a couple months ago and said it was amazing. We were walking around with today and decided to drop in for something small. I was not disappointed, the food tasted homemade and the ambiance was so cozy and comforting. We were met with waters, menus and instructions on where to order. If you’re in the mood for some delicious Indian food that tastes fresh, healthy, and like it was made by a loved one you need to stop by.

The wings were amazing. I've never quite had any that tasted like this. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. And a dry rub seasoning that was just perfect. Then there's the Lamb Vindaloo. It was so spicy it made my vision blurry for a second. I was literally wiping my tongue with the Naan, but then still going back for more. Come in and give the food a try, you won't be disappointed!

I recently got the chicken curry for delivery for lunch and loved my meal. The portion size and price were good, the chicken was perfectly cooked, and the curry had great flavor. I would recommend Herbivore for a good meal out!

3.5* Cozy spot with nice decor and ambiance. Service was good, and the menu had plenty of options. Pani Poori - good. Chole Bhature - good. Kari Pakora - decent, also good. Daal Makhani - completely off. It was overly spiced and made with two lentils, including chana/gram, which doesn't belong in Daal Makhani at all.

Good. We had all entrees from the Jain menu: Shahi paneer - a cashew cream sauce with paneer Aloo Goni Masala Vegetable Korma. - same cashew based sauce Bhindi Masala Served on paper plates and plastic utensils. Not a fan of the plastic aspect. Great service! We asked for 'no hing' and the manager (well she seems like a manger as she helped the server with our orders) was very knowledgeable about the menu.

Delicious delivery meal with some of the best korma I've ever tasted! I enjoyed everything that I ate and would definitely order from here again.

Honestly we were a bit disappointed. A few pet peeves first. The fact that everything is disposable is annoying especially with the tiny water cups that you get one sip out of. We also heard someone get some meat options which, unless they were vegan meat, means herbivore is not vegiterian. That's fine if your not pretending to be but that could be pretty bad. The food itself was just okay. The spices were decent but it was a bit dry and didn't have the texture we like. The atmosphere was nothing special but there is window seating that looks out on the town which is nice. It is set up in almost a fast food style where you get the food yourself, and toss the trash in the bin when your done.

Tucked aware in plain sight- this small business was a great find fight in front of me; like searching for an item grocery store only to discover it is right in your face. The overall experience was amazing and given the chance I would easily become a regular. Great food and service, what else can you ask for? If you are in the Georgetown area it is worth the trip! Highly recommended. Food: amazing flavors and options as well. All options ordered were well spiced and made made a scorcher of a day bearable. Service: staff was friendly and helpful. Minna and her fellow teammembers were hospitable and focused. From the moment of entry I was greeted with a friendly smile and it was all uphill from there. Ambiance: vibrant and colorful decor created an atmosphere that was relaxing and fun.

I ate at their street pop-up during Art All Night, and was happy to have stumbled upon such great food! I had a thali with dal mahkni and butter chicken. I thought the dal was just okay - very different from dal I had had before - but the butter chicken was absolutely delicious. Creamy, rich sauce, with tender chicken. I can't wait to return to check out their full menu!

I visited here a few months ago and the place looked good. They had a good variety of dishes. I ordered the biryani and it didn't disappoint. Definitely check out this place if you are in the Georgetown area for an Indian lunch/dinner.

If you love Indian food, stop by Herbivore Indian Cuisine just off the busy section of Georgetown. Most people order delivery or takeout, but if you go in-person, you'll be greeted by a kind staff eager to introduce you to new flavors from their home country. My wife and I walked in around 6:30 p.m. on a Thursday evening in April. We got a table right away in the tiny dining room. There's also a back covered patio with tables in different colors. Everything we ate was excellent, especially the palak chaat. Its flavors and texture really explode. The butter chicken comes with rice and I recommend it with the regular naan and tamarind chutney. Chai was a great way to end the dinner. For one appetizer, two entrees, chai, naan, and chutney, it was around $55.

I ordered take out (biryani) a few months ago and would do so again. I haven't yet because I started making my own biryani's

Delicious. Generous portions and the food was aromatic and flavorful. Generous pieces of lamb in the biriyani and for $17.50, the serving size can easily feed a group of 3. The yogurt and cucumber sauce was thin but it was flavorful and cut the spices well. Butter chicken was on the sweeter side and the chicken was super tender and well seasoned. I loved it with the naan. I would come back.

