Govindas Natural Foods Buffet
711 E Blacklidge Dr, Tucson, AZ, 85719
Govindas Natural Foods Buffet Menu
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Every Day Options...
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Desserts
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Drinks
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Prices
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Tuesday 9/30
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Wednesday 10/1
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Thursday 10/2
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Friday 10/3
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Saturday 10/4
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Sunday 10/5
Healthy Meal suggestions for Govindas Natural Foods Buffet
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Every Day Options...
-
Desserts
-
Drinks
-
Prices
-
Tuesday 9/30
-
Wednesday 10/1
-
Thursday 10/2
-
Friday 10/3
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Saturday 10/4
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Sunday 10/5
Visit below restaurant in Tucson for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Tucson for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
711 E Blacklidge Dr
Tucson, AZ, 85719 - Phone (520) 792-0630
- Website https://www.govindasoftucson.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Kimber I.
My boys and I have enjoyed eating at Govinda's for years. We LOVE so many things about Govinda's. We love the people (like Gino), the food (like the Samosas), the wildlife (like the peacocks), the shop (clothing, etc)and the overall ambiance. We always feel welcomed and loved and will continue to not only frequent this establishment for meals, but also for the events that they frequently host as well. Thank you all for everything you continue to do to make Govinda's a diamond in the rough here in Tucson. See you next Vegan Thursday buffet! Aloha~Kimber, Leroy, & Dominic
(5)Dr Tim L L.
I have such good memories of feasts with Hari Krishna friends that I was expecting some really good Indian food. The size of the buffet is adequate. The vegie Samosa are an extra $ 2. Not worth it at all. Had a really funky taste for my pallet. I only found 2 items on the whole buffet that were good to my liking. So I left unsatisfied. From the great photos on here and their website, I expected the grounds to look spectacular. Hmph, they were not. Needless to say I will not return.
(2)James S.
Did I eat at a different restaurant than the other reviewers? I simply don't get how this place merits 5 stars in any way, but I'm glad people enjoy it so much and help keep them in business, because they seem like nice folks. To the food, and I'll be brief: it was mostly piles of mush in pans. The chickpeas were okay, bit overcooked and the paneer seemed dry and old. Maybe it had just been sitting too long. The other main dish was overcooked potatoes and some pleasant spices, mushed together. I've eaten at a million Indian buffets, so it's not like I haven't seen this kind of food done well, and presented in a more attractive way. The place itself is a bit dingy and didn't do much for the eye, but I would have gladly overlooked the surroundings had the food been better. I also felt as if I had gotten lost and ended up in someone's church camp. I left hungry because I found it unsatisfying, and ended up eating a much better vegetarian meal at the Arizona Inn.
(2)Ayari A.
Husband and I went to Govindas on our wedding anniversary this and from this meal we have changed our life to a vegan lifestyle. Next year we will celebrate our vegan anniversary with them also. Luv this place, very friendly staff, clean, and delicious food.
(5)Adam F.
YELP BREAKING NEWS: Tucson's hidden gem has been found. I'll start out by saying this is a restaurant you can't see off of a major road. If you are on 1st Ave, turn at Blacklidge Drive. It is two blocks away from the Ft.Lowell/1st intersection. Once you get on Blacklidge, it will fairly easy to notice. It is a compound-looking building with a parking lot on the north side of the street. Govinda's is an experience. It is not just a natural foods buffet; we'll get to that in a bit. I immediately felt a spiritual vibe as I began walking into the building. It has a beautiful exterior that has been mentioned in the pictures of reviews already mentioned. This is also a Church that is open to everyone of all faiths. While it is Hindu-inspired, I noticed they had symbols of other faiths throughout the complex. There is a temple to pray and meditate, and that is open to everyone. Because this makes it a non-profit, the money raised go towards food costs, the employees, and the Church itself. The owner does not profit from the restaurant or the gift shop. The atmosphere inside the restaurant is exceptionally unique. At 5:00 sharp, the place opens for dinner. There's an eclectic crowd waiting to enter. Most completely knew what they were doing, so it was apparent to me these people have been there before. That is a good sign. This isn't just some place where you eat solo or strictly with your party. I ended up talking to many patrons all of us were eating. This is a place uniting people...another plus! Of course, I have to talk about the food. Everything is vegetarian or vegan. There are two parts of the buffet bar. The first part is the cold food: salads, toppings, and dressings. Obviously, the second part is the hot stuff. there are a couple of soups but most of the hot food will change daily based on the designated entree of the day. Before you enter the line, you can grab a few different varieties of Indian bread. Here are some adjectives to describe the food: phenomenal, fantastic, stupendous, tremendous, and wondrous. Cooked from scratch and made with love. I was talking to the manager after my meal and he said it is a duty to take care of making the food. Everything was fresh and delicious. When you are done with your plate or bowl, you bring it yourself to put it away. You scrap off whatever food is left on your plate, which I did not have to do because I ate everything on all my plates! If you get water to drink, you get up and refill it yourself. These are no biggies at all. They would take care of you if you were unable to do either of these two. Lastly, here are some other things to note: Every Sunday at 5:30 there is always something going on at the Temple. They are closed Mondays, but every three or four Mondays they help feed the homeless. They have a cottage on site that is available to rent. Similar room amenities to that of a hotel but way cheaper. There hours change during the Gem & Mineral show because so many of the people that participate are looking for a place like Govinda's to dine, meditate, or stay. I talked about wanting to try this plate for most of 2014, but never did. I am so glad that I did not wait long into 2015 to give this place a try. I will definitely be back again and again!
(5)Faith D.
Need a bit of peace, nourishing food, and a calm environment? Get away from it all and eat lunch or dinner at Govinda's. It wasn't until I was searching Yelp for vegetarian options and this place came to the top of the list. It's a refreshing spot in the desert where I felt welcome and encouraged to eat healthy. Plan to go on a beautiful day; they have an open courtyard with plenty of seating. The people working the buffet and cash register area were very kind. It's just one of those feel good places. The food is very good and flavorful. You can eat as much as you like, but don't waste....it's bad karma.
(5)julie c.
best salad bar in Tucson, offering fresh vegetarian and vegan food! very peaceful restaurant with large beautiful patio for a perfect nighttime meal. There is also cond and a bird sanctuary to walk around in after your meal. It is an oasis in the middle of Tucson.
(5)Madeleine H.
Govinda's is the best vegetarian buffet I have ever been to! The food was absolutely delicious and I could tell that every dish was made with love. I left with a happy full tummy but not feeling unhealthy by any means. Great atmosphere, comfortable and inviting. Love this place.
(5)Cindy F.
Very nice well stocked vegetarian buffet, and super nice staff. The ambiance is peaceful, and I absolutely love the live peacocks out back! I can so rarely visit here since I live in California, but Govindas is one of the (many) reasons I make the trip out to Tucson. The Sunday evening gathering is lots of fun. Can't wait to go back...
