The Candle Cafe

This is one of my regular vegan places I go and it’s the best! The tofu stir fry is perfection and super healthy the drinks are amazing here! I love this place and I am so happy I got to eat lunch here today I had a client uptown to see and decided to walk in. So happy I got a table !!!

We love a vegan restaurant that doesn’t pack its menu with quinoa salads and tofu curries, so this place was a welcome oasis in an area that’s strangely all about meat, meat, and more meat. We parked the two carnivores in our party down the street at JG Melon (they wanted hamburgers, and, FYI, were pretty disappointed with that place) and grabbed a seat at the bar at Candle. The ambience here is nothing to write home about — it’s a pretty plain-​Jane bunch of two-​top and four-​top tables, plus the bar — but I barely noticed, thanks to the food and the wait staff, who manage to stay laid-​back and friendly despite a packed-​to-​the-​gills lunch service.
My boyfriend went for the Indian plate, which he enjoyed very much. I took a taste (the chutney was great; the rice a bit undercooked), but, honestly, I was too obsessed with my Cajun seitan sandwich to pay much attention. Let’s talk about that, shall we? Seitan is something of an acquired taste/​texture, but if you like it, this version is grilled it for a little bit of outer chewiness and inner tenderness. It’s served on a crunchy roll with greens, a heap of sauteed onions, and a mildly spiced mayo. I added a side of sweet potato fries, then dug in and took a leave-​no-​man-​behind approach to everything on my plate.
For dessert, we split the chocolate peanut butter pie with a scoop of ice cream. If you’ve never had vegan ice cream, know that it’s made with a coconut milk base, which not everyone likes, but I happen to love. This version was terrific, and avoided the gritty mouth-​feel of many vegan ice creams. The pie itself — which has a tofu base — was supersmooth and crazy-​rich; definitely better suited to two people than one.
Candle isn’t cheap — expect to pay at least $ 17 per entrée, and $ 10 or so for desserts and/​or drinks — but I couldn’t have enjoyed it more. The next time I’m in the area, I know where I’ll be going.

We had been to the Candle Café Westside before and it was lovely, so on this trip we decided to try the Eastside. It’s definitely a different vibe. More casual, a little more cramped feeling. The wait staff and the food was still awesome. I was only going to order water but they had a rose’ cider beer that I couldn’t pass up. My daughter had a strawberry basil lemonade that was so delicious! It’s very hard to choose from the menu because it all looks so good. I was stuffed and I wish I had saved room for dessert. My husband had the carrot cake which is his favorite.

Good vibe vegan café with fantastic friendly service and great smoothies, coffee and healthy food options.
The service from the hosts, counter and table servers are all very friendly and attentive.
I am not vegan but haven’t had a hard time finding salads and delicious lunch options — in fact the first couple times I didn’t even know it was vegan. I’ve been here a number of times for takeout smoothies which are wonderful, and have had lunch here a few times. I’ve come with friends, and on this visit a post graduation group was on one side of me and a family on another side, couples across — it clearly has broad appeal and does a great business.
It does get crowded for lunch and the most recent time I needed a quick late liquid lunch while getting a little work done and there was only one table available sandwiched in between others… Which is not my preference. I joked, «don’t all these people have somewhere to go? It’s 230.»
The host laughed and asked if I could wait a couple minutes and he would have something for me, offered to get me a beverage while I waited recommending candle vice smoothie — a fruity blend which the menu said promoted Brian function. «Perfect, I need to be productive, could use some brain power.»
He found me a seat and I WAS able to be productive, the crowd thinned some by 3 and the drink was delic. Also ordered a motcha latte, unsweetened but the server quickly brought over a natural sweetener when I requested it .
The vibe. The atmosphere is all about good vibes with artwork and décor complimenting this including a special board my most recent visit with messages chalked next to the specials «spread love; it’s the candle way» and «Daily Vibe: Raise your words not voices; It is rain that grows flowers not thunder.» ~Rumi
Highly recommend as a good vibe café for lunch, smoothies and coffee — just be aware it can get crowded so plan the time you come.

Came to eat Candle with some vegan friends.
Great looking café. Very crowded and popular.
Guacamole — $ 12 — Pretty standard guac.
Cajun Seitan — $ 17 — Could not enjoy the texture of the seitan. The cajun flavor did not help me get over the mouth feel of it.
Lasagna — $ 18 — Good lasagna. Tomato sauce was nicely cooked.
Very pricey for the amount of food you get. 12 bucks for guac is pretty damn expensive.

