Crossways

How could anyone say something bad about this place. I mean 7,50 for a full meal which is definitely delicious, especially the desert got me.
4 out of 5 because it is a bit low budget and you see it when you come here. But all in all best price for value ever.

Typical place that you love or hate. I love, not just because is very cheap veggie food, but also the atmosphere of the place. The people share tables and is friendly, the volunteers are lovely when they aren’t too busy. I really like the idea, healthy food for small price. The food quality is not so great but is nice anyway.

It’s hard to fault a $ 7.50 (cheaper for unemployed and students) all you can eat restaurant. The food is vegetarian, healthy and tasty. You do get much more than you paid for and the people running it all seem to have a smile on their face. More of a student hangout than something fancy but good for a quick meal anyway if your on a budget.

Crossways may be the shopfront recruitment centre for a daggy religious organisation — but that certainly doesn’t impair the quality of its food. For a base rate of a mere $ 7.50, you’re served a hearty curry and rice, pappadams on the perfect side of crisp, a pudding and all the orange cordial and lassi you can drink. In the heart of the CBD’s most consumerist quarter, it’s refreshing to be relieved of the obligation of choice: there is only one curry option per day in a thoroughly vegan menu that rotates over the week. The kooky ambiance of spiritually-​high adepts, posters advertising yoga classes and sitars, sitars, sitars only enhances its unique flavours.

So what do you do when you’re on a budget and in the mood for some great food? Well duh! Naturally you show up at a Hare Krishna owned restaurant and chow down! There’s little left unsaid about this place other than that despite the dinginess of the seating arrangement, there is still order in the chaos. A person periodically sweeps through the tables and checks that they are cleared off and the area where you bus your plates and utensils is constantly being cleaned out. Overall it was a very enjoyable experience and next time I’m back in Melbourne I’ll be sure to check it out again.

The first time, I didn’t come here expecting much. Since I’m a student, it was only $ 5.50 for an all-​you-​can-​eat lunch.
I don’t know much about Hare Krishna, but the place has a good vibe. They do what’s practical — providing working tables and chairs is good enough. Going overboard with decorating to them is totally unnecessary. It’s all about the food. And I thought the food was great! Even though it was just a simple menu — rice with curry — the curry was nice, warming, and delicious!
The workers (volunteers?) are all very cheerful as well.
There is a similar place nearby called Om Vegetarian. They also provide simple and delicious food for really cheap, but I think Crossways does a much better job.

I’m a ¾ for Crossways. I work really near by, so it’s great if I want a meal meal for lunch, I can pop in here for close to nothing. So it’s awesome in that sense. But it’s not somewhere that I’d go to for kicks.
Also, they have really good and sanely-​priced yoga classes on Monday and Thursday with dinner included!

What the hell? Crossways has this many positive reviews? Objectively speaking from statistics, Crossways is without a doubt one of those love-​it-​or-​hate-​it establishments.
Personally, I hate it.
I mean I REALLY hate it.
I mean I will never come back.
Ever.
I’m not talking about the setup of the restaurant. I don’t care that they have minimal decorations. I don’t care that they have cheap chairs and tables. I don’t even care that you have to clear off the food by yourself — self service is A-​OK. No, I’m not one of those people who only enjoy classy restaurants where someone waits on me hand and foot. I enjoy Chinese food after all and you know how shit the customer service in that category can be.
… Then why do I hate Crossways with the fiery passion of a thousand suns? Let’s talk about what I DO care about.
~ The atmosphere, and I don’t mean the décor. I mean the suffocating and stuffy atmosphere you have to endure when coming here peak hour lunchtime. I mean tasting the staleness of the recycled air.
~ The slop that is passed for food. I don’t believe that just because a dish is cheap, it gives it some sort of magic right to be cheap in quality as well (look at dumplings — cheap AND tasty). Seriously I felt like I was in some soup kitchen or a public school’s cafeteria. Everyone talks about how great and cheap it is, but what they don’t realise is that you probably had the capability to make the same dishes of the same quality when you were maybe 6 years old. It’s just not worth it.
I left pretty unsatisfied. As hip and cool as you want to be fighting against expensive restaurants and advocating cheap alternatives, Crossways just shouldn’t be one of them. A tin of baked beans while camping would taste better.
Go to Crossways if you’re flat broke.
Or hey better yet! Don’t go at all.

