Having just started working in the area, I have been looking for healthy & cheap options for lunch. So when one of my co-workers kept raving about the tofu filets at Govinda's, I had to check it out. She was right to rave - the food here is excellently and lovingly prepared. I have been twice, both times on a Tuesday when they do the tofu filets (which ARE delicious btw) and they give you a tasty little sauce to dip them in if you like. The sides I have tried so far were a mix of zucchini, brocolli and peppers, cabbage & potatoes, kale and eggplant & potatoes. All of them were great. For $7 they give you a lunch that will satisfy but not leave you in a coma at your desk! read more

You will not eat in a more unique setting tharn Govinda's. Tasty (not overtly spicy/indigenously Indian) vegan fare in essentialy what feels like a church meeting hall (it's a former municipal building that is now a temple) but the veggies, beans and starches are out of this world. NOT FANCY! but super original read more

I'm a huge fan of eating here! Very fairly priced, friendly service, and incredible vegetarian food. I've heard that food made by loving hands, surrounded by those in pursuit of a higher cause, passes a positive loving energy forward to those who consume it. And that's how I feel about eating at places like this. The love and generosity would be enough. But then you get a delicious meal as well. So I will be coming back again and again and again. Thank you Govinda's! read more

Very good vegetarian homestyle Indian food. Delicious and healthy. You'd get vegetable preparations not usually offered at the typical Indian restaurants. read more

Our office is temporarily stationed in downtown Brooklyn, and most of our staff has been going to Govinda's just about daily. We kind of can't stop -- it's incredibly delicious, wholesome, almost entirely vegan, and just plain great. While there last week, a man on line said, "This used to be a best kept secret. Now I hear it's on Yelp!" read more

1. yellow split dal- ok. needs some onions or garlic something more to it in my opinion. I don't know what. 2. shredded carrots with black eyed peas- personal taste didn't even try 3. chana masala- the chickpea dish it burned not a lot though. I really don't like spicy dishes. I don't eat chana masala so I have nothing to compare it to in all fairness to them. 4. tossed salad with sunflower seed dressing I believe.- was tasty. 5. rice- ok, bland or good. I can't decide. 6. samosa - take it off the menu or do it better. 7. cauliflower and stringbeans- are cauliflower and strings beans. - ok. 8. orange-lemonade the drink. Something like that. Way to bland. 9. raisin bread- Their raisin bread should be the standard for raisin bread everywhere. So awesome. 10. Nut-loaf - awesome. 11.. mango cupcake- tasty. I was given a lot of food for $15.00. I am not sure why I paid $15.00 though. Service- outstanding. Would I go back again? Absolutely. read more

One of the best vegetarian places I've been too. Great deal for the amount of food you get. Friendly staff.

Well spiced and cooked food in the basement of the Hare Krishna Center. Served cafeteria style (small scale). Very reasonably priced and large portions. I had a wonderful squash, coconut milk sweet potato soup, black eyed pea curry. All great. The day that I went everything was vegan except for the yogurt sauce, I think this includes the baked goods but I'm not positive. read more

Came here one time over a year ago for lunch with a friend. It was a bit hard to find cause its in the basement of a Buddhist temple but I loved the down-to-earth, no frills vibe of the place. To order: Walk up to the cafeteria-style counter. Tell the dude how many items you want. Pick and choose your items. He'll place your food in a Styrofoam tray. You pay and then, you're good to go. Make sure to get the free spicy pickled veggies near the cash register. They also have complimentary water and some type of sugary drink in self-serve orange containers. Love the perfectly fluffy texture of their jasmine rice. And the fake meatloaf. Good quality vegetarian food near downtown Brooklyn. read more

I come here at least every other week for lunch. We always get the $10 meal and either share or if we're really hungry have our own as our food for the day! As a vegetarian it's really hard to find places like this that serve up great filling food but you can always count on the krishnas to do the trick for ya!! I love the katchoris that they make on some days and the samosas are awesome!!! Everything is so fresh and the menu changes daily so you don't know what you're getting really until you show up! They make a mean mean eggplant parmesan!!!! So yummy so happy whenever we go! read more

Great find thanks to Yelp! Completely unexpected place to eat, hidden underground of a Hindu temple. They serve very good quality vegetarian food in nice quantities and pretty cheap! It is $7 for 3 items, $8 for 4 and 10 for a complete meal. I was full with 3 items and the free bread ! Also the people serving are very welcoming. Lots of space and cosy feeling. Very relaxing oriental/Asian music. I highly recommend !! read more