Herbivore had been on my list for so long and such a disappointment! Ordered a bunch of stuff for delivery. Entrees hover around $16-$20 and are 16oz but mostly sauce. My korma had 4 in the emite container. Everything was fine, not great. Portions were also small for the cost. Flavored well but we won't be returning.

I recently dined at Herbivore and had their Lamb Vindaloo, which was absolutely fantastic! The lamb was incredibly tender and the vindaloo sauce had just the right amount of spice--bold, flavorful, and full of depth. The heat was balanced perfectly with a tangy undertone that made each bite exciting. Herbivore really impressed me with their authentic take on this classic dish. If you're a fan of spicy, flavorful Indian cuisine, I highly recommend trying the Lamb Vindaloo here!" ps. the vegetable samosas are great!

Food was very tasty, but it seems like some of the items are frozen when you order them and then they warm it up. Great service and the ambience is authentic

I came in here for a late lunch/early dinner after attending an embassy open house at the African Union delegation in D.C. I got lamb kadai, naan, and a mango lassi. The lamb kadai had chopped onions, black cardamom, ginger, garlic, tomatoes, green chilies, coriander, and boneless lamb (https://www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/lamb-karahi/). All of the ingredients were fresh and tasty. What made the difference with the lamb kadai was the green chilies and the lamb. The service was quick and friendly. The decor was casual with Bollywood music playing in the background. As I recall, the total was a little over $25.00. Excellent meal for a reasonable price. Keep up the good work.

Attention SCAM alert: I hate saying this , but "Herbivore" is simply awful---- not just because of the actual food served(although this is mostly very pedestrian fare) but mainly because of the elaborate con on the unsuspecting average American consumer! The entire menu consists of basically frozen Indian TV dinners (bought 'locally' from the Indian Grocery Store in Hyattsville) --- just warmed up in the Microwave or Air-Fryer & served fresh to your waiting appetites:) You can literally hear the Microwaves beeping away to infamy in the background!! Nothing is made on premises -- literally nothing:-( This is an insane business model that defies all logic and is fundamentally dependent on the patrons' ignorance. Don't believe me ---ask them yourself---where'd you get your Naan from?; Can I see your Tandoor oven?; Why does your Rasmalai taste exactly like 'Nanak Frozen Rasmalai'? There's no in-house chef or anyone even remotely resembling one. Not an Indian patron in sight (other than us of course) and the waiter was so nervous serving us---did not want to tell us anything. I guess he couldn't warn us even if he wanted to :( Got to give them props for their nerve to pull this off though---never seen anything like this business model before--almost makes you want to high-five them for their sheer audacity! Avoid at all costs--unless you want a TV dinner for 4 times the price!

Food- food was pretty tasty. We got dal, lentil, sag paneer, palak paneer, garlic naan, rice, eggplant, and cauliflower. Dishes were a good portion size, layered flavors, and authentic feel. I went with medium spice and feel like I could have gone spicy. Vibe- it has a more (fast) casual type of vibe while comfortable and well lit. Most folks were picking up takeout which made us know it was a solid spot. Service- the women who took care of us was attentive, friendly and l knowledgeable about the menu. She advised us on spice levels and dishes with nuts. Super helpful.

Order chicken tikka masala and chicken vindaloo. I asked for spicy and it was just heat, no flavor. Not my favorite.

Stopped in for a plate of veggie biryani this afternoon seeing that they had a promotion running. The staff were warm and friendly throughout, and the interior decorated richly with tankas, floral ribbons and other trinkets; sure some of the banners and adornments was held up with thumbtacks, but I found this more charming than lazy. As for the food, it was quite tasty for the most part. The rice was basmati was nicely-cooked and well-spiced, the fried onions giving it a nice savory crunch, and the raita imparting a tangy creaminess. It was also presented in a very traditional and visually-pleasing stupa shape, which I appreciated. My only grievance is that the veggies were a bit lackluster, as they appeared to be canned corn, peas and carrots. No issue with any of these flavor-wise or vegetables themselves as biryani can be made with many different veggies; it just seemed a little lackluster as far as quality goes. Even so, overall a very pleasant experience for an Indian take-out place. Four stars is too low; maybe 4.5 stars is a bit more accurate.