Candle Café is one of the original vegan spots to me in NYC. It certainly feels more «healthy vegan» than even any of the Blossom restaurants, but that’s part of its charm. It can be hard to snag a table here, as it’s maintained its popularity through time. A few weeks ago, my sister, mom and I met my aunt for lunch during the week. My aunt works nearby but hadn’t been and was pleasantly surprised (she’s not vegan or vegetarian)!
My mom, sister and I all got the lemon-​ginseng ice tea (decaf and unsweetened). It is super good — we all are frequent ice tea drinkers and found theirs to be exceptional. So much flavor without added sweaters. It was very lemony but not tart. My mom and sister both had the avocado BLT, which I was going to order too, but my sister convinced me we couldn’t have three of the same. Theirs was a very large portion and the sandwich was topped with lots of avocado and tempeh bacon. I got the Good Food Plate, which is a you-​pick any four sides and two dressings. I got the sweet potato, daily bean — a pinto, caramelized onions and brussel sprouts. I got the carrot ginger and country gravy sauces at the recommendation of the waitress. All of the vegetables were sautéed perfectly, again with good portion sizes. I still felt the plate was a bit expensive at $ 20 for four veggies, but I will say I was full and satisfied until I had dinner about seven hours later, which is impressive.
I’ve had their desserts before too and they’re also quite good. I’ll say, my dad, a non-​vegan/​vegetarian will sometimes cringe when we mention going here, as he doesn’t feel there’s quite enough flavor or food to satisfy. I’d argue there’s lots of options, but just a note to others who are mostly meat or fish eaters.
I enjoy Candle Café and will definitely be back on future trips to NYC.

Another delicious lunch from this place! This time had the BBQ tempeh sandwich with truffle fries, totally delicious! Flavors all around!
Will come back again! Have more to try!

Yes! Yes! & oh yes! Take all my money! Lol! Their menu items are pricey but you gotta pay for quality. I loved every morsel! I want to come back and try everything. Their juices are really good too. I loved the music too.

I’ve had and made vegan food multiple times before, and this place was just not flavorful in the slightest. We got the Eggplant Napoleon, Indian Plate, and Sweet potato fries, and all were under-​salted and lacked real flavor. Also, the green juice was served tepid-​a little ice or a chilled glass would have been nice.
Vegan food can be great, but this is not the place to find it.

I love vegetables. I fully believe that you can make a perfectly delicious meal with kale, sweet potatoes, and quinoa, and be done (not to say I don’t also LOVE me some steak, either!). This was the perfect little light brunch to start a healthy weekend. The café wasn’t crowded, service was perfect, and the ingredients fresh. The brunch menu is pretty limited and the prices a little steep, but what can you expect from a vegan place?
My friend and I ordered a French toast and southwestern crêpe, as well as two juices between the two of us. We were seated promptly at noon when we arrived, as there was no wait time. My crêpe was pretty disappointing – not a huge fan of the flavors and the overpowering mushroom taste, but I did love the French toast. Something about it just seemed less guilty to eat – it was a bit more chewy and less sweet than regular French toast, but I like my desserts less sweet. I ordered a tutti fruti smoothie, which was very delicious and apparently healthy (although I definitely could’ve just made one myself), but my friend’s flu and cold juice tasted overwhelmingly of ginger, even though she told the waiter to lessen ginger because she can’t stand the taste.
I’m not in a food coma, which is great, and my tummy thanked me for it! Not a bad way to start a healthy weekend!

I was so disappointed! I remember being amazed at the food when I first moved to New York in 2003. The menu has changed a lot, and so apparently has the quality.
The Chef’s Pasta was tasteless. The «Bolognese» sauce was barely existent. It tasted, not like restaurant food, but like something I’d whip up at home, someone like me with no cooking skills.
The pumpkin seitan entrée was bland. The seitan had no taste, relying entirely on the sauce on top. Add the sauce was only ok. It came with unflavored quinoa and bitter rabe.
The curry lentil cake, though presented beautifully, was an unremarkable patty of vegetables mushed together, like a not-​so-​good veggie burger without the bun. Underneath it was some roasted vegetables, which were adequate, and that bitter rabe.
The seitan chimichuri appetizer was good. That was the one highlight. But at these prices ($ 12 appetizer, $ 22 entrée) I expect much better food. This meal made me sad.

