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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
Update business info -
Added by BadassJB on 09 Nov 2011
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240 Reviews
First Review by vegantommasina
SuvarnaRasal
Points +19
Amazing, wonderful, beautiful and lovely place - Edit
For me Sadhana forest is Heavan on the Earth. The space is fullll of love, compassion and highly energetic people. However one should spend minimum two weeks to really feel the energy, love and compassion. Very important suggestion don't leave the space without meeting Aviram and Yorit the founder of the this lovely places.
Read moreGuest
Vita2040
Points +16
Feeding the heart and belly - Edit
I really loved the values and big heart of this place. A lot of 'free' restaurants pressure you to make a donation, but the community here really didn't expect any such thing and were just happy to have guests with whom to share their meal. I was so touched by their generosity and kindness.
Read moreThe ambience felt very home-like, and the food likewise felt wholesome and good for the soul, not just the body. I didn't know that vegan food could be so hearty and filling - I left with a feeling of fullness and deep satisfaction.
Pros: Completely free, Wholesome and filling food, Warm community feeling
Cons: Not very easy to find
Guest
Chloésadhana
Points +11
Vegan community - Edit
Merveilleuse opportunité de vivre dans cette communauté vegan, de manger local, bio et fermier
Read moreGuest
MysocialNetworking
Points +13
Best vegan community - Edit
Biggest vegan community in the whole world
Read moreServes the best jack fruits which is grown inside the forest
The best thing I like is the vegan ice cream and also people come from different background and countries so we get an opportunity of trying various vegan dishes at Sadhana Forest
Pros: Sustainable living , Reforestation , Water conservation
Cons: You tend to change and become nice
Guest
RichardRoy
Points +25
Food for the body and the soul - Edit
Highly recommended if you're in the Pondicherry/Auroville area!
Read moreSadhana Forest is at its core a community whose central driving force is compassion. Compassion towards the planet and all its inhabitants - through the reforestation efforts and in everyday life. The fact that vegan food is served here is entirely a natural consequence of this decision.
The food is prepared by the community and the variations in cuisine are a reflection of the multicultural environment here. The kitchen is capable of serving well over 200 individuals, as is common on the weekly visits of individuals from Auroville (along with the tour and the film screening- all of which are offered as a gift from the community).
To be able to prepare delicious and nutritious food consistently and in such large volumes to cater to the various tastes of all who visit or stay here is no mean feat and is quite a commendable accomplishment. Additionally, the kitchen accommodates persons on specific diets (Jain diets or raw food) or with allergies and prepares wholesome meals around such restrictions.
Oh, also, the food, like everything else at Sadhana Forest, is offered as a gift to all who pass by and are curious to see what life is like in a compassionate community!
Pros: Delicious and nutritious food, Diverse cuisines and welcoming community, Abundant proportions for residents and guests
Guest
georgegeorge
Points +22
Not just a meal out but an experience - Edit
Nutritiously dense, colourful and tasty food, enjoyed in a wonderfully friendly community. It’s hard to find a peaceful setting like this to enjoy your food. Oh, and it’s free!
Read morePros: Free!, Great company, No menu, so every meal is a surprise
Guest
LukeMarsh
Points +16
Vegan Kitchen! - Edit
For a vegan kitchen that produces hundreds to thousands of meals a week, the standard of food is really high. Having a kitchen run by volunteers from different countries is a really nice experience where everyone puts a different spin on their food.
Read morePros: Best Vegan food, Lots of Vegan food, Vegan food with lots of great people
Cons: There are only 3 Sadhana Forests
Guest
TinaFleurYoga
Points +20
Excellent meals in Sadhana Forest - Edit
I stayed in Sadhana Forest for 2 week, and enjoy every single meal. Vegan, local with an international touch, organic and non-processed ingredients... I highly recommand to come and share a meal... and much more !
Read moreTina, from France.
Guest
tanirothman
Points +16
Great vegan food at an amazing project! - Edit
First of all the food is amazing, sokuch veriaty and flavours and comepletly vegan! Cant stop eating..
Read moreAlso if you are looking for an experiece that is in nature, ecological, vegan, community, volunteer, and beautiful people (and as i wrote amazing food) you should come to this place!
Guest
LookItsBr00ke
Points +20
Love! - Edit
We are changing the world!
Read morePros: Animals!, Community!, Healing the Earth!
Guest
Alexks32
Points +11
Yummy and filling - Edit
The food was great and tasty. Never having tried much vegan food before I was unsure of what to expect. However I found the food delicious and was enough to fill me up. Defintely some vegan recipes I'm going to take with me and use in my daily life.
Read morePros: Plenty of food, Delicious, Fresh
Guest
RavenFarhadTohidi
Points +15
:Joyous-journey - Edit
[Many thanks to the Sadhana-forest team for welcoming me and considering me as part of the family.
Read moreAwesome place for connecting to nature, planting trees, eating amazing vegan food, meeting loving people, and much playing.
My deep love and gratitude ]
Pros: loving and happy team, living in natural housing, eating many amazing vegan meals
Guest
tomatosmoothie
Points +18
Awesomesauce! - Edit
Best place ever. If your vegan and love life. Come down here and be a part of the forest.