(5)Caroline L.
This place is golden!! The ambience is really peaceful, the cashier was super friendly and helpful! I don't usually go for vegetarian foods (I'm a meat lover), but I made an exception for this place because they had a koi pond. LOL. The food is fantastic. I don't know if they serve the same thing all the time or if they change it up but I really liked the selection. Half of it is salad, but they have a variety of sauces that are homemade. The other half contains curry, soups, and a bunch of different entrees. They have outdoor dining, indoor and temple area. Me and my boyfriend stayed in the temple which was super peaceful, but next time I definitely want to try outdoors and probably wander around the property as I eat (it's a beautiful place, really).
(5)Christy F.
This place is the bees knees! Shame on me when I crinkled my nose when my darling husband told me date night was at a vegetarian restaurant. If you want to dine among koi fish, brightly colored macaws, peacocks and Hare Krishna monks you found it. We sat outside on the patio, next to the macaws, by a rippling fountain and I felt like I was on vacation under the lit palm trees. I was so jazzed when I saw they make their own kombucha. Christmas level excitement. And it was so good I felt my third eye opening from true enlightenment. They sweeten the tea with juice and it was worthy of Lord Krishna. So this is an all you can eat vegetarian buffet. You start by grabbing some papadum and homemade apricot bread. Then head to the salad bar. This salad bar was stellar. Who would have thought to add shredded zucchini?! Four homemade vegan salad dressings made from nutritional yeast, braggs, tamari were delicious. I was loving the organic homemade sunflower sprouts, mung sprouts, alfalfa, and quinoa sprouts. Don't pass up the chutnies either. Next time I'm there, I am so writing down the salad dressing recipe featured in a newspaper review they have displayed. The spicy macaroni with black olives and the curry with paneer were both two plate worthy. I enjoyed it so much I missed out on the dal. By the time we arrived, the samosas, which are a $1.50 extra, were sold out and it was a bit too dark to fully appreciate the koi pond and aviary. Tuesday is India night and Thursday is vegan day. I was impressed with the Indian dish I had on a Friday night, so I'm sure India night would be a treat. They even have a donation based guest house. I'm ready to shack up just so I can hit the buffet, like all day long! I could drop a pretty penny in the gift boutique. Ganesha figurines are my favorite and they have em. They also have a prayer room, with in my defense, a very realistic Srila Prabhupada statue. Give me a break, I was just peeking in through a window! I may have to come back for yoga, just make sure to hit the buffet after not prior :-)
(5)Molly E.
I've had this bookmarked for years, wondering if I'd ever get the chance to go. Luckily I happened to be in Tucson on a Thursday, which is vegan night. I got almost everything at the buffet; it was all delicious. There was a group of people at a table near mine who were speaking Hindi the entire time. I could listen to that all day. I was in heaven. There is a little boutique where you can buy various Indian clothing, incense, etc. definitely one of my favorite places.
(5)Jaci W.
Great salad bar and papadum. Entrees are always changing but I always love the flavors. I've been eating here for many, many years. The ambience is also very peaceful and welcoming.
(4)Dana M.
You guys, this place is a total hidden gem! Super delicious vegetarian/vegan buffet, great atmosphere, and a really friendly community of people. Check their website before dining (unless you love surprises) because the menu changes daily. There's always a variety of hot items, soups, really fresh salads with homemade dressings, and yummy desserts. It is very clear that the people preparing the food take a lot of pride in sharing fresh, delicious meals w/ their community and I've always left feeling full and happy.
(5)Emily C.
I just scanned some of the recent 2-star ratings and am completely baffled. Totally off base reviews, but everyone's entitled to their opinion. I discovered Govinda's after a friend raved about it. I can't say enough good things about Govinda's. The food is incredible (try as I might, I cannot duplicate the lentil soup!) and is enhanced by a relaxing, calming atmosphere. Salads are fresh with delicious dressings; there are always several options for "heartier" dishes such as curried vegetables with rice, pakoras, and the daily entree(s); and the price is very reasonable if not a bargain for the variety of tasty, healthy food you get. In fact, I cook at home more often now just so I can "reward" myself by going to Govinda's on Thursdays for vegan night! Don't miss it. This is my favorite restaurant in Tucson (even if I have to head somewhere else for my adult beverages :)).
(5)Cruz M.
Driving along from El Paso to LA Me and My Family 12 members total found this skiny place very relaxable and flavourful. Taste is not the best but for the price it is affordable We will come back soon or later
(5)Kavin T.
I've been to many Indian buffets, but this one was definitely the best for vegetarian food in Tucson thus far! For the price of $8.50-$1(with student discount), the lunch buffet meal was delicious. From the salad bar to the main course offerings, I was left satisfied with the meal. Even the rice, potato curry, and vegetables were very well prepared. I especially enjoyed the yogurt with strawberries, blackberries, and other fruits mixed in. The service was prompt and courteous as well. Also, the atmosphere is great because the restaurant is connected to a Hare Krishna temple as well as a store. Further into the complex, there is a compound with 2 peacocks and birds, as well as turtles/fishes within a pond. There is even a trampoline and playground for kids to allow themselves to enjoy the experience. Highly recommend this place, and don't drive too quickly or else you'll miss this hidden gem!
(5)Dennis A.
Their vegetarian buffet is the best I've ever. Everything is excellent. Everything. My favorite was the hot vegetable medley thing. It had potatoes in it, and beans. All you can eat is a great deal.
(4)Amanda M.
Amazing food and friendly service! I was extremely satisfied with the options and loved the shop! I will be going here again and again in the future. A must have for vegetarians and vegans.
(5)James H.
Govinda's is my favorite place to eat in Arizona. They have the best vegetarian buffet I have ever been to with the best prices and service. I Drive 100 miles from Gilbert just to eat dinner here
(5)William B.
First of all, food here: awesome. All you can eat? Inexpensive prices? Vegetarian foods, dairy free? Oh yes. It at least seems all very healthy, but best of all it's DELICIOUS. I've been to Govinda's a handful of times but most recently to a Tuesday night smorgasbord of indian food. And oh my (insert whoever you pray to) it was good. For about $10 I get a plate and water and can pile on as much goodness as I want in a buffet style line. It's quite cramped in this little building, so plan on taking a few elbows and giving a few, like battling it out for a rebound at a basketball game. Once you do, there's delicious chutneys, dressings and fixings for the salad. Then, as a hungry and greedy eater, I piled on so much rice, and spicy an non-spicy curries. I found beans in there, some kind of cheese substance, and so many things I just don't remember what they were. I seriously should bring a notepad and write down what I ate. All I know is it all piled together in a heap on my plate and was devoured in minutes. There was nothing, NOTHING, that I did not savor or wolf down. There was naan available and it was whole wheat. Yum. On my second trip, I tried a few of the same, and a few others, but at a lesser amount, and I took my time, and it was just as good. I piled on some kind of tapioca type dessert. It was so good I wanted to propose to it. My friend came along and she is a vegetarian and was enthralled with the selection. She wolfed down food faster than I did, not just out of hunger, but out of pure satisfaction. Like idiots, we didn't realize there was a water station (as well as tea you can get, for extra) until the end. I was so full and in sodium overload. We ate in a relaxed friendly environment, and toured the gift shop looking at cool meditation items and beads and incense for sale, looked at the birds in the walking garden, and hung out in the outdoor seating area at a table chatting. Everyone is super nice. I suppose this is Hari Krishna, but if it is, I swear nobody mentions anything. They just let you eat and enjoy. Great place. I checked out the menu of all the other month-long food events that come up and I'll be back, especially for some great deals mentioned on Sunday.
