HELP!!! Café Veg HASMOVEDTO A NEWLOCATION… Does anyone know where the new place is??? I called their # 212−491−3223 but it’s no longer in service. I popped by 22917th Ave @ 135th Street on Friday 12÷9÷11 expecting to get some yummy chickpeas, collards & mac/cheese but to my chagrin it’s now a different restaurant… traditional meals NOT vegan :-(
JM Z.
Classificação do local: 4 Queens, NY
I ordered the soy chicken with baked yams and potatoes. Later the waiter told me the yams were not up to snuff and they would substitute another side. I waffled. Being a vegetarian, I’m not actually used to having choices. He proposed that I take the chicken with baked lasagna instead of the starches. It also came with an additional two sides, and I got the curry chickpeas and fried plantains. I could have eaten a gallon of those chickpeas and the fake chicken. The plantains were nothing special, but I didn’t mind. The lasagna took a little getting used to. It was almost deconstructed, and the sauce was very subtle. I really liked it, though. And my waiter was fantastic. I went because I had a groupon – I have like zero spending money and I live far, far from Harlem – but I would definitely go back and pay full price.
Alice T.
Classificação do local: 5 New York, NY
Well, I was in the neighborhood… far from my home and I’d do it again for Café Veg. I’m not easily impressed as I like to make EVERYTHING I ingest, but I was so tired after the particulars of my trek that I thought why not treat myself? I ordered two sides: the curried chickpeas and the mac n’ cheese. I should note that this was my virginal vegan mac n’cheese experience(a favorite dish of mine). It had a pleasant sweetness and nice creamy texture. The whole menu is simple and easy; no fuss or clutter when considering what to order. Both are divine and I can’t wait to try other items. I’m just not a fan of anything fried, so I didn’t try main course mock meats. The service was great and the food came fast, I had it to go. I’m actually munching on it as I write this. The curried chickpeas were superb, but that’s also I favorite meal of mine. The bathroom was also unexpectedly huge. I like, worth giving a try and it’s right on the 135th street station.
Gregory M. W.
Classificação do local: 5 New York, NY
We are very fortunate here in Harlem to have such an elegant vegan dining establishment such as Café Veg. It gives one so much in terms of choices, whether dining alone or with a companion. And the food is great also. Stellar absolutely stellar!
Brooke R.
Classificação do local: 4 New York, NY
Great smoothies, def recommend this part of the menu! The vegetable burger wasn’t anything to write home about, but I’d go again for a smoothie.
Shana a.
Classificação do local: 1 Manhattan, NY
As a Harlem resident and someone who is a vegan, whom also happens to be allergic to meat/dairy, I was thrilled to come upon this restaurant. As I never believe anyone when they say the food is vegan, I kept questioning them as to what their ‘chicken’ etc. was made of out. All the waitress had as a response was, ‘Everything is soy’. I must have eaten there a few times. The food was pretty decent and in Harlem, there isn’t much to pick from. I didn’t believe that everything there was soy. It couldn’t possibly be as the chickens and other meats were different textures. I asked, ‘this looks like seitan’, which is a wheat gluten. I wanted to see the ingredients list since the server said again, ‘everything is soy’. She had no idea what seitan even was. After much hassle, the waitress finally agreed to let me see the ingredients list,(she was extremely hesitant). When she brought me the list of ingredients, it was a book with pasted labels from packages. Every label, without fail contained milk, eggs, fish and other dairy byproducts. I said to her, ‘You told me everything here was vegan!!!’ She replied with, ‘Oh, I guess not. Well that’s what they told us’. I got up and walked out immediately. I tried calling the owner a few times and I even put in a complaint to the city’s department of food safety because one could become very sick if they were allergic. The owner failed to ever call me back and obviously doesn’t care that he lies to his patrons! I will never be back and will continue to warn people of their food. If you are vegan — stay away.
Amy T.
Classificação do local: 4 Brooklyn, NY
Great little spot! Usually if I want my 3 favorite adjectives all in one meal(Healthy, Yummy, AND Affordable) I have to make it myself. This place was delicious, simple, and the portions were very filling, all for under $ 10. The staff was genuinely sweet and attentive. I will definitely go back over & over.
Cassandra B.