This is a very minimalist business which appears to be part of a Sikh Gudwara. A takeout place with online ordering, they have a couple of cramped alleyway parking spaces and a couple of tables outside. Notably, they offer breakfast, including many South Indian specialties like idli and vadai, and are actually open in the morning. I went with another classic, taking my chole puri and eating it elsewhere. Ordering online led me to paying with paypal, which I didn't even remember I had an account with but which worked. My order was ready before I arrived, and included not only a fried bread giving off a mouthwatering aroma and the well-spiced chickpeas with whole sesame seeds, but also a side of pickled vegetables which add a wildly different flavor note. The overall flavor mix was as good as I could have hoped for, and leaves me with every reason to be optimistic about the rest of their extensive (and entirely vegetarian menu).

Herbivore Indian Cuisine is a Gem in Georgetown! Home-cooked with love and great energy! Clean and Tasty! Happy Diwali, Festival of Inner Lights! So happy to come and try! Idli Sambar (Steamed rice and lentil cakes) is soft and fresh cook with the 2 dips of Coconut Chutney and Tomato Chutney. It's Gluten-Free! Sambar (mild spices vegetable puree) is a perfect soup - Authentic South Indian Breakfast! Love it. Baingan Bharta (Mashed Eggplant in spices) is absolutely delicious! You can choose Mild, Medium, Hot for Spicy! Mild is perfect for me. This is served with Rice & cumins! Home-cooked foods are definitely wonderful taste! Came back another day and tried: Sambar Entree comes with rice! Warm soup is perfect spice! Healthy dish! Saag Aloo : Spinach with Potato (Vegan and Gluten Free) - Don't miss this one! Yummy and very filling!! Rice here is very good quality with perfect cooking, soft and nice aroma with some cumins! I love the clean, healthy, and full of great energy home-cook! Indoor and nice spacious outdoor seats! I love Herbivore place, Foods, staffs and chefs! They are beautiful people! Great energy to enjoy your meals! Must try! Will come back ! Reasonable Price with Generous Portion! If you are students, you get 20% discount with quality foods, good for brain, body, mind and spirit! Cheers to GWU, Georgetown U, American U, and DMV students! Thank you! Om Shanti! Kathy

I really enjoyed the food at Herbivore last night! We got the mango lassi, samosa chaat, malai kofta, paneer tikka masala, and garlic naan. All of these dishes tasted great! The Mango lassi was perfect after a long day in the sun and you can get that right after you order. All the food came out very quickly and the service was great! I would highly recommend the samosa chaat. All of the dishes are nice and large portion sized as well. I think the presentation of the food could have been a little better, but I understand since it's more of a takeout type of restaurant so it was easy to pack the food up to take home. Overall really recommend this place for delicious Indian food when you're in Georgetown!

Smells amazing when you walk in! This is primarily a vegetarian restaurant but also has meat options. Went with my mom and we decided to try a bunch of appetizers & go all vegetarian. All were great, here's what we ordered: Palak Chaat : one of my favorites I've had recently Vegetarian Manchurian: great sauce, like sweet & sour veggie meat balls Idli Sambar: spongy idli & yummy coconut chutney, the sambar needed a little more flavor (IMO) Paneer Pakora: like Indian mozzarella sticks sort of; great seasoning & while fried that were not oily at all. My mom especially loved these Vegetable Samosa Chaat: my favorite & very surprising! It's a smothered samosa; I loved the flavor gravy on top of this with the chick peas, etc -- could eat that everyday! Definitely will go back -- service was great and he was helpful answering all my questions! Small restaurant; best for a party of 2-4. Great vegetarian or vegan options -- but also plenty chicken & lamb dishes for the non-vegetarian. My only critique is that I wish everything was served with real dishes or plates vs all disposable for sit down experience.

Enjoyed a Palak Chaat served by Reeva. Reeva was prompt and courteous. I found it difficult to hear him but loved hearing him talk with me. The restaurant is cozy and well decorated. The temple flowers gave a nice feel to the dining experience.

Herbivore is a casual Indian takeout place on Wisconsin Ave in the Georgetown neighborhood, so I'd recommend coming by foot or by bus. Their menu has mostly vegetarian options and some chicken and lamb curries. They do have some tables inside for indoor dining but you pay at the registrar and the staff will bring the food out to you. The curries come with rice and you can customize the spice level (mild, medium, or spicy). We got the baignan bartha and the chicken saag, and both were super flavorful at an affordable price!

