Govinda's
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Hours
Sun
12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Mon
12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Tue
12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Wed
12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Thu
12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fri
12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sat
12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Ratings and reviews
4.0
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
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CUISINES
Indian
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
features
Is this restaurant romantic?
Details
CUISINES
Indian
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Table Service
Contribute
4.0
44 reviews
Excellent
22
Very good
12
Average
5
Poor
3
Terrible
2
DIOR
Richmond Hill4 contributions
Mar 2023 • solo
Just wanted to see if this place (Avenue Rd) was still here. I went in 2020 which is why I didn't click a date above as choice date was not far back enough.. Although the atmosphere was quite lovely and the service was friendly...it wasn't a buffet where you help yourself. The food is brought to you by a server and only one portion of each item. Honestly I've had plenty of tasty Indian/ East Asian vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes and I must say it was sort of bland. I left still feeling hungry and not satisfied for the money I spent. (I had heard of other Govinda's locations being great)
I do hope they can or have improved from this review.....
Written February 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rkrishna M
1 contribution
May 2024 • family
I never knew about this restaurent please advertise reach out to temples gurudwaras to throw flyrs pamphlets on ppls cars
Use billboards on highway
We love you and your wife and your restaurentGod bless you
Please advertise morr
Written June 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harish
Hamilton154 contributions
Nov 2019 • couples
If you really wants to try indian homestyle food then go for it. This is simple healthy, cheap and tasty without onions and garlic food.
Strongly recommend for homemade indian food.
Written November 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dicrom88
Bournemouth27 contributions
Oct 2018 • friends
What a wonderful vegetarian find in this very expensive city - Govindas is located in the historic temple run by Hari Krishna s & offer a 3-course meal for the exceptional price of $10. The surroundings are peaceful & tranquil & service is excellent. In the room next door is the temple itself which is worth a peep, especially when all the candles are lit.
This comes highly recommended especially if you are sensitive to the loud music racket prevailing in most restaurants! What a joy ...
Written November 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
princess1964Ontario
197 contributions
Jun 2018 • couples
Purchased a Groupon for $14, couldn't believe how large our servings were.
Not fancy at all, you'll be quite surprised of the location...but if you like authentic Indian food, this is definitely worth a visit. Please note there are no beverages, just water.
If you do not have a Groupon, it is $10 per person...Unreal!
Give Govinda's a try.
Written June 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bluthner
445 contributions
May 2018 • couples
The restaurant serve delicious meals! The system is a bit different, you are served the salad then you go to a food station where you can choose what you will eat. You can have anything that's available, even try everything if you want too. The limit is what fits in your plate.
Written June 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ivona K
Toronto359 contributions
Sep 2017 • family
Where else in Toronto can you get a real meal for $10?
By no means is this a fancy restaurant; in fact it's actually some kind of religious charity organization. The food was tasty and fresh. Service quite alright. Your plate is filled with your choice of the food available; price includes a starter salad plus a simple dessert.
The ambiance is quite peculiar - you are practically in a temple. I believe the philosophy is not to waste any food so you should aim to eat everything on your plate or ask for a take out container. Limited hours - just a couple of hours at lunch time and then in the evening. Closed on Sundays.
Written September 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suganthi M
Mumbai139 contributions
Jul 2017 • none
After visiting casa loma we had a good walk around towards avenue road and found this place for lunch. Though we were late for aarthi of Krishna, we had good lunch here. The food served was right quantity and the variety was good and tasty. We being vegetarians we're really gratified to have such a meal.
Written August 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TorontoFoodDetective
Toronto5 contributions
Jul 2017 • couples
I visited this restaurants a couple of years ago, it was not bad at that time. At today's visit, the food contained almost no spices at all, just very bland vegetables that had been kept warm for a long time-think school canteen. I hope this is a once off and that the place has not gone all out at catering to customers with no tolerance for spices.
As some reviewers have pointed out, the food is very cheap and the people are friendly.
Written July 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denise T
Toronto97 contributions
Mar 2017 • friends
Govinda's is not your conventional, traditional Indian buffet restaurant.
I will not even call it a restaurant. It is like a canteen, a pleasant, delightful make shift cafeteria that is elegantly set up in the assembly hall of a church/temple building.
