Streetlife

Radha Krishna Bhavan, 86 High Street is always busy which says a lot. Cooking can vary according to how busy they are and which Chef but good value, quite authentic and tasty.  
Watch the slanted handwritten bills which sometimes disguise the 10% service which they will allow you to add AGAIN when paying by card!

I like Chennai Dosa up the Tooting Bec end. They do a great all you can eat thali lunch special every day (about £5). I'd have a thayir vadai every day if I could!

The most traditional one (and I'm from south India) is Saravana Bhavan, roughly opposite Oxfam. It doesn't do food from Kerala, which Radha Krishna Bhavan does, but it does excellent dosas and their ilk. You also get some north Indian food - and Indian Chinese! Seriously, though, it is a branch of a well-established chain from Madras, and the quality is fantastic. A cheaper, but equally good, version is Saraswathy Bhavans (no relative), opp Tooting Broadway station. Hope this helps. 

I would recommend Chennai Dosa anyday . The South Indian is far more traditional than Sarvana bhavan which serves a watered down version. The service is fantastic and the filter coffee is my husband's favorite !

We should know as we have experienced SB in Chennai and my husband is from the south of the country !

Good to hear your recommendation for Chennai Dosa TB. I love it too, but I'm not Indian or an expert of what is authentic. Being vegetarian, there is loads of choice and, yes, the staff are great. You should try their thali lunch deal - total bargain!

Yes, I agree with Chennai Dosa for good, substantial, inexpensive food.  I have also done their eat-all-you-can veggie option many times when it was only £3.99.

The place is always quite full, which is a good sign.

It's not a 'romantic' place: more a canteen-style atmosphere and I'm fairly sure it doesn't do alcohol.

Thumbs up for Chennai Dosa. The restaurants opp Sainsbury's behind the bus stops give oily food that is absolutely not healthy.

If everyone going to these restaurants would put in a word about the quantity of oil used, it would persuade them to cook in a helathier way. Indian food cooked at home is never oily. Oil is used sparingly for the thadka or the seasoning.

As a vegetarian myself, I find eating out a bit boring - I end up eating the same stuff whether it's a French, italian or Indian restaurant with their respective and limited offerings for vegetarians, when the rest of the family and friends are eating so many differnt dishes. Alas!

i agree with you guys . I am a veggie too and I think my husband really misses going out for steak dinners but atleast it gives him an excuse for boys night out !

If only there were options for veggies in international cuisine !

I would go with the Kolam, on Upper Tooting Road, by the traffic lights on the corner of Beechcroft Road.  Easy to miss from the outside but the food is south Indian and is delicious and the family that runs it is very friendly.  I like the personal service touch!

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and especially to someone for reminding me about the Kolam. I had forgotten about that and do remember it as being delicious. Unlike many places the food is all freshly cooked - no pre-prepared sauces and the family who run it are delightful. Very personal and caring service. I will make sure I go though as soon as poss. Great dosas too I remember.

Apollo Banana Leaf (towards The Manor pub between Tooting Bradway and Colliers Wood) is excellent for authentic Sri Lankan food (v similar to Keralan) and Dosa 'n Chutney does exactly what it says on the tin! Cheap and cheerful with excellent Dosa meals for as little as £3!

Do any of these recommended vegetarian restaurants do takeaways?

Chennai Dosa does - I get takeaway from there once a week at least! They don't do home delivery though.

Thanks for that information. Chennai Dosa will be easy to get to.

The Kolan does excellent takeaways too. I find Chennai Dosa fine for dosas but less good for other things

My favourite is Onam. these guys are down towards Colliers Wood way but amazing - huge portions, great service and if you have a taste card 50% off any day of the week. We spend about £15 and come out stuffed!

http://www.onamrestaurant.co.uk/