I recently visited Herbivore, an Indian restaurant, and overall, I had a fantastic experience, which is why I am giving it a 4-star review. To start off, the palak chaat I ordered was absolutely amazing. The flavors were so delicious that it left me wanting more. The combination of crispy spinach, tangy chutney, and various spices made it a truly standout dish. Another dish that exceeded my expectations was the malai kofta. It was exceptionally tasty, with perfectly cooked koftas in a flavorful creamy sauce. The dish truly showcased the chef's skills in balancing spices and textures. The butter chicken, recommended by our server, was another dish that caught my attention. It didn't disappoint. The tender chicken, smothered in a rich and velvety sauce, was a delightful treat for my taste buds. The Shahi Paneer, on the other hand, was just average. While it wasn't bad by any means, it didn't quite match the excellence of the other dishes we tried. However, I appreciated that the restaurant offered a variety of options to cater to different tastes and preferences. Moving on to the drinks, the mango lassi unfortunately didn't live up to my expectations. While it wasn't the best I've had, it was still decent. It lacked the smooth and creamy consistency that I usually look for in a lassi, but it still provided a refreshing flavor. When it came to portion sizes, Herbivore did a great job. The dishes we ordered were of decent size and were perfect for sharing between two people. We left the restaurant feeling satisfied and not overly stuffed. Regrettably, the kheer we ordered didn't meet our expectations. It had an incredibly sour taste, making us suspect that it might have been expired. This was disappointing considering the otherwise high quality of the other dishes. I hope the restaurant takes this feedback into consideration and improves the quality control for their desserts. On a positive note, the service at Herbivore was exceptional. The staff was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. They were happy to answer any questions and made sure we had a pleasant dining experience. Lastly, I must mention the ambiance and decoration of the restaurant. The outdoor seating area was lovely, creating a cozy and relaxed atmosphere. The beautiful decor enhanced the overall experience, making it even more enjoyable. In conclusion, Herbivore is an outstanding Indian restaurant that offers delicious flavors and a satisfying dining experience. Although we had some minor issues with the kheer and mango lassi, the overall quality of the food, excellent service, and inviting atmosphere exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend giving Herbivore a try for a delightful Indian cuisine experience.

Chicken Tikka Masala was good as was the garlic naan. The "lentil" soup had NO lentils....AT ALL. Restaurant advised that the lentils were cooked down but the soup was thin/watery. If the lentils were cooked down, it would be thicker. Chai tea was also MEH... All the service items plates/bowls/cutlery were disposable.

Props to Herbivore team! Not only for the delicious food, but also for the cleanliness and attentive service! The restaurant is decorated beautifully with flowers, we come here at least twice a week because the food just hits every time! If you are looking for delicious food in a good budget (rare in Georgetown) give this place a visit!

The service was great and the people are super sweet but the food is not as great. The only item that felt edible in what we got was the kadai paneer. I truly was hoping that this place would surprise me but alas I was a little sad that the food was not so great. It might also be that the place was closing soon, which I understand but I was disappointed.

Had a delicious eggplant dish. Great food and very affordable, especially for students.

People are nice! from what we ordered: sambar for idli was salty pani puri excellent manchurian was a little soggy more sauce than needed I think flavor was good, on point biriyani not flavorful it seems like the food caters to white Americans not South Asians the flavors are there just muted and not spicy at all I hopes this help some other Yelper order make adjustments;)

Don't get fooled by some 4 star ratings. It's an absolute disaster! Won't recommend this place to anyone with these deceiving practices. The place stinks as you walk in. The lady at the counter will give her recommendations as in parathas are fresh and tasty, try xxxx as this is my favourite... All lies!! We ordered Idli sambhar, aaloo paratha, tawa roti, garlic naan, Daal, paneer, raita and chai. Came with complimentary rice Idli Sambhar- seemed like microwaved dry idlis sprinkled with dhaniya Aaloo paratha- tasted and looked like frozen paratha from the store and pan fried. Roti- same- frozen warmed up. Naan- deep or haldiram frozen warmed up Daal- below average Paneer- a lot of orange food coloring with oil later on the top. Only the Chai was fresh and tasted fine.