Classificação do local: 4 Brooklyn, NY
I LOVE the food here. The plates are large and the food is beautifully presented. When you order an entrée(which is usually a mock meat and a side like potatoes or rice), you also get to choose 2 sides(collard greens, mac and cheese, various steamed vegetables, fried plantain, etc). I was very surprised at how involved and flavorful the food was. I’ve had various veggie meats but the curry mock duck with brown rice is my favorite. I’ve had most of the sides but the vegan mac and cheese and collard greens are my favorite. The okra is also pretty good. The brown rice wasn’t the plain rice I was expecting the first time I came; it was a delicious rice mixture with chunks of carrots, herbs, and seasonings. I’ve been served plain brown rice during subsequent visits. The collard greens also were sauteed with onions, carrots, and seasonings(sometimes a bit too oily, but very good). This huge plate of food was only $ 8! I also tried the«Harlem chicken nuggets», which were 4 crispy soy chicken chunks for only $ 2.50. They were SO good, but I was upset that they came with two plastic cups of ketchup instead of a good sauce. The waitress said they usually have a sauce but were out. They have a number of $ 2 – 3 appetizers, like spinach rolls(delicious!) and eggplant fritters. The first couple times I went here, the service was terrible. The guy who greeted me and another lady(manager?) were very friendly, but my waitress seemed annoyed to be working. She was really slow, went around taking other people’s orders before even giving me a menu, didn’t bring water until my food came, and didn’t bring my check(I had to go get it myself after waiting 10 minutes). My most recent two visits have included very good service, however.
Emily A.
Classificação do local: 4 Manhattan, NY
I was a vegetarian for years and still love veggie foods, so I was thrilled to find this, in Harlem of all places(and here I thought our only options were über greasy soul food or oily Chinese!). Even my meaty significant other will get cravings for this place. I love the texture of the«duck.» I subtract one star because it seems to be a bit inconsistent. One day I love the eggplant, the next time its too soggy, the next time it’s wonderful again. And that applies to other things as well. But there is always enough on my plate that is just right that I keep coming back despite the inconsistencies. We tried the garlic potatoes only once and they were so salty as to be almost inedible(and I’m not someone who shies away from salt). I’m willing to give them another go, only because it won’t likely be that way next time. Speaking of next time, when we tried to go there last night they were closed, with a sign taped to the door saying they would reopen«when?» What does that mean? Does anyone know what’s going on? We went to their Uptown Juice Bar next, and they were also closed. We didn’t get out of the car to inspect the signs on the grating.
D P.
Classificação do local: 4 New Brunswick, NJ
Love this place! The food is good and I like the juice bar because there are so many things that you can try. The dessert is really good! I’ve had the carrot cake myself. I have also taken carnivore friends here and they enjoy the food as well even the mock meat selections(so that’s saying a lot). Anytime I am in Harlem and near this area I try really really hard to stop by :)
Assata H.
Classificação do local: 4 Manhattan, NY
I love this spot. I can not wait for the other spot on 125th to re-open. I must say the food is great, the juice bar is good. Time management is something they could use. I went there on a Saturday I waited a good 45 minutes, in addition they were out of an item which they did not inform me until the end. The team is great, they keep small convo while you wait. sometimes however if its busy, I notice their energy changes they become rushed in their tone. This could come off as aggravated, but its just they are busy. Even when business is busy the team must always stay calm & friendly. Remember this is the look of any company where people return.
Toya F.
Classificação do local: 3 New York, NY
For Harlem with limited vegetarian options this place deserves 4 stars. To compare this place with the rest of the vegetarian places in the city 3 stars. The food it okay. For my vegans this isn’t the place for you. They use honey and other animal products. The best thing about this place is the juice bar.
Philip A.
Classificação do local: 5 Manhattan, NY
Ok, so I was in the neighborhood the other and happened across this place and thought I might try it out, seeing as how I was getting hungry. I am so glad I did. It’s a quiet unassuming place, I came in mid-afternoon clearly after the lunch crowd, and the staff were sitting at a table talking but instantly moved to accommodate me. I had my water almost as soon as I sat down. I got the mock chicken with collard greens, yams, and pumpkin for sides. It was a lot of food. Like a lot. But it was so good I couldn’t stop eating until it was all gone. Being stuffed I went to pay and to my surprise, the entire meal, with tax, was less than $ 10. I live in the Lower East Side but I’ve made two trips since to go back to this restaurant. I have since had the veggie burgers and some of their awesome smoothies. I have yet to be disappointed. It’s not that LES doesn’t have great food, but at café veg you just get a different atmosphere. You can tell it’s more than a restaurant, I already know the staff(which is small) and get the proverbial royal treatment every time I go. I don’t care where you live, this place is great and worth the trip.
Judy J.