(5)Aimee L.
The food is fantastic! It's super clean. Totally vegetarian! I've been coming here for the last 15yrs. and I've never had a bad meal.
(5)Liam W.
I misunderstood a procedure and yelped a bit--my future's cuisine. The management helped. I can only say "woohoo" now. Cheers to their teamwork!
(5)Evil J.
My favorite stop in Tucson! For me, ambiance is as important as food and here you get a heavy dollop of both in equal parts. The grounds here are fantastic with fountains, tropical birds, koi, and turtles frolicking about while one enjoys a peaceful respite from the headier world outside. It gives one a sense of peace and restfulness to be here. Step inside and there you'll find a beautiful buffet of vegetarian foods and an adjacent dining room decorated with flower garlands and a running fountain. It has the feeling of a retreat or simply a place apart. I've been twice now and although the dishes were the same during both visits, the food was good to excellent. A standout is the iced tea which is particularly delicious. During my first visit I was concerned about the caged birds being overheated because it was the middle of the summer. All of them were panting and taken together with the cockatoo's plucking problem, I worried about the birds the whole way home. During my second visit, the weather was cooler and the birds were more comfortable. And a new sign had been placed on the cockatoo cage informing guests that the cockatoo was receiving medical care for his plucking problem. I went home relieved. I did follow-up and mail Govinda's a chew-toy donation to keep the cockatoo occupied and happy -- I hope they will use it. I love Govinda's and I hope everyone will come out and enjoy the grounds and food.
(5)Sharon H.
Vegan. Vegetarian. Buffet. Since when do these words ever apply to the same shindig? And, in the middle of a dessert?! Here, apparently! I'm not a vegetarian/vegan myself, although I do enjoy the cuisine very much! If you want an exploratory, spiritual experience for dinner that is affordable, this place could be the adventure you're looking for. Let me explain. :) The restaurant is placed basically inside a spiritual community full of wonderful, delightful areas. There's a small garden in the back of the restaurant and a play area for children. They have a small, cute greenhouse where I imagine they grow their own herbs and spices for the restaurant and community. There also are small houses in the back area where the community of people live. It appears that they hold certain spiritual gatherings as well as yoga on certain days of the week listed on a sign outside the restaurant. I definitely felt I had entered into a temporary retreat away from the city...**something good for the soul, not just the stomach.** The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating. The indoor seating is quite cozy and small as other Yelpers have mentioned, and so I much preferred the much more open outdoor seating area, where there is a calming water fountain in the center, and lighted trees surrounding at night. Again, a very peaceful, spiritual environment. The food here was pretty decent overall for the inexpensive price, although their selection was a bit limited (don't expect a VegaS style buffet here!). I did especially enjoy their fruit flavored and coconut flavored chutneys, as well as their almond-based dressing for salad. The one piece missing (important for a sweet-toothed person like me) was a dessert section in their buffet! Then again, I could've been blind and missed it (as it did take me awhile to find the actual restaurant before getting lost in my exploration earlier). :) FYI: If you go to their website, they post their menu for the month and apparently serve different dishes every day of the week! Check it out. :D RECAP: Looking for a relaxing, peaceful, spiritual, atmosphere for dinner after a stressful day of what-have-you? If atmosphere/aura contributes more to your experience at a meal and also adds to the quality of the food, this would be that place. Give this place a try, vegan/vegetarian or NOT :D Eat it up!
(4)Dylan S.
amazing food. so amazing we went for lunch and then dinner the same day! great atmosphere. great people. wouldn't ever eat out anywhere else, and we don't.
(5)Julia Z.
Wonderful place! Good prices, tasty food and incredible atmosphere. It is a must-visit! My favorite in Tucson
(5)Evan B.
Indian food, Pan cakes, Salads, Parrots, Patios and a pond. All of them are available in abundance here. The Sunday brunch buffet was $10, That included a few Indian dishes, a great salad bar with unique dressings, and some breakfast foods that did not fit like pancakes strawberries whipped cream and eggs. The flavors were pretty good, as was the ambiance of the large patio. Note all of the food here is vegetarian. There also are some chips and dips near where one gets utensils.
(4)Susie L.
We love Govinda's! The food is always good, there's always wonderful vegetarian food that we feel good about eating. For a buffet it is unique, it's hard to find vegetarian buffets (do any others exist in AZ?) Sunday brunch is great, we go at least once a month for that. Thanksgiving this past year was awesome. Sometimes there are things that I don't like in the buffet but there are always enough choices to make it worth it to go there. The chutneys and the soups are always so delicious. (Thank you to whomever makes those!) My brother drives down from Phoenix just to go there and always remarks that he wishes there were a place like Govinda's closer to him because he would eat there every single day. It's an excellent value to eat at Govinda's, as well. Vegetarian food can sometimes be so expensive. Gluten free, somehow, can cost an absolute fortune at other restaurants...I appreciate that they always have vegan and gluten free choices.
(5)Es E.
