If you're looking for a vegetarian restaurant in Langley Park or Hyattsville, Ananda Kitchen inside BITES Food Court + Bar is fully vegetarian and cooks in its own dedicated vegetarian kitchen. It serves South Indian dosa, idli, medhu vada, chaat and thalis at 8046 New Hampshire Ave, with vegan and Swaminarayan-friendly options.

Plenty of restaurants have one or two meatless dishes. At Ananda Kitchen, the whole menu is vegetarian, so you don't have to read the fine print. Here's what to expect and what to order.

Is Ananda Kitchen fully vegetarian?

Yes. Everything on the Ananda Kitchen menu is vegetarian, and it's cooked in a separate, dedicated vegetarian kitchen. BITES is a food hall, so other counters (like Charleys and the bar and grill) serve meat, but they cook in their own spaces. For a closer look at how Ananda handles vegetarian, vegan and Swaminarayan-friendly cooking, see the Ananda Kitchen vegetarian guide.

Are there vegan options?

Yes. A lot of South Indian food is naturally plant-based: dosa and idli are made from a fermented rice-and-lentil batter, and sambar is a lentil and vegetable stew. Some dishes do use dairy, such as ghee, paneer, cheese or yogurt, so if you eat vegan, ask at the counter or check the item notes on the menu before you order.

What does Swaminarayan-friendly mean?

Swaminarayan-friendly dishes are made without onion and garlic. On the Ananda Kitchen menu these items are clearly labeled, and they include plain dosa, ghee podi dosa, idli, medhu vada, uttapam and several chaats like pani puri, sev puri and bhel puri.

What should a first-timer order?

  • Masala Dosa: a thin, crispy crepe filled with spiced potato, served with sambar and chutney. The best place to start.
  • Mysore Masala Dosa: the same idea with a spicy red chutney spread inside. Good if you like a little heat.
  • Idli (3 pieces): soft steamed rice-and-lentil cakes. Mild, light and great with sambar.
  • Medhu Vada: savory lentil donuts, crisp outside and soft inside.
  • Pani Puri: hollow crispy shells you fill with tangy, spiced water. Fun to share.
  • Chole Bhature: a North Indian favorite: chickpea curry with big puffed fried bread.
  • Punjabi Thali: a full plate with several dishes when you're really hungry.

New to South Indian food? Our intro to Ananda BITES and the dosa guide explain the basics. The full menu is at menu.anandakitchen.com.

Can my non-vegetarian friends eat here too?

That's the easy part. BITES has four spots under one roof, so a mixed group can split up and meet back at one table:

It's why a lot of families and friend groups with different diets end up here. More on that in our family dinner guide.

Is it close to College Park, Takoma Park and Silver Spring?

Yes. BITES is in the Langley Park Shopping Center near New Hampshire Ave and University Blvd, a short drive from the University of Maryland, Takoma Park, Silver Spring and the rest of Hyattsville. Parking is free. See our Langley Park location page for directions.

Can I order vegetarian food for a group?

Yes. Ananda Kitchen makes catering trays with sharing sizes of idli, medhu vada, chaat and more. It's an easy way to feed a vegetarian crowd at an office lunch, puja or party. Call us at (410) 381-0011 if you have questions.

How do I order from Ananda Kitchen?

You can walk up to the counter, or order online for pickup. Ananda Kitchen, SmoothieFRESH and bar food share one online cart, so you can add a mango lassi or a bubble tea in the same checkout. All ordering options are on our menus page.

Plan your visit

  • Address: BITES Food Court + Bar, 8046 New Hampshire Ave, Hyattsville, MD 20783 (Langley Park Shopping Center). Free parking.
  • Hours: Ananda Kitchen is open daily 11am to 9pm, and until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
  • Order: start a pickup order or browse the vegetarian menu.
  • Questions: see our FAQ.