4.5/5.0 My friend first introduced me to Golden Temple for their Thursday Lasagna special... SO WORTH IT! :) The white sauce version is just so delicious and very very filling. I've been a couple times for the lunch specials, and I always find that the portions are very generous. The only thing I don't like is that the smell of the place (lots of spices... incense?.. other smells) is a little bit overwhelming and can leave you smelling like it for a while (but that's just a personal thing). Highly recommend if you have time for lunch and are on UAB campus. Oh! The store side seems to have many unique items for sale. It's fun if you want to look around, but I've never actually purchased anything.
(4)
Curly Q.
Golden Temple seems to have cleaned their act up a bit, literally and figuratively. I think some of the market pressure from Whole Foods has been good for them, to what limited extent they are a competitor. The store was cleaner and better organized the last time I was in.
(2)
Sheri P.
I agree with Chelsea. I rarely buy anything from the grocery side but I LOVE the Cafe. It is so delicious! Sometimes the people who work their are kinda rude and unhelpful but the food is so yummy I forgive them. But last time I went one of the guys that serves the food was very helpful and answered all my questions in detail. He was also pretty cute ;) It is vegetarian and vegan but my friends that do eat meat have come here with me and loved it too! So don't let that scare you! It is so delicious and full of flavour. It can be a little pricey but the portions are huge and can easily be shared.
(4)
R. C.
Both the Grocery and the Cafe had the most irreverent service I've ever experienced. Really pathetic. Dusty dirty shelves and employees who couldn't care less. My latte was the worst ever and they make a big deal about substituting organic milk for non-organic - charging a lot of extra money and complaining about the extra effort. Sad - they could really have something special and unique.
(1)
Tracy G.
i was visiting birmingham last weekend, and we went to this place for lunch. it was great!!! it is a vegetarian/vegan spot to eat, and they have all of the healthy things that a health-conscious person craves, like freshly extracted vegetable juices and vegan choices on the menu. it seemed that the menu had a mexican flavor, at least from the menu they had when i was in. i had vegan nachos! delicious!!! i also had a chance to browse in the grocery side and they have all that you can find at whole foods and more! but it's local, so why not support that?
(4)
Lucy B.
This place serves healthful vegetarian food that tastes great. I love the stack, the super quesadilla, cream cheese/date/walnut sandwich, salad, guacamole. You can also build your own smoothie to suit your preference, which is great for picky people like me. Maybe it's not super cheap, but I think it's fair.. especially when you are getting these healthful and special diet options in a high rent area. My only complaint is that they are only open for lunch!! I like the store a lot as well. They have Lifeway kefir (my personal favorite), kombucha, many specialty grocery items (you know, the ones you see in a vegan or gluten free recipe and wonder where to buy it), and a selection of local produce. I should probably warn you that I seem to like it more than some of my friends.. but I guess I'm just so happy that I can eat something delicious AND nutritious without having to make it my d*mn self. I leave with a happy glow, and maybe a hint of incense on my clothes.
(5)
Massimo F.
I hate to say that, but the Golden Temple is rolling down the hill Good for everybody that the food is always good! All the rest though it's just turned to be too much. Too much money for what you get... they increased the prices above reasonableness. Too much mess with the orders... I can't count anymore how many times our orders got lost. Too much wait... people there work very hard, but they are clearly understaffed. Too much careless about the customers, employes are very sweet and nice people and great at you as a person, but none cares about you as a customer! I'm afraid this is it with this place. Great food, over expensive, slow, but still a nice place where to go whenever you look for a light and healthy lunch
(3)
Jeremy E.
I have only eaten at the cafe once, and it was just OK to me. The draw to me is the store side, where you can find so many unique items. Love their selection of incense and essential oils. The staff are always very friendly and welcoming too.
(4)
Ashley W.
Soggy. Understaffed. Too expensive. Portions are too much for the plate. Inconsistent.
(1)
Raye F.
I love GT cafe! I've only been a few times for lunch, but I've enjoyed the same dish each time I go. Its a perfect lunch date with a cool co worker and its in walking distance to other cool options if your group isn't interested in vegetarian. Its also one of those quaint getaway from the madness spot....where no-one of interest will find you. I enjoy the golden stack like a complex dish. It's just a bed of brown rice, black beans, tomatoes (& I don't even like tomatoes), mozz cheese, topped with dollops of both sour cream & guac! Perfect equation of YUM! Its so fantastic. I've even tried to make this dish at home-its close enough when I've got sour cream. Though there are specials per day of the week, I keep going back to my trusty dish. One day, I'll get the balls to try something new. For me its priced fairly especially for lunch where you have the option to get a half or full size dish. Its fresh, healthy & you feel so great after eating it-this is how food should be devoured! Anyhow-the market is pretty cool if you're into that stuff. I've gone back for the agave gummy bears-its good stuff. You should give it a try. Its a cizy corner spot full of nice/hip/helpful people. The customer service if anything is the one thing that will keep you coming back! Happy vegan/vegetarian eats
(5)
Bill R.
Visited for the first time today and will definitely be back. Had the curry burrito and it and the beans were very good! The employees were pleasant and I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere.
(4)
Lee C.
We arrived for lunch and had no problem finding parking in their lot. The store was fairly busy, but not overly so. The store has a limited selection of produce and groceries. The bulk section is very small. Things seem relatively expensive. It has many interesting assortment of trinkets, Buddha statues, clothing. rocks, and the like. In any case, we went to the Cafe and tried their special, enchilada dinner. The portion size was generous, easily satisfying two people. More like a vegetarian lasagne, the dish seemed a little soggy and mushy. Despite having some cheese, the plate had little taste. One can incidentally get a vegan version upon request for about $1.50 more. The dinner came with lima bean soup with rosemary. Like the main course, it was very mushy and had little flavor. It was uninspiring. There were black beans and rice on the side, and those were fine. Perhaps other dishes are better. We also split a 32-oz smoothie. They seem to use real ingredients and depend on the flavor of the fruits and juices, rather than bolstering it with lots of sugar. Unlike chain smoothie places, it doesn't have ground ice in it. One gets to pick the ingredients at the counter. I was pleased by the smoothie. I appreciated that the menu had many vegetarian and vegan options. The ingredients, I presume, are high quality and organic. The cashier person was very helpful and enthusiastic. He instructed them to split the one meal onto two plates and split the smoothie into two glasses. The food was served promptly. And, tea was free. After eating, one brings the dishes and cutlery to the corner of the room to be cleaned. I liked seeing the hippy-dressing people. Overall, we had a pleasant experience at the Golden Temple. It is one of the truly vegan options in town. It is slightly on the expensive side.
(2)
David S.
I like this place a lot, but I must admit I'm one of very few of my friends that do. If you want to eat something that's pretty good and wholesome, and you like eating vegetarian food that's well made from time to time, this place is for you. Most of the people that don't like this place, love buffalo wild wings...so what does that tell you? Only open for lunch and they usually aren't terribly crowded, which is probably because of the food they serve (which some people compare to rabbit food). I've been many times and I am certain I will go again many times.
(5)
Alden C.
