Govinda Restaurant

This is the best food I have eaten for $10 recently.
Very lite food, not too spicy, low masala, feels like temple food. Curry tasted a little earthy, but was delicious. Perfect soft and comforting dinner.

Not sure why there are so many glowing reviews of this place.
It's very underspiced, cold and bland Indian food.
There are blocks upon blocks, miles, kilometers even, between what this is and the best Indian food I've had.
It isn't terrible. I've had much worse as well.
But the endless reviews proclaiming this the "best Indian food they have had" beggars belief.
It is vegetarian. I presume vegan as well as I noticed a lot of vegan baked goods.
The food must be prepared off site and brought here, because everything I ordered was cold.
I might have a better opinion if I owned a microwave and could warm it up? I did like the okra over rice. It was cooked properly.
The other dishes in my thali were decent. But all were under salted, and lacked any spiciness. I know in Buddhist traditions they will often say you should avoid spicy food as well as garlic and onions because these inflame the passions. I suppose a similar thinking may be at work here, since the Govinda storefront is run by the Krishna Consciousness movement, which seems to have some commonalities with Buddhism.
I wish the people serving me had told me the food was room temp.
I might not have ordered what I did.

This is one of the best Indian restaurants in Richmond.

It is authentic, fresh, and affordable! The people are very friendly and happy to help.

Also they run a food program which is fantastic.

UNREAL vegan Indian food!! Hands down, the best Indian food I've ever eaten (no easy feat!!)! Everything we've had from here has been absolutely delicious and every dish, overflowing and abundant. You won't find anywhere less expensive either!! A must try...and return to again and again!!!

How can you beat seven unique Indian dishes/sides for $7? You can’t! The place was very nice and clean and the two people working were very kind. I love not knowing exactly what I’m getting and having a different experience every time! I also like that they focus on giving back and feeding the homeless. Great people and great food! Will definitely be back! Make sure to bring cash as they are cash only for now!