I've been wanting to try this restaurant for a little while now and since I had training in The Heights for work. I had my opportunity to. Parking is on the opposite side of the temple. The grounds of the temple is well manicured and neat with flowers. A big red sign read, "Govinda" was positioned so that I wouldn't miss it. As soon as I walked in at lunch time, the restaurant was damn near empty with only two families. The host immediately sat me at a table front of the buffet line. There was a strong lingering smell of pine-sol and Mr. Clean in the air. Of course, that indication told me that the restaurant was clean. The items on the buffet line was plenty, but limited. I got the rice, tofu curry, chaat marsala, and some vegetables. Everything except for the chaat was bland. It wasn't very easy to eat while the smell of cleaning supplies was in the air. It reminded me of sitting in a bucket of cleaning chemicals while eating a meal. The tofu curry tasted only like turmeric, but no salt or pepper or anything. The rice was super bland. The chaat marsala was very tasty and well seasoned. I finished off with desserts which both options were tasty. I hope to return to try their holiday menu, but I think today was a bad day for the cooks. read more

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Nut allergy warning: I can't recommend eating here if you have a severe allergy. Although dishes are clearly labeled with ingredients, I still had an allergic reaction with a dish. Since the dishes are different every day, there's really no guarantee that you'll be safe, and cross contamination is a possibility since it's a buffet line. I tried to email ahead of time but never got a reply. We arrived around noon on a Wednesday and there was plenty of seating inside. There is a lot directly across the street for Govinda's customers. Cafeteria buffet-style line. Don't overcrowd your plate, just go back for seconds. Since the menu changes daily, I don't think there's much of a point to review specific dishes. I will say that there's a nice variety of salad, soup, and homemade feeling Indian dishes that everyone really liked. I particularly enjoyed the salad dressing (an avocado cream), the veggie lentil soup, and the spinach potato dish. Unfortunately, the special of the day or a dish near it (the soya Manchurian? Or the curry?) triggered some kind of inflammatory allergic reaction for me, so I had to stop eating. I did try some of the mango cake, which had a great soft and moist texture that I'd definitely have again. -1 star because of the allergic reaction but overall, everyone I went with really enjoyed the food and the service was welcoming and attentive for a buffet. The ambiance is great and it's a lovely setting all around. read more

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I've been coming to Govinda's in Houston for nearly 8 years now, and it continues to be one of my favorite spots in the city. The restaurant is located next to the ISKCON Houston temple in the Garden Oaks area of Houston. The atmosphere is peaceful and inviting, the people here are warm and welcoming, and the food is consistently delicious. What I love most is the variety and quality of the Indian vegetarian cuisine. They offer both lunch and dinner buffets with a rotating selection of dishes like Baingan Bhartha, Bhindi Masala, Chana Masala, Dal Fry, Dal Makhni, Malai Kofta, Vegetable Pakora, Navaratan Korma, Paneer Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, Veggie Pulao Rice, fresh salads, and a range of desserts. It's a feast every time! Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays are entirely vegan, which is great for those looking for plant-based options. On other days, the buffet is vegetarian. They host special events throughout the year--like New Year's Day, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Earth Day, Easter, Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas--where they serve all-vegan menus. I highly recommend Govinda's to anyone looking for flavorful, wholesome Indian cuisine in a welcoming setting. Whether you're a longtime vegetarian, vegan, or just someone who appreciates good food, this place won't disappoint. I can't wait for my next visit! read more

Govinda's Vegetarian Cuisine - This was our first visit. He's in college now, and we still come here and love it! 2017 - Indian Near Me - Houston, Texas

