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Navaratna Vegetarian Indian Cuisine
Categories: Restaurants Indian Restaurants Vegetarian Indian, Vegetarian [Edit]
133 Atlantic StStamford, CT 06902
(203) 348-1070
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Stefanie S. said: "This place has pretty decent food. I went during lunch with some friends, and they had a nice small buffet. The food was fresh, and had a nice lunch selection. The staff was very nice, and catered to our needs. I will definitely go…" read more »
31 reviews for Navaratna Vegetarian Indian Cuisine
Review Highlights
"Perfectly balanced flavors, very fresh ingredients."
(in 3 reviews)
"...a office canteen consisted of 2 idly one vada with sambhar."
(in 3 reviews)
"...had yogurt rice, mehdu vadas, masala dosa and gobi mulligai."
(in 2 reviews)
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31 reviews in English
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Review from surella b.
Flushing, NY
1/31/2012
Had lunch there today with my daughter and the food was excellent. I had a dosa with onions in it and a potato filling and it was perfect.
My only complaint is that, and I'm not sure how to put this but, we were the only non-Indian people in the place and EVERYONE was served before us. People who came after us were served before us. It was a little icky. We ended up making angry gestures and faces to the waiter who finally brought us our food.
It WAS great food, though! Would go again in a minute despite bad service! -
Review from Dave B.
Stamford, CT
8/28/2011
I have wanted to try this place for some time, having previously been keen on Mona Lisa which was in the space before hand.
The food was good, service was reasonable and unrushed, but there were a few things that dinged the total experience pretty significantly.
First. The flies! THE FLIES! There were flies - tiny ones, like gnats - everywhere. At first I thought it was just one that had snuck in the door but I caught and killed it, and then there was another. And another. And another. Do they not take the trash out? As the fly count increased I must admit to being somewhat put off the food.
Second. The noise! There was something going on in the kitchen that was obscenely loud - some major appliance was running at full volume for a few periods which made conversation absolutely impossible, and then there was excessive clattering by some of the wait staff. I don't know if they were being lazy, or rushed, but it was quite intrusive.
One last gotcha was the death defying trip to the rest rooms, which are located at the end of the slipperiest floor known to mankind.
Overall - good food, reasonable service, but a few question marks that dampen my enthusiasm for a repeat visit. -
Review from Ashley H.
Manhattan, NY
2/2/2012
HORRIBLE experience on Seamless Web! After 1 hour and 45 minutes waiting the restaurant informed me they had delivered my food to the wrong address and intended to pick it back up and redeliver the SAME food to me! Absurd!!! When I said that was unacceptable they gave me trouble in getting a refund and I had to deal with Seamless directly. Previous experience was also that they were always exceptionally late to deliver food. Do yourself a favor and AVOID, AVOID, AVOID!
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Review from Sean L.
Edinburg, TX
1/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
The pluses were that the food tasted good (not great), and it was vegetarian. However, the minuses were overwhelming: there were bugs in the restaurant, and the kitchen did not look well kept either when I walked by. I asked for my dish hot and it was the most mild Indian I have had. The worst part was that the person in charge, supposedly the chef, actively tried (partially successfully) to scam me and my family into buying more food than we wanted. For instance, I asked for a very small cheese naan for my little girl and he brought out a $10 giant cheese bread dish that was the size of the table. I asked if rice came with my curry and he said "do you want lemon". I said ok. Then he brought out the plain rice that came with it and an ADDITIONAL $10 lemon rice (we returned that one...and they still tried to put it on the bill anyway). They also offered pickles and mango curry as if it were complementary. When my wife asked, we were told they were $1 or $2....when the bill came we found they were $2 each (total of $4). Anyway, it was not a pleasant experience.
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Review from Michael C.
Plano, TX
7/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a hard call for me. I will go with four stars though.
You see, the first time I visited, I had Bhindi Chettinad (sort of an Okra curry), mango lassi, some bread, and another thing I can't remember. It was awesome and the colleague with me felt the same, in spite of low expectations because he regularly eats "real" Indian food, courtesy of Indian friends.
Then I came back, all fired up for a repeat and got what was, at best, a three star experience. I had the Bhindi Chettinad again, and this time the Okra seemed like it had been prepared the night before and left to dessicate on the counter until I ordered. Edible, but not much more than that.
The sole waiter was busy taking care of both tables, a phone-in to go order, and a walk in to go order. The owner* picks up the slack by talking to the other table...at length...walking right by my empty water glass at least 6 times (remember, only two tables in the whole place had customers).
* - I am guessing here, but who else can get away with standing around in plain clothes and occasionally doing some random work?
However, that first experience was just awesome. I was describing it as the possibly the best Indian food I had experienced when I got back home. That, and the positive opinion of my co-worker, keep it from sinking to three stars.