We had our dinner here last night after returning from a day long road trip to the Phoenix area. Yes, this place is indeed peaceful and serene - if not just a little warm - and the other folks in the place were all enjoying themselves. So as long as you know what you're getting yourself into I don't think you will be disappointed in what they have to offer. I believe we met the chef who was working his way around in the dining room and sat at one of the tables with his bowl of food. He was very nice and the guy working the cash register was also very nice and helpful in explaining to us what the various choices were. At the outset let me say that I am a huge soup lover and wish that there were more soup options in Tucson to have a good bowl of soup (hint: tell me if you can recommend good places around town for soup). So I was absolutely delighted with the lentil soup last night. I had two servings and was very happy. I liked that it had some spiciness to it as well. That was the highlight. I should add that there were a couple of rice dishes that looked good but I don't really eat rice so can't comment on them. The small buffet had two sides, the cold salad side and the warm side. I just don't think the cold side would have passed a health inspection. The place was warm inside and the salad side was warm as well. The mixed greens were wilted, tomatoes a little mushy. Nothing cold and crunchy. The various salad dressing, although homemade and very much wheat or dairy free, were just so so, making the whole salad experience just a little disappointing. I eat a lot of salads and a place that wants to be vegan and natural can offer quite a bit more on the salad side and still be everything they aspire to. On the warm side of the buffet, the food was more on the barely warm side - maybe just this side of cold. Anyway, I tried their vegan meatballs and the meatloaf looking nut bread dish. Both were on the dry and tasteless scale of food flavor. I tried spilling some of the salad dressing and chutney on them to help but what I found actually helped was dipping them in the lentil soup (which, as I said above, was just great). I should say that I tried to grab some of the spaghetti sauce to spoon over the "meatballs" but couldn't get enough since it was mostly soaked into what looked like pasta (which I also don't eat). I did like the roasted potatoes though but I really shouldn't be eating potato anyway. Wifey wasn't really happy with anything. It's just not our kind of place. As a buffet, we also served ourselves (no problem) but were also asked to do our own bussing, putting the dirty dishes in the cart, tossing the garbage and putting cans in the recycle bins. We're fine with all that. Don't mind at all but folks should know what you're getting into. It was a little on the warm side in the dining room but folks were still sitting outside in the patio. Whatever you like. And like I said, others seemed happy but we can get better salad experiences elsewhere so a 2-star for us. Wifey says that if this was the last place on earth to eat she would go back.
(2)Joyce C.
Tucson, ya like to surprise me. And, frankly? I love that about you! Govinda's was yet another "aha" moment. What I expected (a hippie-version of Hometown Buffet) and what I got -- literally worlds apart. First surprise: Govinda's is actually a community of loving people on a spiritual path. Take your shoes off and visit the meditation/prayer/chanting room. Second: The buffet, though small, is Delish! (Although not strictly vegan). The grounds? Lovely. It was too humid to eat in the fountain courtyard, but we visited the parrots and the little "zoo" with peacocks, a rabbit and the koi pond after dinner. I don't know what to say about this place, except it was an honest-to-goodness capital-e Experience. Tasty. Genuine. Unique. LOVE it.
(5)J R.
I've been enjoying Govinda's vegetarian food and gift shop for at least 12 years. The past year has been one of the best in terms of food flavor and freshness. I think of it as more vegetarian organic than Indian, but the complex favors of the stews and dhals are certainly Indian. Outdoor seating is garden/plaza like, around a fountain, and makes you feel like you're in India, but quieter. Don't miss the gift shop. It's tiny but it always has those ultra thin Indian cotton shirts that are perfect for Tucson summer.
(5)Fringe O.
The food is usually wonderful and clearly labeled as to being vegan or not but the place has a few hiccups and there is something I object to ethically. On occasion a dish will be overwhelmingly salty which renders it unpalatable. The food tends to be a bit on the cold side. I'm not sure if that is the nature of being a buffet or if it is because they don't set the temperature of the buffet containers high enough. Also, since they switched to reusable dishes, there is sometimes a cleanliness issue. I have gotten plates and cups that have food stuck to them from previous uses....which is gross. From a vegan standpoint, it bothers me that they keep several large parrots in a cage. Yes, the birds look healthy but they are in a cage, albeit a large one, and seem rather motionless. I'm sure they are fed well but it is still sad to see large birds that will never be able to fly because they are held in captivity. This has bothered me so much that lately I can't bring myself to go there.
(3)Kerin G.
Favorite place since 1994. My dad didnt like it because he couldnt get up after sitting down on the pillows in the quiet room we like to call it. I go here every Thanksgiving. If someone does say it is a good place, rather great place dont believe it. They should go to a streakhouse or jack in the box. Great for vegans and vegetarians. But this place has one secret which I just found out about....a hidden secret. For a low price they rent out a room in the back with teas and tv and so comfortable. Nothing better than taking your dish back to your room, eat and fall asleep. Count it being rented on Thanksgiving this year, I will be in it. Love it and feel at peace with myself when I am here.
(5)Annie V.
This place is a real gem, especially if you're looking for volume and a great vegetarian/vegan meal in Tucson. Seriously scrumptious stuff is on the buffet. You could actually come here just for the salad bar part of the place and get more than your money's worth. They have sprouted this and that--so healthy and impressive--not something you'll find at another salad bar in Tucson. The actual physical place is very entertaining. They don't keep it super cool in the summer (something I personally like but might be off putting to people who love their AC in AZ), so keep that in mind. The little shop has some very nice Buddhist stuffs to purchase and everyone there seems quiet and polite.
(5)F N.
It really is not that great. You have to put your dishes away yourself. The food is way below mediocre in flavor. They do have variety, but although we eat mostly vegetarian, this place did not give us what we were looking for. Will not be going here again.
(1)Mark A.
So whats not to love, way back in the day I went to eat with Krishna crew when I lived in San Diego. Whenever I can find a Govinda's I usually stop and eat, they are all over the world. Right now I live around the corner and would eat there more often but it has gotten expensive, but the food is always fresh (there is also that taste that uniquely Govinda's). It also has the smell that takes me back to my times in India. The glazed eyes of Hare Krishna's are all part of the experience, hey if you are going to join a cult this is one where at least you can eat healthily, and not die from the Kool-Aid like Jones Town.
(4)Philip G.
Comfortable, friendly, peaceful, and delicious.One of our party was not vegetarian, yet loved the food as much than the rest of us! Enough of a selection for almost anyone, spicy or not spicy food as desired.
(5)Franklin S.
I love Indian food but what i love more is an Indian food buffet and this place truly deserves the 5 stars im giving it. I live in Phoenix but having a hiker lifestyle that takes me to places all over the state makes me want to really plan more adventures around the Tucson area. I grabbed a plateful of everything i could pile onto my plate and started to dig in on the outside bar where the scarlet macaws are located. My favorite was the rice/red sauce with something resembling tofu combo...i went for seconds on that. The tea was very refreshing since my friend and i were coming from backpacking on the mountain. I felt full but the food here doesnt sit like a brick like meat does....The peaceful atmosphere also makes this food a much special experience.
(5)Fiona F.
A quiet, low key environment for a healthy all you can eat buffet! The food wasn't totally mind blowing, but was definitely enjoyable, especially as vegan/vegetarian restaurants are less common. My friends absolutely loved it. Nice area to sit indoors or outdoors, and in the back there's a courtyard with coy fish and birds! Very lovely!
(4)Monica E.
And a tip for all you students: Bring your identification for a discount!
(5)John M.
Interesting place. The food is good and there are a lot of vegetarian/vegan options. The big downside for me was you have to scrape your plates after every trip to the buffet, which grosses me out (and I prefer not to be grossed out several times during a meal when I go to a restaurant).
(3)Jen W.