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It's been about a decade since my last review of Govinda's shortly after they first opened so it's high time that I finally update that review after being a repeat customer over that time. Lots of things changed but Govinda's largely stayed the same. The decor hasn't changed but there is some wear and tear on the walls. Still clean, food still reliably good and has the homemade taste. They change up the menu daily and now they have 3 all vegan menu days to the week: Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Plus, weekdays have a themed specials that aren't necessarily Indian. They post their menus online but weekday menus are posted the day of on their menu Instagram "ghmenu". Weekend menus are typically posted on Thursday. They are still a buffet so service is minimal but it is pretty good but no frills. Unfortunately, they got rid of their salted lassi years ago so they only have mango lassi now along with mint lemonade for cold drinks. Price has gone up as well to around $18 (a little more for holidays and weekends) per person but that's to be expected. Carry out is $16.95 per meal (large take out container plus a soup, roti, salad, papadam, and dessert). You can opt of out of items but you'll still pay the same price. In the past decade, I still love their food but I can no longer eat as much to make it worth it to dine in so we've been getting take out (we took a brief break from buffets but I missed them so we went the take out route). One take out meal lasts me 2 meals at home so it's a no brainer (husband finishes the take out container in one sitting though). Plus, I have kids now and they definitely aren't good eaters so it didn't make sense for them to eat in. Over the last few months in Houston, we typically go once every 2-3 weeks because my picky kids absolutely love their saag paneer. I got them al a carte saag paneer ($10 for a half container, $5 for a half container of rice, $7 for a small container of an entree) until someone there suggested I just order an entree because it's the same price but you get more. And their plastic containers are limited. I started doing it but then one day, the main guy (manager?) wasn't happy since the big container was just rice, saag paneer, and maybe a little bit of dal makhani. I was a little miffed because if we ate in and all they ate was saag paneer, it would be okay. That aside, I noticed someone mentioned food allergies. The reason why I order Al a carte and segregate their take out container is because my youngest is allergic to wheat, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, avocado, pineapple, and kiwi. Their food is usually labeled but I like asking to be sure. On days they serve something that contains nuts, we just don't go (unless it's only in the dessert). My kids usually like the same things and we only go on non-vegan days. The general consensus is vegan days' food tends to be spicier. My youngest is okay with spice, but my eldest who is super picky won't eat it if it's too spicy. Plus, I love their makai kofta. If I'm in town and I see they have makai kofta, we are THERE. However, I noticed that their menu isn't always set in stone. One day, they didn't have my favorites but we went because I didn't want to cook and THEY HAD MALAI KOFTA. I was so pleased. If you love potatoes, their batada vada is divine (but moderately spicy). I also enjoy the BBQ tofu but they usually only offer it on vegan days so I haven't had it in a long while. They have special menus on holidays but they're vegan so I have unfortunately never tried any holiday menus. We moved but when I'm in town, we make sure to drive up north to eat here at least once. We absolutely miss Govinda's and my kids ask for their beloved saag paneer even when we're not in Houston. I should ask if they can part with the recipe! Haha.... We ordered catering in 2024 for my eldest's birthday! Even the non-vegetarians enjoyed it and you get a lot of food for less than $500. You choose from certain dishes but it still covered many of my Govinda favorites, if not all. Honestly, we'd do it again just for fun with close friends and family and have leftovers for at least a week after splitting it up with everyone. Price has probably increased though. read more

Absolutely incredible gem in Houston. Delicious, fresh, and incredibly flavorful vegetarian or vegan cuisine in a spotlessly clean venue with excellent service. I feel healthier after the first bite. Such a unique location and experience. Highly recommend read more

Govinda's Vegetarian Cuisine - Vegan Wednesday. So delicious - Indian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Love the vibe, quite, peaceful. All vegetarian buffet, all you can eat for $13-$14. In a setting of a monastery (? I need to find out). Can't help but chill out based on the music. Food ranges from spicy to bland, spinach, beans, rice, veggies, about what you'd expect. Plus deserts, which weren't to my taste. They've been around for ~9 years. Facility is epic, Worth a try. read more

Govinda's Vegetarian Cuisine - Main venue - Indian Near Me - Houston, Texas

We love having Govinda's in our usual rotation of places to eat. It's a lovely vegetarian/vegan buffet near Independence Heights area. The service is warm and friendly. They offer fresh hot chapati while you're eating. I've heard great things about their samosas as well. The ambiance is very zen and calm. Always a great meal here when we want a break from meat. read more