Classificação do local: 1 New York, NY
We wanted to like this place, we really did. Our next door neighbors HIGHLY recommended the joint, and even ordered the take-out for us. I really wasn’t wanting fake meat or veggie burgers(just wanted VEGGIES), but it seems the veggie meat is a specialty of this place, and it’s included in almost everything they sell. We were supposed to get a veggie burger platter and a burger burger platter, but when we got home and opened up our plates, they were both regular veggie burgers. I was unpleasantly surprised to find ketchup already on the burger(ew), and the whole burger just didn’t smell very appetizing to me. The fries were decent, but completely unseasoned(salt and hot sauce from my kitchen fixed that). The burger was bland, rubbery, and generally unimpressive(and I’ve had AWEsome veggie burgers before, so please don’t think it’s ’cause I’m a meat-eater) Most unfortunately, we got food poisoning. The other food we ate that day(not much) and the timing make us about 99% sure it was from the Café Veg. food. After travelling around the world, eating all kinds of strange meats and fruits and things, drinking some potentially questionable water and never getting sick… it’s the veggie burger in Harlem that does it. *facepalm*
Profession P.
Classificação do local: 4 Philadelphia, PA
Pros: The food quality is the best in the neighborhood, period. Quiet. Fresh Juice Bar Reasonably Priced Cons: The Waiter that talks too much and believes he is more intelligent than anyone. He has long hair and very light skinned and skinny. By the way if he’s on staff and a single woman is there too, do not expect any service. One weekend he turned me and 2 of my guests away at 8:30pm on a Saturday because he said they were short staffed. Meanwhile there were 2 small parties dining inside. We asked him if it was his policy to turn away patrons. He responded by explaining to me how hard it would be to let people that travelled 10 miles to eat there. He offered us a «take out«option that we rejected. I have similar stories about him from my friends but none were turned away. I do have friends that wont eat there if he’s there. I hate to see people out of work, but I much rather that than see a great restaurant out of business. Closes early 9:30 on weekdays, and 10pm on the weekend.
Miakka N.
Classificação do local: 5 New York, NY
As a wise monkey once said… yum yum yum yum yum delicioso!(for all my dora the explorer fans out there) I live in the neighborhood, but am leaving Harlem soon, and Café Veg will be sorely missed. The deliciously scrumptious spinach rolls, the fresh and inventive smoothies and juices, and the eccentric staff make this small restaurant more than a memorable experience. As far as Harlem is concerned, this spot may be one of the best kept vegetarian secrets.
Kailei R.
Classificação do local: 4 New York, NY
I love this place. I discovered Café Veg while subletting a friend’s apartment in Harlem. She’s a vegetarian and I thankfully discovered a Café Veg menu in her kitchen. To my delight, Café Veg was not only tasty, but also inexpensive(for $ 10 I can make dinner last to lunch the next day)! I visited at least six times in my three weeks in Harlem. I will say some of the sides were disappointing. I enjoyed the collard greens, cabbage and broccoli, but wasn’t a fan of the yams or mac and cheese. The curry«chicken» and BBQ«ribs» are yummy! Tonight I think I’ll try one of the wraps…
Michael S.
Classificação do local: 3 Castro Valley, CA
I had my first vegan meal at Café Veg and I have been back 3 times this month. It is an unassuming place on 7th Ave and 135th St. I have never had soy products in place of meat, but it is good. I usually get the Veg Curried Duck with Chickpeas and rice and beans and Collard Greens. It is a mild curry not super powerful. Everything is around 8 – 10 bucks and the portions are large. I’ll miss this place when I move out of Harlem to the East Village. They also have fresh juice bar inside which is nice. It is a clean nice place to go eat and they deliver!!!
Niambi M.
Classificação do local: 5 Los Angeles, CA
GONOW. No really, go to this wonderful, unassuming little café off 135th and your body will thank you. If you have never had true ital(from ‘vital’ – pure and organic) cuisine or think that you would rather stuff fistfuls of sand down your throat than eat vegetarian – run don’t walk to Café Veg and get your preconceived notions blown away. For those who have time constraints, I suggest ordering to-go because sit-down service is euphemistically ‘unrushed’ . The food is simply marvelous ranging from roti to homemade soups and salads to full entrees with southern staples like BBQ Chicken, Backed Mac and Cheese, Mustard Greens and Yams – all ital, all vegan(i know! alarming yet interesting!!) When you go you just might see me pop in to get my veggie fix: D
Dee B.
Classificação do local: 3 Washington, DC
Now open, this sister restaurant to the Uptown Juice Bar is located near 135th and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. It has quickly become a favorite of the Meet Up Vegetarian group and is gaining popularity with local vegetarians for their meatless options like vegetarian ribs and other soy alternatives.