Stopped in with my pup so excited to check this out. Exceeded my expectations. Elegant space, cool vibe, welcoming adorable owners and baristas. And btw I’d go for the perfect cappuccino and their almond croissant even if I didn’t have a dog. But I do. So basically now we may never go anywhere else.

I mean really, what more can a girl ask for than a coffee shop that also has an endless supply of dogs walking through the door? I love the outdoor space here at Black Lab Cafe, it's the perfect spot to both people *and* dog watch on the Upper West Side!

The food here is amazing! I highly recommend the Lemon Square. It’s not too sour, but you still taste the lemon.

My favorite coffee shop in NY. Definitely a go to place either to have a coffee or a matcha (puppy lavender matcha is very good) while you work, or have a nice lunch (their fish tacos are super good). Staff is SO nice and helpful. Great customer experience. Also there are always so many dogs to pet!!

We were running late for the coffee plans and ended up having dinner- so glad we did! Everything was delicious! We ordered several dishes and all exceeded expectations. I highly recommend both salmon options - the salad was perfect. Service was above and beyond with friendly welcoming staff and timely service. Canine companion rates this place 100 stars.

Sneha Joshi

Saravanaa Bhavan is not just a restaurant—it’s a feeling that’s hard to put into words. The moment you walk in, there’s a sense of familiarity and comfort, especially if you’ve grown up with South Indian food. It instantly takes you back home—early morning breakfasts, hot dosas, the aroma of ghee, sambar simmering, and simple, soulful meals made with love. The food tastes exactly the way it should—authentic, consistent, and comforting. Every bite feels nostalgic, reminding you why Saravanaa Bhavan has earned its name across the world. There’s no unnecessary fusion or overdoing—just honest South Indian flavors served the way they’ve always been. For many of us living away from home, this place isn’t just about eating—it’s about connection, memories, and comfort. A meal here feels like a warm hug from home. Truly deserving of 5 stars, every single time.

Ishani Dash

We come here all the time for on Saturdays. Love the idli, vada, dosa, and a lot more! We always request Raj to be out since he's very caring and efficient.

Ajay Ponna Venkatesh

Had a very hearty meal. It's a great place for vegetarians - Authentic south indian tamilnadu food. I had full meals and it was delicious esp the Payasam. Dosas are great too! Authentic 3 types of chutney & Sambar.

Chintu

The place is nice and clean and located close to Times Square. Parking can be a bit difficult to find, but the food is fresh and tastes really good. I highly recommend the masala dosa and the podi dosa (spicy) — both were excellent. Finish it off with their best filter coffee. The staff is friendly, and overall it’s a great place that I would definitely recommend.

Priya C

Visited Saravanan Bhavan New York and absolutely loved the food. The dosa was perfectly crisp, idly super soft like pillow, and the Vada crunchy with that classic South Indian flavor. Sambhar & chutney were fresh and comforting. Felt like eating back home in India. Definitely going again!” • “If you’re craving authentic South Indian food in NYCLextinton — this place is a must-try. Ghee dosa was aromatic, idly melted in mouth, and medu vada had that perfect golden crunch. Loved every bite! .”Loved the hospitality — the person (Raj & chatter)who served us had a warm smile and good attitude.

Debisree Ray

Saravanaa Bhavan is one of the most well-known Chennai-based South Indian vegetarian restaurant chains, with locations all over the world, including New York and New Jersey. I visited this New York location, and as always, it was buzzing with a mixed crowd — not just Indians, but many non-Indians who clearly love the food here too. They primarily serve classic Tamil-style South Indian dishes like dosa, idli, uttapam, rasam, sambar, and thalis. We went on a cold day around lunchtime and luckily got a table right away. I started with a bowl of rasam, and it was perfect — hot, tangy, comforting, and exactly what I needed as I wasn’t feeling my best. It came with papadum and felt truly rejuvenating. I also had a cup of filter coffee, which was rich, creamy, and strong — just how South Indian coffee should be. For the main meal, we ordered masala dosa with potato filling and gunpowder kind of podi sprinkled on top, along with an onion dosa. Both were served with multiple chutneys and sambar, everything piping hot, fresh, flavorful, and made with quality ingredients. It was hearty, filling, and absolutely satisfying — even if it’s definitely carb-loaded! Overall, it was a really wonderful experience. If you love authentic South Indian vegetarian food, this place is definitely worth a visit.

