Simon F.

I brought my boyfriend here for his birthday as he's vegan. I'm not vegan and was worried I'd be hungry a hour or so after eating here but... Nope! This place rocks. The people are super friendly, the food was amazing - tasted great! and it was very reasonably priced. Great atmosphere. Very highly recommended. Also, if you're celebrating a birthday, tell them - they'll look after you ;)

Nateoc O.

I've always loved it here. I didn't use Yelp when I lived in NYC and went here. The grilled seitan is really amazing. So are their collards. I love it here.

Laura P.

The food isn't bad, but it's nothing special and definitely doesn't compare to Cafe Blossom UWS. Won't be back. The ambiance isn't great - it's a pretty casual place. We were 2 people on a Saturday night around 8 pm. Got seated immediately, but many tables were filled. Our server was ok. She didn't know much and was a bit odd, but fine. She was very inattentive though and even though she was still around, other servers helped us out a lot more at the end. Ginger-Miso Stir-Fry - not bad, but really nothing to write home about. I mean just go to any Asian restaurant and have them create a vegan stir-fry for you and it'll be way better. I asked what veggies were in there and she listed a whole bunch (like snow peas) that didn't make it on to my plate for some reason. What I got was broccoli, lots of red and white onions, a few pieces of red and green bell peppers, and make 2 slivers of carrot. $17. And WOW the amount of brown rice it comes with is laughable. I asked how much more would be and she told me $5. Are you kidding me??? A side of rice is normally $1-2. It's just outrageous. Taste was fine, but couldn't even taste the ginger. So not worth getting again. Tuscan Lasagna - flavor was good, but honestly this looked and tasted like some grocery store frozen lasagna. It's pretty hard to mess up lasagna, so this dish was good, but it was just piles of lasagna, tomato sauce, and tofu cheese. Literally no veggies in it. Bread, sauce, cheese. Served on top of "sauteed greens" which is a pile of some greens soaked in oil. $18. Chocolate Mousse Pie - this one is good and it didn't feel like a vegan compromise as most desserts do. I would recommend this. Served with a chocolate drizzle. $9. Seasonal Cobbler - happened to be pear served with a berry coulis. $7 without ice cream. Flavor wasn't bad, but definitely dry. Does not compare or come close to a non-vegan good cobbler. The biggest issue is that this place is so overpriced for the quantity of food you get and for the quality of food and service. Will not be back.

Celia L.

As a vegetarian foodie, I always researched where to dine before my trip. The Candle Cafe was one of the places we chose to hit in NYC, and it did not disappoint. Coming here for an early Sunday dinner at 5 pm to beat the crowd, our first impression was that the space was tight. Indeed the table for two was so small that no space was left for a third plate for appetizer. Our knees almost hit each other's, and our elbows almost touched the neighbors at next table. The second impression was that this place was popular. The restaurant was filled with bustling crowds soon after we arrived. The service was quick and efficient, but impersonal. The menu items are limited with few choices for appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and entrees, but the food is really delicious. The portion size was smaller than my Texas-sized appetize is used to. We ordered th following items (see pictures attached): - Spring Rolls: Inspired by Thai/Vietnamese cuisine; bean thread noodles, carrots, cilantro, tempeh bacon bits,...wrapped in rice papers. It was OK. ($12) - Mezze Plate: We added this after realizing the small portion size of each dish. Inspired by Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cuisine, this plate includes hummus, quinoa tabouli, marinated olives, and warm pita bread. Yummy! ($10) - Moroccan Wrap: Grilled tofu, lentils, couscous, and sauteed veggie wrapped in a spinch tortilla. Honestly it tasted quite bland, and unlike any Moroccan food I ever tasted. Still, I liked it a lot, since I enjoy food in their original authentic taste, rather than heavily spiced with condiments. ($15) - Tuscan Lasagna: A vegan rendition of the Italian pasta with tofu basil ricotta and tapioca cheese, and hubby said it was really tasty. ($17) We ended the meal with two desserts, rice pudding topped with tofu whip ($7) and marble bundt cake with vanilla soy ice cream ($9). Both were scrumpitious! The bottom-line is you will enjoy a nice dining experience here with healthy and tasty vegan food, as long as you don't mind the cozy space and the not-so-personal service!

Andrea P A.

The place is tiny and intimate but it can get really loud at times. Aztec salad: The server's favorite; delightful with toasted cumin dressing. Its a relaxing restaurant with attentive servers. I would go back and try the other food on the menu.

Megan C.

Even if you're not a vegetarian this place is pretty approachable. Came here for lunch with a couple of girlfriends had a wonderful time - left full. Sister restaurant is a bit fancier, but have to say I like this place more. Great staff, awesome drinks, plenty of choices and lots of flexibility if you want to substitute. Love it. Date Rating: 7 Pick up Scale: 3 Strong Suggestion: This is a GREAT place to bring a vegan/vegetarian friend, or just to refuel if you've been eating too much meat lately.

David T.

This is a reliable place to take your vegetarian/vegan friends if they're in the neighborhood. A good range of reliable veggie foods. Nothing I've had here has BLOWN my mind with its incredible tastiness, but it's all good enough to hold your attention for the entire meal. And desserts are good because not to sweet -- makes ya feel good.

Russell H.

When I first tried this place I ordered a few things I didn't like so much. The Mezze Platter had raw paratha bread on it and the elements didn't go together even though they were delicious. The seitan burger was very dry and bland when I had it the first time and the Tuscan Seitan Parmesan Sandwich was not my cup of tea. I replaced the fried potatoes on the dish with a quinoa pilaf and the pilaf was really really bland. They also killed the side salad with too much Balsamic. It's a good thing I don't judge solely on first impressions. Every other time I have come here the food has been amazing and I think I must have had everything on their menu by now with a few exceptions. A lot of people say their favorite sandwich is the Cajun Seitan but my personal favorite is the Smoked Tempeh & Grilled Vegetable. It is a very flavorful sandwich and fresh every time (I've had it many many times). The basil mayo that comes with it is consistently amazing and is still the best mayo I've had. The potato salad that comes with it varies in terms of how dry or wet it is but it's usually good. If you're thinking of a sandwich that isn't fried with cheese and sauce, this is your sandwich. The tofu here tends to be a bit on the bland side so I usually stay away from it.

Shane S.

One of my favorites in NYC! The food is amazing. The place is usually quite busy and can be a bit noisy on the downside, but is more casual and less expensive than Candle 79. I have been here many times over the years and everything I have ever ordered has been stellar. One of my favorite vegan places in the city.

Bo J.

The food here is pretty mediocre. I got the cajun seitan sandwich and my girlfriend got the stir-fry. I've had much better sandwiches at other vegan places (Terrie and V-note), and the stir-fry was straight up soggy. All-around, I was pretty disappointed with the quality of food here... It wasn't terrible, but didn't feel at all worth the price. On the plus side, service was pretty fast and we got a table pretty quickly during peak lunch hours. I probably won't be back soon. V-Note hits the vegan brunch spot much better for me.

Felice K.

The salads are always very original and delicious. It is not the healthiest place to eat though appears to be, yet remains delicious!

Dave W.

Great vegan food, friendly staff.

Amanda L.

Husband and I did the prix fixe menu for Thanksgiving. We were both pretty excited to be in NYC and have the opportunity for a vegan dinner. I don't know what was missing in all of the elements of our food, but neither my husband and I were very impressed with the food here.... and we both had different things for every course. The only thing that actually wow'd me was his chocolate peanut-butter desert. Everything else was just so, so. The wait staff and manager were all very nice, so that wasn't an issue at all. The food was just underwhelming. I really was bummed about this because I had spent the last few weeks telling all of my friends and family how excited I was to check out a vegan restaurant for Thanksgiving. At $65/per prix fixe course, I really expected to walk out of their amazed and wanting more but that just wasn't the case. Next time we are in NYC we will probably skip this veggie restaurant and try something new.

Oliver S.

NOTE: As a "vegan" restaurant, Candle Cafe focuses on vegetables. It takes the whole concept to another level, though, in that it serves NO MEAT and NO DAIRY. Don't come here expecting some fancy turducken smothered in bacon and nacho cheese. Rather, Candle Cafe serves refined, creative food with a taste that might surprise you. I got the portabello "steak" with asparagus and quinoa "polenta." My "sister" got a black bean "quesadilla." They also have quite a selection of vegan "juices" and "such." We left this UES institution extremely satisfied and feeling good.

Mabel Y.

I love the food here because their food maximizes flavors and doesn't just rely on the healthfulness of their ingredients to impress. After months of trying to get my sister to come here, she finally gave in. She's not vegan; not even "recreationally" like me. I recommended the cajun seitan sandwich to her and she loved it. The seasoning and light crunchy coat on the seitan is amazing. The vegan mayo is so creamy and dreamy I want to slather it on everything. I've tried all their sandwiches and my favorites are the forementioned sandwich and bbq tempeh/ sweet potato sandwich. There is also a tex-mex inspired tofu wrap occasionally on their daily specials menu that I order every time I see it. I really like their spring rolls, but I find them overpriced in comparison to those at the local asian fusion place. My only other gripe is that it takes them 1-1.5 hours for delivery, so I wouldn't recommend ordering take out from here when you're really hungry.

Rivkie M.

Came in after NYE for healthy, filling, and delicious. I ordered the breakfast burrito with an almond latte-- check, check, and check. Definitely will be back!

Jackie M.

The Candle Cafe is by far my favorite vegan place on planet Earth. I come here at least once a week because it's 4 blocks from my school. My favorite dishes are the Indian plate, the Mexican wrap, and the Aztec salad. I always get a large Green Godess juice because it gives me energy for the day. The food is definitely worth the cost!

Angela P.

On our last day in NYC, we decided to have lunch at Candle Café. My recollection of the café was that the food was nearly as good as Candle 79. This was not my experience this time. I started off by ordering a fresh juice of ginger and carrot, which was really delicious. For lunch, I ordered the Cajun-spiced seitan sandwich. It sounded similar to the sandwich I ordered at Blossom du jour, but I knew it would be much better. Based on the description, I didn't realize it would be so fried so when it came out I was surprised. The seitan was actually very good - the Cajun flavor was great. It came on a focaccia bread with a side of ancho chili aioli, which definitely added to it. It also had avocado and steamed greens on it. While I loved the greens, I felt like they took away from the flavors of the seitan. I was tasting too much of the greens and not enough of the seitan, which was disappointing. So, it was good, but it could have been better. Zach ordered the Tuscan seitan parmesan sandwich, which was also fried. It was topped with Daiya cheese and was very good. It was just too deep fried and I felt it needed lettuce or something else other than the "chicken" and "cheese." This was still the second best meal we had all week for lunch, but I expected more from the sister restaurant of Candle 79.

Maddy C.

seriously delicious food every time I try it! The sandwiches are so filling as well as their entrees! Really nice staff, relaxed place, and have awesome gluten free options!

Colleen H.

I think this place is overrated, and I am a strict vegetarian who enjoys such food. The food itself is not the issue, but as a place there is no atmosphere--tight, cramped, no decor, hard to hear. The waitstaff are harried and hurry you out. Not a place I would recommend for a long meal or a date.

Npr M.

This place was really amazing to find. It was pretty packed for a Thursday night. The menu was extensive, a lot of organic, vegetarian and vegan options. The food (Mediterranean falafal sandwich was great, the staff was nice and friendly. I wish I found this earlier in my trip so I could've gone there few more times. Just note, you have to wait for a bit when it gets busy as all the table were full. Also, found that you can get food packed To-Go.

Kristy F.

Atmosphere: Cute, spacey, nice decor.- 4 stars Service: Overbearing but on point. 3 stars Food: Rice Pudding- 3 stars Conclusion: I selected a simple dessert and it had the perfect amount of sweetness but the flavor got old after a few bites. (I'm a rice pudding lover so I can be fairly critical/picky) The menu offered plenty of more options so I would recommend checking this place out =) 3 stawz!

Jenn C.

Never been disappointed when coming here. Staff is very nice. Food is excellent for vegans and non vegans. I always order the Cajun Seitan Sandwich,

Jessy E.

I'm officially convinced that vegan food can taste good when prepared right. The cajun seitan sandwich was awesome. However my mom had the pan seared seitan and it just tasted and looked like a pile of mush. I'm definitely curious to try other dishes, especially the salads. We both had some refreshing juices to boost our immune systems. The flu and cold fighter was super citrusy and delish. The decor of the restaurant doesn't seem to have been worked on too much, it's all about the healthy food and drinks. Good service, not too crowded on a Tuesday night.

Tania D.

Candle Cafe is a lil gem in the city! I loved this place and our server was incredibly kind. We had smothies and did a plate for two that allowed a variety of their sides. Everything was delicious! I think I may have found my new favorite cafe!!

Jess L.

I came here for my friend's birthday, and we really loved the food we got. My Aztec salad with quinoa and tempeh with cumin vinaigrette was refreshing and unique. The winner on the table was the Cajun Seitan sandwich, which looked unassuming but was so tasty that the three of us practically fought to finish it. At the $15 price, you had better hope so, right? The ambiance is simple but hip. The decor lets the food really stand out.

Courtney H.

came after work and sat at the bar. All I knew was that I wanted vegan food, but had no idea where to start. I asked the bartender his suggestions and just went from there. I had the cajun seitan sandwhich, perfect. Seitan is my favorite meat substitute because I feel like I am eating meat without actually eating it. I was starving so I ate really fast and felt hungry still, so I ordered the mouse cake. Big mistake. Not because of the taste, but because I couldnt fully enjoy the deliciousness of it. I was suddenly stuffed. I suggest that if you still feel hungry after your main meal, that you wait. The grains and proteins take a little to fill the stomach, but they do. I was sooo full I only ate half the cake. That never happens, its all or nothing. But a doggy bag works, too.

Sasha G.

This place is two things: 1.Overpriced AND 2. Underwhelming. With vegan/vegetarian eatery options seemingly unlimited here in NYC, I doubt I will be returning to The Candle Cafe. I know, perhaps years ago, there was a time vegetarian/vegan wasn't as popular but with popularity comes more options and unfortunately for The Candle Cafe, better places to eat. I've had WAY better vegan food (see my review on BLOSSOM on the U.W.S.) for a portion of the price. Can I stress it anymore? I can but I won't. Oh, Upper East Side... sometimes I detest you.

Brittany A.

Found this place on yelp when I was looking for a place to have a quick lunch with a friend on the Upper East Side. From the reviews I was expecting this amazing vegan restaurant but I unfortunately left completely underwhelmed. I ordered the seitan burger and my friend ordered the chips and guacamole. While the guacamole was delicious and fresh, the seitan burger placed on a grain bun was overcooked and completely lacked any flavor. While the burger came with a side of fries and coleslaw, I can only say that the fries were tasty. For $15 lunch, it was completely not worth it.

Ben B.

Great spot for organic plant based food! Always great daily specials. Also does solid green juices. My go to place on UES.

Sheila S.

Outstanding vegan food, good variety. Menu sometimes has a few changes as the seasons change. Daily specials. Nearly always busy and a little noisy. Gone there in person or have gotten deliveries twice a week for MANY years. They have gluten-free options. I wish they had a few more low-salt options for those of us who want tasty vegan food but have to follow a low-salt eating plan. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Cliff M.

The chef has mastered the art of making vegan food better meat dishes. Highly recommended

Harmon W.

Came in for dessert and ended up getting a meal instead. Great vegan find in the UES. Got the green ginger bomb (contains amongst other things, kale, wheatgrass, ginger) and it's ridiculous tasty and strong. Best way to start off a meal in my mind. I've stopped day drinking but they seem to have a decent wine selection as well. Chocolate supreme protein shake tasted amazing of course and the seitan chimichurri was so juicy I would have mistaken it for real meat. No room for dessert but got a glimpse of the dessert menu and it looks like I'll have to make another trip back!

Eri S.

I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!!!!! Service is whatever but food is AMAZING! I've tried three sandwiches: 1) Cajun Seitan: probably my favorite. Loved the crunchiness of the crusted seitan and the avocado. The aioli sauce goes well with both the sandwich and coleslaw. 2) BBQ tempeh and sweet potato: it's almost a tie with the cajun seitan! A little messy with the sweet potato. My sister said it was a little bland, meh! The aioli sauce goes well with the french fries...which comes with the.... 3) Tuscan Seitan Parmesan: this...was probably my least favorite. The seitan was REALLY salty. Yup, that's all I gotta say about that! As for dessert, I had the chocolate cake. It was HUGE. And so rich and creamy! We shared it with three and it was a little too much... Overall, a very pleasant experience. Will come back to try something new, like the smoothies :)

Christhel L.

Great food, and drinks. Service was pretty good too and the servers are very honest when recommending their favorites. Place is very small and gets crowded. Bathroom was okay. I had their Mexican wrap and their tofu parm sandwich, both were very delicious. The menu is a little expensive but very worth it. Love this place!

Chelsey P.

Excellent vegan food. The Cajun seitan sandwich was very tasty. The food choices were healthy and delicious. The dessert is out of this world! I took off one star because its a little pricey for a cafe.

M S.

it was ok. 3.5 stars if i could, based on 3-4 things ordered. seitan cajun sandwich was good, but i think that was mainly because of the aioli/mayo and because it was breaded/fried --- i.e. the unhealthy part of it. meh. had an interesting menu though. service was great and very accommodating. could probably go again, to try the other things off the menu.

Dafne Z.

I had the most amazing carrot cake of my life here! Really yummy and I'm definitely coming back for more when I'm in town! :) Service was great and food was awesome! Highly recommended!

Jia Ying C.

The breakfast burrito and southwestern crepe were delicious. We also had the crystal rolls for the appetizer, it was crisp, fresh and tasty. Chocolate mousse pie was smooth, flavourful but really rich. Service is good. Staff are friendly. The place is a little squeezy but the crowd that day wasn't very noisy. Great experience.

Kim L.

I'm not sure why it has taking me so long to review Candle..I've been going here for years and I'm a huge fan of this wonderful vegan cafe. Everything I've tried has been lovely, tasty and satisfying. If you're in mood for a little warmth and comfort, the lasagna is wonderful. If you want something with a little southwestern flare go for the quesadillas or aztec salad. The Good Food Plate is a must..choose 3 or 4 items, fresh veggies and proteins..the perfect go to meal after yoga, running, etc. I realize some folks feel that they're a little on the pricey side, however, I'm happy to pay for tasty, healthful food that I can feel good about.

Alicia G.

2 stars for meh, I've experienced better. I came here with two friends last week and was excited to try a new place. The atmosphere is nice enough and the descriptions of the food was enough to make me want to order everything, but alas I didn't. I ordered the Indian plate, when duh, why order Indian plate from a gringo place when you've had amazing veggie Indian at true Indian places? It was just okay, I wasn't licking the plate, that's for sure. My friends helped me finish it. I did like my friend's Sprout salad, but I don't usually order salads from restaurants out of principle. The service was okay, but our server kept looking over at us with the worst bored expression, like we were there too long. We were there a while, but I think because she had nowhere else to stand and was in our direct view it made me uncomfortable. We asked about desserts and ordered the carrot cake based upon her recommendation. We were told we could send it back if we thought it was too dry. It was too dry. And not good, but my friends ate it up, so I thought it was just me until days later when one of them said it wasn't good either! I wouldn't have even talked about it but just came across the bill and it was ten dollars!! For a slice of carrot cake with no butter in it!! Okay, my rant is over, I'm pretty sure I won't be back at this location, although I will try to give anything a second chance. Maybe the west side one is better.

Bee B.

In 2011 tests proved I should go egg, gluten, yeast and dairy free. This particular combo is hell when eating out. I was happy to have the pleasure of eating here on vacation in April 2012. It was a very busy during a week lunch time so I sat at the bar instead of waiting for a table. I ordered the sweet potato stuffed with chorizo as an app. That was an interesting taste and texture but worked well. And for lunch I got the ginger miso stir fry. And after walking all day what the heck, I ordered dessert. All very amazing for GF and vegan. I even got the cook book bc I wanted the stir fry recipe. The chocolate mousse was way to rich to finish after a couple bites, so be forewarned. I will be back!

Ed C.

I know a lot of people say the food here is hit or miss, but personally, I don't remember ever having anything I disliked. While the atmosphere is more casual than Candle 79, it's still a nice place to go on a date. The waitstaff are extremely friendly and very knowledgable about the food. I like that the style of the food here is more homestyle and everything is always very filling and satisfying. I recommend reservations, because it can get packed.

Rahul J.

updated after restaurant messaged me to note that they use organic and local ingredients...the line items on the menu do not state local / organic however i must have missed a preface page on the menu as their website notes "candle cafe is dedicated to bettering the health of the individual and the planet by serving food fresh from farm to tableâ„¢. our organic vegan cuisine is rooted in sustainability, eco-friendly practices, local farming, and compassion for animals." overall our food was decent. i was disappointed earlier thinking that the ingredients especially tofu was not organic. upping my rating by a star. service was solid.

Frederic S.

I did not really like the food, but I still give it 5 stars as my dish wasn't to my taste, but everything else looked good. Also, the service is beyond 5 stars. My experience about the one dish I got (veggie grilled burger) is that the bread was too dry, and I would have preferred a portobello option (more juicy). Not a big fan of the patties they use. The fries were good, the side of coleslaw too. But this is only my personal preference and it is a really nice place so 5 stars in my book. I'll come back and try something else. Also, the drink to fight cold works, though it is very, VERY strong. Not pleasant to drink. But I didn't get it for the taste of it. I'll recommend it as there are many options on the menu and I'm sure anyone can find several dish that fits their taste.

Shiori I.

I seem to be acquiring quite a number of vegan friends lately, and they've been taking me to some pretty good restaurants. I have to say, Carnivores, vegan food ain't bad! I had the green goddess juice, and for $6 for the smaller size, the price is definitely cheaper than a lot of free-standing juice places. My friend and I shared the BBQ Tempeh & Sweet Potato sandwich and the Tuscan Seitan Parmesan sandwich. Both were really good and filling. I was full hours later. The tables are a little close together, but most patrons tend to be friendly. Not stinky hippies or anything- please, this is still the UES. Now if only I can convince my husband to give it a try...

Marina D.

This used to be one of my favorite restaurants in the city, but it seems to be experiencing a steady decline ever since my first visit about 4 years ago. The food is becoming more and more hit or miss, and a recent lunch experience was a real disappointment. I decided to try the Tuscan Parmesan sandwich, and one of my friends went for the baked squash special. The food took a really long time to come out, and when it did, it was cold. I am not particular at all about food temperature - anything reasonable will do - but this was truly lukewarm. My friend's fried tempeh was literally room temperature. This was the coldest warm food I have ever been served in any restaurant. Ever! My sandwich was very small and the taste was whatever. The squash dish was also eh - not bad, not great. My other gripe with Candle is that they used to use really delicious vegan cheeses in their cooking, but seem to have switched entirely to Daiya, which they coyly describe as "tapioca cheese" on their menu. Daiya is ok for a little takeout place, but from Candle - at Candle prices - I expect better. When we ordered dessert - a slice of pie and a piece of cake - they also took a very long time for some reason. The service was weird. One waiter was nice but never came to the table. The other was aloof and gave me weird looks any time I asked for anything - you know, crazy things like water or a bag to carry my leftovers. My water glass stood totally empty for half the meal. Very lame, especially considering what a great little restaurant this used to be.

Kyle M.

Let me start this review out by saying I do eat meat. My girlfriend, however, is a vegetarian, so we decided to try this place out knowing she will have no issue finding something to eat on the menu. I ordered the dumplings and the lasagna. Both were awesome. I was shocked that the lasagna was good because it didn't have any real cheese in it as this place is all vegan. It was served over kale I believe which was an interesting but really good combo. I am going to try to make some myself. My girlfriend got the seitan which was breaded and fried over potatoes and gravy and it almost tasted like a think pork chop. Pretty impressive! Our waitress was really nice and attentive as well. I will definitely come back.

Katie B.

Candle Cafe doesn't hold a candle to my favorite vegan fare in SF: Herbivore, Millennium, Greens, and Cafe Gratitude, but it's still pretty good, and if I lived in New York-I'd have to get over my Bay Area vegan snobbery and make the switch. Their sprout salad with carrot dressing and grilled seitan was very tasty and fresh, and the cucumber limeade was really refreshing. Cool little cafe with dark lighting and lots of choices. Next time I come back, I'll have to try their cajan seitan sammi.

lizzie b.

I'm not a vegetarian, but I do eat 70% vegetarian, so I appreciated this place on the UES after a visit to the Frick. The environment is small and not entirely comfortable. There's not a relaxing vibe. The best part of the entire meal was the delicious beet salad. It was actually one of the best beet salads that I've ever had. Almond cheese, cashews, apples... it was terrific! I would even try to replicate this at home if I could. Worth it even though overpriced. Make this your main meal. The rest of the meal was less impressive. I hated the seitan - gross. Mashed potatoes were good, though. The casserole with millet was okay. It was all mushy. I felt like it was too thick and heavy. I should have gotten a small side of sweet potato instead. I think the meal on the whole needed less butter/oil/cream and more crunch or fresh veggie tastes. Perfect example of how vegetarian can be just as unhealthy as meat dishes. Overall refreshing to see an upscale vegetarian place.

Wendy S.

Food was just ok and a bit bland. $85 for 3 people for not a lot of food, and no drinks. We ordered the mezze plate that had small amounts of humous and a few other items for $13. There were a few pieces of bread, but not enough for the dish. When I asked for more bread, the waitress said it would be $3. I think they should have given more bread for the dish, or not charged for a few more pieces. I probably won't go back

Ashley M.

This place should be called Soy Cafe. Almost every dish they have contains the soy ingredient. It's really a shame because there are so many ways to make vegan food without soy. I am highly allergic to soy and can't eat here as often as I would like to. They use a lot of soy cheese when it's easy to make cashew or almond cheese instead (soy feta) can be made into cashew feta. I wish they would stop using soy, that way I could eat here all the time. Their green juice is also extremely sour. They need to get sweeter apples. For the prices they charge, my juice should always taste delicious. Their food is good, only problem is the soy.

Adrienne G.

Met a buddy for a delish dinner at Candle Cafe & it was the perfect start to a fab NYC weekend getaway I chose the Pumpkin Seed Crusted Seitan - came w/ Lentils, Cauliflower & other good veggies - this Seitan was tender & moist which is a nice change from most Seitans I get that tend to be on the dry side Buddy chose the Paradise Casserole - OMG this was the winner of the evening - Sweet Potatoes, Millet & Black Beans all layered over greens.....absolutely incredible. There was sweet & savory all happening at the same time Desserts consisted of Chocolate Decadence & Strawberry / Peach Crumble & have to say the peach crumble was the winner here - incredibly paired w/ the strawberries & the crunchy-yet-chewy crumble topping was like a granola it was so intensely flavorful....I'm still dreaming about this dessert! Staff was nice as could be, service was quick & the atmosphere was perfect to catch up w/ dear friends Will def have to make Candle Cafe a regular stop on all future NYC adventures

Fahim A.

Order the Seitan!!!

Fabrizia D.

One of my fav restaurants! I love everything on the menu and I've never been disappointed. We mostly order delivery from them and it always arrives fast and perfectly packaged. I'm addicted to their cajun seitan sandwich - ask for multigrain bread instead of focaccia. The portions are perfect. All their desserts are yummy, especially the carrot cake and the date oat bar.

Lauren S.

Great vegan food on the UES. A little pricy but large portions so it's worth it. Come prepared to EAT. I've taken non-vegetarian friends & family here and even they loved it. Great service and a cute place, too.

Allyson D.

Despite being so far, and so hard to spot, my boyfriend and I came in late on Sunday to a packed restaurant. With only an hour left in service, the place was still going strong. The food here was great, although we did not sample a lot, we had: the seitan burger, the cajun seitan sandwich, and a dessert, their seasonal pie which was strawberry and peach with a scoop of soy vanilla ice cream. I was starving so I wolfed down all of my food plus my boyfriend's coleslaw and his burger toppings (I was desparate!). Their vegenaise was strangely addictive and I'm not a huge fan of mayo, fake or non. The sandwich was insanely good - one of my favorite kinds - nicely sliced, fried seitan with caramelized onions, kale, and avocado on delicious foccacia. Awesome job! My boyfriend felt his burger would not have been as good if he did not request caramlized onions on top (which they charged $3 for - ) My only disappointment food-wise is their menu calls them "fried potatoes" but what is served is literally plain, typical diner-esque french fries, and not nearly as good. I don't see the point in redefining them as potatoes when they're literally french fries. They charged me $2 to have them as a side, and I did not get many. So, I do not recommend trying them. This place is pricey. For two sandwiches, and dessert, it was $50. Also, the service was hit or miss - we had multiple servers so I think they were a bit confused. I kept calling them "aloof" because they were only around so often, and had a very airy quality to them. I would also say the atmosphere is very loud, not intimate so I do not recommend it for a relaxing experience. But these are only minor complaints. Definitely come try them when you're in the mood for very filling, delicious food. Especially their sandwiches!

Irving R.

We've been coming here over 7 years and the food has always been very good. Prices have been rising steadily and portions have been shrinking noticeably. We ordered carrot cake, our favorite dessert, which now costs $10. The portion was child-sized, one inch at its widest. We called over the manager to point out that this portion was about one-half the former portion size and that we were shocked. He replaced our serving with an equally small sized serving. Candle Cafe is charging $10 for an hors d'oeuvre size dessert. Candle Cafe's pricing and portion size are an insult to their customers. After 7 years, we will not be returning.

Bee R.

We had the Mexican Burrito and the Indian Plate. Both were really delicious! We will definitely be ordering take out and definitely be back. What a great find in UES.

La B.

This place is really popular, but worth the wait. Its small and accessible one floor, but some tables may need to be moved on crowded days to get into the space if you have a wheelchair or other such needs. I had a limonade smoothie which was the perfect blend of tart for my taste buds, shared the quesadilla which was really yummy and seasoned perfectly with guacamole that is fresh and I had the chipotle grilled tempeh that was delicious. My friend had the paradise casserole and it was very good. For dessert we had the seasonal fruit crumb pie, which for the day was apple and berry and very well made. Sometimes meat eaters like me don't find much love in some vegan meals (esp. with the cheeses), but this spot was delicious, flavorful, and left me very satisfied.

Andrea S.

I absolutely love this place. Service is excellent, and the food is consistently contrived with culinary expertise. A lot of vegetarian places go crazy with all the pureed cashew sauces and nuts, to the point where your food is nothing but a meat free fat bomb. Candle Cafe sticks to simple, fresh, and seasonal ingredients. I deduct a star for their deserts. I think they often keep them in the same fridge as their regular food ingredients, because sometimes the vegan carrot taste laced with garlic. Overall, I will continue to choose Candle Cafe over many of the city's other vegetarian restaurants as it has a great ambience, nice food, and doesn't have that "blonde haired people in dread locks, breast feed your child til they are 13, hippy skippy" vegetarian vibe.

Tamae I.

This is one of my favorite vegan restaurant in the city. The tuscan lasagne is amazing and almost tastes like you are eating real ricotta cheese. The paradise casserole is also a delicious main course consisting of sweet potato, millet, black beans and sauteed greens. My favorite drink here is the Green Goddess which is super tasty when you get extra ginger in it and the desserts are amazing especially since there is no dairy in there! Love this place for lunch or dinner!

Bill S.

Listen, I play for the other team. The other team being the carnivore, steak blood lustin' team. What the hell is with this place? $20 for a burrito? Are you seriously high? I know its the upper east side and I know the owner has written two Vegan books but dude? Are you serious with these prices? I get the whole vegan deal. You wanna be a salad eatin' good citizen? Well more power to you. $18-$20 bucks for a vegan plate? Makes me wanna yell out a blood curling scream. Also, did you ever eat Bulgar wheat in anything? It cleans out my colon so well that it scrapes off the Libby's TV dinners I ate as a kid in 1976. I wanted a smoothie for lunch. $7 bucks for a smoothie was a little high but what caught my eye was the homemade Miso soup. The Miso soup served here was like something a bubbie would make. Nice chopped carrots and the soup stock was solid. I see a nice homemade rhubarb pie but for $7 bucks? I'll have to pass on that based on price. Sorry dudes, I think you should look at a place like Westville in the village. The prices are just too darn high for me to come back. You're like a candle in the wind to me..

Tara W.

So glad I gave Candle Cafe a second chance! Actually I forgot about my experience the first time haha. This time I sat at the bar and had the beet salad with added avocado, and the special navy bean and collard green soup. They definitely use high quality veggies and the dishes are surprisingly filling. Perfect energy boost to recharge for all the shopping in the area :)

Sarah S.

Good organic food. I don't always fine it so fresh. Can be hit or miss.

Mona A.

The food is absolutely amazing, and I would have given this place five stars if the service hadn't been sub-par. Let me start off with the food. I had the thai tofu on a bed of greens and black rice. The tofu was cooked perfectly and the curry sauce complemented it well. It was absolutely incredible. It was the one of the very few times I left a restaurant feeling satisfied and happy, not guilty for eating greasy/heavy food. I honestly felt so healthy and fulfilled leaving this place! The ambiance of the place was cute. I sat at the bar so I didn't really get a feel for the restaurant, as I sat next to the entrance and people kept on coming in/out so the breeze kept on annoying me. The service really wasn't the best. I sat at the bar for about 10 minute before anyone even looked at me. When I asked a girl working there for a menu, she acted as if I had annoyed her, despite the fact that it's her JOB to help me out. The waiter only came back to refill my water once and give me the check. So if it wasn't for the rudeness/attitude, I would have given this place five stars because it was truly one of the best meals I've had in the city!

Steve E.

Came here to visit with friends who are vegetarians. I read other reviews on yelp and decided this would be a great place to visit. Food was good, service was excellent and the overall experience was very good. Tried a couple of different things, the seitan burger, seitan with potatoes and such, and finally the tofu with mixed greens. Everything was very good.

Gabriele G.

The waitress never checked on us after we received our orders, so we never had a chance to complain about the terrible food. I suppose that was to be expected after waiting at the front for 10 minutes before any staff came to greet us (and there were plenty nearby). We ordered chips and guacamole for an appetizer, and were served chips straight out of the bag. They even gave us the crumbs at the bottom. Come on. You can't charge tons of money for chips and guac, and serve me Garden of Eden chips! I ordered the Barbeque Tempeh for my meal. It was a block of tempeh, without any marinade or sauce, sandwiched between mushy sweet potato and a thick wad of steamed kale. It was very bland and uninspired. My husband ordered the Cajun Seitan Sandwich, and while it was good, the sandwich was nearly identical to the cheaper Southern Seitan Sandwich at Cafe Blossom on the UWS. We also were disappointed that the waitress chastised us for bringing a soda bottle in with us. We had been walking the city all day, the bottle was empty, and we were waiting to recycle it later; but the waitress said nothing "unvegan" was allowed in the restaurant. We're both longtime vegans, and her comment made the atmosphere of the restaurant unfriendly and elitist. I have been back twice since my first visit and received the same impression: The service is neglectful and the food is overhyped.

Abraham N.

Don't come if you're looking for great vegan food. While it's certainly vegan, it's far from great... The food here is ok and some of the sides are mere afterthoughts. The tofu club is just ok, there is really little to no flavor in the tofu itself. The bbq tempeh was not much better. Its on a hearty bread with tons of sweet potato, so if you're a sweet potato lover then great but as a sandwich, it realy is too much. The tempeh isn't bbqed either so its really an odd sandwich. There is a fried sandwich that is pretty decent. It is pretty tasty but still missing a little something to be great. All the sandwiches come with a choice of sides and I had the coleslaw (bad choice). It really was quite the afterthought. Bland, limp cabbage, and looked not fresh. I expected a lot from a small all vegan restaurant in NY, but it did not come close to expectations. For desert I had a small bit of prickly pair sorbet. It wasn't bad but certainly not great. It came in a huge bowl but was the tiniest of scoops and was hard, which meant I had to chase the scoop all around as it slipped and slided around the bowl. It made eating it a bit undignified. It was seriously just a huge white bowl, with a tiny scoop, like that was the last bit they had left but thought rather then tell me they were out, they would just serve what they had left anyway (with no garnishes I might add). This place was not the cheapest - but it was a let down. Waitresses though were nice and attentive. Last problem, the manager or someone asked us to leave so that they could seat another small group. He was very polite about it BUT I have to say, that seems like their problem and not a problem I should have to attend to. The party had not even all arrived yet. It was not much of a problem because we were on our way to a bar, but jeesh...I guess I shouldn't have ordered the dessert!

Mike O.

If you chance upon my other Yelp reviews, you'll notice I give the highest ratings for the unhealthiest, animal-product glorifying restaurants: fried chicken, pizza, burgers, etc. For most of my life I've been a sworn meat and animal products eater, but recently I've switched to a (mostly) vegetarian diet, and this restaurant makes me so glad I did. It's so good! So good for you! I haven't been to too many vegetarian/vegan restaurants in the city yet, but of all the ones I've been to so far, this hits the top of the list and I will be back...regularly. My wife and I started with the guacamole with corn chips, celery and carrots to dip it in. Honestly, I would skip the chips, the fresh veggies are enough for the guac. I ordered the grilled seitan burger with fries and cole slaw. This burger could easily go up against any other burger in town, especially because it is so healthy and void of much salt. The fries were delicious--I could actually taste the "meat" of the potato instead of the salt we usually taste. The cole slaw was a little bland, no mayo, no vinegar, just a little oil. It was fine, but it makes me wonder about the nutritional value of such light lettuce and oil. Maybe use a green with more vitamins. Whatever, I'm mincing here, it was fine. The portions were large like other restaurants, so after eating the guac it was a lot to eat. I might skip the appetizer next time. My wife ordered the mushroom risotto, and she couldn't talk much during the meal because she was too busy savoring it. The staff here was fine. Maybe it's my bias but they did seem to have the mien that they were so above this kind of work and kind of annoyed they were required to do it. Picture a bunch of younger people in their 20s who act like Gen-X folk. Strange. The attitude was very 90s, if that makes sense. For example: one server brought a glass and a beer to me and asked, "Do you want me to pour this for you or can you do it yourself?" GEEZ. But go for the food.

