The Short Version: Small casual vegetarian restaurant inside an International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple. Very affordable and food tasted good. The Long Version: I feel like many large urban cities have a restaurant called Govinda's that is inside an International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple (these were called Hare Krishna temples when I was growing up). This one is in Ottawa. I've been to the one in Toronto. And I know there's one in Montreal, although I've never been there. All these restaurants are of the same concept. They serve vegetarian food, it's usually a buffet, and the prices are very affordable. At this Govinda's the all you can eat buffet is $14 or $12 if you're a student (need to show student card) or a senior (65 or over, I'm assuming if you look young for your age they might ask for ID, lol). The takeout price is $10 and you get a tray with a little bit of everything. I got the take out tray. The takeout tray contained white basmati rice, pasta salad, green salad, daal, a kidney bean curry, some stewed cabbage, and a piece of banana bread. It was quite a lot of food for just $10. And what I really liked about it is that the curries were not oily at all. I find a lot of curries way too oily but these ones were great. The lentil curry (daal) and the bean curry were very flavourful. The stewed cabbage was good too. The green salad had romaine lettuce, cucumbers, and tiny pieces of bell pepper. It came with a creamy salad dressing. A bit too much salad dressing for my liking, but it wasn't too soggy and the dressing wasn't too oily. The pasta salad had some tofu crumble in it. It was okay but had a strange medicinal taste to it. The best part was the banana bread. It was a little crunchy on the outside and soft and moist on the inside. Very delicious and not greasy at all. The dining room is small and feels like you're at a friend's house in the basement. Staff were very welcoming and friendly. Some people are hesitant to go to these restaurants as they think those belonging to the temple may try to "convert" them. This has never happened to me neither in Ottawa or in Toronto. Be advised that you must remove your shoes and leave them in the boot trays in the foyer before entering the restaurant or the rest of the temple. So don't wear your Louboutins or Jimmy Choos, LOL. And make sure you wear matching socks with no holes in them. Haha. This location is on a residential street and in the University of Ottawa area. All other customers during my visit were students. I feel this place is a hidden gem. It serves healthy, delicious and inexpensive vegetarian food, so I'm a huge fan. Street parking only. Review #52 (2026) read more

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I'm not normally into vegetarian food, but this is a great spot to go as the weather gets cooler if you're around uOttawa campus trying to eat on a budget. This is hearty food with plenty of lentils, pasta, rice, chickpea salad and delicious curries like their paneer curry. There was also some delicious banana bread on the side for dessert. Next time, I'm going to get their zucchini pakoras. Remember to take off your shoes once you get inside. The lady is very nice. I believe it used to be buffet (get your own) style but now she portions things out for you. You will be full for the entire day for $15. read more

Govindas Vegetarian Buffet - Rice, a variety of vegetarian curries - Vegetarian Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

I located a vegetarian restaurant on google maps few years ago, so I was thrilled. I was a student at the time and I ate a simple large quantity of food while paying the price of mere $5. It was $6 for non-students. They had a daal, one or two vegetables, salad and sweet too. If I had lived close by it would have been perfect for me to eat there daily. Due to inflation their prices have risen to $12 now I think but they have upgraded their menu too. I love eating there because the food is prepared by simple devotees who chant the name of God whole day. How lucky I am to eat this kind of food! It is invaluable. The food does not contain onions or garlic and is mild. Parking is tricky, but I have been lucky all the times. Once we enter, we remove our outer wear and hang coats etc., remove our shoes while we can keep the socks on. Some people do not like that it is mandatory to remove shoes. The reason for asking to remove shoes is that Krishna Temple is attached to the restaurant. Whenever temples are built their floors are designed to conduct the cosmic energy and positive vibes of the temples through the feet. Temples are a place where cosmic energies meet. Every person who enters the temple becomes the conductor of that energy. Just like electricity is connected to the earth similarly human bodies need to earth the cosmic currents. Even science suggests that morning walks (which I used to do in my childhood) bare feet on dew on grass very early morning is very good for eyes. Having said that, it is also important to keep our shoes on while visiting graveyards and places where negative energy might be present. Bare feet definitely ensure we do not bring any dirt inside as devotees afterwards remove chairs etc. and prostrate on the floor. The same space is used as temple seating. I also go to Govindas for buying bindis and other pooja items. They carry beautiful Indian wear too at very economical prices. I definitely recommend you to visit Govindas Restaurant to enjoy a good Indian vegetarian meal prepared with love and devotion. read more

This is a simple dining option in the temple. It is not a buffet, but you can choose from a few items. I went twice in my stay in Ottawa---healthy, easy, simple but tasty options, and price is fair as well. Friendly service, no pressure on the Hare Krishna front, but you can read some materials if you want. On the days I went, the meal was essentially the same, but it was fine. I wold go back again, and a great choice for vegans! read more

