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+61266807383
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Lawson St, Shop 7, The Pier Arcade, Byron Bay, New South Wales
About half of the menu are vegan dishes. Open Mon-Sun 12:00pm-9:00pm.
Categories: Vegan-friendly, Lacto, Indian, International, Hare Krishna
17 Reviews
First Review by KelseyApple
Contributions +153
cheap and tasty - Edit
Had a great meal here. I got a lot of food and it was also cheap! The vegan options were also marked. Staff could have been a bit more engaged when customers are choosing their meals.
Pros: cheap, tasty
Cons: staff
Contributions +60
Really good food! - Edit
Cardamon Pod is tucked away so keep an eye out for it because you don't want to miss it!
I had a small plate which was $11 but it was definitely the perfect amount. My favourite was the dhal but the chic pea curry was also really good! Also had a samosa with a mango chutney which was so freaking good! The food was a little oily so if your not keen on that don't go for the curries. But they had a really large range of salads and vegan raw cakes which I will be trying next time I visit! Also the lemon ginger refresher drink is 10/10
Pros: Cheap, Delicious , Cosy space
Cons: Little oily
Contributions +36
Decent - Edit
NOTE: I got here late
Food wasn't great and the service was less than good.
Contributions +385
Good food in Byron Bay - Edit
My partner and I visited the Cardamom Pod on our recent trip to Byron Bay. I had the rice and dhal with a pakora while my partner had kofta and rice; we both found the food to be very satisfying. The prices were reasonable, though somewhat higher than what I am used to at similar stores in Brisbane.
Updated from previous review on 2016-11-22
Pros: Good food, Convenient location
Contributions +112
Getting Worse - Edit
We have been going here for many years and unfortunately it has become worse over this time.The server yesterday placed his hand inside the salad bowls and touched the salad as he was plating it up.We noticed him handling money before and after this.There is a general air of unenthusiasm amongst the seemingly transient staff.The salad{broccoli and tofu] was swimming in overly sweet chilli dressing.
Pros: Open early to late every day, Vegetarian
Cons: Disinterested careless staff, Average tasting food
Contributions +139
amazing food - Edit
Ate here last night. the best vegan food I've eaten in Australia so far. I'm here in Byron Bay for a couple of days, I'll try and eat here again. the kofta balls were amazing.
Pros: loads of good vegan options
Contributions +16
Great value. - Edit
After chancing upon this place, we were delighted to find Vegan food available, no waiting, in and out in good time. Food was excellent. I wouldn't hesitate to return, in fact we did the very next evening, this time ordering a bit less because the servings were very generous.
Pros: Good food (Vegan), Vegan food, Reasonable prices
Cons: Can't think of any
Contributions +228
Surprised by the other reviews here - Edit
The best thing about the Cardamom Pod is that is one of only a few vegetarian places in Byron.
The worst thing is that food is cooked off site and heated up with a microwave.
A friend of mine who worked there for a while refused to eat the food he was serving.
The food itself is ok, but hardly standout. The quality is on par with those take-away Indian Home Diner style places we see around in the cities, however is costs almost double.
For a region that seems quite cosmopolitan, Byron Bay's food is still pretty White. Even the Chinese places in the area stick to 1980s classics like sweet and sour pork. The lack of authentic ethnic cuisine in the region might be why so many reviewers here praise the bland food at the cardamom pod.
Pros: Vegetarian, Convenient
Cons: Microwaved food, Bland, Overpriced for mass-produced takeaway
2 Responses
SeanSubhadraPinnell 19 Jun 2015 - this is a wrongly advised and untruthful review. nothing at the cardamom pod is cooked offsite but everything is cooked daily and fresh in the kitchen, and heated on the stove at night except in times where there are only small amounts to be heated at the end of the night. its not very thoughtful or nice to make statements on a public forum that are completely wrong and the quality and freshness of the food is the particular quality that has been bringing the locals in droves for almost 15 years. next time you review a place take the time to find out the facts and don't write about peoples hard work and passion in an offhand way based on hearsay . thanks dude. i challenge you to come in and see the food being prepared any day and find out whats up then we can print your apology. subhadra, chef/owner
Lanky 21 Jun 2015 - Thanks for clarifying, Sean. You only heat up some of the food with a microwave, not all. Good to know.
