Saravanaa Bhavan — Restaurant in Melbourne

Let's begin with the good news. Saravana Bhavan, as advertised, does indeed serve authentic South Indian breakfast items that, on their own, would make any seasoned Indian food lover (or any reasonably curious individual) feel like they've been transported straight to the heart of Tamil Nadu. The idly, for example, was exactly what I expected: fluffy, soft, and providing the perfect vessel for absorbing the flavor-packed sambar and coconut chutney. Truly, it was the kind of idly that would make any physics professor pause to reflect on the precise moment in time when texture and taste harmonize. And the vada? Perfection. Crispy on the outside, soft and flavorful within, proving that the basic principles of frying have not been lost in translation across oceans and continents.

But let’s not linger too long on the positive because, as the late, great Spock would say, "Logic dictates that there are... some significant flaws to discuss."

Now, I am no stranger to inflation. However, I do take issue when the price of a single dosa exceeds $15. To put that into perspective, that’s enough to buy a textbook on advanced theoretical physics, and I’m sure that with the right mindset and study, that text would give me far more satisfaction than one measly dosa.

Let's do some quick math here. I could probably purchase three or four dosas in the heart of Chennai for the same price I paid for one in this establishment. And, of course, this "economically sound" dosa was served with a side of public holiday surcharge (because naturally, eating on a holiday should come with its own premium) and, for good measure, a Sunday surcharge—because what says "special occasion" more than arbitrary price hikes on the weekend? Truly, this pricing structure is so complex that I’m convinced it was designed by an algorithm created by a caffeine-addled economist who wanted to test the limits of human patience.

Ah, the sweets. South Indian sweets are a different level of indulgence. The payasam, the kaja, the jalebi—each is an artifact in the history of South Indian culture. Saravana Bhavan does them well, and I’ll admit that I took solace in their slightly-too-sweet-to-be-acceptable desserts. The Kesari was nice, the badam halwa was solid, and the jalebi was perfectly crispy. At this point, my patience was also sweetened by the fact that I could still savor something that wasn’t being sold at an absurd price point.

But at what cost? At $12.50 for a portion of sweets, I do wonder if they sprinkled a little bit of the Indian Rupee Conversion Rate over my dessert just to make me feel like I had been upcharged for something that is almost comically cheaper elsewhere.

Look, there’s no denying the authenticity and quality of the food at Saravana Bhavan. The idly, dosa, vada, and filter coffee will transport you to a place where South Indian culinary traditions are celebrated. The restaurant also delivers with an impressive variety of traditional sweets, which will likely satisfy your sweet tooth, assuming you can stomach the financial cost of your meal.

But the pricing? Let’s just say that the law of diminishing returns is alive and well at Saravana Bhavan. For the price of one dosa, you could buy an entire meal at any of the authentic South Indian eateries in Melbourne or even have a moderately decent dinner that would leave you full and satisfied.

To summarize my review, I am left with two primary conclusions: The food quality is top-notch—undeniably South Indian in every bite. But the price? Well, that’s a black hole of financial irresponsibility, devouring every ounce of reason and logic with every Sunday surcharge and public holiday tax.

Hence, the three stars. A firm three stars for the culinary excellence on display and an exasperated three stars for the unjustifiably astronomical pricing structure. I’ll visit again, yes, but I will be sure to bring cash (and perhaps a few physics calculations to make sense...

Inconsistency is the biggest issue with this iconic chain of restaurants spread across the world. The only thing consistent is the Thali, rest is sheer luck, this time though, the Gun Powder Masala Dosa was pretty bad.

Earlier 4/5 Disclaimer: Above ratings are strictly reserved for Food sans Filter Coffee. Finally, something Authentic Vegetarian Indian without modern twist or alteration.

Under a typical Mess-like ambiance, Saravanaa Bhavan (a renowned name in the international market) lets the food talk.  Rava Dosa, Dosa, Masala Dosa, Bisibele Bhaat, Dahi Bhaat,etc  ....name anything and they give you no reason to complain...but for us, it was Saravanaa Special Meal Thali. Though a bit costly but suffice for 2 is complete meal in itself. Cherry on the Cake is Mango Lassi.

The worst among things ordered were Filter Coffee & Gulab Milkshake. Filter Coffee was not even close to the filter coffee we have back in India. Seemed like they had used to the local coffee powder for their concoction. Gulab (Rose) Milk Shake was tad too sweet.

Coming to the disappointment part as to why we  rated them on food and only food:

Every time we have been here, they have failed to provide us many things mentioned on the menu or accompaniments that should come with the food. It's better to have fewer things on the menu and do justice then to have everything and not being able to provide important things that are essentials for a restaurant that specialises in food from South India such as gunpowder idli, Rava Dosa, etc.

Service can get pretty chaotic but can totally understand the plight as it's forever crowded. Attendants go out of their way to provide us the satisfaction of dinning here. 0.5 out 4 is only for that bit.

Ideally, would have rated this one a 3 over 5 for the total experience but we certainly know that these are the things they can improve on. What we also don't want is the other foodies to deprive themselves of something as authentic and beautiful as the meal provided by Saravanaa Bhavan due to our review.

Stick to the South Indian Fare...that's where the...

Travelling from south India, I never expected this worse experience in Melbourne . I never had patience to write reviews so far , but the patience I was made to wait for breakfast was an experience to explain my day.. Waiting time , customers are made to wait in cluster ,no sufficient waiting area. 2.extended my car park 2 hrs, time due to delay in food service. 50 minutes waited for a mini Tiffin. 4.after repeated checking with service person .they came with a reply to wait 25mints more. 5.it was not jus myself ,the same problem encountered by the next tables 6.understood later around 11am they have shift change of crew...( Advice never to go that time) 7.ordered extra poori Balaji...but it came with only poori and HV to wait another 7 mints for potato curry....(no salt and tasted raw) Went for brkfast and came out by mid Noon lunch time.. Suggestions for people who need to take pills under medication..check time and order for whichever comes sooner. I can see the crew coming with food which was not ordered to my nearby tables. 11.not but not the least...ordered for snacks sitting in that 1.5hrs time and we took that at the end of our food it was pinned along with receipt in the paper bag...once we reach Sydney back..I found out of 2 nos of thenkuzhal one pack was missing..photos attached...I wish they shud cross check the stock.. .....I sincerely never had such a bad experience in Sydney... 12.hand wash area...