Went for the first time the other day, it was good but I didnt think it was spectacular like most of the reviews. I am not a vegetarian but I can appreciate non meat meals. The people were really nice and the cafeteria seating was plentiful. I couldn't have the eggplant lasagna everyone raved about because I can't have dairy. I will try it again though. Huge portions+++ read more

Finally got to eat at Govinda's 2 weeks ago. The food is absolutely delicious! Food and served with smiles and lots of positive energy. All of the food is so good. Not a full vegetarian yet, but this little gem of good freshly prepared daily main courses, scrupcious desserts and VERY healthy portions at reasonable prices, makes Govinda's the hidden treasure of downtown Brooklyn for a "timeout", no cell phone activity allowed, and good food. We have been there twice, and plan to make Thursday (eggplant parmesian day) our regular Thursday meal eatery. read more

I've been to Govindas all over the world, but didn't know this place existed a few blocks from my workplace until Yelp featured it in an e-mail on Brooklyn vegetarian choices this week. Open only a few hours at lunchtime, and from the chat there, not every day--so call ahead--Govindas is basically a lunchroom with counter service of a limited menu of delicious vegetarian food, some of which is vegan. I had a delicious mixed vegetable dish, rice, a green salad and a lentil salad. With bread and "juice", I spent $8. I wish their promotion were a little better--I'm sure I'm not the last Brooklyn vegan to learn about this place! read more

Not the type of place you would expect in the heart of Brooklyn, but surprisingly one of my favorite lunch spots in the city. They offer cafeteria style dining, nestled in the basement of a Hare Krishna Temple. The space is very peaceful, and the people working are especially kind. The food is out of this world - all vegan or vegetarian - with a changing daily menu. I've been here many times and I've never been disappointed. The portions are generous and all for around $6-$8. Give it a try, you will be hooked! read more

An amazing place for nutritional food. Once you try it you cannot go to any other restaurant in this area ;)

Great food and price. I really like the Tuesday menu, and the cheesecake is to die for.

The food is awesome and prepared with love. I'm not a vegetarian and I am always 100% satisfied! Satya prepares and serves the food and is often the highlight of our day. My only complaint? They're not open for dinner! read more

I have been to Govinda's Veg a few times. The food here is super amazing. And tye stuff are very friedly. In addition, they give you more than enough food. I highly recommend this place. read more

Fantastic food. The "homemade" bread made in-house and cookies are especially excellent.

I say 5 stars because every time I eat here I feel satisfied and happy... What more can a person ask for? Good food and good karma!

Awesome food and service in a no-nonsense environment. Good variety in vegetarian dishes that are also easy on the palate. Will come here again. read more

The cheesecakes are smashing - wayyyyyyyyyy better than Junior's. The eggplant parm is a must and the drinks that are included in the meal are some special infused water and mango something. Go. Get the complete meal and eat leftovers later.its alot of food to eat all at once and not get stuffed. read more

Get over being worried about the fact that this little gem is in the basement of a Hare Krishna temple and that the food is cooked by, and served, by members of the faith. Get over any kind of snobbishness around decor. And get ready to eat some of the best vegetarian -and vegan!- lunch around at the best price in Brooklyn, served by genuinely friendly and cheerful people. I've been 3 times and each friend I've gone with has in turn gone again with others, and all report back that their friends loved it too. The "meatloaf" on Wednesday's is to die for. Am working on the cook for the recipe and who knows, maybe I'll get it!! read more

Those of you'll who go "tsk tsk" at us vegetarians should go to this place..:P I was in the area, I was terribly hungry and a quick yelp later decided to try this place. By the time I got there it was just a little past their mentioned lunch hour, and I was pretty sure I was going to go back empty stomach! How wrong I was, the gentleman at the reception ( it is housed at the Hare krishna temple) was so friendly and showed me the way to the lunch hall and also spoke to the people there to rustle up a meal for me( just me!). The food was unlike anything I've eaten before. It was simple, delicious, cheap and healthy - bean sprout salad, dal, fresh salad, roasted vegetables all served up with bread in a little plate. I ate a hearty meal and while I walked out oatmeal cookie in hand, I still couldn't make up my mind about what was better - the food or the people that serve it. *wipes tear* :D read more