SUMIT SINHA

I recently tried the Upma and Vada with Sambar and Chutney at Saravanaa Bhavan in New York, and here’s my honest take: The upma was warm and comforting, with a nice, subtle blend of spices and soft texture—perfect for breakfast or a light meal. The vada arrived crispy on the outside yet soft inside, and when dipped into the sambar, the flavors came alive with that classic South Indian tang and spice. The chutneys (coconut and tomato-style) added a refreshing contrast that balanced the savory dishes well. Overall, the meal felt authentic and satisfying—a good example of South Indian vegetarian cuisine in Manhattan. The restaurant has a relaxed casual vibe and is a popular choice for traditional favorites like dosas, chutneys, and filter coffee too.

Pooja Jagtap

I stumbled upon this place while walking on NY streets and was amazed to see the extensive menu! The food is so good and Raj was kind enough to help me with best recommendations of the dishes. Although I took a take out, will love to be back for dine- in experience!

Komal Nerurkar

Came with a group of 20 and had delicious food and incredible service. The food arrived very quickly and we tried many dishes - appetizers, dosas, and desserts - and all were great. We all really enjoyed the Mini Idlis, Masala Dosas, and the Rasmalai.

Avyan

The food was amazing we have been going here since 2017 and has never failed to impress us. Would definitely recommend if you are looking for a casual vegetarian restaurant for any meal. Our server Raj was especially nice and had amazing hospitality.

karla taveras

This place is so special - the food is incredible and very traditional. I didn’t know I was capable of eating two dosas all my myself. You have to try the cheese podi dosa! Raj has helped us the past 3 times and makes us feel at home. He’s very nice and attentive. Five stars all around if you’re looking for something traditional and flavorful

Edith Pilaf

A relaxing weekday breakfast by the big windows. Everyone inside is very nice and knowledgable. Filter coffee is proper. Good breakfast combos. Interesting spicing of the sambar, different from what I am used to. We have a good dosa in our neighborhood but it is so nice take the train and experience the calm of Saravanaa. I’ll never forget my Indian friend visiting NYC and eating here, I found that shocking and a weird tourist move. But I get it now, Saravanaa is Saravanaa.

Kavita Kasliwal

Excellent food...We had tried strict Jain Uttapam which they prepared with peas, green capsicum n tomatoes served with coconut chutney n podi masala with ghee, my son n husband took cheese dosa n rawa masala dosa, filter coffee...we had ordered Idli for to go for my evening dinner....Preps are good... quantity was good enough...sambhar I didn't get Jain... good for vegetarian choice

Wayne_Neighbor

Saravana Bhavan in New York is one of those places that truly captures the authentic flavor of South Indian food you’d find back home. The menu is full of classics like crispy dosas, fluffy idlis, spicy sambar, and the ever-favorite filter coffee that perfectly wraps up a meal. The masala dosa here is always a win — thin, crispy, and packed with flavor. Portions are generous, and the pricing feels fair considering the location right in the city. The restaurant can get busy, especially on weekends, but that just shows how popular it is among both locals and visitors craving real South Indian taste. The staff is efficient and keeps things moving even when it’s packed. The place is clean, family-friendly, and has a comfortable, casual vibe. If you’re in NYC and looking for a purely vegetarian spot with authentic Indian flavors, Saravana Bhavan is definitely worth a stop.

Saasha 22

Great place for authentic South Indian food. It felt like I was back home. Fairly priced and good for take out. Do not miss out on the filter coffee. Perfect for brunch on a rainy day

Carly Greenblatt

My friend and I have been craving dosa for weeks and decided to come here for dinner. The atmosphere, the staff and more importantly the food was OUTSTANDING!!! We are definitely coming back here in the future.

Came here two weekends ago after the big snow storm. Had to wait for some friends before we were seated. The folks were kind enough to let us sit around in the warmth. We had a party of 7 and it was …

Excellent vegetarian food! Spices were mild and fragrant-absolutely delicious \ncordial and polite service. highly recommend! great value too can't wait to go back!

I've been on a dosa/idli kick lately and this place has been the tastiest so far. I went around 10am and the place was still busy. My food came out quickly but they didn't compromise on flavor. The…

DELICIOUS DOSA AND CHUTNEYS. filter coffee was amazing. service was lovely too even during the busy lunch hour

DELICIOUS DOSA AND CHUTNEYS. filter coffee was amazing. service was lovely too even during the busy lunch hour

No brainer if you love authentic south indian food. Does get extremely loud and busy but food is must try

Good food. Good service. Very authentic and delicious. Not fancy but the prices are very fair.

Chain with locations in 30 countries. Spotless, terrific Indian veg menu, swift service. Seems popular with young professionals. Hefty portions.Menu could have been a little more detailed but pictu…

Chain with locations in 30 countries. Spotless, terrific Indian veg menu, swift service. Seems popular with young professionals. Hefty portions.Menu could have been a little more detailed but pic…

Fantastic food and the ghee pongal was mind blowing. Tried Idli, Rava kichidi, parotta kuruma, lassi, the food was simply awesome!!! Kuruma was too good. Keep up the great work.

