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Volunteer-run, vegan, wholefood restaurant that shares meals as a gift, free of charge, to all who wish to eat here. Set in a hut built from local natural materials, the meals are prepared in an off-grid solar-powered kitchen by volunteers from around the world, bringing people together to connect over plant-based food. No reservations are needed. For dietary restrictions, contact at least 3 hours before the meal by phone or WhatsApp. Open Mon-Fri 8:00am-9:30am, Mon-Sun 12:00pm-1:30pm, Mon-Wed 5:30pm-7:00pm, Fri 7:00pm-8:30pm, Sat-Sun 8:30am-10:00am, 5:30pm-7:00pm.
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- Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible
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Last update on 21 May 2026 by Aviram
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Added by BadassJB on 09 Nov 2011
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240 Reviews
First Review by vegantommasina
ValentinB
Points +20
Free food in the forest - Edit
I love the food in Sadhana forest, changing all the time, with a load of vegetables, fruits, all vegan, super generous portions and delicious
Read moreAnd it is hard to believe that this has always been for free an going to remain like this.
The meal shared with everybody are a great opportunity to know more about the project and meet interesting people.
Finally I just had that I loved eating in this huge hut surrounded by the forest.
Sadhana forest is a magnificent place worth the journey to come, wherever you are.
Updated from previous review on 2020-03-02
Pros: Free fooood, Wood huge hut, Great talks and people
Cons: I ate too much all the time
Guest
LouNoe
Points +20
Amazing free vegan food - Edit
The food at Sadhana Forest was just amazing! It is all vegan, local and if they can all organic and for free! Everybody is welcome always and during eating you can talk to volunteers and learn more about the project if you want. I highly recommend it.
Read morePros: Vegan, local, organic
Guest
isaachardy
Points +17
Delicious Vegan Organic Food - Edit
Every meal I've had here has been beyond fantastic, I love the creativity of every meal and seeing all the different influences come together in a beautiful way. It's always very filling and there's plenty of food, and it's all free as well. I appreciate the vegan and organic aspect of it as well, and there's no processed foods either.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2020-02-21
Pros: Excellent food, Generous portions , Everyone is very welcoming
Guest
ngjogu
Points +17
Sadhana Forest - Edit
We are here with our family in Sadhana Forest,
Read moreAmazing place to enjoy, we met lot of Volunteers from all over the world.
It's a Dense Forest you will able see lots of species will your walking. There is a Mud Pool, we enjoyed in the water.
There is a Community kitchen you will get only vegan food, lot of activities we have been involved.
Many things to say but i m speechless, everyone should visit this place once in your life.
Thanks
Naresh Nirmala Mahaniya Diven
Guest
BiancaHadley
Points +22
My special place in the forest - Edit
For the last 2 years I've been looking for a non-profit organisation that actually is a non profit organisation, which hasn't been easy.
Read moreI found it, its Sadhana Forest! I' ve been here a week now and just signed up for 5 more weeks. Reforestation, Water conservation, animal sanctuary and helping local communities. Everything in one!
Not going to lie but the vegan only, no smoking, no drinking was panicking me but its so easy if you are you are not being tempted.
17 Different nationalities, all religions and all ages working together to achieve an amazing goal.
If you are ready to learn and be part of an amazing community..come to Sadhana Forest.
Pros: Amazing community, Good food, Fantastic charity
Cons: None
Guest
djsevans87
Points +20
Beautiful Sadhana Forest - Edit
Having arrived in Sadhana Forest with little prior knowledge but following my curiosity - after a recommendation by a fellow traveller - I simply rocked up and was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful energy with which I was greeted and the scale of the project. Taking a mini tour with a mid term volunteer (main tour runs every Friday at 4pm) I got my bearings, enjoyed lunch with the community and felt incredibly welcomed - a home away from home.
Read moreAfter lunch, I spent some more time exploring on my own, relaxing in the meditation hut and plunging into the mud pool. A beautiful evening followed consisting of dinner and an optional sharing circle for which I stayed having previously planned to leave mid afternoon. This magical forest had sunk its teeth in - I simply couldn’t leave. The warmth of the local community blended with Sadhana Forest volunteers from further afield was refreshing and very welcoming - with all ages and a deep love for the environment and human connection, it had a strong family feel. With no money changing hands and not a donation box in sight, this is a beautiful example of the gift economy practiced here. This made it an easy decision to check-in the following day for a month.
So here I am, a week into my time here and loving every minute of it: practising seva (selfless service) each day - planting trees, cooking, cleaning and many more - demonstrating gift economy and living simply in a loving and inspiring community of people from all over the world. Impressed by its ethos and one of the most beautiful attractions in the Auroville area, this will always have a special place in my heart. After this initial month, I will almost certainly return and/or visit one of the other projects in Kenya and Haiti.