I want to love Golden Temple. I want to be one of those cool yoga-mat toting girls who always finds parking in Southside and breezes in and out with some vegan delight and a smile on my face. But, I'm not that girl. I lug my yoga mat around, am nearly incapable of parallel parking, and usually end up in a bad mood because I was ripped off by some random dude "guarding" a parking lot near Golden Temple. That's the set up of every time I've been there (and no, I don't carry my yoga mat in just to make a statement- that would result in the casualties of hundreds of supplement bottles, containers of Braggs Liquid Aminos, and more). Golden Temple sells a small selection of natural/homeopathic goods and organic foods- they are all overpriced in my opinion. I'll just go to the Green Door in Mtn Brook Village if I want this type of experience, because it is both cleaner and the service is infinitely better. My main issue here is the lasagna I ate here once. It was the nastiest thing I have ever eaten. I was excited because it was gluten-free and I had a hankering for "normal" comfort food. The rather incompetent server microwaved it (which, for the record, generally degrades the quality of the food and shouldn't small super health-focused stores know better than to subject their clientele to the damage caused by microwaves?). Then, she neglected to inform me that the cheese on my oh-so-deserved lasagna was fake. It was nasty fake vegan cheese. The other lasagna for gluten tolerant folk had real cheese, but I guess they decided to throw all the eggs (or not!) into one basket with my chosen dish. If I am hungry, I will be able to force myself to eat enough to not pass out. Not this time- it was so gross I threw it away. I felt guilty for not offering it to one of the dozens of homeless men that lurk about in 5 Points, but I realized they would probably be offended if I offered them this grossness. So, Golden Temple, Birmingham is in the big leagues now. We have a Whole Foods. We have Green Door. We have Organic Harvest. Aka, we have seen the light and know that we, the health conscious and usually gluten and/or meat free, deserve nice, clean stores with informative and helpful staff and an array of both delectable and reasonably affordable products that you, the staff, have tried and tested and can personally recommend.
(1)
J M.
Very solid food for an organic, vegetarian type of place. I love the cheap soups with the ability to add rice and grab bread for no extra charge.
(4)
Caleigh R.
Needed something of substance before going to work--didn't want to do the fast foods in 5 points, so stopped it at Golden Temple for juice. Unfortunately, I was disappointed in the juice. I had the juice that was supposed to have cabbage, beets, carrots, ginger, etc. I wasn't watching the cook the whole time, but I only saw him putting carrots in the juice....and that's all it tasted like. I won't be going back for juice. I've been for meals before...it's ok. Very bland.
(3)
Danielle S.
I don't go here for anything organic, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, fair trade, or all natural. I'm sure all of those things are well and good, but I go for the Golden Temple Stack. This is pretty much a meatless burrito bowl. Rice, beans, cheese, salsa, sour cream and guacamole. They have a self-serve station with plenty of hot sauces and jalapenos. The Stack comes in a small or large serving; I've never been able to finish the small in one sitting. I'm giving this place 3 stars because every time I've gone in to eat, there's been some clientele that has really put me off my meal. I'm talking visually and aromatically disturbing. The cafe itself is pretty clean, so maybe I should just order to-go when The Stack craving comes along.
(3)
Amber G.
Up-dating my stars for Golden Temple thanks to the lovely Lisa! Lisa manages and does all the ordering for the boutique section of main Golden Temple branch. And the branch's most noted items are the exotic boutique items you cannot find anywhere else in town. Lisa can find an item for you on request too. From the clothes to the jewelry and talismans from various mythologies, Lisa knows how to throw an eclectic mix together and make it beautiful!
(4)
Whitney B.
This place is the dumps. Aloof and arrogant staff along with items in a disarray and an overall dirtiness to boot. I have given this place chance after chance. And each time, I curse myself for even bothering. The first time, was because of a Groupon over a year ago. Total waste of time. Since then, I only go when I need some Stevia. I end up going through the store to browse, even though I don't know what the heck for. Most of their items are just outrageously priced, if they have the item at all. I haven't even bothered with the cafe. I'm not into pretentious prissys. For better service and better items along with better prices and a better cafe....do yourself a favor and pass this store and just go to Whole Foods or better yet, Organic Harvest.
(1)
Bryant F.
Parking in that area is a perpetual issue; deal with it. The food is plant-based and of quality organic ingredients. The teas are very well done, full of flavor and of perfect brew strength. The quantity of the meals are enough to satisfy any working man. My only recommendation is to the staff....WELCOME your patrons; offer assistance and RECOMMEND. I came in full military uniform which might...MIGHT...have been seen as atypical for the clientele; recommend that you target such as me and welcome us. While likely not pure vegans, we do seek healthy alternatives to Five Guys. : ]
(4)
Larry B.
Great food with several vegan options. Try the Lima bean soup. A bit pricey, however.
(4)
Pamela R.
I'm trying to give a fair review considering I didn't get to try any food here. I had juice and bought some products from the store. I got there too early for the lunch menu around 9:00 a.m. so I couldn't try any of the food. It did smell tasty. I know what the other reviews mean by this place seems dirty, it just doesn't look clean. It's more that it could use a new floor and seeing them wash dishes isn't very reassuring. The juice was good, but it was SOOOO small and so expensive. I thought I ordered a medium, but it looked about 12 oz and it was about $7 and some change. That's more outrageous than big chain prices like Jamba Juice or Robek's. That was enough to send me into thinking this place was just OK. But, it is one of the only truly vegan places around Birmingham so it's hard for me not to like it.
(3)
Nicole J.
This is definitely one of the best places in B'ham to have lunch. The food is filling and always wonderful. Of course, there aren't too many organic and vegetarian restaurants in B'ham to benchmark it against. Still a good, healthful place to eat even if you're a meat eater. Service is minimal but nothing to complain about. If you go there for lunch, try to get there before 12:00 or after 1:00- otherwise you'll have trouble finding a place to park. Try the chili (during the winter) and if they're serving their pita bread pizza with vegan cheese, don't turn it down.
(4)
Stephen K.
So maybe a little pricey but for Birmingham Alabama you can't get much better... Took me a while to finally make it in (they close early) but happy to have walked a few miles from where I was staying in town... The tofu stir fry was delicious and the banana mango blueberry almond milk smoothie was as good as it sounds :) bought some necessary travel supplies in the attached store and was happy to spend a few extra dollars to support this local business... The staff was wonderful and courteous, and i recommend this spot hands down!
(4)
Dax B.
The Golden Temple "grilled" (one side only) sandwich was pretty good for lunch today. Lots of fresh guac, tomatoes, raw mushrooms and black olives, all on toasted bread served with blue corn chips. The guacamole did not have the chalky taste of guac paste and it had a few nice chunks in it. The guac spilled over the side, which was convenient for the chips. It would have been nice of both sides of the sandwich were grilled or toasted before serving. Fairly quick service too.
(4)
Caitlin S.
Parking is crap, but I go here in between classes a couple times a week. They usually have excellent organic apples and blueberries. Grab a peanutbutter cookie (Alternative Baking Co. brand) if you're feeling awesome. The stock is pretty small, but you can grab a few things you might want or need. I haven't had food from the cafe because a friend of mine said it's basically burgers and things that you can make at home. Juice bar sounds great, though.
