Any visit to the Ganesh Temple would not be complete without a visit to the Temple Canteen. This no-frills canteen serves authentic South Indian fare served cafeteria-style in the brightly lit basement of a Hindu temple. The menu is simple (dosas, idli, upma, uttappams) and the food tastes absolutely delicious. The canteen also sells delicious snacks (mixture & murukku) and sweets (laddu, burfi). I always get extra items to take home with me. The prices are so much lower than the same dishes in Manhattan restaurants with 99% of items under $10. The Temple Canteen offers orders to go through pickup service and delivery through Door Dash, Uber Eats. They also ship snacks across the USA. read more

See all

It's a cafeteria like establishment. The food is tasty, clean and priced as a good value for money. Two of us ate a full meal and had two cups of coffee - all for $20. The masala dosa, wada I highly recommend. It is self service and they get crowded but well organized and managed IMO. Also the seating hall is large and people share tables and don't hoard them - so that's good since they get so much volume. I will definitely make a visit again. This is not a fancy place and don't expect restaurant like service. I'd give it a 5 but the coffee wasn't so good - too milky and light. read more

Delicious Indian food, especially the crispy Paper Masala Dosas! My family and I enjoyed a delightful feast with Paper Masala Dosa, Rava Onion Dosa, Uttapum, Idly, Vada, and Veggie Korma. All of the food was delicious and had a spicy kick, the Mango Lassi was perfect for diluting the spice. My kids really enjoyed the Dosa. The food is pretty cheap and there's lots of seating. The Canteen is located downstairs right outside the Ganesh Temple (you have to walk up to the street level to get to the temple - it's NOT upstairs). Highly recommend and excited to go back! read more

See all

Came here after a meetup group walk around Flushing....It has been on my list for a few years...Basif no frills place, cheap prices and tasty food. Gor masala dosa and a rice and lentil dish forgot the name of it. read more

See all

We visited the Ganesh Temple and decided to stop by the Temple Canteen for lunch afterwards. It ended up being one of the best decisions of the day. We ordered the Paper Masala Dosa and the regular Masala Dosa, and both were incredible. The paper dosa was crisp, huge, and full of flavor, while the regular masala dosa had that classic comfort-food feel with delicious potato filling. We also got vada and idli, and everything tasted fresh, authentic, and made with care. The mango lassi was refreshing and not overly sweet, and the masala tea had a great balance of spice and warmth. It was exactly what we wanted after a temple visit. Simple, delicious South Indian food at amazing prices. If you are visiting the temple, the canteen is an absolute must-try. Highly recommend! read more

Ganesh Temple Canteen - Indian Near Me - Flushing, New York

See all

Spicy paneer butter was addicting. It is dangerous how many more of those I would order. read more

Ganesh Temple Canteen - Spicy paneer butter dosa - Indian Near Me - Flushing, New York

I wanted a dosa so badly that I trekked out to this temple to satisfy my craving, and I'm so glad that I did. As other folks have mentioned, this is a no frills cafeteria in the basement of a temple in Queens. There's no super easy public transportation options available -- but honestly that's probably why it's still relatively easy to get into this place. You head downstairs, the menu is on the wall. There are no descriptions, you just pick a dosa and hope for the best. My dosa roulette largely paid off - I got the masala dosa that came out crispy and warm, accompanied by coconut chutney and spicy sambar as sides. Delicious, flavorful, and shockingly cheap. Most of the dosas here are under $10 but incredibly filling. After I finished my dosa I really to try a second, so my partner and I ended up splitting the chili dosa as well, which was crispy and delicious without being too filling. Service here is friendly enough, plus they give out free water. I'd come back. read more

Ganesh Temple Canteen - Rava Dosa - Indian Near Me - Flushing, New York

See all

Perfect spot to have some quality food. We came in here after visiting the temple and it was packed. And yet, the queue moved extremely quick. We got vada, onion chili rava dosa and onion uthappam. Everything was literal deliciousness. The chutney was good. The sambar was fine. The price point was reasonable. However, one thing to note, the canteen is in the basement and only has stairs. read more

See all

Awesome food for quick bite Food is amazing, very flavorful and filling. Can't go wrong with the dosas. Service is quick. Place your order and your call number will be announced on the overhead speakers. Take your food to any of the many tables and enjoy. One thing to note is the location of where this is. It's not at the main temple doors, more around the corner of the block and to the basement. read more

