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Balaji Bhavan

4.7 (29 reviews)
Closed • 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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Mango Lassi 12floz Bottle $4.99 (06/19/25). @Balaji_Bhavan #JerseyCity @InTheJCHeights #IndianFood #Mango #Lassi
Jeff B.

(Tookout 06/19/2025 TH @ 6:00pm): Balaji was serving up some incredible cuisine in his "house"! In my quest to explore the various cuisine scenes and things to do throughout Jersey City and specifically the Heights, my friend and I decided to try one of the newest (open only a few months as of this review) restaurants in the area... Balaji Bhavan. We both loved Indian food, and there was a thriving Indian community in the Jersey City and Heights neighborhoods, respectively. As the name reflects both the owner's name and the fact that it's a place of serving authentic South Indian vegetarian food often found in a "house" or "restaurant" setting, they made sure to have an inviting atmosphere while they expressed love for their culture and cuisine. Would we welcome Balaji's bhavan of food with open arms to the neighborhood!? PURCHASE Mango Lassi 12floz Bottle ($4.99): Creamy, fragrant, and mangoey, I loved this! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=NCtYeYKkvRGiq_UVpxK5Hg 3pc Vegetable Samosa ($8.99): Fluffy and full of flavor, be careful of the hot steam from within! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=7dh16NOe9dgwX5TSV7xX2Q Gobi-65 ($13.99): A fried cauliflower popcorn-like dish, this was my favorite of everything! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=HfVE2ysORd3ldjgupQNzmA Parotta ($2.99 x2): Buttery and flaky, this was eaten with chutneys and dipping sauces. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=qi2K91gMRr3LDe6RACb8aw Jain Plain Dosa ($9.99): Soft and thin, this was also eaten with the chutneys and dipping sauces. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=oftNovWTwQJMnKh3fO3ZUw Pav Bhaji ($11.99): A hearty mashed potato and vegetable curry served with grilled buttered bread, this stuck to you in a good way! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=QLKL8Jbfa66wQDXWKF-nGQ Vegetable Korma ($13.99): Mixed vegetables in a coconut-based gravy with aromatic spices and curry leaves, I didn't care for the star anise, but this paired well with the steamed rice. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=BkJEFR3UPZt4RWYZEnyjWA Vegetable Biryani ($15.99): Always a go-to of mine, this was massive and packed fresh flavors with every bite! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=mi8rJFFT_fJOUSSD2ROHdA Steamed White Rice (INCLUDED): Used it with nearly everything! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=xW_dnSOGMYZ_tvlQt0ytZw 3pc Gulab Jamun ($6.00): Amazeballs soaked in sugary rosewater! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=ekbiLlH7joHF_3VLqIrjkQ Various Chutneys & Dipping Sauces (INCLUDED): Mainly for the dosas but used on everything! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=wFO_RlzuNqdmEEvwCaULmA Sambar (INCLUDED): Like a lovely minestrone soup! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=UDA9Oa2m7YPcnAMPbKT2KQ SERVICE I easily placed our order through the handy-dandy Yelp app, and about 45-minutes later our food was all packaged and ready for pick up - easy-peasy! PARKING (Street; N/A this instance) This was an easy flat 10-minute walk from my friend's place. Otherwise, the only option was the plenty of spots along the main drag of Central Ave. and all surrounding roads - 'nuff said. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE A clean vibrant somewhat snug layout with a main central pathway that cut the place in half and dining booths placed on both sides along the walls. I didn't notice the usual country decorations. A good amount of natural lighting came through the tinted large windows and doors while bright electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There were no TVs while I couldn't recall any background music over the loud talking voices. ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL I really enjoyed Balaji Bhavan and would definitely return to try more on their expansive menu! Everything smelled and tasted wonderfully, the portions were huge, the prices very affordable, and the service was friendly and straightforward. And, I always loved supporting small businesses whenever possible. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $98.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS

Katey G.

I first noticed Balaji Bhavan while we were taking a walk. There were at least 30 people waiting outside to be seated, so I had to stop and see what all the fuss was about. Dosas are best served and eaten in a restaurant, so we decided to return and try to eat in person. Even on a Tuesday, there was a huge number of people waiting outside for a table. They don't take reservations, and you can only put your name down in person. Be prepared to wait! The dining room is small and chaotic. There are so many staff working, yet the front of house seems very inefficient. Cleaning tables takes forever, dirty dishes are stacking up, servers don't seem to have a process. But the food is awesome. The entire menu is vegetarian, with a focus on dosas. Try both types of dosas, the paratha, and ask a lot of questions if you're not familiar with South Indian dishes. Highly recommended if you're a fan of dosas or expertly made Indian breads.

