Govinda Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurant — Restaurant in Richmond

Not sure why there are so many glowing reviews of this place. It's very underspiced, cold and bland Indian food. There are blocks upon blocks, miles, kilometers even, between what this is and the best Indian food I've had. It isn't terrible. I've had much worse as well. But the endless reviews proclaiming this the "best Indian food they have had" beggars belief. It is vegetarian. I presume vegan as well as I noticed a lot of vegan baked goods. The food must be prepared off site and brought here, because everything I ordered was cold. I might have a better opinion if I owned a microwave and could warm it up? I did like the okra over rice. It was cooked properly. The other dishes in my thali were decent. But all were under salted, and lacked any spiciness. I know in Buddhist traditions they will often say you should avoid spicy food as well as garlic and onions because these inflame the passions. I suppose a similar thinking may be at work here, since the Govinda storefront is run by the Krishna Consciousness movement, which seems to have some commonalities with Buddhism. I wish the people serving me had told me the food was room temp. I might not have...

Okay this is an honest review I visited here this past Sunday after going to galaxycon due to the good reviews and all I can say is I'm shocked I'm guessing people in Richmond don't know what good Indian food is which is understandable since there isn't much of it here but taking this from a fellow Indian this food is mid at best, I really tried to like it but it was absolutely flavorless, bland, small portion (I even ordered another samosa cuz I was still hungry) and even that was not really any good actually worse than the Thali lol and just not worth the hype, a doordasher thought the same when the owner handed her a free sample of sweets, I told them it was good just to get out I was really happy to leave also cuz I was treated rudely being told the trash is outside like why do people have to go outside to throw away trash nobody does that in america? I don't get it. Do yourself a favor Come to New York to try authentic Indian food this is just some easy mom and pop stuff you can get at the grocery store for like $1-2 being flipped for 10 sorry but this doesn't cut it with so many better options around I could make better at my home this...

This is a charitable restaurant from the ISKON community in the Richmond downtown area wherein you will get food at a very cheaper rate. You can make donations there as well.

The food tastes like home cooked food. This is a Satvik(NO onion, No garlic, NO meat or EGG) restaurant. If you're vegan and you love Indian food and want to have home like food then it is the place for you.

The best place for students as the food is not that expensive and you get enough quantity. Unless you eat a lot 😜 and/or non-vegetarian.

P. S. This isn't any fancy restaurant where you want to experience the spicy Indian food an ambience. The menu is limited (max. 10-12 items) and the food is simple.

P.P.S. The leftover food doesn't get wasted as they giveaway to the...