See all

This was my third time coming here, and I have to say - I will be coming back many more times. I've honestly never tried Dosa anywhere else but I am glad this was my first spot, as I have thoroughly enjoyed my meal here every single time. My go to is the Masala Dosa, with a thin and crispy outside and a flavorful curry potato filling inside. The accompanied green sauce brings everything together, adding some creaminess and balancing the spices of the potato. I have always came at night and never had trouble finding a table. I really like the fact that this canteen is located beneath the temple because it adds authenticity and secrecy to the dining experience. Please give them a try! read more

Ganesh Temple Canteen - Mango Lassi - Indian Near Me - Flushing, New York

See all

A few months ago when we were back in NY, we decided to go on a food trip to Flushing. Of course, Ganesh Temple Canteen was one of our stops. We were excited to have our favorite dosas after many years away! Alas, our first bites immediately made us feel like the quality has changed. What happened?? We thought we were imagining it but then we spoke to other friends in NY familiar with this canteen and they reported having the same experience.. So I'm taking a star off and revising my review. Our friend told us her family goes to the dosa spot right next door now and so we gave that a try.. read more

See all

Their dosa is always great. Love it. We always eat it when we visit the temple and also uber it. The food is always fresh . The service is good and the line to get food is organized . The picture posted was taken at home. We had ordered from uberEats. read more

Ganesh Temple Canteen - Vada Poori Chole - Indian Near Me - Flushing, New York

See all

Located inside the basement of the temple, is an amazing place to get your dosa fix! Many were there for the food even on a Saturday night. Workers are quick and prompt to help you get in and out. Overall, a great place to visit for the food and also for the faith/spirituality if you are such as myself! read more

See all

I offer this praise for the Temple Canteen: whenever I eat there, I think to myself I need to come again and more often. When I moved to Queens, people told me about the place. The first time I visited, it was with someone of South Asian background, Hindu by upbringing, who recalled when she was young and her family lived far away, they would make the pilgrimage on a regular basis. Even without nostalgia or any significant knowledge of the culture and the cuisine, I can attest I felt comfortable right away, welcomed, and nourished. I live and work close enough, I can get here easily, especially since I enjoy urban hiking. I also can say that as I have matured, there is a seasoning in Indian food, I am not sure which exactly, that does not agree with my digestive system especially -- I am willing to set that consideration aside though. Everything here is healthy and cheap. It is served fresh but made quickly. I am experimenting. I go, I study the menu, I try to order something I have not tried. While eating, if I am solo, I google the dish and try to educate myself a bit. Although I am not enamored of the concept of "authentic," and in any event I cannot judge, I believe if you set that as the standard the dishes would pass muster without difficulty. I try to look at the religious features of the establishment. Even if you are not of this specific faith, it is fascinating. I believe in nurturing curiousity. I invariably gain greater insight into the world. I append two side notes. The first is you can order extra of sauce and chutney. I have done that. But then I realize they provide enough it is wasteful. You would have to be abusing condiments, which my wife describes me as doing, to even consider the additional serving, and I have concluded there is no reason for that. The second is the setting is not impressive. That is deliberate. This is about modesty, humility, observing the norms of devout worship (there is no proselytizing and you won't have issues if you believe in another creed). While the establishment is utilitarian, it seems to me those who in fact belong to the community linger over the meal and afterward; it is a gathering place for them, and nobody will rush you out if you too rest a moment. I can say I am inspired to tip well. Even if you do, you won't break the budget. read more

SERVICE - located in the basement of the Flushing temple - 20 minute walk from Flushing main st station - plenty of seating at long communal tables - expect a long wait during peak hours - service is very fast and took about 10 minutes to make my order - self service water and utensils - can order for takeout or dine in - good for super casual meal when you want a taste of home cooked South Indian food MENU - South Indian selection of dosas, uttapam, idli, vada, and more - weekend specials - all vegetarian with many vegan options - very affordable ($7 per dish) FOOD - idli (10/10): two fluffy idli with a generous helping of coconut chutney and a small bowl of sambar. Honestly I have nothing to complain about here. The idli were soft and moist, like little pillows ready to soak up the sambar or chutney. I highly appreciated the amount of chutney that they doused on the plate. It was spicy yet sweet, I could have eaten it by the spoonful. - red onion sambar vada (8/10): three vada soaked in a red onion sambar topped with raw onion. This dish was a Saturday special. I liked how the vada were soft yet did not disintegrate into the sambar. There was not too much of a taste difference between the regular sambar and the red onion one as both were very flavorful. The only thing that I did not like was the copious amount of raw onion on top but that is expected from a dish that has onion in the name. WOULD I GO BACK? Yes! Easily one of the best South Indian meals I have had read more

