A2B Indian Vegetarian Restaurant - Virginia — Restaurant in Herndon

(People can skip this HISTORY part and go directly to the main review part down below if you are not interested to know why I went there and why am I super qualified to write this review)

HISTORY: It would be a crime if I haven't visited this place coming all the way from Atlanta and even more since I'm from Madras! Yes the home of Adyar Ananda Bhavan. The closing time was I think 9:30 (Kitchen closing) and these people were courteous enough to accommodate us even though we made it at 9:40PM. Most Indian restaurants are strict with Kitchen timings and they would turn us away even if we reach by 9:29PM. Happened with me at Delhi Dhaba, WashingtonDC even though I reached several minutes before the Kitchen closing time!

Anyways coming on to this restaurant in Virginia. A2B is a well reputed and your "GO-TO" restaurant if you are traveling from CHENNAI towards down south Tamil Nadu. They are safe, hygienic and taste amazing! I have travelled a lot and this is my safe bet restaurant in Tamil Nadu, India. So I decided to pay this restaurant a visit since I'm on a travel along the east coast!

ACTUAL REVIEW:

The name board everything seems the same, and the atmosphere was too good. Well maintained and classy. It was crowded and it's obvious for a Saturday night. Ordered a Mini tiffin which included a huge Dosa, Vadai, few mini Idlis, Pongal and Rava Kichdi alongside Sambar and Chutney. To be honest, nothing really tasted like the A2B I have visited in India. The sambar was completely upside down and tasted sweet. Dosa was super duper dry but was crispy. Vadai was the outstanding good thing I would say. Pongal was equally good and I just had a spoon of Rava kichdi and I wasn't impressed at all.

Most importantly then realized I don't see any savories or sweets like they sell in New Jersey A2B and probably I think they are just maintaining the franchise name but the owner or proprietor is totally a new or a different person. The food was very average over all. I wouldn't recommend this unless you are super craving for mediocre South Indian food.

On top of that we ordered Lemon and Tamarind rice for our journey next day (Road trip to NY). Guess what both the mixed rices were too good! Im not sure if that's because of travel or something, they tasted like how exactly they should taste! With sambar on the sides, this was totally different and much better to the dinner we had.

BOTTOM LINE: One time visit. Great atmosphere and ambience. Ordinary food, nothing great. Honestly doesn't do justice to the A2B back in CHENNAI, India. Possible it's not the original A2B and taken over by someone else.

MUST TRY: Medhu Vadai, Pongal, Tamarind rice (Shhh! Strictly for...

Looking for a dosa that hits different, ghee pongal that melts in your mouth, or just a spot that serves classic South Indian fare with heart? Welcome to A2B (Adyar Ananda Bhavan) in Herndon — a vegetarian haven where tradition meets fast-casual ease. It’s not just a meal, it’s a mood. Whether you’re flying solo on a Saturday dosa run, grabbing a quick family lunch, or coordinating a party of 30 (yes, really), A2B delivers warm service, a wide menu, and just the right amount of spice.

What’s Cooking at A2B ✅ Dosas Galore Cone, paper, Mysore masala — if it’s dosa, they do it well. While some diners felt the fermentation flavor could go deeper, the texture and variety make A2B a solid dosa destination. “Def a Saturday morning dosa craving place!” “Crisp outside, soft inside — that’s how a dosa should be.” ✅ Tiffins, Thalis & Tastes of Home From mini tiffins to full-on South Indian thalis, the kitchen keeps it real. The ghee pongal? Divine. Chole bhature? A surprise favorite. The Madras coffee? Don’t leave without it. “The ghee pongal just melts in your mouth. It’s a must-try.” “We drove 2 hours for this menu... it draws us in every time.” ✅ Welcoming Vibes + Speedy Service Guests praise the uniformed staff, efficient order flow, and ability to seat large parties with ease — even during the weekend lunch rush. “Party of 7 seated immediately on a Saturday. Quick, polite service.” “Group of 30 on a Friday — separate checks, no problem.” ✅ South Indian Aesthetic Traditional decor and an inviting, bustling energy set the tone. A few guests noted dusty windows or potholes outside, but overall, the vibe is clean and cultural.

Real Talk: Price vs. Portion While the food gets points for flavor and presentation, a few reviewers felt prices were a bit steep—especially for staples like dosa and chutney. “$15+ for rice and lentils? Delicious, but not the best value.” “Love the food, but don’t charge for extra chutney!”

Pro Tips Go early for peak freshness. Stick to South Indian staples — the thalis, dosas, vadas, and pongal are consistent winners. Save room for dessert. One word: Gulab. Jamun.

After You Eat… For those seeking a post-meal bliss experience, pair that ghee pongal coma with a smooth pull-up from PullUpDC. Whether you’re heading back to the city or relaxing at home, cannabis delivery from PullUpDC helps turn that food baby into full-body calm.

Bottom Line: A2B Herndon delivers on comfort, culture, and consistency — with a few quirks along the way. If you're after flavorful, fast vegetarian South Indian food, it hits the spot. Just don’t forget the Madras coffee before you leave. Pull up. Dig...

We’ve been coming here for years. It’s been one of our favorite authentic Indian restaurants. It pains me to say though, that after today’s experience, we will not be returning.

After ordering a Fanta and Limca, we were told that the soda machine was broken, and that even standard sodas (coke, Diet Coke, etc) were not available. Only milkshakes and lassi were available.

In the past, they’ve been able to adjust spice levels to accommodate different tolerances. I chose to bring my in-laws here not just because of the food, but because of this accommodation. That was not the case today. We were told there was just one level. And despite their best intentions to separate out the masala, boy, was it hot. The only thing they could eat was plain uttapam. Even though my in-laws were total troopers about it, I felt awful.

Throughout the meal, there was also no clearing of dirty plates (unless we flagged someone down) to make room for next courses. While alone these small details don’t seem like much, all these pain points add to how the experience slowly falls apart.

While the food was also not as good as it usually is, it was the demeanor of our male waiter that just made it an abysmal experience.

After we had paid the check, we were sitting and chatting. It’s very rare that both families can get together, so we were enjoying our time. For the first and only time that I have ever been to a restaurant (anywhere in the world, I might add) were we told, and I quote “to leave because people were waiting for our table.”

……

If it had just been me, I wouldn’t have been as upset. But to be able to say this to our parents? My in-laws? Maybe I’m just fiercely protective - but the disrespect was unbelievable. I’d like to also emphasize: the restaurant was not crowded. There were several empty tables. It was not near closing time. And, even if it HAD been crowded, have you ever been asked to leave because people were waiting?

I wouldn’t recommend dining here for anything important or bringing anyone you care about here. I feel so bad that the one time I chose to bring both our families to A2B it was such an unpleasant, disrespectful experience.

You can get amazing South Indian vegetarian food and way better service at Woodlands or Sarvana for less $$. Even with the extra 15-20 min drive, it’s worth it. Go to either of those instead . You’ll be...