Danielle M.

As much of a carnivore that I am, I also have a passion for vegan and health food. I made quite a list of Vegan/Vegetarian spots in the city that I'd like to try, with The Candle Cafe being one of them. After a hardcore 45 minute workout at Soul Cycle with my Vegetarian friend Lily, she treated me to a birthday dinner at this lovely neighborhood gem on the UES. The Candle Cafe is everything you'd want it to be- cozy, casual, affordable, and healthful. With the menu's mouthwatering list of options, we had a hard time cutting it down to two. We decided to share the Moroccan Wrap (special of the evening) and the Kale Salad. The Moroccan Wrap had cinnamon-cumin grilled tofu, sauteed greens, couscous, green lentils, roasted eggplant, zucchini and tomatoes wrapped in a spinach tortilla. It was served with a chickpea salad and a side of roasted tomato salsa. It was a flavorful, hearty, warm, and satisfying meal. I think adding cinnamon raisins to the wrap would have really complimented the spicy and savory flavors. The Kale Salad (radicchio, fennel, carrot, grape tomatoes and crispy capers tossed with a maple-mustard vinaigrette) was refreshing and tasty- definitely paired nicely with the Moroccan Wrap. As much as we wanted some Banana Cake, we decided to skip on dessert (this time!). I'm sure anything on the menu would be just as tasty and satisfying- I look forward to coming back!

Phil H.

There's no meat in that? Really? C'mon, you're kidding. OMG this tastes amazing - like a party in my mouth! That is what was going through my mind as I devoured the Seitan Chimichurri. It has this smoky flaver and slightly burnt edges as if cooked right on the bar b que. I could have sworn it was a meat product as it had great texture and substance. Served on skewers like a shishkabob. After this wonder I knew we were in for a treat. Now let me proclaim that I am a meat eater. I absolutely love love love steak and chicken. If it moo's I will eat it! But lately I feel a need to broaden my food horizon and try some healthier options. So here I was in a vegan restaurant. Ordered two sandwiches to share. The Cajun Seitan Sandwich and BBQ Tempah and Sweet Potato Sandwich. Both were nice sized and came with a side of wonderful cole slaw, salad with balsamic dressing, and sandwich spreads. Honestly, these were big and tasty! I was pleasantly surprised and so happy! The Cajun sandwich was like eating breaded chicken cutlet on toasted focaccia bread, and it has these amazing carmelized onions and avocado in it. Just ridiculous! The BBQ Tempah was served on a multigrain bread, with sweet potato and grilled red onion. Again, just terrific flavor. Had to try the dessert here. The couple next to us and our waitree suggested the chocolate mousse pie, and boy were they right! Dense, smooth, chocolatey! One was enough to share. I wanted to lick the plate! The service tonight was very attentive, and friendly enough. Water was constantly filled. Never really felt rushed as others have proclaimed and the place was packed. Got there about eight, was kind of empty, but by 8:15 not one table was open, so we lucked out. Also, they carry a nice selection of organic beers. Had the Wolavers Brown Ale and it was a nice addition to the meal. I think I really have to come back here to try more of the offerings on the menu. It was that good. I don't think I can ever be a full vegan, but I can be a part timer!

Jackie D.

I'm a carnivore, but I absolutely love Candle Café! Everything is fabulous here, and you definitely want to save room for dessert. You've never had better carrot cake! The smoothies are also great. This non-vegan, non-vegetarian always looks forward to Candle Café with excitement. Superb all-around.

Cindy L.

Cozy, scrumptious, and cheaper than its sister restaurant Candle 79. I honestly think you can pick anything off their menu and leave extremely satisfied. I love when restaurants can fill me up without inducing a food coma. My friend and I came on a wed night at 8 and were quickly seated. I had the Cajun seitan sandwich with cole slaw. I love me some meat but if someone wanted to convince me to go vegan, this is the sandwich they should give me. The seitan tasted great. I think my friend had a tofu sandwich and also enjoyed it. Service was great too, I never felt rushed even though I was eating at a snail's pace -- sryyy :)

G O.

Couldn't believe the lasagna was vegan, and excellent to boot.

Annie D.

I have to talk about the service first, because it was impeccable. The water service, most notably. My boyfriend is so judgy with water service and I'm pretty sure he and my friend Dan giggled at each other every time the wait assistant would bring the pitcher over. They were giddy with excitement because the servers never-ever let anybody go thirsty. Legitimately, the glasses were never less than half-full before someone swooped in. Simple pleasures... Now on to the food at this little vegan bistro! I ordered the Cajun seitan sandwich. It's a nicely spiced sandwich filled with fried seitan that amounts to vegan junk food. I also tried a few bites from my friends' plates, but I liked mine best. We also finished off the meal with the chocolate mousse torte. Yuuuum. A must. The prices are fairly high for the entrees, but OK for the sandwiches and lighter fare. The candle cocktail (just juice) was alright. A friend remarked that it "tasted like earth." It kinda did. Even though I felt healthier to have ingested all that beet, carrot and ginger, I wouldn't order it again. A little ice might've improved it, but it was warm and not at all refreshing as I had hoped on a hot day. I'd suggest doing a smoothie or lemonade instead. I felt drink envy when the smoothies were set in front of my friends and missed my chance to "share" my boyfriend's when he drank it in less than 30 seconds. Clearly he made the right drink decision.

Gabriela G.

I ordered the Indian Meal Special for $16. Menu was similar to Native Foods Vegan Restaurant in Los Angeles, though prices multiplied by two. Quality of food was good. Service was ok though not stellar when taking into account the extravagant prices. There were culinary surprises to the tongue, for example the steamed cabbage had hints of ginger (which was unexpected), the plum chutney had hints of cinnamon and tangy-ness from the plum itself (definitely unlike any chutney i have had), the bread was delicious, more chewy than Naan (but not too chewy for dentures), that actually added to the meal making the bread more interesting and complex, while I expected the potato curry to be savory, it also had sweet notes that continued to surprise me. Not the greatest presentation and servers gossiped about work and personal life literally in front of my table, and since I was eating alone it was interesting to listen in, but frankly a bit unprofessional. I overheard the couple sitting next to me say they loved their dessert. I didn't actually order dessert so i cant speak for it, but the noises and grunts from my neighboring table made the desserts sound appealing if i wasn't so full from my meal. Aside from the chatty waitresses that gossip with one another and give you a side stare-down as you walk in, cheapening the place a bit, the restaurant was decorated in an upscale, elegant manner, very new york, chic and simple. Overall I liked this place. Is it the best vegan/vegetarian food I've had? Definitely no. Would I eat here again? Maybe if there is nothing else open nearby or if a friend is really persistent about going. The main deterrent of eating at The Candle Cafe is that it is overpriced given the quality of food and service you get for your buck!

b k.

The food is OK. Not bad, but horribly overpriced. You get a feeling that the owners are punishing vegans for being vegans. Even in this pricy area, meat-eaters can find better tasting food at much better prices. Overall, food deserves 2 stars. What brings rating down is service. In 1 word - horrible !!! When asked the waitress what region their french wine was from, her eloquent response was, "I would not know". Really? And walking 2 feet to the bar to ask the bartender, would be beneath your station? Unless, of course, she already knew that their bartender is a clueless as the wait-stuff. Anyone who knows anything about french wine, knows that Pays d'Oc is basically cheap table wine, sold for about 3 euro a bottle. Here it is $9/glass. OK, no wine then. Moving on ... When asked what makes their miso soup 'magic' (as menu calls it), the same waitress began a condescending lecture about white miso, which clearly showed how little she really knew about miso. When we asked if this miso soup is basically made with white miso, she was not too happy, but reluctantly admitted that yes, it was so. Of course, when you are charging $7 for a small portion of soup made with white miso, which is widely available and sold at every oriental grocery store, you have to market it as 'magic' to justify its outrageous price. Who are they trying to fool? We thought maybe they at least include some wonderful veggies or seaweed. No, they do not, according to this waitress. OK, no soup then. How about Grilled Seitan Burger? Not the worst soy burger we've ever had. Kind of like burgers sold by Costco - 24 for $9. But the fries served with the burger were ice-cold. This indicates they were made hours earlier. What else did they make earlier that day, or even a day or 2 earlier? Makes one wonder. We did not ask for them to reheat the fries for fear they will simply nuke them. Tuscan Lasagna was the best of all the dinner selections. Oh, BTW, the unfriendly waitress disappeared right after taking our order, never to be seen again. We had to call another waiter who was helpful. This was not his station to serve, so we appreciated that he stepped-in to help. It is not that the place was under-staffed. They had many people milling around, it was just these people were too busy socializing with each other and not paying too much attention to their customers. Then, the final straw. Just as we finished the main course and the dishes were taken away, and before the desert menu arrived, a different waitress rushed to our table. We were engaged in conversation and startled, when she, without any warning or apologies, proceeded to wipe the table with speed and aggression of a squeegee-guy, while spraying the most vile-smelling concoction. This was unnecessary, since the table was actually clean. Not only her behavior was rude, the smelly cleaner triggered an asthma attack for my companion, who suffers from respiratory allergies. We had to leave in a hurry, just to get away from the asthma-inducing smells. How can a place that seemingly aware of food allergies be so ignorant of other types of allergies? 2 stars for food, "-1" star for service = 1 star overall. Needless to say, we will never come back. If you have no respiratory allergies or asthma, have money to burn, and don't mind bad service as long as food is vegan - try Tuscan Lasagna, it is not so bad

Taryn C.

I haven't been here in awhile...I used to live in Hoboken and came here while I was still living there. I now live on the island and still have not been back. I guess if I want vegetarian fare, I have other places to head to. And especially since my first visit was less than memorable. It was good but... I tried the cajun seitan sandwich. I had read a review on Time Out New York about it and it sounded very tasty. So my travels brought me over to this side of the island and I decided to give it a whirl. I had been warned that it gets quite busy here...but I wasn't that put off by it especially at lunch time. So I got my package to go. I ended up eating most of it at home. I had a side of mashed potatoes that stayed very warm during my trip and the sandwich. It's a good thing I ate it at home because I had the trots almost immediately eating it. My friend once told me that good food shouldn't stay in you...it's should be a like choo-choo train. If that's the case, this was the Acela express. I'd like to make it a point to get back here one of these days...but what exactly do I eat? I can get vegetarian/vegan fare elsewhere and don't have to travel for it...in more ways than one.

Anna R.

i had porcini crusted seitan, it was so good!! Its a relaxing restaurant with attentive servers. I would go back and try the other food on the menu.

Melanie T.

This place is pretty good, though it is pricey. I admit that before eating here I was curious, but also skeptical. I mean how good, could vegan food be? Well it turns out it's pretty good. I don't think I'm a convert now, but I see now that vegan food can be tasty. I ordered the Tuscan Seitan Sandwich, while my friend ordered the Burger. I feel like both our dishes were pretty much the same, except my seitan was breaded and fried while hers was griddled. My sandwich came with roasted garlic tomato sauce. I couldn't really taste the garlic (fine by me), but I really liked how tangy and chunky the tomato sauce was. I wish there had been a bit more of it, but I quickly remedied that by using their amazing tomato ketchup. I loved it, because it was chunky with a nice vinegary kick and not too sweet. This showed that they were not just using Heintz, though I do think Heintz is best of all other store-bought ketchups, but rather something that tasted fresh. The seitan was crispy on the outside with a great crunch, while still being moist and packed with flavor from the fresh herbs and seasonings. The tapioca cheese was melty and somewhat reminiscent of mozzarella, but nowhere near as delicious as a creamy slice of fresh mozzarella cheese. It stayed melty, but was oddly sticky do to the natural sticky properties of tapioca. The stickiness was a bit deterring, though if I closed my eyes I could perhaps convince myself that I was eating cheese. The fries were crisp on the outside with soft fluffy insides, essentially the perfect fry. I love how quickly the food arrives, and I would definitely like to come back and try some more food on another occasion. Lesson learned, vegan food is not as horrifying as it sounds and can be very tasty.

Astrid G.

I had high hopes for this place. I really did. Maybe I'll give it a second chance, but my first time around, I came in for lunch and I wasn't all that wowed. First off, I had some time to kill so I thought I would sit down and enjoy a leisurely lunch. But the place was so packed, everyone was practically running into each other. It was pure chaos in there! So I decided to get something to go and eat in the park (since it was a gorgeous day...why not?). Well, it took about 10 minutes for someone to actually stop and take my order. I ordered one of their specials on the menu that day, the French lentil and watercress wrap. When I eventually sat down in the park to enjoy my lunch, I was excited. The wrap was huge and brimming with lentils, watercress, roasted red peppers, and tofu. But then I tasted it. Blah. It was so....bland. And underwhelming. Dammit. I was starving so I ate it all. I wish it were more flavorful and fulfilling. And worth the price paid. I've eaten at my share of vegan restaurants and this one's quite pricey in comparison. The Candles are vegan dining institutions in NYC so all their food can't be like this, right? Hopefully it was a fluke. I'm willing to try something else on the menu the next time around.

Ali T.

Alas, Yelpers, you led us astray here. My significant other practically swears by Yelp, but this was a bust. Bear in mind that neither of us are vegan, but we enjoy eating a varied & healthy diet; however, this was not the way to convert anyone to the lifestyle. I had an Indian-inspired special plate with chana masala that was this side of undercooked, with perplexingly-textured naan and a stringy, unappetizing vegetable that I only was able to identify as cabbage thanks to the menu. Our beet salad was passable, but nothing special. Meh. The main reason that this is two stars is that the server was patient about explaining the menu items and accommodating requested changes. The menu...beyond underwhelming.

Esther F.

I came here once during the holidays a few years ago with a group of non-vegetarian friends. This place I heard received such rave reviews, I had to try it and help them eat one less meat-based meal. Overall, the food was acceptable, nothing to rave about. The chimichurri seitan was dry and not tasty. Whole Foods Market Bowery and Tribeca sometimes carry it and that tastes SOOOOOOOOO much better, go figure. The entrees were reasonably sized. The smoothies were creative, one had peanut butter in it. Service was ok, but slow I might add. Not impressed given it wasn't crowded that evening. And you need to make reservations in advance as it can get packed on the weekends. A group of 5 and the bill cost about $200, scary, for mediocre. I personally wouldn't go back. Recommend to others? Nah, there are other better choices.

Canny F.

A surprise meal from someone. I think I would have chose other dishes from the menu. Grilled Seitan Burger - plain burger so i topped it with the coleslaw that was given. I had take out so the fries were blah. The bun was glossy and toasted so that gave it a light kick. Tofu Club - grilled tofu had no flavor! Very healthy though. =D The best part, as usual, the dessert! Raspberry cheesecake - soft and not too sweet. =D

Hannah E.

Why hasn't anyone told me about this place?!? Holy lord!!! I was walking to meet with a friend when she told me the place we planned on going to was closed. A few minutes later, she texts me, "Found an alternate that looks cute." A few more minutes later I met her at The Candle Cafe. From the outside, not glancing at the menu really, I assumed we were at a little wine-and-cheese type place. It wasn't until after staring at the menu for several minutes that I was like, "wait... is this place vegetarian?" Surprise vegetarian/vegan food is my most favorite thing. I try so hard not to be pushy about my diet with people. Almost any restaurant has salads and pastas, so why fuss? But when you walk into a place and suddenly realize that the food is made for YOU and YOUR dietary preference... happy day! That being said, I would definitely recommend Candle Cafe to my meat-eating friends. The food was just delicious and the service was great! We got a quesadilla and spring rolls and both were good (the latter better than the former). But so many things on the menu looked good. God, everything on the menu looked good! Prices were more than reasonable, and I seriously cannot wait to go back. I might go back tomorrow! I brought home some seitan chimichurris for my guy, and when he bit into them he gave me this look of horror and said, "are you sure this isn't meat?" I reassured him, then took a bite myself and suddenly was full of doubt. That's how juicy and tender this seitan was. I double-checked the freaking menu online! My one complaint, and I'm not even taking off a star for it, is that the setting is cramped (no big shock; it's like most restaurants in the area). But also, it was packed with kids. I would not call Candle Cafe kid friendly, and quite frankly my pleasure in my meal was knocked down a few pegs by the ruckus of wailing, shouting toddlers. All in all though, Candle Cafe is a great find, taking vegan cuisine to a great place!

David B.

For a carnivore I was very impressed. Could not find an empty table, excluding the one by the kitchen which my party sat in. Best way to rate Candle, food was really good. Great flavor on the soba noodle salad. Gaucamole was pretty good, chips looked like the leftover from the bottom of a bag. Power drink at the end or whatever it was was a bit different, but with time I will get it. All in all, really great restaurant.

Eva G.

I had a Cajun Seitan Sandwich and my friend had a Tuscan Seitan Parmesan Sandwich. I'm not a vegetarian and don't ordinarily go for this type of food, but the lunch was yummy and filling without making me feel like I had a heavy meal. It gets very crowded, but not too noisy.

Edward F.

The food is substantially similar to its sister, Candle 79, but a little bit worse and not that much cheaper. The real killer is the space -- it is so cramped and uncomfortable that I can't enjoy myself. So there's little reason to come here instead of Candle 79 unless you screwed up and forgot to make a reservation for the latter. The atmosphere is markedly worse, the food is a little worse, and the price point is not appreciably cheaper to make up for it.

Min C.

If you are gluten free, their brownie sundae will change your life. Awesome food in general, I'm not a vegan, tofu/seitan lover but it was really incredible food and I was pleasantly surprised.

elizabeth c.

The Candles can do no wrong. Favorite space in the city for vegan lunch (except for Pure's garden, but that's a whole different/warm weather experience). Love sitting solo at the counter, particularly in the colder months. It's super cozy and tiny and the smell of freshly squeezed juice pervades everything in the best possible way. It's hustling/bustling and interesting. I will say that for dinner and brunch, I generally choose Candle 79 over the cafe - just slightly higher prices but more exciting flavor combinations and a nicer/quieter/calmer atmosphere at 79. But for lunch, or a low-key dinner, I choose Candle Cafe every time. Highly recommend: Fresh juices (all) Fresh smoothies (also all - particularly the mango/berry/orange) Miso soup (best in the city tied with Angelica Kitchen) Wheat-free oatmeal cookies (raisin or chocolate) Paradise casserole (get it with sauteed spinach and garlic rather than steamed greens) Aztec salad (add avocado) Living crunchy salad Good food plate - mix and match greens/beans/sauces to your heart's desire. Love the special black beans in particular when they have them, mixed with sauteed greens and red sauce. My omni friends have all adored the seitan sandwiches and entrees. Ditto with the lasagne. Neither are my thing (I'm more a salad/soup/gluten free person), but I've sampled these and they are indeed delish. Gluten free friendly.

Fallopia T.

I go to Candle whenever I'm in the neighborhood (and Candle 79 whenever I can get someone to treat me.) I've taken my mother (omnivore) and sister ("pseudo-veg" by her own reckoning) here, and they both thought it was great. When I go by myself, I like to take home their cookies and muffins--although I'm sorry to say, one time, the muffin I got had a blackened bottom, and it was a huge mistake that should never have left the kitchen. That happened only once. I've had some totally amazing things here; I love their philosophy, and the fact that they source organic produce from local farms like Mountain Dell farm in upstate New York whenever possible. So glad they're a success; they deserve it.

Jim S.

My wife is vegan and really wanted to take me to Candle 79 which she always raves about. I can't say I was looking forward to it, but I presumed that place would do a good job. But when we went out for a meal at 4:30pm we learned that Candle 79 was closed between 4 and 5pm on a Sunday. Instead we went to the more casual Candle Café about six blocks away on the Upper East Side. It was really disappointing. I ordered the Cajun seitan sandwich and there was nothing Cajun about it. Serving it with a side of remoulade does not make it Cajun. Cajun implies some flavorful spices, but this dish had no flavor. Even the grilled onions on it were blah. My wife ordered the Adobe seitan entrée which was a bit better, but still not very good. She admitted that this café was not up to par with the flagship restaurant on E. 79th or the big version on the West Side. We ordered my six-year old a grilled cheese sandwich and she couldn't handle more than one bite. The waiter was great and brought us "chicken fingers" but my daughter didn't like that either. At least they were cool and only charged us for one of her meals. Still, it was a very expensive lunch.

Joi B.

Candle Café and I go way back. Believe it or not, vegan restaurants (delicious ones, that is) were rare 10+ years ago in New York City. There was Angelica's Kitchen, Caravan of Dreams, Kate's Joint, Quantum Leap, Zen Palate and...who am I forgetting? The last three in that list aren't solely vegan either. Hell, I remember when the Vegan Guide to NYC was a tiny pamphlet and that included any restaurants with vegan options. Candle was always a more special option, a bit more posh. Certainly the most delicious choice. Over the years, I turned non vegan friends onto it to the point where even though we were almost never on the UES, we'd make special trips just to get the seitan over mashed potatoes and greens and that (oh what happened to it) carrot cake (simply the best carrot cake I've had in my life). So, the menu has changed. It happens. You adapt. I was there in the winter with my mom (another non veg person who adores Candle) and on my recommendation she ordered the Indian plate which was always a favorite of mine. She couldn't stop exclaiming over how delicious it was, not to mention the large portion which under normal circumstances she wouldn't be able to manage, but when a plate is *this* scrumptious, suddenly you grow another stomach. I stopped in Candle last night with some friends and ordered the seitan that was on the special list (sounded like the one I used to get, which came over mashed potatoes, but with broccoli instead of greens). The waitress informed me that they had run out of it. Although I was disappointed, I also knew the Indian plate would be a great option. We ordered the guac appetizer. Although delicious, I just can't see the 12 dollar price tag being warranted. That's table side prep prices (which I think is another rip off, but that's for another review). I was disappointed in the Indian plate this time. Although the dal, chutney and cabbage were flavorful as always, the curried vegetable was parsnips...and nothing else. What? It describes this portion of the plate as "curried vegetables." That's plural. Virtually, you're getting a plate of starch. And let's be real, it's peasant food, delicious peasant food, but still peasant food. At 15 dollars a plate, it just seems outlandish that they can't put another non starchy protein on there instead of the naan. Currently in New York City, we have phenomenal veg choices in every neighborhood, it seems. I am absolutely willing to pay for a good experience, but last night it seemed like Candle Café did not live up to my expectations (based on past visits). If I hadn't been there before last night, I don't think I would come back, which would be a shame. Keep on keepin' it real, CC!

Elyse C.

Yum! I treated myself to the Aztec salad, an earl grey tea, and a cookie on a jaunt over to the UES. The best way to describe the salad is "do-able." I sat at the juice bar, where they keep cookbooks for the same vegan fare they serve in the restaurant, and when I had finished gobbling down my salad, I realized that there was absolutely no reason why I couldn't make this salad myself. Yes, it was a great salad. Yes, I would like to go back and try something else there too! But there was no element in the salad that made me think there was some secret they knew there that I would never be able to reproduce at home. That being said, the service was so attentive, the atmosphere so friendly, and the cookie so good that I waver between 3 and 4 stars. Definitely worth a try.

Alice T M.

It's good food always busy so I never feel comfortable there and it's $$$ too.

Anna L.

DELICIOUS. I have been wanting to try this place for so long and finally made it over. A friend and I had the quesadilla app, spring roll app, cornbread, baked potato, and steamed veggies. Had carrot cake for dessert. The spring rolls were light and had a good texture. Very tasty. The quesadilla was also very good, smelled like heaven. The cornbread was awesome and the "butter" they put with it is literally the best butter substitute I have ever had. We asked the waitress what it was and she just said "it's soy". Ok, thanks? Anyway. Could have done without the steamed veggies as the appetizer portions were plenty big and we each ordered our own sides, plus they were bland (but what do you expect from steamed vegetables?) Carrot cake tasted like legit carrot cake, also delicious. Oh I also had a strawberry limonade (made with lime) - straight from the juicer and very good. Service was so-so. We kind of got ignored - had to ask to order dessert, no water refills, etc. I mean it was lunch, but still. Anyways this place is vegan HEAVEN, literally everything on the menu is vegan so there are so many options. It is soy and seitan heavy though, which is not something I usually prefer. But whatever I would go back in a heartbeat.

Albie F.

These guys at Candle Cafe sure do know how to do Vegan and Organic very well together. Sometimes it can be daunting to go into a Vegan place if you don't eat Vegan a lot because you might have the uncertainty of what is coming your way if meat is not a menu option. Candle Cafe puts all that doubt to rest as my Cajun seitan sandwich was a wonderful first seitan experience with plenty of items accompanying the sandwich like the chile aioli, side of coleslaw, and avocado. A friend of mine had a fried seitan appetizer for her meal and that seemed like a really solid choice (especially when it was recommended by our waiter). The plate filled with cubes of seitan were probably just as filling as my cajun seitan sandwich. Candle Cafe offers some very unique choices and is well deserving of their five star rating.

Sho G.

I might've rated Candle Cafe higher if I didn't have any vegan food to compare it to. I had the Cajun seitan sandwich after reading recommendations from fellow Yelpers. It would've been greatly improved with a lower caramelized onion to seitan ratio, and as such, definitely not worth $15. Atmosphere and service were ok. Maybe I'm spoiled from eating delicious Cinnamon Snail sandwiches, most of which are $10 or less, but I doubt I'd revisit this place.

FZ R.

We had the Cajun seiten sandwich, crepes and French toast and everyone loved Everything! Highly recommended, delicious, healthy and large portions.

Jerrica J.

Vegan at its best! Candle Cafe is so good! I always start of with a Crystal Bubble Roll - It has bbq seitan cucumber, avocado, cucumber, rice paper, with peanut dressing. Then for entrée, I like to have the Paradise Casserole -sweet potato, black beans and millet over steamed greens and gravy! YUM!!! Its time for all the Yelpers to understand my needs and appreciation for vegan food from time to time. Actually I could definitely replace everything for 100% vegan diet if I really tried. Then I would not be able to eat at many of my favorite restaurants though. Haha So this is actually on the TOP of my vegan restaurant list. If you are a complete meat lover, this restaurant will most likely make you believe you could be meat free too!

merisa t.

FYI - there is a $10 fee for delivery. They won't tell you this (it is not on their website, take-out menu, or, apparently, in the minds of the delivery-takers on the phone), so I will. What I ordered was quite good - the Mezze Trio with crudite ($10, plus another $3 for crudites, which is ridiculous, because it amounted to maybe one whole carrot and one whole stalk of celery), the Cold & Flu Fighter Juice ($9, citrus and ginger stuff), and the Sweet Potato Pie Smoothie ($9, almond milk, sweet potato, some other stuff), but all that potential has been overshadowed by that dang delivery fee. The food is already overpriced - and while the quality is generally good, the portions are small. I surmise they are adding a few bucks based on the fact that there aren't too many vegan restaurants in the area. (Maybe there wouldn't be an obesity epidemic if they weren't charging so much for barely cooked vegetables? Let's get Bloomberg on this). So that, coupled with an outlandish delivery fee has me ready to send Candle Cafe off to the abbatoir (so there!). I don't need your mezze trio or your hearty salads, Candle Cafe! And you use too much soy anyway. I'll fulfill my Upper East Side vegan desires at Moustache Pitza where the hummus is deliriously good (as is the Turkish coffee) and the price is right.

Jon P.

As A first time guest I was treated like a regular. The Hummus appetizer, and carrot cake were amazing, my friends had the vegan steak, and a special of the day almost like an English trifle beautifully plated The staff are great I love trying new vegan restaurants and this visit will not be the last. Thanks from Jon Parkus.

Melissa I.

I am not vegetarian so I am probably not the best critic if a vegetarian restaurant, however I do like veggie food!! My friends love this place, and my quesadilla was delicious, just very small for the $15 price tag. But it is NYC, upper East side....

andrea p.

The best Vegetarian Uptown. I love the agave mix drinks.

Fatina B.

Great vegan spot .We were there last December. Everything we had there was great. Not a large place though but we did not have to wait at all, I guess because it was after 2 and during the week. Defintly will go back

Grace C.

!!!!!! so delicious!!! after a night at the museum going floor to floor and then trekking over in the blistering cold, this hit the spot. however, if you are headed just for dinner, it will be just the same as it was for me, fresh and flavorful. I ordered the cajun seitan sandwich and my friends ordered the tuscan seitan parmesan sandwich and the living crunchy sprout salad. while we were waiting, the aroma of the cafe distracted us from having a complete conversation. before we knew it, the food was in front of us. every bite was filled with flavor and each ingredient tasted so fresh. dessert: got the special of the day- pumpkin bundt cake and soy ice cream. YUM! the cake wasn't as moist as i'd hope, so i guess that brings my review to a 4 (more like 4.5) out of 5.

Elaine H.

This is by far the best vegan joint I have been to in NYC yet! The seitan skewers are tracking best! Can't wait for the watermelon limeade!

Sha C.

We ordered the crunchy dumplings as an appetizer, they were alright. The waitress was nice. My cajun sandwich tasted like crispy nothingness. The seitan was not even seasoned, it was only fried and didnt even taste like anything. The chili aioli or whatever it is tastes like mayonnaise. I ordered a mango smoothie and had to send it back because it didnt even taste like mango, it tasted like a watered down vanilla milkshake with an orange color. Like how does the mango smoothie not even taste like mango?? I had to send it back. My sister ordered the PB & Joy smoothie and she had to send it back because it tasted like a grainy and watery milk, u couldnt even taste anything else. So disgusting. So i drank water...yay. I had the chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert, the ice cream was really good, the cake was ok, it was hard. My sister had banana strawberry pancakes, she loved it, i hated the sauce they put on it. My mom had the carrot ginger soup, she also liked that. My grandma had a spinach salad, she liked it. Basically it was just my cajun sandwich and the "smoothies" that tasted like anus.

Jade R.

BBQ TEMPEH & SWEET POTATO SANDWICH - it was good! I would have liked to have the BBQ flavor stand out a little more, and the kale would have been better if it had some life to it, it was incredibly wilted to the degree of mushy. But it was such a unique sandwich, I would get it again, and the salad it comes with is delish too! TOFU CLUB - I only had a bite, but I just love that fake bacon... You can find it at some grocery stores too... if you crisp it enough, it gets pretty crunchy and is just like bacon! (Well, okay, not reaaaallly... but it's still yummy and kind of the same shape? haha) The coleslaw was a little lacking in flavor, but that's just me being a tad too picky.

Vijay V.

We had a wonderful lunch. The tofu dishes were great. Ginger bomb was outstanding. Worth the walk!

Pam M.

The Candle cafe caught my eye and I decided to take my sister and boyfriend here, as she is a vegetarian. The wait was about 20 minutes on a Friday night with no reservations around 9:30 p.m. We started with the guac appetizer and I immediately regretted the decision when the skimpy portion came to the table. 12 dollars?!? Yipes. I got the $20 special, a taco salad with beans and grilled seitan, served with guac. It was big, but there were maybe 4 strips of grilled seitan and a whole lotta beans, which was like a chili mixture. The guac was about a tablespoon, which I wasn't too happy about. My sister got another special, grilled seitan with quinoa and veggies. Her's was much better tasting and overall, just seemed to be executed a lot better than the taco salad. My boyfriend got the market salad, which was very fresh, with an awesome dressing that I cannot remember. He also got a side of coleslaw (random, I know) but it was seriously my favorite part of the meal. Get the coleslaw! It's light, fresh, and plentiful. The prices are a little steep considering other veggie options in the city, but if you're in the area and you have a hankering for some strictly veggie stuff, it's a decent choice.

Joe S.

$12 for the tiniest Sangria ever! The food is on par with other vegan restaurants but with the ridiculous prices plus the mediocre service I was underwhelmed.

Dara A.

Love this place. the food was very good and liked by my non-vegan mom as well. the restaurant itself is very small and narrow inside. always crowded and hard to move around.

Sarah K.

Called this restaurant on a Friday afternoon, with a party of 9. They rearranged the restaurant, seated us within minutes, offered separate checks, and treated us like locals. So happy to have found this place - incredible, artisan vegan and gluten-free options. Hearty and delicious! Butternut squash soup, bbq tempeh/sweet potato sandwich, and cappuccinos were all table favorites! The waiters offer great suggestions if the menu overwhelms!

Srini V.

When a friend suggested dinner at Candle Cafe today, I couldn't resist, despite having just returned from a day trip to Minneapolis! I have been meaning to go here for years, partly because another friend of mine had designed Candle's comfy interior. Soon after we were seated, I chose the protein shake and my friend, the carrot apple snap. What followed was the black bean soup -- simply delicious. Just the right consistency. Not bland like in other vegetarian and vegan restaurants in the city. I felt like a monkey that had taken over the banana division of Chiquita. On my left was the shake, and on my right, the soup. And across the table was my caring friend, quietly watching me gorging myself. I felt powerful! Then came the quesidillas. The wheat tortilla with soy cheese, bean puree and grilled vegetables, tasted divine. And I also partook of my friend's seitan sandwich as a finishing kick to my dinner experience. Next time I am here, I will remember to save some room for dessert! 0.5 1.0 _____ Wow!! _____ _ __ |____ _| /\ 1.5 | | || _____ ___ | _____| || | | That's 1.0 | | a total of _____ ___ |_____ | five stars-- 1.0 | | Yay! _____ ___ |___ _ | || | | || |_____|___________________________________________ V__ Ambience Shake Soup Quesadilla Seitan In summary, this is likely the best vegetarian fare I have had in New York. I hope to return soon. And I would highly recommend it!

Heather R.

Favorite restaurant of all time. The cajan seitan sandwich is wonderful. Their smoothes are great, but fill you up if you order it before your meal!

David Y.

I am not normally a fan of vegetarian or vegan restaurants, and when I first went in, the smell of soy and wheatgrass was nearly overpowering. The food, however, soon changed my mind. If I could eat here every day, I could probably become a vegetarian. Unlike a lot of places, their dishes do not at all lack for flavor. I particularly enjoyed their lasagna, and their Tuscan sandwich. Sweet potato fries were delicious.

Fiona J.

This is one of the best vegan restaurants I have ever been to. The food was very good, the service good as well, and our table was satisfied. The Mezze plate was a nice appetizer, the parata bread was good, and the quinoa tabouli was yummy. Our only complaint was that there was not enough bread, chutney, and hummus to make us fully content. Other than that, our table was happy with the food and we may come back again. Congratulations, Candlelight Cafe!!! (this review provided by becky - my smart & beautiful 10 year old niece.)

Mdivani M.

In the 80's and early 90's, I ventured on a few forays into the world of "vegetarian" restaurants in New York and in Venice, CA. Needless to say I was unimpressed. The demographics that those restaurants were going after didn't really suit me. Nothing against them, but they were just not for me. The atmosphere was very "hippie", calling to mind Birkenstocks, Tie-Dyed Shirts & Skirts, long unwashed hair, etc. What I used to refer to as "the granola lady". As you can imagine, it was hardly the setting for the Ladies Who Lunch set. As for the food (notice I don't call it cuisine for a reason), it was plain, bland, and just unimaginative. I was never going to fall in love with a plate full of brown rice and steamed unseasoned sea vegetables. Since then, the tide has turned and there are restaurants that finally cater to my demographic. Yes, I am a snob, but not in a mean way :) Without being aware, it seems that chic vegetarian restaurants had started popping up right under my nose and it was time to give them another chance. My first exploration into this new world was in Los Angeles at the famous Real Food Daily. Not just a vegetarian restaurant, but a vegan restaurant, I was wowed and became a complete fan (you can see my on camera visit with Chef/Owner Ann Gentry with this link: youtube.com/watch?v=RkKR… My appetite whetted, I now wanted to explore more of these establishments and where else should I do it but in my hometown of New York. It was an early Sunday afternoon, driving back from attending a wedding in Pennsylvania, that it struck me to stop at the much touted Candle Cafe for lunch. Candle Cafe began quite humbly as Healthy Candle, a health food store and juice bar in 1984. I still remember going there with friends to get bee pollen and other such energy boosters and natural medicines. It evolved into a full service juice bar & cafe and in 1994 expanded to become Candle Cafe, serving an organic vegan menu. The restaurant creates its menu based upon sustainability, eco-friendly practices, local farming and compassion for animals. They were also the first Certified Green Restaurant in NYC. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very homey and soothing. Diner style tables line the pale sage walls which are decorated with three dimensional undulating cloth screens on one side and mirrors, framed photos and shelves with knick-knacks on the other side. The space is fairly narrow and they have made well use of the space. Now on to the cuisine! I went with one of my closest friends so we decided to order and sample each other's picks. We started off by sharing the Greek Salad. This was a good rendition of a classic Greek Salad, but heightened with the addition of marinated chickpeas and bell peppers. The usual feta cheese was replaced with a feta made from tofu and quite honestly, if you hadn't told me, I would have never know the difference. For the main course, I opted for the Tofu Club, a version of the traditional with grilled tofu replacing the turkey and tempeh bacon. I have had vegan clubs before and usually they are made with seitan replacing the turkey. This was a nice change, light and refreshing. My friend decided to take their option of making her own dish by choosing 4 sides and 2 dressings. Her selection was a combo of steamed greens, quinoa vegetable pilaf, black beans and grilled tofu with Ginger Soy dressing. Not only was everything in this combo delicious, I actually could eat as much as I wanted without feeling the least twinge of guilt! I heartily recommend Candle Cafe and know I will return for more exploration. However, I think my next stop will be to try the more upscale sister restaurant Candle 79, since I am of course an upscale kinda guy. :-) ladieswholunchtravel.com

Madhuri I.