So so so good! My coworkers and I order dinner from here all the time (thank you postmates). Unfortunately we work crazy hours but it’s places like this that make you feel at home. Their meals don’t have that take out taste but instead taste like a homemade cooked meal.
You really can’t go wrong here and all of those who are hesitant to try vegan food shouldn’t hesitate with this place.
I usually get the good plate — 4 sides and it’s better than good. It’s great! Their kale, brussel sprouts, and zucchini is on point! Also — I love their mac and (vegan) cheese.
Tried a few other things — stir fry was good, nachos taste amazing, and the mezze plate is unbelievably good. The chutney and humus is delish by themselves and mixed together.
Thanks for the great food!

Love this place!!! has great food for both vegans, vegetarians and even people who like meat. I have taken friends who are carnivores and they were able to find food, and compliment it for being tasty. the cocktails are fantastic, haven’t had a bad one yet. highly recommend this place.

Everything here is great. From the Mac and Cheese to the desserts. Service is always kind, never had a problem even when I’ve been in a rush. You wouldn’t even be able to tell their food is vegan which is the best tell of an amazing vegan restaurant — and which is helpful when picking up food for other people who are instantly turned off from the word «vegan».

After eating here… i’m on a mission to be a Vegan.
The food was amazing, a bit pricey but definitely worth it.

It was a snowy day. I was on the hunt for vegan options near the museum mile. I walked over to Candle Café. I’ve been vegan for almost 4 years and I’ve never been to this restaurant.
The service was good. I was greeted right away. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to sit at the bar or a table. It was a little crowded, so I thought the bar would be a better option. It was not. I don’t recommend sitting there unless you can deal with call-​in orders, the juicer, and take-​out orders. I couldn’t. The wait staff was great about reseating me.
I ordered a Tipsy Palmer cocktail. The flavor balance was perfect; nice mix of tea and sake. The server made some recommendations. I was also pleased they had a gluten free menu. I ordered the Lentil-​Vegetable Curry Cake. The presentation was beautiful. The flavor was also on point. The curry was bold but not over powering.
I would recommend this place for a nice dinner whether solo or with friends.

I’ve eaten here before and loved it. I’m not vegetarian or vegan, just a veggie conscious farm to table advocate. I’ve also cooked from their recipes-​the jalepeno corn bread and ginger carrot soup are yummy. My quick lunch alone was good, but the Indian plate special could’ve been more Indian flavored. I was disappointed, it was just ‘okay’ and could’ve used more aromatics. Was that American-​style Indian? I expected more.
The service was impeccable – quick and friendly. I loved the matcha latte! Will definitely eat here again but go for the salads or veggie burgers.

I always come to this place and so far everything I ordered was delicious. Today I ordered an Indian Plate and I am not satisfied. Too bland. It doesn’t taste good as what I am expecting. I would NOT recommend this dish unless you are dying to have a vegan Indian food. More like 1 star for me. The staff aren’t very attentive either. No one asked me if I need anything else and they just pass by completely ignoring you. If I didn’t tell them I am ready to order, I bet I will be sitting there for awhile not getting my order. Didn’t like the service.

I came here with my fiancé while we were off from work and looking to try out more vegan restaurants in the city. It was pretty packed when we went, and the tables aren’t exactly large.
I got a kale salad with a side of their mac&cheese, and my fiancé got nachos with pulled jackfruit. The kale salad was good, and large, but still not that filling (which is why I got the mac&cheese, plus I’ll try almost any vegan mac&cheese at least once). That was also pretty good, but it either needed sriracha or some seasoning on it. It’s not often that I’ve had a vegan mac&cheese that I’ve liked without adding some kind of seasoning to it. The jackfruit nachos that my fiancé got were great though, if I go back I’ll be ordering those for myself.
The service was good, they even make a point of asking if anyone at the table had allergies they need to accommodate. The main reason I’m not giving them more stars is because they’re kind of expensive and the food was good, but not mind-​blowing.

Delicious!
I’m not a vegan. I was a vegetarian for several years, however, now I am not. Sometimes I do enjoy a meat-​free meal, though. When a friend of mine suggested Candle Café for dinner, I was sold. I had looked at the menu online and was blown away by the options and the decent beer/​wine/​cocktail list. I arrived a bit before my friend and the manager seemed to have an issue with seating me 2 minutes before my friend arrived. I knocked off a star solely for that.
Our waiter was very nice. There were specials for the evening, including an Indian dish with tofu instead of chicken. I opted for the Mexican lasagna. If you had blindfolded me and asked if there was real cheese, I would have said yes. The lasagna was flavorful and perfect, also paired with a side of steamed kale. The bill came out to around $ 20 per person (a bit more since we each had a beer). It’s definitely a steal and a great place to back away from meat and get a healthy dose of your veggies.