Govinda's Vegetarian Cuisine - Dining space - Indian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Vegan, and happened to be in the Houston area. I actually drove a half an hour to get to this location. Plenty of parking, friendly staff and amazing food. They do vegan three times a week. I'll tell you the flavors are amazing. I sometimes get turned off by all you can eat buffets, but this is got to be the one of the best buffets for a vegan to have! Totally will return and definitely not turned off by buffets any longer. Lol. read more

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decent selection, but to be honest a lot of the food was not fresh and tasted like it had been sitting out for awhile. also the biryani lacked significant flavor. wish there were more dessert options too as the "chocolate" cake did not resemble nor taste like chocolate read more

Today it struck me that the dal is the best tasting of all the Indian/Pakistani restaurants that I go to. I think the 'secret' is not overcooking it. The coriander chutney may also be the best in Houston. The traditional sitar music makes for a relaxing atmosphere surrounded by unique architecture. read more

Govinda's vegetarian cuisine location was easy to see from far away! The parking lot was empty on a Saturday afternoon but a bit far from the entrance. Food was delicious and they had lots of options! There is a large board explaining their herbs and spices and their uses. There were people on the entrance lawn selling Ghee and Khichdi. We were able to see the temple inside after we ate. Waiters were very friendly and attentive with fresh naan. Decor was mismatched and chaotic (pics from Feb 2024) but I haven't taken pics since then. The the area was peaceful and there was much to enjoy. read more

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I've been coming here for years with my dad and they have never dropped their quality. Some of the best indian food in houston and it's a buffet for only $15 it couldn't get any better, I seriously recommend this place. read more

Great food and friendly service nestled in the gorgeous courtyard of the attached temple. Tranquil, unassuming, and delicious.

My girlfriend and I have been talking about going to Govinda for years and finally took the plunge. Wish we hadn't waited so long. Very good and tasty vegetarian buffet. Walk in get seated and then straight to the buffet line. We had saffron rice pilaf, eggplant Parmesan, beans, a combination green beans, potato and sweet potato dish, fresh naan. It was all delicious!! And we'll definitely be putting Govinda into our rotation. read more

The best in Houston. The variety is amazing. You can find something you'll love even if you're not vegetarian. And it's all you can eat!

I've been here a few times and have always enjoyed its wide array of vegetarian options and rotating menu. However, my recent visit on a Friday for lunch was a bit underwhelming. The selections seemed much more limited, only about 3 entrees available aside from the salad bar and felt disappointing, perhaps this was just an off-day. The taste was just okay, not that bold in flavor but I'm okay with that. That said, the restaurant's setting is located inside a beautiful temple, definitely worth a walk around just for the architecture and ambiance. The staff is typically very helpful, however they don't accept the 10% check-in Yelp offer so it might be good to update the Yelp page to avoid confusion Parking is convenient in a lot across, a lot to see at this area and I've enjoyed the walk around the temple and Cultural Center in the past. Worth a visit if you haven't been! read more

Got to try one food item from this restaurant today! Had a pick up appointment at 11:30 AM and they gave me the order right away! Twas Daal and so delicious Vegetarian friendly location and highly recommended! Cheers read more

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The vegatarian buffet is delicious and reasonable priced. The Soup I have grown quite found of. Plenty different dishes to choose from with a description of each that I find helpful. Also I can count on my favorite Saag Paner being served. If you want your server to get their tip, leave it on the table. read more

Govinda's Vegetarian Cuisine - Today's Aug 16 Vegatarian buffet. - Indian Near Me - Houston, Texas

Attempting to be a healthier eater in 2024, I am so happy to have discovered Govinda's! This vegetarian buffet is affordable and clean. Their buffet options change daily and the bread is made from scratch. The staff was very friendly and accommodating to myself and friend group. I wasn't a tofu fan until trying their tofu chicken - so good! Sometimes "healthy" food isn't very filling, however the buffet setup ensured no one left hungry. Parking is available onsite in a lot across the street. The building and walk-up to Govinda's was stunning. This is the perfect spot to enjoy a healthy meal and relaxing ambiance! read more

