Saravana Bhavan Menu: Explore Signature Dishes & Thalis!

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A Look at the Saravana Bhavan Menu

Saravana Bhavan, which opened in 1981, has become one of the most popular vegetarian restaurant chains. People know them for their authentic South Indian dishes, and these days, you can find locations around the world.

Saravana Bhavan’s menu is a window into their commitment to South Indian flavors. It’s also a great way to see just how diverse vegetarian dishes can be.

This guide gives you a thorough look at the Saravana Bhavan menu. Whether you’re planning to dine in or order takeout, hopefully this will help you make the right choice for you. From dosas to uttapam, there’s a lot to explore, so let’s dive into the menu of Saravana Bhavan!

HSB Signature Specials and Thalis

Saravana Bhavan is known for its innovative takes on classic South Indian dishes, and its “Signature Specials” category is where those culinary innovations shine. These dishes often feature signature recipes and unique preparations you won’t find anywhere else.

For example, the [Specific dish name] is a standout, known for its key ingredients like [list ingredients]. Another must-try is the [Specific dish name], which boasts a unique flavor profile thanks to its blend of [describe flavors].

Saravanaa Special Meals (Thali)

If you’re looking for a complete and balanced meal experience, the Saravanaa Special Thali is a fantastic choice. Thalis are designed to offer a variety of flavors and textures all in one serving, giving you a taste of different South Indian dishes.

A typical Saravanaa Special Thali includes a generous portion of rice, along with flavorful sambar and rasam, a selection of fresh vegetables, cooling curd, and a sweet treat to finish. It’s a perfect way to sample the best of South Indian cuisine.

Saravanaa Special Meals Combo

For a convenient and affordable dining option, consider one of the Saravanaa Special Meals Combos. These combination meals are carefully curated to offer a balanced and satisfying meal, with items that complement each other perfectly.

Appetizers: A Culinary Journey to Start

At Saravana Bhavan, your meal begins with a flavorful introduction that showcases a range of textures and spices.

Full Day Appetizers

Start your culinary journey with classic South Indian starters like Idly and Vada combinations. You might also want to try one of the Mini Idly variations, such as Rasa Mini Idly or Sweet Mini Idly.

Tasty Bites

If you’re looking for something quick and satisfying to whet your appetite, the “Tasty Bites” category might be for you. This section features quick and satisfying bites like Potato Bonda, Pav Bhajji, Potato Bajji, Chili Bajji, Onion Bajji, Plantain Bajji, Samosa, and Samosa Chat. With a mix of fried and savory flavors, these appetizers are sure to please.

Indo-Chinese Appetizers

For something a little different, explore the fusion flavors of the Indo-Chinese appetizers. This section offers a blend of Indian and Chinese culinary styles, with dishes like Vegetable Spring Roll, Fried Veg Momos, Tandoori Veg Momos, Schezwan Veg Momos, Gobi 65, Paneer 65, Mushroom 65, Gobi Manchurian Dry, and Paneer Manchurian Dry. These appetizers often feature spicy and tangy sauces that provide a unique and delicious experience.

Dosas: The South Indian Staple

No visit to Saravana Bhavan is complete without trying one of their many dosa offerings. Dosas are thin, crispy pancakes made from a fermented batter of rice and lentils, and they’re a staple of South Indian cuisine.

Classic Dosas

The plain dosa is the foundation, but don’t overlook the variations. The masala dosa is stuffed with a savory potato and spice filling and served with sambar (a lentil-based vegetable stew) and chutney. Other variations include the paper dosa, known for its delicate thinness, and the ghee paper dosa, enriched with clarified butter.

Butter Dosas

Butter adds a layer of richness to the dosa experience. Options include the butter dosa, butter masala dosa, and butter paper dosa.

Special Dosas

This is where Saravana Bhavan gets creative. Expect unique flavor combinations in the chili mushroom dosa, vegetable dosa, palak paneer dosa (spinach and cheese), pav bhaji dosa (inspired by a popular street food), cauliflower roast dosa, mint masala dosa, chettinadu kara masala dosa (spicy!), garlic masala dosa, Madras masala dosa, and paneer butter masala dosa.

Cheese Dosa Variations

Cheese adds a creamy, savory dimension. Choose from the cheese dosa, cheese masala dosa, chettinadu spicy cheese masala dosa, paneer butter cheese masala dosa, paneer mushroom cheese dosa, palak paneer cheese dosa, chilli cheese dosa, chilli mushroom cheese dosa, chilli capsicum cheese dosa, and mixed vegetable cheese dosa.

Rava Dosas

Made with semolina flour, rava dosas have a slightly different texture. Options include the rava dosa, ghee rava dosa, rava masala dosa, onion rava dosa, onion rava masala dosa, onion rava paneer dosa, onion rava paneer masala dosa, onion rava kara dosa, onion rava kara masala dosa, and dry fruit rava dosa.

Utthapams: A Thicker and Spongier Delight

If you’re looking for something a little different than a dosa, try an utthapam. These are thicker pancakes made from the same fermented rice and lentil batter. They’re typically topped with a variety of vegetables and spices before being cooked.

At Saravana Bhavan, you can find a range of utthapam variations, including:

  • Plain Utthapam
  • Onion Utthapam
  • Onion Chili Utthapam
  • Tomato Onion Utthapam
  • Tomato Onion Chili Utthapam
  • Podi Vegetable Utthapam
  • Podi Onion Chili Utthapam
  • Chili Cheese Utthapam
  • Chocolate Utthapam
  • Paneer Utthapam

Compared to dosas, utthapams are softer and spongier, creating a very different sensation in your mouth. The toppings are also cooked into the pancake, rather than wrapped inside, leading to a distinct flavor profile.