Outstanding South Indian food bang in middle of New York Very authentic and swift service Very tasty and fresh Dosa Idli and Thali meals masala Dosa was great Through an external service we even g…

Outstanding South indian food bang in middle of New York Very authentic and swift service Very tasty and fresh Dosa Idli and Thali meals Masala Dosa was great Through an external service we even g…

Awesome authentic indian food, and smiling faces to welcome you. Plain and Rava dosas are my favourite. Mini ghee idlis are good add on try for kids. Masala tea is also worth to try. Overall very …

This corner coffee shop has a cool vibe inside. After ordering an iced latte I was accosted by two happy dogs, not something I was upset about. There is a nice outdoor patio to sit at. The cafe just opened, so their kitchen isn't open yet. Once they have some food to buy I will be sure to return.

Came here because I used to have a Black Lab and miss her terribly, so hoped for some Black Lab related theme. I'm surprised that they don't even have a pic of black labs on their walls while having some other smaller sized breeds. No tennis balls, nothing Black Lab related, really... The food was ok, but not to come back for. Cappuccino was alright.

Rakshanda H A

Saravanaa Bhavan in Manhattan brings an authentic taste of South India to the city. The restaurant is simple and clean, with the focus entirely on the food. The dosas are crisp and flavorful, served with sambar and a variety of chutneys, while the idlis are soft and comforting. The thali is generous, offering a mix of curries, rice, and sides that let you sample a bit of everything. The restaurant can get crowded, and service is sometimes slow, but the food makes it worth the wait. For anyone craving traditional South Indian vegetarian dishes, Saravanaa Bhavan delivers authentic flavors that feel both satisfying and nostalgic.

+4

Kiran Ranganath

This is my go-to South Indian restaurant when I’m staying in and around Manhattan. The staff here is competent and knowledgeable, ensuring a quick and easy service. The food is served promptly, within minutes of ordering. We tried the Melagapudi Masala Dosa and Mysore Masala Dosa. Both were delicious, and we couldn’t resist going back for more another day.

SO GOOD! Food was amazing, I ordered the masala dosa. The service was also good and very quick!

SO GOOD! Food was amazing, I ordered the masala dosa. The service was also good and very quick!

Meddu vada + rava dosa + mango lassi. Scratches the itch for South Indian cuisine (even if Amma makes it better!). Next time get hot coffee.

Meddu vada + rava dosa + mango lassi. Scratches the itch for South indian cuisine (even if Amma makes it better!). Next time get hot coffee.

Solid South Indian/Vegetarian food spot in the city. Ordered the masala dosa and it was great!

My friend from India kept telling me to go here as she said this is the most authentic vegitarian indian restaurant she has visited in nyc!! \n\nI wanted to eat alone at my own pace this particular…

ambiance: Quick stopover for good South Indian food options\nService: Good\nFood:\nIdli - great\nTea - great\nPongal - good\nSambhar - great\nMedhu vada - great\nOnion masala dosa - great\nPav bhaj…

The food was too salty and overpriced, imo. I ordered the rasam and a pav bhaji dosa. But were way too salty and required me to chug lots of water. On the plus side, the dosa was more filling than …

The food was too salty and overpriced, imo. I ordered the rasam and a pav bhaji dosa. But were way too salty and required me to chug lots of water. On the plus side, the dosa was more filling than …

Came here for lunch on a Friday afternoon. The spot was moderately busy. (Many had just finished their lunch.) We ordered a masala Dosa with ghee (not enough potatoes) and another puffy fried dish …

The papad was crisp and tasty. We shared the medu wada which was immersed in sambar. Chef R had a roti with chole (curried chickpeas) and potatoes. I had the Rava masala Dosa with coconut chutney a…

Great south Indian food, plenty of options. clean place, great service. South Indian options are great. Closes 3 PM for Lunch.

Great south indian food, plenty of options. Clean place, great service. South Indian options are great. Closes 3 PM for Lunch.

Ashish Ani

Good Food ! Authentic Taste ! Need to improve service ! We have tried at different places in India and taste is very much same here as well. Thats a big plus point. We tried following :- 1. Mango Lassi - 4/5 (Good) 2. Ghee Masala Dosa - 5/5 3. Onion - Tomato Uthapam - 3/5 4. Masala Tea - 4/5 Edit :- We recently visited again and tried Ghee Masal Dosa, Combo 2 (2 idli and 1 Medu Vada + Tea) and Combo 3 ( 2 Medu Vada + Cofee). Taste was so good.

