Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Indian
Fast food
Delivery
Take-out
Part of international chain of South Indian vegetarian cuisine restaurants. Serves dosas, idlis, and more. Uses dairy, so let the staff know if you are vegan and do not want yogurt, ghee, or cream, etc. Open Mon-Sat 9:00am-10:30pm.
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Last update on 13 Mar 2024 by SaravanaaBhavan
Update business info -
Added by Kittybiscuit on 26 May 2017
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20 Reviews
First Review by Kittybiscuit
Mystic_duck
Points +218
Great but hard to find the vegan options - Edit
Delicious food but had to have the waitress show us what was vegan and after we chose a dal, she had to come back out and switch to an aloo Gobi.
Read moreRecommend researching dishes first
Guest
yumchadong
Points +5539
Great dosa - Edit
Saravana’s masala dosa never disappoints. Great dosa, delicious chutneys.
Read moreGuest
WeebyVegan
Points +62
Very tasty but not very allergen friendly - Edit
The food I got (I could only have 1 or 2 things being gluten free) was VERY tasty but it was hard to ask about allergens as their menu doesn't list allergens and the staff aren't easy to ask about them. Usually with indian food, being GF i can eat quite a few options - almost all the menu- it was a bit strange. I love the authentic south indian food though!
Read moreGuest
harrisonfm
Points +681
Dumb ordering system - Edit
No paper menus, no wifi to view the online menu, couldn’t order at the counter. I left without eating.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-09-07
Guest
s.singh1
Points +56
Loved it - Edit
Amazing vegan food, a treat if you love South Indian cuisine!
Read moreGuest
Naust
Points +406
Delicious - Edit
Absolutely delicious food for a great price. The service was also good and food came out fast.
Read morePros: Vegan options , Delicious , Good value
Guest
RSD
Points +516
Tasty Indian - Edit
Been here a few times, big menu, fast service, chai offices delicious masala dosa!
Read moreGuest
YohanⓋ
Points +6078
Much improved! - Edit
This place has improved very much, and the food is way better than the Wantirna one! We had the Thali, and it was really delicious and filling! The staff were very nice too!
Read morePros: Tasty food, Great service
Guest
travellingbutterfly
Points +1339
Very, very yummy! - Edit
Nice place specialising in Indian cuisine. Everything regarding COVID safety has been put in place and you order through your phone. Just state vegan in the comments. Lovely choices, suitable prices, a nice place for lunch.
Read moreGuest
PiaMA
Points +86
One of my favourite restaurants in Melbourne! - Edit
I have been going to this restaurant for over three years.
Read moreSaravanaa Bhavan are famous for a reason, they make incredible South Indian food! I have taken so many friends here, and I've honestly never had a bad (or even an average) meal.
Every time I walk in I hear someone say "mini thali vegan?" The fact that the staff always remember my order attest to how lovely and genuine they are.
The vegan items I've tried include one of my favourite thalis in Melbourne (they will take away dairy items and give you extra of others), vada, idly, bajji (onion, chilli), masala and mysore dosa, uthappam... I'm sure I've tried more than that, but wanted to mention they will make so many delicious South Indian items vegan!
Make sure to specifically say no ghee or dairy as well as mentioning you're vegan, the staff are warm and happy to help. I have always found it an easy and accommodating process asking which items are vegan.
Pros: Fantastic food, Great service, Big portions for great prices
Cons: Can get very busy especially at lunch time
Guest
Tempeh
Points +59
Worth the perseverance - Edit
It's hard to find Indian vegetarian restaurants in Melbourne / Victoria but Saravanaa Bhavan (in King St, city) is not only quality vegetarian but has the added benefit of exposing Melburnians to wonderful south Indian cuisine.
Read moreGenerally, it's very good, authentic food on offer here. The fact that Indians comprise over 80% of the customers attests to this. An extra bonus is that many South Indian selections are vegan.
Indian knowledge of 'vegetarian' is second to none but the term 'vegan' remains largely foreign or poorly understood. I once asked what they had that was vegan, and the man replied: "Sorry, we don't serve non-veg here." (!)
