Saravanaa Bhavan

I had an amazing experience at Saravana Bhavan! Everything was fresh, authentic, and full of flavour, but what really stood out were the chutneys. The coconut chutney was perfectly smooth and creamy, the masala chutney had just the right kick of spices, and the mint chutney was refreshingly vibrant. Each one complemented the dishes wonderfully. The food overall was delicious — soft, fluffy dosas, perfectly cooked idlis, and rich, aromatic curries. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the restaurant had a clean, welcoming atmosphere that made dining very enjoyable. If you love authentic South Indian cuisine and incredible chutneys, Saravana Bhavan is a must-visit. Every bite felt like a true taste of home!

This is the best South Indian food franchise in the UK. The prices are reasonable, and the customer service is great. Food is delivered to the table faster than at any other restaurant I’ve visited. The quality is top-notch, the portions are generous, and the environment is very clean. I highly recommend this place to anyone missing authentic Indian vegetarian food!

This restaurant near Ilford Station is a good spot for authentic Indian food. The service is decent, but it gets uncomfortably hot inside during summer—air conditioning would make a big difference. The food tastes great and has an authentic touch, though the portions are on the smaller side, which might not satisfy a big foodie. Prices are on the higher end, but overall, it’s a good choice for a vegetarian dining experience.

I recently visited Saravana Bhavan at the station location, and overall, the experience was quite underwhelming. The food was just okay — nothing extraordinary, and frankly, it feels like the popularity is more about the brand name than the actual quality. What really disappointed me was the service. The staff were surprisingly rude and seemed uninterested in providing even basic courtesy. I also noticed a clear difference in how they treated Asian customers, which was both uncomfortable and disheartening. Hygiene was another concern. The person serving the food had noticeable body odor, which made the whole dining experience feel unhygienic. Additionally, the water jugs on the table had visible limescale buildup — not something you'd expect from a restaurant of this reputation. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this location unless you’re just curious about the hype. Definitely not the kind of experience I’d return for.

So I went the night before Diwali Bit of urgency to rush everything in terms of serving food and space cautious extremes being applied … and for some funny reason they asked myself and after other pairs of customers a really small uncomfortable table that could barely fit two people’s main dish 😂😂 which kind of caught me off guard … I know it’s efficient to use all space but this chain has a whole upstairs unused , which was bit embarrassing as most pairs who also declined all had the same look of disbelief that it was actually offered. Ghee pongal is what i wanted and i saw last time it said friday , Saturday and sunday , so thought okay , i came in a sunday and they said no. … even though the menu said on Sundays… the staff who served us said “no we don’t do “ … so on top of offering a cramped small table and not what’s advertised on menu it wasn’t a great start , Settled for idli ,mogo devil (cassava) , ghee dosa. All was excellent except the mogo devil was a bit undercooked it tends to be seared a bit more but on this occasion it wasn’t but still pretty good no complaints. My friend got some other dosa item. Overall good food but when I offered to pay in cash the waitress gave me an inconvenienced look 😂 Not my day … oh well anyways she still said happy Diwali so hey no hard feelings loool But despite all of that , it is still perfect money for value and food is almost always excellent, and I have to admit it might very well deserve its title as the worlds number one vegetarian Indian food chain.

I’ve been to Saravanaa Bhavan in Ilford a few times now (and once at their East Ham branch), and the food has always been consistently good. The service is quick even when it is very busy, and the staff are very friendly and welcoming. A special mention to Aishwarya, who was extremely nice, patient, and attentive in answering my questions. All the girls working in Ilford are kind and accommodating, which makes the experience even better. Definitely one of my favourite spots for tasty, authentic vegetarian South Indian food with great service. Highly recommended!

I normally don’t write reviews, leave comments, or make complaints, but today’s experience has prompted me to do so due to the staff’s attitude and response. Monday, 13th October, around 1:30 PM, my wife and I came for lunch — as we have been doing for years, since we really enjoy your hot and spicy food. We ordered dosas and specifically requested for them to be made extra hot and spicy. The staff member taking our order, Divya, informed us that there would be a £0.95 charge per dish to make it spicy. We were charged £0.95 per dosa, totalling £1.90 just for making them spicy. After paying, I approached the counter to check if such a charge was fair. The lady at the counter, Priya, confirmed that it was correct. When I asked to speak with a manager, I was told there was no manager available. I find it unreasonable to be charged extra simply for making a dosa spicy, especially as loyal customers who have been visiting for years. I hope you review this policy and the way such matters are communicated to guests.

I had naan and kadai paneer, and it was absolutely delicious! The flavours were rich, fresh, and very satisfying. The food was served by Akshita, and she did a wonderful job—friendly, attentive, and made the experience even better. Highly recommend!

Good food Good service Good ambiance Great environment Neat and Clean staff Best location

You can't miss this place in Ilford, London Unfortunately, if you drive here, you might have to park safe since they do not have an allocated parking. They serve amazing Indian Vegetarian Food from snacks, starters, ala Carte to Thalis. You wont leave disappointed.

If you're looking for a fix of tasty, great value South Indian vegetarian food, in the Ilford area, this has got to be one of the best restaurants to dine at. The restaurant itself is a big venue with seating spread over two floors and claims to be the "World's No 1 Indian Vegetarian Restaurant Chain". Taking a look at the back of the menu I wouldn't argue with this claim! Tables are set apart reasonably well and the restaurant features an open kitchen. My recommendations would be the Rava Masala Dosa (buckwheat) or the Masala Dosa (traditional rice) or a South Indian (endless) thali. The thali is a one price dish with poppadom, chapati and rice with several tasty vegetable offerings which you can request to be refilled.  My food recommendations are moderately spicy but you can up the stakes if you've got the constitution of an ox and have several anti acid tablets to hand. Try washing down your food with a delicious mango lassi drink. One thing is for certain, you won't need to take out a loan to eat here. Our bill worked out to less than £10 pp all in, including a samosa starter and a tip for the friendly helpful staff. Great value for money, very tasty and I'll certainly be going back again next time I'm in the area.

Had the masala dosa and the rava dosa. Very very yummy. The waitress was very attentive and sweet. We would love to return when we are back in town!

Great food. Okay service. Reminds you of India. Affordable rates. Drinks are also served. South Indian Filter Coffee!!

I absolutely love their food and the variety they have! It's such a convenient place to eat at as it is so close to the bus stop and train station. Also, the staff are wonderful. Will definitely be back!

Excellent veg curries! Devil potato is incredibly well done and combines well with a garlic naan. Highly recommended!