Dirt Cheap Eats 2007: Saravana Palace

Reviewed by Cynthia Hacinli , Todd Kliman , Sara Levine , Ann Limpert , Erin Zimmer

Saravana Palace

11725 Lee Highway
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: 703.218.4182
Fax: 703.218.4183

Cuisines:
Indian, Vegetarian/Vegan

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Nearby Metro Stops:
Vienna/Fairfax-GMU

Price Range:
Inexpensive

Dress:
Informal

Noise Level:
Intimate

Reservations:
Not needed

Website:
Click here to open in new window.

Best Dishes
Idli; channa batura; medhu vada; potato bonda; poori bhaji; Jaipuri paneer dosa; coconut rice; gutti vankaya; carrot halwa.

Price Details:
Appetizers, $3 to $7.50; entrees, $5 to $12.


Lunch & Dinner Feasts

Yellow dal at Saravana Palace. Photograph by Allison Dinner.

Yellow dal at Saravana Palace. Photograph by Allison Dinner.

In the spectrum of lunch buffets, the spread offered daily at this vegetarian Indian restaurant ranks near the top. For $7.95—$9.95 on weekends—you can sample a dozen masterful dishes. Choices have included fiery fried okra, curried chickpeas with spinach, and lentil-flour doughnuts soaked in yogurt. Trays are replenished quickly, so nothing tastes tired. To go with the myriad chutneys, circulating waiters dole out one of the highlights—fresh-from-the-pan footlong dosas.