Ganesh Temple Canteen - Red onion sambar vada soaked - Indian Near Me - Flushing, New York

See all

Went for masala dosa and somehow it tasted better in this visit. Not sure if I was hungrier or something changed in their recipe. The ambiance is not the best - especially when some of the chairs are still set atop the tables. My friend was buying the fried banana chips. She explained that they were really plantains. So I got a small sandwich bag size for $3 to try. Not bad. read more

Delicious spot for affordable and authentic Indian food. A few of my friends brought me to the temple to share their beliefs and we stopped by the canteen after for a quick lunch- I was absolutely wow'ed by the selection and the efficiency of the entire process given how crowded it was (and how much we ordered). I tried a few desserts which they gave us ASAP as those are pre-prepared. We snacked on a few while waiting for our dosas and other dishes, and they were so rich in flavor, buttery and sweet. By the time we were able to snag a free table and get some water, the dishes were already ready! For mains, we got a few different dosas and a lot of other dishes that I don't quite remember the names of. Everything was honestly delicious, though my favorite was the paneer masala dosa which was very spicy (for me), but packed with so much flavor and paired well with the sauces they gave us. My nose was running and eyes were tearing by the end but it was definitely worth it!! read more

Ganesh Temple Canteen - dosa - Indian Near Me - Flushing, New York

The pondicherry dosa rocked my world. Service is super quick and the mango lassis are so delicious. I get take out often and they are so generous with their sauces. Nice cozy basement with temple goers and foodies alike! read more

Ganesh Temple Canteen - Pondicherry Dosa - Indian Near Me - Flushing, New York

Per The New York Times, Ganesh Temple Canteen was given this title in their food review: "Food for the Gods ... and Everyone Else." Indeed. Established in 1993, the canteen (cafeteria style dining) has since moved to a spacious location in the temple's basement. Where my wifi did not work. Bummer. But they do have an elevator now, which is great for the elderly. I meant to take more food pics but I forgot. I was slated to try the Hyderabad Dosa but at the last minute got cold feet because I did not have much of an appetite. Another day. What me and Umme (my mother) did have were all good: upma, idli, poori (FANTASTIC) with potato masala, and plain dosa. The line does move fast and the staff is very kind and personable as well as knowledgeable. I do not blame the business for charging $.50 for to-go containers because customers can be negligent and wasteful. I also like how there are written reminders posted on the columns instructing customers to clean up before they depart. Basic courtesy and common sense, right? Not these days. All in all, I will be back to try that Hyderabad Dosa... read more

Ganesh Temple Canteen - Upma with sambhar and yogurt-coconut chutney - Indian Near Me - Flushing, New York

This place came highly recommended by someone who goes to the temple. I was there on a Sunday afternoon and it was surprisingly not very busy. The dining area is cafeteria style and there was plenty of seating available. I decided to go with the paneer butter Masala dosa since they only have it available on the weekends. I asked them to make it as mild as possible since South Indian food tends to be very spicy and I cannot handle the heat. The dosa was paper thin which is exactly what I wanted. The filling was delicious and I loved the coconut chutney sauce that came with it. I got the mango lassi drink and it was refreshing and delicious, just wish the drink portions were bigger. This place is out of the way for me but I would definitely return if I'm in the area. The food was very authentic South Indian and it tasted just like what I remember eating when I went to Kerala. read more

See all

Apparently, NYC's best South Indian food is hidden in a Hindu temple basement in Flushing, Queens. Hindu Temple Canteen is one of the most famous vegetarian spots in Queens - this is where you can order a variety of authentic South Indian food, like uttapams and dosas. A dosa is a thin, savory, crispy crepe that's a very popular street food in India, traditionally eaten for breakfast - or anytime you want. For dosas, we ordered the ghee masala and paper masala. They're so thin, but surprisingly filling, especially paired with the potatoes and vegetable soup offered. Don't forget to get a mango lassi to cool down from the spice! Open daily, 8:30am to 9:00pm What we ordered: $8.50 onion chili uttapam $8.50 ghee masala $9 paper masala $3 mango lassi read more