Guest
AliceTravelling
Points +20
Visit Sadhana for delicious free vegan food - Edit
I have been volunteering here for 2 weeks. Sadhana Forest is first and foremost a reforestation project where many volunteers live. When we eat breakfast lunch and dinner, visitors are always welcome to join for a free vegan meal. There is no expectation for payment, it is given in the spirit of the gift economy and compassion which are core values here at Sadhana. Come along for breakfast at 8.45, lunch at 12.30 or dinner at 6pm and enjoy.
Read morePros: Organic and local, Beautiful main hut where everyone eats, Great sense of international community
Guest
ChicagoVeg
Points +296
Great vegan community - Edit
Sadhana Forest is a very environmentally councious place providing deforestation in the area, "engineering compassion" through their vegan values, and help raising counciousness (the idea of the Auroville in general). They offer free vegan food to visiters during their breakfasts, lunches and dinners. I recommend to visit and volunteer at this place.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2020-02-11
Guest
ShiriPerelmuter
Points +20
Great vegan food - Edit
The food in Sadhana forest is so so good.
Read morePure vegan, non processed food. Each and every dish made from fresh local ingredients.
The food is healthy, creatively made and super tasty.
All the meals are for free, you can just come and visit, you are always welcome there :)
Pros: Excellent food, Big portion, Great and welcoming vibe
Guest
DayaNoiman
Points +13
Recoment about sadhana forest - Edit
As a vegetarian for many years I wanted to try a vegan diet in a place I won't have to worry all the time about the food I get.
Read moreIn sadhana forest there's several chefs who cook different meals from organic ingredients and the food is always good!
Guest
DevayaniM
Points +20
Amazing wholesome vegan meals - Edit
The vegan food here is cooked in the sustainable kitchen. The food is completely vegan and organic, it is free for everyone. The meals served are wholesome, healthy and really tasty. I loved cooking in the kitchen and serving food to the community.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2020-02-07
Pros: Freshly cooked, Completely organic, Healthy
Guest
PRATIKTUSHAR
Points +20
Must come - Edit
This place serves the best vegan food, made from the fresh ingredients in completely hygienic conditions. A must have experience for anyone. Even for those who aren't really vegan, try this place out, you might consider becoming one.
Read morePros: Hygienic, Fresh, People are really friendly and welcoming
Guest
NetaBarsela
Points +12
Review - Edit
Beautiful special place with amazing vegan food. Everyday they have different chef and different food but it's always good!
Read moreGuest
GloriaDrechsler
Points +20
Food - Edit
It is so tasty food. I love that the food is vegan. I have been vegan since 1 year and feel so much better with vegan food. I can just recommend it. The food in Sadhana Forest is organic and vegan. You can eat in an beautiful silent place and enjoy the organic food. Their is food almost everyday breakfast, lunch, dinner. Their is enough food for everyone and nothing get wasted. If they have to much they give it to the dogs or the compost. This food gets composted and goes back to the roots if a tree.
Read moreGuest
HannahEckardt
Points +22
!!!Best vegan food for free!!! - Edit
When I first came I was suprised to get a huge meal served for free. It was delicious and healthy. I talked to people who lived there and they explained that they want to give it away as a gift. People from all over the world Cook there together and you can join for any meal: 9.00am/12.45pm/6pm. There are lot of amazing people there..I had many inspiering conversation. The admoshere is cozy, like eating with a huge family in your living room. I went alone and instantly met people who became friends.
Read moreThe project is amazing and i go as often as possible! There is always someone who will Show you around and explain the project if youre interested. The area is stunning.
Pros: Amazing atmosphere, Freshly cooked and healthy food, Always friendly to visitors
Guest
Priya_mahima
Points +20
Sadhana forest - Edit
It is my first time in Sadhana Forest near Pondicherry.
Read moreI was informed about the place and the community life by a friend.
My daughter first visited this place 2 years ago.
She was a changed person when she came back .
She began to live a simple life , appreciated all the privileges in life And was greatfull and thankfull.
I was inquisitive to visit this place.
I managed to take time off and with lot of Apprehensions visited this place.
I felt odd the first day, surrounded by friendly strangers, I ate a simple vegan dinner and went to bed in a hut with no electricity and used a toilet with no taps or flush.
It was not so difficult the following days to enjoy sevas such planting trees, lunch preparation, firewood cutting , goshala cleaning, zero waste management .....
The community is not just friendly but was inspiring to see people of all ages participating in work without any expectations. It is true Karma Yoga.