Tuesday night - India night! Govinda's reminds me of a little place in India. So you go in a grab a dish, grab some papadum or lushi bread, and grab your salad (fresh greens, not just sprouts, cherry tomatoes, hot pickles, etc) and salad dressing (a nutritional yeast one and a tamari one - both vegan). You grab your potato curry, your veggie curry, your mint/tamarind chutneys, your yogurt sauces, your curried paneer cheese, and your rajma kidney bean curry. You grab your DELICIOUS reverse osmosis purified water or your iced or hot chai. You absolutely do not ask where the dessert is because you will be pointed to a little section of rice or noodle pudding and be embarrassed. You will not find any meat. Then, you will pay $10 or so. You find a seat (possibly with other people eating there), and if you are sitting in a chair, you do not need to worry about taking your shoes off. Then, you refill your food as many times as you want and put your own dish away. You will not go hungry, and you will not get a food coma.
(4)Jeri R.
I dont eat here often, but it is a treat when I do..would i like to sit Indian style on the floor? YES.. would i like to know how they can make all this food so amazingly satisfying and vegan? YES.
(4)Diamond P.
My husband and I went to a Krishna festival and was introduced to the tastiness that is Govinda's We then went to a wednesday buffet. It was very worth it, however - do not think because it is a buffet you will be going back numerous times. The food is so filling, I felt very very bad for filling my plate so full and not eating it. Now this is some sort of temple sanctuary thing so the atmosphere is pretty quite, the buffet is cafeteria like. The cups are incredibly small, reminds me of kiddie cups. They also have Sunday meals and we look forward to eventually going to. Great place to go.
(4)Heidi S.
I just feel GOOD when I come to Govinda's. The staff is super friendly and smiley....in a non-creepy way. Food is served buffet style, so you pay, then make your way through the all-vegetarian buffet. The best night to come is Tuesday because it's Indian night. The Indian food is flavorful, but not overpowering. I've been on "normal" nights, and the food was good, but a little bland. The dining room is nothing fancy, to put it nicely. Very basic tables and chairs, with a few old decorations sprinkled here and there. If weather permits, sit outside by the fountain. The location makes it a good spot to catch the sunset. The grounds are beautiful. If you wander around, you will find a koi pond, parrots, peacocks, and various other birds in the small aviary. If you are looking for something fancy, you are probably better off going somewhere else. But if it's been a long day...and you are looking for somewhere simple, quiet, and relaxing, with wholesome food.. Govinda's is a great choice.
(4)Jessica G.
Great atmosphere and great food. Definitely worth going to, and, did I mention the food is amazing? Very authentic home cooked Indian food.
(5)Andrea G.
We love Govinda's. This place is meant to feed your stomach and if you want, your soul. You don't have to be any particular religion, or religious at all, to eat here. We, meaning Gary (husband) and I, have dined there mucho times. I remember when this Krishna Temple first opened as a restaurant. Their grounds are beautiful, all walled in, with indoor and outdoor eating. You can eat with shoes on, or in the temple area when it is not in use, without shoes. The grounds boast a unique aviary, full of peacocks, colorful tropical birds, and a few unidentified types of feathered critters. There's a small pond next to it, and a few benches, if you are feeling contemplative. The area is peaceful and lends itself to quiet. The outdoor dining area has a large fountain, and some beautiful parrots (complete with names on a sign next to the cage) watch over you as you dine out there. The inside contains a little store with incense, clothes, musical instruments, books and other sundry items from India or area. I've gotten a few great deals on clothing there, on clearance, too. The meal: The followers of Krishna believe in feeding people. And feeding them well, with sustenance infused with good vibrations by cooks in a "good space" (my words, not theirs). The food is really healthy and good, and it's vegetarian (and VEGAN on Thursdays-no dairy, no eggs). Special diet and organic-loving eaters will love dining here. The restaurant has Indian food dishes, but do not think of this as an Indian restaurant. They offer much more than Indian (unless it is "Indian food night.") It costs around $10.00 (slight discount for seniors and young un's) for all-you-can-eat buffet style good vegetarian, home-cooked food. They now use nice plastic plates that look and feel almost like ceramic plates, plus metal silverware instead of plastic utensils. The salad bar always has a great chutney. Tonight it was a pineapple chutney that went very well with the entrée. Raw food lovers will really dig the salad bar, with its sprouts (2 types), raw beets and such. The dressings are even healthy and homemade (one is a nondairy creamy almond-based, another cashew-based--you get the idea). Then there's samosas (at extra cost) if desired. But there's so much food you might not fit in the samosa! They have two types of rice, two soups vegetable dishes and an entree that is always creative and tasty. Tonight, it was one of the most creative dishes, and very delicious: an eggplant coated and cooked, topped with some type of nut cream sauce (vegan night). One of the veggie dishes had some type of creamy sauce (again, non dairy) that was practically an entree by itself. They have papadum (crunchy crackery type thing), two types of homemade wheat bread and a dessert. You can also buy special home-baked desserts and soft drinks or juices separately. We really enjoyed ourselves and look forward already do the next repast there! No matter what your belief system may be, if you appreciate healthy, good food, you will enjoy Govinda's! TIP: They issue a printed "menu" of their planned entrees for the month, so you can plan which theme night (type of food) interests you.
(5)John M.
Clean, fresh, health-promoting, tasty, sustainable fare. I was vegetarian for years in my youth, so I know the possibilities fairly well, and my first trip to Govinda's (this week) was a pleasant surprise. My other reviews might suggest I'm a difficult eater and an omnivore (both true, I suppose), but Govinda's was a treat. How many restaurants in Tucson make you feel better after having eaten their food? I will return.
(4)Susan E.
I loved this place! I went on a colder evening so I didn't get a chance to sit outside but we walked around a little on our way out and I can't wait to go back! Everyone is super friendly and the food is good!
(4)Tiffany S.
If I were vegetarian, I would likely be more of a fan. I do admire the nostalgia (being from the bay area) and the variety of food offered at this cafeteria style eatery. However, after multiple trips I have yet to find any dish that truly stood out. Everything is decent - nothing is bad, but I have yet to be impressed. Their Indian is okay, but it won't keep me coming back. If you want tempeh they've probably got it and may other interesting dishes. But honestly the vegetarian/vegan section in my dorm cafeteria was better...
(2)Maximiliano L.
Govinda's offers good Indian food as well as a spacious atmosphere for dining. With a large indoor/outdoor plaza and seating area it is ideal for families. Also very kid friendly.
(3)Ran T.
Overall rating: 8/10 Price: $3-$10 Quality: Food is really fresh, definitely home-made style, decent portion size. Vegetarian food Service: buffet style, friendly servers who volunteer at the cultural center Ambient Environment: the restaurant is part of the Krishna Temple and cultural center. Parking/Direction: restaurant parking and off street parking Pros: home-made style, fulfilling portion, fresh ingredients Cons: none so far Note: You can't beat the $3 dinner on Sundays.
