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Vatan Indian Vegetarian
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Vatan Indian Vegetarian
8.5
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Comfort Food Classics
Hidden Gems Heaven
Vatan is a dramatic, courtyard-themed Indian vegetarian restaurant in Kips Bay serving a fixed-price, all-you-can-eat Gujarati-inspired feast. Diners settle into carved booths for an evening of endlessly refilled chaat, curries, breads, and dessert.
Must-Try Dishes:
All-you-can-eat vegetarian thali, Papdi chaat platter, Gujarat-style kadhi and curries
Scores:
Value: 9
Service: 6.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Immersive courtyard setting with an all-you-can-eat vegetarian thali.
Who should go: Groups wanting a long, feast-style vegetarian dinner.
When to visit: Leisurely dinners; allow extra time for the full experience.
What to order: Pre-fixe vegetarian thali, papdi chaat, sweet dessert course.
Insider tip: Choose spice level carefully—the set menu keeps refilling all night.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is very limited in the area, especially after 6pm; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy-casual; jeans are fine, but many guests dress up for celebrations.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — you can hold a conversation, but it’s energetic during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: 45–90 minutes without a reservation, especially for larger groups
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or 10–20 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — the entire menu is fully vegetarian.
Vegan options: Yes — many courses are naturally vegan, and staff will guide you through which dishes qualify.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some curries and rice dishes work, but most breads and fried items contain gluten.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for second or third dates than a first — the unlimited, family-style format and longer meal can feel intense if you’re just getting to know someone.
Can I get a table without a reservation? It’s possible on quieter weeknights, but weekends and birthdays almost always require a reservation unless you’re willing to wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy bold flavors and sitting for a full multi-course meal; not ideal for toddlers due to the length and spice levels.
Best For
Better for: Long, immersive vegetarian feasts, group celebrations, and experiencing a traditional Gujarati-style thali in a theatrical setting.
Skip if: You want a quick meal, à la carte ordering, or a low-cost vegetarian option — this is a time-commitment, fixed-price dining experience.
Vatan Indian Vegetarian
8.6
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
Vatan is an immersive, courtyard-themed Indian vegetarian restaurant offering an all-you-can-eat, fixed-price Gujarati feast in Kips Bay. Families settle into carved booths for a long, set-menu experience where platters of chaats, curries, breads, and desserts are refilled throughout the meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
All-you-can-eat Gujarati vegetarian thali, Chana masala, Puri with assorted curries
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Courtyard-style vegetarian Gujarati feast served as an all-you-can-eat prix fixe.
Who should go: Families wanting a theatrical, all-vegetarian Indian dinner.
When to visit: Leisurely dinners; allow time to work through the full thali.
What to order: Set Gujarati thali with refilled chaats, curries, breads.
Insider tip: Mention spice preferences early—servers can steer milder plates toward younger diners.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive; paid parking garages within 1–2 blocks are the most reliable option in the evening.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans and nice tops are fine, but many guests dress up slightly for celebrations.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — conversation is easy at the table, but the room stays energetic during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation is common, especially for larger parties.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or 10–15 minutes at most.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — the entire restaurant is strictly vegetarian with no meat or seafood on site.
Vegan options: Yes — many of the Gujarati dishes are naturally vegan or can be served without dairy upon request.
Gluten-free options: Partial — several rice-based dishes and lentils are gluten-free, but shared fryers and breads limit full celiac safety.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a second or third date — the fixed-price format and immersive experience are fun but make for a long, structured meal that’s less flexible for quick exits.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes on weekdays and early evenings, but weekends often mean a long wait. Reservations are strongly recommended for groups.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — especially for elementary-age and older kids who enjoy sampling different foods. The refill-style service and mild spice options work well for families, though very young toddlers may struggle with the long format.
Best For
Better for: Long, celebratory group dinners and a true all-you-can-eat vegetarian feast with theatrical ambiance.
Skip if: You want a quick meal, à la carte ordering, or strict gluten-free safety without shared prep surfaces.