Onion chilli rava dosa with masala on the side
Suchi O.

The restaurant has a nice interior, reasonable wait times, friendly service with a smile, and delicious food--checking off most of the boxes for a satisfying Sunday lunch. We ordered the masala idli, onion-chili rava dosa with masala on the side, and the South Indian thali. The portions were quite generous--we couldn't finish everything and ended up packing the idli to go. Definitely worth a try! It seems like a newer spot, as there aren't many Yelp reviews yet.

George B.

Made an order via the apps for pick up. The place was very busy and looked to have a line Sunday afternoon. I got my order on time and I have to say I'm a fan of the dosa. I didn't like the sambar which was watery and wasn't for me. I prefer a more thicker type of sambar.

Jessica K.

Really extensive menu. Everything tastes really good and will visit again. I only tried the dosas but they have some North Indian food as well. Portions are good. The service is fast and efficient. The place is however small and there is a little bit of a wait on the weekends

Rava masala dosa
Nonya B.

Very tasty dosas and excellent service. Definitely try the filter coffee too. We also got bhel puri but I would skip that next time, a bit too dry. I do wish the dosas were a little crispier. The accompanying chutneys were fresh and flavorful. There was unfortunately a wait on a Saturday night (maybe 30 minutes). However, we were served promptly and attentively. We will likely come back the next time we want dosas.

Filter Coffee

Having tried many of the South Indian restaurants in Jersey City, I can say without hesitation that this one is the best. Ahmed was a kind and attentive manager and server throughout our meal, accommodating us in every way. The food was 10/10 and authentic, bringing back fond memories of Chennai cuisine from my childhood. The service felt like family. Whether you are a fan of vegetarian South Indian food or simply looking to try something new, Balaji Bhavan is a must-have!

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3 months ago

Excellent food and wonderful service. Enjoyed our lunch. Will recommend this place to anyone looking for authentic Indian food

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Best dosa in Jersey! I love this place, and the staff are friendly. My weekly to go place!

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10 months ago

Very good food. Very busy after 7:00pm so if you do not want to wait for an hour come before 7:00pm

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Swadist - Laal Maas

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4.5(237 reviews)
0.8 mi
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Located in Jersey City's bustling India Square, I came here with a friend to try their $21 weekend…read morebuffet. Upon entering the colorful and spacious interior, we were given booth seating. There were a large variety of choices for the buffet, and I tried a little bit of everything. It was all cooked well and wonderfully flavorful with tons of warm seasonings. Stand outs included butter chicken, noodles, curry, and tandoori. I would have liked more seafood options and meat other than chicken though. The Naan was served warm and slightly crisp, while still being soft. I decided to also order a drink called Shahi Falooda. Since I never tried it, I didn't know how it was supposed to look, even though I thought the presentation was a bit weird, as there were pieces of toast dredged in the liquid. When I tried it, there seemed to be all the flavors described, including rose almond milk, tutti frutti, and vanilla ice cream. It tasted creamy, sweet, and unique, with the ingredients mingling well together. Service was definitely lacking. When the bill came, it was listed as a dessert, so I inquired about it. The waiter responded that they did not have the beverage available, so served me something else instead. This really irked me that the waiter would knowingly do this without mentioning up front that they were out of the beverage, allowing me the free choice to either order another drink or not get one at all. The waiter then told us it would be taken off the bill, but a different waiter came out to inform us that the manager would not allow that. While the food was actually pretty good, this was a very upsetting experience and I will not be returning. At least this taught me to always speak up when I have a doubt or question about anything I order.

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Swadist - Area

Area

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Panipuri - part of Weekend Lunch Buffet (~$20/adult)

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Korai Kitchen - Coconut milk veggie curry

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I know next to nothing about Bangladeshi food, but I do know the Dawat experience at Korai Kitchen…read moreis truly special. Amma and Nur-E are exceptional hosts and the food is outstanding. Come hungry as there are many, many courses. Everyone who works here is so kind. There was an issue opening the wine we brought and Nur-E went out of her way to pick us up a new bottle (same vineyard!) during our meal. Unreal! You will not only eat delicious food, but learn so much about Bangladeshi culture and cuisine. This is truly a labor of love and I cannot recommend highly enough!

