Govinda’s Natural Food Restaurant

We go here once every 2 – 3 weeks to enjoy the vegan/​vegetarian buffet at a steal of 8 $ per person. The steaming hot dals are our favorite dish, I have had dal all my life but I am unable to recreate the deliciousness of their dal in my kitchen! I love all the food they put out including the variety of salads. It is super healthy food and only problem is everytime we go there. my stomach is full before my heart is!

A calm and beautiful environment to enjoy tasty and nutricious vegetarian food. Delicious vaguely Indian cuisine and salad. You serve yourself cafeteria-​style and pay by weight. Very reasonable. A wonderful treasure.

I been to this like place 10 times. Loved the variety of salads especially the potato salad with the dressings, humus with the awesome bread, loved the curries with the lentil soup with different types of rice.

I’m a fan because it’s simple Indian-​ish cafeteria food made with love. I don’t need frills and thrills. Just something nutritious and that pleases my palates. I’ve been going here every week for at least a month now. Afterwards I walk on right over to get my spiritual side tuned up for the week. :) Thank you

I just love this place. Basically, this is what «food» is to me. It’s not exactly «Indian», as my kids ask, though some of their Indian dishes taste more authentic than in Indian restaurants. It’s basically good, hippie-​veggie-​American-​Indian-​based cafeteria-​fare. It’s way better, I’m sure, than I cook night after night, and I didn’t cook it. Possibly cheaper too. But not fancy. I think of this as essentially home-​food, rather than restaurant-​eating-​out food. It’s really delicious, filling, healthful, reasonably priced.
The tofu dish on the salad bar was really delicious and the jackfruit excellent. I want to find an apartment on Watseka and eat there every other night.
I can’t begin to imagine a statement like this other poster’s [I am not agreeing with this!]: «Govinda’s is in the top 10 worst restaurant meals I’ve ever had in my life» — basically, ‘Govinda’s is in the top 10 _​best_​restaurant meals I’ve ever had in my life’. That’s maybe because I can’t afford to go to really good restaurants. But I really couldn’t be happier with this restaurant. It’s interesting the spread of experiences is so great here.

this place still totally rocks. had the whole mung bean dahl today that was to die for with just a hint of splce & heat. & why is that farina w/​fruit/​peaches so tasty? the salads & other subjis, etc… yummy too.
they also have free guest wifi [via facebook I believe].
please note & allow extra time — there’s much construction both ways on Venice Bl. & in front of the restaurant, yes, making even less parking. they’re tearing up the part between the sidewalk & curb [didn’t ask what was going there]. also they are doing some construction on other parts of the property.

What an experience! This place is not an Indian restaurant but an immersion.
I walked out with a full to go box for 4.50. A steal. The patrons were very sweet and talkative– asked me questions, remembered my name, introduced me to the owner, yelled «goodbye Tracy» as I left… the whole tour.
The lentil soup was good. The salad bar had room for improvement– sort of the cheap refrigerated salad bar taste. There was pasta as well. Their specialty is obviously their vegan/​veggie food, and for that it’s a great value and great experience. I felt good about eating there. Try it!
Update: gosh the pasta was bad. I want to give this place more stars but it was inedible. 5 star experience… The food… Not so much

I’ve been going to Govinda’s for over 20-​years. I love this place, my family loves this place. We probably eat there, on average of once-​a-​month. My kids actually ask to go there– they love the halva!
In reference to recent reviews, I did notice last time I went the taste on one of the hot dishes was off, I suspect they have a new chef. However, I’m confident the inconsistency and seasoning issues will be resolved. They will work it out.
Visit boutique above the restaurant for awesome imported clothing and accessories.

I eat here every weekend, love their eggplant. Will continue to eat here. Good and friendly service.

Pros: We didn’t waste too much money on the meal
Cons: This was one of the worst meals I have ever had. I definitely will not return. Also, the vibe is weird and the people are unfriendly.

In my many years of Unilocaling, I have never disagreed more with the Unilocal flock on one location as I did with the rating for Govinda’s. In my many years of going to restaurants, I can definitively say that Govinda’s is in the top 10 worst restaurant meals I’ve ever had in my life.
I realize those are big statements. I’ve been to a lot of restaurants. I truly can’t think of ten other restaurants where I’ve been more underwhelmed and grossed out with the food as I was with Govinda’s. I’ve been vegetarian for five years of my life and generally enjoy vegan food, so it’s not that either. I love Indian food in general. Maybe we went on a bad day, but man we thought the food here was truly bad.
Reading through the reviews, you know that Govinda’s is a vegan buffet next door to a Hare Krishna temple in Palms. There’s a salad bar, some hot Indian food, plus a pasta dish. Visually, everything looks pretty bright and comparable to other Indian buffets in LA. It’s about $ 8 for the lunch buffet.
My wife and I, who are both pretty adventurous eaters and lovers of all global foods, both thought this was one of the worst restaurant meals we’ve had in recent memory. The salad elements had that «refrigerator taste,» the warm Indian food was pretty tasteless with slop-​like texture, and my wife got a soup that she said «tasted like the smell when you get a perm.» When you compare this to other Indian buffets on the Westside or even Samosa House, this is way, way, below that.
We went expecting to feast on a lunch buffet and ended up picking at our plates, then leaving as fast as possible to get boba just to get the taste of this meal out of our mouths. Because of how gross the meal was, my wife asked me, «Do you think this is gonna make us sick later?» on the drive home. Since it’s vegan food, probably not, but I understood exactly what she said.
Again, maybe we caught it on a bad day, but this place was not our jam at all.

