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Temple Canteen
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Temple Canteen
8.6
A basement canteen under the Ganesh Temple serving South Indian vegetarian staples with cafeteria speed and steady flavor. The move is to lean into dosa-and-chutney comfort (plus idli/vada), then let the strong value and high repeatability do the rest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pondicherry masala dosa, Idli-vada with sambar, Chole bhature
Scores:
Value: 9.2
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Temple-side South Indian vegetarian classics with high-volume consistency.
Who should go: Dosa lovers and value-first vegetarians
When to visit: Weekday lunch for shorter lines
What to order: Masala dosa, idli-vada, chole bhature
Insider tip: Order one dosa to share—portions run generous.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited and competitive, especially on weekends. Allow extra time or plan to walk from nearby blocks.
Dress code: Casual and practical—jeans, sneakers, and everyday wear are standard.
Noise level: Moderate to lively; cafeteria-style room with constant turnover and chatter.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes during peak temple hours
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes; lines move quickly
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—entire menu is vegetarian
Vegan options: Good options if you order carefully (plain dosas, idli, vada, sambar); clarify ghee use
Gluten-free options: Limited; idli and vada are rice- and lentil-based, but cross-contact is possible
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual daytime meetup than a traditional date—great food, but the cafeteria setting is functional, not romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations. Order at the counter and seat yourself once food is ready.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—simple, mild dishes like idli and dosa work well for kids, though high chairs and extra amenities are limited.
Best For
Better for: Fast, affordable South Indian vegetarian staples with exceptional consistency and value.
Skip if: You want table service, ambiance, or a broad North Indian menu—full-service Indian restaurants will suit that better.
Temple Canteen
8.4
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Healthy Haven
A temple-attached, cafeteria-style canteen built for fast turnover and repeatable South Indian staples—ideal when you need a quick, focused lunch that still tastes like someone cares. The dosa-and-chutney rhythm is the move: crisp edges, steady sambar, and pricing that makes a second order feel rational.
Must-Try Dishes:
Paper masala dosa, Idli sambar, Medu vada
Scores:
Value: 9.4
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Temple-canteen dosas that stay crisp, fast, and reliably vegetarian.
Who should go: Quick-lunch diners who value speed and consistency.
When to visit: Mid-morning or late afternoon to dodge lines.
What to order: Paper masala dosa, idli, medu vada.
Insider tip: Order one dosa plus one steamed item for the best pace.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited and competitive during peak lunch hours. Metered spots nearby, but plan extra time or walk if you’re coming midday.
Dress code: Ultra-casual. Office attire, jeans, or quick-stop workwear all fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate-to-loud cafeteria hum—fine for straightforward conversation, not ideal for private or sensitive discussions.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes during peak temple hours; lines move steadily but seating is first-come, first-served.
Weekday lunch: 10–25 minutes during noon rush; little to no wait outside peak (before 11:30am or after 2pm).
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—entirely vegetarian menu with South Indian staples.
Vegan options: Yes—many naturally vegan options like plain dosa, idli, vada, and certain vegetable curries (confirm ghee usage when ordering).
Gluten-free options: Limited—idli and some rice-based dishes work, but dosa contains lentils and rice with possible cross-contact.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a traditional first date—service is cafeteria-style and the room is functional. Better for a low-pressure, food-focused meetup than a lingering conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations. Order at the counter, grab a seat, and turn over is fast, especially if you avoid peak lunch hour.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—very family-friendly. Simple flavors, quick service, and affordable pricing make it easy with kids, though there are no high chairs or dedicated kids’ amenities.
Best For
Better for: Fast, reliable South Indian vegetarian lunches where speed, value, and consistency matter more than ambiance.
Skip if: You want table service, a quiet setting, or a drawn-out business meeting—choose a sit-down Indian restaurant instead.
Temple Canteen
8.3
A basement canteen under the Ganesh temple serving South Indian vegetarian staples with fast cafeteria rhythm—order at the counter, grab a table, and eat while everything’s still steaming. The core appeal is direct: crisp dosas, comforting sambar, and snackable idli/vada that make this a repeatable, low-friction meal for locals and temple visitors alike.
Must-Try Dishes:
Masala dosa, Idli + vada with sambar, Vegetable uttapam
Scores:
Value: 9
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Temple-side South Indian canteen where the dosa is the point.
Who should go: Vegetarian dosa hunters and quick lunchers
When to visit: Off-peak weekdays to skip the line
What to order: Masala dosa, idli-vada, uttapam
Insider tip: Share one dosa plus one snack plate—better variety, same spend.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; very limited and competitive, especially on weekends and during temple events. Metered spots nearby but expect to circle.
Dress code: Very casual. Come as you are—jeans, sneakers, and practical clothing are the norm.
Noise level: Moderate to loud. Cafeteria-style room with constant movement and tray turnover—conversation is possible but not hushed.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes during peak temple hours; lines move steadily but seating can bottleneck.
Weekday lunch: 0–15 minutes off-peak; brief lines during noon rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—fully vegetarian menu with South Indian staples.
Vegan options: Many options are vegan-friendly, but some items use ghee; ask to confirm or request no ghee when ordering.
Gluten-free options: Limited but workable. Idli, dosa, and vada are naturally gluten-free, though cross-contamination is possible in a shared kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a traditional sit-down date. It’s fast, functional, and noisy—but great if you both care more about food than atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations. Order at the counter and wait for a table to open; off-peak timing is the key advantage.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for school-age kids who can handle mild spice and cafeteria pacing. High chairs aren’t guaranteed, but idli and dosa are easy wins.
Best For
Better for: Fast, affordable South Indian vegetarian food with real dosa quality and zero frills.
Skip if: You want table service, a quiet meal, or a polished dining experience—choose a sit-down Indian restaurant instead.
Temple Canteen
8.2
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
A basement canteen under a working temple that runs like a cafeteria and eats like South Indian comfort at its purest—dosa, sambar, chutneys, and snacks that show up fast and steaming. It’s exceptionally family-friendly in practice: quick ordering, casual seating, and food that works for picky eaters and spice-lovers alike.
Must-Try Dishes:
Masala dosa, Idli-vada with sambar, Filter coffee
Scores:
Value: 9.2
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: Temple-side South Indian staples that stay fast, hot, and dependable.
Who should go: Families who want a quick, casual meal
When to visit: Weekdays off-peak for shortest lines
What to order: Masala dosa, idli-vada-sambar, filter coffee
Insider tip: Split one dosa and add a snack—best pacing for kids.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; usually manageable on nearby residential blocks, but tighter during temple events and weekend meal rushes.
Dress code: Very casual—comfortable, practical clothing; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate to lively cafeteria hum; conversation is easy but not quiet.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes during peak temple hours
Weekday lunch: Often no wait or under 10 minutes off-peak
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—entirely vegetarian menu.
Vegan options: Yes—many naturally vegan dishes (idli, dosa, sambar, most chutneys); clarify ghee if concerned.
Gluten-free options: Limited—rice- and lentil-based items like dosa and idli are gluten-free by ingredients, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a traditional first date—it's fast, casual, and cafeteria-style—but great if both people value food over ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations; order at the counter and seat yourself once food is called.
Is it kid-friendly? Very—quick service, mild options like idli and plain dosa, and a low-pressure setting work well for kids of all ages.
Best For
Better for: Fast, affordable South Indian comfort food with minimal friction—especially for families and quick meals.
Skip if: You want table service, a relaxed dining pace, or a quieter, more polished restaurant setting.