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Ayurveda Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Vegetarian Restaurants Indian Vegetarian, Indian [Edit]
706 Amsterdam Ave(between 95th St & 94th St)
New York, NY 10025
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
(212) 932-2400
- Nearest Transit:
-
96 St (1, 2, 3)
96 St (A, B, C)
86 St (1, 2)
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
95 reviews for Ayurveda Cafe
Review Highlights
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"I definitely recommend the mango lassi." In 8 reviews -
"It is vegetarian and has a different set menu every night." In 6 reviews -
"all you have to choose is white or brown rice." In 3 reviews
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- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
95 reviews in English
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Review from Jennifer O.
New York, NY
5/22/2012
I've been here several times and other reviewers are right, they do seem to cater to a non-South Asian audience. Nonetheless, I find the food to be delicious. So much food for the price and the waitresses are shy but polite and very sweet.
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Review from D B.
Rahway, NJ
5/21/2012
decentish price. decentish food. The food is seriously lacking in flavor and seems to cater to a non Indian audience. They offer free refills and a choice between brown and white rice. Most of the food tasted like it had been made for lunch and was reheated and served for dinner. DO NOT ORDER THEIR CHAI-- It is miserable and tastes like watered down milk.
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Review from M S.
Manhattan, NY
3/10/2012
I went here with some non-south asian friends and frankly I was immensely embarrassed by the food meted out. There was some awful bhaji that was worse than what I would have had, had I thrown ingredients together in my kitchen with some turmeric and chillies. The daal smelled strongly of garlic, was utterly without flavor. They placed one pakora on the thaali. And honestly, I thought the place was a COMPLETE RIPOFF in the name of Indian food. As a south asia, who has grown up on some of the best desi food at home and in restaurants, I was completely embarrassed by what they were serviing in the name of indian food. Non-desis can still find something exotic about the bland, useless food...but ah well I would never go there again and regret that I ever did.
Need I add that Ayurveda is very deceitful in pushing this food as the best of Indian vegetarian...Indian vegetarian is one of the best with subtle blends of aromas and spices and unbelievable colors - thats what a thali looks like...not a mish-mash of an ad-hoc mushroom-blend-bhaji, tasteless kaali daal with not even kari pata, and a strange orange curry that one didn't even feel like tasting....
For anyone who's disappointed in Indian vegetarian after this...believe me, this is not it!! -
Review from Dani S.
Boston, MA
3/16/2012
The first, and only Ayurveda restaurant that I have ever been to, I love this place to pieces. It has some of the best (vegetarian) indian food that I have ever tasted. Plus, you can have free refills of anything you like of the food! There's a choice between white and brown nice, which is nice if you are more particular. I particularly love the fact that this place has no menu, except for drinks. You eat what is served. The rice, naan, and the 5 different tastes. And if you wish, tea or lassi (both are available in several varieties). And water. Love me some water. It is quiet, calm and small, but beautiful and comfortable at the same time.
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Review from Ashita K.
Manhattan, NY
10/18/2011
Only one word... YUCK!!!! I am an Indian and trust me the food is everything but INDIAN... it is so not flavorful, so salty (surely will increase your sodium level and if you have high blood pressure you might die on the spot by annoyance and salty food's deadly combination) ... they managed to screw the most simple and tasty food rajma chawal
( Kidney beans and rice) to an extent that I might not have it for months now.... IN my opinion it is the worst Indian food I could have had. -
Review from Felicia M.
Manhattan, NY
11/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
I would give this 3.5 if there's that option.
FOOD
Not the best Indian I've had but flavorful and more importantly, it tastes authentic. They only do prix-fixe, which can be relaxing when you don't feel like making any decisions. Do remember that you can ask for seconds for any side dish you'd like. My favorite is the aloo ghobi (curried cauliflower) and the dessert, which is a traditional carrot cake.
Menu changes everyday, depending on their mood, though there's definitely repeats.
SERVICE
The service is mediocre at best. You definitely feel like that talking to you is a chore to them.
PRICE
Good price. Inexpensive and filling. -
Review from Saira K.
2/7/2012
I did not like my meal here, and the service was cold and unwelcoming. How can a place not have a menu? I got sick. I'm not a fan of vegetarian Indian, but I can usually at least stomach it. So much for their 'healthy food healthy body' slogan. Yuck.