Food, service and ambiance are all 5 stars! The food is courtesy of mom Nure. The service is…read morecourtesy of an exceptional staff. The ambiance is largely due to daughter Nure whose incredible passion and enthusiasm throughout the night in describing Bengali culture, history and food was incredible! Mom and daughter combine to create an unforgettable dining experience that for me is unmatched and never to be forgotten. They are such gracious hosts and make everyone feel like family. As delicious as the food is, be prepared to take a lot home. You enter Korai Kitchen hungry, curious and with great anticipation. You leave full, satisfied and part of the family! Sorry for the lack of pics. I just went in as soon as the dishes started arriving, eager to savor the meal rather than to record it. My advice: Just go! Its a culinary adventure!

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Lahore Restaurant - Ambiance

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4.0(193 reviews)
3.2 mi
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Ordered: Aloo Papri Chaat (~$9)…read moreGol Gappay (~$9) White Chicken Karahi (~$31): chicken curry stir-fried in karahi with white cream, yogurt, and spiced with roasted cumin and coriander seeds Plain Basmati Rice (~$7) Plain Tandoori Roti (~$3) Kashmiri Chai (~$4) Aya's take: This cold weather has me craving curries & spices more than ever before so we stopped at Lahore for a quick lunch. Lahore is a Pakistani restaurant which is honestly not common to come across (compared to Indian restaurants). The interior is nicely decorated and we were seated immediately. We got 2 appetizers, Aloo Papri Chaat and Gol Gappay. The Aloo Papri Chaat was cold, loaded with textures and flavors, and even some slight sweetness. It was enjoyable but not sure I would gravitate to this again. The Gol Gappay was beautifully presented with a similar flavor profile to the Aloo Papri Chaat. It's great for sharing and more of a playful appetizer. I've never had Karahi before and although maybe not the traditional version, we opted for the White Chicken Karahi. It was mild, savory and creamy. It took ~30 minutes to prepare as the menu states and they don't skimp out on the chicken. For the price point, I would say the portion is reasonable. The chicken was tender, buttery, and aromatic. My only complaint is that it wasn't served with anything so we had to add some Basmati Rice and Tandoori Roti on our own dime. I think it should come with at least one complimentary side dish considering it's an entree. We ended with a Kashmiri Chai. It's a pink-hued tea that actually gets its color from the chemical reaction between the green tea & baking soda. All this time, I thought it was rose! It was garnished with pistachios and had hints of cardamom and cinnamon spices which I enjoyed. Good try overall!

We have been loyal customers since Lahore Restaurant has opened and are grateful for having a local…read morePakistani restaurant with good quality food. It's unfortunate that I have to post this as I feel despite us voicing our concern (multiple times) in person with the staff and also on the phone when ordering take out, the staff is not trained and do not take certain dietary restrictions seriously such as food allergies. After having a child who suffers from peanut and egg allergies, whenever we have dined or ordered from here as of lately, we have politely asked for certain food not to be served together and prepared properly. After expressing this, the staffs answer is rude and with an attitude and us being told "ok i'll just put it in a separate plate" after it being cross contaminated and served. Then during a take out order when we called to alert that there is an allergy, to please ensure the food is properly handled and packed separately from egg-containing items, we were told (specifically by Jaspreet) it is already prepared and packed, so the best that can be done is taken out and packed separately instead of adhering to the urgency of the matter and re-preparing the food. Our child broke out in hives due to their negligence in the past and I fear that their inefficiency to understand the seriousness of this matter will one day result in legal action being taken against this establishment if God forbid someone else has a reaction or worse a Fatality. My post isn't intended towards the quality of the food, it is more so to be heard and create awareness on this matter as it seems this establishment can care less towards your health needs. Update: We were contacted by ownership (Ishrath) and accused of being in the wrong and were met with disrespect and advised not to come to this establishment anymore as they cannot meet our "crazy demands." We should have been heard out, which was explained to co-ownership (Sobia) a few minutes after my review was posted, that this wasn't a personal jab towards the establishment however has happened to us on multiple accounts, specifically from staff member Jaspreet the past two times in a matter of two weeks. There was no apology on the matter, just defensiveness in a "sweet tone." This is more so a validation that despite us voicing our concerns multiple times in person, it has fallen on deaf ears and it is unfortunate that we have had to go to such extremes as posting this to be heard. Since my post, we see the attempt to have our post buried, and quite frankly hope it made a difference, albeit they have lost our business however we know the restaurant will still thrive. Still wishing them the best of luck and hopefully prevents any future consequence on this matter.

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Lahore Restaurant - Lahore Lahore Aye

Lahore Lahore Aye

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Balaji Bhavan - indpak - Updated May 2026

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