(4)
Lucy B.
This place serves healthful vegetarian food that tastes great. I love the stack, the super quesadilla, cream cheese/date/walnut sandwich, salad, guacamole. You can also build your own smoothie to suit your preference, which is great for picky people like me. Maybe it's not super cheap, but I think it's fair.. especially when you are getting these healthful and special diet options in a high rent area. My only complaint is that they are only open for lunch!! I like the store a lot as well. They have Lifeway kefir (my personal favorite), kombucha, many specialty grocery items (you know, the ones you see in a vegan or gluten free recipe and wonder where to buy it), and a selection of local produce. I should probably warn you that I seem to like it more than some of my friends.. but I guess I'm just so happy that I can eat something delicious AND nutritious without having to make it my d*mn self. I leave with a happy glow, and maybe a hint of incense on my clothes.
(5)
Massimo F.
I hate to say that, but the Golden Temple is rolling down the hill Good for everybody that the food is always good! All the rest though it's just turned to be too much. Too much money for what you get... they increased the prices above reasonableness. Too much mess with the orders... I can't count anymore how many times our orders got lost. Too much wait... people there work very hard, but they are clearly understaffed. Too much careless about the customers, employes are very sweet and nice people and great at you as a person, but none cares about you as a customer! I'm afraid this is it with this place. Great food, over expensive, slow, but still a nice place where to go whenever you look for a light and healthy lunch
(3)
Jeremy E.
I have only eaten at the cafe once, and it was just OK to me. The draw to me is the store side, where you can find so many unique items. Love their selection of incense and essential oils. The staff are always very friendly and welcoming too.
(4)
Raye F.
I love GT cafe! I've only been a few times for lunch, but I've enjoyed the same dish each time I go. Its a perfect lunch date with a cool co worker and its in walking distance to other cool options if your group isn't interested in vegetarian. Its also one of those quaint getaway from the madness spot....where no-one of interest will find you. I enjoy the golden stack like a complex dish. It's just a bed of brown rice, black beans, tomatoes (& I don't even like tomatoes), mozz cheese, topped with dollops of both sour cream & guac! Perfect equation of YUM! Its so fantastic. I've even tried to make this dish at home-its close enough when I've got sour cream. Though there are specials per day of the week, I keep going back to my trusty dish. One day, I'll get the balls to try something new. For me its priced fairly especially for lunch where you have the option to get a half or full size dish. Its fresh, healthy & you feel so great after eating it-this is how food should be devoured! Anyhow-the market is pretty cool if you're into that stuff. I've gone back for the agave gummy bears-its good stuff. You should give it a try. Its a cizy corner spot full of nice/hip/helpful people. The customer service if anything is the one thing that will keep you coming back! Happy vegan/vegetarian eats
(5)
Bill R.
Visited for the first time today and will definitely be back. Had the curry burrito and it and the beans were very good! The employees were pleasant and I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere.
(4)
Lee C.
We arrived for lunch and had no problem finding parking in their lot. The store was fairly busy, but not overly so. The store has a limited selection of produce and groceries. The bulk section is very small. Things seem relatively expensive. It has many interesting assortment of trinkets, Buddha statues, clothing. rocks, and the like. In any case, we went to the Cafe and tried their special, enchilada dinner. The portion size was generous, easily satisfying two people. More like a vegetarian lasagne, the dish seemed a little soggy and mushy. Despite having some cheese, the plate had little taste. One can incidentally get a vegan version upon request for about $1.50 more. The dinner came with lima bean soup with rosemary. Like the main course, it was very mushy and had little flavor. It was uninspiring. There were black beans and rice on the side, and those were fine. Perhaps other dishes are better. We also split a 32-oz smoothie. They seem to use real ingredients and depend on the flavor of the fruits and juices, rather than bolstering it with lots of sugar. Unlike chain smoothie places, it doesn't have ground ice in it. One gets to pick the ingredients at the counter. I was pleased by the smoothie. I appreciated that the menu had many vegetarian and vegan options. The ingredients, I presume, are high quality and organic. The cashier person was very helpful and enthusiastic. He instructed them to split the one meal onto two plates and split the smoothie into two glasses. The food was served promptly. And, tea was free. After eating, one brings the dishes and cutlery to the corner of the room to be cleaned. I liked seeing the hippy-dressing people. Overall, we had a pleasant experience at the Golden Temple. It is one of the truly vegan options in town. It is slightly on the expensive side.
(2)
Ashley W.
Soggy. Understaffed. Too expensive. Portions are too much for the plate. Inconsistent.
(1)
David S.
I like this place a lot, but I must admit I'm one of very few of my friends that do. If you want to eat something that's pretty good and wholesome, and you like eating vegetarian food that's well made from time to time, this place is for you. Most of the people that don't like this place, love buffalo wild wings...so what does that tell you? Only open for lunch and they usually aren't terribly crowded, which is probably because of the food they serve (which some people compare to rabbit food). I've been many times and I am certain I will go again many times.
(5)
Danielle S.
I don't go here for anything organic, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, fair trade, or all natural. I'm sure all of those things are well and good, but I go for the Golden Temple Stack. This is pretty much a meatless burrito bowl. Rice, beans, cheese, salsa, sour cream and guacamole. They have a self-serve station with plenty of hot sauces and jalapenos. The Stack comes in a small or large serving; I've never been able to finish the small in one sitting. I'm giving this place 3 stars because every time I've gone in to eat, there's been some clientele that has really put me off my meal. I'm talking visually and aromatically disturbing. The cafe itself is pretty clean, so maybe I should just order to-go when The Stack craving comes along.
(3)
Amber G.
Up-dating my stars for Golden Temple thanks to the lovely Lisa! Lisa manages and does all the ordering for the boutique section of main Golden Temple branch. And the branch's most noted items are the exotic boutique items you cannot find anywhere else in town. Lisa can find an item for you on request too. From the clothes to the jewelry and talismans from various mythologies, Lisa knows how to throw an eclectic mix together and make it beautiful!
(4)
Whitney B.
This place is the dumps. Aloof and arrogant staff along with items in a disarray and an overall dirtiness to boot. I have given this place chance after chance. And each time, I curse myself for even bothering. The first time, was because of a Groupon over a year ago. Total waste of time. Since then, I only go when I need some Stevia. I end up going through the store to browse, even though I don't know what the heck for. Most of their items are just outrageously priced, if they have the item at all. I haven't even bothered with the cafe. I'm not into pretentious prissys. For better service and better items along with better prices and a better cafe....do yourself a favor and pass this store and just go to Whole Foods or better yet, Organic Harvest.
(1)
Bryant F.
Parking in that area is a perpetual issue; deal with it. The food is plant-based and of quality organic ingredients. The teas are very well done, full of flavor and of perfect brew strength. The quantity of the meals are enough to satisfy any working man. My only recommendation is to the staff....WELCOME your patrons; offer assistance and RECOMMEND. I came in full military uniform which might...MIGHT...have been seen as atypical for the clientele; recommend that you target such as me and welcome us. While likely not pure vegans, we do seek healthy alternatives to Five Guys. : ]
(4)
Larry B.