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Review from Matt M.
9/28/2011
We saw this place on Groupon Now and decided to give it a try. The offer was 2 dinners for $20. I think based on the price at the restaurant, that's about $8.00 off for 2 people.
The unique thing about this restaurant is that the menu is set every day, and you get served whats on the menu. If you're really picky, then maybe this won't work for you - but if you want a little adventure, then this is a great place.
Since the menu varies every day, I won't go too much into our actual menu items, other than to say that they were quite good. The lentils had a great flavor and the main dishes were rich and filling. Plus, if for some reason your platter does not fill you up, you can get refills of whatever dishes you want.
All in all, this was a really unique find that I might not have tried if not for Groupon - but I advise you to give it a shot - it was really quite good. -
Review from Nat F.
New York, NY
12/28/2011
This place is extremely yummy in every way. There is no menu, pre-fix - so far, one of my fav places and for some it may be comforting not to be bothered with a menu. Totally VEGGIE and everyday there is a new meal. Very flavorful -- I enjoy the atmosphere, its not fancy but definitely far from a whole in the wall - really nice service -- Best to go for lunch - they have the same meal but different price... Its a go to place!!! TASTY TASTY TASTY and Filling !!
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Review from Alicia B.
New York, NY
7/12/2011
Delicious and tasty.
Small place though. They kept filling my water constantly, atleast they werent trying to push more expensive drinks on me I guess. We devoured the naan bread like oxygen. The metal bowls were scraped down clean. Lassis paired nicely with the deep spices. And they had this simple sweet coconut dessert that left me craving more but I was satisfied by then.
Stop on in. Family style quisine. -
Review from Kent F.
Manhattan, NY
Updated - 3/30/2012
UPDATE! We came back several weeks later to see if our initial visit was just a fluke. IT WASN"T! Again, the food was awesome. Loved the lentils, the Potato Pekora, and the turnip dahl. all just delish! As always the service was warm, welcoming, and sincere. This will undoubtedly become a new standard for us. Just recommended it to our neighbors as a "do not miss.".
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/10/2012
WOW! I have lived on the West Side for 15 years, and just tried Ayurveda Cafe this evening. It was… Read more »
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Review from Chandy S.
Updated - 7/9/2011 3 Check-ins Here
So, I dragged my guy here for a cheap, tasty, vegetarian, and filling lunch. Unfortunately, the only thing he heard was vegetarian. After assuring him that if the food sucked, I'd pay for him to scarf a bucket of Popeye's, he relented, and off we were.
As soon as we got to the door, I noticed that they have the day's menu posted outside. Couldn't believe I missed it the first visit...must've been "hunger related blindness" or something. Anywhoo, we had the place to ourselves, service was prompt and pleasant, and the food was tasty.
My guy now knows that veggies can be a delicious meal & I didn't have to buy any stupid Popeye's chicken. Score! Everything's coming up Chandy :)1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/8/2011
Chose this place because of the awesome livingsocial deal.
When my bestie and I walked in on a… Read more »
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Review from P C.
New York, NY
3/21/2011
After reading the mainly positive reviews, I decided to give this place a try.
The concept is nice- a thali-style dinner with various flavors pre-selected. However, the meal itself left much to be desired.
First off, the service was pretty rude. The waitstaff appeared rather bored and uninterested in serving. When I asked for a little more of the most-tolerable item on my plate, the waitress didn't even acknowledge my polite request. She stared straight ahead, left, and then reappeared a few minutes later with my food, still speechless, unsmiling, and failing to make anything faintly resembling eye contact. Rude.
The food was bland, yet over-spiced as some reviewers had commented. I am a HUGE fan of Indian food, so I know what good Indian food is and am quite accustomed to the spices and seasonings. The spicing was overpowering and raw, and the food beneath the seasoning was bland. It was as though the flavors had not married and I was able to taste every spice distinctively, as though I was dipping my tongue in each individual canister of cumin, turmeric, etc. (I have never actually done such a thing, for the record!)