The "hearsay" you speak of is actually coming from a close friend who worked there for several months. It would surprise me greatly if he was mistaken in his belief that he was using a microwave to heat up pre-prepared food. It would also surprise me greatly if he was making up wildly false claims about the establishment in which he worked. I would be happy to come in and see you preparing fresh food- what would be a good time to do that?
Contributions +103
Cute Cafe Like Eatery - Edit
Its a small cute little cafe style eatery with outdoor seats. You order by the plate and pay $9 for 1 choice with rice, and add $3 for each additional thing you put on your plate. Decent portion size, I left perfectly full. Free water and free smiles.
Pros: Service
Cons: Size
Contributions +80
health conciousness - Edit
the Cardamon pod is a Byron icon and has been serving great food for many years and promotes health on all levels. Body , Mind and Spirit. Don't leave without having a Chai !!
Contributions +941
cute place.. - Edit
This place is tucked away down a side alley (like many quirky shops in Byron!) so take your time finding this place like all the others.
I don't remember specifically what I ate here, I think I picked an item from the buffet and a snack like a samosa. Very friendly staff, and they also sell the byron bay bliss balls (which are delicious snacks- I uploaded a photo. Pretty useless, but thought I might as well upload it anyway!
Contributions +370
Small in size but not on taste! - Edit
Cardamom Pod is a tiny place at the back of a small arcade. It has a bain marie with some hot food and a display fridge with salads and desserts. The prices are spectacularly low: $5 for dahl and rice, $6 for a couple of chunky kofta balls in rich tomato sauce and rice, $9 for some lovely curry and rice. The desserts start from a ridiculously low $4.50 for a massive serving of fruity halava with ginger cream.
We loved our lunch: it was easy, it was tasty, it was very quick, and it was cheap to boot. $32 for three meals and two desserts is hard to find in 2012 Australia. Best of all, the fitout is relaxing yet clean, crisp, and even stylish - a kind of New Age Indian chic (this venue is Hare Krishna, after all).
If you find yourself with a rumbling tummy in Byron Bay, this place is a must. Find some pennies and give it a shot - you won't be disappointed!
PS: Vegan food is mostly marked, but do mention you are vegan if ordering desserts or, in fact, anything at all - just in case. Indian vegetarians don't mind milk products, and this venue serves Indian cuisine.
Pros: Great taste, Lovely ambience, Low low prices
Cons: you can't bring more than 20 friends!
Contributions +94
Byron Icon - Edit
"The Pod", as it is called by locals, is an iconic Byron Bay veg cafe for a reason. I haven't been for some time because they've opened a new place in Broadbeach on the Gold Coast which is more convenient for me.
I've had everything on the menu and I find the highlights hard to choose as I like it all. The dahl is the best I've ever had. The samosas with pineapple chutney are yum. Do not miss the pumpkin cheesecake.
The service is always friendly with spiritual Hare Krishna vibes. The prices are surprisingly reasonable for the quality of ingredients.
Contributions +37
little gem - Edit
I went here this week after I found out that it was here when I visited the one in Broadbeach. It's not as glamorous and certainly not as big as the one in Broadbeach but that is where the differences end. The food was just as amazing. I tried the fresh paneer curry which was outstanding and the chocolate tart which was divine.
Pros: delicious food, cheap, very 'Byron'
Cons: SMALL, can get crowded
Contributions +52
Disappointed - Edit
Having only heard positive things about the Cardamom Pod, I gave it a go. I was a bit disappointed with the food, it was nice but nothing to rave about. I probably wouldn't eat there again as there are other places I can eat in Byron Bay that serve better meals.
Pros: Cheap
Cons: Food was ok
Contributions +24
Food was Divine - Edit
I was in Byron Bay for 5 nights. I ate there and bought takeaway nearly everyday. The food was absolutely magnificent and it was so cheap, unbelievably the best restaurant I have been to. The service was exeptional too.
Contributions +89
Yay! - Edit
I'm so glad to see that this restaurant is still doing there and doing well. I visited 3 years ago and it was delicious and cheap. I had the vegan platter and I have to say that my favourite part was the pakoras with mango chutney!! mmm... If you are in Byron, you can't miss this place!!
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