Great food with several vegan options. Try the Lima bean soup. A bit pricey, however.
(4)
Pamela R.
I'm trying to give a fair review considering I didn't get to try any food here. I had juice and bought some products from the store. I got there too early for the lunch menu around 9:00 a.m. so I couldn't try any of the food. It did smell tasty. I know what the other reviews mean by this place seems dirty, it just doesn't look clean. It's more that it could use a new floor and seeing them wash dishes isn't very reassuring. The juice was good, but it was SOOOO small and so expensive. I thought I ordered a medium, but it looked about 12 oz and it was about $7 and some change. That's more outrageous than big chain prices like Jamba Juice or Robek's. That was enough to send me into thinking this place was just OK. But, it is one of the only truly vegan places around Birmingham so it's hard for me not to like it.
(3)
Nicole J.
This is definitely one of the best places in B'ham to have lunch. The food is filling and always wonderful. Of course, there aren't too many organic and vegetarian restaurants in B'ham to benchmark it against. Still a good, healthful place to eat even if you're a meat eater. Service is minimal but nothing to complain about. If you go there for lunch, try to get there before 12:00 or after 1:00- otherwise you'll have trouble finding a place to park. Try the chili (during the winter) and if they're serving their pita bread pizza with vegan cheese, don't turn it down.
(4)
Stephen K.
So maybe a little pricey but for Birmingham Alabama you can't get much better... Took me a while to finally make it in (they close early) but happy to have walked a few miles from where I was staying in town... The tofu stir fry was delicious and the banana mango blueberry almond milk smoothie was as good as it sounds :) bought some necessary travel supplies in the attached store and was happy to spend a few extra dollars to support this local business... The staff was wonderful and courteous, and i recommend this spot hands down!
(4)
Dax B.
The Golden Temple "grilled" (one side only) sandwich was pretty good for lunch today. Lots of fresh guac, tomatoes, raw mushrooms and black olives, all on toasted bread served with blue corn chips. The guacamole did not have the chalky taste of guac paste and it had a few nice chunks in it. The guac spilled over the side, which was convenient for the chips. It would have been nice of both sides of the sandwich were grilled or toasted before serving. Fairly quick service too.
(4)
Caitlin S.
Parking is crap, but I go here in between classes a couple times a week. They usually have excellent organic apples and blueberries. Grab a peanutbutter cookie (Alternative Baking Co. brand) if you're feeling awesome. The stock is pretty small, but you can grab a few things you might want or need. I haven't had food from the cafe because a friend of mine said it's basically burgers and things that you can make at home. Juice bar sounds great, though.
(4)
Christina C.
4.5/5.0 My friend first introduced me to Golden Temple for their Thursday Lasagna special... SO WORTH IT! :) The white sauce version is just so delicious and very very filling. I've been a couple times for the lunch specials, and I always find that the portions are very generous. The only thing I don't like is that the smell of the place (lots of spices... incense?.. other smells) is a little bit overwhelming and can leave you smelling like it for a while (but that's just a personal thing). Highly recommend if you have time for lunch and are on UAB campus. Oh! The store side seems to have many unique items for sale. It's fun if you want to look around, but I've never actually purchased anything.
(4)
Curly Q.
Golden Temple seems to have cleaned their act up a bit, literally and figuratively. I think some of the market pressure from Whole Foods has been good for them, to what limited extent they are a competitor. The store was cleaner and better organized the last time I was in.
(2)
Sheri P.
I agree with Chelsea. I rarely buy anything from the grocery side but I LOVE the Cafe. It is so delicious! Sometimes the people who work their are kinda rude and unhelpful but the food is so yummy I forgive them. But last time I went one of the guys that serves the food was very helpful and answered all my questions in detail. He was also pretty cute ;) It is vegetarian and vegan but my friends that do eat meat have come here with me and loved it too! So don't let that scare you! It is so delicious and full of flavour. It can be a little pricey but the portions are huge and can easily be shared.
(4)
R. C.
Both the Grocery and the Cafe had the most irreverent service I've ever experienced. Really pathetic. Dusty dirty shelves and employees who couldn't care less. My latte was the worst ever and they make a big deal about substituting organic milk for non-organic - charging a lot of extra money and complaining about the extra effort. Sad - they could really have something special and unique.
(1)
Tracy G.
i was visiting birmingham last weekend, and we went to this place for lunch. it was great!!! it is a vegetarian/vegan spot to eat, and they have all of the healthy things that a health-conscious person craves, like freshly extracted vegetable juices and vegan choices on the menu. it seemed that the menu had a mexican flavor, at least from the menu they had when i was in. i had vegan nachos! delicious!!! i also had a chance to browse in the grocery side and they have all that you can find at whole foods and more! but it's local, so why not support that?
(4)
Alden C.
I want to love Golden Temple. I want to be one of those cool yoga-mat toting girls who always finds parking in Southside and breezes in and out with some vegan delight and a smile on my face. But, I'm not that girl. I lug my yoga mat around, am nearly incapable of parallel parking, and usually end up in a bad mood because I was ripped off by some random dude "guarding" a parking lot near Golden Temple. That's the set up of every time I've been there (and no, I don't carry my yoga mat in just to make a statement- that would result in the casualties of hundreds of supplement bottles, containers of Braggs Liquid Aminos, and more). Golden Temple sells a small selection of natural/homeopathic goods and organic foods- they are all overpriced in my opinion. I'll just go to the Green Door in Mtn Brook Village if I want this type of experience, because it is both cleaner and the service is infinitely better. My main issue here is the lasagna I ate here once. It was the nastiest thing I have ever eaten. I was excited because it was gluten-free and I had a hankering for "normal" comfort food. The rather incompetent server microwaved it (which, for the record, generally degrades the quality of the food and shouldn't small super health-focused stores know better than to subject their clientele to the damage caused by microwaves?). Then, she neglected to inform me that the cheese on my oh-so-deserved lasagna was fake. It was nasty fake vegan cheese. The other lasagna for gluten tolerant folk had real cheese, but I guess they decided to throw all the eggs (or not!) into one basket with my chosen dish. If I am hungry, I will be able to force myself to eat enough to not pass out. Not this time- it was so gross I threw it away. I felt guilty for not offering it to one of the dozens of homeless men that lurk about in 5 Points, but I realized they would probably be offended if I offered them this grossness. So, Golden Temple, Birmingham is in the big leagues now. We have a Whole Foods. We have Green Door. We have Organic Harvest. Aka, we have seen the light and know that we, the health conscious and usually gluten and/or meat free, deserve nice, clean stores with informative and helpful staff and an array of both delectable and reasonably affordable products that you, the staff, have tried and tested and can personally recommend.
(1)
J M.
Very solid food for an organic, vegetarian type of place. I love the cheap soups with the ability to add rice and grab bread for no extra charge.
(4)
Caleigh R.
Needed something of substance before going to work--didn't want to do the fast foods in 5 points, so stopped it at Golden Temple for juice. Unfortunately, I was disappointed in the juice. I had the juice that was supposed to have cabbage, beets, carrots, ginger, etc. I wasn't watching the cook the whole time, but I only saw him putting carrots in the juice....and that's all it tasted like. I won't be going back for juice. I've been for meals before...it's ok. Very bland.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Hipster Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No
Christina C.