Perhaps the worst part of my meal was when I went to the restroom and saw behind the counter. All of the food came from a steam table. I guess that's a good way to save money- to have everything pre-made and sitting there all day. But it grossed me out. I felt like I was eating at a cafeteria. And unlike a regular Indian buffet, it was hidden out of sight and you couldn't get to it yourself. It was just icky looking and poorly lit. And then with that Lunch Lady Doris attitude... No thanks.
Sorry, Ayuverda. I had high hopes for you, but you were icky and I will not go back. -
Review from Rachel B.
New York, NY
5/16/2011
Some of the best Indian food I've had on the UWS. (My other favorite is Hampton Chutney Company.)
This place serves all you can eat vegetarian Thali plates. Every night is a new pre-set menu served with pappadam, roti, your choice of white or brown rice and dessert.
The food isn't too spicy (definitely served mild to accommodate everyone) and isn't greasy, which I appreciate! Even though it's a fairly small restaurant, I've never seen this place over-crowded and there has never been a wait, even on a Saturday night. This is definitely a good go-to if you need a quick, easy meal. -
Review from Niamh P.
New York, NY
1/31/2011
I am a HUGE fan of Indian thalis. I am also a huge fan of meat and choosing my own meal, which is why I was so surprised that I loved this place. It is vegetarian and has a different set menu every night.
Went there for dinner last night and for $14 you get a traditional Indian thali. The thali consists of 10 items and fulfills all 6 tastes. (Salty, sweet, sour, bitter, astringent, pungent) The great thing about it was the free refills! That's right, if there was something that you just didn't get enough of, you could ask for more.
Really nice wait staff, and since they are only cooking one meal the service is super speedy. I am definitely going back. -
Review from Jimmy G.
New York, NY
2/17/2011
The place is a true Upper West Side gem. Ayurveda Cafe serves meals based on ancient Ayurvedic principles. Ayurvedic food is healthy, vegetarian, avoids harsh ingredients and balances flavors based on ancient Hindu ideas of health.
The thali is the only thing you can order (besides beverages). The thali has 10 items which change every day.
Food is fresh, authentic, flavors are subtle. There are unlimited refills so you can eat until you are sated. I recommend this place to fans of vegetarian Indian food. -
Review from Natalie B.
Long Island City, NY
3/20/2011
Ayurveda cafe is a hidden treasure. The interior is relaxing, with the ceiling painted to look like the sky, and fountains and candles everywhere. There is no menu, they just have one choice for each day. You choose brown or white rice, and they bring out 5 small plates of vegetarian entrees. Everything was delicious. There are several beverage choices, I went with the lemonade, which was awesome.
The dining is based on Ayurvedic principles, which is that each meal should be balanced and healthy. You'll be full when you leave, but you'll also have a calm, satisfied feeling. Service is attentive and friendly, without being overbearing. The restaurant is totally vegetarian, and doesn't handle meat, seafood or eggs. It was a bit pricey, but I had a living social deal, which made it more than affordable. -
Review from Allison T.
Manhattan, NY
6/15/2011
Scored a deal on LivingSocial for dinner for two. Headed over on a Monday night- not crowded at all and was greeted promptly by friendly staff.
The restaurant has no menu- it's essentially Ma's kitchen. Whatever she's cooking, you're eating. Well, with the choice of brown or white rice and your choice of Lassis, teas, and sodas. Or beer and wine if you so desire. Food was delicious. Not too spicy but very flavorful. If you like it, you can order more of whichever dish- like unlimited helpings.
We'd definitely go again! -
Review from Madhuri I.
New York, NY
7/28/2010
The picture: God deities strewn across the middle of the restaurant, some of them wallowing in dollar notes. A big tacky silver 'Ohm', positioned conveniently in the line of sight of a 'Choking victim' poster. Ceiling lights cast a purple hue over a sky coloured ceiling. Where the bleep am I?
The grub: Our menu promised us 10 items with sweet, salty, astringent, bitter, sour and pungent tastes. Astringent, bitter and sour were notably absent. Bland, bland and salty took their place (yeah, I did say salty twice). The highlight of the meal was my mushroom curry, which was really delicious. A close look at my water glass revealed some dirt sitting comfortably on the rim. Ugh, the heebie-jeebies.
