Govinda’s

Eat & Drink Vegetarian

Alex Harmon
June 1, 2011

This buffet and movie joint is a quiet-achieving institution in Sydney, which is surprising given it’s nestled in between two of the city’s busiest spots, Kings Cross and Darlinghurst. When I think of buffets I think of sweatpants and RSL clubs, but Govinda’s have enlightened me. They take the excessiveness away from all-you-can-eat and serve wholesome, vegetarian food that doesn’t make you burst at the seams. Then they allow you to waltz upstairs and let your food settle as you watch a film on one of their lay-down couches. Forget popcorn and awkward arm-rests, this is no clichéd dinner/movie date. The menu changes every night but has its staples, like an Indian dhal soup, vegetable curry, baked penne pasta, lentil pie, cauliflower pakoras, poppadums and fresh bread. I was there for an amazing sun-dried tomato and chickpea couscous, a tom yum soup and a spicy tomato pasta bake too. I also indulged in a Chocolate Mousse ($8.50) which came out looking like an old-fashioned sundae with cream and ice-cream, and a creamy Chai ($3.80). Okay, maybe I was bursting at the seams, but the spiritual enlightenment I was feeling counteracted any feelings of guilt. The buffet and film package will set you back a bargain $29.80.