Great food, lovely atmosphere, fantastic service. What’s not to like.
I’m not vegan or vegetarian, so that aspect of the place does not interest me — what I cared about was the flavor of the dishes which were all great, a particular favorite being the Mexican lasagne, essentially a Mexican-​flavored take on lasagne, using corn tortilla instead of pasta and beans instead of ragu.
Recommended.

This was probably the best vegetarian place I’ve ever been to. The atmosphere was fantastic and the food even better than what I expected.
I ordered the soup+salad combo, and I was delighted. It’s a perfect combination for those who don’t eat much but would like to try different things — I always find it hard to decide whether to have soup or salad in a place like this, because usually the portions are big so you can’t have both. The size of the portions was perfect to me.
I had the carrot cake as dessert, based on some recommendations here on Unilocal,and it was just amazing. So, so good!
Whenever I’m back in NYC I’m definitely coming back, and I will recommend to any vegetarian friend visiting.

I have been wanting to try Candle 79 for a while and was excited to stumble upon this café by accident. The ambience is cool and the service was great — everyone is so nice!
They have an extensive vegan menu. We were in a hurry so we ordered some guac and 4 sides to share. Guac was good but cost $ 12! Way too much for the serving size. The sides were great — favorites included the brussel sprouts and the Mac and cheese. We tried the pumpkin seitan and I just couldn’t stomach it. Nothing pumpkin about it and it was just so bland. I would suggest trying something different instead.
The best part was the smoothies we ordered to go for the road. I had the coco one (coconut milk, coconut meat, cocoa, banana, etc). It was FANTASTIC. Overall, we had a good meal. Next time I would rather try some of the main dishes (and yes, I will be getting a smoothie to go again, of course).

First things first: I’m an omnivore.
My vegetarian friend and I came here on a Monday night after hearing good things. I was a bit apprehensive though because I can’t say I’ve had many positive experiences with vegan foods. Plus, it seems my fellow Unilocalers are completely split into two camps: those who think heaven and earth of Candle Café, and those who find the food bland and boring. Who to believe?
Upon walking in, you know immediately you’re in a healthy place; the smell of fresh produce (read: freshly-​mowed lawn) from their juice bar is strong. The smells from neighboring tables’ plates, however, were intoxicating. I was excited!
At the waiter’s suggestion, we had the chimichurri skewer appetizer, I had the seitan enchilada, and my friend had the vegetable and lentil cake. Delicious flavors highlighted the ingredients in each of the dishes, and I really found everything to be tasty. Despite some of the names of the ingredients (like, seitan chorizo), the meat-​like ingredients tasted NOTHING like meat. But don’t let that turn you off, meat-​eaters, because the flavors are still yummy.
So in the Unilocal debate over the food at Candle Café, here’s my final verdict: the food is good. Omnivores, adjust your expectations and keep an open mind, and you shall not be disappointed.

First thing’s first: I’m an omnivore.
My vegetarian friend and I came here on a Monday night after hearing good things. I was a bit apprehensive though because I can’t say I’ve had many positive experiences with vegan foods. Plus, it seems my fellow Unilocalers are completely split into two camps: those who think heaven and earth of Candle Café, and those who find the food bland and boring. Who to believe?
Upon walking in, you know immediately you’re in a healthy place; the smell of fresh produce (read: freshly-​mowed lawn) from their juice bar is strong. The smells from neighboring tables’ plates, however, were intoxicating. I was excited!
At the waiter’s suggestion, we had the chimichurri skewer appetizer, I had the seitan enchilada, and my friend had the vegetable and lentil cake. Delicious flavors highlighted the ingredients in each of the dishes, and I really found everything to be tasty. Despite some of the names of the ingredients (like, seitan chorizo), the meat-​like ingredients tasted NOTHING like meat. But don’t let that turn you off, meat-​eaters, because the flavors are still yummy.
So in the Unilocal debate over the food at Candle Café, here’s my final verdict: the food is good. Omnivores, adjust your expectations and keep an open mind, and you shall not be disappointed.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in NYC. Not just one of my favorite vegetarian restaurants, but I mean one of my overall favorites!
Everything I have tried here has been skillfully prepared, with great flavors. I love the presentation of all the dishes here. Even with something as simple as a sandwich, the «fancy» presentation on big plates makes it seem special. It adds to the experience.
My favorite is the Cajun Seitan sandwich. It is their secret weapon – you MUST try it.
The décor is nice and the service is good. My only complaint is that it is a tad expensive, especially for a place that is all vegetarian. I am also not sure if the produce is organic, as their website is silent on the topic.