No. This place is what - Vegan? No! No way. You're kidding me. You're kidding me, right? A friend and I dropped by for dinner on a Thursday night and the place was super full! The waitress was very friendly and they managed to seat us in about 10-15 minutes. We shared the quesadillas and the Tuscan Seitan Parmesan sandwich. The quesadilla was okay - It was nicely seasoned and went pretty well with the salsa (roasted tomato I think) but I wanted more cheese and maybe they could have an option for regular tortilla? Make it less healthy, basically. Grin. The seitan parmesan sandwich was phenomenal! The seitan was meaty, succulent and well marinated. The sauce was tangy, lightly herbed and bursting with garlic. The cheese was soft and didn't taste of soy at all. And the bread tasted like it was baked with the sole purpose of holding these wonderful things within. The freshness of the mesclun and vinaigrette salad nicely complemented the heartiness of the sandwich. This is full five on five, baby. And so to dessert, after briefly contemplating ordering one more portion of the seitan tuscan. Having eaten at Candle 79 several times and having loved it, I had no doubts in my mind that the food at Candle Cafe would be delicious. To be honest though, I never tried anything from the dessert section. As I bit into the chocolate mousse cake here (with the brownie crust), I could only imagine that they cheated and threw in eggs, butter and cream into this. But no fellow yelpers, this is 100% animal free and tastes like smooth heaven. You will find me here often - most likely stuffing my face with the tuscan sandwich. Do come and say hello.

Anna W.

Ginger sake cocktail was great! However, 50% of food was wheat... I don't like to have bread on dinner. Pure foods and wine is much liter. Place is very small and cozy. We were on the 1 floor near the window. Good place for having a nice chat. Atmosphere was quite intimate.

S H.

Candle is by far the best vegetarian/vegan choice on the UES. There are a lot of pros and a lot of cons... PROS - Wide variety of food - Decent sized portions with delivery - Some really great items: seitan chimichurri, cajun seitan sandwich, aztec salad, good food plate - They deliver to my apartment - My fiance LOVES this place, and I love him... so I have to at least like it CONS - Takes at least an hour for delivery - While some of the food is really good, a lot of the foods is really terrible. So it's not really the type of place I want to go to and try something new. - WAY overpriced... steamed broccoli for the price of an expensive sushi roll, a tiny rice paper appetizer thingy for over $10, etc. - The "specials" rarely change... I mean, the Indian Plate has been on there for at least 3 years now. Why not add it to the menu and actually offer specials? - Inconsistent food quality. For example, when the seitan chimichurri is good, it is amazing! When it is not good... yuck... dry, chewy, no flavor, etc. Or, something the Aztec salad is huge and fresh. Sometimes it is half the size with brown avocado. - Much smaller portions when you eat at the restaurant (which I only know because I mostly do delivery)

Liz C.

My brother went to Princeton and became a Republican. My sister matriculated to Columbia, and went vegan. Go figure. Meeting up for the occasional meal is difficult enough, since it typically ends with sis snarkily throwing soft politics at brosky, and broksy taking her to town with hard economic data. Not to mention she gets extra cranky when there's meat in the picture, and he gets straight up virulent when there's not. I was therefore both relieved and charmed to find The Candle Cafe, which I described to my brother as 'vegan food for non-vegans'. You can't despite its deliciousness - the menu is creative, the portions are very generous (Alex's complaint is frequently that he can't get full on fava beans and tofu), and the ambiance isn't so crunchy so as to deter right-winged financiers (he agreed). The juice menu is wonderful, and I've ordered both the burrito and the lasagnas, and have been laden with leftovers. The chocolate mousse dessert will be a pleasant surprise to anybody who doesn't believe that eggless and milkless can be tasty.

Ashe M.

It's not an incredibly creative or fancy place, but if you're in the mood for some really good, solid vegetarian food with a laid back vibe in a very non laid back (typically) part of town, this place is great. I loved the burger with tempeh bacon and avocado and the deserts are excellent. They also have great appetizers and a great variety of salads/mixed plates. If you're looking for a place with a little more of a date/evening atmosphere head to Blossom on West 22nd or Candle 79 (the fancy sister of Candle Cafe), but if you're in the mood for really good lunch or casual dinner, head here.

Sophie G.

Coconut rice has no taste of coconut and is very bad quality rice. Atmosphere ok but weird customers

Shirly P.

I visited NYC this past weekend, and after walking around Central Park for what seemed like forever, I worked a really good appetite. I quickly searched for nearby restaurants on my phone and I was happy to find a vegan restaurant within walking distance from the park. This must be a very popular spot, because when we got to the restaurant it was full. But a friendly guy quickly found a table for us towards the back. Our server recommended the "Cajun Seitan Sandwich" and I am so very glad she did, because it was fantastic! I also got to try my friend's "Tuscan Lasagna" which was pretty tasty as well. The place was clean, the service was friendly, and the food was delicious. The next time I'm in NYC, I'm definitely coming back to Candle Cafe. You guys should open a cafe in DC!!!

Kenna T.

god was this place good. i went there on sunday ( coldest.day .ever) with my old roomie from sf and her wife. now, we are accustomed to eating good vegetarian food, being from sf and all. and honestly i usually don't go north of 14th street. but my seitan with mashies and spinach would make me travel up to the UES 2x week for this place for shizzle. i loved it. and they had a decent wine selection that was not too high priced. the appetizer we got was not the most exciting, it was the bread with garlic. that alone kept me from giving it 5 stars. well that and the fact that i did not go to the bathroom so i don't know if there are hooks or not (my personal yelp challenge - to make restaurants aware to put hooks in the potties!!) i really want to go back and get a juice, they looked soooo good. well done candle cafe!

Kat B.

I went with a friend from my college days. I arrived at 6pm on a Thursday and it was still pretty empty. They let me sit and wait for her at a table, but failed to tell me there was a coat rack. When she arrived and we ordered, the waiter didn't listen to us very well so walked away as we were about to order our appetizer and we had to call him back. We had the guacamole as an appetizer. She had cashew crusted tempeh, which was wonderful. I tried the seitan enchiladas, which were actually better the day afterwards as reheated lunch. Then we had to get dessert, so ended up with carrot cake, which we were a bit dissapointed with, and a fresh fruit cobbler which was SO yummy! The bill was quite expensive, but worth it for the wonderful food. The bathrooms were not labelled well, and so I'm not even sure I went into the right one. It's a long thin joint, so the tables are a little tight. That seems to be the norm though, for NYC restaurants. I would return, perhaps. I might just rather spend a little more and go to Candle 79, the more upscale version. Vegan friendly, and gets 4 stars because of this. Overall I'd rather give it 3, but I have to be kind to vegan places!

Deborah R.

Yummmmmmm! I love this restaurant so much. I'm going to have a monthly date night here with my roommate just because we want an excuse to make the trek up from our place in Brooklyn. The carrot cake is divine, and the cajun seitan sandwich is very very tasty. The portions are big and filling and make the slightly higher cost of food worth coming here for.

Matt and Rita C.

Rita and I are visiting NYC for a few days, and have tried several of the well-reviewed vegan/vegetarian restaurants in Manhattan. We had dinner at The Candle Cafe this evening, and while the staff were all great, we have to agree with some of the criticisms contained in the otherwise overwhelmingly positive reviews. The hostess greeted us with a wonderful smile, and the wait for our table for two was not long for a Friday evening. The restaurant has some great literature on why you should become a vegetarian/vegan, and the menu seems more geared towards diners trying to make that transition than to committed vegetable lovers like us. By that I mean that most of the entrees seem centered on a mock meat of some kind (tofu, tempeh, seitan), presumably so that they will be more appealing to meat-eaters not accustomed to vegetarian fare. As vegans for two plus years now, my wife and I have come to prefer dishes that are conceived as vegetable/grain dishes from the ground up, and are not trying to replicate or be reminiscent of a meat-based dish. We find that mock meats just get us thinking about the meat that is not there, and comparing it in our mind to the taste and texture of real meat. In contrast, in a well-designed dish that does not attempt to replicate meat, we often don't notice the absence of meat at all. We had an Indian entree that was a special tonight, and also had the Aztec Salad. The Indian entree was served luke warm and was not exactly inspired, and it had a lot of seitan. The Aztec Salad was better, although it would have been fine without the barbecued tempeh on top. We had a tropical smoothie that was great, and also the chocolate mousse pie for dessert, which was pretty good, although rich. Overall, a pleasant atmosphere, and perhaps a good choice for omnivores wanting to sample a vegan alternative.

Erica E.

This place was awesome! I only wish I lived closer! The food and service was excellent. We shared the crystal rolls and tofu club sandwich, both of which were delicious. I also tried one of their smoothies and my dining partner tried the chai latte with soymilk. Everything we ordered was prepared with fresh ingredients, presented wonderfully on the plate and tasted amazing! My complaint is that I wish I had room for dessert!

Alyson S.

This place made me love seitan. Need I say more?

CJ R.

Went during lunch and there was a crazy line but it went fast. People shared tables like in Chinatown at dim sum since they are in a rush. Shared the Mezze Plate (hummus, quinoa tabouli, lemon-date chutney, marinated olives parata bread and zataar) - it was so good we wanted to lick the plate. My friend had the Sesame Crusted Tofu (black rice pilaf, steamed greens and sautéed gingered vegetables over a green coconut curry sauce served with an arame coulis and kim chee) and I had the Cajun Seitan Sandwich (pan-seared seitan, steamed greens, caramelized onions and avocado served on toasted focaccia with an ancho chili aioli and coleslaw). Both were good but we felt we had to rush and it's such a tiny place! Not bad and will try Candle 79 next time!

Ainsley D.

I could eat the fucking plates here, the food is that good.

Matthew M.

My vegan friend introduced this gem to me a few days ago and WOW! I was blown away. As I walked in, I liked that the place looked like a coffee shop, but served restaurant grade food. The staff was very amiable as they helped me through the menu, since I didn't know what to order; I've never eaten vegan food before. My friend told me to choose the grilled chimichurri to start, and what a good choice! It is a wheat protein that resembles tofu but with a "meatier" texture that had a zesty taste. This is actually a great alternative to chicken because it resembled the flavor and texture closely. For my main course, I ordered the grilled portobello mushroom with sweet potato, broccoli rabe, fennel in a pomegranate-cabernet reduction drizzle. Although one might be skeptical of the $20 tag for a 'shroom, it was actually three layered mushrooms. I ordered a side of roasted beets with the carrot ginger dressing to have a different flavor in the main course. For dessert I had the vegan carrot cake, which is different because it was made with vanilla frosting rather than cream cheese, or tofu cheese in a vegan diet. I really enjoyed it because it was unique compared to the typical carrot cake you may eat at a restaurant. It included raisins, coconut and carrot puree on top. Another thing that positively added to my experience was the service. I never ran out of water for more than a few seconds and every dish came out in a timely manner. At the end of the meal, I realized that I wasn't overstuffed like I usually am when I leave restaurants. The meal made me feel satisfied, without overdoing it. Overall, this was an experience that I would definitely like to repeat again, every now and then because it is pricey for organic cooking.

Denise H.

Let me start my review by saying that I'm not vegan, but this place has given me a whole new appreciation for vegan food. I've been here at least 4-5 times, and everything I've tried on the menu is full of flavor. You walk out feeling good after eating a healthy meal, but the portion sizes are great so you're not still hungry. It can get pretty crowded, but always worth the wait.

Adrian B.

Organic and very healthy. Fast service.

Steve N.

The story continues pretty much the same. The diners with Met stickers forgotten. The student at the table beside mine, studying and eating a mezze plate with a coffee. The creative dishes that are sincerely vegetarian. My favorite Aunty and me went after a few hours at the Met. We shared a Mezze plate and then went on to a few entrees. Everything was just fine. Well, maybe the barbecued tofu on the Aztec Salad could have been a little more succulent. And now for the deets: Mezze plate: Hummus, quinoa tabouli, lemon-date chutney, marinated olives, parata bread (like thick and moist pita), and zataar: $12, and we added the crudite, which was carrots and celery, lightly and nicely seasoned, $3 Greek salad: Including the tofu feta that the Aunty thought was fine, $15 Aztec salad: The server's favorite; delightful with toasted cumin dressing TOTAL: $62, with tip, and no booze SHOUT OUT: Props to Maggie for guiding me to the Aztec Salad TIP: No outdoor dining

Yelper S.

Been coming here for years. The food is consistently good, but I order what I know I like and rarely do I stray from the norm here. The service is always crazy; I feel bad for the waitstaff as they always seem overworked and stressed out. I think they need more people. The prices are a little steep for the food though, but it's all about location and you pay for the place. Also, come early, they're overpacked on the weekends! So the best: ANY lemonade! Especially strawberry - and now I hear they have rhubarb! Candle Colada - all that's missing is rum (note to self - bring flask) Seitan Chimichurri - which says a lot because I don't like seitan. Aztec salad - this is a huge and hearty portion. Manicotti - the pastas are generally tasty. Again, if you are more than 2 people, be prepared for a wait. No room inside to stand though so hopefully it will be warm when it's your turn to sit on the outside bench.

Hera P.

I decided to be on more healthy diet paying more attention to my health. This restaurant helped me to keep my diet healthy while enjoying food. Most of their food seem to be healthy. I came to this place few times. I had seitan burger. The seitan was tender and delicious. I liked the fried potato which comes together. The bun tastes good too. I also like their Mediterranean wrap . The whole wheat tortilla wrap stuffed with smashed chick pea, tofu feta and some vegetable are good combination. I love their carrot cake. It is so good. I also like the smoothies . The service was attentive. The interior was neat. I am planning to visit this place more.

Ezra B.

I've been to Candle Cafe a handful of times, and it never fails to meet my expectations. My most recent visit was a few weeks ago for dinner with my wife. We had no problem getting a table for two around 8 PM. The service was great, and the food was excellent as always. I ordered the Cajun Seitan Sandwich, which is Cajun crusted seitan, steamed greens, caramelized onions and avocado, served on toasted focaccia with ancho chili aioli and coleslaw. It was EXCELLENT! My wife ordered the Paradise Casserole, which is layers of sweet potato, black beans and millet over steamed greens with country gravy. The only negative is the price of the items, but considering it's vegetarian "high cuisine", it's well worth it!

B. E.

We make sure to come here for dinner every time we stay in the city. Worth every penny and the staff is super nice! Related: I could drink their cumin vinaigrette.

Sara T.

Cute cafe and ambience. Unless you want a salad, no raw options, however. Candle 79 down the street (their sister restaurant) has raw options, but that restaurant is fancier and a more sit-down style. The candle cafe is very casual, and take out is possible! Great spot for vegans!

L H.

Who knew vegan food could be so good! There's a wide array of foods so something for everyone. The mediterranean wrap was delicious. The carrot cake was ok. Came out a bit cold but decent flavor. Service was great and the atmosphere was laid back. This will likely be my new favorite vegan spot on the upper east side.

Emese L.

I agree that the food is very good. I had the eggplant entree and I thought the portion was small especially considering the higher price. Our server was phenomenal though. Look forwarding to trying many other dishes (I am a meat eater). Plus they deliver!

Tyler B.

I'm a big fan of the Candle restaurant family. In fact, Candle 79 is my favorite vegan restaurant in New York City with the exception of Dirt Candy. Out of the three restaurants, this one is the least aesthically pleasing. That being said Candle 79 is beautiful in comparison which makes sense becaues it's the mother restaurant, but Candle Cafe West is far nicer looking than Candle Cafe East...which is weird considering they're sister restaurans. BUT, to its credit, Candle Cafe East definitely has a CAFE feel. In terms of food, it's good if you go in. DO NOT GET DELIVERY FROM HERE!!! Because of it's delivery range, I have ordered from Candle Cafe East a few times, each time I was extremely disappointed. The food is basically just thrown together, it's sometimes not even fully cooked. I have ordered delivery from several restaurants in my time, especially due to the freezing New York winter this year, and I've never receiving food as sloppy as what I've receiving from here. But for now I'm going to focus on a few menu items I've enjoyed IN the restaurant. The Grilled Seitan Burger is delicious, so delicious I will go as far as to say it is the best vegan burger in all of Manhattan. It beats out Blossom Du Jour's infamous Skyscraper and even -gasp- Candle 79's black bean pump seed burger. It is simple but very, very delicious. Even the bun they use it great. The Mezze Plate has been a staple of mine. It comes with hummus, tabouli, and some pastey date stuff that is sweet but goes great with the partha bread. It's a great snack to share as an appetizer but also filling enough to be a simple meal. The sides are also great if you'd like to great your own meal. You can pick several sides and a couple dressings for added taste. All of the smoothies are to-die-for. They are delicious and well concocted. Some of them change seasonally but usually one comes with oats in it (always a good choice) and one is a limonade that is extremely refreshing, especially on a hot summer day in New York. The staff is great! Everyone is extremely knowledgable when it comes to vegan food. I have yet to meet someone here who is rude or annoying, everyone's very chill and down-to-earth which makes for a nice dining experience.

Anne T.

The menu of vegan options was a diverse mix of salads, sandwiches and entrees, so there was something for everyone. The Cajun Seitan Sandwich with aoli was particularly good.

Eve S.

How have I not reviewed Candle Cafe? I dare say one of the last times I was here prior to this year was BEFORE I started yelping. (OMG) I live in brooklyn so just to trek up to the UES is a schlep but let me tell you something-it is worth it. The last two times I have been here everything was on point. The staff has expediting figured out and although sometimes you have wait it is never as long as it seems like it is going to be. There was also a very old man who is obviously a regular customer-it was sweet to see the staff take care of him and I also loved that he was enjoying a delicious vegan meal-well done sir!

Thomas O.

For those who think that the vegan lifestyle is flavorless, lifeless, and unexciting because of the lack of animal products I dare you to try CC. Yes food is a 1 part of the culture but, honestly--food is the stuff that keeps us alive (and because it's vegan it keeps animals alive too!). Bottom line is: as far as vegan food goes, this is some of the tastiest by far. Even better than some of the meat options I've had in the past days. I'll admit, I haven't tried many vegan options (vegetarian--yes) but that doesn't stop me from giving this joint 5 stars. First thing about CC: it's a small indoor cafe on the UES and has a fine dining component Candle 79 a few blocks up. On the particular night Raenaa L. and I decided to indulge here they were quite busy and had a wait out the door. That must mean something! When we were sat, it was the last table in the back next to the restrooms and kitchen. Ehh -1 star. At least the area was covered by an awesome waitress who probably modelled before, she was pretty damn tall. I ordered an iced coffee and the seitan parmesan sandwich while my friend had her regular, the Cajun seitan sandwich and a hot coffee. I wanted to order the Mezze platter as an apetizer, but we wanted to pay cash and were short some bucks so we'll save that for next time :P The drinks took a while to come out but they apparently had to brew a new pot of coffee. so -/+ 1 star, 4 stars total. Fianlly fooooood 5 seconds after our drinks were served. We each switched halves of our sandwiches to try. Mine was served with a petite salade and miniature fries. Hers had none. However, I think that her's didn't have any sides because baby it didn't need any. Again, she ordered the Cajun seitan sandwich and that thing is DELICIOUS!!! If I were to become vegan, I'd eat that everyday without a problem. The flavor and texture were perfect and almost unexpected. I came here without any expectations and left here very happy. + 1 million stars, total: maximum of 5 stars. My sandwich was also very good too and tasted just like anykind of parmigiana type sandwich would except made with out animal products. If you ever find yourself curious about vegetarianism or veganism, please make the effort to satisfy that curiousity. I myself, although not ready to commit to it, have been humbled by it. This is a great place to explore if you find yourself on the UES or wanting to try something "different." and trust me, you will be amazed at how well rounded a meal can be prepared without animal products. One thing though, I wish I stayed for dessert!

Dara W.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. It's small and homey-feeling with a juice/coffee bar up front (try the soy hot chocolate!). Candle Cafe is a nice little treat if you're vegan/vegetarian, but I've brought meat-eaters here and they've been quite satisfied with the food! This is a great place for a date or catching up with friends since it's quiet and cute, but I'd recommend the sister (upscale) restaurant, Candle 79, for groups or special occasions. The waitstaff here is always very attentive and courteous, and they've made great recommendations to me about food several times. In fact, my favorite item on the menu was suggested to me by my waitress the first time I came and you MUST try it! The Cajun Seitan Sandwich, with caramelized onions, avocado, and steamed greens on focaccia. To die for. Major noms. I'd say you can't go wrong with any of the sandwiches here, and treat yourself to a vegan chocolate chip cookie on the way out. Delish.

Emily S.

Finally made it back here after about 5 years and I'm happy to report it's still phenomenal!! Came with my boyfriend around 9. I had the gazpacho and the kale salad, and he had the seitan au poivre. I liked mine but I do think that the tofu/tempeh/seitan, done classy stuff is what they do best, so you should try it. The sandwiches are really good. My boyfriend loved his seitan; he didn't even want to come at first and now he is a Candle convert :) Also the service is super friendly. Will be back in the near future.

Dana S.

I came here with a group of 5 with high hopes due to the reputation. But I also kind of worried it would be an over-hyped, overpriced disappointment. Unfortunately, disappointing it was. I ordered an Asian-something or other wrap off the Specials ($15). Still not sure what was special about this dish. The wrap contained: soft tofu, brown rice, lima beans, and grilled onions. The dressing came on the side and contained the Asian-flavors (aka all the flavors), and it was pretty good. However, because it came on the side and was not mixed in evenly with the ingredients, there just wasn't enough flavor to go around as it just globs in specific areas. There is no reason why a vegan sandwich with some veggies and soft tofu should be over $8. I wouldn't mind paying these exorbitant prices if the dishes were innovative and contained ingredients that were obviously expensive, but these are not. I will admit the artisan bread is great (tried my friend's) and the dressings are tasty, but the actual sandwich fixins are just nothing to write home about. My friend ordered $12 guacamole. It was perhaps two dollops of guac. It was good but um, not $12 good. That's just crazy. A small amount of broken chips are given. And the service...wow. We had the most surly, absentee waitress ever. She didn't speak to us, she just mumbled and threw stuff down on the table. If you're looking to spend a little extra on great vegan food (and want good service), head to Blossom.

Catherine R.

My friend suggested we meet here for lunch, which was strange, because we usually eat animals when we get together. After a quick yelpcheck I texted back, "Vegan, huh?" We sat at the bar, as the tables were all occupied at 1:45pm. Our waiter was pleasant and quick, with decisive opinions when asked for them. I like that. Many Yelpers have noted that there's nothing world-changing about the food, but that the taste is excellent. As an active cook who focuses most meals around animal proteins, Candle Cafe provided one of the most delicious vegetarian meals I've had, and one that I never would have prepared. For that, 4 stars.

Jimena V.

Omg the food was amazing here!! Had the best dips ever!! Cant wait to come back!! Note: there was a long wait to sit down when i came for a late lunch.

Lyndon D.

Good food but I think trying a little too hard to make more extravagant veg meals without doing any basic ones which the kid would have liked. The club sandwich was great but my wife wasn't overly impressed with her dish. The restaurant is promoted as vegetarian but it's not: its vegan which we fond a lot more limiting with kids. We've all be vegetarian for years but probably wouldn't bother here again with the kids.

Internet M.

real good. reminds me of being in a scene from Annie Hall.

L K.

My second visit to The Candle Cafe was probably even better than the first, and that was made possible via four simple words: Flu and Cold Fighter. What is the Flu and Cold Fighter, you ask? A tall glass of nuclear-orange colored juice that looks scary but is really the best thing for you if you're not feeling well. Made of orange, grapefruit, carrot and lemon juices with some ginger mixed in, the Flu and Cold Fighter really knocks the bad germs out of your system. I entered Candle Cafe feeling like a bad cold was coming on, and when I ordered the Flu and Cold Fighter I really wasn't expecting it to help all that much. By the time I put on my coat to leave, I was feeling tremendously better. Surprisingly, delightfully better. It's certainly worth the $8 a glass that they charge for this drink. Dinner consisted of the Tuscan lasagna, and while the seitan-infused sauce had a little too much garlic for my taste, I greatly enjoyed the layers of what appeared to be sauteed kale that lingered in between each lasagna noodle. My companions had the Indian plate and the porcini-crusted seitan, which came with a delightful helping of garlic-shallot mashed potatoes and string beans. It looked like a real meat-and-potatoes style dinner, except that no animals were harmed. Stupendous! I had carrot cake for dessert, because who can resist carrot cake? (Not I, said L.K.) My vegetarian friend, who has long been suspicious of the quality of vegan desserts because they don't use butter or milk, sampled the carrot cake and was pleasantly surprised. It really was very tasty. Although not a vegan myself, I have had vegan desserts on a few occasions and have always been impressed with their quality. The carrot cake served by Candle Cafe was no exception. Worthy of note: we came here relatively early by NYC dining standards and the place was packed. The volume of people only increased as the evening wore on, so it's really in your best interest to make a reservation if possible. They don't take reservations for parties of two, unfortunately, but I would absolutely call them if you have a large group. The space is small to begin with and the line for tables backs up out the door, which in winter is not great. But visit if you can - they are serving up some great vegan food! And if you can't visit, buy the Candle Cafe cookbook and make your own vegan meals, or visit a Whole Foods, which now carries Candle Cafe's line of frozen entrees.

Frankie F.

I had to switch diet because of health issues and found it difficult to cook on my own, especially when living in NYC short term. I decided to mostly eat out, and Candle Cafe was on of my to go places. I really like their salads and sandwiches, my favorites would be Soba Noodle Salad and Mediterranean Wrap. Their seitan sandwiches are great too with an exception of Cajun Seitan Sandwich - waaay too much caramelized onions! Candle Cafe can be pretty busy and sometimes you'll have to wait for a table but I think it's worth it. It's also a good place to go when you have vegan/non-vegan friends in your group, both are going to be satisfied. Take out is fast, around 10/15min wait. Overall I think is a nice place to experience vegan food, even if you aren't into it on a daily basis.

Jasmine C.

Healthy options and food was good but over-priced for what they are. I've also been to the main restaurant Candle 79 and my experience was much better there.

Michele C.

Delicious, healthy, vegan fare and great service. Have only been once, but shall return!

Erica J.

I can never get into candle 79 so i always end up at candle cafe; the food is good and based off of the 79 menu just not as "fancy". my main issue with candle cafe is the space itself; it's not very inviting, it's cold in the winter, and poorly decorated. also it smells very "health food" store-ish. But if you want a solid vegan mean that you're not afraid to take meat-eaters to as well - this is a good spot. well priced and a huge menu as well.

Michael D.

I was wandering the neighborhood and ended up walking in to have a quick bite. I liked the atmosphere, like most NY food spots, it was narrow and cozy. They gave the walls some texture by hanging some curtains or cloth swatches over the cold walls. The staff was on their game and when given the "which is better' question, they offered their suggestions. I ordered the Aztec salad which was really tasty. The quinoa spiked with a cumin vinaigrette really popped. The BBQ grilled tempeh was perfectly flavored and added nicely to all the flavors of red onion, black beans, pumpkin seeds and mixed greens. Even if you're not in the mood for vegetarian fair...take a chance, you'll be pleased.

Jess O.

Went to Candle Cafe for the first time today and had a great meal. We had some friends visiting from SF (so you know they are used to good vegetarian food) and 3 out of 4 thought it was awesome. We got there at 11:45, which ended up being a good call. With 4 people plus a baby, it would have been hard to get a table after noon (and it was a Monday!). Two of us had fresh juices and we're plenty pleased. I know many folks complain about the price but I think $4 for a big glass of fresh squeezed organic juice is pretty good. I had the lasagna. It was delicious. All agreed. One pal ordered the Tuscan sandwich everyone seems to be raving about. He thought it was good, but it didn't seem like that much food to me (smaller portions at lunch). Another pal had the seitan steak and thought it was terrible. So why am I still giving this place 4 stars? Because I tried it and thought it was great. yummy seitan. I didn't understand why it came with a pile of onions, but it did say that on the menu so I guess you wouldn't be surprised if you ordered it. This was on the special menu, but I got the impression that the specials don't change often. Another pal had the Rosemary-Crusted Tofu (also a special). It was beautiful looking and a ton of food. I didn't try hers but she raved about it. We agreed it felt like a casual version of Millennium in SF. The service was great -- very patient with our questions and our slow decision making. Wish we could have had dessert but with a baby in tow it is hard to set your own schedule. I'll be back.

Teri L.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city! I often invite friends and family to go even if some seem apprehensive to try it, you definitely don't have to be a vegan to enjoy the cuisine. The restaurant is not all that spacious so there is usually a wait for dinner. The menu has many choices and there are always daily specials. As for appetizers and entrees, I've had the guacamole, Greek salad, Living Crunchy Sprout Salad, Paradise Casserole (layers of sweet potatoes, black beans, and millet over steamed greens and country gravy), Tofu Club, Indian Plate, and a few of their various wraps. All food is tasty, fresh, and filling. I wish I could eat here everyday! As for desserts, it is so hard to pass up. I've had the marble bundt cake a la mode, chocolate chip bundt cake a la mode, carrot cake, fruit crumb pie, chocolate cake, and soy ice cream. Additionally, they make great blended smoothies. Everything is flavorful and healthy so I have to recommend this place.

Roxanne S.

I loved this restaurant. While visiting from Colorado I ate there 3 times in 4 days. Luckily I was staying in the upper east side and had the pleasure of this gem. I sat at the counter each visit, lunch and dinner and was perfectly comfortable with a birds eye view of the juices and smoothies being created. The staff were extremely pleasant and helpful and I couldn't have felt more at home. The quinoa/chickpea crepe/GF was a delectable treat as was the sweet potato/black bean casserole. I will return any time I visit in the future. They will make a juice any way you like, fresh. Lucky you New York.

Amina C.

A flawless dining experience is hard to come by. Candle Cafe did just that when I got to dine there after hearing so much about it. I treated myself to anything my heart desired. I started off with a perfect soy cappuccino, followed by the Spring Rolls. The rolls were perfect. They had tempeh bacon inside and were accompanied by a delicious peanut sauce. For my main course, I had the PORCINI CRUSTED SEITAN- LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: GET THIS DISH! It was completely mind blowing. It was lightly fried seitan on a bed of garlic-shallot mashed potatoes with string beans. Let's not forget a whole marinated porcini mushroom on the side. I just have to say that ALL OF VEGAN RESTAURANTS PALE IN COMPARISON to Candle Cafe.

Mia F.

for the UES candle cafe has my vote. if your not into meat this is one of the few places you can go and enjoy a complete offering apps, main to dessert they do it all in a clean, crisp sharp room. my vegan friends from out of town love it here. juices are the bomb.

Allison D.

I went here on my birthday, and it was all I pretty much needed to do on my birthday. It was incredible, and you just need to go.The Lasagna....OMG. I really have nothing else to say. I have probably been to 30 vegan restaurants in my entire life, and this might be the tastiest ever.

Renee E.

I wanted to like Candle Cafe, but I just well...didn't. After seeing the NYC Ballet with my vegan friend, she suggested we check out Candle Cafe. It was really crowded and we were seated at this teeny tiny table in the back, which felt horribly claustrophobic to me. We split the summer rolls, which was actually pretty good..nice peanut sauce. My friend got the tuscan seitan sandwich. I tried a bite and it was fine, very comfort-food-ish. I didn't find anything that really "spoke to me," so I decided to cobble a meal together out of a few sides, so I got the sauteed broccoli and grilled tofu (at $5 each, it really wasn't worth it.) Normally, this would be relatively satisfying, but there was not a hint of seasoning. I don't know why I assumed there would be some flavor, but I was wrong. Justification did happen at the end of the meal, in the form of dessert. We split a slice of chocolate mousse pie, that ended up resembling a flourless chocolate cake. Dense, chocolaty goodness.

Jennifer N.

My husband and I have become really Cantabrigians -- when we hear "vegan restaurant," we think loveably grungy (i.e. Veggie Planet in Cambridge). We expect slightly sticky floors, neo-grunge servers with dirty fingernails, and inordinate amounts of kale. So you can imagine our surprise to go to Candle Cafe, which is vegan and also amazingly comfortable, nicely decorated, and casually elegant. We had done our homework before hitting Candle Cafe and there was one word running through our head: seitan. Every review we read said "seitan!" In fact, we were practically chanting it when we walked through the door. Despite our love of the word "seitan," neither of us actually ended up getting any of the seitan dishes. We both ordered from the specials menu : my husband had the Indian platter ($15) and I had the Moroccan wrap. The Indian platter was well-conceived, but the taste was not nearly as interesting as we had hoped. The plate consisted of basmati rice, paratha bread, tofu saag, date chutney, cabbage, and chickpeas. All of the ingredients were there, but I kept thinking "hey, Candle Cafe, give this dish some flavor" -- I mean, the Indian plate doesn't need to be spicy, but give it something - throw in some cilantro, some cumin, something to give it a distinctively Indian taste and to give each veggie a distinctive taste from the one sitting next to it. Not only that, but the consistency of everything on the plate was mushy - in fact, it looked like five runny piles of goo. The Moroccan wrap ($14) suffered from some of the same blandness problems: the tofu was deliciously marinated and seared, and had a rich and complex taste, but everything else in the wrap (spinach, couscous, lentils) was totally unflavored giving the wrap a flat taste. Dessert was much more promising: we split an absolutely delicious chocolate mousse pie which tasted sinful in all of the right ways. Love the idea of the Candle Cafe, love the kind waitstaff, love the vibe of the place, even love that they were playing 80s music (Walk Like an Egyptian, Faith, and that goofy West End Girls song). Give the place some salt, some pepper, some cilantro, some cumin, some serious flavor, and I'd be back.

Kate R.

We found ourselves in this side of town after a visit tot he Guggenheim. Had heard of the goodness of what is Candle Cafe. Two of us are veg and one is a few years into eating fish. While everyone's dish was good, my dish took the lead by a landslide. The meals. To start, the guac. It was decent, I've def had better, but there was a good amount (not sure what others were complaining about). the bbq tempeh sammy was gobbled down rather quickly by my buddy jimmy. while jimmy is normally a pretty fast eater, he finished it off rather quickly and began eating some of the greens on my plate. he rated his sammy an A. paradise casserole. my friend who is a quasi meat eater got this lil gem. i tried a few bites, and while it was good, it was a bit...soft. he used the gravy i had on the side of mine to spice up the flavor. he had debated on getting the special of the day, i think it was a curry that the gentleman at the table next to us got and it looked AMAZING. but the star of the show is the porcini crusted seitan. SO amazing. the boys were looking hopeful as i was eating and would cut of bites and ask them to eat them, it was funny to watch actually. Jimmy makes a pretty awesome homemade seitan and he was gushing out how great it was. I would def rec this dish if you go. this is where the 4 stars comes in. we ordered two scoops of ice cream to split at the end, which took them a good fifteen minutes to get to us, not okay. also, when she served the ice cream she put them into two bowls instead of a shared one (we put them in the same bowl to mingle the flavors) and then charged us the price of 2 single scoops instead of the price for a double (just a dollar difference) but she did get the boys on the $3 avocado add-on's (had we studied the menu hard enough we would have noticed the additional charge, but honestly it was positioned by the waitress in such a way that one would think that it was a "hey do you want it as well" not a "three dollar additional side item." It was rather expensive, but well worth it. will def. be going back.

Christina M.

Get the Cajun Seitan Sandwich!!! Candle Cafe was one of my favorite places in NYC. It's a restaurant that's a bit nicer so you can dress up if you'd like or wear something casual (we wore what we walked around in all day). We ordered the Cajun Seitan Sandwich and the Tuscan Seitan Parmesan Sandwich. I highly recommend both; however, the Cajun sandwich was the winner out of the two. The best part of the entree was the Cajun sauce that came with it! I can't wait to move to NYC, this will be a regular eating place for me.

Coco Z.

SO YUMMY. The avocado chilled soup is creamy...but it's vegan...it has flavor...but it's vegan... this place makes vegan look GOOD. DAMN GOOD. I also had the market fresh salad and the ginger brew. All were delicious, fresh, and wonderful. Great service, even though they were crazy busy for lunch when we went. The Candle Cafe is yet another reason why I should move to NYC.

Lilykoi L.

My favorite was the Porcini Crusted Seitan. It was delicious. The Paradise Casserole (sweet potato layers) was also very good. We went on a weekend evening about an hour before closing and it was not too crowded then.

Lesley B.

The Indian Plate special is awesome! I highly suggest it.

Niomi M.

I love this place! I went on a couple dates here and each time the service and food blew my mind. Unpretentious and casual environment. The first time I came here I had the porcini crusted seitan with chocolate cheesecake for dessert. It was fabulous. The second time it was the Tuscan lasagna and my date and I shared a dessert. Are the prices a little steep? Depends on who you ask. Dinner and dessert for two will probably run you no less than $75, but it is well worth it. Vegetarians and meat eaters alike will enjoy!

Julia B.

I use to come here a lot but mostly just do takeout. I always ordered two entrees, one is always the same which hasn't ever disappointed me which is the Tofu Club and another which varies from each visit. I didn't like their Indian food -it wasn't that good but lasagna is delicious! Everything being organic is just amazing! It makes me wonder though, how they are able to get rare organic ingredients off season. I had the same question for Pure Wine and Food- which they were clueless when we asked. It's very hard to be 100% organic. Also I wish they had more choices on their menu. At times, I've been disapointed. A little overpriced for basics like the plain baked sweet potato. I've tasted better.

Carly F.

The food is amazing here. By far it is my favorite veggie restaurant in the city. I highly suggest the tofu club, seitan chimchurras, and the soba noodle salad. The only reason I give it four stars not five is that is pricey for sandwiches and salads.

Janna R.

Such a cute place for a vegan meal. I had the Indian Plate and my friend had the Paradise Casserole, both were great! The combination of different flavors and spices were right on point. Their dessert menu is pretty decent, I had the carrot cake and wasn't really impressed. However, The chocolate mousse pie def looks delicious. Can't wait to come back and try it. The ambience is cute and laid back. Typical upper east side nyc vegan spot

Michael T.

Candle Cafe is the place to eat if you are a vegan or a vegetarian, and if you are willing to pay top dollar for mediocre tasting food for the sake of the restaurant's self-proclaimed mission, vision and philosophy. Please take a look at the Candle Cafe pictures here: flickr.com/photos/nickna…

James E.

