I have been living in the Islington area for the last eight years and discovered the Bhelpoori vegetarian restaurant in Chapel Market when I was a student. When I first started going there, the price of the “All you can eat” vegetarian buffet was £2.75. It has gradually increased to £3.50 on my last visit. This price is still extraordinarily cheap for what is a huge variety of foods. There is always a vast choice of hot dishes… brown or white rice, dhals, bhargees, and four or five curries. In addition there are salads and fruit on offer, as well as various toppings such as grated coconut and savoury snacks. One or two of the curries or salads may contain milk or yoghurt, but the vast majority of the food on offer is non-dairy. If you want to be sure just ask the very helpful proprietor. There are also set meals on offer, the price for these goes up to £4.50. To go with your meal the drinks’ menu features wines, soft drinks, beers, teas and coffees, and various kinds of lassis both dairy and non-dairy.
I have been there both with friends and alone. I have always felt utterly comfortable in there by myself. A man harassed me once when eating there alone, and the proprietor told him off! Sometimes I go there for Sunday lunch if I cannot be bothered to cook, I don’t have trouble getting a table then, but if you go in the evening, then you may have to wait. I have never been shooed out when the place is busy, but I tend to leave anyway because I feel sorry for all the people that are queuing for food.
All sorts of people go to eat there, as can be seen from the photos around the restaurant and from the clientele themselves. Quite a few of the market traders, people working locally and students come in. On one visit I even saw quite a well known TV actor eating there. Children seem to be made very welcome, but the tables are close together so buggy (or wheelchair) access might be difficult at busy times. The loos are down a steep, narrow chaircase.
When I visited this week there were ashtrays on every table, which I find surprising in a restaurant which has posters promoting healthy eating and lifestyle. There does not appear to be a non-smoking section and this place is quite small. This may put some people off if cigarette smoke offends.
This place is not posh or pretentious. What matters is it is clean and the staff are very helpful and friendly. Most important of all is the wonderful, cheap, healthy and delicious food that is served there. There are many Indian restaurants that try to copy, including one just along the street, so make sure you go to the right one. No one does it better!
I wish I knew about this place when I was in Lonndon last September to see The Sisters Of Mercy. Whilst not a veggie anymore, I still prefer veggie food to meat and certainly I learned how to cook being a veggie. Great user name, too (but I won't ask anything about how you chose it!!!) M ;-)
gennymutant 22.05.2001 21:44
Mmmm, sounds yummy... Reminds me a little of the Hari Krishna restaurants in Australia - they're usually dirt cheap for all you can eat and tasty too (as long as you don't mind sitting on the floor around low tables). I'll look out for this if I'm ever out that way. Good op - Dione
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