So, I am going to give them the beneift of the doubt and go with four stars. Hopefully, the service will be better next time. -
Review from Randall M.
Stamford, CT
Updated - 9/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is my first regular exposure to Indian cuisine, not to mention Southern. I believe the meals are authentic and freshly prepared, but personally do not know, yet, whether it is excellent receipes.
But I shall try this place a third time, down the road.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/10/2011
I'm a fan, so far. Just stopped by for a glass of wine and mulligatawny. Both were very good. I… Read more »
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Review from N M.
Stamford, CT
5/1/2011
The service is absolutely dreadful. Typically I can bear bad service for good food, but not here. I have been to Navaratna few times and there is systemic problem with service. One thing I always ask myself is that if a resteraunt can't keep things running smoothly in the front of the house, how can they pay attention to quality and cleanliness in the back of the house...
Bottom line, if you are looking for a comfortable dining experience without the frustration go to Coromadel (perferably in Darien). The food is better, the quantities are better, the service is excellent and the prices are not that much more for comparable vegertarian dishes. -
Review from Mary X.
New Canaan, CT
6/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Excellent food! This place has THE BEST Mulligatawny soup ever.
This place has great food, good prices and decent service. I highly recommend! -
Review from Michael C.
New York, NY
3/20/2011
Tasty tasty vegetarian Indian food. I usually get the thali, I guess because I like the variety and I'm a solitary diner (yes, pity party time).
Adding to the legit factor was the local Indian families dining next to me. The space is clean and airy. Comparable to the good stuff I've found in NYC, Navaratna is one of the best restaurants I've found in Stamford yet. -
Review from C O.
Cos Cob, CT
12/18/2011
This is my go-to indian place for proximity and price. Overall, it's a solid option. I'm a big fan of the palak paneer and dewani handi (almost the same thing), and everything else I've had has been very good as well. Only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because the Avial at Coromandel is way better, the decor is kind of drab, and I wish the portions were a little bit bigger. I will definitely keep coming here.
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Review from Sandy S.
Riverside, CT
12/12/2011
Delicious Indian vegetarian food; lots of variety. The four of us shared several apps -- my favorite was a crispy cauliflower dish and a very thin bread filled with a spicy potato mix. Entrees included a mushroom dish, zucchini and other veggies in a coconut broth, and other tasty treats -- can't remember the names. Everything was delish. We tried a few desserts, but perhaps because we were too full, didn't like them as much (coconut ice cream, rice pudding, almond paste pudding. Would recommend and return.
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Review from Manu P.
Orange, CT
1/4/2011 11 Check-ins Here
This is one place where I have been to and felt like I have been transported back home. To my state down south in India. To a restuarant serving veggie food.
We have been patrons of this place since the first week of opening. They are very open to feedbacks and make changes accordindly. They strive to make sure the customer leaves happy and they succeed in that.
I must say, I am not very Sambhar friendly. When I worked in India, for 3 years my breakfast at a office canteen consisted of 2 idly one vada with sambhar. So much so that the Canteen boy used to ask me dont i get tired of eating the same every day. Honestly nothing else was edible on the menu. My sambhar aversion began there and now Navaratna has brought me back to love Sambhar.
Everything tastes great here and I can't just point out one single item. I can go on and on and it still wouldnt be enough. So I am summarizing with those 5 lil stars !!Listed in: Always yumm
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Review from Jason L.
New Canaan, CT
2/17/2011
1. Terrific Service.
2. Very clean.
3. Best Aloo Gobi I've ever had. "al dente" cauliflower and potatoes. Crisp ginger. Perfectly balanced flavors, very fresh ingredients. Not oily at all as Aloo Gobi can be.
4. Fairly low prices.
Currently my favorite Indian restaurant. -
Review from Elizabeth P.
Medford, MA
7/31/2010
I came here for dinner the other night, and the experience was solidly good. The restaurant is relatively small inside; however, the tables are nicely spaced out, which is a definite plus. That being said, I found the overall ambiance to be lacking. The interior felt rather bare and the table at which we ate was a little rickety. The only interesting features to the room were the old brick wall on one side of it and the copper pots hanging in front of the semi-open kitchen. That being said, the staff was very courteous and made us feel welcome, which helped make up for the environs.
I enjoyed most of what we ordered. We started with a couple of lassis (sweet and mango), both of which were very tasty. For an appetizer, we split the Rasa Vada, a Lentil doughnut sitting in a slightly spicy tomato soup. I found the doughnut to be a bit strange: from the standpoints of both texture and taste, it reminded me of a Matzoh ball. That being said, the broth had a nice taste to it, and made the doughnut more appealing.