See all

Located in the basement of a Queen's Hindu temple, they can really pack it in. Really good dosas and strong chai tea as well as a decent mango lassi. read more

I have traveled an hour and a half, twice in the same week, to eat the food here. It is incredible - and just like the food in India. Although it is part of a Hindu temple, and there is a giant Ganesh statue in the canteen (cafeteria), it is open to all and functions like a relatively affordable takeout restaurant, but with food of a higher quality than what the price suggests. The canteen is accessible without having to go inside the religious part of the temple (which is also worth a visit if you're curious). If you are at the canteen on a Saturday, I recommend the paneer butter masala dosa - but beware, it comes spicy (I asked for mine mild). This particular dosa is a masterpiece - a warm crispy dosa with a layer of spicy masala sauce on the inside, with generous amounts of shredded paneer and potato "masala" in the center of the folded triangle, served with a melting piece of butter on top. It tastes as glorious as it sounds - even though I found it to be at the upper end of my (relatively low-for-an-Indian) spice tolerance, I found myself unable to stop eating it. If you prefer less spice, I recommend the paper masala dosa - thin, large, crispy, and filling. If you decide to test the limits of your spice tolerance, don't forget to also get a mango lassi to cool down the heat from the authentic Indian chili peppers in the food. The mango lassi is made with yogurt and sweet mango pulp. When standing in line, don't miss out on the snacks for sale. First, the ladoo is the best I have ever tasted. I first had it 25 years ago, and when I came back recently, it was just as good as I had remembered. On some days, there is granulated sugar sprinkled on top, and on others there is not, but either way it's delicious. I also really enjoy the ganthia - which are seasoned with curry leaf tadka. The Chakri and murukku are also delicious. For those who are avoiding spice, they have a version with just dough, salt, and cumin. Besides these, there are lots of other snacks for sale that I am excited to try during future visits. And no legit Indian eatery's menu is complete without masala chai. Caution - the chai here is served really hot, but once it cools down a bit, you'll be able to enjoy a traditional chai with a unique twist - I recall tasting fennel seeds the last time I had it. It's pretty crowded on weekends, so I recommend going on a weekday if you can. If you enjoy Indian food, especially South Indian food, you'll absolutely love this spot. read more

Ganesh Temple Canteen - Where you order - Indian Near Me - Flushing, New York

I have mixed opinion about this place. The paper dosa I got was crunchy and fresh but it got cold soon. The food preparation here doesn't follow any hygienic standards. They have A rating for restaurant cleanliness but I wish the inspections were impromptu. The chefs don't wear any gloves or face masks. They handle food with their bare hands. I'm South Asian and I know this might be acceptable in India but not here. There should be action taken to ensure safety of guests. The person who takes order isn't polite or friendly. read more

Ganesh Temple Canteen - Indian Near Me - Flushing, New York

Finally made it out here! This spot has been on my list of places to try out for years and I was not disappointed. I went on a weekday night--the walk from the 7 train isn't actually all that bad and very straightforward (you can take a bus too if you don't want to walk). The place was quite empty when we went but filled up a little bit more after a while. I ordered the ghee masala dosa ($8.50) and a cup of chai ($1.50). I unfortunately didn't love the chai--it wasn't very flavorful and maybe too milky? It tasted a bit off to me. The dosa on the other hand was fantastic! It stayed pretty crispy and I loved the sambar, masala, and coconut chutney it came with. I wouldn't say anything was super spicy, just a tinge of spice in the sambar and chutney. Most of the other dosas were pretty similar--I didn't find the green chili one very spicy either. Anyway, I'm so glad I finally tried this spot--definitely an affordable place for South Indian dosas! And the atmosphere as you walk around the temple to get to the canteen was quite cool! read more

Ganesh Temple Canteen - Ghee masala dosa and masala tea, $10 - Indian Near Me - Flushing, New York

See all

everything was SO yummy and well priced. ordered the hyderabadi masala dosa, tamarind rice, and onion pakora. Only thing is I would probably try the vada instead of the onion pakora since it was a bit oily but everything was delicious, will definitely be going back. read more