The word: Maybe it was just the day I chose. For the most part though, this whole 'Ayurveda' thing is just a marketing gig. Ayurveda Cafe just came across as one of those generic sub-par Indian restaurants with befuddled waitstaff. To be fair, it is cheap and unlimited and there's a chance you go on a lucky day. And they have a box filled with pearls of wisdom on little slips of paper, fortune cookie style.
Mine read, "Don't believe everything they tell you." :) -
Review from James M.
Staten Island, NY
3/27/2011
What an experience. I had no idea what to expect when I came to eat at Ayurveda. I walked out very pleasantly surprised.
This was my first time eating Indian food, so take from this review what you will. Also let me state that this is a BYOB place, which I wish I had known ahead of time (luckily there is a liquor store around the corner, although I felt like I was being judged slightly boozing there, as the place has a living healthy theme!). The decor of this place is very endearing. The cloud-painted ceilings and soft lighting really relaxes you.
I want to cut to the chase and get to the food. All you need to tell them is white or brown rice, the menu is pre-set. Ayurveda is all-vegetarian, and I can honestly say I did not miss the meat at all. They bring you out a tray of 6 small bowls of food meant to satisfy every taste and a side of rice and bread. All of the food was really tasty, although I'm not sure what I was eating.
Which brings me to my one complaint and the only thing preventing a 5-star rating. The service was very kind and attentive, but never once was I told what I was eating until I asked towards the end of my meal. I think it would be a great touch for the waitress to say as soon as you sit what is being served today (as well as reminding you when they deliver it; as i said, I was new to Indian food).
My minor complaint aside, this place truly is a gem. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and the experience. When the tray comes out, I did not think the 6 small bowls would fill me up, but I was very full. Even if you were still hungry, they offer you more of whatever you like. It is such a nice atmosphere, it's like eating at a family dinner (quoted from another review I read).
Give Ayurveda a try. Even if you are an omnivore like myself, it is a really nice change of pace. I can't wait to try it again. -
Review from Veena V.
10/6/2007
I always remember really good meals, and really bad meals. Sadly - this was the latter. If you know what good healthy Indian food could taste like, then you would not go to Ayurveda and enjoy yourself.
They get you excited, serving some papads and then bringing out the "thali" of the night. A myriad of dishes in small little bowls, served with rice. I took one bite, and immediately realized that this was one of those places, that gets away with being "exotic" even though what they are serving up is bland, un-indian food that is neither tasty to the palette or all that healthy.
Also, like another reviewer mentioned, they make up dishes that are not even Indian and the whole "ayurveda" aspect is just a front for getting health food junkies in the front door. definitely disappointing and overpriced...especially if you have enjoyed a good indian meal before.
Also - for those people who are vegetarians or skeptics, trust me, if you try an authentic south indian vegetarian restaurant... you will eat a whole meal and be so fulfilled, that you won't remember there wasn't meat..but ayurveda doesn't get ya there. -
Review from Heather H.
New York, NY
3/4/2006
This is a pretty cute vegetarian Indian eatery. They do their best with the decor to give you that whole earthy "I'm in India. Don't I feel balanced?" feeling.
What some people don't realize is that you can ask for more food if you're still hungry after the initial serving. Of course, I've only managed to ask for seconds twice.
It's $10 with tax and tip at lunch (served until 4:45 p.m.). I don't know what it costs at dinner.Listed in: The Truly Cheap
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Review from Batya S.
New York, NY
10/9/2006
I never feel sick when i leave this indian restaurant. It is dependably good, always filling, and pleasant...i love that i never have to wait, and never have to decide...i have sat in the restaurant studying, and have sat with friends talking...i never feel rushed. the waitresses are calm and pleasant...the perfect complement to ayurvedically balanced food!
this is definitely a neighborhood favoriteListed in: If i were dating myself....., vegan/vegetarian, Top Restaurants
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Review from Doris L.
4/8/2009
The best definition I found for Ayurveda - a traditional Indian study of medicine said, "...connecting the mind and body and biological humour." Um- yea- I can see that.
The first thing I said when I walked into this place from a chilly NY rain was, "is it me, or is it hot in here?" I did kinda feel like putting on my yoga shorts and downward dogging, but once my napkin hit my lap I was soon transformed into the Indian food loving freak that I am deep in my soul. This freak, was not disappointed.