(4)Dan R.
I heard about Govinda's through an email I received from a web site which offers "daily deals" in Tucson. Govinda's is a vegetarian restaurant and I try to eat healthy, so I decided to give it a try. I arrived to find Govinda's located in the Chaitanya Cultural Center. The restaurant is next to a spacious patio and fountain. I entered through a boutique which sells a variety of imports from India. The restaurant is fairly small and the decor is simple. I wasn't sure what to do, but another customer told me to pay at the cash register and then help myself to the buffet. The buffet was not expansive, but it had an adequate selection of vegetarian food and most of it was vegan too. Customers use paper plates and plastic cutlery. I went to Govinda's during Sunday brunch and there was a nice variety of food. I tried a little bit of everything and it was all very flavorful and delicious! I especially enjoyed the spicy salsa, scrambled tofu, pancakes, and pineapple havalah. I sat outside on the patio next to the macaw parrots and I enjoyed the tranquil atmosphere. I will definitely return to Govinda's soon! When I was finished eating, I walked around to see the peacocks, koi pond, and lovely grounds. The Chaitanya Cultural Center is home to a Krishna community. I'm not familiar with the Krishna community, but I appreciate diversity and no one ever approached me or made me feel the slightest bit uncomfortable. In fact, I felt very comfortable and I took note of some regularly scheduled activities and upcoming special events. The only negative thing I can say is that I ate too much! I can honestly say that I haven't eaten that big of a meal in years, so I better not become too much of a regular :-)
(4)Michael N.
Oh me oh my! So as it starts I needed a place to take my now girlfriend out on a date (at the time it was our second time out). As it turns out however, she is a vegan and I had no idea where to take her where she could get the same ol' veggie burger or salad. Enter Govinda's and their vegan night. I must say that overall I was mostly impressed with the buffet itself, or at least as far as buffet goes. The Indian food, I must say, was very tasty. There was a decent variety in terms of choices. More or less about ten choices for dishes. It is an interesting atmosphere. Cozy, quaint, different in its own right. The peacock is a trip, too. I would recommend enjoying this nice, tucked away, little place.
(4)Jacob K.
I think it is important to support places like this. Good healthy vegetarian food at a reasonable price ($12 all you can eat). The awesome patio and peacocks added the extra star.
(5)Amanda E.
Enjoyed brunch! The whipped cream and fruit salad were so yummy! I really enjoyed they "scrambled eggs" and spiced beans as well.. A cultural sensation indeed.
(4)Sil S.
Been there only once but I enjoyed it. All vegetarian! A small cafeteria-style place. All-You-Can-Eat. You pay first, get your food, find a table, and enjoy...and get some more food. Selections are salad with lots of fixings and a few different dressings. A couple of main entrees, sides, and a dessert. Loved the strawberry havalah...actually it was my favorite part of the meal. I think their menu changes weekly so make sure to check their website. The only downfall was the chai tea, too diluted for my taste. I would definitely go back for a kick-back peaceful vegetarian meal any day when I'm visiting Tucson.
(4)R M.
I visited on "Sweet n' Tangy Organic Tofu & Falafels" day. You serve yourself food from a buffet on to paper plates. This is old -school 'Health food': nutritious, filling, and a chore to eat. I think 'okay' might be too generous a description of the overall flavor of the dishes, which were either bland, too salty, or contained hard chunks of spice. On the plus side, they apparently have a lot of gluten-free selections, though they don't bother to indicate this with their signage. There's simply no comparison to Lovin Spoonfuls. Even Ghandi - a mediocre Indian restaurant - is a better value.
(2)Chauncey C.
If you are an atheist or an Anti-theist, avoid this place like church. Thats because it is one. This place does have some decent food, if you can get over that. Oh and dont accidentally walk around with shoes. I made this mistake (it doesnt say no shoes), the just expect you to know. Bottom line, if you buy into new age bs or any eastern religion. you love it. If it bothers you when people devote their own lives to something fake and do not want financially support that deception, then i would suggest somewhere else.
(1)carl h.
always very tasty fresh food.if the weather is nice you can sit outdoors, very nice spot to relax.love the sunday bufett.will go again.
(5)Christy K.
After visiting this delightful spot several times, I must share this place I love so much. By far, this is one of my favorite places to eat in all of Tucson. I am always excited about the variety of items available on the buffet, and it is fun for me to be adventurous trying foods and items that are unfamiliar to me. One time, there were these little pastries that a woman from Africa had made and donated for the dinner buffet. We had dinner last night and decided to eat in the quiet room, where you remove your shoes, silence your cell phone, and sit on the floor. It made the experience even more special. When the weather is good, there is a lovely outdoor eating area, complete with gorgeous parrots and a water feature. It is a tiny bit of heaven in the midst of city life. Did I mention the koi pond? Beautiful! We sometimes are a bit disappointed because buffet items may run out and not be replenished, but it is important to remember that this is not a typical restaurant setting. This is not a for-profit locale, but a local community of people seeking spiritual and nutritional nurturance and goodness. Govinda's offers a lot in the way of spiritual and meditative growth and we plan to become more involved in the various ceremonies and services offered. By the way, I need to mention that the food is very delicious-my favorite items so far being the veggie samosas, sweet and sour veggies, and halavah. Try the awesome herbal decaf tea sweetened with apple juice.
(4)Michael C.
The best devoted vegetarian in restaurant in Tucson. The food is consistantly good, fresh, and buffet style. Lots of flavors. Spicy, but I've never had anything that ventured near to deserving the term hot. Most dishes are reasonably healthy. Might be best to avoid the sweet and fried offerings. Some dishes can be off-- the Hare Krsnas are best at Indian food, their interpretation of other cuisines can be adventerous at times. The resulting hybrid can go either way. Some are very unique. This was consistant with my experience at an Italian restaurant in India. This said, there's always a solid majority of good dishes in the steam trays. I've gone weekly for five years, and never left disappointed.. except on Sundays. Sundays, the atmosphere is crowded, the line extends outside the building, and you often arrive in time to pay and see there's nothing left but fruit salad and sweets. Chairs are a rare commodity, and the conspiracy culture dominates. During the week, the atmosphere is relaxed, lines do not exist, and you can serve yourself. At 8:30pm the hot buffet drops in price to $4.50, which is one of the best bargain meals in Tucson. The outdoor seating at this time of night is perfect in Tucson. And despite the fears in other reviews, preaching only takes place on Sundays during temple service. Most of the devotees who live on the grounds are as normal as any religious person can be. If the topic strays toward the spiritual, a mention that you are uncomfortable with religious conversation will be sufficient. It's not unlikely you'll hear religious conversations at neighboring tables, but some people are actually interested in this stuff. We've had groups of friends into the wee hours, and some of the most interesting conversations I've had in Tucson have taken place here. The patrons are a very diverse group. Hare Krsnas, secular Indians, loads of hippies, and regular folks. Food is excellent. Nothing fancy, but consistantly enjoyable. Atmosphere is fantastic. Prices are reasonable during usual hours, and unreasonably low at night.