We ordered two entrees--cheese uttappam and bhindi (okra) chettinad--and a bread (Aloo paratha). My favorite of these choices was the chettinad: we ordered it spicy, and they certainly served it that way! The sauce used in the dish was excellent and the onions had a nice caramelized taste to them. The cheese uttappam was also quite good... it was essentially a pancake topped with melted cheese and served with a trio of sauces. Each sauce had a very distinct taste and worked well with the uttappam. I was not as much of a fan of the paratha: I would have enjoyed having a little bit more of the potato filling in the bread, and found it to be a bit too salty.
I'm not sure how frequently I'll come back (I prefer Coromandel in Darien), but I'm glad to have tried Navaratna. It's definitely worth a visit! -
Review from DJ C.
Glen Oaks, NY
For all of you who thought you experienced Indian cuisine at your local weekend buffet, most chances you have had the typical tandoori chicken, naan breads, spinach and paneer, basmati rice, etc.... This place will introduce you to a whole new culinary world full of flavors that make you crave vegetarian!!!!
Recently opened, this new spot in Downtown Stamford features some typical South Indian dishes that just make you want more more more. A great new variety for the local business lunch crowd, and the residents for dinner or the weekend. There are too many options to try it would be impossible for me to list, but I have been there twice and can imagine returning once weekly and trying the whole menu for a few months.
You must try: dosa (paper thin crepes sometimes with a potato or other type of filling), iddly (rice steamed cakes served with coconut or tomato chutneys and sambhar), vada (typically doughnut shaped breads also served with chutneys and sambhar) and other appetizers; if you are venturous, try one of the platters called 'thaalis'. They have a few varieties featuring rice, the ever so flavorful sambhar and other side dishes to be eaten with the rice or with different types of breads.
The palette needs to adjust to these types of flavors if you are used to the overly seasoned dishes usually found at buffets which are more Northern influenced. I highly recommend this place to anyone seeking a more homey, subtle, culinary, authentic taste. For coffee lovers, try a madras coffee as well which is strong and bold from the chickory added flavor.
I truly hope I helped foodies find an amazing place to eat and new taste to crave.
(Note: Most of these dishes in the home, are fully eaten with your hand....give it a try....it is quite fun!) -
Review from John R.
New York, NY
11/17/2010
I went here for dinner the other night and the food was fantastic! The vegetable korma and palak paneer were delicious. The poori was super fresh too. Highly recommend.
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Review from Natasha A.
Wilton, CT
5/23/2010
Came to Navaratna today for the first time after hearing about its recent opening from a co-worker. Personally, I love dosa's and this place definitely satisfied my craving for good, traditional, south indian food. It was clean, had a friendly staff, and great prices. Quality of food and service was excellent. We would always head to nyc or NJ for dosa's, but I'm happy to have pleasantly stumbled across this wonderful place that is so convenient. We will surly be heading back soon for the good food --its a must go!!
Staff/Service: 5
Food: 5
Cleanliness: 5 -
Review from Jamie M.
Stamford, CT
6/2/2011
When I called for delivery last night, I honestly didn't know what I was going to order. I knew I wanted masala dosa (pretty much the only thing i know i love) and the rest was a mystery. I asked the man taking my order over the phone what he recommended for children and he suggested multi-layered bread (veechu paratha)- of course- and a mild curry called navaratna korma. It was ah-mazing!!! I could not stop eating it all! I was actually thrilled that my kids didn't like the curry as tonight I had it over brown rice pasta. As someone who is practicing a vegan diet, as well as living gluten and sugar free, this felt like an indulgence that actually was not. The prices were great too! The only reason I gave it four stars is because delivery took an hour. Still, I foresee a weekly trip here!
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Review from ronald s.
7/16/2010
we made it to navaratna the other day, and am pleased with the outcome .. really great food served by super quick courteous staff, nice atmosphere and its all vegetarian! can't go wrong with that. saw the great reviews on here and looked at their website (looks sort of template-ish, not too exciting to me, but i didnt let that keep us away). they have indoor and outdoor seating when it's nice, place was pretty crowded on the saturday evening we were there and i ordered way more food than i really knew i could eat just because they had so much on the menu i wanted to try (and i got lunch out of it the next day..)
started with samosa chaat and a dosa, both were really excellent - paneer tikka masala and veechu paratha were a great meal and the thali was also very nice - if you arent sure what to get you should definitely get the thali here! i like the fact they didn't have a tacky steam table buffet when we were there (not sure if they ever do)
a great meal, the price was about average, not really expensive like some more fancy indian restaurants like in nyc, and not cheap like you take-out curry shop on the corner, i think the value was definitely there and there aren't a lot of other vegetarian exclusive indian places around .. (are there any in stamford norwalk or greenwich area even?)
if you are veg - it's worth the stop! we will definitely be back here soon! the only real bummer is that if you arent already in stamford and just trying to stop in for a quick bite - parking in stamford kinda sucks especially at meal/bar times. you can park in the mall, or that big municipal garage a block or so away -its worth the walk. -
Review from Aimee A.