See all

A canteen located in the basement of the Ganesh Temple in Flushing. It's a perfect place to eat delicious Indian food. Make sure you don't accidentally go to Dosa Hut next door! The temple is located directly next to Dosa Hut on Holly Ave. Go through the open gates into the building and immediately go down the stairs. The canteen sells a variety of dosas I've never seen before depending on how you like the dough and what you like inside of it. They also sell samosas as well as other rice dishes. On the side, there are some dried snacks to pack home as well as cold mango Lassi served in small plastic cups in the fridge. My coworker recommended the Masala Dosa and I fell in love. The dosa is crispy if you eat there immediately and filled with curry potatoes inside that is not that spicy. It even comes with this green sauce to dip in and complimentary soup for $7.50. The mango Lassi which was very good is $3.00. There's always a line at this cafeteria. Once you order, you have the choice whether to pay in card or cash. Then you get a receipt with your order number which a man announces over the microphone twice before he sets it on an auto announcer. There's even a digital number counter on the wall if you are a more visual person. Once you get your tray of food, you can sit anywhere. Be sure to clean up after yourself by throwing out the trash in the garbage can and placing the trays on top. read more

See all

I went to the Ganesh Temple Canteen this weekend, first time in about a year. The space is still exactly the same, large with a lot of tables. It's order at the counter, no table service. The food is still excellent. I got a Saturday special -- spicy paneer butter masala dosa, which was so good. I also got yogurt rice, which I order a lot as a side. The coconut chutney was wonderful, and the sambar was great as well. I also got vada and idli, which were both good (although admittedly, they're both not my favorites in general -- but these were very good). I really love the canteen and would highly recommend it for any dosa lovers. read more

This canteen/restaurant is run by the Hindu temple society. This is in the basement of the temple. This is a great place to stop by if you live close by for an early morning g breakfast and filter coffee. I go here occasionally when I visit NYC just for the experience. I took away a star as my mom makes better food than this, but this place gives me a feeling of being back home in India. They have a variety of South Indian dishes for you to try, and the prices are reasonable. You will see a blend of Indians from different states speaking different languages, Asians and Caucasians too. If you are a vegetarian or like to try some vegetarian food and are in Queens, make sure to stop by. Once you get the taste of a masala dosa.....there's no going back to bread and eggs! read more

See all

WORTH THE TRAVEL TO GET HERE! This place is packed on the weekends but wasn't that busy on the weekday which was nice! However, they don't let you get all of the dosa options on weekdays. The service is pretty average and it's VERY casual so don't expect a formal environment. I recommend getting the unique dosas or even the masala dosa - the uttapam was pretty below average tbh, but the dosas were wayyy better! read more

See all

An amazing find in NYC!! Wow! Hidden below the Hindu Temple you will not be disappointed by the menu offerings - we sampled quite a few different dishes - east to share Can't wait to come back read more

See all

Oh what amazing food!! It is worth a visit driving from NJ in midst of crazy traffic. The sambhar is so yummy - it has quite a homely taste and doesn't have much oil. The idli is super soft and fresh. The vada is fried so well crispy outside and soft inside. The Mysore dosa with chutney was perfect! The aloo masala was not that great. I would prefer dosa without masala here. The pongal was amazing too, not slathered in ghee so it was not heavy on stomach. The prices are quite reasonable and filter coffee is for just $1.5!! We went here during the peak hours over the weekend so there was a lot of rush. Though our idli vada order was super quick and dosa took a bit of time. Located in the basement of the Ganesh temple, we found parking at 5 mins walk. It was not a hassle. read more

