Hindu Temple Canteen

The intricately decorated Ganesh Temple, erected in a residential neighborhood in Flushing, doubles as a South Indian restaurant open to the public. The entryway features sculptures of the Hindu God Ganeshafter whom the temple is named. Visitors will be led down a flight of stairs to the canteen, which is a wide-open space filled with the typical cafeteria-style folding tables and metal chairs.

The basement cafeteria is under the city’s first and oldest Hindu temple, and you’ll see temple-goers and tourists alike flock to the basement for idlis, sambar, and big buttery dosas. You won’t find better dosas in town, and everything on the menu is vegetarian. The canteen is a basic operation with communal tables and folding chairs, but it has just as many devotees as the deities upstairs.

Aptly described as a culinary “South Indian Paradise,” the Ganesh Temple Canteen is in a league all its own. Located in the basement of a Hindu temple, it has long been a favorite of in-the-know New Yorkers, like food celeb Padma Lakshmi. The all-vegetarian canteen is known for its well-spiced take on everything from lentil-based Sambar and Bisibele Bhath to Thali Lunches and Tamarind Rice.

Tucked in the basement of the Hindu Ganesh Temple, you can find this humble cafeteria, dishing out South Indian classics. Savory fritters vadas and Indian-style flatbread uttappam make up the bill of fare. Plus, find 13 dosas (lentil flour crêpes), ranging from mild (masala with potatoes and onions) to fiery (Pondicherry with sliced green chilies).

Rectangle framed picture: Christopher Lee for The New York Times. If we wanted to quibble about the South Indian cafeteria in the basement of a temple to the Hindu god Ganesha, we might say that having to listen as order numbers are called out endlessly can gnaw at the nerves. We might also ask whether the vegetable sambar isn’t a little watery.

Ganesh Temple Canteen: For something completely different, visit the basement of America's oldest Hindu temple for a taste of the finest dosas in New York. The temple's canteen, which is open to the public seven days a week, serves a whole roster of south Indian vegetarian food, but crackly-crisp, ultra-buttery dosas are the best of the lineup. Try the paneer dosa, with chunks of paneer folded into spicy mashed potato, and the ghee roast, shaped like a traffic cone and loaded, if you can imagine it possible, with even more browned-butter flavor than the others.

Nestled in the basement of a Hindu temple in Flushing, Queens, Temple Canteen is renowned for offering some of the best South Indian food in NYC. This famous vegetarian spot serves a variety of authentic dishes such as uttapams and dosas, attracting patrons from all over the city who travel long distances just to savor its incredible, India-like flavors. Open to all, Temple Canteen operates like an affordable takeout restaurant but delivers food of a higher quality than its prices suggest.

If it’s pure, simple, comforting authenticity you seek in your Indian food, you can probably do no better than the Temple Canteen, which is in the basement of a Hindu house of worship. It’s often filled with people who have just come from prayer, sitting around folding tables and chairs to share expertly prepared, extremely inexpensive south Indian treats — from fiery mirchi bajji (similar to jalapeño poppers) to crisp masala dosas, which come with sides of coconut chutney and sambar.

This Hindu temple cafeteria in Flushing is well known among the Indian community and the most serious of Indian food enthusiasts.You’ll see temple-goers and tourists alike flock to the fluorescent-lit basement for idlis, sambar, and big buttery dosas. Everything on the menu is vegetarian, and you won’t find better dosas in town. It’s a barebones operation with communal tables and folding chairs, but it's got just as many devotees as the deities upstairs.

For a little slice of India in the heart of East Flushing, Queens, head to an unexpected location: Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam (also known as the Ganesha Temple), a Hindu place of worship. Instantly recognizable by its distinctive classical Indian architecture, the temple canteen is tucked away in the basement. There's a side door, so there's no need to go through the temple — although they serve free prasadam (blessed food) to devotees.