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I've been meaning to try Govinda's and I was happy I finally did! The parking lot is located across the street from the restaurant entrance. Look for the red awning for the entrance! I ordered a mango lassi to drink with my meal. Today (Tuesday) was a vegetarian menu, which was more up my alley than the vegan items. On Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays - they only serve vegan items. Service was very good and the employees were so nice, even for being a buffet. You can also order desserts or samosas for an additional price on top of the buffet price. Def swing by for some delicious Indian vegan/vegetarian food! read more

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I hadnt been at Govindas since before COVID and some things don't change for the good... still GREAT ambiance, delicious vegetarian/vegan food buffet snd such a pleaser service! I dont recall the name of the actual dishes that we ate but we went on Tuesday, which was vegetarian buffet. They have Vegan buffet Wed-Fri-Sun. The buffet consists on vast options of salad toppings, 4-5 options of vegetarian dishes, 2-3 options of soups, 2-3 options of sauces or chutneys , and 2-3 sweets. Plus the crispy bread and table flatbread. The price of less than $16 dlls is UNBEATABLE for the service and food. Everything was truly tasty, full or distinctive aromatics and flavours from Indian food. Some dishes had a kick of spice but certainly not overpowering! They bring you warm freshly made whole wheat flatbread to your table and they offer you house made drinks like tea, chai and DELICIOUS mango lassi. Overall, it reiterated the previously good experiences i have had before Covid. It will surely continue to be a favorite of mine on the vegetarian/vegan side. read more

Govinda's Vegetarian Cuisine - Indian Near Me - Houston, Texas

The Tucson location was my favorite until I made my way here. This Gonvindas is absolutely gorgeous! The staff is highly attentive and so very kind. And the grounds are absolutely stunning -- serene and relaxing. And the restaurant is spacious. It can easily accomodate groups of people (and it appeared there were some on their lunch breaks visiting). I came for a solo lunch while in town for business. I did not have much time, but there was no way I was missing visiting a Govindas. I seek them out when I travel. I did not have a chance to enjoy the temple and any of the meditation sessions or cultural offerings -- only time for a restaurant visit. What I love is that you leave feeling completely rejuvenated. The food is delicious. Perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned and just gorgeous. I love a Govindas plate. Full of color, flavor and variety. I went with the salad, dal, saag paneer, biryani and a personal favorite, the aloo gobi-styled dish. Every bite was better than the last. And the team came by mid-meal to offer roti! What a treat. They have a catering menu, which is just glorious! The offerings for in house and catering include salad with house-made dressings, taita (a yogurt with herbs and cucumbers), papad, chutneys, biryani, puri and roti, tikka masala, saag, roasted eggplant, samosas, malai kofta, and desserts like custard pudding, halava and cakes. They also have soups. Also, the menu is on rotation. Some days are vegetarian, some are vegan. Plus, they offer a vegan menu on most major holidays, like New Year's Day, Easter, Mother's Day and Father's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Lunch is about $17, and you can order lunch to go. Hint: I highly recommnend that if you come for lunch or dinner that you take a meal to go in addition to your sit down. The food holds and microwaves very, very well. If you have never been to Govindas and are not familiar with Iskcon, not to worry. The Hare Krishna movement is very open and welcoming, no matter your background or orientation. But you should know that the Hare Krishna are fully committed to vegetarian cooking, and you will often find vegan dishes here. The principles are that preparation and eating of food should be based on principles of compassion, non-violence and balanced living (meat of all kinds, fish and eggs are avoided). So you should certainly come ready to have a more relaxed and attentive meal service and dining experience. You can enjoy the restaurant without participating in any of the culture or sacred practices if you so choose. And if you are interested in learning more about the Hare Krishna movement, I highly recommend reading the Bhagavad Gita (this is an epic story and a fascinating read, considered one of the most important Hindu texts). read more

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The place has good food, specifically for people who don't eat onion or garlic or are vegetarian. It's connected to a temple, which allows a lot of guests to come to the restaurant. The rotating menu daily allows for a variety of foods which is nice! It is also a daily buffet style and the price in my opinion isn't bad at all! It's about $15/person for the buffet. The staff is also very kind and helpful. The music is also nice and calming and was probably my favorite part of the experience! While the food was good considering they didn't use onions or garlic, I wouldn't recommend if you're just looking for Indian food and don't have any dietary restrictions. Some of the food was a little bland for me, however my mom loved all the food. The food did feel very homemade, which made it feel more special and tasty for sure! Overall, it's a good option, but there are better places for Indian food. read more