In a word: disappointed. We ordered an appetizer of seitan skewered and grilled with a chimichurri sauce. The outside was so charred it proved difficult to enjoy the chimichurri sauce. Also, the center of the seitan was cold. We asked our server if this was the intentional end result of our appetizer, and she informed us that our meal was poorly prepared. She offered a replacement but we declined. After that exchange, she was chock full of curt smiles for us. Our meals didn't live up to the pricetags. $20 for a taco salad that lacked vibrant flavor, to say nothing of the ingredients missing in the dish. The seitan burger for $14 was all right but $3 additional for avocado made us look across at each other with bitchlips. As in, "you all are some high mothafu-- for serving us these dishes." You can do better for vegan fare in NYC. God knows we have.

Kari E.

The Candle Cafe is the only restaurant I go to on the Upper East Side. I'm not in this part of town much, so I've never had to branch out, but since discovering Candle, I've been in this part of town more...The food is phenomenal. I'm convinced their kitchen cannot put out a bad dish. Everything is seasoned perfectly, beautiful, and let's face it, makes you feel good and good about yourself. Reasons I withhold 1 star: 1. I'm (generally--I've been given reasons to bend occasionally) a soy and gluten free vegan, which leaves the menu quite limiting still. Obviously it 1-ups the majority of restaurants in New York for variety that I'll indulge in, but it was a little disappointing to find that the majority of their menu items incorporate these overused empty calories. 2. It's a place you go for food. It's not charming or cozy or cute and the staff isn't warm and inviting. It's a place where good food exists. 3. Location! I can't frequent this place nearly as much as I'd like to because the majority of what I do is downtown and they, sadly, are nowhere near. They have multiple locations and a sister restaurant, but I still much lament their lack of locations in downtown neighborhoods! 4. It's expensive. I am prepared to pay for good food and return because it's gooooooood food, but I'm always a little shocked that I managed to spend so much money when the check comes. I guess I'm used to paying a fair amount of money for food but extravagant amounts of money for an experience. Candle Cafe isn't an experience. It's just damn good and good for you.

Melody M.

This review should have been posted about a month ago. i came here with a non-vegan friend and we both enjoyed the food. I ordered from the gluten-free menu the thai tofu dish. It has an interesting combination using different Asian ingredients and I liked the contrast of the crispy exterior and soft centre of the tofu. The use of black rice and kimchi also made the dish stand out. My friend ordered the seitan dish and the portion was really substantial. The tables were too crowded but it is ok given its cafe/casual style.

Liz D.

Tofu Club = AMAZING. Chai Latte with Soymilk = tasty. Crystal Rolls = yum! Went here this past weekend for lunch. The food was so amazing, no lack of flavor that people often think comes with vegan eating here. The service was also great and the location was easy to find. It was a little pricey but worth it.

Jenny Y.

Holy taste buds I want to lay in a bed of Candle Cafe's seitan. My friend and I split the Tuscan Parmesan Seitan Sandwich and the Cajun Seitan Sandwich and could not stop "Mmm" and "Aah"-ing. Cute place, gets very busy at peak dinner hours but the staff is always friendly and attentive.

Katja V.

I always feel at home at Candle Cafe. I love sitting at the bar on a cold day after yoga, ordering soup and a juice. I simply cannot walk past this place without stopping in...even if I'm not hungry. I've been here so many times and have never had a bad meal or experience. It's always rather busy so make a reservation or be ready to wait. I'm not sure that this is a great place for omnivores as I once tried to take a friend who wasn't vegan, and he nearly had a panic attack after reviewing the menu. But vegetarians and vegans, if you haven't been here, you're missing out!

Christina R.

Atmosphere: This is a very casual place. Hence the name, cafe? The juicer in the front bar is kind of loud and annoying. I have been here for dinner but will probably only come here for lunch in the future and go to candle 79 (it's sister, more upscale) for din din. Food: I have been here twice. The first time I had the Cajun seitan sandwich. Although a popular choice, I can't say it was great. I could easily make this at home and was not impressed. The seitan chimichurri is amazing. If you get one thing, it needs to be this appetizer. I've tried to make it at home and it is just not the same. The guacamole here is really good. It is not too spicy and not too limey. The hummus app is ehhhh but the chutney with it was yummerz. Service: The service here is great. Have never had to wait for a table. It is a little pricey though for such a casual counterpart to candle 79. Overall this is a great vegan restaurant. I've brought two meat eaters here and they both loved it and said they would come back as well.

Alaina W.

This was my second time here. I remember I got the Tuscan lasagna last time, and it was pretty tasty... so I wanted to come back and try some of the other dishes since I am on an "eating healthy" kick (which probably just ended with today's schnitzel lunch, but still). I ordered one of the specials, which was basically fried seitan over a bed of quinoa, topped with guacamole. It had kind of a Mexican-inspired flair to it, since I think the quinoa had black beans and cilantro in it (but I can't entirely remember). The guacamole was tasty and very good; It basically gave the whole dish its flavor, since the quinoa was a bit plain. I was happy with it overall. However, do NOT get the soy chai latte! I thought this would be a nice end to the meal as my friend and I wanted to chat a bit longer. However, the chai latte was made using a tea bag dumped in a mug of hot water. The string of the tea bag was hanging off the side of the mug. There was no flavor at all coming out of those tea leaves.. it was like drinking a mug of hot water topped with latte foam. I decided to try to mash the tea bag with my spoon to force some flavor out of it, and after 5 minutes of this the tea bag split open. That was $5 down the drain.

Samantha B.

I've been wanting to try The Candle Cafe for a while. Things worked out today, schedule wise, and I popped in for lunch. It was lovely. I had the salad special (I can't remember what it was called now.) and the Green Goddess juice. From what I've gathered from my first experience there, it's a lovely place all around. It seems just a little bit pricy, but everything was exceptional. In addition, I am fairly certain it is a vegan restaurant (or at the least vegetarian) as well as organic, and the service, atmosphere, all of it, was just great. These things put it well above average...which is oh so sad for all of us in the world who aren't chefs boo, because so many restaurants just suck..it's like, why is quality UNUSUAL?? ANYWAY...I digress.. It's good. Just like most anywhere, it isn't free. I will be going back. I like it a lot;)

Ari K.

I've had a couple dishes here so far and was generally happy with the food and service. Still, vegan restaurants in NYC don't really hold a candle (pun intended) to those in LA such as Shojin, Sage, and Cru (well, Cru of 3 years ago, anyway).

Dareen S.

I should say first, that I'm not vegan, not even vegetarian, yet I adore this place. For people like me, aka omnivores, Candle cafe is not everyday spot, but it is a great spot for veggie juice, or veggie meal.

thermopylae x.

expensive strange cozy loud warm temperature inside, but cold waitstaff a ceiling leak next to our table forced us to move our chairs + table a few inches over, but i still got spattered every so often -- not cool the menu had strange items, so be prepared to try things unusual and questionably-palatable i don't know why i keep going back to this place...

Ann C.

Went there for take out. I ordered the cajun seitan sandwich, my sister ordered the tuscan seitan parmesan sandwich. Very pricey, but we definitely got our money's worth. My sandwich was loaded with yummy goodness. What disappointed me was the lack of flavor. I was expecting CAJUN, and while the ingredients were fresh and delicious, the sandwich itself was bland. If I were eating in the restaurant, I would have definitely asked for hot sauce. I would definitely go back and give it another try.

Melissa F.

consistently amazing! checking this place out is a must for all non-meat eaters (....and meat eaters, i suppose; equal opportunity establishment. ya dig?) the food is delicious, the space is cute and cozy, and they rock a solid selection of organic beers/wines. [vegan] brownie points: they regularly update their daily specials on their website (which, i find, a lot of places don't actually do--slackers), so i appreciate that. but remember boys and girls, vegan food is choc-full of fiber, so be careful......

Denise W.

Delicious food for both vegans and non vegans!!! The Cajun Seitan Sandwich is delicious. I think they changed the recipe for their carrot cake. Tasted better when I was first here a couple of years back. Tables are too close together.

Lauren W.

SO yummy! After trying candle 79 just a week ago, I couldnt stay away so a visit to the cafe was in order. The atmosphere is definitely not as fancy as candle 79, but the food and service is just as good. I had the soba noodle salad, which was light and delicious. I wish i could put the creamy wasabi dressing on everything! My mom had the tuscan parmesan sandwhich, which was insanely delicious. And we split a slice of the chocolate mousse, which was one of the best desserts ive ever had. We bought the cookbook just to try and re-create it one day! I can't get this place out of my head! I'll be vegan if i can eat here for every single meal :)

Kedar D.

Candle Cafe has great ambience, though it's a small place. The service was attentive and friendly. Their chocolate peanut butter smoothie was too liquidy for my tastes, but their Tuscan lasagna was layered, tasty and filling. The prices are high, sadly. This is also a good place to get a cup of tea and a vegan cookie and sit at the bar up front. Every time I've been there, though, it's always crowded, no matter the time of day, so be prepared.

Greg K.

This was my first foray into going on my own to a vegan/vegetarian restaurant and Candle Cafe did not disappoint one bit. I mean, I like salads and at home we occasionally cook up kale and such things - all good healthy things. But I've never eaten things like tempeh. And I've never tried anything like the vegetable juicing they offer. It was a great experience, the staff is friendly and attentive, and I'd probably call it pricey if it weren't for the fact that the portions were HUGE. Really, this place cannot be beat. Great business. We were under some time constraints, so we kept it simple - an app. and entree. Appetizer AMAZING. Could have been a dinner on its own: Red Quinoa Salad: French lentils, parsley, carrots, string beans, grape tomatoes and red onion. Served over mesclun with a side of creamy roasted red pepper dressing. Entree... again, AMAZING. I think I just kept eating because it tasted so good: Pumpkin Seed Crusted Tempeh: Sautéed greens, quinoa vegetable pilaf and roasted butternut squash. Served over a potato-turnip purée. I hate to end the review negatively, but I did try the "Green Goddess" juice drink (greens, apple, lemon, ginger) because I've never tried anything like that before and juicing is something I'm interested in. I have to say that if you like fresh ginger, these guys put a LOT of it in their drinks. It was too much for me. I'm not a big fan of ginger, so it was sort of destined to fail my taste buds - but I was really happy I tried it. When I think about juicing at home, I'm glad I know to avoid that. My wife tried the "Sweet Potato Pie" drink and I was (again) amazed at what they are doing with veggies in a drink. Creative and SUPER tasty. I just can't say enough. See? I managed to end the drink discussion positively. I'm certain if you live anywhere near the upper east side, already a vegan/vegetarian, you must know about this place. For everyone else - if you just enjoy eating healthy, I'd unreservedly recommend Candle Cafe. You will not be disappointed.

Lucy L.

I live for the day I can say, "It's vegan so it's not too expensive." HAHAHA - wouldn't that be a hoot! Alright, I had the bean quesadilla with grilled vegetables. The grilled vegetables turned out to be mushrooms and onions...which seems kind of a loosey-goosey interpretation of veggies, but alright. I'm not a mushroom lover, so I can't fairly comment on them. The quesadilla was honestly quite tasty but a tad soggier than I would like. I paid the extra $3 for the two tablespoons of guacamole but it was super fresh and yummy, so I'll allow it. I also ordered the small Green Goddess veggie drink which was really tasty. Service was cordial - though they were in a rush to get us out of there, which was annoying considering how much money you pay for not that expensive products (in theory anyway). They kept trying to snatch my friend's plate away even though she was clearly NOT DONE. It happened 2-3 times and was getting to be very frustrating. It's also a very tight space seating wise - it seems like sitting at the juice bar might be the best bet. I'll definitely go again, and I'm currently a fan of their expensive sister Candle 79. I'm going to try the Paradise Casserole next time, like I should have this time.

Suncear S.

I came into this spot on a Weds evening, expecting it to have plenty of tables to choose from. Not the case. It was packed. I managed to find a seat at the counter and was really impressed with the friendliness of the staff. Everything came quickly and I was made to feel comfortable. I ordered the sweet potato casserole which was layered with millet, black beans, the aforementioned sweet potato and laid on a bed of chard or kale (I couldn't really tell) . It was pretty good but I thought there was a little too much of the sweet potato which I thought I would never say. I ate it all, though. I also had the carrot cake which I was forcing myself to finish because it was so good even though it was a tiny bit dry. I will definitely come back as it was a pleasant atmosphere and I will try the Tuscan lasagna next time.

Stefan V.

Good food, decent priced. If you want vegetarian food but not your everyday "we just left the meat out for you" Then go hete: their menu has a surprising amount of gluten free options and healthy smoothies. Must try!

Karen F.

I adore it here - and the offshoot Candle 79. The food and fresh juices here saved me during my 7 years on the Upper east side. I even saw Chrissie Hynde eating here more than a few times - and I hear now that she opened a vegan rest-o in her native Ohio. Go Chrissie! Meanwhile - do not miss Candle - if you are a meat eater you will like the food (and you may be converted) and for veggies and vegan this place is a blessing. Truly.

Tim M.

What a bummer! I had such high hopes for this place and it really didn't deliver. Firstly, with the word "cafe" I thought it was going to be much more laid back... especially because of their more upscale Candle 79 just a few blocks away. This was a nice restaurant! I don't know how much more upscale Candle 79 is, but I thought this cafe was going to be like the usual hippie vegan place you would expect. I got the Tuscan Lasanga (by recommendation from the waitress) and yes, it was good, but I wasn't blown away... or even impressed. And for $17, eh. Oh ya... there was a nice long hair in it too... so we ended up getting it for free. So I guess it all worked out. My wife got their butternut squash risotto special and it was pretty bland. Their service was great.

Maggie P.

Remember the days when paying $20 for something that didn't contain meat was unheard of? When the vegetarian dish was the only thing under $10 on the menu? I guess those days are over. So Candle Cafe is a bit pricey for a veggie place but I'll admit it, they know how to cook some seitan. I came here in a big group, I don't think any of us were vegetarians but we did have some gluten-frees in the crowd (how do you live??) so everyone was happy. I had a juice blend (meh) and one of the specials, if I recall it involved eggplant? Service was prompt and friendly and the located is a bit cramped but it's cute.

Jocelyn C.

A wonderful restaurant. Make reservations as it is quite popular and it can get busy any night of the week. My favorite dishes are the simple yet delicious Tofu Club and Tuscan Parmesan sandwich. It is a nice restaurant to go out to with friends and they do serve wine. For dessert you must try the Chocolate Mousse Cake. I was shocked and blown away at how amazingly delicious it was. It is one of the best desserts I have ever had, vegan or not. I did not like the decadent chocolate cake or the cheese cake, but the Chocolate Mousse Cake more than makes up for that.

Tamara M.

First & foremost SERVICE is a big thing for me - if its bad, I don't care how great the food is, I wont come back. That said TIANA was a GREAT SERVER W/THE BEST RECOMMENDATIONS!! They should make her head-server here because this gal knows her stuff & has a great disposition to serve w/great food! I had the sweet potato pie smoothie to start - however, it was really good enough to have for dessert! Then I had the BBQ Tempeh & Sweet potato sandwich w/ grilled onions, wilted kale & the most incredible shallot sage aioli... Can I just tell you, that's probably THE BEST sandwich I've EVER had! I was totally content/full by then but figured what the heck my server had made such great recommendations thus far, why not trust her 100% & go for it! I had the berry pie (apple/strawberry) delish! Not too sweet & a perfect ending to a fantastic meal. If you're in NYC, please do yourself a favor & go out of your way to get here - worth every bite!

Jaimee A.

This place was yuck! We are not Vegan but wanted to try the food. BIG mistake. Give me dead animal any day of the week!

Nirav D.

Great Vegan place! Really cool laid back ambiance. Unique wine/drinks/juices selection. Food: Cajun Setian sanwich melted in my mouth, great combo of flavors. Mezze platter's bread was amazing with Hummus and tabuli. The terayki setaian was one the best mock dishes I have ever had! This place is a must try!

Laura H.

I left my heart at Candle Cafe... I was blown away by the creative vegetarian menu and warm people that we met here. We were staying in the UES and I had read a lot about Candle Cafe / Candle 79, so imagine my excitement when we saw it while exploring the area. We stopped in for a late lunch, and the place was busy but we were seated right away. I had a green goddess juice, which was made with mixed greens, apple, lemon and ginger. They had a full page of juices and smoothies, which all sounded great. I don't think you can wrong with anything on their menu. My friend and I shared the jamaican tofu wrap (it was huge) and I was in heaven. It had jamaican grilled tofu, sweet potato, black beans, rice (and other stuff) in it, but take my word for it- it was love. Our server (Aleta) was really sweet and helpful. The lady at the table next to us couldn't say enough good things about Candle Cafe- she said that she has been going there 2-3 times each week for years. It's expensive, but you definitely get what you pay for and feel really good about what you're eating. I definitely will go back next time I'm in NY- I'll be sure not to miss the desserts next time!

Sarah K.

I've been wanting to try the Candle Cafe for a bit now after falling in love with Candle 79. I also happen to walk by the place all the time but never stop in. While I definitely hit up the lunch crowd, I managed to get a spot at the counter, which wasn't bad at all. The servers at the counter were very friendly and you could tell they knew their regulars very well (I really wanted to be a regular! They were so nice and knew so many people by names and about their families. It was really welcoming and I wish I had been there thousands of times already!) The navy bean soup: Very full of veggies and beans and grains! I believe it's a special for the month but it was definitely what I needed for a cold-ish day! Cajun Seitan Sandwich: A lot going on here. The Seitan part was great, and so was the vegan mayo... avocado is always good too...but everything else with it was a lot. Too much onion and lettuce going on for me. I so want to be a regular!

Andrea C.

Candle Café is one of my favorite restaurants in town. They have tasty and hearty food, affordable, and in a fun/informal place. I specially like going there for brunch, even if I usually just order from the regular menu. The deserts come in large portions (good for sharing) and with beautiful presentation. Most of the people who work there are warm and helpful. If they have enchiladas DO ORDER IT - you won't regret!

Stephanie W.

Tonight was my second time dining at Candle Cafe. I love the cozy dining room.... the buzz of the juicer... and the great nyc vibe. I also love gazing over to the bar to discover Owen Wilson sitting there!!! (true story- that did happen on my first visit - SWOON!) I ordered the seitan fajitas which were super flavorful and delicious although I was a tad bit disappointed they didn't come out on a sizzling plate. kidding. but not really. dessert was a vegan cheesecake topped with some type of fruit spread. delicious again! You can't really go wrong with Candle Cafe. The four non-vegans I dined with enjoyed their meals as well!

Judy C.

3.5 stars. I came here for a weekend vegan brunch with my friends and others who are vegetarian (one is vegan). While I like my eggs, cheese, and meat, I didn't feel too badly being there. The cafe is small and charming, and it was quite packed when we went. Service was decent, and when I got my coffee, the waiter offered (expectantly) almond or soy milk, which is a first considering I always have to ask for soy milk. A friend, who have been there a number of times, got one of her favorites: seitan skewers with chimichurri sauce, and it was really good! I got the BBQ tempeh/sweet potato/kale sandwich, and I couldn't taste the BBQ in the tempeh and the sweet potato was too overwhelming in portion and underseasoned. My friend had the cajun seitan, and she liked the sandwich, but like my sandwich, it was underseasoned as she couldn't taste the cajun. We shared the chocolate mousse pie and the vanilla "cheesecake" with raspberry jam (with soy-based 'cream cheese'). The mousse pie was tasty but a tad dry, and the 'cheesecake' was not too bad although friends said it was more mousse-y than cheesecake-y. It definitely tasted like soy, but since I love soy, I enjoyed it more than the mousse pie. And yes, this place can satisfy your hunger quite easily as I was so full that I didn't eat a big dinner that night. Since it is close to me, I can easily go back for those chimichurri seitans. Overall, Candle Cafe is a good place for all vegans, vegetarians, and vegetable lovers (like me!).

Peter G.

Don't really care for Vegetarian food, Vegan even less, but I walked in one day to get a drink, the cafe part was a bit misleading (ended up getting a Kale and something drink, delicious!) and ended up having lunch there. I'm not really sure who's doing the cooking or what they're putting in the food, but I gotta say, it is fantastic. The flavours that are created using just vegetables, types of tofu and various pulses are just divine. The place is nothing to look at, pretty average inside, but it's always busy and I would go back over and over again. There are specials everyday, so u wouldn't get bored of the food to be honest. Great for a light lunch or dinner or even just to have something completely different, from the run of the mill restaurants out there.

Rebecca S.

Ive passed Candle Cafe a million times, always saying to myself that I want to try it. Finally I did and it was fantastic! Literally everything on the menu looked good to me - and when it was coming out of the kitchen it smelled good too. Lunch time on a Friday it was packed. I will definitely be making many trips back here because I need to try more things on the menu!

Candy B.

YUM - love this vegan place. I came here on a date with my boyfriend and we really had a great time. We waited about 10min to be seated on a hot sat night at 8pm (no biggie). We were seated near a large party with young kids so we asked to be moved and it was no problem. The food was delish MmMmmm! So savory and tasty we couldn't stop talking about it. We found the menu to be quite pricey so with 2 soups, an app, 1 entree, 1 sandwich and a desert - we rounded the bill out to $75 (no tip). Well.. it was a steep night but we said when we come back we'll just get dinner and skip the soup/apps/desert. The choc. moose cake was incredibly dense and WAY too chocolatey for our taste actually but that doesn't change my 5 star rating. Service was great, glasses were always full and table was cleared as soon as we finished. We'll be back - just a lot more conscientious with the ordering.

get k.

Food: never had a bad meal in 11 years Favorites: burrito; Good Food Plate; Chocolate Mousse Pie with the raspberry sauce kicker hurts its tastes so good. Ask if the Carrot cake was made that day...so moist it melts. Service: kind, smiling, genuine Decor: as New York as it gets Disclosure: when my brother and I lived in the City or now visit, we eat here every day; sometimes twice; and always before a city stroll

David B.

I've visited five times, and every time has been a delight. Creative menu, great food, pleasant service. Nice, relaxed atmosphere. When omnivores accompany me, they've enjoyed it, but this place really shines for vegetarians and vegans. Everything on the menu is prepared well and presented nicely. The deserts are good, and we often grab a few of their cookies to go. We always leave stuffed and happy.

Tara S.

Oh Candle Cafe, I love you so much! I would come here daily if I could. Please open in Los Angeles! The tofu club, setian chimichurri, and green juices are my staples.

Danny K.

Only 3 stars because the best Vegan food is in California..... and I make similar Vegan dishes to this restaurant... no really... and yes I live in the.the land of fruits and nuts... so its gotta be good! Anyhow, this place does a great job at offering variety on their menu. But perhaps Its just that the vegetables in NYC so far I've noticed just lack the complexity of flavor that fresh vegetables afford. I had the sesame crusted tofu which was in a green coconut curry base. The sauce unfortunately overpowered the flavor of the chard, edamame and tofu that were in the dish. My wife had grilled tofu, chard, and potato salad which were good but bland. Daughter had a stir fry that again the sauce overpowered the vegetables and way too salty and gingery for my tastes. Prices a bit on the high side too. Service was good. Definitely worth a try and probably have a some good dishes, but I am going hunting for a notable NYC Vegan restaurant during my stay.

Vanessa V.

For such a highly rated place I honestly expected more. The waitress was super rude and slow, the "paella" was undercooked rice over a pound of spinach, and the chocolate cake was so cold it was nearly frozen (and tasted like nothing). Meanwhile, the UES customers continued to pour in. I don't know what the draw is to this place. Uncomfortable granola vibe? Mediocre overpriced food? Must be the holier than thou feeling of eating a vegetarian brunch before going out for a steak dinner. As someone who eats veggies day in and day out, I can attest to the fact that it doesn't have to taste like dirt. Two stars for good seitan and not killing animals.

Marcel T.

I do not live in New York, so I have only tried a small portion of Candle Café's dessert selections from local California stores; however, they were all very tasty. I have tried the Chocolate Peanut Butter, Raspberry and Chocolate Mousse Tarts. The chocolate mousse tart is by far the best one. It is both rich, and creamy. I would challenge anyone in determining whether or not it is vegan - because it is that good. The only flaw I have noticed from all three tarts is that the crust is a bit on the soft side, which is most likely due to the fact that it has been shipped from New York to local US grocery stores, but other than that I truly enjoy Candle Café's desserts.

M. K.

I LOVE this place! I have yet to eat here and leave unsatisfied! Candle is a MUST whenever we visit NY and it usually requires more than one visit. I enjoy the cafe more than I do Candle 79. Before I became vegetarian, this was the first vegetarian/vegan restaurant I had ever eaten at. It introduced me to some great food and I'd like to think it turned me on to vegetarianism. I've tried a whole bunch of dishes here. I love the Aztec Salad and my staple is the Good Food Plate. Great, filling food! I give it 10 stars. Overpriced? Yes, but it's NYC.

Eli M.

Lovely thought, horrible reality... and very poor execution! So I will first start off by giving everyone a little basic info about myself: I'm vegan, gluten free, eat out on a very regular basis, and I'm a server in the West Village. So I had been to candle cafe once before when I first moved to the city, and to be honest I couldn't rememeber if I enjoyed it or not... So naturally when my family was here for a week of fun I wanted them to experience all the vegan cuisine the city had to offer (in the limited amount of time they were here). Read the reviews on yelp, and figured what the heck. It's rated very highly, and its near the MET which was our next destination. WORST CHOICE I EVER MADE!!! we were sat promptly, because there were only two tables sat... but after that it went down hill... the server took 10 mins to come to the table and take our drink order, left, and returned 10mins later with one of our drinks (we were three). so we proceed to order because we were starving from our early morning adventure in the city. I ask about the gluten free options... the server was clueless... I figure it couldn't possibly be that difficult of a question considering most restaurants have acknowledged the growing number of people asking this.. So on and on we go... I asked about possibly ordering a quesidilla, but substituting the flour tortilla with corn tortilla. She replied with they are pre-made (EWWWW, and why?). ok I'm mexican. quesidillas were part of my childhood as a quick snack!! it literally takes 40 seconds. So finally we give up and order three appitizers: guacamole, sweet potato pancakes, and veggie spring rolls. guacamole: first considering the kitchen staff could all be my cousins they made a horrible guacamole, and second the chips that came with the appitizer came in crumbled up pieces and taste like they came out of a bag... served in a small white bowl $12 dollars!!! sweet potato pancakes: first its definitely not plural... it was one pancake the size of a tangerine. second it had no flavor, even though the center is filled with mexican soy chorizo.$10 veggie spring rolls: no flavor! even pouring on the dressing that is paired with the dish it was one of the worste creations that has ever touched my mouth. two rolls cut in half $12 three appitizers, two smoothies, and a lemonade: $60 (not including the tip) topped off with horrible service, and food that did not impress my non vegan family. Considering I had taken my family to a few other establishments prior: Sacred chow (their favorite), peacefood (second favorite), I figured one of the more recognized vegan restaurants was full proof.... Epic failure. Sorry candle, but we are definitely going our separate ways.

Wai Sze Z.

I'm pretty new to vegetarian restaurants so I was psyched to give this spot a try with 3 girlfriends. We made a good move; we shared everything! I love doing that. There were certainly hits & misses. Some of the stellar items included the Indian Platter, Teriyaki Seitan & Collard Rolls. We weren't too fond of the Pomegranate Tofu or the desserts (decadent chocolate cake was not so decadant - it was quite chalky & the soy cheese cake was just okay) Oh, must mention the bottle of Rauen we ordered. It was so yummy! Loved the notes of elderflower. Overall, a fun girls night with pretty good food.

Dana R.

Ate here while in NYC this past week. This is the smaller, more crowded and definitely noisier counterpart to Candle 79 without the Candle 79 prices (and atmosphere, obviously.) This place was okay. Just okay. My husband and I are vegan and my parents are both omnivores. They love food, period. They have nothing against vegan food, and in fact my mother owns a couple vegan cookbooks. They aren't steak eaters, but they won't shy away from a chicken sandwich or anything like that. I'm not sure if their opinion will be helpful to those who are going with dyed-in-the-wool omnivores who lust after t-bones, but oh well! Candle Cafe is CRAMPED. I was literally standing on top of crap in the tiny hallway while waiting for the bathroom. The waitress wasn't exactly pleasant but despite how crowded it was, service wasn't slow. They have their juicer right there on the counter top and it is LOUD. If you're looking for a quiet dinner, this is not the place. Go elsewhere, because that juicer is going to get on your nerves. If it doesn't, sitting on top of other people just might. I ordered the bbq tempeh and sweet potato sandwich. This sounded absolutely delicious, but alas it was flavorless. My magical miso soup was good, but there were only a couple teeny, tiny tofu blocks in it and it was overpriced for what you get. My green juice was good, though bitter. If you want avocado on top of your sandwiches, be prepared to spend $3 extra for it. I mean shit, really? For $3 I can buy four avocados at the grocery store! My husband had the southwestern tofu wrap, which was a special that day and he said it was good. My dad was extra hungry that day so his opinion might just be a LITTLE bit skewed, but he liked his cajun seitan sandwich. My mother liked her Aztec salad. We took a gluten-free oatmeal raisin cookie to go, and it was dry and had very little flavor. As someone who bakes vegan goodies on a regular basis, I was disappointed. Overall, this place wasn't bad but there are certainly better vegan restaurants to check out in NYC.

Liz B.

Great for the vegan crowd, which I am not a part of. They don't have any non-vegan selections, which is a little bit annoying. Still, the food is really great and the menu is very extensive for a vegan restaurant. I tried lots of new things here and liked them all. The waitresses are very knowledgeable... ask them about the menu selections if you don't know what it is.

pracheta t.

The food was fantastic and everything on the menu looked amazing. We started off our brunch with a shot of wheat grass (hell yeah) and then the quesadilla on wheat tortilla with grilled veggies. My coffee for some reason, was better than anything though - not sure why - just great coffee. Our entree was the lasagna which was H.U.G.E. We couldn't finish it between the two of us but had no problem taking it home for later. Didn't order desert because we were too full but def will next time!!

B M.

Delicious, plain out delicious. My mom and I are both vegetarians and we were in the area, so we decided to try " The Candle Cafe" after hearing so many great reviews of it. It was very busy at the time, and we had to wait 15 minutes. When we were waiting lots of people walked into and out of the restaurant making it very claustrophobic waiting for a table so we decided to walk aroung outside visiting nearby stores. We came back and got seated right away. For my drink i ordered the strawberry limonade, it was quite tasty but, toward the sour side. My mom had the ginger tea and claimed she loved it. We shared a guacamole and chips, which was really good and filling, i would definitely recommend it. for my entrée i had the Cajun Seitin Sandwich which was really delicious, it had pan-fried seitan, steamed greens, avocado, and caramelized onions. I recommend you have it with the mayo-ish sauce that comes with it. My mom had a Tuscan Seitan Parmesan Sandwich, which to me tasted like a twist on the eggplant Parmesan hero. We finished half of our sandwiches, even though they were small they were quite filling. For dessert we had the mousse pie and the fruit crumb pie. Both were delicious but, the mousse was a little to rich for my taste. The entire meal came up to 72 dollars for 2 people. Yes it was expensive but it was really good. The dishes could easily be shared by two people but, since it was our first time we were kinda happy to take home half of the meal for lunch the next day. All in all the meals were the best vegan dishes i had every had. It totally opened my eyes and made me think about how easy it might me to be a vegan. Overall VERY surprising. P.S- I'm 13 years old and i treated my mom out. Next time it's on her!

annie h.

I found out about Candle Cafe from something called Diner's Deck (if you don't know about it, look it up). I am not a vegetarian or vegan, nor was anyone at our table. We thoroughly enjoyed it. We started with foccacia, and one person had a chilled avocado soup. It was a little too thick, but it tasted delicious. Then, two of us had an Indian plate sampler, and one person had a wrap. The wrap was great, but what took the cake was the sampler. There were 5 different items on the plate; however, I can only recall a couple: homemade naan, chickpeas, seitan, and a chutney. We agreed that the chickpeas were phenomenal - best item on the plate. It was also quite a large portion. Only two drawbacks: We were seated 25 minutes after our reservation, and the reisling that I ordered was far too sweet. I generally like reislings, and the description on the menu did not do justice to the sweetness of the wine.

Art V. B.

I've been again to this place and I was very pleased with the quality of the food and the expedient service. It definitely deserves an upgrade from my previous review.

The first vegan experience I made in New York and I just loved it! Various dishes to choose from and all look delicious! A lot of people go there for lunch, so you might want to calculate some waiting time. Details and pictures on my blog: mucveg.blogspot.com/2011…

Li J.

Meh.... Went to Candle 79 many years ago and simply wasn't impressed. My experience at the cafe wasn't much different. I found the menu to be very uninspired - a bunch of sandwiches and a few very overpriced entrees. I ordered the Tuscan Parmesan Sandwich and my mom had the Grilled Seitan Burger. My sandwich was deep friend seitan with a huge glob of vegan cheese. The cheese completely overpowered the flavor of the patty (if it had any flavor). The burger came with about 8 french fries and a side salad with wilted lettuce. Come on! At these prices I expect more. Mom said her burger was just alright and that the bun was very dense and thus and overpowered the patty. I'm sensing a theme here....... We also ordered a couple of cookies for dessert. YUCK! Straight up nasty. Has anyone at this restaurant bothered to taste these cookies to determine that they aren't fit to sell to the public? I would only go back if a friend suggested the place and wanted to meet there. Otherwise it's a pass for me. Two burgers and 2 cookies ran us $36 (without tip). 3 stars because the place is vegan and organic and is in a very easy location. Overpriced. Mediocre Food.

Eduardo S.

Wow... I am always game for trying a new restaurant. We went to Candle because my wife is gluten free. The food here was excellent quality, flavors and presentation - perfect for a date. You wouldn't even know that what you are eating is gluten free! Highly recommend it.

Ryan W.

So I would like to preface this review with the fact that I am not vegetarian and I LOVE meat. I decided to go to this place because a good friend of mine is vegan and even though I do not agree with it I still understand how difficult it can be to find good food to fit a person's unique diet. The place had a decent menu and a friendly wait staff. The presentation of the dishes was well done and the food was good for what it was; however I did find it a bit pricey. The Deserts were by far the best part of the meal. Chances are I will not go back but for no fault beyond my own animal instinct.

J H.

Worth the wait. Very flavorful vegan foods. Find your seitan or tofu dishes here. And whatever you order, they know how to do it right!

Meredith L.

As someone who is normally hard to impress with most restaurant food, I was pleasantly surprised by the meal, ambiance, and service at the Candle Cafe. My partner and I ordered two entrees to share: chili-lime grilled seitan and an Indian plate with an assortment of lentils, curry, rice, and chutney. Both plates were very well presented, contained an interesting mix of flavors to entertain your palette, and the food was delicious. Never have I had seitan so tender and full of flavor instead of the tough and chewy versions that I've experienced before in previous dining episodes. I was also pleased with their service: servers were attentive but not annoying and our food was ready at a reasonable amount of time after we ordered. Simple things that most other restaurants seem to miss. We were having such a nice experience that we decided to stay for a dessert of the chocolate mousse pie, which was scrumptious, and a cup of decaf cappuccino for me and some more wine for my partner. We left pleased, full, and content. I highly recommend this place!

Regi V.

This restaurant was a hidden gem. I've been into a vegetarian food kick recently, and this place fulfilled my cravings :D My bf and I were looking for a speedy meal before apartment shopping. We went on Yelp, and this place came up in the area we were in. It's hidden between cafe's and other restaurants, so it's easy to miss. When you walk in, it's very quaint. Perfect for a lunch date or break. I had the tofu club and my bf had the seitan sandwich. Both were delicious! They tasted really fresh and I could really pick up the ingredients. The prices were great as well. Unfortunately, I won't be living in the area, so I can't make it my regular go to place, but I will be back!

marie r.

Well, Candle Cafe took my advice! They stepped it up (but raised the prices). The food tastes better now, it's more flavorful and moist (when appropriate), and the wait staff smiles more than I remember them doing in the past. I just can't get enough of the smell of juicing veggies by the counter. It's like getting smacked with wholesome goodness the moment I walk in the door.

Lisa D.

Buy the cookbook. Visited once in April 2009 and stood in line behind David Duchovny the actor. Food is excellent and service is outstanding. Casual for dine in but it appears they do a healthy take-out business. I've made several recipes from the cookbook...not all of them are stupendous but it should be noted that I'm NOT veggie nor vegan...I just like to eat plants. You know, stuff I can identify and closest to it's natural origin. (just like Michael Pollan says) ;)

Melissa T.

Was hoping for lots more. Cajun seitan sandwich was bland, lacked needed crunch, the grilled onions were practically flavorless. The high points were the aioli and avocado. My husband's chili lime seitan was bland w/o the texture you expect with seitan. This was more chewy than toothy. Our server never cracked a smile for our easy going party of 7. She was either having a depressing day or she needs a personality injection. For $22 an entree I'd like even a small grin from the wait staff. In the future I'll be going back to Cafe Blossom to spend my vegan dollars.

Edwin R.

The Candle Cafe is quite literally the best vegan restaurant ever! The Mediterranean Wrap is a masterpiece, as are all of their desserts!

Fronco Da Bronk O.

This is the vegan holy land. I think my last relationship lasted longer than it should have mainly because she lived two blocks from Candle and gave me an excuse to go. The food is that good. Nothing special about the space, but the servers are always chill and social. Yes, the seitan dishes are good, but I'm partial to the Farmers' Market menu, which has some more interesting entrees like my favorite: chipotle grilled tofu served over quinoa and greens in a black bean/cumin sauce. Also a big fan of the sweet potato pie smoothie and the beet salad appetizer. I'd write more, but I'm drooling thinking about it.

Karla A.