I LOVE this place. It sits in the centre of consumer chaos and basically chants «theres an alternative». Not being religious in anyway I was a bit hesitant dining here at first but the Hare Krishna belief or philosophy is never pushed on patrons.
A doorway on Swanston leads up to the first floor dining space/​canteen. If you have a student card or health care card the meals are only $ 5.5 and they offer free top ups, though the meals are massive I have never needed it. The meals rotate daily and are usually pretty good for the price. There is also a yum custard and sweet rice dessert.
There is a total mix of customers, dreadlock folk, uni students, suits, DJ’s staff and all feel totally welcome. When it gets busy there is more dining space another level up so it never gets too squishy. When youve finished your curry and pappadam’s remember to return your plate and cutlery to the small cleaning bay.

This place gives such positive vibes. Nothing makes me happier on a rubbish day at work than to come outside on my lunchbreak and see the Hare Krishnas singing and dancing on the street. Walking into Crossways, you get a similar sense of peace in the world because everyone there is so damn friendly and cheerful… Bless ‘em.
As for the food, you can get a generously portioned vegetarian main and desert for only $ 7, and it’s healthy and tasty to boot!
Rubbing shoulders with the homeless has never felt (or smelt) so good!

Run by the Hare Krishna group (the food is not free here. If you want their free feeds, go to nearby Albert Park somewhere) this establishment provides quality vegetarian food six days a week (closed on Sunday’s) for only $ 7.50; all you can eat. Cheaper for students and pensioners, and more for take away. The ambience is cheap; however this establishment is not run at a profit. It is a pity that they don’t rotate the menu; so for instance if you can only eat here on a Saturday, expect curry lentils every Saturday for lunch for instance.
Their rice servings can be too generous; although this food is faultless and cooked to perfection. Even if this group is not your ideal religious organisation to join, at least have lunch here. For a cheap quality lunch in Melbourne, come here. This establishment gets packed out real quick. Their custard pudding for dessert is divine; although the problem is by the time I have finished my main — there is hardly any room left for dessert. Come hungry, and second servings are most welcome. Just drink water instead of their diluted cordial. They get rather upset if you bring any form of meat into this establishment. It’s not good manners.

It’s really cheap, I mean really, really cheap. But that’s the reason you would come here. So don’t set your expectations too high. Or set any expectations whatsoever. Basically you get served whatever they make that day. And on my day I got some brown rice, which was mixed with another grain, that had a weird fermented taste. It was heavy, over cooked and soggy. The curry was ok, it had a bit of flavor but overall was very mild. The lassi was barely drinkable, it was too sweet and had a pungent taste. But then again, it’s a cheap place, so if you’re tight for money, then I guess this isn’t a totally bad option. Though if you’re a vegetarian, there are heaps of better places to go to.

The cheaper of the two Hare Krishna serveries on Swanston street, it is this one that people seem to refer to as Hare Krishna.
The food is cheap, and the food is good. The serving sizes are fitting and for all ye students there are concession rates making it just that bit better. Papedams and wicked puddings et al.
Often found full of people, the lunch hour is a small bracket to nip in for a bite, but the seating upstairs is often much quieter for those wanting a longer stay.

As a vegetarian student i cant always afford a meal a ‘Vegie Bar’. As a cheap (but oh so tasty) alternative, ‘Crossways’ is actually one of the greatest vegetarian meals I’ve had the pleasure of tasting.
The way ‘Crossways’ works is simple, there’s a set menu. Mon — Sat has a designated meal. Students can eat for $ 5.50 and Non-​Students for $ 7.50.
Did i mention its ‘All-​You-​Can-​Eat’? Unlimited food has never been so delicious and cheap!
Monday
Satay Vegetables & Jasmine Rice
Raisin Halava
Tuesday
Sambar & Brown Rice
Peach Halava
Wednesday
Chickpea/​Spinich Subji & Jasmine Rice
Cherry Halava
Thursday
Malaysian Curry & Brown Rice
Orange & coconut
Friday
Thai Curry & Jasmin Rice
Pineapple Halava
Saturday
Chickpea Subji & Special Rice
Banana Halava
The setting is quite communal, theres large tables on the main level and upstairs. Don’t be surprised if a stranger comes and sits at your table, it’s just the vibe of ‘Crossways’.
When you collect your food you will be given a plate of the main meal, a small desert and then you can fill a glass with Yogurt Lassi or Orange Cordial.
Mondays and Thursdays are my favourite days to eat, the curries are unbeatable! I recommend ‘Crossways’ to all my friends and none of them have left unhappy.