4.5/5.0 My friend first introduced me to Golden Temple for their Thursday Lasagna special... SO WORTH IT! :) The white sauce version is just so delicious and very very filling. I've been a couple times for the lunch specials, and I always find that the portions are very generous. The only thing I don't like is that the smell of the place (lots of spices... incense?.. other smells) is a little bit overwhelming and can leave you smelling like it for a while (but that's just a personal thing). Highly recommend if you have time for lunch and are on UAB campus. Oh! The store side seems to have many unique items for sale. It's fun if you want to look around, but I've never actually purchased anything.
(4)Curly Q.
Golden Temple seems to have cleaned their act up a bit, literally and figuratively. I think some of the market pressure from Whole Foods has been good for them, to what limited extent they are a competitor. The store was cleaner and better organized the last time I was in.
(2)Sheri P.
I agree with Chelsea. I rarely buy anything from the grocery side but I LOVE the Cafe. It is so delicious! Sometimes the people who work their are kinda rude and unhelpful but the food is so yummy I forgive them. But last time I went one of the guys that serves the food was very helpful and answered all my questions in detail. He was also pretty cute ;) It is vegetarian and vegan but my friends that do eat meat have come here with me and loved it too! So don't let that scare you! It is so delicious and full of flavour. It can be a little pricey but the portions are huge and can easily be shared.
(4)R. C.
Both the Grocery and the Cafe had the most irreverent service I've ever experienced. Really pathetic. Dusty dirty shelves and employees who couldn't care less. My latte was the worst ever and they make a big deal about substituting organic milk for non-organic - charging a lot of extra money and complaining about the extra effort. Sad - they could really have something special and unique.
(1)Tracy G.
i was visiting birmingham last weekend, and we went to this place for lunch. it was great!!! it is a vegetarian/vegan spot to eat, and they have all of the healthy things that a health-conscious person craves, like freshly extracted vegetable juices and vegan choices on the menu. it seemed that the menu had a mexican flavor, at least from the menu they had when i was in. i had vegan nachos! delicious!!! i also had a chance to browse in the grocery side and they have all that you can find at whole foods and more! but it's local, so why not support that?
(4)Lucy B.
This place serves healthful vegetarian food that tastes great. I love the stack, the super quesadilla, cream cheese/date/walnut sandwich, salad, guacamole. You can also build your own smoothie to suit your preference, which is great for picky people like me. Maybe it's not super cheap, but I think it's fair.. especially when you are getting these healthful and special diet options in a high rent area. My only complaint is that they are only open for lunch!! I like the store a lot as well. They have Lifeway kefir (my personal favorite), kombucha, many specialty grocery items (you know, the ones you see in a vegan or gluten free recipe and wonder where to buy it), and a selection of local produce. I should probably warn you that I seem to like it more than some of my friends.. but I guess I'm just so happy that I can eat something delicious AND nutritious without having to make it my d*mn self. I leave with a happy glow, and maybe a hint of incense on my clothes.
(5)Massimo F.
I hate to say that, but the Golden Temple is rolling down the hill Good for everybody that the food is always good! All the rest though it's just turned to be too much. Too much money for what you get... they increased the prices above reasonableness. Too much mess with the orders... I can't count anymore how many times our orders got lost. Too much wait... people there work very hard, but they are clearly understaffed. Too much careless about the customers, employes are very sweet and nice people and great at you as a person, but none cares about you as a customer! I'm afraid this is it with this place. Great food, over expensive, slow, but still a nice place where to go whenever you look for a light and healthy lunch
(3)Jeremy E.
I have only eaten at the cafe once, and it was just OK to me. The draw to me is the store side, where you can find so many unique items. Love their selection of incense and essential oils. The staff are always very friendly and welcoming too.
(4)Ashley W.
Soggy. Understaffed. Too expensive. Portions are too much for the plate. Inconsistent.
(1)Raye F.
I love GT cafe! I've only been a few times for lunch, but I've enjoyed the same dish each time I go. Its a perfect lunch date with a cool co worker and its in walking distance to other cool options if your group isn't interested in vegetarian. Its also one of those quaint getaway from the madness spot....where no-one of interest will find you. I enjoy the golden stack like a complex dish. It's just a bed of brown rice, black beans, tomatoes (& I don't even like tomatoes), mozz cheese, topped with dollops of both sour cream & guac! Perfect equation of YUM! Its so fantastic. I've even tried to make this dish at home-its close enough when I've got sour cream. Though there are specials per day of the week, I keep going back to my trusty dish. One day, I'll get the balls to try something new. For me its priced fairly especially for lunch where you have the option to get a half or full size dish. Its fresh, healthy & you feel so great after eating it-this is how food should be devoured! Anyhow-the market is pretty cool if you're into that stuff. I've gone back for the agave gummy bears-its good stuff. You should give it a try. Its a cizy corner spot full of nice/hip/helpful people. The customer service if anything is the one thing that will keep you coming back! Happy vegan/vegetarian eats
(5)Bill R.
Visited for the first time today and will definitely be back. Had the curry burrito and it and the beans were very good! The employees were pleasant and I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere.
(4)Lee C.
We arrived for lunch and had no problem finding parking in their lot. The store was fairly busy, but not overly so. The store has a limited selection of produce and groceries. The bulk section is very small. Things seem relatively expensive. It has many interesting assortment of trinkets, Buddha statues, clothing. rocks, and the like. In any case, we went to the Cafe and tried their special, enchilada dinner. The portion size was generous, easily satisfying two people. More like a vegetarian lasagne, the dish seemed a little soggy and mushy. Despite having some cheese, the plate had little taste. One can incidentally get a vegan version upon request for about $1.50 more. The dinner came with lima bean soup with rosemary. Like the main course, it was very mushy and had little flavor. It was uninspiring. There were black beans and rice on the side, and those were fine. Perhaps other dishes are better. We also split a 32-oz smoothie. They seem to use real ingredients and depend on the flavor of the fruits and juices, rather than bolstering it with lots of sugar. Unlike chain smoothie places, it doesn't have ground ice in it. One gets to pick the ingredients at the counter. I was pleased by the smoothie. I appreciated that the menu had many vegetarian and vegan options. The ingredients, I presume, are high quality and organic. The cashier person was very helpful and enthusiastic. He instructed them to split the one meal onto two plates and split the smoothie into two glasses. The food was served promptly. And, tea was free. After eating, one brings the dishes and cutlery to the corner of the room to be cleaned. I liked seeing the hippy-dressing people. Overall, we had a pleasant experience at the Golden Temple. It is one of the truly vegan options in town. It is slightly on the expensive side.
(2)David S.
I like this place a lot, but I must admit I'm one of very few of my friends that do. If you want to eat something that's pretty good and wholesome, and you like eating vegetarian food that's well made from time to time, this place is for you. Most of the people that don't like this place, love buffalo wild wings...so what does that tell you? Only open for lunch and they usually aren't terribly crowded, which is probably because of the food they serve (which some people compare to rabbit food). I've been many times and I am certain I will go again many times.
(5)Alden C.