The place is monk-like quiet - at least on a rainy Monday afternoon - so don't come here if you're thinking Vegetarian Indian funky-cool and lively. For lunch (and dinner) they only offer a fixed menu, so if you like a good long menu read and picking from lots of appetizers to share -- not happening here . But what is served is as comforting as reading a really good book under the covers on a cold, rainy day.
They serve perfectly portioned tastings to you on a tray in these cool little stainless steel bowls incorporating six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, astringent, bitter and pungent. The flavors will speak to you.
You can choose basmati or brown rice and pick from a small selection of beverages - the Indian Spice Tea was nice - and the mango lassi sounded pretty darn good as well. No alcohol. We're talking strict vegan, body cleansing and utterly satisfying food. For dessert -- a traditional payasam -- this coconut paste that could be used for spackle. But, as I found myself trying to sneak a lick-the-bowl-clean move- I learned that spackle is good.
You also can't beat the price at $9 for lunch, plus your beverage - given the quality of the food and feeling of simplicity, balance, clean living and of course, biological humour. -
Review from Jess L.
8/19/2010 1 Check-in Here
While the concept of a different menu every day that tickles the six food senses is cool, a platter of nondescript foods came to the table, while quickly, without any description. It's certainly enough food for one person - price includes rice and naan - I wasn't quite sure what I was eating. The one thing I could definitively make out, the yellow daal, was probably my favorite.
I'd give a place like this 2.5 stars because it's a decent deal for the $13.95 dinner price. Furthermore, they allowed us to stay for about an hour after our meal and still filled our waters, which was cool. -
Review from Pria P.
New York, NY
1/21/2009
Ayurveda is a much cheaper alternative to Vatan for all-vegetarian Indian thalis (buffet-style tasting plates). Dinner is about $15. Atmosphere: not what I was expecting for a place called "Ayurveda Cafe"- it was kind of dark inside and dingy looking. Also, none of the waitstaff was Indian which seemed a little strange to me because the food is so traditional (I couldn't get a look at the kitchen to see if the cook was).
From the website: "Our meals are balanced and consist of 10 items which include all six tastes: salty, sweet, sour, bitter, astringent and pungent." Some of the dishes were definitely excessively sweet, some sour, and some bland. There was roti (whole wheat tortilla), dal, cauliflour curry, raita, a sweet squash dish, and a gross vegetable dish (made with a frozen carrots/peas/corn/lima beans medley). Even though the food was heavy, it tasted healthy so I didn't feel bad about eating the whole thali. You do get a lot of food- enough for 2 meals if you want to take food home. My friend barely dented her plate; I felt like I was going to explode afterward (if Indian food's in front of me, I'll eat it all!).Listed in: Veg out!
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Review from Bridgid R.
New York, NY
9/29/2008
A whole grand lot of Yelp reviews already stand for this place. Other ones are all over the placemats inside this Upper West Side. There's something about the restaurant that cannot be stressed enough.
"At Ayurveda Cafe, we believe food cooked and served with compassion adds a powerful value to the dining experience. That power may be invisible to the human eye but it can be felt by you."
It's the kind of place you just might prefer to eat alone. It's not for the picky, as you only chose between basmati and brown rice; the entire menu is set and determined by the (as yet unseen to my human eyes) chef.
Of course, Ayurveda Cafe has its share of pickled yogis, an occasional anorexic in Adidas, and all other types you could conjure and, if intrigued, are party to. Boy, is it cool to sit in that place with everyone else, and not CHOOSE! Yes, sitar music, sometimes, yes pewter cups and trays, and ohGodyes their Lassis. Have I ever finished my plate? No! (It's all you can eat!) Smiling, lovely caring staff.
Now, excuse me while I climb off my free-trade soapbox, order an altar, offertory candles from ABC Home and a burn a little sage.
My friends? Umm, who doesn't want to be some place with people believing that something "unseen," is going on. Namaste. -
Review from Lauren P.
New York, NY
2/7/2012
Delicious food, a bit healthier than most indian places. Pricey, though it is all you can eat.
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Review from Gabe S.
Oak Park, IL
9/13/2007
I am a "steak and steak" kind of guy and I must say, that overall, I enjoyed my experience at Ayurveda.