The food is prepared in the church's kitchen, and is home made. I was told that they serve different vegetarian food every day. I recall seeing the food inspection certificate displayed.
You will be served a soup, a salad, all you can eat entrée, and a dessert. The suggested donation for the meal at Govinda's is $10.
The food is actually good. Everything that was served was tasty, and the service provided by the volunteers is really great.
Overall, lunching at Govinda's was a delightful and surprising experience in the city of Toronto.
And I just loved that an Indian temple found its home within the walls of a stone walled church in downtown Toronto. It is a wonderful testimony to the multiculturalism and diverse melting pot that this great city is known for. =)
Written March 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tamohara
Cape Town176 contributions
Sep 2016 • solo
This is a wonderful restaurant that serves lunch and supper daily. It is a buffet serving. You pay a set fee and you can enjoy all the wonderful vegetarian foods they prepare. Its part of ISKCON Toronto temple so you can also enjoy the temple area when you are there. The menu varies from day to day but I can say that everyday is good.
Written March 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
veggie108108
Toronto7 contributions
Dec 2016 • none
Govinda's does not disappoint. Great vegetarian platter for lunch including soup and salad to start, a choice of 2 desserts at the end, savory pakoras and a great heaping plate of hot food.
This place does not advertise itself as a buffet, so don't get other comments about it not being a buffet. This is much better! They serve you soup and salad and you then go up and get to choose your hot platter...maybe less rice and more curries and an extra pakora is how you like it. Love this place!!!
Written December 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca K
Toronto226 contributions
Aug 2016 • friends
The best piece of advice is to not go in with high expectations of a spectacular vegetarian buffet. Saying that, however, I absolutely love Govinda's! Everyone that works there is warm and welcoming, all of the food is made from scratch with love, and if you're looking for a delicious, nutritious and warm meal on a budget, this is a fabulous place. They have vegan options too which is great when my best girlfriend (who is vegan) and I eat out.
Written November 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
915denise
Toronto19 contributions
Aug 2016 • friends
What a disappointment
A few vegetarian dishes poorly presented cafeteria style in a steam table
All fried items dry and cold
Salad served with dried out carrots
Tasty peanut salad dressing. .
Our service was very good though
Written August 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meghal Pandya
Toronto58 contributions
Jul 2016 • friends
Govinda's is an extension of Hare Krishna temple. Most of these temples around the world have a restaurant/canteen open to general public. You don't need to be a devotee or visit the temple to eat at Govinda's. One thing to keep in mind is that it does not seem to try to brand itself as a restaurant - it is just a place for devotees and others to get cheap food.
I am giving an average review for Govinda's, just because the next available ratings on Tripadvisor are very good and excellent. I wanted to rate is as "Good", but that option is not available.
Having said that, this is a decent place to have a filling meal in $10, taxes included. It is not a buffet - it is not a completely self-serve restaurant. All the dishes lie behind a counter, and you have to ask for seconds.
We were first served garden salad, with some mustard based dressing that was indeed delicious. Then we went to the counter to get our food. There were three "subzis" - one dry, one with "paneer", one - a mixture of vegetables and beans in a coconut based gravy. This was accompanied by a daal, "pakoda kadhi" and cauliflower "pakodas". This was to be eaten with a one "roti" and a big heap of rice.
They were indeed delicious - spicy enough, but my friend had a feelings they might have as well reheated the lunch dishes or dishes from previous day. Also, for the quantity of "subzis" and "daal", one "roti" is not enough, especially for majority of Indians, who eat substantial quantity of "rotis" with their "subzis" and "daal".
At the end, we were given an option of "sevai kheer" and a date bar. I made a mistake of choosing "kheer", not realising that it was being served hot. So I ended up having a hot "kheer" on the warmest day. I don't think Govinda's would accept my suggestion of serving a chilled "kheer".
The temple has been converted from a church - so there is no air-conditioning. We went on a very warm and humid day, and even with all the windows open, the heat was stifling and as a result, I couldn't enjoy the hot food. So one suggestion would be to visit Govinda's when it is comfortable or cooler outside.
Written August 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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