I had lunch at Govinda's a few weeks ago with my fellow Yelp Elite friend Pree and her lovely father. I was not familiar with Govinda's prior to our visit. The restaurant is located on the grounds of the ISKCON of Houston Temple and Cultural Center. They have a private parking lot across the street or you can park on the street. Upon entering, we were greeted immediately by a gentleman who may have been the manager. He explained the set up and showed us to our table. You don't pay until after the meal. All of the staff that we encountered were very friendly! They offer vegan options on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. You can check the weekend buffet offerings on their IG page. I appreciated the hand sanitizer at the start of the buffet line. I had an array of food and I don't recall the names of everything that I tried, but I really enjoyed my meal. My favorites were the pita crisp, the Saag Aloo, the Veggie Stir-Fry Noodles, and the salad (I chose an interesting honey mustard dressing which elevated the salad). For my beverage I had the ginger mint lemonade. It was fantastic! We also got to sample the hibiscus tea which was really good too. The inside of the restaurant had beautiful murals that were very colorful! I really appreciated how diverse the clientele was in the restaurant. It's really reflective of Houston as a whole. read more

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Great food, only made better with great company! After running the full marathon in downtown on Sunday morning, my Dad and I made our way to Govinda's to have a proper lunch post-race. Timing worked out perfectly, since I was also able to meet up with fellow Houstonian Yelper Tiffany! So alongside a delicious vegetarian Indian buffet, I was treated to some great conversation. Also, since both of us are Yelpers, there was no issues with each of us taking out our phones to snap pics! I started off with a plate of salad with a delicious peanut dressing. Then for my main plate, I got the biryani, dark lentils, BBQ tofu, and curried spinach. Everyone at the table was a fan of the spinach. I tried to get on board with the tofu, but the sauce tasted more like ketchup than BBQ? Not a bad thing necessarily (as I am the first to demand ketchup when it comes to savory and cheesy dishes lol), but I was expecting BBQ flavor and that wasn't met. The manager(?) was really nice and thoughtful, asking us if we liked the food, and we also got to sample two different kinds of drinks (a ginger flavor and one berry). If you have never tried Indian food before and are in the Houston area, Govinda's is a great start. Perfect for a weekend lunch that is for sure! read more

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Govinda's is a vegetarian/sometimes vegan buffet located next to a temple. The buffet portion has about seven hot food options (including mains and sides), a salad bar, and a couple desserts. The waiter brings freshly made whole wheat roti around as you eat. The food was good and tastes healthy; what they serve changes every day. The price was reasonable, and there was a clean, relaxed, and casual atmosphere. There's additional parking in a lot across the street. I'd return if I was in the area. read more

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We came here during NYE for dinner. Restaurant closes at 9pm, but they close the buffet at 8.45pm. They serve you water once you get seated. Buffet had salad, few vege dishes, pasta in red sauce, rice, 2 dessert options. Food was good. I enjoyed the white halwa, nice variety. Fruit cake was a bit dry. Nice, peaceful ambiance. Located right next to the temple. Great facility if you're craving vegan/vegetarian food or looking to grab a bite after visiting the temple. read more

Let's just say I'll be back! Somewheres near the Heights of Houston, Tx there lies another hidden gem. Here you will find in a buffet styled setting a galore or freshly cooked vegetables, herbs and spices, that have a luring aroma that entices your taste buds. So, enticed enough, I tried everything that was Vegan on the buffet line that, I could eat and enjoyed it, bite by bite, almost needing to be rolled out. This place will for sure stay on my places to go list again in Houston. Until the next time, Bye-Bye! read more