As others have said, you walk in, sit down and you are brought a plate of food. The plate is made of stainless steel and on it is what at first appears to be a modest serving of rice, and six or seven 1-1/2 inch diameter stainless steel bowls. In each bowl is a different vegetarian dish, usually almost like a thick sauce/curry. Each of these is meant to be mixed with the rice. This composes your meal.
Now, if you're like me and think the perfect meal might be a 14 oz. ribeye w/ a good serving of fried potatoes, I know what you're thinking "that doesn't sound appetizing or filling!" But i've got to tell you that, as a meat eater, you would be wrong on both counts. Of course, you've got to have a certain baseline like for indian food, but besides that don't worry, you're going to be full when you leave. I went there for dinner at 6, had not eaten since 10:30 that morning and I was full before I even finished the plate.
Also, the free seconds is truly unique among restaurants - where else can you get free seconds?? I ordered seconds of only my one favorite bowl. Dessert - I have no idea what it was - it was sort of like brown sugar and saffron, plus some sort of ground nut that held it together. it reminded me of peanut butter but it wasn't peanuts or butter like. yeah, that's all I got.
Ayurveda cafe calls itself "A place for balance." I think that is an appropriate term for how I felt when I left. I felt sort of good...I certainly didn't feel bad, but I also didn't feel like I had been overwhelmed with flavor. Dinner was $12.50 per person. The Mango Lessi was pretty stinkin good - I got two of them. -
Review from Tiffany T.
New York, NY
10/14/2010
I love and hate the no menu concept. Takes the stress out of ordering but also a risk. I usually end up not eating at least 10% of the plate. Plus, the food is overly salty to me.
BUT, mad props for their mango lassi. Yum! -
Review from Jessica L.
New York, NY
5/17/2009
This place has always intrigued me, but since it's right next door to one of my favorite spots - Pio Pio - and we're almost never on the Upper West Side unless we're already going to Pio Pio, we've never had a chance to try it. As luck would have it, we found ourselves on the same block two nights in a row recently and, lacking the stomach and ears to deal with Pio Pio again so soon, it was finally time to give it a shot.
In so many ways, this place is the utter polar opposite of its neighbor. The dim, softly lit interior is immediately soothing, and the friendly, attentive staff helps you forget the outside world while you tuck into a pre-selected plate of flavorful vegetarian dishes. The amount of food you're given looks smallish to average, but as with all Indian food, the volume is deceptive. I'd venture to say the food's as good as, if not better than, Vatan, which has a similar concept but is far fancier (and a little more expensive). Vatan's awesome too, but if all you care about is the food, this will more than do the trick.
The night we went, the dinner was capped off with a coconut burfi, which is the best Indian dessert I've ever had, and is certainly in my top ten desserts period. My chakras have never felt more in tune. -
Review from Neha M.
10/13/2009
Ayurveda Cafe serves simple vegetarian Indian food off of a fixed, non-negotiable menu of the day. I went here a couple of weeks ago and they served me a potato-bell pepper curry, gingered green bean curry and daal with brown rice and rotis. The food was fresh and plentiful, as refills are free. I enjoyed the food here and left comfortably full.
Subtracting one star for two reasons. The dessert that day was halwa that was literally oozing grease. It tasted pretty good but I felt my arteries clogging just looking at it. Also, there were over 4 identical looking Indian waitresses in a space that isn't very large and at the time was empty except for 2 tables. They were hanging around staring at me the whole time because they had nothing better to do. The owner of the place also was camped out at a table doing paperwork and lecturing one of the waitresses on something.
That whole thing was a little bit creepy but overall this place is great. -
Review from Carole M.
New York, NY
4/8/2007
Ayurveda is one of those comforting places that always make you feel better than you did when you walked in. The mango lassi is a delicious meal in itself. Because your meal selection is chosen for you, it's always a nice surprise to see what the chef has chosen for that day. Even though you can eat as much as you wish, save room for the desert, which is always interesting and often unidentifiable.
The vibe is so serene in the restaurant that you can forget that you are in Manhattan. A great place for vegetarians and the people who love them. -
Review from Nina V.
NJ
11/30/2009
This place has apparently got a cult following, because NYC celebrities are discovering the Indian thali. What brilliance of marketing, this place is!!
Basically, this place is serving a common homemade Indian thali, somewhat bland (simple homemade fresh food).