I want to love Golden Temple. I want to be one of those cool yoga-mat toting girls who always finds parking in Southside and breezes in and out with some vegan delight and a smile on my face. But, I'm not that girl. I lug my yoga mat around, am nearly incapable of parallel parking, and usually end up in a bad mood because I was ripped off by some random dude "guarding" a parking lot near Golden Temple. That's the set up of every time I've been there (and no, I don't carry my yoga mat in just to make a statement- that would result in the casualties of hundreds of supplement bottles, containers of Braggs Liquid Aminos, and more). Golden Temple sells a small selection of natural/homeopathic goods and organic foods- they are all overpriced in my opinion. I'll just go to the Green Door in Mtn Brook Village if I want this type of experience, because it is both cleaner and the service is infinitely better. My main issue here is the lasagna I ate here once. It was the nastiest thing I have ever eaten. I was excited because it was gluten-free and I had a hankering for "normal" comfort food. The rather incompetent server microwaved it (which, for the record, generally degrades the quality of the food and shouldn't small super health-focused stores know better than to subject their clientele to the damage caused by microwaves?). Then, she neglected to inform me that the cheese on my oh-so-deserved lasagna was fake. It was nasty fake vegan cheese. The other lasagna for gluten tolerant folk had real cheese, but I guess they decided to throw all the eggs (or not!) into one basket with my chosen dish. If I am hungry, I will be able to force myself to eat enough to not pass out. Not this time- it was so gross I threw it away. I felt guilty for not offering it to one of the dozens of homeless men that lurk about in 5 Points, but I realized they would probably be offended if I offered them this grossness. So, Golden Temple, Birmingham is in the big leagues now. We have a Whole Foods. We have Green Door. We have Organic Harvest. Aka, we have seen the light and know that we, the health conscious and usually gluten and/or meat free, deserve nice, clean stores with informative and helpful staff and an array of both delectable and reasonably affordable products that you, the staff, have tried and tested and can personally recommend.
(1)J M.
Very solid food for an organic, vegetarian type of place. I love the cheap soups with the ability to add rice and grab bread for no extra charge.
(4)Caleigh R.
Needed something of substance before going to work--didn't want to do the fast foods in 5 points, so stopped it at Golden Temple for juice. Unfortunately, I was disappointed in the juice. I had the juice that was supposed to have cabbage, beets, carrots, ginger, etc. I wasn't watching the cook the whole time, but I only saw him putting carrots in the juice....and that's all it tasted like. I won't be going back for juice. I've been for meals before...it's ok. Very bland.
(3)Danielle S.
I don't go here for anything organic, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, fair trade, or all natural. I'm sure all of those things are well and good, but I go for the Golden Temple Stack. This is pretty much a meatless burrito bowl. Rice, beans, cheese, salsa, sour cream and guacamole. They have a self-serve station with plenty of hot sauces and jalapenos. The Stack comes in a small or large serving; I've never been able to finish the small in one sitting. I'm giving this place 3 stars because every time I've gone in to eat, there's been some clientele that has really put me off my meal. I'm talking visually and aromatically disturbing. The cafe itself is pretty clean, so maybe I should just order to-go when The Stack craving comes along.
(3)Amber G.
Up-dating my stars for Golden Temple thanks to the lovely Lisa! Lisa manages and does all the ordering for the boutique section of main Golden Temple branch. And the branch's most noted items are the exotic boutique items you cannot find anywhere else in town. Lisa can find an item for you on request too. From the clothes to the jewelry and talismans from various mythologies, Lisa knows how to throw an eclectic mix together and make it beautiful!
(4)Whitney B.
This place is the dumps. Aloof and arrogant staff along with items in a disarray and an overall dirtiness to boot. I have given this place chance after chance. And each time, I curse myself for even bothering. The first time, was because of a Groupon over a year ago. Total waste of time. Since then, I only go when I need some Stevia. I end up going through the store to browse, even though I don't know what the heck for. Most of their items are just outrageously priced, if they have the item at all. I haven't even bothered with the cafe. I'm not into pretentious prissys. For better service and better items along with better prices and a better cafe....do yourself a favor and pass this store and just go to Whole Foods or better yet, Organic Harvest.
(1)Bryant F.
Parking in that area is a perpetual issue; deal with it. The food is plant-based and of quality organic ingredients. The teas are very well done, full of flavor and of perfect brew strength. The quantity of the meals are enough to satisfy any working man. My only recommendation is to the staff....WELCOME your patrons; offer assistance and RECOMMEND. I came in full military uniform which might...MIGHT...have been seen as atypical for the clientele; recommend that you target such as me and welcome us. While likely not pure vegans, we do seek healthy alternatives to Five Guys. : ]
(4)Larry B.
Great food with several vegan options. Try the Lima bean soup. A bit pricey, however.
(4)Pamela R.
I'm trying to give a fair review considering I didn't get to try any food here. I had juice and bought some products from the store. I got there too early for the lunch menu around 9:00 a.m. so I couldn't try any of the food. It did smell tasty. I know what the other reviews mean by this place seems dirty, it just doesn't look clean. It's more that it could use a new floor and seeing them wash dishes isn't very reassuring. The juice was good, but it was SOOOO small and so expensive. I thought I ordered a medium, but it looked about 12 oz and it was about $7 and some change. That's more outrageous than big chain prices like Jamba Juice or Robek's. That was enough to send me into thinking this place was just OK. But, it is one of the only truly vegan places around Birmingham so it's hard for me not to like it.
(3)Nicole J.
This is definitely one of the best places in B'ham to have lunch. The food is filling and always wonderful. Of course, there aren't too many organic and vegetarian restaurants in B'ham to benchmark it against. Still a good, healthful place to eat even if you're a meat eater. Service is minimal but nothing to complain about. If you go there for lunch, try to get there before 12:00 or after 1:00- otherwise you'll have trouble finding a place to park. Try the chili (during the winter) and if they're serving their pita bread pizza with vegan cheese, don't turn it down.
(4)Stephen K.
So maybe a little pricey but for Birmingham Alabama you can't get much better... Took me a while to finally make it in (they close early) but happy to have walked a few miles from where I was staying in town... The tofu stir fry was delicious and the banana mango blueberry almond milk smoothie was as good as it sounds :) bought some necessary travel supplies in the attached store and was happy to spend a few extra dollars to support this local business... The staff was wonderful and courteous, and i recommend this spot hands down!
(4)Dax B.
The Golden Temple "grilled" (one side only) sandwich was pretty good for lunch today. Lots of fresh guac, tomatoes, raw mushrooms and black olives, all on toasted bread served with blue corn chips. The guacamole did not have the chalky taste of guac paste and it had a few nice chunks in it. The guac spilled over the side, which was convenient for the chips. It would have been nice of both sides of the sandwich were grilled or toasted before serving. Fairly quick service too.
(4)Caitlin S.
Parking is crap, but I go here in between classes a couple times a week. They usually have excellent organic apples and blueberries. Grab a peanutbutter cookie (Alternative Baking Co. brand) if you're feeling awesome. The stock is pretty small, but you can grab a few things you might want or need. I haven't had food from the cafe because a friend of mine said it's basically burgers and things that you can make at home. Juice bar sounds great, though.