I eat here almost everyday. I dream about the salad bar. I also am obsessed with the Jackfruit main dish they serve on occasion. Its Fresh and friendly.

I’ve made a few trips now to Govinda’s, attached to the Hare Krishna center in Culver City. While trying to convince coworkers to come with me to a vegan buffet connected to a religious group is not the easiest sell, but so far, all of those that haven’t been annoyed by the initial description have been really surprised (and even impressed!) with the selection of food and the price.
However they cook the main course of veggies is a mystery to me – but I wish I knew because they are delicious. I highly recommend the samosas as well!
The take out pricing is a little bit higher as it’s weighed by the pound. But even then, you’re still looking at a large and delicious meal for around $ 10.
Check out the shop upstairs! Really beautiful tapestries and scarves.

I just looked over and saw a two star rating by Rahul G. who stated «Not good food. People give good reviews because of temple I think.» I agree with Rahul, although I’m still giving this place 4 stars because I enjoyed dining here. Their food taste light and fresh. So light and fresh that I would say that it titters on bland and lukewarm. Make sure to visit the gift shop upstairs.

This was my everyday lunch place. Perfect place for a vegetarian healthy meal. And it costs just $ 8 ($ 6.5 if you are either a student or senior citizen). Definitely underpriced. I miss this place.

Not good food.
People give good reviews because of temple I think.
I have had food here a couple of times and have always been disappointed.

I’ve missed Hare food so much. This place is great. Chilled, cheap, Hare-​esque. Such a fantastic find in the depths of LA. Great selection. $ 8 for a lunch plate. Absolutely awesome.
The wee worship garden out the back is beautiful too. I didn’t get to sit in there today, but I will for sure next time I visit. Great spot for digestion and gratitude for the mountain of food you just ate.

Namaste Unilocal Matas and Prabhus. I was brainwashed to eat natural foods (and McDonald’s), ever since… I was a baby Beatles fan… So I took my daddy and his childhood friend’s sister to Govinda’s in Culver City, CA. Mmhhhppt.
Hare Krsna buffet ($ 8 per person or higher donation, because it’s a religious house people). Good selection. Mild compared to traditional Indian food. Vegetarian.
I would have taken photos, however, my dad stopped me. Bad karma on photos taken in religious places. What was I thinking…
Menu changes every day of the week. And you can dance afterwards singing the lord’s name… Peace! Love! Happiness! Hare Krsna!

With a student discount I paid $ 6.50 for all you can eat. Price wise — can’t be beat.
It’s all vegan too which is great for me and I can eat anything without worrying about if there’s meat or cheese somewhere hidden.
The décor is plain but there’s ac and it does have a homey sort of feel. But definitely not a date place — it’s more like a cafeteria mixed with an Indian restaurant.
The food is good, not amazing, and there aren’t a whole lot of choices. You can make a salad with a good amount of toppings and then there is rice, pasta (which was actually amazing) and some other vegetable dishes. But again, for $ 6.50 (it’s $ 8 not being a student) the food is very good. It is simple food, but overall healthy, and you can eat as much as you like.
If you’re looking for good, simple, healthy and cheap vegan food, come here. Just don’t expect fancy décor or anything!

Delicious, healthy and inexpensive vegetarian buffet. My daughter and I popped in for the first time today and will definitely be back.
You can either pay $ 8.50 for an unlimited Buffet or pay by weight. Very healthy options to be had here.

I love Govinda’s and wish they had about 4 more locations at least. The restaurant is tied to the Krishna temple, but there is no solicitation or even a suggestion of promotion of the Krishnas that own and operate Govinda’s. Beautiful, simple, clean vegetarian meals in a great location off Venice blvd in Culver Cty. It’s buffet style with indoor or outdoor seating. Govinda’s is a wonderful, peaceful oasis with yummy nourishment at a fabulous price!

I highly recommend this place.
I’ve been eating here twice a month (sometimes more) for many years and I plan to keep going back as long as I live in Los Angeles. The food here is ALWAYS great and the staff are super friendly.
Pros
–Consistently tasty food
–New items on different visits
–Low price for buffet (even lower for students with ID)
–Generally quiet/​spiritual atmosphere
–Friendly staff/​devotees
Cons
–Parking can be a pain during busy hours
–Low selection of items
Although they have a low selection of items, they tend to frequently switch it up (or rotate) on the soups and entrees. So if you’re like me and you go more than once a month, you’ll probably eat different things on each visit. If you consistently go several times a month over a few months, you’ll probably have tried everything they dish out (pun intended) until they come up with new dishes, which they sometimes do.
Their soups are ALL delicious. I try to go whenever I’m in the Culver City area just for the soups… no joke. I love any excuse to go to Govindas!
If you see me there, say Hare Krishna! Bön appetit!

I’m not a vegetarian, but I really dig this place. Super freaking cheap and super freaking delicious. It’s got a very homey vibe and the people who work here are great. The only negative would probably be that parking is a bit difficult to find.

This place is a real gem.
It’s next to and I think part of/​subsidized by a Hare Krishna temple, which I’m guessing is how they are able to have such good quality food for such an affordable price. $ 8 all you can eat, $ 4.50/lb, really good veg Indian Food… really as good as it gets, in my book.
In addition to great price and great food, I like the vibe. There’s a let’s-chat-about-philosophy-and-the-world atmosphere, and the place has no frills in terms of decoration. Feels like the food is home cooked.
I only wish I lived closer so I could go more often.