Make is less spicy.. and add the Ayurveda tag.. (sweet, sour, tag). Honestly, this thali would be considered decent but nothing outstanding if it was judged outside of the Ayurveda tag and all that jazz...
lol.. the Indian thali is about as aurvedya as any common meal-- every family serves one up in India! Go to nearly all the South Indian restauarants in NJ and you can eat delicious thalis-- and its' just ONE of the many items they offer. And yeah.. they have all that sweet, sour jazz.. Remove 80% of the spices and most of the oil from Indian food and its' healthy (that's how homemade Indian food mainly is). Good decent homemade thali.
Yet get this-- New Samosa in Philadelphia serves a far less expensive buffet of vegetarian Indian 'simple' food..with more variety and less cost than this thali ever could be- and New Samosa is getting BEATEN UP for being bland. hmm.. both Ayurveda Cafe's and New Samosa's food taste very similar...
Indeed, it's sometimes it's all in how you present it ... -
Review from Diana B.
New York, NY
10/29/2005
Update: $12 incl. tip at lunch (9/06) and two of the thali dishes were watery veggies.
Indian veggie restaurant with one platter per day, no menu, no choice. About $10 at dinner, less at lunch: thali platter with 6-7 small dishes, and bread and rice.
Good! -
Review from Morgan G.
Brooklyn, NY
4/6/2011
I went because I bought the Living Social deal and I'm really glad I did. Everything was delicious and they give you free refills! Of food! I was relieved to find this out as I was initially concerned when I saw the portions - your dinner comes out on a huge platter of tiny metal cups of food. Also there is a box with pieces of paper that have bits of wisdom on them. I felt that the pieces we chose were very appropriate for my partner and I - I'm sentimental like that. All in all a cute spot with a great vibe. I will definitely be back!
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Review from Daniel C.
New York, NY
8/16/2011
I've only had delivery so far from Ayuverda (3 times). This is another place I debated a long time before trying as I'm not a vegatarian and am a picky eater . I am so glad I tried it though.
I don't know the names of most of the items; but the food is great. The portions are huge; and the quality of the food is fresh and flavorful. The Mango Lassi is like a drug. Once you have one, you'll understand. -
Review from TS B.
New York, NY
11/4/2010
Menu? What menu? Every day is a new menu. "It consists of 10 items w/6 tastes (salty,sweet,sour,bitter,astringent&pungent)." Personally, i wouldn't use the word astringent to describe food (why not just spicy?), but hey if that's what you want.
So the place is really cozy (not that it's small. about medium). You go in and sit and they bring you food right away. That's the joy of a pre-set menu... All you choose is what you want to drink and what type of rice you want. 7.95 for lunch. 13.95 for dinner.
The idea is neat, but it would be perfected if they actually listed what they were serving every day. I had to ask, and even then the waitress didn't remember and had to check.
However, in the end, the tray of food with the variety of veggie delights kind of makes up for it. Just tell us which mush is what!! -
Review from James R.
Manhattan, NY
5/21/2009
I've only ever ordered delivery from here, not eaten in the restaurant, so cannot comment on decor, ambiance etc.
What i can comment on, however, is the delicious food they offer. Whilst you are never sure what you'll get, because all you can order is the 'Menu du Jour', I have never been disappointed. Fine, the ingredients may not be the most "gourmet", but I've never been disappointed and love the fact that there's no choice in what to order - sometimes trying to decide what to order is a dilemma I can live without. All their food is vegan.
It's really good value too - one portion is easily enough to feed two people, and often times there can be enough left over for one person's lunch the next day.
Delivery is fast too! -
Review from Taeko F.
New York, NY
8/9/2007
Pretty north Indian traditional. Small restaurant, perfect LUNCH atmosphere, metal cups and all. For lunch there is a set menu (though you can choose brown or basmati rice) and it was very reasonably priced. I think for an iced tea, full platter with raita/rice/curries/greens/etc, and dessert it was $12 a person including tax & tip.
Best part? This is one of those places you can eat with your hand and not feel strange about it. Worst part? The lighting isn't great so when the curry permanently stained my pink nail polish a disgusting yellow/brown color, I looked a bit jaudiced on one hand. Not a good thing if you are returning to work at a clinic.