Govinda's is not a "normal" restaurant. It's actually part of a Hare Krishna temple. As such, don't be alarmed by the meditating and the fact you need to take your shoes off when you enter. You'll want to show up early if you're with a big group. The seating is limited and first come first serve. They generally have food available from 5-8pm. Govinda's tends to run out of food around 7:30pm. Please also be aware that the owner goes away to India every summer for 2 weeks, so if you want to avoid disappointment, call Govinda's ahead of time to ensure they're open. The food is presented buffet style; there are usually about 5-8 options available. All the food is all vegan and filled with good karma. You can eat as much as you want for 7$ or 5$ for students. read more

I am not sure what to say -- I have eaten at iskcon temples before (where I didn't have to pay) and my expectations were a bit higher when I was going to a place advertised as a "restaurant". I didn't quite like the food -- there was a small selection available -- a really runny Dal, two curries (potato and bean), rice, a lettuce-based salad, a cold pasta salad (just pasta with hints of red pepper), and some banana cake. I think there was not much effort put into preparing some dishes. Lastly, I was a bit appalled when a patron at the restaurant asked me to pay $8. There was an elderly woman who was the staff/caretaker and she was the sweetest person I've come across in a while, who didn't feel obligated to argue with the misbehaving patron. I liked the food for its simplicity but if I am eating outside, I expect just a little of that extra "taste". I won't visit again as I think the food I prepare on my own tastes/costs better than here. read more

I went there friday night after i got off from the bus terminus .. after an exhausting 3h30 bus ride from Montreal. It is in a temple, so there are people preying and reading books, but they are not disturbing and you don't have to be a krishna in order to come here. In fact, I think that's how they pay for the rent or other services : by offering on week nights a vegetarian/vegan buffet for 7$. You have to take your shoes off when you come in and keep your voice low, in sign of respect. As soon as you enter this place, you feel the love ! There is this kind of peace vibe all around the place, it's worth it really. And the food, Oh My, the food ! I love indian food but this is good stuff. A few choices, but everything is tasty and worth trying. Their curry & Curcuma potato stew was so good that I had cravings all week end. Unfortunately, they don't serve food on saturday or sunday. I want to go back ! read more

Govinda's is a wonderfully welcoming and affordable vegetarian restaurant, but with unfortunately inconvenient hours: Monday - Friday 5-8pm. Sometimes they even run out of food early. However, it's the purpose and atmosphere of this restaurant that makes it so popular. It is operated by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness with the goal of offering a buffet of affordable, nutritious and often local food to all its customers: $5 students/seniors, $7 regular. The owner treats everyone with a warmth that's hard to find elsewhere and a mutual respect is often felt between the establishment and its patrons. However, this restaurant may not be for people who prefer a more formal and dependable dining experience, as well as keeping their shoes on while they eat. read more

Whenever I travel, I like to look for a Hare Krishna temple restaurant in that city since I can eat there without asking any questions about diet concerns. Ottawa had one, but it has two negatives. The hours are VERY limited. Open for dinner only on weekdays from 5 to 8 pm. The second negative is that unless you get there early (try to be there no later 6:30), they may run out of food. I got there on Monday at 7:15 pm or so with a colleague and his wife and they were out of food so we had to go elsewhere. I did go back on Wednesday and Thursday and enjoyed the food. It was the exact same menu on both of those days. It is close to the university and very affordable so it tends to be frequented by students. As of this writing, the buffet is $5 for students and $7 for everyone else. There are about 6-8 different things including salad. Parking can be a bit of pain. The restaurant is in a house and as such it is very small. Maybe seating for 20 or so people very tightly seated together. You have to take your shoes off and leave them on a rack before you enter the serving/dining area. The part about removing shoes is different than any of the other Govinda's I've eaten at in different cities. Basically, you have to plan your evening around your visit to this restaurant if you plan to eat here, but I think it's well worth it. read more

Such a lovely place to eat! The atmosphere is nice and friendly. You can't really beat the price - 5 bucks for all you can eat? Psh - yes! The food is homey and simple. My dinner party was all over their cinnamon cake. My only complaint is that they don't replenish their buffet, so when they're out, they're out. read more

The cutest place. Although I was a bit apprehensive when I walked in with only a few selection available, for 5$ it was amazing. All you can eat dinner for that price and the food was full of flavour and healthy it was just a great place for a student looking for a cheap home cooked meal. On top of that the banana cake was awesome. read more

Govindas serves delicious, dirt-cheap vegetarian food in a welcoming setting. An excellent deal, particularly for students.