As we point out in our reviews of other Grand Rapids Indian restaurants, Indian food can be tough for vegans. Most don’t cater to vegans because they slam every veg dish full of ghee. Bombay Cuisine is a good choice for vegans, not only for choice but for quality.
Bombay, a mainstay of the Eastown neighborhood, opened in 1998. A restaurant in business for such a long time is sure to go through changes, and that is the case with Bombay. At one point there were only two vegan options. Now there are more, but you will need to know how to order.
These are the dishes that can be made vegan. Note that not all are on the menu.
Appetizers:
- Onion bhajia
- Aaloo tikki (without raita)
- Vegetable pakora
- Samosa
Main dishes:
- Baingan Bhurta
- Aaloo Palak
- Gobhi masala
- Daal subzi
- Kadhai chana
- Masala subzi
- Chana pindi
The tamarind chutney is vegan, and your bread choice is roti without butter.
The staff is willing to accommodate, so be sure to ask. The food, depending on who you ask, is iffy on authenticity. A modernized version, maybe? It’s solid flavor-wise in our opinion, but it is not cheap. At $14.95 for veg entreés, you should expect to rack up a hefty bill. They currently do not offer a buffet – but they will, starting in January, monthly – the first Sunday of the month. Bombay does offer catering.
Bombay shares space with a brewery, in what they call a “collaborative space.” East West Brewing allows you to order all the same food from Bombay, so it’s up to you where you sit.