Before Candle Café I thought "vegan" was a dirty word. I am a meat lover by birth and would probably die a meat lover, mind you. But Candle Café's clean and simple flavors changed my mind about my dreaded greens. To start with, I ordered the Mezze plate. The highlight was the quinoa tabouli, which was fresh and springy, and was a good match with the slightly tart and sweet lemon-date chutney. I was almost full after that but decided to order the "living crunchy sprout" salad, as I was still reeling from a yoga and meditation retreat upstate where everything they serve is freshly grown in their backyard farm. I was not disappointed in the variety of sprouts I got--although I have to say I wanted more after trying their toasted cumin dressing! If you like pungent spices, this is the one! My appetite was still going so I went for an order of the quesadilla, which is a finer, lighter but equally tasty version of the Mexican takeout favorite. I asked the server, and they use tapioca cheese. Who knew cheesy goodness could come out of the starchy stuff? All in all, my first visit was enlightening and kept me rearing for more. I've been coming back since then, and to date I'm trying to reverse engineer the many different salads and dressings they have.

Magnus H.

I'm a non-vegetarian but I found the Canjun seitan sandwich to be truly awesome.

victoria c.

The Candle Cafe taught me something. It taught me that tapioca can be made into a cheese that is as good, if not better, than cheese made from dairy. How? I HAVE NO IDEA. The place had a hippy-esque vibe, but was very UES. My only real complaint was being seated in the table right next to the kitchen/bathroom, but that was the only available table, so I can't really hold it against the establishment. I started my meal with a glass of organic riesling, which was very refreshing and very much to my liking. As an appetizer, I ordered the "sea vegetable" salad with the soy ginger dressing. Even after inquiring about it, and eating the salad, I still have no idea what "sea vegetable" actually is, but it was tasty. Tasted like cabbage, not really like seaweed, but a good way to start off my meal, nonetheless. For my entree I ordered the grilled seitan burger. I had never had seitan before, and after this experience, I can say for sure that it is by far the best meat substitute I've ever tasted, and I'm going to try to incorporate it into my diet more often. I added the tapioca cheese, which, like I said before, was FABULOUS. A bit like provolone, I think. My whole wheat roll the burger was served on was crusty and chewy and delicious, sprinkled with both sesame and poppy seeds. The entree was served with a side of cole slaw (how is it so delicious without mayo??) and perfectly crisp, fluffy french-fried potatoes. I wish I had had room for dessert, I guess I'll have to go back to get a taste!

Natalie A.

Had my first Candle Café experience earlier this month. Receiving buzz from notable vegans like Alicia Silverstone, Woody Harrelson, Paul McCartney and the infamous blogger Quarrygirl, I knew it was the missing piece to my eat-your-way-through-NYC puzzle. At first, my heart was set on eating at Candle 79 - the more expensive version of the café. But after a quick stop by the more wallet-friendly spot, my boyfriend and I checked out the menu and were instantly into it. While enduring a short wait, I started to get really giddy inside. "I'm really here!" I said to myself, looking around at pretty 3rd Ave in what couldn't have been more perfect weather, with my awesome boy. Yeah, a total kumbaya moment. Once led to our table, I already formulated the play-by-play of our order. "We'll start with the Seitan Chimichurri, please," I purred to the waitress, in my unusually elated state. Am I that much of a foodie that just knowing I'm about to eat something amazing turns me on? Oh, yes. And the chimichurri was IT. Perfectly marinated with just the right texture, one bite of their seitan would grab any meat-eaters attention. I continued my seitan journey by ordering the Chile-Lime Grilled Seitan as an entrée, and Vlad ordered the Cajun Seitan Sandwich. Both were perfect and the best ever, blah, blah, blah. For dessert (obviously we made room), we ordered the Seasonal Fruit Crumb Pie, which was filled with an abundance of in-season rhubarb cradled by a warm crust. After a few bites we literally joined hands and gazed into each other's eyes. Corny, yes...but it was that blissful, okay? Candle Café is my absolute top choice for a romantic dining experience in NYC.

Liat S.

This place is amazing. Fantastic food, and so many great choices that I keep wanting to go back and it never gets boring. Can't try enough of their delicious foods, smoothies, juices, etc. Everything I've eaten there was SUPERB, and the wait-staff is courteous, professional, friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient.

Yuval D.

Fun and healthy dining. One of the best items on the menu is the porcini mushroom crusted seitan.

Emily A.

I was in New York for only about 36 hours on a recent visit, and I ate at Candle Cafe twice, that's how good it is! The magic is in the tapioca cheese; I don't know how you make "cheese" out of tapioca, and I don't want to know, but it's extremely delicious. I had the Tuscan seitan parmesan sandwich the first day. It was a huge mess (breaded seitan with tomato sauce and tons of cheese on a roll), but completely worth it. The next day I had the pasta special, which was rigatoni in tapioca cheese and cashew cream sauce with peas, tomatoes, mushrooms and onions. I'm almost drooling thinking about it now. :-P I also had dessert both days. The first day I had a chocolate/vanilla marble bunt cake, which had a little side of vanilla ice cream and was drizzled with vanilla and chocolate sauces. Very tasty, though a little dry. The next day I had the macadamia tofu cheesecake, again very tasty but so rich it was really hard to finish a whole portion (would have been good to split with a friend). The desserts were a little bit less fabulous than the main courses, and both are a lot of food, so unless you've brought a huge appetite you might want to skip dessert. I'm torn between wishing I lived nearer to Candle Cafe and being glad that I don't; if I lived too close, I believe I might one day wake up to discover a significant percentage my body was composed of tapioca cheese!

Carson S.

sososo good! expensive but worth it. great for a quick bite before heading to the met!

Heather T.

I love Candle Cafe, it's probably one of the best places I've ever eaten. it's amazing how many people they can fit into that small space...

Allison J.

My boyfriend and I were actually attempting to get dinner at a different restaurant when we saw this one and recognized the name from searching "vegan restaurants NYC" a million times on Google, and thank goodness we did! Even though we were a little cramped in and had to sit next to the kitchen on one side and practically on top of a table full of yuppies on the other, the food at this place won me over! I would recommend going earlier so you don't have to hold in your elbows while you eat to avoid trailing them through a neighbor's meal. But that is New York dining out for you. I got the veggie burger with fries, not the classiest choice I know, and it was very good. I only wished for more lettuce and tomato; they did skimp a bit. Chocolate raspberry cake for dessert, yum! ADDITION 7/10/2011: This place has gone on to become our very favorite New York City restaurant!

Sara H.

i think i may have a new favorite sandwich (favorite being ever ever): the cajun seitan at candle cafe. to say it was delicious would be an understatement.....it's a perfect melding of flavors, and some of the most tender, awesomely prepared seitan i've ever experienced. i loved everything about this place, and only wish that my stomach had the capacity to hold everything that i wished i could have sampled off the menu. there's something for everyone: salads, entrees, soups, sandwiches, and desserts.....and it's all organic and vegan. there's even freshly squeezed juices/juice elixirs. it's a bit of a hike to visit if you're not already in that neighborhood, but entirely worth the trip.

Julia F.

The New York food sensibility is generally one of extremes: meals are either richly decadent, with several animals on the plate and as much butter as possible, or they are scrupulously ascetic - think steamed broccoli with fat-free vinaigrette. Vegetarianism is considered - if it is considered at all - decidedly on the health-freak side of things. Therefore Candle Cafe is a paradox in space & time, consistently serving healthful, whole vegan dishes that are marvelously flavorful and complex.

Sarah C.

This is a great vegan spot on the UES. I wish I was up there more often. Since I don't usually make it to that part of the city, I took the opportunity to visit Candle Cafe. I have been to Candle 79 in the past, and the food was amazing! So I was eager to try their sister (and more casual) restaurant. My friend and I both got the seitan parmesan sandwich. It was very good, and just what I was craving. I don't eat fake meat often, but when I do, I always like it to be something comforting that I don't usually eat.

Erin J.

I liked this place. I had butternut squash soup and the tofu club. The soup was good, and the club was even better. I really like tempeh bacon, so this was great. It really did need some type of sauce, so I used the vegan mayo they served with it, and got some spicy mustard on the side. Oh yeah, then it was really great. The slaw was good too, but the sandwich was pretty large & I really wasn't even paying attention to the slaw. My husband had the seitan burger - very good. Never had a seitan burger before, usually make them with tvp. He mentioned that the ketchup tasted really good - definitely not Heinz, but not sure if they make it in house or what. The porcini crusted seitan sounded yummy, and a lady had it a few seats down, and once I saw it I wished I had ordered it! I think I liked this place so much because after a week of cheesy, buttery, rich foods during our trip to NYC, this just tasted very clean. I was vegan for a year or so, and have drifted in & out of vegetarianism for so long, and I just love the way I feel when I eat vegan. Maybe it's not the best veg place out there, but it was certainly good enough. I think I'm a bit spoiled though since my husband is the chef at a vegetarian restaurant!! Oh yeah, bonus points - David Duchovny walked in while we were there!

Catherine S.

I want to give this place 5 stars, and I normally would, but I feel like the last time I went here it wasn't as good as it usually is. So I'm gonna hold steady with 4.5. This has been a go to place for my family and me (all vegan, vegetarian, or pescetarian) for years. I've had just about everything on the menu, and I'll tell you that i've never disliked anything that i've eaten. But even with that, you'd have to threaten bodily harm to keep me from ordering the cajun seitan sandwich EVERY. TIME. I go there. You would think that i'd be sick of it, and i'd think that too... but I'm not! It's hard to explain how amazingly delicious it is. But it's crunchy, and flavorful, with yummy aioli on the side. Also, they have pretty much the best vegan pie i've ever had. It's good, get it heated up with vanilla ice cream. And a fun fact: my dad saw Forest Whitaker eating here once and he drew him a picture on a napkin because he's cute like that. I like to think that picture is now hanging up right by his oscar.

Steve B.

So in response to a random craving for a veggie or tofu (or was it vegan?) lasagna, a friend suggested this restaurant to me. Being that I trust that friend's judgement (especially with food), I finally went, and I have to say that I was not disappointed at all. When I was younger lasagna was my favorite meal of all time and I held it sacred. The more mozarella cheese and meat, the better the lasagna. Now, as a vegetarian who only makes allowances for seafood, I learned to suppress my love for lasagna. However, with lasagna like this, I wont have to. Life's good! Additionally, the miso stir fry is excellent and they make great smoothies.

May N.

*drool* Hooray for good, wholesome, seasonal, vegetarian food! A couple of us got the Indian food plate, another the ginger stir-fry, and I got the grilled tofu. It was all delicious and we cleaned our plates. I'm still savoring the luscious sweet-and-sour-tinged sauce that went with my tofu. A tad pricey for moderate portions, but worth it in the organic-Omnivore's Dilemma-lover sense. Would definitely come back to try out more of the menu.

Jay A.

I went to Candle Cafe last night and it was amazing. Their seitan is seriously the best I have ever had! I went all out and ordered the Seitan Chimichurri, Classic Ceaser Salad, and the Porcini Crusted Seitan. The seitan chimichurri is amazing. Very flavorful and tender. I really liked the marinade, it's amazing! I put some of the seitan in my salad and it was really good. The ceaser salad was good but I think it was too small. The most amazing thing I had was the Porcini Crusted Seitan which was out of this world. The seitan was so flavorful, I wish they gave you more seitan. The mashed potatoes were really good too! What I wasn't a fan of is the spinach and greenbeans. The spinach was under seasoned but the seitan was really amazing! I saw some of other people's dishes and they looked amazing too! I love this place! I ordered the chocolate mousse again for dessert and it was amazing! My uncle only got cheesecake and expresso. I really wasn't a fan of the cheesecake, it was not really dense and too me it tasted too much like tofu. I also order the Mocha Latte Smoothie and was really looking forward to it, but it tasted very plain because they put so much ice in it. I didn't feel like sending it back. The service was really good. The waitress answered my seitan question that I had. Also my water glass was always full which was great because I drank a lot of water! Again this place would have gotten 5 stars if it wasn't for the smoothie. Anyway it's my favorite restaurant and I can't wait to return!

Dame V.

The food here is excellent, and the portion sizes of everything are very generous compared to other high-end restauarants. I especially enjoyed the seitan special entree and the carrot cake dessert. The only reason this loses a point is that the atmosphere is too cramped to be relaxing. I have never been to the sister restaurant, Candle 79, but Candle Cafe desperately needs more space. It was hard to enjoy ourselves crammed so near other tables, with waitstaff having to squeeze past us so closely. While the food is worth the price, in my opinion, the cost would seem to dictate more comfortable conditions, which are not delivered. Nonetheless, because I rate largely based on food, I am giving this place four stars.

Taryn B.

A nice little place to stop in after a walk in Central Park. I've tried something different every time and every thing is good. Last time, after inevitably missing California Mexican cuisine for a week, I got the nachos or tacos or something. Whatever I got, it was faux-Mexican, but it was good. BUT WHHHHHHHHYYYYYY did they take the baked sweet potato off the menu?! That was my FAVORITE thing. I used to get it with fries (they have good fries too) and usually pass out on the subway ride back from all the starch and carbs I just ate. Four stars!

Lee O.

You guys are all losers, come on this place isn't good. Why is everyone so snotty and brainwashed into thinking cold sweet potato mush and cold black beens on some cold kale (all unseasoned) is worth $20? WHY? All of this can be made at home, and it can be heated to your liking. However, good wine selection, had an amazing Merlot that was very expensive but very good nonetheless. The bathrooms are really pretty, and really clean! Always love that.

Jessie D.

The cafe is always very crowded, and pretty noisy (the constantly running juicer in front of the restaurant accounts for most of this), but the healthy, tasty dishes in this casual dining spot are well worth a few minute wait. There is one menu for both lunch and dinner that changes seasonally at this farm-to-table restaurant, but some items are staples year round like the delicious Mezze Plate with hummus, quinoa tabouli, olives, warm parata bread and homemade wonderfully tart and sweet lemon-date chutney. Daily specials are always offered, including one or more soups, a salad, and a wrap (these specials are updated everyday on the website if you're ordering take-out or delivery). There is a great selection of salads ranging from a vegan take on the classic caesar salad, to Asian-inspired flavors in the Soba Noodle Salad pictured at the beginning of the post. There are also several sandwiches, including my favorite, the BBQ Tempeh and Sweet Potato Sandwich. This savory sandwich is served warm, and has a great blend of texture and flavor. The shallot sage aioli complements without overpowering, and I always find myself using all of it, probably counteracting anything that was healthy about the dish. Heartier entrees such as a stir fry, veggie lasagna, and pomegranate Grilled Tofu with garlic-shallot-potato mash, sautéed greens and crispy sage with roasted vegetable gravy and parsley oil are available and are all priced under $20. The juice bar also serves up several different varieties of fresh juices and smoothies which are available to-go. Wine and beer is served at the cafe as well. While this type of cuisine is not for everyone, even many skeptical friends of mine have really enjoyed the creative use of vegetarian proteins. The chefs have done an amazing job of giving the soy products on the menu texture and flavor beyond your average tofu- but the veggie-centric selection may be a bit daunting for a date with your burger-loving boyfriend

Ashley H.

Came here with four friends, two of which are vegetarian/organic eaters. They were happy to cater to our friends' needs and their menu is already vegetarian friendly! Bart, the owner, is a gem. He is so funny! Our waiter was attentive and polite and always made sure that our glasses were full of (organic) wine. It gets pretty crowded, so make a reservation. It's a great date spot, or a nice place to go if you are trying out vegetarian options and want to dip your foot in before taking the full leap.

Sandra M.

I have heard a lot about Candle 79, but due to my grad student funds (or lack thereof) I decided to hit up the cafe instead! I went in for a little birthday treat and had one of their sandwiches (the name escapes me, but it was almost like a tuscan, "parmesan" type thing). I tried the acai and banana smoothie and it was just what the doctor ordered. The next time I go, I think I'll indulge in a dessert or try a bunch of their wheatgrass! I went on a random Friday afternoon, and it wasn't too crowded. The service was ok, but nothing spectacular. I will DEFINITELY be coming back!

Monica R.

I've only had one meal here so I cannot give it 5 stars until I try it again. What I have to say about the one meal I had here though is WOW. I had the Tuscan Seitan Parmesan Sandwich. It was sublime. I'm almost fairly certain it is the best thing I have ever had. The minute I put that sandwich in my mouth, I felt such a pleasurable and unfamiliar feeling from the taste of the food. I suddenly understood why people become foodies. This place is heaven for vegetarians. It's a bit more on the pricey side, but then again, it sorta isn't because it's a restaurant in NYC and it's Vegan. I would gladly pay $14 for that sandwich again. As for the dining experience, we came in just before dinner time so the place was wonderfully empty and we were able to eat at our leisure. It's a relatively small to mid-sized restaurant and I'm sure it's a hotspot for veggies, so I can't really comment on the wait time or anything. I cannot wait to go back, it will be a staple for every trip to NYC that I make. If you live in NYC, please just go for those of us who can't. You have a responsibility to vegetarians and vegans alike. :) If you're visiting, here and Grimaldi's (Brooklyn), make it happen.

Danie G.

This is one of my favorite restaurants in NYC. My guess is that people wanting to know what this vegan thing is all about could go there and be quite impressed. The chefs understand how to balance flavors and the daily specials are always fun, incorporating a world fusion of flavors. (Tofu over amaranth with a kimchi topping and greens.) While the restaurant itself is quite small and decor limited, each plate is presented as a work of art. Have been many, many times and always been impressed. Their fresh squeezed juices, limonade, wine list and beer list are a great place to start. I almost never get the appetizers because the entrees are quite large. The chocolate mousse pie is just about a slice of heaven, but I cannot figure out how it possibly is lacking dairy. (Am not vegan myself and love creamy chocolate mousse - I dare a non-believer to try this pie!) Am not a fan of the cookbook, unfortunately.

Erik P.

Enjoyed a nice meal here. It is a little pricey, but the food is out of this world. Got a seitan sandwich that was delicious. It's a pretty small place but they seem to get you in and out quick. Juices were pretty good too.

Melanie C.

Unexpected: Killer, tasty, eclectic vegetarian food in NYC. Good: Everything. Asian, southern, Indian, Californian, Mexican...you crave it, they've got it. The most moist seitan and tempeh everrrr. Super nice staff. Bad: There aren't more places like this in NYC.

Chuniq I.

Amazing vegan menu. The seitan enchiladas were the best vegan meal I'd honestly ever had. The service was not as exciting and the waitstaff were rather rude, but gladly the food made up for it because at one point, we were ready to leave the restaurant after being ignored for 20 minutes. Nonetheless, we came there for veg food, not to make friends and the food did not disappoint! Smoothies and juices are unique, healthy and tasty. We had strawberry lemonades.

Zoe P.

This is my favorite place to eat, and I'm not vegan! I drag friends there all the time, and while they start off skeptical (or horrified) of the thought of vegan dishes, they end up devouring their food and even coming back on their own. I've even had several birthday dinners there, including a birthday cake that they made for me; the owner was there that night and even came over to wish me a happy birthday! Everything is creatively made and tastes delicious - their soups are to die for and are seasonal since the menu reflects local fresh produce. The menu itself unfortunately hasn't changed, but the specials add variety. And I would eat the same meal there anyway, it all tastes so good! It truly is amazing what they can do with the dietary restrictions that go along with being vegan, especially with their desserts. You cannot end a meal there without at least sharing one of their selections. They even have a few wheat-free options. Portions are hearty (the wraps are HUGE), so I find that sharing a few dishes is the best option, and more fun anyway. And prices are very reasonable. They also have a juice/smoothie bar in the front, with a selection of baked goods so you can quickly drop by for a treat.

Isabelle S.

I love Candle Cafe and was so happy to find out that one is opening on the Upper West Side. Candle Cafe makes Vegan food taste delicious. If only I could cook so well at home.

Keith G.

Let me preface this review by saying the food is not bad and my wife who is vegan, gluten-free and has food allergies has always enjoyed her meals. Now, I have never found the wait staff warm and fuzzy, but on Friday night, October 5th, 2012 Candle Cafe hit an all time low! The waitress was rude and condescending and appeared to be ridiculing us behind our backs. All I wanted to do is make a simple substitution and replace the Porcini crusted seitan (really do not like mushrooms) with another option. First I was told that I could not substitute it with the Walnut crusted seitan because the specials are counted out to the exact number of portions. Okay, did not quite understand, but accepted the explanation. So, then I asked if I could have the Cajun seitan instead and was told that the Kitchen Manager refuses to make substitutions. It seems as if the wait-staff is terrified of the kitchen staff. One of the managers explained that he agreed with us, but could not overrule the Kitchen Manager. I thought everything was made fresh, but who knows if that is even the case. No customer service and eat only what we tell you to eat!!! A lovely experience!!! We decided to leave and to our shocking surprise, the manager actually charged us for our appetizer. We offered to pay, but afterwards were really shocked when we thought about the situation and how a nice gesture would have been to not charge us. I am really not sure what is happening at Candle Cafe and in the past we do not remember such stringent rules and regulations and as I mentioned, I have never found the staff warm and fuzzy, but for the most part polite.

Becky P.

Fabulous wonderful tasty deliciousness. Wow was I impressed with this gem of a restaurant. The brother and I had worked up an appetite after perusing the MOMA, and were pretty excited to visit a vegan restaurant. It's such a great rush to have the option of having anything on the menuOur high hopes were not disappointed. Cajun seitan sandwich was unbelievably tasty. I loved the blend of sauteed greens, caramelized onions, avocado, and aioli with the crispiness of the seitan. My potato salad was dee-lish as well. Creamy, flavorful, and almost a few smoky notes... mmm. Brother's wrap looked great- the chili-lime grilled tofu had that authentic grill taste that so many restaurants struggle to replicate. Our server was super friendly and our water glasses never went empty. All the employees (and patrons) just seemed happy to be there- great vibe! Wished I could come here more often (and that they had a location in DC)! Would love to try their fine dining, Candle 79 sometime:)

EM V.

Not super impressed, but then not super disappointed. Considering the prices, I don't think its worth it. Ordered two of the specials which turned out to be rather boring and not especially flavorful. The service was friendly and quick which redeemed the meal. However, I can go to a handful of places downtown for a cheaper more delicious vegan meal.

Fanny B.

Wasabi sauce i love you!!!

K. P.

I'm not vegetarian but I appreciate good, nutritious food. It's so much easier to make tasty food that is full of fat and salt and sugar so I'm impressed by places that are able to create nutritious food that is genuinely appealing to my non-veggie palate. Candle Cafe does this quite well. Plus, I physically feel better after eating there (perhaps just a type of placebo effect). Their salad of the day is usually delicious and full of different grains and veggies and I love their fresh pressed watermelon juice with lime (summer only, I think). Every time I go it seems like half of the customers are drinking the green goddess. Their quesadilla was so-so but the tortilla it was on tasted really good and their guacamole went well with it, though the portion of guacamole was pretty small. The place can get crowded at dinner and tends to feel cramped but at lunch it's not too bad. The waitstaff is fine but maybe a bit unfriendly, though the guy who took my delivery order today was really nice.

Celina R.

Wow. This place is a vegetarian's paradise. The dishes are exquisite, the service impeccable (such nice waiters? are they vegetarian ;)?) and the ambiance pleasant. It is not an upscale restaurant, just to warn you. If you fancy something a little more upscale, there is its sister restaurant Candle 79, just a few blocks away. This place is literally a little cafe. The only downside is the wait. It can get quite crowded, especially in the evenings. Oh, and their chocolate mousse IS TO DIE FOR. Best vegan dessert I have ever tasted. I am serious about that.

Morigian B.

It's been a few years since we moved away from this reliable vegan eatery all the way to Brooklyn. I jumped at the chance for an overpriced lunch with a friend when she suggested it and we were in the area. The food is better than meh and interesting for being vegan. The tapioca cheeses are excellent (where can I buy some?) BUT the entrees are not particularly creative if you are eating out vegan in the city regularly. I had the cashew seitan plate since I had cooked it myself not to long ago and wanted to see how it compared. There vegetables were good, but the seitan was soggy and a little flavorless. I did have an OUTRAGEOUSLY good watermelon limonade. However it costs as much as a glass of wine at $8. Still, the drink really was excellent. Service in the late afternoon was efficient and friendly, although they charged me a $1 extra on my entree than the listed menu price. I didn't feel like waiting around to get it sorted out, but watch the bill. Appetizers run $8-12 entrees $14-20 Deserts $7ish Drinks $7-15 Overall the atmosphere is crunchy granola with a casual vibe.

Emmanuel K.

I love this place! Great vegan food! Very tasty!

Scott W.

I have been here twice and this may be my favorite veg restaurant ever. I love food and have been vegan for 15 years and this place has hit it out of the park both times I have had the pleasure of eating their food. The cajun seitan sandwich may be the perfect combo of spicy, flavorful, substantial and tasty. The sesame crusted tofu was an equally fantastic in its layers of veggies, sauce, starch and tofu texture. Even the desert was fantastic. I can't rave enough about the Candle.

arielle g.

Candle Cafe is a great place for vegans and I love having the chance to eat there. I suggested Candle for brunch with friends who live on the Upper East and I think that they enjoyed the experience, but were not amazed. They ordered the waffles and my husband ordered the breakfast burrito, which I felt were safe choices for non-vegans. Everyone happily ate their food and when our friend asked her husband if he would return, he replied that he would, if dining with me. However, I must admit, while I love the number of choices on the menu and do have a difficult time deciding what to order, I was not extremely impressed with my tofu scramble. The tofu was pretty good, the toast was not quite toasted, and the side salad was blah. The tahini sauce saved the dish. It was delicious and I spread it all over my tofu and toast. On my way out, I picked up a date square, which was very yummy, making it the highlight of my visit. So, I will definitely return to Candle, conquering their menu one dish at a time. I hope that next time I will be more impressed with my meal, but cannot deny that I love the fact that Candle gives non-vegans some safe options, while giving vegans an endless amount of fresh and creative choices.

Katie C.

Mmmm. Filling and delicious! Only wish it were a touch cheaper. Come on! It's vegetables. And it would be awesome if there were a touch more variety. Otherwise, this is my fav. veggie place in the city thusfar.

Cara A.

The thing about Candle Cafe is, I can't bring myself to stray from the Paradise Casserole. It's THAT good. A lot of the other things on the menu are 3-star, rather than 5-star, and whenever I order one of those instead, I'm bummed that I didn't get that sweet potatoey, black beany, millety, greensy goodness that is likened to Eden for a valid reason. I do love Candle as an institution, if that makes sense... a classic, high-quality, but laid-back, completely vegan restaurant that doesn't try too hard, isn't in-your-face-PETAish, and offers good value and reliable fare. Other stuff: Juice drinks are zesty and fresh. Wines -- mehhhh. Appetizers and soups -- yum. Staff range from super-nice to sourpuss. Space is tight, but warm, and never uncomfortable.

Christine P.

Another haven of organic vegetarian food in New York. This place had a great menu for vegans. We had the seitan and avocado, the tofu club sandwich and guacamole and chips. I also tried the soy chocolate latte (without the coffee) and this was delicious! My favorite was their mashed potatoes and gravy. As a vegetarian, you can't find this stuff tasting so good. Excellent restaurant, would love to have one in San Francisco Bay Area.

Jenn Y.

Let me preface this by saying that I am a very picky vegetarian. I am typically unimpressed by vegetarian fare, and actively avoid vegan food (shudder). I vastly prefer "regular people" food, just with the meat ingredients removed. Most of the time I dislike the addition of fake meats as an attempt to jazz up a dish or give it some grounding. However, I loved the cajun seitan sandwich at Candle Cafe. It is absolutely delicious, the seitan is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and pairs wonderfully with the avocado and greens in the sandwich. The sauce served on the side is an excellent accent. Overall, note perfect. The chocolate mousse cake was far too rich and heavy for me, but I can understand the enthusiasm for this dish. I will definitely be back!

Jeff S.

This was a fun night but my food was pretty medicore. I ordered some sort of ginger stir-fly that was pretty bland. I like to think I just made a bad choice because my fiancée loved her meal. Our server was totally distracted and/or disinterested but efficient.

Deena W.

This place is pretty fantastic. I went with a couple of friends, and we started with the seitan chimichurri. I was the only veggie out of my dinner companions, and they both SWORE they were eating meat. They really have this pork flavor thing going on. SO weird! It kind of freaked me out, honestly. They were VERY hearty though, and obvs a great option for non-veggies. I ordered the Cajun Seitan sandwich, which was PERFECT. I had already decided on it before I got there, so of course I started looking longingly at the Roasted Pear Salad right before it was my turn to order. I stuck with the Seitan, and I'm really glad I did. It's served with avocado and on a focaccia bread. YUM. You would never guess this is vegan! I only wish we weren't too full for dessert, because both their carrot cake and chocolate mousse pie sounded delicious. Guess I'll be going back for them :)

Denise K.

I heard rave reviews about this place.. but maybe I just didn't have THAT great of an experience here.... I sat by a bickering couple during the afternoon, and they must have really hated the place. They complained about everything, about how the soup was so bland, tasteless, the pizza was dry, etc etc, .... bland? How about natural taste?? Whatever happened to that belief? So because I sat by this couple that wouldn't stop complaining, my server ignored me and catered to them the entire time. She never once asked me if my food was okay, was everything alright. Sure, I was eating alone, but I wasn't dressed like a hobo. I would give this place 2 stars if not for benefit of doubt. I do want to come here again and try some other dishes. I had the tomato basil soup (nothing to write home about) and some sort of Mexican-style wrap/burrito. It was HUGE! I ate only half and was full for the rest of the day. The burrito was good, but again, nothing that left a lingering effect on my tastebuds. Maybe I have to come here with a group of people, that way the waitress would feel we were "worth serving", or maybe I should just complain about my soup and get another soup comped.

Helen B.

3.5 Stars. I do prefer Candle 79, but they were closed for renovations last weekend. They seitan skewers are the way to go to start and you can't go wrong with the veggie burger, but I had the thai wrap and it was just ok. I still prefer Blossom and Candle 79 given my choices :)

MK R.

I don't normally review places I've only visited once, but NY is a haul for me, so I'm making an exception. Candle Cafe was fantastic. It is rare when I can go into a restaurant and order anything off the menu -- and I'm not vegan at this stage of my life, just lactose intolerant. I had the chili-lime grilled seitan, which was far and away the best seitan I've ever had -- and I like the stuff, generally. The texture was superior, as was the flavor. It was served with a black bean sauce, quinoa with roasted vegetables, sauteed greens, and an amazing guacamole. It was worth the trek across town, for sure.

Ck P.

Had lunch here today and I'm not a vegan. Just wanted something lighter for a change. All our wait staff was friendly and service was great. (The decor was bland - cute curved wall with fabric - and could use some freshening up.....) The menu combinations are very interesting. I settled on the seitan parmesen burger and it was delicious. A hearty patty of seitan with tapioca 'cheese' on a potato roll with fries and a small salad. DELICIOUS! I loved the creamy tapioca 'cheese' so much I asked the manager about it. (He said I could buy it at Whole Foods.) We also shared some sauteed greens, which were light and full of flavor. The carrot cake looked so good, I went for it......when I tasted it WOW! Adequate slice of carrot cake with tofu based frosting. (with some shredded carrot on top) I eat carrot cake in lots of restaurants (and make it myself) so I'm particular about it. This was flavorful and the frosting was mildly sweet. A little different than the 'normal', but I'd order it again in a second. This is the UES side so expect to pay $25 pp for lunch and more for dinner. If you can afford it, it's worth it. it's great food in any category (vegan or not). The food at the tables around us all looked so appetizing. Whenever we visit our friends in this neighborhood (3rd btw 74th & 75th), we'll be back!

Scott S.

I recently had another great meal here while sitting at their counter. I had the BBQ tempeh and sweet potato sandwich, which was just out of this world (it's much better than it sounds!). In fact, I've eaten here many times and always have a great meal. Consistency is one of the things I love about Candle Cafe, but there are many more. There's the long, creative menu, with everything from sandwiches to full entrees to a large selection of sides to juices and smoothies. There's the casual atmosphere and attentive staff, both of which are friendly and welcoming (although the decor is a bit sparse). And then there are the prices. For good, healthful food in NYC, this place is generally a bargain. Oh, and let's not forget the clientèle. I've met some really interesting people here. Candle Cafe is a fun place I've enjoyed with vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Highly recommended for a quick bite or friendly meal. It is usually crowded and noisy, though, so for dates or a more relaxed vegan meal, I recommend Candle 79 (the upscale sister restaurant of Candle Cafe).

C T.

I could go to the candle cafe every day! I took a meat eater here who is now hooked! Anything on the special menu is always delich, try the wraps and a salad.... plates are big and filling enough to share. Only think i don't LOVE here is the wine list, all organic and I find has an odd after taste. Staff is extremely friendly and service is fast. You must try this place, attracts more than a veggie and vegan crowd.

Scott S.

We had a great meal here. We took our 4 year old daughter and there was plenty for her to eat and we felt totally comfortable. One of our party was unfamiliar with vegetarian foods and meats and still thought the meal was delicious! The seitan chimichurri appetizer was my favorite. The Aztec salad was delicious! And the carrot cake was the surprise winner of the desert course. The service was really helpful and friendly too. I wish we had great vegan restaurants Ike this in Washington dc!

Corrie F.

I went to the Candle Cafe with my husband this past weekend, and it had been someplace I've been excited to try out for quite some time. Overall, I have to say I'm somewhat disappointed, but I think this is mostly because I built this place up to be the Vegan Mecca in my head so I guess I expected more. Overall let me start by saying the service was phenomenal. Multiple servers took care of us throughout our meal and my husband and I being servers ourselves in a past life really appreciated it. For our meals, I ordered the split pea soup and sesame crusted tofu and my husband ordered the foccacia appetizer and the taco salad special. Don't get me wrong, the food was good. It was very good. I just for the price didn't feel it lived up to par with several vegan joints in my Brooklyn neighborhood, who's food is just as amazing and much less expensive. We did get dessert to go and I must say the chocolate mousse pie was amazing. I'd go back just for that alone. Om nom. I'll for sure try the Candle Cafe out again sometime, probably after my wallet gets over the ass kicking it received this weekend. I'm hoping I just happened to go on a bad day or something. I promise the second time I go if the food rocks the way I'm hoping it will I'll promptly revise the review, from my iphone while eating my second slice of chocolate mouse pie.

Lauren B.

My cousin's fiance is a vegan. The last time they came in to the city to visit she insisted on us schlepping to the UES to go to this place claiming it was by far own of her favorite vegan eats in the city. So I agreed to go and boy am I glad! The food was so freakin good. Now I am not a vegan so I can't speak for them and say its good VEGAN food. But I can speak for myself and say it is greaaat food! I had the Tuscan Seitan Parmesan Sandwich which consisted of a breaded seitan cutlet with melted soy mozzarella and tomato truffle sauce on a potato-onion roll. Also served with a side salad with balsamic OMFG!!!! truly scrumptious and satisfying! the perfect proportions! I give this place 2 thumbs up and I will definitely be back again to try out some other delicious menu items!

Linda S.

I really love this place. It's a neighborhood go to for even those of us who are not diehard vegans. It's homey, and the food is always fresh. My favorite is the beet salad and I have them add sliced avocado. The almond cheese they serve is unique and delicious...kind of like a soft ricotta. The Mediterranean Wrap is another one of my favorites. I enjoy their tea selection, whether cold or hot. I'm looking forward to trying everything on the menu!

Carrie O.

Great, veggie friendly little eatery! This is the sister cafe of Candle 79 (which is where we originally were going to eat, but opted to get a small meal here instead due to me feeling ill). My husband, a friend & I went to Candle Cafe after a long day at the MET, and enjoyed it! I had a tomato and chickpea soup that was pretty delicious. My husband had an Indian food plate (I believe it was a special). We also tried the sweet potato shake (SO good!) and flu fighter juice (since I felt I had something flu-ish). The flu fighter is INTENSE, so be ready if you order it. I couldn't drink most of it, ginger can be way too powerful for me. Luckily my husband likes it. It was full on VERY gingery. Just be aware! We'd definitely visit again if we're in NYC. I missed out on a lot of the dishes I wanted to order, simply because I felt so sick. :( Oh well... Next time!

Bridget S.

Delicious vegan food. I've been here a few times and always enjoyed it. The middle eastern sampler dish was delightful. It might have been a special. I also enjoy the tempeh ruben. I was never wowed by the dessert, though. One time while I was dining here, they owner sat at the table next to me. He was very friendly and asked how it was.

Emily R.

I have ordered in from here and eaten here a few times since my original review and feel Candle Cafe needs some additional love from me. The vegan chocolate chip cookie is my favorite vegan cookie of all time. I sometimes walk blocks out of my way to grab the amazon mania smoothie (as opposed to going to jamba juice two blocks from my apartment), I have given the Candle Cafe cookbook to all of my most cherished friends and family (plus buying the cookbooks gave me an excuse to grab a smoothie and a cookie). I went alone before I left NYC for a nostalgic dinner alone. Sitting alongside the UES housewives who looked less lonely than I as they were able to pile their empty chair full of crisp and full shopping bags, I splurged on a green goddess "cocktail," living crunchy sprout salad, mushroom/white bean special entree, and mojito sorbet. I loved it all. A change for my usual create a plate option. Candle Cafe is small and airy, casual and worth it.

Love M.

If you know how to cook delicious vegetarian food at home, then wherever you go , everything seems expensive. This cafe is one of them. I want to give 5 stars but I only give 3.5. Their smoothie are fantastic ---- yes, but you can do the exactly same at home. If you are really tired, need to boost, your home is far and this cafe is near by, then, go there for a quick stop and try their smoothies. But the meals at the Candle Cafe???,,,,,I would rather eat at home. I tried the green wrap thing there, and it was very good. I am not crazy about other dishes there.

Lauren p.

Finally got to try out Candle Cafe. We were seated immediately and the service was great. Our water glasses seriously got topped off about 10 times. Got the French Onion Soup, Cajun Seitan Sandwich, Porcini Crusted Seitan, and Grilled Seitan Burger (for my carnivorous brother). Everything was great, sans the soup. While it was good, it was a little bland and had hardly any cheese on top. Everyone knows the cheese is the best part!! For dessert we had the carrot cake and a chocolate cake, which were both good, not amazing, but good. The decor is very nice. Four stars because of the prices, I mean $7 for a small sized soup? All in all, I would definitely recommend it. Try it out!!