If you're after vegan food, determining whether the dish you're keen on includes ghee (clarified butter) or curd (yoghurt) is crucial. Make sure you ask. Even twice if need be.
Updated from previous review on 2020-03-08
Pros: South Indian dishes feature prominently, Plastic plates and utensils not to be found, Food is generally fresh and authentic
Cons: 'Vegan' not understood by 50% of staff
Guest
Hilke
Points +174
Generous portions - Edit
Generous portions and good value. Spicy and delicious.
Read moreGuest
bellarosea
Points +13
Amazing - Edit
Atmosphere was cute and nice, super friendly and helpful staff who didn't mind helping and picking out what I wanted. We're organised on what was vegan.
Read moreFood was incredible too, and good prices!
Pros: Delicious food, Good vegan options
Guest
KillerZombie
Points +174
Great dosa - Edit
Chain of Indian veggie cafes; just tell them to make dosas with no ghee
Read morePros: Great food
Guest
JHa
Points +41
Great - Edit
Lots to choose from and clean
Read morePros: Traditional favs
Cons: none
Guest
Kittybiscuit
Points +8595
Tasty SB food but what’s happened to the vegan options? - Edit
Updated: I did receive a response and apparently their customers want ghee. You can ask for something to be vegan. I’m not sure that I have any confidence in getting this right though. They also told me to look at the health benefits of ghee which obviously misses the point completely.
Read more15 Nov I went last night again and noticed that on one menu 3/4 of the vegan options seemed to be crossed out. I’ve emailed them to ask whether there was always dairy, or have they just started to add dairy. I’ve also explained that veganising dosa particularly isn’t difficult and they should try it. No response yet but I’m very annoyed at them! Obviously still vegetarian but not sure I’d be recommending for vegans now. I’ve now written to them via fb, messenger and email but no response. I’m very disappointed in them
This restaurant only just opened. I am happy that their menu shows which options are vegan but I think there needs to be more clarification around them. We ordered onion bhaji and it had v next to them but when I asked about one of the sauces it wasn't vegan.
I've eaten in their branches across the world and their flavours are consistent. Love their dosa and poori masala. Their sambar is delicious.
The service was quick and friendly.
I will be going back but I'll make sure that I clarify that when it notes vegan that I double check first.
Updated from previous review on 2017-12-02
Pros: Dosa
Cons: Seems to change items that are vegan, Now seems to be very limited vegan options
Guest
CaitlinMonnery
Points +97
Yummy Indian food - Edit
I love this place but (as with the previous review) I've noticed they've started to cross out the vegan symbol on some menus, and there isn't consistency - last time we were given 4 for our table and somethings were labeled as vegan on one menu but not on another. To be safe I have asked before ordering, but is it a bit concerning.
Read moreFood wise it is really good but wait time can be quite long and while there seems to be a huge number of staff it can be hard to get their attention, and it's a bit more expensive then other places I've been to for similar food.
Pros: Tasty food
Cons: inconsistent vegan labels, long waits, on the pricey side
Guest
jesse558
Points +330
Great food...but! - Edit
Ezra and myself ate here after a long day at work, we got 4 meals, 2 drinks. The meals we had were great.
Read moreBut! We only got 3 meals, played for it and our drinks weren't done right, long waiting time. And the restaurant was empty.
Would give it another chance potentially.
Pros: lots of vegan options, delicious
Cons: expensive, bad attention to detail, money focused
Guest
Aloo
Points +7215
Spoilt for choice - Edit
Indian style restaurant - with value deals that are really good. Plenty of options on the menu, with a focus on South Indian style. I had mini dosa value meal, with idly and Vada. Was the right size for a decent lunch. Plenty of seating, friendly service and not too long to wait, even if they are making it fresh (as opposed to the food prepared in the buffet selection). Vegan options are marked on the menu.
Read moreGuest
TBR
Points +383
Superior flavours - Edit
Happened to be the nearest all-veg restaurant to my hotel. Not disappointed. Not fancy, more like a canteen, but totally delicious. Vegan options all clearly marked, and lots of them.
Read morePros: Vegan options all clearly marked, and lots of them
Guest
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