Read morePros: Vegan food, Simplistic living, Community
Guest
GautierLTU
Points +53
Vegan dream comes true - Edit
Vegan, eco-responsible and resiliant. Not only a restaurant, but an entire village dedicated to a natural lifestyle. A must.
Read morePros: Food, People, Village
Guest
cassiebarba
Points +16
I love this place!!! - Edit
Sadhana forest is an experience that everyone should have. The environment is so loving and welcoming and positive. The food is incredible.... 3 vegan meals every day Monday through Friday, two meals Saturday and Sunday. There is also no processed food there. They support local, are totally zero waste and are doing so much for the environment. I highly suggest to experience this place!!!
Read morePros: Environmentally friendly. , Incredible vegan food, No processed food
Guest
Sweettooth!
Points +45
Vegan Dream Come True!!!!! - Edit
Sadhana Forest is a vegan's dream come true! This must be the biggest vegan volunteer organization in the world and I wished I would've known earlier about this place! The food that is served by the community is 100 % vegan - for the environment, for animals and for us humans of this planet! And since every meal is prepared with local, organic, whole food ingredients and lots of LOVE, you get to eat tasty healthy vegan food😄I truly cannot recommend Sadhana Forest enough! If you're vegan already or interested in veganism, check this place out! It is full of beautiful souls :)
Read moreGuest
jasonfloats
Points +178
Great! - Edit
This place is wonderful! People are amazing and food is wonderful! Great proportion especially for the low low price of FREE! Thanks so much Sadhana😌❤️
Read moreGuest
Dirk1338
Points +16
Best vegan place around - Edit
The community has awesome vegan food. You can come on an Friday evening to the eco film club and a tour around the community and enjoy a great vegan meal after the movie, all for free!
Read morePros: Vegan, organic and local food, raw vegan option for volunteers
Guest
RiyaParikh
Points +15
May the Forest be with you. - Edit
A community growing a forest and growing in itself along with the forest!
Read morePros: Vegan, Open Minded Community , Great for Children!
Guest
emka*
Points +16
Great community with vegan fire cooked food - Edit
Sadhana Forest is a community of reforesters, planting trees and living together. They live together and cook on the wood from the forest they planted. They cook only vegan and whole food meals which are just awesome and free. Almost hard to believe but you can actually drop by for any of the meals served there and join the meal for free. Most of it is organic as well. They don't ask for donations but if one wants to give one, one is always invited to do so.
Read moreThe meal times are: 8:30, 12:30 and 18:00. It is good to be on time. On Fridays they have a special tour and film.
Pros: Free, Whole food and organic, Cooked on fire
Guest
GijsJazz
Points +690
Amazing Place - Edit
Amazing sustainable international vegan community. If you want to see how far sustainable living can go (and want to have a nice organic vegan rocket stove meal), just drop in and meet this lovely community or stay on as a volunteer.
Read morePros: Hospitable, inspiring community, Learn about reforestation, sustainable living and
Guest
pistol_pete
Points +396
One of the best places I have ever been - Edit
Most of the time people just talk about their ideals. The people at Sadhana Forest actually live them. From veganism, to un-schooling, to reforestation, to composting, to water conservation, to gift economy ... they just tick every box for me. I got to spend two weeks here, where I met some amazing people and made some of the best memories of my life. I also learned valuable methods of living more consciously that I hope to implement in my own life.
Read morePros: Vegan, Progressive, Actually doing things that matter
Guest
JohnConly
Points +73
Great community - Edit
Awesome welcoming vegan eco community living a simple way of life and you volunteer to help the reforestation of the area. lovely people :)
Read moreGuest
vegantommasina
Points +33
a vegan oasis - Edit
Sadhana Forest is a vegan volunteering community that follows its ideals to every extent possible. Â All of the food is organic from the legumes, and grains to the fruits and vegetables. Â The greens and tapioca, and some of the papaya are grown on the grounds as well. Â Food is cooked using rocket-stoves which is the most highly efficient wood-burning stove possible. Â All kitchen power is provided by solar energy too!Â
Read moreBreakfast is my favorite with lots of fresh fruit: pomegranate, papaya, sweet lime, and pineapple, with a porridge sweetened with bananas and jaggery sauce. Â Lunch is often red rice, dahl, a flavorful subji, and a tangy shredded cabbage salad. Â Coconut curries and lemon rice are popular starring dishes as well. Dinner varies a lot but my favorite is Wednesday since it's hummus night! Â Sometimes we have sweets made from tahini, date syrup, coconut flakes, and peanuts, or laddu, an Indian ragi and coconut cookie.
Every Friday night is a free tour of Sadhana Forest, a screening of a film for Eco-Film Club, and a free vegan dinner for all visitors. Â You can get a ride to Sadhana Forest by meeting at Solar Kitchen in the center of Auroville. Â
I've been volunteering here for the past two weeks and have felt extremely grateful for the quality and taste of the food. Â If you've traveled in India as a vegan you know that it can be hard to communicate about getting dishes without ghee or curd, or even fresh sanitary salads. Â Sadhana Forest is seriously a vegan oasis in India and even the world. Where else is there completely vegan community like this? Â Let me know if you find one... In any case, I highly recommend travelers to spend some time here and enjoy the home-cooked meals three times a day but at least come for Friday's dinner if you can! Â
Pros: all-natural and organic, friendly volunteers and community, beautiful community
Cons: difficult to find
Guest
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