See all

1/1 Ambience; 1/2 Food; 1/1 Service; 1/1 Value The Ganesh Temple was a beautiful cultural experience as well as a great place to just enjoy solid South Indian cuisine on a budget. I would highly recommend opening oneself to experiencing the rituals and cultures of Hinduism, even as someone who does not observe the faith, as it was a wonderful immersive experience. My friend is a practicing Hindu who explained the customs and rituals to me, and it was a lovely experience. Cameras, videos, photography are not permitted inside the place of worship itself. However, cameras are permitted outside, where the architecture is beautiful to behold, and within the canteen. The canteen is separate from the temple and one just needs to follow the signs to the basement. This is a very casual joint for counter-service with self-service water and utensils with long communal tables, but I was impressed at how clean they maintained it even on an occasion as busy as Diwali. The staff was friendly and helpful, and they are very quick. In under 10 minutes, my friend and I had our dosas prepared fresh and made to order. I got the Pondicherry masala dosa and my friend got the Diwali special dosa, the name of which I forgot but it had a lightly spicy green chili paste in it with masala potatoes on the side. The Pondicherry dosa had the masala potatoes inside, and both were served with sambar, a savory and slightly spicy vegetable based stew to for dipping, and a coconut chutney. The food was delicious, albeit I do like my dosa crispier and masala spicier, which they could not accommodate, I imagine because of the holiday. The sambar really stood out as the highlight as the broth was so flavorful and well balanced. The only thing is that the Pondicherry dosa contained chopped peanuts that I had to pick out as it is very upsetting to my GI tract. This was the first Pondicherry dosa I encountered with peanuts, so I was not expecting that and I do wish it was labelled. My friend enjoyed his dosa, but would probably get the regular masala dosa in the future as the chili paste was too mild to add anything in his opinion. We both got a mango lassi, which was great, rich and sweet in contrast to the savory, but light dosas. The lassis were absolutely first class! Overall, the temple canteen was a fantastic experience and I would highly recommend people to look beyond the hole in the wall appearance and try it! Even on a busy holiday, they kept the service efficient and the food of great quality. Moreover, what a value! A hearty meal for two cost less than $25, and I will certainly be back to retry! read more

See all

This is easily one of the best dosas I've ever had, and it is part of a temple! Especially for very reasonable prices, these are so crispy and flavorful, and the little side dishes you get with them are so good. I highly recommend getting some coffee or tea here as well. They also sell a variety of desserts, snacks, and other drinks and food. If you ever find yourself out this way, definitely go. read more

See all

First time ever dining in an Indian temple The line is super long, but moves fast The food is legit and cheap. Mango lassi is delicious! read more

See all

We have been a steady customer every weekend since last two to three years. Food and service were of good quality before and am sad to see that deteriorate slowly. Recently the food served was not edible, kinda burned and left a bit raw, food portions have suffered and the service is really bad. The folks at the cash counter are lazy, not sure if they are volunteers or get paid. Hope the management does something and not let this beautiful cultural eatery. read more

not many temple canteens offer this much delicious food. in fact, it's popular among Grubhub-doordash drivers. The canteen is on the right side of the entrance. it's in the basement but well cleaned and maintained. Order at the counter and wait for your order to arrive and dispose of your trash when you are done. We ordered Hyderabadi masala dosa, Mysore masala, and Puducherry, with vada, idlis, and chai. The food was good. they have a gift shop as well in the basement. if you are visiting the temple, it's a must-try then. read more

See all

After hearing about this place for a while, I finally found an opportunity to check it out! The canteen is located downstairs, above the temple. You'd possibly see from the groups of people coming in and out. There was a ton of people there when we were there for lunch rush hour. I went in blind, not prepared on what to get. The Mango Lassi ($3) was so small, but it ended up being more than enough for our meal! It was sweet, with more of a tang towards the end. They call your order number out loud, with an occasional automated speaker bellowing the number as well. Water and utensils are self serve. The Poori Chole ($7.50) was so airy! The poori may be fried, but only lightly, allowing for the soft pillowiness of the dough to shine through. It was good dipped in the chickpeas chole, a great simple dish! The Masala Dosa ($7.50) was also simple but good. It was my first time having a dosa, so I wasn't expecting a slightly crispy, flaky crepe. For the masala, there is spiced potato in the dosa, and that potato was so flavorful and savory. The dosa also came with a vegetable soup (?), which we weren't as big fans of. I feel like there are a ton of options I'm missing out on! There was a huge menu to go. This was a great place for a simple authentic meal! read more

See all

This is my favorite place for dosa. Paper masala is my favorite. It is so good that I ordered this or mysore masala everytime. I didnt get the chance to try the other dishes. read more

Ganesh Temple Canteen - Paper Masala - Indian Near Me - Flushing, New York

Great food in the flushing area. Authentic taste and well fermented dosa idli unlike the restaurant that is just 10 m away from the temple. The coffee could have been a tad stronger. Great place and will visit again. read more