Saravanaa Bhavan — Restaurant in Irving

TL;DR: Solid South Indian dining experience at Saravanaa Bhavan in Dallas. Great masala dosa, parotta kurma, and milagai bajji (though a bit slow). Strong filter coffee. Clean, casual environment. Worth visiting again.

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We recently had the chance to stop by Saravanaa Bhavan in Dallas on a Friday evening, just before a long weekend, during a 3-hour layover. It’s about a 20-minute drive from DFW Airport, which makes it an easy spot to grab a meal if you're in the area.

When we arrived at around 6:15 PM, the restaurant wasn’t too busy, and we were immediately seated by a very courteous waiter. By the time we were wrapping up our meal, the place had definitely gotten busier, so it looks like it fills up later in the evening.

We ordered a masala dosa, parotta kurma, milagai bajji, and a filter coffee. The dosa was classic Saravanaa style—crispy and well-seasoned, served with a variety of chutneys (coconut, ginger, tomato, peanut, and sambhar). The peanut chutney was a standout—absolutely delicious.

The parotta kurma was also impressive. The kurma, especially, had great flavor. And the milagai bajji was on point, although it took about 20 minutes to arrive, which felt a little long for an appetizer. That said, it was worth the wait!

As for the filter coffee, it was the strong, traditional South Indian brew I was expecting, with a noticeable chicory flavor. It had that 60:40 blend. Perfect way to end the meal.

We didn’t try the podi idli this time, but it definitely looked tempting, so we’ll save that for our next visit.

The restaurant was clean, and though it's not exactly fine dining, it’s a nice, well-kept place. The bathrooms were also clean, which is always a plus.

I had visited the Dallas location about 7 years ago, and I can confidently say we’d return again next time we are in the area. In short, if you're craving authentic South Indian food near DFW, Saravanaa Bhavan is a...

Saravanaa Bhavan is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic South Indian vegetarian food in Dallas. Conveniently located near Irving, it’s a fantastic spot for both locals and tourists looking for a taste of India in the heart of the city. As a vegetarian, I was delighted to find a restaurant that offers such a diverse range of dishes, all prepared with traditional flavors and spices.

I visited during lunch hours, and despite the bustling crowd, the service was efficient and the was anjani .The staff was polite and attentive, ensuring that orders were taken quickly and that food was served hot. The ambiance is casual, with a welcoming atmosphere that’s perfect for families and groups. The interior is simple yet clean, reflecting the no-frills approach focused on delivering quality food.

The highlight of my meal was the masala dosa—crispy, perfectly spiced, and served with a variety of chutneys and sambar. The idlis were soft and fluffy, just like they should be. I also tried their thali, which offered a delightful mix of curries, rice, and breads, giving a wholesome taste of South Indian cuisine. The portions are generous, and prices are reasonable, making it a great value for the quality and authenticity of the food.

What I appreciate most is the consistency in taste. Being part of a global chain, Saravanaa Bhavan maintains the same high standards you’d expect in their outlets back in India. It’s clear they don’t compromise on quality, even so...

We, 7 of us, friends decided to try food at this place when we travelled to Dallas for an event.

We ordered Vada - Rasam Vada, Curd Vada, Uthappam, Rava Dosa.

Rasam in the Rasam Vada was very good. They serve 2 Vadas in a bowl. However, they were reluctant to split that into 1 each in the bowl and serve. (A small thing that would have gone very well with a customer satisfaction and delight) However the Vada was very hard. Thayir Vada / Curd Vada was pretty decent. Rava Dosa - Onion Rava and Onion Rava Masala, and Uthappam (Onion Chilli Uthappam) were served with 3 types of Chutneys - Coconut, Coriander and Onion / Tomato (Primarily Tomato in that) and Sambar. Sambar was good in taste. It was like eating sambar back in South India. Coffee was decent as well, However Tea was really pathetic - I went with the impression of having tea like how they serve back in Tamilnadu. However it was a Masala one and the taste was not good.

A noteworthy thing is the service person, Forgot to check the name, but was a Telugu speaking person) Any other person would have got confused with the multiple orders / frequency with which we ordered. However she was quite receptive and sported a smile all the time she came to check with us. That's one highlight of the evening.

If you are so keen on South Indian food, you can probably visit once in a while. Not something that will make...