(4)Lucy B.
This place serves healthful vegetarian food that tastes great. I love the stack, the super quesadilla, cream cheese/date/walnut sandwich, salad, guacamole. You can also build your own smoothie to suit your preference, which is great for picky people like me. Maybe it's not super cheap, but I think it's fair.. especially when you are getting these healthful and special diet options in a high rent area. My only complaint is that they are only open for lunch!! I like the store a lot as well. They have Lifeway kefir (my personal favorite), kombucha, many specialty grocery items (you know, the ones you see in a vegan or gluten free recipe and wonder where to buy it), and a selection of local produce. I should probably warn you that I seem to like it more than some of my friends.. but I guess I'm just so happy that I can eat something delicious AND nutritious without having to make it my d*mn self. I leave with a happy glow, and maybe a hint of incense on my clothes.
(5)Massimo F.
I hate to say that, but the Golden Temple is rolling down the hill Good for everybody that the food is always good! All the rest though it's just turned to be too much. Too much money for what you get... they increased the prices above reasonableness. Too much mess with the orders... I can't count anymore how many times our orders got lost. Too much wait... people there work very hard, but they are clearly understaffed. Too much careless about the customers, employes are very sweet and nice people and great at you as a person, but none cares about you as a customer! I'm afraid this is it with this place. Great food, over expensive, slow, but still a nice place where to go whenever you look for a light and healthy lunch
(3)Jeremy E.
I have only eaten at the cafe once, and it was just OK to me. The draw to me is the store side, where you can find so many unique items. Love their selection of incense and essential oils. The staff are always very friendly and welcoming too.
(4)Raye F.
I love GT cafe! I've only been a few times for lunch, but I've enjoyed the same dish each time I go. Its a perfect lunch date with a cool co worker and its in walking distance to other cool options if your group isn't interested in vegetarian. Its also one of those quaint getaway from the madness spot....where no-one of interest will find you. I enjoy the golden stack like a complex dish. It's just a bed of brown rice, black beans, tomatoes (& I don't even like tomatoes), mozz cheese, topped with dollops of both sour cream & guac! Perfect equation of YUM! Its so fantastic. I've even tried to make this dish at home-its close enough when I've got sour cream. Though there are specials per day of the week, I keep going back to my trusty dish. One day, I'll get the balls to try something new. For me its priced fairly especially for lunch where you have the option to get a half or full size dish. Its fresh, healthy & you feel so great after eating it-this is how food should be devoured! Anyhow-the market is pretty cool if you're into that stuff. I've gone back for the agave gummy bears-its good stuff. You should give it a try. Its a cizy corner spot full of nice/hip/helpful people. The customer service if anything is the one thing that will keep you coming back! Happy vegan/vegetarian eats
(5)Bill R.
Visited for the first time today and will definitely be back. Had the curry burrito and it and the beans were very good! The employees were pleasant and I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere.
(4)Lee C.
We arrived for lunch and had no problem finding parking in their lot. The store was fairly busy, but not overly so. The store has a limited selection of produce and groceries. The bulk section is very small. Things seem relatively expensive. It has many interesting assortment of trinkets, Buddha statues, clothing. rocks, and the like. In any case, we went to the Cafe and tried their special, enchilada dinner. The portion size was generous, easily satisfying two people. More like a vegetarian lasagne, the dish seemed a little soggy and mushy. Despite having some cheese, the plate had little taste. One can incidentally get a vegan version upon request for about $1.50 more. The dinner came with lima bean soup with rosemary. Like the main course, it was very mushy and had little flavor. It was uninspiring. There were black beans and rice on the side, and those were fine. Perhaps other dishes are better. We also split a 32-oz smoothie. They seem to use real ingredients and depend on the flavor of the fruits and juices, rather than bolstering it with lots of sugar. Unlike chain smoothie places, it doesn't have ground ice in it. One gets to pick the ingredients at the counter. I was pleased by the smoothie. I appreciated that the menu had many vegetarian and vegan options. The ingredients, I presume, are high quality and organic. The cashier person was very helpful and enthusiastic. He instructed them to split the one meal onto two plates and split the smoothie into two glasses. The food was served promptly. And, tea was free. After eating, one brings the dishes and cutlery to the corner of the room to be cleaned. I liked seeing the hippy-dressing people. Overall, we had a pleasant experience at the Golden Temple. It is one of the truly vegan options in town. It is slightly on the expensive side.
(2)Ashley W.
Soggy. Understaffed. Too expensive. Portions are too much for the plate. Inconsistent.
(1)David S.
I like this place a lot, but I must admit I'm one of very few of my friends that do. If you want to eat something that's pretty good and wholesome, and you like eating vegetarian food that's well made from time to time, this place is for you. Most of the people that don't like this place, love buffalo wild wings...so what does that tell you? Only open for lunch and they usually aren't terribly crowded, which is probably because of the food they serve (which some people compare to rabbit food). I've been many times and I am certain I will go again many times.
(5)Danielle S.
I don't go here for anything organic, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, fair trade, or all natural. I'm sure all of those things are well and good, but I go for the Golden Temple Stack. This is pretty much a meatless burrito bowl. Rice, beans, cheese, salsa, sour cream and guacamole. They have a self-serve station with plenty of hot sauces and jalapenos. The Stack comes in a small or large serving; I've never been able to finish the small in one sitting. I'm giving this place 3 stars because every time I've gone in to eat, there's been some clientele that has really put me off my meal. I'm talking visually and aromatically disturbing. The cafe itself is pretty clean, so maybe I should just order to-go when The Stack craving comes along.
(3)Amber G.
Up-dating my stars for Golden Temple thanks to the lovely Lisa! Lisa manages and does all the ordering for the boutique section of main Golden Temple branch. And the branch's most noted items are the exotic boutique items you cannot find anywhere else in town. Lisa can find an item for you on request too. From the clothes to the jewelry and talismans from various mythologies, Lisa knows how to throw an eclectic mix together and make it beautiful!
(4)Whitney B.
This place is the dumps. Aloof and arrogant staff along with items in a disarray and an overall dirtiness to boot. I have given this place chance after chance. And each time, I curse myself for even bothering. The first time, was because of a Groupon over a year ago. Total waste of time. Since then, I only go when I need some Stevia. I end up going through the store to browse, even though I don't know what the heck for. Most of their items are just outrageously priced, if they have the item at all. I haven't even bothered with the cafe. I'm not into pretentious prissys. For better service and better items along with better prices and a better cafe....do yourself a favor and pass this store and just go to Whole Foods or better yet, Organic Harvest.
(1)Bryant F.
Parking in that area is a perpetual issue; deal with it. The food is plant-based and of quality organic ingredients. The teas are very well done, full of flavor and of perfect brew strength. The quantity of the meals are enough to satisfy any working man. My only recommendation is to the staff....WELCOME your patrons; offer assistance and RECOMMEND. I came in full military uniform which might...MIGHT...have been seen as atypical for the clientele; recommend that you target such as me and welcome us. While likely not pure vegans, we do seek healthy alternatives to Five Guys. : ]
(4)Larry B.
Great food with several vegan options. Try the Lima bean soup. A bit pricey, however.