Rice Corner: Biryani, Pulao, and Other Rice Dishes

If you’re craving rice, Saravanaa Bhavan has got you covered. From flavorful biryani to aromatic pulao and other unique rice dishes, there’s something for every rice lover.

Biryani

Biryani is a flavorful dish where rice is cooked with vegetables and a fragrant blend of spices. At Saravanaa Bhavan, you’ll typically find these biryani options:

  • Vegetable Biriyani
  • Paneer Biriyani
  • Mushroom Biriyani

Pulao

Pulao is another aromatic rice dish, often cooked with vegetables or paneer. Here are some examples of pulao you might find on the menu:

  • Vegetable Pulao
  • Paneer Pulao
  • Mushroom Pulao
  • Jeera Pulao (cumin-flavored)
  • Peas Pulao
  • Cashewnut Pulao

Other Rice Dishes

Beyond biryani and pulao, Saravanaa Bhavan offers other rice-based treats, including:

  • Bisibelabath (Sambar Rice): A spiced rice dish with a distinct sambar flavor.
  • Baglabath (Yogurt Rice): A cooling rice dish made with yogurt.
  • Ghee Basmati Rice: Basmati rice prepared with clarified butter (ghee).

Keep an eye out for the Special Rice of the Day, too. Saravanaa Bhavan often has a rotating selection of unique rice preparations, so you might discover a new favorite!

North Indian Combos and Bread Corner

In addition to its well-known South Indian fare, Saravanaa Bhavan also offers a range of North Indian dishes, including combo meals and freshly made breads.

Saravanaa North Indian Special Combos

These combos pair North Indian dishes with fragrant jeera rice.

A few examples include:

  • Dhal Makhni – Jeera Rice Combo
  • Rajma Masala – Jeera Rice Combo
  • Dhal Tadka – Jeera Rice Combo

Bread Corner

No North Indian meal is complete without freshly made flatbreads. These breads are the perfect accompaniment to a variety of dishes, adding texture and flavor to your meal.

Here are a few of the breads you might find:

  • Chappathi: A thin, unleavened flatbread made from whole wheat flour
  • Parotta: A layered flatbread, often flaky and rich
  • Poori: A deep-fried, puffed bread that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside

These breads are served alongside flavorful curries and side dishes.

Quick Bytes

Saravanaa Bhavan also offers smaller portions of some of their bread-based dishes, perfect for a quick snack or a light meal.

[To be researched: examples of specific Quick Bytes dishes, key ingredients, and preparation methods]

The Great Wall: Saravana Bhavan’s Indo-Chinese Fusion

Saravana Bhavan’s menu also includes a section called “The Great Wall,” which offers a unique fusion of Indian and Chinese flavors. These dishes blend the spices and culinary traditions of India with the techniques and ingredients of Chinese cuisine.

Rice Dishes

The rice options include:

  • Vegetable Fried Rice
  • Paneer Fried Rice
  • Mushroom Fried Rice
  • Schezwan Fried Rice
  • Hakka Fried Rice
  • Fried Rice & Manchurian Combo

Noodle Dishes

The noodle options include:

  • Vegetable Noodles
  • Mushroom Noodles
  • Schezwan Noodles
  • Hakka Noodles

These noodle dishes commonly feature a flavorful mix of spices and sauces that create a delicious and satisfying experience.

Sweets & Savouries: Indulging in Dessert

No meal is complete without something sweet, and Saravanaa Bhavan offers a wide variety of traditional Indian desserts and savory snacks to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Saravanaa Bhavan Special Sweets & Savouries

Their sweets menu includes:

  • Milk Cake
  • Kalakand Burfi
  • Koya Jamun
  • Mothichoor Ladoo
  • Boondhi Ladoo
  • Jilebi
  • Kaju Katli
  • Assorted Sweets

You can order these sweets in 1 lb and 1/2 lb portions.

Sweet Corner

For even more dessert options, check out the Sweet Corner, where you’ll find:

  • Gulab Jamun
  • Gajar Halwa
  • Ice Cream (Vanilla) with Jamun
  • Rasamalai
  • Rava Kesari
  • Payasam

And on weekends only, you can enjoy a Sweet Paan, a traditional Indian after-dinner treat.

Kids’ Meals and Beverages

Saravanaa Bhavan offers a few options designed to appeal to kids, along with a range of hot and cold drinks to round out any meal.

Kids’ Meals

The kids’ meals feature small portions of some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. As you might expect, the chefs prepare these items with mild spices, so they’re palatable for even the pickiest young eaters.

(We’re still researching exactly what’s included in the kids’ meal, so check back soon.)

Beverages

Whether you’re in the mood for something hot or cold, sweet or savory, you’ll find plenty of options on Saravanaa Bhavan’s drinks menu. Options include:

  • Special Madras Coffee
  • Special Chai
  • Salt Lassi
  • Mango Juice
  • Bottled Water
  • Sweet Lassi
  • Mango Lassi
  • Soft Drinks (Pop)
  • Fresh Lime Soda
  • Buttermilk

The Bottom Line

From dosas to uttapams to South Indian thalis, the Saravana Bhavan menu reflects the diversity and richness of South Indian vegetarian cuisine. Whether you prefer something mild or spicy, savory or sweet, there’s sure to be something on the menu to tempt your tastebuds.

Saravana Bhavan’s enduring success is also due to its unwavering commitment to quality and authenticity. The restaurant uses fresh, high-quality ingredients and prepares its dishes according to traditional recipes, ensuring a consistently delicious and satisfying dining experience.

For these reasons, Saravana Bhavan remains a popular choice for vegetarian Indian food lovers around the world, attracting loyal customers with its flavorful dishes and dedication to quality.