Govinda's — Restaurant in Toronto

If I could give this Indian restaurant more than 5 stars, I absolutely would! My dining experience here was nothing short of outstanding, and I am already counting down the days until I can return. From start to finish, everything about this place left me in awe.

First and foremost, the service was impeccable. As soon as we stepped in, we were warmly greeted by the staff, who radiated genuine hospitality. They were incredibly attentive and knowledgeable about the menu, making excellent recommendations based on our dietary preferences. It's rare to find a restaurant where the staff is so passionate and enthusiastic about the food they serve.

Now, let's talk about the food - prepare to have your taste buds taken on a remarkable journey! The menu offers an array of mouthwatering vegan Indian dishes that beautifully blend traditional flavors with innovative twists. Every dish we ordered was a masterpiece, bursting with vibrant colors and aromas. The chefs' attention to detail was evident in each plate presented before us.

The appetizers were a delightful start to the culinary adventure - the samosas were perfectly crisp, and the pakoras were heavenly. For the main course, we indulged in a variety of dishes, including the aromatic and richly spiced Chana Masala, the velvety smooth and flavorful Dal Makhani, and the exquisite Baingan Bharta that had just the right balance of smokiness and creaminess.

The naan bread deserves a special mention; it was soft, fluffy, and baked to perfection. And for dessert, we were treated to a heavenly vegan version of Gulab Jamun, leaving us in awe of how they managed to create such a delectable twist on a classic favorite.

The ambiance of the restaurant was warm and inviting, creating a cozy atmosphere for a memorable dining experience. Whether you're a seasoned vegan or someone trying plant-based cuisine for the first time, this restaurant caters to all palates with its diverse and...

I used to be a big fan of Govinda’s at ISKCON Toronto and even left a 5-star review 8 months ago because the food, service, and overall experience were exceptional at the time. Unfortunately, my recent visits have been disappointing, as the quality, portions, and service have noticeably declined.

Reduced Portions and Limited Menu Options:

Over the years, I’ve noticed a steady reduction in food portions and a significant limitation in the menu’s variety. While price increases can sometimes be justified by inflation or economic factors, it’s hard to accept these increases when both the quantity and variety of the food have been diminished.

Poor Service from New Staff:

On our last visit, we encountered new staff members who were inattentive and failed to address guests promptly or properly. For example, despite fewer customers in the restaurant, it took a long time to get basic service.

Billing Errors:

To make matters worse, when settling the bill, we were charged for three meals instead of two. While I’m willing to assume it was an honest mistake, it took unnecessary effort to explain the error, and even then, the staff took a considerable amount of time to acknowledge it. What was most disappointing was the lack of a proper apology for their mistake.

Final Thoughts:

Govinda’s was once a place I regularly recommended to family and friends for its excellent food, peaceful ambiance, and fair pricing. It’s disheartening to see such a wonderful establishment following the same declining trend we see in many businesses these days. I sincerely hope the management takes customer feedback seriously and works to restore the quality and service standards that made Govinda’s such a...

UNPROFESSIONAL

We had a very disappointing experience at this place during Diwali. Although we anticipated some delay due to the Diwali rush, the service went beyond acceptable delays and felt unprofessional.

Within 5 minutes of being seated, the waiter took our order, which included a snack and a thali. however, the wait for our food became increasingly long.... about 15 minutes later, a staff member walked around with a thali, asking each table if it belonged to them, clearly unsure where it was supposed to go. When I indicated that it might be ours, they just walked away without a word.

Another 5 minutes passed, and we overheard a staff member informing someone that they had run out of rice, causing further delays for any dishes involving rice. This was already 20 minutes after we had placed our order.

Worried that our order might have been missed, we approached the counter to double-check. We were reassured that our order was indeed in the system, so we went back to our table feeling slightly relieved.

However, after yet another 5 minutes, we were losing patience... We saw a thali getting ready to be served and asked if it was ours, only to be told that it was not.

When we mentioned that we would have to leave if there was further delay, the response was simply, “Okay, I will cancel,” without any sign of apology or effort to retain us as customers.

In the end, we left and found another place to eat.

There was no effort to keep us informed about the delays, no time estimate provided, and an overall lack of professionalism in handling...