Vegan Flava Cafe

Yummy food, warm friendly service
Lunch special of black eye peas over coconut rice with kale salad one of the most enjoyable meals I’ve had
Unfortunately didn’t leave room for the cheesecake so will return!
A great place to go

I made a first visit to Vegan Flava, thrilled that there was another Vegan start-​up in the Triangle. Ordered the curried lentils and kale and it was FABULOUS! So tasty. Although this entrée, a special, was expensive, I couldn’t wait to come back and bring others.
On the second visit I was very disappointed, as well as embarrassed, because I had praised it highly. The three of us who were there received a mug of water right away but when the fourth person came about ten minutes late, she never got served at all. We finally, 15 minutes later, had to ask for water for her. I ordered something and asked for hot tea as a beverage, I was brought a cup of hot water but never any tea to go with it. This second time, my food was very good, but not worth the price asked.
I will say that the people who work here– everyone– kitchen staff as well as wait staff– are very friendly and kind. But I will also say that Vegan Flava needs to improve the standard of it’s service if it wants to stay in business.

Well, remember that Indy Week from the beginning of December 2015? «No missing the meat: Durham’s Vegan Flava Café is one of the Triangle’s best new restaurants» by Grayson Haver Currin. True. There is no missing the meat but that should never be the point of any vegan restaurant. That’s like going to a French cuisine inspired restaurant and saying: I didn’t miss that Sag Aloo. Or being at the Oktoberfest and wondering why they don’t serve traditional Northern German food, such as herring. Because they just don’t. I wish I could be kind but this restaurant and its food did not impress me in the least. I am a small person who doesn’t even eat big portions but I am insanely hungry already some two hours later. And very thirsty because the food is poorly flavored but has too much salt in it. So, sadly though, I won’t be going back there. Oh, and I ate the Carrot Tuna Wrap with collards and my lunch date had the Veggie Wrap with seaweed. She left hungry, too.

Oh Vegan Flava Café. How I wanted to love you. And parts of you were great. Unfortunately, it was a tough visit. Let’s unpack:
First, it was unclear, as we visited on a recent Saturday night, if we should come to the counter to order or if that exchange would take place at our table. After being greeted initially seated at our table, brought water, and asked if we were ready (we weren’t quite ready at that moment), we waited another 20 minutes before the staff member came back.
Second, once we gave our order, I requested more water. The server took my glass away from the table… and that is the last time I saw that glass.
Fast-​forward another 15 minutes or so: one of the owners came out to greet us and to bring more water. The kindness of those involved in the restaurant is what I liked about our visit. There’s a true love for people.
During our exchange, I asked if I could get my glass of water back. I ended up getting a coffee mug of water about 5 minutes later. Then, the food started to arrive. Our friends ordered the curry special and the taco platter while my partner and I ordered the taco in a seaweed wrap and the carrot wrap. Our friends food was plentiful and came out quickly.
Our taco proved to be a challenge. After confirming multiple times that my partner did not want tomatoes on his taco, it came out with — you guessed it — tomatoes.
As we finished, feeling the onset of disappointment looming, the owner brought out a giant trash bag to bus our table. Right there. Garbage bag. Really?
The food was good, but for $ 7 a wrap, I left hungry. As a vegan, I really appreciate that someone would open a dining establishment rooted in plant-​based cooking. Sadly, our experience was less than ideal. You can feel the love. But, I’m not sure it’s enough to bring me back.

What a find this place is! Absolutely healthy, delicious food and smoothies. The food is for the soul, but nothing compared to the people. Incredible spirits and vibrations in this place. Check it out. Unconventional in a great way – place was bustling. We tried the curried lentil special and tasty tacos! Our stomachs and hearts were full when we left the place! Check it out!

Absolutely wonderful food, and wonderful people! Since I’m vegan, I am always happy to see a new vegan place and I hope they continue to do well.
My only recommendation to them is that their waiter (who we loved!!) might want to tone down the emphasis on alkaline water, and balance of chemicals in food etc, as it was a bit «preachy» and could make people uncomfortable.
Other than that the tacos were great, the iced tea was awesome, the chocolate cake was amazing and the curry lentils were SO good. I will definitely come back here on my next visit!

Interesting new place — full credit for trying something different. I got the lentil special, which was flavorless (poorly seasoned) and expensive, but the coconut rice and kale salad with it were good (they ran short of the baked plantain that was supposed to accompany the dish). My wife got the almond seafood with seaweed wrap, which was great — would definitely visit again to try another wrap. The Island Flava smoothie was tasty, though it took the waiter half an hour to get it to us (we could see it ready in the kitchen). Service was random, but friendly, and the checkout process was confusing. Some kinks to work out but worth a visit for the unique menu!

Refreshing, flavorful and delicious. I will definitely be back. I order The Too Tasty Tacos. I can’t wait to try more of there dishes. I also enjoyed the energy and service. Thanks for a pleasant evening.

I should start by saying that I am not a vegan but try to choose a healthy lifestyle when possible and Vegan Flava Café just made that a lot easier. The food is excellent and very well priced and the staff is effusive about their product. I had the vegan tacos and they were awesome. Fresh ingredients, helpful staff and good prices. I can hardly wait to go back, I wanted seconds. Next time Cashew Cheesecake.

The food is cooked with love and flavor. My favorite new place in the Triangle. Please go and try the chef’s cuisine as it is amazing and unique. The family that works there are super friendly and it is like walking into another world filled with peace and intention.
The food is incredibly healthy, so if you need a dose of vegetables in your life, and want to it taste amazing, go here and refill your body, mind and soul.

Food was super delicious, staff was super nice, and atmosphere was super quirky!

Enjoyed a tasty dinner here this evening. The chef, his wife, and 2 children (youngest is 18 months), are an integral part of the homey setting. It feels like you’re over your gregarious vegan friend’s house, one who swears he’s a vegan chef. But you have to be a bit of a chef to be a vegan. The décor is Caribbean with ancient Egyptian (black) influence.
Food: Seaweed is used to give the seafood taste of the «tuna» salad, and it was successful. I sampled daily specials of «spaghetti» with vegan cheese, red beans, and lentils, with the sides: coconut rice and peas, kale with garlic dressing, and baked plantains. These were all tasty but my favorite was the red beans. I tried the vegan sweet potato pie but did not like the aftertaste of the crust, which was also crumbly. It reminded me that I need to stock up on butter this baking season.
The children dance to soul hits and there’s a fortune teller/​psychic on staff, so the conversation can get awkward… like being told that you’re not monogamous in front of your spouse, and grandmother,
Service: A bit uneven, even with only a couple of other parties present. They will be all up in your horoscope for 20 minutes, but when they move on to another table to do their horoscopes and you need something, you may have to do without. Definitely seat yourself and grab a menu from the counter; go up to the counter to pay as well, as to not waste time on something that may or may not happen. If you’re in a rush, I would call and order ahead.

Food was good service was friendly. Taco shells were stale though. The price is outrageous, way way to expensive!!!

I was so thrilled I found this place. The food is mostly raw vegan, but Chef also tries out different cooked entrees. They offered me a taste of the baked spaghetti (yum!), and what arrived was a portion almost large enough for a meal in itself. They are very generous and passionate about what they do, creating dishes that are as delicious as they are nutritious. It’s feel-​good food with a great vibe. Do yourself a favor and check them out.

Awesome tacos, wraps & cheesecake for lunch today! Great service, definitely coming back — frequently!