New restaurant in Georgetown. We really liked the two entries and the appetizer that we ordered. Prices are extremely reasonable et portions are quite big. The estaurant décor is quite minimalist. I did not like the fact that to eat at the restaurant, we were given plastic glasses an cutlery, and paper plates.

very nice food they have. service is a hole in the wall. And ambiance nice set up this is in washington rating is 4.8.

I liked the decor in this restaurant. the food was good, the appetizer my husband got and the tikka masala chicken and naan. recommend this place and our server Reeva was gracious and hospitable.

I ordered the chicken tikka masala. It was mediocre. The flavor was so so and was very underwhelmed after seeing the high rating. After having Rasika's Tikka which is only a bit more, there is no comparison.

It pains me to leave a one star review. I don't like writing them. I especially don't like writing them when the gal at the register is sweet. And she was. But she was the only good thing about this place. Decor looks like a pizza delivery shop, sandwich shop - you get the idea. Maybe 2 4-top and 2 2-top tables? Then there's a counter to look at the street - again, reminiscent of a fast food type of service. Limited menu with no fish/shellfish options. Food average. All of that would be okay, but the prices are insane. I paid, with tip, $80+ for 1 hot tea, 1 lassi, one order of Chana masala, 1 order of spinach paneer, 2 order of vegetable pakoras and 1 order of cheese samosas that were so bad I sent them back. That's $45-$50 worth of food at a nice sit down Indian restaurant, not even close to what I paid. Served on paper plates with plastic silverware. I kid you not. Never again.

"The food at Herbivore Indian Cuisine was absolutely amazing! Fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Every bite was a delightful experience. Highly recommend for anyone seeking delicious and authentic vegetarian dishes."

It was delicious and there are big serving sizes! The chicken biryani and mango lassi were tasty

I have ordered from here over 10 times and the food has been consistently amazing. I recently made my first in-person trip to the restaurant and received excellent service and the food was better than ever. Definitely a hidden gem in Georgetown!

Amazing food!! Very authentic Indian and great spice levels! Got spicy paneer biriyani and samosa chaat and really enjoyed it!

Really good food and great service. my mom rarely likes food from outside and she loved the Biriyani.

The food is good. I love spicy food and medium spicy is perfect. The amount of meat in a dish is also sufficient.

Delicious fresh food. Very friendly service. Saag paneer was very tasty. Palak Chaat is not to be missed.

The best part about this place is the service! The people are amazing! The dosa was pretty good too. The parathas seems like they were frozen (I buy the same brand from the Indian store). The kebabs were also frozen ! I didn't step outside my house to eat frozen food I can defrost and cook in my own house.

I'm such a massive fan of this place. A little hole in the wall, expect to be absolutely blown away by how good the food is. It's a homey place and you can tell everyone puts their heart and soul into this restaurant. Service is great, you really feel so valued as a diner. Come here and you won't regret it-- it's reasonable to boot, so it's super good for student budgets while being absolute outstanding!

Comfort food at its core!!!! Dal makhani was delicious. The chapati hit home - loved the food so much.

The food here is incredible! Very flavorful, great portions, and comes out in a short amount of time. I've come here at least 4 times in the past year and each time the service is helpful and kind! Also, the restaurant is beautiful and plays good energy music. Can't recommend enough!

I have been to this restaurant once before and had dosas, which were okay but sambar and chutneys were not. Jilebi was also oretty bad. This time I got to taste multiple vegetarian dishes: Idli, Chole Bhatura, and Veg Biryani. Idli was okay, but sambar and chutneys are pretty bad. Not savory and non-authentic. No coconut chutney commonly served with idli. Not worth it. Chole was okay, but one can easily make better version at home. Veg biryani was really bad. The spices were somehow not balanced, almost felt like this dish was made the day before. About the only thing I appreciated was the staff. They were very friendly and professional. I gave them my honest opinion when I checked out and they were going to convey my review to the cook. Food quality rating is 1/5. I don't know how this reataurant got this very high 4+ rating especially this is a nice area with excellent bakeries and reataurants. I don't know about non-vegetarian dishes, but I won't recommend this restaurant to anyone. IMO, if they don't change the cook (can't be a real chef - sorry), the ratings may drop further. Thought Herbivore to be a vegetarian reataurant, but it serves both veg and non veg.