The Planning Board voted unanimously to approve a special permit for Saravanaa Bhavan, officially welcoming the global vegetarian restaurant to Burlington.
The restaurant, which features authentic South Indian cuisine, will operate as a fully vegetarian, kosher establishment with no meat or dairy products. It will be located in Middlesex Marketplace at 90 Middlesex Turnpike, adjacent to the former Smith & Wollensky site.
Saravanaa Bhavan will hold 99 seats and expects operate seven days a week. Representatives said they expect approximately 25% of business to come from third-party delivery services.
Board members raised questions about parking and traffic circulation, particularly because of the nearby Urgent Care facility and the plaza’s right-turn-only exit onto Middlesex Turnpike. The Davis Companies, the property owner, Vice President Andy Donovan said the company has already improved signage and roadway markings to better direct traffic and reinforce the one-way exit pattern.
Planning staff recommended including a condition allowing future discussions between the applicant and property owner if designated pickup parking becomes necessary.
The board also discussed parking availability and the reciprocal easement agreement between the plaza and the neighboring former Smith & Wollensky property, which allows shared parking between the lots. Planning staff said there is more than enough parking available to support the current and future tenants.
Saravanaa Bhavan is looking to open toward the end of September.
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