Baton Rouge, LA
6/22/2010
What's that you say? A vegetarian Indian restaurant? Oh! Sounds too good to be true... But it wasn't! It's delicious! And affordable! And the service is friendly. Great location too. Perfect for a bite to eat before seeing a movie or theatre show. I'll be coming back!
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Review from Ebenezer S.
Greenwich, CT
12/26/2010 1 Check-in Here
Solid well priced south Indian restaurant. Everything we ate was satisfactory, nothing was inspired. Service is excellent.
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Review from Lara W.
Norwalk, CT
10/3/2010
Everything here is delish and I'm addicted to their madera coffee now. The wait staff is super attentive and helpful. Nice atmosphere as has been commented on and the portions are great (i think) for the price.
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Review from Baby G.
New York, NY
4/18/2010
Food - 5 stars (I wish I could give it 6). They prepare your food to your liking without any issues (ex: less salt, more spice) - - everything from the bread to the main dish.
Service - 5 stars ( I wish I could give it 6)
Price - affordable. A steal for the quality of food and service. Most of the entrees are $7-9 and appetizers are around $4-5.
Decor/ambiance - nothing fancy; pretty simple but the food makes up for it by far
Cleanliness - 5 stars including the restroom
If I lived in Stamford, I would definitely come here on a regular basis AND would bring my friends. Overall excellent choice for casual dining. -
Review from Zarzuela K.
Stamford, CT
4/11/2011
I hesitate to give it 5 stars simply because I wasn't totally blown away by it but given it's low price point, it could easily be a 5. Very good food. I had a nicely done dosa, samosas, bread, sauces all very fresh and tasty. Service was very good although it took a long time to get a menu, but I guess the server could see we were enjoying our conversation. Definitely check it out.
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Review from Craving C.
Stamford, CT
5/6/2010
I may raise the number of stars when I have my first eat-in experience but my first 'take-out' certainly made me a fan! I needed something quick and got a Lunch Box to go ($7). Fresh. Delicious. Somewhat Different. Delicious. Intoxicating. Did I say Delicious?
I could not identify one of the 3 items that surrounded my rice. It was shockingly bitter yet I couldn't get enough of it! I called the restaurant and was told that it was bitter gourd (that wrinkly cucumber looking thing I often see in Indian groceries and think "what the heck would I do with that? Now I know!). As another poster said...this is not typical buffet stuff.
Go! Enjoy! -
Review from Paul L.
Stamford, CT
5/9/2010
I came here with my coworkers one day to have lunch and I must say that I was very pleased with the food. First of all, I thought I wasn't going to be full because there wasn't any meat in the dishes. But I was thoroughly stuffed at the end. I had the "Mumbai Thaali" (sorry if I mispelled it) and tried the masala. The thalli was good but I really liked their masala which was just masala sauce with something similar to tofu inside of it served with rice. It was very tasty (the masala was actually my coworker's order but I helped myself with probably more than I should have) and I'd recommend the masala with rice as the safe choice to break the ice for anyone not familiar with Indian cuisine. As the for thalli, if you try each sauce with rice separately and then start to combine the sauces when you feel more daring, I think you'll enjoy the dish very much.
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Review from P G.
Fairfield County, CT
7/31/2010
we had yogurt rice, mehdu vadas, masala dosa and gobi mulligai. all exceptional. true south indian style (tamal nadu) cuisine. a few kerala and andhra entrees. it doesn't have a lot of red chilly (spice), so you'll need to request the same
we'll be back for sure. -
Review from Dee V.
Stamford, CT
9/17/2010
Awesome food. Don't let the low prices fool you. The quality of the food is excellent, very fresh and delicious. We've eaten in several times and done take-out as well. Of course the food tastes best when eaten in, but take out is great as well. Love the assortment of north and south indian dishes -- all made to perfection which is rare to find. Its become our new favorite indian place among Thali and Coromandel.
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Review from mike d.
Stamford, CT
9/26/2010
my wife and i ate here last night - awesome selection of both north and south cuisine - we opted for the north sampler dish (not listed on site - only can be ordered dining in) & i also had the mulligatawny soup which was some of the best i've ever had - being a vegetarian i was happy to find this place and can't wait to try more of the menu on future visits - prices are very reasonable...
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Review from EP M.
Stamford, CT
8/29/2010
Ok stuff nothing great. Prices are reasonable.
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Review from Mario D.
Norwalk, CT
4/25/2010
I've only been here once, and had the lunch box special. While the food was very good and certainly well-spiced, the portion size was far too small, particularly for the price. It was good, but in the future I'll probably go elsewhere for Indian, somewhere where I can fill up.