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This place was great! First time here and it did not disappoint. Authentic vegetarian Indian food in a buffet style. $12.95/person for any weekday dine-in meal. We also got a Mango Lassi and Hibiscus Tea, both of which were great. Also, I got a nice surprise from Yelp when I checked in that offered me 10% off. I was being ditzy *facepalm* and forgot to use it but still worth every penny! If you're new to Indian cuisine, don't be scared to go in. I personally love Tamarind Chutney with Papadam so I get excited when I see it. The Basmati Rice and Lentils scooped into some Chapati (think flour tortilla) is also always a favorite of mine too. The decor was beautiful and simple with lots of murals, the staff were extremely respectful and attentive, and there was lovely wind instrument music playing. Definitely will add Govinda's on my list of Houston favorites! read more

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Wonderful food, great service! Even non vegetarian people can enjoy the carefully crafted, healthy choices on the buffet. The atmosphere is serene, perfect for a delicious lunch on a Spring day. Try to visit the temple next door for a look into their culture. The menu is posted on line daily. read more

It's always a pleasure to dine here. Food is amazing and staff really friendly and helpful. Usually come on Sundays because of the vegan buffet. Ambient is pleasant and I love the art on the walls. Highly recommended it. read more

Where vegan/vegetarian meets buffet?? No way! 3-4 times per week they have either a vegan or a vegetarian Indian buffet. The food is very authentic and extremely delicious. The prices are extremely reasonable and the staff is always kind. I love coming to Govinda's. read more

I wish I would've known about this place sooner! My boyfriend is from India so we eat a lot of Indian food and this place is now one of our favorites. We both made the decision to switch to a completely vegetarian lifestyle at the beginning of 2021 so seeing that Govinda's only serves vegetarian or vegan options, what's NOT to love about this place?! This is a buffet style restaurant that has different menus each day of the week. Check out their website for menu updates and for which days are vegan-only days. Even though I'm more familiar with Indian dishes than the average American, I did have to ask my boyfriend a good amount of questions because some of the dishes are labeled with Hindi words. Don't be afraid to ask the servers questions if you're unsure of what something is but please do your best to abide by their one rule - only take what you plan to finish eating. I wish more restaurants would live by this... Fun fact - because it's part of the Iskon Temple, they do not use onion or garlic in any of their dishes. Both myself and my boyfriend eat a ton of garlic and onions but their food was so incredibly flavorful that we didn't notice it was absent. 10/10 recommend you give this place a try - whether or not you're vegetarian. I bet you'll enjoy their dishes as much as we do! read more

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It's amazing to me how Govinda's appears so little known. I am not vegan or vegetarian, but I enjoy the buffet thoroughly. The food is simple but tasty. The proximity to the beautiful temple is calming. It's a perfect lunch spot. And kids are welcome. read more

I don't live a vegetarian lifestyle but I love this place. It's super fresh, the kitchen always looks spotless, and alive. The staff is very friendly and the rotating menu keeps it interesting. A must for a guilt free lunch. read more

I shy away from buffets as a rule. This would be a glaring exception. The resturant is immaculate the food exceptional. Thew service makes you forget its a buffet. I have traveled to Indi, grew up in UK & studied in Bangalore.I know Indian food this is the best, and the vegan options are amazing. I had a really bad experience on Thanksgiving Day here and didn't return . I came on last Sunday 18.07.21, and everything was good. read more

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Delicious Indian food at a very reasonable price! It's provided buffet style at an Indian temple. There's a fun playground outside for kids. There aren't so many options but food is very flavorful and delicious. read more

I came here once during a conference right before the pandemic. Had lots of good memories about it and was happy to make a return visit today. Excellent food, friendly service, what more can you ask? I am a meat-eater but I never miss it when I'm here. I'll try to make this a regular stop whenever I'm in town. read more

Govinda's Vegetarian Cuisine - Indian Near Me - Houston, Texas

One of the coolest restaurants I've been to. I like the salad bar and the indian flavored salad dressings. As well as their other food... Everything was healthy and delicious. My go to dish at any Indian buffet is always the saag paneer and their's was on point. My friend brought her toddler who was pretty cranky at the time and the staff were super nice. They gave her a cookie to try to cheer her up which was sweet. I really liked everything about this place, it just had good vibes all around. read more

Been eating here for years, since the restaurant opened next to the temple. My favorite place to go when feeling the need to eat clean. This healthy buffet is also one of the best values in the area. read more