Maiko H.

We went to Candle Cafe for the first time a few years ago for lunch and thought the food was delicious - the butternut squash soup we had that day was so tasty. Jump forward to present day and we were a bit disappointed this time around. The food just wasn't as great as we had remembered it. The soup was bland and the taste of the sandwiches were not as great as they had been before. I can't pinpoint exactly what had changed, but, the taste was definitely different this time. It's still a nice, cozy place to eat for lunch, but, if you knew what it was like a while back, you may notice a change in the taste of their food items.

Libby L.

I'm neither a vegetarian nor a vegan, but this place is one of my favorite restaurants in all of New York. If for nothing else, their Paradise Casserole (sweet potato, black beans, millet, streamed greens and brown gravy) is fantastic. The rest of the menu is awesome too. They also have a fine array of organic wines and beer, or if you want to be superhealthy, smoothies and juices. I tried a wheatgrass shot there and was unenthused, but that was the wheat grass's fault. They have a great gluten free selection and an awesome little cozy atmosphere too.

shelly p.

Quite simply put, the acronym OMG was invented for this place - and in a good way. Get the Candle Cocktail (it's so good for you you can write it off on your taxes under charity work) and if anyone sips it and puts on a sour face, spill some on them. Anyone would be crazy not to heart it. The cheesecake is to run through the streets praising tofu for. If they have the fettuccine on special (with tempeh bacon), please get it. It'll make you happy and this world needs more happy people (please refer to above stated comment about charity work). I heart you, Candle Cafe.

Magda V.

I have been a regular visitor to Candle Cafe for many years. Unfortunately, the service and the quality of the food have significantly deteriorated in the recent years while the prices have gone up. Very disappointing.

Terry L.

I find this to be the best vegetarian restaurant I have eaten in in the United States

Kate M.

The food is good, but it really is over-priced. The food is four stars, for sure. Good juices. Fresh produce. I know it's the UES, but I feel a little gouged. It doesn't mean I won't keep coming back, though.

Betty H.

My boyfriend took me to this place to for lunch for my birthday. I had the Indian plate and he had the Tuscan chicken I believe. Both were great. I love the portion of the food but the service weren't so great because it was really packed. However, they did give me a free big orangic cookie with a candle on it. That was really nice.

karen h.

4-5 stars for vegans and veges (it's a bit pricey), 3-4 for carnivores (there's lots of weird tofu/seitan stuff, please don't be frightened). Interesting to compare with sister restaurant Candle 79 - big entree portions here (often too big, too much of the one flavor); at Candle 79 you need app/ent & dessert to feel full. Candle Cafe's food isn't as fancy and tasty, but most dishes are yummy (to use a technical term). The Cafe is more homey (not as much as Angelica); 79 is classy and makes me feel uncomfortable and shabby. The appetizers are particularly overpriced. The crystal rolls (rice paper rolls) were boring, but when a friend followed the recipe in Candle's book, the same rolls were moreish; I've never pigged out on anything so healthy. The ten or so entrees I've tried have all been good except the most expensive, the seitan, though there's a different seitan entree currently. A few years ago, Candle Cafe was patchy, but I've found it consistent the past couple years. If only there was a West side location.

Fay H.

The food was a bit bland, but dessert was great. The server was friendly.

Krisp A.

One of my favorite restaurants in the upper east side. There is hardly any good food up there. I have in the upper east side and sometimes I will get there food to go. It's never a disappointment.

Finnie C.

The food is so good... I barely knew it was Vegan... The Lasagna tasted like real Italian with cheese type Lasagna... Indian Plate was great...seemed like we were in an Indian/Italian restaurant! The deserts are another thing.....choose carefully cause even though they are mostly really good sometimes they taste like ...well ...like imitations. Coffee is a no go as well but the teas are great. Try the ginger soda thing it is great...just ask them to water it down twice as much it is too strong. Enjoy!

Are M.

Was here for a "business meeting" in the middle of the afternoon and the place was packed. I was a vegetarian for a while so I am used to earthy tasting, different types of food so I was open to the place from the start. But my coworkers who are vegan rant and rave about the cafe all the time. They are friends with people there and we are even having them cater an event which I guess I will come back and comment on later (are you reading this Candle Cafe? I am watching you! jk) Iced tea is thirst quenching, and we had the guac and Seitan Chimichurri for apps. Then also shared the casserole and Porchini Crusted Seitan. All were delicious. I especially liked the sweet potato part of the casserole. I don't think I would take my meat loving, not willing to try things boyfriend here but def would return with others.

Tiffany T.

Healthy as can be. This place has a leg up over Gobo and Good Health because of its daily menu. It's comforting to know I'm eating fresh food that's in season. Of course, I'm definitely paying for it ($15 to 20 for an entree). But hey, it couldn't be as expensive as hidden costs of fast food on society and health. Ok, enough social commentary. What about the food?? More creative combinations than used to in health places. Tomato truffle sauce, tofu ricotta...it's not out-of-this-world food but not bad. Reminds me of my sister's homemade tofu lasagna - which is out-of-this-world food.

Linda N.

Great sauteed veggies -- kale, bok choy -- served with a balsamic vinaigrette. I had never used balsamic on cooked veggies before -- that was a good discovery. Neighbor ordered a huge plate of seitan, beans, rice, all the fixins. It looked amazing. Smell of wheatgrass can be a bit overwhelming -- I noticed it for at least half the time I was there.

Rebecca T.

oh yummy! + wide variety/flavor of dishes: southern comfort, east asian, indian, pasta, south of the border - all fused with a strict vegetarian (vegan) twist! + love love the sauces! as with the food, there are so many different cultures and flavors that they draw upon. + service was just about the right level of attentiveness. +/- wait for weekend brunch was manageable (less than 30 min) but still seems really long when you're hungry! there are a lot of choices so if you think you can't choose, bring some friends along! :)

Lorraine T.

this is my FAVORITE veg place in manhattan! food is inventive, hearty, healthy, and delicious. location is more uptown then my usual stomping grounds but worth the trek. somewhat pricey for vegetarian but once again, the food is worth it! seitan is a wonderful protein and i wish it would more common in the world. teriyaki seitan dish here is fantastic and the tuscan lasagna is another good dish. im not a full time veggie but its nice to come here and get your healthful share of veggies but not feel like you're eating rabbit food. perfect for weekend brunch. seating is kinda tight and not recommended for large large groups. cozy and warm setting, good for out-of-towners upper east side experience.

Sean C.

Delicious Vegan food. Atmosphere a little tight and loud, but not uncommon for the location. It didn't detract from the meal at all. If you're a vegan/vegetarian, or just want to try something different, I highly recommend this place

Melissa M.

I am pretty open-minded about food -- I will seriously try anything. My dining partner suggested Candle Cafe -- neither of us are vegetarians or vegans but we just decided to check it out. I got the Thai wrap and it was just... ehhh. There was so much stuff packed into it but it was just so bland. I had to put a ton of my salad dressing on it to make it not taste like nothing. And for a place with no meat, it was crazy expensive. A tofu steak was like 20 bucks. it is TOFU, peeps. Edamame was 8 dollars. 8. freaking. dollars. Seriously with this?

Carey Y.

I avoided trying Candle Cafe for a long time because it's the sister of Candle 79, a restaurant that I am, errr, less than fond of..see my review of it here: careysculinaryadventures… It was my dear friend's birthday though, someone I love to try healthy places with, and I'm always hearing from people I trust who adore Candle Cafe. I thought this provided the perfect occasion to give them a fair shot. I'm SO glad that I didn't write this one off! We were seated right away by the hostess and started looking, with wide eyes, over a menu that had WAY too many appealing choices on it. (this is a good thing) Everything sounded great, from the specials to the salads, sandwiches, entrees and smoothies...and I hadn't even seen the dessert menu yet. I settled on the special wrap of the day: An artichoke heart and arugula wrap with grilled lemon basil tofu, tapioca cheese, basil aioli wrapped in a spinach tortilla with a side salad and roasted tomato salsa. It was REALLY SOOOOO good. YUM. The tofu was crisp on the outside and soft and creamy inside, the 'diet' cheese was flavorful and a pretty interesting, the veggies were fresh and had nice texture to them and the basil aioli was sweet, spicy and delicious. The only complaint I had about this dish was that the side salad contained quite a few pieces of brown lettuce. Now, I understand that organic produce doesn't always look as perfect as non-organic, but brown leaves are kind of pushing it as far as I'm concerned. For dessert we shared (admittedly, I ate 80% of it) the chocolate mousse pie with a chocolate cookie crust. It was out-of-this-world. Kind of like a cheesecake, but somehow a bit lighter than that. It had a rich, dark chocolate flavor and a smooth consistency. No one is missing dairy here for sure! The bill here was more-than reasonable and I really liked the casual, earth/animal-friendly atmosphere. The wait staff was super polite and attentive and the vibe was much more chill than it's sister. I'll leave Candle 79 for the wealthy UESers who can afford a $25 ounce of avocado. I will definitely be back!

Marty K.

Candle Cafe Old Favorite Slips a notch. The Candle empire consists of two restaurants, Candle 79, a very upscale restaurant and Candle Cafe, an upscale restaurant. I last was in 79 for Father's Day and we had a great meal with a few bumps in the road. To me, Cafe is a more affordable, (in my mind anyway as I haven't compared menu prices), and I tend to walk by the Cafe on Third Ave more often so more often I gaze inside this place with longing eyes. Last time I tried to eat here it was very close to closing time and they wouldn't seat me. So I guess I've been jonesing for a CC fix for a while. With our daughter doing something or other kid related we had an adult night out and since it was one of my 5 days off a month we hit Candle Cafe. The Caesar Salad was as good as I've had but the flavor of the dressing was a bit muted. I'd spend the ten bucks elsewhere on the menu. CLASSIC CAESAR Romaine lettuce with herb croutons in a creamy caesar dressing and sprinkled with toasted dulse. 10 Add tempeh bacon 3 These were surprisingly great. I thought the pickled onions were perfect. The collards that I feared would be tough were just the right consistency to hold the roll together when you bit through it and the filling was meaty, tasty and chewy. COLLARD ROLLS Cabbage, carrots, BBQ grilled seitan, and shiitake mushrooms with sesame-miso sauce and garnished with pickled onions and sesame seeds. 12 Colorful, original, delicious. Playing with panorama you can see from the front door, the bar, and the long dining room. Looking into the restaurant towards the kitchen in the rear. The bar. An unattractive plate of Seitan Parmigiana. Doesn't it look like stuff was just thrown on the plate? I couldn't find the entree listed in the online menu but here's the ingredient list from the sandwich: TUSCAN SEITAN PARMESAN SANDWICH Breaded seitan cutlet with melted tapioca cheese and roasted garlic tomato sauce on a potato onion roll. Served with a mesclun salad drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette and fried potatoes. 14 Is the cheese supposed to be burned like that? Overlooking that the sauce had a nice flavor and mixed with the cheese did give a parmigiany mouthfeel but I remembered the seitan being less chewy. In all fairness, my wife did say she liked it ... perhaps fearful I would have sent it back? OK, the plate looks a little nicer. Little being the operative word. A nice thick sandwich. 2 slices of tempeh, hearty bread, sweet potato and those onions were so sweet. It was a sandwich you enjoyed taking a bite out of. I put some of the sage aioli on every bite. BBQ TEMPEH & SWEET POTATO SANDWICH Wilted kale and grilled red onion on toasted multi-grain bread. Served with a shallot sage aioli and a mesclun salad drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette. 14 All in all the meal was good. Some things were just ok and some were very good. Every bite of every meal can't be a home run but when I go to a top place in the country I do expect amazement in addition to creativity. I remembered my last visit here and if my memory serves correct, and bear in mind I am getting older, it WAS amazing. There are new vegan restaurants opening up almost with near regularity so those pioneers really need to stay on top of their game with every plate that comes out of the kitchen. These aren't $5.00 sandwiches here and I expected a bit more than I got. Nothing was really bad but I hope my meal next time blows me out of the water and I also hope that my waitress, although knowledgable and helpful, could have dug a bit deeper into the smile box that evening. I want to feel a certain way when I lay down a hundred dollars for dinner. I want to feel like I made a fantastic decision and had a great meal and great dining experience, not like, "Hmmm, maybe we should have tried V-Note." Some of these pics only came out with the caption but you can find the pics elsewhere if you look at my bio for directions and other viewing options.

Katie F.

Candle Cafe really is one of the best places to have a vegan meal. Everything is so flavorful and filling. They have a great range of ingredients and they don't rely on soy for a crutch. Their have a pretty extensive menu and their juices are great. It's a bit expensive, but if I could afford to eat there everyday I would. I would suggest the tofu club or quesadilla.

Kate B.

Sat at the bar for lunch and it was fab. The Cuban seitan sandwich is AMAZING! The ancho chile aioli and accompanying slaw made it even better. Was enough for lunch AND dinner later.

Bird B.

In slogan: Downtown food, uptown prices. In short: The food is very good, but doesn't justify the price---not even close. In long: Had the Cajun Seitan sandwich and the Tuscan sandwich. Regarding the Cajun Seitan: The side, coleslaw, was weak. Some spices and what looked like precut cabbage with veganaise. The sandwich was actually the best thing we had. The seitan was flavorful and the caramelized onions were a good match. But the Tuscan sandwich was much worse---I'd call it a "vegan pizza burger." They say it's topped with "tapioca cheese," which I'm also certain is a euphemism for Daiya cheese, a way to charge $15 for a small sandwich. The sides for this dish were bizarre: plastic bag french fries (Tuscan?) and a small salad. Look, the food is good, but not that creative, not that homemade, and not that generous of portions. I would love to pay $7--9 a dish. Unfortunately, they're asking $15-20.

Sachin P.

The waitresses are kind of spacey, but they were friendly. The food was pretty good, however the portions were small. We got the cajun sandwich (two thumbs up), Jerk wrap and Soba noodle salad. All in all, I would definitely go back again. A nice plus was they had a kids menu, but they did forget to submit my nephew's order to the cook. So it came out kind of late.

Pria P.

If you are vegetarian and living in NYC, you have to try the Candle restaraunts- I liked Candle Cafe because it's cheaper (but only slightly). The atmosphere of Candle79 was more romantic and warm. I shared the quesadillas, the cajun setain sandwich, and seitan steak-all very tasty (if you're not a vegetarian, I would go for a seitan dish- tempeh and tofu can be blander and seitan has a meat-like consistency). I liked the cajun seitan sandwich the best- it was huge and the avacado slices were a nice touch. If i worked in midtown again i would probably try to make it up here sometimes for lunch (one sandwich can serve as 2 lunches). The grean beans accompanying my seitan steak were a bit bland but the mashed potatoes were a good complement. The quesadillas were delicious- couldn't even tell they were made with soy cheese. I had chocolate mousse cake for dessert- it was very rich. A little disappointment that all of the cakes were ready-made and refrigerated but I realize they can't just whip up a slice of cake for you in 10 minutes. And, because I love choc chip oatmeal cookies, I got one to go. It tasted like cardboard and cost $3. Hence the -1 star.

Amy G.

Candle Cafe is the sister restaurant to the much more expensive Candle 79. Ironically, I think the Cafe has much better food, and much more reasonable prices. I am a huge HUGE fan of the whole "make your own meal" from chosing a selection of small-plate items, and Candle has a wide array of combinations. It's amazing, simple, fresh food with a huge variety. The carrot cake and mocha cheesecake are exceptional. The mushroom miso soup is apparently famous, but I find the texture to be weird, and the saltiness level is just wayyyy too high. I brought my non-vegan mother and cousin here for the Thanksgiving menu last year and they both adored it. Everything they make has an earthy, hearty flavor. The downfalls are that it can get very packed, and without a reservation on a weekend-night, you'll probably end up in the back by the kitchen and bathrooms.

Sam H.

An important preface to this review is that I'm not a vegan nor a vegetarian; even so, I can confidently say that this is Good Food. If you're interested in a lighter meal or a detox, The Candle Cafe is a great choice. It's refreshing - food is not only good for vegetarian fare; it's good, period. It's surprisingly busy - I went on a Tuesday night at 6:30, and was barely able to get a table. Most vegetarian restaurants seem to be sparsely populated, drawing only crunchy granola types, but the quality of the food here seems to attract a varied (and large) crowd. Make a reservation! The setup seems to be mostly small tables-for-two with very few larger booths; I'd advise against trying to bring a big group here. On the other hand, guys, if you're looking to impress a certain someone with your eco-mindedness and sensitivity, look no farther. It's a cozy place, and the service is very prompt and attentive. Food - it's good, but a bit pricier than you'd hope. Appetizers run about $8, and entrees range between $14 and $20. While that seems like a normal price for dining out in the city, I can't help but wince a bit at paying those prices for different preparations of vegetables. The Mediterranean platter I got as an appetizer was very fairly portioned with some nice flatbread and a truly outstanding fig dip. The hummus and tabbouleh failed to impress, but the fig dip more than made up for that. For dinner, I had a seitan dish that misleadingly boasted porcini mushrooms; porcini mushroom, singular, would have been more accurate. The seitan was good, though, and it came served over a lovely vegetable medley. The menu is extensive, and numerous daily specials mean that you can keep coming back to try new and interesting things. Word to the wise - stay away from the cookies. They're hard and stale and not worth your time. Four stars - the food is quite good, and it's a cool, bustling place. A great option for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Be prepared to pay a little more than you would want, though!

Megan S.

Great gluten free menu and lots of creative, healthy options! The level of healthy-ness is probably as much a turn off for some people as it is a selling point for health-foodies. Mid-day their juice bar was getting plenty of traffic but it was still pretty mellow in the back where we were eating. The Paradise Casserole was delicious and very filling, as was the quinoa salad that they had on special. As far as service goes, nothing notable - our server was a bit spacey. But good, simple food with lots of vegetarian and food allergy-friendly options!

Elaine C.

YUM, YUM, YUM!!! I gave up red meat for lent, so I've been trying to find a eat Vegetarian place. I looked at Yelp Reviews and also asked the waiter what his favoritesandwich was...The cajun seitan sandwich...OMG...sooo yummy. Before I knew it, it was gone from my plate because it was thta delicious. The ambiance is quite casual, they have a good menu and the service was really great. I will definitely go here again.

Meghan M.

As a new gluten-free dieter, I was super excited to find a place on the UES that offers a gluten-free menu. The cafe is very cute and has a good ambience. I only order a cappuccino, while my friend (also gluten-free) ordered the sweet potato casserole. The sweet potato casserole was tasty until we found a maggot in it. We politely told the hostess who took it back into the kitchen and the manager came out immediately. The manager explained that all their produce is organic and that is why there was a maggot. They were very nice about the situation, however, I probably won't be going back because I was rather grossed out by the experience. Hopefully, they will become more aware in what is in the food that they are serving.

Paige W.

Amazing. Went last night after wanting to try this place for a while and it was everything you would want and more. I got the "parmesan" seitan burger with french fries and a balsamic mescalin salad and it was delicious and filling. The prices are a bit high, but you get what you pay for. I didn't get to try the desserts since I was so full, but I will be back as soon as next week. Also the service is fantastic, it is quick and efficient. They fill your water glass as soon as you sip and have the check ready for you in record time. Don't miss this place!

Michael H.

i just had a great dinner here, gnocci with a cashew alfredo sauce, mushrooms and a buncha other veggies. It was delicious. I am newly vegan, and was in the mood for some creamy pasta goodness, and this really did the trick. I sat at the bar, the bartender was all smiles and friendly as were the staff members, and even the woman sitting next to me. I got an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie to take with me, it was sadly a bit disappointing but still pretty good. All in all, I love this place and I will definitely be back.

Ali R.

Came here after my girlfriends were raving about the reviews. The menu wasn't too large considering it's a vegetarian restaurant, but I went with the sprout salad with ginger dressing. The portions are pretty large, as they should be considering the price. The ginger dressing was a little too spicy for my liking. We concluded the meal with the pumpkin bunt cake a la mode. Tasted like a carrot cake, but it was moist and the ice cream was pretty good. All in all, a great restaurant for vegetarians, but not really for me.

Martha E.

Yum Yum. Delicious and healthy food. I have never had a bad meal here. Love this place. Go now!

Rachel G.

If you just ask about the food, I will give them 5 stars or more to make an entire menu vegetarian and vegan friendly. I had the lasagna and it was awesome! They have a decent wine selection. But the noise level in this place is actually quite high and kind of takes the mood away. But if you don't care and just want to have a good time eating good vegan/vegetarian food, then this is THE place!

Kristin S.

I couldn't even tell you what I ate here, but it was delicious. All of it. Sure, the restaurant sort of smelled like grass (as vegetarian places are wont to do). But I didn't care after I had a first bite of my lunch. The prices are a bit high compared to other veggie restaurants I've gone to in the city, but nothing really surprises me in NYC anymore. I guess with the name comes the price hikes. Our waitress was great though and my family, who was visiting, all enjoyed their selves. This place gets packed packed packed, so prepared yourself to army crawl to the bathroom. I almost ran over a poor, innocent child who was running around her family's table. But I'm happy to say that crisis was avoided and I wasn't given the evil-eye by any parents. Yay!

Anya R.

This is where vegan foodies come to die. Because it's health food, a lot of the food can feel a bit bland to people who are new to this cuisine, but many more of their menu options are flavorful and taste even better for being healthy. My favorites are: the mezze platter, tomato basil soup, good food plate, bbq tempeh and sweet potato sandwich, and the paradise casserole. I love ALL of the desserts (and I've probably tried all of them over the years), but I think if I HAD to make recommendations I would say the the rice pudding and carrot cake. I'm not a huge chocolate person, but most of my friends say their favorite is the flourless chocolate cake. I once bought a full cake of this (from their sister location, Candle 79) for a birthday cake and none of my friends could tell it was vegan or gluten free (I didn't tell them because I knew they wouldn't try it if they knew) and were dying to know where it was from. The decor is simple but serves its purpose. You can also easily get a shake or anything else to go as well.

Dania H.

The food was amazing!! I had the Seitan with Sesame seeds and sauted onions and peppers (delicious)! Will definitely go back!!!!

Crissie R.

I'm from VA and this was my first Vegan restaurant trip. It was a treat from my husband (I'm vegan...he's not), and he was impressed. Food was awesome...just wish I could take it back to VA with me!

bruce r g.

the salad was great - but salad and soup ALWAYS should come with bread (a crusty roll would be perfect). when i asked the waitress for some bread, she said i could order some . . . at $15 for a meager (but very good) salad that was not a generous helping at all . . . i felt gypped. also, as typical of many veg restaurants everyone - guests and staff - all look like they take themselves a little too seriously, or are not getting enough . . . you know what i mean.

R M.

Great lunch... Vegan/Vegetarian done right. I had Seitan with quinoa, thai style. Very yummy.. My wife had a delicious Hummus tofu wrap. We started with fresh, crunchy spring rolls. And the flavored iced tea that complemented it was out of this world good (ginger flavor?). Lovely meal.

Soozie H.

I am rarely ever in this part of the city and was taken here by a friend I was meeting up for dinner with. The Candle Cafe was recommended to her and so being that we were both unfamiliar with the options on the area, we paid it a visit. We arrived a bit early for dinner time just shy of 7pm and so we were seated by a smiley host as soon as we walked in. Being that neither of us were familiar with the place, we weren't sure if it was a take-out only place or an actual restaurant with table seating. Upon our arrival, we were delighted to see seating available. Our server came over to greet us and take our drink orders. We decided to go for their organic fruit drinks that was made fresh on the spot. I ordered a fresh carrot juice drink that had way too much ginger in it which I ended up being unable to finish! I think it's the Orange Snapple... We ordered a Medi Hummus Plate as an appetizer that came out with toaste pita slices, green olives, hummus and a third spread that I can't describe. It was YUM! For entree's, I ordered the Soba Noodle Salad and my friend had the special, Lemongrass Tofu with couscous. The orders came out soon after the appetizer plate was cleared. My Soba Noodle & Tofu salad was lovely with just enough dressing. My friend's special was quite tasty as well although we couldn't really taste the lemongrass. We ordered the Carrot Cake for dessert and we BOTH had to contain ourselves from inhaling the entire slice! It was delish! The cream was just right and not overly sweet and the cake was moist and full of carrots! Throughout the whole meal, our server was delightful w/o being overbearing. The busboys who cleared our plates were very polite and knew to come when we were actually done w/our food. During the whole time we were there, business was steady and a line began to form of diner's waiting for a table. Not once did we feel rushed by the server or any staff member despite the growing line. I WISH there was one downtown that was closer to my hood! I do plan to return...

Sarah H.

We live in the area and decided to stop by for lunch. My husband had the 'Tuscan Lasagna', which I also tried. There were multiple problems with this dish, with consistency foremost among them. It was gelatinous, with no texture contrast. There was one noodle in the whole piece. ONE noodle in a lasagna. The rest was comprised of sickly tasting tapioca. I had the white bean soup. It was OK. It lacked salt and tasted of thickener. We won't be back.

Robin S.

I love food without meat. I was a vegetarian for many years. But my experience with vegetarian, vegan and macrobiotic restaurants have left much to be desired. This restaurant defied the stereotype of bland, tasteless, strange textured food. The food was delightful and I would highly recommend it. I had the special pasta entree so it is hard for me to repeat the ingredients. It was a sort of pesto made of lima beans and herbs. Very good. My friend had a black bean burger. The best part of her dish was the polenta fries. Yummy!

Linda H.

The chimifchurri seitan was delicious! I also had the aztec salad w/quinoa which was good but I would've prefered that the tempheh were warm. It was bbq grilled w/good flavor but it was cold. They have a wonderful selection of food that would appeal to just about anyone! Not just vegetarians. My boyfriend loved it (he's big on meat) and we're definitely going back. The desserts looked amazing as well. I can't wait to go back.

Rey P.

At long last the bf and I made it out to Candle Cafe. We don't normally go to the UES, but with Thanksgiving being a holiday and Candle being so nice, we figured now was the time to make the trip. And I'm so glad we did. I went for the Thanksgiving prix fixe and had chestnut soup, a vegetable napoleon, pumpkinseed crusted tempeh with a yukon gold mash, squash, and broccolini, and apple cranberry pie for dessert. Everything was delicious, my only complaint being that some of the sauces (which were made with nuts in place of cream) were a bit too rich for me. I'm chalking that up to the fact that it was a holiday for gluttony, however. Hopefully, I'll get to try it out on a normal day to see whether they live up to their reputation, but it was definitely a wonderful Thanksgiving destination.

Jenn L.

The chimichurri seitan appetizer is fantastic! I have a great meal every time I go.

Diana U.

OMG amazing food I am not a vegetarian and I loved it will be going back this week. The tofu cheesecake great it taste like the real thing. Good job The service was fair they were really busy so it was slow.

Neha S.

I don't know why I keep subjecting myself to all vegan/vegetarian places. Yes I'm a vegetarian, but I like food that tastes good! Had dinner here with a group of friends, and am totally confused as to why people love this place. Maybe I ordered all the wrong things, but I'm not gonna come back.

Lani N.

My boyfriend and I went for dinner on a Saturday night, and there were a ton of people waiting outside. They accept reservations, but only for groups of 3 or more. While we waited at the bar, we ordered a Berries -N- Cream smoothie. Blech..! There were a lot of seeds. I love berry smoothies, so seeds are to be expected but this one was a bit much. The taste was also subpar, too much like watered down vanilla protein powder and less like berries. The Classic apple, banana, berry smoothie was pretty good, but to be perfectly honest, it just made me miss Jamba Juice. Dinner though was amazing! I ordered the BBQ Tempeh & Swwet Potato Sandwich, which I really enjoyed. The kale, the multi-grain bread, it was all very good. My only complaint is that after awhile, it got really hard to eat the Tempeh because it was a bit bland and dry. My boyfriend ordered Cabernet Grilled Seitan, which came with delicious mashed potatoes and grilled mushrooms. His plate was definitely the winner. The griled flavor of the seitan was perfect with the potatoes and gravy. Mmm hmm! The "decadent" chocolate cake is pretty good. The layers are very noticeable. The frosting is very rich and creamy - chocolate truffle meets fudge. A sharp contrast to the frosting, the cake was very, very dry. Thank goodness for the berry drizzle otherwise it would have been hard to eat all of that chocolate. Actually, we still didn't finish it. In conclusion, the smoothies and desserts don't do it for me, but the entrees are absolutely delicious. Great food, service, I will definitely be back.

Greg G.

A vegan friend came to visit, so we went up to the Candle Cafe on her suggestion. We were looking for a place that was actually vegan, and wasn't trying to play up their food as a substitute for non-vegan food, and I think Candle Cafe filled the bill nicely. Food was really good otherwise. I'm not a vegan, and I thought the entire menu was rather accessible for me. Nothing too crazy or bizarre on there, just good stuff. The highlight of the meal for me was the pumpkin soy ice cream I had at the end, which was incredible. She's also somewhat allergic to peppers, and she asked the waitress if her order would have peppers in them. The waitress said she didn't think so, but as it turns out, the plate did. Not that big of a deal, but still a bit of a pain. Given all, it was very good, and worth checking out. If you're going with people who are picky about what they eat, have them glance at the menu on the Candle Cafe website to make sure that there's stuff on there that they'll eat.

D G.

Although I prefer Candle 79 as it has a prettier ambience and 5-star service for essentially the same price point, the food at Candle Cafe has never dissappointed. EXCEPT: Avoid the seitan burger like the fucking plague. Every other seitan entree I have ever eaten at either Candle Cafe or Candle 79 has been sublime. But the seitan burger I had over July 4th weekend was just all wrong. The toasted bun tasted stale, the seitan was mushy, I couldn't even eat it. It was sub- Kate's Joint. Sub-Gardenburger, even. Skip it and go with the delicious Cajun Seitan sandwich or just get the chimichurri skewers.

J C.

Somehow the food here tastes fresher than its more elegant counterpart, Candle 79. The reason the cafe doesn't earn the 4th star is that takeout orders and garbage are constantly being walked through the restaurant on the journey from the kitchen to the front door. Is this even allowable? Granted, the place feels clean, but this practice just seems so wrong.

Katey G.

The place itself is small and smells like a botanical garden (in a good way). The music is fun but not loud enough to overpower conversation at the table. Food: The food was either very good or mediocre. The quesedilla was excellent, and my fellow diners raved about the Nori Rolls and chili. I and another person got the cajun seitan sandwich, and you would have thought we ordered two different things. Both seitans were prepared differently, and mine had absolutely no hint of flavor at all. I was sad because I got the sucky sandwich and had to watch the delicious rather than taste it. The drinks were pleasant, albeit expensive. Service: The service was friendly and efficient. The place is very good at accommodating food allergies and veganist lifestyles, which is a huge plus for those that can't have milk, gluten, meat, etc. Definite huzzahs for that.

Evan M.

i went here 2 days in a row with 2 different friends. the food,was actually really good.i've been vegan for about 5 years,and i've been to candle 79 a bit over 2 years ago,and LOVED it-one of my favourite meals,ever.however,candle cafe,is quite different.that's not to say the food was bad,just less 'fancy',and more akin to a casual vegan restaurant,like native foods in california,another favourite of mine. first day: we split the quesadillas,which were actually really cheesy,which surprised us,because i was a bit skeptical of how their home made tapioca cheese would be consistency and taste wise.i'm not a huge cheese fan,could live w/o cheese substitutes,but this tasted great and had great texture.i did think the salsa was WAY too hot and spicy though. for drinks she had the limeade,which was big,thick,sweet,and really sour.she loved it.i had to send me 'pb&j' smoothie back,since it tasted way too icy and watery,but the new one i was brought was ridiculously thick,and tasted just like a pb&j.loooved it. for entrees we split 2 sandwhiches-the 'bbq tempeh and sweet potato sandwhich' and the 'cajun seitan sandwhich'. well,we loved them both.the bbq tempeh had a HUGE slice of roasted,squishy,yummy,sweet potato,tons of steamed kale,nd a huge slab of yummy,smoky bbq tempeh.the sauce that accompanied it was even better.and it was the healthier of the 2,on a multigrain bread that was toasted,it all really just worked.i'd never had sweet potato in a sammich,though it might be 'too much',but was great.the cajun sammich had crispy seitan and wonderful sauce,on really good,crusty focaccia bread.the aioli was maybe the best part,though.yum. we each finished a bit over half of the sandwhiches and took the rest for later,i saved some quesadilla,too,finished our drinks,and i had the chocolate mousse tart for dessert with vanilla ice cream.ice cream was fine,really good in melty chocolate sauce,but the tart was nothing special,but still tasted good,but basic vegan chocolate mousse,though i liked the cookie crust. second visit: ordered the seasonal 'sweet potato pie' smoothie,asked for it to be really thick and like a smoothie,not just juice,just incase,and had to send it back,they sad all they could do was put banana in it,so i nixed it and got a muffin instead.had to wait,then wait and asked a different server for soymilk,which took forever to come,but it was good soymilk. the muffin,apple crumb,was fantastic,but i'm positive that it was made from the 'apple pie crumb' muffins from isa chandra moskowitz's book 'vegan with a vengeance'.i've made them many times,and they're so similar.moist,awesome crumb topping,and quite sweet.lovely. too bad they brought my sammich-the 'tuscan seitan parmesan' about 2 seconds after the muffin,so i asked if i could y'know,have atleast SOME of the appetizer before my food is given to me and gets cold,so they took it back.30 minutes later it was brought back-way too long-and the bread was all squishy and manhandled,told the server it ucked,and got a new one,but was reassured that it would 'be a long wait'.funny,since they brought my last one wayy too soon.anyways,the sandwhcih was awesome-sooo cheesy,and the tmato sauce was slightly spicy,and the seitan was cheesy,and the bread was all drippy and crispy.so yummy.got stemed broccolis and the side salad too,definitely get some vegetables,none come on thsi sandwhich to help balance out the richness,albeit it still tasted great. didn't get dessert this time,we'd already been there about 2 hours. so,the food is great.4 stars for that.i'm a pretty picky eater,never really eat out,just for desserts and coffee it seems,but i'd love to keep going back here. though,the service the second day did suck,it was crowded,waiter was unattentive,had to wait to pay at the end,too,but the food made up for it.having been a visitor to nyc before,thinking about it now,this would be a definite on the list of restaurants to eat at.

Jillian B.

Vegan restaurants are a dream come true for those of us who are lactose intolerant. How nice to order ANYTHING on the menu and not have to ask about "hidden" ingredients. The lasagna with tofu ricotta was wonderful. It's a delight to eat a vegan dish that can bring me back to my grandmother's kitchen!

Ahu S.

It's been several weeks since my dinner here, and I still remember the meal vividly. I am a fair-weather vegetarian, but I am very wary of veggie restos as I'm not usually a fan, but Candle Cafe is superlative. I think Srini V. is spot on when he says everything was just right - service, food, atmosphere, prices (although I'm not sure I would go so far as to liken myself to a simian). I tried seitan here for the first time (when in rome) and it was delicious (although I have a sneaking suspicion it was due to their expert preparation and not the seitan itself). Not only was everything I ordered terrific, I had to resist dipping my fork into my neighbors' dishes! Surely a good sign. Can't wait to go back.

Bob M.

Hands down, some of the finest vegan food I've tasted. Wonderfully competent waitstaff, too. Unlike Angelica Kitchen (which I love, but many friends find too rustic), Candle Cafe pursues a more nuanced, multidimensional set of flavors and textures, all at a great price. Delicious.

S S.

There are very few restaurants in Manhattan that I want to return to again and again...after three trips each to Candle Cafe and Candle Restaurant I still crave more. It is quite possibly the best vegetarian restaurant in NYC. The food is innovative and fresh...I have had absolutely no complaints other than the price tag at the fancier Candle Restaurant. At the Cafe I've especially enjoyed the mexican burrito, seitan burger and the paradise casserole. I can't wait to make a return trip.

Karen O.

The Candle Cafe is delicious. I had the Cajun seitan sandwich ($14) it was phenomenal. My husband had the Smoked Tempeh & Grilled Vegetable Sandwich ($14) once and the Tuscan Seitan Parmesan Sandwich ($14) the other time. While we loved the main courses, but I didn't like their sides as much. It came with a coleslaw that was bitter in my opinion. The second time I paid a bit extra for potato salad, which wasn't bad but was bland.

Jefferson M.

I was expecting a dumpy casual joint based on the Yelp photo of the storefront. But this place is much nicer on the inside. Everything was great. Just wish I'd had enough room for dessert because it looked wonderful.

Dava A.

I have the same feelings about this place as I do for Caravan of Dreams. I want to love it, I love the idea of it, they have GREAT fresh juices...and mediocre food. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad food, not by any stretch. It's decent food, average veggie fare, but as a 12-year vegetarian who eats lots of places, I know what good veggie food tastes like. This is kind of blah. They have a pretty nice atmosphere, nice music and lighting and friendly staff. I just wish that I loved their food more. I go back occasionally just to give it another try, but I always leave feeling the same way.

Emily W.

So good. It's weird. I was born and raised in the bay area and I would say Oakland beats New York in all cuisine except, paradoxically, vegan/vegetarian. There are more yummy meatless restaurants in New York than I can count. Most of them are out of my price-range but that's what parents visits are for and that's when I went to Candle Cafe and had the yummiest drink ever and some really excellent food and a shot of Matcha. Highly recommend.

Pete M.

