Hostal Hare Krishna

Delicious, and really good value for money. The place is simple and unpretentious, with cracked walls painted with beautiful Buddhas and other Indian images. The food is simple too, which is part of what makes it so good. At the 12:00 opening, the buffet was the only option. You pick four small dishes plus a salad, with unlimited juice. Everything tasted clean and fresh, and the portions were just right. I left nicely full, not stuffed. The rice was light and fluffy with crispy toasted walnuts; the vegetables came in a delicious broth, and the rich, earthy protein was potatoes (seitan?), I think. The salad was zingy and fresh.

I came to Monterrey hoping to find a taste of home, since food in India is tied to culture, identity, and emotion. I tried visiting this restaurant from December 25th onward and finally found it open on the 30th. I understand the holiday closures, but what happened once I was inside really offended me. It's presented as an Indian vegetarian restaurant, yet almost none of the Indian dishes seemed to be available. I asked for several menu items one after another, and each was unavailable. From what was supposed to be a full Indian menu, I ended up with lasagna, which has nothing to do with India. I'm not vegetarian, but when I choose vegetarian food, I respect its purity and cultural meaning. In India, it isn't a trend. It carries tradition, discipline, and spiritual heritage. It was deeply disappointing to see that treated like a marketing label instead of a culture. The place felt more suited to tourists who like the idea of vegetarianism than people who understand what vegetarian food means in Indian culture. I rarely write negative reviews because I know they can affect someone's business. Still, this felt like a misrepresentation of my culture and cuisine. I came hoping for authenticity and left with a European dish and a heavy sense of disappointment. If a place wants to represent India, it should respect the food. For us, food is culture, and its dignity matters.

The place has a really unique, relaxing feel, and the vegan food is tasty. They play the same song nonstop, though, which gets annoying after a while. Still, a good vegan restaurant.

The food was excellent, and I liked the simple setting. I was especially glad to see the posters and paintings of Hare Krishna, Swami Prabhupada, and Hindu deities. The caption in my photo is so meaningful.