I don’t know what people find so amazing about this place. Besides the customer service, the food was super bland and overpriced.
Appetizer:
Flatbread pizza: 13 $ was way too much for the size of the pizza. It wasn’t bad in terms of taste but it was probably equivalent to a small Pizza Hut pizza that’s served for half the price. I don’t think it’s even as big as a small pizza from Pizza Hut to be honest.
Entrée:
Cajun Seitan: 17 $. Flavorless, bland, I truthfully do not know what was so Cajun about this sandwich. It was terrible, even the fries were not properly seasoned.
Sweet Potato bbq sandwich: 16 $. Better than the Cajun seitan but still bland in flavor and the side of fries were not seasoned. Would pick this over the Cajun seitan any day though.
Dessert:
Carrot Cake: okay, not bad but not great either. The texture of the cake seemed off to me, it wasn’t moist but crumbly which I did not enjoy.
Total meal cost: 70 $ for nothing. Terrible food and a waste of money. If you truly want to try awesome vegan food that is affordable, go to Champs on Williamsburg. Best vegan spot in the city and definitely not as terrible as this place. This visit was legit upsetting and disappointing all at once, I will NOT be coming back.

i was expecting to enjoy this more than I did. I got the Mediterranean wrap for lunch. I asked to switch the whole wheat tortilla to spinach that was on the wrap of the day, but told I couldn’t as «it’s only for the wrap of the day”(?) if food is made fresh, what is the problem with that request?
The wrap was ok. Tofu feta was good but chickpeas drowning in vegan mayo. I don’t think I’ll be back.

This place is legit! Even if you have no dietary restrictions, you’d be impressed by the fresh ingredients, the generous portion size, the simple yet elegant presentation, and the fantastic service.
We started brunch with the refreshingly light Watermelon-​Mint Limonade & the more filling Coco-​Date Shake. The Shake has a lot of bananas, I couldn’t quite taste the dates but delicious nevertheless. I was thrilled to enjoy the French Toast with Almond Cream, because my lactose-​intolerant self can’t handle regular toast with butter/​cream. The BF got the gluten-​free version of the Quinoa-​Chickpea Crêpe and was reluctant to share with me, ha. Given his allergies, this is his first time enjoying crêpe without guilt/​consequences.
By this point, we were stuffed. But the chocolate mousse pie & coconut cheesecake beckoned — and lusciously transported us to a heaven where dairy & gluten simply aren’t missed!
I’m drooling just composing this review, can’t wait to go back!

I had dinner here on a Saturday night. The service was friendly, the atmosphere was chill, they were playing 90s music at a nice volume that allowed for conversation without much effort. I had the Eggplant Napolitano and that was some next level. Unfortunately, because they are a vegan shop, the crust wasn’t the best, but I still likes what I ate.
However, my friend had the ceviche and she wasn’t a fan of it as it was a bit too sour.
I also had the miso soup for an appetizer and that was utterly disappointing. But I would definitely visit again and try out more of their selection. The prices were very nice for the Upper East Side.

Until recently, I’ve been going to Candle only for special occasions, such as when I want a traditional dinner during holidays or when I want to introduce a date to great vegan food. I didn’t realize how close this place was to my kendo dojo, so now I am trying to come here fairly regularly.
The ambience is pleasant and tasteful. You can sit at a table or sit at the front counter. I have never seen this place at less than 90% capacity or more, so the counter may be faster. It’s higher scale than a diner though.
Even with the busy factor, your Food will still arrive fairly quickly, and that greatly impressed me.
The food is nothing short of outstanding. I believe it’s the best vegan food in New York. The only place I ever encountered with cruelty-​free food of this caliber was at Down to Earth in Hawaii.
The wait staff is also very efficient and courteous. Yesterday I was asked if I wanted to have their wifi password for guests. This is the first time anyone at any restaurant ever asked me that question, so that was a very pleasant surprise!
My only misgiving about this place is it’s relatively expensive. I spent 42 dollars (including tip) on one entrée plus dessert. But it’s excellent food, and I believe Candle is one of the greatest emissaries of the vegan diet, ever. That’s why I want to continue dining here whenever I can.
I may just skip desserts, though, as tempting as they are.

A NYC vegan classic. None of the times I’ve eaten at the three Candle restaurants have I ever left disappointed! Upscale, delicious vegan food!