Found this place through Yelp and decided to give it a try after work tonight, a Tuesday. Got there at 6:50, when several tables were still open. A good omen, I thought. Was shown to a two-seater in the well-lit dining room. There's not much in terms of decor, but I don't require much in terms of decor. My waiter and the other waitresses who asked me if things were fine were very friendly and prompt, despite an eventual full house. The place is midsize, I would say. Despite the fact that all the several "single seats" at the juice bar counter in the front were occupied by the time I left, there was at least one pair of women waiting for a table by then. I asked my waiter which nights were best to avoid a wait, and he said pretty much any night was subject to a wait, "but you can always call." He said Candle 79 is "twice the size" of its sister, but there can often be "twice the wait." He also said the menu there is different from the menu at Candle Cafe. I had no appetizer. I had the seitan steak, which came with sweet potato mash, caramelized onions and a healthy portion of broccoli. I also had a side of cornbread. Everything was tasty and hot, and there was a suitable gap from the time I ordered till the time the food appeared. The seitan looked like pork, but I guess that's seitan for you. The tab was a little pricey. I had one iced tea and one "natural cola," both 16 ounces, both $3. The cornbread was $4, and the entree was $19. Total was $31 before tip. Yikes. I get the feeling if the same place were in a lower-rent district, the entree would have been about $6 or $7 cheaper, which would have been about right. Oh, and desserts, which I hadn't room for, were, to use a term I have seen elsewhere on Yelp, "gy-normous," and I saw several different types go by my table. I didn't look at the dessert menu, but I would guess they wouldn't go for less than $7. So, be prepared for a bit of sticker shock. But I overheard one newbie diner talking to a fellow diner as the latter left, and he said, "Enjoy. I've been a vegetarian for 30 years, and this is among the best places to eat in the city." I have to concur.

Blick S.

The thing about Candle is...you just can't do any better for eats in this city, all things considered. This is both hands down the best and widest selection of creative, inspired, healthy, whole food. They just have to be upper east though, yes? Of course. A little pricey dicey, agreed. Can't even cite actual prices beyond my $18 taco salad 'cause I typically just put on the blinders and jump. This is because everything I've ever had restores vestiges of my spirit about eating in New York. So I just go for it if I'm in the area--and even sometimes when I'm not, because I know I'll be satisfied. And that is so worth it. Staff is friendly, knowledgeable, willing to help and inform you about ingredients. Substitutions are not discouraged (granted, at some of the prices, it should kind of be "your show"). Be realistic and make reservations if your party is larger than two and you're going at peak dinner time. It can be tight in there waiting for a table for more than a few. And I love the wholly unassuming layout/decor/atmosphere. It's, well, organic. As everything should be.

Jerran B.

Even though I am a "flexitarian", I adore adore adore interesting vegetarian cuisine. And, feel amazing after having it! Candle Cafe did not disappoint. We went early by NY standards, about 6:30pm on a Saturday and still had a wait. The food is so amazing that it was packed out! We started with two apps: Seitan Kabobs with Herbed Chimichurri, so delicious it tasted like fresh tuna steak. The 2nd app was nori rolls with brown rice, tofu and avocado and was served with a ginger-wasabi sauce. My delicious entree was an interesting salad with tempeh. Organic greens with sauteed and sumptuous tempeh, spiced pumpkin seeds, black beans and a spiced cumin vinaigrette. My dining pal enjoyed a tofu stir fry with a miso sauce. We had tea and coffee as our "dessert" and I loved the fact that they offer agave nectar and stevia as sweetners.... Oh, soy milk too. Overall I give Candle Cafe four carrots for terrific eats and good service too! Definitely a place to return to very soon!

Sasha S.

YUM.. great great soy cappuccino and delicious tofu vegan club! I'd definitely go back!

Laura S.

The chocolate mouse pie is amazing.... I got Indian Plate and a sandwich:) Def. my favorite vegan place in the world.

Marisa R.

I dream about the cajun seitan sandwich. I've tried many of their dishes - salads, sandwiches, desserts, entrees, etc. But I keep coming back to the cajun seitan sandwich. It's definitely the best sandwich I've ever had. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would. Every person I introduce this sandwich to falls in love with it as well. Seriously, try it.

Erik C.

My wife's mother is a veggitatian so this seemed like a great place to take her while out in Manhattan. I was glad that I had called ahead to make reservations, the place was PACKED when we got there for dinner! I wasn't disappointed (and neither was she!) They have a good selection of apps, salads, sandwiches, and organic beers and wines. I went with the Cajun sandwich. It was a very rich sandwich, with the fake meat, caramelized onions and avocado. The most interesting part of the meal was desert. I had Cilantro + Lime sorbet! Trust me, the flavor works, but I don't recommend more than one scoop. I will agree that it is a touch overpriced, but eh, if the mother-in-law is happy then we're all happy! Based on the quality of food here, I'm interested to try the (more spendy) Candle 79.

Viktoria i.

I am not a vegetarian, however I like this place. I took a vegetarian friend of mine here a few days ago, and we both loved it! Place was packed and it was only 2:30 on a thursday afternoon(cant even imagine the wait during weekend lunch..hahha) I had the Cajun Seitan Sandwich(it was good, are you sure there is no MEAT in this sandwich?hahhah) the ginger soda was yummmmm :)

Jennifer L.

Candle Cafe is a bit of a trek for me, but it was the restaurant of choice for my restaurant group, so I was game. I love veggies, and tend towards more of a vegetarian diet myself (more out of laziness than anything else) so I figured I'd like the food. We shared a few apps - the quesadilla, the dumplings, and the guacamole. All were very good, tasty, good textures. For my entree, I ordered the pistachio crusted tofu, which is served over quinoa and veggies, including red swiss chard. I loved this - the tofu was lightly crispy and flavorful, with a sauce over it that I really enjoyed. I love quinoa, and often make it at home myself, so this was a great choice for me. Service was a little uneven. Our waitress was sometimes helpful, but then 2 different people in my party inquired about the stirfry dish, particularly what veggies are in it this time of year (assuming it would be seasonal), and they each received different answers. So one of them was terribly disappointed by what was actually in it. Otherwise, everyone enjoyed their meals, even the carnivores in the group. I think it's a little pricey too. Maybe it's a misconception, but I always figured a vegetarian diet would be cheaper, but the food at Candle Cafe is definitely on the spendy side. Still, it's good, so check it out.

Molly L.

Yummy yummy tasty. Great for sitting in and from appetizer to desert this place ROCKS!!!! Definitely 5 stars for ordering in (not sure vegan food delivers well... so I recommend eating at minimalist chic cafe.)

Sam H.

I love Candle 79 but Candle Cafe has disappointed me every time. I've never been in the restaurant, only gotten delivery, and I've done that about five times over the past three or four years. Recently I had the quesadilla, mezze platter and an indian thing. All were barely adequate. I've gotten better food from there but it's been inconsistent and never much better than just fine. I have found Gobo delivery to be consistently much better.

Amanda R.

The food can be a little hit or miss. It isn't always the most delicious, but it is certainly well-made, if that makes any sense. The ingredients are fresh and the recipes themselves are creative and unique. I loved the Cajun Seitan Sandwich. Good service, too.

Terry C.

Fresh, local ingredients, delicious desserts, and savoury treats, Candle has it all. Except somethimes you may get the occasional gnarly old manager as the waiter (shes short + blonde and tends to give disguised compliments to poor underage teen boys in crested school blazers), in which case is quite unfortunate for you. If you haven't heard of CC by now (granted you're either new to the veg crowd or aren't a veg), get on the ball! Prices can be a bit high, but its a good price compared to 79, which really isn't for starving students like me. =]

jimi j.

why do restaurants close before their posted hours??? seriously?? the food is good and the service is good as well, BUT when i get to a restaurant during its posted/advertised hours and told that because it was a slow night they're closing early i'm super pissed and turned away. it's so fuc*ing frustrating.

Michelle L.

It was lunchtime at the office and my coworker Nisha and I finally had a day where we could escape from the building and eat a civilized hour long lunch! Where to go? Certainly not the usual boring diners & pubs nearby. We'd had enough of those! Then suddenly it dawned on us - we'd be wanting to go to The Candle Cafe for ages! I had gone there several years back with a veg friend and remembered how good this place was. We were in luck! It's still just as good and the service is fast & friendly. We both had the mezze plate for lunch and it was so good. Just the right size too. This is not your ordinary one dimensional vegetarian restaurant that just serves a few of the usual boring veg dishes. They have a full menu of amazing veg dishes and a good selection or organic wines to pair them up with. The atmosphere is casual and quaint. You can choose to sit at a table or at the counter up front. I'm not even a vegetarian and I would gladly dine here several times week if I could. This is a great place for groups of people to dine that have mixed dietary needs. Vegetarians will be in heaven and even the non veggies will be pleasantly surprised at the wonderful variety of tasty dishes this place has to offer! I probably would have given this place 5 stars instead of 4 if: a) I didn't have to listen to some overly loud hippy dippy spiritual wanna be teeny bopper (ironically carrying an uber expensive handbag that no true spiritually minded person would) going on about how her new spiritual advisor would make a great girlfriend for her Dad (thankfully, not ALL of the clientele are like this). b) One of the waitstaff or maybe she was the manager (?) didn't collide with one of the servers (because she was walking really fast, but looking and talking in the other direction) and proceed to splatter the contents of the tray all over the floor next to us, causing some of it to end up on my friend's shoes.

Suzanne G.

I found Candle Cafe totally underwhelming. I went there with a friend and we split everything we ordered. Started off with the crystal roll. I think maybe this would taste better if it was served hot. I don't know. Something was off about it. And the dipping sauce it came with was also too cold. Silly complaint, I know. Next, we split the caesar salad with tempeh bacon. $3 extra for a couple of teeny pieces of tempeh? Sadly, it was worth it -- the tempeh made this salad. I wished the pieces were bigger and there were more of them, it had such a delicious flavor. I need the recipe! After the salad came the Tuscan lasagna. Totally blah. I thought this came served with grilled zucchini, peppers and onions but I certainly didn't see any in my lasagna. Came served atop sauteed greens -- I thought they were good (it was broccoli rabe) but my friend thought they were too bitter, which is a common complaint for broccoli rabe anyway. I'll give this place another try but I was definitely a little disappointed. Maybe next time I'll go with the paradise casserole.

Ann P.

Yummy. Very charming little vegan restaurant on the upper east side that reminds me of Berkeley or Cambridge. Great escape in the buzz and overly salted/high calorie Manhattan entrees. Low key. Very healthy. I was introduced to this restaurant by an Indian friends years ago and have been dining there since.

anthony a.

The atmosphere is cozy and the staff are always friendly and have great food recommendations. I love both Candle Cafe and Candle 79 equally. You can't go wrong for a delicious and nutritious place to dine.

Wendy K.

After giving it a lot of thought, I decided that I needed to upgrade my original review. This is a solid restaurant with a lot of great choices for vegetarians and vegans.

Anh V.

ooohhh i thought i had it good in san francisco with millenium but this place blew it out of the water. after picking this place based on yelper review, i had such a tasty brunch here with friends. i'm a usual dairy and meat lover but i didn't feel like i missed any taste at all with all of their dishes that i sampled. it was all delectable. so no highlights since it was all good! the space was cozy though comforting. the only diss was the drone of the juice maker. i wish they had it in the back so i don't have to keep interrupting my friends by saying, "wwwhhaatt did you say??!!"

Audrey F.

I remember really liking the food and the vibe here, the one time I went. I would definitely return if it were more conveniently located.

Melody S.

One of the best veg restaurants in NYC, sez me. The seitan (anything) is amazing. 4 stars because it's too @#$% expensive, dammit.

Lauren L.

Back when I was a broke college student, I wrote an article about my love of Candle Cafe for my college newspaper (which they proudly display in their press section) and my meal tonight was as good as I remembered it. The sister restaurant to the ever-popular Candle 79, Candle Cafe offers much the same amazing food at a slightly cheaper price and a more casual setting. I had the tempeh sandwich that made me want to lick my plate, and my boyfriend had the Indian special, which was out of this world. My carnivore friends raved over their dishes--a seitan special and a stir fry--and we shared the seitan chimichurri (which is a must-get) as well as the hummus platter. Also amazing was the tofu cheesecake (although you could very much so taste the silken tofu, which leaves a slight aftertaste) and the chocolate cake. It gets packed on the weekends, but they do take phone reservations, which are recommended.

tal r.

If you want to go veggie, this is a great choice. I've even met people who trekked from bburg to come here! if vegan hipsters make the trek to the UES, you know it's gotta be good. I think the entrees are great, and so are the salads. The fruit crumble is always good, the other desserts don't do much for me, and I'm not a fan of soy ice cream. They also deliver...yum. UPDATE 5/28/07: Got some take-out, and was disappointed, to say the least. The Aztek salad was pretty tasteless, and the tuscan tomato soup lacked flavor. Also upset that they haven't switched to compostable/biodegradable to-go containers -- aren't they all about local, organic, environmentally friendly practices? I think perhaps their popularity is allowing the quality of the food to suffer. One meal on one night does not a reputation make, but I won't be going back anytime soon.

Aaron K.

This place is great for people with gluten intolerance and people living the vegan lifestyle. As someone who is lactose intolerant, the word "vegan" to me conjures up the notion of freedom. I can order anything and everything on the menu. This is not something I experience often, so that alone makes this a great experience. The cafe is small and was full the entire duration of our lunching (about 1 - 3 on sunday) Their fruit smoothies are incredible. The "Apple Betty" is an amazingly smooth lend of apple, pear, banana and cinnamon. Why are these not on every corner? Their mulled apple cider is also A+. The Nori appetizer is delicious, as is the chili. Their quesadilla appetizer had a bit too much cilantro for my taste (personal preference) and the corn bread that came with the chili was Sahara-dry (this is a bit more objective). As for the main courses, everyone's looked delicious. I ordered the Seitan sandwich and was generally pleased. There was a bit too much bitter green on it, which overpowered the flavor of the rest of the sandwich- it was delicious once I reduce the bitter greens. (and I like greens, it was just a matter of too many in the wrong place at the wrong time) Overall, the service was solid and the ambiance well suited to the food. I will definitely be coming back.

Pat D.

Seitan Chimichurri. The best of the best. Get 3 orders and you're set! The Aztec salad was great, perfectly cooked quinoa, fresh vegetables and great dressing. Tofu club was solid and the Bbq tempeh and sweet potato sandwich was a very unique and filling lunch item. I love the space and decoration, staff is usually helpful. Its expensive new york vegan food but its worth the money. Will always stop in atleast once when im in town.

Brianna G.

After hearing the rave reviews from the local vegans, I was excited to give this place a try. My dad and I went here for brunch on our last day in NYC and were not impressed. We each got the Green Goddess fresh juice. It was served warm, on the verge of hot. It was gross. I had to ask for ice on the side. Once the ice cooled it down a bit, I was able to get it down. For meals, I got the breakfast burrito and my dad got an indian dish. My burrito was huge but very plain tasting. I don't even think there was any salt and pepper added to this, nevermind any other seasonings. I could barely even eat it. I tried to be polite and took it home. But it ended up in the trash. My dad's indian dish was pretty good but nothing amazing. He felt that his dish lacked seasoning as well. Unfortunately, after having a weekend full of delicious vegan food, Candle Cafe was a big disappointment. :-/

Ann G.

I wonder if the Candle Cafe misses me as much as I miss it? I could probably pay a year of my daughter's tuition for how much $ I dropped in this place over the years. The food and service is incomparable-it was one of the few things that could make me go above 23rd St.

Alisa K.

Im not a vegetarian but I enjoyed the candle cafe's food! I got a sweetpotato pie type of dish with a bed of boiled? spinach--the sweet potato was creamy and delicious, but I DID NOT ENJOY the spinach like greens that covered the bottom of the plate. I knew when I tasted the spinach that if vegetarians were only restricted to eating plants, the population of vegetarians on this planet would drop by about 99.999 percent

Joanna D.

I've been coming to Candle Cafe for years. Their juices are amazing, I trust them so much. Also, for the first time last night, I tried the Paradise Casserole. TO DIE FOR. So delish. My standard order is the Mezze Plate and the Ginger Miso Stir Fry, but I was so thrilled to have the Paradise. So savory and sweet. Perfect combo. All the pies and cakes are tremendous, the cookies are kind of dry, but to be expected. I also love the Tuscan Seitan Parmasan Sandwich. I miss the Tofu Club!

Brandy A.

I went out of my way to go here on a friend's recommendation. I. Am. So. Glad. I. Did. Great meal. I had a super salad and a side of beets. Even ordered a second side of beets to go, b/c they were so good. Nice wait staff. Made me feel comfy as a woman dining alone. Anytime I'm back in NYC, I'll take time to go to Candle Cafe.

Lauren B.

I love the food at Candle enough to ignore the elbow-to-elbow tables.

marissa N.

the only star this place is missing in the affordability star. i subtract one star because i am so sad that i cannot eat at candle cafe every day. my homegirl was in town visiting and she insisted that we go to candle cafe 3 days in a row and split the cajun seitan sandwich and the tofu club. i am no fool - i did not protest. these sadnwhiches are the stuff vegan dreams are made of. the cajun seitan was crispy fried with grilled greans grilled onions on a ciabatta with some kind of chipotle mayo. i mean come ON! the tofy club was on whole grain bread and had the best vegan bacon ive ever had on it. it was also served with a vegan mayo. it wraps me in joy to have a menu where i can pick anything and it wall all be delicious and vegan. and unfortunately, heinously expensive. $14 for a sandwhich is prohibitive. please be kind to the brokies, candle cafe. we need you.

Stella S.

If you are looking for healthy and good food, this is definitly the place to go! I always have the 'good food plate', and it is always delicious. The portions are huge and so tasty! I also tried their carrot cake and it really was yummy! Their chocolate mousse cake was good. When you think that they do not use eggs or milk they really do an amazing job! I do have to say that it is a little bit pricey but the service was good, the place is a little crowdy but you can book so really give it a try, you won't be disappointed!

Elbert S.

Expecting crowds and a wait, we were seated quickly and the celebration of my 9th wedding anniversary began! Greeted by a full menu of a wide variety of foods, I found my one: Cajun seitan sandwich. As promised by other yelpers, delicious and nutritious. My bride enjoyed her Indian dish - a party for your mouth. The Immune-Booster smoothy was worth it, the mocha not. Friendly, prompt service. Definitely a keeper.

Sally P.

love the ginger miso stiry fry. lasanga is also good. indian plate is good and very filling. had a cheesecake once and it was awesome. also big fan of their walnut chocolate chip cookie.

Yuka S.

I went to this restaurant recently and it was a total disappointment. I always wanted to try this vegetarian restaurant so I stopped by after my reiki session near there. Once I came in, the staff basically ignored and I had to wait for a while to be seated. Then, I tried to order menu, but the dorky waiter totally ignored me and obviously didn't want to take my order. I watied almost 15 minutes there but nobody came to get my order, so I lost my patient and left. What customer service is that? I never had any foods there, but if the service is like this, I don't think they can survive for a long time. I will never go there again and I don't suggest anyone go there if you expect good customer service with care. Basically this place doesn't care at all! Really bad energy:(

Ana J.

HUGE menu. The casserole is amazing. The food is fresh, creative, organic and vegan. My main problem is making up my mind when I'm there! i'm not often in that hood, but when I am . . .

Amanda S.

Delicious vegetarian food and a good option for people who aren't used to eating vegetarian. The menu is extensive and the organic wines are great. I had the grilled bbq seitan sandwich and it was awesome. Very cozy and friendly staff but can be crowded. Worth the wait, though.

Jesse M.

I have to say, I wasn't quite pleased. The menu was extensive, and the waiter was very helpful. I am all for healthy cuisine, but as I digged into the Crystal Rolls, or Almond Crusted Seitan, I felt the flavors were all too powerful, trying to overcompensate for something, and It felt rushed. I would give it another shot though. After going back again, I tried the lasagna and it was delish, along with the dessert menu, now you won't feel as guilty.

Huan z.

The food is really good. It's my college buddy Meredith's Favorite Restaurant. Vegetarians love it. We ordered Crystal Roll,and Tofu Scramble. They are pretty tasty. It's in walk distance to Central Park. A nice walk to central park is recommend :)

Nicole C.

By far my favorite restaurant adn I'm not even vegan. One of the few restaurants where I have tried everything on the menu. I have taken many meat eating friends here, and they also loved it even though it is vegan.

Scott L.

A very good experience. Quite crowded for dinner, and there is often a long wait. The food is creative vegan and is very upscale. The only downside is the high fat content of the food.

sonia n.

This vegetarian/vegan restaurant is one of my favorite spots to eat. As a vegan I'm picky about my food. This place delivers fresh flavorful dishes as well as amazing juices. It does get crowded at dinner hour and weekend brunch, so plan accordingly!

Lisa R.

I been here many times and I always love there food. Like other people say, it can be a tad pricy, but it's NYC and you should expect that. Very friendly service and I absoutly love there hummus there. The atmosphere is typical for this type of establishment, very earthy, and i love it that way, and the wait staff is always a pleasure. Hands down 4-5 stars!!!

Aron S.

Try the Tuscan Lasagna as it is amazing. However, the Ginger-Miso Stir-Fry my friend had and the special I had were so so. Nothing amazing like Red Bamboo or Candle 79. Candle Cocktail and the Amazon Mania were both good drinks.

Jenny S.

a vegetarian HEAVEN. this menu has so many amazing choices, we could hardly decide on what to get. their specials list is fantastic...oh and alec baldwin was there when i went, so while trying not to be creepy and sneak looks over to his table, we concentrated on our meals... even though the place was really busy, we got seated immediately. jackpot. the smoothies are so tempting, i really wanted to order the PB & J one, but figured i'd get full before my meal so i passed on that. but next time. i got the pumpkin-seed crusted tofu, with some veggies and black beans and a yummy but weirdly-colored pink sauce. my dining partners had the lasagna and the tempeh/sweet potato sandwich - which comes with a ridiculous vegan creamy sauce that i could SWEAR has dairy in it, but alas, it does not. which makes it even cooler. the best part of this meal was undoubtedly the pumpkin-soy ice cream that we shared for dessert (yeah, i was on a pumpkin spree that night apparently). it was a special, so i'm not sure how often they have it, but it was life-changing. it tasted exactly like pumpkin pie. all you need is one scoop because it's so decadent. im so glad this place is in walking distance of my apartment, i will be back soon for sure. non-vegs will like it too, because the menu is extensive...and hey, this shit is so good that it might just turn veg skeptics into full-blown vegans. whole-hearted 5 stars, baby.

Adria R.

Definitely a must for all vegetarians living in the NY area. Awesome, fresh, food. Creative dishes that you can't get anywhere else in New York City and amazing freshly squeezed juices. Deserts are out of this world at this vegan-only restaurant. You'll never know that you are eating a nondairy desert. Amazing stuff. I recommend this restaurant for non-vegetarians too since there are plenty of dishes to choose from to please any palate. Highly recommended!

Brian K.

Healthy and fresh food served in an upper east side environment - it was most definitely worth the trip uptown!

Betty N.

The food was good and service was fine, but it was a bit expensive for the portion. I had heard so much about this place that perhaps my expectation was overblown. Certainly, the food was fresh and tasty, but $10 for 4 pieces of the Nori Roll was expensive. However, my entree of the Paradise Casserole was just right (price and size). My friend had the tofu club sandwich and a PBJ smoothie, which she said was very filling.

Nelson A.

I have eaten in a lot of vegan restaurants in my time, and I have to say, this one was amazing. We (there were four, two vegans, one pseudo-vegetarian and one carnivore) had difficulty deciding because everything looked amazing. When the food came, everything /was/ amazing. I haven't eaten that much food in a long time! I feel as though I ate half of everyone's entrees (leaving many an angry stare from my fellow eaters). What followed was the most distrubingly amazing desert safari in recent history. We had rice pudding, carrot cake, chocolate mousse pie and decadent chocolate cake. All were unbelievable. We picked every plate clean and spent the last ten minutes at the table figuring out who had stolen all of our dessert. The only black spot on the restaurant was the espresso, which was sub-par. The waitress tried her best (she even took ours back to bring us a different attempt), but it was obvious that they were having mechanical difficulties.

Rebecca L.

The food is good, healthy, etc. But it's not incredible, I don't crave it and I'm not dying to go back. In a city with so many options those feelings kind of become prerequisites.

Tara B.

The food was good but not good enough for the price. I would happily go back if someone else were paying. The banana cake looked amazing but was only so so.

Vegan G.

Although the food is superb, because the quantity is so small and the prices are so high, the seitan choices are few (which in my opinion is one of the only things worth paying higher money for), the place is VERY small & crowded and your neighbors are almost in your face, and the vegan choices are limited (but many for vegetarian) they only get 3 stars. It's sad that a place with such great tasting food has to be so overpriced and give such small quantities.

Margaret B.

Yum. I rarely venture to the Upper East Side but I was enticed by a non-vegan friend with the promise of vegan food. I hope to try ever vegan / vegetarian place in the city at some point so I really couldn't turn it down. Boy am I glad I didn't. Candle Cafe way to go! I felt the prices were a little steep but my food really was great. The ambiance was laid-back but not without a little charm. Candle Cafe provides a wonderful haven for vegans, and non-vegans a-like, on the upper east side. Be sure to check it out.

Rose V.

I took my grandmother here on Saturday for her 87th birthday. We had the squash soup which was yummy (as squash soup tends to be) but nothing too special. However, my Tempeh and sweet potato sandwich was OOTW (out of this world) and she ate all of her Middle Eastern Plate. We finished off with a piece of the vegan chocolate pie (with a candle) which was sensational. The restaurant had great energy, the staff was patient and helpful, the food came out quickly and the soup was hot. As a vegetarian I would certainly recommend it for you and your grandparents.

Suzanna T.

Had a great meal at Candle Cafe last night, although I must admit it was not quite the veggie mecca I had built it up in my mind to be. I had the green goddess juice cocktail (sorry, this doesn't actually contain alcohol, kids) which was good but not amazing. I would highly recommend that they consider adding alcohol to some of their cocktail concoctions, cause I bet there is huge potential for deliciousness there.... Anyway, I started with the Aztec salad and I was all about those spicy pumpkin seeds and the toasted cumin vinaigrette- YUM- and the salad was big enough that I could have probably eaten it as my entire meal. Instead, I opted not to finish the salad and ordered the Paradise casserole as my entree. Unexpectedly, the best part of the casserole for me might have been the bed of steamed greens which it sat on- they were cooked perfectly and added a nice bit of crunch to the dish. The flavors of the casserole itself were good, but it would have been 10 times more satisfying if it were served piping hot instead of lukewarm. Candle cafe has a lot of interesting tempeh/seitan/tofu options but I wish there were some more veggie-centric options that were all about the vegetables. I also really wanted to try some of the dessert options, but was way too full to keep going. Guess I'll just have to go back!

Rose G.

I came here yesterday with my mommy (: The Candle Cafe looks really small from the outside but when we went inside, it was 4x Atlas Cafe, wow. There were alot of people waiting in line but we didn't have to wait much. I ordered the collard green rolls for an appetizer and it was really good, especially the sauce and the pickled onions on top which were super sour and delicious. Mom shared the House Salad with me and it was good too. I had the pomegranate grilled tofu, I didn't like the way it felt in my mouth. Maybe firm tofu isn't my thing, it felt like meat in my mouth bleh but I did enjoy the mashed potato! I got the Amazon Mania smoothie, they were kinda slow with it, I got it nearly at the end of my meal but it was the best smoothie I have ever had! Yum I would love to go there just for that smoothie haha. Omg my mouth is watering right now mmm. They only had 2 desserts to choose from and it wasn't vegan but I was already stuffed so I wasn't that bummed. Both mom and I agreed on coming back here again in the future.

crystal r.

I've been here twice. The tofu scramble was perfect and tempeh bacon was also. The Sweet potato and Black Bean Caserole was perfect. The service was fine. The cafe is well decorated and the neighborhood is fancy pants (well, fancy yoga pants). I got two baked goods to go. The Oatmeal chocolate chip cookie was dry and too sweet. The Date and Oat bar crumbled to pieces before it even reached my mouth and I dropped most of it on the floor. I don't recommend either of those treats. Go for the hot food.

e k.

this place is really tasty. I got the pomegranate tofu which comes piled on top of mashed potatoes and parsnips and kale, with veggie gravy all over everything. Hella delicious. But not worth $19, in my opinion. Also they have so many tables crammed in that you're sitting really, really close to your neighbors. So, five stars for the food, and maybe 3 for the price and ambience. On the high side of two dollar signs- I spent about $73 for two people, $20 of that being beer.

Hugo S.

Had lunch here today, and we're planning to try the slightly more upscale Candle 79 tonight. Crowded on a rainy day, the service was prompt and efficient and the food marvelous. Hands down, the best vegan Caesar salad I've ever had, followed by a wonderful sesame crusted tofu dish. Before I went vegan, I loved my tuna and Mahi-Mahi; the exquisite tastes in this dish brought back memories of everything I had loved about fish. A wonderfully diverse menu and a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Alice C.

so delicious. i love the aztec salad and candle cafe juice (greens + beets). have not strayed to try anything else yet. a great pre or post yoga meal.

Charlene C.

candle cafe has fantastic vegan entrees And desserts. the atmosphere is comfy, airy and light-hearted. there are always plenty of people eating there with friends, young children, or alone with a book at the bar. i like the menu because it is varied and interesting--quite colorful. both the entrees and desserts are very generous in portion! i love the cajun seitan sandwich--it comes with a serious aioli. you also can't go wrong with the indian plate. it's found on the specials menu because they change up the different curries and chutney. and i always get the carrot cake if it's available. i wish i could go here everyday--i haven't been able to get through every dish yet! so yum!!

Louise A.

Embarrassed that we may have been spotted by the same staff member (owner?) that helped us out at candle 79 the night before, but after that subsided this was an even better experience than Candle 79. We arrived right as they opened on a Sunday and were seated right away. I got two iced coffees with soy milk...which I normally don't like in coffee, but they must make their own..it was yummy. I couldn't help but order a second one. We got an order of the chimmichurri seitan appetizer, which was yummerific...it tasted like steak, but in a good way!! And who knows its been close to 20 years since I've had red meat so I may not remember what streak tastes like anymore. I then got the porcini crusted seitan with potatoes and greens...(thereby continuing my obsession with crusty vegi protein)....it was to die for...I almost didn't share :) My friend got the paradise casserole which was also good, but I'm glad I got what I got. We then got two yummy vegan cookies to go. Overall, an amazing meal to rave about. People, quit bitching about the price..THIS is in NYC!

Diana B.

Yeah, it's good. Here, ladies with headbands.

shilpa p.

they have a fabulous tea and wine selection. i had a great sandwhich and i'm not a vegetarian, but i would certainly go here again and take my carnivorous friends as well. i would love to try it for brunch.

Amy B.

Every time I go to Candle Cafe, I wonder why I don't go more often. The food is good, the service competent and friendly. And all things considered, it is reasonable. The Aztec salad rocks!

Sally B.

I am simply obsessed. This place is all about local, fresh, and organic. Everything is insanely delicious. I not only feel healthy and satisfied after my meal, but I always feel good about supporting a place that supports local farms and the environment! You will not be disappointed!

Hannah F.

I brought two skeptical friends who did not understand the concept of vegan food. They assumed tasteless tofu and boring vegetables, what else could vegan mean? They were pleasantly surprised when their food exceeded thier expectations, they loved the pulled seitan sandwich. I have been here many times and I always have a great expereince. The food is definitly on the pricey side, especially for a cafe, but the quality and creativity of the food is unbeatable.

Heather C.

the non-seitan/fake meat dishes were very tasty. i hihgly enjoyed by indian plate. but, the imitation cheese and meat are not up my ally - i can now definitely say that vegan tapioca cheese is very unappetizing! i definitely wouldn't bring someone unfamiliar with vegan food here.

kate s.

i've been waiting to try out the candle cafe since i found out it existed 5 years ago. we went for lunch the day after we tried out its sister restaurant, candle 79, and i have to say, i think i liked the cafe better! a little less pretentious (a tiny bit less expensive, but not much), and just as delicious. the chimichurri appetizer was as good as everyone said, so don't skip it. the paradise casserole i had was amazing (though the greens were a bit too bitter for my taste) and my friend's crusty seitan was also delicious. there are so many choices on the menu that it took forever for us to choose what to order. candle cafe, i will be back!

angela n.

We had a tasty vegetarian brunch here. Even my ultra-carnivorous friend proclaimed the tempeh "shockingly good." I had the BBQ tempeh/sweet potato/kale sandwich. Usually I shy away from such healthy-sounding fare, but in this case, I'm glad I took the chance. High vitamin content without sacrificing rich flavors? I'm sold.

Jenna H.

I'm not vegan. I'm not even vegetarian. Hell, I don't even even healthily a great majority of the time. But I LOVE this place. Whenever I'm in the area I drag whoever's with me to grab a bite to eat here because it's just so damn scrumptious. And probably my favorite component of any dish is the raisin date chutney in the indian plate/indian wrap...soooo delicious!

Amanda E.

Candle Cafe has become my favorite north-of-14th St hangout and place to grab a quick bite and glass of green juice. I actually haul ass to the UES to come here. The service is always friendly and the food is really good. Be sure to get cake for dessert. The only downer, besides the uptown location (for me), is the price - I rarely spend less than $30 for lunch.

Sara K.

It was just good. I was really excited to try this restaurant-I brought my friend for her birthday. We shared the meze plate, the cajun seitan sandwich and the chocolate pie dessert. The meze plate was the best part. The hummus was amazing, and the pita was really soft and doughy. The seitan sandwich was just alright. It had a lot of bread and not enough 'fix-ins'! The aioli was incredible though. The dessert was decadent, but I've had better vegan treats. The service was fabulous. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience but I won't be rushing back!

kate d.

My friend and I were deciding between Candle Cafe and Ethiopian food last night. The array of delicious-sounding options on the menu at Candle Cafe made the decision for us and we were not disappointed. I got the BBQ tempeh and sweet potato sandwich and really enjoyed it. Plus it was nice to have the mayo come on the side without me even asking for that. My friend ordered the lasagne and it was delicious as well. Because diet soda is one of my guilty pleasures, I wish they'd offer a "natural" diet soda, like Hane's. And, I wouldn't have complained if I had gotten a little more of the greens with the sandwich, but that's just because I'm cheap. Nevertheless, I loved the food and I hope I have an excuse to come back here again soon - and to bring some other non-vegans so they can see how delicious this food can be.

Robert L.

I cannot give this restaurant anything less than 5 stars. This was my first time here and I can be rather cynical so maybe I was just lucky. But this place is phenominal. They offer large portions, but not too large, the staff is very friendly the restaurant is clean and welcoming. I'm absolutely amazed. I'm not vegetarian because I eat chicken and turkey, but I'm trying to stop eating meat. This place will make anyone realize how delicious food can be without meat. I ordered an entree from their specials list which had black beans and guacamole atop rice. At the very top of this large pile of deliciousness was this orange zesty flavored seitan. It was so good that I ate the entire plate and wobbled out of there completely sated. To start, my friend and I ordered the Mezze Plate. You have to try this!!!! It's not just hummus, it has tabouli and the lemon-date chutney is out of this world. But I just remembered one not-so-good thing. Every restaurant does this, but they don't provide enough parata bread with this appetizer. They give you alot of hummus, tabouli and chutney, but not enough bread with it. But then again, we didn't ask for more. I think the price is fairly reasonable, and I would definitely go back to this place again.

Ian S.

Excellent vegan restaurant with good choice (we even brought our meat-eating friends). The seasonal menu keeps things exciting. Very good, relaxed atmosphere.

Kurt T.

OK let me start by saying that I am not a vegetarian nor a vegan. I went to this establishment while I was visiting my vegan friend in NYC while I had a lull in my reality show production in Miami. That being said I've eaten at vegan restaurants in LA as well so I do have a frame of reference in this review. First of all I will say that it wasn't bad, it was actually quite pleasant. I think they could lose the "Love animals don't eat them" sticker from the front door. You can not eat meat and still be less militant! The Yelp sticker on the window made me immediately want to go home and review it although do to my busy nomadic lifestyle this summer I haven't been able to get around to it until today. I got some kind of spinach quiche/pie thing, obviously it wasn't quiche cause heaven forbid you eat eggs or milk or cheese! I mean I hear in vegan circles that they're poisonous...wierd I eat them and I'm still alive...oh well. My friend got some sort of sesame encrusted tofu thing that wasn't bad either although she said that they changed the recipe and that it was way better the last time she had it. I must say though without a doubt that the garlic mashed potatos were AWESOME and so were the mixed veggies that I got. OK so this brings me to my biggest beef with this place and every vegan place for that matter. They serve room temperature water. No Ice. LAME! I've heard it all before from you people "your body absorbs water better at room temperature..." Fuck that! It was like 95 degress outside with a like 400% humidity outside! I want ice in my goddamn water! We don't need to hear about how warm water is better for you. If you want warm water go stick your head in a lake or Turtle Pond over at Central Park...when I come into a restaurant I want ICE in my water and not have to ask for it. That being said...I would go back here when I was in NYC again and eating with vegan friends. The staff was nice and didn't try to preach their beliefs to me..because it wouldn't have worked. If you're a vegan in NYC I'm sure you'll love this place. For the rest of us omnivores, I would suggest only eating here with your vegan friends.

emily b.

i love this place. my absolute favorite thing on their menu (and maybe in nyc) is the carrot cake. it is amazingly moist and not overly sweet like a lot of vegan cakes at other places. other favorites are the paradise casserole and good food plate (i like the grilled tofu, sauted greens, beans, and potato-turnip mash). i am a fan of basic, healthy, yummy vegetarian food - and candle cafe delivers that for a fairly decent price. i agree that the portions are fairly large - i've shared an entree a few times and its been the perfect amount for 2 people. i haven't made it to candle 79 yet, so i'm not sure how they compare.

Rrose S.

I ate here during a visit to NYC and I was expecting more. I ordered an "Indian" platter and got a $15 plate of something that I wouldn't even be proud of if I whipped it up in my own kitchen. The menu stated that there was "chickpea curry," but my dish didn't have a single chickpea to be found- just some bland lentils, potatoes and cauliflower with a little cumin, and cabbage. Maybe my Indian food standards are superficially high, or maybe it was not the house specialty, but I was pretty disappointed.

Joseph G.

