- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Himalaya Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Indian Indian [Edit]
6587 Main StVancouver, BC V5X 3H1
Neighbourhoods: Sunset, Punjabi Market
(604) 324-6514
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
10 reviews for Himalaya Restaurant
10 reviews in English
-
Review from Edward L.
I had the chance to try some of their take-out samosas the other day. Couldn't stop laughing at the picture of the 2 kids on the takeout box. (see pics)
The samosas are definitely one of the best I've had in a long time. Usually they're too mushy or dry on the inside, but this place gets them just right. Oh, and the chutney is AWESOME. It has a kick, but the flavour is very subtle. Doesn't overwhelm the flavour of the samosas at all.Listed in: 2011 Cheap & Tasty
-
Review from Danielle B.
Vancouver, BC
5/21/2012
I had only eaten at All India's buffet, so a friend and I decided to try Himalaya for a change and to compare. The buffet was similar, except that Himalaya offers a meat option for an extra charge, and their naan was not quite as good (but I am known to go into ecstasy over the super-fresh naan at All India, so that isn't saying much). There were far fewer people than I usually see at All India, and the buffet was fine except I would not pay extra for the meat option (I only like white meat of chicken). Overall, I wouldn't bother walking the extra distance since All India is closer for me, but there was nothing wrong with Himalaya.
Listed in: April "Underdog" Challenge, My "Main" Squeeze
-
Review from Emma L.
10/27/2011
People either prefer Himalaya, or they prefer All India Sweets. I'm an All India Sweets kind of gal, and I'll tell you why:
-The buffets are quite similar: vegetarian for All India, and the option of a veggie or meaty buffet at Himalaya. The added cost of the meat buffet at Himalaya though isn't really worth it when you only get two additional dishes (that didn't look all that good). I guess it's great if you really love butter chicken.
-The service is way friendlier at All India. There you still get served by a waiter, and if you tell them you want the buffet they'll still come and refill your chai. At Himalaya, it was hard to find a waiter, and as soon as I said I was doing the buffet she ignored me. I couldn't even order chai if I had wanted to. Paying my bill was the same, I had to wait for ages before the guys behind the counter noticed I was there.
-The curries at Himalaya had stems and things from the spices in them. Nothing says ugh like biting into a hard bit of something that shouldn't be in your curry. I've never had that problem at All India.
If you want to stuff your face in that neighbourhood, skip Himalaya and walk a block to All India. -
Review from Dan J.
Vancouver, BC
The food at Himalaya Restaurant is okay but compared to other takeout and Indian buffets in this area it's far from the best. It looks more like a community centre with a dining room than a restaurant.
I've ordered takeout as well as sat down for the buffet. The buffet is all you can eat for $12 but the selection is always the cheaper stuff. It's basically a step up from the kind of thing you would find in a mall food court. Samosas, Paneer and dried out tandoori chicken that has been sitting under hot lamps all day.
They seldom bother to replenish any of the empty platters. When I asked if there was any more butter chicken coming out the guy said "No. All finished. Maybe later."
Disappointed by the selection I ordered some Brotah (sp?) which they brought to the table for me. Pretty disappointing. When the bill arrived my dinner cost the same as at a restaurant.
Getting them to bring water to the table was an ordeal. I get the impression the only reason they offer the buffet is because they're too lazy & snarky to actually interact with their customers. Still, at $12 it's good value as long as you don't supplement the meal with any extras.
The couple times I ordered takeout the food was better but I found the staff to be rude and churlish. It's like they enjoy making you feel like you're an inconvenience.
Not a fan of Indian desserts but if you are the selection seems impressive.Listed in: Indian
-
Review from Mark H.
1/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Starving, we headed for the lunch buffet.
You got two options. $9.99 for veg only, $11.99 w/ meat. There were only two meat dishes (butter chicken and curried chicken), so not really worth the extra twoonie.
I liked the chickpea dishes the best, with one actually have a decent level of spice. The rest were so-so. Like a lot of Indian places, I wished they used thigh meat instead of breast for their butter chicken. The breast just always gets so dry.
They give you fresh naan bread which was pretty soft.
I was kind of bummed that they didnt have any samosas or pakoras. Their galub jamun were the size of bull's testicles. One was enough.
At least I got stuffed. -
Review from Raymond O.
Vancouver, BC
9/27/2009 1 photo
Himalaya sits at the corner of Main St. and 50th Ave., in the heart of the Punjabi enclave. The cleaner and brighter interior as compared to All India Sweets on the same block is very inviting and Himalaya wins hands down in this department, the reason why I came in to try it. Err, plus of course, the digital signage is screaming two words at me, words I can never say no to - Indian + buffet. No, can do.
So, here I was armed with my empty and warmed up stomach ready for battle. And oh how I declare their butter chicken a winner! Oops, but let's backtrack a bit... Two selections to choose from, $9.49 vegetarian buffet, and the non-vegetarian for an additional $2.00. I recommend the non-veggie buffet if only for the butter chicken. Not the best I've had but still was very good!
The naan is served fresh and offered at your table, and a couple of veggie offerings I've tried were good and did not scrimp on ingredients either. One star chucked due to the gulab jamun. Not only does this not compare to the one of All India Sweets but theirs tasted old, crystallized, and dry. Blech. What a sad ending to the meal.
But let's not forget the great service, fresh and toasty naans, the delicious butter chicken. Just don't blame me when you come out full and bloated, with a larger waistline to boot. And one wonders now who won the battle here? :(Listed in: Jai Ho!
-
Review from Farees K.
2/11/2011
I have a very intimate relationship with this place. I have been coming to the local markets with my parents as a small child to stock up on Indian groceries and the only respite I had was our final destination of this restaurant.
For the past 30 years I have been coming and it is a very good representation of Indian sweets and snack food. I have had a few entrees and the buffet and honestly would stick with the many snacks/appetizers they offer.
The staff who have been there as long as I can remember are always nice and let's just say if you are looking for ambiance, you may want to look elsewhere. -
Review from marc m.
Vancouver, BC
8/5/2009
Not sure what rating to give this. Here's the scoop: $12 all you can eat buffet. I remember a mung dahl, mutter paneer, alu gobi, butter chicken, naan, and salad. I'm missing a couple but thats what I ate. Toned down westernized Indian food. Staff was nice but we waited forever for chai. For half an hour the old codger serving us assured us it was on the way. The guy at the table next to us was laughing every time we were reassured. He was a regular so I guess this is par for the course.
It's not that its bad, it was certainly filling. I just got spoiled by my trips to India and am always measuring against that. On that scale, it would get 2 stars. To me, its the perfect place to take people who are not that into Indian food. It will all be savory, not too spicy, well priced etc... For those of you who crave masterful spicing and sophisticated techniques, try somewhere else! I will. -
Review from Garry C.
Whistler, BC
9/17/2009
I was going to make something for a potluck dinner, but was too lazy to cook. However, I stumbled upon this place.
I only wanted a dozen samosas. They had them and they were fantastic. Not too greasy and nice and crispy!
The samosas were the only thing I had, but if everything else is this good, I can't wait to go back!
Awesome! -
Review from Bill E.
1/5/2009
I didn't choose this place for decor or service, I chose it for food! Good, authentic Indian food, which I think we got. The Mulligitawny soup rocked! and a curried cauliflower pancake? was awesome. Samosa's and chickpeas... yum. They also had a buffet going, but we declined. Had a beer and watched it snow and enjoyed ourselves.
