Lacto
American
Buffet
Hare Krishna
Self-service, all-you-can-eat veggie food. Meals includes a fresh juice drink. Garlic and onion free. Open Mon-Fri 11:00am-2:30pm.
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Last update on 16 Mar 2024 by kindlizard
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12 Reviews
First Review by Patrickx814
groovyvegan
Points +299
Good vegan food in beautiful setting, but too much oil. - Edit
Govinda's food is too oily and salty IMO, although it is pretty good from a taste perspective, especially considering they don't use onion or garlic. Some of it is organic, and the lettuce at the salad bar was grown organically in their garden. Although their rotating menu states that Monday is the only 100% vegan day, a staff member tells me they're almost entirely vegan now.
Read moreSome of the dishes served there on my recent Monday visit were roasted cauliflower (delicious but quite oily), oily potato cubes (didn't eat), lentil soup (good), tofu with asparagus, and a dessert they called halvah (which I don't really think is halvah, but it was delicious). They also served pappadam for $1.00 a piece. I think the price increased since the last time I was there, because 2 plates with a moderate amount of food cost about $15.00 a piece.
The staff is very friendly and helpful. Also, if you eat outside, you're in beautiful setting with an amazing banyan tree. If you're trying to go SOS-free or at least cut down on oil, this is not the place for you. If you don't mind oil, you'll probably enjoy it here.
Pros: Salad was organically grown on the premises, Helpful staff, Can eat outdoors in beautiful setting, or indoors.
Cons: Too much oil in the food
Guest
static175
Points +643
Surprisingly great - Edit
This is a small buffet that is very affordable. Everything was vegan and the staff was very nice. They have a small store and a really cool banyan tree out back that is epic.
Read morePros: Inexpensive, Fast
Cons: Not a ton of items
Guest
tampopo
Points +605
Very peaceful garden - Edit
The food was ok. Some dishes was under salted and others too salty. The banyan tree in the back is stunning and it is a nice peaceful spot but I wasn’t impressed by the food.
Read moreGuest
Linda_Aloha
Points +52
One of my favorite indulgences! - Edit
I love the ambience of the space outdoors in the back and the many vegan and gluten free options of this little hidden gem off the beaten path in a Hare Krishna temple. It is a super affordable and all vegetarian buffet and many of the dishes are vegan and gluten-free. In November I had a private birthday party here with 40 people in-between their lunch and dinner buffets and had them do an all vegan and gluten-free buffet....everyone, including all of the non-veg folks, loved the food. Govinda’s is a great option for lunch or dinner, for either hosting an event or for catering....This restaurant is one I love visiting and I plan on using them for catering or events again!
Read morePros: Super Affordable, Ample delicious gluten free and vegan options, Unique venue & beautiful ambience outside
Cons: Indoor seating area is cafeteria-like, Can be a little challenging for folks to find
Guest
emilykthr
Points +35
Hidden gem - Edit
While in search of vegan eateries that we haven’t visited in O’ahu, I came across this hidden gem. We came on a Sat for our brunch. Everything was vegan except the desert. We left here very satisfied. Every dish was delicious:) Friendly staff, nice atomosphere, great value. Definitely will come back in a different day as menu changes daily.
Read moreGuest
RasaFournier
Points +117
Great food, amazing ambiance - Edit
I've been coming here since the 70s and the restaurant has changed so much over the years. For a time there were some Russians doing a lot of the cooking so they contributed some fun ethnic dishes from their country. Often there are many Indian people cooking so it leans more toward Indian food. For a time there was a man cooking who ended up moving to California and opened his own amazing restaurant, and he would make incredible Gourmet offerings. Right now some Brazilian people are doing some of the cooking. There are daily specials and generally a small salad bar, and offering dahl and a couple of veggie dishes, rice and the special of the day. This is at a Hare Krishna Temple, so it goes with the territory that you will see people dressed in sarees and smell incense, and I love that cultural aspect to it. There is indoor seating and outdoor seating. I always choose to be outdoors under the massive gorgeous Banyan Tree. I enjoy bringing friends to this place for the first time, because they are always amazed that they never knew about the special little gem hidden off of the Pali Highway
Read morePros: Beautiful setting, Affordable healthy buffet, Easy parking
Guest
AnnHollenbeck
Points +25
Cool find! - Edit
Had lunch here with my Airbnb host. It was an awesome find and I’m glad she took me to it. It was really good food and pretty cheap for all you can eat. Location is on a really cool old property.
Read morePros: Loved the ginger lemonade drink, Food was good!, Outside seating available
Guest
Wilmarie.g.g
Points +219
have lunch under the Banyan Tree - Edit
Vegetarian Buffet with a few vegan dishes which are not labeled so you have to ask to make sure. Huge banyan tree in the back yard... peaceful atmosphere and great tasting indian food.
Read moreGuest
Unk
Points +1058
Nice Setting - Edit
Over the 10 or 15 years I've been visiting, the rotating menu (5 days) really hasn't changed, and never has excited me much. But the setting is great...if a bit off the beaten track, an easy bus ride. Current price $13 "suggested".
Read morePros: Trees, Nice People
Cons: Lack Of "Pros" Related To Food
Guest
slithers
Points +705
Simple, Wholesome, Tasty - Edit
I ate here on my first visit to Hawaii (5 years back, spring 2010) & as there are few reviews & I now have smartphone, I'm adding mine. This is typical Hari Krishna food which is like a healthier, simplified version of Indian food (way less spice, salt & oil). Almost everything was vegan & I enjoyed it immensely after a week in Waianea (where vegan seemed unheard of). It was also quite cheap (maybe 6$/person?) for a good variety.
Read moreHowever, the hours are limited & I wouldn't necessarily recommend going out of your way. If you're nearby during open hours, it is worth checking out.
Pros: Mostly vegan options, Inexpensive, Peaceful atmosphere
Cons: Limited hours
Guest
Veronica01
Points +168
Only Open For Lunch - Edit
My husband and I went all the way out here by bus only to find out they are no longer open for dinner. We arrived at 4:30 and waited til 5 and then went in and asked and they said they had "permanantly transitioned to lunch".
Read moreIt's really frustrating that all of the vegetarian restaurants seem to only be open for lunch and none are open for dinner anymore.
I suggest going to Ruffage or Veggie Star if you're looking for a place you can actually get food at after 2pm for vegetarians/vegans.
Guest
Patrickx814
Points +24
A pleasant place to eat in Paradise - Edit
Govinda's has several locations throughout Honolulu and Waikiki. I ate at the Govinda's located at the Krishna temple. It is a buffet that starts at 12:15 PM and lasts approximately an hour. They were very friendly and it was well priced considering all your options and the freshness of everything. It is not 100% Vegan, but they are more than happy to let you know what dishes have dairy in them.
Read morePros: Fresh, Clean, Friendly
Cons: Hours
Guest
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