(5)Ferdinand B.
I went on a Sunday veggie night so it'll probably be different from the normal Govinda's Natural Foods Buffet. The line gets very long, it is a good idea to get in front because when I got there, I barely got anything on the plate. Still, for $3 you can't expect huge portions. Got a little bit of everything, lacked taste, not heated properly but it was interesting. Not much room to eat, as there are no tables in the joint. I got dizzy (heavy spices) that night for some reason but it was a fun hell experience. Oh, I'm not a Krishna nut either and I love meat. I've never been bothered by Hare Krishnas here but they are annoying idiots..
(3)E N.
I really like this place when I'm starving. No really, this place has really great food and you definitely can get your bang for your buck. It's a hidden gem and it's great for date nights because it has a nice patio with lights strung across them and the inside is quaint and cozy. Although it doesn't have the selection of a chinese buffet, it definitely has the quality and appeal of a sit down. I've never had anything there that I didn't like and I know for an additional cost you can always try a baked treat of the day that they have. My personal favorite is their black carob cake!
(4)Paulette V.
Best place to eat in town. Have never been disappointed. Even my non vegetarian friends enjoy eating here.
(5)Emily L.
I have since relocated out of Tucson, but there are still nights I am craving Giovinda's. Some of the best food I've ever had, also I have no idea what I was eating but delicious all the same. On Sundays after their services around 7:30, they pull out all their leftovers and serve it up to the hungry public for like $3, I believe. It was my one warm meal a week as a college student and it was so good! If you go on Sundays be prepared for soup kicthen-esque mouth-watering food.
(5)Tracy D.
The food Govinda's offers is wholesome, healthy, organic, and blessed. The restaurant has a spotless appearance with touches of charming and unique thoughtfulness such as mood lighting, exotic decorations from foreign lands, spiritual literature, a boutique, an outside dining area with a water fountain, a bird aviary, and Koi pond. All of these aesthetics add to the serene and peaceful atmosphere. Both lunch and dinner are served in an all you can eat Buffet style. Many of the fresh vegetables served in the salad bar are not only organic but are also purchased from local growers. The salad dressings are all homemade and offer a variety of healthy flavors and tastes. The hot side of the buffet contains both brown and white rice, two yummy hot soups, fresh steamed vegetables, spiced just right cooked veggies, and an entree for dinner. In addition, homemade bread and sweet deserts are baked fresh daily. Also, there are always dairy and glutton free selections on the menu for those with in tolerances, and all day Thursday is vegan day! I eat at Govinda's everyday except for Monday when the restaurant is closed. Stepping onto the property, instantaneously my mind relaxes. Once I make my way into the restaurant area, the meditative music permeating the atmosphere calms my body, and the aromas from the fresh food arouses my senses. I delicately fill my plate with my chosen selections of delicious food cooked with love and devotion and sit down at a table to eat quietly. Literally, every bite taken equals pure bliss, as I smile and chew thoroughly so as to enjoy the savory tastes! Dining at Govinda's Natural Foods brings my body, mind, and spirit peace.
(5)Angela Q.
The food is fresh and extremely tasty! I love the cashew salad dressing and the dessert squares.
(5)Melissa T.
It's a buffet--don't look for high quality food here. Food sitting around in trays means that everything is kind of the same texture: mushy. We wished for a vinaigrette option in the salad dressings, but made do with oil and lemon juice. Everything is vegetarian, but I wish the vegan items were clearly marked, instead of relying on the cashier for identification. During monsoon season this restaurant, which is cooled only by an evaporative cooler, is nauseatingly hot.
(2)Danielle T.
This was one of my favorite places to go in Tucson. It is buffet style with tons of fresh vegetables. Definitely veg friendly. Delicious food and loving atmosphere. Such a hidden gem not to be missed. A little pricey, but well worth it. Get the tea, it is so good. Take your shoes off and sit on the floor to eat. :)
(4)Emily K.
Veggie buffet, all you can eat - always lots of options. I've been on a few different nights, and the Indian Food buffet is by far the best that they have to offer. Enjoy floor seating in one room or chair seating in the other - your call. Discounts w/ student ID. Also, as to one reviewer's comment re: "Hare Krishna...full frontal assault" -- in my experience this couldn't be further from the truth. It is operated by members of the Hare Krishna community (so are many Govinda's nationwide -- sort of their thing), but I've never seen them proselytize to patrons.
(3)michael c.
Govinda's was a big part of my realization that I don't really have any reason to eat meat, which felt very empowering. We're only in Tucson for a few weeks a year and we eat at Govinda's more often than any other place. We love it. Our omnivorous parents from the midwest got quite a kick out of it too, but didn't want to go back. :D (They really liked La Fuente. Yuck!) The only bad thing to say is that the incense can be entirely too intense. And it's not the quality of incense that should be. It made us quite sick once this year (2010). Now we know not to sit in the temple room by the braziers.
(5)richard w.
we've been there twice, once for lunch buffet, once for indian tuesday night. it's not a lot of variety, maybe 12 dishes. handwritten index card signs with names maybe a bit about ingredients. pickled tomatoes were a bit hot but everything was as advertised on cards, look at them. had a couple of servings each time, trying everything, consistently flavorful, fresh, not canned(except some peaches). soups(2 kinds) both very good. several lentils and garbanzo dishes i wish i could cook as well. 4 stars for food quality. i think it's over priced by $2-3, 2 stars for price-value. suspect it is a profitable enterprise for krishna temple. i like the calm atmosphere, people eating there were comfortable looking, we walked around the place. 5 stars for comfort. cashier was very nice and helpful, smiled and offered suggestions. recommend: offer recipes, cooking directions. maybe even cooking classes with people making food each day. aim at experience. more signs with narrative about what is going on there. be more informative. offer a discount, maybe half price after 830pm for dinner, last hour for lunch. put some spices on tables. don't charge extra for tea. offer hot tea. continue to run coupons, bogo, groupon living-social. get rid of plastic ware, find something compostable, see on website this has been done. have a garden open to see where some of the food comes from. leaning into sustainable local food ideas for people to use at home. make it a more educational place. they have the people who know, now connect with customers. note: i see from website they are now charging $2 for 2nd trip through buffet line. it's a lot more than just a restaurant, try it.
(4)S. M.
Fantastic food!
(5)Dave J.
A little overrated, yelp. The food's somewhat fresh, but not that great. It's kind of a hippie heaven where maybe you care more about the ambiance and aviary than the food. Cool birds, some weird vegan options. Not great.
(2)Sasha S.