A rare place this is. Not many places you can get a big selection of vegies on the same plate. All flavored different. Very inexpensive. A very relaxed peaceful place to eat. No one pushes religion. All around good vibe. Warning their is no Air conditioning. Too hot for me on the hotter summer days. Menu changes everyday. You can go on facebook to see the days menu. We love their different style of cheesecake. Our favorites are the broccoli with sweet potatoes & the tofu sticks. The only problem with the food I find is that the eggplant & potatoes often come out to salty for me. That's not a big problem. Their is still always plenty to eat. Govinda's is a vegetarians delight. read more

What a deal! $10 gets you a huge plate of everything including salad and soup. We have eaten at the one in Hawaii and in LA and this is by far the best! read more

I usually don't go for the vegan restaurant over anything else around but for Govinda's Kitchen i have to make an exception. This food is spectacular, cheap, and will leave you satisfied. It is conveniently located in the basement of a downtown Brooklyn Hare Krishna temple. Transportation all around, and good vibes in the place. Its cafeteria style and the menu changes all the time, but no matter what is on deck it is delicious. If I have one gripe, its that the hours are hard to catch. read more

I took my coworker here for lunch because of all of the amazing reviews on Yelp. I have to say that it is a great place to find homemade food for lunch that wont hurt your wallet. I personally did not enjoy the nut loaf as much as everyone, but everything else was great! You get so much food and everyone there is super friendly. I paid $9 for 3 entrees, and I had some food to save for later. Overall, I love concept and like that there is something different each day. Can't wait to try the Lasagna on Thursdays. read more

veggie dishes that leave you feeling full and satisfied. kale n' sweet potato, curried grilled veggies, chilis and lentils. best home made raisin bread i've ever had. overall: simple in a good way, perfectly seasoned, and great value. oh and it's in the basement if a Hindu temple! So, you know, cool hipster bragging rights there... read more

This place is the absolute worse!!! A big J.K. It's actually the best. Everything is amazing. I'm actually ok waiting on the semi long line here (lunchtime). It's so peaceful. It's located inside the temple. If you don't know or can't find it, sucks to be you. o.k. o.k., it's in the basement of the temple, between Nevins and Bond St. Great service, No embellishing, the cheesecake is comparable to Junior's. No, no, it's actually better, lighter, not to sweet just amazing. Get two, you will thank you me. Peps say it's a hidden gem, it truly truly is. This is my go to spot for delicious vegetarian food. Look, their menu changes, believe me, everything is divine. The lasagna is fabulous, our office fights over the bread, cauliflower and especially the cheesecake. Oh, CASH only, no ATMs. read more

This is place amazing veggie heaven! I get lunch here at least twice a week. Good vegetarian options that is also delicious. Love!

Great place, and great alternative atmosphere to the pretentious places popping up all over the place along with the new skyscrapers. Staff and food are excellent, even the free side of bread is great. Hearty meal for $7, or really stuff your face for $10 and spicy aromatic food that I could eat every day. Nice big tables for groups, and the line isn't that long after the intiall 12-12:30 rush. read more

GO! As a recent work transplant to Downtown Brooklyn I've quickly learned that options for a healthy (and sanitary) lunch are hard to come by. Govinda's Kitchen is both of those things. The menu rotates daily, but seems to be consistent weekly. I've gone on two different Thursdays and gotten the eggplant bake--it's delicious! I also love their samosas and the dipping sauce they have at the end of the hot line. Free lemonde as well! Bring cash as they don't take cards. read more

Perfect in all ways, as long as you're okay with eating in a basement. Food is excellent vegetarian, fresh and delicious. Staff is friendly. Price is RIGHT. I am addicted to the lentil soup and samosa, with free mint lemonade. Best deal, however, is the $10 giant lunch box, with soup and salad and all the dishes of the day. If you get it to go, you can stretch it to dinner easily. One of my favorite places in NYC. Btw, you cannot see any signs from the street, so just enter the temple and go downstairs, following the sign for "banquet." read more

I went here for the first time based on the amazing Yelp reviews, and it did not disappoint! What an amazing deal for a delicious, healthy lunch in Downtown Brooklyn. This is my new weekday lunch spot. read more

Delicious food at reasonable prices, and you feel like you are "in the know." My only complaint is I wish they were open for dinner!

For vegetarian food this place is not bad. Go for meatless Mondays!

Solid, tasty fare and good sized portions. Great value! We all need to support places like this.

Delicious vegetarian comfort food. Loved the kofta balls on Friday. meatloaf needs work.