Purple Onion Cafe

Both my sons love this place. I had an excellent mushroom and eggplant sandwich there on my last visit. My wife and I are vegetarians and L’Onion has some good veggie selections. The kids that work there are very cute.

Have always loved the Purple Onion in Newburyport as with anything the Original owner did it best. The shop has changed hands a few times and present day owner has in my opinion brought the onion to its lowest point!
Sitting here now eating with my son, $ 15.00 gets you a cup of soup, peanut butter and fluff wrap and a soda.
Now I don’t mind paying the money never have, the difference is I was not sitting a restaurant that on a freezing cold day did not have the heat on and patrons were complaining! Truly warmer outside on this chilly day in the sun then inside the Purple Onion.
We received our food and my son was given like 6 tortilla chips with his sandwich, my soup which use to be served with 2 thick slices of Multigrain bread, now only served with 1 skimpy slice, plus they use to give you plenty of shredded cheese as well, had to ask for more as there was a scant amount.
We sat huddling over my soup for warmth which was ridiculous. The onion may be on its way out if they can’t afford to heat the building and are portion cutting this much.
Been a loyal customer since it’s inception, I believe my last 3 experiences here have sealed it’s fate with me as a foodie. I will not be patronizing the onion anymore, so sad the play went down hill so much :-(

Me and my beat friend always pick this spot out as a place to meet up and grab something good! Their wraps are terrific and it’s very cozy and yummy. Highly recommend!

Beautiful day in Newnurrtport, relaxing outdide for a great lunch with my special lover. My wife Diane.

I had the roasted veggie sandwich. First I thought it would be a grilled sandwich but it was ice cold. The vegtable were these huge awkward slices of summer squash, zucchini, cucumber, and tomato. The bread was a good multi grain bread bit I was cut thickly and it made it hard to eat. The menu said roasted vegetables but they definitely weren’t. I’ve had a few of their sandwiches and wraps and they always miss the mark. The turkey wrap has way too much ranch and turkey, and the autumn wrap has a pound of stuffing in it. The only good thing there is their chili from what I’ve heard. There are just a lot more options in town in that price range.

I LOVe the purple onion! Every few months I just have such a craving for this place. I have been going here for over 5 years and I have never been disappointed! My absolute favorite is the black bean and lime bowl, SO good! The hot sauce, gauc, and lime juice mix together perfectly with the cheese and rice, yum!
This place is perfect for vegetarians or anyone who loves veggies because any bowl or wrap can be made with or without chicken/​shrimp. The mango pineapple salsa bowl and the shroom bowl are also top contenders for me, but anything you order is sure to please! They also have a pulled pork special from time to time but you better grab it quick because this sells out very quickly! If you’re in the mood for a snack, try their chips and guacamole!
They definitely are a little pricey but I am willing to pay it for fresh, quality food that’s made right in front of you!

I eat here often. The chili is excellent. Everything is fresh and made right in front of you. However, a place that serves food should be clean. During my past two recent visits I was not happy with seeing pieces of food, napkins and trash items on the floor. Another time, I ordered a grilled veggie wrap and found a strand of hair in it. After seeing the dirty floor after several visits I decided to go elsewhere. I hope the owner becomes aware of the importance of having a clean eating establishment.

The food was okay, I had the gazpacho and that came with a gigantic spoonful of sour cream in it, which I had to remove, and I had the turkey and cheese panini which I liked. I felt that the prices were in a little bit high considering the food was not organic but the part that really bothered me was the homemade iced tea refill which costed over $ 3. I thought that was excessive for an average size and average made ice tea.

Though a little pricy, everything I’ve eaten here has been delicious! The tortilla salad is really yummy, as is the ham sandwich (caramelized onions make a nice touch!) Today, my hubs and I got the specials — he got the BBQ pulled pork wrap (which had awesome cole slaw on it, and plenty of meat — he always hates it if there is too much filler and not enough meat!) I had the pear, goat cheese, prosciutto panini and it was really good! We will continue to come back.

Not bad, not Great Either. my wife had the Roast veggie wrap. vegetables not roasted or warm. I had the turkey Panini which is basically sliced deli turkey on normal bread. it was okay for a $ 10 piece lunch.

I really like the food and the people here. Downtown NBPT has many options for lunch yet I always seem to end up at the Purple Onion. Great food at a good price and quick friendly service.

Great place to grab a quick lunch. I love the buffalo chicken and the ranch chicken wraps there. The staff are always friendly and it’s quick service.

Pretty bad food all around. We want to like this place but is just a complete mess. We have tried a different bowl or wrap everyone and the next is worst than the last. Stay clear!

Not particularly a fan. I would give it 2 stars but my friends seem to really like wht they had. I had a grilled chicken panini and it left a lot to be desired the chicken was dry and flavorless and I ended up taking it out of the sandwich. The bread could have been fresher as well. Overall I have no plans to go back in the near future. To many other good places in newburyport. Also 10 for a soda and sandwich not worth it here!

Never consistent. It’s like they don’t try anything before they put it in the menu. I ordered the Mexican turkey wrap the other day and it was basically a puddle if water from the salsa. I wasted 8 bucks, and the cheese wasn’t melted. I’d say that if you went there ten times, you would like your food twice. Also, don’t order anything your way because they won’t get it right. The cooks don’t speak English. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else, somewhere worth the money you spend.

There’s not one menu item I haven’t tried that I didn’t like. They have special soups and quiches each day. Staff is friendly and the place is clean. It is small so its best to do takeout but there are a few small tables. It can be very busy during lunchtime during the week.

You know, I never dug the purple onion. The place seems to have the right pieces in place but I have never gotten a sandwich here that I really liked.
Primary complaints? Well, not a damn thing here is remotely spicy. Buffalo? You gotta be kidding. Thai curry? Meh. Salsa? Only über-​mild.
Second complaint — the wraps are outrageously wide and almost inedible in the conventional manner.
Fail

Sweet and Sour tomato soup with scallions and jack cheese sprinkled on top.. yummy. 2.95
Rare roast beef piled high onto multigrain bread with red.. er.. .purple onions, homemade horseradish spread and crisp lettuce? yes please. 6.95.
Also at my table, a chicken burrito as big as my head, the roasted vegetable bowl (layer of brown rice and chunks of ripe tomato, cheese and a good variety of tasty seasoned veggies), and a huge slice of quiche that was pronounced the best ever had.
A cozy window nook to sit in.. . WELL, isn’t this nice. And plenty of seating — lots of little table and a bar to sit at, in addition to the nook.
Very tasty food, nice place to sit. A good stop in downtown Newburyport, very near to lots of parking.
Also, lots of people walk by, and they are good for watching.

What a treat! A delicious wrap and sandwich shop, everything’s homemade! Had a delicious Mexican club wrap with turkey, bacon, salsa, guacamole and jack cheese. It was fresh, and delicious! Also, because I’m a porker, I had to try a small bowl of their famous corn chowder. It was fantastic! The right amount of bacony flavor in a delicious cream broth with corn and potato. Prices were great and so was the service.
Tip: On a beautiful day sit outside and people watch. I’ll definitely be back!

The sweet-​n-​sour tomato soup is definitely one reason to visit this place. It was full of tomato-​y and onion-​y goodness. I could tell it was freshly made, much like all of the items my friends and I purchased.
They had a great selection of bowls, wraps, sandwiches and quiches. We were disappointed to learn that at 1pm they were out of the Autumn Wrap. Apparently that’s a best seller so get there early.
The quiche was chock full of veggies and ham, but a little greasy. Maybe a little too much cheese? Overall, the food was very tasty and reasonably priced. I also really liked that they had local sodas. Yum!