What is in the dressing? Really, their salad dressings are just amazing and their halva (which is actually just cream of wheat) is very comforting. The food is usually very good - nothing amazing though. It's hard to describe. No, it won't wow your taste buds, but somehow it makes you feel really calm. And this matches the ambience of the place. My one complaint is the small dining room, where you can hear chatty career women talking in loud voices about some boring conference on real estate or volunteering. It's okay, because in the fall and winter you can sit outside where it's more roomy.
(4)Priscila K.
Pretty interesting experience. Good service, good food and a cool place. I don't get people who don't tolerate different beliefs and want to eat in a temple: if you are one of them, I guess you will be bothered by the zen ambiance.
(4)Dora M.
I must say this is one of my all time favorite tucson attractions/restaurant! The food is magnificent. Delicious and fresh! people are super friendly. VEGETARIAN HEAVEN! you can sit inside and outside, there is also a place inside you can take off your shoes and sit on the floor! TUESDAY NIGHTS INDIAN NIGHT! I really like thursday nights too its VEGAN night. two thumbs up!
(5)Greg E.
OMG good healthy food. Awesome environment. A real one of a kind place!
(5)Max F.
Good selection of veggy and vegan dishes. Salad, cashew dressing and brown rice were really good. Rice dessert was a little sweet but still very good tasting.
(4)Mojo M.
The workers are nice but the food is only okay. I went on a night when they had an Indian curry dish and vegan enchiladas. The enchilada sucked. The curry was decent but a much better dish could be had at any Indian restaurant. Most of the dishes were too cold. They need to put up some heat lamps. The spaghetti and meatballs sucked real bad. The meatballs were dry and tasted nothing like meat. The meatball and sauce was I think if you're vegetarian and want quality food, you're better off going to a regular restaurant and asking for vegetarian versions of whatever they have.
(2)Derek P.
Whenever I am in Tucson, I eat here at least once, and usually many times. The food is flavorful, well prepared, abundant and affordable. I wish I could eat like this all the time!
(4)Danny M.
It's been a while since I've eaten at Govinda's, but it's a pretty neat place to visit. Note that *is* at a Hare Krsna compound so be prepared for the full frontal assault. However, if that doesn't bother you then the food is a great deal! I think it's $8 or so for lunch buffet (and I believe there is a student discount and weekly coupon in the Tucson Weekly), and it is stocked! Great salad bar and interesting dishes make it a new experience every time. Also of note is the thank you letter from Paul and Linda McCartney's publicist!
(4)Mark D.
Ok, this place is weird. Don't get me wrong, I ain't sayin' that's a bad thing. I like weird. I do. But this place is weird. Yelpfession: I do actually sort of dig the whole new age Eastern religion crystal vegan hare krishna thing. Sort of. Enough to eat here, anyway. I mean, the food's good. Don't think I'd hang out for an extended period of time or anything - wouldn't want to get abducted - but seriously - I did enjoy the food when I was here. There aren't very many other vegetarian buffets in Arizona, that I'm aware of anyway.. I'm not vegetarian - I'm pescatarian (yeah, that's a real thing - look it up), but I do dig me a good vegetarian buffet from time to time. If you're in the area and you dig new and interesting vegetarian options, check it out. Good stuff. Especially the Halavah. Yum!
(4)Julie B.
I have had a long and passionate relationship with Govinda's. I've been going there for many years, and I feel blessed after each and every meal. I've heard that the cooks chant over the food as they prepare it, and that's what makes it special. I make at least two trips to the buffet on each and every visit. The fare is simple, healthful and tasty. The presentation is buffet style. The experience is stellar, with an aviary, koi pond, patio, fountain, etc. I ate brunch there today, and still feel full and well-nourished after midnight. It's a little odd when an old Indian lady pulls a chair from your table, drags it to the corner, and proceeds to mediate while you're chatting with your companions. But it's all part of the Govinda's experience. As is the shopping, whether for prayer flags, Buddha statues, posters of Krishna, incense, or tie-dyed clothing. Exit through the gift shop!
(4)Clark M.
The food here is great, and I'm not a vegetarian! It's light, wholesome, and really hits the spot if you're tired of being subjected to the mass-produced crap other restaurants offer. The menu includes fresh salads (the almond dressing is damn good), chutneys, curries, even vegetable fritters. The tea is also irresistible. Aside from the great food, they have beautiful grounds with a koi fish pond, many fountains, and a mini aviary with parrots. You can eat as you watch them squawk. This place is so cool, and is such an experience. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a nice, peaceful time to eat and enjoy themselves.
(5)Arissa C.
Things you do for a friend- as in going with them to a vegetarian restaurant with their vegan friend...actually I was pleasantly suprised- the changing menu depends on what they prepare for the day...all food is sacred per the dedication ceremony from Caitanya center next door (hence Govinda)...Meander through the outside garden afterward and recite a mantra or two..."me so hungry still..."
(3)jeannie s.
I do not understand the negative reviews. I have been going to Govinda's for years and the food is always delicious, the staff is very pleasant and helpful. The atmosphere is calm and inviting and the buffet area, eating area, giftshop, bathrooms are very clean. I have never had anything but a really good experience there - love the giftshop. The food is excellent and i am not vegetarian!
(5)Angela V.
I'm not a vegetarian but a friend of mine is so we stopped by to try it out. Now, I used to be a server and one of my biggest peeves was when we would be 5 - 10 mins to closing, and that last customer would just come strolling in...well they were 10 minutes after closing, but they wouldn't turn us away! They were so nice...I mean, not desperate for customers nice, but just genuinely nice caring people. Went out of their way to seat us, opened everything back up, warmed the food and plated it all for us, a little of everything since we'd never been there before. It was the nicest experience I'd ever had at a restaurant, but of course more importantly was the food...and it was excellent! I'm a meat lovin' gal but the food was so tasty and flavorful, I even considered going vegetarian just for Govindas haha! I was really sad to read the review with the 1 star because I just don't understand how they could have had that kind of experience :-/
(5)Susan R.
I really liked the food here! Great unique dishes! Their lunch buffet is the best deal and you can try everything. Kind of an awkward set up and I wish they had more vegan options, but overall a good vegetarian experience!
(4)Debbie D.
Govinda's has earned its status as the landmark restaurant for vegetarians in Tucson. Only 4 stars instead of five because (1) they don't have as many vegan options as a vegetarian restaurant ought to and (2) the prices are inflated (except for the $3 Sunday lunch buffet and the late-nite budget meal after 8:30pm.) For catering, Govinda's is the best veggie choice in town, with awesome vegan spinach lasagna (make sure you ask for it vegan because they also have a dairy version) and other tray-style choices. Order 2-3 days in advance and schedule a pick-up time. I've used this for parties at Tucson Yoga - makes a great, easy and inexpensive dinner for a group.
(4)