Ganesh Temple Canteen – has been around since the 1970s and it’s known for being one of the best Indian restaurants in Flushing NY. Although it looks like this temple is just dedicated to religious practice, when you go to the basement, you will find a restaurant that serves over 100 traditional vegetarian Indian dishes.143-09 Holly Ave, Flushing, NY 11355Phone: (718) 460-8493Website: canteen.nyganeshtemple.org

You might not have known that some of the greatest dosas in New York City are being served in the basement cafeteria of a Hindu Temple in Queens. Well, folks...now ya’ know. Enter the main doors and follow the signs pointing you toward the “Temple Canteen”—through the ornate, stone pillar-lined halls and down a flight of stairs—into a large, starkly lit cafeteria filled with folding tables and chairs.

Temple Canteen, nestled in the basement of a Hindu temple, serves up a feast of authentic South Indian dishes that delight the senses. With its cafeteria-style setup, this hidden gem offers everything from crispy Masala Dosas to savory Vadas, all at wallet-friendly prices. The rich flavors of their Sambar and fresh Coconut Chutney perfectly balance each bite.

Presenting simple but flavourful South Indian cuisine, this canteen located beneath the Temple of Lord Ganesha. Their food is the definition of comfort food and classic dishes originating from peninsular India and include vadas, chutneys and sambhars. Frequented by worshipers, this place is affordable, cosy and offers amazing South Indian delicacies.

In queens people say really good things about Angel, but i haven't been; kababish is a little hut with good seekh kebab to go; temple canteen has good dosas - being a cafeteria in a temple may be a plus or minus depending on how you look at it; jackson diner and dera have been there for generations and do fine.

One of the most unique restaurants in NYC is hidden in the basement of a temple!. Because below the Ganesh Hindu Temple is a large cafeteria-style restaurant serving up authentic South Indian food!. In fact, this Temple was one of the first of its kind in North America and welcomes everyone to visit!

Ganesh Temple Canteen is one of the many hole-in-the-wall eateries in Flushing that is worth a visit. The canteen is known for its delicious Indian food, which is cooked to perfection. The menu is extensive and includes dishes such as chicken tikka masala, lamb biryani, and vegetable samosas.

Hindu Temple Canteen offers a low-key way to experience South Indian flavors in a unique temple setting in Queens. Diners appreciate its welcoming community feel and straightforward, satisfying meals. Though it can be a little hidden, many say it’s worth seeking out for an authentic taste.

Returning to the list this year are AbuQir Seafood in Astoria, Birria-Landia in Jackson Heights, Chongqing Lao Zao in Flushing, Temple Canteen in Flushing, Zaab Zaab in Elmhurst, Trinciti Roti Shop and Don Peppe in South Ozone Park, and White Bear in Flushing.

It is located in the basement of a Hindu temple and serves classic South Indian food like a cafeteria. Hyderabadi Zaiqa in Midtown Manhattan is the final Indian restaurant among the 100 Best in New York City. It is a new entry to the list and is ranked 95th.

If you are looking for authentic South Indian dishes, venture out to Ganesh Temple Canteen in the Flushing area. Nestled in the basement of the Hindu Temple, this spacious cafeteria-style counter dishes out a total of about 20 different versions of dosa.

A photo posted by espresjso (@espresjso) on Jun 11, 2016 at 11:50am PDT. This vegetarian spot is worth heading into Flushing for. I developed a love for dosas when I traveled to India, and Temple Canteen’s dosas are just as good as the ones I had there.

In addition to frequent worshippers, non-Hindus come out of curiosity. This is one of the most unique Indian restaurants in NYC in that it happens to sit underneath a Hindu temple. And oh, the southern Indian food happens to be pretty good, too.

You don’t have to browse on your phone to find where to eat because, in the basement of the temple, you can find the Ganesh Temple Canteen where you can satisfy your hunger.

Tucked inside the house of worship is the Temple Canteen, serving a wide array of vegetarian delicacies to all temple visitors, regardless of faith.