OK. I'll start with the positive things, and yes, there are some with a two star review. Good music, good wine selection and good juices (I like the carrot, apple, ginger). Now the reason why I'm giving it only two stars...The food. I've only been twice, my second time being a couple of hours ago, and my first visit was good, if not mediocre, this visit could not even be rated at that. On my first visit we had some decent appetizers (the quessadillias being one of them) but my main dish of vegan lasagna, which was a special, wasn't so special. There were many vegetables mentioned in the description that were not in the actual dish and my stomach was upset for the remainder of the evening (I gave them the benefit of the doubt and assumed it wasn't related). I live nowhere near the upper east side, so, I figured since I was going to be in the general area tonight, I would give them another try and I really wish I hadn't. Besides my beverages, I felt ripped off. I ordered the Burrito, which at eighteen dollars should be spectacular, but it was not. Since when does red marinara sauce belong in a burrito? The flavor of the sauce was so overpowering, I didn't want to finish it, but I did because it was so expensive. I could have had a much better vegan burrito at my local mexican take-out place for half the price. I'm not sure if I'll be back.

Mike S.

Good vegan food, and good place to take meat-eating friends/family who aren't adventurous enough to try places with fake meat.

olivia s.

Compared to the other vegetarian restaurants I have tried, the Candle Cafe is just OK. I definitely enjoy the food, but NYC is full of tons of great veg restaurants and most (if not all) non-veg restaurants offer some amazing veg dishes. So I don't really feel the pull to have to eat at Candle Cafe every time I visit NYC.

Manan A.

My wife and I love this place. While the standard menu doesn't change much the specials are quite unique. the chocolate moose cake is also fantastic!

Linda Z.

Maybe I made a mistake by being seated promptly at 11:30 AM on Mother's Day before the lunch rush, but I left feeling like my experience here was just average. We had to wait for a very long time for waffles, which were served cold - not room temperature - they seemed to have been sitting in the back for quite some time. I had the tuscan seitan sandwich, which was served hot and was very good. Our waitress came by only once to ask if we got everything we had ordered - NOT how the food was, etc. I think that this cute little cafe is very hyped but serves just average quality food. I was really surprised to see Silk soymilk instead of a better local (e.g. VT Soy or Soyboy, etc.) or at least organic soymilk being used. It seems like they also use a lot of pre-prepared/packaged foods from large companies instead of smaller, local places. Hopefully that changes seasonally as more local foods become available.

Hae-Jin K.

unless i'm reincarnated as a bunny rabbit and eating my own backyard, vegetarian cuisine/lifestyle is not for me. however, the divine dishes at candle cafe are so damn delicious that i don't even care that i don't know what i'm eating (seitan?!?).

Jen P.

tried it for valentine's day with a friend. the prixe fixe dinner was really good, i think i preferred the pasta to the seitan. desserts were tasty too. a little pricey.

laura b.

take me here and not only will i put out, i'll do all the work. and i think we both know what i'm talking about. but in case you don't, i'm basically saying that i'll eat both entrees, you fucking pervert.

Christina S.

Wonderful vegetarian fare - creative menu and beautiful presentation. Casual, cozy place to get lunch or dinner. Their desserts are fantastic!

Lori M.

The food is so fresh here. You feel healthier just by walking in. As a vegetarian, I rarely find vegan places that my meat eating friends will go. But Candle Cafe has been a winner every time!

Trystero T.

overall good vege, although a little on the pricey side. relatively good atmosphere. the tofu + brown rice dish was a little too salty. good deserts.

Amy Z.

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 Crepe and was reluctant to share with me, ha. Given his allergies, this is his first time enjoying crepe 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!

Rebecca D.

We ordered the crispy dumplings appetizer and they were really stellar, great flavor with a perfectly done shell. This gave us great hope for the entrees to come. We were wrong. My manicotti was disappointing; bland in parts, strangely earthy in others with a sort of sour tasting spinach and rabe and chewy with no creaminess that should be present in a dish like that. My boyfriend got the crispy cajun salad and it was fine but not good enough for the price, although he did say he was impressed with how much spice they were able to get into it. That all being said, the service was really outstanding. We never went a few minutes without our water glasses being re-filled or asked if we needed anything. Truly great in that respect. But, the tastiness (or lack thereof) of the main dishes coupled with the price (which, look, I get it's NY and I've paid higher but I want to at least feel satisfied after I sign the check) makes me think I probably won't be back.

Gina L.

If you're a vegan, make a pitstop here. Who cares if you just ate. Eat here. It's a nicer New York restaurant so it won't be the cheapest meal of your life, but I believe reasonably priced based on quality of food, service, and atmosphere. Made for a wonderful girls' night out dinner! Would go again in a heartbeat. As another reviewer stated, NYC vegan tradition.

Helene C.

I ordered the Mezze Plate from the Gluten-free menu which comes with crudites (carrots and celery) instead of parata bread, hummus, quinoa tabouli, lemon-date chutney, zataar. The hummus has a yummy orange color and it's a generous size. The lemon-date chutney is deliciously sweet.

Krsnacandra D.

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 entree 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.

SuperJisan Z.

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.

Claire F.

I've been here maybe half a dozen times, mostly preYelp days and every time has been cozy, friendly and filled with yummy healthy food. Last night I munched on the perfectly crispy dumplings with a diced mushroom medley inside and paired with a balsamic-y sauce and mini salad of green market freshness. And how random that they had an outstanding rosé from Aix-en-Pce, the favorite place that I lived in France.

Asmita J.

BLT to go was delicious! I can't wait to order from here again....just need to get my partner on board!

AJ B.

First time here and what a pleasant surprise...had club soda to start and they happen to have my favorite...Q Soda...then guacamole...the chips were above average....my main course was the Eggplant Napoleon...superb!!! Left room for dessert...the cherry crumble with ice cream...fantastic!!!! I can't wait to try all the other menu items...I left feeling totally energized!

Alexis B.

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!

Priti R.

This place is a vegetarian's paradise. I've never had seitan before, but wow does it feel like it resembles the texture of meat. I came here on a Sunday night and was seated right away. Got the Crispy Dumplings to start - which were delicious (the spicy balsamic dipping sauce blended so well with the rest of the dumpling). Then as a second starter, we tried the mac and cheese made with tapioca. I really enjoyed it because it had less salt than a typical M&C and still tasted "creamy". Then we moved on to the chili-lime seitan - it was very filling and the quinoa blended perfectly to calm down the chiliness of the seitan (albeit a bit too dry). The dollop of guac on top was nice - although it was about the size of my thumb and a little bit more would've gone a long way! I'm really not sure how this costs $22 at all - perhaps seitan is a bit harder to cook? The decor is really inviting, and the servers we all very nice and friendly. A bit of a tighter space towards the back, but all-in-all a good dining experience. It's just a bit too expensive for me, so I'll come back on a "treat yo'self" occasion!

Melissa H.

The best VEGAN food in NYC, hands down. Sounds like an oxymoron, right? "Tasty vegan food". Well, let me tell you something: this is the vegan restaurant to win over any/all non-believers. Let's start with the starters. I recommend ordering a few and sharing. The Grilled Chimichurri Seitan Skewers are incredible. They taste very meaty and are sure to satisfy. For something lighter, the Summer Rolls and Avocado & Heart of Palm Ceviche are crisp and refreshing and paired with delectable sauces. Skip the Mezze plate, which you can get at any decent Middle Eastern/Mediterranean joint. Now, onto the sandwiches, the Cajun Seitan Club is what dreams are made of: crispy, breaded seitan, avocado, vegan mayo and caramelized onions. I wouldn't call this health food, but I am a big believer that not all calories are created equal, so at least you can relish in knowing this orgasmic food is made with whole, healthy ingredients. One of my faves is also the Tofu Club, but sadly they took this off the menu (if you're reading this Candle Cafe, please bring it back! And the Paradise Casserole, as well). :'( As for the entrees, I highly recommend the Ginger Miso Stir-fry or the Mexican Lasagna. Too delicious. You'd never guest that something so good, could be so good for you! They also have a great option called the "Good Food Plate", which is 4 sides and 2 sauces. Like everything else on the menu, the desserts are pretty awesome, too - but I wouldn't call them healthy, just healthier than your average sweets. The tofu Chocolate Cake is crazy good and the Carrot Cake may be ever better. I have a weakness for the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Long story short, you really can't go wrong here, whether you're vegan, or not.

Isaac E.

I was nervous about going here. I've tried doing the vegan thing for a meal and it just hasn't worked for me in the past. What can I say? I just like the taste of meat and animal by products. Either way, I joined a friend for a meal here and my mind was completely changed. I had the steamed dumplings, grilled artichokes, and the risotto. I became an instant fan and they made it work REALLY well. I ddin't miss the meat and the food was cooked perfectly. Yes I'll go here again and I'll most likely explore the menu a bit more the next time I'm in NYC.

Laura D.

Can't wait to come back here. My best friend & I had the Indian Platter. It was simple, not heavy, and a lot of flavor. This place gets packed, come early. Also gotta love when the servers constantly fill up my water. Service is friendly and food came out fast.

Adam G.

I have been to Candle 79 (its big, fancier brother also on the UES) once before and the food was slightly better, but Candle Cafe certainly holds its own. A hippy vibe with vegan fare is hard to come by in the Upper East Side of New York City, but Candle Cafe serves quality, tasty food in a unique atmosphere for NYC. We started with the Mezze Plate and the pita is actually what stood out - it was warm and perfectly toasted. I had the Chili-Lime Seitan as my entree and was impressed how they can turn seemingly bland ingredients into a solid meal. It comes with greens, quinoa, black bean sauce (the highlight) and avocado salad. I'll be back to Candle Cafe - the service is friendly and calm while the food is tasty and healthy.

Jenny C.

cozy. welcoming. good vegetarian options. friendly and fast service. good lighting. good portions.

Swati P.

For someone who has had a ton of vegan food living near Portland, Candle Cafe had some fabulous new surprises. I ordered the BBQ Tempeh and Sweet Potato Sandwich and a Mango Lassi and loved them both. You'd never imagine something mushy like sweet potato being nice in a sandwich, but it was! I requested the bartender to add some chocolate syrup in the Mango Lassi, and it was glorious. The portion sizes were good, and I was full (and this was around noon) and didn't even need dinner later. I highly recommend the place to anyone wanting good vegan food in east Manhattan. Since I was from out of town, I felt it was pricey, but even the Whole Foods here in Manhattan was crazy expensive, so I'm not complaining.

Seema J.

When you travel many many miles on several highways and pay a bridge toll to experience "healthy food", you don't expect to leave unsatisfied, hungry and thinking that this is by far a really poor decision you've made in a long time. The JACKFRUIT Tacos should appropriately be renamed the PINEAPPLE tacos, as it was the ONLY thing that I tasted. As for the jackfruit, I could not identify or taste it, I came from a tropical country where this grows bountiful, this shouldn't have been hard. After the server helped me figured out where it was on my plate, I was suprised that the main ingredient in this dish was a tiny portion of shredded jackfruit that was coated with barbecued sauce. It was almost non-existent! My coco date shake, was a glass of the blandest smoothie I ever had. All I tasted was the half ripe bananas in there. Couldn't even detect any hint of the date. And I would have preferred if this was topped off with some shredded coconut instead of turmeric. Good creative menu, but falls short in execution. Service is slow. This is not worth the trip for me!

Kate S.

Just had a terrible experience here. I ordered for take out and asked my sandwich to be a wrap. It came out with all the insides out together as a sandwich without the bun, but with tortilla on the side. When I came back to bring it back all that was done was they took it in the back and put exactly how it was into the already cold tortilla. When it came out it was falling apart and inedible. Mac and cheese came out cold as well. I will not be coming back here again due to incompetence of their staff.

Tamara H.

Excellent service. We stumbled upon this restaurant and decided to give it a try, not knowing it was vegan. Happily, we all loved our dishes. I ordered the Black Bean Burger with fries, very tasty and filling. My niece had the "BLT". She devoured it and the sweet potato fries it came with. We left with yummy food in our tummies and happy to have received such amazing service.

Allen T.

Let me start that i am not vegan but i was dragged here by a friend of mine who insisted i should start eating healthy. I was quite presumptuous when it came to visiting a vegan joint, but was pleasantly surprised. The food was very tasty, even for people with high expectations, who are not vegan. I don't know you can make a lasagne without any meat but it was amazing! I recommend trying it, I think it was called the Tuscan Lasagne and it is superb. Maybe I should become a vegan after all.

Emily L.

Too pricy and little potion. Should not believe stars from yelp. Kind of regret. Vegan or healthy food don't need to be this expensive. Service was OK

Marina V.

Nice place, amazing desserts! We tried a notable carrot cake and it is to die for. I'm giving the place 4 stars as the portions are not to big and the prices are high. But all in all, good choice of vegan dishes and great service!

Alexandra S.

I went for lunch - they were just about full. I sat at the bar even though they offered me their last table. The service was fast and VERY personable. the bartenders were so damn nice. Food: Chocolate Mouse Pie: Want to forget that you're a vegan as you drag yourself through the hell that that is eating something ridiculously good that is excruciatingly tantalizingly decadent and filling? This is your treat. My advice? Split this with somebody or get some balancing desert (sorbet or coconut ice cream?). I had it first when I was ravenous and I got about 3/4 through before my stomach was like HOLD UP, TONGUE, I'M TRYING TO KEEP UP DOWN HERE. mmm mm good. Manicotti: I was expecting this to be very different. Probably because I never get manicotti as a vegan so I forgot what it was. (See picture) I mean it was good but it didn't blow my mind. Probably because I was imagining seitan stuffed raviloi swimming in a cream tomato sauce with greens. and I prefer my greens a bit more acidic to take the bitter edge off. But that's just me! Cajun Seitan Burger to go: yum! but would have been better in house. I tried a fry when I got it: divine. Later? a little sadder. the sandwich was tasty! Caramelized onions, avocado, aoli, foccacia. YES. Overall a good spot. I'd return!

Angela L.

I moved away and this place expanded while declining! What happened to the peanut butter bomb?! Why wasn't I told there'd be a $5 delivery charge (I tipped him an additional $2 because I had no idea)?! My sandwich wasn't cut and the side salad was just five pieces of spinach. The worst though was my iced coffee was covered in scotch tape and had exploded all over my subpar lunch. $30 for an impossible-to-eat sandwich covered in spilled coffee. Definitely won't get delivery again!

Laura G.

This is a great little restaurant! I've been a vegetarian for my whole life so it's very refreshing to find a restaurant where I can eat everything on the menu. Tried the chimichurri skewers, the raspberry lemonade, the guacamole, and the tofu club sandwich. All were excellent! As a table we shared the chocolate mousse, the carrot cake, and the fruit crumble a la mode (that day, it was apple cinnamon). The carrot cake was the weakest of the three, being very dense and it did not have a very strong flavor. My favorite of all that I tried was the tofu club sandwich, which was very filling and had great flavor. The guacamole was excellent- but $12! It's not really a specialty vegan food because no matter where you get it, it's vegan! The entrees seemed to be fairly priced, but the drinks and some of the appetizers were very expensive. Our service was excellent and the server was very amicable. The ambiance is mediocre; not very fancy. I would come back here, but it may be more of a casual lunch place. Come here hungry! Even though it's vegan that doesn't mean it's not rich or filling. We all exited much more stuffed than if we had gone to a non-vegan restaurant.

Roopa S.

This place is the definition of trendy... have been seeing tons of vegan and vegetarian spots like this one popping up all over the place. Feels fresh, organic, local, and healthy! And this place is full of hearty meals. That being said, I did feel slightly underwhelmed after dining here. The flavors are a little too subdued for me, and I didn't find myself gushing over anything in particular. My favorite of the meal was probably the dessert we had (which says something... of course I'd like the chocolate dessert best at a vegan/vegetarian healthy spot). I've tried the Ginger-Miso Stir Fry and the Good Food Plate (make your own with sides/veggies/sauces). Both were average. The place is also quite pricey for the food/underwhelming flavors, and I felt pretty disappointed with the lack of value I felt after leaving the restaurant. Overall, it is a hip and trendy place... but the execution fell a little short of expectations. TIP: Do not skimp on the chocolate dessert. It might save an otherwise lackluster meal.

Yuki K.

This is one of my favorite restaurants. They are organic vegan, sustainable and local. And the food is fantastic, service great. I guess the space is a little too narrow and not that comfortable, not much natural light. But the food and service definitely make up for that irrelevant detail.

B T.

I was really looking forward to another incredible Candle Cafe experience. Our first experience at Candlen79 was superb! However I must say that on Saturday evening July 25, 2015 I took ny dear friend to a pre-celebration birthday dinner and it was unfortunate, because the food was lovely, but not as good as Candle 79. There appeared to be an incredible number of wait - staff but none were consistently attentive. Our original waiter Dominique was lovely, but he never took our order, and finally came over and said he was leaving and gave us another name, and this person never arrived. We looked up and Dominique never left the cafe!!! He was waiting on others....that was odd! Finally we got someone's attention and Josh (jist arrived for his shift) and he helped us....he was charming and helpful. I do want to add that there was only one person in the front area that was working so incredibly hard...we assumed she was the manager. I did not get her name, but she was knowledgeable about the food and she was the person that graciously took our order. I will not return to this location and I'd recommend if you want to be served food in a timely fashion then I would definitely not go here.

Rachel Z.

This place does vegan food RIGHT. One peeve I have with vegan places is that the foods are greasy, fried, or in some other way unhealthy, but disguised as "healthy" vegan fare. Candle Cafe isn't it. They present vegan food just as is, no trying to cover up or overcompensate with extra oil or sauce. Everything that I tried was freshly prepared in a way that I would cook for myself at home. I ordered the grilled portobello steak and sweet potato smoothie. The entree was nutritious and satisfying, but it was the smoothie that stood out. The guy at the bar suggested adding peanut butter, which sounded like a great idea in my books. Was it ever. It was like drinking pie in a glass, indulgent tasting yet healthy! I love that this place turns such simple, seasonal ingredients into hearty and delicious meals. Only wish they had locations further downtown.

Sunny S.

This place is great! It's a very cozy restaurant - they pack in as many tables as they can and it's hard to navigate through, but many restaurants do this. Two friends and I came here for dinner last night - I made a reservation and was able to call a few hours before and push it back, which was nice of them. Our waitress was extremely helpful and super nice. She gave great recommendations and was patient with us. We ordered a bottle of Malbec and it was really nice and smooth. For appetizer, we got the seitan chimichurri and it was delicious! The seitan came out on skewers and the way they grilled it with the spices/sauces were amazing. I expected them to be chewy, but they weren't, which was a nice surprise. They are a bit difficult to cut, if you cut them instead of eating the entire cube. For dinner, I got the porcini crusted seitan because the herbed potato mash in the description sold me and the waitress said it's one of her favorite (and most popular) meals. It was very good. It's a bit difficult to eat because the sietan strips are essentially just laid on top of the mashed potatoes, spinach, and some small cut-up veggies around the side. It was a nice portion - it filled me up, but not to the point of where I felt like I overate. I definitely will be back here to try the other eclectic things on their menu!

Tommy N.

Delicious food, I had the seitan crispy dumplings and they were amazing. Definitely not lacking any flavor and you won't miss eating meat at all.

Noam S.

Great place with a huge variety of interesting and tasty dishes. Try out the burger and kale salad! Highly recommended.

Allison Z.

Perfection! Vegan is a tricky category, and this place sits nicely between the homey, good-vibed, casual green cafes and the upscale vegan cuisine only NYC could master. Whether you want a smoothie, soup, club sandwich, or a signature dish such as lasagna, you'll find it. The carrot cake was decadent. And the wait staff was white-tablecloth level of service. Highly recommend!!

Mary Jane R.

Second time around at the Candle Cafe and I am upping my rating to a 5 star! The Crispy Cajun salad and the Portobella Steak were both delicious. Ending the meal with carrot cake made the meal perfect. What a treat! The service was very helpful and friendly, and they did not rush us out the door. I highly recommend The Candle Cafe!!

Siobhán H.

Let's conduct an experiment. Take 10 people with various dietary choices, strap on a blindfold and feed them a bite of the seitan chimichurri- My guess is not one of them would hesitate to say this is not a cruelty free plate of food. Dined here with two of my favourite vegan buds and they found the texture of this dish almost unsettlingly like it came from an animal. Once you get past the mouth feel this is a really, really, really good appetizer. The seitan was tender and juicy and the portion is big enough to share. I ordered a few glasses of the sangria while very good, especially with the bits of cherry floating around in the glass, is a wee pricey for my budget at $13.00 a glass. The lasagna was, again, a shareable portion. I had ordered the cajun seitan sandwich and was most definitely not a mistake. The meat was a bit chewier than the chimichurri skewers but nonetheless delicious. And, last but not least- Dessert. We ordered a slice of carrot cake to share. Candle's is quite good but I think Peacefood may hold the title for the most delicious vegan carrot cake in the city. Candle Cafe is the best. I would eat here everyday if I could.

Ha L.

I'm not a vegan/vegetarian, but I'm a HUGE fan of Candle Cafe! Housemade dumplings - I'm usually not a fan of sweet potato, but the flavors in this dumpling blended very well together. Ginger miso stir fry - fresh vegetables and tofu tossed in a delicious sauce over a bed of rice; I'd highly recommend this dish. Chocolate mousse pie - do NOT walk out of the restaurant without getting this, especially if you're a chocolate lover like me. Great service combined with food you can feel good about makes this place the perfect casual lunch/dinner spot. Would definitely come here again.

Rachel W.

Amazing amazing amazing!!! If you are vegan or vegetarian you will love this place, but also do not have to be to enjoy it! I had the avocado quinoa salad and was super pleased!

Rachel M.

I love this place. The seitan dishes are always my favorite. And the carrot cake is divine!!!

Pamela J.

I give three stars for a vegan restaurant period. This was one of the only places around when I first moved to NYC. Now, we are blessed with many, many more choices. I found the menu really bland and boring, however, which was a disappointment. I had an arugula salad with some veggies and fried mushrooms. The oddest ting happened while eating - I got shooting pains in my stomach. That would happen back in the days of shoveling all sorts of pastas and dairy products into my system and rarely happens now. Not sure what it was that caused this. Aside from the food, the environment was peaceful enough with it's enlightened diners.

Bill T.

Service was just fine. I was a bit underwhelmed with the soup of the day: A bit under-seasoned and the garbanzo beans were a bit under cooked. People in our group enjoyed the indian plate very much. My pasta dish was also very good.

Audrey H.

Service was pleasant and my meal was fantastic! Adding this place to my list of favorite vegan restaurants.

Valerie N.

I was lucky enough to receive a gift card to The Candle Cafe. After mistakenly trying to use it at Candle Cafe West, I finally made it over to the East side to check out the original. I was expecting a place that was more like its version on the West side, but it seemed to be a little less fancy, a lot smaller and more cramped. Fortunately, the food and the service more than made up for the simple, casual dining atmosphere. We only had to wait a few minutes for a table for two on a Saturday night. Our table was near the kitchen and the bathrooms, but it actually was not bad. Our server tended to us right away & brought us the separate gluten-free menu upon our request. One of the specials was a guacamole appetizer. We were starving. It sounded great. It wasn't. It was not very flavorful, and the number of chips provided was on the skimpy side. Given that it also wasn't cheap, it was a let down. That was the only disappointing part of our meal, though. I had the portobellos steak. I thought it might be the boring choice, but I was completely wrong. The portobello mushrooms were very well seasoned, and the cashew parmesan sauce and the capers made them extra good. The quinoa polenta cake made the dish very filling. Although I barely had room for dessert, there was a gluten free chocolate mousse pie with a cookie crumb crust on the menu, and we just had to share it. I am so glad we did, because it was superb. It was so rich that it was perfect for sharing. I can't imagine eating a slice on my own. All in all, it is a great casual vegan place, if a little expensive, but it's New York, so I guess that is to be expected.

Katie G.

Great options for a vegan or vegetarian! I had the roasted beets and kale salad. I would have liked the beets to be warm so I was a little surprised that they were cold but still good! The kale salad was amazing. And for dessert I couldn't resist the cacao coconut drink which had bananas, coconut meat, vanilla, dates, cinnamon etc. It was out of this world, and I didn't leave feeling guilty about what I ate. Will definitely go back!!

Consumer V.

Delish! Veggie and GF friendly, clean, great ambiance, great food. Recommend checking it out if you're in the area.

Andrew C.

Let me preface by saying: I like the owners. they're good people, they are universally liked. That being said, the problem with Candle is what is the problem with virtually all health food restaurants in New York city. In the first half of the decade of the new millennium, rents skyrocketed. Then in the second half, food costs spiraled upward, due to freight costs. These two phenomena turned vegetarian restaurants, once bargains, into very expensive eateries. As a result, menu prices have outrun.inflation, coupled with eateries reducing portions. The accompanying photo corroborates my point. The selection of these four items--brown rice, grilled tempeh, grilled tofu and sauteed broccoli set me back a surreal $20. Twenty bucks! Ordered separately, each item would be $5-7. So I don't make the principals of the Candle culpable. It does, however, motivate me more than ever, to prepare my own meals, even if this means getting out of bed earlier, or staying up late, or cut into my weekend leisure. Because truth be told, I could prepare all in this picture for under four dollars. yes, there's no ambience nor the pleasure of dining out. still, if I were to eat out twice per week, this would set me back $2,000 annually. I refuse to pay these prices for these portions. oh, regarding the food, the tofu was best, really firm, probably the Bridge brand. Tempeh had good seasoning, broccoli was cooked long enough to break down micro cellulose and stl retained bright green color. The carrot-ginger dressing and gravy were flavorful, what there was of it. The rice was too wet and tasteless. I skipped on soup, appetizer and dessert as I was not going to walk out of this spartan decorated cafe with a forty dollar bill, as I once dined there, soup -to-nuts, for under half that price. Again, I don't blame the owners, its a sign of the times and I will protest by cooking more often.

Caitlin F.

Ah, the little sister of Candle 79 does not disappoint. This will be brief, as I only popped in here for dessert, but that's the most important course of any meal, so... We ordered the pumpkin pie and chocolate mousse pie. Both were plated nicely and really, really good. I liked that the pumpkin pie wasn't too sweet--it was obvious that actual pumpkin puree was the primary ingredient in the "filling"--not an over abundance of cashews and pumpkin pie spice. The pecan oat crust was really good (and gluten free). The chocolate mousse pie, on the other hand, was very rich and very sweet, but I love sweet where chocolate is concerned, so I was quite thrilled. It's a pretty hefty slice of pie (whereas the pumpkin dessert was rather small), and was phenomenal with a side of salted caramel ice cream. On my way out, I grabbed an oat date bar from the counter. On the counter, they have an assortment of cookies and these date bars. Sadly, none of it is gluten free (the cookies contain either unbleached wheat flour or spelt flour and the oat bar doesn't contain certified GF oats). The date bar was okay--very dry, I thought, and given my gluten sensitivity, I didn't feel particularly well afterward. I'll stick with the desserts on the menu in the future. As for the interior, I thought it was a bit bright given the fact that we were there at 10:00PM. Otherwise, no complaints, and service was good! After seeing the dishes at the table next to us, I'll definitely be back here for some apps and entrees in the near future.

Dean L.

Simply delicious vegetarian food. Good honest ingredients. Makes you feel good afterwards. Restaurant is not the largest but quaint and intimate. Candle Cafe is the more casual restaurant of the Candle family. If you want to give yourself a health boost without breaking the bank this is the place.

Beth H.

Had the Mediterranean appetizer. It was bland and didn't come with enough bread ($3 for more). And we also had the Mexican street rice as a side. It tasted like canned corn and we had to add spice and hot sauce to get any flavor. I wouldn't return.

Emily W.

The reason I am giving a 3 star review is because the food is wonderful, however the service was terrible. I went here the other day for brunch with friends. It took our server over 10 minutes to stop by, introduce himself and take our drink order. The place was busy, but seemed staffed to handle the crowd. We finally ordered about 30 minutes after we were seated. The food came out quickly, and was DELICIOUS!! I ordered the southwestern crêpe, I highly recommend it. It took another 15-20 minutes to get our check. All in all, the service was terrible, but the food is great. I would suggest ordering take out so you don't have to wait.

Tara K.

This is my go to "Posh" vegan eatery. It has a typical UES atmosphere- refined, excellent service and comfy seating. The food is on par pretty great. It's not a place I would necessarily go out of the way for- it's not inexpensive and the food is not the best Vegan in my opinion but it's still quite good and it's a staple NY restaurant and somewhere every Veggie should try.

Evan K.

Ermagehd!!!! I want all the things. Today was my first day in NYC and a friend of mine who lives in town recommended this place. Oh boy, was this vegan up for a surprise. The menu is a mix of salads, sandwiches and entrées that would make any person (vegan / vegetarian or not) jump for joy. I ended up getting the Tofu Club which went down like a treat. The staff were also all very friendly and I asked if they could do something special since it was my best friends 30th Birthday. They brought out 3 x cake slices with candles and all - our waiter even sang Happy Birthday. It was very sweet of them. We had the Chocolate Mousse slice, Key Lime pie and Carrot Cake - I can't say which was my favourite but they were all beautifully rich and delicious. Please do yourself a favour a try this place! :)

Megan S.

Absolutely phenomenal food. Got porcini crusted seitan. Base was crispy root veggies with soft rosemary mashed potatoes with sautéed spinach. The crust on the seitan was crispy. Great texture. Topped with some sprouts. Flavor and texture just super perfect. The meal paired together incredibly. Sat at bar. Staff was wonderful. Definitely will be back.

M L.

Food was good, service was bad. We had the Crispy Cajun Salad( large serving & tasty), Live Cerviche(small serving very tasty but pretty much 1/2 an avocado with a very small salad), Crispy Cajun Seiten Sandwich (very good on texture but a little light on seasoning), and sautéed mushrooms. I had the Tipsy Palmer (light summery drink -loved it), my friend had the Ginger Sake drink (extremely sweet) not for me but she loved it. Food was overall good not great, (definitely Candle Cage West was amzing!) I am recommending the food. It was the service. Maybe we were in an inconvenient spot for them; waiter never told us specials (pasta of the day, etc.), actually he never even came back! (Seriously someone else took our order). I don't want to go on & on but I felt slighted like we had done something especially from the Blue Haired water young lady. Our replacement waiter (whom had to voluteer for the job) Justin saved the day. He was amiable, courtesy, & very good looking. Not going back food was not good enough to compensate for the horrid service (except for Justin). Received a note from the manager a few days after this review saying he was sorry & surprised about my experience with the service. A few days after that my dining partner received the same note for her review. I mean the exact same note. (Still surprised? ) I appreciate the note & sentiment but there were serious systemic issues with that service. So many restaurants in NYC, for me not worth a 2nd chance. But I honestly wish them the best & the food was good.

Elisabeth C.

FRIGGING DELICIOUS AND HEALTHY. I would give this place ten stars if I could. I am gluten free and this place had so much awesome delicious and healthy food that was safe for me to eat. I am so sad I don't live closer because I would eat here every day. Seriously one of my favorite restaurants in the city right now. THE BEST. SO GOOD. Do you have a vegetarian, vegan or gluten free person in your life? Do you want to eat somewhere that will be awesome for anyone even them? This is your spot.

Susie M.

The three stars are only for the tea and the AMAZING 90's vibe!!!! The music was on point!

Allie L.

A friend told me the Candle Cafe was one of her favorites, so I had to try it when I visited New York. Back home in San Francisco, there are a lot of vegan and vegetarian options so I thought I would try it. We arrived around 1:30 on a Sunday afternoon and we were seated right away. It's a small and intimate restaurant. The wait staff was extremely friendly and our server brought us water and an appetizer. I wish I knew the name of the appetizer, but it was really tasty! For lunch, my daughter ordered the Porcini Crusted Seitan and I ordered the Cajun Seitan Sandwich. I've never had Seitan and it tasted great! It looks like a thin piece of meat, but it had a different taste. The Porcini Crusted Seitan had a nice flavor and eaten with the mash potatoes, brussel sprouts and sauce, it was delicious. My Cajun Seitan was deep fried and the sandwich included spinach, onions and avocado served on a focaccia bread along with french fries. The cajun sauce was on the side, which I prefer so I can spread as much or as little as I want. Our dishes were very filling and we couldn't finish it. In fact, we were so full that we weren't hungry until 9PM that evening. We had a great time and when we return to New York, we will definitely make an effort to dine there again.

Courtney K.

Accidentally came here when the wait at JG Melon was too long, and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked the meal. I'm not the biggest fan of vegan food (I love my eggs and meat through and through), but I ordered the strawberry french toast and liked it a lot! The whipped butter/cream topping was very good with it, although quite sweet so I didnt need any of that maple syrup. The waitstaff is very nice as well. My only complaint is that they don't do bottomless coffee, to me that is a must for any brunch spot!

Sarah D.

So freaking good! This is my first time coming here but it definitely won't be my last and I'll be making plenty of suggestions to people to come here. My favorites here are the Crispy Dumplings, the Black Bean burger (the aioli sauce was bangin) served with crispy sweet potato fries and the Chocolate mousse cake. Also just wanted to say that being a mostly vegan I've eaten at many vegan/vegetarian restaurants but never felt as full as I would if I cooked for myself, the portions are large but not too large, but large enough to feel completely satisfied. I am full and got my money's worth.

Saman J.

This is a great vegan spot for breakfast, lunch or brunch. Lot's options and good quality, portions are a descent size. I had a gluten free crepe with potatoes on the side, it would have used a little more flavor. Desserts are delicious, coffee is good (lots of dairy free milk options).

Cynthia E.

Excellent food! I always go here when I'm in NYC! Thoughtful dishes, well prepared. Not that expensive.

Dana R.

I am not a vegan or a vegetarian but I do often eat dishes that both would eat. And, I do go to both types of restaurants with success (as one example, I had a wonderful meal at Ubuntu (a now closed (sadly) vegetarian restaurant in Napa Valley); this was not one of those experiences for me or most of my dining party. Neither my husband nor my brother-in-law really liked their french toast -- they had to douse it in maple syrup (which they had to ask for) to give it any flavor. I tried to order the quesadilla and asked them to use some vegetable other than mushrooms in it and I was told that they are "pre-made" and there are no substitutions ... really, in a small place like this with a reputation for freshness, we all were surprised anything would be pre-made. So, I settled on the crystal rolls and some edamame. The crystal rolls were terrible, loosely wrapped, watery and bitter tasting ... didn't eat them and no one asked whether I liked them or said a word when they came to pick up the plates and it was still full. So, I had steamed edamame with sea salt for lunch. Very boring - I make these at home, but everything else that caught my eye literally had fake meat, tofu or mushrooms, none of which I like. We came to the restaurant for my sister-in-law -- who did enjoy her Ranchero tofu scramble. Service wasn't good either. I had to get up and ask for more water after my glass sat empty for quite some time. And, we were initially going to be seated at the back of the restaurant and the hostess seemed put out when we asked to sit up near the window ... there was only one other couple in the restaurant at the time and we were not told the table up front had been reserved for another party ... seemingly just grumpy. Far from the best vegan or vegetarian restaurant I've been to.

Brittany L.

Went here for lunch before going to the Met on a Friday. We ordered the House-Made Crispy Dumplings and the Mezze Plate to start. The dumplings were perfect, and the Mezze Plate was also really good. We especially loved the lemon-date chutney, it truly complemented the more savory flavors of the hummus and quinoa tabouli. I suggest requesting extra crudité when you order. For our entrees we opted for the Grilled Portobello Steak, Porcini Crusted Seitan, and the Cajun Seitan Sandwich. We couldn't stop raving about all of the dishes, but the true highlight of the meal was the Grilled Portobello Steak. I really enjoyed the pomegranate-cabernet reduction and crispy shallots that topped the dish. The ambiance was nice, our server was so sweet, and the food was delicious. I did not love how close together the tables were, but can't blame them for packing them in. I look forward to returning and sampling more of their offerings.

Kya R.

Chris is the manager and was our host for the evening. It was great to be greeted by him and all of his lovely staff (seriously- everyone was phenomenal and friendly) after a long week. Without going overboard with the compliments, it's just a great atmosphere, with amazing food! I highly recommend!

Joy G.

In my ongoing quest to balance out my brownie-binges (read: every Friday night and some spillover into Saturday morning) with 5 minutes on the treadmill, I have dabbled in the mighty power of tofu, quinoa, and tempeh. Hold on, I need to step onto the soapbox for a minute: the whole gluten-free, organic, OMG-kale movement annoys the bejeesus out of me. The people who are actually allergic to gluten have my deepest condolences. But for every person who will drop dead if they ingest a bite of gluten-packed bread, there are five others who use it just to drive themselves and their wallets nuts. I honestly think everything in moderation (even refined sugars and cheese and deep-fried, beer battered steak) will keep both your body and soul happier in the long run, instead of deeming select items to be totally forsaken. Okay, I just resent people who hold up the line at Starbucks by asking a million of questions and making sure the whipped foam on their pumpkin spice latte is absolutely fat-free, not skim, not 1%, not 2%. Or who insist on eating spirulina muffins and lying to my face that it's more delicious than my butter-heavy banana nut bread. Girl please. Anyway, I liked the Mediterranean wrap (needed a bit more tofu feta), loved the vegan carrot cake, and hated the prices. I guess it's better than Candle 79 but the idea of shelling out close to $20 for some diced tofu, brown rice, and broccoli/vegetable medley makes me sad. You can buy all those ingredients at your Trader Joes or health food market for $20 and feed yourself for a few days. Also, our guy waiter was super nice and chill, while our girl waiter stared me down when I had the audacity to tell her to take the iced tea off our receipt when we never got it. Also not sure why only the cajun seitan sandwich gets fries as a side and the rest of the sandwich/burger options only have greens.

Bryan P.

definitely some good offerings here, with the highlight being the Cajun Seitan, but there are some inconsistencies that prevent a rating of 5 stars. Undercooked/raw fries, underseasoned guacamole, oily chips--it's a shame these things happen when other things are so good. still worth a visit if you're already considering it.

Crystal T.