“ There are several excellent Indian vegetarian restaurants in Hicksville. The latest my wife and I have discovered is Village, the Soul Of India, a small, out-of-the-way cafe that many vegetarians like us probably drive right past all the time. Now that the days of bountiful $7-8 buffets are gone, Indian food, for us, has gone back to being an expensive night out. For this reason, we have risen the bar BIG-TIME when choosing a restaurant. To get our money (usually at least $35 for two, pre-tax and tip), an establishment has to offer 1) good-tasting food that can be tweaked to our level of spice tolerance, and 2) portions that are suitable for grownups, as many - if not most - Indian restaurants serve their entrees in bowls the size of condiment cups. My wife and I order the North Indian Thali at Village, but with a few substitutions, as we do not eat paneer (cheese) and are not fans of the dessert that comes with this menu item. The manager always graciously complies with our request. I must admit here that, like many American-bred Baby Boomers, my wife and I are guilty of the worst crime when it comes to not only Indian, but also Mexican, Chinese, and other "ethnic" foods: We take all the individual items that the chef worked so hard to perfect and pile them into one mountain of food that we then slop around until it is all one, unidentifiable-but-delicious mess. Of course, this is what we do with the aloo gobi, channa masala, lentil daal, etc. that comes in our thalis, and we are never disappointed. The flavor of Village's fare is just how we like our Indian food; mild by Indian standards, but with just enough kick to make our noses run. Nothing is excessively oily, and the entrees actually contain good amounts of channas and vegetables, rather than being mostly sauce, as has become the case in some other Hicksville Indian restaurants. Most impressively, however, are the portions. As noted, what we used to get for $7-8 just a few years ago at the many all-you-can-eat buffets in Hicksville now costs about $17 on average, so if I am going to eat out, I don't want to leave hungry. Village ensures that. The thali comes with a huge bowl of rice, both roti and papads, and good-sized portions of everything else, so there's plenty of food for even a compulsive eater like me! Service at this restaurant is impeccable. Everyone stays on top of you to make sure all is OK. My only complaint is that some of the tables are wobbly, but the staff always goes out of its way to try to fix this issue. Also, this restaurant closes for a couple of hours between lunch and dinner, so check the hours before you head over. Not to discount some of our other favorites within walking distance, but if you are vegetarian (but not on a diet) and love Indian food, Village, the Soul of India is well worth a try. ”

“ The food was excellent. The chef and owners came on out to check on us. Our waitress was very knowledgeable and helpful people eating at the restaurant were able to point out dishes that were good and even offered for us to try some of their food, which is above and beyond nice. ! ”

“ Village The Soul of India is a hidden gem in Hicksville, specializing in authentic South Indian cuisine. The menu features a wide range of traditional dishes, including their delicious dosa, which is perfectly crispy and served with a flavorful coconut chutney and sambar. The medu vada was equally impressive--golden, crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside, it paired beautifully with the accompanying chutneys. The service here is top-tier. Our server was attentive and provided excellent recommendations, ensuring we tried some of the restaurant's best dishes. They were quick to refill our water and check in on us. The ambiance is warm and inviting, perfectly reflecting the richness of South Indian culture. The decor features traditional Indian elements, including intricate woodwork, vibrant textiles, and beautiful artwork that showcases the heritage of the region. Village The Soul of India is the best place in Hicksville for authentic South Indian food. ”

“ This is a cute and cozy place with good service and excellent food. One of our favorite vegetarian places recently closed and we've been trying to find our new go-to spot for Indian breakfast. This is it. The food is top notch. Presented well, and tastes amazing. Can't wait to go back!!! ”

“ When you walk in the smell is outstanding and the service is impeccable. Everything we ordered was recommended by the extremely kind and generous staff. They provided us with delicious options and we couldn't be any happier with our experience. I would give 6 stars if possible! This is our new favorite Indian food spot on the island!! A MUST try for any Indian food lovers. ”

“ This place is phenomenal. First time I'm trying this gem of a restaurant. I went with a traditional dosa with veggies and potatoes. It was absolutely delicious. The employees there were really cool giving me all sorts of recommendations. I highly recommend this restaurant. Thank you ”

“ An unexpected 5 star experience. Not sure if I should say this because it might negate the whole situation but this place is an actual hidden gem. We picked the restaurant purely because it popped up when we asked for "Indian restaurants near me". This was the first one on the list so we took a chance and headed over. Not gonna lie, the name of the restaurant had me thinking a little too much and making jokes that I could probably only understand. The restaurant is small, narrow and almost minimalist. It was extremely clean. The staff were friendly and seemed happy, not rushed and stressed. It was an extremely hard decision because everything on the menu looked good so I went with some of my usual favorites. Bhel Puri, sweet, spicy, salty with all different textures +++. Definitely some of the best I've ever had. Chole Bhature was hands down the best I ever had. We also each got a dosa. Mine was the masala dosa. It was perfect and crunchy, the filling was so good, somehow better then any other masala dosa that I have had. Whatever they are doing that other restaurants aren't, I'm not sure. Maybe they are adding some kind of magic. My partner in crime ordered a dosa with vegetables in it. Again, delicious. We definitely over ordered but that is ok. The bill was surprisingly low. Maybe I shouldn't make all of this public knowledge. I want to eat there again right now. I mean RIGHT now. EDIT- not sure why this posted twice but we went back and I think the secret is out. There were a ton of take out orders and every table full at all times. There were many people waiting outside for a table so be prepared. This time we tried the samosas, they were good. Of course we had to get the Chole again and my partner in crime orders the chef's special dosas. So many dosas came out, they were all so good, every one different, every one delicious. ”

“ Had a great meal this evening. Don't let the odd naming of the place (not sure if family couldn't decide between Village and Soul of India, lol). Not a large place, about 8 tables or so on a side street in Hicksville. Plenty of nearby parking Makes the side street location easy sneezy to enjoy. Small enough to be intimate, large enough to get a table. Service was pleasant and fast, felt family run but professional. Had a sense the staff had plenty of pride with quality of food they have to offer. This will be my go-to for the foreseeable future..... ”