Shayona Cafe — Restaurant in Robbinsville Township

I imagine most expectations for a food court inside a tourist attraction/pilgrimage destination are pretty low. In my experience, these types of places don't have particularly good food, and are just another way to gouge tourists who've already spent a pretty decent chunk of change on the day. A pleasant surprise - that's not the case here. Yes, the menu is definitely Americanized to an extent (there's an entire section dedicated to pizza), but there's a lot of legit Indian dishes available at a really reasonable price.

After walking around the BAPS Hindu temple complex for a bit with the Millennial Chum and the Millennial Chum's sister in very toasty conditions (probably low 90s with oodles of humidity, and a chaste dress code to boot), everyone was hankering for some calories. We'd spied the general location of the cafe when we initially came in through the main entrance, and it wasn't hard to find later on - the signage is pretty decent in that regard. Compared to the rest of the campus, this area looked stunningly normal - no intricately carved ducks to be seen. There were DIY kiosks right by the entrance, and quite a few of them so despite there being a lot of people on the premises we were able to order our items almost immediately, and you were then directed to specific stations based off of what you'd ordered.

I of course decided to get a ton of stuff and ended up having to visit three separate stations. I got the Khichu - Papdi Lot, a Cheese Dosa and some bread that started with a P (I just know it wasn't Naan). All of it was really tasty, and as you can see from the accompanying picture, it's a very decent portion - I was pretty stuffed for the remainder of the day. The Cheese Dosa came with a side of mint chutney, I believe, which paired perfectly. The Khichu was the more exotic item, but I think it had a pretty mainstream taste - the Millennial Chum sampled it and we both thought it tasted like a very ethnic mashed potatoes. The texture was slightly off-putting for me, a bit too gelatinous, but overall really good and I didn't come close to finishing it.

Given that there are so many moving parts to the cafe, I was pretty impressed by its efficiency and level of service. Everyone behind the counter was understandably busy, but I was given direct, personal attention at each spot promptly. I was a little apprehensive when I saw the line at the checkout, but despite only having two cashiers over there (are they even called that now with the vast majority of purchases being card transactions? Unclear) it went by very quickly. We were on a bit of a schedule during this portion of the day, so the speed of the cafe service was very welcome.

And the cherry on top? Sticker shock, but in a good way. My mountain of food cost me a little over $20, and it likely would have been 2 or 3 times that somewhere else. I haven't been to the Museum of Natural History since Jurassic Park came out (they had a special exhibit that weekend which was AWESOME; I miss 1993), but I'm guessing that a meal at their food court would have required me to apply for a loan or at least speak briefly with an underwriter.

This area of NJ is an absolute gastro wasteland, so even if you're a little tepid on the food genre, I'd give it a shot for that reason alone. The fact that it's actually...

Shayona Cafe, located within the BAPS Temple, offers a delightful culinary experience with its array of authentic Indian dishes. Our recent visit was a memorable one, highlighted by a selection of delicious treats that left us thoroughly satisfied.

The Dahi Vada was a refreshing start to our meal. The vadas were perfectly soft and soaked up the tangy and creamy yogurt beautifully. The addition of spices and chutneys created a harmonious blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors, making it a standout dish.

Next, we tried the Papri Chaat, which was an explosion of textures and flavors. The crispy papris provided a perfect base for the medley of chickpeas, potatoes, and chutneys. The combination of spicy, sweet, and tangy elements was balanced perfectly, making each bite a delight.

The Sugar Cane Juice was a refreshing complement to our meal. It was naturally sweet and chilled to perfection, providing a refreshing break between the rich flavors of the dishes. It was evident that the juice was freshly pressed, retaining its natural sweetness and vibrant flavor.

For dessert, we had the Shrikhand, which was a creamy and indulgent treat. The yogurt-based dessert was rich and smooth, with just the right amount of sweetness. The subtle hint of cardamom added a wonderful aromatic touch, making it a perfect end to our meal.

Overall, Shayona Cafe in the BAPS Temple offers a wonderful dining experience with its authentic and flavorful dishes. The serene and welcoming atmosphere of the temple enhances the dining experience, making it a peaceful and enjoyable outing. We look forward to returning and exploring more of their...

Stopped by Shayona Café and tried the Khaman Chaat — a flavorful and moist dish layered with yogurt, green and tamarind chutneys, topped with sev and fresh cilantro. It was tangy, refreshing, and nicely balanced. I paired it with a mango lassi that was rich and decadent with just the right amount of sweetness. The combo came to around $13, which felt a bit steep for a snack, though there are more affordable vegetarian options like a cheese pizza for about $8.

The café was bustling during my visit. You queue up at a kiosk to place your order, take the printed slip to the food counter, and then go to the till to pay. The system helps maintain one entrance and one exit flow, likely to prevent people from leaving without paying — which makes sense. That said, with the size of the weekend crowd, it can get a little confusing and could probably benefit from better flow management. Not a criticism, just an observation — there’s definitely potential to improve efficiency here.

Finding a table can be a bit of a challenge on weekends, but overall, the food is flavorful and worth a visit if you don’t mind the wait. Extra costs if you want to do takeaway.

There’s also a wide selection of ready-made food and a store across the café where you can grab...