+7

Go to Jersey instead of some real flavorful Dosas.\n\nThis chain restaurant serves authentically mediocre food. Not a ton of flavor in anything we ordered and the ambiance is just nuisance all arou…

Go to Jersey instead of some real flavorful Dosas.\n\nThis chain restaurant serves authentically mediocre food. Not a ton of flavor in anything we ordered and the ambiance is just nuisance all arou…

So I've been coming here for a few years and the menu has expanded which is good but had the masala dosa and the filling was basically non existent, prices went up but how much does potato cost? Ve…

So I've been coming here for a few years and the menu has expanded which is good but had the masala dosa and the filling was basically non existent, prices went up but how much does potato cost? Ve…

We tried the Masala Dosa and South Indian Thali at Sarvanna Bhavan, but both were just average, offering nothing beyond the usual flavors ( 1/2). The ambience is dull and lacks character (), and th…

we did have a dinner with family. it was less clean then ususal. I found during rush hours the food quality also gets effected. Other than that its great.

A visit to this place was impressive. All airy, clean and spotless. Service was attentive and uniformed waiting staff were very helpful in deciding what to order. The Saravanaa Bhavan dosas are …

A visit to this place was impressive. All airy, clean and spotless. Service was attentive and uniformed waiting staff were very helpful in deciding what to order. The Saravanaa Bhavan dosas are …

Things that haven't changed in the last four years - Service. We waited and waited and waited for anyone to acknowledge us. All the while, people coming in after us just walked past us and got…

Ten Smile

I ordered a South Indian food - Uber Eats! The chapati is hard and not fresh, it seem like a leftover from yesterday. The curry were spilled all over rice and the papas was broken into small pieces! One or two curry also seem like left over / not fresh! I am disappointed- I have eaten Saravanaa Bhavan for many years and had been uber ordering too. But today was a big disappointment. Thank you!

Worst service possible. Sitting here for over 90min. Total chaos. People who came after us ate and left. They don't know who ordered what. Never had an experience like this!! Stay away!! Wish I cam…

Worst customer sevice, no food, long wait. Have been sitting here for over 90min. They don't know who came when. Total chaos. Will NOT recommend this place.

Worst customer sevice, no food, long wait. Have been sitting here for over 90min. They don't know who came when. Total chaos. Will NOT recommend this place.

Worst customer sevice, no food, long wait. Have been sitting here for over 90min. They don't know who came when. Total chaos. Will NOT recommend this place.

Sat at our table for 45 minutes and no food even after repeated waiter requests. We had to leave. They used to be good. Not going back.

Sat at our table for 45 minutes and no food even after repeated waiter requests. We had to leave. They used to be good. Not going back.

Sat at our table for 45 minutes and no food even after repeated waiter requests. We had to leave. They used to be good. Not going back.

One of the most unfriendly staff especially mahendra….he was very rude to my wife when she asked for a table of 4 when i was parking my car. He refused to give a table till i arrived. Where in the …

One of the most unfriendly staff especially mahendra….he was very rude to my wife when she asked for a table of 4 when i was parking my car. He refused to give a table till i arrived. Where in the …

!!No longer dog friendly!! Should have been open and communicated this or tried for partial hours that were dog friendly. Instead just showed up one day (with the pup) and can no longer go in. There were many many other problems with the business that should have been addressed first before banning dogs…strange move. I know the team tries hard but have to be honest here, food is nowhere near good enough to survive as cafe alone. Coffee is fine but not worth going out of your way when there are other great options in the neighborhood

All these one star reviews are completely correct. This place was such a great addition to the Upper West Side. But now that they don’t allow dogs anymore, why bother? There are plenty of places to get coffee and such. Why couldn’t the owners just leave well enough alone? They will certainly my not make more money as a no dogs allowed cafe! That was the whole point in going there!

My recent experience at Black Lab Cafe in New York City was far from what I expected. Despite its name hinting at a pet-friendly vibe, I was surprised to find out that pets weren't allowed inside. This decision took away from the cozy atmosphere I was hoping for. Walking in, I immediately noticed the lack of warmth. Instead of the lively presence of pets, the space felt cold and unwelcoming. This absence definitely dampened the mood. On top of that, the service was mediocre. The staff didn't seem very engaged or interested in making the experience enjoyable. It felt like they were just going through the motions. The food and drinks also left a lot to be desired. The coffee was stale, and the pastries were dry. It seemed like attention to detail was lacking across the board. Overall, my visit to Black Lab Cafe was disappointing. It's unfortunate that such potential is being held back by their no-pet policy and lackluster execution. Unless they reconsider their stance and improve their overall experience, I'll be looking for other cafes that prioritize hospitality and inclusivity.