(4)Pamela R.
I'm trying to give a fair review considering I didn't get to try any food here. I had juice and bought some products from the store. I got there too early for the lunch menu around 9:00 a.m. so I couldn't try any of the food. It did smell tasty. I know what the other reviews mean by this place seems dirty, it just doesn't look clean. It's more that it could use a new floor and seeing them wash dishes isn't very reassuring. The juice was good, but it was SOOOO small and so expensive. I thought I ordered a medium, but it looked about 12 oz and it was about $7 and some change. That's more outrageous than big chain prices like Jamba Juice or Robek's. That was enough to send me into thinking this place was just OK. But, it is one of the only truly vegan places around Birmingham so it's hard for me not to like it.
(3)Nicole J.
This is definitely one of the best places in B'ham to have lunch. The food is filling and always wonderful. Of course, there aren't too many organic and vegetarian restaurants in B'ham to benchmark it against. Still a good, healthful place to eat even if you're a meat eater. Service is minimal but nothing to complain about. If you go there for lunch, try to get there before 12:00 or after 1:00- otherwise you'll have trouble finding a place to park. Try the chili (during the winter) and if they're serving their pita bread pizza with vegan cheese, don't turn it down.
(4)Stephen K.
So maybe a little pricey but for Birmingham Alabama you can't get much better... Took me a while to finally make it in (they close early) but happy to have walked a few miles from where I was staying in town... The tofu stir fry was delicious and the banana mango blueberry almond milk smoothie was as good as it sounds :) bought some necessary travel supplies in the attached store and was happy to spend a few extra dollars to support this local business... The staff was wonderful and courteous, and i recommend this spot hands down!
(4)Dax B.
The Golden Temple "grilled" (one side only) sandwich was pretty good for lunch today. Lots of fresh guac, tomatoes, raw mushrooms and black olives, all on toasted bread served with blue corn chips. The guacamole did not have the chalky taste of guac paste and it had a few nice chunks in it. The guac spilled over the side, which was convenient for the chips. It would have been nice of both sides of the sandwich were grilled or toasted before serving. Fairly quick service too.
(4)Caitlin S.
Parking is crap, but I go here in between classes a couple times a week. They usually have excellent organic apples and blueberries. Grab a peanutbutter cookie (Alternative Baking Co. brand) if you're feeling awesome. The stock is pretty small, but you can grab a few things you might want or need. I haven't had food from the cafe because a friend of mine said it's basically burgers and things that you can make at home. Juice bar sounds great, though.
(4)Christina C.
4.5/5.0 My friend first introduced me to Golden Temple for their Thursday Lasagna special... SO WORTH IT! :) The white sauce version is just so delicious and very very filling. I've been a couple times for the lunch specials, and I always find that the portions are very generous. The only thing I don't like is that the smell of the place (lots of spices... incense?.. other smells) is a little bit overwhelming and can leave you smelling like it for a while (but that's just a personal thing). Highly recommend if you have time for lunch and are on UAB campus. Oh! The store side seems to have many unique items for sale. It's fun if you want to look around, but I've never actually purchased anything.
(4)Curly Q.
Golden Temple seems to have cleaned their act up a bit, literally and figuratively. I think some of the market pressure from Whole Foods has been good for them, to what limited extent they are a competitor. The store was cleaner and better organized the last time I was in.
(2)Sheri P.
I agree with Chelsea. I rarely buy anything from the grocery side but I LOVE the Cafe. It is so delicious! Sometimes the people who work their are kinda rude and unhelpful but the food is so yummy I forgive them. But last time I went one of the guys that serves the food was very helpful and answered all my questions in detail. He was also pretty cute ;) It is vegetarian and vegan but my friends that do eat meat have come here with me and loved it too! So don't let that scare you! It is so delicious and full of flavour. It can be a little pricey but the portions are huge and can easily be shared.
(4)R. C.
Both the Grocery and the Cafe had the most irreverent service I've ever experienced. Really pathetic. Dusty dirty shelves and employees who couldn't care less. My latte was the worst ever and they make a big deal about substituting organic milk for non-organic - charging a lot of extra money and complaining about the extra effort. Sad - they could really have something special and unique.
(1)Tracy G.
i was visiting birmingham last weekend, and we went to this place for lunch. it was great!!! it is a vegetarian/vegan spot to eat, and they have all of the healthy things that a health-conscious person craves, like freshly extracted vegetable juices and vegan choices on the menu. it seemed that the menu had a mexican flavor, at least from the menu they had when i was in. i had vegan nachos! delicious!!! i also had a chance to browse in the grocery side and they have all that you can find at whole foods and more! but it's local, so why not support that?
(4)Alden C.
I want to love Golden Temple. I want to be one of those cool yoga-mat toting girls who always finds parking in Southside and breezes in and out with some vegan delight and a smile on my face. But, I'm not that girl. I lug my yoga mat around, am nearly incapable of parallel parking, and usually end up in a bad mood because I was ripped off by some random dude "guarding" a parking lot near Golden Temple. That's the set up of every time I've been there (and no, I don't carry my yoga mat in just to make a statement- that would result in the casualties of hundreds of supplement bottles, containers of Braggs Liquid Aminos, and more). Golden Temple sells a small selection of natural/homeopathic goods and organic foods- they are all overpriced in my opinion. I'll just go to the Green Door in Mtn Brook Village if I want this type of experience, because it is both cleaner and the service is infinitely better. My main issue here is the lasagna I ate here once. It was the nastiest thing I have ever eaten. I was excited because it was gluten-free and I had a hankering for "normal" comfort food. The rather incompetent server microwaved it (which, for the record, generally degrades the quality of the food and shouldn't small super health-focused stores know better than to subject their clientele to the damage caused by microwaves?). Then, she neglected to inform me that the cheese on my oh-so-deserved lasagna was fake. It was nasty fake vegan cheese. The other lasagna for gluten tolerant folk had real cheese, but I guess they decided to throw all the eggs (or not!) into one basket with my chosen dish. If I am hungry, I will be able to force myself to eat enough to not pass out. Not this time- it was so gross I threw it away. I felt guilty for not offering it to one of the dozens of homeless men that lurk about in 5 Points, but I realized they would probably be offended if I offered them this grossness. So, Golden Temple, Birmingham is in the big leagues now. We have a Whole Foods. We have Green Door. We have Organic Harvest. Aka, we have seen the light and know that we, the health conscious and usually gluten and/or meat free, deserve nice, clean stores with informative and helpful staff and an array of both delectable and reasonably affordable products that you, the staff, have tried and tested and can personally recommend.
(1)J M.
Very solid food for an organic, vegetarian type of place. I love the cheap soups with the ability to add rice and grab bread for no extra charge.
(4)Caleigh R.
Needed something of substance before going to work--didn't want to do the fast foods in 5 points, so stopped it at Golden Temple for juice. Unfortunately, I was disappointed in the juice. I had the juice that was supposed to have cabbage, beets, carrots, ginger, etc. I wasn't watching the cook the whole time, but I only saw him putting carrots in the juice....and that's all it tasted like. I won't be going back for juice. I've been for meals before...it's ok. Very bland.
(3)