Life after seva is simple, reminding us how privileged and blessed we are, in this planet of abundance.
Everyday activities such as bathing, laundry and cooking are kept very basic to remind us that we need to respect the resources of this planet and preserve it .
It feels great to live in close connection with nature with cows,dogs, cats, peacocks, squirrels,frogs birds,bees and butterflies.
The core values of sadhana Forest are compassion for animals, unschooling and respecting this planet and its resources.
They believe in gift based economy.
There is fun too - with non-talent shows, informative movie nights, informal bon fires , a relaxing mud pool, yoga and a meditation hall.
You can meet local people from close by villages on potluck evenings on Saturdays.
I recommend this place for anyone who needs to meditate,introspect and rediscover oneself.
Also if you miss your grandfathers farm life and want to remind yourself of what this planet used to be not so long ago, do come here.
There is still time to save the planet and save all life !
Pros: Friendly community, Vegan, Simple dood
Guest
PiyushBorse
Points +17
Best vegan food in town - Edit
Hands down the best and trusted vegan food you'll get in and around auroville.
Read moreMade using fresh vegetables and lots of love.
Guest
WinstonLau
Points +22
Best vegan food in town! - Edit
I can say it is indeed the best vegan food in town not to mention it’s actually free! In Sadhana Forest they practice gift economy; that’s why they offer their meals as a gift to whoever happens to swing by the community. Every day there are different chefs, so you will be constantly surprised by various vegan cuisine from all over the world! I especially love the vibrant nutritionous dinner with amazing dessert after the tour & documentry every Friday night. It’s so yummy!!!
Read morePros: Delicious, Nutritionous, Free
Cons: Eat too much
Guest
venkataraobikkina
Points +17
Organic vegan food - Edit
Sadhana forest food is amazing i wonder all the time how they are cooking so delicious vegan food using conventional ways recommend this to everyone who want to eat helthy yummy vegan food.
Read morePros: Organic, Nice vibe, Tasty
Guest
Lukeghyselincks
Points +17
Beautiful project in auroville - Edit
People can come for a delicious 100% vegan and local meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The food is offered as a gift and no money is expected in return. The best time to come would be for the friday dinner/tour.
Read morePros: Welcoming , No cost, Delicious food
Guest
ShabbarAli
Points +22
I love sadhana forest - Edit
Extremely good quality of sadhana forest food and frendly people. I like to go forest and plant trees .
Read moreGuest
cckathmandu
Points +98
A forest community, open to all to share meals - Edit
The food at Sadhana Forest is delicious, healthy, vegan and plentiful. To enjoy a meal here without committing to a volunteer period you can drop in to the Friday tour at 4.30pm, which is followed by a film and meal. You can also visit at any other time you like and enjoy a tour and if it is mealtime you will be invited to eat with the community. Sadhana Forest operates on gift economy so you won't be asked to pay anything for your meal. It will be an incredibly positive and memorable experience.
Read morePros: Core values , Gift economy , Welcoming to all
Guest
mikedjone
Points +20
Best vegan food ever - Edit
The vegan food in Sadhanna is amazing it's very tasty and it's mixed with the love and compassion of these amazing people
Read moreGuest
IsabelleKiff
Points +93
Natural vegan meals - Edit
Sadhana Forest food is delicious! It's all unprocessed and comes from ethical sources. The community practises gift economy so there is no charge for meals😄I've learnt so many new vegan recipes from Sadhana meals and would recommend anyone in the area joins for a meal and learns more about the amazing volunteer community.
Read morePros: Wonderful atmosphere, Ethical, Good portion size
Guest
DhananjayLimaye
Points +22
Best vegan food - Edit
Sadhana Forest has the best vegan food u can find. They have home grown vegetables and the food is delicious fresh and has a feel good factor.
Read morePros: Excellent food, Friendly volunteers , Community meals
Guest
JoannaTomkins
Points +19
Open all day - Edit
Pop in anytime and head to the Main Hut where you will be welcomed by a volunteer who will show you around and you'll be invited for a free meal, either breakfast, lunch or dinner, depending on the time. Gift economy in action. Impressive! And great food!
Read morePros: Free, Huge servings, Kid friendly
Cons: Difficult to find if you are self driving
Guest
BrunnaPujol
Points +16
Amazing Sadhana Forest - Edit
Sadhana Forest it's an amazing place completely vegan, every meal it's delicious, every Saturday at 6pm the dinner it's open for everyone in theTea Hut, and you can stay there and learn a lot about how live in community and about yourself, connect with the nature and meet beautiful people, serve for an amazing purpose!! 💚🌱
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2019-10-29
Pros: Delicious food , Vegan , Great vibe
Guest
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