Skip to main content

Govinda's Vegetarian Lunch
$

305 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Are you the owner? Claim this business

ZipPicks Awards

Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Boerum Hill

Vibe Check this spot

Food Quality 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Consistency 5
Cultural Relevance 5

0 / 5 selected

Master Critic Review

Govinda's Vegetarian Lunch 7.8
Downtown Brooklyn
Vibes: Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Comfort Food Classics Hidden Gems Heaven Quick Bites Champions
Govinda’s Vegetarian Lunch is a decades-old cafeteria-style buffet in the Hare Krishna temple basement, serving rotating vegetarian and often vegan Indian and Western comfort dishes. It’s spartan and strictly daytime, but locals and workers come for hearty plates, spiritual calm, and some of the best-value vegetarian lunches in the zip.
Must-Try Dishes: Chickpea curry with rice, Aloo Gobi, Vegetarian lasagna
Scores:
Value: 9 Service: 7.5 Consistency: 8.3 Food Quality: 8 Atmosphere: 6.2 Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: A temple-run vegetarian buffet that has quietly served affordable, filling lunches for decades.
Who should go: Budget-minded vegetarians who prioritize substance over ambiance.
When to visit: Arrive shortly after opening lunch hours for the freshest trays.
What to order: Chickpea curry plate, Aloo Gobi, slice of vegetarian lasagna.
Insider tip: Bring cash as backup and build a mixed plate—combining curries and salad—since the menu rotation changes daily.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking in Downtown Brooklyn is limited during weekdays; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; come as you are for a cafeteria-style lunch.
Noise level: Low to moderate—conversation is easy, with occasional lunch-hour bustle.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—restaurant operates as a weekday lunch-only cafeteria.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait, though a short line can form right at opening and around noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—entire buffet is vegetarian by design.
Vegan options: Strong vegan presence; several daily rotating dishes are fully plant-based.
Gluten-free options: A few gluten-free items appear regularly, but there is no dedicated prep area for strict avoidance.
Best For
Better for: Exceptional value and nourishing vegetarian plates at a lower price than most sit-down spots in the area.
Consider Alternatives If: You want ambiance, dinner hours, or a long, seated restaurant experience—this is a utilitarian, lunch-only cafeteria.